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 811-21126
Name of Fund: BlackRock Municipal Income Trust II (BLE)
Fund Address: 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809
Name and address of agent for service: John M. Perlowski, Chief Executive Officer, BlackRock Municipal Income
Trust II, 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (800) 882-0052, Option 4
Date of fiscal year end: 08/31/2019
Date of reporting period: 02/28/2019
Item 1 Report to Stockholders
FEBRUARY 28, 2019
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT (UNAUDITED) |
BlackRock Municipal Bond Trust (BBK)
BlackRock Municipal Income Investment Quality Trust (BAF)
BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust (BYM)
BlackRock Municipal Income Trust II (BLE)
BlackRock MuniHoldings Investment Quality Fund (MFL)
BlackRock MuniVest Fund, Inc. (MVF)
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of each Trusts shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from BlackRock or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you hold accounts directly with BlackRock, you can call Computershare at (800) 699-1236 to request that you continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. If you hold accounts through a financial intermediary, you can follow the instructions included with this disclosure, if applicable, or contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Please note that not all financial intermediaries may offer this service. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds advised by BlackRock Advisors, LLC or its affiliates, or all funds held with your financial intermediary, as applicable.
If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive electronic delivery of shareholder reports and other communications by contacting your financial intermediary, if you hold accounts through a financial intermediary. Please note that not all financial intermediaries may offer this service.
Not FDIC Insured May Lose Value No Bank Guarantee |
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Municipal Market Overview For the Reporting Period Ended February 28, 2019
Municipal Market Conditions
Municipal bonds experienced positive performance during the period, despite challenged total returns during most of 2018 as interest rates moved higher on the back of continued Fed policy normalization, fiscal stimulus, strong economic growth, and increased U.S. Treasury issuance. Performance turned stronger late in the year, with interest rates rallying as the Fed began to indicate a pivot from forecast based to data driven policy and the potential for a slower pace of future rate hikes. During the period, demand for the asset class remained firm, although it displayed some bouts of volatility. Broadly, investors favored the tax-exempt income, diversification, quality, and value of municipal bonds given that tax reform ultimately lowered the top individual tax rate just 2.6% while eliminating deductions. During the 12 months ended February 28, 2019, municipal bond funds experienced net inflows of approximately $14.4 billion (based on data from the Investment Company Institute).
For the same 12-month period, total new issuance underwhelmed from a historical perspective at $323 billion (below the $389 billion issued in the prior 12-month period), a direct result of the elimination of advanced refundings through the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This shift transitioned the market from an existing net positive supply environment to a much more favorable net negative supply environment in which reinvestment income (coupons, calls, and maturities) largely outstripped gross issuance and provided a powerful technical tailwind. |
S&P Municipal Bond Index | |||
Total Returns as of February 28, 2019 | ||||
6 months: 2.21% | ||||
12 months: 4.03% | ||||
A Closer Look at Yields
From February 28, 2018 to February 28, 2019, yields on AAA-rated 30-year municipal bonds decreased by eight basis points (bps) from 3.06% to 2.98%, while ten-year rates decreased by 37 bps from 2.47% to 2.10% and five-year rates decreased by 30 bps from 1.97% to 1.67% (as measured by Thomson Municipal Market Data). The municipal yield curve flattened modestly over the 12-month period with the spread between two- and 30-year maturities flattening by 14 bps, led by 43 bps of flattening between two- and ten-year maturities. Notably, the municipal yield curve remains nearly 2.5 times steeper than the U.S. Treasury curve. |
During the same time period, on a relative basis, tax-exempt municipal bonds strongly outperformed U.S. Treasuries, driven by the front and intermediate portions of the yield curve. The relative positive performance of municipal bonds was driven largely by a supply/demand imbalance within the municipal market as investors sought income, incremental yield, and tax shelter in an environment where opportunities became increasingly scarce. The asset class is known for its lower relative volatility and preservation of principal with an emphasis on income as tax rates rise.
Financial Conditions of Municipal Issuers
The majority of municipal credits remain strong, despite well-publicized problems among a few issuers. Four of the five states with the largest amount of debt outstanding California, New York, Texas and Florida continue to exhibit improved credit fundamentals. However, several states with the largest unfunded pension liabilities are faced with elevated borrowing costs and difficult budgetary decisions. Across the country on the local level, property values support credit stability. Standard & Poors decision to remove its negative outlook on New Mexico underscores the improvement in state finances as it was the only remaining state with the designation. Revenue bonds continue to drive performance as investors continue to seek higher yield bonds in the tobacco sector. BlackRock maintains the view that municipal bond defaults will remain minimal and in the periphery while the overall market is fundamentally sound. We continue to advocate careful credit research and believe that a thoughtful approach to structure and security selection remains imperative amid uncertainty in a modestly improving economic environment.
The opinions expressed are those of BlackRock as of February 28, 2019 and are subject to change at any time due to changes in market or economic conditions. The comments should not be construed as a recommendation of any individual holdings or market sectors. Investing involves risk including loss of principal. Bond values fluctuate in price so the value of your investment can go down depending on market conditions. Fixed income risks include interest-rate and credit risk. Typically, when interest rates rise, there is a corresponding decline in bond values. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the bond issuer will not be able to make principal and interest payments. There may be less information on the financial condition of municipal issuers than for public corporations. The market for municipal bonds may be less liquid than for taxable bonds. Some investors may be subject to Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). Capital gains distributions, if any, are taxable.
The Standard & Poors Municipal Bond Index, a broad, market value-weighted index, seeks to measure the performance of the U.S. municipal bond market. All bonds in the index are exempt from U.S. federal income taxes or subject to the AMT. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
4 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging
The Trusts may utilize leverage to seek to enhance the distribution rate on, and net asset value (NAV) of, their common shares (Common Shares). However, there is no guarantee that these objectives can be achieved in all interest rate environments.
In general, the concept of leveraging is based on the premise that the financing cost of leverage, which is based on short-term interest rates, is normally lower than the income earned by a Trust on its longer-term portfolio investments purchased with the proceeds from leverage. To the extent that the total assets of the Trusts (including the assets obtained from leverage) are invested in higher-yielding portfolio investments, the Trusts shareholders benefit from the incremental net income. The interest earned on securities purchased with the proceeds from leverage (after paying the leverage costs) is paid to shareholders in the form of dividends, and the value of these portfolio holdings (less the leverage liability) is reflected in the per share NAV.
To illustrate these concepts, assume a Trusts Common Shares capitalization is $100 million and it utilizes leverage for an additional $30 million, creating a total value of $130 million available for investment in longer-term income securities. If prevailing short-term interest rates are 3% and longer-term interest rates are 6%, the yield curve has a strongly positive slope. In this case, a Trusts financing costs on the $30 million of proceeds obtained from leverage are based on the lower short-term interest rates. At the same time, the securities purchased by a Trust with the proceeds from leverage earn income based on longer-term interest rates. In this case, a Trusts financing cost of leverage is significantly lower than the income earned on a Trusts longer-term investments acquired from such leverage proceeds, and therefore the holders of Common Shares (Common Shareholders) are the beneficiaries of the incremental net income.
However, in order to benefit Common Shareholders, the return on assets purchased with leverage proceeds must exceed the ongoing costs associated with the leverage. If interest and other costs of leverage exceed the Trusts return on assets purchased with leverage proceeds, income to shareholders is lower than if the Trusts had not used leverage. Furthermore, the value of the Trusts portfolio investments generally varies inversely with the direction of long-term interest rates, although other factors can influence the value of portfolio investments. In contrast, the amount of the Trusts obligations under their respective leverage arrangements generally does not fluctuate in relation to interest rates. As a result, changes in interest rates can influence the Trusts NAVs positively or negatively. Changes in the future direction of interest rates are very difficult to predict accurately, and there is no assurance that the Trusts intended leveraging strategy will be successful.
The use of leverage also generally causes greater changes in each Trusts NAV, market price and dividend rates than comparable portfolios without leverage. In a declining market, leverage is likely to cause a greater decline in the NAV and market price of a Trusts Common Shares than if the Trust were not leveraged. In addition, each Trust may be required to sell portfolio securities at inopportune times or at distressed values in order to comply with regulatory requirements applicable to the use of leverage or as required by the terms of leverage instruments, which may cause the Trust to incur losses. The use of leverage may limit a Trusts ability to invest in certain types of securities or use certain types of hedging strategies. Each Trust incurs expenses in connection with the use of leverage, all of which are borne by Common Shareholders and may reduce income to the Common Shares. Moreover, to the extent the calculation of the Trusts investment advisory fees includes assets purchased with the proceeds of leverage, the investment advisory fees payable to the Trusts investment adviser will be higher than if the Trusts did not use leverage.
To obtain leverage, each Trust has issued Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares (VRDP Shares) or Variable Rate Muni Term Preferred Shares (VMTP Shares) (collectively, Preferred Shares) and/or leveraged its assets through the use of tender option bond trusts (TOB Trusts) as described in the Notes to Financial Statements.
Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), each Trust is permitted to issue debt up to 33 1/3% of its total managed assets or equity securities (e.g., Preferred Shares) up to 50% of its total managed assets. A Trust may voluntarily elect to limit its leverage to less than the maximum amount permitted under the 1940 Act. In addition, a Trust may also be subject to certain asset coverage, leverage or portfolio composition requirements imposed by the Preferred Shares governing instruments or by agencies rating the Preferred Shares, which may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act.
If a Trust segregates or designates on its books and records cash or liquid assets having a value not less than the value of a Trusts obligations under the TOB Trust (including accrued interest), then the TOB Trust is not considered a senior security and is not subject to the foregoing limitations and requirements imposed by the 1940 Act.
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. The Trusts successful use of a derivative financial instrument depends on the investment advisers 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.
THE BENEFITS AND RISKS OF LEVERAGING / DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS | 5 |
Trust Summary as of February 28, 2019 | BlackRock Municipal Bond Trust |
Trust Overview
BlackRock Municipal Bond Trusts (BBK) (the Trust) investment objective is to provide current income exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in municipal bonds exempt from regular U.S. federal income taxes (except that the interest may be subject to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax). The Trust invests, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its managed assets in municipal bonds that are investment grade quality or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality by the investment adviser at the time of investment. The Trust may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.
No assurance can be given that the Trusts investment objective will be achieved.
Trust Information
Symbol on New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) |
BBK | |
Initial Offering Date |
April 30, 2002 | |
Yield on Closing Market Price as of February 28, 2019 ($14.31)(a) |
5.32% | |
Tax Equivalent Yield(b) |
8.99% | |
Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(c) |
$0.0635 | |
Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(c) |
$0.7620 | |
Economic Leverage as of February 28, 2019(d) |
39% |
(a) | Yield on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. Past performance does not guarantee future results. |
(b) | Tax equivalent yield assumes the maximum marginal U.S. federal tax rate of 40.8%, which includes the 3.8% Medicare tax. Actual tax rates will vary based on income, exemptions and deductions. Lower taxes will result in lower tax equivalent yields. |
(c) | The monthly distribution per Common Share, declared on March 1, 2019, was decreased to $.0545 per share. The current yield on closing market price, tax equivalent yield, 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. |
(d) | Represents VMTP Shares and TOB Trusts as a percentage of total managed assets, which is the total assets of the Trust, including any assets attributable to VMTP Shares and TOB Trusts, minus the sum of accrued liabilities. For a discussion of leveraging techniques utilized by the Trust, please see The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging on page 5. |
Performance
Returns for the six months ended February 28, 2019 were as follows:
Returns Based On | ||||||||
Market Price | NAV | |||||||
BBK(a)(b) |
2.84 | % | 1.82 | % | ||||
Lipper General & Insured Municipal Debt Funds (Leveraged)(c) |
3.68 | 1.64 |
(a) | All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices. |
(b) | The Trusts discount to NAV narrowed during the period, which accounts for the difference between performance based on market price and performance based on NAV. |
(c) | Average return. Returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at NAV on the ex-dividend date as calculated by Lipper. |
Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Past performance is not indicative of future results.
The following discussion relates to the Trusts absolute performance based on NAV:
After performing poorly in September and October, municipal bonds recovered to post a positive total return for the full six-month period. The initial downturn was largely brought about by concerns that the Fed would raise interest rates aggressively in 2019. However, subsequent signs of slowing growth prompted investors to adjust their expectations in favor of more accommodative Fed policy, sparking a rally across the bond market from early November onward.
The Trust benefited from its positions in the school district, utilities and health care sectors. Conversely, its exposure to the tobacco sector was a modest detractor due to the Food and Drug Administrations announcement of its intention to ban menthol cigarettes, which could lead to a larger-than-expected decline in consumption and reduced payments in accordance to the Master Settlement Agreement. After initially selling off on the news, tobacco issues regained much of the lost ground by the close of the period. The Trust maintained its position in the sector in an effort to capitalize on its above-average yields.
Bonds with maturities of three to ten years significantly outpaced longer-term issues. In this environment, the Trusts positions in pre-refunded bonds outperformed due to their short-dated maturities. The Trusts allocation to zero-coupon bonds in this part of the yield curve was also a notable outperformer.
Positions in higher-quality AA and A rated bonds, which outperformed the lower-rated categories, were a further plus.
Portfolio income, enhanced by leverage, was a key contributor to absolute returns over the last six months. The use of leverage further aided results by augmenting the effect of rising bond prices.
The Trust sought to manage interest rate risk using U.S. Treasury futures. Given that U.S. Treasury yields fell, as prices rose, this strategy had a small, negative effect on returns.
The views expressed reflect the opinions of BlackRock as of the date of this report and are subject to change based on changes in market, economic or other conditions. These views are not intended to be a forecast of future events and are no guarantee of future results.
6 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Trust Summary as of February 28, 2019 (continued) | BlackRock Municipal Bond Trust |
Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary
02/28/19 | 08/31/18 | Change | High | Low | ||||||||||||||||
Market Price |
$ | 14.31 | $ | 14.35 | (0.28 | )% | $ | 14.37 | $ |
13.06 |
| |||||||||
Net Asset Value |
15.58 | 15.78 | (1.27 | ) | 15.78 | |
15.18 |
|
Market Price and Net Asset Value History For the Past Five Years
Overview of the Trusts Total Investments *
* | Excludes short-term securities. |
TRUST SUMMARY | 7 |
Trust Summary as of February 28, 2019 | BlackRock Municipal Income Investment Quality Trust |
Trust Overview
BlackRock Municipal Income Investment Quality Trusts (BAF) (the Trust) investment objective is to provide current income exempt from U.S. federal income tax, including the alternative minimum tax and Florida intangible property tax. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its managed assets in municipal bonds exempt from U.S. federal income taxes, including the alternative minimum tax. The Trust also invests at least 80% of its managed assets in municipal bonds that are investment grade quality at the time of investment or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality by the investment adviser at the time of investment. The Trust may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives. Due to the repeal of the Florida intangible personal property tax, in September 2008, the Board gave approval to permit the Trust the flexibility to invest in municipal obligations regardless of geographic location since municipal obligations issued by any state or municipality that provides income exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax would now satisfy the foregoing objective and policy.
No assurance can be given that the Trusts investment objective will be achieved.
Trust Information
Symbol on NYSE |
BAF | |
Initial Offering Date |
October 31, 2002 | |
Yield on Closing Market Price as of February 28, 2019 ($13.63)(a) |
5.15% | |
Tax Equivalent Yield(b) |
8.70% | |
Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(c) |
$0.0585 | |
Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(c) |
$0.7020 | |
Economic Leverage as of February 28, 2019(d) |
42% |
(a) | Yield on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. Past performance does not guarantee future results. |
(b) | Tax equivalent yield assumes the maximum marginal U.S. federal tax rate of 40.8%, which includes the 3.8% Medicare tax. Actual tax rates will vary based on income, exemptions and deductions. Lower taxes will result in lower tax equivalent yields. |
(c) | The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. |
(d) | Represents VMTP Shares and TOB Trusts as a percentage of total managed assets, which is the total assets of the Trust, including any assets attributable to VMTP Shares and TOB Trusts, minus the sum of accrued liabilities. For a discussion of leveraging techniques utilized by the Trust, please see The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging on page 5. |
Performance
Returns for the six months ended February 28, 2019 were as follows:
Returns Based On | ||||||||
Market Price | NAV | |||||||
BAF(a)(b) |
3.39 | % | 1.94 | % | ||||
Lipper General & Insured Municipal Debt Funds (Leveraged)(c) |
3.68 | 1.64 |
(a) | All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices. |
(b) | The Trusts discount to NAV narrowed during the period, which accounts for the difference between performance based on market price and performance based on NAV. |
(c) | Average return. Returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at NAV on the ex-dividend date as calculated by Lipper. |
Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Past performance is not indicative of future results.
The following discussion relates to the Trusts absolute performance based on NAV:
After performing poorly in September and October, municipal bonds recovered to post a positive total return for the full six-month period. The initial downturn was largely brought about by concerns that the Fed would raise interest rates aggressively in 2019. However, subsequent signs of slowing growth prompted investors to adjust their expectations in favor of more accommodative Fed policy, sparking a rally across the bond market from early November onward.
Portfolio income, enhanced by leverage, was a key contributor to absolute returns. The use of leverage further aided results by augmenting the effect of rising bond prices. However, the rising cost of leverage which was a result of the Feds interest rate increases reduced some of the benefit.
Seasoned positions, including pre-refunded bonds (which typically have yields well above current market rates), added to performance as yields fell the most for bonds with maturities of ten years and below. Conversely, positions in longer-dated maturities produced smaller gains.
