N-CSR 1 d632284dncsr.htm BLACKROCK ENHANCED INTERNATIONAL DIVIDEND TRUST BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number: 811-22032

 

Name of Fund:   BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

 

Fund Address:   100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809

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

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

Date of fiscal year end: 12/31/2023

Date of reporting period: 12/31/2023


Item 1 – Report to Stockholders

(a) The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.


 

LOGO

  DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

   2023 Annual Report

 

BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust (BGR)

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

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (BMEZ)

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (BIGZ)

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (BSTZ)

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

 

 

 

 

 

Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • No Bank Guarantee

 

 

 


Supplemental Information (unaudited)

  

 

Section 19(a) Notices

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

December 31, 2023

 

 

 
    Total Cumulative Distributions
for the Fiscal Period
     % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative
Distributions for the Fiscal Period
 
Trust Name    

Net

Income

 

 

    

Net Realized
Capital Gains
Short-Term
 
 
 
    

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

Total Per
Common
Share
 
 
 
    
Net
Income
 
 
   

Net Realized
Capital Gains
Short-Term
 
 
 
   

Net Realized
Capital Gains
Long-Term
 
 
 
   
Return of
Capital
 
 
   

Total Per 
Common 
Share 
 
 
 

 

 

BGR

  $ 0.386340      $      $      $ 0.387660     $ 0.774000        50             50     100%  

CII

    0.084620               1.109380              1.194000        7             93             100     

BDJ

    0.273080        0.049100        0.407220              0.729400        37       7       56             100     

BOE

    0.222930                      0.533070       0.756000        29                   71       100     

BGY

    0.088760               0.154160        0.162680       0.405600        22             38       40       100     

BMEZ

                         1.582470       1.582470                          100       100     

BME

    0.146200               1.586760        0.823040       2.556000        6             62       32       100     

BIGZ

                         0.765770       0.765770                          100       100     

BCX

    0.293280                      0.328320       0.621600        47                   53       100     

BSTZ

                  0.167000        1.654710       1.821710                    9       91       100     

BST

                         3.000000       3.000000                          100       100     

BUI

    0.360190        0.209850        0.606660        0.275300       1.452000        25       14       42       19       100     

 

 

 

(a) 

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

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

Section 19(b) Disclosure

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

 

Trust Name   Amount Per
Common Share
 

BGR

  $  0.065700  

CII

    0.099500  

BDJ

    0.056200  

BOE

    0.063000  

BGY

    0.033800  

BMEZ

    0.091600  

BME

    0.213000  

BIGZ

    0.044870  

BCX

    0.051800  

BSTZ

    0.102540  

BST

    0.250000  

BUI

    0.121000  

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

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

 

 

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Supplemental Information (unaudited) (continued)

  

 

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

 

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

  3


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The combination of continued economic growth and cooling inflation provided a supportive backdrop for investors during the 12-month reporting period ended December 31, 2023. Significantly tighter monetary policy helped to rein in inflation, and the Consumer Price Index decelerated substantially in the first half of the year before stalling between 3% and 4% in the second half. A moderating labor market helped ease inflationary pressure, although wages continued to grow. Wage and job growth powered robust consumer spending, backstopping the economy. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a horrific attack on Israel. The ensuing war will have a significant humanitarian impact and could lead to heightened economic and market volatility. We see geopolitics as a structural market risk going forward. See our geopolitical risk dashboard at blackrock.com for more details.

Equity returns were robust during the period, as interest rates stabilized and the economy proved to be more resilient than many investors expected. The U.S. economy continued to show strength, and growth further accelerated in the third quarter of 2023. Large-capitalization U.S. stocks posted particularly substantial gains, supported by the performance of a few notable technology companies and small-capitalization U.S. stocks also advanced. Meanwhile, international developed market equities and emerging market stocks posted solid gains.

The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield ended 2023 where it began despite an eventful year that saw significant moves in bond markets. Overall, U.S. Treasuries gained as investors began to anticipate looser financial conditions. The corporate bond market benefited from improving economic sentiment, although high-yield corporate bond prices fared significantly better than investment-grade bonds as demand from yield-seeking investors remained strong.

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

Supply constraints appear to have become an embedded feature of the new macroeconomic environment, making it difficult for developed economies to increase production without sparking higher inflation. Geopolitical fragmentation and an aging population risk further exacerbating these constraints, keeping the labor market tight and wage growth high. Although the Fed has stopped tightening for now, we believe that the new economic regime means that the Fed will need to maintain high rates for an extended period despite the market’s hopes for interest rate cuts, as reflected in the recent rally. In this new regime, we anticipate greater volatility and dispersion of returns, creating more opportunities for selective portfolio management.

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

Overall, our view is that investors need to think globally, position themselves to be prepared for a decarbonizing economy, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit blackrock.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC

 

Total Returns as of December 31, 2023

 

    

 

 6-Month 

 

 

 

 12-Month 

 

 

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

 

 

 

8.04%

 

 

26.29%

 

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

 

 

 

8.18  

 

 

16.93  

 

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

 

 

 

5.88  

 

 

18.24  

 

Emerging market equities (MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

 

 

 

4.71  

 

 

 9.83  

 

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

 

 

 

2.70  

 

 

 5.02  

 

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

 

 

 

 

1.11  

 

 

 2.83  

 

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

 

 

 

 

3.37  

 

 

 5.53  

 

Tax-exempt municipal bonds (Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index)

 

 

 

3.63  

 

 

 6.40  

 

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

 

 

7.65  

 

 

 13.44  

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

 

 

 

 

4  

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


Table of Contents

 

      Page  

Supplemental Information

     2  

The Markets in Review

     4  

Option Over-Writing Strategy

     6  

Derivative Financial Instruments

     6  

Annual Report:

  

Trust Summary

     7  

Financial Statements:

  

Schedules of Investments

     44  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     133  

Statements of Operations

     136  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     139  

Statements of Cash Flows

     145  

Financial Highlights

     151  

Notes to Financial Statements

     163  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     178  

Important Tax Information

     179  

Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks

     181  

Shareholder Update

     207  

Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan

     217  

Trustee and Officer Information

     218  

Additional Information

     222  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     226  

 

 

  5


Option Over-Writing Strategy

 

Overview

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

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

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

Option Over-Writing Strategy Illustration

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

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

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Trusts may invest in various derivative financial instruments. These instruments are used to obtain exposure to a security, commodity, index, market, and/or other assets without owning or taking physical custody of securities, commodities and/or other referenced assets or to manage market, equity, credit, interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate, commodity and/or other risks. Derivative financial instruments may give rise to a form of economic leverage and involve risks, including the imperfect correlation between the value of a derivative financial instrument and the underlying asset, possible default of the counterparty to the transaction or illiquidity of the instrument. Pursuant to Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, among other things, the Trusts must either use derivative financial instruments with embedded leverage in a limited manner or comply with an outer limit on fund leverage risk based on value-at-risk. The Trusts’ successful use of a derivative financial instrument depends on the investment adviser’s ability to predict pertinent market movements accurately, which cannot be assured. The use of these instruments may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may limit the amount of appreciation a Trust can realize on an investment and/or may result in lower distributions paid to shareholders. The Trusts’ investments in these instruments, if any, are discussed in detail in the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

 

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Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023

   BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust (BGR)

 

Investment Objective

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

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

Trust Information

 

Symbol on New York Stock Exchange

   BGR 

Initial Offering Date

   December 29, 2004 

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2023 ($12.45)(a)

   6.33% 

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

   $0.065700 

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

   $0.788400 

 

  (a) 

Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

 
  (b) 

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

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

      12/31/23      12/31/22      Change      High      Low  

Closing Market Price

   $ 12.45      $ 12.53        (0.64 )%     $  13.36      $  11.23  

Net Asset Value

     14.13        14.21        (0.56      15.09        12.71  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

 

LOGO

 

  (a) 

Represents the Trust’s closing market price on the NYSE and reflects the reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

 
  (b) 

An index that is designed to capture the large- and mid-cap segments across developed markets countries. All securities in the index are classified in the energy sector as per the Global Industry Classification Standard.

 

 

 

T R U S T S U M M A R Y

  7


Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust (BGR)

 

Performance

Returns for the period ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

    Average Annual Total Returns  
     1 Year     5 Years     10 Years  

Trust at NAV(a)(b)

    5.75     10.34     0.98

Trust at Market Price(a)(b)

    5.66       10.57       0.78  

MSCI World Energy Call Overwrite Index(c)

    5.18       7.71       N/A  

MSCI World Energy Index

    2.54       9.88       2.03  

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

An index that incorporates an option overlay component on the MSCI World Energy Index with a 33% overwrite level. The benchmark commenced on December 31, 2018 and therefore the benchmark does not have 10-year returns.

 

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

The Trust is presenting the performance of one or more indices for informational purposes only. The Trust is actively managed and does not seek to track or replicate the performance of any index. The index performance shown is not intended to be indicative of the Trust’s investment strategies, portfolio components or past or future performance.

More information about the Trust’s historical performance can be found in the “Closed End Funds” section of blackrock.com.

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

What factors influenced performance?

Natural resources stocks posted gains as a group in 2023, but they lagged the broader equity market due largely to weakness in commodity prices.

The Trust’s overweight positions in Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. and Diamondback Energy, Inc., which rose on the strength of robust production and positive earnings results, contributed to performance. Zero weightings in Devon Energy Corp. and Occidental Petroleum Corp. also contributed. Devon reported weaker-than-expected profits, and Occidental’s share price fell following the announcement of a debt-trusted acquisition. The U.S. liquified natural gas exporter Cheniere Energy, Inc., which reported strong results and upgraded its earnings guidance throughout the year, was another noteworthy contributor.

On the negative side, an underweight in the oilfield services sub-sector detracted from performance. At the stock level, an overweight position in Patterson-UTI Energy Inc. detracted in the first half of the year. A zero weighting in Baker Hughes, Inc. hurt performance, as well. Elsewhere in the portfolio, zero weightings in Cameco Inc., Neste oyj, and Phillips 66 pressured results. A position in BP PLC also detracted. Although the company reported robust earnings, investors reacted negatively to the company’s decision to reduce its pace of share buybacks.

The Trust used an options overlay strategy in which calls were written on a portion of the portfolio’s holdings. This strategy contributed to results in the annual period.

The Trust’s practice of maintaining a specified level of monthly distributions to shareholders did not have a material impact on the Trust’s investment strategy. The distribution policy resulted in return of capital for the period. Refer to the financial highlights and income tax information sections in this report for further information about the distributions.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The investment adviser added to the Trust’s weighting in the oilfield services subsector, and it modestly reduced the allocation to integrated oil companies. The investment adviser also reduced the Trust’s position in U.S. shale exploration and production companies, and it rotated its holdings in the integrated subsector in an effort to capitalize on differences in relative performance.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

The investment adviser actively manages the Trust’s positioning to focus on areas where it sees compelling return opportunities and attractive valuations. It believed valuations were favorable at the end of the reporting period given energy companies’ ability to generate profits and deliver high free cash flows. The Trust was overweight in European integrated producers, where the investment advisor saw the most compelling valuations. The Trust maintained selective exposure within the U.S. shale space.

As of December 31, 2023, the Trust had in place an option overwriting program whereby 29.8% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options on individual stocks. These call options were typically written at prices above the prevailing market prices (estimated to be 3.9% out of the money) and for maturities averaging 48 days.

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

 

 

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Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust (BGR)

 

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security(a)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    16.3

Shell PLC

    10.8  

Chevron Corp.

    8.8  

TotalEnergies SE

    8.2  

ConocoPhillips

    6.2  

BP PLC

    4.7  

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

    4.2  

EOG Resources, Inc.

    4.0  

Williams Cos., Inc.

    3.7  

Cheniere Energy, Inc.

    3.7  

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

   
Industry(a)(b)   Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

    93.6

Energy Equipment & Services

    6.4  

 

 
(a) 

Excludes short-term securities.

(b) 

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

 

 

T R U S T S U M M A R Y

  9


 

Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 

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

 

Investment Objective

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

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

Trust Information

 

Symbol on New York Stock Exchange

   CII 

Initial Offering Date

   April 30, 2004 

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2023 ($19.00)(a)

   6.28% 

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

   $0.099500 

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

   $1.194000 

 

  (a) 

Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

 
  (b) 

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

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

      12/31/23      12/31/22      Change      High      Low  

Closing Market Price

   $ 19.00      $ 17.12        10.98    $  19.32      $  16.82  

Net Asset Value

     19.81        17.55        12.88        19.84        17.42  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

 

LOGO

 

  (a) 

Represents the Trust’s closing market price on the NYSE and reflects the reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

 
  (b) 

An index that measures the performance of the large-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. It is a subset of the Russell 3000® Index and includes approximately 1,000 of the largest securities based on a combination of their market capitalization and current index membership. The Russell 1000® Index represents approximately 93% of the U.S. market.

 

 

 

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Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

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

 

Performance

Returns for the period ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

    Average Annual Total Returns  
     1 Year     5 Years     10 Years  

Trust at NAV(a)(b)

    20.45     13.27     10.25

Trust at Market Price(a)(b)

    18.43       14.18       11.27  

MSCI USA Call Overwrite Index(c)

    22.00       11.57       N/A  

Russell 1000® Index

    26.53       15.52       11.80  

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

An index that incorporates an option overlay component on the MSCI USA Index with a 55% overwrite level. The benchmark commenced on December 31, 2018 and therefore the benchmark does not have 10-year returns.

 

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

The Trust is presenting the performance of one or more indices for informational purposes only. The Trust is actively managed and does not seek to track or replicate the performance of any index. The index performance shown is not intended to be indicative of the Trust’s investment strategies, portfolio components or past or future performance.

More information about the Trust’s historical performance can be found in the “Closed End Funds” section of blackrock.com.

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

What factors influenced performance?

Stock selection within the healthcare sector was a leading contributor to relative performance, most notably within the pharmaceuticals industry. Investment decisions within communication services also proved additive, most notably an overweight allocation to the sector along with stock selection in interactive media and services. Finally, positioning within the energy sector and a lack of exposure to utilities was beneficial as well.

An underweight allocation to the information technology sector was the largest detractor during the period. Stock selection in materials also detracted, most notably an overweight allocation to and poor selection within the containers and packaging industry. Stock selection within consumer discretionary and industrials detracted as well.

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

The Trust’s practice of maintaining a specified level of monthly distributions did not have a material impact on the Trust’s investment strategy. The distribution policy did not result in return of capital for the period. Refer to the financial highlights and income tax information sections in this report for further information about the distributions.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

During the reporting period, a combination of portfolio trading activity and market price changes resulted in the Trust adding exposure to the information technology and communication services sectors, while the Trust saw reduced exposure to industrials and materials.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

As of December 31, 2023, the Trust had an options overwriting program in place whereby 51% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These call options were typically written at levels above prevailing market prices (estimated to be 6.0% out of the money) with an average time until expiration of 53 days.

At period end, the Trust’s largest absolute allocations were in IT, healthcare and financials. Relative to the benchmark, the Trust’s most significant overweight exposures were in communication services, health care and consumer discretionary. The Trust maintained its most significant relative underweight sector exposures to IT, real estate and utilities.

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

 

 

T R U S T S U M M A R Y

  11


Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

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

 

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security(a)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

Microsoft Corp.

    8.7

Amazon.com, Inc.

    5.5  

Alphabet, Inc.

    5.4  

Apple, Inc.

    4.4  

Meta Platforms, Inc.

    3.1  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.

    2.6  

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

    2.3  

Comcast Corp.

    2.3  

Fortive Corp.

    2.3  

Sanofi SA

    2.2  

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   
Sector(a)(b)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

Information Technology

    25.2

Health Care

    16.2  

Financials

    13.1  

Communication Services

    13.1  

Consumer Discretionary

    12.8  

Industrials

    6.9  

Consumer Staples

    5.5  

Energy

    4.2  

Materials

    3.0  
 

 

(a)

Excludes short-term securities.

(b) 

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

 

 

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Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 

   BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust’s (BDJ) (the “Trust”) primary investment objective is to provide current income and current gains, with a secondary investment objective of long-term capital appreciation. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing in common stocks that pay dividends and have the potential for capital appreciation and by utilizing an option writing strategy to enhance distributions to its shareholders. The Trust invests, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its total assets in dividend paying equities and may invest up to 20% of its total assets in equity securities of issuers that do not pay dividends. The Trust may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.

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

Trust Information

 

Symbol on New York Stock Exchange

   BDJ 

Initial Offering Date

   August 31, 2005 

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2023 ($7.69)(a)

   8.77% 

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

   $0.056200 

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

   $0.674400 

 

  (a) 

Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

 
  (b) 

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

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

      12/31/23      12/31/22      Change      High      Low  

Closing Market Price

   $ 7.69      $ 9.01        (14.65 )%     $  9.36      $  6.92  

Net Asset Value

     8.82        8.74        0.92        9.15        8.05  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

 

LOGO

 

  (a)

Represents the Trust’s closing market price on the NYSE and reflects the reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

 
  (b) 

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

 

 

 

T R U S T S U M M A R Y

  13


Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

 

Performance

Returns for the period ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

    Average Annual Total Returns  
     1 Year     5 Years     10 Years  

Trust at NAV(a)(b)

    10.37     9.76     7.88

Trust at Market Price(a)(b)

    (6.65     9.31       7.89  

MSCI USA Value Call Overwrite Index(c)

    5.33       7.12       N/A  

Russell 1000® Value Index

    11.46       10.91       8.40  

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

An index that incorporates an option overlay component on the MSCI USA Value Index with a 55% overwrite level. The benchmark commenced on December 31, 2018 and therefore the benchmark does not have 10-year returns.

 

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

The Trust is presenting the performance of one or more indices for informational purposes only. The Trust is actively managed and does not seek to track or replicate the performance of any index. The index performance shown is not intended to be indicative of the Trust’s investment strategies, portfolio components or past or future performance.

More information about the Trust’s historical performance can be found in the “Closed End Funds” section of blackrock.com.

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

What factors influenced performance?

The global equity markets produced robust returns in 2023 thanks to stronger-than-expected economic growth and a more favorable outlook for central bank policy. Dividend-paying stocks, while posting gains, lagged the broader market at a time in which investors displayed a preference for faster-growing companies.

Stock selection in the financial sector made the largest contribution to the Fund’s relative performance. Selection in health care also boosted results, mainly due to positioning in pharmaceuticals. Stock selection in energy was an additional contributor, led by the oil, gas, and consumable fuels industry group. Positioning in utilities contributed as well.

On the other hand, an underweight in the information technology sector detracted from performance. Stock selection in materials further weighed on results, with the weakest showing in the containers and packaging industry. Positioning in the consumer discretionary and consumer staples sectors also detracted.

The Trust used an options overlay strategy in which calls were written on a portion of the portfolio’s holdings. The options overlay strategy detracted from relative performance.

The Trust’s practice of maintaining a specified level of monthly distributions to shareholders did not have a material impact on the Trust’s investment strategy. The distribution policy did not result in return of capital for the period. Refer to the financial highlights and income tax information sections in this report for further information about the distributions.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The Trust’s allocations to the financials and industrials sectors increased due to a combination of portfolio trading activity and market price changes. The Trust’s weightings in information technology and healthcare sectors decreased.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

As of December 31, 2023, the Trust had in place an option overwriting program whereby 50.8% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options on individual stocks. These call options were typically written at prices above the prevailing market prices (estimated to be 5.0% out of the money) and for maturities averaging 55 days.

At period end, the Trust’s largest absolute allocations were in financials, healthcare, and industrials. Relative to the benchmark, the Trust’s most significant overweight exposures were in financials, communication services and health care. The Trust maintained its most significant relative underweight sector exposures to IT, real estate and materials.

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

 

 

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Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

 

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security(a)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

Wells Fargo & Co.

    3.2

Citigroup, Inc.

    3.0  

American International Group, Inc.

    2.9  

Shell PLC

    2.6  

Kraft Heinz Co.

    2.4  

Leidos Holdings, Inc.

    2.3  

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

    2.3  

General Motors Co.

    2.2  

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.

    2.1  

BP PLC

    2.1  

SECTOR ALLOCATION

 

   
Sector(a)(b)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

Financials

    26.9

Health Care

    18.2  

Industrials

    11.5  

Consumer Staples

    8.8  

Energy

    8.5  

Information Technology

    7.3  

Consumer Discretionary

    6.3  

Communication Services

    5.5  

Utilities

    4.1  

Materials

    2.1  

Real Estate

    0.8  
 
(a) 

Excludes short-term securities.

(b) 

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

 

 

T R U S T S U M M A R Y

  15


Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023  

   BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

 

Investment Objective

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

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

Trust Information

 

Symbol on New York Stock Exchange

   BOE 

Initial Offering Date

   May 31, 2005 

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2023 ($ 9.92)(a)

   7.62% 

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

   $0.063000 

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

   $0.756000 

 

  (a) 

Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

 
  (b)

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

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

      12/31/23      12/31/22      Change      High      Low  

Closing Market Price

   $ 9.92      $ 9.56        3.77    $  10.59      $  8.87  

Net Asset Value

     11.81        10.97        7.66        11.81        10.56  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

 

LOGO

 

  (a) 

Represents the Trust’s closing market price on the NYSE and reflects the reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

 
  (b) 

An index that captures large- and mid-cap representation across certain developed and emerging markets.

 

 

 

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Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

 

Performance

Returns for the period ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

    Average Annual Total Returns  
     1 Year     5 Years     10 Years  

Trust at NAV(a)(b)

    16.16     8.89     5.14

Trust at Market Price(a)(b)

    11.95       8.72       4.69  

MSCI ACWI Call Overwrite Index(c)

    18.00       8.97       N/A  

MSCI ACWI

    22.20       11.72       7.93  

 

  (a)

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

 
  (b)

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

 
  (c)

An index that incorporates an option overlay component on the MSCI ACWI Index with a 45% overwrite level. The benchmark commenced on December 31, 2018 and therefore the benchmark does not have 10-year returns.

 

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

The Trust is presenting the performance of one or more indices for informational purposes only. The Trust is actively managed and does not seek to track or replicate the performance of any index. The index performance shown is not intended to be indicative of the Trust’s investment strategies, portfolio components or past or future performance.

More information about the Trust’s historical performance can be found in the “Closed End Funds” section of blackrock.com.

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

What factors influenced performance?

At the individual stock level, a lack of exposure to Nvidia Corp. and Meta Platforms, Inc., along with an underweight position in Apple, Inc. were among the top detractors given the outsized gains posted by these stocks over the year. The Trust’s focus on investing in high quality companies with sustainable growing cash flows that pay a dividend limits its ability to invest in much of the universe of technology-related companies given that these companies typically pay very low dividends or have no dividend policies. The Trust’s position in International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. also detracted from performance. The company missed earnings estimates and guided lower on full year 2023 growth given an uncertain market environment that led to weaker volumes and industry-wide consumer destocking in the United States. The Fund exited the position in the third quarter of 2023.

In terms of individual holdings, positive contributions were led by MediaTek, Inc. (“MediaTek”), a Taiwanese semiconductor company that supplies chips for smartphones in China. MediaTek shares benefited as expectations for central bank rate cuts supported growth-oriented areas of the market. In addition, the company continued to beat earnings estimates and saw significant improvements in inventory levels and expectations for the recovery in China’s smartphone market where the investment adviser believed it was positioned to continue to gain market share. Holdings of U.K. home construction company Taylor Wimpey PLC also contributed to performance. The shares were supported by expectations for lower U.K. mortgage rates and a more robust U.K. housing market in 2024. The company’s strong balance sheet and attractive land bank along with the structural imbalance between supply and demand in the U.K. housing market continued to make it an attractive holding in the view of the investment adviser. Finally, Spanish clothing retailer Industria de Diseno Textil SA, curator of brands such as Zara, reported strong profits over the year thanks to robust in-store and online sales. The company has been able to maintain pricing strength in markets outside the Eurozone, which has boosted profitability.

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

The Trust’s practice of maintaining a specified level of monthly distributions to shareholders did not have a material impact on the Trust’s investment strategy. The distribution policy resulted in return of capital for the period. Refer to the financial highlights and income tax information sections in this report for further information about the distributions.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

During the reporting period, the Trust added exposure to the industrials, information technology and energy sectors. The Trust reduced exposure to the consumer discretionary sector, particularly in relation to the luxury segment, as well as to healthcare and utilities.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

At period end, the Trust’s largest sector overweights were in industrials, healthcare and consumer staples, while consumer discretionary was the largest underweight. Regionally, the Trust was overweight Europe and underweight the United States.

As of December 31, 2023, the Trust had an options overwriting program in place whereby 44% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These call options were typically written at levels above prevailing market prices (estimated to be 2.3% out of the money) with an average time until expiration of 57 days.

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

 

 

T R U S T S U M M A R Y

  17


Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

 

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security(a)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

Microsoft Corp.

    4.8

Apple, Inc.

    3.4  

Nestle SA

    3.0  

Mondelez International, Inc.

    2.9  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    2.8  

AstraZeneca PLC

    2.8  

Union Pacific Corp.

    2.7  

AbbVie, Inc.

    2.7  

Accenture PLC

    2.7  

RELX PLC

    2.6  

 

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

   
Country/Geographic Region   Percentage of
Total Investments
 

United States

    50.9

United Kingdom

    11.1  

France

    9.4  

Switzerland

    6.7  

Taiwan

    4.9  

Netherlands

    4.1  

Ireland

    4.1  

Denmark

    2.2  

Mexico

    2.1  

Canada

    2.0  

Singapore

    1.4  

Indonesia

    1.1  

India

    (b) 
 

 

(a)

Excludes short-term securities.

(b)

Rounds to less than 0.1%.

 

 

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Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 

   BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

 

Investment Objective

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

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

Trust Information

 

Symbol on New York Stock Exchange

   BGY

Initial Offering Date

   May 30, 2007 

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2023 ($ 5.27)(a)

   7.70% 

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

   $0.033800 

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

   $0.405600 

 

  (a) 

Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

 
  (b)

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

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

      12/31/23      12/31/22      Change      High      Low  

Closing Market Price

   $ 5.27      $ 5.02        4.98    $  5.64      $  4.68  

Net Asset Value

     6.21        5.78        7.44        6.40        5.54  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

 

LOGO

 

  (a)

Represents the Trust’s closing market price on the NYSE and reflects the reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

 
  (b) 

An index that captures large- and mid-cap representation across certain developed markets countries (excluding the U.S.) and certain emerging markets countries.

 

 

 

T R U S T S U M M A R Y

  19


Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

 

Performance

Returns for the period ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

     Average Annual Total Returns  
      1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Trust at NAV(a)(b)

     15.94      9.12      3.93

Trust at Market Price(a)(b)

     13.29        8.82        3.49  

MSCI ACWI ex USA Call Overwrite Index(c)

     11.24        4.61        N/A  

MSCI ACWI ex USA Index

     15.62        7.08        3.83  

 

  (a)

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

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

An index that incorporates an option overlay component on the MSCI ACWI ex USA Index with a 45% overwrite level. The benchmark commenced on December 31, 2018 and therefore the benchmark does not have 10-year returns.

 

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

The Trust is presenting the performance of one or more indices for informational purposes only. The Trust is actively managed and does not seek to track or replicate the performance of any index. The index performance shown is not intended to be indicative of the Trust’s investment strategies, portfolio components or past or future performance.

More information about the Trust’s historical performance can be found in the “Closed End Funds” section of blackrock.com.

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

What factors influenced performance?

Stock selection within and an overweight to industrials led positive contributions to the Trust’s relative performance during the reporting period. Stock selection within and underweights to materials and consumer discretionary also contributed.

In terms of individual holdings, positive contributions were led by MediaTek Inc.(“MediaTek”), a Taiwanese semiconductor company that supplies chips for smartphones in China. MediaTek shares benefited as expectations for central bank rate cuts supported growth-oriented areas of the market. In addition, the company continued to beat earnings estimates and is seeing significant improvements in inventory levels and expectations for the recovery in China’s smartphone market where it is positioned to continue to gain market share. Spanish clothing retailer Industria de Diseno Textil SA, curator of brands such as Zara, reported strong profits during the period thanks to robust sales both in-store and online. The company has been able to maintain pricing strength in markets outside the eurozone, aiding profitability. Novo Nordisk A/S, the Danish multinational pharmaceutical company, also contributed to returns. The stock reacted positively as Novo Nordisk A/S reported that its latest trial resulted in a 20% decrease in cardiovascular events in obese patients using Wegovy, – the GLP-1 weight-loss drug manufactured by the company. This result was expected to help unlock reimbursement of the product in commercial plans and potentially lead to Medicare reimbursement, while differentiating Wegovy from competing products.

Stock selection in financials was the main detractor from relative performance during the period. Stock selection within and an overweight to consumer staples and stock selection within communication services also detracted.

Lonza Group AG, the Swiss pharmaceutical and biotech company and largest biologics contract manufacturer in the world, was the top detractor from relative performance over the period. Following the unexpected departure of the CEO in September 2023, the company held its Capital Markets Day in October 2023 and downgraded 2024 guidance. The reduced guidance was centered on Lonza Group AG’s Biologics business that management had previously indicated was “sold out for the foreseeable future”. The Trust subsequently exited the position. Prudential PLC, the U.K.-based multinational insurance company and leading provider of insurance products and services in Asia, also detracted during the period as the shares came under pressure due to weaker sentiment in China. The company posted strong new business profits for the first half of 2023 and the new CEO announced plans for a $1 billion organic investment program through 2025 to drive an increase in new business premiums growth. Finally, brewer Budweiser Brewing Co. APAC Ltd. had significant exposure to the on-premise and nightlife channels in China and saw its shares come under pressure due to increasing concerns over the strength of China’s post-pandemic reopening.

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

The Trust’s practice of maintaining a specified level of monthly distributions did not have a material impact on the Trust’s investment strategy. The distribution policy resulted in return of capital for the period. Refer to the financial highlights and income tax information sections in this report for further information about the distributions.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

During the reporting period, the Trust reduced its exposure to the materials, energy and information technology sectors, while adding to consumer staples, consumer discretionary and industrials.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

At period end, the Trust’s largest sector overweights were in industrials, healthcare and information technology. Regionally, the majority of portfolio assets comprised securities listed in Europe, with particularly significant exposure in Europe excluding the United Kingdom.

 

 

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Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

 

As of December 31, 2023, the Trust had an options overwriting program in place whereby 43% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options. These call options were typically written at levels above prevailing market prices (estimated to be 2.3% out of the money) with an average time until expiration of 60 days.

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

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security(a)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    4.5

Novo Nordisk A/S

    3.7  

RELX PLC

    3.6  

Baker Hughes Co.

    3.4  

Keyence Corp.

    3.3  

ASML Holding NV

    3.1  

Atlas Copco AB

    3.1  

Air Liquide SA

    3.0  

FinecoBank Banca Fineco SpA

    3.0  

Shell PLC

    3.0  

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

   
Country/Geographic Region   Percentage of
Total Investments
 

United Kingdom

    13.4

Netherlands

    11.9  

France

    10.5  

United States

    10.3  

Japan

    7.6  

Taiwan

    7.1  

Sweden

    5.7  

Switzerland

    4.5  

Canada

    4.4  

Germany

    4.3  

Singapore

    4.1  

Denmark

    3.7  

Italy

    3.0  

Mexico

    2.9  

India

    2.6  

Indonesia

    1.5  

Brazil

    1.4  

China

    1.1  

 

 
(a)

Excludes short-term securities.

 

 

T R U S T S U M M A R Y

  21


Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023

   BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (BMEZ)

 

Investment Objective

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

On March 31, 2023 the Board approved a proposal to change the name of BlackRock Health Sciences Trust II, effective as of April 5, 2023, to BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust. There were no changes to the Trust’s investment policies or strategies in conjunction with the name change.

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

Trust Information

 

 

Symbol on New York Stock Exchange

  BMEZ 

Initial Offering Date

  January 30, 2020 

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2023 ($14.65)(a)

  7.50% 

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.091600 

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $1.099200 

 

 

  (a) 

Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

 
  (b) 

The monthly distribution per Common Share, declared on February 1, 2024, was decreased to $0.090440 per share. The current distribution rate on closing market price, current monthly distribution per Common Share, and current annualized distribution per Common Share do not reflect the new distribution rate. The new distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change in the future. A portion of the distribution may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain.

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     12/31/23      12/31/22      Change     High      Low   

Closing Market Price

  $ 14.65      $ 15.43        (5.06 )%    $ 16.99      $ 13.02   

Net Asset Value

    17.91        18.76        (4.53     19.72        15.62   

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

 

LOGO

BMEZ commenced operations on January 30, 2020.

  (a) 

Represents the Trust’s closing market price on the NYSE and reflects the reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

 
  (b)

An index that captures large- and mid-cap representation across certain developed and emerging markets.

 

 

 

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Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (BMEZ)

 

Performance

Returns for the period ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

    Average Annual Total Returns  
     1 Year    

Since   

Inception(a)

 

Trust at NAV(b)(c)

    5.60     5.00%  

Trust at Market Price(b)(c)

    5.02       (0.24)   

MSCI Custom ACWI SMID Growth HC Call Overwrite Index(d)

    4.08       (6.87)   

MSCI ACWI

    22.20       8.44    

 

  (a) 

BMEZ commenced operations on January 30, 2020.

  (b) 

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

  (c) 

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

  (d) 

An index representing the Health Care sector stocks within the MSCI ACWI SMID Cap Growth Index and incorporating an option overlay component with a 25% overwrite level. The MSCI ACWI SMID Cap Growth Index captures mid- and small-cap securities exhibiting overall growth style characteristics across certain developed and emerging markets countries. The index commenced on March 31, 2022 and therefore the since inception return presented is for the period March 31, 2022 through the current reporting period.

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

The Trust is presenting the performance of one or more indices for informational purposes only. The Trust is actively managed and does not seek to track or replicate the performance of any index. The index performance shown is not intended to be indicative of the Trust’s investment strategies, portfolio components or past or future performance.

More information about the Trust’s historical performance can be found in the “Closed End Funds” section of blackrock.com.

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

What factors influenced performance?

Selection in the biotechnology and pharmaceuticals sub-sectors contributed to the Fund’s relative performance in 2023.

At the individual security level, an out-of-benchmark position in Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was the largest contributor. The biotechnology company reported consistently strong earnings during the reporting period and released promising trial results for its non-opioid pain medicine. An overweight position in Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Reata”) was another top contributor. The biotechnology giant Biogen, Inc. announced it would acquire the company for $7.3 billion to obtain Reata’s pipeline of rare disease treatments. An overweight in Blueprint Medicines also contributed positively. The precision therapy company reported increased sales of its hematological disorder treatment, Avyakit. Performance was further bolstered by a year-end rally in small- and mid-cap stocks after the Fed signaled it was likely to begin easing interest rates in 2024.

Security selection in the healthcare providers and services and medical devices and supplies sub-sectors detracted from relative performance.

An overweight in the oncology company Novocure, Ltd., which reported disappointing trial results for its ovarian cancer therapy, was the largest individual detractor from performance. Additionally, a separate trial caused market participants to question the commercial viability of the company’s experimental lung cancer treatment. An underweight in Align Technology, Inc. detracted, as well. The dental device company missed earnings expectations and provided negative future guidance, citing decreased orthodontic case starts and longer sales cycles for capital equipment purchases. An out-of-benchmark position in the Chinese medical devices company Adicon Holdings, Ltd., which declined due to the broader weakness in the nation’s stock market, also detracted.

The Trust used an options overlay strategy in which calls were written on a portion of the portfolio’s holdings. This strategy contributed to relative performance.

The Trust’s practice of maintaining a specified level of monthly distributions to shareholders did not have a material impact on the Trust’s investment strategy. The distribution policy resulted in return of capital for the period. Refer to the financial highlights and income tax information sections in this report for further information about the distributions.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The Trust increased its allocations to the biotechnology, healthcare providers and services, and pharmaceuticals sub-sectors, while reducing its weighting in the medical devices and supplies sub-sector.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

At the end of the period, the Trust held 41% of net asset value in biotechnology, 36% in medical devices and supplies, 11% in healthcare providers and services, and 10% in pharmaceuticals. These industry weightings were the result of bottom-up stock selection.

As of December 31, 2023, the Trust had in place an option overwriting program whereby 25% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options on individual stocks. These call options were typically written at prices above the prevailing market prices (estimated to be 6.8% out of the money) and for maturities averaging 57 days.

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

 

 

T R U S T S U M M A R Y

  23


Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (BMEZ)

 

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security(a)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.

    2.1

Cencora, Inc.

    2.1  

Align Technology, Inc.

    2.0  

Amgen, Inc.

    2.0  

Cooper Cos., Inc.

    2.0  

Novo Nordisk A/S

    1.9  

STERIS PLC

    1.8  

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

    1.8  

Bio-Techne Corp.

    1.7  

Blueprint Medicines Corp.

    1.6  

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

   
Industry(a)(b)   Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Biotechnology

    41.3

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

    20.9  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

    15.7  

Health Care Providers & Services

    10.6  

Pharmaceuticals

    9.6  

Other*

    1.9  
 

 

(a)

Excludes short-term securities.

 
(b) 

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

 
*

Includes one or more investment categories that individually represents less than 1.0% of the Trust’s total investments. Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for details.

 

 

 

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Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 

   BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

 

Investment Objective

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

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

Trust Information

 

 

Symbol on New York Stock Exchange

  BME 

Initial Offering Date

  March 31, 2005 

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2023 ($ 40.46)(a)

  6.32% 

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.213000 

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $2.556000 

 

 

  (a) 

Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

 
  (b) 

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

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     12/31/23      12/31/22      Change     High      Low  

Closing Market Price

  $ 40.46      $ 43.58        (7.16 )%    $ 43.68      $ 35.53  

Net Asset Value

    42.18        43.30        (2.59     43.30        39.01  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

 

LOGO

 

  (a) 

Represents the Trust’s closing market price on the NYSE and reflects the reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

 
  (b)

An unmanaged index that features companies involved in medical services or health care in the Russell 3000® Index, which includes the largest 3,000 U.S. companies as determined by total market capitalization.

 

 

 

T R U S T S U M M A R Y

  25


Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

 

Performance

Returns for the period ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

    Average Annual Total Returns  
     1 Year     5 Years     10 Years  

Trust at NAV(a)(b)

    3.80     9.60     10.49

Trust at Market Price(a)(b)

    (1.08     8.34       9.67  

MSCI USA Investable Market Index Health Care Call Overwrite Index(c)

    1.80       8.58       N/A  

Russell 3000® Health Care Index

    2.87       10.79       10.92  

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c)

An index that incorporates an option overlay component on the MSCI USA IMI Health Care Index with a 33% overwrite level. The benchmark commenced on December 31, 2018 and therefore the benchmark does not have 10-year returns.

 

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

The Trust is presenting the performance of one or more indices for informational purposes only. The Trust is actively managed and does not seek to track or replicate the performance of any index. The index performance shown is not intended to be indicative of the Trust’s investment strategies, portfolio components or past or future performance.

More information about the Trust’s historical performance can be found in the “Closed End Funds” section of blackrock.com.

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

What factors influenced performance?

Security selection in the pharmaceuticals sub-sector contributed to the Trust’s performance in 2023, as did an overweight allocation to the biotechnology sub-sector.

At the individual security level, an underweight position in the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, Inc. was the largest contributor to relative performance. The company experienced decreased demand for its COVID-19 products, and it provided negative guidance for 2024. Additionally, it reported negative trial results for its oral obesity and diabetes treatment program, adding to uncertainty about its ability to compete in the weight loss market. An underweight in Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. was another top contributor to relative returns. The drugmaker reported disappointing earnings as impending patent expirations put pricing pressure on the company’s offerings. An overweight position in Boston Scientific Corp. further helped results. The medical device company reported strong earnings as elective surgical procedure volume continued to normalize following the pandemic. The company also achieved positive trial results for its Farapulse pulsed-field ablation system, which offers a faster treatment for atrial fibrillation than the current procedure and potentially expands the company’s market share in this area.

On the negative side, an underweight allocation to the healthcare providers and services sub-sector and an overweight in the medical devices and supplies sub-sector detracted from relative performance.

An overweight position in the oncology company Novocure, Ltd., which reported disappointing trial results for its ovarian cancer therapy, was the largest detractor from performance. Additionally, a separate trial caused market participants to question the commercial viability of the company’s experimental lung cancer treatment. An overweight in Biogen, Inc. detracted on concerns about the company’s ability to commercialize its new Alzheimer’s treatment, Leqembi. Obstacles, including limited health insurance reimbursement and testing prerequisites for patients, contributed to the drug’s slow uptake. An underweight in Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., was another detractor of note. The Trust moved from an overweight in Thermo Fisher to an underweight in the third quarter 2023 due to a weak biotechnology funding market and uncertainty about China. However, a year-end rally in the biotechnology sector lifted the stock as market participants responded positively to signals of easing interest rates.

The Trust made use of options, principally writing call options on individual stocks, to seek enhanced income returns while continuing to participate in the performance of the underlying equities. The option overlay strategy contributed to results.

The Trust’s practice of maintaining a specified level of monthly distributions to shareholders did not have a material impact on the Trust’s investment strategy. The distribution policy resulted in return of capital for the period. Refer to the financial highlights and income tax information sections in this report for further information about the distributions.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The Trust increased its allocations to the biotechnology and healthcare providers and services sub-sectors and reduced its weightings in the pharmaceuticals and medical devices and supplies sub-sectors.

The Trust held a 5.3% cash position at the end of the period, reflecting the investment adviser’s decision to take some profits on select positions in pharmaceutical and medical device companies. The elevated cash balance did not have a material impact on performance, and the Trust was not in a defensive investment position.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

At the end of the period, the Trust held 31% of net asset value in medical devices and supplies, 25% in biotechnology, 21% in healthcare providers and services, and 19% in pharmaceuticals. These industry weightings were the result of bottom-up stock selection.

 

 

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Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

 

As of December 31, 2023, the Trust had in place an option overwriting program whereby 34% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options on individual stocks. These call options were typically written at prices above the prevailing market prices (estimated to be 5.3% out of the money) and for maturities averaging 55 days.

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

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

   
Security(a)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    9.5

Eli Lilly & Co.

    8.4  

AbbVie, Inc.

    4.7  

Boston Scientific Corp.

    4.5  

Merck & Co., Inc.

    4.5  

Amgen, Inc.

    3.9  

Abbott Laboratories

    3.7  

Danaher Corp.

    3.2  

Stryker Corp.

    2.6  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

    2.6  

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

   
Industry(a)(b)   Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Biotechnology

    25.7

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

    23.4  

Health Care Providers & Services

    22.1  

Pharmaceuticals

    20.1  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

    8.6  

Health Care Technology

    0.1  

 

 

 

(a) 

Excludes short-term securities.

 
(b)

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

 

 

 

T R U S T S U M M A R Y

  27


Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 

   BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (BIGZ)

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust’s (BIGZ) (the “Trust”) (formerly known as BlackRock Innovation and Growth Trust) investment objective is to provide total return and income through a combination of current income, current gains and long-term capital appreciation. The Trust will invest primarily in equity securities issued by mid-and small-capitalization companies that the Trust’s adviser believes have above-average earnings growth potential. In selecting investments for the Trust, the Trust’s adviser focuses on mid- and small-capitalization growth companies that are “innovative.” These are companies that have introduced, or are seeking to introduce, a new product or service that potentially changes the marketplace. The Trust utilizes an option writing (selling) strategy in an effort to generate current gains from options premiums and to enhance the Trust’s risk-adjusted returns.

On March 31, 2023 the Board approved a proposal to change the name of BlackRock Innovation and Growth Trust, effective as of April 5, 2023, to BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust. There were no changes to the Trust’s investment policies or strategies in conjunction with the name change.

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

Trust Information

 

   

Symbol on New York Stock Exchange

  BIGZ 

Initial Offering Date

  March 29, 2021 

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2023 ($7.33)(a)

  7.35% 

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.044870 

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $0.538440 

 

  (a)

Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

 
  (b) 

The monthly distribution per Common Share, declared on February 1, 2024, was decreased to $0.044660 per share. The current distribution rate on closing market price, current monthly distribution per Common Share, and current annualized distribution per Common Share do not reflect the new distribution rate. The new distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change in the future. A portion of the distribution may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain.

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     12/31/23      12/31/22      Change     High      Low  

Closing Market Price

  $ 7.33      $ 6.81        7.64   $ 8.35      $ 6.23  

Net Asset Value

    9.03        8.82        2.38       9.97        7.66  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

 

LOGO

BIGZ commenced operations on March 29, 2021.

  (a)

Represents the Trust’s closing market price on the NYSE and reflects the reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

 
  (b) 

An index that measures the performance of the small to mid-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 2500 companies with higher growth earning potential as defined by FTSE Russell’s leading style methodology.

 

 

 

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Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (BIGZ)

 

Performance

Returns for the period ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

    Average Annual Total Returns  
      1 Year      

Since

Inception

 

(a) 

Trust at NAV(b)(c)

    13.28     (17.93 )% 

Trust at Market Price(b)(c)

    19.09       (23.90

MSCI USA SMID Growth Call Overwrite Index(d)

    20.07       0.66  

Russell 2500™ Growth Index

    18.93       (2.58

 

  (a)

BIGZ commenced operations on March 29, 2021.

 
  (b)

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

 
  (c)

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

 
  (d)

A custom benchmark that is made up of the MSCI USA SMID Growth Index, MSCI USA SMID Growth 25% Call Overwrite Cash and MSCI USA SMID Growth 25% Call Overwrite Option. The MSCI USA SMID Growth Index captures mid and small cap representations of securities exhibiting overall growth style characteristics in the U.S.

 

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

The Trust is presenting the performance of one or more indices for informational purposes only. The Trust is actively managed and does not seek to track or replicate the performance of any index. The index performance shown is not intended to be indicative of the Trust’s investment strategies, portfolio components or past or future performance.

More information about the Trust’s historical performance can be found in the “Closed End Funds” section of blackrock.com.

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

What factors influenced performance?

Shares of smaller, innovative growth companies generally performed well in 2023, a time characterized by hearty investor risk appetites and outperformance for the growth style more broadly.

Stock selection in the industrials sector was the largest contributor to the Fund’s relative performance. An overweight position in Saia Inc., a U.S. trucking company that specializes in less-than-truckload (“LTL”) freight shipping methods, was a top contributor. Positioning in the aerospace and defense industry also added to relative performance, primarily as a result of an overweight in Axon Enterprise, Inc. Axon benefited from strong demand for its new products, as well as robust recurring revenues and positive customer retention metrics. In energy, the Fund’s zero weighting in the oil, gas and consumable fuels industry proved beneficial. Notably, the lack of a position in Texas Pacific Land Corp., a natural resource and real estate company, was a positive. Thirdly, avoidance of companies in the materials sector boosted relative return, including underweight allocations to the chemicals and containers and packaging industries.

Stock selection in the communication services sector was the largest detractor from relative performance, largely due to selection decisions among entertainment companies. Notably, an out-of-benchmark position in Under Canvas, Inc., an upscale camping experience provider, hurt results. In consumer discretionary, security selection in the hotels, restaurants and leisure industry proved costly. A key stock level detractor in the industry was the portfolio’s overweight position in Planet Fitness, Inc. Shares of the discount gym operator disappointed amid slowing new store growth, due in part to the impacts of higher interest rates on funding costs. Stock selection in the healthcare sector also dampened relative performance, with the largest adverse effect coming from an overweight in Phreesia, Inc., a software-as-a-service company in the healthcare technology sub-sector.

The Trust used an options overlay strategy in which calls were written on a portion of the portfolio’s holdings. The Trust’s options overlay strategy contributed to relative performance over the 12-month period.

The Trust’s practice of maintaining a specified level of monthly distributions to shareholders did not have a material impact on the Trust’s investment strategy. The distribution policy resulted in return of capital for the period. Refer to the financial highlights and income tax information sections in this report for further information about the distributions.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

Due to a combination of market changes and portfolio activity, the Trust’s allocations to information technology and real estate increased, while its weightings in communication services and consumer discretionary decreased. The Trust did not add any new private companies during the reporting period.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

On a sector basis, the portfolio’s largest overweight allocations were in the information technology and consumer discretionary sectors. The largest underweights were in industrials and energy.

As of December 31, 2023, the Trust had in place an option overwriting program whereby 13.04% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options on individual stocks. These call options were typically written at prices above the prevailing market prices (estimated to be 6.2% out of the money) and for maturities averaging 60 days.

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

 

 

T R U S T S U M M A R Y

  29


Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (BIGZ)

 

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

 

   
Security(a)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

Axon Enterprise, Inc.

    3.4

ANSYS, Inc.

    2.8  

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

    2.8  

CoStar Group, Inc.

    2.7  

HubSpot, Inc.

    2.7  

Saia, Inc.

    2.6  

Entegris, Inc.

    2.6  

Align Technology, Inc.

    2.5  

Planet Fitness, Inc.

    2.4  

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

    2.4  

 

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

 

   
Industry(a)(b)   Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Software

    23.6

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

    11.6  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

    8.8  

IT Services

    8.0  

Capital Markets

    6.5  

Aerospace & Defense

    5.4  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

    4.9  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

    4.6  

Automobile Components

    3.3  

Diversified Consumer Services

    3.2  

Real Estate Management & Development

    2.7  

Ground Transportation

    2.6  

Entertainment

    2.2  

Specialty Retail

    2.0  

Building Products

    1.6  

Machinery

    1.3  

Construction & Engineering

    1.2  

Wireless Telecommunication Services

    1.1  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

    1.0  

Health Care Providers & Services

    1.0  

Other*

    3.4  
 

 

(a) 

Excludes short-term securities.

 
(b)

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

 
*

Includes one or more investment categories that individually represents less than 1.0% of the Trust’s total investments. Please refer to the Schedule of Investments for details.

 

 

 

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Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023

   BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

 

Investment Objective

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

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

Trust Information

 

Symbol on New York Stock Exchange

   BCX 

Initial Offering Date

   March 30, 2011 

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2023 ($ 8.88)(a)

   7.00% 

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

   $0.051800 

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

   $0.621600 

 

  (a) 

Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

 
  (b)

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

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

      12/31/23      12/31/22      Change      High      Low  

Closing Market Price

   $ 8.88      $ 9.97        (10.93 )%     $  10.56      $  8.43  

Net Asset Value

     10.57        11.23        (5.88      11.90        9.95  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

 

LOGO

 

(a) 

Represents the Trust’s closing market price on the NYSE and reflects the reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

(b) 

An index that includes approximately 90 of the largest publicly-traded companies in the natural resources and commodities businesses that meet specific investability requirements across three primary commodity-related sectors: agribusiness, energy, and metals and mining.

 

 

T R U S T S U M M A R Y

  31


Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

 

Performance

Returns for the period ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

    Average Annual Total Returns  
     1 Year     5 Years     10 Years  

Trust at NAV(a)(b)

    0.56     11.85     4.80

Trust at Market Price(a)(b)

    (4.84     11.95       4.71  

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

    0.74       7.48       N/A  

S&P Global Natural Resources Net Index

    3.38       10.40       4.48  

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

An index that incorporates an option overlay component on the MSCI ACWI Select Liquidity Natural Resources Index with a 33% overwrite level. The benchmark commenced on December 31, 2018 and therefore the benchmark does not have 10-year returns.

 

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

The Trust is presenting the performance of one or more indices for informational purposes only. The Trust is actively managed and does not seek to track or replicate the performance of any index. The index performance shown is not intended to be indicative of the Trust’s investment strategies, portfolio components or past or future performance.

More information about the Trust’s historical performance can be found in the “Closed End Funds” section of blackrock.com.

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

What factors influenced performance?

Natural resources stocks posted gains as a group in 2023, but they trailed the broader equity market due largely to weakness in commodity prices.

The Trust’s underweight in Nutrien Ltd., which lagged due to a downturn in fertilizer prices, contributed to performance. An out-of-benchmark position in Cameco Corp. was also a strong contributor. Uranium prices rose on expectations for a revival in the nuclear energy industry, leading to a rally in the stock. The U.S. liquified natural gas exporter Cheniere Energy, Inc., which reported robust results and upgraded its earnings guidance throughout the year, was another noteworthy contributor.

First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (“First Quantum”) was a key detractor. In October 2023, the Panamanian government announced a referendum on whether to revoke the company’s mining license in the country. First Quantum’s Cobre Panama mine was subsequently closed in November 2023 after Panama’s Supreme Court ruled that the concession granted to the company was unconstitutional. Weakness in lithium prices impacted the Trust’s holdings in the industrial minerals sector, including Albemarle Corp. The agricultural chemical producer FMC Corp. was another key detractor. The stock came under pressure from the combination of weaker-than-expected earnings, reduced forward guidance, and a negative report from a short seller (an investor who expects the stock will fall).

The Trust used an options overlay strategy in which calls were written on a portion of the portfolio’s holdings. This strategy contributed to results in the annual period.

The Trust’s practice of maintaining a specified level of monthly distributions to shareholders did not have a material impact on the Trust’s investment strategy. The distribution policy resulted in return of capital for the period. Refer to the financial highlights and income tax information sections in this report for further information about the distributions.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The investment adviser added to the energy sector in order to maintain an overweight position. It funded this move by reducing the Trust’s allocation to agricultural stocks. The investment adviser remained alert for investment ideas in undervalued energy stocks, companies that can benefit from the adoption of lower-carbon technologies, and longer-term growth opportunities in the nutrition area.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

At the end of the reporting period, 38.8% of the portfolio was invested in the energy sector, 38.5% in mining and 22.1% in agriculture. The remaining 0.6% was held in cash.

As of December 31, 2023, the Trust had in place an option overwriting program whereby 30.9% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options on individual stocks. These call options were typically written at prices above the prevailing market prices (estimated to be 4.0% out of the money) and for maturities averaging 52 days.

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

 

 

 

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Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

 

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

 

   
Security(a)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

Shell PLC

    7.7

TotalEnergies SE

    6.4  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    5.4  

BHP Group Ltd.

    4.9  

Glencore PLC

    4.8  

Chevron Corp.

    4.3  

Vale SA

    4.2  

BP PLC

    4.1  

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.

    3.7  

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

    3.5  

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

 

   
Industry(a)(b)   Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Metals & Mining

    38.4

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

    37.6  

Containers & Packaging

    7.6  

Chemicals

    5.9  

Food Products

    4.9  

Paper & Forest Products

    2.3  

Machinery

    1.9  

Energy Equipment & Services

    1.4  
 

 

(a)

Excludes short-term securities.

 
(b)

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

 

 

 

T R U S T S U M M A R Y

  33


Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023

   BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (BSTZ)

 

Investment Objective

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

On March 31, 2023 the Board approved a proposal to change the name of BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II, effective as of April 5, 2023, to BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust. There were no changes to the Trust’s investment policies or strategies in conjunction with the name change.

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

Trust Information

 

Symbol on New York Stock Exchange

   BSTZ 

Initial Offering Date

   June 27, 2019 

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2023 ($ 16.71)(a)

   7.36% 

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

   $0.102540 

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

   $1.230480 

 

  (a) 

Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

 
  (b) 

The monthly distribution per Common Share, declared on February 1, 2024, was increased to $0.103260 per share. The current distribution rate on closing market price, current monthly distribution per Common Share, and current annualized distribution per Common Share do not reflect the new distribution rate. The new distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change in the future. A portion of the distribution may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain.

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

      12/31/23      12/31/22      Change      High      Low  

Closing Market Price

   $ 16.71      $ 15.64        6.84    $  19.04      $  14.16  

Net Asset Value

     21.43        19.53        9.73        22.14        19.00  

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

 

LOGO

BSTZ commenced operations on June 27, 2019.

  (a)

Represents the Trust’s closing market price on the NYSE and reflects the reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

 
  (b) 

An index that captures large- and mid-cap representation across certain developed and emerging markets.

 

 

 

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Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (BSTZ)

 

Performance

Returns for the period ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

   

Average Annual Total Returns

 
     1 Year        Since  
Inception(a)
 

Trust at NAV(b)(c)(d)

    21.74%        10.13%  

Trust at Market Price(b)(c)(d)

    18.54          4.22    

MSCI Custom ACWI SMID Growth IT Call Overwrite Index(e)

    31.60          2.34    

MSCI ACWI

    22.20          9.49    

 

  (a) 

BSTZ commenced operations on June 27, 2019.

 
  (b)

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

 
  (c) 

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

 
  (d)

For financial reporting purposes, the market value of certain investments were adjusted as of report date. Accordingly, the NAV per share and total return performance based on NAV presented herein are different than the information previously published on December 31, 2023.

 
  (e)

An index representing the Information Technology sector stocks within the MSCI ACWI SMID Cap Growth Index and incorporating an option overlay component with a 25% overwrite level. An index that captures mid- and small-cap securities exhibiting overall growth style characteristics across certain developed and emerging markets. The index commenced on March 31, 2022 and therefore the since inception return presented is for the period March 31, 2022 through the current reporting period.

 

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

The Trust is presenting the performance of one or more indices for informational purposes only. The Trust is actively managed and does not seek to track or replicate the performance of any index. The index performance shown is not intended to be indicative of the Trust’s investment strategies, portfolio components or past or future performance.

More information about the Trust’s historical performance can be found in the “Closed End Funds” section of blackrock.com.

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

What factors influenced performance?

Technology stocks produced strong returns in 2023, as investors gravitated toward companies seen as having the most attractive growth characteristics.

At the sector level, an overweight allocation to the semiconductors sub-sector contributed to the Fund’s relative performance. Security selection in the hardware sub-sector added value, as well. Among individual holdings, the Trust’s out-of-benchmark position in the semiconductor designer NVIDIA Corp. was the largest contributor to relative performance. The stock jumped on optimism around surging demand for the company’s graphics processing units that enable artificial intelligence (“AI”). An out-of-benchmark position in Tesla, Inc., was an additional noteworthy contributor. The stock rallied after the company reported stable revenues and revealed that demand growth for its electric vehicles continued to outpace supply. The firm’s tiered pricing also emerged as an effective tool for supporting sales. A zero weighting in SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. (“SolarEdge”), an Israeli solar inverter company that primarily services residential markets, also contributed. SolarEdge experienced price competition in key regions such as China and Europe.

At the sector level, security selection in the software and new industries sub-sectors detracted from relative performance. An out-of-benchmark position in Farmers Business Network, a private company, was a key detractor among the Trust’s individual holdings. The agriculture network company raised an additional funding round in the third calendar quarter 2023 after the near-failure of the business. At the same time, governance challenges led to fundamental weakness that dragged on the company’s private-market valuation. Similarly, an out-of-benchmark private position in ByteDance detracted from active returns. The parent company of the social media app TikTok experienced a decrease in valuation in tandem with those of its Chinese internet peers. An out-of-benchmark private position in Think & Learn was a further detractor of note. The private company’s valuation declined due to weakness across the educational technology industry. Idiosyncratic governance and execution challenges at the firm weighed on its valuation, as well.

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

The Trust’s practice of maintaining a specified level of monthly distributions did not have a material impact on the Trust’s investment strategy. The distribution policy did not result in return of capital for the period. The distribution policy resulted in return of capital for the period. Refer to the financial highlights and income tax information sections in this report for further information about the distributions.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

Throughout the reporting period, the Trust added to semiconductor and hardware companies positioned to benefit from the growth of AI. On the other hand, it trimmed select internet holdings where advertising demand remained muted.

From a regional perspective, the Trust reduced its weighting in China due to concerns about the slow pace of the economic recovery in the region. On the other hand, it added to Japanese equities where it identified both attractive fundamentals and near-term catalysts. The Trust did not make any additional investments in private technology companies.

 

 

T R U S T S U M M A R Y

  35


Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (BSTZ)

 

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

The Trust’s investment adviser continued to perform due diligence on multiple new opportunities, although at year-end exposure to private assets was above the 25% target. As of December 31, 2023, the Trust held 22 private investments, comprising 33% of total assets for a commitment of approximately $540 million. The investment adviser continued to seek opportunities to harvest the illiquidity premium by taking advantage of the Trust’s “closed” structure and adding holdings in private investments as the Trust’s capacity increased.

At the end of the period, the Trust held 32% of its net asset value in the semiconductor industry, 31% in software, 13% in hardware, 11% in internet, 9% in services, 3% in content and infrastructure, and 3% in new industries. These industry weightings were a result of bottom-up stock selection.

As of December 31, 2023, the Trust had in place an option overwriting program whereby 25.3% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options on individual stocks. These call options were typically written at prices above the prevailing market prices (estimated to be 5.2% out of the money) and for maturities averaging 56 days.

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

 

 

36  

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Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (BSTZ)

 

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

 

   
Security(a)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

NVIDIA Corp.

    4.9

Databricks, Inc.

    4.3  

Synopsys, Inc.

    3.6  

ByteDance Ltd.

    3.1  

PsiQuantum Corp.

    2.9  

SambaNova Systems, Inc.

    2.5  

GrubMarket, Inc.

    2.4  

Tesla, Inc.

    2.0  

SK Hynix, Inc.

    1.9  

Snyk Ltd.

    1.8  

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

 

   
Industry(a)(b)   Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

    31.8

Software

    25.6  

IT Services

    7.0  

Interactive Media & Services

    5.0  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

    4.9  

Entertainment

    4.0  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

    3.5  

Professional Services

    2.6  

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail

    2.4  

Communications Equipment

    2.1  

Automobiles

    2.0  

Financial Services

    1.8  

Diversified Consumer Services

    1.7  

Media

    1.6  

Broadline Retail

    1.6  

Other*

    2.4  
 
(a) 

Excludes short-term securities.

 
(b) 

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

 
*

Includes one or more investment categories that individually represents less than 1.0% of the Trust’s total investments. Please refer to the Consolidated Schedule of Investments for details.

 

 

 

T R U S T S U M M A R Y

  37


Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023

   BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

 

Investment Objective

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

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

Trust Information

 

   

Symbol on New York Stock Exchange

   BST

Initial Offering Date

   October 30, 2014 

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2023 ($33.66)(a)

   8.91%

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

   $0.250000

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

   $3.000000

 

  (a) 

Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

 
  (b) 

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

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

      12/31/23      12/31/22      Change      High      Low   

Closing Market Price

   $ 33.66      $ 28.37        18.65    $  35.25      $  28.37   

Net Asset Value

     34.74        29.11        19.34        35.20        28.82   

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

 

LOGO

BST commenced operations on October 30, 2014.

  (a)

Represents the Trust’s closing market price on the NYSE and reflects the reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

 
  (b)

An index that includes large- and mid-cap securities across certain developed markets countries and certain emerging markets countries. All securities in the index are classified in the Information Technology sector as per the Global Industry Classification Standard.

 

 

 

38  

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Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

 

Performance

Returns for the period ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

     Average Annual Total Returns  
       1 Year        5 Years       
Since
Inception
 
(a) 

Trust at NAV(b)(c)(d)

     30.78      15.01      14.88

Trust at Market Price(b)(c)(d)

     30.03        13.21        13.92  

MSCI ACWI Information Technology Call Overwrite Index(e)

     45.37        18.23        N/A  

MSCI ACWI Information Technology Index

     51.02        23.18        18.05  

 

  (a)

BST commenced operations on October 30, 2014.

 
  (b)

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

 
  (c)

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

 
  (d)

For financial reporting purposes, the market value of certain investments were adjusted as of report date. Accordingly, the NAV per share and total return performance based on NAV presented herein are different than the information previously published on December 31, 2023.

 
  (e)

An index that incorporates an option overlay component on the MSCI ACWI IT Index with a 33% overwrite level. since inception.

 

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

The Trust is presenting the performance of one or more indices for informational purposes only. The Trust is actively managed and does not seek to track or replicate the performance of any index. The index performance shown is not intended to be indicative of the Trust’s investment strategies, portfolio components or past or future performance.

More information about the Trust’s historical performance can be found in the “Closed End Funds” section of blackrock.com.

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

What factors influenced performance?

Technology stocks produced strong returns in 2023, as investors gravitated toward companies seen as having the most attractive growth characteristics.

At the sector level, the Trust’s underweight allocation to the hardware sub-sector contributed to relative performance. Among individual holdings, an out-of-benchmark position in Meta Platforms, Inc. (“Meta”) (formerly Facebook) was the leading contributor. Companies that demonstrated a commitment to cost discipline by reducing headcount expenses were generally rewarded by investors in 2023. In addition, Meta reported improvements in the use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) to increase monetization across its social media platforms. The Trust also benefited from a zero weighting in Cisco Systems, Inc., which lagged at a time of muted spending among its enterprise customers. An out-of-benchmark position in Tesla, Inc., was an additional contributor of note. The stock rallied after the company reported stable revenues and revealed that demand growth for its electric vehicles continued to outpace supply. The firm’s tiered pricing also emerged as an effective tool for supporting sales.

At the sector level, security selection in the semiconductors and software sub-sectors detracted from relative performance. An underweight position in the semiconductor designer NVIDIA Corp. was the most notable individual detractor. The stock jumped on optimism around surging demand for the company’s graphics processing units that enable generative AI. An out-of-benchmark position in Farmers Business Network, a private company, was an additional detractor. The agriculture network company raised an additional funding round in the third calendar quarter 2023 after the near-failure of the business. At the same time, governance challenges led to fundamental weakness that dragged on the company’s private-market valuation. A position in Bolt Financial, another private company, also detracted. The financial software company’s valuation fell along with those of its publicly traded peers in the financial technology space amid softer industry demand.

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

The Trust’s practice of maintaining a specified level of monthly distributions to shareholders did not have a material impact on the Trust’s investment strategy. The distribution policy resulted in return of capital for the period. Refer to the financial highlights and income tax information sections in this report for further information about the distributions.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The Trust increased its allocations to the semiconductors and software sub-sectors and reduced its weighting in the services sub-sector. Its allocations to the internet and hardware sub-sectors were relatively unchanged.

From a regional perspective, the Trust’s allocation to the United States increased. Its position in China and other emerging markets decreased.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

At the end of the period, the Trust held 32% of its net asset value in the software industry, 29% in semiconductors, 15% in internet, 12% in hardware, 10% in services, 2% in new industries, and 2% in content & infrastructure. These industry weightings were the result of bottom-up stock selection.

As of December 31, 2023, the Trust had in place an option overwriting program whereby 28% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options on individual stocks. These call options were typically written at prices above the prevailing market prices (estimated to be 3.8% out of the money) and for maturities averaging 50 days.

 

 

T R U S T S U M M A R Y

  39


Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

 

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

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

 

   
Security(a)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

Microsoft Corp.

    9.2

Apple, Inc.

    7.7  

NVIDIA Corp.

    7.1  

Broadcom, Inc.

    2.9  

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

    2.8  

ASML Holding NV

    2.3  

Mastercard, Inc.

    2.3  

Amazon.com, Inc.

    2.2  

Meta Platforms, Inc.

    2.1  

Alphabet, Inc.

    1.9  

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

 

   
Industry(a)(b)   Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

    28.2

Software

    27.7  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

    8.7  

IT Services

    7.9  

Financial Services

    5.4  

Interactive Media & Services

    5.2  

Broadline Retail

    3.7  

Diversified Consumer Services

    2.1  

Entertainment

    1.9  

Automobiles

    1.8  

Professional Services

    1.6  

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail

    1.3  

Communications Equipment

    1.1  

Ground Transportation

    1.0  

Other*

    2.4  
 

 

(a)

Excludes short-term securities.

 
(b)

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

 
*

Includes one or more investment categories that individually represents less than 1.0% of the Trust’s total investments. Please refer to the Consolidated Schedule of Investments for details.

 

 

 

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Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023

   BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust’s (BUI) (the “Trust”) investment objective is to provide total return through a combination of current income, current gains and long-term capital appreciation. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities issued by companies that are engaged in the Utilities, Infrastructure and Power Opportunities business segments anywhere in the world and by employing a strategy of writing (selling) call and put options. The Trust considers the “Utilities” business segment to include products, technologies and services connected to the management, ownership, operation, construction, development or financing of facilities used to generate, transmit or distribute electricity, water, natural resources or telecommunications, the “Infrastructure” business segment to include companies that own or operate infrastructure assets or that are involved in the development, construction, distribution or financing of infrastructure assets and the “Power Opportunities” business segment to include companies with a significant involvement in, supporting, or necessary to renewable energy technology and development, alternative fuels, energy efficiency, automotive and sustainable mobility and technologies that enable or support the growth and adoption of new power and energy sources. Under normal circumstances, the Trust invests a substantial amount of its total assets in foreign issuers, issuers that primarily trade in a market located outside the United States or issuers that do a substantial amount of business outside the United States. The Trust may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.

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

Trust Information

 

Symbol on New York Stock Exchange

   BUI

Initial Offering Date

   November 25, 2011 

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2023 ($ 21.82)(a)

   6.65%

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)

   $0.121000

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

   $1.452000

 

  (a) 

Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

 
  (b) 

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

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     12/31/23      12/31/22      Change     High      Low   

Closing Market Price

  $ 21.82      $ 20.77        5.06   $  23.98      $  18.75   

Net Asset Value

    22.53        22.37        0.72       23.39        19.59   

GROWTH OF $10,000 INVESTMENT

 

LOGO

 

  (a)

Represents the Trust’s closing market price on the NYSE and reflects the reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

 
  (b) 

An index that captures large- and mid-cap representation across certain developed and emerging markets.

 

 

 

T R U S T S U M M A R Y

  41


Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

 

Performance

Returns for the period ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

     Average Annual Total Returns  
      1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Trust at NAV(a)(b)

     7.66      10.73      8.15

Trust at Market Price(a)(b)

     12.30        8.90        9.40  

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

     13.07        6.64        N/A  

MSCI ACWI

     22.20        11.72        7.93  

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

An index that incorporates an option overlay component on the MSCI World Select Energy, Utilities and Industry Index with a 33% overwrite level. The benchmark commenced on December 31, 2018 and therefore the benchmark does not have 10-year returns.

 

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Past performance is not an indication of future results.

The Trust is presenting the performance of one or more indices for informational purposes only. The Trust is actively managed and does not seek to track or replicate the performance of any index. The index performance shown is not intended to be indicative of the Trust’s investment strategies, portfolio components or past or future performance.

More information about the Trust’s historical performance can be found in the “Closed End Funds” section of blackrock.com.

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

What factors influenced performance?

Infrastructure stocks, as a group, gained ground in 2023 but struggled relative to the broader equity market in the rising-rate environment.

Holdings in the industrial energy efficiency companies Ingersoll Rand, Inc., Air Liquide SA and Kingspan Group PLC were top contributors to the Trust’s performance during the reporting period. The companies benefited from strong demand, supported by a significant increase in U.S. clean-technology manufacturing following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. This trend was highlighted by growing investment in areas such as electric vehicle (“EV”) battery manufacturing, semiconductor fabrication plants and solar panel production. Eaton Corp. PLC, which makes products used in data centers, also performed well as the breakthrough in generative artificial intelligence was seen as driver for increased investment in this area.

On the other hand, positions in clean power utility companies detracted as bond yields rose. This resulted in a pronounced decline in valuations across the sector, weighing on shares of NextEra Energy, Inc. (“Nextera”) and EDP Renováveis SA. Nextera also experienced a change in management that further contributed to uncertainty. The investment adviser maintained the positions, as the companies consistently reported quarterly earnings in line with or ahead of consensus expectations. The EV battery producer LG Chem Ltd., which was pressured by concerns about slowing EV demand and greater price competition, also detracted.

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

The Trust’s practice of maintaining a specified level of monthly distributions to shareholders did not have a material impact on the Trust’s investment strategy. The distribution policy resulted in return of capital for the period. Refer to the financial highlights and income tax information sections in this report for further information about the distributions.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The investment adviser adjusted the portfolio throughout the reporting period in an effort to capitalize on market volatility. Most notably, the investment adviser moved positioning around in clean power utilities. It maintained a steady overall allocation to the broader utilities sector on the belief that earnings prospects remained favorable and rising rates had been fully discounted into prices.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

At the end of the reporting period, 48.4% of the portfolio was invested in the utilities sector, 32.8% in industrials and 9.4% in energy. The remainder was invested in other infrastructure- and power-related sectors.

As of December 31, 2023, the Trust had in place an option overwriting program whereby 33.5% of the underlying equities were overwritten with call options on individual stocks. These call options were typically written at prices above the prevailing market prices (estimated to be 2.6% out of the money) and for maturities averaging 58 days.

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

 

 

42  

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Trust Summary as of December 31, 2023 (continued)

   BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

 

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS

 

 

   
Security(a)   Percent of
Total Investments
 

NextEra Energy, Inc.

    7.1

RWE AG

    4.5  

Enel SpA

    4.3  

Vinci SA

    3.7  

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

    3.3  

Atlas Copco AB

    3.1  

Sempra

    2.9  

Trane Technologies PLC

    2.7  

Duke Energy Corp.

    2.7  

PG&E Corp.

    2.4  

INDUSTRY ALLOCATION

 

 

   
Industry(a)(b)   Percentage of
Total Investments
 

Electric Utilities

    29.0

Multi-Utilities

    10.6  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

    9.4  

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers

    8.6  

Building Products

    8.0  

Electrical Equipment

    6.9  

Machinery

    6.2  

Construction & Engineering

    5.8  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

    5.5  

Commercial Services & Supplies

    4.2  

Chemicals

    3.1  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

    1.5  

Ground Transportation

    1.2  
 

 

(a) 

Excludes short-term securities.

 
(b)

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

 

 

 

T R U S T S U M M A R Y

  43


Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust (BGR)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Energy Equipment & Services — 6.4%            

NOV, Inc.

    91,550     $ 1,856,634  

Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.

    106,500       1,150,200  

Schlumberger NV

    226,731       11,799,081  

TechnipFMC PLC

    222,150       4,474,101  

Tenaris SA

    205,600       3,576,035  

Weatherford International PLC(a)

    17,750       1,736,483  
   

 

 

 
      24,592,534  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 93.0%            

ARC Resources Ltd.

    341,430       5,068,434  

BP PLC

    3,042,155       18,034,101  

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

    249,592       16,351,897  

Cenovus Energy, Inc.

    452,787       7,545,026  

Cheniere Energy, Inc.

    82,918       14,154,932  

Chevron Corp.

    228,590       34,096,484  

ConocoPhillips(b)

    205,819       23,889,367  

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

    60,351       9,359,233  

EOG Resources, Inc.

    128,616       15,556,105  

Exxon Mobil Corp.(b)(c)

    628,030       62,790,440  

Galp Energia SGPS SA

    199,093       2,929,390  

Gazprom PJSC(a)(d)

    879,200       99  

Hess Corp.(b)

    77,303       11,144,001  

Kosmos Energy Ltd.(a)

    308,034       2,066,908  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

    94,745       14,056,368  

Pembina Pipeline Corp.

    256,800       8,841,339  

Shell PLC, ADR(b)

    634,410       41,744,178  

TC Energy Corp.

    299,300       11,691,459  

TotalEnergies SE

    462,811       31,470,674  

Tourmaline Oil Corp.

    130,433       5,865,818  

Valero Energy Corp.

    76,611       9,959,430  

Williams Cos., Inc.

    411,581       14,335,366  
   

 

 

 
      360,951,049  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.4%
(Cost: $261,065,835)

      385,543,583  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.9%            

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

    3,612,320     $ 3,612,320  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.9%
(Cost: $3,612,320)

      3,612,320  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 100.3%
(Cost: $264,678,155)

 

    389,155,903  
   

 

 

 

Options Written — (0.4)%
(Premiums Received: $(2,439,087))

      (1,725,858
   

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 99.9%
(Cost: $262,239,068)

 

    387,430,045  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.1%

      551,812  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $  387,981,857  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

 
(b) 

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

 
(c) 

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

 
(d) 

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

 
(e) 

Affiliate of the Trust.

 
(f) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 
 

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

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

                   
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
12/31/22
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
12/31/23
    Shares
Held at
12/31/23
    Income     Capital Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $ 7,695,475     $     $ (4,083,155 )(a)    $     $     $ 3,612,320       3,612,320     $ 298,320     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

 

 

44  

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Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust (BGR)

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Exchange-Traded Options Written

 

           
Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise Price       

Notional

Amount (000)

       Value  

Call

                                

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

     107          01/05/24          USD          160.00          USD          1,659        $ (4,280

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     437          01/05/24          USD          107.00          USD          4,369          (1,311

Hess Corp.

     88          01/05/24          USD          150.00          USD          1,269          (3,740

Schlumberger NV

     168          01/05/24          USD          54.00          USD          874          (2,100

Valero Energy Corp.

     138          01/05/24          USD          131.00          USD          1,794          (19,458

Williams Cos., Inc.

     492          01/05/24          USD          37.00          USD          1,714          (2,460

Chevron Corp.

     313          01/12/24          USD          155.00          USD          4,669          (17,372

ConocoPhillips

     202          01/12/24          USD          119.00          USD          2,345          (18,887

EOG Resources, Inc.

     220          01/12/24          USD          124.50          USD          2,661          (22,000

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     437          01/12/24          USD          106.00          USD          4,369          (9,614

Hess Corp.

     25          01/12/24          USD          145.00          USD          360          (7,750

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     134          01/12/24          USD          155.00          USD          1,988          (13,065

Schlumberger NV

     230          01/12/24          USD          51.00          USD          1,197          (40,480

Shell PLC, ADR

     549          01/12/24          USD          66.00          USD          3,612          (48,037

ARC Resources Ltd.

     602          01/19/24          CAD          22.00          CAD          1,184          (1,817

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

     120          01/19/24          CAD          94.00          CAD          1,042          (1,540

Chevron Corp.

     314          01/19/24          USD          150.00          USD          4,684          (84,152

ConocoPhillips

     190          01/19/24          USD          125.00          USD          2,205          (5,225

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

     92          01/19/24          USD          160.00          USD          1,427          (15,640

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     734          01/19/24          USD          100.00          USD          7,339          (161,113

Hess Corp.

     110          01/19/24          USD          150.00          USD          1,586          (27,500

NOV, Inc.

     261          01/19/24          USD          20.00          USD          529          (20,880

Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.

     117          01/19/24          USD          13.00          USD          126          (1,755

Schlumberger NV

     144          01/19/24          USD          55.00          USD          749          (7,704

Shell PLC, ADR

     374          01/19/24          USD          65.00          USD          2,461          (63,580

TechnipFMC PLC

     666          01/19/24          USD          21.00          USD          1,341          (23,310

Tourmaline Oil Corp.

     335          01/19/24          CAD          66.00          CAD          1,996          (1,264

Valero Energy Corp.

     114          01/19/24          USD          130.00          USD          1,482          (42,465

Weatherford International PLC

     51          01/19/24          USD          90.00          USD          499          (47,175

Williams Cos., Inc.

     492          01/19/24          USD          37.00          USD          1,714          (4,920

Chevron Corp.

     127          01/26/24          USD          145.00          USD          1,894          (81,597

ConocoPhillips

     10          01/26/24          USD          116.00          USD          116          (3,225

EOG Resources, Inc.

     204          01/26/24          USD          121.50          USD          2,467          (57,120

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     464          01/26/24          USD          106.00          USD          4,639          (30,160

Hess Corp.

     32          01/26/24          USD          140.00          USD          461          (27,520

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     178          01/26/24          USD          160.00          USD          2,641          (18,868

Schlumberger NV

     206          01/26/24          USD          56.00          USD          1,072          (10,506

Shell PLC, ADR

     434          01/26/24          USD          67.00          USD          2,856          (39,060

Williams Cos., Inc.

     393          01/26/24          USD          36.00          USD          1,369          (11,790

ConocoPhillips

     75          02/02/24          USD          121.00          USD          871          (13,125

ARC Resources Ltd.

     524          02/16/24          CAD          21.00          CAD          1,031          (13,841

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

     704          02/16/24          CAD          86.00          CAD          6,111          (205,879

Cenovus Energy, Inc.

     150          02/16/24          CAD          24.00          CAD          331          (4,302

ConocoPhillips

     202          02/16/24          USD          120.00          USD          2,345          (57,368

NOV, Inc.

     41          02/16/24          USD          22.00          USD          83          (2,050

Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.

     234          02/16/24          USD          12.00          USD          253          (7,605

Shell PLC, ADR

     736          02/16/24          USD          67.50          USD          4,843          (93,840

TechnipFMC PLC

     67          02/16/24          USD          22.00          USD          135          (3,183

Tourmaline Oil Corp.

     95          02/16/24          CAD          64.00          CAD          566          (3,692

Weatherford International PLC

     7          02/16/24          USD          110.00          USD          68          (1,680
                                

 

 

 
                                 $  (1,407,005
                                

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

 

             
Description    Counterparty        Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise Price       

Notional

Amount (000)

       Value  

Call

                                     

Galp Energia SGPS SA

     Goldman Sachs International          36,500          01/04/24          EUR          13.73          EUR          486        $ (1,148

TC Energy Corp.

     Royal Bank of Canada          28,300          01/09/24          CAD          48.31          CAD          1,465           (76,401

 

 

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

  45


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust (BGR)

 

OTC Options Written (continued)

 

             
Description    Counterparty        Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise Price       

Notional

Amount (000)

       Value  

Call (continued)

                                     

Tenaris SA

     UBS AG          60,300          01/11/24          EUR          16.58          EUR          950        $ (2,813

TotalEnergies SE

     Bank of America N.A.          124,900          01/18/24          EUR          62.70          EUR          7,693          (49,244

TC Energy Corp.

     Royal Bank of Canada          35,200          01/29/24          CAD          52.43          CAD          1,822          (16,656

BP PLC

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC          562,900          01/30/24          GBP          4.87          GBP          2,618          (36,715

TotalEnergies SE

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC          4,700          01/30/24          EUR          63.63          EUR          290          (2,353

Galp Energia SGPS SA

     Bank of America N.A.          35,400          02/01/24          EUR          13.66          EUR          472          (8,821

BP PLC

     Bank of America N.A.          447,000          02/08/24          GBP          4.68          GBP          2,079          (82,485

TC Energy Corp.

     Royal Bank of Canada          35,200          02/26/24          CAD          52.43          CAD          1,822          (32,425

Pembina Pipeline Corp.

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC          17,400          02/27/24          CAD          46.91          CAD          794          (9,792
                                     

 

 

 
                                      $  (318,853
                                     

 

 

 

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

 

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

Options Written

   $ N/A        $ N/A        $ 994,621        $ (281,392      $  (1,725,858)  

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

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

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                                

Options written

                                

Options written at value

   $        $        $ 1,725,858        $        $        $        $    1,725,858  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

For the period ended December 31, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

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

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

                                

Options purchased(a)

   $        $        $ (734,586      $        $        $        $ (734,586

Options written

                       9,232,797                                     9,232,797  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $        $        $ 8,498,211        $        $        $        $ 8,498,211  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                                

Options written

   $        $        $ (1,712,020      $        $        $        $  (1,712,020
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options:

        

Average value of option contracts purchased

   $ (a) 

Average value of option contracts written

   $ 2,743,846  

 

  (a) 

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

 

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

 

 

46  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust (BGR)

 

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

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

 

     
      Assets        Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments

       

Options

   $        $ 1,725,858  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

              1,725,858  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

              (1,407,005
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $        $ 318,853  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

 

           
Counterparty     



Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to an
MNA by
Counterparty
 
 
 
 
 
      

Derivatives
Available for
Offset
 
 
 
      

Non-Cash

Collateral

Pledged

 

 

(a) 

    

Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
 
      

Net Amount

of Derivative

Liabilities

 

 

(b) 

Bank of America N.A.

   $ 140,550        $        $      $        $ 140,550  

Goldman Sachs International

     1,148                                   1,148  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     48,860                   (48,860                

Royal Bank of Canada

     125,482                                   125,482  

UBS AG

     2,813                                   2,813  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 318,853        $        $ (48,860    $        $ 269,993  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Excess of collateral received/pledged, if any, from the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (b) 

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

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

         
      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Energy Equipment & Services

   $ 21,016,499        $ 3,576,035        $        $ 24,592,534  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     308,516,785           52,434,165          99          360,951,049  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     3,612,320                            3,612,320  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $  333,145,604        $ 56,010,200        $    99        $  389,155,903  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (1,407,005      $ (318,853      $        $ (1,725,858
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  47


Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2023

  

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

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Automobile Components — 1.5%            

Aptiv PLC(a)

    147,551     $   13,238,276  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 1.8%  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.(b)

    94,564       16,085,336  
   

 

 

 
Beverages — 0.9%  

Monster Beverage Corp.(a)

    138,985       8,006,926  
   

 

 

 
Broadline Retail — 5.5%  

Amazon.com, Inc.(a)(b)

    319,381       48,526,749  
   

 

 

 
Building Products — 1.2%  

Allegion PLC

    80,992       10,260,877  
   

 

 

 
Capital Markets — 3.4%  

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.(b)

    151,536       19,461,768  

LPL Financial Holdings, Inc.

    45,624       10,384,935  
   

 

 

 
      29,846,703  
Chemicals — 3.1%  

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.(a)

    355,562       12,078,441  

Corteva, Inc.(b)

    306,853       14,704,396  
   

 

 

 
      26,782,837  
Communications Equipment — 0.8%  

Ciena Corp.(a)

    155,832       7,013,998  
   

 

 

 
Consumer Finance — 0.9%  

American Express Co.

    42,880       8,033,139  
   

 

 

 
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail(b) — 2.4%  

Dollar General Corp.

    76,260       10,367,547  

Dollar Tree, Inc.(a)

    72,274       10,266,522  
   

 

 

 
      20,634,069  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.4%  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    326,062       12,292,537  
   

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 1.7%  

Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A(a)

    55,903       15,279,967  
   

 

 

 
Entertainment — 1.0%  

TKO Group Holdings, Inc., Class A(b)

    107,011       8,729,957  
   

 

 

 
Financial Services — 3.6%  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B(a)(b)

    63,439       22,626,154  

Voya Financial, Inc.

    119,726       8,735,209  
   

 

 

 
      31,361,363  
Food Products — 1.2%  

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A(b)

    146,251       10,592,960  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 1.8%  

Medtronic PLC

    193,236       15,918,782  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services — 6.5%  

Elevance Health, Inc.

    21,062       9,931,997  

Humana, Inc.(b)

    20,719       9,485,365  

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings(b)

    37,688       8,566,106  

Tenet Healthcare Corp.(a)

    130,657       9,873,749  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.(b)

    35,789       18,841,835  
   

 

 

 
      56,699,052  
Health Care Technology — 0.9%  

Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A(a)(b)

    39,050       7,517,906  
   

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.8%  

Las Vegas Sands Corp.(b)

    141,432       6,959,869  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  
Household Durables — 2.2%  

Sony Group Corp., ADR(c)

    200,199     $   18,956,843  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 3.5%  

Fidelity National Financial, Inc., Class A

    228,435       11,654,754  

Progressive Corp.

    61,776       9,839,681  

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.(b)

    53,822       8,707,323  
   

 

 

 
      30,201,758  
Interactive Media & Services(a) — 8.5%  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

    337,582       47,156,830  

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A(b)

    76,113       26,940,957  
   

 

 

 
      74,097,787  
IT Services — 2.0%  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    233,189       17,612,765  
   

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 2.8%  

Avantor, Inc.(a)

    556,795       12,711,630  

Fortrea Holdings, Inc.(a)(b)

    187,843       6,555,720  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    10,253       5,442,190  
   

 

 

 
      24,709,540  
Machinery(b) — 4.6%  

Caterpillar, Inc.

    40,462       11,963,399  

Fortive Corp.

    269,413       19,836,879  

Otis Worldwide Corp.

    98,695       8,830,242  
   

 

 

 
      40,630,520  
Media — 2.3%  

Comcast Corp., Class A(b)

    459,529       20,150,347  
   

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 4.3%  

BP PLC, ADR(c)

    316,478       11,203,321  

ConocoPhillips(b)

    130,814       15,183,581  

Shell PLC

    334,409       10,946,567  
   

 

 

 
      37,333,469  
Personal Care Products — 1.0%  

Unilever PLC, ADR(b)

    187,755       9,102,362  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 4.3%  

Novo Nordisk A/S, ADR(b)

    170,760       17,665,122  

Sanofi SA, ADR

    396,772       19,731,472  
   

 

 

 
      37,396,594  
Professional Services — 1.1%  

Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.

