Shares issued and outstanding during the year ended February 28, 2010 and the period ended February 28, 2009 increased by the following amounts as a result of dividend reinvestments:
Shares issued and outstanding remained constant for COY and CYE for the year ended May 31, 2008.
Management’s evaluation of the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds’ financial statements was completed through the date the financial statements were issued and the following items were noted:
The Funds paid a net investment income dividend on March 31, 2010 to shareholders of record on March 15, 2010 as follows:
|
|
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc., BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc., BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc., BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund II, Inc. and BlackRock Senior High Income Fund, Inc. (collectively the “Funds”):
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. and BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. as of February 28, 2010, and the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for the year ended February 28, 2010, for the period June 1, 2008 to February 28, 2009 and for the year ended May 31, 2008, and the financial highlights for each of the periods presented. We have also audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc., BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund II, Inc., and BlackRock Senior High Income Fund, Inc., as of February 28, 2010, and the related statements 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 each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
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 Funds are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their 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 Funds’ 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 the securities owned as of February 28, 2010, by correspondence with the custodian, brokers and agent banks; where replies were not received from brokers or agent banks, 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 BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. and BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. as of February 28, 2010, the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in their net assets for the year ended February 28, 2010, for the period June 1, 2008 to February 28, 2009 and for the year ended May 31, 2008, and the financial highlights for each of the periods presented, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Additionally, in our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc., BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund II, Inc., and BlackRock Senior High Income Fund, Inc. as of February 28, 2010, the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Princeton, New Jersey
April 29, 2010
|
|
Important Tax Information (Unaudited) |
|
The following information is provided with respect to the ordinary income distributions paid by the Funds for the taxable year ended February 28, 2010:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | COY | | CYE | | DSU | | FRB | | ARK | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest-Related Dividends for
Non-U.S. Residents(1)
Month Paid: | | March 2009 | | 79.23 | % | | 81.85 | % | | 79.16 | % | | 78.20 | % | | 85.87 | % | |
| | April 2009 | | 79.23 | % | | 81.85 | % | | 77.51 | % | | 82.59 | % | | 85.87 | % | |
| | May 2009 | | 83.91 | % | | 81.85 | % | | 77.51 | % | | 84.35 | % | | 85.87 | % | |
| | June 2009 | | 88.36 | % | | 81.85 | % | | 77.51 | % | | 84.35 | % | | 85.87 | % | |
| | July 2009 | | 88.36 | % | | 81.85 | % | | 77.51 | % | | 84.35 | % | | 85.87 | % | |
| | August 2009 | | 88.36 | % | | 81.85 | % | | 77.51 | % | | 84.35 | % | | 85.87 | % | |
| | September 2009 | | 88.36 | % | | 81.85 | % | | 77.51 | % | | 84.35 | % | | 85.87 | % | |
| | October 2009 | | 88.36 | % | | 81.85 | % | | 77.51 | % | | 84.35 | % | | 85.87 | % | |
| | November 2009 | | 88.36 | % | | 81.85 | % | | 77.51 | % | | 84.35 | % | | 85.87 | % | |
| | December 2009 | | 88.36 | % | | 81.85 | % | | 77.51 | % | | 84.35 | % | | 85.87 | % | |
| | January 2010 | | 88.36 | % | | 81.85 | % | | 77.51 | % | | 84.35 | % | | 85.87 | % | |
| | February 2010 | | 55.19 | % | | 70.65 | % | | — | | | — | | | 72.57 | % | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
(1) | Represents the portion of the taxable ordinary income dividends eligible for exemption from U.S. withholding tax for nonresident aliens and foreign corporations. |
| | |
|
|
|
ANNUAL REPORT | FEBRUARY 28, 2010 | 67 |
|
|
|
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plans |
