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| | For the Six Months Ended February 29, 2008 (Unaudited) | | |
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The following per share data and ratios have been derived | | | For the Year Ended August 31, |
from information provided in the financial statements. | | | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 | | 2003 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Per Common Share Operating Performance: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $ | 15.57 | | | $ | 16.35 | | $ | 16.34 | | $ | 15.47 | | $ | 14.46 | | $ | 14.90 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | 0.60 | 1 | | | 1.11 | | | 1.10 | | | 1.10 | | | 1.09 | | | 1.09 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | | | | (0.87 | ) | | | (0.68 | ) | | 0.04 | | | 0.80 | | | 0.86 | | | (0.44 | ) |
Dividends and distributions to Preferred Shareholders from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | (0.16 | ) | | | (0.27 | ) | | (0.26 | ) | | (0.16 | ) | | (0.07 | ) | | (0.08 | ) |
Net realized gain | | | | — | | | | (0.02 | ) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (0.02 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations | | | | (0.43 | ) | | | 0.14 | | | 0.88 | | | 1.74 | | | 1.88 | | | 0.55 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dividends and distributions to Common Shareholders from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | (0.43 | ) | | | (0.87 | ) | | (0.87 | ) | | (0.87 | ) | | (0.87 | ) | | (0.85 | ) |
Net realized gains | | | | (0.03 | ) | | | (0.05 | ) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (0.10 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total dividends and distributions | | | | (0.46 | ) | | | (0.92 | ) | | (0.87 | ) | | (0.87 | ) | | (0.87 | ) | | (0.95 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Capital charges with respect to issuance of Preferred Shares | | | | — | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (0.04 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $ | 14.68 | | | $ | 15.57 | | $ | 16.35 | | $ | 16.34 | | $ | 15.47 | | $ | 14.46 | |
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Market price, end of period | | | $ | 17.20 | | | $ | 17.85 | | $ | 18.45 | | $ | 17.30 | | $ | 15.34 | | $ | 14.40 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Total Investment Return:2 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Based on net asset value | | | | (3.21 | %)3 | | | 0.21 | % | | 5.30 | % | | 11.52 | % | | 13.28 | % | | 3.41 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Based on market price | | | | (1.08 | %)3 | | | 1.80 | % | | 12.23 | % | | 19.07 | % | | 12.79 | % | | 0.94 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | �� | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shares: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly4 | | | | 1.25 | %5 | | | 1.09 | % | | 1.15 | % | | 1.18 | % | | 1.25 | % | | 1.17 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total expenses, net of waiver4 | | | | 1.25 | %5 | | | 1.14 | % | | 1.22 | % | | 1.20 | % | | 1.26 | % | | 1.17 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total expenses4 | | | | 1.64 | %5 | | | 1.58 | % | | 1.68 | % | | 1.67 | % | | 1.73 | % | | 1.64 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income4 | | | | 7.48 | %5 | | | 6.85 | % | | 6.83 | % | | 6.90 | % | | 7.15 | % | | 7.23 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amount of dividends to Preferred Shareholders | | | | 2.05 | %5 | | | 1.69 | % | | 1.60 | % | | 1.00 | % | | 0.47 | % | | 0.53 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income to Common Shareholders | | | | 5.43 | %5 | | | 5.16 | % | | 5.23 | % | | 5.90 | % | | 6.68 | % | | 6.70 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Supplemental Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets applicable to Common Shares, end of period (000) | | | $ | 22,738 | | | $ | 24,053 | | $ | 25,097 | | $ | 24,966 | | $ | 23,527 | | $ | 21,944 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Preferred Shares outstanding at liquidation preference, end of period (000) | | | $ | 13,525 | | | $ | 13,525 | | $ | 13,525 | | $ | 13,525 | | $ | 13,525 | | $ | 13,525 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Portfolio turnover | | | | 5 | % | | | 12 | % | | 5 | % | | 5 | % | | 14 | % | | 18 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Asset coverage per Preferred Share, end of period | | | $ | 67,038 | | | $ | 69,463 | | $ | 71,404 | | $ | 71,158 | | $ | 68,490 | | $ | 65,562 | |
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Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) |
1. Significant Accounting Policies:
BlackRock Insured Municipal Income Trust (“Insured Municipal”), BlackRock California Insured Municipal Income Trust (“California Insured”), BlackRock Florida Insured Municipal Income Trust (“Florida Insured”), BlackRock New York Insured Municipal Income Trust (“New York Insured”) (collectively the “Insured Trusts”), BlackRock Municipal Bond Trust (“Municipal Bond”), BlackRock California Municipal Bond Trust (“California Bond”), BlackRock Florida Municipal Bond Trust (“Florida Bond”), BlackRock Maryland Municipal Bond Trust (“Maryland Bond”), BlackRock New Jersey Municipal Bond Trust (“New Jersey Bond”), BlackRock New York Municipal Bond Trust (“New York Bond”), BlackRock Virginia Municipal Bond Trust (“Virginia Bond”) (collectively the “Bond Trusts”), BlackRock Municipal Income Trust II (“Municipal Income II”), BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust II (“California Income II”) and BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust II (“New York Income II”) (collectively the “Income II Trusts”) (all, collectively the “Trusts”) are organized as Delaware statutory trusts. Insured Municipal, Municipal Bond and Municipal Income II are registered as diversified, closed-end management investment companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). California Insured, California Bond, California Income II, Florida Insured, Florida Bond, Maryland Bond, New Jersey Bond, New York Insured, New York Bond, New York Income II and Virginia Bond are registered as non-diversified, closed-end management investment companies under the 1940 Act. The Trusts’ financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which may require the use of management accruals and estimates. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Trusts:
Valuation of Investments: Municipal investments (including commitments to purchase such investments on a “when-issued” basis) are valued on the basis of prices provided by dealers or pricing services selected under the supervision of each Trust’s Board of Trustees, as appropriate (the “Trustees” or the “Board”). In determining the value of a particular investment, pricing services may use certain information with respect to transactions in such investments, quotations from bond dealers, market transactions in comparable investments and various relationships between investments. Financial futures contracts are traded on exchanges and are valued at their last sale price. Swap agreements are valued by quoted fair values received daily by the Trusts’ pricing service. Short-term securities may be valued at amortized cost. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at net asset value each business day.