    818,943       9,581,633  
   

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 7.7%  

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(a)(d)

    139,515       20,565,906  

Applied Materials, Inc.(b)

    105,417       17,084,933  

Marvell Technology, Inc.

    209,096       12,610,580  

Micron Technology, Inc.

    199,067       16,988,378  
   

 

 

 
      67,249,797  
Software — 8.8%  

Microsoft Corp.(b)(d)

    204,069       76,738,107  
   

 

 

 
Specialty Retail — 1.8%  

Ross Stores, Inc.(b)

    113,388       15,691,765  
   

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 4.4%  

Apple, Inc.(b)

    198,730       38,261,487  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

48  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

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

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 1.0%  

Skechers USA, Inc., Class A(a)

    142,987     $ 8,913,810  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 100.7%
(Cost: $554,276,107)

 

    880,409,887  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 1.5%            

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

    12,932,953       12,932,953  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series, 5.58%(e)(f)(g)

    397,392       397,512  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 1.5%
(Cost: $13,330,505)

 

    13,330,465  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 102.2%
(Cost: $567,606,612)

 

    893,740,352  
   

 

 

 

Options Written — (2.1)%
(Premiums Received: $(10,266,670))

 

    (18,548,876
   

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 100.1%
(Cost: $557,339,942)

 

    875,191,476  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.1)%

 

    (740,695
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $  874,450,781  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

 
(b) 

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

 
(c) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

 
(d) 

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

 
(e) 

Affiliate of the Trust.

 
(f) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 
(g) 

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

 
 

 

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

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

                   
Affiliated Issuer   

Value at

12/31/22

    

Purchases

at Cost

    

Proceeds

from Sale

    

Net

Realized

Gain (Loss)

    

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

    

Value at

12/31/23

    

Shares

Held at

12/31/23

     Income     

Capital Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

   $ 14,661,156      $      $ (1,728,203 )(a)     $      $      $ 12,932,953        12,932,953      $ 617,975      $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

            398,038 (a)              (486      (40      397,512        397,392        6,751 (b)        
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 
            $ (486    $ (40    $ 13,330,465         $ 624,726      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Exchange-Traded Options Written

 

           
Description   

Number of

Contracts

    

Expiration

Date

     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call

                    

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     135        01/05/24        USD        125.00        USD        1,990      $  (305,438

Amazon.com, Inc.

     358        01/05/24        USD        152.50        USD        5,439        (54,237

Apple, Inc.

     84        01/05/24        USD        195.00        USD        1,617        (5,670

Applied Materials, Inc.

     346        01/05/24        USD        155.00        USD        5,608        (258,635

Elevance Health, Inc.

     35        01/05/24        USD        485.00        USD        1,650        (1,838

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     150        01/05/24        USD        155.00        USD        2,552        (229,125

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A

     78        01/05/24        USD        340.00        USD        2,761        (117,390

Microsoft Corp.

     260        01/05/24        USD        370.00        USD        9,777        (198,900

 

 

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

  49


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

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

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

           
Description  

Number of

Contracts

    

 Expiration

Date

      Exercise Price     

Notional

 Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                   

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

    109        01/05/24        USD        72.00        USD        789      $ (8,720

Ross Stores, Inc.

    168        01/05/24        USD        132.00        USD        2,325         (113,400

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    94        01/05/24        USD        550.00        USD        4,949        (658

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

    50        01/12/24        USD        129.00        USD        737        (94,375

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

    776        01/12/24        USD        141.00        USD        10,840        (136,964

Amazon.com, Inc.

    332        01/12/24        USD        147.25        USD        5,044        (207,572

Apple, Inc.

    416        01/12/24        USD        200.00        USD        8,009        (15,184

Applied Materials, Inc.

    96        01/12/24        USD        150.00        USD        1,556        (121,440

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B

    195        01/12/24        USD        355.00        USD        6,955        (97,500

Comcast Corp., Class A

    345        01/12/24        USD        43.00        USD        1,513        (37,950

ConocoPhillips

    89        01/12/24        USD        119.00        USD        1,033        (8,322

Dollar General Corp.

    154        01/12/24        USD        139.00        USD        2,094        (28,105

Humana, Inc.

    31        01/12/24        USD        495.00        USD        1,419        (2,170

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    149        01/12/24        USD        157.50        USD        2,534        (191,837

Las Vegas Sands Corp.

    195        01/12/24        USD        48.00        USD        960        (36,563

Marvell Technology, Inc.

    140        01/12/24        USD        55.00        USD        844        (77,000

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A

    80        01/12/24        USD        325.00        USD        2,832        (241,200

Microsoft Corp.

    424        01/12/24        USD        375.00        USD        15,944        (263,940

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

    371        01/12/24        USD        72.00        USD        2,687        (43,592

Novo Nordisk A/S, ADR

    360        01/12/24        USD        100.00        USD        3,724        (160,200

Ross Stores, Inc.

    118        01/12/24        USD        131.00        USD        1,633        (89,680

Ross Stores, Inc.

    199        01/12/24        USD        135.00        USD        2,754        (85,570

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    33        01/12/24        USD        500.00        USD        1,752        (110,055

Allegion PLC

    195        01/19/24        USD        110.00        USD        2,470        (332,475

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

    530        01/19/24        USD        137.00        USD        7,404        (249,100

Amazon.com, Inc.

    295        01/19/24        USD        142.50        USD        4,482        (309,750

Apple, Inc.

    296        01/19/24        USD        190.00        USD        5,699        (145,040

Applied Materials, Inc.

    243        01/19/24        USD        165.00        USD        3,938        (75,937

Aptiv PLC

    430        01/19/24        USD        82.50        USD        3,858        (337,550

Avantor, Inc.

    940        01/19/24        USD        19.75        USD        2,146        (391,570

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.

    1,224        01/19/24        USD        31.00        USD        4,158        (400,860

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B

    229        01/19/24        USD        360.00        USD        8,168        (67,440

BP PLC, ADR

    345        01/19/24        USD        38.00        USD        1,221        (2,933

Caterpillar, Inc.

    62        01/19/24        USD        250.00        USD        1,833        (290,625

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    214        01/19/24        USD        70.00        USD        1,616        (126,260

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    151        01/19/24        USD        72.50        USD        1,141        (53,605

Comcast Corp., Class A

    133        01/19/24        USD        45.00        USD        583        (4,389

ConocoPhillips

    107        01/19/24        USD        125.00        USD        1,242        (2,943

Corteva, Inc.

    738        01/19/24        USD        48.25        USD        3,536        (72,866

Dollar General Corp.

    156        01/19/24        USD        135.00        USD        2,121        (64,740

Dollar Tree, Inc.

    139        01/19/24        USD        120.00        USD        1,974        (311,707

Elevance Health, Inc.

    31        01/19/24        USD        480.00        USD        1,462        (17,360

Fortrea Holdings, Inc.

    199        01/19/24        USD        35.00        USD        695        (35,820

Humana, Inc.

    53        01/19/24        USD        505.00        USD        2,426        (3,578

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

    331        01/19/24        USD        115.00        USD        4,251        (458,435

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

    653        01/19/24        USD        120.00        USD        8,386        (561,580

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    176        01/19/24        USD        155.00        USD        2,994        (269,720

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings

    153        01/19/24        USD        213.22        USD        3,478        (231,562

Las Vegas Sands Corp.

    85        01/19/24        USD        52.50        USD        418        (3,103

LPL Financial Holdings, Inc.

    154        01/19/24        USD        240.00        USD        3,505        (26,565

Marvell Technology, Inc.

    140        01/19/24        USD        55.00        USD        844        (80,850

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A

    81        01/19/24        USD        330.00        USD        2,867        (215,865

Micron Technology, Inc.

    370        01/19/24        USD        80.00        USD        3,158        (224,775

Microsoft Corp.

    316        01/19/24        USD        375.00        USD        11,883        (240,160

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

    38        01/19/24        USD        72.50        USD        275        (4,085

Monster Beverage Corp.

    418        01/19/24        USD        57.50        USD        2,408        (51,205

Novo Nordisk A/S, ADR

    247        01/19/24        USD        104.00        USD        2,555        (61,750

Otis Worldwide Corp.

    196        01/19/24        USD        83.25        USD        1,754        (135,243

Progressive Corp.

    195        01/19/24        USD        165.00        USD        3,106        (19,500

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.

    160        01/19/24        USD        165.00        USD        2,588        (30,400

Ross Stores, Inc.

    314        01/19/24        USD        135.00        USD        4,345        (147,580

Sanofi SA, ADR

    753        01/19/24        USD        47.60        USD        3,745        (216,792

 

 

50  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

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

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

           
Description  

Number of

Contracts

    

 Expiration

Date

      Exercise Price     

Notional

 Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                   

Skechers USA, Inc., Class A

    120        01/19/24        USD        55.00        USD        748      $ (89,400

Sony Group Corp., ADR

    500        01/19/24        USD        90.00        USD        4,735         (270,000

Tenet Healthcare Corp.

    265        01/19/24        USD        80.00        USD        2,003        (24,513

Unilever PLC, ADR

    389        01/19/24        USD        50.00        USD        1,886        (4,862

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    94        01/19/24        USD        550.00        USD        4,949        (26,743

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    882        01/19/24        USD        38.00        USD        3,325        (28,665

Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A

    211        01/19/24        USD        250.00        USD        5,767        (547,545

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

    566        01/26/24        USD        146.00        USD        7,906        (77,825

Amazon.com, Inc.

    358        01/26/24        USD        150.00        USD        5,439        (194,215

Apple, Inc.

    274        01/26/24        USD        200.00        USD        5,275        (29,044

BP PLC, ADR

    920        01/26/24        USD        37.00        USD        3,257        (26,220

Caterpillar, Inc.

    201        01/26/24        USD        295.00        USD        5,943        (151,252

Comcast Corp., Class A

    1,564        01/26/24        USD        44.00        USD        6,858        (185,334

ConocoPhillips

    137        01/26/24        USD        116.00        USD        1,590        (44,182

Dollar Tree, Inc.

    122        01/26/24        USD        135.00        USD        1,733        (106,140

Fortive Corp.

    427        01/26/24        USD        68.25        USD        3,144        (254,536

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    149        01/26/24        USD        165.00        USD        2,534        (97,967

Las Vegas Sands Corp.

    285        01/26/24        USD        51.00        USD        1,402        (34,058

Marvell Technology, Inc.

    139        01/26/24        USD        55.00        USD        838        (83,400

Medtronic PLC

    35        01/26/24        USD        83.34        USD        288        (4,113

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A

    156        01/26/24        USD        340.00        USD        5,522        (311,610

Micron Technology, Inc.

    119        01/26/24        USD        87.00        USD        1,016        (22,789

Microsoft Corp.

    140        01/26/24        USD        385.00        USD        5,265        (94,150

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

    184        01/26/24        USD        71.00        USD        1,333        (44,160

Sony Group Corp., ADR

    300        01/26/24        USD        92.00        USD        2,841        (121,500

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    33        01/26/24        USD        500.00        USD        1,752        (118,635

Amazon.com, Inc.

    348        02/02/24        USD        157.40        USD        5,288        (110,260

Comcast Corp., Class A

    9        02/02/24        USD        46.05        USD        39        (404

ConocoPhillips

    101        02/02/24        USD        121.00        USD        1,172        (17,675

Medtronic PLC

    64        02/02/24        USD        83.05        USD        527        (10,500

Micron Technology, Inc.

    122        02/02/24        USD        87.00        USD        1,041        (29,097

Comcast Corp., Class A

    154        02/09/24        USD        44.00        USD        675        (22,330

Medtronic PLC

    111        02/09/24        USD        83.34        USD        914        (19,040

Micron Technology, Inc.

    62        02/09/24        USD        87.00        USD        529        (17,205

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

    94        02/16/24        USD        140.00        USD        1,386        (131,130

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

    322        02/16/24        USD        145.00        USD        4,498        (123,970

Amazon.com, Inc.

    384        02/16/24        USD        150.00        USD        5,834        (339,840

Apple, Inc.

    221        02/16/24        USD        195.00        USD        4,255        (114,367

Aptiv PLC

    351        02/16/24        USD        92.50        USD        3,149        (133,380

Avantor, Inc.

    588        02/16/24        USD        21.00        USD        1,342        (142,590

Ciena Corp.

    798        02/16/24        USD        45.10        USD        3,592        (150,145

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    101        02/16/24        USD        77.50        USD        763        (19,695

ConocoPhillips

    89        02/16/24        USD        120.00        USD        1,033        (25,276

Dollar Tree, Inc.

    208        02/16/24        USD        135.00        USD        2,955        (210,080

Fidelity National Financial, Inc., Class A

    470        02/16/24        USD        47.79        USD        2,398        (189,389

Fortive Corp.

    1,234        02/16/24        USD        69.93        USD        9,086        (638,829

Fortrea Holdings, Inc.

    552        02/16/24        USD        32.50        USD        1,926        (201,480

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings

    96        02/16/24        USD        220.00        USD        2,182        (115,680

Medtronic PLC

    111        02/16/24        USD        85.00        USD        914        (12,654

Micron Technology, Inc.

    62        02/16/24        USD        77.50        USD        529        (58,125

Microsoft Corp.

    186        02/16/24        USD        400.00        USD        6,994        (100,905

Progressive Corp.

    206        02/16/24        USD        160.00        USD        3,281        (124,630

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.

    189        02/16/24        USD        165.00        USD        3,058        (75,127

Sanofi SA, ADR

    771        02/16/24        USD        49.00        USD        3,834        (174,197

TKO Group Holdings, Inc., Class A

    435        02/16/24        USD        80.00        USD        3,549        (224,025

Unilever PLC, ADR

    514        02/16/24        USD        50.00        USD        2,492        (30,840

Voya Financial, Inc.

    400        02/16/24        USD        77.50        USD        2,918        (34,000

Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A

    57        02/16/24        USD        230.00        USD        1,558        (281,580

Fidelity National Financial, Inc., Class A

    1,039        03/15/24        USD        47.31        USD        5,301        (614,376

Medtronic PLC

    64        03/15/24        USD        85.00        USD        527        (12,992

 

 

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

  51


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

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

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

           
Description  

Number of

Contracts

    

Expiration

Date

     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                   

Micron Technology, Inc.

    62        03/15/24        USD        87.50        USD        529      $ (25,420

Otis Worldwide Corp.

    271        03/15/24        USD        90.00        USD        2,425        (84,010
                   

 

 

 
                    $  (17,227,049
                   

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

 

             
Description   Counterparty     

Number of

Contracts

    

Expiration

Date

     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call

                      

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    Citibank N.A.        35,500        01/03/24        USD        37.53        USD        1,338      $ (13,786

Otis Worldwide Corp.

    UBS AG        18,500        01/04/24        USD        85.49        USD        1,655        (77,025

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    Citibank N.A.        35,500        01/10/24        USD        37.53        USD        1,338        (8,812

Shell PLC

    Goldman Sachs International        40,600        01/11/24        GBP        26.68        GBP        1,043        (2,830

Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.

    Citibank N.A.        120,800        01/16/24        USD        9.82        USD        1,413        (265,220

Voya Financial, Inc.

    JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        39,100        01/23/24        USD        71.55        USD        2,853        (98,306

Shell PLC

    Goldman Sachs International        25,400        01/24/24        GBP        25.83        GBP        652        (15,746

Shell PLC

    Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        70,000        01/30/24        GBP        26.54        GBP        1,798        (24,658

LPL Financial Holdings, Inc.

    Citibank N.A.        14,300        01/31/24        USD        216.19        USD        3,255        (236,728

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A

    Citibank N.A.        9,900        01/31/24        USD        361.74        USD        3,504        (140,823

Skechers USA, Inc., Class A

    Bank of America N.A.        21,400        01/31/24        USD        64.63        USD        1,334        (35,361

Dun & Bradstreet Holdings, Inc.

    UBS AG        42,900        02/13/24        USD        11.84        USD        502        (33,852

Monster Beverage Corp.

    Citibank N.A.        50,000        02/16/24        USD        56.12        USD        2,881        (141,506

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.

    Citibank N.A.        113,000        02/26/24        USD        33.10        USD        3,839        (227,174
                      

 

 

 
                       $  (1,321,827
                      

 

 

 

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

 

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

Options Written

   $   N/A    $   N/A      $  1,510,847      $  (9,793,053)      $  (18,548,876)  

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

                                                                                                                      
               
     

Commodity

Contracts

    

Credit

Contracts

    

Equity

Contracts

    

Foreign

Currency

Exchange

Contracts

    

Interest

Rate

Contracts

    

Other

Contracts

     Total  

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

 

           

Options written

                    

Options written at value

   $      $      $  18,548,876      $      $      $      $  18,548,876  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the period ended December 31, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

                                                                                                                                                  
               
     

Commodity

Contracts

    

Credit

Contracts

    

Equity

Contracts

    

Foreign

Currency

Exchange

Contracts

    

Interest

Rate

Contracts

    

Other

Contracts

     Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

 

           

Options written

   $      $      $  (10,946,814    $      $      $      $  (10,946,814
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                    

Options written

   $      $      $ (13,682,244    $      $      $      $ (13,682,244
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

52  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

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

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options:

       

Average value of option contracts written

  $ 14,431,983  

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

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

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

 

     
     Assets      Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments

    

Options

  $      $ 18,548,876  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

           18,548,876  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

           (17,227,049
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

  $      $ 1,321,827  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

 

           
Counterparty    

Derivative

Liabilities

Subject to

an MNA by

Counterparty

 

 

 

 

 

    

 Derivatives

Available

for Offset

 

 

 

    

Non-Cash

Collateral

Pledged

 

 

(a) 

   

Cash

Collateral

Pledged

 

 

 

    

Net Amount

of Derivative

Liabilities

 

 

(b) 

Bank of America N.A.

  $ 35,361      $      $     $      $ 35,361  

Citibank N.A.

    1,034,049               (1,034,049             

Goldman Sachs International

    18,576                            18,576  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

    98,306                            98,306  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

    24,658                            24,658  

UBS AG

    110,877                            110,877  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 1,321,827      $      $  (1,034,049   $      $ 287,778  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Excess of collateral received/pledged, if any, from the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (b) 

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

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

                                                                                                   
         
      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Automobile Components

   $ 13,238,276        $        $        $ 13,238,276  

Banks

     16,085,336                            16,085,336  

Beverages

     8,006,926                            8,006,926  

Broadline Retail

     48,526,749                            48,526,749  

Building Products

     10,260,877                            10,260,877  

Capital Markets

     29,846,703                            29,846,703  

Chemicals

     26,782,837                            26,782,837  

Communications Equipment

     7,013,998                            7,013,998  

Consumer Finance

     8,033,139                            8,033,139  

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail

     20,634,069                            20,634,069  

Diversified Telecommunication Services

     12,292,537                            12,292,537  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

     15,279,967                            15,279,967  

Entertainment

     8,729,957                            8,729,957  

 

 

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

  53


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

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

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

 

                                                                                                   
         
      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Common Stocks (continued)

                 

Financial Services

   $ 31,361,363        $        $        $ 31,361,363  

Food Products

     10,592,960                            10,592,960  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

     15,918,782                            15,918,782  

Health Care Providers & Services

     56,699,052                            56,699,052  

Health Care Technology

     7,517,906                            7,517,906  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

     6,959,869                            6,959,869  

Household Durables

     18,956,843                            18,956,843  

Insurance

     30,201,758                            30,201,758  

Interactive Media & Services

     74,097,787                            74,097,787  

IT Services

     17,612,765                            17,612,765  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

     24,709,540                            24,709,540  

Machinery

     40,630,520                            40,630,520  

Media

     20,150,347                            20,150,347  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     26,386,902          10,946,567                   37,333,469  

Personal Care Products

     9,102,362                            9,102,362  

Pharmaceuticals

     37,396,594                            37,396,594  

Professional Services

     9,581,633                            9,581,633  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     67,249,797                            67,249,797  

Software

     76,738,107                            76,738,107  

Specialty Retail

     15,691,765                            15,691,765  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

     38,261,487                            38,261,487  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

     8,913,810                            8,913,810  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     12,932,953                            12,932,953  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 882,396,273        $ 10,946,567        $          893,342,840  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investments Valued at NAV(a)

                    397,512  
                 

 

 

 
                  $ 893,740,352  
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(b)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (13,805,655      $ (4,743,221      $        $ (18,548,876
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

54  

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Aerospace & Defense(a) — 3.7%            

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.(b)

    180,535     $     38,024,282  

RTX Corp.

    269,046       22,637,530  
   

 

 

 
      60,661,812  
Automobile Components — 0.4%  

Lear Corp.

    47,800       6,749,838  
   

 

 

 
Automobiles — 2.2%  

General Motors Co.(a)(b)

    1,018,667       36,590,519  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 11.0%  

Bank of America Corp.

    314,801       10,599,350  

Citigroup, Inc.(a)

    970,830       49,939,495  

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

    352,124       11,669,389  

First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Class A

    23,527       33,384,107  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.(a)

    122,378       20,816,498  

Wells Fargo & Co.(a)

    1,098,968       54,091,205  
   

 

 

 
      180,500,044  
Beverages — 0.9%  

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A(a)

    42,599       10,298,308  

Keurig Dr. Pepper, Inc.

    123,060       4,100,359  
   

 

 

 
      14,398,667  
Building Products — 0.8%  

Allegion PLC

    104,660       13,259,375  
   

 

 

 
Capital Markets — 4.1%  

Carlyle Group, Inc.

    414,230       16,855,019  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

    33,980       13,108,465  

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

    84,950       10,910,128  

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

    146,399       16,323,488  

UBS Group AG, Registered Shares

    319,280       9,917,335  
   

 

 

 
      67,114,435  
Chemicals — 0.6%  

International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.

    127,520       10,325,294  
   

 

 

 
Communications Equipment — 2.0%  

Cisco Systems, Inc.(a)

    632,570       31,957,436  
   

 

 

 
Consumer Finance — 0.5%  

American Express Co.

    47,010       8,806,853  
   

 

 

 
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail — 2.0%  

Dollar General Corp.

    237,476       32,284,862  
   

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging — 1.5%  

Sealed Air Corp.(b)

    688,332       25,137,885  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 2.4%  

AT&T, Inc.

    827,562       13,886,490  

Verizon Communications, Inc.(b)

    657,980       24,805,846  
   

 

 

 
      38,692,336  
Electric Utilities — 2.8%  

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

    224,679       18,248,428  

Exelon Corp.

    256,819       9,219,802  

NextEra Energy, Inc.

    80,460       4,887,141  

PG&E Corp.(c)

    763,531       13,766,464  
   

 

 

 
      46,121,835  
Entertainment — 0.1%  

Walt Disney Co.(c)

    19,020       1,717,316  
   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value  
Financial Services — 5.1%  

AP Arsenal Co. Invest LP(c)(d)

    15,830,106     $     15,830,106  

Equitable Holdings, Inc.

    227,446       7,573,952  

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.(b)

    575,110       34,546,858  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    96,229       25,053,220  
   

 

 

 
      83,004,136  
Food Products — 2.4%  

Kraft Heinz Co.(a)(b)

    1,079,834       39,932,261  
   

 

 

 
Ground Transportation — 0.6%  

Union Pacific Corp.

    37,481       9,206,083  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 5.0%  

Baxter International, Inc.(a)

    830,532       32,108,367  

Koninklijke Philips NV(c)

    830,415       19,433,561  

Medtronic PLC

    374,970       30,890,029  
   

 

 

 
      82,431,957  
Health Care Providers & Services — 8.0%  

Cardinal Health, Inc.

    262,089       26,418,571  

Cencora, Inc.

    44,126       9,062,598  

Cigna Group

    74,674       22,361,129  

CVS Health Corp.

    63,370       5,003,695  

Elevance Health, Inc.(a)

    62,056       29,263,128  

Humana, Inc.

    19,428       8,894,333  

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings(a)

    135,817       30,869,846  
   

 

 

 
      131,873,300  
Household Durables — 2.1%  

Newell Brands, Inc.

    747,674       6,489,810  

Panasonic Holdings Corp.

    1,179,300       11,613,243  

Sony Group Corp.

    179,600       16,996,060  
   

 

 

 
      35,099,113  
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.4%  

Siemens AG, Registered Shares

    36,162       6,784,327  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 6.7%  

American International Group, Inc.(a)

    703,484       47,661,041  

Fidelity National Financial, Inc., Class A

    496,525       25,332,706  

First American Financial Corp.

    29,750       1,917,090  

Prudential PLC

    576,635       6,505,990  

Willis Towers Watson PLC

    118,625       28,612,350  
   

 

 

 
      110,029,177  
IT Services — 1.3%  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.,
Class A(a)

    282,568       21,342,361  
   

 

 

 
Leisure Products — 0.3%  

Hasbro, Inc.

    102,660       5,241,820  
   

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.7%  

Fortrea Holdings, Inc.(c)

    206,687       7,213,377  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    8,080       4,288,783  
   

 

 

 
      11,502,160  
Machinery — 1.3%  

CNH Industrial NV

    814,300       9,918,174  

Fortive Corp.

    74,754       5,504,137  

Komatsu Ltd.

    220,700       5,743,351  
   

 

 

 
      21,165,662  
 

 

 

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

  55


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Media — 2.7%

   
Comcast Corp., Class A(a)   751,887     $   32,970,245  

Fox Corp., Class A

    380,307       11,283,709  
   

 

 

 
      44,253,954  
Multi-Utilities — 1.4%            

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

    115,778       7,079,825  

Sempra

    212,882       15,908,672  
   

 

 

 
      22,988,497  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 8.6%            

BP PLC

    5,837,860       34,607,229  

Chevron Corp.

    64,390       9,604,413  

Enterprise Products Partners LP(a)

    1,007,778       26,554,950  

Formentera Partners Fund II LP(d)(e)

    (f)      10,716,626  

Shell PLC

    1,316,592       43,097,409  

Suncor Energy, Inc.

    521,730       16,716,229  
   

 

 

 
      141,296,856  
Personal Care Products — 1.8%            

Unilever PLC, ADR(a)

    610,738       29,608,578  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 4.8%            

AstraZeneca PLC

    95,155       12,835,443  

Bayer AG, Registered Shares

    384,584       14,269,567  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    18,167       10,589,908  

Novo Nordisk A/S, ADR

    78,264       8,096,411  

Pfizer, Inc.

    140,670       4,049,889  

Sanofi SA

    286,792       28,499,317  
   

 

 

 
      78,340,535  
Professional Services — 4.9%            

Leidos Holdings, Inc.(a)

    361,660       39,146,079  

Robert Half, Inc.

    65,910       5,794,807  

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.

    584,940       35,745,683  
   

 

 

 
      80,686,569  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 2.9%  

Intel Corp.

    122,570       6,159,142  

Micron Technology, Inc.(b)

    373,400       31,865,956  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., ADR

    92,084       9,576,736  
   

 

 

 
      47,601,834  
Software — 1.3%            

Microsoft Corp.

    57,206       21,511,744  
   

 

 

 
Specialized REITs — 0.9%            

American Tower Corp.

    22,100       4,770,948  

Crown Castle, Inc.

    81,370       9,373,010  
   

 

 

 
      14,143,958  
Specialty Retail — 0.8%            

Ross Stores, Inc.

    88,225       12,209,458  
   

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.6%            

Ralph Lauren Corp., Class A

    52,173       7,523,347  

Tapestry, Inc.

    47,920       1,763,935  
   

 

 

 
      9,287,282  
Security   Shares     Value  

Tobacco — 1.4%

   

British American Tobacco PLC, ADR

    783,226     $    22,940,690  
   

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.4%        

Rogers Communications, Inc., Class B

    152,562       7,141,935  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 101.4%
(Cost: $1,412,065,198)

      1,663,942,754  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Securities

   
Preferred Stocks — 0.5%            

Household Products — 0.5%

   

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

    106,570       8,572,705  
   

 

 

 
      8,572,705  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Securities — 0.5%
(Cost: $8,384,952)

      8,572,705  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 101.9%
(Cost: $1,420,450,150)

      1,672,515,459  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.3%            

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

    5,204,534       5,204,534  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.3%
(Cost: $5,204,534)

      5,204,534  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 102.2%
(Cost: $1,425,654,684)

 

    1,677,719,993  
   

 

 

 

Options Written — (2.2)%
(Premiums Received: $(20,613,526))

      (36,487,628
   

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 100.0%
(Cost: $1,405,041,158)

 

    1,641,232,365  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.0%

      368,758  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $  1,641,601,123  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

 
(b) 

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

 
(c) 

Non-income producing security.

 
(d) 

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

 
(e) 

All or a portion of the security is held by a wholly-owned subsidiary. See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for details on the wholly-owned subsidiary.

 
(f) 

Investment does not issue shares.

 
(g) 

Affiliate of the Trust.

 
(h) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 
 

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

 

 

56  

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

                   
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
12/31/22
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
12/31/23
    Shares
Held at
12/31/23
    Income     Capital Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $ 76,042,437     $   —     $ (70,837,903 )(a)    $   —     $   —     $ 5,204,534       5,204,534     $ 2,734,658     $   —  

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

          331 (a)            (331                       1,130 (c)       
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $  (331   $   —     $ 5,204,534       $ 2,735,788     $   —  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Exchange-Traded Options Written

 

           
Description   Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call

                   

American International Group, Inc.

    733        01/05/24        USD        67.00        USD        4,966      $      (67,802

AT&T, Inc.

    968        01/05/24        USD        16.50        USD        1,624        (38,720

Baxter International, Inc.

    1,458        01/05/24        USD        37.00        USD        5,637        (247,860

Cardinal Health, Inc.

    503        01/05/24        USD        106.00        USD        5,070        (5,030

Cigna Group

    216        01/05/24        USD        285.00        USD        6,468        (329,400

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    1,277        01/05/24        USD        49.00        USD        6,451        (201,766

Elevance Health, Inc.

    119        01/05/24        USD        485.00        USD        5,612        (6,248

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

    68        01/05/24        USD        340.00        USD        2,623        (314,500

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    164        01/05/24        USD        155.00        USD        2,790        (250,510

Kraft Heinz Co.

    1,823        01/05/24        USD        35.00        USD        6,741        (370,980

Ross Stores, Inc.

    80        01/05/24        USD        132.00        USD        1,107        (54,000

RTX Corp.

    715        01/05/24        USD        85.00        USD        6,016        (31,103

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    384        01/05/24        USD        98.00        USD        3,994        (236,160

AT&T, Inc.

    986        01/12/24        USD        17.50        USD        1,655        (6,409

Chevron Corp.

    188        01/12/24        USD        155.00        USD        2,804        (10,434

Cigna Group

    16        01/12/24        USD        265.00        USD        479        (56,560

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    1,126        01/12/24        USD        49.00        USD        5,689        (173,967

Citigroup, Inc.

    733        01/12/24        USD        48.00        USD        3,771        (267,545

Comcast Corp., Class A

    1,264        01/12/24        USD        43.00        USD        5,543        (139,040

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A

    143        01/12/24        USD        240.00        USD        3,457        (95,095

CVS Health Corp.

    150        01/12/24        USD        76.00        USD        1,184        (51,000

Dollar General Corp.

    374        01/12/24        USD        139.00        USD        5,085        (68,255

Eli Lilly & Co.

    39        01/12/24        USD        615.00        USD        2,273        (9,867

Fox Corp., Class A

    414        01/12/24        USD        30.00        USD        1,228        (16,560

Humana, Inc.

    43        01/12/24        USD        495.00        USD        1,969        (3,010

Intel Corp.

    224        01/12/24        USD        44.00        USD        1,126        (141,120

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    240        01/12/24        USD        157.50        USD        4,082        (309,000

Microsoft Corp.

    9        01/12/24        USD        375.00        USD        338        (5,603

Novo Nordisk A/S, ADR

    177        01/12/24        USD        100.00        USD        1,831        (78,765

PG&E Corp.

    1,076        01/12/24        USD        17.50        USD        1,940        (78,548

Ross Stores, Inc.

    135        01/12/24        USD        131.00        USD        1,868        (102,600

Ross Stores, Inc.

    67        01/12/24        USD        135.00        USD        927        (28,810

RTX Corp.

    764        01/12/24        USD        83.00        USD        6,428        (149,362

Suncor Energy, Inc.

    772        01/12/24        USD        35.00        USD        2,473        (3,860

Union Pacific Corp.

    26        01/12/24        USD        235.00        USD        639        (30,030

Union Pacific Corp.

    52        01/12/24        USD        240.00        USD        1,277        (37,960

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    509        01/12/24        USD        39.00        USD        1,919        (4,327

Visa, Inc., Class A

    89        01/12/24        USD        260.00        USD        2,317        (29,593

Allegion PLC

    365        01/19/24        USD        110.00        USD        4,624        (622,325

 

 

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

  57


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

           
Description   Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                   

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

    442        01/19/24        USD        80.00        USD        3,590      $     (100,555

American International Group, Inc.

    775        01/19/24        USD        66.00        USD        5,251        (179,107

American Tower Corp.

    121        01/19/24        USD        220.00        USD        2,612        (33,880

AT&T, Inc.

    1,290        01/19/24        USD        16.00        USD        2,165        (110,295

Bank of America Corp.

    741        01/19/24        USD        28.00        USD        2,495        (429,780

Bank of America Corp.

    112        01/19/24        USD        31.00        USD        377        (32,424

Cardinal Health, Inc.

    436        01/19/24        USD        105.00        USD        4,395        (19,620

Carlyle Group, Inc.

    1,068        01/19/24        USD        31.10        USD        4,346        (1,051,982

Chevron Corp.

    83        01/19/24        USD        145.00        USD        1,238        (48,555

Citigroup, Inc.

    1,062        01/19/24        USD        42.50        USD        5,463        (969,075

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

    1,004        01/19/24        USD        30.00        USD        3,327        (331,320

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    959        01/19/24        USD        70.00        USD        7,243        (565,810

Comcast Corp., Class A

    611        01/19/24        USD        45.00        USD        2,679        (20,163

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A

    91        01/19/24        USD        250.00        USD        2,200        (26,163

Crown Castle, Inc.

    133        01/19/24        USD        120.00        USD        1,532        (9,643

Dollar General Corp.

    375        01/19/24        USD        135.00        USD        5,098        (155,625

Elevance Health, Inc.

    109        01/19/24        USD        480.00        USD        5,140        (61,040

Eli Lilly & Co.

    29        01/19/24        USD        640.00        USD        1,690        (3,886

Enterprise Products Partners LP

    1,269        01/19/24        USD        27.51        USD        3,344        (2,661

Exelon Corp.

    556        01/19/24        USD        41.00        USD        1,996        (2,780

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

    855        01/19/24        USD        57.50        USD        5,136        (273,600

First American Financial Corp.

    81        01/19/24        USD        58.01        USD        522        (55,166

First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Class A

    39        01/19/24        USD        1,520.00        USD        5,534        (25,545

First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Class A

    90        01/19/24        USD        1,480.00        USD        12,771        (118,350

Fortrea Holdings, Inc.

    567        01/19/24        USD        35.00        USD        1,979        (102,060

Fox Corp., Class A

    413        01/19/24        USD        30.00        USD        1,225        (20,650

General Motors Co.

    1,815        01/19/24        USD        30.00        USD        6,519        (1,102,612

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

    118        01/19/24        USD        340.00        USD        4,552        (563,155

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

    132        01/19/24        USD        115.00        USD        1,695        (182,820

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

    335        01/19/24        USD        120.00        USD        4,302        (288,100

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    29        01/19/24        USD        155.00        USD        493        (44,443

Kraft Heinz Co.

    2,294        01/19/24        USD        35.00        USD        8,483        (495,504

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

    466        01/19/24        USD        190.00        USD        9,815        (1,001,900

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings

    556        01/19/24        USD        213.22        USD        12,637        (841,494

Lear Corp.

    174        01/19/24        USD        140.00        USD        2,457        (72,210

Leidos Holdings, Inc.

    958        01/19/24        USD        105.00        USD        10,369        (373,620

Micron Technology, Inc.

    410        01/19/24        USD        80.00        USD        3,499        (249,075

Microsoft Corp.

    182        01/19/24        USD        375.00        USD        6,844        (138,320

Newell Brands, Inc.

    777        01/19/24        USD        8.00        USD        674        (66,045

Novo Nordisk A/S, ADR

    84        01/19/24        USD        104.00        USD        869        (21,000

PG&E Corp.

    1,563        01/19/24        USD        17.00        USD        2,818        (195,375

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

    318        01/19/24        USD        110.00        USD        3,546        (101,760

Robert Half, Inc.

    181        01/19/24        USD        77.41        USD        1,591        (195,750

Ross Stores, Inc.

    202        01/19/24        USD        135.00        USD        2,795        (94,940

Sealed Air Corp.

    593        01/19/24        USD        35.00        USD        2,166        (124,530

Sempra

    584        01/19/24        USD        75.00        USD        4,364        (64,240

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.

    1,562        01/19/24        USD        56.13        USD        9,545        (818,799

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    122        01/19/24        USD        105.00        USD        1,269        (33,367

Unilever PLC, ADR

    1,854        01/19/24        USD        50.00        USD        8,988        (23,175

Union Pacific Corp.

    102        01/19/24        USD        220.00        USD        2,505        (267,750

Union Pacific Corp.

    26        01/19/24        USD        235.00        USD        639        (31,850

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    1,731        01/19/24        USD        36.00        USD        6,526        (307,252

Visa, Inc., Class A

    335        01/19/24        USD        255.00        USD        8,722        (261,300

Wells Fargo & Co.

    2,281        01/19/24        USD        42.50        USD        11,227        (1,585,295

Willis Towers Watson PLC

    182        01/19/24        USD        250.00        USD        4,390        (17,745

Cencora, Inc.

    129        01/25/24        USD        204.00        USD        2,649        (59,040

American International Group, Inc.

    732        01/26/24        USD        66.00        USD        4,959        (192,150

American International Group, Inc.

    459        01/26/24        USD        68.00        USD        3,110        (60,817

AT&T, Inc.

    1,307        01/26/24        USD        17.00        USD        2,193        (41,824

Baxter International, Inc.

    678        01/26/24        USD        39.00        USD        2,621        (62,715

Cardinal Health, Inc.

    502        01/26/24        USD        108.00        USD        5,060        (11,295

Chevron Corp.

    83        01/26/24        USD        145.00        USD        1,238        (53,328

 

 

58  

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

           
Description   Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                   

Cigna Group

    89        01/26/24        USD        310.00        USD        2,665      $     (32,040

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    1,076        01/26/24        USD        51.00        USD        5,436        (51,648

Citigroup, Inc.

    897        01/26/24        USD        45.75        USD        4,614        (532,578

Comcast Corp., Class A

    637        01/26/24        USD        44.00        USD        2,793        (75,484

Eli Lilly & Co.

    31        01/26/24        USD        595.00        USD        1,807        (36,580

Enterprise Products Partners LP

    1,268        01/26/24        USD        26.27        USD        3,341        (63,955

Fortive Corp.

    56        01/26/24        USD        68.25        USD        412        (33,382

Fox Corp., Class A

    1,264        01/26/24        USD        31.00        USD        3,750        (31,600

Intel Corp.

    225        01/26/24        USD        49.00        USD        1,131        (67,837

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    240        01/26/24        USD        165.00        USD        4,082        (157,800

Medtronic PLC

    284        01/26/24        USD        85.00        USD        2,340        (16,330

Medtronic PLC

    99        01/26/24        USD        83.34        USD        816        (11,633

Micron Technology, Inc.

    548        01/26/24        USD        87.00        USD        4,677        (104,942

Microsoft Corp.

    16        01/26/24        USD        385.00        USD        602        (10,760

PG&E Corp.

    755        01/26/24        USD        17.50        USD        1,361        (64,930

Suncor Energy, Inc.

    634        01/26/24        USD        32.00        USD        2,031        (63,400

Visa, Inc., Class A

    92        01/26/24        USD        260.00        USD        2,395        (54,280

Walt Disney Co.

    104        01/26/24        USD        96.00        USD        939        (6,136

Newell Brands, Inc.

    1,107        01/31/24        USD        9.50        USD        961        (25,995

Comcast Corp., Class A

    1,249        02/02/24        USD        46.05        USD        5,477        (56,063

Intel Corp.

    225        02/02/24        USD        51.00        USD        1,131        (52,313

Kraft Heinz Co.

    1,822        02/02/24        USD        37.00        USD        6,738        (152,137

Medtronic PLC

    522        02/02/24        USD        83.05        USD        4,300        (85,638

Micron Technology, Inc.

    547        02/02/24        USD        87.00        USD        4,668        (130,459

PG&E Corp.

    805        02/02/24        USD        18.00        USD        1,451        (45,885

Visa, Inc., Class A

    13        02/02/24        USD        260.68        USD        338        (8,345

Newell Brands, Inc.

    1,106        02/07/24        USD        9.75        USD        960        (25,147

Comcast Corp., Class A

    374        02/09/24        USD        44.00        USD        1,640        (54,230

Medtronic PLC

    317        02/09/24        USD        83.34        USD        2,611        (54,376

Micron Technology, Inc.

    274        02/09/24        USD        87.00        USD        2,338        (76,035

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

    793        02/16/24        USD        82.50        USD        6,441        (136,792

American International Group, Inc.

    1,169        02/16/24        USD        67.50        USD        7,920        (289,327

Bank of America Corp.

    878        02/16/24        USD        34.00        USD        2,956        (100,092

Baxter International, Inc.

    1,186        02/16/24        USD        40.00        USD        4,585        (148,250

British American Tobacco PLC, ADR

    1,031        02/16/24        USD        29.44        USD        3,020        (91,141

Carlyle Group, Inc.

    1,210        02/16/24        USD        35.50        USD        4,923        (830,445

Cencora, Inc.

    39        02/16/24        USD        204.00        USD        801        (26,005

Citigroup, Inc.

    518        02/16/24        USD        48.00        USD        2,665        (213,675

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    595        02/16/24        USD        77.50        USD        4,494        (116,025

CVS Health Corp.

    195        02/16/24        USD        75.00        USD        1,540        (100,912

Dollar General Corp.

    260        02/16/24        USD        130.00        USD        3,535        (256,100

Enterprise Products Partners LP

    1,887        02/16/24        USD        26.14        USD        4,972        (86,525

Exelon Corp.

    300        02/16/24        USD        40.50        USD        1,077        (3,070

Exelon Corp.

    558        02/16/24        USD        37.00        USD        2,003        (39,060

Fidelity National Financial, Inc., Class A

    1,777        02/16/24        USD        47.79        USD        9,066        (716,053

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

    1,446        02/16/24        USD        62.50        USD        8,686        (278,355

First American Financial Corp.

    82        02/16/24        USD        65.00        USD        528        (19,065

Fortive Corp.

    355        02/16/24        USD        69.93        USD        2,614        (183,780

Fortrea Holdings, Inc.

    569        02/16/24        USD        32.50        USD        1,986        (207,685

General Motors Co.

    605        02/16/24        USD        34.00        USD        2,173        (178,475

Humana, Inc.

    63        02/16/24        USD        505.00        USD        2,884        (27,405

International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.

    702        02/16/24        USD        82.50        USD        5,684        (221,130

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

    526        02/16/24        USD        200.00        USD        11,079        (762,700

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings

    190        02/16/24        USD        220.00        USD        4,319        (228,950

Leidos Holdings, Inc.

    1,031        02/16/24        USD        110.00        USD        11,160        (306,722

Medtronic PLC

    317        02/16/24        USD        85.00        USD        2,611        (36,138

Microsoft Corp.

    107        02/16/24        USD        400.00        USD        4,024        (58,048

Ralph Lauren Corp., Class A

    99        02/16/24        USD        150.00        USD        1,428        (40,095

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

    487        02/16/24        USD        110.00        USD        5,430        (248,370

Robert Half, Inc.

    181        02/16/24        USD        84.25        USD        1,591        (111,588

Rogers Communications, Inc., Class B

    459        02/16/24        CAD        64.00        CAD        2,847        (37,931

Sempra

    586        02/16/24        USD        76.48        USD        4,379        (80,387

 

 

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

  59


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

           
Description   Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                   

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.

    1,655        02/16/24        USD        58.00        USD        10,114      $ (702,874

Suncor Energy, Inc.

    648        02/16/24        USD        34.00        USD        2,076        (42,120

Unilever PLC, ADR

    1,505        02/16/24        USD        50.00        USD        7,296        (90,300

Wells Fargo & Co.

    2,114        02/16/24        USD        45.00        USD        10,405        (1,009,435

Ralph Lauren Corp., Class A

    187        02/26/24        USD        136.00        USD        2,697        (235,492

Equitable Holdings, Inc.

    626        02/28/24        USD        32.90        USD        2,085        (111,455

British American Tobacco PLC, ADR

    1,032        03/15/24        USD        30.00        USD        3,023        (87,720

Citigroup, Inc.

    673        03/15/24        USD        52.50        USD        3,462        (126,860

Enterprise Products Partners LP

    1,115        03/15/24        USD        27.00        USD        2,938        (30,105

Fidelity National Financial, Inc., Class A

    953        03/15/24        USD        47.31        USD        4,862        (563,523

General Motors Co.

    1,654        03/15/24        USD        36.00        USD        5,941        (337,416

Medtronic PLC

    522        03/15/24        USD        85.00        USD        4,300        (105,966

Micron Technology, Inc.

    274        03/15/24        USD        87.50        USD        2,338        (112,340

Rogers Communications, Inc., Class B

    380        03/15/24        CAD        64.00        CAD        2,357        (43,304
                   

 

 

 
                    $ (31,429,198
                   

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

 

             
Description   Counterparty   Number of
Contracts
    Expiration
Date
    Exercise Price    

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call

                

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  Citibank N.A.     66,500       01/03/24       USD       37.53       USD       2,507       $   (25,826

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

  Citibank N.A.     33,200       01/04/24       USD       28.31       USD       1,100        (161,538

Prudential PLC

  Bank of America N.A.     96,800       01/09/24       GBP       9.14       GBP       857        (8,277

Bayer AG, Registered Shares

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     135,700       01/10/24       EUR       42.74       EUR       4,561        (84

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

  Citibank N.A.     33,700       01/10/24       USD       29.03       USD       1,117        (140,281

Koninklijke Philips NV

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     130,500       01/10/24       EUR       19.04       EUR       2,766        (300,018

Panasonic Holdings Corp.

  BNP Paribas SA     217,100       01/10/24       JPY       1,479.86       JPY       301,445        (15,583

Verizon Communications, Inc.

  Citibank N.A.     66,600       01/10/24       USD       37.53       USD       2,511        (16,532

BP PLC

  UBS AG     2,182,700       01/11/24       GBP       4.92       GBP       10,151        (22,424

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Preference Shares

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     13,900       01/11/24       EUR       72.36       EUR       1,013        (15,743

Komatsu Ltd.

  Societe Generale     18,400       01/11/24       JPY       3,785.05       JPY       67,515        (4,089

Komatsu Ltd.

  UBS AG     42,300       01/11/24       JPY       3,861.20       JPY       155,211        (5,987

NextEra Energy, Inc.

  Barclays Bank PLC     22,100       01/11/24       USD       57.37       USD       1,342        (82,938

Komatsu Ltd.

  UBS AG     60,700       01/17/24       JPY       3,880.13       JPY       222,726        (11,837

Shell PLC

  Goldman Sachs International     276,700       01/17/24       GBP       26.49       GBP       7,106        (49,681

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Preference Shares

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     13,900       01/18/24       EUR       72.35       EUR       1,013        (18,704

Sanofi SA

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     99,900       01/18/24       EUR       87.55       EUR       8,993        (316,286

Sony Group Corp.

  Bank of America N.A.     24,300       01/18/24       JPY       13,535.12       JPY       324,241        (46,206

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     5,900       01/22/24       USD       64.49       USD       361        (1,086

AstraZeneca PLC

  Goldman Sachs International     52,300       01/23/24       GBP       103.39       GBP       5,535        (269,602

Koninklijke Philips NV

  Goldman Sachs International     217,800       01/23/24       EUR       19.22       EUR       4,617        (484,300

Panasonic Holdings Corp.

  Bank of America N.A.     261,500       01/23/24       JPY       1,596.90       JPY       363,095        (11,921

Sanofi SA

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     57,900       01/23/24       EUR       89.72       EUR       5,212        (107,975

Siemens AG, Registered Shares

  UBS AG     19,900       01/23/24       EUR       163.50       EUR       3,382        (177,910

Shell PLC

  Goldman Sachs International     356,700       01/24/24       GBP       25.83       GBP       9,160        (221,123

Prudential PLC

  Goldman Sachs International     96,800       01/25/24       GBP       9.12       GBP       857        (20,415

UBS Group AG, Registered Shares

  Goldman Sachs International     87,800       01/26/24       CHF       25.58       CHF       2,294        (99,424

BP PLC

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     732,200       01/30/24       GBP       4.87       GBP       3,405        (47,757

Equitable Holdings, Inc.

  Bank of America N.A.     62,400       01/30/24       USD       30.15       USD       2,078        (215,838

Prudential PLC

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     222,200       01/30/24       GBP       9.04       GBP       1,967        (64,732

Shell PLC

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     90,800       01/30/24       GBP       26.54       GBP       2,332        (31,982

Sony Group Corp.

  Bank of America N.A.     44,200       01/30/24       JPY       13,438.59       JPY       589,771        (123,148

Cencora, Inc.

  Citibank N.A.     7,400       01/31/24       USD       201.54       USD       1,520        (51,186

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.     57,700       01/31/24       USD       63.86       USD       3,528        (21,632

Willis Towers Watson PLC

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     47,000       01/31/24       USD       243.57       USD       11,336        (301,828

Bayer AG, Registered Shares

  Goldman Sachs International     75,900       02/01/24       EUR       33.49       EUR       2,551        (101,774

Koninklijke Philips NV

  Goldman Sachs International     108,500       02/01/24       EUR       18.88       EUR       2,300        (288,155

Panasonic Holdings Corp.

  BNP Paribas SA     116,200       02/01/24       JPY       1,496.41       JPY       161,345        (16,747

Panasonic Holdings Corp.

  Societe Generale     53,800       02/01/24       JPY       1,432.55       JPY       74,702        (14,370

NextEra Energy, Inc.

  Barclays Bank PLC     22,100       02/02/24       USD       57.94       USD       1,342        (90,525

 

 

60  

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

 

OTC Options Written (continued)

 

             
Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                       

Sealed Air Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      61,300        02/02/24        USD        34.98        USD        2,239      $ (161,831

Crown Castle, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      19,800        02/05/24        USD        117.74        USD        2,281        (52,882

BP PLC

   Bank of America N.A.      296,000        02/08/24        GBP        4.68        GBP        1,377        (54,621

Sealed Air Corp.

   Citibank N.A.      92,500        02/13/24        USD        35.44        USD        3,378        (253,970

Sealed Air Corp.

   UBS AG      62,200        02/20/24        USD        33.27        USD        2,272        (275,394

Crown Castle, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      11,600        02/26/24        USD        113.50        USD        1,336        (69,161

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.      26,500        02/27/24        USD        33.33        USD        878        (45,383

UBS Group AG, Registered Shares

   Goldman Sachs International      87,800        02/27/24        CHF        25.70        CHF        2,294        (139,724
                       

 

 

 
                        $  (5,058,430
                       

 

 

 

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

 

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

Options Written

   $ N/A      $ N/A      $ 3,457,080      $ (19,331,182    $  (36,487,628

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

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

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Options written

                    

Options written at value

   $      $      $ 36,487,628      $      $      $      $  36,487,628  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the period ended December 31, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

               
      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
    

Equity

Contracts

     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

                    

Options purchased(a)

   $      $      $ (8,293,785    $      $      $      $ (8,293,785

Options written

                   (6,887,226                           (6,887,226
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $  (15,181,011    $      $      $      $  (15,181,011
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                    

Options written

   $      $      $ (23,815,466    $      $      $      $ (23,815,466
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options:

        

Average value of option contracts purchased

   $ (a) 

Average value of option contracts written

   $ 24,853,085  

 

  (a) 

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

 

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

 

 

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

  61


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

 

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

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

 

     
      Assets      Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments

     

Options

   $      $ 36,487,628  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

            36,487,628  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

            (31,429,198
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $      $ 5,058,430  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

 

           
Counterparty     



Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
 Counterparty
 
 
 
 
 
    

  Derivatives
Available
for Offset
 
 
 
    

  Non-Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
(a) 
    

Cash
   Collateral
Pledged
 
 
 
    

Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
 
 
(b) 

Bank of America N.A.

   $ 460,011      $      $ (460,011    $      $  

Barclays Bank PLC

     173,463               (170,839             2,624  

BNP Paribas SA

     32,330               (32,330              

Citibank N.A.

     694,716               (694,716              

Goldman Sachs International

     1,836,029               (1,836,029              

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     144,761               (144,761              

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     1,205,109               (1,205,109              

Societe Generale

     18,459               (18,459              

UBS AG

     493,552               (493,552              
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 5,058,430      $      $ (5,055,806    $      $ 2,624  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Excess of collateral received/pledged, if any, from the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (b) 

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

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

               
      Level 1             Level 2             Level 3             Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Aerospace & Defense

   $ 60,661,812        $        $        $ 60,661,812  

Automobile Components

     6,749,838                            6,749,838  

Automobiles

     36,590,519                            36,590,519  

Banks

     180,500,044                            180,500,044  

Beverages

     14,398,667                            14,398,667  

Building Products

     13,259,375                            13,259,375  

Capital Markets

     57,197,100          9,917,335                   67,114,435  

Chemicals

     10,325,294                            10,325,294  

Communications Equipment

     31,957,436                            31,957,436  

Consumer Finance

     8,806,853                            8,806,853  

Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail

     32,284,862                            32,284,862  

Containers & Packaging

     25,137,885                            25,137,885  

Diversified Telecommunication Services

     38,692,336                            38,692,336  

Electric Utilities

     46,121,835                            46,121,835  

Entertainment

     1,717,316                            1,717,316  

Financial Services

     67,174,030                   15,830,106          83,004,136  

Food Products

     39,932,261                            39,932,261  

 

 

62  

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

 

               
      Level 1             Level 2             Level 3             Total  

Common Stocks (continued)

                 

Ground Transportation

   $ 9,206,083        $        $        $ 9,206,083  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

     62,998,396          19,433,561                   82,431,957  

Health Care Providers & Services

     131,873,300                            131,873,300  

Household Durables

     6,489,810          28,609,303                   35,099,113  

Industrial Conglomerates

              6,784,327                   6,784,327  

Insurance

     103,523,187          6,505,990                   110,029,177  

IT Services

     21,342,361                            21,342,361  

Leisure Products

     5,241,820                            5,241,820  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

     11,502,160                            11,502,160  

Machinery

     15,422,311          5,743,351                   21,165,662  

Media

     44,253,954                            44,253,954  

Multi-Utilities

     22,988,497                            22,988,497  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     52,875,592          77,704,638          10,716,626          141,296,856  

Personal Care Products

     29,608,578                            29,608,578  

Pharmaceuticals

     22,736,208          55,604,327                   78,340,535  

Professional Services

     80,686,569                            80,686,569  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     47,601,834                            47,601,834  

Software

     21,511,744                            21,511,744  

Specialized REITs

     14,143,958                            14,143,958  

Specialty Retail

     12,209,458                            12,209,458  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

     9,287,282                            9,287,282  

Tobacco

     22,940,690                            22,940,690  

Wireless Telecommunication Services

     7,141,935                            7,141,935  

Preferred Securities

                 

Preferred Stocks

              8,572,705                   8,572,705  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     5,204,534                            5,204,534  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 1,432,297,724        $ 218,875,537        $ 26,546,732        $ 1,677,719,993  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (23,585,749      $ (12,901,879      $        $ (36,487,628
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

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

 

 

 
     Common
Stocks
 

 

 

Assets

  

Opening balance, as of December 31, 2022

   $ 11,435,463  

Transfers into Level 3

      

Transfers out of Level 3

      

Accrued discounts/premiums

      

Net realized gain (loss)

     (106,982

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

     (813,619

Purchases

     21,332,655  

Sales

     (5,300,785
  

 

 

 

Closing balance, as of December 31, 2023

   $ 26,546,732  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at December 31, 2023(b)

   $ (813,619
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Included in the related net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 
  (b) 

Any difference between net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at December 31, 2023 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

 

 

 

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

  63


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

 

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

 

           
       Value       
Valuation
Approach
 
 
    
Unobservable
Inputs
 
 
    


Range of
Unobservable
Inputs
Utilized
 
 
 
(a) 
    



Weighted
Average of
Unobservable
Inputs Based
on Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 

Assets

              

Common Stocks

   $ 26,546,732        Income        Discount Rate        11%         
        Market        EBITDA Multiple        7.71x         
  

 

 

             
   $ 26,546,732              
  

 

 

             

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

64  

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


Schedule of Investments 

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Canada — 2.0%            

TELUS Corp.

    820,022     $  14,592,747  
   

 

 

 
Denmark — 2.2%            

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    152,408       15,794,217  
   

 

 

 
France — 9.6%            

Air Liquide SA

    89,151       17,357,292  

EssilorLuxottica SA

    93,763       18,827,490  

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

    18,418       14,965,304  

Sanofi SA

    183,527       18,237,587  
   

 

 

 
      69,387,673  
India — 0.0%            

AceVector Limited, Series I, (Acquired 08/31/18, Cost: $2,637,143)(a)(b)(c)

    566,400       284,447  
   

 

 

 
Indonesia — 1.1%            

Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    22,422,100       8,333,569  
   

 

 

 
Ireland — 4.1%            

Allegion PLC

    121,238       15,359,642  

Medtronic PLC(d)

    175,741       14,477,544  
   

 

 

 
      29,837,186  
Mexico — 2.1%            

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV

    3,624,607       15,276,669  
   

 

 

 
Netherlands — 4.2%            

Koninklijke KPN NV

    4,200,135       14,470,004  

Shell PLC

    477,667       15,716,808  
   

 

 

 
      30,186,812  
Singapore — 1.4%            

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

    405,168       10,246,220  
   

 

 

 
Switzerland — 6.8%            

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

    190,916       22,130,956  

TE Connectivity Ltd.

    76,977       10,815,268  

Zurich Insurance Group AG, Class N

    31,721       16,584,591  
   

 

 

 
      49,530,815  
Taiwan — 5.0%            

MediaTek, Inc.

    477,000       15,750,493  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    1,076,000       20,628,575  
   

 

 

 
      36,379,068  
United Kingdom — 11.3%            

AstraZeneca PLC

    152,719       20,600,242  

BAE Systems PLC

    1,044,412       14,783,641  

Prudential PLC

    1,065,116       12,017,369  

RELX PLC

    487,507       19,315,727  

Taylor Wimpey PLC, Series L

    8,107,080       15,175,769  
   

 

 

 
      81,892,748  
United States — 51.2%            

AbbVie, Inc.(e)

    126,869       19,660,889  

Accenture PLC, Class A

    55,699       19,545,336  

American Express Co.

    58,216       10,906,197  
Security   Shares     Value  
United States (continued)            

Apple, Inc.(d)(e)

    128,400     $  24,720,852  

Assurant, Inc.(d)

    63,722       10,736,520  

Baker Hughes Co., Class A(d)(e)

    442,901       15,138,356  

Carrier Global Corp.

    236,117       13,564,922  

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.(e)

    429,755       14,242,081  

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.(d)

    145,616       18,701,463  

M&T Bank Corp.

    80,031       10,970,649  

Microsoft Corp.(d)

    93,741       35,250,366  

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A(d)

    294,985       21,365,764  

Oracle Corp.(e)

    153,421       16,175,176  

Otis Worldwide Corp.(e)

    211,801       18,949,835  

Paychex, Inc.(e)

    148,004       17,628,756  

Philip Morris International, Inc.(d)(e)

    194,950       18,340,896  

Republic Services, Inc.(e)

    87,104       14,364,321  

Synchrony Financial

    225,639       8,617,153  

Union Pacific Corp.

    80,294       19,721,812  

United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B(d)

    96,388       15,155,085  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.(d)

    34,608       18,220,074  

Williams Cos., Inc.(d)

    290,496       10,117,976  
   

 

 

 
      372,094,479  
   

 

 

 
Total Long-Term Investments — 101.0%
(Cost: $605,816,932)
        733,836,650  
   

 

 

 
Short-Term Securities            
Money Market Funds — 0.4%            

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

    2,668,223       2,668,223  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.4%
(Cost: $2,668,223)

 

    2,668,223  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 101.4%
(Cost: $608,485,155)

 

    736,504,873  
   

 

 

 

Options Written — (1.5)%
(Premiums Received: $(6,679,071))

 

    (10,846,451
   

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 99.9%
(Cost: $601,806,084)

 

    725,658,422  

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.1%

      830,765  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 726,489,187  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

(b) 

Non-income producing security.

(c)

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Trust held restricted securities with a current value of $284,447, representing less than 0.05% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $2,637,143.

(d) 

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

(e)

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

(f) 

Affiliate of the Trust.

(g) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

 

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

  65


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

                   
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
12/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
     Proceeds
from Sale
    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
12/31/23
     Shares
Held at
12/31/23
     Income     Capital Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $ 6,643,752      $      $  (3,975,529 )(a)    $      $      $ 2,668,223        2,668,223      $ 436,584     $  

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

                  (1,183 )(a)      1,183                             2,641 (c)       
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 
          $ 1,183      $    —      $  2,668,223         $  439,225     $    —  
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Exchange-Traded Options Written

 

           
Description   Number of
Contracts
      Expiration
Date
      Exercise Price     

Notional
 Amount (000)

     Value  

Call

                   

American Express Co.

    134        01/05/24        USD        167.50        USD        2,510      $  (266,995

Microsoft Corp.

    209        01/05/24        USD        370.00        USD        7,859        (159,885

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

    468        01/05/24        USD        72.00        USD        3,390        (37,440

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    47        01/05/24        USD        550.00        USD        2,474        (329

Williams Cos., Inc.

    280        01/05/24        USD        37.00        USD        975        (1,400

AbbVie, Inc.

    364        01/12/24        USD        146.00        USD        5,641        (346,710

American Express Co.

    181        01/12/24        USD        172.50        USD        3,391        (270,595

Apple, Inc.

    260        01/12/24        USD        200.00        USD        5,006        (9,490

M&T Bank Corp.

    196        01/12/24        USD        126.50        USD        2,687        (220,808

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

    368        01/12/24        USD        72.00        USD        2,665        (43,240

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    292        01/12/24        USD        94.00        USD        2,747        (35,770

Union Pacific Corp.

    100        01/12/24        USD        235.00        USD        2,456        (115,500

Union Pacific Corp.

    160        01/12/24        USD        240.00        USD        3,930        (116,800

United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B

    167        01/12/24        USD        160.00        USD        2,626        (22,545

AbbVie, Inc.

    112        01/19/24        USD        145.00        USD        1,736        (119,000

Accenture PLC, Class A

    147        01/19/24        USD        347.50        USD        5,158        (107,310

Allegion PLC

    272        01/19/24        USD        125.00        USD        3,446        (94,520

Apple, Inc.

    129        01/19/24        USD        190.00        USD        2,484        (63,210

Assurant, Inc.

    168        01/19/24        USD        163.50        USD        2,831        (117,263

Baker Hughes Co., Class A

    336        01/19/24        USD        36.00        USD        1,148        (7,560

Carrier Global Corp.

    176        01/19/24        USD        57.50        USD        1,011        (24,640

Carrier Global Corp.

    355        01/19/24        USD        60.00        USD        2,039        (17,750

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

    781        01/19/24        USD        30.00        USD        2,588        (257,730

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

    690        01/19/24        USD        115.00        USD        8,862        (955,650

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

    33        01/19/24        USD        120.00        USD        424        (28,380

Microsoft Corp.

    123        01/19/24        USD        375.00        USD        4,625        (93,480

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

    468        01/19/24        USD        72.50        USD        3,390        (50,310

Otis Worldwide Corp.

    311        01/19/24        USD        83.25        USD        2,783        (214,595

Paychex, Inc.

    282        01/19/24        USD        120.00        USD        3,359        (41,595

Republic Services, Inc.

    37        01/19/24        USD        160.00        USD        610        (21,645

Republic Services, Inc.

    270        01/19/24        USD        165.00        USD        4,453        (62,100

Synchrony Financial

    499        01/19/24        USD        31.00        USD        1,906        (366,765

TE Connectivity Ltd.

    186        01/19/24        USD        135.00        USD        2,613        (120,900

Union Pacific Corp.

    100        01/19/24        USD        235.00        USD        2,456        (122,500

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    47        01/19/24        USD        550.00        USD        2,474        (13,372

Williams Cos., Inc.

    280        01/19/24        USD        37.00        USD        975        (2,800

Baker Hughes Co., Class A

    224        01/25/24        USD        32.30        USD        766        (51,788

AbbVie, Inc.

    94        01/26/24        USD        152.50        USD        1,457        (37,130

Accenture PLC, Class A

    103        01/26/24        USD        345.00        USD        3,614        (107,120

Apple, Inc.

    129        01/26/24        USD        200.00        USD        2,484        (13,674

 

 

66  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written  (continued)

 

           
Description   Number of
Contracts
      Expiration
Date
      Exercise Price     

Notional
 Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                   

Medtronic PLC

    48        01/26/24        USD        85.00        USD        395      $ (2,760

Medtronic PLC

    69        01/26/24        USD        83.34        USD        568        (8,108

Microsoft Corp.

    110        01/26/24        USD        385.00        USD        4,136        (73,975

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

    23        01/26/24        USD        71.00        USD        167        (5,520

Oracle Corp.

    345        01/26/24        USD        104.00        USD        3,637        (111,262

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    315        01/26/24        USD        97.00        USD        2,964        (17,325

United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B

    170        01/26/24        USD        165.00        USD        2,673        (15,555

Williams Cos., Inc.

    456        01/26/24        USD        36.00        USD        1,588        (13,680

Medtronic PLC

    83        02/02/24        USD        83.05        USD        684        (13,617

Medtronic PLC

    221        02/09/24        USD        83.34        USD        1,821        (37,909

Oracle Corp.

    345        02/09/24        USD        110.00        USD        3,637        (45,712

Baker Hughes Co., Class A

    165        02/12/24        USD        34.75        USD        564        (18,087

Allegion PLC

    272        02/16/24        USD        125.00        USD        3,446        (148,240

Apple, Inc.

    59        02/16/24        USD        195.00        USD        1,136        (30,533

Assurant, Inc.

    120        02/16/24        USD        164.90        USD        2,022        (105,099

Carrier Global Corp.

    531        02/16/24        USD        60.00        USD        3,051        (79,650

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

    782        02/16/24        USD        30.99        USD        2,592        (227,698

M&T Bank Corp.

    164        02/16/24        USD        145.00        USD        2,248        (54,940

Medtronic PLC

    221        02/16/24        USD        85.00        USD        1,821        (25,194

Microsoft Corp.

    73        02/16/24        USD        400.00        USD        2,745        (39,603

Otis Worldwide Corp.

    105        02/16/24        USD        85.10        USD        939        (61,323

Paychex, Inc.

    384        02/16/24        USD        130.00        USD        4,574        (8,640

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    270        02/16/24        USD        95.00        USD        2,540        (61,425

Republic Services, Inc.

    84        02/16/24        USD        164.96        USD        1,385        (37,278

Synchrony Financial

    516        02/16/24        USD        35.60        USD        1,971        (177,661

TE Connectivity Ltd.

    160        02/16/24        USD        140.00        USD        2,248        (79,200

TELUS Corp.

    1,534        02/16/24        CAD        26.00        CAD        3,617        (6,946

Baker Hughes Co., Class A

    224        02/22/24        USD        32.30        USD        766        (61,073

Baker Hughes Co., Class A

    376        02/26/24        USD        36.10        USD        1,285        (30,762

Baker Hughes Co., Class A

    224        03/07/24        USD        32.30        USD        766        (65,494

Medtronic PLC

    148        03/15/24        USD        85.00        USD        1,219        (30,044

Otis Worldwide Corp.

    269        03/15/24        USD        90.00        USD        2,407        (83,390

TELUS Corp.

    602        03/15/24        CAD        26.00        CAD        1,420        (3,180

TELUS Corp.

    602        04/19/24        CAD        26.00        CAD        1,420        (5,906
                   

 

 

 
                    $  (6,547,083
                   

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

 

             
Description   Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call

                      

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

  Citibank N.A.      25,800        01/04/24        USD        28.31        USD        855      $  (125,532

Otis Worldwide Corp.

  UBS AG      30,300        01/04/24        USD        85.49        USD        2,711         (126,155

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      90,000        01/04/24        TWD        576.08        TWD        52,955        (51,441

MediaTek, Inc.

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      119,700        01/09/24        TWD        936.85        TWD        121,304        (210,705

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      7,500        01/09/24        DKK        703.28        DKK        5,248        (12,207

Prudential PLC

  Bank of America N.A.      152,100        01/09/24        GBP        9.14        GBP        1,346        (13,005

Air Liquide SA

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      40,100        01/10/24        EUR        168.61        EUR        7,072        (357,536

AstraZeneca PLC

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      23,100        01/10/24        GBP        107.35        GBP        2,445        (27,724

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

  Citibank N.A.      26,200        01/10/24        USD        29.03        USD        868        (109,061

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

  UBS AG      110,800        01/10/24        SGD        33.42        SGD        3,698        (31,255

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      8,200        01/10/24        EUR        731.07        EUR        6,035        (131,271

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      114,000        01/10/24        TWD        568.14        TWD        67,076        (95,802

Taylor Wimpey PLC

  UBS AG      535,500        01/10/24        GBP        1.21        GBP        786        (178,507

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

  UBS AG      26,700        01/11/24        CHF        100.25        CHF        2,603        (3,767

EssilorLuxottica SA

  Goldman Sachs International      12,500        01/12/24        EUR        177.75        EUR        2,274        (71,555

Koninklijke KPN NV

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      533,000        01/12/24        EUR        3.17        EUR        1,663        (11,186

RELX PLC

  Goldman Sachs International      44,900        01/12/24        EUR        35.81        EUR        1,611        (23,135

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      71,500        01/17/24        SGD        32.18        SGD        2,386        (75,090

MediaTek, Inc.

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      77,000        01/17/24        TWD        927.62        TWD        78,032        (159,859

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV

  Citibank N.A.      415,700        01/17/24        MXN        68.08        MXN        29,752        (100,851

 

 

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

  67


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

 

OTC Options Written (continued)

 

             
Description   Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                      

Koninklijke KPN NV

  UBS AG      394,550        01/18/24        EUR        3.19        EUR        1,231      $ (10,676

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      7,500        01/18/24        DKK        703.28        DKK        5,248        (17,509

RELX PLC

  Goldman Sachs International      33,750        01/18/24        EUR        34.28        EUR        1,211        (65,178

Sanofi SA

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      29,000        01/18/24        EUR        87.55        EUR        2,610        (91,815

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

  Goldman Sachs International      82,000        01/18/24        TWD        594.66        TWD        48,247        (21,691

Taylor Wimpey PLC

  UBS AG      535,500        01/18/24        GBP        1.23        GBP        786        (169,149

Zurich Insurance Group AG, Class N

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      6,700        01/18/24        CHF        432.35        CHF        2,946        (79,358

AstraZeneca PLC

  Goldman Sachs International      60,200        01/23/24        GBP        103.39        GBP        6,371        (310,326

BAE Systems PLC

  UBS AG      121,700        01/23/24        GBP        10.62        GBP        1,351        (85,851

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

  Goldman Sachs International      6,600        01/23/24        DKK        711.62        DKK        4,619        (14,469

Prudential PLC

  UBS AG      83,200        01/23/24        GBP        8.74        GBP        736        (36,433

RELX PLC

  Goldman Sachs International      44,900        01/23/24        EUR        35.81        EUR        1,611        (31,977

Sanofi SA

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      35,100        01/23/24        EUR        89.72        EUR        3,160        (65,456

Taylor Wimpey PLC

  Bank of America N.A.      881,700        01/23/24        GBP        1.40        GBP        1,295        (99,922

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      799,700        01/23/24        MXN        68.95        MXN        57,235        (174,601

Koninklijke KPN NV

  Goldman Sachs International      532,600        01/24/24        EUR        3.17        EUR        1,662        (18,250

Koninklijke KPN NV

  Goldman Sachs International      394,550        01/24/24        EUR        3.18        EUR        1,231        (13,311

Prudential PLC

  Goldman Sachs International      83,300        01/25/24        GBP        9.12        GBP        737        (17,568

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      56,900        01/30/24        CHF        101.82        CHF        5,547        (18,390

Prudential PLC

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      92,200        01/30/24        GBP        9.04        GBP        816        (26,860

Taylor Wimpey PLC, Series L

  UBS AG      81,200        01/30/24        GBP        1.32        GBP        119        (16,306

Zurich Insurance Group AG, Class N

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      7,600        01/30/24        CHF        444.21        CHF        3,342        (32,249

EssilorLuxottica SA

  UBS AG      29,600        01/31/24        EUR        183.98        EUR        5,384        (88,937

RELX PLC

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      52,000        02/01/24        EUR        36.80        EUR        1,866        (22,850

Shell PLC

  Bank of America N.A.      105,100        02/01/24        EUR        30.26        EUR        3,133        (53,843

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV

  Citibank N.A.      415,600        02/01/24        MXN        68.03        MXN        29,744        (117,632

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      198,000        02/05/24        TWD        585.66        TWD        116,500        (106,966

BAE Systems PLC

  UBS AG      172,400        02/06/24        GBP        10.80        GBP        1,915        (103,623

Prudential PLC

  Goldman Sachs International      68,500        02/07/24        GBP        8.84        GBP        606        (31,808

RELX PLC

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      43,900        02/07/24        EUR        36.02        EUR        1,576        (38,026

Shell PLC

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      62,000        02/07/24        EUR        30.46        EUR        1,848        (32,745

Taylor Wimpey PLC

  Goldman Sachs International      766,000        02/08/24        GBP        1.40        GBP        1,125        (89,856

BAE Systems PLC

  Goldman Sachs International      172,400        02/13/24        GBP        10.88        GBP        1,915        (100,160

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

  Goldman Sachs International      31,800        02/13/24        DKK        720.40        DKK        22,253        (103,318

Taylor Wimpey PLC

  Goldman Sachs International      476,300        02/14/24        GBP        1.47        GBP        699        (31,746

Citizens Financial Group, Inc.

  Citibank N.A.      26,200        02/27/24        USD        33.33        USD        868        (44,869
                      

 

 

 
                       $  (4,299,368
                      

 

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

Options Written

  $  N/A    $  N/A      $ 1,243,098      $ (5,410,478   $  (10,846,451

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

 

 
   

Commodity

Contracts

    

Credit

Contracts

    

Equity

Contracts

     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

 

        

Options written

                   

Options written at value

  $    —      $      $  10,846,451      $      $  —      $      $  10,846,451  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

68  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

 

For the period ended December 31, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

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

 

 

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

                  

Options purchased(a)

  $      $      $ (7,590,517   $      $      $      $ (7,590,517

Options written

                  4,801,919                            4,801,919  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $      $      $  (2,788,598   $      $      $      $  (2,788,598
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                  

Options written

  $      $      $ (7,553,097   $      $      $      $ (7,553,097
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Options:

 

Average value of option contracts purchased

  $ (a)  

Average value of option contracts written

  $ 7,695,249    

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

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

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

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

 

 

 
    Assets        Liabilities  

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

      

Options

  $        $ 10,846,451  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

             10,846,451  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

             (6,547,083
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

  $        $ 4,299,368  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

 

 

 
Counterparty    



Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to

an MNA by
Counterparty

 
 
 

 
 

    

Derivatives
Available for
Offset
 
 
 
    

Non-Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
(a) 
   

Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
 
   

Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
 
 
 

 

 

Bank of America N.A.

  $ 166,770      $      $ (166,770   $     $  

Citibank N.A.

    497,945               (497,945            

Goldman Sachs International

    944,348               (414,348      (530,000      

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

    663,759               (663,759            

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

    1,175,887               (1,175,887            

UBS AG

    850,659               (850,659            
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 4,299,368      $      $  (3,769,368)     $ (530,000   $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Excess of collateral received/pledged, if any, from the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 

 

 

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

  69


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

               
     Level 1          Level 2          Level 3           Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Canada

  $ 14,592,747        $        $     —         $ 14,592,747  

Denmark

             15,794,217                    15,794,217  

France

             69,387,673                    69,387,673  

India

                      284,447           284,447  

Indonesia

             8,333,569                    8,333,569  

Ireland

    29,837,186                             29,837,186  

Mexico

    15,276,669                             15,276,669  

Netherlands

             30,186,812                    30,186,812  

Singapore

             10,246,220                    10,246,220  

Switzerland

    10,815,268          38,715,547                    49,530,815  

Taiwan

             36,379,068                    36,379,068  

United Kingdom

    14,783,641          67,109,107                    81,892,748  

United States

    372,094,479                             372,094,479  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

    2,668,223                             2,668,223  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

       

 

 

 
  $  460,068,213        $ 276,152,213        $ 284,447         $  736,504,873  
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

       

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

  $ (5,098,520      $ (5,747,931      $      —         $ (10,846,451
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

70  

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


Schedule of Investments 

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security

  Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Brazil — 1.5%            

B3 SA - Brasil Bolsa Balcao

    3,072,226     $   9,192,006  
   

 

 

 
Canada — 4.5%            

Canadian National Railway Co.

    129,475       16,274,149  

TELUS Corp.

    661,770       11,776,564  
   

 

 

 
      28,050,713  
China — 1.1%            

Yum China Holdings, Inc. (a)

    159,098       6,750,528  
   

 

 

 
Denmark — 3.7%            

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    223,426       23,153,894  
   

 

 

 
France — 10.7%            

Air Liquide SA

    97,316       18,946,980  

EssilorLuxottica SA

    65,768       13,206,130  

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

    19,763       16,058,166  

Sanofi SA

    186,010       18,484,330  
   

 

 

 
      66,695,606  
Germany — 4.4%            

MTU Aero Engines AG, Class N

    59,338       12,784,112  

Symrise AG, Class A

    130,733       14,366,970  
   

 

 

 
      27,151,082  
India — 2.6%            

AceVector Limited, Series I, (Acquired 01/25/22,
Cost: $3,948,600) (b)(c)(d)

    848,000       425,866  

HDFC Bank Ltd.

    782,464       16,021,748  
   

 

 

 
      16,447,614  
Indonesia — 1.6%            

Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    26,413,700       9,817,118  
   

 

 

 
Italy — 3.0%            

FinecoBank Banca Fineco SpA

    1,247,909       18,773,747  
   

 

 

 
Japan — 7.7%            

KDDI Corp.

    321,100       10,184,811  

Keyence Corp.

    47,600       20,913,358  

Sony Group Corp.

    177,900       16,835,183  
   

 

 

 
      47,933,352  
Mexico — 2.9%            

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV

    4,298,658       18,117,599  
   

 

 

 
Netherlands — 12.1%            

ASML Holding NV

    26,026       19,646,702  

Heineken NV

    183,267       18,619,833  

Koninklijke KPN NV

    5,283,115       18,201,008  

Shell PLC

    567,699       18,679,156  
   

 

 

 
      75,146,699  
Singapore — 4.2%            

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

    477,400       12,072,882  

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

    653,100       14,095,986  
   

 

 

 
      26,168,868  
Sweden — 5.9%            

Assa Abloy AB, Class B

    599,526       17,277,842  

Atlas Copco AB, A Shares

    1,108,482       19,100,375  
   

 

 

 
      36,378,217  

Security

  Shares     Value  
Switzerland — 4.6%            

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

    129,067     $ 14,961,428  

Zurich Insurance Group AG, Class N

    25,565       13,366,069  
   

 

 

 
      28,327,497  
Taiwan — 7.2%            

MediaTek, Inc.

    513,000       16,939,210  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

    1,468,000       28,143,818  
   

 

 

 
      45,083,028  
United Kingdom — 13.6%            

AstraZeneca PLC

    132,185       17,830,414  

BAE Systems PLC

    891,229       12,615,337  

Prudential PLC

    1,363,945       15,388,963  

RELX PLC

    571,799       22,655,497  

Smith & Nephew PLC

    492,926       6,771,357  

Taylor Wimpey PLC, Series L

    5,105,774       9,557,577  
   

 

 

 
      84,819,145  
United States(a) — 9.1%            

Baker Hughes Co., Class A (e)

    628,896       21,495,665  

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

    145,401       6,189,721  

Otis Worldwide Corp. (e)

    142,255       12,727,555  

Visa, Inc., Class A (e)

    62,660       16,313,531  
   

 

 

 
      56,726,472  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 100.4%
(Cost: $516,484,782)

      624,733,185  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 1.3%            

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

    8,260,103       8,260,103  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 1.3%
(Cost: $8,260,103)

      8,260,103  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 101.7%
(Cost: $524,744,885)

 

    632,993,288  
   

 

 

 

Options Written — (1.7)%
(Premiums Received: $(6,047,973))

      (10,496,177
   

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 100.0%
(Cost: $518,696,912)

 

    622,497,111  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — 0.0%

      (15,261
   

 

 

 
Net Assets — 100.0%         $622,481,850  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

 
(b) 

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

 
(c) 

Non-income producing security.

 
(d) 

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Trust held restricted securities with a current value of $425,866, representing 0.1% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $3,948,600.

 
(e) 

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

 
(f) 

Affiliate of the Trust.

 
(g) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 
 

 

 

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

  71


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

                   
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
12/31/22
     Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
     Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Value at
12/31/23
     Shares
Held at
12/31/23
     Income      Capital Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $  5,622,321      $  2,637,782 (a)    $    —      $    —      $    —      $  8,260,103        8,260,103      $  518,836      $    —  
         

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Exchange-Traded Options Written

 

           

Description

  

Number of

Contracts

    

Expiration

Date

     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

    

Value

 

Call

                    

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

     370        01/05/24        USD        38.00        USD        1,575      $ (170,200

Visa, Inc., Class A

     37        01/12/24        USD        260.00        USD        963        (12,302

Baker Hughes Co., Class A

     268        01/19/24        USD        36.00        USD        916        (6,030

Canadian National Railway Co.

     241        01/19/24        CAD        155.00        CAD        4,014        (221,439

Otis Worldwide Corp.

     100        01/19/24        USD        83.25        USD        895        (69,001

Visa, Inc., Class A

     50        01/19/24        USD        255.00        USD        1,302        (39,000

Yum China Holdings, Inc.

     358        01/19/24        USD        47.50        USD        1,519        (3,580

Baker Hughes Co., Class A

     381        01/25/24        USD        32.30        USD        1,302        (88,085

Visa, Inc., Class A

     223        01/26/24        USD        260.00        USD        5,806        (131,570

Visa, Inc., Class A

     34        02/02/24        USD        260.68        USD        885        (21,826

Baker Hughes Co., Class A

     395        02/12/24        USD        34.75        USD        1,350        (43,299

Canadian National Railway Co.

     341        02/16/24        CAD        160.00        CAD        5,679        (234,831

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

     370        02/16/24        USD        39.00        USD        1,575        (164,650

Otis Worldwide Corp.

     437        02/16/24        USD        85.10        USD        3,910        (255,221

TELUS Corp.

     346        02/16/24        CAD        26.00        CAD        816        (1,567

Baker Hughes Co., Class A

     381        02/22/24        USD        32.30        USD        1,302        (103,879

Baker Hughes Co., Class A

     394        02/26/24        USD        36.10        USD        1,347        (32,235

Baker Hughes Co., Class A

     381        03/07/24        USD        32.30        USD        1,302        (111,399

Otis Worldwide Corp.

     103        03/15/24        USD        90.00        USD        922        (31,930

TELUS Corp.

     985        03/15/24        CAD        26.00        CAD        2,323        (5,204

TELUS Corp.

     985        04/19/24        CAD        26.00        CAD        2,323        (9,664
                    

 

 

 
                     $  (1,756,912
                    

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

 

             
Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call

                       

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      96,000        01/04/24        TWD        576.08        TWD        56,485      $ (54,871

MediaTek, Inc.

  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     57,900        01/09/24        TWD        936.85        TWD        58,676           (101,921

MTU Aero Engines AG, Class N

   Bank of America N.A.      6,900        01/09/24        EUR        187.87        EUR        1,347        (58,421

Prudential PLC

   Bank of America N.A.      183,300        01/09/24        GBP        9.14        GBP        1,622        (15,673

Sony Group Corp.

   Societe Generale      37,400        01/09/24        JPY        13,611.90        JPY        499,037        (41,163

Symrise AG, Class A

   Bank of America N.A.      36,100        01/09/24        EUR        97.33        EUR        3,594        (108,824

Air Liquide SA

  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     57,800        01/10/24        EUR        168.61        EUR        10,194        (515,351

ASML Holding NV

  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     4,500        01/10/24        EUR        630.76        EUR        3,077        (261,902

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

  

UBS AG

     95,400        01/10/24        SGD        33.42        SGD        3,184        (26,911

FinecoBank Banca Fineco SpA

  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     210,400        01/10/24        EUR        12.13        EUR        2,867        (342,762

Heineken NV

  

Goldman Sachs International

     34,300        01/10/24        EUR        87.82        EUR        3,157        (164,427

Keyence Corp.

   Societe Generale      8,300        01/10/24        JPY        62,553.70        JPY        514,179        (64,191

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     7,000        01/10/24        EUR        731.07        EUR        5,152        (112,060

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     172,000        01/10/24        TWD        568.14        TWD        101,202        (144,544

Taylor Wimpey PLC, Series L

  

UBS AG

     1,290,000        01/10/24        GBP        1.32        GBP        1,894        (249,226

Atlas Copco AB, A Shares

  

Goldman Sachs International

     68,800        01/11/24        SEK        159.29        SEK        11,957        (99,868

 

 

72  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

 

OTC Options Written (continued)

 

             
Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                       

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

   UBS AG      35,050        01/11/24        CHF        100.25        CHF        3,417      $ (4,945

Shell PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      64,600        01/11/24        EUR        30.62        EUR        1,925        (6,438

Assa Abloy AB, Class B

   Goldman Sachs International      170,000        01/12/24        SEK        272.41        SEK        49,414        (320,530

Koninklijke KPN NV

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      534,000        01/12/24        EUR        3.17        EUR        1,666        (11,207

RELX PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      69,000        01/12/24        EUR        35.81        EUR        2,476        (35,553

Atlas Copco AB, A Shares

   Bank of America N.A.      202,000        01/17/24        SEK        163.50        SEK        35,106        (218,692

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      119,400        01/17/24        SGD        32.18        SGD        3,985        (125,395

KDDI Corp.

   BNP Paribas SA      88,300        01/17/24        JPY        4,666.97        JPY        394,905        (13,135

MediaTek, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      171,000        01/17/24        TWD        927.62        TWD        173,291        (355,011

MTU Aero Engines AG, Class N

   Bank of America N.A.      23,700        01/17/24        EUR        188.90        EUR        4,625        (202,863

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      156,600        01/17/24        SGD        27.46        SGD        4,461        (142,313

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV

   Citibank N.A.      734,000        01/17/24        MXN        68.08        MXN        52,532        (178,072

FinecoBank Banca Fineco SpA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      210,400        01/18/24        EUR        12.70        EUR        2,867        (225,714

Koninklijke KPN NV

   UBS AG      468,550        01/18/24        EUR        3.19        EUR        1,462        (12,678

Sanofi SA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      3,400        01/18/24        EUR        87.55        EUR        306        (10,764

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      198,000        01/18/24        TWD        594.66        TWD        116,500        (52,375

Taylor Wimpey PLC, Series L

   UBS AG      1,290,000        01/18/24        GBP        1.32        GBP        1,894        (252,910

Zurich Insurance Group AG, Class N

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      5,300        01/18/24        CHF        432.35        CHF        2,331        (62,776

Assa Abloy AB, Class B

   UBS AG      170,000        01/23/24        SEK        272.46        SEK        49,414        (342,265

AstraZeneca PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      72,800        01/23/24        GBP        103.39        GBP        7,704        (375,278

BAE Systems PLC

   UBS AG      52,400        01/23/24        GBP        10.62        GBP        582        (36,965

FinecoBank Banca Fineco SpA

   Goldman Sachs International      158,900        01/23/24        EUR        12.88        EUR        2,165        (148,972

Keyence Corp.

