UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-Q

 

QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

 

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., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055.

 

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

 

Date of fiscal year end: 02/28/2010

 

Date of reporting period: 11/30/2009

 

Item 1 – Schedule of Investments

 


 

 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Schedule of Investments November 30, 2009 (Unaudited)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industry

 

Common Stocks

 

Shares

 

Value

 









Auto Components - 0.1%

 

Lear Corp.

 

 

7,033

 

$

443,005

 











Building Products - 0.6%

 

Masonite Worldwide Holdings (a)

 

 

71,958

 

 

2,518,530

 

 

 

Neenah Enterprises Inc. (a)

 

 

144,858

 

 

21,004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,539,534

 











Chemicals - 0.0%

 

GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc. (a)

 

 

339,340

 

 

130,273

 

 

 

Wellman Holdings, Inc. (a)

 

 

5,373

 

 

1,343

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

131,616

 











Communications Equipment - 1.0%

 

Loral Space & Communications, Ltd. (a)

 

 

116,985

 

 

3,873,373

 











Containers & Packaging - 0.8%

 

Smurfit Kappa Plc

 

 

36,342

 

 

297,973

 

 

 

Viskase Cos., Inc. (a)

 

 

1,428,423

 

 

2,714,004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,011,977

 











Diversified Financial Services - 0.0%

 

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

 

 

35,000

 

 

350

 











Electrical Equipment - 0.0%

 

Medis Technologies Ltd. (a)

 

 

286,757

 

 

19,213

 

 

 

SunPower Corp., Class B (a)

 

 

4,892

 

 

87,420

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

106,633

 











Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 0.0%

 

Buffets Restaurants Holdings, Inc. (a)

 

 

2,753

 

 

19,271

 

 

 

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

 

 

5,000

 

 

50

 

 

 

Lodgian, Inc. (a)

 

 

27,787

 

 

35,289

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

54,610

 











Metals & Mining - 0.0%

 

Euramax International

 

 

2,337

 

 

70,119

 











Paper & Forest Products - 1.2%

 

Ainsworth Lumber Co., Ltd.

 

 

1,190,019

 

 

2,311,483

 

 

 

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

 

 

1,335,501

 

 

2,596,895

 

 

 

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

 

 

211,149

 

 

39,013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,947,391

 











Specialty Retail - 0.2%

 

Movie Gallery, Inc. (a)

 

 

503,737

 

 

629,671

 











 

 

Total Common Stocks - 3.9%

 

 

 

 

 

15,808,279

 











 

 

Corporate Bonds

 

Par
(000)

 

 

 

 










Aerospace & Defense - 0.5%

 

TransDigm, Inc., 7.75%, 7/15/14 (b)

 

USD

2,000

 

 

2,030,000

 











Airlines - 0.4%

 

Delta Air Lines, Inc., Series B, 9.75%, 12/17/16

 

 

1,000

 

 

1,000,000

 

 

 

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

 

 

800

 

 

814,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,814,000

 











Auto Components - 0.2%

 

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

 

 

900

 

 

921,375

 

 

 

Venture Holdings Co., LLC, 12.00%, 6/01/09 (a)(d)

 

 

4,450

 

 

 

 

 

Venture Holdings Co., LLC, Series B, 9.50%, 7/01/05 (a)(d)(e)

 

 

1,800

 

 

180

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

921,555

 











Biotechnology - 0.4%

 

Gilead Sciences, Inc., 0.63%, 5/01/13 (f)

 

 

690

 

 

885,788

 

 

 

QHP Pharma, 10.25%, 3/15/15 (b)

 

 

590

 

 

596,744

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,482,532

 











Building Products - 2.2%

 

CPG International I, Inc., 7.87%,
7/01/12 (g)

 

 

7,500

 

 

6,806,250

 

 

 

CPG International I, Inc., 10.50%, 7/01/13

 

 

1,300

 

 

1,179,750

 

 

 

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

 

 

1,050

 

 

1,002,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,988,750

 











Capital Markets - 0.2%

 

E*Trade Financial Corp., 4.01%, 8/31/19 (b)(f)(h)

 

 

593

 

 

925,821

 











Chemicals - 2.7%

 

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

 

 

1,490

 

 

1,389,425

 

 

 

GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc., 7.50%, 3/31/15 (b)(c)(h)

 

 

4,171

 

 

2,711,012

 

 

 

GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc., 10.00%, 3/31/15 (f)

 

 

4,106

 

 

2,668,640

 

1



 

 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Schedule of Investments November 30, 2009 (Unaudited)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industry

 

Corporate Bonds

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 









 

 

Huntsman International, LLC, 5.50%, 6/30/16 (b)

 

USD

900

 

$

780,750

 

 

 

Wellman Holdings, Inc., Second Lien Subordinate Note, 10.00%, 1/29/19 (b)(f)

 

 

2,978

 

 

2,978,000

 

 

 

Wellman Holdings, Inc., Third Lien Subordinate Note, 5.00%, 1/29/19 (c)(f)

 

 

930

 

 

465,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,992,827

 











Commercial Banks - 0.1%

 

Glitnir Banki HF, 4.15%, 4/20/10 (a)(b)(d)

 

 

184

 

 

39,560

 

 

 

Glitnir Banki HF, 6.38%, 9/25/12 (a)(b)(d)

 

 

1,115

 

 

239,725

 

 

 

Glitnir Banki HF, Series EMTN, 5.07%, 1/27/10 (a)(d)

 

EUR

50

 

 

15,766

 

 

 

Glitnir Banki HF, Series EMTN, 3.00%, 6/30/10 (a)(d)

 

 

75

 

 

23,649

 

 

 

Glitnir Banki HF, Series GMTN, 4.38%, 2/05/10 (a)(d)

 

 

85

 

 

26,803

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

345,503

 











Commercial Services & Supplies - 1.4%

 

ACCO Brands Corp., 10.63%, 3/15/15 (b)

 

USD

660

 

 

711,975

 

 

 

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

 

 

1,200

 

 

1,207,500

 

 

 

The Geo Group, Inc., 7.75%, 10/15/17 (b)

 

 

850

 

 

862,750

 

 

 

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

 

 

970

 

 

1,045,175

 

 

 

West Corp., 9.50%, 10/15/14

 

 

340

 

 

331,500

 

 

 

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

 

 

1,400

 

 

1,410,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,569,400

 











Construction Materials - 0.8%

 

Nortek, Inc., 10.00%, 12/01/13 (a)(d)

 

 

2,970

 

 

3,044,250

 











Consumer Finance - 0.8%

 

Ford Motor Credit Co., LLC, 3.03%, 1/13/12 (g)

 

 

2,680

 

 

2,429,420

 

 

 

