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BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
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1 company response(s)
Low - unmatched response
Company responded
2026-02-13
BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
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1 company response(s)
Low - unmatched response
Company responded
2025-09-25
BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
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1 company response(s)
Low - unmatched response
Company responded
2025-02-06
BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
Orphan - no UPLOAD in window
1 company response(s)
Low - unmatched response
Company responded
2023-08-04
BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
Filing - Correspondence from BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
CORRESP · 2023-08-04
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BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
Orphan - no UPLOAD in window
1 company response(s)
Low - unmatched response
Company responded
2022-10-14
BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
Orphan - no UPLOAD in window
1 company response(s)
Low - unmatched response
Company responded
2022-06-09
BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
Orphan - no UPLOAD in window
1 company response(s)
Low - unmatched response
Company responded
2020-08-19
BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
Filing - Correspondence from BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
CORRESP · 2020-08-19
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BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
Orphan - no UPLOAD in window
1 company response(s)
Low - unmatched response
Company responded
2017-07-21
BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
Filing - Correspondence from BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
CORRESP · 2017-07-21
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BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
Orphan - no UPLOAD in window
1 company response(s)
Low - unmatched response
Company responded
2015-01-16
BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
Filing - Correspondence from BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
CORRESP · 2015-01-16
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BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
Orphan - no UPLOAD in window
1 company response(s)
Low - unmatched response
Company responded
2013-01-29
BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
References: December 7, 2012
Filing - Correspondence from BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
CORRESP · 2013-01-29
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BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
Orphan - no UPLOAD in window
1 company response(s)
Low - unmatched response
Company responded
2012-12-07
BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
Filing - Correspondence from BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
CORRESP · 2012-12-07
Generating summary...
Summary
| Date | Type | Company | Location | File No | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-13 | Company Response | BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327) | Wilmington, DE | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2025-09-25 | Company Response | BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327) | Wilmington, DE | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2025-02-06 | Company Response | BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327) | Wilmington, DE | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2023-08-04 | Company Response | BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327) | MD | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2022-10-14 | Company Response | BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327) | MD | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2022-06-09 | Company Response | BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327) | MD | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2020-08-19 | Company Response | BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327) | MD | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2017-07-21 | Company Response | BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327) | MD | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2015-01-16 | Company Response | BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327) | MD | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2013-01-29 | Company Response | BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327) | MD | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2012-12-07 | Company Response | BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327) | MD | N/A | Read Filing View |
| Date | Type | Company | Location | File No | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No SEC comment letters found. | |||||
| Date | Type | Company | Location | File No | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-13 | Company Response | BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327) | Wilmington, DE | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2025-09-25 | Company Response | BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327) | Wilmington, DE | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2025-02-06 | Company Response | BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327) | Wilmington, DE | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2023-08-04 | Company Response | BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327) | MD | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2022-10-14 | Company Response | BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327) | MD | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2022-06-09 | Company Response | BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327) | MD | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2020-08-19 | Company Response | BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327) | MD | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2017-07-21 | Company Response | BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327) | MD | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2015-01-16 | Company Response | BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327) | MD | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2013-01-29 | Company Response | BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327) | MD | N/A | Read Filing View |
| 2012-12-07 | Company Response | BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327) | MD | N/A | Read Filing View |
2026-02-13 - CORRESP - BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
CORRESP 1 filename1.htm DSU, FRA, BKT, BLW and BIT 1875 K Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20006-1238 Tel: 202 303 1000 Fax: 202 303 2000 February 13, 2026 Christina DiAngelo Fettig Division of Investment Management Securities and Exchange Commission 100 F Street, NE Washington, DC 20549 Re: Annual Reports of the Funds Listed on Appendix A Dear Ms. DeAngelo: On behalf of the funds set forth in Appendix A (each, a “Fund,” and collectively, the “Funds”), this letter responds to comments provided by the staff of the Division of Investment Management (the “Staff”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) to the undersigned of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP by telephone on January 15, 2026, regarding the Annual Reports to Shareholders on Form N-CSR (each, an “Annual Report,” and collectively, “Annual Reports”) and the Annual Reports for Registered Investment Companies on Form N-CEN (each, a “Form N-CEN” and together with the Annual Reports, the “Reports”) of each Fund for the fiscal year ended as of the date specified for such Fund in Appendix A. For your convenience, the substance of the Staff’s comments has been restated below. We have discussed the Staff’s comments with representatives of the Funds. Each Fund’s joint or individual responses to each comment, as applicable, are set out immediately under the restated comment. Please note that we have not independently verified information provided by the Funds. Unless otherwise indicated, defined terms used herein have the meanings set forth in the relevant Report(s). Comment No. 1 : Please include a statement accompanying the MDFP performance graph and table in the Annual Report that the graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the sale of fund shares, in accordance with Instruction 4.g.(2)(B) of Item 24 of Form N-2. Response : The Funds will include this statement in future Annual Reports. B RUSSELS C HICAGO D ALLAS F RANKFURT H AMBURG H OUSTON L ONDON L OS A NGELES M ILAN M UNICH N EW Y ORK P ALO A LTO P ARIS R OME S AN F RANCISCO W ASHINGTON Comment No. 2 : The Staff notes that disclosure of the reasons for transfers into and out of Level 3 of the Fair Value Hierarchy is not provided for all of the Funds, and where provided, such reasons are generic. Please consistently disclose the specific reasons for any transfers into and out of Level 3 of the Fair Value Hierarchy during the reporting period. ( See ASC-820-10-50-2(c)(3).) Response : The Funds confirm that they will disclose the reasons for the transfers into or out of Level 3 of the Fair Value Hierarchy as applicable and will evaluate the specificity of the disclosure in future Annual Reports. Comment No. 3 : For the Funds that enter into reverse repurchase agreements, the response to Item C.7 of Form N-CEN appears incomplete. Neither Item C.7.n.iii (senior securities) nor Item C.7.n.iv (derivatives) is checked. Because reverse repurchase agreements should be reported as either senior securities or derivatives, the Staff would expect one of these items to be selected in Form N-CEN and the response consistent with the characterization and related explanatory information in the Annual Reports. Please supplementally explain. Response : The Funds confirm that Item C.7.n.iv should have been checked in instances where they entered into reverse repurchase agreements. Each Fund will file an amended Form N-CEN for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 to correct the error, as applicable. Comment No. 4 : The Notes to the Financial Statements of the Annual Report indicate that certain Funds have entered into unfunded commitments, but Item C.7.n.v (unfunded commitments under Rule 18f 4(e)) of Form N-CEN is unchecked. The Staff would expect Item C.7.n.v to be checked for any Fund that entered into unfunded commitments. Please supplementally explain. Response : The Funds confirm that Item C.7.n.v should have been checked in instances where they entered into unfunded commitments. Each Fund will file an amended Form N-CEN for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 to correct the error, as applicable. * * * * * * * * * * - 2 - Please do not hesitate to contact me at (202) 303-1020 if you have comments or require additional information regarding the Reports. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Lancelot A. King Lancelot A. King cc: Gladys Chang, Esq., BlackRock, Inc. Benjamin Niehaus, Esq., BlackRock, Inc. Elliot J. Gluck, Esq., Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP Haofei Liu, Esq., Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP - 3 - Appendix A Funds File No. Fiscal Year-End of Report BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. 811-05542 December 31, 2024 BLACKROCK LIMITED DURATION INCOME TRUST 811-21349 December 31, 2024 BLACKROCK FLOATING RATE INCOME STRATEGIES FUND, INC. 811-21413 December 31, 2024 BLACKROCK MULTI-SECTOR INCOME TRUST 811-22774 December 31, 2024 BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC. 811-08603 December 31, 2024 - 4 -
2025-09-25 - CORRESP - BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
CORRESP 1 filename1.htm BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. 100 Bellevue Parkway Wilmington, DE 19809 September 25, 2025 VIA EDGAR Division of Investment Management Securities and Exchange Commission 100 F Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20549 Re: BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. (the “Registrant”) Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-288158) Ladies and Gentlemen: Pursuant to Rule 461 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant hereby requests acceleration of the effective date of the above-referenced Registration Statement on Form N-2 so that it is declared effective on September 26, 2025, or as soon as practicable thereafter. BlackRock Investments, LLC, the principal distributor of the Registrant, hereby joins in the Registrant’s request for acceleration of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement. If this request is granted, we respectfully request that we be notified by telephone at the time of effectiveness, and that such effectiveness also be confirmed in writing. Please call Michael DeNiro of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP at (212) 728-8147. [Signature Page Follows] Sincerely, BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. By: /s/ Janey Ahn Name: Janey Ahn Title: Secretary BlackRock Investments, LLC By: /s/ Jonathan Diorio Name: Jonathan Diorio Title: Managing Director [Signature Page to Acceleration Request Letter – BlackRock Income Trust, Inc.]
2025-02-06 - CORRESP - BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
CORRESP 1 filename1.htm BlackRock Income Trust, Inc - CORRESP 787 Seventh Avenue New York, NY 10019-6099 Tel: 212 728 8000 Fax: 212 728 8111 February 6, 2025 VIA EDGAR Tony Burak David Orlic Division of Investment Management Securities and Exchange Commission 100 F Street, NE Washington, DC 20549 Re: Registration Statement on Form N-14 of BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. (Securities Act File No. 333-284088) Dear Messrs. Burak and Orlic: On behalf of BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. (the “Registrant”), this letter responds to the (i) accounting comments and (ii) disclosure comments provided by the staff of the Division of Investment Management (the “Staff”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) to the undersigned by telephone on January 30, 2025 regarding the Registration Statement on Form N-14 filed by the Registrant (the “Registration Statement”). The Staff’s comments are summarized below in italicized text. We have discussed the Staff’s comments with representatives of the Registrant. The Registrant’s responses to the comments of the Staff are set out immediately under the restated comment. Please note that we have not independently verified information provided by the Registrant. The Registrant anticipates filing these changes in a Pre-Effective Amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Registrant’s Registration Statement. Unless otherwise indicated, defined terms used herein have the meanings set forth in the Registration Statement and page numbers are those of the Registration Statement. Accounting Staff Comments Comment No. 1: Please confirm that the Registrant will be the accounting survivor of the Reorganization. If the Target Fund is expected to be the accounting survivor, please discuss in correspondence the factors used to make such determination. BRUSSELS CHICAGO DALLAS FRANKFURT HOUSTON LONDON LOS ANGELES MILAN MUNICH NEW YORK PALO ALTO PARIS ROME SAN FRANCISCO WASHINGTON February 6, 2025 Page 2 Response: The Registrant confirms that it will be the accounting survivor of the Reorganization. Comment No. 2: Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus—Expense Table for Shareholders. As the amounts in the fee tables are based on Fund expenses as of June 30, 2024, please confirm in correspondence that the amounts shown continue to represent the current expenses of each Fund. Response: The Registrant confirms that the amounts reflected in the fee tables as of June 30, 2024 continue to represent the current expenses of each Fund. Comment No. 3: Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus—Financial Highlights. For each Fund, please provide the financial highlights for the ten most recent fiscal years prior to effectiveness of the Registration Statement. See Items 5(b) and 6(a)(1) of Form N-14 and Instruction 3 to Item 4 of Form N-2. In addition, please note that the financial highlights included in the Registration Statement are timely until March 1, 2025, and if the Registrant seeks effectiveness of the Registration Statement after such date, the financial highlights will need to be updated in the Amendment. Response: The requested financial highlights will be provided in the Amendment. The Registrant intends to seek effectiveness of the Registration Statement prior to March 1, 2025. Comment No. 