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Form N-CSRS BlackRock Multi-Sector For: Jun 30

September 3, 2019 1:01 PM EDT

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT

COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number: 811-23357

Name of Fund:   BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II

Fund Address:    100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809

Name and address of agent for service: John M. Perlowski, Chief Executive Officer, BlackRock Multi-Sector

            Opportunities Trust II, 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: 12/31/2019

Date of reporting period: 06/30/2019

 


Item 1 –  

Report to Stockholders


JUNE 30, 2019

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT (UNAUDITED)

  LOGO

 

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of each Trust’s shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from BlackRock or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you hold accounts directly with BlackRock for BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust, you can call Computershare at (800) 699-1236 and for BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II you can call BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.), Inc. at (800) 882-0052 to request that you continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. If you hold accounts through a financial intermediary, you can follow the instructions included with this disclosure, if applicable, or contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Please note that not all financial intermediaries may offer this service. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds advised by BlackRock Advisors, LLC or its affiliates, or all funds held with your financial intermediary, as applicable.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive electronic delivery of shareholder reports and other communications by contacting your financial intermediary, if you hold accounts through a financial intermediary. Please note that not all financial intermediaries may offer this service.

 

Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • No Bank Guarantee


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

Investment performance in the 12 months ended June 30, 2019 was a tale of two markets. The first half of the reporting period was characterized by restrictive monetary policy, deteriorating economic growth, equity market volatility, and rising fear of an imminent recession. During the second half of the reporting period, stocks and bonds rebounded sharply, as restrained inflation and weak economic growth led the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) to stop raising interest rates, which led to broad-based optimism that stimulative monetary policy could help forestall a recession.

After the dust settled, the U.S. equity and bond markets posted mixed returns while weathering significant volatility. Less volatile U.S. large cap equities and U.S. bonds advanced, while equities at the high end of the risk spectrum — emerging markets, international developed, and U.S. small cap — posted relatively flat returns.

Fixed-income securities delivered modest positive returns with relatively low volatility. Short-term U.S. Treasury yields rose, while longer-term yields declined. This led to positive returns for U.S. Treasuries and a substantial flattening of the yield curve. Investment grade and high yield corporate bonds also posted positive returns, as the credit fundamentals in corporate markets remained relatively solid.

In the U.S. equity market, volatility spiked in late 2018, as a wide range of risks were brought to bear on markets, ranging from rising interest rates and slowing global growth to heightened trade tensions and political turmoil. These risks manifested in a broad-based sell-off in December, leading to the worst December performance on record since 1931.

Volatility also rose in emerging markets, as the rising U.S. dollar and higher interest rates in the U.S. disrupted economic growth abroad. U.S.-China trade relations and debt concerns adversely affected the Chinese stock market, particularly in mainland China, while Turkey and Argentina became embroiled in currency crises, largely due to hyperinflation in both countries. An economic slowdown in Europe led to modest performance for European equities.

As equity performance faltered and global economic growth slowed, the Fed shifted to a more patient perspective on the economy in January 2019. In its last four meetings, the Fed left interest rates unchanged and signaled a slower pace of rate hikes in response to the global economic slowdown. Similarly, the European Central Bank signaled a continuation of accommodative monetary policy, while China committed to looser credit conditions and an increase in fiscal spending.

The outpouring of global economic stimulus led to a sharp rally in risk assets throughout the world. Hopes continued to remain high thereafter, as the current economic expansion became the longest in U.S. history. Looking ahead, markets are pricing in three interest rate cuts by the Fed over the next year, as investors anticipate a steady shift toward more stimulative monetary policy.

We expect a slowing expansion with additional room to run, as opposed to an economic recession. However, escalating trade tensions and the resulting disruptions in global supply chains have become the greatest risk to the global expansion.

We believe U.S. and emerging market equities remain relatively attractive. Within U.S. equities, companies with high-quality earnings and strong balance sheets offer the most attractive risk/reward trade-off. For bonds, U.S. Treasuries are likely to help buffer against volatility in risk assets, while income from other types of bonds can continue to offer steady returns.

In this environment, investors need to think globally, extend their scope across a broad array of asset classes, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit blackrock.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC

 

Total Returns as of June 30, 2019
     6-month   12-month

U.S. large cap equities
(S&P 500® Index)

  18.54%   10.42%

U.S. small cap equities
(Russell 2000® Index)

  16.98   (3.31)

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

  14.03   1.08

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

  10.58   1.21

3-month Treasury bills
(ICE BofAML 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index)

  1.24   2.31

U.S. Treasury securities
(ICE BofAML 10-Year U.S. Treasury Index)

  7.45   10.38

U.S. investment grade bonds
(Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index)

  6.11   7.87

Tax-exempt municipal bonds
(S&P Municipal Bond Index)

  4.94   6.39

U.S. high yield bonds
(Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index)

  9.94   7.48
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

 

2    THIS PAGE IS NOT PART OF YOUR FUND REPORT


Table of Contents

 

      Page  

The Markets in Review

     2  

Semi-Annual Report:

  

Trust Summaries

     4  

The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging

     7  

Derivative Financial Instruments

     7  

Financial Statements:

           

Schedules of Investments

     8  

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

     34  

Statements of Operations

     35  

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     36  

Statement of Cash Flows

     37  

Financial Highlights

     39  

Notes to Financial Statements

     41  

Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreements and Sub-Advisory Agreements

     52  

Trustee and Officer Information

     59  

Additional Information

     60  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     61  

 

 

          3  


Trust Summary  as of June 30, 2019    BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust

 

Trust Overview

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust’s (the “Trust”) investment objective is to seek to provide high income and total return. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its total assets in fixed income securities and other financial instruments that pay periodic income. The Trust may invest any amount of its assets in securities of any credit quality, including securities that are rated at the time of investment below investment grade — i.e., ‘‘Ba’’ or ‘‘BB’’ or below by Moody’s Investor’s Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) or Fitch Ratings, or securities that are judged to be of comparable quality by the Trust’s investment advisers. It is anticipated that the Trust will terminate on February 22, 2024 (the “Termination Date”); however, the Board of Trustees may also, without shareholder approval, extend the Termination Date by up to one year to a date on or before February 22, 2025. The Trust may invest directly in securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.

The Trust’s common shares are not listed on any securities exchange. Investors should consider that they may not have access to their investment until the Termination Date. The Trust is designed for long-term investors and an investment in the common shares, unlike an investment in a traditional listed closed-end fund, should be considered illiquid.

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

Trust Information

 

Initial Offering Date

  February 23, 2018

Termination Date(a)

  February 22, 2024

Current Quarterly Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $1.8750

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $7.5000

Leverage as of June 30, 2019(c)

  26%

 

  (a) 

The Board of Trustees may terminate the Trust, without shareholder approval, prior to the Termination Date and may, without shareholder approval, extend the Termination Date by up to one year to a date on or before February 22, 2025.

 
  (b) 

The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. A portion of the distribution may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain.

 
  (c) 

Represents reverse repurchase agreements as a percentage of total managed assets, which is the total assets of the Trust (including any assets attributable to any borrowings) minus the sum of its liabilities (other than borrowings representing financial leverage). Does not reflect derivatives or other instruments that may give rise to economic leverage. For a discussion of leveraging techniques utilized by the Trust, please see The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging and Derivative Financial Instruments on page 7.

 

Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     6/30/19     12/31/18      Change      High      Low  

Net Asset Value

  $ 97.51     $ 90.55        7.69    $ 97.95      $ 90.54  

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION (b)

 

Asset Type   06/30/19     12/31/18  

Corporate Bonds

    37     39

Asset-Backed Securities

    18       22  

Floating Rate Loan Interests

    15       15  

Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

    15       12  

Preferred Securities

    7       4  

Foreign Agency Obligations

    7       6  

U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities

    1        

Short-Term Securities

          2  

Other

          (a) 

 

  (a) 

Includes a less than 1% holding in each of the following investment types: U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities and Options Purchased.

 

CREDIT QUALITY ALLOCATION (a)(b)

 

Credit Rating   06/30/19     12/31/18  

AAA/Aaa

    1    

A

    1       1  

BBB/Baa

    13       10  

BB/Ba

    36       39  

B

    16       27  

CCC/Caa

    4       4  

CC/Ca

          1  

N/R

    29       18  

 

  (a) 

For financial reporting purposes, credit quality ratings shown above reflect the highest rating assigned by either S&P or Moody’s if ratings differ. These rating agencies are independent, nationally recognized statistical rating organizations and are widely used. Investment grade ratings are credit ratings of BBB/Baa or higher. Below investment grade ratings are credit ratings of BB/Ba or lower. Investments designated N/R are not rated by either rating agency. Unrated investments do not necessarily indicate low credit quality. Credit quality ratings are subject to change.

 
  (b) 

Excludes Short-Term Securities.

 
 

 

 

4    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Trust Summary  as of June 30, 2019 (continued)    BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust

 

Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary

Returns for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019 were as follows:

 

     Returns Based On  
      Net Asset Value  

Trust(a)

     11.93

Lipper General Bond Funds(b)

     7.78  

 

  (a)

All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices.

 
  (b)

Average return. Returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at NAV on the ex-dividend date as calculated by Lipper.

 

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Past performance is not indicative of future results.

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s absolute performance based NAV:

What factors influenced performance?

The most significant positive contributions to the Trust’s performance during the six-month period came from exposure to credit-sensitive sectors, most notably U.S. high yield corporate bonds and emerging market debt. The Trust’s allocations to securitized assets also contributed meaningfully, in particular non-agency mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) and commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”).

There were no material detractors from Trust performance for the six months.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

During the reporting period, the Trust increased exposure to U.S. high yield credit, favoring short term issues with an up-in-quality bias given their attractive income profile. Additionally, the Trust added to emerging market debt, with a focus on debt denominated in the U.S. dollar. The investment adviser saw attractive upside in the emerging market sector, given the supportive monetary policy backdrop provided by the Federal Reserve’s dovish policy shift. At the same time, the investment adviser continues to be cautious around credit selection amid geopolitical risks, preferring specific country stories such as in Indonesia, Mexico and Brazil. Within securitized assets, the Trust added in CMBS while trimming marginally in non-agency MBS and collateralized loan obligations. The securitized sector continued to drive durable and attractive income in the portfolio. The Trust sought to maintain diversified exposure across securitized assets while tactically trading around near-term opportunities. Finally, the investment adviser continued to seek opportunities to harvest the illiquidity premium by adding exposure to private investments. The Trust added two more private investments, a term loan supporting the acquisition of a non-bank consumer credit card business and a short-term high yield deal financing a data center company.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

As of June 30, 2019, the Trust’s portfolio carried leverage of 26% of managed net assets. The effective duration of the portfolio was 2.69 years. The Trust maintained diversified exposure across non-government sectors, including emerging markets, high yield corporate bonds and securitized assets. At period end, the Trust held six private investments, comprising approximately 16% of total assets.

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.

 

 

TRUST SUMMARY      5  


Trust Summary  as of June 30, 2019    BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II

 

Trust Overview

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II (the “Trust”) investment objective is to seek to provide high income and total return. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its total assets in fixed income securities and other financial instruments that pay periodic income. The Trust may invest any amount of its assets in securities of any credit quality, including securities that are rated at the time of investment below investment grade — i.e., ‘‘Ba’’ or ‘‘BB’’ or below by Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, or securities that are judged to be of comparable quality by the Trust’s investment advisers. It is anticipated that the Trust will terminate on February 28, 2025 (the “Termination Date”); however, the Board of Trustees may, without shareholder approval, extend the Termination Date by up to one year to a date on or before February 28, 2026. The Board of Trustees may also, without shareholder approval, adopt a plan of liquidation at any time preceding the anticipated Termination Date. The Trust may invest directly in securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.

The Trust’s common shares are not listed on any securities exchange. Investors should consider that they may not have access to their investment until the Termination Date. The Trust is designed for long-term investors and an investment in the common shares, unlike an investment in a traditional listed closed-end fund, should be considered illiquid.

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

Trust Information

 

Initial Offering Date

  April 16, 2019

Termination Date(a)

  February 28, 2025

Current Quarterly Distribution per Common Share(b)(c)

  $1.8750

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)

  $7.5000

 

  (a) 

The Board of Trustees may terminate the Trust, without shareholder approval, prior to the Termination Date and may, without shareholder approval, extend the Termination Date by up to one year to a date on or before February 28, 2026.

 
  (b) 

The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. A portion of the distribution may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain.

 
  (c) 

An initial partial period distribution of $0.675 was paid on June 28, 2019.

 

Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

 

     06/30/19     04/16/19 (a)      Change      High      Low  

Net Asset Value

  $ 101.08     $ 100.00        1.08    $ 101.75      $ 99.77  

 

  (a) 

Commencement of operations.

 

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

 

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION (c)

 

Asset Type   06/30/19  

Corporate Bonds

    44

Asset-Backed Securities

    15  

Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

    10  

Investment Companies

    9  

Preferred Securities

    8  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

    6  

Foreign Agency Obligations

    5  

Floating Rate Loan Interests

    3  

U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities

    (a) 

 

  (a) 

Representing less than 1% of the Trust’s total investments.

 

CREDIT QUALITY ALLOCATION (b)(c)

 

Credit Rating   06/30/19  

AAA/Aaa

    6

AA/Aa

    1  

A

    1  

BBB/Baa

    12  

BB/Ba

    26  

B

    18  

CCC/Caa

    3  

CC/Ca

    4  

C

    1  

N/R

    28  

 

  (b) 

For financial reporting purposes, credit quality ratings shown above reflect the highest rating assigned by either S&P or Moody’s if ratings differ. These rating agencies are independent, nationally recognized statistical rating organizations and are widely used. Investment grade ratings are credit ratings of BBB/Baa or higher. Below investment grade ratings are credit ratings of BB/Ba or lower. Investments designated N/R are not rated by either rating agency. Unrated investments do not necessarily indicate low credit quality. Credit quality ratings are subject to change.

 
  (c) 

Excludes Short-Term Securities.

 
 

 

 

6    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging

 

The Trusts may utilize leverage to seek to enhance the distribution rate on, and net asset value (“NAV”) of, their common shares (“Common Shares”). However, there is no guarantee that these objectives can be achieved in all interest rate environments.

In general, the concept of leveraging is based on the premise that the financing cost of leverage, which is based on short-term interest rates, is normally lower than the income earned by a Trust on its longer-term portfolio investments purchased with the proceeds from leverage. To the extent that the total assets of a Trust (including the assets obtained from leverage) are invested in higher-yielding portfolio investments, a Trust’s shareholders benefit from the incremental net income. The interest earned on securities purchased with the proceeds from leverage (after paying the leverage costs) is paid to shareholders in the form of dividends, and the value of these portfolio holdings (less the leverage liability) is reflected in the per share NAV.

To illustrate these concepts, assume a Trust’s capitalization is $100 million and it utilizes leverage for an additional $30 million, creating a total value of $130 million available for investment in longer-term income securities. If prevailing short-term interest rates are 3% and longer-term interest rates are 6%, the yield curve has a strongly positive slope. In this case, a Trust’s financing costs on the $30 million of proceeds obtained from leverage are based on the lower short-term interest rates. At the same time, the securities purchased by a Trust with the proceeds from leverage earn income based on longer-term interest rates. In this case, a Trust’s financing cost of leverage is significantly lower than the income earned on a Trust’s longer-term investments acquired from such leverage proceeds, and therefore the holders of Common Shares (“Common Shareholders”) are the beneficiaries of the incremental net income.

However, in order to benefit shareholders, the return on assets purchased with leverage proceeds must exceed the ongoing costs associated with the leverage. If interest and other costs of leverage exceed a Trust’s return on assets purchased with leverage proceeds, income to shareholders is lower than if the Trust had not used leverage. Furthermore, the value of a Trust’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 amount of the Trusts’ obligations under their respective leverage arrangements generally does not fluctuate in relation to interest rates. As a result, changes in interest rates can influence a Trust’s NAVs positively or negatively. Changes in the future direction of interest rates are very difficult to predict accurately, and there is no assurance that a Trust’s intended leveraging strategy will be successful.

The use of leverage also generally causes greater changes in a Trust’s NAV and dividend rates than comparable portfolios without leverage. In a declining market, leverage is likely to cause a greater decline in the NAV of a Trust’s shares than if a Trust were not leveraged. In addition, a Trust may be required to sell portfolio securities at inopportune times or at distressed values in order to comply with regulatory requirements applicable to the use of leverage or as required by the terms of leverage instruments, which may cause a Trust to incur losses. The use of leverage may limit a Trust’s ability to invest in certain types of securities or use certain types of hedging strategies. A Trust incurs expenses in connection with the use of leverage, all of which are borne by shareholders and may reduce income to the shareholders. Moreover, to the extent the calculation of a Trust’s investment advisory fees includes assets purchased with the proceeds of leverage, the investment advisory fees payable to a Trust’s investment adviser will be higher than if a Trust did not use leverage.

A Trust may utilize leverage through reverse repurchase agreements as described in the Notes to Financial Statements.

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), a Trust is permitted to issue debt up to 3313% of its total managed assets. A Trust may voluntarily elect to limit its leverage to less than the maximum amount permitted under the 1940 Act.

If a Trust segregates or designates on its books and records cash or liquid assets having a value not less than the value of a Trust’s obligations under the reverse repurchase agreement (including accrued interest) then such transaction is not considered a senior security and is not subject to the foregoing limitations and requirements imposed by the 1940 Act.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Trusts may invest in various derivative financial instruments. These instruments are used to obtain exposure to a security, commodity, index, market, and/or other assets without owning or taking physical custody of securities, commodities and/or other referenced assets or to manage market, equity, credit, interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate, commodity and/or other risks. Derivative financial instruments may give rise to a form of economic leverage and involve risks, including the imperfect correlation between the value of a derivative financial instrument and the underlying asset, possible default of the counterparty to the transaction or illiquidity of the instrument. The Trusts’ successful use of a derivative financial instrument depends on the investment adviser’s ability to predict pertinent market movements accurately, which cannot be assured. The use of these instruments may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may limit the amount of appreciation a Trust can realize on an investment and/or may result in lower distributions paid to shareholders. The Trusts’ investments in these instruments, if any, are discussed in detail in the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

 

THE BENEFITS AND RISKS OF LEVERAGING / DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS      7  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Asset-Backed Securities — 25.1%  

AIMCO CLO Ltd., Series 2019-10A, Class SUB, 0.00%, 07/22/32(a)(b)

    USD       1,844     $ 1,523,730  

Ajax Mortgage Loan Trust, Class B(a)(c):

     

Series 2018-A, 0.00%, 04/25/58

      451       262,994  

Series 2018-B, 0.00%, 02/26/57

      593       173,243  

Anchorage Capital CLO Ltd.(a)(b):

     

Series 2013-1A, Class DR, 9.40%, 10/13/30

      3,050       3,043,131  

Series 2014-5RA, Class E, 8.00%, 01/15/30

      1,000       962,967  

Apidos CLO XV, Series 2013-15A, Class ERR, 8.29%, 04/20/31(a)(b)

      1,000       949,477  

Apidos CLO XXIX, Series 2018-29A, Class D, 7.83%, 07/25/30(a)(b)

      2,000       1,842,222  

Apres Static CLO Ltd., Series 2019-1A, Class C, 6.26%, 01/15/27(a)(b)

      500       499,963  

ARES LI CLO Ltd., Series 2019-51A, Class E, 8.99%, 04/15/31(a)(b)

      700       693,198  

Ares XLIV CLO Ltd., Series 2017-44A, Class D,
(3 mo. LIBOR US + 6.55%), 9.15%, 10/15/29(a)(d)

      750       752,537  

Ares XXXVII CLO Ltd., Series 2015-4A, Class DR, 8.75%, 10/15/30(a)(b)

      1,450       1,418,586  

Assurant CLO II Ltd., Series 2018-1A, Class E, 8.19%, 04/20/31(a)(b)

      1,000       939,810  

Atrium XIII, Series 13A, Class E, 8.64%, 11/21/30(a)(b)

      1,000       966,870  

BankAmerica Manufactured Housing Contract Trust, Series 1997-2, Class B1, 7.07%, 02/10/22(b)

      2,300       1,818,585  

Battalion CLO XI Ltd., Series 2017-11A, Class E, 8.56%, 10/24/29(a)(b)

      1,000       954,242  

Bayview Financial Revolving Asset Trust, Series 2005-E, Class A1, (1 mo. LIBOR + 0.50%), 3.40%, 12/28/40(a)(d)

      2,061       1,960,686  

Bean Creek CLO Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class ER, 8.34%, 04/20/31(a)(b)

      1,500       1,371,453  

Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO Ltd.(a):

     

Series 2015-1A, Class E1, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 5.30%), 7.89%, 04/20/27(d)

      1,000       999,932  

Series 2016-2A, Class D2R, 7.77%, 07/15/27(b)

      1,000       943,630  

Carlyle US CLO Ltd., Series 2016-4A, Class DR, 7.99%, 10/20/27(a)(b)

      250       239,332  

CarVal CLO II Ltd., Series 2019-1A, Class E, 9.39%, 04/20/32(a)(b)

      575       560,123  

Cedar Funding IX CLO Ltd., Series 2018-9A, Class E, 7.94%, 04/20/31(a)(b)

      2,000       1,840,034  

Cedar Funding VI CLO Ltd., Series 2016-6A, Class ER, 8.49%, 10/20/28(a)(b)

      250       237,174  

Deer Creek CLO Ltd., Series 2017-1A, Class E, 8.94%, 10/20/30(a)(b)

      1,000       963,443  

Dewolf Park CLO Ltd., Series 2017-1A, Class E, 8.80%, 10/15/30(a)(b)

      1,500       1,478,083  

Dryden Senior Loan Fund, Series 2017-47A, Class E,
(3 mo. LIBOR US + 6.20%), 8.80%, 04/15/28(a)(d)

      610       596,611  

Elevation CLO Ltd., Series 2014-3A, Class DR,
(3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.65%), 6.25%, 10/15/26(a)(d)

      950       951,528  

Finance of America Structured Securities Trust, Series 2018-HB1, Class M5, 6.00%, 09/25/28(a)(b)(c)

      2,000       1,978,400  

GoldenTree Loan Management US CLO Ltd., Series 2017-2A, Class E,
7.29%, 11/28/30(a)(b)

      1,500       1,343,949  

GoldenTree Loan Opportunities IX Ltd., Series 2014-9A, Class ER2, 8.24%, 10/29/29(a)(b)

      500       487,289  

Highbridge Loan Management Ltd., Series 12A-18, Class D,
7.75%, 07/18/31(a)(b)

      1,120       1,018,792  

JPMorgan Mortgage Acquisition Corp., Series 2006-FRE2, Class M2, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.36%), 2.76%, 02/25/36(d)

      2,787       2,456,437  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Asset-Backed Securities (continued)  

KKR CLO Ltd., Series 12, Class ER2,
8.75%, 10/15/30(a)(b)

    USD       1,000     $ 957,967  

LCM XXI LP, Series 21A, Class ER, 8.34%, 04/20/28(a)(b)

      1,500       1,489,661  

Madison Park Funding X Ltd.:

     

Series 2012-10A, Class DR2, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.25%), 5.69%, 01/20/29(a)(d)

      1,270       1,259,119  

Series 2012-10X, 0.00%, 01/20/29(b)

      2,250       1,571,956  

Madison Park Funding XIII Ltd., Series 2014-13A, Class ER, 8.34%, 04/19/30(a)(b)

      2,000       1,926,046  

Madison Park Funding XXIII Ltd., Series 2017-23A, Class E, 8.83%, 07/27/30(a)(b)

      500       494,563  

Madison Park Funding XXV Ltd., Series 2017-25A, Class D, 8.68%, 04/25/29(a)(b)

      500       486,106  

Madison Park Funding XXVIV Ltd., Series 2007-4A, Class ER,
9.08%, 07/29/30(a)(b)

      500       491,406  

Madison Park Funding XXX Ltd.(b)

     

Series 2012-30X, Class C, 7.55%, 04/15/29

      250       244,036  

Series 2018-30A, Class E, 7.55%, 04/15/29(a)

      1,250       1,220,178  

Mariner CLO LLC, Series 2018-1A, Class E, 9.43%, 04/30/32(a)(b)

      250       245,668  

Mariner Finance Issuance Trust, Series 2018-AA, Class D, 5.44%, 07/20/32(a)

      2,500       2,499,978  

MCM Trust, Series 2018(a)(c):

     

Class NPL 1, 2.40%, 05/28/58

      4,701       664,547  

Class NPL 4, 4.00%, 05/28/58

      1,955       1,949,756  

Nationstar HECM Loan Trust(a):

     

Series 2018-1A, Class M4, 4.70%, 02/25/28(b)

      1,607       1,618,374  

Series 2018-1A, Class M5, 6.00%, 02/25/28(b)

      3,831       3,799,517  

Series 2018-2A, Class M5, 6.00%, 07/25/28

      2,000       1,954,037  

Series 2019-1A, Class M4, 5.80%, 06/25/29(b)

      1,500       1,499,999  

New Century Home Equity Loan Trust, Series 2001-NC2, Class M2, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 1.88%), 4.26%, 09/20/31(d)

      2,050       2,075,852  

Octagon Investment Partners 34 Ltd., Series 2017-1A(a)(b):

     

Class E1, 8.09%, 01/20/30

      469       442,303  

Class E2, 8.09%, 01/20/30

      544       513,307  

Octagon Investment Partners XXII Ltd., Series 2014-1A, Class ERR,
8.04%, 01/22/30(a)(b)

      1,000       923,812  

Octagon Investment Partners XXIII Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class ER,
8.35%, 07/15/27(a)(b)

      3,250       3,224,672  

OHA Loan Funding Ltd., Series 2016-1A, Class E,
(3 mo. LIBOR US + 6.50%), 9.09%, 01/20/28(a)(d)

      500       493,649  

Option One Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2007-FXD1, Class 2A1, 5.87%, 01/25/37

      2,041       1,954,187  

OZLM Funding Ltd., Series 2012-1A, Class CR2,
(3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.60%), 6.19%, 07/22/29(a)(d)

      250       249,093  

OZLM XIV Ltd., Series 2015-14A, Class DR, 8.40%, 01/15/29(a)(b)

      2,000       1,975,127  

Palmer Square CLO Ltd., Series 2018-2A, Class D, 8.20%, 07/16/31(a)(b)

      1,500       1,401,993  

Park Avenue Institutional Advisers CLO Ltd., Series 2016-1A, Class DR,
8.37%, 08/23/31(a)(b)

      2,000       1,887,668  

Park Place Securities, Inc., Asset-Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2004-WCW1, Class M3,
(1 mo. LIBOR US + 1.25%), 4.28%, 09/25/34(d)

      2,679       2,697,241  

Progress Residential Trust, Series 2018-SFR2, Class F, 4.95%, 08/17/35(a)

      2,000       2,057,301  

Regatta VI Funding Ltd., Series 2016-1A, Class ER, 7.59%, 07/20/28(a)(b)

      250       239,410  

Rockford Tower CLO Ltd.(a):

     

Series 2017-1A, Class E, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 5.40%), 8.00%, 04/15/29(d)

      2,000       1,847,871  

Series 2017-2A, Class E, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 6.08%), 8.68%, 10/15/29(d)

      2,000       1,914,408  
 

 

 

8    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Asset-Backed Securities (continued)  

Series 2017-3A, Class D,
5.24%, 10/20/30(b)

    USD       970     $ 939,551  

Series 2017-3A, Class E,
8.34%, 10/20/30(b)

      1,000       939,212  

Series 2017-3A, Class SUB, 0.00%, 10/20/30(b)

      350       329,050  

Series 2018-1A, Class E,
8.37%, 05/20/31(b)

      1,000       937,535  

Series 2018-1A, Class SUB, 0.00%, 05/20/31(b)

      350       311,382  

Series 2018-2A, Class SUB, 0.00%, 10/20/31(b)

      350       311,515  

Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust Series, Class BX(b):

     

Series 2018-1, 6.32%, 05/25/57(c)

      4,597       2,418,237  

Series 2018-2, 4.46%, 11/25/57

      3,899       1,425,588  

Silver Creek CLO Ltd., Series 2014-1A, Class E1R,
(3 mo. LIBOR US + 5.62%), 8.21%, 07/20/30(a)(d)

      1,000       929,915  

Sofi Professional Loan Program LLC, Series 2016-B, Class RC, 0.00%, 04/25/37(a)(c)

      (o)      1,107,000  

Sound Point CLO XIV Ltd., Series 2016-3A, Class E,
(3 mo. LIBOR US + 6.65%), 9.24%, 01/23/29(a)(d)

      2,000       2,005,973  

Strata CLO Ltd., Series 2018-1A(a)(b):

     

Class A, 10.01%, 01/15/31

      500       463,575  

Class USUB, 0.00%, 01/15/18

      1,750       1,513,762  

TICP CLO VI Ltd., Series 2016-6A, Class ER, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 6.40%), 8.78%, 01/15/29(a)(d)

      1,500       1,492,500  

TICP CLO VII Ltd., Series 2017-7A, Class E, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 6.51%), 9.11%, 07/15/29(a)(d)

