UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number 811-06692
Name of Fund: BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA)
Fund Address: 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809
Name and address of agent for service: John M. Perlowski, Chief Executive Officer, BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (800) 882-0052, Option 4
Date of fiscal year end: 07/31/2016
Date of reporting period: 01/31/2016
Item 1 Report to Stockholders
JANUARY 31, 2016
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT (UNAUDITED)
|
BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE)
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA)
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN)
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI)
Not FDIC Insured May Lose Value No Bank Guarantee |
Table of Contents |
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Semi-Annual Report: |
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Financial Statements: |
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42 | ||||
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57 | ||||
58 |
2 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
The Markets in Review |
Dear Shareholder,
Diverging monetary policies and shifting economic outlooks across regions have been the overarching themes driving financial markets over the past couple of years. With U.S. growth outpacing the global economic recovery while inflationary pressures remained low, investors spent most of 2015 anticipating a short-term rate hike from the Federal Reserve (Fed), which ultimately came to fruition in December. In contrast, the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan moved to a more accommodative stance over the year. In this environment, the U.S. dollar strengthened considerably, causing profit challenges for U.S. exporters and high levels of volatility in emerging market currencies and commodities.
Market volatility broadly increased in the latter part of 2015 and continued into 2016 given a collapse in oil prices and decelerating growth in China, while global growth and inflation failed to pick up. Oil prices were driven lower due to excess supply while the worlds largest oil producers had yet to negotiate a deal that would stabilize oil prices. In China, slower economic growth combined with a depreciating yuan and declining confidence in the countrys policymakers stoked worries about the potential impact to the broader global economy. After a long period in which global central bank policies had significant influence on investor sentiment and hence the direction of financial markets, in recent months, the underperformance of markets in Europe and Japan where central banks had taken aggressive measures to stimulate growth and stabilize their currencies highlighted the possibility that central banks could be losing their effectiveness.
In this environment, higher quality assets such as municipal bonds, U.S. Treasuries and investment grade corporate bonds outperformed risk assets including equities and high yield bonds. Large cap U.S. equities fared better than international developed and emerging markets.
At BlackRock, we believe investors need to think globally, extend their scope across a broad array of asset classes and be prepared to move freely as market conditions change over time. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit blackrock.com for further insight about investing in todays markets.
Sincerely,
Rob Kapito
President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC
Rob Kapito
President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC
Total Returns as of January 31, 2016 | ||||||||
6-month | 12-month | |||||||
U.S. large cap equities |
(6.77 | )% | (0.67 | )% | ||||
U.S. small cap equities |
(15.80 | ) | (9.92 | ) | ||||
International equities |
(14.58 | ) | (8.43 | ) | ||||
Emerging market equities |
(16.96 | ) | (20.91 | ) | ||||
3-month Treasury bills Bill Index) |
0.05 | 0.05 | ||||||
U.S. Treasury securities |
3.36 | (0.41 | ) | |||||
U.S. investment-grade bonds |
1.33 | (0.16 | ) | |||||
Tax-exempt municipal |
3.67 | 2.66 | ||||||
U.S. high yield bonds |
(7.75 | ) | (6.58 | ) | ||||
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index. |
THIS PAGE NOT PART OF YOUR FUND REPORT | 3 |
Municipal Market Overview |
For the Reporting Period Ended January 31, 2016 |
Municipal Market Conditions
Municipal bonds generated positive performance for the period, due to a favorable supply-and-demand environment. Interest rates were volatile in 2015 (bond prices rise as rates fall) leading up to a long-awaited rate hike from the U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed) that ultimately came in December. However, ongoing reassurance from the Fed that rates would be increased gradually and would likely remain low overall resulted in strong demand for fixed income investments, with municipal bonds being one of the strongest-performing sectors. Investors favored the relative stability of municipal bonds amid bouts of volatility resulting from uneven U.S. economic data, falling oil prices, global growth concerns, geopolitical risks, and widening central bank divergence i.e., policy easing outside the United States while the Fed was posturing to commence policy tightening. During the 12 months ended January 31, 2016, municipal bond funds garnered net inflows of approximately $16 billion (based on data from the Investment Company Institute).
For the same 12-month period, total new issuance remained relatively strong from a historical perspective at $392 billion (considerably higher than the $349 billion issued in the prior 12-month period). A noteworthy portion of new supply during this period was attributable to refinancing activity (roughly 60%) as issuers took advantage of low interest rates and a flatter yield curve to reduce their borrowing costs.
S&P Municipal Bond Index |
Total Returns as of January 31, 2016 |
6 months: 3.67% |
12 months: 2.66% |
A Closer Look at Yields
From January 31, 2015 to January 31, 2016, yields on AAA-rated 30-year municipal bonds increased by 25 basis points (bps) from 2.50% to 2.75%, while 10-year rates fell by 1 bp from 1.72% to 1.71% and 5-year rates increased 6 bps from 0.94% to 1.00% (as measured by Thomson Municipal Market Data). The slope of the municipal yield curve remained unchanged over the 12-month period with the spread between 2- and 30-year maturities holding steady at 209 bps as the spread between 2- and 10-year maturities flattened by 26 bps and the spread between 10- and 30-year maturities steepened by 26 bps.
During the same time period, U.S. Treasury rates increased by 50 bps on 30-year bonds, 25 bps on 10-year bonds and 14 bps on 5-year bonds. Accordingly, tax-exempt municipal bonds outperformed Treasuries, most notably in the intermediate and long-end of the curve as a result of manageable supply and robust demand. In absolute terms, the positive performance of municipal bonds was driven largely by a supply/demand imbalance within the municipal market as investors sought income and incremental yield in an environment where opportunities had become scarce. More broadly, municipal bonds benefited from the greater appeal of tax-exempt investing in light of the higher tax rates implemented in 2014. The asset class is known for its lower relative volatility and preservation of principal with an emphasis on income as tax rates rise.
Financial Conditions of Municipal Issuers
The majority of municipal credits remain strong, despite well-publicized distress among a few issuers. Four of the five states with the largest amount of debt outstanding California, New York, Texas and Florida have exhibited markedly improved credit fundamentals during the slow national recovery. However, several states with the largest unfunded pension liabilities have seen their bond prices decline noticeably and remain vulnerable to additional price deterioration. On the local level, Chicagos credit quality downgrade is an outlier relative to other cities due to its larger pension liability and inadequate funding remedies. BlackRock maintains the view that municipal bond defaults will remain minimal and in the periphery while the overall market is fundamentally sound. We continue to advocate careful credit research and believe that a thoughtful approach to structure and security selection remains imperative amid uncertainty in a modestly improving economic environment.
The opinions expressed are those of BlackRock as of January 31, 2016, and are subject to change at any time due to changes in market or economic conditions. The comments should not be construed as a recommendation of any individual holdings or market sectors. Investing involves risk including loss of principal. Bond values fluctuate in price so the value of your investment can go down depending on market conditions. Fixed income risks include interest-rate and credit risk. Typically, when interest rates rise, there is a corresponding decline in bond values. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the bond issuer will not be able to make principal and interest payments. There may be less information on the financial condition of municipal issuers than for public corporations. The market for municipal bonds may be less liquid than for taxable bonds. Some investors may be subject to Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). Capital gains distributions, if any, are taxable.
The Standard & Poors Municipal Bond Index, a broad, market value-weighted index, seeks to measure the performance of the US municipal bond market. All bonds in the index are exempt from US federal income taxes or subject to the alternative minimum tax. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
4 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging |
Derivative Financial Instruments |
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 5 |
Fund Summary as of January 31, 2016 | BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. |
Fund Overview |
BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc.s (MUE) (the Fund) investment objective is to provide shareholders with current income exempt from federal income taxes. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in long-term, investment grade municipal obligations exempt from federal income taxes (except that the interest may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax). Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in municipal obligations with remaining maturities of one year or more at the time of investment. The Fund may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.
No assurance can be given that the Funds investment objective will be achieved.
Fund Information |
Symbol on New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) |
MUE | |||
Initial Offering Date |
February 26, 1999 | |||
Yield on Closing Market Price as of January 31, 2016 ($13.75)1 |
5.93% | |||
Tax Equivalent Yield2 |
10.48% | |||
Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share3 |
$0.068 | |||
Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share3 |
$0.816 | |||
Economic Leverage as of January 31, 20164 |
36% |
1 | Yield on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. Past performance does not guarantee future results. |
2 | Tax equivalent yield assumes the maximum marginal federal tax rate of 43.4%, which includes the 3.8% Medicare tax. Actual tax rates will vary based on income, exemptions and deductions. Lower taxes will result in lower tax equivalent yields. |
3 | The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. |
4 | Represents VMTP Shares and TOB Trusts as a percentage of total managed assets, which is the total assets of the Fund, including any assets attributable to VMTP Shares and TOB Trusts, minus the sum of accrued liabilities. For a discussion of leveraging techniques utilized by the Fund, please see The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging on page 5. |
Performance |
Returns for the six months ended January 31, 2016 were as follows:
Returns Based On | ||||||||
Market Price | NAV | |||||||
MUE1,2 |
7.94 | % | 5.49 | % | ||||
Lipper General & Insured Municipal Debt Funds (Leveraged)3 |
9.89 | % | 5.99 | % |
1 | All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions. |
2 | The Funds discount to NAV, which narrowed during the period, accounts for the difference between performance based on price and performance based on NAV. |
3 | Average return. |
The following discussion relates to the Funds absolute performance based on NAV:
| Municipal bonds performed well during the six-month period, as the combination of falling U.S. Treasury yields and improving municipal finances created healthy buying interest in the asset class. (Prices rise as yields fall). Municipals also benefited from a general flight to quality caused by the elevated volatility in the higher-risk segments of the financial markets. |
| The Funds overweight position in A-rated bonds, which outperformed higher-rated issues amid investors continued search for yield, made a positive contribution to performance. Holdings in longer-dated, A-rated bonds in the transportation and health care sectors made particularly strong contributions. The Funds positions in long-term bonds, which outpaced their short-term counterparts, aided performance. Income generated in the form of coupon payments also made a meaningful contribution to the Funds total return. |
| Using TOB Trusts, the Fund continued to employ leverage in order to increase income. Leverage amplifies the effect of interest rate movements, which was a positive for Fund performance during the past six months, given that yields declined. |
| The Funds positions in shorter-dated holdings, such as pre-refunded issues and bonds with very short call dates, detracted from performance. The Funds use of U.S. Treasury futures contracts to manage interest rate risk had a slightly negative impact on performance at a time in which yields fell. |
6 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. |
Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary |
1/31/16 | 7/31/15 | Change | High | Low | ||||||||||||||||
Market Price |
$ | 13.75 | $ | 13.13 | 4.72 | % | $ | 13.75 | $ | 12.79 | ||||||||||
Net Asset Value |
$ | 14.82 | $ | 14.48 | 2.35 | % | $ | 14.85 | $ | 14.29 |
Market Price and Net Asset Value History For the Past Five Years |
Overview of the Funds Total Investments* |
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 7 |
Fund Summary as of January 31, 2016 | BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. |
Fund Overview |
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc.s (MCA) (the Fund) investment objective is to provide shareholders with as high a level of current income exempt from federal and California income taxes as is consistent with its investment policies and prudent investment management. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its assets in municipal obligations exempt from federal income taxes (except that the interest may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax) and California income taxes. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests primarily in long-term municipal obligations that are investment grade quality at the time of investment. The Fund may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.
No assurance can be given that the Funds investment objective will be achieved.
Fund Information | ||
Symbol on NYSE |
MCA | |
Initial Offering Date |
October 30, 1992 | |
Yield on Closing Market Price as of January 31, 2016 ($15.76)1 |
5.56% | |
Tax Equivalent Yield2 |
11.33% | |
Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share3 |
$0.073 | |
Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share3 |
$0.876 | |
Economic Leverage as of January 31, 20164 |
38% |
1 | Yield on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. Past performance does not guarantee future results. |
2 | Tax equivalent yield assumes the maximum marginal federal and state tax rate of 50.93%, which includes the 3.8% Medicare tax. Actual tax rates will vary based on income, exemptions and deductions. Lower taxes will result in lower tax equivalent yields. |
3 | The monthly distribution per Common Share, declared on March 1, 2016, was decreased to $0.07 per share. The yield on closing market price, current monthly distribution per Common Share and current annualized distribution per Common Share do not reflect the new distribution rate. The new distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change in the future. |
4 | Represents VRDP Shares and TOB Trusts as a percentage of total managed assets, which is the total assets of the Fund, including any assets attributable to VRDP Shares and TOB Trusts, minus the sum of accrued liabilities. For a discussion of leveraging techniques utilized by the Fund, please see The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging on page 5. |
Performance |
Returns for the six months ended January 31, 2016 were as follows:
Returns Based On | ||||||||
Market Price | NAV | |||||||
MCA1,2 |
10.24 | % | 4.69 | % | ||||
Lipper California Municipal Debt Funds3 |
10.81 | % | 5.97 | % |
1 | All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions. |
2 | The Funds discount to NAV, which narrowed during the period, accounts for the difference between performance based on price and performance based on NAV. |
3 | Average return. |
The following discussion relates to the Funds absolute performance based on NAV:
| Municipal bonds performed well during the six-month period, as the combination of falling U.S. Treasury yields and improving municipal finances created healthy buying interest in the asset class. (Prices rise as yields fall). Municipals also benefited from a general flight to quality caused by the elevated volatility in the higher-risk segments of the financial markets. California municipal bonds outperformed the national tax-exempt market, reflecting the improvement in state finances that resulted from the combination of austerity measures and steady revenues from a diversified economy. In addition, the market benefited from the robust demand for tax-exempt investments in a state with a high income tax. |
| The Funds positions in longer-term bonds made a strong contribution to performance at a time in which yields fell. Its investments in AA-rated credits in the school district, transportation and health care sectors also aided performance. AA-rated bonds generally experienced rising valuations as a result of Californias improving credit profile. On a sector basis, investments in health care and utilities made the largest contributions to performance. The Fund was also helped by having a zero-weighting in Puerto Rico credits, which fell in price as the deterioration of the Commonwealths finances led it to pursue additional debt restructuring efforts. |
| Using TOB Trusts, the Fund continued to employ leverage in order to increase income at a time when the municipal yield curve was steep and short-term interest rates remained low. Leverage amplifies the effect of interest rate movements, which was a positive for Fund performance during the past six months, given that yields declined. |
| The Funds use of U.S. Treasury futures contracts to manage interest rate risk had a slightly negative impact on performance at a time in which yields fell. |
8 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. |
Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary |
1/31/16 | 7/31/15 | Change | High | Low | ||||||||||||||||
Market Price |
$ | 15.76 | $ | 14.71 | 7.14 | % | $ | 15.81 | $ | 14.53 | ||||||||||
Net Asset Value |
$ | 16.39 | $ | 16.11 | 1.74 | % | $ | 16.46 | $ | 15.91 |
Market Price and Net Asset Value History For the Past Five Years |
Overview of the Funds Total Investments* |
Call/Maturity Schedule2 | ||||
Calendar Year Ended December 31, |
||||
2016 |
4 | % | ||
2017 |
12 | |||
2018 |
10 | |||
2019 |
17 | |||
2020 |
7 |
2 | Scheduled maturity dates and/or bonds that are subject to potential calls by issuers over the next five years. |
* | Excludes short-term securities. |
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 9 |
Fund Summary as of January 31, 2016 | BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. |
Fund Overview |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc.s (MYN) (the Fund) investment objective is to provide shareholders with as high a level of current income exempt from federal income taxes and New York State and New York City personal income taxes as is consistent with its investment policies and prudent investment management. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its assets in municipal obligations exempt from federal income taxes (except that the interest may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax) and New York State and New York City personal income taxes. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests primarily in long-term municipal obligations that are investment grade quality at the time of investment. The Fund may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.
