UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSRS

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-08603

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

Fund Address: 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809

Name and address of agent for service: Anne F. Ackerley, Chief Executive Officer, BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc., 40 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022.

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

Date of fiscal year end: 02/28/2010

Date of reporting period: 08/31/2009

Item 1 – Report to Stockholders



EQUITIES  FIXED INCOME  REAL ESTATE   LIQUIDITY  ALTERNATIVES  BLACKROCK SOLUTIONS

 

 

Semi-Annual Report

AUGUST 31, 2009 | (UNAUDITED)

(BLACKROCK LOGO)

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. (COY)
BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. (CYE)
BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)
BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund II, Inc. (FRB)
BlackRock Senior High Income Fund, Inc. (ARK)

NOT FDIC INSURED
MAY LOSE VALUE
NO BANK GUARANTEE


 


 

Table of Contents


 

 

 

 


 

 

Page

 


 

 

 

 

Dear Shareholder

 

3

 

Semi-Annual Report:

 

 

 

Fund Summaries

 

4

 

The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging

 

9

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

9

 

Financial Statements:

 

 

 

Schedules of Investments

 

10

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

 

45

 

Statements of Operations

 

46

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

47

 

Statements of Cash Flows

 

49

 

Financial Highlights

 

50

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

55

 

Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreements and Sub-Advisory Agreements

 

63

 

Officers and Directors

 

67

 

Additional Information

 

68

 


 

 

 




2

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009



 


 

Dear Shareholder

The past 12 months reveal two distinct economic and market backdrops — one of extreme investor pessimism and decided weakness, and another of increased optimism amid growing signs of recovery. The start of the period was characterized by the former. September through December 2008 saw the surge of the economic storm that sparked the worst recession in decades. The months featured, among others, the infamous collapse of Lehman Brothers, uniformly poor economic data and plummeting investor confidence that resulted in massive government intervention (on a global scale) in the financial system and the economy. The tide turned dramatically in March 2009, however, on the back of new US government initiatives, as well as better-than-expected economic data and upside surprises in corporate earnings.

In this environment, US equities contended with extraordinary volatility, posting steep declines through mid-March before embarking on a rally that resulted in strong year-to-date returns for all major indexes. June saw a brief correction, though it appeared to be induced more by profit-taking and portfolio rebalancing than by a change in the economic outlook. The experience in international markets was similar to that in the United States. Notably, emerging markets staged a strong comeback in 2009 as these areas of the globe have generally seen a stronger acceleration in economic activity.

In fixed income markets, the flight-to-safety premium in Treasury securities prevailed during the equity market downturn, but more recently, ongoing concerns about deficit spending, debt issuance, inflation and dollar weakness have kept Treasury yields higher. At the same time, relatively attractive yields and distressed valuations among non-Treasury assets, coupled with a more favorable macro environment, drew in sidelined investors and triggered a sharp recovery in these sectors. This was particularly evident in the high yield sector, which has firmly outpaced all other taxable asset classes since the start of 2009. The municipal bond market enjoyed strong returns in 2009 as well, buoyed by a combination of attractive valuations, robust retail investor demand and a slowdown in forced selling. Moreover, the Build America Bond program has alleviated supply pressures, creating a more favorable technical environment. In particular, August marked the municipal market’s best monthly performance in more than 20 years, as the asset class has regained year-to-date all that was lost during 2008.

Overall, results for the major benchmark indexes were mixed. Higher-risk assets (i.e., equities and high yield bonds) and Treasuries reflected a bifurcated market, while less-risky fixed income investments posted stable, modest returns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Returns as of August 31, 2009

 

6-month

 

12-month

 







US equities (S&P 500 Index)

 

 

40.52

%

 

(18.25

)%









Small cap US equities (Russell 2000 Index)

 

 

48.25

 

 

(21.29

)









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

 

 

53.47

 

 

(14.95

)









US Treasury securities (BofA Merrill Lynch 10-Year US Treasury Index*)

 

 

(1.61

)

 

6.77

 









Taxable fixed income (Barclays Capital US Aggregate Bond Index)

 

 

5.95

 

 

7.94

 









Tax-exempt fixed income (Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index)

 

 

5.61

 

 

5.67

 









High yield bonds (Barclays Capital US Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index)

 

 

36.31

 

 

7.00

 










 

 

*

Formerly a Merrill Lynch Index.

 

 

 

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

The market environment has visibly improved since the beginning of the year, but a great deal of uncertainty and risk remain. Through periods of market turbulence, as ever, BlackRock’s full resources are dedicated to the management of our clients’ assets. We invite you to visit www.blackrock.com/funds for our most current views on the economy and financial markets. As always, we thank you for entrusting BlackRock with your investments, and we look forward to continuing to serve you in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

-s- Rob Kapito

Rob Kapito
President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC

 


Announcement to Shareholders


On June 16, 2009, BlackRock, Inc. announced that it received written notice from Barclays PLC (“Barclays”) in which Barclays’ Board of Directors had accepted BlackRock’s offer to acquire Barclays Global Investors (“BGI”). At a special meeting held on August 6, 2009, BlackRock’s proposed purchase of BGI was approved by an overwhelming majority of Barclays’ voting shareholders, an important step toward closing the transaction. The combination of BlackRock and BGI will bring together market leaders in active and index strategies to create the preeminent asset management firm. The transaction is scheduled to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2009, subject to important fund shareholder and regulatory approvals.

 

 


THIS PAGE NOT PART OF YOUR FUND REPORT

3




 

 


 

Fund Summary as of August 31, 2009

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc.


 


Investment Objective


BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. (COY) (the “Fund”) seeks to provide shareholders with current income with a secondary objective of providing shareholders with capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities that are rated below investment grade by the established rating services (Ba or lower by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or BB or lower by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P’s”)) or are unrated securities of comparable quality.

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

 


Performance


For the six months ended August 31, 2009, the Fund returned 66.35% based on market price and 49.85% based on net asset value (“NAV”). For the same period, the closed-end Lipper High Current Yield Funds (Leveraged) category posted an average return of 50.49% on a market price basis and 40.06% on a NAV basis. During the period, the Fund moved from a discount to a premium to NAV, which accounts for the difference between performance based on price and performance based on NAV. The period featured the largest six-month rise in high yield market history, providing a good environment for bottom-up security selection, with no emphasis on any one sector. We gradually decreased cash and increased the Fund’s risk as market conditions dictated. Overall, there was a wide dispersion of returns among the Fund’s Lipper competitors, as many funds did well while others struggled with credit issues or retained too defensive a strategy. Security selection was the primary contributor to performance during the period. The Fund maintains a 16% position in floating rate loan interests, which detracted as these securities underperformed high yield corporate bonds. During the period, the Fund moved from a larger cash balance to a balance of less than 3%, which has benefited performance in the rising market.

 

 

 

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.


 


Fund Information



 

 

Symbol on New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”)

COY

Initial Offering Date

June 25, 1993

Yield on Closing Market Price as of August 31, 2009 ($6.06)1

12.08%

Current Monthly Distribution per Share2

$0.061

Current Annualized Distribution per Share2

$0.732

Leverage as of August 31, 20093

16%




 

 

 

 

1

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.

 

 

 

 

2

The distribution is not constant and is subject to change.

 

 

 

 

3

Represents loan outstanding as a percentage of total managed assets, which is the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to borrowing) minus the sum of liabilities (other than borrowings representing financial leverage). For a discussion of leveraging techniques utilized by the Fund, please see The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging on page 9.

The table below summarizes the changes in the Fund’s market price and NAV per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















 

 

 

8/31/09

 

 

2/28/09

 

Change

 

 

High

 

 

Low

 

















Market Price

 

 

$6.06

 

 

$3.91

 

54.99

%

 

 

$6.28

 

 

$3.20

 

Net Asset Value

 

 

$5.85

 

 

$4.19

 

39.62

%

 

 

$5.87

 

 

$3.97

 


















The following charts show the portfolio composition of the Fund’s long-term investments and credit quality allocations of the Fund’s corporate bond investments:

 


Portfolio Composition



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8/31/09

 

2/28/09

 







Corporate Bonds

 

82

%

 

82

%

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

16

 

 

16

 

 

Common Stocks

 

2

 

 

1

 

 

Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

 

 

 

1

 

 










 


Credit Quality Allocations4



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8/31/09

 

2/28/09

 







BBB/Baa

 

5

%

 

4

%

 

BB/BB

 

31

 

 

31

 

 

B/B

 

37

 

 

47

 

 

CCC/Caa

 

21

 

 

12

 

 

CC/Ca

 

2

 

 

1

 

 

D

 

1

 

 

 

 

Not Rated

 

3

 

 

5

 

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          4 Using the higher of S&P’s or Moody’s ratings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 




4

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009



 

 


 

Fund Summary as of August 31, 2009

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc.

 


     Investment Objective

 


BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. (CYE) (the “Fund”) seeks to provide shareholders with current income by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of fixed income securities that are rated in the lower rating categories of the established rating services (Ba or lower by Moody’s or BB or lower by S&P’s) or are unrated securities of comparable quality.

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

 


     Performance


For the six months ended August 31, 2009, the Fund returned 68.87% based on market price and 52.83% based on NAV. For the same period, the closed-end Lipper High Current Yield Funds (Leveraged) category posted an average return of 50.49% on a market price basis and 40.06% on a NAV basis. All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends. The Fund’s discount to NAV, which narrowed during the period, accounts for the difference between performance based on price and performance based on NAV. The period featured the largest six-month rise in high yield market history, providing a good environment for bottom-up security selection, with no emphasis on any one sector. We gradually decreased cash and increased the Fund’s risk as market conditions have dictated. Overall, there was a wide dispersion of returns among the Fund’s Lipper competitors, as many funds did well while others struggled with credit issues or retained too defensive a strategy. Security selection was the primary contributor to performance during the period. The Fund maintains a 16% position in floating rate loan interests, which detracted as these securities underperformed high yield corporate bonds. During the period, the Fund moved from a larger cash balance to a balance of less than 1%, which has benefited performance in the rising market.

 

 

 

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.


 


     Fund Information



 

 

 

Symbol on NYSE

 

CYE

Initial Offering Date

 

January 30, 1998

Yield on Closing Market Price as of August 31, 2009 ($5.62)1

 

11.74%

Current Monthly Distribution per Share2

 

$0.055

Current Annualized Distribution per Share2

 

$0.660

Leverage as of August 31, 20093

 

18%



 

 

 

 

1

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.

 

 

 

 

2

The distribution is not constant and is subject to change.

 

 

 

 

3

Represents loan outstanding as a percentage of total managed assets, which is the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to borrowing) minus the sum of liabilities (other than borrowings representing financial leverage). For a discussion of leveraging techniques utilized by the Fund, please see The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging on page 9.

The table below summarizes the changes in the Fund’s market price and NAV per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

8/31/09

 

2/28/09

 

Change

 

High

 

Low

 


Market Price

 

 

 

$5.62

 

 

 

 

$3.57

 

 

 

 

57.42

%

 

 

 

$5.82

 

 

 

 

$3.05

 

 

Net Asset Value

 

 

 

$5.77

 

 

 

 

$4.05

 

 

 

 

42.47

%

 

 

 

$5.78

 

 

 

 

$3.83

 

 


The following charts show the portfolio composition of the Fund’s long-term investments and credit quality allocations of the Fund’s corporate bond investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


     Portfolio Composition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

8/31/09

 

2/28/09

 


Corporate Bonds

 

 

 

81

%

 

 

 

82

%

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

 

16

 

 

Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

Common Stocks

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

1

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


     Credit Quality Allocations4

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

8/31/09

 

2/28/09

 


AAA/Aaa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

%

 

BBB/Baa

 

 

 

4

%

 

 

 

5

 

 

BB/Ba

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

 

30

 

 

B/B

 

 

 

35

 

 

 

 

46

 

 

CCC/Caa

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

 

14

 

 

CC/Ca

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

D

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not Rated

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

3

 

 



 

 

 

 

4

Using the higher of S&P’s or Moody’s ratings.


 

 

 

 


 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

5




 

 


 

 

Fund Summary as of August 31, 2009

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.

 

 


     Investment Objective

 


BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU) (the “Fund”) seeks to provide current income by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of US companies’ debt instruments, including corporate loans, that are rated in the lower rating categories of the established rating services (Ba or lower by Moody’s or BB or lower by S&P’s) or unrated debt instruments of comparable quality.

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

 


     Performance


For the six months ended August 31, 2009, the Fund returned 74.49% based on market price and 51.87% based on NAV. For the same period, the closed-end Lipper High Current Yield Funds (Leveraged) category posted an average return of 50.49% on a market price basis and 40.06% on a NAV basis. All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends. The Fund moved from a discount to a premium to NAV, which accounts for the difference between performance based on price and performance based on NAV. The Fund benefited from a slight bias to lower-quality credits, which outperformed higher-quality credits during the six months. Unlike its Lipper peers, the Fund invests in floating rate loan interests as well as high yield bonds. Loans underperformed bonds for the period; consequently, the Fund’s 41% average allocation to loans detracted from relative performance. The Fund also maintained a relatively low level of leverage (less than 15%), which detracted in the strong market environment. During the period, the Fund moved from a larger cash balance to a balance of less than 1%, which has benefited performance in the rising market.

 

 

 

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.


 


     Fund Information



 

 

 

Symbol on NYSE

 

DSU

Initial Offering Date

 

March 27, 1998

Yield on Closing Market Price as of August 31, 2009 ($3.35)1

 

12.72%

Current Monthly Distribution per Share2

 

$0.0355

Current Annualized Distribution per Share2

 

$0.4260

Leverage as of August 31, 20093

 

12%



 

 

 

 

1

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.

 

 

 

 

2

A change in the distribution rate was declared on September 1, 2009. The Monthly Distribution per Share was decreased to $0.031. The Yield on Closing Market Price, Current Monthly Distribution per Share and Current Annualized Distribution per Share do not reflect the new distribution rate. The new distribution rate is not constant and is subject to further change in the future.

 

 

 

 

3

Represents loan outstanding as a percentage of total managed assets, which is the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to borrowing) minus the sum of liabilities (other than borrowings representing financial leverage). For a discussion of leveraging techniques utilized by the Fund, please see The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging on page 9.

The table below summarizes the changes in the Fund’s market price and NAV per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

8/31/09

 

 

2/28/09

 

 

Change

 

 

High

 

 

Low

 


Market Price

 

 

 

$3.35

 

 

 

 

$2.07

 

 

 

 

61.84

%

 

 

 

$3.58

 

 

 

 

$1.63

 

 

Net Asset Value

 

 

 

$3.31

 

 

 

 

$2.35

 

 

 

 

40.85

%

 

 

 

$3.31

 

 

 

 

$2.21

 

 


The following charts show the portfolio composition of the Fund’s long-term investments and credit quality allocations of the Fund’s corporate bond investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


     Portfolio Composition

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

8/31/09

 

2/28/09

 


Corporate Bonds

 

 

 

55

%

 

 

 

53

%

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

 

41

 

 

 

 

43

 

 

Common Stocks

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


     Credit Quality Allocations4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

8/31/09

 

2/28/09

 


BBB/Baa

 

 

 

1

%

 

 

 

9

%

 

BB/Ba

 

 

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

 

B/B

 

 

 

38

 

 

 

 

59

 

 

CCC/Caa

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

 

21

 

 

CC/Ca

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

4

 

 

C/C

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

D

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

Not Rated

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

 

6

 

 



 

 

 

 

4

Using the higher of S&P’s or Moody’s ratings.


 

 

 


6

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009



 

 


 

 

Fund Summary as of August 31, 2009

BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund II, Inc.

 

 


Investment Objective

 


BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund II, Inc. (FRB) (the “Fund”) seeks a high current income and such preservation of capital as is consistent with investment in a diversified, leveraged portfolio consisting primarily of floating rate debt securities and instruments.

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

 


Performance


For the six months ended August 31, 2009, the Fund returned 46.51% based on market price and 42.76% based on NAV. For the same period, the closed-end Lipper Loan Participation Funds category posted an average return of 54.27% on a market price basis and 37.19% on a NAV basis. All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends. The Fund’s discount to NAV, which narrowed during the period, accounts for the difference between performance based on price and performance based on NAV. The Fund benefited from a slight bias to lower-quality credits, which outperformed higher-quality in 2009, and a 27% allocation to high yield corporate bonds, which outperformed floating rate loan interests. The Fund’s relatively low level of leverage (around 16%) detracted in the strong market environment. During the period, the Fund moved from a larger cash balance to a balance of less than 2%, which has benefited performance in the rising market.

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.

 


Fund Information



 

 

 

 

 

Symbol on NYSE

 

FRB

 

Initial Offering Date

 

July 30, 2004

 

Yield on Closing Market Price as of August 31, 2009 ($11.45)1

 

 

9.78%

 

Current Monthly Distribution per Share2

 

$0.09335

 

Current Annualized Distribution per Share2

 

$1.12020

 

Leverage as of August 31, 20093

 

16%

 







 

 

 

 

1

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.

 

 

 

 

2

A change in the distribution rate was declared on September 1, 2009. The Monthly Distribution per Share was decreased to $0.081. The Yield on Closing Market Price, Current Monthly Distribution per Share and Current Annualized Distribution per Share do not reflect the new distribution rate. The new distribution rate is not constant and is subject to further change in the future.

 

 

 

 

3

Represents loan outstanding as a percentage of total managed assets, which is the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to borrowing) minus the sum of liabilities (other than borrowings representing financial leverage). For a discussion of leveraging techniques utilized by the Fund, please see The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging on page 9.

The table below summarizes the changes in the Fund’s market price and NAV per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















 

 

8/31/09

 

2/28/09

 

Change

 

High

 

Low

 













Market Price

 

 

$

11.45

 

 

 

$

8.28

 

 

38.29

%

 

 

$

11.66

 

 

 

$

7.16

 

 

Net Asset Value

 

 

$

12.02

 

 

 

$

8.92

 

 

34.75

%

 

 

$

12.02

 

 

 

$

8.58

 

 


















The following charts show the portfolio composition of the Fund’s long-term investments and credit quality allocations of the Fund’s corporate bond investments:

 


Portfolio Composition



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8/31/09

 

2/28/09

 







Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

73

%

 

71

%

 

Corporate Bonds

 

27

 

 

28

 

 

Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

 

 

 

1

 

 










 


Credit Quality Allocations4



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8/31/09

 

2/28/09

 







BBB/Baa

 

7

%

 

15

%

 

BB/Ba

 

42

 

 

8

 

 

B/B

 

36

 

 

57

 

 

CCC/Caa

 

9

 

 

15

 

 

CC/Ca

 

1

 

 

2

 

 

D

 

1

 

 

1

 

 

Not Rated

 

4

 

 

2

 

 










 

 

 

 

4

Using the higher of S&P’s or Moody’s ratings.


 

 

 


SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

7




 

 


 

Fund Summary as of August 31, 2009

BlackRock Senior High Income Fund, Inc.

 

 


Investment Objective

 


BlackRock Senior High Income Fund, Inc. (ARK) (the “Fund”) seeks to provide shareholders with as high a level of current income as is consistent with its investment policies and prudent investment management by investing principally in senior debt obligations of companies, including corporate loans made by banks and other financial institutions and both privately placed and publicly offered corporate bonds and notes.

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

 


Performance


For the six months ended August 31, 2009, the Fund returned 51.37% based on market price and 43.72% based on NAV. For the same period, the closed-end Lipper High Current Yield Funds (Leveraged) category posted an average return of 50.49% on a market price basis and 40.06% on a NAV basis. All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends. The Fund’s discount to NAV, which narrowed during the period, accounts for the difference between performance based on price and performance based on NAV. The Fund benefited from a slight bias to lower-quality credits, which outperformed higher-quality credits. Unlike its Lipper peers, the Fund invests in floating rate loan interests as well as high yield corporate bonds. Loans underperformed bonds for the period; consequently, the Fund’s 40% average allocation to floating rate loan interests detracted from relative performance. The Fund also maintained a relatively low level of leverage (less than 15%), which detracted in the strong market environment. During the period, the Fund moved from a larger cash balance to a balance of less than 1%, which has benefited performance in the rising market.

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.

 


Fund Information



 

 

 

 

 

Symbol on NYSE

 

 

ARK

 

Initial Offering Date

 

 

April 30, 1993

 

Yield on Closing Market Price as of August 31, 2009 ($3.18)1

 

 

9.43%

 

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share2

 

 

$0.025

 

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share2

 

 

$0.300

 

Leverage as of August 31, 20093

 

 

8%

 





 


 

 

 

 

1

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.

 

 

 

 

2

The distribution is not constant and is subject to change.

 

 

 

 

3

Represents loan outstanding as a percentage of total managed assets, which is the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to borrowing) minus the sum of liabilities (other than borrowings representing financial leverage). For a discussion of leveraging techniques utilized by the Fund, please see The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging on page 9.

The table below summarizes the changes in the Fund’s market price and NAV per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















 

 

8/31/09

 

2/28/09

 

Change

 

High

 

Low

 













Market Price

 

 

$

3.18

 

 

 

$

2.21

 

 

 

 

43.89

%

 

 

$

3.35

 

 

 

$

1.78

 

 

Net Asset Value

 

 

$

3.47

 

 

 

$

2.54

 

 

 

 

36.61

%

 

 

$

3.47

 

 

 

$

2.41

 

 




























The following charts show the portfolio composition of the Fund’s long-term investments and credit quality allocations of the Fund’s corporate bond investments:

 


Portfolio Composition



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8/31/09

 

2/28/09

 







Corporate Bonds

 

55

%

 

55

%

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

43

 

 

44

 

 

Common Stock

 

2

 

 

 

 

Non-U.S. Government Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

 

 

 

1

 

 










 


Credit Quality Allocations4



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8/31/09

 

2/28/09

 







BBB/Baa

 

5

%

 

2

%

 

BB/Ba

 

27

 

 

22

 

 

B/B

 

40

 

 

59

 

 

CCC/Caa

 

19

 

 

8

 

 

CC/Ca

 

1

 

 

3

 

 

D

 

3

 

 

1

 

 

Not Rated

 

5

 

 

5

 

 










 

 

 

 

4

Using the higher of S&P’s or Moody’s ratings.


 

 

 


8

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009




 


 

The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging

The Funds may utilize leverage to seek to enhance the yield and NAV. However, these objectives cannot be achieved in all interest rate environments.

The Funds may utilize leverage through borrowings or issuance of short-term debt. In general, the concept of leveraging is based on the premise that the cost of assets to be obtained from leverage will be based on short-term interest rates, which normally will be lower than the income earned by each Fund on its longer-term portfolio investments. To the extent that the total assets of each Fund (including the assets obtained from leverage) are invested in higher-yielding portfolio investments, each Fund’s shareholders will benefit from the incremental net income.

The interest earned on securities purchased with the proceeds from leverage is paid to shareholders in the form of dividends, and the value of these portfolio holdings is reflected in the per share NAV. However, in order to benefit shareholders, the yield curve must be positively sloped; that is, short-term interest rates must be lower than long-term interest rates. If the yield curve becomes negatively sloped, meaning short-term interest rates exceed long-term interest rates, income to shareholders will be lower than if the Funds had not used leverage.

To illustrate these concepts, assume a Fund’s capitalization is $100 million and it issues debt securities for an additional $30 million, creating a total value of $130 million available for investment in long-term securities. If prevailing short-term interest rates are 3% and long-term interest rates are 6%, the yield curve has a strongly positive slope. In this case, the Fund pays interest expense on the $30 million of debt securities based on the lower short-term interest rates. At the same time, the securities purchased by the Fund with assets received from the debt securities issuance earn the income based on long-term interest rates. In this case, the interest expense of the debt securities is significantly lower than the income earned on the Fund’s long-term investments, and therefore the shareholders are the beneficiaries of the incremental net income.

If short-term interest rates rise, narrowing the differential between short-term and long-term interest rates, the incremental net income pickup will be reduced or eliminated completely. Furthermore, if prevailing short-term interest rates rise above long-term interest rates of 6%, the yield curve has a negative slope. In this case, the Fund pays interest expense on the higher short-term interest rates whereas the Fund’s total portfolio earns income based on lower long-term interest rates.

Furthermore, the value of the Fund’s 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 redemption value of the Fund’s debt securities do not fluctuate in relation to interest rates. As a result, changes in interest rates can influence the Fund’s NAV positively or negatively in addition to the impact on Fund performance from leverage from debt securities.

The use of leverage may enhance opportunities for increased income to the Funds and shareholders, but as described above, it also creates risks as short- or long-term interest rates fluctuate. Leverage also will generally cause greater changes in each Fund’s NAV, market price and dividend rate than a comparable portfolio without leverage. If the income derived from securities purchased with assets received from leverage exceeds the cost of leverage, each Fund’s net income will be greater than if leverage had not been used. Conversely, if the income from the securities purchased is not sufficient to cover the cost of leverage, each Fund’s net income will be less than if leverage had not been used, and therefore the amount available for distribution to shareholders will be reduced. A Fund may be required to sell portfolio securities at inopportune times 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 a Fund to incur losses. The use of leverage may limit a Fund’s ability to invest in certain types of securities or use certain types of hedging strategies. A Fund will incur expenses in connection with the use of leverage, all of which are borne by the shareholders and may reduce income.

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Funds are permitted to borrow through a credit facility and the issuance of short-term debt securities up to 331/3% of their total managed assets. As of August 31, 2009, the Funds had outstanding leverage from credit facility borrowings as a percentage of total managed assets as follows:

 

 

 

 

 






 

 

Percent of
Leverage

 






COY

 

16

%

 

CYE

 

18

%

 

DSU

 

12

%

 

FRB

 

16

%

 

ARK

 

8

%

 







 


Derivative Financial Instruments


The Funds may invest in various derivative instruments, including swap agreements, foreign currency exchange contracts and options, as specified in Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements, which constitute forms of economic leverage. Such instruments are used to obtain exposure to a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities or to hedge market and/or interest rate risks. Such derivative instruments involve risks, including the imperfect correlation between the value of a derivative instrument and the underlying asset, possible default of the counterparty to the transaction and illiquidity of the derivative instrument. A Fund’s ability to successfully use a derivative instrument depends on the investment advisor’s ability to accurately predict pertinent market movements, which cannot be assured. The use of derivative instruments may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may require the Funds to sell or purchase portfolio securities at inopportune times or for distressed values, may limit the amount of appreciation the Funds can realize on an investment or may cause the Funds to hold a security that they might otherwise sell. The Funds’ investments in these instruments are discussed in detail in the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

 


SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

9



 

 


 

 

Schedule of Investments August 31, 2009 (Unaudited)

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. (COY)

 

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

Shares

 

Value

 









Building Products — 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Masonite Worldwide Holdings (a)

 

 

35,518

 

$

1,436,703

 









Capital Markets — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E*Trade Financial Corp. (a)

 

 

479,000

 

 

843,040

 









Chemicals — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wellman Holdings, Inc. (a)

 

 

1,425

 

 

356

 









Communications Equipment — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loral Space & Communications Ltd. (a)

 

 

77,483

 

 

1,599,249

 









Containers & Packaging — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smurfit Kappa Plc (a)

 

 

3,634

 

 

28,637

 









Electrical Equipment — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medis Technologies Ltd. (a)

 

 

67,974

 

 

19,373

 

SunPower Corp. Class B (a)

 

 

352

 

 

7,529

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

26,902

 









Paper & Forest Products — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd. (a)

 

 

37,144

 

 

53,608

 

Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd. (a)(b)

 

 

41,686

 

 

59,972

 

Western Forest Products, Inc. (a)(b)

 

 

41,528

 

 

9,863

 

Western Forest Products, Inc. (a)

 

 

147,968

 

 

35,142

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

158,585

 









Total Common Stocks — 2.0%

 

 

 

 

 

4,093,472

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par 
(000)

 

 

 

 









Airlines — 1.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Airlines Pass Through Trust
Series 2001-02, 7.86%, 4/01/13

 

USD

390

 

 

372,450

 

Continental Airlines, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1997-4-B, 6.90%, 7/02/18

 

 

674

 

 

525,389

 

Series 2001-1-C, 7.03%, 12/15/12

 

 

281

 

 

221,711

 

Series 2003-RJ, 7.88%, 1/02/20

 

 

587

 

 

384,428

 

United Air Lines, Inc., 12.75%, 7/15/12

 

 

1,750

 

 

1,680,000

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,183,978

 









Auto Components — 1.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allison Transmission, Inc., 11.00%, 11/01/15 (b)

 

 

670

 

 

603,000

 

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.86%, 8/15/11

 

 

1,355

 

 

1,348,225

 

8.63%, 12/01/11

 

 

712

 

 

719,120

 

Lear Corp., 8.75%, 12/01/16 (a)(c)

 

 

405

 

 

218,700

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,889,045

 









Automobiles — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ford Capital BV, 9.50%, 6/01/10

 

 

710

 

 

702,900

 









Building Products — 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ply Gem Industries, Inc., 11.75%, 6/15/13

 

 

580

 

 

484,300

 









Capital Markets — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E*Trade Financial Corp. (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.50%, 11/30/17 (d)

 

 

71

 

 

71,887

 

3.43%, 8/31/19 (e)(f)

 

 

226

 

 

386,178

 

Marsico Parent Co., LLC, 10.63%, 1/15/16 (a)(c)

 

 

1,004

 

 

421,680

 

Marsico Parent Holdco, LLC, 12.50%, 7/15/16 (b)(d)

 

 

418

 

 

100,337

 

Marsico Parent Superholdco, LLC, 14.50%, 1/15/18 (b)(d)

 

 

287

 

 

74,609

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,054,691

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par 
(000)

 

Value

 








Chemicals — 1.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Pacific Corp., 9.00%, 2/01/15

 

USD

800

 

$

722,000

 

Innophos, Inc., 8.88%, 8/15/14

 

 

740

 

 

717,800

 

MacDermid, Inc., 9.50%, 4/15/17 (b)

 

 

1,180

 

 

991,200

 

Olin Corp., 8.88%, 8/15/19

 

 

275

 

 

277,750

 

Terra Capital, Inc., Series B, 7.00%, 2/01/17

 

 

205

 

 

193,213

 

Wellman Holdings, Inc. (e):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Lien Subordinate Note, 10.00%, 1/29/19 (b)

 

 

790

 

 

790,000

 

Third Lien Subordinate Note, 5.00%, 1/29/19

 

 

246

 

 

123,250

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,815,213

 









Commercial Services & Supplies — 4.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Altegrity, Inc., 10.50%, 11/01/15 (b)

 

 

700

 

 

579,250

 

ISS Financing, 11.00%, 6/15/14

 

EUR

206

 

 

381,515

 

RSC Equipment Rental, Inc., 10.00%, 7/15/17 (b)

 

USD

555

 

 

579,975

 

Scientific Games International, Inc., 9.25%, 6/15/19 (b)

 

 

785

 

 

804,625

 

Waste Services, Inc., 9.50%, 4/15/14

 

 

2,800

 

 

2,772,000

 

West Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.50%, 10/15/14

 

 

700

 

 

645,750

 

11.00%, 10/15/16

 

 

2,570

 

 

2,370,825

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

8,133,940

 









Construction & Engineering — 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dycom Industries, Inc., 8.13%, 10/15/15

 

 

1,650

 

 

1,435,500

 









Construction Materials — 1.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nortek, Inc., 10.00%, 12/01/13

 

 

2,020

 

 

1,878,600

 

Texas Industries, Inc., 7.25%, 7/15/13

 

 

720

 

 

673,200

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,551,800

 









Consumer Finance — 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.26%, 1/13/12 (g)

 

 

195

 

 

162,338

 

7.80%, 6/01/12

 

 

200

 

 

185,009

 

8.00%, 12/15/16

 

 

170

 

 

148,944

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

496,291

 









Containers & Packaging — 4.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Berry Plastics Holding Corp., 4.50%, 9/15/14 (g)

 

 

1,655

 

 

1,191,600

 

Crown European Holdings SA, 6.25%, 9/01/11

 

EUR

73

 

 

104,653

 

Graphic Packaging International, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.50%, 8/15/11

 

USD

512

 

 

510,720

 

9.50%, 8/15/13

 

 

60

 

 

60,150

 

9.50%, 6/15/17 (b)

 

 

1,075

 

 

1,101,875

 

Impress Holdings BV, 3.63%, 9/15/13 (b)(g)

 

 

390

 

 

356,363

 

Owens Brockway Glass Container, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.25%, 5/15/13

 

 

925

 

 

934,250

 

6.75%, 12/01/14

 

EUR

152

 

 

211,371

 

Packaging Dynamics Finance Corp., 10.00%, 5/01/16 (b)

 

USD

1,255

 

 

401,600

 

Pregis Corp., 12.38%, 10/15/13

 

 

1,130

 

 

1,017,000

 

Rock-Tenn Co., 8.20%, 8/15/11

 

 

1,875

 

 

1,931,250

 

Solo Cup Co., 10.50%, 11/01/13 (b)

 

 

450

 

 

472,500

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

8,293,332

 









Diversified Consumer Services — 1.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Corp., International, 7.00%, 6/15/17

 

 

2,800

 

 

2,618,000

 










 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




10

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009




 

 


 

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. (COY)

 

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par 
(000)

 

Value

 








Diversified Financial Services — 7.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Axcan Intermediate Holdings, Inc., 12.75%, 3/01/16

 

USD

490

 

$

512,050

 

Bank of America Corp., 5.65%, 5/01/18

 

 

700

 

 

676,860

 

CIT Group, Inc., 5.00%, 2/01/15

 

 

1,005

 

 

565,570

 

FCE Bank Plc:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.875%, 2/15/11

 

GBP

1,150

 

 

1,750,452

 

7.125%, 1/16/12

 

EUR

2,850

 

 

3,697,637

 

7.125%, 1/15/13

 

 

550

 

 

689,924

 

Series JD, 2.12%, 9/30/09 (g)

 

 

250

 

 

355,266

 

GMAC LLC (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.25%, 3/02/11

 

USD

1,148

 

 

1,077,685

 

6.88%, 9/15/11

 

 

500

 

 

461,250

 

6.88%, 8/28/12

 

 

740

 

 

643,800

 

2.56%, 12/01/14 (g)

 

 

841

 

 

647,570

 

6.75%, 12/01/14

 

 

1,690

 

 

1,385,800

 

8.00%, 11/01/31

 

 

1,980

 

 

1,529,550

 

Leucadia National Corp., 8.13%, 9/15/15

 

 

1,250

 

 

1,225,000

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

15,218,414

 









Diversified Telecommunication Services — 5.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadview Networks Holdings, Inc., 11.38%, 9/01/12

 

 

1,000

 

 

860,000

 

Cincinnati Bell, Inc., 7.25%, 7/15/13

 

 

435

 

 

421,950

 

Nordic Telephone Co. Holdings ApS, 8.88%, 5/01/16 (b)

 

 

1,340

 

 

1,360,100

 

Qwest Communications International, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.50%, 2/15/14

 

 

1,890

 

 

1,823,850

 

3.50%, 11/15/25 (e)

 

 

620

 

 

613,800

 

Series B, 7.50%, 2/15/14

 

 

1,645

 

 

1,587,425

 

Qwest Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.88%, 6/15/13 (g)

 

 

1,350

 

 

1,248,750

 

7.63%, 6/15/15

 

 

500

 

 

496,250

 

8.38%, 5/01/16 (b)

 

 

400

 

 

404,000

 

Windstream Corp., 8.13%, 8/01/13

 

 

1,780

 

 

1,780,000

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

10,596,125

 









Electric Utilities — 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NSG Holdings LLC, 7.75%, 12/15/25 (b)

 

 

965

 

 

805,775

 

Tenaska Alabama Partners LP, 7.00%, 6/30/21 (b)

 

 

1,730

 

 

1,502,580

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,308,355

 









Electrical Equipment — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UCAR Finance, Inc., 10.25%, 2/15/12

 

 

49

 

 

47,591

 









Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jabil Circuit, Inc., 7.75%, 7/15/16

 

 

280

 

 

275,450

 

Sanmina-SCI Corp., 8.13%, 3/01/16

 

 

270

 

 

232,875

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

508,325

 









Energy Equipment & Services — 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compagnie Générale de Géophysique-Veritas:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.50%, 5/15/15

 

 

195

 

 

185,250

 

7.75%, 5/15/17

 

 

300

 

 

283,500

 

North American Energy Partners, Inc., 8.75%, 12/01/11

 

 

355

 

 

326,600

 

Transocean, Inc., Series A, 1.63%, 12/15/37 (e)

 

 

730

 

 

709,925

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,505,275

 









Food & Staples Retailing — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AmeriQual Group LLC, 9.50%, 4/01/12 (b)

 

 

750

 

 

487,500

 

Duane Reade, Inc., 11.75%, 8/01/15 (b)

 

 

160

 

 

161,600

 

Rite Aid Corp., 9.75%, 6/12/16 (b)

 

 

390

 

 

412,425

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,061,525

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par 
(000)

 

Value

 








Food Products — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smithfield Foods, Inc., 10.00%, 7/15/14 (b)

 

USD

760

 

$

775,200

 

Tyson Foods, Inc., 10.50%, 3/01/14

 

 

270

 

 

301,050

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,076,250

 









Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 2.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc., 9.50%, 4/15/15 (d)

 

 

900

 

 

742,500

 

DJO Finance LLC, 10.88%, 11/15/14

 

 

2,675

 

 

2,568,000

 

Hologic, Inc., 2.00%, 12/15/37 (e)(i)

 

 

1,860

 

 

1,501,950

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

4,812,450

 









Health Care Providers & Services — 1.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Health Systems, Inc., Series WI, 8.88%, 7/15/15

 

 

190

 

 

190,712

 

Tenet Healthcare Corp. (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.00%, 5/01/15

 

 

1,502

 

 

1,539,550

 

10.00%, 5/01/18

 

 

622

 

 

670,205

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,400,467

 









Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 4.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Real Estate Partners LP, 7.13%, 2/15/13

 

 

2,815

 

 

2,674,250

 

Gaylord Entertainment Co., 8.00%, 11/15/13

 

 

595

 

 

542,938

 

Greektown Holdings, LLC, 10.75%, 12/01/13 (a)(b)(c)

 

 

522

 

 

112,230

 

Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc., 10.00%, 12/15/18 (b)

 

 

881

 

 

616,700

 

Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino, 12.00%, 11/15/10 (a)(c)

 

 

1,425

 

 

627,000

 

Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, 10.25%, 2/15/14 (a)(b)(c)

 

 

1,175

 

 

517,000

 

MGM Mirage, 11.13%, 11/15/17 (b)

 

 

780

 

 

844,350

 

Penn National Gaming, Inc., 6.88%, 12/01/11

 

 

1,875

 

 

1,875,000

 

San Pasqual Casino, 8.00%, 9/15/13 (b)

 

 

925

 

 

874,125

 

Scientific Games Corp., 0.75%, 12/01/24 (e)(i)

 

 

270

 

 

264,263

 

Shingle Springs Tribal Gaming Authority, 9.38%, 6/15/15 (b)

 

 

45

 

 

31,950

 

Travelport LLC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.99%, 9/01/14 (g)

 

 

145

 

 

105,125

 

9.88%, 9/01/14

 

 

190

 

 

161,025

 

Tropicana Entertainment LLC Series WI, 9.63%, 12/15/14 (a)(c)

 

 

315

 

 

197

 

Virgin River Casino Corp., 9.00%, 1/15/12 (a)(c)

 

 

805

 

 

82,513

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

9,328,666

 









Household Durables — 2.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Greetings Corp., 7.38%, 6/01/16

 

 

975

 

 

833,625

 

Beazer Homes USA, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.38%, 4/15/12

 

 

855

 

 

645,525

 

8.13%, 6/15/16

 

 

120

 

 

74,400

 

4.63%, 6/15/24 (e)

 

 

120

 

 

99,000

 

Jarden Corp., 8.00%, 5/01/16

 

 

240

 

 

246,000

 

KB Home:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.38%, 8/15/11

 

 

29

 

 

28,710

 

9.10%, 9/15/17

 

 

320

 

 

326,400

 

Meritage Homes Corp., 6.25%, 3/15/15

 

 

250

 

 

215,000

 

Standard Pacific Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.25%, 4/01/14

 

 

700

 

 

549,500

 

7.00%, 8/15/15

 

 

1,075

 

 

843,875

 

Toll Brothers Finance Corp., 8.91%, 10/15/17

 

 

219

 

 

243,825

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

4,105,860

 









IT Services — 1.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alliance Data Systems Corp., 1.75%, 8/01/13 (e)

 

 

1,340

 

 

1,192,600

 

First Data Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.88%, 9/24/15

 

 

160

 

 

136,800

 

11.25%, 3/31/16 (b)

 

 

2,320

 

 

1,774,800

 

SunGard Data Systems, Inc., 10.63%, 5/15/15 (b)

 

 

530

 

 

547,225

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,651,425

 










 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

11




 

 


 

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. (COY)

 

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par 
(000)

 

Value

 








Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders — 3.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The AES Corp., 8.75%, 5/15/13 (b)

 

USD

994

 

$

1,008,910

 

AES Eastern Energy LP Series 99-B, 9.67%, 1/02/29

 

 

575

 

 

494,500

 

Calpine Construction Finance Co. LP, 8.00%, 6/01/16 (b)

 

 

915

 

