N-CSR 1 d800012dncsr.htm BLACKROCK GLOBAL ALLOCATION FUND, INC. BLACKROCK GLOBAL ALLOCATION FUND, INC.

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: 811-05576

Name of Fund:  BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

Fund Address:  100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809

Name and address of agent for service: John M. Perlowski, Chief Executive Officer, BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 441-7762

Date of fiscal year end: 10/31/2019

Date of reporting period: 10/31/2019


Item 1 – Report to Stockholders


 

LOGO   OCTOBER 31, 2019

 

   2019 Annual Report

 

BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from BlackRock or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you hold accounts directly with BlackRock, you can call (800) 441-7762 to inform BlackRock that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. If you hold accounts through a financial intermediary, you can follow the instructions included with this disclosure, if applicable, or contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Please note that not all financial intermediaries may offer this service. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds advised by BlackRock Advisors, LLC, BlackRock Fund Advisors or their affiliates, or all funds held with your financial intermediary, as applicable.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive electronic delivery of shareholder reports and other communications by: (i) accessing the BlackRock website at blackrock.com/edelivery and logging into your accounts, if you hold accounts directly with BlackRock, or (ii) contacting your financial intermediary, if you hold accounts through a financial intermediary. Please note that not all financial intermediaries may offer this service.

 

Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • No Bank Guarantee


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

Investment performance in the 12 months ended October 31, 2019 was a tale of two markets. The first half of the reporting period was characterized by restrictive monetary policy, deteriorating economic growth, equity market volatility, and rising fear of an imminent recession. During the second half of the reporting period, stocks and bonds rebounded sharply, as influential central banks shifted toward accommodative monetary policy, which led to broad-based optimism that a near-term recession could be averted.

After the dust settled, equity and bond markets posted mixed returns while weathering significant volatility. U.S. large cap equities and U.S. bonds advanced, while equities at the high end of the risk spectrum — emerging markets and U.S. small cap — posted modest negative returns.

Fixed-income securities played an important role in diversified portfolios by delivering strong returns amid economic uncertainty, as interest rates declined (and bond prices rose). Long-term bonds, particularly long-term Treasuries, proved to be an effective ballast for diversified investors. Investment-grade and high-yield corporate bonds posted positive returns, as the credit fundamentals in corporate markets remained relatively solid.

In the U.S. equity market, volatility spiked in late 2018, as a wide variety of risks were brought to bear on markets, including rising interest rates, slowing global growth, and heightened trade tensions. Volatility also rose in emerging markets, as the appreciating U.S. dollar and higher interest rates in the U.S. disrupted economic growth abroad. Despite an economic slowdown in Europe and ongoing uncertainty about Brexit, European equities posted a modest positive return.

As equity performance faltered and global economic growth slowed, the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) shifted away from policies designed to decrease inflation in favor of renewed efforts to stimulate economic activity. The Fed left interest rates unchanged in January 2019, then reduced interest rates three times thereafter, starting in July 2019. Similarly, the Fed took measures to support liquidity in short-term lending markets. Following in the Fed’s footsteps, the European Central Bank announced aggressive economic stimulus measures, including lower interest rates and the return of its bond purchasing program. The Bank of Japan signaled a continuation of accommodative monetary policy, while China committed to looser credit conditions and an increase in fiscal spending.

The outpouring of global economic stimulus led to a sharp rally in risk assets throughout the world despite the headwind of rising geopolitical and trade tensions. Hopes continued to remain high as the current economic expansion became the longest in U.S. history.

We continue to expect a slowing expansion with additional room to run. Despite a sharp slowdown in trade and manufacturing across the globe, U.S. consumers continued to spend at a relatively healthy pace, benefiting from the lowest unemployment rate in 50 years and rising wages. However, trade disputes and the resulting disruptions in global supply chains, as well as geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East, continued to have a negative impact on global growth.

Overall, we favor reducing investment risk due to rising economic uncertainty. We believe U.S. equities remain relatively attractive, but we are shifting to a more cautious stance by emphasizing factors that seek lower-volatility and higher-quality stocks. In fixed income, government bonds continue to be important portfolio stabilizers, while emerging market bonds offer relatively attractive income opportunities.

In this environment, investors need to think globally, extend their scope across a broad array of asset classes, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit blackrock.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC

 

Total Returns as of October 31, 2019
     6-month   12-month

U.S. large cap equities
(S&P 500® Index)

  4.16%   14.33%

U.S. small cap equities
(Russell 2000® Index)

  (1.09)   4.90

International equities
(MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East Index)

  3.35   11.04

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

  (1.67)   11.86

3-month Treasury bills
(ICE BofAML 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index)

  1.21   2.40

U.S. Treasury securities
(ICE BofAML 10-Year U.S. Treasury Index)

  8.17   15.85

U.S. investment grade bonds
(Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index)

  5.71   11.51

Tax-exempt municipal bonds
(S&P Municipal Bond Index)

  3.52   9.07

U.S. high yield bonds
(Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index)

  2.69   8.38
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

 

2    THIS PAGE IS NOT PART OF YOUR FUND REPORT


Table of Contents

 

      Page  

The Markets in Review

     2  

Annual Report:

  

Fund Summary

     4  

Portfolio Information

     6  

About Fund Performance

     7  

Disclosure of Expenses

     8  

Derivative Financial Instruments

     8  

Financial Statements:

  

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

     9  

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities

     32  

Consolidated Statement of Operations

     33  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets

     34  

Consolidated Financial Highlights

     35  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     40  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     54  

Important Tax Information

     54  

Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement

     55  

Director and Officer Information

     58  

Additional Information

     62  

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

     63  

 

LOGO

 

 

 

          3  


Fund Summary  as of October 31, 2019    BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is to provide high total investment return through a fully managed investment policy utilizing United States and foreign equity securities, debt and money market securities, the combination of which will be varied from time to time both with respect to types of securities and markets in response to changing market and economic trends. Total return means the combination of capital growth and investment income.

Portfolio Management Commentary

How did the Fund perform?

For the 12-month period ended October 31, 2019, the Fund underperformed both its reference benchmark, which is comprised of the S&P 500® Index (36%), FTSE World (ex-US) Index (24%), ICE BofAML Current 5-Year U.S. Treasury Index (24%), and FTSE Non-U.S. Dollar World Government Bond Index (16%) (the “Reference Benchmark”), and the broad-based all-equity benchmark, the FTSE World Index. The Fund invests in both equities and bonds; therefore, Fund management believes that the Reference Benchmark provides a more accurate representation of the Fund’s composition and a more comparable means for measurement. The following discussion of relative performance pertains to the Reference Benchmark. The following commentary (and referenced allocation percentages) are based on the economic exposures of the Fund, which reflect adjustments for futures, swaps, and options (except with respect to fixed income securities), and convertible bonds, and may vary relative to the market value.

What factors influenced performance?

Within equities, positioning within Japan detracted from Fund performance. From a sector perspective, stock selection within and an underweight to information technology (“IT”) negatively impacted returns. Stock selection in healthcare, consumer discretionary and industrials also detracted from returns. An overweight to energy weighed on returns although this was partially offset by positive stock selection within the sector. Within fixed income, exposure to select emerging market government bonds negatively impacted Fund performance. The Fund’s exposure to cash and cash equivalents and gold-related securities weighed on returns as well.

From an equity sector perspective, stock selection within communication services, materials and consumer staples was additive to Fund performance. Within fixed income, an underweight to Japanese government bonds and positioning within U.S. Treasuries, notably an overweight to duration and greater interest rate sensitivity, positively impacted Fund performance. Exposure to U.S. credit, namely investment grade corporates, and exposure to interest rate derivatives also contributed. The Fund’s currency management added to returns as well, primarily via an underweight to the euro.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

During the 12-month period, the Fund’s overall equity allocation increased from 60% to 65% of net assets. Within equities, the Fund increased exposure to the United States and Europe, and decreased exposure to Japan. On a sector basis, the Fund increased exposure to industrials, IT, consumer discretionary and financials, and reduced exposure to energy, communication services, materials and healthcare.

The Fund’s allocation to fixed income decreased slightly from 31% to 30% of net assets. Within fixed income, the Fund increased exposure to corporate credit and securitized debt, and decreased exposure to government bonds, primarily in the United States.

Relative to the beginning of the period, the Fund’s exposure to commodity-related securities increased slightly from 1% to 2% of net assets.

Reflecting the changes in the Fund’s overall allocations to the equity, fixed income and commodity-related asset classes during the period, the Fund’s exposure to cash and cash equivalent holdings decreased from 8% to 3% of net assets. During the 12-month period, cash helped mitigate portfolio volatility and served as a source of funds for new investments and meeting redemptions.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

Relative to its Reference Benchmark, the Fund ended the period overweight to equities and underweight to fixed income, and had modest exposure to commodity-related securities and cash and cash equivalents. Within equities, the Fund was overweight in the United States and Asia, namely China and India, and underweight in Europe, primarily the United Kingdom. From a sector perspective, the Fund was overweight in communication services, healthcare, consumer discretionary and industrials, and underweight in consumer staples, financials and materials.

Within fixed income, the Fund was underweight in developed European market sovereign debt, Japanese government bonds and – to a lesser extent – U.S. Treasuries. In addition, the Fund was overweight in corporate credit and securitized debt. With respect to currency exposures, the Fund was overweight to the Japanese yen and Hong Kong dollar, and was underweight to the Australian dollar and euro.

The views expressed reflect the opinions of BlackRock as of the date of this report and are subject to change based on changes in market, economic or other conditions. These views are not intended to be a forecast of future events and are no guarantee of future results.

 

 

4    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Fund Summary  as of October 31, 2019 (continued)    BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

 

TOTAL RETURN BASED ON A $10,000 INVESTMENT

 

LOGO

 

(a) 

Assuming maximum sales charges, if any, transaction costs and other operating expenses, including advisory fees. Institutional Shares do not have a sales charge.