No assurance can be given that the Funds investment objective will be achieved.
Fund Information | ||
Symbol on NYSE |
MYN | |
Initial Offering Date |
February 28, 1992 | |
Yield on Closing Market Price as of January 31, 2016 ($13.63)1 |
5.46% | |
Tax Equivalent Yield2 |
11.05% | |
Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share3 |
$0.062 | |
Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share3 |
$0.744 | |
Economic Leverage as of January 31, 20164 |
38% |
1 | Yield on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. Past performance does not guarantee future results. |
2 | Tax equivalent yield assumes the maximum marginal federal and state tax rate of 50.59%, which includes the 3.8% Medicare tax. Actual tax rates will vary based on income, exemptions and deductions. Lower taxes will result in lower tax equivalent yields. |
3 | The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. |
4 | Represents VRDP Shares and TOB Trusts as a percentage of total managed assets, which is the total assets of the Fund, including any assets attributable to VRDP Shares and TOB Trusts, minus the sum of accrued liabilities. For a discussion of leveraging techniques utilized by the Fund, please see The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging on page 5. |
Performance |
Returns for the six months ended January 31, 2016 were as follows:
Returns Based On | ||||||||
Market Price | NAV | |||||||
MYN1,2 |
6.74 | % | 6.17 | % | ||||
Lipper New York Municipal Debt Funds3 |
7.70 | % | 5.45 | % |
1 | All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions. |
2 | The Funds discount to NAV, which narrowed during the period, accounts for the difference between performance based on price and performance based on NAV. |
3 | Average return. |
The following discussion relates to the Funds absolute performance based on NAV:
| Municipal bonds performed well during the six-month period, as the combination of falling U.S. Treasury yields and improving municipal finances created healthy buying interest in the asset class. (Prices rise as yields fall). Municipals also benefited from a general flight to quality caused by the elevated volatility in the higher-risk segments of the financial markets. New York municipal bonds outperformed the national tax-exempt market, as the states healthy economy, robust overall financial position and general lack of pension-funding issues contributed to strong investor demand. |
| At a time of falling yields, the Funds positions in longer-duration and longer-dated bonds generally provided the largest absolute returns. (Duration is a measure of interest-rate sensitivity). The Funds positions in the transportation, education, tax-backed (state and local), and utilities sectors made positive contributions to performance. The Funds exposure to lower-coupon and zero-coupon bonds, both of which outperformed, also benefited returns. The Funds exposure to higher-yielding, lower-rated bonds in the investment grade category aided performance, as this market segment outperformed during the period. |
| Using TOB Trusts, the Fund continued to employ leverage in order to increase income at a time when the municipal yield curve was steep and short-term interest rates remained low. Leverage amplifies the effect of interest rate movements, which was a positive for Fund performance during the past six months, given that yields declined. |
| The Funds use of U.S. Treasury futures contracts to manage interest rate risk had a slightly negative impact on performance at a time in which yields fell. |
10 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. |
Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary | ||||||||||||||||||||
1/31/16 | 7/31/15 | Change | High | Low | ||||||||||||||||
Market Price |
$13.63 | $13.13 | 3.81% | $13.74 | $12.79 | |||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value |
$14.62 | $14.16 | 3.25% | $14.67 | $14.00 |
Market Price and Net Asset Value History For the Past Five Years |
Overview of the Funds Total Investments* |
Call/Maturity Schedule3 | ||||
Calendar Year Ended December 31, |
||||
2016 |
4 | % | ||
2017 |
9 | |||
2018 |
7 | |||
2019 |
7 | |||
2020 |
6 |
3 | Scheduled maturity dates and/or bonds that are subject to potential calls by issuers over the next five years. |
* | Excludes short-term securities. |
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 11 |
Fund Summary as of January 31, 2016 | BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. |
Fund Overview |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc.s (MYI) (the Fund) investment objective is to provide shareholders with as high a level of current income exempt from federal income taxes as is consistent with its investment policies and prudent investment management. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its assets in municipal obligations exempt from federal income taxes (except that the interest may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax). Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests primarily in long-term municipal obligations that are investment grade quality at the time of investment. The Fund may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.
No assurance can be given that the Funds investment objective will be achieved.
Fund Information | ||
Symbol on NYSE |
MYI | |
Initial Offering Date |
March 27, 1992 | |
Yield on Closing Market Price as of January 31, 2016 ($14.94)1 |
5.94% | |
Tax Equivalent Yield2 |
10.49% | |
Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share3 |
$0.074 | |
Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share3 |
$0.888 | |
Economic Leverage as of January 31, 20164 |
37% |
1 | Yield on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. Past performance does not guarantee future results. |
2 | Tax equivalent yield assumes the maximum marginal federal tax rate of 43.4%, which includes the 3.8% Medicare tax. Actual tax rates will vary based on income, exemptions and deductions. Lower taxes will result in lower tax equivalent yields. |
3 | The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. |
4 | Represents VRDP Shares and TOB Trusts as a percentage of total managed assets, which is the total assets of the Fund, including any assets attributable to VRDP Shares and TOB Trusts, minus the sum of accrued liabilities. For a discussion of leveraging techniques utilized by the Fund, please see The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging on page 5. |
Performance |
Returns for the six months ended January 31, 2016 were as follows:
Returns Based On | ||||||||
Market Price | NAV | |||||||
MYI1,2 |
9.72 | % | 5.41 | % | ||||
Lipper General & Insured Municipal Debt Funds (Leveraged)3 |
9.89 | % | 5.99 | % |
1 | All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions. |
2 | The Funds discount to NAV, which narrowed during the period, accounts for the difference between performance based on price and performance based on NAV. |
3 | Average return |
The following discussion relates to the Funds absolute performance based on NAV:
| Municipal bonds performed well during the six-month period, as the combination of falling U.S. Treasury yields and improving municipal finances created healthy buying interest in the asset class. (Prices rise as yields fall). Municipals also benefited from a general flight to quality caused by the elevated volatility in the higher-risk segments of the financial markets. |
| The largest positive contribution to performance came from the Funds duration exposure, as municipal yields fell significantly during the reporting period. (Duration is a measure of interest-rate sensitivity). Income in the form of coupon payments made up a meaningful portion of the Funds total return. Performance also benefited from the Funds investments in the transportation sector. |
| Using TOB Trusts, the Fund continued to employ leverage in order to increase income at a time when the municipal yield curve was steep and short-term interest rates remained low. Leverage amplifies the effect of interest rate movements, which was a positive for Fund performance during the past six months, given that yields declined. |
| The Funds use of U.S. Treasury futures contracts to manage interest rate risk had a slightly negative impact on performance at a time in which yields fell. |
12 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. |
Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary | ||||||||||||||||||||
1/31/16 | 7/31/15 | Change | High | Low | ||||||||||||||||
Market Price |
$ | 14.94 | $ | 14.04 | 6.41 | % | $ | 15.01 | $ | 13.71 | ||||||||||
Net Asset Value |
$ | 15.12 | $ | 14.79 | 2.23 | % | $ | 15.17 | $ | 14.53 |
Market Price and Net Asset Value History For the Past Five Years |
Overview of the Funds Total Investments* |
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 13 |
BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
Portfolio Abbreviations |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
14 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 15 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
16 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE) |
Notes to Schedule of Investments |
(a) | U.S. Government securities, held in escrow, are used to pay interest on this security, as well as to retire the bond in full at the date indicated, typically at a premium to par. |
(b) | When-issued security. |
(c) | Represent bonds transferred to a TOB Trust in exchange of cash and residual certificates received by the Fund. These bonds serve as collateral in a secured borrowing. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details of municipal bonds transferred to TOB Trusts. |
(d) | All or a portion of security is subject to a recourse agreement. The aggregate maximum potential amount the Fund could ultimately be required to pay under the agreements, which expire between October 1, 2016 to November 15, 2019, is $4,822,883. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
(e) | During the period ended January 31, 2016, investments in issuers considered to be affiliates of the Fund for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, were as follows: |
Affiliate | Shares Held at July 31, 2015 |
Net Activity |
Shares Held at January 31, 2016 |
Income | ||||||||||||
BlackRock Liquidity Funds: Muni Cash |
| 136,026 | 136,026 | | ||||||||||||
FFI Institutional Tax-Exempt Fund |
5,506,208 | (5,506,208 | ) | | $ | 279 |
(f) | Current yield as of period end. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End |
Financial Futures Contracts
Contracts Short |
Issue | Expiration | Notional Value |
Unrealized Depreciation |
||||||||||||
(53 | ) | 5-Year U.S. Treasury Note | March 2016 | $ | 6,395,609 | $ | (101,202 | ) | ||||||||
(66 | ) | 10-Year U.S. Treasury Note | March 2016 | $ | 8,552,156 | (196,358 | ) | |||||||||
(26 | ) | Long U.S. Treasury Bond | March 2016 | $ | 4,186,813 | (164,312 | ) | |||||||||
(5 | ) | Ultra U.S. Treasury Bond | March 2016 | $ | 830,938 | (34,913 | ) | |||||||||
Total | $ | (496,785 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 17 |
Schedule of Investments (concluded) |
BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE) |
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure |
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
Liabilities Derivative Financial Instruments | Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contacts |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial futures contracts |
Net unrealized depreciation1 | | | | | $ | 496,785 | | $ | 496,785 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1 Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on financial futures contracts, if any, as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current days variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. |
|
For the six months ended January 31, 2016, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
Net Realized Gain (Loss) From: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial futures contracts |
| | | | $ | (186,176 | ) | | $ | (186,176 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contacts |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial futures contracts |
| | | | $ | (460,829 | ) | | $ | (460,829 | ) |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments |
Financial futures contracts: |
||||
Average notional value of contracts short |
$ | 14,309,996 |
For more information about the Funds investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End |
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Funds policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following tables summarize the Funds investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Investments: | ||||||||||||||||
Long-Term Investments1 |
| $ | 517,264,574 | | $ | 517,264,574 | ||||||||||
Short-Term Securities |
$ | 136,026 | | | 136,026 | |||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 136,026 | $ | 517,264,574 | | $ | 517,400,600 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
1 See above Schedule of Investments for values in each state or political subdivision. |
| |||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Derivative Financial Instruments1 | ||||||||||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
$ | (496,785 | ) | | | $ | (496,785 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
1 Derivative financial instruments are financial futures contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
| |||||||||||||||
The Fund may hold assets and/or liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes. As of period end, such assets and/or liabilities are categorized within the disclosure hierarchy as follows: | ||||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Cash pledged for financial futures contracts |
$ | 264,800 | | | $ | 264,800 | ||||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
TOB Trust Certificates |
| $ | (57,551,836 | ) | | (57,551,836 | ) | |||||||||
VMTP Shares |
| (131,000,000 | ) | | (131,000,000 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 264,800 | $ | (188,551,836 | ) | | $ | (188,287,036 | ) | |||||||
|
|
During the six months ended January 31, 2016, there were no transfers between levels.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
18 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
Schedule of Investments January 31, 2016 (Unaudited) |
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 19 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
20 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA) |
Notes to Schedule of Investments |
(a) | U.S. Government securities, held in escrow, are used to pay interest on this security, as well as to retire the bond in full at the date indicated, typically at a premium to par. |
(b) | Zero-coupon bond. |
(c) | When-issued security. |
(d) | Represent bonds transferred to a TOB Trust in exchange of cash and residual certificates received by the Fund. These bonds serve as collateral in a secured borrowing. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details of municipal bonds transferred to TOB Trusts. |
(e) | During the period ended January 31, 2016, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate of the Fund for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act were as follows: |
Affiliate | Shares Held at July 31, 2015 |
Net Activity |
Shares Held at January 31, 2016 |
Income | ||||||||||||
BIF California Municipal Money Fund |
12,279,624 | (9,136,568 | ) | 3,143,056 | |
(f) | Current yield as of period end. |
For Fund compliance purposes, the Funds sector classifications refer to any one or more of the sector sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or rating group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment advisor. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such sector sub-classifications for reporting ease.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 21 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA) |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End |
Financial Futures Contracts
Contracts Short |
Issue | Expiration | Notional Value |
Unrealized Depreciation |
||||||||||||
(71 | ) | 10-Year U.S. Treasury Note | March 2016 | $ | 9,200,047 | $ | (194,182 | ) | ||||||||
(62 | ) | 5-Year U.S. Treasury Note | March 2016 | $ | 7,481,656 | (106,548 | ) | |||||||||
(33 | ) | Long U.S. Treasury Bond | March 2016 | $ | 5,314,031 | (192,181 | ) | |||||||||
(10 | ) | Ultra U.S. Treasury Bond | March 2016 | $ | 1,661,875 | (66,615 | ) | |||||||||
Total | $ | (559,526 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
|
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure |
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
Liabilities Derivative Financial Instruments | Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contacts |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial futures contracts |
Net unrealized depreciation1 | | | | | $ | 559,526 | | $ | 559,526 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1 Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on financial futures contracts, if any, as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current days variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
|
For the six months ended January 31, 2016, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contacts |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Realized Gain (Loss) From: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial futures contracts |
| | | | $ | (29,183 | ) | | $ | (29,183 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial futures contracts |
| | | | $ | (516,412 | ) | | $ | (516,412 | ) |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments |
Financial futures contracts: |
||||
Average notional value of contracts short |
$ | 18,773,633 |
For more information about the Funds investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End |
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Funds policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following tables summarize the Funds investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Investments: | ||||||||||||||||
Long-Term Investments1 |
| $ | 901,591,955 | | $ | 901,591,955 | ||||||||||
Short-Term Securities |
$ | 3,143,056 | | | 3,143,056 | |||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 3,143,056 | $ | 901,591,955 | | $ | 904,735,011 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
1 See above Schedule of Investments for values in each sector. |
| |||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Derivative Financial Instruments1 | ||||||||||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
$ | (559,526 | ) | | | $ | (559,526 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
1 Derivative financial instruments are financial futures contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
22 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
Schedule of Investments (concluded) |
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA) |
The Fund may hold assets and/or liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes. As of period end, such assets and/or liabilities are categorized within the disclosure hierarchy as follows:
|
| |||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Cash pledged for financial futures contracts |
$ | 331,750 | | | $ | 331,750 | ||||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
Bank overdraft |
| $ | (19,618 | ) | | (19,618 | ) | |||||||||
TOB Trust Certificates |
| (180,392,588 | ) | | (180,392,588 | ) | ||||||||||
VRDP Shares |
| (166,500,000 | ) | | (166,500,000 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 331,750 | $ | (346,912,206 | ) | | $ | (346,580,456 | ) | |||||||
|
|
During the six months ended January 31, 2016, there were no transfers between levels.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 23 |
Schedule of Investments January 31, 2016 (Unaudited) |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
24 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 25 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
26 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 27 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) |
Notes to Schedule of Investments |
(a) | Zero-coupon bond. |
(b) | U.S. Government securities, held in escrow, are used to pay interest on this security, as well as to retire the bond in full at the date indicated, typically at a premium to par. |
(c) | Represent bonds transferred to a TOB Trust in exchange of cash and residual certificates received by the Fund. These bonds serve as collateral in a secured borrowing. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details of municipal bonds transferred to TOB Trusts. |
(d) | All or a portion of security is subject to a recourse agreement. The aggregate maximum potential amount the Fund could ultimately be required to pay under the agreements, which expire between February 15, 2017 to February 15, 2019, is $12,778,278. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
During the period ended January 31, 2016, investments in issuers considered to be affiliates of the Fund for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, were as follows:
Affiliate | Shares Held at July 31, 2015 |
Net Activity | Shares Held at January 31, 2016 |
Income | ||||||||||||
BIF New York Municipal Money Fund |
19,904,130 | (19,904,130 | ) | | $ | 1,419 |
For Fund compliance purposes, the Funds sector classifications refer to any one or more of the sector sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or rating group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment advisor. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such sector sub-classifications for reporting ease.
