UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number 811-10053 and 811-10089
Name of Fund: BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund of BlackRock Short-Term Bond Series, Inc. and Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio of Short-Term Bond Master LLC
Fund Address: 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809
Name and address of agent for service: Anne F. Ackerley, Chief Executive Officer, BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund of BlackRock Short-Term Bond Series, Inc. and Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio of Short-Term Bond Master LLC, 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 441-7762
Date of fiscal year end: 05/31/2010
Date of reporting period: 05/31/2010
Item 1 – Report to Stockholders
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BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund | |
OF BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND SERIES, INC. |
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ANNUAL REPORT | MAY 31, 2010 |
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NOT FDIC INSURED
MAY LOSE VALUE
NO BANK GUARANTEE
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Table of Contents
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| Page |
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Annual Report: |
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| 4 | |
| 6 | |
| 7 | |
| 8 | |
| 8 | |
Fund Financial Statements: |
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| 9 | |
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| 11 | |
| 12 | |
| 18 | |
Fund Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
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| 22 | |
| 23 | |
Master Financial Statements: |
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| 24 | |
| 31 | |
| 32 | |
| 33 | |
| 34 | |
| 35 | |
| 36 | |
Master Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
| 44 |
Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement |
| 45 |
| 49 | |
| 53 | |
| 55 |
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2 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
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Although overall global economic and financial conditions have generally improved over the past year, the past several months have seen high levels of market volatility and diminishing investor confidence sparked by the sovereign debt crisis in Europe, concerns over the strength of the economic recovery and uncertainty surrounding the future of interest rate policies. Additionally, the increasing likelihood of more stringent financial market regulations added to the overall sense of investment uncertainty. Despite the uneven nature of recent market conditions, we continue to believe that the “Great Recession” likely ended at some point last summer, thanks primarily to massive fiscal and monetary stimulus, and that the global economy remains in recovery mode for most regions of the world.
Global equity markets bottomed in early 2009 and since that time have moved unevenly higher as investors were lured back into the markets by depressed valuations, desire for higher yields and improvements in corporate earnings prospects. Volatility levels, however, have remained elevated —reflections of mixed economic data, lingering deflation issues (especially in Europe) and uncertainty surrounding financial regulations. As the period drew to a close, a significant multi-week correction drove stock prices lower, erasing year-to-date gains in many markets and pushing stocks into negative territory for the year in others. On a twelve-month basis, however, global equities remain in positive territory thanks to improving corporate revenues and profits and a generally positive macro backdrop. From a geographic perspective, US equities have significantly outpaced their international counterparts over the past six and twelve months, as the domestic economic recovery has been more pronounced and as credit-related issues have held European markets down. Within the United States, smaller cap stocks have noticeably outperformed large caps.
Regarding fixed income markets, yields have been moving unevenly over the past six and twelve months as improving economic conditions have been acting to push Treasury yields higher (and prices correspondingly lower), while concerns over ongoing deflation threats have acted as a counterweight. As the period drew to a close, Treasury yields were falling as investors flocked to the “safe haven” asset class in the face of escalating uncertainty. Over the course of the last twelve and six months, however, Treasuries underperformed other areas of the bond market, particularly the high yield sector, which has been benefiting from increased investor demand. Meanwhile, municipal bonds slightly outperformed taxable sectors over both the six- and twelve-month periods thanks to continued high demand levels, but have continued to face the headwinds of ongoing state and local budget problems. As in the taxable arena, high yield municipals have been outperforming the rest of the market.
Regarding cash investments, yields on money market securities remain near all-time lows (producing returns only marginally above zero percent), with the Federal Open Market Committee reiterating that economic circumstances are likely to necessitate an accommodative interest rate stance for an “extended period.”
Against this backdrop, the major market averages posted the following returns:
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Total Returns as of May 31, 2010 |
| 6-month |
| 12-month |
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US equities (S&P 500 Index) |
| 0.40 | % | 20.99 | % |
Small cap US equities (Russell 2000 Index) |
| 14.84 |
| 33.62 |
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International equities (MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East Index) |
| (11.09 | ) | 6.38 |
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3-month Treasury bill (BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month Treasury Bill Index) |
| 0.05 |
| 0.16 |
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US Treasury securities (BofA Merrill Lynch 10-Year US Treasury Index) |
| 0.82 |
| 4.66 |
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Taxable fixed income (Barclays Capital US Aggregate Bond Index) |
| 2.08 |
| 8.42 |
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Tax-exempt fixed income (Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index) |
| 3.60 |
| 8.52 |
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High yield bonds (Barclays Capital US Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index) |
| 6.56 |
| 28.79 |
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Index performance shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.
Although conditions are certainly better than they were a couple of years ago, global financial markets continue to face high volatility and questions about the strength and sustainability of the recovery abound. Through periods of uncertainty, as ever, BlackRock’s full resources are dedicated to the management of our clients’ assets. For additional market perspective and investment insight, visit www.blackrock.com/shareholdermagazine, where you’ll find the most recent issue of our award-winning Shareholder® magazine, as well as its quarterly companion newsletter, Shareholder Perspectives. As always, we thank you for entrusting BlackRock with your investments, and we look forward to your continued partnership in the months and years ahead.
![-s- Rob Kapito](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSR/0001171200-10-000763/i00350002_v1.jpg)
President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC
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THIS PAGE NOT PART OF YOUR FUND REPORT | 3 |
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BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund | |
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Portfolio Management Commentary |
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| How did the Fund perform? |
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• | The Fund, through its investment in Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) of Short-Term Bond Master LLC, outperformed the benchmark BofA Merrill Lynch 1 – 3 Year Corporate and Government Index for the 12-month period ended May 31, 2010. |
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| What factors influenced performance? |
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• | The Portfolio’s out-of-index exposures to non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and short-dated asset-backed securities (ABS) were among the primary drivers of performance. The combination of continued accommodative monetary policy from the Federal Reserve and improved economic fundamentals kept market volatility low and demand for higher-yielding assets robust. In addition, the Fund benefited from an out-of-index allocation to short-dated, high-quality commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) and an overweight in investment grade corporates, which continue to benefit from improving corporate earnings and increasing investor demand for yield. Lastly, the Fund benefited from tactically managing duration throughout the period. |
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• | The Portfolio’s positioning for a flatter yield curve detracted slightly from performance. This was particularly true during the first three quarters of the period, in which the yield curve traded with quite a bit of volatility and had a tendency to steepen. This trade reversed course during the last quarter of the period and the yield curve finally started to trade to flatter levels, thereby benefiting Fund performance. |
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| Describe recent portfolio activity. |
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• | The Portfolio took advantage of the strength in the mortgage markets to reduce exposure to non-agency RMBS in favor of investment grade corporate credit, particularly among industrial and financial issuers. |
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| In addition, the Portfolio added exposure to higher-beta corporate credit, as we believe the spread versus lower-beta credit will compress further. Lastly, given some of the headwinds currently impacting the markets (i.e., the European sovereign debt crisis, the gulf oil spill, pending financial reform), the Portfolio continues to hold a modest exposure to government-owned/government-related debt. The exposure to government assets shifted away from agency debentures and FDIC-guaranteed debt, both of which have traded to relatively expensive levels, and into non-US government-guaranteed securities and US Treasuries. |
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| Describe portfolio positioning at period end. |
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• | At period end, the Portfolio held an underweight relative to the BofA Merrill Lynch 1 – 3 Year Corporate and Government Index in government-related sectors in favor of a diversified allocation across non-government spread sectors. This allocation includes investment grade corporate credit, CMBS, ABS and non-agency mortgage-backed securities, all of which stand to benefit from increased investor risk appetite and improving economic fundamentals. Within the government-related sector, the Portfolio holds underweights in US Treasuries and FDIC-guaranteed debt, and slight overweight positions in high-quality non-US government-guaranteed corporate, supranational and foreign agency debt. Duration positioning for the Portfolio at period end is neutral, with a yield curve flattening bias versus the benchmark based on our expectation of a prolonged economic recovery. |
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• | At period end, the Portfolio held a cash or cash reserve position slightly above 5%. Cash holdings are used by the Portfolio to manage liquidity needs, and over the course of the 12-month period they had a negligible effect on overall Fund performance. |
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| The views expressed reflect the opinions of BlackRock as of the date of this report and are subject to change based on changes in market, economic or other conditions. These views are not intended to be a forecast of future events and are no guarantee of future results. |
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4 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
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Total Return Based on a $10,000 Investment |
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| 1 | Assuming maximum sales charges, transaction costs and other operating expenses, including administrative fees, if any. Institutional Shares do not have a sales charge. |
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| 2 | The Fund invests all of its assets in the Portfolio. The Portfolio invests in bonds of varying maturities that permit it to maintain a portfolio duration of one to three years. |
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| 3 | This unmanaged index is comprised of investment grade corporate bonds and U.S. Government Agency and U.S. Treasury securities with a maturity ranging from one year to three years. |
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Performance Summary for the Period Ended May 31, 2010 |
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| Average Annual Total Returns4 |
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| 1 Year |
| 5 Years |
| 10 Years |
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| Standardized |
| 6-Month |
| w/o sales |
| w/sales |
| w/o sales |
| w/sales |
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| w/sales |
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Institutional |
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| 2.86 | % |
| 2.96 | % |
| 11.01 | % |
| N/A |
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| 3.40 | % |
| N/A |
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| 3.96 | % |
| N/A |
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Investor A |
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| 2.47 |
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| 2.80 |
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| 10.81 |
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| 7.48 | % |
| 3.12 |
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| 2.50 | % |
| 3.68 |
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| 3.37 | % |
Investor B |
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| 1.91 |
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| 2.36 |
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| 9.96 |
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| 5.96 |
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| 2.41 |
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| 2.05 |
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| 2.98 |
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| 2.98 |
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Investor C |
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| 1.76 |
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| 2.42 |
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| 9.98 |
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| 8.98 |
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| 2.26 |
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| 2.26 |
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| 2.87 |
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| 2.87 |
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Investor C1 |
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| 1.92 |
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| 2.47 |
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| 9.96 |
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| 8.96 |
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| 2.42 |
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| 2.42 |
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| 2.98 |
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| 2.98 |
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Class R |
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| 2.27 |
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| 2.63 |
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| 10.40 |
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| N/A |
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| 2.75 |
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| N/A |
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| 3.45 |
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| N/A |
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BofA Merrill Lynch 1 – 3 Year Corporate and Government Index |
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| — |
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| 0.84 |
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| 3.52 |
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| N/A |
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| 4.42 |
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| N/A |
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| 4.76 |
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| N/A |
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| 4 | Assuming maximum sales charges, if any. Average annual total returns with and without sales charges reflect reductions for distribution and service fees. See “About Fund Performance” on page 6 for a detailed description of share classes, including any related sales charges and fees. |
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| N/A — Not applicable as share class and index do not have a sales charge. |
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| Past performance is not indicative of future results. |
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BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 5 |
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• | Institutional Shares are not subject to any sales charge. Institutional Shares bear no ongoing distribution or service fees and are available only to eligible investors. |
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• | Investor A Shares incur a maximum initial sales charge (front-end load) of 3% and a service fee of 0.25% per year (but no distribution fee). Effective July 12, 2010, Investor A Shares incur a maximum initial sales charge (front-end load) of 2.25%. |
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• | Investor B Shares are subject to a maximum contingent deferred sales charge of 4%, declining to 0% after six years. In addition, Investor B Shares are subject to a distribution fee of 0.65% per year and a service fee of 0.25% per year. These shares automatically convert to Investor A Shares after approximately 10 years. (There is no initial sales charge for automatic share conversions.) |
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• | Investor C Shares are subject to a 1% contingent deferred sales charge if redeemed within one year of purchase. In addition, Investor C Shares are subject to a distribution fee of 0.75% per year and a service fee of 0.25% per year. Prior to October 2, 2006, Investor C Share performance results are those of Institutional Shares (which have no distribution or service fees) restated to reflect the Investor C Share fees. |
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• | Investor C1 Shares are subject to a 1% contingent deferred sales charge if redeemed within one year of purchase. In addition, Investor C1 Shares are subject to a distribution fee of 0.65% per year and a service fee of 0.25% per year. |
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• | Class R Shares do not incur a maximum initial sales charge (front-end load) or deferred sales charge. These shares are subject to a distribution fee of 0.25% per year and a service fee of 0.25% per year. Class R Shares are available only to certain retirement plans. Prior to January 3, 2003, Class R Share performance results are those of Institutional Shares (which have no distribution or service fees) restated to reflect the Class R Share fees. |
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| Investor B and Investor C1 Shares are only available through exchanges, dividend reinvestment by existing shareholders or for purchase by certain qualified employee benefit plans. |
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| The performance results for Investor A, Investor B, Investor C1 and Institutional Shares depicted on the previous page are those of BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund and, prior to October 6, 2000 (commencement of operations), share performance results are those of Institutional Shares of a predecessor fund (which have no distribution or service fees) restated to reflect each share class’ fees. |
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| Performance information reflects past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Refer to www.blackrock.com/funds to obtain performance data current to the most recent month-end. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Figures shown in the performance tables on the previous page assume reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions, if any, at net asset value on the payable date. Investment return and principal value of shares will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Dividends paid to each class of shares will vary because of the different levels of service, distribution and transfer agency fees applicable to each class, which are deducted from the income available to be paid to shareholders. |
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6 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
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Shareholders of this Fund may incur the following charges: (a) expenses related to transactions, including sales charges and redemption fees, and (b) operating expenses including advisory fees, distribution fees including 12b-1 fees and other Fund expenses. The expense example below (which is based on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 invested on December 1, 2009 and held through May 31, 2010) is intended to assist shareholders both in calculating expenses based on an investment in the Fund and in comparing these expenses with similar costs of investing in other mutual funds.
The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. In order to estimate the expenses a shareholder paid during the period covered by this report, shareholders can divide their account value by $1,000 and then multiply the result by the number corresponding to their share class under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”
The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. In order to assist shareholders in comparing the ongoing expenses of investing in this Fund and other funds, compare the 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in other funds’ shareholder reports.
The expenses shown in the table are intended to highlight shareholders’ ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional expenses, such as sales charges, redemption fees or exchange fees. Therefore, the hypothetical example is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only, and will not help shareholders determine the relative total expenses of owning different funds. If these transactional expenses were included, shareholder expenses would have been higher.
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Expense Example |
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| Actual |
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| Including Interest Expense |
| Excluding Interest Expense |
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| Including Interest Expense |
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| Beginning |
| Ending |
| Expenses |
| Ending |
| Expenses |
| Beginning |
| Ending |
| Expenses |
| Ending |
| Expenses |
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Institutional |
| $ | 1,000 |
| $ | 1,029.60 |
| $ | 5.06 |
| $ | 1,029.60 |
| $ | 3.80 |
| $ | 1,000 |
| $ | 1,019.91 |
| $ | 5.04 |
| $ | 1,021.16 |
| $ | 3.78 |
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Investor A |
| $ | 1,000 |
| $ | 1,028.00 |
| $ | 6.57 |
| $ | 1,028.00 |
| $ | 5.36 |
| $ | 1,000 |
| $ | 1,018.42 |
| $ | 6.54 |
| $ | 1,019.61 |
| $ | 5.34 |
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Investor B |
| $ | 1,000 |
| $ | 1,023.60 |
| $ | 10.04 |
| $ | 1,023.60 |
| $ | 8.68 |
| $ | 1,000 |
| $ | 1,014.98 |
| $ | 10.00 |
| $ | 1,016.32 |
| $ | 8.65 |
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Investor C |
| $ | 1,000 |
| $ | 1,024.20 |
| $ | 10.40 |
| $ | 1,024.20 |
| $ | 9.18 |
| $ | 1,000 |
| $ | 1,014.63 |
| $ | 10.35 |
| $ | 1,015.82 |
| $ | 9.15 |
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Investor C1 |
| $ | 1,000 |
| $ | 1,024.70 |
| $ | 9.99 |
| $ | 1,024.70 |
| $ | 8.68 |
| $ | 1,000 |
| $ | 1,015.03 |
| $ | 9.95 |
| $ | 1,016.32 |
| $ | 8.65 |
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Class R |
| $ | 1,000 |
| $ | 1,026.30 |
| $ | 8.39 |
| $ | 1,026.30 |
| $ | 7.07 |
| $ | 1,000 |
| $ | 1,016.62 |
| $ | 8.35 |
| $ | 1,017.92 |
| $ | 7.04 |
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| 1 | For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the class (1.00% for Institutional, 1.30% for Investor A, 1.99% for Investor B, 2.06% for Investor C, 1.98% for Investor C1 and 1.66% for Class R), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Because the Fund invests significantly in a Portfolio, the expense table example reflects the expenses of both the Fund and the Portfolio in which it invests. |
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| 2 | For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the class (0.75% for Institutional, 1.06% for Investor A, 1.72% for Investor B, 1.82% for Investor C, 1.72% for Investor C1 and 1.40% for Class R), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown). Because the Fund invests significantly in a Portfolio, the expense table example reflects the expenses of both the Fund and the Portfolio in which it invests. |
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| 3 | Hypothetical 5% annual return before expenses is calculated by pro rating the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year divided by 365. |
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BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 7 |
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The Portfolio may utilize leverage to seek to enhance its yield and net asset value (“NAV”). However, these objectives cannot be achieved in all interest rate environments.
The Portfolio may utilize leverage through entering into the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility Program, reverse repurchase agreements and/or dollar rolls. In general, the concept of leveraging is based on the premise that the cost of assets to be obtained from leverage will be based on short-term interest rates, which normally will be lower than the income earned by the Portfolio on its longer-term portfolio investments. To the extent that the total assets of the Portfolio (including the assets obtained from leverage) are invested in higher-yielding portfolio investments, the Portfolio’s shareholders will benefit from the incremental net income.
Furthermore, the value of the Portfolio’s investments generally varies inversely with the direction of long-term interest rates, although other factors can influence the value of portfolio investments. Changes in interest rates can influence the Portfolio’s NAV positively or negatively in addition to the impact on the Portfolio’s performance from leverage.
The use of leverage may enhance opportunities for increased income to the Portfolio and shareholders, but as described above, it also creates risks as short- or long-term interest rates fluctuate. Leverage also will generally cause greater change in the Portfolio’s NAV and dividend rate than a comparable Portfolio without leverage. If the income derived from securities purchased with assets received from leverage exceeds the cost of leverage, the Portfolio’s net income will be greater than if leverage had not been used. Conversely, if the income from the securities purchased is not sufficient to cover the cost of leverage, the Portfolio’s net income will be less than if leverage had not been used. The Portfolio may be required to sell portfolio securities at inopportune times or at distressed values in order to comply with regulatory requirements applicable to the use of leverage or as required by the terms of leverage instruments, which may cause the Portfolio to incur losses. The use of leverage may limit the Portfolio’s ability to invest in certain types of securities or use certain types of hedging strategies. The Portfolio will incur expenses in connection with the use of leverage, all of which are borne by Portfolio shareholders and may reduce investment returns.
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The Portfolio may invest in various derivative instruments, including financial futures contracts, swaps, foreign currency exchange contracts and options, as specified in Note 2 of the Notes to Financial Statements, which constitute forms of economic leverage. Such instruments are used to obtain exposure to a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities or to hedge market, credit, interest rate and/or foreign currency exchange rate risks. Such derivative instruments involve risks, including the imperfect correlation between the value of a derivative instrument and the underlying asset, possible default of the counterparty to the transaction or illiquidity of the derivative instrument. The Portfolio’s ability to successfully use a derivative instrument depends on the investment advisor’s ability to accurately predict pertinent market movements, which cannot be assured. The use of derivative instruments may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may require the Portfolio to sell or purchase portfolio securities at inopportune times or for distressed values, may limit the amount of appreciation the Portfolio can realize on an investment or may cause the Portfolio to hold a security that it might otherwise sell. The Portfolio’s investments in these instruments are discussed in detail in the Notes to Financial Statements.