(b) 

The Fund invests in a portfolio of U.S. and foreign equity securities, debt and money market securities, the combination of which will be varied from time to time with respect to types of securities and markets in response to changing market and economic trends.

(c) 

This unmanaged capitalization-weighted index is comprised of 2,620 equities from 35 countries in 4 regions, including the United States.

(d) 

The Reference Benchmark is an unmanaged weighted index comprised as follows: 36% S&P 500® Index; 24% FTSE World (ex-U.S.) Index; 24% ICE BofAML Current 5-Year U.S. Treasury Index; and 16% FTSE Non-U.S. Dollar World Government Bond Index.

Performance Summary for the Period Ended October 31, 2019

 

                Average Annual Total Returns (a)  
                1 Year           5 Years           10 Years  
    

6-Month

Total Returns

          

w/o sales

charge

   

w/sales

charge

          

w/o sales

charge

   

w/sales

charge

          

w/o sales

charge

   

w/sales

charge

 

Institutional

    3.79       9.96     N/A         4.18     N/A         5.87     N/A  

Investor A

    3.62         9.71       3.95       3.89       2.78       5.59       5.02

Investor C

    3.21         8.88       7.88         3.12       3.12         4.80       4.80  

Class K

    3.83         10.10       N/A         4.24       N/A         5.91       N/A  

Class R

    3.47         9.35       N/A         3.55       N/A         5.24       N/A  

FTSE World Index

    3.78         13.15       N/A         7.86       N/A         9.60       N/A  

Reference Benchmark

    4.40         12.05       N/A         5.92       N/A         7.32       N/A  

U.S. Stocks: S&P 500® Index(b)

    4.16         14.33       N/A         10.78       N/A         13.70       N/A  

Non-U.S. Stocks: FTSE World (ex-U.S.) Index(c)

    3.46         11.62       N/A         4.49       N/A         5.61       N/A  

Non-U.S. Bonds: FTSE Non-U.S. Dollar World Government Bond Index(d)

    5.35         9.25       N/A         1.61       N/A         1.22       N/A  

U.S. Bonds: ICE BofAML Current 5-Year U.S. Treasury Index(e)

    4.46               9.31       N/A               2.14       N/A               2.79       N/A  

 

  (a) 

Assuming maximum sales charges, if any. Average annual total returns with and without sales charges reflect reductions for distribution and service fees. See “About Fund Performance” on page 7 for a detailed description of share classes, including any related sales charges and fees, and how performance was calculated for certain share classes.

 
  (b) 

This unmanaged index covers 500 leading companies and captures approximately 80% coverage of available market capitalization.

 
  (c) 

This unmanaged capitalization-weighted index is comprised of 1,985 equities from 34 countries, excluding the United States.

 
  (d) 

This unmanaged market capitalization-weighted index tracks 22 government bond indexes, excluding the United States.

 
  (e) 

This unmanaged index is designed to track the total return of the current coupon five-year U.S. Treasury bond.

 

N/A — Not applicable as share class and index do not have a sales charge.

Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

 

FUND SUMMARY      5  


Fund Summary  as of October 31, 2019 (continued)    BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

 

Portfolio Information

OVERALL ASSET EXPOSURE

 

     Percent of Fund’s
Net Assets
 (a)
    

Reference
Benchmark
 (b)

Percentages

 
     10/31/19      10/31/18  

US Equities

    41      35      35

European Equities

    11        8        12  

Asia Pacific Equities

    11        15        10  

Other Equities

    2        2        3  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Equities

    65        60        60  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

US Dollar Denominated Fixed Income Securities

    24        28        24  

U.S. Issuers

    22        26         

Non-U.S. Issuers

    2        2         

Non-U.S. Dollar Denominated Fixed Income Securities

    6        3        16  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Fixed Income Securities

    30        31        40  
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commodity-Related

    2        1         
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash & Short-Term Securities

    3        8         
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Exposure based on market value and adjusted for the economic value of futures, swaps and options (except with respect to fixed income securities), and convertible bonds.

 
  (b) 

The Reference Benchmark is an unmanaged weighted index comprised as follows: 36% of the S&P 500 Index®; 24% FTSE World (ex U.S.) Index; 24% ICE BofAML Current 5-Year U.S. Treasury Index; and 16% FTSE Non-U.S. Dollar World Government Bond Index. Descriptions of these indexes are found on page 5 of this report to shareholders in the “Performance Summary” section.

 

 

GEOGRAPHIC ALLOCATION

 

     Percent of
Total Investments
 (a)
 
Country   Long     Short     Total  

United States

    65         65

Japan

    7             7  

Italy

    3             3  

France

    2             2  

Netherlands

    2             2  

Canada

    2             2  

China

    2             2  

Spain

    2             2  

Germany

    2             2  

United Kingdom

    2             2  

Taiwan

    2             2  

Australia

    1             1  

Brazil

    1             1  

Switzerland

    1             1  

India

    1             1  

Hong Kong

    1             1  

Singapore

    1             1  

South Korea

    1             1  

Other(b)

    2             2  
      100             100  

 

  (a) 

Total investments include the gross notional values of long and short equity securities of the underlying derivative contracts utilized by the Fund and exclude short-term securities.

 
  (b) 

Includes holdings within countries representing 1% or less of long-term investments. Please refer to the Consolidated Schedule of Investments for such countries.

 

 

TEN LARGEST HOLDINGS (EQUITY INVESTMENTS)

 

Security  

Percent of

Total Investments (a)

 

Microsoft Corp.

    2

Apple, Inc.

    2  

Alphabet, Inc.

    2  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    1  

Amazon.com, Inc.

    1  

Raytheon Co.

    1  

Comcast Corp.

    1  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    1  

Siemens AG, Registered Shares

    1  

Anthem, Inc.

    1  

 

  (a) 

Excludes short-term securities, options purchased, options written and investments sold short.

 
 

 

 

6    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


About Fund Performance

 

Institutional and Class K Shares are not subject to any sales charge. These shares bear no ongoing distribution or service fees and are available only to certain eligible investors. Class K Shares performance shown prior to the Class K Shares inception date of June 8, 2016 is that of Institutional Shares. The performance of the Fund’s Class K Shares would be substantially similar to Institutional Shares because Class K Shares and Institutional Shares invest in the same portfolio of securities and performance would only differ to the extent that Class K Shares and Institutional Shares have different expenses. The actual returns of Class K Shares would have been higher than those of the Institutional Shares because Class K Shares have lower expenses than the Institutional Shares.

Investor A Shares are subject to a maximum initial sales charge (front-end load) of 5.25% and a service fee of 0.25% per year (but no distribution fee). Certain redemptions of these shares may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase. These shares are generally available through financial intermediaries.

Investor C Shares are subject to a 1.00% CDSC if redeemed within one year of purchase. In addition, these shares are subject to a distribution fee of 0.75% per year and a service fee of 0.25% per year. These shares are generally available through financial intermediaries. Effective November 8, 2018, the Fund adopted an automatic conversion feature whereby Investor C Shares held for approximately ten years will be automatically converted into Investor A Shares.

Class R Shares are not subject to any sales charge. These shares are subject to a distribution fee of 0.25% per year and a service fee of 0.25% per year. These shares are available only to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans.

Performance information reflects past performance and does not guarantee future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Refer to blackrock.com to obtain performance data current to the most recent month end. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Figures shown in the performance table on the previous page assume reinvestment of all distributions, if any, at NAV on the ex-dividend date. Investment return and principal value of shares will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Distributions paid to each class of shares will vary because of the different levels of service, distribution and transfer agency fees applicable to each class, which are deducted from the income available to be paid to shareholders.

BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”), the Fund’s investment adviser has contractually and/or voluntarily agreed to waive and/or reimburse a portion of the Fund’s expenses. Without such waiver and/or reimbursement, the Fund’s performance would have been lower. With respect to the Fund’s voluntary waiver, the Manager is under no obligation to waive and/or reimburse or to continue waiving and/or reimbursing its fees and such voluntary waiver may be reduced or discontinued at any time. See Note 6 of the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information on waivers and/or reimbursements. With respect to the Fund’s contractual waivers, the Manager is under no obligation to continue waiving and/or reimbursing its fees after the applicable termination date of such agreements.

 

 

ABOUT FUND PERFORMANCE      7  


Disclosure of Expenses    BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

 

Shareholders of the Fund may incur the following charges: (a) transactional expenses, such as sales charges; and (b) operating expenses, including investment advisory fees, service and distribution fees, including 12b-1 fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, and other fund expenses. The expense example shown below (which is based on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 invested on May 1, 2019 and held through October 31, 2019), is intended to assist shareholders both in calculating expenses based on an investment in the Fund and in comparing these expenses with similar costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The expense example provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. In order to estimate the expenses a shareholder paid during the period covered by this report, shareholders can divide their account value by $1,000 and then multiply the result by the number corresponding to their share class under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

The expense example also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. In order to assist shareholders in comparing the ongoing expenses of investing in the Fund and other funds, compare the 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

The expenses shown in the expense example are intended to highlight shareholders’ ongoing costs only and do not reflect transactional expenses, such as sales charges, if any. Therefore, the hypothetical example is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only, and will not help shareholders determine the relative total expenses of owning different funds. If these transactional expenses were included, shareholder expenses would have been higher.