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End |
Financial Futures Contracts | ||||||||||||||||
Contracts Short |
Issue | Expiration | Notional Value |
Unrealized Depreciation |
||||||||||||
(71 | ) | 5-Year U.S. Treasury Note | March 2016 | $ | 8,567,703 | $ | (127,913 | ) | ||||||||
(125 | ) | 10-Year U.S. Treasury Note | March 2016 | $ | 16,197,266 | (368,211 | ) | |||||||||
(59 | ) | Long U.S. Treasury Bond | March 2016 | $ | 9,500,844 | (366,858 | ) | |||||||||
(14 | ) | Ultra U.S. Treasury Bond | March 2016 | $ | 2,326,625 | (95,612 | ) | |||||||||
Total | $ | (958,594 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements.
28 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
Schedule of Investments (concluded) |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) |
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure |
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
Liabilities Derivative Financial Instruments | Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contacts |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial futures contracts |
Net unrealized depreciation1 | | | | | $ | 958,594 | | $ | 958,594 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1 Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on financial futures contracts, if any, as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current days variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. |
|
For the six months ended January 31, 2016, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contacts |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Realized Gain (Loss) From: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial futures contracts |
| | | | $ | (380,212 | ) | | $ | (380,212 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial futures contracts |
| | | | $ | (796,984 | ) | | $ | (796,984 | ) |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments |
Financial futures contracts: |
||||
Average notional value of contracts short |
$ | 26,038,945 |
For more information about the Funds investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End |
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Funds policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following tables summarize the Funds investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Investments: | ||||||||||||||||
Long-Term Investments1 |
| $ | 916,890,043 | | $ | 916,890,043 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
1 See above Schedule of Investments for values in each sector.
|
| |||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Derivative Financial Instruments1 | ||||||||||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
$ | (958,594 | ) | | | $ | (958,594 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
1 Derivative financial instruments are financial futures contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
| |||||||||||||||
The Fund may hold assets and/or liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes. As of period end, such assets and/or liabilities are categorized within the disclosure hierarchy as follows:
|
| |||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Cash pledged for financial futures contracts |
$ | 536,350 | | | $ | 536,350 | ||||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
Bank overdraft |
| $ | (4,303,274 | ) | | (4,303,274 | ) | |||||||||
TOB Trust Certificates |
| (105,963,118 | ) | | (105,963,118 | ) | ||||||||||
VRDP Shares |
| (247,700,000 | ) | | (247,700,000 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 536,350 | $ | (357,966,392 | ) | | $ | (357,430,042 | ) | |||||||
|
|
During the six months ended January 31, 2016, there were no transfers between levels.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 29 |
Schedule of Investments January 31, 2016 (Unaudited) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
30 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 31 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
32 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 33 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
34 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 35 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
Notes to Schedule of Investments |
(a) | U.S. Government securities, held in escrow, are used to pay interest on this security, as well as to retire the bond in full at the date indicated, typically at a premium to par. |
(b) | Step-up bond that pays an initial coupon rate for the first period and then a higher coupon rate for the following periods. Rate as of period end. |
(c) | Zero-coupon bond. |
(d) | When-issued security. |
(e) | Represent bonds transferred to a TOB Trust in exchange of cash and residual certificates received by the Fund. These bonds serve as collateral in a secured borrowing. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details of municipal bonds transferred to TOB Trusts. |
(f) | All or a portion of security is subject to a recourse agreement. The aggregate maximum potential amount the Fund could ultimately be required to pay under the agreements, which expire between April 1, 2016 to December 1, 2029, is $35,702,712. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
(g) | Variable rate security. Rate as of period end. |
(h) | During the period ended January 31, 2016, investments in issuers considered to be affiliates of the Fund for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act were as follows: |
Affiliate |
Shares Held at July 31, |
Net Activity |
Shares Held at January 31, 2016 |
Income | ||||||||||||
BlackRock Liquidity Funds: Muni Cash |
| 8,896,172 | 8,896,172 | | ||||||||||||
FFI Institutional Tax-Exempt Fund |
7,593,721 | (7,593,721 | ) | | $ | 2,266 |
(i) | Current yield as of period end. |
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End |
Financial Futures Contracts
Contracts Short |
Issue | Expiration | Notional Value |
Unrealized Depreciation |
||||||||||||
(113 | ) | 5-Year U.S. Treasury Note | March 2016 | $ | 13,635,922 | $ | (199,796 | ) | ||||||||
(120 | ) | 10-Year U.S. Treasury Note | March 2016 | $ | 15,549,375 | (330,462 | ) | |||||||||
(80 | ) | Long U.S. Treasury Bond | March 2016 | $ | 12,882,500 | (464,740 | ) | |||||||||
(9 | ) | Ultra U.S. Treasury Bond | March 2016 | $ | 1,495,687 | (73,560 | ) | |||||||||
Total | $ | (1,068,558 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
|
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure |
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
Liabilities Derivative Financial Instruments | Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contacts |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial futures contracts |
Net unrealized depreciation1 | | | | | $ | 1,068,558 | | $ | 1,068,558 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1 Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on financial futures contracts, if any, as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current days variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. |
|
For the six months ended January 31, 2016, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows:
Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contacts |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Realized Gain (Loss) From: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial futures contracts |
| | | | $ | (379,254 | ) | | $ | (379,254 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial futures contracts |
| | | | $ | (708,846 | ) | | $ | (708,846 | ) |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments |
Financial futures contracts: |
||||
Average notional value of contracts short |
$ | 34,658,891 |
For more information about the Funds investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
36 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
Schedule of Investments (concluded) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End |
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Funds policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following tables summarize the Funds investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Investments: | ||||||||||||||||
Long-Term Investments1 |
| $ | 1,614,674,881 | | $ | 1,614,674,881 | ||||||||||
Short-Term Securities |
$ | 8,896,172 | | | 8,896,172 | |||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 8,896,172 | $ | 1,614,674,881 | | $ | 1,623,571,053 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
1 See above Schedule of Investments for values in each state or political subdivision.
|
| |||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Derivative Financial Instruments1 | ||||||||||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
$ | (1,068,558 | ) | | | $ | (1,068,558 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
1 Derivative financial instruments are financial futures contracts, which are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
| |||||||||||||||
The Fund may hold assets and/or liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes. As of period end, such assets and/or liabilities are categorized within the disclosure hierarchy as follows:
|
| |||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Cash pledged for financial futures contracts |
$ | 627,600 | | | $ | 627,600 | ||||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
TOB Trust Certificates |
| $ | (252,056,991 | ) | | (252,056,991 | ) | |||||||||
VRDP Shares |
| (356,400,000 | ) | | (356,400,000 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 627,600 | $ | (608,456,991 | ) | | $ | (607,829,391 | ) | |||||||
|
|
During the six months ended January 31, 2016, there were no transfers between levels.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 37 |
Statements of Assets and Liabilities |
January 31, 2016 (Unaudited) | BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE) |
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA) |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
||||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||||||
Investments at value unaffiliated1 |
$ | 517,264,574 | $ | 901,591,955 | $ | 916,890,043 | $ | 1,614,674,881 | ||||||||
Investments at value affiliated2 |
136,026 | 3,143,056 | | 8,896,172 | ||||||||||||
Cash pledged for financial futures contracts |
264,800 | 331,750 | 536,350 | 627,600 | ||||||||||||
Receivables: |
||||||||||||||||
Interest |
5,292,067 | 13,426,976 | 9,299,983 | 17,267,367 | ||||||||||||
Investments sold |
2,973,862 | | 5,591,370 | 6,578,954 | ||||||||||||
TOB Trust |
| | 7,500,000 | 2,796,152 | ||||||||||||
Deferred offering costs |
| 288,980 | 384,542 | 507,063 | ||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses |
13,528 | 21,459 | 21,606 | 35,729 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total assets |
525,944,857 | 918,804,176 | 940,223,894 | 1,651,383,918 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Accrued Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
Bank overdraft |
| 19,618 | 4,303,274 | | ||||||||||||
Payables: |
||||||||||||||||
Investments purchased |
1,773,815 | 4,860,766 | 4,800 | 9,916,937 | ||||||||||||
Income dividends Common Shares |
1,531,035 | 2,510,956 | 2,454,368 | 5,021,814 | ||||||||||||
Investment advisory fees |
238,535 | 385,200 | 390,492 | 691,143 | ||||||||||||
Other accrued expenses |
120,021 | 135,595 | 142,089 | 222,382 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense and fees |
10,721 | 24,225 | 17,897 | 40,045 | ||||||||||||
Officers and Directors fees |
3,231 | 221,678 | 233,844 | 401,303 | ||||||||||||
TOB Trust |
| | | 150,000 | ||||||||||||
Variation margin payable on financial futures contracts |
82,946 | 100,032 | 161,384 | 187,759 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total accrued liabilities |
3,760,304 | 8,258,070 | 7,708,148 | 16,631,383 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Other Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
TOB Trust Certificates |
57,551,836 | 180,392,588 | 105,963,118 | 252,056,991 | ||||||||||||
VMTP Shares, at liquidation value of $100,000 per share3,4 |
131,000,000 | | | | ||||||||||||
VRDP Shares, at liquidation value of $100,000 per share3,4 |
| 166,500,000 | 247,700,000 | 356,400,000 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total other liabilities |
188,551,836 | 346,892,588 | 353,663,118 | 608,456,991 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
192,312,140 | 355,150,658 | 361,371,266 | 625,088,374 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders |
$ | 333,632,717 | $ | 563,653,518 | $ | 578,852,628 | $ | 1,026,295,544 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders Consist of | ||||||||||||||||
Paid-in capital5,6 |
$ | 300,037,517 | $ | 492,909,374 | $ | 532,506,126 | $ | 946,927,038 | ||||||||
Undistributed net investment income |
2,443,980 | 3,057,265 | 4,252,581 | 14,247,178 | ||||||||||||
Accumulated net realized loss |
(20,553,230 | ) | (351,750 | ) | (31,675,556 | ) | (83,858,779 | ) | ||||||||
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
51,704,450 | 68,038,629 | 73,769,477 | 148,980,107 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders |
$ | 333,632,717 | $ | 563,653,518 | $ | 578,852,628 | $ | 1,026,295,544 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net asset value, per Common Share |
$ | 14.82 | $ | 16.39 | $ | 14.62 | $ | 15.12 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
1 Investments at cost unaffiliated |
$ | 465,063,339 | $ | 832,993,800 | $ | 842,161,972 | $ | 1,464,626,216 | ||||||||
2 Investments at cost affiliated |
$ | 136,026 | $ | 3,143,056 | | $ | 8,896,172 | |||||||||
3 Preferred Shares outstanding, par value $0.10 per share |
1,310 | 1,665 | 2,477 | 3,564 | ||||||||||||
4 Preferred Shares authorized, including Auction Market Preferred Shares (AMPS) |
9,490 | 12,665 | 14,637 | 26,364 | ||||||||||||
5 Common Shares outstanding, par value $0.10 per share |
22,515,224 | 34,396,651 | 39,586,584 | 67,862,354 | ||||||||||||
6 Common Shares authorized |
199,990,510 | 199,987,335 | 199,985,363 | 199,973,636 |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
38 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
Statements of Operations |
Six Months Ended January 31, 2016 (Unaudited) | BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE) |
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA) |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
||||||||||||
Investment Income | ||||||||||||||||
Interest unaffiliated |
$ 11,381,463 | $ | 17,989,230 | $ | 18,179,411 | $ | 35,974,314 | |||||||||
Dividends affiliated |
279 | | 1,419 | 2,266 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total income |
11,381,742 | 17,989,230 | 18,180,830 | 35,976,580 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Expenses | ||||||||||||||||
Investment advisory |
1,413,184 | 2,257,664 | 2,282,579 | 4,044,850 | ||||||||||||
Professional |
47,695 | 59,622 | 62,392 | 93,791 | ||||||||||||
Accounting services |
38,421 | 58,517 | 57,939 | 85,345 | ||||||||||||
Officer and Directors |
15,280 | 26,546 | 26,919 | 48,457 | ||||||||||||
Transfer agent |
18,031 | 16,952 | 20,778 | 38,849 | ||||||||||||
Custodian |
13,047 | 18,764 | 19,901 | 30,936 | ||||||||||||
Registration |
3,759 | 5,403 | 6,229 | 10,627 | ||||||||||||
Printing |
4,600 | 5,751 | 6,256 | 8,854 | ||||||||||||
Rating agency |
18,019 | 18,046 | 18,107 | 18,189 | ||||||||||||
Miscellaneous |
20,340 | 23,358 | 31,235 | 41,371 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total expenses excluding interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs |
1,592,376 | 2,490,623 | 2,532,335 | 4,421,269 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs1 |
857,192 | 1,352,721 | 1,490,959 | 2,471,300 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total expenses |
2,449,568 | 3,843,344 | 4,023,294 | 6,892,569 | ||||||||||||
Less fees waived by the Manager |
(20,762 | ) | (3 | ) | (1,061 | ) | (44 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived |
2,428,806 | 3,843,341 | 4,022,233 | 6,892,525 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
8,952,936 | 14,145,889 | 14,158,597 | 29,084,055 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) | ||||||||||||||||
Net realized gain (loss) from: | ||||||||||||||||
Investments |
436,218 | 1,361,564 | 1,592,595 | 544,186 | ||||||||||||
Financial futures contracts |
(186,176 | ) | (29,183 | ) | (380,212 | ) | (379,254 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
250,042 | 1,332,381 | 1,212,383 | 164,932 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | ||||||||||||||||