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8 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
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BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund |
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May 31, 2010 |
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Assets |
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Investments at value — Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) (cost — $640,477,875) |
| $ | 644,330,674 |
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Capital shares sold receivable |
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| 2,186,229 |
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Prepaid expenses |
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| 12,610 |
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Total assets |
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| 646,529,513 |
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Liabilities |
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Contributions payable to the Portfolio |
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| 1,464,544 |
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Income dividends payable |
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| 1,385,918 |
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Capital shares redeemed payable |
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| 721,685 |
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Service and distribution fees payable |
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| 208,530 |
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Administration fees payable |
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| 134,624 |
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Other affiliates payable |
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| 11,069 |
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Officer’s fees payable |
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| 124 |
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Other accrued expenses payable |
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| 212,315 |
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Total liabilities |
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| 4,138,809 |
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Net Assets |
| $ | 642,390,704 |
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Net Assets Consist of |
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Paid-in capital |
| $ | 683,767,707 |
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Undistributed net investment income |
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| 5,301,561 |
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Accumulated net realized loss allocated from the Portfolio |
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| (50,531,363 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation/depreciation allocated from the Portfolio |
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| 3,852,799 |
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Net Assets |
| $ | 642,390,704 |
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Net Asset Value |
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Institutional — Based on net assets of $132,794,712 and 13,507,414 shares outstanding, 100 million shares authorized, $0.01 par value |
| $ | 9.83 |
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Investor A — Based on net assets of $329,435,971 and 33,527,916 shares outstanding, 100 million shares authorized, $0.01 par value |
| $ | 9.83 |
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| |||
Investor B — Based on net assets of $22,675,972 and 2,312,858 shares outstanding, 200 million shares authorized, $0.01 par value |
| $ | 9.80 |
|
|
| |||
Investor C — Based on net assets of $95,908,392 and 9,779,944 shares outstanding, 100 million shares authorized, $0.01 par value |
| $ | 9.81 |
|
|
| |||
Investor C1 — Based on net assets of $55,253,641 and 5,637,004 shares outstanding, 100 million shares authorized, $0.01 par value |
| $ | 9.80 |
|
|
| |||
Class R — Based on net assets of $6,322,016 and 644,540 shares outstanding, 200 million shares authorized, $0.01 par value |
| $ | 9.81 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||
BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 9 |
|
|
|
|
BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended May 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
Investment Income |
|
|
|
|
Net investment income allocated from the Portfolio: |
|
|
|
|
Interest |
| $ | 26,146,211 |
|
Income — affiliated |
|
| 343,956 |
|
Expenses |
|
| (2,830,880 | ) |
|
| |||
Total income |
|
| 23,659,287 |
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
|
|
Administration |
|
| 1,477,427 |
|
Service — Investor A |
|
| 746,134 |
|
Service and distribution — Investor B |
|
| 223,092 |
|
Service and distribution — Investor C |
|
| 783,625 |
|
Service and distribution — Investor C1 |
|
| 530,790 |
|
Service and distribution — Class R |
|
| 30,608 |
|
Transfer agent — Institutional |
|
| 193,005 |
|
Transfer agent — Investor A |
|
| 602,159 |
|
Transfer agent — Investor B |
|
| 58,305 |
|
Transfer agent — Investor C |
|
| 170,261 |
|
Transfer agent — Investor C1 |
|
| 137,893 |
|
Transfer agent — Class R |
|
| 20,508 |
|
Printing |
|
| 126,047 |
|
Registration |
|
| 97,073 |
|
Professional |
|
| 45,154 |
|
Officer |
|
| 754 |
|
Miscellaneous |
|
| 21,844 |
|
|
| |||
Total expenses |
|
| 5,264,679 |
|
|
| |||
Net investment income |
|
| 18,394,608 |
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) Allocated from the Portfolio |
|
|
|
|
Net realized loss from investments, financial futures contracts, swaps, options written and foreign currency transactions |
|
| (4,712,717 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, financial futures contracts, TALF loans, swaps, options written and foreign currency transactions |
|
| 44,225,312 |
|
|
| |||
Total realized and unrealized gain |
|
| 39,512,595 |
|
|
| |||
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations |
| $ | 57,907,203 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||
10 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Year Ended |
| |||
|
|
| |||||
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets: |
| 2010 |
| 2009 |
| ||
Operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
| $ | 18,394,608 |
| $ | 21,485,107 |
|
Net realized loss |
|
| (4,712,717 | ) |
| (20,153,122 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation |
|
| 44,225,312 |
|
| (25,843,561 | ) |
|
| ||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations |
|
| 57,907,203 |
|
| (24,511,576 | ) |
|
| ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends to Shareholders From |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Institutional |
|
| (4,356,361 | ) |
| (5,699,597 | ) |
Investor A |
|
| (9,563,444 | ) |
| (10,278,983 | ) |
Investor B |
|
| (629,289 | ) |
| (856,327 | ) |
Investor C |
|
| (1,903,149 | ) |
| (1,572,395 | ) |
Investor C1 |
|
| (1,497,821 | ) |
| (2,202,730 | ) |
Class R |
|
| (174,010 | ) |
| (235,034 | ) |
|
| ||||||
Decrease in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders |
|
| (18,124,074 | ) |
| (20,845,066 | ) |
|
| ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital Share Transactions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions |
|
| 70,715,469 |
|
| (105,143,186 | ) |
|
| ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total increase (decrease) in net assets |
|
| 110,498,598 |
|
| (150,499,828 | ) |
Beginning of year |
|
| 531,892,106 |
|
| 682,391,934 |
|
|
| ||||||
End of year |
| $ | 642,390,704 |
| $ | 531,892,106 |
|
|
| ||||||
Undistributed net investment income |
| $ | 5,301,561 |
| $ | 2,412,958 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||
BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 11 |
|
|
|
|
BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Institutional |
| ||||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
| Period |
|
|
| ||||||||||||
|
| Year Ended |
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||
|
|
|
| Year Ended June 30, |
| ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||
|
| 2010 |
| 2009 |
|
| 2007 |
| 2006 |
| 2005 |
| |||||||
Per Share Operating Performance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period |
| $ | 9.17 |
| $ | 9.82 |
| $ | 9.97 |
| $ | 9.94 |
| $ | 10.10 |
| $ | 10.16 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income1 |
|
| 0.34 |
|
| 0.38 |
|
| 0.40 |
|
| 0.42 |
|
| 0.36 |
|
| 0.30 |
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
|
| 0.66 |
|
| (0.66 | ) |
| (0.17 | ) |
| 0.03 |
|
| (0.15 | ) |
| (0.06 | ) |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations |
|
| 1.00 |
|
| (0.28 | ) |
| 0.23 |
|
| 0.45 |
|
| 0.21 |
|
| 0.24 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income |
|
| (0.34 | ) |
| (0.37 | ) |
| (0.38 | ) |
| (0.42 | ) |
| (0.37 | ) |
| (0.30 | ) |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period |
| $ | 9.83 |
| $ | 9.17 |
| $ | 9.82 |
| $ | 9.97 |
| $ | 9.94 |
| $ | 10.10 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investment Return2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based on net asset value |
|
| 11.01 | % |
| (2.77 | )% |
| 2.36 | %3 |
| 4.59 | % |
| 2.11 | % |
| 2.39 | % |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses |
|
| 0.93 | % |
| 0.76 | % |
| 0.72 | %5 |
| 0.72 | % |
| 0.67 | % |
| 0.69 | % |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
|
| 3.55 | % |
| 4.10 | % |
| 4.40 | %5 |
| 4.16 | % |
| 3.61 | % |
| 2.93 | % |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Data |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (000) |
| $ | 132,795 |
| $ | 116,432 |
| $ | 184,616 |
| $ | 200,542 |
| $ | 203,377 |
| $ | 208,777 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover |
|
| 130 | %6 |
| 143 | %7 |
| 230 | %8 |
| 108 | % |
| 80 | % |
| 75 | % |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
|
|
|
| 2 | Where applicable, total investment returns exclude the effects of any sales charges and include the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. |
|
|
|
| 3 | Aggregate total investment return. |
|
|
|
| 4 | Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. |
|
|
|
| 5 | Annualized. |
|
|
|
| 6 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions. Excluding these transactions the portfolio turnover rate would have been 126%. |
|
|
|
| 7 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions. Excluding these transactions the portfolio turnover rate would have been 89%. |
|
|
|
| 8 | Includes TBA transactions. Excluding these transactions the portfolio turnover rate would have been 13%. |
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||
12 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
Financial Highlights (continued) | BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Investor A |
| ||||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
| Year Ended |
| Period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
|
|
|
| Year Ended June 30, |
| ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||
|
| 2010 |
| 2009 |
|
| 2007 |
| 2006 |
| 2005 |
| |||||||
Per Share Operating Performance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period |
| $ | 9.16 |
| $ | 9.82 |
| $ | 9.96 |
| $ | 9.94 |
| $ | 10.10 |
| $ | 10.16 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income1 |
|
| 0.31 |
|
| 0.35 |
|
| 0.38 |
|
| 0.39 |
|
| 0.34 |
|
| 0.27 |
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
|
| 0.67 |
|
| (0.67 | ) |
| (0.17 | ) |
| 0.02 |
|
| (0.16 | ) |
| (0.05 | ) |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations |
|
| 0.98 |
|
| (0.32 | ) |
| 0.21 |
|
| 0.41 |
|
| 0.18 |
|
| 0.22 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income |
|
| (0.31 | ) |
| (0.34 | ) |
| (0.35 | ) |
| (0.39 | ) |
| (0.34 | ) |
| (0.28 | ) |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period |
| $ | 9.83 |
| $ | 9.16 |
| $ | 9.82 |
| $ | 9.96 |
| $ | 9.94 |
| $ | 10.10 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investment Return2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based on net asset value |
|
| 10.81 | % |
| (3.17 | )% |
| 2.16 | %3 |
| 4.20 | % |
| 1.84 | % |
| 2.14 | % |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses |
|
| 1.23 | % |
| 1.07 | % |
| 1.04 | %5 |
| 1.00 | % |
| 0.91 | % |
| 0.93 | % |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
|
| 3.25 | % |
| 3.83 | % |
| 4.09 | %5 |
| 3.88 | % |
| 3.37 | % |
| 2.69 | % |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Data |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (000) |
| $ | 329,436 |
| $ | 260,594 |
| $ | 320,418 |
| $ | 286,396 |
| $ | 267,411 |
| $ | 235,886 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover |
|
| 130 | %6 |
| 143 | %7 |
| 230 | %8 |
| 108 | % |
| 80 | % |
| 75 | % |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
|
|
|
| 2 | Where applicable, total investment returns exclude the effects of any sales charges and include the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. |
|
|
|
| 3 | Aggregate total investment return. |
|
|
|
| 4 | Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. |
|
|
|
| 5 | Annualized. |
|
|
|
| 6 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions. Excluding these transactions the portfolio turnover rate would have been 126%. |
|
|
|
| 7 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions. Excluding these transactions the portfolio turnover rate would have been 89%. |
|
|
|
| 8 | Includes TBA transactions. Excluding these transactions the portfolio turnover rate would have been 13%. |
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||
BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 13 |
|
|
|
|
Financial Highlights (continued) | BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Investor B |
| ||||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| Period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||
|
| Year Ended |
|
| Year Ended June 30, |
| |||||||||||||
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||
|
| 2010 |
| 2009 |
|
| 2007 |
| 2006 |
| 2005 |
| |||||||
Per Share Operating Performance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period |
| $ | 9.14 |
| $ | 9.79 |
| $ | 9.94 |
| $ | 9.91 |
| $ | 10.08 |
| $ | 10.14 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income1 |
|
| 0.25 |
|
| 0.29 |
|
| 0.31 |
|
| 0.32 |
|
| 0.27 |
|
| 0.20 |
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
|
| 0.65 |
|
| (0.66 | ) |
| (0.17 | ) |
| 0.02 |
|
| (0.16 | ) |
| (0.05 | ) |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations |
|
| 0.90 |
|
| (0.37 | ) |
| 0.14 |
|
| 0.34 |
|
| 0.11 |
|
| 0.15 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income |
|
| (0.24 | ) |
| (0.28 | ) |
| (0.29 | ) |
| (0.31 | ) |
| (0.28 | ) |
| (0.21 | ) |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period |
| $ | 9.80 |
| $ | 9.14 |
| $ | 9.79 |
| $ | 9.94 |
| $ | 9.91 |
| $ | 10.08 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investment Return2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based on net asset value |
|
| 9.96 | % |
| (3.75 | )% |
| 1.43 | %3 |
| 3.61 | % |
| 1.07 | % |
| 1.46 | % |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses |
|
| 1.91 | % |
| 1.76 | % |
| 1.70 | %5 |
| 1.67 | % |
| 1.59 | % |
| 1.61 | % |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
|
| 2.58 | % |
| 3.13 | % |
| 3.40 | %5 |
| 3.21 | % |
| 2.67 | % |
| 2.00 | % |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Data |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (000) |
| $ | 22,676 |
| $ | 25,694 |
| $ | 33,301 |
| $ | 42,358 |
| $ | 60,519 |
| $ | 97,090 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover |
|
| 130 | %6 |
| 143 | %7 |
| 230 | %8 |
| 108 | % |
| 80 | % |
| 75 | % |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
|
|
|
| 2 | Where applicable, total investment returns exclude the effects of any sales charges and include the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. |
|
|
|
| 3 | Aggregate total investment return. |
|
|
|
| 4 | Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. |
|
|
|
| 5 | Annualized. |
|
|
|
| 6 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions. Excluding these transactions the portfolio turnover rate would have been 126%. |
|
|
|
| 7 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions. Excluding these transactions the portfolio turnover rate would have been 89%. |
|
|
|
| 8 | Includes TBA transactions. Excluding these transactions the portfolio turnover rate would have been 13%. |
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||
14 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
Financial Highlights (continued) | BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Investor C |
| ||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| Period |
| Period |
| ||||
|
| Year Ended |
|
|
| ||||||||
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
|
| 2010 |
| 2009 |
|
|
| ||||||
Per Share Operating Performance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period |
| $ | 9.14 |
| $ | 9.80 |
| $ | 9.94 |
| $ | 10.01 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||
Net investment income2 |
|
| 0.24 |
|
| 0.28 |
|
| 0.29 |
|
| 0.19 |
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
|
| 0.67 |
|
| (0.67 | ) |
| (0.17 | ) |
| (0.03 | ) |
|
| ||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations |
|
| 0.91 |
|
| (0.39 | ) |
| 0.12 |
|
| 0.16 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income |
|
| (0.24 | ) |
| (0.27 | ) |
| (0.26 | ) |
| (0.23 | ) |
|
| ||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period |
| $ | 9.81 |
| $ | 9.14 |
| $ | 9.80 |
| $ | 9.94 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investment Return3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based on net asset value |
|
| 9.98 | % |
| (3.98 | )% |
| 1.21 | %4 |
| 1.57 | %4 |
|
| ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses |
|
| 2.00 | % |
| 1.88 | % |
| 2.04 | %6 |
| 2.09 | %6 |
|
| ||||||||||||
Net investment income |
|
| 2.48 | % |
| 3.06 | % |
| 3.14 | %6 |
| 2.81 | %6 |
|
| ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Data |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (000) |
| $ | 95,908 |
| $ | 61,697 |
| $ | 47,140 |
| $ | 23,886 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover |
|
| 130 | %7 |
| 143 | %8 |
| 230 | %9 |
| 108 | % |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 | Commencement of operations. |
|
|
|
| 2 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
|
|
|
| 3 | Where applicable, total investment returns exclude the effects of any sales charges and include the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. |
|
|
|
| 4 | Aggregate total investment return. |
|
|
|
| 5 | Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. |
|
|
|
| 6 | Annualized. |
|
|
|
| 7 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions. Excluding these transactions the portfolio turnover rate would have been 126%. |
|
|
|
| 8 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions. Excluding these transactions the portfolio turnover rate would have been 89%. |
|
|
|
| 9 | Includes TBA transactions. Excluding these transactions the portfolio turnover rate would have been 13%. |
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||
BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 15 |
|
|
|
|
Financial Highlights (continued) | BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Investor C1 |
| ||||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
| Period |
|
|
| ||||||||||||
|
| Year Ended |
|
| Year Ended June 30, |
| |||||||||||||
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||
|
| 2010 |
| 2009 |
|
| 2007 |
| 2006 |
| 2005 |
| |||||||
Per Share Operating Performance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period |
| $ | 9.14 |
| $ | 9.79 |
| $ | 9.94 |
| $ | 9.91 |
| $ | 10.07 |
| $ | 10.13 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income1 |
|
| 0.25 |
|
| 0.29 |
|
| 0.31 |
|
| 0.32 |
|
| 0.27 |
|
| 0.20 |
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
|
| 0.65 |
|
| (0.66 | ) |
| (0.17 | ) |
| 0.04 |
|
| (0.15 | ) |
| (0.05 | ) |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations |
|
| 0.90 |
|
| (0.37 | ) |
| 0.14 |
|
| 0.36 |
|
| 0.12 |
|
| 0.15 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income |
|
| (0.24 | ) |
| (0.28 | ) |
| (0.29 | ) |
| (0.33 | ) |
| (0.28 | ) |
| (0.21 | ) |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period |
| $ | 9.80 |
| $ | 9.14 |
| $ | 9.79 |
| $ | 9.94 |
| $ | 9.91 |
| $ | 10.07 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investment Return2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based on net asset value |
|
| 9.96 | % |
| (3.73 | )% |
| 1.46 | %3 |
| 3.62 | % |
| 1.17 | % |
| 1.46 | % |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses |
|
| 1.91 | % |
| 1.73 | % |
| 1.68 | %5 |
| 1.66 | % |
| 1.59 | % |
| 1.60 | % |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
|
| 2.58 | % |
| 3.14 | % |
| 3.43 | %5 |
| 3.24 | % |
| 2.68 | % |
| 2.01 | % |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Data |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (000) |
| $ | 55,254 |
| $ | 61,323 |
| $ | 89,055 |
| $ | 111,844 |
| $ | 142,083 |
| $ | 179,290 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover |
|
| 130 | %6 |
| 143 | %7 |
| 230 | %8 |
| 108 | % |
| 80 | % |
| 75 | % |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
|
|
|
| 2 | Where applicable, total investment returns exclude the effects of any sales charges and include the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. |
|
|
|
| 3 | Aggregate total investment return. |
|
|
|
| 4 | Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. |
|
|
|
| 5 | Annualized. |
|
|
|
| 6 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions. Excluding these transactions the portfolio turnover rate would have been 126%. |
|
|
|
| 7 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions. Excluding these transactions the portfolio turnover rate would have been 89%. |
|
|
|
| 8 | Includes TBA transactions. Excluding these transactions the portfolio turnover rate would have been 13%. |
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||
16 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
Financial Highlights (concluded) | BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Class R |
| ||||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
| Year Ended |
| Period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
|
|
|
| Year Ended June 30, |
| ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||
|
| 2010 |
| 2009 |
|
| 2007 |
| 2006 |
| 2005 |
| |||||||
Per Share Operating Performance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of period |
| $ | 9.14 |
| $ | 9.80 |
| $ | 9.94 |
| $ | 9.92 |
| $ | 10.08 |
| $ | 10.14 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income1 |
|
| 0.28 |
|
| 0.31 |
|
| 0.34 |
|
| 0.36 |
|
| 0.32 |
|
| 0.18 |
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
|
| 0.66 |
|
| (0.67 | ) |
| (0.16 | ) |
| 0.02 |
|
| (0.16 | ) |
| 0.01 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations |
|
| 0.94 |
|
| (0.36 | ) |
| 0.18 |
|
| 0.38 |
|
| 0.16 |
|
| 0.19 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Dividends from net investment income |
|
| (0.27 | ) |
| (0.30 | ) |
| (0.32 | ) |
| (0.36 | ) |
| (0.32 | ) |
| (0.25 | ) |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period |
| $ | 9.81 |
| $ | 9.14 |
| $ | 9.80 |
| $ | 9.94 |
| $ | 9.92 |
| $ | 10.08 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investment Return2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based on net asset value |
|
| 10.40 | % |
| (3.61 | )% |
| 1.80 | %3 |
| 3.91 | % |
| 1.58 | % |
| 1.88 | % |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses |
|
| 1.61 | % |
| 1.50 | % |
| 1.41 | %5 |
| 1.30 | % |
| 1.17 | % |
| 1.19 | % |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
|
| 2.88 | % |
| 3.40 | % |
| 3.70 | %5 |
| 3.59 | % |
| 3.15 | % |
| 2.46 | % |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Data |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (000) |
| $ | 6,322 |
| $ | 6,152 |
| $ | 7,861 |
| $ | 8,882 |
| $ | 4,350 |
| $ | 4,477 |
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover |
|
| 130 | %6 |
| 143 | %7 |
| 230 | %8 |
| 108 | % |
| 80 | % |
| 75 | % |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
|
|
|
| 2 | Where applicable, total investment returns include the reinvestment of dividends and distributions. |
|
|
|
| 3 | Aggregate total investment return. |
|
|
|
| 4 | Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses and/or net investment income. |
|
|
|
| 5 | Annualized. |
|
|
|
| 6 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions. Excluding these transactions the portfolio turnover rate would have been 126%. |
|
|
|
| 7 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions. Excluding these transactions the portfolio turnover rate would have been 89%. |
|
|
|
| 8 | Includes TBA transactions. Excluding these transactions the portfolio turnover rate would have been 13%. |
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||
BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 17 |
|
|
|
|
BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund |
1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies:
BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund (the “Fund”), a series of BlackRock Short-Term Bond Series, Inc. (the “Bond Fund”), is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Bond Fund is organized as a Maryland corporation. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing all or a portion of its assets in Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) of Short-Term Bond Master LLC, which has the same investment objective and strategies as the Fund. The value of the Fund’s investment in the Portfolio reflects the Fund’s proportionate interest in the net assets of the Portfolio. The percentage of the Portfolio owned by the Fund at May 31, 2010 was 100%. The performance of the Fund is directly affected by the performance of the Portfolio. The financial statements of the Portfolio, including the Schedule of Investments, are included elsewhere in this report and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund offers multiple classes of shares. Institutional Shares are sold without a sales charge and only to certain eligible investors. Investor A Shares are generally sold with a front-end sales charge. Investor B, Investor C and Investor C1 Shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. Class R Shares are sold without a sales charge and only to certain retirement and other similar plans. All classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and conditions, except that Investor A, Investor B, Investor C, Investor C1 and Class R Shares bear certain expenses related to the shareholder servicing of such shares, and Investor B, Investor C, Investor C1 and Class R Shares also bear certain expenses related to the distribution of such shares. Investor B Shares automatically convert to Investor A Shares after approximately ten years. Investor B and Investor C1 Shares are only available through exchanges, dividend reinvestment by existing shareholders or for purchase by certain qualified employee benefit plans. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to its shareholder servicing and distribution expenditures (except that Investor B shareholders may vote on material changes to the Investor A distribution plan).
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund:
Valuation: The Fund’s policy is to fair value its financial instruments at market value. The Fund records its investment in the Portfolio at fair value. Valuation of securities held by the Portfolio is discussed in Note 1 of the Portfolio’s Notes to Financial Statements, which are included elsewhere in this report.
Fair Value Measurements: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments, which are as follows:
|
|
|
| • | Level 1 — price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets and liabilities |
|
|
|
| • | Level 2 — other observable inputs (including, but not limited to: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs) |
|
|
|
| • | Level 3 — unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available (including the Fund’s own assumptions used in determining the fair value of investments) |
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
As of May 31, 2010, the Fund’s investment in the Portfolio was classified as Level 2. More relevant disclosure regarding fair value measurements relating to the Portfolio, which is disclosed in the Portfolio’s Schedule of Investments, is included elsewhere in this report.
Investment Transactions and Investment Income: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions in the Portfolio are accounted for on a trade date basis. The Fund records daily its proportionate share of the Portfolio’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains and losses. In addition, the Fund accrues its own expenses. Income and realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments are allocated daily to each class based on its relative net assets.
Dividends and Distributions: Dividends and distributions paid by the Fund are recorded on ex-dividend dates. The amount and timing of dividends and distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from US GAAP.
Income Taxes: It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
|
|
|
18 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) | BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund |
The Fund files US federal and various state and local tax returns. No income tax returns are currently under examination. The statute of limitations on the Fund’s US federal tax returns remains open for the year ended June 30, 2007, the period July 1, 2007 to May 31, 2008, the year ended May 31, 2009 and the year ended May 31, 2010. The statutes of limitations on the Fund’s state and local tax returns may remain open for an additional year depending upon the jurisdiction. There are no uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.
Recent Accounting Standard: In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued amended guidance to improve disclosure about fair value measurements which will require additional disclosures about transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). It also clarifies existing disclosure requirements relating to the levels of disaggregation for fair value measurement and inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The amended guidance is effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2009, and interim periods within those fiscal years, except for disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the rollforward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, which are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The impact of this guidance on the Fund’s financial statements and disclosures is currently being assessed.
Other: Expenses directly related to the Fund or its classes are charged to that Fund or class. Other operating expenses shared by several funds are pro rated among those funds on the basis of relative net assets or other appropriate methods. Other expenses of the Fund are allocated daily to each class based on its relative net assets. The Fund has an arrangement with the custodian whereby fees may be reduced by credits earned on uninvested cash balances, which if applicable are shown as fees paid indirectly in the Statement of Operations. The custodian imposes fees on overdrawn cash balances, which can be offset by accumulated credits earned or may result in additional custody charges.
2. Administration Agreement and Other Transactions with Affiliates:
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”), Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”) and Barclays Bank PLC (“Barclays”) are the largest stockholders of BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). Due to the ownership structure, PNC is an affiliate of the Fund for 1940 Act purposes, but BAC and Barclays are not.
The Bond Fund, on behalf of the Fund, entered into an Administration Agreement with BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Administrator”), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock, to provide administrative services (other than investment advice and related portfolio activities). For such services, the Fund pays the Administrator a monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily value of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund does not pay an Advisory fee or investment management fee.
The Fund entered into a Distribution Agreement and Distribution Plan with BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of BlackRock. Pursuant to the Distribution Plan and in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund pays BRIL ongoing service and distribution fees. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly at annual rates based upon the average daily net assets of the shares of the Fund as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Service |
| Distribution |
| ||
Investor A |
| 0.25 | % |
| — |
|
|
Investor B |
| 0.25 | % |
| 0.65 | % |
|
Investor C |
| 0.25 | % |
| 0.75 | % |
|
Investor C1 |
| 0.25 | % |
| 0.65 | % |
|
Class R |
| 0.25 | % |
| 0.25 | % |
|
Pursuant to sub-agreements with BRIL, broker-dealers and BRIL provide shareholder servicing and distribution services to the Fund. The ongoing service and/or distribution fee compensates BRIL and each broker-dealer for providing shareholder servicing and/or distribution related services to Investor A, Investor B, Investor C, Investor C1 and Class R shareholders.
For the year ended May 31, 2010, affiliates earned underwriting discounts, direct commissions and dealer concessions on sales of the Fund’s Investor A Shares, which totaled $26,862. For the year ended May 31, 2010, affiliates received contingent deferred sales charges relating to transactions in Investor B, Investor C and Investor C1 Shares as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Investor B |
| $ | 11,141 |
|
Investor C |
| $ | 26,005 |
|
Investor C1 |
| $ | 1,791 |
|
Furthermore, affiliates received contingent deferred sale charges of $16,539 relating to transactions subject to front-end sales charge waivers on Investor A Shares.
PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (“PNCGIS”), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of PNC and an affiliate of the Administrator, serves as transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent. Subsequent to May 31, 2010, PNCGIS was sold to The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation and is no longer considered an affiliate of the Administrator. At the close of the sale, PNCGIS changed its name to BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. Transfer agency fees borne by the Fund are comprised of those fees charged for all shareholder communications including mailing of
|
|
|
BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 19 |
|
|
|
|
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) | BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund |
shareholder reports, dividend and distribution notices, and proxy materials for shareholder meetings, as well as per account and per transaction fees related to servicing and maintenance of shareholder accounts, including the issuing, redeeming and transferring of shares, check writing, anti-money laundering services, and customer identification services.
The Administrator maintains a call center, which is responsible for providing certain shareholder services to the Fund, such as responding to shareholder inquiries and processing transactions based upon instructions from shareholders with respect to the subscription and redemption of Fund shares. For the year ended May 31, 2010, the Fund reimbursed the Administrator the following amounts for costs incurred in running the call center, which are included in transfer agent — class specific in the Statement of Operations.
|
|
|
|
|
Institutional |
| $ | 1,657 |
|
Investor A |
| $ | 3,853 |
|
Investor B |
| $ | 595 |
|
Investor C |
| $ | 1,532 |
|
Investor C1 |
| $ | 1,091 |
|
Class R |
| $ | 71 |
|
Certain officers and/or directors of the Bond Fund are officers and/or directors of BlackRock or its affiliates. The Fund reimburses the Administrator for compensation paid to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer.
3. Income Tax Information:
Reclassifications: US GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. The following permanent differences as of May 31, 2010 attributable to accounting for swap agreements, amortization methods on fixed income securities and foreign currency transactions were reclassified to the following accounts:
|
|
|
|
|
Undistributed net investment income |
| $ | 2,618,069 |
|
Accumulated net realized loss allocated from the Portfolio |
| $ | (2,618,069 | ) |
The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal years ended May 31, 2010 and May 31, 2009 was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 5/31/10 |
| 5/31/09 |
| ||
Ordinary income |
| $ | 18,124,074 |
| $ | 20,845,066 |
|
|
| ||||||
Total |
| $ | 18,124,074 |
| $ | 20,845,066 |
|
|
|
As of May 31, 2010, the tax components of accumulated net losses were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Undistributed ordinary income |
| $ | 6,070,015 |
|
Capital loss carryforwards |
|
| (48,483,163 | ) |
Net unrealized gains* |
|
| 1,036,145 |
|
|
| |||
Total |
| $ | (41,377,003 | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
| * | The differences between book-basis and tax-basis net unrealized gains is attributable primarily to the realization of unrealized gains/losses on certain futures, options, and foreign currency contracts, the deferral of post-October capital losses for tax purposes and the accounting for swap agreements. |
As of May 31, 2010, the Fund had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains through the indicated expiration dates:
|
|
|
|
|
Expires May 31, |
|
|
|
|
2011 |
| $ | 971,617 |
|
2012 |
|
| 1,630,307 |
|
2013 |
|
| 6,250,370 |
|
2014 |
|
| 2,851,962 |
|
2015 |
|
| 4,506,787 |
|
2016 |
|
| 3,529,920 |
|
2017 |
|
| 1,475,016 |
|
2018 |
|
| 27,267,184 |
|
|
|
| ||
Total |
| $ | 48,483,163 |
|
|
|
|
4. Capital Share Transactions:
Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Year Ended |
| Year Ended |
| ||||||||
|
|
| |||||||||||
|
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Shares |
| Amount |
| ||||
Institutional |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares sold |
|
| 3,918,497 |
| $ | 37,960,333 |
|
| 2,267,567 |
| $ | 20,839,724 |
|
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of dividends |
|
| 402,078 |
|
| 3,884,298 |
|
| 566,661 |
|
| 5,219,810 |
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total issued |
|
| 4,320,575 |
|
| 41,844,631 |
|
| 2,834,228 |
|
| 26,059,534 |
|
Shares redeemed |
|
| (3,516,972 | ) |
| (33,950,512 | ) |
| (8,927,682 | ) |
| (82,575,977 | ) |
|
|
| |||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) |
|
| 803,603 |
| $ | 7,894,119 |
|
| (6,093,454 | ) | $ | (56,516,443 | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
20 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
Notes to Financial Statements (concluded) | BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Year Ended |
| Year Ended |
| ||||||||
|
|
| |||||||||||
|
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Shares |
| Amount |
| ||||
Investor A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares sold and automatic conversion of shares |
|
| 11,912,864 |
| $ | 114,774,029 |
|
| 7,327,144 |
| $ | 67,182,648 |
|
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of dividends |
|
| 925,545 |
|
| 8,943,677 |
|
| 1,047,387 |
|
| 9,602,235 |
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total issued |
|
| 12,838,409 |
|
| 123,717,706 |
|
| 8,374,531 |
|
| 76,784,883 |
|
Shares redeemed |
|
| (7,758,631 | ) |
| (74,798,659 | ) |
| (12,568,804 | ) |
| (114,968,710 | ) |
|
|
| |||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) |
|
| 5,079,778 |
| $ | 48,919,047 |
|
| (4,194,273 | ) | $ | (38,183,827 | ) |
|
|
| |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investor B |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares sold |
|
| 251,696 |
| $ | 2,413,687 |
|
| 605,281 |
| $ | 5,549,019 |
|
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of dividends |
|
| 47,081 |
|
| 453,091 |
|
| 66,060 |
|
| 603,880 |
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total issued |
|
| 298,777 |
|
| 2,866,778 |
|
| 671,341 |
|
| 6,152,899 |
|
Shares redeemed and automatic conversion of shares |
|
| (797,051 | ) |
| (7,655,607 | ) |
| (1,260,173 | ) |
| (11,586,959 | ) |
|
|
| |||||||||||
Net decrease |
|
| (498,274 | ) | $ | (4,788,829 | ) |
| (588,832 | ) | $ | (5,434,060 | ) |
|
|
| |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investor C |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares sold |
|
| 5,636,349 |
| $ | 54,357,457 |
|
| 5,543,133 |
| $ | 50,962,545 |
|
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of dividends |
|
| 162,332 |
|
| 1,565,775 |
|
| 146,536 |
|
| 1,334,276 |
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total issued |
|
| 5,798,681 |
|
| 55,923,232 |
|
| 5,689,669 |
|
| 52,296,821 |
|
Shares redeemed |
|
| (2,767,224 | ) |
| (26,673,958 | ) |
| (3,753,194 | ) |
| (34,319,892 | ) |
|
|
| |||||||||||
Net increase |
|
| 3,031,457 |
| $ | 29,249,274 |
|
| 1,936,475 |
| $ | 17,976,929 |
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investor C1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares sold |
|
| 96,099 |
| $ | 925,350 |
|
| 144,623 |
| $ | 1,337,945 |
|
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of dividends |
|
| 118,987 |
|
| 1,144,490 |
|
| 184,431 |
|
| 1,688,155 |
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total issued |
|
| 215,086 |
|
| 2,069,840 |
|
| 329,054 |
|
| 3,026,100 |
|
Shares redeemed |
|
| (1,288,988 | ) |
| (12,359,374 | ) |
| (2,712,880 | ) |
| (24,882,120 | ) |
|
|
| |||||||||||
Net decrease |
|
| (1,073,902 | ) | $ | (10,289,534 | ) |
| (2,383,826 | ) | $ | (21,856,020 | ) |
|
|
| |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class R |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares sold |
|
| 285,827 |
| $ | 2,749,722 |
|
| 373,123 |
| $ | 3,424,022 |
|
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of dividends |
|
| 18,036 |
|
| 173,686 |
|
| 25,699 |
|
| 235,034 |
|
|
|
| |||||||||||
Total issued |
|
| 303,863 |
|
| 2,923,408 |
|
| 398,822 |
|
| 3,659,056 |
|
Shares redeemed |
|
| (332,123 | ) |
| (3,192,016 | ) |
| (528,259 | ) |
| (4,788,821 | ) |
|
|
| |||||||||||
Net decrease |
|
| (28,260 | ) | $ | (268,608 | ) |
| (129,437 | ) | $ | (1,129,765 | ) |
|
|
|
5. Subsequent Events:
Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund through the date the financial statements were issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or additional disclosure in the financial statements.
|
|
|
BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 21 |
|
|
|
|
BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund |
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of BlackRock Short-Term Bond Series, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of BlackRock Short-Term Bond Series, Inc. (the “Fund”), comprising BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund, as of May 31, 2010, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for the two years in the period then ended, the period July 1, 2007 to May 31, 2008, and the year ended June 30, 2007. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. The financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended June 30, 2006 were audited by other auditors whose report, dated August 9, 2006, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund of BlackRock Short-Term Bond Series, Inc., as of May 31, 2010, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for the two years in the period then ended, the period July 1, 2007 to May 31, 2008, and the year ended June 30, 2007, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Deloitte & ToucheLLP
Princeton, New Jersey
July 28, 2010
|
The following information is provided with respect to the ordinary income distributions paid by BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund of BlackRock Short-Term Bond Series, Inc. during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal obligation interest |
|
| 2.10 | %* | |
|
|
|
|
| |
Interest-Related Dividends for Non-U.S. Residents | |||||
Month(s) Paid: | June 2009 |
|
| 77.31 | %** |
| July 2009 |
|
| 82.57 | %** |
| August 2009 – December 2009 |
|
| 86.57 | %** |
| January 2010 – May 2010 |
|
| 70.66 | %** |
|
|
* | The law varies in each state as to whether and what percentage of dividend income attributable to federal obligations is exempt from state income tax. We recommend that you consult your tax advisor to determine if any portion of the dividends you received is exempt from state income taxes. |
|
|
** | Represents the portion of the taxable ordinary income dividends eligible for exemption from US withholding tax for nonresident aliens and foreign corporations. |
|
|
|
22 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio |
|
As of May 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio Composition |
| Percent of |
| |
Corporate Bonds |
| 42 | % |
|
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities |
| 19 |
|
|
Asset-Backed Securities |
| 18 |
|
|
U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities |
| 9 |
|
|
U.S. Treasury Obligations |
| 8 |
|
|
Foreign Agency Obligations |
| 3 |
|
|
Taxable Municipal Bonds |
| 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credit Quality Allocation1 |
| Percent of |
| |
AAA/Aaa2 |
| 56 | % |
|
AA/Aa |
| 10 |
|
|
A |
| 12 |
|
|
BBB/Baa |
| 17 |
|
|
BB/Ba |
| 3 |
|
|
B |
| 1 |
|
|
CCC/Caa |
| 1 |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 | Using the higher of Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s Investors Service ratings. |
|
|
|
| 2 | Includes U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities and U.S. Treasury Obligations, which are deemed AAA/Aaa by the investment advisor. |
|
|
|
BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 23 |
|
|
|
|
Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio | |
| (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset-Backed Securities |
|
| Par |
| Value |
| |
AEP Texas Central Transition Funding, |
| USD | 6,034 |
| $ | 6,364,052 |
|
Aegis Asset Backed Securities Trust, |
|
| 298 |
|
| 293,222 |
|
AmeriCredit Automobile Receivables Trust (a): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2007-AX, Class A4, 0.39%, 10/06/13 |
|
| 3,161 |
|
| 3,117,075 |
|
Series 2008-2, Class A2, 4.35%, 8/06/12 |
|
| 1,412 |
|
| 1,429,246 |
|
Ameriquest Mortgage Securities, Inc., |
|
| 3,745 |
|
| 3,658,438 |
|
Bank of America Auto Trust (b): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2009-2A, Class A3, 2.13%, 9/15/13 |
|
| 4,060 |
|
| 4,106,576 |
|
Series 2010-1A, Class A2, 0.75%, 6/15/12 |
|
| 4,560 |
|
| 4,554,882 |
|
Bear Stearns Asset Backed Securities Trust (a): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2006-3, Class A1, 0.49%, 8/25/36 |
|
| 221 |
|
| 209,783 |
|
Series 2007-HE3, Class 1A1, 0.46%, 4/25/37 |
|
| 1,278 |
|
| 1,198,441 |
|
Capital One Auto Finance Trust, Class A4 (a): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2006-C, 0.03%, 5/15/13 |
|
| 4,394 |
|
| 4,363,860 |
|
Series 2007-A, 0.02%, 11/15/13 |
|
| 703 |
|
| 696,996 |
|
Series 2007-B, 0.03%, 4/15/14 |
|
| 2,960 |
|
| 2,938,035 |
|
CarMax Auto Owner Trust, Series 2008-2, |
|
| 1,665 |
|
| 1,681,383 |
|
Chrysler Financial Auto Securitization Trust, |
|
| 2,140 |
|
| 2,180,441 |
|
Countrywide Asset-Backed Certificates: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2006-13, Class 1AF2, 5.88%, 1/25/37 |
|
| 1,432 |
|
| 1,344,743 |
|
Series 2006-20, Class 2A1, 0.39%, 4/25/47 (a) |
|
| 183 |
|
| 180,764 |
|
Series 2006-22, Class 2A1, 0.39%, 5/25/47 (a) |
|
| 161 |
|
| 156,046 |
|
Series 2007-12, Class 2A1, 0.69%, 8/25/47 (a) |
|
| 184 |
|
| 167,892 |
|
DaimlerChrysler Auto Trust, Series 2007-A, |
|
| 6,025 |
|
| 6,277,330 |
|
Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2006-B, Class D, 7.12%, 2/15/13 (b) |
|
| 2,090 |
|
| 2,170,010 |
|
Series 2009-A, Class A3B, 2.84%, 5/15/13 (a) |
|
| 10,355 |
|
| 10,574,642 |
|
Series 2009-D, Class A2, 1.21%, 1/15/12 |
|
| 2,195 |
|
| 2,197,409 |
|
Series 2009-D, Class A3, 2.17%, 10/15/13 |
|
| 5,825 |
|
| 5,892,890 |
|
Series 2009-D, Class A4, 2.98%, 8/15/14 |
|
| 2,900 |
|
| 2,986,990 |
|
Ford Credit Floorplan Master Owner Trust, |
|
| 3,140 |
|
| 3,090,545 |
|
GCO Slims Trust, Series 2006-1A, Class Note, |
|
| 3,150 |
|
| 2,520,295 |
|
GMAC Mortgage Servicer Advance Funding Co. Ltd., |
|
| 1,240 |
|
| 1,243,100 |
|
GSAMP Trust, Series 2005-AHL, Class A3, |
|
| 287 |
|
| 283,797 |
|
Globaldrive BV, Series 2008-2, Class A, |
| EUR | 4,173 |
|
| 5,209,810 |
|
MBNA Credit Card Master Note Trust, |
| USD | 1,555 |
|
| 1,862,603 |
|
Morgan Stanley Resecuritization Trust, |
|
| 2,340 |
|
| 2,312,201 |
|
Nissan Auto Receivables Owner Trust, |
|
| 4,470 |
|
| 4,570,356 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset-Backed Securities |
|
| Par |
| Value |
| |
Ocwen Advance Receivables Backed Notes, |
| USD | 2,100 |
| $ | 2,111,550 |
|
PG&E Energy Recovery Funding LLC, |
|
| 3,520 |
|
| 3,655,057 |
|
Residential Asset Mortgage Products, Inc.: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2003-RZ3, Class A6, 3.40%, |
|
| 6,429 |
|
| 6,062,378 |
|
Series 2007-RS2, Class A1, 0.46%, |
|
| 1,323 |
|
| 1,244,641 |
|
Series 2007-RZ1, Class A1, 0.41%, |
|
| 114 |
|
| 111,095 |
|
Residential Asset Securities Corp., |
|
| 2,055 |
|
| 1,935,194 |
|
SLC Student Loan Trust, Series 2006-A, Class A4, |
|
| 825 |
|
| 775,701 |
|
SLM Student Loan Trust (a): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2002-1, Class A2, 0.43%, 4/25/17 |
|
| 1,241 |
|
| 1,238,280 |
|
Series 2002-4, Class A4, 0.40%, 3/15/17 |
|
| 2,326 |
|
| 2,321,854 |
|
Series 2005-8, Class A2, 0.41%, 7/25/22 |
|
| 4,340 |
|
| 4,330,141 |
|
Series 2008-5, Class A2, 1.42%, 10/25/16 |
|
| 12,775 |
|
| 12,972,712 |
|
Series 2008-5, Class A3, 1.62%, 1/25/18 |
|
| 9,400 |
|
| 9,730,090 |
|
Soundview Home Equity Loan Trust (a): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2003-2, Class A2, 0.99%, 11/25/33 |
|
| 4,438 |
|
| 3,989,875 |
|
Series 2007-OPT3, Class 2A1, 0.40%, 8/25/37 |
|
| 865 |
|
| 843,741 |
|
Turquoise Card Backed Securities Plc, |
|
| 3,100 |
|
| 3,097,917 |
|
Wells Fargo Home Equity Trust, Series 2007-2, |
|
| 1,778 |
|
| 1,701,319 |
|
Total Asset-Backed Securities — 22.7% |
|
|
|
|
| 145,955,398 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate Bonds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aerospace & Defense — 1.2% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BAE Systems Holdings, Inc. (b): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.75%, 8/15/10 |
|
| 3,200 |
|
| 3,222,259 |
|
6.40%, 12/15/11 |
|
| 1,170 |
|
| 1,244,891 |
|
Northrop Grumman Corp., 7.13%, 2/15/11 |
|
| 3,075 |
|
| 3,199,522 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 7,666,672 |
|
Airlines — 1.4% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
American Airlines, Inc.: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.50%, 10/15/12 (b) |
|
| 1,805 |
|
| 1,852,381 |
|
Series 2003-1, 3.86%, 1/09/12 |
|
| 407 |
|
| 406,148 |
|
Continental Airlines 2000-1, Class B Pass Through |
|
| 641 |
|
| 608,953 |
|
Delta Air Lines, Inc.: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 02G1, 6.72%, 7/02/24 |
|
| 1,367 |
|
| 1,278,280 |
|
Series 02G2, 6.42%, 1/02/14 |
|
| 2,475 |
|
| 2,481,187 |
|
United Air Lines, Inc., 12.75%, 7/15/12 |
|
| 2,095 |
|
| 2,225,938 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 8,852,887 |
|
|
Portfolio Abbreviations |
To simplify the listings of portfolio holdings in the Schedule of Investments, the names and descriptions of many of the securities have been abbreviated according to the following list:
|
|
EUR | Euro |
GBP | British Pound |
GO | General Obligation Bonds |
LIBOR | London InterBank Offered Rate |
MBS | Mortgage-Backed Securities |
RB | Revenue Bonds |
USD | US Dollar |
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||
24 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
Schedule of Investments (continued) | Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio |
| (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate Bonds |
|
| Par |
| Value |
| |
Beverages — 1.8% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc.: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.00%, 10/15/12 |
| USD | 5,260 |
| $ | 5,389,422 |
|
2.50%, 3/26/13 (b) |
|
| 3,745 |
|
| 3,752,970 |
|
PepsiAmericas, Inc., 4.38%, 2/15/14 |
|
| 2,525 |
|
| 2,719,445 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 11,861,837 |
|
Capital Markets — 5.4% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CDP Financial, Inc., 3.00%, 11/25/14 (b) |
|
| 1,630 |
|
| 1,618,777 |
|
Credit Suisse: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.50%, 5/01/14 |
|
| 1,825 |
|
| 1,969,035 |
|
3.50%, 3/23/15 |
|
| 1,600 |
|
| 1,598,851 |
|
(USA), 6.13%, 11/15/11 |
|
| 525 |
|
| 556,854 |
|
FIH Erhvervsbank A/S (b): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.45%, 8/17/12 |
|
| 1,030 |
|
| 1,053,194 |
|
1.75%, 12/06/12 |
|
| 3,855 |
|
| 3,862,048 |
|
Goldman Sachs Group LP, 5.00%, 10/01/14 |
|
| 1,922 |
|
| 1,953,686 |
|
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.63%, 8/01/12 |
|
| 1,800 |
|
| 1,809,556 |
|
4.75%, 7/15/13 |
|
| 3,465 |
|
| 3,525,963 |
|
6.00%, 5/01/14 |
|
| 1,600 |
|
| 1,688,130 |
|
Macquarie Bank Ltd., 4.10%, 12/17/13 (b)(d) |
|
| 7,595 |
|
| 8,069,763 |
|
Morgan Stanley: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.93%, 5/14/13 (a) |
|
| 4,000 |
|
| 3,992,760 |
|
6.00%, 5/13/14 |
|
| 1,210 |
|
| 1,254,270 |
|
6.00%, 4/28/15 |
|
| 1,600 |
|
| 1,649,962 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 34,602,849 |
|
Commercial Banks — 7.1% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd., |
|
| 3,470 |
|
| 3,471,728 |
|
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd., 2.60%, |
|
| 1,090 |
|
| 1,107,767 |
|
Barclays Bank Plc, 5.45%, 9/12/12 |
|
| 1,197 |
|
| 1,265,108 |
|
Dexia Credit Local (b): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.38%, 9/23/11 |
|
| 4,085 |
|
| 4,149,302 |
|
2.00%, 3/05/13 (d) |
|
| 8,395 |
|
| 8,339,593 |
|
Eksportfinans ASA, 5.00%, 2/14/12 |
|
| 5,350 |
|
| 5,665,393 |
|
North Fork Bancorp., Inc., 5.88%, 8/15/12 |
|
| 2,031 |
|
| 2,145,412 |
|
Regions Financial Corp., 4.88%, 4/26/13 |
|
| 3,235 |
|
| 3,225,557 |
|
Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc, 0.82%, |
|
| 8,300 |
|
| 8,309,080 |
|
Standard Chartered Plc, 3.85%, 4/27/15 (b) |
|
| 3,140 |
|
| 3,065,054 |
|
Svenska Handelsbanken AB (b): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.88%, 9/14/12 |
|
| 250 |
|
| 253,679 |
|
4.88%, 6/10/14 |
|
| 985 |
|
| 1,042,336 |
|
U.S. Bank NA, 6.38%, 8/01/11 |
|
| 3,435 |
|
| 3,631,290 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 45,671,299 |
|
Consumer Finance — 1.1% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
American Express Bank FSB, 5.50%, 4/16/13 |
|
| 875 |
|
| 944,604 |
|
Capital One Financial Corp.: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.70%, 9/15/11 |
|
| 3,145 |
|
| 3,279,427 |
|
6.25%, 11/15/13 |
|
| 970 |
|
| 1,063,251 |
|
MBNA America European Structured Offerings |
| EUR | 1,540 |
|
| 1,937,079 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 7,224,361 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate Bonds |
|
| Par |
| Value |
| |
Containers & Packaging — 0.3% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Temple-Inland, Inc.: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.88%, 5/01/12 |
| USD | 845 |
| $ | 906,566 |
|
6.63%, 1/15/16 |
|
| 730 |
|
| 755,088 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 1,661,654 |
|
Diversified Financial Services — 5.5% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank of America Corp.: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.88%, 9/15/12 |
|
| 2,255 |
|
| 2,343,238 |
|
4.50%, 4/01/15 |
|
| 3,143 |
|
| 3,123,963 |
|
Citibank Credit Card Issuance Trust, |
| EUR | 3,525 |
|
| 4,434,462 |
|
Citigroup, Inc., 0.38%, 3/07/14 (a) |
| USD | 2,000 |
|
| 1,832,948 |
|
FCE Bank Plc: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.88%, 2/15/11 |
| GBP | 2,400 |
|
| 3,496,797 |
|
7.13%, 1/16/12 |
| EUR | 2,300 |
|
| 2,808,320 |
|
GMAC, Inc., 8.30%, 2/12/15 (b) |
| USD | 1,125 |
|
| 1,129,219 |
|
General Electric Capital Corp., 0.47%, |
|
| 6,350 |
|
| 6,189,104 |
|
JPMorgan Chase & Co.: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.60%, 6/01/11 (e) |
|
| 3,750 |
|
| 3,894,435 |
|
4.75%, 5/01/13 |
|
| 3,000 |
|
| 3,185,700 |
|
LeasePlan Corp. NV, 3.00%, 5/07/12 (b)(d) |
|
| 2,725 |
|
| 2,820,350 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 35,258,536 |
|
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.9% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Communications Holdings, Inc., 8.25%, |
|
| 780 |
|
| 772,200 |
|
Qwest Corp.: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.88%, 3/15/12 |
|
| 935 |
|
| 999,281 |
|
3.51%, 6/15/13 (a) |
|
| 250 |
|
| 245,625 |
|
Royal KPN NV, 8.00%, 10/01/10 |
|
| 1,100 |
|
| 1,124,824 |
|
TELUS Corp., 8.00%, 6/01/11 |
|
| 641 |
|
| 683,289 |
|
Telefonica Emisiones SAU, 5.98%, 6/20/11 |
|
| 3,165 |
|
| 3,303,121 |
|
Verizon Global Funding Corp., 7.25%, 12/01/10 (e) |
|
| 5,277 |
|
| 5,440,144 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 12,568,484 |
|
Education — 0.1% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Leland Stanford Junior University, 3.63%, 5/01/14 |