      1,000       980,955  

TICP CLO XII Ltd., Series 2018-12A, Class E, 8.31%, 01/15/31(a)(b)

      2,750       2,675,868  

TRESTLES CLO II Ltd., Series 2018-2A, Class D, 8.33%, 07/25/31(a)(b)

      1,900       1,785,758  

Tricon American Homes Trust, Series 2018-SFR1, Class F, 4.96%, 05/17/37(a)

      3,000       3,113,148  

Westcott Park CLO Ltd., Series 2016-1A, Class DR, 5.72%, 07/20/28(a)(b)

      500       496,162  

York CLO-2 Ltd., Series 2015-1A(a)(b):

     

Class ER, 8.24%, 01/22/31

      500       464,021  

Class SUB, 0.00%, 01/22/31

      3,500       2,605,799  
   

 

 

 

Total Asset-Backed Securities — 25.1%
(Cost — $116,135,992)

 

    111,745,765  
   

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds — 51.4%

 

Aerospace & Defense — 0.9%

 

Arconic, Inc., 6.75%, 01/15/28(e)

      1,209       1,317,810  

TransDigm, Inc.(e):

     

6.50%, 05/15/25

      1,330       1,345,295  

6.25%, 03/15/26(a)

      1,163       1,224,058  
   

 

 

 
        3,887,163  
Airlines — 1.4%  

American Airlines Group, Inc.:

     

5.00%, 06/01/22(a)(e)

      2,135       2,199,690  

4.87%, 04/22/25(c)

      429       439,872  

4.00%, 12/15/25

      315       315,000  

Avianca Holdings SA/Avianca Leasing LLC/Grupo Taca Holdings Ltd.:

     

8.38%, 05/10/20

      708       679,820  

8.38%, 05/10/20(a)(e)

      2,000       1,920,395  

Gol Finance, Inc., 7.00%, 01/31/25(a)

      500       487,500  
   

 

 

 
        6,042,277  
Auto Components — 0.4%  

IHO Verwaltungs GmbH, (4.38% PIK), 3.63%, 05/15/25(f)

    EUR       113       131,383  

Meritor, Inc., 6.25%, 02/15/24(e)

    USD       1,330       1,368,238  

Panther BF Aggregator 2 LP/Panther Finance Co., Inc., 6.25%, 05/15/26(a)

      79       82,061  

Schaeffler AG, 1.88%, 03/26/24

    EUR       100       118,699  
   

 

 

 
        1,700,381  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Banks — 0.9%  

Banca Carige SpA, 0.75%, 07/26/20

    EUR       300     $ 341,953  

Banco de Sabadell SA, 5.38%, 12/12/28(b)

      1,000       1,249,287  

Credit Mutuel Arkea SA, 3.38%, 03/11/31

      1,000       1,249,514  

Emirates NBD PJSC, 6.13%(b)(g)

    USD       250       257,734  

IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG, 4.00%, 01/31/28(b)

    EUR       800       894,503  
   

 

 

 
        3,992,991  
Beverages — 0.5%  

Central American Bottling Corp., 5.75%, 01/31/27(a)(e)

    USD       2,000       2,065,000  
   

 

 

 
Building Materials — 0.0%  

US Concrete, Inc., 6.38%, 06/01/24

      27       28,080  
   

 

 

 
Building Products — 0.2%  

Builders FirstSource, Inc.,
5.63%, 09/01/24(a)

      32       32,982  

Buzzi Unicem SpA, 2.13%, 04/28/23

    EUR       200       235,948  

Masonite International Corp., 5.63%, 03/15/23(a)(e)

    USD       570       587,100  

Standard Industries, Inc., 4.75%, 01/15/28(a)

      46       45,655  
   

 

 

 
        901,685  
Capital Markets — 0.1%  

Mongolian Mortgage Corp. Hfc LLC, 9.75%, 01/29/22

      400       404,875  
   

 

 

 
Chemicals — 1.5%  

Axalta Coating Systems Dutch Holding B BV, 3.75%, 01/15/25

    EUR       100       118,247  

Cydsa SAB de CV, 6.25%, 10/04/27(a)(e)

    USD       2,000       2,000,625  

INEOS Group Holdings SA, 5.38%, 08/01/24

    EUR       200       233,674  

Mexichem SAB de CV, 5.88%, 09/17/44(a)(e)

    USD       1,000       1,043,281  

NOVA Chemicals Corp.,
4.88%, 06/01/24(a)(e)

      1,407       1,456,245  

OCI NV, 5.00%, 04/15/23

    EUR       200       240,474  

Rock International Investment Co., 6.63%, 03/27/20

    USD       550       435,875  

Venator Finance Sarl/Venator Materials LLC, 5.75%, 07/15/25(a)(e)

      1,351       1,239,543  
   

 

 

 
        6,767,964  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.2%  

AA Bond Co. Ltd., 4.25%, 07/31/43

    GBP       110       141,693  

Iron Mountain US Holdings, Inc., 5.38%, 06/01/26(a)(e)

    USD       1,254       1,258,702  

KAR Auction Services, Inc., 5.13%, 06/01/25(a)(e)

      816       830,280  

United Rentals North America, Inc.(e):

     

5.50%, 07/15/25

      1,336       1,391,110  

6.50%, 12/15/26

      339       366,968  

4.88%, 01/15/28

      1,396       1,423,920  
   

 

 

 
        5,412,673  
Construction & Engineering — 1.1%  

China Singyes Solar Technologies Holdings Ltd., 7.95%, 02/15/20(d)(h)(i)

      220       171,600  

PulteGroup, Inc.(e):

     

5.50%, 03/01/26

      500       540,000  

7.88%, 06/15/32

      1,138       1,354,220  

Weekley Homes LLC/Weekley Finance Corp.(e):

     

6.00%, 02/01/23

      1,325       1,308,438  

6.63%, 08/15/25

      1,381       1,363,737  

Wijaya Karya Persero Tbk PT, 7.70%, 01/31/21

    IDR       2,000,000       138,142  
   

 

 

 
        4,876,137  
Consumer Finance — 0.5%  

Credito Real SAB de CV, 7.25%, 07/20/23(a)

    USD       500       527,344  

Credivalores-Crediservicios SAS,
9.75%, 07/27/22(a)(e)

      1,600       1,577,000  

Mulhacen Pte Ltd., (6.5% Cash or 7.25% PIK), 6.50%, 08/01/23(f)

    EUR       300       323,647  
   

 

 

 
        2,427,991  
 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      9  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Containers & Packaging — 0.9%  

Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh Holdings USA, Inc.:

     

4.25%, 09/15/22(a)(e)

    USD       1,150     $ 1,161,500  

4.75%, 07/15/27

    GBP       250       309,550  

Crown European Holdings SA, 2.25%, 02/01/23

    EUR       200       239,644  

Mauser Packaging Solutions Holding Co.:

     

4.75%, 04/15/24

      200       233,856  

5.50%, 04/15/24(a)(e)

    USD       1,092       1,092,546  

Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc./Reynolds Group Issuer LLC/Reynolds Group Issuer Lu, 7.00%, 07/15/24(a)(e)

      750       775,515  
   

 

 

 
        3,812,611  
Diversified Consumer Services — 0.2%  

Pinnacle Bidco PLC, 6.38%, 02/15/25

    GBP       310       416,203  

Verisure Holding AB, 3.50%, 05/15/23

    EUR       271       320,480  
   

 

 

 
        736,683  
Diversified Financial Services — 2.7%  

Alpha Holding SA de CV, 10.00%, 12/19/22(a)

    USD       500       479,531  

Arrow Global Finance PLC, 5.13%, 09/15/24

    GBP       310       386,303  

Barclays PLC(5 year EUR Swap + 2.45%),
2.63%, 11/11/25(j)

    EUR       200       230,324  

Cabot Financial Luxembourg SA, 7.50%, 10/01/23

    GBP       200       262,245  

CFLD Cayman Investment Ltd., 8.63%, 02/28/21

    USD       200       207,500  

Coastal Emerald Ltd., 5.95%, 01/13/20

      800       802,000  

Credit Agricole SA (5 year USD Swap + 4.90%), 7.88%(g)(j)

      1,800       1,981,656  

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC:

     

1.51%, 02/17/23

    EUR       150       171,646  

3.02%, 03/06/24

      420       505,818  

5.58%, 03/18/24(e)

    USD       612       656,907  

Garfunkelux Holdco 3 SA, 7.50%, 08/01/22

    EUR       100       104,404  

Gilex Holding Sarl, 8.50%, 05/02/23(a)(e)

    USD       1,195       1,264,023  

GKN Holdings Ltd., 5.38%, 09/19/22

    GBP       100       138,201  

LHC3 PLC, (4.13% Cash or 4.88% PIK),
4.13%, 08/15/24(f)

    EUR       470       546,937  

Lincoln Financing Sarl:

     

3.63%, 04/01/24

      156       183,525  

3.88%, 04/01/24(b)

      150       171,418  

New Lion Bridge Co. Ltd., 9.75%, 10/10/20

    USD       400       375,700  

Quicken Loans, Inc.(a):

     

5.75%, 05/01/25(e)

      1,531       1,578,844  

5.25%, 01/15/28

      46       45,770  

Scenery Journey Ltd., 11.00%, 11/06/20

      400       416,000  

Tarjeta Naranja SA (Argentina Deposit Rates Badlar Pvt Banks + 3.50%), 51.56%, 04/11/22(a)(d)

      2,000       684,468  

UniCredit SpA:

     

6.57%, 01/14/22(a)(e)

      400       425,223  

(5 year EUR Swap + 4.10%), 5.75%, 10/28/25(j)

    EUR       100       119,696  

Verisure Midholding AB, 5.75%, 12/01/23

      200       235,100  
   

 

 

 
        11,973,239  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.4%  

Axtel SAB de CV, 6.38%, 11/14/24(a)(e)

    USD       1,000       1,019,687  

Frontier Communications Corp.(a):

     

8.50%, 04/01/26(e)

      1,458       1,414,260  

8.00%, 04/01/27

      40       41,600  

Level 3 Financing, Inc.:

     

5.63%, 02/01/23(e)

      541       547,741  

5.38%, 05/01/25

      28       28,910  

Oi SA, (8.00% Cash or 4.00% PIK), 10.00%, 07/27/25(f)

      1,028       1,062,695  

SoftBank Group Corp., 4.00%, 04/20/23

    EUR       410       505,735  

Telecom Italia Capital SA, 6.38%, 11/15/33(e)

    USD       1,239       1,285,462  

Telecom Italia SpA:

     

1.13%, 03/26/22(k)

    EUR       300       336,467  

4.00%, 04/11/24

      100       122,749  
   

 

 

 
        6,365,306  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Electric Utilities — 1.8%  

EDP — Energias de Portugal SA, 4.50%, 04/30/79(b)

    EUR       500     $ 621,141  

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd., 6.35%, 08/10/28(a)(e)

    USD       2,099       2,263,116  

Iberdrola International BV, 3.25%(b)(g)

    EUR       1,000       1,227,795  

Inkia Energy Ltd., 5.88%, 11/09/27(a)(e)

    USD       1,000       1,023,750  

ReNew Power Synthetic, 6.67%, 03/12/24

      500       510,343  

Talen Energy Supply LLC(a):

     

7.25%, 05/15/27(e)

      1,591       1,630,775  

6.63%, 01/15/28(l)

      675       670,781  
   

 

 

 
        7,947,701  
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.9%  

Anton Oilfield Services Group, 9.75%, 12/05/20

      600       613,035  

Bristow Group, Inc., 8.75%, 03/01/23(a)(e)(h)(i)

      1,000       970,000  

GREENKO Investment Co., 4.88%, 08/16/23

      530       516,750  

Neerg Energy Ltd., 6.00%, 02/13/22

      600       603,234  

Transocean Phoenix 2 Ltd., 7.75%, 10/15/24(a)(e)

      1,379       1,471,549  
   

 

 

 
        4,174,568  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.9%  

Five Point Operating Co. LP/Five Point Capital Corp., 7.88%, 11/15/25(a)(e)

      750       753,765  

Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC/Hilton Worldwide Finance Corp., 4.63%, 04/01/25(e)

      1,000       1,023,750  

MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP/MGP Finance Co-Issuer, Inc., 5.63%, 05/01/24(e)

      1,895       2,041,863  

MPT Operating Partnership LP/MPT Finance Corp., 3.33%, 03/24/25

    EUR       200       246,291  
   

 

 

 
        4,065,669  
Food & Staples Retailing — 0.1%  

B&M European Value Retail SA, 4.13%, 02/01/22

    GBP       100       128,468  

Tesco Corporate Treasury Services PLC, 1.38%, 10/24/23

    EUR       200       235,083  
   

 

 

 
        363,551  
Food Products — 1.9%  

Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV, 5.95%(a)(b)(e)(g)

    USD       1,592       1,671,441  

JBS USA LUX SA/JBS USA Finance, Inc., 6.75%, 02/15/28(a)

      43       46,601  

MARB BondCo PLC, 6.88%, 01/19/25(a)(e)

      2,500       2,594,012  

Minerva Luxembourg SA, 6.50%, 09/20/26(a)(e)

      2,500       2,595,297  

Post Holdings, Inc., 5.00%, 08/15/26(a)(e)

      1,430       1,449,663  
   

 

 

 
        8,357,014  
Forest Products — 0.3%  

Suzano Austria GmbH, 7.00%, 03/16/47(a)

      1,000       1,137,500  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.1%  

Yestar Healthcare Holdings Co. Ltd., 6.90%, 09/15/21

      400       341,260  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.4%  

HCA, Inc.(e):

     

4.50%, 02/15/27

      1,416       1,510,675  

5.88%, 02/01/29

      144       157,860  
   

 

 

 
        1,668,535  
Health Care Technology — 0.1%  

IQVIA, Inc., 3.25%, 03/15/25

    EUR       200       234,230  
   

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 2.3%  

CPUK Finance Ltd., 4.25%, 02/28/47

    GBP       200       254,223  

ESH Hospitality, Inc., 5.25%, 05/01/25(a)(e)

    USD       633       648,034  

GLP Capital LP/GLP Financing II, Inc.,
5.38%, 11/01/23(e)

      1,307       1,401,339  

Golden Entertainment, Inc., 7.63%, 04/15/26(a)(e)

      274       280,165  

Grupo Posadas SAB de CV,
7.88%, 06/30/22(a)(e)

      1,000       1,000,313  

International Game Technology PLC(a)(e):

     

6.25%, 02/15/22

      550       580,938  

6.50%, 02/15/25

      1,150       1,256,375  
 

 

 

10    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)  

KFC Holding Co./Pizza Hut Holdings LLC/Taco Bell of America LLC, 5.00%, 06/01/24(a)(e)

    USD       1,362     $ 1,407,967  

Ladbrokes Group Finance PLC:

     

5.13%, 09/16/22

    GBP       26       35,053  

5.13%, 09/08/23

      200       265,292  

Sabre GLBL, Inc., 5.38%, 04/15/23(a)(e)

    USD       1,343       1,373,217  

Scientific Games International, Inc., 10.00%, 12/01/22(e)

      680       713,150  

Sisal Group SpA, 7.00%, 07/31/23

    EUR       200       233,655  

Stonegate Pub Co. Financing PLC, 7.04%, 03/15/22(b)

    GBP       248       316,413  

Studio City Finance Ltd., 7.25%, 02/11/24

    USD       300       311,250  
   

 

 

 
        10,077,384  
Household Durables — 1.6%  

Alam Synergy Pte Ltd., 11.50%, 04/22/21

      200       215,188  

Ashton Woods USA LLC/Ashton Woods Finance Co., 9.88%, 04/01/27(a)(e)

      602       634,358  

Beazer Homes USA, Inc.,
8.75%, 03/15/22(e)

      1,150       1,196,000  

Century Communities, Inc.,
6.75%, 06/01/27(a)

      110       111,513  

Controladora Mabe SA de CV, 5.60%, 10/23/28(a)(e)

      1,000       1,047,187  

KB Home, 7.63%, 05/15/23(e)

      362       404,535  

Taylor Morrison Communities, Inc., 5.88%, 06/15/27(a)(e)

      647       658,322  

TRI Pointe Group, Inc., 4.88%, 07/01/21(e)

      1,297       1,322,940  

William Lyon Homes, Inc.,
6.63%, 07/15/27(a)(l)

      1,489       1,485,277  
   

 

 

 
        7,075,320  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.7%  

Calpine Corp., 5.25%, 06/01/26(a)(e)

      1,406       1,430,605  

Capex SA, 6.88%, 05/15/24(a)(e)

      1,000       896,250  

Vistra Energy Corp.(e):

     

7.38%, 11/01/22

      600       621,750  

7.63%, 11/01/24

      360       380,693  
   

 

 

 
        3,329,298  
Industrial Conglomerates — 2.7%  

Grupo KUO SAB de CV,
5.75%, 07/07/27(a)(e)

      1,000       1,015,000  

Vertiv Group Corp, (Acquired 05/10/19, cost $10,568,925), 10.00%, 06/30/24(c)(m)

      10,887       11,131,958  
   

 

 

 
        12,146,958  
Insurance — 0.6%  

Aegon NV, 5.63%(b)(g)

    EUR       415       523,203  

Asahi Mutual Life Insurance Co., 6.50%(b)(g)

    USD       400       415,592  

ASR Nederland NV, 3.38%, 05/02/49(b)

    EUR       190       224,727  

Assicurazioni Generali SpA(3 mo. Euribor + 5.35%), 5.00%, 06/08/48(j)

      900       1,131,274  

Zurich Finance Ireland Designated Activity Co., 1.63%, 06/17/39

      520       608,380  
   

 

 

 
        2,903,176  
Interactive Media & Services — 0.1%  

VeriSign, Inc., 5.25%, 04/01/25(e)

    USD       520       555,100  
   

 

 

 
IT Services — 0.2%  

21Vianet Group, Inc., 7.88%, 10/15/21

      200       205,500  

First Data Corp., 5.00%, 01/15/24(a)(e)

      576       590,112  

InterXion Holding NV, 4.75%, 06/15/25

    EUR       100       123,717  
   

 

 

 
        919,329  
Leisure Time — 0.6%  

Carlson Travel, Inc., 6.75%, 12/15/23(a)(e)

    USD       2,704       2,737,800  
   

 

 

 
Media — 2.5%  

Altice Financing SA, 5.25%, 02/15/23

    EUR       100       116,979  

Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital,
5.05%, 03/30/29(e)

    USD       400       441,857  

DKT Finance ApS, 7.00%, 06/17/23

    EUR       400       496,738  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Media (continued)  

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA:

     

5.50%, 08/01/23(e)

    USD       796     $ 726,350  

8.50%, 10/15/24(a)

      131       129,690  

Intelsat SA, 4.50%, 06/15/25(a)

      167       231,031  

Lamar Media Corp.(e):

     

5.00%, 05/01/23

      630       641,025  

5.75%, 02/01/26

      750       788,437  

Nexstar Escrow, Inc., 5.63%, 07/15/27(a)(l)

      733       750,409  

Nielsen Finance LLC/Nielsen Finance Co., 5.00%, 04/15/22(a)(e)

      1,360       1,356,600  

Outfront Media Capital LLC/Outfront Media Capital Corp., 5.63%, 02/15/24(e)

      506       520,548  

Sirius XM Radio, Inc.(a):

     

4.63%, 07/15/24(l)

      931       952,674  

5.00%, 08/01/27

      70       71,218  

5.50%, 07/01/29

      66       67,663  

Telenet Finance VI Luxembourg SCA, 4.88%, 07/15/27

    EUR       180       222,092  

United Group BV:

     

4.88%, 07/01/24(l)

      100       117,832  

4.88%, 07/01/24

      430       507,279  

Unitymedia Hessen GmbH & Co. KG/Unitymedia NRW GmbH, 5.00%, 01/15/25(a)(e)

    USD       1,342       1,382,260  

Virgin Media Receivables Financing Notes II DAC, 5.75%, 04/15/23

    GBP       200       262,549  

Ziggo BV, 5.50%, 01/15/27(a)(e)

    USD       1,451       1,475,972  
   

 

 

 
        11,259,203  
Metals & Mining — 2.1%  

Commercial Metals Co.:

     

4.88%, 05/15/23(e)

      181       182,358  

5.75%, 04/15/26

      51       50,911  

5.38%, 07/15/27(e)

      1,374       1,367,130  

Eterna Capital Pte Ltd., Series B, 8.00%, 12/11/22(f)

      637       531,547  

Gold Fields Orogen Holdings BVI Ltd., 5.13%, 05/15/24(a)

      507       529,815  

Kaiser Aluminum Corp., 5.88%, 05/15/24(e)

      1,315       1,367,600  

Nexa Resources SA, 5.38%, 05/04/27(a)(e)

      2,000       2,098,250  

Shandong Iron And Steel Xinheng International Co. Ltd., 6.50%, 06/14/21

      200       199,640  

Steel Dynamics, Inc.(e):

     

5.50%, 10/01/24

      633       655,946  

5.00%, 12/15/26

      1,349       1,406,333  

thyssenkrupp AG, 2.88%, 02/22/24

    EUR       245       290,407  

Vedanta Resources Finance II PLC, 8.00%, 04/23/23

    USD       230       232,588  

Vedanta Resources Ltd., 7.13%, 05/31/23

      270       266,709  

Yankuang Group Cayman Ltd., 4.75%, 11/30/20

      210       209,498  

Zekelman Industries, Inc., 9.88%, 06/15/23(a)

      127       134,064  
   

 

 

 
        9,522,796  
Multiline Retail — 0.1%  

Hipercor SA, 3.88%, 01/19/22

    EUR       500       608,422  
   

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 9.7%  

Andeavor Logistics LP/Tesoro Logistics Finance Corp., 5.25%, 01/15/25(e)

    USD       936       990,409  

Antero Resources Corp.(e):

     

5.38%, 11/01/21

      250       246,875  

5.13%, 12/01/22

      1,150       1,104,000  

Bruin E&P Partners LLC, 8.88%, 08/01/23(a)

      110       92,400  

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc., 6.25%, 04/15/23(e)

      1,458       1,406,970  

Centennial Resource Production LLC(a):

     

5.38%, 01/15/26(e)

      1,841       1,748,950  

6.88%, 04/01/27

      127       128,270  

Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC(e):

     

5.88%, 03/31/25

      620       690,525  

5.13%, 06/30/27

      1,365       1,482,731  
 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      11  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)  

Cheniere Energy, Inc., (4.88% PIK),
4.88%, 05/28/21(a)(f)(k)

    USD       1,565     $ 1,642,474  

Chesapeake Energy Corp.:

     

6.63%, 08/15/20

      77       77,578  

7.00%, 10/01/24(e)

      1,400       1,256,500  

Continental Resources, Inc.,
5.00%, 09/15/22(e)

      933       940,656  

CrownRock LP/CrownRock Finance, Inc.,
5.63%, 10/15/25(a)

      54       54,135  

Diamondback Energy, Inc.,
4.75%, 11/01/24(e)

      2,018       2,076,017  

eG Global Finance PLC:

     

3.63%, 02/07/24

    EUR       437       495,422  

4.38%, 02/07/25

      111       125,650  

Energen Corp., 4.63%, 09/01/21(e)

    USD       534       539,340  

Frontera Energy Corp., 9.70%, 06/25/23(a)(e)

      1,000       1,063,437  

Geopark Ltd., 6.50%, 09/21/24(a)(e)

      2,000       2,040,000  

Gran Tierra Energy International Holdings Ltd., 6.25%, 02/15/25(a)(e)

      1,500       1,396,875  

Gran Tierra Energy, Inc., 7.75%, 05/23/27(a)(e)

      600       590,400  

Hammerhead Resources, Inc., Series AI, 9.00%, 07/10/22

      1,279       1,167,087  

Hilong Holding Ltd., 7.25%, 06/22/20

      200       198,630  

Jagged Peak Energy LLC, 5.88%, 05/01/26(e)

      1,359       1,338,615  

Medco Straits Services Pte Ltd., 8.50%, 08/17/22

      650       700,172  

NGPL PipeCo LLC, 7.77%, 12/15/37(a)(e)

      1,116       1,417,320  

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc., (8.50% Cash or 1.00% PIK), 9.50%, 05/15/23(e)(f)

      181       186,780  

Pacific Drilling SA, 8.38%, 10/01/23(a)(e)

      175       173,250  

Parsley Energy LLC/Parsley Finance Corp.(a):

     

6.25%, 06/01/24

      24       24,960  

5.38%, 01/15/25(e)

      1,634       1,674,850  

5.25%, 08/15/25

      21       21,315  

5.63%, 10/15/27

      32       33,440  

Petrobras Global Finance BV(e):

     

6.00%, 01/27/28

      2,000       2,126,500  

7.25%, 03/17/44

      900       1,000,688  

Petroleos Mexicanos:

     

6.38%, 02/04/21(e)

      1,030       1,058,068  

6.50%, 03/13/27(e)

      1,000       989,700  

6.50%, 01/23/29

      400       387,000  

Puma International Financing SA, 5.13%, 10/06/24(a)

      1,000       919,987  

QEP Resources, Inc., 6.88%, 03/01/21(e)

      362       371,955  

Rio Oil Finance Trust, 9.25%, 07/06/24(a)(e)

      616       682,441  

Rockies Express Pipeline LLC, 6.88%, 04/15/40(a)(e)

      1,000       1,115,410  

Santos Finance Ltd., 5.25%, 03/13/29

      400       417,864  

Saudi Arabian Oil Co., 3.50%, 04/16/29(a)

      425       429,781  

Seven Generations Energy Ltd., 5.38%, 09/30/25(a)

      32       30,800  

Sunoco LP/Sunoco Finance Corp.:

     

6.00%, 04/15/27(a)

      27       28,350  

Series WI, 5.88%, 03/15/28(e)

      2,783       2,883,884  

Transocean Guardian Ltd.,
5.88%, 01/15/24(a)(e)

      229       232,406  

WPX Energy, Inc.:

     

8.25%, 08/01/23

      24       27,360  

5.25%, 09/15/24

      27       27,709  

5.75%, 06/01/26

      24       24,930  

YPF SA:

     

(Argentina Deposit Rates Badlar Pvt Banks + 4.00%), 52.06%, 07/07/20(d)

      2,000       720,472  

8.50%, 03/23/21(a)

      1,000       1,016,875  

8.50%, 06/27/29(a)

      1,500       1,464,750  

Zhejiang Baron BVI Co. Ltd., 6.80%, 08/27/21

      385       383,075  
   

 

 

 
        43,466,038  
Pharmaceuticals — 0.7%  

Bausch Health Cos., Inc., 4.50%, 05/15/23

    EUR       200       230,354  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Pharmaceuticals (continued)  

CVS Health Corp., 4.30%, 03/25/28(e)

    USD       2,000     $ 2,108,956  

Jubilant Pharma Ltd., 6.00%, 03/05/24

      200       204,294  

Merck KGaA(5 year EUR Swap + 2.94%),
2.88%, 06/25/79(j)

    EUR       600       704,471  
   

 

 

 
        3,248,075  
Plastics — 0.0%  

Pearl Holding III Ltd., 9.50%, 12/11/22

    USD       200       162,900  
   

 

 

 
Real Estate — 2.0%  

Central China Real Estate Ltd.:

     

7.33%, 01/27/20

      200       201,500  

6.50%, 03/05/21

      200       201,248  

China Aoyuan Group Ltd.:

     

7.50%, 05/10/21

      400       412,000  

8.50%, 01/23/22

      200       211,174  

7.95%, 02/19/23

      200       208,388  

China SCE Group Holdings Ltd., 8.75%, 01/15/21

      200       209,500  

China SCE Property Holdings Ltd., 7.45%, 04/17/21

      500       511,614  

CIFI Holdings Group Co. Ltd., 5.50%, 01/23/22

      400       396,169  

Country Garden Holdings Co. Ltd.:

     

7.25%, 04/04/21

      300       305,250  

6.50%, 04/08/24

      300       309,281  

Easy Tactic Ltd.:

     

9.13%, 07/28/22

      200       212,000  

8.63%, 02/27/24

      300       305,625  

Excel Capital Global Ltd., 7.00%(b)(g)

      500       506,015  

Global Prime Capital Pte Ltd., 7.25%, 04/26/21

      200       207,230  

Greenland Global Investment Ltd., 7.18%, 09/26/21(b)

      300       304,725  

JGC Ventures Pte Ltd., 10.75%, 08/30/21

      200       215,100  

Jingrui Holdings Ltd., 9.45%, 04/23/21

      200       190,850  

KWG Group Holdings Ltd., 7.88%, 09/01/23

      200       202,000  

Logan Property Holdings Co. Ltd., 7.50%, 08/25/22

      200       207,000  

New Metro Global Ltd., 6.50%, 04/23/21

      500       505,000  

No Va Land Investment Group Corp., 5.50%, 04/27/23(k)

      600       558,750  

Powerlong Real Estate Holdings Ltd.:

     