 

910,425

 

Energy Future Holdings Corp., 11.25%, 11/01/17 (d)

 

 

3,498

 

 

2,002,248

 

NRG Energy, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.25%, 2/01/14

 

 

1,525

 

 

1,483,063

 

7.38%, 2/01/16

 

 

930

 

 

889,313

 

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC, 10.50%, 11/01/16 (d)

 

 

951

 

 

527,507

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

7,315,966

 









Industrial Conglomerates — 1.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sequa Corp. (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.75%, 12/01/15

 

 

2,380

 

 

1,499,400

 

13.50%, 12/01/15 (d)

 

 

3,636

 

 

1,899,829

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,399,229

 









Insurance — 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alliant Holdings I, Inc., 11.00%, 5/01/15 (b)

 

 

1,600

 

 

1,460,000

 

USI Holdings Corp., 4.32%, 11/15/14 (b)(g)

 

 

630

 

 

486,675

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,946,675

 









Leisure Equipment & Products — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brunswick Corp., 11.25%, 11/01/16 (b)

 

 

1,070

 

 

1,120,825

 









Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., 8.00%, 9/15/16 (b)

 

 

200

 

 

204,000

 









Machinery — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGY Holding Corp., 11.00%, 11/15/14

 

 

1,200

 

 

948,000

 

Accuride Corp., 8.50%, 2/01/15 (a)(c)

 

 

515

 

 

103,000

 

CPM Holdings, Inc., 10.63%, 9/01/14 (b)

 

 

100

 

 

101,000

 

RBS Global, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.50%, 8/01/14 (b)

 

 

205

 

 

188,600

 

8.88%, 9/01/16

 

 

420

 

 

337,050

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,677,650

 









Marine — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Horizon Lines, Inc., 4.25%, 8/15/12 (e)

 

 

1,090

 

 

792,975

 

Navios Maritime Holdings, Inc., 9.50%, 12/15/14

 

 

442

 

 

386,750

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,179,725

 









Media — 10.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affinion Group, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.13%, 10/15/13

 

 

1,255

 

 

1,247,156

 

10.13%, 10/15/13 (b)

 

 

355

 

 

352,781

 

CCO Holdings LLC, 8.75%, 11/15/13

 

 

515

 

 

520,150

 

CMP Susquehanna Corp., 4.75%, 5/15/14 (b)

 

 

150

 

 

3,000

 

CSC Holdings, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.50%, 4/15/14 (b)

 

 

370

 

 

375,550

 

Series B, 7.63%, 4/01/11

 

 

325

 

 

329,062

 

Cablevision Systems Corp., Series B, 8.00%, 4/15/12

 

 

965

 

 

986,712

 

Catalina Marketing Corp., 10.50%, 10/01/15 (b)(d)

 

 

1,970

 

 

1,915,825

 

Charter Communications Holdings II, LLC, 10.25%, 9/15/10 (a)(c)

 

 

685

 

 

761,206

 

Charter Communications Operating, LLC (a)(b)(c):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.00%, 4/30/12

 

 

500

 

 

503,750

 

8.38%, 4/30/14

 

 

660

 

 

668,250

 

EchoStar DBS Corp., 7.00%, 10/01/13

 

 

90

 

 

88,200

 

Harland Clarke Holdings Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.00%, 5/15/15 (g)

 

 

330

 

 

235,950

 

9.50%, 5/15/15 (b)

 

 

390

 

 

331,500

 

Intelsat Corp., 9.25%, 6/15/16

 

 

2,040

 

 

2,065,500

 

Intelsat Subsidiary Holding Co. Ltd., 8.88%, 1/15/15 (b)

 

 

250

 

 

250,625

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par 
(000)

 

Value

 








Media (concluded)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liberty Media Corp., 3.13%, 3/30/23 (e)

 

USD

1,023

 

$

982,080

 

Local Insight Regatta Holdings, Inc., 11.00%, 12/01/17

 

 

673

 

 

255,740

 

Network Communications, Inc., 10.75%, 12/01/13

 

 

20

 

 

4,050

 

Nielsen Finance LLC,:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.63%, 2/01/14

 

 

70

 

 

69,475

 

10.00%, 8/01/14

 

 

1,740

 

 

1,644,300

 

ProtoStar I Ltd., 18.00%, 10/15/12 (a)(b)(c)(e)

 

 

812

 

 

324,708

 

Rainbow National Services LLC, 10.38%, 9/01/14 (b)

 

 

1,496

 

 

1,563,320

 

TL Acquisitions, Inc., 10.50%, 1/15/15 (b)

 

 

3,895

 

 

3,544,450

 

UPC Holdings BV, 9.88%, 4/15/18 (b)

 

 

500

 

 

505,625

 

Virgin Media, Inc., 6.50%, 11/15/16 (b)(e)

 

 

1,125

 

 

1,019,531

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

20,548,496

 









Metals & Mining — 5.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aleris International, Inc. (a)(c):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.00%, 12/15/14

 

 

950

 

 

2,375

 

10.00%, 12/15/16

 

 

800

 

 

2,000

 

Anglo American Capital Plc, 9.38%, 4/08/19 (b)

 

 

345

 

 

403,650

 

Drummond Co., Inc., 7.38%, 2/15/16 (b)

 

 

215

 

 

189,200

 

FMG Finance Property Ltd. (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.00%, 9/01/13

 

 

500

 

 

527,500

 

10.63%, 9/01/16

 

 

1,210

 

 

1,300,750

 

Foundation PA Coal Co., 7.25%, 8/01/14

 

 

1,850

 

 

1,803,750

 

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc., 8.38%, 4/01/17

 

 

960

 

 

1,000,800

 

Novelis, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.25%, 2/15/15

 

 

1,875

 

 

1,518,750

 

11.50%, 2/15/15 (b)

 

 

405

 

 

391,838

 

Ryerson, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.86%, 11/01/14 (g)

 

 

380

 

 

323,000

 

12.00%, 11/01/15

 

 

245

 

 

225,400

 

Steel Dynamics, Inc., 7.38%, 11/01/12

 

 

440

 

 

432,300

 

Teck Resources Ltd.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.25%, 5/15/16

 

 

285

 

 

314,925

 

10.75%, 5/15/19

 

 

1,095

 

 

1,246,931

 

Vedanta Resources Plc, 9.50%, 7/18/18 (b)

 

 

600

 

 

564,000

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

10,247,169

 









Multiline Retail — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollar General Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.63%, 7/15/15

 

 

265

 

 

294,150

 

11.88%, 7/15/17 (d)

 

 

185

 

 

207,662

 

Macy’s Retail Holdings, Inc., 5.88%, 1/15/13

 

 

455

 

 

429,026

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

930,838

 









Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 9.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arch Coal, Inc., 8.75%, 8/01/16 (b)

 

 

290

 

 

290,000

 

Atlas Energy Operating Co. LLC, 12.13%, 8/01/17

 

 

450

 

 

474,750

 

Atlas Energy Resources LLC, 10.75%, 2/01/18 (b)

 

 

1,000

 

 

1,010,000

 

Berry Petroleum Co., 8.25%, 11/01/16

 

 

470

 

 

418,300

 

Bill Barrett Corp., 9.88%, 7/15/16

 

 

225

 

 

234,000

 

Chesapeake Energy Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.50%, 2/15/15

 

 

500

 

 

510,000

 

7.25%, 12/15/18

 

 

990

 

 

905,850

 

2.25%, 12/15/38 (e)

 

 

775

 

 

520,219

 

Connacher Oil and Gas Ltd. (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.75%, 7/15/14

 

 

165

 

 

167,475

 

10.25%, 12/15/15

 

 

1,075

 

 

757,875

 

Corral Finans AB, 2.01%, 4/15/10 (b)(d)

 

 

1,630

 

 

1,185,624

 

EXCO Resources, Inc., 7.25%, 1/15/11

 

 

2,435

 

 

2,386,300

 

Encore Acquisition Co., 6.25%, 4/15/14

 

 

1,850

 

 

1,646,500

 

Forest Oil Corp., 7.25%, 6/15/19

 

 

2,260

 

 

2,124,400

 

Massey Energy Co., 3.25%, 8/01/15 (e)

 

 

1,210

 

 

904,475

 

OPTI Canada, Inc., 8.25%, 12/15/14

 

 

1,450

 

 

942,500

 


 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




12

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009



 

 


 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. (COY)
(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 







Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (concluded)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PetroHawk Energy Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.50%, 8/01/14 (b)

 

USD

530

 

$

567,100

 

7.88%, 6/01/15

 

 

450

 

 

436,500

 

Range Resources Corp., 8.00%, 5/15/19

 

 

400

 

 

408,000

 

Sabine Pass LNG LP, 7.50%, 11/30/16

 

 

350

 

 

283,500

 

SandRidge Energy, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.63%, 4/01/15 (d)

 

 

120

 

 

112,800

 

9.88%, 5/15/16 (b)

 

 

500

 

 

500,000

 

8.00%, 6/01/18 (b)

 

 

935

 

 

846,175

 

Teekay Shipping Corp., 8.88%, 7/15/11

 

 

640

 

 

636,800

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

18,269,143

 









Paper & Forest Products — 2.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd., 11.00%, 7/29/15 (b)(d)

 

 

320

 

 

127,039

 

Clearwater Paper Corp., 10.63%, 6/15/16 (b)

 

 

370

 

 

396,362

 

Georgia-Pacific Corp., 8.13%, 5/15/11

 

 

145

 

 

148,988

 

Georgia-Pacific LLC, 8.25%, 5/01/16 (b)

 

 

1,525

 

 

1,540,250

 

International Paper Co., 9.38%, 5/15/19

 

 

490

 

 

550,616

 

NewPage Corp., 10.00%, 5/01/12

 

 

2,440

 

 

1,323,700

 

Norske Skog Canada Ltd. Series D, 8.63%, 6/15/11

 

 

825

 

 

482,625

 

Verso Paper Holdings LLC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.50%, 7/01/14 (b)

 

 

320

 

 

313,600

 

Series B, 4.23%, 8/01/14 (g)

 

 

260

 

 

145,600

 

Series B, 9.13%, 8/01/14

 

 

1,425

 

 

929,813

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

5,958,593

 









Pharmaceuticals — 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 4.11%, 12/01/13 (g)

 

 

1,440

 

 

1,209,600

 

Elan Finance Plc, 8.88%, 12/01/13

 

 

90

 

 

86,850

 

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, 8.38%, 6/15/16 (b)

 

 

515

 

 

522,725

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,819,175

 









Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FelCor Lodging LP, 8.50%, 6/01/11

 

 

245

 

 

229,687

 

HCP, Inc., 5.65%, 12/15/13

 

 

420

 

 

404,645

 

iStar Financial, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.65%, 9/15/11

 

 

1,500

 

 

855,000

 

Series B, 5.13%, 4/01/11

 

 

220

 

 

118,800

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,608,132

 









Real Estate Management & Development — 1.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forest City Enterprises, Inc., 7.63%, 6/01/15

 

 

2,525

 

 

1,584,438

 

Realogy Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.50%, 4/15/14

 

 

520

 

 

309,400

 

12.38%, 4/15/15

 

 

1,935

 

 

783,675

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,677,513

 









Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spansion, Inc., 3.79%, 6/01/13 (a)(b)(c)

 

 

1,135

 

 

1,007,313

 









Software — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BMS Holdings, Inc., 8.35%, 2/15/12 (b)(d)(g)

 

 

407

 

 

6,532

 









Specialty Retail — 2.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., 7.63%, 3/15/17

 

 

330

 

 

270,600

 

General Nutrition Centers, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.40%, 3/15/14 (g)

 

 

1,640

 

 

1,443,200

 

10.75%, 3/15/15

 

 

1,200

 

 

1,134,000

 

Group 1 Automotive, Inc., 2.25%, 6/15/36 (h)

 

 

985

 

 

698,119

 

Limited Brands, Inc., 8.50%, 6/15/19 (b)

 

 

745

 

 

754,708

 

Michaels Stores, Inc., 11.38%, 11/01/16

 

 

690

 

 

593,400

 

United Auto Group, Inc., 7.75%, 12/15/16

 

 

1,030

 

 

906,400

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

5,800,427

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 








Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Levi Strauss & Co., 8.63%, 4/01/13

 

EUR

850

 

$

1,163,732

 

Quiksilver, Inc., 6.88%, 4/15/15

 

USD

1,600

 

 

1,016,000

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,179,732

 









Wireless Telecommunication Services — 5.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cricket Communications, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.38%, 11/01/14

 

 

2,405

 

 

2,266,712

 

10.00%, 7/15/15

 

 

835

 

 

807,862

 

Crown Castle International Corp., 9.00%, 1/15/15

 

 

205

 

 

213,200

 

Digicel Group Ltd. (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.88%, 1/15/15

 

 

1,285

 

 

1,146,862

 

9.13%, 1/15/15 (d)

 

 

1,911

 

 

1,683,744

 

FiberTower Corp., 9.00%, 11/15/12 (e)

 

 

633

 

 

327,578

 

iPCS, Inc., 2.61%, 5/01/13 (g)

 

 

760

 

 

623,200

 

MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., 9.25%, 11/01/14

 

 

2,085

 

 

2,045,905

 

Nextel Communications, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series E, 6.88%, 10/31/13

 

 

1,670

 

 

1,494,650

 

Series F, 5.95%, 3/15/14

 

 

100

 

 

84,000

 

Orascom Telecom Finance SCA, 7.88%, 2/08/14 (b)

 

 

265

 

 

238,500

 

Sprint Capital Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.63%, 1/30/11

 

 

780

 

 

780,975

 

6.88%, 11/15/28

 

 

170

 

 

123,675

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

11,836,863

 









Total Corporate Bonds — 94.7%

 

 

 

 

 

192,013,714

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Auto Components — 2.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allison Transmission, Inc., Term Loan, 3.03%, 8/07/14

 

 

1,376

 

 

1,174,545

 

Dana Holding Corp., Term Advance, 7.25%, 1/31/15

 

 

1,872

 

 

1,433,085

 

Delphi Corp. (a)(c):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initial Tranche Term Loan C, 10.50%, 12/31/09

 

 

2,855

 

 

1,570,378

 

Subsequent Tranche Term Loan C, 10.50%, 12/31/09

 

 

292

 

 

160,747

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

4,338,755

 









Building Products — 1.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CPG International I Inc., Term Loan, 5.27%, 2/28/11

 

 

2,970

 

 

2,672,864

 









Capital Markets — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marsico Parent Co., LLC, Term Loan, 4.81%, 12/15/14

 

 

462

 

 

198,749

 









Chemicals — 1.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PQ Corp. (fka Niagara Acquisition, Inc.):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loan (Second Lien), 6.77%, 7/30/15

 

 

3,250

 

 

1,787,500

 

Term Loan (First Lien), 3.52% – 3.75%, 7/31/14

 

 

743

 

 

611,944

 

Solutia Inc., Loan, 7.25%, 2/28/14

 

 

410

 

 

406,227

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,805,671

 









Diversified Telecommunication Services — 2.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wind Finance SL S.A., Euro Facility (Second Lien), 7.70%, 12/17/14

 

EUR

3,350

 

 

4,817,000

 









Food & Staples Retailing — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rite Aid Corp., Tranche 4 Term Loan, 9.50%, 6/04/15

 

USD

1,200

 

 

1,242,000

 









Health Care Providers & Services — 2.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HCA Inc., Tranche A-1 Term Loan, 2.10%, 11/17/12

 

 

3,467

 

 

3,236,443

 

Rotech Healthcare Inc., Term Loan B, 6.26%, 9/26/11

 

 

1,681

 

 

806,730

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

4,043,173

 










 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

13




 

 


 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. (COY)
(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 








Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Travelport LLC (fka Travelport Inc.), Loan, 7.99%, 3/27/12

 

USD

2,861

 

$

1,602,147

 









IT Services — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Data Corp., Initial Tranche B-1 Term Loan, 3.01% – 3.02%, 9/24/14

 

 

100

 

 

83,101

 









Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders – 1.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co., LLC (TXU):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initial Tranche B-1 Term Loan, 3.78% – 3.79%, 10/10/14

 

 

207

 

 

157,595

 

Initial Tranche B-2 Term Loan, 3.78%, 10/10/14

 

 

1,204

 

 

915,037

 

Initial Tranche B-3 Term Loan, 3.78%, 10/10/14

 

 

3,439

 

 

2,602,398

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,675,030

 









Machinery – 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Navistar Financial Corp., Tranche A Term loan, 2.31%, 3/27/10

 

 

500

 

 

485,000

 

Navistar International Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revolving Credit-Linked Deposit, 3.36% – 3.51%, 1/19/12

 

 

505

 

 

469,650

 

Term Advance, 3.51%, 1/19/12

 

 

1,385

 

 

1,288,050

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,242,700

 









Media — 3.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., Loan, 8.27%, 3/01/12

 

 

419

 

 

366,678

 

Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc. (Thomson Learning), Tranche 1 Incremental Term Loan, 7.50%, 7/03/14

 

 

1,485

 

 

1,425,600

 

HMH Publishing Co. Ltd. (fka Education Media):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mezzanine, 17.50%, 11/14/14

 

 

6,221

 

 

933,183

 

Tranche A Term Loan, 5.26%, 6/12/14

 

 

2,414

 

 

1,867,663

 

NV Broadcasting, LLC, Second Lien, 8.72%, 11/03/14 (a)(c)

 

 

1,000

 

 

10,000

 

Newsday, LLC, Fixed Rate Term Loan, 9.75%, 8/01/13

 

 

750

 

 

763,125

 

Virgin Media Investment Holdings Ltd. C Facility, 3.62%, 7/17/13

 

GBP

525

 

 

752,112

 

World Color Press Inc., and World Color (USA) Corp. (fka Quebecor World Inc.), Advance, 9.00%, 6/30/12

 

USD

500

 

 

496,250

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

6,614,611

 









Multiline Retail — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Neiman Marcus Group Inc., Term Loan, 2.28% – 2.63%, 4/06/13

 

 

120

 

 

98,786

 









Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turbo Beta Ltd. Dollar Facility, 2.50% – 12.00%, 3/15/18

 

 

2,147

 

 

1,503,089

 









Paper & Forest Products — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NewPage Corp., Term Loan, 4.06%, 12/22/14

 

 

487

 

 

451,459

 

Verso Paper Finance Holdings LLC, Loan, 6.73% – 7.48%%, 2/01/13

 

 

1,159

 

 

231,896

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

683,355

 









Real Estate Management & Development — 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realogy Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initial Term B Loan, 3.28%, 10/10/13

 

 

377

 

 

287,415

 

Synthetic LC, 0.11%, 10/10/13

 

 

119

 

 

90,763

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

378,178

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 








Specialty Retail — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claire’s Stores Term Loan B, 5.27%, 5/29/14

 

USD

265

 

$

172,629

 









Total Floating Rate Loan Interests — 18.4%

 

 

 

 

 

37,171,838

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Other Interests (i)

 

Beneficial
Interest
(000)

 

 

 







Media — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adelphia Escrow

 

 

700

 

 

70

 

Adelphia Recovery Trust

 

 

878

 

 

3,512

 









Total Other Interests — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

3,582

 









 


 

Preferred Stocks

 

 

Shares

 

 

 

 









Capital Markets — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marsico Parent Superholdco, LLC, 16.75% (b)

 

 

67

 

 

17,085

 









Media — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CMP Susquehanna Radio Holdings Corp., 0% (a)(b)(g)

 

 

34,982

 

 

 









Total Preferred Stocks — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

17,085

 









 









 

Warrants (j)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Health Care Providers & Services — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HealthSouth Corp. (expires 1/16/14)

 

 

29,930

 

 

 









Media — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CMP Susquehanna Radio Holdings Corp. (expires 3/26/19) (b)

 

 

39,975

 

 

 









Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turbo Cayman Ltd. (No Expiration)

 

 

1

 

 

 









Total Warrants — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 









Total Long-Term Investments
(Cost — $271,263,265) — 115.1%

 

 

 

 

 

233,299,691

 









 









 

Short-Term Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









BlackRock Liquidity Funds, TempCash 0.26% (k)(l)

 

 

2,032,607

 

 

2,032,607

 









Total Short-Term Securities
(Cost — $2,032,607) — 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

2,032,607

 









 









 

Options Purchased

 

 

Contracts

 

 

 

 









Over-the-Counter Call Options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marsico Parent Superholdco LLC, expiring December 2009 at USD 942.86, Broker Goldman Sachs & Co.

 

 

17

 

 

17,000

 









Total Options Purchased
(Cost — $16,622) — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

17,000

 









Total Investments
(Cost — $273,312,494*) — 116.1%

 

 

 

 

 

235,349,298

 

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (16.1)%

 

 

 

 

 

(32,699,558

)

 

 

 

 

 




Net Assets — 100.0%

 

 

 

 

$

202,649,740

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 




14

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009



 

 


 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. (COY)


 

 

*

The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments as of August 31, 2009, as computed for federal income tax purposes, were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

Aggregate cost

 

$

274,419,893

 

 

 



 

Gross unrealized appreciation

 

$

8,030,039

 

Gross unrealized depreciation

 

 

(47,100,634

)

 

 



 

Net unrealized depreciation

 

$

(39,070,595

)

 

 



 


 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

 

 

(b)

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

 

 

(c)

Issuer filed for bankruptcy and/or is in default of interest payments.

 

 

(d)

Represents a payment-in-kind security which may pay interest/dividends in additional par/shares.

 

 

(e)

Convertible security.

 

 

(f)

Represents a zero-coupon bond. Rate shown reflects the current yield as of report date.

 

 

(g)

Variable rate security. Rate shown is as of report date.

 

 

(h)

Represents a step-down bond that pays an initial coupon rate for the first period and then a lower coupon rate for the following periods. Rate shown is as of report date.

 

 

(i)

Other interests represent beneficial interest in liquidation trusts and other reorganization entities and are non-income producing.

 

 

(j)

Warrants entitle the Fund to purchase a predetermined number of shares of common stock and are non-income producing. The purchase price and number of shares are subject to adjustment under certain conditions until the expiration date.

 

 

(k)

Investments in companies considered to be an affiliate of the Fund, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







Affiliate

 

Net
Activity

 

Income

 







BlackRock Liquidity Funds, TempCash

 

$

2,032,607

 

$

4,915

 

BlackRock Liquidity Series, LLC Cash Sweep Series

 

$

(7,111,263

)

$

461

 








 

 

(l)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

 

 

For Fund compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report which may combine industry sub-classifications for reporting ease.

 

 

Foreign currency exchange contracts as of August 31, 2009 were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 











Currency
Purchased

 

Currency
Sold

 

Counterparty

 

Settlement
Date

 

Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 











USD

11,026,273

 

EUR

7,899,500

 

Citibank NA

 

9/16/09

 

$

(298,752

)

USD

423,465

 

EUR

300,000

 

UBS AG

 

9/16/09

 

 

(6,627

)

USD

174,975

 

CAD

190,000

 

Barclays Bank Plc

 

10/28/09

 

 

1,404

 

USD

1,739,108

 

GBP

1,064,000

 

Citibank NA

 

10/28/09

 

 

7,110

 











Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(296,865

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

Credit default swaps on single-name issues – buy protection outstanding as of August 31, 2009 were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 













Issuer

 

Pay
Fixed
Rate

 

Counterparty

 

Expiration

 

Notional
Amount
(000)

 

Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 













iStar Financial Inc.

 

5.00

%

 

Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc.

 

September 2011

 

USD

1,500

 

$

273,762

 

Black & Decker Corp.

 

2.93

%

 

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

 

March 2014

 

USD

600

 

 

(35,219

)

Louisiana Pacific Corp.

 

5.00

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

March 2014

 

USD

500

 

 

(95,335

)

Macy’s Retail Holdings Corp.

 

8.05

%

 

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

 

March 2014

 

USD

600

 

 

(112,690

)

Masco Corp.

 

5.85

%

 

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

 

March 2014

 

USD

750

 

 

(99,209

)

Mohawk Industries Inc.

 

4.70

%

 

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

 

March 2014

 

USD

750

 

 

(82,112

)

Tyson Foods Inc.

 

4.25

%

 

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

 

March 2014

 

USD

400

 

 

(37,313

)

Centex Corp.

 

1.00

%

 

Deutsche Bank AG

 

June 2014

 

USD

250

 

 

(8,534

)

First Data Corp.

 

5.00

%

 

Credit Suisse International

 

June 2014

 

USD

250

 

 

(21,929

)

Lennar Corp.

 

5.75

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

June 2014

 

USD

250

 

 

(30,077

)

Standard Pacific Corp.

 

5.00

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

June 2014

 

USD

475

 

 

(1,740

)

Brunswick Corp.

 

5.00

%

 

Morgan Stanley Capital Services, Inc.

 

September 2014

 

USD

2,750

 

 

19,040

 

Centex Corp.

 

1.00

%

 

Deutsche Bank AG

 

September 2014

 

USD

175

 

 

(1,401

)

Limited Brands Inc.

 

1.00

%

 

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

 

September 2014

 

USD

50

 

 

571

 

Limited Brands Inc.

 

1.00

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

September 2014

 

USD

1,000

 

 

10,644

 

Pulte Homes Inc.

 

1.00

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

September 2014

 

USD

350

 

 

5,558

 

Standard Pacific Corp.

 

5.00

%

 

Credit Suisse International

 

September 2014

 

USD

530

 

 

21,112

 

Meritage Homes, Inc.

 

5.00

%

 

Credit Suisse International

 

June 2015

 

USD

530

 

 

(10,201

)

K. Hovnanian Enterprise Inc.

 

5.00

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

June 2016

 

USD

620

 

 

87,927

 
















Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(117,146

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

15




 

 


 

Schedule of Investments (concluded)

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. (COY)


 

 

Credit default swaps on single-name issues — sold protection outstanding as of August 31, 2009 were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 















Issuer

 

Receive
Fixed
Rate

 

Counterparty

 

Expiration

 

Rating1

 

Notional
Amount
(000)2

 

Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 















Ford Motor Co.

 

3.80

%

 

UBS AG

 

March 2010

 

CCC–

 

USD

930

 

$

(29,878

)

Ford Motor Co.

 

5.00

%

 

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

 

June 2010

 

CCC–

 

USD

3,750

 

 

(136,990

)

Beazer Homes USA Inc.

 

5.00

%

 

Credit Suisse International

 

June 2011

 

D

 

USD

150

 

 

2,415

 

Beazer Homes USA Inc.

 

5.00

%

 

Credit Suisse International

 

September 2011

 

D

 

USD

250

 

 

3,168

 

Beazer Homes USA Inc.

 

5.00

%

 

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

 

September 2011

 

D

 

USD

200

 

 

(651

)

Beazer Homes USA Inc.

 

5.00

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

September 2011

 

D

 

USD

100

 

 

650

 

D.R. Horton Inc.

 

1.00

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

September 2014

 

BB–

 

USD

175

 

 

(12

)


















Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(161,298

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

 

 

1

Using Standard & Poor’s rating of the issuer.

 

 

 

 

2

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


 

 

 

Currency Abbreviations:

 

 

 

CAD

Canadian Dollar

 

EUR

Euro

 

GBP

British Pound

 

USD

US Dollar


 

 

 

Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” clarifies the definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair values and requires additional disclosures about the use of fair value measurements. Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments, which are as follows:

 

 

 

Level 1 — price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical securities

 

 

 

 

Level 2 — other observable inputs (including, but not limited to: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs)

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of investments and other significant accounting policies, please refer to Note 1 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the inputs used as of August 31, 2009 in determining the fair valuation of the Fund’s investments:

 

 

 

 

 





Valuation Inputs

 

Investments in
Securities

 





 

 

Assets

 

 

 



Level 1

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

$

4,004,507

 

Short-Term Securities

 

 

2,032,607

 

 

 



 

Total Level 1

 

 

6,037,114

 

 

 



 

Level 2

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

 

88,609

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

190,772,757

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

17,431,025

 

Preferred Stocks

 

 

17,085

 

 

 



 

Total Level 2

 

 

208,309,476

 

 

 



 

Level 3

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

 

356

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

1,240,957

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

19,740,813

 

Other Interests

 

 

3,582

 

 

 



 

Total Level 3

 

 

20,985,708

 

 

 



 

Total

 

$

235,332,298

 

 

 



 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





Valuation Inputs

 

Other Financial Instruments1

 





 

 

Assets

 

Liabilities

 

 

 


 


 

Level 1

 

 

 

 

 

Level 2

 

$

450,361

 

$

(1,008,670

)

Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







Total

 

$

450,361

 

$

(1,008,670

)

 

 








 

 

 

 

1

Other financial instruments are swaps, foreign currency exchange contracts and options purchased. Swaps and foreign currency exchange contracts are shown at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument and options purchased are shown at market value.

The following is a reconciliation of investments for unobservable inputs (Level 3) used in determining fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

Investment in Securities

 

 

 



 

 

Common
Stocks

 

Corporate
Bonds

 

Floating
Rate
Loan
Interests

 

Other
Interests

 

Total

 













Balance as of February 28, 2009

 

$

356

 

$

1,404,473

 

$

14,962,760

 

$

3,582

 

$

16,371,171

 

Accrued discounts/premiums

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realized gain (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,216,555

)

 

 

 

(1,216,555

)

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)2

 

 

 

 

(169,765

)

 

4,806,263

 

 

 

 

4,636,498

 

Net purchases (sales)

 

 

 

 

3,249

 

 

(3,596,611

)

 

 

 

(3,593,362

)

Net transfer in/out of Level 3

 

 

 

 

3,000

 

 

4,784,956

 

 

 

 

4,787,956

 

 

 
















Balance as of August 31, 2009

 

$

356

 

$

1,240,957

 

$

19,740,813

 

$

3,582

 

$

20,985,708

 

 

 

















 

 

 

 

2

Included in the related net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the Statements of Operations.


 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




16

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009



 

 



 

 

Schedule of Investments August 31, 2009 (Unaudited)

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. (CYE)

 

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

Shares

 

Value

 







Auto Components — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal-Mogul Corp. Class A (a)

 

 

76,700

 

$

964,886

 









Building Products — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Masonite Worldwide Holdings (a)

 

 

34,575

 

 

1,398,559

 









Capital Markets — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E*Trade Financial Corp. (a)

 

 

506,000

 

 

890,560

 









Chemicals — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wellman Holdings, Inc. (a)

 

 

1,522

 

 

381

 









Communications Equipment — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loral Space & Communications Ltd. (a)

 

 

82,907

 

 

1,711,200

 









Diversified Financial Services — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank of America Corp. (a)

 

 

70,000

 

 

1,231,305

 









Electrical Equipment — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medis Technologies Ltd. (a)

 

 

70,784

 

 

20,173

 

SunPower Corp. Class B (a)

 

 

778

 

 

16,641

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

36,814

 









Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buffets Restaurants Holdings, Inc. (a)

 

 

1,099

 

 

11

 









Household Durables — 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beazer Homes USA, Inc. (a)

 

 

100,000

 

 

431,000

 









Media — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sirius XM Radio, Inc. (a)

 

 

865,000

 

 

582,578

 









Paper & Forest Products — 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd.

 

 

125,117

 

 

180,575

 

Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd. (a)(b)

 

 

140,415

 

 

202,008

 

Western Forest Products, Inc. (a)(b)

 

 

45,762

 

 

10,868

 

Western Forest Products, Inc. (a)

 

 

158,023

 

 

37,530

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

430,981

 









Software — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TiVo, Inc. (a)

 

 

31,000

 

 

304,110

 









Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

iPCS, Inc. (a)

 

 

4,621

 

 

72,966

 









Total Common Stocks — 3.7%

 

 

 

 

 

8,055,351

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 








 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par
(000)

 

 

 

 








Airlines — 1.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Airlines Pass Through Trust Series 2001-02, 7.86%, 4/01/13

 

USD

400

 

 

382,000

 

Continental Airlines, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series 1997-4-B, 6.90%, 7/02/18 (c)

 

 

698

 

 

544,847

 

Series 2001-1-C, 7.03%, 12/15/12

 

 

314

 

 

248,469

 

Series 2003-RJ, 7.88%, 1/02/20

 

 

663

 

 

434,178

 

United Air Lines, Inc., 12.75%, 7/15/12

 

 

1,850

 

 

1,776,000

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,385,494

 









Auto Components — 1.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allison Transmission, Inc., 11.00%, 11/01/15 (b)

 

 

736

 

 

662,400

 

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.86%, 8/15/11

 

 

1,450

 

 

1,442,750

 

8.63%, 12/01/11

 

 

652

 

 

658,520

 

Lear Corp. (a)(d):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.50%, 12/01/13

 

 

380

 

 

205,200

 

8.75%, 12/01/16

 

 

585

 

 

315,900

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,284,770

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 








Automobiles — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ford Capital BV, 9.50%, 6/01/10

 

USD

785

 

$

777,150

 









Building Products — 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ply Gem Industries, Inc., 11.75%, 6/15/13

 

 

610

 

 

509,350

 









Capital Markets — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E*Trade Financial Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.50%, 11/30/17 (e)

 

 

76

 

 

76,820

 

12.50%, 11/30/17 (b)(e)

 

 

2

 

 

2,155

 

3.38%, 8/31/19 (b)(f)(g)

 

 

244

 

 

416,935

 

Series A, 3.64%, 8/31/19 (b)(f)(g)

 

 

7

 

 

11,961

 

Marsico Parent Co., LLC, 10.63%, 1/15/16 (a)(b)

 

 

1,073

 

 

450,660

 

Marsico Parent Holdco, LLC, 12.50%, 7/15/16 (b)(e)

 

 

447

 

 

107,337

 

Marsico Parent Superholdco, LLC, 14.50%, 1/15/18 (b)(e)

 

 

307

 

 

79,822

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,145,690

 









Chemicals — 1.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Pacific Corp., 9.00%, 2/01/15

 

 

880

 

 

794,200

 

Innophos, Inc., 8.89%, 8/15/14

 

 

825

 

 

800,250

 

MacDermid, Inc., 9.50%, 4/15/17 (b)

 

 

1,260

 

 

1,058,400

 

Olin Corp., 8.88%, 8/15/19

 

 

295

 

 

297,950

 

Terra Capital, Inc., Series B, 7.00%, 2/01/17

 

 

215

 

 

202,637

 

Wellman Holdings, Inc. (f):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Lien Subordinate Note, 10.00%, 1/29/19 (b)

 

 

844

 

 

844,000

 

Third Lien Subordinate Note, 5.00%, 1/29/19

 

 

263

 

 

131,467

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

4,128,904

 









Commercial Banks — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glitnir Banki HF (a)(d):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.15%, 4/20/10 (b)

 

 

211

 

 

41,673

 

4.97%, 1/18/12 (b)

 

 

100

 

 

19,750

 

6.38%, 9/25/12 (b)

 

 

500

 

 

98,750

 

Series EMTN, 5.07%, 1/27/10

 

EUR

50

 

 

14,694

 

Series EMTN, 3.00%, 6/30/10

 

 

45

 

 

13,225

 

Series GMTN, 4.38%, 2/05/10

 

 

50

 

 

14,694

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

202,786

 









Commercial Services & Supplies — 4.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Altegrity, Inc., 10.50%, 11/01/15 (b)

 

USD

700

 

 

579,250

 

ISS Financing, 11.00%, 6/15/14

 

EUR

277

 

 

408,030

 

RSC Equipment Rental, Inc., 10.00%, 7/15/17 (b)

 

USD

585

 

 

611,325

 

Scientific Games International, Inc., 9.25%, 6/15/19 (b)

 

 

855

 

 

876,375

 

Waste Services, Inc., 9.50%, 4/15/14

 

 

3,000

 

 

2,970,000

 

West Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.50%, 10/15/14

 

 

750

 

 

691,875

 

11.00%, 10/15/16

 

 

2,650

 

 

2,444,625

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

8,581,480

 









Construction & Engineering — 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dycom Industries, Inc., 8.13%, 10/15/15

 

 

1,750

 

 

1,522,500

 









Construction Materials — 1.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nortek, Inc., 10.00%, 12/01/13

 

 

2,145

 

 

1,994,850

 

Texas Industries, Inc., 7.25%, 7/15/13

 

 

785

 

 

733,975

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,728,825

 









Consumer Finance — 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.26%, 1/13/12 (h)

 

 

215

 

 

178,987

 

7.80%, 6/01/12

 

 

200

 

 

185,009

 

8.00%, 12/15/16

 

 

180

 

 

157,706

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

521,702

 










 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

17




 

 



 

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. (CYE)

 

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 








Containers & Packaging — 4.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Berry Plastics Holding Corp., 4.50%, 9/15/14 (h)

 

USD

1,765

 

$

1,270,800

 

Crown European Holdings SA, 6.25%, 9/01/11

 

EUR

75

 

 

107,521

 

Graphic Packaging International, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.50%, 8/15/11

 

USD

540

 

 

538,650

 

9.50%, 8/15/13

 

 

65

 

 

65,163

 

9.50%, 6/15/17 (b)

 

 

1,120

 

 

1,148,000

 

Impress Holdings BV, 3.63%, 9/15/13 (b)(h)

 

 

420

 

 

383,775

 

Owens-Brockway Glass Container, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.25%, 5/15/13

 

 

1,000

 

 

1,010,000

 

6.75%, 12/01/14

 

EUR

155

 

 

215,543

 

Packaging Dynamics Finance Corp., 10.00%, 5/01/16 (b)

 

USD

1,355

 

 

433,600

 

Pregis Corp., 12.38%, 10/15/13

 

 

1,200

 

 

1,080,000

 

Rock-Tenn Co., 8.20%, 8/15/11

 

 

2,000

 

 

2,060,000

 

Solo Cup Co., 10.50%, 11/01/13 (b)

 

 

475

 

 

498,750

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

8,811,802

 









Diversified Consumer Services — 1.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service Corp. International, 7.00%, 6/15/17

 

 

3,000

 

 

2,805,000

 









Diversified Financial Services — 7.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Axcan Intermediate Holdings, Inc., 12.75%, 3/01/16

 

 

520

 

 

543,400

 

Bank of America Corp., 5.65%, 5/01/18

 

 

800

 

 

773,554

 

CIT Group, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.76%, 3/12/10

 

 

135

 

 

84,375

 

5.20%, 11/03/10

 

 

200

 

 

120,290

 

4.75%, 12/15/10

 

 

185

 

 

112,032

 

5.00%, 2/01/15

 

 

1,065

 

 

599,335

 

FCE Bank Plc:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.88%, 2/15/11

 

GBP

700

 

 

1,065,492

 

7.13%, 1/16/12

 

EUR

2,850

 

 

3,697,637

 

7.13%, 1/15/13

 

 

1,050

 

 

1,317,129

 

Series JD, 2.12%, 9/30/09 (h)

 

 

270

 

 

383,688

 

GMAC LLC (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.25%, 3/02/11

 

USD

1,279

 

 

1,200,661

 

6.88%, 9/15/11

 

 

500

 

 

461,250

 

6.88%, 8/28/12

 

 

750

 

 

652,500

 

2.56%, 12/01/14 (h)

 

 

884

 

 

680,680

 

6.75%, 12/01/14

 

 

1,810

 

 

1,484,200

 

8.00%, 11/01/31

 

 

2,020

 

 

1,560,450

 

General Motors Acceptance Corp. of Canada Ltd., 6.00%, 5/25/10

 

CAD

300

 

 

266,094

 

Leucadia National Corp., 8.13%, 9/15/15

 

USD

1,325

 

 

1,298,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

16,301,267

 









Diversified Telecommunication Services — 5.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadview Networks Holdings, Inc., 11.38%, 9/01/12

 

 

1,035

 

 

890,100

 

Cincinnati Bell, Inc., 7.25%, 7/15/13

 

 

470

 

 

455,900

 

Nordic Telephone Co. Holdings ApS, 8.88%, 5/01/16 (b)

 

 

1,445

 

 

1,466,675

 

Qwest Communications International, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.50%, 2/15/14 (c)

 

 

2,020

 

 

1,949,300

 

3.50%, 11/15/25 (f)

 

 

640

 

 

633,600

 

Series B, 7.50%, 2/15/14

 

 

1,730

 

 

1,669,450

 

Qwest Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.88%, 6/15/13 (h)

 

 

1,550

 

 

1,433,750

 

7.63%, 6/15/15

 

 

525

 

 

521,063

 

8.38%, 5/01/16 (b)

 

 

400

 

 

404,000

 

Windstream Corp., 8.13%, 8/01/13

 

 

1,900

 

 

1,900,000

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

11,323,838

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 








Electric Utilities — 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NSG Holdings LLC, 7.75%, 12/15/25 (b)

 

USD

1,030

 

$

860,050

 

Tenaska Alabama Partners LP, 7.00%, 6/30/21 (b)

 

 

1,859

 

 

1,615,275

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,475,325

 









Electrical Equipment — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UCAR Finance, Inc., 10.25%, 2/15/12

 

 

55

 

 

53,419

 









Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jabil Circuit, Inc., 7.75%, 7/15/16

 

 

295

 

 

290,206

 

Sanmina-SCI Corp., 8.13%, 3/01/16

 

 

300

 

 

258,750

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

548,956

 









Energy Equipment & Services — 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compagnie Générale de Géophysique-Veritas:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.50%, 5/15/15

 

 

215

 

 

204,250

 

7.75%, 5/15/17

 

 

320

 

 

302,400

 