   Citibank N.A.      13,100        01/23/24        JPY        64,933.75        JPY        811,535        (83,098

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

   Goldman Sachs International      78,200        01/23/24        DKK        711.62        DKK        54,724        (171,439

Prudential PLC

   UBS AG      90,300        01/23/24        GBP        8.74        GBP        799        (39,542

RELX PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      69,000        01/23/24        EUR        35.81        EUR        2,476        (49,141

Sanofi SA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      61,800        01/23/24        EUR        89.72        EUR        5,563        (115,248

Smith & Nephew PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      126,400        01/23/24        GBP        10.56        GBP        1,362        (63,009

Sony Group Corp.

   Bank of America N.A.      42,700        01/23/24        JPY        12,954.17        JPY        569,756        (200,286

Symrise AG, Class A

   Bank of America N.A.      30,200        01/23/24        EUR        105.31        EUR        3,006        (11,530

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      466,300        01/23/24        MXN        68.95        MXN        33,373        (101,809

Koninklijke KPN NV

   Goldman Sachs International      533,400        01/24/24        EUR        3.17        EUR        1,665        (18,278

Koninklijke KPN NV

   Goldman Sachs International      468,550        01/24/24        EUR        3.18        EUR        1,462        (15,807

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   UBS AG      63,000        01/24/24        SGD        27.74        SGD        1,795        (47,617

ASML Holding NV

   Bank of America N.A.      9,000        01/25/24        EUR        650.68        EUR        6,154        (394,599

Prudential PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      90,400        01/25/24        GBP        9.12        GBP        800        (19,066

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      23,000        01/30/24        CHF        101.82        CHF        2,242        (7,433

Prudential PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      95,600        01/30/24        GBP        9.04        GBP        846        (27,850

Taylor Wimpey PLC, Series L

   UBS AG      1,290,000        01/30/24        GBP        1.32        GBP        1,894        (259,043

Zurich Insurance Group AG, Class N

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      6,300        01/30/24        CHF        444.21        CHF        2,770        (26,733

EssilorLuxottica SA

   UBS AG      29,600        01/31/24        EUR        183.98        EUR        5,384        (88,937

B3 SA - Brasil Bolsa Balcao

   Citibank N.A.      768,100        02/01/24        BRL        13.96        BRL        11,163        (151,254

KDDI Corp.

   BNP Paribas SA      88,300        02/01/24        JPY        4,703.22        JPY        394,905        (19,408

RELX PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      29,400        02/01/24        EUR        36.80        EUR        1,055        (12,919

Shell PLC

   Bank of America N.A.      82,500        02/01/24        EUR        30.26        EUR        2,459        (42,265

Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV

   Citibank N.A.      734,100        02/01/24        MXN        68.03        MXN        52,540        (207,781

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      48,000        02/05/24        TWD        585.65        TWD        28,242        (25,931

BAE Systems PLC

   UBS AG      246,300        02/06/24        GBP        10.80        GBP        2,735        (148,041

Koninklijke KPN NV

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      372,900        02/06/24        EUR        3.20        EUR        1,164        (15,470

Smith & Nephew PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      95,400        02/06/24        GBP        10.97        GBP        1,028        (33,417

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

   Citibank N.A.      74,200        02/06/24        SGD        28.52        SGD        2,114        (30,727

B3 SA - Brasil Bolsa Balcao

   Citibank N.A.      768,100        02/07/24        BRL        13.69        BRL        11,163        (190,988

Prudential PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      154,100        02/07/24        GBP        8.84        GBP        1,364        (71,557

RELX PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      90,000        02/07/24        EUR        36.02        EUR        3,230        (77,957

Shell PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      51,600        02/07/24        EUR        30.46        EUR        1,538        (27,252

Atlas Copco AB, A Shares

   Bank of America N.A.      228,000        02/08/24        SEK        168.64        SEK        39,625        (190,187

Heineken NV

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      37,000        02/08/24        EUR        90.09        EUR        3,405        (148,691

BAE Systems PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      102,400        02/13/24        GBP        10.88        GBP        1,137        (59,492

Yum China Holdings, Inc.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      35,700        02/26/24        USD        45.19        USD        1,515        (48,497
                       

 

 

 
                        $  (8,739,265
                       

 

 

 

 

 

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

  73


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

 

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

 

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

Options Written

     $  N/A        $  N/A         $ 823,460        $ (5,271,664      $ (10,496,177

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

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

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Options written

                    

Options written at value

   $  —      $      $  10,496,177      $      $  —      $      $  10,496,177  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the period ended December 31, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

               
      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
    

Equity

Contracts

    

Foreign

Currency
Exchange
Contracts

     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

                    

Options purchased(a)

   $      $      $ (11,196,135    $      $      $      $ (11,196,135

Options written

                   13,525,844                             13,525,844  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $ 2,329,709      $      $      $      $ 2,329,709  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                    

Options written

   $      $      $ (5,754,650    $      $      $      $ (5,754,650
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Options:

  

Average value of option contracts purchased

   $ (a) 

Average value of option contracts written

   $ 6,703,347  

 

  (a) 

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

 

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

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

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

 

     
      Assets      Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments
Options

   $      $  10,496,177  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

            10,496,177  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

            (1,756,912
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $      $ 8,739,265  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

74  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

 

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

 

           
Counterparty     



Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
 
 
 
 
 
    

Derivatives
Available for
Offset
 
 
 
    

Non-Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
(a) 
    

Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
 
    

Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
 
 
(b) 

Bank of America N.A.

   $ 1,443,340      $      $ (1,443,340    $      $  

BNP Paribas SA

     32,543                             32,543  

Citibank N.A.

     841,920               (841,920              

Goldman Sachs International

     1,671,230               (1,671,230              

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     949,874               (949,874              

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     2,185,924               (2,185,924              

Societe Generale

     105,354                             105,354  

UBS AG

     1,509,080               (1,509,080              
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $  8,739,265      $    —      $  (8,601,368    $    —      $  137,897  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Excess of collateral received/pledged, if any, from the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (b) 

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

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

         
      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Brazil

   $        $ 9,192,006        $        $ 9,192,006  

Canada

     28,050,713                            28,050,713  

China

     6,750,528                            6,750,528  

Denmark

              23,153,894                   23,153,894  

France

              66,695,606                   66,695,606  

Germany

              27,151,082                   27,151,082  

India

              16,021,748          425,866          16,447,614  

Indonesia

              9,817,118                   9,817,118  

Italy

              18,773,747                   18,773,747  

Japan

              47,933,352                   47,933,352  

Mexico

     18,117,599                            18,117,599  

Netherlands

              75,146,699                   75,146,699  

Singapore

              26,168,868                   26,168,868  

Sweden

              36,378,217                   36,378,217  

Switzerland

              28,327,497                   28,327,497  

Taiwan

              45,083,028                   45,083,028  

United Kingdom

     12,615,337          72,203,808                   84,819,145  

United States

     56,726,472                            56,726,472  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     8,260,103                            8,260,103  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $  130,520,752        $  502,046,670        $  425,866        $  632,993,288  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (1,031,967      $ (9,464,210      $        $ (10,496,177
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  75


Schedule of Investments 

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (BMEZ)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security

  Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Biotechnology — 37.6%            

4D Molecular Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    95,330     $      1,931,386  

Abbisko Cayman Ltd.

    10,378,250       4,844,022  

AbbVie, Inc.

    149,565       23,178,088  

AC Immune SA(a)

    752,390       3,761,950  

Alkermes PLC(a)

    183,485       5,089,874  

Allakos, Inc.(a)

    136,405       372,386  

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(b)

    102,967       19,708,913  

Amgen, Inc.(b)(c)

    132,690       38,217,374  

Annexon, Inc.(a)

    237,835       1,079,771  

Antengene Corp. Ltd.(a)

    5,019,274       1,285,592  

Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(d)

    51,390       3,076,205  

Arcturus Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.(a)

    103,675       3,268,873  

Arcus Biosciences, Inc.(a)

    169,790       3,242,989  

Argenx SE, ADR(a)

    69,867       26,579,503  

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    81,025       2,479,365  

Autolus Therapeutics PLC, ADR(a)

    462,111       2,975,995  

BeiGene Ltd., ADR(a)

    68,555       12,364,580  

Bicycle Therapeutics PLC, ADR(a)(d)

    278,270       5,031,122  

Biogen, Inc.(a)

    99,215       25,673,866  

Biohaven Ltd.(a)

    99,155       4,243,834  

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.(a)(c)

    420,758       40,569,486  

Biomea Fusion, Inc.(a)

    146,215       2,123,042  

Black Diamond Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(d)

    833,550       2,342,276  

Blueprint Medicines Corp.(a)

    322,440       29,741,866  

Bridgebio Pharma, Inc.(a)

    66,595       2,688,440  

Cabaletta Bio, Inc.(a)

    506,395       11,495,166  

Cerevel Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.(a)

    221,156       9,377,014  

Connect Biopharma Holdings Ltd., ADR(a)

    1,040,067       1,227,279  

CureVac NV(a)(d)

    320,123       1,347,718  

Everest Medicines Ltd.

    3,113,667       8,343,091  

Exact Sciences Corp.(a)

    83,290       6,161,794  

Exelixis, Inc.(a)

    599,320       14,377,687  

Galapagos NV, ADR(a)

    74,410       3,024,767  

Genmab A/S(a)

    34,827       11,104,694  

Genmab A/S, ADR(a)(d)

    114,086       3,632,498  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

    168,195       13,625,477  

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    158,300       5,850,768  

Immuneering Corp., Class A(a)

    335,561       2,466,373  

Immunocore Holdings PLC, ADR(a)

    59,868       4,090,182  

Immunocore Holdings PLC, Series C, ADR(a)

    321,900       21,992,208  

ImmunoGen, Inc.(a)

    207,169       6,142,561  

Incyte Corp.(a)

    227,420       14,279,702  

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    405,860       20,532,457  

Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc.(a)

    168,215       1,367,588  

Karuna Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    21,350       6,757,489  

Keros Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    124,317       4,942,844  

Kinnate Biopharma, Inc.(a)

    196,773       466,352  

Legend Biotech Corp., ADR(a)(d)

    316,032       19,015,645  

LianBio, Series A, ADR(a)

    615,188       2,749,890  

MacroGenics, Inc.(a)

    190,555       1,833,139  

Merus NV(a)(d)

    411,972       11,329,230  

Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    180,175       10,585,281  

Monte Rosa Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    266,168       1,503,849  

MoonLake Immunotherapeutics, Class A(a)(d)

    114,141       6,892,975  

Morphic Holding, Inc.(a)

    75,190       2,171,487  

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.(a)

    204,955       27,004,871  

Neurogene, Inc.

    372,050       7,210,329  

Nuvalent, Inc., Class A(a)(d)

    241,500       17,771,985  

Prime Medicine, Inc.(a)(d)

    412,139       3,651,552  

Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    421,725       9,670,154  

Security

  Shares     Value  
Biotechnology (continued)            

PTC Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    225,815     $      6,223,461  

REVOLUTION Medicines, Inc.(a)

    181,447       5,203,900  

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)(d)

    580,575       26,689,033  

Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    252,097       7,555,347  

Roivant Sciences Ltd.(a)

    607,105       6,817,789  

Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(b)

    237,759       22,927,100  

Tenaya Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    165,729       536,962  

TScan Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    1,045,767       6,096,822  

Twist Bioscience Corp.(a)

    130,265       4,801,568  

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc.(a)

    118,142       5,649,550  

United Therapeutics Corp.(a)(b)

    55,704       12,248,753  

Vaxcyte, Inc.(a)

    277,670       17,437,676  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    25,510       10,379,764  

Viking Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    235,245       4,377,909  

Voyager Therapeutics, Inc.(a)(d)

    164,865       1,391,461  

Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    420,084       19,349,069  
   

 

 

 
      717,553,058  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.2%  

908 Devices, Inc.(a)

    274,084       3,075,222  
   

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 20.0%

 

 

Abbott Laboratories

    127,770       14,063,644  

Alcon, Inc.

    174,349       13,620,144  

Align Technology, Inc.(a)(c)

    139,485       38,218,890  

Becton Dickinson & Co.

    84,050       20,493,911  

Boston Scientific Corp.(a)

    455,830       26,351,532  

CONMED Corp.

    98,215       10,755,525  

ConvaTec Group PLC(e)

    4,411,215       13,727,210  

Cooper Cos., Inc.

    99,160       37,526,110  

Dexcom, Inc.(a)

    76,385       9,478,615  

Hologic, Inc.(a)(b)

    194,620       13,905,599  

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

    89,190       18,143,922  

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(a)(b)

    100,308       33,839,907  

Masimo Corp.(a)(d)

    145,470       17,050,539  

Novocure Ltd.(a)

    213,335       3,185,092  

Nyxoah SA(a)

    648,041       3,006,910  

Orchestra BioMed Holdings, Inc.(a)

    233,344       2,130,431  

Penumbra, Inc.(a)(d)

    59,993       15,090,639  

Pulmonx Corp.(a)

    335,566       4,278,467  

Shockwave Medical, Inc.(a)

    63,915       12,179,642  

SI-BONE, Inc.(a)

    204,910       4,301,061  

STERIS PLC

    158,575       34,862,714  

Stryker Corp.

    44,605       13,357,413  

Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.(a)

    129,700       3,836,526  

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

    154,445       18,795,956  
   

 

 

 
      382,200,399  
Health Care Providers & Services — 9.6%            

Adicon Holdings Ltd., (Acquired 07/19/23, Cost: $17,840,000)(f)

    10,696,226       17,862,430  

Cencora, Inc.(b)(c)

    193,355       39,711,250  

Centene Corp.(a)(d)

    179,980       13,356,316  

Chemed Corp.

    10,662       6,234,604  

Elevance Health, Inc.

    28,805       13,583,286  

Encompass Health Corp.(b)

    82,323       5,492,591  

Guardant Health, Inc.(a)

    196,470       5,314,513  

Humana, Inc.

    18,270       8,364,189  

Kindstar Globalgene Technology, Inc.(a)(e)

    4,092,500       880,502  

McKesson Corp.

    38,905       18,012,237  

Molina Healthcare, Inc.(a)

    70,995       25,651,203  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.(b)

    52,210       27,486,999  
   

 

 

 
      181,950,120  
 

 

 

76  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (BMEZ)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security

  Shares     Value  
Health Care Technology — 0.1%            

Sophia Genetics SA(a)(d)

    291,485     $      1,372,894  
   

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 14.7%            

10X Genomics, Inc., Class A(a)

    231,935       12,979,083  

Avantor, Inc.(a)(b)(d)

    664,444       15,169,257  

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Class A(a)

    20,190       6,519,149  

Bio-Techne Corp.

    415,455       32,056,508  

Bruker Corp.

    185,257       13,612,684  

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.(a)

    102,105       24,137,622  

Danaher Corp.

    82,550       19,097,117  

Gerresheimer AG

    243,305       25,312,387  

Lonza Group AG, Registered Shares

    23,365       9,850,361  

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.(a)

    15,590       18,910,046  

QIAGEN NV(a)

    663,980       28,836,652  

Rapid Micro Biosystems, Inc., Class A(a)

    549,778       406,836  

Repligen Corp.(a)(d)

    95,255       17,126,849  

Waters Corp.(a)

    90,145       29,678,438  

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.(b)(c)

    77,325       27,227,679  
   

 

 

 
      280,920,668  
Pharmaceuticals — 8.6%            

Arvinas, Inc.(a)

    232,960       9,588,634  

Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    38,160       3,037,154  

Catalent, Inc.(a)

    347,125       15,596,326  

Elanco Animal Health, Inc.(a)

    1,234,695       18,396,956  

Eli Lilly & Co.(b)

    43,825       25,546,469  

Merck & Co., Inc.

    200,730       21,883,585  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    339,190       35,150,651  

Nuvation Bio, Inc., Class A(a)

    200,496       302,749  

Sanofi SA, ADR

    496,860       24,708,848  

Structure Therapeutics, Inc., ADR(a)(d)

    258,475       10,535,441  
   

 

 

 
      164,746,813  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 90.8%
(Cost: $1,647,249,899)

      1,731,819,174  
   

 

 

 
     Benefical
Interest (000)
        

Other Interests

   

Biotechnology(f)(g)(h) — 0.2%

   

Affinivax, Inc., (Acquired 08/18/22,
Cost: $ —)

  $ 183       2,458,061  

Amunix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (Acquired 02/08/22, Cost: $ —)

    5,657       2,206,257  
   

 

 

 

Total Other Interests — 0.2%
(Cost: $ — )

      4,664,318  
   

 

 

 
     Shares         

Preferred Securities

   
Preferred Stocks — 8.5%            
Biotechnology(a)(g) — 3.2%            

ABCURO, Series B

    1,092,954       6,011,247  

Bright Peak Therapeutics, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 05/14/21, Cost: $8,000,004)(f)

    2,048,132       3,236,049  

Cellarity, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 01/15/21, Cost: $14,584,998)(f)

    2,430,833       8,070,365  
Security  

Shares

    Value  
Biotechnology (continued)        

Genesis Therapeutics, Series B, (Acquired 08/10/23, Cost: $6,999,996)(f)

    1,370,506     $     7,003,286  

Goldfinch Bio, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 06/26/20, Cost: $4,543,847)(f)

    3,850,718       1,309,244  

Kartos Therapeutics, Series C, (Acquired 08/22/23, Cost: $7,539,875)(f)

    1,333,783       7,562,550  

Laronde, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 07/28/21, Cost: $13,498,156)(f)

    482,077       13,498,156  

Mirvie, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 10/15/21, Cost: $6,250,000)(f)

    2,793,833       5,000,961  

NiKang Therapeutics, Inc., Series C, (Acquired 05/20/21, Cost: $7,999,996)(f)

    1,394,189       4,252,276  

OnKure, Inc., Series C, (Acquired 03/24/23, Cost: $7,022,595)(f)

    2,541,380       5,540,208  
 

 

 

 
    61,484,342  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies(a)(f)(g) — 0.8%

 

 

Exo Imaging, Inc., Series C, (Acquired 06/24/21, Cost: $13,225,003)

    2,257,597       5,960,056  

Nucleix Ltd., Series AA, (Acquired 03/25/21, Cost: $6,929,998)

    2,379,480       6,448,391  

Swift Health Systems, Inc., Series D, (Acquired 08/27/21, Cost: $6,441,930)

    2,078,042       1,745,555  
 

 

 

 
    14,154,002  

Health Care Providers & Services(a)(f)(g) — 1.0%

 

 

Everly Well, Inc., Series D, (Acquired 11/25/20, Cost: $9,999,986)

    382,775       3,789,473  

Numab Therapeutics AG, Series C, (Acquired 05/07/21, Cost: $7,770,441)

    815,851       7,508,099  

Quanta Dialysis Technologies Ltd., Series D, (Acquired 06/18/21, Cost: $14,071,890)

    115,766,240       7,820,757  
 

 

 

 
    19,118,329  

Health Care Technology — 0.8%

 

 

Carbon Health Technologies, Inc., Series D2, (Acquired 02/02/23,
Cost: $17,100,000)(a)(f)(g)

    1,694,781       14,931,020  
 

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.9%        

Sartorius AG

    47,930       17,600,893  
 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals(a)(f)(g) — 0.9%

 

 

Adarx Pharamaceuticals, Series C, (Acquired 08/02/23, Cost: $7,160,001)

    860,577       7,168,607  

Insitro, Inc.

 

 

Series B, (Acquired 05/21/20, Cost: $5,000,000)

    802,478       8,377,870  

Series C, (Acquired 03/10/21, Cost: $3,600,018)

    196,818       2,054,780  
 

 

 

 
    17,601,257  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.9%

 

 

PsiQuantum Corp., Series D, (Acquired 05/21/21,
Cost: $14,999,996)(a)(f)(g)

    571,947       16,254,734  
 

 

 

 
    161,144,577  
 

 

 

 

Total Preferred Securities — 8.5%
(Cost: $206,096,023)

 

    161,144,577  
 

 

 

 

Rights

 

 
Biotechnology — 0.0%        

Korro Bio, Inc., CVR

    231,775       3,152  
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

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

  77


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (BMEZ)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Shares

    Value  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.0%

 

 

Abiomed, Inc., CVR(g)

    98,636     $ 268,290  
 

 

 

 

Total Rights — 0.0%
(Cost: $100,609)

 

    271,442  
 

 

 

 
Warrants        
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.0%        

CareMax, Inc., (Issued/Exercisable 09/15/20, 1 Share for 1 Warrant, Expires 08/06/26, Strike Price USD 11.50)(a)

    63,808       478  
 

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 0.0%        

Nuvation Bio, Inc., (Issued/Exercisable 08/17/20, 1 Share for 1 Warrant, Expires 07/07/27, Strike Price USD 11.50)(a)

    68,880       4,133  
 

 

 

 

Total Warrants — 0.0%
(Cost: $227,724)

 

    4,611  
 

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.5%
(Cost: $1,853,674,255)

 

    1,897,904,122  
 

 

 

 
Short-Term Securities        
Money Market Funds — 2.8%        

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 5.26%(i)(j)

    40,473,813       40,473,813  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series, 5.58%(i)(j)(k)

    12,304,554       12,308,246  
 

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 2.8%
(Cost: $52,782,639)

 

    52,782,059  
 

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 102.3%
(Cost: $1,906,456,894)

 

    1,950,686,181  
 

 

 

 

Options Written — (1.7)%
(Premiums Received: $(14,726,316))

 

    (31,431,446
 

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 100.6%
(Cost: $1,891,730,578)

 

    1,919,254,735  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.6)%

 

    (11,883,803
 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $  1,907,370,932  
 

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

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

(c) 

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

(d) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(e) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(f) 

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Trust held restricted securities with a current value of $160,059,185, representing 8.4% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $200,578,730.

(g) 

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

(h) 

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

(i) 

Affiliate of the Trust.

(j) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(k) 

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

 

 

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

 

 

78  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (BMEZ)

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

 

   
  Affiliated Issuer  

Value at

12/31/22

   

Purchases

at Cost

   

Proceeds

from Sale

   

Net

Realized

Gain (Loss)

   

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

Value at

12/31/23

   

Shares

Held at

12/31/23

    Income    

Capital Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

     
 

 

   
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $ 83,001,707     $     $ (42,527,894 )(a)    $     $     $ 40,473,813       40,473,813     $ 2,845,610     $    
 

DA32 Life Science Tech Acquisition Corp.,
Class A(b)

    14,818,508             (15,444,684     476,495       149,681       N/A       N/A                
 

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

    1,828,050       10,470,673 (a)            10,301       (778     12,308,246       12,304,554       458,690 (c)         
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   
          $ 486,796     $ 148,903     $ 52,782,059       $ 3,304,300     $    
         

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

 

 

   
    Currency Purchased    Currency Sold      Counterparty    Settlement Date               

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

 
 

 

   
  JPY    1,030,785,200      USD        7,206,933         Barclays Bank PLC      03/14/24         $ 182,850    
  JPY    7,025,754,800      USD        49,121,960         Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      03/14/24           1,246,245    
                         

 

 

   
                          $ 1,429,095    
                         

 

 

   

Exchange-Traded Options Written

 

 

 

   
  Description   

Number of

Contracts

    

 Expiration

Date

            Exercise Price            

Notional

Amount (000)

            Value         
 

 

   
 

Call

                               
 

Amgen, Inc.

     60        01/05/24           USD        275.00           USD        1,728         $      (80,250      
 

Centene Corp.

     78        01/05/24           USD        75.00           USD        579           (3,705  
 

Danaher Corp.

     91        01/05/24           USD        230.00           USD        2,105           (30,940  
 

Dexcom, Inc.

     265        01/05/24           USD        121.00           USD        3,288           (106,000  
 

Elevance Health, Inc.

     92        01/05/24           USD        485.00           USD        4,338           (4,830  
 

McKesson Corp.

     60        01/05/24           USD        470.00           USD        2,778           (9,600  
 

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     56        01/05/24           USD        550.00           USD        2,948           (392  
 

Alcon, Inc.

     797        01/09/24           USD        76.00           USD        6,226           (206,442  
 

AbbVie, Inc.

     151        01/12/24           USD        146.00           USD        2,340           (143,827  
 

Biogen, Inc.

     93        01/12/24           USD        245.00           USD        2,407           (134,385  
 

Centene Corp.

     194        01/12/24           USD        75.00           USD        1,440           (21,340  
 

Eli Lilly & Co.

     48        01/12/24           USD        615.00           USD        2,798           (12,144  
 

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     204        01/12/24           USD        80.00           USD        1,653           (38,046  
 

Humana, Inc.

     29        01/12/24           USD        495.00           USD        1,328           (2,030  
 

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

     75        01/12/24           USD        320.00           USD        2,530           (157,500  
 

McKesson Corp.

     4        01/12/24           USD        460.00           USD        185           (3,900  
 

Merck & Co., Inc.

     321        01/12/24           USD        102.01           USD        3,500           (237,250  
 

10X Genomics, Inc., Class A

     396        01/19/24           USD        45.00           USD        2,216           (457,380  
 

AbbVie, Inc.

     151        01/19/24           USD        150.00           USD        2,340           (89,090  
 

Align Technology, Inc.

     133        01/19/24           USD        240.00           USD        3,644           (501,410  
 

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     329        01/19/24           USD        200.00           USD        6,297           (133,245  
 

Amgen, Inc.

     60        01/19/24           USD        285.00           USD        1,728           (44,700  
 

Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     164        01/19/24           USD        62.00           USD        982           (96,760  
 

Arcturus Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.

     331        01/19/24           USD        30.00           USD        1,044           (96,817  
 

Argenx SE, ADR

     71        01/19/24           USD        520.00           USD        2,701           (33,370  
 

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     129        01/19/24           USD        30.00           USD        395           (24,833  
 

Avantor, Inc.

     830        01/19/24           USD        19.75           USD        1,895           (345,748  

 

 

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

  79


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (BMEZ)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

 

 

   
  Description   

Number of

Contracts

    

 Expiration

Date

            Exercise Price            

Notional

Amount (000)

            Value         
 

 

   
 

Call (continued)

                               
 

Becton Dickinson & Co.

     78        01/19/24           USD        245.00           USD        1,902         $      (28,080      
 

BeiGene Ltd., ADR

     219        01/19/24           USD        200.00           USD        3,950           (61,867  
 

Biogen, Inc.

     115        01/19/24           USD        245.00           USD        2,976           (191,475  
 

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.

     586        01/19/24           USD        90.00           USD        5,650           (421,920  
 

Bio-Techne Corp.

     517        01/19/24           USD        65.00           USD        3,989           (612,645  
 

Blueprint Medicines Corp.

     540        01/19/24           USD        65.00           USD        4,981           (1,495,800  
 

Blueprint Medicines Corp.

     491        01/19/24           USD        85.00           USD        4,529           (491,000  
 

Bridgebio Pharma, Inc.

     213        01/19/24           USD        35.00           USD        860           (130,995  
 

Bruker Corp.

     296        01/19/24           USD        70.00           USD        2,175           (146,520  
 

Cabaletta Bio, Inc.

     960        01/19/24           USD        22.50           USD        2,179           (172,800  
 

Catalent, Inc.

     277        01/19/24           USD        40.00           USD        1,245           (149,580  
 

Cencora, Inc.

     148        01/19/24           USD        200.00           USD        3,040           (105,820  
 

Centene Corp.

     109        01/19/24           USD        77.50           USD        809           (5,995  
 

Cerevel Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.

     398        01/19/24           USD        25.00           USD        1,688           (698,490  
 

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.

     108        01/19/24           USD        230.00           USD        2,553           (111,780  
 

Chemed Corp.

     29        01/19/24           USD        590.00           USD        1,696           (19,285  
 

CONMED Corp.

     157        01/19/24           USD        115.00           USD        1,719           (20,410  
 

Cooper Cos., Inc.

     159        01/19/24           USD        360.00           USD        6,017           (333,105  
 

Danaher Corp.

     90        01/19/24           USD        230.00           USD        2,082           (58,500  
 

Dexcom, Inc.

     265        01/19/24           USD        122.50           USD        3,288           (153,700  
 

Elanco Animal Health, Inc.

     1,482        01/19/24           USD        12.00           USD        2,208           (448,305  
 

Encompass Health Corp.

     83        01/19/24           USD        65.00           USD        554           (20,543  
 

Encompass Health Corp.

     49        01/19/24           USD        68.80           USD        327           (2,442  
 

Exact Sciences Corp.

     81        01/19/24           USD        80.00           USD        599           (13,973  
 

Exelixis, Inc.

     959        01/19/24           USD        22.00           USD        2,301           (239,750  
 

Galapagos NV, ADR

     119        01/19/24           USD        37.50           USD        484           (37,187  
 

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     407        01/19/24           USD        82.50           USD        3,297           (35,206  
 

Guardant Health, Inc.

     467        01/19/24           USD        25.00           USD        1,263           (122,587  
 

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.

     128        01/19/24           USD        43.50           USD        473           (8,506  
 

Hologic, Inc.

     311        01/19/24           USD        75.00           USD        2,222           (10,108  
 

Humana, Inc.

     29        01/19/24           USD        505.00           USD        1,328           (1,958  
 

Immunocore Holdings PLC, ADR

     95        01/19/24           USD        50.00           USD        649           (176,700  
 

Incyte Corp.

     411        01/19/24           USD        57.50           USD        2,581           (242,490  
 

Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.

     155        01/19/24           USD        165.00           USD        3,153           (616,125  
 

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

     79        01/19/24           USD        340.00           USD        2,665           (69,125  
 

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     750        01/19/24           USD        52.50           USD        3,794           (95,625  
 

Karuna Therapeutics, Inc.

     31        01/19/24           USD        230.00           USD        981           (270,320  
 

Keros Therapeutics, Inc.

     198        01/19/24           USD        40.00           USD        787           (63,360  
 

Keros Therapeutics, Inc.

     199        01/19/24           USD        35.00           USD        791           (119,400  
 

Legend Biotech Corp., ADR

     496        01/19/24           USD        75.00           USD        2,984           (9,920  
 

Masimo Corp.

     295        01/19/24           USD        120.00           USD        3,458           (116,525  
 

Merck & Co., Inc.

     160        01/19/24           USD        110.00           USD        1,744           (21,280  
 

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.

     49        01/19/24           USD        1,240.00           USD        5,944           (103,390  
 

Molina Healthcare, Inc.

     113        01/19/24           USD        380.00           USD        4,083           (29,380  
 

MoonLake Immunotherapeutics, Class A

     365        01/19/24           USD        80.00           USD        2,204           (68,437  
 

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

     320        01/19/24           USD        115.00           USD        4,216           (555,200  
 

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

     335        01/19/24           USD        125.00           USD        4,414           (284,750  
 

Nuvalent, Inc., Class A

     386        01/19/24           USD        70.00           USD        2,841           (241,250  
 

Repligen Corp.

     82        01/19/24           USD        160.00           USD        1,474           (174,660  
 

REVOLUTION Medicines, Inc.

     286        01/19/24           USD        22.50           USD        820           (184,470  
 

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     1,206        01/19/24           USD        32.10           USD        5,544           (1,740,315  
 

Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     403        01/19/24           USD        25.00           USD        1,208           (207,545  
 

Sanofi SA, ADR

     586        01/19/24           USD        47.60           USD        2,914           (168,712  
 

Seagen, Inc.

     78        01/19/24           USD        215.00           USD        1,784           (109,980  
 

Shockwave Medical, Inc.

     20        01/19/24           USD        185.00           USD        381           (21,300  
 

STERIS PLC

     252        01/19/24           USD        219.50           USD        5,540           (138,934  
 

Structure Therapeutics, Inc., ADR

     262        01/19/24           USD        70.00           USD        1,068           (6,550  
 

Stryker Corp.

     69        01/19/24           USD        300.00           USD        2,066           (38,295  
 

Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.

     207        01/19/24           USD        32.50           USD        612           (15,525  
 

Twist Bioscience Corp.

     208        01/19/24           USD        35.00           USD        767           (101,920  
 

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc.

     159        01/19/24           USD        40.00           USD        760           (124,815  
 

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     56        01/19/24           USD        550.00           USD        2,948           (15,932  

 

 

80  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (BMEZ)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

 

 

   
  Description   

Number of

Contracts

    

 Expiration

Date

            Exercise Price            

Notional

Amount (000)

            Value         
 

 

   
 

Call (continued)

                               
 

Vaxcyte, Inc.

     325        01/19/24           USD        55.00           USD        2,041         $     (284,375      
 

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     67        01/19/24           USD        370.00           USD        2,726           (261,300  
 

Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

     376        01/19/24           USD        14.00           USD        700           (182,360  
 

Waters Corp.

     90        01/19/24           USD        320.00           USD        2,963           (134,100  
 

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

     348        01/19/24           USD        380.00           USD        12,254           (33,930  
 

Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     672        01/19/24           USD        45.00           USD        3,095           (285,600  
 

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

     247        01/19/24           USD        120.00           USD        3,006           (91,390  
 

Cencora, Inc.

     80        01/25/24           USD        204.00           USD        1,643           (36,614  
 

Abbott Laboratories

     204        01/26/24           USD        109.00           USD        2,245           (61,812  
 

Align Technology, Inc.

     313        01/26/24           USD        280.00           USD        8,576           (342,735  
 

Amgen, Inc.

     304        01/26/24           USD        285.00           USD        8,756           (258,400  
 

Biogen, Inc.

     109        01/26/24           USD        265.00           USD        2,821           (54,500  
 

Danaher Corp.

     83        01/26/24           USD        235.00           USD        1,920           (39,840  
 

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

     166        01/26/24           USD        330.00           USD        5,600           (307,930  
 

Merck & Co., Inc.

     161        01/26/24           USD        107.00           USD        1,755           (56,350  
 

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     14        01/26/24           USD        405.00           USD        570           (17,360  
 

Bio-Techne Corp.

     812        01/31/24           USD        77.00           USD        6,265           (596,475  
 

McKesson Corp.

     60        02/09/24           USD        475.00           USD        2,778           (64,500  
 

10X Genomics, Inc., Class A

     188        02/16/24           USD        50.00           USD        1,052           (141,000  
 

10X Genomics, Inc., Class A

     158        02/16/24           USD        55.00           USD        884           (75,840  
 

Abbott Laboratories

     204        02/16/24           USD        110.00           USD        2,245           (67,320  
 

AbbVie, Inc.

     170        02/16/24           USD        160.00           USD        2,634           (37,485  
 

Argenx SE, ADR

     54        02/16/24           USD        500.00           USD        2,054           (27,000  
 

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     130        02/16/24           USD        35.00           USD        398           (15,925  
 

Avantor, Inc.

     457        02/16/24           USD        21.00           USD        1,043           (110,822  
 

Becton Dickinson & Co.

     190        02/16/24           USD        240.00           USD        4,633           (196,650  
 

Biohaven Ltd.

     317        02/16/24           USD        40.00           USD        1,357           (163,255  
 

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.

     760        02/16/24           USD        100.00           USD        7,328           (207,100  
 

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Class A

     64        02/16/24           USD        350.00           USD        2,066           (48,640  
 

Boston Scientific Corp.

     1,458        02/16/24           USD        57.50           USD        8,429           (335,340  
 

Cabaletta Bio, Inc.

     660        02/16/24           USD        30.00           USD        1,498           (46,200  
 

Cencora, Inc.

     275        02/16/24           USD        204.00           USD        5,648           (183,369  
 

Centene Corp.

     194        02/16/24           USD        77.50           USD        1,440           (31,040  
 

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.

     109        02/16/24           USD        240.00           USD        2,577           (100,825  
 

CONMED Corp.

     157        02/16/24           USD        120.00           USD        1,719           (20,018  
 

Cooper Cos., Inc.

     158        02/16/24           USD        350.00           USD        5,979           (533,250  
 

Elanco Animal Health, Inc.

     1,481        02/16/24           USD        13.00           USD        2,207           (333,225  
 

Eli Lilly & Co.

     92        02/16/24           USD        620.00           USD        5,363           (147,660  
 

Encompass Health Corp.

     131        02/16/24           USD        68.80           USD        874           (18,935  
 

Exact Sciences Corp.

     185        02/16/24           USD        75.00           USD        1,369           (94,350  
 

Exelixis, Inc.

     958        02/16/24           USD        23.00           USD        2,298           (210,760  
 

Galapagos NV, ADR

     119        02/16/24           USD        42.50           USD        484           (10,710  
 

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     204        02/16/24           USD        77.50           USD        1,653           (110,670  
 

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.

     378        02/16/24           USD        45.00           USD        1,397           (9,450  
 

Hologic, Inc.

     311        02/16/24           USD        75.00           USD        2,222           (36,542  
 

Immunocore Holdings PLC, ADR

     96        02/16/24           USD        65.00           USD        656           (63,360  
 

Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.

     130        02/16/24           USD        175.00           USD        2,645           (456,950  
 

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     548        02/16/24           USD        55.00           USD        2,772           (80,830  
 

Karuna Therapeutics, Inc.

     35        02/16/24           USD        240.00           USD        1,108           (275,275  
 

Legend Biotech Corp., ADR

     515        02/16/24           USD        70.00           USD        3,099           (77,250  
 

Molina Healthcare, Inc.

     114        02/16/24           USD        400.00           USD        4,119           (49,020  
 

Nuvalent, Inc., Class A

     386        02/16/24           USD        80.00           USD        2,841           (133,170  
 

Penumbra, Inc.

     191        02/16/24           USD        260.00           USD        4,804           (207,235  
 

PTC Therapeutics, Inc.

     722        02/16/24           USD        31.00           USD        1,990           (149,815  
 

Repligen Corp.

     222        02/16/24           USD        185.00           USD        3,992           (179,820  
 

REVOLUTION Medicines, Inc.

     294        02/16/24           USD        28.00           USD        843           (80,850  
 

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     651        02/16/24           USD        40.41           USD        2,993           (479,126  
 

Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     403        02/16/24           USD        27.12           USD        1,208           (165,105  
 

Sanofi SA, ADR

     1,003        02/16/24           USD        49.00           USD        4,988           (226,614  
 

Shockwave Medical, Inc.

     184        02/16/24           USD        184.95           USD        3,506           (335,382  
 

STERIS PLC

     255        02/16/24           USD        202.97           USD        5,606           (521,776  
 

Structure Therapeutics, Inc., ADR

     262        02/16/24           USD        85.00           USD        1,068           (19,650  

 

 

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

  81


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (BMEZ)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

 

 

   
  Description   

Number of

Contracts

    

 Expiration

Date

            Exercise Price            

Notional

Amount (000)

            Value         
 

 

   
 

Call (continued)

                                   
 

Stryker Corp.

     73        02/16/24           USD        310.00           USD        2,186         $ (50,370  
 

Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.

     208        02/16/24           USD        32.50           USD        615           (35,880  
 

Twist Bioscience Corp.

     208        02/16/24           USD        35.00           USD        767           (130,000  
 

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc.

     219        02/16/24           USD        45.00           USD        1,047           (97,455  
 

United Therapeutics Corp.

     94        02/16/24           USD        260.00           USD        2,067           (3,995  
 

Vaxcyte, Inc.

     564        02/16/24           USD        60.00           USD        3,542           (301,740  
 

Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

     376        02/16/24           USD        18.00           USD        700           (99,640  
 

Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     672        02/16/24           USD        47.50           USD        3,095           (233,520  
 

Bruker Corp.

     296        03/15/24           USD        72.50           USD        2,175           (143,560  
 

Incyte Corp.

     316        03/15/24           USD        65.00           USD        1,984           (84,530  
                               

 

 

   
                                $  (26,603,366  
                               

 

 

   

OTC Options Written

 

 

 

   
    Description   Counterparty   

Number of

Contracts

    

Expiration

Date

     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value       
 

 

   
 

Call

                        
 

QIAGEN NV

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      106,200        01/04/24        USD        39.91        USD        4,612      $ (381,140  
 

United Therapeutics Corp.

  BNP Paribas SA      8,400        01/04/24        USD        235.69        USD        1,847        (487  
 

Waters Corp.

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      19,800        01/04/24        USD        273.35        USD        6,519        (1,111,401  
 

Elanco Animal Health, Inc.

  Goldman Sachs International      98,800        01/08/24        USD        9.64        USD        1,472        (521,540  
 

Gerresheimer AG

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      14,900        01/09/24        EUR        97.55        EUR        1,404        (15,936  
 

Masimo Corp.

  BNP Paribas SA      17,000        01/09/24        USD        86.94        USD        1,993        (517,067  
 

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

  Goldman Sachs International      19,700        01/09/24        DKK        736.76        DKK        13,786        (6,431  
 

ConvaTec Group PLC

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      510,000        01/10/24        GBP        2.17        GBP        1,245        (178,081  
 

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.

  Barclays Bank PLC      24,700        01/10/24        USD        117.91        USD        3,006        (114,276  
 

ConvaTec Group PLC

  UBS AG      411,500        01/17/24        GBP        2.30        GBP        1,005        (79,270  
 

Gerresheimer AG

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      28,000        01/17/24        EUR        99.47        EUR        2,639        (31,259  
 

Genmab A/S

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      9,200        01/18/24        DKK        2,308.53        DKK        19,809        (11,257  
 

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      19,600        01/18/24        DKK        703.28        DKK        13,716        (45,757  
 

ConvaTec Group PLC

  UBS AG      490,000        01/23/24        GBP        2.30        GBP        1,196        (98,652  
 

Genmab A/S

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      1,900        01/23/24        DKK        2,284.88        DKK        4,091        (5,012  
 

Gerresheimer AG

  UBS AG      20,000        01/23/24        EUR        88.70        EUR        1,885        (160,745  
 

QIAGEN NV

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      106,200        01/23/24        USD        40.29        USD        4,612        (388,600  
 

Cencora, Inc.

  Citibank N.A.      11,500        01/31/24        USD        201.54        USD        2,362        (79,546  
 

Gerresheimer AG

  UBS AG      14,900        02/01/24        EUR        88.60        EUR        1,404        (130,320  
 

Sartorius AG

  Bank of America N.A.      15,300        02/01/24        EUR        306.80        EUR        5,089        (607,225  
 

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      69,200        02/06/24        DKK        735.42        DKK        48,425        (141,574  
 

Genmab A/S

  Citibank N.A.      36,500        02/26/24        USD        32.28        USD        1,162        (66,022  
 

Lonza Group AG, Registered Shares

  Goldman Sachs International      7,400        02/27/24        CHF        359.38        CHF        2,624        (136,482  
                        

 

 

   
                         $  (4,828,080  
                        

 

 

   

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

 

 

 

   
  Description  

Swap

Premiums

Paid

                

Swap

Premiums

Received

            Unrealized
Appreciation
            Unrealized
Depreciation
           Value       
 

 

   
  Options Written   $ N/A          $ N/A         $ 2,395,662         $ (19,100,792      $ (31,431,446)    
 

 

   

 

 

82  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (BMEZ)

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

                                                                                                                      
               
     

Commodity

Contracts

    

Credit

Contracts

    

Equity

Contracts

    

Foreign

Currency

Exchange

Contracts

    

Interest

Rate

Contracts

    

Other

Contracts

     Total  

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $      $      $  1,429,095      $      $      $ 1,429,095  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Options written

                    

Options written at value

   $      $      $   31,431,446      $      $      $      $    31,431,446  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the period ended December 31, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

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

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $      $      $ (57,158    $      $      $ (57,158

Options purchased(a)

                   (2,939,621                           (2,939,621

Options written

                   24,415,306                             24,415,306  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $ 21,475,685      $ (57,158    $      $      $ 21,418,527  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $      $      $ (3,535,460    $      $      $ (3,535,460

Options written

                   (19,080,793                           (19,080,793
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $  (19,080,793    $  (3,535,460    $      $      $  (22,616,253
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts:

  

Average amounts purchased — in USD

   $ 1,628,769  

Average amounts sold — in USD

   $ 88,273,543  

Options:

  

Average value of option contracts purchased

   $ 38  

Average value of option contracts written

   $ 19,905,286  

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

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

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

 

     
      Assets      Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments

     

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $ 1,429,095      $  

Options

              31,431,446  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

     1,429,095        31,431,446  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

            (26,603,366
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $  1,429,095      $ 4,828,080  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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

  83


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (BMEZ)

 

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

 

                                                                                                                            
           
Counterparty     

Derivative

Assets

Subject to

an MNA by

Counterparty

 

 

 

 

 

    

Derivatives

Available

for Offset

 

 

(a) 

    

Non-Cash
Collateral
Received
 
 
  
    

Cash
Collateral
Received
 
 
 
    

Net Amount

of Derivative

Assets

 

 

(b)(c) 

Barclays Bank PLC

   $ 182,850      $ (114,276    $      $      $ 68,574  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     1,246,245        (1,246,245                     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,429,095      $  (1,360,521    $      $      $ 68,574  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                            
           
Counterparty     

Derivative

Liabilities

Subject to

an MNA by

Counterparty

 

 

 

 

 

    

Derivatives

Available

for Offset

 

 

(a) 

    

Non-Cash

Collateral

Pledged

 

 

(d) 

    

Cash

Collateral

Pledged

 

 

 

    

Net Amount

of Derivative

Liabilities

 

 

(e) 

Bank of America N.A.

   $ 607,225      $      $ (607,225    $      $  

Barclays Bank PLC

     114,276        (114,276                     

BNP Paribas SA

     517,554                      (440,000      77,554  

Citibank N.A.

     145,568                             145,568  

Goldman Sachs International

     664,453               (664,453              

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     2,310,017        (1,246,245      (1,047,772      (16,000       

UBS AG

     468,987               (468,987              
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 4,828,080      $   (1,360,521    $   (2,788,437    $   (456,000    $ 223,122  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

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

 
  (d) 

Excess of collateral received/pledged, if any, from the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (e) 

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

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

         
      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets

           

Investments

           

Long-Term Investments

           

Common Stocks

           

Biotechnology

   $  686,050,922      $  31,502,136      $      $  717,553,058  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

     3,075,222                      3,075,222  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

     368,473,189        13,727,210               382,200,399  

Health Care Providers & Services

     164,087,690        17,862,430               181,950,120  

Health Care Technology

     1,372,894                      1,372,894  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

     245,757,920        35,162,748               280,920,668  

Pharmaceuticals

     129,596,162        35,150,651               164,746,813  

Other Interests

                   4,664,318        4,664,318  

Preferred Securities

           

Preferred Stocks

            17,600,893         143,543,684        161,144,577  

Rights

            3,152        268,290        271,442  

Warrants

     4,611                      4,611  

 

 

84  

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Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (BMEZ)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

 

         
      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Short-Term Securities

           

Money Market Funds

   $ 40,473,813      $      $      $ 40,473,813  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $  1,638,892,423      $  151,009,220      $  148,476,292        1,938,377,935  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investments Valued at NAV(a)

              12,308,246  
           

 

 

 
            $  1,950,686,181  
           

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(b)

           

Assets

           

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

   $      $ 1,429,095      $      $ 1,429,095  

Liabilities

           

Equity Contracts

     (21,191,621      (10,239,825             (31,431,446
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ (21,191,621    $ (8,810,730    $      $ (30,002,351
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

Derivative financial instruments are forward foreign currency exchange contracts and options written. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument and options written are shown at value.

 

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

 

           
     

Common

Stocks

    

Other

Interests

    

Preferred

Stocks

     Rights      Total  

Assets

              

Opening balance, as of December 31, 2022

   $ 12,093,187      $ 4,076,191      $ 158,791,702      $      $ 174,961,080  

Transfers into Level 3

                                  

Transfers out of Level 3

                                  

Other(a)

      (12,093,187      5,987,002        6,005,576        100,609         

Accrued discounts/premiums

                                  

Net realized gain (loss)

            1,973,468                      1,973,468  

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

            (5,398,876      (24,086,134      167,681        (29,317,329

Purchases

                   51,822,457               51,822,457  

Sales

            (1,973,467      (48,989,917             (50,963,384
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance, as of December 31, 2023

   $      $ 4,664,318      $ 143,543,684      $ 268,290      $  148,476,292  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at December 31, 2023(c)

   $      $  (1,322,685    $  (18,668,933    $  167,681      $ (19,823,937
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Certain Level 3 investments were re-classified between Common Stocks, Preferred Stocks and Rights.

 
  (b) 

Included in the related net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the Statements of Operations.

 
  (c) 

Any difference between net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at December 31, 2023 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

 

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

 

               
       Value                

Valuation

Approach

 

 

           

Unobservable

Inputs

    

Range of

Unobservable

Inputs

Utilized

 

 

 

(a) 

    

Weighted

Average of

Unobservable

Inputs Based

on Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

                    

Preferred Stocks(b)

     143,543,684           Market         Revenue Multiple      2.25x - 5.75x        3.51x  
               Volatility      50% - 100%        74%  
               Time to Exit      1.5 - 4.0 years        2.5 years  
               Market Adjustment Multiple      0.60x - 1.20x        0.91x  
           Income         Discount Rate      6%         

Other Interests

     4,664,318           Income         Discount Rate      5% - 6%        6%  

 

 

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

  85


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (BMEZ)

 

               
       Value               Valuation

Approach

       

Unobservable

Inputs

    

Range of

Unobservable

Inputs

Utilized

 

 

 

(a) 

    

Weighted

Average of

Unobservable

Inputs Based

on Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

Rights

     268,290         Income       Discount Rate      5%         
  

 

 

                   
   $ 148,476,292                    
  

 

 

                   

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

For the period end December 31, 2023, the valuation technique for investments classified as Preferred Stocks amounting to $1,309,244 changed to a Discounted Cash Flow approach. The investments were previously valued utilizing a Option Pricing Model. The change was due to consideration of the information that was available at the time the investments were valued.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

86  

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


Schedule of Investments 

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Biotechnology — 24.3%            

AbbVie, Inc.

       171,601     $   26,593,007  

AC Immune SA(a)

    78,180       390,900  

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    13,010       2,490,244  

Amgen, Inc.(b)

    75,441       21,728,517  

Argenx SE, ADR(a)

    16,353       6,221,172  

BeiGene Ltd., ADR(a)

    6,675       1,203,903  

Biogen, Inc.(a)

    42,571       11,016,098  

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.(a)

    45,161       4,354,424  

Biomea Fusion, Inc.(a)

    9,387       136,299  

Blueprint Medicines Corp.(a)

    26,672       2,460,225  

Cabaletta Bio, Inc.(a)

    29,605       672,033  

Cerevel Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.(a)

    16,659       706,342  

CureVac NV(a)

    29,850       125,668  

Exact Sciences Corp.(a)

    14,991       1,109,034  

Genmab A/S(a)

    2,927       933,283  

Genmab A/S, ADR(a)

    19,943       634,985  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

    178,480       14,458,665  

Immuneering Corp., Class A(a)

    14,456       106,252  

Immunocore Holdings PLC, ADR(a)

    12,497       853,795  

Incyte Corp.(a)

    27,851       1,748,764  

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    25,805       1,305,475  

Karuna Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    2,227       704,868  

Legend Biotech Corp., ADR(a)

    32,098       1,931,337  

Merus NV(a)

    23,470       645,425  

Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    15,747       925,136  

Moderna, Inc.(a)

    33,556       3,337,144  

MoonLake Immunotherapeutics, Class A(a)

    10,337       624,251  

Morphic Holding, Inc.(a)

    7,827       226,044  

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.(a)

    9,808       1,292,302  

Neurogene, Inc.

    19,342       374,848  

Nuvalent, Inc., Class A(a)

    13,886       1,021,871  

Prime Medicine, Inc.(a)

    22,929       203,151  

Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    27,836       638,279  

PTC Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    19,817       546,156  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    9,307       8,174,245  

REVOLUTION Medicines, Inc.(a)

    18,339       525,963  

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    49,466       2,273,952  

Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    18,343       549,740  

Roivant Sciences Ltd.(a)

    53,725       603,332  

Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    36,858       3,554,217  

Tenaya Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    25,502       82,626  

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc.(a)

    14,268       682,296  

Vaxcyte, Inc.(a)

    28,905       1,815,234  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    27,779       11,302,997  

Viking Therapeutics, Inc.(a)

    17,352       322,921  

Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)

    32,241       1,485,020  
   

 

 

 
      143,092,440  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 22.1%        

Abbott Laboratories(b)

    190,037       20,917,373  

Alcon, Inc.

    91,365       7,137,434  

Align Technology, Inc.(a)

    11,220       3,074,280  

Baxter International, Inc.

    60,439       2,336,572  

Becton Dickinson & Co.

    39,171       9,551,065  

Boston Scientific Corp.(a)

    441,434       25,519,300  

Cooper Cos., Inc.

    13,642       5,162,678  

Dexcom, Inc.(a)

    28,333       3,515,842  

Envista Holdings Corp.(a)

    22,246       535,239  

GE HealthCare, Inc.(a)

    42,353       3,274,734  

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.(a)

    7,516       4,171,756  

Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.(a)

    5,782       1,176,232  
Security   Shares     Value  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (continued)  

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(a)

        42,340     $   14,283,822  

Masimo Corp.(a)

    15,144       1,775,028  

Medtronic PLC

    79,846       6,577,713  

Novocure Ltd.(a)

    29,303       437,494  

Orchestra BioMed Holdings, Inc.(a)

    18,076       165,034  

Penumbra, Inc.(a)

    12,105       3,044,892  

Shockwave Medical, Inc.(a)

    3,150       600,264  

STERIS PLC

    9,997       2,197,840  

Stryker Corp.

    49,207       14,735,528  
   

 

 

 
      130,190,120  
Health Care Providers & Services — 21.1%            

Cencora, Inc.

    62,148       12,763,956  

Centene Corp.(a)

    77,624       5,760,477  

Cigna Group

    31,736       9,503,345  

Elevance Health, Inc.(b)

    28,967       13,659,678  

Guardant Health, Inc.(a)

    15,095       408,320  

HCA Healthcare, Inc.

    21,723       5,879,982  

Humana, Inc.

    15,630       7,155,570  

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings

    6,745       1,533,071  

McKesson Corp.

    25,848       11,967,107  

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

    11,479       1,582,725  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.(b)

    102,008       53,704,152  
   

 

 

 
      123,918,383  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 8.3%            

10X Genomics, Inc., Class A(a)

    15,123       846,283  

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

    23,561       3,275,686  

Avantor, Inc.(a)

    88,349       2,017,008  

Bio-Techne Corp.

    16,718       1,289,961  

Danaher Corp.

    78,006       18,045,908  

IQVIA Holdings, Inc.(a)

    9,048       2,093,526  

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.(a)

    1,010       1,225,090  

Nautilus Biotechnology, Inc.(a)

    16,560       49,515  

QIAGEN NV(a)

    36,163       1,570,559  

Rapid Micro Biosystems, Inc., Class A(a)

    20,561       15,215  

Repligen Corp.(a)

    8,125       1,460,875  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    24,009       12,743,737  

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

    11,152       3,926,842  
   

 

 

 
      48,560,205  
Pharmaceuticals — 19.1%            

AstraZeneca PLC

    17,449       2,353,693  

Catalent, Inc.(a)

    20,853       936,925  

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

    34,800       952,710  

Elanco Animal Health, Inc.(a)

    97,264       1,449,233  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    81,287       47,383,818  

Johnson & Johnson(b)

    70,368       11,029,480  

Merck & Co., Inc.(b)

    230,007       25,075,363  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

    68,574       7,106,403  

Pfizer, Inc.(b)

    282,816       8,142,273  

Sanofi SA

    26,788       2,661,998  

Structure Therapeutics, Inc., ADR(a)

    26,914       1,097,015  

Zoetis, Inc., Class A

    20,979       4,140,625  
   

 

 

 
      112,329,536  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 94.9%
(Cost: $376,066,296)

 

    558,090,684  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

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

  87


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Benefical

Interest (000)

    Value  

Other Interests

   
Biotechnology — 0.0%            

Affinivax, Inc., (Acquired 08/18/22,
Cost: $ —)(c)(d)(e)

  $ 6     $       84,962  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.0%            

Afferent Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (Acquired 09/30/15, Cost: $ —)(c)(d)(e)

    190       26,622  
   

 

 

 

Total Other Interests — 0.0%
(Cost: $ — )

 

    111,584  
   

 

 

 
     Shares         

Preferred Securities

   
Preferred Stocks — 0.8%(a)(c)(e)            
Biotechnology — 0.3%            

Cellarity, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 01/15/21, Cost: $265,002)

    44,167       146,635  

Genesis Therapeutics, Series B, (Acquired 08/10/23, Cost: $292,001)

    57,170       292,139  

Goldfinch Bio, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 06/26/20, Cost: $224,200)

    190,000       64,600  

Kartos Therapeutics, Series C, (Acquired 08/22/23, Cost: $485,124)

    85,817       486,582  

Laronde, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 07/28/21, Cost: $590,800)

    21,100       590,800  
   

 

 

 
      1,580,756  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.2%  

Exo Imaging, Inc., Series C, (Acquired 06/24/21, Cost: $595,999)

    101,741       268,596  

Nucleix Ltd., Series AA, (Acquired 03/25/21, Cost: $1,070,001)

    367,395       995,641  

Swift Health Systems, Inc., Series D, (Acquired 08/27/21, Cost: $286,998)

    92,580       77,767  
   

 

 

 
      1,342,004  
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.1%  

Quanta Dialysis Technologies Ltd., Series D, (Acquired 06/18/21, Cost: $515,759)

     4,243,029       286,644  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Technology — 0.1%            

Carbon Health Technologies, Inc., Series D2, (Acquired 02/02/23, Cost: $907,000)

    89,892       791,948  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 0.1%            

Adarx Pharamaceuticals, Series C, (Acquired 08/02/23, Cost: $440,003)

    52,885       440,532  

Insitro, Inc., Series C, (Acquired 03/10/21, Cost: $560,000)

    30,616       319,631  
   

 

 

 
      760,163  
   

 

 

 
      4,761,515  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Securities — 0.8%
(Cost: $6,232,887)

 

    4,761,515  
   

 

 

 
Security  

Shares

    Value  

Rights

   
Biotechnology — 0.0%            

Korro Bio, Inc., CVR

    28,060     $ 382  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.0%            

Abiomed, Inc., CVR(c)

    14,359       39,056  
   

 

 

 

Total Rights — 0.0%
(Cost: $14,646)

 

    39,438  
   

 

 

 

Warrants

   
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.0%            

CareMax, Inc., (Issued/Exercisable 09/15/20, 1 Share for 1 Warrant, Expires 08/06/26, Strike Price USD 11.50)(a)

    4,201       32  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 0.0%            

Nuvation Bio, Inc., (Issued/Exercisable 08/17/20, 1 Share for 1 Warrant, Expires 07/07/27, Strike Price USD 11.50)(a)

    4,050       243  
   

 

 

 

Total Warrants — 0.0%
(Cost: $14,031)

      275  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 95.7%
(Cost: $382,327,860)

 

    563,003,496  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 5.3%            

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

    31,396,977       31,396,977  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 5.3%
(Cost: $31,396,977)

 

    31,396,977  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 101.0%
(Cost: $413,724,837)

 

    594,400,473  
   

 

 

 

Options Written — (1.2)%
(Premiums Received: $(4,793,338))

 

    (7,272,745
   

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 99.8%
(Cost: $408,931,499)

 

    587,127,728  
Other Assets Less Liabilities — 0.2%         1,007,702  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $  588,135,430  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Non-income producing security.

(b) 

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

(c) 

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

(d) 

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

(e) 

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Trust held restricted securities with a current value of $4,873,099, representing 0.8% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $6,232,887.

(f) 

Affiliate of the Trust.

(g) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

 

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

 

 

88  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

                   
Affiliated Issuer  

Value at

12/31/22

   

Purchases

at Cost

   

Proceeds

from Sale

   

Net

Realized

Gain (Loss)

   

Change in

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

   

Value at

12/31/23

   

Shares

Held at

12/31/23

    Income    

Capital Gain

Distributions

from

Underlying

Funds

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $  23,195,315     $  8,201,662 (a)    $     $     $     $ 31,396,977       31,396,977     $ 1,268,777     $  

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

    675,980              (676,809 )(a)      1,094       (265                 25,650 (c)       
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 1,094     $ (265   $  31,396,977       $  1,294,427     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Exchange-Traded Options Written

 

           
Description   

Number of

Contracts

    

Expiration

Date

     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call

                    

Abbott Laboratories

     410        01/05/24        USD        105.00        USD        4,513      $  (214,225

Amgen, Inc.

     110        01/05/24        USD        275.00        USD        3,168        (147,125

Centene Corp.

     62        01/05/24        USD        75.00        USD        460        (2,945

Cigna Group

     70        01/05/24        USD        285.00        USD        2,096        (106,750

Danaher Corp.

     76        01/05/24        USD        230.00        USD        1,758        (25,840

Elevance Health, Inc.

     24        01/05/24        USD        485.00        USD        1,132        (1,260

McKesson Corp.

     17        01/05/24        USD        470.00        USD        787        (2,720

Pfizer, Inc.

     154        01/05/24        USD        31.00        USD        443        (308

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

     36        01/05/24        USD        500.00        USD        1,911        (114,120

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     153        01/05/24        USD        550.00        USD        8,055        (1,071

Alcon, Inc.

     135        01/09/24        USD        76.00        USD        1,055        (34,968

AbbVie, Inc.

     165        01/12/24        USD        146.00        USD        2,557        (157,162

Biogen, Inc.

     67        01/12/24        USD        245.00        USD        1,734        (96,815

Centene Corp.

     95        01/12/24        USD        75.00        USD        705        (10,450

Cigna Group

     36        01/12/24        USD        265.00        USD        1,078        (127,260

Danaher Corp.

     63        01/12/24        USD        225.00        USD        1,457        (57,960

Eli Lilly & Co.

     126        01/12/24        USD        615.00        USD        7,345        (31,878

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     226        01/12/24        USD        80.00        USD        1,831        (42,149

Humana, Inc.

     21        01/12/24        USD        495.00        USD        961        (1,470

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

     58        01/12/24        USD        320.00        USD        1,957        (121,800

Johnson & Johnson

     61        01/12/24        USD        160.00        USD        956        (4,057

Johnson & Johnson

     60        01/12/24        USD        155.00        USD        940        (19,320

McKesson Corp.

     43        01/12/24        USD        460.00        USD        1,991        (41,925

Merck & Co., Inc.

     318        01/12/24        USD        102.01        USD        3,467        (235,033

Moderna, Inc.

     31        01/12/24        USD        85.00        USD        308        (45,957

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     10        01/12/24        USD        860.00        USD        878        (30,550

10X Genomics, Inc., Class A

     30        01/19/24        USD        45.00        USD        168        (34,650

AbbVie, Inc.

     118        01/19/24        USD        145.00        USD        1,829        (125,375

Alcon, Inc.

     69        01/19/24        USD        72.50        USD        539        (41,745

Align Technology, Inc.

     10        01/19/24        USD        240.00        USD        274        (37,700

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     49        01/19/24        USD        200.00        USD        938        (19,845

Amgen, Inc.

     166        01/19/24        USD        285.00        USD        4,781        (123,670

Argenx SE, ADR

     31        01/19/24        USD        520.00        USD        1,179        (14,570

Avantor, Inc.

     130        01/19/24        USD        19.75        USD        297        (54,153

Becton Dickinson & Co.

     48        01/19/24        USD        245.00        USD        1,170        (17,280

BeiGene Ltd., ADR

     25        01/19/24        USD        200.00        USD        451        (7,063

Biogen, Inc.

     23        01/19/24        USD        245.00        USD        595        (38,295

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.

     41        01/19/24        USD        90.00        USD        395        (29,520

Bio-Techne Corp.

     23        01/19/24        USD        65.00        USD        177        (27,255

 

 

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

  89


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

           
Description   

Number of

Contracts

    

Expiration

Date

     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                    

Blueprint Medicines Corp.

     60        01/19/24        USD        65.00        USD        553      $  (166,200

Blueprint Medicines Corp.

     41        01/19/24        USD        85.00        USD        378        (41,000

Cabaletta Bio, Inc.

     50        01/19/24        USD        22.50        USD        114        (9,000

Catalent, Inc.

     31        01/19/24        USD        40.00        USD        139        (16,740

Cencora, Inc.

     97        01/19/24        USD        200.00        USD        1,992        (69,355

Centene Corp.

     41        01/19/24        USD        77.50        USD        304        (2,255

Cerevel Therapeutics Holdings, Inc.

     32        01/19/24        USD        25.00        USD        136        (56,160

Cooper Cos., Inc.

     26        01/19/24        USD        360.00        USD        984        (54,470

Danaher Corp.

     77        01/19/24        USD        230.00        USD        1,781        (50,050

Elanco Animal Health, Inc.

     138        01/19/24        USD        12.00        USD        206        (41,745

Elevance Health, Inc.

     10        01/19/24        USD        480.00        USD        472        (5,600

Eli Lilly & Co.

     74        01/19/24        USD        640.00        USD        4,314        (9,916

Exact Sciences Corp.

     37        01/19/24        USD        80.00        USD        274        (6,383

GE HealthCare, Inc.

     160        01/19/24        USD        75.00        USD        1,237        (52,000

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     141        01/19/24        USD        82.50        USD        1,142        (12,197

Guardant Health, Inc.

     43        01/19/24        USD        25.00        USD        116        (11,288

HCA Healthcare, Inc.

     50        01/19/24        USD        245.00        USD        1,353        (136,500

HCA Healthcare, Inc.

     32        01/19/24        USD        265.00        USD        866        (30,880

Humana, Inc.

     7        01/19/24        USD        505.00        USD        320        (473

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.

     28        01/19/24        USD        570.00        USD        1,554        (20,020

Immunocore Holdings PLC, ADR

     18        01/19/24        USD        50.00        USD        123        (33,480

Incyte Corp.

     61        01/19/24        USD        57.50        USD        383        (35,990

Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.

     21        01/19/24        USD        165.00        USD        427        (83,475

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

     48        01/19/24        USD        340.00        USD        1,619        (42,000

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     79        01/19/24        USD        52.50        USD        400        (10,073

IQVIA Holdings, Inc.

     34        01/19/24        USD        240.00        USD        787        (5,950

Johnson & Johnson

     146        01/19/24        USD        160.00        USD        2,288        (13,067

Karuna Therapeutics, Inc.

     1        01/19/24        USD        230.00        USD        32        (8,720

Legend Biotech Corp., ADR

     54        01/19/24        USD        75.00        USD        325        (1,080

Masimo Corp.

     41        01/19/24        USD        120.00        USD        481        (16,195

Merck & Co., Inc.

     278        01/19/24        USD        110.00        USD        3,031        (36,974

Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.

     3        01/19/24        USD        1,240.00        USD        364        (6,330

Moderna, Inc.

     75        01/19/24        USD        80.00        USD        746        (150,375

MoonLake Immunotherapeutics, Class A

     39        01/19/24        USD        80.00        USD        236        (7,313

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

     15        01/19/24        USD        115.00        USD        198        (26,025

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

     22        01/19/24        USD        125.00        USD        290        (18,700

Nuvalent, Inc., Class A

     26        01/19/24        USD        70.00        USD        191        (16,250

Pfizer, Inc.

     340        01/19/24        USD        31.00        USD        979        (3,740

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

     12        01/19/24        USD        135.00        USD        165        (4,800

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

     32        01/19/24        USD        140.00        USD        441        (4,160

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     25        01/19/24        USD        885.00        USD        2,196        (46,375

REVOLUTION Medicines, Inc.

     34        01/19/24        USD        22.50        USD        98        (21,930

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     98        01/19/24        USD        32.10        USD        451        (141,419

Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     32        01/19/24        USD        25.00        USD        96        (16,480

Shockwave Medical, Inc.

     6        01/19/24        USD        185.00        USD        114        (6,390

STERIS PLC

     18        01/19/24        USD        219.50        USD        396        (9,924

Structure Therapeutics, Inc., ADR

     32        01/19/24        USD        70.00        USD        130        (800

Stryker Corp.

     126        01/19/24        USD        300.00        USD        3,773        (69,930

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc.

     12        01/19/24        USD        40.00        USD        57        (9,420

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     153        01/19/24        USD        550.00        USD        8,055        (43,528

Vaxcyte, Inc.

     23        01/19/24        USD        55.00        USD        144        (20,125

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     53        01/19/24        USD        370.00        USD        2,157        (206,700

Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

     33        01/19/24        USD        14.00        USD        61        (16,005

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

     48        01/19/24        USD        380.00        USD        1,690        (4,680

Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     61        01/19/24        USD        45.00        USD        281        (25,925

Zoetis, Inc., Class A

     79        01/19/24        USD        200.00        USD        1,559        (20,737

Cencora, Inc.

     23        01/25/24        USD        204.00        USD        472        (10,527

Abbott Laboratories

     156        01/26/24        USD        109.00        USD        1,717        (47,268

AbbVie, Inc.

     166        01/26/24        USD        152.50        USD        2,573        (65,570

Align Technology, Inc.

     32        01/26/24        USD        280.00        USD        877        (35,040

Amgen, Inc.

     10        01/26/24        USD        285.00        USD        288        (8,500

Baxter International, Inc.

     202        01/26/24        USD        39.00        USD        781        (18,685

 

 

90  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

           
Description   

Number of

Contracts

    

Expiration

Date

     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                    

Biogen, Inc.

     71        01/26/24        USD        265.00        USD        1,837      $   (35,500

Cigna Group

     7        01/26/24        USD        310.00        USD        210        (2,520

Danaher Corp.

     80        01/26/24        USD        235.00        USD        1,851        (38,400

Eli Lilly & Co.

     141        01/26/24        USD        595.00        USD        8,219        (166,380

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

     54        01/26/24        USD        330.00        USD        1,822        (100,170

Medtronic PLC

     26        01/26/24        USD        85.00        USD        214        (1,495

Medtronic PLC

     23        01/26/24        USD        83.34        USD        189        (2,703

Merck & Co., Inc.

     278        01/26/24        USD        107.00        USD        3,031        (97,300

Moderna, Inc.

     21        01/26/24        USD        94.00        USD        209        (19,320

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     55        01/26/24        USD        405.00        USD        2,238        (68,200

Bio-Techne Corp.

     40        01/31/24        USD        77.00        USD        309        (29,383

Medtronic PLC

     59        02/02/24        USD        83.05        USD        486        (9,679

McKesson Corp.

     38        02/09/24        USD        475.00        USD        1,759        (40,850

Medtronic PLC

     68        02/09/24        USD        83.34        USD        560        (11,664

10X Genomics, Inc., Class A

     18        02/16/24        USD        50.00        USD        101        (13,500

10X Genomics, Inc., Class A

     9        02/16/24        USD        55.00        USD        50        (4,320

Abbott Laboratories

     156        02/16/24        USD        110.00        USD        1,717        (51,480

AbbVie, Inc.

     40        02/16/24        USD        160.00        USD        620        (8,820

AbbVie, Inc.

     163        02/16/24        USD        155.00        USD        2,526        (69,275

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

     90        02/16/24        USD        140.00        USD        1,251        (43,650

Alcon, Inc.

     143        02/16/24        USD        77.50        USD        1,117        (41,470

Argenx SE, ADR

     9        02/16/24        USD        500.00        USD        342        (4,500

Avantor, Inc.

     75        02/16/24        USD        21.00        USD        171        (18,187

Baxter International, Inc.

     27        02/16/24        USD        40.00        USD        104        (3,375

Becton Dickinson & Co.

     100        02/16/24        USD        240.00        USD        2,438        (103,500

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.

     130        02/16/24        USD        100.00        USD        1,253        (35,425

Boston Scientific Corp.

     1,677        02/16/24        USD        57.50        USD        9,695        (385,710

Cabaletta Bio, Inc.

     60        02/16/24        USD        30.00        USD        136        (4,200

Cencora, Inc.

     64        02/16/24        USD        204.00        USD        1,314        (42,675

Centene Corp.

     96        02/16/24        USD        77.50        USD        712        (15,360

Cooper Cos., Inc.

     25        02/16/24        USD        350.00        USD        946        (84,375

Dexcom, Inc.

     132        02/16/24        USD        120.00        USD        1,638        (141,900

Elanco Animal Health, Inc.

     139        02/16/24        USD        13.00        USD        207        (31,275

Exact Sciences Corp.

     19        02/16/24        USD        75.00        USD        141        (9,690

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

     358        02/16/24        USD        77.50        USD        2,900        (194,215

Humana, Inc.

     31        02/16/24        USD        505.00        USD        1,419        (13,485

Immunocore Holdings PLC, ADR

     29        02/16/24        USD        65.00        USD        198        (19,140

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     19        02/16/24        USD        55.00        USD        96        (2,803

Karuna Therapeutics, Inc.

     4        02/16/24        USD        240.00        USD        127        (31,460

Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings

     25        02/16/24        USD        220.00        USD        568        (30,125

Legend Biotech Corp., ADR

     67        02/16/24        USD        70.00        USD        403        (10,050

Medtronic PLC

     68        02/16/24        USD        85.00        USD        560        (7,752

Nuvalent, Inc., Class A

     26        02/16/24        USD        80.00        USD        191        (8,970

Penumbra, Inc.

     45        02/16/24        USD        260.00        USD        1,132        (48,825

PTC Therapeutics, Inc.

     75        02/16/24        USD        31.00        USD        207        (15,562

Repligen Corp.

     30        02/16/24        USD        185.00        USD        539        (24,300

REVOLUTION Medicines, Inc.

     35        02/16/24        USD        28.00        USD        100        (9,625

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     89        02/16/24        USD        40.41        USD        409        (65,503

Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     37        02/16/24        USD        27.12        USD        111        (15,158

Shockwave Medical, Inc.

     6        02/16/24        USD        184.95        USD        114        (10,936

STERIS PLC

     19        02/16/24        USD        202.97        USD        418        (38,877

Structure Therapeutics, Inc., ADR

     25        02/16/24        USD        85.00        USD        102        (1,875

Stryker Corp.

     60        02/16/24        USD        310.00        USD        1,797        (41,400

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

     36        02/16/24        USD        530.00        USD        1,911        (81,360

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc.

     42        02/16/24        USD        45.00        USD        201        (18,690

Vaxcyte, Inc.

     86        02/16/24        USD        60.00        USD        540        (46,010

Viking Therapeutics, Inc.

     32        02/16/24        USD        18.00        USD        60        (8,480

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

     6        02/16/24        USD        342.92        USD        211        (13,076

Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

     61        02/16/24        USD        47.50        USD        281        (21,197

Envista Holdings Corp.

     84        03/15/24        USD        25.00        USD        202        (10,920

 

 

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

  91


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

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

Call (continued)

                    

Incyte Corp.

     44        03/15/24        USD        65.00        USD        276      $ (11,770

Medtronic PLC

     59        03/15/24        USD        85.00        USD        486        (11,977
                    

 

 

 
                     $  (6,958,918
                    

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

 

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

Call

                       

QIAGEN NV

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      6,800        01/04/24        USD        39.91        USD        295      $ (24,404

Elanco Animal Health, Inc.

   Goldman Sachs International      9,200        01/08/24        USD        9.64        USD        137        (48,565

Masimo Corp.

   BNP Paribas SA      1,600        01/09/24        USD        86.94        USD        188        (48,665

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

   Goldman Sachs International      1,900        01/09/24        DKK        736.76        DKK        1,330        (620

Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.

   BNP Paribas SA      13,200        01/17/24        JPY        4,310.70        JPY        50,954        (2,682

Genmab A/S

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      1,100        01/18/24        DKK        2,308.53        DKK        2,368        (1,346

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      1,100        01/18/24        DKK        703.28        DKK        770        (2,568

Sanofi SA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      5,400        01/18/24        EUR        87.55        EUR        486        (17,097

AstraZeneca PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      6,700        01/23/24        GBP        103.39        GBP        709        (34,538

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

   Goldman Sachs International      21,200        01/23/24        DKK        711.62        DKK        14,836        (46,477

QIAGEN NV

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      6,800        01/23/24        USD        40.29        USD        295        (24,882

Sanofi SA

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      4,700        01/23/24        EUR        89.72        EUR        423        (8,765

Cencora, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.      5,200        01/31/24        USD        201.53        USD        1,068        (35,969

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      1,800        02/06/24        DKK        735.42        DKK        1,260        (3,683

Genmab A/S

   Citibank N.A.      7,500        02/26/24        USD        32.28        USD        239        (13,566
                       

 

 

 
                        $  (313,827
                       

 

 

 

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

 

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

Options Written

   $  N/A      $  N/A      $ 1,134,305      $ (3,613,712    $  (7,272,745

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

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

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Options written

                    

Options written at value

   $  —      $  —      $  7,272,745      $      $  —      $      $  7,272,745  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

92  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

 

For the period ended December 31, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

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

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

                    

Options purchased(a)

   $      $      $ (209,469    $      $      $      $ (209,469

Options written

                   5,205,429                             5,205,429  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $ 4,995,960      $      $      $      $ 4,995,960  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                    

Options written

   $      $      $  (4,658,396    $      $      $      $  (4,658,396
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Options:

  

Average value of option contracts purchased

   $ (a) 

Average value of option contracts written

   $ 5,600,802  

 

  (a) 

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

 

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

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

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

 

     
      Assets      Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments

     

Options

   $      $ 7,272,745  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

            7,272,745  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

            (6,958,918
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $      $ 313,827  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

 

           
Counterparty     



Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to

an MNA by
Counterparty

 
 
 

 
 

    

Derivatives
Available for
Offset
 
 
 
    

Non-Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
 
    

Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
 
    



Net

Amount of
Derivative
Liabilities

 

 
 
(a) 

BNP Paribas SA

   $ 51,347      $      $      $      $ 51,347  

Citibank N.A.

     49,535                             49,535  

Goldman Sachs International

     130,200                             130,200  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     82,745                             82,745  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 313,827      $      $      $      $ 313,827  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

 

 

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

  93


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

         
      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets

           

Investments

           

Long-Term Investments

           

Common Stocks

           

Biotechnology

   $  141,784,309      $ 1,308,131      $      $ 143,092,440  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

     130,190,120                      130,190,120  

Health Care Providers & Services

     123,918,383                      123,918,383  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

     48,560,205                      48,560,205  

Pharmaceuticals

     99,254,732        13,074,804               112,329,536  

Other Interests

                   111,584        111,584  

Preferred Securities

           

Preferred Stocks

                   4,761,515        4,761,515  

Rights

            382        39,056        39,438  

Warrants

     275                      275  

Short-Term Securities

           

Money Market Funds

     31,396,977                      31,396,977  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 575,105,001      $  14,383,317      $  4,912,155      $  594,400,473  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

           

Liabilities

           

Equity Contracts

   $ (6,233,240    $ (1,039,505    $      $ (7,272,745
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

94  

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


Schedule of Investments 

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (BIGZ)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

 

Aerospace & Defense — 5.4%  

Axon Enterprise, Inc.(a)(b)

    269,406     $    69,595,652  

HEICO Corp.

    222,346       39,771,029  
   

 

 

 
      109,366,681  
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.8%            

GXO Logistics, Inc.(b)

    273,731       16,741,388  
   

 

 

 
Automobile Components — 1.2%            

Fox Factory Holding Corp.(b)(c)

    363,790       24,548,549  
   

 

 

 
Biotechnology — 0.8%            

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.(b)(c)

    410,430       15,169,493  
   

 

 

 
Building Products — 1.6%            

AZEK Co., Inc., Class A(b)

    830,411       31,763,221  
   

 

 

 
Capital Markets — 4.2%            

TPG, Inc., Class A

    911,268       39,339,439  

Tradeweb Markets, Inc., Class A(d)

    496,893       45,157,636  
   

 

 

 
      84,497,075  
Construction & Engineering — 1.2%            

Comfort Systems USA, Inc.

    119,706       24,619,933  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services(b) — 2.9%            

Duolingo, Inc., Class A

    111,847       25,372,492  

Grammarly, Inc., (Acquired 11/17/21,
Cost: $26,250,012)(e)(f)

    1,001,454       17,174,936  

Ideal Image, Class A, (Acquired 05/05/21,
Cost: $50,000,000)(e)(f)

    6,224       16,239,254  
   

 

 

 
      58,786,682  
Entertainment — 1.3%            

Liberty Media Corp.-Liberty Formula One, Class C(b)

    409,685       25,863,414  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 0.3%            

Freshpet, Inc.(b)

    62,788       5,447,487  
   

 

 

 
Ground Transportation — 2.6%            

Saia, Inc.(b)(c)

    122,155       53,530,764  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies(b) — 5.0%  

Align Technology, Inc.

    187,295       51,318,830  

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.

    69,304       38,467,185  

Inmode Ltd.

    70,065       1,558,246  

Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.

    44,833       9,120,377  
   

 

 

 
      100,464,638  
Health Care Providers & Services — 1.0%            

Surgery Partners, Inc.(b)

    651,580       20,844,044  
   

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 3.5%            

Planet Fitness, Inc., Class A(b)(d)

    675,050       49,278,650  

Vail Resorts, Inc.

    97,604       20,835,526  
   

 

 

 
      70,114,176  
Industrial REITs — 0.1%            

Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc.

    13,416       1,352,601  

Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.

    13,893       779,397  
   

 

 

 
      2,131,998  
IT Services(b) — 5.7%            

DigitalOcean Holdings, Inc.

    333,354       12,230,758  

Globant SA

    165,042       39,276,695  
Security   Shares     Value  
IT Services (continued)            

MongoDB, Inc., Class A(c)

    117,109     $    47,880,015  

Patreon, Inc., (Acquired 08/19/21, Cost: $11,732,736)(e)(f)

    208,333       5,874,991  

Teya Services Ltd., (Acquired 11/16/21,
Cost: $49,999,974)(e)(f)

    25,742       11,115,138  
   

 

 

 
          116,377,597  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 8.8%            

Azenta, Inc.(b)(c)

    86,715       5,648,615  

Bio-Techne Corp

    615,651       47,503,631  

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.(b)

    137,183       32,430,061  

Repligen Corp.(b)

    247,772       44,549,406  

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

    139,329       49,060,528  
   

 

 

 
      179,192,241  
Machinery — 1.3%            

AutoStore Holdings Ltd.(b)(c)(g)

    13,757,639       27,030,178  
   

 

 

 
Professional Services(b) — 0.3%            

Fiverr International Ltd.

    195,955       5,333,895  

Paylocity Holding Corp.

    6,588       1,086,032  
   

 

 

 
      6,419,927  
Real Estate Management & Development — 2.8%  

CoStar Group, Inc.(b)

    636,962       55,664,109  
   

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 9.2%  

ASM International NV

    81,580       42,460,310  

Entegris, Inc.(d)

    436,574       52,310,297  

Lattice Semiconductor Corp.(b)

    501,878       34,624,563  

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.(a)(d)

    90,663       57,188,407  
   

 

 

 
      186,583,577  
Software — 16.7%            

ANSYS, Inc.(b)

    159,716       57,957,742  

Aspen Technology, Inc.(b)(c)

    164,760       36,271,914  

Bentley Systems, Inc., Class B

    798,964       41,689,941  

Confluent, Inc., Class A(b)

    1,444,548       33,802,423  

HubSpot, Inc.(b)

    94,841       55,058,994  

JFrog Ltd.(b)

    601,511       20,818,296  

PagerDuty, Inc.(b)(c)

    333,419       7,718,650  

SiteMinder Ltd.(b)

    5,400,709       18,874,399  

Snorkel AI, Inc., (Acquired 06/30/21, Cost: $2,999,997)(b)(e)(f)

    199,738       1,737,721  

Snyk Ltd., Ordinary Shares, (Acquired 09/02/21, Cost: $25,961,537)(b)(e)(f)

    1,809,860       19,763,671  

Zscaler, Inc.(b)

    204,319       45,268,918  
   

 

 

 
      338,962,669  
Specialty Retail — 1.4%            

Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc., Class A(b)(c)

    262,151       29,245,566  
   

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 1.1%            

On Holding AG, Class A(b)

    793,857       21,410,323  
   

 

 

 
Total Common Stocks — 79.2%
(Cost: $1,457,618,260)
        1,604,775,730  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

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

  95


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (BIGZ)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Preferred Securities            
Preferred Stocks — 21.8%(b)(e)            
Aerospace & Defense — 0.1%            

SkySafe, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 12/02/21,
Cost: $4,999,999)(f)

    909,438     $     1,045,854  
   

 

 

 
Automobile Components — 2.2%            

Relativity Space, Inc., Series E, (Acquired 05/27/21, Cost: $50,000,009)(f)

    2,189,612       43,836,032  
   

 

 

 
Capital Markets(f) — 2.4%            

Anchor Labs, Inc., Series D, (Acquired 11/24/21, Cost: $9,999,995)

    428,785       2,752,800  

The Production Board LLC, Series A3, (Acquired 06/04/21, Cost: $50,000,001)

    16,666,667       30,500,000  

Varo Money, Inc., Series E, (Acquired 08/27/21,
Cost: $40,000,001)

    4,316,904       14,720,643  
   

 

 

 
      47,973,443  
Diversified Consumer Services — 0.3%            

Grammarly, Inc., Series 3, (Acquired 11/17/21, Cost: $8,750,004)(f)

    333,818       5,898,564  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.6%  

Discord, Inc., Series I, (Acquired 09/13/21,
Cost: $17,999,912)(f)

    32,690       12,802,058  
   

 

 

 
Entertainment — 0.9%            

Under Canvas, Inc., Class A, (Acquired 08/19/21, Cost: $49,999,983)(f)

    2,172,486       18,683,380  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 0.6%            

Motif Food Works, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 06/08/21, Cost: $39,999,986)(f)

    1,972,240       12,444,834  
   

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure(f) — 1.2%            

Dapper Labs, Inc., Series 7, (Acquired 07/20/21, Cost: $29,999,946)

    191,067       3,330,298  

Underdog Sports, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 01/11/22, Cost: $14,999,974)

    291,061       21,477,391  
   

 

 

 
      24,807,689  
IT Services(f) — 2.3%            

Patreon, Inc., Series D, (Acquired 07/14/21,
Cost: $23,333,352)

    416,667       11,750,009  

Via Transportation, Inc., Series G, (Acquired 11/05/21, Cost: $24,999,974)

    549,357       30,335,493  

Wagestream Holdings Ltd., Series C, (Acquired 02/11/22, Cost: $10,024,684)

    762,746       5,259,788  
   

 

 

 
      47,345,290  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 2.5%

 

PsiQuantum Corp., Series D, (Acquired 05/21/21, Cost: $39,999,990)(f)

    1,525,192       43,345,957  

Rivos, Inc., Series A1

    2,997,684       6,534,951  
   

 

 

 
      49,880,908  
Software(f) — 7.1%            

AnyRoad, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 12/07/21, Cost: $14,999,995)

    2,745,894       11,917,180  

Bolt Financial, Inc., Series E, (Acquired 01/18/22, Cost: $44,999,983)

    898,024       19,145,872  

Deepgram, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 10/22/21, Cost: $11,999,997)

    2,165,400       13,273,902  

Dragos, Inc., Series D, (Acquired 09/28/21, Cost: $39,999,959)

    900,760       34,670,252  

Genesys Cloud Services, Inc., (Acquired 11/24/21, Cost: $30,000,101)

    4,651,163       16,883,722  
Security   Shares     Value  
Software (continued)  

Open Space Labs, Inc., Series D, (Acquired 01/31/22, Cost: $15,000,003)

    1,687,916     $ 13,739,636  

Snorkel AI, Inc., Series C, (Acquired 06/30/21, Cost: $10,999,993)

    732,373       6,371,645  

Snyk Ltd., Series F, (Acquired 09/02/21, Cost: $24,038,470)

    1,685,092       18,401,205  

Validere Technologies, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 10/21/21, Cost: $10,000,000)

    4,684,060       8,431,308  
   

 

 

 
    142,834,722  
Specialty Retail — 0.5%  

Super73, Inc., Series C-1, (Acquired 10/25/22, Cost: $12,000,000)(f)

    1,400,669       10,799,158  
   

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 1.1%  

Loft Orbital Solutions, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 10/14/21, Cost: $24,999,992)(f)

    1,365,305       22,855,206  
   

 

 

 
    441,207,138  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Securities — 21.8%
(Cost: $662,142,595)

 

    441,207,138  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 101.0%
(Cost: $2,119,760,855)

 

    2,045,982,868  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

 

Money Market Funds — 1.0%  

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 5.26%(h)(i)

    326,227       326,227  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series, 5.58%(h)(i)(j)

    20,498,856       20,505,005  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 1.0%
(Cost: $20,830,071)

 

    20,831,232  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 102.0%
(Cost: $2,140,590,926)

 

    2,066,814,100  
   

 

 

 

Options Written — (0.8)%

 

(Premiums Received: $(8,337,243))

 

    (16,978,313
   

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 101.2%
(Cost: $2,132,253,683)

 

    2,049,835,787  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (1.2)%

 

    (23,365,949
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $  2,026,469,838  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

 

(b) 

Non-income producing security.