5.95%, 07/19/20

      300       298,629  

6.95%, 04/17/21

      300       300,000  

Redco Properties Group Ltd., 13.50%, 01/21/20

      405       417,150  

Ronshine China Holdings Ltd., 8.75%, 10/25/22

      200       197,522  

Times China Holdings Ltd., 7.63%, 02/21/22

      300       309,000  

Yuzhou Properties Co. Ltd.:

     

7.90%, 05/11/21

      400       413,750  

8.63%, 01/23/22

      200       209,000  

Zhenro Properties Group Ltd.:

     

10.50%, 06/28/20

      200       206,687  

12.50%, 01/02/21

      200       213,312  
   

 

 

 
        8,945,469  
Real Estate Management & Development — 1.5%  

Agile Group Holdings Ltd., 8.50%, 07/18/21

      400       424,783  

China Evergrande Group:

     

7.00%, 03/23/20

      1,386       1,393,363  

6.25%, 06/28/21

      600       578,813  

9.50%, 04/11/22

      200       198,000  

4.25%, 02/14/23

    HKD       6,000       719,834  

10.00%, 04/11/23

    USD       200       194,442  

7.50%, 06/28/23

      200       180,000  

Fantasia Holdings Group Co. Ltd.:

     

8.38%, 03/08/21

      200       191,000  

7.38%, 10/04/21

      400       362,580  

Forestar Group, Inc., 8.00%, 04/15/24(a)(e)

      1,495       1,567,881  

Future Land Development Holdings Ltd.:

     

5.00%, 02/16/20

      240       240,000  

7.50%, 01/22/21

      200       205,500  
 

 

 

12    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Real Estate Management & Development (continued)  

Residomo SRO, 3.38%, 10/15/24

    EUR       310     $ 365,924  

Sunac China Holdings Ltd., 7.25%, 06/14/22

    USD       200       200,250  
   

 

 

 
        6,822,370  
Road & Rail — 0.4%  

Herc Rentals, Inc., 7.50%, 06/01/22(a)(e)

      1,313       1,363,550  

Hertz Corp., 7.38%, 01/15/21(e)

      300       300,375  

Hertz Holdings Netherlands BV, 5.50%, 03/30/23

    EUR       200       240,198  
   

 

 

 
        1,904,123  
Specialty Retail — 0.2%  

Baoxin Auto Finance I Ltd.:

     

5.63%(b)(g)

    USD       320       290,100  

7.90%, 02/09/20

      200       197,500  

Parts Europe SA, 4.38%, 05/01/22

    EUR       220       251,503  
   

 

 

 
        739,103  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.2%  

Hanesbrands Finance Luxembourg SCA, 3.50%, 06/15/24

      100       124,653  

Prime Bloom Holdings Ltd.:

     

7.50%, 12/19/19

    USD       300       283,275  

6.95%, 07/05/22

      470       366,600  
   

 

 

 
        774,528  
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.1%  

Jerrold Finco PLC, 6.25%, 09/15/21

    GBP       200       258,752  
   

 

 

 
Transportation Infrastructure — 0.5%  

Rumo Luxembourg Sarl,
7.38%, 02/09/24(a)(e)

    USD       2,000       2,155,000  
   

 

 

 
Utilities — 0.9%  

ContourGlobal Power Holdings SA, 3.38%, 08/01/23

    EUR       100       117,974  

Huachen Energy Co. Ltd.,
6.63%, 05/18/20(h)(i)

    USD       300       193,359  

Stoneway Capital Corp.,
10.00%, 03/01/27(a)(e)

      3,239       3,048,961  

Vistra Operations Co. LLC, 5.00%, 07/31/27(a)

      792       820,710  
   

 

 

 
        4,181,004  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 1.3%  

Comunicaciones Celulares SA Via Comcel Trust, 6.88%, 02/06/24(a)(e)

      2,000       2,065,625  

Equinix, Inc., 2.88%, 03/15/24

    EUR       200       237,654  

Intelsat Connect Finance SA, 9.50%, 02/15/23(a)

    USD       167       147,795  

Iron Mountain, Inc., 3.00%, 01/15/25

    EUR       200       234,738  

Matterhorn Telecom SA, 3.88%, 05/01/22

      220       252,664  

Sprint Corp., 7.88%, 09/15/23(e)

    USD       1,343       1,458,834  

T-Mobile USA, Inc., 6.50%, 01/15/26(e)

      1,286       1,390,243  
   

 

 

 
        5,787,553  
   

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds — 51.4%
(Cost — $227,704,735)

 

    229,264,785  
   

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests(d) — 20.4%

 

Aerospace & Defense — 0.3%

 

TransDigm, Inc., 2018 Term Loan F, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.50%), 4.83%, 06/09/23

      1,352       1,325,860  
   

 

 

 
Airlines — 0.2%  

Allegiant Travel Co., Term Loan B, (3 mo. LIBOR + 4.50%), 7.07%, 02/05/24

      742       741,680  
   

 

 

 
Asset Management & Custodian — 3.8%  

Magnum Intermediate Holdings I LLC, 2nd Lien Term Loan, (Fixed + 13.25%), 13.25%, 10/26/21(c)

      17,000       17,064,600  
   

 

 

 
Banks — 1.0%  

Caliber Home Loans, Inc., 2018 Revolver, 5.69%, 04/24/21(c)

      2,307       2,301,505  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Banks (continued)  

Roundpoint Mortgage Servicing Corp., 2018 Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.37%), 5.82%, 08/08/20(c)

    USD       2,028     $ 2,028,316  
   

 

 

 
        4,329,821  
Building Products — 0.2%  

Jeld-Wen, Inc., 2017 1st Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.00%), 4.33%, 12/14/24

      1,083       1,076,364  
   

 

 

 
Capital Markets — 4.3%  

A10 Capital LLC, Mezzanine Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 6.50%), 8.90%, 03/31/23(c)

      19,400       19,147,800  
   

 

 

 
Construction & Engineering — 0.9%  

Ply Gem Midco, Inc., 2018 Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.75%), 6.35%, 04/12/25

      2,000       1,939,806  

SRS Distribution, Inc., 2018 1st Lien Term Loan,
(1 mo. LIBOR + 3.25%), 5.65%, 05/23/25

      313       299,416  

Summit Materials Companies I LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.00%), 4.40%, 11/21/24

      1,780       1,768,753  
   

 

 

 
        4,007,975  
Construction Materials — 0.2%  

Foundation Building Materials LLC, 2018 Term Loan B, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.00%), 5.40%, 08/13/25(c)

      746       742,519  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 2.5%  

Chimera Special Holding LLC, Term Loan,
(1 mo. LIBOR + 2.00%), 4.43%, 10/04/19(c)

      3,879       3,878,592  

CLGF Holdco 1 LLC, Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 5.00%), 7.59%, 12/20/19(c)

      7,500       7,462,500  
   

 

 

 
        11,341,092  
Electrical Equipment — 0.4%  

Gates Global LLC, 2017 Repriced Term Loan B,
(1 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%, 1.00% Floor), 5.15%, 04/01/24

      1,916       1,902,263  
   

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.4%  

Robertshaw US Holding Corp., 2018 1st Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.50%, 1.00% Floor), 5.94%, 02/28/25(c)

      1,775       1,632,971  
   

 

 

 
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.1%  

Bristow Group Inc., Prepetition Term Loan,
(3 mo. LIBOR + 7.00%), 9.50%, 05/10/22(c)

      296       284,502  

Pioneer Energy Services Corp., Term Loan,
(1 mo. LIBOR + 7.75%, 1.00% Floor), 10.15%, 11/08/22(c)

      381       358,095  
   

 

 

 
        642,597  
Entertainment — 0.2%  

PCI Gaming Authority, Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.00%), 5.40%, 05/29/26

      830       830,863  
   

 

 

 
Gas Utilities — 0.2%  

AL Midcoast Holdings LLC, 2018 Term Loan B,
(3 mo. LIBOR + 5.50%),
7.83%, 07/31/25

      749       750,274  
   

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.9%  

Scientific Games International, Inc., 2018 Term Loan B5, (2 mo. LIBOR + 2.75%), 5.22%, 08/14/24

      1,916       1,885,294  

Stars Group Holdings B.V., 2018 USD Incremental Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 3.50%), 5.83%, 07/10/25

      2,141       2,139,922  
   

 

 

 
        4,025,216  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.2%  

BCP Raptor II LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 4.75%), 7.15%, 11/03/25

      751       712,827  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 0.1%  

Bausch Health Cos., Inc., Term Loan B, 11/27/25(n)

      678       673,954  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      13  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Software — 4.4%  

Aligned Energy LLC, Term Loan, 10/09/23(n)

    USD       5,000     $ 4,969,837  

PowerSchool, 2018 2nd Lien Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 6.75%), 9.32%, 08/01/26

      15,000       14,793,750  
   

 

 

 
        19,763,587  
Water Utilities — 0.1%  

PLH Infrastructure Services, Inc., 2018 Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 6.00%), 8.57%, 08/07/23(c)

      384       376,425  
   

 

 

 

Total Floating Rate Loan Interests — 20.4%
(Cost — $91,549,807)

 

    91,088,688  
   

 

 

 

Foreign Agency Obligations — 8.9%

 

Colombia Government International Bond(e):

     

8.13%, 05/21/24

      1,200       1,479,375  

4.50%, 01/28/26

      3,442       3,719,081  

3.88%, 04/25/27

      1,030       1,074,805  

Egypt Government International Bond:

     

5.58%, 02/21/23(a)(e)

      2,659       2,702,209  

5.58%, 02/21/23

      1,795       1,824,169  

7.50%, 01/31/27

      640       682,400  

7.50%, 01/31/27(a)(e)

      1,249       1,331,746  

7.60%, 03/01/29(a)

      511       539,105  

6.38%, 04/11/31(a)

    EUR       264       305,448  

8.50%, 01/31/47

    USD       1,394       1,475,897  

Indonesia Government International Bond:

     

4.75%, 01/08/26

      1,325       1,443,008  

3.50%, 01/11/28(e)

      2,949       2,967,431  

4.10%, 04/24/28

      735       776,344  

4.75%, 02/11/29

      800       888,000  

5.35%, 02/11/49(e)

      315       377,409  

Indonesia Treasury Bond, 6.13%, 05/15/28

    IDR       38,654,000       2,521,300  

Mexico Government International Bond, 3.75%, 01/11/28(e)

    USD       630       641,025  

Nigeria Government International Bond, 7.63%, 11/21/25

      920       1,002,800  

Paraguay Government International Bond, 5.40%, 03/30/50(a)

      500       557,187  

Qatar Government International Bond:

     

4.50%, 04/23/28

      1,600       1,788,000  

4.00%, 03/14/29(a)(e)

      760       820,325  

Republic of South Africa Government International Bond(e):

     

4.88%, 04/14/26

      3,969       4,114,117  

4.30%, 10/12/28

      1,190       1,171,778  

Russian Foreign Bond — Eurobond, 4.75%, 05/27/26

      800       852,250  

Saudi Government International Bond:

     

4.38%, 04/16/29(a)(e)

      326       352,895  

4.50%, 04/17/30

      2,000       2,182,000  

5.25%, 01/16/50(a)(e)

      1,147       1,303,996  

Sri Lanka Government International Bond, 7.85%, 03/14/29

      525       543,047  

Turkey Government International Bond, 4.88%, 04/16/43(e)

      325       253,703  
   

 

 

 

Total Foreign Agency Obligations — 8.9%
(Cost — $37,793,032)

 

    39,690,850  
   

 

 

 

Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities — 20.3%

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 1.1%

 

   

BCAP LLC Trust, Series 2012-RR3, Class 1A5, 6.62%, 12/26/37(a)(b)

      2,099       1,937,914  

Cascade Funding Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-RM3, Class C, 4.00%, 06/25/69(a)(b)

      1,880       1,803,610  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (continued)  

RMF Buyout Issuance Trust, Series 2019-1, Class M4, 4.23%, 07/25/29(a)(l)

    USD       1,450     $ 1,449,999  
   

 

 

 
        5,191,523  
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — 19.2%  

Atrium Hotel Portfolio Trust, Series 2018-ATRM, Class E, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 3.40%), 5.79%, 06/15/35(a)(d)

      3,000       3,014,971  

Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-1, Class AMFX, 5.48%, 01/15/49(b)

      1,397       1,401,169  

Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-C3, Class D, 3.00%, 05/15/52(a)

      1,629       1,441,234  

BBCMS Mortgage Trust(a)(d):

     

Series 2017-DELC, Class E, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 2.50%), 4.89%, 08/15/36

      2,258       2,260,815  

Series 2017-DELC, Class F, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 3.50%), 5.89%, 08/15/36

      550       550,684  

Series 2018-TALL, Class E, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 2.44%), 4.83%, 03/15/37

      1,000       1,003,121  

Series 2019-CLP, Class E, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 2.11%), 4.51%, 12/15/31

      1,434       1,436,952  

Benchmark Mortgage Trust:

     

Series 2018-B2, Class D,
2.84%, 02/15/51(a)(b)

      3,000       2,695,258  

Series 2018-B3, Class D, 3.06%, 04/10/51(a)

      2,500       2,275,060  

Series 2018-B7, Class C, 5.02%, 05/15/53(b)

      1,986       2,191,126  

Series 2019-B9, Class XD,
2.17%, 03/15/52(a)(b)

      11,550       1,803,839  

BWAY Mortgage Trust, Series 2013-1515, Class F, 3.93%, 03/10/33(a)(b)

      2,500       2,520,681  

BX Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-IND, Class H, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 3.00%), 5.39%, 11/15/35(a)(d)

      1,624       1,629,319  

CCRE Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-FAX, Class E, 4.64%, 01/15/39

      2,000       2,112,375  

CCRESG Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-HEAT, Class E, 5.67%, 04/10/29(a)(b)

      2,500       2,536,035  

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class D(a)(b):

 

   

Series 2016-C1, 5.12%, 05/10/49

      5,000       5,067,833  

Series 2016-P3, 2.80%, 04/15/49

      1,000       864,524  

COMM Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-CR23, Class CME, 3.81%, 05/10/48(a)(b)

      1,200       1,197,972  

CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-C15, Class D,
3.00%, 03/15/52(a)

      1,939       1,701,094  

DBGS Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-1735, Class F, 4.33%, 04/10/37(a)(b)

      999       957,400  

DBUBS Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-BRBK, Class F, 3.65%, 10/10/34(a)(b)

      1,000       988,311  

GRACE Mortgage Trust, Series 2014, Class G, 3.71%, 06/10/28(a)(b)

      2,025       2,012,721  

GS Mortgage Securities Corp. Trust, Series 2017-500K, Class G, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 2.50%), 4.89%, 07/15/32(a)(d)

      400       397,357  

GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2017-GS7, Class E,
3.00%, 08/10/50(a)

      1,000       889,760  

JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2015-C33, Class D1,
4.27%, 12/15/48(a)(b)

      857       852,254  

JPMCC Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2017-JP5, Class D,
4.80%, 03/15/50(a)(b)

      2,500       2,556,935  

JPMDB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2018-C8, Class XD,
1.50%, 06/15/51(a)(b)

      11,427       1,229,808  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust(a):

     

Series 2013-C13, Class D,
4.13%, 01/15/46(b)

      500       506,234  

Series 2015-JP1, Class E,
4.39%, 01/15/49(b)

      2,031       1,953,822  

Series 2018-WPT, Class FFX, 5.54%, 07/05/33

      1,970       2,015,371  

LSTAR Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class C(a)(b):

 

   

Series 2016-4, 4.71%, 03/10/49

      476       471,629  

Series 2017-5, 4.87%, 03/10/50

      1,376       1,348,842  
 

 

 

14    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)  

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 2015-C23, Class D, 4.27%, 07/15/50(a)(b)

    USD       2,035     $ 1,987,808  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust:

     

Series 2017-H1, Class D,
2.55%, 06/15/50(a)

      1,000       840,990  

Series 2018-H3, Class D,
3.00%, 07/15/51(a)

      3,000       2,647,423  

Series 2018-H4, Class C,
5.25%, 12/15/51(b)

      1,423       1,582,362  

Series 2018-MP, Class E,
4.42%, 07/11/40(a)(b)

      2,000       1,966,564  

Series 2018-SUN, Class F, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 2.55%), 4.94%, 07/15/35(a)(d)

      1,800       1,818,969  

Series 2019-AGLN, Class F, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 2.60%), 4.99%, 03/15/34(a)(d)

      2,000       2,002,512  

Natixis Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2018-FL1, Class MCR1, 4.79%, 06/15/35(a)(b)

      1,820       1,810,205  

US 2018-USDC, Series 2018-USDC, Class E, 4.64%, 05/13/38(a)(b)

      1,500       1,563,384  

Velocity Commercial Capital Loan Trust, Series 2018-1(a):

     

Class M5, 6.26%, 04/25/48

      351       363,730  

Class M6, 7.26%, 04/25/48

      747       747,438  

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class D:

     

Series 2015-C28, 4.25%, 05/15/48(b)

      2,400       2,220,253  

Series 2015-NXS1, 4.24%, 05/15/48(b)

      2,875       2,799,169  

Series 2015-NXS4, 3.75%, 12/15/48(b)

      1,074       1,065,341  

Series 2015-P2, 3.24%, 12/15/48(a)

      1,375       1,204,521  

Series 2017-C41, 2.60%, 11/15/50(a)(b)

      1,967       1,680,560  

Series 2018-C44, 3.00%, 05/15/51(a)

      3,000       2,712,440  

Series 2018-C45, 3.00%, 06/15/51(a)

      2,100       1,844,750  

WFRBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2012-C6, Class D,
5.77%, 04/15/45(a)(b)

      725       759,152  
   

 

 

 
        85,502,077  
   

 

 

 

Total Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities — 20.3%
(Cost — $86,239,837)

 

    90,693,600  
   

 

 

 

Preferred Securities

 

Capital Trusts — 9.5%

 

Auto Components — 0.4%                  

Volkswagen International Finance NV(g)(j):

     

3.88%

      900       1,041,299  

4.63%

      500       623,239  
   

 

 

 
        1,664,538  
Banks — 3.6%  

ABN AMRO Bank NV(g):

     

4.75%(b)

      1,800       2,105,728  

5.75%(j)

      400       478,223  

Allied Irish Banks PLC, 7.38%(g)(j)

      200       245,329  

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA,
6.00%(b)(g)

      1,000       1,193,828  

Banco Mercantil del Norte SA, 6.75%(a)(g)(j)

      1,000       997,500  

Bank of Ireland, 7.38%(g)(j)

      200       239,924  

BAWAG Group AG, 5.00%(b)(g)

      800       903,898  

CaixaBank SA, 6.75%(g)(j)

      1,200       1,473,499  

Cooperatieve Rabobank UA(g):

     

4.63%(b)

      800       974,904  

6.63%(j)

      800       1,006,225  

Erste Group Bank AG(g):

     

5.13%(b)

      800       959,767  

8.88%(j)

      1,000       1,304,822  

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Asia Ltd., 4.25%(g)(j)

      380       377,625  

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, 7.75%(g)(j)

      1,400       1,791,742  

KBC Group NV, 4.25%(b)(g)

      1,800       2,001,055  
   

 

 

 
        16,054,069  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Building Materials — 0.0%  

Holcim Finance Luxembourg SA, 3.00%(b)(g)

    USD       100     $ 117,425  
   

 

 

 
Chemicals — 0.1%  

Solvay Finance SA, 5.43%(g)(j)

      390       514,336  
   

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 2.9%  

Barclays PLC(g):

     

7.75%(b)

      800       820,000  

7.88%(j)

      900       941,625  

BNP Paribas SA(g):

     

6.13%(j)

      200       253,852  

6.63%(b)

      1,275       1,327,594  

7.00%(b)

      600       640,500  

Credit Suisse Group AG(g):

     

7.13%(j)

      800       849,000  

7.25%(a)(b)

      200       215,000  

7.50%(a)(b)(e)

      900       961,263  

HSBC Holdings PLC, 6.25%(b)(e)(g)

      1,400       1,442,000  

Societe Generale SA(g):

     

7.38%(j)

      1,400       1,471,820  

7.38%(b)

      800       832,000  

UBS Group Funding Switzerland AG,
7.00%(g)(j)

      1,400       1,533,000  

UniCredit SpA(g):

     

6.63%(j)

      900       1,018,273  

7.50%(b)

      500       599,622  
   

 

 

 
        12,905,549  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.5%  

Telefonica Europe BV(g):

     

3.75%(j)

      500       600,544  

3.88%(b)

      1,400       1,647,403  
   

 

 

 
        2,247,947  
Electric Utilities — 0.5%  

Origin Energy Finance Ltd., 4.00%, 09/16/74(j)

      200       228,914  

Orsted A/S, 2.25%, 11/24/17(b)

      1,400       1,642,087  

RWE AG, 2.75%, 04/21/75(j)

      200       232,103  
   

 

 

 
        2,103,104  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.1%  

Belden, Inc., 4.13%, 10/15/26

      200       241,934  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 0.5%  

Argentum Netherlands BV for Swiss Re Ltd., 5.75%, 08/15/50(j)

      800       862,000  

AXA SA, 3.25%, 05/28/49(b)

      800       1,000,484  

KDB Life Insurance Co. Ltd., 7.50%(b)(g)

      500       486,563  
   

 

 

 
        2,349,047  
Media — 0.2%  

Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA,
3.50%, 04/23/75(j)

      800       957,875  
   

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.2%  

Naturgy Finance BV, 4.13%(g)(j)

      300       370,562  

Repsol International Finance BV, 3.88%(g)(j)

      200       239,359  

TOTAL SA, 3.37%(g)(j)

      300       380,275  
   

 

 

 
        990,196  
Real Estate — 0.1%  

ATF Netherlands BV, 3.75%(g)(j)

      400       474,203  
   

 

 

 
Utilities — 0.4%  

Engie SA, 3.25%(b)(g)

      1,400       1,736,173  
   

 

 

 

Total Capital Trusts — 9.5%
(Cost — $40,854,979)

 

    42,356,396  
   

 

 

 

Total Preferred Securities— 9.5%

 

    42,356,396  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      15  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities — 0.8%        

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 0.5%

 

Freddie Mac Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes, Series 2018-DNA1, Class B1, 5.55%, 07/25/30(b)

    USD       2,000     $ 1,991,716  
   

 

 

 
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — 0.3%  

FREMF Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-KGX1, Class BFX,
3.71%, 10/25/27(a)(b)

      1,500       1,450,905  
   

 

 

 

Total U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities — 0.8%
(Cost — $3,365,835)

 

    3,442,621  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 136.4%
(Cost — $603,644,217)

 

    608,282,705  
   

 

 

 
            Shares         
Short-Term Securities — 1.3%              

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 2.26%(p)(q)

      5,990,756       5,990,756  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 1.3%
(Cost — $5,990,756)

 

    5,990,756  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 137.7%
(Cost — $609,634,973)

 

    614,273,461  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (37.7)%

 

    (168,106,521
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 446,166,940  
   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

(b) 

Variable or floating rate security, which interest rate adjusts periodically based on changes in current interest rates and prepayments on the underlying pool of assets. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.

(c) 

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

(d) 

Variable rate security. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.

(e) 

All or a portion of the security has been pledged as collateral in connection with outstanding reverse repurchase agreements.

(f) 

Payment-in-kind security which may pay interest/dividends in additional par/shares and/or in cash. Rates shown are the current rate and possible payment rates.

(g) 

Perpetual security with no stated maturity date.

(h) 

Issuer filed for bankruptcy and/or is in default.

(i) 

Non-income producing security.

(j) 

Variable rate security. Security may be issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a specified date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.

(k) 

Convertible security.

(l) 

When-issued security.

(m) 

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. As of period end, the Trust held restricted securities with a current value of $11,131,958 and an original cost of $10,568,925, which was 2.5% of its net assets.

(n) 

Represents an unsettled loan commitment at period end. Certain details associated with this purchase are not known prior to the settlement date, including coupon rate.

(o) 

Amount is less than $500.

(p) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 
(q) 

During the six months ended June 30, 2019, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate/affiliates of the Trust for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliate    Shares
Held at
12/31/18
     Net
Activity
     Shares
Held at
06/30/19
     Value at
06/30/19
     Income      Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
 (a)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

     5,561,179        429,577        5,990,756      $ 5,990,756      $ 50,431      $      $  
           

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable.

 

For Trust compliance purposes, the Trust’s industry classifications refer to one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or rating group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such industry sub-classifications for reporting ease.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

 

Counterparty   Interest
Rate
    Trade
Date
    Maturity
Date
 (a)
    Face Value     Face Value
Including
Accrued Interest
    Type of Non-Cash Underlying Collateral   Remaining Contractual
Maturity of the Agreements
 (a)

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.80     10/04/18       Open     $ 1,188,750     $ 1,213,714     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.80       10/04/18       Open       1,093,943       1,116,915     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.85       11/29/18       Open       1,810,000       1,840,664     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       12/03/18       Open       2,155,589       2,191,426     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    2.79       12/13/18       Open       1,865,000       1,891,701     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       12/13/18       Open       2,190,240       2,224,745     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       12/13/18       Open       1,158,338       1,176,586     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       12/13/18       Open       1,253,160       1,272,903     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       12/13/18       Open       1,100,190       1,117,523     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       12/13/18       Open       1,086,195       1,103,307     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       12/13/18       Open       1,199,173       1,218,064     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       12/13/18       Open       1,095,413       1,112,670     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       12/13/18       Open       1,040,020       1,056,405     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       12/13/18       Open       1,076,075       1,093,028     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       12/13/18       Open       1,338,858       1,359,950     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

 

 

16    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreements (continued)

 

Counterparty   Interest
Rate
    Trade
Date
    Maturity
Date
 (a)
    Face Value     Face Value
Including
Accrued Interest
    Type of Non-Cash Underlying Collateral   Remaining Contractual
Maturity of the Agreements
 (a)

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05 %       12/13/18       Open     $ 1,030,500     $ 1,046,735     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       12/13/18       Open       1,066,822       1,083,629     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.25       12/14/18       Open       2,488,219       2,518,699     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.50       12/14/18       Open       1,060,500       1,076,667     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.60       12/14/18       Open       887,500       900,063     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.70       12/14/18       Open       768,750       780,051     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.75       12/14/18       Open       650,000       659,024     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.80       12/14/18       Open       1,115,520       1,132,525     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.80       12/14/18       Open       961,610       976,269     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.80       12/14/18       Open       1,725,000       1,751,297     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.80       12/14/18       Open       727,875       738,971     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.80       12/14/18       Open       2,673,125       2,713,875     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.80       12/14/18       Open       1,218,123       1,236,692     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.80       12/14/18       Open       1,129,788       1,147,010     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.80       12/14/18       Open       1,098,200       1,114,941     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.80       12/14/18       Open       1,137,221       1,154,558     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.80       12/14/18       Open       1,073,832       1,090,202     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.80       12/14/18       Open       980,505       995,452     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.80       12/14/18       Open       888,282       901,824     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.90       12/14/18       Open       2,313,330       2,349,855     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       12/14/18       Open       852,500       860,622     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       12/14/18       Open       1,622,500       1,646,792     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.05       12/14/18       Open       1,877,500       1,906,121     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       12/20/18       Open       1,077,757       1,094,224     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.00       01/11/19       Open       384,500       383,603     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.95       01/23/19       Open       1,204,094       1,219,683     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    1.60       01/24/19       Open       150,500       151,550     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.45       01/24/19       Open       278,250       280,677     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.70       01/25/19       Open       1,847,500       1,869,254     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.75       01/28/19       Open       1,467,083       1,484,341     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       01/28/19       Open       1,341,260       1,358,473     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       02/11/19       Open       350,500       354,589     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    2.75       02/12/19       Open       527,625       532,681     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       02/19/19       Open       1,183,341       1,196,358     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    1.00       02/21/19       Open       904,500       908,583     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.70       02/21/19       Open       1,012,227       1,022,097     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       02/21/19       Open       936,994       947,145     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    2.50       02/26/19       Open       898,450       906,187     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.95       03/06/19       Open       783,720       791,170     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.95       03/06/19       Open       821,340       829,147     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    2.45       03/06/19       Open       289,800       292,088     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       03/07/19       Open       1,155,985       1,167,160     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Goldman Sachs & Co LLC.

