-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Gqs+w78iD2VbX9aQ2UrhV0ab9xCGrk+gmV/Sj9N0wU6TUj5pJLFRqlvj2zc6VYP/ mUiCbJQu/9/rmpT6ah/vSw== 0000930413-99-001548.txt : 19991230 0000930413-99-001548.hdr.sgml : 19991230 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000930413-99-001548 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: N-30D PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19991031 FILED AS OF DATE: 19991229 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: BLACKROCK BROAD INVESTMENT GRADE 2009 TERM TRUST INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000892789 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: [] STATE OF INCORPORATION: MD FISCAL YEAR END: 1031 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: N-30D SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 811-07250 FILM NUMBER: 99782333 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 345 PARK AVE CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10154 BUSINESS PHONE: 2127132848 N-30D 1 ANNUAL REPORT - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE BLACKROCK BROAD INVESTMENT GRADE 2009 TERM TRUST INC. ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS REPORT OF INVESTMENT ADVISER - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 30, 1999 Dear Shareholder: After easing monetary policy three times during the fourth quarter of 1998, the Federal Reserve reversed its trend by raising the Fed funds target rate 75 basis points (to 5.50%) over the course of 1999 in response to robust GDP, low unemployment and rising equity prices. U.S. Treasury yields rose significantly during the past twelve months, with the yield of the 30-year Treasury rising above 6.00% for the first time since May 1998. Despite the rise in Treasury yields, continued strong economic growth may spur the Federal Reserve to proactively fight perceived inflation through continued monetary policy tightening in 2000. Until the inflation picture becomes clearer, we expect interest rates to remain largely range-bound. Accordingly, we will continue to seek the most attractive relative value opportunities and utilize our proprietary risk management systems to help the Trust to achieve its investment objectives. This report contains a summary of market conditions during the annual period and a review of portfolio strategy by your Trust's managers in addition to the Trust's audited financial statements and a detailed portfolio list of the portfolio's holdings. Continued thanks for your confidence in BlackRock. We appreciate the opportunity to help you achieve your long-term investment goals. Sincerely, /s/ Laurence D. Fink /s/ Ralph L. Schlosstein - -------------------- ------------------------ Laurence D. Fink Ralph L. Schlosstein Chairman President 1 November 30, 1999 Dear Shareholder: We are pleased to present the annual report for The BlackRock Broad Investment Grade 2009 Term Trust Inc. ("the Trust") for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1999. We would like to take this opportunity to review the Trust's stock price and net asset value (NAV) performance, summarize market developments and discuss recent portfolio management activity. The Trust is a diversified, actively managed closed-end bond fund whose shares are traded on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol "BCT". The Trust's investment objective is to return $15 per share (its initial offering price) to shareholders on or about December 31, 2009 while providing high current income. Although there can be no guarantee, BlackRock is confident that the Trust can achieve its investment objectives. The Trust seeks these objectives by investing in investment grade fixed income securities, including corporate debt securities, mortgage-backed securities backed by U.S. Government agencies (such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae) and commercial mortgage-backed securities. Historically, the Trust has been primarily invested in corporate debt securities and collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs). All of the Trust's assets must be rated "BBB" by Standard & Poor's or "Baa" Moody's at time of purchase or be issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies. The table below summarizes the performance of the Trust's stock price and NAV over the past twelve months: ----------------------------------------------------- 10/31/99 10/31/98 CHANGE HIGH LOW - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STOCK PRICE $11.4375 $13.25 (13.68)% $13.375 $11.1875 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET ASSET VALUE (NAV) $13.64 $15.01 (9.13)% $15.01 $13.42 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10-YEAR U.S. TREASURY NOTE 6.02% 4.61% 30.59% 6.24% 4.52% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE FIXED INCOME MARKETS The U.S. economy sustained its growth during the past twelve months, as U.S. exports and manufacturing continued to rebound. Additionally, consumer strength remains an important contributor to economic growth as low unemployment and rising incomes fuel domestic demand. After lowering interest rates three times in the second half of 1998, and despite inflation concerns as measured by CPI and PPI remaining relatively benign, the Federal Reserve adopted a tightening bias and raised its target for the Federal funds rate from 4.75% to 5.50% between June and November 1999. In a statement accompanying the latest tightening on November 16, it was indicated that the Fed believes that growth "continues in excess of the economy's growth potential"; nevertheless, the Fed reversed their tightening stance by adopting a neutral bias. After a brief rally in late 1998, Treasury yields rose dramatically during 1999. Over the period, the yield of the 30-year Treasury increased by 100 basis points, closing at 6.16% on October 31. Bond prices, which move inversely to their yields, were punished by the constant threat of inflation in response to the strong economic data and the market's uncertainty over the Fed's policy throughout the year. Recently, a weaker dollar, higher commodity prices and strong gains in the U.S. and European equity markets have depressed overall demand for fixed income securities. 2 Mortgage security performance outpaced the broader domestic fixed income markets during the period, as the LEHMAN BROTHERS MORTGAGE INDEX posted a 3.00% total return versus the LEHMAN BROTHERS AGGREGATE INDEX's 0.53%. Factors contributing to the strong relative performance of mortgages were higher interest rates, which helped to alleviate prepayment fears, and a decrease in new issuance that provided a favorable technical environment. Despite an anticipated record level of new issuance in 1999 and concern that economic momentum may recede at year-end, investment grade corporate bonds outperformed U.S. Treasuries and the broader investment grade market during the period. Corporate profits improved during the period, as did the ratio of ratings upgrades to downgrades. However, BlackRock maintains a cautious view of the corporate market, as the long-term upgrade/downgrade trend remains negative, and higher commodity prices could squeeze corporate profits going forward. For the period, the LEHMAN CORPORATE INDEX returned 0.68% versus a return of -0.82% for the MERRILL LYNCH U.S. TREASURY MASTER INDEX and 0.53% for THE LEHMAN BROTHERS AGGREGATE INDEX. THE TRUST'S PORTFOLIO AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY BlackRock actively manages the Trust's portfolio holdings consistent with BlackRock's overall market outlook and the Trust's investment objectives. The following chart compares the Trust's current and October 31, 1998 asset composition: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECTOR BREAKDOWN - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMPOSITION OCTOBER 31, 1999 OCTOBER 31, 1998 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Agency Multiple Class Mortgage Pass-Throughs 21% 20% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corporate Bonds 18% 18% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interest-Only Mortgage-Backed Securities 15% 15% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities 14% 16% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Gov't Securities 10% 5% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inverse-Floating Rate Mortgages 9% 14% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Municipal Bonds 5% 5% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Asset Backed Securities 4% 4% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Principal-Only Mortgage-Backed Securities 3% 3% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Non-Agency Multiple Class Mortgage Pass-Throughs 1% -- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Trust maintained its focus on achieving its dual objectives of returning its initial offering price of $15 upon termination and paying a monthly dividend consistent with the December 31, 2009 termination date. Accordingly, the Trust maintained its allocation to investment grade corporate bonds, commercial mortgage-backed securities and structured CMOs, all of which offer "bullet" maturity dates that match the termination date of the Trust and yields above comparable maturity Treasury securities. As interest rates rose, the Trust's U.S. Treasury allocation was modestly increased as selected mortgage exposure was pared. Additionally, the credits of all Trust portfolio holdings continued to be actively monitored as part of BlackRock's diligent credit review process. 3 We look forward to continuing to manage the Trust to benefit from the opportunities available to investors in the fixed income markets as well as to maintain the Trust's ability to meet its investment objectives. We thank you for your investment in the BlackRock Broad Investment Grade 2009 Term Trust Inc. Please feel free to contact our marketing center at (800) 227-7BFM (7236) if you have specific questions which were not addressed in this report. Sincerely yours, /s/ Robert S. Kapito /s/ Michael P. Lustig - ------------------------------------ ------------------------------------ Robert S. Kapito Michael P. Lustig Vice Chairman and Portfolio Manager Director and Portfolio Manager BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE BLACKROCK BROAD INVESTMENT GRADE 2009 TERM TRUST INC. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Symbol on American Stock Exchange: BCT - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Initial Offering Date: June 17, 1993 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Closing Stock Price as of 10/31/99: $11.4375 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net Asset Value as of 10/31/99: $13.64 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yield on Closing Stock Price as of 10/31/99 ($11.4375)1: 7.21% - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current Monthly Distribution per Share2: $ 0.06875 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Current Annualized Distribution per Share2: $ 0.82500 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Yield on Closing Stock Price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing stock price per share. 2 The distribution is not constant and is subject to change. 4 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE BLACKROCK BROAD INVESTMENT GRADE 2009 TERM TRUST INC. PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS OCTOBER 31, 1999 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PRINCIPAL RATING* AMOUNT VALUE (UNAUDITED) (000) DESCRIPTION (NOTE 1) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--138.6% MULTIPLE CLASS MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGHS--44.3% Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., Multiclass Mortgage Participation Certificates, $ 2,293 Series 1353, Class 1353-S, 8/15/07, (ARM) ......................... $ 217,069 242++ Series 1506, Class 1506-S, 5/15/08, (ARM) ......................... 250,964 2,168++ Series 1510, Class 1510-G, 5/15/13 ................................ 2,140,813 400 Series 1534, Class 1534-IG, 2/15/10 ................................ 345,672 558 Series 1580, Class 1580-SD, 9/15/08 ................................ 534,544 600 Series 1601, Class 1601-SD, 10/15/08 ............................... 609,186 1,025++ Series 1626, Class 1626-SA, 12/15/08, (ARM) ........................ 738,994 236 Series 1637, Class 1637-LE, 12/15/23, (ARM) ........................ 191,786 500 Series 1688, Class 1688-S, 12/15/13, (ARM) ........................ 456,715 Federal National Mortgage Association, REMIC Pass-Through Certificates, 694++ Trust 1992-43, Class 43-E, 4/25/22 ................................ 698,504 50 Trust 1992-174, Class 174-S, 9/25/22, (ARM) ......................... 111,126 858 Trust 1992-190, Class 190-S, 11/25/07, (ARM) ........................ 776,882 1,000++ Trust 1993-49, Class 49-H, 4/25/13 ................................ 982,030 3,053+ Trust 1993-79, Class 79-PK, 4/25/22 ................................ 2,962,676 2,646+ Trust 1993-87, Class 87-J, 4/25/22 ................................ 2,417,015 1,000 Trust 1993-156, Class 156-SE, 10/25/19, (ARM) ........................ 959,310 589 Trust 1993-191, Class 191-SD, 10/25/08, (ARM) ........................ 512,912 593++ Trust 1993-202, Class 202-VB, 11/25/23, (ARM) ........................ 523,036 692++ Trust 1993-214, Class 214-SK, 12/25/08 ............................... 677,366 $ 500++ Trust 1994-13, Class 13-SJ, 2/25/09 ............................... $ 503,285 126 Trust 1994-37, Class 37-SC, 3/25/24, (ARM) ......................... 123,508 1,500++ Trust 1996-20, Class 20-SB, 10/25/08, (ARM) ........................ 397,031 A- 750 PaineWebber Mortgage Acceptance Corp. IV, Series 1995-M1, Class D, 7.30%, 1/15/07** ....................... 742,988 ------------ 17,873,412 ------------ INTEREST ONLY MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES--21.0% AAA 14,094 CS First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp., Series 1997-C1, Class AX, 4/20/22** .............................. 1,235,513 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., Multiclass Mortgage Participation Certificates, 977 Series 65, Class 65-I, 8/15/20 ................................ 230,067 404 Series 141, Class 141-H, 5/15/21 ................................ 110,383 2,550 Series 1645, Class 1645-IB, 9/15/08 ................................ 425,059 2,085 Series 1900, Class 1900-SV, 8/15/08 ................................ 273,211 22,284 Series 1995, Class 1995-SB, 10/15/27 ............................... 29,638 1,038 Series 2061, Class 2061-JR, 9/20/22 ................................ 187,619 Federal National Mortgage Association, REMIC Pass-Through Certificates, 4,000 Trust 1993-138, Class 138-JK, 5/25/19 ................................ 421,320 12,000 Trust 1993-191, Class 191-S, 10/25/07, (ARM) ........................ 84,372 11,024 Trust 1993-208, Class 208-S, 2/25/23 ................................ 358,290 2,489 Trust 1993-223, Class 223-PT, 10/25/23 ............................... 318,923 1,332 Trust 1994-39, Class 39-PE, 1/25/23 ................................ 144,892 2,513 Trust 1994-42, Class 42-SO, 3/25/23 ................................ 283,433 See Notes to Financial Statements. 5 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PRINCIPAL RATING* AMOUNT VALUE (UNAUDITED) (000) DESCRIPTION (NOTE 1) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Federal National Mortgage Association, REMIC Pass-Through Certificates, (cont'd) $ 1,580 Trust 1996-20, Class 20-SL, 9/25/08 ................................ $ 391,335 1,250 Trust 1997-50, Class 50-HK, 8/25/27 ................................ 388,648 48,583 Trust 1997-81, Class 81-SD, 12/18/27 ............................... 68,089 1,500++ Trust 1997-90, Class 90-M, 1/25/28 ................................ 480,120 31 Trust G-21, Class 21-L, 7/25/21 ................................ 77,343 119 Trust G93-25, Class 25-J, 12/25/19 ............................... 332,055 AAA 19,672++ First Union-Lehman Brothers-- Bank of America, Series 1998-C2, Class IO, 5/18/28 ................................ 727,459 AAA 22,731 GMAC Commercial Mortgage Securities Inc., Series 1998-C2, Class X, 8/15/23 ....................... 891,894 Government National Mortgage Association, 984 Trust 1998-24, Class 24-IB, 5/20/23 ................................ 221,442 9,637 Trust 1999-27, Class 27-SD, 6/17/09 ................................ 361,393 AAA 5,873 Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc., Series 1997-C2, Class IO, 12/10/29 ............................... 389,423 NR 156 Salomon Brothers Mortgage Securities Inc. VI, Series 1987-3, Class B, 10/23/17 ............................... 39,022 ----------- 8,470,943 ----------- PRINCIPAL ONLY MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES--3.8% 205 Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., Multiclass Mortgage Participation Certificates, Series 1700, Class 1700-GA, 2/15/24 ................................ 154,103 Federal National Mortgage Association, REMIC Pass-Through Certificates, 1,341 Trust 1994-46, Class 46-D, 11/25/23 ............................... 1,028,359 66 Trust 1997-85, Class 85-LE, 10/25/23 ............................... 54,826 AAA 224 PaineWebber Mortgage Acceptance Corp. IV, Series 1993-5, Class A-14, 6/25/08 ................................ 178,082 NR $ 156 Salomon Brothers Mortgage Securities Inc. VI, Series 1987-3, Class A, 10/23/17 ............................... $ 129,666 ----------- 1,545,036 ----------- COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES--18.3% AAA 462 Citicorp Mortgage Securities, Inc., Series 1993-14, Class A-4, 3.623%, 11/25/23, (ARM) ................ 292,968 Aaa 500 Deutsche Mortgage and Asset Receiving Corp., Series 1998-C1, Class A-2, 6.538%, 2/15/08 ........................ 471,931 BBB 500 DLJ Mortgage Acceptance Corp., Series 1997-CF1, 7.91%, 4/15/07** ....................... 467,605 Aa1 750 FDIC REMIC Trust, Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 1994-C1, Class 11-F, 8.70%, 9/25/25 ......................... 774,618 Aaa 500 GS Mortgage Securities Corp., Series 1996-PL, Class A-2, 7.41%, 2/15/27 ......................... 495,491 Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc., BBB 500 Series 1995-C1, Class D, 7.986%, 5/25/15 ........................ 484,898 BBB 500 Series 1996-C1, Class D, 7.42%, 4/25/28 ......................... 478,959 AAA 290 Morgan Stanley Capital 1 Inc., Series 1996-WF1, Class A-3, 7.39%, 8/15/06** ....................... 291,989 AAA 445 Mortgage Capital Funding Inc., Series 1998-MC3, Class A-1, 6.00%, 11/18/31 ........................ 423,430 AAA 750 New York City Mortgage Loan Trust, Multifamily Mortgage Pass-Through, Class A-2, 6.75%, 6/25/11** ....................... 712,148 BBB+ 600 Nomura Asset Capital Corp., Series 1993-M1, Class A-3, 7.64%, 11/25/03** ...................... 596,521 AAA 1,000 Prudential Securities Secured Financing Corp., Series 1998-C1, Class A1-B, 6.506%, 7/15/08 ........................ 947,230 A 454 Resolution Trust Corp., Series 1994-C2, Class D, 8.00%, 4/25/25 ......................... 449,521 AAA 500 Structured Asset Securities Corp., Series 1996-CFL, Class B, 6.303%, 2/25/28 ........................ 496,719 ----------- 7,384,028 ----------- See Notes to Financial Statements. 6 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PRINCIPAL RATING* AMOUNT VALUE (UNAUDITED) (000) DESCRIPTION (NOTE 1) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CORPORATE BONDS--24.5% FINANCE & BANKING--9.1% A3 $ 500 Amsouth Bancorporation, 6.75%, 11/01/25 .......................... $ 485,880 A+ 600 Equitable Life Assured Society, 6.95%, 12/01/05** ........................ 587,357 A 400 Lehman Brothers Holding Inc., Series A, 6.75%, 9/24/01 ................. 397,721 A+ 500 Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., 6.30%, 11/01/03** ........................ 481,430 Aa3 1,000 Morgan Stanley Group, Inc., 10.00%, 6/15/08 .......................... 1,169,360 A- 500 PaineWebber Group, Inc., 8.875%, 3/15/05 .......................... 527,777 ----------- 3,649,525 ----------- INDUSTRIALS--8.3% A2 100 American Airlines, Inc., Secured Equipment Trust, Series 1990-M, 10.44%, 3/04/07 .......................... 113,658 A1 1,000 Dow Capital BV, 9.20%, 6/01/10 ........................... 1,121,480 A+ 500 Ralcorp Holdings, Inc., 8.75%, 9/15/04 ........................... 537,170 A- 500 Ralston Purina Co., 9.25%, 10/15/09 .......................... 556,335 BBB- 500 Seagram Joseph E. & Sons, Inc., 7.00%, 4/15/08 ........................... 481,110 AA- 500 Tele-Communications, Inc., 8.25%, 1/15/03 ........................... 520,225 ----------- 3,329,978 ----------- UTILITIES--2.6% A 500 360 Communications Co., 7.50%, 3/01/06 ........................... 504,055 Baa2 500 Ohio Edison Co., 8.625%, 9/15/03 .......................... 