How the Plan Works — The Funds offer a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”) under which income and capital gains dividends paid by each Fund are automatically reinvested in additional Common Shares of each Fund. The Plan is administered on behalf of the shareholders by BNY Mellon Share-owner Services for DSU and ARK and Computershare Trust Company, N.A. for COY, CYE and FRB (individually, the “Plan Agent” or together, the “Plan Agents”). Under the Plan, whenever the Funds declare a dividend, participants in the Plan will receive the equivalent in shares of Common Shares of the Fund. The Plan Agents will acquire the shares for the participant’s account either (i) through receipt of additional unissued but authorized shares of the Fund (“newly issued shares”) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding Common Shares on the open market on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere. If, on the dividend payment date, a Fund’s net asset value per share is equal to or less than the market price per share plus estimated brokerage commissions (a condition often referred to as a “market premium”), the Plan Agents will invest the dividend amount in newly issued shares. If a Fund’s net asset value per share is greater than the market price per share (a condition often referred to as a “market discount”), the Plan Agents will invest the dividend amount by purchasing on the open market additional shares. If the Plan Agents are unable to invest the full dividend amount in open market purchases, or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period, the Plan Agents will invest any uninvested portion in newly issued shares. The shares acquired are credited to each shareholder’s account. The amount credited is determined by dividing the dollar amount of the dividend by either (i) when the shares are newly issued, the net asset value per share on the date the shares are issued or (ii) when shares are purchased in the open market, the average purchase price per share.
Participation in the Plan — Participation in the Plan is automatic, that is, a shareholder is automatically enrolled in the Plan when he or she purchases Common Shares of a Fund unless the shareholder specifically elects not to participate in the Plan. Shareholders who elect not to participate will receive all dividend distributions in cash. Shareholders who do not wish to participate in the Plan, must advise their Plan Agent in writing (at the address set forth below) that they elect not to participate in the Plan. Participation in the Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by writing to the Plan Agent.
Benefits of the Plan — The Plan provides an easy, convenient way for shareholders to make additional, regular investments in a Fund. The Plan promotes a long-term strategy of investing at a lower cost. All shares acquired pursuant to the Plan receive voting rights. In addition, if the market price plus commissions of a Fund’s shares is above the net asset value, participants in the Plan will receive shares of the Fund for less than they could otherwise purchase them and with a cash value greater than the value of any cash distribution they would have received. However, there may not be enough shares available in the market to make distributions in shares at prices below the net asset value. Also, since the Funds do not redeem shares, the price on resale may be more or less than the net asset value.
Plan Fees — There are no enrollment fees or brokerage fees for participating in the Plan. The Plan Agents’ service fees for handling the reinvestment of distributions are paid for by each Fund. However, brokerage commissions may be incurred when a Fund purchase shares on the open market and shareholders will pay a pro rata share of any such commissions.
Tax Implications — The automatic reinvestment of dividends and distributions will not relieve participants of any federal, state or local income tax that may be payable (or required to be withheld) on such dividends. Therefore, income and capital gains may still be realized even though shareholders do not receive cash. The value of shares acquired pursuant to the Plan will generally be excluded from gross income to the extent that the cash amount reinvested would be excluded from gross income. If, when a Fund’s shares are trading at a market premium, a Fund issues shares pursuant to the Plan that have a greater fair market value than the amount of cash reinvested, it is possible that all or a portion of the discount from the market value (which may not exceed 5% of the fair market value of a Fund’s shares) could be viewed as a taxable distribution. If the discount is viewed as a taxable distribution, it is also possible that the taxable character of this discount would be allocable to all the shareholders, including shareholders who do not participate in the Plan. Thus, shareholders who do not participate in the Plan might be required to report as ordinary income a portion of their distributions equal to their allocable share of the discount.