    2.50       03/11/19       Open       725,263       730,753     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    2.79       03/29/19       Open       582,930       587,177     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.10       04/09/19       Open       452,375       454,566     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

BNP Paribas S.A

    2.80       04/09/19       Open       3,459,210       3,481,272     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

BNP Paribas S.A

    2.95       04/09/19       Open       353,700       356,077     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

BNP Paribas S.A

    2.95       04/09/19       Open       951,250       957,642     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

BNP Paribas S.A

    2.95       04/09/19       Open       3,367,066       3,389,691     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

BNP Paribas S.A

    2.95       04/09/19       Open       1,730,000       1,741,625     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

BNP Paribas S.A

    2.95       04/09/19       Open       564,750       568,545     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

BNP Paribas S.A

    2.95       04/09/19       Open       1,016,312       1,023,142     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

BNP Paribas S.A

    2.99       04/09/19       Open       1,198,104       1,206,264     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

BNP Paribas S.A

    2.99       04/09/19       Open       1,136,438       1,144,177     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

BNP Paribas S.A

    2.99       04/09/19       Open       1,244,319       1,252,793     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

BNP Paribas S.A

    2.99       04/09/19       Open       1,253,850       1,262,389     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

BNP Paribas S.A

    3.00       04/09/19       Open       1,873,681       1,886,485     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

BNP Paribas S.A

    3.00       04/09/19       Open       1,860,000       1,872,710     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

BNP Paribas S.A

    3.00       04/09/19       Open       1,089,625       1,097,071     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

BNP Paribas S.A

    3.00       04/09/19       Open       1,820,000       1,832,437     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

BNP Paribas S.A

    3.00       04/09/19       Open       1,887,500       1,900,398     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

BNP Paribas S.A

    3.03       04/09/19       Open       1,020,625       1,027,669     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      17  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreements (continued)

 

Counterparty   Interest
Rate
    Trade
Date
    Maturity
Date
 (a)
    Face Value     Face Value
Including
Accrued Interest
    Type of Non-Cash Underlying Collateral   Remaining Contractual
Maturity of the Agreements
 (a)

BNP Paribas S.A

    3.05 %       04/09/19       Open     $ 952,750     $ 959,369     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       04/24/19       Open       598,750       602,093     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.10       04/26/19       Open       507,000       507,532     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/02/19       Open       572,900       575,764     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/02/19       Open       818,300       822,390     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/02/19       Open       630,000       633,149     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/02/19       Open       547,655       550,393     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/02/19       Open       616,875       619,959     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/02/19       Open       1,103,795       1,109,312     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/02/19       Open       672,570       675,932     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/02/19       Open       1,070,650       1,076,002     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/02/19       Open       654,840       658,113     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/02/19       Open       810,000       814,049     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/02/19       Open       601,875       604,884     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/02/19       Open       1,102,200       1,107,709     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/02/19       Open       1,060,000       1,065,299     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/02/19       Open       1,093,925       1,099,393     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    2.75       05/07/19       Open       811,900       814,945     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       05/09/19       Open       1,272,000       1,277,512     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       05/10/19       Open       557,831       560,109     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       05/10/19       Open       501,600       503,648     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       05/10/19       Open       541,215       543,425     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       05/10/19       Open       492,250       494,260     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       05/10/19       Open       1,160,640       1,165,379     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       05/10/19       Open       449,375       451,210     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       05/10/19       Open       912,500       916,226     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       05/10/19       Open       464,580       466,477     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       05/10/19       Open       468,650       470,564     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/10/19       Open       238,500       239,490     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/10/19       Open       289,845       291,048     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/10/19       Open       442,550       444,387     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/10/19       Open       445,500       447,349     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/10/19       Open       317,655       318,974     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/10/19       Open       416,185       417,913     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/10/19       Open       511,875       514,000     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/10/19       Open       297,745       298,981     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/10/19       Open       533,200       535,414     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       05/10/19       Open       472,320       474,281     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       06/04/19       Open       1,481,670       1,484,934     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       06/04/19       Open       1,195,425       1,198,058     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.50       06/06/19       Open       1,169,376       1,171,406     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.75       06/06/19       Open       1,351,500       1,354,081     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.75       06/06/19       Open       1,009,400       1,011,328     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.95       06/06/19       Open       1,123,300       1,125,601     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       06/06/19       Open       1,024,550       1,026,684     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    2.45       06/11/19       Open       195,406       195,659     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.65       06/20/19       Open       314,182       314,414     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.65       06/20/19       Open       1,574,000       1,575,159     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.75       06/20/19       Open       963,750       964,560     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.85       06/20/19       Open       894,375       895,154     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.90       06/20/19       Open       1,626,719       1,628,029     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.90       06/20/19       Open       1,270,283       1,271,306     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.95       06/20/19       Open       935,000       935,843     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.95       06/20/19       Open       906,250       907,067     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    2.95       06/20/19       Open       917,500       918,327     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       06/20/19       Open       970,175       971,064     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       06/20/19       Open       1,078,969       1,079,958     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       06/20/19       Open       1,193,500       1,194,594     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       06/20/19       Open       1,253,000       1,254,149     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       06/20/19       Open       792,500       793,226     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.15       06/20/19       Open       702,500       703,176     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

 

 

18    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust

 

Reverse Repurchase Agreements (continued)

 

Counterparty   Interest
Rate
    Trade
Date
    Maturity
Date
 (a)
    Face Value     Face Value
Including
Accrued Interest
    Type of Non-Cash Underlying Collateral   Remaining Contractual
Maturity of the Agreements
 (a)

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    2.79     06/20/19       Open     $ 396,000     $ 396,338     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       06/20/19       Open       194,145       194,326     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       06/20/19       Open       224,615       224,824     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       06/20/19       Open       438,210       438,618     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       06/20/19       Open       878,040       878,858     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       06/20/19       Open       1,756,038       1,757,674     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       06/20/19       Open       154,177       154,321     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       06/20/19       Open       196,800       196,983     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       06/20/19       Open       525,687       526,177     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       06/20/19       Open       199,375       199,561     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       06/20/19       Open       146,157       146,294     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       06/20/19       Open       196,020       196,203     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       06/20/19       Open       154,742       154,887     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       06/20/19       Open       303,450       303,733     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       06/20/19       Open       223,995       224,204     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

Barclays Capital, Inc.

    3.00       06/27/19       Open       2,381,250       2,381,845     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

BNP Paribas S.A

    2.87       06/27/19       Open       811,250       811,444     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

BNP Paribas S.A

    2.99       06/27/19       Open       991,875       992,122     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

BNP Paribas S.A

    3.00       06/27/19       Open       2,315,625       2,316,203     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       06/27/19       Open       139,125       139,160     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       06/27/19       Open       126,000       126,032     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       06/27/19       Open       150,147       150,185     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    3.05       06/27/19       Open       469,500       469,520     Corporate Bonds   Open/Demand
       

 

 

   

 

 

     
        $ 156,528,124     $ 157,813,591      
       

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

  (a) 

Certain agreements have no stated maturity and can be terminated by either party at any time.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value /
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Long Contracts

                 

10-Year U.S. Ultra Long Treasury Note

     71          09/19/19        $ 9,807        $ 25,548  

Long U.S. Treasury Bond

     42          09/19/19          6,535          173,781  

5-Year U.S. Treasury Note

     107          09/30/19          12,643          157,848  
                 

 

 

 
                    357,177  
                 

 

 

 

Short Contracts

                 

Euro-BOBL

     1          09/06/19          153          (649

10-Year U.S. Treasury Note

     198          09/19/19          25,338          (515,047

U.S. Ultra Bond

     11          09/19/19          1,953          (66,422

2-Year U.S. Treasury Note

     221          09/30/19          47,555          (47,830
                 

 

 

 
                    (629,948
                 

 

 

 
                  $ (272,771
                 

 

 

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

Currency
Purchased
       Currency
Sold
       Counterparty      Settlement Date        Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
GBP     2,373,000        USD     3,008,066        State Street Bank and Trust Co.        07/03/19        $ 5,680  
USD     684,318        EUR     600,000        State Street Bank and Trust Co.        07/03/19          2,000  
USD     49,182,678        EUR     43,103,000        UBS AG        08/06/19          29,657  
                       

 

 

 
                          37,337  
                       

 

 

 
EUR     43,103,000        USD     49,046,904        UBS AG        07/03/19          (30,290
USD     62,030        EUR     55,000        BNP Paribas S.A.        07/03/19          (516
USD     46,152,133        EUR     41,301,000        HSBC Bank USA N.A.        07/03/19          (815,251

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      19  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (continued)

 

Currency
Purchased
       Currency
Sold
       Counterparty      Settlement Date        Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
USD     670,862        EUR     594,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        07/03/19        $ (4,634
USD     625,236        EUR     553,000        State Street Bank and Trust Co.        07/03/19          (3,634
USD     2,994,739        GBP     2,378,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        07/03/19          (25,357
USD     1,862,625        ARS     89,126,606        Citibank N.A.        07/17/19          (186,706
USD     3,013,041        GBP     2,373,000        State Street Bank and Trust Co.        08/06/19          (5,742
USD     300,174        EUR     264,000        Bank of America N.A.        09/09/19          (1,651
USD     346,027        HKD     2,710,000        Bank of America N.A.        09/20/19          (1,010
USD     345,723        HKD     2,707,980        HSBC Bank USA N.A.        09/20/19          (1,055
USD     141,564        IDR     2,046,314,170       

Morgan Stanley & Co.

International PLC

       09/20/19          (1,841
                       

 

 

 
                          (1,077,687
                       

 

 

 
    Net Unrealized Depreciation        $ (1,040,350
                     

 

 

 

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps — Sell Protection

 

Reference Obligation/Index   

Financing
Rate Received

by the Trust

    Payment
Frequency
   Termination
Date
     Credit
Rating
 (a)
   Notional
Amount (000)
 (b)
     Value      Upfront
Premium
Paid
(Received)
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

CDX.NA.HY.30.V1

     5.00   Quarterly      06/20/23      CCC+      USD       12,125      $ 1,018,993      $ 872,951      $ 146,042  

CDX.NA.HY.32.V1

     5.00     Quarterly      06/20/24      B      USD       30,640        2,373,307        1,993,001        380,306  
                  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                   $ 3,392,300      $ 2,865,952      $ 526,348  
                  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Using S&P’s rating of the issuer or the underlying securities of the index, as applicable.

 
  (b) 

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

 

OTC Credit Default Swaps — Sell Protection

 

Reference Obligation/Index   Financing
Rate Received
by the Trust
    Payment
Frequency
    Counterparty   Termination
Date
    Credit
Rating
 (a)
 

Notional
Amount (000)
 (b)

    Value     Upfront
Premium
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

CMBX.NA.9.BBB-

    3.00     Monthly     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     09/17/58     N/R     USD       10,000     $ (325,791   $ (1,126,286   $ 800,495  

CMBX.NA.9.BBB-

    3.00       Monthly     Deutsche Bank AG     09/17/58     N/R     USD       10,000       (325,791     (1,288,919     963,128  

CMBX.NA.9.BBB-

    3.00       Monthly     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     09/17/58     N/R     USD       15,000       (488,687     (1,118,550     629,863  
               

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                $ (1,140,269   $ (3,533,755   $ 2,393,486  
               

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Using S&P’s rating of the issuer or the underlying securities of the index, as applicable.

 
  (b) 

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

 

Balances Reported in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities for Centrally Cleared Swaps and OTC Swaps

 

      Swap
Premiums
Paid
     Swap
Premiums
Received
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

Centrally Cleared Swaps(a)

   $ 2,865,952      $      $ 526,348      $  

OTC Swaps

            (3,533,755      2,393,486         

 

  (a) 

Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on centrally cleared swaps, as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities and is net of any previously paid (received) swap premium amounts.

 

 

 

20    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $      $      $ 357,177      $      $ 357,177  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          37,337                      37,337  

Swaps — centrally cleared

                    

Unrealized appreciation on centrally cleared swaps(a)

            526,348                                    526,348  

Swaps — OTC

                    

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swaps; Swap premiums paid

            2,393,486                                    2,393,486  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $ 2,919,834      $      $ 37,337      $ 357,177      $      $ 3,314,348  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $      $      $ 629,948      $      $ 629,948  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          1,077,687                      1,077,687  

Swaps — OTC

                    

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swaps; Swap premiums received

            3,533,755                                    3,533,755  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $ 3,533,755      $      $ 1,077,687      $ 629,948      $      $ 5,241,390  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts and centrally cleared swaps, if any, are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $      $      $ (494,345)      $      $ (494,345)  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          981,005                      981,005  

Options purchased(a)

                   (136,731)               (79,877)               (216,608)  

Swaps

            1,365,617                                    1,365,617  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $ 1,365,617      $ (136,731)      $ 981,005      $ (574,222)      $      $ 1,635,669  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:                                                 

Futures contracts

   $      $      $      $      $ 48,617      $      $ 48,617  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          (392,491)                      (392,491)  

Options purchased(b)

                   (4,032)               (134,471)               (138,503)  

Swaps

            4,176,359                                    4,176,359  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $ 4,176,359      $ (4,032)      $ (392,491)      $ (85,854)      $      $ 3,693,982  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Options purchased are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments.

 
  (b) 

Options purchased are included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments.

 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      21  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 38,073,977  

Average notional value of contracts — short

   $ 58,337,669  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts:

  

Average amounts purchased — in USD

   $ 101,156,608  

Average amounts sold — in USD

   $ 50,073,824  

Options:

  

Average value of option contracts purchased

   $ 28,275  

Average notional value of swaption contracts purchased

   $ (a) 

Credit default swaps:

  

Average notional amount-sell protection

   $ 69,077,500  

 

  (a) 

Derivative not held at quarter-end. The risk exposure table serves as an indicator of activity during the period.

 

For more information about the Trust’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

The Trust’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) were as follows:

 

      Assets        Liabilities  

Futures contracts

   $ 13,900        $ 11,517  

Swaps — Centrally cleared

     73,039           

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     37,337          1,077,687  

Swaps — OTC(a)

     2,393,486          3,533,755  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities

   $ 2,517,762        $ 4,622,959  

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

     (86,939        (11,517
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $ 2,430,823        $ 4,611,442  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Includes unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on OTC swaps and swap premiums paid/received in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

The following table presents the Trust’s derivative assets (and liabilities) by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under a MNA and net of the related collateral received (and pledged) by the Trust:

 

Counterparty    Derivative
Assets
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
       Derivatives
Available
for Offset
 (a)
       Non-cash
Collateral
Received
 (b)
       Cash
Collateral
Received
 (b)
       Net Amount
of Derivative
Assets
  (c)(f)
 

Deutsche Bank AG

   $ 963,128        $ (963,128      $        $        $  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     1,430,358          (1,430,358                           

State Street Bank and Trust Co.

     7,680          (7,680                           

UBS AG

     29,657          (29,657                           
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 2,430,823        $ (2,430,823      $        $        $  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

Counterparty   

Derivative

Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty

       Derivatives
Available
for Offset
 (a)
       Non-cash
Collateral
Pledged
 (d)
       Cash
Collateral
Pledged
 (d)
       Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
 (e),  (f)
 

Bank of America N.A.

   $ 2,661        $        $        $        $ 2,661  

BNP Paribas S.A.

     516                                     516  

Citibank N.A.

     186,706                                     186,706  

Deutsche Bank AG

     1,288,919          (963,128                 (325,791         

HSBC Bank USA N.A.

     816,306                                     816,306  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     29,991                                     29,991  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     2,246,677          (1,430,358                 (742,000        74,319  

State Street Bank and Trust Co.

     9,376          (7,680                          1,696  

UBS AG

     30,290          (29,657                          633  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 4,611,442        $ (2,430,823      $        $ (1,067,791      $ 1,112,828  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

The amount of derivatives available for offset is limited to the amount of derivative assets and/or liabilities that are subject to an MNA.

 
  (b) 

Excess of collateral received from the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (c) 

Net amount represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.

 

 

 

22    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust

 

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End (continued)

  (d) 

Excess of collateral pledged to the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (e) 

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to the counterparty in the event of default. Net amount may be offset further by the options written receivable/payable on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 
  (f) 

Net amount may also include forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are not required to be collateralized.

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Trust’s policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following tables summarize the Trust’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

                 

Investments:

                 

Long-Term Investments:

                 

Asset-Backed Securities

   $        $ 103,191,588        $ 8,554,177        $ 111,745,765  

Corporate Bonds

     1,615,051          216,077,904          11,571,830          229,264,785  

Floating Rate Loan Interests

              35,810,863          55,277,825          91,088,688  

Foreign Agency Obligations

              39,690,850                   39,690,850  

Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

              90,693,600                   90,693,600  

Preferred Securities

              42,356,396                   42,356,396  

U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities

              3,442,621                   3,442,621  

Short-Term Securities

     5,990,756                            5,990,756  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 7,605,807        $ 531,263,822        $ 75,403,832        $ 614,273,461  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Assets:

                 

Credit contracts

   $        $ 2,919,834        $        $ 2,919,834  

Forward foreign currency contracts

              37,337                   37,337  

Interest rate contracts

     357,177                            357,177  

Liabilities:

 

Forward foreign currency contracts

              (1,077,687                 (1,077,687

Interest rate contracts

     (629,948                          (629,948
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ (272,771      $ 1,879,484        $        $ 1,606,713  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are swaps, futures contracts and forward foreign currency exchange contracts which are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

The Trust may hold assets and/or liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount or face value, including accrued interest, for financial statement purposes. As of period end, reverse repurchase agreements of $157,813,591 are categorized as Level 2 within the disclosure hierarchy.

A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented when the Trust had a significant amount of Level 3 investments at the beginning and/or end of the period in relation to net assets. The following table is a reconciliation of Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used in determining fair value:

 

     

Asset-Backed

Securities

       Corporate
Bonds
       Floating
Rate Loan
Interests
       Total  

Assets:

                 

Opening Balance, as of December 31, 2018

   $ 9,181,158        $ 471,000        $ 67,627,858        $ 77,280,016  

Transfers into Level 3

                       1,618,940          1,618,940  

Transfers out of Level 3

                       (16,526,896        (16,526,896

Accrued discounts/premiums

     32,039          8,535          50,618          91,192  

Net realized gain (loss)

     (207,159                 15,939          (191,220

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(a)(b)

     230,928          573,761          357,208          1,161,897  

Purchases

     1,085,250          10,560,390          8,586,204          20,231,844  

Sales

     (1,768,039        (41,856        (6,452,046        (8,261,941
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Closing Balance, as of June 30, 2019

   $ 8,554,177        $ 11,571,830        $ 55,277,825        $ 75,403,832  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at June 30, 2019(b)

   $ 176,879        $ 573,761        $ 357,208        $ 1,107,848  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Included in the related net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the Statements of Operations.

 
  (b) 

Any difference between net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at June 30, 2019 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      23  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)

The following table summarizes the valuation approaches used and unobservable inputs utilized by the BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) to determine the value of certain of the Trust’s Level 3 investments as of period end. The table does not include Level 3 investments with values based upon unadjusted third party pricing information in the amount of $39,191,432. A significant change in the third party information could result in a significantly lower or higher value of such Level 3 investments.

 

      Value      Valuation
Approach
     Unobservable Inputs      Range of
unobservable
Inputs Utilized
 

Assets:

           

Floating Rate Loan Interests(a)

   $ 36,212,400        Income        Discount Rate (b)       9%-13%  

 

  (a) 

For the period ended June 30, 2019, the valuation technique for investments classified as Floating Rate Interests amounting to $17,064,600 changed to income approach. The investments were previously valued utilizing Transaction Price. The change was due to consideration of the information that was available at the time the investments were valued.

 
  (b) 

Decrease in unobservable input may result in a significant increase to value, while an increase in unobservable input may result in a significant decrease to value.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

24    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
(000)
    Value  
Asset-Backed Securities — 14.9%  

AIMCO CLO Ltd., Series 2019-10A, Class SUB, 0.00%, 07/22/32(a)(b)

    USD       772     $ 638,331  

Ajax Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2019-C, Class A, 3.95%, 10/25/58(a)(b)(c)

      1,492       1,498,276  

ARES LI CLO Ltd., Series 2019-51A, Class E, 8.99%, 04/15/31(a)(b)

      300       297,085  

Assurant CLO II Ltd., Series 2018-1A, Class E, 8.19%, 04/20/31(a)(b)

      400       375,924  

CarVal CLO II Ltd., Series 2019-1A, Class E, 9.39%, 04/20/32(a)(b)

      250       243,532  

Elevation CLO Ltd., Series 2014-3A, Class DR,
(3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.65%), 6.25%, 10/15/26(a)(d)

      420       420,676  

Finance of America Structured Securities Trust, Series 2019-HB1, Class M5, 6.00%, 04/25/29(a)(b)

      2,000       1,901,262  

First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2006-FF13, Class A1, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.12%),
2.52%, 10/25/36(d)

      1,788       1,458,207  

GSAA Home Equity Trust:

     

Series 2005-14, Class 1A2, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.35%), 2.75%, 12/25/35(d)

      3,371       1,478,621  

Series 2006-4, Class 1A1,
4.06%, 03/25/36(b)

      1,688       1,464,609  

Series 2006-5, Class 1A1, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.18%), 2.58%, 03/25/36(d)

      2,906       1,423,304  

GSAMP Trust, Series 2006-FM3, Class A1,
(1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.14%), 2.54%, 11/25/36(d)

      2,530       1,480,752  

Home Partners of America Trust, Series 2016-2, Class C, (1 mo. LIBOR + 2.40%), 4.79%, 10/17/33(a)(d)

      700       701,851  

Madison Park Funding X Ltd., Series 2012-10A, Class DR2, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.25%), 5.69%, 01/20/29(a)(d)

      560       555,202  

Mariner CLO LLC, Series 2018-1A, Class E, 9.43%, 04/30/32(a)(b)

      250       245,668  

Mariner Finance Issuance Trust, Series 2018-AA, Class D, 5.44%, 07/20/32(a)

      900       899,992  

Nationstar HECM Loan Trust, Series 2019-1A, Class M4, 5.80%, 06/25/29(a)(b)

      1,500       1,499,999  

OZLM Funding Ltd., Series 2012-1A, Class CR2,
(3 mo. LIBOR US + 3.60%), 6.19%, 07/22/29(a)(d)

      250       249,093  

Palmer Square Loan Funding Ltd., Series 2019-3A, Class C, 0.00%, 08/20/27(a)(b)

      1,500       1,500,000  

Rockford Tower CLO Ltd.(a)(b):

     

Series 2017-3A, Class D, 5.24%, 10/20/30

      430       416,502  

Series 2017-3A, Class SUB, 0.00%, 10/20/30

      250       235,036  

Series 2018-1A, Class SUB, 0.00%, 05/20/31

      250       222,416  

Series 2018-2A, Class SUB, 0.00%, 10/20/31

      250       222,511  

Saxon Asset Securities Trust, Series 2007-1, Class M1, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.29%), 2.69%, 01/25/47(d)

      2,830       2,113,565  

Sofi Professional Loan Program LLC, Series 2016-B, Class RC, 0.00%, 04/25/37(a)(c)

      (n)      276,750  

TICP CLO XII Ltd., Series 2018-12A, Class E, 8.31%, 01/15/31(a)(b)

      1,000       973,043  

TRESTLES CLO II Ltd., Series 2018-2A, Class D, 8.33%, 07/25/31(a)(b)

      250       234,968  

Westcott Park CLO Ltd., Series 2016-1A, Class DR, 5.72%, 07/20/28(a)(b)

      250       248,081  
     

 

 

 

Total Asset-Backed Securities — 14.9%
(Cost — $23,370,935)

 

    23,275,256  
 

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds — 42.3%

 

Aerospace & Defense — 0.4%

 

TransDigm, Inc., 6.25%, 03/15/26(a)

      660       694,650  
     

 

 

 
Security          Par
(000)
    Value  
Airlines — 1.5%  

American Airlines Group, Inc.:

     

5.00%, 06/01/22(a)

    USD       864     $ 890,179  

4.00%, 12/15/25(d)

      128       128,000  

Avianca Holdings SA/Avianca Leasing LLC/Grupo Taca Holdings Ltd., 8.38%, 05/10/20(a)

      1,000       960,198  

Gol Finance, Inc., 7.00%, 01/31/25(a)

      400       390,000  
     

 

 

 
    2,368,377  
Auto Components — 0.6%  

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 3.02%, 03/06/24

    EUR       200       240,866  

Meritor, Inc., 6.25%, 02/15/24

    USD       504       518,490  

Panther BF Aggregator 2 LP/Panther Finance Co., Inc., 6.25%, 05/15/26(a)

      144       149,580  
     

 

 

 
    908,936  
Banks — 0.7%  

Banco de Sabadell SA, 5.38%, 12/12/28(b)

    EUR       400       499,714  

Credit Mutuel Arkea SA, 3.38%, 03/11/31

      200       249,903  

IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG, 4.00%, 01/31/28(b)

      300       335,439  
     

 

 

 
    1,085,056  
Beverages — 0.5%  

Central American Bottling Corp., 5.75%, 01/31/27(a)

    USD       800       826,000  
     

 

 

 
Building Materials — 0.0%  

US Concrete, Inc., 6.38%, 06/01/24

      11       11,440  
     

 

 

 
Building Products — 0.2%  

Builders FirstSource, Inc., 5.63%, 09/01/24(a)

      13       13,399  

Masonite International Corp., 5.63%, 03/15/23(a)

      290       298,700  

Standard Industries, Inc., 4.75%, 01/15/28(a)

      18       17,865  
     

 

 

 
    329,964  
Capital Markets — 0.1%  

Mongolian Mortgage Corp. Hfc LLC, 9.75%, 01/29/22

      200       202,438  
     

 

 

 
Chemicals — 0.9%  

Cydsa SAB de CV, 6.25%, 10/04/27(a)

      400       400,125  

Mexichem SAB de CV, 5.88%, 09/17/44(a)

      400       417,313  

NOVA Chemicals Corp., 4.88%, 06/01/24(a)

      621       642,735  
     

 

 

 
    1,460,173  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.9%  

Iron Mountain US Holdings, Inc., 5.38%, 06/01/26(a)

      448       449,680  

KAR Auction Services, Inc., 5.13%, 06/01/25(a)

      444       451,770  

United Rentals North America, Inc., 4.88%, 01/15/28

      450       459,000  
     

 

 

 
    1,360,450  
Construction & Engineering — 0.7%  

PulteGroup, Inc., 5.50%, 03/01/26

      585       631,800  

Weekley Homes LLC/Weekley Finance Corp., 6.00%, 02/01/23

      447       441,412  
     

 

 

 
    1,073,212  
Consumer Finance — 0.3%  

Credito Real SAB de CV, 7.25%, 07/20/23(a)

      500       527,344  
     

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging — 0.5%  

Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh Holdings USA, Inc., 7.25%, 05/15/24(a)

      324       341,415  

Mauser Packaging Solutions Holding Co.,
5.50%, 04/15/24(a)

      402       402,201  
     

 

 

 
    743,616  
Diversified Financial Services — 2.4%  

Alpha Holding SA de CV, 10.00%, 12/19/22(a)

      500       479,531  

Coastal Emerald Ltd., 5.95%, 01/13/20

      400       401,000  

Credit Agricole SA (5 year USD Swap +
4.90%), 7.88%(e)(f)

      600       660,552  

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 5.58%, 03/18/24

      597       640,807  

Gilex Holding Sarl, 8.50%, 05/02/23(a)

      250       264,440  
 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      25  


 

Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
(000)
    Value  
Diversified Financial Services (continued)  

Quicken Loans, Inc.(a):

     

5.75%, 05/01/25

    USD       826     $ 851,812  

5.25%, 01/15/28

      18       17,910  

Scenery Journey Ltd., 11.00%, 11/06/20

      200       208,000  

UniCredit SpA, 7.50%(b)(f)

    EUR       200       239,849  
     

 

 

 
    3,763,901  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.4%  

Axtel SAB de CV, 6.38%, 11/14/24(a)

    USD       600       611,813  

Frontier Communications Corp.(a):

     

8.50%, 04/01/26

      493       478,210  

8.00%, 04/01/27

      662       688,480  

Level 3 Financing, Inc., 5.63%, 02/01/23

      218       220,716  

Oi SA, (8.00% Cash or 4.00% PIK), 10.00%, 07/27/25(g)

      200       206,750  
     

 

 

 
    2,205,969  
Electric Utilities — 1.9%  

EDP — Energias de Portugal SA, 4.50%, 04/30/79(b)

    EUR       200       248,456  

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd., 6.35%, 08/10/28(a)

    USD       629       678,180  

Iberdrola International BV, 3.25%(b)(f)

    EUR       400       491,118  

Inkia Energy Ltd., 5.88%, 11/09/27(a)

    USD       400       409,500  

ReNew Power Synthetic, 6.67%, 03/12/24

      200       204,137  

Talen Energy Supply LLC(a):

     

7.25%, 05/15/27

      642       658,050  

6.63%, 01/15/28(h)

      274       272,288  
     

 

 

 
    2,961,729  
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.5%  

Anton Oilfield Services Group, 9.75%, 12/05/20

      200       204,345  

Transocean Phoenix 2 Ltd., 7.75%, 10/15/24(a)

      548       584,456  
     

 

 

 
    788,801  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.6%  

Five Point Operating Co. LP/Five Point Capital Corp., 7.88%, 11/15/25(a)

      467       469,344  

MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP/MGP Finance Co-Issuer, Inc., 5.63%, 05/01/24

      432       465,480  
     

 

 

 
    934,824  
Food Products — 1.0%  

Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV, 5.95%(a)(b)(f)

      300       314,970  

JBS USA LUX SA/JBS USA Finance, Inc.,
6.75%, 02/15/28(a)

      17       18,424  

MARB BondCo PLC, 6.88%, 01/19/25(a)

      400       415,042  

Minerva Luxembourg SA, 6.50%, 09/20/26(a)

      400       415,247  

Post Holdings, Inc., 5.00%, 08/15/26(a)

      452       458,215  
     

 

 