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, the investment will be valued by, under the direction of, or in accordance with, a method approved by the Board as reflecting fair value (“Fair Value Assets”). When determining the price for Fair Value Assets, BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Advisor”), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc., and/or sub-advisor seeks to determine the price that the Trusts 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 Advisor and/or sub-advisor deems relevant. The pricing of all Fair Value Assets is subsequently reported to the Board or a committee thereof.
Derivative Financial Instruments: The Trusts may engage in various portfolio investment strategies to increase the return of the Trusts and to hedge, or protect, their exposure to interest rate movements and movements in the securities markets. Losses may arise if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the price of the underlying security, or if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.
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• | Forward interest rate swaps - The Trusts may enter into forward interest rate swaps, which are over-the-counter (“OTC”) contracts. In a forward interest rate swap, the Trusts and the counterparty agree to make periodic net payments on a specified notional contract amount, commencing on a specified future effective date, unless terminated earlier. These periodic payments received or made by the Trusts are recorded in the accompanying Statements of Operations as realized gains or losses, respectively. Gains or losses are also realized upon termination of the swap agreements. Swaps are “marked to market” daily and changes in value are recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation). Risks include changes in the returns of the underlying instruments, failure of the counterparties to perform under the contracts’ terms and the possible lack of liquidity with respect to the swap agreements. The Trusts generally intend to close each forward interest rate swap before the accrual date specified in the agreement and therefore avoid entering into the interest rate swap underlying each forward interest rate swap. |
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| The Trusts may utilize forward starting swaps for the purpose of reducing the interest rate sensitivity of the portfolio and decreasing the Trusts’ exposure to interest rate risk. |
Income Taxes: It is each Trust’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provisions are required.
Effective February 29, 2008, the Trusts implemented Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 prescribes the minimum recognition threshold a tax position must meet in connection with accounting for uncertainties in income tax positions taken or expected to be taken by an entity, including investment companies, before being measured and recognized in the financial statements. The Advisor has evaluated the application of FIN 48 to the Trusts, and has determined that the adoption of FIN 48 does not have a material impact on the Trusts’ financial statements. The Trusts file U.S. federal and various state and local tax returns. No income tax returns are currently under examination. The statute of limitations on the Trusts’ U.S. federal tax returns remain open for the years ended August 31, 2004 through August 31, 2006. The statutes of limitations on the Trusts’ state and local tax returns may remain open for an additional year depending upon the jurisdiction.
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| SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | FEBRUARY 29, 2008 | 73 |
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Notes to Financial Statements (continued) |
Investment Transactions and Investment Income: Investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are entered into (the trade dates). Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Interest income is recognized on the accrual method. The Trusts amortize all premiums and discounts on debt securities.
Dividends and Distributions: Dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly. Distributions of capital gains are recorded on the ex-dividend dates. Dividends and distributions to Preferred Shareholders are accrued and determined as described in Note 4.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements: In September 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. FAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The impact on the Trusts’ financial statement disclosures, if any, is currently being assessed.
In addition, in February 2007, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“FAS 159”), was issued and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of a fiscal year that begins on or before November 15, 2007, provided the entity also elects to apply the provisions of FAS 157. FAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. FAS 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. The impact on the Trusts’ financial statement disclosures, if any, is currently being assessed.
Forward Commitments, When-Issued Delayed Delivery Securities: The Trusts may purchase securities on a when-issued basis and may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis. Settlement of such transactions normally occurs within a month or more after the purchase or sale commitment is made. The Trusts may purchase securities under such conditions only 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 Trusts 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. Upon making a commitment to purchase a security on a when-issued basis, the Trusts will hold liquid assets worth at least the equivalent of the amount due.
Segregation: In cases in which the 1940 Act and the interpretive positions of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) require that each Trust segregate assets in connection with certain investments (e.g., when-issued securities or swaps), each Trust will, consistent with certain interpretive letters issued by the SEC, designate on its books and records cash or other liquid debt securities having a market value at least equal to the amount that would otherwise be required to be physically segregated.
Deferred Compensation and BlackRock Closed-End Share Equivalent Investment Plan: Under the deferred compensation plan approved by each Trust’s Board, non-interested Trustees (“Independent Trustees”) defer a portion of their annual complex-wide compensation. Deferred amounts earn an approximate return as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in common shares of other certain BlackRock Closed-End Funds selected by the Independent Trustees. These amounts are included in other assets on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. This has approximately the same economic effect for the Independent Trustees as if the Independent Trustees had invested the deferred amounts directly in other certain BlackRock Closed-End Funds.