At the sector level, positions in transportation and health care issues helped performance.
The Trust benefited from its higher-quality mandate, as its holdings in the AA and A rated categories performed well relative to lower-rated securities.
The Trust sought to manage interest rate risk using U.S. Treasury futures. Given that U.S. Treasury yields fell, as prices rose, this strategy had a small, negative effect on returns.
Reinvestment had an adverse impact on the Trusts income, as the proceeds of higher-yielding bonds that matured or were called needed to be reinvested at lower prevailing rates.
The views expressed reflect the opinions of BlackRock as of the date of this report and are subject to change based on changes in market, economic or other conditions. These views are not intended to be a forecast of future events and are no guarantee of future results.
8 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Trust Summary as of February 28, 2019 (continued) | BlackRock Municipal Income Investment Quality Trust |
Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary
02/28/19 | 08/31/18 | Change | High | Low | ||||||||||||||||
Market Price |
$ | 13.63 | $ | 13.54 | 0.66 | % | $ | 13.63 | $ | 12.44 | ||||||||||
Net Asset Value |
14.75 | 14.86 | (0.74 | ) | 14.86 | 14.41 |
Market Price and Net Asset Value History For the Past Five Years
Overview of the Trusts Total Investments *
TRUST SUMMARY | 9 |
Trust Summary as of February 28, 2019 | BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust |
Trust Overview
BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trusts (BYM) (the Trust) investment objective is to provide current income exempt from U.S. federal income taxes, including the alternative minimum tax. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its managed assets in municipal bonds exempt from U.S. federal income taxes, including the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax. The Trust also invests at least 80% of its managed assets in municipal bonds that are investment grade quality at the time of investment or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality by the investment adviser at the time of investment. The Trust may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.
No assurance can be given that the Trusts investment objective will be achieved.
Trust Information
Symbol on NYSE |
BYM | |
Initial Offering Date |
October 31, 2002 | |
Yield on Closing Market Price as of February 28, 2019 ($13.32)(a) |
4.68% | |
Tax Equivalent Yield(b) |
7.91% | |
Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(c) |
$0.0520 | |
Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(c) |
$0.6240 | |
Economic Leverage as of February 28, 2019(d) |
39% |
(a) | Yield on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. Past performance does not guarantee future results. |
(b) | Tax equivalent yield assumes the maximum marginal U.S. federal tax rate of 40.8%, which includes the 3.8% Medicare tax. Actual tax rates will vary based on income, exemptions and deductions. Lower taxes will result in lower tax equivalent yields. |
(c) | The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. |
(d) | Represents VMTP Shares and TOB Trusts as a percentage of total managed assets, which is the total assets of the Trust, including any assets attributable to VMTP Shares and TOB Trusts, minus the sum of accrued liabilities. For a discussion of leveraging techniques utilized by the Trust, please see The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging on page 5. |
Performance
Returns for the six months ended February 28, 2019 were as follows:
Returns Based On | ||||||||
Market Price | NAV | |||||||
BYM(a)(b) |
4.36 | % | 2.14 | % | ||||
Lipper General & Insured Municipal Debt Funds (Leveraged)(c) |
3.68 | 1.64 |
(a) | All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices. |
(b) | The Trusts discount to NAV narrowed during the period, which accounts for the difference between performance based on market price and performance based on NAV. |
(c) | Average return. Returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at NAV on the ex-dividend date as calculated by Lipper. |
Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Past performance is not indicative of future results.
The following discussion relates to the Trusts absolute performance based on NAV:
After performing poorly in September and October, municipal bonds recovered to post a positive total return for the full six-month period. The initial downturn was largely brought about by concerns that the Fed would raise interest rates aggressively in 2019. However, subsequent signs of slowing growth prompted investors to adjust their expectations in favor of more accommodative Fed policy, sparking a rally across the bond market from early November onward.
The Trust benefited from its positions in the school district, utilities and health care sectors. Conversely, its exposure to the tobacco sector was a modest detractor due to the Food and Drug Administrations announcement of its intention to ban menthol cigarettes, which could lead to a larger-than-expected decline in consumption and reduced payments in accordance to the Master Settlement Agreement. After initially selling off on the news, tobacco issues regained much of the lost ground by the close of the period. The Trust maintained its position in the sector in an effort to capitalize on its above-average yields.
Positions in higher-quality AA and A rated bonds, which outperformed the lower-rated categories, were a further plus.
Bonds with maturities of three to ten years significantly outpaced longer-term issues. In this environment, the Trusts positions in pre-refunded bonds outperformed due to their short-dated maturities. The Trusts allocation to zero-coupon bonds in this part of the yield curve was also a notable outperformer.
Portfolio income, enhanced by leverage, was a key contributor to absolute returns. The use of leverage further aided results by augmenting the effect of rising bond prices.
The Trust sought to manage interest rate risk using U.S. Treasury futures. Given that U.S. Treasury yields fell, as prices rose, this strategy had a small, negative effect on returns.
The views expressed reflect the opinions of BlackRock as of the date of this report and are subject to change based on changes in market, economic or other conditions. These views are not intended to be a forecast of future events and are no guarantee of future results.
10 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Trust Summary as of February 28, 2019 (continued) | BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust |
Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary
02/28/19 |
08/31/18 |
Change | High | Low | ||||||||||||||||
Market Price |
$ | 13.32 | $ | 13.09 | 1.76 | % | $ | 13.35 | $ | 12.17 | ||||||||||
Net Asset Value |
14.64 | 14.70 | (0.41 | ) | 14.70 | 14.15 |
Market Price and Net Asset Value History For the Past Five Years
Overview of the Trusts Total Investments *
TRUST SUMMARY | 11 |
Trust Summary as of February 28, 2019 | BlackRock Municipal Income Trust II |
Trust Overview
BlackRock Municipal Income Trust IIs (BLE) (the Trust) investment objective is to provide current income exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in municipal bonds exempt from U.S. federal income taxes (except that the interest may be subject to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax). The Trust invests, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its managed assets in municipal bonds that are investment grade quality at the time of investment or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality by the investment adviser at the time of investment. The Trust may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.
No assurance can be given that the Trusts investment objective will be achieved.
Trust Information
Symbol on NYSE |
BLE | |
Initial Offering Date |
July 30, 2002 | |
Yield on Closing Market Price as of February 28, 2019 ($14.05)(a) |
4.95% | |
Tax Equivalent Yield(b) |
8.36% | |
Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(c) |
$0.0580 | |
Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(c) |
$0.6960 | |
Economic Leverage as of February 28, 2019(d) |
39% |
(a) | Yield on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. Past performance does not guarantee future results. |
(b) | Tax equivalent yield assumes the maximum marginal U.S. federal tax rate of 40.8%, which includes the 3.8% Medicare tax. Actual tax rates will vary based on income, exemptions and deductions. Lower taxes will result in lower tax equivalent yields. |
(c) | The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. |
(d) | Represents VMTP Shares and TOB Trusts as a percentage of total managed assets, which is the total assets of the Trust, including any assets attributable to VMTP Shares and TOB Trusts, minus the sum of accrued liabilities. For a discussion of leveraging techniques utilized by the Trust, please see The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging on page 5. |
Performance
Returns for the six months ended February 28, 2019 were as follows:
Returns Based On | ||||||||
Market Price | NAV | |||||||
BLE(a)(b) |
4.73 | % | 1.80 | % | ||||
Lipper General & Insured Municipal Debt Funds (Leveraged)(c) |
3.68 | 1.64 |
(a) | All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices. |
(b) | The Trusts discount to NAV narrowed during the period, which accounts for the difference between performance based on market price and performance based on NAV. |
(c) | Average return. Returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at NAV on the ex-dividend date as calculated by Lipper. |
Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Past performance is not indicative of future results.
The following discussion relates to the Trusts absolute performance based on NAV:
After performing poorly in September and October, municipal bonds recovered to post a positive total return for the full six-month period. The initial downturn was largely brought about by concerns that the Fed would raise interest rates aggressively in 2019. However, subsequent signs of slowing growth prompted investors to adjust their expectations in favor of more accommodative Fed policy, sparking a rally across the bond market from early November onward.
Portfolio income, enhanced by leverage, was a key contributor to absolute returns over the last six months. The use of leverage further aided results by augmenting the effect of rising bond prices.
Allocations to the health care, transportation and utilities sectors added value, as did positions in state and local tax-backed issues.
Higher-rated portfolio holdings generally outperformed positions in lower-rated issues, as investment-grade bonds in the AA, A and BBB rated categories outpaced non-investment grade securities.
The Trusts low exposure to bonds with intermediate maturities in the five- to ten-year range detracted from performance. The municipal curve steepened, with intermediate-term debt outperforming longer-dated securities.
The Trust sought to manage interest rate risk using U.S. Treasury futures. Given that U.S. Treasury yields fell, as prices rose, this strategy had a small, negative effect on the Trusts return.
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.
12 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Trust Summary as of February 28, 2019 (continued) | BlackRock Municipal Income Trust II |
Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary
02/28/19 | 08/31/18 |
Change | High | Low | ||||||||||||||||
Market Price |
$ | 14.05 | $ |
13.77 |
|
2.03 | % | $ | 14.10 | $ | 12.35 | |||||||||
Net Asset Value |
14.43 | 14.55 | (0.82 | ) | 14.56 | 14.16 |
Market Price and Net Asset Value History For the Past Five Years
Overview of the Trusts Total Investments *
TRUST SUMMARY | 13 |
Trust Summary as of February 28, 2019 | BlackRock MuniHoldings Investment Quality Fund |
Trust Overview
BlackRock MuniHoldings Investment Quality Funds (MFL) (the Trust) investment objective is to provide shareholders with current income exempt from U.S. federal income tax and to provide shareholders with the opportunity to own shares the value of which is exempt from Florida intangible personal property tax. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in long-term, investment grade (as rated or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality by the investment adviser at the time of investment) municipal obligations exempt from U.S. federal income taxes (except that the interest may be subject to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax). Under normal market conditions, the Trust invests at least 80% of its assets in municipal obligations with remaining maturities of one year or more at the time of investment. The Trust may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives. Due to the repeal of the Florida intangible personal property tax, in September 2008, the Board gave approval to permit the Trust the flexibility to invest in municipal obligations regardless of geographic location since municipal obligations issued by any state or municipality that provides income exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax would now satisfy the foregoing objective and policy.
No assurance can be given that the Trusts investment objective will be achieved.
Trust Information
Symbol on NYSE |
MFL | |
Initial Offering Date |
September 26, 1997 | |
Yield on Closing Market Price as of February 28, 2019 ($13.02)(a) |
5.21% | |
Tax Equivalent Yield(b) |
8.80% | |
Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(c) |
$0.0565 | |
Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(c) |
$0.6780 | |
Economic Leverage as of February 28, 2019(d) |
40% |
(a) | Yield on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. Past performance does not guarantee future results. |
(b) | Tax equivalent yield assumes the maximum marginal U.S. federal tax rate of 40.8%, which includes the 3.8% Medicare tax. Actual tax rates will vary based on income, exemptions and deductions. Lower taxes will result in lower tax equivalent yields. |
(c) | The monthly distribution per Common Share, declared on March 1, 2019, was decreased to $.0525 per share. The current yield on closing market price, tax equivalent yield, 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. |
(d) | Represents VRDP Shares and TOB Trusts as a percentage of total managed assets, which is the total assets of the Trust, including any assets attributable to VRDP Shares and TOB Trusts, minus the sum of accrued liabilities. For a discussion of leveraging techniques utilized by the Trust, please see The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging on page 5. |
Performance
Returns for the six months ended February 28, 2019 were as follows:
Returns Based On | ||||||||
Market Price | NAV | |||||||
MFL(a)(b) |
5.07 | % | 1.92 | % | ||||
Lipper General & Insured Municipal Debt Funds (Leveraged)(c) |
3.68 | 1.64 |
(a) | All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices. |
(b) | The Trusts discount to NAV narrowed during the period, which accounts for the difference between performance based on market price and performance based on NAV. |
(c) | Average return. Returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at NAV on the ex-dividend date as calculated by Lipper. |
Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Past performance is not indicative of future results.
The following discussion relates to the Trusts absolute performance based on NAV:
After performing poorly in September and October, municipal bonds recovered to post a positive total return for the full six-month period. The initial downturn was largely brought about by concerns that the Fed would raise interest rates aggressively in 2019. However, subsequent signs of slowing growth prompted investors to adjust their expectations in favor of more accommodative Fed policy, sparking a rally across the bond market from early November onward.
Portfolio income, enhanced by leverage, was a key contributor to absolute returns.
The Trust benefited from its positions in higher-quality bonds, which outpaced lower-rated securities.
Positions in longer-maturity bonds, which outperformed in the environment of falling rates, also aided results. The Trust further benefited from the strong returns of its holdings in the six- to seven-year maturity range. Conversely, shorter-term issues lagged.
All sectors produced positive returns in the period, with utilities leading the way and tobacco finishing as the most notable underperformer.
The Trust sought to manage interest rate risk using U.S. Treasury futures. Given that U.S. Treasury yields fell, as prices rose, this strategy had a small, negative effect on returns.
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.
14 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Trust Summary as of February 28, 2019 (continued) | BlackRock MuniHoldings Investment Quality Fund |
Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary
02/28/19 | 08/31/18 | Change | High | Low | ||||||||||||||||
Market Price |
$ | 13.02 | $ | 12.73 | 2.28 | % | $ | 13.17 | $ | 11.79 | ||||||||||
Net Asset Value |
13.98 | 14.09 | (0.78 | ) | 14.10 | 13.66 |
Market Price and Net Asset Value History For the Past Five Years
Overview of the Trusts Total Investments *
TRUST SUMMARY | 15 |
Trust Summary as of February 28, 2019 | BlackRock MuniVest Fund, Inc. |
Trust Overview
BlackRock MuniVest Fund, Inc.s (MVF) (the Trust) investment objective is to provide shareholders with as high a level of current income exempt from U.S. federal income taxes as is consistent with its investment policies and prudent investment management. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of an aggregate of the Trusts net assets (including proceeds from the issuance of any preferred shares) and the proceeds of any borrowing for investment purposes, in municipal obligations exempt from U.S. federal income taxes (except that the interest may be subject to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax). Under normal market conditions, the Trust primarily invests in long term municipal obligations rated investment grade at the time of investment (or, if unrated, are considered by the Trusts investment adviser to be of comparable quality at the time of investment) and in long term municipal obligations with maturities of more than ten years at the time of investment. The Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in securities rated below investment grade or deemed equivalent at the time of purchase. The Trust may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.
No assurance can be given that the Trusts investment objective will be achieved.
Trust Information
Symbol on NYSE |
MVF | |
Initial Offering Date |
September 29, 1988 | |
Yield on Closing Market Price as of February 28, 2019 ($8.94)(a) |
5.17% | |
Tax Equivalent Yield(b) |
8.73% | |
Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(c) |
$0.0385 | |
Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(c) |
$0.4620 | |
Economic Leverage as of February 28, 2019(d) |
36% |
(a) | Yield on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. Past performance does not guarantee future results. |
(b) | Tax equivalent yield assumes the maximum marginal U.S. federal tax rate of 40.8%, which includes the 3.8% Medicare tax. Actual tax rates will vary based on income, exemptions and deductions. Lower taxes will result in lower tax equivalent yields. |
(c) | The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. |
(d) | Represents VMTP Shares and TOB Trusts as a percentage of total managed assets, which is the total assets of the Trust, including any assets attributable to VMTP Shares and TOB Trusts, minus the sum of accrued liabilities. For a discussion of leveraging techniques utilized by the Trust, please see The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging on page 5. |
Performance
Returns for the six months ended February 28, 2019 were as follows:
Returns Based On | ||||||||
Market Price | NAV | |||||||
MVF(a)(b) |
4.32 | % | 1.38 | % | ||||
Lipper General & Insured Municipal Debt Funds (Leveraged)(c) |
3.68 | 1.64 |
(a) | All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices. |
(b) | The Trusts discount to NAV narrowed during the period, which accounts for the difference between performance based on market price and performance based on NAV. |
(c) | Average return. Returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at NAV on the ex-dividend date as calculated by Lipper. |
Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Past performance is not indicative of future results.
The following discussion relates to the Trusts absolute performance based on NAV:
After performing poorly in September and October, municipal bonds recovered to post a positive total return for the full six-month period. The initial downturn was largely brought about by concerns that the Fed would raise interest rates aggressively in 2019. However, subsequent signs of slowing growth prompted investors to adjust their expectations in favor of more accommodative Fed policy, sparking a rally across the bond market from early November onward.
Portfolio income was a key contributor to absolute returns over the last six months. At the sector level, the Trusts positions in transportation, state tax-backed and health care issues made the largest contribution to performance. The Trusts allocation to higher-rated securities, which outperformed lower-quality bonds, also aided results.
The Trust sought to manage interest rate risk using U.S. Treasury futures. Given that U.S. Treasury yields fell, as prices rose, this strategy had a small, negative effect on the Trusts return.
Positions in the tobacco sector further detracted from performance due to the Food and Drug Administrations announcement of its intention to ban menthol cigarettes. Reinvestment had an adverse effect on the Trusts income, as the proceeds of higher-yielding bonds that matured or were called needed to be reinvested at lower prevailing rates.
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.