North American Energy Partners, Inc., 8.75%, 12/01/11

 

 

375

 

 

345,000

 

Transocean, Inc., Series A, 1.63%, 12/15/37 (f)

 

 

765

 

 

743,963

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,595,613

 









Food & Staples Retailing — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AmeriQual Group LLC, 9.50%, 4/01/12 (b)

 

 

800

 

 

520,000

 

Duane Reade, Inc., 11.75%, 8/01/15 (b)

 

 

165

 

 

166,650

 

Rite Aid Corp., 9.75%, 6/12/16

 

 

410

 

 

433,575

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,120,225

 









Food Products — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smithfield Foods, Inc., 10.00%, 7/15/14 (b)

 

 

780

 

 

795,600

 

Tyson Foods, Inc., 10.50%, 3/01/14

 

 

265

 

 

295,475

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,091,075

 









Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 2.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc., 9.50%, 4/15/15 (e)

 

 

930

 

 

767,250

 

DJO Finance LLC, 10.88%, 11/15/14

 

 

2,820

 

 

2,707,200

 

Hologic, Inc., 2.00%, 12/15/37 (f)(i)

 

 

1,960

 

 

1,582,700

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

5,057,150

 









Health Care Providers & Services — 1.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Health Systems, Inc., Series WI, 8.88%, 7/15/15

 

 

210

 

 

210,787

 

Tenet Healthcare Corp. (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.00%, 5/01/15

 

 

1,564

 

 

1,603,100

 

10.00%, 5/01/18

 

 

644

 

 

693,910

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,507,797

 









Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 4.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Real Estate Partners LP, 7.13%, 2/15/13

 

 

3,045

 

 

2,892,750

 

Gaylord Entertainment Co., 8.00%, 11/15/13

 

 

635

 

 

579,438

 

Greektown Holdings, LLC, 10.75%, 12/01/13 (a)(b)(d)

 

 

559

 

 

120,185

 

Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc., 10.00%, 12/15/18 (b)

 

 

945

 

 

661,500

 

Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino, 12.00%, 11/15/10 (a)(d)

 

 

1,550

 

 

682,000

 

Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, 10.25%, 2/15/14 (a)(b)(d)

 

 

1,290

 

 

567,600

 

MGM Mirage, 11.13%, 11/15/17 (b)

 

 

820

 

 

887,650

 

Penn National Gaming, Inc., 6.88%, 12/01/11

 

 

2,025

 

 

2,025,000

 

San Pasqual Casino, 8.00%, 9/15/13 (b)

 

 

975

 

 

921,375

 

Scientific Games Corp., 0.75%, 12/01/24 (f)(i)

 

 

280

 

 

274,050

 

Shingle Springs Tribal Gaming Authority, 9.38%, 6/15/15 (b)

 

 

60

 

 

42,600

 


 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


18

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009




 

 



 

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. (CYE)

 

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 








Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (concluded)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Travelport LLC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.99%, 9/01/14 (h)

 

USD

160

 

$

116,000

 

9.88%, 9/01/14

 

 

210

 

 

177,975

 

Tropicana Entertainment LLC Series WI, 9.63%, 12/15/14 (a)(d)

 

 

305

 

 

191

 

Virgin River Casino Corp., 9.00%, 1/15/12 (a)(d)

 

 

940

 

 

96,350

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

10,044,664

 









Household Durables — 1.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Greetings Corp., 7.38%, 6/01/16

 

 

1,020

 

 

872,100

 

Beazer Homes USA, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.38%, 4/15/12

 

 

905

 

 

683,275

 

8.13%, 6/15/16

 

 

130

 

 

80,600

 

4.63%, 6/15/24 (f)

 

 

130

 

 

107,250

 

Jarden Corp., 8.00%, 5/01/16

 

 

275

 

 

281,875

 

KB Home:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.38%, 8/15/11

 

 

29

 

 

28,710

 

9.10%, 9/15/17

 

 

335

 

 

341,700

 

Meritage Homes Corp., 6.25%, 3/15/15

 

 

250

 

 

215,000

 

Standard Pacific Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.25%, 4/01/14

 

 

525

 

 

412,125

 

7.00%, 8/15/15

 

 

935

 

 

733,975

 

Toll Brothers Finance Corp., 8.91%, 10/15/17

 

 

231

 

 

257,185

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

4,013,795

 









IT Services — 1.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alliance Data Systems Corp., 1.75%, 8/01/13 (f)

 

 

1,380

 

 

1,228,200

 

First Data Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.88%, 9/24/15

 

 

170

 

 

145,350

 

11.25%, 3/31/16 (b)

 

 

2,435

 

 

1,862,775

 

SunGard Data Systems Inc., 10.63%, 5/15/15 (b)

 

 

580

 

 

598,850

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,835,175

 









Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders — 3.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The AES Corp., 8.75%, 5/15/13 (b)

 

 

1,070

 

 

1,086,050

 

AES Eastern Energy LP, Series 99-B, 9.67%, 1/02/29

 

 

610

 

 

524,600

 

Calpine Construction Finance Co. LP, 8.00%, 6/01/16 (b)

 

 

965

 

 

960,175

 

Energy Future Holdings Corp., 11.25%, 11/01/17 (e)

 

 

3,763

 

 

2,153,934

 

NRG Energy, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.25%, 2/01/14

 

 

1,625

 

 

1,580,313

 

7.38%, 2/01/16

 

 

1,000

 

 

956,250

 

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC, 10.50%, 11/01/16 (e)

 

 

1,014

 

 

562,674

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

7,823,996

 









Industrial Conglomerates — 1.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Icahn Enterprises LP, 4.00%, 8/15/13 (f)(h)

 

 

255

 

 

196,350

 

Sequa Corp. (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.75%, 12/01/15

 

 

2,540

 

 

1,600,200

 

13.50%, 12/01/15 (e)

 

 

3,825

 

 

1,998,521

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,795,071

 


Insurance — 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alliant Holdings I, Inc., 11.00%, 5/01/15 (b)

 

 

1,700

 

 

1,551,250

 

USI Holdings Corp., 4.32%, 11/15/14 (b)(h)

 

 

680

 

 

525,300

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,076,550

 









Leisure Equipment & Products — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brunswick Corp., 11.25%, 11/01/16 (b)

 

 

1,140

 

 

1,194,150

 









Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., 8.00%, 9/15/16 (b)

 

 

175

 

 

178,500

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 








Machinery — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGY Holding Corp., 11.00%, 11/15/14

 

USD

1,280

 

$

1,011,200

 

Accuride Corp., 8.50%, 2/01/15 (a)(c)

 

 

555

 

 

111,000

 

CPM Holdings, Inc., 10.63%, 9/01/14 (b)

 

 

100

 

 

101,000

 

RBS Global, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.50%, 8/01/14 (b)

 

 

218

 

 

200,560

 

8.88%, 9/01/16

 

 

450

 

 

361,125

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,784,885

 









Marine — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Horizon Lines, Inc., 4.25%, 8/15/12 (f)

 

 

1,155

 

 

840,263

 

Navios Maritime Holdings, Inc., 9.50%, 12/15/14

 

 

477

 

 

417,375

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,257,638

 









Media — 10.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affinion Group, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.13%, 10/15/13

 

 

1,340

 

 

1,331,625

 

10.13%, 10/15/13 (b)

 

 

375

 

 

372,656

 

CCO Holdings LLC, 8.75%, 11/15/13

 

 

555

 

 

560,550

 

CMP Susquehanna Corp., 4.75%, 5/15/14 (b)

 

 

160

 

 

3,200

 

CSC Holdings, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.50%, 4/15/14 (b)

 

 

390

 

 

395,850

 

Series B, 7.63%, 4/01/11

 

 

225

 

 

227,812

 

Cablevision Systems Corp., Series B, 8.00%, 4/15/12

 

 

1,015

 

 

1,037,837

 

Catalina Marketing Corp., 10.50%, 10/01/15 (b)(e)

 

 

2,130

 

 

2,071,425

 

Charter Communications Holdings II, LLC, 10.25%, 9/15/10 (a)(d)

 

 

740

 

 

822,325

 

Charter Communications, Inc., 6.50%, 10/01/27 (a)(d)(f)

 

 

480

 

 

206,400

 

Charter Communications Operating, LLC (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.25%, 4/30/12 (g)

 

 

500

 

 

503,750

 

8.38%, 4/30/14 (a)(d)

 

 

670

 

 

678,375

 

Clear Channel Communications, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.75%, 1/15/13

 

 

75

 

 

29,250

 

11.00%, 8/01/16 (e)

 

 

1,300

 

 

325,000

 

EchoStar DBS Corp., 7.00%, 10/01/13

 

 

90

 

 

88,200

 

Harland Clarke Holdings Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.00%, 5/15/15 (h)

 

 

350

 

 

250,250

 

9.50%, 5/15/15 (b)

 

 

420

 

 

357,000

 

Intelsat Corp., 9.25%, 6/15/16

 

 

2,090

 

 

2,116,125

 

Intelsat Subsidiary Holding Co. Ltd., 8.88%, 1/15/15 (b)

 

 

260

 

 

260,650

 

Liberty Media Corp., 3.13%, 3/30/23 (f)

 

 

1,113

 

 

1,068,480

 

Local Insight Regatta Holdings, Inc., 11.00%, 12/01/17

 

 

748

 

 

284,240

 

Network Communications, Inc., 10.75%, 12/01/13

 

 

30

 

 

6,075

 

Nielsen Finance LLC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.63%, 2/01/14

 

 

180

 

 

178,650

 

10.00%, 8/01/14

 

 

1,890

 

 

1,786,050

 

ProtoStar I Ltd., 18.00%, 10/15/12 (a)(b)(d)(f)

 

 

850

 

 

339,962

 

Rainbow National Services LLC, 10.38%, 9/01/14 (b)

 

 

1,582

 

 

1,653,190

 

TL Acquisitions, Inc., 10.50%, 1/15/15 (b)

 

 

4,130

 

 

3,758,300

 

UPC Holdings BV, 9.88%, 4/15/18 (b)

 

 

500

 

 

505,625

 

Virgin Media, Inc., 6.50%, 11/15/16 (b)(f)

 

 

1,210

 

 

1,096,563

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

22,315,415

 










 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.


SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

19



 

 


 

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. (CYE)

 

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 









Metals & Mining — 5.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aleris International, Inc. (a)(d):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.00%, 12/15/14

 

USD

1,035

 

$

2,588

 

10.00%, 12/15/16

 

 

800

 

 

2,000

 

Anglo American Capital Plc, 9.38%, 4/08/19 (b)

 

 

360

 

 

421,200

 

Drummond Co., Inc., 7.38%, 2/15/16 (b)

 

 

225

 

 

198,000

 

FMG Finance Property Ltd. (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.00%, 9/01/13

 

 

535

 

 

564,425

 

10.63%, 9/01/16

 

 

1,295

 

 

1,392,125

 

Foundation PA Coal Co., 7.25%, 8/01/14

 

 

1,975

 

 

1,925,625

 

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc., 8.38%, 4/01/17

 

 

990

 

 

1,032,075

 

Novelis, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.25%, 2/15/15

 

 

1,975

 

 

1,599,750

 

11.50%, 2/15/15 (b)

 

 

430

 

 

416,025

 

Ryerson, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.86%, 11/01/14 (h)

 

 

400

 

 

340,000

 

12.00%, 11/01/15

 

 

265

 

 

243,800

 

Steel Dynamics, Inc., 7.38%, 11/01/12

 

 

460

 

 

451,950

 

Teck Resources Ltd.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.25%, 5/15/16

 

 

300

 

 

331,500

 

10.75%, 5/15/19

 

 

1,150

 

 

1,309,563

 

Vedanta Resources Plc, 9.50%, 7/18/18 (b)

 

 

640

 

 

601,600

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

10,832,226

 









Multiline Retail — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollar General Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.63%, 7/15/15

 

 

280

 

 

310,800

 

11.88%, 7/15/17 (e)

 

 

190

 

 

213,275

 

Macy’s Retail Holdings, Inc., 5.88%, 1/15/13

 

 

475

 

 

447,885

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

971,960

 









Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 8.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arch Coal, Inc., 8.75%, 8/01/16 (b)

 

 

310

 

 

310,000

 

Atlas Energy Operating Co. LLC, 12.13%, 8/01/17

 

 

500

 

 

527,500

 

Atlas Energy Resources LLC, 10.75%, 2/01/18 (b)

 

 

1,075

 

 

1,085,750

 

Berry Petroleum Co., 8.25%, 11/01/16

 

 

510

 

 

453,900

 

Bill Barrett Corp., 9.88%, 7/15/16

 

 

240

 

 

249,600

 

Chesapeake Energy Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.50%, 2/15/15

 

 

520

 

 

530,400

 

7.25%, 12/15/18

 

 

1,030

 

 

942,450

 

2.25%, 12/15/38 (f)

 

 

800

 

 

537,000

 

Connacher Oil and Gas Ltd. (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.75%, 7/15/14

 

 

175

 

 

177,625

 

10.25%, 12/15/15

 

 

1,145

 

 

807,225

 

Corral Finans AB, 2.01%, 4/15/10 (b)(e)

 

 

1,693

 

 

1,231,636

 

EXCO Resources, Inc., 7.25%, 1/15/11

 

 

2,625

 

 

2,572,500

 

Encore Acquisition Co., 6.25%, 4/15/14

 

 

2,000

 

 

1,780,000

 

Forest Oil Corp., 7.25%, 6/15/19

 

 

2,405

 

 

2,260,700

 

Massey Energy Co., 3.25%, 8/01/15 (f)

 

 

1,250

 

 

934,375

 

OPTI Canada, Inc., 8.25%, 12/15/14

 

 

1,565

 

 

1,017,250

 

PetroHawk Energy Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.50%, 8/01/14 (b)

 

 

555

 

 

593,850

 

7.88%, 6/01/15

 

 

460

 

 

446,200

 

Range Resources Corp., 8.00%, 5/15/19

 

 

400

 

 

408,000

 

Sabine Pass LNG LP, 7.50%, 11/30/16

 

 

390

 

 

315,900

 

SandRidge Energy, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.63%, 4/01/15 (e)

 

 

120

 

 

112,800

 

9.88%, 5/15/16 (b)

 

 

500

 

 

500,000

 

8.00%, 6/01/18 (b)

 

 

990

 

 

895,950

 

Teekay Shipping Corp., 8.88%, 7/15/11

 

 

575

 

 

572,125

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

19,262,736

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 









Paper & Forest Products — 3.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd., 11.00%, 7/29/15 (b)(e)

 

USD

1,079

 

$

427,925

 

Clearwater Paper Corp., 10.63%, 6/15/16 (b)

 

 

390

 

 

417,787

 

Georgia-Pacific Corp., 8.13%, 5/15/11

 

 

150

 

 

154,125

 

Georgia-Pacific LLC, 8.25%, 5/01/16 (b)

 

 

1,600

 

 

1,616,000

 

International Paper Co., 9.38%, 5/15/19

 

 

520

 

 

584,327

 

NewPage Corp., 10.00%, 5/01/12

 

 

2,590

 

 

1,405,075

 

Norske Skog Canada Ltd. Series D, 8.63%, 6/15/11

 

 

885

 

 

517,725

 

Verso Paper Holdings LLC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.50%, 7/01/14 (b)

 

 

335

 

 

328,300

 

Series B, 4.23%, 8/01/14 (h)

 

 

280

 

 

156,800

 

Series B, 9.13%, 8/01/14

 

 

1,525

 

 

995,063

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

6,603,127

 









Pharmaceuticals — 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 4.11%, 12/01/13 (h)

 

 

1,530

 

 

1,285,200

 

Elan Finance Plc, 8.88%, 12/01/13

 

 

105

 

 

101,325

 

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, 8.38%, 6/15/16 (b)

 

 

545

 

 

553,175

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,939,700

 









Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FelCor Lodging LP, 8.50%, 6/01/11

 

 

295

 

 

276,562

 

HCP, Inc., 5.65%, 12/15/13

 

 

440

 

 

423,914

 

iStar Financial, Inc., Series B, 5.13%, 4/01/11

 

 

230

 

 

124,200

 

Rouse Co. LP, 5.38%, 11/26/13 (a)(d)

 

 

395

 

 

298,225

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,122,901

 









Real Estate Management & Development — 1.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forest City Enterprises, Inc., 7.63%, 6/01/15

 

 

2,625

 

 

1,647,187

 

Realogy Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.50%, 4/15/14

 

 

540

 

 

321,300

 

12.38%, 4/15/15

 

 

2,078

 

 

841,590

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,810,077

 









Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spansion, Inc. (a)(b)(d):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.79%, 6/01/13

 

 

1,215

 

 

1,078,313

 

2.25%, 6/15/16 (f)

 

 

630

 

 

113,400

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,191,713

 









Software — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BMS Holdings, Inc., 8.35%, 2/15/12 (b)(e)(h)

 

 

436

 

 

6,998

 









Specialty Retail — 2.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., 7.63%, 3/15/17

 

 

350

 

 

287,000

 

General Nutrition Centers, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.40%, 3/15/14 (h)

 

 

1,760

 

 

1,548,800

 

10.75%, 3/15/15

 

 

1,285

 

 

1,214,325

 

Group 1 Automotive, Inc., 2.25%, 6/15/36 (i)

 

 

1,055

 

 

747,731

 

Limited Brands, Inc., 8.50%, 6/15/19 (b)

 

 

785

 

 

795,229

 

Michaels Stores, Inc., 11.38%, 11/01/16

 

 

750

 

 

645,000

 

United Auto Group, Inc., 7.75%, 12/15/16

 

 

1,110

 

 

976,800

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

6,214,885

 









Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Levi Strauss & Co., 8.63%, 4/01/13

 

EUR

900

 

 

1,232,187

 

Quiksilver, Inc., 6.88%, 4/15/15

 

USD

1,750

 

 

1,111,250

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,343,437

 









Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential Capital Corp., 8.38%, 6/30/10

 

 

3,025

 

 

1,951,125

 










 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




20

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009




 

 


 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. (CYE)

 

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 









Wireless Telecommunication Services — 6.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cricket Communications, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.38%, 11/01/14

 

USD

2,535

 

$

2,389,238

 

10.00%, 7/15/15

 

 

890

 

 

861,075

 

Crown Castle International Corp., 9.00%, 1/15/15

 

 

215

 

 

223,600

 

Digicel Group Ltd. (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.88%, 1/15/15

 

 

1,370

 

 

1,222,725

 

9.13%, 1/15/15 (e)

 

 

1,983

 

 

1,747,519

 

FiberTower Corp., 9.00%, 11/15/12 (f)

 

 

633

 

 

327,578

 

iPCS, Inc., 2.61%, 5/01/13 (h)

 

 

815

 

 

668,300

 

MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., 9.25%, 11/01/14

 

 

2,115

 

 

2,075,344

 

NII Holdings, Inc., 2.75%, 8/15/25 (f)

 

 

930

 

 

905,588

 

Nextel Communications, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series E, 6.88%, 10/31/13

 

 

1,730

 

 

1,548,350

 

Series F, 5.95%, 3/15/14

 

 

110

 

 

92,400

 

Orascom Telecom Finance SCA, 7.88%, 2/08/14 (b)

 

 

275

 

 

247,500

 

Sprint Capital Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.63%, 1/30/11

 

 

840

 

 

841,050

 

6.88%, 11/15/28

 

 

180

 

 

130,950

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

13,281,217

 









Total Corporate Bonds — 96.5%

 

 

 

 

 

207,332,059

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Auto Components — 3.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allison Transmission, Inc., Term Loan, 3.03%, 8/07/14

 

 

1,376

 

 

1,174,545

 

Dana Holding Corp., Term Advance, 7.25%, 1/31/15

 

 

1,946

 

 

1,489,854

 

Delphi Corp. (a)(d):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initial Tranche Term Loan C, 10.50%, 12/31/09

 

 

6,392

 

 

3,515,359

 

Subsequent Tranche Term Loan C, 10.50%, 12/31/09

 

 

658

 

 

362,141

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

6,541,899

 









Building Products — 1.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CPG International I Inc., Term Loan, 5.27%, 2/28/11

 

 

3,267

 

 

2,940,151

 









Capital Markets — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marsico Parent Com., LLC, Term Loan, 4.81%, 12/15/14

 

 

462

 

 

198,749

 









Chemicals — 1.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PQ Corp. (fka Niagara Acquisition, Inc.):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loan (Second Lien), 6.77%, 7/30/15

 

 

3,500

 

 

1,925,000

 

Original Term Loan (First Lien), 3.52% – 3.75%, 7/31/14

 

 

743

 

 

611,944

 

Solutia Inc., Loan, 7.25%, 2/28/14

 

 

485

 

 

480,087

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,017,031

 









Diversified Financial Services — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Protostar Ltd, Revolver, 18.00%, 10/15/12

 

 

100

 

 

98,000

 









Diversified Telecommunication Services — 2.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wind Finance SL S.A. Euro Facility (Second Lien), 7.70%, 12/17/14

 

EUR

3,460

 

 

4,975,170

 









Food & Staples Retailing — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rite Aid Corp., Tranche 4 Term Loan, 9.50%, 6/04/15

 

USD

1,250

 

 

1,293,750

 









Health Care Providers & Services — 2.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HCA Inc., Tranche A-1 Term Loan, 2.10%, 11/17/12

 

 

3,620

 

 

3,379,620

 

Rotech Healthcare, Inc., Term Loan B, 6.26%, 9/26/11

 

 

1,806

 

 

866,938

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

4,246,558

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 







Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Travelport LLC (fka Travelport Inc.), Loan, 7.99%, 3/27/12 (e)

 

USD

3,056

 

$

1,711,338

 









IT Services — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Data Corp., Initial Tranche B-1 Term Loan, 3.01% – 3.02%, 9/24/14

 

 

349

 

 

290,854

 









Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders — 1.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co., LLC (TXU):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initial Tranche B-1 Term Loan, 3.78% – 3.79%, 10/10/14

 

 

217

 

 

165,100

 

Initial Tranche B-2 Term Loan, 3.78%, 10/10/14

 

 

1,313

 

 

997,794

 

Initial Tranche B-3 Term Loan, 3.78%, 10/10/14

 

 

3,439

 

 

2,602,398

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,765,292

 









Machinery — 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Navistar Financial Corp., Tranche A Term Loan, 2.31%, 3/27/10

 

 

500

 

 

485,000

 

Navistar International Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revolving Credit-Linked Deposit, 3.36% – 3.51%, 1/19/12

 

 

535

 

 

497,550

 

Term Advance, 3.51%, 1/19/12

 

 

1,470

 

 

1,367,100

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,349,650

 









Media — 3.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., Loan, 8.27%, 3/01/12

 

 

419

 

 

366,678

 

Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc., (Thomson Learning), Tranche 1 Incremental Term Loan, 7.50%, 7/03/14

 

 

1,732

 

 

1,663,200

 

HMH Publishing Co. Ltd. (fka Education Media):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mezzanine, 17.50%, 11/14/14 (e)

 

 

6,787

 

 

1,018,018

 

Tranche A Term Loan, 5.26%, 6/12/14

 

 

2,651

 

 

2,051,497

 

NV Broadcasting, LLC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Lien, 8.72%, 11/03/14 (a)(d)

 

 

1,500

 

 

15,000

 

Term Loan Debtor in Possession, 13.00%, 7/14/12

 

 

80

 

 

79,200

 

Newsday LLC, Fixed Rate Term Loan, 9.75%, 8/01/13

 

 

700

 

 

712,250

 

ProtoStar Ltd., Debtor in Possession Term Loan, 18.00%, 10/15/09

 

 

21

 

 

20,600

 

Virgin Media Investment Holdings Ltd., C Facility, 3.62%, 7/17/13

 

 

305

 

 

436,941

 

World Color Press Inc. and World Color (USA) Corp. (fka Quebecor World Inc.), Advance, 9.00%, 6/30/12

 

 

500

 

 

496,250

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

6,859,634

 









Multiline Retail — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Neiman Marcus Group Inc., Term Loan, 2.28% – 2.63%, 4/06/13

 

 

130

 

 

107,018

 









Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turbo Beta Ltd., Dollar Facility, 14.50%, 3/15/18

 

 

2,250

 

 

1,574,664

 









Paper & Forest Products — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NewPage Corp., Term Loan, 4.06%, 12/22/14

 

 

487

 

 

451,459

 

Verso Paper Finance Holdings LLC, Loan, 6.73% – 7.48%, 2/01/13

 

 

1,253

 

 

250,621

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

702,080

 









Real Estate Management & Development — 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realogy Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initial Term B Loan, 3.28%, 10/10/13

 

 

402

 

 

306,324

 

Synthetic Letter of Credit, 0.11%, 10/10/13

 

 

129

 

 

98,326

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

404,650

 










 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

21




 

 


 

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. (CYE)

 

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 







Specialty Retail — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Claire’s Stores, Term Loan B, 5.27%, 5/29/14

 

USD

280

 

$

182,400

 









Total Floating Rate Loan Interests
(Cost — $54,429,610) — 19.1%

 

 

 

 

 

41,258,888

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Other Interests (j)

 

Beneficial
Interest
(000)

 

 

 

 








Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buffets, Inc.

 

 

575

 

 

58

 









Media — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adelphia Escrow

 

 

750

 

 

75

 

Adelphia Recovery Trust

 

 

941

 

 

3,762

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,837

 









Total Other Interests — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

3,895

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Preferred Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









 

Preferred Stocks

 

Shares

 

 

 

 








Capital Markets — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marsico Parent Superholdco, LLC, 16.75% (b)

 

 

72

 

 

18,360

 









Diversified Financial Services — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Blocker, Inc., 7.00% (b)

 

 

590

 

 

274,479

 









Media — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CMP Susquehanna Radio Holdings Corp., 0% (a)(b)(h)

 

 

37,314

 

 

 









Total Preferred Securities — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

292,839

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Warrants (k)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Containers & Packaging — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MDP Acquisitions Plc (expires 10/01/13)

 

 

700

 

 

28,916

 









Health Care Providers & Services — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HealthSouth Corp. (expires 1/16/14)

 

 

32,042

 

 

 









Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buffets Restaurants Holdings, Inc. (expires 4/29/14)

 

 

485

 

 

5

 









Media — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CMP Susquehanna Radio Holdings Corp. (expires 3/26/19) (b)

 

 

42,640

 

 

 









Other — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turbo Cayman Ltd. (No Expiration)

 

 

1

 

 

 









Total Warrants — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

28,921

 









Total Long-Term Investments
(Cost — $298,533,340) — 119.4%

 

 

 

 

 

256,971,953

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

 

Shares

 

Value

 









BlackRock Liquidity Funds, TempFund, 0.22% (l)(m)

 

 

2,029,452

 

$

2,029,452

 









Total Short-Term Securities
(Cost — $2,029,452) — 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

2,029,452

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Options Purchased

 

Contracts

 

 

 

 








Over-the-Counter Call Options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marsico Parent Superholdco LLC, expiring December 2009 at USD 942.86, Broker The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

 

 

19

 

 

19,000

 









Total Options Purchased
(Cost — $18,578) — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

19,000

 









Total Investments (Cost — $300,581,370*) — 120.3%

 

 

 

 

259,020,405

 

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (20.3)%

 

 

 

 

 

(43,675,127

)

 

 

 

 

 




Net Assets — 100.0%

 

 

 

 

$

215,345,278

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 



*

The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments as of August 31, 2009, as computed for federal income tax purposes, were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aggregate cost

 

$

302,252,091

 

 

 

 




 

Gross unrealized appreciation

 

$

9,573,366

 

 

Gross unrealized depreciation

 

 

(52,805,052

)

 

 

 




 

Net unrealized depreciation

 

$

(43,231,686

)

 

 

 





 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

 

 

(b)

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

 

 

(c)

All, or a portion of the security has been pledged as collateral in connection with swaps.

 

 

(d)

Issuer filed for bankruptcy and/or is in default of interest payments.

 

 

(e)

Represents a payment-in-kind security which may pay interest/dividends in additional par/shares.

 

 

(f)

Convertible security.

 

 

(g)

Represents a zero-coupon bond. Rate shown reflects the current yield as of report date.

 

 

(h)

Variable rate security. Rate shown is as of report date.

 

 

(i)

Represents a step-down bond that pays an initial coupon rate for the first period and then a lower coupon rate for the following periods. Rate shown is as of report date.

 

 

(j)

Other interests represent beneficial interest in liquidation trusts and other reorganization entities and are non-income producing.

 

 

(k)

Warrants entitle the Fund to purchase a predetermined number of shares of common stock and are non-income producing. The purchase price and number of shares are subject to adjustment under certain conditions until the expiration date.

 

 

(l)

Investments in companies considered to be an affiliate of the Fund, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Co. Act of 1940, were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







 

Affiliate

 

Net
Activity

 

Income

 

 







 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, TempFund

 

$

2,029,452

 

$

4,405

 

 

BlackRock Liquidity Series, LLC Cash Sweep Series

 

$

(8,370,522

)

$

2,500

 

 










 

 

(m)

Represents the current yield as of report date.


 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




22

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009



 

 


 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. (CYE)


 

 

For Fund compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications for reporting ease.

 

 

Foreign currency exchange contracts as of August 31, 2009 were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

















Currency
Purchased

 

Currency
Sold

 

 

Counterparty

 

 

Settlement
Date

 

Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 














USD

11,869,438

 

 

EUR

8,503,500

 

 

Citibank NA

 

 

9/16/09

 

$

(321,504

)

USD

465,812

 

 

EUR

330,000

 

 

UBS AG

 

 

9/16/09

 

 

(7,289

)

USD

537,357

 

 

CAD

583,500

 

 

Barclays Bank Plc

 

 

10/28/09

 

 

4,310

 

USD

1,095,115

 

 

GBP

670,000

 

 

Citibank NA

 

 

10/28/09

 

 

4,477

 

















Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(320,006

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

Credit default swaps on single-name issues — buy protection outstanding as of August 31, 2009 were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 















Issuer

 

Pay
Fixed
Rate

 

Counterparty

 

Expiration

 

Notional
Amount
(000)

 

Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 













Black & Decker Corp.

 

2.93

%

 

Goldman Sachs International

 

March 2014

 

USD 600

 

$

(35,219

)

Macy’s, Inc.

 

8.05

%

 

Goldman Sachs International

 

March 2014

 

USD 600

 

 

(112,690

)

Masco Corp.

 

5.85

%

 

Goldman Sachs International

 

March 2014

 

USD 750

 

 

(99,209

)

Louisiana-Pacific Corp.

 

5.00

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

March 2014

 

USD 500

 

 

(95,335

)

Mohawk Industries, Inc.

 

4.70

%

 

Goldman Sachs International

 

March 2014

 

USD 750

 

 

(82,112

)

Tyson Foods, Inc.

 

4.25

%

 

Goldman Sachs International

 

March 2014

 

USD 400

 

 

(37,313

)

Centex Corp.

 

1.00

%

 

Deutsche Bank AG

 

June 2014

 

USD 250

 

 

(8,534

)

First Data Corp.

 

5.00

%

 

Credit Suisse International

 

June 2014

 

USD 250

 

 

(21,929

)

Lennar Corp.

 

5.75

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

June 2014

 

USD 250

 

 

(30,077

)

Standard Pacific Corp.

 

5.00

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

June 2014

 

USD 525

 

 

(1,923

)

Brunswick Corp.

 

5.00

%

 

Goldman Sachs International

 

September 2014

 

USD 500

 

 

2,820

 

Centex Corp.

 

1.00

%

 

Deutsche Bank AG

 

September 2014

 

USD 188

 

 

(1,501

)

Limited Brands, Inc.

 

1.00

%

 

Goldman Sachs International

 

September 2014

 

USD 850

 

 

9,048

 

Limited Brands, Inc.

 

1.00

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

September 2014

 

USD 100

 

 

1,143

 

Pulte Homes, Inc.

 

1.00

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

September 2014

 

USD 375

 

 

5,955

 

Standard Pacific Corp.

 

5.00

%

 

Credit Suisse International

 

September 2014

 

USD 565

 

 

22,516

 

Meritage Homes Corp.

 

5.00

%

 

Credit Suisse International

 

June 2015

 

USD 250

 

 

(10,202

)















Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(494,562

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

Credit default swaps on single-name issues — sold protection outstanding as of August 31, 2009 were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















Issuer

 

Receive
Fixed
Rate

 

Counterparty

 

Expiration

 

Rating1

 

Notional
Amount
(000)2

 

Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 















Ford Motor Co.

 

3.80

%

 

UBS AG

 

March 2010

 

CCC

 

USD

1,000

 

$

(32,127

)

Ford Motor Co.

 

5.00

%

 

Goldman Sachs International

 

June 2010

 

CCC

 

USD

4,000

 

 

(146,123

)

Beazer Homes USA, Inc.

 

5.00

%

 

Credit Suisse International

 

June 2011

 

D

 

USD

175

 

 

2,818

 

Beazer Homes USA, Inc.

 

5.00

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

September 2011

 

D

 

USD

100

 

 

650

 

Beazer Homes USA, Inc.

 

5.00

%

 

Goldman Sachs International

 

September 2011

 

D

 

USD

200

 

 

(652

)

Beazer Homes USA, Inc.

 

5.00

%

 

Credit Suisse International

 

September 2011

 

D

 

USD

275

 

 

3,485

 

D.R. Horton, Inc. 1.00%

 

 

 

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

September 2014

 

BB–

 

USD

188

 

 

(12

)


















Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(171,961

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

 

 

1

Using S&P’s rating of the issuer.

 

 

 

 

2

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


 

 

 

Currency Abbreviations:

 

 

 

 

CAD     Canadian Dollar

 

EUR     Euro

 

GBP     British Pound

 

USD     US Dollar

 

 

 

Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” clarifies the definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair values and requires additional disclosures about the use of fair value measurements. Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments, which are as follows:

 

 

 

 

Level 1 — price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical securities

 

 

 

 

Level 2 — other observable inputs (including, but not limited to: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs)

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of investments and other significant accounting policies, please refer to Note 1 of the Notes to Financial Statements.


 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

23




 

 


 

 

Schedule of Investments (concluded)

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. (CYE)

The following table summarizes the inputs used as of August 31, 2009 in determining the fair valuation of the Fund’s investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Valuation Inputs

 

 

 

 

Investments in
Securities

 








 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 



Level 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

 

 

 

$

7,852,951

 

Short-Term Securities

 

 

 

 

 

2,029,452

 

 

 

 

 

 




Total Level 1

 

 

 

 

 

9,882,403

 

 

 

 

 

 




Level 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

 

 

 

 

202,008

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

 

 

 

205,688,430

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

 

 

 

17,904,257

 

Preferred Stocks

 

 

 

 

 

292,839

 

Warrants

 

 

 

 

 

28,916

 

 

 

 

 

 




Total Level 2

 

 

 

 

 

224,116,450

 

 

 

 

 

 




Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

 

 

 

 

392

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

 

 

 

1,643,629

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

 

 

 

23,354,631

 

Other Interests

 

 

 

 

 

3,895

 

Warrants

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 




Total Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

25,002,552

 

 

 

 

 

 




Total

 

 

 

 

$

259,001,405

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Valuation Inputs

 

Other Financial Instruments1

 





 

 

Assets

 

Liabilities

 

 

 


 



Level 1

 

 

 

 

 

Level 2

 

$

76,222

 

$

(1,043,751

)

Level 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







Total

 

$

76,222

 

$

(1,043,751

)

 

 








 

 

 

 

1

Other financial instruments are swaps, foreign currency exchange contracts and options purchased. Swaps and foreign currency exchange contracts are shown at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument and options purchased are shown at market value.

The following is a reconciliation of investments for unobservable inputs (Level 3) used in determining fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















 

 

Investment in Securities

 

 

 



 

 

Common
Stocks

 

Corporate
Bonds

 

Floating Rate
Loan Interests

 

Other
Interests

 

Warrants

 

Total

 















Balance as of February 28, 2009

 

 

$

381

 

 

$

1,607,922

 

$

16,334,395

 

 

$

3,837

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

17,946,535

 

Accrued discounts/premiums

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realized gain (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,297,443

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,297,443

)

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)2

 

 

 

 

 

 

(295,960

)

 

7,169,159

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,873,199

 

Net purchases (sales)

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,467

 

 

(2,090,258

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,086,791

)

Net transfer in/out of Level 3

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

328,200

 

 

3,238,778

 

 

 

58

 

 

 

$

5

 

 

 

3,567,052

 

 

 

























Balance as of August 31, 2009

 

 

$

392

 

 

$

1,643,629

 

$

23,354,631

 

 

$

3,895

 

 

 

$

5

 

 

$

25,002,552

 

 

 


























 

 

 

 

2

Included in the related net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the Statements of Operations.


 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




24

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009



 

 



 

 

Schedule of Investments August 31, 2009 (Unaudited)

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

 

Shares

 

Value

 








Airlines — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delta Air Lines, Inc. (a)

 

 

14,829

 

$

107,065

 









Building Products — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Masonite Worldwide Holdings (a)

 

 

71,958

 

 

2,910,701

 

Neenah Enterprises Inc. (a)

 

 

144,858

 

 

28,972

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,939,673

 









Chemicals — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc. (a)

 

 

339,340

 

 

130,273

 

GenTek, Inc. (a)

 

 

403

 

 

11,054

 

Wellman Holdings, Inc. (a)

 

 

5,373

 

 

1,343

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

142,670

 









Communications Equipment — 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loral Space & Communications Ltd. (a)

 

 

150,354

 

 

3,103,307

 









Containers & Packaging — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smurfit Kappa Plc

 

 

36,342

 

 

286,389

 

Viskase Cos., Inc. (a)

 

 

1,428,423

 

 

1,428,423

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,714,812

 









Diversified Financial Services — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred Term Securities VI, Ltd. (a)(b)

 

 

35,000

 

 

350

 









Electrical Equipment — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medis Technologies Ltd. (a)

 

 

286,757

 

 

81,726

 

SunPower Corp. Class B (a)

 

 

4,892

 

 

104,640

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

186,366

 









Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buffets Restaurants Holdings, Inc. (a)

 

 

2,753

 

 

28

 

HRP Corp. Class B (a)(b)(c)

 

 

5,000

 

 

50

 

Lodgian, Inc. (a)

 

 

27,787

 

 

38,624

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

38,702

 









Metals & Mining — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Euramax International

 

 

2,337

 

 

25,126

 









Paper & Forest Products — 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd.