 

(c) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

 

(d) 

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

 

(e) 

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

 

(f) 

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Trust held restricted securities with a current value of $506,577,898, representing 25.0% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $821,090,559.

 

(g) 

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.

 

(h) 

Affiliate of the Trust.

 

(i) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 

(j) 

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

 

 

 

96  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (BIGZ)

 

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

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

                   
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
12/31/22
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
12/31/23
    Shares
Held at
12/31/23
    Income     Capital Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $ 20,778,628     $     $ (20,452,401 )(a)    $     $     $ 326,227       326,227     $ 445,542     $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

    184,600       20,319,860 (a)            (616     1,161       20,505,005       20,498,856       63,099 (b)       
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ (616   $ 1,161     $ 20,831,232       $ 508,641     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Exchange-Traded Options Written

 

           
Description    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call

                    

MongoDB, Inc., Class A

     87        01/12/24        USD        430.00        USD        3,557      $ (39,150

On Holding AG, Class A

     252        01/12/24        USD        31.00        USD        680        (3,150

Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.

     70        01/12/24        USD        47.00        USD        393        (64,347

Zscaler, Inc.

     161        01/12/24        USD        200.00        USD        3,567        (356,615

Align Technology, Inc.

     37        01/19/24        USD        240.00        USD        1,014            (139,490

ANSYS, Inc.

     75        01/19/24        USD        310.00        USD        2,722        (415,125

Aspen Technology, Inc.

     174        01/19/24        USD        220.00        USD        3,831        (89,610

Axon Enterprise, Inc.

     180        01/19/24        USD        230.00        USD        4,650        (531,000

AZEK Co., Inc., Class A

     617        01/19/24        USD        34.00        USD        2,360        (280,874

Azenta, Inc.

     140        01/19/24        USD        60.00        USD        912        (90,300

Bio-Techne Corp.

     360        01/19/24        USD        65.00        USD        2,778        (426,600

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.

     117        01/19/24        USD        230.00        USD        2,766        (121,095

Comfort Systems USA, Inc.

     112        01/19/24        USD        200.00        USD        2,304        (111,440

Confluent, Inc., Class A

     835        01/19/24        USD        21.00        USD        1,954        (231,712

Confluent, Inc., Class A

     1,476        01/19/24        USD        25.00        USD        3,454        (92,250

CoStar Group, Inc.

     417        01/19/24        USD        85.00        USD        3,644        (148,035

DigitalOcean Holdings, Inc.

     109        01/19/24        USD        30.00        USD        400        (75,210

Duolingo, Inc., Class A

     67        01/19/24        USD        240.00        USD        1,520        (33,500

Entegris, Inc.

     280        01/19/24        USD        105.00        USD        3,355        (453,600

Fiverr International Ltd.

     313        01/19/24        USD        30.00        USD        852        (14,085

Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc., Class A

     293        01/19/24        USD        95.00        USD        3,269        (506,890

Fox Factory Holding Corp.

     270        01/19/24        USD        70.00        USD        1,822        (47,925

Freshpet, Inc.

     72        01/19/24        USD        75.00        USD        625        (91,080

Freshpet, Inc.

     30        01/19/24        USD        77.50        USD        260        (30,300

Globant SA

     170        01/19/24        USD        230.00        USD        4,046        (205,700

GXO Logistics, Inc.

     187        01/19/24        USD        60.00        USD        1,144        (42,075

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.

     292        01/19/24        USD        43.50        USD        1,079        (19,404

HEICO Corp.

     177        01/19/24        USD        190.00        USD        3,166        (6,637

HubSpot, Inc.

     77        01/19/24        USD        480.00        USD        4,470        (787,710

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.

     110        01/19/24        USD        570.00        USD        6,106        (78,650

Inmode Ltd.

     119        01/19/24        USD        25.00        USD        265        (4,760

Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.

     79        01/19/24        USD        165.00        USD        1,607        (314,025

JFrog Ltd.

     263        01/19/24        USD        26.00        USD        910        (231,743

MongoDB, Inc., Class A

     40        01/19/24        USD        410.00        USD        1,635        (57,000

On Holding AG, Class A

     296        01/19/24        USD        30.00        USD        798        (9,620

 

 

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

  97


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (BIGZ)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

           
Description    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                    

PagerDuty, Inc.

     533        01/19/24        USD        25.00        USD        1,234      $ (10,660

Paylocity Holding Corp.

     29        01/19/24        USD        165.00        USD        478        (15,225

Planet Fitness, Inc., Class A

     540        01/19/24        USD        65.00        USD        3,942        (437,400

Repligen Corp.

     357        01/19/24        USD        160.00        USD        6,419        (760,410

Saia, Inc.

     115        01/19/24        USD        430.00        USD        5,040        (235,750

Surgery Partners, Inc.

     534        01/19/24        USD        35.00        USD        1,708        (25,365

Tradeweb Markets, Inc., Class A

     795        01/19/24        USD        95.00        USD        7,225        (39,750

Vail Resorts, Inc.

     92        01/19/24        USD        240.00        USD        1,964        (2,760

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

     104        01/19/24        USD        380.00        USD        3,662        (10,140

Align Technology, Inc.

     262        01/26/24        USD        280.00        USD        7,179        (286,890

MongoDB, Inc., Class A

     18        01/26/24        USD        400.00        USD        736        (41,625

On Holding AG, Class A

     547        01/26/24        USD        29.00        USD        1,475        (35,555

Bio-Techne Corp.

     667        01/31/24        USD        77.00        USD        5,147        (489,962

ANSYS, Inc.

     180        02/16/24        USD        310.00        USD        6,532        (1,054,800

AZEK Co., Inc., Class A

     711        02/16/24        USD        35.25        USD        2,720        (297,269

Bentley Systems, Inc., Class B

     500        02/16/24        USD        55.00        USD        2,609        (48,750

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.

     117        02/16/24        USD        240.00        USD        2,766        (108,225

Comfort Systems USA, Inc.

     79        02/16/24        USD        210.00        USD        1,625        (60,435

CoStar Group, Inc.

     600        02/16/24        USD        90.00        USD        5,243        (127,500

DigitalOcean Holdings, Inc.

     424        02/16/24        USD        32.50        USD        1,556        (243,800

Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc., Class A

     126        02/16/24        USD        115.00        USD        1,406        (58,590

Fox Factory Holding Corp.

     312        02/16/24        USD        70.00        USD        2,105        (84,240

Globant SA

     110        02/16/24        USD        230.00        USD        2,618        (199,100

GXO Logistics, Inc.

     250        02/16/24        USD        60.00        USD        1,529        (91,250

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.

     364        02/16/24        USD        45.00        USD        1,345        (9,100

HEICO Corp.

     178        02/16/24        USD        195.00        USD        3,184        (16,020

Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc.

     21        02/16/24        USD        105.00        USD        212        (6,720

MongoDB, Inc., Class A

     42        02/16/24        USD        480.00        USD        1,717        (21,525

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

     62        02/16/24        USD        630.00        USD        3,911        (256,060

On Holding AG, Class A

     175        02/16/24        USD        32.50        USD        472        (6,125

Planet Fitness, Inc., Class A

     540        02/16/24        USD        75.00        USD        3,942        (122,850

Repligen Corp.

     78        02/16/24        USD        185.00        USD        1,402        (63,180

Saia, Inc.

     80        02/16/24        USD        470.00        USD        3,506        (126,000

Surgery Partners, Inc.

     604        02/16/24        USD        36.20        USD        1,932        (54,962

TPG, Inc., Class A

     1,058        02/16/24        USD        35.00        USD        4,567        (973,360

Vail Resorts, Inc.

     64        02/16/24        USD        240.00        USD        1,366        (5,600

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

     118        02/16/24        USD        342.92        USD        4,155        (257,168

Zscaler, Inc.

     180        02/16/24        USD        220.00        USD        3,988        (240,300

JFrog Ltd.

     230        02/23/24        USD        30.20        USD        796        (125,027

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

     93        03/15/24        USD        640.00        USD        5,866        (418,035
                    

 

 

 
                     $  (13,618,190
                    

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

 

             
Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call

                       

SiteMinder Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      41,400        01/04/24        AUD        4.61        AUD        212      $ (14,666

Lattice Semiconductor Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      5,100        01/08/24        USD        79.66        USD        352        (167

AutoStore Holdings Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      250,000        01/09/24        NOK        14.69        NOK        4,990        (130,804

SiteMinder Ltd.

   UBS AG      39,300        01/09/24        AUD        4.81        AUD        202        (8,936

ASM International NV

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      8,000        01/11/24        EUR        472.18        EUR        3,772        (86,654

AutoStore Holdings Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      259,700        01/11/24        NOK        17.90        NOK        5,184        (56,480

Aspen Technology, Inc.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      8,900        01/12/24        USD        190.81        USD        1,959          (265,906

SiteMinder Ltd.

   UBS AG      67,000        01/12/24        AUD        5.14        AUD        344        (5,394

AutoStore Holdings Ltd.

   Barclays Bank PLC      250,900        01/17/24        NOK        15.90        NOK        5,008        (102,504

AutoStore Holdings Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      259,700        01/18/24        NOK        17.90        NOK        5,184        (59,271

ASM International NV

   Bank of America N.A.      5,100        01/23/24        EUR        461.39        EUR        2,404        (114,729

AutoStore Holdings Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      250,000        01/23/24        NOK        18.09        NOK        4,990        (55,883

Lattice Semiconductor Corp.

   Citibank N.A.      56,000        01/23/24        USD        62.43        USD        3,863        (424,202

SiteMinder Ltd.

   UBS AG      67,000        01/23/24        AUD        5.24        AUD        344        (5,357

 

 

98  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (BIGZ)

 

OTC Options Written (continued)

 

             
Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                       

AutoStore Holdings Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      125,000        01/24/24        NOK        18.91        NOK        2,495      $ (20,783

SiteMinder Ltd.

   UBS AG      55,000        01/24/24        AUD        4.98        AUD        282        (9,483

Bentley Systems, Inc., Class B

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      78,000        01/26/24        USD        53.50        USD        4,070        (62,156

Duolingo, Inc., Class A

   Barclays Bank PLC      11,100        01/26/24        USD        222.00        USD        2,518        (163,016

JFrog Ltd.

   Citibank N.A.      47,000        01/26/24        USD        27.98        USD        1,627        (327,147

TPG, Inc., Class A

   UBS AG      40,000        01/29/24        USD        32.25        USD        1,727        (452,433

AutoStore Holdings Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      267,000        01/30/24        NOK        18.38        NOK        5,330        (58,407

Axon Enterprise, Inc.

   Bank of America N.A.      25,100        01/31/24        USD        254.10        USD        6,484        (268,677

Entegris, Inc.

   UBS AG      44,500        01/31/24        USD        122.47        USD        5,332        (165,740

HubSpot, Inc.

   Barclays Bank PLC      7,400        01/31/24        USD        569.59        USD        4,296        (256,072

AutoStore Holdings Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      260,000        02/06/24        NOK        19.74        NOK        5,190        (39,966

Lattice Semiconductor Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      10,700        02/06/24        USD        62.25        USD        738        (92,315

SiteMinder Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      32,500        02/08/24        AUD        5.05        AUD        167        (5,631

AutoStore Holdings Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      260,000        02/13/24        NOK        19.74        NOK        5,190        (45,355

SiteMinder Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      32,500        02/13/24        AUD        5.05        AUD        167        (5,924

AutoStore Holdings Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      260,000        02/21/24        NOK        19.74        NOK        5,190        (49,699

SiteMinder Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      32,500        02/21/24        AUD        5.05        AUD        167        (6,366
                       

 

 

 
                        $  (3,360,123
                       

 

 

 

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

 

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

Options Written

   $ N/A      $ N/A      $ 1,369,510      $ (10,010,580    $  (16,978,313

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

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

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Options written

                    

Options written at value

   $    —      $    —      $  16,978,313      $      $      $      $ 16,978,313  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the period ended December 31, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

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

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

                    

Options purchased(a)

   $    —      $    —      $ (1,549,151    $      $      $      $ (1,549,151

Options written

                   (1,695,478                           (1,695,478
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $ (3,244,629    $      $      $      $ (3,244,629
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                    

Options written

   $      $      $  (14,212,806    $      $      $      $  (14,212,806
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

 

 

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

  99


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (BIGZ)

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   
        

Options:

  

Average value of option contracts purchased

   $ (a) 

Average value of option contracts written

   $ 12,587,699  

 

  (a) 

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

 

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

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

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

 

     
      Assets      Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments

     

Options

   $      $ 16,978,313  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

            16,978,313  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

            (13,618,190
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $      $ 3,360,123  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

 

           
Counterparty     



Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to an
MNA by
Counterparty
 
 
 
 
 
    

 Derivatives
Available
for Offset
 
 
 
    

Non-Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
(a) 
    

Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
 
    

Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
 
 
 

Bank of America N.A.

   $ 383,406      $      $ (383,406    $      $  

Barclays Bank PLC

     521,592               (521,592              

Citibank N.A.

     751,349               (751,349              

Goldman Sachs International

     500,164               (500,164              

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     68,689               (68,689              

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     487,580               (487,580              

UBS AG

     647,343               (647,343              
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3,360,123      $      $  (3,360,123    $      $  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Excess of collateral received/pledged, if any, from the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

         
      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Aerospace & Defense

   $   109,366,681        $     —        $     —        $   109,366,681  

Air Freight & Logistics

     16,741,388                            16,741,388  

Automobile Components

     24,548,549                            24,548,549  

Biotechnology

     15,169,493                            15,169,493  

Building Products

     31,763,221                            31,763,221  

Capital Markets

     84,497,075                            84,497,075  

Construction & Engineering

     24,619,933                            24,619,933  

Diversified Consumer Services

     25,372,492                   33,414,190          58,786,682  

Entertainment

     25,863,414                            25,863,414  

Food Products

     5,447,487                            5,447,487  

Ground Transportation

     53,530,764                            53,530,764  

 

 

100  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (BIGZ)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

 

         
      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Common Stocks (continued)

                 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

   $ 100,464,638        $     —        $      —        $ 100,464,638  

Health Care Providers & Services

     20,844,044                            20,844,044  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

     70,114,176                            70,114,176  

Industrial REITs

     2,131,998                            2,131,998  

IT Services

     99,387,468                   16,990,129          116,377,597  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

     179,192,241                            179,192,241  

Machinery

              27,030,178                   27,030,178  

Professional Services

     6,419,927                            6,419,927  

Real Estate Management & Development

     55,664,109                            55,664,109  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     144,123,267          42,460,310                   186,583,577  

Software

     298,586,878          18,874,399          21,501,392          338,962,669  

Specialty Retail

     29,245,566                            29,245,566  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

     21,410,323                            21,410,323  

Preferred Securities

                 

Preferred Stocks

                       441,207,138          441,207,138  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     326,227                            326,227  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $  1,444,831,359        $ 88,364,887        $ 513,112,849          2,046,309,095  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investments Valued at NAV(a)

                    20,505,005  
                 

 

 

 
                  $ 2,066,814,100  
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(b)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (11,797,434      $ (5,180,879      $        $ (16,978,313
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

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

 

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

 

       
     

Common

Stocks

   

Preferred

Stocks

    Total  

Assets

      

Opening balance, as of December 31, 2022

   $ 102,169,910     $ 471,282,347     $ 573,452,257  

Transfers into Level 3

                  

Transfers out of Level 3

                  

Accrued discounts/premiums

                  

Net realized gain (loss)

                  

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

     (30,264,199     (30,075,209     (60,339,408

Purchases

                  

Sales

                  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Closing balance, as of December 31, 2023

   $ 71,905,711     $  441,207,138     $ 513,112,849  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at December 31, 2023(b)

   $ (30,264,199   $ (30,075,209   $ (60,339,408
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Included in the related net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the Statements of Operations.

 
  (b) 

Any difference between net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at December 31, 2023 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

 

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

 

           
       Value       

Valuation

Approach

 

 

  

Unobservable

Inputs

    

Range of

  Unobservable

Inputs

Utilized

 

 

 

(a) 

    


Weighted

Average of
Unobservable

Inputs Based

on Fair Value

 

 
 

 

 

Assets

              

Common Stocks

   $  71,905,711        Market      Revenue Multiple      1.30x - 22.00x        12.41x  

 

 

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

  101


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (BIGZ)

 

      Value      Valuation
Approach
    

Unobservable

Inputs

   Range of
Unobservable
Inputs
Utilized(a)
     Weighted
Average of
Unobservable
Inputs Based
on Fair Value
 
         Time to Exit      2.0 years         
         Volatility      90%         
         Gross Profit Multiple      15.00x         

Preferred Stocks

   $  441,207,138        Market      Revenue Multiple      1.90x - 24.00x        9.85x  
         Time to Exit      1.0 - 5.0 years        3.2 years  
         Volatility      40% - 100%        70%  
         Market Adjustment Multiple      0.55x - 1.20x        0.93x  
  

 

 

             
   $ 513,112,849              
  

 

 

             

 

  (a)

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

102  

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


Schedule of Investments 

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Shares

   

Value

 

Common Stocks

   

Chemicals — 5.8%

   

Albemarle Corp.

    19,588     $ 2,830,074  

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.(a)

    383,868       30,517,506  

Nutrien Ltd.

    330,969       18,643,484  
   

 

 

 
      51,991,064  
Containers & Packaging — 7.5%            

Avery Dennison Corp.

    70,747       14,302,214  

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.

    371,023       9,145,717  

Packaging Corp. of America(a)

    102,319       16,668,788  

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

    680,511       26,975,801  
   

 

 

 
      67,092,520  
Energy Equipment & Services — 1.4%  

Schlumberger NV

    233,156       12,133,438  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 4.9%            

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

    261,696       18,899,693  

Bunge Global SA

    168,237       16,983,525  

Hofseth International, (Acquired 05/26/21, Cost: $10,198,056)(b)(c)(d)

    18,993,283       7,776,854  
   

 

 

 
      43,660,072  
Machinery — 1.9%            

AGCO Corp.(e)

    139,452       16,930,869  
   

 

 

 
Metals & Mining — 37.5%  

Alcoa Corp.

    212,525       7,225,850  

Anglo American PLC

    282,853       7,078,877  

ArcelorMittal SA, ADR(f)

    579,793       16,460,323  

Barrick Gold Corp.

    761,298       13,771,881  

BHP Group Ltd., Series L, ADR(a)

    637,814       43,569,074  

Filo Corp.(c)

    109,223       1,740,083  

Filo Corp. Legend(c)

    175,560       2,796,930  

First Quantum Minerals Ltd.

    488,526       4,000,232  

Franco-Nevada Corp.

    64,021       7,094,167  

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.(a)(e)

    727,912       30,987,214  

Glencore PLC

    7,075,731       42,532,536  

Newmont Corp.

    374,569       15,503,411  

Norsk Hydro ASA

    3,371,460       22,661,622  

Polyus PJSC(b)(c)

    104,732       12  

Rio Tinto PLC

    370,896       27,587,639  

Stelco Holdings, Inc.

    399,098       15,116,961  

Teck Resources Ltd., Class B(f)

    137,086       5,794,625  

Vale SA, ADR

    2,325,042       36,875,166  

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.

    666,054       32,863,104  
   

 

 

 
       333,659,707  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 37.4%  

BP PLC

    6,065,163       35,954,697  

Cameco Corp.

    273,333       11,780,652  

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

    290,681       19,043,823  

Cheniere Energy, Inc.(e)

    86,708       14,801,923  

Chevron Corp.(a)(e)

    255,423       38,098,895  

ConocoPhillips(a)

    211,898       24,595,001  

EOG Resources, Inc.(a)

    82,977       10,036,068  

Exxon Mobil Corp.(a)

    480,000       47,990,400  

Galp Energia SGPS SA

    434,726       6,396,417  

Gazprom PJSC(b)(c)

    5,430,000       608  

Shell PLC, ADR(a)

    1,040,175       68,443,515  

TotalEnergies SE

    828,786       56,356,600  
   

 

 

 
      333,498,599  
Security  

Shares

   

Value

 
Paper & Forest Products — 2.3%  

Precious Woods Holding AG, Registered Shares(c)

    20,000     $ 142,679  

UPM-Kymmene OYJ

    540,993       20,406,621  
   

 

 

 
      20,549,300  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 98.7%
(Cost: $756,600,468)

      879,515,569  
   

 

 

 
    

Par

(000)

        

Corporate Bonds

   
Metals & Mining — 0.8%            

Allied Gold Corp., 8.75%, 09/07/28

  $ 7,200       7,200,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds — 0.8%
(Cost: $7,200,000)

      7,200,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 99.5%
(Cost: $763,800,468)

      886,715,569  
   

 

 

 
     Shares         
Short-Term Securities            
Money Market Funds — 2.3%            

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

    14,160,077       14,160,077  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series, 5.58%(g)(h)(i)

    6,148,624       6,150,469  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 2.3%
(Cost: $20,311,045)

 

    20,310,546  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 101.8%
(Cost: $784,111,513)

 

    907,026,115  
   

 

 

 

Options Written — (1.2)%
(Premiums Received: $(6,777,331))

 

    (10,021,060
   

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 100.6%
(Cost: $777,334,182)

 

    897,005,055  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.6)%

 

    (5,666,563
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $  891,338,492  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

(b) 

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

(c) 

Non-income producing security.

(d) 

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Trust held restricted securities with a current value of $7,776,854, representing 0.9% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $10,198,056.

(e) 

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

(f) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(g) 

Affiliate of the Trust.

(h) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(i) 

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

 

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

 

 

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

  103


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

                   
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
12/31/22
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
12/31/23
    Shares
Held at
12/31/23
    Income     Capital Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $ 19,404,102     $     $  (5,244,025 )(a)    $     $     $ 14,160,077       14,160,077     $ 1,252,534     $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

          6,146,031 (a)            4,937       (499     6,150,469       6,148,624       17,994 (b)       
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 4,937     $ (499   $  20,310,546       $ 1,270,528     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Exchange-Traded Options Written

 

           
Description    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call

                  

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

     272        01/05/24        USD       75.00        USD       1,964      $   (2,040

Barrick Gold Corp.

     945        01/05/24        USD       18.50        USD       1,710        (10,395

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     291        01/05/24        USD       107.00        USD       2,909        (873

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

     930        01/05/24        USD       38.00        USD       3,959          (427,800

Newmont Corp.

     328        01/05/24        USD       40.00        USD       1,358        (51,332

Newmont Corp.

     22        01/05/24        USD       41.00        USD       91        (1,782

Schlumberger NV

     237        01/05/24        USD       54.00        USD       1,233        (2,963

Albemarle Corp.

     36        01/12/24        USD       130.00        USD       520        (57,060

Alcoa Corp.

     192        01/12/24        USD       28.00        USD       653        (117,600

ArcelorMittal SA, ADR

     1,100        01/12/24        USD       26.00        USD       3,123        (283,250

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

     269        01/12/24        USD       75.00        USD       1,943        (6,725

Cameco Corp.

     511        01/12/24        USD       49.00        USD       2,202        (3,833

Chevron Corp.

     296        01/12/24        USD       155.00        USD       4,415        (16,428

ConocoPhillips

     171        01/12/24        USD       119.00        USD       1,985        (15,989

EOG Resources, Inc.

     134        01/12/24        USD       124.50        USD       1,621        (13,400

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     319        01/12/24        USD       106.00        USD       3,189        (7,018

Newmont Corp.

     350        01/12/24        USD       40.36        USD       1,449        (55,298

Nutrien Ltd.

     874        01/12/24        USD       57.00        USD       4,923        (87,400

Schlumberger NV

     250        01/12/24        USD       51.00        USD       1,301        (44,000

Shell PLC, ADR

     932        01/12/24        USD       66.00        USD       6,133        (81,550

AGCO Corp.

     280        01/19/24        USD       125.00        USD       3,399        (37,100

AGCO Corp.

     80        01/19/24        USD       120.00        USD       971        (29,600

Albemarle Corp.

     37        01/19/24        USD       135.00        USD       535        (47,360

Alcoa Corp.

     281        01/19/24        USD       30.00        USD       955        (123,640

ArcelorMittal SA, ADR

     1,067        01/19/24        USD       26.00        USD       3,029        (277,420

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

     211        01/19/24        USD       77.50        USD       1,524        (2,638

Avery Dennison Corp.

     132        01/19/24        USD       200.00        USD       2,669        (64,020

Barrick Gold Corp.

     700        01/19/24        USD       16.00        USD       1,266        (157,150

BHP Group Ltd., ADR

     755        01/19/24        USD       62.50        USD       5,157        (468,100

Bunge Global SA

     333        01/19/24        USD       111.00        USD       3,362        (2,487

Cameco Corp.

     510        01/19/24        USD       48.00        USD       2,198        (12,495

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

     884        01/19/24        CAD       94.00        CAD       7,674        (11,341

Chevron Corp.

     306        01/19/24        USD       150.00        USD       4,564        (82,008

ConocoPhillips

     332        01/19/24        USD       125.00        USD       3,854        (9,130

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     897        01/19/24        USD       100.00        USD       8,968        (196,891

Filo Corp.

     400        01/19/24        CAD       19.50        CAD       844        (60,375

Franco-Nevada Corp.

     239        01/19/24        USD       120.00        USD       2,648        (14,340

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

     575        01/19/24        USD       36.00        USD       2,448        (383,812

Newmont Corp.

     207        01/19/24        USD       37.50        USD       857        (86,940

Newmont Corp.

     143        01/19/24        USD       42.50        USD       592        (10,225

 

 

104  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

           
Description    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                  

Packaging Corp. of America

     200        01/19/24        USD       165.00        USD       3,258      $  (44,000

Schlumberger NV

     110        01/19/24        USD       52.50        USD       572        (15,070

Schlumberger NV

     112        01/19/24        USD       55.00        USD       583        (5,992

Shell PLC, ADR

     658        01/19/24        USD       65.00        USD       4,330        (111,860

Stelco Holdings, Inc.

     780        01/19/24        CAD       44.00        CAD       3,915        (394,400

Stelco Holdings, Inc.

     159        01/19/24        CAD       41.00        CAD       798        (113,996

Teck Resources Ltd., Class B

     512        01/19/24        USD       40.00        USD       2,164        (143,616

Vale SA, ADR

     1,576        01/19/24        USD       16.00        USD       2,500        (54,372

Alcoa Corp.

     178        01/26/24        USD       27.00        USD       605        (128,605

Barrick Gold Corp.

     600        01/26/24        USD       17.00        USD       1,085        (81,300

Chevron Corp.

     343        01/26/24        USD       145.00        USD       5,116        (220,377

ConocoPhillips

     23        01/26/24        USD       116.00        USD       267        (7,418

EOG Resources, Inc.

     176        01/26/24        USD       121.50        USD       2,129        (49,280

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     287        01/26/24        USD       106.00        USD       2,869        (18,655

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

     871        01/26/24        USD       42.00        USD       3,708        (160,699

Newmont Corp.

     328        01/26/24        USD       45.00        USD       1,358        (11,152

Nutrien Ltd.

     350        01/26/24        USD       58.00        USD       1,972        (42,875

Schlumberger NV

     162        01/26/24        USD       56.00        USD       843        (8,262

Shell PLC, ADR

     1,105        01/26/24        USD       67.00        USD       7,271        (99,450

ConocoPhillips

     87        02/02/24        USD       121.00        USD       1,010        (15,225

Newmont Corp.

     7        02/02/24        USD       44.00        USD       29        (459

Vale SA, ADR

     2,390        02/05/24        USD       15.90        USD       3,791        (141,851

Bunge Global SA

     295        02/07/24        USD       105.01        USD       2,978        (52,643

AGCO Corp.

     161        02/16/24        USD       120.00        USD       1,955        (114,310

Alcoa Corp.

     143        02/16/24        USD       30.00        USD       486        (74,002

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

     226        02/16/24        USD       77.50        USD       1,632        (15,820

Avery Dennison Corp.

     132        02/16/24        USD       201.00        USD       2,669        (107,099

Barrick Gold Corp.

     600        02/16/24        USD       19.00        USD       1,085        (28,500

BHP Group Ltd., ADR

     956        02/16/24        USD       62.50        USD       6,530        (664,420

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

     202        02/16/24        CAD       86.00        CAD       1,754        (59,073

ConocoPhillips

     171        02/16/24        USD       120.00        USD       1,985        (48,564

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

     344        02/16/24        USD       39.00        USD       1,464        (153,080

Packaging Corp. of America

     182        02/16/24        USD       170.00        USD       2,965        (60,970

Shell PLC, ADR

     1,153        02/16/24        USD       67.50        USD       7,587        (147,007

Stelco Holdings, Inc.

     560        02/16/24        CAD       46.00        CAD       2,811        (258,858

Vale SA, ADR

     2,390        02/16/24        USD       16.00        USD       3,791        (152,960

Vale SA, ADR

     2,334        02/27/24        USD       15.87        USD       3,702        (181,529
                  

 

 

 
                   $  (7,351,557
                  

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

 

             
Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call

                       

BHP Group Ltd., ADR

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      67,200        01/04/24        USD        63.08        USD        4,590      $  (356,206

Galp Energia SGPS SA

   Goldman Sachs International      87,100        01/04/24        EUR        13.73        EUR        1,161        (2,739

Rio Tinto PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      48,300        01/05/24        GBP        56.22        GBP        2,819        (145,938

UPM-Kymmene OYJ

   Bank of America N.A.      95,400        01/10/24        EUR        33.52        EUR        3,260        (89,024

Anglo American PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      105,700        01/11/24        GBP        21.58        GBP        2,075        (4,861

Glencore PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      955,400        01/11/24        GBP        4.55        GBP        4,505        (240,540

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

   Bank of America N.A.      78,700        01/11/24        EUR        32.70        EUR        2,826        (282,159

UPM-Kymmene OYJ

   UBS AG      69,500        01/17/24        EUR        33.08        EUR        2,375        (100,152

UPM-Kymmene OYJ

   UBS AG      37,300        01/17/24        EUR        33.34        EUR        1,274        (45,422

Glencore PLC

   Bank of America N.A.      1,689,257        01/23/24        GBP        4.55        GBP        7,966        (486,045

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.

   Bank of America N.A.      69,300        01/25/24        USD        23.67        USD        1,708        (88,904

Rio Tinto PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      48,300        01/25/24        GBP        56.76        GBP        2,819        (160,446

BP PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      1,612,500        01/30/24        GBP        4.87        GBP        7,499        (105,174

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      99,200        01/30/24        EUR        34.87        EUR        3,562        (195,104

TotalEnergies SE

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      258,800        01/30/24        EUR        63.63        EUR        15,941        (129,583

Galp Energia SGPS SA

   Bank of America N.A.      75,400        02/01/24        EUR        13.66        EUR        1,005        (18,789

 

 

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

  105


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

 

OTC Options Written (continued)

 

             
Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                       

BP PLC

   Bank of America N.A.      654,400        02/08/24        GBP        4.68        GBP        3,043      $ (120,757

Graphic Packaging Holding Co.

   Bank of America N.A.      69,300        02/14/24        USD        23.78        USD        1,708        (97,660
                       

 

 

 
                        $  (2,669,503
                       

 

 

 

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

 

           
Description   

Swap

Premiums

Paid

    

Swap

Premiums

Received

     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
     Value  

Options Written

   $ N/A      $ N/A      $ 1,600,359      $ (4,844,088    $  (10,021,060

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

               
      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
    

Equity

Contracts

     Foreign
Currency
 Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
 Contracts
     Other
 Contracts
     Total  

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Options written

                    

Options written at value

   $    —      $     —      $  10,021,060      $    —      $    —      $    —      $ 10,021,060  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the period ended December 31, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

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

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

                    

Options purchased(a)

   $    —      $    —      $ (1,777,915    $    —      $    —      $    —      $ (1,777,915

Options written

                   21,043,307                             21,043,307  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $ 19,265,392      $      $      $      $ 19,265,392  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                    

Options written

   $      $      $ (6,718,319    $      $      $      $ (6,718,319
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options:

        

Average value of option contracts purchased

   $ (a) 

Average value of option contracts written

   $ 7,632,191  

 

  (a)

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

 

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

 

 

106  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

 

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

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

 

     
      Assets      Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments

     

Options

   $      $ 10,021,060  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

            10,021,060  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

            (7,351,557
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $      $ 2,669,503  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

 

           
Counterparty     



Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
 
 
 
 
 
    

Derivatives
Available
for Offset
 
 
 
    

Non-Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
(a) 
    

Cash
 Collateral
Pledged
 
 
 
    

Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
 
 
(b) 

Bank of America N.A.

   $ 1,183,338      $      $ (1,183,338    $      $  

Goldman Sachs International

     504,227               (504,227              

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     356,206               (356,206              

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     480,158               (480,158              

UBS AG

     145,574                             145,574  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 2,669,503      $      $  (2,523,929    $      $ 145,574  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Excess of collateral received/pledged, if any, from the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (b) 

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

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

               
      Level 1              Level 2              Level 3              Total  

Assets

                    

Investments

                    

Long-Term Investments

                    

Common Stocks

                    

Chemicals

   $ 51,991,064         $         $         $ 51,991,064  

Containers & Packaging

     40,116,719           26,975,801                     67,092,520  

Energy Equipment & Services

     12,133,438                               12,133,438  

Food Products

     35,883,218                     7,776,854           43,660,072  

Machinery

     16,930,869                               16,930,869  

Metals & Mining

     231,002,091           102,657,604           12           333,659,707  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     234,790,277           98,707,714           608           333,498,599  

Paper & Forest Products

               20,549,300                     20,549,300  

Corporate Bonds

               7,200,000                     7,200,000  

Short-Term Securities

                    

Money Market Funds

     14,160,077                               14,160,077  
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 
   $  637,007,753         $  256,090,419         $  7,777,474           900,875,646  
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

Investments Valued at NAV(a)

                       6,150,469  
                    

 

 

 
                     $  907,026,115  
                    

 

 

 

 

 

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

  107


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

 

               
      Level 1              Level 2              Level 3              Total  

Derivative Financial Instruments(b)

                    

Liabilities

                    

Equity Contracts

   $  (6,810,650       $  (3,210,410       $     —         $  (10,021,060
  

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

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

 

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

 

 

 
     Common
Stocks
 

 

 

Assets

  

Opening balance, as of December 31, 2022

   $ 9,267,847  

Transfers into Level 3

      

Transfers out of Level 3

      

Accrued discounts/premiums

      

Net realized gain (loss)

      

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

     (1,490,373

Purchases

      

Sales

      
  

 

 

 

Closing balance, as of December 31, 2023

   $ 7,777,474  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at December 31, 2023(b)

   $  (1,490,373
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Included in the related net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the Statements of Operations.

 
  (b) 

Any difference between net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at December 31, 2023 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

 

The Trust’s financial instruments that are categorized as Level 3 were valued utilizing third-party pricing information without adjustment. Such valuations are based on unobservable inputs. A significant change in third-party information could result in a significantly lower or higher value of such Level 3 financial instruments.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

108  

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Consolidated Schedule of Investments 

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (BSTZ)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Shares

    Value  

Common Stocks

   
Automobiles — 2.0%            

Tesla, Inc.(a)(b)

    129,453     $ 32,166,482  
   

 

 

 
Broadline Retail — 1.6%  

MercadoLibre, Inc.(b)

    16,617       26,114,280  
   

 

 

 
Communications Equipment — 1.2%  

Accton Technology Corp.

    1,151,000       19,563,294  
   

 

 

 
Consumer Finance — 0.9%  

Kaspi.KZ JSC, GDR, Registered Shares

    166,340       15,303,280  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services — 0.1%  

Think & Learn Private Ltd., (Acquired 09/30/20, Cost: $7,113,729)(b)(c)(d)

    4,651       975,251  
   

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 4.9%  

Coherent Corp.(b)

    154,995       6,746,931  

Ibiden Co. Ltd.

    209,800       11,573,763  

Jabil, Inc.

    222,958       28,404,849  

Lotes Co. Ltd.

    243,000       8,449,942  

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co. Ltd.

    749,900       6,817,254  

TDK Corp.

    156,500       7,421,912  

Yageo Corp.

    571,000       11,087,355  
   

 

 

 
      80,502,006  
Entertainment — 3.6%  

Nexon Co. Ltd.

    195,500       3,555,967  

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

    186,900       9,725,130  

Roku, Inc., Class A(b)

    79,125       7,252,598  

Spotify Technology SA(b)

    82,970       15,590,893  

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.(b)

    142,462       22,929,259  
   

 

 

 
         59,053,847  
Financial Services — 0.5%  

Wise PLC, Class A(b)

    763,574       8,492,073  
   

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.4%  

Expedia Group, Inc.(b)

    39,542       6,002,080  
   

 

 

 
Interactive Media & Services — 2.0%  

Kakao Corp.

    187,210       7,853,398  

NAVER Corp.(b)

    70,822       12,253,638  

Pinterest, Inc., Class A(b)

    325,200       12,045,408  
   

 

 

 
      32,152,444  
IT Services — 5.6%  

Automattic, Inc., Series E, (Acquired 02/03/21,
Cost: $34,000,000)(b)(c)(d)

    400,000       17,944,000  

Cloudflare, Inc., Class A(b)

    103,807       8,642,971  

CNEX Labs, Inc., (Acquired 12/
14/21, Cost: $5,699,998)(b)(c)(d)

    1,161,804       2,358,462  

Farmer’s Business Network, Inc.(b)(c)

    361,834       1,418,389  

Klarna Holdings AB, Ordinary Shares, (Acquired 08/07/19,
Cost: $23,354,997)(b)(c)(d)

    86,839       24,620,016  

MongoDB, Inc., Class A(b)(e)(f)

    69,850       28,558,173  

NEC Corp.

    123,500       7,297,138  
   

 

 

 
      90,839,149  
Machinery — 0.4%  

Harmonic Drive Systems, Inc.

    236,600       6,961,217  
   

 

 

 
Media — 1.6%  

Informa PLC

    2,631,592       26,174,876  
   

 

 

 
Security  

Shares

    Value  
Professional Services — 1.9%  

Legalzoom.com, Inc.(b)

    635,469     $ 7,180,800  

Wolters Kluwer NV, Class C

    164,326       23,378,574  
   

 

 

 
      30,559,374  
Real Estate Management & Development — 0.7%  

Zillow Group, Inc., Class C(b)

    204,329       11,822,476  
   

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 25.1%  

AIXTRON SE

    191,444       8,151,211  

Alchip Technologies Ltd.

    162,000       17,213,846  

Alphawave IP Group PLC(b)

    4,742,583       7,784,301  

Amkor Technology, Inc.

    217,640       7,240,883  

ARM Holdings PLC, ADR(b)(f)

    173,541       13,040,738  

ASM International NV

    51,003       26,545,761  

BE Semiconductor Industries NV

    161,788       24,426,095  

Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd.(b)

    1,402,517       27,307,006  

eMemory Technology, Inc.

    100,000       7,951,434  

King Yuan Electronics Co. Ltd.

    2,316,000       6,392,516  

Lasertec Corp.

    72,400       19,006,914  

Lattice Semiconductor Corp.(b)

    278,514       19,214,681  

Marvell Technology, Inc.(e)

    273,265       16,480,612  

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.(e)

    38,890       24,531,034  

Mythic AI, Inc., Series C, (Acquired 01/26/21, Cost: $7,000,000)(b)(c)(d)

    10,189        

NVIDIA Corp.(a)

    163,273       80,856,055  

Phison Electronics Corp.

    480,000       8,113,364  

Rambus, Inc.(b)

    325,023       22,182,820  

SK Hynix, Inc.

    286,367       31,253,502  

SOITEC(b)

    145,996       26,125,167  

Wolfspeed, Inc.(b)(e)

    335,547       14,599,650  
   

 

 

 
      408,417,590  
Software — 17.4%  

Altium Ltd.

    750,551       23,925,740  

Appier Group, Inc.(b)

    488,100       6,373,877  

Databricks, Inc., (Acquired 07/24/20, Cost: $5,501,686)(b)(c)(d)

    343,659       26,551,094  

Datadog, Inc., Class A(b)

    93,787       11,383,866  

DataRobot, Inc., (Acquired 03/01/21, Cost: $1,384,813)(b)(c)(d)

    92,093       424,549  

Freee KK(b)

    416,300       8,984,394  

HashiCorp, Inc., Class A(b)

    338,505       8,002,258  

Kinaxis, Inc.(b)

    84,207       9,450,529  

Klaviyo, Inc., Series A(b)

    543,117       15,087,790  

Manhattan Associates, Inc.(b)

    36,367       7,830,542  

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.(b)(f)

    96,500       28,455,920  

Samsara, Inc., Class A(b)

    429,023       14,320,788  

SentinelOne, Inc., Class A(b)

    392,516       10,770,639  

SiteMinder Ltd.(b)

    3,068,245       10,722,903  

Snorkel AI, Inc., (Acquired 10/13/20, Cost: $2,017,593)(b)(c)(d)

    500,250       4,352,175  

Snyk Ltd., Ordinary Shares, (Acquired 11/02/20, Cost: $9,287,400)(b)(c)(d)

    1,267,643       13,842,662  

Synopsys, Inc.(b)(e)

    115,666       59,557,580  

Unity Software, Inc.(b)

    223,386       9,134,254  

Xero Ltd.(b)

    185,993       14,189,133  
   

 

 

 
        283,360,693  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 3.5%  

Pure Storage, Inc., Class A(b)

    655,052       23,359,154  

Super Micro Computer, Inc.(b)

    26,070       7,410,658  

Western Digital Corp.(b)

    205,636       10,769,157  
 

 

 

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

  109


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (BSTZ)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Shares

    Value  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (continued)  

Wistron Corp.

    1,842,000     $ 5,892,734  

Wiwynn Corp.

    174,000       10,302,628  
   

 

 

 
      57,734,331  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 73.4%
(Cost: $814,553,709)

      1,196,194,743  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Securities

   
Preferred Stocks — 27.5%(b)(c)(d)  
Communications Equipment — 1.0%  

Astranis Space Technologies Corp., Series C, (Acquired 03/19/21, Cost: $17,000,010)

    775,515       15,456,014  
   

 

 

 
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail — 2.4%  

GrubMarket, Inc., Series D, (Acquired 07/23/20, Cost: $8,000,001)

    1,762,969       39,843,099  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services — 1.6%  

FlixMobility GmbH, Series F, (Acquired 07/26/19, Cost: $16,947,253)

    850       25,413,540  

Think & Learn Private Ltd., Series F, (Acquired 09/30/20, Cost: $14,251,080)

    4,920       1,031,657  
   

 

 

 
      26,445,197  
Entertainment — 0.4%  

ResearchGate GmbH, Series D, (Acquired 09/24/20, Cost: $6,999,988)

    424,688       6,493,479  
   

 

 

 
Financial Services(g) — 1.3%  

Trumid Holdings LLC

   

Class J-A, (Acquired 07/24/20, Cost: $9,999,857)

    20,154       10,782,390  

Class J-B, (Acquired 07/24/20, Cost: $5,999,914)

    20,154       10,782,390  
   

 

 

 
      21,564,780  
Interactive Media & Services — 3.1%  

ByteDance Ltd., Series E-1, (Acquired 11/11/20, Cost: $33,777,337)

    308,260       50,306,991  
   

 

 

 
IT Services — 1.5%            

Deep Instinct Ltd., Series D-2, (Acquired 03/19/21, Cost: $12,000,008)

    1,974,374       10,859,057  

TRAX Ltd.

   

(Acquired 09/12/19, Cost: $10,999,988)

    293,333       7,978,658  

(Acquired 02/18/21, Cost: $9,999,998)

    191,806       5,217,123  
   

 

 

 
      24,054,838  
Professional Services — 0.8%  

Rapyd Financial Network Ltd., Series E, (Acquired 03/31/21, Cost: $13,999,978)

    190,705       13,034,687  
   

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 7.0%  

PsiQuantum Corp.

   

Series C, (Acquired 09/09/19, Cost: $9,101,310)

    1,962,335       47,056,793  

Series D, (Acquired 05/21/21, Cost: $19,999,969)

    762,595       21,672,950  

SambaNova Systems, Inc.

   

Series C, (Acquired 02/20/20, Cost: $33,904,162)

    636,800       40,678,784  

Series D, (Acquired 04/09/21, Cost: $6,999,979)

    73,670       4,706,040  
   

 

 

 
      114,114,567  
Software — 8.4%  

Databricks, Inc.

   

Series F, (Acquired 10/22/19, Cost: $13,200,019)

    922,038       71,236,656  
Security  

Shares

    Value  
Software (continued)            

Databricks, Inc. (continued)

   

Series G, (Acquired 02/01/21, Cost: $18,500,004)

    312,909     $ 24,175,349  

DataRobot, Inc., Series F, (Acquired 10/27/20, Cost: $11,499,999)

    875,059       5,022,839  

Snorkel AI, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 10/13/20, Cost: $999,996)

    247,943       2,157,104  

Snyk Ltd., Seed Preferred, (Acquired 11/02/20, Cost: $13,212,590)

    2,663,936       29,090,181  

Unqork, Inc.

   

Series B, (Acquired 09/19/19, Cost: $6,801,016)

    597,680       3,711,593  

Series C, (Acquired 09/18/20, Cost: $7,994,787)

    292,000       2,271,760  
   

 

 

 
      137,665,482  
   

 

 

 
      448,979,134  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Securities — 27.5%
(Cost: $302,189,243)

 

    448,979,134  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 100.9%
(Cost: $1,116,742,952)

 

    1,645,173,877  
   

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

   
Money Market Funds — 0.3%            

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 5.26%(h)(i)

    1,471,804       1,471,804  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series, 5.58%(h)(i)(j)

    2,877,856       2,878,719  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.3%
(Cost: $4,349,961)

      4,350,523  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 101.2%
(Cost: $1,121,092,913)

 

    1,649,524,400  
   

 

 

 

Options Written — (1.2)%
(Premiums Received: $(14,635,894))

 

    (18,907,082
   

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 100.0%
(Cost: $1,106,457,019)

 

    1,630,617,318  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — 0.0%

 

    (793,089
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $  1,629,824,229  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

(b) 

Non-income producing security.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Trust held restricted securities with a current value of $540,047,343, representing 33.1% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $397,549,459.

(e) 

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

(f) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(g) 

All or a portion of the security is held by a wholly-owned subsidiary. See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for details on the wholly-owned subsidiary.

(h) 

Affiliate of the Trust.

(i) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(j) 

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

 

 

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

 

 

110  

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (BSTZ)

 

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

                   
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
12/31/22
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
12/31/23
    Shares
Held at
12/31/23
    Income     Capital Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $  20,683,361     $     $  (19,211,557 )(a)    $     $     $ 1,471,804       1,471,804     $ 395,145     $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

          2,865,526 (a)            12,631       562       2,878,719       2,877,856       78,328 (b)       
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 12,631     $ 562     $  4,350,523        $ 473,473     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Exchange-Traded Options Written

 

           
Description    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call

                  

Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd.

     787        01/04/24        USD       19.75        USD       1,532      $    (24,289

MercadoLibre, Inc.

     16        01/05/24        USD       1,600.00        USD       2,514        (15,680

NVIDIA Corp.

     84        01/05/24        USD       490.00        USD       4,160        (85,680

Pinterest, Inc., Class A

     423        01/05/24        USD       33.00        USD       1,567        (173,430

SentinelOne, Inc., Class A

     378        01/05/24        USD       24.00        USD       1,037        (160,650

Super Micro Computer, Inc.

     42        01/05/24        USD       290.00        USD       1,194        (21,840

Tesla, Inc.

     80        01/05/24        USD       255.00        USD       1,988        (30,200

Wolfspeed, Inc.

     356        01/05/24        USD       45.00        USD       1,549        (30,260

ARM Holdings PLC, ADR

     346        01/12/24        USD       75.00        USD       2,600        (99,302

Cloudflare, Inc., Class A

     217        01/12/24        USD       80.00        USD       1,807        (100,363

Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd.

     720        01/12/24        USD       16.75        USD       1,402        (201,691

Datadog, Inc., Class A

     178        01/12/24        USD       125.00        USD       2,161        (26,522

Expedia Group, Inc.

     98        01/12/24        USD       145.00        USD       1,488        (78,645

Marvell Technology, Inc.

     284        01/12/24        USD       56.00        USD       1,713        (131,350

MercadoLibre, Inc.

     3        01/12/24        USD       1,620.00        USD       471        (4,650

MongoDB, Inc., Class A

     44        01/12/24        USD       430.00        USD       1,799        (19,800

NVIDIA Corp.

     96        01/12/24        USD       475.00        USD       4,754        (245,520

NVIDIA Corp.

     96        01/12/24        USD       485.00        USD       4,754        (177,120

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.

     246        01/12/24        USD       305.00        USD       7,254        (70,479

Roku, Inc., Class A

     166        01/12/24        USD       112.00        USD       1,522        (2,656

SentinelOne, Inc., Class A

     340        01/12/24        USD       21.50        USD       933        (214,200

Spotify Technology SA

     109        01/12/24        USD       210.00        USD       2,048        (2,725

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

     203        01/12/24        USD       162.50        USD       3,267        (42,427

Tesla, Inc.

     217        01/12/24        USD       255.00        USD       5,392        (133,997

Unity Software, Inc.

     343        01/12/24        USD       33.00        USD       1,403        (261,537

Wolfspeed, Inc.

     645        01/12/24        USD       40.00        USD       2,806        (280,575

ARM Holdings PLC, ADR

     338        01/19/24        USD       55.00        USD       2,540        (687,830

Cloudflare, Inc., Class A

     394        01/19/24        USD       85.00        USD       3,280        (97,909

Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd.

     2,176        01/19/24        USD       20.00        USD       4,237        (125,120

Datadog, Inc., Class A

     165        01/19/24        USD       125.00        USD       2,003        (36,548

Expedia Group, Inc.

     61        01/19/24        USD       120.00        USD       926        (197,182

Jabil, Inc.

     446        01/19/24        USD       130.00        USD       5,682        (86,970

Kinaxis, Inc.

     166        01/19/24        CAD       155.00        CAD       2,469        (23,490

Klaviyo, Inc., Series A

     555        01/19/24        USD       35.00        USD       1,542        (22,200

Klaviyo, Inc., Series A

     555        01/19/24        USD       32.50        USD       1,542        (8,325

Legalzoom.com, Inc.

     1,474        01/19/24        USD       12.50        USD       1,666        (14,740

Manhattan Associates, Inc.

     80        01/19/24        USD       230.00        USD       1,723        (7,200

Marvell Technology, Inc.

     295        01/19/24        USD       52.50        USD       1,779        (236,000

Marvell Technology, Inc.

     106        01/19/24        USD       61.00        USD       639        (16,748

MercadoLibre, Inc.

     22        01/19/24        USD       1,600.00        USD       3,457        (66,110

MongoDB, Inc., Class A

     55        01/19/24        USD       410.00        USD       2,249        (78,375

 

 

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

  111


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (BSTZ)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

           
Description    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                  

NVIDIA Corp.

     113        01/19/24        USD       490.00        USD       5,596      $ (207,920

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.

     88        01/19/24        USD       286.67        USD       2,595        (117,700

Pinterest, Inc., Class A

     284        01/19/24        USD       35.00        USD       1,052        (68,586

Rambus, Inc.

     630        01/19/24        USD       70.00        USD       4,300        (129,150

Roku, Inc., Class A

     150        01/19/24        USD       105.00        USD       1,375        (12,450

Samsara, Inc., Class A

     550        01/19/24        USD       30.00        USD       1,836        (214,500

Samsara, Inc., Class A

     123        01/19/24        USD       40.00        USD       411        (2,460

SentinelOne, Inc., Class A

     378        01/19/24        USD       24.00        USD       1,037        (139,860

Spotify Technology SA

     125        01/19/24        USD       185.00        USD       2,349        (90,625

Super Micro Computer, Inc.

     30        01/19/24        USD       330.00        USD       853        (9,225

Synopsys, Inc.

     157        01/19/24        USD       540.00        USD       8,084        (57,305

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

     190        01/19/24        USD       155.00        USD       3,058        (143,449

Tesla, Inc.

     179        01/19/24        USD       246.67        USD       4,448        (211,667

Unity Software, Inc.

     408        01/19/24        USD       35.00        USD       1,668        (251,940

Wolfspeed, Inc.

     356        01/19/24        USD       47.50        USD       1,549        (48,060

Zillow Group, Inc., Class C

     230        01/19/24        USD       45.00        USD       1,331        (300,150

Marvell Technology, Inc.

     408        01/26/24        USD       55.00        USD       2,461        (244,800

MercadoLibre, Inc.

     25        01/26/24        USD       1,625.00        USD       3,929        (71,625

MongoDB, Inc., Class A

     101        01/26/24        USD       400.00        USD       4,129        (233,562

NVIDIA Corp.

     122        01/26/24        USD       495.00        USD       6,042        (227,530

Pinterest, Inc., Class A

     190        01/26/24        USD       36.00        USD       704        (36,385

Spotify Technology SA

     97        01/26/24        USD       200.00        USD       1,823        (24,493

Super Micro Computer, Inc.

     32        01/26/24        USD       320.00        USD       910        (24,160

Tesla, Inc.

     169        01/26/24        USD       270.00        USD       4,199        (104,358

Western Digital Corp.

     199        01/26/24        USD       53.00        USD       1,042        (31,641

NVIDIA Corp.

     143        02/02/24        USD       505.00        USD       7,082        (244,172

Tesla, Inc.

     143        02/02/24        USD       279.65        USD       3,553        (77,350

Western Digital Corp.

     622        02/09/24        USD       53.00        USD       3,257        (154,878

Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd.

     2,060        02/16/24        USD       20.00        USD       4,011        (216,300

Kinaxis, Inc.

     170        02/16/24        CAD       160.00        CAD       2,528        (43,942

MongoDB, Inc., Class A

     79        02/16/24        USD       480.00        USD       3,230        (40,488

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

     99        02/16/24        USD       630.00        USD       6,245        (408,870

Pinterest, Inc., Class A

     403        02/16/24        USD       35.00        USD       1,493        (151,125

Rambus, Inc.

     670        02/16/24        USD       70.00        USD       4,573        (278,050

Samsara, Inc., Class A

     673        02/16/24        USD       36.09        USD       2,246        (131,839

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

     192        02/16/24        USD       165.00        USD       3,090        (105,600

Unity Software, Inc.

     589        02/16/24        USD       39.00        USD       2,408        (276,830

Datadog, Inc., Class A

     32        03/15/24        USD       140.00        USD       388        (11,280

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

     70        03/15/24        USD       640.00        USD       4,415        (314,650

Samsara, Inc., Class A

     760        03/15/24        USD       40.00        USD       2,537        (125,400

SentinelOne, Inc., Class A

     474        03/15/24        USD       32.00        USD       1,301        (46,215

Zillow Group, Inc., Class C

     460        03/15/24        USD       60.00        USD       2,662        (186,300
                  

 

 

 
                   $  (10,157,225
                  

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

 

             
Description   Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call

                      

Kaspi.KZ JSC, GDR, Registered Shares

  Bank of America N.A.      2,300        01/04/24        USD        93.03        USD        212      $ (2,331

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.

  Citibank N.A.      8,700        01/04/24        USD        256.59        USD        2,565         (335,177

SiteMinder Ltd.

  Goldman Sachs International      43,200        01/04/24        AUD        4.61        AUD        222        (15,304

SK Hynix, Inc.

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      6,800        01/04/24        KRW        138,107.44        KRW        955,799        (23,105

Lattice Semiconductor Corp.

  JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      39,900        01/08/24        USD        79.66        USD        2,753        (1,309

Altium Ltd.

  UBS AG      56,900        01/09/24        AUD        44.26        AUD        2,662        (105,046

BE Semiconductor Industries NV

  Bank of America N.A.      12,800        01/09/24        EUR        115.92        EUR        1,751        (292,773

SiteMinder Ltd.

  UBS AG      46,400        01/09/24        AUD        4.82        AUD        238        (10,550

SOITEC

  Bank of America N.A.      4,400        01/09/24        EUR        167.27        EUR        713        (5,552

Yageo Corp.

  Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      116,000        01/09/24        TWD        559.98        TWD        69,128        (125,134

Alphawave IP Group PLC

  Barclays Bank PLC      100,000        01/10/24        GBP        1.15        GBP        129        (18,046

Informa PLC

  Bank of America N.A.      72,600        01/10/24        GBP        7.34        GBP        567        (45,121

 

 

112  

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (BSTZ)

 

OTC Options Written (continued)

 

             
Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
   

Exercise

Price

   

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                   

Synopsys, Inc.

   UBS AG      16,000        01/10/24       USD       539.69       USD       8,239      $ (31,870

Kaspi.KZ JSC, GDR, Registered Shares

   Bank of America N.A.      3,000        01/11/24       USD       94.55       USD       276        (3,476

Wise PLC, Class A

   Bank of America N.A.      95,000        01/11/24       GBP       7.59       GBP       829         (143,867

AIXTRON SE

   UBS AG      76,500        01/12/24       EUR       34.41       EUR       2,950        (366,695

Alphawave IP Group PLC

   UBS AG      150,000        01/12/24       GBP       1.21       GBP       193        (18,254

Freee KK

   Citibank N.A.      87,400        01/12/24       JPY       3,664.75       JPY       265,958        (5,273

Kaspi.KZ JSC, GDR, Registered Shares

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      8,000        01/12/24       USD       98.58       USD       736        (2,899

Pure Storage, Inc., Class A

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      160,000        01/12/24       USD       36.98       USD       5,706        (53,494

SiteMinder Ltd.

   UBS AG      67,000        01/12/24       AUD       5.14       AUD       344        (5,394

SK Hynix, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      33,000        01/12/24       KRW       124,206.67       KRW       4,638,438        (447,461

Altium Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      34,500        01/17/24       AUD       44.43       AUD       1,614        (63,802

Kaspi.KZ JSC, GDR, Registered Shares

   Bank of America N.A.      3,000        01/17/24       USD       94.45       USD       276        (4,824

Yageo Corp.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      116,000        01/17/24       TWD       555.90       TWD       69,128        (145,184

Alphawave IP Group PLC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      80,000        01/18/24       GBP       1.15       GBP       103        (15,271

BE Semiconductor Industries NV

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      40,100        01/18/24       EUR       126.33       EUR       5,484        (506,213

Ibiden Co. Ltd.

   Societe Generale      80,600        01/18/24       JPY       8,027.85       JPY       626,936        (122,574

SiteMinder Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      92,500        01/18/24       AUD       4.78       AUD       474        (24,339

SOITEC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      7,100        01/18/24       EUR       169.69       EUR       1,151        (11,330

Wolters Kluwer NV, Class C

   Goldman Sachs International      65,700        01/18/24       EUR       124.95       EUR       8,467        (336,324

Alphawave IP Group PLC

   UBS AG      150,000        01/23/24       GBP       1.22       GBP       193        (19,305

Altium Ltd.

   UBS AG      54,400        01/23/24       AUD       45.84       AUD       2,545        (65,238

Altium Ltd.

   UBS AG      37,100        01/23/24       AUD       45.77       AUD       1,736        (45,830

ASM International NV

   Bank of America N.A.      22,200        01/23/24       EUR       461.39       EUR       10,467        (499,410

BE Semiconductor Industries NV

   Bank of America N.A.      15,200        01/23/24       EUR       132.60       EUR       2,079        (117,506

Informa PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      329,500        01/23/24       GBP       7.74       GBP       2,571        (71,849

Kaspi.KZ JSC, GDR, Registered Shares

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      3,000        01/23/24       USD       104.55       USD       276        (586

Lattice Semiconductor Corp.

   Citibank N.A.      3,000        01/23/24       USD       62.43       USD       207        (22,725

Lotes Co. Ltd.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      28,000        01/23/24       TWD       916.70       TWD       29,882        (142,709

SiteMinder Ltd.

   UBS AG      67,000        01/23/24       AUD       5.24       AUD       344        (5,357

Wise PLC, Class A

   UBS AG      90,000        01/23/24       GBP       8.32       GBP       785        (76,094

Wise PLC, Class A

   UBS AG      10,900        01/23/24       GBP       8.44       GBP       95        (8,138

Xero Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      40,300        01/23/24       AUD       105.92       AUD       4,512        (231,619

Alphawave IP Group PLC

   UBS AG      80,000        01/24/24       GBP       1.18       GBP       103        (13,624

SiteMinder Ltd.

   UBS AG      50,000        01/24/24       AUD       4.98       AUD       256        (8,621

Accton Technology Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      111,600        01/25/24       TWD       584.60       TWD       58,215        (18,870

NEC Corp.

   Citibank N.A.      24,700        01/25/24       JPY       8,391.41       JPY       205,779        (33,021

SOITEC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      7,100        01/25/24       EUR       169.69       EUR       1,151        (17,793

Xero Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      42,300        01/25/24       AUD       105.71       AUD       4,735        (251,864

Alphawave IP Group PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      80,000        01/30/24       GBP       1.24       GBP       103        (10,102

Kaspi.KZ JSC, GDR, Registered Shares

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      3,000        01/30/24       USD       104.55       USD       276        (994

NAVER Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      28,300        01/30/24       KRW       219,950.00       KRW       6,306,166        (220,304

SiteMinder Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      50,000        01/30/24       AUD       4.99       AUD       256        (9,088

Legalzoom.com, Inc.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      118,400        01/31/24       USD       11.56       USD       1,338        (45,204

Manhattan Associates, Inc.

   UBS AG      6,500        01/31/24       USD       220.21       USD       1,400        (46,499

Synopsys, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.      16,100        01/31/24       USD       582.67       USD       8,290        (26,113

Wise PLC, Class A

   Goldman Sachs International      30,000        01/31/24       GBP       9.42       GBP       262        (7,626

Alphawave IP Group PLC

   UBS AG      150,000        02/01/24       GBP       1.21       GBP       193        (23,139

Altium Ltd.

   UBS AG      60,400        02/01/24       AUD       46.58       AUD       2,825        (63,634

Freee KK

   Societe Generale      94,600        02/01/24       JPY       3,141.60       JPY       287,868        (119,557

Informa PLC

   UBS AG      343,500        02/01/24       GBP       7.79       GBP       2,680        (73,212

Kaspi.KZ JSC, GDR, Registered Shares

   Bank of America N.A.      8,000        02/01/24       USD       99.70       USD       736        (8,380

Lasertec Corp.

   Societe Generale      37,300        02/01/24       JPY       36,077.60       JPY       1,380,705        (637,500

Lotes Co. Ltd.

   Bank of America N.A.      12,000        02/01/24       TWD       968.20       TWD       12,807        (45,087

SOITEC

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      7,100        02/01/24       EUR       169.69       EUR       1,151        (24,575

Accton Technology Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      349,000        02/05/24       TWD       552.44       TWD       182,052        (183,410

Alchip Technologies Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      65,000        02/05/24       TWD       3,942.00       TWD       211,973        (74,722

eMemory Technology, Inc.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      60,000        02/05/24       TWD       2,819.50       TWD       146,420        (86,536

Lotes Co. Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      57,000        02/05/24       TWD       1,009.40       TWD       60,831        (162,588

Wiwynn Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      70,000        02/05/24       TWD       1,799.20       TWD       127,204        (301,629

Kaspi.KZ JSC, GDR, Registered Shares

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      3,000        02/06/24       USD       104.55       USD       276        (1,543

Lattice Semiconductor Corp.

   Goldman Sachs International      27,800        02/06/24       USD       62.25       USD       1,918        (239,848

Nintendo Co., Ltd.

   BNP Paribas SA      72,800        02/06/24       JPY       7,099.15       JPY       534,117        (196,929

 

 

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

  113


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (BSTZ)

 

OTC Options Written (continued)

 

             
Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                       

Samsara, Inc., Class A

   Bank of America N.A.      41,000        02/06/24        USD        27.90        USD        1,369      $ (247,799

SK Hynix, Inc.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      19,000        02/06/24        KRW        139,072.00        KRW        2,670,616        (100,531

Alphawave IP Group PLC

   UBS AG      150,000        02/07/24        GBP        1.23        GBP        193        (21,456

Altium Ltd.

   UBS AG      57,000        02/07/24        AUD        47.48        AUD        2,666        (47,928

Informa PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      307,100        02/07/24        GBP        7.90        GBP        2,396        (49,052

NEC Corp.

   Societe Generale      24,700        02/07/24        JPY        8,391.41        JPY        205,779        (41,357

SOITEC

   UBS AG      7,000        02/07/24        EUR        167.99        EUR        1,135        (33,933

Appier Group, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.      195,300        02/08/24        JPY        1,629.72        JPY        359,597        (374,989

SiteMinder Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      92,000        02/08/24        AUD        5.05        AUD        472        (15,939

Wise PLC, Class A

   UBS AG      79,600        02/08/24        GBP        8.72        GBP        695        (52,171

Kaspi.KZ JSC, GDR, Registered Shares

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      3,000        02/13/24        USD        104.55        USD        276        (2,054

SiteMinder Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      92,000        02/13/24        AUD        5.05        AUD        472        (16,770

SOITEC

   Bank of America N.A.      8,300        02/13/24        EUR        171.44        EUR        1,345        (37,707

Alphawave IP Group PLC

   Barclays Bank PLC      100,000        02/14/24        GBP        1.30        GBP        129        (10,457

Kaspi.KZ JSC, GDR, Registered Shares

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      3,000        02/21/24        USD        104.55        USD        276        (2,601

SiteMinder Ltd.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      92,000        02/21/24        AUD        5.05        AUD        472        (18,020

SOITEC

   Bank of America N.A.      8,200        02/21/24        EUR        171.44        EUR        1,329        (43,893

Kaspi.KZ JSC, GDR, Registered Shares

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      3,000        02/28/24        USD        104.55        USD        276        (3,252

SOITEC

   Barclays Bank PLC      9,100        02/28/24        EUR        168.35        EUR        1,475        (64,870

Kaspi.KZ JSC, GDR, Registered Shares

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      3,000        03/05/24        USD        104.55        USD        276        (3,791

Kaspi.KZ JSC, GDR, Registered Shares

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      3,000        03/12/24        USD        104.55        USD        276        (4,396

Kaspi.KZ JSC, GDR, Registered Shares

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      3,000        03/19/24        USD        104.55        USD        276        (4,979

Kaspi.KZ JSC, GDR, Registered Shares

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      3,000        03/26/24        USD        104.55        USD        276        (5,542
                       

 

 

 
                        $  (8,749,857
                       

 

 

 

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

 

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

Options Written

   $  N/A      $  N/A      $ 3,605,089      $ (7,876,277    $  (18,907,082

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

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

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Options written

                    

Options written at value

   $    —      $    —      $  18,907,082      $    —      $    —      $    —      $  18,907,082  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the period ended December 31, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

               
      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
 Contracts
    

Equity

 Contracts

     Foreign
Currency
 Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
 Contracts
     Other
 Contracts
     Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

                    

Options purchased(a)

   $    —      $    —      $ (4,070,240    $    —      $    —      $    —      $ (4,070,240

Options written

                   (25,763,522                           (25,763,522
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $  (29,833,762    $      $      $      $ (29,833,762
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                    

Options written

   $      $      $ (13,974,383    $      $      $      $  (13,974,383
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 

 

 

114  

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Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (BSTZ)

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Options:

                 

Average value of option contracts purchased

      $ (a) 

Average value of option contracts written

            $ 20,879,531  

 

  (a)

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

 

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

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

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

 

     
      Assets      Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments

     

Options

   $      $ 18,907,082  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

            18,907,082  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

            (10,157,225
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $      $ 8,749,857  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

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

 

           
Counterparty     



Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
 
 
 
 
 
    

 Derivatives
Available
for Offset
 
 
 
    

Non-Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
(a) 
    

Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 
 
(a) 
    

Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
 
 
(b) 

Bank of America N.A.

   $ 1,497,726      $      $      $ (1,497,726    $  

Barclays Bank PLC

     93,373                             93,373  

BNP Paribas SA

     196,929               (167,880             29,049  

Citibank N.A.

     797,298                      (797,298       

Goldman Sachs International

     1,343,526               (1,343,526              

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     1,591,448               (1,591,448              

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     1,166,581               (1,166,581              

Societe Generale

     920,988               (920,988              

UBS AG

     1,141,988               (1,141,988              
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 8,749,857      $      $  (6,332,411    $  (2,295,024    $ 122,422  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Excess of collateral received/pledged, if any, from the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (b) 

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

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

                                                                                       
         
      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets

           

Investments

           

Long-Term Investments

           

Common Stocks

           

Automobiles

   $  32,166,482      $      $      $  32,166,482  

Broadline Retail

     26,114,280                      26,114,280  

Communications Equipment

             19,563,294               19,563,294  

Consumer Finance

     15,303,280                      15,303,280  

Diversified Consumer Services

                    975,251        975,251  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

     35,151,780        45,350,226               80,502,006  

Entertainment

     45,772,750        13,281,097               59,053,847  

 

 

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

  115


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (BSTZ)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

 

         
      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Common Stocks (continued)

           

Financial Services

   $      $ 8,492,073      $      $ 8,492,073  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

     6,002,080                      6,002,080  

Interactive Media & Services

     12,045,408        20,107,036               32,152,444  

IT Services

     37,201,144        7,297,138        46,340,867        90,839,149  

Machinery

            6,961,217               6,961,217  

Media

            26,174,876               26,174,876  

Professional Services

     7,180,800        23,378,574               30,559,374  

Real Estate Management & Development

     11,822,476                      11,822,476  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     225,453,479        182,964,111               408,417,590  

Software

     173,994,166        64,196,047        45,170,480        283,360,693  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

     41,538,969        16,195,362               57,734,331  

Preferred Securities

           

Preferred Stocks

                   448,979,134        448,979,134  

Short-Term Securities

           

Money Market Funds

     1,471,804                      1,471,804  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $  671,218,898      $  433,961,051      $  541,465,732        1,646,645,681  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Investments Valued at NAV(a)

              2,878,719  
           

 

 

 
            $ 1,649,524,400  
           

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(b)

           

Liabilities

           

Equity Contracts

   $ (9,722,056    $ (9,185,026    $      $ (18,907,082
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

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

 

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

 

         
     

Common

Stocks

    

Preferred

Stocks

     Warrants      Total  

Assets

           

Opening balance, as of December 31, 2022

   $ 94,490,236      $ 413,908,201      $ 44,581      $ 508,443,018  

Transfers into Level 3

                           

Transfers out of Level 3

                           

Other(a)

     (11,996,492      11,996,492                

Accrued discounts/premiums

                           

Net realized gain (loss)

                           

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

     (1,968,145      35,035,442        (44,581      33,022,716  

Purchases

     11,960,999                      11,960,999  

Sales

            (11,961,001             (11,961,001
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing balance, as of December 31, 2023

   $ 92,486,598      $ 448,979,134      $      $ 541,465,732  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at December 31, 2023(c)

   $ (1,968,145    $ 39,939,523      $      $ 37,971,378  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Certain Level 3 investments were re-classified between Common Stocks and Preferred Stocks.

 
  (b) 

Included in the related net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 
  (c) 

Any difference between net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at December 31, 2023 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

 

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

 

           
       Value      Valuation
Approach
   Unobservable
Inputs
    

Range of
  Unobservable
Inputs

Utilized

 
 
 

(a) 

    



Weighted
Average of
Unobservable
Inputs Based
on Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 

Assets

              

Common Stocks

   $  92,486,598      Market    Revenue Multiple      1.00x - 29.00x        14.58x  

 

 

116  

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (BSTZ)

 

           
       Value      Valuation
Approach
   Unobservable

Inputs

    


Range of
Unobservable
Inputs
Utilized
 
 
 
(a) 
    



Weighted
Average of
Unobservable
Inputs Based
on Fair Value
 
 
 
 
 
         Volatility      60% - 70%        62%  
         Time to Exit      1.0 - 3.0 years        1.3 years  

Preferred Stocks(b)

     448,979,134      Market    Revenue Multiple      1.00x - 31.00x      16.88x  
         Time to Exit      2.0 - 4.0 years        3.6 years  
         Volatility      39% - 80%        57%  
         Market Adjustment Multiple      1.20x - 1.20x        1.20x  
         Gross Profit Multiple      6.50x         
  

 

 

             
   $  541,465,732              
  

 

 

             

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

For the period end December 31, 2023, the valuation technique for certain investments classified as Preferred Stocks used recent prior transaction prices as inputs within the model used for the approximation of fair value.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  117


Consolidated Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Automobiles — 1.8%            

Tesla, Inc.(a)(b)

    88,868     $     22,081,921  
   

 

 

 
Broadline Retail(b) — 3.7%            

Amazon.com, Inc.

    173,939       26,428,291  

MercadoLibre, Inc.(a)

    11,498       18,069,567  
   

 

 

 
      44,497,858  
Capital Markets — 0.7%            

S&P Global, Inc.

    19,255       8,482,213  
   

 

 

 
Communications Equipment — 1.2%  

Arista Networks, Inc.(b)

    36,016       8,482,128  

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

    16,945       5,305,310  
   

 

 

 
      13,787,438  
Diversified Consumer Services(b)(c)(d) — 1.0%  

Grammarly, Inc., (Acquired 11/17/21,
Cost: $18,749,975)

    715,323       12,267,790  

Think & Learn Private Ltd., (Acquired 09/30/20, Cost: $1,524,948)

    997       209,057  
   

 

 

 
      12,476,847  
Entertainment — 2.0%            

Nintendo Co. Ltd.

    130,100       6,769,606  

Spotify Technology SA(b)

    49,956       9,387,232  

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.(b)

    47,267       7,607,624  
   

 

 

 
      23,764,462  
Financial Services — 4.5%            

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

    64,052       27,318,818  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    79,203       20,620,501  

Wise PLC, Class A(b)

    499,198       5,551,821  
   

 

 

 
      53,491,140  
Ground Transportation — 1.0%            

Uber Technologies, Inc.(b)

    191,091       11,765,473  
   

 

 

 
Household Durables — 0.5%            

Sony Group Corp.

    63,100       5,971,333  
   

 

 

 
Interactive Media & Services(b) — 4.0%  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

    165,332       23,095,227  

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A

    71,332       25,248,675  
   

 

 

 
      48,343,902  
IT Services — 4.5%            

Automattic, Inc., Series E, (Acquired 02/03/21, Cost: $7,999,945)(b)(c)(d)

    94,117       4,222,089  

Farmer’s Business Network, Inc.(b)(c)

    203,366       797,195  

Fujitsu Ltd.

    34,700       5,222,128  

Klarna Holdings AB, Ordinary Shares, (Acquired 08/07/19, Cost: $7,971,978)(b)(c)(d)

    26,430       7,493,258  

MongoDB, Inc., Class A(b)(e)

    37,832       15,467,613  

Patreon, Inc., (Acquired 08/19/21,
Cost: $3,352,226)(b)(c)(d)

    59,524       1,678,577  

Shopify, Inc., Class A(b)(e)

    98,199       7,649,702  

Snowflake, Inc., Class A(b)

    25,853       5,144,747  

Teya Services Ltd., (Acquired 12/17/21, Cost: $24,999,987)(b)(c)(d)

    12,871       5,557,569  
   

 

 

 
      53,232,878  
Security   Shares     Value  
Professional Services — 1.6%            

Ant Group Co., Ltd., Series C(b)(c)

    1,703,548     $      4,480,331  

Equifax, Inc.

    20,539       5,079,089  

RELX PLC

    239,670       9,508,622  
   

 

 

 
      19,068,042  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 24.7%  

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(b)(f)

    152,642       22,500,957  

ARM Holdings PLC, ADR(b)(e)

    122,687       9,219,315  

ASM International NV

    25,186       13,108,672  

ASML Holding NV(b)

    37,127       28,026,708  

Broadcom, Inc.(a)

    31,215       34,843,744  

Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd.(b)

    505,651       9,845,025  

Lam Research Corp.

    18,864       14,775,417  

Marvell Technology, Inc.

    129,364       7,801,943  

Micron Technology, Inc.

    214,444       18,300,651  

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.(a)

    15,577       9,825,660  

NVIDIA Corp.(f)

    174,497       86,414,404  

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    41,834       6,050,451  

SOITEC(b)

    68,927       12,334,100  

STMicroelectronics NV

    111,740       5,604,762  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd., ADR

    76,372       7,942,688  

Wolfspeed, Inc.(a)(b)

    208,349       9,065,265  
   

 

 

 
      295,659,762  
Software — 23.6%            

Adobe, Inc.(b)

    15,654       9,339,177  

ANSYS, Inc.(b)

    22,559       8,186,210  

Autodesk, Inc.(b)

    28,054       6,830,588  

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.(a)(b)

    123,246       33,568,513  

Constellation Software, Inc./Canada

    3,971       9,845,521  

Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A(b)

    42,478       10,845,483  

Databricks, Inc., (Acquired 07/24/20, Cost: $960,476)(b)(c)(d)

    59,997       4,635,368  

Datadog, Inc., Class A(b)

    40,806       4,953,032  

DataRobot, Inc., (Acquired 03/01/21, Cost: $583,275)(b)(c)(d)

    38,789       178,817  

Intuit, Inc.

    25,968       16,230,779  

Microsoft Corp.(a)(f)

    297,098       111,720,732  

Oracle Corp.(a)

    120,170       12,669,523  

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.(b)

    28,947       8,535,891  

Salesforce, Inc.(b)

    64,706       17,026,737  

ServiceNow, Inc.(b)

    19,645       13,878,996  

SiteMinder Ltd.(b)

    951,492       3,325,275  

Snorkel AI, Inc., (Acquired 06/30/21, Cost: $997,636)(b)(c)(d)

    66,422       577,871  

Snyk Ltd., Ordinary Shares, (Acquired 09/02/21, Cost: $5,192,307)(b)(c)(d)

    361,972       3,952,734  

Xero Ltd.(b)

    77,120       5,883,372  
   

 

 

 
      282,184,619  
Specialty Retail — 0.0%            

AceVector Limited, Series I, (Acquired 08/31/18, Cost: $1,998,435)(b)(c)(d)

    168,640       84,691  
   

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 8.8%  

Apple, Inc.(a)

    487,116       93,784,443  
 

 

 

118  

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Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (continued)  

Quanta Computer, Inc.

    762,000     $      5,547,679  

Western Digital Corp.(b)

    112,683       5,901,209  
   

 

 

 
      105,233,331  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 83.6%
(Cost: $553,064,487)

      1,000,125,910  
   

 

 

 
    

Par

(000)

        

Convertible Notes

   
Financial Services — 0.0%            

Wyre, Inc., (Acquired: 12/14/21, Cost: $8,000,000), 6.00%, 12/08/24(c)(d)

  $ 80       1  
   

 

 

 

Total Convertible Notes — 0.0%
(Cost: $8,000,000)

      1  
   

 

 

 
     Shares         

Preferred Securities

   
Preferred Stocks — 17.7%(b)(c)            
Chemicals — 0.8%            

Solugen, Inc., Series C, (Acquired 09/02/21, Cost: $9,999,977)(d)

    269,284       9,290,298  
   

 

 

 
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail — 1.3%        

Grubmarket, Inc., Series E, (Acquired 10/18/21, Cost: $6,999,994)(d)

    709,724       16,039,762  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services(d) — 1.1%            

FlixMobility GmbH, Series F, (Acquired 07/26/19, Cost: $5,482,937)

    275       8,222,028  

Grammarly, Inc., Series 3, (Acquired 11/17/21, Cost: $6,249,992)

    238,441       4,213,252  

Think & Learn Private Ltd., Series F, (Acquired 09/30/20, Cost: $3,052,975)

    1,054       221,009  
   

 

 

 
      12,656,289  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.4%  

Discord, Inc., Series I, (Acquired 09/13/21,
Cost: $7,000,088)(d)

    12,713       4,978,665  
   

 

 

 
Financial Services(d)(g) — 1.0%            

Trumid Holdings LLC

   

Class J-A, (Acquired 07/24/20, Cost: $2,499,716)

    5,038       2,695,330  

Class J-B, (Acquired 07/24/20, Cost: $1,499,830)

    5,038       2,695,330  

Class L, (Acquired 09/15/21, Cost: $9,999,695)

    11,420       6,109,700  
   

 

 

 
      11,500,360  
Interactive Media & Services — 1.2%            

ByteDance Ltd., Series E-1, (Acquired 11/11/20, Cost: $9,650,746)(d)

    88,075       14,373,542  
   

 

 

 
IT Services(d) — 3.5%            

Deep Instinct Ltd., Series D-2, (Acquired 03/19/21, Cost: $2,999,391)

    493,493       2,714,212  
Security   Shares     Value  
IT Services (continued)            

MNTN Digital, Inc., Series D, (Acquired 11/05/21, Cost: $24,999,980)

    1,088,598     $     13,770,765  

Patreon, Inc., Series D, (Acquired 07/14/21, Cost: $6,666,632)

    119,047       3,357,125  

TRAX Ltd.

   

(Acquired 09/12/19, Cost: $4,000,013)

    106,667       2,901,342  

(Acquired 02/18/21, Cost: $1,999,989)

    38,361       1,043,419  
Voltron Data, Inc.            

Series A, (Acquired 01/18/22, Cost: $10,000,000)

    6,201,935       8,992,806  

Series SEED, (Acquired 07/14/21, Cost: $5,000,000)

    9,090,909       9,727,273  
   

 

 

 
      42,506,942  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 3.9%  

PsiQuantum Corp.(d)

   

Series C, (Acquired 09/09/19, Cost: $3,200,234)

    690,003       16,546,272  

Series D, (Acquired 05/21/21, Cost: $5,000,025)

    190,650       5,418,273  

Rivos, Inc.

   

Series A1

    2,700,557       5,887,214  

Series A2

    2,464,862       4,831,130  

Series A3

    1,027,026       2,012,971  

SambaNova Systems, Inc., Series C, (Acquired 02/20/20, Cost: $9,972,125)(d)

    187,300       11,964,724  
   

 

 

 
      46,660,584  
Software(d) — 4.5%            

Bolt Financial, Inc., Series E, (Acquired 01/18/22, Cost: $29,999,955)

    598,682       12,763,900  

Databricks, Inc.

   

Series F, (Acquired 10/22/19, Cost: $3,999,999)

    279,405       21,586,830  

Series G, (Acquired 02/01/21, Cost: $4,500,001)

    76,113       5,880,491  

DataRobot, Inc., Series F, (Acquired 10/27/20, Cost: $2,999,996)

    228,276       1,310,304  

Prosimo, Inc., Series B, (Acquired 11/04/21, Cost: $4,999,998)

    2,515,811       3,874,349  

Snorkel AI, Inc., Series C, (Acquired 06/30/21, Cost: $4,999,985)

    332,896       2,896,195  

Snyk Ltd., Series F, (Acquired 09/02/21, Cost: $4,807,688)

    337,018       3,680,237  

Unqork, Inc.

   

Series B, (Acquired 09/19/19, Cost: $3,198,416)

    281,080       1,745,507  

Series C, (Acquired 09/18/20, Cost: $1,303,260)

    47,600       370,328  
   

 

 

 
      54,108,141  
   

 

 

 
      212,114,583  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Securities — 17.7%
(Cost: $211,087,341)

      212,114,583  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

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

  119


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

 (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Warrants

 

 
Software — 0.0%        

Constellation Software, Inc., (Issued 08/29/23, 1 Share for 1 Warrant, Expires 03/31/40, Strike Price CAD 11.50)(b)(c)

    3,923     $  
 

 

 

 

Total Warrants — 0.0%
(Cost: $ — )

 

     
 

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 101.3%
(Cost: $772,151,828)

 

    1,212,240,494  
 

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

 

 
Money Market Funds — 0.5%        

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 5.26%(h)(i)

    365,499       365,499  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series, 5.58%(h)(i)(j)

    5,859,120       5,860,878  
 

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.5%
(Cost: $6,226,872)

 

    6,226,377  
 

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 101.8%
(Cost: $778,378,700)

 

    1,218,466,871  
 

 

 

 

Options Written — (1.3)%
(Premiums Received: $(10,495,969))

 

    (15,464,670
 

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 100.5%
(Cost: $767,882,731)

 

    1,203,002,201  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.5)%

 

    (6,577,575
 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $  1,196,424,626  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

(b) 

Non-income producing security.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Trust held restricted securities with a current value of $240,241,090, representing 20.1% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $279,414,825.

(e) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(f) 

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

(g) 

All or a portion of the security is held by a wholly-owned subsidiary. See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for details on the wholly-owned subsidiary.

(h) 

Affiliate of the Trust.

(i) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(j) 

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

 

 

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

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

                   
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
12/31/22
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
12/31/23
    Shares
Held at
12/31/23
    Income     Capital Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $  5,779,501     $     $  (5,414,002 )(a)    $     $     $ 365,499       365,499     $ 354,864     $  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

    825,025        5,035,416 (a)            1,012       (575     5,860,878       5,859,120       16,851 (b)       
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 1,012     $ (575   $  6,226,377       $  371,715     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Exchange-Traded Options Written

 

           

Description

  

Number of

Contracts

    

Expiration

Date

     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

    

Value

 

Call

                    

Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd.

     306        01/04/24        USD        19.75        USD        596      $     (9,444

Adobe, Inc.

     32        01/05/24        USD        625.00        USD        1,909        (2,048

 

 

120  

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

           
Description   

Number of

Contracts

    

Expiration

Date

     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                    

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     212        01/05/24        USD        125.00        USD        3,125      $   (479,650

Amazon.com, Inc.

     173        01/05/24        USD        152.50        USD        2,629        (26,210

Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A

     81        01/05/24        USD        240.00        USD        2,068        (126,157

Lam Research Corp.

     45        01/05/24        USD        725.00        USD        3,525        (267,075

MercadoLibre, Inc.

     14        01/05/24        USD        1,600.00        USD        2,200        (13,720

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A

     55        01/05/24        USD        340.00        USD        1,947        (82,775

NVIDIA Corp.

     122        01/05/24        USD        490.00        USD        6,042        (124,441

S&P Global, Inc.

     32        01/05/24        USD        415.00        USD        1,410        (84,160

ServiceNow, Inc.

     21        01/05/24        USD        710.00        USD        1,484        (15,330

Shopify, Inc., Class A

     233        01/05/24        USD        70.00        USD        1,815        (185,235

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

     61        01/05/24        USD        98.00        USD        634        (37,515

Tesla, Inc.

     50        01/05/24        USD        255.00        USD        1,242        (18,875

Uber Technologies, Inc.

     516        01/05/24        USD        56.00        USD        3,177        (287,670

Wolfspeed, Inc.

     246        01/05/24        USD        45.00        USD        1,070        (20,910

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     32        01/12/24        USD        129.00        USD        472        (60,400

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

     194        01/12/24        USD        141.00        USD        2,710        (34,241

Amazon.com, Inc.