Contact Information — All correspondence concerning the Plan, including any questions about the Plan, should be directed to the Plan Agent at the following addresses: Shareholders of BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. and BlackRock Senior High Income Fund, Inc. should contact BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, P.0. Box 358035, Pittsburgh, PA 15252-8035, Telephone: (866) 216-0242 and shareholders of BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc., BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund III, Inc. and BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund II, Inc. should contact Computershare Trust Company, N.A., P.O. Box 43078, Providence, RI 02940-3078, Telephone: (800) 699-1BFM or overnight correspondence should be directed to the Plan Agent at 250 Royall Street, Canton, MA 02021.
| | |
|
|
|
68 | ANNUAL REPORT | FEBRUARY 28, 2010 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Name, Address
and Year of Birth | | Position(s)
Held with
Funds | | Length
of Time
Served as
a Director2 | | Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years | | Number of BlackRock-
Advised Registered
Investment Companies
(“RICs”) Consisting of
Investment Portfolios
(“Portfolios”) Overseen | | Public
Directorships |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Interested Directors1 | | | | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard E. Cavanagh
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
1946 | | Chairman of
the Board
and Director | | Since
2007 | | Trustee, Aircraft Finance Trust from 1999 to 2009; Director, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America since 1998; Trustee, Educational Testing Service since 1997; Senior Advisor since 2008 and Director since 1996, The Fremont Group; Adjunct Lecturer, Harvard University since 2007; Formerly President and Chief Executive Officer of The Conference Board, Inc. (global business research organization) from 1995 to 2007. | | 99 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios | | Arch Chemical (chemical and allied products) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Karen P. Robards
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
1950 | | Vice Chair of
the Board,
Chair of
the Audit
Committee
and Director | | Since
2007 | | Partner of Robards & Company, LLC (financial advisory firm) since 1987; Co-founder and Director of the Cooke Center for Learning and Development (a not-for-profit organization) since 1987; Director of Enable Medical Corp. from 1996 to 2005; Investment banker at Morgan Stanley from 1976 to 1987. | | 99 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios | | AtriCure, Inc. (medical devices); Care Investment Trust, Inc. (health care real estate investment trust) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. Nicholas
Beckwith, III
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
1945 | | Director | | Since
2007 | | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Arch Street Management, LLC (Beckwith Family Foundation) and various Beckwith property companies since 2005; Chairman of the Board of Directors, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center since 2002; Director, Shady Side Hospital Foundation since 1977; Director, Beckwith Institute for Innovation In Patient Care since 1991; Member, Advisory Council on Biology and Medicine, Brown University since 2002; Trustee, Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation (charitable foundation) since 1989; Trustee, Chatham University since 1981; Trustee, University of Pittsburgh since 2002; Emeritus Trustee, Shady Side Academy since 1977; Chairman and Manager, Penn West Industrial Trucks LLC (sales, rental and servicing of material handling equipment) from 2005 to 2007; Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Beckwith Machinery Company (sales, rental and servicing of construction equipment) from 1985 to 2005; Director, National Retail Properties (REIT) from 2006 to 2008. | | 99 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios | | None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frank J. Fabozzi
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
1948 | | Director and
Member of the Audit Committee | | Since
2007 | | Consultant/Editor of The Journal of Portfolio Management since 2006; Professor in the Practice of Finance and Becton Fellow, Yale University, School of Management, since 2006; Adjunct Professor of Finance and Becton Fellow, Yale University from 1994 to 2006. | | 99 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios | | None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kathleen F. Feldstein
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
1941 | | Director | | Since
2007 | | President of Economics Studies, Inc. (private economic consulting firm) since 1987; Chair, Board of Trustees, McLean Hospital from 2000 to 2008 and Trustee Emeritus thereof since 2008; Member of the Board of Partners Community Healthcare, Inc. from 2005 to 2009; Member of the Corporation of Partners HealthCare since 1995; Member of the Corporation of Sherrill House (health care) since 1990; Trustee, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston since 1992; Member of the Visiting Committee to the Harvard University Art Museum since 2003; Director, Catholic Charities of Boston since 2009. | | 99 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios | | The McClatchy Company (publishing) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James T. Flynn