 

 

1,190,019

 

 

1,717,497

 

Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd. (a)(b)

 

 

1,335,501

 

 

1,921,321

 

Western Forest Products, Inc. (a)(b)

 

 

211,149

 

 

50,147

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,688,965

 









Specialty Retail — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Movie Gallery, Inc. (a)

 

 

503,737

 

 

1,435,650

 









Total Common Stocks — 3.8%

 

 

 

 

 

13,382,686

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par
(000)

 

 

 

 









Airlines — 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United Air Lines, Inc., 12.75%, 7/15/12

 

USD

800

 

 

768,000

 









Auto Components — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allison Transmission, Inc., 11.00%, 11/01/15 (b)

 

 

216

 

 

194,400

 

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 8.63%, 12/01/11

 

 

1,000

 

 

1,010,000

 

Lear Corp., 8.75%, 12/01/16 (a)(d)

 

 

700

 

 

378,000

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.00%, 6/01/09

 

 

4,450

 

 

 

Series B, 9.50%, 7/01/05 (e)

 

 

1,800

 

 

180

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,582,580

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 








Building Products — 2.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CPG International I, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.87%, 7/01/12 (f)

 

USD

7,500

 

$

5,362,500

 

10.50%, 7/01/13

 

 

1,300

 

 

929,500

 

Momentive Performance Materials, Inc. Series WI, 9.75%, 12/01/14

 

 

1,600

 

 

1,040,000

 

Ply Gem Industries, Inc., 11.75%, 6/15/13

 

 

1,050

 

 

876,750

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

8,208,750

 









Capital Markets — 1.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E*Trade Financial Corp. (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.50%, 11/30/17 (c)

 

 

731

 

 

740,138

 

3.14%, 8/31/19 (g)(h)

 

 

2,333

 

 

3,986,514

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

4,726,652

 









Chemicals — 2.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Pacific Corp., 9.00%, 2/01/15

 

 

1,490

 

 

1,344,725

 

GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc. (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.50%, 3/31/15 (c)(h)

 

 

4,144

 

 

2,693,802

 

10.00%, 3/31/15 (f)

 

 

4,106

 

 

2,668,640

 

Wellman Holdings, Inc. (h):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Lien Subordinate Note, 10.00%, 1/29/19 (b)

 

 

2,978

 

 

2,978,000

 

Third Lien Subordinate Note, 5.00%, 1/29/19

 

 

930

 

 

465,269

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

10,150,436

 









Commercial Banks — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glitnir Banki HF (a)(c):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.15%, 4/20/10 (b)

 

 

294

 

 

58,065

 

4.97%, 1/18/12 (b)

 

 

150

 

 

29,625

 

6.38%, 9/25/12 (b)

 

 

820

 

 

161,950

 

Series EMTN, 5.07%, 1/27/10

 

EUR

50

 

 

14,694

 

Series EMTN, 3.00%, 6/30/10

 

 

75

 

 

22,042

 

Series GMTN, 4.38%, 2/05/10

 

 

85

 

 

24,981

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

311,357

 









Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clean Harbors, Inc., 7.63%, 8/15/16 (b)

 

USD

1,200

 

 

1,203,000

 

RSC Equipment Rental, Inc., 10.00%, 7/15/17 (b)

 

 

970

 

 

1,013,650

 

West Corp., 11.00%, 10/15/16

 

 

3,270

 

 

3,016,575

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

5,233,225

 









Construction Materials — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nortek, Inc., 10.00%, 12/01/13

 

 

2,970

 

 

2,762,100

 









Consumer Finance — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 3.26%, 1/13/12 (f)

 

 

2,680

 

 

2,231,100

 









Containers & Packaging — 3.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Berry Plastics Holding Corp., 4.50%, 9/15/14 (f)

 

 

375

 

 

270,000

 

Crown Americas LLC, 7.63%, 5/15/17 (b)

 

 

710

 

 

704,675

 

Graphic Packaging International, Inc., 9.50%, 6/15/17 (b)

 

 

1,440

 

 

1,476,000

 

Packaging Dynamics Finance Corp., 10.00%, 5/01/16 (b)

 

 

6,215

 

 

1,988,800

 

Smurfit Kappa Funding Plc, 7.75%, 4/01/15

 

 

3,325

 

 

2,693,250

 

Solo Cup Co., 10.50%, 11/01/13 (b)

 

 

440

 

 

462,000

 

Wise Metals Group LLC, 10.25%, 5/15/12

 

 

6,325

 

 

3,099,250

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

10,693,975

 









Diversified Consumer Services — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NBC Acquisition Corp., 11.00%, 3/15/13

 

 

3,875

 

 

2,131,250

 










 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

25




 

 



 

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 








Diversified Financial Services — 5.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Archimedes Funding III Ltd., 5.50%, 11/29/11 (b)

 

USD

5,744

 

$

2,642,097

 

FCE Bank Plc, 7.13%, 1/16/12

 

EUR

8,000

 

 

10,379,333

 

GMAC LLC (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.25%, 3/02/11

 

USD

800

 

 

751,000

 

6.88%, 9/15/11

 

 

900

 

 

830,250

 

6.88%, 8/28/12

 

 

1,000

 

 

870,000

 

6.75%, 12/01/14

 

 

4,290

 

 

3,517,800

 

8.00%, 11/01/31

 

 

2,160

 

 

1,668,600

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

20,659,080

 









Diversified Telecommunication Services — 2.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nordic Telephone Co. Holdings ApS, 8.88%, 5/01/16 (b)

 

 

2,600

 

 

2,639,000

 

PAETEC Holding Corp., 8.88%, 6/30/17 (b)

 

 

1,100

 

 

1,047,750

 

Qwest Corp., 8.38%, 5/01/16 (b)(i)

 

 

4,000

 

 

4,040,000

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

7,726,750

 









Electric Utilities — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NSG Holdings LLC, 7.75%, 12/15/25 (b)

 

 

1,505

 

 

1,256,675

 









Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Muzak Holdings, LLC, 13.00%, 3/15/10 (a)(d)

 

 

2,675

 

 

268

 









Food & Staples Retailing — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duane Reade, Inc., 11.75%, 8/01/15 (b)

 

 

280

 

 

282,800

 









Food Products — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smithfield Foods, Inc., 10.00%, 7/15/14 (b)

 

 

1,250

 

 

1,275,000

 









Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DJO Finance LLC, 10.88%, 11/15/14

 

 

2,235

 

 

2,145,600

 









Health Care Providers & Services — 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Health Systems, Inc. Series WI, 8.88%, 7/15/15

 

 

3,010

 

 

3,021,287

 









Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 2.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HRP Myrtle Beach Holdings LLC, 14.50%, 4/01/14 (a)(b)(c)(d)

 

 

6,892

 

 

689

 

HRP Myrtle Beach Operations LLC (a)(b)(d):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.38%, 4/01/12

 

 

5,000

 

 

500

 

12.50%, 4/01/13

 

 

5,000

 

 

500

 

Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc. (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.00%, 12/15/15

 

 

1,160

 

 

829,400

 

10.00%, 12/15/18

 

 

3,240

 

 

2,268,000

 

Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, 10.25%, 2/15/14 (a)(b)(d)

 

 

2,560

 

 

1,126,400

 

MGM Mirage, 11.13%, 11/15/17 (b)

 

 

1,340

 

 

1,450,550

 

Shingle Springs Tribal Gaming Authority, 9.38%, 6/15/15 (b)

 

 

380

 

 

269,800

 

Snoqualmie Entertainment Authority, 4.68%, 2/01/14 (b)(f)

 

 

1,015

 

 

497,350

 

Travelport LLC, 4.99%, 9/01/14 (f)

 

 

2,160

 

 

1,566,000

 

Tropicana Entertainment LLC Series WI, 9.63%, 12/15/14 (a)(d)

 

 

530

 

 

331

 

Tunica-Biloxi Gaming Authority, 9.00%, 11/15/15 (b)

 

 

1,860

 

 

1,655,400

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

9,664,920

 









Household Durables — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KB Home, 6.38%, 8/15/11

 

 

180

 

 

178,200

 

Standard Pacific Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.25%, 4/01/14

 

 

455

 

 

357,175

 

7.00%, 8/15/15

 

 

1,550

 

 

1,216,750

 

Stanley-Martin Communities LLC, 9.75%, 8/15/15

 

 

2,250

 

 

551,250

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,303,375

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 









IT Services — 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Data Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.88%, 9/24/15

 

USD

1,275

 

$

1,090,125

 

11.25%, 3/31/16 (b)

 

 

1,890

 

 

1,445,850

 

SunGard Data Systems, Inc., 4.88%, 1/15/14

 

 

1,265

 

 

1,138,500

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,674,475

 









Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders — 1.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AES Eastern Energy LP Series 99-B, 9.67%, 1/02/29

 

 

1,010

 

 

868,600

 

Calpine Construction Finance Co. LP, 8.00%, 6/01/16 (b)

 

 

1,250

 

 

1,243,750

 

Energy Future Holdings Corp., 11.25%, 11/01/17 (c)

 

 

3,392

 

 

1,941,574

 

NRG Energy, Inc., 8.50%, 6/15/19

 

 

800

 

 

778,000

 

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.25%, 11/01/15

 

 

770

 

 

510,125

 

10.50%, 11/01/16 (c)

 

 

2,535

 

 

1,406,684

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

6,748,733

 









Industrial Conglomerates — 2.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sequa Corp. (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.75%, 12/01/15

 

 

5,100

 

 

3,213,000

 

13.50%, 12/01/15 (c)

 

 

7,792

 

 

4,071,062

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

7,284,062

 









Insurance — 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alliant Holdings I, Inc., 11.00%, 5/01/15 (b)

 

 

2,500

 

 

2,281,250

 

USI Holdings Corp., 4.32%, 11/15/14 (b)(f)

 

 

1,630

 

 

1,259,175

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,540,425

 









Leisure Equipment & Products — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brunswick Corp., 11.25%, 11/01/16 (b)

 

 

1,870

 

 

1,958,825

 









Machinery — 2.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CPM Holdings, Inc., 10.63%, 9/01/14 (b)

 

 

800

 

 

808,000

 

ESCO Corp., 4.50%, 12/15/13 (b)(f)

 

 

3,070

 

 

2,739,975

 

RBS Global, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.50%, 8/01/14 (b)

 

 

660

 

 

607,200

 

8.88%, 9/01/16

 

 

1,685

 

 

1,352,213

 

Titan International, Inc., 8.00%, 1/15/12

 

 

1,530

 

 

1,472,625

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

6,980,013

 









Marine — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Navios Maritime Holdings, Inc., 9.50%, 12/15/14

 

 

465

 

 

406,875

 









Media — 6.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affinion Group, Inc., 10.13%, 10/15/13

 

 

1,080

 

 

1,073,250

 

CSC Holdings, Inc., 8.50%, 4/15/14 (b)

 

 

680

 

 

690,200

 

Canadian Satellite Radio Holdings, Inc., 12.75%, 2/15/14

 

 

5,000

 

 

1,725,000

 

Charter Communications Holdings LLC (a)(d):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.00%, 4/01/09

 

 

2,402

 

 

3,002

 

11.13%, 1/15/11

 

 

1,319

 

 

65,950

 

10.00%, 5/15/11

 

 

1,978

 

 

2,473

 

Intelstat Corp., 9.25%, 8/15/14

 

 

4,500

 

 

4,567,500

 

Local Insight Regatta Holdings, Inc., 11.00%, 12/01/17

 

 

2,665

 

 

1,012,700

 

Network Communications, Inc., 10.75%, 12/01/13

 

 

20

 

 

4,050

 

Nielsen Finance LLC, 11.63%, 2/01/14

 

 

5,000

 

 

4,962,500

 

TL Acquisitions, Inc., 10.50%, 1/15/15 (b)

 

 

5,230

 

 

4,759,300

 

Virgin Media, Inc., 6.50%, 11/15/16 (b)(h)

 

 

3,000

 

 

2,718,750

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

21,584,675

 










 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




26

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009




 

 



 

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 








Metals & Mining — 1.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aleris International, Inc. (a)(d):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.00%, 12/15/14

 

USD

1,100

 

$

2,750

 

10.00%, 12/15/16

 

 

1,500

 

 

3,750

 

RathGibson, Inc., 11.25%, 2/15/14 (a)(d)

 

 

4,440

 

 

1,598,400

 

Ryerson, Inc., 7.86%, 11/01/14 (f)(i)

 

 

3,595

 

 

3,055,750

 

Teck Resources Ltd., 10.75%, 5/15/19

 

 

1,875

 

 

2,135,156

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

6,795,806

 









Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 3.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Atlas Energy Operating Co. LLC, 12.13%, 8/01/17

 

 

1,440

 

 

1,519,200

 

Atlas Energy Resources LLC, 10.75%, 2/01/18 (b)

 

 

525

 

 

530,250

 

Chesapeake Energy Corp., 9.50%, 2/15/15

 

 

1,645

 

 

1,677,900

 

Denbury Resources, Inc., 9.75%, 3/01/16

 

 

1,875

 

 

1,973,438

 

Forest Oil Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.50%, 2/15/14 (b)

 

 

2,265

 

 

2,276,325

 

7.25%, 6/15/19

 

 

700

 

 

658,000

 

SandRidge Energy, Inc., 4.22%, 4/01/14 (f)

 

 

2,000

 

 

1,660,736

 

Titan Petrochemicals Group Ltd., 8.50%, 3/18/12

 

 

1,760

 

 

668,800

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

10,964,649

 









Paper & Forest Products — 4.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd., 11.00%, 7/29/15 (b)(c)

 

 

10,267

 

 

4,070,085

 

Clearwater Paper Corp., 10.63%, 6/15/16 (b)

 

 

640

 

 

685,600

 

Georgia-Pacific LLC, 8.25%, 5/01/16 (b)

 

 

2,950

 

 

2,979,500

 

NewPage Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.73%, 5/01/12 (f)

 

 

8,000

 

 

3,420,000

 

10.00%, 5/01/12

 

 

2,720

 

 

1,475,600

 

12.00%, 5/01/13

 

 

2,145

 

 

681,038

 

Verso Paper Holdings LLC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.50%, 7/01/14 (b)

 

 

550

 

 

539,000

 

Series B, 4.23%, 8/01/14 (f)

 

 

4,400

 

 

2,464,000

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

16,314,823

 









Pharmaceuticals — 2.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 4.11%, 12/01/13 (f)

 

 

5,000

 

 

4,200,000

 

Elan Finance Plc, 7.75%, 11/15/11

 

 

3,525

 

 

3,419,250

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

7,619,250

 









Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RAIT Financial Trust, 6.88%, 4/15/27 (b)(h)

 

 

3,500

 

 

1,229,375

 









Real Estate Management & Development — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realogy Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.50%, 4/15/14

 

 

375

 

 

223,125

 

12.38%, 4/15/15

 

 

5,053

 

 

2,046,465

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,269,590

 









Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spansion, Inc., 3.79%, 6/01/13 (a)(b)(d)

 

 

3,370

 

 

2,990,875

 









Software — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BMS Holdings, Inc., 8.35%, 2/15/12 (b)(c)(f)

 

 

1,627

 

 

26,118

 









Specialty Retail — 2.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Nutrition Centers, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.40%, 3/15/14 (f)

 

 

365

 

 

321,200

 

10.75%, 3/15/15

 

 

4,480

 

 

4,233,600

 

Michaels Stores, Inc., 11.38%, 11/01/16

 

 

2,230

 

 

1,917,800

 

United Auto Group, Inc., 7.75%, 12/15/16

 

 

1,380

 

 

1,214,400

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

7,687,000

 









Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Levi Strauss & Co., 8.63%, 4/01/13

 

EUR

1,550

 

 

2,122,100

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 








Wireless Telecommunication Services — 4.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cricket Communications, Inc., 7.75%, 5/15/16 (b)

 

USD

2,250

 

$

2,182,500

 

Crown Castle International Corp., 9.00%, 1/15/15

 

 

385

 

 

400,400

 

Digicel Group Ltd. (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.88%, 1/15/15

 

 

3,560

 

 

3,177,300

 

9.13%, 1/15/15 (c)

 

 

7,248

 

 

6,387,300

 

MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., 9.25%, 11/01/14

 

 

2,860

 

 

2,806,375

 

Orascom Telecom Finance SCA, 7.88%, 2/08/14 (b)

 

 

755

 

 

679,500

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

15,633,375

 









Total Corporate Bonds — 62.7%

 

 

 

 

 

222,966,224

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Aerospace & Defense — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IAP Worldwide Services, Inc., Term Loan (First Lien), 9.25%, 12/30/12 (c)

 

 

275

 

 

198,458

 









Airlines — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delta Air Lines, Inc., Credit-Linked Deposit Loan, 0.11% – 2.28%, 4/30/12

 

 

1,960

 

 

1,750,117

 

US Airways Group, Inc., Loan, 2.76%, 3/21/14

 

 

2,197

 

 

1,183,286

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,933,403

 









Auto Components — 2.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allison Transmission, Inc., Term Loan, 3.03%, 8/07/14

 

 

7,481

 

 

6,386,957

 

Dana Holding Corp., Term Advance, 7.25%, 1/31/15

 

 

2,883

 

 

2,207,550

 

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Loan (Second Lien), 2.02%, 4/30/14

 

 

1,050

 

 

968,625

 

Intermet Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Lien Credit Facility, 11.25%, 11/08/10 (a)(c)(d)

 

 

373

 

 

74,679

 

Letter of Credit, 0.16%, 11/09/10 (a)(d)

 

 

751

 

 

277,946

 

Synthetic Letter of Credit, 11.25%, 11/09/10 (c)

 

 

84

 

 

31,098

 

Term Loan B, 11.25%, 11/08/10 (c)

 

 

478

 

 

176,948

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

10,123,803

 









Beverages — 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Culligan International Co., Loan (Second Lien), 5.28%, 4/24/13

 

EUR

1,500

 

 

537,604

 









Building Products — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Building Materials Corp. of America, Term Loan Advance, 3.06%, 2/22/14

 

USD

2,213

 

 

2,019,077

 









Chemicals — 3.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ashland, Inc., Term Loan, 7.65%, 5/13/14

 

 

889

 

 

903,747

 

Nalco Co., Term Loan, 6.50%, 5/06/16

 

 

1,725

 

 

1,748,719

 

PQ Corp. (fka Niagara Acquisition, Inc.):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term Loan (First Lien), 3.52% – 3.75%, 7/31/14

 

 

1,980

 

 

1,631,851

 

Term Loan (Second Lien), 6.77%, 7/30/15

 

 

10,165

 

 

5,590,947

 

Solutia Inc., Loan, 7.25%, 2/28/14

 

 

3,217

 

 

3,184,494

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

13,059,758

 









Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casella Waste Systems, Term Loan B, 7.00%, 12/21/12

 

 

390

 

 

390,975

 

John Maneely Co., Term Loan, 3.52% – 3.76%, 12/09/13

 

 

1,269

 

 

994,594

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,385,569

 










 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

27




 

 



 

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 








Communications Equipment — 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Safenet, Inc., Term Loan (First Lien), 2.77%, 4/12/14

 

USD

980

 

$

903,234

 









Computers & Peripherals — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intergraph Corp., Second Lien Term Loan, 6.26% – 6.37%, 11/28/14

 

 

1,000

 

 

932,500

 









Construction Materials — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Headwaters Inc., Term Loan B1 (First Lien), 9.75%, 4/30/11

 

 

1,846

 

 

1,785,700

 









Containers & Packaging — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Graham Packaging Co., L.P., Term Loan B, 2.56%, 10/07/11

 

 

898

 

 

873,017

 

Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises, Inc., US Term Loan, Debtor in Possession, 10.00%, 7/28/10

 

 

1,018

 

 

1,028,157

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,901,174

 









Distributors — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc. Loan, 3.77% – 5.75%, 1/12/12

 

 

1,656

 

 

902,296

 









Diversified Consumer Services — 1.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coinmach Service Corp., Term Loan, 3.28% – 3.43%, 11/14/14

 

 

5,184

 

 

4,406,579

 









Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hawaiian Telcom Communications, Inc., Tranche C Term Loan, 4.75%, 5/30/14

 

 

4,553

 

 

2,763,735

 

Integra Telecom Holdings, Inc., Term Loan (First Lien), 10.50%, 8/31/13

 

 

699

 

 

685,378

 

PAETEC Holding Corp., Incremental Term Loan, 2.76%, 2/28/13

 

 

253

 

 

238,509

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,687,622

 









Electrical Equipment — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Generac Acquisition Corp., Term Loan (First Lien), 2.78%, 11/10/13

 

 

427

 

 

357,987

 









Energy Equipment & Services — 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dresser, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term B Loan, 2.68%, 5/04/14

 

 

162

 

 

150,733

 

Term Loan (Second Lien), 6.02%, 5/04/15

 

 

2,500

 

 

2,078,125

 

MEG Energy Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delayed Draw Term Loan, 2.60%, 4/02/13

 

 

1,233

 

 

1,144,975

 

Initial Term Loan, 2.60%, 4/03/13

 

 

698

 

 

648,515

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

4,022,348

 









Food & Staples Retailing — 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DS Waters of America, Inc., Term Loan, 4.27%, 10/29/12

 

 

1,000

 

 

843,333

 

McJunkin Corp., Term Loan, 3.51%, 1/31/14

 

 

349

 

 

332,522

 

Rite Aid Corp., Tranche 4 Term Loan, 9.50%, 6/04/15

 

 

750

 

 

776,250

 

Wm. Bolthouse Farms, Inc., Loan (Second Lien), 5.76%, 12/16/13

 

 

750

 

 

681,875

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,633,980

 









Food Products — 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dole Food Co., Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit-Linked Deposit, 0.51% – 6.86%, 4/12/13

 

 

288

 

 

290,084

 

Tranche B Term Loan, 8.00%, 4/12/13

 

 

504

 

 

507,094

 

Solvest, Ltd. (Dole), Tranche C Term Loan, 8.00%, 4/12/13

 

 

1,877

 

 

1,889,477

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,686,655

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 








Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DJO Finance LLC (ReAble Therapeutics Finance LLC), Term Loan, 3.26% – 3.60%, 5/20/14

 

USD

3,448

 

$

3,292,363

 









Health Care Providers & Services — 3.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CCS Medical, Inc. (Chronic Care), Loan Debtor in Possession, 11.00%, 11/14/09

 

 

31

 

 

30,309

 

CCS Medical, Inc. (Chronic Care), Term Loan (First Lien), 4.35%,
9/30/12 (a)(c)

 

 

819

 

 

369,724

 

CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delayed Draw Term Loan, 2.51%, 7/25/14

 

 

123

 

 

114,635

 

Funded Term Loan, 2.51% – 2.62%, 7/25/14

 

 

2,442

 

 

2,274,825

 

DaVita, Inc., Tranche B-1 Term Loan, 1.77% – 2.10%, 10/05/12

 

 

925

 

 

887,614

 

Fresenius AG:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term Loan B1, 6.75%, 7/06/14

 

 

403

 

 

405,388

 

Term Loan B2, 6.75%, 7/06/14

 

 

281

 

 

282,862

 

HCA Inc., Tranche A-1 Term Loan, 2.10%, 11/17/12

 

 

5,447

 

 

5,085,842

 

Rotech Healthcare, Inc., Term Loan, 6.26%, 9/26/11

 

 

3,800

 

 

1,824,183

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

11,275,382

 









Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Golden Nugget, Inc., Second Lien Term Loan, 3.52%, 12/31/14

 

 

500

 

 

210,000

 

Green Valley Ranch Gaming, LLC, Loan (Second Lien) Term Loan, 3.88%, 8/16/14

 

 

750

 

 

153,750

 

Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term B-1 Loan, 3.50%, 1/28/15

 

 

487

 

 

391,498

 

Term B-2 Loan, 3.50%, 1/28/15

 

 

613

 

 

493,529

 

Term B-3 Loan, 3.50% – 3.60%, 1/28/15

 

 

429

 

 

344,965

 

QCE, LLC (Quiznos), Term Loan (Second Lien), 6.35%, 11/05/13

 

 

6,000

 

 

2,760,000

 

VML US Finance LLC (aka Venetian Macau):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Project Term Loan, 6.10%, 5/25/13

 

 

998

 

 

912,356

 

Term B Funded Project Loan, 6.10%, 5/27/13

 

 

221

 

 

202,001

 

Term B Delayed Draw Project Loan, 6.10%, 5/25/12

 

 

1,275

 

 

1,166,552

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

6,634,651

 









Household Durables — 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Residential Services LLC, Term Loan (Second Lien),
12.00%, 4/17/15 (f)

 

 

3,060

 

 

2,669,614

 









IT Services — 1.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio Visual Services Group, Inc., Loan (Second Lien), 7.10%, 8/28/14 (f)

 

 

1,040

 

 

83,184

 

Ceridian Corp. US, Term Loan, 3.27%, 11/09/14

 

 

3,460

 

 

2,961,910

 

First Data Corp., Initial Tranche B-2, Term Loan, 3.01% – 3.02%, 9/24/14

 

 

2,470

 

 

2,055,288

 

RedPrairie Corp. Term Loan:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.44% – 5.25%, 7/20/12

 

 

777

 

 

672,523

 

3.69%, 7/20/12

 

 

260

 

 

224,516

 

SunGard Data Systems, Inc. (Solar Capital Corp.), Tranche B US Term Loan, 3.95% – 4.09%, 2/28/16

 

 

719

 

 

694,118

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

6,691,539

 









Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders — 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co., LLC (TXU) Initial Tranche:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B-2 Term Loan, 3.78% – 3.79%, 10/10/14

 

 

2,947

 

 

2,240,062

 

B-3 Term Loan, 3.78%, 10/10/14

 

 

198

 

 

150,211

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,390,273

 










 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




28

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009




 

 



 

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 








Industrial Conglomerates — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sequa Corp., Term Loan, 3.65% – 3.88%, 12/03/14

 

USD

1,394

 

$

1,188,031

 









Insurance — 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alliant Holdings I, Inc., Term Loan, 3.60%, 8/21/14

 

 

597

 

 

549,205

 









Internet & Catalog Retail — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FTD Group, Inc., Tranche B Term Loan, 6.75%, 8/04/14

 

 

1,354

 

 

1,340,766

 









Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life Technologies Corp., Term B Facility, 5.25%, 11/20/15

 

 

996

 

 

1,005,559

 









Machinery — 2.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Navistar International Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revolving Credit-Linked Deposit, 3.36% – 3.51%, 1/19/12

 

 

1,867

 

 

1,736,000

 

Term Advance, 3.51%, 1/19/12

 

 

5,133

 

 

4,774,000

 

Oshkosh Truck Corp., Term B Loan, 6.60% – 6.64%, 12/06/13

 

 

1,464

 

 

1,456,679

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

7,966,679

 









Media — 11.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., Loan, 8.27%, 3/01/12

 

 

4,191

 

 

3,666,776

 

Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc. (Thomson Learning), Tranche 1 Incremental Term Loan, 7.50%, 7/03/14

 

 

2,200

 

 

2,112,000

 

Cequel Communications, LLC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term Loan, 2.27% – 4.25%, 11/05/13

 

 

1,562

 

 

1,474,984

 

Tranche B Term Loan (Second Lien), 6.27% – 6.28%, 5/05/14

 

 

6,691

 

 

6,172,322

 

Charter Communications, Term Loan B1, 7.94%, 3/25/14 (a)(d)

 

 

3,270

 

 

3,268,365

 

EB Sports Corp, Loan, 7.57%, 5/01/12 (c)

 

 

2,908

 

 

1,599,194

 

Ellis Communications KDOC, LLC, Loan, 10.00%, 12/30/11

 

 

6,303

 

 

1,764,771

 

HMH Publishing Co. Ltd. (fka Education Media):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mezzanine, 17.50%, 11/14/14

 

 

20,360

 

 

3,054,055

 

Tranche A Term Loan, 5.26%, 6/12/14

 

 

5,082

 

 

3,932,042

 

Lamar Media Corp., Term Loan, 5.50%, 9/30/12

 

 

1,208

 

 

1,190,319

 

Lavena Holding 3 GmbH (Prosiebensat.1 Media AG):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facility B1, 3.53%, 6/30/15

 

EUR

337

 

 

272,803

 

Facility C1, 3.78%, 6/30/16

 

 

674

 

 

545,605

 

Mediacom Illinois, LLC (fka Mediacom Communications, LLC), Tranche D Term Loan, 5.50%, 3/31/17

 

USD

1,000

 

 

997,500

 

Multicultural Radio Broadcasting, Inc., Term Loan, 3.03%, 12/18/12

 

 

396

 

 

277,375

 

Newsday, LLC Fixed Rate Term Loan, 9.75%, 8/01/13

 

 

4,250

 

 

4,324,375

 

Penton Media, Inc., Loan (Second Lien), 5.49%, 2/01/14

 

 

1,000

 

 

210,000

 

United Pan Europe Communications Term Loan, 3.76%, 12/31/16

 

 

3,000

 

 

2,947,500

 

Virgin Media Investment Holdings Ltd. C Facility, 4.19%, 7/17/13

 

GBP

505

 

 

723,460

 

World Color Press Inc. and World Color (USA) Corp. (fka Quebecor World Inc.), Advance, 9.00%, 6/30/12

 

USD

800

 

 

794,000

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

39,327,446

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 








Metals & Mining — 1.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Euramax (1st Lien Term Loan), 8.75%, 6/29/13

 

USD

2,526

 

$

1,086,340

 

RathGibson, Inc., Loan Debtor in Possession, 10.50% – 10.75%, 2/10/10

 

 

3,665

 

 

3,665,418

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

4,751,758

 









Multi-Utilities — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Energy Transfer Equity, L.P., Term Loan, 2.21%, 11/01/12

 

 

750

 

 

726,428

 

FirstLight Power Resources, Inc. (fka NE Energy, Inc.):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Lien Term Loan B, 3.13%, 11/01/13

 

 

664

 

 

611,659

 

Second Lien Term Loan, 5.13%, 5/01/14

 

 

750

 

 

579,375

 

Synthetic Letter of Credit, 0.48% – 2.65%, 11/01/13

 

 

86

 

 

78,810

 

USPF Holdings, LLC, Term Loan, 2.02%, 4/11/14

 

 

886

 

 

823,944

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,820,216

 









Multiline Retail — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollar General Corp., Tranche B-2 Term Loan, 3.01%, 7/07/14

 

 

1,250

 

 

1,201,215

 









Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 2.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big West Oil, LLC (a)(d):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delayed Advance Loan, 4.50%, 5/15/14

 

 

956

 

 

879,335

 

Initial Advance Loan, 4.50%, 5/15/14

 

 

889

 

 

817,527

 

ScorpionDrilling Ltd., Loan (Second Lien), 8.10%, 5/08/14

 

 

3,500

 

 

2,905,000

 

Turbo Beta Ltd., Dollar Facility, 14.50%, 3/15/18

 

 

6,033

 

 

4,222,964

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

8,824,826

 









Paper & Forest Products — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Georgia-Pacific LLC, Term B Loan, 2.34% – 2.65%, 12/20/12

 

 

909

 

 

877,697

 

Verso Paper Finance Holdings LLC, Loan, 6.73% – 7.48%, 2/01/13

 

 

3,935

 

 

786,911

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,664,608

 









Pharmaceuticals — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warner Chilcott Co., Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tranche B Acquisition Date Term Loan, 2.26% – 2.60%, 1/18/12

 

 

738

 

 

733,608

 

Tranche C Acquisition Date Term Loan, 2.26%, 1/18/12

 

 

259

 

 

257,283

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

990,891

 









Real Estate Management & Development — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enclave First Lien Term Loan, 6.14%, 3/01/12

 

 

4,000

 

 

527,196

 

Georgian Towers, Term Loan, 6.14%, 3/01/12

 

 

4,000

 

 

496,500

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,023,696

 









Software — 1.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aspect Software, Inc., Loan (Second Lien), 7.31%, 7/11/12

 

 

7,000

 

 

4,235,000

 









Specialty Retail — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adesa, Inc. (KAR Holdings, Inc.), Initial Term Loan, 2.52%, 10/20/13

 

 

1,000

 

 

938,333

 









Total Floating Rate Loan Interests — 46.5%

 

 

 

 

 

165,259,798

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Interests (j)

 

 

Beneficial
Interest
(000)

 

 

 

 









Airlines — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delta Air Lines, Inc. Default:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.33% Escrow

 

 

5,505

 

 

33,030

 

10.00% Escrow

 

 

4,200

 

 

25,200

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

58,230

 










 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

29




 

 



 

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Interests (j)

 

 

Beneficial
Interest
(000)

 

 

Value

 









Diversified Financial Services — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J.G. Wentworth LLC Preferred Equity Interests

 

USD

1

 

$

457,129

 









Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buffets, Inc.

 

 

1,440

 

 

144

 









Media — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adelphia Escrow

 

 

7,500

 

 

750

 

Adelphia Preferred Escrow

 

 

5

 

 

1

 

Adelphia Recovery Trust

 

 

9,406

 

 

37,624

 

Adelphia Recovery Trust Series ACC-6B INT

 

 

500

 

 

50

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

38,425

 









Specialty Retail — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Movie Gallery, Inc. Default Escrow

 

 

21,700

 

 

217

 









Total Other Interests — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

554,145

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warrants (k)

 

 

Shares

 

 

 

 









Building Products — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neenah Enterprises Inc. (expires 9/30/13)

 

 

130,547

 

 

19,582

 









Chemicals — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GenTek Inc. Tranche C (expires 11/10/10)

 

 

231

 

 

554

 









Health Care Providers & Services — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HealthSouth Corp. (expires 1/16/14)

 

 

126,761

 

 

1

 









Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buffets Restaurants Holdings, Inc. (expires 4/29/14)

 

 

1,216

 

 

12

 









Other — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turbo Cayman Ltd. (No Expiration)

 

 

4

 

 

 









Specialty Retail — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Movie Gallery, Inc. (expires 5/15/15)

 

 

62,323

 

 

31,162

 









Total Warrants — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

51,311

 









Total Long-Term Investments
(Cost — $596,239,724) — 113.1%

 

 

 

 

 

402,214,164

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-Term Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









BlackRock Liquidity Funds, TempFund, 0.22% (l)(m)

 

 

501

 

 

501

 









Total Short-Term Securities
(Cost — $501) — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

501

 









Total Investments (Cost — $596,240,225*) — 113.1%

 

 

 

 

 

402,214,665

 

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (13.1)%

 

 

 

 

 

(46,621,927

)

 

 

 

 

 




Net Assets — 100.0%

 

 

 

 

$

355,592,738

 

 

 

 

 

 













 

 

*

The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments as of August 31, 2009,as computed for federal income tax purposes, were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aggregate cost

 

$

597,627,814

 

 

 

 




 

Gross unrealized appreciation

 

$

13,474,246

 

 

Gross unrealized depreciation

 

 

(208,887,395

)

 

 

 




 

Net unrealized depreciation

 

$

(195,413,149

)

 

 

 





 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

 

 

(b)

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

 

 

(c)

Represents a payment-in-kind security which may pay interest/dividends in additional par/shares.

 

 

(d)

Issuer filed for bankruptcy and/or is in default of interest payments.

 

 

(e)

As a result of bankruptcy proceedings, the company did not repay the principal amount of the security upon maturity.

 

 

(f)

Variable rate security. Rate shown is as of report date.

 

 

(g)

Represents a zero-coupon bond. Rate shown reflects the current yield as of report date.

 

 

(h)

Convertible security.

 

 

(i)

All or a portion of security held as collateral for swaps.

 

 

(j)

Other interests represent beneficial interest in liquidation trusts and other reorganization entities and are non-income producing.

 

 

(k)

Warrants entitle the Fund to purchase a predetermined number of shares of common stock and are non-income producing. The purchase price and number of shares are subject to adjustment under certain conditions until the expiration date.

 

 

(l)

Investments in companies considered to be an affiliate of the Fund, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Co. Act of 1940, were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







Affiliate

 

Net
Activity

 

Income

 







BlackRock Liquidity Funds, TempFund

 

$

501

 

$

5,118

 

BlackRock Liquidity Series, LLC Cash Sweep Series

 

$

(4,725,260

)

$

809

 










 

 

(m)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

 

 

For Fund compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications for reporting ease.

 

 

Foreign currency exchange contracts as of August 31, 2009 were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 












Currency
Purchased

 

Currency
Sold

 

Counterparty

 

Settlement
Date

 

 

Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 












USD

442,981

 

GBP

271,000

 

Citibank, NA

 

9/01/09

 

$

2,703

 

USD

14,053,566

 

EUR

10,037,000

 

Citibank, NA

 

9/16/09

 

 

(335,860

)

USD

1,473,473

 

CAD

1,600,00

 

Barclays Bank Plc

 

10/28/09

 

 

11,819

 

GBP

271,000

 

USD

442,950

 

Citibank, NA

 

10/28/09

 

 

(1,811

)














Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(323,149

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




30

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009



 

 


 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)


 

 

Credit default swaps on single-name issues — buy protection outstanding as of August 31, 2009 were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 













Issuer

 

Pay
Fixed
Rate

 

Counterparty

 

Expiration

 

Notional
Amount
(000)

 

Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 













First Data Corp.

 

5.00

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

December 2013

 

USD

750

 

$

(57,490

)

First Data Corp.

 

5.00

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

December 2013

 

USD

1,000

 

 

(76,761

)

Masco Corp.

 

5.30

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

March 2014

 

USD

1,500

 

 

(165,240

)

Masco Corp.

 

6.25

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

March 2014

 

USD

1,500

 

 

(222,548

)

Host Hotels & Resorts LP

 

5.00

%

 

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

 

March 2014

 

USD

2,500

 

 

(347,933

)

Mohawk Industries, Inc.

 

4.45

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

March 2014

 

USD

1,500

 

 

(148,846

)

Mohawk Industries, Inc.

 

5.20

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

March 2014

 

USD

1,500

 

 

(194,978

)

Lennar Corp.

 

5.75

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

June 2014

 

USD

850

 

 

(102,263

)

Brunswick Corp.

 

5.00

%

 

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

 

September 2014

 

USD

325

 

 

1,823

 

Standard Pacific Corp.

 

5.00

%

 

Credit Suisse International

 

September 2014

 

USD

935

 

 

37,282

 
















Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(1,276,954

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

Credit default swaps on single-name issues — sold protection outstanding as of August 31, 2009 were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 















Issuer1

 

Receive
Fixed
Rate

 

Counterparty

 

Expiration

 

Rating1

 

Notional
Amount
(000)2

 

Unrealized
Depreciation

 















BAA Ferrovial Junior Term Loan

 

2.00

%

 

Deutsche Bank AG

 

March 2012

 

A

 

GBP

900

 

$

(288,675

)



















 

 

 

 

1

Using S&P’s ratings of the issuer.

 

 

 

 

2

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


 

 

 

Currency Abbreviations:

 

 

 

 

CAD

Canadian Dollar

 

EUR

Euro

 

GBP

British Pound

 

USD

US Dollar


 

 

 

Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” clarifies the definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair values and requires additional disclosures about the use of fair value measurements. Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments, which are as follows:

 

 

 

 

Level 1 — price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical securities

 

 

 

 

Level 2 — other observable inputs (including, but not limited to: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs)

 

 

 

 

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

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of investments and other significant accounting policies, please refer to Note 1 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the inputs used as of August 31, 2009 in determining the fair valuation of the Fund’s investments:

 

 

 

 

 





Valuation Inputs

 

Investments in
Securities

 





 

 

Assets

 

 

 



Level 1

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

$

11,017,806

 

Warrants

 

 

554

 

Short-Term Securities

 

 

501

 

 

 



 

Total Level 1

 

 

11,018,861

 

 

 



 

Level 2

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

209,320,768

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

88,300,804

 

Common Stocks

 

 

2,208,060

 

Other Interests

 

 

58,230

 

Warrants

 

 

19,582

 

 

 



 

Total Level 2

 

 

299,907,444

 

 

 



 

Level 3

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

 

156,820

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

13,645,456

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

76,958,994

 

Other Interests

 

 

495,915

 

Warrants

 

 

31,175

 

 

 



 

Total Level 3

 

 

91,288,360

 

 

 



 

Total

 

$

402,214,665

 

 

 



 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





Valuation Inputs

 

Other Financial Instruments1

 





 

 

Assets

 

Liabilities

 

 

 


 



Level 1

 

 

 

 

 

Level 2

 

$

53,627

 

$

(1,653,730

)

Level 3

 

 

 

 

(288,675

)

 

 







Total

 

$

53,627

 

$

(1,942,405

)

 

 








 

 

 

 

1

Other financial instruments are swaps and foreign currency exchange contracts which are shown at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.


 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

31



 

 


 

Schedule of Investments (concluded)

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

The following is a reconciliation of investments for unobservable inputs (Level 3) used in determining fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

Investments in Securities

 

 

 



 

 

Common
Stocks

 

Corporate
Bonds

 

Floating Rate
Loan Interests

 

Other
Interests

 

Warrants

 

Total

 















Balance, as of February 28, 2009

 

$

131,666

 

$

12,983,142

 

$

92,859,804

 

$

38,643

 

$

31,161

 

$

106,044,416

 

Accrued discounts/premiums

 

 

 

 

(2,643,682

)

 

(1,817,087

)

 

 

 

 

 

(4,460,769

)

Realized gain (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(18,402,047

)

 

 

 

 

 

(18,402,047

)

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)1

 

 

 

 

(690,975

)

 

41,670,966

 

 

 

 

 

 

40,979,991

 

Net purchases (sales)

 

 

 

 

(4,791,037

)

 

(33,329,576

)

 

 

 

 

 

(38,120,613

)

Net transfers in/out of Level 3

 

 

25,154

 

 

8,788,008

 

 

(4,023,066

)

 

457,272

 

 

14

 

 

5,247,382

 

 

 













Balance, as of August 31, 2009

 

$

156,820

 

$

13,645,456

 

$

76,958,994

 

$

495,915

 

$

31,175

 

$

91,288,360

 

 

 














 

 

 

 

1

Included in the related net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the Statements of Operations.

The following is a reconciliation of other financial instruments for unobservable inputs (Level 3) used in determining fair value:

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

Other Financial
Instruments2

 





Balance, as of February 28, 2009

 

$

(249,620

)

Accrued discounts/premiums

 

 

 

Realized gain (loss)

 

 

 

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

 

 

(39,055

)

Net purchases (sales)

 

 

 

Net transfers in/out of Level 3

 

 

 

 

 




Balance, as of August 31, 2009

 

$

(288,675

)

 

 





 

 

 

 

2

Other financial instruments are swaps.