|
| 950 |
|
| 997,937 |
|
Electric Utilities — 0.4% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FPL Group Capital, Inc., 5.63%, 9/01/11 |
|
| 1,040 |
|
| 1,091,888 |
|
Florida Power Corp., 6.65%, 7/15/11 |
|
| 1,325 |
|
| 1,400,880 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 2,492,768 |
|
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.4% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Agilent Technologies, Inc.: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.45%, 9/14/12 |
|
| 1,683 |
|
| 1,751,378 |
|
5.50%, 9/14/15 |
|
| 705 |
|
| 762,827 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 2,514,205 |
|
Food & Staples Retailing — 0.6% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CVS Caremark Corp.: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.55%, 6/01/10 (a) |
|
| 600 |
|
| 600,000 |
|
5.75%, 8/15/11 |
|
| 3,370 |
|
| 3,539,619 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 4,139,619 |
|
Food Products — 0.8% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kraft Foods, Inc.: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.63%, 8/11/10 |
|
| 1,115 |
|
| 1,125,115 |
|
5.63%, 11/01/11 |
|
| 2,000 |
|
| 2,113,806 |
|
6.00%, 2/11/13 |
|
| 1,500 |
|
| 1,655,453 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 4,894,374 |
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||
BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 25 |
|
|
|
|
Schedule of Investments (continued) | Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio |
| (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate Bonds |
| Par |
| Value |
| ||
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 1.1% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CareFusion Corp., 4.13%, 8/01/12 |
| USD | 3,925 |
| $ | 4,091,899 |
|
Covidien International Finance SA, |
|
| 2,545 |
|
| 2,787,884 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 6,879,783 |
|
Insurance — 3.4% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Allstate Corp., 6.20%, 5/16/14 (c)(d) |
|
| 1,700 |
|
| 1,912,391 |
|
Allstate Financial Global Funding, 6.50%, |
|
| 595 |
|
| 618,667 |
|
Metropolitan Life Global Funding I (b): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.44%, 6/10/11 (a) |
|
| 3,600 |
|
| 3,650,987 |
|
2.88%, 9/17/12 |
|
| 1,050 |
|
| 1,072,986 |
|
5.13%, 4/10/13 |
|
| 3,715 |
|
| 4,006,932 |
|
PRICOA Global Funding I, 5.63%, 5/24/11 (b) |
|
| 3,370 |
|
| 3,438,013 |
|
Prudential Financial, Inc., 2.75%, 1/14/13 |
|
| 1,925 |
|
| 1,928,375 |
|
Suncorp-Metway Ltd., 0.63%, 12/17/10 (a)(b)(d) |
|
| 5,305 |
|
| 5,310,899 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 21,939,250 |
|
Leisure Equipment & Products — 0.4% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brunswick Corp., 11.25%, 11/01/16 (b) |
|
| 2,500 |
|
| 2,800,000 |
|
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.6% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Life Technologies Corp., 3.38%, 3/01/13 |
|
| 3,640 |
|
| 3,695,648 |
|
Machinery — 0.4% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ingersoll-Rand Global Holding Co., Ltd., |
|
| 2,045 |
|
| 2,511,571 |
|
Media — 2.0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (b): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A, 9.25%, 12/15/17 |
|
| 323 |
|
| 327,038 |
|
Series B, 9.25%, 12/15/17 |
|
| 1,294 |
|
| 1,316,645 |
|
Comcast Cable Communications LLC, |
|
| 3,225 |
|
| 3,339,136 |
|
Cox Communications, Inc., 7.75%, 11/01/10 |
|
| 1,345 |
|
| 1,379,729 |
|
News America, Inc., 6.75%, 1/09/38 |
|
| 1,220 |
|
| 1,312,502 |
|
Rainbow National Services LLC, 8.75%, |
|
| 1,240 |
|
| 1,252,400 |
|
Time Warner Cable, Inc., 6.20%, 7/01/13 |
|
| 3,600 |
|
| 3,998,696 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 12,926,146 |
|
Metals & Mining — 1.6% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.25%, 4/01/15 |
|
| 3,185 |
|
| 3,423,875 |
|
8.38%, 4/01/17 |
|
| 431 |
|
| 468,712 |
|
Rio Tinto Finance USA Ltd., 8.95%, 5/01/14 |
|
| 2,910 |
|
| 3,495,946 |
|
Steel Dynamics, Inc., 7.38%, 11/01/12 |
|
| 1,420 |
|
| 1,451,950 |
|
Teck Resources Ltd., 10.75%, 5/15/19 |
|
| 1,175 |
|
| 1,415,875 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 10,256,358 |
|
Multi-Utilities — 1.9% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CenterPoint Energy, Inc., 6.85%, 6/01/15 |
|
| 1,605 |
|
| 1,805,132 |
|
CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Co. LLC, |
|
| 4,382 |
|
| 4,576,212 |
|
Cincinnati Gas & Electric Co., 5.70%, 9/15/12 |
|
| 3,010 |
|
| 3,260,149 |
|
Energy East Corp., 6.75%, 6/15/12 |
|
| 2,650 |
|
| 2,865,912 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 12,507,405 |
|
Multiline Retail — 0.5% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dollar General Corp., 10.63%, 7/15/15 |
|
| 3,210 |
|
| 3,498,900 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate Bonds |
| Par |
| Value |
| ||
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 3.3% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anadarko Petroleum Corp., 5.95%, 9/15/16 |
| USD | 1,570 |
| $ | 1,672,363 |
|
Cenovus Energy, Inc., 4.50%, 9/15/14 (b) |
|
| 3,290 |
|
| 3,471,115 |
|
Enterprise Products Operating LLC: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.50%, 2/01/11 |
|
| 1,845 |
|
| 1,909,315 |
|
4.60%, 8/01/12 |
|
| 2,425 |
|
| 2,535,536 |
|
Series B, 6.38%, 2/01/13 |
|
| 1,700 |
|
| 1,850,380 |
|
MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co., |
|
| 1,165 |
|
| 1,271,069 |
|
MidAmerican Funding LLC, 6.75%, 3/01/11 |
|
| 1,315 |
|
| 1,371,044 |
|
Rockies Express Pipeline LLC, 6.25%, 7/15/13 (b) |
|
| 2,310 |
|
| 2,493,513 |
|
Southeast Supply Header LLC, 4.85%, 8/15/14 (b) |
|
| 2,165 |
|
| 2,250,658 |
|
XTO Energy, Inc., 5.00%, 8/01/10 |
|
| 2,180 |
|
| 2,194,451 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 21,019,444 |
|
Paper & Forest Products — 0.8% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Georgia-Pacific Corp., 8.13%, 5/15/11 |
|
| 1,660 |
|
| 1,724,325 |
|
Weyerhaeuser Co., 6.75%, 3/15/12 |
|
| 3,565 |
|
| 3,775,845 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 5,500,170 |
|
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.6% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AvalonBay Communities, Inc., 6.13%, 11/01/12 |
|
| 282 |
|
| 306,329 |
|
Nationwide Health Properties, Inc., 6.59%, 7/07/38 |
|
| 1,400 |
|
| 1,447,659 |
|
WEA Finance LLC, 5.75%, 9/02/15 (b) |
|
| 860 |
|
| 923,552 |
|
Westfield Capital Corp. Ltd., 5.13%, 11/15/14 (b) |
|
| 1,255 |
|
| 1,321,626 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 3,999,166 |
|
Road & Rail — 1.7% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp.: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.75%, 7/15/11 |
|
| 1,425 |
|
| 1,508,847 |
|
7.00%, 2/01/14 |
|
| 840 |
|
| 968,854 |
|
CSX Corp.: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.75%, 3/15/11 |
|
| 4,935 |
|
| 5,133,515 |
|
5.50%, 8/01/13 |
|
| 1,108 |
|
| 1,204,587 |
|
Union Pacific Corp., 6.13%, 1/15/12 |
|
| 1,960 |
|
| 2,107,316 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 10,923,119 |
|
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.7% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
National Semiconductor Corp.: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.15%, 6/15/12 |
|
| 3,530 |
|
| 3,779,694 |
|
3.95%, 4/15/15 |
|
| 1,060 |
|
| 1,063,675 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 4,843,369 |
|
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.3% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Achmea Hypotheekbank NV, 3.20%, 11/03/14 (b) |
|
| 1,780 |
|
| 1,804,028 |
|
Tobacco — 0.4% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Altria Group, Inc., 7.75%, 2/06/14 |
|
| 2,060 |
|
| 2,361,934 |
|
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 3.1% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cellco Partnership: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.75%, 5/20/11 |
|
| 7,575 |
|
| 7,760,936 |
|
5.25%, 2/01/12 |
|
| 5,665 |
|
| 6,011,251 |
|
Crown Castle Towers LLC, 4.52%, 1/15/15 (b) |
|
| 2,860 |
|
| 2,952,841 |
|
Rogers Cable, Inc.: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.88%, 5/01/12 |
|
| 710 |
|
| 788,393 |
|
6.25%, 6/15/13 |
|
| 1,000 |
|
| 1,108,198 |
|
SBA Tower Trust, 4.25%, 4/15/40 (b) |
|
| 1,115 |
|
| 1,160,101 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 19,781,720 |
|
Total Corporate Bonds — 50.8% |
|
|
|
|
| 327,655,493 |
|
|
|
|
26 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
Schedule of Investments (continued) | Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio |
| (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign Agency Obligations |
| Par |
| Value |
| ||
Hellenic Republic Government Bond: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.30%, 3/20/12 |
| EUR | 2,295 |
| $ | 2,642,418 |
|
4.60%, 5/20/13 |
|
| 1,425 |
|
| 1,596,895 |
|
Series 5YR, 6.10%, 8/20/15 |
|
| 1,630 |
|
| 1,828,805 |
|
Inter-American Development Bank, Series GDIF, |
| USD | 4,885 |
|
| 4,927,782 |
|
Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank, 4.13%, |
|
| 2,925 |
|
| 3,128,150 |
|
Province of Ontario Canada: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.93%, 5/22/12 (a) |
|
| 3,270 |
|
| 3,292,645 |
|
4.10%, 6/16/14 |
|
| 3,635 |
|
| 3,872,489 |
|
Total Foreign Agency Obligations — 3.3% |
|
|
|
|
| 21,289,184 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 8.6% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
American General Mortgage Loan Trust, |
|
| 2,113 |
|
| 2,110,642 |
|
Arkle Master Issuer Plc, Series 2010-1A, Class 2A, |
|
| 3,705 |
|
| 3,705,000 |
|
Arran Residential Mortgages Funding Plc, |
|
| 746 |
|
| 745,171 |
|
Bank of America Mortgage Securities, Inc. (a): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2003-J, Class 2A1, 3.61%, 11/25/33 |
|
| 1,227 |
|
| 1,195,891 |
|
Series 2004-A, Class 2A2, 3.52%, 2/25/34 |
|
| 758 |
|
| 688,695 |
|
BlackRock Capital Finance LP, Series 1997-R2, |
|
| 50 |
|
| 50,368 |
|
Countrywide Home Loan Mortgage Pass-Through |
|
| 2,800 |
|
| 1,981,597 |
|
Fosse Master Issuer Plc, Series 2006-1A, |
|
| 1,838 |
|
| 1,828,873 |
|
GSR Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2005-AR1, |
|
| 5,954 |
|
| 5,184,177 |
|
Gracechurch Mortgage Financing Plc, |
|
| 48 |
|
| 47,614 |
|
Holmes Master Issuer Plc, Series 2007-2A, |
|
| 2,265 |
|
| 2,231,328 |
|
HomeBanc Mortgage Trust, Series 2005-3, |
|
| 5,129 |
|
| 3,754,876 |
|
Lanark Master Issuer Plc, Series 2007-1X, |
|
| 322 |
|
| 322,083 |
|
Morgan Stanley Reremic Trust, Series 2010-R5, |
|
| 2,150 |
|
| 1,956,500 |
|
Ocwen Residential MBS Corp., Series 1998-R2, |
|
| 93 |
|
| 18,614 |
|
Residential Asset Securitization Trust, |
|
| 1,952 |
|
| 1,281,369 |
|
Salomon Brothers Mortgage Securities VI, Inc., |
|
| — | (g) |
| 22 |
|
Station Place Securitization Trust, Series 2009-1, |
|
| 3,110 |
|
| 3,110,000 |
|
Structured Mortgage Asset Residential Trust, |
|
| 4 |
|
| 4,002 |
|
SunTrust Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan Trust, |
|
| 4,896 |
|
| 3,984,422 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities |
| Par |
| Value |
| ||
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (concluded) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thornburg Mortgage Securities Trust (a): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2006-4, Class A2B, 0.46%, 7/25/36 |
| USD | 1,411 |
| $ | 1,384,320 |
|
Series 2006-5, Class A1, 0.46%, 10/25/46 |
|
| 6,372 |
|
| 6,205,301 |
|
Series 2006-6, Class A1, 0.45%, 11/25/46 |
|
| 7,134 |
|
| 6,930,256 |
|
Series 2007-1, Class A2B, 0.44%, 3/25/37 |
|
| 2,388 |
|
| 2,302,509 |
|
Series 2007-1, Class A3A, 0.44%, 3/25/37 |
|
| 1,869 |
|
| 1,816,460 |
|
Series 2007-2, Class A2A, 0.47%, 6/25/37 |
|
| 2,564 |
|
| 2,402,769 |
|
Walsh Acceptance, Series 1997-2, Class A, 2.34%, |
|
| 29 |
|
| 3,516 |
|
WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, |
|
| 4 |
|
| 757 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 55,247,132 |
|
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — 14.5% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Banc of America Commercial Mortgage, Inc., |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2001-PB1, 5.79%, 5/11/35 |
|
| 2,560 |
|
| 2,640,870 |
|
Series 2007-4, 5.55%, 2/10/51 (h) |
|
| 14,000 |
|
| 14,466,389 |
|
CS First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp.: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2001-CF2, Class A4, 6.51%, 2/15/34 |
|
| 1,257 |
|
| 1,278,429 |
|
Series 2002-CKS4, Class A1, 4.49%, 11/15/36 |
|
| 1,144 |
|
| 1,154,579 |
|
Citigroup/Deutsche Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, |
|
| 1,800 |
|
| 1,902,742 |
|
DLJ Commercial Mortgage Corp., Series 2000-CKP1, |
|
| 748 |
|
| 748,894 |
|
GE Capital Commercial Mortgage Corp., Class A2: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2001-1, 6.53%, 5/15/33 |
|
| 8,968 |
|
| 9,199,542 |
|
Series 2001-3, 6.07%, 6/10/38 |
|
| 4,655 |
|
| 4,865,629 |
|
GMAC Commercial Mortgage Securities, Inc., |
|
| 4,921 |
|
| 5,099,101 |
|
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II, Series 2004-C1, |
|
| 1,389 |
|
| 1,397,173 |
|
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities |
|
| 10,320 |
|
| 10,482,190 |
|
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Class A2: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2000-C4, 7.37%, 8/15/26 |
|
| 475 |
|
| 476,026 |
|
Series 2004-C4, 4.57%, 6/15/29 (a) |
|
| 1,347 |
|
| 1,363,603 |
|
Morgan Stanley Capital I, Series 2006-IQ11, |
|
| 15,000 |
|
| 15,281,214 |
|
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Capital I, Series |
|
| 781 |
|
| 783,805 |
|
PNC Mortgage Acceptance Corp., Class A2 (f): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2000-C2, 7.30%, 10/12/33 |
|
| 1,304 |
|
| 1,309,865 |
|
Series 2001-C1, 6.36%, 3/12/34 |
|
| 1,565 |
|
| 1,605,234 |
|
TIAA Seasoned Commercial Mortgage Trust, |
|
| 4,020 |
|
| 4,139,832 |
|
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, |
|
| 14,500 |
|
| 15,360,452 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 93,555,569 |
|
Total Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities — 23.1% |
|
|
|
|
| 148,802,701 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Taxable Municipal Bonds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New York State Urban Development Corp., RB, State |
|
| 5,815 |
|
| 5,905,482 |
|
State of California, GO, Taxable, Various Purpose 3, |
|
| 4,075 |
|
| 4,325,001 |
|
Total Taxable Municipal Bonds — 1.6% |
|
|
|
|
| 10,230,483 |
|
|
|
|
BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 27 |
|
|
|
|
Schedule of Investments (continued) | Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio |
| (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities |
| Par |
| Value |
| ||
Agency Obligations — 1.0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fannie Mae: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.25%, 8/01/12 (d) |
| USD | 5,960 |
| $ | 6,425,595 |
|
3.00%, 9/16/14 |
|
| 295 |
|
| 306,320 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 6,731,915 |
|
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 2.2% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fannie Mae Mortgage-Backed Securities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2003-52, Class LC, 4.50%, 10/25/16 |
|
| 2,231 |
|
| 2,298,606 |
|
Series 2006-25, Class TA, 6.00%, 11/25/29 |
|
| 1,432 |
|
| 1,459,231 |
|
Series 2006-M2, Class A1A, 4.86%, 8/25/16 |
|
| 2,186 |
|
| 2,264,393 |
|
Series 2901, Class KA, 5.00%, 9/15/32 |
|
| 3,155 |
|
| 3,310,527 |
|
Freddie Mac Mortgage-Backed Securities, |
|
| 4,605 |
|
| 4,846,726 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 14,179,483 |
|
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Citigroup Funding, Inc. (d): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.38%, 5/05/11 |
|
| 4,725 |
|
| 4,756,157 |
|
2.25%, 12/10/12 |
|
| 2,440 |
|
| 2,495,829 |
|
General Electric Capital Corp. (d): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.80%, 3/11/11 |
|
| 5,760 |
|
| 5,814,939 |
|
2.63%, 12/28/12 |
|
| 3,200 |
|
| 3,301,520 |
|
JPMorgan Chase & Co., 2.20%, 6/15/12 (d) |
|
| 2,965 |
|
| 3,028,154 |
|
Morgan Stanley, 2.25%, 3/13/12 (d) |
|
| 4,470 |
|
| 4,568,014 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 23,964,613 |
|
Interest Only Mortgage-Backed Securities — 0.5% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fannie Mae Mortgage-Backed Securities, |
|
| 2,890 |
|
| 3,012,461 |
|
Mortgage-Backed Securities — 4.0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fannie Mae Mortgage-Backed Securities (d): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.00%, 12/01/21 |
|
| 9,768 |
|
| 10,483,509 |
|
5.50%, 11/01/17 – 12/01/18 |
|
| 12,016 |
|
| 12,962,497 |
|
6.50%, 4/01/21 |
|
| 1,372 |
|
| 1,481,666 |
|
Freddie Mac Mortgage-Backed Securities, |
|
| 868 |
|
| 934,301 |
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
| 25,861,973 |
|
Total U.S. Government Sponsored |
|
|
|
|
| 73,750,445 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury Obligations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury Notes: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.00%, 4/30/12 (d) |
|
| 18,690 |
|
| 18,775,413 |
|
0.63%, 5/31/12 |
|
| 12,045 |
|
| 12,037,532 |
|
1.38%, 5/15/13 |
|
| 5,735 |
|
| 5,756,965 |
|
2.00%, 5/31/15 |
|
| 23,050 |
|
| 23,078,813 |
|
Total U.S. Treasury Obligations — 9.3% |
|
|
|
|
| 59,648,723 |
|
Total Long-Term Investments |
|
|
|
|
| 787,332,427 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-Term Securities |
| Par |
| Value |
| ||
Foreign Government Obligations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Province of Ontario Canada, 2.75%, 2/22/11 |
| USD | 3,000 |
| $ | 3,040,842 |
|
Greece — 0.2% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hellenic Treasury Bill, 3.23%, 7/16/10 (i) |
| EUR | 1,105 |
|
| 1,346,760 |
|
Total Foreign Government Obligations — 0.7% |
|
|
|
|
| 4,387,602 |
|
Time Deposits |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United States — 5.7% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 0.00%, 6/01/10 |
| USD | 37,037 |
|
| 37,036,541 |
|
Total Time Deposits — 5.7% |
|
|
|
|
| 37,036,541 |
|
Total Short-Term Securities |
|
|
|
|
| 41,424,143 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options Purchased |
| Contracts |
|
|
|
| |
Exchange-Traded Put Options — 0.0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Euro-Dollar 1-Year Mid-Curve Options, Strike |
|
| 226 |
|
| 15,538 |
|
Total Options Purchased |
|
|
|
|
| 15,538 |
|
Total Investments Before Outstanding |
|
|
|
|
| 828,772,108 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TBA Sale Commitments (j) |
| Par |
|
|
|
| |
Fannie Mae Mortgage-Backed Securities, |
| USD | 200 |
|
| (214,750 | ) |
Total TBA Sale Commitments |
|
|
|
|
| (214,750 | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options Written |
| Contracts |
|
|
|
| |
Exchange-Traded Put Options — (0.0)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Euro-Dollar Future, Strike Price USD 98.25, |
|
| 171 |
|
| (20,306 | ) |
Over-the-Counter Call Swaptions — (0.0)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sold credit default protection on Dow Jones |
|
| 19 | (k) |
| (31,823 | ) |
Over-the-Counter Put Swaptions — (0.0)% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sold credit default protection on Dow Jones |
|
| 19 | (k) |
| (57,254 | ) |
Total Options Written |
|
|
|
|
| (109,383 | ) |
Total Investments, Net of Outstanding TBA Sale |
|
|
|
|
| 828,447,975 |
|
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (28.6)% |
|
|
|
|
| (184,117,301 | ) |
|
|
|
|
| |||
Net Assets — 100.0% |
|
|
|
| $ | 644,330,674 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
Schedule of Investments (continued) | Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio |
|
|
* | The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments as of May 31, 2010, as computed for federal income tax purposes, were as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
Aggregate cost |
| $ | 825,798,460 |
|
|
| |||
Gross unrealized appreciation |
| $ | 14,151,198 |
|
Gross unrealized depreciation |
|
| (11,177,550 | ) |
|
| |||
Net unrealized appreciation |
| $ | 2,973,648 |
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Variable rate security. Rate shown is as of report date. |
|
|
(b) | Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors. |
|
|
(c) | Represents a step-up bond that pays an initial coupon rate for the first period and then a higher coupon rate for the following periods. Rate shown is as of report date. |
|
|
(d) | All or a portion of security has been pledged as collateral in connection with open reverse repurchase agreements. |
|
|
(e) | All or a portion of security has been pledged as collateral in connection with swaps. |
|
|
(f) | Investments in companies considered to be an affiliate of the Portfolio during the year, for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Affiliate |
| Par (000) |
| Par (000) |
| Par (000) |
| Par (000) |
| Value |
| Realized |
| Income |
| |||||||
BlackRock Capital Finance LP, Series 1997-R2, Class AP, 1.20%, 12/25/35 |
| $ | 56 |
|
| — |
| $ | (6 | ) | $ | 50 |
| $ | 50,368 |
| $ | 33 |
| $ | 2,533 |
|
PNC Mortgage Acceptance Corp., Series 2000-C2, Class A2, 7.30%, 10/12/33 |
| $ | 4,077 |
|
| — |
| $ | (2,773 | ) | $ | 1,304 |
| $ | 1,309,865 |
| $ | (55,144 | ) | $ | 237,015 |
|
PNC Mortgage Acceptance Corp., Series 2001-C1, Class A2, 6.36%, 3/12/34 |
| $ | 1,700 |
|
| — |
| $ | (135 | ) | $ | 1,565 |
| $ | 1,605,234 |
| $ | (3,135 | ) | $ | 104,408 |
|
|
|
(g) | Amount is less than $1,000. |
|
|
(h) | All or a portion of security has been pledged as collateral in connection with the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (“TALF”) Program. |
|
|
(i) | Rate shown is the discount rate at the time of purchase. |
|
|
(j) | Represents or includes a to-be-announced (“TBA”) transaction. Unsettled TBA transactions as of report date were as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Counterparty |
| Value |
| Unrealized |
| ||
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. |
| $ | (214,750 | ) | $ | (1,656 | ) |
|
|
(k) | One contract represents a notional amount of $1 million. |
|
|
• | For Portfolio compliance purposes, the Portfolio’s industry classifications refer to any one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or ratings group indexes, and/or as defined by Portfolio management. This definition may not apply for purposes of this report which may combine industry sub-classifications for reporting ease. |
|
|
• | Foreign currency exchange contracts as of May 31, 2010 were as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Currency |
| Currency |
| Counterparty |
| Settlement |
| Unrealized |
| ||||
USD 23,180,625 |
|
| EUR 18,470,500 |
|
| BNP Paribas |
|
| 7/14/10 |
| $ | 502,761 |
|
USD 1,335,641 |
|
| EUR 1,065,000 |
|
| Citibank NA |
|
| 7/14/10 |
|
| 28,046 |
|
USD 3,646,005 |
|
| GBP 2,356,500 |
|
| Royal Bank |
|
| 7/28/10 |
|
| 237,647 |
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| $ | 768,454 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
• | Reverse repurchase agreements outstanding as of May 31, 2010 were as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Counterparty |
| Interest |
| Trade |
| Maturity |
| Net |
| Face |
| |||||
BNP Paribas |
|
| 0.35% |
|
| 10/14/09 |
|
| Open |
| $ | 7,853,445 |
| $ | 7,836,000 |
|
Barclays Capital Inc. |
|
| 0.24% |
|
| 3/04/10 |