     60        01/12/24        USD        147.25        USD        912        (37,513

ARM Holdings PLC, ADR

     268        01/12/24        USD        75.00        USD        2,014        (76,916

Autodesk, Inc.

     65        01/12/24        USD        230.00        USD        1,583        (94,900

Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd.

     310        01/12/24        USD        16.75        USD        604        (86,839

Intuit, Inc.

     59        01/12/24        USD        590.00        USD        3,688        (226,855

Marvell Technology, Inc.

     186        01/12/24        USD        56.00        USD        1,122        (86,025)  

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

     127        01/12/24        USD        415.00        USD        5,417        (169,545

MercadoLibre, Inc.

     6        01/12/24        USD        1,620.00        USD        943        (9,300

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A

     77        01/12/24        USD        325.00        USD        2,725        (232,155

MongoDB, Inc., Class A

     19        01/12/24        USD        430.00        USD        777        (8,550

NVIDIA Corp.

     104        01/12/24        USD        475.00        USD        5,150        (265,980

NVIDIA Corp.

     104        01/12/24        USD        485.00        USD        5,150        (191,880

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.

     10        01/12/24        USD        305.00        USD        295        (2,865

QUALCOMM, Inc.

     80        01/12/24        USD        134.00        USD        1,157        (88,600

Salesforce, Inc.

     182        01/12/24        USD        250.00        USD        4,789        (255,710

ServiceNow, Inc.

     40        01/12/24        USD        705.00        USD        2,826        (57,400

Snowflake, Inc., Class A

     48        01/12/24        USD        200.00        USD        955        (22,680

Spotify Technology SA

     51        01/12/24        USD        210.00        USD        958        (1,275

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

     94        01/12/24        USD        162.50        USD        1,513        (19,646

Tesla, Inc.

     161        01/12/24        USD        255.00        USD        4,001        (99,417

Visa, Inc., Class A

     8        01/12/24        USD        260.00        USD        208        (2,660

Wolfspeed, Inc.

     445        01/12/24        USD        40.00        USD        1,936        (193,575

Adobe, Inc.

     38        01/19/24        USD        610.00        USD        2,267        (31,635

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     240        01/19/24        USD        145.00        USD        3,538        (153,600

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

     268        01/19/24        USD        137.00        USD        3,744        (125,960

Amazon.com, Inc.

     61        01/19/24        USD        142.50        USD        927        (64,050

ANSYS, Inc.

     73        01/19/24        USD        310.00        USD        2,649        (404,055)  

Arista Networks, Inc.

     50        01/19/24        USD        220.00        USD        1,178        (85,750

ARM Holdings PLC, ADR

     268        01/19/24        USD        55.00        USD        2,014        (545,380

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

     260        01/19/24        USD        270.00        USD        7,082        (202,800

Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd.

     829        01/19/24        USD        20.00        USD        1,614        (47,668

Crowdstrike Holdings, Inc., Class A

     110        01/19/24        USD        275.00        USD        2,809        (18,370

Lam Research Corp.

     39        01/19/24        USD        740.00        USD        3,055        (197,730

Marvell Technology, Inc.

     185        01/19/24        USD        52.50        USD        1,116        (148,000

Marvell Technology, Inc.

     42        01/19/24        USD        61.00        USD        253        (6,636

MercadoLibre, Inc.

     15        01/19/24        USD        1,600.00        USD        2,357        (45,075

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A

     78        01/19/24        USD        330.00        USD        2,761        (207,870

MongoDB, Inc., Class A

     47        01/19/24        USD        410.00        USD        1,922        (66,975

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

     87        01/19/24        USD        320.00        USD        2,724        (14,790

NVIDIA Corp.

     127        01/19/24        USD        490.00        USD        6,289        (233,680

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.

     84        01/19/24        USD        286.67        USD        2,477        (112,350

QUALCOMM, Inc.

     83        01/19/24        USD        140.00        USD        1,200        (52,083

S&P Global, Inc.

     32        01/19/24        USD        420.00        USD        1,410        (74,560

Salesforce, Inc.

     80        01/19/24        USD        260.00        USD        2,105        (57,600

Snowflake, Inc., Class A

     38        01/19/24        USD        170.00        USD        756        (113,620

Spotify Technology SA

     105        01/19/24        USD        185.00        USD        1,973        (76,125
                    

 

 

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

  121


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

           
Description   

Number of

Contracts

    

Expiration

Date

     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                    

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

     129        01/19/24        USD        105.00        USD        1,342      $ (35,282)  

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

     104        01/19/24        USD        155.00        USD        1,674        (78,520

Tesla, Inc.

     146        01/19/24        USD        246.67        USD        3,628        (172,645

Visa, Inc., Class A

     124        01/19/24        USD        255.00        USD        3,228        (96,720

Wolfspeed, Inc.

     246        01/19/24        USD        47.50        USD        1,070        (33,210

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

     102        01/26/24        USD        146.00        USD        1,425        (14,025

Amazon.com, Inc.

     190        01/26/24        USD        150.00        USD        2,887        (103,075

Arista Networks, Inc.

     114        01/26/24        USD        250.00        USD        2,685        (26,220

Autodesk, Inc.

     61        01/26/24        USD        245.00        USD        1,485        (35,380

Broadcom, Inc.

     10        01/26/24        USD        1,150.00        USD        1,116        (17,550

Broadcom, Inc.

     68        01/26/24        USD        1,135.00        USD        7,591        (161,500

Intuit, Inc.

     57        01/26/24        USD        630.00        USD        3,563        (76,950

Marvell Technology, Inc.

     169        01/26/24        USD        55.00        USD        1,019        (101,400

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

     177        01/26/24        USD        420.00        USD        7,549        (230,985

MercadoLibre, Inc.

     16        01/26/24        USD        1,625.00        USD        2,514        (45,840

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A

     84        01/26/24        USD        340.00        USD        2,973        (167,790

Micron Technology, Inc.

     131        01/26/24        USD        87.00        USD        1,118        (25,087

MongoDB, Inc., Class A

     67        01/26/24        USD        400.00        USD        2,739        (154,937

NVIDIA Corp.

     181        01/26/24        USD        495.00        USD        8,963        (337,565

Oracle Corp.

     187        01/26/24        USD        104.00        USD        1,972        (60,308

ServiceNow, Inc.

     27        01/26/24        USD        700.00        USD        1,908        (81,405

Shopify, Inc., Class A

     208        01/26/24        USD        73.00        USD        1,620        (134,680)  

Spotify Technology SA

     168        01/26/24        USD        200.00        USD        3,157        (42,420

Tesla, Inc.

     119        01/26/24        USD        270.00        USD        2,957        (73,482

Visa, Inc., Class A

     130        01/26/24        USD        260.00        USD        3,385        (76,700

Western Digital Corp.

     119        01/26/24        USD        53.00        USD        623        (18,921

Amazon.com, Inc.

     249        02/02/24        USD        157.40        USD        3,783        (78,893

Micron Technology, Inc.

     132        02/02/24        USD        87.00        USD        1,126        (31,482

NVIDIA Corp.

     147        02/02/24        USD        505.00        USD        7,280        (251,002

Tesla, Inc.

     110        02/02/24        USD        279.65        USD        2,733        (59,500

Visa, Inc., Class A

     104        02/02/24        USD        260.68        USD        2,708        (66,761

Micron Technology, Inc.

     259        02/09/24        USD        87.00        USD        2,210        (71,872

Oracle Corp.

     363        02/09/24        USD        110.00        USD        3,827        (48,098

Western Digital Corp.

     388        02/09/24        USD        53.00        USD        2,032        (96,612

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

     202        02/16/24        USD        140.00        USD        2,978        (281,790

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

     179        02/16/24        USD        145.00        USD        2,500        (68,915

Amazon.com, Inc.

     49        02/16/24        USD        150.00        USD        745        (43,365

ANSYS, Inc.

     34        02/16/24        USD        310.00        USD        1,234        (199,240

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

     300        02/16/24        USD        280.00        USD        8,171        (252,000

Credo Technology Group Holding Ltd.

     1,960        02/16/24        USD        20.00        USD        3,816        (205,800

Micron Technology, Inc.

     188        02/16/24        USD        77.50        USD        1,604        (176,250

MongoDB, Inc., Class A

     37        02/16/24        USD        480.00        USD        1,513        (18,963

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

     59        02/16/24        USD        630.00        USD        3,722        (243,670)  

QUALCOMM, Inc.

     25        02/16/24        USD        150.00        USD        362        (10,875

Snowflake, Inc., Class A

     30        02/16/24        USD        190.00        USD        597        (49,725

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

     18        02/16/24        USD        165.00        USD        290        (9,900

Uber Technologies, Inc.

     479        02/16/24        USD        60.00        USD        2,949        (220,340

Datadog, Inc., Class A

     183        03/15/24        USD        140.00        USD        2,221        (64,507

Micron Technology, Inc.

     254        03/15/24        USD        87.50        USD        2,168        (104,140

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.

     15        03/15/24        USD        640.00        USD        946        (67,425

Salesforce, Inc.

     29        03/15/24        USD        290.00        USD        763        (13,050

Uber Technologies, Inc.

     247        03/15/24        USD        70.00        USD        1,521        (37,421
                    

 

 

 
                     $  (12,366,697
                    

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

 

             
Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call

                       

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.      3,600        01/04/24        USD        256.59        USD        1,062      $   (138,694

SiteMinder Ltd.

   Goldman Sachs International      12,900        01/04/24        AUD        4.61        AUD        66        (4,570

 

 

122  

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Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

 

OTC Options Written (continued)

 

             
Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

     Value  

Call (continued)

                       

ASML Holding NV

   Goldman Sachs International      17,400        01/09/24        EUR        615.00        EUR        11,898      $ (1,302,964

RELX PLC

   Goldman Sachs International      102,300        01/09/24        GBP        29.57        GBP        3,184        (209,634

SiteMinder Ltd.

   UBS AG      14,100        01/09/24        AUD        4.82        AUD        72        (3,206

SOITEC

   Bank of America N.A.      2,000        01/09/24        EUR        167.27        EUR        324        (2,524

Sony Group Corp.

   Societe Generale      14,000        01/09/24        JPY        13,611.90        JPY        186,805        (15,409

Wise PLC, Class A

   Bank of America N.A.      70,000        01/11/24        GBP        7.59        GBP        611        (106,007

SiteMinder Ltd.

   UBS AG      22,000        01/12/24        AUD        5.14        AUD        113        (1,771

SiteMinder Ltd.

  

Goldman Sachs International

     25,500        01/18/24        AUD        4.78        AUD        131        (6,710

SOITEC

  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     4,400        01/18/24        EUR        169.69        EUR        713        (7,021

Sony Group Corp.

  

Societe Generale

     12,300        01/18/24        JPY        12,904.75        JPY        164,122        (58,269

ASM International NV

  

Bank of America N.A.

     12,200        01/23/24        EUR        461.39        EUR        5,752        (274,450

SiteMinder Ltd.

  

UBS AG

     22,000        01/23/24        AUD        5.24        AUD        113        (1,759

STMicroelectronics NV

  

Goldman Sachs International

     52,500        01/23/24        EUR        45.81        EUR        2,385        (64,479

Wise PLC, Class A

  

UBS AG

     61,800        01/23/24        GBP        8.32        GBP        539        (52,251

Wise PLC, Class A

  

UBS AG

     13,300        01/23/24        GBP        8.44        GBP        116        (9,929

Xero Ltd.

  

Goldman Sachs International

     18,200        01/23/24        AUD        105.92        AUD        2,037        (104,602

SiteMinder Ltd.

  

UBS AG

     15,000        01/24/24        AUD        4.98        AUD        77        (2,586

Fujitsu, Ltd.

  

Citibank N.A.

     8,000        01/25/24        JPY        21,335.37        JPY        169,757        (28,386

SOITEC

  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     4,400        01/25/24        EUR        169.69        EUR        713        (11,026

Xero Ltd.

  

Goldman Sachs International

     18,700        01/25/24        AUD        105.71        AUD        2,093        (111,344

SiteMinder Ltd.

  

Goldman Sachs International

     15,000        01/30/24        AUD        4.99        AUD        77        (2,726

Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A

  

Citibank N.A.

     2,600        01/31/24        USD        361.74        USD        920        (36,984

Wise PLC, Class A

  

Goldman Sachs International

     18,500        01/31/24        GBP        9.42        GBP        161        (4,703

Fujitsu, Ltd.

  

BNP Paribas SA

     8,000        02/01/24        JPY        21,335.38        JPY        169,757        (32,304

Quanta Computer, Inc.

  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     382,000        02/01/24        TWD        210.08        TWD        85,354        (197,822

SOITEC

  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     4,400        02/01/24        EUR        169.69        EUR        713        (15,229

Nintendo Co., Ltd.

  

BNP Paribas SA

     56,300        02/06/24        JPY        7,099.15        JPY        413,060        (152,295

SOITEC

  

UBS AG

     5,000        02/07/24        EUR        167.99        EUR        810        (24,238

SiteMinder Ltd.

  

Goldman Sachs International

     31,000        02/08/24        AUD        5.05        AUD        159        (5,371

Wise PLC, Class A

  

UBS AG

     61,100        02/08/24        GBP        8.72        GBP        533        (40,046

SiteMinder Ltd.

  

Goldman Sachs International

     31,000        02/13/24        AUD        5.05        AUD        159        (5,651

SOITEC

  

Bank of America N.A.

     5,700        02/13/24        EUR        171.44        EUR        924        (25,895

SiteMinder Ltd.

  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     31,000        02/21/24        AUD        5.05        AUD        159        (6,072

SOITEC

  

Bank of America N.A.

     5,800        02/21/24        EUR        171.44        EUR        940        (31,046
                       

 

 

 
                        $  (3,097,973
                       

 

 

 

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

 

                                                                                                                            
           
Description   

Swap

Premiums

Paid

      

Swap

Premiums

Received

      

Unrealized

Appreciation

      

Unrealized

Depreciation

       Value  

Options Written

     $  N/A          $   N/A          $ 1,565,851          $ (6,534,552        $ (15,464,670

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

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

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                   

Options written
Options written at value

  $   —      $   —      $  15,464,670      $   —      $   —      $   —      $  15,464,670  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

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

  123


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

 

For the period ended December 31, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

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

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

                  

Options purchased(a)

  $      $      $ (2,858,012   $      $      $      $ (2,858,012

Options written

                  (31,419,636                          (31,419,636
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $      $      $  (34,277,648   $      $      $      $  (34,277,648
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                  

Options written

  $      $      $ (12,373,937   $      $      $      $ (12,373,937
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

 

 

Options:

 

Average value of option contracts purchased

  $ (a) 

Average value of option contracts written

  $ 13,976,316  

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 

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

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

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

 

                                

 

 
     Assets        Liabilities  

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments
Options

            $        $ 15,464,670  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

                15,464,670  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

                (12,366,697
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

     $        $ 3,097,973  
    

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

 

           
Counterparty    

Derivative

Liabilities

Subject to

an MNA by

Counterparty

 

 

 

 

 

    

Derivatives
Available for
Offset
 
 
 
    

Non-Cash

Collateral

Pledged

 

 

(a) 

   

Cash

Collateral

Pledged

 

 

(a) 

   

Net Amount

of Derivative

Liabilities

 

 

(b) 

Bank of America N.A.

  $ 439,922      $      $     $ (439,922   $  

BNP Paribas SA

    184,599                           184,599  

Citibank N.A.

    204,064                     (10,000     194,064  

Goldman Sachs International

    1,822,754               (1,822,754            

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

    203,894                           203,894  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

    33,276               (33,276            

Societe Generale

    73,678                           73,678  

UBS AG

    135,786               (135,786            
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $   3,097,973      $    —      $  (1,991,816   $   (449,922   $   656,235  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Excess of collateral received/pledged, if any, from the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (b) 

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

 

 

 

124  

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Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

                                                                                                   
         
      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Automobiles

   $ 22,081,921        $        $        $ 22,081,921  

Broadline Retail

     44,497,858                            44,497,858  

Capital Markets

     8,482,213                            8,482,213  

Communications Equipment

     13,787,438                            13,787,438  

Diversified Consumer Services

                       12,476,847          12,476,847  

Entertainment

     16,994,856          6,769,606                   23,764,462  

Financial Services

     47,939,319          5,551,821                   53,491,140  

Ground Transportation

     11,765,473                            11,765,473  

Household Durables

              5,971,333                   5,971,333  

Interactive Media & Services

     48,343,902                            48,343,902  

IT Services

     28,262,062          5,222,128          19,748,688          53,232,878  

Professional Services

     5,079,089          9,508,622          4,480,331          19,068,042  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     236,585,520          59,074,242                   295,659,762  

Software

     263,631,182          9,208,647          9,344,790          282,184,619  

Specialty Retail

                       84,691          84,691  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

     99,685,652          5,547,679                   105,233,331  

Convertible Notes

                       1          1  

Preferred Securities

                 

Preferred Stocks

                       212,114,583          212,114,583  

Warrants

                                 

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     365,499                            365,499  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $  847,501,984        $  106,854,078        $  258,249,931          1,212,605,993  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investments Valued at NAV(a)

                    5,860,878  
                 

 

 

 
                  $  1,218,466,871  
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(b)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (12,027,747      $ (3,436,923      $        $ (15,464,670
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

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

 

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

 

 

 
   

Common

Stocks

   

Convertible

Notes

   

Preferred

Stocks

     Warrants     Total  

 

 

Assets

          

Opening balance, as of December 31, 2022

  $   60,069,300     $   1,920,000     $  195,967,596      $   16,212     $  257,973,108  

Transfers into Level 3

                              

Transfers out of Level 3

                              

Other(a)

    (11,157,597           11,157,597               

Accrued discounts/premiums

                              

Net realized gain (loss)

                              

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

    (12,776,204     (1,919,999     12,989,241        (16,212     (1,723,174

 

 

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

  125


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

 

 

 
   

Common

Stocks

   

Convertible

Notes

   

Preferred

Stocks

    Warrants     Total  

 

 

Purchases

  $ 9,999,848     $     $ 6,799,994     $     $ 16,799,842  

Sales

                (14,799,845           (14,799,845
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Closing balance, as of December 31, 2023

  $  46,135,347     $ 1     $  212,114,583     $ (d)    $  258,249,931  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at December 31, 2023(c)

  $ (12,776,204   $  (1,919,999   $  12,468,281     $ (d)    $ (2,227,922
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Certain Level 3 investments were re-classified between Common Stocks and Preferred Stocks.

 
  (b) 

Included in the related net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 
  (c) 

Any difference between net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at December 31, 2023 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

 
  (d) 

Rounds to less than $1.

 

The following table summarizes the valuation approaches used and unobservable inputs utilized by the BlackRock Valuation Committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to determine the value of certain of the Trust’s Level 3 financial instruments as of period end. The table does not include Level 3 financial instruments with values based upon unadjusted third-party pricing information in the amount of $1. A significant change in third party information could result in a significantly lower or higher value of such Level 3 financial instruments.

 

           
      Value      Valuation

Approach

   Unobservable

Inputs

    


Range of

Unobservable

Inputs
Utilized

 

 

 
(a) 

   

Weighted

Average of

Unobservable

Inputs Based

on Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

            

Common Stocks

  $ 46,135,347      Market    Revenue Multiple      1.00x - 29.00x       12.50x  
        Volatility      70%        
        Time to Exit      2.6 - 3.0 years       2.6 years  
        Gross Profit Multiple      15.00x        
        Terminal Growth Rate      5%        
     Income    Discount      12%        

Preferred Stocks(b)

    212,114,583      Market    Revenue Multiple      1.00x - 31.00x       15.54x  
        Volatility      50% - 75%       64%  
        Time to Exit      2.0 - 5.0 years       4.0 years  
        Market Adjustment Multiple      1.20x - 1.20x       1.20x  
        Gross Profit Multiple      6.50x        
 

 

 

            
  $  258,249,930             
 

 

 

            

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

For the period end December 31, 2023, the valuation technique for certain investments classified as Preferred Stocks used recent prior transaction prices as inputs within the model used for the approximation of fair value.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

126  

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Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  

Common Stocks

   
Building Products — 8.1%            

Cie de Saint-Gobain SA

    124,450     $    9,177,853  

Johnson Controls International PLC

    187,209       10,790,727  

Kingspan Group PLC

    82,065       7,092,494  

Trane Technologies PLC

    56,900       13,877,910  
   

 

 

 
      40,938,984  
Chemicals — 3.1%            

Air Liquide SA

    40,768       7,937,343  

Linde PLC

    18,778       7,712,313  
   

 

 

 
      15,649,656  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 4.2%            

Republic Services, Inc.

    63,250       10,430,557  

Waste Management, Inc.

    60,250       10,790,775  
   

 

 

 
      21,221,332  
Construction & Engineering — 5.8%            

Quanta Services, Inc.

    49,260       10,630,308  

Vinci SA

    148,150       18,643,971  
   

 

 

 
      29,274,279  
Electric Utilities — 29.1%            

American Electric Power Co., Inc.(a)

    75,350       6,119,929  

Duke Energy Corp.(a)

    140,018       13,587,347  

EDP - Energias de Portugal SA

    2,285,000       11,500,401  

Enel SpA

    2,922,775       21,744,882  

Exelon Corp.(a)

    275,958       9,906,892  

Neoenergia SA

    902,200       3,962,332  

NextEra Energy, Inc.(a)(b)

    598,330       36,342,564  

Orsted A/S(c)

    74,600       4,135,567  

PG&E Corp.(d)

    682,650       12,308,179  

Southern Co.

    160,250       11,236,730  

SSE PLC

    481,500       11,366,279  

Xcel Energy, Inc.

    82,590       5,113,147  
   

 

 

 
      147,324,249  
Electrical Equipment — 6.9%            

Eaton Corp. PLC

    16,090       3,874,794  

Prysmian SpA

    100,900       4,599,533  

Schneider Electric SE

    34,332       6,911,244  

Sunrun, Inc.(d)

    140,600       2,759,978  

Vestas Wind Systems A/S(d)

    528,921       16,735,963  
   

 

 

 
      34,881,512  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components(d) — 1.5%  

Rogers Corp.

    27,250       3,598,908  

Samsung SDI Co. Ltd.

    10,750       3,913,973  
   

 

 

 
      7,512,881  
Ground Transportation — 1.2%            

Union Pacific Corp.

    25,800       6,336,996  
   

 

 

 
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 8.7%  

AES Corp.

    239,890       4,617,882  

China Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd., Class H

    3,620,000       2,748,970  

EDP Renovaveis SA

    537,080       10,994,731  

Orron Energy AB(d)

    3,401,100       2,690,207  

RWE AG

    502,645       22,876,832  
   

 

 

 
      43,928,622  
Machinery — 6.2%            

Atlas Copco AB, B Shares

    1,064,300       15,790,098  

Ingersoll Rand, Inc.

    131,700       10,185,678  

Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC

    40,950       5,478,933  
   

 

 

 
      31,454,709  
Security   Shares     Value  
Multi-Utilities — 10.6%        

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

    179,000     $ 5,114,030  

CMS Energy Corp.(a)

    169,260       9,828,927  

Dominion Energy, Inc.(a)

    122,898       5,776,206  

National Grid PLC

    552,524       7,443,225  

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

    184,792       11,300,031  

Sempra(b)

    194,200       14,512,566  
 

 

 

 
    53,974,985  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 9.4%  

Cheniere Energy, Inc.(b)

    70,350       12,009,449  

Enterprise Products Partners LP

    137,063       3,611,610  

Hess Midstream LP, Class A

    113,800       3,599,494  

Pembina Pipeline Corp.

    191,600       6,596,575  

TC Energy Corp.

    247,700       9,675,825  

Williams Cos., Inc.(b)

    352,805       12,288,198  
 

 

 

 
    47,781,151  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 5.5%  

Analog Devices, Inc.

    27,174       5,395,669  

ASML Holding NV

    7,750       5,850,378  

Canadian Solar, Inc.(d)(e)

    88,290       2,315,847  

First Solar, Inc.(d)(e)

    20,234       3,485,914  

Infineon Technologies AG, Class N

    116,050       4,846,551  

STMicroelectronics NV

    118,700       5,953,868  
 

 

 

 
    27,848,227  
 

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 100.3%
(Cost: $353,774,571)

 

    508,127,583  
 

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

 

 
Money Market Funds — 1.3%        

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

    5,318,307       5,318,307  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series, 5.58%(f)(g)(h)

    1,297,588       1,297,977  
 

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 1.3%
(Cost: $6,616,280)

 

    6,616,284  
 

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 101.6%
(Cost: $360,390,851)

 

    514,743,867  
 

 

 

 

Options Written — (1.5)%
(Premiums Received: $(3,994,666))

 

    (7,790,856
 

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 100.1%
(Cost: $356,396,185)

 

    506,953,011  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.1)%

 

    (491,081
 

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $  506,461,930  
 

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

(b) 

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

(c) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(d) 

Non-income producing security.

(e) 

All or a portion of this security is on loan.

(f) 

Affiliate of the Trust.

(g) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(h) 

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

 

 

 

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

  127


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

 

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

Affiliates

Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Trust during the year ended December 31, 2023 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

                   
Affiliated Issuer   Value at
12/31/22
    Purchases
at Cost
    Proceeds
from Sale
    Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
    Value at
12/31/23
    Shares
Held at
12/31/23
    Income     Capital Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

  $  11,042,199     $     $  (5,723,892 )(a)    $     $     —     $  5,318,307       5,318,307     $  525,353     $    —  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series

    225,179        1,071,499 (a)            1,417       (118     1,297,977       1,297,588       10,772 (b)       
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $   1,417     $ (118   $  6,616,284       $  536,125     $  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Represents net amount purchased (sold).

 
  (b) 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Exchange-Traded Options Written

 

           

Description

  

Number of

Contracts

    

Expiration

Date

     Exercise Price     

Notional

Amount (000)

    

Value

 

Call

                    

Analog Devices, Inc.

     51        01/05/24        USD        190.00        USD        1,013      $   (43,860

Analog Devices, Inc.

     44        01/05/24        USD        185.00        USD        874        (60,280

Linde PLC

     32        01/05/24        USD        415.00        USD        1,314        (4,640

Southern Co.

     280        01/05/24        USD        72.00        USD        1,963        (1,400

Waste Management, Inc.

     51        01/05/24        USD        172.52        USD        913        (35,141

Williams Cos., Inc.

     603        01/05/24        USD        37.00        USD        2,100        (3,015

CMS Energy Corp.

     241        01/10/24        USD        59.00        USD        1,399        (8,491

First Solar, Inc.

     35        01/12/24        USD        160.00        USD        603        (50,050

PG&E Corp.

     649        01/12/24        USD        17.50        USD        1,170        (47,377

Union Pacific Corp.

     22        01/12/24        USD        235.00        USD        540        (25,410

Union Pacific Corp.

     45        01/12/24        USD        240.00        USD        1,105        (32,850

AES Corp.

     780        01/19/24        USD        17.00        USD        1,502        (187,200

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

     128        01/19/24        USD        80.00        USD        1,040        (29,120

CMS Energy Corp.

     351        01/19/24        USD        60.00        USD        2,038        (7,897

Dominion Energy, Inc.

     312        01/19/24        USD        47.50        USD        1,466        (26,520

Duke Energy Corp.

     295        01/19/24        USD        92.50        USD        2,863        (144,550

Eaton Corp. PLC

     56        01/19/24        USD        240.00        USD        1,349        (28,560

Enterprise Products Partners LP

     101        01/19/24        USD        27.51        USD        266        (212

Exelon Corp.

     170        01/19/24        USD        41.00        USD        610        (850

Hess Midstream LP, Class A

     200        01/19/24        USD        33.00        USD        633        (5,000

Ingersoll Rand, Inc.

     150        01/19/24        USD        70.00        USD        1,160        (116,250

Ingersoll Rand, Inc.

     310        01/19/24        USD        75.00        USD        2,398        (116,250

Johnson Controls International PLC

     229        01/19/24        USD        55.00        USD        1,320        (70,990

Linde PLC

     33        01/19/24        USD        415.00        USD        1,355        (13,860

PG&E Corp.

     889        01/19/24        USD        17.00        USD        1,603        (111,126

Republic Services, Inc.

     100        01/19/24        USD        160.00        USD        1,649        (58,500

Sempra

     366        01/19/24        USD        75.00        USD        2,735        (40,260

Southern Co.

     280        01/19/24        USD        72.50        USD        1,963        (6,300

Trane Technologies PLC

     199        01/19/24        USD        230.00        USD        4,854        (294,520

Union Pacific Corp.

     22        01/19/24        USD        235.00        USD        540        (26,950

Waste Management, Inc.

     159        01/19/24        USD        170.32        USD        2,848        (164,349

Williams Cos., Inc.

     603        01/19/24        USD        37.00        USD        2,100        (6,030

Enterprise Products Partners LP

     100        01/26/24        USD        26.27        USD        264        (5,044

First Solar, Inc.

     35        01/26/24        USD        190.00        USD        603        (9,625

PG&E Corp.

     136        01/26/24        USD        17.50        USD        245        (11,696

Williams Cos., Inc.

     28        01/26/24        USD        36.00        USD        98        (840

 

 

128  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

             
Description              Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise Price       

Notional

Amount (000)

       Value  

Call (continued)

                                     

Xcel Energy, Inc.

          146          02/01/24          USD          62.75          USD          904        $ (16,522

PG&E Corp.

          715          02/02/24          USD          18.00          USD          1,289          (40,755

AES Corp.

          60          02/16/24          USD          20.00          USD          116          (3,300

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

          136          02/16/24          USD          82.50          USD          1,105          (23,460

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

          313          02/16/24          USD          30.00          USD          894          (7,825

Dominion Energy, Inc.

          127          02/16/24          USD          50.00          USD          597          (8,255

Duke Energy Corp.

          195          02/16/24          USD          98.35          USD          1,892          (31,876

Enterprise Products Partners LP

          193          02/16/24          USD          26.14          USD          509          (8,850

Exelon Corp.

          757          02/16/24          USD          40.50          USD          2,718          (7,746

Exelon Corp.

          38          02/16/24          USD          37.00          USD          136          (2,660

Hess Midstream LP, Class A

          200          02/16/24          USD          33.00          USD          633          (16,000

Quanta Services, Inc.

          74          02/16/24          USD          210.00          USD          1,597          (89,170

Republic Services, Inc.

          121          02/16/24          USD          164.96          USD          1,995          (53,698

Sempra

          316          02/16/24          USD          76.48          USD          2,361          (43,349

Enterprise Products Partners LP

          85          03/15/24          USD          27.00          USD          224          (2,295

Quanta Services, Inc.

          98          03/15/24          USD          216.50          USD          2,115          (107,325
                                     

 

 

 
                                      $  (2,258,099
                                     

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

 

             
Description     Counterparty        Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise Price       

Notional

Amount (000)

       Value  

Call

                                     

Atlas Copco AB, B Shares

     UBS AG          106,600          01/04/24          SEK          130.52          SEK          15,951        $ (200,506

ASML Holding NV

     Goldman Sachs International          2,700          01/09/24          EUR          615.00          EUR          1,846           (202,184

TC Energy Corp.

     Royal Bank of Canada          27,900          01/09/24          CAD          48.31          CAD          1,444          (75,321

Air Liquide SA

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC          14,300          01/10/24          EUR          168.61          EUR          2,522          (127,500

China Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd., Class H

     Goldman Sachs International          597,000          01/10/24          HKD          6.90          HKD          3,540          (138

Kingspan Group PLC

     Bank of America N.A.          14,400          01/10/24          EUR          67.66          EUR          1,127          (172,411

Prysmian SpA

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC          12,600          01/10/24          EUR          36.02          EUR          520          (72,424

Vinci SA

     Bank of America N.A.          51,800          01/10/24          EUR          107.53          EUR          5,905          (365,008

EDP - Energias de Portugal SA

     Bank of America N.A.          169,200          01/11/24          EUR          4.32          EUR          771          (47,726

NextEra Energy, Inc.

     Barclays Bank PLC          107,500          01/11/24          USD          57.37          USD          6,530          (403,429

Orron Energy AB

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC          236,000          01/11/24          SEK          7.50          SEK          1,883          (12,940

Schneider Electric SE

     Goldman Sachs International          5,900          01/11/24          EUR          168.08          EUR          1,076          (91,759

Neoenergia SA

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC          118,400          01/12/24          BRL          19.85          BRL          2,526          (32,113

China Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd., Class H

     Bank of America N.A.          670,000          01/17/24          HKD          6.91          HKD          3,973          (668

EDP - Energias de Portugal SA

     Bank of America N.A.          386,000          01/17/24          EUR          4.32          EUR          1,760          (110,903

Kingspan Group PLC

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC          14,400          01/17/24          EUR          70.94          EUR          1,127          (123,949

Orron Energy AB

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC          400,000          01/17/24          SEK          7.59          SEK          3,191          (20,840

EDP Renovaveis SA

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC          39,000          01/18/24          EUR          16.91          EUR          723          (76,070

Enel SpA

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC          519,400          01/18/24          EUR          6.40          EUR          3,500          (207,533

Infineon Technologies AG, Class N

     Goldman Sachs International          19,200          01/18/24          EUR          37.84          EUR          726          (18,891

Infineon Technologies AG, Class N

     UBS AG          400          01/18/24          EUR          35.66          EUR          15          (1,108

National Grid PLC

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC          125,200          01/18/24          GBP          10.15          GBP          1,323          (76,437

Orsted A/S

     Bank of America N.A.          19,200          01/18/24          DKK          323.67          DKK          7,187          (153,224

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

     JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.          23,200          01/22/24          USD          64.49          USD          1,419          (4,272

EDP Renovaveis SA

     Bank of America N.A.          60,900          01/23/24          EUR          17.44          EUR          1,129          (94,878

Neoenergia SA

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC          118,400          01/23/24          BRL          19.85          BRL          2,526          (37,004

Neoenergia SA

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC          79,000          01/23/24          BRL          21.25          BRL          1,685          (5,780

Prysmian SpA

     Goldman Sachs International          22,800          01/23/24          EUR          37.79          EUR          941          (91,145

RWE AG

     Bank of America N.A.          159,300          01/23/24          EUR          40.96          EUR          6,568          (161,200

SSE PLC

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC          147,500          01/23/24          GBP          19.07          GBP          2,732          (17,494

STMicroelectronics NV

     Goldman Sachs International          41,500          01/23/24          EUR          45.81          EUR          1,886          (50,969

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A.

     UBS AG          21,800          01/25/24          EUR          61.66          EUR          1,456          (131,333

RWE AG

     UBS AG          16,700          01/25/24          EUR          40.75          EUR          688          (20,012

Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC          14,300          01/25/24          GBP          93.90          GBP          1,501          (213,320

TC Energy Corp.

     Royal Bank of Canada          29,400          01/29/24          CAD          52.43          CAD          1,522          (13,911

Atlas Copco AB, B Shares

     Goldman Sachs International          250,000          01/30/24          SEK          145.58          SEK          37,410          (152,791

EDP Renovaveis SA

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC          4,700          01/30/24          EUR          17.33          EUR          87          (8,192

Enel SpA

     Bank of America N.A.          503,600          01/30/24          EUR          6.56          EUR          3,394          (64,746

 

 

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

  129


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

 

OTC Options Written (continued)

 

             
Description    Counterparty        Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise Price       

Notional

Amount (000)

       Value  

Call (continued)

                                     

Johnson Controls International PLC

     JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.          42,600          01/30/24          USD          55.64          USD          2,455        $ (135,681

Orron Energy AB

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        550,000          01/30/24          SEK          7.60          SEK          4,388          (30,966

Orsted A/S

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC          6,900          01/30/24          DKK          338.22          DKK          2,583          (47,695

Schneider Electric SE

     Bank of America N.A.          6,100          01/30/24          EUR          172.21          EUR          1,112          (76,860

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

     UBS AG          103,000          01/30/24          DKK          193.49          DKK          22,008          (370,846

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

     JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.          20,700          01/31/24          USD          63.86          USD          1,266          (7,760

EDP - Energias de Portugal SA

     Bank of America N.A.          178,000          02/01/24          EUR          4.64          EUR          812          (19,338

SSE PLC

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC          147,500          02/01/24          GBP          19.07          GBP          2,732          (26,261

NextEra Energy, Inc.

     Barclays Bank PLC          107,500          02/02/24          USD          57.94          USD          6,530          (440,336

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

     UBS AG          82,100          02/06/24          DKK          196.73          DKK          17,542          (277,447

EDP - Energias de Portugal SA

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC          66,500          02/08/24          EUR          4.54          EUR          303          (11,604

EDP Renovaveis SA

     Bank of America N.A.          83,400          02/08/24          EUR          17.70          EUR          1,547          (130,704

Infineon Technologies AG, Class N

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC          21,100          02/08/24          EUR          38.15          EUR          798          (31,107

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

     JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.          20,700          02/12/24          USD          61.90          USD          1,266          (25,837

National Grid PLC

     Goldman Sachs International          68,200          02/13/24          GBP          10.56          GBP          721          (25,696

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A.

     UBS AG          21,800          02/14/24          EUR          61.96          EUR          1,456          (135,610

Atlas Copco AB, B Shares

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC          16,000          02/21/24          SEK          144.79          SEK          2,394          (12,491

Xcel Energy, Inc.

     Goldman Sachs International          14,300          02/21/24          USD          61.55          USD          885          (31,653

TC Energy Corp.

     Royal Bank of Canada          29,400          02/26/24          CAD          52.43          CAD          1,522          (27,082

Pembina Pipeline Corp.

     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC          13,600          02/27/24          CAD          46.91          CAD          620          (7,654
                                     

 

 

 
                                      $  (5,532,757
                                     

 

 

 

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

 

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

Options Written

   $ N/A        $ N/A        $ 511,521        $ (4,307,711      $  (7,790,856

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

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

 

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

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                                

Options written

                                

Options written at value

   $        $        $  7,790,856        $        $        $        $  7,790,856  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

For the period ended December 31, 2023, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

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

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

                                

Options purchased(a)

   $        $        $ (2,511,082      $        $        $        $ (2,511,082

Options written

                       7,412,060                                     7,412,060  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $        $        $ 4,900,978        $        $        $        $ 4,900,978  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

                                

Options written

   $        $        $  (5,317,561      $        $        $        $  (5,317,561
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

 

 

130  

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


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

   

Options:

  

Average value of option contracts purchased

   $ (a) 

Average value of option contracts written

   $ 4,659,318  

 

  (a)

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

 

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

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

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

 

     
      Assets        Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments

       

Options

   $        $ 7,790,856  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

              7,790,856  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

              (2,258,099
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $        $ 5,532,757  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

 

           
Counterparty   

Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to

an MNA by
Counterparty

      

Derivatives
Available

for Offset

      

Non-Cash

Collateral

Pledged(a)

       Cash
Collateral
Pledged
      

Net Amount

of Derivative

Liabilities(b)

 

Bank of America N.A.

   $ 1,397,666        $        $ (1,397,666      $        $  

Barclays Bank PLC

     843,765                   (843,765                  

Goldman Sachs International

     665,226                   (665,226                  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     173,550                   (75,257                 98,293  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     1,199,374                   (1,199,374                  

Royal Bank of Canada

     116,314                                     116,314  

UBS AG

     1,136,862                   (1,136,862                  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 5,532,757        $        $  (5,318,150      $        $ 214,607  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Excess of collateral received/pledged, if any, from the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (b)

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

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

         
      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets

                 

Investments

                 

Long-Term Investments

                 

Common Stocks

                 

Building Products

   $  24,668,637        $  16,270,347        $     —        $ 40,938,984  

Chemicals

     7,712,313          7,937,343                   15,649,656  

Commercial Services & Supplies

      21,221,332                            21,221,332  

Construction & Engineering

     10,630,308          18,643,971                   29,274,279  

Electric Utilities

     94,614,788          52,709,461                    147,324,249  

Electrical Equipment

     6,634,772          28,246,740                   34,881,512  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

     3,598,908          3,913,973                   7,512,881  

Ground Transportation

     6,336,996                            6,336,996  

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers

     4,617,882          39,310,740                   43,928,622  

 

 

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

  131


Schedule of Investments (continued)

December 31, 2023

  

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

 

         
      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Common Stocks (continued)

                 

Machinery

   $ 10,185,678        $ 21,269,031        $     —        $ 31,454,709  

Multi-Utilities

     46,531,760          7,443,225                   53,974,985  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

     47,781,151                            47,781,151  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

     11,197,430          16,650,797                   27,848,227  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Money Market Funds

     5,318,307                            5,318,307  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $  301,050,262        $  212,395,628        $           513,445,890  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investments Valued at NAV(a)

                    1,297,977  
                 

 

 

 
                  $ 514,743,867  
                 

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(b)

                 

Liabilities

                 

Equity Contracts

   $ (1,775,496      $ (6,015,360      $        $ (7,790,856
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

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

 
  (b)

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

132  

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


Statements of Assets and Liabilities

December 31, 2023

 

     BGR     CII      BDJ(a)      BOE  

ASSETS

         

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

  $ 385,543,583     $ 880,409,887      $ 1,672,515,459      $ 733,836,650  

Investments, at value — affiliated(d)

    3,612,320       13,330,465        5,204,534        2,668,223  

Cash

                 272,377         

Cash pledged as collateral for OTC derivatives

                        530,000  

Foreign currency, at value(e)

    163,667              882        24  

Receivables:

         

Investments sold

    484,023                     306,893  

Options written

    108,187       124,997        111,675        40,637  

Securities lending income — affiliated

          315                

Dividends — unaffiliated

    601,043       513,627        2,060,255        1,826,743  

Dividends — affiliated

    21,673       39,772        89,084        16,407  

Deferred offering costs

                 208,889         

Prepaid expenses

    3,815       6,042        14,631        6,414  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

    390,538,311       894,425,105        1,680,477,786        739,231,991  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

         

Due to broker

                        530,000  

Collateral on securities loaned

          397,585                

Options written, at value(f)

    1,725,858       18,548,876        36,487,628        10,846,451  

Payables:

         

Investments purchased

                        117  

Accounting services fees

    10,983       11,774        22,979        14,255  

Custodian fees

    8,435       7,886        32,245        26,592  

Investment advisory fees

    321,437       618,507        1,099,961        500,730  

Trustees’ and Officer’s fees

    421,043       254,806        1,019,525        676,190  

Options written

          43,370        49,358        11,852  

Other accrued expenses

    9,083       3,046        8,368        14,212  

Professional fees

    46,669       71,873        119,829        104,414  

Transfer agent fees

    12,946       16,601        36,770        17,991  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    2,556,454       19,974,324        38,876,663        12,742,804  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and contingent liabilities

         

NET ASSETS

  $ 387,981,857     $ 874,450,781      $ 1,641,601,123      $ 726,489,187  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

         

Paid-in capital(g)(h)(i)

  $ 507,480,248     $ 561,832,951      $ 1,310,873,538      $ 650,889,396  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    (119,498,391     312,617,830        330,727,585        75,599,791  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 387,981,857     $ 874,450,781      $ 1,641,601,123      $ 726,489,187  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 14.13     $ 19.81      $ 8.82      $ 11.81  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a) Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

         

(b) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 261,065,835     $ 554,276,107      $ 1,420,450,150      $ 605,816,932  

(c)  Securities loaned, at value

  $     $ 389,928      $      $  

(d) Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 3,612,320     $ 13,330,505      $ 5,204,534      $ 2,668,223  

(e) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 164,468     $      $ 1,015      $ 29  

(f)  Premiums received

  $ 2,439,087     $ 10,266,670      $ 20,613,526      $ 6,679,071  

(g) Shares outstanding

    27,464,975       44,146,919        186,135,109        61,525,804  

(h) Shares authorized

    Unlimited       200 million        Unlimited        Unlimited  

(i)  Par value

  $ 0.001     $ 0.10      $ 0.001      $ 0.001  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  133


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)

December 31, 2023

 

     BGY      BMEZ     BME      BIGZ  

ASSETS

         

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

  $ 624,733,185      $ 1,897,904,122     $ 563,003,496      $ 2,045,982,868  

Investments, at value — affiliated(c)

    8,260,103        52,782,059       31,396,977        20,831,232  

Cash pledged as collateral for OTC derivatives

           456,000               

Foreign currency, at value(d)

    71,830        1,168       534        367  

Receivables:

         

Investments sold

    114,555        68,999       958,057         

Options written

           60,590       38,374         

Securities lending income — affiliated

           10,797       146        4,367  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    1,006,356        1,032,893       473,056        321,424  

Dividends — affiliated

    32,178        310,218       145,414        7,085  

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

           1,429,095               

Deferred offering costs

                 82,600         

Prepaid expenses

    5,495        16,160       5,292        16,620  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

    634,223,702        1,954,072,101       596,103,946        2,067,163,963  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

         

Bank overdraft

           291,881       60,686         

Collateral on securities loaned

           12,300,667              20,504,459  

Options written, at value(e)

    10,496,177        31,431,446       7,272,745        16,978,313  

Payables:

         

Accounting services fees

    11,774        73,720       6,786        77,172  

Custodian fees

    30,184        70,982       14,995        25,318  

Deferred foreign capital gain tax

    4,475                      

Investment advisory fees

    515,908        1,954,724       489,107        2,101,647  

Trustees’ and Officer’s fees

    566,973        220,367       35,975        190,437  

Options written

           637       181         

Other accrued expenses

    15,681        69,110       13,695        225,454  

Professional fees

    82,978        170,562       60,267        241,684  

Proxy fees

           88,733              309,518  

Transfer agent fees

    17,702        28,340       14,079        40,123  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    11,741,852        46,701,169       7,968,516        40,694,125  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and contingent liabilities

         

NET ASSETS

  $ 622,481,850      $ 1,907,370,932     $ 588,135,430      $ 2,026,469,838  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

         

Paid-in capital(f)(g)(h)

  $ 540,011,552      $ 1,951,060,860     $ 417,617,800      $ 4,022,207,780  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    82,470,298        (43,689,928     170,517,630        (1,995,737,942
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 622,481,850      $ 1,907,370,932     $ 588,135,430      $ 2,026,469,838  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 6.21      $ 17.91     $ 42.18      $ 9.03  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 516,484,782      $ 1,853,674,255     $ 382,327,860      $ 2,119,760,855  

(b) Securities loaned, at value

  $      $ 11,862,741     $      $ 19,672,989  

(c)  Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 8,260,103      $ 52,782,639     $ 31,396,977      $ 20,830,071  

(d) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 72,034      $ 1,152     $ 531      $ 365  

(e) Premiums received

  $ 6,047,973      $ 14,726,316     $ 4,793,338      $ 8,337,243  

(f)  Shares outstanding

    100,271,847        106,514,258       13,943,973        224,418,826  

(g) Shares authorized

    Unlimited        Unlimited       Unlimited        Unlimited  

(h) Par value

  $ 0.001      $ 0.001     $ 0.001      $ 0.001  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

134  

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


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (continued)

December 31, 2023

 

     BCX     BSTZ(a)      BST(a)      BUI  

ASSETS

         

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

  $ 886,715,569     $ 1,645,173,877      $ 1,212,240,494      $ 508,127,583  

Investments, at value — affiliated(d)

    20,310,546       4,350,523        6,226,377        6,616,284  

Cash

    11,212                     118,852  

Cash pledged as collateral for OTC derivatives

          2,810,000        480,000         

Foreign currency, at value(e)

    32              3,106        311,516  

Receivables:

         

Investments sold

          5,008,596        1,911,624         

Options written

    144,623       73,559        64,797        5,666  

Securities lending income — affiliated

    1,145       2,549        3,275        390  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    1,303,716       249,242        165,225        766,502  

Dividends — affiliated

    59,141       16,169        5,862        39,225  

Interest — unaffiliated

    159,250                      

Deferred offering costs

                 190,226        104,426  

Prepaid expenses

          12,591        10,113         
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

    908,705,234       1,657,697,106        1,221,301,099        516,090,444  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

         

Bank overdraft

          343,159        506,784         

Foreign bank overdraft(f)

          4,202                

Due to broker

          680,000                

Collateral on securities loaned

    6,147,790       2,865,527        5,861,189        1,296,550  

Options written, at value(g)

    10,021,060       18,907,082        15,464,670        7,790,856  

Payables:

         

Investments purchased

          984,914        1,560,753         

Accounting services fees

    14,708       63,912        12,205        12,205  

Custodian fees

    16,921       69,972        22,959        16,734  

Deferred capital gain tax

          1,502,552                

Investment advisory fees

    744,129       1,706,024        1,000,816        421,840  

Offering costs

                 122,160         

Trustees’ and Officer’s fees

    270,533       207,525        18,503        8,241  

Options written

          10,649                

Other accrued expenses

    31,460       115,292        81,798        28,508  

Professional fees

    95,437       381,996        196,191        39,716  

Transfer agent fees

    24,704       30,071        28,445        13,864  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    17,366,742       27,872,877        24,876,473        9,628,514  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and contingent liabilities

         

NET ASSETS

  $ 891,338,492     $ 1,629,824,229      $ 1,196,424,626      $ 506,461,930  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

         

Paid-in capital(h)(i)(j)

  $ 1,017,257,473     $ 1,204,518,485      $ 778,585,324      $ 376,938,330  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    (125,918,981     425,305,744        417,839,302        129,523,600  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 891,338,492     $ 1,629,824,229      $ 1,196,424,626      $ 506,461,930  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value

  $ 10.57     $ 21.43      $ 34.74      $ 22.53  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(a) Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

         

(b) Investments, at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 763,800,468     $ 1,116,742,952      $ 772,151,828      $ 353,774,571  

(c)  Securities loaned, at value

  $ 5,956,421     $ 2,734,659      $ 5,574,481      $ 1,261,058  

(d) Investments, at cost — affiliated

  $ 20,311,045     $ 4,349,961      $ 6,226,872      $ 6,616,280  

(e) Foreign currency, at cost

  $ 31     $      $ 3,199      $ 311,331  

(f)  Foreign bank overdraft, at cost

  $     $ 4,244      $      $  

(g) Premiums received

  $ 6,777,331     $ 14,635,894      $ 10,495,969      $ 3,994,666  

(h) Shares outstanding

    84,363,295       76,070,675        34,439,660        22,475,026  

(i)  Shares authorized

    Unlimited       Unlimited        Unlimited        Unlimited  

(j)  Par value

  $ 0.001     $ 0.001      $ 0.001      $ 0.001  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  135


Statements of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

     BGR     CII     BDJ(a)     BOE  

INVESTMENT INCOME

       

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 14,969,795     $ 9,850,246     $ 45,971,564     $ 20,734,128  

Dividends — affiliated

    298,320       617,975       2,734,658       436,584  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

          6,751       1,130       2,641  

Other income — unaffiliated

                      1,660  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (677,148     (229,698     (669,939     (1,152,741

Foreign withholding tax claims

                      92,863  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    14,590,967       10,245,274       48,037,413       20,115,135  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

       

Investment advisory

    4,701,620       7,010,587       12,943,290       7,083,506  

Trustees and Officer

    68,275       68,931       223,235       107,935  

Professional

    67,273       63,469       83,302       85,609  

Transfer agent

    61,481       83,739       166,466       92,586  

Accounting services

    44,026       50,619       95,592       60,591  

Custodian

    38,393       30,538       121,839       101,549  

Printing and postage

    12,806       12,250       12,155       13,049  

Registration

    9,635       15,141       63,956       21,543  

Miscellaneous

    43,350       45,572       122,140       111,703  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding interest expense

    5,046,859       7,380,846       13,831,975       7,678,071  

Interest expense

    1,981       25       1,285       12,510  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    5,048,840       7,380,871       13,833,260       7,690,581  

Less:

       

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager

    (866,525     (9,345     (42,031     (1,246,244
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    4,182,315       7,371,526       13,791,229       6,444,337  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    10,408,652       2,873,748       34,246,184       13,670,798  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

       

Net realized gain (loss) from:

       

Investments — unaffiliated

    13,956,583       38,254,751       109,803,621       (8,384,018

Investments — affiliated

          (486     (331     1,183  

Foreign currency transactions

    (19,792     5,820       (29,970     49,737  

Options written

    9,232,797       (10,946,814     (6,887,226     4,801,919  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    23,169,588       27,313,271       102,886,094       (3,531,179
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

       

Investments — unaffiliated

    (13,465,014     135,702,696       36,602,051       94,322,957  

Investments — affiliated

          (40            

Foreign currency translations

    7,464             56,565       70,714  

Options written

    (1,712,020     (13,682,244     (23,815,466     (7,553,097
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (15,169,570     122,020,412       12,843,150       86,840,574  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    8,000,018       149,333,683       115,729,244       83,309,395  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 18,408,670     $ 152,207,431     $ 149,975,428     $ 96,980,193  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

136  

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


Statements of Operations (continued)

Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

     BGY     BMEZ     BME     BIGZ  

INVESTMENT INCOME

       

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 16,468,093     $ 10,039,140     $ 6,937,337     $ 4,032,845  

Dividends — affiliated

    518,836       2,845,610       1,268,777       445,542  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

          458,690       25,650       63,099  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (1,573,063     (197,616     (38,198     (103,355
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    15,413,866       13,145,824       8,193,566       4,438,131  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

       

Investment advisory

    6,151,366       24,524,202       5,832,589       25,361,872  

Custodian

    134,274       122,197       51,615       76,364  

Professional

    106,618       132,875       98,133       189,064  

Trustees and Officer

    90,917       131,469       37,651       130,669  

Transfer agent

    84,967       112,265       75,539       113,140  

Accounting services

    50,619       210,489       30,592       211,126  

Registration

    35,250       77,430       6,969       118,823  

Printing and postage

    13,432       7,656       12,150       51,776  

Proxy

          384,226             2,215,984  

Miscellaneous

    119,953       311,104       61,916       810,404  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding interest expense

    6,787,396       26,013,913       6,207,154       29,279,222  

Interest expense

    11,998       2,572       55       1,499  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    6,799,394       26,016,485       6,207,209       29,280,721  

Less:

       

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager

    (7,794     (42,748     (19,166     (6,701
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    6,791,600       25,973,737       6,188,043       29,274,020  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    8,622,266       (12,827,913     2,005,523       (24,835,889
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

       

Net realized gain (loss) from:

       

Investments — unaffiliated

    11,484,884 (a)      (24,744,005     21,495,636       (393,354,886

Investments — affiliated

          486,796       1,094       (616

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

          (57,158            

Foreign currency transactions

    92,350       (226,545     (16,353     14,472  

Options written

    13,525,844       24,415,306       5,205,429       (1,695,478
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    25,103,078       (125,606     26,685,806       (395,036,508
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

       

Investments — unaffiliated

    55,264,286 (b)      105,248,841       (4,024,478     645,656,803  

Investments — affiliated

          148,903       (265     1,161  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

          (3,535,460            

Foreign currency translations

    76,633       30,590       8,828       (3,742

Options written

    (5,754,650     (19,080,793     (4,658,396     (14,212,806
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    49,586,269       82,812,081       (8,674,311     631,441,416  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    74,689,347       82,686,475       18,011,495       236,404,908  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 83,311,613     $ 69,858,562     $ 20,017,018     $ 211,569,019  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Net of foreign capital gain tax and capital gain tax refund, if applicable of

  $ 5,424     $     $     $  

(b) Net of reduction in deferred foreign capital gain tax of

  $ 68,252     $     $     $  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  137


Statements of Operations (continued)

Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

     BCX     BSTZ(a)     BST(a)     BUI  

INVESTMENT INCOME

       

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 34,681,757     $ 6,443,460     $ 4,090,208     $ 13,347,378  

Dividends — affiliated

    1,252,534       395,145       354,864       525,353  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    17,994       78,328       16,851       10,772  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (1,719,124     (763,345     (125,252     (689,625

Foreign withholding tax claims

                      25,957  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    34,233,161       6,153,588       4,336,671       13,219,835  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

       

Investment advisory

    9,268,898       19,807,795       10,967,904       4,969,829  

Transfer agent

    119,977       151,677       147,249       72,110  

Custodian

    84,957       202,787       102,677       64,294  

Trustees and Officer

    81,038       106,732       61,745       29,277  

Professional

    72,375       185,694       191,977       76,063  

Accounting services

    59,025       173,820       49,023       49,023  

Registration

    30,063       26,861       14,365       12,685  

Printing and postage

    12,892       11,562       15,566       12,845  

Miscellaneous

    116,687       627,205       432,022       97,398  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding interest expense

    9,845,912       21,294,133       11,982,528       5,383,524  

Interest expense

    2,847       21,132       14,556       2,654  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    9,848,759       21,315,265       11,997,084       5,386,178  

Less:

       

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager

    (18,912     (5,929     (5,407     (8,011
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    9,829,847       21,309,336       11,991,677       5,378,167  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    24,403,314       (15,155,748     (7,655,006     7,841,668  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

       

Net realized gain (loss) from:

       

Investments — unaffiliated

    12,875,880       (14,848,604     81,791,251       11,729,367  

Investments — affiliated

    4,937       12,631       1,012       1,417  

Foreign currency transactions

    25,265       (425,111     (6,781     49,491  

Options written

    21,043,307       (25,763,522     (31,419,636     7,412,060  

Payment by affiliate

          127,092              
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    33,949,389       (40,897,514     50,365,846       19,192,335  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

       

Investments — unaffiliated

    (60,295,894     349,981,389 (b)      259,808,753 (b)      14,349,399  

Investments — affiliated

    (499     562       (575     (118

Foreign currency translations

    24,073       6,975       150       18,026  

Options written

    (6,718,319     (13,974,383     (12,373,937     (5,317,561
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (66,990,639     336,014,543       247,434,391       9,049,746  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (33,041,250     295,117,029       297,800,237       28,242,081  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ (8,637,936   $ 279,961,281     $ 290,145,231     $ 36,083,749  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Consolidated Statement of Operations.

       

(b) Net of reduction in deferred capital gain tax of

  $     $ 1,956,748     $ 113,475     $  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

138  

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    BGR            CII  
   

Year Ended

12/31/23

   

Year Ended

12/31/22

          

Year Ended

12/31/23

   

Year Ended

12/31/22

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

          

OPERATIONS

          

Net investment income

  $ 10,408,652     $ 12,071,039        $ 2,873,748     $ 2,696,846  

Net realized gain

    23,169,588       34,809,940          27,313,271       100,213,617  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (15,169,570     66,906,553          122,020,412       (211,028,139
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    18,408,670       113,787,532          152,207,431       (108,117,676
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

          

From net investment income and net realized gain

    (10,396,825     (11,890,970        (52,698,168     (92,693,757

Return of capital

    (11,108,880     (4,610,793               
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (21,505,705     (16,501,763        (52,698,168     (92,693,757
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

          

Reinvestment of distributions

                   274,446        

Redemption of shares resulting from share repurchase program (including transaction costs)

    (7,413,692     (12,296,655               
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

    (7,413,692     (12,296,655        274,446        
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (10,510,727     84,989,114          99,783,709       (200,811,433

Beginning of year

    398,492,584       313,503,470          774,667,072       975,478,505  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $  387,981,857     $  398,492,584        $  874,450,781     $ 774,667,072  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  139


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    BDJ(a)            BOE  
   

Year Ended

12/31/23

   

Year Ended

12/31/22

          

Year Ended

12/31/23

   

Year Ended

12/31/22

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

          

OPERATIONS

          

Net investment income

  $ 34,246,184     $ 30,038,016        $ 13,670,798     $ 12,760,469  

Net realized gain (loss)

    102,886,094       147,475,079          (3,531,179     15,653,551  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    12,843,150       (250,207,024        86,840,574       (137,096,032
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    149,975,428       (72,693,929        96,980,193       (108,682,012
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(b)

          

From net investment income and net realized gain

    (135,982,780     (204,152,869        (13,739,848     (38,142,002

Return of capital

                   (33,325,380     (9,962,064
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (135,982,780     (204,152,869        (47,065,228     (48,104,066
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

          

Reinvestment of distributions

    702,786       3,650,249                 

Redemption of shares resulting from share repurchase program (including transaction costs)

    (2,735,878              (11,889,663     (12,470,648
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

    (2,033,092     3,650,249          (11,889,663     (12,470,648
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    11,959,556       (273,196,549        38,025,302       (169,256,726

Beginning of year

    1,629,641,567       1,902,838,116          688,463,885       857,720,611  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $  1,641,601,123     $  1,629,641,567        $  726,489,187     $ 688,463,885  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Net Assets.

 
(b) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

140  

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    BGY            BMEZ  
   

Year Ended

12/31/23

   

Year Ended

12/31/22

          

Year Ended

12/31/23

   

Year Ended

12/31/22

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

          

OPERATIONS

          

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 8,622,266     $ 10,518,833        $ (12,827,913   $ (20,420,947

Net realized gain (loss)

    25,103,078       14,980,788          (125,606     (26,244,107

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    49,586,269       (92,154,694        82,812,081       (636,053,199
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    83,311,613       (66,655,073        69,858,562       (682,718,253
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

          

From net investment income and net realized gain

    (17,300,662     (20,170,266              (183,050,144

Return of capital

    (23,857,237     (21,930,456        (170,987,587     (11,869,565
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (41,157,899     (42,100,722        (170,987,587     (194,919,709
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

          

Redemption of shares resulting from share repurchase program (including transaction costs)

    (13,143,239     (7,282,700        (47,918,763     (47,829,587
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    29,010,475       (116,038,495        (149,047,788     (925,467,549

Beginning of year

    593,471,375       709,509,870          2,056,418,720       2,981,886,269  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $  622,481,850     $ 593,471,375        $  1,907,370,932     $  2,056,418,720  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  141


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    BME            BIGZ  
   

Year Ended

12/31/23

   

Year Ended

12/31/22

          

Year Ended

12/31/23

   

Year Ended

12/31/22

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

          

OPERATIONS

          

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 2,005,523     $ 1,539,556        $ (24,835,889   $ (31,271,483

Net realized gain (loss)

    26,685,806       13,676,395          (395,036,508     (1,316,372,963

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (8,674,311     (41,687,030        631,441,416       (308,670,678
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    20,017,018       (26,471,079        211,569,019       (1,656,315,124
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

          

From net investment income and net realized gain

    (25,396,234     (32,998,527               

Return of capital

    (10,214,453     (1,403,564        (173,714,456     (233,929,900
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (35,610,687     (34,402,091        (173,714,456     (233,929,900
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

          

Net proceeds from the issuance of shares

    3,020,683       33,618,939                 

Reinvestment of distributions

    511,503       1,676,333                 

Redemption of shares resulting from share repurchase program (including transaction costs)

                   (37,872,639     (64,919,571
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

    3,532,186       35,295,272          (37,872,639     (64,919,571
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Total decrease in net assets

    (12,061,483     (25,577,898        (18,076     (1,955,164,595

Beginning of year

    600,196,913       625,774,811          2,026,487,914       3,981,652,509  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $  588,135,430     $  600,196,913        $  2,026,469,838     $ 2,026,487,914  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

142  

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    BCX            BSTZ(a)  
   

Year Ended

12/31/23

   

Year Ended

12/31/22

          

Year Ended

12/31/23

   

Year Ended

12/31/22

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

          

OPERATIONS

          

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 24,403,314     $ 26,122,375        $ (15,155,748   $ (23,377,483

Net realized gain (loss)

    33,949,389       164,961,884          (40,897,514     116,813,048  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (66,990,639     (53,573,504        336,014,543       (1,429,494,278
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (8,637,936     137,510,755          279,961,281       (1,336,058,713
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(b)

          

From net investment income and net realized gain

    (24,357,046     (26,024,883              (70,402,537

Return of capital

    (29,035,558     (22,531,891        (140,469,092     (110,549,120
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (53,392,604     (48,556,774        (140,469,092     (180,951,657
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

          

Redemption of shares resulting from share repurchase program (including transaction costs)

    (29,812,008     (7,554,830        (34,325,597     (7,293,625
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (91,842,548     81,399,151          105,166,592       (1,524,303,995

Beginning of year

    983,181,040       901,781,889          1,524,657,637       3,048,961,632  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $  891,338,492     $  983,181,040        $  1,629,824,229     $ 1,524,657,637  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Net Assets.

 
(b) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  143


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

    BST(a)            BUI  
   

Year Ended

12/31/23

   

Year Ended

12/31/22

          

Year Ended

12/31/23

   

Year Ended

12/31/22

 

 

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

          

OPERATIONS

          

Net investment income (loss)

  $ (7,655,006   $ (9,272,089      $ 7,841,668     $ 7,295,744  

Net realized gain

    50,365,846       51,379,805          19,192,335       7,425,254  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    247,434,391       (696,878,029        9,049,746       (59,248,817
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    290,145,231       (654,770,313        36,083,749       (44,527,819
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(b)

          

From net investment income and net realized gain

    (50,091,649     (69,684,200        (21,447,319     (18,983,124

Return of capital

    (51,595,440     (27,306,002        (11,077,670     (13,135,583
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (101,687,089     (96,990,202        (32,524,989     (32,118,707
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

          

Net proceeds from the issuance of shares

    41,619,188       28,525,537          3,779,817       14,467,890  

Reinvestment of distributions

    5,644,095       2,771,741          730,387       766,909  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    47,263,283       31,297,278          4,510,204       15,234,799  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

          

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    235,721,425       (720,463,237        8,068,964       (61,411,727

Beginning of year

    960,703,201       1,681,166,438          498,392,966       559,804,693  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $  1,196,424,626     $ 960,703,201        $  506,461,930     $  498,392,966  
 

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Net Assets.

 
(b) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

144  

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Statements of Cash Flows

Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

     BGR     CII     BDJ(a)     BOE  

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES

       

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 18,408,670     $ 152,207,431     $ 149,975,428     $ 96,980,193  

Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:

       

Proceeds from sales of long-term investments and principal paydowns/payups

    155,259,253       299,421,903       738,966,890       363,701,155  

Purchases of long-term investments

    (147,272,203     (235,741,075     (698,110,301     (330,769,604

Net proceeds from sales of short-term securities

    4,083,155       1,330,166       70,837,572       3,976,712  

Premiums paid on closing options written

    (21,610,723     (113,646,798     (165,872,491     (50,374,267

Premiums received from options written

    28,273,392       99,822,466       158,385,773       54,159,601  

Net realized (gain) loss on investments and options written

    (22,920,725     (27,280,542     (102,827,132     3,739,905  

Net unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments, options written and foreign currency translations

    15,177,844       (122,020,412     (12,786,583     (86,769,860

(Increase) Decrease in Assets

       

Receivables

       

Dividends — affiliated

    2,178       46,761       233,670       10,292  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    119,573       43,195       309,576       (145,719

Securities lending income — affiliated

          (315            

Prepaid expenses

    (3,815     (6,042     (14,631     (6,414

Deferred offering costs

                (208,889      

Increase (Decrease) in Liabilities

       

Due to broker

                      530,000  

Collateral on securities loaned

          397,585              

Payables

       

Accounting services fees

    (3,703     (3,884     (7,699     (4,754

Custodian fees

    (7,606     (68     (20,442     (14,517

Investment advisory fees

    (6,328     39,963       (34,244     12,621  

Trustees’ and Officer’s fees

    14,268       26,371       108,558       29,364  

Other accrued expenses

    (19,397     (48,293     (32,354     (14,595

Professional fees

    (24,123     (30,540     (52,758     (27,087

Transfer agent fees

    (9,570     (10,588     (23,655     (13,244

Other liabilities

                (666,808      
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

    29,460,140       54,547,284       138,159,480       54,999,782  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES

       

Cash dividends paid to shareholders

    (21,597,278     (54,523,046     (135,279,994     (47,201,093

Net payments on redemption of capital shares

    (7,673,529           (2,735,878     (12,222,062

Decrease in bank overdraft

    (83,281     (24,238            
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used for financing activities

    (29,354,088     (54,547,284     (138,015,872     (59,423,155
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH IMPACT FROM FOREIGN EXCHANGE FLUCTUATIONS

       

Cash impact from foreign exchange fluctuations

    (810           (2     (155
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY

       

Net increase (decrease) in restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency

    105,242             143,606       (4,423,528

Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at beginning of year

    58,425             129,653       4,953,552  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at end of year

  $      163,667     $         —     $      273,259     $      530,024  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

       

Cash paid during the year for interest expense

  $ 1,981     $ 25     $ 1,285     $ 12,510  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES

       

Reinvestment of distributions 

  $     $ 274,446     $ 702,786     $  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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

  145


Statements of Cash Flows (continued)

Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

     BGR      CII      BDJ(a)      BOE  

RECONCILIATION OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY AT THE END OF YEAR TO THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

          

Cash

  $      $      $ 272,377      $  

Cash pledged

          

Collateral — OTC derivatives

                         530,000  

Foreign currency at value

    163,667               882        24  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $      163,667      $         —      $      273,259      $      530,024  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

146  

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


Statements of Cash Flows (continued)

Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

     BGY     BMEZ     BME     BIGZ  

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES

       

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 83,311,613     $ 69,858,562     $ 20,017,018     $ 211,569,019  

Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:

       

Proceeds from sales of long-term investments

    378,012,871       1,388,198,381       276,514,413       1,004,863,164  

Purchases of long-term investments

    (350,204,293     (1,212,826,357     (241,735,506     (779,071,516

Net proceeds from sales (purchases) of short-term securities

    (2,637,782     32,057,220       (7,524,854     132,541  

Premiums paid on closing options written

    (29,738,122     (100,995,609     (38,654,231     (71,188,435

Premiums received from options written

    43,528,696       119,727,132       42,173,622       66,060,586  

Net realized (gain) loss on investments and options written

    (24,861,160     1,723,983       (26,689,552     395,265,926  

Net unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments, options written and foreign currency translations

    (49,439,379     (82,781,507     8,683,167       (631,426,944

(Increase) Decrease in Assets

       

Receivables

       

Dividends — affiliated

    (16,306     (137,063     (73,363     10,476  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    281,025       (237,570     51,234       (113,427

Securities lending income — affiliated

          31,029       4,310       3,221  

Prepaid expenses

    (5,495     (16,160     (5,292     (16,620

Deferred offering costs

                (4,426      

Increase (Decrease) in Liabilities

       

Collateral on securities loaned

          10,470,673       (675,895     20,319,859  

Payables

       

Accounting services fees

    (3,884     (1,418     (2,228     (2,428

Custodian fees

    (12,737     (47,364     (1,746     (2,794

Deferred foreign capital gain tax

    (68,252                  

Investment advisory fees

    7,499       (256,219     (22,241     (106,788

Trustees’ and Officer’s fees

    18,863       77,726       12,638       78,419  

Other accrued expenses

    (13,184     (126,201     (24,844     (109,246

Professional fees

    (21,108     3,689       (15,408     36,486  

Proxy fees

          88,733             309,518  

Transfer agent fees

    (10,140     (24,185     (8,140     (38,665
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

    48,128,725       224,787,475       32,018,676       216,572,352  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES

       

Cash dividends paid to shareholders

    (41,320,547     (173,524,946     (35,099,184     (176,112,694

Payments for offering costs

                (497      

Net payments on redemption of capital shares

    (13,143,239     (51,038,060           (40,459,636

Increase in bank overdraft

          196,568       57,766        

Proceeds from issuance of capital shares

                3,020,683        
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used for financing activities

    (54,463,786     (224,366,438     (32,021,232     (216,572,330
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH IMPACT FROM FOREIGN EXCHANGE FLUCTUATIONS

       

Cash impact from foreign exchange fluctuations

    (2,005     16       (28     10  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY

       

Net increase (decrease) in restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency

    (6,337,066     421,053       (2,584     32  

Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at beginning of year

    6,408,896       36,115       3,118       335  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at end of year

  $ 71,830     $        457,168     $           534     $           367  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

       

Cash paid during the year for interest expense

  $       11,998     $ 2,572     $ 55     $ 1,499  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES

       

Reinvestment of distributions 

  $     $     $ 511,503     $  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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

  147


Statements of Cash Flows (continued)

Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

     BGY      BMEZ      BME      BIGZ  

RECONCILIATION OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY AT THE END OF YEAR TO THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

          

Cash pledged

          

Collateral — OTC derivatives

  $      $ 456,000      $      $  

Foreign currency at value

    71,830        1,168        534        367  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $       71,830      $        457,168      $           534      $           367  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

148  

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


Statements of Cash Flows (continued)

Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

     BCX     BSTZ(a)     BST(a)     BUI  

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES

       

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  $ (8,637,936   $ 279,961,281     $ 290,145,231     $ 36,083,749  

Adjustments to reconcile net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:

       

Proceeds from sales of long-term investments and principal paydowns/payups

    454,061,490       814,156,277       436,821,798       163,826,356  

Purchases of long-term investments

    (417,686,429     (617,172,687     (350,433,270     (156,804,674

Net proceeds from sales (purchases) of short-term securities

    (902,005     16,346,031       378,587       4,652,393  

Premiums paid on closing options written

    (48,050,251     (155,845,035     (131,697,471     (23,113,180

Premiums received from options written

    65,847,566       126,407,741       99,092,517       29,917,467  

Net realized (gain) loss on investments and options written

    (33,581,296     41,324,283       (49,817,838     (18,317,996

Net unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments, options written and foreign currency translations

    67,014,722       (334,050,748     (247,319,836     (9,031,905

(Increase) Decrease in Assets

       

Receivables

       

Dividends — affiliated

    18,603       42,344       28,000       (470

Dividends — unaffiliated

    298,258       (3,314     208,491       240,077  

Interest — unaffiliated

    (159,250                  

Securities lending income — affiliated

    (1,145     (2,549     (2,001     1,742  

Prepaid expenses

          (12,591     (10,113      

Other assets

          680,607              

Deferred offering costs

                15,149       (1,089

Increase (Decrease) in Liabilities

       

Due to broker

          680,000              

Collateral on securities loaned

    6,147,790       2,865,527       5,036,333       1,071,499  

Payables

       

Accounting services fees

    (4,977     (3,794     (4,128     (4,128

Custodian fees

    (9,391     7,468       (14,492     (9,453

Deferred capital gain tax

          (1,956,748     (113,475      

Investment advisory fees

    (93,556     23,937       154,885       (6,370

Trustees’ and Officer’s fees

    17,514       61,976       15,517       7,795  

Other accrued expenses

    (87,879     (68,059     (68,655     (81,981

Professional fees

    (37,767     6,639       20,994       (23,282

Transfer agent fees

    (17,661     (24,601     (18,683     (7,601
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

    84,136,400       173,423,985       52,417,540       28,398,949  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES

       

Cash dividends paid to shareholders

    (53,560,583     (142,794,066     (96,618,820     (31,944,926

Payments for offering costs

                (7,750      

Net payments on redemption of capital shares

    (30,516,383     (36,266,037            

Increase (decrease) in bank overdraft

    (117,583     347,361       418,700        

Proceeds from issuance of capital shares

                41,619,188       3,779,817  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used for financing activities

    (84,194,549     (178,712,742     (54,588,682     (28,165,109
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH IMPACT FROM FOREIGN EXCHANGE FLUCTUATIONS

       

Cash impact from foreign exchange fluctuations

    (10     (72     (930     185  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY

       

Net increase (decrease) in restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency

    (58,159     (5,288,829     (2,172,072     234,025  

Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at beginning of year

    69,403       8,098,829       2,655,178       196,343  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at end of year

  $ 11,244     $ 2,810,000     $ 483,106     $ 430,368  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

       

Cash paid during the year for interest expense

  $ 2,847     $ 21,132     $ 14,556     $ 2,654  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES

       

Reinvestment of distributions

  $     $     $ 5,644,095     $ 730,387  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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

  149


Statements of Cash Flows (continued)

Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

     BCX      BSTZ(a)      BST(a)      BUI  

RECONCILIATION OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY AT THE END OF YEAR TO THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

          

Cash

  $ 11,212      $      $      $ 118,852  

Cash pledged

          

Collateral — OTC derivatives

           2,810,000        480,000         

Foreign currency at value

    32               3,106        311,516  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $       11,244      $    2,810,000      $      483,106      $      430,368  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

150  

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


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BGR  
    

Year Ended

12/31/23

    

Year Ended

12/31/22

    

Year Ended

12/31/21

   

Year Ended

12/31/20

    

Year Ended

12/31/19

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 14.21      $ 10.77      $ 8.17     $ 12.57      $ 11.98  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.37        0.42        0.28       0.32        0.34  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.32        3.60        2.77       (4.06      1.18  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.69        4.02        3.05       (3.74      1.52  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

            

From net investment income

    (0.37      (0.42      (0.28     (0.32      (0.34

Return of capital

    (0.40      (0.16      (0.17     (0.34      (0.59
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.77      (0.58      (0.45     (0.66      (0.93
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 14.13      $ 14.21      $ 10.77     $ 8.17      $ 12.57  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 12.45      $ 12.53      $ 9.48     $ 7.10      $ 11.88  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

            

Based on net asset value

    5.75      38.51      38.36 %(d)      (29.03 )%       13.74
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Based on market price

    5.66      38.76      40.14     (34.74 )%       23.23
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

            

Total expenses

    1.29      1.26      1.33     1.37      1.35
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.07      1.04      1.11     1.15      1.16
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.66      3.21      2.88     3.77      2.67
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

            

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $  387,982      $  398,493      $  313,503     $  237,868      $  374,896  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    38      76      61     62      24
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

(d) 

Includes payment from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Trust’s total return.

(e) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  151


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    CII  
    

Year Ended

12/31/23

    

Year Ended

12/31/22

    

Year Ended

12/31/21

    

Year Ended

12/31/20

    

Year Ended

12/31/19

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 17.55      $ 22.10      $ 19.12      $ 17.96      $ 15.28  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.07        0.06        0.04        0.13        0.18  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    3.38        (2.51      4.04        2.08        3.50  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    3.45        (2.45      4.08        2.21        3.68  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

             

From net investment income

    (0.07      (0.04      (0.04      (0.13      (0.19

From net realized gain

    (1.12      (2.06      (1.06      (0.92      (0.44

Return of capital

                                (0.37
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.19      (2.10      (1.10      (1.05      (1.00
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 19.81      $ 17.55      $ 22.10      $ 19.12      $ 17.96  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 19.00      $ 17.12      $ 22.12      $ 17.40      $ 17.25  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    20.45      (10.95 )%       21.97      13.94      25.08
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Based on market price

    18.43      (13.21 )%       34.15      7.97      30.38
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(d)

             

Total expenses

    0.89      0.89      0.90      0.91      0.91
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.89      0.89      0.90      0.91      0.91
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.35      0.31      0.21      0.78      1.08
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $  874,451      $  774,667      $  975,479      $  843,673      $  792,638  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    28      32      27      46      32
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

(d) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

152  

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Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BDJ  
     

Year Ended

12/31/23

 

(a) 

   

Year Ended

12/31/22

 

(a) 

   

Year Ended

12/31/21

 

 

   

Year Ended

12/31/20

 

 

   
Year Ended
12/31/19
 
 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 8.74     $ 10.23     $ 9.35     $ 10.03     $ 8.74  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.18       0.16       0.15       0.18       0.18  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.63       (0.56     1.60       (0.26     1.86  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.81       (0.40     1.75       (0.08     2.04  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

         

From net investment income

    (0.13     (0.04     (0.28     (0.15     (0.08

From net realized gain

    (0.60     (1.05     (0.59     (0.45     (0.67
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.73     (1.09     (0.87     (0.60     (0.75
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 8.82     $ 8.74     $ 10.23     $ 9.35     $ 10.03  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 7.69     $ 9.01     $ 10.08     $ 8.47     $ 9.92  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

         

Based on net asset value

    10.37     (3.71 )%(e)      19.33     0.77     24.52
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Based on market price

    (6.65 )%      0.74     29.80     (7.70 )%      38.53
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

         

Total expenses

    0.86     0.84     0.85     0.86     0.87
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.86     0.84     0.85     0.86     0.87
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.12     1.69     1.44     2.15     1.99
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 1,641,601     $ 1,629,642     $ 1,902,838     $ 1,739,122     $ 1,881,675  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    43     81     40     48     40
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Consolidated Financial Highlights.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

(e) 

Includes payment from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Trust’s total return.

(f) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  153


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BOE  
    

Year Ended

12/31/23

    

Year Ended

12/31/22

    

Year Ended

12/31/21

    

Year Ended

12/31/20

    

Year Ended

12/31/19

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 10.97      $ 13.40      $ 12.28      $ 12.32      $ 11.07  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.22        0.20        0.19        0.26        0.30  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.38        (1.87      1.69        0.46        1.71  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.60        (1.67      1.88        0.72        2.01  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

             

From net investment income

    (0.22      (0.19      (0.19      (0.26      (0.31

From net realized gain

           (0.41      (0.57              

Return of capital

    (0.54      (0.16             (0.50      (0.45
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.76      (0.76      (0.76      (0.76      (0.76
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 11.81      $ 10.97      $ 13.40      $ 12.28      $ 12.32  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 9.92      $ 9.56      $ 12.18      $ 10.91      $ 10.99  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    16.16      (11.87 )%       16.21      7.65      19.54
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Based on market price

    11.95      (15.51 )%       18.89      7.22      25.98
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(d)

             

Total expenses

    1.09      1.06      1.07      1.09      1.12
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.91      0.89      0.90      0.92      0.94
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and excluding professional fees for foreign withholding taxes

    0.91      0.88      0.90      0.92      0.94
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.93      1.72      1.46      2.33      2.62
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $  726,489      $  688,464      $  857,721      $  786,230      $  807,712  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    46      44      65      61      26
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

(d) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

154  

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Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BGY  
    

Year Ended

12/31/23

    

Year Ended

12/31/22

    

Year Ended

12/31/21

    

Year Ended

12/31/20

    

Year Ended

12/31/19

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 5.78      $ 6.81      $ 6.49      $ 6.47      $ 5.79  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.09        0.10        0.09        0.12        0.16  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.75        (0.72      0.64        0.31        0.93  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.84        (0.62      0.73        0.43        1.09  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

             

From net investment income

    (0.08      (0.10      (0.14      (0.13      (0.16

From net realized gain

    (0.09      (0.10      (0.15             (0.19

Return of capital

    (0.24      (0.21      (0.12      (0.28      (0.06
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.41      (0.41      (0.41      (0.41      (0.41
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 6.21      $ 5.78      $ 6.81      $ 6.49      $ 6.47  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 5.27      $ 5.02      $ 6.28      $ 5.87      $ 5.89  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    15.94      (8.33 )%       11.92      8.18      20.20
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Based on market price

    13.29      (13.67 )%       14.11      7.49      27.22
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(d)

             

Total expenses

    1.10      1.08      1.09      1.10      1.13
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.10      1.03      0.99      1.00      1.03
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and excluding professional fees for foreign withholding taxes

    1.10      1.02      0.99      1.00      1.03
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.40      1.71      1.34      1.99      2.57
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $  622,482      $  593,471      $  709,510      $  676,949      $  683,247  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    55      41      71      60      28
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

(d) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  155


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BMEZ  
     

Year Ended

12/31/23

 

 

   

Year Ended

12/31/22

 

 

    

Year Ended

12/31/21

 

 

    

Period from

01/30/20

to 12/31/20

 

(a) 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 18.76     $ 26.47      $ 30.73      $ 20.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment loss(b)

    (0.12     (0.18      (0.32      (0.22

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.85       (5.79      (2.23      11.85  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.73       (5.97      (2.55      11.63  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

         

From net realized gain

          (1.63      (1.71      (0.90

Return of capital

    (1.58     (0.11              
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.58     (1.74      (1.71      (0.90
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 17.91     $ 18.76      $ 26.47      $ 30.73  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Market price, end of period

  $ 14.65     $ 15.43      $ 25.36      $ 28.65  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

         

Based on net asset value

    5.60     (21.66 )%       (8.31 )%       59.62 %(e)(f) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Based on market price

    5.02     (32.75 )%       (5.76 )%       48.82 %(f) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

         

Total expenses

    1.33 %(h)      1.32      1.30      1.29 %(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.32 %(h)      1.32      1.30      1.28 %(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (0.65 )%      (0.91 )%       (1.10 )%       (1.00 )%(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

         

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $  1,907,371     $  2,056,419      $  2,981,886      $  3,462,638  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    63     63      44      43
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

(e) 

Includes payment from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Trust’s total return.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

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

(h) 

Includes non-recurring expenses of proxy costs. Without these costs, total expenses, total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed would have been 1.31% and 1.30%, respectively.

(i) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

156  

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Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BME  
    

Year Ended

12/31/23

    

Year Ended

12/31/22

    

Year Ended

12/31/21

   

Year Ended

12/31/20

    

Year Ended

12/31/19

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 43.30      $ 47.96      $ 45.66     $ 41.19      $ 35.87  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.14        0.11              0.01        0.06  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.30        (2.21      4.74       6.86        7.66  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.44        (2.10      4.74       6.87        7.72  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

            

From net investment income

    (0.17      (0.12      (0.00 )(c)      (0.05      (0.12

From net realized gain

    (1.66      (2.34      (2.44     (2.35      (2.28

Return of capital

    (0.73      (0.10                    
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (2.56      (2.56      (2.44     (2.40      (2.40
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 42.18      $ 43.30      $ 47.96     $ 45.66      $ 41.19  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 40.46      $ 43.58      $ 48.50     $ 47.59      $ 42.50  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

            

Based on net asset value

    3.80      (4.19 )%       10.66 %(e)      17.50      22.26
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Based on market price

    (1.08 )%       (4.64 )%       7.37     18.69      24.15
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

            

Total expenses

    1.06      1.08      1.08     1.10      1.09
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.06      1.07      1.08     1.10      1.09
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.34      0.27      0.01     0.01      0.16
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

            

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $  588,135      $  600,197      $  625,775     $  545,936      $  446,773  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    43      41      49     28      47
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

Amount is greater than $(0.005) per share.

(d) 

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

(e) 

Includes payment from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Trust’s total return.

(f) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  157


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BIGZ  
    

Year Ended

12/31/23

   

Year Ended

12/31/22

   

Period from

03/29/21(a)

to 12/31/21

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 8.82     $ 16.72     $ 20.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(b)

    (0.11     (0.13     (0.15

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.09       (6.78     (2.43
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.98       (6.91     (2.58
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distribution from return of capital(c)

    (0.77     (0.99     (0.70
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 9.03     $ 8.82     $ 16.72  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Market price, end of period

  $ 7.33     $ 6.81     $ 14.54  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

     

Based on net asset value

    13.28     (41.14 )%(e)      (13.03 )%(f) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Based on market price

    19.09     (47.74 )%      (24.37 )%(f) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

     

Total expenses

    1.44 %(h)      1.36     1.29 %(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.44 %(h)      1.36     1.28 %(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (1.22 )%      (1.22 )%      (1.02 )%(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

     

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $  2,026,470     $  2,026,488     $  3,981,653  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    37     41     55
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

(e) 

Includes payment from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Trust’s total return.

(f) 

Not annualized.

(g) 

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

(h) 

Includes non-recurring expenses of proxy costs. Without these costs, total expenses, total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed would have been 1.33% and 1.33%, respectively.

