Dear Shareholder

Financial markets endured a heightened volatility during 2007, culminating in mixed results for some of the major benchmark indexes:

Total Returns as of December 31, 2007

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Index performance shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.

Subprime mortgage woes dominated headlines for much of 2007, spawning a widespread liquidity and credit crisis with ramifications across global markets. The Federal Reserve Board (the “Fed”) stepped in to inject liquidity into the markets and bolster investor confidence, cutting the federal funds rate by 0.50% in September, 0.25% in October and 0.25% in December, which brought the target short-term interest rate to 4.25%. In taking action, the central bankers, who had long deemed themselves inflation fighters, were seeking to stem the fallout from the credit crunch and forestall a wider economic unraveling.

Amid the volatility, equity markets displayed surprising resilience. Market fundamentals generally held firm, dividend payouts and share buybacks continued, and valuations remained attractive. To some extent, the credit turmoil dampened corporate merger-and-acquisition (M&A) activity, a key source of strength for equity markets, but 2007 remained a record year for global M&A nonetheless. As the returns indicate, the most recent six months were more trying, reflecting the slowing U.S. economy, a troubled housing market and a more difficult corporate earnings backdrop. Overall, large cap stocks outperformed small caps as investors grew increasingly risk averse. International markets fared better than their U.S. counterparts, benefiting from generally stronger economies.

In fixed income markets, mixed economic signals and subprime fallout resulted in a flight to quality. Investors shunned bonds associated with the housing and credit markets in favor of higher-quality Treasury issues. The yield on 10-year Treasury issues, which touched 5.30% in June (its highest level in five years), fell to 4.04% by year-end, while prices correspondingly rose. The tax-exempt bond market waffled amid the economic uncertainty and concerns around the credit worthiness of bond insurers, but set a new-issuance record in 2007. A drop in municipal bond prices created buying opportunities, and the heightened supply was generally well absorbed.

As you navigate the uncertainties inherent in the financial markets, we encourage you to start the year by reviewing your investment goals with your financial professional and making portfolio changes, as needed. For more reflection on 2007 and our 10 predictions for 2008, please ask your financial professional for a copy of “What’s Ahead in 2008: An Investment Perspective,” or view it online at www.blackrock.com/funds. As always, we thank you for entrusting BlackRock with your investment assets, and we look forward to continuing to serve you in the new year and beyond.

Sincerely,

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