Expense Example

 

    Actual           Hypothetical (c)  
                Expenses Paid During the Period                 Including Dividend Expense
and Broker Fees and
Expenses on Short Sales
    Excluding Dividend Expense
and Broker Fees and
Expenses on Short Sales
 
     Beginning
Account Value
(05/01/19)
    Ending
Account Value
(10/31/19)
    Including
Dividend
Expense and
Broker Fees and
Expenses on
Short Sales
 (a)
    Excluding
Dividend
Expense and
Broker Fees and
Expenses on
Short Sales
 (b)
           Beginning
Account Value
(05/01/19)
    Ending
Account Value
(10/31/19)
    Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 (a)
    Ending
Account Value
(10/31/19)
    Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 (b)
 

Institutional

  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,037.90     $ 4.11     $ 4.11       $ 1,000.00     $ 1,021.17     $ 4.08     $ 1,021.17     $ 4.08  

Investor A

    1,000.00       1,036.20       5.54       5.54         1,000.00       1,019.76       5.50       1,019.76       5.50  

Investor C

    1,000.00       1,032.10       9.32       9.32         1,000.00       1,016.03       9.25       1,016.03       9.25  

Class K

    1,000.00       1,038.30       3.70       3.70         1,000.00       1,021.58       3.67       1,021.58       3.67  

Class R

    1,000.00       1,034.70       7.23       7.18               1,000.00       1,018.10       7.17       1,018.15       7.12  

 

  (a) 

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the annualized net expense ratio for the class (0.80% for Institutional, 1.08% for Investor A, 1.82% for Investor C, 0.72% for Class K and 1.41% for Class R), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).

 
  (b) 

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the annualized net expense ratio for the class (0.80% for Institutional, 1.08% for Investor A, 1.82% for Investor C, 0.72% for Class K and 1.40% for Class R), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).

 
  (c)

Hypothetical 5% annual return before expenses is calculated by prorating the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year divided by 365.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Fund may invest in various derivative financial instruments. These instruments are used to obtain exposure to a security, commodity, index, market, and/or other assets without owning or taking physical custody of securities, commodities and/or other referenced assets or to manage market, equity, credit, interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate, commodity and/or other risks. Derivative financial instruments may give rise to a form of economic leverage and involve risks, including the imperfect correlation between the value of a derivative financial instrument and the underlying asset, possible default of the counterparty to the transaction or illiquidity of the instrument. The Fund’s successful use of a derivative financial instrument depends on the investment adviser’s ability to predict pertinent market movements accurately, which cannot be assured. The use of these instruments may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may limit the amount of appreciation the Fund can realize on an investment and/or may result in lower distributions paid to shareholders. The Fund’s investments in these instruments, if any, are discussed in detail in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

8    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Consolidated Schedule of Investments

October 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Shares     Value  

Common Stocks — 58.0%

 

Argentina — 0.0%  

YPF SA — ADR

      52,755     $ 493,787  
   

 

 

 
Australia — 0.2%  

AGL Energy Ltd.

      213,578       2,915,471  

Newcrest Mining Ltd.

      468,640       10,229,625  

Quintis HoldCo Pty. Ltd.(a)(y)

      43,735,802       26,229,868  

Rio Tinto Ltd.

      7,091       443,421  

Rio Tinto PLC

      4,123       214,651  

South32 Ltd.

      321,889       563,283  

Wesfarmers Ltd.

      12,419       341,211  

Woolworths Group Ltd.

      7,710       198,811  
   

 

 

 
    41,136,341  
Brazil — 0.7%  

Ambev SA

      10,694       46,344  

Azul SA — ADR(b)(c)

      2,486,896       96,939,206  

B3 SA — Brasil Bolsa Balcao

      6,294       75,927  

Banco do Brasil SA

      130,721       1,569,434  

Banco Santander Brasil SA

      56,669       664,965  

Engie Brasil Energia SA

      43,034       485,655  

Notre Dame Intermedica Participacoes SA

      3,645,300       54,536,342  

Petrobras Distribuidora SA

      308,463       2,175,124  
   

 

 

 
    156,492,997  
Canada — 0.7%  

Barrick Gold Corp.

      586,270       10,184,388  

Canadian National Railway Co.

      2,773       248,014  

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.

      5,451       1,239,564  

Enbridge, Inc.

      2,755,814       100,369,294  

Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.

      3,601       1,525,593  

Imperial Oil Ltd.

      18,251       454,508  

Magna International, Inc.

      20,113       1,081,469  

Nutrien Ltd.

      9,304       445,103  

Rogers Communications, Inc., Class B

      11,532       542,935  

TC Energy Corp.

      738,396       37,219,733  

Thomson Reuters Corp.

      43,287       2,908,915  

Wheaton Precious Metals Corp.

      414,988       11,632,645  
   

 

 

 
    167,852,161  
Chile — 0.0%  

Cia Cervecerias Unidas SA — ADR

      247,473       4,912,339  
   

 

 

 
China — 1.9%  

Agile Group Holdings Ltd.

      592,000       797,937  

Agricultural Bank of China Ltd., Class H

      1,191,000       490,101  

Aier Eye Hospital Group Co. Ltd., Class A

      758,959       4,254,889  

Air China Ltd., Class H

      180,000       158,922  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR(c)

      746,257       131,841,224  

Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd., Class A

      116,100       694,113  

Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd., Class H

      256,500       1,533,030  

ANTA Sports Products Ltd.

      448,000       4,382,387  

Asymchem Laboratories Tianjin Co. Ltd., Class A

      235,003       4,256,756  

Autobio Diagnostics Co. Ltd., Class A

      301,978       4,326,775  

Bank of China Ltd., Class H

      224,000       91,344  

Beijing Capital International Airport Co. Ltd., Class H

      1,328,000       1,257,776  

Beijing Enterprises Holdings Ltd.

      239,500       1,127,661  

Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd.

      4,474,000       4,933,809  

CGN Power Co. Ltd., Class H(d)

      1,498,000       389,063  

China CITIC Bank Corp. Ltd., Class H

      1,707,000       989,481  

China Hongqiao Group Ltd.

      160,000       88,862  

China Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd., Class H

      602,000       325,221  

China Mengniu Dairy Co. Ltd.(c)

      873,000       3,480,428  

China Mobile Ltd.

      263,500       2,141,384  

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Class H

      2,974,000       1,691,536  

China Resources Beer Holdings Co. Ltd.

      52,000       266,605  
Security          Shares     Value  
China (continued)  

China Resources Cement Holdings Ltd.

      1,922,000     $ 2,104,763  

China Resources Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.(d)

      358,000       330,616  

China Resources Power Holdings Co. Ltd.

      652,000       819,390  

China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd., Class H

      603,000       1,224,656  

China Taiping Insurance Holdings Co. Ltd.

      42,400       95,319  

China Unicom Hong Kong Ltd.

      166,000       163,427  

CITIC Ltd.

      525,000       690,629  

CLP Holdings Ltd.

      823,500       8,552,391  

CNOOC Ltd.

      1,211,000       1,802,271  

Country Garden Services Holdings Co. Ltd.

      147,298       499,100  

Dali Foods Group Co. Ltd.(d)

      859,500       587,623  

Daqin Railway Co. Ltd., Class A

      85,800       92,828  

Foshan Haitian Flavouring & Food Co. Ltd., Class A

      239,493       3,793,792  

Fosun International Ltd.

      2,188,500       2,861,632  

GF Securities Co. Ltd., Class H

      35,000       36,452  

Glodon Co. Ltd., Class A

      722,430       3,269,450  

Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd., Class A

      2,057,648       2,617,979  

Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai, Class A

      311,000       2,589,889  

Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd., Class A

      1,498,962       2,441,953  

Guotai Junan Securities Co. Ltd., Class H(d)

      157,600       240,828  

Haitong Securities Co. Ltd., Class H

      479,600       489,627  

Han’s Laser Technology Industry Group Co. Ltd., Class A

      829,432       4,462,040  

Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

      823,900       3,769,454  

Hangzhou Robam Appliances Co. Ltd., Class A

      675,333       3,015,339  

Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co. Ltd., Class A

      424,162       4,107,987  

Hengan International Group Co. Ltd.

      585,500       4,087,958  

Huadian Power International Corp. Ltd., Class H

      320,000       119,907  

Huazhu Group Ltd. — ADR

      114,353       4,329,405  

Hundsun Technologies, Inc., Class A

      342,293       3,695,994  

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Class H

      2,464,000       1,765,193  

Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co. Ltd., Class A

      900,914       3,703,619  

Inspur Electronic Information Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

      1,012,704       3,778,830  

JD.com, Inc. — ADR(c)

      95,174       2,964,670  

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co. Ltd., Class A

      340,537       4,385,603  

Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.

      4,130,000       4,525,444  

Kingsoft Corp. Ltd.(b)(c)

      1,682,000       3,871,023  

Kunlun Energy Co. Ltd.

      566,000       526,797  

Laobaixing Pharmacy Chain JSC, Class A

      347,898       3,362,965  

Lenovo Group Ltd.

      6,544,000       4,562,102  

Li Ning Co. Ltd.

      1,268,000       4,299,559  

New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc. — ADR(c)

      2,581       315,037  

Qingdao Haier Co. Ltd., Class A

      1,098,216       2,491,400  

Sany Heavy Industry Co. Ltd., Class A

      290,700       554,864  

Shanghai International Airport Co. Ltd., Class A

      294,968       3,188,974  

Shanghai Jahwa United Co. Ltd., Class A

      746,486       3,506,461  

Shanxi Lu’an Environmental Energy Development Co. Ltd., Class A

      149,300       148,341  

Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co. Ltd., Class A

      141,376       3,565,462  

Sinopec Engineering Group Co. Ltd., Class H

      1,084,000       619,242  

Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Co. Ltd., Class H

      4,394,000       1,213,575  

TAL Education Group — ADR(c)

      105,997       4,537,732  

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

      3,249,000       131,788,905  

Tingyi Cayman Islands Holding Corp.

      100,000       133,030  

Tsingtao Brewery Co. Ltd., Class A

      85,341       568,074  

Tsingtao Brewery Co. Ltd., Class H(b)

      254,000       1,471,933  

Venustech Group, Inc., Class A

      863,888       4,046,004  

Vipshop Holdings Ltd. — ADR(c)

      25,242       291,293  

Want Want China Holdings Ltd.

      11,178,000       9,416,445  
 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      9  


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Shares     Value  
China (continued)  

Weichai Power Co. Ltd., Class H

      341,000     $ 536,740  

Wuhan Raycus Fiber Laser Technologies Co. Ltd., Class A

      279,734       3,602,009  

WuXi AppTec Co. Ltd., Class A

      309,794       4,130,500  

Wuxi Biologics Cayman, Inc.(c)(d)

      360,000       4,230,525  

Yanzhou Coal Mining Co. Ltd., Class H

      612,000       620,918  

Yifeng Pharmacy Chain Co. Ltd., Class A

      339,800       4,092,419  

Yonyou Network Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

      782,207       3,274,094  

Yum China Holdings, Inc.