 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




32

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009



 

 


 

Schedule of Investments August 31, 2009 (Unaudited)

BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund II, Inc. (FRB)

 

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

 

Shares

 

Value

 








Building Products — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Masonite Worldwide Holdings (a)

 

 

10,036

 

$

405,956

 









Chemicals — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc. (a)

 

 

10,732

 

 

4,120

 

Wellman Holdings, Inc. (a)(b)

 

 

181

 

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

4,165

 









Electrical Equipment — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medis Technologies Ltd. (a)

 

 

13,053

 

 

3,720

 

SunPower Corp. Class B (a)

 

 

5,332

 

 

114,051

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

117,771

 









Total Common Stocks — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

527,892

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par 
(000)

 

 

 

 









Auto Components — 1.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 5.01%, 12/01/09 (c)

 

USD

2,000

 

 

1,992,500

 









Building Products — 1.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CPG International I, Inc., 7.87%, 7/01/12 (c)

 

 

3,000

 

 

2,145,000

 

Momentive Performance Materials, Inc. Series WI, 9.75%, 12/01/14

 

 

400

 

 

260,000

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,405,000

 









Capital Markets — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E*Trade Financial Corp. (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.50%, 11/30/17 (d)

 

 

15

 

 

15,188

 

4.00%, 8/31/19 (e)(f)

 

 

46

 

 

78,603

 

Marsico Parent Co., LLC, 10.63%, 1/15/16

 

 

663

 

 

278,460

 

Marsico Parent Holdco, LLC, 12.50%, 7/15/16 (b)(d)

 

 

276

 

 

66,210

 

Marsico Parent Superholdco, LLC, 14.50%, 1/15/18 (b)(d)

 

 

190

 

 

49,521

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

487,982

 









Chemicals — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc. (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.50%, 3/31/15 (d)(e)

 

 

698

 

 

453,469

 

10.00%, 3/31/15 (c)

 

 

691

 

 

448,864

 

Wellman Holdings, Inc., Third Lien Subordinate Note, 5.00%, 1/29/19 (b)

 

 

186

 

 

92,951

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

995,284

 









Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clean Harbors, Inc., 7.63%, 8/15/16 (b)

 

 

400

 

 

401,000

 









Construction Materials — 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nortek, Inc., 10.00%, 12/01/13

 

 

1,310

 

 

1,218,300

 









Containers & Packaging — 1.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clondalkin Acquisition BV, 2.63%, 12/15/13 (b)(c)

 

 

1,500

 

 

1,200,000

 

Crown European Holdings SA, 6.25%, 9/01/11

 

EUR

11

 

 

15,770

 

Owens Brockway Glass Container, Inc., 6.75%, 12/01/14

 

 

113

 

 

157,138

 

Packaging Dynamics Finance Corp., 10.00%, 5/01/16 (b)

 

USD

1,240

 

 

396,800

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,769,708

 









Diversified Financial Services — 2.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FCE Bank Plc, 7.13%, 1/16/12

 

EUR

2,000

 

 

2,594,833

 









Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PAETEC Holding Corp., 8.88%, 6/30/17 (b)

 

USD

650

 

 

619,125

 

Qwest Corp., 3.88%, 6/15/13 (c)

 

 

1,500

 

 

1,387,500

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,006,625

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par 
(000)

 

Value

 








Food & Staples Retailing — 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AmeriQual Group LLC, 9.50%, 4/01/12 (b)

 

USD

250

 

$

162,500

 

Duane Reade, Inc., 11.75%, 8/01/15 (b)

 

 

100

 

 

101,000

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

263,500

 









Food Products — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smithfield Foods, Inc., 10.00%, 7/15/14 (b)

 

 

460

 

 

469,200

 









Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DJO Finance LLC, 10.88%, 11/15/14

 

 

700

 

 

672,000

 









Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 4.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Real Estate Partners LP, 7.13%, 2/15/13

 

 

4,000

 

 

3,800,000

 

Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc., 10.00%, 12/15/18 (b)

 

 

226

 

 

158,200

 

Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, 10.25%, 2/15/14 (a)(b)(g)

 

 

1,565

 

 

688,600

 

Travelport LLC, 4.99%, 9/01/14 (c)

 

 

815

 

 

590,875

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

5,237,675

 









IT Services — 2.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Data Corp., 9.88%, 9/24/15

 

 

3,000

 

 

2,565,000

 









Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders — 1.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calpine Construction Finance Co. LP, 8.00%, 6/01/16 (b)

 

 

1,215

 

 

1,208,925

 

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC, 10.25%, 11/01/15 (c)

 

 

995

 

 

659,188

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,868,113

 









Industrial Conglomerates — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sequa Corp. (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.75%, 12/01/15

 

 

320

 

 

201,600

 

13.50%, 12/01/15 (d)

 

 

850

 

 

444,115

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

645,715

 









Machinery — 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CPM Holdings, Inc., 10.63%, 9/01/14 (b)

 

 

300

 

 

303,000

 









Media — 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CSC Holdings, Inc., 8.50%, 4/15/14 (b)

 

 

230

 

 

233,450

 

Local Insight Regatta Holdings, Inc., 11.00%, 12/01/17

 

 

748

 

 

284,240

 

TL Acquisitions, Inc., 10.50%, 1/15/15 (b)

 

 

1,000

 

 

910,000

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,427,690

 









Metals & Mining — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FMG Finance Property Ltd., 4.36%, 9/01/11 (b)(c)

 

 

180

 

 

180,000

 

Ryerson, Inc., 7.86%, 11/01/14 (c)

 

 

450

 

 

382,500

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

562,500

 









Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SandRidge Energy, Inc., 4.22%, 4/01/14 (c)

 

 

1,000

 

 

830,368

 









Paper & Forest Products — 3.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NewPage Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.73%, 5/01/12 (c)

 

 

2,000

 

 

855,000

 

10.00%, 5/01/12

 

 

2,000

 

 

1,085,000

 

Verso Paper Holdings LLC Series B, 4.23%, 8/01/14 (c)

 

 

3,500

 

 

1,960,000

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,900,000

 









Pharmaceuticals — 1.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 4.11%, 12/01/13 (c)

 

 

500

 

 

420,000

 

Elan Finance Plc, 4.44%, 11/15/11 (c)

 

 

1,250

 

 

1,175,000

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,595,000

 









Real Estate Management & Development — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realogy Corp., 10.50%, 4/15/14

 

 

235

 

 

139,825

 










 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

33




 

 


 

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund II, Inc. (FRB)

 

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par 
(000)

 

Value

 








Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 1.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Avago Technologies Finance Property Ltd., 5.86%, 6/01/13 (c)

 

USD

600

 

$

564,000

 

Spansion, Inc., 3.793%, 6/01/13 (a)(b)(g)

 

 

1,690

 

 

1,499,875

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,063,875

 









Specialty Retail — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Nutrition Centers, Inc., 6.40%, 3/15/14 (c)

 

 

135

 

 

118,800

 

Michaels Stores, Inc., 11.38%, 11/01/16

 

 

750

 

 

645,000

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

763,800

 









Wireless Telecommunication Services — 2.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cricket Communications, Inc., 7.75%, 5/15/16 (b)

 

 

1,250

 

 

1,212,500

 

Crown Castle International Corp., 9.00%, 1/15/15

 

 

135

 

 

140,400

 

Digicel Group Ltd., 9.13%, 1/15/15 (b)(d)

 

 

1,249

 

 

1,100,681

 

iPCS, Inc., 2.61%, 5/01/13 (c)

 

 

500

 

 

410,000

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,863,581

 









Total Corporate Bonds — 31.8%

 

 

 

 

 

40,042,074

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Aerospace & Defense — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hawker Beechcraft Acquisition Co. LLC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Letter of Credit Facility Deposit, 0.40%, 3/26/14

 

 

72

 

 

53,546

 

Term Loan, 2.26% – 2.60%, 3/26/14

 

 

1,214

 

 

905,076

 

IAP Worldwide Services, Inc., Term Loan (First Lien), 7.25%, 12/30/12 (c)

 

 

100

 

 

72,167

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,030,789

 









Airlines — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US Airways Group, Inc., Loan, 2.76%, 3/21/14

 

 

730

 

 

393,105

 









Auto Components — 3.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allison Transmission, Inc., Term Loan, 3.03%, 8/07/14

 

 

2,895

 

 

2,471,519

 

Dana Holding Corp., Term Advance, 7.25%, 1/31/15

 

 

1,547

 

 

1,184,886

 

Delphi Corp. (a)(g):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initial Tranche Term Loan C, 10.50%, 12/31/09

 

 

1,134

 

 

623,955

 

Subsequent Tranche Term Loan C, 8.50%, 12/31/09

 

 

116

 

 

63,545

 

GPX International Tire Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term Loan, 12.00%, 4/11/12 (c)

 

 

22

 

 

6,626

 

Tranche B Term Loan, 10.25%, 3/30/12 (a)(g)

 

 

1,280

 

 

384,097

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

4,734,628

 









Beverages — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Culligan International Co., Loan (Second Lien), 5.28%, 4/24/13

 

EUR

500

 

 

179,201

 









Building Products — 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Building Materials Corp. of America, Term Loan Advance, 3.06%, 2/22/14

 

USD

1,476

 

 

1,347,192

 









Capital Markets — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RiskMetrics Group Holdings, LLC, Term B Loan (First Lien), 2.60%, 1/10/14

 

 

483

 

 

469,240

 









Chemicals — 5.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ashland, Inc., Term Loan Borrowing, 7.65%, 5/13/14

 

 

600

 

 

610,029

 

Edwards (Cayman Islands II) Ltd., Term Loan (First Lien), 2.85%, 5/31/14

 

 

345

 

 

213,974

 

Huish Detergents Inc., Tranche B Term Loan, 2.02%, 4/26/14

 

 

735

 

 

700,700

 

Nalco Co., Term Loan B, 6.50%, 5/06/16

 

 

1,275

 

 

1,292,531

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

Par 
(000)

 

Value

 








Chemicals (concluded)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PQ Corp. (fka Niagara Acquisition, Inc.), Term Loan (First Lien),
3.52% – 3.75%, 7/31/14

 

USD

1,980

 

$

1,631,851

 

Solutia Inc., Loan, 7.25%, 2/28/14

 

 

2,975

 

 

2,944,469

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

7,393,554

 









Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casella Waste Systems, Inc., Term B Loan, 7.00%, 4/09/14

 

 

500

 

 

501,250

 

John Maneely Co., Term Loan, 3.52% – 3.76%, 12/09/13

 

 

540

 

 

423,093

 

Synagro Technologies, Inc., Term Loan (First Lien), 2.26% – 2.27%, 4/02/14

 

 

980

 

 

771,750

 

West Corp., Term B-2 Loan, 2.64% – 2.65%, 10/24/13

 

 

454

 

 

430,540

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,126,633

 









Computers & Peripherals — 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intergraph Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initial Term Loan (First Lien), 2.37%, 5/29/14

 

 

419

 

 

401,943

 

Second Lien Term Loan, 6.26% – 6.37%, 11/28/14

 

 

500

 

 

466,250

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

868,193

 









Construction & Engineering — 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services, Inc. (FR Brand Acquisition Corp.), Term B Loan (First Lien), 2.31% – 2.63%, 2/07/14

 

 

1274

 

 

246,869

 









Construction Materials — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Headwaters Inc., Term Loan B1 (First Lien), 9.75%, 4/30/11

 

 

1,012

 

 

979,576

 









Containers & Packaging — 1.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Graham Packaging Co., LP:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B Term Loan, 2.56%, 10/07/11

 

 

48

 

 

46,327

 

C Term Loan, 6.75%, 4/27/14

 

 

477

 

 

475,530

 

Graphic Packaging International, Inc., Incremental Term Loan, 3.08% – 3.35%, 5/16/14

 

 

970

 

 

946,198

 

Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises, Inc., US Term Loan, Debtor in Possession, 10.00%, 1/28/10

 

 

578

 

 

583,510

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,051,565

 









Distributors — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc., Loan, 3.77% – 5.75%, 1/12/12

 

 

946

 

 

515,598

 









Diversified Consumer Services — 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coinmach Service Corp., Term Loan, 3.28% – 3.43%, 11/14/14

 

 

1,481

 

 

1,259,023

 









Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Integra Telecom Holdings, Inc., Term Loan (First Lien), 10.50%, 8/31/13

 

 

399

 

 

391,378

 

PAETEC Holding Corp., Incremental Term Loan, 2.76%, 2/28/13

 

 

84

 

 

79,503

 

Wind Finance SL SA, Euro Facility (Second Lien), 7.70%, 12/17/14

 

EUR

525

 

 

754,903

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,225,784

 









Electrical Equipment — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baldor Electric Co., Term Loan, 5.25%, 1/31/14

 

USD

500

 

 

493,214

 

Generac Acquisition Corp., Term Loan (First Lien), 2.78%, 11/10/13

 

 

188

 

 

157,265

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

650,479

 










 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




34

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009




 

 


 

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund II, Inc. (FRB)

 

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

Par 
(000)

 

Value

 








Energy Equipment & Services — 1.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dresser, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term B Loan, 2.68%, 5/04/14

 

USD

234

 

$

217,900

 

Term Loan (Second Lien), 6.02%, 5/04/15

 

 

500

 

 

415,625

 

MEG Energy Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delayed Draw Term Loan, 2.60%, 4/02/13

 

 

493

 

 

457,990

 

Initial Term Loan, 2.60%, 4/03/13

 

 

484

 

 

449,283

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,540,798

 









Food & Staples Retailing — 2.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AB Acquisitions UK Topco 2 Ltd. (fka Alliance Boots), Facility B1, 3.53%, 7/09/15

 

GBP

1,500

 

 

2,092,284

 

DSW Holdings, Inc., Loan, 2.52%, 10/27/12

 

USD

461

 

 

414,787

 

Rite Aid Corp., Tranche 4 Term Loan, 9.50%, 6/04/15

 

 

500

 

 

517,500

 

Wm. Bolthouse Farms, Inc., Term Loan (First Lien), 2.56%, 12/16/12

 

 

213

 

 

205,138

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,229,709

 









Food Products — 3.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dole Food Co., Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit-Linked Deposit, 0.51%, 4/12/13

 

 

614

 

 

617,988

 

Tranche B Term Loan, 8.00%, 4/12/13

 

 

203

 

 

204,124

 

Solvest, Ltd. (Dole), Tranche C Term Loan, 8.00%, 4/12/13

 

 

1,251

 

 

1,258,840

 

Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., Tranche B Term Loan, 6.50%, 10/06/14

 

 

1,999

 

 

2,021,850

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

4,102,802

 









Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 1.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Biomet, Inc., Dollar Term Loan,
3.26% – 3.61%, 3/25/15

 

 

1,225

 

 

1,175,362

 

DJO Finance LLC (ReAble Therapeutics Finance LLC), Term Loan,
3.26% – 3.60%, 5/20/14

 

 

493

 

 

470,337

 

Hologic, Inc., Tranche B Term Loan, 3.56%, 3/31/13

 

 

141

 

 

136,067

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,781,766

 









Health Care Providers & Services — 6.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CCS Medical, Inc. (Chronic Care), Term Loan (First Lien), 4.35%, 9/30/12 (a)(g)

 

 

250

 

 

112,812

 

CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delayed Draw Term Loan, 2.51%, 7/25/14

 

 

132

 

 

122,863

 

Funded Term Loan, 2.51% – 2.62%, 7/25/14

 

 

2,526

 

 

2,352,896

 

DaVita, Inc., Tranche B-1 Term Loan, 1.77% – 2.10%, 10/05/12

 

 

550

 

 

527,771

 

Fresenius AG:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term Loan B1, 6.75%, 7/06/14

 

 

835

 

 

838,695

 

Term Loan B2, 6.75%, 7/06/14

 

 

505

 

 

507,879

 

HCA Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tranche A-1 Term Loan, 2.10%, 11/17/12

 

 

1,866

 

 

1,742,449

 

Tranche B-1 Term Loan, 2.85%, 11/18/13

 

 

1,549

 

 

1,457,627

 

Vanguard Health Holding Co. II, LLC (Vanguard Health System, Inc.), Replacement Term Loan, 2.51%, 9/23/11

 

 

938

 

 

912,646

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

8,575,638

 









Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term B-1 Loan, 3.50%, 1/28/15

 

 

139

 

 

111,857

 

Term B-2 Loan, 3.50%, 1/28/15

 

 

1,488

 

 

1,198,571

 

Term B-3 Loan, 3.50% – 3.60%, 1/28/15

 

 

122

 

 

98,561

 

Lake at Las Vegas Joint Venture/LLV-1, LLC (a)(g):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revolving Loan Credit-Linked Deposit Account, 14.35%, 6/20/12

 

 

60

 

 

1,204

 

Term Loan, 14.35% – 15.00%, 6/20/12

 

 

608

 

 

12,153

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

Par 
(000)

 

Value

 








Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (concluded)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QCE, LLC (Quiznos), Term Loan (Second Lien), 2.88%, 5/15/13

 

USD

456

 

$

339,427

 

VML US Finance LLC (aka Venetian Macau), Term B:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delayed Draw Project Loan, 2.85%, 5/25/12

 

 

225

 

 

205,647

 

Funded Project Loan, 2.85%, 5/27/13

 

 

523

 

 

478,621

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,446,041

 









Household Durables — 3.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Residential Services LLC, Term Loan (Second Lien), 12.00%, 4/17/15

 

 

1,020

 

 

889,871

 

Jarden Corp., Term Loan B3, 3.10%, 1/24/12

 

 

723

 

 

713,747

 

Simmons Bedding Co., Tranche D Term Loan, 10.50%, 12/19/11

 

 

1,686

 

 

1,638,280

 

Yankee Candle Co., Inc., Term Loan, 2.27%, 2/06/14

 

 

710

 

 

658,850

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,900,748

 









IT Services — 4.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio Visual Services Group, Inc., Tranche B Term Loan (First Lien), 2.85%, 2/28/14

 

 

500

 

 

310,000

 

Ceridian Corp. US, Term Loan, 3.27%, 11/09/14

 

 

1,730

 

 

1,480,955

 

First Data Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initial Tranche B-1 Term Loan, 3.01% – 3.02%, 9/24/14

 

 

420

 

 

349,912

 

Initial Tranche B-2 Term Loan, 3.01% – 3.02%, 9/24/14

 

 

1,732

 

 

1,441,112

 

Initial Tranche B-3 Term Loan, 3.01% – 3.02%, 9/24/14

 

 

121

 

 

100,816

 

SunGard Data Systems, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Solar Capital Corp.), Additional Term Loan B, 6.75%, 2/28/14

 

 

971

 

 

965,526

 

Term Loan B, 3.95% – 4.09%, 2/28/16

 

 

602

 

 

581,267

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

5,229,588

 









Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders — 1.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co., LLC (TXU):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initial Tranche B-1 Term Loan, 3.78% – 3.79%, 10/10/14

 

 

1,357

 

 

1,030,977

 

Initial Tranche B-2 Term Loan, 3.78% – 3.79%, 10/10/14

 

 

734

 

 

558,139

 

Initial Tranche B-3 Term Loan, 3.78% – 3.79%, 10/10/14

 

 

973

 

 

736,032

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,325,148

 









Industrial Conglomerates — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sequa Corp., Term Loan, 3.65% – 3.88%, 12/03/14

 

 

922

 

 

785,907

 









Insurance — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alliant Holdings I, Inc., Term Loan, 3.60%, 8/21/14

 

 

832

 

 

765,625

 









Internet & Catalog Retail — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FTD Group, Inc., Tranche B Term Loan, 6.75%, 8/04/14

 

 

472

 

 

467,344

 









Leisure Equipment & Products — 2.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24 Hour Fitness Worldwide, Inc., Tranche B Term Loan, 2.77% – 3.08%, 6/08/12

 

 

1,935

 

 

1,683,450

 

True Temper Sports, Inc., Term Loan, 7.50%, 3/15/11

 

 

1,515

 

 

1,161,332

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,844,782

 









Life Sciences Tools & Services — 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life Technologies Corp., Term B Facility, 5.25%, 11/20/15

 

 

1,374

 

 

1,387,671

 










 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

35




 

 


 

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund II, Inc. (FRB)

 

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

Par 
(000)

 

Value

 








Machinery — 3.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blount, Inc., Term Loan B, 2.02% – 3.25%, 8/09/10

 

USD

1,005

 

$

944,906

 

Navistar Financial Corp., Tranche A Term loan, 2.31%, 1/19/12

 

 

995

 

 

964,974

 

Navistar International Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revolving Credit-Linked Deposit, 3.51%, 1/19/12

 

 

400

 

 

372,000

 

Term Advance, 3.51%, 1/19/12

 

 

1,100

 

 

1,023,000

 

Oshkosh Truck Corp., Term B Loan, 6.60% – 6.64%,12/06/13

 

 

816

 

 

811,984

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

4,116,864

 









Media — 22.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., Loan, 8.27%, 3/01/12

 

 

314

 

 

275,008

 

AlixPartners, LLP, Tranche C Term Loan, 2.28% – 2.51%, 10/12/13

 

 

1,085

 

 

1,054,705

 

Bresnan Communications, LLC, Additional Term Loan B (First Lien), 2.51% – 2.61%, 6/30/13

 

 

499

 

 

477,865

 

Catalina Marketing Corp., Initial Term Loan, 3.03%, 10/01/14

 

 

860

 

 

808,400

 

Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc. (Thomson Learning), Tranche 1 Incremental Term Loan, 7.50%, 7/03/14

 

 

1,975

 

 

1,896,000

 

Cequel Communications, LLC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term Loan, 2.27% – 4.25%, 11/05/13

 

 

1,479

 

 

1,396,328

 

Tranche A Term Loan (Second Lien), 4.79%, 5/05/14

 

 

1,000

 

 

901,250

 

Charter Communications, Term Loan B1, 7.94%, 3/25/14 (a)(g)

 

 

750

 

 

749,625

 

HMH Publishing Co. Ltd. (fka Education Media):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mezzanine, 17.50%, 11/14/14

 

 

5,090

 

 

763,514

 

Tranche A Term Loan, 5.26%, 6/12/14

 

 

1,317

 

 

1,018,732

 

Harland Clarke Holdings Corp. (fka Clarke American Corp.), Tranche B Term Loan, 2.76% – 3.10%, 6/30/14

 

 

730

 

 

596,319

 

Hanley-Wood, LLC (FSC Acquisition), Term Loan, 2.52% – 2.54%, 3/08/14

 

 

1985

 

 

415,342

 

Insight Midwest Holdings, LLC, B Term Loan, 2.28%, 4/07/14

 

 

1,175

 

 

1,121,286

 

Intelsat Subsidiary Holding Co. Ltd., Tranche B Term Loan, 2.78%, 7/13/13

 

 

936

 

 

892,593

 

Knology, Inc., Term Loan, 2.51%, 6/30/12

 

 

483

 

 

458,659

 

Lamar Advertising Co.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term Loan E, 5.50%, 3/31/13

 

 

740

 

 

728,767

 

Term Loan Incremental, 5.50%, 9/28/12

 

 

49

 

 

48,584

 

Term Loan Incremental, 5.50%, 9/28/13

 

 

247

 

 

244,715

 

Lavena Holding 3 GmbH (Prosiebensat.1 Media AG), Facility B1, 3.53%, 6/30/15

 

EUR

337

 

 

272,803

 

MCC Iowa LLC (Mediacom Broadband Group):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tranche D-1 Term Loan, 2.01%, 1/31/15

 

USD

39

 

 

36,105

 

Tranche E Term Loan, 6.50%, 11/30/15

 

 

474

 

 

474,396

 

MCNA Cable Holdings LLC (OneLink Communications), Loan, 8.31%, 3/01/13 (d)

 

 

1,236

 

 

469,840

 

Mediacom Illinois, LLC (fka Meidacom Communications, LLC), Tranche D Term Loan, 5.75%, 3/31/17

 

 

500

 

 

498,750

 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., Tranche B Term Loan, 3.51%, 4/09/12

 

 

898

 

 

499,487

 

Multicultural Radio Broadcasting, Inc., Term Loan, 3.03%, 12/18/12

 

 

317

 

 

221,900

 

Newsday, LLC, Fixed Rate Term Loan, 9.75%, 8/01/13

 

 

1,000

 

 

1,017,500

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

Par 
(000)

 

Value

 








Media (concluded)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NextMedia Operating, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delay Draw Term Loan, 8.25%, 11/15/12

 

USD

280

 

$

181,817

 

Initial Term Loan (First Lien), 8.25%, 11/15/12

 

 

527

 

 

342,506

 

Nielsen Co., Term Loan B, 4.03%, 5/01/16

 

 

3,000

 

 

2,811,876

 

Penton Media, Inc., Term Loan (First Lien), 2.51% – 2.74%, 2/01/13

 

 

489

 

 

327,463

 

Sunshine Acquisition Ltd. (aka HIT Entertainment), Term Facility, 2.73%, 6/01/12

 

 

750

 

 

623,437

 

TWCC Holding Corp., Term Loan, 7.25%, 9/14/15

 

 

1,494

 

 

1,502,700

 

UPC Financing Partnership, Facility U, 4.54%, 12/31/17

 

EUR

3,000

 

 

3,924,506

 

Virgin Media Investment Holdings Ltd., C Facility, 3.62%, 7/17/13

 

GBP

300

 

 

429,778

 

Virgin Media NTL, Term Loan A, 4.53%, 3/03/11

 

 

500

 

 

756,589

 

World Color Press Inc. and World Color (USA) Corp. (fka Quebecor World Inc.), Advance, 9.00%, 6/30/12

 

 

650

 

 

645,125

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

28,884,270

 









Multi-Utilities — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FirstLight Power Resources, Inc. (fka NE Energy, Inc.):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Lien Term Loan B, 3.13%, 11/01/13

 

USD

664

 

 

611,659

 

Synthetic Letter of Credit, 0.48%, 11/01/13

 

 

86

 

 

78,810

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

690,469

 









Multiline Retail — 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollar General Corp., Tranche B-2 Term Loan, 3.01%, 7/07/14

 

 

1,125

 

 

1,081,093

 









Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big West Oil, LLC, Initial Advance Loan, 4.50%, 5/15/14 (a)(g)

 

 

349

 

 

321,174

 

Coffeyville Resources, LLC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Funded Letter of Credit, 3.15%, 12/28/10

 

 

65

 

 

63,405

 

Tranche D Term Loan, 8.75%, 12/30/13

 

 

520

 

 

507,988

 

Vulcan Energy Corp. (fka Plains Resources Inc), Term B3 Loan, 5.50%, 8/12/11

 

 

750

 

 

739,688

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,632,255

 









Paper & Forest Products — 2.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Georgia-Pacific LLC, Term B Loan, 2.34% – 2.65%, 12/20/12

 

 

2,321

 

 

2,242,079

 

NewPage Corp., Term Loan, 4.06%, 12/22/14

 

 

1,219

 

 

1,128,647

 

Verso Paper Finance Holdings LLC, Loan, 6.73% – 7.48%, 2/01/13

 

 

1,218

 

 

243,568

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,614,294

 









Pharmaceuticals — 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc. (fka Cardinal Health 409, Inc.), Euro Term Loan, 2.74%, 4/15/14

 

EUR

490

 

 

586,561

 

Warner Chilcott Co., Inc., Tranche B Acquisition Date Term Loan, 2.26% – 2.60%, 1/18/12

 

USD

369

 

 

366,804

 

Warner Chilcott Corp., Tranche C Acquisition Date Term Loan, 2.26%, 1/18/12

 

 

129

 

 

128,641

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,082,006

 









Real Estate Management & Development — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mattamy Funding Partnership, Loan, 2.63%, 4/11/13

 

 

484

 

 

387,000

 









Specialty Retail — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adesa, Inc. (KAR Holdings, Inc.), Initial Term Loan, 2.52%, 10/20/13

 

 

500

 

 

469,166

 









Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ntelos, Term Loan B Advance, 5.75%, 7/31/15

 

 

500

 

 

498,750

 









Total Floating Rate Loan Interests — 85.1%

 

 

 

 

 

107,311,163

 










 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




36

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009




 

 


 

 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund II, Inc. (FRB)

 

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Interests (h)

 

 

Beneficial
Interest
(000)

 

Value

 








Diversified Financial Services — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J.G. Wentworth LLC Preferred Equity Interests

 

 

 (i)

$

114,284

 









Total Other Interests — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

114,284

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Preferred Stocks

 

 

Shares

 

 

 

 









Capital Markets — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marsico Parent Superholdco, LLC, 16.75% (b)

 

 

44

 

 

11,220

 









Total Preferred Stocks — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

11,220

 









Total Long-Term Investments
(Cost — $172,951,012) — 117.3%

 

 

 

 

 

148,006,633

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Short-Term Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









BlackRock Liquidity Funds, TempFund, 0.22% (j)(k)

 

 

2,466,296

 

 

2,466,296

 









Total Short-Term Securities
(Cost — $2,466,296) — 2.0%

 

 

 

 

 

2,466,296

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Options Purchased

 

 

Contracts

 

 

 

 









Over-the-Counter Call Options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marsico Parent Superholdco LLC, expiring December 2019 at USD 942.86, Broker, Goldman Sachs & Co.

 

 

11

 

 

11,000

 









Total Options Purchased
(Cost — $10,756) — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

11,000

 









Total Investments (Cost — $175,428,064*) — 119.3%

 

 

 

 

 

150,483,929

 

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (19.3)%

 

 

 

 

 

(24,286,853

)

 

 

 

 

 




Net Assets — 100.0%

 

 

 

 

$

126,197,076

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 


*

The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments as of August 31, 2009, as computed for federal income tax purposes, were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aggregate cost

 

$

175,460,244

 

 

 

 




 

Gross unrealized appreciation

 

$

3,185,591

 

 

Gross unrealized depreciation

 

 

(28,161,906

)

 

 

 




 

Net unrealized depreciation

 

$

(24,976,315

)

 

 

 





 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

 

 

(b)

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

 

 

(c)

Variable rate security. Rate shown is as of report date.

 

 

(d)

Represents a payment-in-kind security which may pay interest/dividends in additional par/shares.

 

 

(e)

Convertible security.

 

 

(f)

Represents a zero-coupon bond. Rate shown reflects the current yield as of report date.

 

 

(g)

Issuer filed for bankruptcy and/or is in default of interest payments.

 

 

(h)

Other interests represent beneficial interest in liquidation trusts and other reorganization entities and are non-income producing.

 

 

(i)

Amount is less than $1,000.

 

 

(j)

Investments in companies considered to be an affiliate of the Fund, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







 

Affiliate

 

Net Activity

 

Income

 

 







 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, TempFund

 

$

2,466,296

 

$

5,138

 

 

BlackRock Liquidity Series, LLC Cash Sweep Series

 

$

(4,108,178

)

$

790

 

 










 

 

(k)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

 

 

For Fund compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry subclassifications for reporting ease.

 

 

Foreign currency exchange contracts as of August 31,2009 were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 













Currency
Purchased

 

Currency
Sold

 

Counterparty

 

Settlement
Date

 

Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 













USD

 

 

237,098

 

EUR

170,000

 

Citibank NA

 

9/15/09

 

$

(6,621

)

USD

 

 

7,210,302

 

EUR

5,164,000

 

Deutsche Bank AG

 

9/16/09

 

 

(193,005

)

USD

 

 

503,681

 

EUR

355,000

 

Citibank NA

 

9/16/09

 

 

(5,260

)

USD

 

 

311,727

 

EUR

219,000

 

Royal Bank of Scotland

 

9/16/09

 

 

(2,240

)

USD

 

 

2,821,964

 

GBP

1,726,500

 

Citibank NA

 

10/28/09

 

 

11,537

 

USD

 

 

729,311

 

GBP

440,000

 

Deutsche Bank AG

 

10/28/09

 

 

13,071

 
















Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(182,518

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

Credit default swaps on single-name issues — buy protection outstanding as of August 31, 2009 were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 















Issuer

 

Pay
Fixed
Rate

 

Counterparty

 

Expiration

 

Notional
Amount
(000)

 

Unrealized
Depreciation

 














First Data Corp.

 

5.00%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

December
2013

 

USD

1,500

 

$

(136,946

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Data Corp.

 

5.00%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

December
2013

 

USD

1,500

 

 

(115,142

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Masco Corp.

 

5.30%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

March
2014

 

USD

500

 

 

(55,080

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Host Hotels & Resorts LP

 

5.00%

 

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

 

March
2014

 

USD

1,225

 

 

(170,487

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mohawk Industries, Inc.

 

4.45%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

March
2014

 

USD

500

 

 

(49,616

)















Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(527,271

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

Credit default swaps on single-name issues — sold protection outstanding as of August 31, 2009 were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 













Issuer1

 

Receive
Fixed
Rate

 

Counterparty

 

Expiration

 

Notional
Amount
(000)2

 

Unrealized
Depreciation

 













Ford Motor Co.

 

3.80%

 

UBS AG

 

March 2010

 

USD

5,000

 

$

(160,635

)
















 

 

 

 

1

Using Standard and Poor’s ratings of the issuer.

 

 

 

 

2

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


 

 

Currency Abbreviations:


 

 

 

 

EUR

Euro

 

GBP

British Pound

 

USD

US Dollar


 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

37



 

 


 

Schedule of Investments (concluded)

BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund II, Inc. (FRB)


 

 

 

Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” clarifies the definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair values and requires additional disclosures about the use of fair value measurements. Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments, which are as follows:

 

 

 

 

Level 1 — price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical securities

 

 

 

 

Level 2 — other observable inputs (including, but not limited to: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs)

 

 

 

 

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

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of investments and other significant accounting policies, please refer to Note 1 of the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the inputs used as of August 31, 2009 in determining the fair valuation of the Fund’s investments:

 

 

 

 

 


Valuation Inputs

 

Investments in
Securities

 


 

 

Assets

 

 

 


Level 1

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

$

523,727

 

Short-Term Securities

 

 

2,466,296

 

 

 



Total Level 1

 

 

2,990,023

 

 

 



Level 2

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

39,046,790

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

79,615,012

 

Preferred Stocks

 

 

11,220

 

 

 



Total Level 2

 

 

118,673,022

 

 

 



Level 3

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

 

4,165

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

995,284

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

27,696,151

 

Other Interests

 

 

114,284

 

 

 



Total Level 3

 

 

28,809,884

 

 

 



Total

 

$

150,472,929

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Valuation Inputs

 

Other Financial Instruments1


 

 

Assets

 

Liabilities

 

 

 


 


Level 1

 

 

 

 

 

Level 2

 

$

35,608

 

$

(895,032

)

Level 3

 

 

 

 

(34,095

)

 

 






Total

 

$

35,608

 

$

(929,127

)

 

 







 

 

 

 

1

Other financial instruments are swaps, foreign currency exchange contracts, unfunded loan commitments and options purchased. Swaps and foreign currency exchange contracts are shown at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument and options purchased are shown at market value.

The following is a reconciliation of investments for unobservable inputs (Level 3) used in determining fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

Investment in Securities

 

 

 


 

 

 

Common
Stocks

 

Corporate
Bonds

 

Floating
Rate
Loan
Interests

 

Other
Interests

 

Total

 


Balance as of February 28, 2009

 

$

4,165

 

$

1,437,808

 

$

35,230,878

 

 

 

$

36,672,851

 

Accrued discounts/premiums

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realized gain (loss)

 

 

 

 

(238,708

)

 

(5,476,678

)

 

 

 

(5,715,386

)

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)2

 

 

 

 

164,301

 

 

13,598,153

 

 

 

 

13,762,454

 

Net purchases (sales)

 

 

 

 

(816,981

)

 

(15,649,956

)

 

 

 

(16,466,937

)

Net transfers in/out of Level 3

 

 

 

 

448,864

 

 

(6,246

)

$

114,284

 

 

556,902

 

 

 
















Balance as of August 31, 2009

 

$

4,165

 

$

995,284

 

$

27,696,151

 

$

114,284

 

$

28,809,884

 

 

 

















 

 

 

 

2

Included in the related net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the Statements of Operations.

The following is a reconciliation of other financial instruments for unobservable inputs (Level 3) used in determining fair value:

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

Other Financial
Instruments3

 


Balance, as of August 31, 2008

 

 

 

Accrued discounts/premiums

 

 

 

Realized gain (loss)

 

 

 

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

 

 

 

Net purchases (sales)

 

 

 

Net transfers in/out of Level 3

 

$

(34,095

)

 

 



Balance, as of August 31, 2009

 

$

(34,095

)

 

 




 

 

 

 

3

Other financial instruments are unfunded loan commitments.


 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 


38

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009



 

 


 

Schedule of Investments August 31, 2009 (Unaudited)

BlackRock Senior High Income Fund, Inc. (ARK)
(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks (a)

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 









Building Products — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Masonite Worldwide Holdings

 

USD

40,055

 

$

1,620,225

 









Capital Markets — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E*Trade Financial Corp.

 

 

476,000

 

 

837,760

 









Chemicals — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc. (b)

 

 

142,466

 

 

54,693

 

Wellman Holdings, Inc.

 

 

5,131

 

 

1,283

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

55,976

 









Containers & Packaging — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smurfit Kappa Plc

 

 

18,171

 

 

143,194

 









Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lodgian, Inc.

 

 

41,866

 

 

58,194

 









Metals & Mining — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Euramax International

 

 

935

 

 

10,050

 









Paper & Forest Products — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd.