The deferred compensation plan is not funded and obligations thereunder represent general unsecured claims against the general assets of the Trusts. Each Trust may, however, elect to invest in Common Shares of other certain BlackRock closed-end Funds selected by the Independent Trustees in order to match its deferred compensation obligations.
Other: Expenses that are directly related to one of the Trusts or classes are charged to that Trust or class. Other operating expenses are pro-rated to certain Trusts on the basis of relative net assets.
Bank Overdraft: BlackRock Florida Insured Municipal Income Trust recorded a bank overdraft which resulted from management estimates of available cash.
2. Investment Advisory Agreement and Other Transactions with Affiliates:
Each Trust entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Advisor, to provide investment advisory and administration service. Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (“Merrill Lynch”) and The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. are principal owners of BlackRock, Inc.
The Advisor is responsible for the management of the Trusts’ portfolios and provides the necessary personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary to the operations of the Trusts. For such services, the Trusts pay the Advisor a monthly fee at an annual rate of 0.55% for the Insured Trusts and Income II Trusts and 0.65% for the Bond Trusts of the average weekly value of each Trust’s net assets including proceeds from the issuance of auction preferred shares, excluding investments in affiliated sweep vehicles. The Advisor has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of the investment advisory fee. With respect to the Insured Trusts, the waiver, as a percentage of net assets including proceeds from the issuance of Preferred Shares, is as follows: 0.20% for the first five years of each Trust’s operations, 0.15% in year six, 0.10% in year seven, and 0.05% in year eight. With respect to the Bond Trusts, the waiver, as a percentage of net assets including proceeds from the issuance of Preferred Shares, is as follows: 0.30% for the first five years of each Trust’s operations, 0.25% in year six, 0.20% in year seven, 0.15% in year eight, 0.10% in year nine and 0.05% in year 10. With respect to the Income II Trusts, the waiver, as a percentage of net assets including proceeds from the issuance of Preferred Shares, is as follows: 0.15% for the first five years of each Trust’s operations, 0.10% in year six through year seven, and 0.05% in year eight through year 10.
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74 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | FEBRUARY 29, 2008 | |
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Notes to Financial Statements (continued) |
For the six months ended February 29, 2008, the Advisor waived fees as follows:
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | Fees Waived | |
| | | |
Insured Municipal | | $ | 520,438 | |
Municipal Bond | | $ | 313,688 | |
Municipal Income II | | $ | 271,251 | |
California Insured | | $ | 104,567 | |
California Bond | | $ | 103,910 | |
California Income II | | $ | 96,465 | |
Florida Insured | | $ | 172,845 | |
Florida Bond | | $ | 102,592 | |
Maryland Bond | | $ | 61,364 | |
New Jersey Bond | | $ | 69,879 | |
New York Insured | | $ | 126,904 | |
New York Bond | | $ | 83,841 | |
New York Income II | | $ | 59,582 | |
Virginia Bond | | $ | 47,725 | |
| | | | |
The Advisor has agreed to waive its advisory fees by the amount of investment advisory fees each Trust pays to the Advisor indirectly through its investment in affiliated money market funds. These amounts are included in fees waived by advisor on the Statements of Operations. For the six months ended February 29, 2008, the amounts were as follows:
| | | | |
| | | | |
Insured Municipal | | $ | 4,783 | |
Municipal Bond | | $ | 3,729 | |
Municipal Income II | | $ | 13,373 | |
California Insured | | $ | 8,472 | |
California Bond | | $ | 5,477 | |
California Income II | | $ | — | * |
Florida Insured | | $ | 13,407 | |
Florida Bond | | $ | 4,727 | |
Maryland Bond | | $ | 400 | |
New Jersey Bond | | $ | 1,043 | |
New York Insured | | $ | — | * |
New York Bond | | $ | 1,181 | |
New York Income II | | $ | 1,822 | |
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* Amount is less than $1.00.
In addition, the Advisor has entered into separate sub-advisory agreement with BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (“BFM”), an affiliate of the Advisor, with respect to each Trust, under which the Advisor pays BFM for services it provides, a monthly fee that is a percentage of the investment advisory fee paid by each Trust to the Advisor.
Pursuant to the terms of the custody agreement, custodian fees may be reduced by amounts calculated on uninvested cash balances (“custody credits”), which are on the Statements of Operations as fees paid indirectly.
Certain officers and/or Trustees of the Trusts are officers and/or directors of BlackRock, Inc. or its affiliates.
3. Investments:
Purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments and U.S. government obligations, for the six months ended February 29, 2008 were as follows:
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| | Purchases | | Sales | |
| | | | | | | |
Insured Municipal | | $ | 77,571,991 | | $ | 91,876,569 | |
Municipal Bond | | $ | 12,720,275 | | $ | 10,520,689 | |
Municipal Income II | | $ | 18,717,958 | | $ | 26,383,341 | |
California Insured | | $ | 17,325,407 | | $ | 27,290,542 | |
California Bond | | $ | 5,584,631 | | $ | 15,683,100 | |
California Income II | | $ | 9,803,492 | | $ | 23,375,084 | |
Florida Insured | | $ | 12,642,006 | | $ | 15,191,377 | |
Florida Bond | | $ | 8,654,482 | | $ | 9,343,530 | |
Maryland Bond | | $ | 1,247,390 | | $ | 3,013,935 | |
New Jersey Bond | | $ | 1,556,978 | | $ | 2,118,195 | |
New York Insured | | $ | 17,811,410 | | $ | 24,452,141 | |
New York Bond | | $ | 5,867,881 | | $ | 5,788,292 | |
New York Income II | | $ | 3,641,457 | | $ | 5,891,548 | |
Virginia Bond | | $ | 2,043,586 | | $ | 2,810,485 | |
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4. Capital Share Transactions:
The Trusts are authorized to issue an unlimited number of capital shares, par value $0.001, all of which were initially classified as Common Shares. The Board is authorized, however, to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of capital shares without approval of the holders of Common Shares.