      214,475       9,115,187  

Zhejiang Expressway Co. Ltd., Class H

      478,000       391,420  

Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd., Class H

      2,994,000       1,037,091  

Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology Co. Ltd., Class A

      31,900       26,449  
   

 

 

 
    469,071,932  
Czech Republic — 0.0%  

CEZ AS

      329,412       7,514,031  
   

 

 

 
Denmark — 0.1%  

AP Moeller — Maersk A/S, Class A

      2,380       2,858,965  

AP Moeller — Maersk A/S, Class B

      1,944       2,479,770  

Carlsberg A/S, Class B

      11,767       1,657,078  

Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B

      132,328       7,276,544  
   

 

 

 
    14,272,357  
Finland — 0.0%  

Fortum OYJ

      31,043       758,617  
   

 

 

 
France — 2.2%  

Cie de Saint-Gobain

      308,645       12,570,474  

Danone SA

      2,153,743       178,418,682  

Dassault Aviation SA

      24,559       34,116,153  

Dassault Systemes SE

      873       132,588  

Eiffage SA

      82,958       8,910,196  

Electricite de France SA

      30,205       312,042  

Engie SA

      47,293       791,911  

EssilorLuxottica SA

      190,461       29,082,307  

Kering SA

      3,974       2,261,191  

Publicis Groupe SA

      57,712       2,483,840  

Renault SA

      13,162       672,038  

Safran SA

      674,873       106,893,056  

Sanofi

      620,426       57,195,251  

Sodexo SA

      758,212       83,379,473  

TOTAL SA — ADR

      24,800       1,305,224  

Vivendi SA

      29,903       832,727  
   

 

 

 
    519,357,153  
Germany — 1.5%  

adidas AG

      8,340       2,575,148  

Allianz SE, Registered Shares

      1,685       411,515  

Bayer AG, Registered Shares

      204,703       15,880,074  

Deutsche Boerse AG

      1,461       226,250  

Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA

      1,000,999       52,707,860  

HeidelbergCement AG

      4,224       313,159  

Knorr-Bremse AG

      742,327       74,918,215  

Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG, Registered Shares

      1,665       462,603  

SAP SE

      8,164       1,081,742  

Siemens AG, Registered Shares

      1,661,918       191,785,323  

Vonovia SE

      196,940       10,488,009  

Wirecard AG

      5,498       695,584  
   

 

 

 
    351,545,482  
Hong Kong — 0.8%  

CK Infrastructure Holdings Ltd.

      1,229,500       8,848,379  

Hang Lung Properties Ltd.

      4,544,000       9,988,627  

HKT Trust & HKT Ltd.(e)

      5,140,000       7,996,089  
Security          Shares     Value  
Hong Kong (continued)  

Hongkong Land Holdings Ltd.

      506,300     $ 2,781,305  

Hysan Development Co. Ltd.

      978,000       3,854,537  

I-CABLE Communications Ltd.(c)

      1,310,132       11,684  

Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd.

      236,300       13,471,703  

Link REIT

      667,000       7,264,564  

Power Assets Holdings Ltd.

      529,000       3,775,015  

Sino Land Co. Ltd.

      1,592,000       2,379,828  

Sun Art Retail Group Ltd.

      569,500       581,113  

Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.

      7,323,666       110,977,758  

Swire Pacific Ltd., Class A

      620,000       5,910,014  

Wharf Real Estate Investment Co. Ltd.

      975,000       5,734,680  
   

 

 

 
    183,575,296  
India — 0.8%  

Hero MotoCorp Ltd.

      222,532       8,474,507  

Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd.

      113,758       520,026  

Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd.

      2,103,726       63,137,126  

Oil & Natural Gas Corp. Ltd.

      2,073,315       4,138,058  

Reliance Industries Ltd.

      5,608,525       115,598,998  

Vedanta Ltd.

      648,970       1,354,484  

Wipro Ltd.

      117,932       431,864  
   

 

 

 
    193,655,063  
Indonesia — 0.0%  

Bank Central Asia Tbk PT

      4,949,900       11,079,496  
   

 

 

 
Italy — 1.0%  

Enel SpA

      14,958,348       115,932,552  

RAI Way SpA(d)

      4,586,281       28,286,380  

Snam SpA

      1,299,649       6,672,272  

UniCredit SpA

      7,663,267       97,224,108  
   

 

 

 
    248,115,312  
Japan — 5.5%  

Aeon Co. Ltd.

      22,100       444,660  

AGC, Inc.

      37,000       1,300,922  

Ajinomoto Co., Inc.

      4,720,500       89,747,019  

Alfresa Holdings Corp.

      238,300       5,320,963  

Alps Alpine Co. Ltd.

      107,720       2,309,366  

Astellas Pharma, Inc.

      5,265,650       90,372,695  

Canon Marketing Japan, Inc.

      226,600       4,794,338  

Daikin Industries Ltd.

      316,600       44,311,208  

Daiwa House Industry Co. Ltd.

      12,700       437,199  

Denso Corp.

      922,780       42,844,598  

Dowa Holdings Co. Ltd.

      117,900       4,070,400  

East Japan Railway Co.

      957,773       86,947,576  

FUJIFILM Holdings Corp.

      30,500       1,339,018  

Hitachi Ltd.

      79,100       2,952,205  

Hoya Corp.

      933,217       82,475,117  

Japan Airlines Co. Ltd.

      3,291,700       102,576,244  

Japan Aviation Electronics Industry Ltd.

      345,500       6,436,253  

Japan Post Holdings Co. Ltd.

      34,500       316,683  

Kamigumi Co. Ltd.

      207,700       4,696,333  

KDDI Corp.

      385,600       10,669,992  

Keyence Corp.

      13,200       8,346,313  

Kinden Corp.

      829,900       12,484,059  

Kyocera Corp.

      4,300       282,110  

Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd.

      16,900       310,960  

Kyudenko Corp.

      18,100       591,447  

Mabuchi Motor Co. Ltd.

      190,200       7,706,342  

Maeda Road Construction Co. Ltd.

      211,800       4,556,523  

Medipal Holdings Corp.

      284,700       6,504,690  

MEIJI Holdings Co. Ltd.

      1,700       122,532  

Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd.

      660,400       12,821,908  

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.

      68,100       2,755,962  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

      78,500       406,967  
 

 

 

10    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Shares     Value  
Japan (continued)  

Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

      2,401,120     $ 130,736,551  

Nippo Corp.

      199,700       4,103,320  

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

      205,000       10,176,794  

Nippon Television Holdings, Inc.

      28,500       372,744  

NTT Data Corp.

      18,800       246,860  

Okumura Corp.

      257,924       7,305,842  

Olympus Corp.

      2,369,600       32,241,676  

Otsuka Holdings Co. Ltd.

      51,600       2,151,215  

Seino Holdings Co Ltd.

      310,700       3,994,977  

Sekisui House Ltd.

      9,100       196,236  

Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd.

      113,800       4,299,397  

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd.

      725,340       80,876,279  

Shionogi & Co. Ltd.

      9,100       546,208  

Sompo Holdings, Inc.

      30,800       1,210,627  

Sony Corp.

      17,900       1,089,558  

Stanley Electric Co. Ltd.

      142,700       3,948,973  

Subaru Corp.

      2,760,390       79,105,900  

Suzuken Co. Ltd.

      114,000       6,086,904  

Suzuki Motor Corp.

      2,069,108       97,691,103  

Toagosei Co. Ltd.

      773,300       8,571,079  

Toda Corp.

      1,077,400       6,730,025  

Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd.

      3,004,057       73,332,102  

Tokyo Steel Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

      1,042,600       8,393,673  

Toyota Industries Corp.

      978,080       58,687,211  

TV Asahi Holdings Corp.

      349,100       5,452,569  

Yamato Holdings Co. Ltd.

      80,500       1,350,195  

Yamato Kogyo Co. Ltd.

      157,700       4,091,002  

Z Holdings Corp.

      516,900       1,591,389  

ZOZO, Inc.

      2,105,600       49,045,603  
     

 

 

 
    1,324,878,614  
Malaysia — 0.0%  

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd

      1,838,600       3,479,909  
     

 

 

 
Mexico — 0.0%  

America Movil SAB de CV, Series L

      2,551,327       2,021,273  
     

 

 

 
Netherlands — 1.8%  

ABN AMRO Group NV CVA(d)

      3,072,279       57,267,456  

Adyen NV(c)(d)

      23,156       16,302,175  

Aegon NV

      98,232       426,163  

ASML Holding NV

      27,366       7,173,020  

ING Groep NV

      8,695,742       98,466,113  

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV

      1,144       28,509  

Koninklijke DSM NV

      3,688       437,721  

Koninklijke Philips NV

      3,430,973       150,530,751  

NXP Semiconductors NV

      18,130       2,061,018  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, A Shares

      61,274       1,776,216  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, B Shares

      28,360       816,761  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A

      1,806,902       52,485,221  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC — ADR, Class A

      826,127       47,890,582  
     

 

 

 
    435,661,706  
Peru — 0.0%  

Southern Copper Corp.

      1,603       57,035  
     

 

 

 
Poland — 0.0%  

Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA

      458,367       7,702,236  
     

 

 

 
Singapore — 0.5%  

CapitaLand Ltd.

      35,094,100       92,761,488  

ComfortDelGro Corp. Ltd.

      4,371,700       7,382,406  

Genting Singapore Ltd.

      317,700       219,185  

Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.

      3,091,300       7,485,750  

United Overseas Bank Ltd.

      600,000       11,812,461  

Wilmar International Ltd.

      19,300       53,065  
     

 

 

 
    119,714,355  
Security          Shares     Value  
South Africa — 0.0%  

Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd.(c)

      132,382     $ 924,145  

Discovery Ltd.