Investments |
8,165,643 | 9,697,030 | 18,674,588 | 24,281,677 | ||||||||||||
Financial futures contracts |
(460,829 | ) | (516,412 | ) | (796,984 | ) | (708,846 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
7,704,814 | 9,180,618 | 17,877,604 | 23,572,831 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain |
7,954,856 | 10,512,999 | 19,089,987 | 23,737,763 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net Increase in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders Resulting from Operations |
$ 16,907,792 | $ | 24,658,888 | $ | 33,248,584 | $ | 52,821,818 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
1 Related to TOB Trusts, VMTP Shares and/or VRDP Shares. |
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 39 |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets |
BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE) |
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA) |
|||||||||||||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders: | Six Months Ended January 31, 2016 (Unaudited) |
Year Ended July 31, 2015 |
Six Months Ended January 31, 2016 (Unaudited) |
Year Ended July 31, 2015 |
||||||||||||||
Operations | ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
$ | 8,952,936 | $ | 17,910,018 | $ | 14,145,889 | $ | 28,470,659 | ||||||||||
Net realized gain (loss) |
250,042 | (182,209 | ) | 1,332,381 | 4,705,645 | |||||||||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
7,704,814 | 2,386,525 | 9,180,618 | (4,111,716 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net increase in net assets applicable to Common Shareholders resulting from operations |
16,907,792 | 20,114,334 | 24,658,888 | 29,064,588 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Distributions to Common Shareholders1 | ||||||||||||||||||
From net investment income |
(9,186,211 | ) | (18,766,439 | ) | (15,065,733 | ) | (30,131,466 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders | ||||||||||||||||||
Total increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to Common Shareholders |
7,721,581 | 1,347,895 | 9,593,155 | (1,066,878 | ) | |||||||||||||
Beginning of period |
325,911,136 | 324,563,241 | 554,060,363 | 555,127,241 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
End of period |
$ | 333,632,717 | $ | 325,911,136 | $ | 563,653,518 | $ | 554,060,363 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Undistributed net investment income, end of period |
$ | 2,443,980 | $ | 2,677,255 | $ | 3,057,265 | $ | 3,977,109 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
1 Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
40 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
|||||||||||||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders: | Six Months Ended January 31, 2016 (Unaudited) |
Year Ended July 31, 2015 |
Six Months Ended January 31, 2016 (Unaudited) |
Year Ended July 31, 2015 |
||||||||||||||
Operations | ||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
$ | 14,158,597 | $ | 29,525,683 | $ | 29,084,055 | $ | 59,136,661 | ||||||||||
Net realized gain (loss) |
1,212,383 | (434,124 | ) | 164,932 | 2,435,047 | |||||||||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
17,877,604 | 4,215,207 | 23,572,831 | (4,905,446 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net increase in net assets applicable to Common Shareholders resulting from operations |
33,248,584 | 33,306,766 | 52,821,818 | 56,666,262 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Distributions to Common Shareholders1 | ||||||||||||||||||
From net investment income |
(14,767,933 | ) | (30,541,049 | ) | (30,147,172 | ) | (60,336,418 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders | ||||||||||||||||||
Total increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to Common Shareholders |
18,480,651 | 2,765,717 | 22,674,646 | (3,670,156 | ) | |||||||||||||
Beginning of period |
560,371,977 | 557,606,260 | 1,003,620,898 | 1,007,291,054 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
End of period |
$ | 578,852,628 | $ | 560,371,977 | $ | 1,026,295,544 | $ | 1,003,620,898 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Undistributed net investment income, end of period |
$ | 4,252,581 | $ | 4,861,917 | $ | 14,247,178 | $ | 15,310,295 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||
1 Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 41 |
Statements of Cash Flows |
Six Months Ended January 31, 2016 (Unaudited) | BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE) |
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA) |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
||||||||||||
Cash Provided by Operating Activities | ||||||||||||||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations |
$ | 16,907,792 | $ | 24,658,888 | $ | 33,248,584 | $ | 52,821,818 | ||||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from sales of long-term investments |
38,001,448 | 102,311,680 | 79,439,694 | 88,837,657 | ||||||||||||
Purchases of long-term investments |
(49,148,003 | ) | (118,979,099 | ) | (108,610,451 | ) | (89,397,128 | ) | ||||||||
Net proceeds from sales (purchases) of short-term securities |
5,370,182 | 9,136,568 | 19,904,130 | (1,302,451 | ) | |||||||||||
Amortization of premium and accretion of discount on investments |
810,211 | 2,244,021 | 1,768,763 | (1,195,799 | ) | |||||||||||
Net unrealized gain on investments |
(8,165,643 | ) | (9,697,030 | ) | (18,674,588 | ) | (24,281,677 | ) | ||||||||
Net realized gain on investments |
(427,822 | ) | (1,302,060 | ) | (1,569,011 | ) | (540,490 | ) | ||||||||
(Increase) decrease in assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Cash pledged for financial futures contracts |
43,000 | (196,750 | ) | 5,000 | 132,000 | |||||||||||
Interest receivable |
70,297 | (997,209 | ) | (338,408 | ) | 40,734 | ||||||||||
Prepaid expenses |
15,075 | 11,170 | 12,273 | 7,775 | ||||||||||||
Increase (decrease) in liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
Payables: |
||||||||||||||||
Investment advisory fees |
5,762 | 7,363 | 12,814 | 13,758 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense and fees |
(4,563 | ) | (8,773 | ) | (12,435 | ) | (28,612 | ) | ||||||||
Officers and Directors fees |
(588 | ) | 2,070 | 1,612 | 4,209 | |||||||||||
Other accrued expenses |
4,249 | (9,422 | ) | (4,268 | ) | (2,811 | ) | |||||||||
Variation margin payable on financial futures contracts |
(52,429 | ) | 40,657 | (76,710 | ) | (137,679 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
3,428,968 | 7,222,074 | 5,106,999 | 24,971,304 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Cash Used for Financing Activities | ||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends paid to Common Shareholders |
(9,186,211 | ) | (15,065,733 | ) | (14,767,933 | ) | (30,147,172 | ) | ||||||||
Proceeds from TOB Trust Certificates |
6,197,668 | 25,628,952 | 5,350,589 | 12,355,677 | ||||||||||||
Repayments of TOB Trust Certificates |
(440,425 | ) | (17,810,675 | ) | (601 | ) | (7,189,893 | ) | ||||||||
Increase in bank overdraft |
| 19,618 | 4,303,274 | | ||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred offering costs |
| 5,764 | 7,672 | 10,084 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net cash used for financing activities |
(3,428,968 | ) | (7,222,074 | ) | (5,106,999 | ) | (24,971,304 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Cash | ||||||||||||||||
Net increase in cash |
| | | | ||||||||||||
Cash at beginning of period |
| | | | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Cash at end of period |
| | | | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information | ||||||||||||||||
Cash paid during the period for interest expense |
$ | 861,755 | $ | 1,355,730 | $ | 1,495,722 | $ | 2,489,828 | ||||||||
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
42 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
Financial Highlights | BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE) |
Six Months Ended (Unaudited) |
Year Ended July 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Per Share Operating Performance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period |
$ | 14.48 | $ | 14.42 | $ | 13.27 | $ | 15.18 | $ | 13.07 | $ | 13.57 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income1 |
0.40 | 0.80 | 0.82 | 0.81 | 0.86 | 0.89 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
0.35 | 0.09 | 1.18 | (1.87 | ) | 2.14 | (0.49 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Distributions to AMPS Shareholders from net investment income |
| | | | (0.01 | ) | (0.02 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations |
0.75 | 0.89 | 2.00 | (1.06 | ) | 2.99 | 0.38 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions to Common Shareholders from net investment income2 |
(0.41 | ) | (0.83 | ) | (0.85 | ) | (0.85 | ) | (0.88 | ) | (0.88 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period |
$ | 14.82 | $ | 14.48 | $ | 14.42 | $ | 13.27 | $ | 15.18 | $ | 13.07 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Market price, end of period |
$ | 13.75 | $ | 13.13 | $ | 12.94 | $ | 12.32 | $ | 15.55 | $ | 12.46 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Return Applicable to Common Shareholders3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Based on net asset value |
5.49% | 4 | 6.84% | 16.19% | (7.41)% | 23.64% | 3.19% | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Based on market price |
7.94% | 4 | 7.96% | 12.30% | (16.08)% | 32.85% | (6.38)% | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses |
1.49% | 5 | 1.50% | 1.61% | 1.66% | 1.52% | 6 | 1.30% | 6 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived |
1.48% | 5 | 1.49% | 1.56% | 1.60% | 1.46% | 6 | 1.23% | 6 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived and excluding interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs7 |
0.96% | 5 | 0.96% | 0.95% | 0.97% | 1.00% | 6,8 | 1.07% | 6 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
5.44% | 5 | 5.41% | 6.01% | 5.36% | 6.05% | 6 | 6.93% | 6 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions to AMPS Shareholders |
| | | | 0.04% | 0.17% | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income to Common Shareholders |
5.44% | 5 | 5.41% | 6.01% | 5.36% | 6.01% | 6.76% | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets applicable to Common Shareholders, end of period (000) |
$ | 333,633 | $ | 325,911 | $ | 324,563 | $ | 298,707 | $ | 341,144 | $ | 293,356 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
AMPS outstanding at $25,000 liquidation preference, end of period (000) |
| | | | | $ | 131,000 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset coverage per AMPS at $25,000 liquidation preference, end of period (000) |
| | | | | $ | 80,983 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
VMTP Shares outstanding at $100,000 liquidation value, end of period (000) |
$ | 131,000 | $ | 131,000 | $ | 131,000 | $ | 131,000 | $ | 131,000 | | |||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset coverage per VMTP Shares at $100,000 liquidation value, end of period |
$ | 354,681 | $ | 348,787 | $ | 347,758 | $ | 328,021 | $ | 360,416 | | |||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate |
8% | 13% | 28% | 40% | 36% | 24% | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
1 | Based on average Common Shares outstanding. |
2 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
3 | Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
4 | Aggregate total return. |
5 | Annualized. |
6 | Does not reflect the effect of distributions to AMPS Shareholders. |
7 | Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs related to TOB Trusts and/or VMTP Shares. See Note 4 and Note 10 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details of municipal bonds transferred to TOB Trusts and VMTP Shares, respectively. |
8 | For the year ended July 31, 2012, the total expense ratio after fees waived and excluding interest expense, fees, amortization of offering costs, liquidity and remarketing fees was 0.97%. |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 43 |
Financial Highlights | BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA) |
Six Months Ended (Unaudited) |
Year Ended July 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Per Share Operating Performance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period |
$ | 16.11 | $ | 16.14 | $ | 14.83 | $ | 16.60 | $ | 14.31 | $ | 14.66 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income1 |
0.41 | 0.83 | 0.87 | 0.88 | 0.90 | 0.91 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
0.31 | 0.02 | 1.35 | (1.74 | ) | 2.28 | (0.37 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Distributions to AMPS Shareholders from net investment income |
| | | | | (0.02 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations |
0.72 | 0.85 | 2.22 | (0.86 | ) | 3.18 | 0.52 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions to Common Shareholders from net investment income2 |
(0.44 | ) | (0.88 | ) | (0.91 | ) | (0.91 | ) | (0.89 | ) | (0.87 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period |
$ | 16.39 | $ | 16.11 | $ | 16.14 | $ | 14.83 | $ | 16.60 | $ | 14.31 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Market price, end of period |
$ | 15.76 | $ | 14.71 | $ | 14.37 | $ | 13.66 | $ | 16.59 | $ | 13.00 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Return Applicable to Common Shareholders3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Based on net asset value |
4.69% | 4 | 5.76% | 16.04% | (5.41)% | 23.15% | 4.21% | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Based on market price |
10.24% | 4 | 8.47% | 12.16% | (12.83)% | 35.48% | (1.01)% | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses |
1.38% | 5 | 1.32% | 1.40% | 1.48% | 1.62% | 1.50% | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived |
1.38% | 5 | 1.32% | 1.40% | 1.48% | 1.61% | 1.49% | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived and excluding interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs7 |
0.89% | 5 | 0.86% | 0.90% | 0.92% | 1.20% | 8 | 1.15% | 6 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
5.06% | 5 | 5.09% | 5.63% | 5.37% | 5.79% | 6.49% | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions to AMPS Shareholders |
| | | | | 0.16% | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income to Common Shareholders |
5.06% | 5 | 5.09% | 5.63% | 5.37% | 5.79% | 6.33% | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets applicable to Common Shareholders, end of period (000) |
$ | 563,654 | $ | 554,060 | $ | 555,127 | $ | 510,018 | $ | 570,559 | $ | 491,798 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
VRDP Shares outstanding at $100,000 liquidation value, end of period (000) |
$ | 166,500 | $ | 166,500 | $ | 166,500 | $ | 166,500 | $ | 166,500 | $ | 166,500 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset coverage per VRDP Shares at $100,000 liquidation value, end of period |
$ | 438,531 | $ | 432,769 | $ | 433,410 | $ | 406,317 | $ | 442,678 | $ | 395,374 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate |
12% | 36% | 15% | 25% | 34% | 26% | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
1 | Based on average Common Shares outstanding. |
2 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
3 | Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
4 | Aggregate total return. |
5 | Annualized. |
6 | Does not reflect the effect of distributions to AMPS Shareholders. |
7 | Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs related to TOB Trusts and/or VRDP Shares. See Note 4 and Note 10 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details of municipal bonds transferred to TOB Trusts and VRDP Shares, respectively. |
8 | For the year ended July 30, 2012, the total expense ratio after fees waived and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense, fees, amortization of offering costs, liquidity and remarketing fees was 0.95%. |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
44 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
Financial Highlights | BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) |
Six Months Ended (Unaudited) |
Year Ended July 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Per Share Operating Performance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period |
$ | 14.16 | $ | 14.09 | $ | 13.17 | $ | 15.07 | $ | 13.44 | $ | 13.89 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income1 |