Inmarsat Finance Plc, 7.38%, 12/01/17 (b)

 

 

725

 

 

732,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,161,670

 











Containers & Packaging - 3.2%

 

Berry Plastics Corp., 4.13%, 9/15/14 (g)

 

 

375

 

 

292,500

 

 

 

Berry Plastics Escrow, LLC, 8.25%, 11/15/15 (b)

 

 

2,100

 

 

2,073,750

 

 

 

Beverage Packaging Holdings Luxembourg II SA, 8.00%, 12/15/16

 

EUR

600

 

 

828,854

 

 

 

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

 

USD

710

 

 

724,200

 

 

 

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

 

 

975

 

 

1,028,625

 

 

 

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

 

 

2,390

 

 

1,768,600

 

 

 

Smurfit Kappa Acquisitions, 7.25%, 11/15/17

 

EUR

830

 

 

1,190,201

 

 

 

Smurfit Kappa Acquisitions, 7.75%, 11/15/19

 

 

785

 

 

1,140,406

 

 

 

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

 

USD

3,325

 

 

3,175,375

 

 

 

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

 

 

440

 

 

463,100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,685,611

 











Diversified Consumer Services - 0.5%

 

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

 

 

3,875

 

 

2,053,750

 











Diversified Financial Services - 4.1%

 

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

 

 

5,744

 

 

2,699,534

 

 

 

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

 

EUR

3,250

 

 

4,660,425

 

 

 

GMAC Inc., 5.38%, 6/06/11

 

 

436

 

 

615,394

 

 

 

GMAC LLC, 7.25%, 3/02/11 (b)

 

USD

148

 

 

144,670

 

 

 

GMAC LLC, 6.88%, 9/15/11 (b)

 

 

900

 

 

866,250

 

2



 

 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Schedule of Investments November 30, 2009 (Unaudited)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industry

 

Corporate Bonds

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 









 

 

GMAC LLC, 6.88%, 8/28/12 (b)

 

USD

750

 

$

710,625

 

 

 

GMAC LLC, 6.75%, 12/01/14 (b)

 

 

3,180

 

 

2,846,100

 

 

 

GMAC LLC, 8.00%, 11/01/31 (b)

 

 

1,530

 

 

1,311,975

 

 

 

Reynolds Group DL Escrow, Inc., 7.75%, 10/15/16 (b)

 

 

1,400

 

 

1,414,000

 

 

 

Reynolds Group DL Escrow, Inc., 7.75%, 10/15/16

 

EUR

650

 

 

961,365

 

 

 

Saturns Investments Europe Plc, 6.19%, 6/09/14

 

USD

480

 

 

336,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,566,338

 











Diversified Telecommunication Services - 2.4%

 

Cincinnati Bell, Inc., 8.25%, 10/15/17

 

 

1,600

 

 

1,588,000

 

 

 

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

 

 

2,600

 

 

2,730,000

 

 

 

PAETEC Holding Corp., 8.88%, 6/30/17

 

 

1,100

 

 

1,091,750

 

 

 

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

 

 

4,000

 

 

4,180,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,589,750

 











Electric Utilities - 0.3%

 

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

 

 

1,505

 

 

1,346,975

 











Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components - 0.0%

 

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

 

 

2,675

 

 

267

 











Food & Staples Retailing - 0.1%

 

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

 

 

280

 

 

301,700

 











Food Products - 0.3%

 

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

 

 

1,250

 

 

1,309,375

 











Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 0.3%

 

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

 

 

1,345

 

 

1,415,612

 











Health Care Providers & Services - 1.8%

 

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

 

 

3,010

 

 

3,070,200

 

 

 

DaVita, Inc., 7.25%, 3/15/15

 

 

980

 

 

975,100

 

 

 

Tenet Healthcare Corp., 9.00%, 5/01/15 (b)

 

 

680

 

 

719,100

 

 

 

Tenet Healthcare Corp., 8.88%, 7/01/19 (b)

 

 

2,110

 

 

2,257,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,022,100

 











Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 1.7%

 

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

 

 

2,150

 

 

2,107,000

 

 

 

HRP Myrtle Beach Holdings, LLC, 0.00%, 4/01/14 (a)(b)(d)

 

 

6,892

 

 

689

 

 

 

HRP Myrtle Beach Operations, LLC, 12.50%, 4/01/12 (a)(b)(d)

 

 

5,000

 

 

500

 

 

 

HRP Myrtle Beach Operations, LLC, 14.50%, 4/01/13 (a)(b)(d)

 

 

5,000

 

 

500

 

 

 

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

 

 

2,560

 

 

640,000

 

 

 

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

 

 

1,340

 

 

1,467,300

 

 

 

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

 

 

380

 

 

275,500

 

 

 

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

 

 

1,015

 

 

517,650

 

 

 

Travelport, LLC, 4.88%, 9/01/14 (g)

 

 

2,160

 

 

1,814,400

 

 

 

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

 

 

530

 

 

1,987

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,825,526

 











Household Durables - 1.5%

 

Beazer Homes USA, Inc., 12.00%, 10/15/17 (b)

 

 

1,700

 

 

1,836,000

 

 

 

K Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., 10.63%, 10/15/16 (b)

 

 

2,365

 

 

2,412,300

 

3



 

 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Schedule of Investments November 30, 2009 (Unaudited)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industry

 

Corporate Bonds

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 









 

 

KB Home, 6.38%, 8/15/11

 

USD

180

 

$

180,450

 

 

 

Standard Pacific Corp., 6.25%, 4/01/14

 

 

315

 

 

277,987

 

 

 

Standard Pacific Corp., 7.00%, 8/15/15

 

 

855

 

 

754,537

 

 

 

Stanley-Martin Communities, LLC, 9.75%, 8/15/15 (a)(d)

 

 

2,250

 

 

675,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,136,274

 











IT Services - 0.9%

 

First Data Corp., 9.88%, 9/24/15

 

 

1,170

 

 

1,041,300

 

 

 

First Data Corp., 11.25%, 3/31/16

 

 

1,600

 

 

1,320,000

 

 

 

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

 

 

1,265

 

 

1,165,381

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,526,681

 











Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders - 2.8%

 

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

 

 

625

 

 

635,937

 

 

 

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)

 

 

1,750

 

 

1,758,750

 

 

 

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

 

 

1,946

 

 

1,215,950

 

 

 

NRG Energy, Inc., 7.25%, 2/01/14

 

 

5,500

 

 

5,548,125

 

 

 

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

 

 

800

 

 

808,000

 

 

 

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

 

 

143

 

 

90,547

 

 

 

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co., LLC, Series B, 10.25%, 11/01/15

 

 

470

 

 

333,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,259,609

 











Industrial Conglomerates - 1.5%

 