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
1939 | | Director and
Member of the Audit Committee | | Since
2007 | | Chief Financial Officer of JPMorgan & Co., Inc. from 1990 to 1995. | | 99 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios | | None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jerrold B. Harris
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
1942 | | Director | | Since
2007 | | Trustee, Ursinus College since 2000; Director, Troemner LLC (scientific equipment) since 2000. | | 99 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios | | BlackRock Kelso Capital Corp. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
ANNUAL REPORT | FEBRUARY 28, 2010 | 69 |
|
|
|
Officers and Directors (continued) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Name, Address
and Year of Birth | | Position(s)
Held with
Funds | | Length
of Time
Served as
a Director2 | | Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years | | Number of BlackRock-
Advised Registered
Investment Companies
(“RICs”) Consisting of
Investment Portfolios
(“Portfolios”) Overseen | | Public
Directorships |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Interested Directors1 (concluded) | | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. Glenn Hubbard
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
1958 | | Director | | Since
2007 | | Dean, Columbia Business School since 2004; Columbia faculty member since 1988; Co-Director, Columbia Business School’s Entrepreneurship Program from 1997 to 2004; Visiting Professor, John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and the Harvard Business School since 1985 and at the University of Chicago since 1994; Chairman, US Council of Economic Advisers under the President of the United States from 2001 to 2003. | | 99 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios | | ADP (data and information services); KKR Financial Corporation (finance); Duke Realty (real estate); Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (insurance); Information Services Group (media/technology) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. Carl Kester
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
1951 | | Director and
Member of the Audit Committee | | Since
2007 | | George Fisher Baker Jr. Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School; Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs since 2006; Unit Head, Finance, Harvard Business School from 2005 to 2006; Senior Associate Dean and Chairman of the MBA Program of Harvard Business School from 1999 to 2005; Member of the faculty of Harvard Business School since 1981; Independent Consultant since 1978. | | 99 RICs consisting of 97 Portfolios | | None |
| |
|
|
| |
1 | Directors serve until their resignation, removal or death, or until December 31 of the year in which they turn 72. |
| |
2 | Date shown is the earliest date a person has served for the Fund covered by this annual report. 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 directors as joining the Funds’ board in 2007, each director first became a member of the board of directors of other legacy MLIM or legacy BlackRock Funds as follows: G. Nicholas Beckwith, III since 1999; Richard E. Cavanagh since 1994; Kent Dixon since 1988; Frank J. Fabozzi since 1988; Kathleen F. Feldstein since 2005; James T. Flynn since 1996; Jerrold B. Harris since 1999; R. Glenn Hubbard since 2004; W. Carl Kester since 1998 and Karen P. Robards since 1998. |
| | | | | | | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interested Directors3 | |
|
|
Richard S. Davis
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
1945 | | Director | | Since
2007 | | Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. since 2005; Chief Executive Officer, State Street Research & Management Company from 2000 to 2005; Chairman of the Board of Trustees, State Street Research Mutual Funds from 2000 to 2005; Chairman, SSR Realty from 2000 to 2004. | | 170 RICs consisting of 298 Portfolios | | None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Henry Gabbay
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
1947 | | Director | | Since
2007 | | Consultant, BlackRock, Inc. from 2007 to 2008; Managing Director, BlackRock, Inc. from 1989 to 2007; Chief Administrative Officer, BlackRock Advisors, LLC from 1998 to 2007; President of BlackRock Funds and BlackRock Bond Allocation Target Shares from 2005 to 2007; Treasurer of certain closed-end funds in the BlackRock fund complex from 1989 to 2006. | | 170 RICs consisting of 298 Portfolios | | None |
| |
|
|
| |
3 | Mr. Davis is an “interested person,” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, of the Funds based on his position with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates. Mr. Gabbay is an “interested person” of the Funds 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. |
| | |
|
|
|
70 | ANNUAL REPORT | FEBRUARY 28, 2010 |
|
|
|