Shares issued and outstanding during the six months ended February 29, 2008 and the year ended August 31, 2007 increased by the following amounts as a result of dividend reinvestments:
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| | For the Six Months Ended February 29, 2008 | | For the Year Ended August 31, 2007 | |
| | | | | | | |
Municipal Bond | | | 30,711 | | | 63,348 | |
Municipal Income II | | | 46,453 | | | 128,267 | |
California Insured | | | 810 | | | 587 | |
California Bond | | | 13,683 | | | 21,441 | |
California Income II | | | 639 | | | 9,405 | |
Florida Bond | | | 3,473 | | | 10,341 | |
Maryland Bond | | | 4,602 | | | 8,328 | |
New Jersey Bond | | | 5,465 | | | 10,244 | |
New York Insured | | | 1,706 | | | — | |
New York Bond | | | 11,650 | | | 21,768 | |
New York Income II | | | 1,272 | | | 1,781 | |
Virginia Bond | | | 4,659 | | | 9,277 | |
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| SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | FEBRUARY 29, 2008 | 75 |
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Notes to Financial Statements (continued) |
Preferred Shares have a par value of $0.001 per share and a liquidation preference of $25,000 per share, plus accrued and unpaid dividends, that entitle their holders to receive cash dividends at an annual rate that may vary for the successive dividend periods. The yields in effect at February 29, 2008 were as follows:
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| | Series | | Yield | |
| | | | | |
Insured Municipal | | M-7 | | 4.188 | % |
| | R-7 | | 4.508 | % |
| | F-7 | | 4.508 | % |
Municipal Bond | | T-7 | | 4.204 | % |
| | R-7 | | 4.508 | % |
Municipal Income II | | M-7 | | 4.189 | % |
| | T-7 | | 4.204 | % |
| | W-7 | | 4.356 | % |
| | R-7 | | 4.508 | % |
California Insured | | F-7 | | 4.508 | % |
California Bond | | F-7 | | 4.508 | % |
California Income II | | T-7 | | 4.204 | % |
| | R-7 | | 4.508 | % |
Florida Insured | | M-7 | | 4.188 | % |
Florida Bond | | W-7 | | 4.356 | % |
Maryland Bond | | R-7 | | 4.508 | % |
New Jersey Bond | | M-7 | | 4.188 | % |
New York Insured | | R-7 | | 4.508 | % |
New York Bond | | T-7 | | 4.204 | % |
New York Income II | | W-7 | | 4.356 | % |
Virginia Bond | | R-7 | | 4.508 | % |
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Dividends on seven-day Preferred Shares are cumulative at a rate which is reset every seven days based on the results of an auction. If the Preferred Shares fail to clear the auction on an auction date, the Trust’s are required to pay the maximum applicable rate on the Preferred Shares to holders of such shares for successive dividend periods until such time as the shares are successfully auctioned. The maximum applicable rate on the Preferred Shares is the higher of 110% of the AA commercial paper rate or 110% of 90% of the Kenny S&P 30-day High Grade Index rate divided by 1.00 minus the marginal tax rate. During the six months ended February 29, 2008, the Preferred Shares were successfully auctioned at each auction date until February 13, 2008. The low, high and average dividend range on the Preferred Shares for each of the Trusts for the six months ended February 29, 2008 were as follows:
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| | Series | | Low | | High | | Average | |
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Insured Municipal | | M-7 | | 2.400 | % | 4.188 | % | 3.350 | % |
| | R-7 | | 1.950 | % | 4.508 | % | 3.180 | % |
| | F-7 | | 2.000 | % | 4.560 | % | 3.280 | % |
Municipal Bond | | T-7 | | 3.000 | % | 6.000 | % | 3.980 | % |
| | R-7 | | 3.010 | % | 6.000 | % | 3.980 | % |
Municipal Income II | | M-7 | | 2.890 | % | 4.600 | % | 3.724 | % |
| | T-7 | | 3.000 | % | 4.399 | % | 3.560 | % |
| | W-7 | | 3.100 | % | 4.500 | % | 3.754 | % |
| | R-7 | | 2.930 | % | 4.860 | % | 3.786 | % |
California Insured | | F-7 | | 2.500 | % | 4.508 | % | 3.234 | % |
California Bond | | F-7 | | 2.500 | % | 4.970 | % | 3.700 | % |
California Income II | | T-7 | | 2.850 | % | 4.300 | % | 3.450 | % |
| | R-7 | | 2.900 | % | 4.508 | % | 3.480 | % |
Florida Insured | | M-7 | | 3.110 | % | 4.860 | % | 3.788 | % |
Florida Bond | | W-7 | | 2.490 | % | 4.780 | % | 3.790 | % |
Maryland Bond | | R-7 | | 2.000 | % | 4.900 | % | 3.437 | % |
New Jersey Bond | | M-7 | | 2.500 | % | 4.810 | % | 3.597 | % |
New York Insured | | R-7 | | 2.100 | % | 6.000 | % | 3.347 | % |
New York Bond | | T-7 | | 2.640 | % | 5.500 | % | 3.584 | % |
New York Income II | | W-7 | | 2.090 | % | 4.356 | % | 3.314 | % |
Virginia Bond | | R-7 | | 2.750 | % | 4.860 | % | 3.466 | % |
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A Trust may not declare dividends or make other distributions on Common Shares or purchase any such shares if, at the time of the declaration, distribution or purchase, asset coverage with respect to the outstanding Preferred Shares would be less than 200%.