4: Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus—Capitalization Table. The Staff notes that the information provided in the capitalization table is as of June 30, 2024. Please either (i) confirm that each Fund’s capitalization has not changed significantly or (ii) update the capitalization table as of a date within 30 days of filing the Amendment. Response: The capitalization table will be updated as of a date within 30 days of filing the Amendment. Comment No. 5: Statement of Additional Information—Financial Statements. Please confirm the filing date of the Target Fund’s annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. The Registration Statement provides the date as March 11, 2024 rather than March 6, 2024. Response: The filing date of the Target Fund’s annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 will be corrected to March 6, 2024 in the Amendment. Disclosure Staff Comments Comment No. 6: Questions & Answers. In the last paragraph of the response to the question “How will the Reorganization affect the fees and expenses of the Target - 2 - February 6, 2025 Page 3 Fund?”, please clarify what “first quartile” means with respect to the pro forma Broadridge peer expense universe for the Combined Fund. Response: The last paragraph of the above-referenced question will be revised to include the following sentence: “Each fund in the Broadridge peer expense universe is placed in one of four quartiles for each relevant comparison, with the first quartile including funds with the lowest relative expenses and the fourth quartile including funds with the highest relative expenses.” Comment No. 7: Questions & Answers. In the “Leverage” subsection of the response to the question “How similar are the Funds?”, please bold the first two sentences of the first paragraph of the subsection and the first sentence of the second paragraph of the subsection. Response: The requested changes will be made in the Amendment. Comment No. 8: Questions & Answers. In the “Leverage” of the response to the question “How similar are the Funds?”, please add disclosure describing the risk of increased volatility from the use of leverage. Response: The first paragraph of the “Leverage” subsection in the response to the above-referenced question will be revised to include the following sentence: “The use of leverage creates an opportunity for increased common share gains, but also creates risks for the holders of common shares, including the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value, market price and dividend rate of the common shares than a comparable portfolio without leverage.” Comment No. 9: Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus—Cover Page. Please move the statement required by Rule 481(b)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to the outside front cover page of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus. See Item 1(b)(6) of Form N-14. Response: The requested change will be made in the Amendment. Comment No. 10: Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus—Summary—Total Expenses and Management Fees. Please state that the “Total Expense Ratio” means a Fund’s Total Expenses expressed as a percentage of its average net assets. Response: The Registrant respectfully submits that the above-referenced section of the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus already reflects the Staff’s requested definition of “Total Expense Ratio” in the paragraph following the tables setting out the Total Expense Ratios of the Funds and the pro forma Combined Fund. Comment No. 11: Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus—Summary—Total Expenses and Management Fees. Please bold the first sentence of the paragraph beginning with: “It is estimated that the completion of the Reorganization would result in a - 3 - February 6, 2025 Page 4 Total Expense Ratio (including interest expense) for the Combined Fund of 2.99% . . . .” Response: The requested change will be made in the Amendment. Comment No. 12: Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus—Voting Information and Requirements. The Staff notes that the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus does not include any proposals that would result in broker non-votes. Accordingly, please revise the disclosure in this section to reflect that the Target Fund does not expect to receive any broker non-votes and that if shareholders do not instruct their brokers on how to vote their shares, their shares will not be present for purposes of determining a quorum or any other purposes. Response: The disclosure regarding broker non-votes in the above-referenced section will be revised to read as follows: Broker-dealer firms holding shares of EGF in “street name” for the benefit of their customers and clients will request the instructions of such customers and clients on how to vote their shares on Proposal 1 before the Special Meeting. EGF expects that broker-dealer firms holding shares of EGF in “street name” for their customers will not be permitted by NYSE rules to vote on Proposal 1 on behalf of their customers and beneficial owners in the absence of voting instructions from their customers and beneficial owners. Accordingly, EGF does not expect to receive any “broker non-votes.” Broker non-votes occur when shares are held by brokers or nominees for which proxies have been returned but (a) voting instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or persons entitled to vote, (b) the broker or nominee does not have discretionary voting power or elects not to exercise discretion on a particular matter and (c) the shares are present at the meeting. We urge you to instruct your broker or other nominee to vote your shares. Comment No. 13: Please provide the proxy card supplementally or in the Amendment. Response: The proxy card will be filed as an exhibit to the Amendment. * * * * * * * * * * - 4 - February 6, 2025 Page 5 Please do not hesitate to contact me at (212) 728-8138 if you have comments or if you require additional information regarding the Registration Statement. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Elliot J. Gluck Elliot J. Gluck cc: Benjamin Niehaus, Esq., BlackRock, Inc. Joseph A. Goldman, Esq., Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP Robert C. Harrington, Esq., Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP - 5 -
2023-08-04 - CORRESP - BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
CORRESP
1
filename1.htm
SEC Comment Response Letter
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY
10019-6099
Tel: 212 728 8000
Fax: 212 728 8111
August 4, 2023
Mr. David Manion
Division of Investment Management
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE
Washington, DC 20549
Re:
Annual Reports of the Funds Listed on Appendix
A
Dear Mr. Manion:
On behalf of the funds
set forth in Appendix A (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), this letter responds to comments provided by the staff of the Division of Investment Management (the “Staff”) of the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “Commission”) to the undersigned and Eli Schwartz of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP by telephone on July 5, 2023 regarding the Annual Reports to Shareholders on
Form N-CSR (each, an “Annual Report”) and the Annual Report for Registered Investment Companies on Form N-CEN (each, a “Form N-CEN” and together with the Annual Reports, the “Reports”) of each Fund for the fiscal year ended as of the date specified for such Fund in Appendix A.
For your convenience, the substance of the Staff’s comments has been restated below. We have discussed the Staff’s comments with
representatives of the Funds. Each Fund’s joint or individual responses to each comment, as applicable, are set out immediately under the restated comment. Please note that we have not independently verified information provided by the Funds.
Unless otherwise indicated, defined terms used herein have the meanings set forth in the relevant Report(s).
Comment
No. 1: Please discuss generally the reason(s) for the amendments to Form N-CEN filed by certain Funds on May 4, 2023.
For future amendments to Form N-CEN, please include the reason(s) for the amendment in a cover letter to the filing or an explanatory note in the filing.
Response: The aforementioned amendments to Form N-CEN were filed to update certain performance related information in Item C.3.ii and Item C.3.iii. The Funds will include the reason(s) for future amendments to Form
N-CEN in a cover letter to the filing or in an explanatory note in the filing.
BRUSSELS CHICAGO FRANKFURT
HOUSTON LONDON LOS ANGELES MILAN
NEW YORK PALO
ALTO PARIS ROME SAN FRANCISCO WASHINGTON
Comment No. 2: BlackRock Enhanced
Government Fund, Inc.’s portfolio turnover has increased significantly over the prior two fiscal years based on historic trends. Please discuss generally the factors that have led to this increase. For the Funds’ future shareholder
reports, please consider discussing the impact of significant changes in portfolio turnover on the Fund’s performance in the Management’s Discussion of Financial Performance.
Response: Significant volatility in interest rates and
fixed income markets more broadly during the last two fiscal years resulted in higher portfolio turnover within BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc. During the last two fiscal years, the Fund increased its mortgage-backed securities exposure to
take advantage of mortgage valuations. The rise in mortgage-backed securities exposure combined with rolling of new “to-be-announced” contracts factored into
the increase in portfolio turnover. The Funds will consider including a discussion of the impact of significant changes in portfolio turnover on a Fund’s performance in the Management’s Discussion of Financial Performance in future
shareholder reports.
Comment No. 3: In response to Item C.7.n.i of BlackRock
Inflation Protected Bond Portfolio’s Form N-CEN filed on March 13, 2023, the Fund responded affirmatively that it was excepted from Rule 18f-4 as
a limited derivatives user. In addition, in response to Item C.7.n.ii, the Fund responded affirmatively that it was a leveraged/inverse fund excepted from the requirements to comply with limit on fund leverage in Rule
18f-4. The Staff notes that the Fund had reverse repurchase agreements open at December 31, 2022 that were greater than 10% of net assets and the average notional value of the Fund’s
derivatives also exceeded 10% of net assets.
(a)
How does the Fund meet the exception requirements under 18f-4 as a
limited derivatives user give the volume of its derivatives at period end?
(b)
For the purposes of Rule 18f-4, are reverse repurchase agreements
considered derivatives?
(c)
How does the Fund meet the requirements of an leveraged/inverse fund?
(d)
How does the Fund meet the exception to the requirements to limit fund leverage risk in Rule 18f-4(c)(5)?
Response:
The Fund notes that it filed an amended Form N-CEN on June 16, 2023 to correct the responses to Item C.7.n by removing the
affirmative responses to Items C.7.n.i and C.7.n.ii and instead responding affirmatively to Items C.7.n.iii and C.7.n.vi. As indicated in the response to Item C.7.n.iii in the Fund’s amended Form N-CEN
filing, the Fund did not treat reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions as derivatives for purposes of Rule 18f-4 during the fiscal year covered by the Form N-CEN.
Comment No. 4: BlackRock Exchange Portfolio’s current
policy is to retain long-term capital gains and pay excise tax at current federal tax rates, for which the Fund has accrued expenses. For future financial statements, please consider additional disclosure on how the estimate for this accrual is
determined, including the rates and other items which are a part of this estimate.
Response:
BlackRock will consider adding the requested disclosure regarding the estimates for the Fund’s accrued federal income taxes in future financial statements.
- 2 -
Comment No. 5: For certain Funds
(for example, BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Fund, BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust and BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust), the Staff would expect to see a “commitments and contingencies” line item in the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities, even if there are none as of the date of the Statement. In addition, when Funds have equity commitments, they should disclose the nature and risks of such equity commitments in the Notes to Financial Statements, as required
by ASC 820-10-50-6A. Please address these comments in future shareholder reports, as applicable.
Response: When applicable, BlackRock will add a
“commitments and contingencies” line item to the Statements of Assets and Liabilities in future shareholder reports and include disclosure regarding the nature and risks of such equity commitments in the Notes to Financial Statements.
Comment No. 6: The Staff notes that the gross and net expense ratios for
Class I and II shares of BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core V.I. Fund increased as compared to the prior fiscal year, whereas the Fund’s Class III shares’ gross
expense ratio decreased and its net expense ratio increased as compared to the prior fiscal year. Please explain the reasons for the increases and the reason why Class III shares’ gross expense ratio
decreased while all other expense ratios increased.
Response:
In 2022, BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core V.I. Fund experienced a 60% decrease in average net assets which was primarily due to a 94% decrease in Class III
assets. The reduction of assets resulted in an increase of fund level expenses, including the fund’s advisory fee due to its tiered breakpoint schedule, resulting in increased gross and net expense ratios for Class I and Class II
shares of the Fund. The decrease in Class III shares’ gross expense ratio was due to a decrease in the asset-based, class-specific transfer agent fees for Class III. This amount was offset by the decrease in class-level expenses
eligible to be waived, which resulted in an increase in the Class III shares’ net expense ratio as compared to the prior fiscal period.
Comment No. 7: For certain Funds that have fully consolidated subsidiaries for reporting purposes, the
internal control reports of the Funds’ auditors filed with Form N-CEN do not refer to consolidated financial statements. For future internal control reports, when applicable, please include references to
consolidated financial statements.
Response: We have
discussed this comment with our independent auditors and have confirmed that references to consolidated financial statements will be included in future internal control reports for applicable Funds.
* * * * * *
* * * *
- 3 -
Please do not hesitate to contact me at (212) 728-8955 if
you have comments or if you require additional information regarding the Reports.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Bissie K. Bonner
Bissie K. Bonner
cc:
Jessica Holly, Esq.
Bomi Lee, Esq.
Elliot J. Gluck,
Esq.
Jesse Kean, Esq.
- 4 -
Appendix A
Funds
File No.
Fiscal Year-End
of
Report
BlackRock Liquidity
Funds
811-02354
BlackRock Liquid Federal
Trust Fund
10/31/2022
California Money
Fund
10/31/2022
FedFund
10/31/2022
MuniCash
10/31/2022
New York Money
Fund
10/31/2022
TempCash
10/31/2022
TempFund
10/31/2022
T-Fund
10/31/2022
Treasury Trust
Fund
10/31/2022
BlackRock Sustainable
Balanced Fund, Inc.
811-02405
5/31/2022
BlackRock Funds VII,
Inc.
811-02661
4/30/2022
BlackRock Series Fund,
Inc.
811-03091
BlackRock Advantage Large
Cap Core Portfolio
12/31/2022
BlackRock Capital
Appreciation Portfolio
12/31/2022
BlackRock Global
Allocation Portfolio
12/31/2022
BlackRock Government Money
Market Portfolio
12/31/2022
BlackRock Sustainable
Balanced Portfolio
12/31/2022
BlackRock Variable
Series Funds, Inc.
811-03290
BlackRock 60/40 Target
Allocation ETF V.I. Fund
12/31/2022
BlackRock Advantage Large
Cap Core V.I. Fund
12/31/2022
BlackRock Advantage Large
Cap Value V.I. Fund
12/31/2022
BlackRock Advantage SMID
Cap V.I. Fund
12/31/2022
- 5 -
Funds
File No.
Fiscal Year-End
of
Report
BlackRock Basic Value V.I.
Fund
12/31/2022
BlackRock Capital
Appreciation V.I. Fund
12/31/2022
BlackRock Equity Dividend
V.I. Fund
12/31/2022
BlackRock Global
Allocation V.I. Fund
12/31/2022
BlackRock Government Money
Market V.I. Fund
12/31/2022
BlackRock International
Index V.I. Fund
12/31/2022
BlackRock International
V.I. Fund
12/31/2022
BlackRock Large Cap Focus
Growth V.I. Fund
12/31/2022
BlackRock Managed
Volatility V.I. Fund
12/31/2022
BlackRock S&P 500
Index V.I. Fund
12/31/2022
BlackRock Small Cap Index
V.I. Fund
12/31/2022
BlackRock Income Trust,
Inc.
811-05542
12/31/2022
BlackRock Global
Allocation Fund, Inc.
811-05576
4/30/2022
BlackRock Strategic
Global Bond Fund, Inc.
811-05603
12/31/2022
BlackRock MuniVest
Fund, Inc.