Officers and Directors (concluded) |
| | | | | | |
Name, Address
and Year of Birth | | Position(s)
Held with
Funds | | Length
of Time
Served | | Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Funds Officers1 | | | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anne Ackerley
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
1962 | | President and
Chief Executive
Officer | | Since
2009 | | 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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brendan Kyne
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
1977 | | 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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Neal Andrews
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
1966 | | Chief
Financial
Officer | | Since
2007 | | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006; Formerly Senior Vice President and Line of Business Head of Fund Accounting and Administration at PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. (formerly PFPC Inc.) from 1992 to 2006. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jay Fife
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
1970 | | Treasurer | | Since
2007 | | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2007 and Director in 2006; Formerly Assistant Treasurer of the MLIM/FAM-advised Funds from 2005 to 2006; Director of MLIM Fund Services Group from 2001 to 2006. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brian Kindelan
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
1959 | | Chief
Compliance
Officer | | Since
2007 | | Chief Compliance Officer of the BlackRock-advised Funds since 2007; Managing Director and Senior Counsel of BlackRock, Inc. since 2005; Formerly Director and Senior Counsel of BlackRock Advisors, Inc. from 2001 to 2004. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Howard Surloff
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
1965 | | Secretary | | Since
2007 | | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. and General Counsel of U.S. Funds at BlackRock, Inc. since 2006; Formerly General Counsel (U.S.) of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. from 1993 to 2006. |
| |
|
|
| |
1 | Officers of the Funds serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. |
|
|
|
Investment Advisor |
|
BlackRock Advisors, LLC |
Wilmington, DE 19809 |
|
Sub-Advisor |
|
BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. |
New York, NY 10055 |
|
Custodians |
|
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.2 |
New York, NY 10017 |
|
State Street Bank and Trust Company3 |
Boston, MA 02111 |
|
The Bank of New York Mellon4 |
New York, NY 10286 |
|
Transfer Agents |
|
BNY Mellon Shareowner Services4 |
Jersey City, NJ 07310 |
|
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.2,3 |
Providence, RI 02940 |
|
Accounting Agent |
|
State Street Bank and Trust Company |
Princeton, NJ 08540 |
|
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
|
Deloitte & ToucheLLP |
Princeton, NJ 08540 |
|
Legal Counsel |
|
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & FlomLLP |
New York, NY 10036 |
|
Address of the Funds |
|
100 Bellevue Parkway |
Wilmington, DE 19809 |
| |
2 | For COY. |
|
3 | For CYE and FRB. |
|
4 | For DSU and ARK. |
| | |
|
|
| Effective January 1, 2010, Kent Dixon, a Director of the Funds, retired. | |
|
| Effective March 31, 2010, G. Nicholas Beckwith, III, a Director of the Funds, resigned. | |
|
| The Funds’ Board of Directors wishes both Mr. Dixon and Mr. Beckwith well. | |
|
|
| | |
|
|
|
ANNUAL REPORT | FEBRUARY 28, 2010 | 71 |
The Funds’ dividend policy is to distribute all or a portion of their net investment income to their shareholders on a monthly basis. In order to provide shareholders with a more stable level of dividend distributions, the Funds may at times pay out less than the entire amount of net investment income earned in any particular month and may at times in any particular month pay out such accumulated but undistributed income in addition to net investment income earned in that month. As a result, the dividends paid by the Funds for any particular month may be more or less than the amount of net investment income earned by the Funds during such month. The Funds’ current accumulated but undistributed net investment income, if any, is disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, which comprises part of the financial information included in this report.
The Funds listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) have filed with the NYSE their annual chief executive officer certification regarding compliance with the NYSE’s listing standards. Each Fund filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) the certification of their chief executive officer and chief financial officer required by section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
The Funds do not make available copies of their Statements of Additional Information because the Funds’ shares are not continuously offered, which means that the Statement of Additional Information of each Fund has not been updated after completion of the respective Fund’s offerings and the information contained in each Fund’s Statement of Additional Information may have become outdated.