      7,674       61,089  

Kumba Iron Ore Ltd.

      9,155       223,071  

Old Mutual Ltd.

      752,198       978,184  
     

 

 

 
    2,186,489  
South Korea — 0.4%  

Hana Financial Group, Inc.

      57,021       1,650,903  

Hyundai Mobis Co. Ltd.

      2,078       423,774  

Industrial Bank of Korea

      42,803       433,482  

KB Financial Group, Inc.

      30,924       1,113,246  

Kia Motors Corp.

      6,099       222,902  

KT&G Corp.

      623,243       53,500,171  

LG Chem Ltd.

      29,637       7,819,575  

LG Electronics, Inc.

      48,934       2,804,370  

LG Uplus Corp.

      123,822       1,430,473  

NCSoft Corp.

      20,654       9,166,152  

POSCO

      42,821       7,769,679  

S-Oil Corp.(b)

      48,299       4,126,237  

Samsung SDI Co. Ltd.

      2,330       454,689  

Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd.

      69,008       2,514,312  

SK Telecom Co. Ltd.

      33,742       6,896,739  

Woongjin Coway Co. Ltd.

      78,376       6,184,122  
     

 

 

 
    106,510,826  
Spain — 0.7%  

CaixaBank SA

      46,008       131,932  

Cellnex Telecom SA(c)

      4,022,041       173,518,002  

Repsol SA

      94,415       1,555,931  

Telefonica SA

      246,334       1,891,667  
     

 

 

 
    177,097,532  
Sweden — 0.0%  

Assa Abloy AB, Class B

      44,443       1,055,449  

Atlas Copco AB, A Shares

      1,307       46,132  

Atlas Copco AB, B Shares

      35,148       1,090,583  

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Class B

      142,552       1,245,731  

Telia Co. AB

      146,607       644,911  
     

 

 

 
    4,082,806  
Switzerland — 0.9%  

Cie Financiere Richemont SA, Registered Shares

      84,475       6,638,143  

LafargeHolcim Ltd., Registered Shares(c)

      53,282       2,750,335  

Nestle SA, Registered Shares

      1,448,108       154,920,494  

Roche Holding AG

      139,703       42,044,428  
     

 

 

 
    206,353,400  
Taiwan — 1.4%  

Cathay Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

      5,799,000       7,675,896  

Chunghwa Telecom Co. Ltd.

      13,646,000       50,250,927  

Far EasTone Telecommunications Co. Ltd.

      5,176,000       12,419,451  

Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corp.

      1,928,000       5,604,070  

Formosa Petrochemical Corp.

      1,498,000       4,771,288  

Formosa Plastics Corp.

      2,023,000       6,493,617  

Fubon Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

      7,144,000       10,451,923  

Globalwafers Co. Ltd.

      85,000       1,014,157  

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd.

      4,033,760       10,653,574  

MediaTek, Inc.

      134,000       1,789,550  

Nan Ya Plastics Corp.

      2,602,000       6,148,715  

Taiwan Mobile Co. Ltd.

      6,151,000       22,934,505  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

      19,115,000       187,323,139  

Uni-President Enterprises Corp.

      4,210,000       10,400,303  
   

 

 

 
    337,931,115  
Thailand — 0.2%  

Advanced Info Service PCL, Foreign Registered Shares

      1,594,400       12,117,418  
 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      11  


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Shares     Value  
Thailand (continued)  

Intouch Holdings PCL, Class F

      4,794,900     $ 10,490,141  

PTT Global Chemical PCL, Foreign Registered Shares

      4,237,000       7,156,384  

Siam Cement PCL, Foreign Registered Shares

      537,900       6,537,814  

Thai Beverage PCL

      4,668,400       3,134,308  

Thai Oil PCL, Foreign Registered Shares — NVDR

      2,433,700       5,521,061  
   

 

 

 
    44,957,126  
Turkey — 0.0%  

Eregli Demir ve Celik Fabrikalari TAS

      925,456       1,057,946  

Tupras Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri AS

      8,278       180,182  
   

 

 

 
    1,238,128  
United Arab Emirates — 0.1%  

Jawbone Health Hub, Inc., (Acquired 01/24/17, Cost $0)(a)(f)

      1,450,561       15  

NMC Health PLC(b)

      1,153,607       32,700,907  
   

 

 

 
    32,700,922  
United Kingdom — 1.2%  

AstraZeneca PLC

      491,414       47,921,326  

Berkeley Group Holdings PLC

      188,020       10,717,030  

BP PLC

      29,434       186,652  

Coca-Cola European Partners PLC

      14,779       790,824  

Diageo PLC

      34,798       1,424,316  

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV

      177,675       2,757,296  

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

      23,143       530,089  

HSBC Holdings PLC

      9,306,826       70,314,076  

RELX PLC

      88,300       2,125,854  

Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC(c)

      221,296       2,036,310  

Vodafone Group PLC

      68,308,883       139,399,258  
   

 

 

 
    278,203,031  
United States — 35.4%  

Abbott Laboratories

      138,926       11,615,603  

AbbVie, Inc.

      1,105,362       87,931,547  

Accenture PLC, Class A

      120,729       22,385,571  

Adobe, Inc.(c)

      131,203       36,465,250  

AES Corp.

      120,971       2,062,556  

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

      1,179,941       89,380,531  

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

      732,407       156,193,117  

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(b)(c)

      4,425       466,395  

Allstate Corp.

      3,366       358,210  

Ally Financial, Inc.

      48,496       1,485,432  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C(c)

      306,991       386,842,429  

Altria Group, Inc.

      58,815       2,634,324  

Amazon.com, Inc.(c)(g)

      160,958       285,967,640  

American Tower Corp.

      62,895       13,716,142  

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

      35,064       5,290,807  

Amgen, Inc.

      25,348       5,405,461  

Anthem, Inc.

      704,622       189,599,688  

Apple, Inc.

      1,656,151       411,984,123  

Applied Materials, Inc.

      780,086       42,327,466  

Autodesk, Inc.(c)

      710,647       104,720,942  

AutoZone, Inc.(c)

      776       888,039  

Bank of America Corp.

      4,763,893       148,966,934  

Baxter International, Inc.

      102,899       7,892,353  

Becton Dickinson & Co.

      476,672       122,028,032  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B(c)

      120,903       25,701,560  

Biogen, Inc.(c)

      4,693       1,401,846  

Booking Holdings, Inc.(c)

      913       1,870,527  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

      488,510       28,025,819  

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.

      126,932       9,601,136  

Capital One Financial Corp.

      21,070       1,964,777  

Cardinal Health, Inc.

      34,300       1,696,135  

Centene Corp.(c)

      6,135       325,646  
Security          Shares     Value  
United States (continued)  

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

      49,267     $ 1,432,192  

Charles Schwab Corp.

      1,295,898       52,756,008  

Charter Communications, Inc., Class A(b)(c)

      367,180       171,788,835  

Chevron Corp.

      34,691       4,029,013  

Chubb Ltd.

      558,038       85,056,152  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

      743,026       35,301,165  

Citigroup, Inc.

      960,928       69,052,286  

Citrix Systems, Inc.

      552,456       60,140,360  

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

      1,728,037       118,543,338  

Comcast Corp., Class A(g)

      4,947,553       221,749,325  

ConocoPhillips

      27,838       1,536,658  

Corning, Inc.

      471,178       13,961,004  

Costco Wholesale Corp.

      11,059       3,285,739  

CSX Corp.

      62,482       4,390,610  

Cummins, Inc.

      8,995       1,551,458  

D.R. Horton, Inc.

      1,085,132       56,828,363  

Dell Technologies, Inc., Class C(c)

      25,981       1,374,135  

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

      51,866       2,856,779  

Devon Energy Corp.

      75,427       1,529,660  

Discover Financial Services

      31,000       2,488,060  

Dollar General Corp.(b)

      409       65,579  

Dollar Tree, Inc.(c)

      698,974       77,166,730  

Dover Corp.

      486,753       50,568,769  

Dropbox, Inc., Class A(c)

      2,076,954       41,165,228  

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

      762,034       50,225,661  

DXC Technology Co.

      72,227       1,998,521  

Eaton Corp. PLC

      8,118       707,159  

eBay, Inc.

      76,792       2,706,918  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(c)

      17,023       4,057,943  

Emerson Electric Co.

      2,300,838       161,403,786  

Equinix, Inc.

      59,162       33,531,838  

Exelon Corp.

      231,023       10,509,236  

Expedia Group, Inc.

      30,915       4,224,844  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

      113,666       7,680,412  

Facebook, Inc., Class A(c)

      704,502       135,017,808  

Ferguson PLC

      805,292       68,766,560  

Fieldwood Energy, Inc.(a)

      344,621       8,960,146  

Fieldwood Energy, Inc.(a)(c)

      93,042       2,419,092  

Fifth Third Bancorp

      89,316       2,597,309  

FleetCor Technologies, Inc.(b)(c)

      491,176       144,513,803  

Ford Motor Co.

      144,733       1,243,256  

Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.

      115,435       6,931,872  

General Electric Co.

      180,263       1,799,025  

General Motors Co.

      28,208       1,048,209  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

      1,212,217       77,230,345  

Global Payments, Inc.

      54,011       9,137,581  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

      7,737       1,650,921  

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.

      231,632       13,221,555  

HCA Healthcare, Inc.

      701,296       93,651,068  

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

      111,344       1,827,155  

Home Depot, Inc.

      427,522       100,288,111  

Honeywell International, Inc.

      14,068       2,429,966  

HP, Inc.

      82,014       1,424,583  

Huntsman Corp.

      61,426       1,359,357  

iHeartMedia, Inc.(c)

      10,778       154,556  

Incyte Corp.(b)(c)

      3,228       270,894  

Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund

      153,276       12,033,699  

Intel Corp.

      117,110       6,620,228  

Intuit, Inc.