811-05611
7/31/2022
BlackRock
Funds
811-05742
BlackRock Advantage
Emerging Markets Fund
4/30/2022
BlackRock Commodity
Strategies Fund
5/31/2022
BlackRock Defensive
Advantage Emerging Markets Fund
4/30/2022
BlackRock Defensive
Advantage International Fund
4/30/2022
BlackRock Defensive
Advantage U.S. Fund
4/30/2022
BlackRock Exchange
Portfolio
12/31/2022
BlackRock Global Equity
Market Neutral Fund
4/30/2022
BlackRock Global Impact
Fund
4/30/2022
BlackRock International
Impact Fund
4/30/2022
- 6 -
Funds
File No.
Fiscal Year-End
of
Report
BlackRock Real Estate
Securities Fund
1/31/2023
BlackRock Short
Obligations Fund
7/31/2022
BlackRock Sustainable
Advantage Emerging Markets Equity Fund
4/30/2022
BlackRock Sustainable
Advantage International Equity Fund
4/30/2022
BlackRock Tactical
Opportunities Fund
4/30/2022
BlackRock Total Factor
Fund
7/31/2022
BlackRock U.S. Impact
Fund
4/30/2022
iShares Developed Real
Estate Index Fund
1/31/2023
iShares Russell Mid-Cap Index Fund
7/31/2022
iShares Russell Small/Mid-Cap Index Fund
7/31/2022
iShares Total U.S. Stock
Market Index Fund
7/31/2022
BlackRock Emerging
Markets Fund, Inc.
811-05723
4/30/2022
BlackRock Latin America
Fund, Inc.
811-06349
4/30/2022
BlackRock Funds
III
811-07332
BlackRock LifePath ESG
Index 2025 Fund
10/31/2022
BlackRock LifePath ESG
Index 2030 Fund
10/31/2022
BlackRock LifePath ESG
Index 2035 Fund
10/31/2022
BlackRock LifePath ESG
Index 2040 Fund
10/31/2022
BlackRock LifePath ESG
Index 2045 Fund
10/31/2022
BlackRock LifePath ESG
Index 2050 Fund
10/31/2022
BlackRock LifePath ESG
Index 2055 Fund
10/31/2022
BlackRock LifePath ESG
Index 2060 Fund
10/31/2022
BlackRock LifePath ESG
Index 2065 Fund
10/31/2022
BlackRock LifePath ESG
Index Retirement Fund
10/31/2022
iShares U.S. Aggregate
Bond Index Fund
12/31/2022
- 7 -
Funds
File No.
Fiscal Year-End
of
Report
BlackRock MuniHoldings
New York Quality Fund, Inc.
811-08217
7/31/2022
BlackRock Debt
Strategies Fund, Inc.
811-08603
12/31/2022
BlackRock Core Bond
Trust
811-10543
12/31/2022
BlackRock Virginia
Municipal Bond Trust
811-21053
7/31/2022
BlackRock Municipal
Income Trust II
811-21126
7/31/2022
BlackRock Municipal
Income Quality Trust
811-21178
7/31/2022
BlackRock Corporate
High Yield Fund, Inc.
811-21318
12/31/2022
BlackRock Limited
Duration Income Trust
811-21349
12/31/2022
BlackRock Floating Rate
Income Strategies Fund, Inc.
811-21413
12/31/2022
BlackRock Enhanced
Capital and Income Fund, Inc.
811-21506
12/31/2022
BlackRock Floating Rate
Income Trust
811-21566
12/31/2022
BlackRock Energy and
Resources Trust
811-21656
12/31/2022
BlackRock Health
Sciences Trust
811-21702
12/31/2022
BlackRock Enhanced
Global Dividend Trust
811-21729
12/31/2022
BlackRock Unconstrained
Equity Fund
811-21759
10/31/2022
BlackRock Enhanced
Equity Dividend Trust
811-21784
12/31/2022
BlackRock Enhanced
Government Fund, Inc.
811-21793
12/31/2022
BlackRock Credit
Allocation Income Trust
811-21972
12/31/2022
BlackRock Enhanced
International Dividend Trust
811-22032
12/31/2022
BlackRock Funds
II
811-22061
BlackRock 20/80 Target
Allocation Fund
9/30/2022
BlackRock 40/60 Target
Allocation Fund
9/30/2022
BlackRock 60/40 Target
Allocation Fund
9/30/2022
BlackRock 80/20 Target
Allocation Fund
9/30/2022
BlackRock Dynamic High
Income Portfolio
7/31/2022
- 8 -
Funds
File No.
Fiscal Year-End
of
Report
BlackRock Multi-Asset
Income Portfolio
7/31/2022
BlackRock Retirement
Income 2030 Fund
12/31/2022
BlackRock Retirement
Income 2040 Fund
12/31/2022
BlackRock
Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust
811-22501
12/31/2022
BlackRock Utilities,
Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust
811-22606
12/31/2022
BlackRock Multi-Sector
Income Trust
811-22774
10/31/2022
BlackRock Science and
Technology Trust
811-22991
12/31/2022
BlackRock Multi-Sector
Opportunities Trust
811-23285
12/31/2022
BlackRock Variable
Series Funds II, Inc.
811-23346
BlackRock High Yield V.I.
Fund
12/31/2022
BlackRock Total Return
V.I. Fund
12/31/2022
BlackRock Series Fund
II, Inc.
811-23345
BlackRock High Yield
Portfolio
12/31/2022
BlackRock Funds
V
811-23339
BlackRock Floating Rate
Income Portfolio
8/31/2022
BlackRock Inflation
Protected Bond Portfolio
12/31/2022
BlackRock Multi-Sector Opportunities Trust II
811-23357
12/31/2022
BlackRock Science and Technology Term Trust (formerly, BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II)
811-23428
12/31/2022
BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (formerly, BlackRock Health Sciences Trust II)
811-23466
12/31/2022
BlackRock Capital Allocation Term Trust (formerly, BlackRock Capital Allocation Trust)
811-23564
12/31/2022
BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (formerly, BlackRock Innovation and Growth Trust)
811-23625
12/31/2022
BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust (formerly, BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Trust)
811-23701
12/31/2022
- 9 -
2022-10-14 - CORRESP - BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
CORRESP 1 filename1.htm BlackRock Income Trust (BKT) 787 Seventh Avenue New York, NY 10019-6099 Tel: 212 728 8000 Fax: 212 728 8111 October 14, 2022 VIA EDGAR David L. Orlic David Manion Division of Investment Management Securities and Exchange Commission 100 F Street, NE Washington, DC 20549 Re: BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. (Securities Act File No. 333-262743, Investment Company Act File No. 811-05542) Response to Staff Comments Dear Mr. Orlic and Mr. Manion: On behalf of BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. (the “Fund”), this letter responds to comments provided by the staff of the Division of Investment Management (the “Staff”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission to the undersigned via telephone on October 7, 2022 and on October 11, 2022 regarding Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the registration statement on Form N-2 (the “Registration Statement”) for the Fund filed on September 30, 2022. For the convenience of the Staff, the comments are set out below. We have discussed the Staff’s comments with representatives of the Fund. The Fund’s responses to the Staff’s comments are set out immediately under the restated comment. Please note that we have not independently verified information provided by the Fund. The Fund anticipates making these changes in a definite prospectus and statement of additional information filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “424B Filing”). Unless otherwise indicated, defined terms used herein have the meanings set forth in the Registration Statement and page number references are those of the Registration Statement. Disclosure Staff Comment Comment No. 1: Prospectus—Description of Capital Stock. Please update the share price data table required by Item 8.5 of Form N-2 to reflect the required information for the quarter ended September 30, 2022. BRUSSELS CHICAGO FRANKFURT HOUSTON LONDON LOS ANGELES MILAN NEW YORK PALO ALTO PARIS ROME SAN FRANCISCO WASHINGTON October 14, 2022 Page 2 Response: The requested change will be made in the 424B Filing. Accounting Staff Comments Comment No. 2: Prospectus—Summary of Fund Expenses. Please update the fund expenses table and example table to reflect the Fund’s fees as of June 30, 2022. Response: The requested changes will be made in the 424B Filing. Comment No. 3: Prospectus—Management of the Fund—Investment Management Agreement. Please hyperlink the reference to the Fund’s Semi-Annual Report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2022. Response: The requested change will be made in the 424B Filing. * * * * * * * * * * Please do not hesitate to contact me at (212) 728-3840 if you have any questions regarding the foregoing or the Registration Statement. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Esther Lee Esther Lee cc: Bomi Lee, Esq., BlackRock, Inc. Elliot J. Gluck, Esq., Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP Bissie K. Bonner, Esq., Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP - 2 -
2022-06-09 - CORRESP - BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
CORRESP 1 filename1.htm BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. 787 Seventh Avenue New York, NY 10019-6099 Tel: 212 728 8000 Fax: 212 728 8111 June 9, 2022 VIA EDGAR David L. Orlic David Manion Division of Investment Management Securities and Exchange Commission 100 F Street, NE Washington, DC 20549 Re: BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. (Securities Act File No. 333-262743, Investment Company Act File No. 811-05542) Response to Staff Comments Dear Mr. Orlic and Mr. Manion: On behalf of BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. (the “Fund”), this letter responds to comments provided by the staff of the Division of Investment Management (the “Staff”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) to the undersigned via telephone on March 1, 2022 and on March 21, 2022, respectively, regarding the registration statement on Form N-2 (the “Registration Statement”) for the Fund filed on February 15, 2022. For the convenience of the Staff, the comments are set out below. We have discussed the Staff’s comments with representatives of the Fund. The Fund’s responses to the Staff’s comments are set out immediately under the restated comment. Please note that we have not independently verified information provided by the Fund. The Fund anticipates making these changes in a Pre-Effective Amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Registration Statement. Unless otherwise indicated, defined terms used herein have the meanings set forth in the Registration Statement and page number references are those of the Registration Statement. Disclosure Staff Comments Comment No. 1: Prospectus—Base Prospectus Cover Page; Prospectus Supplement. Please revise the cover page of the Prospectus and Prospectus Supplement to cross-reference the risk factors addressing leverage. BRUSSELS CHICAGO FRANKFURT HOUSTON LONDON LOS ANGELES MILAN NEW YORK PALO ALTO PARIS ROME SAN FRANCISCO WASHINGTON June 9, 2022 Page 2 Response: The requested changes will be made in the Amendment. Comment No. 2: Prospectus Summary—Investment Objective and Policies. The hyperlink provided does not appear to lead to the correct section of the Form N-CSR that is being incorporated by reference. Please update the hyperlink so that it links to the correct section of the Form N-CSR for the Fund. Response: The requested change will be made in the Amendment. Comment No. 3: Prospectus—Summary of Fund Expenses. Please confirm whether the $2.50 sales fee and $0.15 per share fee discussed in footnote 2 are brokerage fees, as Form N-2 does not require a discussion of brokerage fees to be included here. If the $2.50 sales fee is not a brokerage fee, it should be reflected in the fee table. Response: The $2.50 fee identified in footnote 2 is a sales fee and the $0.15 per share fee identified in footnote 2 is a per share sold brokerage commission fee. While Form N-2 does not require inclusion of brokerage fees for Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan Fees, the Fund believes that disclosure of the $0.15 per share sold brokerage commission fee is informative to investors and notes that such disclosure is consistent with the disclosure regarding the dividend reinvestment plan in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders. While the Fund respectfully disagrees with the Staff’s position that Form N-2 requires inclusion of the $2.50 sales fee in the fee table, the $2.50 sales fee will be reflected in the fee table in the Amendment to address the Staff’s comment. Comment No. 4: Prospectus Summary—Leverage; Prospectus—Leverage. Please disclose that a failure to pay dividends or make distributions due to leverage could result in the Fund ceasing to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code. Response: The requested disclosure will be added in the Amendment. Comment No. 5: Prospectus Summary. Please include a sub-section in the Prospectus Summary summarizing the information provided in the section of the Prospectus entitled “Certain Provisions in the Charter and Bylaws.” Response: The following disclosure will be added in the Amendment as a new sub-section in the Prospectus Summary entitled “Certain Provisions in the Charter and Bylaws”: The Fund’s Charter and Bylaws include provisions that could limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund or convert the Fund to open-end status or to change the composition of the Board. The Fund’s Bylaws also contain a provision providing that the Board of Directors has adopted a resolution electing for the Fund to be subject to the provisions of the Maryland Control Share June 9, 2022 Page 3 Acquisition Act (“MCSAA”). Such provisions may limit the ability of shareholders to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices by discouraging a third party from seeking to obtain control of the Fund. See “Certain Provisions in the Charter and Bylaws.” Comment No. 6: Prospectus Supplement—Description of the Rights Offering—Over-Subscription Privilege. Please disclose that, in the event that the Fund’s per share NAV at the end of the Subscription Period is greater than the subscription price (i.e., Common Shares will be issued at a price below the Fund’s then current NAV), the over-subscription shares issued will not result in the ratio of the Rights offering exceeding one new share for each three Rights held. Response: The requested disclosure will be added in the Amendment. Comment No. 7: Prospectus Supplement—Description of the Rights Offering—Payment for Shares. Please conform the language that discusses the rights reserved by the Fund if a holder of rights does not make payment of all amounts due to the disclosure comments that the Staff discussed with attorneys of Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP in respect of a separate filing. Response: The requested changes will be made in the Amendment. Comment No. 8: Prospectus Supplement—Foreign Restrictions. Please revise the disclosure to indicate how foreign holders can participate in the offering, or advise how the disclosure is consistent with section 23(b)(1) to exclude them from the offering. Response: The Fund will replace the disclosure in the aforementioned section as follows: Offering documents, including Subscription Certificates, will not be mailed to Record Date Shareholders whose addresses are outside the United States (for these purposes, the United States includes the District of Columbia and the territories and possessions of the United States) or who have an APO or FPO address (the “Foreign Shareholders”) if such mailing cannot be made into the non-U.S. jurisdiction without additional registration and incurring other expense that the Board has determined is not in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders. In such cases, unless determined to be not in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders in accordance with the previous sentence, the Subscription Agent will send a letter via regular mail to Foreign Shareholders who own Common Shares directly (“Direct Foreign Shareholders”), as opposed to in “street name” with a broker or other financial intermediary, to notify them of the Rights offering. Direct Foreign Shareholders who wish to exercise their Rights should contact the June 9, 2022 Page 4 Information Agent, as described above under “Information Agent,” to facilitate the exercise of such Rights and for instructions or any other special requirements that may apply in order for such Direct Foreign Shareholder to exercise its Rights. Direct Foreign Shareholders who wish to sell their Rights should