During the period, there were no material changes in the Funds’ investment objectives or policies or to the Funds’ charter or by-laws that were not approved by the shareholders or in the principal risk factors associated with investment in the Funds. There have been no changes in the persons who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds’ portfolio.
Quarterly performance, semi-annual and annual reports and other information regarding the Funds 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 the Funds and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRock’s website into this report.
Electronic Delivery
Electronic copies of most financial reports are available on the Funds’ website or shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications of quarterly statements, annual and semi-annual reports by enrolling in the Funds’ 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.
Householding
The Funds 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 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 Schedule of Investments
Each Fund files its 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. The Funds’ 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 (202) 551-8090. Each Fund’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 Funds use 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 Funds voted proxies relating to securities held in the Funds’ portfolios 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.
| | |
|
|
|
72 | ANNUAL REPORT | FEBRUARY 28, 2010 |
|
|
|
Additional Information (continued) |
These amounts and sources of distributions reported are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon each Fund’s investment experience during the year and may be subject to changes based on the tax regulations. The Funds will send you a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
February 28, 2010 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | Total Cumulative Distributions
for the Fiscal Year | | % Breakdown of the Total Cumulative Distributions
for the Fiscal Year | |
| |
| |
| |
| | Net
Investment
Income | | Net
Realized
Capital
Gains | | Return
of
Capital | | Total Per
Common
Share | | Net
Investment
Income | | Net
Realized
Capital
Gains | | Return
of
Capital | | Total Per
Common
Share | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DSU | | $ | 0.39040 | | | — | | $ | 0.00860 | | $ | 0.39900 | | | 98 | % | | | 0 | % | | | 2 | % | | | 100 | % | |
FRB | | $ | 0.97983 | | | — | | $ | 0.07827 | | $ | 1.05810 | | | 93 | % | | | 0 | % | | | 7 | % | | | 100 | % | |
ARK | | $ | 0.30000 | | | — | | | — | | $ | 0.30000 | | | 100 | % | | | 0 | % | | | 0 | % | | | 100 | % | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Each Fund estimates that it has distributed more than the amount of earned income and net realized gains; therefore, a portion of the distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholder’s investment in a Fund is returned to the shareholder. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect a Fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with ‘yield’ or ‘income.’
| | |
|
|
|
ANNUAL REPORT | FEBRUARY 28, 2010 | 73 |
|
|
|
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.
| | |
|
|
|
74 | ANNUAL REPORT | FEBRUARY 28, 2010 |
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 Funds 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 short-term interest rates may reduce the Common Shares’ yield. Statements and other information herein are as dated and are subject to change.