 

 

375,634

 

 

542,134

 

Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd. (b)

 

 

421,556

 

 

606,472

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,148,606

 









Total Common Stocks — 2.0%

 

 

 

 

 

3,874,005

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Corporate Bonds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Aerospace & Defense — 2.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moog, Inc., 7.25%, 6/15/18

 

 

5,000

 

 

4,750,000

 









Airlines — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United Air Lines, Inc., 12.75%, 7/15/12

 

 

600

 

 

576,000

 









Auto Components — 2.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 8.63%, 12/01/11

 

 

4,000

 

 

4,040,000

 

Lear Corp., 8.75%, 12/01/16 (a)(c)

 

 

1,015

 

 

548,100

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12.00%, 6/01/09

 

 

700

 

 

 

Series B, 9.50%, 7/01/05 (d)

 

 

3,325

 

 

333

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

4,588,433

 









Building Products — 2.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CPG International I, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.87%, 7/01/12 (e)

 

 

3,500

 

 

2,502,500

 

10.50%, 7/01/13

 

 

1,500

 

 

1,072,500

 

Momentive Performance Materials, Inc. Series WI, 9.75%, 12/01/14

 

 

1,175

 

 

763,750

 

Ply Gem Industries, Inc., 11.75%, 6/15/13

 

 

725

 

 

605,375

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

4,944,125

 









Chemicals — 3.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Pacific Corp., 9.00%, 2/01/15

 

 

610

 

 

550,525

 

GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc. (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.50%, 3/31/15 (f)(g)

 

 

1,857

 

 

1,206,895

 

10.00%, 3/31/15

 

 

1,839

 

 

1,195,168

 

Wellman Holdings, Inc. (f):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Lien Subordinate Note, 10.00%, 1/29/19 (b)

 

 

2,383

 

 

2,383,000

 

Third Lien Subordinate Note, 5.00%, 1/29/19

 

 

1,599

 

 

799,584

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

6,135,172

 









Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clean Harbors, Inc., 7.63%, 8/15/16 (b)

 

 

700

 

 

701,750

 

RSC Equipment Rental, Inc., 10.00%, 7/15/17 (b)

 

 

550

 

 

574,750

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,276,500

 









Construction Materials — 1.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nortek, Inc., 10.00%, 12/01/13

 

 

2,570

 

 

2,390,100

 









Consumer Finance — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 3.26%, 1/13/12 (e)

 

 

1,340

 

 

1,115,550

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 









Containers & Packaging — 3.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Berry Plastics Holding Corp., 4.50%, 9/15/14 (e)

 

USD

100

 

$

72,000

 

Clondalkin Acquisition BV, 2.63%, 12/15/13 (b)(e)

 

 

2,000

 

 

1,600,000

 

Crown Americas LLC, 7.63%, 5/15/17 (b)

 

 

400

 

 

397,000

 

Graphic Packaging International, Inc., 9.50%, 6/15/17 (b)

 

 

815

 

 

835,375

 

Packaging Dynamics Finance Corp., 10.00%, 5/01/16 (b)

 

 

4,285

 

 

1,371,200

 

Smurfit Kappa Funding Plc, 7.75%, 4/01/15

 

 

1,050

 

 

850,500

 

Solo Cup Co., 10.50%, 11/01/13 (b)

 

 

250

 

 

262,500

 

Wise Metals Group LLC, 10.25%, 5/15/12

 

 

2,000

 

 

980,000

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

6,368,575

 









Diversified Financial Services — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Highland Legacy Ltd., 6.73%, 6/01/11 (b)(c)

 

 

4,000

 

 

600,000

 









Diversified Telecommunication Services — 2.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nordic Telephone Co. Holdings ApS, 8.88%, 5/01/16 (b)

 

 

1,200

 

 

1,218,000

 

PAETEC Holding Corp., 8.88%, 6/30/17 (b)

 

 

600

 

 

571,500

 

Qwest Corp., 8.38%, 5/01/16 (b)

 

 

3,000

 

 

3,030,000

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

4,819,500

 









Electric Utilities — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NSG Holdings LLC, 7.75%, 12/15/25 (b)

 

 

1,000

 

 

835,000

 









Food & Staples Retailing — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duane Reade, Inc., 11.75%, 8/01/15 (b)

 

 

155

 

 

156,550

 









Food Products — 0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smithfield Foods, Inc., 10.00%, 7/15/14 (b)

 

 

750

 

 

765,000

 

Tyson Foods, Inc., 10.50%, 3/01/14

 

 

630

 

 

702,450

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,467,450

 









Health Care Providers & Services — 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Community Health Systems, Inc. Series WI, 8.88%, 7/15/15

 

 

1,880

 

 

1,887,050

 









Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 3.7%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Real Estate Partners LP, 7.13%, 2/15/13

 

 

3,000

 

 

2,850,000

 

Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc., 10.00%, 12/15/18 (b)

 

 

2,654

 

 

1,857,800

 

Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, 10.25%, 2/15/14 (a)(b)(c)

 

 

1,210

 

 

532,400

 

MGM Mirage, 11.13%, 11/15/17 (b)

 

 

750

 

 

811,875

 

Shingle Springs Tribal Gaming Authority, 9.38%, 6/15/15 (b)

 

 

190

 

 

134,900

 

Snoqualmie Entertainment Authority, 4.68%, 2/01/14 (b)(e)

 

 

500

 

 

245,000

 

Tropicana Entertainment LLC Series WI, 9.63%, 12/15/14 (a)(c)

 

 

220

 

 

138

 

Tunica-Biloxi Gaming Authority, 9.00%, 11/15/15 (b)

 

 

845

 

 

752,050

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

7,184,163

 









Household Durables — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KB Home, 6.38%, 8/15/11

 

 

106

 

 

104,940

 









IT Services — 2.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Data Corp., 9.88%, 9/24/15

 

 

5,480

 

 

4,685,400

 









Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders — 3.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AES Eastern Energy LP Series 99-B, 9.67%, 1/02/29

 

 

570

 

 

490,200

 

Calpine Construction Finance Co. LP, 8.00%, 6/01/16 (b)

 

 

750

 

 

746,250

 

Dynegy Holdings, Inc., 8.38%, 5/01/16

 

 

1,260

 

 

1,020,600

 

Energy Future Holdings Corp., 11.25%, 11/01/17 (g)

 

 

1,590

 

 

910,113

 

NRG Energy, Inc., 8.50%, 6/15/19

 

 

500

 

 

486,250

 

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.25%, 11/01/15

 

 

2,575

 

 

1,705,937

 

10.50%, 11/01/16 (g)

 

 

1,267

 

 

703,342

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

6,062,692

 










 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

39




 

 


 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Senior High Income Fund, Inc. (ARK)
(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 







Industrial Conglomerates — 1.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sequa Corp. (b):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.75%, 12/01/15

 

USD

2,550

 

$

1,606,500

 

13.50%, 12/01/15 (g)

 

 

3,837

 

 

2,004,689

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,611,189

 









Machinery — 1.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CPM Holdings, Inc., 10.63%, 9/01/14 (b)

 

 

400

 

 

404,000

 

ESCO Corp., 4.50%, 12/15/13 (b)(e)

 

 

1,540

 

 

1,374,450

 

RBS Global, Inc., 8.88%, 9/01/16

 

 

835

 

 

670,087

 

Titan International, Inc., 8.00%, 1/15/12

 

 

770

 

 

741,125

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,189,662

 









Marine — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Navios Maritime Holdings, Inc., 9.50%, 12/15/14

 

 

324

 

 

283,500

 









Media — 3.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affinion Group, Inc., 10.13%, 10/15/13

 

 

515

 

 

511,781

 

CSC Holdings, Inc., 8.50%, 4/15/14 (b)

 

 

390

 

 

395,850

 

Charter Communications Holdings LLC (a)(c):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.00%, 4/01/09

 

 

1,121

 

 

1,401

 

11.13%, 1/15/11

 

 

1,319

 

 

65,950

 

10.00%, 5/15/11

 

 

660

 

 

825

 

Intelstat Corp., 9.25%, 8/15/14

 

 

3,500

 

 

3,552,500

 

Local Insight Regatta Holdings, Inc., 11.00%, 12/01/17

 

 

1,244

 

 

472,720

 

Nielsen Finance LLC, 11.63%, 2/01/14

 

 

2,500

 

 

2,481,250

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

7,482,277

 









Metals & Mining — 1.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aleris International, Inc., 9.00%, 12/15/14 (a)(c)

 

 

840

 

 

2,100

 

RathGibson, Inc., 11.25%, 2/15/14 (a)(c)

 

 

2,175

 

 

783,000

 

Ryerson, Inc., 7.86%, 11/01/14 (e)

 

 

1,800

 

 

1,530,000

 

Teck Resources Ltd., 10.75%, 5/15/19

 

 

1,075

 

 

1,224,156

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,539,256

 









Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 6.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Atlas Energy Operating Co. LLC, 12.13%, 8/01/17

 

 

825

 

 

870,375

 

Atlas Energy Resources LLC, 10.75%, 2/01/18 (b)

 

 

300

 

 

303,000

 

Chesapeake Energy Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.50%, 2/15/15

 

 

935

 

 

953,700

 

6.875%, 1/15/16

 

 

4,000

 

 

3,670,000

 

Denbury Resources, Inc., 9.75%, 3/01/16

 

 

1,895

 

 

1,994,487

 

Forest Oil Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.50%, 2/15/14 (b)

 

 

1,285

 

 

1,291,425

 

7.25%, 6/15/19

 

 

400

 

 

376,000

 

Sabine Pass LNG LP, 7.50%, 11/30/16

 

 

2,985

 

 

2,417,850

 

SandRidge Energy, Inc., 4.22%, 4/01/14 (e)

 

 

1,000

 

 

830,368

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

12,707,205

 









Paper & Forest Products — 3.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd., 11.00%, 7/29/15 (b)(g)

 

 

3,241

 

 

1,284,737

 

Clearwater Paper Corp., 10.63%, 6/15/16 (b)

 

 

365

 

 

391,006

 

Georgia-Pacific LLC, 8.25%, 5/01/16 (b)

 

 

1,630

 

 

1,646,300

 

NewPage Corp., 6.73%, 5/01/12 (e)

 

 

5,175

 

 

2,212,312

 

Verso Paper Holdings LLC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.50%, 7/01/14 (b)

 

 

315

 

 

308,700

 

Series B, 4.23%, 8/01/14 (e)

 

 

3,300

 

 

1,848,000

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

7,691,055

 









Pharmaceuticals — 2.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 4.11%, 12/01/13 (e)

 

 

2,690

 

 

2,259,600

 

Elan Finance Plc, 7.75%, 11/15/11

 

 

1,650

 

 

1,600,500

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

3,860,100

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 









Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 1.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Avago Technologies Finance Pte. Ltd., 5.86%, 6/01/13 (e)

 

USD

766

 

$

720,040

 

Spansion, Inc., 3.79%, 6/01/13 (a)(b)(c)

 

 

2,180

 

 

1,934,750

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,654,790

 









Specialty Retail — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United Auto Group, Inc., 7.75%, 12/15/16

 

 

915

 

 

805,200

 









Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiksilver, Inc., 6.88%, 4/15/15

 

 

3,525

 

 

2,238,375

 









Wireless Telecommunication Services — 3.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cricket Communications, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.38%, 11/01/14

 

 

260

 

 

245,050

 

7.75%, 5/15/16 (b)

 

 

1,250

 

 

1,212,500

 

Crown Castle International Corp., 9.00%, 1/15/15

 

 

225

 

 

234,000

 

Digicel Group Ltd., 12.00%, 4/01/14 (b)

 

 

800

 

 

848,000

 

MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., 9.25%, 11/01/14

 

 

2,000

 

 

1,962,500

 

Nextel Communications, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series E, 6.88%, 10/31/13

 

 

690

 

 

617,550

 

Series F, 5.95%, 3/15/14

 

 

100

 

 

84,000

 

Orascom Telecom Finance SCA, 7.88%, 2/08/14 (b)

 

 

395

 

 

355,500

 

Sprint Capital Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.63%, 1/30/11

 

 

1,040

 

 

1,041,300

 

6.88%, 11/15/28

 

 

170

 

 

123,675

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

6,724,075

 









Total Corporate Bonds — 58.4%

 

 

 

 

 

114,733,884

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Aerospace & Defense — 0.9%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hawker Beechcraft Acquisition Co., LLC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Letter of Credit Facility Deposit, 0.40% – 2.10%, 3/26/14

 

 

121

 

 

90,520

 

Term Loan, 2.26% – 2.60%, 3/26/14

 

 

2,051

 

 

1,528,693

 

IAP Worldwide Services, Inc. Term Loan (First Lien), 9.25%, 12/30/12 (g)

 

 

150

 

 

108,250

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,727,463

 









Airlines — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delta Air Lines, Inc. Credit-Linked Deposit Loan, 0.11% – 2.28%, 4/30/12

 

 

1,225

 

 

1,093,823

 









Auto Components — 3.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allison Transmission, Inc. Term Loan, 3.03%, 8/07/14

 

 

5,067

 

 

4,325,547

 

Dana Holding Corp., Term Advance, 7.25%, 1/31/15

 

 

1,507

 

 

1,153,947

 

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Loan (Second Lien), 2.02%, 4/30/14

 

 

500

 

 

461,250

 

Intermet Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Lien Credit Facility, 5.60%, 11/08/10 (a)(c)(g)

 

 

144

 

 

28,723

 

Letter of Credit, 5.12%, 11/09/10 (a)(c)

 

 

289

 

 

106,902

 

Letter of Credit Term Loan, 11.25%, 11/08/10 (g)

 

 

184

 

 

68,057

 

Synthetic Letter of Credit, 5.60%, 11/09/10 (g)

 

 

32

 

 

11,961

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

6,156,387

 









Building Products — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Building Materials Corp. of America, Term Loan Advance, 3.06%, 2/22/14

 

 

1,229

 

 

1,121,614

 









Chemicals — 3.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ashland Inc., Term Loan B, 7.65%, 5/13/14

 

 

444

 

 

451,874

 

Nalco Co., Term Loan, 6.50%, 5/06/16

 

 

1,025

 

 

1,039,094

 

PQ Corp. (fka Niagara Acquisition, Inc.) Term Loan (First Lien), 3.52% – 3.75%, 7/31/14

 

 

4,950

 

 

4,079,627

 

Solutia Inc., Loan, 7.25%, 2/28/14

 

 

1,485

 

 

1,469,767

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

7,040,362

 










 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 




40

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009




 

 


 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Senior High Income Fund, Inc. (ARK)
(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 







Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Casella Waste Systems, Inc., Term Loan B, 7.00%, 12/21/12

 

USD

220

 

$

220,550

 

John Maneely Co., Term Loan, 3.52% – 3.76%, 12/09/13

 

 

868

 

 

680,419

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

900,969

 









Construction & Engineering — 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services, Inc. (FR Brand Acquisition Corp.), Synthetic Letter of Credit Term Loan (First Lien), 2.13%, 2/07/14

 

 

500

 

 

450,000

 









Construction Materials — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Headwaters Inc., Term Loan B1 (First Lien), 9.75%, 4/30/11

 

 

735

 

 

710,868

 









Containers & Packaging — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Graham Packaging Co., L.P. Term Loan B, 2.56%, 10/07/11

 

 

598

 

 

582,011

 

Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises, Inc., US Term Loan, Debtor in Possession, 10.00%, 7/28/10

 

 

582

 

 

587,518

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,169,529

 









Distributors — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc., Loan, 3.77% – 5.75%, 1/12/12

 

 

1,419

 

 

773,397

 









Diversified Consumer Services — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coinmach Corp., Term Loan, 3.28% – 3.43%, 11/14/14

 

 

1,975

 

 

1,678,697

 









Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Integra Telecom Holdings, Inc., Term Loan (First Lien), 10.50%, 8/31/13

 

 

375

 

 

367,127

 

PAETEC Holding Corp., Incremental Term Loan, 2.76%, 2/28/13

 

 

148

 

 

139,130

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

506,257

 









Electrical Equipment — 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Generac Acquisition Corp., Term Loan (First Lien), 2.78%, 11/10/13

 

 

554

 

 

464,084

 









Energy Equipment & Services — 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dresser, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term B Loan, 2.68%, 5/04/14

 

 

206

 

 

191,867

 

Term Loan (Second Lien), 6.02%, 5/04/15

 

 

1,000

 

 

831,250

 

MEG Energy Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delayed Draw Term Loan, 2.60%, 4/02/13

 

 

493

 

 

457,990

 

Initial Term Loan, 2.60%, 4/03/13

 

 

484

 

 

449,283

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,930,390

 









Food & Staples Retailing — 0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

McJunkin Corp., Term Loan, 3.51%, 1/31/14

 

 

349

 

 

332,522

 

Rite Aid Corp., Tranche 4 Term Loan, 9.50%, 6/04/15

 

 

500

 

 

517,500

 

Wm. Bolthouse Farms, Inc., Term Loan (Second Lien), 5.76%, 12/16/13

 

 

375

 

 

340,938

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,190,960

 









Food Products — 1.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dole Food Co. Inc., Credit Linked Deposit, 7.37%, 4/12/13

 

 

828

 

 

833,057

 

Solvest, Ltd. (Dole) Tranche C Term Loan, 8.00%, 4/12/13

 

 

703

 

 

707,781

 

Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., Tranche B Term Loan, 6.50%, 10/06/14

 

 

987

 

 

998,444

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,539,282

 









Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DJO Finance LLC (ReAble Therapeutics Finance LLC), Term Loan, 3.26% – 3.60%, 5/20/14

 

 

985

 

 

940,675

 









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 









Health Care Providers & Services — 3.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CCS Medical, Inc. (Chronic Care) Term Loan (First Lien), 4.35%, 9/30/12 (a)(c)

 

USD

250

 

$

112,813

 

CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delayed Draw Term Loan, 2.51%, 7/25/14

 

 

73

 

 

68,329

 

Funded Term Loan, 2.51% – 2.62%, 7/25/14

 

 

1,397

 

 

1,301,069

 

DaVita Inc., Tranche B-1, Term Loan, 1.77% – 2.10%, 10/05/12

 

 

550

 

 

527,771

 

Fresenius AG:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term Loan B1, 6.75%, 7/06/14

 

 

645

 

 

648,245

 

Term Loan B2, 6.75%, 7/06/14

 

 

347

 

 

349,217

 

HCA Inc., Tranche A-1 Term Loan, 2.10%, 11/17/12

 

 

3,066

 

 

2,862,889

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

5,870,333

 









Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc., Term B-2 Loan, 3.50%, 1/28/15

 

 

875

 

 

705,042

 

QCE, LLC (Quiznos), Term Loan (First Lien), 2.88%, 11/05/13

 

 

970

 

 

722,650

 

VML US Finance LLC (aka Venetian Macau):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Project Term Loan, 6.10%, 5/25/13

 

 

998

 

 

912,356

 

Term B Delayed Draw Loan Project, 6.10%, 5/25/12

 

 

249

 

 

228,089

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,568,137

 









IT Services — 2.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio Visual Services Group, Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Lien, 7.10%, 8/28/14 (e)

 

 

520

 

 

41,592

 

Term Loan B, 2.85%, 2/28/14

 

 

1,000

 

 

620,000

 

Ceridian Corp., US Term Loan, 3.27%, 11/09/14

 

 

1,483

 

 

1,269,390

 

First Data Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initial Tranche B-2 Term Loan, 3.01% – 3.02%, 9/24/14

 

 

1,227

 

 

1,021,356

 

Initial Tranche B-3 Term Loan, 3.01% – 3.02%, 9/24/14

 

 

391

 

 

325,086

 

RedPrairie Corp., Term Loan:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B, 3.44% – 5.25%, 7/20/12

 

 

605

 

 

523,238

 

C, 3.69%, 7/20/12

 

 

260

 

 

224,516

 

SunGard Data Systems, Inc. (Solar Capital Corp.), New US Term Loan, 6.75%, 2/28/14

 

 

750

 

 

745,580

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

4,770,758

 









Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co., LLC (TXU) Initial Tranche:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term Loan B-2, 3.78% – 3.79%, 10/10/14

 

 

486

 

 

369,579

 

Term Loan B-3, 3.78% – 3.79%, 10/10/14

 

 

228

 

 

172,742

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

542,321

 









Industrial Conglomerates — 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sequa Corp., Term Loan, 3.65% – 3.88%, 12/03/14

 

 

450

 

 

383,625

 









Insurance — 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alliant Holdings I, Inc., Term Loan, 3.60%, 8/21/14

 

 

143

 

 

131,580

 









Internet & Catalog Retail — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FTD Group, Inc., Tranche B Term Loan, 6.75%, 8/04/14

 

 

708

 

 

701,016

 









Leisure Equipment & Products — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fender Musical Instruments Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delayed Draw Term Loan, 2.54%, 6/09/14

 

 

661

 

 

528,441

 

Term Initial, 2.85%, 6/09/14

 

 

1,308

 

 

1,046,206

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

1,574,647

 









Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Life Technologies Corp., Term B Facility, 5.25%, 11/20/15

 

 

597

 

 

603,335

 










 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

41




 

 


 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Senior High Income Fund, Inc. (ARK)
(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 







Machinery — 2.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LN Acquisition Corp., (Lincoln Industrial) Initial Term Loan (Second Lien), 6.07%, 1/09/15

 

USD

1,000

 

$

740,000

 

Navistar International Corp.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revolving Credit Linked Deposit, 3.36% – 3.51%, 1/19/12

 

 

1,067

 

 

992,000

 

Term Advance, 3.51%, 1/19/12

 

 

2,933

 

 

2,728,000

 

Oshkosh Truck Corp., Term B Loan, 6.60% – 6.64%, 12/06/13

 

 

1,032

 

 

1,026,883

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

5,486,883

 









Media — 12.8%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affinion Group Holdings, Inc., Loan, 8.27%, 3/01/12

 

 

2,095

 

 

1,833,388

 

Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc. (Thomson Learning) Tranche 1 Incremental Term Loan, 7.50%, 7/03/14

 

 

4,100

 

 

3,936,000

 

Cequel Communications, LLC:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Lien Tranche A Term Loan, 6.27% – 6.28%, 5/05/14

 

 

4,243

 

 

3,914,428

 

Term Loan, 2.27% – 4.25%, 11/05/13

 

 

1,614

 

 

1,524,463

 

Charter Communications, Term Loan B1, 7.94%, 3/25/14 (a)(c)

 

 

1,000

 

 

999,500

 

Ellis Communications KDOC, LLC Loan, 10.00%, 12/30/11

 

 

3,879

 

 

1,086,013

 

HMH Publishing Co. Ltd., (fka Education Media) Tranche A Term Loan, 5.26%, 6/12/14

 

 

4,663

 

 

3,607,811

 

Hanley-Wood, LLC (FSC Acquisition), Term Loan, 2.52% – 2.54%, 3/08/14

 

 

985

 

 

415,342

 

Lamar Media Corp., Term Loan, 5.50%, 9/28/12

 

 

750

 

 

738,750

 

MCC Iowa LLC (Mediacom Broadband Group) Tranche D-1 Term Loan, 2.01%, 1/31/15

 

 

269

 

 

250,906

 

Mediacom Illinois, LLC (fka Mediacom Communications, LLC), Tranche D Term Loan, 5.50%, 3/31/17

 

 

500

 

 

498,750

 

Newsday, LLC Fixed Rate Term Loan, 9.75%, 8/01/13

 

 

3,250

 

 

3,306,875

 

Penton Media, Inc., Term Loan (First Lien), 2.51% – 2.74%, 2/01/13

 

 

733

 

 

491,194

 

Quebecor Media Exit Term Loan, 9.00%, 6/30/12

 

 

500

 

 

496,250

 

Sunshine Acquisition Ltd. (aka HIT Entertainment) Term Facility, 2.73%, 7/31/14

 

 

500

 

 

415,625

 

United Pan Europe Communications Term Loan, 3.76%, 12/31/16

 

 

1,750

 

 

1,719,375

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

25,234,670

 









Metals & Mining — 1.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Euramax International Plc, Domestic Loan (Second Lien):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.00%, 6/29/13

 

 

865

 

 

372,080

 

14.00%, 6/29/13 (g)

 

 

827

 

 

355,490

 

RathGibson, Inc., Debtor in Possession Loan, 10.50% – 10.75%, 2/10/10

 

 

1,796

 

 

1,795,560

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,523,130

 









Multi-Utilities — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FirstLight Power Resources, Inc. (fka NE Energy, Inc.):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Lien Term Loan B, 3.13%, 11/01/13

 

 

797

 

 

733,991

 

Synthetic Letter of Credit, 3.15%, 11/01/13

 

 

103

 

 

94,572

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

828,563

 









Multiline Retail — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dollar General Corp. Tranche B-2 Term Loan, 3.01%, 7/07/14

 

 

750

 

 

720,729

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 









Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.3%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big West Oil, LLC (a)(c):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delayed Advance Loan, 4.50%, 5/15/14

 

USD

547

 

$

503,198

 

Initial Advance Loan, 4.50%, 5/15/14

 

 

434

 

 

398,977

 

ScorpionDrilling Ltd. Loan (Second Lien), 8.10%, 5/08/14

 

 

2,000

 

 

1,660,000

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

2,562,175

 









Paper & Forest Products — 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Georgia-Pacific LLC, Term B Loan, 2.34% – 2.65%, 12/20/12

 

 

517

 

 

499,164

 









Pharmaceuticals — 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warner Chilcott Co., Inc.:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tranche B Acquisition Date Term Loan, 2.26% – 2.60%, 1/18/12

 

 

369

 

 

366,804

 

Tranche C Acquisition Date Term Loan, 2.26%, 1/18/12

 

 

129

 

 

128,641

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

495,445

 









Real Estate Management & Development — 1.1%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realogy Corp., Synthetic Letter of Credit, 4.24%, 10/10/13

 

 

2,940

 

 

2,240,700

 









Specialty Retail — 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adesa, Inc. (KAR Holdings, Inc.), Initial Term Loan, 2.52%, 10/20/13

 

 

750

 

 

703,750

 









Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digicel International Finance Ltd., Tranche A, 3.13%, 3/01/12

 

 

1,000

 

 

950,000

 









Total Floating Rate Loan Interests — 45.7%

 

 

 

 

 

89,785,718

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Other Interests (h)

 

 

Beneficial
Interest
(000)

 

 

 

 









Diversified Financial Services — 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J.G. Wentworth LLC Preferred Equity Interests

 

 

 (i)

 

365,704

 









Media — 0.0%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adelphia Preferred Escrow

 

 

3

 

 

 

Adelphia Recovery Trust Series ACC-6B INT

 

 

250

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

25

 









Total Other Interests — 0.2%

 

 

 

 

 

365,729

 









Total Long-Term Investments (Cost — $268,836,015) — 106.3%

 

 

 

 

 

208,759,336

 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Short-Term Securities

 

 

Shares

 

 

 

 









BlackRock Liquidity Funds, TempFund, 0.22% (j)(k)

 

 

1,492,725

 

 

1,492,725

 









Total Short-Term Securities (Cost — $1,492,725) — 0.8%

 

 

 

 

 

1,492,725

 









Total Investments (Cost — $270,328,740*) — 107.1%

 

 

 

 

 

210,252,061

 

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (7.1)%

 

 

 

 

 

(13,938,584

)

 

 

 

 

 




Net Assets — 100.0%

 

 

 

 

$

196,313,477

 

 

 

 

 

 













 

 

*

The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments as of August 31, 2009, as computed for federal income tax purposes, were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

Aggregate cost

 

$

271,030,531

 

 

 




Gross unrealized appreciation

 

$

6,526,537

 

Gross unrealized depreciation

 

 

(67,305,007

)

 

 




Net unrealized depreciation

 

$

(60,778,470

)

 

 





 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 




42

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009




 

 


 

Schedule of Investments (continued)

BlackRock Senior High Income Fund, Inc. (ARK)


 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

 

 

(b)

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

 

 

(c)

Issuer filed for bankruptcy and/or is in default of interest payments.

 

 

(d)

As a result of bankruptcy proceedings, the company did not repay the principal amount of the security upon maturity.

 

 

(e)

Variable rate security. Rate shown is as of report date.

 

 

(f)

Convertible security.

 

 

(g)

Represents a payment-in-kind security which may pay interest/dividends in additional par/shares.

 

 

(h)

Other interests represent beneficial interest in liquidation trusts and other reorganization entities and are non-income producing.

 

 

(i)

Amount is less than $1,000.

 

 

(j)

Investments in companies considered to be an affiliate of the Fund, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







Affiliate

 

Net
Activity

 

Income

 







BlackRock Liquidity Funds, TempFund

 

$

1,492,725

 

$

4,710

 

BlackRock Liquidity Series, LLC Cash Sweep Series

 

$

(4,346,896

)

$

1,683

 











 

 

(k)

Represents the current yield as of report date.

 

 

For Fund compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Fund management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine industry sub-classifications for reporting ease.

 

 

Foreign currency exchange contracts as of August 31,2009 were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 










Currency
Purchased

 

Currency
Sold

 

Counterparty

 

Settlement
Date

 

Unrealized
Appreciation










USD 552,552

 

CAD     600,000

 

Barclays Bank Plc

 

10/28/09

 

$4,432












 

 

Credit default swaps on single-name issues — buy protection outstanding as of August 31, 2009 were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 













Issuer

 

Pay
Fixed
Rate

 

Counterparty

 

Expiration

 

Notional
Amount
(000)

 

Unrealized
Depreciation

 













First Data Corp.

 

5.00%

 

JPMorgan
Chase Bank NA

 

December
2013

 

USD

5,000

 

$

(420,147

)

Masco Corp.

 

5.30%

 

JPMorgan
Chase Bank NA

 

March
2014

 

USD

1,000

 

 

(110,160

)

Host Hotels &
Resorts LP

 

5.00%

 

Goldman Sachs
Bank USA

 

March
2014

 

USD

2,500

 

 

(347,933

)

Mohawk
Industries,Inc.

 

4.45%

 

JPMorgan
Chase Bank NA

 

March
2014

 

USD

1,000

 

 

(99,231

)

Lennar Corp.

 

5.75%

 

JPMorgan
Chase Bank NA

 

June
2014

 

USD

550

 

 

(66,170

)















Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(1,043,641

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 






 

 

Credit default swaps on single-name issues — sold protection outstanding as of August 31, 2009 were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 








Issuer

Receive
Fixed
Rate

Counterparty

Expiration

Rating1

Notional
Amount
(000)2

Unrealized
Depreciation








Ford Motor Co.

2.05%

Deutsche
Bank AG

March 2010

CCC

USD 5,000

$(123,489)










 

 

 

 

1

Using Standard and Poor’s ratings of the issuer.

 

 

 

 

2

The maximum potential amount the Fund may pay should a negative credit event take place as defined under the terms of the agreement. See Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements.


 

 

 

Currency Abbreviations:

 

 

 

CAD     Canadian Dollar
USD     US Dollar

 

 

Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” clarifies the definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair values and requires additional disclosures about the use of fair value measurements. Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments, which are as follows:

 

 

 

Level 1 — price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical securities

 

 

 

 

Level 2 — other observable inputs (including, but not limited to: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs)

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of investments and other significant accounting policies, please refer to Note 1 of the Notes to Financial Statements.


 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

43



 

 


 

 

Schedule of Investments (concluded)

BlackRock Senior High Income Fund, Inc. (ARK)

The following table summarizes the inputs used as of August 31, 2009 in determining the fair valuation of the Fund’s investments:

 

 

 

 

 






Valuation Inputs

 

Investments in
Securities

 






 

 

Assets

 

 

 



Level 1

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

$

3,143,313

 

Short-Term Securities

 

 

1,492,725

 

 

 




Total Level 1

 

 

4,636,038

 

 

 




Level 2

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

108,482,954

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

53,344,126

 

Common Stocks

 

 

664,666

 

 

 




Total Level 2

 

 

162,491,746

 

 

 




Level 3

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

6,250,930

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

36,441,592

 

Common Stocks

 

 

66,026

 

Other Interests

 

 

365,729

 

 

 




Total Level 3

 

 

43,124,277

 

 

 




Total

 

$

210,252,061

 

 

 





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Valuation Inputs

 

Other Financial Instruments1

 





 

 

Assets

 

Liabilities

 

 

 


 



Level 1

 

 

 

 

 

Level 2

 

$

4,432

 

$

(1,167,130

)

Level 3

 

 

 

 

(4,099

)

 

 







Total

 

$

4,432

 

$

(1,171,229

)

 

 








 

 

 

 

1

Other financial instruments are foreign currency exchange contracts and swaps which are shown at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

The following is a reconciliation of investments for unobservable inputs (Level 3) used in determining fair value:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















 

 

Investment in Securities

 

 

 



 

 

Corporate
Bonds

 

Floating
Rate
Loan
Interests

 

Common
Stocks

 

Other
Interests

 

Total

 


















Balance, as of February 28, 2009

 

$

8,229,614

 

$

44,351,082

 

$

55,976

 

$

25

 

$

52,636,697

 

Realized gain (loss)

 

 

172

 

 

(7,504,296

)

 

 

 

 

 

(7,504,124

)

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)2

 

 

(835,551

)

 

22,719,592

 

 

 

 

 

 

21,884,041

 

Net purchases (sales)

 

 

(3,545,368

)

 

(24,510,761

)

 

 

 

 

 

(28,056,129

)

Net transfers in/out of Level 3

 

 

2,402,063

 

 

1,385,975

 

 

10,050

 

 

365,704

 

 

4,163,792

 

 

 
















Balance, as of August 31, 2009

 

$

6,250,930

 

$

36,441,592

 

$

66,026

 

$

365,729

 

$

43,124,277

 

 

 

















 

 

 

 

2

Included in the related net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the Statements of Operations.

The following is a reconciliation of other financial instruments for unobservable inputs (Level 3) used in determining fair value:

 

 

 

 

 






 

 

Other Financial
Instruments3

 






Balance, as of August 31, 2008

 

 

 

Accrued discounts/premiums

 

 

 

Realized gain (loss)

 

 

 

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

 

 

 

Net purchases (sales)

 

 

 

Net transfers in/out of Level3

 

$

(4,099

)

 

 




Balance, as of August 31, 2009

 

$

(4,099

)

 

 





 

 

 

 

3

Other financial instruments are unfunded loan commitments.


 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




44

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009



 


 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 31, 2009 (Unaudited)

 

BlackRock
Corporate
High Yield
Fund, Inc.
(COY)

 

BlackRock
Corporate
High Yield
Fund III, Inc.
(CYE)

 

BlackRock
Debt Strategies
Fund, Inc.
(DSU)

 

BlackRock
Floating
Rate Income
Strategies
Fund II, Inc.
(FRB)

 

BlackRock
Senior High
Income
Fund, Inc.
(ARK)

 


















Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















Investments at value — unaffiliated1

 

$

233,316,691

 

$

256,990,953

 

$

402,214,164

 

$

148,017,633

 

$

208,759,336

 

Investments at value — affiliated2

 

 

2,032,607

 

 

2,029,452

 

 

501

 

 

2,466,296

 

 

1,492,725

 

Unrealized appreciation on foreign currency exchange contracts

 

 

8,514

 

 

8,787

 

 

14,522

 

 

24,608

 

 

4,432

 

Unrealized appreciation on unfunded loan commitments

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,235

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation on swaps

 

 

424,847

 

 

48,435

 

 

39,105

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency at value3

 

 

2,178,629

 

 

1,013,695

 

 

442,658

 

 

2,254,775

 

 

 

Cash

 

 

143,188

 

 

 

 

2,760,445

 

 

 

 

13,320

 

Cash collateral on swaps

 

 

400,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

400,000

 

Interest receivable

 

 

5,248,188

 

 

5,350,191

 

 

8,007,955

 

 

2,039,078

 

 

3,312,672

 

Swap premiums paid

 

 

868,510

 

 

213,215

 

 

848,008

 

 

791,608

 

 

1,398,411

 

Investments sold receivable

 

 

733,027

 

 

693,563

 

 

1,996,988

 

 

5,011,355

 

 

3,081,547

 

Swaps receivable

 

 

51,197

 

 

54,705

 

 

5,836

 

 

37,472

 

 

20,215

 

Dividends receivable

 

 

 

 

74,479

 

 

64,897

 

 

 

 

 

Commitment fees receivable

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,182

 

 

 

 

 

Principal paydown receivable

 

 

 

 

3,134

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income receivable — affiliated

 

 

 

 

 

 

223

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

15,942

 

 

16,667

 

 

35,069

 

 

10,399

 

 

16,808

 

Other assets

 

 

 

 

8,399

 

 

46,699

 

 

38,882

 

 

2,674

 

 

 
















Total assets

 

 

245,421,340

 

 

266,505,675

 

 

416,492,487

 

 

160,692,106

 

 

218,502,140

 

 

 
















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















Loan payable

 

 

38,000,000

 

 

46,000,000

 

 

48,000,000

 

 

24,000,000

 

 

16,000,000

 

Unrealized depreciation on swaps

 

 

703,291

 

 

714,958

 

 

1,604,734

 

 

687,906

 

 

1,167,130

 

Unrealized depreciation on foreign currency exchange contracts

 

 

305,379

 

 

328,793

 

 

337,671

 

 

207,126

 

 

 

Unrealized depreciation on unfunded loan commitments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

34,095

 

 

4,099

 

Investments purchased payable

 

 

3,438,546

 

 

3,768,436

 

 

10,069,458

 

 

9,305,205

 

 

4,677,975

 

Swaps payable

 

 

106,181

 

 

63,802

 

 

134,941

 

 

51,278

 

 

99,425

 

Investment advisory fees payable

 

 

102,300

 

 

133,054

 

 

199,974

 

 

92,944

 

 

89,850

 

Interest payable

 

 

43,570

 

 

51,495

 

 

44,213

 

 

22,840

 

 

18,663

 

Income dividends payable

 

 

205

 

 

98,659

 

 

 

 

92,794

 

 

130,682

 

Officer’s and Directors’ fees payable

 

 

381

 

 

402

 

 

47,868

 

 

384

 

 

147

 

Other affiliates payable

 

 

746

 

 

798

 

 

1,233

 

 

458

 

 

692

 

Other accrued expenses payable

 

 

13,694

 

 

 

 

12,153

 

 

 

 

 

Other liabilities

 

 

57,307

 

 

 

 

447,504

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
















Total liabilities

 

 

42,771,600

 

 

51,160,397

 

 

60,899,749

 

 

34,495,030

 

 

22,188,663

 

 

 
















Net Assets

 

$

202,649,740

 

$

215,345,278

 

$

355,592,738

 

$

126,197,076

 

$

196,313,477

 

 

 
















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















Net Assets Consist of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















Paid-in capital4

 

$

414,571,967

 

$

492,246,502

 

$

973,182,878

 

$

200,169,626

 

$

456,503,852

 

Undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income

 

 

2,944,433

 

 

801,924

 

 

(2,042,874

)

 

(35,175

)

 

1,738,295

 

Accumulated net realized loss

 

 

(176,350,864

)

 

(235,178,483

)

 

(419,762,484

)

 

(48,055,638

)

 

(200,685,194

)

Net unrealized appreciation/depreciation

 

 

(38,515,796

)

 

(42,524,665

)

 

(195,784,782

)

 

(25,881,737

)

 

(61,243,476

)

 

 
















Net Assets

 

$

202,649,740

 

$

215,345,278

 

$

355,592,738

 

$

126,197,076

 

$

196,313,477

 

 

 
















Net asset value

 

$

5.85

 

$

5.77

 

$

3.31

 

$

12.02

 

$

3.47

 

 

 
















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Investments at cost — unaffiliated

 

$

271,279,887

 

$

298,551,918

 

$

596,239,724

 

$

172,961,768

 

$

268,836,015

 

 

 

 
















2

Investments at cost — affiliated

 

$

2,032,607

 

$

2,029,452

 

$

501

 

$

2,466,296

 

$

1,492,725

 

 

 

 
















3

Foreign currency at cost

 

$

2,177,436

 

$

1,021,732

 

$

347,867

 

$

2,246,984

 

 

 

 

 

 
















4

Shares outstanding, 200 million shares authorized, par value $0.10 per share

 

 

34,622,785

 

 

37,319,241

 

 

107,524,535

 

 

10,496,930

 

 

56,509,502

 

 

 

 

















 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

45




 


 

Statements of Operations


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended August 31, 2009 (Unaudited)

 

BlackRock
Corporate
High Yield
Fund, Inc.
(COY)

 

BlackRock
Corporate
High Yield
Fund III, Inc.
(CYE)

 

BlackRock
Debt Strategies
Fund, Inc.
(DSU)

 

BlackRock
Floating
Rate Income
Strategies
Fund II, Inc.
(FRB)

 

BlackRock
Senior High
Income
Fund, Inc.
(ARK)

 













Investment Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















Interest

 

$

12,422,979

 

$

13,254,487

 

$

23,409,710

 

$

5,777,937

 

$

11,244,814

 

Dividends

 

 

308

 

 

10,555

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income — affiliated

 

 

5,376

 

 

6,905

 

 

8,083

 

 

5,928

 

 

6,393

 

Foreign taxes withheld

 

 

(1,022

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facility and other fees

 

 

34,911

 

 

56,205

 

 

185,316

 

 

104,932

 

 

265,124

 

 

 
















Total income

 

 

12,462,552

 

 

13,328,152

 

 

23,603,109

 

 

5,888,797

 

 

11,516,331

 

 

 
















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















Investment advisory

 

 

536,832

 

 

688,892

 

 

1,082,939

 

 

495,334

 

 

501,685

 

Borrowing cost1

 

 

122,914

 

 

127,481

 

 

214,152

 

 

91,905

 

 

142,502

 

Professional

 

 

58,640

 

 

68,755

 

 

121,974

 

 

62,699

 

 

69,154

 

Accounting services

 

 

28,957

 

 

26,985

 

 

59,792

 

 

12,111

 

 

26,348

 

Transfer agent

 

 

22,384

 

 

20,431

 

 

59,346

 

 

12,645

 

 

31,144

 

Custodian

 

 

12,600

 

 

12,735

 

 

11,682

 

 

6,024

 

 

7,530

 

Officer and Directors

 

 

11,904

 

 

12,103

 

 

27,954

 

 

7,729

 

 

11,341

 

Printing

 

 

7,754

 

 

8,483

 

 

21,507

 

 

10,736

 

 

12,252

 

Registration

 

 

5,906

 

 

6,235

 

 

19,297

 

 

4,621

 

 

9,789

 

Miscellaneous

 

 

31,834

 

 

32,964

 

 

39,617

 

 

18,899

 

 

28,488

 

 

 
















Total expenses excluding interest expense

 

 

839,725

 

 

1,005,064

 

 

1,658,260

 

 

722,703

 

 

840,233

 

Interest expense

 

 

264,501

 

 

301,602

 

 

387,555

 

 

140,035

 

 

194,751

 

 

 
















Total expenses

 

 

1,104,226

 

 

1,306,666

 

 

2,045,815

 

 

862,738

 

 

1,034,984

 

Less fees waived by advisor

 

 

(687

)

 

(684

)

 

(858

)

 

(750

)

 

(719

)

 

 
















Total expenses after fees waived

 

 

1,103,539

 

 

1,305,982

 

 

2,044,957

 

 

861,988

 

 

1,034,265

 

 

 
















Net investment income

 

 

11,359,013

 

 

12,022,170

 

 

21,558,152

 

 

5,026,809

 

 

10,482,066

 

 

 
















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

 

(13,697,155

)

 

(13,644,799

)

 

(67,658,498

)

 

(12,632,241

)

 

(29,883,203

)

Swaps

 

 

276,184

 

 

387,617

 

 

974,384

 

 

283,947

 

 

271,306

 

Foreign currency

 

 

(635,980

)

 

(673,759

)

 

(792,779

)

 

(616,065

)

 

(65,836

)

 

 
















 

 

 

(14,056,951

)

 

(13,930,941

)

 

(67,476,893

)

 

(12,964,359

)

 

(29,677,733

)

 

 
















Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

 

70,526,678

 

 

76,580,656

 

 

174,831,383

 

 

44,785,632

 

 

81,070,194

 

Swaps

 

 

3,021,095

 

 

2,859,061

 

 

(3,024,391

)

 

2,212,257

 

 

(716,431

)

Foreign currency

 

 

(583,483

)

 

(588,454

)

 

(438,975

)

 

(467,421

)

 

(6,971

)

Unfunded corporate loans

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,235

 

 

142,565

 

 

(4,099

)

 

 
















 

 

 

72,964,290

 

 

78,851,263

 

 

171,372,252

 

 

46,673,033

 

 

80,342,693

 

 

 
















Total realized and unrealized gain

 

 

58,907,339

 

 

64,920,322

 

 

103,895,359

 

 

33,708,674

 

 

50,664,960

 

 

 
















Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

 

$

70,266,352

 

$

76,942,492

 

$

125,453,511

 

$

38,735,483

 

$

61,147,026

 

 

 

















 

 

 

 

1

See Note 8 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details of borrowings.