The Preferred Shares are redeemable at the option of each Trust, in whole or in part, on any dividend payment date at $25,000 per share plus any accumulated unpaid dividends whether or not declared. The Preferred Shares are also subject to mandatory redemption at $25,000 per share plus any accumulated or unpaid dividends, whether or not declared, if certain requirements relating to the composition of the assets and liabilities of a Trust, as set forth in each Trust’s Declaration of Trust/Articles Supplementary, are not satisfied.
The holders of Preferred Shares have voting rights equal to the holders of Common Shares (one vote per share) and will vote together with holders of Common Shares (one vote per share) and will vote together with holders of Common Shares as a single class. However, holders of Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, are also entitled to elect two Trustees for each Trust. In addition, the 1940 Act requires that along with approval by shareholders that might otherwise be required, the approval of the holders of a majority of any outstanding Preferred Shares, voting separately as a class would be required to (a) adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the Preferred Shares, (b) change a Trust’s subclassification as a closed-end investment company or change its fundamental investment restrictions or (c) change its business so as to cease to be an investment company.
Since February 13, 2008, the Preferred Shares of the Trusts failed to clear any of its auctions. As a result, the Preferred Shares dividend rates were reset to the maximum applicable rate which ranged from 3.29% to 4.51%. A failed auction is not an event of default for the Trusts but it is a liquidity event for the holders of the Preferred Shares. Recent auction market liquidity problems have triggered numerous failed auctions for many closed-end funds, including BlackRock. A failed auction occurs when there are more sellers of a Trust’s auction rate preferred shares than buyers. It is impossible to predict how long this imbalance will last. An auction for each Trust’s Preferred Shares may not occur for a long period of time, if ever, and even if liquidity does resume, holders of the Preferred Shares may not have the amount of liquidity they desire or the ability to sell the Preferred Shares at par.
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76 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | FEBRUARY 29, 2008 | |
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|
|
Notes to Financial Statements (concluded) |
5. Capital Loss Carryforward
As of August 31, 2007, the Trusts had the following capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized gains:
| | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | Capital Loss Carryforward | | Expires | |
| | | | | |
Insured Municipal | | $ | 1,544,099 | | 2015 | |
| | | | | | |
Municipal Income II | | $ | 5,097,889 | | 2012 | |
| | | | | | |
California Insured | | $ | 717,737 | | 2013 | |
| | | | | | |
California Bond | | $ | 504,529 | | 2012 | |
| | | | | | |
California Income II | | $ | 3,224,992 | | 2012 | |
| | | 360,789 | | 2015 | |
| | | | | | |
| | $ | 3,585,781 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Florida Insured | | $ | 218,563 | | 2013 | |
| | | | | | |
Florida Bond | | $ | 23,751 | | 2012 | |
| | | 541,566 | | 2015 | |
| | | | | | |
| | $ | 565,317 | | | |
| | | | | | |
Maryland Bond | | $ | 27,007 | | 2015 | |
| | | | | | |
New York Income II | | $ | 70,160 | | 2015 | |
| | | | | | |
Virginia Bond | | $ | 45,800 | | 2015 | |
| | | | | | |
|
| | | | | | |
6. Concentration Risk:
The Trusts concentrate their investments in securities issued by state agencies, other governmental entities and U.S. Territories. The Trusts are more susceptible to adverse financial, social, environmental, economic, regulatory and political factors that may affect these states agencies, other governmental entities and U.S. Territories, which could seriously affect the ability of these states and their municipal subdivisions to meet continuing obligations for principle and interest payments and therefore could impact the value of the Trusts’ investments and net asset value per share, than if the Trusts were not concentrated in securities issued by state agencies, other governmental entities and U.S. Territories.
Many municipalities insure repayment for their obligations. Although bond insurance reduces the risk of loss due to default by an issuer, such bonds remain subject to the risk that market value may fluctuate for other reasons and there is no assurance that the insurance company will meet its obligations. These securities have been identified in the Schedules of Investments.