16 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Trust Summary as of February 28, 2019 (continued) | BlackRock MuniVest Fund, Inc. |
Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary
02/28/19 | 08/31/18 | Change | High | Low | ||||||||||||||||
Market Price |
$ | 8.94 | $ | 8.81 | 1.48 | % | $ | 9.00 | $ | 8.08 | ||||||||||
Net Asset Value |
9.22 | 9.35 | (1.39 | ) | 9.35 | 9.04 |
Market Price and Net Asset Value History For the Past Five Years
Overview of the Trusts Total Investments *
TRUST SUMMARY | 17 |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Bond Trust (BBK) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
18 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Bond Trust (BBK) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS | 19 |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Bond Trust (BBK) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
20 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Bond Trust (BBK) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS | 21 |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Bond Trust (BBK) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
(k) | During the six months ended February 28, 2019, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate of the Trust for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows: |
Affiliate | Shares Held at 08/31/18 |
Net Activity |
Shares Held at 02/28/19 |
Value at 02/28/19 |
Income | Net Realized Gain (Loss) (a) |
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
BlackRock Liquidity Funds, MuniCash, Institutional Class |
2,100,576 | (1,910,823 | ) | 189,753 | $ | 189,772 | $ | 20,642 | $ | 430 | $ | | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable. |
22 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Bond Trust (BBK) |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
Futures Contracts
Description | Number of Contracts |
Expiration Date |
Notional Amount (000) |
Value / Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
||||||||||||
Short Contracts: |
||||||||||||||||
10-Year U.S. Treasury Note |
25 | 06/19/19 | $ | 3,050 | $ | 15,823 | ||||||||||
Long U.S. Treasury Bond |
87 | 06/19/19 | 12,569 | 143,190 | ||||||||||||
5-Year U.S. Treasury Note |
16 | 06/28/19 | 1,833 | 5,475 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
$ | 164,488 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contracts |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets Derivative Financial Instruments |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized appreciation(a) |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 164,488 | $ | | $ | 164,488 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts, if any, as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current days variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. |
For the six months ended February 28, 2019, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contracts |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | (254,903 | ) | $ | | $ | (254,903 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 136,966 | $ | | $ | 136,966 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
Futures contracts: |
||||
Average notional value of contracts short |
$ | 15,804,254 |
For more information about the Trusts investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Trusts policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to Notes to Financial Statements.
The following tables summarize the Trusts investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Assets: |
| |||||||||||||||
Investments: |
| |||||||||||||||
Long-Term Investments(a) |
$ | | $ | 264,825,324 | $ | | $ | 264,825,324 | ||||||||
Short-Term Securities |
189,772 | | | 189,772 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
$ | 189,772 | $ | 264,825,324 | $ | | $ | 265,015,096 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Derivative Financial Instruments(b) |
| |||||||||||||||
Assets: |
| |||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
$ | 164,488 | $ | | $ | | $ | 164,488 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | See above Schedule of Investments for values in each state or political subdivision. |
(b) | Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts which are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS | 23 |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Bond Trust (BBK) |
The Trust may hold assets and/or liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes. As of period end, such assets and/or liabilities are categorized within the disclosure hierarchy as follows:
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Liabilities: |
| |||||||||||||||
TOB Trust Certificates |
$ | | $ | (23,564,266 | ) | $ | | $ | (23,564,266 | ) | ||||||
VMTP Shares at Liquidation Value |
| (79,900,000 | ) | | (79,900,000 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
$ | | $ | (103,464,266 | ) | $ | | $ | (103,464,266 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During the six months ended February 28, 2019, there were no transfers between levels.
See notes to financial statements.
24 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Income Investment Quality Trust (BAF) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS | 25 |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Income Investment Quality Trust (BAF) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
26 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Income Investment Quality Trust (BAF) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS | 27 |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Income Investment Quality Trust (BAF) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
(g) | During the six months ended February 28, 2019, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate of the Trust for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows: |
Affiliate | Shares Held at 08/31/18 |
Net Activity |
Shares Held at 02/28/19 |
Value at 02/28/19 |
Income | Net Realized Gain (Loss) (a) |
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
BlackRock Liquidity Funds, MuniCash, Institutional Class |
690,077 | (100,522 | ) | 589,555 | $ | 589,614 | $ | 8,450 | $ | 478 | $ | | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
Futures Contracts
Description | Number of Contracts |
Expiration Date |
Notional Amount (000) |
Value/ Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
||||||||||||
Short Contracts: |
||||||||||||||||
10-Year U.S. Treasury Note |
13 | 06/19/19 | $ | 1,586 | $ | 8,219 | ||||||||||
Long U.S. Treasury Bond |
50 | 06/19/19 | 7,223 | 82,293 | ||||||||||||
5-Year U.S. Treasury Note |
20 | 06/28/19 | 2,291 | 6,844 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
$ | 97,356 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contracts |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets Derivative Financial Instruments |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized appreciation(a) |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 97,356 | $ | | $ | 97,356 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts, if any, as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current days variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. |
28 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Income Investment Quality Trust (BAF) |
For the six months ended February 28, 2019, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contracts |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | (218,010 | ) | $ | | $ | (218,010 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 86,680 | $ | | $ | 86,680 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
Futures contracts: |
||||
Average notional value of contracts short |
$ | 10,070,953 |
For more information about the Trusts investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Trusts policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following tables summarize the Trusts investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Investments: |
||||||||||||||||
Long-Term Investments(a) |
$ | | $ | 220,604,242 | $ | | $ | 220,604,242 | ||||||||
Short-Term Securities |
589,614 | | | 589,614 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
$ | 589,614 | $ | 220,604,242 | $ | | $ | 221,193,856 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Derivative Financial Instruments(b) |
||||||||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
$ | 97,356 | $ | | $ | | $ | 97,356 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | See above Schedule of Investments for values in each state or political subdivision. |
(b) | Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts which are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
The Trust may hold assets and/or liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes. As of period end, such assets and/or liabilities are categorized within the disclosure hierarchy as follows:
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
TOB Trust Certificates |
$ | | $ | (51,608,191 | ) | $ | | $ | (51,608,191 | ) | ||||||
VMTP Shares at Liquidation Value |
| (42,200,000 | ) | | (42,200,000 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
$ | | $ | (93,808,191 | ) | $ | | $ | (93,808,191 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During the six months ended February 28, 2019, there were no transfers between levels.
See notes to financial statements.
SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS | 29 |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust (BYM) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
30 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust (BYM) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS | 31 |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust (BYM) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
32 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust (BYM) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS | 33 |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust (BYM) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
34 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust (BYM) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
(h) | During the six months ended February 28, 2019, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate of the Trust for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows: |
Affiliate | Shares Held at 08/31/18 |
Net Activity |
Shares Held at 02/28/19 |
Value at 02/28/19 |
Income | Net Realized Gain (Loss) (a) |
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
BlackRock Liquidity Funds, MuniCash, Institutional Class |
4,490,659 | (932,258 | ) | 3,558,401 | $ | 3,558,757 | $ | 33,661 | $ | 235 | $ | | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
Futures Contracts
Description | Number of Contracts |
Expiration Date |
Notional Amount (000) |
Value/ Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
||||||||||||
Short Contracts: |
||||||||||||||||
10-Year U.S. Treasury Note |
83 | 06/19/19 | $ | 10,126 | $ | 52,571 | ||||||||||
Long U.S. Treasury Bond |
194 | 06/19/19 | 28,027 | 319,298 | ||||||||||||
5-Year U.S. Treasury Note |
42 | 06/28/19 | 4,812 | 14,372 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
$ | 386,241 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contracts |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets Derivative Financial Instruments |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized appreciation(a) |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 386,241 | $ | | $ | 386,241 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts, if any, as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current days variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. |
SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS | 35 |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust (BYM) |
For the six months ended February 28, 2019, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contracts |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | (663,840 | ) | $ | | $ | (663,840 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 329,801 | $ | | $ | 329,801 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
Futures contracts: |
| |||
Average notional value of contracts short |
$ | 38,637,047 |
For more information about the Trusts investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Trusts policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following tables summarize the Trusts investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Assets: |
| |||||||||||||||
Investments: |
| |||||||||||||||
Long-Term Investments(a) |
$ | | $ | 623,497,153 | $ | | $ | 623,497,153 | ||||||||
Short-Term Securities |
3,558,757 | | | 3,558,757 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total |
$ | 3,558,757 | $ | 623,497,153 | $ | | $ | 627,055,910 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Derivative Financial Instruments(b) |
| |||||||||||||||
Assets: |
| |||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
$ | 386,241 | $ | | $ | | $ | 386,241 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | See above Schedule of Investments for values in each state or political subdivision. |
(b) | Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
The Trust may hold assets and/or liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes. As of period end, such assets and/or liabilities are categorized within the disclosure hierarchy as follows:
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Liabilities: |
| |||||||||||||||
TOB Trust Certificates |
$ | | $ | (108,777,798 | ) | $ | | $ | (108,777,798 | ) | ||||||
VMTP Shares at Liquidation Value |
| (137,200,000 | ) | | (137,200,000 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
$ | | $ | (245,977,798 | ) | $ | | $ | (245,977,798 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During the six months ended February 28, 2019, there were no transfers between levels.
See notes to financial statements.
36 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Income Trust II (BLE) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS | 37 |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Income Trust II (BLE) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
38 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Income Trust II (BLE) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS | 39 |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Income Trust II (BLE) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
40 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Income Trust II (BLE) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS | 41 |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Income Trust II (BLE) |
(k) | During the six months ended February 28, 2019, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate of the Trust for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows: |
Affiliate | Shares Held at 08/31/18 |
Net Activity |
Shares Held at 02/28/19 |
Value at 02/28/19 |
Income | Net Realized Gain (Loss) (a) |
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
BlackRock Liquidity Funds, MuniCash, Institutional Class |
4,902,849 | (3,903,355 | ) | 999,494 | $ | 999,594 | $ | 25,441 | $ | 94 | $ | (227 | ) | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
Futures Contracts
Description | Number of Contracts |
Expiration Date |
Notional Amount (000) |
Value / Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
||||||||||||
Short Contracts: |
||||||||||||||||
10-Year U.S. Treasury Note |
31 | 06/19/19 | $ | 3,782 | $ | 19,624 | ||||||||||
Long U.S. Treasury Bond |
123 | 06/19/19 | 17,770 | 202,442 | ||||||||||||
5-Year U.S. Treasury Note |
23 | 06/28/19 | 2,635 | 7,870 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
$ | 229,936 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contracts |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets Derivative Financial Instruments |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized appreciation(a) |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 229,936 | $ | | $ | 229,936 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts, if any, as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current days variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. |
For the six months ended February 28, 2019, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contracts |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | (359,851 | ) | $ | | $ | (359,851 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 194,037 | $ | | $ | 194,037 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock Municipal Income Trust II (BLE) |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
Futures contracts: |
||||
Average notional value of contracts short |
$ | 22,681,289 |
For more information about the Trusts investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Trusts policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following tables summarize the Trusts investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Assets: |
| |||||||||||||||
Investments: |
| |||||||||||||||
Long-Term Investments(a) |
$ | | $ | 549,175,196 | $ | | $ | 549,175,196 | ||||||||
Short-Term Securities |
999,594 | | | 999,594 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
$ | 999,594 | $ | 549,175,196 | $ | | $ | 550,174,790 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Derivative Financial Instruments(b) |
| |||||||||||||||
Assets: |
| |||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
$ | 229,936 | $ | | $ | | $ | 229,936 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
$ | 229,936 | $ | | $ | | $ | 229,936 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | See above Schedule of Investments for values in each state or political subdivision. |
(b) | Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts which are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
The Trust may hold assets and/or liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes. As of period end, such assets and/or liabilities are categorized within the disclosure hierarchy as follows:
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Liabilities: |
| |||||||||||||||
TOB Trust Certificates |
$ | | $ | (64,522,879 | ) | $ | | $ | (64,522,879 | ) | ||||||
VRDP Shares at Liquidation Value |
| (151,300,000 | ) | | (151,300,000 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
$ | | $ | (215,822,879 | ) | $ | | $ | (215,822,879 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During the six months ended February 28, 2019, there were no transfers between levels.
See notes to financial statements.
SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS | 43 |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock MuniHoldings Investment Quality Fund (MFL) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
44 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock MuniHoldings Investment Quality Fund (MFL) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS | 45 |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock MuniHoldings Investment Quality Fund (MFL) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
46 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock MuniHoldings Investment Quality Fund (MFL) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
(f) | During the six months ended February 28, 2019, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate of the Trust for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows: |
Affiliate | Shares Held at 08/31/18 |
Net Activity |
Shares Held at 02/28/19 |
Value at 02/28/19 |
Income | Net Realized Gain (Loss) (a) |
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
BlackRock Liquidity Funds, MuniCash, Institutional Class |
1,018,845 | 1,373,910 | 2,392,755 | $ | 2,392,995 | $ | 16,874 | $ | 634 | $ | | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
Futures Contracts
Description | Number of Contracts |
Expiration Date |
Notional Amount (000) |
Value / Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
||||||||||||
Short Contracts: |
||||||||||||||||
10-Year U.S. Treasury Note |
115 | 06/19/19 | $ | 14,030 | $ | 72,882 | ||||||||||
Long U.S. Treasury Bond |
216 | 06/19/19 | 31,205 | 355,507 | ||||||||||||
5-Year U.S. Treasury Note |
76 | 06/28/19 | 8,707 | 26,006 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
$ | 454,395 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contracts |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets Derivative Financial Instruments |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized appreciation(a) |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 454,395 | $ | | $ | 454,395 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts, if any, as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current days variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. |
SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS | 47 |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock MuniHoldings Investment Quality Fund (MFL) |
For the six months ended February 28, 2019, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contracts |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | (921,207 | ) | $ | | $ | (921,207 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 408,042 | $ | | $ | 408,042 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
Futures contracts: |
||||
Average notional value of contracts short |
$ | 46,598,238 |
For more information about the Trusts investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Trusts policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to Notes to Financial Statements.
The following tables summarize the Trusts investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Investments: |
||||||||||||||||
Long-Term Investments(a) |
$ | | $ | 875,419,277 | $ | | $ | 875,419,277 | ||||||||
Short-Term Securities |
2,392,995 | | | 2,392,995 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
$ | 2,392,995 | $ | 875,419,277 | $ | | $ | 877,812,272 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Derivative Financial Instruments(b) |
||||||||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
$ | 454,395 | $ | | $ | | $ | 454,395 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
$ | 454,395 | $ | | $ | | $ | 454,395 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | See above Schedule of Investments for values in each state or political subdivision. |
(b) | Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts which are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
The Trust may hold assets and/or liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes. As of period end, such assets and/or liabilities are categorized within the disclosure hierarchy as follows:
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
TOB Trust Certificates |
$ | | $ | (82,671,903 | ) | $ | | $ | (82,671,903 | ) | ||||||
VRDP Shares at Liquidation Value |
| (274,600,000 | ) | | (274,600,000 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
$ | | $ | (357,271,903 | ) | $ | | $ | (357,271,903 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During the six months ended February 28, 2019, there were no transfers between levels.
See notes to financial statements.
48 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock MuniVest Fund, Inc. (MVF) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS | 49 |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock MuniVest Fund, Inc. (MVF) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
50 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock MuniVest Fund, Inc. (MVF) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS | 51 |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock MuniVest Fund, Inc. (MVF) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
52 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock MuniVest Fund, Inc. (MVF) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS | 53 |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock MuniVest Fund, Inc. (MVF) |
During the six months ended February 28, 2019, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate of the Trust for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
Affiliate | Shares Held at 08/31/18 |
Net Activity |
Shares Held at 02/28/19 |
Value at 02/28/19 |
Income | Net Realized Gain (Loss) (a) |
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
BlackRock Liquidity Funds, MuniCash, Institutional Class(b) |
159,172 | (159,172 | ) | | $ | | $ | 25,216 | $ | 1,773 | $ | | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable. |
(b) | No longer held by the Trust as of period end. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
Futures Contracts
Description | Number of Contracts |
Expiration Date |
Notional Amount (000) |
Value / Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
||||||||||||
Short Contracts: |
||||||||||||||||
10-Year U.S. Treasury Note |
86 | 06/19/19 | $ | 10,492 | $ | 54,490 | ||||||||||
Long U.S. Treasury Bond |
260 | 06/19/19 | 37,562 | 427,925 | ||||||||||||
5-Year U.S. Treasury Note |
33 | 06/28/19 | 3,781 | 11,292 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
$ | 493,707 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contracts |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets Derivative Financial Instruments |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized appreciation(a) |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 493,707 | $ | | $ | 493,707 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts, if any, as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current days variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. |
For the six months ended February 28, 2019, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
Commodity Contract |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contracts |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | (1,304,252 | ) | $ | | $ | (1,304,252 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
$ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | 453,402 | $ | | $ | 453,402 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
54 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Schedule of Investments (unaudited) (continued) February 28, 2019 |
BlackRock MuniVest Fund, Inc. (MVF) |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
Futures contracts: |
||||
Average notional value of contracts short . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
$ | 45,093,813 |
For more information about the Trusts investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Trusts policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following tables summarize the Trusts investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Assets: |
| |||||||||||||||
Investments: |
| |||||||||||||||
Long-Term Investments(a) |
$ | | $ | 930,757,531 | $ | | $ | 930,757,531 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Derivative Financial Instruments(b) |
| |||||||||||||||
Assets: |
| |||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
$ | 493,707 | $ | | $ | | $ | 493,707 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | See above Schedule of Investments for values in each state or political subdivision. |
(b) | Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts which are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
The Trust may hold assets and/or liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes. As of period end, such assets and/or liabilities are categorized within the disclosure hierarchy as follows:
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Liabilities: |
| |||||||||||||||
TOB Trust Certificates |
$ | | $ | (99,033,917 | ) | $ | | $ | (99,033,917 | ) | ||||||
VMTP Shares at Liquidation Value |
| (243,800,000 | ) | | (243,800,000 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
$ | | $ | (342,833,917 | ) | $ | | $ | (342,833,917 | ) | |||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During the six months ended February 28, 2019, there were no transfers between levels.