contact the Subscription Agent and follow the procedures described above under “Sale of Rights.” Direct Foreign Shareholders are encouraged to contact the Fund or the Subscription Agent as far in advance of the Expiration Date as possible to ensure adequate time for their Rights to be exercised or sold. Foreign Shareholders who own Common Shares in “street name” through a broker or other financial intermediary should contact such broker or other financial intermediary with respect to any exercise or sale of Rights. The Fund respectfully submits that foreign shareholders are not excluded from participation in an offering of Rights. Any foreign shareholder may exercise or sell (in a transferable Rights offering) any Rights to which they are entitled. The Fund is simply not undertaking in the Registration Statement to register the offering of Rights in any non-U.S. jurisdiction. In the event a shareholder is unable to exercise their Rights due to local laws, the Fund has established a mechanism that seeks to allow shareholders located in foreign jurisdictions to realize the value of the Rights. These points will be disclosed to shareholders as set out above. Comment No. 9: Prospectus Supplement—Description of Rights Offering—Notice of Net Asset Value Decline. The undertakings do not reflect the description in this section. Please change the undertakings or revise this section. Response: The above-referenced section will be deleted in the Amendment. Comment No. 10: Prospectus Supplement—Plan of Distribution—Distribution Arrangements. If the Dealer Manager and selling members may be engaging in stabilizing activities, please disclose this and discuss that this may have the effect of depressing or retarding the market price of the common stock. Response: The requested disclosure will be added in the Amendment in brackets. While not currently expected, to the extent any stabilizing activities are engaged in with respect to a particular rights offering, the disclosure will be finalized and included in a prospectus supplement. Comment No. 11: Please provide the Staff with a form of the legal opinion required by Item 25(2)(l) of Form N-2 sufficiently in advance of requesting effectiveness. Response: The Fund provided a draft of the legal opinion to the Staff via email on June 7, 2022 and will file the final legal opinion with the Amendment. June 9, 2022 Page 5 Accounting Staff Comment Comment No. 12: In the sub-section of the SAI entitled “Investment Objective and Policies—Investment Restrictions,” please correct the typo in the first sentence of the third investment restriction so that it reads, “issue senior securities or borrow money . . . .” Response: The requested change will be made in the Amendment. * * * * * * * * * * Please do not hesitate to contact me at (212) 728-8147 if you have any questions regarding the foregoing or the Registration Statement. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Michael A. DeNiro Michael A. DeNiro cc: Bomi Lee, Esq., BlackRock, Inc. Elliot J. Gluck, Esq., Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
2020-08-19 - CORRESP - BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
CORRESP 1 filename1.htm SEC SOX Response Letter SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP 787 SEVENTH AVENUE NEW YORK, NY 10019 +1 212 839 5300 +1 212 839 5599 FAX AMERICA • ASIA PACIFIC • EUROPE August 19, 2020 VIA EDGAR U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission 100 F Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20549 Attention: Ms. Mindy Rotter Re: BlackRock 2022 Global Income Opportunity Trust (File No. 811-23218) BlackRock Advantage U.S. Total Market Fund, Inc. (File No. 811-02809) BlackRock Allocation Target Shares (File No. 811-21457) BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc. (File No. 811-02661) BlackRock Balanced Capital Fund, Inc. (File No. 811-02405) BlackRock California Municipal Series Trust (File No. 811-04264) BlackRock Core Bond Trust (File No. 811-10543) BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. (File No. 811-21318) BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust (File No. 811-21972) BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (File No. 811-08603) BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc. (File No. 811-05723) BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc. (File No. 811-21793) BlackRock Financial Institutions Series Trust (File No. 811-03189) BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund, Inc. (File No. 811-21413) BlackRock Floating Rate Income Trust (File No. 811-21566) BlackRock FundsSM (File No. 811-05742) BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc. (File No. 811-05576) BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. (File No. 811-05542) BlackRock Index Funds, Inc. (File No. 811-07899) BlackRock Latin America Fund, Inc. (File No. 811-06349) BlackRock Liquidity Funds (File No. 811-02354) BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund (File No. 811-21759) BlackRock Limited Duration Income Trust (File No. 811-21349) BlackRock Maryland Municipal Bond Trust (File No. 811-21051) BlackRock Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Trust (File No. 811-07660) BlackRock Mid Cap Dividend Series, Inc. (File No. 811-07177) BlackRock Multi-State Municipal Series Trust (File No. 811-04375) BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust (File No. 811-22774) BlackRock Municipal Bond Trust (File No. 811-21036) BlackRock Municipal Income Investment Quality Trust (File No. 811-21180) BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust (File No. 811-21178) BlackRock Municipal Income Trust II (File No. 811-21126) BlackRock Municipal Series Trust (File No. 811-04802) Sidley Austin (NY) LLP is a Delaware limited liability partnership doing business as Sidley Austin LLP and practicing in affiliation with other Sidley Austin partnerships. Securities and Exchange Commission August 19, 2020 Page 2 BlackRock MuniHoldings Investment Quality Fund (File No. 811-08349) BlackRock MuniHoldings New York Quality Fund, Inc. (File No. 811-08217) BlackRock MuniVest Fund, Inc. (File No. 811-05611) BlackRock New York Municipal Bond Trust (File No. 811-21037) BlackRock New York Municipal Income Quality Trust (File No. 811-21179) BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust II (File No. 811-21124) BlackRock Series Fund II, Inc. (File No. 811-23345) BlackRock Series Fund, Inc. (File No. 811-03091) BlackRock Series, Inc. (File No. 811-08797) BlackRock Strategic Global Bond Fund, Inc. (File No. 811-05603) BlackRock Variable Series Funds, Inc. (File No. 811-03290) BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust (File No. 811-21053) Funds For Institutions Series (File No. 811-05149) Master Advantage U.S. Total Market LLC (File No. 811-10095) Master Bond LLC (File No. 811-21434) Master Institutional Money Market LLC (File No. 811-10631) Master Large Cap Series LLC (File No. 811-09739) Quantitative Master Series LLC (File No. 811-07885) Ready Assets Government Liquidity Fund (File No. 811-02556) Dear Ms. Rotter: On behalf of the funds listed in Appendix A (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), this letter responds to the telephonic comments provided on June 30, 2020 by Ms. Mindy Rotter of the staff (the “Staff”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), regarding the annual report to shareholders (each, an “Annual Report” and collectively, the “Annual Reports”) of each Fund for the fiscal year ended as of the date specified for such Fund in Appendix A. The Staff’s comments are described below and have been summarized to the best of our understanding. We have discussed the Staff’s comments with representatives of the Funds. The Funds’ responses to the Staff’s comments are set out immediately under the restated comment. Unless otherwise indicated, defined terms used herein have the meaning set forth in the relevant Annual Report(s). Comment 1: Please review and update EDGAR for those Funds that merged or liquidated and change their status from active to inactive. Response: BlackRock confirms that it will review and update EDGAR to change the status of any Funds that have merged or liquidated from active to inactive. Comment 2: With respect to: BlackRock Advantage U.S. Total Market Fund, Inc.; BlackRock Asian Dragon Fund, Inc.; BATS: Series C Portfolio and BATS: Series P Portfolio, each a series of BlackRock Allocation Target Shares; BlackRock Advantage ESG U.S. Equity Fund (formerly known as BlackRock 2 Securities and Exchange Commission August 19, 2020 Page 3 Impact U.S. Equity Fund), BlackRock Advantage Emerging Markets Fund, BlackRock Exchange Portfolio, BlackRock Global Long/Short Equity Fund, iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol EAFE Index Fund, iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA Index Fund, iShares Edge MSCI Multifactor Intl Index Fund and iShares Edge MSCI Multifactor USA Index Fund, each a series of BlackRock FundsSM; BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund; BlackRock Maryland Municipal Bond Trust; BlackRock Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Trust; BlackRock Mid Cap Dividend Fund, a series of BlackRock Mid Cap Dividend Series, Inc.; BlackRock Municipal Bond Trust; BlackRock Municipal Income Investment Quality Trust; BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust; BlackRock Municipal Income Trust II; BlackRock MuniHoldings New York Quality Fund, Inc.; BlackRock New York Municipal Bond Trust; BlackRock New York Municipal Income Quality Trust; BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust II; BlackRock Balanced Capital Portfolio, a series of BlackRock Series Fund, Inc.; BlackRock International V.I. Fund and BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I. Fund, each a series of BlackRock Variable Series Funds, Inc.; and BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust; please confirm that there are no components of other accrued expenses that should be separately classified on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Response: The Funds confirm that all material related party amounts have been separately classified on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Comment 3: For certain Funds (including, for example, BlackRock Long-Horizon Equity Fund), the Staff noted that there is a line item for other accrued expenses and a line item for other liabilities on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Please explain what distinguishes these two line items. Response: The above-referenced line items are distinguishable because “Other accrued expenses” are individually immaterial liability amounts for recurring operational activities, while “Other liabilities” are individually immaterial liability amounts for non-recurring activities. Going forward, the Funds intend to combine these amounts in the financial statements. Comment 4: With respect to: BATS: Series A Portfolio, a series of BlackRock Allocation Target Shares; iShares Short-Term TIPS Bond Index Fund, a series of BlackRock FundsSM; and Master Total Return Portfolio, a series of Master Bond LLC; miscellaneous expenses appear to exceed five percent of total expenses. Please confirm that any categories of other expenses have been separately classified pursuant to Rule 6-07 of Regulation S-X. Response: The Funds confirm that there were no other expense items individually exceeding five percent of total expenses that would require separate classification pursuant to Rule 6-07 of Regulation S-X. Comment 5: For the Funds that are money market funds (including, for example, BlackRock Wealth Liquid Environmentally Aware Fund (formerly known as BlackRock Money Market Portfolio), a series of BlackRock FundsSM, and the ten Funds that are series of BlackRock Liquidity Funds), please consider expanding the liquidity fee disclosure in the Notes to Financial Statements to include language that incorporates references to redemption gates. 3 Securities and Exchange Commission August 19, 2020 Page 4 Response: The Funds respectfully submit that disclosure on redemption gates is currently included in the Notes to Financial Statements for the applicable money market Funds, as reflected in the following language in the section entitled “1. Organization” : “The Board of [Trustees] of the [Trust] (the “Board”) is permitted to impose a liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value of shares redeemed or temporarily restrict redemptions from [the Fund] for up to 10 business days during a 90 day period, in the event that the Fund’s weekly liquid assets fall below certain thresholds” (emphasis added). Comment 6: With respect to Premier Shares of California Money Fund and MuniFund, each a series of BlackRock Liquidity Funds, the Staff noted that the total expenses disclosed in the Financial Statements do not agree with the disclosure in the current prospectus. Please explain the difference. Response: In the current prospectus fee tables for each of the above-mentioned Funds, the total annual fund operating expense amounts reflect an allocation of Fund-level “Miscellaneous Other Expenses” to each share class using a uniform basis point allocation method. The BlackRock Liquidity Funds do not have share class specific expenses (except 12b-1/Shareholder Servicing Fees). Each day, every share class is allocated the same basis point amount of “Miscellaneous Other Expenses”. The financial statements allocate “Miscellaneous Other Expenses” based upon actual average net asset amounts for the period. For the above-mentioned share classes, the net expense ratios in the prospectus fee table agree to the net expense ratios in the financial statements. The gross expense ratios are slightly different due to asset fluctuation amongst the share classes during the period. Comment 7: With respect to the Cash Reserve Shares of Federal Trust Fund and TempFund and the Dollar Shares of Treasury Trust Fund, each a series of BlackRock Liquidity Funds, and the Class I and Class III Shares of BlackRock Equity Dividend V.I. Fund, a series of BlackRock Variable Series Funds, Inc., the Staff noted that the total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly disclosed in the Financial Statements do not agree with the disclosure in the current prospectuses. Please explain the difference in the correspondence response. Response: With respect to Cash Reserve Shares of Federal Trust Fund and TempFund and the Dollar Shares of Treasury Trust Fund, this difference is due to the fact that the prospectus fee table only shows contractual waivers and not voluntary waivers. With respect to Class I and Class III Shares of BlackRock Equity Dividend V.I. Fund, this difference is due to rounding. Comment 8: With respect to all applicable Funds, the affiliates table should include a roll-forward based upon value, not shares, as is currently disclosed. Please refer to footnote 1 in Rule 12-14 of Regulation S-X. Response: The Funds confirm that a roll-forward based upon value, not shares, will be shown in each applicable Fund’s affiliates table in reports going forward. 