(i) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BCX  
    

Year Ended

12/31/23

    

Year Ended

12/31/22

    

Year Ended

12/31/21

    

Year Ended

12/31/20

    

Year Ended

12/31/19

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 11.23      $ 10.21      $ 8.45      $ 9.04      $ 8.44  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.29        0.30        0.29        0.20        0.23  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.33      1.27        1.95        (0.26      0.99  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (0.04      1.57        2.24        (0.06      1.22  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

             

From net investment income

    (0.28      (0.29      (0.38      (0.23      (0.23

Return of capital

    (0.34      (0.26      (0.10      (0.30      (0.39
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.62      (0.55      (0.48      (0.53      (0.62
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 10.57      $ 11.23      $ 10.21      $ 8.45      $ 9.04  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 8.88      $ 9.97      $ 9.35      $ 7.41      $ 8.07  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    0.56      16.31      27.20      1.56      15.88
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Based on market price

    (4.84 )%       12.76      32.83      (0.23 )%       23.67
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(d)

             

Total expenses

    1.06      1.05      1.07      1.09      1.11
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.06      1.05      1.07      1.09      1.11
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and excluding professional fees for foreign withholding taxes

    1.06      1.05      1.07      1.09      1.11
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.63      2.73      3.05      2.62      2.56
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $  891,338      $  983,181      $  901,782      $  746,615      $  822,754  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    46      92      66      78      69
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

(d) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  159


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BSTZ  
    

Year Ended

12/31/23(a)

   

Year Ended

12/31/22(a)

    

Year Ended

12/31/21(a)

    

Year Ended

12/31/20(a)

   

Period from

06/27/19(b)

to 12/31/19

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 19.53     $ 38.82      $ 38.72      $ 20.95     $ 20.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(c)

    (0.20     (0.30      (0.51      (0.30     (0.05

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    3.92       (16.69      3.69        19.32       1.50  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    3.72       (16.99      3.18        19.02       1.45  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(d)

           

From net realized gain

          (0.89      (3.08      (1.10      

Return of capital

    (1.82     (1.41             (0.15     (0.50
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.82     (2.30      (3.08      (1.25     (0.50
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 21.43     $ 19.53      $ 38.82      $ 38.72     $ 20.95  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Market price, end of period

  $ 16.71     $ 15.64      $ 38.94      $ 36.38     $ 20.50  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(e)

           

Based on net asset value

    21.74 %(f)      (43.98 )%       8.41      94.60 %(f)      7.40 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Based on market price

    18.54     (55.27 )%       15.75      86.85     5.10 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(h)

           

Total expenses

    1.35     1.33      1.31      1.33     1.32 %(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.34     1.33      1.31      1.33     1.30 %(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (0.96 )%      (1.16 )%       (1.25 )%       (1.16 )%      (0.48 )%(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $  1,629,824     $  1,524,658      $  3,048,962      $  3,023,744     $  1,635,966  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    38     47      18      45     16
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Consolidated Financial Highlights.

(b) 

Commencement of operations.

(c) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(d) 

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

(e) 

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

(f) 

Includes payment from an affiliate, which impacted the Fund’s total return. Excluding the payment from an affiliate, the Fund’s total return would have been 21.68%.

(g) 

Not annualized.

(h) 

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

(i) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BST  
    

Year Ended

12/31/23(a)

    

Year Ended

12/31/22(a)

   

Year Ended

12/31/21(a)

    

Year Ended

12/31/20(a)

   

Year Ended

12/31/19

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 29.11      $ 52.40     $ 51.94      $ 32.45     $ 26.21  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss(b)

    (0.23      (0.29     (0.43      (0.28     (0.17

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    8.86        (20.00     5.84        21.82       9.92  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    8.63        (20.29     5.41        21.54       9.75  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

           

From net realized gain

    (1.48      (2.16     (4.27      (2.05     (3.51

Return of capital

    (1.52      (0.84                   
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (3.00      (3.00     (4.27      (2.05     (3.51
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dilutive effect of rights offer (Note 10)

                 (0.68             
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 34.74      $ 29.11     $ 52.40      $ 51.94     $ 32.45  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 33.66      $ 28.37     $ 49.97      $ 53.30     $ 33.27  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

           

Based on net asset value

    30.78      (39.56 )%(e)      9.44      68.76 %(f)      37.82
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Based on market price

    30.03      (38.23 )%      1.70      68.92     34.77
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(g)

           

Total expenses

    1.09      1.11     1.05      1.09     1.08
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.09      1.11     1.00      0.99     0.92
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and excluding dividend expense

    1.09      1.10     1.00      0.99     0.92
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (0.70 )%       (0.77 )%      (0.78 )%       (0.73 )%      (0.52 )% 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

           

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $  1,196,425      $  960,703     $  1,681,166      $  1,297,344     $  742,672  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    32      38     31      20     32
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Consolidated Financial Highlights.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

(e) 

Includes payment from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Trust’s total return.

(f) 

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

(g) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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

  161


Financial Highlights (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BUI  
    

Year Ended

12/31/23

    

Year Ended

12/31/22

    

Year Ended

12/31/21

    

Year Ended

12/31/20

    

Year Ended

12/31/19

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 22.37      $ 25.86      $ 23.80      $ 22.02      $ 18.77  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.35        0.33        0.24        0.33        0.37  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.26        (2.37      3.27        2.90        4.33  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.61        (2.04      3.51        3.23        4.70  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

             

From net investment income

    (0.37      (0.30      (0.24      (0.20      (0.24

From net realized gain

    (0.59      (0.56      (0.76      (1.08      (1.06

Return of capital

    (0.49      (0.59      (0.45      (0.17      (0.15
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.45      (1.45      (1.45      (1.45      (1.45
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 22.53      $ 22.37      $ 25.86      $ 23.80      $ 22.02  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 21.82      $ 20.77      $ 26.62      $ 25.04      $ 22.31  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    7.66      (7.73 )%       15.13      15.87      25.63
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Based on market price

    12.30      (16.78 )%       12.65      20.32      20.91
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(d)

             

Total expenses

    1.08      1.08      1.08      1.13      1.12
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.08      1.08      1.07      1.10      1.10
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.58      1.44      0.97      1.58      1.78
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $  506,462      $  498,393      $  559,805      $  444,526      $  383,337  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    31      36      20      39      39
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

(d) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements

 

1. ORGANIZATION

The following are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as closed-end management investment companies and are referred to herein collectively as the “Trusts”, or individually as a “Trust”:

 

       
Trust Name   Herein Referred To As    Organized   

Diversification

Classification

BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust

  BGR    Delaware    Non-diversified

BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund, Inc.

  CII    Maryland    Diversified

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust

  BDJ    Delaware    Diversified

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust

  BOE    Delaware    Diversified

BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust

  BGY    Delaware    Diversified

BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust

  BMEZ    Maryland    Non-diversified

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust

  BME    Delaware    Diversified

BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust

  BIGZ    Maryland    Non-diversified

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust

  BCX    Delaware    Non-diversified

BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust

  BSTZ    Delaware    Diversified*

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust

  BST    Delaware    Diversified

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust

  BUI    Delaware    Diversified

 

  *

The Trust’s classification changed from non-diversified to diversified during the reporting period.

 

The Boards of Directors and Boards of Trustees of the Trusts are collectively referred to throughout this report as the “Board,” and the trustees thereof are collectively referred to throughout this report as “Trustees”. The Trusts determine and make available for publication the net asset values (“NAVs”) of their Common Shares on a daily basis.

On March 31, 2023, the Board approved a proposal to change the name of BlackRock Innovation and Growth Trust, BlackRock Health Sciences Trust II and BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II , effective as of April 5, 2023, to BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust, BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust and BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust, respectively. There were no changes to the Trusts’ investment policies or strategies in conjunction with the name changes.

The Trusts, together with certain other registered investment companies advised by BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”) or its affiliates, are included in a complex of funds referred to as the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex.

Basis of Consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements of BDJ include the accounts of BDJ Subsidiary, LLC (the “BDJ Taxable Subsidiary”), which is a wholly-owned taxable subsidiary of BDJ. The BDJ Taxable Subsidiary enables BDJ to hold certain pass-through investments and satisfy regulated investment company tax requirements. Income earned and gains realized on the investment held by the BDJ Taxable Subsidiary are taxable to such subsidiary. A tax provision for income, if any, is shown as income tax in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for BDJ. A tax provision for realized and unrealized gains, if any, is included as a reduction of realized and/or unrealized gain (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for BDJ. Taxes payable or deferred as of December 31, 2023, if any, are disclosed in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities. BDJ may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the BDJ Taxable Subsidiary. The net assets of the BDJ Taxable Subsidiary as of period end were $10,716,626, which is 0.6% of BDJ’s consolidated net assets. Intercompany accounts and transactions, if any, have been eliminated. The BDJ Taxable Subsidiary is subject to the same investment policies and restrictions that apply to BDJ.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of BSTZ include the accounts of BSTZ Subsidiary, LLC (the “BSTZ Taxable Subsidiary”), which is a wholly-owned taxable subsidiary of BSTZ. The BSTZ Taxable Subsidiary enables BSTZ to hold certain pass-through investments and satisfy regulated investment company tax requirements. Income earned and gains realized on the investment held by the BSTZ Taxable Subsidiary are taxable to such subsidiary. A tax provision for income, if any, is shown as income tax in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for BSTZ. A tax provision for realized and unrealized gains, if any, is included as a reduction of realized and/or unrealized gain (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for BSTZ. Taxes payable or deferred as of December 31, 2023, if any, are disclosed in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities. BSTZ may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the BSTZ Taxable Subsidiary. The net assets of the BSTZ Taxable Subsidiary as of period end were $21,564,780, which is 1.3% of BSTZ’s consolidated net assets. Intercompany accounts and transactions, if any, have been eliminated. The BSTZ Taxable Subsidiary is subject to the same investment policies and restrictions that apply to BSTZ.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of BST include the accounts of BST Subsidiary, LLC (the “BST Taxable Subsidiary”), which is a wholly-owned taxable subsidiary of BST. The BST Taxable Subsidiary enables BST to hold certain pass-through investments and satisfy regulated investment company tax requirements. Income earned and gains realized on the investment held by the BST Taxable Subsidiary are taxable to such subsidiary. A tax provision for income, if any, is shown as income tax in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for BST. A tax provision for realized and unrealized gains, if any, is included as a reduction of realized and/or unrealized gain (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for BST. Taxes payable or deferred as of December 31, 2023, if any, are disclosed in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities. BST may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the BST Taxable Subsidiary. The net assets of the BST Taxable Subsidiary as of period end were $11,500,360, which is 0.9% of BST’s consolidated net assets. Intercompany accounts and transactions, if any, have been eliminated. The BST Taxable Subsidiary is subject to the same investment policies and restrictions that apply to BST.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

could differ from those estimates. Each Trust is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:

Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method. Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend dates at fair value. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend dates may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Trusts are informed of the ex-dividend dates. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Upon notification from issuers, a portion of the dividend income received from a real estate investment trust may be redesignated as a reduction of cost of the related investment and/or realized gain. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, is recognized daily on an accrual basis.

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

Each Trust does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statements of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. Each Trust reports realized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency related transactions as components of net realized gain (loss) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are generally treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

ForeignTaxes: The Trusts may be subject to foreign taxes (a portion of which may be reclaimable) on income, stock dividends, capital gains on investments, or certain foreign currency transactions. All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable foreign tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which each Trust invests. These foreign taxes, if any, are paid by each Trust and are reflected in its Statements of Operations as follows: foreign taxes withheld at source are presented as a reduction of income, foreign taxes on securities lending income are presented as a reduction of securities lending income, foreign taxes on stock dividends are presented as “Foreign taxes withheld”, and foreign taxes on capital gains from sales of investments and foreign taxes on foreign currency transactions are included in their respective net realized gain (loss) categories. Foreign taxes payable or deferred as of December 31, 2023, if any, are disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The Trusts file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. The Trusts may record a reclaim receivable based on collectability, which includes factors such as the jurisdiction’s applicable laws, payment history and market convention. The Statements of Operations include tax reclaims recorded as well as professional and other fees, if any, associated with recovery of foreign withholding taxes.

Bank Overdraft: The Trusts had outstanding cash disbursements exceeding deposited cash amounts at the custodian during the reporting period and as of the report date. The Trusts are obligated to repay the custodian for any overdraft, including any related costs or expenses, where applicable. For financial reporting purposes, overdraft fees, if any, are included in interest expense in the Statements of Operations.

Collateralization: If required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Trusts may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments.

Distributions: Distributions paid by the Trusts are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Subject to the Trusts’ managed distribution plan, the Trusts intend to make monthly cash distributions to shareholders, which may consist of net investment income, and net realized and unrealized gains on investments and/or return of capital.

The character of distributions is determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. The portion of distributions that exceeds a Trust’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, which are measured on a tax basis, will constitute a non-taxable return of capital. See Income Tax Information note for the tax character of each Trust’s distributions paid during the year.

Deferred Compensation Plan: Under the Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) approved by each Trust’s Board, the trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trusts, as defined in the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”), may defer a portion of their annual complex-wide compensation. Deferred amounts earn an approximate return as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in common shares of certain funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex selected by the Independent Trustees. This has the same economic effect for the Independent Trustees as if the Independent Trustees had invested the deferred amounts directly in certain funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex.

The Plan is not funded and obligations thereunder represent general unsecured claims against the general assets of each Trust, as applicable. Deferred compensation liabilities, if any, are included in the Trustees’ and Officer’s fees payable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities and will remain as a liability of the Trusts until such amounts are distributed in accordance with the Plan. Net appreciation (depreciation) in the value of participants’ deferral accounts is allocated among the participating funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex and reflected as Trustees and Officer expense on the Statements of Operations. The Trustees and Officer expense may be negative as a result of a decrease in value of the deferred accounts.

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

Other: Expenses directly related to a Trust are charged to that Trust. Other operating expenses shared by several funds, including other funds managed by the Manager, are prorated among those funds on the basis of relative net assets or other appropriate methods.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

3. INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Investment Valuation Policies: Each Trust’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) each day that the Trust is open for business and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Board has approved the designation of each Trust’s Manager as the valuation designee for each Trust. Each Trust determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under the Manager’s policies. If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with the Manager’s policies and procedures as reflecting fair value. The Manager has formed a committee (the “Valuation Committee”) to develop pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments, with assistance from other BlackRock pricing committees.

Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of each Trust’s assets and liabilities:

 

   

Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at that day’s official closing price, as applicable, on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day may be valued at the last available bid (long positions) or ask (short positions) price.

 

   

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

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are valued at that day’s published NAV.

 

   

The Trusts value their investment in SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series (the “Money Market Series”) at fair value, which is ordinarily based upon their pro rata ownership in the underlying fund’s net assets.

 

   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean between the bid and ask prices and are determined as of the close of trading on the NYSE based on that day’s prevailing forward exchange rate for the underlying currencies.

 

   

Exchange-traded options are valued at the mean between the last bid and ask prices at the close of the options market in which the options trade. An exchange-traded option for which there is no mean price is valued at the last bid (long positions) or ask (short positions) price. If no bid or ask price is available, the prior day’s price will be used, unless it is determined that the prior day’s price no longer reflects the fair value of the option. Over-the-counter (“OTC”) options and options on swaps (“swaptions”) are valued by an independent pricing service using a mathematical model, which incorporates a number of market data factors, such as the trades and prices of the underlying instruments.

Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the NYSE. Each business day, the Trusts use current market factors supplied by independent pricing services to value certain foreign instruments (“Systematic Fair Value Price”). The Systematic Fair Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which follows the close of the local markets.

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

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

 

   
   
     Standard Inputs Generally Considered By The Valuation Committee And Third-Party Pricing Services

Market approach

 

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

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

(iii)   market multiples of comparable issuers.

Income approach

 

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

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

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

   
   
     Standard Inputs Generally Considered By The Valuation Committee And Third-Party Pricing Services
   

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

Cost approach

 

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

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

(iii)   relevant news and other public sources; and

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

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

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

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

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

As of December 31, 2023, certain investments of CII, BMEZ, BIGZ, BCX, BSTZ, BST and BUI were fair valued using NAV as a practical expedient as no quoted market value is available and therefore have been excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

4. SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

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

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

Commitments: Commitments are agreements to acquire an investment at a future date (subject to conditions) in connection with a potential public or non-public offering. Such agreements may obligate a fund to make future cash payments. As of December 31, 2023, BDJ had outstanding commitments of $7,443,073. These commitments are not included in the net assets of BDJ as of December 31, 2023.

Securities Lending: Certain Trusts may lend their securities to approved borrowers, such as brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Trusts collateral consisting of cash, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by a bank, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. The initial

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

collateral received by each Trust is required to have a value of at least 102% of the current value of the loaned securities for securities traded on U.S. exchanges and a value of at least 105% for all other securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter at a value equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day of the Trust and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Trust, or excess collateral returned by the Trust, on the next business day. During the term of the loan, the Trusts are entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities, but do not receive interest income on securities received as collateral. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.

As of period end, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Government obligations. Cash collateral invested by the securities lending agent, BlackRock Investment Management, LLC (“BIM”), if any, is disclosed in the Schedules of Investments. Any non-cash collateral received cannot be sold, re-invested or pledged by the Trust, except in the event of borrower default. The securities on loan, if any, are disclosed in the Trusts’ Schedules of Investments. The market value of any securities on loan and the value of related collateral, if any, are shown separately in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a component of investments at value – unaffiliated and collateral on securities loaned, respectively.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Trusts under Master Securities Lending Agreements (each, an “MSLA”), which provide the right, in the event of default (including bankruptcy or insolvency), for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate a net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. In the event that a borrower defaults, the Trusts, as lender, would offset the market value of the collateral received against the market value of the securities loaned. When the value of the collateral is greater than that of the market value of the securities loaned, the lender is left with a net amount payable to the defaulting party. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of an MSLA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Under the MSLA, absent an event of default, the borrower can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities, and the Trusts can reinvest cash collateral received in connection with loaned securities. Upon an event of default, the parties’ obligations to return the securities or collateral to the other party are extinguished, and the parties can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities or the collateral received in connection with the loaned securities in order to satisfy the defaulting party’s net payment obligation for all transactions under the MSLA. The defaulting party remains liable for any deficiency.

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

 

         

Trust Name/Counterparty

   
Securities
Loaned at Value
 
 
    
Cash Collateral
Received
 
(a) 
   
Non-Cash Collateral
Received, at Fair Value
 
(a) 
   
Net
Amount
 
 

CII

        

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

  $ 388,229      $ (388,229   $     $  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    1,699        (1,699            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 389,928      $ (389,928   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

BMEZ

        

Barclays Capital, Inc.

  $ 229,896      $ (229,896   $     $  

BofA Securities, Inc.

    16,500        (16,500            

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    6,461,660        (6,461,660            

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    2,252,539        (2,252,539            

Morgan Stanley

    2,115,151        (2,115,151            

National Financial Services LLC

    785,307        (785,307            

Toronto-Dominion Bank

    1,688        (1,688            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 11,862,741      $ (11,862,741   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

BIGZ

        

Barclays Capital, Inc.

  $ 3,929,480      $ (3,929,480   $     $  

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    1,959,182        (1,959,182            

Morgan Stanley

    1,518,708        (1,518,708            

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

    9,985,344        (9,985,344            

Toronto-Dominion Bank

    2,280,275        (2,280,275            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 19,672,989      $ (19,672,989   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

BCX

        

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

  $ 3,633,437      $ (3,633,437   $     $  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    312,291        (312,291            

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    1,854,548        (1,854,548            

Morgan Stanley

    156,145        (156,145            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 5,956,421      $ (5,956,421   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

BSTZ

        

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

  $ 825,664      $ (825,664   $     $  

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

    69,960        (69,960            

Morgan Stanley

    1,743,364        (1,743,364            

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

    95,671        (95,671            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 2,734,659      $ (2,734,659   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

BST

        

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

  $ 1,022,125      $ (1,022,125   $     $  

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

         

Trust Name/Counterparty

   
Securities
Loaned at Value
 
 
    
Cash Collateral
Received
 
(a) 
   
Non-Cash Collateral
Received, at Fair Value
 
(a) 
   
Net
Amount
 
 

BST (continued)

        

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

  $ 3,687,666      $ (3,687,666   $     $  

Toronto-Dominion Bank

    864,690        (864,690            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 5,574,481      $ (5,574,481   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

BUI

        

Barclays Capital, Inc.

  $ 1,040,726      $ (1,040,726   $     $  

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

    23,607        (23,607            

Morgan Stanley

    196,725        (196,725            
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 1,261,058      $ (1,261,058   $     $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral received, if any, in excess of the market value of securities on loan is not presented in this table. The total cash collateral received by each Trust is disclosed in the Trust’s Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, the Trusts benefit from a borrower default indemnity provided by BIM. BIM’s indemnity allows for full replacement of the securities loaned to the extent the collateral received does not cover the value on the securities loaned in the event of borrower default. Each Trust could incur a loss if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the market value of loaned securities or if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the original cash collateral received. Such losses are borne entirely by the Trusts.

5. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Trusts engage in various portfolio investment strategies using derivative contracts both to increase the returns of the Trusts and/or to manage their exposure to certain risks such as credit risk, equity risk, interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk, commodity price risk or other risks (e.g., inflation risk). Derivative financial instruments categorized by risk exposure are included in the Schedules of Investments. These contracts may be transacted on an exchange or OTC.

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

A forward foreign currency exchange contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set exchange rate on a specified date. These contracts help to manage the overall exposure to the currencies in which some of the investments held by the Trusts are denominated and in some cases, may be used to obtain exposure to a particular market. The contracts are traded OTC and not on an organized exchange.

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

Options: The Trusts may purchase and write call and put options to increase or decrease their exposure to the risks of underlying instruments, including equity risk, interest rate risk and/or commodity price risk and/or, in the case of options written, to generate gains from options premiums.

A call option gives the purchaser (holder) of the option the right (but not the obligation) to buy, and obligates the seller (writer) to sell (when the option is exercised) the underlying instrument at the exercise or strike price at any time or at a specified time during the option period. A put option gives the holder the right to sell and obligates the writer to buy the underlying instrument at the exercise or strike price at any time or at a specified time during the option period.

Premiums paid on options purchased and premiums received on options written, as well as the daily fluctuation in market value, are included in investments at value – unaffiliated and options written at value, respectively, in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When an instrument is purchased or sold through the exercise of an option, the premium is offset against the cost or proceeds of the underlying instrument. When an option expires, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations to the extent of the premiums received or paid. When an option is closed or sold, a gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations to the extent the cost of the closing transaction exceeds the premiums received or paid. When the Trusts write a call option, such option is typically “covered,” meaning that they hold the underlying instrument subject to being called by the option counterparty. When the Trusts write a put option, cash is segregated in an amount sufficient to cover the obligation. These amounts, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged as collateral for options written in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

In purchasing and writing options, the Trusts bear the risk of an unfavorable change in the value of the underlying instrument or the risk that they may not be able to enter into a closing transaction due to an illiquid market. Exercise of a written option could result in the Trusts purchasing or selling a security when they otherwise would not, or at a price different from the current market value.

Master Netting Arrangements: In order to define its contractual rights and to secure rights that will help it mitigate its counterparty risk, a Trust may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with its derivative contract counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between a Trust and a counterparty that governs certain OTC derivatives and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, a Trust may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against the right of offset in bankruptcy, insolvency or other events.

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

Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Trusts and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, is reported separately in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as cash pledged as collateral and cash received as collateral, respectively. Non-cash collateral pledged by the Trusts, if any, is noted in the Schedules of Investments. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a counterparty is subject to a certain minimum transfer amount threshold before a transfer is required, which is determined at the close of business of the Trusts. Any additional required collateral is delivered to/pledged by the Trusts on the next business day. Typically, the counterparty is not permitted to sell, re-pledge or use cash and non-cash collateral it receives. A Trust generally agrees not to use non-cash collateral that it receives but may, absent default or certain other circumstances defined in the underlying ISDA Master Agreement, be permitted to use cash collateral received. In such cases, interest may be paid pursuant to the collateral arrangement with the counterparty. To the extent amounts due to the Trusts from the counterparties are not fully collateralized, each Trust bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance. Likewise, to the extent the Trusts have delivered collateral to a counterparty and stand ready to perform under the terms of their agreement with such counterparty, each Trust bears the risk of loss from a counterparty in the amount of the value of the collateral in the event the counterparty fails to return such collateral. Based on the terms of agreements, collateral may not be required for all derivative contracts.

For financial reporting purposes, the Trusts do not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements, if any, in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

6. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory: Each Trust entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Manager, the Trusts’ investment adviser and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”), to provide investment advisory and administrative services. The Manager is responsible for the management of each Trust’s portfolio and provides the personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary to the operations of each Trust.

For such services, each Trust, except BCX, pays the Manager a monthly fee at the following annual rates:

Average weekly value of each Trust’s net assets:

 

         
     BGR     BDJ     BOE     BME  

Investment advisory fees

    1.20     0.80     1.00     1.00

Average daily value of each Trust’s net assets, plus the proceeds of any outstanding debt securities or borrowings for leverage:

 

   
     CII  

Investment advisory fees

    0.85

Average daily value of each Trust’s net assets:

 

     
     BGY     BUI  

Investment advisory fees

    1.00     1.00

Average daily value of each Trust’s managed assets:

 

         
     BMEZ     BIGZ     BSTZ     BST  

Investment advisory fees

    1.25     1.25     1.25     1.00

For such services, BCX pays the Manager a monthly fee at an annual rate equal to 1.00% of the sum of the average daily value of the net assets of the Trust (excluding the value of the Trust’s interest in the BCX Subsidiary, LLC (the “BCX Taxable Subsidiary”), which is a wholly-owned taxable subsidiary of BCX) and the average daily value of the net assets of its subsidiary, which fee is allocated pro rata between the Trust and the BCX Taxable Subsidiary based on the average daily value of their respective net assets (excluding, in the case of the Trust, the value of the Trust’s interest in the BCX Taxable Subsidiary). The BCX Taxable Subsidiary had no net assets or activity during the period ended December 31, 2023.

For purposes of calculating these fees, “net assets” mean the total assets of BGR, CII, BDJ, BOE, BGY, BME, BCX and BUI minus the sum of its accrued liabilities.

For purposes of calculating these fees, “managed assets” are determined as total assets of BMEZ, BIGZ, BSTZ and BST (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes) less the sum of its accrued liabilities (other than money borrowed for investment purposes).

The Manager provides investment management and other services to BDJ Taxable Subsidiary, BSTZ Taxable Subsidiary and BST Taxable Subsidiary. The Manager does not receive separate compensation from the BDJ Taxable Subsidiary, BSTZ Taxable Subsidiary or BST Taxable Subsidiary for providing investment management or administrative services. However, BDJ pays the Manager based on the Trust’s net assets, which includes the assets of the BDJ Taxable Subsidiary, and BSTZ and BST pay the Manager based on the Trust’s managed assets, which includes the assets of the BSTZ Taxable Subsidiary and BST Taxable Subsidiary, respectively.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

With respect to BGR, BOE, BGY, BCX and BUI, the Manager entered into separate sub-advisory agreements with BlackRock International Limited (“BIL”), an affiliate of the Manager. The Manager pays BIL for services it provides for that portion of each Trust for which BIL acts as sub-adviser, a monthly fee that is equal to a percentage of the investment advisory fees paid by each Trust to the Manager.

Distribution Fees: BDJ, BME, BST and BUI have each entered into Distribution Agreements with BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of the Manager, to provide for distribution of BDJ’s, BME’s, BST’s and BUI’s common shares on a reasonable best efforts basis through an equity shelf offering (a “Shelf Offering”) (the “Distribution Agreement”). Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, BRIL will receive commissions with respect to sales of common shares at a commission rate of 1.00% of the gross proceeds of the sale of BDJ’s, BME’s, BST’s and BUI’s common shares and a portion of such commission is re-allowed to broker-dealers engaged by BRIL. The commissions retained by BRIL during the year ended December 31, 2023 amounted to $0, $6,106, $84,111 and $7,641 for each of BDJ, BME, BST and BUI, respectively.

Expense Limitations, Waivers and Reimbursements: The Manager voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of the investment advisory fees on the following Trusts as a percentage of their average weekly net assets, as follows:

 

     
     BGR     BOE  
      0.220     0.175

These voluntary waivers may be reduced or discontinued at any time without notice.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, the investment advisory fees waived, which are included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statements of Operations, were as follows:

 

   
Trust Name   Fees Waived and/or Reimbursed
by the Manager
 

BGR

  $ 861,964  

BOE

    1,239,614  

With respect to each Trust, the Manager contractually agreed to waive its investment advisory fees by the amount of investment advisory fees each Trust pays to the Manager indirectly through its investment in affiliated money market funds (the “affiliated money market fund waiver”) through June 30, 2025. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the Independent trustees, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Trust. These amounts are included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statements of Operations. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the amounts waived were as follows:

 

   
Trust Name   Fees Waived and/or Reimbursed
by the Manager
 

BGR

  $ 4,561  

CII

    9,345  

BDJ

    42,031  

BOE

    6,630  

BGY

    7,794  

BMEZ

    42,748  

BME

    19,166  

BIGZ

    6,701  

BCX

    18,912  

BSTZ

    5,929  

BST

    5,407  

BUI

    8,011  

The Manager contractually agreed to waive its investment advisory fee with respect to any portion of each Trust’s assets invested in affiliated equity and fixed-income mutual funds and affiliated exchange-traded funds that have a contractual management fee through June 30, 2025. The agreement can be renewed for annual periods thereafter, and may be terminated on 90 days’ notice, each subject to approval by a majority of the Trusts’ Independent Trustees. For the year ended December 31, 2023, there were no fees waived by the Manager pursuant to this arrangement.

Securities Lending: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has issued an exemptive order which permits BIM, an affiliate of the Manager, to serve as securities lending agent for the Trusts, subject to applicable conditions. As securities lending agent, BIM bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending. The Trusts are responsible for expenses in connection with the investment of cash collateral received for securities on loan (the “collateral investment expenses”). The cash collateral is invested in a private investment company, Money Market Series, managed by the Manager or its affiliates. However, BIM has agreed to cap the collateral investment expenses of the Money Market Series to an annual rate of 0.04%. The investment adviser to the Money Market Series will not charge any advisory fees with respect to shares purchased by the Trusts. The Money Market Series may impose a discretionary liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value withdrawn, if such fee is determined to be in the best interests of the Money Market Series. The Money Market Series seeks current income consistent with maintaining liquidity and preserving capital. Although the Money Market Series is not registered under the 1940 Act, its investments may follow the parameters of investments by a money market fund that is subject to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment expenses. Each Trust retains a portion of securities lending income and remits a remaining portion to BIM as compensation for its services as securities lending agent.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, each of CII, BDJ, BMEZ, BME, BIGZ and BST retains 81% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment expenses), and this amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment expenses.

In addition, commencing the business day following the date that the aggregate securities lending income earned across the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex in a calendar year exceeds a specified threshold, each of CII, BDJ, BMEZ, BME, BIGZ and BST, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, will retain for the remainder of that calendar year securities lending income in an amount equal to 81% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment expenses), and this amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment expenses.

Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, each of BGR, BOE, BGY, BCX, BSTZ and BUI retains 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment expenses), and this amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment expenses.

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

Prior to January 1, 2023, BIM was permitted to lend each Trust’s securities only when the difference between the borrower rebate rate (i.e., a negotiated interest rate payment for cash collateral pledged in connection with a securities lending transaction) and the risk free rate exceeded a certain level (such securities, the “specials only securities”). Effective January 1, 2023, this limitation no longer applies.

The share of securities lending income earned by each Trust is shown as securities lending income — affiliated — net in the Statements of Operations. For the year ended December 31, 2023, each Trust paid BIM the following amounts for securities lending agent services:

 

   
Trust Name   Amounts  

CII

  $ 1,530  

BDJ

    230  

BOE

    566  

BMEZ

    107,504  

BME

    5,993  

BIGZ

    14,292  

BCX

    3,731  

BSTZ

    15,199  

BST

    3,859  

BUI

    2,253  

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

Other Transactions: During the period ended December 31, 2023, BSTZ received a reimbursement of $127,092, from an affiliate, which is included in payment by affiliate in the Statements of Operations, related to an operating event.

The Trusts may purchase securities from, or sell securities to, an affiliated fund provided the affiliation is due solely to having a common investment adviser, common officers, or common trustees. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the purchase and sale transactions and any net realized gains (losses) with affiliated funds in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

       
Trust Name   Purchases      Sales     

Net Realized

Gain (Loss)

 

BOE

  $      $ 1,624,132      $ 48,460  

BGY

    2,972,174                

BUI

    261,340                

7. PURCHASES AND SALES

For the year ended December 31, 2023, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, were as follows:

 

     
Trust Name   Purchases      Sales  

BGR

  $ 146,537,617      $ 155,743,276  

CII

    235,741,075        299,421,903  

BDJ

    689,480,343        734,197,999  

BOE

    322,976,129        363,804,994  

BGY

    337,874,205        378,018,464  

BMEZ

    1,209,309,621        1,388,053,476  

BME

    241,292,839        275,704,754  

BIGZ

    761,816,098        1,000,525,033  

BCX

    415,902,973        448,984,371  

BSTZ

    607,642,765        812,220,813  

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

 

 
Trust Name   Purchases      Sales  

 

 

BST

  $   348,579,186      $   437,668,495  

BUI

    154,271,528        163,843,293  

 

 

8. INCOME TAX INFORMATION

It is each Trust’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.

Each Trust files U.S. federal and various state and local tax returns. No income tax returns are currently under examination. The statute of limitations on each Trust’s U.S. federal tax returns generally remains open for a period of three years after they are filed. The statutes of limitations on each Trust’s state and local tax returns may remain open for an additional year depending upon the jurisdiction.

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Trusts as of December 31, 2023, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Trusts’ financial statements.

U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or NAVs per share. As of period end, permanent differences attributable to timing and recognition of partnership income, non-deductible expenses, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains on investments in passive foreign investment companies and net operating losses were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

 

 
Trust Name   Paid-in Capital    

Accumulated

Earnings (Loss)

 

 

 

BGR

   $   558,373      $ (558,373

BDJ

    (5,192     5,192  

BMEZ

    (7,775,158     7,775,158  

BIGZ

    (17,277,154      17,277,154  

BSTZ

    6,950,700       (6,950,700

BST

    (6,831,334     6,831,334  

BUI

    (828     828  

 

 

The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:

 

 

 
Trust Name  

Year Ended

12/31/23

      

Year Ended

12/31/22

 

 

 

BGR

      

Ordinary income

  $ 10,396,825        $ 11,890,970  

Return of capital

    11,108,880          4,610,793  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
  $ 21,505,705        $ 16,501,763  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

CII

      

Ordinary income

  $ 11,634,813        $ 21,905,388  

Long-term capital gains

    41,063,355          70,788,369  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
  $ 52,698,168        $ 92,693,757  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

BDJ

      

Ordinary income

  $ 33,363,489        $ 25,303,490  

Long-term capital gains

    102,619,291          178,849,379  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
  $ 135,982,780        $ 204,152,869  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

BOE

      

Ordinary income

  $ 13,739,848        $ 16,041,931  

Long-term capital gains

             22,100,071  

Return of capital

    33,325,380          9,962,064  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
  $ 47,065,228        $ 48,104,066  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

BGY

      

Ordinary income

  $ 9,930,219        $ 13,622,966  

Long-term capital gains

    7,370,443          6,547,300  

Return of capital

    23,857,237          21,930,456  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
  $ 41,157,899        $ 42,100,722  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

BMEZ

      

Ordinary income

  $        $ 82,094,690  

Long-term capital gains

             100,955,454  

Return of capital

    170,987,587          11,869,565  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
  $   170,987,587        $   194,919,709  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

 

 
Trust Name  

Year Ended

12/31/23

      

Year Ended

12/31/22

 

 

 

BME

      

Ordinary income

  $ 2,244,293        $ 1,635,849  

Long-term capital gains

    23,151,941          31,362,678  

Return of capital

    10,214,453          1,403,564  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
  $ 35,610,687        $ 34,402,091  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

BIGZ

      

Return of capital

  $ 173,714,456        $  233,929,900  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

BCX

      

Ordinary income

  $ 24,357,046        $ 26,024,883  

Return of capital

    29,035,558          22,531,891  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
  $ 53,392,604        $ 48,556,774  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

BSTZ

      

Long-term capital gains

  $        $ 70,402,537  

Return of capital

    140,469,092          110,549,120  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
  $  140,469,092        $  180,951,657  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

BST

      

Long-term capital gains

  $ 50,091,649        $ 69,684,200  

Return of capital

    51,595,440          27,306,002  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
  $ 101,687,089        $ 96,990,202  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

BUI

      

Ordinary income

  $ 19,423,039        $ 6,721,779  

Long-term capital gains

    2,024,280          12,261,345  

Return of capital

    11,077,670          13,135,583  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
  $ 32,524,989        $ 32,118,707  
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2023, the tax components of accumulated earnings (loss) were as follows:

 

 

 
Trust Name  

Undistributed

Ordinary Income

    

Undistributed

Long-Term

Capital Gains

    

Non-Expiring

Capital Loss

Carryforwards(a)

   

Net Unrealized

Gains (Losses)(b)

   

Qualified

Late-Year

Capital Losses(c)

   

Qualified

Late-Year

Ordinary Losses(c)

    Total  

 

 

BGR

  $      $      $ (216,932,775   $ 97,434,384     $     $     $ (119,498,391

CII

    760,791        6,838,242              305,018,797                   312,617,830  

BDJ

    48,047,312        59,596,798              223,083,475                   330,727,585  

BOE

                  (25,380,164     100,988,008             (8,053     75,599,791  

BGY

                        82,521,124             (50,826     82,470,298  

BMEZ

                  (42,780,406     (909,522                 (43,689,928

BME

                        170,517,630                   170,517,630  

BIGZ

                  (1,900,736,865     (95,001,077                 (1,995,737,942

BCX

                  (226,104,461     100,185,480                   (125,918,981

BSTZ

                  (42,767,288     468,073,032                   425,305,744  

BST

                        417,844,294             (4,992     417,839,302  

BUI

                        130,638,968       (1,112,144     (3,224     129,523,600  

 

 

 

  (a) 

Amounts available to offset future realized capital gains.

 
  (b) 

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis net unrealized gains (losses) was attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and straddles, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains (losses) on certain futures and foreign currency exchange contracts, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains on investments in passive foreign investment companies, the timing and recognition of partnership income, the characterization of corporate actions and the deferral of compensation to Trustees.

 
  (c) 

The Trust has elected to defer these qualified late-year losses and recognize such losses in the next taxable year.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Trusts listed below utilized the following amounts of their respective capital loss carryforwards:

 

   
Trust Name   Amounts  

BGR

  $  23,500,872  

BCX

    32,537,780  

As of December 31, 2023, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

 

 
Trust Name   Tax Cost     

Gross Unrealized

Appreciation

    

Gross Unrealized

Depreciation

   

Net Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 

 

 

BGR

  $  281,286,449      $  114,088,294      $ (5,505,611   $   108,582,683  

 

 

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

         
Trust Name   Tax Cost     

Gross Unrealized

Appreciation

    

Gross Unrealized

Depreciation

   

Net Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 

CII

  $ 570,272,743      $ 335,884,367      $ (20,698,964   $ 315,185,403  

BDJ

    1,420,599,223        319,272,656        (78,025,988     241,246,668  

BOE

    611,807,574        144,094,769        (23,564,850     120,529,919  

BGY

    526,743,102        123,625,084        (21,823,102     101,801,982  

BMEZ

    1,928,270,758        282,639,045        (276,928,752     5,710,293  

BME

    415,025,903        194,342,100        (17,446,937     176,895,163  

BIGZ

    2,148,876,232        331,360,334        (422,063,536     (90,703,202

BCX

    795,748,271        167,473,973        (59,439,858     108,034,115  

BSTZ

    1,146,622,280        608,585,224        (109,954,292     498,630,932  

BST

    780,348,418        555,341,869        (122,192,117     433,149,752  

BUI

    359,156,640        161,999,603        (10,208,566     151,791,037  

9. PRINCIPAL RISKS

In the normal course of business, the Trusts invest in securities or other instruments and may enter into certain transactions, and such activities subject each Trust to various risks, including among others, fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of an issuer to meet all of its obligations. The value of securities or other instruments may also be affected by various factors, including, without limitation: (i) the general economy; (ii) the overall market as well as local, regional or global political and/or social instability; (iii) regulation, taxation or international tax treaties between various countries; or (iv) currency, interest rate and price fluctuations. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Trusts and their investments. BDJ’s, BME’s, BST’s and BUI’s prospectuses provide details of the risks to which each Trust is subject.

The Trusts may be exposed to additional risks when reinvesting cash collateral in money market funds that do not seek to maintain a stable NAV per share of $1.00, which may be subject to discretionary liquidity fees under certain circumstances.

Illiquidity Risk: Each Trust may invest without limitation in illiquid or less liquid investments or investments in which no secondary market is readily available or which are otherwise illiquid, including private placement securities. A Trust may not be able to readily dispose of such investments at prices that approximate those at which a Trust could sell such investments if they were more widely traded and, as a result of such illiquidity, a Trust may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions if necessary to raise funds to meet its obligations. Limited liquidity can also affect the market price of investments, thereby adversely affecting a Trust’s NAV and ability to make dividend distributions. Privately issued debt securities are often of below investment grade quality, frequently are unrated and present many of the same risks as investing in below investment grade public debt securities.

Valuation Risk: The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments, such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries. A Trust may invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that a Trust reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. A Trust may experience difficulty in selling illiquid investments in a timely manner at the price that it believes the investments are worth. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. This volatility may cause each Trust’s NAV to experience significant increases or decreases over short periods of time. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, the NAV of a Trust may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which a Trust invests.

The price a Trust could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from a Trust’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation technique or a price provided by an independent pricing service. Changes to significant unobservable inputs and assumptions (i.e., publicly traded company multiples, growth rate, time to exit) due to the lack of observable inputs may significantly impact the resulting fair value and therefore a Trust’s results of operations. As a result, the price received upon the sale of an investment may be less than the value ascribed by a Trust, and a Trust could realize a greater than expected loss or lesser than expected gain upon the sale of the investment. A Trust’s ability to value its investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third-party service providers.

Counterparty Credit Risk: The Trusts may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations. The Trusts manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that the Manager believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Trusts to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Trusts’ exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Trusts.

A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

For OTC options purchased, each Trust bears the risk of loss in the amount of the premiums paid plus the positive change in market values net of any collateral held by the Trusts should the counterparty fail to perform under the contracts. Options written by the Trusts do not typically give rise to counterparty credit risk, as options written generally obligate the Trusts, and not the counterparty, to perform. The Trusts may be exposed to counterparty credit risk with respect to options written to the extent each Trust deposits collateral with its counterparty to a written option.

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

With exchange-traded options purchased, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Trusts since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, a Trust does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency).

Geographic/Asset Class Risk: A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent with a fund’s objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within each Trust’s portfolio are disclosed in its Schedule of Investments.

As of period end, the Trusts listed below invested a significant portion of their assets in securities in the following sectors:

 

   
Sectors   Trust Name  

Energy

    BGR, BCX  

Financials

    BDJ  

Health Care

    BMEZ, BME  

Information Technology

    CII, BSTZ, BST, BIGZ  

Materials

    BCX  

Utilities

    BUI  

Changes in economic conditions affecting such sectors would have a greater impact on the Trusts and could affect the value, income and/or liquidity of positions in such securities.

Certain Trusts invest a significant portion of their assets in securities within a single or limited number of market sectors. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions affecting such sectors may have a significant impact on the Trust and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Trust’s portfolio. Investment percentages in specific sectors are presented in the Schedules of Investments.

Certain Trusts invest a substantial amount of their assets in issuers located in a single country or a limited number of countries. When a fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes the risk that economic, regulatory, political and social conditions in those countries may have a significant impact on their investment performance and could affect the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Trust’s portfolio. Unanticipated or sudden political or social developments may cause uncertainty in the markets and as a result adversely affect the Trust’s investments. Foreign issuers may not be subject to the same uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and practices as used in the United States. Foreign securities markets may also be more volatile and less liquid than U.S. securities and may be less subject to governmental supervision not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities. Investment percentages in specific countries are presented in the Schedules of Investments.

Certain Trusts invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in the United States. A decrease in imports or exports, changes in trade regulations, inflation and/or an economic recession in the United States may have a material adverse effect on the U.S. economy and the securities listed on U.S. exchanges. Proposed and adopted policy and legislative changes in the United States may also have a significant effect on U.S. markets generally, as well as on the value of certain securities. Governmental agencies project that the United States will continue to maintain elevated public debt levels for the foreseeable future which may constrain future economic growth. Circumstances could arise that could prevent the timely payment of interest or principal on U.S. government debt, such as reaching the legislative “debt ceiling.” Such non-payment would result in substantial negative consequences for the U.S. economy and the global financial system. If U.S. relations with certain countries deteriorate, it could adversely affect issuers that rely on the United States for trade. The United States has also experienced increased internal unrest and discord. If these trends were to continue, they may have an adverse impact on the U.S. economy and the issuers in which the Trusts invest.

Certain Trusts invest a significant portion of their assets in securities of issuers located in Europe or with significant exposure to European issuers or countries. The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries as well as acts of war in the region. These events may spread to other countries in Europe and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Trusts’ investments.

Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and others of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. The United Kingdom has withdrawn from the European Union, and one or more other countries may withdraw from the European Union and/or abandon the Euro, the common currency of the European Union. These events and actions have adversely affected, and may in the future adversely affect, the value and exchange rate of the Euro and may continue to significantly affect the economies of every country in Europe, including countries that do not use the Euro and non-European Union member states. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far reaching. In addition, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The extent and duration of the military action, resulting sanctions and resulting future market disruptions in the region are impossible to predict, but have been, and may continue to be, significant and have a severe adverse effect on the region, including significant negative impacts on the economy and the markets for certain securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas, as well as other sectors.

10. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Each Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares, with the exception of CII, all of which were initially classified as Common Shares. CII is authorized to issue 200 million Common Shares. The par value for each Trust’s Common Shares is $0.001, except for CII, which is $0.10. The Board is authorized, however, to reclassify any unissued Common Shares to Preferred Shares without the approval of Common Shareholders.

BDJ, BME, BST and BUI have each filed a prospectus with the SEC allowing them to issue an additional 40,000,000, 4,000,000, 18,000,000 and 8,000,000 Common Shares, respectively, through an equity Shelf Offering. Under the Shelf Offerings, BDJ, BME, BST and BUI, subject to market conditions, may raise additional equity capital from time to time in varying amounts and utilizing various offering methods at a net price at or above each Trust’s NAV per Common Share (calculated within 48 hours of pricing). As of

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

period end, 40,000,000, 3,332,695, 15,898,551 and 7,658,406 Common Shares, respectively, remain available for issuance under the Shelf Offerings. During the year ended December 31, 2023, BDJ, BME, BST and BUI issued 0, 71,333, 1,266,090 and 167,658 shares, respectively, under the Trust’s respective current Shelf Offering and the Trust’s prior Shelf Offering. See Additional Information — Shelf Offering Program for additional information.

Initial costs incurred by each of BDJ, BME, BST and BUI in connection with their Shelf Offerings are recorded as “Deferred offering costs” in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. As shares are sold, a portion of the costs attributable to the shares sold will be charged against paid-in-capital. Any remaining deferred charges at the end of the Shelf Offering period will be charged to expense.

For the periods shown, shares issued and outstanding increased by the following amounts as a result of shares issued through the Shelf Offering:

       
   
    Year Ended  
Trust Name   12/31/23      12/31/22  

BME

    71,333        774,304  

BST

    1,266,090        835,359  

BUI

    167,658        590,894  

For the periods shown, shares issued and outstanding increased by the following amounts as a result of dividend reinvestment:

       
   
    Year Ended  
Trust Name   12/31/23      12/31/22  

CII

    14,818         

BDJ

    78,103        412,658  

BME

    12,112        38,955  

BST

    173,563        81,277  

BUI

    31,913        32,898  

The Trusts participate in an open market share repurchase program (the “Repurchase Program”). From December 1, 2022 through November 30, 2023, each Trust may repurchase up to 5% of its outstanding common shares under the Repurchase Program, based on common shares outstanding as of the close of business on November 30, 2022, subject to certain conditions. From December 1, 2023 through November 30, 2024, each Trust may repurchase up to 5% of its outstanding common shares under the Repurchase Program, based on common shares outstanding as of the close of business on November 30, 2023, subject to certain conditions. The Repurchase Program has an accretive effect as shares are purchased at a discount to the Trust’s NAV. There is no assurance that the Trusts will purchase shares in any particular amounts. For the year ended December 31, 2023, CII, BME, BST and BUI did not repurchase any shares.

The total cost of the shares repurchased is reflected in the Trusts’ Statements of Changes in Net Assets. For the periods shown, shares repurchased and cost, including transaction costs, were as follows:

 

            
   
    BGR  
     Shares      Amounts  

Year Ended December 31, 2023

    587,768      $ 7,413,692  

Year Ended December 31, 2022

    1,055,728        12,296,655  
    
   
    BDJ  
     Shares      Amounts  

Year Ended December 31, 2023

    359,086      $ 2,735,878  
    
   
    BOE  
     Shares      Amounts  

Year Ended December 31, 2023

    1,214,010      $ 11,889,663  

Year Ended December 31, 2022

    1,285,502        12,470,648  
    
   
    BGY  
     Shares      Amounts  

Year Ended December 31, 2023

    2,473,793      $ 13,143,239  

Year Ended December 31, 2022

    1,492,331        7,282,700  
    
   
    BMEZ  
     Shares      Amounts  

Year Ended December 31, 2023

    3,082,831      $ 47,918,763  

Year Ended December 31, 2022

    3,072,736        47,829,587  
    
   
    BIGZ  
     Shares      Amounts  

Year Ended December 31, 2023

    5,247,265      $  37,872,639  

Year Ended December 31, 2022

    8,519,618        64,919,571  
    

 

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

 

            
   
    BCX  
     Shares      Amounts  

Year Ended December 31, 2023

    3,155,189      $  29,812,008  

Year Ended December 31, 2022

    797,510        7,554,830  
    
   
    BSTZ  
     Shares      Amounts  

Year Ended December 31, 2023

    2,006,073      $  34,325,597  

Year Ended December 31, 2022

    461,288        7,293,625  

For the year ended December 31, 2022, shares issued and outstanding remained constant for CII.

As of December 31, 2023, BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., an affiliate of the Trust, owned 5,000 Shares of BIGZ.

11. FOREIGN WITHHOLDINGS TAX CLAIMS

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has issued guidance to address U.S. income tax liabilities attributable to fund shareholders resulting from the recovery of foreign taxes withheld in prior calendar years. These withheld foreign taxes were passed through to shareholders in the form of foreign tax credits in the year the taxes were withheld. Assuming there are sufficient foreign taxes paid which BOE and BUI is able to pass through to shareholders as a foreign tax credit in the current year, BOE and BUI will be able to offset the prior years’ withholding taxes recovered against the foreign taxes paid in the current year. Accordingly, no federal income tax liability is recorded by the BOE and BUI.

12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management’s evaluation of the impact of all subsequent events on the Trusts’ financial statements was completed through the date the financial statements were issued and the following item was noted:

The Trusts declared and paid or will pay distributions to Common Shareholders as follows:

 

         
Trust Name  

Declaration

Date

    

Record

Date

    

Payable/

Paid Date

    

Dividend Per

Common Share

 

BGR

    01/02/24        01/12/24        01/31/24      $ 0.065700  
    02/01/24        02/15/24        02/29/24        0.065700  

CII

    01/02/24        01/12/24        01/31/24        0.099500  
    02/01/24        02/15/24        02/29/24        0.099500  

BDJ

    01/02/24        01/12/24        01/31/24        0.056200  
    02/01/24        02/15/24        02/29/24        0.056200  

BOE

    01/02/24        01/12/24        01/31/24        0.063000  
    02/01/24        02/15/24        02/29/24        0.063000  

BGY

    01/02/24        01/12/24        01/31/24        0.033800  
    02/01/24        02/15/24        02/29/24        0.033800  

BMEZ

    01/02/24        01/12/24        01/31/24        0.090910  
    02/01/24        02/15/24        02/29/24        0.090440  

BME

    01/02/24        01/12/24        01/31/24        0.213000  
    02/01/24        02/15/24        02/29/24        0.213000  

BIGZ

    01/02/24        01/12/24        01/31/24        0.044720  
    02/01/24        02/15/24        02/29/24        0.044660  

BCX

    01/02/24        01/12/24        01/31/24        0.051800  
    02/01/24        02/15/24        02/29/24        0.051800  

BSTZ

    01/02/24        01/12/24        01/31/24        0.102710  
    02/01/24        02/15/24        02/29/24        0.103260  

BST

    01/02/24        01/12/24        01/31/24        0.250000  
    02/01/24        02/15/24        02/29/24        0.250000  

BUI

    01/02/24        01/12/24        01/31/24        0.121000  
      02/01/24        02/15/24        02/29/24        0.121000  

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Trustees/Directors of BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust, BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund, Inc., BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust, BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust, BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust, BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust, BlackRock Health Sciences Trust, BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust, BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust, BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust, BlackRock Science and Technology Trust and BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust:

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities of BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust, BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund, Inc., BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust, BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust, BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust, BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (formerly, BlackRock Health Sciences Trust II), BlackRock Health Sciences Trust, BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (formerly, BlackRock Innovation and Growth Trust), BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust, BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (formerly, BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II), BlackRock Science and Technology Trust and BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (the “Funds”), including the schedules of investments, as of December 31, 2023, the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for the periods indicated in the table below, and the related notes. Such financial statements and financial highlights of BlackRock Science and Technology Trust and BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust are consolidated as of and for the four years in the period ended December 31, 2023. Such financial statements and financial highlights of BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust are consolidated as of and for the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Funds as of December 31, 2023, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for the periods indicated in the table below, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

   
   
Fund   Financial Highlights

BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust, BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund, Inc., BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust, BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust, BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust, BlackRock Health Sciences Trust, BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust, BlackRock Science and Technology Trust and BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust

  For each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2023

BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust

  For each of the four years in the period ended December 31, 2023 and for
the period from June 27, 2019 (commencement of operations) through
December 31, 2019

BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust

  For each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023 and for
the period from January 30, 2020 (commencement of operations) through
December 31, 2020

BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust

  For each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023 and for the
period from March 29, 2021 (commencement of operations) through
December 31, 2021

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Funds are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds’ internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2023, by correspondence with custodians or counterparties; when replies were not received, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 23, 2024

We have served as the auditor of one or more BlackRock investment companies since 1992.

 

 

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Important Tax Information (unaudited)

 

The following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, are hereby designated as qualified dividend income for individuals for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023:

 

 

 
Trust Name  

 Qualified Dividend

Income

 

 

 

BGR

  $     13,529,966  

CII

    9,319,392  

BDJ

    37,581,659  

BOE

    15,057,065  

BGY

    8,994,577  

BME

    6,649,650  

BCX

    32,387,805  

BUI

    11,804,459  

 

 

The Trusts hereby designate the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, as capital gain dividends, subject to a long-term capital gains tax rate as noted below, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023:

 

 

 
Trust Name  

20% Rate Long-Term

Capital Gain Dividends

 

 

 

CII

  $ 41,063,355  

BDJ

        102,619,291  

BGY

    7,370,443  

BME

    23,151,941  

BST

    50,091,649  

BUI

    2,024,280  

 

 

The Trusts intend to pass through to their shareholders the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, of foreign source income earned and foreign taxes paid for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023:

 

 

 
Trust Name  

Foreign Source

Income Earned

   

Foreign

Taxes Paid

 

 

 

BOE

  $ 8,597,159     $ 1,044,144  

BGY

    9,311,402             1,554,067  

BCX

       18,451,675       1,746,843  

BUI

    4,035,929       669,585  

 

 

The Funds hereby designate the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, of distributions from direct federal obligation interest for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023:

 

 

 
Trust Name  

Federal Obligation

Interest

 

 

 

BGR

  $ 31,845  

CII

    26,735  

BDJ

         305,744  

BOE

    45,218  

BGY

    47,256  

BME

    52,698  

BCX

    136,130  

BUI

    48,902  

 

 

The law varies in each state as to whether and what percent of ordinary income dividends attributable to federal obligations is exempt from state income tax. Shareholders are advised to check with their tax advisers to determine if any portion of the dividends received is exempt from state income tax.

The following percentages, or maximum percentages allowable by law, of ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 qualified for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders:

 

 

 
Trust Name  

Dividends-Received  

Deduction  

 

 

 

BGR

    73.52%   

CII

    39.13    

BDJ

    67.24    

BOE

    51.50    

BGY

    8.09    

BME

    100.00    

BCX

    31.07    

BUI

    33.61    

 

 

 

 

I M P O R T A N T  T A X  I N F O R M A T I O N

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Important Tax Information (unaudited) (continued)

 

The Funds hereby designate the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, as interest income eligible to be treated as a Section 163(j) interest dividend for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023:

 

 

 
Trust Name  

Interest

Dividends

 

 

 

BGR

  $ 203,142  

CII

    170,587  

BDJ

       1,950,371  

BOE

    288,451  

BGY

    307,117  

BME

    336,323  

BCX

    868,386  

BUI

    312,452  

 

 

The Trusts hereby designate the following amounts, or maximum amounts allowable by law, as interest-related dividends and qualified short-term capital gains eligible for exemption from U.S. withholding tax for nonresident aliens and foreign corporations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023:

 

 

 
Trust Name  

Interest-

Related

Dividends

   

Qualified

Short-Term
Capital Gains

 

 

 

BGR

  $ 203,142     $  

CII

    170,587        8,705,798  

BDJ

     1,950,371       9,829,694  

BOE

    288,451        

BGY

    301,449       1,289,033  

BME

    336,323        

BCX

    868,386        

BUI

    311,874       11,232,021  

 

 

 

 

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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks

Recent Changes

The following information is a summary of certain changes since December 31, 2022.This information may not reflect all of the changes that have occurred since you purchased the relevant Trust.

Effective August 28, 2023, BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (BSTZ) began operating as a diversified fund.

Except as noted above, during each Trust’s most recent fiscal year, there were no material changes in the Trust’s investment objectives or policies that have not been approved by shareholders or in the principal risk factors associated with investment in the Trust.

Investment Objectives and Policies

BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust (BGR)

The Trust’s investment objective is to provide total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation. The Trust seeks to achieve this objective by investing primarily in equity securities of companies engaged in the energy and natural resources business and equity derivatives with exposure to the energy and natural resources industry.

Under normal market conditions, the Trust invests at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of energy and natural resources companies and equity derivatives with exposure to the energy and natural resources industry. The Trust may invest directly in securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives. The Trust will not invest, under normal market conditions, less than 25% of its total assets in securities of energy and natural resources companies and equity derivatives with exposure to the energy and natural resources industry without shareholder approval. Companies in the energy and natural resources industry include those companies involved in the exploration, production or distribution of energy or natural resources, such as gas, oil, metals and minerals as well as related transportation companies and equipment manufacturers. These equity securities may include common stocks, preferred shares, convertible securities, warrants, depositary receipts, equity interests in Canadian Royalty Trusts and equity interests in master limited partnerships (“MLPs”). The Trust will not invest more than 25% of its total assets in MLPs. The Trust may invest in companies located anywhere in the world. The Trust expects to invest primarily in companies located in developed countries, but may invest in companies located in emerging markets. Under normal market conditions, the Trust will invest at least 30% of its total assets in at least two countries other than the United States. The Trust may invest in companies of any market capitalization, including small capitalization and mid-capitalization companies. The Trust does not intend to invest directly in commodities.

As part of its strategy, the Trust currently intends to employ an option strategy of writing (selling) covered call options on common stocks. The Trust seeks to produce current income and gains generated from option writing premiums. In addition to its covered call strategy the Trust may, to a lesser extent, pursue an option strategy that includes the sale (writing) of both put options and call options on certain of the common stocks in the Trust’s portfolio.

The Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in other U.S. and other non-U.S. investments. These investments may include equity and debt securities of companies not engaged in the energy and natural resources industry. The Trust reserves the right to invest up to 10% of its total assets in non-investment grade debt securities, commonly known as “junk bonds.”

In addition to the option strategies discussed above, the Trust may engage in transactions such as options, futures, swaps, foreign currency transactions including forward foreign currency contracts, currency swaps or options on currency and currency futures and other derivatives transactions for hedging purposes or to enhance total return. The Trust may also engage in short sales of securities.

The percentage limitations applicable to the Trust’s portfolio described herein apply only at the time of investment and the Trust will not be required to sell securities due to subsequent changes in the value of securities it owns.

Application of the Trust’s investment philosophy, from time to time, may cause the Trust to invest a significant portion of its assets in a particular country or region of the world. The Trust anticipates that its investment strategy will cause it to invest in a number of countries throughout the world, but the actual number of countries represented in the Trust’s portfolio will vary over time. The Trust anticipates that application of its investment philosophy currently would cause it to invest in issuers located in 10 countries globally, including the United States. Under normal market conditions, the Trust will invest in the equity securities of issuers in at least three different countries, including the United States, and will invest at least 30% of its total assets at the time of investment in the equity securities of non-United States issuers. However, the Trust may invest in the securities of non-United States issuers without limit.

Leverage: The Trust may, but does not currently intend to, incur indebtedness or issue preferred shares for investment purposes.

The Trust may enter into derivative transactions that have leverage embedded in them.

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

The Trust’s investment objective is to provide current income and capital appreciation. The Trust’s investment objective is a fundamental policy and may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”)).

The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a portfolio of equity securities of U.S. and foreign issuers. The Trust may invest directly in securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives. BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”) from time to time may vary the percentage of the Trust’s assets invested in any particular type of equity security based on such factors as market and economic conditions, fiscal and monetary policy and the relative security valuation of the various equity asset classes.

 

 

I N V E S T M E N T  O B J E C T I V E S ,  P O L I C I E S  A N D  R I S K S

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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks (continued)

 

Investment Objectives and Policies (continued)

The Trust also seeks to achieve its investment objective by employing a strategy of writing (selling) call and put options on indices of securities and sectors of securities. In addition to its option strategy on indices, the Trust may pursue a strategy that includes the writing (selling) of both call and put options on individual common stocks. These option strategies are intended to generate current gains from option premiums as a means to enhance distributions payable to the Trust’s stockholders. As the Trust writes calls and puts over more of its portfolio, its ability to benefit from capital appreciation becomes more limited.

To the extent the Trust invests in dividend-paying common stocks, the Manager currently intends to emphasize those securities that: (i) are eligible to pay “qualified dividend” income and/or (ii) make payments that are eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporate taxpayers (“Dividends Received Deduction”) pursuant to Section 243 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income are currently eligible for reduced U.S. federal income tax rates for individuals. Long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income included in distributions of a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) to its individual stockholders are generally passed through to such stockholders and taxed at such reduced rates. Pursuant to Section 243 of the Code, corporations generally may deduct a portion of the dividend income they receive from domestic corporations. Corporate stockholders of a RIC generally are permitted to claim a deduction with respect to that portion of their dividend distributions attributable to amounts that the RIC designates as qualifying for the Dividends Received Deduction. Although the Trust has the ability to borrow money for investment purposes, it has no current intention to do so. If, however, the Trust did use leverage, the use of leverage through borrowings may reduce the amount of dividends it can designate as qualifying for the Dividends Received Deduction which will, in turn, limit the tax benefit to a corporate stockholder of investing in the Trust. Corporate stockholders should consider whether an investment in the Trust is appropriate in light of the Trust’s ability to borrow. No assurance can be given as to what percentage of the dividends paid on the Trust’s common stock will be eligible for: (i) the reduced U.S. federal income tax rate for qualified dividend income and long-term capital gains for individuals or (ii) the Dividends Received Deduction for corporate stockholders of the Trust.

Investment in the Trust’s common stock offers the individual investor several potential benefits. The Trust offers investors the opportunity to invest in a professionally managed portfolio which contains common stocks and preferred securities of U.S. and foreign issuers. The Manager provides professional management, which includes the extensive securities and credit analysis needed to invest in common stocks, preferred securities and foreign securities. The Trust also relieves the investor of the burdensome administrative details involved in managing a portfolio of such investments. These benefits are at least partially offset by the expenses involved in running an investment company. Such expenses primarily consist of advisory fees and operational costs. The use of leverage also involves certain expenses and risk considerations.

The Trust may engage in various portfolio strategies to seek to increase its return or to hedge its portfolio against movements in interest rates, in currency rates and in the securities markets through the use of derivatives, such as indexed and inverse securities, options, futures, options on futures, total return swaps, short selling and foreign exchange transactions. No assurance can be given that the Trust will employ these strategies or that, if employed, they will be effective.

The Trust may vary its investment objective and policies for temporary defensive purposes during periods in which the Manager believes that conditions in the securities markets or other economic, financial or political conditions warrant and in order to keep the Trust’s cash fully invested, including during the periods which the net proceeds of the offering are being invested. Under such conditions, the Trust may invest up to 100% of its total assets in securities issued or guaranteed by the United States government or its instrumentalities or agencies, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and other bank obligations, commercial paper rated in the highest category by an established rating service, or other debt securities deemed by the Manager to be consistent with a defensive posture, or may hold its assets in cash.

Leverage: The Trust does not currently intend to, but may, leverage its portfolio through borrowings, the issuance of debt securities, the issuance of preferred stock or a combination thereof.

The Trust may enter into derivative transactions that have leverage embedded in them.

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

The Trust’s primary investment objective is to provide current income and current gains, with a secondary objective of long-term capital appreciation. The Trust’s investment objectives are not fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval.

The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing in common stocks that pay dividends and have the potential for capital appreciation and by utilizing an option writing strategy to enhance distributions to its shareholders. The Trust uses an option strategy that writes options on approximately 50-60% of its total assets.

Under normal market conditions, the Trust invests at least 80% of its total assets in dividend-paying equities and may invest up to 20% of its total assets in equity securities of issuers that do not pay dividends. The Trust may invest directly in securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.

To the extent the Trust invests in dividend-paying common stocks, BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”) may emphasize those securities that: (i) are eligible to pay “qualified dividend” income, and/or (ii) make payments that are eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporate taxpayers pursuant to Section 243 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income are currently eligible for reduced U.S. federal income tax rates for individuals. Long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income properly reported as being included in distributions of a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) to its individual shareholders are generally passed through to such shareholders and taxed at such reduced rates. Pursuant to Section 243 of the Code, corporations generally may deduct a portion of the dividend income they receive from domestic corporations. Corporate shareholders of a RIC generally are permitted to claim a deduction with respect to that portion of their dividend distributions attributable to amounts that the RIC reports as qualifying for the dividends received deduction. Although the Trust has the ability to borrow money for investment purposes, it has no current intention to do so. If, however, the Trust did use leverage, the use of leverage through borrowings may reduce the amount of dividends it can designate as qualifying for the dividends received deduction which will, in turn, limit the tax benefit to a corporate shareholder of investing in the Trust. Corporate shareholders should consider whether an investment in the Trust is appropriate in light of the Trust’s ability to borrow. No assurance can be given as to what percentage of the dividends paid on the Trust’s common stock will be eligible for: (i) the reduced U.S. federal income tax rate for qualified dividend income and long-term capital gains for individuals, or (ii) the dividends received deduction for corporate shareholders of the Trust.

The Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in preferred securities.

 

 

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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks (continued)

 

Investment Objectives and Policies (continued)

The Trust may invest up to 10% of its total assets in privately placed or restricted securities (including in Rule 144A securities, which are privately placed securities purchased by qualified institutional buyers), illiquid securities and securities in which no secondary market is readily available, including those of private companies.

The Trust may invest in shares of real estate investment trusts.

The Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in non-U.S. securities, which may include securities denominated in U.S. dollars or in foreign currencies or multinational currency units. The Trust may invest in foreign securities of emerging market issuers, but investments in such securities will not comprise more than 10% of its total assets. The Trust will consider a company a U.S. company and not a foreign company if it meets one or more of the following tests: (i) such company was organized in the United States; (ii) such company’s primary business office is in the United States; (iii) the principal trading market for such company’s assets are located in the United States; (iv) 50% or more of such company’s assets are located in the United States; or (v) 50% or more of such issuer’s revenues are derived from the United States.

The Trust may enter into forward currency contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars or another foreign currency.

The Trust may enter into are interest rate swaps and the purchase or sale of interest rate caps and floors. The Trust expects to enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities the Trust anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Trust intends to use these transactions for hedging and risk management purposes and not as a speculative investment. The Trust will not sell interest rate caps or floors that it does not own. The Trust will only enter into interest rate swap, cap or floor transactions with counterparties the Investment Advisor believes to be creditworthy at the time they enter into such transactions.

The Trust will not make a short sale if, after giving effect to such sale, the market value of all securities sold short exceeds 25% of the value of the Trust’s total assets or the Trust’s aggregate short sales of a particular class of securities exceeds 25% of the outstanding securities of that class. The Trust may also make short sales “against the box” without respect to such limitations.

Leverage: The Trust may borrow funds for investment purposes and/or issue debt securities or preferred shares to purchase additional securities. These practices are known as “leverage.” The Trust may borrow from banks and other financial institutions and may also borrow additional funds using such investment techniques as the Manager may from time to time determine. The Trust may borrow in an amount up to 5% of its total assets for temporary or emergency purposes.

The Trust currently does not intend to incur indebtedness or issue preferred shares for investment purposes, except in connection with derivative instruments such as exchange listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities, financial futures, equity indices, and other financial instruments, purchase and sell futures contracts and options thereon, swaps, forward foreign currency contracts and various interest rate transactions, short sales, repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, when issued or forward commitment transactions and similar investment strategies.

The Trust may enter into derivative transactions that have leverage embedded in them.

BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (BOE)

The Trust’s investment objective is primarily to seek current income and current gains, with a secondary objective of long-term capital appreciation. The Trust’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed without prior shareholder approval.

The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in equity securities issued by companies located in countries throughout the world and by utilizing an option writing strategy to enhance current gains. BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”) or BlackRock International Limited (“BIL” and together with the Manager, the “Advisors”), the Trust’s sub-advisor, from time to time may vary the percentage of the Trust’s assets invested in any particular type of equity security, based on factors such as market and economic conditions, fiscal and monetary policy and the relative security valuation of the various equity asset classes.

The Trust also seeks to achieve its investment objective by employing a strategy of writing (selling) call and put options on indices of securities and sectors of securities. The Trust intends to write covered put and call options with respect to approximately 30% to 45% of its total assets, although this percentage may vary from time to time with market conditions. In addition to its option strategy on indices, the Trust may pursue a strategy that includes the writing (selling) of both call and put options on individual common stocks. These option strategies are intended to generate current gains from option premiums as a means to enhance distributions payable to the Trust’s shareholders. As the Trust writes calls and puts over more of its portfolio, its ability to benefit from capital appreciation becomes more limited.

Under normal market conditions, the Trust is required to invest at least 80% of its net assets in dividend-paying equity securities and at least 40% of its assets outside of the U.S. (unless market conditions are not deemed favorable by Trust management, in which case the Trust would invest at least 30% of its assets outside of the U.S.). The Trust may invest directly in securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives. Equity securities in which the Trust invests include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants, depositary receipts and equity interests in real estate investment trusts. The Trust may invest in companies located anywhere in the world. The Trust may invest in companies of any size market capitalization, but intends to invest primarily in the securities of large capitalization companies. The Trust may invest in companies conducting initial public offerings. The Trust may invest up to 25% of its total assets in equity securities of issuers in emerging countries. The Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in debt securities, including debt securities issued by companies located in emerging markets. The Trust may invest up to 10% of its total assets in non-investment grade debt securities, commonly known as “junk bonds.”

Application of the Trust’s investment philosophy, from time to time, may cause the Trust to invest a significant portion of its assets in a particular country or region of the world. The Trust’s investment strategy causes it to invest in issuers located in a number of countries throughout the world, but the actual number of countries represented in the Trust’s portfolio will vary over time. Under normal market conditions, the Trust invests in the equity securities of issuers in at least three different countries, including the United States. However, the Trust may invest in the securities of non-U.S. issuers without limit.

 

 

I N V E S T M E N T  O B J E C T I V E S ,  P O L I C I E S  A N D  R I S K S

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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks (continued)

 

Investment Objectives and Policies (continued)

The Trust may engage in various portfolio strategies to seek to increase its return or to hedge its portfolio against movements in interest rates, in currency rates and in the securities markets through the use of derivatives, such as indexed and inverse securities, options, futures, options on futures, interest rate transactions, including interest rate swaps, total return swaps and credit default swaps and short selling and foreign exchange transactions. Each of these portfolio strategies is described below. No assurance can be given that the Trust will employ these strategies or that, if employed, they will be effective.

The percentage limitations applicable to the Trust’s portfolio described herein apply only at the time of investment, and the Trust will not be required to sell securities due to subsequent changes in the value of securities it owns.

To the extent the Trust invests in dividend-paying common stocks, the Advisors currently intend to emphasize those securities that: (i) are eligible to pay “qualified dividend” income and/or (ii) make payments that are eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporate taxpayers pursuant to Section 243 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income are currently eligible for reduced U.S. federal income tax rates for individuals. Long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income included in distributions of a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) to its individual shareholders are generally passed through to such shareholders and taxed at such reduced rates. Pursuant to Section 243 of the Code, corporations generally may deduct a portion of the dividend income they receive from domestic corporations. Corporate shareholders of a RIC generally are permitted to claim a deduction with respect to that portion of their dividend distributions attributable to amounts that the RIC designates as qualifying for the Dividends Received Deduction. Although the Trust has the ability to borrow money for investment purposes, it has no current intention to do so. If, however, the Trust did use leverage, the use of leverage through borrowings may reduce the amount of dividends it can designate as qualifying for the Dividends Received Deduction which will, in turn, limit the tax benefit to a corporate shareholder of investing in the Trust. Corporate shareholders should consider whether an investment in the Trust is appropriate in light of the Trust’s ability to borrow. No assurance can be given as to what percentage of the dividends paid on the Trust’s common stock will be eligible for: (i) the reduced U.S. federal income tax rate for qualified dividend income and long-term capital gains for individuals or (ii) the Dividends Received Deduction for corporate shareholders of the Trust.

In selecting investments for the Trust, the Advisors combine fundamental research with a top-down strategy, analyzing 70 sub-industry groups on an ongoing basis. The Advisors seek to identify companies that it believes have the potential to outperform the market. The Advisors’ investment techniques for the Trust include assessing industry structure and dynamics, evaluating growth catalysts on an industry and individual company basis and assessing a company’s valuation relative to the broad market and its respective industry group. The Advisors seek to invest in companies that it believes have sizeable market opportunities, global, regional or local competitive advantages, sound business models and financial strength, proven management teams and compelling relative and absolute valuations.

Leverage: The Trust may, but does not currently intend to, incur indebtedness or issue preferred shares for investment purposes.

The Trust may enter into derivative transactions that have leverage embedded in them

BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (BGY)

The Trust’s primary investment objective is to seek current income and current gains, with a secondary objective of long-term capital appreciation. “Current gains” means gains realized from the Trust’s option strategy (described below) pursuant to which the Trust seeks to enhance monthly distributions to investors. The Trust’s investment objectives may be changed without shareholder approval.

The Trust seeks to achieve its objectives by investing primarily in equity securities issued by companies of any market capitalization located in countries throughout the world and utilizing an option writing (selling) strategy to enhance current gains. Under normal circumstances, the Trust invests at least 80% of its net assets in dividend-paying equity securities issued by non-U.S. companies of any market capitalization, but intends to invest primarily in securities of large capitalization companies. The Trust may invest directly in securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives. The Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in equity securities of issuers located in the United States. The Trust may invest up to 50% of its total assets in equity securities of issuers located in emerging market countries. Emerging market countries generally include every nation in the world except the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and most countries in Western Europe. Equity securities in which the Trust anticipates investing include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants, depositary receipts and equity interests in real estate investment trusts.

Under normal circumstances, the Trust anticipates it will allocate a substantial amount (approximately 40% or more — unless market conditions are not deemed favorable by BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”) or BlackRock International Limited (“BIL” and together with the Manager, the “Advisors”), the Trust’s sub-advisor, in which case the Trust would invest at least 30%) — of its total assets in securities of (i) foreign government issuers, (ii) issuers organized or located outside the U.S., (iii) issuers which primarily trade in a market located outside the U.S., or (iv) issuers doing a substantial amount of business outside the U.S., which the Trust considers to be companies that derive at least 50% of their revenue or profits from business outside the U.S. or have at least 50% of their sales or assets outside the U.S. The Trust will allocate its assets among various regions and countries, including the United States (but in no less than three different countries). For temporary defensive purposes, the Trust may deviate very substantially from the allocation described above.

The Trust seeks to generate current dividends and income by investing in equity securities that pay dividends. The Trust will seek income a portion of which is classified as “qualified dividend income,” which is dividend income that is eligible to be taxed at a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of generally 20%. The lower U.S. federal tax rates generally apply to dividend income from taxable domestic corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations, provided that holding period and other requirements are met by both the Trust and the shareholder.

As part of its investment strategy, the Trust intends to write (sell) covered call and put options on individual common stocks, stock indices and stock sectors. The Trust may utilize over-the-counter options to a significant extent in order to employ its option strategy. This option strategy is intended to generate current gains from option premiums as a means to enhance distributions payable to the Trust’s shareholders. As the Trust writes covered calls over more of its portfolio, its ability to benefit from capital appreciation becomes more limited.

 

 

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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks (continued)

 

Investment Objectives and Policies (continued)

A call option written by the Trust on a security is “covered” if the Trust owns the security underlying the call or has an absolute and immediate right to acquire that security without additional cash consideration (or, if additional cash consideration is required, the Trust’s custodian segregates sufficient cash or other assets determined to be liquid by the Advisors (in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”))) upon conversion or exchange of other securities held by the Trust. A call option is also covered if the Trust holds a call on the same security as the call written where the exercise price of the call held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written or (ii) greater than the exercise price of the call written, provided the difference is maintained by the Trust in segregated assets determined to be liquid by the Advisors as described above.

A put option written by the Trust on a security is “covered” if the Trust segregates assets determined to be liquid by the Advisors (in accordance with procedures established by the Board) equal to the exercise price. A put option is also covered if the Trust holds a put on the same security as the put written where the exercise price of the put held is (i) equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put written or (ii) less than the exercise price of the put written, provided the difference is maintained by the Trust in segregated assets determined to be liquid by the Advisors as described above.

An index- or sector-oriented option is considered “covered” if the Trust maintains with its custodian assets determined to be liquid in an amount equal to the contract value of the applicable basket of securities. An index or sector call option also is covered if the Trust holds a call on the same basket of securities as the call written where the exercise price of the call held is (i) equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written or (ii) greater than the exercise price of the call written, provided the difference is maintained by the Trust in segregated assets determined to be liquid. An index or sector put option also is covered if the Trust holds a put on the same basket of securities as the put written where the exercise price of the put held is (i) equal to or more than the exercise price of the put written or (ii) less than the exercise price of the put written, provided the difference is maintained by the Trust in segregated assets determined to be liquid. Because index and sector options both refer to options on baskets of securities and generally have similar characteristics, we refer to these types of options collectively as “index options.”

The Trust generally intends to write covered put and call options with respect to approximately 30% to 45% of its total assets, although this percentage may vary from time to time with market conditions. As the Trust writes covered calls over more of its portfolio, its ability to benefit from capital appreciation becomes more limited.

The Trust may hold or have exposure to equity securities of issuers of any size, including small and medium capitalization companies, and to issuers in any industry or sector. The Trust will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities of issuers in any single industry.

The Trust may invest in the securities of smaller, less seasoned companies. The Trust also may engage in short sales of securities and may lend its portfolio securities to banks or dealers which meet the creditworthiness standards established by the Board.

Although not intended to be a significant element in the Trust’s investment strategy, from time to time the Trust may purchase and sell derivative instruments such as exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities, financial futures, equity indices and other financial instruments, purchase and sell financial futures contracts and options thereon, engage in swaps and purchase derivative instruments that combine features of these instruments for hedging and risk management purposes or to enhance total return. The percentage limitations set herein apply at the time of investment, and the Trust will not be required to sell securities because of subsequent changes in market values.

Leverage: Although the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust provides that the Board of the Trust may authorize the Trust to issue preferred shares or incur indebtedness, the Trust currently does not intend to issue preferred shares or incur indebtedness for investment purposes.

The Trust may enter into derivative transactions that have leverage embedded in them.

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

The Trust’s investment objective is to provide total return through a combination of current income, current gains and long-term capital appreciation. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of companies engaged in the health sciences and related industries and equity derivatives with exposure to the health sciences industry. Equity derivatives in which the Trust invests as part of this non-fundamental investment policy include purchased and sold (written) call and put options on equity securities of companies in the health sciences and related industries.

The Trust’s investment objective may be changed by the Board of Trustees without prior shareholder approval; however, the Trust will not change its policy of investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of companies engaged in the health sciences and related industries and equity derivatives with exposure to the health sciences industry unless it provides shareholders with notice at least 60 days prior to changing this non-fundamental policy, or unless such change was previously approved by shareholders.

Companies in the health sciences industry include health care providers as well as businesses involved in researching, developing, producing, distributing or delivering medical, dental, optical, pharmaceutical or biotechnology products, supplies, equipment or services or that provide support services to these companies. These companies also include those that own or operate health facilities and hospitals or provide related administrative, management or financial support. Other health sciences industries in which the Trust may invest include: clinical testing laboratories; diagnostics; hospital, laboratory or physician ancillary products and support services; rehabilitation services; employer health insurance management services; and vendors of goods and services specifically to companies engaged in the health sciences. BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”) determines, in its discretion, whether a company is engaged in the health sciences and related industries.

While the Trust will invest primarily in companies providing products and services for human health, it may also invest in companies whose products or services relate to the growth or survival of animals and plants. Non-human health sciences industries include companies engaged in the development, production or distribution of products or services that: increase crop, animal and animal product yields by enhancing growth or increasing disease resistance, improve agricultural product characteristics, such as taste, appearance, nutritional content and shelf life; reduce the cost of producing agricultural products; or improve pet health.

 

 

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The Trust will consider a company to be principally engaged in a health sciences or related industry if 50% or more of its revenues are derived from, or 50% or more of its assets are related to, its health sciences business. Although the Trust generally will invest in companies included in the Russell 3000® Index, the Trust may invest in equity securities of health sciences companies with any size market capitalization, including small and mid-cap health sciences companies and companies that are not included in the Russell 3000® Index.

As part of its investment strategy, the Trust employs an option strategy of writing (selling) covered call options on common stocks in its portfolio, writing other call and put options on individual common stocks and, to a lesser extent, writing call and put options on indices of health sciences securities. The Trust seeks to generate current gains from options premiums and to enhance the Trust’s risk-adjusted returns. The Trust generally intends to write call and put options with respect to approximately 30% to 50% of its total assets, although this percentage may vary from time to time with market conditions.

The Trust invests primarily in equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants and depositary receipts, of issuers engaged in the health sciences or related industries and equity interests in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) that own hospitals. The Trust may invest in companies of any size market capitalization.

The Trust may invest in preferred securities, including preferred securities that may be converted into common stock or other securities of the same or a different issuer. The types of preferred securities in which the Trust may invest include trust preferred securities.

The Trust may invest in convertible securities. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred security or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock or other equity security of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula.

The Trust may purchase warrants, which are privileges issued by corporations enabling the owners to subscribe to and purchase a specified number of shares of the corporation at a specified price during a specified period of time.

The Trust may invest in sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and other similar global instruments.

The Trust may invest in equity interests of REITs. REITs possess certain risks which differ from an investment in common stocks. REITs are financial vehicles that pool investor’s capital to purchase or finance real estate. REITs may concentrate their investments in specific geographic areas or in specific property types (i.e., hotels, shopping malls, residential complexes and office buildings).

The Trust may invest without limitation in securities of U.S. issuers and non-U.S. issuers located in countries throughout the world, including in developed and emerging markets. Foreign securities in which the Trust may invest may be U.S. dollar-denominated or non-U.S. dollar-denominated. For purposes of the Trust, a company is deemed to be a non-U.S. company if it meets the following tests: (i) such company was not organized in the United States; (ii) such company’s primary business office is not in the United States; (iii) the principal trading market for such company’s securities is not located in the United States; (iv) less than 50% of such company’s assets are located in the United States; or (v) 50% or more of such issuer’s revenues are derived from outside the United States.

The Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in other investments. These investments may include equity and debt securities of companies not engaged in the health sciences industry. Fixed-income securities in which the Trust may invest include bonds or other debt securities issued by U.S. or foreign (non-U.S.) corporations or other business entities and U.S. Government and agency securities. The Trust has no set policy regarding portfolio maturity or duration of the fixed-income securities it may hold, and such securities may be of any maturity.

The Trust reserves the right to invest up to 10% of its total assets in securities rated, at the time of investment, below investment grade quality, such as those rated “Ba” or below by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and “BB” or below by S&P Global Ratings, or securities comparably rated by other rating agencies or in securities determined by the Manager to be of comparable quality. Such securities commonly are referred to as “high yield” or “junk” bonds.

The Trust may invest in registered investment companies in accordance with the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). The Investment Company Act generally prohibits the Trust from investing more than 5% of its assets in any one other investment company or more than 10% of its assets in all other investment companies.

In addition to the option strategies discussed above, the Trust may engage in strategic transactions to facilitate portfolio management, mitigate risks and generate total return. The Trust may use a variety of other investment management techniques and instruments. The Trust may purchase and sell futures contracts, enter into various interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, currency transactions such as currency forward contracts, currency futures contracts, currency swaps or options on currency or currency futures and swap contracts (including, but not limited to, credit default swaps) and may purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities and swap contracts, financial indices and futures contracts and use other derivative instruments or management techniques. The Trust also may purchase derivative instruments that combine features of these instruments.

In connection with its hedging and other risk management strategies, the Trust may also enter into contracts for the purchase or sale for future delivery (“future contracts”) of securities, aggregates of securities, financial indices, and U.S. Government debt securities or options on the foregoing to hedge the value of its portfolio securities that might result from a change in interest rates or market movements. The Trust may engage in such transactions for bona fide hedging, risk management and other appropriate portfolio management purposes.

The Trust may enter into such transactions without limit for bona fide strategic purposes, including risk management and duration management and other portfolio strategies. The Trust may also engage in transactions in futures contracts or related options for non-strategic purposes to enhance income or gain provided that the Trust will not enter into a futures contract or related option (except for closing transactions) for purposes other than bona fide strategic purposes, or risk management including duration management unless it does so consistent with the rules of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”).

 

 

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The Trust may engage in options and futures transactions on exchanges and options in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) markets.

The Trust intends to enter into options and futures transactions only with banks or dealers the Manager believes to be creditworthy at the time they enter into such transactions.

The CFTC subjects advisers to registered investment companies to regulation by the CFTC if a fund that is advised by the investment adviser either (i) invests, directly or indirectly, more than a prescribed level of its liquidation value in CFTC-regulated futures, options and swaps (“CFTC Derivatives”), or (ii) markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. To the extent the Trust uses CFTC Derivatives, it intends to do so below such prescribed levels and will not market itself as a “commodity pool” or a vehicle for trading such instruments. Accordingly, the Manager has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the CEA. The Manager is not, therefore, subject to registration or regulation as a “commodity pool operator” under the CEA in respect of the Trust.

In order to enhance income or reduce fluctuations in net asset value, the Trust may sell or purchase call options on securities and indices based upon the prices of futures contracts and debt or equity securities that are traded on U.S. and non-U.S. securities exchanges and on the over-the-counter markets.

As with calls, the Trust may purchase put options on securities (whether or not it holds such securities in its portfolio), indices or future contracts. For the same purposes, the Trust may also sell puts on securities, indices or futures contracts on such securities if the Trust’s contingent obligations on such puts are secured by designating cash or liquid assets on its books and records having a value not less than the exercise price. The Trust will not sell puts if, as a result, more than 50% of the Trust’s assets would be required to be segregated on its books to cover its potential obligation under its hedging and other investment transactions.