Sequa Corp., 11.75%, 12/01/15 (b)

 

 

2,850

 

 

2,536,500

 

 

 

Sequa Corp., 13.50%, 12/01/15 (b)(c)

 

 

3,892

 

 

3,385,611

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,922,111

 











Insurance - 0.9%

 

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

 

 

2,500

 

 

2,462,500

 

 

 

USI Holdings Corp., 4.15%, 11/15/14
(b)(g)

 

 

1,630

 

 

1,295,850

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,758,350

 











Leisure Equipment & Products - 0.3%

 

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

 

 

1,225

 

 

1,368,937

 











Machinery - 2.1%

 

ESCO Corp., 4.13%, 12/15/13 (b)(g)

 

 

3,070

 

 

2,809,050

 

 

 

Navistar International Corp., 8.25%, 11/01/21

 

 

2,000

 

 

1,965,000

 

 

 

RBS Global, Inc., 9.50%, 8/01/14 (b)

 

 

660

 

 

656,700

 

 

 

RBS Global, Inc., 8.88%, 9/01/16

 

 

1,685

 

 

1,457,525

 

 

 

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

 

 

1,530

 

 

1,495,575

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,383,850

 











Marine - 0.3%

 

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

 

 

355

 

 

349,231

 

 

 

Navios Maritime Holdings, Inc., 8.88%, 11/01/17 (b)

 

 

840

 

 

861,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,210,231

 











Media - 6.2%

 

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

 

 

2,010

 

 

2,050,200

 

 

 

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

 

 

680

 

 

714,850

 

 

 

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

 

 

5,000

 

 

3,000,000

 

 

 

Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, 10.00%, 4/01/09 (a)(d)

 

 

2,402

 

 

12,010

 

 

 

Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, 11.13%, 1/15/11 (a)(d)

 

 

1,319

 

 

65,950

 

4



 

 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Schedule of Investments November 30, 2009 (Unaudited)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industry

 

Corporate Bonds

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 









 

 

Charter Communications Holdings, LLC, 10.00%, 5/15/11 (a)(d)

 

USD

1,978

 

$

9,890

 

 

 

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

 

 

4,500

 

 

4,533,750

 

 

 

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

 

 

1,265

 

 

759,000

 

 

 

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

 

 

20

 

 

8,050

 

 

 

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

 

 

5,000

 

 

5,375,000

 

 

 

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

 

 

3,680

 

 

3,413,200

 

 

 

TVN Finance Corp. Plc, 10.75%, 11/15/17

 

EUR

500

 

 

758,281

 

 

 

UPC Germany GmbH, 8.13%, 12/01/17 (b)

 

USD

3,000

 

 

3,000,000

 

 

 

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

 

 

940

 

 

1,092,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24,792,931

 











Metals & Mining - 1.9%

 

Aleris International, Inc., 9.00%, 12/15/14 (a)(d)

 

 

1,100

 

 

4,125

 

 

 

Aleris International, Inc., 10.00%, 12/15/16 (a)(d)

 

 

1,500

 

 

5,625

 

 

 

Murray Energy Corp., 10.25%,
10/15/15 (b)

 

 

790

 

 

774,200

 

 

 

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

 

 

4,440

 

 

1,554,000

 

 

 

Ryerson, Inc., 7.66%, 11/01/14 (g)(i)

 

 

3,595

 

 

3,172,587

 

 

 

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

 

 

1,875

 

 

2,189,062

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,699,599

 











Multiline Retail - 0.1%

 

Saks, Inc., 9.88%, 10/01/11

 

 

235

 

 

243,225

 











Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 3.0%

 

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

 

 

1,250

 

 

1,287,500

 

 

 

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

 

 

1,440

 

 

1,609,200

 

 

 

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

 

 

355

 

 

386,062

 

 

 

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

 

 

925

 

 

978,187

 

 

 

El Paso Corp., 7.00%, 6/15/17

 

 

1,500

 

 

1,470,000

 

 

 

Forest Oil Corp., 8.50%, 2/15/14 (b)

 

 

1,430

 

 

1,462,175

 

 

 

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

 

 

360

 

 

341,100

 

 

 

Massey Energy Co., 6.88%, 12/15/13

 

 

1,300

 

 

1,280,500

 

 

 

OPTI Canada, Inc., 9.00%, 12/15/12 (b)

 

 

1,000

 

 

997,500

 

 

 

SandRidge Energy, Inc., 3.91%, 4/01/14 (g)

 

 

2,000

 

 

1,691,504

 

 

 

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

 

 

1,760

 

 

607,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,110,928

 











Paper & Forest Products - 3.8%

 

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

 

 

4,104

 

 

2,503,408

 

 

 

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

 

 

640

 

 

704,000

 

 

 

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

 

 

2,950

 

 

3,127,000

 

 

 

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

 

 

820

 

 

528,900

 

 

 

NewPage Corp., 11.38%, 12/31/14 (b)

 

 

6,745

 

 

6,643,825

 

 

 

Verso Paper Holdings, LLC, 11.50%, 7/01/14 (b)

 

 

550

 

 

599,500

 

 

 

Verso Paper Holdings, LLC, Series B, 4.03%, 8/01/14 (g)

 

 

1,365

 

 

1,023,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,130,383

 











Pharmaceuticals - 1.3%

 

Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 4.01%, 12/01/13 (g)

 

 

5,000

 

 

4,125,000

 

 

 

Elan Corp. Plc, 8.75%, 10/15/16 (b)

 

 

965

 

 

907,100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,032,100

 











Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) - 0.3%

 

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

 

 

3,500

 

 

1,330,000

 











5


 

 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Schedule of Investments November 30, 2009 (Unaudited)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industry

 

Corporate Bonds

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 









Real Estate Management & Development - 0.9%

 

Realogy Corp., 10.50%, 4/15/14

 

USD

375

 

$

301,875

 

 

 

Realogy Corp., 12.38%, 4/15/15

 

 

5,053

 

 

3,183,390

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,485,265

 











Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 0.7%

 

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

 

 

2,720

 

 

2,828,800

 











Software - 0.2%

 

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., 8.13%, 12/15/17 (b)

 

 

755

 

 

712,531

 

 

 

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

 

 

1,627

 

 

32,532

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

745,063

 











Specialty Retail - 0.7%

 

General Nutrition Centers, Inc., 10.75%, 3/15/15

 

 

1,360

 

 

1,380,400

 

 

 

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

 

 

1,380

 

 

1,335,150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,715,550

 











Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - 0.6%

 

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

 

EUR

1,550

 

 

2,269,212

 











Wireless Telecommunication Services - 2.8%

 

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

 

USD

3,250

 

 

3,209,375

 

 

 

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

 

 

245

 