0.36 | 0.75 | 0.78 | 0.83 | 0.83 | 0.87 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
0.47 | 0.09 | 0.97 | (1.88 | ) | 1.65 | (0.44 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Distributions to AMPS Shareholders from net investment income |
| | | | | (0.03 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations |
0.83 | 0.84 | 1.75 | (1.05 | ) | 2.48 | 0.40 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions to Common Shareholders from net investment income2 |
(0.37 | ) | (0.77 | ) | (0.83 | ) | (0.85 | ) | (0.85 | ) | (0.85 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period |
$ | 14.62 | $ | 14.16 | $ | 14.09 | $ | 13.17 | $ | 15.07 | $ | 13.44 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Market price, end of period |
$ | 13.63 | $ | 13.13 | $ | 12.71 | $ | 12.34 | $ | 15.11 | $ | 12.60 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Return Applicable to Common Shareholders3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Based on net asset value |
6.17% | 4 | 6.54% | 14.21% | (7.33)% | 19.10% | 3.36% | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Based on market price |
6.74% | 4 | 9.52% | 9.95% | (13.40)% | 27.38% | (0.81)% | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses |
1.41% | 5 | 1.44% | 1.50% | 1.53% | 1.65% | 1.34% | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived |
1.41% | 5 | 1.44% | 1.50% | 1.53% | 1.65% | 1.33% | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived and excluding interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs7 |
0.89% | 5 | 0.89% | 0.91% | 0.91% | 1.27% | 8 | 1.14% | 6 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
4.98% | 5 | 5.22% | 5.82% | 5.59% | 5.78% | 6.55% | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions to AMPS Shareholders |
| | | | | 0.21% | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income to Common Shareholders |
4.98% | 5 | 5.22% | 5.82% | 5.59% | 5.78% | 6.34% | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets applicable to Common Shareholders, end of period (000) |
$ | 578,853 | $ | 560,372 | $ | 557,606 | $ | 521,263 | $ | 594,807 | $ | 530,058 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
VRDP Shares outstanding at $100,000 liquidation value, end of period (000) |
$ | 247,700 | $ | 247,700 | $ | 247,700 | $ | 247,700 | $ | 247,700 | $ | 247,700 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset coverage per VRDP Shares at $100,000 liquidation value, end of period |
$ | 333,691 | $ | 326,230 | $ | 325,114 | $ | 310,441 | $ | 340,132 | $ | 313,992 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate |
10% | 20% | 18% | 10% | 17% | 18% | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
1 | Based on average Common Shares outstanding. |
2 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
3 | Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
4 | Aggregate total return. |
5 | Annualized. |
6 | Does not reflect the effect of distributions to AMPS Shareholders. |
7 | Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs related to TOB Trusts and/or VRDP Shares. See Note 4 and Note 10 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details of municipal bonds transferred to TOB Trusts and VRDP Shares, respectively. |
8 | For the year ended July 31, 2012, the total expense ratio after fees waived and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense, fees, amortization of offering costs, liquidity and remarketing fees was 0.92%. |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 45 |
Financial Highlights | BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
Six Months Ended (Unaudited) |
Year Ended July 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Per Share Operating Performance | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period |
$ | 14.79 | $ | 14.84 | $ | 13.64 | $ | 15.32 | $ | 13.19 | $ | 13.67 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income1 |
0.43 | 0.87 | 0.89 | 0.89 | 0.87 | 0.89 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
0.34 | (0.03 | ) | 1.18 | (1.70 | ) | 2.13 | (0.48 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Distributions to AMPS Shareholders from net investment income | | | | | | (0.03 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations |
0.77 | 0.84 | 2.07 | (0.81 | ) | 3.00 | 0.38 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions to Common Shareholders from net investment income2 |
(0.44 | ) | (0.89 | ) | (0.87 | ) | (0.87 | ) | (0.87 | ) | (0.86 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of period |
$ | 15.12 | $ | 14.79 | $ | 14.84 | $ | 13.64 | $ | 15.32 | $ | 13.19 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Market price, end of period |
$ | 14.94 | $ | 14.04 | $ | 13.46 | $ | 12.80 | $ | 15.81 | $ | 12.17 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Return Applicable to Common Shareholders3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Based on net asset value |
5.41% | 4 | 6.12% | 16.23% | (5.66)% | 23.45% | 3.22% | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Based on market price |
9.72% | 4 | 11.06% | 12.35% | (14.21)% | 38.08% | (8.12)% | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses |
1.36% | 5 | 1.39% | 1.47% | 1.43% | 1.57% | 1.32% | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived |
1.36% | 5 | 1.39% | 1.47% | 1.43% | 1.56% | 1.32% | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived and excluding interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs7 |
0.87% | 5 | 0.88% | 0.91% | 0.89% | 1.19% | 8 | 1.12% | 6 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
5.75% | 5 | 5.78% | 6.35% | 5.83% | 6.04% | 6.85% | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions to AMPS Shareholders |
| | | | | 0.22% | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income to Common Shareholders |
5.75% | 5 | 5.78% | 6.35% | 5.83% | 6.04% | 6.63% | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets applicable to Common Shareholders, end of period (000) |
$ | 1,026,296 | $ | 1,003,621 | $ | 1,007,291 | $ | 925,812 | $ | 1,036,022 | $ | 890,985 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
VRDP Shares outstanding at $100,000 liquidation value, end of period (000) |
$ | 356,400 | $ | 356,400 | $ | 356,400 | $ | 356,400 | $ | 356,400 | $ | 356,400 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset coverage per VRDP Shares at $100,000 liquidation value, end of period |
$ | 387,962 | $ | 381,600 | $ | 382,629 | $ | 359,768 | $ | 390,691 | $ | 349,996 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate |
6% | 11% | 15% | 9% | 18% | 12% | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
1 | Based on average Common Shares outstanding. |
2 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations. |
3 | Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. |
4 | Aggregate total return. |
5 | Annualized. |
6 | Does not reflect the effect of distributions to AMPS Shareholders. |
7 | Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs related to TOB Trusts and/or VRDP Shares. See Note 4 and Note 10 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details of municipal bonds transferred to TOB Trusts and VRDP Shares, respectively. |
8 | For the year ended July 31, 2012, the total expense ratio after fees waived and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense, fees, amortization of offering costs, liquidity and remarketing fees was 0.90%. |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
46 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited) |
1. Organization:
The following are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as closed-end management investment companies and are referred to herein collectively as the Funds, or individually, a Fund:
Fund Name | Herein Referred To As | Organized | Diversification Classification |
|||||||||
BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund ll, Inc. |
MUE | Maryland | Non-diversified | |||||||||
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. |
MCA | Maryland | Non-diversified | |||||||||
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. |
MYN | Maryland | Non-diversified | |||||||||
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. |
MYI | Maryland | Non-diversified |
The Boards of Directors of the Funds are collectively referred to throughout this report as the Board of Directors or the Board, and the directors thereof are collectively referred to throughout this report as Directors. The Funds determine and make available for publication the NAVs of their Common Shares on a daily basis.
The Funds, together with certain other registered investment companies advised by BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the Manager) or its affiliates, are included in a complex of closed-end funds referred to as the Closed-End Complex.
2. Significant Accounting Policies:
The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:
Segregation and Collateralization: In cases where a Fund enters into certain investments (e.g., financial futures contracts) or certain borrowings (e.g., TOB transactions) that would be treated as senior securities for 1940 Act purposes, a Fund may segregate or designate on its books and records cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal to the amount of its future obligations under such investments or borrowings. Doing so allows the investment or borrowing to be excluded from treatment as a senior security. Furthermore, if required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Funds may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments or obligations.
Investment Transactions and Investment Income: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are entered into (the trade dates). Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, is recognized on the accrual basis.
Distributions: Distributions from net investment income are declared monthly and paid monthly. Distributions of capital gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Distributions to Preferred Shareholders are accrued and determined as described in Note 10.
Deferred Compensation Plan: Under the Deferred Compensation Plan (the Plan) approved by each Funds Board, the independent Directors (Independent Directors) may defer a portion of their annual complex-wide compensation. Deferred amounts earn an approximate return as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in common shares of certain other BlackRock Closed-End Funds selected by the Independent Directors. This has the same economic effect for the Independent Directors as if the Independent Directors had invested the deferred amounts directly in certain other BlackRock Closed-End Funds.
The Plan is not funded and obligations thereunder represent general unsecured claims against the general assets of each Fund, if applicable. Deferred compensation liabilities are included in officers and directors fees payable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities and will remain as a liability of the Funds until such amounts are distributed in accordance with the Plan.
Recent Accounting Standard: In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued guidance to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs in financial statements. Under the new guidance, a Fund is required to present such costs in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the related debt liability rather than as an asset.
The standard is effective for financial statements with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Although still evaluating the potential impacts of this new guidance, management expects that the effects of the Funds adoption will be limited to the reclassification of any unamortized debt issuance costs on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities and the modification of related accounting policy disclosures in the Notes to Financial Statements.
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 47 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) |
Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, a Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. A Funds maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against a Fund, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.
Other: Expenses directly related to a Fund or its classes are charged to that Fund or the applicable class. Other operating expenses shared by several funds, including other funds managed by the Manager, are prorated among those funds on the basis of relative net assets or other appropriate methods.
The Funds have an arrangement with their custodian whereby fees may be reduced by credits earned on uninvested cash balances, which, if applicable, are shown as fees paid indirectly in the Statements of Operations. The custodian imposes fees on overdrawn cash balances, which can be offset by accumulated credits earned or may result in additional custody charges.
3. Investment Valuation and Fair Value Measurements:
Investment Valuation Policies: The Funds investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as market value within the financial statements) as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) (or if the reporting date falls on a day the NYSE is closed, investments are valued at fair value as of the report date). U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price the Funds would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Funds determine the fair values of their financial instruments using independent dealers or pricing services under policies approved by the Board of Directors of each Fund (the Board). The BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the Global Valuation Committee) is the committee formed by management to develop global pricing policies and procedures and to provide oversight of the pricing function for the Funds for all financial instruments.
Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods (or techniques) and inputs are used to establish the fair value of each Funds assets and liabilities:
| 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. In determining the value of a particular investment, pricing services may use certain information with respect to transactions in such investments, quotations from dealers, pricing matrixes, market transactions in comparable investments and information with respect to various relationships between investments. |
| Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds are valued at NAV each business day. |
| Financial futures contracts traded on exchanges are valued at their last sale price. |
If events (e.g., a company announcement, market volatility or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such instruments, or in the event that the application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value (Fair Valued Investments). When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, seeks to determine the price that each Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arms-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, deems relevant consistent with the principles of fair value measurement. The pricing of all Fair Valued Investments is subsequently reported to the Board or a committee thereof on a quarterly basis.
Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial statement purposes as follows:
| Level 1 unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that each Fund has the ability to access |
| Level 2 other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other marketcorroborated inputs) |
| Level 3 unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available (including each Funds own assumptions used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments) |
The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The significant unobservable inputs used by the Global Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments are typically categorized as Level 3. The fair value hierarchy for each Funds investments and derivative financial instruments have been included in the Schedules of Investments.
48 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) |
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the hierarchy. In accordance with each Funds policy, transfers between different levels of the fair value hierarchy are deemed to have occurred as of the beginning of the reporting period. The categorization of a value determined for investments and derivative financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the investments and derivative financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.