 
    1,621,898  
Forest Products — 0.3%  

Suzano Austria GmbH, 7.00%, 03/16/47(a)

      400       455,000  
     

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.1%  

Yestar Healthcare Holdings Co. Ltd., 6.90%, 09/15/21

      200       170,630  
     

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.3%  

HCA, Inc., 5.88%, 02/01/29

      414       453,847  
     

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.3%  

ESH Hospitality, Inc., 5.25%, 05/01/25(a)

      604       618,345  

Golden Entertainment, Inc., 7.63%, 04/15/26(a)

      34       34,765  

Grupo Posadas SAB de CV, 7.88%, 06/30/22(a)

      200       200,062  

International Game Technology PLC, 6.50%, 02/15/25(a)

      582       635,835  

KFC Holding Co./Pizza Hut Holdings LLC/Taco Bell of America LLC, 5.00%, 06/01/24(a)

      592       611,980  
     

 

 

 
    2,100,987  
Household Durables — 1.7%  

Alam Synergy Pte Ltd., 6.63%, 04/24/22

      200       195,500  
Security          Par
(000)
    Value  
Household Durables (continued)  

Ashton Woods USA LLC/Ashton Woods Finance Co., 9.88%, 04/01/27(a)

    USD       456     $ 480,510  

Beazer Homes USA, Inc., 8.75%, 03/15/22

      357       371,280  

Century Communities, Inc., 6.75%, 06/01/27(a)

      44       44,605  

Controladora Mabe SA de CV,
5.60%, 10/23/28(a)

      600       628,312  

Taylor Morrison Communities, Inc., 5.88%, 06/15/27(a)

      261       265,568  

William Lyon Homes, Inc., 6.63%, 07/15/27(a)(h)

      604       602,490  
     

 

 

 
    2,588,265  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.5%  

Vistra Energy Corp., 5.88%, 06/01/23

      712       728,020  
     

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates — 3.7%  

Grupo KUO SAB de CV, 5.75%, 07/07/27(a)

      600       609,000  

Vertiv Group Corp, (Acquired 05/10/19, cost $4,853,920), 10.00%, 06/30/24(c)(i)

      5,000       5,112,500  
     

 

 

 
    5,721,500  
Insurance — 0.9%  

Aegon NV, 5.63%(b)(f)

    EUR       200       252,146  

Asahi Mutual Life Insurance Co., 6.50%(b)(f)

    USD       200       207,796  

ASR Nederland NV, 3.38%, 05/02/49(b)

    EUR       100       118,277  

Assicurazioni Generali SpA (3 mo. Euribor + 5.35%), 5.00%, 06/08/48(e)

      400       502,789  

Zurich Finance Ireland Designated Activity Co., 1.63%, 06/17/39

      260       304,190  
     

 

 

 
    1,385,198  
Leisure Time — 0.5%  

Carlson Travel, Inc., 6.75%, 12/15/23(a)

    USD       752       761,400  
     

 

 

 
Media — 1.8%  

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA:

     

5.50%, 08/01/23

      438       399,675  

8.50%, 10/15/24(a)

      297       294,030  

Intelsat SA, 4.50%, 06/15/25(a)(j)

      67       92,689  

Lamar Media Corp., 5.75%, 02/01/26

      422       443,628  

Nexstar Escrow, Inc., 5.63%, 07/15/27(a)(h)

      300       307,125  

Outfront Media Capital LLC/Outfront Media Capital Corp., 5.63%, 02/15/24

      291       299,366  

Sirius XM Radio, Inc.(a):

     

4.63%, 07/15/24(h)

      380       388,847  

5.00%, 08/01/27

      28       28,487  

5.50%, 07/01/29

      26       26,655  

Unitymedia GmbH, 6.13%, 01/15/25(a)

      569       591,902  
     

 

 

 
    2,872,404  
Metals & Mining — 1.8%  

Commercial Metals Co.:

     

4.88%, 05/15/23

      72       72,540  

5.75%, 04/15/26

      21       20,963  

5.38%, 07/15/27

      541       538,295  

Eterna Capital Pte Ltd., Series B, 8.00%, 12/11/22(g)

      260       217,100  

Gold Fields Orogen Holdings BVI Ltd., 5.13%, 05/15/24(a)

      200       209,000  

Nexa Resources SA, 5.38%, 05/04/27(a)

      400       419,650  

Steel Dynamics, Inc., 5.00%, 12/15/26

      740       771,450  

Vedanta Resources Finance II PLC, 8.00%, 04/23/23

      200       202,250  

Vedanta Resources Ltd., 7.13%, 05/31/23

      200       197,563  

Yankuang Group Cayman Ltd., 4.75%, 11/30/20

      200       199,522  
     

 

 

 
    2,848,333  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 8.8%  

Antero Resources Corp., 5.38%, 11/01/21

      100       98,750  

Bruin E&P Partners LLC, 8.88%, 08/01/23(a)

      318       267,120  

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc., 6.25%, 04/15/23

      494       476,710  

Centennial Resource Production LLC(a):

     

5.38%, 01/15/26

      834       792,300  

6.88%, 04/01/27

      51       51,510  
 

 

 

26    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
(000)
    Value  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)  

Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC, 5.13%, 06/30/27

    USD       729     $ 791,876  

Chesapeake Energy Corp.:

     

6.63%, 08/15/20

      31       31,232  

7.00%, 10/01/24

      771       691,972  

CrownRock LP/CrownRock Finance, Inc.,
5.63%, 10/15/25(a)

      21       21,052  

Diamondback Energy, Inc., 4.75%, 11/01/24

      905       931,019  

Frontera Energy Corp., 9.70%, 06/25/23(a)

      400       425,375  

Geopark Ltd., 6.50%, 09/21/24(a)

      800       816,000  

Gran Tierra Energy International Holdings Ltd., 6.25%, 02/15/25(a)

      600       558,750  

Gran Tierra Energy, Inc., 7.75%, 05/23/27(a)

      200       196,800  

Jagged Peak Energy LLC, 5.88%, 05/01/26

      603       593,955  

NGPL PipeCo LLC, 7.77%, 12/15/37(a)

      374       474,980  

Pacific Drilling SA, 8.38%, 10/01/23(a)

      149       147,510  

Parsley Energy LLC/Parsley Finance Corp.(a):

     

6.25%, 06/01/24

      10       10,400  

5.38%, 01/15/25

      668       684,700  

5.25%, 08/15/25

      9       9,135  

5.63%, 10/15/27

      13       13,585  

Petrobras Global Finance BV:

     

5.30%, 01/27/25

      400       424,400  

6.00%, 01/27/28

      1,000       1,063,250  

7.25%, 03/17/44

      150       166,781  

Petroleos Mexicanos:

     

6.38%, 02/04/21

      400       410,900  

6.50%, 03/13/27

      400       395,880  

6.50%, 01/23/29

      400       387,000  

Puma International Financing SA, 5.13%, 10/06/24(a)

      400       367,995  

Rockies Express Pipeline LLC, 6.88%, 04/15/40(a)

      353       393,740  

Santos Finance Ltd., 5.25%, 03/13/29

      200       208,932  

Seven Generations Energy Ltd., 5.38%, 09/30/25(a)

      13       12,512  

Sunoco LP/Sunoco Finance Corp.:

     

6.00%, 04/15/27(a)

      11       11,550  

Series WI, 5.88%, 03/15/28

      756       783,405  

Transocean Guardian Ltd., 5.88%, 01/15/24(a)

      92       93,155  

WPX Energy, Inc.:

     

8.25%, 08/01/23

      10       11,400  

5.25%, 09/15/24

      11       11,289  

5.75%, 06/01/26

      10       10,388  

YPF SA, 8.50%, 06/27/29(a)

      1,000       976,500  
     

 

 

 
    13,813,808  
Pharmaceuticals — 0.2%  

Merck KGaA (5 year EUR Swap + 2.94%),
2.88%, 06/25/79(e)

    EUR       300       352,235  
     

 

 

 
Real Estate — 1.8%  

Central China Real Estate Ltd., 6.50%, 03/05/21

    USD       200       201,248  

China SCE Group Holdings Ltd., 8.75%, 01/15/21

      200       209,500  

CIFI Holdings Group Co. Ltd., 5.50%, 01/23/22

      200       198,084  

Easy Tactic Ltd.:

     

9.13%, 07/28/22

      200       212,000  

8.63%, 02/27/24

      200       203,750  

Greenland Global Investment Ltd., 7.18%, 09/26/21(b)

      200       203,150  

JGC Ventures Pte Ltd., 10.75%, 08/30/21

      200       215,100  

No Va Land Investment Group Corp., 5.50%, 04/27/23(j)

      200       186,250  

Powerlong Real Estate Holdings Ltd., 6.95%, 04/17/21

      200       200,000  

Redco Properties Group Ltd., 13.50%, 01/21/20

      200       206,000  

Yuzhou Properties Co. Ltd.:

     

7.90%, 05/11/21

      200       206,875  

8.63%, 01/23/22

      200       209,000  

Zhenro Properties Group Ltd.:

     

10.50%, 06/28/20

      200       206,688  

12.50%, 01/02/21

      200       213,312  
     

 

 

 
    2,870,957  
Security          Par
(000)
    Value  
Real Estate Management & Development — 1.1%  

China Evergrande Group:

     

7.00%, 03/23/20

    USD       600     $ 603,187  

6.25%, 06/28/21

      200       192,938  

Forestar Group, Inc., 8.00%, 04/15/24(a)

      699       733,076  

Sunac China Holdings Ltd., 7.25%, 06/14/22

      200       200,250  
     

 

 

 
    1,729,451  
Road & Rail — 0.3%  

Hertz Corp., 7.38%, 01/15/21

      455       455,569  
     

 

 

 
Specialty Retail — 0.1%  

Baoxin Auto Finance I Ltd., 5.63%(b)(f)

      200       181,313  
     

 

 

 
Transportation Infrastructure — 0.3%  

Rumo Luxembourg Sarl, 7.38%, 02/09/24(a)

      400       431,000  
     

 

 

 
Utilities — 1.1%  

Engie SA, 3.25%(b)(f)

    EUR       400       496,050  

Huachen Energy Co. Ltd., 6.63%, 05/18/20(k)(l)

    USD       200       128,906  

Stoneway Capital Corp., 10.00%, 03/01/27(a)

      740       696,905  

Vistra Operations Co. LLC, 5.00%, 07/31/27(a)

      320       331,600  
     

 

 

 
    1,653,461  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.6%  

C&W Senior Financing DAC,
6.88%, 09/15/27(a)

      600       619,560  

Sprint Corp., 7.88%, 09/15/23

      295       320,444  
     

 

 

 
    940,004  
     

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds — 42.3%
(Cost — $65,438,497)

 

    66,382,160  
     

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests(d) — 2.8%

 

Diversified Financial Services — 2.3%

 

LSTAR Securities Financing, Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 2.00%), 4.44%, 05/02/22(c)

      1,481       1,481,182  

RNTR Seer Financing, Term Loan, (3 mo. LIBOR + 0.00%), 2.35%, 12/20/21

      2,000       2,000,000  
     

 

 

 
        3,481,182  
Entertainment — 0.2%  

PCI Gaming Authority, Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 3.00%), 5.40%, 05/29/26

      336       336,349  
     

 

 

 
Media — 0.2%  

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, 2017 Term Loan B4, 01/02/24(m)

      306       306,451  
     

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 0.1%  

Bausch Health Cos., Inc., Term Loan B, 11/27/25(m)

      174       172,771  
     

 

 

 

Total Floating Rate Loan Interests — 2.8%
(Cost — $4,295,708)

 

    4,296,753  
     

 

 

 
Foreign Agency Obligations — 5.0%  

Colombia Government International Bond:

     

8.13%, 05/21/24

      285       351,352  

4.50%, 01/28/26

      712       769,316  

3.88%, 04/25/27

      204       212,874  

Egypt Government International Bond:

     

5.58%, 02/21/23(a)

      520       528,450  

5.58%, 02/21/23

      351       356,704  

7.50%, 01/31/27(a)

      257       274,026  

7.50%, 01/31/27

      200       213,250  

8.50%, 01/31/47

      284       300,685  

Indonesia Government International Bond:

     

4.75%, 01/08/26

      277       301,670  

3.50%, 01/11/28

      565       568,531  

4.10%, 04/24/28

      200       211,250  

4.75%, 02/11/29

      200       222,000  
 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      27  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
(000)
    Value  
Foreign Agency Obligations (continued)  

Indonesia Treasury Bond, 6.13%, 05/15/28

    IDR       6,335,000     $ 413,216  

Mexico Government International Bond, 3.75%, 01/11/28

    USD       200       203,500  

Nigeria Government International Bond, 7.63%, 11/21/25

      200       218,000  

Qatar Government International Bond:

     

4.50%, 04/23/28

      300       335,250  

4.00%, 03/14/29(a)

      200       215,875  

Republic of South Africa Government International Bond:

     

4.88%, 04/14/26

      781       809,555  

4.30%, 10/12/28

      221       217,616  

Russian Foreign Bond — Eurobond, 4.75%, 05/27/26

      200       213,062  

Saudi Government International Bond:

     

4.38%, 04/16/29(a)

      200       216,500  

4.50%, 04/17/30

      414       451,674  

5.25%, 01/16/50(a)

      242       275,124  
     

 

 

 

Total Foreign Agency Obligations — 5.0%
(Cost — $7,636,893)

 

    7,879,480  
     

 

 

 
            Shares         

Investment Companies — 8.8%

 

United States — 8.8%  

iShares iBoxx USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF(p)

      79,255       6,909,451  

SPDR Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Bond ETF

      63,660       6,935,120  
     

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies — 8.8%
(Cost — $13,722,177)

 

    13,844,571  
     

 

 

 
            Par
(000)
        

Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities — 9.2%

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 4.4%  

Cascade Funding Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-RM3, Class C,
4.00%, 06/25/69(a)(b)

    USD       920       882,618  

CSMC Trust(c):

     

1.00%, 09/27/66

      1,030       453,200  

1.00%, 09/27/66(a)

      2,320       1,917,763  

GSR Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2006-OA1, Class 1A1, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.22%), 2.62%, 08/25/46(d)

      3,673       1,477,376  

RMF Buyout Issuance Trust, Series 2019-1, Class M4,
4.23%, 07/25/29(a)(b)

      700       700,000  

Voyager OPTONE Delaware Trust, Series 2009-1, Class SAA7, 5.19%, 02/25/38(a)(e)

      4,124       1,546,812  
   

 

 

 
        6,977,769  
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — 2.6%  

Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-C3, Class D, 3.00%, 05/15/52(a)

      570       504,299  

DBUBS Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-BRBK, Class F, 3.65%, 10/10/34(a)(b)

      750       741,233  

Lehman Brothers Small Balance Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-3A, Class M1,
5.76%, 10/25/37(a)(b)

      1,500       1,564,392  

US 2018-USDC, Series 2018-USDC, Class E, 4.64%, 05/13/38(a)(b)

      500       521,128  

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-C28, Class D,
4.25%, 05/15/48(b)

      750       693,829  
   

 

 

 
        4,024,881  
Machinery — 0.9%  

Structured Asset Securities Corp. Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2006-RF3, Class 1A2, 6.00%, 10/25/36(a)

      1,907       1,469,826  
     

 

 

 
Security          Par
(000)
    Value  
Scientific Instruments — 1.3%  

Barclays Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-C3, Class C, 4.18%, 05/15/52

    USD       482     $ 497,452  

CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-C14, Class C, 5.06%, 11/15/51(b)

      750       819,138  

JPMCC Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust,
Series 2019-COR5, Class D,
3.00%, 06/13/52(a)

      750       658,260  
     

 

 

 
    1,974,850  
     

 

 

 

Total Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities — 9.2%
(Cost — $14,389,768)

 

    14,447,326  
     

 

 

 

Preferred Securities

 

Capital Trusts — 7.1%  
Auto Components — 0.4%  

Volkswagen International Finance NV(e)(f):

     

3.88%

      300       347,100  

4.63%

      200       249,295  
   

 

 

 
        596,395  
Banks — 3.2%  

ABN AMRO Bank NV, 4.75%(b)(f)

      700       818,894  

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA, 6.00%(b)(f)

      400       477,531  

Banco Mercantil del Norte SA, 6.75%(a)(e)(f)

      500       498,750  

BAWAG Group AG, 5.00%(b)(f)

      200       225,975  

CaixaBank SA, 6.75%(e)(f)

      400       491,166  

Cooperatieve Rabobank UA(f):

     

4.63%(b)

      200       243,726  

6.63%(e)

      400       503,112  

Erste Group Bank AG(f):

     

5.13%(b)

      400       479,884  

8.88%(e)

      200       260,964  

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, 7.75%(e)(f)

      400       511,926  

KBC Group NV, 4.25%(b)(f)

      400       444,679  
   

 

 

 
        4,956,607  
Diversified Financial Services — 2.4%  

Barclays PLC(f):

     

7.75%(b)

      200       205,000  

7.88%(e)

      200       209,250  

BNP Paribas SA, 6.63%(b)(e)(f)

      450       468,562  

Credit Suisse Group AG(f):

     

7.13%(e)

      400       424,500  

7.50%(a)(b)

      300       320,421  

HSBC Holdings PLC, 6.25%(b)(f)

      450       463,500  

Societe Generale SA(f):

     

7.38%(e)

      450       473,085  

7.38%(b)

      300       312,000  

UBS Group Funding Switzerland AG, 7.00%(e)(f)

      450       492,750  

UniCredit SpA, 6.63%(e)(f)

      400       452,566  
   

 

 

 
        3,821,634  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.3%  

Telefonica Europe BV, 3.88%(b)(f)

      400       470,687  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 0.4%  

Argentum Netherlands BV for Swiss Re Ltd.,
5.75%, 08/15/50(e)

      300       323,250  

AXA SA, 3.25%, 05/28/49(b)

      300       375,182  
   

 

 

 
        698,432  
Media — 0.2%  

Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA,
3.50%, 04/23/75(e)

      300       359,203  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

28    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
(000)
    Value  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.2%  

TOTAL SA, 3.37%(e)(f)

    USD       200     $ 253,517  
     

 

 

 

Total Capital Trusts — 7.1%
(Cost — $10,838,181)

 

    11,156,475  
     

 

 

 

Total Preferred Securities — 7.1%

 

    11,156,475  
     

 

 

 

U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities — 0.3%

 

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — 0.3%  

FREMF Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-KGX1, Class BFX,
3.71%, 10/25/27(a)(b)

      500       483,635  
     

 

 

 

Total U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities — 0.3%
(Cost — $471,926)

 

    483,635  
     

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Obligations — 6.0%

 

U.S. Treasury Notes:

     

1.50%, 11/30/19

      8,000       7,979,375  

2.38%, 05/15/29

      1,400       1,446,758  
     

 

 

 

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations — 6.0%
(Cost — $9,359,589)

 

    9,426,133  
     

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 96.4%
(Cost — $149,523,674)

 

    151,191,789  
     

 

 

 
                
Shares
        

Short-Term Securities — 13.4%

 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 2.26%(o)(p)

      21,038,177       21,038,177  
     

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 13.4%
(Cost — $21,038,177)

 

    21,038,177  
     

 

 

 

Total Investments — 109.8%
(Cost — $170,561,851)

 

    172,229,966  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (9.8)%

 

    (15,425,356
     

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 156,804,610  
     

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

(b) 

Variable or floating rate security, which interest rate adjusts periodically based on changes in current interest rates and prepayments on the underlying pool of assets. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.

(c) 

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

(d) 

Variable rate security. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.

(e) 

Variable rate security. Security may be issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a specified date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.

(f) 

Perpetual security with no stated maturity date.

(g) 

Payment-in-kind security which may pay interest/dividends in additional par/shares and/or in cash. Rates shown are the current rate and possible payment rates.

(h) 

When-issued security.

(i) 

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Trust held restricted securities with a current value of $5,112,500, representing 3.3% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $4,853,920.

(j) 

Convertible security.

(k) 

Non-income producing security.

(l) 

Issuer filed for bankruptcy and/or is in default.

(m) 

Represents an unsettled loan commitment at period end. Certain details associated with this purchase are not known prior to the settlement date, including coupon rate.

(n) 

Amount is less than $500.

(o) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 
(p) 

During the period ended June 30, 2019, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate/affiliates of the Trust for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliate  

Shares

Purchased

   

Shares

Sold

    Shares
Held at
06/30/19
    Value at
06/30/19
    Income     Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
 (a)
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

    21,038,177 (b)            21,038,177     $ 21,038,177     $ 300,664     $     $  

iShares iBoxx USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF

    79,255             79,255       6,909,451       26,845             62,210  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
        $ 27,947,628     $ 327,509     $     $ 62,210  
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable.

 
  (b) 

Represents net shares purchased.

 

For Trust compliance purposes, the Trust’s industry classifications refer to one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or rating group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such industry sub-classifications for reporting ease.

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      29  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

Description      Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Notional
Amount (000)
     Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Long Contracts

                   

10-Year U.S. Treasury Note

       23          09/19/19        $2,943      $ 44,010  

10-Year U.S. Ultra Long Treasury Note

       13          09/19/19        1,796        36,135  
                   

 

 

 
                      80,145  
                   

 

 

 

Short Contracts

                   

2-Year U.S. Treasury Note

       35          09/30/19        7,531        (39,428
                   

 

 

 
                    $ 40,717  
                   

 

 

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

Currency
Purchased
       Currency
Sold
       Counterparty      Settlement Date        Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
USD     11,138,324        EUR     9,761,000        Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        08/06/19        $ 7,251  
                       

 

 

 
EUR     9,761,000        USD     11,107,581        Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        07/03/19          (7,398
USD     10,824,723        EUR     9,683,000        Bank of America N.A.        07/03/19          (186,759
USD     241,691        EUR     214,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        07/03/19          (1,669
                       

 

 

 
                          (195,826
                       

 

 

 
    Net Unrealized Depreciation        $ (188,575
                       

 

 

 

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps — Sell Protection

 

Reference Obligation/Index    Financing
Rate Received
by the Trust
    Payment
Frequency
    Termination
Date
  Credit
Rating
 (a)
  Notional
Amount
(000)
 (b)
    Value     Upfront
Premium
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

CDX.NA.HY.32.V1

     5.00     Quarterly     06/20/24   B+   USD     9,000     $ 697,120     $ 611,815     $ 85,305  
              

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Using S&P’S rating of the issuer or the underlying securities of the index, as applicable.

 
  (b) 

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

 

Balances Reported in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities for Centrally Cleared Swaps

 

 

        Swap
Premiums
Paid
       Swap
Premiums
Received
       Unrealized
Appreciation
       Unrealized
Depreciation
 

Centrally Cleared Swaps(a)

     $ 611,815        $        $ 85,305        $  

 

  (a) 

Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on centrally cleared swaps, as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities and is net of any previously paid (received) swap premium amounts.

 

 

 

30    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $      $      $ 80,145      $      $ 80,145  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          7,251                      7,251  

Swaps — centrally cleared

                    

Unrealized appreciation

            85,305                                    85,305  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $ 85,305      $      $ 7,251      $ 80,145      $      $ 172,701  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

   $      $      $      $      $ 39,428      $      $ 39,428  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          195,826                      195,826  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $      $ 195,826      $ 39,428      $      $ 235,254  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts and centrally cleared swaps, if any, are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 

For the period ended June 30, 2019, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:

 

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest
Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

 

Futures contracts

   $      $      $      $      $ 37,768      $      $ 37,768  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          11,265                      11,265  

Options Purchased(a)

                                 (12,893             (12,893

Swaps

            16,662                                    16,662  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $ 16,662      $      $ 11,265      $ 24,875      $      $ 52,802  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:

 

Futures contracts

   $      $      $      $      $ 40,717      $      $ 40,717  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          (188,575                    (188,575

Swaps

            85,305                                    85,305  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $ 85,305      $      $ (188,575    $ 40,717      $      $ (62,553
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Options purchased are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments.

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

 

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 4,738,906  

Average notional value of contracts — short

   $ 7,531,289  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts:

 

Average amounts purchased — in USD

   $ 22,204,737  

Average amounts sold — in USD

     11,107,581  

Options:

 

Average market value of option contracts purchased

   $ (a) 

Credit default swaps:

 

Average notional amount-sell protection

   $ 9,000,000  

 

  (a) 

Derivative not held at quarter-end. The risk exposure table serves as an indicator of activity during the period.

 

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      31  


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II

 

For more information about the Trust’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

The Trust’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) were as follows:

 

      Assets        Liabilities  

Futures contracts

   $ 2,542        $  

Swaps — centrally cleared

     16,187           

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     7,251          195,826  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities

   $ 25,980        $ 195,826  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

     (18,729         
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $ 7,251        $ 195,826  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

The following table presents the Trust’s derivative assets (and liabilities) by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral received (and pledged) by the Trust:

 

Counterparty    Derivative
Assets
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
       Derivatives
Available
for Offset
 (a)
       Non-cash
Collateral
Received
       Cash
Collateral
Received
       Net Amount
of Derivative
Assets
 

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

   $ 7,251        $ (7,251      $        $        $  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
Counterparty    Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
       Derivatives
Available
for Offset (a)
       Non-cash
Collateral
Pledged
       Cash
Collateral
Pledged
       Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
  (b)
 

Bank of America N.A.

   $ 186,759        $        $        $        $ 186,759  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     1,669                                     1,669  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

     7,398          (7,251                          147  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 195,826        $ (7,251      $        $        $ 188,575  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

The amount of derivatives available for offset is limited to the amount of derivative asset and/or liabilities that are subject to an MNA.

 
  (b) 

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to counterparty in the event of default. Net amount may be offset further by the options written receivable/payable on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

 

32    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2019

  

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Trust’s policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

The following tables summarize the Trust’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

                 

Investments:

                 

Long-Term Investments:

                 

Asset-Backed Securities

   $        $ 21,500,230        $ 1,775,026        $ 23,275,256  

Corporate Bonds

     186,250          61,083,410          5,112,500          66,382,160  

Floating Rate Loan Interests

              2,815,571          1,481,182          4,296,753  

Foreign Agency Obligations

              7,879,480                   7,879,480  

Investment Companies

     13,844,571                            13,844,571  

Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

              12,076,363          2,370,963          14,447,326  

Preferred Securities

              11,156,475                   11,156,475  

U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities

              483,635                   483,635  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

              9,426,133                   9,426,133  

Short-Term Securities

     21,038,177                            21,038,177  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 35,068,998        $ 126,421,297        $ 10,739,671        $ 172,229,966  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Assets:

                 

Credit contracts

   $        $ 85,305        $        $ 85,305  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

              7,251                   7,251  

Interest rate contracts

     80,145                            80,145  

Liabilities:

                 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

              (195,826                 (195,826

Interest rate contracts

     (39,428                          (39,428
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 40,717        $ (103,270      $        $ (62,553
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Derivative financial instruments are swaps, futures contracts and forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Swaps, futures contracts and forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument.

 

A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented when the Trust had a significant amount of Level 3 investments at the beginning and/or end of the period in relation to net assets. The following table is a reconciliation of Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used in determining fair value:

 

 

    

Asset-Backed

Securities

    Corporate
Bonds
    Floating
Rate Loan
Interests
    Non-Agency
Mortgage-Backed
Securities
    Total  

Assets:

         

Opening Balance, as of April 16, 2019

  $     $     $     $     $  

Transfers into Level 3

                             

Transfers out of Level 3

                             

Accrued discounts/premiums

          3,920                   3,920  

Net realized gain (loss)

    26                         26  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(a)(b)

    631       258,580             16,492       275,703  

Purchases

    1,782,508       4,850,000       1,500,000       2,354,471       10,486,979  

Sales

    (8,139           (18,818           (26,957
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Closing Balance, as of June 30, 2019

  $ 1,775,026     $ 5,112,500     $ 1,481,182     $ 2,370,963     $ 10,739,671  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at June 30, 2019(b)

  $ 631     $ 258,580     $     $ 16,492     $ 275,703  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Included in the related net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the Statements of Operations.