 

259,087

 

 

 

Digicel Group Ltd., 9.13%, 1/15/15 (b)(c)

 

 

4,248

 

 

4,099,320

 

 

 

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

 

 

2,860

 

 

2,867,150

 

 

 

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

 

 

755

 

 

634,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,069,132

 











 

 

Total Corporate Bonds - 57.2%

 

 

 

 

 

229,411,543

 











 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (g)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 











Aerospace & Defense - 0.1%

 

Hawker Beechcraft, Term Loan B, 10.50%, 3/26/14

 

 

475

 

 

462,531

 











Airlines - 0.4%

 

Delta Air Lines, Inc., Credit-Linked Deposit Loan, 0.09% - 2.28%, 4/30/12

 

 

1,960

 

 

1,721,533

 











Auto Components - 2.7%

 

Allison Transmission, Inc., Term Loan, 2.99% - 3.04%, 8/07/14

 

 

7,461

 

 

6,528,805

 

 

 

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

 

 

3,153

 

 

2,814,369

 

 

 

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Loan (Second Lien), 2.34%, 4/30/14

 

 

750

 

 

670,313

 

 

 

Lear Corp., Term Loan (Second Lien), 9.00%, 11/09/12

 

 

950

 

 

951,584

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,965,071

 











Automobiles - 0.5%

 

Ford Motor Co., Term Loan, 3.24% - 3.29%, 12/15/13

 

 

1,992

 

 

1,745,438

 











Beverages - 0.8%

 

Culligan International Co., Loan (Second Lien), 5.17%, 4/24/13

 

EUR

1,500

 

 

827,728

 

 

 

Inbev NV, Bridge Loan, 1.43%, 7/15/11

 

USD

1,000

 

 

993,333

 

 

 

Inbev NV/SA, Bridge Loan, 1.72%, 7/15/13

 

 

1,500

 

 

1,468,595

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,289,656

 











Building Products - 0.9%

 

Building Materials Corp. of America, Term Loan Advance, 3.00%, 2/22/14

 

 

2,207

 

 

1,996,372

 

6



 

 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Schedule of Investments November 30, 2009 (Unaudited)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industry

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (g)

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 









 

 

Goodman Global Holdings, Term Loan B, 6.25%, 2/13/14

 

USD

1,525

 

$

1,523,730

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,520,102

 











Chemicals - 2.3%

 

Ashland Inc., Term B Borrowing, 7.65%, 5/13/14

 

 

649

 

 

658,654

 

 

 

Gentek, Inc., Term Loan B, 7.00%, 10/20/14

 

 

800

 

 

803,334

 

 

 

Nalco Co., Term Loan, 6.50%, 5/13/16

 

 

1,716

 

 

1,727,102

 

 

 

PQ Corp. (fka Niagara Acquisition, Inc.), Loan (Second Lien), 6.74%, 7/30/15

 

 

1,990

 

 

1,630,673

 

 

 

PQ Corp. (fka Niagara Acquisition, Inc.), Original Term Loan (First Lien), 3.49% - 3.54%, 7/30/14

 

 

1,975

 

 

1,738,000

 

 

 

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

 

 

2,393

 

 

2,419,933

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,977,696

 











Commercial Services & Supplies - 1.6%

 

ARAMARK Corp., LLC, Facility Letter of Credit, 0.29%, 1/26/14

 

 

130

 

 

116,868

 

 

 

ARAMARK Corp., U.S. Term Loan, 2.11% - 2.16%, 1/26/14

 

 

1,971

 

 

1,777,051

 

 

 

Casella Waste Systems, Inc., Term Loan B, 7.00%, 4/08/14

 

 

389

 

 

389,998

 

 

 

John Maneely Co., Term Loan, 3.49% - 3.53%, 12/09/13

 

 

1,266

 

 

1,158,093

 

 

 

Synagro Technologies, Inc., Term Loan (First Lien), 2.23% - 2.24%, 4/02/14

 

 

792

 

 

638,460

 

 

 

West Corp., Term Loan B-3, 7.25%, 11/08/13

 

 

2,247

 

 

2,231,856

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,312,326

 











Computers & Peripherals - 0.2%

 

Intergraph Corp., Term Loan (Second Lien), 6.26%, 11/28/14

 

 

1,000

 

 

940,000

 











Consumer Finance - 1.0%

 

DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Americas, LLC, Term Loan (First Lien), 4.24%, 8/03/12

 

 

3,925

 

 

3,771,270

 











Containers & Packaging - 0.3%

 

Graham Packaging Co., LP, Term Loan B, 2.50%, 10/07/11

 

 

1,325

 

 

1,279,019

 











Distributors - 0.0%

 

Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc., Loan, 3.74% - 5.75%, 1/12/12

 

 

153

 

 

95,792

 











Diversified Consumer Services - 2.0%

 

Coinmach Service Corp., Term Loan, 3.24% - 3.27%, 11/14/14

 

 

5,171

 

 

4,395,395

 

 

 

Laureate Education, Term Loan B, 7.00%, 12/31/14

 

 

3,500

 

 

3,373,125

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,768,520

 











Diversified Financial Services - 1.8%

 

CIT Group, Term Loan A, 9.50%, 1/20/12

 

 

5,850

 

 

5,932,877

 

 

 

Reynolds Group, Term Loan B, 6.25%, 10/28/15

 

 

1,200

 

 

1,197,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,129,877

 











Diversified Telecommunication Services - 1.5%

 

Cavtel Holdings, LLC, Term Loan, 10.50%, 12/31/12

 

 

875

 

 

689,063

 

 

 

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

 

 

4,571

 

 

3,262,631

 

 

 

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

 

 

1,621

 

 

1,610,059

 

 

 

PAETEC Holding Corp., Incremental Term Loan, 2.73%, 2/28/13

 

 

252

 

 

237,114

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,798,867

 











7



 

 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Schedule of Investments November 30, 2009 (Unaudited)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industry

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (g)

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 









Electrical Equipment - 0.1%

 

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

 

USD

427

 

$

385,922

 











Energy Equipment & Services - 1.0%

 

Dresser, Inc., Term Loan B, 2.52%, 5/04/14

 

 

162

 

 

148,330

 

 

 

Dresser, Inc., Term Loan (Second Lien), 5.99% - 6.02%, 5/04/15

 

 

2,500

 

 

2,256,250

 

 

 

MEG Energy Corp., Delayed Draw Term Loan, 2.29%, 4/02/13

 

 

1,230

 

 

1,117,479

 

 

 

MEG Energy Corp., Initial Term Loan, 2.29%, 4/03/13

 

 

696

 

 

632,910

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,154,969

 











Food & Staples Retailing - 2.4%

 