See notes to financial statements.
SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS | 55 |
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)
February 28, 2019
BBK | BAF | BYM | BLE | |||||||||||||
ASSETS |
| |||||||||||||||
Investments at value unaffiliated(a) |
$ | 264,825,324 | $ | 220,604,242 | $ | 623,497,153 | $ | 549,175,196 | ||||||||
Investments at value affiliated(b) |
189,772 | 589,614 | 3,558,757 | 999,594 | ||||||||||||
Cash |
126,422 | 70,338 | 295,688 | 176,852 | ||||||||||||
Cash pledged for futures contracts |
266,050 | 158,800 | 628,050 | 370,800 | ||||||||||||
Receivables: |
| |||||||||||||||
Interest unaffiliated |
2,905,967 | 2,276,339 | 6,670,797 | 6,491,775 | ||||||||||||
Dividends affiliated |
1,162 | 530 | 8,158 | 2,144 | ||||||||||||
Variation margin on futures contracts |
45,406 | 27,057 | 107,952 | 63,280 | ||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses |
9,334 | 9,124 | 11,052 | 9,985 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total assets |
268,369,437 | 223,736,044 | 634,777,607 | 557,289,626 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
ACCRUED LIABILITIES |
| |||||||||||||||
Payables: |
| |||||||||||||||
Income dividend distributions Common Shares |
668,208 | 511,841 | 1,373,126 | 1,364,732 | ||||||||||||
Investment advisory fees |
133,068 | 93,873 | 265,875 | 234,347 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense and fees |
64,932 | 171,561 | 462,929 | 243,736 | ||||||||||||
Trustees and Officers fees |
31,808 | 23,480 | 73,533 | 67,530 | ||||||||||||
Other accrued expenses |
90,658 | 80,790 | 126,014 | 114,760 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total accrued liabilities |
988,674 | 881,545 | 2,301,477 | 2,025,105 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
OTHER LIABILITIES |
| |||||||||||||||
TOB Trust Certificates |
23,564,266 | 51,608,191 | 108,777,798 | 64,522,879 | ||||||||||||
VMTP Shares, at liquidation value of $100,000 per share(c)(d) |
79,900,000 | 42,200,000 | 137,200,000 | 151,300,000 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total other liabilities |
103,464,266 | 93,808,191 | 245,977,798 | 215,822,879 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total liabilities |
104,452,940 | 94,689,736 | 248,279,275 | 217,847,984 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS |
$ | 163,916,497 | $ | 129,046,308 | $ | 386,498,332 | $ | 339,441,642 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS CONSIST OF |
| |||||||||||||||
Paid-in capital(e)(f)(g) |
$ | 149,545,188 | $ | 124,019,631 | $ | 362,795,037 | $ | 327,395,423 | ||||||||
Accumulated earnings |
14,371,309 | 5,026,677 | 23,703,295 | 12,046,219 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS |
$ | 163,916,497 | $ | 129,046,308 | $ | 386,498,332 | $ | 339,441,642 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net asset value per Common Share |
$ | 15.58 | $ | 14.75 | $ | 14.64 | $ | 14.43 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
(a) Investments at cost unaffiliated |
$ | 250,347,602 | $ | 211,759,669 | $ | 591,754,720 | $ | 527,273,189 | ||||||||
(b) Investments at cost affiliated |
$ | 189,772 | $ | 589,614 | $ | 3,558,757 | $ | 999,594 | ||||||||
(c) Preferred Shares outstanding, par value $0.10 per share |
799 | 422 | 1,372 | 1,513 | ||||||||||||
(d) Preferred Shares authorized |
unlimited | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited | ||||||||||||
(e) Par value per Common Share |
$ | 0.001 | $ | 0.001 | $ | 0.001 | $ | 0.001 | ||||||||
(f) Common Shares outstanding |
10,522,957 | 8,749,418 | 26,406,273 | 23,529,861 | ||||||||||||
(g) Common Shares authorized |
unlimited | unlimited | unlimited | unlimited |
See notes to financial statements.
56 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) (continued)
February 28, 2019
MFL | MVF | |||||||
ASSETS |
| |||||||
Investments at value unaffiliated(a) |
$ | 875,419,277 | $ | 930,757,531 | ||||
Investments at value affiliated(b) |
2,392,995 | | ||||||
Cash |
328,775 | | ||||||
Cash pledged for futures contracts |
747,150 | 791,500 | ||||||
Receivables: |
| |||||||
Interest unaffiliated |
11,109,197 | 11,662,920 | ||||||
Dividends affiliated |
1,860 | 361 | ||||||
Investments sold |
85,000 | 1,384,950 | ||||||
Variation margin on futures contracts |
128,561 | 136,429 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses |
15,475 | 23,245 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total assets |
890,228,290 | 944,756,936 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
ACCRUED LIABILITIES |
| |||||||
Bank overdraft |
| 221,944 | ||||||
Payables: |
| |||||||
Income dividend distributions Common Shares |
2,141,136 | 2,496,200 | ||||||
Investment advisory fees |
343,254 | 360,388 | ||||||
Interest expense and fees |
374,936 | 440,572 | ||||||
Trustees and Officers fees |
318,757 | 151,047 | ||||||
Other accrued expenses |
189,894 | 199,207 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total accrued liabilities |
3,367,977 | 3,869,358 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
OTHER LIABILITIES |
| |||||||
TOB Trust Certificates |
82,671,903 | 99,033,917 | ||||||
VMTP Shares, at liquidation value of $100,000 per share(c)(d) |
| 243,800,000 | ||||||
VRDP Shares, at liquidation value of $100,000 per share, net of deferred offering costs(c)(d) |
274,221,546 | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total other liabilities |
356,893,449 | 342,833,917 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total liabilities |
360,261,426 | 346,703,275 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS |
$ | 529,966,864 | $ | 598,053,661 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS CONSIST OF |
| |||||||
Paid-in capital(e)(f)(g) |
$ | 513,591,274 | $ | 582,474,297 | ||||
Accumulated earnings |
16,375,590 | 15,579,364 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net Assets |
$ | 529,966,864 | $ | 598,053,661 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net asset value per Common Share |
$ | 13.98 | $ | 9.22 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
(a) Investments at cost unaffiliated |
$ | 847,994,674 | $ | 898,398,368 | ||||
(b) Investments at cost affiliated |
$ | 2,392,995 | $ | | ||||
(c) Preferred Shares outstanding, par value $0.10 per share |
2,746 | 2,438 | ||||||
(d) Preferred Shares authorized |
1,000,000 | 10,000,000 | ||||||
(e) Par value per Common Share . |
$ | 0.10 | $ | 0.10 | ||||
(f) Common Shares outstanding |
37,896,208 | 64,836,371 | ||||||
(g) Common Shares authorized |
unlimited | 150,000,000 |
See notes to financial statements.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 57 |
Statements of Operations (unaudited)
Six Months Ended February 28, 2019
BBK | BAF | BYM | BLE | |||||||||||||
INVESTMENT INCOME |
| |||||||||||||||
Interest unaffiliated |
$ | 5,698,291 | $ | 4,704,014 | $ | 13,024,752 | $ | 12,776,220 | ||||||||
Dividends affiliated |
20,642 | 8,450 | 33,661 | 25,441 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total investment income |
5,718,933 | 4,712,464 | 13,058,413 | 12,801,661 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
EXPENSES |
| |||||||||||||||
Investment advisory |
856,919 | 599,516 | 1,714,828 | 1,512,395 | ||||||||||||
Professional |
29,305 | 26,782 | 40,733 | 37,835 | ||||||||||||
Accounting services |
26,741 | 23,489 | 33,821 | 33,821 | ||||||||||||
Rating agency |
21,496 | 21,475 | 21,530 | 21,538 | ||||||||||||
Transfer agent |
11,903 | 10,322 | 16,272 | 16,467 | ||||||||||||
Trustees and Officer |
8,579 | 6,835 | 19,232 | 18,019 | ||||||||||||
Custodian |
2,575 | 3,300 | 7,709 | 3,096 | ||||||||||||
Registration |
4,697 | 4,692 | 5,079 | 5,509 | ||||||||||||
Printing |
3,813 | 3,603 | 4,910 | 4,699 | ||||||||||||
Miscellaneous |
10,162 | 6,873 | 12,602 | 9,955 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total expenses excluding interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs |
976,190 | 706,887 | 1,876,716 | 1,663,334 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs(a) |
1,296,487 | 1,095,758 | 3,013,244 | 2,681,144 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total expenses |
2,272,677 | 1,802,645 | 4,889,960 | 4,344,478 | ||||||||||||
Less fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager |
(1,307 | ) | (555 | ) | (2,301 | ) | (1,688 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed |
2,271,370 | 1,802,090 | 4,887,659 | 4,342,790 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net investment income |
3,447,563 | 2,910,374 | 8,170,754 | 8,458,871 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) |
| |||||||||||||||
Net realized gain (loss) from: |
| |||||||||||||||
Investments unaffiliated |
(389,699 | ) | 11,270 | (471,831 | ) | (346,622 | ) | |||||||||
Investments affiliated |
194 | 412 | 235 | (79 | ) | |||||||||||
Futures contracts |
(254,903 | ) | (218,010 | ) | (663,840 | ) | (359,851 | ) | ||||||||
Capital gain distributions from investment companies affiliated |
236 | 66 | | 173 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
(644,172 | ) | (206,262 | ) | (1,135,436 | ) | (706,379 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: |
| |||||||||||||||
Investments unaffiliated |
(595,216 | ) | (695,451 | ) | (443,211 | ) | (2,753,767 | ) | ||||||||
Investments affiliated |
| | | (227 | ) | |||||||||||
Futures contracts |
136,966 | 86,680 | 329,801 | 194,037 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
(458,250 | ) | (608,771 | ) | (113,410 | ) | (2,559,957 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net realized and unrealized loss |
(1,102,422 | ) | (815,033 | ) | (1,248,846 | ) | (3,266,336 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS |
$ | 2,345,141 | $ | 2,095,341 | $ | 6,921,908 | $ | 5,192,535 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Related to TOB Trusts, VMTP Shares and/or VRDP Shares. |
See notes to financial statements.
58 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Statements of Operations (unaudited) (continued)
Six Months Ended February 28, 2019
MFL | MVF | |||||||
INVESTMENT INCOME |
| |||||||
Interest unaffiliated |
$ | 18,506,644 | $ | 21,782,362 | ||||
Dividends affiliated |
16,874 | 25,216 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total investment income |
18,523,518 | 21,807,578 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
EXPENSES |
| |||||||
Investment advisory |
2,446,825 | 2,342,459 | ||||||
Professional |
52,457 | 53,586 | ||||||
Accounting services |
63,681 | 66,203 | ||||||
Rating agency |
21,610 | 21,592 | ||||||
Transfer agent |
21,038 | 26,059 | ||||||
Trustees and Officer |
39,011 | 30,219 | ||||||
Registration |
7,289 | 15,173 | ||||||
Printing |
5,549 | 5,981 | ||||||
Custodian |
6,943 | 10,137 | ||||||
Liquidity fees |
13,868 | | ||||||
Remarketing fees on Preferred Shares |
13,617 | | ||||||
Miscellaneous |
11,591 | 16,276 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total expenses excluding interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs |
2,703,479 | 2,587,685 | ||||||
Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs(a) |
4,348,136 | 4,336,830 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total expenses |
7,051,615 | 6,924,515 | ||||||
Less fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager |
(243,627 | ) | (1,762 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed |
6,807,988 | 6,922,753 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net investment income |
11,715,530 | 14,884,825 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) |
| |||||||
Net realized gain (loss) from: |
| |||||||
Investments unaffiliated |
1,952,413 | (352,589 | ) | |||||
Investments affiliated |
540 | 1,599 | ||||||
Futures contracts |
(921,207 | ) | (1,304,252 | ) | ||||
Capital gain distributions from investment companies affiliated |
94 | 174 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
1,031,840 | (1,655,068 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: |
| |||||||
Investments unaffiliated |
(4,416,924 | ) | (6,121,068 | ) | ||||
Futures contracts |
408,042 | 453,402 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
(4,008,882 | ) | (5,667,666 | ) | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net realized and unrealized loss |
(2,977,042 | ) | (7,322,734 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS |
$ | 8,738,488 | $ | 7,562,091 | ||||
|
|
|
|
(a) | Related to TOB Trusts, VRDP Shares and/or VMTP Shares. |
See notes to financial statements.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 59 |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
BBK | BAF | |||||||||||||||||||
Six Months Ended 02/28/19 (unaudited) |
Year Ended 08/31/18 |
Six Months Ended 02/28/19 (unaudited) |
Year Ended 08/31/18 |
|||||||||||||||||
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS |
||||||||||||||||||||
OPERATIONS |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
$ | 3,447,563 | $ | 7,391,439 | $ | 2,910,374 | $ | 6,444,710 | ||||||||||||
Net realized gain (loss) |
(644,172 | ) | 953,349 | (206,262 | ) | 725,071 | ||||||||||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
(458,250 | ) | (5,906,242 | ) | (608,771 | ) | (7,394,607 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to Common Shareholders resulting from operations |
2,345,141 | 2,438,546 | 2,095,341 | (224,826 | ) | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS(a)(b) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to Common Shareholders |
(4,507,267 | ) | (8,064,592 | ) | (3,071,046 | ) | (7,017,033 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS(b) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total decrease in net assets applicable to Common Shareholders |
(2,162,126 | ) | (5,626,046 | ) | (975,705 | ) | (7,241,859 | ) | ||||||||||||
Beginning of period |
166,078,623 | 171,704,669 | 130,022,013 | 137,263,872 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
End of period |
$ | 163,916,497 | $ | 166,078,623 | $ | 129,046,308 | $ | 130,022,013 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(b) | Prior year distribution character information and undistributed net investment income has been modified or removed to conform with current year Regulation S-X presentation changes. Refer to Note 11 for this prior year information. |
See notes to financial statements.
60 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
BYM | BLE | |||||||||||||||||||
Six Months Ended 02/28/19 (unaudited) |
Year Ended 08/31/18 |
Six Months Ended 02/28/19 (unaudited) |
Year Ended 08/31/18 |
|||||||||||||||||
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS |
||||||||||||||||||||
OPERATIONS |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
$ | 8,170,754 | $ | 17,739,356 | $ | 8,458,871 | $ | 17,822,092 | ||||||||||||
Net realized gain (loss) |
(1,135,436 | ) | 1,927,259 | (706,379 | ) | 1,208,495 | ||||||||||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
(113,410 | ) | (18,246,948 | ) | (2,559,957 | ) | (15,379,159 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Net increase in net assets applicable to Common Shareholders resulting from operations |
6,921,908 | 1,419,667 | 5,192,535 | 3,651,428 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS(a)(b) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to Common Shareholders |
(8,572,453 | ) | (17,745,015 | ) | (8,188,392 | ) | (18,242,150 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS |
||||||||||||||||||||
Reinvestment of common distributions |
| | | 127,225 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS(b) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total decrease in net assets applicable to Common Shareholders |
(1,650,545 | ) | (16,325,348 | ) | (2,995,857 | ) | (14,463,497 | ) | ||||||||||||
Beginning of period |
388,148,877 | 404,474,225 | 342,437,499 | 356,900,996 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
End of period |
$ | 386,498,332 | $ | 388,148,877 | $ | 339,441,642 | $ | 342,437,499 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(b) | Prior year distribution character information and undistributed net investment income has been modified or removed to conform with current year Regulation S-X presentation changes. Refer to Note 11 for this prior year information. |
See notes to financial statements.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 61 |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
MFL | MVF | |||||||||||||||||||
Six Months Ended 02/28/19 (unaudited) |
Year Ended 08/31/18 |
Six Months Ended 02/28/19 (unaudited) |
Year Ended 08/31/18 |
|||||||||||||||||
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS |
||||||||||||||||||||
OPERATIONS |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
$ | 11,715,530 | $ | 26,843,909 | $ | 14,884,825 | $ | 32,994,274 | ||||||||||||
Net realized gain (loss) |
1,031,840 | 5,357,512 | (1,655,068 | ) | 4,572,478 | |||||||||||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
(4,008,882 | ) | (33,990,948 | ) | (5,667,666 | ) | (29,636,180 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to Common Shareholders resulting from operations |
8,738,488 | (1,789,527 | ) | 7,562,091 | 7,930,572 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS(a)(b) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to Common Shareholders |
(12,846,815 | ) | (29,099,183 | ) | (15,480,332 | ) | (33,923,160 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS |
||||||||||||||||||||
Reinvestment of common distributions |
| 580,514 | | 1,475,965 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS(b) |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total decrease in net assets applicable to Common Shareholders |
(4,108,327 | ) | (30,308,196 | ) | (7,918,241 | ) | (24,516,623 | ) | ||||||||||||
Beginning of period |
534,075,191 | 564,383,387 | 605,971,902 | 630,488,525 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
End of period |
$ | 529,966,864 | $ | 534,075,191 | $ | 598,053,661 | $ | 605,971,902 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
(b) | Prior year distribution character information and undistributed net investment income has been modified or removed to conform with current year Regulation S-X presentation changes. Refer to Note 11 for this prior year information. |
See notes to financial statements.