 
  (b) 

Any difference between net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at June 30, 2019 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

 

The Trust’s investments that are categorized as Level 3 were valued utilizing third party pricing information without adjustment. Such valuations are based on unobservable inputs. A significant change in third party information could result in a significantly lower or higher value of such Level 3 investments.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS      33  


Statements of Assets and Liabilities  (unaudited)

June 30, 2019

 

    

BlackRock
Multi-Sector

Opportunities
Trust

   

BlackRock
Multi-Sector

Opportunities
Trust II

 

ASSETS

   

Investments at value — unaffiliated(a)

  $ 608,282,705     $ 144,282,338  

Investments at value — affiliated(b)

    5,990,756       27,947,628  

Cash

    110,707        

Cash pledged:

   

Collateral — OTC derivatives

    3,546,000       497,000  

Futures contracts

    101,000       35,000  

Foreign currency at value(c)

    91,703       155,680  

Receivables:

 

Investments sold

    1,954,458        

Dividends — affiliated

    12,588       58,403  

Interest — unaffiliated

    7,931,606       1,587,214  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    13,900       2,542  

Variation margin on centrally cleared swaps

    73,039       16,187  

Unrealized appreciation on:

 

OTC swaps

    2,393,486        

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    37,337       7,251  

Prepaid expenses

    2,884        
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    630,542,169       174,589,243  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Bank overdraft

          61,272  

Reverse repurchase agreements at value

    157,813,591        

Cash received as collateral for reverse repurchase agreements

    2,439,362        

Payables:

 

Investments purchased

    18,509,980       16,826,381  

Service fees

          32,029  

Income dividend distributions

          459,861  

Investment advisory fees

    597,690       153,787  

Trustees’ and Officer’s fees

    1,191        

Other accrued expenses

    390,456       55,477  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    11,517        

Swap premiums received

    3,533,755        

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    1,077,687       195,826  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    184,375,229       17,784,633  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 446,166,940     $ 156,804,610  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

 

Paid-in capital(d)

  $ 450,900,677     $ 155,136,834  

Accumulated earnings (loss)

    (4,733,737     1,667,776  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Assets

  $ 446,166,940     $ 156,804,610  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value per share

  $ 97.51     $ 101.08  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Investments at cost — unaffiliated

  $ 603,644,217     $ 142,676,433  

(b) Investments at cost — affiliated

  $ 5,990,756     $ 27,885,418  

(c) Foreign currency at cost

  $ 87,202     $ 154,585  

(d) Shares outstanding, unlimited number of shares authorized, par value $0.001 per share

  $ 4,575,741     $ 1,551,311  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

34    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Statements of Operations  (unaudited)

Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

    

BlackRock
Multi-Sector

Opportunities
Trust

   

BlackRock
Multi-Sector

Opportunities
Trust II (a)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

   

Interest — unaffiliated

  $ 18,672,315     $ 1,090,473  

Dividends — unaffiliated

          29,120  

Dividends — affiliated

    50,431       327,509  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (74,904     (460
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment income

    18,647,842       1,446,642  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
   

EXPENSES

   

Investment advisory

    3,507,456       393,062  

Service

          78,612  

Professional

    80,745       29,015  

Accounting services

    33,818       6,600  

Custodian

    22,033       8,219  

Trustees and Officer

    17,300       2,458  

Printing

    5,063       4,123  

Transfer agent

    3,303       1,031  

Miscellaneous

    15,797       7,188  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding interest expense

    3,685,515       530,308  

Interest expense

    1,798,653        
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    5,484,168       530,308  

Less fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager

    (1,622     (17,180
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    5,482,546       513,128  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    13,165,296       933,514  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

   

Net realized gain (loss) from:

   

Investments — unaffiliated

    (939,278     71,288  

Futures contracts

    (494,345     37,768  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    981,005       11,265  

Foreign currency transactions

    117,383       31,625  

Swaps

    1,365,617       16,662  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    1,030,382       168,608  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

   

Investments — unaffiliated

    31,697,220       1,605,905  

Investments — affiliated

          62,210  

Futures contracts

    48,617       40,717  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    (392,491     (188,575

Foreign currency translations

    (114,862     3,328  

Swaps

    4,176,359       85,305  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    35,414,843       1,608,890  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    36,445,225       1,777,498  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 49,610,521     $ 2,711,012  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations April 16, 2019.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      35  


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    BlackRock Multi-Sector
Opportunities Trust
          BlackRock Multi-Sector
Opportunities Trust II
 
    

Six Months Ended
06/30/19

(unaudited)

   

Period from
02/23/18 (a)

to 12/31/18

          

Period from

04/16/19 (a)

to 06/30/19

(unaudited)

 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

       

OPERATIONS

       

Net investment income

  $ 13,165,296     $ 19,822,915       $ 933,514  

Net realized gain (loss)

    1,030,382       (8,393,620       168,608  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    35,414,843       (29,160,776       1,608,890  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    49,610,521       (17,731,481       2,711,012  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(b)

       

From net investment income

    (17,283,383 )(c)      (19,329,394       (1,043,236

From return of capital

          (6,659,698        
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (17,283,383     (25,989,092       (1,043,236
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

       

Net proceeds from issuance of shares

          461,889,017         154,453,459  

Reinvestment of distributions

    3,296,310       3,495,977         583,375  

Repurchase of shares resulting from tender offers

    (11,220,929              
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    (7,924,619     465,384,994         155,036,834  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

       

Total increase in net assets

    24,402,519       421,664,421         156,704,610  

Beginning of period

    421,764,421       100,000         100,000  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 446,166,940     $ 421,764,421       $ 156,804,610  
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(c) 

A portion of the distributions from net investment income may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain at fiscal year end.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

36    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Statement of Cash Flows  (unaudited)

Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

    

BlackRock
Multi-Sector

Opportunities
Trust

 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 49,610,521  

Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash used for operating activities:

 

Proceeds from sales of long-term investments and principal paydowns

    112,133,735  

Purchases of long-term investments

    (158,963,286

Net proceeds from sales of short-term securities

    3,479,899  

Amortization of premium and accretion of discount on investments and other fees

    (136,356

Net realized gain on investments

    939,278  

Net unrealized appreciation on investments, swaps and foreign currency translations

    (34,391,437

(Increase) Decrease in Assets:

 

Receivables:

 

Dividends — affiliated

    7,250  

Interest — unaffiliated

    (735,784

Variation margin on futures contracts

    (13,900

Variation margin on centrally cleared swaps

    (47,507

Prepaid expenses

    92  

Increase (Decrease) in Liabilities:

 

Cash received:

 

Collateral — OTC derivatives

    (530,000

Collateral — reverse repurchase agreements

    2,439,362  

Payables:

 

Investment advisory fees

    28,308  

Interest expense and fees

    1,031,349  

Directors’ and Officer’s fees

    (8,619

Variation margin on futures contracts

    (1,241

Other accrued expenses

    104,890  
 

 

 

 

Net cash used for operating activities

    (25,053,446
 

 

 

 

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

Payments on redemption of shares

    (11,220,929

Net borrowing of reverse repurchase agreements

    39,605,493  

Cash dividends paid to Shareholders

    (13,987,073
 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

    14,397,491  
 

 

 

 

CASH IMPACT FROM FOREIGN EXCHANGE FLUCTUATIONS

 

Cash impact from foreign exchange fluctuations

  $ (118,948
 

 

 

 

CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY

 

Net decrease in restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency

    (10,774,903

Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at beginning of period

    14,624,313  
 

 

 

 

Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at end of period

  $ 3,849,410  
 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

Cash paid during the period for interest expense

  $ 767,304  
 

 

 

 

NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

Capital shares issued in reinvestment of distributions paid to shareholders

    3,296,310  
 

 

 

 

RECONCILIATION OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY AT THE END OF PERIOD TO THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

Cash

    110,707  

Cash pledged:

 

Collateral — OTC derivatives

    3,546,000  

Futures contracts

    101,000  

Foreign currency at value

    91,703  
 

 

 

 
  $ 3,849,410  
 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      37  


Statement of Cash Flows   (unaudited) (continued)

Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

 

    

BlackRock
Multi-Sector

Opportunities
Trust

 

RECONCILIATION OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY AT THE BEGINNING OF PERIOD TO THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

Cash

  $ 246,033  

Cash pledged:

 

Collateral — reverse repurchase agreements

    1,320,085  

Collateral — OTC derivatives

    4,911,000  

Futures contracts

    128,000  

Foreign currency at value

    8,019,195  
 

 

 

 
  $ 14,624,313  
 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

38    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust  
   

Six Months Ended
06/30/19

(unaudited)

   

Period from

02/23/18 (a)

to 12/31/18

 
     

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 90.55     $ 100.00  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    2.84       4.29  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    7.87       (8.11
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    10.71       (3.82
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

   

From net investment income

    (3.75     (4.19

From return of capital

          (1.44
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (3.75     (5.63
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 97.51     $ 90.55  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

   

Based on net asset value

    11.93 %(e)      (3.95 )%(e)(f) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

   

Total expenses

    2.51 %(g)      1.78 %(g)(h)(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    2.51 %(g)      1.77 %(g)(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and excluding interest expense

    1.69 %(g)      1.50 %(g)(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    6.05 %(g)      5.23 %(g)(i) 
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

   

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 446,167     $ 421,764  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Borrowings outstanding, end of period (000)

  $ 157,814     $ 117,177  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    20     57
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Commencement of operations.

(b)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(d)

Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices. No secondary market for the Trust’s common shares exists.

(e)

Aggregate total return.

(f)

Includes payment received from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Trust’s total return.

(g)

Annualized.

(h)

Audit costs were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratio. If these expenses were annualized, the expense ratio would have been 1.78%.

(i)

Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds of 0.04%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS      39  


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

    BlackRock Multi-Sector
Opportunities Trust II
 
   

Period from

04/16/19 (a)

to 06/30/19
(Unaudited)

 
   

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 100.00  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.60  

Net realized and unrealized gain

    1.16  
 

 

 

 

Net increase from investment operations

    1.76  
 

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

 

From net investment income

    (0.68
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 101.08  
 

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

 

Based on net asset value

    1.76 %(e) 
 

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

Total expenses

    1.69 %(f)(g)(h) 
 

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.63 %(f)(h) 
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.97 %(f)(h) 
 

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 156,805  
 

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    10
 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Commencement of operations.

(b)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(d)

Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices. No secondary market for the Trust’s common shares exists.

(e)

Aggregate total return.

(f)

Annualized.

(g)

Audit costs were not annualized in the calculation of the expense ratio. If these expenses were annualized, the expense ratio would have been 1.69%.

(h)

Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds of 0.08%.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

40    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited)   

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

The following are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as closed-end management investment companies and are referred to herein collectively as the “Trusts”, or individually as a “Trust”:

 

Trust Name   Herein Referred To As    Organized    Diversification
Classification

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust

  MSO    Delaware    Non-diversified

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II

  MSO2    Delaware    Non-diversified

The Boards of Trustees of the Trusts are collectively referred to throughout this report as the “Board of Trustees” or the “Board,” and the trustees thereof are collectively referred to throughout this report as “Trustees”. The Trusts determine and make available for publication the net asset values (“NAVs”) of their Common Shares on a daily basis.

The Trusts, together with certain other registered investment companies advised by BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”) or its affiliates, are included in a complex of non-index fixed-income mutual funds and all BlackRock-advised closed-end funds referred to as the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex.

Prior to commencement of operations on April 16, 2019, MSO2 had no operations other than those relating to organizational matters and the sale of 1,000 Common Shares on August 17, 2018 to BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., an affiliate of MSO2, for $100,000. Investment operations for MSO2 commenced on April 16, 2019.

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Trust is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:

Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Trusts are informed of the ex-dividend date. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, is recognized on an accrual basis.

Foreign Currency Translation: Each Trust’s books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates determined as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Purchases and sales of investments are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the investments denominated in that currency will lose value; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value.

Each Trust does not isolate the portion of the results of operations arising as a result of changes in the exchange rates from the changes in the market prices of investments held or sold for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statements of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. Each Trust reports realized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency related transactions as components of net realized gain (loss) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are generally treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Segregation and Collateralization: In cases where a Trust enters into certain investments (e.g., futures contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, and swaps) or certain borrowings (e.g., reverse repurchase transactions) that would be treated as “senior securities” for 1940 Act purposes, a Trust may segregate or designate on its books and records cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal to the amount of its future obligations under such investments or borrowings. Doing so allows the investment or borrowings to be excluded from treatment as a “senior security.” Furthermore, if required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Trusts may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments or obligations.

Distributions: Distributions from net investment income are declared and paid quarterly. Distributions of capital gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and made at least annually. The portion of distributions, if any, that exceeds a trust’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, as measured on a tax basis, constitute a non-taxable return of capital. The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

Deferred Compensation Plan: Under the Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) approved by each Trust’s Board, the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trusts, as defined in the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”), may defer a portion of their annual complex-wide compensation. Deferred amounts earn an approximate return as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in common shares of certain funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex selected by the Independent Trustees. This has the same economic effect for the Independent Trustees as if the Independent Trustees had invested the deferred amounts directly in certain funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex.

The Plan is not funded and obligations thereunder represent general unsecured claims against the general assets of each Trust, as applicable. Deferred compensation liabilities are included in the Trustees’ and Officer’s fees payable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities and will remain as a liability of the Trusts until such amounts are distributed in accordance with the Plan.

Organization and Offering Costs: Organization costs associated with the establishment of MSO2 and offering expenses of MSO2 with respect to the issuance of shares (other than the sales load) in the amounts of $91,500 and $1,707,750, respectively, were paid by the Manager. MSO2 is not obligated to repay any such organizational costs or offering expenses paid by the Manager.

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      41  


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Recent Accounting Standards: The Trusts have adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update 2017-08 to amend the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium. Under the new standard, the Trusts have changed the amortization period for the premium on certain purchased callable debt securities with non-contingent call features to the earliest call date. In accordance with the transition provisions of the standard, the Trusts applied the amendments on a modified retrospective basis beginning with the fiscal period ended June 30, 2019. The cost basis of securities at December 31, 2018 has been adjusted for MSO to $552,860,679. This change in accounting policy has been made to comply with the newly issued accounting standard and had no impact on total accumulated earnings (loss) or the net asset value of the Trust.

Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, a Trust enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. A Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against a Trust, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.

Other: Expenses directly related to a Trust are charged to that Trust. Other operating expenses shared by several trusts, including other trusts managed by the Manager, are prorated among those funds on the basis of relative net assets or other appropriate methods.

 

3.

INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Investment Valuation Policies: The Trusts’ investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) as of the close of trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (or if the reporting date falls on a day the NYSE is closed, investments are valued at fair value as of the period end). U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price the Trusts would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Trusts determine the fair values of their financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under policies approved by the Board. The BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) is the committee formed by management to develop global pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments.

Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of each Trust’s assets and liabilities:

 

   

Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at the official closing price each day, if available. For equity investments traded on more than one exchange, the official closing 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 may be valued at the last available bid (long positions) or ask (short positions) price.

 

   

Fixed-income securities for which market quotations are readily available are generally valued using the last available bid prices or current market quotations provided by independent dealers or third party pricing services. Floating rate loan interests are valued at the mean of the bid prices from one or more independent brokers or dealers as obtained from a third party pricing service. Pricing services generally value fixed-income securities assuming orderly transactions of an institutional round lot size, but a trust may hold or transact in such securities in smaller, odd lot sizes. Odd lots may trade at lower prices than institutional round lots. The pricing services may use matrix pricing or valuation models that utilize certain inputs and assumptions to derive values, including transaction data (e.g., recent representative bids and offers), credit quality information, perceived market movements, news, and other relevant information. Certain fixed-income securities, including asset-backed and mortgage related securities may be valued based on valuation models that consider the estimated cash flows of each tranche of the entity, establish a benchmark yield and develop an estimated tranche specific spread to the benchmark yield based on the unique attributes of the tranche. The amortized cost method of valuation may be used with respect to debt obligations with sixty days or less remaining to maturity unless the Manager determines such method does not represent fair value.

Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the NYSE. Occasionally, events affecting the values of such instruments may occur between the foreign market close and the close of trading on the NYSE that may not be reflected in the computation of the Trusts’ net assets.

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds are valued at NAV each business day.

 

   

Futures contracts traded on exchanges are valued at their last sale price.

 

   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean between the bid and ask prices and are determined as of the close of trading on the NYSE. Interpolated values are derived when the settlement date of the contract is an interim date for which quotations are not available.

 

   

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 (long positions) or ask (short positions) price. If no bid or ask price is available, the prior day’s price will be used, unless it is determined that the prior day’s price no longer reflects the fair value of the option. Over-the-counter (“OTC”) options and options on swaps (“swaptions”) 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 instruments.

 

   

Swap agreements are valued utilizing quotes received daily by the Trusts’ pricing service or through brokers, which are derived using daily swap curves and models that incorporate a number of market data factors, such as discounted cash flows, trades and values of the underlying reference instruments.

If events (e.g., a company announcement, market volatility or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investments, or in the event that the application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Global Valuation Committee will include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, seeks to determine the price that each Trust might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be

 

 

42    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

based upon all available factors that the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement. The pricing of all Fair Valued Investments is subsequently reported to the Board or a committee thereof on a quarterly basis.

For investments in equity or debt issued by privately held companies or funds (“Private Company” or collectively, the “Private Companies”) and other Fair Valued Investments, the fair valuation approaches that are used by third party pricing services utilize one or a combination of, but not limited to, the following inputs.

 

     Standard Inputs Generally Considered By Third Party Pricing Services

Market approach

 

(i)  recent market transactions, including subsequent rounds of financing, in the underlying investment or comparable issuers;

(ii) recapitalizations and other transactions across the capital structure; and

(iii)   market multiples of comparable issuers.

Income approach

 

(i)  future cash flows discounted to present and adjusted as appropriate for liquidity, credit, and/or market risks;

(ii) quoted prices for similar investments or assets in active markets; and

(iii)   other risk factors, such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, recovery rates, liquidation amounts and/or default rates.

Cost approach

 

(i)  audited or unaudited financial statements, investor communications and financial or operational metrics issued by the Private Company;

(ii) changes in the valuation of relevant indices or publicly traded companies comparable to the Private Company;

(iii)   relevant news and other public sources; and

(iv)   known secondary market transactions in the Private Company’s interests and merger or acquisition activity in companies comparable to the Private Company.

Investments in series of preferred stock issued by Private Companies are typically valued utilizing market approach in determining the enterprise value of the company. Such investments often contain rights and preferences that differ from other series of preferred and common stock of the same issuer. Valuation techniques such as an option pricing model (“OPM”), a probability weighted expected return model (“PWERM”) or a hybrid of those techniques are used in allocating enterprise value of the company, as deemed appropriate under the circumstances. The use of OPM and PWERM techniques involve a determination of the exit scenarios of the investment in order to appropriately allocate the enterprise value of the company among the various parts of its capital structure.

The Private Companies are not subject to the public company disclosure, timing, and reporting standards as other investments held by a Trust. Typically, the most recently available information by a Private Company is as of a date that is earlier than the date a Trust is calculating its NAV. This factor may result in a difference between the value of the investment and the price a Trust could receive upon the sale of the investment.

Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial statement purposes as follows:

 

   

Level 1 — Unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that each Trust has the ability to access

 

   

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

 

   

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available (including each Trust’s own assumptions used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments)

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Global Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by Private Companies. There may not be a secondary market, and/or there are a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for investments and derivative financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the investments and derivative financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities: Asset-backed securities are generally issued as pass-through certificates or as debt instruments. Asset-backed securities issued as pass-through certificates represent undivided fractional ownership interests in an underlying pool of assets. Asset-backed securities issued as debt instruments, which are also known as collateralized obligations, are typically issued as the debt of a special purpose entity organized solely for the purpose of owning such assets and issuing such debt. Asset-backed securities are often backed by a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties. The yield characteristics of certain asset-backed securities may differ from traditional debt securities. One such major difference is that all or a principal part of the obligations may be prepaid at any time because the underlying assets (i.e., loans) may be prepaid at any time. As a result, a decrease in interest rates in the market may result in increases in the level of prepayments as borrowers, particularly mortgagors, refinance and repay their loans. An increased prepayment rate with respect to an asset-backed security will have the effect of shortening the maturity of the security. In addition, a trust may subsequently have to reinvest the proceeds at lower interest rates. If a trust has purchased such an asset-backed security at a premium, a faster than anticipated prepayment rate could result in a loss of principal to the extent of the premium paid.

For mortgage pass-through securities (the “Mortgage Assets”) there are a number of important differences among the agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government that issue mortgage-related securities and among the securities that they issue. For example, mortgage-related securities guaranteed by Ginnie Mae are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by Ginnie Mae and such guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. However,

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      43  


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

mortgage-related securities issued by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, including Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae guaranteed mortgage pass-through certificates, which are solely the obligations of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, are not backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States, but are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury.

Non-agency mortgage-backed securities are securities issued by non-governmental issuers and have no direct or indirect government guarantees of payment and are subject to various risks. Non-agency mortgage loans are obligations of the borrowers thereunder only and are not typically insured or guaranteed by any other person or entity. The ability of a borrower to repay a loan is dependent upon the income or assets of the borrower. A number of factors, including a general economic downturn, acts of God, terrorism, social unrest and civil disturbances, may impair a borrower’s ability to repay its loans.

Collateralized Debt Obligations: Collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), including collateralized bond obligations (“CBOs”) and collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), are types of asset-backed securities. A CDO is an entity that is backed by a diversified pool of debt securities (CBOs) or syndicated bank loans (CLOs). The cash flows of the CDO can be split into multiple segments, called “tranches,” which will vary in risk profile and yield. The riskiest segment is the subordinated or “equity” tranche. This tranche bears the greatest risk of defaults from the underlying assets in the CDO and serves to protect the other, more senior, tranches from default in all but the most severe circumstances. Since it is shielded from defaults by the more junior tranches, a “senior” tranche will typically have higher credit ratings and lower yields than their underlying securities, and often receive investment grade ratings from one or more of the nationally recognized rating agencies. Despite the protection from the more junior tranches, senior tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to future defaults and the disappearance of one or more protecting tranches as a result of changes in the credit profile of the underlying pool of assets.

Multiple Class Pass-Through Securities: Multiple class pass-through securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and commercial mortgage-backed securities, may be issued by Ginnie Mae, U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities or by trusts formed by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans. In general, CMOs are debt obligations of a legal entity that are collateralized by a pool of residential or commercial mortgage loans or Mortgage Assets. The payments on these are used to make payments on the CMOs or multiple pass-through securities. Multiple class pass-through securities represent direct ownership interests in the Mortgage Assets. Classes of CMOs include interest only (“IOs”), principal only (“POs”), planned amortization classes and targeted amortization classes. IOs and POs are stripped mortgage-backed securities representing interests in a pool of mortgages, the cash flow from which has been separated into interest and principal components. IOs receive the interest portion of the cash flow while POs receive the principal portion. IOs and POs can be extremely volatile in response to changes in interest rates. As interest rates rise and fall, the value of IOs tends to move in the same direction as interest rates. POs perform best when prepayments on the underlying mortgages rise since this increases the rate at which the principal is returned and the yield to maturity on the PO. When payments on mortgages underlying a PO are slower than anticipated, the life of the PO is lengthened and the yield to maturity is reduced. If the underlying Mortgage Assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, a trust’s initial investment in the IOs may not fully recoup.

Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities: Stripped mortgage-backed securities are typically issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities. Stripped mortgage-backed securities are usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest (IOs) and principal (POs) distributions on a pool of the Mortgage Assets. Stripped mortgage-backed securities may be privately issued.

Zero-Coupon Bonds: Zero-coupon bonds are normally issued at a significant discount from face value and do not provide for periodic interest payments. These bonds may experience greater volatility in market value than other debt obligations of similar maturity which provide for regular interest payments.

Capital Securities and Trust Preferred Securities: Capital securities, including trust preferred securities, are typically issued by corporations, generally in the form of interest-bearing notes with preferred securities characteristics. In the case of trust preferred securities, an affiliated business trust of a corporation issues these securities, generally in the form of beneficial interests in subordinated debentures or similarly structured securities. The securities can be structured with either a fixed or adjustable coupon that can have either a perpetual or stated maturity date. For trust preferred securities, the issuing bank or corporation pays interest to the trust, which is then distributed to holders of these securities as a dividend. 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. These securities generally are rated below that of the issuing company’s senior debt securities and are freely callable at the issuer’s option.

Floating Rate Loan Interests: Floating rate loan interests are typically issued to companies (the “borrower”) by banks, other financial institutions, or privately and publicly offered corporations (the “lender”). Floating rate loan interests are generally non-investment grade, often involve borrowers whose financial condition is troubled or uncertain and companies that are highly leveraged or in bankruptcy proceedings. In addition, transactions in floating rate loan interests may settle on a delayed basis, which may result in proceeds from the sale not being readily available for a trust to make additional investments or meet its redemption obligations. Floating rate loan interests may include fully funded term loans or revolving lines of credit. Floating rate loan interests are typically senior in the corporate capital structure of the borrower. Floating rate loan interests generally pay interest at rates that are periodically determined by reference to a base lending rate plus a premium. Since the rates reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the NAV of a trust to the extent that it invests in floating rate loan interests. The base lending rates are generally the lending rate offered by one or more European banks, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), the prime rate offered by one or more U.S. banks or the certificate of deposit rate. Floating rate loan interests may involve foreign borrowers, and investments may be denominated in foreign currencies. These investments are treated as investments in debt securities for purposes of a trust’s investment policies.

When a trust purchases a floating rate loan interest, it may receive a facility fee and when it sells a floating rate loan interest, it may pay a facility fee. On an ongoing basis, a trust may receive a commitment fee based on the undrawn portion of the underlying line of credit amount of a floating rate loan interest. Facility and commitment fees are typically amortized to income over the term of the loan or term of the commitment, respectively. Consent and amendment fees are recorded to income as earned. Prepayment penalty fees, which may be received by a trust upon the prepayment of a floating rate loan interest by a borrower, are recorded as realized gains. A trust may invest in multiple series or tranches of a loan. A different series or tranche may have varying terms and carry different associated risks.

 

 

44    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Floating rate loan interests are usually freely callable at the borrower’s option. A trust may invest in such loans in the form of participations in loans (“Participations”) or assignments (“Assignments”) of all or a portion of loans from third parties. Participations typically will result in a trust having a contractual relationship only with the lender, not with the borrower. A trust has the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is 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, a trust generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement, nor any rights of offset against the borrower. A trust may not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the Participation. As a result, a trust assumes the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender that is selling the Participation. A trust’s investment in loan participation interests involves 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, a trust may be treated as a general creditor of the lender and may not benefit from any offset between the lender and the borrower. Assignments typically result in a trust having a direct contractual relationship with the borrower, and a trust may enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement.

Forward Commitments, When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities: Certain trusts may purchase securities on a when-issued basis and may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis. Settlement of such transactions normally occurs within a month or more after the purchase or sale commitment is made. A trust may purchase securities under such conditions with the intention of actually acquiring them, but may enter into a separate agreement to sell the securities before the settlement date. Since the value of securities purchased may fluctuate prior to settlement, a trust may be required to pay more at settlement than the security is worth. In addition, a trust is not entitled to any of the interest earned prior to settlement. When purchasing a security on a delayed delivery basis, a trust assumes the rights and risks of ownership of the security, including the risk of price and yield fluctuations. In the event of default by the counterparty, a trust’s maximum amount of loss is the unrealized appreciation of unsettled when-issued transactions.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements: Reverse repurchase agreements are agreements with qualified third party broker dealers in which a trust sells securities to a bank or broker-dealer and agrees to repurchase the same securities at a mutually agreed upon date and price. A trust receives cash from the sale to use for other investment purposes. During the term of the reverse repurchase agreement, a trust continues to receive the principal and interest payments on the securities sold. Certain agreements have no stated maturity and can be terminated by either party at any time. Interest on the value of the reverse repurchase agreements issued and outstanding is based upon competitive market rates determined at the time of issuance. A trust may utilize reverse repurchase agreements when it is anticipated that the interest income to be earned from the investment of the proceeds of the transaction is greater than the interest expense of the transaction. Reverse repurchase agreements involve leverage risk. If a trust suffers a loss on its investment of the transaction proceeds from a reverse repurchase agreement, a trust would still be required to pay the full repurchase price. Further, a trust remains subject to the risk that the market value of the securities repurchased declines below the repurchase price. In such cases, a trust would be required to return a portion of the cash received from the transaction or provide additional securities to the counterparty.

Cash received in exchange for securities delivered plus accrued interest due to the counterparty is recorded as a liability in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities at face value including accrued interest. Due to the short-term nature of the reverse repurchase agreements, face value approximates fair value. Interest payments made by a trust to the counterparties are recorded as a component of interest expense in the Statements of Operations. In periods of increased demand for the security, a trust may receive a fee for the use of the security by the counterparty, which may result in interest income to a trust.

For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the average amount of reverse repurchase agreements outstanding and the daily weighted average interest rate for MSO were $125,758,384 and 2.88%, respectively.

Reverse repurchase transactions are entered into by a trust under Master Repurchase Agreements (each, an “MRA”), which permit a trust, under certain circumstances, including an event of default (such as bankruptcy or insolvency), to offset payables and/or receivables under the MRA with collateral held and/or posted to the counterparty and create one single net payment due to or from a trust. With reverse repurchase transactions, typically a trust and counterparty under an MRA are permitted to sell, re-pledge, or use the collateral associated with the transaction. Bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of the MRA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Pursuant to the terms of the MRA, a trust receives or posts securities and cash as collateral with a market value in excess of the repurchase price to be paid or received by a trust upon the maturity of the transaction. Upon a bankruptcy or insolvency of the MRA counterparty, a trust is considered an unsecured creditor with respect to excess collateral and, as such, the return of excess collateral may be delayed.

As of period end, the following table is a summary of MSO’s open reverse repurchase agreements by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MRA on a net basis:

 

MSO                              
Counterparty  

Reverse Repurchase

Agreements

    

Fair Value of

Non-cash Collateral

Pledged Including

Accrued Interest (a)

   

Cash Collateral

Pledged/Received

     Net
Amount
 

Barclays Capital, Inc.