AB Acquisitions Topco 2 Ltd. (fka Alliance Boots), Facility B1, 3.52%, 7/09/15

 

GBP

1,700

 

 

2,447,704

 

 

 

DS Waters of America, Inc., Term Loan, 4.29%, 10/20/12

 

USD

1,000

 

 

858,333

 

 

 

McJunkin Corp., Term Loan, 5.50%, 1/31/14

 

 

348

 

 

331,380

 

 

 

Pilot Travel Centers, Term Loan B, 0.00%, 11/24/15

 

 

2,500

 

 

2,502,083

 

 

 

Rite Aid Corp., Tranche 4 Term Loan, 9.50%, 6/10/15

 

 

2,250

 

 

2,313,749

 

 

 

SuperValu, Term Loan B, 1.50%, 6/02/12

 

 

1,195

 

 

1,128,976

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,582,225

 











Food Products - 0.9%

 

Dole Food Co., Inc., Credit-Linked Deposit, 0.28%, 4/12/13

 

 

288

 

 

289,576

 

 

 

Dole Food Co., Inc., Tranche B Term Loan, 8.00%, 4/12/13

 

 

503

 

 

504,898

 

 

 

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

 

 

1,661

 

 

1,668,695

 

 

 

Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co., Tranche B Term Loan, 6.50%, 9/30/14

 

 

1,300

 

 

1,303,922

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,767,091

 











Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 1.0%

 

Biomet, Inc., Dollar Term Loan, 3.25% - 3.29%, 3/25/15

 

 

650

 

 

614,250

 

 

 

DJO Finance LLC (ReAble Therapeutics Finance LLC), Term Loan, 3.23% - 3.28%, 5/20/14

 

 

3,439

 

 

3,228,127

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,842,377

 











Health Care Providers & Services - 3.5%

 

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

 

 

31

 

 

31,247

 

 

 

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

 

 

819

 

 

428,784

 

 

 

CCS Medical Return of Capital, 0.00%, 9/30/11

 

 

608

 

 

318,262

 

 

 

CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc., Delayed Draw Term Loan, 2.51%, 7/25/14

 

 

181

 

 

165,001

 

 

 

CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc., Funded Term Loan, 2.48% - 2.51%, 7/25/14

 

 

3,569

 

 

3,261,562

 

 

 

Fresenius SE, Tranche B-1 Term Loan, 6.75%, 9/26/14

 

 

403

 

 

404,235

 

 

 

Fresenius SE, Tranche B-2 Term Loan, 6.75%, 9/26/14

 

 

281

 

 

282,057

 

 

 

HCA Inc., Tranche A-1 Term Loan, 1.78%, 11/17/12

 

 

6,297

 

 

5,847,224

 

8



 

 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Schedule of Investments November 30, 2009 (Unaudited)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industry

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (g)

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 









 

 

Rotech Healthcare Inc., Term Loan, 6.28%, 9/26/11

 

USD

1,800

 

$

1,503,318

 

 

 

Vanguard Health Holding Co. II, LLC (Vanguard Health System, Inc.), Replacement Term Loan, 2.49%, 9/23/11

 

 

1,625

 

 

1,573,184

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,814,874

 











Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 2.4%

 

Busch Entertainment Corp., Term Loan, 3.78%, 5/05/16

 

 

2,250

 

 

2,250,563

 

 

 

Golden Nugget, Inc., Second Lien Term Loan, 3.51%, 12/31/14

 

 

500

 

 

200,000

 

 

 

Green Valley Ranch Gaming, LLC, Loan (Second Lien), 3.55%, 8/16/14

 

 

750

 

 

168,750

 

 

 

Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc., Term Loan B, 9.50%, 10/31/16

 

 

2,250

 

 

2,177,438

 

 

 

Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc., Term Loan B-1, 3.28%, 1/28/15

 

 

449

 

 

347,475

 

 

 

Harrah’s Operating Co., Inc., Term Loan B-2, 3.28%, 1/28/15

 

 

565

 

 

437,639

 

 

 

QCE, LLC (Quiznos), Term Loan (Second Lien), 2.56%, 11/05/13

 

 

2,258

 

 

1,816,417

 

 

 

VML US Finance, LLC (aka Venetian Macau), New Project Term Loan, 5.79%, 5/25/13

 

 

995

 

 

940,690

 

 

 

VML US Finance, LLC (aka Venetian Macau), Term B Delayed Draw Project Loan, 5.79%, 5/25/12

 

 

1,272

 

 

1,202,780

 

 

 

VML US Finance, LLC (aka Venetian Macau), Term B Funded Project Loan, 5.79%, 5/27/13

 

 

220

 

 

208,274

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,750,026

 











Household Durables - 1.3%

 

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

 

 

3,076

 

 

2,890,774

 

 

 

Universal City Development, Term Loan B, 7.75%, 10/29/14

 

 

2,500

 

 

2,486,720

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,377,494

 











IT Services - 1.9%

 

Audio Visual Services Group, Inc., Loan (Second Lien), 6.79%, 8/28/14

 

 

1,059

 

 

105,867

 

 

 

Ceridian Corp., U.S. Term Loan, 3.24% - 3.28%, 11/09/14

 

 

2,935

 

 

2,530,415

 

 

 

First Data Corp., Initial Tranche B-2 Term Loan, 3.03% - 3.04%, 9/24/14

 

 

3,749

 

 

3,113,560

 

 

 

RedPrairie Corp., Tack-on Loan, 3.38%, 7/20/12

 

 

260

 

 

243,983

 

 

 

RedPrairie Corp., Term Loan B, 3.31% - 5.25%, 7/20/12

 

 

777

 

 

730,834

 

 

 

SunGard Data Systems Inc., (Solar Capital Corp.), Tranche B U.S. Term Loan, 3.88% - 3.90%, 2/28/16

 

 

717

 

 

673,855

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,398,514

 











Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders - 0.8%

 

Dynegy Holdings Inc., Term Letter of Credit Facility Term Loan, 3.99%, 4/02/13

 

 

925

 

 

873,658

 

 

 

Dynegy Holdings Inc., Tranche B Term Loan, 3.99%, 4/02/13

 

 

75

 

 

70,509

 

9



 

 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Schedule of Investments November 30, 2009 (Unaudited)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industry

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (g)

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 









 

 

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co., LLC (TXU), Initial Tranche B-2 Term Loan, 3.74% - 3.78%, 10/10/14

 

USD

2,940

 

$

2,189,895

 

 

 

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co., LLC (TXU), Initial Tranche B-3 Term Loan, 3.74% - 3.78%, 10/10/14

 

 

198

 

 

146,230

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,280,292

 











Industrial Conglomerates - 0.3%

 

Sequa Corp., Term Loan, 3.58% - 3.94%, 12/03/14

 