      114,677       29,529,327  

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(c)

      3,828       2,116,693  

JBS SA

      124,373       877,325  

Johnson & Johnson

      1,208,940       159,628,438  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

      2,301,925       287,556,471  

KLA Corp.

      23,034       3,893,667  
 

 

 

12    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Shares     Value  
United States (continued)  

Kraft Heinz Co.

      2,146     $ 69,380  

Kroger Co.

      112,572       2,773,774  

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

      13,372       2,758,777  

Lear Corp.

      9,794       1,153,439  

Lennar Corp., Class A(b)

      598,928       35,696,109  

Liberty Broadband Corp., Class C(b)(c)

      385,608       45,528,737  

Liberty Media Corp. — Liberty SiriusXM, Class A(c)

      549,881       24,695,156  

Liberty Media Corp. — Liberty SiriusXM, Class C(c)

      921,406       41,638,337  

Lockheed Martin Corp.

      9,007       3,392,757  

Lookout, Inc., (Acquired 03/04/15, cost $2,002,652)(a)(f)

      175,316       96,424  

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

      890,918       99,435,358  

Macy’s, Inc.

      653,907       9,913,230  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

      559,711       35,793,518  

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.

      1,497,939       155,216,439  

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

      708,527       17,280,973  

Masco Corp.

      297,376       13,753,640  

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

      141,050       39,044,050  

McDonald’s Corp.

      528,018       103,861,141  

McKesson Corp.

      28,650       3,810,450  

Medtronic PLC

      66,015       7,189,033  

Merck & Co., Inc.

      1,484,365       128,635,071  

MetLife, Inc.

      36,154       1,691,646  

Micron Technology, Inc.(c)

      357,794       17,013,105  

Microsoft Corp.

      3,144,212       450,785,674  

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

      181,527       9,521,091  

Monster Beverage Corp.(c)

      18,404       1,033,016  

Morgan Stanley

      2,974,814       136,990,185  

Motorola Solutions, Inc.

      122,767       20,418,607  

Newmont Goldcorp Corp.

      1,791,889       71,191,750  

NextEra Energy, Inc.

      653,794       155,825,262  

NIKE, Inc., Class B

      22,085       1,977,712  

Norfolk Southern Corp.

      6,886       1,253,252  

Northrop Grumman Corp.

      4,495       1,584,398  

NVIDIA Corp.

      37,748       7,588,103  

Omnicom Group, Inc.

      86,037       6,641,196  

ONEOK, Inc.

      2,178,438       152,120,325  

Oracle Corp.

      1,187,329       64,697,557  

Packaging Corp. of America

      15,643       1,712,283  

PayPal Holdings, Inc.(c)

      244,200       25,421,220  

Peloton Interactive, Inc., Class A(b)(c)

      180,177       4,300,825  

PepsiCo, Inc.

      128,270       17,594,796  

Pfizer, Inc.

      3,474,856       133,330,225  

Philip Morris International, Inc.

      726,417       59,159,400  

Phillips 66

      20,667       2,414,319  

PPG Industries, Inc.

      136,164       17,036,840  

Procter & Gamble Co.

      67,537       8,409,032  

Progressive Corp.

      25,792       1,797,702  

Prudential Financial, Inc.

      25,164       2,293,447  

QUALCOMM, Inc.

      381,848       30,715,853  

Raytheon Co.

      1,047,599       222,310,984  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(c)

      942       288,516  

Regions Financial Corp.

      2,610,468       42,028,535  

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.

      18,124       2,944,606  

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

      9,711       1,670,195  

Ross Stores, Inc.

      26,349       2,889,695  

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

      11,439       1,244,906  

salesforce.com, Inc.(b)(c)

      327,846       51,304,621  

Schlumberger Ltd.

      157,648       5,153,513  

Sempra Energy

      413,572       59,765,290  

ServiceNow, Inc.(c)

      1,374       339,735  

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

      4,023       608,801  

Starbucks Corp.

      38,502       3,255,729  

Stryker Corp.

      58,465       12,644,226  
Security          Shares     Value  
United States (continued)  

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

      1,436,983     $ 98,203,418  

Synchrony Financial

      17,094       604,615  

Sysco Corp.

      24,643       1,968,236  

Target Corp.

      691,517       73,930,082  

Texas Instruments, Inc.

      465,738       54,952,427  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

      30,403       9,181,098  

TJX Cos., Inc.

      1,416,724       81,674,139  

Travelers Cos., Inc.

      81,298       10,654,916  

U.S. Bancorp

      307,893       17,556,059  

Uber Technologies, Inc., (Acquired 06/01/14, Cost $91,002,257)(b)(c)(f)

      5,854,657       184,421,695  

Union Pacific Corp.

      117,398       19,424,673  

United Airlines Holdings, Inc.(c)

      24,873       2,259,463  

United Technologies Corp.

      990,594       142,229,486  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

      787,900       199,102,330  

Valero Energy Corp.

      21,756       2,109,897  

VeriSign, Inc.(b)(c)

      17,897       3,400,788  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

      237,361       14,353,220  

Visa, Inc., Class A

      235,508       42,122,961  

Vistra Energy Corp.

      474,116       12,815,355  

VMware, Inc., Class A

      17,714       2,803,595  

Walmart, Inc.

      713,856       83,706,755  

Walt Disney Co.

      25,292       3,285,937  

Wells Fargo & Co.

      198,912       10,269,827  

Western Digital Corp.

      28,412       1,467,480  

Weyerhaeuser Co.

      524,557       15,322,310  

Williams Cos., Inc.

      3,256,053       72,642,542  

Willis Towers Watson PLC

      3,285       613,966  

Wyndham Destinations, Inc.

      43,538       2,020,599  

Xcel Energy, Inc.

      24,835       1,577,271  

Xilinx, Inc.

      384,256       34,867,389  

Yum! Brands, Inc.

      26,924       2,738,440  

Zoetis, Inc.

      21,099       2,698,984  
   

 

 

 
        8,528,742,741  
   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 58.0%
(Cost — $10,453,546,463)

 

    13,983,351,608  
   

 

 

 
     Par
(000)
        

Corporate Bonds — 6.8%

 

Australia — 0.6%  

Quintis Australia Pty. Ltd.(a)(d)(h)(y):

     

(0.00% Cash), 12.00%, 10/01/28

    USD       82,685       82,684,528  

(7.50% Cash or 8.00% PIK), 7.50%, 10/01/26

      75,937       75,937,178  
   

 

 

 
        158,621,706  
China — 0.1%  

Baidu, Inc., 4.38%, 05/14/24

      13,613       14,503,428  

China Milk Products Group Ltd., 0.00%, 01/15/49(c)(i)(j)(k)

      39,500       395,000  
   

 

 

 
        14,898,428  
France — 0.1%  

Danone SA, 2.59%, 11/02/23(d)

      18,710       19,034,975  
   

 

 

 
India — 0.0%  

REI Agro Ltd., 5.50%, 11/13/20(a)(c)(d)(k)

      52,701       445  
   

 

 

 
Japan — 0.2%  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc., 3.78%, 03/02/25

      7,739       8,259,697  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc., 3.94%, 10/16/23

      48,904       52,019,821  
   

 

 

 
        60,279,518  
 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      13  


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Luxembourg — 0.0%  

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, 8.00%, 02/15/24(d)

    USD       5,955     $ 6,116,916  
   

 

 

 
Netherlands — 0.2%  

ING Groep NV, 4.10%, 10/02/23

      25,250       26,904,035  

NXP BV/NXP Funding LLC, 4.63%, 06/01/23(d)

      11,862       12,647,242  
   

 

 

 
        39,551,277  
Singapore — 0.1%  

CapitaLand Ltd., 1.95%, 10/17/23(d)(i)

    SGD       21,500       15,744,647  
   

 

 

 
Switzerland — 0.1%  

UBS Group Funding Switzerland AG, 4.13%, 09/24/25(d)

    USD       11,462       12,489,952  
   

 

 

 
Turkey — 0.1%  

Bio City Development Co. BV, 8.00%, 07/06/20(a)(c)(d)(i)(k)(y)

      140,850       18,662,625  
   

 

 

 
United Kingdom — 0.1%  

HSBC Holdings PLC(l):

     

(3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.06%), 3.26%, 03/13/23

      17,538       17,924,571  

(3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.21%), 3.80%, 03/11/25

      10,016       10,507,204  
   

 

 

 
        28,431,775  
United States — 5.2%  

AbbVie, Inc., 3.60%, 05/14/25

      7,272       7,631,063  

Allergan Funding SCS, 3.45%, 03/15/22

      16,681       17,092,222  

Allergan Sales LLC, 5.00%, 12/15/21(d)

      9,113       9,566,948  

American Express Co., 3.70%, 08/03/23

      37,602       39,753,773  

Aon Corp., 4.50%, 12/15/28

      4,375       4,954,733  

Apple, Inc.:

     

3.35%, 02/09/27

      30,684       32,927,686  

3.20%, 05/11/27

      29,483       31,391,764  

AvalonBay Communities, Inc., 3.50%, 11/15/24

      3,175       3,377,025  

Bank of America Corp.:

     

3.30%, 01/11/23

      17,567       18,213,115  

4.13%, 01/22/24

      38,927       41,851,363  

4.00%, 01/22/25

      9,391       10,016,620  

Becton Dickinson & Co.:

     

3.13%, 11/08/21

      17,034       17,381,457  

2.89%, 06/06/22

      24,181       24,654,272  

3.36%, 06/06/24

      8,262       8,654,046  

BP Capital Markets America, Inc., 3.79%, 02/06/24

      14,598       15,583,240  

Broadcom, Inc., 3.13%, 04/15/21(d)

      29,728       30,077,290  

Capital One Financial Corp.:

     

3.20%, 01/30/23

      12,642       12,991,774  

3.30%, 10/30/24

      16,010       16,668,626  

Cigna Corp.:

     

3.40%, 09/17/21

      23,833       24,409,255  

3.75%, 07/15/23

      20,282       21,246,186  

Citigroup, Inc.(3 mo. LIBOR US + 0.90%), 3.35%, 04/24/25(l)