|
| Open |
|
| 6,297,082 |
|
| 6,294,282 |
|
Credit Suisse |
|
| 0.24% |
|
| 3/04/10 |
|
| Open |
|
| 4,654,069 |
|
| 4,651,999 |
|
Credit Suisse |
|
| 0.24% |
|
| 3/08/10 |
|
| Open |
|
| 3,210,276 |
|
| 3,208,760 |
|
Credit Suisse |
|
| 0.24% |
|
| 3/16/10 |
|
| Open |
|
| 10,106,777 |
|
| 10,102,024 |
|
BNP Paribas |
|
| 0.11% |
|
| 5/13/10 |
|
| 6/01/10 |
|
| 14,369,472 |
|
| 14,368,681 |
|
Bank of America, NA |
|
| 0.24% |
|
| 5/13/10 |
|
| 6/14/10 |
|
| 24,019,123 |
|
| 24,014,000 |
|
Barclays Capital, Inc. |
|
| 0.24% |
|
| 5/14/10 |
|
| Open |
|
| 5,442,891 |
|
| 5,442,256 |
|
Barclays Capital, Inc. |
|
| 0.37% |
|
| 5/14/10 |
|
| Open |
|
| 15,947,813 |
|
| 15,945,488 |
|
RBS Securities Inc. |
|
| 0.30% |
|
| 5/14/10 |
|
| Open |
|
| 11,225,902 |
|
| 11,224,379 |
|
RBS Securities Inc. |
|
| 0.32% |
|
| 5/14/10 |
|
| Open |
|
| 7,956,373 |
|
| 7,955,312 |
|
Credit Suisse |
|
| 0.15% |
|
| 5/27/10 |
|
| 6/02/10 |
|
| 4,391,498 |
|
| 4,391,406 |
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| $ | 115,474,721 |
| $ | 115,434,587 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||
BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 29 |
|
|
|
|
Schedule of Investments (concluded) | Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio |
|
|
• | Financial futures contracts purchased as of May 31, 2010 were as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contracts |
| Issue |
| Expiration |
| Notional |
| Unrealized |
| ||||
710 |
|
| 2-Year U.S. |
|
| September 2010 |
| $ | 154,677,405 |
| $ | 202,439 |
|
|
|
| Treasury Bond |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
• | Financial futures contracts sold as of May 31, 2010 were as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contracts |
| Issue |
| Expiration |
| Notional |
| Unrealized |
| ||||
603 |
|
| 5-Year U.S. |
|
| September 2010 |
| $ | 70,491,608 |
| $ | 138,467 |
|
51 |
|
| 10-Year U.S. |
|
| September 2010 |
| $ | 6,142,599 |
|
| 28,974 |
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| $ | 167,441 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
• | Credit default swaps on single-name issuers – buy protection outstanding as of May 31, 2010 were as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issuer |
|
| Pay |
|
| Counterparty |
| Expiration |
|
| Notional |
|
| Unrealized |
| |
The Hershey Co. |
|
| 1.00% |
|
| Credit Suisse |
| December 2014 |
|
| USD 2,900 |
| $ | (25,799 | ) | |
Brunswick Corp. |
|
| 5.00% |
|
| Goldman Sachs |
| December 2016 |
|
| USD 2,500 |
|
| (3,569 | ) | |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| $ | (29,368 | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
• | Interest rate swaps outstanding as of May 31, 2010 were as follows: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed |
| Floating |
| Counterparty |
| Expiration |
| Notional |
| Unrealized |
| |||||
0.80%(a) |
|
| 3-month LIBOR |
|
| JPMorgan |
|
| March 2011 |
|
| USD 45,000 |
| $ | (36,520 | ) |
3.74%(a) |
|
| 3-month LIBOR |
|
| Citibank NA |
|
| April 2020 |
|
| USD 19,400 |
|
| 618,464 |
|
3.96%(b) |
|
| 3-month LIBOR |
|
| Deutsche |
|
| April 2020 |
|
| USD 19,100 |
|
| (972,515 | ) |
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| $ | (390,571 | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Pays floating interest rate and receives fixed rate. | |
|
|
|
(b) | Pays fixed interest rate and receives floating rate. | |
|
|
|
• | Fair Value Measurements — Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments, which are as follows: | |
|
|
|
| • | Level 1 — price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets and liabilities |
|
|
|
| • | Level 2 — other observable inputs (including, but not limited to: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs) |
|
|
|
| • | Level 3 — unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available (including the Portfolio’s own assumptions used in determining the fair value of investments) |
|
|
|
| The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. For information about the Portfolio’s policy regarding valuation of investments and other significant accounting policies, please refer to Note 1 of the Notes to Financial Statements. | |
|
|
|
The following table summarizes the inputs used as of May 31, 2010 in determining the fair valuation of the Portfolio’s investments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Investments in Securities |
| ||||||||||
Valuation Inputs |
| Level 1 |
| Level 2 |
| Level 3 |
| Total |
| ||||
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term Investments: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset-Backed Securities |
|
| — |
| $ | 124,050,109 |
| $ | 21,905,289 |
| $ | 145,955,398 |
|
Corporate Bonds |
|
| — |
|
| 327,655,493 |
|
| — |
|
| 327,655,493 |
|
Foreign Agency Obligations |
|
| — |
|
| 21,289,184 |
|
| — |
|
| 21,289,184 |
|
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities |
|
| — |
|
| 139,911,089 |
|
| 8,891,612 |
|
| 148,802,701 |
|
Taxable Municipal Bonds |
|
| — |
|
| 10,230,483 |
|
| — |
|
| 10,230,483 |
|
U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities |
|
| — |
|
| 73,750,445 |
|
| — |
|
| 73,750,445 |
|
U.S. Treasury Obligations |
|
| — |
|
| 59,648,723 |
|
| — |
|
| 59,648,723 |
|
Short-Term Securities |
|
| — |
|
| 41,424,143 |
|
| — |
|
| 41,424,143 |
|
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TBA Sale Commitments |
|
| — |
|
| (214,750 | ) |
| — |
|
| (214,750 | ) |
|
| ||||||||||||
Total |
|
| — |
| $ | 797,744,919 |
| $ | 30,796,901 |
| $ | 828,541,820 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Other Financial Instruments1 |
| ||||||||||
Valuation Inputs |
|
| Level 1 |
|
| Level 2 |
|
| Level 3 |
|
| Total |
|
Assets |
| $ | 385,418 |
| $ | 1,386,918 |
|
| — |
| $ | 1,772,336 |
|
Liabilities |
|
| (20,306 | ) |
| (37,792,045 | ) |
| — |
|
| (37,812,351 | ) |
|
| ||||||||||||
Total |
| $ | 365,112 |
| $ | (36,405,127 | ) |
| — |
| $ | (36,040,015 | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 | Other financial instruments are foreign currency exchange contracts, swaps, financial futures contracts, options and TALF loans. Foreign currency exchange contracts, swaps and financial futures contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument and options and TALF loans are shown at value. |
|
|
|
The following table is a reconciliation of Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Investments in Securities |
| |||||||
|
| |||||||||
|
| Asset-Backed |
| Non-Agency |
| Total |
| |||
Balance, as of May 31, 2009 |
| $ | 15,669,287 |
| $ | 17,427,825 |
| $ | 33,097,112 |
|
Accrued discounts/premiums |
|
| (1,102,285 | ) |
| — |
|
| (1,102,285 | ) |
Net realized gain (loss) |
|
| (140,857 | ) |
| (895,755 | ) |
| (1,036,612 | ) |
Change in unrealized |
|
| 1,474,693 |
|
| 1,711,891 |
|
| 3,186,584 |
|
Net purchases (sales) |
|
| (3,075,961 | ) |
| (18,179,055 | ) |
| (21,255,016 | ) |
Net transfers in/out |
|
| 9,080,412 |
|
| 8,826,706 |
|
| 17,907,118 |
|
|
| |||||||||
Balance, as of May 31, 2010 |
| $ | 21,905,289 |
| $ | 8,891,612 |
| $ | 30,796,901 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 | Included in the related net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation in the Statement of Operations. The change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on securities still held at May 31, 2010 was $1,639,549. |
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||
30 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio |
|
|
|
|
|
May 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
Investments at value — unaffiliated (cost — $822,817,244) |
| $ | 825,806,641 |
|
Investments at value — affiliated (cost — $2,981,216) |
|
| 2,965,467 |
|
Foreign currency at value (cost — $1,691) |
|
| 1,616 |
|
Cash pledged for financial futures contracts |
|
| 596,000 |
|
Cash pledged for reverse repurchase agreements |
|
| 100,000 |
|
Unrealized appreciation on foreign currency exchange contracts |
|
| 768,454 |
|
Unrealized appreciation on swaps |
|
| 618,464 |
|
Interest receivable |
|
| 5,731,505 |
|
Contributions receivable from investor |
|
| 1,464,544 |
|
TBA sale commitments receivable |
|
| 213,094 |
|
Swaps receivable |
|
| 155,986 |
|
Swaps premiums paid |
|
| 38,445 |
|
Margin variation receivable |
|
| 16,021 |
|
Principal paydown receivable |
|
| 251 |
|
Prepaid expenses |
|
| 13,264 |
|
|
| |||
Total assets |
|
| 838,489,752 |
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
Reverse repurchase agreements |
|
| 115,434,587 |
|
TALF loans at value (proceeds — $36,719,724) |
|
| 36,664,565 |
|
Options written at value (premiums received — $233,933) |
|
| 109,383 |
|
Unrealized depreciation on swaps |
|
| 1,038,403 |
|
Investments purchased payable |
|
| 40,071,468 |
|
Swaps payable |
|
| 252,405 |
|
TBA sale commitments at value (proceeds — $213,094) |
|
| 214,750 |
|
Investment advisory fees payable |
|
| 113,310 |
|
Interest expense payable |
|
| 89,802 |
|
Swaps premiums received |
|
| 81,340 |
|
Other affiliates payable |
|
| 2,382 |
|
Directors’ fees payable |
|
| 542 |
|
Other accrued expenses payable |
|
| 86,141 |
|
|
| |||
Total liabilities |
|
| 194,159,078 |
|
|
| |||
Net Assets |
| $ | 644,330,674 |
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets Consist of |
|
|
|
|
Investor’s capital |
| $ | 640,477,875 |
|
Net unrealized appreciation/depreciation |
|
| 3,852,799 |
|
|
| |||
Net Assets |
| $ | 644,330,674 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||
BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 31 |
|
|
|
|
Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio |
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended May 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
Investment Income |
|
|
|
|
Interest |
| $ | 26,146,211 |
|
Income — affiliated |
|
| 343,956 |
|
|
| |||
Total income |
|
| 26,490,167 |
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses |
|
|
|
|
Investment advisory |
|
| 1,243,412 |
|
Accounting services |
|
| 235,223 |
|
Professional |
|
| 89,958 |
|
Borrowing costs1 |
|
| 73,560 |
|
Custodian |
|
| 69,803 |
|
Directors |
|
| 32,301 |
|
Printing |
|
| 7,568 |
|
Miscellaneous |
|
| 71,019 |
|
|
| |||
Total expenses excluding interest expense |
|
| 1,822,844 |
|
Interest expense |
|
| 1,008,036 |
|
|
| |||
Total expenses |
|
| 2,830,880 |
|
|
| |||
Net investment income |
|
| 23,659,287 |
|
|
|
| ||
|
|
|
|
|
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) |
|
|
|
|
Net realized gain (loss) from: |
|
|
|
|
Investments — unaffiliated |
|
| (8,272,429 | ) |
Investments — affiliated |
|
| (58,246 | ) |
Financial futures contracts |
|
| (1,824,930 | ) |
Swaps |
|
| 498,530 |
|
Options written |
|
| 1,513,727 |
|
Foreign currency transactions |
|
| 3,430,631 |
|
|
| |||
|
|
| (4,712,717 | ) |
|
| |||
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on: |
|
|
|
|
Investments |
|
| 43,325,635 |
|
Financial futures contracts |
|
| 383,006 |
|
TALF loans |
|
| 55,159 |
|
Swaps |
|
| (544,575 | ) |
Options written |
|
| 131,327 |
|
Foreign currency transactions |
|
| 874,760 |
|
|
| |||
|
|
| 44,225,312 |
|
|
| |||
Total realized and unrealized gain |
|
| 39,512,595 |
|
|
| |||
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations |
| $ | 63,171,882 |
|
|
|
1 See Note 5 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details on borrowings.
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||
32 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Year Ended |
| ||||
|
| ||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets: |
| 2010 |
| 2009 |
| ||
Operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
| $ | 23,659,287 |
| $ | 26,601,796 |
|
Net realized loss |
|
| (4,712,717 | ) |
| (20,153,122 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation |
|
| 44,225,312 |
|
| (25,843,561 | ) |
|
| ||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations |
|
| 63,171,882 |
|
| (19,394,887 | ) |
|
| ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital Transactions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from contributions |
|
| 213,180,578 |
|
| 149,295,648 |
|
Value of withdrawals |
|
| (165,785,941 | ) |
| (280,854,827 | ) |
|
| ||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital transactions |
|
| 47,394,637 |
|
| (131,559,179 | ) |
|
| ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total increase (decrease) in net assets |
|
| 110,566,519 |
|
| (150,954,066 | ) |
Beginning of year |
|
| 533,764,155 |
|
| 684,718,221 |
|
|
| ||||||
End of year |
| $ | 644,330,674 |
| $ | 533,764,155 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||
BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 33 |
|
|
|
|
Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio |
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended May 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
Cash Used for Operating Activities |
|
|
|
|
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations |
| $ | 63,171,882 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash used for operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
Increase in interest receivable |
|
| (399,860 | ) |
Increase in swap receivable |
|
| (55,773 | ) |
Decrease in other assets |
|
| 12,025 |
|
Increase in margin variation receivable |
|
| (16,021 | ) |
Decrease in prepaid expenses |
|
| 39,166 |
|
Increase in cash pledged for financial futures contracts |
|
| (596,000 | ) |
Increase in cash pledged for reverse repurchase agreements |
|
| (100,000 | ) |
Increase in investment advisory payable |
|
| 18,920 |
|
Increase in interest expense payable |
|
| 69,600 |
|
Decrease in other affiliates payable |
|
| (2,365 | ) |
Increase in accrued expenses payable |
|
| 7,249 |
|
Decrease in margin variation payable |
|
| (187,932 | ) |
Increase in swaps payable |
|
| 152,133 |
|
Decrease in directors payable |
|
| (37 | ) |
Net periodic and termination payments of swaps |
|
| 513,186 |
|
Net realized and unrealized gain |
|
| (33,424,237 | ) |
Amortization of premium and discount on investments |
|
| 1,675,331 |
|
Premiums received from options written |
|
| 2,888,701 |
|
Proceeds from sales and paydowns of long-term investments |
|
| 924,426,677 |
|
Purchases of long-term investments |
|
| (1,003,448,419 | ) |
Net purchases of short-term securities |
|
| (34,478,555 | ) |
Premiums paid on closing options written |
|
| (2,691,122 | ) |
|
| |||
Cash used for operating activities |
|
| (82,425,451 | ) |
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Provided by Financing Activities |
|
|
|
|
Cash receipts from contributions from investor |
|
| 212,243,028 |
|
Cash payments from withdrawals to investor |
|
| (165,785,941 | ) |
Cash receipts from borrowings |
|
| 673,980,103 |
|
Cash payments from borrowings |
|
| (638,011,327 | ) |
|
| |||
Cash provided by financing activities |
|
| 82,425,863 |
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Impact from Foreign Exchange Fluctuations |
|
|
|
|
Cash impact from foreign exchange fluctuations |
|
| (155 | ) |
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
Cash |
|
|
|
|
Net increase in cash |
|
| 257 |
|
Cash and foreign currency at beginning of year |
|
| 1,359 |
|
|
| |||
Cash and foreign currency at end of year |
| $ | 1,616 |
|
|
| |||
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flow Information |
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the year for interest |
| $ | 938,436 |
|
A Statement of Cash Flows is presented when the Portfolio has a significant amount of borrowing during the period, based on the average borrowing outstanding in relation to total assets.
|
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||
34 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
|
|
| |
Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Year Ended |
| Period |
| Year Ended June 30, |
| ||||||||||||
|
|
| May 31, |
|
| ||||||||||||||
|
| 2010 |
| 2009 |
| 2008 |
| 2007 |
| 2006 |
| 2005 |
| ||||||
Total Investment Return |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total investment return |
|
| 11.64 | % |
| (2.34 | )% |
| 2.76 | %1 |
| 5.03 | % |
| 2.50 | % |
| 2.80 | % |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses |
|
| 0.48 | % |
| 0.31 | % |
| 0.28 | %2 |
| 0.28 | % |
| 0.28 | % |
| 0.28 | % |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses excluding interest expense |
|
| 0.31 | % |
| 0.29 | % |
| 0.28 | %2 |
| 0.28 | % |
| 0.28 | % |
| 0.28 | % |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
|
| 3.99 | % |
| 4.57 | % |
| 4.83 | %2 |
| 4.60 | % |
| 4.00 | % |
| 3.34 | % |
|
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Supplemental Data |
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Net assets, end of period (000) |
| $ | 644,331 |
| $ | 533,764 |
| $ | 684,718 |
| $ | 676,701 |
| $ | 678,830 |
| $ | 726,534 |
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Portfolio turnover |
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| 130 | %3 |
| 143 | %4 |
| 230 | %5 |
| 108 | % |
| 80 | % |
| 75 | % |
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| 1 | Aggregate total investment return. |
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| 2 | Annualized. |
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| 3 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions. Excluding these transactions the portfolio turnover rate would have been 126%. |
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| 4 | Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions. Excluding these transactions the portfolio turnover rate would have been 89%. |
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| 5 | Includes TBA transactions. Excluding these transactions the portfolio turnover rate would have been 13%. |
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See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||
BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 35 |
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Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio |
1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies:
Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio (the “Portfolio”) is a series of Short-Term Bond Master LLC (the “Master LLC”). The Master LLC is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and organized as a Delaware limited liability company. The Limited Liability Company Agreement permits the Board of Directors of the Master LLC (the “Board”) to issue non-transferable interests in the Master LLC, subject to certain limitations. The Portfolio’s financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Portfolio:
Valuation: The Portfolio’s policy is to fair value its financial instruments at market value using independent dealers or pricing services selected under the supervision of the Board. The Portfolio values its bond investments on the basis of last available bid prices or current market quotations provided by dealers or pricing services. In determining the value of a particular investment, pricing services may use certain information with respect to transactions in such investments, quotations from dealers, pricing matrixes, market transactions in comparable investments, various relationships observed in the market between investments and calculated yield measures based on valuation technology commonly employed in the market for such investments. Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities are valued by independent pricing services using models that consider estimated cash flows of each tranche of the security, establish a benchmark yield and develop an estimated tranche specific spread to the benchmark yield based on the unique attributes of the tranche. To-be-announced (“TBA”) commitments are valued on the basis of last available bid prices or current market quotations provided by pricing services. Financial futures contracts traded on exchanges are valued at their last sale price. Swap agreements are valued utilizing quotes received daily by the Portfolio’s pricing service or through brokers, which are derived using daily swap curves and models that incorporate a number of market data factors, such as discounted cash flows and trades and values of the underlying reference instruments. Short-term securities with remaining maturities of 60 days or less may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.
Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into US dollars using exchange rates determined as of the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean between the bid and ask prices and are determined as of the close of business on the NYSE. Interpolated values are derived when the settlement date of the contract is an interim date for which quotations are not available.
Exchange-traded options are valued at the mean between the last bid and ask prices at the close of the options market in which the options trade. An exchange-traded option for which there is no mean price is valued at the last bid (long positions) or ask (short positions) price. If no bid or ask price is available, the prior day’s price will be used, unless it is determined that the prior day’s price no longer reflects the fair value of the option. Over-the-counter (“OTC”) options and swaptions are valued by an independent pricing service using a mathematical model which incorporates a number of market data factors, such as the trades and prices of the underlying instruments.
In the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment which is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment or is not available, the investment will be valued by a method approved by the Board as reflecting fair value (“Fair Value Assets”). When determining the price for Fair Value Assets, the investment advisor and/or the sub-advisor seeks to determine the price that the Portfolio might reasonably expect to receive from the current sale of that asset in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the investment advisor and/or sub-advisor deems relevant. The pricing of all Fair Value Assets is subsequently reported to the Board or a committee thereof.
Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of business on the NYSE. Occasionally, events affecting the values of such instruments may occur between the foreign market close and the close of business on the NYSE that may not be reflected in the computation of the Portfolio’s net assets. If events (for example, a company announcement, market volatility or a natural disaster) occur during such periods that are expected to materially affect the value of such instruments, those instruments may be Fair Value Assets and be valued at their fair values, as determined in good faith by the Board or by the investment advisor using a pricing service and/or procedures approved by the Board.
Foreign Currency Transactions: The Portfolio’s books and records are maintained in US dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into US dollars as follows: (i) market value of investment securities, assets and liabilities at the current rate of exchange; and (ii) purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the US dollar rises in value against foreign currency, the Portfolio’s investments denominated in that currency will lose value because its currency is worth fewer US dollars; the opposite effect occurs if the US dollar falls in relative value.
The Portfolio reports foreign currency related transactions as components of realized gain (loss) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are treated as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.