62 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
Six Months Ended February 28, 2019
BBK | BAF | BYM | BLE | |||||||||||||
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations |
$ | 2,345,141 | $ | 2,095,341 | $ | 6,921,908 | $ | 5,192,535 | ||||||||
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 |
23,174,997 | 41,392,108 | 41,515,436 | 70,401,047 | ||||||||||||
Purchases of long-term investments |
(23,740,552 | ) | (44,169,411 | ) | (38,222,647 | ) | (71,799,831 | ) | ||||||||
Net proceeds from sales of short-term securities |
1,911,208 | 100,944 | 932,586 | 3,903,439 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of premium and accretion of discount on investments and other fees |
(162,263 | ) | 549,165 | 252,726 | 513,442 | |||||||||||
Net realized gain (gain) loss on investments |
389,505 | (11,682 | ) | 471,596 | 346,701 | |||||||||||
Net unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments |
595,216 | 695,451 | 443,211 | 2,753,994 | ||||||||||||
(Increase) Decrease in Assets: |
| |||||||||||||||
Receivables: |
| |||||||||||||||
Interest unaffiliated |
(41,955 | ) | 176,684 | (101,670 | ) | 249,571 | ||||||||||
Dividends affiliated |
(529 | ) | 255 | (782 | ) | 3,806 | ||||||||||
Variation margin on futures contracts |
(45,406 | ) | (27,057 | ) | (107,952 | ) | (63,280 | ) | ||||||||
Prepaid expenses |
2,459 | 17,405 | 17,701 | 3,711 | ||||||||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
Payables: |
||||||||||||||||
Investment advisory fees |
(15,548 | ) | (9,625 | ) | (30,317 | ) | (26,961 | ) | ||||||||
Interest expense and fees |
7,785 | 23,222 | 56,716 | 14,372 | ||||||||||||
Trustees and Officers fees |
1,253 | 993 | 2,555 | 3,235 | ||||||||||||
Variation margin on futures contracts |
(3,469 | ) | (3,201 | ) | (9,672 | ) | (6,773 | ) | ||||||||
Other accrued expenses |
(34,479 | ) | (27,987 | ) | (46,592 | ) | (41,809 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
4,383,363 | 802,605 | 12,094,803 | 11,447,199 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
CASH USED FOR FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from TOB Trust Certificates |
798,979 | 4,160,000 | 516,720 | 8,916,923 | ||||||||||||
Repayments of TOB Trust Certificates |
(466,653 | ) | (1,744,221 | ) | (3,520,382 | ) | (11,890,878 | ) | ||||||||
Proceeds from Loan for TOB Trust Certificates |
466,653 | | 516,600 | 785,631 | ||||||||||||
Repayments of Loan for TOB Trust Certificates |
(466,653 | ) | | (516,600 | ) | (785,631 | ) | |||||||||
Cash dividends paid to Common Shareholders |
(4,507,267 | ) | (3,071,046 | ) | (8,572,453 | ) | (8,188,392 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Net cash used for financing activities |
(4,174,941 | ) | (655,267 | ) | (11,576,115 | ) | (11,162,347 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
CASH |
||||||||||||||||
Net increase in restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency |
208,422 | 147,338 | 518,688 | 284,852 | ||||||||||||
Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at beginning of period |
184,050 | 81,800 | 405,050 | 262,800 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at end of period |
$ | 392,472 | $ | 229,138 | $ | 923,738 | $ | 547,652 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION |
||||||||||||||||
Cash paid during the period for interest expense |
$ | 1,288,702 | $ | 1,072,536 | $ | 2,956,528 | $ | 2,666,772 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
RECONCILIATION OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED CASH AT THE END OF PERIOD TO THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES | ||||||||||||||||
Cash |
$ | 126,422 | $ | 70,338 | $ | 295,688 | $ | 176,852 | ||||||||
Cash pledged: |
| |||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
266,050 | 158,800 | 628,050 | 370,800 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
$ | 392,472 | $ | 229,138 | $ | 923,738 | $ | 547,652 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
RECONCILIATION OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED CASH AT THE BEGINNING OF PERIOD TO THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES | ||||||||||||||||
Cash pledged: |
| |||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
$ | 184,050 | $ | 81,800 | $ | 405,050 | $ | 262,800 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 63 |
Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) (continued)
Six Months Ended February 28, 2019
MFL | MVF | |||||||
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES |
| |||||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations |
$ | 8,738,488 | $ | 7,562,091 | ||||
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 |
154,170,048 | 128,435,455 | ||||||
Purchases of long-term investments |
(131,832,982 | ) | (109,279,196 | ) | ||||
Net proceeds from sales (purchases) of short-term securities |
| 160,787 | ||||||
Net purchases of short-term securities |
(1,373,508 | ) | | |||||
Amortization of premium and accretion of discount on investments and other fees |
3,119,394 | 1,548,635 | ||||||
Net realized (gain) loss on investments |
(1,952,953 | ) | 350,990 | |||||
Net unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments |
4,416,924 | 6,121,068 | ||||||
(Increase) Decrease in Assets: |
| |||||||
Receivables: |
| |||||||
Interest unaffiliated |
220,168 | 396,018 | ||||||
Dividends affiliated |
(235 | ) | 854 | |||||
Variation margin on futures contracts |
(128,561 | ) | (136,429 | ) | ||||
Prepaid expenses |
15,918 | 13,991 | ||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Liabilities: |
| |||||||
Payables: |
| |||||||
Investment advisory fees |
(41,068 | ) | (49,683 | ) | ||||
Interest expense and fees |
(15,441 | ) | 32,088 | |||||
Trustees and Officers fees |
5,498 | (6,438 | ) | |||||
Variation margin on futures contracts |
(15,883 | ) | (6,344 | ) | ||||
Other accrued expenses |
(51,791 | ) | (65,737 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
35,274,016 | 35,078,150 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
CASH USED FOR FINANCING ACTIVITIES |
| |||||||
Proceeds from TOB Trust Certificates |
10,003,907 | | ||||||
Repayments of TOB Trust Certificates |
(31,877,732 | ) | (19,150,830 | ) | ||||
Repayments of Loan for TOB Trust Certificates |
| | ||||||
Cash dividends paid to Common Shareholders |
(12,846,815 | ) | (15,642,423 | ) | ||||
Increase in bank overdraft |
| 221,944 | ||||||
Amortization of deferred offering costs |
8,399 | | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net cash used for financing activities |
(34,712,241 | ) | (34,571,309 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
CASH |
| |||||||
Net increase in restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency |
561,775 | 506,841 | ||||||
Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at beginning of period |
514,150 | 284,659 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at beginning of period |
$ | 1,075,925 | $ | 791,500 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION |
||||||||
Cash paid during the period for interest expense |
$ | 4,355,178 | $ | 4,304,742 | ||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
RECONCILIATION OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED CASH AT THE END OF PERIOD TO THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES | ||||||||
Cash |
$ | 328,775 | $ | | ||||
Cash pledged: |
| |||||||
Futures contracts |
747,150 | 791,500 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 1,075,925 | $ | 791,500 | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
RECONCILIATION OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED CASH AT THE BEGINNING OF PERIOD TO THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES | ||||||||
Cash |
$ | 110,000 | $ | 1,159 | ||||
Cash pledged: |
| |||||||
Futures contracts |
404,150 | 283,500 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
$ | 514,150 | $ | 284,659 | |||||
|
|
|
|
64 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
BBK | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Six Months Ended 02/28/19 |
Year Ended August 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period |
$ | 15.78 | $ | 16.32 | $ | 17.89 | $ | 16.49 | $ | 16.54 | $ | 14.18 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a) |
0.33 | 0.70 | 0.74 | 0.89 | 0.90 | 0.97 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
(0.10 | ) | (0.47 | ) | (1.09 | ) | 1.42 | 0.03 | 2.43 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations |
0.23 | 0.23 | (0.35 | ) | 2.31 | 0.93 | 3.40 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Distributions to Common Shareholders(b) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
From net investment income |
(0.38 | ) | (0.77 | ) | (0.83 | ) | (0.90 | ) | (0.98 | ) | (0.96 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
From net realized gain |
(0.05 | ) | | (0.39 | ) | (0.01 | ) | | (0.08 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total distributions to Common Shareholders |
(0.43 | ) | (0.77 | ) | (1.22 | ) | (0.91 | ) | (0.98 | ) | (1.04 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period |
$ | 15.58 | $ | 15.78 | $ | 16.32 | $ | 17.89 | $ | 16.49 | $ | 16.54 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Market price, end of period |
$ | 14.31 | $ | 14.35 | $ | 15.99 | $ | 18.22 | $ | 15.23 | $ | 15.59 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total Return Applicable to Common Shareholders(c) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Based on net asset value |
1.82 | %(d) | 1.87 | % | (1.44 | )% | 14.53 | % | 5.96 | % | 25.27 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Based on market price |
2.84 | %(d) | (5.45 | )% | (5.18 | )% | 26.29 | % | 3.83 | % | 24.11 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses |
2.82 | %(e) | 2.49 | % | 2.31 | % | 1.78 | % | 1.73 | % | 1.84 | %(f) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly |
2.82 | %(e) | 2.49 | % | 2.31 | % | 1.77 | % | 1.73 | % | 1.84 | %(f) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs(f) |
1.21 | %(e) | 1.18 | % | 1.19 | % | 1.16 | % | 1.16 | % | 1.19 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net investment income to Common Shareholders |
4.28 | %(e) | 4.39 | % | 4.55 | % | 5.18 | % | 5.41 | % | 6.29 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Supplemental Data |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets applicable to Common Shareholders, end of period (000) |
$ | 163,916 | $ | 166,079 | $ | 171,705 | $ | 188,107 | $ | 173,363 | $ | 173,798 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
VMTP Shares outstanding at $100,000 liquidation value, end of period (000) |
$ | 79,900 | $ | 79,900 | $ | 79,900 | $ | 79,900 | $ | 79,900 | $ | 79,900 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Asset coverage per VMTP Shares at $100,000 liquidation value, end of period |
$ | 305,152 | $ | 307,858 | $ | 314,899 | $ | 335,428 | $ | 316,975 | $ | 317,520 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Borrowings outstanding, end of period (000) |
$ | 23,564 | $ | 23,232 | $ | 22,404 | $ | 25,054 | $ | 19,495 | $ | 19,495 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate |
9 | % | 38 | % | 46 | % | 29 | % | 34 | % | 32 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Based on average Common 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. |
(f) | Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs related to TOBs and/or VMTP Shares. See Note 4 and Note 10 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
See notes to financial statements.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | 65 |
Financial Highlights (continued)
(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
BAF | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Six Months Ended 02/28/19 (unaudited) |
Year Ended August 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period |
$ | 14.86 | $ | 15.69 | $ | 16.56 | $ | 15.80 | $ | 15.97 | $ | 13.83 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a) |
0.33 | 0.74 | 0.79 | 0.83 | 0.83 | 0.83 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
(0.09 | ) | (0.77 | ) | (0.84 | ) | 0.75 | (0.18 | ) | 2.13 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations |
0.24 | (0.03 | ) | (0.05 | ) | 1.58 | 0.65 | 2.96 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Distributions to Common Shareholders from net investment income(b) |
(0.35 | ) | (0.80 | ) | (0.82 | ) | (0.82 | ) | (0.82 | ) | (0.82 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period |
$ | 14.75 | $ | 14.86 | $ | 15.69 | $ | 16.56 | $ | 15.80 | $ | 15.97 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Market price, end of period |
$ | 13.63 | $ | 13.54 | $ | 15.11 | $ | 15.79 | $ | 13.89 | $ | 14.18 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total Return Applicable to Common Shareholders(c) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Based on net asset value |
1.94 | %(d) | 0.18 | % | 0.14 | % | 10.57 | % | 4.71 | % | 22.67 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Based on market price |
3.39 | %(d) | (5.22 | )% | 1.15 | % | 19.92 | % | 3.68 | % | 17.50 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses |
2.84 | %(e) | 2.47 | % | 2.06 | % | 1.61 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.58 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly |
2.84 | %(e) | 2.47 | % | 2.06 | % | 1.61 | % | 1.50 | % | 1.58 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs(f) |
1.11 | %(e) | 1.08 | % | 1.06 | % | 1.01 | % | 1.00 | % | 1.03 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net investment income to Common Shareholders |
4.59 | %(e) | 4.84 | % | 5.06 | % | 5.09 | % | 5.16 | % | 5.56 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Supplemental Data |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets applicable to Common Shareholders, end of period (000) |
$ | 129,046 | $ | 130,022 | $ | 137,264 | $ | 144,927 | $ | 138,203 | $ | 139,723 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
VMTP Shares outstanding at $100,000 liquidation value, end of period (000) |
$ | 42,200 | $ | 42,200 | $ | 42,200 | $ | 42,200 | $ | 42,200 | $ | 42,200 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Asset coverage per VMTP Shares at $100,000 liquidation value, end of period |
$ | 405,797 | $ | 408,109 | $ | 425,270 | $ | 443,429 | $ | 427,495 | $ | 431,097 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Borrowings outstanding, end of period (000) |
$ | 51,608 | $ | 49,192 | $ | 44,937 | $ | 42,089 | $ | 33,470 | $ | 32,345 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate |
19 | % | 28 | % | 31 | % | 29 | % | 13 | % | 26 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Based on average Common 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. |
(f) | Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs related to TOBs Trusts and/or VMTP Shares. See Note 4 and Note 10 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
See notes to financial statements.
66 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Financial Highlights (continued)
(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
BYM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Six Months Ended 02/28/19 |
Year Ended August 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period |
$ | 14.70 | $ | 15.32 | $ | 16.22 | $ | 15.21 | $ | 15.56 | $ | 13.46 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a) |
0.31 | 0.67 | 0.75 | 0.82 | 0.84 | 0.86 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
(0.05 | ) | (0.62 | ) | (0.87 | ) | 1.02 | (0.33 | ) | 2.16 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations |
0.26 | 0.05 | (0.12 | ) | 1.84 | 0.51 | 3.02 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Distributions to Common Shareholders from net investment income(b) |
(0.32 | ) | (0.67 | ) | (0.78 | ) | (0.83 | ) | (0.86 | ) | (0.92 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period |
$ | 14.64 | $ | 14.70 | $ | 15.32 | $ | 16.22 | $ | 15.21 | $ | 15.56 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Market price, end of period |
$ | 13.32 | $ | 13.09 | $ | 14.84 | $ | 15.55 | $ | 13.67 | $ | 13.96 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total Return Applicable to Common Shareholders(c) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Based on net asset value |
2.14 | %(d) | 0.80 | % | (0.30 | )% | 12.71 | % | 3.85 | % | 23.69 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Based on market price |
4.36 | %(d) | (7.34 | )% | 0.74 | % | 20.23 | % | 4.03 | % | 18.65 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses |
2.59 | %(e) | 2.23 | % | 1.93 | % | 1.56 | % | 1.47 | % | 1.55 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly |
2.59 | %(e) | 2.23 | % | 1.93 | % | 1.56 | % | 1.47 | % | 1.55 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense, fees, and amortization of offering costs(f) |
0.99 | %(e) | 0.97 | % | 0.97 | % | 0.95 | % | 0.96 | % | 0.98 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net investment income to Common Shareholders |
4.32 | %(e) | 4.50 | % | 4.95 | % | 5.19 | % | 5.42 | % | 5.89 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Supplemental Data |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets applicable to Common Shareholders, end of period (000) |
$ | 386,498 | $ | 388,149 | $ | 404,474 | $ | 428,389 | $ | 401,536 | $ | 410,776 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
VMTP Shares outstanding at $100,000 liquidation value, end of period (000) |
$ | 137,200 | $ | 137,200 | $ | 137,200 | $ | 137,200 | $ | 137,200 | $ | 137,200 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Asset coverage per VMTP Shares at $100,000 liquidation value, end of period |
$ | 381,704 | $ | 382,907 | $ | 394,806 | $ | 412,237 | $ | 392,665 | $ | 399,399 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Borrowings outstanding, end of period (000) |
$ | 108,778 | $ | 111,781 | $ | 101,288 | $ | 100,250 | $ | 101,818 | $ | 93,816 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate |
6 | % | 30 | % | 18 | % | 10 | % | 12 | % | 20 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Based on average Common 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. |
(f) | Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs related to TOB Trusts and/or VMTP Shares. See Note 4 and Note 10 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
See notes to financial statements.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | 67 |
Financial Highlights (continued)
(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
BLE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Six Months Ended 02/28/19 (unaudited) |
Year Ended August 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period |
$ | 14.55 | $ | 15.17 | $ | 16.12 | $ | 15.25 | $ | 15.48 | $ | 13.32 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a) |
0.36 | 0.76 | 0.83 | 0.93 | 0.92 | 0.93 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
(0.13 | ) | (0.60 | ) | (0.89 | ) | 0.87 | (0.19 | ) | 2.22 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations |
0.23 | 0.16 | (0.06 | ) | 1.80 | 0.73 | 3.15 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Distributions to Common Shareholders from net investment income(b) |
(0.35 | ) | (0.78 | ) | (0.89 | ) | (0.93 | ) | (0.96 | ) | (0.99 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period |
$ | 14.43 | $ | 14.55 | $ | 15.17 | $ | 16.12 | $ | 15.25 | $ | 15.48 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Market price, end of period |
$ | 14.05 | $ | 13.77 | $ | 15.45 | $ | 16.34 | $ | 14.18 | $ | 14.70 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total Return Applicable to Common Shareholders(c) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Based on net asset value |
1.80 | %(d) | 1.35 | % | (0.18 | )% | 12.21 | % | 5.01 | % | 24.73 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Based on market price |
4.73 | %(d) | (5.82 | )% | 0.29 | % | 22.33 | % | 2.83 | % | 19.52 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses |
2.60 | %(e) | 2.32 | % | 2.02 | % | 1.62 | % | 1.55 | % | 1.64 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly |
2.60 | %(e) | 2.31 | % | 2.02 | % | 1.62 | % | 1.55 | % | 1.64 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs(f) |
0.99 | %(e) | 0.98 | % | 0.99 | % | 0.98 | % | 0.98 | % | 1.01 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net investment income to Common Shareholders |
5.06 | %(e) | 5.12 | % | 5.47 | % | 5.90 | % | 5.94 | % | 6.49 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Supplemental Data |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets applicable to Common Shareholders, end of period (000) |
$ | 339,442 | $ | 342,437 | $ | 356,901 | $ | 378,572 | $ | 357,868 | $ | 363,038 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
VMTP Shares outstanding at $100,000 liquidation value, end of period (000) |
$ | 151,300 | $ | 151,300 | $ | 151,300 | $ | 151,300 | $ | 151,300 | $ | 151,300 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Asset coverage per VMTP Shares at $100,000 liquidation value, end of period |
$ | 324,350 | $ | 326,330 | $ | 335,890 | $ | 350,213 | $ | 336,529 | $ | 339,946 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Borrowings outstanding, end of period (000) |
$ | 64,523 | $ | 67,497 | $ | 71,274 | $ | 77,130 | $ | 68,692 | $ | 68,692 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate |
13 | % | 7 | % | 9 | % | 7 | % | 10 | % | 16 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Based on average Common 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. |
(f) | Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs related to TOB Trusts and/or VMTP Shares. See Note 4 and Note 10 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
See notes to financial statements.