 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




46

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009




 


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BlackRock Corporate
High Yield Fund, Inc. (COY)

 

BlackRock Corporate
High Yield Fund III, Inc. (CYE)

 

 

 


 



Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Six Months
Ended
August 31,
2009
(Unaudited)

 

Period
June 1,
2008 to
February 28,
2009

 

Year Ended
May 31,
2008

 

Six Months
Ended
August 31,
2009
(Unaudited)

 

Period
June 1,
2008 to
February 28,
2009

 

Year Ended
May 31,
2008

 















Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Net investment income

 

$

11,359,013

 

$

17,171,877

 

$

25,842,085

 

$

12,022,170

 

$

18,684,715

 

$

27,155,524

 

Net realized loss

 

 

(14,056,951

)

 

(34,537,665

)

 

(9,129,906

)

 

(13,930,941

)

 

(36,996,389

)

 

(9,283,103

)

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

 

 

72,964,290

 

 

(86,397,451

)

 

(36,722,065

)

 

78,851,263

 

 

(93,986,807

)

 

(40,223,490

)

 

 









 










Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

 

 

70,266,352

 

 

(103,763,239

)

 

(20,009,886

)

 

76,942,492

 

 

(112,298,481

)

 

(22,351,069

)

 

 









 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Dividends to Shareholders From

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Net investment income

 

 

(12,657,926

)

 

(19,134,959

)

 

(26,113,293

)

 

(12,874,191

)

 

(20,800,925

)

 

(28,767,885

)

 

 









 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Capital Share Transactions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Reinvestment of dividends

 

 

241,282

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,864

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









 










 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Net Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Total increase (decrease) in net assets

 

 

57,849,708

 

 

(122,898,198

)

 

(46,123,179

)

 

64,084,165

 

 

(133,099,406

)

 

(51,118,954

)

Beginning of period

 

 

144,800,032

 

 

267,698,230

 

 

313,821,409

 

 

151,261,113

 

 

284,360,519

 

 

335,479,473

 

 

 









 










End of period

 

$

202,649,740

 

$

144,800,032

 

$

267,698,230

 

$

215,345,278

 

$

151,261,113

 

$

284,360,519

 

 

 









 










Undistributed net investment income

 

$

2,944,433

 

$

4,243,346

 

$

5,504,375

 

$

801,924

 

$

1,653,945

 

$

3,076,301

 

 

 









 











 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BlackRock Debt
Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

BlackRock Floating Rate Income
Strategies Fund II, Inc. (FRB)

 

 

 


 



Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Six Months
Ended
August 31,
2009
(Unaudited)

 

Year Ended
February 28,
2009

 

Six Months
Ended
August 31,
2009
(Unaudited)

 

Year Ended
February 28,
2009

 















Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 















Net investment income

 

$

21,558,152

 

$

55,149,566

 

$

5,026,809

 

$

14,429,059

 

Net realized loss

 

 

(67,476,893

)

 

(103,719,990

)

 

(12,964,359

)

 

(31,870,409

)

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

 

 

171,372,252

 

 

(229,565,826

)

 

46,673,033

 

 

(41,438,156

)

 

 






 







Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

 

 

125,453,511

 

 

(278,136,250

)

 

38,735,483

 

 

(58,879,506

)

 

 






 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 















Dividends to Shareholders From

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 















Net investment income

 

 

(22,851,943

)

 

(65,857,392

)

 

(6,194,238

)

 

(16,017,675

)

 

 






 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 















Capital Share Transactions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 















Reinvestment of dividends

 

 

911,221

 

 

1,869,284

 

 

 

 

 

 

 






 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 















Net Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 















Total increase (decrease) in net assets

 

 

103,512,789

 

 

(342,124,358

)

 

32,541,245

 

 

(74,897,181

)

Beginning of period

 

 

252,079,949

 

 

594,204,307

 

 

93,655,831

 

 

168,553,012

 

 

 






 







End of period

 

$

355,592,738

 

$

252,079,949

 

$

126,197,076

 

$

93,655,831

 

 

 






 







Undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income

 

$

(2,042,874

)

$

(749,083

)

$

(35,175

)

$

1,132,254

 

 

 






 








 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

47



 


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (concluded)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BlackRock Senior High
Income Fund, Inc. (ARK)

 

 

 



Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

 

Six Months
Ended
August 31,
2009
(Unaudited)

 

Year Ended
February 28,
2009

 









Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Net investment income

 

$

10,482,066

 

$

23,218,610

 

Net realized loss

 

 

(29,677,733

)

 

(55,099,290

)

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation

 

 

80,342,693

 

 

(82,255,118

)

 

 







Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

 

 

61,147,026

 

 

(114,135,798

)

 

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders From

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Net investment income

 

 

(8,476,425

)

 

(24,063,310

)

Tax return of capital

 

 

 

 

(3,089,535

)

 

 







Total dividends and distributions to shareholders

 

 

(8,476,425

)

 

(27,152,845

)

 

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Capital Share Transactions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Reinvestment of dividends

 

 

 

 

239,560

 

 

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Net Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Total increase (decrease) in net assets

 

 

52,670,601

 

 

(141,049,083

)

Beginning of period

 

 

143,642,876

 

 

284,691,959

 

 

 







End of period

 

$

196,313,477

 

$

143,642,876

 

 

 







Undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income

 

$

1,738,295

 

$

(267,346

)

 

 








 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




48

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009




 


 

Statements of Cash Flows


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 31, 2009 (Unaudited)

 

BlackRock
Corporate
High Yield
Fund, Inc.
(COY)

 

BlackRock
Corporate
High Yield
Fund III, Inc.
(CYE)

 

BlackRock
Debt Strategies
Fund, Inc.
(DSU)

 

BlackRock
Floating
Rate Income
Strategies
Fund II, Inc.
(FRB)

 

BlackRock
Senior High
Income
Fund, Inc.
(ARK)

 


















Cash Provided by Operating Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

 

$

70,266,352

 

$

76,942,492

 

$

125,453,511

 

$

38,735,483

 

$

61,147,026

 

Adjustments to reconcile net decrease/increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Increase) decrease in interest receivable

 

 

(177,678

)

 

262,345

 

 

1,609,251

 

 

3,562

 

 

369,236

 

Increase in swaps receivable

 

 

(8,486

)

 

(8,421

)

 

(5,836

)

 

(526

)

 

 

(Increase) decrease in commitment fees receivable

 

 

 

 

64

 

 

(8,580

)

 

 

 

 

(Increase) decrease in dividends receivable

 

 

296

 

 

(61,148

)

 

11,488

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses

 

 

(9

)

 

24,839

 

 

39,650

 

 

 

 

(2,674

)

(Increase) decrease in other assets

 

 

23,985

 

 

 

 

 

 

(30,686

)

 

 

Increase in other liabilities

 

 

57,307

 

 

 

 

447,504

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in investment advisor payable

 

 

27,605

 

 

37,362

 

 

33,009

 

 

22,761

 

 

15,350

 

Increase in interest expense payable

 

 

32,152

 

 

41,161

 

 

13,846

 

 

14,629

 

 

3,664

 

Decrease in other affiliates payable

 

 

(939

)

 

(1,067

)

 

(1,079

)

 

(302

)

 

(1,231

)

(Decrease) increase in accrued expenses payable

 

 

(95,702

)

 

(95,146

)

 

(153,416

)

 

(79,219

)

 

(107,969

)

(Decrease) increase in swaps payable

 

 

105,521

 

 

63,143

 

 

6,482

 

 

(7,886

)

 

(8,011

)

Increase in Officers and Directors payable

 

 

257

 

 

271

 

 

23,161

 

 

251

 

 

30

 

Swap premium received

 

 

2,611,387

 

 

3,481,938

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swap premium paid

 

 

(3,235,128

)

 

(3,380,907

)

 

(175,737

)

 

 

 

(166,551

)

Net realized and unrealized gain

 

 

(59,405,538

)

 

(65,313,092

)

 

(102,770,526

)

 

(34,080,401

)

 

(50,049,353

)

Amortization of premium and discount on investments

 

 

(1,222,929

)

 

(2,254,241

)

 

(1,919,514

)

 

(865,854

)

 

(755,308

)

Cash collateral on swaps

 

 

2,100,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,100,000

 

Paid-in-kind income

 

 

(440,662

)

 

(561,361

)

 

(1,655,298

)

 

(139,965

)

 

(479,665

)

Proceeds from sales and paydowns of long-term securities

 

 

85,360,454

 

 

90,845,908

 

 

150,575,288

 

 

49,239,008

 

 

89,510,159

 

Purchases of long-term securities

 

 

(84,650,957

)

 

(94,463,454

)

 

(109,824,171

)

 

(44,256,041

)

 

(64,020,280

)

Net proceeds from sales of short-term investments

 

 

5,078,656

 

 

6,341,070

 

 

4,724,759

 

 

1,641,882

 

 

2,854,171

 

 

 
















Cash provided by operating activities

 

 

16,425,944

 

 

11,901,756

 

 

66,423,792

 

 

10,196,696

 

 

39,408,594

 

 

 
















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















Cash Used for Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















Cash receipts from borrowings

 

 

38,000,000

 

 

50,000,000

 

 

88,000,000

 

 

50,000,000

 

 

55,000,000

 

Cash payments from borrowings

 

 

(38,700,000

)

 

(48,200,000

)

 

(130,000,000

)

 

(52,000,000

)

 

(86,000,000

)

Cash dividends paid to shareholders

 

 

(12,544,037

)

 

(12,897,461

)

 

(22,328,536

)

 

(6,210,627

)

 

(8,517,697

)

Increase in bank overdraft

 

 

(926,999

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
















Cash used for financing activities

 

 

(14,171,036

)

 

(11,097,461

)

 

(64,328,536

)

 

(8,210,627

)

 

(39,517,697

)

 

 
















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















Cash Impact from Foreign Exchange Fluctuations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















Cash impact from foreign exchange fluctuations

 

 

(1

)

 

(8,037

)

 

149,502

 

 

13,521

 

 

 

 

 
















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















Cash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















Net increase (decrease) in cash

 

 

2,254,907

 

 

796,258

 

 

2,244,758

 

 

1,999,590

 

 

(109,103

)

Cash and foreign currency at beginning of year

 

 

66,910

 

 

217,437

 

 

958,345

 

 

255,185

 

 

122,423

 

 

 
















Cash and foreign currency at end of year

 

$

2,321,817

 

$

1,013,695

 

$

3,203,103

 

$

2,254,775

 

$

13,320

 

 

 
















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















Cash Flow Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















Cash paid for interest

 

$

232,349

 

$

260,441

 

$

373,709

 

$

125,406

 

$

191,087

 

 

 
















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















Noncash Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


















Capital shares issued in reinvestment of dividends paid to shareholders

 

 

241,282

 

 

15,864

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

















 

 

 

A Statement of Cash Flows is presented when a Fund had a significant amount of borrowing during the period, based on the average borrowings outstanding in relation to average total assets.


 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

49



 

 


 

Financial Highlights

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. (COY)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months
Ended
August 31,
2009

 

Period
June 1,
2008 to
February 28,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended May 31,

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

(Unaudited)

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

















Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
























Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

4.19

 

$

7.74

 

$

9.07

 

$

8.52

 

$

8.53

 

$

8.48

 

$

8.01

 

 

 






















Net investment income1

 

 

0.33

 

 

0.50

 

 

0.75

 

 

0.73

 

 

0.74

 

 

0.87

 

 

0.91

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

1.70

 

 

(3.50

)

 

(1.32

)

 

0.49

 

 

0.02

 

 

0.07

 

 

0.56

 

 

 






















Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

 

 

2.03

 

 

(3.00

)

 

(0.57

)

 

1.22

 

 

0.76

 

 

0.94

 

 

1.47

 

 

 






















Dividends from net investment income

 

 

(0.37

)

 

(0.55

)

 

(0.76

)

 

(0.67

)

 

(0.77

)

 

(0.89

)

 

(1.00

)

 

 






















Net asset value, end of period

 

$

5.85

 

$

4.19

 

$

7.74

 

$

9.07

 

$

8.52

 

$

8.53

 

$

8.48

 

 

 






















Market price, end of period

 

$

6.06

 

$

3.91

 

$

7.28

 

$

8.47

 

$

7.42

 

$

8.46

 

$

8.23

 

 

 






















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
























Total Investment Return2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
























Based on net asset value

 

 

49.85

%3

 

(38.98

)%3

 

(5.49

)%

 

15.60

%

 

9.75

%

 

11.31

%

 

18.65

%

 

 






















Based on market price

 

 

66.35

%3

 

(39.46

)%3

 

(4.81

)%

 

23.96

%

 

(3.63

)%

 

13.75

%

 

6.75

%

 

 






















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
























Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
























Total expenses

 

 

1.27

%4

 

2.29

%4

 

2.33

%

 

3.25

%

 

2.39

%

 

1.69

%

 

1.39

%

 

 






















Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly

 

 

1.27

%4

 

2.29

%4

 

2.33

%

 

3.25

%

 

2.39

%

 

1.69

%

 

1.39

%

 

 






















Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense

 

 

0.97

%4

 

1.17

%4

 

0.83

%

 

0.91

%

 

0.90

%

 

0.87

%

 

0.91

%

 

 






















Net investment income

 

 

13.08

%4

 

11.45

%4

 

9.15

%

 

8.36

%

 

8.55

%

 

9.85

%

 

10.72

%

 

 






















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
























Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
























Net assets, end of period (000)

 

$

202,650

 

$

144,800

 

$

267,698

 

$

313,821

 

$

294,759

 

$

294,218

 

$

291,654

 

 

 






















Amount of loan outstanding, end of period (000)

 

$

38,000

 

$

38,700

 

$

64,700

 

$

126,200

 

$

127,700

 

$

100,600

 

$

100,400

 

 

 






















Average amount of loan outstanding during the period (000)

 

$

40,999

 

$

59,553

 

$

81,598

 

$

125,974

 

$

101,539

 

$

104,938

 

$

101,764

 

 

 






















Portfolio turnover

 

 

41

%

 

37

%

 

38

%

 

62

%

 

57

%

 

57

%

 

83

%

 

 






















Asset coverage, end of period per $1,000

 

$

6,333

 

$

4,742

 

$

5,138

 

$

3,487

 

$

3,308

 

$

3,925

 

$

3,905

 

 

 























 

 

 

 

1

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

 

 

 

2

Total investment returns based on market value, which can be significantly greater or lesser than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, total investment returns exclude the effects of any sales charges and include the reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

 

 

 

 

3

Aggregate total investment return.

 

 

 

 

4

Annualized.


 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




50

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009




 

 


 

Financial Highlights

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. (CYE)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months
Ended
August 31,
2009

 

Period
June 1,
2008 to
February 28,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended May 31,

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

(Unaudited)

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 

2004

 

















Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
























Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

4.05

 

$

7.62

 

$

8.99

 

$

8.46

 

$

8.46

 

$

8.43

 

$

7.86

 

 

 






















Net investment income1

 

 

0.32

 

 

0.50

 

 

0.73

 

 

0.71

 

 

0.72

 

 

0.85

 

 

0.88

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

1.75

 

 

(3.51

)

 

(1.33

)

 

0.49

 

 

0.02

 

 

0.07

 

 

0.58

 

 

 






















Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

 

 

2.07

 

 

(3.01

)

 

(0.60

)

 

1.20

 

 

0.74

 

 

0.92

 

 

1.46

 

 

 






















Dividends from net investment income

 

 

(0.35

)

 

(0.56

)

 

(0.77

)

 

(0.67

)

 

(0.74

)

 

(0.89

)

 

(0.89

)

 

 






















Capital charges with respect to issuance of Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.00

2

 

 






















Net asset value, end of period

 

$

5.77

 

$

4.05

 

$

7.62

 

$

8.99

 

$

8.46

 

$

8.46

 

$

8.43

 

 

 






















Market price, end of period

 

$

5.62

 

$

3.57

 

$

7.03

 

$

8.53

 

$

7.36

 

$

8.38

 

$

7.97

 

 

 






















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
























Total Investment Return3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
























Based on net asset value

 

 

52.83

%4

 

(39.69

)%4

 

(5.69

)%

 

15.51

%

 

9.78

%

 

11.24

%

 

19.33

%

 

 






















Based on market price

 

 

68.87

%4

 

(42.38

)%4

 

(8.30

)%

 

25.98

%

 

(3.59

)%

 

16.55

%

 

6.07

%

 

 






















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
























Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
























Total expenses

 

 

1.43

%5

 

2.45

%5

 

2.47

%

 

3.38

%

 

2.49

%

 

1.81

%

 

1.51

%

 

 






















Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly

 

 

1.43

%5

 

2.45

%5

 

2.47

%

 

3.38

%

 

2.49

%

 

1.81

%

 

1.51

%

 

 






















Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense

 

 

1.10

%5

 

1.29

%5

 

0.96

%

 

1.04

%

 

1.00

%

 

0.99

%

 

1.01

%

 

 






















Net investment income

 

 

13.13

%5

 

11.80

%5

 

9.01

%

 

8.25

%

 

8.45

%

 

9.71

%

 

10.48

%

 

 






















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
























Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
























Net assets, end of period (000)

 

$

215,345

 

$

151,261

 

$

284,361

 

$

335,479

 

$

315,699

 

$

315,626

 

$

313,583

 

 

 






















Amount of loan outstanding, end of period (000)

 

$

46,000

 

$

44,200

 

$

71,700

 

$

129,700

 

$

141,000

 

$

107,800

 

$

109,600

 

 

 






















Average amount of loan outstanding during the period (000)

 

$

46,385

 

$

65,500

 

$

88,466

 

$

134,704

 

$

109,144

 

$

112,501

 

$

112,297

 

 

 






















Portfolio turnover

 

 

40

%

 

37

%

 

38

%

 

62

%

 

56

%

 

55

%

 

83

%

 

 






















Asset coverage, end of period per $1,000

 

$

5,861

 

$

4,422

 

$

4,966

 

$

3,587

 

$

3,239

 

$

3,928

 

$

3,861

 

 

 























 

 

 

 

1

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

 

 

 

2

Amount is less than $0.01 per share.

 

 

 

 

3

Total investment returns based on market value, which can be significantly greater or lesser than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, total investment returns exclude the effects of any sales charges and include the reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

 

 

 

 

4

Aggregate total investment return.

 

 

 

 

5

Annualized.


 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

51




 

 


 

Financial Highlights

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months
Ended
August 31,
2009

 

Year
Ended
February 28,

 

Year
Ended
February 29,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended February 28,

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

(Unaudited)

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 















Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

2.35

 

$

5.57

 

$

7.01

 

$

6.69

 

$

7.06

 

$

6.71

 

 

 



















Net investment income1

 

 

0.20

 

 

0.52

 

 

0.66

 

 

0.68

 

 

0.63

 

 

0.67

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

0.97

 

 

(3.12

)

 

(1.43

)

 

0.28

 

 

(0.35

)

 

0.34

 

 

 



















Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

 

 

1.17

 

 

(2.60

)

 

(0.77

)

 

0.96

 

 

0.28

 

 

1.01

 

 

 



















Dividends from net investment income

 

 

(0.21

)

 

(0.62

)

 

(0.67

)

 

(0.64

)

 

(0.65

)

 

(0.66

)

 

 



















Net asset value, end of period

 

$

3.31

 

$

2.35

 

$

5.57

 

$

7.01

 

$

6.69

 

$

7.06

 

 

 



















Market price, end of period

 

$

3.35

 

$

2.07

 

$

5.43

 

$

7.28

 

$

6.77

 

$

6.71

 

 

 



















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Total Investment Return2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Based on net asset value

 

 

51.87

%3

 

(50.19

)%

 

(11.72

)%

 

15.35

%

 

4.57

%

 

15.95

%

 

 



















Based on market price

 

 

74.49

%3

 

(54.99

)%

 

(17.13

)%

 

18.37

%

 

11.34

%

 

10.53

%

 

 



















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Total expenses

 

 

1.36

%4

 

2.42

%

 

3.13

%

 

3.16

%

 

2.63

%

 

1.83

%

 

 



















Total expenses after fees waived

 

 

1.36

%4

 

2.42

%

 

3.13

%

 

3.16

%

 

2.63

%

 

1.83

%

 

 



















Total expenses after fees waived and excluding interest expense

 

 

1.10

%4

 

1.20

%

 

0.99

%

 

0.99

%

 

1.02

%

 

1.02

%

 

 



















Net investment income

 

 

14.31

%4

 

11.79

%

 

9.90

%

 

9.97

%

 

9.55

%

 

9.84

%

 

 



















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Net assets, end of period (000)

 

$

355,593

 

$

252,080

 

$

594,204

 

$

745,944

 

$

708,411

 

$

745,256

 

 

 



















Amount of loan outstanding, end of period (000)

 

$

48,000

 

$

90,000

 

$

199,000

 

$

298,600

 

$

259,900

 

$

298,400

 

 

 



















Average amount of loan outstanding during the period (000)

 

$

59,497

 

$

163,286

 

$

272,846

 

$

283,906

 

$

294,371

 

$

304,549

 

 

 



















Portfolio turnover

 

 

32

%

 

44

%

 

51

%

 

65

%

 

46

%

 

60

%

 

 



















Asset coverage, end of period per $1,000

 

$

8,408

 

$

3,801

 

$

3,986

 

$

3,498

 

$

3,726

 

$

3,498

 

 

 




















 

 

 

 

1

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

 

 

 

2

Total investment returns based on market value, which can be significantly greater or lesser than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, total investment returns exclude the effects of any sales charges and include the reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

 

 

 

 

3

Aggregate total investment return.

 

 

 

 

4

Annualized.


 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




52

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009




 

 


 

Financial Highlights

BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund II Inc. (FRB)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months
Ended
August 31,
2009

 

Year
Ended
February 28,

 

Year
Ended
February 29,

 

Year Ended
February 28,

 

Period
July 30,
20041 to
February 28,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 















Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

8.92

 

$

16.06

 

$

19.28

 

$

19.39

 

$

19.74

 

$

19.10

 

 

 



















Net investment income2

 

 

0.48

 

 

1.37

 

 

1.55

 

 

1.55

 

 

1.33

 

 

0.58

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

3.21

 

 

(6.98

)

 

(3.27

)

 

(0.12

)

 

(0.31

)

 

0.57

 

 

 



















Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

 

 

3.69

 

 

(5.61

)

 

(1.72

)

 

1.43

 

 

1.02

 

 

1.15

 

 

 



















Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(0.59

)

 

(1.53

)

 

(1.50

)

 

(1.54

)

 

(1.27

)

 

(0.47

)

Net realized gain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.10

)

 

(0.01

)

 

 



















Total dividends and distributions

 

 

(0.59

)

 

(1.53

)

 

(1.50

)

 

(1.54

)

 

(1.37

)

 

(0.48

)

 

 



















Capital charges resulting from issuance of Common Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.03

)

 

 



















Net asset value, end of period

 

$

12.02

 

$

8.92

 

$

16.06

 

$

19.28

 

$

19.39

 

$

19.74

 

 

 



















Market price, end of period

 

$

11.45

 

$

8.28

 

$

14.75

 

$

18.50

 

$

17.76

 

$

19.44

 

 

 



















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Total Investment Return3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Based on net asset value

 

 

42.76

%4

 

(36.46

)%

 

(8.98

)%

 

8.31

%

 

6.07

%

 

5.97

%4

 

 



















Based on market price

 

 

46.51

%4

 

(35.78

)%

 

(12.88

)%

 

13.47

%

 

(1.35

)%

 

(0.34

)%4

 

 



















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Total expenses

 

 

1.56

%5

 

2.48

%

 

2.78

%

 

2.87

%

 

2.46

%

 

1.48

%5

 

 



















Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly

 

 

1.56

%5

 

2.48

%

 

2.78

%

 

2.87

%

 

2.46

%

 

1.30

%5

 

 



















Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense

 

 

1.31

%5

 

1.38

%

 

1.20

%

 

1.22

%

 

1.25

%

 

0.92

%5

 

 



















Net investment income

 

 

9.11

%5

 

10.08

%

 

8.39

%

 

8.03

%

 

6.88

%

 

5.11

%5

 

 



















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Net assets, end of period (000)

 

$

126,197

 

$

93,656

 

$

168,553

 

$

202,364

 

$

203,557

 

$

207,255

 

 

 



















Amount of loan outstanding, end of period (000)

 

$

24,000

 

$

26,000

 

$

50,000

 

$

47,000

 

$

61,400

 

$

60,300

 

 

 



















Average amount of loan outstanding during the period (000)

 

$

21,639

 

$

45,165

 

$

55,269

 

$

61,022

 

$

63,725

 

$

29,072

 

 

 



















Portfolio turnover

 

 

38

%

 

47

%

 

65

%

 

65

%

 

72

%

 

30

%

 

 



















Asset coverage, end of period per $1,000

 

$

6,258

 

$

4,602

 

$

4,371

 

$

5,306

 

$

4,315

 

$

4,437

 

 

 




















 

 

 

 

1

Commencement of operations.

 

 

 

 

2

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

 

 

 

3

Total investment returns based on market value, which can be significantly greater or lesser than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, total investment returns exclude the effects of any sales charges and include the reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

 

 

 

 

4

Aggregate total investment return.

 

 

 

 

5

Annualized.


 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

53




 

 


 

Financial Highlights

BlackRock Senior High Income Fund, Inc. (ARK)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months
Ended
August 31,
2009

 

Year
Ended
February 28,

 

Year
Ended
February 29,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended February 28,

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

(Unaudited)

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

2006

 

2005

 















Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

2.54

 

$

5.04

 

$

6.17

 

$

6.00

 

$

6.28

 

$

6.10

 

 

 



















Net investment income1

 

 

0.19

 

 

0.41

 

 

0.54

 

 

0.57

 

 

0.55

 

 

0.57

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

0.89

 

 

(2.43

)

 

(1.11

)

 

0.16

 

 

(0.27

)

 

0.16

 

 

 



















Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

 

 

1.08

 

 

(2.02

)

 

(0.57

)

 

0.73

 

 

0.28

 

 

0.73

 

 

 



















Dividends and distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(0.15

)

 

(0.43

)

 

(0.56

)

 

(0.56

)

 

(0.56

)

 

(0.55

)

Tax return of capital

 

 

 

 

(0.05

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



















Total dividends and distributions

 

 

(0.15

)

 

(0.48

)

 

(0.56

)

 

(0.56

)

 

(0.56

)

 

(0.55

)

 

 



















Net asset value, end of period

 

$

3.47

 

$

2.54

 

$

5.04

 

$

6.17

 

$

6.00

 

$

6.28

 

 

 



















Market price, end of period

 

$

3.18

 

$

2.21

 

$

4.91

 

$

6.53

 

$

5.88

 

$

6.21

 

 

 



















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Total Investment Return2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Based on net asset value

 

 

43.72

%3

 

(42.15

)%

 

(9.76

)%

 

12.82

%

 

5.07

%

 

12.88

%

 

 



















Based on market price

 

 

51.37

%3

 

(48.33

)%

 

(16.94

)%

 

21.84

%

 

4.13

%

 

11.44

%

 

 



















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Total expenses

 

 

1.21

%4

 

2.24

%

 

2.70

%

 

3.03

%

 

2.39

%

 

1.69

%

 

 



















Total expenses after fees waived

 

 

1.21

%4

 

2.24

%

 

2.70

%

 

3.03

%

 

2.39

%

 

1.69

%

 

 



















Total expenses after fees waived and excluding interest expense

 

 

0.98

%4

 

1.05

%

 

0.86

%

 

0.90

%

 

0.91

%

 

0.91

%

 

 



















Net investment income

 

 

12.28

%4

 

9.96

%

 

9.16

%

 

9.42

%

 

9.23

%

 

9.28

%

 

 



















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















Net assets, end of period (000)

 

$

196,313

 

$

143,643

 

$

284,692

 

$

347,449

 

$

335,690

 

$

349,791

 

 

 



















Amount of loan outstanding, end of period (000)

 

$

16,000

 

$

47,000

 

$

91,500

 

$

132,000

 

$

141,700

 

$

147,500

 

 

 



















Average amount of loan outstanding during the period (000)

 

$

29,913

 

$

79,422

 

$

109,978

 

$

131,575

 

$

128,461

 

$

137,934

 

 

 



















Portfolio turnover

 

 

35

%

 

49

%

 

48

%

 

62

%

 

48

%

 

54

%

 

 



















Asset coverage, end of period per $1,000

 

$

13,270

 

$

4,056

 

$

4,112

 

$

3,632

 

$

3,369

 

$

3,371

 

 

 




















 

 

 

 

1

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

 

 

 

2

Total investment returns based on market value, which can be significantly greater or lesser than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, total investment returns exclude the effects of any sales charges and include the reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

 

 

 

 

3

Aggregate total investment return.

 

 

 

 

4

Annualized.


 

 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements.




54

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009



 


 

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies:

BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. (“COY”), BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. (“CYE”), BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (“DSU”) and BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund II, Inc. (“FRB”) (the “Funds” or individually as the “Fund”) are registered under the investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as diversified, closed-end management investment companies. BlackRock Senior High Income Fund, Inc. (“ARK”) is registered under the 1940 Act as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. Each of the Funds is organized as a Maryland corporation. The Funds’ financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which may require the use of management accruals and estimates. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The Funds determine and make available for publication the net asset values of their Common Shares on a daily basis.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Funds:

Valuation of Investments: The Funds value their bond investments on the basis of last available bid prices or current market quotations provided by dealers or pricing services selected under the supervision of each Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). Floating rate loan interests are valued at the mean between the last available bid prices from one or more brokers or dealers as obtained from a pricing service. 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, various relationships observed in the market between investments and calculated yield measures based on valuation technology commonly employed in the market for such investments. Swap agreements are valued utilizing quotes received daily by the Funds’ pricing service or through brokers which are derived using daily swap curves and trades of underlying securities. Short-term securities with maturities less than 60 days may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. The Funds’ value their investments in Cash Sweep Series, each of BlackRock Liquidity Series, LLC at fair value, which is ordinarily based upon their pro-rata ownership in the net assets of the underlying fund.

Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange or the NASDAQ Global Market System are valued at the last reported sale price that day or the NASDAQ official closing price, if applicable. For equity investments traded on more than one exchange, the last reported sale price on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded is used. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day are valued at the last available bid price. If no bid price is available, the prior day’s price will be used, unless it is determined that such prior day’s price no longer reflects the fair value of the security.

Exchange-traded options are valued at the mean between the last bid and ask prices at the close of the options market in which the options trade. An exchange-traded option for which there is no mean price is valued at the last bid price. If no bid price is available, the prior day’s price will be used, unless it is determined that such prior day’s price no longer reflects the fair value of the option. Over-the-counter (“OTC”) options are valued by an independent pricing service using a mathematical model which incorporates a number of market data factors, such as the trades and prices of the underlying securities.

In the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment which is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment or are not available, the investment will be valued by a method approved by the Board as reflecting fair value (“Fair Value Assets”). When determining the price for Fair Value Assets, the investment advisor and/or sub-advisor seeks to determine the price that the Funds might reasonably expect to receive from the current sale of that asset in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the investment advisor and/or sub-advisor deems relevant. The pricing of all Fair Value Assets is subsequently reported to the Board or a committee thereof.

Generally, trading in foreign securities is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). The values of such securities used in computing the net assets of each Fund are determined as of such times. Foreign currency exchange rates will be determined as of the close of business on the NYSE. Occasionally, events affecting the values of such securities and such exchange rates may occur between the times at which they are determined and the close of business on the NYSE that may not be reflected in the computation of the Fund’s net assets. If events (for example, a company announcement, market volatility or a natural disaster) occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such securities, those securities will be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by the Board or by the investment advisor using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Board. Foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean between the bid and ask prices. Interpolated values are derived when the settlement date of the contract is an interim date for which quotations are not available.

Foreign Currency Transactions: Foreign currency amounts are translated into United States dollars on the following basis: (i) market value of investment securities, assets and liabilities at the current rate of exchange; and (ii) purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.

The Funds report foreign currency related transactions as components of realized gains for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.

Capital Trusts: These securities are typically issued by corporations, generally in the form of interest-bearing notes with preferred securities characteristics, or by an affiliated business trust of a corporation, generally in the form of beneficial interests in subordinated debentures or similarly structured securities. The securities can be structured as either fixed or adjustable coupon securities that can have either a perpetual or stated maturity date. Dividends can be deferred without creating an event of default or acceleration, although maturity cannot take place unless all cumulative payment obligations have been met. The deferral of payments does not affect the purchase or sale of these securities in the open market. Payments on these securities are treated as interest rather than dividends for Federal income tax purposes. These securities can have a rating that is slightly below that of the issuing company’s senior debt securities.

 

 

 

 


 

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AUGUST 31, 2009

55




 


 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

Preferred Stock: Certain Funds may invest in preferred stocks. Preferred stock has a preference over common stock in liquidation (and generally in receiving dividends as well) but is subordinated to the liabilities of the issuer in all respects. As a general rule, the market value of preferred stock with a fixed dividend rate and no conversion element varies inversely with interest rates and perceived credit risk, while the market price of convertible preferred stock generally also reflects some element of conversion value. Because preferred stock is junior to debt securities and other obligations of the issuer, deterioration in the credit quality of the issuer will cause greater changes in the value of a preferred stock than in a more senior debt security with similar stated yield characteristics. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the issuer’s board of directors. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.

Floating Rate Loans: The Funds may invest in floating rate loans, which are generally non-investment grade, made by banks, other financial institutions and privately and publicly offered corporations. Floating rate loans are senior in the debt structure of a corporation. Floating rate loans generally pay interest at rates that are periodically determined by reference to a base lending rate plus a premium. The base lending rates are generally (i) the lending rate offered by one or more European banks, such as LIBOR (London InterBank Offered Rate), (ii) the prime rate offered by one or more US banks or (iii) the certificate of deposit rate. The Funds consider these investments to be investments in debt securities for purposes of their investment policies.

The Funds earn and/or pay facility and other fees on floating rate loans. Other fees earned/paid include commitment, amendment, consent, commissions and prepayment penalty fees. Facility, amendment and consent fees are typically amortized as premium and/or accreted as discount over the term of the loan. Commitment, commission and various other fees are recorded as income. Prepayment penalty fees are recognized on the accrual basis. When a Fund buys a floating rate loan it may receive a facility fee and when it sells a floating rate loan it may pay a facility fee. On an ongoing basis, the Funds may receive a commitment fee based on the undrawn portion of the underlying line of credit portion of a floating rate loan. In certain circumstances, the Funds may receive a prepayment penalty fee upon the prepayment of a floating rate loan by a borrower. Other fees received by the Funds may include covenant waiver fees and covenant modification fees.

The Funds may invest in multiple series or tranches of a loan. A different series or tranche may have varying terms and carry different associated risks.

Floating rate loans are usually freely callable at the issuer’s option. The Funds may invest in such loans in the form of participations in loans (“Participations”) and assignments of all or a portion of loans from third parties. Participations typically will result in the Funds having a contractual relationship only with the lender, not with the borrower. The Funds will have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which they are entitled only from the lender selling the Participation and only upon receipt by the lender of the payments from the borrower.

In connection with purchasing Participations, the Funds generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement relating to the loans, nor any rights of offset against the borrower, and the Funds may not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the Participation.

As a result, the Funds will assume the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender that is selling the Participation. The Funds’ investments in loan participation interests involve the risk of insolvency of the financial intermediaries who are parties to the transactions. In the event of the insolvency of the lender selling the Participation, the Funds may be treated as general creditor of the lender and may not benefit from any offset between the lender and the borrower.

Zero-Coupon Bonds: Certain Funds may invest in zero-coupon bonds, which are normally issued at a significant discount from face value and do not provide for periodic interest payments. Zero-coupon bonds may experience greater volatility in market value than similar maturity debt obligations which provide for regular interest payments.

Segregation and Collateralization: In cases in which the 1940 Act and the interpretive positions of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) require that each Fund either delivers collateral or segregates assets in connection with certain investments (e.g., foreign currency exchange contracts and swaps) each Fund will, consistent with SEC rules and/or certain interpretive letters issued by the SEC, segregate collateral or designate on its books and records cash or other liquid securities having a market value at least equal to the amount that would otherwise be required to be physically segregated. Furthermore, based on requirements and agreements with certain exchanges and third party broker-dealers, each party has requirements to deliver/deposit securities as collateral for certain investments (e.g., swaps). As part of these agreements, when the value of these investments achieves a previously agreed upon value (minimum transfer amount), each party may be required to deliver additional collateral.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are entered into (the trade dates). Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Each Fund amortizes all premiums and discounts on debt securities.

Dividends and Distributions: Dividends from net investment income are declared and paid monthly. Distributions of capital gains are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. If the total dividends and distributions made in any tax year exceed net investment income and accumulated realized capital gains, a portion of the total distribution may be treated as a tax return of capital.

Income Taxes: It is each Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax may be imposed on interest, dividends and capital gains at various rates.

Each Fund files US federal and various state and local tax returns. No income tax returns are currently under examination. The statute of limitations on the Funds’ US federal tax returns remains open for each of the three years

 

 

 


56

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009




 


 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

ended May 31, 2008 and the period ended February 28, 2009 for Corporate High Yield and Corporate High Yield III, and for each of the four years ended February 28, 2009 for Debt Strategies, Floating Rate Income Strategies II and Senior High Income. The statutes of limitations on the Funds’ state and local tax returns may remain open for an additional year depending upon the jurisdiction.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement: In June 2009, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 166, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets — an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140” (“FAS 166”), was issued. FAS 166 is intended to improve the relevance, representational faithfulness and comparability of the information that a reporting entity provides in its financial statements about a transfer of financial assets; the effects of a transfer on its financial position, financial performance, and cash flows; and a transferor’s continuing involvement, if any, in transferred financial assets. FAS 166 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2009. Earlier application is prohibited. The recognition and measurement provisions of FAS 166 must be applied to transfers occurring on or after the effective date. Additionally, the disclosure provisions of FAS 166 should be applied to transfers that occurred both before and after the effective date of FAS 166. The impact of FAS 166 on the Funds’ financial statement disclosures, if any, is currently being assessed.

Deferred Compensation and BlackRock Closed-End Share Equivalent Investment Plan: Under the deferred compensation plan approved by each Fund’s Board, non-interested Directors (“Independent Directors”) may defer a portion of their annual complex-wide compensation. Deferred amounts earn an approximate return as though equivalent dollar amounts have been invested in common shares of other certain BlackRock Closed-End Funds selected by the Independent Directors. This has approximately the same economic effect for the Independent Directors as if the Independent Directors had invested the deferred amounts directly in other certain BlackRock Closed-End Funds.

The deferred compensation plan is not funded and obligations thereunder represent general unsecured claims against the general assets of each Fund. Each Fund may, however, elect to invest in Common Shares of other certain BlackRock Closed-End Funds selected by the Independent Directors in order to match its deferred compensation obligations. Investments to cover each Fund’s deferred compensation liability, if any, are included in other assets in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Dividends and distributions from the BlackRock Closed-End Fund investments under the plan are included in income — affiliated in the Statements of Operations.

Other: Expenses directly related to a Fund are charged to that Fund. Other operating expenses shared by several funds are pro-rated among those funds on the basis of relative net assets or other appropriate methods.

2. Derivative Financial Instruments:

The Funds may engage in various portfolio investment strategies both to increase the returns of the Funds and to economically hedge, or protect, their exposure to certain risks such as credit risk, equity risk, interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange rate risk. Losses may arise if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the value of the underlying security or if the counterparty does not perform under the contract. The Funds may mitigate counterparty risk through master netting agreements included within an International Swap and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) Master Agreement between a Fund and each of its counterparties. The ISDA Master Agreement allows each Fund to offset with its counterparty certain derivative financial instrument’s payables and/or receivables with collateral held with each counterparty. The amount of collateral moved to/from applicable coun-terparties is based upon minimum transfer amounts of up to $500,000. To the extent amounts due to the Funds from their counterparties are not fully collateralized contractually or otherwise, the Funds bear the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance. See Note 1 “Segregation and Collateralization” for information with respect to collateral practices.

The Funds’ maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk on over-the-counter derivatives is generally the aggregate unrealized gain in excess of any collateral pledged by the counterparty to the Funds. For over-the-counter purchased options, the Funds bear the risk of loss in the amount of the premiums paid and change in market value of the options should the counter-party not perform under the contracts. Options written by the Funds do not give rise to counterparty credit risk, as written options obligate the Funds to perform and not the counterparty. Certain ISDA Master Agreements allow counterparties to over-the-counter derivatives to terminate derivative contracts prior to maturity in the event a Fund’s net assets decline by a stated percentage or a Fund fails to meet the terms of its ISDA Master Agreements, which would cause the Fund to accelerate payment of any net liability owed to the counterparty. Counterparty risk related to exchange-traded options is minimal because of the protection against defaults provided by the exchange on which they trade.

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts: The Funds may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts as an economic hedge against either specific transactions or portfolio positions (foreign currency exchange rate risk). A foreign currency exchange contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set exchange rate on a future date. Foreign currency exchange contracts, when used by a Fund, help to manage the overall exposure to the foreign currency backing some of the investments held by a Fund. The contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded by a Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. When the contract is closed, a Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. The use of foreign currency exchange contracts involves the risk that counterparties may not meet the terms of the agreement or unfavorable movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the US dollar.

Options: The Funds may purchase and write call and put options to increase or decrease their exposure to underlying instruments. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right (but not the obligation) to buy, and obligates the seller to sell (when the option is exercised), the underlying instrument at the exercise price at any time or at a specified time during the option period. A put option gives the holder the right to sell and obligates the writer to buy the underlying instrument at the exercise price at any time or at a specified time during the option period. When a Fund purchases (writes) an option, an amount equal to the premium paid (received) a Fund is reflected as an asset (liability) and an equivalent liability (asset). The amount of the asset (liability) is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option purchased (written). When an instrument is purchased

 

 

 

 


 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

57




 


 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

or sold through an exercise of an option, the related premium paid (or received) is added to (or deducted from) the basis of the instrument acquired or deducted from (or added to) the proceeds of the instrument sold. When an option expires (or a Fund enters into a closing transaction), a Fund realizes a gain or loss on the option to the extent of the premiums received or paid (or gain or loss to the extent the cost of the closing transaction exceeds the premium received or paid). When a Fund writes a call option, such option is “covered,” meaning that a Fund holds the underlying instrument subject to being called by the option counterparty, or cash in an amount sufficient to cover the obligation. When a Fund writes a put option, such option is covered by cash in an amount sufficient to cover the obligation.

In purchasing and writing options, a Fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the value of the underlying instrument or the risk that the Funds may not be able to enter into a closing transaction due to an illiquid market. Exercise of a written option could result in the Funds purchasing a security at a price different from the current market value. The Funds may execute transactions in both listed and over-the-counter options.

Swaps: The Funds may enter into swap agreements, in which a Fund and a counterparty agree to make periodic net payments on a specified notional amount. These periodic payments received or made by the Funds are recorded in the Statements of Operations as realized gains or losses, respectively. Swaps are marked-to-market daily and changes in value are recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation). When the swap is terminated, the Fund will record a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transaction and the Fund’s basis in the contract, if any. Swap transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of interest rate, credit and market risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreements may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of the contractual terms in the agreements, and that there may be unfavorable changes in interest rates and/or market values associated with these transactions.