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36 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
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Notes to Financial Statements (continued) | Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio |
Asset-Backed and Mortgaged-Backed Securities: The Portfolio may invest in asset-backed securities. Asset-backed securities are generally issued as pass-through certificates, which represent undivided fractional ownership interests in an underlying pool of assets, or as debt instruments, which are also known as collateralized obligations, and are generally issued as the debt of a special purpose entity organized solely for the purpose of owning such assets and issuing such debt. Asset-backed securities are often backed by a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties. The yield characteristics of certain asset-backed securities may differ from traditional debt securities. One such major difference is that all or a principal part of the obligations may be prepaid at any time because the underlying assets (i.e., loans) may be prepaid at any time. As a result, a decrease in interest rates in the market may result in increases in the level of prepayments as borrowers, particularly mortgagors, refinance and repay their loans. An increased prepayment rate with respect to an asset-backed security subject to such a prepayment feature will have the effect of shortening the maturity of the security. If the Portfolio has purchased such an asset-backed security at a premium, a faster than anticipated prepayment rate could result in a loss of principal to the extent of the premium paid.
The Portfolio may purchase certain mortgage pass-through securities. There are a number of important differences among the agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government that issue mortgage-related securities and among the securities that they issue. For example, mortgage-related securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by GNMA and such guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. However, mortgage-related securities issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”) and Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), including FNMA guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates which are solely the obligations of the FNMA, are not backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States and are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury.
Collateralized Debt Obligations: The Portfolio may invest in collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), which include collateralized bond obligations (“CBOs”) and collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”). CBOs and CLOs are types of asset-backed securities. A CDO is a bankruptcy remote entity which is backed by a diversified pool of debt securities (CBOs) or syndicated bank loans (CLOs). The cash flows of the CDO can be split into multiple segments, called “tranches,” which will vary in risk profile and yield. The riskiest segment is the subordinated or “equity” tranche. This tranche bears the greatest risk of defaults from the underlying assets in the CDO and serves to protect the other, more senior, tranches from default in all but the most severe circumstances. Since it is shielded from defaults by the more junior tranches, a “senior” tranche will typically have higher credit ratings and lower yields than their underlying securities, and often receive investment grade ratings from one or more of the nationally recognized rating agencies. Despite the protection from the more junior tranches, senior tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to future defaults and the disappearance of one or more protecting tranches as a result of changes in the credit profile of the underlying pool of assets.
Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities: The Portfolio may invest in stripped mortgage-backed securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities. Stripped mortgage-backed securities are usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest (IOs) and principal (POs) distributions on a pool of mortgage assets. The Portfolio also may invest in stripped mortgage-backed securities that are privately issued.
Borrowed Bond Agreements: In a borrowed bond agreement, the Portfolio borrows securities from a third party, with the commitment that they will be returned to the lender on an agreed-upon date. Borrowed bond agreements are primarily entered into to settle short bond positions. To support the borrowing, the Portfolio’s prime broker or third party broker takes possession of the underlying collateral securities or cash that will be released upon termination of the borrowing. The value of the underlying collateral securities or cash approximates the principal amount of the borrowed bond transaction, including accrued interest. To the extent that borrowed bond transactions exceed one business day, the value of the collateral in the possession of the Portfolio’s prime broker is marked to market on a daily basis to ensure the adequacy of the collateral. If the lender defaults and the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the lender of the security, realization of the collateral by the Portfolio may be delayed or limited.
Forward Commitments and When-Issued Delayed Delivery Securities:
The Portfolio may purchase securities on a when-issued basis and may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis. Settlement of such transactions normally occurs within a month or more after the purchase or sale commitment is made. The Portfolio may purchase securities under such conditions with the intention of actually acquiring them, but may enter into a separate agreement to sell the securities before the settlement date. Since the value of securities purchased may fluctuate prior to settlement, the Portfolio may be required to pay more at settlement than the security is worth. In addition, the purchaser is not entitled to any of the interest earned prior to settlement. When purchasing a security on a delayed delivery basis, the Portfolio assumes the rights and risks of ownership of the security, including the risk of price and yield fluctuations. In the event of default by the counterparty, the Portfolio’s maximum amount of loss is the unrealized appreciation of unsettled when-issued transactions, which is shown on the Schedule of Investments, if any.
TBA Commitments: The Portfolio may enter into TBA commitments pursuant to which it agrees to purchase or sell mortgage-backed securities for a fixed price, with payment and delivery at a scheduled future date beyond the customary settlement period for the mortgage-backed security. The specific
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BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 37 |
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Notes to Financial Statements (continued) | Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio |
securities to be delivered are not identified at the trade date; however, delivered securities must meet specified terms, including issuer, rate and mortgage terms. The Portfolio generally enters into TBA transactions with the intent to take possession of or deliver out the underlying mortgage-backed securities but can extend the settlement or roll the transaction. TBA commitments involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased or sold declines or increases prior to settlement date, which is in addition to the risk of decline in the value of the Portfolio’s other assets.
Mortgage Dollar Roll Transactions: The Portfolio may sell TBA mortgage-backed securities and simultaneously contract to repurchase substantially similar (same type, coupon and maturity) securities on a specific future date at an agreed-upon price. During the period between the sale and repurchase, the Portfolio will not be entitled to receive interest and principal payments on the securities sold. The Portfolio accounts for dollar roll transactions as purchases and sales and realizes gains and losses on these transactions. These transactions may increase the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate. Mortgage dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities that the Portfolio is required to purchase may decline below the agreed upon repurchase price of those securities.
Treasury Roll Transactions: A treasury roll transaction involves the sale of a Treasury security, with an agreement to repurchase the same security at an agreed upon price and date. Treasury rolls constitute a borrowing and the difference between the sale and repurchase price represents interest expense at an agreed upon rate. Whether such a transaction produces a positive impact on performance depends upon whether the income on the securities purchased with the proceeds received from the sale of the security exceeds the interest expense incurred by the Portfolio. For accounting purposes, treasury rolls are not considered purchases and sales and any gains or losses incurred on the treasury rolls will be deferred until the Treasury securities are disposed.
Treasury roll transactions involve the risk that the market value of the securities that the Portfolio is required to purchase may decline below the agreed upon purchase price of those securities. If investment performance of securities purchased with proceeds from these transactions does not exceed the income, capital appreciation and gain or loss that would have been realized on the securities sold as part of the treasury roll, the use of this technique will adversely impact the investment performance of the Portfolio.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements: The Portfolio may enter into reverse repurchase agreements with qualified third party broker-dealers. In a reverse repurchase agreement, the Portfolio sells securities to a bank or broker-dealer and agrees to repurchase the same securities at a mutually agreed upon date and price. Certain agreements have no stated maturity and can be terminated by either party at any time. Interest on the value of the reverse repurchase agreements issued and outstanding is based upon competitive market rates determined at the time of issuance. The Portfolio may utilize reverse repurchase agreements when it is anticipated that the interest income to be earned from the investment of the proceeds of the transaction is greater than the interest expense of the transaction. Reverse repurchase agreements involve leverage risk and also the risk that the market value of the securities that the Portfolio is obligated to repurchase under the agreement may decline below the repurchase price. In the event the buyer of securities under a reverse repurchase agreement files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the Portfolio’s use of the proceeds of the agreement may be restricted while the other party, or its trustee or receiver, determines whether or not to enforce the Portfolio’s obligation to repurchase the securities.
Segregation and Collateralization: In cases in which the 1940 Act and the interpretive positions of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) require that the Portfolio either delivers collateral or segregates assets in connection with certain investments (e.g., dollar rolls, TBAs beyond normal settlement, financial futures contracts, foreign currency exchange contracts, swaps and written options), or certain borrowings (e.g., reverse repurchase agreements and loan payable) the Portfolio will, consistent with SEC rules and/or certain interpretive letters issued by the SEC, segregate collateral or designate on its books and records cash or other liquid securities having a market value at least equal to the amount that would otherwise be required to be physically segregated. Furthermore, based on requirements and agreements with certain exchanges and third party broker-dealers, each party has requirements to deliver/deposit securities as collateral for certain investments.
Investment Transactions and Investment Income: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are entered into (the trade dates). Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined on the identified cost basis. Interest income, including amortization of premium and accretion of discount on debt securities, is recognized on the accrual basis. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest.
Income Taxes: The Portfolio is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner for tax purposes. As such, the owner of the Portfolio is treated as the owner of the net assets, income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains and losses of the Portfolio. Therefore, no federal tax provision is required. It is intended that Portfolio’s assets will be managed so the owner of the Master LLC can satisfy the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Recent Accounting Standard: In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued amended guidance to improve disclosure about fair value measurements which will require additional disclosures about transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). It also
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38 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
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Notes to Financial Statements (continued) | Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio |
clarifies existing disclosure requirements relating to the levels of disaggregation for fair value measurement and inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The amended guidance is effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2009, and interim periods within those fiscal years, except for disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the rollforward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, which are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The impact of this guidance on the Portfolio’s financial statements and disclosures is currently being assessed.
Other: Expenses directly related to the Portfolio are charged to that Portfolio. Other operating expenses shared by several funds are pro rated among those funds on the basis of relative net assets or other appropriate methods. The Portfolio has an arrangement with the custodian whereby fees may be reduced by credits earned on uninvested cash balances, which if applicable are shown as fees paid indirectly in the Statement of Operations. The custodian imposes fees on overdrawn cash balances, which can be offset by accumulated credits earned or may result in additional custody charges.
2. Derivative Financial Instruments:
The Portfolio may engage in various portfolio investment strategies using derivative contracts both to increase the returns of the Portfolio and to economically hedge, or protect, its exposure to certain risks such as, interest rate risk, credit risk and foreign currency exchange rate risk. Losses may arise if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the price of the underlying instrument or if the counterparty does not perform under the contract. The Portfolio may mitigate counter-party risk through master netting agreements included within an International Swap and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) Master Agreement between the Portfolio and separately each of its counterparties. The ISDA Master Agreement allows the Portfolio to offset with its counterparty certain derivative financial instrument’s payables and/or receivables with collateral held with each separate counterparty. The amount of collateral moved to/from applicable counterparties is based upon minimum transfer amounts of up to $500,000. To the extent amounts due to the Portfolio from its counterparties are not fully collateralized contractually or otherwise, the Portfolio bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance. See Note 1 “Segregation and Collateralization” for information with respect to collateral practices. In addition, the Portfolio manages counter-party risk by entering into agreements only with counterparties that it believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties.
The Portfolio’s maximum risk of loss from counterparty credit risk on OTC derivatives is generally the aggregate unrealized gain in excess of any collateral pledged by the counterparty to the Portfolio. For OTC options purchased, the Portfolio bears the risk of loss in the amount of the premiums paid and change in market value of the options should the counter-party not perform under the contracts. Options written by the Portfolio do not give rise to counterparty credit risk, as options written obligate the Portfolio to perform and not the counterparty. Certain ISDA Master Agreements allow counterparties to OTC derivatives to terminate derivative contracts prior to maturity in the event the Portfolio’s net assets decline by a stated percentage or the Portfolio fails to meet the terms of its ISDA Master Agreements, which would cause the Portfolio to accelerate payment of any net liability owed to the counterparty. Counterparty risk related to exchange-traded financial futures contracts and options is minimal because of the protection against defaults provided by the exchange on which they trade.
Financial Futures Contracts: The Portfolio may purchase or sell financial futures contracts and options on financial futures contracts to gain exposure to, or economically hedge against, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk) or foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk). Financial futures contracts are contracts for delayed delivery of securities or currencies at a specific future date and at a specific price or yield. Pursuant to the contract, the Portfolio agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as margin variation and are recognized by the Portfolio as unrealized gains or losses. When the contract is closed, the Portfolio records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. The use of financial futures transactions involves the risk of an imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of financial futures contracts, interest rates and the underlying assets.
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts: The Portfolio may enter into foreign currency exchange contracts as an economic hedge against either specific transactions or portfolio instruments or to gain exposure to foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk). A foreign currency exchange contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set exchange rate on a future date. Foreign currency exchange contracts, when used by the Portfolio, help to manage the overall exposure to the currency backing some of the investments held by the Portfolio. The contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded by the Portfolio as an unrealized gain or loss. When the contract is closed, the Portfolio records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. The use of foreign currency exchange contracts involves the risk that counterparties may not meet the terms of the agreement or unfavorable movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the US dollar.
Options: The Portfolio may purchase and write call and put options to increase or decrease its exposure to underlying instruments (interest rate risk and/or credit risk) and/or, in the case of options written, to generate gains from options premiums. A call option gives the purchaser of the option the right (but not the obligation) to buy, and obligates the seller to sell (when the option is exercised), the underlying instrument at the exercise price at any time or at a specified time during the option period. A put
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BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 39 |
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Notes to Financial Statements (continued) | Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio |
option gives the holder the right to sell and obligates the writer to buy the underlying instrument at the exercise price at any time or at a specified time during the option period. When the Portfolio purchases (writes) an option, an amount equal to the premium paid (received) by the Portfolio is reflected as an asset (liability). The amount of the asset (liability) is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option purchased (written). When an instrument is purchased or sold through an exercise of an option, the related premium paid (or received) is added to (or deducted from) the basis of the instrument acquired or deducted from (or added to) the proceeds of the instrument sold. When an option expires (or the Fund enters into a closing transaction), the Portfolio realizes a gain or loss on the option to the extent of the premiums received or paid (or gain or loss to the extent the cost of the closing transaction exceeds the premium received or paid). When the Portfolio writes a call option, such option is “covered,” meaning that the Portfolio holds the underlying instrument subject to being called by the option counterparty, or cash in an amount sufficient to cover the obligation. When the Portfolio writes a put option, such option is covered by cash in an amount sufficient to cover the obligation.
Options on swaps (swaptions) are similar to options on securities except that instead of selling or purchasing the right to buy or sell a security, the writer or purchaser of the swap option is granting or buying the right to enter into a previously agreed upon interest rate swap agreement at any time before the expiration of the option.
The Portfolio may also purchase or sell listed or OTC foreign currency options, foreign currency futures and related options on foreign currency futures as a short or long hedge against possible variations in foreign exchange rates or to gain exposure to foreign currencies. When foreign currency is purchased or sold through an exercise of a foreign currency option, the related premium paid (or received) is added to (or deducted from) the basis of the foreign currency acquired or deducted from (or added to) the proceeds of the foreign currency sold. Such transactions may be effected with respect to hedges on non-US dollar denominated instruments owned by the Portfolio but not yet delivered, or committed or anticipated to be purchased by the Portfolio.
In purchasing and writing options, the Portfolio bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the value of the underlying instrument or the risk that the Portfolio may not be able to enter into a closing transaction due to an illiquid market. Exercise of an option written could result in the Portfolio purchasing or selling a security at a price different from the current market value. The Portfolio may execute transactions in both listed and OTC options.
Swaps: The Portfolio may enter into swap agreements, in which the Portfolio and a counterparty agree to make periodic net payments on a specified notional amount. These periodic payments received or made by the Portfolio are recorded in the Statement of Operations as realized gains or losses, respectively. Any upfront fees paid or received on swaps are recognized as cost and amortized over the term of the swap. Swaps are marked-to-market daily and changes in value are recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation). When the swap is terminated, the Portfolio will record a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transaction and the Portfolio’s basis in the contract, if any. Generally, the basis of the contracts is the premium received or paid. Swap transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of interest rate, credit and market risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counter-party to the agreements may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of the contractual terms in the agreements, and that there may be unfavorable changes in interest rates and/or market values associated with these transactions.
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• | Credit default swaps — The Portfolio may enter into credit default swaps to manage its exposure to the market or certain sectors of the market, to reduce its risk exposure to defaults of corporate and/or sovereign issuers or to create exposure to corporate and/or sovereign issuers to which it is not otherwise exposed (credit risk). The Portfolio enters into credit default agreements to provide a measure of protection against the default of an issuer (as buyer protection) and/or gain credit exposure to an issuer to which it is not otherwise exposed (as seller of protection). The Portfolio may either buy or sell (write) credit default swaps on single-name issuers (corporate or sovereign), a combination or basket of single-name issuers or traded indexes. Credit default swaps on single-name issuers are agreements in which the buyer pays fixed periodic payments to the seller in consideration for a guarantee from the seller to make a specific payment should a negative credit event take place (e.g., bankruptcy, failure to pay, obligation accelerators, repudiation, moratorium or restructuring). Credit default swaps on traded indexes are agreements in which the buyer pays fixed periodic payments to the seller in consideration for a guarantee from the seller to make a specific payment should a write-down, principal or interest shortfall or default of all or individual underlying securities included in the index occurs. As a buyer, if an underlying credit event occurs, the Portfolio will either receive from the seller an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and deliver the referenced security or underlying securities comprising of an index or receive a net settlement of cash equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the security or underlying securities comprising of an index. As a seller (writer), if an underlying credit event occurs, the Portfolio will either pay the buyer an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and take delivery of the referenced security or underlying securities comprising of an index or pay a net settlement of cash equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the security or underlying securities comprising of an index. |
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40 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
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Notes to Financial Statements (continued) | Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio |
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• | Interest rate swaps — The Portfolio may enter into interest rate swaps to gain exposure to or manage duration, the yield curve or interest rate risk by economically hedging the value of the fixed rate bonds which may decrease when interest rates rise (interest rate risk). Interest rate swaps are agreements in which one party pays a stream of interest payments, either fixed or floating rate, for another party’s stream of interest, either fixed or floating, on the same notional principal amount for a specified period of time. Interest rate floors, which are a type of interest rate swap, are agreements in which one party agrees to make payments to the other party to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified rate or floor in return for a premium. In more complex swaps, the notional principal amount may decline (or amortize) over time. |
Derivative Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure:
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Fair Values of Derivative Instruments as of May 31, 2010 | |||||||||||
|
| Asset Derivatives |
| Liability Derivatives |
| ||||||
|
|
| |||||||||
|
| Statement of Assets |
| Value |
| Statement of Assets |
| Value |
| ||
Interest rate contracts |
| Net unrealized appreciation/ depreciation*; Unrealized appreciation on swaps; Investments at value — unaffiliated** |
| $ | 1,003,882 |
| Unrealized depreciation on swaps; Options written at value |
| $ | 1,118,418 |
|
Foreign currency exchange contracts |
| Unrealized appreciation on foreign currency exchange contracts |
|
| 768,454 |
| Unrealized depreciation on foreign currency exchange contracts |
|
| — |
|
Credit contracts |
| Unrealized appreciation on swaps |
|
| — |
| Unrealized depreciation on swaps |
|
| 29,368 |
|
Total |
|
|
| $ | 1,772,336 |
|
|
| $ | 1,147,786 |
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* |
| Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation of financial futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current day’s margin variation is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
** |
| Includes options purchased at value as reported in the Schedule of Investments. |
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The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations | ||||||||||||||||
|
| Net Realized Gain (Loss) from | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||
|
| Financial Futures |
| Swaps |
| Options*** |
| Foreign Currency |
| Total |
| |||||
Interest rate contracts |
| $ | (1,824,930 | ) | $ | 544,125 |
| $ | 1,582,085 |
|
| — |
| $ | 301,280 |
|
Foreign currency exchange contracts |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
| $ | 3,560,625 |
|
| 3,560,625 |
|
Credit contracts |
|
| — |
|
| (45,595 | ) |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| (45,595 | ) |
Total |
| $ | (1,824,930 | ) | $ | 498,530 |
| $ | 1,582,085 |
| $ | 3,560,625 |
| $ | 3,816,310 |
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|
| Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation on |
| |||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||
|
| Financial Futures |
| Swaps |
| Options*** |
| Foreign Currency |
| Total |
| |||||
Interest rate contracts |
| $ | 383,006 |
| $ | (515,207 | ) | $ | (76,397 | ) |
| — |
| $ | (208,598 | ) |
Foreign currency exchange contracts |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| — |
| $ | 891,630 |
|
| 891,630 |
|
Credit contracts |
|
| — |
|
| (29,368 | ) |
| — |
|
| — |
|
| (29,368 | ) |
Total |
| $ | 383,006 |
| $ | (544,575 | ) | $ | (76,397 | ) | $ | 891,630 |
| $ | 653,664 |
|
|
|
|
|
*** | Options purchased are included in the net realized gain (loss) from investments and net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments. |
|
|
|
BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 41 |
|
|
| |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) | Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio |
For the year ended May 31, 2010, the average quarterly balance of outstanding derivative financial instruments was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Financial futures contracts: |
|
|
|
|
Average number of contracts purchased |
|
| 418 |
|
Average number of contracts sold |
|
| 456 |
|
Average notional value of contracts purchased |
| $ | 81,620,184 |
|
Average notional value of contracts sold |
| $ | 57,301,482 |
|
Foreign currency exchange contracts: |
|
|
|
|
Average number of contracts — US dollars purchased |
|
| 4 |
|
Average number of contracts — US dollars sold |
|
| 1 |
|
Average US dollar amounts purchased |
| $ | 17,162,058 |
|
Average US dollar amounts sold |
| $ | 152,175 |
|
Options: |
|
|
|
|
Average number of contracts purchased |
|
| 281 |
|
Average number of contracts written |
|
| 349 |
|
Average notional value of contracts purchased |
| $ | 34,368,125 |
|
Average notional value of contracts written |
| $ | 115,938,750 |
|
Credit default swaps: |
|
|
|
|
Average number of contracts — buy protection |
|
| 1 |
|
Average notional value — buy protection |
| $ | 2,825,000 |
|
Interest rate swaps: |
|
|
|
|
Average number of contracts — pays fixed rate |
|
| 3 |
|
Average number of contracts — receives fixed rate |
|
| 1 |
|
Average notional value — pays fixed rate |
| $ | 66,211,176 |
|
Average notional value — receives fixed rate |
| $ | 21,800,000 |
|
3. Investment Advisory Agreement and Other Transactions with Affiliates:
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”), Bank of America Corporation (“BAC”) and Barclays Bank PLC (“Barclays”) are the largest stockholders of BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”). Due to the ownership structure, PNC is an affiliate of the Portfolio for 1940 Act purposes, but BAC and Barclays are not.
The Portfolio entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”), the Portfolio’s investment advisor, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock, to provide investment advisory and administration services. The Manager is responsible for the management of the Portfolio’s portfolio and provides the necessary personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary to the operations of the Portfolio. For such services, the Portfolio pays the Manager a monthly fee at an annual rate 0.21% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets.
The Manager entered into a sub-advisory agreement with BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (“BFM”), an affiliate of the Manager, under which the Manager pays BFM for services it provides, a monthly fee that is a percentage of the investment advisory fees paid by the Portfolio to the Manager.
For the year ended May 31, 2010, the Portfolio reimbursed the Manager $14,327 for certain accounting services, which is included in accounting services in the Statement of Operations.
Certain officers and/or directors of the Master LLC are officers and/or directors of BlackRock or its affiliates.
4. Investments:
Purchases and sales of investments including paydowns, mortgage dollar roll and TBA transactions and excluding short-term securities and US government securities for the year ended May 31, 2010, were $587,368,376 and $526,913,429, respectively.
Purchases and sales of US government securities for the year ended May 31, 2010, were $476,095,547 and $429,708,228, respectively.
For the year ended May 31, 2010, purchases and sales of mortgage dollar rolls were $25,571,369 and $25,271,070, respectively.