4 Securities and Exchange Commission August 19, 2020 Page 5 Comment 9: The Staff noted that some of the Funds (for example, BlackRock Strategic Global Bond Fund, Inc.) paid return of capital. Please confirm in correspondence that, going forward, a discussion of the affected Fund’s distribution policy when there has been a return of capital will be included in management’s discussion of Fund performance. See Item 27(b)(7) of Form N-1A. Response: The Funds confirm that a discussion of each applicable open-end Fund’s distribution policy when there has been a return of capital distribution during the period will be included in management’s discussion of Fund performance going forward. Comment 10: For all Funds that utilize a custom blended benchmark as their primary benchmark (for example, BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc. and BlackRock Total Factor Fund, a series of BlackRock FundsSM), please explain how such benchmark index has been deemed to be an appropriate broad-based securities market index for the affected Funds. See Items 4(b)(2) and 27(b)(7) of Form N-1A. Specifically, include a description in correspondence on how the benchmark is administered by an organization that is not an affiliated person of the Fund, its adviser or principal underwriter. Response: Each Fund that uses a custom blended benchmark submits that such blended benchmark is an appropriate broad-based securities index that reflects the flexible nature of the Fund’s multi-asset investment strategy. Each Fund believe that its blended benchmark more accurately reflects the investment objective and strategies of the Fund than the benchmark’s individual components, which themselves are widely-recognized and broad-based securities indices that represent the asset classes within the Fund’s strategy. In addition, each Fund notes that its blended benchmark is a percentage allocation of the components, as disclosed in its prospectus, and that no affiliated person of the Fund or its investment adviser or principal underwriter selects the securities in the component indices. Therefore, each Fund submits that no affiliated person of the Fund or its investment adviser or principal underwriter “administers” its blended benchmark as set forth in Instruction 5 to Item 27(b)(7) of Form N-1A. The Funds also note that the performance of each component index is listed separately within the Performance Information section of each Fund’s prospectus, alongside the returns of the blended benchmark. Comment 11: Please consider whether the expected discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) is a principal risk for any applicable Fund. If you believe it is not, please explain why. Please tailor any such principal risk to describe how the expected discontinuation of LIBOR could affect the Fund’s investments, including: (i) if the Fund will invest in instruments that pay interest at floating rates based on LIBOR that do not include a fallback provision that addresses how interest rates will be determined if LIBOR stops being published and how it will affect the liquidity of these investments; and (ii) how the transition to any successor rate could impact the value of investments that reference LIBOR. Response: On August 5, 2020, the applicable Funds filed supplements to their prospectuses and/or Statements of Additional Information to add disclosure on the expected discontinuation of LIBOR, and intend to include similar disclosure in their shareholder reports in the near future. 5 Securities and Exchange Commission August 19, 2020 Page 6 Comment 12: Certain Funds had a significant percentage of their assets invested in a particular sector at year end (for example, BlackRock Exchange Portfolio, a series of BlackRock FundsSM , and BlackRock Capital Appreciation Portfolio, a series of BlackRock Series Fund, Inc., both held a significant percentage of their assets in the information technology sector), however the most recent prospectuses for those Funds do not include this type of sector risk disclosure. Sector risk should be included in the prospectus if a Fund has a significant amount of its net assets invested in a single sector. If a Fund consistently focuses on a particular sector (for example, for a period of more
2017-07-21 - CORRESP - BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
CORRESP 1 filename1.htm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom llp 500 BOYLSTON STREET BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02116 ________ TEL: (617) 573-4800 FAX: (617) 573-4822 www.skadden.com FIRM/AFFILIATE OFFICES ----------- CHICAGO HOUSTON LOS ANGELES NEW YORK PALO ALTO WASHINGTON, D.C. WILMINGTON DIRECT DIAL 617-573-4836 DIRECT FAX 617-305-4836 EMAIL ADDRESS KENNETH.BURDON@SKADDEN.COM July 21, 2017 ----------- BEIJING BRUSSELS FRANKFURT HONG KONG LONDON MOSCOW MUNICH PARIS SÃO PAULO SEOUL SHANGHAI SINGAPORE TOKYO TORONTO VIA EDGAR Christina DiAngelo Fettig Senior Staff Accountant Division of Investment Management Disclosure Review Office Securities and Exchange Commission 100 F Street N.E. Washington, DC 20549 RE: BlackRock Closed-End Funds Dear Ms. Fettig: Thank you for your oral comments on June 7, 2017 regarding your Sarbanes-Oxley review of the 2016 annual reports (the “Annual Reports”) for the BlackRock closed-end funds listed on Annex A attached hereto (the “Funds”). The Funds have considered your comments and authorized us to respond on their behalf as set forth below. Your oral comments are summarized in bold, followed by the Funds’ responses. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the applicable Annual Report(s). * * * * * * * Christina DiAngelo Fettig July 21, 2017 Page 2 Comments and Responses 1. BlackRock Core Bond Trust’s (“BHK”) stated policy is to invest at least 75% of its managed assets in bonds that are investment grade quality at the time of investment. The Annual Report indicates that 64% of BHK’s total investments were investment grade quality at August 31, 2016. Please explain this difference. BHK has informed us that, as of August 31, 2016 and as of the date of this letter, at least 75% of BHK’s managed assets were represented by investment grade bonds, as described in its investment policies (the “75% Policy”). BHK has further informed us that the difference noted by the staff is primarily a result of a difference between the calculations utilized for compliance and financial reporting purposes. As disclosed in BHK’s Prospectus, BlackRock monitors compliance with the 75% Policy based on ratings provided by Moody’s, S&P, Fitch or another nationally recognized rating agency, and includes bonds that are unrated but judged to be of comparable quality by the Fund’s investment adviser, all calculated as a percentage of managed assets. Conversely, for financial reporting purposes, BHK’s service provider utilizes ratings only from S&P or Moody’s (except for U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities and U.S. Treasury Obligations, which, as disclosed in BHK’s Annual Report, are deemed AAA/Aaa), presented as a percentage of total investments. These factors are disclosed in BHK’s Annual Report, consistent with Instruction 6(a) of Item 24 of Form N-2. 2. Certain Funds are identified in the Annual Reports as non-diversified companies. Please confirm whether any of these Funds have been operating as diversified companies for more than three years and, if so, please confirm that any such companies will obtain shareholder approval in accordance with Section 13(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”) if they again desire to operate as non-diversified companies. See 1940 Act Rule 13a-1; Allied Capital Corp., No-Action Letter (January 3, 1989). The Funds identified as “non-diversified” companies in the Annual Reports have informed us that they have not been operating as diversified companies for more than three years, and that, if they do operate as diversified companies for more than three years, they will obtain shareholder approval if they again desire to operate as non-diversified companies.1 _________________________ 1 Funds listed as Non-Diversified include BlackRock Maryland Municipal Bond Trust (811-21051); BlackRock Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Trust (811-076600); BlackRock MuniHoldings Christina DiAngelo Fettig July 21, 2017 Page 3 3. In reviewing the BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. (“HYT”) disclosure of OTC total return swaps on page 53 of the Annual Report, we could not determine which side of the swap HYT was on. Please clarify this disclosure in future filings. HYT has informed us that it will clarify the referenced disclosure in future filings. 4. The Notes to Financial Statements state that the Manager is paid advisory fees on a monthly basis. Please explain why the Statements of Assets and Liabilities for the Funds generally appear to have accrued two months’ worth of advisory fees. Additionally, BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. (“BKT”) pays administrative fees; in future filings, please include the frequency of the administrative fee payment. The Funds confirm that advisory fees are typically paid monthly; however, the Funds have informed us that the Statements of Assets and Liabilities included in the Annual Reports reflect two months’ worth of advisory fee accruals because payment of advisory fees for the month of July 2016 was delayed until September 1, 2016 as a result of processing issues encountered by the Funds’ accounting agent and custodian. Additionally, BKT has informed us that it will include the frequency of administrative fee payments in future filings. 5. BlackRock New York Municipal Income Quality Trust’s (“BSE”) Annual Report contains a disclosure regarding the Manager’s reimbursement payment for an investment that did not meet BSE’s investment guidelines. Please explain the basis for accounting for this payment of other income in light of ASC 946-20-45-1; please also explain why this payment’s effect on total return was not disclosed in the financial highlights. BSE has informed us as follows: In 2012, BSE purchased a municipal bond that generated income subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), which is not a permissible investment under BSE’s investment guidelines. BSE sold the bond in 2016 when the _________________________ New York Quality Fund, Inc. (811-08217); BlackRock New Jersey Municipal Bond Trust (811-21050); BlackRock New York Municipal Income Quality Trust (811-21179); BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust II (811-21124); and BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust (811-21053). Christina DiAngelo Fettig July 21, 2017 Page 4 matter was discovered and BlackRock reimbursed BSE for the maximum AMT liability to which BSE’s shareholders would be subject ($8,016.00). Guidance from Chapter 8.36 of the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide – Investment Companies (2016) states that “items relating to specific portfolio securities are typically recorded as an adjustment to realized or unrealized gains or losses. Otherwise, the item and a subsequent revaluation should be presented as other income.” The reimbursement was related to an income tax and not related to net gains (losses) realized on the disposal of investments described in ASC 946-20-45-1. As such, the income was presented as “other income” in the Statement of Operations. This payment’s effect on total return was less than 1 basis point and immaterial; it therefore was not disclosed in the financial highlights. 6. The Statements of Operations for certain Funds contain a line item including interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs. Regulation S-X 6-07(2)(b) provides that any expense greater than or equal to 5% or more of total expenses should be identified in a separate line item. Please confirm that each such separate item of expense contained in this line item represents less than 5% of total expenses. See Reg. S-X Article 6-07(2)(b). The Funds have informed us that interest expense is typically greater than 5% of total expenses, and that all other expenses in this line item are typically each below 5% of total expenses. The Funds believe that the presentation of these expenses in one line item in the Statement of Operations provides greater transparency for shareholders as to the total financing costs incurred by the applicable Funds, and the Funds note that details regarding the components of this line item are presented in the Notes to Financial Statements. Moreover, the Funds also note that they have been presenting their financing costs in this manner for many years and continued presentation in this manner permits shareholders to easily compare total financing costs over different time periods. In response to this comment the Funds have informed us that they will add additional disclosure in the Notes to Financial Statements separately quantifying the amount of expense represented by any one item within this line item that exceeds 5% of total expenses, and the aggregate of the other items that each individually represent less than 5% of total expenses. Christina DiAngelo Fettig July 21, 2017 Page 5 7. In future filings, please include more specific disclosure regarding why an asset was transferred in or out of Level 3 of the ASC 820 Fair Value Hierarchy. The Funds have informed us that they will include more specific disclosure regarding why an asset was transferred in or out of Level 3 of the ASC 820 Fair Value Hierarchy in future filings. 8. In future filings, please include more specificity as to why a Fund invested in a certain derivative during the period of its report, rather than providing only a list of potential reasons why a Fund may have invested in a certain derivative during the period of its report. See Letter from Barry D. Miller, Associate Director, Office of Legal and Disclosure, to Karrie McMillan, General Counsel, Investment Company Institute, dated July 30, 2010 (the “ICI Derivatives Letter”). The Funds include the referenced additional level of specificity, where material, in the individual “Fund Summary” sections at the beginning of the applicable shareholder reports and include higher level qualitative disclosures about derivatives transactions used by the Funds in the Notes to Financial Statements. The Funds have determined to use this approach in an effort to make their financial statements and shareholder reports more readable, straightforward and shareholder friendly. The Funds note that they produce joint shareholder reports in which several (and sometimes, many) Funds are included in the same report. Using this format, the Notes to Financial Statements speak as to all of the Funds included in the applicable report. The Funds believe that, as a result, attempting to include the same level of Fund-specific qualitative disclosure about derivatives transactions in the Notes to Financial Statements as is included in each Fund’s individual “Fund Summary” section would render the derivatives transaction disclosure in the Notes to Financial Statements unwieldy and confusing. The Funds therefore submit that their existing disclosures in the “Fund Summary” sections and in the Notes to Financial Statements comport with the staff’s objectives as expressed in the ICI Derivatives Letter. Christina DiAngelo Fettig July 21, 2017 Page 6 9. Please explain why the Funds with VRDP shares factor the full liquidation value of the VRDP shares into the numerator of the 1940 Act § 18(h) asset coverage calculation. See FASB Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03, Interest--Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) (“Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs”). We note that including the full liquidation value of the VRDP shares in the denominator of this calculation is permitted and required. The applicable Funds have informed us as follows: Section 18(h) of the 1940 Act defines “asset coverage” of a class of senior security representing stock to mean the ratio which the value of the total assets of such issuer, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, bears to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness of such issuer plus the aggregate of the involuntary liquidation preference of such class of senior security which is a stock. Deferred offering costs related to VRDP share issuances are recorded as a deferred charge, amortized over the life of the VRDP shares and are considered an asset under GAAP. ASU 2015-03 did not change the treatment of these deferred offering costs as an asset under GAAP; rather, ASU 2015-03 requires a simplification of the presentation of these deferred offering costs in funds’ financial statements by requiring funds to remove the “asset” line item for deferred offering costs and net such costs against the liability represented by the VRDP shares’ liquidation preference on the balance sheet. Therefore, in order to properly calculate an asset coverage ratio under section 18(h) of the 1940 Act by using figures derived from a balance sheet, the asset represented by the deferred offering costs must be added back to the “total assets” figure included in the balance sheet for purposes of calculating the numerator of that ratio, and correspondingly added back to the liability represented by the liquidation preference of the VRDP shares on the balance sheet for purposes of calculating the denominator of that ratio. In other words, ASU 2015-03 does not change how asset coverage is calculated under section 18(h) of the 1940 Act; it only changes how assets and liabilities are presented in financial statements. Christina DiAngelo Fettig July 21, 2017 Page 7 10. The Funds that maintain shelf registrations have a policy of recording costs incurred in connection with shelf offerings as deferred charges amortized over a 12-month period. Please cite accounting guidance supporting this policy for Funds that have not issued any shares pursuant to their shelf registrations. The applicable Funds have informed us as follows: ASC 946-20-25-6 indicates that offering costs related to closed-end funds with a continuous offering period shall be recognized as a deferred charge. ASC 946-20-25-5 states that “offering costs recognized as a deferred charge under 946-20-25-6 shall be amortized to expense over 12 months on a straight-line basis when operations begin.” The applicable Funds’ policy is that funds with currently effective registration statements for shelf offerings are considered closed-end funds with a continuous offering period. 11. Often bank loan funds such as BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund, Inc. receive income from sources other than interest payments (e.g., consent income, fee income, and amendment income). Please confirm that any Funds receiving such non-interest income will disclose the nature of such non-interest income separately from interest income in future filings. The Funds have informed us that they will make such separate disclosures, to the extent applicable, in future filings. 12. The Schedules of Investments for certain Funds contain a footnote identifying that the bonds transferred to a tender option bond trust (“TOB Trust”) serve as collateral in a secured borrowing. Please confirm that Funds utilizing TOB Trusts segregate unencumbered liquid assets other than the bonds deposited into the TOB Trust with a value at least equal to the TOB Trust Certificates (i.e., the “floaters”) plus accrued interest, if any. The Funds confirm that they segregate unencumbered liquid assets other than the bonds deposited into a TOB Trust with a value at least equal to the TOB Trust Certificates plus accrued interest, if any. * * * * * * * Christina DiAngelo Fettig July 21, 2017 Page 8 Should you have any additional comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at (617) 573-4836 or Tom DeCapo at (617) 573-4814. Best regards, /s/ Kenneth E. Burdon Kenneth E. Burdon Annex A Registration Number Fund 811-10543 BlackRock Core Bond Trust 811-21318 BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. 811-22126 BlackRock Defined Opportunity Credit Trust 811-21413 BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund, Inc. 811-05542 BlackRock Income Trust, Inc. 811-21349 BlackRock LTD
2015-01-16 - CORRESP - BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
CORRESP
1
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corresp.htm
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom llp
500 BOYLSTON STREET
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02116
________
TEL: (617) 573-4800
FAX: (617) 573-4822
www.skadden.com
January 16, 2015
FIRM/AFFILIATE OFFICES
-----------
CHICAGO
HOUSTON
LOS ANGELES
NEW YORK
PALO ALTO
WASHINGTON, D.C.
WILMINGTON
-----------
BEIJING
BRUSSELS
FRANKFURT
HONG KONG
LONDON
MOSCOW
MUNICH
PARIS
SÃO PAULO
SEOUL
SHANGHAI
SINGAPORE
SYDNEY
TOKYO
TORONTO
VIA EDGAR
Chad Eskildsen
Staff Accountant
Division of Investment Management
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street N.E.
Washington, DC 20549
RE:
BlackRock Closed-End Funds
Dear Mr. Eskildsen:
Thank you for your oral comments on December 9, 2014 regarding your Sarbanes-Oxley review for the BlackRock Closed-End Funds (the “Funds”). The Funds have considered your comments and authorized us to respond on their behalf as set forth below. Your oral comments are summarized in bold, followed by the Funds’ responses.
* * * * * * *
Chad Eskildsen
January 16, 2015
Page 2
Comments and Responses
1.
Item 75B of Form N-SAR requires non-money market funds to indicate their average monthly net assets during the current reporting period. We have compared the Funds’ responses to Item 75B of Form N-SAR to their period-end net assets as reflected in their applicable shareholder reports filed on Form N-CSR. Generally speaking, there appears to be a discrepancy between the figure used in Item 75B of Form N-SAR and a Fund’s period-end net assets as reflected in its applicable shareholder report filed on Form N-CSR. Please confirm that, for future reports on Form N-SAR, the Funds will calculate their average monthly net assets pursuant to Item 75B without including assets attributable to leverage.
The Funds confirm that, in future reports on Form N-SAR, they will calculate their average monthly net assets pursuant to Item 75B without including assets attributable to leverage. The Funds note that slight discrepancies will continue to exist as a result of Item 75B of Form N-SAR requiring the Funds to report an average of their net assets during the reporting period, as opposed to the actual period-end net assets reported in their shareholder reports filed on Form N-CSR.
2.
We have the following comments with respect to the Funds whose distributions include a return of capital:
a.
On the Fund’s webpage, in the section with the performance table under the “Distributions” tab, please disclose the portions of the Fund’s distributions for the current year that are estimated to be returns of capital. Please make corresponding changes to each relevant Fund’s “Fact Sheet” in the “Distribution History” chart included therein (including to disclose actual return of capital amounts for prior years, to the extent prior year distributions are included in such chart).
The Funds note that each affected Fund that had portions of its distributions which included returns of capital have disclosed such amounts on the affected Fund’s webpage in the table under the “Distribution” tab. The Funds note that because the final tax character of a Fund’s distributions as income, capital gain or return of capital, if any, for the current year is not determinable until fiscal year-end, these fields will remain blank in the “Distributions” tab of each affected Fund’s website until such information becomes available following the close of
Chad Eskildsen
January 16, 2015
Page 3
the calendar year, at which time each Fund will provide tax reporting information to its investors.
The affected Funds will update the referenced chart in their future Fact Sheets to also include this return of capital information as soon as possible. Similar to the webpage, this return of capital information will remain blank for the current year until such information becomes available following the close of the calendar year and the final tax character of a Fund’s distributions are known.
The Funds note that any amounts of distributions for the current year that are estimated to be returns of capital are disclosed to investors in the affected Funds’ notices delivered pursuant to section 19(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Section 19 Notices”). The affected Funds’ Section 19 Notices are posted in the “Closed-End Fund Resources” section of the BlackRock website. The affected Funds will, as soon as possible, add disclosure to the affected Funds’ webpages and future Fact Sheets directing investors and potential investors to the affected Funds’ Section 19 Notices contained in the “Closed-End Fund Resources” section of the BlackRock website.
b.
On the Fund’s webpage, in the right-hand column labeled “Portfolio Characteristics,” please use a term other than Distribution “Yield,” such as Distribution “Rate.” Please disclose that such rate may include a return of capital.
The affected Funds changed the term “Yield” to “Rate” in the referenced portion of their webpages. The affected Funds also added the requested disclosure to their webpages.
c.
In the Fund’s “Fact Sheet,” please disclose that the “Distribution Rate” indicated therein may include a return of capital.
The affected Funds will add the requested disclosure to their future Fact Sheets as soon as possible.
3.
With respect to the annual report of BlackRock Preferred Partners LLC (“BPP”) for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, filed on Form N-CSR, we note that the chart showing BPP’s ten largest holdings on page 6 appears to indicate that 60% of BPP’s assets are invested in issuers which each
Chad Eskildsen
January 16, 2015
Page 4
represent more than 5% of BPP’s assets. Please explain to us whether BPP satisfies the asset diversification test for regulated investment companies contained in section 851(b)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
The chart on page 6 of BPP’s annual report for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, filed on Form N-CSR (the “Annual Report”), presents BPP’s ten largest holdings as a percentage of BPP’s total investments. This chart is presented in a summary fashion with rounded figures for ease of presentation to, and understanding by, BPP’s unitholders.
BPP is a “regulated investment company,” as defined in section 851 of the Code. Section 851(b)(3)(A) of the Code requires, in relevant part, that at the end of each quarter of the taxable year, at least 50% of the value of BPP’s total assets be represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to an amount not greater in value than 5 percent of the value of BPP’s total assets. The value of BPP’s total investments for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, as set forth in the Schedule of Investments and Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Members’ Capital included in the Annual Report, was $77,922,830. The value of BPP’s total assets for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, as set forth in the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Members’ Capital included in the Annual Report, was $84,997,468.
BPP’s “total investments” differs from its “total assets.” BPP’s “total investments” includes only those assets of BPP that are invested in underlying issuers. BPP’s “total assets” includes the remainder of BPP’s assets, which included, as of March 31, 2014, cash, accounts receivable, investments paid in advance and prepaid expenses. Section 851(b)(3)(A) of the Code tests diversification based on “total assets,” not “total investments.” Below is an expanded version of the chart on page 6 of the Annual Report, which includes precise calculations based on the Schedule of Investments in the Annual Report, and which demonstrates that BPP meets the asset diversification test for regulated investment companies contained in section 851(b)(3)(A) of the Code, whether tested on the basis of “total investments” or “total assets.”
Chad Eskildsen
January 16, 2015
Page 5
Investment
As a % of Total Investments1
As a % of Total Assets2
Pentwater Event Fund, Ltd.
8.04%
7.37%
One William Street Capital Offshore Fund, Ltd.
7.92%
7.26%
Fortress Asia Macro Fund Ltd.
7.68%
7.04%
Citadel Global Fixed Income Fund, Ltd.
5.76%
5.28%
Panning Overseas Fund, Ltd.
5.05%
4.63%
Aristeia International, Ltd.
4.93%
4.52%
Jet Capital Concentrated Offshore Fund, Ltd.
4.90%
4.49%
Glenview Capital Partners (Cayman), Ltd.
4.73%
4.34%
Anchor Bolt Offshore Fund LTD.
4.71%
4.32%
QMS Diversified Global Macro Offshore Fund Ltd.
4.61%
4.22%
TOTAL
58.32%
53.46%
1
Approximately 34.44% of total investments represented by investments in issuers which each represent more than 5% of BPP’s total investments.
2
Approximately 26.95% of total assets represented by investments in issuers which each represent more than 5% of BPP’s total assets.
Chad Eskildsen
January 16, 2015
Page 6
* * * * * * *
The Funds acknowledge that:
·
They are responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosures in their filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”);
·
Commission staff comments on, or changes to disclosure in response to staff comments in, the Funds’ filings do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the Funds’ filings; and
·
the Funds’ may not assert staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.
Should you have any additional comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at (617) 573-4836 or Tom DeCapo at (617)-573-4814.
Best regards,
/s/ Kenneth E. Burdon
Kenneth E. Burdon
2013-01-29 - CORRESP - BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
CORRESP
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787 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019-6099
Tel: 212 728 8000
Fax: 212 728 8111
January 29, 2013
Via EDGAR
Laura Hatch
Division of Investment Management
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE
Washington, D.C. 20549
Re: Comments to Shareholder Reports of the registrants identified
on Exhibit A (the “Registrants”)
Dear Ms. Hatch:
This letter responds
to certain comments provided by the staff of the Division of Investment Management (the “Staff”) of the Securities
and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in telephone conversations on December 17, 2012 and January 18, 2013 regarding the
responses of the Registrants contained in the letter to the Staff dated December 7, 2012 (the “Response Letter”).
For your convenience,
the substance of the Staff’s comments has been restated below. Each Registrant’s joint or individual responses to each
comment, as applicable, are set out immediately under the restated comment.
Comment No. 1. Certain Registrants have made return of capital distributions,
which in some cases were significant. In the Response Letter, the Registrants informed the Staff in Response No. 27 that the distribution
yields are included in the annual shareholder reports. The formula used to calculate the distribution yield in the Annual Report
includes return of capital, however, return of capital should not be included in the calculation of the yield. In future reports,
do not include return of capital when calculating the distribution yield. (e.g., BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (BDJ),
BlackRock EcoSolutions Investment Trust (BQR), BlackRock Global Opportunities Equity Trust (BOE), BlackRock International Growth
and Income Trust (BGY), BlackRock Real Asset Equity Trust (BCF) and BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX).)