| |
| 
|
|
|
|
| #CEF1-5-2/10 |
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: |
| Kent Dixon (retired effective December 31, 2009) |
| Frank J. Fabozzi |
| James T. Flynn |
| W. Carl Kester |
| Karen P. Robards |
| | |
| The registrant’s board of directors has determined that W. Carl Kester and Karen P. Robards qualify as financial experts pursuant to Item 3(c)(4) of Form N-CSR. |
| | |
| Prof. Kester has a thorough understanding of generally accepted accounting principles, financial statements and internal control over financial reporting as well as audit committee functions. Prof. Kester has been involved in providing valuation and other financial consulting services to corporate clients since 1978. Prof. Kester’s financial consulting services present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the registrant’s financial statements. |
| | |
| Ms. Robards has a thorough understanding of generally accepted accounting principles, financial statements and internal control over financial reporting as well as audit committee functions. Ms. Robards has been President of Robards & Company, a financial advisory firm, since 1987. Ms. Robards was formerly an investment banker for more than 10 years where she was responsible for evaluating and assessing the performance of companies based on their financial results. Ms. Robards has over 30 years of experience analyzing financial statements. She also is a member of the audit committee of one publicly held company and a non-profit organization. |
| | |
| 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 Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. | $42,500 | $42,500 | $0 | $0 | $6,100 | $6,100 | $0 | $1,028 |
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 for all of the registrants the Committee oversees. For this purpose, multiple projects will be aggregated to determine if they exceed the previously mentioned cost levels. |
| | |
| 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 one or more of its members 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. |
| | |
| (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. |
| | |
| (f) Not Applicable |
| (g) Affiliates’ Aggregate Non-Audit Fees: |
Entity Name | Current Fiscal Year End | Previous Fiscal Year End |
| | |
BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. | $16,877 | $412,128 |
| (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. |
| | |
| Regulation S-X Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) – $10,777, 0% |
| | |
Item 5 – | Audit Committee of Listed Registrants – The following individuals are members of the registrant’s separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(58)(A)): |
| | |
| Kent Dixon (retired effective December 31, 2009) |
| Frank J. Fabozzi |
| James T. Flynn |
| W. Carl Kester |
| Karen P. Robards |
| | |
Item 6 – | Investments |
| (a) The registrant’s Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this form. |
| (b) Not Applicable due to no such divestments during the semi-annual period covered since the previous Form N-CSR filing. |
Item 7 – | Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies – The board of directors has delegated the voting of proxies for the Fund securities to the Fund’s investment adviser (“Investment Adviser”) pursuant to the Investment Adviser’s proxy voting guidelines. Under these guidelines, the Investment Adviser will vote proxies related to Fund securities in the best interests of the Fund and its stockholders. From time to time, a vote may present a conflict between the interests of the Fund’s stockholders, on the one hand, and those of the Investment Adviser, or any affiliated person of the Fund or the Investment Adviser, on the other. In such event, provided that the Investment Adviser’s Equity Investment Policy Oversight Committee, or a sub-committee thereof (the “Oversight Committee”) is aware of the real or potential conflict or material non-routine matter and if the Oversight Committee does not reasonably believe it is able to follow its general voting guidelines (or if the particular proxy matter is not addressed in the guidelines) and vote impartially, the Oversight Committee may retain an independent fiduciary to advise the Oversight Committee on how to vote or to cast votes on behalf of the Investment Adviser’s clients. If the Investment Adviser determines not to retain an independent fiduciary, or does not desire to follow the advice of such independent fiduciary, the Oversight Committee shall determine how to vote the proxy after consulting with the Investment Adviser’s Portfolio Management Group and/or the Investment Adviser’s Legal and Compliance Department and concluding that the vote cast is in its client’s best interest notwithstanding the conflict. A copy of the Fund’s Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures are attached as Exhibit 99.PROXYPOL. Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, (i) at www.blackrock.com and (ii) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. |
Item 8 – | Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies – as of February 28, 2010. |
| | |
| (a)(1) The registrant is managed by a team of investment professionals comprised of James E. Keenan, Managing Director at BlackRock, Mitchell Garfin, Managing Director at BlackRock and Derek Schoenhofen, Director at BlackRock. Messrs. Keenan, Garfin and Schoenhofen are the Fund’s co-portfolio managers and are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio and the selection of its investments. Mr. Keenan has been a member of the Fund’s management team since 2006. Messrs. Garfin and Schoenhofen have been members of the Fund’s management team since 2009. |
Portfolio Manager | Biography |
James E. Keenan | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2008; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2004 - 2007; Head of the Leveraged Finance Portfolio team; senior high yield trader at Columbia Management from 2003 to 2004. |