      30,233       31,453,193  

Comcast Corp., 3.70%, 04/15/24

      34,806       37,224,424  

CVS Health Corp., 3.70%, 03/09/23

      53,991       56,291,356  

Energy Transfer Operating LP:

     

5.88%, 01/15/24

      6,776       7,523,394  

4.05%, 03/15/25

      6,058       6,360,482  

Enterprise Products Operating LLC:

     

3.35%, 03/15/23

      24,104       24,964,871  

3.90%, 02/15/24

      6,371       6,786,096  

3.75%, 02/15/25

      5,904       6,295,178  

Fiserv, Inc., 2.75%, 07/01/24

      61,991       63,378,113  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.:

     

3.25%, 09/01/22

      17,585       18,251,922  

3.70%, 04/01/24

      19,464       20,695,346  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.:

     

(3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.05%), 2.91%, 06/05/23(l)

      17,573       17,864,382  

3.63%, 02/20/24

      20,486       21,534,906  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
United States (continued)  

Home Depot, Inc., Series 2019-3A, Class A, 2.95%, 06/15/29

    USD       13,396     $ 14,131,549  

Hughes Satellite Systems Corp., 7.63%, 06/15/21

      3,567       3,843,443  

iHeartCommunications, Inc.:

     

6.38%, 05/01/26

      15,276       16,383,290  

8.38%, 05/01/27

      5,523       5,922,909  

International Business Machines Corp., 3.00%, 05/15/24

      37,868       39,326,878  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.(3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.00%), 4.02%, 12/05/24(l)

      23,425       25,013,163  

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP:

     

4.30%, 05/01/24

      4,592       4,906,089  

4.15%, 02/01/24

      4,758       5,066,584  

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.:

     

3.88%, 03/15/24

      10,065       10,746,378  

4.38%, 03/15/29

      4,389       5,007,803  

McDonald’s Corp., 3.35%, 04/01/23

      10,921       11,414,440  

Morgan Stanley:

     

(Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 1.15%), 2.72%, 07/22/25(l)

      15,015       15,225,258  

Series F, 3.88%, 04/29/24

      23,887       25,462,271  

NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc., 2.90%, 04/01/22

      16,274       16,612,084  

Occidental Petroleum Corp., 2.70%, 08/15/22

      5,273       5,328,528  

ONEOK Partners LP, 4.90%, 03/15/25

      20,668       22,728,746  

ONEOK, Inc., 2.75%, 09/01/24

      13,602       13,757,822  

PayPal Holdings, Inc.:

     

2.40%, 10/01/24

      4,330       4,359,251  

2.65%, 10/01/26

      6,075       6,148,488  

QUALCOMM, Inc.:

     

2.60%, 01/30/23

      8,840       9,011,987  

2.90%, 05/20/24

      22,890       23,645,575  

Starbucks Corp., 3.10%, 03/01/23

      17,613       18,229,638  

SunTrust Banks, Inc., 4.00%, 05/01/25

      7,514       8,166,168  

TransDigm, Inc., 6.25%, 03/15/26(d)

      45,201       48,421,571  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc., 3.70%, 12/15/25

      4,323       4,688,855  

Verizon Communications, Inc., 3.50%, 11/01/24

      19,552       20,772,022  

Vistra Operations Co. LLC, 5.63%, 02/15/27(d)

      15,658       16,597,480  

Walgreen Co., 3.10%, 09/15/22

      17,938       18,505,876  

Wells Fargo & Co.:

     

3.07%, 01/24/23

      3,513       3,581,927  

3.75%, 01/24/24

      11,256       11,910,748  

(3 mo. LIBOR US + 1.17%), 3.20%, 06/17/27(l)

      59,608       61,754,533  

Wells Fargo Bank N.A., 3.55%, 08/14/23

      31,376       32,986,284  

Williams Cos., Inc.:

     

3.70%, 01/15/23

      14,477       14,982,079  

4.55%, 06/24/24

      9,012       9,722,126  
   

 

 

 
        1,261,427,964  
   

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds — 6.8%
(Cost — $1,799,651,256)

 

    1,635,260,228  
   

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests(m) — 0.4%

 

Netherlands — 0.2%  

Ziggo B.V., 2019 EUR Term Loan H, 01/31/29(n)

    EUR       43,300       48,011,200  
   

 

 

 
United States — 0.2%  

Fieldwood Energy LLC:

     

Exit 1st Lien TL, (3 mo. LIBOR + 5.25%, 1.00% Floor), 7.51%, 04/11/22

    USD       11,070       8,845,259  

Exit 2nd Lien TL, (3 mo. LIBOR + 7.25%, 1.00% Floor), 9.51%, 04/11/23

      14,945       7,098,901  

Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC, 2019 Term Loan B2, (1 mo. LIBOR + 1.75%), 3.57%, 06/22/26

      24,045       24,137,411  
 

 

 

14    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
United States (continued)  

iHeartCommunications, Inc., Exit Term Loan, (1 mo. LIBOR + 4.00%), 6.03%, 05/01/26

    USD       10,513     $ 10,542,952  
   

 

 

 
        50,624,523  
   

 

 

 

Total Floating Rate Loan Interests — 0.4%
(Cost — $108,627,205)

 

    98,635,723  
   

 

 

 
Foreign Agency Obligations — 5.7%  
Argentina — 0.2%  

Argentine Republic Government International Bond:

 

   

3.38%, 01/15/23

    EUR       13,433       5,739,910  

6.88%, 01/26/27

    USD       40,625       16,034,180  

5.88%, 01/11/28

      39,872       15,251,040  

5.25%, 01/15/28

    EUR       3,165       1,323,721  

7.82%, 12/31/33

      14,815       7,910,331  
   

 

 

 
        46,259,182  
Australia — 0.2%  

Australia Government Bond, 3.00%, 03/21/47

    AUD       70,372       62,128,062  
   

 

 

 
Brazil — 0.4%  

Brazil Notas do Tesouro Nacional, Series F, 10.00%, 01/01/23

    BRL       310,948       87,767,209  
   

 

 

 
Canada — 1.4%  

Canadian Government Bond:

     

0.75%, 03/01/21

    CAD       54,393       40,844,100  

1.50%, 09/01/24

      401,949       306,230,145  
   

 

 

 
        347,074,245  
Indonesia — 0.1%  

Indonesia Treasury Bond, 8.25%, 05/15/29

    IDR       303,671,000       23,515,735  
   

 

 

 
Italy — 1.4%  

Italy Buoni Poliennali Del Tesoro:

     

3.00%, 08/01/29

    EUR       162,260       215,842,609  

3.85%, 09/01/49(d)

      75,775       119,176,221  
   

 

 

 
        335,018,830  
Japan — 0.4%  

Japan Government Thirty Year Bond, 0.40%, 09/20/49

    JPY       9,379,350       87,038,874  
   

 

 

 
Mexico — 0.3%  

Mexican Bonos:

     

8.00%, 09/05/24

    MXN       565,300       31,047,681  

10.00%, 12/05/24

      531,700       31,639,358  
   

 

 

 
        62,687,039  
South Africa — 0.2%  

Republic of South Africa Government Bond, 8.00%, 01/31/30

    ZAR       897,734       54,691,228  
   

 

 

 
Spain — 1.1%  

Spain Government Bond(d):

     

0.60%, 10/31/29

    EUR       156,404       180,636,834  

2.70%, 10/31/48

      57,373       88,831,538  
   

 

 

 
        269,468,372  
   

 

 

 

Total Foreign Agency Obligations — 5.7%
(Cost — $1,391,753,095)

 

    1,375,648,776  
   

 

 

 
            Shares         
Investment Companies — 0.4%  

Equity Funds — 0.4%

 

Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund

      418,671       12,015,858  

iShares S&P 500 Value ETF(y)

      97,927       11,974,514  

SPDR Gold Shares(c)

      464,992       66,228,810  
   

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies — 0.4%
(Cost — $89,208,351)

 

    90,219,182  
   

 

 

 
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  

Preferred Securities — 2.2%

 

Capital Trusts — 1.0%

 

Netherlands — 0.1%  

ING Groep NV, 6.00%(l)(o)

    USD       8,753     $ 8,809,895  
   

 

 

 
United Kingdom — 0.3%  

HSBC Holdings PLC, 6.38%(l)(o)

      34,034       35,905,870  

Lloyds Bank PLC, 13.00%(l)(o)

    GBP       18,290       42,772,982  
   

 

 

 
        78,678,852  
United States — 0.6%  

American Express Co., Series C, 4.90%(l)(o)

    USD       11,560       11,617,800  

Citigroup, Inc.,(l)(o):

     

Series O, 5.88%

      39,492       40,035,015  

Series Q, 5.95%

      16,009       16,361,198  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Series M, 5.38%(l)(o)

      18,661       18,932,891  

JPMorgan Chase & Co., Series FF, 5.00%(l)(o)

      9,638       10,023,520  

Morgan Stanley, Series H, 5.61%(l)(o)

      13,155       13,233,930  

NBCUniversal Enterprise, Inc., 5.25%(d)(o)

      13,483       13,853,782  

Prudential Financial, Inc.(l):

     

5.88%, 09/15/42

      10,017       10,857,126  

5.63%, 06/15/43

      6,650       7,198,625  

USB Capital IX, 3.50%(l)(o)

      5,591       4,836,215  
   

 

 

 
    146,950,102  
   

 

 

 

Total Capital Trusts — 1.0%
(Cost — $221,108,398)

 

    234,438,849  
   

 

 

 
       Shares         
Preferred Stocks — 1.0%  
Brazil — 0.1%  

Banco Bradesco SA, Preference Shares, 0.00%

      5,732       50,266  

Itau Unibanco Holding SA, Preference Shares, 0.00%

      1,522,619       13,755,015  
   

 

 

 
    13,805,281  
Germany — 0.3%  

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Preference Shares, 0.00%

      710,286       73,779,325  
     

 