  $ 77,676,605      $ (77,676,605   $      $  

BNP Paribas S.A

    31,079,525        (31,079,525             

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    2,741,560        (2,741,560             

Goldman Sachs & Co LLC.

    730,753        (730,753             

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

    45,585,148        (45,585,148             
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 157,813,591      $ (157,813,591   $      $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral with a value of $182,717,457 has been pledged in connection with open reverse repurchase agreements. Excess of collateral pledged to the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      45  


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

In the event the counterparty of securities under an MRA files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, a trust’s use of the proceeds from the agreement may be restricted while the counterparty, or its trustee or receiver, determines whether or not to enforce a trust’s obligation to repurchase the securities.

 

5.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Trusts engage in various portfolio investment strategies using derivative contracts both to increase the returns of the Trusts and/or to manage their exposure to certain risks such as credit risk, equity risk, interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk, commodity price risk or other risks (e.g., inflation risk). Derivative financial instruments categorized by risk exposure are included in the Schedules of Investments. These contracts may be transacted on an exchange or OTC.

Futures Contracts: Futures contracts are purchased or sold to gain exposure to, or manage exposure to, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk) and changes in the value of equity securities (equity risk) or foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

Futures contracts are agreements between the Trusts and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified price and on a specified date. Depending on the terms of a contract, it is settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash amount on the settlement date. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Trusts are required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on a contract’s size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedules of Investments and cash deposited, if any, is shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Trusts agree to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the notional amount of the contract at the time it was opened and the notional amount at the time it was closed. The use of futures contracts involves the risk of an imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of futures contracts and interest, foreign currency exchange rates or underlying assets.

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts: Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are entered into to gain or reduce exposure to foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

A forward foreign currency exchange contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set exchange rate on a specified date. These contracts help to manage the overall exposure to the currencies in which some of the investments held by the Trusts are denominated and in some cases, may be used to obtain exposure to a particular market.

The contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When a contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. Non-deliverable forward foreign currency exchange contracts are settled with the counterparty in cash without the delivery of foreign currency. The use of forward foreign currency exchange contracts involves the risk that the value of a forward foreign currency exchange contract changes unfavorably due to movements in the value of the referenced foreign currencies, and such value may exceed the amounts reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Cash amounts pledged for forward foreign currency exchange contracts are considered restricted and are included in cash pledged as collateral for OTC derivatives in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

Options: Certain Trusts purchase and write call and put options to increase or decrease their exposure to the risks of underlying instruments, including equity risk, interest rate risk and/or commodity price risk and/or, in the case of options written, to generate gains from options premiums.

A call option gives the purchaser (holder) of the option the right (but not the obligation) to buy, and obligates the seller (writer) to sell (when the option is exercised) the underlying instrument at the exercise or strike 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 or strike price at any time or at a specified time during the option period.

Premiums paid on options purchased and premiums received on options written, as well as the daily fluctuation in market value, are included in investments at value — unaffiliated and options written at value, respectively, in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When an instrument is purchased or sold through the exercise of an option, the premium is offset against the cost or proceeds of the underlying instrument. When an option expires, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations to the extent of the premiums received or paid. When an option is closed or sold, a gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations to the extent the cost of the closing transaction exceeds the premiums received or paid. When the Trusts write a call option, such option is typically “covered,” meaning that they hold the underlying instrument subject to being called by the option counterparty. When the Trusts write a put option, such option is covered by cash in an amount sufficient to cover the obligation. These amounts, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged as collateral for options written in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

   

Swaptions — Certain Trusts purchase and write options on swaps (“swaptions”) primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of the Trusts’ holdings, as a duration management technique or to protect against an increase in the price of securities it anticipates purchasing at a later date. The purchaser and writer of a swaption is buying or granting the right to enter into a previously agreed upon interest rate or credit default swap agreement (interest rate risk and/or credit risk) at any time before the expiration of the option.

In purchasing and writing options, the Trusts bear the risk of an unfavorable change in the value of the underlying instrument or the risk that they may not be able to enter into a closing transaction due to an illiquid market. Exercise of a written option could result in the Trusts purchasing or selling a security when they otherwise would not, or at a price different from the current market value.

 

 

46    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Swaps: Swap contracts are entered into to manage exposure to issuers, markets and securities. Such contracts are agreements between the Trusts and a counterparty to make periodic net payments on a specified notional amount or a net payment upon termination. Swap agreements are privately negotiated in the OTC market and may be entered into as a bilateral contract (“OTC swaps”) or centrally cleared (“centrally cleared swaps”).

For OTC swaps, any upfront premiums paid and any upfront fees received are shown as swap premiums paid and swap premiums received, respectively, in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities and amortized over the term of the contract. The daily fluctuation in market value is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on OTC Swaps in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received or paid are recorded in the Statements of Operations as realized gains or losses, respectively. When an OTC swap is terminated, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transaction and the Trusts’ basis in the contract, if any. Generally, the basis of the contract is the premium received or paid.

In a centrally cleared swap, immediately following execution of the swap contract, the swap contract is novated to a central counterparty (the “CCP”) and the Trusts’ counterparty on the swap agreement becomes the CCP. The Trusts are required to interface with the CCP through the broker. Upon entering into a centrally cleared swap, the Trusts are required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on the size and risk profile of the particular swap. Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedules of Investments and cash deposited is shown as cash pledged for centrally cleared swaps in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted cash, are included in cash pledged for centrally cleared swaps in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Trusts agree to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on centrally cleared swaps in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received from (paid to) the counterparty, including at termination, are recorded as realized gains (losses) in the Statements of Operations.

 

   

Credit default swaps — Credit default swaps are entered into to manage exposure to the market or certain sectors of the market, to reduce risk exposure to defaults of corporate and/or sovereign issuers or to create exposure to corporate and/or sovereign issuers to which a trust is not otherwise exposed (credit risk).

The Trusts may either buy or sell (write) credit default swaps on single-name issuers (corporate or sovereign), a combination or basket of single-name issuers or traded indexes. Credit default swaps are agreements in which the protection buyer pays fixed periodic payments to the seller in consideration for a promise from the protection seller to make a specific payment should a negative credit event take place with respect to the referenced entity (e.g., bankruptcy, failure to pay, obligation acceleration, repudiation, moratorium or restructuring). As a buyer, if an underlying credit event occurs, the Trusts will either (i) receive from the seller an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and deliver the referenced security or underlying securities comprising the index, or (ii) 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 the index. As a seller (writer), if an underlying credit event occurs, the Trusts 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 the 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 the index.

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.

Master Netting Arrangements: In order to define their contractual rights and to secure rights that will help them mitigate their counterparty risk, the Trusts may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with their counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between each Trust and a counterparty that governs certain OTC derivatives and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, each Trust may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. Bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may restrict or prohibit the right of offset in bankruptcy, insolvency or other events.

Collateral Requirements: For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement and comparing that amount to the value of any collateral currently pledged by the Trusts and the counterparty.

Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Trusts and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, is reported separately in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as cash pledged as collateral and cash received as collateral, respectively. Non-cash collateral pledged by the Trusts, if any, is noted in the Schedules of Investments. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a counterparty is subject to a certain minimum transfer amount threshold before a transfer is required, which is determined at the close of business of the Trusts. Any additional required collateral is delivered to/pledged by the Trusts on the next business day. Typically, the counterparty is not permitted to sell, re-pledge or use cash and non-cash collateral it receives. A Trust generally agrees not to use non-cash collateral that it receives but may, absent default or certain other circumstances defined in the underlying ISDA Master Agreement, be permitted to use cash collateral received. In such cases, interest may be paid pursuant to the collateral arrangement with the counterparty. To the extent amounts due to the Trusts from their counterparties are not fully collateralized, they bear the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance. Likewise, to the extent the Trusts have delivered collateral to a counterparty and stand ready to perform under the terms of their agreement with such counterparty, they bear the risk of loss from a counterparty in the amount of the value of the collateral in the event the counterparty fails to return such collateral. Based on the terms of agreements, collateral may not be required for all derivative contracts.

For financial reporting purposes, the Trusts do not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements, if any, in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      47  


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

 

6.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory: Each Trust entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Manager, the Trusts’ investment adviser and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”), to provide investment advisory and administrative services. The Manager is responsible for the management of each Trust’s portfolio and provides the personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary to the operations of each Trust.

For such services, each Trust pays the Manager a monthly fee at an annual rate equal to 1.25% of the average daily value of each Trust’s managed assets. For purposes of calculating these fees, “managed assets” means the total assets of the Trust (including any assets attributable to money borrowed for investment purposes) minus the sum of its accrued liabilities (other than money borrowed for investment purposes).

The Manager entered into sub-advisory agreements with BlackRock International Limited (“BIL”) and BlackRock (Singapore) Limited (“BRS”) each an affiliate of the Manager. The Manager pays BIL and BRS for services they provide for that portion of each Trust for which BIL and BRS acts as sub-adviser, a monthly fee that is equal to a percentage of the investment advisory fees paid by each Trust to the Manager.

Distribution Fees: MSO2 entered into a Distribution Agreement with BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of the Manager. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, MSO2 pays BRIL ongoing service fees. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.25% based upon the month-end net assets of the common shares of MSO2.

BRIL and broker-dealers, pursuant to sub-agreements with BRIL, provide shareholder servicing to the Trusts. The ongoing service fee compensates/reimburses BRIL and each broker-dealer for providing shareholder servicing related services to shareholders.

Expense Waivers: With respect to each Trust, the Manager voluntarily agreed to waive its investment advisory fees by the amount of investment advisory fees each Trust pays to the Manager indirectly through its investment in affiliated money market funds (the “affiliated money market fund waiver”). These amount are included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statements of Operations. For the period ended June 30, 2019, the amounts waived were as follows:

 

     MSO      MSO2  

Amounts waived

  $ 1,622      $ 8,656  

The Manager contractually agreed to waive its investment advisory fee with respect to any portion of each Trust’s assets invested in affiliated equity and fixed-income mutual funds and affiliated exchange-traded funds that have a contractual management fee through June 30, 2020. The agreement can be renewed for annual periods thereafter, and may be terminated on 90 days’ notice, each subject to approval by a majority of the Trusts’ Independent Trustees. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the amounts waived in investment advisory fees pursuant to these arrangements were as follows:

 

MSO

  $  

MSO2

    8,524  

Trustees and Officers: Certain trustees and/or officers of the Trusts are trustees and/or officers of BlackRock or its affiliates. The Trusts reimburse the Manager for a portion of the compensation paid to the Trusts’ Chief Compliance Officer, which is included in Trustees and Officer in the Statements of Operations.

Other Transactions: For the six months ended June 30, 2019, the purchase and sale transactions and any net realized gains (losses) with affiliated funds in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

     Purchases      Sales      Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
 

MSO

  $ 3,622,928      $      $  

MSO2

    2,472,119                

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended June 30, 2019, purchases and sales of investments, including paydowns and excluding short-term securities were as follows:

 

Purchases   MSO      MSO2  

Non-U.S. Government Securities

  $ 171,110,251      $ 131,686,239  

U.S. Government Securities

           17,331,647  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 171,110,251      $ 149,017,886  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Sales   MSO      MSO2  

Non-U.S. Government Securities

  $ 110,002,655      $ 9,742,759  

U.S. Government Securities

            
 

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 110,002,655      $ 9,742,759  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

8.

INCOME TAX INFORMATION

It is each Trust’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.

 

 

48    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Each Trust files U.S. federal and various state and local tax returns. No income tax returns are currently under examination. The statute of limitations on MSO’s U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns generally remains open for the period ended December 31, 2018.

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Trusts as of June 30, 2019, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Trusts’ financial statements.

As of December 31, 2018, MSO had non-expiring capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains of $7,732,699.

As of June 30, 2019, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation for investments and derivatives based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

     MSO     MSO2  

Tax cost

  $ 610,160,167     $ 170,582,843  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

    18,421,311       2,293,780  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (12,701,304     (709,210
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

  $ 5,720,007     $ 1,584,570  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

9.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

In the normal course of business, certain Trusts invest in securities or other instruments and may enter into certain transactions, and such activities subject each Trust to various risks, including among others, fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of an issuer to meet all of its obligations. The value of securities or other instruments may also be affected by various factors, including, without limitation: (i) the general economy; (ii) the overall market as well as local, regional or global political and/or social instability; (iii) regulation, taxation or international tax treaties between various countries; or (iv) currency, interest rate and price fluctuations.

Each Trust may be exposed to prepayment risk, which is the risk that borrowers may exercise their option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled during periods of declining interest rates, which would force each Trust to reinvest in lower yielding securities. Each Trust may also be exposed to reinvestment risk, which is the risk that income from each Trust’s portfolio will decline if each Trust invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called fixed-income securities at market interest rates that are below each Trust portfolio’s current earnings rate.

The Trusts will terminate at the close of business on February 22, 2024 for MSO and February 28, 2025 for MSO2; however, the Board of Trustees may also, without shareholder approval, extend the Termination Date by up to one year to a date on or before February 22, 2025 and February 28, 2026, respectively. The Trusts are not target term funds and thus do not seek to return their initial public offering price of $100 per common share upon termination. The final distribution of net assets upon termination may be more than, equal to or less than $100 per common share. Because the Trusts do not list their common shares on any securities exchange, an investment in the Trusts, unlike an investment in a traditional listed closed-end fund, should be considered illiquid.

The Trusts may invest without limitation in illiquid or less liquid investments or investments in which no secondary market is readily available or which are otherwise illiquid, including private placement securities. The Trusts may not be able to readily dispose of such investments at prices that approximate those at which the Trust could sell such investments if they were more widely traded and, as a result of such illiquidity, the trusts may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions if necessary to raise funds to meet its obligations. Limited liquidity can also affect the market price of investments, thereby adversely affecting the Trusts’ net asset value and ability to make dividend distributions. Privately issued debt securities are often of below investment grade quality, frequently are unrated and present many of the same risks as investing in below investment grade public debt securities.

Valuation Risk: The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments, such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries. A Trust may invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that a Trust reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. A Trust may experience difficulty in selling illiquid investments in a timely manner at the price that they believe the investments are worth. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. This volatility may cause each Trust’s NAV to experience significant increases or decreases over short periods of time. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, the NAV of a Trust may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which a Trust invests.

The price a Trust could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from a Trust’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation technique or a price provided by an independent pricing service. Changes to significant unobservable inputs and assumptions (i.e., publicly traded company multiples, growth rate, time to exit) due to the lack of observable inputs may significantly impact the resulting fair value and therefore a Trust’s results of operations. As a result, the price received upon the sale of an investment may be less than the value ascribed by a Trust, and a Trust could realize a greater than expected loss or lesser than expected gain upon the sale of the investment. A Trust’s ability to value its investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third party service providers.

Counterparty Credit Risk: The Trusts may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions. The Trusts manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that the Manager believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Trusts to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Trusts’ exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Trusts.

A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      49  


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

A Trust’s risk of loss from counterparty credit risk on OTC derivatives is generally limited to the aggregate unrealized gain less the value of any collateral held by such Trust.

For OTC options purchased, each Trust bears the risk of loss in the amount of the premiums paid plus the positive change in market values net of any collateral held by the Trusts should the counterparty fail to perform under the contracts. Options written by the Trusts do not typically give rise to counterparty credit risk, as options written generally obligate the Trusts, and not the counterparty, to perform. The Trusts may be exposed to counterparty credit risk with respect to options written to the extent the Trusts deposit collateral with its counterparty to a written option.

With exchange-traded options purchased and futures and centrally cleared swaps, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Trusts since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, a Trust does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures and centrally cleared swaps with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing broker’s customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Trusts.

Concentration Risk: Certain Trusts may invest in securities that are rated below investment grade quality (sometimes called “junk bonds”), which are predominantly speculative, have greater credit risk and generally are less liquid than, and have more volatile prices than, higher quality securities.

Certain Trusts invest a significant portion of their assets in fixed-income securities and/or use derivatives tied to the fixed-income markets. Changes in market interest rates or economic conditions may affect the value and/or liquidity of such investments. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. Certain Trusts may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates.

Certain Trusts invest a significant portion of their assets in securities backed by commercial or residential mortgage loans or in issuers that hold mortgage and other asset-backed securities. Investment percentages in these securities are presented in the Schedules of Investments. Changes in economic conditions, including delinquencies and/or defaults on assets underlying these securities, can affect the value, income and/or liquidity of such positions.

 

10.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Each Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares, all of which were initially classified as Common Shares. The par value for each Trust’s Common Shares is $0.001. The Board is authorized, however, to reclassify any unissued shares to Preferred shares without the approval of Common Shareholders.

With respect to MSO, for the period ended December 31, 2018, common shares issued and outstanding had a net increase of 4,657,908 as a result of dividend reinvestment and the initial public offering. For the period ended June 30, 2019, common shares issued and outstanding had a net decrease of 82,167 as a result of 34,281 shares issued from dividend reinvestment and 116,448 shares repurchased in tender offers.

With respect to MSO2, for the period ended June 30, 2019, common shares issued and outstanding increased by 1,551,311 as a result of dividend reinvestment and the initial public offering.

MSO intends, but is not obligated, to conduct quarterly tender offers for up to 2.5% of the common shares then outstanding in the sole discretion of its Board until it adopts a plan of liquidation. In a tender offer, MSO repurchases outstanding common shares at MSO’s net asset value on the valuation date for the tender offer. In any given year, the Advisor may or may not recommend to the Board that MSO conduct tender offers. Accordingly, there may be years in which no tender offer is made. Therefore, common shares will not be redeemable at an investor’s option nor will they be exchangeable for shares of any other trust.

Tender offers were as follows:

 

Commencement Date(a)   Valuation
Date
     Number of Shares
Tendered
     Number of
Tendered Shares
Purchased
 

April 1, 2019

    April 30, 2019        219,616        116,448  

 

  (a) 

Date the tender offer period begins.

 

Tendered share amounts are shown as repurchase of shares resulting from tender offers in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

Beginning one year after the completion of MSO2’s initial public offering and ending upon the adoption of a plan of liquidation, MSO2 intends, but is not obligated, to conduct quarterly tender offers for up to 2.5% of the common shares then outstanding in the sole discretion of the Board.

As of June 30, 2019, BlackRock HoldCo 2, Inc., an affiliate of MSO, owned 1,000 shares of MSO and BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., an affiliate of MSO2, owned 1,000 shares of MSO2.

 

 

50    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

 

11.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management’s evaluation of the impact of all subsequent events on the Trusts’ financial statements was completed through the date the financial statements were issued and the following items were noted:

MSO commenced a quarterly tender offer on July 1, 2019 for up to 2.5% of its issued and outstanding common shares. The tender offer expired on July 31, 2019 and the Fund purchased 113,996 of the 157,975 common shares tendered for a total amount of $11,190,987.

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      51  


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements

 

The Board of Trustees (the “Board,” the members of which are referred to as “Board Members”) of BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust (the “Fund”) met in person on May 1, 2019 (the “May Meeting”) and June 5-6, 2019 (the “June Meeting”) to consider the approval of the investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) between the Fund and BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”), the Fund’s investment advisor. The Board also considered the approval of the sub-advisory agreements (the “Sub-Advisory Agreements”) between (1) the Manager, BlackRock International Limited (“BIL”) and the Fund and (2) the Manager, BlackRock (Singapore) Limited (“BRS”) and the Fund. The Manager, BIL and BRS are referred to herein as “BlackRock.” The Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements are referred to herein as the “Agreements.”

Activities and Composition of the Board

On the date of the June Meeting, the Board consisted of eleven individuals, nine of whom were not “interested persons” of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (the “Independent Board Members”). The Board Members are responsible for the oversight of the operations of the 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 Co-Chairs of the Board are Independent Board Members. The 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 chaired by an Independent Board Member and composed of Independent Board Members (except for the Executive Committee, which also has one interested Board Member).

The Agreements

Consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Board considers the continuation of the Agreements on an annual basis. The Board has four quarterly meetings per year, each typically extending for two days, and additional in-person and telephonic meetings throughout the year, as needed. While the Board also has a fifth one-day meeting to consider specific information surrounding the renewal of the Agreements, the Board’s consideration entails a year-long deliberative process whereby the Board and its committees assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund. In particular, the Board assessed, among other things, the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund by BlackRock, BlackRock’s personnel and affiliates, including (as applicable): investment management; accounting, administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Throughout the year, including during the contract renewal process, the Independent Board Members were advised by independent legal counsel, and met with independent legal counsel in various executive sessions outside of the presence of management.

During the year, the Board, acting directly and through its committees, considers information that is relevant to its annual consideration of the renewal of the Agreements, including the services and support provided by BlackRock to the Fund and its shareholders. BlackRock also furnished additional information to the Board in response to specific questions from the Board. This additional information is discussed further below in the section titled “Board Considerations in Approving the Agreements.” Among the matters the Board considered were: (a) investment performance for one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and/or since inception periods, as applicable, against peer funds, applicable benchmarks, and performance metrics, as applicable, as well as senior management’s and portfolio managers’ analyses of the reasons for any over-performance or underperformance relative to its peers, benchmarks, and other performance metrics, as applicable; (b) leverage management, as applicable; (c) fees, including advisory, administration, if applicable, and other amounts paid to BlackRock and its affiliates by the Fund for services; (d) Fund operating expenses and how BlackRock allocates expenses to the Fund; (e) the resources devoted to, risk oversight of, and compliance reports relating to, implementation of the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions, and meeting regulatory requirements; (f) BlackRock and the Fund’s adherence to applicable compliance policies and procedures; (g) the nature, character and scope of non-investment management services provided by BlackRock and its affiliates and the estimated cost of such services; (h) BlackRock’s and other service providers’ internal controls and risk and compliance oversight mechanisms; (i) BlackRock’s implementation of the proxy voting policies approved by the Board; (j) the use of brokerage commissions and execution quality of portfolio transactions; (k) BlackRock’s implementation of the Fund’s valuation and liquidity procedures; (l) an analysis of management fees for products with similar investment mandates across the open-end fund, closed-end fund, sub-advised mutual fund, collective investment trust, and institutional separate account product channels, as applicable, and the similarities and differences between these products and the services provided as compared to the Fund; (m) BlackRock’s compensation methodology for its investment professionals and the incentives and accountability it creates, along with investment professionals’ investments in the fund(s) they manage; (n) periodic updates on BlackRock’s business; and (o) the Fund’s market discount/premium compared to peer funds.

Board Considerations in Approving the Agreements

The Approval Process: Prior to the May Meeting, the Board requested and received materials specifically relating to the Agreements. The Independent Board Members are continuously engaged in a process with their independent legal counsel and BlackRock to review the nature and scope of the information provided to better assist its deliberations. The materials provided in connection with the May Meeting included, among other things: (a) information independently compiled and prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), based on Lipper classifications, regarding the Fund’s fees and expenses as compared with a peer group of funds as determined by Broadridge (“Expense Peers”), the investment performance of the Fund as compared with a peer group of funds (“Performance Peers”) and other metrics, as applicable; (b) information on the composition of the Expense Peers and Performance Peers, and a description of Broadridge’s methodology; (c) information on the estimated profits realized by BlackRock and its affiliates pursuant to the Agreements and a discussion of fall-out benefits to BlackRock and its affiliates; (d) a general analysis provided by BlackRock concerning investment management fees received in connection with other types of investment products, such as institutional accounts, sub-advised mutual funds, closed-end funds, and open-end funds, under similar investment mandates, as applicable; (e) review of non-management fees; (f) the existence, impact and sharing of potential economies of scale, if any, with the Fund; (g) a summary of aggregate amounts paid by the Fund to BlackRock; and (h) various additional information requested by the Board as appropriate regarding BlackRock’s and the Fund’s operations.

At the May Meeting, the Board reviewed materials relating to its consideration of the Agreements. As a result of the discussions that occurred during the May Meeting, and as a culmination of the Board’s year-long deliberative process, the Board presented BlackRock with questions and requests for additional information. BlackRock

 

 

52    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements  (continued)

 

responded to these requests with additional written information in advance of the June Meeting. Topics covered included: (a) the methodology for measuring estimated fund profitability; (b) fund expenses and potential fee waivers; (c) differences in services provided and management fees between closed-end funds and other product channels; and (d) BlackRock’s option overwrite strategy.

At the June Meeting, the Board concluded its assessment of, among other things: (a) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BlackRock; (b) the investment performance of the Fund as compared with Performance Peers and other metrics, as applicable; (c) the advisory fee and the estimated cost of the services and estimated profits realized by BlackRock and its affiliates from their relationship with the Fund; (d) the Fund’s fees and expenses compared to Expense Peers; (e) the sharing of potential economies of scale; (f) fall-out benefits to BlackRock and its affiliates as a result of BlackRock’s relationship with the Fund; and (g) other factors deemed relevant by the Board Members.

The Board also considered other matters it deemed important to the approval process, such as other payments made to BlackRock or its affiliates relating to securities lending and cash management, and BlackRock’s services related to the valuation and pricing of Fund portfolio holdings. The Board noted the willingness of BlackRock personnel to engage in open, candid discussions with the Board. The Board did not identify any particular information as determinative, and each Board Member may have attributed different weights to the various items considered.

A. Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services Provided by BlackRock: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the nature, extent and quality of services provided by BlackRock, including the investment advisory services and the resulting performance of the Fund. Throughout the year, the Board compared Fund performance to the performance of a comparable group of closed-end funds, relevant benchmarks, and performance metrics, as applicable. The Board met with BlackRock’s senior management personnel responsible for investment activities, including the senior investment officers. The Board also reviewed the materials provided by the Fund’s portfolio management team discussing the Fund’s performance and the Fund’s investment objective, strategies and outlook.

The Board considered, among other factors, with respect to BlackRock: the number, education and experience of investment personnel generally and the Fund’s portfolio management team; BlackRock’s research capabilities; investments by portfolio managers in the funds they manage; portfolio trading capabilities; use of technology; commitment to compliance; credit analysis capabilities; risk analysis and oversight capabilities; and the approach to training and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory and management personnel. The Board also considered BlackRock’s overall risk management program, including the continued efforts of BlackRock and its affiliates to address cybersecurity risks and the role of BlackRock’s Risk & Quantitative Analysis Group. The Board engaged in a review of BlackRock’s compensation structure with respect to the Fund’s portfolio management team and BlackRock’s ability to attract and retain high-quality talent and create performance incentives.

In addition to investment advisory services, the Board considered the nature and quality of the administrative and other non-investment advisory services provided to the Fund. BlackRock and its affiliates provide the Fund with certain administrative, shareholder and other services (in addition to any such services provided to the Fund by third parties) and officers and other personnel as are necessary for the operations of the Fund. In particular, BlackRock and its affiliates provide the Fund with administrative services including, among others: (i) responsibility for disclosure documents, such as the prospectus and the statement of additional information in connection with the initial public offering and periodic shareholder reports; (ii) oversight of daily accounting and pricing; (iii) responsibility for periodic filings with regulators and stock exchanges; (iv) overseeing and coordinating the activities of other service providers including, among others, the Fund’s custodian, fund accountant, transfer agent, and auditor; (v) organizing Board meetings and preparing the materials for such Board meetings; (vi) providing legal and compliance support; (vii) furnishing analytical and other support to assist the Board in its consideration of strategic issues such as the merger, consolidation or repurposing of certain closed-end funds; and (viii) performing or managing administrative functions necessary for the operation of the Fund, such as tax reporting, expense management, fulfilling regulatory filing requirements, and shareholder call center and other services. The Board reviewed the structure and duties of BlackRock’s fund administration, shareholder services, and legal & compliance departments and considered BlackRock’s policies and procedures for assuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

B. The Investment Performance of the Fund and BlackRock: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, also reviewed and considered the performance history of the Fund. In preparation for the May Meeting, the Board was provided with reports independently prepared by Broadridge, which included a comprehensive analysis of the Fund’s performance as of December 31, 2018. The performance information is based on net asset value (NAV), and utilizes Lipper data. Lipper’s methodology calculates a fund’s total return assuming distributions are reinvested on the ex-date at a fund’s ex-date NAV. Broadridge ranks funds in quartiles, ranging from first to fourth, where first is the most desirable quartile position and fourth is the least desirable. In connection with its review, the Board received and reviewed information regarding the investment performance of the Fund as compared to its Performance Peers and certain performance metrics. The Board and its Performance Oversight Committee regularly review, and meet with Fund management to discuss, the performance of the Fund throughout the year.

In evaluating performance, the Board focused particular attention on funds with less favorable performance records. The Board also noted that while it found the data provided by Broadridge generally useful, it recognized the limitations of such data, including in particular, that notable differences may exist between a fund and the Performance Peer funds (for example, the investment objective(s) and investment strategies). Further, the Board recognized that the performance data reflects a snapshot of a period as of a particular date and that selecting a different performance period could produce significantly different results. The Board also acknowledged that long-term performance could be impacted by even one period of significant outperformance or underperformance, and that a single investment theme could have the ability to affect long-term performance disproportionately.