525,390 ----------- 1,029,445 ----------- YANKEE--4.5% BBB- 500 Empresa Electric Guacolda SA, 7.95%, 4/30/03** ......................... 475,000 BBB+ 170 Empresa Electric Pehuenche, 7.30%, 5/01/03 ........................... 165,123 A- 500 Israel Electric Corp. Ltd., 7.25%, 12/15/06** ........................ 483,290 Baa2 1,000 Petrozuata Finance Inc., Series A, 7.63%, 4/01/09** ............... 708,200 ----------- 1,831,613 ----------- 9,840,561 ----------- ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES--5.0% AAA $ 1,230 Chase Credit Card Master Trust, Series 1997-5, Class A, 6.194%, 8/15/05 ........................ $ 1,215,194 A 253 Global Rated Eligible Asset Trust, Series 1998-A, Class A-1, 7.33%, 9/15/07**/@ ..................... 75,834 AA 459 Pegasus Aviation Lease Securitization, Series 1999-1, Class A-1, 6.30%, 3/25/29** ....................... 444,710 Structured Mortgage Asset ResidentialTrust, A 612 Series 1997-2, 8.24%, 3/15/06**/@ ..................... 134,549 A 674 Series 1997-3, 8.57%, 4/15/06**/@ ..................... 148,382 ----------- 2,018,669 ----------- U.S GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY SECURITIES--14.1% 625 Small Business Administration Participation Certificate, Series 1998-10, Class 10-A, 6.12%, 2/01/08 ......................... 588,769 U.S. Treasury Notes, 1,200++ 4.75%, 11/15/08 ........................ 1,086,000 2,710++ 5.50%, 5/15/09 ......................... 2,599,486 1,030+ 6.00%, 8/15/09 ......................... 1,028,548 385 6.625%, 5/15/07 ........................ 395,045 ----------- 5,697,848 ----------- TAXABLE MUNICIPAL BONDS--7.6% AA- 500 Fresno California Pension Obligation, Series 1994, 7.80%, 6/01/14 .............. 503,660 AAA 500 Kern County California Pension Obligation, 6.98%, 8/15/09 ......................... 494,425 Los Angeles County California Pension Obligation, AAA 1,000 Series A, 8.62%, 6/30/06 ................. 1,084,750 AAA 500 Series D, 6.97%, 6/30/08 ................. 496,430 AAA 500 Orleans Parish Louisiana School Board, Series A, 6.60%, 2/01/08 ................. 485,110 ----------- 3,064,375 ----------- See Notes to Financial Statements. 7 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PRINCIPAL RATING* AMOUNT VALUE (UNAUDITED) (000) DESCRIPTION (NOTE 1) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OPTIONS PURCHASED--0.0% CALL OPTIONS PURCHASED Interest Rate Swap, $ 5,000 5.60% over 3-month LIBOR expires 8/07/00 ........................ $ 9,297 ------------ Total investments--138.6% (cost $57,154,636) ....................... 55,904,169 Liabilities in excess of other assets--(38.6)% .......................... (15,559,616) ------------ NET ASSETS--100%........................ $ 40,344,553 ============ - ---------- * Using the higher of Standard & Poor's, Moody's or Fitch's rating. ** Private placements restricted as to resale. + Partial principal amount pledged as collateral for reverse repurchase agreements. ++ Entire principal amount pledged as collateral for reverse repurchase agreements. @ Illiquid securities representing 0.64% of portfolio assets. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS: ARM - Adjustable Rate Mortgage. LIBOR - London InterBank Offer Rate. REMIC - Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See Notes to Financial Statements. 8 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE BLACKROCK BROAD INVESTMENT GRADE 2009 TERM TRUST INC. STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OCTOBER 31, 1999 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASSETS Investments, at value (cost $57,154,636) (Note 1) ............................... $ 55,904,169) Cash ........................................................ 47,333 Interest receivable ......................................... 786,751 Interest rate cap, at value (amortized cost $74,244) (Notes 1 & 3) .................... 59,015 ------------ 56,797,268 ------------ LIABILITIES Reverse repurchase agreements (Note 4) ...................... 16,303,950 Interest payable ............................................ 46,969 Investment advisory fee payable (Note 2) .................... 18,745 Administration fee payable (Note 2) ......................... 5,112 Other accrued expenses ...................................... 77,939 ------------ 16,452,715 ------------ NET ASSETS .................................................. $ 40,344,553 ============ Net assets were comprised of: Common stock: Par value (Note 5) ...................................... $ 29,571 Paid-in capital in excess of par ........................ 40,614,255 ------------ 40,643,826 ------------ Undistributed net investment income ....................... 2,044,948 Accumulated net realized loss ............................. (1,078,525) Net unrealized depreciation ............................... (1,265,696) ------------ Net assets, October 31, 1999 .............................. $ 40,344,553 ============ Net asset value per share: ($40,344,553 / 2,957,093 shares of common stock issued and outstanding) ...................... $ 13.64) ============ - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE BLACKROCK BROAD INVESTMENT GRADE 2009 TERM TRUST INC. STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1999 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET INVESTMENT INCOME Income Interest (net of premium amortization of $2,121,295 and interest expense of $962,152) ................................................. $ 3,257,037 ------------ Operating Expenses Investment advisory ....................................... 231,176 Administration ............................................ 63,048 Reports to shareholders ................................... 28,000 Custodian ................................................. 17,000 Directors ................................................. 14,000 Transfer agent ............................................ 11,000 Audit ..................................................... 7,000 Legal ..................................................... 7,000 Miscellaneous ............................................. 55,224 ------------ Total operating expenses .................................. 433,448 ------------ Net investment income before excise tax ..................... 2,823,589 Excise tax .................................................. 66,603 ------------ Net investment income ....................................... 2,756,986 ------------ REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS (NOTE 3) Net realized gain (loss) on: Investments ............................................... (387,717) Futures ................................................... (267,854) Swaps ..................................................... (20,283) Short sales ............................................... 854,219 Written options ........................................... 130,250 308,615 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: Investments ............................................... (4,932,815) Interest rate cap ......................................... 66,562 Futures ................................................... 26,542 Swaps ..................................................... (7,443) Short sales ............................................... 3,112 Written options ........................................... 241,437 ------------ (4,602,605) ------------ Net loss on investments ..................................... (4,293,990) ------------ NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS ................................... $ (1,537,004) ============ See Notes to Financial Statements. 9 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE BLACKROCK BROAD INVESTMENT GRADE 2009 TERM TRUST INC. STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1999 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RECONCILIATION OF NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS TO NET CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations ................................................ $ (1,537,004) ------------ Decrease in investments ..................................... 3,281,713 Net realized gain ........................................... (308,615) Decrease in unrealized appreciation ......................... 4,602,605 Decrease in interest rate cap ............................... 32,222 Increase in interest receivable ............................. (32,339) Decrease due to broker-variation margin ..................... 1,700 Decrease in other assets .................................... 6,197 Decrease in interest payable ................................ (146,195) Increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities ............................................... 31,511 ------------ Total adjustments ......................................... 7,468,799 ------------ Net cash flows provided by operating activities ............. $ 5,931,795 ============ INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH Net cash flows provided by operating activities ............ $ 5,931,795) ------------ Cash flows used for financing activities: Decrease in reverse repurchase agreements ................. (3,466,136) Cash dividends paid ....................................... (2,513,313) ------------ Net cash flows used for financing activities ................ (5,979,449) ------------ Net decrease in cash ....................................... (47,654) Cash at beginning of year .................................. 94,987 ------------ Cash at end of year ........................................ $ 47,333 ============ - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE BLACKROCK BROAD INVESTMENT GRADE 2009 TERM TRUST INC. STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, ----------------------------- 1999 1998 ----------- ----------- INCREASE (DECREASE) IN ~NET ASSETS Operations: Net investment income .................... $ 2,756,986) $ 3,533,934) Net realized gain on investments ......................... 308,615 498,937 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) ............ (4,602,605) 212,726 ----------- ----------- Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations ............................. (1,537,004) 4,245,597 Dividends from net investment income .................. (2,513,313) (2,661,192) ----------- ----------- Total increase (decrease) ................ (4,050,317) 1,584,405 NET ASSETS Beginning of year .......................... 