68 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Financial Highlights (continued)
(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
MFL | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Six Months Ended 02/28/19 (unaudited) |
Year Ended August 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period |
$ | 14.09 | $ | 14.91 | $ | 15.86 | $ | 15.18 | $ | 15.46 | $ | 13.27 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net investment income(a) |
0.31 | 0.71 | 0.78 | 0.86 | 0.89 | 0.89 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
(0.08 | ) | (0.76 | ) | (0.87 | ) | 0.68 | (0.31 | ) | 2.16 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations |
0.23 | (0.05 | ) | (0.09 | ) | 1.54 | 0.58 | 3.05 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Distributions to Common Shareholders from net investment income(b) |
(0.34 | ) | (0.77 | ) | (0.86 | ) | (0.86 | ) | (0.86 | ) | (0.86 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period |
$ | 13.98 | $ | 14.09 | $ | 14.91 | $ | 15.86 | $ | 15.18 | $ | 15.46 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Market price, end of period |
$ | 13.02 | $ | 12.73 | $ | 15.03 | $ | 15.86 | $ | 14.06 | $ | 13.92 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total Return Applicable to Common Shareholders(c) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Based on net asset value |
1.92 | %(d) | (0.05 | )% | (0.34 | )% | 10.56 | % | 4.29 | % | 24.24 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Based on market price |
5.07 | %(d) | (10.42 | )% | 0.46 | % | 19.37 | % | 7.28 | % | 17.91 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses |
2.71 | %(e) | 2.51 | % | 2.17 | % | 1.65 | % | 1.54 | % | 1.64 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly |
2.61 | %(e) | 2.41 | % | 2.08 | % | 1.60 | % | 1.49 | % | 1.57 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs(f)(g) |
0.94 | %(e) | 0.94 | % | 0.95 | % | 0.94 | % | 0.95 | % | 1.19 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net investment income to Common Shareholders |
4.50 | %(e) | 4.91 | % | 5.22 | % | 5.54 | % | 5.73 | % | 6.18 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Supplemental Data |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets applicable to Common Shareholders, end of period (000) |
$ | 529,967 | $ | 534,075 | $ | 564,383 | $ | 599,930 | $ | 573,885 | $ | 584,690 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
VRDP Shares outstanding at $100,000 liquidation value, end of period (000) |
$ | 274,600 | $ | 274,600 | $ | 274,600 | $ | 274,600 | $ | 274,600 | $ | 274,600 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Asset coverage per VRDP Shares at $100,000 liquidation value, end of period |
$ | 292,996 | $ | 294,492 | $ | 305,529 | $ | 318,474 | $ | 308,990 | $ | 312,924 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Borrowings outstanding, end of period (000) |
$ | 82,672 | $ | 114,546 | $ | 123,111 | $ | 131,279 | $ | 85,502 | $ | 89,157 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate |
12 | % | 22 | % | 16 | % | 27 | % | 13 | % | 25 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Based on average Common 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. |
(f) | Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs related to TOBs and/or VRDP Shares. See Note 4 and Note 10 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
(g) | The total expense ratio after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense, fees, amortization of offering costs, liquidity and remarketing fees were as follows: |
Six Months Ended 02/28/19 (unaudited) |
Year Ended August 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Expense ratios |
0.94 | % | 0.93 | % | 0.94 | % | 0.93 | % | 0.94 | % | 0.95 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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See notes to financial statements.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS | 69 |
Financial Highlights (continued)
(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
MVF | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Six Months Ended 02/28/19 (unaudited) |
Year Ended August 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period |
$ | 9.35 | $ | 9.75 | $ | 10.38 | $ | 10.04 | $ | 10.27 | $ | 9.14 | ||||||||||||||||
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Net investment income(a) |
0.23 | 0.51 | 0.56 | 0.61 | 0.62 | 0.63 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
(0.12 | ) | (0.39 | ) | (0.62 | ) | 0.36 | (0.21 | ) | 1.18 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Net increase (decrease) from investment operations |
0.11 | 0.12 | (0.06 | ) | 0.97 | 0.41 | 1.81 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Distributions to Common Shareholders from net investment income(b) |
(0.24 | ) | (0.52 | ) | (0.57 | ) | (0.63 | ) | (0.64 | ) | (0.68 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
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Net asset value, end of period |
$ | 9.22 | $ | 9.35 | $ | 9.75 | $ | 10.38 | $ | 10.04 | $ | 10.27 | ||||||||||||||||
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Market price, end of period |
$ | 8.94 | $ | 8.81 | $ | 9.84 | $ | 10.77 | $ | 9.65 | $ | 9.83 | ||||||||||||||||
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Total Return Applicable to Common Shareholders(c) |
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Based on net asset value |
1.38 | %(d) | 1.52 | % | (0.38 | )% | 9.96 | % | 4.27 | % | 20.70 | % | ||||||||||||||||
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Based on market price |
4.32 | %(d) | (5.22 | )% | (3.10 | )% | 18.70 | % | 4.71 | % | 18.50 | % | ||||||||||||||||
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Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders |
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Total expenses |
2.35 | %(e) | 2.16 | % | 1.92 | % | 1.55 | % | 1.43 | % | 1.49 | % | ||||||||||||||||
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Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly |
2.35 | %(e) | 2.16 | % | 1.92 | % | 1.55 | % | 1.43 | % | 1.49 | % | ||||||||||||||||
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Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense fees, and amortization of offering costs(f) |
0.88 | %(e) | 0.89 | % | 0.91 | % | 0.89 | % | 0.89 | % | 0.91 | % | ||||||||||||||||
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Net investment income to Common Shareholders |
5.05 | %(e) | 5.35 | % | 5.71 | % | 5.95 | % | 6.03 | % | 6.53 | % | ||||||||||||||||
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Supplemental Data |
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Net assets applicable to Common Shareholders, end of period (000) |
$ | 598,054 | $ | 605,972 | $ | 630,489 | $ | 667,589 | $ | 642,889 | $ | 656,922 | ||||||||||||||||
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VMTP Shares outstanding at $100,000 liquidation value, end of period (000) |
$ | 243,800 | $ | 243,800 | $ | 243,800 | $ | 243,800 | $ | 243,800 | $ | 243,800 | ||||||||||||||||
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Asset coverage per VMTP Shares at $100,000 liquidation value, end of period |
$ | 345,305 | $ | 348,553 | $ | 358,609 | $ | 373,827 | $ | 363,695 | $ | 369,451 | ||||||||||||||||
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Borrowings outstanding, end of period (000) |
$ | 99,034 | $ | 112,817 | $ | 139,989 | $ | 161,957 | $ | 148,867 | $ | 145,111 | ||||||||||||||||
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Portfolio turnover rate |
12 | % | 21 | % | 26 | % | 13 | % | 18 | % | 14 | % | ||||||||||||||||
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(a) | Based on average Common 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. |
(f) | Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs related to TOBs and/or VMTP Shares. See Note 4 and Note 10 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
See notes to financial statements.
70 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)
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 Municipal Bond Trust |
BBK | Delaware | Diversified | |||
BlackRock Municipal Income Investment Quality Trust |
BAF | Delaware | Diversified | |||
BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust |
BYM | Delaware | Diversified | |||
BlackRock Municipal Income Trust II |
BLE | Delaware | Diversified | |||
BlackRock MuniHoldings Investment Quality Fund |
MFL | Massachusetts | Diversified | |||
BlackRock MuniVest Fund, Inc. |
MVF | Maryland | Diversified |
The Boards of Trustees and Boards of Directors of the Trusts are collectively referred to throughout this report as the Board of Trustees or the Board, and the trustees and directors thereof are collectively referred to throughout this report as Trustees. The Trusts determine and make available for publication the NAVs of their Common Shares on a daily basis.
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 non-index fixed-income mutual funds and all BlackRock-advised closed-end funds referred to as the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex.
2. | SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each 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 (the trade dates). Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities is recognized on an accrual basis.
Segregation and Collateralization: In cases where a Trust enters into certain investments (e.g., futures contracts) or certain borrowings (e.g. TOB Trust transactions) that would be treated as senior securities for 1940 Act purposes, a Trust may segregate or designate on its books and records cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal to the amount of its future obligations under such investments or borrowings. Doing so allows the investment or borrowings to be excluded from treatment as a senior security. Furthermore, 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 or obligations.
Distributions: Distributions from net investment income are declared and paid monthly. Distributions of capital gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and made at least annually. The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Distributions to Preferred Shareholders are accrued and determined as described in Note 10.
Deferred Compensation Plan: Under the Deferred Compensation Plan (the Plan) approved by each Trusts Board, the independent Trustees (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 are included in the Trustees and Officers 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.
Recent Accounting Standards: In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update Premium Amortization of Purchased Callable Debt Securities which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities. Under the new guidance, the premium amortization of purchased callable debt securities that have explicit, non-contingent call features and are callable at fixed prices will be amortized to the earliest call date. The guidance will be applied on a modified retrospective basis and is effective for fiscal years, and their interim periods, beginning after December 15, 2018. Management continues to evaluate the impact of this guidance to the Trusts.
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-13 Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement which modifies disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. Management continues to evaluate the impact of this guidance to the Trusts.
Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, a Trust enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. A Trusts 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.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 71 |
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
3. | INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS |
Investment Valuation Policies: The Trusts investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as market value within the financial statements) as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time). U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price the Trusts would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Trusts determine the fair values of their financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under policies approved by the Board. The BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the Global Valuation Committee) is the committee formed by management to develop global pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments
Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of each Trusts assets and liabilities:
| Municipal investments (including commitments to purchase such investments on a when-issued basis) are valued on the basis of prices provided by dealers or pricing services. In determining the value of a particular investment, pricing services may use certain information with respect to transactions in such investments, quotations from dealers, pricing matrixes, market transactions in comparable investments and information with respect to various relationships between investments. |
| Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds are valued at NAV each business day. |
| Futures contracts traded on exchanges are valued at their last sale price. |
If events (e.g., a company announcement, market volatility or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investments, or in the event that the application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value (Fair Valued Investments). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Global Valuation Committee will include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, seeks to determine the price that each Trust might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arms-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement. The pricing of all Fair Valued Investments is subsequently reported to the Board or a committee thereof on a quarterly basis.
Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial statement purposes as follows:
| Level 1 Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that each 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) |
| Level 3 Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available (including each Trusts own assumptions used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments) |
The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Global Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by privately held companies or funds. There may not be a secondary market, and/or there are a limited number of investors. Level 3 investments may also be adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, with the amount of such discount estimated by the Global Valuation Committee in the absence of market information.
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the hierarchy. In accordance with each Trusts policy, transfers between different levels of the fair value hierarchy are deemed to have occurred as of the beginning of the reporting period. The categorization of a value determined for investments and derivative financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the investments and derivative financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.
4. | SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS |
Zero-Coupon Bonds: Zero-coupon bonds are normally issued at a significant discount from face value and do not provide for periodic interest payments. These bonds may experience greater volatility in market value than other debt obligations of similar maturity which provide for regular interest payments.
Forward Commitments and When-Issued Delayed Delivery Securities: Certain Trusts may purchase securities on a when-issued basis and may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis. Settlement of such transactions normally occurs within a month or more after the purchase or sale commitment is made. A Trust may purchase securities under such conditions with the intention of actually acquiring them, but may enter into a separate agreement to sell the securities before the settlement date. Since the value of securities purchased may fluctuate prior to settlement, a Trust may be required to pay more at settlement than the security is worth. In addition, a Trust is not entitled to any of the interest earned prior to settlement. When purchasing a security on a delayed delivery basis, a Trust assumes the rights and risks of ownership of the security, including the risk of price and yield fluctuations. In the event of default by the counterparty, a Trusts maximum amount of loss is the unrealized appreciation of unsettled when-issued transactions.
72 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Municipal Bonds Transferred to TOB Trusts: Certain trusts leverage their assets through the use of TOB Trust transactions. The trusts transfer municipal bonds into a special purpose trust (a TOB Trust). A TOB Trust issues two classes of beneficial interests: short-term floating rate interests (TOB Trust Certificates), which are sold to third party investors, and residual inverse floating rate interests (TOB Residuals), which are issued to the participating trusts that contributed the municipal bonds to the TOB Trust. The TOB Trust Certificates have interest rates that reset weekly and their holders have the option to tender such certificates to the TOB Trust for redemption at par and any accrued interest at each reset date. The TOB Residuals held by a trust provide the trust with the right to cause the holders of a proportional share of the TOB Trust Certificates to tender their certificates to the TOB Trust at par plus accrued interest. The trusts may withdraw a corresponding share of the municipal bonds from the TOB Trust. Other trusts managed by the investment adviser may also contribute municipal bonds to a TOB Trust into which a trust has contributed bonds. If multiple BlackRock-advised funds participate in the same TOB Trust, the economic rights and obligations under the TOB Residuals will be shared among the trusts ratably in proportion to their participation in the TOB Trust.
TOB Trusts are supported by a liquidity facility provided by a third party bank or other financial institution (the Liquidity Provider) that allows the holders of the TOB Trust Certificates to tender their certificates in exchange for payment of par plus accrued interest on any business day. The tendered TOB Trust Certificates are remarketed by a Remarketing Agent. In the event of a failed remarketing, the TOB Trust may draw upon a loan from the Liquidity Provider to purchase the tendered TOB Trust Certificates. Any loans made by the Liquidity Provider will be secured by the purchased TOB Trust Certificates held by the TOB Trust and will be subject to an increased interest rate based on number of days the loan is outstanding.
The TOB Trust may be collapsed without the consent of a trust, upon the occurrence of a termination event, as defined in the TOB Trust agreement. Upon the occurrence of a termination event, a TOB Trust would be liquidated with the proceeds applied first to any accrued fees owed to the trustee of the TOB Trust, the Remarketing Agent and the Liquidity Provider. Upon certain termination events, TOB Trust Certificates holders will be paid before the TOB Residuals holders (i.e., the Trusts) whereas in other termination events, TOB Trust Certificates holders and TOB Residuals holders will be paid pro rata.
While a trusts investment policies and restrictions expressly permit investments in inverse floating rate securities, such as TOB Residuals, they restrict the ability of a trust to borrow money for purposes of making investments. MVFs management believes that the trusts restrictions on borrowings do not apply to the trusts TOB Trust transactions. Each trusts transfer of the municipal bonds to a TOB Trust is considered a secured borrowing for financial reporting purposes. The cash received by the TOB Trust from the sale of the TOB Trust Certificates, less certain transaction expenses, is paid to a trust. A trust typically invests the cash received in additional municipal bonds.
Accounting for TOB Trusts: The municipal bonds deposited into a TOB Trust are presented in a trusts Schedules of Investments and the TOB Trust Certificates are shown in Other Liabilities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Any loans drawn by the TOB Trust pursuant to the liquidity facility to purchase tendered TOB Trust Certificates are shown as Loan for TOB Trust Certificates. The carrying amount of a trusts payable to the holder of the TOB Trust Certificates as reported in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as TOB Trust Certificates approximates its fair value.
Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts, from the underlying municipal bonds is recorded by a trust on an accrual basis. Interest expense incurred on the TOB Trust transaction and other expenses related to remarketing, administration, trustee, liquidity and other services to a TOB Trust are shown as interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs in the Statements of Operations. Fees paid upon creation of the TOB Trust are recorded as debt issuance costs and are amortized to interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs in the Statements of Operations to the expected maturity of the TOB Trust. In connection with the restructurings of the TOB Trusts to non-bank sponsored TOB Trusts, a trust incurred non-recurring, legal and restructuring fees, which are recorded as interest expense, fees and amortization of deferred offering costs in the Statements of Operations. Amounts recorded within interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs in the Statements of Operations are:
Interest Expense | Liquidity Fees | Other Expenses | Total | |||||||||||||
BBK |
$ | 186,660 | $ | 49,531 | $ | 19,810 | $ | 256,001 | ||||||||
BAF |
398,928 | 105,262 | 43,187 | 547,377 | ||||||||||||
BYM |
888,458 | 247,385 | 69,965 | 1,205,808 | ||||||||||||
BLE |
523,961 | 140,477 | 50,591 | 715,029 | ||||||||||||
MFL |
768,921 | 207,361 | 84,054 | 1,060,336 | ||||||||||||
MVF |
842,957 | 249,821 | 74,769 | 1,167,547 |
For the six months ended February 28, 2019, the following table is a summary of each Trusts TOB Trusts:
Underlying Municipal Bonds Transferred to TOB Trusts (a) |
Liability for TOB Trust Certificates (b) |
Range
of Period End |
Average TOB Trust Certificates Outstanding |
Daily Weighted Average Rate of Interest and Other Expenses on TOB Trusts |
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BBK |
$ | 38,559,378 | $ | 23,564,266 | 1.75 1.80 | % | $ | 23,539,716 | 2.19 | % | ||||||||||
BAF |
89,822,783 | 51,608,191 | 1.75 1.95 | 49,744,690 | 2.22 | |||||||||||||||
BYM |
173,596,377 | 108,777,798 | 1.71 2.02 | 110,167,251 | 2.21 | |||||||||||||||
BLE |
106,418,160 | 64,522,879 | 1.71 1.95 | 65,951,004 | 2.19 | |||||||||||||||
MFL |
166,794,255 | 82,671,903 | 1.75 1.80 | 96,774,703 | 2.21 | |||||||||||||||
MVF |
190,613,175 | 99,033,917 | 1.73 1.90 | 105,769,199 | 2.23 |
(a) | The municipal bonds transferred to a TOB Trust are generally high grade municipal bonds. In certain cases, when municipal bonds transferred are lower grade municipal bonds, the TOB Trust transaction may include a credit enhancement feature that provides for the timely payment of principal and interest on the bonds to the TOB Trust by a credit enhancement provider in the event of default of the municipal bond. The TOB Trust would be responsible for the payment of the credit enhancement fee and the trust, as a TOB Residuals holders, would be responsible for reimbursement of any payments of principal and interest made by the credit enhancement provider. The maximum potential amounts owed by the trust, for such reimbursements, as applicable, are included in the maximum potential amounts disclosed for recourse TOB Trusts. |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 73 |
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
(b) | TOB Trusts may be structured on a non-recourse or recourse basis. When a Trust invests in TOB Trusts on a non-recourse basis, the Liquidity Provider may be required to make a payment under the liquidity facility to allow the TOB Trust to repurchase TOB Trust Certificates. The Liquidity Provider will be reimbursed from the liquidation of bonds held in the TOB Trust. If a trust invests in a TOB Trust on a recourse basis, a trust enters into a reimbursement agreement with the Liquidity Provider where a trust is required to reimburse the Liquidity Provider for any shortfall between the amount paid by the Liquidity Provider and proceeds received from liquidation of municipal bonds held in the TOB Trust (the Liquidation Shortfall). As a result, if a Trust invests in recourse TOB Trust, a Trust will bear the risk of loss with respect to any Liquidation Shortfall. If multiple trusts participate in any such TOB Trust, these losses will be shared ratably, including the maximum potential amounts owed by a Trust at February 28, 2019, in proportion to their participation in the TOB Trust. The recourse TOB Trusts are identified in the Schedules of Investments including the maximum potential amounts owed by a Trust at February 28, 2019. |
For the six months ended February 28, 2019, the following table is a summary of each Trusts Loan for TOB Trust Certificates:
Loans Outstanding at Period End |
Range of Interest Rates on Loans at Period End |
Average Loans Outstanding |
Daily Weighted Average Rate of Interest and Other Expenses on Loans |
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BBK |
| | $ | 2,578 | 0.78 | % | ||||||||||
BYM |
| | 33,603 | 0.78 | ||||||||||||
BLE |
| | 4,341 | 0.78 |
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 over-the-counter (OTC)
Futures Contracts: Futures contracts are purchased or sold to gain exposure to, or manage exposure to, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk), and changes in the value of equity securities (equity risk) or foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).
Futures contracts are agreements between the Trusts and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified price and on a specified date. Depending on the terms of a contract, it is settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash amount on the settlement date. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Trusts are required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on a contracts size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedules of Investments and cash deposited, if any, is shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Trusts agree to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (variation margin). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the notional amount of the contract at the time it was opened and the notional amount at the time it was closed. The use of futures contracts involves the risk of an imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of futures contracts and interest, foreign currency exchange rates or underlying assets.
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 Trusts portfolio and provides the personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary to the operations of each Trust.
For such services, each Trust, except for MFL and MVF, pays the Manager a monthly fee at an annual rate equal to the following of the average weekly value of each Trusts managed assets:
BBK | BAF | BYM | BLE | |||||||||||||
Investment advisory fees |
0.65 | % | 0.55 | % | 0.55 | % | 0.55 | % |
For purposes of calculating these fees, managed assets mean the total assets of each Trust minus the sum of its accrued liabilities (other than the aggregate indebtedness constituting financial leverage).
For such services, MFL and MVF pays the Manager a monthly fee at an annual rate equal to 0.55% and 0.50%, respectively, of the average daily value of each Trusts net assets.
For purposes of calculating these fees, net assets mean the total assets of each Trust minus the sum of its accrued liabilities (which does not include liabilities represented by TOB Trusts and the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred shares). It is understood that the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock (other than accumulated dividends) and TOB Trusts is not considered a liability in determining a Trusts net asset value.
74 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Expense Limitations, Waivers, Reimbursements and Recoupments: The Manager, for MFL, voluntarily agreed to waive its investment advisory fee on the proceeds of the Preferred Shares and TOB Trusts that exceed 35% of total assets minus the sum of its accrued liabilities (which does not include liabilities represented by TOB Trusts and the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred shares). The voluntary waiver may be reduced or discontinued at any time without notice. This amount is included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statements of Operations. For the six months ended February 28, 2019 the waiver was $242,472.
With respect to each Trust, the Manager voluntarily 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). These amounts are included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statements of Operations. For the six months ended February 28, 2019, the amounts waived were as follows:
BBK | BAF | BYM | BLE | MFL | MVF | |||||||||||||||||||
Amounts waived |
$ | 1,307 | $ | 555 | $ | 2,301 | $ | 1,688 | $ | 1,155 | $ | 1,762 |
The Manager contractually agreed to waive its investment advisory fee with respect to any portion of each Trusts assets invested in affiliated equity and fixed-income mutual funds and affiliated exchange-traded funds that have a contractual management fee through June 30, 2019. 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 six months ended February 28, 2019, there were no fees waived by the Manager pursuant to these arrangements.
Trustees and Officers: Certain trustees and/or officers of the Trusts are trustees 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.
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 six months ended February 28, 2019, the purchase and sale transactions and any net realized gains (losses) with an affiliated fund in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:
Purchase | Sales | Net Realized Gain (Loss) |
||||||||||
BAF |
$ | | $ | 562,987 | $ | (41,862 | ) |
7. | PURCHASES AND SALES |
For the six months ended February 28, 2019, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, were as follows:
BBK | BAF | BYM | BLE | MFL | MVF | |||||||||||||||||||
Purchases |
$ | 22,268,469 | $ | 42,746,014 | $ | 35,702,700 | $ | 69,124,831 | $ | 108,276,382 | $ | 109,279,196 | ||||||||||||
Sales |
23,174,997 | 41,285,350 | 41,515,436 | 70,176,047 | 154,180,048 | 129,323,435 |
8. | INCOME TAX INFORMATION |
It is each Trusts 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 Trusts U.S. federal tax returns generally remains open for each of the four years ended August 31, 2018. The statutes of limitations on each Trusts 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 February 28, 2019, 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.
As of August 31, 2018, the Trusts had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains through the indicated expiration dates as follows:
Expires August 31, | BAF | BYM | BLE | MFL | MVF | |||||||||||||||
No expiration date(a) |
$ | 3,682,816 | $ | 5,377,520 | $ | 7,804,136 | $ | 13,245,637 | $ | 8,518,168 | ||||||||||
2019 |
| | 2,448,693 | | 5,276,524 | |||||||||||||||
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|
|
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$ | 3,682,816 | $ | 5,377,520 | $ | 10,252,829 | $ | 13,245,637 | $ | 13,794,692 | |||||||||||
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(a) | Must be utilized prior to losses subject to expiration. |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 75 |
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
As of February 28, 2019, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation for investments and derivatives based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:
BBK | BAF | BYM | BLE | MFL | MVF | |||||||||||||||||||
Tax cost |
$ | 226,981,433 | $ | 161,216,821 | $ | 487,910,489 | $ | 463,698,661 | $ | 767,857,222 | $ | 800,803,117 | ||||||||||||
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|
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Gross unrealized appreciation |
$ | 15,269,724 | $ | 9,101,363 | $ | 33,734,965 | $ | 25,523,964 | $ | 32,103,800 | $ | 34,538,853 | ||||||||||||
Gross unrealized depreciation |
(635,839 | ) | (635,162 | ) | (2,981,102 | ) | (3,340,778 | ) | (4,366,258 | ) | (3,124,649 | ) | ||||||||||||
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|
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Net unrealized appreciation |
$ | 14,633,885 | $ | 8,466,201 | $ | 30,753,863 | $ | 22,183,186 | $ | 27,737,542 | $ | 31,414,204 | ||||||||||||
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9. | PRINCIPAL RISKS |
Many municipalities insure repayment of their bonds, which may reduce the potential for loss due to credit risk. The market value of these bonds may fluctuate for other reasons, including market perception of the value of such insurance, and there is no guarantee that the insurer will meet its obligation.
Inventories of municipal bonds held by brokers and dealers may decrease, which would lessen their ability to make a market in these securities. Such a reduction in market making capacity could potentially decrease a Trusts ability to buy or sell bonds. As a result, a Trust may sell a security at a lower price, sell other securities to raise cash, or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative impact on performance. If a Trust needed to sell large blocks of bonds, those sales could further reduce the bonds prices and impact performance.
In the normal course of business, certain 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.
Each Trust may be exposed to prepayment risk, which is the risk that borrowers may exercise their option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled during periods of declining interest rates, which would force each Trust to reinvest in lower yielding securities. Each Trust may also be exposed to reinvestment risk, which is the risk that income from each Trusts portfolio will decline if each Trust invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called fixed-income securities at market interest rates that are below each Trust portfolios current earnings rate.
The Trusts may hold a significant amount of bonds subject to calls by the issuers at defined dates and prices. When bonds are called by issuers and the Trusts reinvest the proceeds received, such investments may be in securities with lower yields than the bonds originally held, and correspondingly, could adversely impact the yield and total return performance of a Trust.
A Trust structures and sponsors the TOB Trusts in which it holds TOB Residuals and has certain duties and responsibilities, which may give rise to certain additional risks including, but not limited to, compliance, securities law and operational risks.
Should short-term interest rates rise, the Trusts investments in the TOB Trusts may adversely affect the Trusts net investment income and dividends to Common Shareholders. Also, fluctuations in the market value of municipal bonds deposited into the TOB Trust may adversely affect the Trusts NAVs per share.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and various federal banking and housing agencies have adopted credit risk retention rules for securitizations (the Risk Retention Rules). The Risk Retention Rules would require the sponsor of a TOB Trust to retain at least 5% of the credit risk of the underlying assets supporting the TOB Trusts municipal bonds. The Risk Retention Rules may adversely affect the Trusts ability to engage in TOB Trust transactions or increase the costs of such transactions in certain circumstances.
TOB Trusts constitute an important component of the municipal bond market. Any modifications or changes to rules governing TOB Trusts may adversely impact the municipal market and the Trusts, including through reduced demand for and liquidity of municipal bonds and increased financing costs for municipal issuers. The ultimate impact of any potential modifications on the TOB Trust market and the overall municipal market is not yet certain.
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. 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.
With exchange-traded futures, 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). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing brokers customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing brokers customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Trusts.
76 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Concentration Risk: BBK and MFL invests a substantial amount of its assets in issuers located in a single state or limited number of states. This may subject each Trust to the risk that economic, political or social issues impacting a particular state or group of states could have an adverse and disproportionate impact on the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Trusts respective portfolios. Investment percentages in specific states or U.S. territories are presented in the Schedules of Investments.
As of period end, BAF invested a significant portion of its assets in securities in the transportation and county, city, special district and school district sectors. MFL invested a significant portion of its assets in securities in the transportation sector. 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 fixed-income securities and/or use derivatives tied to the fixed-income markets. Changes in market interest rates or economic conditions may affect the value and/or liquidity of such investments. 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 Trusts may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates. The Federal Reserve has begun to raise the Federal Funds rate, and each increase results in more pronounced interest rate risk in the current market environment.
10. | CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS |
Each of BBK, BAF, BYM, and BLE is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares, including Preferred Shares, par value $0.001 per share, all of which were initially classified as Common Shares. The Board is authorized, however, to reclassify any unissued Common Shares to Preferred Shares, without the approval of Common Shareholders.
MFL is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares, including 1 million Preferred Shares, par value $0.10 per share.
MVF is authorized to issue 160 million shares, 150 million of which were initially classified as Common Shares, par value $0.10 per share and 10 million of which were classified as Preferred Shares, par value $0.10 per share.
Common Shares
For the period shown, shares issued and outstanding increased by the following amounts as a result of dividend reinvestment:
BLE | MFL | MVF | ||||||||||
Year Ended August 31, 2018 |
8,405 | 39,363 | 152,734 |
For the six months ended February 28, 2019, shares issued and outstanding remained constant for all the Trusts. For the year ended August 31, 2018, shares issued and outstanding remained constant for BBK, BAF and BYM.
On November 15, 2018, the Board of Trustees authorized each Trust to participate in an open market share repurchase program (the Repurchase Program). Under the Repurchase Program, each Trust may repurchase up to 5% of its outstanding common shares through November 30, 2019, based on common shares outstanding as of the close of business on November 30, 2018, subject to certain conditions. There is no assurance that the Trusts will purchase shares in any particular amounts. For the six months ended February 28, 2019, the Trusts did not repurchase any shares.
Preferred Shares
A Trusts Preferred Shares rank prior to its Common Shares as to the payment of dividends by the Trust and distribution of assets upon dissolution or liquidation of the Trust. The 1940 Act prohibits the declaration of any dividend on Common Shares or the repurchase of Common Shares if the Trust fails to maintain asset coverage of at least 200% of the liquidation preference of the Trusts outstanding Preferred Shares. In addition, pursuant to the Preferred Shares governing instruments, a Trust is restricted from declaring and paying dividends on classes of shares ranking junior to or on parity with its Preferred Shares or repurchasing such shares if the Trust fails to declare and pay dividends on the Preferred Shares, redeem any Preferred Shares required to be redeemed under the Preferred Shares governing instruments or comply with the basic maintenance amount requirement of the ratings agencies rating the Preferred Shares.
Holders of Preferred Shares have voting rights equal to the voting rights of holders of Common Shares (one vote per share) and vote together with holders of Common Shares (one vote per share) as a single class on certain matters. Holders of Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, are also entitled to (i) elect two members of the Board, (ii) elect the full Board if dividends on the Preferred Shares are not paid for a period of two years and (iii) a separate class vote to amend the Preferred Share governing documents. In addition, the 1940 Act requires the approval of the holders of a majority of any outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, to (a) adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the Preferred Shares, (b) change a Trusts sub-classification as a closed-end investment company or change its fundamental investment restrictions or (c) change its business so as to cease to be an investment company.
VRDP Shares
MFL has issued Series W-7 VRDP Shares, $100,000 liquidation preference per share, in one or more privately negotiated offerings to qualified institutional buyers as defined pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). The VRDP Shares include a liquidity feature and may be subject to a special rate period. As of period end, the VRDP Shares outstanding were as follows:
Issue Date |
Shares Issued |
Aggregate Principal |
Maturity Date |
|||||||||||||
MFL |
6/30/11 | 2,746 | $ | 274,600,000 | 7/01/41 |
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 77 |
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
Redemption Terms: MFL is required to redeem its VRDP Shares on the maturity date, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased. Six months prior to the maturity date, MFL is required to begin to segregate liquid assets with its custodian to fund the redemption. In addition, MFL is required to redeem certain of its outstanding VRDP Shares if it fails to comply with certain asset coverage, basic maintenance amount or leverage requirements.
Subject to certain conditions, the VRDP Shares may also be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time at the option of MFL. The redemption price per VRDP Share is equal to the liquidation preference per share plus any outstanding unpaid dividends.
Liquidity Feature: VRDP Shares are subject to a fee agreement between MFL and the liquidity provider that requires a per annum liquidity fee and, in some cases, an upfront or initial commitment fee, payable to the liquidity provider. These fees, if applicable, are shown as liquidity fees in the Statements of Operations. The fee agreement is set to expire, unless renewed or terminated in advance, on April 15, 2020.