Response No. 1: Pursuant to our conversation, the Registrants will revise
all future shareholder reports to replace the term “Yield on Closing Market Price” with “Current
New
York Washington, DC Paris London
Milan Rome Frankfurt
Brussels
January 29, 2013
Page 2
Distribution Rate on Closing Market
Price.” The Registrants also will add footnote disclosure to the “Trust Summary” section of all future shareholder
reports to clarify that the Current Distribution Rate consists of income, and, where applicable, net realized capital gains, and/or,
tax return of capital. In all future annual reports, when disclosing the Current Distribution Rate, the Registrants will add a
cross-reference to the “Financial Highlights” section for the actual sources and character of distributions. In all
future semi-annual reports, when disclosing the Current Distribution Rate, the Registrants will add a cross-reference to the “Additional
Information–Section 19(a) Notices” section for the estimated character of dividends measured for financial reporting
purposes.
Comment No. 2. For BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc., on the Statement
of Operations, income tax is included in the “unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments” line item. The
Registrant informed the Staff in Response No. 25 of the Response Letter that income tax is not being shown as an expense on the
Statement of Operations because it was deemed immaterial. The Staff notes that income tax for the Fund for the relevant period
was 0.02%. The Staff is of the view that this amount should be included in the expense ratio. Please provide a restatement of
the Financial Highlights reflecting the income tax in the expense ratio or explain why a restatement is not appropriate in this
situation.
Response No. 2: The suggested change to include income tax expense as a line
item in the Statement of Operations and as a component of the expense ratio will be made in all future shareholder reports, effective
with the BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. annual report for the year ending February 28, 2013. In future shareholder reports,
operating expense ratios from prior periods will be restated to reflect income tax expense, where applicable, for comparative
purposes.
Comment No. 3. The Staff disagrees with Registrant’s Response No.
31 in the Letter. The Staff believes that net expenses on the Registrant’s website should be calculated inclusive of interest
expenses. If the Registrant wants to continue to show the net expenses exclusive of interest expense on its website, it should
also include a ratio showing net expenses inclusive of interest expense.
Response No. 3: Each Registrant will add the ratio of net operating expenses,
inclusive of interest expense, to its website as soon as practicable.
* * * * * * * * * *
The Registrants acknowledge that they
are responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in its documents, and acknowledge that the Commission is not foreclosed
by its comment process from taking any action with respect to the Registrants’ documents.
- 2 -
January 29, 2013
Page 3
Should you have any questions concerning
the above, please call the undersigned at (212) 728-8294.
Sincerely,
/s/ Maria Gattuso, Esq.
cc: Ben Archibald, Esq., BlackRock Advisors, LLC
- 3 -
Appendix A: Funds examined:
Registrant
File #
Financial
Statement
Date
Prospectus
Date
BBIF Government Securities Fund
811-21197
3/31/2012
7/26/2012
BBIF Tax-Exempt Fund
811-21198
3/31/2012
7/26/2012
BBIF Treasury Fund
811-21199
3/31/2012
7/26/2012
BIF Government Securities Fund
811-03205
3/31/2012
7/26/2012
BIF Money Fund
811-02752
3/31/2012
7/26/2012
BIF Multi-State Municipal Series Trust
811-05011
3/31/2012
7/27/2012
BIF Tax-Exempt Fund
811-03111
3/31/2012
7/26/2012
BIF Treasury Fund
811-06196
3/31/2012
7/26/2012
BlackRock Balanced Capital Fund, Inc.
811-02405
9/30/2011
1/27/2012
BlackRock Basic Value Fund, Inc.
811-02739
6/30/2011
10/28/2011
BlackRock Bond Allocation Target Shares
811-21457
3/31/2012
7/27/2012
BlackRock Bond Fund, Inc.
811-02857
BlackRock Total Return Fund
811-02857
9/30/2011
2/1/2012
BlackRock California Municipal 2018 Term Trust
811-10499
12/31/2011
NA
BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust
811-10331
7/31/2011
NA
Blackrock California Municipal Series Trust
811-04264
BlackRock California Municipal Bond
811-04264
5/31/2011
9/28/2011
BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund, Inc.
811-06669
9/30/2011
1/27/2012
BlackRock Core Bond Trust
811-10543
8/31/2011
NA
BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc.
811-07634
2/29/2012
NA
BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc.
811-08497
2/29/2012
NA
BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund V, Inc.
811-10521
8/31/2011
NA
BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund VI, Inc.
811-21318
8/31/2011
NA
BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust I, Inc.
811-21341
10/31/2011
NA
BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust III
811-21280
10/31/2011
NA
BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust IV
811-21972
10/31/2011
NA
BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust II, Inc.
811-21286
10/31/2011
NA
BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund
811-08603
2/29/2012
NA
BlackRock Defined Opportunity Credit Trust
811-22126
8/31/2011
NA
BlackRock Diversified Income Strategies Fund, Inc.
811-21637
8/31/2011
NA
BlackRock EcoSolutions Investment Trust
811-22082
10/31/2011
NA
BlackRock Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.
811-05723
10/31/2011
2/28/2012
BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust
811-21656
10/31/2011
NA
BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund, Inc.
811-21506
10/31/2011
NA
BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust
811-21784
10/31/2011
NA
BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc.
811-21793
12/31/2011
NA
BlackRock Equity Dividend Fund
811-05178
7/31/2011
11/28/2011
BlackRock Equity Dividend Trust (N-8F)
811-21443
10/31/2011
NA
BlackRock EuroFund
811-04612
6/30/2011
10/28/2011
BlackRock Financial Institutions Series Trust
811-03189
BlackRock Summit Cash Reserves
811-03189
4/30/2012
8/28/2012
BlackRock Fixed Income Value Opportunities
811-22252
12/31/2011
NA
BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund II, Inc.
811-21464
2/29/2012
NA
BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund, Inc.
811-21413
8/31/2011
NA
BlackRock Floating Rate Income Trust
811-21566
10/31/2011
NA
BlackRock Florida Municipal 2020 Term Trust
811-21184
7/31/2011
NA
BlackRock Focus Growth Fund, Inc.
811-09651
8/31/2011
12/28/2011
BlackRock Focus Value Fund, Inc.
811-03450
6/30/2011
NA
BlackRock Focus Value Fund (N-8F)
811-03450
6/30/2011
NA
A-1
BlackRock Funds
811-05742
BlackRock All-Cap Energy & Resources Portfolio
811-05742
9/30/2011
1/30/12
BlackRock Energy & Resources Portfolio
811-05742
9/30/2011
1/30/12
BlackRock Exchange Portfolio
811-05742
12/31/2011
4/27/12
BlackRock Flexible Equity Portfolio
811-05742
9/30/2011
1/30/12
BlackRock Global Opportunities Portfolio
811-05742
9/30/2011
1/30/12
BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio
811-05742
9/30/2011
1/30/12
BlackRock Index Equity Portfolio
811-05742
12/31/2011
4/27/12
BlackRock International Opportunities Portfolio
811-05742
9/30/2011
1/30/12
BlackRock Managed Volatility Portfolio
811-05742
9/30/2011
1/30/12
BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio
811-05742
9/30/2011
1/30/12
BlackRock Money Market Portfolio
811-05742
3/31/2012
7/27/12
BlackRock Municipal Money Market Portfolio
811-05742
3/31/2012
7/27/12
BlackRock New Jersey Municipal Money Market Portfolio
811-05742
3/31/2012
7/27/12
BlackRock North Carolina Municipal Money Market Portfolio
811-05742
3/31/2012
7/27/12
BlackRock Ohio Municipal Money Market Portfolio
811-05742
3/31/2012
7/27/12
BlackRock Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Portfolio
811-05742
3/31/2012
7/27/12
BlackRock Science & Technology Opportunities Portfolio
811-05742
9/30/2011
1/30/12
BlackRock Small Cap Growth Equity Portfolio
811-05742
9/30/2011
1/30/12
BlackRock U.S. Opportunities Portfolio
811-05742
9/30/2011
1/30/12
BlackRock U.S. Treasury Money Market Portfolio
811-05742
3/31/2012
7/27/12
BlackRock Virginia Municipal Money Market Portfolio
811-05742
3/31/2012
7/27/12
BlackRock Funds II
811-22061
BlackRock Core Bond Portfolio
811-22061
9/30/2011
1/27/12
BlackRock Emerging Market Local Debt Portfolio
811-22061
12/31/2011
4/27/12
BlackRock Global Dividend Income Portfolio
811-22061
7/31/2011
11/28/11
BlackRock GNMA Portfolio
811-22061
9/30/2011
1/27/12
BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio
811-22061
9/30/2011
1/27/12
BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Portfolio
811-22061
9/30/2011
1/27/12
BlackRock International Bond Portfolio
811-22061
12/31/2011
4/27/12
BlackRock Long Duration Bond Portfolio
811-22061
9/30/2011
1/27/12
BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio
811-22061
9/30/2011
1/27/12
BlackRock LifePath Active 2015 Portfolio
811-22061
10/31/2011
2/28/12
BlackRock LifePath Active 2020 Portfolio
811-22061
10/31/2011
2/28/12
BlackRock LifePath Active 2025 Portfolio
811-22061
10/31/2011
2/28/12
BlackRock LifePath Active 2030 Portfolio
811-22061
10/31/2011
2/28/12
BlackRock LifePath Active 2035 Portfolio
811-22061
10/31/2011
2/28/12
BlackRock LifePath Active 2040 Portfolio
811-22061
10/31/2011
2/28/12
BlackRock LifePath Active 2045 Portfolio
811-22061
10/31/2011
2/28/12
BlackRock LifePath Active 2050 Portfolio
811-22061
10/31/2011
2/28/12
BlackRock Strategic Income Opportunities Portfolio
811-22061
12/31/2011
4/27/12
BlackRock U.S. Government Bond Portfolio
811-22061
9/30/2011
1/27/12
BlackRock Funds III
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
BlackRock ACWI ex-US Index Fund
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
BlackRock Bond Index Fund
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
BlackRock Cash Funds: Prime
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
BlackRock Cash Funds: Treasury
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
BlackRock Cash Funds: Government
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
BlackRock Cash Funds: Institutional
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
BlackRock CoreAlpha Bond Fund
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
BlackRock Russell 1000 Index Fund
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
BlackRock S&P 500 Stock Fund
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
LifePath 2020 Portfolio
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
A-2
LifePath 2025 Portfolio
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
LifePath 2030 Portfolio
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
LifePath 2035 Portfolio
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
LifePath 2040 Portfolio
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
LifePath 2045 Portfolio
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
Lifepath 2050 Portfolio
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
LifePath 2055 Portfolio
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
LifePath Retirement Portfolio
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
LifePath Index 2020 Portfolio
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
LifePath Index 2025 Portfolio
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
LifePath Index 2030 Portfolio
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
LifePath Index 2035 Portfolio
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
LifePath Index 2040 Portfolio
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
LifePath Index 2045 Portfolio
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
LifePath Index 2050 Portfolio
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
LifePath Index 2055 Portfolio
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
LifePath Index Retirement Portfolio
811-07332
12/31/2011
4/30/2012
BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.
811-05576
10/31/2011
2/28/2012
BlackRock Global Opportunities Equity Trust
811-21729
10/31/2011
NA
BlackRock Global SmallCap Fund, Inc.
811-07171
6/30/2011
10/28/2011
BlackRock Health Sciences Trust
811-21702
10/31/2011
NA
BlackRock Healthcare Fund, Inc. (N-8F)
811-03595
BlackRock High Income Shares
811-05495
8/31/2011
NA
BlackRock High Yield Trust
811-08991
8/31/2011
NA
BlackRock Income Opportunity Trust Inc.
811-06443
8/31/2011
NA
BlackRock Income Trust Inc.
811-05542
8/31/2011
NA
BlackRock Index Funds, Inc.
811-07899
12/31/2011
4/27/2012
BlackRock International Growth and Income Trust
811-22032
10/31/2011
NA
BlackRock International Value Trust (N-8F)
811-04182
BlackRock International Value Fund
811-04182
6/30/2011
NA
BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust, Inc. (BKN)
811-07354
4/30/2012
NA
BlackR
2012-12-07 - CORRESP - BLACKROCK INCOME TRUST, INC. (BKT) (CIK 0000832327)
CORRESP
1
filename1.htm
787 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019-6099
Tel: 212 728 8000
Fax: 212 728 8111
December 7, 2012
Via EDGAR
Laura Hatch
Division of Investment Management
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE
Washington, D.C. 20549
Re: Comments on BlackRock Shareholder Reports
Dear Ms. Hatch:
This letter responds to comments provided
by the staff of the Division of Investment Management (the “Staff”) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)
in telephone conversations on September 19, 2012, September 26, 2012, September 28, 2012 and October 5, 2012 regarding the shareholder
reports of the registrants as identified on Exhibit A (the “Registrants”).