4. Securities and Other Investments:
Zero-Coupon Bonds: Zero-coupon bonds are normally issued at a significant discount from face value and do not provide for periodic interest payments. These bonds may experience greater volatility in market value than other debt obligations of similar maturity which provide for regular interest payments.
Forward Commitments and When-Issued Delayed Delivery Securities: Certain Funds may purchase securities on a when-issued basis and may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis. Settlement of such transactions normally occurs within a month or more after the purchase or sale commitment is made. A Fund may purchase securities under such conditions with the intention of actually acquiring them, but may enter into a separate agreement to sell the securities before the settlement date. Since the value of securities purchased may fluctuate prior to settlement, a Fund may be required to pay more at settlement than the security is worth. In addition, a Fund is not entitled to any of the interest earned prior to settlement. When purchasing a security on a delayed delivery basis, a Fund assumes the rights and risks of ownership of the security, including the risk of price and yield fluctuations. In the event of default by the counterparty, a Funds maximum amount of loss is the unrealized appreciation of unsettled when-issued transactions.
Municipal Bonds Transferred to TOB Trusts: Certain Funds leverage their assets through the use of TOB transactions. The Funds transfer municipal bonds into a special purpose trust (a TOB Trust). A TOB Trust generally issues two classes of beneficial interests: short-term floating rate interests (TOB Trust Certificates), which are sold to third party investors, and residual inverse floating rate interests (TOB Residuals), which are generally issued to the participating funds that contributed the municipal bonds to the TOB Trust. The TOB Trust Certificates have interest rates that generally reset weekly and their holders have the option to tender such certificates to the TOB Trust for redemption at par and any accrued interest at each reset date. The TOB Residuals held by a Fund generally provide the Fund with the right to cause the holders of a proportional share of the TOB Trust Certificates to tender their certificates to the TOB Trust at par plus accrued interest. The Funds may withdraw a corresponding share of the municipal bonds from the TOB Trust. Other funds managed by the investment advisor may also contribute municipal bonds to a TOB Trust into which each Fund has contributed bonds. If multiple BlackRock advised funds participate in the same TOB Trust, the economic rights and obligations under the TOB Residual will be shared among the funds ratably in proportion to their participation in the TOB Trust.
TOB Trusts are generally supported by a liquidity facility provided by a third party bank or other financial institution (the Liquidity Provider) that allows the holders of the TOB Trust Certificates to tender their certificates in exchange for payment of par plus accrued interest on any business day. The tendered TOB Trust Certificates may be purchased by the Liquidity Provider and are usually remarketed by a Remarketing Agent, which is typically an affiliated entity of the Liquidity Provider. The Remarketing Agent may also purchase the tendered TOB Trust Certificates for its own account in the event of a failed remarketing.
The TOB Trust may be collapsed without the consent of a Fund, upon the occurrence of tender option termination events (TOTEs) or mandatory termination events (MTEs), as defined in the TOB Trust agreements. TOTEs include the bankruptcy or default of the issuer of the municipal bonds held in the TOB Trust, a substantial downgrade in the credit quality of the issuer of the municipal bonds held in the TOB Trust, failure of any scheduled payment of principal or interest on the municipal bonds, and/or a judgment or ruling that interest on the municipal bond is subject to federal income taxation. MTEs may include, among other things, a failed remarketing of the TOB Trust Certificates, the inability of the TOB Trust to obtain renewal of the liquidity support agreement and a substantial decline in the market value of the municipal bonds held in the TOB Trust. Upon the occurrence of a TOTE or an MTE, the TOB Trust would be liquidated with the proceeds applied first to any accrued fees owed to the trustee of the TOB Trust, the Remarketing Agent and the Liquidity Provider (defined below). In the case of an MTE, after the payment of fees, the TOB Trust Certificate holders would be paid before the TOB Residual holders (i.e., the Funds). In contrast, in the case of a TOTE, after payment of fees, the TOB Trust Certificate holders and the TOB Residual holders would be paid pro rata in proportion to the respective face values of their certificates. During the six months ended January 31, 2016, no TOB Trusts in which a Fund participated were terminated without the consent of a Fund.
While a Funds investment policies and restrictions expressly permit investments in inverse floating rate securities, such as TOB Residuals, they generally do not allow a Fund to borrow money for purposes of making investments. The Funds management believes that a Funds restrictions on borrowings do not apply to the secured borrowings. Each Funds transfer of the municipal bonds to a TOB Trust is considered a secured borrowing for financial reporting purposes. The cash received by the TOB Trust from the sale of the TOB Trust Certificates, less certain transaction expenses, is paid to a Fund. A Fund typically invests the cash received in additional municipal bonds. The municipal bonds deposited into a TOB Trust are presented in a Funds Schedules of Investments and the TOB Trust Certificates are shown in Other Liabilities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Any loans drawn by the TOB Trust to purchase tendered TOB Trust Certificates would be shown as Loan for TOB Trust Certificates.
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 49 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) |
Volcker Rule Impact: On December 10, 2013, regulators published final rules implementing section 619 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Volcker Rule), which precludes banking entities and their affiliates from sponsoring and investing in TOB Trusts. Banking entities subject to the Volcker Rule were required to fully comply by July 21, 2015, with respect to investments in and relationships with TOB Trusts established after December 31, 2013 (Non-Legacy TOB Trusts), and by July 21, 2016, with respect to investments in and relationships with TOB Trusts established prior to December 31, 2013 (Legacy TOB Trusts).
As a result, a new structure for TOB Trusts has been designed to ensure that no banking entity is sponsoring the TOB Trust. Specifically, a Fund will establish, structure and sponsor the TOB Trusts in which it holds TOB Residuals. In such a structure, certain responsibilities that previously belonged to a third party bank will be performed by, or on behalf of, the Funds. The Funds have restructured any Non-Legacy TOB Trusts and are in the process of restructuring Legacy TOB Trusts in conformity with regulatory guidelines. Until all restructurings are completed, a Fund may, for a period of time, hold TOB Residuals in both Legacy TOB Trusts and non-bank sponsored restructured TOB Trusts.
Under the new TOB Trust structure, the Liquidity Provider or Remarketing Agent will no longer purchase the tendered TOB Trust Certificates even in the event of failed remarketing. This may increase the likelihood that a TOB Trust will need to be collapsed and liquidated in order to purchase the tendered TOB Trust Certificates. The TOB Trust may draw upon a loan from the Liquidity Provider to purchase the tendered TOB Trust Certificates. Any loans made by the Liquidity Provider will be secured by the purchased TOB Trust Certificates held by the TOB Trust and will be subject to an increased interest rate based on the number of days the loan is outstanding.
Accounting for TOB Trusts: The municipal bonds deposited into a TOB Trust are presented in a Funds Schedules of Investments and the TOB Trust Certificates are shown in Other Liabilities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Any loans drawn by the TOB Trust to purchase tendered TOB Trust Certificates are shown as Loan for TOB Trust Certificates. The carrying amount of a Funds payable to the holder of the TOB Trust Certificates, approximates its fair value.
Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts, from the underlying municipal bonds is recorded by a Fund on an accrual basis. Interest expense incurred on the TOB transaction and other expenses related to remarketing, administration, trustee, liquidity and other services to a TOB Trust are shown as interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs in the Statements of Operations. Fees paid upon creation of the TOB Trust are recorded as debt issuance costs and are amortized to interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs in the Statements of Operations to the expected maturity of the TOB Trust. In connection with the restructurings of the TOB Trusts to comply with the Volcker Rule, a Fund incurred non-recurring, legal and restructuring fees, which are recorded as interest expense, fees and amortization of deferred offering costs in the Statements of Operations.
For the six months ended January 31, 2016, the following table is a summary of the Funds TOB Trusts:
Underlying Municipal Bonds Transferred to TOB Trusts1 |
Liability for TOB Trust Certificates2 |
Range of Interest Rates |
Average TOB Trust Certificates Outstanding |
Daily Weighted Average Interest Rate |
||||||||||||||||
MUE |
$ | 108,241,315 | $ | 57,551,836 | 0.01% - 0.26% | $ | 52,973,454 | 0.64% | ||||||||||||
MCA |
$ | 400,683,419 | $ | 180,392,588 | 0.01% - 0.21% | $ | 176,007,636 | 0.60% | ||||||||||||
MYN |
$ | 210,840,920 | $ | 105,963,118 | 0.01% - 0.16% | $ | 95,028,631 | 0.65% | ||||||||||||
MYI |
$ | 450,087,247 | $ | 252,056,991 | 0.01% - 0.55% | $ | 246,583,061 | 0.59% |
1 | The municipal bonds transferred to a TOB Trust are generally high grade municipal bonds. In certain cases, when municipal bonds transferred are lower grade municipal bonds, the TOB transaction may include a credit enhancement feature that provides for the timely payment of principal and interest on the bonds to the TOB Trust by a credit enhancement provider in the event of default of the municipal bond. The TOB Trust would be responsible for the payment of the credit enhancement fee and the Funds, as TOB Residual holders, would be responsible for reimbursement of any payments of principal and interest made by the credit enhancement provider. The municipal bonds transferred to TOB Trusts with a credit enhancement are identified in the Schedules of Investments including the maximum potential amounts owed by the Funds. |
2 | The Funds may invest in TOB Trusts on either a non-recourse or recourse basis. When a Fund invests in TOB Trusts on a non-recourse basis, and the Liquidity Provider is required to make a payment under the liquidity facility, the Liquidity Provider will typically liquidate all or a portion of the municipal bonds held in the TOB Trust and then fund the balance, if any, of the amount owed under the liquidity facility over the liquidation proceeds (the Liquidation Shortfall). If a Fund invests in a TOB Trust on a recourse basis, the Funds will usually enter into a reimbursement agreement with the Liquidity Provider where the Funds are required to reimburse the Liquidity Provider the amount of any Liquidation Shortfall. As a result, if a Fund invests in a recourse TOB Trust, a Fund will bear the risk of loss with respect to any Liquidation Shortfall. If multiple funds participate in any such TOB Trust, these losses will be shared ratably, including the maximum potential amounts owed by the Funds at January 31, 2016, in proportion to their participation in the TOB Trust. The recourse TOB Trusts are identified in the Schedules of Investments including the maximum potential amounts owed by the Funds at January 31, 2016. |
5. Derivative Financial Instruments:
The Funds engage in various portfolio investment strategies using derivative contracts both to increase the returns of the Funds and/or to manage economically their exposure to certain risks such as interest rate risk. These contracts may be transacted on an exchange or over-the-counter (OTC).
Financial Futures Contracts: Certain Funds invest in long and/or short positions in financial futures contracts and options on financial futures contracts to gain exposure to, or economically hedge against, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk). Financial futures contracts are agreements between the
50 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) |
Funds and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified price and at a specified date. Depending on the terms of the particular contract, financial futures contracts are settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash settlement amount on the settlement date.
Upon entering into a financial futures contract, the Funds are required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on a contracts size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Securities deposited as initial margin are designated on the Schedules of Investments and cash deposited, if any, is recorded on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as cash pledged for financial futures contracts. Pursuant to the contract, the Funds agree[s] to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin. Variation margin is recorded by the Funds as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if applicable, as a receivable or payable for variation margin in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
When the contract is closed, the Funds record a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. The use of financial futures contracts involves the risk of an imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of financial futures contracts, interest or foreign currency exchange rates and the underlying assets.
6. Investment Advisory Agreement and Other Transactions with Affiliates:
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. is the largest stockholder and an affiliate of BlackRock, Inc. (BlackRock) for 1940 Act purposes.
Investment Advisory Fees
Each Fund entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Manager, the Funds investment advisor, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock, to provide investment advisory and administration services. The Manager is responsible for the management of each Funds portfolio and provides the personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary to the operations of each Fund. For such services, each Fund pays the Manager a monthly fee based on a percentage of each Funds average daily net assets:
MUE | MCA | MYN | MYI | |||||||||||||
Investment advisory fee |
0.55% | 0.50% | 0.50% | 0.50% |
Average daily net assets are the average daily value of each Funds total assets minus its total accrued liabilities (which does not include liabilities represented by TOB Trusts and the liquidation preference of preferred shares).
The Manager voluntarily agreed to waive its investment advisory fees by the amount of investment advisory fees each Fund pays to the Manager indirectly through its investment in affiliated money market funds. These amounts are included in fees waived by the Manager in the Statements of Operations. However, the Manager does not waive its investment advisory fees by the amount of investment advisory fees paid in connection with each Funds investments in other affiliated investment companies, if any. For the six months ended January 31, 2016, the amounts waived were as follows:
MUE | MCA | MYN | MYI | |||||||||||||
Amount waived |
$ | 5 | $ | 3 | $ | 1,061 | $ | 44 |
The Manager for MUE voluntarily agreed to waive its investment advisory fee on the proceeds of the Preferred Shares and TOB Trusts that exceed 35% of total assets minus the sum of its accrued liabilities (which does not include liabilities represented by TOB Trusts and the liquidation preference of preferred shares). This amount is included in fees waived by the Manager in the Statements of Operations. For the six months ended January 31, 2016, the amount waived was $20,757.
Officers and Directors Fees
Certain officers and/or directors of the Funds are officers and/or directors of BlackRock or its affiliates. The Funds reimburse the Manager for a portion of the compensation paid to the Funds Chief Compliance Officer, which is included in Officer and Directors in the Statements of Operations.
7. Purchases and Sales:
For the six months ended January 31, 2016, purchases and sales of investments excluding short-term securities, were as follows:
MUE | MCA | MYN | MYI | |||||||||||||
Purchases |
$ | 50,921,818 | $ | 113,002,070 | $ | 99,769,816 | $ | 92,679,424 | ||||||||
Sales |
$ | 40,975,310 | $ | 102,311,680 | $ | 84,991,064 | $ | 94,021,236 |
8. Income Tax Information:
It is the Funds policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of their taxable income to their shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 51 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) |
Each Fund files U.S. federal and various state and local tax returns. No income tax returns are currently under examination. The statute of limitations on each Funds U.S. federal tax returns remains open for each of the four years ended July 31, 2015. The statutes of limitations on each Funds state and local tax returns may remain open for an additional year depending upon the jurisdiction.
Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Funds as of January 31, 2016, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Funds financial statements.
As of period end, the Funds had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains through the indicated expiration dates as follows:
Expires July 31, | MUE | MCA | MYN | MYI | ||||||||||||
No expiration date1 |
$ | 10,465,379 | | $ | 21,358,339 | $ | 3,213,661 | |||||||||
2016 |
| | 2,330,288 | 25,066,903 | ||||||||||||
2017 |
3,385,582 | | 2,295,738 | 21,251,301 | ||||||||||||
2018 |
6,013,130 | $ | 1,967,494 | 3,370,191 | 26,460,028 | |||||||||||
2019 |
| | 1,287,746 | | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total |
$ | 19,864,091 | $ | 1,967,494 | $ | 30,642,302 | $ | 75,991,893 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 | Must be utilized prior to losses subject to expiration. |
As of period end, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost for federal income tax purposes were as follows:
MUE | MCA | MYN | MYI | |||||||||||||
Tax cost |
$ | 408,246,488 | $ | 655,416,290 | $ | 737,194,473 | $ | 1,226,813,539 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Gross unrealized appreciation |
$ | 52,218,314 | $ | 68,957,806 | $ | 74,993,057 | $ | 150,372,627 | ||||||||
Gross unrealized depreciation |
(616,038 | ) | (31,673 | ) | (1,260,605 | ) | (5,672,104 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net unrealized appreciation |
$ | 51,602,276 | $ | 68,926,133 | $ | 73,732,452 | $ | 144,700,523 | ||||||||
|
|
9. Principal Risks:
Many municipalities insure repayment of their bonds, which may reduce the potential for loss due to credit risk. The market value of these bonds may fluctuate for other reasons, including market perception of the value of such insurance, and there is no guarantee that the insurer will meet its obligation.
Inventories of municipal bonds held by brokers and dealers may decrease, which would lessen their ability to make a market in these securities. Such a reduction in market making capacity could potentially decrease a Funds ability to buy or sell bonds. As a result, a Fund may sell a security at a lower price, sell other securities to raise cash, or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative impact on performance. If a Fund needed to sell large blocks of bonds, those sales could further reduce the bonds prices and impact performance.
In the normal course of business, certain Funds invest in securities and enter into transactions where risks exist due to fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of the issuer to meet all its obligations, including the ability to pay principal and interest when due (issuer credit risk). The value of securities held by the Funds may decline in response to certain events, including those directly involving the issuers of securities owned by the Funds. Changes arising from the general economy, the overall market and local, regional or global political and/or social instability, as well as currency, interest rate and price fluctuations, may also affect the securities value.
The Funds may hold a significant amount of bonds subject to calls by the issuers at defined dates and prices. When bonds are called by issuers and the Funds reinvest the proceeds received, such investments may be in securities with lower yields than the bonds originally held, and correspondingly, could adversely impact the yield and total return performance of a Fund.
The new TOB Trust structure resulting from the compliance with Volcker Rule remains untested. It is possible that regulators could take positions that could limit the market for such newly structured TOB Trust transactions or the Funds ability to hold TOB Residuals. Under the new TOB Trust structure, the Funds will have certain additional duties and responsibilities, which may give rise to certain additional risks including, but not limited to, compliance, securities law and operational risks.
There can be no assurance that the Funds can successfully enter into restructured TOB Trust transactions in order to refinance their existing TOB Residual holdings prior to the compliance date for the Volcker Rule, which may require that the Funds unwind existing TOB Trusts. There can be no assurance that alternative forms of leverage will be available to the Funds and any alternative forms of leverage may be more or less advantageous to the Funds than existing TOB leverage.
Should short-term interest rates rise, the Funds investments in TOB transactions may adversely affect the Funds net investment income and dividends to Common Shareholders. Also, fluctuations in the market value of municipal bonds deposited into the TOB Trust may adversely affect the Funds NAVs per share.
52 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) |
The SEC and various federal banking and housing agencies recently adopted credit risk retention rules for securitizations (the Risk Retention Rules), which take effect in December 2016. The Risk Retention Rules would require the sponsor of a TOB Trust to retain at least 5% of the credit risk of the underlying assets supporting the TOB Trusts Municipal Bonds. The Risk Retention Rules may adversely affect the Funds ability to engage in TOB Trust transactions or increase the costs of such transactions in certain circumstances.
TOB Trust transactions constitute an important component of the municipal bond market. Accordingly, implementation of the Volcker Rule may adversely impact the municipal market, including through reduced demand for and liquidity of municipal bonds and increased financing costs for municipal issuers. Any such developments could adversely affect the Funds. The ultimate impact of these rules on the TOB market and the overall municipal market is not yet certain.
Counterparty Credit Risk: Similar to issuer credit risk, the Funds may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions. The Funds manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that the Manager believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Funds to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Funds exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Funds.
A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.
With exchange-traded futures, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Funds since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, a Fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing brokers customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing brokers customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Funds.
Concentration Risk: MCA and MYN invest a substantial amount of their assets in issuers located in a single state or limited number of states. This may subject each Fund to the risk that economic, political or social issues impacting a particular state or group of states could have an adverse and disproportionate impact on the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Funds respective portfolios. Investment percentages in specific states or U.S. territories are presented in the Schedules of Investments.
As of period end, MUE and MYN invested a significant portion of their assets in securities in the county, city, special district, school district and transportation sectors. MCA invested a significant portion of its assets in securities in the county, city, special district, school district and utilities sectors. MYI invested a significant portion of its assets in securities in the transportation sector. Changes in economic conditions affecting such sectors would have a greater impact on the Funds and could affect the value, income and/or liquidity of positions in such securities.
Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in fixed-income securities and/or uses derivatives tied to the fixed-income markets. Changes in market interest rates or economic conditions may affect the value and/or liquidity of such investments. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The Funds may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates.
Certain Funds may invest in municipal bonds below investment grade quality (sometimes called junk bonds), which are predominantly speculative, have greater credit risk and generally are less liquid and have more volatile prices than higher quality securities.
10. Capital Share Transactions:
Each Fund is authorized to issue 200 million shares, all of which were initially classified as Common Shares. The par value for each Funds Common Shares is $0.10. The par value for each Funds Preferred Shares outstanding is $0.10. The Board is authorized, however, to reclassify any unissued Common Shares to Preferred Shares without approval of Common Shareholders.
Common Shares
For the six months ended January 31, 2016 and the year ended July 31, 2015, shares issued and outstanding remained constant.
Preferred Shares
Each Funds Preferred Shares rank prior to the Funds Common Shares as to the payment of dividends by the Fund and distribution of assets upon dissolution or liquidation of a Fund. The 1940 Act prohibits the declaration of any dividend on a Funds Common Shares or the repurchase of a Funds
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 53 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) |
Common Shares if a Fund fails to maintain the asset coverage of at least 200% of the liquidation preference of the outstanding Preferred Shares. In addition, pursuant to the Preferred Shares governing instruments, a Fund is restricted from declaring and paying dividends on classes of shares ranking junior to or on parity with the Preferred Shares or repurchasing such shares if a Fund fails to declare and pay dividends on the Preferred Shares, redeem any Preferred Shares required to be redeemed under the Preferred Shares governing instruments or comply with the basic maintenance amount requirement of the agencies rating the Preferred Shares.
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) as a single class. However, the holders of Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, are also entitled to elect two Directors for each Fund. 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 Funds sub-classification 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.
VRDP Shares
MCA, MYN and MYI (collectively, the VRDP Funds), have issued Series W-7 VRDP Shares, $100,000 liquidation value per share, in privately negotiated offerings. The VRDP Shares were offered to qualified institutional buyers as defined pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the Securities Act). The VRDP Shares include a liquidity feature and are currently in a special rate period, each as described below.
As of period end, the VRDP Shares outstanding of each Fund were as follows:
Issue Date | Shares Issued | Aggregate Principal | Maturity Date | |||||||||||||
MCA |
4/21/11 | 1,665 | $ | 166,500,000 | 5/01/41 | |||||||||||
MYN |
4/21/11 | 2,477 | $ | 247,700,000 | 5/01/41 | |||||||||||
MYI |
5/19/11 | 3,564 | $ | 356,400,000 | 6/01/41 |
Redemption Terms: Each VRDP Fund is required to redeem its VRDP Shares on the maturity date, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased. Six months prior to the maturity date, each VRDP Fund is required to begin to segregate liquid assets with the Funds custodian to fund the redemption. In addition, VRDP Funds are required to redeem certain of its outstanding VRDP Shares if it fails to maintain certain asset coverage, basic maintenance amount or leverage requirements.
Subject to certain conditions, the VRDP Shares may also be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time at the option of VRDP Funds. The redemption price per VRDP Share is equal to the liquidation value per share plus any outstanding unpaid dividends. In the event of an optional redemption of the VRDP Shares prior to the initial termination date of the fee agreement, VRDP Funds must pay the respective liquidity provider fees on such redeemed VRDP Shares for the remaining term of the fee agreement up to the initial termination date.
Liquidity Feature: The VRDP Funds entered into a fee agreement with the liquidity provider that may require a per annum liquidity fee payable to the liquidity provider. These fees, if applicable, are shown as liquidity fees in the Statements of Operations.
The fee agreement between the VRDP Funds and the liquidity provider is for a 364 day term and is scheduled to expire on July 7, 2016, unless renewed or terminated in advance.
In the event the fee agreement is not renewed or is terminated in advance, and the VRDP Funds do not enter into a fee agreement with an alternate liquidity provider, the VRDP Shares will be subject to mandatory purchase by the liquidity provider prior to the termination of the fee agreement. In the event of such mandatory purchase, the VRDP Funds are required to redeem the VRDP Shares six months after the purchase date. Immediately after such mandatory purchase, the VRDP Funds are required to begin to segregate liquid assets with their custodian to fund the redemption. There is no assurance the VRDP Funds will replace such redeemed VRDP Shares with any other preferred shares or other form of leverage.
Remarketing: The VRDP Funds may incur remarketing fees of 0.10% on the aggregate principal amount of all the VRDP Shares, which, if any, are included in remarketing fees on Preferred Shares in the Statements of Operations. No remarketing fees are incurred during any special rate period (as described below).
Dividends: Dividends on the VRDP Shares are payable monthly at a variable rate set weekly by the remarketing agent. Such dividend rates are generally based upon a spread over a base rate and cannot exceed a maximum rate. In the event of a failed remarketing, the dividend rate of the VRDP Shares will be reset to a maximum rate. The maximum rate is determined based on, among other things, the long-term preferred share rating assigned to the VRDP Shares and the length of time that the VRDP Shares fail to be remarketed. As of period end, the VRDP Shares were assigned a long-term rating of Aaa for MCA and MYN and Aa1 for MYI from Moodys. The VRDP Shares were assigned a long-term rating of AAA from Fitch.
For the six months ended January 31, 2016, the annualized dividend rates for the VRDP Shares were as follows:
MCA | MYN | MYI | ||||||||||
Rate |
0.91% | 0.91% | 0.91% |
54 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) |
Financial Reporting: The VRDP Shares are considered debt of the issuer; therefore, the liquidation value, which approximates fair value, of the VRDP Shares is recorded as a liability in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Unpaid dividends are included in interest expense and fees payable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, and the dividends accrued and paid on the VRDP Shares are included as a component of interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs in the Statements of Operations. The VRDP Shares are treated as equity for tax purposes. Dividends paid to holders of the VRDP Shares are generally classified as tax-exempt income for tax-reporting purposes.
Ratings: The short-term ratings on the VRDP Shares are directly related to the short-term ratings of the liquidity provider for such VRDP Shares. Changes in the credit quality of the liquidity provider could cause a change in the short-term credit ratings of the VRDP Shares as rated by Moodys, Fitch and/or S&P. A change in the short-term credit rating of the liquidity provider or the VRDP Shares may adversely affect the dividend rate paid on such shares, although the dividend rate paid on the VRDP Shares is not directly related based upon either short-term rating.
Special Rate Period: On June 21, 2012, the VRDP Funds commenced a three-year term ending June 24, 2015 (special rate period) with respect to their VRDP Shares. In May 2015, the special rate period was extended to June 22, 2016. The implementation of the special rate period resulted in a mandatory tender of the VRDP Shares prior to the commencement of the special rate period. The mandatory tender event was not the result of a failed remarketing. The short-term ratings on the VRDP Shares were withdrawn by Moodys, Fitch and/or S&P at the commencement of the special period.
If the VRDP Funds redeem the VRDP Shares on a date that is one year or more before the end of the special rate period and the VRDP Shares are rated above A1/A by Moodys and Fitch respectively, then such redemption is subject to a redemption premium payable to the holder of the VRDP Shares based on the time remaining in the special rate period, subject to certain exceptions for redemptions that are required to maintain minimum asset coverage requirements. Prior to June 22, 2016, the holder of the VRDP Shares and VRDP Funds may mutually agree to extend the special rate period. If the special rate period is not extended, the VRDP Shares will revert back to remarketable securities and will be remarketed and available for purchase by qualified institutional investors.
For the six months ended January 31, 2016, VRDP Shares issued and outstanding of each Fund remained constant.
VMTP Shares
MUE has issued Series W-7 VMTP Shares, $100,000 liquidation value per share, in a privately negotiated offering and sale of VMTP Shares exempt from registration under the Securities Act.
As of period end, the VMTP Shares outstanding of MUE were as follows:
Issue Date | Shares Issued | Aggregate Principal | Term Date | |||||||||||||
MUE |
12/16/11 | 1,310 | $ | 131,000,000 | 1/02/19 |
Redemption Terms: MUE is required to redeem its VMTP Shares on the term date, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased or unless extended. There is no assurance that the term of MUEs VMTP Shares will be extended further or that a MUE s VMTP Shares will be replaced with any other preferred shares or other form of leverage upon the redemption or repurchase of the VMTP Shares. Six months prior to term date, MUE is required to begin to segregate liquid assets with the MUEs custodian to fund the redemption. In addition, MUE is required to redeem certain of its outstanding VMTP Shares if it fails to maintain certain asset coverage, basic maintenance amount or leverage requirements.