7. Subsequent Events:
Each Trust paid tax-exempt dividends per common share on April 1, 2008 to shareholders of record on March 14, 2008 in the following amounts:
| | | | |
| | | |
| | Common Dividend Per Share | |
| | | |
Insured Municipal | | $ | .061000 | |
Municipal Bond | | $ | .076500 | |
Municipal Income II | | $ | .071000 | |
California Insured | | $ | .058000 | |
California Bond | | $ | .077000 | |
California Income II | | $ | .065500 | |
Florida Insured | | $ | .058000 | |
Florida Bond | | $ | .077808 | |
Maryland Bond | | $ | .071350 | |
New Jersey Bond | | $ | .078582 | |
New York Insured | | $ | .058000 | |
New York Bond | | $ | .077099 | |
New York Income II | | $ | .062500 | |
Virginia Bond | | $ | .072428 | |
| | | | |
The dividends declared on Preferred Shares for the period March 1, 2008 to March 31, 2008 for each of the Trusts were as follows:
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | Series | | Dividends Declared | |
| | | | | |
Insured Municipal | | | M-7 | | $ | 282,891 | |
| | | R-7 | | $ | 221,037 | |
| | | F-7 | | $ | 216,916 | |
Municipal Bond | | | T-7 | | $ | 139,471 | |
| | | R-7 | | $ | 141,385 | |
Municipal Income II | | | M-7 | | $ | 164,492 | |
| | | T-7 | | $ | 157,357 | |
| | | W-7 | | $ | 156,949 | |
| | | R-7 | | $ | 160,621 | |
California Insured | | | F-7 | | $ | 147,676 | |
California Bond | | | F-7 | | $ | 95,196 | |
California Income II | | | T-7 | | $ | 120,706 | |
| | | R-7 | | $ | 119,770 | |
Florida Insured | | | M-7 | | $ | 281,686 | |
Florida Bond | | | W-7 | | $ | 90,961 | |
Maryland Bond | | | R-7 | | $ | 145,395 | |
New Jersey Bond | | | M-7 | | $ | 64,763 | |
New York Insured | | | R-7 | | $ | 174,974 | |
New York Bond | | | T-7 | | $ | 74,590 | |
New York Income II | | | W-7 | | $ | 136,404 | |
Virginia Bond | | | R-7 | | $ | 42,259 | |
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| SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | FEBRUARY 29, 2008 | 77 |
|
G. Nicholas Beckwith, III, Trustee |
Richard E. Cavanagh, Trustee |
Richard S. Davis, Trustee |
Kent Dixon, Trustee |
Frank J. Fabozzi, Trustee |
Kathleen F. Feldstein, Trustee |
James T. Flynn, Trustee |
Henry Gabbay, Trustee |
Jerrold B. Harris, Trustee |
R. Glenn Hubbard, Trustee |
W. Carl Kester, Trustee |
Karen P. Robards, Trustee |
Robert S. Salomon, Jr., Trustee |
Donald C. Burke, Fund President and Chief Executive Officer |
Anne F. Ackerley, Vice President |
Neal J. Andrews, Chief Financial Officer |
Jay M. Fife, Treasurer |
Brian P. Kindelan, Chief Compliance Officer |
Howard Surloff, Secretary |
|
Custodian |
State Street Bank and Trust Company |
Boston, MA 02101 |
|
Transfer Agents |
Common Stock: |
Computershare Trust Companies, N.A. |
Canton, MA 02021 |
Preferred Stock: |
For the Insured Trusts and Bond Trusts |
The Bank of New York Mellon |
New York, NY 10286 |
For the Income II Trusts |
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas |
New York, NY 10005 |
|
Accounting Agent |
State Street Bank and Trust Company |
Princeton, NJ 08540 |
|
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
Deloitte & Touche LLP |
Princeton, NJ 08540 |
|
Legal Counsel |
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP |
New York, NY 10036 |
|
Fund Address |
BlackRock Closed-End Funds |
c/o BlackRock Advisors, LLC |
100 Bellevue Parkway |
Wilmington, DE 19809 |
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78 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | FEBRUARY 29, 2008 | |
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Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments |
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Each Trust files their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Each Trust’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, DC.
Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330. Each Trust’s Forms N-Q may also be obtained upon request and without charge by calling (800) 441-7762.
Electronic copies of most financial reports are available on the Trusts’ website or shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications of quarterly statements, annual and semi-annual reports and prospectuses by enrolling in the Trusts’ electronic delivery program.
Shareholders Who Hold Accounts with Investment Advisors, Banks or Brokerages:
Please contact your financial advisor to enroll. Please note that not all investment advisors, banks or brokerages may offer this service.
The Trusts will mail only one copy of shareholder documents, including annual and semi-annual reports and proxy statements, to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is commonly called “householding” and it is intended to reduce expenses and eliminate duplicate mailings of shareholder documents. Mailings of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please contact the Trusts at (800) 441-7762
Quarterly performance, semi-annual and annual reports and other information regarding each Trust may be found on BlackRock’s website, which can be accessed at http://www.blackrock.com. This reference to BlackRock’s website is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding each Trust and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRock’s website into this report.
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BlackRock Privacy Principles |
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BlackRock is committed to maintaining the privacy of its current and former fund investors and individual clients (collectively, “Clients”) and to safe-guarding their nonpublic 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 nonpublic 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 nonaffiliated third parties any nonpublic information about its Clients, except as permitted by law or as necessary to service Client accounts. These nonaffiliated 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 nonpublic 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 nonpublic personal information of its Clients, including procedures relating to the proper storage and disposal of such information.
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| SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | FEBRUARY 29, 2008 | 79 |
This report is transmitted to shareholders only. It is not a prospectus. Past performance results shown in this report should not be considered a representation of future performance. The Trusts have leveraged their Common Shares, which creates risks for Common Shareholders, including the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of the Common Shares and the risk that fluctuations in the short-term dividend rates of the Preferred Shares, currently set at the maximum reset rate as a result of failed auctions, may affect the yield to Common Shareholders. Statements and other information herein are as dated and are subject to change.