Transactions in options written for the year ended May 31, 2010 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Calls |
| Puts |
| ||||||||
|
|
| |||||||||||
|
| Contracts* |
| Premiums |
| Contracts* |
| Premiums |
| ||||
Options outstanding, beginning of year |
|
| 183 |
| $ | 652,450 |
|
| 100 |
| $ | 897,630 |
|
Options written |
|
| 42 |
|
| 1,219,443 |
|
| 396 |
|
| 1,669,258 |
|
Options closed |
|
| (206 | ) |
| (1,838,101 | ) |
| (239 | ) |
| (2,028,973 | ) |
Options expired |
|
| — |
|
| — |
|
| (67 | ) |
| (337,774 | ) |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||
Options outstanding, end of year |
|
| 19 |
| $ | 33,792 |
|
| 190 |
| $ | 200,141 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | One contract represents notional amounts of $1 million or $2,500. |
5. Borrowings:
During the year ended May 31, 2010, the Portfolio borrowed under the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (“TALF”). The TALF program was launched by the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board as a credit facility designed to restore liquidity to the market for asset-backed securities. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York (“FRBNY”) will provide up to $1 trillion in non-recourse loans to support the issuance of certain AAA-rated asset-backed securities and commercial mortgage-backed securities (“Eligible Securities”). The Portfolio posted as collateral already-held Eligible Securities, which were all commercial mortgage-backed securities, in return for non-recourse, 5-year term loans (“TALF loans”) in an amount equal to approximately 85% of the value of such Eligible Securities. The TALF loans are shown as TALF loans at value on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The following is a summary of the outstanding TALF loans and related information as of May 31, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number |
| Aggregate Value |
| Range of |
| Range of |
| Value of Eligible |
| ||||
3 |
| $ | 36,719,724 |
| 10/29/12 – 11/25/14 |
| 2.86% – 3.87% |
| $ | 45,108,055 |
| ||
|
|
|
42 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
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|
| |
Notes to Financial Statements (concluded) | Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio |
The non-recourse provision of the TALF loans allows the Portfolio to satisfy loan obligations with Eligible Securities, subject to certain conditions, even if the value of the Eligible Securities falls below the outstanding amount of the loan. The Portfolio can repay TALF loans prior to the maturity dates with no penalty. Principal and interest due on the loans will typically be paid with principal paydowns and interest received from the Eligible Securities. Credit agreements underlying each loan contain provisions to address instances in which interest payments on Eligible Securities fall short of amounts due to the FRBNY. The Portfolio paid to the FRBNY a one time administration fee of 0.20% of the amount borrowed, which was expensed as incurred in the current period by the Portfolio and is included in borrowing costs in the Statement of Operations. The Portfolio also pays a financing fee equal to the 5-year LIBOR swap rate plus 1.00% on the outstanding loan amount payable monthly, which is included in interest expense in the Statement of Operations.
Since the Portfolio has the ability to potentially satisfy TALF loan obligations by surrendering Eligible Securities, potential losses by the Portfolio associated with the TALF loans are limited to the difference between the amount of Eligible Securities posted at the time of loan initiation and the loan proceeds received by the Portfolio.
The Portfolio has elected to account for the outstanding TALF loans at fair value. The Portfolio elected to fair value its TALF loans to more closely align changes in the value of the TALF loans with changes in the value of the Eligible Securities and to reduce the potential volatility in the Statement of Operations which could result if only the Eligible Securities were fair valued. TALF loans are valued utilizing quotations received from a board approved pricing service. TALF-eligible ABS/CMBS value may be affected by historic defaults and prepayments on the asset pool, expected future defaults and prepayments, current interest rate levels, current and forward modeled ABS/CMBS spread levels. Accordingly, TALF loan valuation methodologies may include, but are not limited to, the following inputs: (i) ABS/CMBS prepayment assumptions, (ii) discount rates and (iii) the non-recourse put option valuation. The resulting TALF loan valuation combines the present value of the future loan cash flows, plus the value of the non-recourse option. The change in unrealized gain or loss associated with fair valuing TALF loans is reflected in the Statement of Operations.
For the year ended May 31, 2010 the Portfolio’s daily average amount of outstanding transactions considered as borrowings from reverse repurchase agreements, treasury rolls and TALF loans was approximately $152,638,828 and the daily weighted average interest rate was 0.66%.
The Portfolio, along with certain other funds managed by the Manager and its affiliates, is a party to a $500 million credit agreement with a group of lenders, which was renewed until November 2010. The Portfolio may borrow under the credit agreement to fund shareholder redemptions. Prior to its renewal, the credit agreement had the following terms: 0.02% upfront fee on the aggregate commitment amount which was allocated to the Portfolio based on its net assets as of October 31, 2008; a commitment fee of 0.08% per annum based on the Portfolio’s pro rata share of the unused portion of the credit agreement, which is included in miscellaneous in the Statement of Operations, and interest at a rate equal to the higher of the (a) federal funds effective rate and (b) reserve adjusted one-month LIBOR, plus, in each case, the higher of (i) 1.50% and (ii) 50% of the CDX Index (as defined in the credit agreement) on amounts borrowed. Effective November 2009, the credit agreement was renewed with the following terms: 0.02% upfront fee on the aggregate commitment amount which was allocated to the Portfolio based on its net assets as of October 31, 2009, a commitment fee of 0.10% per annum based on the Portfolio’s pro rata share of the unused portion of the credit agreement and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) the one-month LIBOR plus 1.25% per annum and (b) the Fed Funds rate plus 1.25% per annum on amounts borrowed. The Portfolio did not borrow under the credit agreement during the year ended May 31, 2010.
6. Concentration, Market and Credit Risk:
In the normal course of business, the Portfolio invests in securities and enters into transactions where risks exist due to fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of the issuer of a security to meet all its obligations (credit risk). The value of securities held by the Portfolio may decline in response to certain events, including those directly involving the issuers whose securities are owned by the Portfolio; conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; and currency and interest rate and price fluctuations. Similar to credit risk, the Portfolio may be exposed to counterparty risk, or the risk that an entity with which the Portfolio has unsettled or open transactions may default. The Portfolio manages counterparty risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that it believes has the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Portfolio to credit and counterparty risks, consist principally of investments and cash due from counterparties. The extent of the Portfolio’s exposure to credit and counterparty risks with respect to these financial assets is generally approximated by their value recorded in the Portfolio’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Portfolio.
The Portfolio invests a significant portion of its assets in securities backed by commercial or residential mortgage loans or in issuers that hold mortgage and other asset-backed securities. Please see the Schedule of Investments for these securities. Changes in economic conditions, including delinquencies and/or defaults on assets underlying these securities, can affect the value, income and/or liquidity of such positions.
7. Subsequent Events:
Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Portfolio through the date the financial statements were issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or additional disclosure in the financial statements.
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|
|
BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 43 |
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|
| |
Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio |
To the Board of Directors and Investors of Short-Term Bond Master LLC:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Short-Term Bond Master LLC (the “Fund”), comprising Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio, including the schedule of investments, as of May 31, 2010, and the related statement of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for the two years in the period then ended, the period July 1, 2007 to May 31, 2008, and the year ended June 30, 2007. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. The financial highlights for each of the two years in the period ended June 30, 2006 were audited by other auditors whose report, dated August 9, 2006, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial highlights.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of May 31, 2010, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio of Short-Term Bond Master LLC as of May 31, 2010, the results of its operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for the two years in the period then ended, the period July 1, 2007 to May 31, 2008, and the year ended June 30, 2007, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Deloitte & ToucheLLP
Princeton, New Jersey
July 28, 2010
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44 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
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|
| |
Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement |
The Board of Directors of Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio (the “Master Portfolio”), a series of BlackRock Short-Term Bond Master LLC (the “Master LLC”) met on April 13, 2010 and May 11 – 12, 2010 to consider the approval of the Master LLC’s investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”), on behalf of the Master Portfolio, with BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”), the Master Portfolio’s investment advisor. The Board of Directors of the Master LLC also considered the approval of the sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) between the Manager and BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (the “Sub-Advisor”), with respect to the Master Portfolio. BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund (the “Fund”), a series of BlackRock Short-Term Bond Series, Inc. (the “Corporation”), is a “feeder” fund that invests all of its investable assets in the Master Portfolio. Accordingly, the Board of Directors of the Corporation also considered the approval of the Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement.
The Manager and the Sub-Advisor are referred to herein as “BlackRock.” The Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are referred to herein as the “Agreements.” For simplicity, the Board of Directors of the Master LLC and the Board of Directors of the Corporation are referred to herein collectively as the “Board,” and the members are referred to herein as “Board Members.”
Activities and Composition of the Board
The Board consists of fourteen individuals, eleven of whom are not “interested persons” of the Master LLC or the Corporation as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (the “Independent Board Members”). The Board Members are responsible for the oversight of the operations of the Fund or the Master Portfolio, as pertinent, and perform the various duties imposed on the directors of investment companies by the 1940 Act. The Independent Board Members have retained independent legal counsel to assist them in connection with their duties. The Chairman of the Board is an Independent Board Member. The Board has established five standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Governance and Nominating Committee, a Compliance Committee, a Performance Oversight Committee and an Executive Committee, each of which is composed of Independent Board Members (except for the Performance Oversight Committee and the Executive Committee, each of which also has one interested Board Member) and is chaired by Independent Board Members. The Board also has one ad hoc committee, the Joint Product Pricing Committee, which consists of Independent Board Members and directors/trustees of the boards of certain other BlackRock-managed funds, who are not “interested persons” of their respective funds.
The Agreements
Pursuant to the 1940 Act, the Board is required to consider the continuation of the Agreements on an annual basis. In connection with this process, the Board assessed, among other things, the nature, scope and quality of the services provided to the Fund and the Master Portfolio by the personnel of BlackRock and its affiliates, including investment management, administrative and shareholder services, oversight of fund accounting and custody, marketing services and assistance in meeting applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
From time to time throughout the year, the Board, acting directly and through its committees, considers at each of its meetings factors that are relevant to its annual consideration of the renewal of the Agreements, including the services and support provided by BlackRock to the Fund, the Master Portfolio and their shareholders. Among the matters the Board considered were: (a) investment performance for one-, three- and five-year periods, as applicable, against peer funds, and applicable benchmarks, if any, as well as senior management and portfolio managers’ analysis of the reasons for any over performance or underperformance against its peers and/or benchmark, as applicable; (b) fees, including advisory, administration, if applicable, and other amounts paid to BlackRock and its affiliates by the Fund and/or the Master Portfolio for services, such as transfer agency, marketing and distribution, call center and fund accounting; (c) the Fund’s and/or Master Portfolio’s operating expenses; (d) the resources devoted to and compliance reports relating to the Fund’s and the Master Portfolio’s investment objective, policies and restrictions; (e) the Fund’s and the Master Portfolio’s compliance with each of their respective Code of Ethics and compliance policies and procedures; (f) the nature, cost and character of non-investment management services provided by BlackRock and its affiliates; (g) BlackRock’s and other service providers’ internal controls; (h) BlackRock’s implementation of the proxy voting policies approved by the Board; (i) execution quality of portfolio transactions; (j) BlackRock’s implementation of the Fund’s and/or the Master Portfolio’s valuation and liquidity procedures; (k) an analysis of contractual and actual management fees for products with similar investment objectives across BlackRock’s open-end fund, closed-end fund and institutional account product channels; and (l) periodic updates on BlackRock’s business.
Board Considerations in Approving the Agreements
The Approval Process: Prior to the April 13, 2010 meeting, the Board requested and received materials specifically relating to the Agreements. The Board is engaged in a process with BlackRock to periodically review the nature and scope of the information provided to better assist its deliberations. The materials provided in connection with the April meeting included: (a) information independently compiled and prepared by Lipper, Inc. (“Lipper”) on fees and expenses of the Fund and the Master Portfolio, as applicable, and the investment performance of the Fund as compared with a peer group of funds as determined by Lipper (collectively, “Peers”); (b) information on the profitability of the Agreements to BlackRock and a discussion of fall-out benefits to BlackRock and its affiliates and significant shareholders; (c) a general analysis provided by BlackRock concerning investment advisory fees charged to other clients, such as institutional clients and closed-end funds, under similar investment mandates, as well as the performance of such other clients, as applicable; (d) the impact of economies of scale; (e) a summary of
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BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 45 |
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|
| |
Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement (continued) |
aggregate amounts paid by the Fund and/or the Master Portfolio to BlackRock; (f) sales and redemption data regarding the Fund’s shares; and (g) if applicable, a comparison of management fees to similar BlackRock open-end funds, as classified by Lipper.
At an in-person meeting held on April 13, 2010, the Board reviewed materials relating to its consideration of the Agreements. As a result of the discussions that occurred during the April 13, 2010 meeting, the Board presented BlackRock with questions and requests for additional information and BlackRock responded to these requests with additional written information in advance of the May 11 – 12, 2010 Board meeting.
At an in-person meeting held on May 11 – 12, 2010, the Board of the Master LLC, including the Independent Board Members, unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement between the Manager and the Master LLC and the Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Manager and the Sub-Advisor with respect to the Master Portfolio, each for a one-year term ending June 30, 2011. The Board of the Corporation, including the Independent Board Members, also considered the continuation of the Agreements and found the Agreements to be satisfactory. In approving the continuation of the Agreements, the Board considered: (a) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BlackRock; (b) the investment performance of the Fund, the Master Portfolio and BlackRock; (c) the advisory fee and the cost of the services and profits to be realized by BlackRock and its affiliates from their relationship with the Fund and the Master Portfolio; (d) economies of scale; and (e) other factors deemed relevant by the Board Members.
The Board also considered other matters it deemed important to the approval process, such as payments made to BlackRock or its affiliates relating to the distribution of Fund shares, services related to the valuation and pricing of the portfolio holdings of the Master Portfolio, direct and indirect benefits to BlackRock and its affiliates and significant shareholders from their relationship with the Fund and the Master Portfolio and advice from independent legal counsel with respect to the review process and materials submitted for the Board’s review. The Board noted the willingness of BlackRock personnel to engage in open, candid discussions with the Board. The Board did not identify any particular information as controlling, and each Board Member may have attributed different weights to the various items considered.
A. Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services Provided by BlackRock: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the nature, extent and quality of services provided by BlackRock, including the investment advisory services and the resulting performance of the Fund. Throughout the year, the Board compared the Fund’s performance to the performance of a comparable group of mutual funds, and the performance of a relevant benchmark, if any. The Board met with BlackRock’s senior management personnel responsible for investment operations, including the senior investment officers. The Board also reviewed the materials provided by the portfolio management team discussing performance and the investment objective, strategies and outlook.
The Board considered, among other factors, the number, education and experience of BlackRock’s investment personnel generally and the Master Portfolio’s portfolio management team, investments by portfolio managers in the funds they manage, BlackRock’s portfolio trading capabilities, BlackRock’s use of technology, BlackRock’s commitment to compliance and BlackRock’s approach to training and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory and management personnel. The Board also reviewed a general description of BlackRock’s compensation structure with respect to the Master Portfolio’s portfolio management team and BlackRock’s ability to attract and retain high-quality talent.
In addition to advisory services, the Board considered the quality of the administrative and non-investment advisory services provided to the Fund and the Master Portfolio. BlackRock and its affiliates and significant shareholders provide the Fund and the Master Portfolio with certain administrative, transfer agency, shareholder and other services (in addition to any such services provided to the Fund and the Master Portfolio by third parties) and officers and other personnel as are necessary for the operations of the Fund and the Master Portfolio. In addition to investment advisory services, BlackRock and its affiliates provide the Fund and the Master Portfolio with other services, including: (i) preparing disclosure documents, such as the prospectus, the statement of additional information and periodic shareholder reports; (ii) assisting with daily accounting and pricing; (iii) overseeing and coordinating the activities of other service providers; (iv) organizing Board meetings and preparing the materials for such Board meetings; (v) providing legal and compliance support; and (vi) performing other administrative functions necessary for the operation of the Fund and the Master Portfolio, such as tax reporting, fulfilling regulatory filing requirements, and call center services. The Board reviewed the structure and duties of BlackRock’s fund administration, accounting, legal and compliance departments and considered BlackRock’s policies and procedures for assuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
B. The Investment Performance of the Fund, Master Portfolio and BlackRock: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, also reviewed and considered the performance history of the Fund and the Master Portfolio, as applicable. The Board noted that the Master Portfolio’s investment results correspond directly to the investment results of the Fund. In preparation for the April 13, 2010 meeting, the Board was provided with reports, independently prepared by Lipper, which included a comprehensive analysis of the Fund’s performance. The Board also reviewed a narrative and statistical analysis of the Lipper data that was prepared by BlackRock, which analyzed various factors that affect Lipper’s rankings. In connection with its review, the Board received and reviewed information regarding the investment performance of the Fund as compared to a representative group of similar funds as determined by Lipper and to all funds in the Fund’s applicable Lipper category. The Board was
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46 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
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| |
Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement (continued) |
provided with a description of the methodology used by Lipper to select peer funds. The Board regularly reviews the performance of the Fund and the Master Portfolio, as applicable, throughout the year. The Board attaches more importance to performance over relatively long periods of time, typically three to five years.
The Board noted that the Fund ranked in the first, third and third quartiles against its Lipper Performance Universe for the one-, three- and five-year periods reported, respectively. The Board and BlackRock reviewed the reasons for the Fund’s underperformance during the three- and five-year periods compared with its Peers. The Board was informed that, among other things, the principal sources of underperformance came during the credit crisis of 2008, as the Fund was exposed to non-agency mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities and corporate financials.
The Board and BlackRock discussed BlackRock’s strategy for improving the Fund’s performance and BlackRock’s commitment to providing the resources necessary to assist the Fund’s portfolio managers and to improve the Fund’s performance.
The Board noted that BlackRock has made changes to the organization of the overall fixed income group management structure designed to result in a strengthened leadership team with clearer accountability.
C. Consideration of the Advisory Fees and the Cost of the Services and Profits to be Realized by BlackRock and its Affiliates from their Relationship with the Fund and the Master Portfolio: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the Master Portfolio’s contractual advisory fee rates compared with the other funds in the Fund’s Lipper category. It also compared the Fund’s total expenses, as well as actual management fees, to those of other comparable funds. The Board considered the services provided and the fees charged by BlackRock to other types of clients with similar investment mandates, including separately managed institutional accounts.
The Board received and reviewed statements relating to BlackRock’s financial condition and profitability with respect to the services it provided the Fund and the Master Portfolio. The Board was also provided with a profitability analysis that detailed the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by BlackRock for services provided to the Fund and the Master Portfolio. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s profitability with respect to the Fund and the Master Portfolio, as applicable, and other funds the Board currently oversees for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to available aggregate profitability data provided for the year ended December 31, 2008. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s profitability with respect to other fund complexes managed by the Manager and/or its affiliates. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s assumptions and methodology of allocating expenses in the profitability analysis, noting the inherent limitations in allocating costs among various advisory products. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors including, among other things, fee waivers and expense reimbursements by the Manager, the types of funds managed, expense allocations and business mix, and the difficulty of comparing profitability as a result of those factors.
The Board noted that, in general, individual fund or product line profitability of other advisors is not publicly available. Nevertheless, to the extent such information was available, the Board considered BlackRock’s operating margin, in general, compared to the operating margin for leading investment management firms whose operations include advising open-end funds, among other product types. That data indicates that operating margins for BlackRock with respect to its registered funds are generally consistent with margins earned by similarly situated publicly traded competitors. In addition, the Board considered, among other things, certain third party data comparing BlackRock’s operating margin with that of other publicly traded asset management firms. That third party data indicates that larger asset bases do not, in themselves, translate to higher profit margins.
In addition, the Board considered the cost of the services provided to the Fund and the Master Portfolio by BlackRock, and BlackRock’s and its affiliates’ profits relating to the management and distribution of the Fund and the Master Portfolio and the other funds advised by BlackRock and its affiliates. As part of its analysis, the Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund and the Master Portfolio. The Board also considered whether BlackRock has the financial resources necessary to attract and retain high-quality investment management personnel to perform its obligations under the Agreements and to continue to provide the high quality of services that is expected by the Board.
The Board noted that the Master Portfolio’s contractual advisory fee rate was lower than or equal to the median contractual advisory fee rate paid by the Fund’s Peers, in each case, before taking into account any expense reimbursements or fee waivers.
D. Economies of Scale: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund and Master Portfolio increase. The Board also considered the extent to which the Fund and Master Portfolio benefit from such economies and whether there should be changes in the advisory fee rate or structure in order to enable the Fund and Master Portfolio to participate in these economies of scale, for example through the use of breakpoints in the advisory fee based upon the asset level of the Master Portfolio.
E. Other Factors Deemed Relevant by the Board Members: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, also took into account other ancillary or “fall-out” benefits that BlackRock or its affiliates and significant shareholders may derive from their respective relationships with the Fund and Master Portfolio, both tangible and intangible, such as BlackRock’s ability to leverage its investment professionals who manage other portfolios, an increase in BlackRock’s profile in the investment
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BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 47 |
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| |
Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement (concluded) |
advisory community, and the engagement of BlackRock’s affiliates and significant shareholders as service providers to the Fund and Master Portfolio, including for administrative, transfer agency and distribution services. The Board also considered BlackRock’s overall operations and its efforts to expand the scale of, and improve the quality of, its operations. The Board also noted that BlackRock may use and benefit from third party research obtained by soft dollars generated by certain mutual fund transactions to assist in managing all or a number of its other client accounts. The Board further noted that BlackRock completed the acquisition of a complex of exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) on December 1, 2009, and that BlackRock’s funds may invest in such ETFs without any offset against the management fees payable by the funds to BlackRock.
In connection with its consideration of the Agreements, the Board also received information regarding BlackRock’s brokerage and soft dollar practices. The Board received reports from BlackRock which included information on brokerage commissions and trade execution practices throughout the year.
The Board noted the competitive nature of the open-end fund marketplace, and that shareholders are able to redeem their Fund shares if they believe that the Fund’s and/or Master Portfolio’s fees and expenses are too high or if they are dissatisfied with the performance of the Fund.
Conclusion
The Board of the Master LLC, including the Independent Board Members, unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement between the Manager and the Master LLC, on behalf of the Master Portfolio, for a one-year term ending June 30, 2011 and the Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Manager and the Sub-Advisor, with respect to the Master Portfolio, for a one-year term ending June 30, 2011. As part of its approval, the Board considered the detailed review of BlackRock’s fee structure, as it applies to the Master Portfolio, being conducted by the ad hoc Joint Product Pricing Committee. Based upon its evaluation of all of the aforementioned factors in their totality, the Board of the Master LLC, including the Independent Board Members, was satisfied that the terms of the Agreements were fair and reasonable and in the best interest of the Master Portfolio and its shareholders. The Board of the Corporation, on behalf of the Fund, including the Independent Board Members, also considered the continuation of the Agreements with respect to the Master LLC and found the Agreements to be satisfactory. In arriving at a decision to approve the Agreements, the Board of the Master LLC did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all-important or controlling, but considered all factors together, and different Board Members may have attributed different weights to the various factors considered. The Independent Board Members were also assisted by the advice of independent legal counsel in making this determination. The contractual fee arrangements for the Master Portfolio reflect the results of several years of review by the Board Members and predecessor Board Members, and discussions between such Board Members (and predecessor Board Members) and BlackRock. Certain aspects of the arrangements may be the subject of more attention in some years than in others, and the Board Members’ conclusions may be based in part on their consideration of these arrangements in prior years.