For your convenience, the substance of
the Staff’s comments has been restated below. Each Registrant’s joint or individual responses to each comment, as applicable,
are set out immediately under the restated comment.
General Comments
Comment No. 1. (Comment on N-1A Filings) For share classes that automatically
convert to another share class after a certain period of time, please confirm that the average annual total returns included in
the performance table reflects the returns of the class being converted into.
Response No. 1: The Registrants confirm that when reporting performance
after a share class conversion, the ten year average annual total return included in the performance table reflects the returns
of the class into which the shares are being converted.
New
York Washington, DC Paris London
Milan Rome Frankfurt
Brussels
December 7, 2012
Page 2
Comment No. 2. The Notes to Financial Statements for certain Funds (generally
for those Funds that engage in securities lending activities) state that with respect to a Fund’s investment in BlackRock
Liquidity Series, LLC Money Market Series (the “Money Market Series”) “the Fund
may withdraw up to 25% of its investment daily, although the manager of the Money Market Series, in its sole discretion, may permit
an investor to withdraw more than 25% on any one day.” Please consider adding this language as a tickmark in the Schedule
of Investments.
Response No. 2: The suggested change will be made to future shareholder
reports, when applicable. The Schedules of Investments will include the following tickmark where appropriate: “The Fund
may withdraw up to 25% of its investment in the BlackRock Liquidity Series, LLC Money Market Series (the “Money Market
Series”) daily, although the manager of the Money Market Series, in its sole discretion, may
permit an investor to withdraw more than 25% on any one day.”
Comment No. 3. On the Statement of Operations,
certain Funds (e.g., BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio and BlackRock Mid-Cap Value Equity Portfolio) list “Litigation
proceeds” under the “Realized Gain” sub-heading. Please confirm that these proceeds are not from securities
currently held by the Funds. If the litigation proceeds are from securities held by a Fund, the proceeds should be characterized
as unrealized gain and should be re-classified as an offset to costs.
Response No. 3: The “Litigation proceeds” of BlackRock Mid-Cap
Growth Equity Portfolio are not from securities currently held by the Fund. The majority (97%) of the “Litigation proceeds”
of BlackRock Mid-Cap Value Equity Portfolio are not from securities currently held by the Fund. The remaining 3%, which are from
securities currently held by the Fund, was deemed immaterial. The Registrants confirm that if litigation proceeds are primarily
from securities held by a Fund, these proceeds will be characterized as unrealized gain.
Comment No. 4. Please confirm whether recoupment of manager fee waivers
are applied on a class level or on a Fund level. If recoupment is applied on a class level, amounts should be provided on a class-by-class
basis in the Notes to Financial Statements (certain Funds disclose recoupment amounts on a Fund level basis, e.g. BlackRock Core
Bond Fund).
Response No. 4: Expense waiver recoupments can occur both at the class level
and the fund level. The amounts that have been recouped during the fiscal year are disclosed by class level in the Notes to Financial
Statements. Amounts subject to possible future recoupment will be shown on a class-by-class basis, when applicable, in all future
shareholder reports.
Comment No. 5. On the Fair Valuation Input table in the Schedule of
Investments, certain Funds (e.g., BlackRock Energy & Resources Portfolio) that had Level 3 holdings do not show a roll forward
from the previous year. Please confirm whether a materiality
December 7, 2012
Page 3
threshold
is being applied to determine whether to exclude the roll forward. If you are willing, please state what that materiality threshold
is.
Response No. 5: The Registrants confirm that a materiality threshold is
being applied to determine whether to exclude a roll forward from the previous year in the Level 3 holdings. A Fund will include
a Level 3 roll forward if the Level 3 investments at the beginning or end of the period are greater in the aggregate than 1% of
the Fund’s net assets. Per FASB ASC 105-10-05-06, the provisions of the FASB Codification need not be applied to immaterial
items. The Registrants take the position that a Level 3 roll forward may be omitted in situations where the amount of Level 3
assets or liabilities is not material.
Comment No. 6. For Funds that have heavy derivatives exposure, please
disclose information about the existence and nature of credit-risk-related contingent features. Reference is made to accounting
guidance ASC 815-10-50-4H.
Response No. 6: The Funds currently disclose the following in accordance
with FASB ASC 815-10-50-4H: “Certain ISDA Master Agreements allow counterparties to OTC derivatives to terminate derivative
contracts prior to maturity in the event the Funds’ net assets decline by a stated percentage or the Funds fail to meet
the terms of its ISDA Master Agreements, which would cause the Funds to accelerate payment of any net liability owed to the counterparty.”
Comment No. 7. For Funds that write or sell credit default swaps, please
confirm that the Funds cover the full notional amount of the credit default swap.
Response No. 7: If a Fund writes (sells) a credit default swap, then the
Fund will, during the term of the swap agreement, cover the full amount owed to the counterparty under the swap agreement upon
the occurrence of a credit default event, as defined under the terms of the particular swap agreement.
Comment No. 8. Certain Funds appear to have outstanding debt (other
than a line of credit) but do not provide a cash flow statement (e.g., BlackRock Strategic Income Opportunities Portfolio, BlackRock
Low Duration Bond Portfolio and BlackRock Core Bond Portfolio). Please explain how Fund management determined that these Funds
do not need to provide a cash flow statement.
Response No. 8: A Fund will present a Statement of Cash Flows in the financial
statements if average borrowings for the period exceed 10% of its average total assets. None of the Funds referenced above had
average borrowings for the relevant period exceeding the 10% threshold. The Registrants note that for these purposes reverse repurchase
agreements are included in the borrowings calculation.
December 7, 2012
Page 4
Money Market Fund Comments
Comment No. 9. Certain Funds disclose a different expense ratio in the
Expense Example in the Annual Report than is disclosed in the Financial Highlights. Please explain the reason for this discrepancy.
For
example:
BlackRock
Municipal Money Market Portfolio – Investor A
Expense
Example expense ratio: 0.18%
Financial
Highlights expense ratio: 0.25%
BlackRock
New Jersey Municipal Money Market Portfolio – Investor A
Expense
Example expense ratio: 0.24%
Financial
Highlights expense ratio: 0.38%
BlackRock
Ohio Municipal Money Market Portfolio – Investor A
Expense
Example expense ratio: 0.16%
Financial
Highlights expense ratio: 0.27%
Response No. 9: The expense ratio in the Financial Highlights is calculated
using the amount of expenses shown in each Fund’s Statement of Operations for the period, per Regulation S-X. The expense
ratio in the annual report is calculated using a 12-month period while the expense ratio in the semi-annual report is calculated
using a 6-month period. A Fund’s expense ratio used in the Expense Example, which is calculated in the manner required by
Instruction 4(b) to Item 13(a) of Form N-1A, requires the use of the Fund’s most recent fiscal half-year (e.g., the Fund’s
second fiscal half-year in the case of an annual report) on an annualized basis. Voluntary expense waivers that were instituted
in order to maintain minimum levels of daily net investment income for these Funds were higher in the second half of the year
than they were in the first half of the year. Therefore the expense ratio in the expense example is lower than the expense ratio
in the financial highlights.
Comment No. 10. Certain Funds disclose a different expense ratio in the
prospectus expense table than is disclosed in the Financial Highlights. Please explain the reason for this discrepancy.
For
example:
BIF
Government Securities Fund
Expense
table expense ratio: 0.70%
Financial
Highlights expense ratio: 0.49%
BIF
Treasury Fund
Expense
table expense ratio: 0.58%
Financial
Highlights expense ratio: 0.49%
December 7, 2012
Page 5
Response No. 10: The net expense ratios in the prospectus fee table reflect
only contractual fee waivers and do not include additional voluntary waivers that were instituted in order to maintain minimum
levels of daily net investment income. The net expense ratios in the financial highlights include all fee waivers.
Comment No. 11. For BlackRock Money Market Portfolio, the Financial Highlights
for Investor A Shares is missing tickmark “2” on the “Total Investment Return” line item for the period
October 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009.
Response No. 11: The missing tickmark will be added to all future shareholder
reports, when applicable.
Comment No. 12. For all Money Market Funds, consider tickmarking all
values below 0.0005 on the Financial Highlights tables.
Response No. 12: The suggested change will be made to all future shareholder
reports, when applicable.
Comment No. 13. For the BIF Ohio Municipal Money Fund, the Schedule of
Investments shows that the Fund held 68% of its assets in Ohio municipal securities. The Fund’s prospectus discloses that
the “Fund will generally invest at least 80% of its assets in Ohio municipal securities.” Please explain whether the
Fund was in compliance with its stated 80% policy.
Response No. 13: The Fund confirms that it was in compliance with its stated
80% policy.
Comment No. 14. For the BIF Ohio Municipal Money Fund, the Statement
of Assets and Liabilities discloses “Investments sold receivable” of approximately $28M (which was approximately 28%
of the Fund’s net assets), however, the Staff did not see any Fund liability that would require the Fund to raise that much
cash. Was the Fund aware of an incoming redemption that was not included on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities? (The Staff
notes that in the next quarterly report for the period ended June 30, 2012, the Fund’s assets decreased by approximately
$25M.)
Response No. 14: The “Investments sold receivable” was not related
to redemption activity and represents called bonds which settled on April 2, 2012. The Fund notes that it had approximately $100
million in net assets as of March 31, 2012 and approximately $84 million in net assets as of June 30, 2012. The difference in
net assets between the first and second quarters is not related to the called bonds.
Closed-end Municipal Funds
Comment No. 15. For Funds that hold Tender Option Bonds (TOBs), please
confirm that the Funds segregate liquid assets equal to the amount of the bond plus accrued interest.
December 7, 2012
Page 6
Response No. 15: The Registrants confirm that Funds that hold TOBs segregate
liquid assets equal to the amount of the short term floating rate securities issued by the tender option bond trust plus accrued
interest.
Comment No. 16. In the section of the shareholder reports captioned “The
Benefits and Risks of Leveraging,” please explain why the figures provided in the “Percentage of Leverage” table
do not correspond to the level of leverage disclosed in the Schedule of Investments.
For
Example:
Fund Ticker
Percentage of Leverage disclosed in The Benefits and Risks of Leverage Section
Percentage of leverage disclosed in the Schedule of Investments
MUC
43%
74.3%
MUJ
37%
59.4%
MFT
39%
63.6%
MIY
38%
60.4%
MJI
35%
53.7%
Response No. 16: The Registrants note that the percentages for leverage in
the Schedule of Investments are based solely on a Fund’s net asset value, as noted at the top of the Schedule of Investments.
The percentages in the section captioned “The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging” are based on a Fund’s managed
assets, which include the net asset value and borrowings.
Comment No. 17. In the Statement of Operations included in future reports,
please separately report interest expense and amortization of offering costs.
Response No. 17: The Registrants respectfully decline to make this change.
In accordance with FASB ASC 835-30-45, debt issue costs are recorded as a deferred charge and amortized to interest expense over
the term of the life of the debt. Because these costs are amortized to interest expense, these are included as one line item on
the Statement of Operations and it is indicated that the line item includes interest expense and offering cost amortization.
Comment No. 18. For Funds that have issued VRDP Shares, the Notes to
Financial Statements (Note 1) states that costs in connection with the issuance of VRDP Shares are
recorded
December 7, 2012
Page 7
as
a deferred charge and will be amortized over the 30-year life of the VRDP Shares with the exception of upfront fees paid to the
liquidity provider which are amortized over the life of the liquidity agreement. Similarly, certain Funds disclose that costs
in connection with the issuance of VMTP Shares are recorded as a deferred charge and will be amortized over 3 years. Please explain
the accounting treatment of these policies. Reference is made to accounting guidance in paragraphs 5-6 of FASB ASC 946-20-25 and
946-20-35-5, which requires that offering costs of closed-end funds shall be charged to paid-in capital upon sale of the shares
or units.
Response No. 18: VRDP and VMTP Shares (“Preferred Shares”) have
(i) a mandatory redemption 30 years and 3 years, respectively, from the date of issuance, (ii) a conditional demand feature and
(iii) an optional redemption provision that allows a Fund to redeem the Preferred Shares. FASB ASC 480-10-25-4 states that a mandatorily
redeemable financial instrument shall be classified as a liability unless the redemption is required to occur only upon the liquidation
or termination of the reporting entity. Because the redemption will occur up to 3 or 30 years, as applicable, from the date of
issuance (which will not be the termination date of the issuing Fund), the Preferred Shares are considered debt of the issuing
Fund. In accordance with FASB ASC 835-30-45, debt issue costs are recorded as a deferred charge and amortized to interest expense
over the term of the life of the debt. Upfront fees paid to the liquidity provider (in the case of VRDP only) are amortized over
the life of the agreement since the agreements typically have a one- or two-year term. FASB ASC 946-20-25 and FASB ASC 946-20-35-5
are applicable to the initial offering of shares or units before commencement of operations, as no shares were issued (and thus
that guidance is not applicable to the issuance of debt).
Comment No. 19. For the Funds that have issu
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