A description of the policies and procedures that the Trusts use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free (800) 411-7762; (2) at www.blackrock.com; and (3) on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Information about how each Trust voted proxies relating to securities held in each Trust’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 Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
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Item 2 – Code of Ethics – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report
Item 3 – Audit Committee Financial Expert – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report
Item 4 – Principal Accountant Fees and Services – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report
Item 5 – Audit Committee of Listed Registrants – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report
Item 6 – Schedule of Investments – The registrant’s Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this form
Item 7 – Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report
Item 8 – Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies – As of March 1, 2008
(a) Not Applicable
(b) Effective March 1, 2008, Fred K. Stuebe joined the Registrant’s portfolio management team. Messrs. Theodore R. Jaeckel, Jr. and Walter O’Connor, previously identified in response to paragraph (a) of this item in the Registrant’s most recent annual report, continue as members of the Registrant’s portfolio management team.
(a)(1) As of March 1, 2008, the Fund is managed by a team of investment professionals comprised of Fred K. Stuebe, Director at BlackRock, Theodore R. Jaeckel, Jr., CFA, Managing Director at BlackRock, and Walter O’Connor, Managing Director at BlackRock. Each is a member of BlackRock’s municipal tax-exempt management group. Mr. Jaeckel and Mr. O’Connor are responsible for setting the Fund’s overall investment strategy and overseeing the management of the Fund. Mr. Stuebe is the Fund’s lead portfolio manager and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio and the selection of its investments. Messrs. Jaeckel and O’Connor have been members of the Fund’s management team since 2006 and Mr. Stuebe has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since 2008.
Mr. Stuebe joined BlackRock in 2006. Prior to joining BlackRock, he was a Director (Municipal Tax-Exempt Fund Management) of MLIM from 2000 to 2006. He has 25 years of experience investing in Municipal Bonds as a portfolio manager on behalf of registered investment companies. He has been a portfolio manager with BlackRock or MLIM since 1989.
(a)(2) As of March 1, 2008:
| | | | | (iii) Number of Other Accounts and | |
| | (ii) Number of Other Accounts Managed | Assets for Which Advisory Fee is | |
| | and Assets by Account Type | Performance-Based | |
| | Other | | | Other | | | |
| (i) Name of | Registered | Other Pooled | | Registered | Other Pooled | | |
| Portfolio | Investment | Investment | Other | Investment | Investment | Other | |
| Manager | Companies | Vehicles | Accounts | Companies | Vehicles | Accounts | |
| Fred K. Stuebe | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| | $3.187 Billion | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
(iv) Potential Material Conflicts of Interest
BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, herein “BlackRock”) has built a professional working environment, firm-wide compliance culture and compliance procedures and systems designed to protect against potential incentives that may favor one account over another. BlackRock has adopted policies and procedures that address the allocation of investment opportunities, execution of portfolio transactions, personal trading by employees and other potential conflicts of interest that are designed to ensure that all client accounts are treated equitably over time. Nevertheless, BlackRock furnishes investment management and advisory services to numerous clients in addition to the Fund, and BlackRock may, consistent with applicable law, make investment recommendations to other clients or accounts (including accounts which are hedge funds or have performance or higher fees paid to BlackRock, or in which portfolio managers have a personal interest in the receipt of such fees), which may be the same as or different from those made to the Fund. In addition, BlackRock, its affiliates and any officer, director, stockholder or employee may or may not have an interest in the securities whose purchase and sale BlackRock recommends to the Fund. BlackRock, or any of its affiliates, or any officer, director, stockholder, employee or any member of their families may take different actions than those recommended to the Fund by BlackRock with respect to the same securities. Moreover, BlackRock may refrain from rendering any advice or services concerning securities of companies of which any of BlackRock’s (or its affiliates’) officers, directors or employees are directors or officers, or companies as to which BlackRock or any of its affiliates or the officers, directors and employees of any of them has any substantial economic interest or possesses material non-public information. Each portfolio manager also may manage accounts whose investment strategies may at times be opposed to the strategy utilized for a Fund. In this connection, it should be noted that Mr. Jaeckel currently manages certain accounts that are subject to performance fees. In addition, Mr. Jaeckel assists in managing certain hedge funds and may be entitled to receive a portion of any incentive fees earned on such funds and a portion of such incentive fees may be voluntarily or involuntarily deferred. Additional portfolio managers may in the future manage other such accounts or funds and may be entitled to receive incentive fees.
As a fiduciary, BlackRock owes a duty of loyalty to its clients and must treat each client fairly. When BlackRock purchases or sells securities for more than one account, the trades must be allocated in a manner consistent with its fiduciary duties. BlackRock attempts to allocate investments in a fair and equitable manner among client accounts, with no account receiving preferential treatment. To this end, BlackRock has adopted a policy that is intended to ensure that investment opportunities are allocated fairly and equitably among client accounts over time. This policy also seeks to achieve reasonable efficiency in client transactions and provide BlackRock with sufficient flexibility to allocate investments in a manner that is consistent with the particular investment discipline and client base.
(a)(3) As of March 1, 2008:
Portfolio Manager Compensation Overview
BlackRock’s financial arrangements with its portfolio managers, its competitive compensation and its career path emphasis at all levels reflect the value senior management places on key resources. Compensation may include a variety of components and may vary from year to year based on a number of factors. The principal components of compensation include a base salary, a performance-based discretionary bonus, participation in various benefits programs and one or more of the incentive compensation programs established by BlackRock such as its Long-Term Retention and Incentive Plan.