44,394,870 42,810,465 ----------- ----------- End of year ................................ $40,344,553 $44,394,870 =========== =========== See Notes to Financial Statements. 10 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE BLACKROCK BROAD INVESTMENT GRADE 2009 TERM TRUST INC. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, -------------------------------------------------------------------- 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE: Net asset value, beginning of year ...................... $ 15.01) $ 14.48 $ 13.46 $ 13.40 $ 11.94 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Net investment income (net of interest expense of $0.33, $0.36, $0.36, $0.35, and $0.68) .93 1.20 1.10 1.00 .85 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments. (1.45) .23 .82 (.03) 1.60 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Net increase (decrease) from investment operations ...... (.52) 1.43 1.92 .97 2.45 ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Dividends and distributions: Dividends from net investment income .................. (.85) (.90) (.90) (.91) (.85) Distributions from paid-in capital..................... -- -- -- -- (.14) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Total dividends and distributions........................ (.85) (.90) (.90) (.91) (.99) ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ Net asset value, end of year*............................ $ 13.64 $ 15.01 $ 14.48 $ 13.46 $ 13.40 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== Per share market value, end of year*..................... $ 11.44 $ 13.25 $ 12.13 $ 11.00 $ 11.13 ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN+ ................................ (7.68)% 17.15% 19.05% 6.67% 22.43% RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS: Operating Expenses# ..................................... 1.03% 1.01% 1.02% 1.12% 1.00% Net investment income ................................... 6.58% 8.13% 8.03% 7.59% 6.78% SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: Average net assets (in thousands) ....................... $41,909 $ 43,482 $ 40,416 $38,786 $ 37,080 Portfolio turnover ...................................... 25% 25% 36% 58% 116% Net assets, end of year (in thousands) .................. $40,345 $ 44,395 $42,810 $39,805 $ 39,634 Reverse repurchase agreements outstanding, end of year (in thousands) ............................ $16,304 $19,770 $20,363 $18,081 $ 18,489 Asset coverage++......................................... $ 3,475 $ 3,246 $ 3,102 $ 3,209 $ 3,144
* Net asset value and market value are published in BARRON'S on Saturday and THE WALL STREET JOURNAL each Monday. # The ratios of operating expenses, including interest expense and excise tax, to average net assets were 3.49%, 3.51%, 3.65%, 3.81%, and 6.42%, for the years indicated above, respectively. + Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of common stock at the current market price on the first day and a sale at the current market price on the last day of the year reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed for purposes of this calculation, to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Trust's dividend reinvestment plan. Total investment return does not reflect brokerage commissions. ++ Per $1,000 of reverse repurchase agreements outstanding. The information above represents the audited operating performance data for a share of common stock outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net assets and other supplemental data for each of the years indicated. This information has been determined based upon financial information provided in the financial statements and market value data for the Trust's shares. See Notes to Financial Statements. 11 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE BLACKROCK BROAD INVESTMENT GRADE 2009 TERM TRUST INC. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION & ACCOUNTING POLICIES The BlackRock Broad Investment Grade 2009 Term Trust Inc. (the "Trust"), a Maryland corporation, is a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The investment objective of the Trust is to manage a portfolio of fixed income securities that will return $15 per share to investors on or shortly before December 31, 2009 while providing high monthly income. The ability of issuers of debt securities held by the Trust to meet their obligations may be affected by economic developments in a specific industry or region. No assurance can be given that the Trust's investment objective will be achieved. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Trust. SECURITIES VALUATION: The Trust values mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, interest rate swaps, caps, floors and non-exchange traded options and other debt securities on the basis of current market quotations provided by dealers or pricing services approved by the Trust's Board of Directors. In determining the value of a particular security, pricing services may use certain information with respect to transactions in such securities, quotations from dealers, market transactions in comparable securities, various relationships observed in the market between securities, and calculated yield measures based on valuation technology commonly employed in the market for such securities. Exchange-traded options are valued at their last sales price as of the close of options trading on the applicable exchanges. In the absence of a last sale, options are valued at the average of the quoted bid and asked prices as of the close of business. A futures contract is valued at the last sale price as of the close of the commodities exchange on which it trades unless the Trust's Board of Directors determines that such price does not reflect its fair value, in which case it will be valued at its fair value as determined by the Trust's Board of Directors. Any securities or other assets for which such current market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under procedures established by and under the general supervision and responsibility of the Trust's Board of Directors. Short-term securities which mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, if their term to maturity from date of purchase is 60 days or less. Short-term securities with a term to maturity greater than 60 days from the date of purchase are valued at current market quotations until maturity or disposition. In connection with transactions in repurchase agreements, the Trust's custodian takes possession of the underlying collateral securities, the value of which at least equals the principal amount of the repurchase transaction, including accrued interest. To the extent that any repurchase transaction exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is marked-to-market on a daily basis to ensure the adequacy of the collateral. If the seller defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller of the security, realization of the collateral by the Trust may be delayed or limited. OPTION SELLING/PURCHASING: When the Trust sells or purchases an option, an amount equal to the premium received or paid by the Trust is recorded as a liability or an asset and is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written or purchased. Premiums received or paid from writing or purchasing options which expire unexercised are treated by the Trust on the expiration date as realized gains or losses. The difference between the premium and the amount paid or received on effecting a closing purchase or sale transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain or loss. If an option is exercised, the premium paid or received is added to the proceeds from the sale or cost of the purchase in determining whether the Trust has realized a gain or a loss on investment transactions. The Trust, as writer of an option, may have no control over whether the underlying securities may be sold (call) or purchased (put) and as a result bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying the written option. Options, when used by the Trust, help in maintaining a targeted duration. Duration is a measure of the price sensitivity of a security or a portfolio to relative changes in interest rates. For instance, a duration of "one" means that a portfolio's or a security's price would be expected to change by approximately one percent with a one percent change in interest rates, while a duration of five would imply that the price would move approximately five percent in relation to a one percent change in interest rates. Option selling and purchasing is used by the Trust to effectively hedge more volatile positions, or collections of positions, so that changes in interest rates do not change the duration of the portfolio unexpectedly. In general, the Trust uses options to hedge a long or short position or an overall portfolio that is longer or shorter than the benchmark security. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right 12 (but not obligation) to buy, and obligates the seller to sell (when the option is exercised), the underlying position at the exercise 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 position at the exercise price at any time or at a specified time during the option period. Put options can be purchased to effectively hedge a position or a portfolio against price declines if a portfolio is long. In the same sense, call options can be purchased to hedge a portfolio that is shorter than its benchmark against price changes. The Trust can also sell (or write) covered call options and put options to hedge portfolio positions. The main risk that is associated with purchasing options is that the option expires without being exercised. In this case, the option expires worthless and the premium paid for the option is considered the loss. The risk associated with writing call options is that the Trust may forego the opportunity for a profit if the market value of the underlying position increases and the option is exercised. The risk in writing put options is that the Trust may incur a loss if the market value of the underlying position decreases and the option is exercised. In addition, as with futures contracts, the Trust risks not being able to enter into a closing transaction for the written option as the result of an illiquid market. INTEREST RATE SWAPS: In an interest rate swap, one investor pays a floating rate of interest on a notional principal amount and receives a fixed rate of interest on the same notional principal amount for a specified period of time. Alternatively, an investor may pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate. Rate swaps are efficient as asset/liability management tools. In more complex swaps, the notional principal amount may decline (or amortize) over time. During the term of the swap, changes in the value of the swap are recognized as unrealized gains or losses by "marking-to-market" to reflect the market value of the swap. When the swap is terminated, the Trust will record a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transaction and the Trust's basis in the contract, if any. The Trust is exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the other party to the swap. However, the Trust closely monitors swaps and does not anticipate non-performance by any counterparty. SWAP OPTIONS: Swap options are similar to options on securities except that instead of selling or purchasing the right to buy or sell a security, the writer or purchaser of the swap option is granting or buying the right to enter into a previously agreed upon interest rate swap agreement at any time before the expiration of the option. Premiums received or paid from writing or purchasing options are recorded as liabilities or assets and are subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option written or purchased. Premiums received or paid from writing or purchasing options which expire unexercised are treated by the Trust on the expiration date as realized gains or losses. The difference between the premium and the amount paid or received on effecting a closing purchase or sale transaction, including brokerage commission, is also treated as a realized gain or loss. If an option is exercised, the premium paid or received is added to the proceeds from the sale or cost of the purchase in determining whether the Trust has realized a gain or loss on investment transactions. The main risk that is associated with purchasing swap options is that the swap option expires without being exercised. In this case, the option expires worthless and the premium paid for the swap option is considered the loss. The main risk that is associated with the writing of a swap option is the market risk of an unfavorable change in the value of the interest rate swap underlying the written swap option. Swap options may be used by the Trust to manage the duration of the Trust's portfolio in a manner similar to more generic options described above. FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS: A futures contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a financial instrument for a set price on a future date. Initial margin deposits are made upon entering into futures contracts and can be either cash or securities. During the period the futures contract is open, changes in the value of the contract are recognized as unrealized gains or losses by "marking-to-market" on a daily basis to reflect the market value of the contract at the end of each day's trading. Variation margin payments are made or received, depending upon whether unrealized gains or losses are incurred. When the contract is closed, the Trust records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transaction and the Trust's basis in the contract. Financial futures contracts, when used by the Trust, help in maintaining a targeted duration. Futures contracts can be sold to effectively shorten an otherwise longer duration portfolio. In the same sense, futures contracts can be purchased to lengthen a portfolio that is shorter than its duration target. Thus, by buying or selling futures contracts, the Trust can effectively "hedge" more volatile positions so that changes in interest rates do not change the duration of the portfolio unexpectedly. The Trust may invest in financial futures contracts primarily for the purpose of hedging its existing portfolio securities 13 or securities the Trust intends to purchase against fluctuations in value caused by changes in prevailing market interest rates. Should interest rates move unexpectedly, the Trust may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the financial futures contracts and may realize a loss. The use of futures transactions involves the risk of imperfect correlation in movements in the price of futures contracts, interest rates and the underlying hedged assets. The Trust is also at risk of not being able to enter into a closing transaction for the futures contract because of an illiquid secondary market. In addition, since futures are used to shorten or lengthen a portfolio's duration, there is a risk that the portfolio may have temporarily performed better without the hedge or that the Trust may lose the opportunity to realize appreciation in the market price of the underlying positions. SHORT SALES: The Trust may make short sales of securities as a method of hedging potential price declines in similar securities owned. When the Trust makes a short sale, it may borrow the security sold short and deliver it to the broker-dealer through which it made the short sale as collateral for its obligation to deliver the security upon conclusion of the sale. The Trust may have to pay a fee to borrow the particular securities and may be obligated to pay over any payments received on such borrowed securities. A gain, limited to the price at which the Trust sold the security short, or a loss, unlimited as to dollar amount, will be recognized upon the termination of a short sale if the market price is greater or less than the proceeds originally received. SECURITIES LENDING: The Trust may lend its portfolio securities to qualified institutions. The loans are secured by collateral at least equal, at all times, to the market value of the securities loaned. The Trust may bear the risk of delay in recovery of, or even loss of rights in, the securities loaned should the borrower of the securities fail financially. The Trust receives compensation for lending its securities in the form of interest on the loan. The Trust also continues to receive interest on the securities loaned, and any gain or loss in the market price of the securities loaned that may occur during the term of the loan will be for the account of the Trust. INTEREST RATE CAPS: Interest rate caps are similar to interest rate swaps, except that one party agrees to pay a fee, while the other party pays the excess, if any, of a floating rate over a specified fixed or floating rate. Interest rate caps are intended to both manage the duration of the Trust's portfolio and its exposure to changes in short term rates. Owning interest rate caps reduces the portfolio's duration, making it less sensitive to changes in interest rates from a market value perspective. The effect on income involves protection from rising short term rates, which the Trust experiences primarily in the form of leverage. The Trust is exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the other party to the interest rate cap. However, the Trust does not anticipate non-performance by any counterparty. Transactions fees paid or received by the Trust are recognized as assets or liabilities and amortized or accreted into interest expense or income over the life of the interest rate cap. The asset or liability is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the interest rate cap purchased or sold. Changes in the value of the interest rate cap are recognized as unrealized gains and losses. INTEREST RATE FLOORS: Interest rate floors are similar to interest rate swaps, except that one party agrees to pay a fee, while the other party pays the deficiency, if any, of a floating rate under a specified fixed or floating rate. Interest rate floors are used by the Trust to both manage the duration of the portfolio and its exposure to changes in short-term interest rates. Selling interest rate floors reduces the portfolio's duration, making it less sensitive to changes in interest rates from a market value perspective. The Trust's leverage provides extra income in a period of falling rates. Selling floors reduces some of that advantage by partially monetizing it as an up front payment which the Trust receives. The Trust is exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the other party to the interest rate floor. However, the Trust does not anticipate non-performance by any counterparty. Transactions fees paid or received by the Trust are recognized as assets or liabilities and amortized or accreted into interest expense or income over the life of the interest rate floor. The asset or liability is subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the interest rate floor purchased or sold. Changes in the value of the interest rate floor are recognized as unrealized gains and losses. SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS AND INVESTMENT INCOME: Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are calculated on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and the Trust accretes discount or amortizes premium on securities purchased using the interest method. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES: It is the Trust's intention to continue to meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute sufficient amounts of its taxable income to shareholders. Therefore, no 14 Federal income tax provision is required. As part of a tax planning strategy, the Trust intends to retain a portion of its taxable income and pay an excise tax on the undistributed amounts. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS: The Trust declares and pays dividends and distributions monthly first from net investment income, then from realized short-term capital gains and other sources, if necessary. Net long-term capital gains, if any, in excess of loss carryforwards may be distributed annually. Dividends and distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. RECLASSIFICATION OF CAPITAL ACCOUNTS: Effective January 1, 1994, the Trust began accounting and reporting for permanent differences between financial and tax reporting in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' Statement of Position 93-2: Determination, Disclosure and Financial Statement of Income, Capital Gain and Return of Capital Distributions by Investment Companies. The effect of adopting the Statement for the year ended October 31, 1999 was to increase undistributed net investment income and decrease paid-in capital in excess of par by $66,603. Net investment income, net realized losses and net assets were not affected by this change. ESTIMATES: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. NOTE 2 AGREEMENTS The Trust has an Investment Advisory Agreement with BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (the "Adviser"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock Advisors, Inc., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc., which in turn is an indirect majority-owned subsidiary of PNC Bank Corp. The Trust has an Administration Agreement with Princeton Administrators, L.P. (the "Administrator"), an indirect wholly-owned affiliate of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. The investment fee paid to the Adviser is computed weekly and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0.55% of the Trust's average weekly net assets. The administration fee paid to the Administrator is also computed weekly and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0.15% of the Trust's average weekly net assets. Pursuant to the agreements, the Adviser provides continuous supervision of the investment portfolio and pays the compensation of officers of the Trust. The Administrator pays occupancy and certain clerical and accounting costs of the Trust. The Trust bears all other costs and expenses. NOTE 3. PORTFOLIO SECURITES Purchases and sales of investment securities, other than short-term investments and dollar rolls, for the year ended October 31, 1999 aggregated $14,891,486 and $15,275,931, respectively. The Trust may invest in securities which are not readily marketable, including those which are restricted as to disposition under securities law ("restricted securities"). At October 31, 1999, the Trust held 14% of its portfolio assets in securities restricted as to resale. The Trust may from time to time purchase in the secondary market certain mortgage pass-through securities packaged or master serviced by PNC Mortgage Securities Corp. (or Sears Mortgage if PNC Mortgage Securities Corp. succeeded to rights and duties of Sears) or mortgage related securities containing loans or mortgages originated by PNC Bank or its affiliates, including Midland Loan Services, Inc. It is possible under certain circumstances, PNC Mortgage Securities Corp. or its affiliates, including Midland Loan Services, Inc. could have interests that are in conflict with the holders of these mortgage backed securities, and such holders could have rights against PNC Mortgage Securities Corp. or its affiliates, including Midland Loan Services, Inc. The federal income tax basis of the Trust's investments at October 31, 1999 was $57,303,991, and accordingly, net unrealized depreciation for federal income tax purposes was $1,399,822 (gross unrealized appreciation--$1,042,134, gross unrealized depreciation--$2,441,956). For Federal income tax purposes, the Trust had a capital loss carryforward at October 31, 1999 of approximately ~$930,000 which will expire in 2003. Accordingly, no capital gain distribution is expected to be paid to shareholders until net gains have been realized in excess of such amount. The Trust entered into an interest rate cap. Under this agreement, the Trust receives the excess, if any, of a floating rate over a fixed rate. The Trust paid a transaction fee for the agreement. Details of the cap are as follows: NOTIONAL VALUE AT AMOUNT FIXED FLOATING TERMINATION AMORTIZED OCTOBER 31, UNREALIZED (000) RATE RATE DATE COST 1999 DEPRECIATION -------- ----- -------- ---------- ------- -------- ----------- $5,000 6.00% 3 month LIBOR 2/19/02 $74,244 $59,015 $(15,229) ======== NOTE 4. BORROWINGS REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS: The Trust may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with qualified, third party broker-dealers as determined by and under the direction of 15 the Trust's Board of Directors. Interest on the value of reverse repurchase agreements issued and outstanding is based upon competitive market rates at the time of issuance. At the time the Trust enters into a reverse repurchase agreement, it will establish and maintain a segregated account with the lender, the value of which at least equals the principal amount of the reverse repurchase transactions including accrued interest. The average daily balance of reverse repurchase agreements outstanding for the year ended October 31, 1999 was approximately $18,654,126 at a weighted average interest rate of approximately 5.12%. The maximum amount of reverse repurchase agreements outstanding at any month-end during the year was $20,394,998 as of March 31, 1999 which was 30% of total assets. DOLLAR ROLLS: The Trust may enter into dollar rolls in which the Trust sells securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts to repurchase substantially similar (same type, coupon and maturity) securities on a specified future date. During the roll period the Trust forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities. The Trust will be compensated by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale and by the lower repurchase price at the future date. The Trust did not enter into any dollar roll transactions during the year ended October 31, 1999. NOTE 5 CAPITAL There are 200 million shares of $.01 par value common stock authorized. Of the 2,957,093 shares outstanding at October 31, 1999, the Adviser owned 7,093 shares. NOTE 6. DIVIDENDS Subsequent to October 31, 1999, the Board of Directors of the Trust declared dividends from undistributed earnings of $0.06875 per share payable November 30, 1999, to shareholders of record on November 15, 1999. 16 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE BLACKROCK BROAD INVESTMENT GRADE 2009 TERM TRUST INC. REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Shareholders and Board of Directors of The BlackRock Broad Investment Grade 2009 Term Trust Inc.: We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of The BlackRock Broad Investment Grade 2009 Term Trust Inc. (the "Trust") as of October 31, 1999 and the related statements of operations and of cash flows for the year then ended and of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Trust's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. 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. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned at October 31, 1999 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The BlackRock Broad Investment Grade 2009 Term Trust Inc. at October 31, 1999 and the results of its operations, its cash flows, the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for the respective stated periods in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. /s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP - -------------------------- Deloitte & Touche LLP New York, New York December 13, 1999 17 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE BLACKROCK BROAD INVESTMENT GRADE 2009 TERM TRUST INC. TAX INFORMATION - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- We wish to advise you as to the federal tax status of dividends and distributions paid by the Trust during its fiscal year ended October 31, 1999. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 1999, the Trust paid dividends totalling $.85 per share all of which is taxable as ordinary income. For federal income tax purposes, the aggregate of any dividends and short-term capital gains distributions you received are reportable in your 1999 federal income tax return as ordinary income. Further, we wish to advise you that your income dividends do not qualify for the dividends received deduction. For the purpose of preparing your 1999 annual federal income tax return, however, you should report the amounts as reflected on the appropriate Form 1099 DIV which will be mailed to you in January 2000. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pursuant to the Trust's Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the "Plan"), shareholders may elect to have all distributions of dividends and capital gains reinvested by State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Plan Agent") in Trust shares pursuant to the Plan. Shareholders who do not participate in the Plan will receive all distributions in cash paid by check in United States dollars mailed directly to the shareholders of record (or if the shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to the nominee) by the transfer agent, as dividend disbursing agent. The Plan Agent serves as agent for the shareholders in administering the Plan. After the Trust declares a dividend or determines to make a capital gain distribution, the Plan Agent will, as agent for the participants, receive the cash payment and use it to buy Trust shares in the open market on the American Stock Exchange or elsewhere, for the participants' accounts. The Trust will not issue any new shares in connection with the Plan. Participants in the Plan may withdraw from the Plan upon written notice to the Plan Agent and will receive certificates for whole Trust shares and a cash payment will be made for any fraction of a Trust share. The Plan Agent's fees for the handling of the reinvestment of dividends and distributions will be paid by the Trust. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Plan Agent's open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The automatic reinvestment of dividends and distributions will not relieve participants of any federal, state or local income taxes that may be payable on such dividends or distributions. The Trust reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan as applied to any dividend or distribution paid subsequent to written notice of the change sent to all shareholders of the Trust at least 90 days before the record date for the dividend or distribution. The Plan also may be amended or terminated by the Plan Agent upon at least 90 days' written notice to all shareholders of the Trust. All correspondence concerning the Plan should be directed to the Plan Agent at (800) 699-1BFM. The addresses are on the front of this report. 18 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE BLACKROCK BROAD INVESTMENT GRADE 2009 TERM TRUST INC. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There have been no material changes in the Trust's investment objectives or policies that have not been approved by the shareholders or to its charter or by-laws or in the principal risk factors associated with investment in the Trust. There have been no changes in the persons who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Trust's portfolio. YEAR 2000 READINESS DISCLOSURE. The Trust has evaluated its information technology infrastructure for Year 2000 compliance. Substantially all of the Trust's information systems are supplied by the Adviser. The Adviser advised the Trust that it has evaluated whether such systems are year 2000 compliant and that it expects to incur costs of up to approximately one million dollars to complete such evaluation and to make any modifications to its systems as may be necessary to achieve Year 2000 compliance. The Adviser advised the Trust that it has fully tested its systems for Year 2000 compliance. The Trust may be required to bear a portion of such cost incurred by the Adviser in this regard. The Adviser advised the Trust that it does not anticipate any material disruption in the operations of the Trust as a result of any failure by the Adviser to achieve Year 2000 compliance. There can be no assurance that the costs will not exceed the amount referred to above or that the Trust will not experience a disruption in operations. The Adviser has advised the Trust that it is continuing to evaluate the Year 2000 compliance of various suppliers of the Adviser and the Trust. The Adviser advised the Trust that it has communicates with such suppliers to determine their Year 2000 compliance status and the extent to which the Adviser or the Trust could be affected by any supplier's Year 2000 compliance issues. To date the Adviser received responses from substantially all such suppliers with respect to their Year 2000 compliance. However there can be no assurance that the systems of such suppliers, who are beyond the Trust's control, will be Year 2000 compliant. In the event that any of the Trust's significant suppliers do not successfully and timely achieve Year 2000 compliance, the Trust's business or operations could be adversely affected. The Adviser advised the Trust that it has prepared a contingency plan for Year 2000 compliance by its suppliers. There can be no assurance that such contingency plan will be successful in preventing a disruption of the Trust's operations. The Trust is designating this disclosure as its Year 2000 readiness disclosure for all purposes under the Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act and the foregoing information shall constitute a Year 2000 Readiness Statement for purposes of that Act. 19 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE BLACKROCK BROAD INVESTMENT GRADE 2009 TERM TRUST INC. INVESTMENT SUMMARY - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE TRUST'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE The BlackRock Broad Investment Grade 2009 Term Trust's investment objective is to manage a portfolio of fixed income securities that will return $15 per share (the initial public offering price per share) to investors on or about December 31, 2009 while providing high monthly income. WHO MANAGES THE TRUST? BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. ("BlackRock") is an SEC-registered investment adviser. As of September 30, 1999, BlackRock and its affiliates managed over $148 billion on behalf of taxable and tax-exempt clients worldwide. Strategies include fixed income, equity and cash and may incorporate both domestic and international securities. Domestic fixed income strategies utilize the government, mortgage, corporate and municipal bond sectors. BlackRock manages twenty-three closed-end funds that are traded on either the New York or American stock exchanges, and a $24 billion family of open-end equity and bond funds. BlackRock manages over 487 accounts, domiciled in the United States and overseas. WHAT CAN THE TRUST INVEST IN? The Trust may invest in all fixed income securities rated investment grade or higher ("AAA", "AA", "A" or "BBB"). Examples of securities in which the Trust may invest include U.S. government and government agency securities, zero coupon securities, mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt securities, asset-backed securities, U.S. dollar-denominated foreign debt securities and municipal securities. Under current market conditions, BlackRock expects that the primary investments of the Trust will be U.S. government securities, securities backed by government agencies (such as mortgage-backed securities), corporate debt securities and privately issued mortgage-backed securities. WHAT IS THE ADVISER'S INVESTMENT STRATEGY? The Adviser will seek to meet the Trust's investment objective by managing the assets of the Trust so as to return the initial offering price ($15 per share) at maturity. The Adviser will implement a conservative strategy that will seek to closely match the maturity of the assets of the portfolio with the future return of the initial investment on or about December 31, 2009. At the Trust's termination, BlackRock expects that the value of the securities which have matured, combined with the value of the securities that are sold will be sufficient to return the initial offering price to investors. On a continuous basis, the Trust will seek its objective by actively managing its assets in relation to market conditions, interest rate changes and, importantly, the remaining term to maturity of the Trust. In addition to seeking the return of the initial offering price, the Trust also seeks to provide high monthly income to investors. The portfolio managers will attempt to achieve this objective by investing in securities that provide competitive income. In addition, leverage will be used (in an amount up to 331/3% of the total assets) to enhance the income of the portfolio. In order to maintain competitive yields as the Trust approaches maturity and depending on market conditions, the Adviser will attempt to purchase securities with call protection or maturities as close to the Trust's maturity date as possible. Securities with call protection should provide the portfolio with some degree of protection against reinvestment risk during times of lower prevailing interest rates. Since the Trust's primary goal is to return the initial offering price at maturity, any cash that the Trust receives prior to its maturity date (i.e. cash from early and regularly scheduled payments of principal on mortgage-backed securities) will be reinvested in securities with maturities which coincide with the remaining term of the Trust. Since shorter-term securities typically yield less than longer-term securities, this strategy will likely result in a decline in the Trust's income over time. However, the Adviser will attempt to maintain a yield which is competitive with a comparable maturity Treasury at the same point on the curve (i.e. if the Trust has three years left until its maturity, the Adviser will attempt to maintain a yield at a spread over a 3-year Treasury). It is important to note that the Trust will be managed so as to preserve the integrity of the return of the initial offering price. HOW ARE THE TRUST'S SHARES PURCHASED AND SOLD? DOES THE TRUST PAY DIVIDENDS REGULARLY? The Trust's shares are traded on the American Stock Exchange which provides investors with liquidity on a daily basis. Orders to buy or sell shares of the Trust must be placed through a registered broker or financial adviser. The Trust pays monthly dividends which are typically paid on the last business day of the month. For shares held in the shareholder's name, 20 dividends may be reinvested in additional shares of the Trust through the Trust's transfer agent, State Street Bank & Trust Company. Investors who wish to hold shares in a brokerage account should check with their financial adviser to determine whether their brokerage firm offers dividend reinvestment services. LEVERAGE CONSIDERATIONS IN A TERM TRUST Under current market conditions, leverage increases the income earned by the Trust. The Trust employs leverage primarily through the use of reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls. Leverage permits the Trust to borrow money at short-term rates and reinvest that money in longer-term assets which typically offer higher interest rates. The difference between the cost of the borrowed funds and the income earned on the proceeds that are invested in longer-term assets is the benefit to the Trust from leverage. In general, the portfolio is typically leveraged at approximately 331/3% of total assets. Leverage also increases the duration (or price volatility of the net assets) of the Trust, which can improve the performance of the Trust in a declining rate environment, but can cause net assets to decline faster than the market in a rapidly rising rate environment. BlackRock's portfolio managers continuously monitor and regularly review the Trust's use of leverage and the Trust may reduce, or unwind, the amount of leverage employed should BlackRock consider that reduction to be in the best interests of the shareholders. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND RISK FACTORS RELEVANT TO TERM TRUSTS The Trust is intended to be a long-term investment and is not a short-term trading vehicle. RETURN OF INITIAL INVESTMENT. Although the objective of the Trust is to return its initial offering price upon termination, there can be no assurance that this objective will be achieved. DIVIDEND CONSIDERATIONS. The income and dividends paid by the Trust are likely to decline to some extent over the term of the Trust due to the anticipated shortening of the dollar-weighted average maturity of the Trust's assets. INTEREST-ONLY SECURITIES (IO). The yield to maturity on an IO class is extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying Mortgage Assets, and a rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on such security's yield to maturity. If the underlying Mortgage Assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Trust may fail to recoup fully its initial investment in these securities even if the securities are rated AAA by S&P or Aaa by Moody's. LEVERAGE. The Trust utilizes leverage through reverse repurchase agreements and dollar rolls, which involves special risks. The Trust's net asset value and market value may be more volatile due to its use of leverage. MARKET PRICE OF SHARES. The shares of closed-end investment companies such as the Trust trade on the American Stock Exchange (AMEX symbol: BCT) and as such are subject to supply and demand influences. As a result, shares may trade at a discount or a premium to their net asset value. MORTGAGE-BACKED AND ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES. The cash flow and yield characteristics of these securities differ from traditional debt securities. The major differences typically include more frequent payments and the possibility of prepayments which will change the yield to maturity of the security. CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES. The value of corporate debt securities generally varies inversely with changes in prevailing market interest rates. The Trust may be subject to certain reinvestment risks in environments of declining interest rates. ZERO COUPON SECURITIES. Such securities receive no cash flows prior to maturity; therefore, interim price movement on the securities are generally more sensitive to interest rate movements than securities that make periodic coupon payments. These securities appreciate in value over time and can play an important role in helping the Trust achieve its primary objectives. ILLIQUID SECURITIES. The Trust may invest in securities that are illiquid, although under current market conditions the Trust expects to do so to only a limited extent. These securities involve special risks. NON-U.S. SECURITIES. The Trust may invest less than 10% of its total assets in non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities which involve special risks such as currency, political and economic risks, although under current market conditions the Trust does not do so. ANTITAKEOVER PROVISIONS. Certain antitakeover provisions will make a change in the Trust's business or management more difficult without the approval of the Trust's Board of Directors and may have the effect of depriving shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium above the prevailing market price. 21 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE BLACKROCK BROAD INVESTMENT GRADE 2009 TERM TRUST INC. GLOSSARY - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE- Mortgage instruments with interest rates that BACKED SECURITIES (ARMs): adjust at periodic intervals at a fixed amount over the market levels of interest rates as reflected in specified indexes. ARMS are backed by mortgage loans secured by real property. ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES: Securities backed by various types of receivables such as automobile and credit card receivables. CLOSED-END FUND: Investment vehicle which initially offers a fixed number of shares and trades on a stock exchange. The fund invests in a portfolio of securities in accordance with its stated investment objectives and policies. COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE Mortgage-backed securities which separate mortgage OBLIGATIONS (CMOs): pools into short-, medium-, and long-term securities with different priorities for receipt of principal and interest. Each class is paid a fixed or floating rate of interest at regular intervals. Also known as multiple-class mortgage pass-throughs. COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE Mortgage-backed securities secured or backed by BACKED SECURITIES (CMBS): mortgage loans on commercial properties. DISCOUNT: When a fund's net asset value is greater than its stock price the fund is said to be trading at a discount. DIVIDEND: Income generated by securities in a portfolio and distributed to shareholders after the deduction of expenses. This Trust declares and pays dividends on a monthly basis. DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT: Shareholders may elect to have all dividends and distributions of capital gains automatically reinvested into additional shares of the Trust. FHA: Federal Housing Administration, a government agency that facilitates a secondary mortgage market by providing an agency that guarantees timely payment of interest and principal on mortgages. FHLMC: Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, a publicly owned, federally chartered corporation that facilitates a secondary mortgage market by purchasing mortgages from lenders such as savings institutions and reselling them to investors by means of mortgage-backed securities. Obligations of FHLMC are not guaranteed by the U.S. government, however; they are backed by FHLMC's authority to borrow from the U.S. government. Also known as Freddie Mac. FNMA: Federal National Mortgage Administration, a publicly owned, federally chartered corporation that facilitates a secondary mortgage market by purchasing mortgages from lenders such as savings institutions and reselling them to investors by means of mortgage-backed securities. Obligations of FNMA are not guaranteed by the U.S. government, however; they are backed by FNMA's authority to borrow from the U.S. government. Also known as Fannie Mae. GNMA: Government National Mortgage Association, a U.S. government agency that facilitates a secondary mortgage market by providing an agency that guarantees timely payment of interest and principal on mortgages. GNMA's obligations are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. Also known as Ginnie Mae. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES: Securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, or one of its agencies or instrumentalities, such as GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC. 22 INTEREST-ONLY SECURITIES: Mortgage securities including CMBS that receive only the interest cash flows from an underlying pool of mortgage loans or underlying pass-through securities. Also known as a STRIP. INVERSE-FLOATING RATE Mortgage instruments with coupons that adjust at MORTGAGE: periodic intervals according to a formula which sets inversely with a market level interest rate index. MARKET PRICE: Price per share of a security trading in the secondary market. For a closed-end fund, this is the price at which one share of the fund trades on the stock exchange. If you were to buy or sell shares, you would pay or receive the market price. MORTGAGE DOLLAR ROLLS: A mortgage dollar roll is a transaction in which the Trust sells mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts to repurchase substantially similar (although not the same) securities on a specified future date. During the "roll" period, the Trust does not receive principal and interest payments on the securities, but is compensated for giving up these payments by the difference in the current sales price (for which the security is sold) and lower price that the Trust pays for the similar security at the end date as well as the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGHS: Mortgage-backed securities issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae. NET ASSET VALUE (NAV): Net asset value is the total market value of all securities and other assets held by the Trust, plus income accrued on its investments, minus any liabilities including accrued expenses, divided by the total number of outstanding shares. It is the underlying value of a single share on a given day. Net asset value for the Trust is calculated weekly and published in BARRON'S on Saturday and THE WALL STREET JOURNAL on Monday. PRINCIPAL-ONLY SECURITIES: Mortgage securities that receive only the principal cash flows from an underlying pool of mortgage loans or underlying pass-through securities. Also known as STRIPS. PROJECT LOANS: Mortgages for multi-family, low- to middle-income housing. PREMIUM: When a fund's stock price is greater than its net asset value, the fund is said to be trading at a premium. REMIC: A real estate mortgage investment conduit is a multiple-class security backed by mortgage-backed securities or whole mortgage loans and formed as a trust, corporation, partnership, or segregated pool of assets that elects to be treated as a REMIC for federal tax purposes. Generally, FNMA REMICs are formed as trusts and are backed by mortgage-backed securities. RESIDUALS: Securities issued in connection with collateralized mortgage obligations that generally represent the excess cash flow from the mortgage assets underlying the CMO after payment of principal and interest on the other CMO securities and related administrative expenses. REVERSE REPURCHASE In a reverse repurchase agreement, the Trust sells AGREEMENTS: securities and agrees to repurchase them at a mutually agreed date and price. During this time, the Trust continues to receive the principal and interest payments from that security. At the end of the term, the Trust receives the same securities that were sold for the same initial dollar amount plus interest on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. STRIPPED MORTGAGE-BACKED Arrangements in which a pool of assets is SECURITIES: separated into two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions from underlying mortgage-backed securities. IO's and PO's are examples of strips. 23 [BLACKROCK LOGO] DIRECTORS Laurence D. Fink, CHAIRMAN Andrew F. Brimmer Richard E. Cavanagh Kent Dixon Frank J. Fabozzi James Grosfeld James Clayburn La Force, Jr. Walter F. Mondale Ralph L. Schlosstein OFFICERS Ralph L. Schlosstein, PRESIDENT Scott Amero, VICE PRESIDENT Keith T. Anderson, VICE PRESIDENT Michael C. Huebsch, VICE PRESIDENT Robert S. Kapito, VICE PRESIDENT Richard M. Shea, VICE PRESIDENT/TAX Henry Gabbay, TREASURER James Kong, ASSISTANT TREASURER Karen H. Sabath, SECRETARY INVESTMENT ADVISER BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. 345 Park Avenue New York, NY 10154 (800) 227-7BFM ADMINISTRATOR Princeton Administrators, L.P. P.O. Box 9095 Princeton, NJ 08543-9095 (800) 543-6217 CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT State Street Bank and Trust Company One Heritage Drive North Quincy, MA 02171 (800) 699-1BFM INDEPENDENT AUDITORS Deloitte & Touche LLP Two World Financial Center New York, NY 10281-1434 LEGAL COUNSEL Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP 919 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022 This report is for shareholder information. This is not a prospectus intended for use in the purchase or sale of any securities. THE BLACKROCK BROAD INVESTMENT GRADE 2009 TERM TRUST INC. c/o Princeton Administrators, L.P. P.O. Box 9095 Princeton, NJ 08543-9095 (800) 543-6217 The [BLACKROCK LOGO] Broad Investment Grade 2009 Term Trust Inc. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Annual Report October 31, 1999 [RECYCLE LOGO] Printed on recycled paper 092472-10-6 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----