 

1,394

 

 

1,203,709

 











Insurance - 0.1%

 

Alliant Holdings I, Inc., Term Loan, 3.28%, 8/21/14

 

 

595

 

 

538,876

 











Internet & Catalog Retail - 0.3%

 

FTD Group, Inc., Tranche B Term Loan, 6.75%, 8/26/14

 

 

1,316

 

 

1,305,925

 











Life Sciences Tools & Services - 0.3%

 

Life Technologies Corp., Term B Facility, 5.25%, 11/23/15

 

 

1,271

 

 

1,267,935

 











Machinery - 1.2%

 

Accuride, Term Loan, 6.00%, 1/31/12

 

 

2,045

 

 

2,029,663

 

 

 

Navistar Financial Corp., Tranche A Term Loan, 2.25%, 3/27/10

 

 

1,500

 

 

1,475,625

 

 

 

Oshkosh Truck Corp., Term B Loan, 6.29% - 6.33%, 12/06/13

 

 

1,464

 

 

1,458,660

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,963,948

 











Media - 11.2%

 

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

 

 

2,941

 

 

2,609,784

 

 

 

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

 

 

2,194

 

 

2,158,785

 

 

 

Cequel Communications, LLC, Term Loan, 2.26% - 4.25%, 11/05/13

 

 

1,352

 

 

1,246,754

 

 

 

Cequel Communications, LLC, Tranche B Term Loan (Second Lien), 6.26%, 5/05/14

 

 

2,228

 

 

2,216,712

 

 

 

Charter Communications, Operating, LLC, New Term Loan, 7.25%, 3/06/14

 

 

750

 

 

693,125

 

 

 

Charter Communications, Term Loan B-1, 7.25%, 3/25/14

 

 

3,261

 

 

3,293,671

 

 

 

EB Sports Corp., Loan, 6.56%, 5/01/12

 

 

3,018

 

 

2,625,912

 

 

 

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

 

 

6,303

 

 

1,764,771

 

 

 

HMH Publishing Co. Ltd., Mezzanine, 17.50%, 11/14/14

 

 

1,210

 

 

242,088

 

 

 

HMH Publishing Co. Ltd., Tranche A Term Loan, 5.28%, 6/12/14

 

 

5,075

 

 

4,307,128

 

 

 

Hanley-Wood, LLC (FSC Acquisition), Term Loan, 2.48%, 3/08/14

 

 

750

 

 

315,000

 

 

 

Lamar Media Corp., Series B, Incremental Loan, 5.50%, 9/28/12

 

 

1,000

 

 

991,850

 

 

 

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

 

 

1,685

 

 

1,671,309

 

 

 

Lavena Holding 3 GmbH (Prosiebensat.1 Media AG), Facility B1, 3.53%, 6/30/15

 

EUR

337

 

 

334,335

 

 

 

Lavena Holding 3 GmbH (Prosiebensat.1 Media AG), Facility C1, 3.78%, 6/30/16

 

 

674

 

 

668,671

 

10



 

 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Schedule of Investments November 30, 2009 (Unaudited)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industry

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (g)

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 









 

 

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

 

USD

1,000

 

$

996,250

 

 

 

Multicultural Radio Broadcasting, Inc., Term Loan, 2.99%, 12/18/12

 

 

389

 

 

291,563

 

 

 

NTL Cable Plc, Term Loan B, 3.58%, 9/03/12

 

GBP

783

 

 

1,248,839

 

 

 

Newsday, LLC, Fixed Rate Term Loan, 10.50%, 8/01/13

 

USD

4,250

 

 

4,448,335

 

 

 

Penton Media, Inc., Loan (Second Lien), 5.28%, 2/01/14

 

 

1,000

 

 

203,333

 

 

 

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Term Loan B, 6.50%, 10/16/15

 

 

1,000

 

 

1,000,417

 

 

 

Springer, Term Loan C, 3.47%, 9/17/12

 

EUR

376

 

 

540,465

 

 

 

Springer, Term Loan E, 3.69%, 9/17/12

 

 

734

 

 

1,056,303

 

 

 

Sunshine Acquisition Ltd. (aka HIT Entertainment), Term Facility, 2.53%, 3/20/12

 

USD

2,000

 

 

1,715,000

 

 

 

United Pan Europe Communications, Term Loan, 3.74%, 12/31/16

 

 

2,000

 

 

1,901,000

 

 

 

Virgin Media Investment Holdings Ltd., B7 Facility, 4.40%, 9/03/12

 

GBP

29

 

 

47,009

 

 

 

Virgin Media Investment Holdings Ltd., C Facility, 4.40%, 9/03/12

 

 

650

 

 

1,037,341

 

 

 

Virgin Media Investment Holdings Ltd., C Facility, 4.17%, 7/17/13

 

 

1,975

 

 

3,017,104

 

 

 

World Color Press Inc., and World Color (USA) Corp., (fka Quebecor World Inc.), Advance, 9.00%, 7/23/12

 

USD

799

 

 

800,552

 

 

 

Yell Group, Plc, TPI, Term Loan A, 7.12%, 8/09/11

 

 

1,500

 

 

1,372,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44,815,906

 











Metals & Mining - 1.3%

 

Euramax International, Inc., Domestic Term Loan, 14.00%, 6/29/13 (c)

 

 

1,259

 

 

780,447

 

 

 

Euramax International, Inc., Domestic Term Loan (Cash Pay), 10.00%, 6/29/13

 

 

1,286

 

 

797,589

 

 

 

RathGibson, Inc., Loan Debtor In Possession, 10.50% - 10.75%, 2/10/10

 

 

3,665

 

 

3,665,418

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,243,454

 











Multi-Utilities - 0.7%

 

Energy Transfer Equity, LP, Term Loan, 1.99%, 11/01/12

 

 

750

 

 

729,844

 

 

 

FirstLight Power Resources, Inc., (fka NE Energy, Inc.), Synthetic Letter of Credit, 0.16%, 11/01/13

 

 

86

 

 

77,954

 

 

 

FirstLight Power Resources, Inc., (fka NE Energy, Inc.), Term Advance (Second Lien), 4.81%, 5/01/14

 

 

750

 

 

633,750

 

 

 

FirstLight Power Resources, Inc. (fka NE Energy, Inc.), Term B Advance (First Lien), 2.81%, 11/01/13

 

 

664

 

 

605,015

 

 

 

USPF Holdings, LLC, Term Loan, 1.99%, 4/11/14

 

 

884

 

 

839,516

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,886,079

 











11



 

 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

Schedule of Investments November 30, 2009 (Unaudited)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industry

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (g)

 

 

Par
(000)

 

Value

 


Multiline Retail - 1.2%

 