 

 

Credit default swaps — The Funds may enter into credit default swaps to manage their exposure to the market or certain sectors of the market, to reduce its risk exposure to defaults of corporate and/or sovereign issuers or to create exposure to corporate and/or sovereign issuers to which it is not otherwise exposed (credit risk). The Funds enter into credit default agreements to provide a measure of protection against the default of an issuer (as buyer of protection) and/or gain credit exposure to an issuer to which it is not otherwise exposed (as seller of protection). The Funds may either buy or sell (write) credit default swaps on single-name issuers (corporate or sovereign) or traded indexes. Credit default swaps on single-name issuers are agreements in which the buyer pays fixed periodic payments to the seller in consideration for a guarantee from the seller to make a specific payment should a negative credit event take place (e.g., bankruptcy, failure to pay, obligation accelerators, repudiation, moratorium or restructuring). Credit default swaps on traded indexes are agreements in which the buyer pays fixed periodic payments to the seller in consideration for a guarantee from the seller to make a specific payment should a write-down, principal or interest shortfall or default of all or individual underlying securities included in the index occurs. As a buyer, a Fund will either receive from the seller an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and deliver the referenced security or underlying securities comprising of an index or receive a net settlement of cash equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the security or underlying securities comprising of an index. As a seller (writer), a Fund will either pay the buyer an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and take delivery of the referenced security or underlying securities comprising of an index or pay a net settlement of cash equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the security or underlying securities comprising of an index.


 

 

 


58

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009



 


 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

Derivatives Not Accounted for as Hedging Instruments under Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Values of Derivative Instruments as of August 31, 2009*


 

 

Asset Derivatives

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

COY

 

CYE

 

DSU

 

FRB

 

ARK

 

 

 













 

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities Location

 

Value

 







Foreign currency exchange contracts

 

Unrealized appreciation on foreign currency exchange contracts

 

$

8,514

 

$

8,787

 

$

14,522

 

$

24,608

 

$

4,432

 

Credit contracts

 

Unrealized appreciation on swaps

 

 

424,847

 

 

48,435

 

 

39,105

 

 

 

 

 

Equity contracts

 

Investments at value — unaffiliated

 

 

17,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,000

 

 

 




















Total

 

 

 

$

450,361

 

$

57,222

 

$

53,627

 

$

35,608

 

$

4,432

 

 

 

 

 

















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

Liability Derivatives

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

COY

 

CYE

 

DSU

 

FRB

 

ARK

 

 

 













 

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities Location

 

Value

 







Foreign currency exchange contracts

 

Unrealized depreciation on foreign currency exchange contracts

 

$

305,379

 

$

328,793

 

$

337,671

 

$

207,126

 

 

 

Credit contracts

 

Unrealized depreciation on swaps

 

 

703,291

 

 

714,958

 

 

1,604,734

 

 

687,906

 

$

1,167,130

 




















Total

 

 

 

$

1,008,670

 

$

1,043,751

 

$

1,942,405

 

$

895,032

 

$

1,167,130

 

 

 

 

 

















 

 

 

 

*

For open derivative instruments as of August 31, 2009, see the Schedule of Investments, which is also indicative of activity for the six months ended August 31, 2009.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statements of Operations
Year Ended August 31, 2009


Net Realized Gain (Loss) From Derivatives Recognized in Income













 

 

COY

 

CYE

 

DSU

 

FRB

 

ARK

 

 

 











Foreign currency exchange contracts

 

$

(617,619

)

$

(661,372

)

$

(769,955

)

$

(623,206

)

$

(65,836

)

Credit contracts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swaps

 

 

276,184

 

 

387,617

 

 

974,384

 

 

283,947

 

 

271,306

 


















Total

 

$

(341,435

)

$

(273,755

)

$

204,429

 

$

(339,259

)

$

205,470

 

 

 

















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation on Derivatives Recognized in Income


 

 

COY

 

CYE

 

DSU

 

FRB

 

ARK

 

 

 











Foreign currency exchange contracts

 

$

(583,791

)

$

(623,902

)

$

(625,053

)

$

(432,478

)

$

(6,971

)

Credit contracts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swaps

 

 

3,021,095

 

 

2,859,061

 

 

(3,024,391

)

 

2,212,257

 

 

(716,431

)

Equity contracts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options

 

 

(10,455

)

 

 

 

 

 

(6,765

)

 

 


















Total

 

$

2,426,849

 

$

2,235,159

 

$

(3,649,444

)

$

1,773,014

 

$

(723,402

)

 

 
















3. Investment Advisory Agreement and Other Transactions with Affiliates:

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”) and Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”) are the largest stockholders of BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). Due to the ownership structure, PNC is an affiliate for 1940 Act purposes, but BAC is not.

Each Fund entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”), the Funds’ investment advisor, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock, to provide investment advisory and administration services.

The Manager is responsible for the management of each Fund’s portfolio and provides the necessary personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary to the operations of each Fund. For such services, each Fund pays the Manager a monthly fee at the following annual rates of the average daily value of each Fund’s net assets, plus the proceeds of any outstanding borrowings used for leverage:

 

 

 

 





COY

 

0.50

%

CYE

 

0.60

%

DSU

 

0.60

%

FRB

 

0.75

%

ARK

 

0.50

%






 

 

 




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

59




 


 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

The Manager has entered into a separate sub-advisory agreement with BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (“BFM”), an affiliate of the Manager, under which the Manager pays BFM, for services it provides, a monthly fee that is a percentage of the investment advisory fee paid by the Funds to the Manager.

The Manager has agreed to waive its advisory fee by the amount of investment advisory fees the Funds pay to the Manager indirectly through its investment in affiliated money market funds. This amount is shown as fees waived by advisor in the Statements of Operations.

For the six months ended August 31, 2009, the Funds reimbursed the Manager for certain accounting services, which are included in accounting services in the Statements of Operations were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 






 

 

 

Reimbursement
to Manager

 






COY

 

 

$2,181

 

CYE

 

 

$2,242

 

DSU

 

 

$4,232

 

FRB

 

 

$1,528

 

ARK

 

 

$1,979

 






Certain officers and/or directors of the Funds are officers and/or directors of BlackRock or its affiliates. The Funds reimburse the Manager for compensation paid to the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer.

4. Investments:

Purchases and sales (including paydowns) of investments, excluding short-term securities, for the six months ended August 31, 2009 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







 

 

Purchases

 

Sales

 







COY

 

$

86,948,446

 

$

84,639,100

 

CYE

 

$

97,047,976

 

$

91,160,449

 

DSU

 

$

115,195,401

 

$

148,776,628

 

FRB

 

$

52,942,447

 

$

49,540,382

 

ARK

 

$

66,767,286

 

$

86,318,320

 









5. Market and Credit Risk:

In the normal course of business, the Funds invest in securities and enter into transactions where risks exist due to fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of the issuer of a security to meet all its obligations (credit risk). The value of securities held by the Funds may decline in response to certain events, including those directly involving the issuers whose securities are owned by the Funds; conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; and currency and interest rate and price fluctuations. Similar to credit risk, the Funds may be exposed to counterparty risk, or the risk that an entity with which the Funds have unsettled or open transactions may default. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Funds to credit and counter-party risks, consist principally of investments and cash due from counterpar-ties. The extent of the Funds’ exposure to credit and counterparty risks with respect to these financial assets is approximated by their value recorded in the Funds’ Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

6. Capital Share Transactions:

Each Fund is authorized to issue 200 million shares, par value $0.10 per share, all of which were initially classified as Common Shares. At August 31, 2009, the shares owned by affiliates of the Manager of Floating Rate Income Strategies II were 8,182. The Board is authorized, however, to classify and reclassify any unissued shares without approval of shareholders. Shares issued and outstanding during the six months ended August 31, 2009 and the period ended February 28, 2009 increased by the following amounts as a result of dividend reinvestment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 







 

 

August 31,
2009

 

February 28,
2009

 







COY

 

41,825

 

 

 

 

CYE

 

2,744

 

 

 

 

DSU

 

289,050

 

 

499,727

 

 

ARK

 

 

 

75,664

 

 









Shares issued and outstanding remained constant for COY and CYE for the year ended May 31, 2008 and for FRB for the six months ended August 31, 2009 and the year ended February 28, 2009.

7. Commitments:

The Funds may invest in floating rate loans. In connection with these investments, the Funds may also enter into unfunded corporate loans (“commitments”). Commitments may obligate the Funds to furnish temporary financing to a borrower until permanent financing can be arranged. As of August 31, 2009, the Funds had the following unfunded loan commitments:

DSU

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Borrower

 

 

Unfunded
Commitment
(000)

 

 

Value of
Underlying Loans
(000)

 









Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises, Inc., Debtor in Possession Term Loan

 

 

$697

 

 

$666

 

Big West Oil LLC, Delayed Advance Loan

 

 

$162

 

 

$149

 









FRB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Borrower

 

 

Unfunded
Commitment
(000)

 

 

Value of
Underlying Loans
(000)

 









Big West Oil, LLC, Initial Advance Loan

 

 

$441

 

 

$407

 

Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises, Inc., Debtor in Possession Term Loan

 

 

$403

 

 

$384

 

Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc.

 

 

$370

 

 

$346

 









ARK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Borrower

 

 

Unfunded
Commitment
(000)

 

 

Value of
Underlying Loans
(000)

 









Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises, Inc., Debtor in Possession Term Loan

 

 

$398

 

 

$380

 










 

 

 




60

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009




 


 

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

8. Borrowings:

On May 16, 2008, the Funds renewed their revolving credit and security Agreements (“Citicorp Agreement”) pursuant to a commercial paper asset securitization program with Citicorp North America, Inc. (“Citicorp”), as Agent, certain secondary backstop lenders and certain asset securitization conduits, as lenders (the “Lenders”). The agreement was renewed for one year and at the time of renewal had maximum limits as follows:

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

Maximum Limit

 





COY

 

$

135,000,000

 

CYE

 

$

143,000,000

 

DSU

 

$

309,000,000

 

FRB

 

$

88,000,000

 

ARK

 

$

148,000,000

 






Under the Citicorp Agreement, the conduits funded advances to each Fund through the issuance of highly rated commercial paper as shown in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as loan payable. Each Fund had granted a security interest in substantially all of its assets to, and in favor of, the Lenders as security for its obligations to the Lenders. The interest rate on each Fund’s borrowings was based on the interest rate carried by the commercial paper plus a program fee. In addition, each Fund paid a liquidity fee to the secondary backstop lenders and the agent. Under the Citicorp Agreement, the Funds were subject to certain conditions and covenants, which included among other things limitations on asset declines over prescribed time periods. As a result of the decline in net assets attributable to market conditions, certain terms of the facility were renegotiated effective December 5, 2008, for COY, CYE, DSU and ARK and effective December 31, 2008 for FRB, which included waivers of certain financial covenants by the Lenders, an increase in program and liquidity fees under the facility and a reduction of the maximum limits to as follows:

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

Maximum Limit

 





COY

 

$

81,000,000

 

CYE

 

$

85,000,000

 

DSU

 

$

174,000,000

 

FRB

 

$

88,000,000

 

ARK

 

$

91,000,000

 






On March 5, 2009, the Funds terminated their revolving credit agreement with Citicorp and entered into a senior committed secured, 364-day revolving line of credit and a separate security agreement (the “SSB Agreement”) with State Street Bank and Fund Company (“SSB”). The SSB Agreement has the same maximum limits as the renegotiated limits under the Citigroup Agreement except for DSU which was lowered to $135,000,000 and FRB which lowered to $58,000,000. The Funds have granted a security interest in substantially all of its assets to SSB.

Advances are made by SSB to the Funds, at the Funds option (a) the higher of 1.0% above the Fed Effective Rate or 1.0% above the Overnight LIBOR Rate and (b) 1.0% above 7-day, 30-day, or 60-day LIBOR Rate. In addition, the Funds pay a facility fee and a commitment fee based upon SSBs total commitment to the Funds. The fees associated with each of the agreements are included in the Statements of Operations as borrowing costs. Advances to the Funds as of August 31, 2009 are shown in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as loan payable.

The Funds may not declare dividends or make other distributions on shares or purchase any such shares if, at the time of the declaration, distribution or purchase, asset coverage with respect to the outstanding short-term borrowings is less than 300%.

For the six months ended August 31, 2009, the daily weighted average interest rates under the revolving credit agreement were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 






 

 

 

Daily Weighted
Average
Interest Rate

 






COY

 

 

1.29%

 

CYE

 

 

1.30%

 

DSU

 

 

1.30%

 

FRB

 

 

1.29%

 

ARK

 

 

1.30%

 







 

 

 




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

61




 


 

Notes to Financial Statements (concluded)

9. Capital Loss Carryforwards:

As of February 28, 2009, the Funds had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains through the indicated expiration dates:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 













Expires February 28,

 

COY

 

CYE

 

DSU

 

FRB

 

ARK

 













2010

 

$

33,478,307

 

$

52,918,036

 

$

90,564,493

 

 

 

$

54,958,583

 

2011

 

 

77,885,783

 

 

119,513,437

 

 

85,285,305

 

 

 

 

30,706,546

 

2012

 

 

6,647,369

 

 

1,938,881

 

 

17,223,475

 

 

 

 

22,345,071

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

21,126,025

 

 

 

 

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,233,987

 

$

203,838

 

 

4,906,362

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,578,574

 

 

1,315,945

 

 

1,585,622

 

2016

 

 

454,146

 

 

363,401

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

23,362,414

 

 

24,709,530

 

 

56,690,782

 

 

12,168,927

 

 

27,675,242

 

 

 
















Total

 

$

141,828,019

 

$

199,443,285

 

$

294,702,641

 

$

13,688,710

 

$

142,177,426

 

 

 
















10. Subsequent Events:

Each Fund paid a net investment income dividend on September 30, 2009 to shareholders of record on September 15, 2009 as follows:

 

 

 

 

 






 

 

 

Common Dividend
Per Share

 






COY

 

 

$0.061

 

CYE

 

 

$0.055

 

DSU

 

 

$0.031

 

FRB

 

 

$0.081

 

ARK

 

 

$0.025

 






Management’s evaluation of the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds’ financial statements was completed through October 29, 2009, the date the financial statements were issued.

 

 

 




62

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009



 


 

Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreements and Sub-Advisory Agreements

The Board of Directors (each, a “Board” and, collectively, the “Boards,” and the members of which are referred to as “Board Members”) of each of BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. (“COY”), BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. (“CYE”), BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (“DSU”), BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund II, Inc. (“FRB”) and BlackRock Senior High Income Fund, Inc. (“ARK” and together with COY, CYE, DSU and FRB, each a “Fund,” and, collectively, the “Funds”) met on April 14, 2009 and May 28 – 29, 2009 to consider the approval of its respective Fund’s investment advisory agreement (each, an “Advisory Agreement”) with BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”), each Fund’s investment advisor. Each Board also considered the approval of the sub-advisory agreement (each, a “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) between its respective Fund, the Manager and BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (the “Sub-Advisor”). The Manager and the Sub-Advisor are referred to herein as “BlackRock.” The Advisory Agreements and the Sub-Advisory Agreements are referred to herein as the “Agreements.” Unless otherwise indicated, references to actions taken by the “Board” or the “Boards” shall mean each Board acting independently with respect to its respective Fund.

Activities and Composition of the Boards

Each Board consists of twelve individuals, ten of whom are not “interested persons” of the Funds as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (the “Independent Board Members”). The Board Members of each Fund are responsible for the oversight of the operations of such Fund and perform the various duties imposed on the directors of investment companies by the 1940 Act. The Independent Board Members have retained independent legal counsel to assist them in connection with their duties. The Chairman of each Board is an Independent Board Member. Each Board has established five standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Governance and Nominating Committee, a Compliance Committee, a Performance Oversight Committee and an Executive Committee, each of which is composed of Independent Board Members (except for the Executive Committee, which has one interested Board Member) and is chaired by an Independent Board Member. In addition, each Board has established an Ad Hoc Committee on Auction Market Preferred Shares.

The Agreements

Pursuant to the 1940 Act, each Board is required to consider the continuation of the Agreements on an annual basis. In connection with this process, each Board assessed, among other things, the nature, scope and quality of the services provided to its respective Fund by the personnel of BlackRock and its affiliates, including investment management, administrative and shareholder services, oversight of fund accounting and custody, marketing services and assistance in meeting applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Throughout the year, the Boards, acting directly and through their committees, consider at each of their meetings factors that are relevant to their annual consideration of the renewal of the Agreements, including the services and support provided by BlackRock to the Funds and their shareholders. Among the matters the Boards considered were: (a) investment performance for one-, three- and five-year periods, as applicable, against peer funds, and applicable benchmarks, if any, as well as senior management and portfolio managers’ analysis of the reasons for any outperformance or underperformance against its peers; (b) fees, including advisory and other amounts paid to BlackRock and its affiliates by the Funds for services such as call center and fund accounting; (c) the Funds’ operating expenses; (d) the resources devoted to, and compliance reports relating to, the Funds’ investment objectives, policies and restrictions; (e) the Funds’ compliance with their Code of Ethics and compliance policies and procedures; (f) the nature, cost and character of non-investment management services provided by BlackRock and its affiliates; (g) BlackRock’s and other service providers’ internal controls; (h) BlackRock’s implementation of the proxy voting policies approved by the Boards; (i) execution quality of portfolio transactions; (j) BlackRock’s implementation of the Funds’ valuation and liquidity procedures; and (k) periodic updates on BlackRock’s business.

Board Considerations in Approving the Agreements

The Approval Process: Prior to the April 14, 2009 meeting, each Board requested and received materials specifically relating to the Agreements. Each Board is engaged in an ongoing process with BlackRock to continuously review the nature and scope of the information provided to better assist their deliberations. The materials provided in connection with the April meeting included: (a) information independently compiled and prepared by Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”) on Fund fees and expenses, and the investment performance of each Fund as compared with a peer group of funds as determined by Lipper (collectively, “Peers”); (b) information on the profitability of the Agreements to BlackRock and a discussion of fall-out benefits to BlackRock and its affiliates and significant shareholders; (c) a general analysis provided by BlackRock concerning investment advisory fees charged to other clients, such as institutional clients and open-end funds, under similar investment mandates, as well as the performance of such other clients; (d) the impact of economies of scale; (e) a summary of aggregate amounts paid by each Fund to BlackRock; and (f) an internal comparison of management fees classified by Lipper, if applicable.

 

 

 




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

63




 


 

Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreements and Sub-Advisory Agreements (continued)

At an in-person meeting held on April 14, 2009, each Board reviewed materials relating to its consideration of the Agreements. As a result of the discussions that occurred during the April 14, 2009 meeting, the Boards presented BlackRock with questions and requests for additional information and BlackRock responded to these requests with additional written information in advance of the May 28 – 29, 2009 Board meeting.

At an in-person meeting held on May 28 – 29, 2009, each Fund’s Board, including the Independent Board Members, unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement between the Manager and such Fund and the Sub-Advisory Agreement between such Fund, the Manager and the Sub-Advisor, each for a one-year term ending June 30, 2010. The Boards considered all factors they believed relevant with respect to the Funds, including, among other factors: (a) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BlackRock; (b) the investment performance of the Funds and BlackRock portfolio management; (c) the advisory fee and the cost of the services and profits to be realized by BlackRock and certain affiliates from the relationship with the Funds; (d) economies of scale; and (e) other factors.

Each Board also considered other matters it deemed important to the approval process, such as services related to the valuation and pricing of its respective Fund’s portfolio holdings, direct and indirect benefits to BlackRock and its affiliates and significant shareholders from their relationship with such Fund and advice from independent legal counsel with respect to the review process and materials submitted for the Board’s review. The Boards noted the willingness of BlackRock personnel to engage in open, candid discussions with the Boards. The Boards did not identify any particular information as controlling, and each Board Member may have attributed different weights to the various items considered.

A. Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services: Each Board, including its Independent Board Members, reviewed the nature, extent and quality of services provided by BlackRock, including the investment advisory services and the resulting performance of its respective Fund. Throughout the year, each Board compared its respective Fund’s performance to the performance of a comparable group of closed-end funds, and the performance of at least one relevant benchmark, if any. The Boards met with BlackRock’s senior management personnel responsible for investment operations, including the senior investment officers. Each Board also reviewed the materials provided by its respective Fund’s portfolio management team discussing such Fund’s performance and such Fund’s investment objective, strategies and outlook.

Each Board considered, among other factors, the number, education and experience of BlackRock’s investment personnel generally and its respective Fund’s portfolio management team, investments by portfolio managers in the funds they manage, BlackRock’s portfolio trading capabilities, BlackRock’s use of technology, BlackRock’s commitment to compliance and BlackRock’s approach to training and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory and management personnel. Each Board also reviewed a general description of BlackRock’s compensation structure with respect to its respective Fund’s portfolio management team and BlackRock’s ability to attract and retain high-quality talent.

In addition to advisory services, each Board considered the quality of the administrative and non-investment advisory services provided to its respective Fund. BlackRock and its affiliates and significant shareholders provide the Funds with certain administrative and other services (in addition to any such services provided to the Funds by third parties) and officers and other personnel as are necessary for the operations of the Funds. In addition to investment advisory services, BlackRock and its affiliates provide the Funds with other services, including: (i) preparing disclosure documents, such as the prospectus and the statement of additional information in connection with the initial public offering and periodic shareholder reports; (ii) preparing communications with analysts to support secondary market trading of the Funds; (iii) assisting with daily accounting and pricing; (iv) preparing periodic filings with regulators and stock exchanges; (v) overseeing and coordinating the activities of other service providers; (vi) organizing Board meetings and preparing the materials for such Board meetings; (vii) providing legal and compliance support; and (viii) performing other administrative functions necessary for the operation of the Funds, such as tax reporting, fulfilling regulatory filing requirements, and call center services. The Boards reviewed the structure and duties of BlackRock’s fund administration, accounting, legal and compliance departments and considered BlackRock’s policies and procedures for assuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

B. The Investment Performance of the Funds and BlackRock: Each Board, including its Independent Board Members, also reviewed and considered the performance history of its respective Fund. In preparation for the April 14, 2009 meeting, the Boards were provided with reports, independently prepared by Lipper, which included a comprehensive analysis of each Fund’s performance. The Boards also reviewed a narrative and statistical analysis of the Lipper data that was prepared by BlackRock, which analyzed various factors that affect Lipper’s rankings. In connection with its review, each Board received and reviewed information regarding the investment performance of its respective Fund as compared to a representative group of similar funds as determined by Lipper and to all funds in such Fund’s applicable Lipper category. Each Board was provided with a description of the methodology used by Lipper to select peer funds. Each Board regularly reviews the performance of its respective Fund throughout the year.

 

 

 




64

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009




 


 

Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreements and Sub-Advisory Agreements (continued)

The Board of COY noted that although COY underperformed its Peers in at least two of the one-, three- and five-year periods reported, such underper-formance was not greater than 10% of the median return of its Peers for any of the periods. The Board concluded that BlackRock was committed to providing the resources necessary to assist the portfolio managers and to continue improving COY’s performance. Based on its review, the Board generally was satisfied with BlackRock’s efforts to manage COY.

The Board of CYE noted that CYE performed below the median of its Lipper performance universe in the one-, three- and five-year periods reported. The Board and BlackRock reviewed the reasons for CYE’s underperformance during these periods compared with its Peers. The Board was informed that, among other things, exposure to senior bank loans negatively impacted returns. Additionally, CYE’s underweight to BB-rated credits and overweight to CCC-rated credits subtracted from returns as higher quality below investment-grade bonds strongly outperformed their lower quality counterparts.

The Board of DSU noted that DSU performed below the median of its Lipper performance universe in the one-, three- and five-year periods reported. The Board and BlackRock reviewed the reasons for DSU’S underperformance during these periods compared with its Peers. The Board was informed that, among other things, the pressure on bank loan and high yield prices during the period negatively impacted performance.

The Board of ARK noted that ARK performed below the median of its Lipper performance universe in the one-, three- and five-year periods reported. The Board and BlackRock reviewed the reasons for ARK’s underperformance during these periods compared with its Peers. The Board was informed that, among other things, ARK was underweight higher-rated BB-rated securities as a function of its bottom-up security selection process, which impacted performance as higher-rated credits outperformed lower-rated ones by a substantial margin.

For CYE, DSU and ARK, the Board of each respective Fund and BlackRock discussed BlackRock’s commitment to providing the resources necessary to assist the portfolio managers and to improve each such Fund’s performance.

The Board of FRB noted that in general FRB performed better than its Peers in that FRB’s performance was at or above the median of its Lipper Performance Universe in each of the one-year, three-year and since inception periods reported.

C. Consideration of the Advisory Fees and the Cost of the Services and Profits to be realized by BlackRock and its Affiliates from their Relationship with the Funds: Each Board, including its Independent Board Members, reviewed its respective Fund’s contractual advisory fee rates compared with the other funds in its respective Lipper category. Each Board also compared its respective Fund’s total expenses, as well as actual management fees, to those of other comparable funds. Each Board considered the services provided and the fees charged by BlackRock to other types of clients with similar investment mandates, including separately managed institutional accounts.

The Boards received and reviewed statements relating to BlackRock’s financial condition and profitability with respect to the services it provided the Funds. The Boards were also provided with a profitability analysis that detailed the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by BlackRock for services provided to the Funds. The Boards reviewed BlackRock’s profitability with respect to the Funds and other funds the Boards currently oversee for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to available aggregate profitability data provided for the year ended December 31, 2007. The Boards reviewed BlackRock’s profitability with respect to other fund complexes managed by the Manager and/or its affiliates. The Boards reviewed BlackRock’s assumptions and methodology of allocating expenses in the profitability analysis, noting the inherent limitations in allocating costs among various advisory products. The Boards recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors including, among other things, fee waivers by the Manager, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix, and therefore comparability of profitability is somewhat limited.

The Boards noted that, in general, individual fund or product line profitability of other advisors is not publicly available. Nevertheless, to the extent such information is available, the Boards considered BlackRock’s overall operating margin compared to the operating margin for leading investment management firms whose operations include advising closed-end funds, among other product types. The comparison indicated that operating margins for BlackRock with respect to its registered funds are generally consistent with margins earned by similarly situated publicly traded competitors. In addition, the Boards considered, among other things, certain third-party data comparing BlackRock’s operating margin with that of other publicly-traded asset management firms, which concluded that larger asset bases do not, in themselves, translate to higher profit margins.

In addition, the Boards considered the cost of the services provided to the Funds by BlackRock, and BlackRock’s and its affiliates’ profits relating to the management and distribution of the Funds and the other funds advised by BlackRock and its affiliates. As part of their analysis, the Boards reviewed BlackRock’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Funds. The Boards also considered whether BlackRock has the financial resources necessary to attract and retain high-quality investment management personnel to perform its obligations under the Agreements and to continue to provide the high quality of services that is expected by the Boards.

Each Board noted that its respective Fund paid contractual management fees, which do not take into account any expense reimbursement or fee waivers, lower than or equal to the median contractual management fees paid by such Fund’s Peers.

D. Economies of Scale: Each Board, including its Independent Board Members, considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of its respective Fund increase and whether there should be changes in the advisory fee rate or structure in order to enable such Fund to participate in these economies of scale, for example through the use of breakpoints in the advisory fee based upon the assets of such Fund. The Boards considered that the funds in the BlackRock fund complex share some common resources and, as a result, an increase in the overall size of the complex could permit each fund to incur lower expenses than it would otherwise as a stand-alone entity. The Boards also considered BlackRock’s overall operations and its efforts to expand the scale of, and improve the quality of, its operations.

 

 

 




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

65




 


 

Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreements and Sub-Advisory Agreements (concluded)

The Boards noted that most closed-end fund complexes do not have fund level breakpoints because closed-end funds generally do not experience substantial growth after the initial public offering and each fund is managed independently, consistent with its own investment objectives. The Boards noted that only one closed-end fund in the Fund Complex has breakpoints in its fee structure. Information provided by Lipper also revealed that only one closed-end fund complex used a complex-level breakpoint structure.

E. Other Factors: The Boards also took into account other ancillary or “fallout” benefits that BlackRock or its affiliates and significant shareholders may derive from their relationship with the Funds, both tangible and intangible, such as BlackRock’s ability to leverage its investment professionals who manage other portfolios, an increase in BlackRock’s profile in the investment advisory community, and the engagement of BlackRock’s affiliates and significant shareholders as service providers to the Funds, including for administrative and distribution services. The Boards also noted that BlackRock may use third-party research obtained by soft dollars generated by certain mutual fund transactions to assist itself in managing all or a number of its other client accounts.

In connection with their consideration of the Agreements, the Boards also received information regarding BlackRock’s brokerage and soft dollar practices. The Boards received reports from BlackRock, which included information on brokerage commissions and trade execution practices throughout the year.

Conclusion

Each Board, including its Independent Board Members, unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement between its respective Fund and the Manager for a one-year term ending June 30, 2010 and the Sub-Advisory Agreement between such Fund, the Manager and Sub-Advisor for a one-year term ending June 30, 2010. Based upon its evaluation of all these factors in their totality, each Board, including its Independent Board Members, was satisfied that the terms of the Agreements were fair and reasonable and in the best interest of its respective Fund and its shareholders. In arriving at a decision to approve the Agreements, each Board did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all-important or controlling, but considered all factors together, and different Board Members may have attributed different weights to the various factors considered. The Independent Board Members were also assisted by the advice of independent legal counsel in making this determination. The contractual fee arrangements for each Fund reflects the results of several years of review by such Fund’s Board Members and predecessor Board Members, and discussions between such Board Members (and predecessor Board Members) and BlackRock. Certain aspects of the arrangements may be the subject of more attention in some years than in others, and the Board Members’ conclusions may be based in part on their consideration of these arrangements in prior years.

 

 

 




66

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009




 


 

Officers and Directors

 

Richard E. Cavanagh, Chairman of the Board and Director

Karen P. Robards, Vice Chair of the Board, Chair of the Audit Committee and Director

G. Nicholas Beckwith, III, Director

Richard S. Davis, Director

Kent Dixon, Director

Frank J. Fabozzi, Director

Kathleen F. Feldstein, Director

James T. Flynn, Director

Henry Gabbay, Director

Jerrold B. Harris, Director

R. Glenn Hubbard, Director

W. Carl Kester, Director

Anne F. Ackerley, Fund President and Chief Executive Officer

Brendan Kyne, Vice President

Neal J. Andrews, Chief Financial Officer

Jay M. Fife, Treasurer

Brian P. Kindelan, Chief Compliance Officer of the Funds

Howard B. Surloff, Secretary

 

Investment Advisor

BlackRock Advisors, LLC

Wilmington, DE 19809

 

Sub-Advisor

BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.

New York, NY 10022

 

Custodians

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.1

Brooklyn, NY 11245

 

State Street Bank and Trust Company2

Boston, MA 02101

 

The Bank of New York Mellon3

New York, NY 10286

 

Transfer Agents

BNY Mellon Shareowner Services3

Jersey City, NJ 07310

 

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.1,2

Providence, RI 02940

 

Accounting Agent

State Street Bank and Trust Company

Princeton, NJ 08540

 

Legal Counsel

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

New York, NY 10036

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Princeton, NJ 08540

 

Address of the Funds

100 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

 

1         For COY.

 

2         For CYE and FRB.

 

3         For DSU and ARK.


 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Effective July 31, 2009, Donald C. Burke, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Funds retired. The Funds’ Board of Directors wishes Mr. Burke well in his retirement.

 

 

 

 

 

Effective August 1, 2009, Anne F. Ackerley became President and Chief Executive Officer of the Funds, and Brendan Kyne became Vice President of the Funds.

 

 

 

 

 


 


 

 

 




SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

67



 


 

Additional Information

 


Proxy Results


The Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on August 26, 2009 for stockholders of record on June 29, 2009 to elect director nominees of each Fund:

Approved the Directors as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





















 

 

G. Nicholas Beckwith, III

 

Richard E. Cavanagh

 

Richard S. Davis

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

Votes For

 

 

Votes
Withheld

 

 

Votes For

 

 

Votes
Withheld

 

 

Votes For

 

 

Votes
Withheld

 

 





















COY

 

26,670,834

 

 

1,648,421

 

 

26,722,046

 

 

1,597,209

 

 

26,777,710

 

 

1,541,545

 

 

CYE

 

28,776,142

 

 

1,387,718

 

 

28,770,167

 

 

1,393,693

 

 

28,870,031

 

 

1,293,829

 

 

DSU

 

88,758,407

 

 

3,699,027

 

 

88,878,010

 

 

3,579,424

 

 

88,952,077

 

 

3,505,357

 

 

FRB

 

7,977,862

 

 

228,382

 

 

7,971,452

 

 

234,792

 

 

7,988,624

 

 

217,620

 

 

ARK

 

47,083,324

 

 

1,913,792

 

 

47,135,216

 

 

1,861,900

 

 

47,059,502

 

 

1,937,614

 

 





















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kent Dixon

 

Frank J. Fabozzi

 

Kathleen F. Feldstein

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

Votes For

 

 

Votes
Withheld

 

 

Votes For

 

 

Votes
Withheld

 

 

Votes For

 

 

Votes
Withheld

 

 





















COY

 

26,638,222

 

 

1,681,033

 

 

26,774,192

 

 

1,545,063

 

 

26,549,392

 

 

1,769,863

 

 

CYE

 

28,823,011

 

 

1,340,849

 

 

28,867,410

 

 

1,296,450

 

 

28,711,394

 

 

1,452,466

 

 

DSU

 

88,671,374

 

 

3,786,060

 

 

88,895,092

 

 

3,562,342

 

 

88,368,815

 

 

4,088,619

 

 

FRB

 

7,950,205

 

 

256,039

 

 

7,972,163

 

 

234,081

 

 

7,970,077

 

 

236,167

 

 

ARK

 

47,071,664

 

 

1,925,452

 

 

47,095,945

 

 

1,901,171

 

 

46,972,864

 

 

2,024,252

 

 





















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James T. Flynn

 

Henry Gabbay

 

Jerrold B. Harris

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

Votes For

 

 

Votes
Withheld

 

 

Votes For

 

 

Votes
Withheld

 

 

Votes For

 

 

Votes
Withheld

 

 





















COY

 

26,495,906

 

 

1,823,349

 

 

26,697,583

 

 

1,621,672

 

 

26,627,684

 

 

1,691,571

 

 

CYE

 

28,777,421

 

 

1,386,439

 

 

28,885,028

 

 

1,278,832

 

 

28,847,723

 

 

1,316,137

 

 

DSU

 

88,674,548

 

 

3,782,886

 

 

88,911,501

 

 

3,545,933

 

 

88,653,555

 

 

3,803,879

 

 

FRB

 

7,985,949

 

 

220,295

 

 

7,979,862

 

 

226,382

 

 

7,990,624

 

 

215,620

 

 

ARK

 

47,046,551

 

 

1,950,565

 

 

47,078,056

 

 

1,919,060

 

 

46,996,096

 

 

2,001,020

 

 





















 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R. Glenn Hubbard

 

W. Carl Kester

 

Karen P. Robards

 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

Votes For

 

 

Votes
Withheld

 

 

Votes For

 

 

Votes
Withheld

 

 

Votes For

 

 

Votes
Withheld

 

 





















COY

 

26,725,170

 

 

1,594,085

 

 

26,732,347

 

 

1,586,908

 

 

26,658,979

 

 

1,660,276

 

 

CYE

 

28,812,143

 

 

1,351,717

 

 

28,865,727

 

 

1,298,133

 

 

28,741,180

 

 

1,422,680

 

 

DSU

 

88,821,475

 

 

3,635,959

 

 

88,897,867

 

 

3,559,567

 

 

88,660,254

 

 

3,797,180

 

 

FRB

 

7,972,788

 

 

233,456

 

 

7,980,365

 

 

225,879

 

 

7,980,573

 

 

225,671

 

 

ARK

 

47,110,141

 

 

1,886,975

 

 

47,096,675

 

 

1,900,441

 

 

47,171,393

 

 

1,825,723

 

 






















 


Portfolio Management Change


COY, CYE, DSU, FRB and ARK are managed by a team of financial professionals. The portfolio managers are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds’ portfolio. Effective May 8, 2009, James E. Keenan, Mitchell Garfin and Derek Schoenhofen are the portfolio managers for COY and CYE; Leland T. Hart, James E. Keenan and C. Adrian Marshall are the portfolio managers for DSU and ARK and Leland T. Hart and C. Adrian Marshall are the portfolio managers for FRA.

Mr. Garfin is Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009; Director thereof from 2005 to 2009 and Vice President from 2001 to 2005.

Mr. Hart is Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009; Partner of R3 Capital Partners in 2009 and Managing Director there of from 2008 to 2009; Managing Director of Lehman Brothers from 2006 to 2008 and Executive Director thereof of from 2003 to 2006.

Mr. Keenan is Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2008 and Director thereof from 2004 to 2008; Head of the Leveraged Finance Portfolio team; and senior high yield trader at Columbia Management Group from 2003 to 2004.

Mr. Marshall is Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2007 and Vice President thereof from 2004 to 2007.

Mr. Schoenhofen is Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006 and Vice President thereof from 2000 to 2006.

 

 

 


68

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009




 


 

Additional Information (continued)

 


General Information


Electronic Delivery

Electronic copies of most financial reports are available on the Funds’ website or shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications of quarterly statements, annual and semi-annual reports by enrolling in the Funds’ electronic delivery program.

Shareholders Who Hold Accounts with Investment Advisors, Banks or Brokerages:

Please contact your financial advisor to enroll. Please note that not all investment advisors, banks or brokerages may offer this service.

Householding

The Funds will mail only one copy of shareholder documents, including annual and semi-annual reports and proxy statements, to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is commonly called “householding” and it 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 contact the Funds at (800) 441-7762.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

Each Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Funds’ Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (202) 551-8090. Each Fund’s Forms N-Q may also be obtained upon request and without charge by calling (800) 441-7762.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free (800) 441-7762; (2) at www.blackrock.com; and (3) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Availability of Proxy Voting Record

Information about how the Funds voted proxies relating to securities held in the Funds’ portfolios during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available upon request and without charge (1) at www.blackrock.com or by calling (800) 441-7762 and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 


Section 19 Notices


These amounts and sources of distributions reported are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the year and may be subject to changes based on the tax regulations. The Funds will send you a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

























 

 

Total Cumulative Distributions
for the Fiscal Year-to-Date

 

% Breakdown of the Total Cumulative Distributions
for the Fiscal Year-to-Date

 

 

 


 



 

 

Net
Investment
Income

 

Net
Realized
Capital
Gains

 

Return
of
Capital

 

Total Per
Common
Share

 

Net
Investment
Income

 

Net
Realized
Capital
Gains

 

Return
of
Capital

 

Total Per
Common
Share

 

























COY

 

$0.366000

 

 

 

 

 

 

$0.366000

 

100

%

 

0

%

 

0

%

 

100%

 

CYE

 

$0.345000

 

 

 

 

 

 

$0.345000

 

100

%

 

0

%

 

0

%

 

100%

 

DSU

 

$0.201899

 

 

 

$

0.011101

 

 

$0.213000

 

95

%

 

0

%

 

5

%

 

100%

 

FRB

 

$0.581870

 

 

 

$

0.008230

 

 

$0.590100

 

99

%

 

0

%

 

1

%

 

100%

 

ARK

 

$0.150000

 

 

 

 

 

 

$0.150000

 

100

%

 

0

%

 

0

%

 

100%

 


























 

 

 


SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009

69



 


 

Additional Information (concluded)

 


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.

 

 

 




70

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

AUGUST 31, 2009



This report is transmitted to shareholders only. It is not a prospectus. Past performance results shown in this report should not be considered a representation of future performance. The Funds 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 yield to Common Shareholders. Statements and other information herein are as dated and are subject to change.

 

 

(PAPERLESS LOGO)

(BLACKROCK LOGO)

 

 



 

#CEF1-5-8/09



 

 

 

 

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 registrant’s 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 – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report

 

 

 

Item 9

Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers – Not Applicable

 

 

 

Item 10

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders – The registrant’s Nominating and Governance Committee will consider nominees to the board of directors recommended by shareholders when a vacancy becomes available. Shareholders who wish to recommend a nominee should send nominations that include biographical information and set forth the qualifications of the proposed nominee to the registrant’s Secretary. There have been no material changes to these procedures.

 

 

 

Item 11

Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

11(a)

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

 

 

 

11(b)

There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

Item 12

Exhibits attached hereto

 

 

 

12(a)(1)

Code of Ethics – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report

 

 

 

12(a)(2)

Certifications – Attached hereto

 

 

 

12(a)(3)

Not Applicable




 

 

 

12(b)

Certifications – Attached hereto


 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


 

 

 

 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Anne F. Ackerley

 

 


 

 

Anne F. Ackerley

 

 

Chief Executive Officer of

 

 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Date: October 22, 2009

 

 

 

 

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/ Anne F. Ackerley

 

 


 

 

Anne F. Ackerley

 

 

Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of

 

 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Date: October 22, 2009

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Neal J. Andrews

 

 


 

 

Neal J. Andrews

 

 

Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of

 

 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Date: October 22, 2009