The Trust may enter into interest rate swaps and the purchase or sale of interest rate caps and floors. The Trust expects to enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio as a duration management technique or to protect against any increase in the price of securities the Trust anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Trust may enter into interest rate swaps, caps and floors on either an asset-based or liability-based basis.

The Trust intends to use these transactions for risk management purposes and not as a speculative investment. The Trust will not sell interest rate caps or floors that it does not own. The Trust will only enter into interest rate swap, cap or floor transactions with counterparties the Manager believes to be creditworthy at the time they enter into such transactions.

The Trust may engage in credit derivative transactions. There are two broad categories of credit derivatives: default price risk derivatives and market spread derivatives. Default price risk derivatives are linked to the price of reference securities or loans after a default by the issuer or borrower, respectively. Market spread derivatives are based on the risk that changes in market factors, such as credit spreads, can cause a decline in the value of a security, loan or index. There are three basic transactional forms for credit derivatives: swaps, options and structured instruments.

The Trust may enter into forward currency contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars or another foreign currency. A forward currency contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days (term) from the date of the forward currency contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time the forward currency contract is entered into. Forward currency contracts are traded directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers.

The Trust may make short sales of securities for risk management, in order to maintain portfolio flexibility or to enhance income or gain. The Trust will not make a short sale if, after giving effect to such sale, the market value of all securities sold short exceeds 25% of the value of its total assets or the Trust’s aggregate short sales of a particular class of securities exceeds 25% of the outstanding securities of that class. The Trust may also make short sales “against the box” without respect to such limitations. In this type of short sale, at the time of the sale, the Trust owns or has the immediate and unconditional right to acquire at no additional cost the identical security.

The Trust may invest in illiquid investments. Illiquid investments are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on disposition or lack an established secondary market. The sale of restricted and illiquid investments often requires more time and results in higher brokerage charges or dealer discounts and other selling expenses than does the sale of investments eligible for trading on national securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets. Restricted investments may sell at a price lower than similar investments that are not subject to restrictions on resale.

The Trust may purchase securities on a “when-issued” basis and may purchase or sell securities on a “forward commitment” basis in order to acquire the security or to hedge against anticipated changes in interest rates and prices. When-issued securities and forward commitments may be sold prior to the settlement date, but the Trust will enter into when-issued and forward commitments only with the intention of actually receiving or delivering the securities, as the case may be.

The Trust may lend securities with a value up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including such loans) to banks, brokers and other financial institutions.

As temporary investments, the Trust may invest in repurchase agreements. The Trust will only enter into repurchase agreements with registered securities dealers or domestic banks that, in the opinion of the Manager, present minimal credit risk.

The Trust may deviate from its investment strategy and invest all or any portion of its assets in cash, cash equivalents or short-term debt securities when the Manager determines that it is temporarily unable to follow the Trust’s investment strategy or that it is impractical to do so or pending re-investment of proceeds received in connection with the sale of a security. The Trust may not achieve its investment objective when it does so. The Manager’s determination that it is temporarily unable to follow the Trust’s investment strategy or that it is impractical to do so will generally occur only in situations in which a market disruption event has occurred and where trading in the securities selected through application of the Trust’s investment strategy is extremely limited or absent. Short-term debt investments include U.S. Government securities, including bills, notes and bonds differing as to maturity and rates of interest that are either issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury or by U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities, certificates of deposit issued against funds deposited in a bank or a savings and loan association, repurchase agreements, which involve purchases of debt securities, and commercial paper, which consists of short-term unsecured promissory notes, including variable rate master demand notes issued by corporations to finance their current

 

 

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operations. Investments in commercial paper will be limited to commercial paper rated in the highest categories by a major rating agency and which mature within one year of the date of purchase or carry a variable or floating rate of interest.

Leverage: The Trust does not currently borrow money for investment purposes or have preferred shares outstanding, and has no present intention of borrowing money for investment purposes or issuing preferred shares in the future.

The Trust may enter into derivative transactions that have leverage embedded in them.

The Trust may enter into reverse repurchase agreements and “dollar roll” transactions.

BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (BMEZ)

The Trust’s investment objectives are to provide total return and income through a combination of current income, current gains and long-term capital appreciation. The Trust’s investment objectives may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) without prior shareholder approval.

BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”) believes that the knowledge and experience of its Health Sciences Team enable it to evaluate the macro environment and assess its impact on health sciences companies and the various sub-industries within the health sciences group of industries. Within this framework, the Manager identifies stocks with attractive characteristics, evaluates the use of options and provides ongoing portfolio risk management.

The top-down or macro component of the investment process is designed to assess the various interrelated macro variables affecting the health sciences group of industries as a whole. The Manager evaluates health sciences sub-industries (i.e., pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, healthcare services, etc.). Selection of sub-industries within the health sciences group of industries is a result of both the Manager’s sub-industry analysis, as well as the Manager’s bottom-up fundamental company analysis. Risk/reward analysis is a key component of both top-down and bottom-up analysis.

Bottom-up security selection is focused on identifying companies with the most attractive characteristics within each sub-industry of the health sciences group of industries. The Manager seeks to identify companies with strong product potential, solid earnings growth and/or earnings power which are under appreciated by investors, a quality management team and compelling relative and absolute valuation. The Manager believes that the knowledge and experience of its Health Sciences Team enables it to identify attractive health sciences securities.

The Manager intends to utilize option strategies that consist of writing (selling) call options on a portion of the common stocks in the Trust’s portfolio, as well as other option strategies such as writing other calls and puts or using options to manage risk. The portfolio management team will work closely to determine which option strategies to pursue to seek to generate current gains from options premiums and to enhance the Trust’s risk-adjusted returns.

Under normal market conditions, the Trust will invest at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of companies principally engaged in the health sciences group of industries and equity derivatives with exposure to the health sciences group of industries. Equity derivatives in which the Trust invests as part of this non-fundamental investment policy include purchased and sold (written) call and put options on equity securities of companies in the health sciences group of industries.

The Trust will consider a company to be principally engaged in the health sciences group of industries if (i) it is classified in an industry within the health sciences group of industries by a third-party industry classification system or (ii) it is not classified in any industry by such third-party industry classification system and the Manager determines that the company is principally engaged in the health sciences group of industries.

Companies in the health sciences group of industries include health care providers as well as businesses involved in researching, developing, producing, distributing or delivering medical, dental, optical, pharmaceutical or biotechnology products, supplies, equipment or services or that provide support services to these companies. These companies also include those that own or operate health facilities and hospitals or provide related administrative, management or financial support. Other companies in the health sciences group of industries in which the Trust may invest include: clinical testing laboratories; diagnostics; hospital, laboratory or physician ancillary products and support services; rehabilitation services; employer health insurance management services; and vendors of goods and services specifically to companies engaged in the health sciences. The Trust will concentrate its investments in the health sciences group of industries.

While the Trust will invest primarily in companies providing products and services for human health, it may also invest in companies whose products or services relate to the growth or survival of animals and plants. Non-human health sciences companies include those engaged in the development, production or distribution of products or services that: increase crop, animal and animal product yields by enhancing growth or increasing disease resistance; improve agricultural product characteristics, such as taste, appearance, nutritional content and shelf life; reduce the cost of producing agricultural products; or improve pet health.

The Trust may invest in companies of any market capitalization located anywhere in the world, including companies located in emerging markets. The Trust will focus its investments in mid- and small-capitalization companies. Foreign securities in which the Trust may invest may be U.S. dollar-denominated or non-U.S. dollar-denominated.

The Trust invests primarily in equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants and depositary receipts, of health sciences companies and limited partnership interests in REITs that own hospitals.

The Trust may invest in shares of companies through IPOs. The Trust may also invest, without limit, in privately placed or restricted securities (including in Rule 144A securities, which are privately placed securities purchased by qualified institutional buyers), illiquid securities and securities in which no secondary market is readily available, including those of private companies. Issuers of these securities may not have a class of securities registered, and may not be subject to periodic reporting, pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Trust intends to invest up to 25% of its total assets, measured at the time of investment, in illiquid privately placed or restricted securities. The Trust expects certain of such investments to be in “late-stage private securities,” which are securities of private companies that have demonstrated sustainable

 

 

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business operations and generally have a well-known product or service with a strong market presence. Late-stage private companies have generally had large cash flows from their core business operations and are expanding into new markets with their products or services. Late-stage private companies may also be referred to as “pre-IPO companies.”

The Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in other investments, including equity securities issued by companies that are not principally engaged in the health sciences group of industries and debt securities issued by any issuer, including non-investment grade debt securities. The Trust’s investments in non-investment grade securities and those deemed to be of similar quality are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal and are commonly referred to as “junk” or “high yield” securities. The Trust has no set policy regarding portfolio maturity or duration of the fixed-income securities it may hold, and such securities may be of any maturity.

As part of its investment strategy, the Trust intends to employ a strategy of writing (selling) covered call options on a portion of the common stocks in its portfolio, writing (selling) other call and put options on individual common stocks, and, to a lesser extent, writing (selling) call and put index options. This options writing strategy is intended to generate current gains from options premiums and to enhance the Trust’s risk-adjusted returns. A substantial portion of the options written by the Trust may be over-the-counter (“OTC”) options.

During temporary defensive periods (i.e., in response to adverse market, economic or political conditions), the Trust may invest up to 100% of its total assets in liquid, short-term investments, including high quality, short-term securities. The Trust may not achieve its investment objectives under these circumstances. The Manager’s determination that it is temporarily unable to follow the Trust’s investment strategy or that it is impractical to do so will generally occur only in situations in which a market disruption event has occurred and where trading in the securities selected through application of the Trust’s investment strategy is extremely limited or absent.

The Trust may purchase and sell futures contracts, enter into various interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, currency transactions such as currency forward contracts, currency futures contracts, currency swaps or options on currency or currency futures and swap contracts (including, but not limited to, credit default swaps) and may purchase and sell exchange-listed and OTC put and call options on securities and swap contracts, financial indices and futures contracts and use other derivative instruments or management techniques for duration management and other risk management purposes, including to attempt to protect against possible changes in the market value of the Trust’s portfolio resulting from trends in the securities markets and changes in interest rates or to protect the Trust’s unrealized gains in the value of its portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of portfolio securities for investment purposes, to establish a position in the securities markets as a temporary substitute for purchasing particular securities or to enhance income or gain.

The Trust may also invest in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies, including exchange-traded funds and business development companies, subject to applicable regulatory limits, that invest primarily in securities of the types in which the Trust may invest directly. The Trust classifies its investments in such investment companies as “equity securities” for purposes of its investment policies based upon such investment companies’ stated investment objectives, policies and restrictions.

The Trust may lend securities with a value of up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including such loans) to financial institutions that provide cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government as collateral.

The Trust may also engage in short sales of securities. The Trust will not make a short sale if, after giving effect to such sale, the market value of all securities sold short exceeds 25% of the value of its Managed Assets or the Trust’s aggregate short sales of a particular class of securities exceeds 25% of the outstanding securities of that class. The Trust may make short sales “against the box” without respect to such limitations. In this type of short sale, at the time of the sale the Trust owns or has the immediate and unconditional right to acquire at no additional cost the identical security. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Trust (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes) minus the sum of the Trust’s accrued liabilities (other than money borrowed for investment purposes).

Unless otherwise stated herein, the Trust’s investment policies are non-fundamental policies and may be changed by the Board without prior shareholder approval. The percentage limitations applicable to the Trust’s portfolio described herein apply only at the time of initial investment and the Trust will not be required to sell investments due to subsequent changes in the value of investments that it owns. The Trust’s investment objectives may be changed by the Board without prior shareholder approval; however, the Trust will not change its policy of investing, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities of companies principally engaged in the health sciences group of industries and equity derivatives with exposure to the health sciences group of industries unless it provides shareholders at least 60 days’ written notice before implementation of the change in compliance with rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Leverage: The Trust currently does not intend to borrow money or issue debt securities or preferred shares. Although it has no present intention to do so, the Trust reserves the right to borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, or issue debt securities or preferred shares, in the future if it believes that market conditions would be conducive to the successful implementation of a leveraging strategy through borrowing money or issuing debt securities or preferred shares. Any such leveraging will not be fully achieved until the proceeds resulting from the use of leverage have been invested in accordance with the Trust’s investment objectives and policies.

The Trust may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with respect to its portfolio investments subject to certain investment restrictions.

The Trust may enter into “dollar roll” transactions.

The Trust may enter into derivative transactions that have leverage embedded in them.

The Trust may also borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including the payment of dividends and the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of Trust securities.

 

 

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BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (BIGZ)

The Trust’s investment objectives are to provide total return and income through a combination of current income, current gains and long-term capital appreciation. The Trust is not intended as, and you should not construe it to be, a complete investment program. There can be no assurance that the Trust’s investment objectives will be achieved or that the Trust’s investment program will be successful. The Trust’s investment objectives may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) without prior shareholder approval.

In selecting investments for the Trust, BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”) focuses on equity securities of mid- and small-capitalization growth companies that are “innovative.” These are companies that have introduced, or are seeking to introduce, a new product or service that potentially changes the marketplace. In evaluating innovative companies, the Manager seeks to identify, using its own internal research and analysis, companies capitalizing on innovation or that are enabling the further development of the theme of innovation in the markets in which they operate.

Among other things, common criteria for innovative companies across industries may include developing new products, selling in new markets or channels, applying a new or superior technology to legacy industries, refining existing processes for efficiency, changing or pivoting business model, or creating tools that empower new breakthroughs.

In addition, the Trust seeks to invest in companies where, in the opinion of the Manager, free cash flow is likely to grow for a sustained period. Factors considered in the Manager’s analysis of a company may include 1) a large and underpenetrated addressable market, 2) a technology or service model that creates recurring demand for product, and 3) a competitive landscape that allows for stable or expanding margins. The Manager’s outlook for a company based upon these and other factors is then compared to the outlook of the company implied in the current share price of the company. The Manager looks to invest in companies where its view of future cash flows is more favorable than that which it believes is reflected by the current price.

The Manager will identify trends that have ramifications for individual companies or entire industries. Risk/reward analysis is a key component of both top-down and bottom-up analysis.

Bottom-up security selection is focused on identifying innovative companies with the most attractive growth characteristics. The Manager seeks to identify companies with strong product potential, solid earnings growth and/or earnings power which are under appreciated by investors, a quality management team and compelling relative and absolute valuation. The Manager believes that the knowledge and experience of its investment team enables it to identify attractive innovative companies.

The Trust intends to utilize option strategies that consist of writing (selling) call options on a portion of the common stocks in its portfolio, as well as other option strategies such as writing other calls and puts or using options to manage risk. The portfolio management team will work closely to determine which option strategies to pursue to seek to generate current gains from options premiums and to enhance the Trust’s risk-adjusted returns.

The Trust will invest primarily in equity securities issued by mid- and small-capitalization companies that the Manager believes have above-average earnings growth potential.

Equity securities include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants and depositary receipts, though the Trust seeks to buy primarily common stock. Although universal definitions of mid-capitalization companies and small-capitalization companies do not exist, the Trust generally defines mid-capitalization and small-capitalization companies as those companies with market capitalizations, at the time of the Trust’s investment, comparable in size to the companies in the Russell 2500™ Growth Index (between $20.75 million and $20.98 billion as of December 31, 2023). In the future, the Trust may define mid- and small-capitalization companies using a different index or classification system.

The Trust may invest in shares of companies through IPOs. The Trust may also invest, without limit, in privately placed or restricted securities (including in Rule 144A securities, which are privately placed securities purchased by qualified institutional buyers), illiquid securities and securities in which no secondary market is readily available, including those of private companies. Issuers of these securities may not have a class of securities registered, and may not be subject to periodic reporting, pursuant to the Exchange Act. Under normal market conditions, the Trust currently intends to invest up to 25% of its total assets, measured at the time of investment, in illiquid privately placed or restricted securities. The Trust expects certain of such investments to be in “late-stage private securities,” which are securities of private companies that have demonstrated sustainable business operations and generally have a well-known product or service with a strong market presence. Late-stage private companies have generally had large cash flows from their core business operations and are expanding into new markets with their products or services. Late-stage private companies may also be referred to as “pre-IPO companies.”

The Trust may invest up to 25% of its assets in securities of foreign companies, including companies located in emerging markets. Foreign securities in which the Trust may invest may be U.S. dollar-denominated or non-U.S. dollar-denominated.

The Trust may also invest in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies, including exchange-traded funds and business development companies, subject to applicable regulatory limits, that invest primarily in securities of the types in which the Trust may invest directly. The Trust classifies its investments in such investment companies as “equity securities” for purposes of its investment policies based upon such investment companies’ stated investment objectives, policies and restrictions.

As part of its investment strategy, the Trust intends to employ a strategy of writing (selling) covered call options on a portion of the common stocks in its portfolio, writing (selling) other call and put options on individual common stocks, including uncovered call and put options, and, to a lesser extent, writing (selling) covered and uncovered call and put index options. This options writing strategy is intended to generate current gains from options premiums and to enhance the Trust’s risk-adjusted returns. A substantial portion of the options written by the Trust may be over-the-counter options.

The Trust may also purchase and sell futures contracts, enter into various interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, currency transactions such as currency forward contracts, currency futures contracts, currency swaps or options on currency or currency futures and swap contracts (including, but not limited to, credit default swaps) and may purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter (“OTC”) put and call options on securities and swap contracts, financial indices and futures contracts and use other derivative instruments or management techniques for duration management and other risk management purposes, including to attempt to protect

 

 

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Investment Objectives and Policies (continued)

against possible changes in the market value of the Trust’s portfolio resulting from trends in the securities markets and changes in interest rates or to protect the Trust’s unrealized gains in the value of its portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of portfolio securities for investment purposes, to establish a position in the securities markets as a temporary substitute for purchasing particular securities or to enhance income or gain.

During temporary defensive periods (i.e., in response to adverse market, economic or political conditions), the Trust may invest up to 100% of its total assets in liquid, short-term investments, including high quality, short-term securities. The Trust may not achieve its investment objectives under these circumstances. The Manager’s determination that it is temporarily unable to follow the Trust’s investment strategy or that it is impractical to do so will generally occur only in situations in which a market disruption event has occurred and where trading in the securities selected through application of the Trust’s investment strategy is extremely limited or absent.

The Trust may lend securities with a value of up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including such loans) to financial institutions that provide cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government as collateral.

The Trust may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities to achieve its investment objectives.

Unless otherwise stated herein, the Trust’s investment policies are non-fundamental policies and may be changed by the Board without prior shareholder approval. The percentage limitations applicable to the Trust’s portfolio described in this prospectus apply only at the time of initial investment and the Trust will not be required to sell investments due to subsequent changes in the value of investments that it owns. The Trust’s investment objectives may be changed by the Board without prior shareholder approval.

Leverage: The Trust currently does not intend to borrow money or issue debt securities or preferred shares. The Trust is, however, permitted to borrow money or issue debt securities in an amount up to 33 1/3% of its Managed Assets (50% of its net assets), and issue preferred shares in an amount up to 50% of its Managed Assets (100% of its net assets). “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Trust (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes) minus the sum of the Trust’s accrued liabilities (other than money borrowed for investment purposes). Although it has no present intention to do so, the Trust reserves the right to borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, or issue debt securities or preferred shares, in the future if it believes that market conditions would be conducive to the successful implementation of a leveraging strategy through borrowing money or issuing debt securities or preferred shares.

The Trust is permitted to leverage its portfolio by entering into one or more credit facilities.

The Trust may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with respect to its portfolio investments subject to the Trust’s investment restrictions.

The Trust may enter into “dollar roll” transactions.

The Trust may enter into derivative transactions that have leverage embedded in them.

The Trust may also borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including the payment of dividends and the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of Trust securities.

BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX)

The Trust’s primary investment objective is to seek high current income and current gains, with a secondary objective of capital appreciation. The Trust will seek to achieve its objectives by investing substantially all of its assets in equity securities issued by commodity or natural resources companies, derivatives with exposure to commodity or natural resources companies or investments in securities and derivatives linked to the underlying price movement of commodities or natural resources, including commodity-linked derivatives such as commodity-linked notes, commodity futures, forward contracts and swaps and other similar derivative instruments and investment vehicles that invest in commodities, natural resources or commodity-linked derivatives. The Trust’s investment objectives are not fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”).

The Trust will seek to achieve its investment objectives, under normal market conditions, by investing at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities issued by commodity or natural resources companies, derivatives with exposure to commodity or natural resources companies or investments in securities and derivatives linked to the underlying price movement of commodities or natural resources, including commodity-linked derivatives such as commodity-linked notes, commodity futures, forward contracts and swaps and other similar derivative instruments and investment vehicles that invest in commodities, natural resources or commodity-linked derivatives. Commodities and natural resources include, without limitation, minerals, metals (including precious, industrial and rare metals), steel, agricultural products and commodities, livestock, environmental commodities, wool, ethanol, chemicals, forest products (including wood, pulp and paper), plastic, rubber, sugar, cotton, cocoa, coffee, basic materials, building materials, water, oil, gas, consumable fuel, energy and other natural resources. Commodity and natural resources companies, include, but are not limited to, companies in commodities, natural resources and energy businesses and in associated businesses and companies that provide services or have exposure to such businesses (collectively, the “Commodities and Natural Resources Sector”). These companies include, without limitation, companies engaged in the exploration, ownership, production, refinement, processing, transportation, distribution or marketing of commodities or natural resources, companies that use commodities and natural resources extensively in their products, including companies that are engaged in businesses such as integrated oil, oil and gas exploration and production, gold, metals and minerals, steel and iron ore production, aluminum and related products, energy services, and technology, metal production, forest products, including timber and related wood and paper products, chemicals, fertilizer and agricultural chemicals, building materials, coal and other consumable fuel, alternative energy sources, environmental services and agricultural products (including crop growers, owners of plantations, and companies that produce and process foods), as well as related transportation companies and equipment manufacturers. The Trust will consider a company to be a commodity or natural resources company if: (i) at least 50% of the company’s assets, income, sales or profits are committed to or derived from the Commodities and Natural Resources Sector; or (ii) a third party classification (such as (a) Standard Industry Classifications and the North American Industry Classification

 

 

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System, each of which is published by the Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget and (b) classifications used by third party data providers including, without limitation, FactSet Research Systems Inc. and MSCI Barra), has given the company an industry or sector classification consistent with the Commodities and Natural Resources Sector.

Equity securities held by the Trust may include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants, depositary receipts, equity interests in Canadian Royalty Trusts, and equity interests in master limited partnerships (“MLPs”). The Trust will not invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in MLPs. The Trust’s economic exposure to securities and derivatives linked to the underlying price movements of commodities or natural resources, including commodity-linked derivatives such as commodity-linked notes, commodity futures, forward contracts and swaps and other similar derivative instruments and investment vehicles that invest in commodities, natural resources or commodity-linked derivatives (“Commodity-Related Instruments”) will not exceed 20% of its total assets. Commodity-Related Instruments may include, but will not be limited to, investments in structured notes, partnership interests, exchange-traded funds that make commodity-related or natural resources-related investments, mutual funds and strategic transactions, including futures contracts on commodities and natural resources, forward contracts on commodities and natural resources and swap contracts on commodities and natural resources.

The Trust may invest in such Commodity-Related Instruments either directly or indirectly through the BlackRock Cayman Resources & Commodities Strategy Fund, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Trust formed in the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”). Investments in the Subsidiary are intended to provide the Trust with exposure to commodities market returns within the limitations of the federal tax requirements that apply to the Trust. The Trust may gain exposure to certain Commodity-Related Instruments and certain other commodity-related and natural resources-related investments that, if the Trust invested in such investments directly, would not produce qualifying income for purposes of the income tests applicable to regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, by investing in the Subsidiary. The Manager is the manager of the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary (unlike the Trust) may invest without limitation in commodity-related instruments.

The Subsidiary will be managed pursuant to compliance policies and procedures that are the same, in all material respects, as the policies and procedures adopted by the Trust. As a result, the Manager, in managing the Subsidiary’s portfolio, will be subject to the same investment policies and restrictions that apply to the management of the Trust, and, in particular, to the requirements relating to portfolio leverage, liquidity, brokerage, and the timing and method of the valuation of the Subsidiary’s portfolio investments and shares of the Subsidiary. The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer will oversee implementation of the Subsidiary’s policies and procedures, and make periodic reports to the Board regarding the Subsidiary’s compliance with its policies and procedures. The Trust and Subsidiary will test for compliance with certain investment restrictions on a consolidated basis, except that with respect to the Subsidiary’s investments in certain securities that may involve leverage, the Subsidiary will comply with asset segregation requirements to the same extent as the Trust.

The Manager will provide investment management and other services to the Subsidiary pursuant to the investment management agreement among the Manager, the Trust and the Subsidiary. The Trust and the Subsidiary will pay the Manager based on the Trust’s assets (excluding the value of the Trust’s interest in the Subsidiary) and the Subsidiary’s assets, respectively. The Subsidiary has also entered into separate contracts for the provision of custody and audit services with the same or with affiliates of the same service providers that provide those services to the Trust. The financial statements of the Subsidiary are consolidated with the Trust’s financial statements in the Trust’s annul and semi-annual reports.

Although the Trust is permitted to invest up to 20% of its total assets in Commodity-Related Instruments, the Trust is not required to invest in Commodity-Related Instruments and does not currently expect to invest in securities and derivatives linked to the underlying price movement of commodities or natural resources. The Trust may invest in Commodity-Related Instruments (either directly or through the Subsidiary) when BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”) or BlackRock International Limited (“BIL” and together with the Manager, the “Advisors”), the Trust’s sub-advisor, believes it is advantageous for the Trust to do so.

While permitted, the Trust does not currently expect to invest in securities and derivatives linked to the underlying price movement of commodities or natural resources; therefore, the Trust does not currently intend to invest any assets in the Subsidiary.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) subjects advisers to registered investment companies to regulation by the CFTC if a fund that is advised by the investment adviser either (i) invests directly or indirectly more than a prescribed level of its liquidation value in CFTC-regulated futures, options and swaps (“CFTC Derivatives”), or (ii) markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. To the extent the Trust uses CFTC Derivatives, it intends to do so below such prescribed levels and will not market itself as a “commodity pool” or a vehicle for trading such instruments. Accordingly, the Manager has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the CEA. The Manager is not, therefore, subject to registration or regulation as a “commodity pool operator” under the CEA in respect of the Trust.

The Trust may invest in companies of any market capitalization located anywhere in the world. The Trust expects to invest primarily in companies located in developed countries, but may invest in companies located in emerging markets.

The Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in debt securities issued by companies in the Commodities and Natural Resources Sector or any type of securities issued by companies that are not in the Commodities and Natural Resources Sector.

As part of its investment strategy, the Trust may employ a strategy of writing (selling) covered call options on a portion of the common stocks in its portfolio, writing (selling) covered put options and, to a lesser extent, writing (selling) covered call and put options on indices of securities and sectors of securities. This option strategy is intended to generate current gains from option premiums as a means to enhance distributions payable to the Trust’s shareholders.

In addition to the option strategies discussed above, the Trust may engage in strategic transactions for hedging purposes or to enhance total return. The Trust may also engage in short sales of securities.

The Trust may lend securities with a value up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including such loans) to financial institutions that provide cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government as collateral.

 

 

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Investment Objectives and Policies (continued)

The Trust may implement various temporary “defensive” strategies at times when the Advisors determine that conditions in the markets make pursuing the Trust’s basic investment strategy inconsistent with the best interests of its shareholders. These strategies may include investing all or a portion of the Trust’s assets in U.S. Government obligations and short-term debt securities that may be either tax-exempt or taxable.

Under current market conditions, the Trust currently does not intend to engage in short sales or incur indebtedness or issue preferred shares for investment purposes, except the Trust may engage for hedging purposes, risk management, or to enhance total return, including engaging in transactions, such as options, futures, swaps, foreign currency transactions, such as forward foreign currency contracts, currency swaps or options on currency and currency futures and other derivatives transactions , repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, when issued or forward commitment transactions and similar investment strategies, which may give rise to a form of leverage.

Unless otherwise stated herein, the Trust’s investment objectives and investment policies are non-fundamental policies and may be changed by the Board. In addition, the percentage limitations applicable to the Trust’s portfolio described herein apply only at the time of investment, and the Trust will not be required to sell investments due to subsequent changes in the value of investments that it owns.

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

The Trust’s investment objectives are to provide income and total return through a combination of current income, current gains and long-term capital appreciation. The Trust’s investment objectives may be changed by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) without prior shareholder approval.

BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”) may consider a variety of factors when choosing investments for the Trust, such as:

 

   

selecting companies with the potential for rapid and sustainable growth from the development, advancement and use of science and/or technology (high growth science and technology stocks); and

 

   

identifying companies that have above-average return potential based on factors such as revenue and earnings growth, profitability, valuation and dividend yield (cyclical science and technology stocks.

In addition, a variety of countries, including emerging market countries, and industries are likely to be represented in the Trust’s portfolio.

The Trust generally will sell a stock when, in the Manager’s opinion, the stock is fully valued, there is a need to rebalance the portfolio or there is a better opportunity elsewhere.

The Trust may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities to seek to achieve its investment objectives.

Under normal market conditions, the Trust invests at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. science and technology companies in any market capitalization range, selected for their rapid and sustainable growth potential from the development, advancement and use of science and/or technology (high growth science and technology stocks), and/or potential to generate current income from advantageous dividend yields (cyclical science and technology stocks).

Science and technology companies are companies whose products, processes or services, in the Manager’s view, are being, or are expected to be, significantly benefited by the use or commercial application of scientific or technological developments or discoveries. These companies include companies that, in the Manager’s view, derive a competitive advantage by the application of scientific or technological developments or discoveries to grow their business or increase their competitive advantage, as well as companies that utilize science and/or technology as an agent of change to significantly enhance their business opportunities.

Science, technology and science- or technology-related companies may include companies operating in any industry, including, but not limited to software, internet software & services, IT services, hardware, communications equipment, semiconductors and semiconductor equipment, media, internet retail, consumer finance, life sciences tools & services, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, energy, defense/aerospace, diversified telecom services and wireless telecom services. Examples of potential high growth companies include those operating in IT services, the internet, software and sciences; examples of potential cyclical companies include those operating in hardware, telecom, semiconductors and components. The Manager determines, in its discretion, whether a company is a science, technology or science- or technology-related company.

The Trust may invest in companies of any market capitalization located anywhere in the world, including companies located in emerging markets. Equity securities in which the Trust may invest include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants, depositary receipts, exchange-traded funds and equity interests in real estate investment trusts and master limited partnerships. From time to time, the Trust may invest in shares of companies through initial public offerings. The Trust may also invest, without limit, in privately placed or restricted securities (including in Rule 144A securities, which are privately placed securities purchased by qualified institutional buyers), illiquid securities and securities in which no secondary market is readily available, including those of private companies. Issuers of these securities may not have a class of securities registered, and may not be subject to periodic reporting, pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Trust currently intends to invest up to 25% of its total assets, measured at the time of investment, in illiquid privately placed or restricted securities. Foreign securities in which the Trust may invest may be U.S. dollar-denominated or non-U.S. dollar-denominated.

The Trust may also invest in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies, including exchange-traded funds and business development companies, subject to applicable regulatory limits, that invest primarily in securities of the types in which the Trust may invest directly. The Trust classifies its investments in such investment companies as “equity securities” for purposes of its investment policies based upon such investment companies’ stated investment objectives, policies and restrictions.

The Trust will concentrate its investments in companies operating in one or more industries within the technology group of industries.

The Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in equity securities issued by companies that are not science or technology companies and in debt securities issued by any issuer, including non-investment grade debt securities. The Trust’s investments in non-investment grade securities and those deemed to be of similar quality are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal and are commonly referred to as “junk” or “high yield” securities.

 

 

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As part of its investment strategy, the Trust intends to employ a strategy of writing (selling) covered call options on a portion of the common stocks in its portfolio, writing (selling) other call and put options on individual common stocks, and, to a lesser extent, writing (selling) call and put index options. This options writing strategy is intended to generate current gains from options premiums and to enhance the Trust’s risk-adjusted returns. A substantial portion of the options written by the Trust may be over-the-counter options.

During temporary defensive periods (i.e., in response to adverse market, economic or political conditions), the Trust may invest up to 100% of its total assets in liquid, short-term investments, including high quality, short-term securities. The Trust may not achieve its investment objectives under these circumstances. The Manager’s determination that it is temporarily unable to follow the Trust’s investment strategy or that it is impractical to do so will generally occur only in situations in which a market disruption event has occurred and where trading in the securities selected through application of the Trust’s investment strategy is extremely limited or absent.

The Trust may invest in structured instruments (such as equity-linked notes) for investment purposes, as an alternative or complement to its options writing strategy or for risk management or leveraging purposes.

The Trust may purchase and sell futures contracts, enter into various interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, currency transactions such as currency forward contracts, currency futures contracts, currency swaps or options on currency or currency futures and swap contracts (including, but not limited to, credit default swaps) and may purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities and swap contracts, financial indices and futures contracts and use other derivative instruments or management techniques for duration management and other risk management purposes, including to attempt to protect against possible changes in the market value of the Trust’s portfolio resulting from trends in the securities markets and changes in interest rates or to protect the Trust’s unrealized gains in the value of its portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of portfolio securities for investment purposes, to establish a position in the securities markets as a temporary substitute for purchasing particular securities or to enhance income or gain.

The Trust may lend securities with a value of up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including such loans) to financial institutions that provide cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government as collateral.

The Trust may also engage in short sales of securities. The Trust will not make a short sale if, after giving effect to such sale, the market value of all securities sold short exceeds 25% of the value of its Managed Assets or the Trust’s aggregate short sales of a particular class of securities exceeds 25% of the outstanding securities of that class. The Trust may make short sales “against the box” without respect to such limitations. In this type of short sale, at the time of the sale the Trust owns or has the immediate and unconditional right to acquire at no additional cost the identical security. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Trust (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes) minus the sum of the Trust’s accrued liabilities (other than money borrowed for investment purposes).

Unless otherwise stated herein, the Trust’s investment policies are non-fundamental policies and may be changed by the Board without prior shareholder approval. The percentage limitations applicable to the Trust’s portfolio described herein apply only at the time of initial investment and the Trust will not be required to sell investments due to subsequent changes in the value of investments that it owns. The Trust’s policy to invest at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. science and technology companies in any market capitalization range may be changed by the Board; however, if this policy changes, the Trust will provide shareholders at least 60 days’ written notice before implementation of the change in compliance with rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Leverage: The Trust currently does not intend to borrow money or issue debt securities or preferred shares. Although it has no present intention to do so, the Trust reserves the right to borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, or issue debt securities or preferred shares, in the future if it believes that market conditions would be conducive to the successful implementation of a leveraging strategy through borrowing money or issuing debt securities or preferred shares.

The Trust may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with respect to its portfolio investments subject to certain investment restrictions.

The Trust may enter into “dollar roll” transactions.

The Trust may enter into derivative transactions that have leverage embedded in them.

The Trust may also borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including the payment of dividends and the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of Trust securities.

BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (BSTZ)

The Trust’s investment objectives are to provide total return and income through a combination of current income, current gains and long-term capital appreciation. The Trust’s investment objectives may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) without prior shareholder approval.

BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”) may consider a variety of factors when choosing investments for the Trust, but expects to select companies with the potential for rapid and sustainable growth from the development, advancement and use of science and/or technology.

In addition, a variety of countries, including emerging market countries, and industries are likely to be represented in the Trust’s portfolio.

The Trust generally will sell a stock when, in the Manager’s opinion, the stock is fully valued, there is a need to rebalance the portfolio or there is a better opportunity elsewhere.

The Trust may engage in active and frequent trading of portfolio securities to seek to achieve its investment objectives.

Under normal market conditions, the Trust will invest at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. science and technology companies in any market capitalization range, selected for their rapid and sustainable growth potential from the development, advancement and use of science and/or technology.

 

 

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Science and technology companies are companies whose products, processes or services, in the Manager’s view, are being, or are expected to be, significantly benefited by the use or commercial application of scientific or technological developments or discoveries. These companies include companies that, in the Manager’s view, derive a competitive advantage by the application of scientific or technological developments or discoveries to grow their business or increase their competitive advantage, as well as companies that utilize science and/or technology as an agent of change to significantly enhance their business opportunities.

Science, technology and science- or technology-related companies may include companies operating in any industry, including, but not limited to software, internet software & services, IT services, hardware, communications equipment, semiconductors and semiconductor equipment, media, internet retail, consumer finance, life sciences tools & services, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, energy, defense/aerospace, diversified telecom services and wireless telecom services. It is anticipated that the Trust’s investments will be focused on companies within such industries that the Manager expects will generate a majority of their revenues from the development, advancement, use or sale of new and emerging, or “next generation,” science- or technology-related products, processes or services. There is no assurance, however, that any of the Trust’s assets will be invested in such companies at any time. The Manager determines, in its discretion, whether a company is a science, technology or science- or technology-related company.

The Trust may invest in companies of any market capitalization located anywhere in the world, including companies located in emerging markets. Equity securities in which the Trust may invest include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants, depositary receipts, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and equity interests in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and master limited partnerships. The Trust may invest in shares of companies through initial public offerings (“IPOs”). The Trust may also invest, without limit, in privately placed or restricted securities (including in Rule 144A securities, which are privately placed securities purchased by qualified institutional buyers), illiquid securities and securities in which no secondary market is readily available, including those of private companies. Issuers of these securities may not have a class of securities registered, and may not be subject to periodic reporting, pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Under normal market conditions, the Trust currently intends to invest up to 25% of its total assets, measured at the time of investment, in illiquid privately placed or restricted securities. The Trust expects certain of such investments to be in “pre-IPO securities,” which are securities of new and early stage companies, often funded by venture capital, whose securities have not been offered to the public and are not publicly traded. Foreign securities in which the Trust may invest may be U.S. dollar-denominated or non-U.S. dollar-denominated.

The Trust may also invest in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies, including ETFs and business development companies, subject to applicable regulatory limits, that invest primarily in securities of the types in which the Trust may invest directly. The Trust classifies its investments in such investment companies as “equity securities” for purposes of its investment policies based upon such investment companies’ stated investment objectives, policies and restrictions.

The Trust will concentrate its investments in companies operating in one or more industries within the technology group of industries.

The Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in equity securities issued by companies that are not science or technology companies and in debt securities issued by any issuer, including non-investment grade debt securities. The Trust’s investments in non-investment grade securities and those deemed to be of similar quality are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal and are commonly referred to as “junk” or “high yield” securities.

As part of its investment strategy, the Trust intends to employ a strategy of writing (selling) covered call options on a portion of the common stocks in its portfolio, writing (selling) other call and put options on individual common stocks, and, to a lesser extent, writing (selling) call and put index options. This options writing strategy is intended to generate current gains from options premiums and to enhance the Trust’s risk-adjusted returns. A substantial portion of the options written by the Trust may be over-the-counter options.

During temporary defensive periods (i.e., in response to adverse market, economic or political conditions), the Trust may invest up to 100% of its total assets in liquid, short-term investments, including high quality, short-term securities. The Trust may not achieve its investment objectives under these circumstances. The Manager’s determination that it is temporarily unable to follow the Trust’s investment strategy or that it is impractical to do so will generally occur only in situations in which a market disruption event has occurred and where trading in the securities selected through application of the Trust’s investment strategy is extremely limited or absent.

The Trust may invest in structured instruments (such as equity-linked notes) for investment purposes, as an alternative or complement to its options writing strategy or for risk management or leveraging purposes.

The Trust may purchase and sell futures contracts, enter into various interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, currency transactions such as currency forward contracts, currency futures contracts, currency swaps or options on currency or currency futures and swap contracts (including, but not limited to, credit default swaps) and may purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities and swap contracts, financial indices and futures contracts and use other derivative instruments or management techniques for duration management and other risk management purposes, including to attempt to protect against possible changes in the market value of the Trust’s portfolio resulting from trends in the securities markets and changes in interest rates or to protect the Trust’s unrealized gains in the value of its portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of portfolio securities for investment purposes, to establish a position in the securities markets as a temporary substitute for purchasing particular securities or to enhance income or gain.

The Trust may lend securities with a value of up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including such loans) to financial institutions that provide cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government as collateral.

The Trust may also engage in short sales of securities. The Trust will not make a short sale if, after giving effect to such sale, the market value of all securities sold short exceeds 25% of the value of its Managed Assets or the Trust’s aggregate short sales of a particular class of securities exceeds 25% of the outstanding securities of that class. The Trust may make short sales “against the box” without respect to such limitations. In this type of short sale, at the time of the sale the Trust owns or has the immediate and unconditional right to acquire at no additional cost the identical security. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Trust (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes) minus the sum of the Trust’s accrued liabilities (other than money borrowed for investment purposes).

Unless otherwise stated herein, the Trust’s investment policies are non-fundamental policies and may be changed by the Board without prior shareholder approval. The percentage limitations applicable to the Trust’s portfolio described herein apply only at the time of initial investment and the Trust will not be required to sell investments due to subsequent changes in the value of investments that it owns. The Trust’s policy to invest at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities issued by U.S. and non-U.S. science

 

 

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Investment Objectives and Policies (continued)

and technology companies in any market capitalization range may be changed by the Board; however, if this policy changes, the Trust will provide shareholders at least 60 days’ written notice before implementation of the change in compliance with rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Leverage: The Trust currently does not intend to borrow money or issue debt securities or preferred shares. Although it has no present intention to do so, the Trust reserves the right to borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, or issue debt securities or preferred shares, in the future if it believes that market conditions would be conducive to the successful implementation of a leveraging strategy through borrowing money or issuing debt securities or preferred shares. Any such leveraging will not be fully achieved until the proceeds resulting from the use of leverage have been invested in accordance with the Trust’s investment objectives and policies.

The Trust may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with respect to its portfolio investments subject to certain investment restrictions.

The Trust may enter into “dollar roll” transactions.

The Trust may enter into derivative transactions that have leverage embedded in them.

The Trust may also borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including the payment of dividends and the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of Trust securities.

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

The Trust’s investment objective is to provide total return through a combination of current income, current gains and long-term capital appreciation. The Trust’s investment objective may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) without prior shareholder approval.

The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in equity securities issued by companies that are engaged in the Utilities, Infrastructure or Power Opportunities business segments (as defined below) anywhere in the world and by employing a strategy of writing (selling) covered call and put options.

Under normal market conditions, the Trust will invest at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities issued by companies that are engaged in the Utilities, Infrastructure or Power Opportunities business segments. The Trust considers the “Utilities” business segment to include products, technologies and services connected to the management, ownership operation, construction, development or financing of facilities used to generate, transmit or distribute electricity, water, natural resources or telecommunications, the “Infrastructure” business segment to include companies that own or operate infrastructure assets or that are involved in the development, construction, distribution or financing of infrastructure assets (as described herein), and the “Power Opportunities” business segment to include companies with a significant involvement in, supporting, or necessary to renewable energy technology and development, alternative fuels, energy efficiency, automotive and sustainable mobility and technologies that enable or support the growth and adoption of new power and energy sources. Such companies may include, among others, electrical equipment producers (such as wind turbine manufacturers), producers of industrial and specialty chemicals (such as building insulation producers) and semi-conductor and equipment companies (such as solar panel manufacturers).

The Trust may invest in companies of any market capitalization. Under normal circumstances, the Trust invests a substantial amount of its total assets in foreign issuers, issuers that primarily trade in a market located outside the United States or issuers that do a substantial amount of business outside the United States. Although the Trust expects to invest primarily in companies located in developed countries, it may invest in companies located in emerging markets. Equity securities in which the Trust may invest include common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, warrants, depositary receipts, exchange-traded funds, equity interests in real estate investment trusts, Canadian Royalty Trusts and master limited partnerships (“MLPs”). The Trust will not invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in MLPs. The Trust may invest directly in equity securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.

The Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in equity securities issued by companies that are not engaged in the Utilities, Infrastructure or Power Opportunities business segments and debt securities issued by any issuer, including up to 10% of its total assets in non-investment grade debt securities. The Trust’s investments in non-investment grade securities and those deemed to be of similar quality are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal and are commonly referred to as “junk” or “high yield” securities.

As part of its investment strategy, the Trust intends to employ a strategy of writing (selling) covered call options on a portion of the common stocks in its portfolio, writing (selling) other call and put options on individual common stocks, and, to a lesser extent, writing (selling) call and put index options. This options writing strategy is intended to generate current gains from options premiums and to enhance the Trust’s risk-adjusted returns. A substantial portion of the options written by the Trust may be over-the-counter options.

During temporary defensive periods (i.e., in response to adverse market, economic or political conditions), the Trust may invest up to 100% of its total assets in liquid, short-term investments, including high quality, short-term securities. The Trust may not achieve its investment objective under these circumstances. BlackRock Advisors, LLC’s (the “Manager”) and BlackRock International Limited’s (“BIL” and together with the Manager, the “Advisors”), the Trust’s sub-advisor, determination that they are temporarily unable to follow the Trust’s investment strategy or that it is impractical to do so will generally occur only in situations in which a market disruption event has occurred and where trading in the securities selected through application of the Trust’s investment strategy is extremely limited or absent.

The Trust may purchase and sell futures contracts, enter into various interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, currency transactions such as currency forward contracts, currency futures contracts, currency swaps or options on currency or currency futures and swap contracts (including, but not limited to, credit default swaps) and may purchase and sell exchange-listed and over-the-counter put and call options on securities and swap contracts, financial indices and futures contracts and use other derivative instruments or management techniques for duration management and other risk management purposes, including to attempt to protect against possible changes in the market value of the Trust’s portfolio resulting from trends in the securities markets and changes in interest rates or to protect the Trust’s unrealized gains in the value of its portfolio securities, to facilitate the sale of portfolio securities for investment purposes, to establish a position in the securities markets as a temporary substitute for purchasing particular securities or to enhance income or gain.

 

 

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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks (continued)

 

Investment Objectives and Policies (continued)

The Trust may lend securities with a value up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (including such loans) to financial institutions that provide cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government as collateral.

The Trust may also engage in short sales of securities. The Trust will not make a short sale if, after giving effect to such sale, the market value of all securities sold short exceeds 15% of the value of its total assets or the Trust’s aggregate short sales of a particular class of securities exceeds 15% of the outstanding securities of that class. The Trust may make short sales “against the box” without respect to such limitations. In this type of short sale, at the time of the sale the Trust owns or has the immediate and unconditional right to acquire at no additional cost the identical security.

Unless otherwise stated herein, the Trust’s investment objective and policies are non-fundamental policies and may be changed by the Board without prior shareholder approval. The Trust’s policy to invest at least 80% of its total assets in equity securities issued by companies that are engaged in the Utilities, Infrastructure and Power Opportunities business segments may be changed by the Board; however, if this policy changes, the Trust will provide shareholders at least 60 days’ written notice before implementation of the change in compliance with rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Leverage: The Trust currently does not intend to borrow money or issue debt securities or preferred shares. Although it has no present intention to do so, the Trust reserves the right to borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, or issue debt securities or preferred shares, in the future if it believes that market conditions would be conducive to the successful implementation of a leveraging strategy through borrowing money or issuing debt securities or preferred shares. Any such leveraging will not be fully achieved until the proceeds resulting from the use of leverage have been invested in accordance with the Trust’s investment objective and policies.

The Trust may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with respect to its portfolio investments subject to certain investment restrictions.

The Trust may enter into derivative transactions that have leverage embedded in them.

The Trust may also borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including the payment of dividends and the settlement of securities transactions which otherwise might require untimely dispositions of Trust securities.

Risk Factors

This section contains a discussion of the general risks of investing in each Trust. The net asset value and market price of, and dividends paid on, the common shares will fluctuate with and be affected by, among other things, the risks more fully described below. As with any fund, there can be no guarantee that a Trust will meet its investment objective or that the Trust’s performance will be positive for any period of time. Each risk noted below is applicable to each Trust unless the specific Trust or Trusts are noted in a parenthetical. The order of the below risk factors does not indicate the significance of any particular risk factor.

Non-Diversification Risk (BGR, BIGZ, BMEZ and BCX): The Trust is a non-diversified fund. Because the Trust may invest in securities of a smaller number of issuers, it may be more exposed to the risks associated with and developments affecting an individual issuer than a fund that invests more widely.

Limited Term Risk (BMEZ, BIGZ and BSTZ): In accordance with the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, the Trust intends to dissolve as of the first business day following the twelfth anniversary of the effective date of the Trust’s initial registration statement (the “Dissolution Date”); provided that the Board may, by a vote of a majority of the Board and seventy-five percent (75%) of the members of the Board who either (i) have been a member of the Board for a period of at least thirty-six months (or since the commencement of the Trust’s operations, if less than thirty-six months) or (ii) were nominated to serve as a member of the Board by a majority of the Continuing Trustees then members of the Board (a “Board Action Vote”), without shareholder approval, extend the Dissolution Date: (i) once for up to one year, and (ii) once for up to an additional six months, to a date up to and including eighteen months after the initial Dissolution Date (which date shall then become the Dissolution Date). As of a date within twelve months preceding the Dissolution Date (as may be extended as described above), the Board may, by a Board Action Vote, cause the Trust to conduct a tender offer to all common shareholders to purchase 100% of the then outstanding common shares of the Trust at a price equal to the net asset value (“NAV”) per common share on the expiration date of the tender offer (an “Eligible Tender Offer”). The Board has established that the Trust must have at least $200 million of aggregate net assets immediately following the completion of an Eligible Tender Offer to ensure the continued viability of the Trust (the “Dissolution Threshold”). In an Eligible Tender Offer, the Trust will offer to purchase all common shares held by each common shareholder; provided that if the payment for properly tendered common shares would result in the Trust having aggregate net assets below the Dissolution Threshold, the Eligible Tender Offer will be canceled and no common shares will be repurchased pursuant to the Eligible Tender Offer. Instead, the Trust will begin (or continue) liquidating its portfolio and proceed to dissolve on or about the Dissolution Date. If the payment for properly tendered common shares would result in the Trust having aggregate net assets greater than or equal to the Dissolution Threshold, all common shares properly tendered and not withdrawn will be purchased by the Trust pursuant to the terms of the Eligible Tender Offer. Following the completion of an Eligible Tender Offer, the Board may, by a Board Action Vote, eliminate the Dissolution Date without shareholder approval and provide for the Trust’s perpetual existence.

Unless the limited term provision of the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust is amended by shareholders in accordance with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, or unless the Trust completes an Eligible Tender Offer and converts to perpetual existence, the Trust will dissolve on or about the first business day following the Dissolution Date. The Trust is not a so called “target date” or “life cycle” fund whose asset allocation becomes more conservative over time as its target date, often associated with retirement, approaches. In addition, the Trust is not a “target term” fund and thus does not seek to return its initial public offering price per common share upon dissolution. As the assets of the Trust will be liquidated in connection with its dissolution, the Trust may be required to sell portfolio securities when it otherwise would not, including at times when market conditions are not favorable, which may cause the Trust to lose money. In addition, as the Trust approaches the Dissolution Date, the Manager may invest the proceeds of sold, matured or called securities in money market mutual funds, cash, cash equivalents, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its instrumentalities or agencies, high quality, short-term money market instruments, short-term debt securities, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and other bank obligations, commercial paper or other liquid debt securities, which may adversely affect the Trust’s investment performance. Rather than reinvesting proceeds received from sales of or payments received in respect of portfolio securities, the Trust may distribute such proceeds in one or more liquidating distributions prior to the final dissolution, which may cause the Trust’s fixed expenses to increase when expressed as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares, or the Trust may invest the proceeds in lower yielding securities or hold the proceeds in cash or cash equivalents, which may adversely affect the performance of the

 

 

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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks (continued)

 

Risk Factors (continued)

Trust. The final distribution of net assets upon dissolution may be more than, equal to or less than $20.00 per common share. Because the Trust may adopt a plan of liquidation and make liquidating distributions in advance of the Dissolution Date, the total value of the Trust’s assets returned to common shareholders upon dissolution will be impacted by decisions of the Board and the Manager regarding the timing of adopting a plan of liquidation and making liquidating distributions. This may result in common shareholders receiving liquidating distributions with a value more or less than the value that would have been received if the Trust had liquidated all of its assets on the Dissolution Date, or any other potential date for liquidation, and distributed the proceeds thereof to shareholders.

If the Trust conducts an Eligible Tender Offer, the Trust anticipates that funds to pay the aggregate purchase price of shares accepted for purchase pursuant to the tender offer will be first derived from any cash on hand and then from the proceeds from the sale of portfolio investments held by the Trust. The risks related to the disposition of securities in connection with the Trust’s dissolution also would be present in connection with the disposition of securities in connection with an Eligible Tender Offer. It is likely that during the pendency of a tender offer, and possibly for a time thereafter, the Trust will hold a greater than normal percentage of its total assets in cash and cash equivalents, which may impede the Trust’s ability to achieve its investment objectives and decrease returns to shareholders. The tax effect of any such dispositions of portfolio investments will depend on the difference between the price at which the investments are sold and the tax basis of the Trust in the investments.

Any capital gains recognized on such dispositions, as reduced by any capital losses the Trust realizes in the year of such dispositions and by any available capital loss carryforwards, will be distributed to shareholders as capital gain dividends (to the extent of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) or ordinary dividends (to the extent of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) during or with respect to such year, and such distributions will generally be taxable to common shareholders. If the Trust’s tax basis for the investments sold is less than the sale proceeds, the Trust will recognize capital gains, which the Trust intends to distribute to common shareholders. In addition, the Trust’s purchase of tendered common shares pursuant to an Eligible Tender Offer will have tax consequences for tendering common shareholders and may have tax consequences for non-tendering common shareholders.

The purchase of common shares by the Trust pursuant to an Eligible Tender Offer will have the effect of increasing the proportionate interest in the Trust of non-tendering common shareholders. All common shareholders remaining after an Eligible Tender Offer will be subject to any increased risks associated with the reduction in the Trust’s assets resulting from payment for the tendered common shares, such as greater volatility due to decreased diversification and proportionately higher expenses. The reduced assets of the Trust as a result of an Eligible Tender Offer may result in less investment flexibility for the Trust and may have an adverse effect on the Trust’s investment performance. Such reduction in the Trust’s assets may also cause common shares of the Trust to become thinly traded or otherwise negatively impact secondary trading of common shares. A reduction in assets, and the corresponding increase in the Trust’s expense ratio, could result in lower returns and put the Trust at a disadvantage relative to its peers and potentially cause the Trust’s common shares to trade at a wider discount, or smaller premium, to NAV than they otherwise would. Furthermore, the portfolio of the Trust following an Eligible Tender Offer could be significantly different and, therefore, common shareholders retaining an investment in the Trust could be subject to greater risk. For example, the Trust may be required to sell its more liquid, higher quality portfolio investments to purchase common shares that are tendered in an Eligible Tender Offer, which would leave a less liquid, lower quality portfolio for remaining shareholders. The prospects of an Eligible Tender Offer may attract arbitrageurs who would purchase the common shares prior to the tender offer for the sole purpose of tendering those shares which could have the effect of exacerbating the risks described herein for shareholders retaining an investment in the Trust following an Eligible Tender Offer.

The Trust is not required to conduct an Eligible Tender Offer. If the Trust conducts an Eligible Tender Offer, there can be no assurance that the payment for tendered common shares would not result in the Trust having aggregate net assets below the Dissolution Threshold, in which case the Eligible Tender Offer will be canceled, no common shares will be repurchased pursuant to the Eligible Tender Offer and the Trust will liquidate on the Dissolution Date (subject to possible extensions). Following the completion of an Eligible Tender Offer in which the payment for tendered common shares would result in the Trust having aggregate net assets greater than or equal to the Dissolution Threshold, the Board may, by a Board Action Vote, eliminate the Dissolution Date without shareholder approval and provide for the Trust’s perpetual existence. Thereafter, the Trust will have a perpetual existence. There is no guarantee that the Board will eliminate the Dissolution Date following the completion of an Eligible Tender Offer so that the Trust will have a perpetual existence. The Manager may have a conflict of interest in recommending to the Board that the Dissolution Date be eliminated and the Trust have a perpetual existence. The Trust is not required to conduct additional tender offers following an Eligible Tender Offer and conversion to perpetual existence. Therefore, remaining common shareholders may not have another opportunity to participate in a tender offer. Shares of closed-end management investment companies frequently trade at a discount from their NAV, and as a result remaining common shareholders may only be able to sell their shares at a discount to NAV.

Although it is anticipated that the Trust will have distributed substantially all of its net assets to shareholders as soon as practicable after the Dissolution Date, securities for which no market exists or securities trading at depressed prices, if any, may be placed in a liquidating trust. Securities placed in a liquidating trust may be held for an indefinite period of time, potentially several years or longer, until they can be sold or pay out all of their cash flows. During such time, the shareholders will continue to be exposed to the risks associated with the Trust and the value of their interest in the liquidating trust will fluctuate with the value of the liquidating trust’s remaining assets. Additionally, the tax treatment of the liquidating trust’s assets may differ from the tax treatment applicable to such assets when held by the Trust. To the extent the costs associated with a liquidating trust exceed the value of the remaining securities, the liquidating trust trustees may determine to dispose of the remaining securities in a manner of their choosing. The Trust cannot predict the amount, if any, of securities that will be required to be placed in a liquidating trust or how long it will take to sell or otherwise dispose of such securities.

Investment and Market Discount Risk: An investment in the Trust’s common shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire amount that you invest. As with any stock, the price of the Trust’s common shares will fluctuate with market conditions and other factors. If shares are sold, the price received may be more or less than the original investment. Common shares are designed for long-term investors and the Trust should not be treated as a trading vehicle. Shares of closed-end management investment companies frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value. This risk is separate and distinct from the risk that the Trust’s net asset value could decrease as a result of its investment activities. At any point in time an investment in the Trust’s common shares may be worth less than the original amount invested, even after taking into account distributions paid by the Trust. During periods in which the Trust may use leverage, the Trust’s investment, market discount and certain other risks will be magnified.

Equity Securities Risk: Stock markets are volatile. The price of equity securities fluctuates based on changes in a company’s financial condition and overall market and economic conditions.

 

 

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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks (continued)

 

Risk Factors (continued)

Common Stock Risk: Common stocks represent equity ownership in a company. Stock markets are volatile. The price of common stock will fluctuate and can decline and reduce the value of a portfolio investing in equities. The value of common stock purchased by the Trust could decline if the financial condition of the companies the Trust invests in declines or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate. The value of equity securities may also decline due to factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or an increase in production costs and competitive conditions within an industry. In addition, the value may decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a company or industry, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in inflation, interest or currency rates or generally adverse investor sentiment.

Small and Mid-Capitalization Company Risk: Companies with small or mid-size market capitalizations will normally have more limited product lines, markets and financial resources and will be dependent upon a more limited management group than larger capitalized companies. In addition, it is more difficult to get information on smaller companies, which tend to be less well known, have shorter operating histories, do not have significant ownership by large investors and are followed by relatively few securities analysts.

Preferred Securities Risk: Preferred securities may pay fixed or adjustable rates of return. Preferred securities are subject to issuer-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities. In addition, a company’s preferred securities generally pay dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. For this reason, the value of preferred securities will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Preferred securities of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than preferred securities of larger companies.

Convertible Securities Risk (BGR, BDJ, BOE, BGY, BME, BMEZ, BIGZ, BCX, BST, BSTZ and BUI): The market value of a convertible security performs like that of a regular debt security; that is, if market interest rates rise, the value of a convertible security usually falls. In addition, convertible securities are subject to the risk that the issuer will not be able to pay interest, principal or dividends when due, and their market value may change based on changes in the issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of the issuer’s creditworthiness. Since it derives a portion of its value from the common stock into which it may be converted, a convertible security is also subject to the same types of market and issuer risks that apply to the underlying common stock, including the potential for increased volatility in the price of the convertible security.

Warrants Risk (BGR, BOE, BGY, BME, BMEZ, BIGZ, BCX, BST, BSTZ and BUI): If the price of the underlying stock does not rise above the exercise price before the warrant expires, the warrant generally expires without any value and the Trust will lose any amount it paid for the warrant. Thus, investments in warrants may involve substantially more risk than investments in common stock. Warrants may trade in the same markets as their underlying stock; however, the price of the warrant does not necessarily move with the price of the underlying stock.

Depositary Receipts Risk (BGR, BOE, BGY, BME, BMEZ, BIGZ, BCX, BST, BSTZ and BUI): Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. In addition to investment risks associated with the underlying issuer, depositary receipts expose the Trust to additional risks associated with the non-uniform terms that apply to depositary receipt programs, credit exposure to the depository bank and to the sponsors and other parties with whom the depository bank establishes the programs, currency risk and the risk of an illiquid market for depositary receipts. The issuers of unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to disclose information that is, in the United States, considered material. Therefore, there may be less information available regarding these issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the depositary receipts. While depositary receipts provide an alternative to directly purchasing underlying foreign securities in their respective markets and currencies, they continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities, including political, economic, and currency risk.

REIT Investment Risk (BDJ, BOE, BGY, BME, BMEZ, BST, BSTZ and BUI): Investments in REITs involve unique risks. REITs may have limited financial resources, may trade less frequently and in limited volume, may engage in dilutive offerings of securities and may be more volatile than other securities. REIT issuers may also fail to maintain their exemptions from investment company registration or fail to qualify for the “dividends paid deduction” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which allows REITs to reduce their corporate taxable income for dividends paid to their shareholders.

Master Limited Partnerships Risk (BGR, BCX, BST, BSTZ and BUI): The common units of a master limited partnership (“MLP”) are listed and traded on U.S. securities exchanges and their value fluctuates predominantly based on prevailing market conditions and the success of the MLP. Unlike owners of common stock of a corporation, owners of common units have limited voting rights and have no ability to annually elect directors. In the event of liquidation, common units have preference over subordinated units, but not over debt or preferred units, to the remaining assets of the MLP.

Canadian Royalty Trust Risk (BGR, BCX and BUI): Canadian Royalty Trusts are exposed to many of the same risks as energy and natural resources companies, such as commodity pricing risk, supply and demand risk and depletion and exploration risk.

Initial Public Offerings (“IPOs”) Risk (BOE, BME, BMEZ, BIGZ, BST and BSTZ): The Trust may invest in shares of companies through IPOs. Securities issued in IPOs have no trading history, and information about the companies may be available for limited periods of time. In addition, the prices of securities sold in IPOs may be highly volatile or may decline shortly after the IPO.

Investments in Unseasoned Companies (BDJ, BOE, BGY, BME, BMEZ, BIGZ, BCX and BSTZ): The Trust may invest in the securities of smaller, less seasoned companies. These investments may present greater opportunities for growth, but also involve greater risks than customarily are associated with investments in securities of more established companies. Some of the companies in which the Trust may invest may be start-up companies which may have insubstantial operational or earnings histories or may have limited products, markets, financial resources or management depth. Some may also be emerging companies at the research and development stage with no products or technologies to market or approved for marketing. Securities of emerging companies may lack an active secondary market and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than securities of larger, more established companies or stock market averages in general. Competitors of certain companies may have substantially greater financial resources than many of the companies in which the Trust may invest. Further, an unseasoned company is more at risk of loss in an adverse market due to its lack of financial resources and ability to sustain itself for an extended period of time in such a market.

 

 

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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks (continued)

 

Risk Factors (continued)

Dividend-Paying Equity Securities Risk (CII, BDJ, BOE, BGY and BME): Dividends on common equity securities that the Trust may hold are not fixed but are declared at the discretion of an issuer’s board of directors. Companies that have historically paid dividends on their securities are not required to continue to pay dividends on such securities. There is no guarantee that the issuers of the common equity securities in which the Trust invests will declare dividends in the future or that, if declared, they will remain at current levels or increase over time. Therefore, there is the possibility that such companies could reduce or eliminate the payment of dividends in the future. Dividend producing equity securities, in particular those whose market price is closely related to their yield, may exhibit greater sensitivity to interest rate changes. The Trust’s investments in dividend producing equity securities may also limit its potential for appreciation during a broad market advance.

The prices of dividend producing equity securities can be highly volatile. Investors should not assume that the Trust’s investments in these securities will necessarily reduce the volatility of the Trust’s NAV or provide “protection,” compared to other types of equity securities, when markets perform poorly.

Investment Style Risk: Under certain market conditions, growth investments have performed better during the later stages of economic expansion and value investments have performed better during periods of economic recovery. Therefore, these investment styles may over time go in and out of favor. At times when the investment style used by the Trust is out of favor, the Trust may underperform other equity funds that use different investment styles.

Risks Associated with the Trust’s Options Strategy: The ability of the Trust to generate current gains from options premiums and to enhance the Trust’s risk-adjusted returns is partially dependent on the successful implementation of its options strategy. There are several risks associated with transactions in options on securities. For example, there are significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived transaction may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or unexpected events.

 

   

Risks of Writing Options – As the writer of a covered call option, the Trust forgoes, during the option’s life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the security covering the call option above the sum of the premium and the strike price of the call, but has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline. In other words, as the Trust writes covered calls over more of its portfolio, the Trust’s ability to benefit from capital appreciation becomes more limited.

If the Trust writes call options on individual securities or index call options that include securities, in each case, that are not in the Trust’s portfolio or that are not in the same proportion as securities in the Trust’s portfolio, the Trust will experience loss, which theoretically could be unlimited, if the value of the individual security, index or basket of securities appreciates above the exercise price of the index option written by the Trust.

When the Trust writes put options, it bears the risk of loss if the value of the underlying stock declines below the exercise price minus the put premium. If the option is exercised, the Trust could incur a loss if it is required to purchase the stock underlying the put option at a price greater than the market price of the stock at the time of exercise plus the put premium the Trust received when it wrote the option. While the Trust’s potential gain in writing a put option is limited to the premium received from the purchaser of the put option, the Trust risks a loss equal to the entire exercise price of the option minus the put premium.

 

   

Exchange-Listed Options Risks – There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Trust seeks to close out an exchange-listed option position. Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation (the “OCC”) may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options).

 

   

Over-the-Counter Options Risk – The Trust may write (sell) unlisted OTC options. OTC options differ from exchange-listed options in that they are two-party contracts, with exercise price, premium and other terms negotiated between buyer and seller, and generally do not have as much market liquidity as exchange-listed options. The OTC options written by the Trust will not be issued, guaranteed or cleared by the OCC. In addition, the Trust’s ability to terminate OTC options may be more limited than with exchange-traded options. Banks, broker-dealers or other financial institutions participating in such transactions may fail to settle a transaction in accordance with the terms of the option as written. In the event of default or insolvency of the counterparty, the Trust may be unable to liquidate an OTC option position.

 

   

Index Options Risk – The Trust may sell index put and call options from time to time. The purchaser of an index put option has the right to any depreciation in the value of the index below the exercise price of the option on or before the expiration date. The purchaser of an index call option has the right to any appreciation in the value of the index over the exercise price of the option on or before the expiration date. Because the exercise of index options is settled in cash, sellers of index call options, such as the Trust, cannot provide in advance for their potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding the underlying securities. The Trust will lose money if it is required to pay the purchaser of an index option the difference between the cash value of the index on which the option was written and the exercise price and such difference is greater than the premium received by the Trust for writing the option.

 

   

Limitation on Options Writing Risk – The number of call options the Trust can write is limited by the total assets the Trust holds. Furthermore, the Trust’s exchange-listed options transactions will be subject to limitations established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities, if any, on which such options are traded and cleared.

 

   

Tax Risk – Income on options on individual stocks will generally not be recognized by the Trust for tax purposes until an option is exercised, lapses or is subject to a “closing transaction” (as defined by applicable regulations) pursuant to which the Trust’s obligations with respect to the option are otherwise terminated. If the option lapses without exercise or is otherwise subject to a closing transaction, the premiums received by the Trust from the writing of such options will generally be characterized as short-term capital gain. If an option written by the Trust is exercised, the Trust may recognize taxable gain depending on the exercise price of the option, the option premium, and the tax basis of the security underlying the option. The character of any gain on the sale of the underlying security as short-term or

 

 

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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks (continued)

 

Risk Factors (continued)

long-term capital gain will depend on the holding period of the Trust in the underlying security. In general, distributions received by shareholders of the Trust that are attributable to short-term capital gains recognized by the Trust from its options writing activities will be taxed to such shareholders as ordinary income and will not be eligible for the reduced tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income.

Index options will generally be “marked-to-market” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, the Trust will generally recognize gain or loss on the last day of each taxable year equal to the difference between the value of the index option on that date and the adjusted basis of the index option. The adjusted basis of the index option will consequently be increased by such gain or decreased by such loss. Any gain or loss with respect to index options will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss to the extent of 40% of such gain or loss and long-term capital gain or loss to the extent of 60% of such gain or loss. Because the mark-to-market rules may cause the Trust to recognize gain in advance of the receipt of cash, the Trust may be required to dispose of investments in order to meet its U.S. federal income tax distribution requirements.

Debt Securities Risk (BGR, BOE, BME, BMEZ, BCX, BST, BSTZ and BUI): Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, such as credit risk, interest rate risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, each of which are described in further detail below:

 

   

Credit Risk – Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security (i.e., the borrower) will not be able to make payments of interest and principal when due. Changes in an issuer’s credit rating or the market’s perception of an issuer’s creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Trust’s investment in that issuer. The degree of credit risk depends on both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation.

 

   

Interest Rate Risk – The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest rate changes and other factors. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise.

The Trust may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the recent period of historically low interest rates. For example, if interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Trust’s investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. (Duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of a debt security or portfolio of debt securities to relative changes in interest rates.) The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Trust’s investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned by the Trust, but will be reflected in the Trust’s net asset value. The Trust may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Trust management.

To the extent the Trust invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities), the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Trust) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Trust to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities.

These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates change.

A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large scale, which may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Trust to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Trust’s performance.

 

   

Extension Risk – When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than anticipated, causing the value of these obligations to fall.

 

   

Prepayment Risk – When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than originally anticipated, and the Trust may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields.

High Yield Bonds Risk (BGR, BOE, BME, BMEZ, BCX, BST, BSTZ and BUI): Although junk bonds generally pay higher rates of interest than investment grade bonds, junk bonds are high risk investments that are considered speculative and may cause income and principal losses for the Trust.

U.S. Government Obligations Risk (CII, BME, BMEZ, BCX, BSTZ and BUI): Certain securities in which the Trust may invest, including securities issued by certain U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government sponsored enterprises, are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government or supported by the full faith and credit of the United States. In addition, circumstances could arise that could prevent the timely payment of interest or principal on U.S. Government obligations, such as reaching the legislative “debt ceiling.” Such non-payment could result in losses to the Trust and substantial negative consequences for the U.S. economy and the global financial system.

Structured Securities Risk (BME, BMEZ, BCX, BST and BSTZ): Because structured securities of the type in which the Trust may invest typically involve no credit enhancement, their credit risk generally will be equivalent to that of the underlying instruments, index or reference obligation and will also be subject to counterparty risk. The Trust may have the right to receive payments only from the structured security, and generally does not have direct rights against the issuer or the entity that sold the assets to be securitized. In addition to the general risks associated with debt securities discussed herein, structured securities carry additional risks, including, but not limited to: the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; and the possibility that the structured securities are subordinate to other classes. The Trust is permitted to invest in a class of structured securities that is either subordinated or unsubordinated to the right of payment of another class. Subordinated structured securities typically have higher yields and present greater risks than unsubordinated structured securities. Structured securities are typically sold in private placement transactions, and there currently is no active trading market for structured securities. Structured securities are based upon the movement of one or more factors, including currency exchange rates, interest rates, reference bonds and stock indices, and changes

 

 

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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks (continued)

 

Risk Factors (continued)

in interest rates and impact of these factors may cause significant price fluctuations. Additionally, changes in the reference instrument or security may cause the interest rate on the structured security to be reduced to zero. Certain issuers of such structured securities may be deemed to be “investment companies” as defined in the Investment Company Act. As a result, the Trust’s investment in such securities may be limited by certain investment restrictions contained in the Investment Company Act.

Derivatives Risk: The Trust’s use of derivatives may increase its costs, reduce the Trust’s returns and/or increase volatility. Derivatives involve significant risks, including:

 

   

Leverage Risk – The Trust’s use of derivatives can magnify the Trust’s gains and losses. Relatively small market movements may result in large changes in the value of a derivatives position and can result in losses that greatly exceed the amount originally invested.

 

   

Market Risk – Some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations than other securities. The Trust could also suffer losses related to its derivatives positions as a result of unanticipated market movements, which losses are potentially unlimited. Finally, the Manager may not be able to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates and other economic factors, which could cause the Trust’s derivatives positions to lose value.

 

   

Counterparty Risk – Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will be unable or unwilling to fulfill its contractual obligation, and the related risks of having concentrated exposure to such a counterparty.

 

   

Illiquidity Risk – The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Trust to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Trust to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Trust to value accurately.

 

   

Operational Risk – The use of derivatives includes the risk of potential operational issues, including documentation issues, settlement issues, systems failures, inadequate controls and human error.

 

   

Legal Risk – The risk of insufficient documentation, insufficient capacity or authority of counterparty, or legality or enforceability of a contract.

 

   

Volatility and Correlation Risk – Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate significantly in price within a short time period. A risk of the Trust’s use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate with the overall securities markets.

 

   

Valuation Risk – Valuation for derivatives may not be readily available in the market. Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them.

 

   

Hedging Risk – Hedges are sometimes subject to imperfect matching between the derivative and the underlying security, and there can be no assurance that the Trust’s hedging transactions will be effective. The use of hedging may result in certain adverse tax consequences.

 

   

Tax Risk – Certain aspects of the tax treatment of derivative instruments, including swap agreements and commodity-linked derivative instruments, are currently unclear and may be affected by changes in legislation, regulations or other legally binding authority. Such treatment may be less favorable than that given to a direct investment in an underlying asset and may adversely affect the timing, character and amount of income the Trust realizes from its investments.

Foreign Securities Risk: Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the chances that the Trust will lose money. These risks include:

 

   

The Trust generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight.

 

   

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Trust’s portfolio.

 

   

The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position.

 

   

The governments of certain countries, or the U.S. Government with respect to certain countries, may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions through capital controls and/or sanctions on foreign investments in the capital markets or certain industries in those countries, which may prohibit or restrict the ability to own or transfer currency, securities, derivatives or other assets.

 

   

Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws.

 

   

Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments.

 

   

The Trust’s claims to recover foreign withholding taxes may not be successful, and if the likelihood of recovery of foreign withholding taxes materially decreases, due to, for example, a change in tax regulation or approach in the foreign country, accruals in the Trust’s net asset value for such refunds may be written down partially or in full, which will adversely affect the Trust’s net asset value.

 

   

The European financial markets have recently experienced volatility and adverse trends due to concerns about economic downturns in, or rising government debt levels of, several European countries as well as acts of war in the region. These events may spread to other countries in Europe and may affect the value and liquidity of certain of the Trust’s investments.

 

 

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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks (continued)

 

Risk Factors (continued)

Foreign Currency Transactions Risk (BGR, BDJ, BME and BCX): The Trust may invest in forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts do not eliminate movements in the value of non-U.S. currencies and securities but rather allow the Trust to establish a fixed rate of exchange for a future point in time. This strategy can have the effect of reducing returns and minimizing opportunities for gain.

Emerging Markets Risk: Emerging markets are riskier than more developed markets because they tend to develop unevenly and may never fully develop. Investments in emerging markets may be considered speculative. Emerging markets are more likely to experience hyperinflation and currency devaluations, which adversely affect returns to U.S. investors. In addition, many emerging securities markets have far lower trading volumes and less liquidity than developed markets.

Concentration Risk (BGR, BME, BMEZ, BCX, BST and BSTZ): The Trust’s strategy of concentrating a particular industry means that its performance will be closely tied to the performance of a particular market segment. The Trust’s concentration in these companies may present more risks than if it were broadly diversified over numerous industries and sectors of the economy. A downturn in these companies would have a larger impact on the Trust than on a fund that does not concentrate in such companies. At times, the performance of these companies will lag the performance of other industries or the broader market as a whole.

Science and Technology Risk (BST and BSTZ): The Trust’s investments in science and technology companies expose the Trust to special risks. For example, rapid advances in science and technology might cause existing products to become obsolete, and the Trust’s returns could suffer to the extent it holds an affected company’s shares. Companies in a number of science and technology industries are also subject to more government regulations and approval processes than many other industries. This fact may affect a company’s overall profitability and cause its stock price to be more volatile. Earnings disappointments and intense competition for market share can result in sharp price declines. Profitability of science and technology companies can be negatively impacted by aggressive pricing from competitors, research and development costs, and the availability and prices of components. Additionally, science and technology companies are dependent upon consumer and business acceptance as new technologies evolve.

Health Sciences and Healthcare Companies Risk (BME and BMEZ): The Trust’s investments in health sciences companies are subject to a number of risks, including the adverse impact of legislative actions and government regulations. These actions and regulations can affect the approval process for patents, medical devices and drugs, the funding of research and medical care programs, and the operation and licensing of facilities and personnel. The goods and services of health sciences companies are subject to risks of rapid technological change and obsolescence, product liability litigation, and intense price and other competitive pressures.

Energy Sector Risk (BGR): The market value of securities in the energy sector may decline for many reasons, including, among others, changes in energy prices, energy supply and demand, government regulations and energy conservation efforts. Energy companies can be significantly affected by the supply of, and demand for, specific products (e.g., oil and natural gas) and services, exploration and production spending, government subsidization, world events and general economic conditions. In 2020, the energy sector has experienced increased volatility. In particular, significant market volatility occurred and is continuing in the crude oil markets as well as the oil futures markets, which resulted in the market price of the front month futures contract falling fell below zero for a period of time.

Energy and Natural Resources Risk (BCX): The Trust’s investments in energy and natural resources companies are especially affected by variations in the commodities markets (that may be due to market events, regulatory developments or other factors that the Trust cannot control) and these companies may lack the resources and the broad business lines to weather hard times. Energy companies can be significantly affected by the supply of and demand for specific products and services, the supply of and demand for oil and gas, the price of oil and gas, exploration and production spending, government regulation, world events and economic conditions. Natural resources companies can be significantly affected by events relating to international political developments, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, commodity prices, and tax and government regulations.

Commodities Related Investments Risk (BCX): Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Trust to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative investments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in inflation, interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments.

Commodities Market Risk (BCX): Stocks of companies engaged in commodities related industries, such as energy or natural resources companies, are especially affected by variations in the commodities markets (that may be due to market events, regulatory developments or other factors that the Trust cannot control) and these companies may lack the resources and the broad business lines to weather hard times.

Risks of Investing in Utilities, Infrastructure and Power Opportunities Issuers (BUI): Investments in issuers in the Utilities, Infrastructure and Power Opportunities business segments are subject to certain risks, including the following, among others:

 

   

Utilities Companies Risk – A variety of factors may adversely affect the business or operations of Utilities issuers, including, but not limited to: high interest costs in connection with capital construction and improvement programs; governmental regulation of rates charged to customers (including the potential that costs incurred by the utility change more rapidly than the rate the utility is permitted to charge its customers); costs associated with compliance with and changes in environmental and other regulations; effects of economic slowdowns and surplus capacity; increased competition from other providers of utility services; inexperience with and potential losses resulting from a developing deregulatory environment; costs associated with reduced availability of certain types of fuel; the effects of energy conservation policies; effects of a national energy policy; technological innovations; potential impact of terrorist activities; the impact of natural or man-made disasters; regulation by various governmental authorities, including the imposition of special tariffs; and changes in tax laws, regulatory policies and accounting standards.

 

   

Infrastructure Companies Risk – Infrastructure issuers may be susceptible to a variety of factors that may adversely affect their business and operations, including, but not limited to: high interest costs in connection with capital construction programs; high leverage; costs associated with environmental and other regulations; surplus capacity costs; and reduced investment in public and private infrastructure projects. A slowdown in new infrastructure projects in developing or developed markets may constrain the abilities of Infrastructure issuers to grow in global markets. Other developments, such as significant changes in population levels or changes in the urbanization and industrialization of developing countries, may reduce demand for products or services provided by Infrastructure issuers.

 

 

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Risk Factors (continued)

   

Power Opportunities Companies Risk – A variety of factors may adversely affect the business or operations of Power Opportunities issuers, including, but not limited to: research and development costs related to new technologies; the success or failure of efforts to develop or implement new or existing technologies; government regulation (including environmental regulation); world events and economic conditions, the cyclical nature of the energy sector; intense competition; events relating to domestic and international political developments; energy conservation; environmental costs and liabilities; and the success of exploration projects.

Innovative Securities Risk (BIGZ): There can be no assurance that a company identified as innovative by the Manager will ultimately introduce a new product or service or that such product or service may not be significantly delayed.

Supply and Demand Risk (BGR): A decrease in the production of natural gas, natural gas liquids (“NGLs”), crude oil, coal or other energy commodities or a decrease in the volume of such commodities available for transportation, mining, processing, storage or distribution may adversely impact the financial performance of energy and natural resources companies. Production declines and volume decreases could be caused by various factors, including catastrophic events affecting production, depletion of resources, labor difficulties, environmental proceedings, increased regulations, equipment failures and unexpected maintenance problems, import supply disruption, increased competition from alternative energy sources or commodity prices. Alternatively, a sustained decline in demand for such commodities could also adversely affect the financial performance of energy and natural resources companies. Factors which could lead to a decline in demand include economic recession or other adverse economic conditions, higher fuel taxes or governmental regulations, increases in fuel economy, consumer shifts to the use of alternative fuel sources, changes in commodity prices, or weather.

Depletion and Exploration Risk (BGR): Many energy and natural resources companies are either engaged in the production of natural gas, NGLs, crude oil, refined petroleum products or coal, or are engaged in transporting, storing, distributing and processing these items on behalf of shippers. To maintain or grow their revenues, these companies or their customers need to maintain or expand their reserves through exploration of new sources of supply, through the development of existing sources, through acquisitions, or through long-term contracts to acquire reserves. The financial performance of energy and natural resources companies may be adversely affected if they, or the companies to whom they provide the service, are unable to cost-effectively acquire additional reserves sufficient to replace the natural decline.

Commodity Pricing Risk (BGR): The operations and financial performance of energy and natural resources companies may be directly affected by energy commodity prices, especially those energy and natural resources companies which own the underlying energy commodity. Commodity prices fluctuate for several reasons, including changes in market and economic conditions, the impact of weather on demand, levels of domestic production and imported commodities, energy conservation, domestic and foreign governmental regulation and taxation and the availability of local, intrastate and interstate transportation systems. Volatility of commodity prices, which may lead to a reduction in production or supply, may also negatively impact the performance of energy and natural resources companies which are solely involved in the transportation, processing, storing, distribution or marketing of commodities. Volatility of commodity prices may also make it more difficult for energy and natural resources companies to raise capital to the extent the market perceives that their performance may be directly or indirectly tied to commodity prices.

Leverage Risk: The Trust’s use of leverage may increase or decrease from time to time in its discretion and the Trust may, in the future, determine not to use leverage.

The use of leverage creates an opportunity for increased common share net investment income dividends, but also creates risks for the holders of common shares. The Trust cannot assure you that the use of leverage will result in a higher yield on the common shares. Any leveraging strategy the Trust employs may not be successful.

Leverage involves risks and special considerations for common shareholders, including:

 

   

the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value, market price and dividend rate of the common shares than a comparable portfolio without leverage;

 

   

the risk that fluctuations in interest rates or dividend rates on any leverage that the Trust must pay will reduce the return to the common shareholders;

 

   

the effect of leverage in a declining market, which is likely to cause a greater decline in the net asset value of the common shares than if the Trust were not leveraged, which may result in a greater decline in the market price of the common shares;

 

   

leverage may increase operating costs, which may reduce total return.

Any decline in the net asset value of the Trust’s investments will be borne entirely by the holders of common shares. Therefore, if the market value of the Trust’s portfolio declines, leverage will result in a greater decrease in net asset value to the holders of common shares than if the Trust were not leveraged. This greater net asset value decrease will also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price for the common shares.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements Risk (BDJ, BME, BMEZ, BIGZ, BCX, BST, BSTZ and BUI): Reverse repurchase agreements involve the sale of securities held by the Trust with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the other party may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. The Trust could lose money if it is unable to recover the securities and the value of the collateral held by the Trust, including the value of the investments made with cash collateral, is less than the value of the securities. These events could also trigger adverse tax consequences for the Trust. In addition, reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the interest income earned in the investment of the proceeds will be less than the interest expense.

Dollar Rolls Risk (BME, BMEZ, BIGZ, BST and BSTZ): Dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities that the Trust is committed to buy may decline below the price of the securities the Trust has sold. These transactions may involve leverage.

When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities and Forward Commitments Risk (BDJ, BME, BMEZ, BCX and BSTZ): When-issued and delayed delivery securities and forward commitments involve the risk that the security the Trust buys will lose value prior to its delivery. There also is the risk that the security will not be issued or that the other party to the transaction will not meet its obligation. If this occurs, the Trust may lose both the investment opportunity for the assets it set aside to pay for the security and any gain in the security’s price.

 

 

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Risk Factors (continued)

Short Sales Risk (BDJ, BGY, BME, BMEZ, BCX, BST, BSTZ and BUI): Because making short sales in securities that it does not own exposes the Trust to the risks associated with those securities, such short sales involve speculative exposure risk. The Trust will incur a loss as a result of a short sale if the price of the security increases between the date of the short sale and the date on which the Trust replaces the security sold short.

Repurchase Agreements and Purchase and Sale Contracts Risk (BDJ, BME, BMEZ, BCX and BSTZ): If the other party to a repurchase agreement or purchase and sale contract defaults on its obligation under the agreement, the Trust may suffer delays and incur costs or lose money in exercising its rights under the agreement. If the seller fails to repurchase the security in either situation and the market value of the security declines, the Trust may lose money.

Risks Associated with Private Company Investments (BDJ, BMEZ, BIGZ, BST and BSTZ): Private companies are generally not subject to SEC reporting requirements, are not required to maintain their accounting records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and are not required to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting. As a result, the Manager may not have timely or accurate information about the business, financial condition and results of operations of the private companies in which the Trust invests. There is risk that the Trust may invest on the basis of incomplete or inaccurate information, which may adversely affect the Trust’s investment performance. Private companies in which the Trust may invest may have limited financial resources, shorter operating histories, more asset concentration risk, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than larger businesses, which tend to render such private companies more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns.

These companies generally have less predictable operating results, may from time to time be parties to litigation, may be engaged in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence, and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance expansion or maintain their competitive position. These companies may have difficulty accessing the capital markets to meet future capital needs, which may limit their ability to grow or to repay their outstanding indebtedness upon maturity. In addition, the Trust’s investment also may be structured as pay-in-kind securities with minimal or no cash interest or dividends until the company meets certain growth and liquidity objectives.

Typically, investments in private companies are in restricted securities that are not traded in public markets and subject to substantial holding periods, so that the Trust may not be able to resell some of its holdings for extended periods, which may be several years. There can be no assurance that the Trust will be able to realize the value of private company investments in a timely manner.

 

   

Late-Stage Private Companies Risk (BMEZ and BIGZ) – Investments in late-stage private companies involve greater risks than investments in shares of companies that have traded publicly on an exchange for extended periods of time. These investments may present significant opportunities for capital appreciation but involve a high degree of risk that may result in significant decreases in the value of these investments. The Trust may not be able to sell such investments when the Manager deems it appropriate to do so because they are not publicly traded. As such, these investments are generally considered to be illiquid until a company’s public offering (which may never occur) and are often subject to additional contractual restrictions on resale following any public offering that may prevent the Trust from selling its shares of these companies for a period of time. See “Illiquid Investments Risk.” Market conditions, developments within a company, investor perception or regulatory decisions may adversely affect a late-stage private company and delay or prevent such a company from ultimately offering its securities to the public. If a company does issue shares in an IPO, IPOs are risky and volatile and may cause the value of the Trust’s investment to decrease significantly.