Dollar General Corp., Tranche B-2 Term Loan, 2.98%, 7/07/14

 

USD

1,746

 

$

1,625,128

 

 

 

Hema BV, Term Loan B, 5.43%, 1/01/17

 

EUR

2,900

 

 

3,091,684

 

 

 

The Neiman Marcus Group Inc., Term Loan, 2.24% - 2.32%, 4/06/13

 

USD

240

 

 

204,133

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,920,945

 











Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 2.1%

 

Big West Oil, LLC, Delayed Advance Loan, 6.50%, 5/15/14

 

 

1,117

 

 

1,061,051

 

 

 

Big West Oil, LLC, Initial Advance Loan, 6.50%, 5/15/14

 

 

888

 

 

843,746

 

 

 

ScorpionDrilling Ltd., Loan (Second Lien), 7.78%, 5/08/14

 

 

2,085

 

 

1,928,625

 

 

 

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

 

GBP

6,110

 

 

4,582,418

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,415,840

 











Packaging - 0.2%

 

Berry Plastics Corp., Term Loan C, 2.30%, 4/02/15

 

USD

900

 

 

756,750

 











Paper & Forest Products - 0.6%

 

Georgia-Pacific, LLC, Term B Loan, 2.24% - 2.30%, 12/22/12

 

 

906

 

 

860,063

 

 

 

Verso Paper Finance Holdings, LLC, Loan, 6.53% - 7.28%, 2/01/13

 

 

4,003

 

 

1,440,994

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,301,057

 











Personal Products - 0.2%

 

American Safety Razor Co., LLC, Loan (Second Lien), 6.54%, 1/30/14

 

 

325

 

 

267,042

 

 

 

American Safety Razor, Term Loan (First Lien), 2.79%, 7/25/13

 

 

475

 

 

445,708

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

712,750

 











Pharmaceuticals - 0.8%

 

Warner Chilcott, Term Loan A, 5.50%, 10/14/14

 

 

1,220

 

 

1,215,755

 

 

 

Warner Chilcott, Term Loan B, 5.75%, 3/30/15

 

 

610

 

 

607,878

 

 

 

Warner Chilcott, Term Loan B-1, 5.75%, 4/30/15

 

 

1,342

 

 

1,337,331

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,160,964

 











Real Estate Management & Development - 0.6%

 

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

 

 

4,000

 

 

481,152

 

 

 

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

 

 

4,000

 

 

455,628

 

 

 

Realogy Corp., Term Loan (Second Lien), 13.50%, 10/15/17

 

 

1,500

 

 

1,544,250

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,481,030

 











Specialty Retail - 0.5%

 

Adesa, Inc. (KAR Holdings, Inc.), Initial Term Loan, 2.49%, 10/21/13

 

 

1,000

 

 

918,333

 

 

 

Michaels Stores, Inc., Term Loan B, 2.56%, 10/31/13

 

 

585

 

 

503,047

 

 

 

Michaels Stores, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.81%, 7/31/16

 

 

787

 

 

698,295

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,119,675

 











Wireless Telecommunication Services - 0.2%

 

MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., Tranche B Term Loan, 2.50% - 2.56%, 11/03/13

 

 

1,000

 

 

921,250

 











 

 

Total Floating Rate Loan Interests - 53.2%

 

 

 

 

 

213,147,575

 











12



 

 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

Schedule of Investments November 30, 2009 (Unaudited)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industry

 

Other Interests (j)

 

 

Beneficial
Interest
(000)

 

 

Value

 


Airlines - 0.0%

 

Delta Air Lines, Inc., Default 8.33% Escrow

 

USD

5,505

 

$

55,050

 

 

 

Delta Air Lines, Inc., Default 10.00% Escrow

 

 

4,200

 

 

42,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

97,050

 











Auto Components - 0.1%

 

Internet Liquidating Trust, Class A

 

 

1,687

 

 

506,066

 

 

 

Lear Corp., Escrow

 

 

700

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

506,073

 











Diversified Financial Services - 0.3%

 

JG Wentorth, LLC, Preferred Equity Interests

 

 

1

 

 

1,077,566

 











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 - 0.4%

 

 

 

 

 

1,719,475

 











 

 

Warrants (k)

 

 

Shares

 

 

 

 


Auto Components - 0.1%

 

Lear Corp. (expires 11/09/14)

 

 

2,744

 

 

168,739

 











Building Products - 0.0%

 

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

 

 

130,547

 

 

12,402

 











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

 











Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 0.0%

 

Turbo Cayman Ltd. (No Expiration)

 

 

3

 

 

 











Specialty Retail - 0.0%

 

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

 

 

62,323

 

 

31,161

 











 

 

Total Warrants - 0.1%

 

 

 

 

 

212,315

 











 

 

Total Long-Term Investments
(Cost - $575,325,662) - 114.8%

 

 

 

 

 

460,299,187

 











 

 

Short-Term Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, TempFund, Institutional Class, 0.16% (l)(m)

 

 

3,940,839

 

 

3,940,839

 











 

 

Total Short-Term Securities
(Cost - $3,940,839) - 1.0%

 

 

 

 

 

3,940,839

 











 

 

Total Investments (Cost - $579,266,501*) - 115.8%

 

 

 

 

 

464,240,026

 

 

 

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets - (15.8)%

 

 

 

 

 

(63,341,122

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 

 

Net Assets - 100.0%

 

 

 

 

$

400,898,904

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

*  

The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments as of November 30, 2009, as computed for federal income tax purposes, were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

Aggregate cost

 

$

580,650,836

 

 

 




Gross unrealized appreciation

 

$

17,713,475

 

Gross unrealized depreciation

 

 

(134,124,285

)

 

 




Net unrealized depreciation

 

$

(116,410,810

)

 

 





 

 

(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.

13



 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

Schedule of Investments November 30, 2009 (Unaudited)


 

 

(f)  

Convertible security.

 

 

(g)  

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

 

 

(h)  

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

 

 

(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 Company Act of 1940, were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 









Affiliate

 

 

 

Net
Activity

 

Income

 


BlackRock Liquidity Funds, TempFund, Institutional Class

 

USD

 

 

3,940,338

 

$

6,970

 

BlackRock Liquidity Series, LLC Cash Sweep Series

 

USD

 

 

(4,725,260

)

$

749

 



 

 

(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 November 30, 2009 were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 













Currency
Purchased

 

 

 

Currency
Sold

 

Counterparty

 

Settlement
Date

 

Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 


USD

 

18,322,808

 

EUR

 

12,323,500

 

Citibank, NA

 

1/20/10

 

$

(178,196

)

USD

 

1,283,835

 

EUR

 

864,500

 

Deutsche Bank AG

 

1/20/10

 

 

(14,020

)

GBP

 

276,000

 

USD

 

449,720

 

Citibank, NA

 

1/27/10

 

 

4,151

 

USD

 

2,704,459

 

CAD

 

2,810,000

 

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

 

1/27/10

 

 

41,986

 

USD

 

5,349,993

 

GBP

 

3,227,000

 

Citibank, NA

 

1/27/10

 

 

43,319

 
















Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(102,760

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

•  

Credit default swaps on single - name issues - buy protection outstanding as of November 30, 2009 were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Issuer

 

Pay
Fixed
Rate

 

Counterparty

 

Expiration

 

Notional
Amount
(000)

 

 

Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 


K Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.