The Board noted that for the since-inception period reported, the Fund ranked in the fourth quartile against its Performance Peers. The Board noted such underperformance for the applicable periods as compared to the Performance Peers.

In light of the Fund’s outcome oriented objective, the Board noted that BlackRock believes that certain other performance metrics may be more appropriate than the Performance Peers, and that BlackRock has explained its rationale for this belief to the Board. The Board was provided with a comparison of Fund performance relative to these metrics. Under these metrics, for the since-inception period, the Fund underperformed its total return target. The total return metrics are designed to be based on a time horizon of five years and greater, but in this case are being viewed over a shorter time horizon (the Fund’s inception was February 2018). The annualized distribution yield based on the Fund’s initial NAV was within its target range for the since-inception period.

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS      53  


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements  (continued)

 

C. Consideration of the Advisory/Management Fees and the Estimated Cost of the Services and Estimated Profits Realized by BlackRock and its Affiliates from their Relationship with the Fund: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the Fund’s contractual management fee rate compared with those of its Expense Peers. The contractual management fee rate represents a combination of the advisory fee and any administrative fees, before taking into account any reimbursements or fee waivers. The Board also compared the Fund’s total expense ratio, as well as its actual management fee rate as a percentage of total assets, to those of its Expense Peers. The total expense ratio represents a fund’s total net operating expenses, excluding any investment related expenses. The total expense ratio gives effect to any expense reimbursements or fee waivers that benefit a fund, and the actual management fee rate gives effect to any management fee reimbursements or waivers that benefit a fund. The Board considered the services provided and the fees charged by BlackRock and its affiliates to other types of clients with similar investment mandates, as applicable, including institutional accounts and sub-advised mutual funds (including mutual funds sponsored by third parties).

The Board received and reviewed statements relating to BlackRock’s financial condition. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s profitability methodology and was also provided with an estimated profitability analysis that detailed the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by BlackRock for services provided to the Fund. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s estimated profitability with respect to the Fund and other funds the Board currently oversees for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to available aggregate estimated profitability data provided for the prior two years. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s estimated profitability with respect to certain other U.S. fund complexes managed by the Manager and/or its affiliates. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s assumptions and methodology of allocating expenses in the estimated profitability analysis, noting the inherent limitations in allocating costs among various advisory products. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors including, among other things, fee waivers and expense reimbursements by the Manager, the types of funds managed, precision of expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is difficult.

The Board noted that, in general, individual fund or product line profitability of other advisors is not publicly available. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s overall operating margin, in general, compared to that of certain other publicly-traded asset management firms. The Board considered the differences between BlackRock and these other firms, including the contribution of technology at BlackRock, BlackRock’s expense management, and the relative product mix.

In addition, the Board considered the estimated cost of the services provided to the Fund by BlackRock, and BlackRock’s and its affiliates’ estimated profits relating to the management of the Fund and the other funds advised by BlackRock and its affiliates. As part of its analysis, the Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology in allocating its costs of managing the Fund, to the Fund. The Board 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 Board. The Board further considered factors including but not limited to BlackRock’s commitment of time, assumption of risk, and liability profile in servicing the Fund, including in contrast to what is required of BlackRock with respect to other products with similar investment mandates across the open-end fund, closed-end fund, sub-advised mutual fund, collective investment trust, and institutional separate account product channels, as applicable.

The Board noted that the Fund’s contractual management fee rate ranked in the fourth quartile, and that the actual management fee rate and total expense ratio ranked in the fourth and third quartiles, respectively, relative to the Expense Peers. The Board also noted, however, that given the comparability limitations of the Expense Peers, BlackRock provided the Board a supplemental peer group consisting of funds that are generally similar to MSO. The Board noted that the Fund’s actual management fee rate and total expenses ratio ranked in the second and third quartiles, respectively, relative to the supplemental peer group.

D. Economies of Scale: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase. The Board also considered the extent to which the Fund benefits from such economies in a variety of ways, and whether there should be changes in the advisory fee rate or breakpoint structure in order to enable the Fund to more fully participate in these economies of scale. The Board considered the Fund’s asset levels and whether the current fee was appropriate.

Based on the Board’s review and consideration of the issue, the Board concluded that most closed-end funds do not have fund level breakpoints because closed-end funds generally do not experience substantial growth after the initial public offering. They are typically priced at scale at a fund’s inception.

E. Other Factors Deemed Relevant by the Board Members: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, also took into account other ancillary or “fall-out” benefits that BlackRock or its affiliates may derive from BlackRock’s respective relationships with the Fund, both tangible and intangible, such as BlackRock’s ability to leverage its investment professionals who manage other portfolios and risk management personnel, an increase in BlackRock’s profile in the investment advisory community, and the engagement of BlackRock’s affiliates as service providers to the Fund, including for administrative, securities lending and cash management services. The Board also considered BlackRock’s overall operations and its efforts to expand the scale of, and improve the quality of, its operations. The Board also noted that, subject to applicable law, BlackRock may use and benefit from third party research obtained by soft dollars generated by certain registered fund transactions to assist in managing all or a number of its other client accounts.

In connection with its consideration of the Agreements, the Board also received information regarding BlackRock’s brokerage and soft dollar practices. The Board received reports from BlackRock which included information on brokerage commissions and trade execution practices throughout the year.

The Board also considered the various notable initiatives and projects BlackRock performed in connection with its closed-end fund product line. These initiatives included developing equity shelf programs; efforts to eliminate product overlap with fund mergers; ongoing services to manage leverage that has become increasingly complex; periodic evaluation of share repurchases and other support initiatives for certain BlackRock funds; and continued communications efforts with shareholders, fund analysts and financial advisers. With respect to the latter, the Independent Board Members noted BlackRock’s continued commitment to supporting the secondary market for the common shares of its closed-end funds through a comprehensive secondary market communication program designed to raise investor and analyst awareness and understanding of closed-end funds. BlackRock’s support services included, among other things: sponsoring and participating in conferences; communicating with closed-end fund analysts covering the BlackRock funds throughout the year; providing marketing and product updates for the closed-end funds; and maintaining and enhancing its closed-end fund website.

 

 

54    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements  (continued)

 

Conclusion

The Board, including the Independent Board Members, approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement between the Manager and the Fund for a one-year term ending June 30, 2020, and the Sub-Advisory Agreements between (1) the Manager, BIL and the Fund and (2) the Manager, BRS and the Fund, for a one-year term ending June 30, 2020. Based upon its evaluation of all of the aforementioned factors in their totality, as well as other information, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, was satisfied that the terms of the Agreements were fair and reasonable and in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders. In arriving at its decision to approve the Agreements, the 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.

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS      55  


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements

 

The Board of Trustees (the “Board,” the members of which are referred to as “Board Members”) of BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II (the “Trust”) met in person on July 30, 2018 (the “July Meeting”) to consider the approval of the Trust’s proposed investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”), the Trust’s investment advisor. The Board also considered the initial approval of two proposed sub-advisory agreements (the “Sub-Advisory Agreements”) among (1) the Trust, the Manager and BlackRock International Limited (“BIL”), and (2) the Trust, the Manager and BlackRock (Singapore) Limited (together with BIL, the “Sub-Advisors”). The Manager and the Sub-Advisors are referred to herein as “BlackRock.” The Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements are referred to herein as the “Agreements.”

Activities and Composition of the Board

On the date of the July Meeting, a majority of the Board Members were not “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (the “Independent Board Members”). The Board Members are responsible for the oversight of the operations of the Trust 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 Chair of the Board is an Independent Board Member. The 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 chaired by an Independent Board Member and composed of Independent Board Members (except for the Executive Committee, which also has one interested Board Member).

The Agreements

Pursuant to the 1940 Act, the Board is required to consider the initial approval of the Agreements. In connection with this process, the Board assessed, among other things, the nature, extent and quality of the services to be provided to the Trust by BlackRock, BlackRock’s personnel and affiliates, including, as applicable; investment management, accounting, administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Trust’s service providers; marketing; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

Board Considerations in Approving the Agreements

The Approval Process: Prior to the July Meeting, the Board received materials specifically relating to the Agreements. The Board engaged with its independent legal counsel and BlackRock to review the nature and scope of the information provided to better assist its deliberations. The materials provided in connection with the July Meeting included, among other things: (a) information regarding the investment objective and policies of the Trust; (b) the team of investment advisory personnel assigned to the Trust; (c) information independently compiled and prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”) on Trust fees and expenses as compared with a peer group of funds as determined by Broadridge (“Expense Peers”); (d) information prepared by BlackRock on Trust fees and expenses as compared to a supplemental peer group consisting of other unlisted closed-end funds employing similar opportunistic, less liquid investment strategies (the “Supplemental Peer Group”); and (e) discussion of anticipated fall out benefits to BlackRock and its affiliates. Periodically, the Board Members, in connection with their duties as trustees or directors of other funds in the BlackRock family of closed-end funds, have received other information including general information regarding BlackRock’s management of such funds (including the investment performance of BlackRock portfolio management in general), BlackRock’s management of relationships with service providers of such funds, resources devoted to compliance with such funds’ investment objectives and policies, the structure and expertise of BlackRock and BlackRock’s parent companies, information on the profits realized by BlackRock and its affiliates as a result of its relationships with such funds, general analysis provided by BlackRock concerning investment management fees received in connection with other types of investment products, such as institutional accounts, sub-advised mutual funds and open-end funds, under similar investment mandates, as applicable, BlackRock’s policies and procedures in respect of execution of portfolio transactions, the existence, impact and sharing of potential economies of scale and other matters.

At the July Meeting, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed materials relating to its consideration of the Agreements and unanimously approved the Agreements. In approving the Agreements, the Board considered, among other things: (a) the nature, extent and quality of the services to be provided by BlackRock; (b) the investment performance of BlackRock portfolio management in general; (c) the advisory fee and the estimated cost of the services and estimated profits to be realized by BlackRock and its affiliates from their relationship with the Trust; (d) the Trust’s estimated costs to investors compared to the costs of Expense Peers; (e) the sharing of potential economies of scale; (f) fall-out benefits to BlackRock and its affiliates as a result of BlackRock’s relationship with the Trust; and (g) other factors deemed relevant by the Board Members.

The Board also considered other matters it deemed important to the approval process, such as other payments to be made to BlackRock or its affiliates relating to securities lending and cash management, services related to the valuation and pricing of Trust portfolio holdings, and advice from independent legal counsel with respect to the review process and materials submitted for the Board’s review. The Board noted the willingness of BlackRock personnel to engage in open, candid discussions with the Board. The Board did not identify any particular information as determinative, and each Board Member may have attributed different weights to the various items considered.

A. Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services to be Provided by BlackRock: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the nature, extent and quality of services to be provided by BlackRock, including the investment advisory services to be provided to the Trust. The Board met with BlackRock’s senior management personnel responsible for investment activities, including the senior investment officers. The Board also reviewed the materials provided by the Trust’s portfolio management team discussing the Trust’s investment objective, strategies and outlook.

The Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered, among other factors, with respect to BlackRock: the number, education and experience of investment personnel generally and the Trust’s portfolio management team; BlackRock’s research capabilities; investments by portfolio managers in the funds they manage; portfolio trading capabilities; use of technology; commitment to compliance; credit analysis capabilities; risk analysis and oversight capabilities; and the approach to training and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory and management personnel. The Board also considered BlackRock’s overall risk management program,

 

 

56    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements  (continued)

 

including the continued efforts of BlackRock and its affiliates to address cybersecurity risks and the role of BlackRock’s Risk & Quantitative Analysis Group. The Board engaged in a review of BlackRock’s compensation structure with respect to the Trust’s portfolio management team and BlackRock’s ability to attract and retain high-quality talent and create performance incentives.

In addition to investment advisory services, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered the quality of the administrative and other non-investment advisory services to be provided by BlackRock and its affiliates to the Trust. The Board noted that BlackRock and its affiliates will provide the Trust with certain administrative, shareholder, and other services (in addition to any such services to be provided to the Trust by third parties) and officers and other personnel as are necessary for the operations of the Trust. In particular, the Board noted that BlackRock and its affiliates will provide the Trust with administrative services including, among others: (i) responsibility for disclosure documents, such as the prospectus and the statement of additional information in connection with the initial public offering and periodic shareholder reports; (ii) oversight of daily accounting and pricing; (iii) responsibility for periodic filings with regulators (iv) overseeing and coordinating the activities of other service providers including, among others, the Trust’s custodian, fund accountant, transfer agent, and auditor; (v) organizing Board meetings and preparing the materials for such Board meetings; (vi) providing legal and compliance support; (vii) furnishing analytical and other support to assist the Board in its consideration of strategic issues such as the merger, consolidation or repurposing of certain closed-end funds; and (viii) performing administrative functions necessary for the operation of the Trust, such as tax reporting, expense management, fulfilling regulatory filing requirements, and shareholder call center and other services. The Board reviewed the structure and duties of BlackRock’s fund administration, shareholder services, and legal & compliance departments and considered BlackRock’s policies and procedures for assuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

B. The Investment Performance of the Trust and BlackRock: In their capacity as members of the boards of directors or trustees of certain other BlackRock advised funds, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, previously received and considered information about BlackRock’s investment performance for other BlackRock advised funds. The Board, however, could not consider the performance history of the Trust because the Trust was newly organized and had not yet commenced operations as of the date of the July Meeting.

C. Consideration of the Advisory/Management Fees and the Estimated Cost of the Services to be Provided and Estimated Profits to be Realized by BlackRock and its Affiliates from their Relationship with the Trust: In connection with the initial approval of the Agreements, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the Trust’s proposed contractual management fee rate compared with the other funds in its Broadridge category. The contractual management fee rate represents a combination of the advisory fee and any administrative fees, before taking into account any reimbursements or fee waivers. In addition, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered the Trust’s estimated total expense ratio, as well as its actual management fee rate as a percentage of total assets, to those of other funds in its Broadridge category. The estimated total expense ratio represents a fund’s estimated total net operating expenses, excluding any investment related expenses and gives effect to any expense reimbursements or fee waivers that benefit a fund. The actual management fee rate gives effect to any management fee reimbursements or waivers that benefit a fund. The Board considered the services provided and the fees charged by BlackRock and its affiliates to other types of clients with similar investment mandates, as applicable, including institutional separate accounts and sub-advised mutual funds (including mutual funds sponsored by third parties).

The Board noted that it had previously received and reviewed statements relating to BlackRock’s financial condition in connection with their duties as trustees or directors of other funds in the BlackRock family of closed-end funds. The Board had previously reviewed BlackRock’s profitability methodology and was also provided with an estimated profitability analysis that detailed the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by BlackRock for services provided to the Fund. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s estimated profitability with respect to other funds the Board oversees for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to available aggregate estimated profitability data provided for the prior two years. The Board acknowledged the Manager’s representation that it expected the Trust’s costs of services and profitability to be broadly in line with those of other similar funds managed by the Manager. The Board then noted its previous review of BlackRock’s estimated profitability with respect to certain other U.S. fund complexes managed by the Manager and/or its affiliates. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s assumptions and methodology of allocating expenses in the estimated profitability analysis, noting the inherent limitations in allocating costs among various advisory products. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors including, among other things, fee waivers and expense reimbursements by the Manager, the types of funds managed, precision of expense allocations and business mix. The Board noted that, as a result, calculating and comparing profitability at the individual fund level is difficult.

The Board noted that, in general, individual fund or product line profitability of other advisors is not publicly available. The Board then noted its previous review, as described above, of BlackRock’s overall operating margin, in general, compared to that of certain other publicly-traded asset management firms. The Board reviewed its previous consideration of the differences between BlackRock and these other firms, including the contribution of technology at BlackRock, BlackRock’s expense management, and the relative product mix.

The Board 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 provide the high quality of services that is expected by the Board. The Board further considered factors including but not limited to BlackRock’s commitment of time, assumption of risk, and liability profile in servicing the Trust in contrast to what is required of BlackRock with respect to other products with similar investment mandates across the open-end fund, closed-end fund, sub-advised mutual fund, collective investment trust and institutional separate account product channels, as applicable.

The Board noted that, the Trust’s contractual management fee rate ranked in the fourth quartile and that the estimated actual management fee rate and the estimated total expense ratio each ranked in the fourth quartile, relative to the Trust’s Expense Peers. The Board noted the differences between the Trust and its Expense Peers. The Board also noted that relative to the Supplemental Peer Group, the Trust’s contractual management fee rate and estimated total expense ratio ranked in the second and third quartiles, respectively .

D. Economies of Scale: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Trust increase. The Board also considered the extent to which the Trust may benefit from such economies in a variety of ways, and whether there should be changes in the advisory fee rate or breakpoint structure in order to enable the Trust to more fully participate in these economies of scale.

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS      57  


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements  (continued)

 

Based on the Board’s review and consideration of the issue, the Board concluded that most closed-end funds do not have fund level breakpoints because closed-end funds generally do not experience substantial growth after the initial public offering. They are typically priced at scale at a fund’s inception.

E. Other Factors Deemed Relevant by the Board Members: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, also took into account other ancillary or “fall-out” benefits that BlackRock or its affiliates may derive from BlackRock’s respective relationships with the Trust, both tangible and intangible, such as BlackRock’s ability to leverage its investment professionals who manage other portfolios and risk management personnel, an increase in BlackRock’s profile in the investment advisory community, and the engagement of BlackRock’s affiliates as service providers to the Trust, including for administrative, securities lending and cash management services. The Board also considered BlackRock’s overall operations and its efforts to expand the scale of, and improve the quality of, its operations. The Board also noted that, subject to applicable law, BlackRock may use and benefit from third party research obtained by soft dollars generated by certain registered fund transactions to assist in managing all or a number of its other client accounts.

In connection with its consideration of the Agreements, the Board also received information regarding BlackRock’s brokerage and soft dollar practices. The Board received reports from BlackRock which included information on brokerage commissions and trade execution practices for BlackRock closed-end funds throughout the year.

The Board also considered the various notable initiatives and projects BlackRock performed in connection with its closed-end fund product line. These initiatives included developing equity shelf programs; efforts to eliminate product overlap with fund mergers; ongoing services to manage leverage that has become increasingly complex; periodic evaluation of share repurchases and other support initiatives for certain BlackRock funds; and continued communications efforts with shareholders, fund analysts and financial advisers. With respect to the latter, the Independent Board Members noted BlackRock’s continued commitment to supporting the secondary market for the common shares of its closed-end funds through a comprehensive secondary market communication program designed to raise investor and analyst awareness and understanding of closed-end funds. BlackRock’s support services included, among other things: sponsoring and participating in conferences; communicating with closed-end fund analysts covering the BlackRock funds throughout the year; providing marketing and product updates for the closed-end funds; and maintaining and enhancing its closed-end fund website.

The Board, including all of the Independent Board Members, concluded that the ancillary benefits that BlackRock and its affiliates could receive with regard to providing investment advisory and other services to the Trust were consistent with those generally available to other fund sponsors.

Conclusion

The Board, including the Independent Board Members, unanimously approved the Advisory Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for a two-year term beginning on the effective date of the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements among (1) the Manager, BIL and the Trust and (2) the Manager, BRS and the Trust, for a two-year term beginning on the effective date of the Sub-Advisory Agreements. Based upon its evaluation of all of the aforementioned factors in their totality, as well as other information, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, was satisfied that the terms of the Agreements were fair and reasonable and in the best interest of the Trust and its shareholders. In arriving at its decision to approve the Agreements, the 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.

 

 

58    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Trustee and Officer Information

 

Richard E. Cavanagh, Co-Chair of the Board and Trustee

Karen P. Robards, Co-Chair of the Board and Trustee

Michael J. Castellano, Trustee

Cynthia L. Egan, Trustee

Frank J. Fabozzi, Trustee

Henry Gabbay, Trustee

R. Glenn Hubbard, Trustee

W. Carl Kester, Trustee

Catherine A. Lynch, Trustee

Robert Fairbairn, Trustee

John M. Perlowski, Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer

Jonathan Diorio, Vice President

Neal J. Andrews, Chief Financial Officer

Jay M. Fife, Treasurer

Charles Park, Chief Compliance Officer

Janey Ahn, Secretary

 

Investment Adviser

BlackRock Advisors, LLC

Wilmington, DE 19809

Sub-Advisers

BlackRock International Limited

Edinburgh, EH3 8BL

BlackRock (Singapore) Limited

079912 SIngapore

Accounting Agent and Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

Boston, MA 02111

Transfer Agent

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.(a)

Canton, MA 02021

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.(b)

Wilmington, DE 19809

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, MA 02116

Legal Counsel

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

New York, NY 10019

Address of the Trusts

100 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

 

 

(a) 

For MSO.

(b) 

For MSO2.

 

 

TRUSTEE AND OFFICER INFORMATION      59  


Additional Information

 

Dividend Policy

Each Trust’s dividend policy is to distribute all or a portion of its net investment income to its shareholders on a quarterly basis. In order to provide shareholders with a more stable level of dividend distributions, the distributions paid by the Trusts for any particular quarter may be more or less than the amount of net investment income earned by the Trusts during such quarter. The portion of distributions that exceeds a Trust’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, which are measured on a tax basis, will constitute a nontaxable return of capital. Distributions in excess of a Trust’s taxable income and net capital gains, but not in excess of a Trust’s earnings and profits, will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income and will not constitute a nontaxable return of capital. The Trusts’ current accumulated but undistributed net investment income, if any, is disclosed as accumulated earnings (loss) in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, which comprises part of the financial information included in this report.

General Information

The Trusts do not make available copies of their Statement of Additional Information because the Trusts’ shares are not continuously offered, which means that the Statement of Additional Information of each Trust has not been updated after completion of the respective Trust’s offerings and the information contained in the Trust’s Statement of Additional Information may have become outdated.

During the period, there were no material changes in the Trusts’ investment objectives or policies or to the Trusts’ charters or by-laws that would delay or prevent a change of control of the Trust that were not approved by the shareholders or in the principal risk factors associated with investment in the Trusts. There have been no changes in the persons who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Trusts’ portfolios.

Quarterly performance, semi-annual and annual reports, current net asset value and other information regarding the Trusts may be found on BlackRock’s website, which can be accessed at http://www.blackrock.com. Any reference to BlackRock’s website in this report is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Trusts and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRock’s website in this report.

Electronic Delivery

Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications of quarterly statements, annual and semi-annual shareholder reports by enrolling in the electronic delivery program. Electronic copies of shareholder reports are available on BlackRock’s website.

To enroll in electronic delivery:

Shareholders Who Hold Accounts with Investment Advisers, Banks or Brokerages:

Please contact your financial advisor. Please note that not all investment advisers, banks or brokerages may offer this service.

Householding

The Trusts will mail only one copy of shareholder documents, annual and semi-annual reports and proxy statements, to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is commonly called “householding” and is intended to reduce expenses and eliminate duplicate mailings of shareholder documents. Mailings of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please call the Trust at (800) 882-0052.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Trusts file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT, and for reporting periods ended prior to March 31, 2019, filed such information on Form N-Q. The Trusts’ Forms N-PORT and N-Q, as applicable, are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Trusts’ Form N-PORT and N-Q, as applicable, may also be obtained upon request and without charge by calling (800) 882-0052.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

A description of the policies and procedures that the Trusts use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available upon request and without charge (1) by calling (800) 882-0052; (2) at http://www.blackrock.com; and (3) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Availability of Proxy Voting Record

Information about how the Trusts voted proxies relating to securities held in the Trusts’ portfolios during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available upon request and without charge (1) at http://www.blackrock.com; or by calling (800) 882-0052 and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Availability of Trust Updates

BlackRock will update performance and certain other data for the Trusts on a monthly basis on its website in the “Closed-end Funds” section of http://www.blackrock.com as well as certain other material information as necessary from time to time. Investors and others are advised to check the website for updated performance information and the release of other material information about the Trusts. This reference to BlackRock’s website is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Trusts and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRock’s website in this report.

 

 

60    2019 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Additional Information  (continued)

 

Section 19(a) Notices

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are estimates that are subject to change based on the Trusts’ investment experience during the remainder of the calendar year, are for financial reporting purposes and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and character of the distributions for tax reporting purposes will be reported to shareholders on Form 1099-DIV which is sent to shareholders shortly after calendar year end.

 

     Total Fiscal Year to Date Cumulative
Distributions by Character
    Percentage of Fiscal Year to Date Cumulative
Distributions by Character
 

Ticker

 

Net

Investment

Income

   

Net Realized

Capital Gains

Short Term

   

Net Realized

Capital Gains

Long Term

   

Return of

Capital (a)

   

Total Per

Common

Share

   

Net

Investment

Income

   

Net Realized

Capital Gains

Short Term

   

Net Realized

Capital Gains

Long Term

   

Return of

Capital

   

Total Per

Common

Share

 

MSO

  $ 2.853359     $     $     $ 0.896641     $ 3.750000       76             24     100

MSO2

    0.548015                   0.126985       0.675000       81                   19       100  

 

  (a) 

Each Trust estimates that it has distributed more than the amount of earned income and net realized gains; therefore, a portion of the distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment in a Trust is returned to the shareholder. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect a Trust’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income.” When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will reduce a Trust’s net asset value per share.

 

Section 19(a) notices for the Trusts, as applicable, are available on the BlackRock website at http://www.blackrock.com.

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.

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

 

Currency
ARS    Argentina Peso
EGP    Egyptian Pound
EUR    Euro
GBP    British Pound
IDR    Indonesian Rupiah
HKD    Hong Kong Dollar
USD    United States Dollar
Portfolio Abbreviations
CLO    Collateralized Loan Obligation
ETF    Exchange-Traded Fund
LIBOR    London Interbank Offered Rate
PIK    Payment-In-Kind
S&P    S&P Global Ratings
 

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN THIS REPORT      61  


This report is intended for current holders. It is not a prospectus. Past performance results shown in this report should not be considered a representation of future performance. Statements and other information herein are as dated and are subject to change.

 

LOGO

 

 

MSO-6/19-SAR    LOGO


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

  (a)

Not Applicable to this semi-annual report

  (b)

As of the date of this filing, there have been no changes in any of the portfolio managers identified in the most recent annual report on Form N-CSR.

 

Item 9 –

Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers

 

Period (a) Total (b) Average (c) Total Number of (d) Maximum Number of
  Number of  
Shares
Purchased
Price Paid per  
Share
Shares Purchased as Part  
of Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
Shares that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the Plans
  
or Programs1

January 1-31, 2019

NA NA NA NA

February 1-28, 2019

NA NA NA NA
March 1-31, 2019 NA NA NA NA
April 1-30, 2019 0 0 0 0

May 1-31, 2019

0 0 0 0

June 1-30, 2019

0 0 0 0

Total:

0 0 0 0

1 Beginning one year after the completion of the Fund’s initial public offering and ending upon the adoption of a plan of liquidation, the Fund’s intends, but is not obligated, to conduct quarterly tender offers for up to 2.5% of the common shares then outstanding in the sole discretion of the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

 

Item 10 –

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders – There have been no material changes to these procedures.

 

Item 11 –

Controls and Procedures

(a) – The 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 13a-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 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 –

Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies – Not applicable to this semi-annual report

 

Item 13 –

Exhibits attached hereto

(a)(1) – Code of Ethics – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report

(a)(2) – Certifications – Attached hereto

(a)(3) – Not Applicable

(a)(4) – Not Applicable

(b) – Certifications – Attached hereto

 

3


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II
By:      /s/ John M. Perlowski                                
     John M. Perlowski
     Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of
BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II

Date: September 3, 2019

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By:      /s/ John M. Perlowski                                
     John M. Perlowski
     Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of
BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II

Date: September 3, 2019

By:      /s/ Neal J. Andrews                                
     Neal J. Andrews
    

Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II

Date: September 3, 2019

 

4

EX-99. CERT

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 30a-2(a) UNDER THE 1940 ACT AND SECTION 302 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

 

I, John M. Perlowski, Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II, certify that:

1.        I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II;

2.        Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.        Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.        The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

a)        designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)        designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)        evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

d)        disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.        The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)        all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

b)        any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: September 3, 2019
/s/ John M. Perlowski        
John M. Perlowski
Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of
BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II


EX-99. CERT

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 30a-2(a) UNDER THE 1940 ACT AND SECTION 302 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

I, Neal J. Andrews, Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II, certify that:

1.        I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II;

2.        Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.        Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.        The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

a)        designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)        designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)        evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

d)        disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.        The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)        all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

b)        any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: September 3, 2019
/s/ Neal J. Andrews        
Neal J. Andrews
Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of
BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II

Exhibit 99.906CERT

Certification Pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act and

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, the undersigned officer of BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II (the “registrant”), hereby certifies, to the best of his knowledge, that the registrant’s Report on Form N-CSR for the period ended June 30, 2019 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant.

 

Date: September 3, 2019
/s/ John M. Perlowski        
John M. Perlowski
Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of
BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, the undersigned officer of BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II (the “registrant”), hereby certifies, to the best of his knowledge, that the registrant’s Report on Form N-CSR for the period ended June 30, 2019 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant.

 

Date: September 3, 2019

/s/ Neal J. Andrews            
Neal J. Andrews
Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of

BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II

This certification is being furnished pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and 18 U.S.C. § 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Form N-CSR with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



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