Mitchell Garfin | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2005 - 2009; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. from 2001 - 2005. |
Derek Schoenhofen | Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006; Vice President of BlackRock, Inc from 2000 - 2006. |
| (a)(2) As of February 28, 2010: |
| (ii) Number of Other Accounts Managed and Assets by Account Type | (iii) Number of Other Accounts and Assets for Which Advisory Fee is Performance-Based |
(i) Name of Portfolio Manager | Other Registered Investment Companies | Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | Other Accounts | Other Registered Investment Companies | Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | Other Accounts |
James E. Keenan | 22 | 22 | 48 | 0 | 11 | 6 |
| $8.55 Billion | $7.22 Billion | $5.25 Billion | $0 | $4.95 Billion | $714.5 Million |
Mitchell Garfin | 11 | 12 | 48 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| $5.40 Billion | $4.14 Billion | $6.37 Billion | $0 | $1.87 Billion | $714.5 Million |
Derek Schoenhofen | 12 | 11 | 56 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| $5.49 Billion | $2.46 Billion | $8.07 Billion | $0 | $188.5 Million | $714.5 Million |
| (iv) Potential Material Conflicts of Interest |
| BlackRock 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 significant shareholders 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 significant shareholders, 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’ or significant shareholders’) officers, directors or employees are directors or officers, or companies as to which BlackRock or any of its affiliates or significant shareholders 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 Messrs. Keenan, Garfin and Schoenhofen each currently manage certain accounts that are subject to performance fees. In addition, Mr. Keenan 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 February 28, 2010: |
| | |
| 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 and Restricted Stock Program. |
| |
| 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 for the Fund include the following: |
Portfolio Manager | Applicable Benchmarks |
James Keenan | A combination of market-based indices (e.g., The Barclays Capital U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer CappedTM Index), certain customized indices and certain fund industry peer groups. |
Mitchell Garfin | A combination of market-based indices (e.g., The Barclays Capital U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer CappedTM Index), certain customized indices and certain fund industry peer groups. |
Derek Schoenhofen | A combination of market-based indices (e.g., The Barclays Capital U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer CappedTM 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 BlackRock’s ability to sustain and improve its performance over future periods. |
| |
| Long-Term Retention and Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) — From time to time long-term incentive equity awards are granted to certain key employees to aid in retention, align their interests with long-term shareholder interests and motivate performance. Equity awards are generally granted in the form of BlackRock, Inc. restricted stock units that, once vested, settle in BlackRock, Inc. common stock. Messrs. Keenan, Garfin and Schoenhofen have each 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 the various investment options. Messrs. Keenan, Garfin and Schoenhofen have each participated in the deferred compensation program. |
| |
| Options and Restricted Stock Awards — A portion of the annual compensation of certain employees is mandatorily deferred into BlackRock restricted stock units. Prior to the mandatory deferral into restricted stock units, BlackRock granted stock options to key employees, including certain portfolio managers who may still hold unexercised or unvested options. BlackRock, Inc. also granted restricted stock awards designed to reward certain key employees as an incentive to contribute to the long-term success of BlackRock. These awards vest over a period of years. Mr. Garfin has been granted stock options and/or restricted stock in prior years. |
| |
| 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: |
| |
| 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 3-5% of eligible compensation. The RSP offers a range of investment options, including registered investment companies managed by the firm. BlackRock 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) Beneficial Ownership of Securities – February 28, 2010. |
Portfolio Manager | Dollar Range of Equity Securities Beneficially Owned |
James Keenan | None |
Mitchell Garfin | None |
Derek Schoenhofen | None |
Item 9 – | Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers – Not Applicable due to no such purchases during the period covered by this report. |
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. |
| | |
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 13(a)-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 – See Item 2 |
| | |
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 Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. |
| | |
| | By: | /s/ Anne F. Ackerley | |
| | | Anne F. Ackerley |
| | | Chief Executive Officer of |
| | | BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. |
| | |
| | Date: April 28, 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 Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. |
| | |
| | Date: April 28, 2010 |
| | |
| | By: | /s/ Neal J. Andrews | |
| | | Neal J. Andrews |
| | | Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of |
| | | BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc. |
| | | |
| | Date: April 28, 2010 |