In the event a fee agreement is not renewed or is terminated in advance, and MFL does not enter into a fee agreement with an alternate liquidity provider, the VRDP Shares will be subject to mandatory purchase by the liquidity provider prior to the termination of the fee agreement. In the event of such mandatory purchase, MFL is required to redeem the VRDP Shares six months after the purchase date. Immediately after such mandatory purchase, MFL is required to begin to segregate liquid assets with its custodian to fund the redemption. There is no assurance that MFL will replace such redeemed VRDP Shares with any other preferred shares or other form of leverage.
Remarketing: MFL may incur remarketing fees on the aggregate principal amount of all its VRDP Shares, which, if any, are included in remarketing fees on Preferred Shares in the Statements of Operations. During any special rate period (as described below), MFL may incur nominal or no remarketing fees.
Ratings: As of period end, the VRDP Shares were assigned the following long-term ratings:
Moodys | Fitch | |||||||
MFL |
Aa1 | AAA |
Any short-term ratings on the VRDP Shares are directly related to the short-term ratings of the liquidity provider for such VRDP Shares. Changes in the credit quality of the liquidity provider could cause a change in the short-term credit ratings of the VRDP Shares as rated by Moodys and Fitch. The liquidity provider may be terminated prior to the scheduled termination date if the liquidity provider fails to maintain short-term debt ratings in one of the two highest rating categories.
Special Rate Period: MFL may commence a special rate period with respect to its VRDP Shares, during which the VRDP Shares will not be subject to any remarketing and the dividend rate will be based on a predetermined methodology. During a special rate period, short-term ratings on VRDP Shares are withdrawn. The following VRDP Trust has commenced or is set to commence a special rate period:
Commencement Date |
Expiration Date as of period ended February 28, 2019 |
|||||||
MFL |
April 17, 2014 | April 15, 2020 |
Prior to the expiration date, the VRDP Trust and the VRDP Shares holder may mutually agree to extend the special rate period. If a special rate period is not extended, the VRDP Shares will revert to remarketable securities upon the termination of the special rate period and will be remarketed and available for purchase by qualified institutional investors.
During the special rate period: (i) the liquidity and fee agreements remain in effect, (ii) VRDP Shares remain subject to mandatory redemption by the VRDP Trust on the maturity date, (iii) VRDP Shares will not be remarketed or subject to optional or mandatory tender events, (iv) the VRDP Trust is required to comply with the same asset coverage, basic maintenance amount and leverage requirements for the VRDP Shares as is required when the VRDP Shares are not in a special rate period, (v) the VRDP Fund will pay dividends monthly based on the sum of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) Municipal Swap Index rate and a percentage per annum based on the long-term ratings assigned to the VRDP Shares and (vi) the VRDP Trust will pay nominal or no fees to the liquidity provider and remarketing agent.
If MFL redeems the VRDP Shares prior to end of the special rate period and the VRDP Shares have long-term ratings above A1/A+ and its equivalent by all ratings agencies then rating the VRDP Shares, then such redemption may be subject to a redemption premium payable to the holder of the VRDP Shares based on the time remaining in the special rate period, subject to certain exceptions for redemptions that are required to comply with minimum asset coverage requirements.
Dividends: Except during the Special Rate Period, dividends on the VRDP Shares are payable monthly at a variable rate set weekly by the remarketing agent. Such dividend rates are generally based upon a spread over a base rate and cannot exceed a maximum rate. A change in the short-term credit rating of the liquidity provider or the VRDP Shares may adversely affect the dividend rate paid on such shares, although the dividend rate paid on the VRDP Shares is not directly based upon either short-term rating. In the event of a failed remarketing, the dividend rate of the VRDP Shares will be reset to a maximum rate. The maximum rate is determined based on, among other things, the long-term preferred share rating assigned to the VRDP Shares and the length of time that the VRDP Shares fail to be remarketed.
For the six months ended February 28, 2019, the annualized dividend rate for the MFLs VRDP Shares was 2.41%.
For the six months ended February 28, 2019, VRDP Shares issued and outstanding of MFL remained constant.
78 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
VMTP Shares
BBK, BAF, BYM, BLE and MVF (collectively, the VMTP Trusts) have each issued Series W-7 VMTP Shares, $100,000 liquidation preference per share, in one or more privately negotiated offerings to qualified institutional buyers as defined pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The VMTP Shares are subject to certain restrictions on transfer, and a VMTP Trust may also be required to register its VMTP Shares for sale under the Securities Act under certain circumstances. As of period end, the VMTP Shares outstanding were as follows:
Issue Date |
Shares Issued |
Aggregate Principal |
Term Date |
|||||||||||||
BBK |
12/16/11 | 799 | $ | 79,900,000 | 07/02/20 | |||||||||||
BAF |
12/16/11 | 422 | 42,200,000 | 07/02/20 | ||||||||||||
BYM |
12/16/11 | 1,372 | 137,200,000 | 07/02/20 | ||||||||||||
BLE |
12/16/11 | 1,513 | 151,300,000 | 07/02/20 | ||||||||||||
MVF |
12/16/11 | 2,438 | 243,800,000 | 07/02/20 |
Redemption Terms: Each VMTP Trust is required to redeem its VMTP Shares on the term redemption date, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased or unless extended. There is no assurance that a term will be extended further or that any VMTP Shares will be replaced with any other preferred shares or other form of leverage upon the redemption or repurchase of the VMTP Shares. Six months prior to the term redemption date, a VMTP Trust is required to begin to segregate liquid assets with its custodian to fund the redemption. In addition, a VMTP Trust is required to redeem certain of its outstanding VMTP Shares if it fails to comply with certain asset coverage, basic maintenance amount or leverage requirements.
Subject to certain conditions, VMTP Shares may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time at the option of the VMTP Trust. The redemption price per VMTP Share is equal to the liquidation preference per share plus any outstanding unpaid dividends and applicable redemption premium. If a VMTP Trust redeems the VMTP Shares prior to the term redemption date and the VMTP Shares have long-term ratings above A1/A+ or its equivalent by the ratings agencies then rating the VMTP Shares, then such redemption may be subject to a prescribed redemption premium (up to 3% of the liquidation preference) payable to the holder of the VMTP Shares based on the time remaining until the term redemption date, subject to certain exceptions for redemptions that are required to comply with minimum asset coverage requirements.
Dividends: Dividends on the VMTP Shares are declared daily and payable monthly at a variable rate set weekly at a fixed rate spread to the SIFMA Municipal Swap Index or to a percentage of the one-month LIBOR rate, as set forth in the VMTP Shares governing instrument. The fixed spread is determined based on the long-term preferred share rating assigned to the VMTP Shares by the ratings agencies then rating the VMTP Shares. As of period end, the VMTP Shares were assigned the following long-term ratings:
Moodys | Fitch | |||||||
BBK |
Aa1 | AAA | ||||||
BAF |
Aa1 | AAA | ||||||
BYM |
Aa1 | AAA | ||||||
BLE |
Aa1 | AAA | ||||||
MVF |
Aa1 | AAA |
The dividend rate on the VMTP Shares is subject to a step-up spread if the VMTP Trusts fail to comply with certain provisions, including, among other things, the timely payment of dividends, redemptions or gross-up payments, and complying with certain asset coverage and leverage requirements.
For the six months ended February 28, 2019, the average annualized dividend rates for the VMTP Shares were as follows:
BBK | BAF | BYM | BLE | MVF | ||||||||||||||||
Rate |
2.63 | % | 2.62 | % | 2.66 | % | 2.62 | % | 2.62 | % |
For the six months ended February 28, 2019, VMTP Shares issued and outstanding of each Trust remained constant.
Offering Costs: MFL and the VMTP Trusts incurred costs in connection with the issuance of VRDP and VMTP Shares, which were recorded as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the related debt liability and will be amortized over the life of the VRDP and VMTP Shares. With the exception of upfront fees paid to the liquidity provider which was amortized over the life of the liquidity agreement. Amortization of these costs is included in interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs in the Statements of Operations.
Financial Reporting: The VRDP and VMTP Shares are considered debt of the issuer; therefore, the liquidation preference, which approximates fair value of the VRDP and VMTP Shares, is recorded as a liability in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities net of deferred offering costs. Unpaid dividends are included in interest expense and fees payable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, and the dividends accrued and paid on the VRDP and VMTP Shares are included as a component of interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs in the Statements of Operations. The VRDP and VMTP Shares are treated as equity for tax purposes. Dividends paid to
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 79 |
Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)
holders of the VRDP and VMTP Shares are generally classified as tax-exempt income for tax-reporting purposes. Dividends and amortization of deferred offering costs on VRDP and VMTP Shares are included in interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs in the Statements of Operations:
Dividend Accrued |
Deferred Offering Cost Amortization |
|||||||
BBK |
$ | 1,040,486 | $ | | ||||
BAF |
548,381 | | ||||||
BYM |
1,807,436 | | ||||||
BLE |
1,966,115 | | ||||||
MFL |
3,287,800 | 8,399 | ||||||
MVF |
3,169,283 | |
11. | REGULATION S-X AMENDMENTS |
On August 17, 2018, the SEC adopted amendments to certain disclosure requirements in Securities Act Release No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification. The Funds have adopted the amendments pertinent to Regulation S-X in this shareholder report. The amendments impacted certain disclosure presentation on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, Statements of Changes in Net Assets and Notes to Financial Statements.
Prior year distribution information and undistributed net investment income in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets has been modified to conform to the current year presentation in accordance with the Regulation S-X changes.
Distributions for the year ended August 31, 2018 were classified as follows:
Net Investment Income | ||||
BBK |
$ | 8,064,592 | ||
BAF |
7,017,033 | |||
BYM |
17,745,015 | |||
BLE |
18,242,150 | |||
MFL |
29,099,183 | |||
MVF |
33,923,160 |
Undistributed net investment income as of August 31, 2018 is as follows:
Undistributed Net Investment Income |
||||
BBK |
$ | 1,157,190 | ||
BAF |
728,463 | |||
BYM |
2,104,597 | |||
BLE |
1,959,535 | |||
MFL |
3,071,045 | |||
MVF |
3,464,573 |
12. | SUBSEQUENT EVENTS |
Managements 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 items were noted:
Common Dividend Per Share |
Preferred Shares (c) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Paid (a) | Declared (b) | Shares | Series | Declared | ||||||||||||||||||||
BBK |
$ | 0.054500 | $ | 0.054500 | VMTP | W-7 | $ | 180,246 | ||||||||||||||||
BAF |
0.058500 | 0.058500 | VMTP | W-7 | 95,199 | |||||||||||||||||||
BYM |
0.052000 | 0.052000 | VMTP | W-7 | 309,510 | |||||||||||||||||||
BLE |
0.058000 | 0.058000 | VMTP | W-7 | 341,318 | |||||||||||||||||||
MFL |
0.052500 | 0.052500 | VRDP | W-7 | 582,227 | |||||||||||||||||||
MVF |
0.038500 | 0.038500 | VMTP | W-7 | 549,989 |
(a) | Net investment income dividend paid on April 1, 2019 to Common Shareholders of record on March 15, 2019. |
(b) | Net investment income dividend declared on April 1, 2019, payable to Common Shareholders of record on April 15, 2019. |
(c) | Dividends declared for period March 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019. |
80 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Trustee and Officer Information
Richard E. Cavanagh, Co-Chair of the Board and Trustee
Karen P. Robards, Co-Chair of the Board and Trustee
Michael J. Castellano, Trustee
Cynthia L. Egan, Trustee
Frank J. Fabozzi, Trustee
Henry Gabbay, Trustee
R. Glenn Hubbard, Trustee
W. Carl Kester, Trustee
Catherine A. Lynch, Trustee
Robert Fairbairn, Trustee
John M. Perlowski, Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer
Jonathan Diorio, Vice President
Neal J. Andrews, Chief Financial Officer
Jay M. Fife, Treasurer
Charles Park, Chief Compliance Officer
Janey Ahn, Secretary
Effective January 1, 2019, Richard E. Cavanagh and Karen P. Robards were appointed as a Co-Chair of the Board. Prior to January 1, 2019, Mr. Cavanagh served as Chair of the Board and Ms. Robards served as Vice Chair of the Board. In addition, effective January 1, 2019, Henry Gabbay was appointed as a Trustee of each Trust.
TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION | 81 |
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 NYSEs 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.
Dividend Policy
Each Trusts dividend policy is to distribute all or a portion of its net investment income to its shareholders on a monthly basis. In order to provide shareholders with a more stable level of distributions, the Trusts may at times pay out less than the entire amount of net investment income earned in any particular month and may at times in any particular month pay out such accumulated but undistributed income in addition to net investment income earned in that month. As a result, the distributions paid by the Trusts for any particular month may be more or less than the amount of net investment income earned by the Trusts during such month. The Trusts current accumulated but undistributed net investment income, if any, is disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, which comprises part of the financial information included in this report.
General Information
The Trusts do not make available copies of their Statements of Additional Information because the Trusts shares are not continuously offered, which means that the Statement of Additional Information of each Trust has not been updated after completion of the respective Trusts offerings and the information contained in each Trusts Statement of Additional Information may have become outdated.
During the period, there were no material changes in the Trusts investment objectives or policies or 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 or in the principal risk factors associated with investment in the Trusts. Except as disclosed on page xx, 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 BlackRocks website, which can be accessed at http://www.blackrock.com. Any reference to BlackRocks 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 BlackRocks website in this report.
Electronic Delivery
Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications of quarterly statements, annual and semi-annual shareholder reports by enrolling in the electronic delivery program. Electronic copies of shareholder reports are available on BlackRocks website.
To enroll in electronic delivery:
Shareholders Who Hold Accounts with Investment Advisers, Banks or Brokerages:
Please contact your financial advisor. Please note that not all investment advisers, banks or brokerages may offer this service.
Householding
The Trusts will mail only one copy of shareholder documents, annual and semi-annual reports and proxy statements, to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is commonly called householding and is intended to reduce expenses and eliminate duplicate mailings of shareholder documents. Mailings of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please call the Trusts at (800) 882-0052.
Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments
The Trusts file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Trusts Forms N-Q are available on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. The Trusts Forms N-Q may also be obtained upon request and without charge by calling (800) 882-0052.
Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
A description of the policies and procedures that the Trusts use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available upon request and without charge (1) by calling (800) 882-0052; (2) at http://www.blackrock.com; and (3) on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
Availability of Proxy Voting Record
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 upon request and without charge (1) at http://www.blackrock.com; or by calling (800) 882-0052; and (2) on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
82 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
Additional Information (continued)
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 http://www.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 BlackRocks website is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Trusts and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRocks website in this report.
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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | 83 |
Glossary of Terms Used in this Report
84 | 2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS |
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. The Trusts have leveraged their Common Shares, which creates risks for Common Shareholders, including the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of the Common Shares, and the risk that fluctuations in short-term interest rates may reduce the Common Shares yield. Statements and other information herein are as dated and are subject to change.
CEF-NTL-2/19-SAR |
Item 2 | Code of Ethics Not Applicable to this semi-annual report | |
Item 3 | Audit Committee Financial Expert Not Applicable to this semi-annual report | |
Item 4 | Principal Accountant Fees and Services Not Applicable to this semi-annual report | |
Item 5 | Audit Committee of Listed Registrants Not Applicable to this semi-annual report | |
Item 6 | Investments | |
(a) The registrants Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this Form. | ||
(b) Not Applicable due to no such divestments during the semi-annual period covered since the previous Form N-CSR filing. | ||
Item 7 | Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies Not Applicable to this semi-annual report | |
Item 8 | Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies | |
(a) Not Applicable to this semi-annual report. | ||
(b) As of the date of this filing, there have been no changes in any of the portfolio managers identified in the most recent annual report on Form N-CSR. | ||
Item 9 | Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers |
Period |
(a) Total Number of Shares Purchased |
(b) Average Price Paid per Share |
(c) Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs |
(d) Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs1 | ||||
September 1 30, 2018 |
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||
October 1 31, 2018 |
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||
November 1- 30, 2018 |
N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||
December 1 31, 2018 |
0 | $0 | 0 | 1,176,493 | ||||
January 1 31, 2019 |
0 | $0 | 0 | 1,176,493 | ||||
February 1 28, 2019 |
0 | $0 | 0 | 1,176,493 | ||||
Total: |
0 | $0 | 0 | 1,176,493 |
1The Fund announced an open market share repurchase program on November 15, 2018 pursuant to which the Fund was authorized to repurchase, through November 30, 2019, up to 5% of its common shares based on common shares outstanding on November 30, 2018, in open market transactions, 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 | |
(a) The registrants principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrants disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) |
2
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 registrants internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting. | ||
Item 12 | Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies Not Applicable | |
Item 13 | Exhibits attached hereto | |
(a)(1) Code of Ethics Not Applicable to this semi-annual report | ||
(a)(2) Certifications Attached hereto | ||
(a)(3) Not Applicable | ||
(a)(4) Not Applicable | ||
(b) Certifications Attached hereto |
3
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 Municipal Income Trust II
By: | /s/ John M. Perlowski | |||
John M. Perlowski | ||||
Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of BlackRock Municipal Income Trust II |
Date: May 3, 2019
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 Municipal Income Trust II | ||
Date: May 3, 2019 | ||
By: | /s/ Neal J. Andrews | |
Neal J. Andrews | ||
Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of BlackRock Municipal Income Trust II |
Date: May 3, 2019
4