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48 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
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|
Name, Address |
| Position(s) |
| Length |
| Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years |
| Number of BlackRock- |
| Public |
Non-Interested Directors1 | ||||||||||
Robert M. Hernandez |
| Chairman of the Board, Director and Member of the Audit Committee |
| Since 2007 |
| Formerly Director, Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of USX Corporation (energy and steel business) from 1991 to 2001. |
| 34 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios |
| ACE Limited (insurance company); Eastman Chemical Company (chemical); RTI International Metals, Inc. (metals); TYCO Electronics (electronics) |
Fred G. Weiss |
| Vice Chairman of the Board, Chairman of the Audit Committee and Director |
| Since 2007 |
| Managing Director, FGW Associates (consulting and investment company) since 1997; Director, Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research since 2000; Formerly Director of BTG International Plc (a global technology commercialization company) from 2001 to 2007. |
| 34 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios |
| Watson Pharmaceutical Inc. |
James H. Bodurtha |
| Director |
| Since 2002 |
| Director, The China Business Group, Inc. (consulting firm) since 1996 and formerly Executive Vice President thereof from 1996 to 2003; Chairman of the Board, Berkshire Holding Corporation since 1980. |
| 34 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios |
| None |
Bruce R. Bond |
| Director |
| Since 2007 |
| Formerly Trustee and Member of the Governance Committee, State Street Research Mutual Funds from 1997 to 2005; Formerly Board Member of Governance, Audit and Finance Committee, Avaya Inc. (computer equipment) from 2003 to 2007. |
| 34 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios |
| None |
Donald W. Burton |
| Director |
| Since 2007 |
| Managing General Partner, The Burton Partnership, LP (an investment partnership) since 1979; Managing General Partner, The South Atlantic Venture Funds since 1983; Member of the Investment Advisory Council of the Florida State Board of Administration from 2001 to 2007. |
| 34 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios |
| Knology, Inc. (telecommunications); Capital Southwest (financial) |
Stuart E. Eizenstat |
| Director |
| Since 2007 |
| Partner and Head of International Practice, Covington and Burling (law firm) since 2001; International Advisory Board Member, The Coca-Cola Company since 2002; Advisory Board Member, BT Americas (telecommunications) since 2004; Member of the Board of Directors, Chicago Climate Exchange (environmental) since 2006; Member of the International Advisory Board, GML (energy) since 2003. |
| 34 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios |
| Alcatel-Lucent (telecommunications); Global Specialty Metallurgical (metallurgical industry); UPS Corporation (delivery service) |
Kenneth A. Froot |
| Director |
| Since 2005 |
| Professor, Harvard University since 1992. |
| 34 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios |
| None |
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BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 49 |
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Officers and Directors (continued) |
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|
Name, Address |
| Position(s) |
| Length |
| Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years |
| Number of BlackRock- |
| Public |
Non-Interested Directors1 (concluded) |
|
|
|
|
| |||||
John F. O’Brien |
| Director |
| Since 2007 |
| Chairman and Director, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute since 2009 and formerly Trustee thereof from 2003 to 2009; Formerly Director, Allmerica Financial Corporation from 1995 to 2003; Formerly Director, ABIOMED from 1989 to 2006; Formerly Director, Ameresco, Inc. (energy solutions company) from 2006 to 2007; Formerly Vice Chairman and Director, Boston Lyric Opera from 2002 to 2007. |
| 34 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios |
| Cabot Corporation (chemicals); LKQ Corporation (auto parts manufacturing); TJX Companies, Inc. (retailer) |
Roberta Cooper Ramo |
| Director |
| Since 2002 |
| Shareholder, Modrall, Sperling, Roehl, Harris & Sisk, P.A. (law firm) since 1993; Chairman of the Board, Cooper’s Inc. (retail) since 2000; Director of ECMC Group (service provider to students, schools and lenders) since 2001; President, The American Law Institute (non-profit) since 2008; Formerly President, American Bar Association from 1995 to 1996. |
| 34 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios |
| None |
David H. Walsh |
| Director |
| Since 2007 |
| Director, National Museum of Wildlife Art since 2007; Director, Ruckleshaus Institute and Haub School of Natural Resources at the University of Wyoming from 2006 to 2008; Trustee, University of Wyoming Foundation since 2008; Director, The American Museum of Fly Fishing since 1997; Formerly Director, The National Audubon Society from 1998 to 2005. |
| 34 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios |
| None |
Richard R. West |
| Director and Member of the Audit Committee |
| Since 2007 |
| Dean Emeritus, New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business Administration since 1995. |
| 34 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios |
| Bowne & Co., Inc. (financial printers); Vornado Realty Trust (real estate company); Alexander’s Inc. (real estate company) |
|
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1 | Directors serve until their resignation, removal or death, or until December 31 of the year in which they turn 72. |
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2 | Following the combination of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. (“MLIM”) and BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”) in September 2006, the various legacy MLIM and legacy BlackRock Fund boards were realigned and consolidated into three new Fund boards in 2007. As a result, although the chart shows certain directors as joining the Fund’s/Master LLC’s board in 2007, each director first became a member of the board of directors of other legacy MLIM or legacy BlackRock Funds as follows: James H. Bodurtha, 1995; Bruce R. Bond, 2005; Donald W. Burton, 2002; Stuart E. Eizenstat, 2001; Kenneth A. Froot, 2005; Robert M. Hernandez, 1996; John F. O’Brien, 2004; Roberta Cooper Ramo, 2000; David H. Walsh, 2003; Fred G. Weiss, 1998; and Richard R. West, 1978. |
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50 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
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Officers and Directors (continued) |
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|
|
Name, Address |
| Position(s) |
| Length |
| Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years |
| Number of BlackRock- |
| Public |
Interested Directors1 |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Richard S. Davis |
| Director |
| Since 2007 |
| Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. since 2005; Formerly Chief Executive Officer, State Street Research & Management Company from 2000 to 2005; Formerly Chairman of the Board of Trustees, State Street Research Mutual Funds from 2000 to 2005. |
| 169 RICs consisting of 299 Portfolios |
| None |
Laurence D. Fink |
| Director |
| Since 2007 |
| Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BlackRock, Inc. since its formation in 1998 and of BlackRock, Inc.’s predecessor entities since 1988 and Chairman of the Executive and Management Committees; Formerly Managing Director, The First Boston Corporation, Member of its Management Committee, Co-head of its Taxable Fixed Income Division and Head of its Mortgage and Real Estate Products Group; Chairman of the Board of several of BlackRock’s alternative investment vehicles; Director of several of BlackRock’s offshore funds; Member of the Board of Trustees of New York University, Chair of the Financial Affairs Committee and a member of the Executive Committee, the Ad Hoc Committee on Board Governance, and the Committee on Trustees; Co-Chairman of the NYU Hospitals Center Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Development/Trustee Stewardship Committee and Chairman of the Finance Committee; Trustee, The Boys’ Club of New York. |
| 34 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios |
| None |
Henry Gabbay |
| Director |
| Since 2007 |
| Consultant, BlackRock, Inc. from 2007 to 2008; Formerly Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. from 1989 to 2007; Formerly Chief Administrative Officer, BlackRock Advisors, LLC from 1998 to 2007; Formerly President of BlackRock Funds and BlackRock Bond Allocation Target Shares from 2005 to 2007 and Treasurer of certain closed- end Funds in the BlackRock fund complex from 1989 to 2006. |
| 169 RICs consisting of 299 Portfolios |
| None |
|
|
1 | Messrs. Davis and Fink are both “interested persons,” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, of the Fund/Master LLC based on their positions with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates. Mr. Gabbay is an “interested person” of the Fund/Master LLC based on his former positions with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates as well as his ownership of BlackRock, Inc. and The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. securities. Directors serve until their resignation, removal or death, or until December 31 of the year in which they turn 72. |
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BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 51 |
|
|
Officers and Directors (concluded) |
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|
Name, Address |
| Position(s) |
| Length |
| Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years |
Officers1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anne Ackerley |
| President and Chief Executive Officer |
| Since 20092 |
| Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2000; Vice President of the BlackRock-advised Funds from 2007 to 2009; Chief Operating Officer of BlackRock’s Global Client Group (GCG) since 2009; Chief Operating Officer of BlackRock’s U.S. Retail Group from 2006 to 2009; Head of BlackRock’s Mutual Fund Group from 2000 to 2006. |
Jeffrey Holland, CFA |
| Vice President |
| Since 2009 |
| Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2010; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2006 to 2009; Chief Operating Officer of BlackRock’s U.S. Retail Group since 2009; Co-head of Product Development and Management for BlackRock’s U.S. Retail Group from 2007 to 2009; Product Manager of Raymond James & Associates from 2003 to 2006. |
Brendan Kyne |
| Vice President |
| Since 2009 |
| Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2010; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2008 to 2009; Head of Product Development and Management for BlackRock’s U.S. Retail Group since 2009, Co-head thereof from 2007 to 2009; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. from 2005 to 2008. |
Brian Schmidt |
| Vice President |
| Since 2009 |
| Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2004; Various positions with U.S. Trust Company from 1991 to 2003 including Director from 2001 to 2003 and Senior Vice President from 1998 to 2003; Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Excelsior Funds, Inc., Excelsior Tax-Exempt Funds, Inc. and Excelsior Funds Trust from 2001 to 2003. |
Neal Andrews |
| Chief Financial Officer |
| Since 2007 |
| Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006; Senior Vice President and Line of Business Head of Fund Accounting and Administration at PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. from 1992 to 2006. |
Jay Fife |
| Treasurer |
| Since 2007 |
| Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2007 and Director in 2006; Assistant Treasurer of the MLIM Fund Asset Management, L.P. advised Funds from 2005 to 2006; Director of MLIM Fund Services Group from 2001 to 2006. |
Brian Kindelan |
| Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund |
| Since 2007 |
| Chief Compliance Officer of the BlackRock-advised Funds since 2007; Managing Director and Senior Counsel of BlackRock, Inc. since 2005. |
Howard Surloff |
| Secretary |
| Since 2007 |
| Managing Director and General Counsel of U.S. Funds at BlackRock, Inc. since 2006; General Counsel (U.S.) of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. from 1993 to 2006. |
|
|
1 | Officers of the Fund/Master LLC serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. |
|
|
2 | Ms. Ackerley has been President and Chief Executive Officer since 2009 and was Vice President from 2007 to 2009. |
|
|
Further information about the Fund’s/Master LLC’s Officers and Directors is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained without charge by calling (800) 441-7762. |
|
Investment Advisor |
BlackRock Advisors, LLC |
Wilmington, DE 19809 |
|
Sub-Advisor |
BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. |
New York, NY 10055 |
|
Custodian |
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. |
Boston, MA 02109 |
|
Transfer Agent |
BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. |
Wilmington, DE 19809 |
|
Accounting Agent |
State Street Bank and Trust Company |
Princeton, NJ 08540 |
|
Distributor |
BlackRock Investments, LLC |
New York, NY 10022 |
|
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
Deloitte & Touche LLP |
Princeton, NJ 08540 |
|
Legal Counsel |
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP |
New York, NY 10019 |
|
Address of the Fund |
100 Bellevue Parkway |
Wilmington, DE 19809 |
|
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52 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
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|
General Information |
Electronic Delivery
Electronic copies of most financial reports and prospectuses are available on the Fund’s website or shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications of quarterly statements, annual and semi-annual reports and prospectuses by enrolling in the Fund’s electronic delivery program.
To enroll:
Shareholders Who Hold Accounts with Investment Advisors, Banks or Brokerages:
Please contact your financial advisor. Please note that not all investment advisors, banks or brokerages may offer this service.
Shareholders Who Hold Accounts Directly with BlackRock:
|
|
1) | Access the BlackRock website at |
| http://www.blackrock.com/edelivery |
|
|
2) | Select “eDelivery” under the “More Information” section |
|
|
3) | Log into your account |
Householding
The Fund will mail only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, annual and semi-annual reports and proxy statements, to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is commonly called “householding” and is intended to reduce expenses and eliminate duplicate mailings of shareholder documents. Mailings of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please call (800) 441-7762.
Availability of Quarterly Portfolio Schedule of Investments
The Fund/Master LLC files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s/Master LLC’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330. The Fund’s/Master LLC’s Forms N-Q may also be obtained upon request and without charge by calling (800) 441-7762.
Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund/Master LLC uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 441-7762; (2) at www.blackrock.com; and (3) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
Availability of Proxy Voting Record
Information about how the Fund/Master LLC voted proxies relating to securities held in the Fund’s/Master LLC’s portfolio during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available upon request and without charge (1) at www.blackrock.com or by calling (800) 441-7762 and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
|
Shareholder Privileges |
Account Information
Call us at (800) 441-7762 from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST on any business day to get information about your account balances, recent transactions and share prices. You can also reach us on the Web at www.blackrock.com/funds.
Automatic Investment Plans
Investor Class shareholders who want to invest regularly can arrange to have $50 or more automatically deducted from their checking or savings account and invested in any of the BlackRock funds.
Systematic Withdrawal Plans
Investor Class shareholders can establish a systematic withdrawal plan and receive periodic payments of $50 or more from their BlackRock funds, as long as their account balance is at least $10,000.
Retirement Plans
Shareholders may make investments in conjunction with Traditional, Rollover, Roth, Coverdell, Simple IRAs, SEP IRAs and 403(b) Plans.
|
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|
BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 53 |
|
|
Additional Information (concluded) |
|
BlackRock Privacy Principles |
BlackRock is committed to maintaining the privacy of its current and former fund investors and individual clients (collectively, “Clients”) and to safeguarding their non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information BlackRock collects, how we protect that information and why in certain cases we share such information with select parties.
If you are located in a jurisdiction where specific laws, rules or regulations require BlackRock to provide you with additional or different privacy-related rights beyond what is set forth below, then BlackRock will comply with those specific laws, rules or regulations.
BlackRock obtains or verifies personal non-public information from and about you from different sources, including the following: (i) information we receive from you or, if applicable, your financial intermediary, on applications, forms or other documents; (ii) information about your transactions with us, our affiliates, or others; (iii) information we receive from a consumer reporting agency; and (iv) from visits to our websites.
BlackRock does not sell or disclose to non-affiliated third parties any non-public personal information about its Clients, except as permitted by law or as is necessary to respond to regulatory requests or to service Client accounts. These non-affiliated third parties are required to protect the confidentiality and security of this information and to use it only for its intended purpose.
We may share information with our affiliates to service your account or to provide you with information about other BlackRock products or services that may be of interest to you. In addition, BlackRock restricts access to non-public personal information about its Clients to those BlackRock employees with a legitimate business need for the information. BlackRock maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that are designed to protect the non-public personal information of its Clients, including procedures relating to the proper storage and disposal of such information.
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54 | BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 |
|
|
BlackRock offers a diverse lineup of open-end mutual funds crossing all investment styles and managed by experts in equity, fixed income and tax-exempt investing.
|
Equity Funds |
|
BlackRock Asset Allocation Portfolio† |
BlackRock Aurora Portfolio |
BlackRock Balanced Capital Fund† |
BlackRock Basic Value Fund |
BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund |
BlackRock Energy & Resources Portfolio |
BlackRock Equity Dividend Fund |
BlackRock EuroFund |
BlackRock Focus Growth Fund |
BlackRock Focus Value Fund |
BlackRock Global Allocation Fund† |
BlackRock Global Dynamic Equity Fund |
BlackRock Global Emerging Markets Fund |
BlackRock Global Financial Services Fund |
BlackRock Global Growth Fund |
BlackRock Global Opportunities Portfolio |
BlackRock Global SmallCap Fund |
BlackRock Health Sciences Opportunities Portfolio |
BlackRock Healthcare Fund |
BlackRock Index Equity Portfolio* |
BlackRock International Fund |
BlackRock International Index Fund |
BlackRock International Opportunities Portfolio |
BlackRock International Value Fund |
BlackRock Large Cap Core Fund |
BlackRock Large Cap Core Plus Fund |
BlackRock Large Cap Growth Fund |
BlackRock Large Cap Value Fund |
BlackRock Latin America Fund |
BlackRock Mid-Cap Growth Equity Portfolio |
BlackRock Mid-Cap Value Equity Portfolio |
BlackRock Mid Cap Value Opportunities Fund |
BlackRock Natural Resources Trust |
BlackRock Pacific Fund |
BlackRock Science & Technology Opportunities Portfolio |
BlackRock Small Cap Core Equity Portfolio |
BlackRock Small Cap Growth Equity Portfolio |
BlackRock Small Cap Growth Fund II |
BlackRock Small Cap Index Fund |
BlackRock Small/Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio |
BlackRock S&P 500 Index Fund |
BlackRock U.S. Opportunities Portfolio |
BlackRock Utilities and Telecommunications Fund |
BlackRock Value Opportunities Fund |
BlackRock World Gold Fund |
|
Fixed Income Funds |
|
BlackRock Emerging Market Debt Portfolio |
BlackRock GNMA Portfolio |
BlackRock Government Income Portfolio |
BlackRock High Income Fund |
BlackRock High Yield Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock Income Portfolio† |
BlackRock Income Builder Portfolio† |
BlackRock Inflation Protected Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock Intermediate Government Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock International Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock Long Duration Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock Low Duration Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock Managed Income Portfolio |
BlackRock Multi-Sector Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund |
BlackRock Strategic Income Opportunities Portfolio |
BlackRock Total Return Fund |
BlackRock Total Return Portfolio II |
BlackRock World Income Fund |
|
Municipal Bond Funds |
|
BlackRock California Municipal Bond Fund |
BlackRock High Yield Municipal Fund |
BlackRock Intermediate Municipal Fund |
BlackRock Kentucky Municipal Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock Municipal Insured Fund |
BlackRock National Municipal Fund |
BlackRock New Jersey Municipal Bond Fund |
BlackRock New York Municipal Bond Fund |
BlackRock Ohio Municipal Bond Portfolio |
BlackRock Pennsylvania Municipal Bond Fund |
BlackRock Short-Term Municipal Fund |
|
Target Risk & Target Date Funds† |
|
Conservative Prepared Portfolio |
Moderate Prepared Portfolio |
Growth Prepared Portfolio |
Aggressive Growth Prepared Portfolio |
|
BlackRock Lifecycle Prepared Portfolios |
2010 |
2015 |
2020 |
2025 |
2030 |
2035 |
2040 |
2045 |
2050 |
|
BlackRock LifePath Portfolios Retirement |
2020 |
2025 |
2030 |
2035 |
2040 |
2045 |
2050 |
2055 |
|
|
* | See the prospectus for information on specific limitations on investments in the fund. |
|
|
† | Mixed asset fund. |
BlackRock mutual funds are currently distributed by BlackRock Investments, LLC. You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the funds under consideration carefully before investing. Each fund’s prospectus contains this and other information and is available at www.blackrock.com or by calling (800) 441-7762 or from your financial advisor. The prospectus should be read carefully before investing.
|
|
|
BLACKROCK SHORT-TERM BOND FUND | MAY 31, 2010 | 55 |
This report is not authorized for use as an offer of sale or a solicitation of an offer to buy shares of the Fund unless accompanied or preceded by the Fund’s current prospectus. Past performance results shown in this report should not be considered a representation of future performance. Investment returns and principal value of shares will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Statements and other information herein are as dated and are subject to change.
#BR-3070-05/10
Item 2 – | Code of Ethics – The registrant (or the “Fund”) has adopted a code of ethics, as of the end of the period covered by this report, applicable to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, or persons performing similar functions. During the period covered by this report, there have been no amendments to or waivers granted under the code of ethics. A copy of the code of ethics is available without charge at www.blackrock.com. |
|
|
Item 3 – | Audit Committee Financial Expert – The registrant’s board of directors or trustees, as applicable (the “board of directors”), has determined that (i) the registrant has the following audit committee financial experts serving on its audit committee and (ii) each audit committee financial expert is independent: |
| Robert M. Hernandez |
| Fred G. Weiss |
| Richard R. West |
|
|
| Under applicable securities laws, a person determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an “expert” for any purpose, including without limitation for the purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities greater than the duties, obligations, and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and board of directors in the absence of such designation or identification. |
|
|
Item 4 – | Principal Accountant Fees and Services |
| (a) Audit Fees | (b) Audit-Related Fees1 | (c) Tax Fees2 | (d) All Other Fees3 | ||||
Entity Name | Current Fiscal Year End | Previous Fiscal Year End | Current Fiscal Year End | Previous Fiscal Year End | Current Fiscal Year End | Previous Fiscal Year End | Current Fiscal Year End | Previous Fiscal Year End |
BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund | $6,800 | $6,800 | $0 | $0 | $6,100 | $6,100 | $152 | $1,028 |
Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio | $37,300 | $37,300 | $0 | $0 | $6,100 | $6,100 | $0 | $0 |
1 The nature of the services include assurance and related services reasonably related to the performance of the audit of financial statements not included in Audit Fees.
2 The nature of the services include tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
3 The nature of the services include a review of compliance procedures and attestation thereto.
| (e)(1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures: |
|
|
| The registrant’s audit committee (the “Committee”) has adopted policies and procedures with regard to the pre-approval of services. Audit, audit-related and tax compliance services provided to the registrant on an annual basis require specific pre-approval by the Committee. The Committee also must approve other non-audit services provided to the registrant and those non-audit services provided to the registrant’s affiliated service providers that relate directly to the operations and the financial reporting of the registrant. Certain of these non-audit services that the Committee believes are a) consistent with the SEC’s auditor independence rules and b) routine and recurring services that will not impair the independence of the independent accountants may be approved by the Committee without consideration on a specific case-by-case basis (“general pre-approval”). The term of any general pre-approval is 12 months from the date of the pre-approval, unless the Committee provides for a different period. Tax or other non-audit services provided to the registrant which have a direct impact on the operation or financial reporting of the registrant will only be |
| deemed pre-approved provided that any individual project does not exceed $10,000 attributable to the registrant or $50,000 per project. For this purpose, multiple projects will be aggregated to determine if they exceed the previously mentioned cost levels. |
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| Any proposed services exceeding the pre-approved cost levels will require specific pre-approval by the Committee, as will any other services not subject to general pre-approval (e.g., unanticipated but permissible services). The Committee is informed of each service approved subject to general pre-approval at the next regularly scheduled in-person board meeting. At this meeting, an analysis of such services is presented to the Committee for ratification. The Committee may delegate to the Committee Chairman the authority to approve the provision of and fees for any specific engagement of permitted non-audit services, including services exceeding pre-approved cost levels. |
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| (e)(2) None of the services described in each of Items 4(b) through (d) were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X. |
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| (f) Not Applicable |
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| (g) Affiliates’ Aggregate Non-Audit Fees: |
Entity Name | Current Fiscal Year End | Previous Fiscal Year End |
BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund | $17,029 | $409,628 |
Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio | $16,877 | $408,600 |
| (h) The registrant’s audit committee has considered and determined that the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any non-affiliated sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by the registrant’s investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence. |
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| Regulation S-X Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) – $10,777, 0% |
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Item 5 – | Audit Committee of Listed Registrants – Not Applicable |
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Item 6 – | Investments |
| (a) The registrant’s Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this form. |
| (b) Not Applicable due to no such divestments during the semi-annual period covered since the previous Form N-CSR filing. |
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Item 7 – | Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies – Not Applicable |
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Item 8 – | Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies – Not Applicable |
Item 9 – | Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers – Not Applicable |
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Item 10 – | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders – The registrant’s Nominating and Governance Committee will consider nominees to the board of directors recommended by shareholders when a vacancy becomes available. Shareholders who wish to recommend a nominee should send nominations that include biographical information and set forth the qualifications of the proposed nominee to the registrant’s Secretary. There have been no material changes to these procedures. |
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Item 11 – | Controls and Procedures |
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11(a) – | The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers or persons performing similar functions have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 15(d)-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
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11(b) – | There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
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Item 12 – | Exhibits attached hereto |
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12(a)(1) – | Code of Ethics – See Item 2 |
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12(a)(2) – | Certifications – Attached hereto |
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12(a)(3) – | Not Applicable |
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12(b) – | Certifications – Attached hereto |
| Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. | ||
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| BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund of BlackRock Short-Term Bond Series, Inc. and Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio of Short-Term Bond Master LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Anne F. Ackerley | ||
Anne F. Ackerley | |||
Chief Executive Officer of | |||
BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund of BlackRock Short-Term Bond Series, Inc. and Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio of Short-Term Bond Master LLC | |||
Date: August 4, 2010 | |||
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. | |||
By: | /s/ Anne F. Ackerley | ||
Anne F. Ackerley | |||
Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of | |||
BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund of BlackRock Short-Term Bond Series, Inc. and Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio of Short-Term Bond Master LLC | |||
Date: August 4, 2010 | |||
By: | /s/ Neal J. Andrews | ||
Neal J. Andrews | |||
Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of | |||
BlackRock Short-Term Bond Fund of BlackRock Short-Term Bond Series, Inc. and Short-Term Bond Master Portfolio of Short-Term Bond Master LLC | |||
Date: August 4, 2010 | |||