 

   

Pre-IPO Securities Risk (BSTZ) – Investments in pre-IPO securities involve greater risks than investments in shares of companies that have traded publicly on an exchange for extended periods of time. These investments may present significant opportunities for capital appreciation but involve a high degree of risk that may result in significant decreases in the value of these investments. Issuers of pre-IPO securities may not have established products, experienced management or earnings history. The Trust may not be able to sell such investments when the Manager deems it appropriate to do so because they are not publicly traded. As such, these investments are generally considered to be illiquid until a company’s public offering (which may never occur) and are often subject to additional contractual restrictions on resale following any public offering that may prevent the Trust from selling its shares of these companies for a period of time. See “Illiquid Investments Risk.” Market conditions, developments within a company, investor perception or regulatory decisions may adversely affect an issuer of pre-IPO securities and delay or prevent such an issuer from ultimately offering its securities to the public. If a company does issue shares in an IPO, IPOs are risky and volatile and may cause the value of the Trust’s investment to decrease significantly.

Illiquid Investments Risk: The Trust may invest in illiquid or less liquid investments or investments in which no secondary market is readily available or which are otherwise illiquid, including private placement securities. The Trust may not be able to readily dispose of such investments at prices that approximate those at which the Trust could sell such investments if they were more widely traded and, as a result of such illiquidity, the Trust may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions if necessary to raise cash to meet its obligations. Limited liquidity can also affect the market price of investments, thereby adversely affecting the Trust’s net asset value and ability to make dividend distributions. The financial markets in general, and certain segments of the mortgage-related securities markets in particular, have in recent years experienced periods of extreme secondary market supply and demand imbalance, resulting in a loss of liquidity during which market prices were suddenly and substantially below traditional measures of intrinsic value. During such periods, some investments could be sold only at arbitrary prices and with substantial losses. Periods of such market dislocation may occur again at any time. Privately issued debt securities are often of below investment grade quality, frequently are unrated and present many of the same risks as investing in below investment grade public debt securities.

Investment Companies and ETFs Risk (BME, BMEZ, BIGZ, BCX, BST, BSTZ and BUI): Subject to the limitations set forth in the Investment Company Act and the rules thereunder, the Trust may acquire shares in other investment companies and in ETFs, some of which may be affiliated investment companies. The market value of the shares of other investment companies and ETFs may differ from their net asset value. As an investor in investment companies and ETFs, the Trust would bear its ratable share of that entity’s expenses, including its investment advisory and administration fees, while continuing to pay its own advisory and administration fees and other expenses (to the extent not offset by the Manager through waivers). As a result, shareholders will be absorbing duplicate levels of fees with respect to investments in other investment companies and ETFs (to the extent not offset by the Manager through waivers).

 

 

I N V E S T M E N T  O B J E C T I V E S ,  P O L I C I E S  A N D  R I S K S

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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks (continued)

 

Risk Factors (continued)

The securities of other investment companies and ETFs in which the Trust may invest may be leveraged. As a result, the Trust may be indirectly exposed to leverage through an investment in such securities. An investment in securities of other investment companies and ETFs that use leverage may expose the Trust to higher volatility in the market value of such securities and the possibility that the Trust’s long-term returns on such securities (and, indirectly, the long-term returns of shares of the Trust) will be diminished.

As with other investments, investments in other investment companies, including ETFs, are subject to market and selection risk. To the extent the Trust is held by an affiliated fund, the ability of the Trust itself to hold other investment companies may be limited.

Subsidiary Risk (BCX): By investing in the Subsidiary, the Trust is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The commodity-related instruments held by the Subsidiary are generally similar to those that are permitted to be held by the Trust and are subject to the same risks that apply to similar investments if held directly by the Trust (see “Commodities Related Investments Risk” above). There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Subsidiary will be achieved. The Subsidiary is not registered under the Investment Company Act, and, unless otherwise noted, is not subject to all the investor protections of the Investment Company Act. However, the Trust wholly owns and controls the Subsidiary, and the Trust and the Subsidiary are both managed by the Manager, making it unlikely that the Subsidiary will take action contrary to the interests of the Trust and its shareholders. The Board has oversight responsibility for the investment activities of the Trust, including its investment in the Subsidiary, and the Trust’s role as sole shareholder of the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary is subject to the same investment restrictions and limitations, and follows the same compliance policies and procedures, as the Trust. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Trust and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described and could adversely affect the Trust.

Securities Lending Risk (BDJ, BGY, BME, BMEZ, BIGZ, BCX, BST, BSTZ and BUI): Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Trust may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Trust could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. These events could trigger adverse tax consequences for the Trust.

Risk of Investing in the United States (BGR, CII, BDJ, BOE, BME, BMEZ, BIGZ, BCX, BST, BSTZ and BUI): Certain changes in the U.S. economy, such as when the U.S. economy weakens or when its financial markets decline, may have an adverse effect on the securities to which the Trust has exposure.

Market Risk and Selection Risk: Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Trust invests will go down in value, including the possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. The value of a security or other asset may decline due to changes in general market conditions, economic trends or events that are not specifically related to the issuer of the security or other asset, or factors that affect a particular issuer or issuers, exchange, country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues like pandemics or epidemics, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Trust and its investments. Selection risk is the risk that the securities selected by Trust management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money.

An outbreak of an infectious coronavirus (COVID-19) that was first detected in December 2019 developed into a global pandemic that has resulted in numerous disruptions in the market and has had significant economic impact leaving general concern and uncertainty. Although vaccines have been developed and approved for use by various governments, the duration of the pandemic and its effects cannot be predicted with certainty. The impact of this coronavirus, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.

Shareholder Activism Risk: Shareholder activism involving closed-end funds has recently been increasing. Shareholder activism can take many forms, including engaging in public campaigns to demand that the Trust consider significant transactions such as a tender offer, merger or liquidation or to attempt to influence the Trust’s corporate governance and/or management, commencing proxy contests to attempt to elect the activists’ representatives or others to the Trust’s Board of Trustees, or to seek other actions such as a termination of the Trust’s investment advisory contract with its current investment manager or commencing litigation. If the Trust becomes the subject of shareholder activism, then management and the Board may be required to divert significant resources and attention to respond to the activist and the Trust may incur substantial costs defending against such activism if management and the Board determine that the activist’s demands are not in the best interest of the Trust. Further, the Trust’s share price could be subject to significant fluctuation or otherwise be adversely affected by the events, risks and uncertainties of any shareholder activism.

 

 

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Shareholder Update (unaudited)

 

The following information is presented for BDJ, BME, BST and BUI, in conformance with annual reporting requirements for funds that have filed a shelf offering registration statement pursuant to General Instruction A.2 of Form N-2.

Summary of Expenses

BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ)

The following table and example are intended to assist shareholders in understanding the various costs and expenses directly or indirectly associated with investing in BDJ’s common shares.

 

   
      BDJ  

Shareholder Transaction Expenses

  

Maximum sales load (as a percentage of offering price)(a)

     1.00

Offering expenses borne by the Trust (as a percentage of offering price)(a)

     0.01
     $0.02 per share  
     for open market  
     purchases of    

Dividend reinvestment plan fees

     common shares (b) 

Estimated Annual Expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares)

Investment advisory fees(c)(d)

     0.80

Other expenses

     0.06  

Acquired fund fees and expenses(e)

     0.01  

Total annual expenses(e)

     0.87  

Fee waivers(d)

      

Total annual Trust operating expenses after fee waivers(d)

     0.87  

 

  (a) 

If the common shares are sold to or through underwriters, the Prospectus Supplement will set forth any applicable sales load and the estimated offering expenses. Trust shareholders will pay all offering expenses involved with an offering.

 
  (b) 

Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the “Reinvestment Plan Agent”) fees for the handling of the reinvestment of dividends will be paid by BDJ. However, shareholders will pay a $0.02 per share fee incurred in connection with open-market purchases, which will be deducted from the value of the dividend. Shareholders will also be charged a $0.02 per share fee if a shareholder directs the Reinvestment Plan Agent to sell the common shares held in a dividend reinvestment account. Per share fees include any applicable brokerage commissions the Reinvestment Plan Agent is required to pay.

 
  (c)

BDJ currently pays the Manager a monthly fee at an annual contractual investment advisory fee rate of 0.80% of its average weekly value of BDJ’s net assets.

 
  (d) 

BDJ and the Manager have entered into a fee waiver agreement (the “Fee Waiver Agreement”), pursuant to which the Manager has contractually agreed to waive the investment advisory fees with respect to any portion of BDJ’s assets attributable to investments in any equity and fixed-income mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) managed by the Manager or its affiliates that have a contractual fee, through June 30, 2025. In addition, pursuant to the Fee Waiver Agreement, the Manager has contractually agreed to waive its investment advisory fees by the amount of investment advisory fees BDJ pays to the Manager indirectly through its investment in money market funds managed by the Manager or its affiliates, through June 30, 2025. The Fee Waiver Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, only by BDJ (upon the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), of BDJ (the “Independent Trustees”)) or a majority of the outstanding voting securities of BDJ), upon 90 days’ written notice by BDJ to the Manager.

 
  (e) 

The total annual expenses do not correlate to the ratios to average net assets shown in BDJ’s Financial Highlights for the year ended December 31, 2023, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

The following example illustrates BDJ’s expenses (including the sales load of $10.00 and offering costs of $0.15) that shareholders would pay on a $1,000 investment in common shares, assuming (i) total net annual expenses of 0.87% of net assets attributable to common shares and (ii) a 5% annual return:

 

     1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years         

 

    

Total expenses incurred

   $ 19      $ 38      $ 58      $ 116         

The example should not be considered a representation of future expenses. The example assumes that the estimated “Other expenses” set forth in the Estimated Annual Expenses table are accurate and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at NAV. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those assumed. BDJ’s actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return shown in the example.

 

 

S H A R E H O L D E R U P D A T E

  207


Shareholder Update (unaudited) (continued)

 

BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (BME)

The following table and example are intended to assist shareholders in understanding the various costs and expenses directly or indirectly associated with investing in BME’s common shares.

 

   
      BME  

Shareholder Transaction Expenses

  

Maximum sales load (as a percentage of offering price)(a)

     1.00

Offering expenses borne by the Trust (as a percentage of offering price)(a)

     0.01
     $0.02 per share  
     for open market  
     purchases of    

Dividend reinvestment plan fees

     common shares (b) 

Estimated Annual Expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares)

Investment advisory fees(c)(d)

     1.00

Other expenses

     0.06  

Acquired fund fees and expenses(e)

     0.01  

Total annual expenses(e)

     1.07  

Fee waivers(d)

      

Total annual Trust operating expenses after fee waivers(d)

     1.07  

 

  (a) 

If the common shares are sold to or through underwriters, the Prospectus Supplement will set forth any applicable sales load and the estimated offering expenses. Trust shareholders will pay all offering expenses involved with an offering.

 
  (b) 

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.’s (the “Reinvestment Plan Agent”) fees for the handling of the reinvestment of dividends will be paid by BME. However, shareholders will pay a $0.02 per share fee incurred in connection with open-market purchases, which will be deducted from the value of the dividend. Shareholders will also be charged a $0.02 per share fee if a shareholder directs the Reinvestment Plan Agent to sell the common shares held in a dividend reinvestment account. Per share fees include any applicable brokerage commissions the Reinvestment Plan Agent is required to pay.

 
  (c) 

BME currently pays the Manager a contractual investment advisory fee at an annual rate of 1.00% based on BME’s average weekly net assets.

 
  (d) 

BME and the Manager have entered into a fee waiver agreement (the “Fee Waiver Agreement”), pursuant to which the Manager has contractually agreed to waive the investment advisory fees with respect to any portion of BME’s assets attributable to investments in any equity and fixed-income mutual funds and exchange-traded funds managed by the Manager or its affiliates that have a contractual management fee, through June 30, 2025. In addition, pursuant to the Fee Waiver Agreement, the Manager has contractually agreed to waive its investment advisory fees by the amount of investment advisory fees BME pays to the Manager indirectly through its investment in money market funds managed by the Manager or its affiliates, through June 30, 2025. The Fee Waiver Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, only by BME (upon the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of BME or a majority of the outstanding voting securities of BME), upon 90 days’ written notice by BME to the Manager.

 
  (e) 

The total annual expenses do not correlate to the ratios to average net assets shown in BME’s Financial Highlights for the year ended December 31, 2023, which do not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

 

The following example illustrates BME’s expenses (including the sales load of $10.00 and offering costs of $0.15) that shareholders would pay on a $1,000 investment in common shares, assuming (i) total net annual expenses of 1.07% of net assets attributable to common shares and (ii) a 5% annual return:

 

     1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years         

 

    

Total expenses incurred

   $ 21      $ 44      $ 69      $ 139         

The example should not be considered a representation of future expenses. The example assumes that the estimated “Other expenses” set forth in the Estimated Annual Expenses table are accurate and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at NAV. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those assumed. BME’s actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return shown in the example.

 

 

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Shareholder Update (unaudited) (continued)

 

BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST)

The following table and example are intended to assist shareholders in understanding the various costs and expenses directly or indirectly associated with investing in BST’s common shares.

 

   
      BST  

Shareholder Transaction Expenses

  

Maximum sales load (as a percentage of offering price)(a)

     1.00

Offering expenses borne by the Trust (as a percentage of offering price)(a)

     0.02
     $0.02 per share  
     for open market  
     purchases of    

Dividend reinvestment plan fees

     common shares (b) 

Dividend reinvestment plan sale transaction fee

     $2.50 (b) 

Estimated Annual Expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares)

Investment advisory fees(c)(d)

     1.00

Other expenses

     0.09  

Total annual expenses

     1.09  

Fee waivers(d)

      

Total annual Trust operating expenses after fee waivers(d)

     1.09  

 

  (a) 

If the common shares are sold to or through underwriters, the Prospectus Supplement will set forth any applicable sales load and the estimated offering expenses. Trust shareholders will pay all offering expenses involved with an offering.

 
  (b) 

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.’s (the “Reinvestment Plan Agent”) fees for the handling of the reinvestment of dividends will be paid by BST. However, shareholders will pay a $0.02 per share fee incurred in connection with open-market purchases, which will be deducted from the value of the dividend. Shareholders will also be charged a $2.50 sales fee and pay a $0.15 per share fee if a shareholder directs the Reinvestment Plan Agent to sell the common shares held in a dividend reinvestment account. Per share fees include any applicable brokerage commissions the Reinvestment Plan Agent is required to pay.

 
  (c) 

BST currently pays the Manager a contractual investment advisory fee at an annual rate of 1.00% based on BST’s average daily managed assets. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of BST (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes) minus the sum of BST’s accrued liabilities (other than money borrowed for investment purposes).

 
  (d) 

BST and the Manager have entered into a fee waiver agreement (the “Fee Waiver Agreement”), pursuant to which the Manager has contractually agreed to waive the investment advisory fees with respect to any portion of BST’s assets attributable to investments in any equity and fixed-income mutual funds and exchange-traded funds managed by the Manager or its affiliates that have a contractual management fee, through June 30, 2025. In addition, pursuant to the Fee Waiver Agreement, the Manager has contractually agreed to waive its investment advisory fees by the amount of investment advisory fees BST pays to the Manager indirectly through its investment in money market funds managed by the Manager or its affiliates, through June 30, 2025. The Fee Waiver Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, only by BST (upon the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of BST or a majority of the outstanding voting securities of BST), upon 90 days’ written notice by BST to the Manager.

 

The following example illustrates BST’s expenses (including the sales load of $10.00 and offering costs of $0.16) that shareholders would pay on a $1,000 investment in common shares, assuming (i) total net annual expenses of 1.09% of net assets attributable to common shares and (ii) a 5% annual return:

 

     1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years         

 

    

Total expenses incurred

   $ 21      $ 44      $ 70      $ 142           

The example should not be considered a representation of future expenses. The example assumes that the estimated “Other expenses” set forth in the Estimated Annual Expenses table are accurate and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at NAV. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those assumed. BST’s actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return shown in the example.

 

 

S H A R E H O L D E R U P D A T E

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Shareholder Update (unaudited) (continued)

 

BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (BUI)

The following table and example are intended to assist shareholders in understanding the various costs and expenses directly or indirectly associated with investing in BUI’s common shares.

 

   
      BUI  

Shareholder Transaction Expenses

  

Maximum sales load (as a percentage of offering price)(a)

     1.00

Offering expenses borne by the Trust (as a percentage of offering price)(a)

     0.02
     $0.02 per share  
     for open market  
     purchases of    

Dividend reinvestment plan fees

     common shares (b) 

Estimated Annual Expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares)

Investment advisory fees(c)(d)

     1.00

Other expenses

     0.08  

Total annual expenses

     1.08  

Fee waivers(d)

      

Total annual Trust operating expenses after fee waivers(d)

     1.08  

 

  (a) 

If the common shares are sold to or through underwriters, the Prospectus Supplement will set forth any applicable sales load and the estimated offering expenses. Trust shareholders will pay all offering expenses involved with an offering.

 
  (b) 

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.’s (the “Reinvestment Plan Agent”) fees for the handling of the reinvestment of dividends will be paid by BUI. However, shareholders will pay a $0.02 per share fee incurred in connection with open-market purchases, which will be deducted from the value of the dividend. Shareholders will also be charged a $0.02 per share fee if a shareholder directs the Reinvestment Plan Agent to sell the common shares held in a dividend reinvestment account. Per share fees include any applicable brokerage commissions the Reinvestment Plan Agent is required to pay.

 
  (c) 

BUI currently pays the Manager a contractual investment advisory fee at an annual rate of 1.00% based on BUI’s average daily managed assets. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of BUI (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes) minus the sum of BUI’s accrued liabilities (other than money borrowed for investment purposes).

 
  (d) 

BUI and the Manager have entered into a fee waiver agreement (the “Fee Waiver Agreement”), pursuant to which the Manager has contractually agreed to waive the investment advisory fees with respect to any portion of BUI’s assets attributable to investments in any equity and fixed-income mutual funds and exchange-traded funds managed by the Manager or its affiliates that have a contractual management fee, through June 30, 2025. In addition, pursuant to the Fee Waiver Agreement, the Manager has contractually agreed to waive its investment advisory fees by the amount of investment advisory fees BUI pays to the Manager indirectly through its investment in money market funds managed by the Manager or its affiliates, through June 30, 2025. The Fee Waiver Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, only by BUI (upon the vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the Investment Company Act) of BUI or a majority of the outstanding voting securities of BUI), upon 90 days’ written notice by BUI to the Manager.

 

The following example illustrates BUI’s expenses (including the sales load of $10.00 and offering costs of $0.21) that shareholders would pay on a $1,000 investment in common shares, assuming (i) total net annual expenses of 1.08% of net assets attributable to common shares and (ii) a 5% annual return:

 

     1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years         

 

    

Total expenses incurred

   $ 21      $ 44      $ 69      $ 141           

The example should not be considered a representation of future expenses. The example assumes that the estimated “Other expenses” set forth in the Estimated Annual Expenses table are accurate and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at NAV. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those assumed. BUI’s actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return shown in the example.

 

 

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Shareholder Update (unaudited) (continued)

 

Share Price Data

The following tables summarize each Trust’s highest and lowest daily closing market prices on the NYSE per common share, the NAV per common share, and the premium to or discount from NAV, on the date of each of the high and low market prices. The trading volume indicates the number of common shares traded on the NYSE during the respective quarters.

 

     NYSE Market Price
Per Common Share
            NAV per Common
Share on Date of
Market Price
            Premium/
(Discount)
on Date of
Market Price
               
BDJ — During Quarter Ended    High      Low              High      Low              High      Low              Trading Volume  

December 31, 2023

   $  7.91      $  6.92             $ 8.68      $  8.17           (8.87 )%       (15.30 )%          38,503,054  

September 30, 2023

     8.39        7.47           8.96        8.38           (6.36      (10.86         35,094,623  

June 30, 2023

     8.60        8.03           8.76        8.56           (1.83      (6.19         24,527,314  

March 31, 2023

     9.36        8.26           9.15        8.23           2.30        0.36           25,059,984  

December 31, 2022

     9.50        8.14           9.49        8.58           0.11        (5.13         29,748,145  

September 30, 2022

     9.71        8.08           9.42        8.47           3.08        (4.60         27,876,699  

June 30, 2022

     9.96        8.29           10.26        9.26           (2.92      (10.48         31,606,667  

March 31, 2022

     10.43        9.15                 10.55        9.73                 (1.14      (5.96               40,186,783  

As of December 31, 2023, BDJ’s market price, NAV per Common Share, and premium/(discount) to NAV per Common Share were $7.69, $8.82, and (12.81)%, respectively.

 

     NYSE Market Price
Per Common Share
            NAV per Common
Share on Date of
Market Price
            Premium/
(Discount)
on Date of
Market Price
               
BME — During Quarter Ended    High      Low              High      Low              High      Low              Trading Volume  

December 31, 2023

   $  40.46      $  35.53         $  42.18      $  39.01           (4.08 )%       (8.92 )%          2,698,691  

September 30, 2023

     40.90        38.98           43.13        41.02           (5.17      (4.97         2,017,234  

June 30, 2023

     42.93        39.55           42.91        41.26           0.05        (4.14         1,769,337  

March 31, 2023

     43.68        39.34           43.03        40.48           1.51        (2.82         1,728,269  

December 31, 2022

     44.88        38.85           42.39        40.17           5.87        (3.29         2,275,787  

September 30, 2022

     44.96        38.27           43.41        39.41           3.57        (2.89         2,093,916  

June 30, 2022

     46.86        39.97           46.49        39.35           0.80        1.58           2,651,572  

March 31, 2022

     48.20        41.70                 47.26        42.50                 1.99        (1.88               2,486,253  

As of December 31, 2023, BME’s market price, NAV per Common Share, and premium/(discount) to NAV per Common Share were $40.46, $42.18, and (4.08)%, respectively.

 

                                                                                                  
     NYSE Market Price
Per Common Share
            NAV per Common
Share on Date of
Market Price
            Premium/
(Discount)
on Date of
Market Price
        
BST — During Quarter Ended    High      Low              High      Low              High      Low        Trading Volume  

December 31, 2023

   $  34.48      $  29.72         $  34.21      $  30.15           0.79      (1.43 )%       6,323,509  

September 30, 2023

     35.25        30.61           34.81        31.31           1.26        (2.24      5,818,231  

June 30, 2023

     34.44        30.25           34.14        30.31           0.88        (0.20      5,884,379  

March 31, 2023

     34.12        28.52           32.41        28.95           5.28        (1.49      8,051,284  

December 31, 2022

     32.45        28.07           31.69        28.47           2.40        (1.40      9,877,821  

September 30, 2022

     38.73        29.38           37.18        31.02           4.17        (5.29      9,463,720  

June 30, 2022

     44.15        31.25           45.87        33.58           (3.75      (6.94      9,431,070  

March 31, 2022

     50.99        40.14           52.59        42.32           (3.04      (5.15      11,617,438  

As of December 31, 2023, BST’s market price, NAV per Common Share, and premium/(discount) to NAV per Common Share were $33.66, $34.74, and (3.11)%, respectively.

 

     NYSE Market Price
Per Common Share
            NAV per Common
Share on Date of
Market Price
            Premium/
(Discount)
on Date of
Market Price
               
BUI — During Quarter Ended    High      Low              High      Low              High      Low              Trading Volume  

December 31, 2023

   $  21.82      $  18.75         $  22.54      $  19.79           (3.19 )%       (5.26 )%          4,511,140  

September 30, 2023

     23.34        19.64           23.05        20.42           1.26        (3.82         3,117,194  

June 30, 2023

     23.73        21.56           22.95        22.18           3.40        (2.80         2,819,113  

March 31, 2023

     23.98        20.99           22.97        22.33           4.40        (6.00         3,092,154  

December 31, 2022

     22.24        19.02           23.13        19.61           (3.85      (3.01         3,657,444  

September 30, 2022

     24.47        20.06           23.61        20.19           3.64        (0.64         3,404,776  

June 30, 2022

     25.79        20.46                 25.13        21.06                 2.63        (2.85               3,775,619  

 

 

S H A R E H O L D E R U P D A T E

  211


Shareholder Update (unaudited) (continued)

 

     NYSE Market Price
Per Common Share
         NAV per Common
Share on Date of
Market Price
            Premium/
(Discount)
on Date of
Market Price
               
BUI — During Quarter Ended    High      Low           High      Low              High      Low              Trading Volume  

March 31, 2022

   $ 27.28      $ 22.88          $ 25.09      $ 23.27                 8.73      (1.68 )%                4,035,794  

As of December 31, 2023, BUI’s market price, NAV per Common Share, and premium/(discount) to NAV per Common Share were $21.82, $22.53, and (3.15)%, respectively.

Common shares of each Trust have historically traded at both a premium and discount to NAV.

Shares of closed-end funds frequently trade at a discount to their NAV. Because of this possibility and the recognition that any such discount may not be in the interest of shareholders, the Board might consider from time to time engaging in open-market repurchases, managed distribution plans, or other programs intended to reduce the discount. We cannot guarantee or assure, however, that the Board will decide to engage in any of these actions. Nor is there any guarantee or assurance that such actions, if undertaken, would result in the shares trading at a price equal or close to the NAV.

 

 

212  

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


Shareholder Update (unaudited) (continued)

 

Financial Highlights

The financial highlights table is intended to help the shareholder to understand BDJ’s financial performance for the periods presented. Certain information reflects financial results for a single common share of BDJ.

 

    BDJ  
     Year Ended
12/31/18
    Year Ended
12/31/17
     Year Ended
12/31/16
     Year Ended
12/31/15
     Period from
11/01/14 to
12/31/14
    Year Ended
10/31/14
 
             

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 9.96     $ 9.22      $ 8.70      $ 9.24      $ 9.19     $ 8.88  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.18 (b)      0.16        0.17        0.17        0.04       0.16  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.84     1.14        0.91        (0.15      0.10       0.76  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (0.66     1.30        1.08        0.02        0.14       0.92  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

              

From net investment income

    (0.56     (0.17      (0.17      (0.17      (0.03     (0.17

From net realized gain

          (0.39                           

From return of capital

                 (0.39      (0.39      (0.06     (0.44
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.56     (0.56      (0.56      (0.56      (0.09     (0.61
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 8.74     $ 9.96      $ 9.22      $ 8.70      $ 9.24     $ 9.19  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Market price, end of period

  $ 7.77     $ 9.23      $ 8.15      $ 7.61      $ 8.12     $ 8.35  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

              

Based on net asset value

    (6.59 )%      15.06      13.90      1.10      1.69 %(e)      11.40
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Based on market price

    (10.39 )%      20.63      15.11      0.63      (1.65 )%(e)      16.42
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

              

Total expenses

    0.85     0.86      0.87      0.86      0.87 %(f)      0.87 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.85     0.86      0.85      0.85      0.84 %(f)      0.86 %(g) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.85 %(b)      1.73      1.91      1.85      2.30 %(f)      1.81
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

              

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 1,638,237     $ 1,868,457      $ 1,741,649      $ 1,643,508      $ 1,747,070     $ 1,648,683  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    34     42      33      26      0 %(h)      63
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average Common Shares outstanding.

(b) 

Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets includes $0.01 per share and 0.14%, respectively, resulting from a special dividend.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

(e) 

Aggregate total return.

(f) 

Annualized.

(g) 

Includes reorganization costs associated with the Trust’s merger. Without these costs, total expenses and total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed would have been 0.86% and 0.86%, respectively.

(h) 

Amount is less than 0.5%.

 

 

S H A R E H O L D E R U P D A T E

  213


Shareholder Update (unaudited) (continued)

 

Financial Highlights

The financial highlights table is intended to help the shareholder to understand BME’s financial performance for the periods presented. Certain information reflects financial results for a single common share of BME.

 

    BME  
     Year Ended
12/31/18
     Year Ended
12/31/17
     Year Ended
12/31/16
    Year Ended
12/31/15
     Period from
11/01/14 to
12/31/14
    Year Ended
10/31/14
 
             

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 35.69      $ 31.30      $ 36.19     $ 38.61      $ 40.22     $ 34.92  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(a)

    0.07        0.02        0.02       (0.06      (0.01     (0.00 )(b) 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    2.51        6.77        (1.91     4.34        1.10       9.14  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.58        6.79        (1.89     4.28        1.09       9.14  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

              

From net investment income

    (2.40      (0.04      (0.03     (0.63      (0.01     (0.10

From net realized gain

           (2.11      (2.97     (6.07      (2.69     (3.74

Return of capital

           (0.25                          
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (2.40      (2.40      (3.00     (6.70      (2.70     (3.84
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 35.87      $ 35.69      $ 31.30     $ 36.19      $ 38.61     $ 40.22  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Market price, end of period

  $ 36.45      $ 36.50      $ 31.75     $ 39.35      $ 42.70     $ 41.37  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

              

Based on net asset value

    7.26      22.17      (5.36 )%      10.70      2.38 %(e)      28.00
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Based on market price

    6.57      23.17      (11.71 )%      8.87      10.07 %(e)      36.99
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

              

Total expenses

    1.11      1.12      1.15 %(g)      1.13      1.16 %(h)      1.11
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and excluding amortization of offering costs

    1.11      1.12      1.14     1.12      1.11 %(h)      1.11
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    0.19      0.06      0.07     (0.14 )%       (0.10 )%(h)      0.01
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

              

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 352,675      $ 331,858      $ 270,693     $ 297,530      $ 303,103     $ 313,933  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    37      38      59     68      6     74
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Amount is greater than $(0.005) per share.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

(e) 

Aggregate total return.

(f) 

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

 

       Year Ended       Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended     Period from     Year Ended  
     12/31/18     12/31/17     12/31/16     12/31/15     11/01/14 to
12/31/14
    10/31/14  

Investments in underlying funds

    0.01     0.01                
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(g) 

Offering costs were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratios. If these expenses were annualized, the total expenses would have been 1.16%.

(h) 

Annualized.

 

 

214  

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


Shareholder Update (unaudited) (continued)

 

Financial Highlights

The financial highlights table is intended to help the shareholder to understand BST’s financial performance for the periods presented. Certain information reflects financial results for a single common share of BST.

 

    BST  
   
Year Ended
12/31/18
 
 
    
Year Ended
12/31/17
 
 
    
Year Ended
12/31/16
 
 
    
Year Ended
12/31/15
 
 
    

Period from
10/30/2014
to 12/31/2014
 
 
(a) 
           

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 27.73      $ 20.10      $ 19.70      $ 19.43      $ 19.10 (b) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)(c)

    (0.13      (0.05      0.00 (d)       0.03        (0.01

Net realized and unrealized gain

    0.37        8.96        1.60        1.44        0.48  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.24        8.91        1.60        1.47        0.47  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions(e)

             

From net investment income

    (1.68      (0.05             (0.03      (0.00 )(f) 

From net realized gain

    (0.08      (0.22             (0.01       

Return of capital

           (1.01      (1.20      (1.16      (0.10
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.76      (1.28      (1.20      (1.20      (0.10
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Capital changes with respect to issuance of Common Shares

                                (0.04
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 26.21      $ 27.73      $ 20.10      $ 19.70      $ 19.43  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Market price, end of period

  $ 27.48      $ 26.69      $ 17.94      $ 17.31      $ 17.59  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(g)

             

Based on net asset value

    0.24      45.73      9.36      8.61      2.31 %(h) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Based on market price

    9.18      57.15      11.08      5.36      (11.55 )%(h) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

             

Total expenses

    1.09      1.09      1.10      1.12      1.19 %(i) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.89      0.89      0.90      0.92      0.97 %(i) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.43 )%       (0.19 )%       0.02      0.15      (0.24 )%(i) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 587,908      $ 620,300      $ 452,443      $ 443,477      $ 437,380  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    53      41      74      91      7
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of investment operations. This information includes the initial investment by BlackRock HoldCo2, Inc.

(b) 

Net asset value, beginning of period, reflects a deduction of $0.8975 per share sales charge from initial offering price of $20.00 per share.

(c) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(d) 

Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

(e) 

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

(f)

Amount is greater than $(0.005) per share.

(g) 

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

(h) 

Aggregate total return.

(i) 

Annualized.

 

 

S H A R E H O L D E R U P D A T E

  215


Shareholder Update (unaudited) (continued)

 

Financial Highlights

The financial highlights table is intended to help the shareholder to understand BUI’s financial performance for the periods presented. Certain information reflects financial results for a single common share of BUI.

 

    BUI  
     Year Ended
12/31/18
     Year Ended
12/31/17
     Year Ended
12/31/16
     Year Ended
12/31/15
     Period from
11/01/14 to
12/31/14
    Year Ended
10/30/14
 
             

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 21.12      $ 19.42      $ 19.50      $ 22.47      $ 22.40     $ 20.78  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.49        0.56        0.56        0.47        0.11       0.51  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (1.39      2.59        0.81        (1.99      0.20       2.68  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (0.90      3.15        1.37        (1.52      0.31       3.19  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

               

From net investment income

    (1.44      (0.47      (0.49      (0.42      (0.10     (0.51

From net realized gain

           (0.98      (0.53      (0.54            (0.37

Return of capital

    (0.01             (0.43      (0.49      (0.14     (0.69
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.45      (1.45      (1.45      (1.45      (0.24     (1.57
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 18.77      $ 21.12      $ 19.42      $ 19.50      $ 22.47     $ 22.40  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Market price, end of period

  $ 19.76      $ 21.62      $ 18.41      $ 16.78      $ 20.74     $ 20.02  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

               

Based on net asset value

    (4.40 )%       16.62      7.57      (6.09 )%       1.50 %(d)      16.94
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Based on market price

    (1.68 )%       25.93      18.50      (12.45 )%       4.82 %(d)      18.29
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

               

Total expenses

    1.12      1.11      1.13      1.11      1.17 %(e)      1.10
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.09      1.09      1.13      1.11      1.11 %(e)      1.10
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.46      2.70      2.83      2.24      2.83 %(e)      2.36
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

               

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 318,933      $ 357,776      $ 328,297      $ 329,747      $ 379,830     $ 378,762  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    28      31      8      20      2     41
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

(d) 

Aggregate total return.

(e) 

Annualized.

 

 

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Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan

Pursuant to BGR, CII, BDJ, BOE, BGY, BME, BMEZ, BIGZ, BCX, BST, BSTZ and BUI’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Reinvestment Plan”), Common Shareholders are automatically enrolled to have all distributions of dividends and capital gains and other distributions reinvested by Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the “Reinvestment Plan Agent”) in the respective Trust’s Common Shares pursuant to the Reinvestment Plan. Shareholders who do not participate in the Reinvestment Plan will receive all distributions in cash paid by check and mailed directly to the shareholders of record (or if the shares are held in street name or other nominee name, then to the nominee) by the Reinvestment Plan Agent, which serves as agent for the shareholders in administering the Reinvestment Plan.

After BGR, CII, BDJ, BOE, BGY, BME, BMEZ, BIGZ, BCX, BST, BSTZ and BUI declare a dividend or determine to make a capital gain or other distribution, the Reinvestment Plan Agent will acquire shares for the participants’ accounts, depending upon the following circumstances, either (i) through receipt of unissued but authorized shares from the Trusts (“newly issued shares”) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding shares on the open market or on the Trust’s primary exchange (“open-market purchases”). If, on the dividend payment date, the net asset value (“NAV”) per share is equal to or less than the market price per share plus estimated brokerage commissions (such condition often referred to as a “market premium”), the Reinvestment Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in newly issued shares acquired on behalf of the participants. The number of newly issued shares to be credited to each participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the dividend by the NAV on the date the shares are issued. However, if the NAV is less than 95% of the market price on the dividend payment date, the dollar amount of the dividend will be divided by 95% of the market price on the dividend payment date. If, on the dividend payment date, the NAV is greater than the market price per share plus estimated brokerage commissions (such condition often referred to as a “market discount”), the Reinvestment Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in shares acquired on behalf of the participants in open-market purchases. If the Reinvestment Plan Agent is unable to invest the full dividend amount in open-market purchases, or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period, the Reinvestment Plan Agent will invest any un-invested portion in newly issued shares. Investments in newly issued shares made in this manner would be made pursuant to the same process described above and the date of issue for such newly issued shares will substitute for the dividend payment date.

You may elect not to participate in the Reinvestment Plan and to receive all dividends in cash by contacting the Reinvestment Plan Agent, at the address set forth below.

Participation in the Reinvestment Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by notice if received and processed by the Reinvestment Plan Agent prior to the dividend record date. Additionally, the Reinvestment Plan Agent seeks to process notices received after the record date but prior to the payable date and such notices often will become effective by the payable date. Where late notices are not processed by the applicable payable date, such termination or resumption will be effective with respect to any subsequently declared dividend or other distribution.

The Reinvestment Plan Agent’s fees for the handling of the reinvestment of distributions will be paid by each Trust. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Reinvestment Plan Agent’s open-market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of all distributions. The automatic reinvestment of all distributions will not relieve participants of any U.S. federal, state or local income tax that may be payable on such dividends or distributions.

Each Trust reserves the right to amend or terminate the Reinvestment Plan. There is no direct service charge to participants in the Reinvestment Plan; however, each Trust reserves the right to amend the Reinvestment Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants. Participants in BMEZ, BIGZ, BST and BSTZ that request a sale of shares are subject to a $2.50 sales fee and a $0.15 per share sold fee. Per share fees include any applicable brokerage commissions the Reinvestment Plan Agent is required to pay. Participants in BGR, CII, BDJ, BOE, BGY, BME, BCX and BUI that request a sale of shares are subject to a $0.02 per share sold brokerage commission. All correspondence concerning the Reinvestment Plan should be directed to Computershare Trust Company, N.A. through the internet at computershare.com/blackrock, or in writing to Computershare, P.O. Box 43006, Providence, RI 02940-3078, Telephone: (800) 699-1236. Overnight correspondence should be directed to the Reinvestment Plan Agent at Computershare, 150 Royall Street, Suite 101, Canton, MA 02021.

 

 

 

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  217


Trustee and Officer Information

 

 

Independent Trustees(a)
         

Name

Year of Birth(b)

  

Position(s) Held

(Length of Service)(c)

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years   

Number of BlackRock-Advised

Registered Investment Companies

(“RICs”) Consisting of Investment

Portfolios (“Portfolios”) Overseen

  

Public Company
and Other
Investment
Company
Directorships Held
During

Past 5 Years

R. Glenn Hubbard

1958

  

Chair of the Board

(Since 2022)
Trustee

(Since 2007)

   Dean, Columbia Business School from 2004 to 2019; Faculty member, Columbia Business School since 1988.    69 RICs consisting of 102 Portfolios    ADP (data and information services) from 2004 to 2020; Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (insurance); TotalEnergies SE (multi-energy)

W. Carl Kester(d)

1951

  

Vice Chair of the Board

(Since 2022)
Trustee

(Since 2007)

   Baker Foundation Professor and George Fisher Baker Jr. Professor of Business Administration, Emeritus, Harvard Business School since 2022; George Fisher Baker Jr. Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School from 2008 to 2022; Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs from 2006 to 2010; Chairman of the Finance Unit, from 2005 to 2006; Senior Associate Dean and Chairman of the MBA Program from 1999 to 2005; Member of the faculty of Harvard Business School since 1981.    71 RICs consisting of 104 Portfolios    None

Cynthia L. Egan

1955

  

Trustee

(Since 2016)

   Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury from 2014 to 2015; President, Retirement Plan Services, for T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. from 2007 to 2012; executive positions within Fidelity Investments from 1989 to 2007.    71 RICs consisting of 104 Portfolios    Unum (insurance); The Hanover Insurance Group (Board Chair); Huntsman Corporation (Lead Independent Director and non- Executive Vice Chair of the Board) (chemical products)

Frank J. Fabozzi(d)

1948

  

Trustee

(Since 2007)

   Editor of The Journal of Portfolio Management since 1986; Professor of Finance, EDHEC Business School (France) from 2011 to 2022; Professor of Practice, Johns Hopkins University since 2021; Professor in the Practice of Finance, Yale University School of Management from 1994 to 2011 and currently a Teaching Fellow in Yale’s Executive Programs; Visiting Professor, Rutgers University for the Spring 2019 semester; Visiting Professor, New York University for the 2019 academic year; Adjunct Professor of Finance, Carnegie Mellon University in fall 2020 semester.    71 RICs consisting of 104 Portfolios    None

Lorenzo A. Flores

1964

  

Trustee

(Since 2021)

   Vice Chairman, Kioxia, Inc. since 2019; Chief Financial Officer, Xilinx, Inc. from 2016 to 2019; Corporate Controller, Xilinx, Inc. from 2008 to 2016.    69 RICs consisting of 102 Portfolios    None

Stayce D. Harris

1959

  

Trustee

(Since 2021)

   Lieutenant General, Inspector General of the United States Air Force from 2017 to 2019; Lieutenant General, Assistant Vice Chief of Staff and Director, Air Staff, United States Air Force from 2016 to 2017; Major General, Commander, 22nd Air Force, AFRC, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia from 2014 to 2016; Pilot, United Airlines from 1990 to 2020.    69 RICs consisting of 102 Portfolios    KULR Technology Group, Inc. in 2021; The Boeing Company (airplane manufacturer)

 

 

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Trustee and Officer Information (continued)

 

Independent Trustees(a) (continued)
         

Name

Year of Birth(b)

  

Position(s) Held

(Length of Service)(c)

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years   

Number of BlackRock-Advised

Registered Investment Companies

(“RICs”) Consisting of Investment

Portfolios (“Portfolios”) Overseen

  

Public Company
and Other
Investment
Company
Directorships Held
During

Past 5 Years

J. Phillip Holloman

1955

  

Trustee

(Since 2021)

   President and Chief Operating Officer, Cintas Corporation from 2008 to 2018.    69 RICs consisting of 102 Portfolios    PulteGroup, Inc. (home construction); Rockwell Automation Inc. (industrial automation); Vestis Corporation (uniforms and facilities services)

Catherine A. Lynch(d)

1961

  

Trustee

(Since 2016)

   Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer and various other positions, National Railroad Retirement Investment Trust from 2003 to 2016; Associate Vice President for Treasury Management, The George Washington University from 1999 to 2003; Assistant Treasurer, Episcopal Church of America from 1995 to 1999.    71 RICs consisting of 104 Portfolios    PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust
Non-Management Interested Trustee(a)(f)
         

Name

Year of Birth(b)

  

Position(s) Held

(Length of Service)

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years   

Number of BlackRock-Advised

Registered Investment Companies

(“RICs”) Consisting of Investment

Portfolios (“Portfolios”) Overseen

  

Public Company
and Other
Investment
Company
Directorships

Held During

Past 5 Years

Arthur P. Steinmetz

1958

  

Trustee

(Since 2023)

   Consultant, Posit PBC (enterprise data science) since 2020; Director, ScotiaBank (U.S.) from 2020 to 2023; Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of OppenheimerFunds, Inc. from 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively to 2019; Trustee, President and Principal Executive Officer of 104 OppenheimerFunds funds from 2014 to 2019; Portfolio manager of various OppenheimerFunds fixed income mutual funds from 1986 to 2014.    70 RICs consisting of 103 Portfolios    Trustee of 104 OppenheimerFunds funds from 2014 to 2019

 

 

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  219


Trustee and Officer Information (continued)

 

Interested Trustees(a)(e)
         

Name

Year of Birth(b)

  

Position(s) Held

(Length of Service)(c)

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years   

Number of BlackRock-Advised

Registered Investment Companies

(“RICs”) Consisting of Investment

Portfolios (“Portfolios”) Overseen

  

Public Company
and Other
Investment
Company
Directorships

Held During

Past 5 Years

Robert Fairbairn

1965

  

Trustee

(Since 2018)

   Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. since 2019; Member of BlackRock’s Global Executive and Global Operating Committees; Co-Chair of BlackRock’s Human Capital Committee; Senior Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2010 to 2019; oversaw BlackRock’s Strategic Partner Program and Strategic Product Management Group from 2012 to 2019; Member of the Board of Managers of BlackRock Investments, LLC from 2011 to 2018; Global Head of BlackRock’s Retail and iShares® businesses from 2012 to 2016.    97 RICs consisting of 268 Portfolios    None

John M. Perlowski(d)

1964

  

Trustee

(Since 2015)

President and Chief Executive Officer (Since 2010)

   Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009; Head of BlackRock Global Accounting and Product Services since 2009; Advisory Director of Family Resource Network (charitable foundation) since 2009.    99 RICs consisting of 270 Portfolios    None

 

(a)

The address of each Trustee is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 50 Hudson Yards, New York, New York 10001.

(b) 

Each Independent Trustee holds office until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal as provided by the Trust’s by-laws or charter or statute, or until December 31 of the year in which he or she turns 75. Trustees who are “interested persons,” as defined in the Investment Company Act serve until their successor is duly elected and qualifies or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal as provided by the Trust’s by-laws or statute, or until December 31 of the year in which they turn 72. The Board may determine to extend the terms of Independent Trustees on a case-by-case basis, as appropriate.

(c) 

Following the combination of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. (“MLIM”) and BlackRock, Inc. in September 2006, the various legacy MLIM and legacy BlackRock fund boards were realigned and consolidated into three new fund boards in 2007. Certain Independent Trustees first became members of the boards of other legacy MLIM or legacy BlackRock funds as follows: Frank J. Fabozzi, 1988; R. Glenn Hubbard, 2004; and W. Carl Kester, 1995.

(d) 

Dr. Fabozzi, Ms. Egan, Dr. Kester, Ms. Lynch, Mr. Steinmetz and Mr. Perlowski are also trustees of the BlackRock Credit Strategies Fund and BlackRock Private Investments Fund.

(e)

Mr. Fairbairn and Mr. Perlowski are both “interested persons,” as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Fund based on their positions with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates. Mr. Fairbairn and Mr. Perlowski are also board members of the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex.

(f) 

Mr. Steinmetz is currently classified as a non-management interested Trustee based on his former directorship at another company that is not an affiliate of BlackRock, Inc. Mr. Steinmetz does not currently serve as an officer or employee of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates or own any securities of BlackRock, Inc. It is anticipated that Mr. Steinmetz will become an Independent Trustee effective January 19, 2024.

 

Officers Who Are Not Trustees(a)
     

Name

Year of Birth(b)

  

Position(s) Held

(Length of Service)

   Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

Jonathan Diorio

1980

  

Vice President

(Since 2015)

   Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2015; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2011 to 2015.

Trent Walker

1974

  

Chief Financial Officer

(Since 2021)

   Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since September 2019; Executive Vice President of PIMCO from 2016 to 2019; Senior Vice President of PIMCO from 2008 to 2015; Treasurer from 2013 to 2019 and Assistant Treasurer from 2007 to 2017 of PIMCO Funds, PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust, PIMCO ETF Trust, PIMCO Equity Series, PIMCO Equity Series VIT, PIMCO Managed Accounts Trust, 2 PIMCO-sponsored interval funds and 21 PIMCO-sponsored closed-end funds.

Jay M. Fife

1970

  

Treasurer

(Since 2007)

   Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2007.

Aaron Wasserman

1974

  

Chief Compliance Officer

(Since 2023)

   Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2018; Chief Compliance Officer of the BlackRock-advised funds in the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex, the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex and the iShares Complex since 2023; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer for the BlackRock-advised funds in the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex, the BlackRock Fixed- Income Complex and the iShares Complex from 2014 to 2023.

Janey Ahn

1975

  

Secretary

(Since 2012)

   Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2018; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2009 to 2017.

 

(a) 

The address of each Officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 50 Hudson Yards, New York, New York 10001.

(b) 

Officers of the Trust serve at the pleasure of the Board.

 

 

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Trustee and Officer Information (continued)

 

Further information about the BME’s, BST’s and BUI’s Trustees and Officers is available in the Trust’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained without charge by calling (800) 882-0052.

 

Effective July 1, 2023, Aaron Wasserman replaced Charles Park as Chief Compliance Officer of the Trusts.

Effective December 31, 2023, Frank Fabozzi retired as Trustee of the Trusts.

Effective January 19, 2024, Arthur Steinmetz became an Independent Trustee of the Trusts.

Effective June 15, 2023, Rosie Edwards became a portfolio manager of BGY. Ms. Edwards has been employed by BlackRock since 2019 and previously was employed by Berenberg.

Effective January 12, 2023, Misha Lozovik is no longer a portfolio manager of BIGZ.

Effective March 28, 2023, William Broadbent is no longer a portfolio manager of BIGZ.

Effective June 27, 2023, Jeff Lee is no longer a portfolio manager of BME.

Effective June 27, 2023, Jeff Lee is no longer a portfolio manager of BMEZ.

Effective September 14, 2023, Caroline Tall is no longer a portfolio manager of BST.

Effective September 14, 2023, Caroline Tall is no longer a portfolio manager of BSTZ.

Effective June 1, 2023, Lindsay Sinclair became a portfolio manager of BUI. Ms. Sinclair has been employed by BlackRock since 2016.

 

 

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Additional Information

 

Proxy Results

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on July 12, 2023 for shareholders of record on May 15, 2023, to elect trustee nominees for each Trust other than BIGZ and BMEZ. There were no broker non-votes with regard to any of the Trusts.

Shareholders elected the Class I Trustees as follows:

 

 

    
    Lorenzo A. Flores      R. Glenn Hubbard      John M. Perlowski      W. Carl Kester       
Trust Name   Votes For      Votes Withheld      Votes For      Votes Withheld      Votes For      Votes Withheld      Votes For      Votes Withheld        

 

 

BDJ

    141,029,718        5,692,272        141,033,404        5,688,586        141,229,386        5,492,604        140,804,103        5,917,887  

BGR

    21,897,595        1,003,784        21,885,807        1,015,572        21,930,670        970,709        21,929,931        971,448  

BOE

    48,035,270        5,950,023        49,144,505        4,840,788        49,182,140        4,803,153        49,141,586        4,843,707  

BME

    10,583,103        420,283        10,551,945        451,441        10,535,294        468,092        10,514,156        489,230  

BGY

    79,852,648        9,010,840        80,094,143        8,769,345        80,154,505        8,708,983        80,077,439        8,786,049  

BCX

    64,122,052        4,576,675        64,282,133        4,416,594        64,405,796        4,292,931        64,276,699        4,422,028  

BUI

    16,025,231        776,397        16,013,846        787,782        16,033,320        768,308        16,003,820        797,808  

BST

    24,651,506        810,676        24,528,089        934,093        24,577,536        884,646        24,530,482        931,700  

 

 

For the Trusts listed above, Trustees whose term of office continued after the Annual Meeting of Shareholders because they were not up for election are Cynthia L. Egan, Robert Fairbairn, Stayce D. Harris, J. Phillip Holloman, Catherine A. Lynch, and Frank J. Fabozzi.

Shareholders elected the Class I Trustees as follows:

 

 

    
    Cynthia L. Egan      Lorenzo A. Flores      Stayce D. Harris      Catherine A. Lynch     

  

Trust Name   Votes For      Votes Withheld      Votes For      Votes Withheld      Votes For      Votes Withheld      Votes For      Votes Withheld  

 

 

BSTZ

    60,142,236        4,095,890        59,916,192        4,321,934        60,190,111        4,048,015        60,006,494        4,231,632  

CII

    33,835,792        1,644,311        33,878,479        1,601,624        33,959,360        1,520,743        34,009,819        1,470,284  

 

    

For the Trusts listed above, Trustees whose term of office continued after the Annual Meeting of Shareholders because they were not up for election are Robert Fairbairn, J. Phillip Holloman, R. Glenn Hubbard, John M. Perlowski, Frank J. Fabozzi and W. Carl Kester.

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on July 11, 2023 for shareholders of record on May 12, 2023, to elect trustee nominees for BMEZ. There were no broker non-votes with regard to the Trust.

Shareholders elected the Class I Trustees as follows:

 

 

    
    Cynthia L. Egan      Lorenzo A. Flores      Stayce D. Harris      Catherine A. Lynch          
Trust Name   Votes For      Votes Withheld      Votes For      Votes Withheld      Votes For      Votes Withheld      Votes For      Votes Withheld  

 

    

BMEZ

    91,085,783        5,702,510        91,302,495        5,485,798        91,510,395        5,277,898        90,904,258        5,884,035     

 

    

For the Trust listed above, Trustees whose term of office continued after the Annual Meeting of Shareholders because they were not up for election are Robert Fairbairn, J. Phillip Holloman, R. Glenn Hubbard, John M. Perlowski, Frank J. Fabozzi and W. Carl Kester.

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of BIGZ (the “Meeting”) was called for July 10, 2023 for shareholders of record on May 12, 2023 to consider and vote on a proposal to elect four Class I Trustees. The Board of Trustees of BIGZ (the “Board”) nominated four nominees who currently serve as Class I Trustees. A hedge fund managed by Saba Capital Management, L.P. (“Saba”) also nominated four nominees. The Meeting was adjourned to July 25, 2023 and further adjourned to August 7, 2023 to seek additional shareholder participation. A quorum of shareholders required to conduct business at the Meeting was not obtained.

The ballots and proxies received by First Coast Results, Inc., the independent Inspector of Election of the Meeting, reflected votes with respect to the nominees as follows:

Board Nominees/Incumbent Trustees

 

 

 
    Cynthia L. Egan      Lorenzo A. Flores      Stayce D. Harris  
Trust Name   Votes For      Votes Against      Abstain      Votes For      Votes Against      Abstain      Votes For      Votes Against      Abstain  

 

 

BIGZ

    32,261,222        4,432,605        3,479,799        32,207,921        4,478,253        3,487,452        32,073,881        4,531,170        3,568,575  

 

 
                         

 

                   
    Catherine A. Lynch                                            
Trust Name   Votes For      Votes Against      Abstain                                            

 

                   

BIGZ

    32,254,080        4,374,506        3,545,040                    

 

                   

 

 

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Additional Information  (continued)

 

Saba Nominees(a)

 

 

 
    Ravi Bhasin      Ilya Gurevich      Richard Thiemann  
Trust Name    Votes For     Votes Against       Abstain       Votes For      Votes Against       Abstain       Votes For      Votes Against       Abstain  

 

 

BIGZ

    0       0        0        0        0        0        0        0        0  

 

 
                        

 

                   
   

  Emmanuel

Werthenschlag

                            
 

 

 

                   
Trust Name    Votes For     Votes Against       Abstain                                            

 

                   

BIGZ

    0       0        0                    

 

                   

 

  (a) 

Saba did not submit for voting any shares held directly or for other shareholders who authorized Saba via proxy to vote on their behalf. A quorum of shareholders required to conduct business at the Meeting was not obtained.

 

Because a quorum was not obtained to conduct business at the Meeting, each incumbent Class I Trustee listed above will continue to serve on the Board of BIGZ as a “holdover” Trustee until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified.

The Trustees of BIGZ whose term of office continued after the Meeting because they were not up for election are Frank J. Fabozzi, Robert Fairbairn, J. Phillip Holloman, R. Glenn Hubbard, W. Carl Kester and John M. Perlowski.

Trust Certification

The Trusts are listed for trading on the NYSE and have filed with the NYSE their annual chief executive officer certification regarding compliance with the NYSE’s listing standards. The Trusts filed with the SEC the certification of its chief executive officer and chief financial officer required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Integration

Although the Trusts do not seek to implement a specific sustainability objective, strategy or process unless otherwise disclosed, Trust management will consider ESG factors as part of the investment process for the Trusts. Trust management views ESG integration as the practice of incorporating financially material ESG data or information into investment processes with the objective of enhancing risk-adjusted returns. These ESG considerations will vary depending on the Trusts’ particular investment strategies and may include consideration of third-party research as well as consideration of proprietary BlackRock research across the ESG risks and opportunities regarding an issuer. The ESG characteristics utilized in the Trusts’ investment process are anticipated to evolve over time and one or more characteristics may not be relevant with respect to all issuers that are eligible for investment. Certain of these considerations may affect the Trusts’ exposure to certain companies or industries. While Trust management views ESG considerations as having the potential to contribute to the Trusts’ long-term performance, there is no guarantee that such results will be achieved.

Dividend Policy

Each Trust’s policy is to make monthly distributions to shareholders. In order to provide shareholders with a more stable level of dividend distributions, each Trust employs a managed distribution plan (the “Plan”), the goal of which is to provide shareholders with consistent and predictable cash flows by setting distribution rates based on expected long-term returns of each Trust.

The distributions paid by each Trust for any particular month may be more or less than the amount of net investment income earned by each Trust during such month. Furthermore, the final tax characterization of distributions is determined after the year-end of a Trust and is reported in each Trust’s annual report to shareholders. Distributions can be characterized as ordinary income, capital gains and/or return of capital. Each Trust’s taxable net investment income and net realized capital gains (“taxable income”) may not be sufficient to support the level of distributions paid. To the extent that distributions exceed the Trust’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess may be treated as a non-taxable return of capital.

A return of capital is a return of a portion of an investor’s original investment. A return of capital is not expected to be taxable, but it reduces a shareholder’s tax basis in his or her shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent disposition by the shareholder of his or her shares. It is possible that a substantial portion of the distributions paid during a calendar year may ultimately be classified as return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes when the final determination of the source and character of the distributions is made.

Such distributions, under certain circumstances, may exceed a Trust’s total return performance. When total distributions exceed total return performance for the period, the difference reduces the Trust’s total assets and net asset value (“NAV”) per share and, therefore, could have the effect of increasing the Trust’s expense ratio and reducing the amount of assets the Trust has available for long term investment.

General Information

The Trusts, other than BDJ, BME, BST and BUI, do not make available copies of their Statements of Additional Information because the Trusts’ shares, other than BDJ, BME, BST and BUI, are not continuously offered, which means that the Statement of Additional Information of each Trust, other than BDJ, BME, BST and BUI, has not been updated after completion of the respective Trust’s offerings and the information contained in each Trust’s Statement of Additional Information may have become outdated.

BDJ’s, BME’s, BST’s and BUI’s Statements of Additional Information include additional information about the Board and are available, without charge upon request by calling (800)882-0052.

 

 

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Additional Information  (continued)

 

General Information (continued)

The following information is a summary of certain changes since December 31, 2022. This information may not reflect all of the changes that have occurred since you purchased the relevant Trust.

Except if noted otherwise herein, there were no changes to the Trusts’ charters or by-laws that would delay or prevent a change of control of the Trusts that were not approved by the shareholders. Except if noted otherwise herein, there have been no changes in the persons who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Trusts’ portfolios.

In accordance with Section 23(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, each Trust may from time to time purchase shares of its common stock in the open market or in private transactions.

Quarterly performance, semi-annual and annual reports, current net asset value and other information regarding the Trusts may be found on BlackRock’s website, which can be accessed at blackrock.com. Any reference to BlackRock’s website in this report is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Trusts and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRock’s website in this report.

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications of quarterly statements, annual and semi-annual shareholder reports and, for BDJ, BME, BST and BUI only, prospectuses, by enrolling in the electronic delivery program. Electronic copies of shareholder reports and, for BDJ, BME, BST and BUI only, prospectuses, are available on BlackRock’s website.

To enroll in electronic delivery:

Shareholders Who Hold Accounts with Investment Advisers, Banks or Brokerages:

Please contact your financial adviser. Please note that not all investment advisers, banks or brokerages may offer this service.

Householding

The Trusts will mail only one copy of shareholder documents, including for BDJ, BME, BST and BUI only, prospectuses, annual and semi-annual reports, Rule 30e-3 notices and proxy statements, to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is commonly called “householding” and is intended to reduce expenses and eliminate duplicate mailings of shareholder documents. Mailings of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please call the Trusts at (800) 882-0052.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Trusts file their complete schedules of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Trusts’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Additionally, each Trust makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at blackrock.com/fundreports.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies, Procedures and Voting Records

A description of the policies and procedures that the Trusts use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities and information about how the Trusts voted proxies relating to securities held in the Trusts’ portfolios during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request (1) by calling (800) 882-0052; (2) on the BlackRock website at blackrock.com; and (3) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

Availability of Trust Updates

BlackRock will update performance and certain other data for the Trusts on a monthly basis on its website in the “Closed-end Funds” section of blackrock.com as well as certain other material information as necessary from time to time. Investors and others are advised to check the website for updated performance information and the release of other material information about the Trusts. This reference to BlackRock’s website is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Trusts and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRock’s website in this report.

Shelf Offering Program

From time to time, BDJ, BME, BST and BUI may seek to raise additional equity capital through a Shelf Offering. In a Shelf Offering, BDJ, BME, BST and BUI may, subject to market conditions, raise additional equity capital by issuing new Common Shares from time to time in varying amounts at a net price at or above BDJ’s, BME’s, BST’s and BUI’s net asset value (“NAV”) per Common Share (calculated within 48 hours of pricing). While any such Shelf Offering may allow BDJ, BME, BST and BUI to pursue additional investment opportunities without the need to sell existing portfolio investments, it could also entail risks – including that the issuance of additional Common Shares may limit the extent to which the Common Shares are able to trade at a premium to NAV in the secondary market.

BDJ, BME, BST and BUI filed final prospectuses with the SEC in connection with its Shelf Offering on June 2, 2023, April 26, 2022, May 10, 2022 and March 10, 2022, respectively. This report and the prospectuses of BDJ, BME, BST and BUI are not offers to sell BDJ, BME, BST and BUI Common Shares or solicitations of an offer to buy BDJ, BME, BST and BUI Common Shares in any jurisdiction where such offers or sales are not permitted. The prospectuses of BDJ, BME, BST and BUI contains important

 

 

224  

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Additional Information  (continued)

 

information about BDJ, BME, BST and BUI, including their investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. Investors are urged to read the prospectuses of BDJ, BME, BST and BUI carefully and in their entirety before investing. Copies of the final prospectuses for BDJ, BME, BST and BUI can be obtained from BlackRock at blackrock.com.

BlackRock Privacy Principles

BlackRock is committed to maintaining the privacy of its current and former fund investors and individual clients (collectively, “Clients”) and to safeguarding their non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information BlackRock collects, how we protect that information and why in certain cases we share such information with select parties.

If you are located in a jurisdiction where specific laws, rules or regulations require BlackRock to provide you with additional or different privacy-related rights beyond what is set forth below, then BlackRock will comply with those specific laws, rules or regulations.

BlackRock obtains or verifies personal non-public information from and about you from different sources, including the following: (i) information we receive from you or, if applicable, your financial intermediary, on applications, forms or other documents; (ii) information about your transactions with us, our affiliates, or others; (iii) information we receive from a consumer reporting agency; and (iv) from visits to our websites.

BlackRock does not sell or disclose to non-affiliated third parties any non-public personal information about its Clients, except as permitted by law or as is necessary to respond to regulatory requests or to service Client accounts. These non-affiliated third parties are required to protect the confidentiality and security of this information and to use it only for its intended purpose.

We may share information with our affiliates to service your account or to provide you with information about other BlackRock products or services that may be of interest to you. In addition, BlackRock restricts access to non-public personal information about its Clients to those BlackRock employees with a legitimate business need for the information. BlackRock maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that are designed to protect the non-public personal information of its Clients, including procedures relating to the proper storage and disposal of such information.

Trust and Service Providers

 

Investment Adviser

 

(a) For BGR, BOE, BGY, BCX and BUI.

BlackRock Advisors, LLC

 

(b) For BDJ, BME, BST and BUI.

Wilmington, DE 19809

 
 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Sub-Adviser

 

Deloitte & Touche LLP

BlackRock International Limited(a)

 

Boston, MA 02116

Edinburgh, EH3 8BL

 

United Kingdom

 

Legal Counsel

 

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

Accounting Agent and Custodian

 

New York, NY 10019

State Street Bank and Trust Company

 

Boston, MA 02114

 

Address of the Trusts

 

100 Bellevue Parkway

Transfer Agent

 

Wilmington, DE 19809

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

 

Canton, MA 02021

 

Distributor

 

BlackRock Investments, LLC(b)

 

New York, NY 10001

 

 

 

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Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Currency Abbreviation
AUD    Australian Dollar
BRL    Brazilian Real
CAD    Canadian Dollar
CHF    Swiss Franc
DKK    Danish Krone
EUR    Euro
GBP    British Pound
HKD    Hong Kong Dollar
JPY    Japanese Yen
KRW    South Korean Won
MXN    Mexican Peso
NOK    Norwegian Krone
SEK    Swedish Krona
SGD    Singapore Dollar
TWD    New Taiwan Dollar
USD    United States Dollar
Portfolio Abbreviation
ADR    American Depositary Receipt
CVR    Contingent Value Right
GDR    Global Depositary Receipt
JSC    Joint Stock Company
LP    Limited Partnership
PJSC    Public Joint Stock Company
REIT    Real Estate Investment Trust
S&P    Standard & Poor’s
SAB    Special Assessment Bonds

 

 

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THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.


 

 

 

 

 

 

Want to know more?

blackrock.com  |  800-882-0052

This report is intended for current holders. It is not a prospectus. Past performance results shown in this report should not be considered a representation of future performance. Statements and other information herein are as dated and are subject to change.

CEF-BK9-12/23-AR

 

 

LOGO

  

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(b) Not Applicable


Item 2 –

Code of Ethics – The registrant (or the “Fund”) has adopted a code of ethics, as of the end of the period covered by this report, applicable to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. During the period covered by this report, the code of ethics was amended to update certain information and to make other non-material changes. During the period covered by this report, there have been no waivers granted under the code of ethics. The registrant undertakes to provide a copy of the code of ethics to any person upon request, without charge, who calls 1-800-882-0052, option 4.

 

Item 3 –

Audit Committee Financial Expert – The registrant’s board of directors (the “board of directors”), has determined that (i) the registrant has the following audit committee financial experts serving on its audit committee and (ii) each audit committee financial expert is independent:

Frank J. Fabozzi

Lorenzo A. Flores

Catherine A. Lynch

Under applicable securities laws, a person determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an “expert” for any purpose, including without limitation for the purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities greater than the duties, obligations, and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and board of directors in the absence of such designation or identification. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not affect the duties, obligations, or liability of any other member of the audit committee or board of directors.

 

Item 4 –

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The following table presents fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP (“D&T”) in each of the last two fiscal years for the services rendered to the Fund:

 

     (a) Audit Fees    (b) Audit-Related
Fees1
   (c) Tax Fees2    (d) All Other Fees
Entity Name   Current
Fiscal
Year
End
  

Previous

Fiscal

Year

End

   Current
Fiscal
Year
End
  

Previous
Fiscal

Year

End

  

Current
Fiscal

Year

End

  

Previous
Fiscal

Year

End

  

Current
Fiscal

Year

End

  

Previous
Fiscal

Year

End

BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust   $51,510    $49,572    $0    $0    $17,648    $16,200    $407    $431

The following table presents fees billed by D&T that were required to be approved by the registrant’s audit committee (the “Committee”) for services that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the Fund and that are rendered on behalf of BlackRock Advisors, LLC ( the “Investment Adviser” or “BlackRock”) and entities controlling, controlled by, or under common control with BlackRock (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser) that provide ongoing services to the Fund (“Affiliated Service Providers”):

 

2


     Current Fiscal Year End    Previous Fiscal Year End 

(b) Audit-Related Fees1

  $0   $0

(c) Tax Fees2

  $0   $0

(d) All Other Fees3

  $2,154,000   $2,098,000

1 The nature of the services includes assurance and related services reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of financial statements not included in Audit Fees, including accounting consultations, agreed-upon procedure reports, attestation reports, comfort letters, out-of-pocket expenses and internal control reviews not required by regulators.

2 The nature of the services includes tax compliance and/or tax preparation, including services relating to the filing or amendment of federal, state or local income tax returns, regulated investment company qualification reviews, taxable income and tax distribution calculations.

3 Non-audit fees of $2,154,000 and $2,098,000 for the current fiscal year and previous fiscal year, respectively, were paid to the Fund’s principal accountant in their entirety by BlackRock, in connection with services provided to the Affiliated Service Providers of the Fund and of certain other funds sponsored and advised by BlackRock or its affiliates for a service organization review and an accounting research tool subscription. These amounts represent aggregate fees paid by BlackRock and were not allocated on a per fund basis.

(e)(1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures:

The Committee has adopted policies and procedures with regard to the pre-approval of services. Audit, audit-related and tax compliance services provided to the registrant on an annual basis require specific pre-approval by the Committee. The Committee also must approve other non-audit services provided to the registrant and those non-audit services provided to the Investment Adviser and Affiliated Service Providers that relate directly to the operations and the financial reporting of the registrant. Certain of these non-audit services that the Committee believes are (a) consistent with the SEC’s auditor independence rules and (b) routine and recurring services that will not impair the independence of the independent accountants may be approved by the Committee without consideration on a specific case-by-case basis (“general pre-approval”). The term of any general pre-approval is 12 months from the date of the pre-approval, unless the Committee provides for a different period. Tax or other non-audit services provided to the registrant which have a direct impact on the operations or financial reporting of the registrant will only be deemed pre-approved provided that any individual project does not exceed $10,000 attributable to the registrant or $50,000 per project. For this purpose, multiple projects will be aggregated to determine if they exceed the previously mentioned cost levels.

Any proposed services exceeding the pre-approved cost levels will require specific pre-approval by the Committee, as will any other services not subject to general pre-approval (e.g., unanticipated but permissible services). The Committee is informed of each service approved subject to general pre-approval at the next regularly scheduled in-person board meeting. At this meeting, an analysis of such services is presented to the Committee for ratification. The Committee may delegate to the Committee Chairman the authority to approve the provision of and fees for any specific engagement of permitted non-audit services, including services exceeding pre-approved cost levels.

(e)(2) None of the services described in each of Items 4(b) through (d) were approved by the Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception in paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

(f) Not Applicable

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees, defined as the sum of the fees shown under “Audit-Related Fees,”

 

3


“Tax Fees” and “All Other Fees,” paid to the accountant for services rendered by the accountant to the registrant, the Investment Adviser and the Affiliated Service Providers were:

 

Entity Name   

Current Fiscal Year

End

   Previous Fiscal
Year
 End
BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust    $18,055    $16,631

Additionally, the amounts billed by D&T in connection with services provided to the Affiliated Service Providers of the Fund and of other funds sponsored or advised by BlackRock or its affiliates during the current and previous fiscal years for a service organization review and an accounting research tool subscription were:

 

Current Fiscal Year

End

 

Previous Fiscal Year

End

$2,154,000

  $2,098,000

These amounts represent aggregate fees paid by BlackRock and were not allocated on a per fund basis.

(h) The Committee has considered and determined that the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the Investment Adviser, and the Affiliated Service Providers that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

(i) – Not Applicable

(j) – Not Applicable

 

Item 5 –

Audit Committee of Listed Registrant

(a) The following individuals are members of the registrant’s separately designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(58)(A)):

Frank J. Fabozzi

Lorenzo A. Flores

J. Phillip Holloman

Catherine A. Lynch

(b) Not Applicable

 

Item 6 –

Investments

(a) The registrant’s Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1(a) of this Form.

 

4


(b) Not Applicable due to no such divestments during the semi-annual period covered since the previous Form N-CSR filing.

 

Item 7 –

Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies – The board of directors has delegated the voting of proxies for the Fund’s portfolio securities to the Investment Adviser pursuant to the Investment Adviser’s proxy voting guidelines. Under these guidelines, the Investment Adviser will vote proxies related to Fund securities in the best interests of the Fund and its stockholders. From time to time, a vote may present a conflict between the interests of the Fund’s stockholders, on the one hand, and those of the Investment Adviser, or any affiliated person of the Fund or the Investment Adviser, on the other. In such event, provided that the Investment Adviser’s Equity Investment Policy Oversight Committee, or a sub-committee thereof (the “Oversight Committee”) is aware of the real or potential conflict or material non-routine matter and if the Oversight Committee does not reasonably believe it is able to follow its general voting guidelines (or if the particular proxy matter is not addressed in the guidelines) and vote impartially, the Oversight Committee may retain an independent fiduciary to advise the Oversight Committee on how to vote or to cast votes on behalf of the Investment Adviser’s clients. If the Investment Adviser determines not to retain an independent fiduciary, or does not desire to follow the advice of such independent fiduciary, the Oversight Committee shall determine how to vote the proxy after consulting with the Investment Adviser’s Portfolio Management Group and/or the Investment Adviser’s Legal and Compliance Department and concluding that the vote cast is in its client’s best interest notwithstanding the conflict. A copy of the Fund’s Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures are attached as Exhibit 99.PROXYPOL, a copy of the Fund’s Global Corporate Governance  & Engagement Principles are attached as Exhibit 99.GLOBAL.CORP.GOV and a copy of the Fund’s Corporate Governance and Proxy Voting Guidelines for U.S. Securities are attached as Exhibit 99.US.CORP.GOV. Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, (i) at www.blackrock.com and (ii) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

Item 8 –

Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies

(a)(1) As of the date of filing this Report:

The registrant is managed by a team of investment professionals comprised of Kyle G. McClements, CFA, Managing Director at BlackRock, Christopher Accettella, Director at BlackRock, Olivia Treharne, CFA, Managing Director at BlackRock, Molly Greenen, CFA, Director at BlackRock and Rosie Edwards, Director at BlackRock. Messrs. McClements and Accettella and Mses. Treharne, Greenen and Edwards are the Fund’s portfolio managers and are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio and the selection of its investments. Messrs. McClements and Accettella and Mses. Treharne, Greenen and Edwards have been members of the Fund’s portfolio management team since 2005, 2012, 2020, 2022 and 2023 respectively.

 

   

 Portfolio Manager  

 

 

Biography

 

 

5


   
Kyle G. McClements, CFA    Managing Director of BlackRock since 2009; Director of BlackRock from 2006 to 2008; Vice President of BlackRock in 2005; Vice President of State Street Research & Management from 2004 to 2005.
   
Christopher Accettella    Director of BlackRock since 2008; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. from 2005 to 2008.
   
Olivia Treharne, CFA    Managing Director of BlackRock since 2024; Director of BlackRock from 2019 to 2023; Vice President of Legal & General Investment Management from 2015 to 2019; Associate of Goldman Sachs from 2013 to 2015; Analyst of Goldman Sachs from 2010 to 2013.
   
Molly Greenen, CFA    Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2022; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. from 2018 to 2021; Associate of BlackRock, Inc. from 2016 to 2017; Analyst of BlackRock, Inc. from 2013 to 2015.
   
Rosie Edwards    Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2019; Executive Director of Berenberg from 2017 to 2019; Vice President of Berenberg from 2016 to 2017; Vice President of Goldman Sachs from 2012 to 2016; Associate of Goldman Sachs from 2009 to 2012.

(a)(2) As of December 31, 2023:

 

     (ii) Number of Other Accounts Managed
and Assets by Account Type
   (iii) Number of Other Accounts and
Assets for Which Advisory Fee is
Performance-Based

(i) Name of

Portfolio Manager

 

Other

Registered

Investment

Companies

  

Other Pooled

Investment

Vehicles

  

Other

Accounts

  

Other

Registered

Investment

Companies

  

Other Pooled

Investment

Vehicles

  

Other

Accounts

Kyle G. McClements, CFA

  16    11    1    0    0    0
    $15.45 Billion    $2.55 Billion    $469.5 Million    $0    $0    $0

Christopher Accettella

  16    7    0    0    0    0
    $15.45 Billion    $1.94 Billion    $0    $0    $0    $0

Olivia Treharne, CFA

  6    11    2    0    0    1
    $3.66 Billion    $3.59 Billion    $1.45 Billion    $0    $0    $1.37 Billion

Molly Greenen, CFA

  6    10    2    0    0    1
    $3.66 Billion    $3.59 Billion    $1.45 Billion    $0    $0    $1.37 Billion

Rosie Edwards

  1    0    0    0    0    0
    $750.2 Million    $0    $0    $0    $0    $0

(iv) Portfolio Manager Potential Material Conflicts of Interest

BlackRock has built a professional working environment, firm-wide compliance culture and compliance procedures and systems designed to protect against potential incentives that may favor one account over another. BlackRock has adopted policies and procedures that address the allocation of investment opportunities, execution of portfolio transactions, personal trading by employees and other potential conflicts of interest that are designed to ensure that all client accounts are treated equitably over

 

6


time. Nevertheless, BlackRock furnishes investment management and advisory services to numerous clients in addition to the Fund, and BlackRock may, consistent with applicable law, make investment recommendations to other clients or accounts (including accounts which are hedge funds or have performance or higher fees paid to BlackRock, or in which portfolio managers have a personal interest in the receipt of such fees), which may be the same as or different from those made to the Fund. In addition, BlackRock, Inc., its affiliates and significant shareholders and any officer, director, shareholder or employee may or may not have an interest in the securities whose purchase and sale BlackRock recommends to the Fund. BlackRock, Inc., or any of its affiliates or significant shareholders, or any officer, director, shareholder, employee or any member of their families may take different actions than those recommended to the Fund by BlackRock with respect to the same securities. Moreover, BlackRock may refrain from rendering any advice or services concerning securities of companies of which any of BlackRock, Inc.’s (or its affiliates’ or significant shareholders’) officers, directors or employees are directors or officers, or companies as to which BlackRock, Inc. or any of its affiliates or significant shareholders or the officers, directors and employees of any of them has any substantial economic interest or possesses material non-public information. Certain portfolio managers also may manage accounts whose investment strategies may at times be opposed to the strategy utilized for a fund. It should also be noted that Mses. Treharne and Greenen may be managing hedge fund and/or long only accounts, or may be part of a team managing hedge fund and/or long only accounts, subject to incentive fees. Mses. Treharne and Greenen may therefore be entitled to receive a portion of any incentive fees earned on such accounts.

As a fiduciary, BlackRock owes a duty of loyalty to its clients and must treat each client fairly. When BlackRock purchases or sells securities for more than one account, the trades must be allocated in a manner consistent with its fiduciary duties. BlackRock attempts to allocate investments in a fair and equitable manner among client accounts, with no account receiving preferential treatment. To this end, BlackRock, Inc. has adopted policies that are intended to ensure reasonable efficiency in client transactions and provide BlackRock with sufficient flexibility to allocate investments in a manner that is consistent with the particular investment discipline and client base, as appropriate.

(a)(3) As of December 31, 2023:

Portfolio Manager Compensation Overview

The discussion below describes the portfolio managers’ compensation as of December 31, 2023.

BlackRock’s financial arrangements with its portfolio managers, its competitive compensation and its career path emphasis at all levels reflect the value senior management places on key resources. Compensation may include a variety of components and may vary from year to year based on a number of factors. The principal components of compensation include a base salary, a performance-based discretionary bonus, participation in various benefits programs and one or more of the incentive compensation programs established by BlackRock.

Base Compensation. Generally, portfolio managers receive base compensation based on their position with the firm.

Discretionary Incentive Compensation- Mses. Treharne, Greenen and Edwards

 

7


Generally, discretionary incentive compensation for Fundamental Equities portfolio managers is based on a formulaic compensation program. BlackRock’s formulaic portfolio manager compensation program is based on team revenue and pre-tax investment performance relative to appropriate competitors or benchmarks over 1-, 3- and 5-year performance periods, as applicable. In most cases, these benchmarks are the same as the benchmark or benchmarks against which the performance of the funds or other accounts managed by the portfolio managers are measured. BlackRock’s Chief Investment Officers determine the benchmarks or rankings against which the performance of funds and other accounts managed by each portfolio management team is compared and the period of time over which performance is evaluated. With respect to these portfolio managers, such benchmarks for the Fund and other accounts are:

 

Portfolio Manager   Benchmarks
Rosie Edwards   MSCI ACWI ex US

Molly Greenen, CFA  

Olivia Treharne, CFA

  70% MS_ACWNXUS / 30% LIBOR_3MO; 70% MSACWLDNET / 30% LIBOR_3MO Index; MSCI ACWI HIGH DIVIDEND YIELD - NET USD; MSCI All Country World Index (Net Total Return); MSCI All Country World Net TR Index; MSCI All Country World Net TR Index - in GBP; MSCI World Ex Japan Gross TR Index - in JPY

A smaller element of portfolio manager discretionary compensation may include consideration of: financial results, expense control, profit margins, strategic planning and implementation, quality of client service, market share, corporate reputation, capital allocation, compliance and risk control, leadership, technology and innovation. These factors are considered collectively by BlackRock management and the relevant Chief Investment Officers.

Discretionary Incentive Compensation - Messrs. Accettella and McClements

Discretionary incentive compensation is a function of several components: the performance of BlackRock, Inc., the performance of the portfolio manager’s group within BlackRock, the investment performance, including risk-adjusted returns, of the firm’s assets or strategies under management or supervision by that portfolio manager, and/or the individual’s performance and contribution to the overall performance of these portfolios and BlackRock. Among other things, BlackRock’s Chief Investment Officers make a subjective determination with respect to each portfolio manager’s compensation based on the performance of the Funds, other accounts or strategies managed by each portfolio manager. Performance is generally measured on a pre-tax basis over various time periods including 1-, 3- and 5- year periods, as applicable. The performance of some funds, other accounts or strategies may not be measured against a specific benchmark.

Distribution of Discretionary Incentive Compensation. Discretionary incentive compensation is distributed to portfolio managers in a combination of cash, deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards, and/or deferred cash awards that notionally track the return of certain BlackRock investment products.

Portfolio managers receive their annual discretionary incentive compensation in the form of cash. Portfolio managers whose total compensation is above a specified threshold also receive deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards annually as part of their discretionary incentive compensation. Paying a portion of

 

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discretionary incentive compensation in the form of deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock puts compensation earned by a portfolio manager for a given year “at risk” based on BlackRock’s ability to sustain and improve its performance over future periods. In some cases, additional deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock may be granted to certain key employees as part of a long-term incentive award to aid in retention, align interests with long-term shareholders and motivate performance. Deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards are generally granted in the form of BlackRock, Inc. restricted stock units that vest pursuant to the terms of the applicable plan and, once vested, settle in BlackRock, Inc. common stock. The portfolio managers of this Fund have deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards.

For certain portfolio managers, a portion of the discretionary incentive compensation is also distributed in the form of deferred cash awards that notionally track the returns of select BlackRock investment products they manage, which provides direct alignment of portfolio manager discretionary incentive compensation with investment product results. Deferred cash awards vest ratably over a number of years and, once vested, settle in the form of cash. Only portfolio managers who manage specified products and whose total compensation is above a specified threshold are eligible to participate in the deferred cash award program.

Other Compensation Benefits. In addition to base salary and discretionary incentive compensation, portfolio managers may be eligible to receive or participate in one or more of the following:

Incentive Savings Plans — BlackRock, Inc. has created a variety of incentive savings plans in which BlackRock, Inc. employees are eligible to participate, including a 401(k) plan, the BlackRock Retirement Savings Plan (RSP), and the BlackRock Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). The employer contribution components of the RSP include a company match equal to 50% of the first 8% of eligible pay contributed to the plan capped at $5,000 per year, and a company retirement contribution equal to 3-5% of eligible compensation up to the Internal Revenue Service limit ($330,000 for 2023). The RSP offers a range of investment options, including registered investment companies and collective investment funds managed by the firm. BlackRock, Inc. contributions follow the investment direction set by participants for their own contributions or, absent participant investment direction, are invested into a target date fund that corresponds to, or is closest to, the year in which the participant attains age 65. The ESPP allows for investment in BlackRock, Inc. common stock at a 5% discount on the fair market value of the stock on the purchase date. Annual participation in the ESPP is limited to the purchase of 1,000 shares of common stock or a dollar value of $25,000 based on its fair market value on the purchase date. Messrs. McClements and Accettella are eligible to participate in these plans.

United Kingdom-based portfolio managers are also eligible to participate in broad-based plans offered generally to BlackRock employees, including broad-based retirement, health and other employee benefit plans. For example, BlackRock has created a variety of incentive savings plans in which BlackRock employees are eligible to participate, including the BlackRock Retirement Savings Plan (RSP) and the BlackRock Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). The employer contribution to the RSP is between 10% and 15% of eligible pay capped at £160,000 per annum. The RSP offers a range of investment options, including several collective investment funds managed by the firm. BlackRock contributions follow the investment direction set by participants for their own contributions or, in the absence of an investment election being made, are invested into a target date fund that corresponds to, or is closest to, the year in which the participant attains age 65. The ESPP allows for investment in BlackRock common stock at a 5% discount on the fair market value of the stock on the purchase date. Annual participation in the ESPP is limited to the

 

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purchase of 1,000 shares of common stock or a US dollar value of $25,000 based on its fair market value on the purchase date. Mses. Treharne, Greenen and Edwards are eligible to participate in these plans.

(a)(4) Beneficial Ownership of Securities – As of December 31, 2023.

 

Portfolio Manager   

Dollar Range of Equity Securities

of the Fund Beneficially Owned

Kyle G. McClements, CFA    $10,001 - $50,000
Christopher Accettella    $10,001 - $50,000
Olivia Treharne, CFA    $10,001 - $50,000
Molly Greenen, CFA    $10,001 - $50,000
Rosie Edwards    None

(c) Not Applicable

 

Item 9 –

Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers

 

Period  

(a) Total

Number

of Shares

Purchased1

 

(b) Average

Price Paid

per Share

 

(c) Total Number of

Shares Purchased as Part

of Publicly Announced

Plans or Programs1

 

(d) Maximum Number of

Shares that May Yet Be

Purchased Under the

Plans or Programs1

July 1-31, 2023

  233,300   $5.4992   233,300   3,533,742

August 1-31, 2023

  245,140   $5.2135   245,140   3,288,602

September 1-30, 2023

  182,370   $5.0177   182,370   3,106,232

October 1-31, 2023

  191,647   $4.7988   191,647   2,914,585

November 1-30, 2023

  251,096   $5.1260   251,096   2,663,489

December 1-31, 2023

  0   $-   0   5,013,592

Total:

  1,103,553   5.1496   1,103,553   5,013,592

1 On September 8, 2022, the Fund announced a continuation of its open market share repurchase program. Commencing on December 1, 2022, the Fund may repurchase through November 30, 2023, up to 5% of its common shares outstanding as of the close of business on November 30, 2022, subject to certain conditions. On November 15, 2023, the Fund announced a further continuation of its open market share repurchase program. Commencing on December 1, 2023, the Fund may repurchase through November 30, 2024, up to 5% of its common shares outstanding as of the close of business on November 30, 2023, subject to certain conditions.

 

Item 10 –

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders – There have been no material changes to these procedures.

 

Item 11 –

Controls and Procedures

 

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

(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 12 –

Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies – Not Applicable

 

Item 13 –

Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation – Not Applicable

 

Item 14 –

Exhibits attached hereto

(a)(1) Code of Ethics – See Item 2

(a)(2) Section 302 Certifications are attached

(a)(3) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 – Not Applicable

(a)(4) Change in Registrant’s independent public accountant – Not Applicable

(b) Section 906 Certifications are attached

(c) Notices to the registrant’s common shareholders in accordance with the order under Section  6(c) of the 1940 Act granting an exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 under the 1940 Act, dated May 9, 20091

 

 

1 The Fund has received exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission permitting it to make periodic distributions of long-term capital gains with respect to its outstanding common stock as frequently as twelve times each year, and as frequently as distributions are specified by or in accordance with the terms of its outstanding preferred stock. This relief is conditioned, in part, on an undertaking by the Fund to make the disclosures to the holders of the Fund’s common shares, in addition to the information required by Section 19(a) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19a-1 thereunder. The Fund is likewise obligated to file with the SEC the information contained in any such notice to shareholders and, in that regard, has attached hereto copies of each such notice made during the period.

 

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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 Enhanced International Dividend Trust

 

   By:   

/s/ John M. Perlowski       

     John M. Perlowski
     Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of
     BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust

Date: February 23, 2024

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

   By:   

/s/ John M. Perlowski       

     John M. Perlowski
     Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of
     BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust

Date: February 23, 2024

 

   By:   

/s/ Trent Walker         

     Trent Walker
     Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of
     BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust

Date: February 23, 2024

 

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