Subject to certain conditions, a MUE s VMTP Shares may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time at the option of MUE. The redemption price per VMTP Share is equal to the liquidation value per share plus any outstanding unpaid dividends and applicable redemption premium. If MUE redeems the VMTP Shares on a date that is one year or more prior to the term date and the VMTP Shares are rated above A1/A+ by Moodys and Fitch, respectively, then such redemption is subject to a prescribed redemption premium (up to 3% of the liquidation preference) payable to the holder of the VMTP Shares based on the time remaining to the term date, subject to certain exceptions for redemptions that are required to maintain minimum asset coverage requirements. The VMTP Shares are subject to certain restrictions on transfer, and MUE may also be required to register the VMTP Shares for sale under the Securities Act under certain circumstances. In addition, amendments to the VMTP governing document generally require the consent of the holders of VMTP Shares.
Dividends: Dividends on the VMTP Shares are declared daily and payable monthly at a variable rate set weekly at a fixed rate spread to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) Municipal Swap Index. The fixed spread is determined based on the long-term preferred share rating assigned to the VMTP Shares by Moodys and Fitch. At the date of issuance, the VMTP Shares were assigned long-term ratings of Aaa from Moodys and AAA from Fitch. Subsequent to the issuance of the VMTP Shares, Moodys completed a review of its methodology for rating securities issued by registered closed-end funds. As of period end, the VMTP Shares were assigned a long-term rating of Aa1 from Moodys under its new rating methodology. The VMTP Shares continue to be assigned a long-term rating of AAA from Fitch. The dividend rate on the VMTP Shares is subject to a step-up spread if the MUE fails to comply with certain provisions, including, among other things, the timely payment of dividends, redemptions or gross-up payments, and maintaining certain asset coverage and leverage requirements.
For the six months ended January 31, 2016, the average annualized dividend rate for the VMTP Shares was 1.01%.
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 55 |
Notes to Financial Statements (concluded) |
Financial Reporting: The VMTP Shares are considered debt of the issuer; therefore the liquidation value, which approximates fair value, of the VMTP Shares is recorded as a liability in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Unpaid dividends are included in interest expense and fees payable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, and the dividends accrued and paid on the VMTP Shares are included as a component of interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs in the Statements of Operations. The VMTP Shares are treated as equity for tax purposes. Dividends paid to holders of the VMTP Shares are generally classified as tax-exempt income for tax-reporting purposes.
For the six months ended January 31, 2016, MUEs VMTP Shares issued and outstanding remained constant.
Offering Costs: The Funds incurred costs in connection with the issuance of VRDP Shares and/or VMTP Shares. For VRDP Shares, these costs were recorded as a deferred charge and will be amortized over the 30-year life of the VRDP Shares with the exception of upfront fees paid to the liquidity provider which were amortized over the life of the liquidity agreement. For VMTP Shares, these costs were recorded as a deferred charge and will be amortized over the 3-year life of the VMTP Shares. Amortization of these costs is included in interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs in the Statements of Operations.
11. Subsequent Events:
Managements 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:
Each Fund paid a net investment income dividend on March 1, 2016 to Common Shareholders of record on February 16, 2016:
Common Dividend Per Share |
||||
MUE |
$ | 0.0680 | ||
MCA |
$ | 0.0730 | ||
MYN |
$ | 0.0620 | ||
MYI |
$ | 0.0740 |
Additionally, the Funds declared a net investment income dividend on March 1, 2016 payable to Common Shareholders of record on March 15, 2016 for the same amounts noted above, except the amount for MCA was $0.0700.
The dividends declared on VMTP or VRDP Shares for the period February 1, 2016 to February 29, 2016 were as follows:
Preferred Shares |
Series | Dividend Declared |
||||||||||
MUE |
VMTP Shares | W-7 | $ | 104,836 | ||||||||
MCA |
VRDP Shares | W-7 | $ | 120,053 | ||||||||
MYN |
VRDP Shares | W-7 | $ | 178,601 | ||||||||
MYI |
VRDP Shares | W-7 | $ | 256,978 |
56 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
Officers and Directors |
Richard E. Cavanagh, Chair of the Board and Director
Karen P. Robards, Vice Chair of the Board, Chairperson of the Audit Committee and Director
Michael J. Castellano, Director and Member of the Audit Committee
Frank J. Fabozzi, Director and Member of the Audit Committee
Jerrold B. Harris, Director
R. Glenn Hubbard, Director
W. Carl Kester, Director and Member of the Audit Committee
Barbara G. Novick, Director
John M. Perlowski, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
Jonathan Diorio, Vice President
Neal J. Andrews, Chief Financial Officer
Jay M. Fife, Treasurer
Charles Park, Chief Compliance Officer
Janey Ahn, Secretary
Effective September 18, 2015, Robert W. Crothers resigned as a Vice President of the Funds and Jonathan Diorio became a Vice President of the Funds.
Effective December 31, 2015, Kathleen F. Feldstein and James T. Flynn retired as Directors of the Funds.
Effective January 11, 2016, Michael Perilli became co-portfolio manager of MCA. The other portfolio managers of MCA are Ted Jaeckel and Walter OConnor.
Effective March 1, 2016, Catherine A. Lynch was appointed to serve as a Director and a Member of the Audit Committee of the Funds.
Investment Advisor BlackRock Advisors, LLC Wilmington, DE 19809 |
Accounting Agent and Custodian State Street Bank and |
VRDP Tender and Paying Agent and VMTP Redemption and Paying Agent The Bank of New York Mellon New York, NY 10289 |
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Deloitte & Touche LLP Boston, MA 02116 |
Legal Counsel Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP Boston, MA 02116 | ||||
Transfer Agent Computershare Trust Company, N.A. Canton, MA 02021 |
VRDP Remarketing Agent Citigroup Global Markets Inc. New York, NY 10179 |
Address of the Funds 100 Bellevue Parkway Wilmington, DE 19809 | ||||||
VRDP Liquidity Provider Citibank, N.A. New York, NY 10179 |
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 57 |
Additional Information |
Dividend Policy |
Each Funds dividend policy is to distribute all or a portion of its net investment income to its shareholders on a monthly basis. In order to provide shareholders with a more stable level of 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 distributions 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.
General Information |
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 Funds offerings and the information contained in each Funds 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 charters or by-laws that would delay or prevent a change of control of the Funds 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 portfolios.
Quarterly performance, semi-annual and annual reports and other information regarding the Funds may be found on BlackRocks website, which can be accessed at http://www.blackrock.com. This reference to BlackRocks website is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Funds and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRocks website in this report.
Electronic Delivery
Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications of quarterly statements, annual and semi-annual shareholder reports by enrolling in the electronic delivery program. Electronic copies of shareholder reports are available on BlackRocks website.
Shareholders Who Hold Accounts with Investment Advisors, Banks or Brokerages:
Please contact your financial advisor. Please note that not all investment advisors, banks or brokerages may offer this service.
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 the Funds at (800) 882-0052.
Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments
The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Funds Forms N-Q are available on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov and may also be reviewed and copied at the SECs Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on how to access documents on the SECs website without charge may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330. The Funds Forms N-Q may also be obtained upon request and without charge by calling (800) 882-0052.
Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available upon request and without charge (1) by calling (800) 882-0052; (2) at http://www.blackrock.com; and (3) on the SECs 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 http://www.blackrock.com or by calling (800) 882-0052 and (2) on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
Availability of Fund Updates
BlackRock will update performance and certain other data for the Funds on a monthly basis on its website in the Closed-end Funds section of http://www.blackrock.com as well as certain other material information as necessary from time to time. Investors and others are advised to check the website for updated performance information and the release of other material information about the Funds. This reference to BlackRocks website is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Funds and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRocks website in this report.
58 | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 |
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.
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | JANUARY 31, 2016 | 59 |
This report is intended for current holders. It is not a prospectus. Past performance results shown in this report should not be considered a representation of future performance. 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.
MHMYINS4-1/16-SAR |
Item 2 | Code of Ethics Not Applicable to this semi-annual report |
Item 3 | Audit Committee Financial Expert Not Applicable to this semi-annual report |
Item 4 | Principal Accountant Fees and Services Not Applicable to this semi-annual report |
Item 5 | Audit Committee of Listed Registrants Not Applicable to this semi-annual report |
Item 6 | Investments |
(a) The registrants Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.
(b) Not Applicable due to no such divestments during the semi-annual period covered since the previous Form N-CSR filing.
Item 7 | Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies Not Applicable to this semi-annual report |
Item 8 | Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies |
(a) | Mr. Michael Perilli became a portfolio manager of the fund in January, 2016. |
Portfolio Manager |
Biography | |
Michael Perilli |
Associate of BlackRock since 2008.
|
(a)(2) As of January 31, 2016:
(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 | ||||||
Michael Perilli |
5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
$434.3 Million | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
(iv) Portfolio Manager Potential Material Conflicts of Interest
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, Inc., its affiliates and significant shareholders and any officer, director, shareholder or employee may or may not have an interest in the securities whose purchase and sale
2
BlackRock recommends to the Fund. BlackRock, Inc., or any of its affiliates or significant shareholders, or any officer, director, shareholder, 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, Inc.s (or its affiliates or significant shareholders) officers, directors or employees are directors or officers, or companies as to which BlackRock, Inc. 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. Certain portfolio managers also may manage accounts whose investment strategies may at times be opposed to the strategy utilized for a fund. It should also be noted that a portfolio manager may be managing hedge fund and/or long only accounts, or may be part of a team managing hedge fund and/or long only accounts, subject to incentive fees. Such portfolio managers may therefore be entitled to receive a portion of any incentive fees earned on such accounts. Currently, the portfolio managers of this Fund are not entitled to receive a portion of incentive fees of other accounts.
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, Inc. has adopted policies that are intended to ensure 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, as appropriate.
(a)(3) As of January 31, 2016:
Portfolio Manager Compensation Overview
The discussion below describes the portfolio managers compensation as of January 31, 2016.
BlackRocks 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.
Base compensation. Generally, portfolio managers receive base compensation based on their position with the firm.
Discretionary Incentive Compensation. Discretionary incentive compensation is a function of several components: the performance of BlackRock, Inc., the performance of the portfolio managers group within BlackRock, the investment performance, including risk-adjusted returns, of the firms assets under management or supervision by that portfolio manager relative to predetermined benchmarks, and the individuals performance and contribution to the overall performance of these portfolios and BlackRock. In most cases, these benchmarks are the same as the benchmark or benchmarks against which the performance of the Funds or other accounts managed by the portfolio managers are measured. Among other things, BlackRocks Chief Investment Officers make a subjective determination with respect to each portfolio managers compensation based on the performance of the Funds and other accounts managed by
3
each portfolio manager relative to the various benchmarks. Performance of fixed income funds is measured on a pre-tax and/or after-tax basis over various time periods including 1-, 3- and 5- year periods, as applicable. With respect to Mr. Perilli, such benchmarks for the Fund and other accounts are: a combination of market-based indices (e.g., Standard & Poors Municipal Bond Index), certain customized indices and certain fund industry peer groups.
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. For some portfolio managers, discretionary incentive compensation is also distributed in deferred cash awards that notionally track the returns of select BlackRock investment products they manage and that vest ratably over a number of years. The BlackRock, Inc. restricted stock units, upon vesting, will be settled in BlackRock, Inc. common stock. Typically, the cash portion of the discretionary incentive compensation, when combined with base salary, represents more than 60% of total compensation for the portfolio managers. Paying a portion of discretionary incentive compensation in BlackRock, Inc. stock puts compensation earned by a portfolio manager for a given year at risk based on BlackRocks ability to sustain and improve its performance over future periods. Providing a portion of discretionary incentive compensation in deferred cash awards that notionally track the BlackRock investment products they manage provides direct alignment with investment product results.
Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards 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. Mr. Perilli does not have unvested long-term incentive awards.
Deferred Compensation Program A portion of the compensation paid to eligible United States-based BlackRock employees may be voluntarily deferred at their election for defined periods of time into an account that tracks the performance of certain of the firms investment products. Any portfolio manager who is either a managing director or director at BlackRock with compensation above a specified threshold is eligible to participate in the deferred compensation program.
Other Compensation Benefits. In addition to base salary 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, Inc. 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 8% of eligible pay contributed to the plan capped at $5,000 per year, and a company retirement contribution equal to 3-5% of eligible compensation up to the Internal Revenue Service limit ($265,000 for 2016). The RSP offers a range of investment options, including registered investment companies and collective investment funds managed by the firm. BlackRock, Inc. contributions follow the investment direction set by participants for their own contributions or, absent participant investment direction, are invested into a target date fund that corresponds to, or is closest to, the year in which the participant attains age 65. The ESPP allows for investment in BlackRock, Inc. 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 of common stock or a dollar value of $25,000 based on its fair market value on the purchase date. All of the eligible portfolio managers are eligible to participate in these plans.
4
(a)(4) Beneficial Ownership of Securities As of January 31, 2016.
Portfolio Manager | Dollar Range of Equity Securities of the Fund Beneficially Owned | |
Michael Perilli | None |
(b) Mr. Michael Perilli became a portfolio manager of the fund in January, 2016.
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 There have been no material changes to these procedures. |
Item 11 | Controls and Procedures |
(a) The registrants principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrants 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.
(b) There were no changes in the registrants 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 registrants internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12 | Exhibits attached hereto |
(a)(1) Code of Ethics Not Applicable to this semi-annual report
(a)(2) Certifications Attached hereto
(a)(3) Not Applicable
(b) Certifications Attached hereto
5
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 MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc.
By: | /s/ John M. Perlowski |
|||
John M. Perlowski | ||||
Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of | ||||
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. |
Date: April 1, 2016
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: | /s/ John M. Perlowski |
|||
John M. Perlowski | ||||
Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of | ||||
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc.
| ||||
Date: April 1, 2016
|
||||
By: | /s/ Neal J. Andrews |
|||
Neal J. Andrews | ||||
Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of | ||||
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. |
Date: April 1, 2016
6