 

5.00

%

 

Goldman Sachs International

 

December 2011

 

USD

 

855

 

 

$

(11,456

)

Masco Corp.

 

5.30

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

March 2014

 

USD

 

1,500

 

 

 

(174,868

)

Masco Corp.

 

6.25

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

March 2014

 

USD

 

1,500

 

 

 

(230,452

)

Mohawk Industries, Inc.

 

4.45

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

March 2014

 

USD

 

1,500

 

 

 

(127,530

)

Mohawk Industries, Inc.

 

5.20

%

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

 

March 2014

 

USD

 

1,500

 

 

 

(171,570

)

14



 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

Schedule of Investments November 30, 2009 (Unaudited)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Issuer

 

Pay
Fixed
Rate

 

Counterparty

 

Expiration

 

Notional
Amount
(000)

 

 

Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 


Brunswick Corp.

 

5.00

%

 

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

 

September 2014

 

USD

 

325

 

 

$

(18,348

)

Ford Motor Co.

 

5.00

%

 

Deutsche Bank AG

 

September 2014

 

USD

 

650

 

 

 

8,801

 

Ford Motor Co.

 

5.00

%

 

Deutsche Bank AG

 

September 2014

 

USD

 

700

 

 

 

(538

)

Boston Scientific Corp.

 

1.00

%

 

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

 

December 2014

 

USD

 

900

 

 

 

10,836

 


















Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(715,125

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

•  

Credit default swaps on single - name issues - sold protection outstanding as of November 30, 2009 were as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Issuer

 

Receive
Fixed
Rate

 

Counterparty

 

Expiration

 

Credit
Rating1

 

Notional
Amount
(000)
2

 

 

Unrealized
Depreciation

 


BAA Plc

 

2.00

%

 

Deutsche Bank AG

 

March 2012

 

  A

 

GBP    900

 

 

 

$

(190,937

)



 

 

 

1Using Standard & Poor’s ratings of the issuer.

 

 

 

2The 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


 

 

 

•  

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 assets and liabilities

 

 

 

 

•  

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 the Fund’s most recent financial statements as contained in its annual report.

15



 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

Schedule of Investments November 30, 2009 (Unaudited)



 

 

 

The following table summarizes the inputs used as of November 30, 2009 in determining the fair valuation of the Fund’s investments:


 

 

 

 

 


Valuation
Inputs

 

Investments in
Securities

 


 

 

Assets

 

 

 


Level 1

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

$

12,711,276

 

Short-Term Securities

 

 

3,940,839

 

 

 




Total Level 1

 

 

16,652,115

 

 

 




Level 2

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

 

2,895,218

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

214,431,520

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

132,831,530

 

Other Interests

 

 

97,049

 

Warrants

 

 

181,142

 

 

 




Total Level 2

 

 

350,436,459

 

 

 




Level 3

 

 

 

 

Long-Term Investments:

 

 

 

 

Common Stocks

 

 

201,785

 

Corporate Bonds

 

 

14,980,023

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests

 

 

80,316,045

 

Other Interests

 

 

1,622,426

 

Warrants

 

 

31,173

 

 

 




Total Level 3

 

 

97,151,452

 

 

 




Total

 

$

464,240,026

 

 

 





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Valuation
Inputs

 

Other Financial Instruments1

 


 

 

Assets

 

Liabilities

 

 

 


 


Level 1

 

 

 

 

 

Level 2

 

$

109,093

 

$

(926,978

)

Level 3

 

 

 

 

(223,355

)









Total

 

$

109,093

 

 

(1,150,333

)

 

 








 

 

 

1Other financial instruments are swaps, unfunded loan commitment and foreign currency exchange contracts 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:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

Investments in Securities

 


 

 

Common
Stocks

 

Corporate
Bonds

 

Floating
Rate Loan
Interests

 

Other
Interests

 


Balance, as of February 28, 2009

 

$

131,666

 

$

12,983,142

 

$

92,859,804

 

$

38,643

 

Accrued discounts/premiums

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realized gain (loss)

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

(37,300,651

)

 

 

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)2

 

 

 

 

(181,200

)

 

71,543,941

 

 

(6,000

)

Net purchases (sales)

 

 

 

 

11,923

 

 

(58,323,172

)

 

 

Net transfers in/out of Level 3

 

 

70,119

 

 

2,166,156

 

 

11,536,123

 

 

1,589,783

 















Balance, as of November 30, 2009

 

$

201,785

 

$

14,980,023

 

$

80,316,045

 

$

1,622,426

 

 

 













16



 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

Schedule of Investments November 30, 2009 (Unaudited)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in Securities (concluded)


 

 

Warrants

 

Total

 


Balance, as of February 28, 2009

 

$

31,161

 

$

106,044,416

 

Accrued discounts/premiums

 

 

 

 

 

Realized gain (loss)

 

 

 

 

(37,300,649

)

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)2

 

 

 

 

71,356,741

 

Net purchases (sales)

 

 

 

 

(58,311,249

)

Net transfers in/out of Level 3

 

 

12

 

 

15,362,193

 









Balance, as of November 30, 2009

 

$

31,173

 

$

97,151,452

 

 

 








 

 

2

The change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on securities still held at November 30, 2009 was $24,656,946.


 

 

 

 

 


Other Financial Instruments3

 


 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 


Balance, as of February 28, 2009

 

$

(249,620

)

Accrued discounts/premiums

 

 

 

Realized gain (loss)

 

 

 

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

 

 

58,683

 

Net purchases (sales)

 

 

 

Net transfers in/out of Level 3

 

 

(32,418

)






Balance, as of November 30, 2009

 

$

(223,355

)

 

 





 

 

3

Other financial instruments are foreign currency exchange contracts and swaps.

17


Item 2 –

Controls and Procedures

   

2(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.

   

2(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 registrant's last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

   

Item 3 –

Exhibits

 

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: January 22, 2010
   
  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: January 22, 2010
   
 

By:

/s/ Neal J. Andrews  
    Neal J. Andrews
    Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of
    BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.
   
  Date: January 22, 2010