Base compensation. Generally, portfolio managers receive base compensation based on their seniority and/or their position with the firm. Senior portfolio managers who perform additional management functions within the portfolio management group or within BlackRock may receive additional compensation for serving in these other capacities.
Discretionary Incentive Compensation
Discretionary incentive compensation is a function of several components: the performance of BlackRock, Inc., the performance of the portfolio manager’s group within BlackRock, the investment performance, including risk-adjusted returns, of the firm’s assets under management or supervision by that portfolio manager relative to predetermined benchmarks, and the individual’s seniority, role within the portfolio management team, teamwork and contribution to the overall performance of these portfolios and BlackRock. In most cases, including for the portfolio managers of the Fund, these benchmarks are the same as the benchmark or benchmarks against which the performance of the Fund or other accounts managed by the portfolio managers are measured. BlackRock’s Chief Investment Officers determine the benchmarks against which the performance of funds and other accounts managed by each portfolio manager is compared and the period of time over which performance is evaluated. With respect to the portfolio managers, such benchmarks include a combination of market-based indices (e.g., Lehman Brothers Municipal Bond Index), certain customized indices and certain fund industry peer groups.
BlackRock’s Chief Investment Officers make a subjective determination with respect to the portfolio managers’ compensation based on the performance of the funds and other accounts managed by each portfolio manager relative to the various benchmarks noted above. Performance is measured on both a pre-tax and after-tax basis over various time periods including 1, 3, 5 and 10-year periods, as applicable.
Distribution of Discretionary Incentive Compensation
Discretionary incentive compensation is distributed to portfolio managers in a combination of cash and BlackRock, Inc. restricted stock units which vest ratably over a number of years. The BlackRock, Inc. restricted stock units, if properly vested, will be settled in BlackRock, Inc. common stock. Typically, the cash bonus, when combined with base salary, represents more than 60% of total compensation for the portfolio managers. Paying a portion of annual bonuses in stock puts compensation earned by a portfolio manager for a given year “at risk” based on the Company’s ability to sustain and improve its performance over future periods.
Other compensation benefits. In addition to base compensation and discretionary incentive compensation, portfolio managers may be eligible to receive or participate in one or more of the following:
Long-Term Retention and Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) —The LTIP is a long-term incentive plan that seeks to reward certain key employees. Prior to 2006, the plan provided for the grant of awards that were expressed as an amount of cash that, if properly vested and subject to the attainment of certain performance goals, will be settled in cash and/or in BlackRock, Inc. common stock. Beginning in 2006, awards are granted under the LTIP in the form of BlackRock, Inc. restricted stock units that, if properly vested and subject to the attainment of certain performance
goals, will be settled in BlackRock, Inc. common stock. Each portfolio manager except Mr. Stuebe has received awards under the LTIP.
Deferred Compensation Program —A portion of the compensation paid to eligible BlackRock employees may be voluntarily deferred into an account that tracks the performance of certain of the firm’s investment products. Each participant in the deferred compensation program is permitted to allocate his deferred amounts among various options, including to certain of the firm’s hedge funds and other proprietary mutual funds. Each portfolio manager has participated in the deferred compensation program.
Incentive Savings Plans — BlackRock, Inc. has created a variety of incentive savings plans in which BlackRock employees are eligible to participate, including a 401(k) plan, the BlackRock Retirement Savings Plan (RSP), and the BlackRock Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). The employer contribution components of the RSP include a company match equal to 50% of the first 6% of eligible pay contributed to the plan capped at $4,000 per year, and a company retirement contribution equal to 3% of eligible compensation, plus an additional contribution of 2% for any year in which BlackRock has positive net operating income. The RSP offers a range of investment options, including registered investment companies managed by the firm. Company contributions follow the investment direction set by participants for their own contributions or, absent employee investment direction, are invested into a balanced portfolio. The ESPP allows for investment in BlackRock common stock at a 5% discount on the fair market value of the stock on the purchase date. Annual participation in the ESPP is limited to the purchase of 1,000 shares or a dollar value of $25,000. Each portfolio manager is eligible to participate in these plans.
(a)(4) As of March 1, 2008, Mr. Stuebe did not beneficially own any stock issued by the Fund.
Item 9 – Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers – Not Applicable
Item 10 – Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders – The registrant’s Nominating and Governance Committee will consider nominees to the Board recommended by shareholders when a vacancy becomes available. Shareholders who wish to recommend a nominee should send nominations which include biographical information and set forth the qualifications of the proposed nominee to the registrant’s Secretary. There have been no material changes to these procedures.
Item 11 – Controls and Procedures
11(a) – The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers or persons performing similar functions have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
11(b) – There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12 – Exhibits attached hereto
12(a)(1) – Code of Ethics – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report
12(a)(2) – Certifications – Attached hereto
12(a)(3) – Not Applicable
12(b) – Certifications – Attached hereto
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BlackRock New Jersey Municipal Bond Trust
By: | /s/ Donald C. Burke |
| Donald C. Burke |
| Chief Executive Officer of |
| BlackRock New Jersey Municipal Bond Trust |
Date: April 23, 2008
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/ Donald C. Burke |
| Donald C. Burke |
| Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of |
| BlackRock New Jersey Municipal Bond Trust |
Date: April 23, 2008
By: | /s/ Neal J. Andrews |
| Neal J. Andrews |
| Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of |
| BlackRock New Jersey Municipal Bond Trust |
Date: April 23, 2008