 

 
United Kingdom — 0.0%  

Rolls Royce Holdings PLC, Preference Shares, 0.00%(a)

      10,179,616       13,186  
     

 

 

 
United States — 0.6%  

C3.ai, Inc., Series D, (Acquired 10/07/19, cost $21,206,692), 0.00%(a)(f)

      4,782,853       24,105,579  

C3.ai, Inc., Series E, (Acquired 10/07/19, cost $2,435,741), 0.00%(a)(f)

      549,345       2,768,699  

Databricks, Inc., Series F, (Acquired 10/22/19, cost $11,769,837), 0.00%(a)(f)

      274,046       11,769,837  

Grand Rounds, Inc., Series C, (Acquired 03/31/15, cost $26,357,523), 0.00%(a)(f)

      9,493,075       25,061,718  

Grand Rounds, Inc., Series D, (Acquired 05/01/18, cost $4,824,038), 0.00%(a)(f)

      1,990,402       5,194,949  

Lookout, Inc., Series F, (Acquired 09/19/14, cost $50,945,690), 0.00%(a)(f)

      4,459,883       32,155,757  

Palantir Technologies, Inc., Series I (Acquired 03/27/14, cost $58,747,474), 0.00%(a)(f)

      9,583,601       55,201,542  
     

 

 

 
    156,258,081  
 

 

 

 

Total Preferred Stocks — 1.0%
(Cost — $258,671,173)

 

    243,855,873  
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      15  


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2019

  

BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security     Shares         
Value
 
Trust Preferreds — 0.2%  
United States — 0.2%  

Citigroup Capital XIII, 8.31%, 10/30/40(l)

      818,328     $ 22,332,171  

GMAC Capital Trust I, Series 2, 7.69%, 02/15/40(l)

      898,751       23,736,014  

Wells Fargo & Co., Series L, 7.50%(b)(i)(o)

      8,768       13,235,296  
     

 

 

 

Total Trust Preferreds — 0.2%
(Cost — $52,256,518)

 

    59,303,481  
 

 

 

 

Total Preferred Securities — 2.2%
(Cost — $532,036,089)

 

    537,598,203  
 

 

 

 
            Par
(000)
        

U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities — 3.1%

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities — 3.1%

 

Fannie Mae Mortgage-Backed Securities, 3.00%, 11/01/49(p)

    USD       750,746       762,858,483  
     

 

 

 

Total U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities — 3.1%
(Cost — $761,894,000)

 

    762,858,483  
 

 

 

 
U.S. Treasury Obligations — 12.8%  

U.S. Treasury Bonds, 2.25%, 08/15/49(q)(r)

      197,483       200,615,060  

U.S. Treasury Inflation Protected Security:

     

0.13%, 10/15/24

      81,933       82,168,871  

0.63%, 04/15/23

      107,075       108,170,852  

0.50%, 04/15/24

      1,058,494       1,072,409,869  

U.S. Treasury Notes:

     

1.88%, 06/30/26

      273,751       278,456,400  

1.88%, 07/31/26

      491,706       500,157,197  

2.38%, 05/15/29(q)(s)

      739,521       784,152,564  

1.63%, 08/15/29

      53,393       53,073,993  
     

 

 

 

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations — 12.8%
(Cost — $3,033,266,757)

 

    3,079,204,806  
 

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 89.4%
(Cost — $18,169,983,216)

 

    21,562,777,009  
 

 

 

 
Short-Term Securities — 14.8%  

Foreign Agency Obligations — 3.8%

 

Japan — 3.8%  

Japan Treasury Discount Bill(j)(t):

     

(0.10%), 11/05/19

    JPY       17,324,800       160,430,087  

(0.15%), 11/18/19

      19,234,250       178,120,007  

(0.31%), 01/08/20

      1,706,300       15,805,885  

(0.29%), 01/08/20

      21,329,050       197,576,343  

(0.22%), 01/20/20

      21,332,050       197,621,069  

(0.20%), 02/03/20

      17,058,300       158,037,828  
   

 

 

 
        907,591,219  
   

 

 

 

Total Foreign Agency Obligations — 3.8%
(Cost — $910,843,985)

 

    907,591,219  
   

 

 

 
            Share         
Money Market Funds — 0.6%  

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 1.70%(u)(y)

      15,160,728       15,160,728  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series, 2.02%(u)(v)(y)

      132,202,187       132,228,628  
   

 

 

 

Total Money Market Funds — 0.6%
(Cost — $147,380,890)

 

    147,389,356  
   

 

 

 
Security          Par
(000)
    Value  
Time Deposits — 0.0%  
Australia — 0.0%  

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 0.31%, 11/01/19

    AUD       19     $ 13,093  
     

 

 

 
Canada — 0.0%  

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 0.85%, 11/01/19

    CAD       2,793       2,120,933  
     

 

 

 
Hong Kong — 0.0%  

Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp. Ltd., 0.43%, 11/01/19

    HKD       373       47,618  
     

 

 

 
Japan — 0.0%  

Sumitomo Bank Tokyo, (0.25%), 11/01/19

    JPY       4,468       41,377  
     

 

 

 
Sweden — 0.0%  

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., (0.37%), 11/01/19

    SEK       241       24,976  
     

 

 

 
United States — 0.0%  

Citibank NA, New York, 1.90%, 11/01/19

    USD       770       769,957  
   

 

 

 

Total Time Deposits — 0.0%
(Cost — $3,017,954)

 

    3,017,954  
   

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Obligations — 10.4%

 

U.S. Treasury Bills(j)(s):

     

1.71%, 11/05/19

      200,000       199,966,240  

1.68% - 1.74%, 11/19/19

      142,555       142,446,242  

1.64%, 11/21/19

      95,000       94,919,646  

1.64%, 11/26/19

      114,290       114,167,774  

1.50%, 11/30/19(g)(w)

      75,132       75,110,901  

1.67%, 12/03/19(x)

      136,260       136,073,609  

1.64%, 12/05/19

      85,190       85,069,897  

1.64% - 1.66%, 12/10/19

      62,555       62,454,816  

1.62%, 12/12/19

      53,205       53,115,759  

1.68%, 12/17/19

      106,410       106,203,328  

1.68%, 12/24/19

      23,000       22,948,023  

2.02%, 12/26/19

      54,693       54,564,628  

1.73% - 1.89%, 01/02/20

      160,880       160,451,233  

1.65% - 1.90%, 01/09/20

      144,700       144,274,974  

1.64% - 1.87%, 01/16/20

      125,879       125,470,583  

1.60%, 01/23/20

      100,000       99,650,094  

1.71%, 02/20/20

      107,000       106,503,393  

1.65% - 1.88%, 02/27/20

      208,677       207,641,798  

1.87%, 03/05/20

      151,867       151,058,590  

1.64%, 03/19/20

      45,000       44,736,769  

1.63%, 04/02/20

      125,000       124,193,828  

1.60% - 1.64%, 04/16/20

      193,000       191,634,658  
   

 

 

 

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations — 10.4%
(Cost — $2,501,840,691)

 

    2,502,656,783  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 14.8%
(Cost — $3,563,083,520)

 

    3,560,655,312  
   

 

 

 

Options Purchased — 0.5%
(Cost — $136,321,528)

 

    119,293,308  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written — 104.7%
(Cost — $21,869,388,264)

 

    25,242,725,629  
   

 

 

 

Options Written — (0.3)%
(Premiums Received — $107,737,612)

 

    (78,151,092
   

 

 

 

Total Investments, Net of Options Written — 104.4%
(Cost — $21,761,650,652)

 

    25,164,574,537  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (4.4)%

 

    (1,052,796,963
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 24,111,777,574  
 

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

 

 

16    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2019

   BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

 

(b) 

Security, or a portion of the security, is on loan.

(c) 

Non-income producing security.

(d) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration to qualified institutional investors.

(e) 

A security contractually bound to one or more other securities to form a single saleable unit which cannot be sold separately.

(f) 

Restricted security as to resale, excluding 144A securities. The Fund held restricted securities with a current value of $340,776,215, representing 1.4% of its net assets as of period end, and an original cost of $269,291,904.

(g) 

All or a portion of the security has been pledged and/or segregated as collateral in connection with outstanding exchange-traded options written.

(h) 

Payment-in-kind security which may pay interest/dividends in additional par/shares and/or in cash. Rates shown are the current rate and possible payment rates.

(i) 

Convertible security.

(j) 

Zero-coupon bond.

(k) 

Issuer filed for bankruptcy and/or is in default.

(l) 

Variable rate security. Security may be issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a specified date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.

(m) 

Variable rate security. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.

(n) 

Represents an unsettled loan commitment at period end. Certain details associated with this purchase are not known prior to the settlement date, including coupon rate.

(o) 

Perpetual security with no stated maturity date.

(p) 

Represents or includes a TBA transaction.

(q) 

All or a portion of the security has been pledged in connection with outstanding futures contracts.

(r) 

All or a portion of the security has been pledged as collateral in connection with outstanding TBA commitments.

(s) 

All or a portion of the security has been pledged as collateral in connection with outstanding OTC derivatives.

(t) 

Rates are discount rates or a range of discount rates as of period end.

(u) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(v) 

All or a portion of the security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities.

(w) 

All or a portion of the security is held by a wholly-owned subsidiary. See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for details on the wholly-owned subsidiary.

(x) 

When-issued security.

(y) 

During the year ended October 31, 2019, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate/affiliates of the Fund for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and/or related parties of the Fund were as follows:

 

Affiliated Persons and/or
Related Parties
   Par/
Shares
Held at
10/31/18
     Par/
Shares
Purchased
     Par/
Shares
Sold
     Par/
Shares
Held at
10/31/19
     Value at
10/31/19
     Income      Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
 (a)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Bio City Development Co. BV

   $ 140,850,000      $      $      $ 140,850,000      $ 18,662,625      $      $      $ (3,169,125

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class(b)

            15,160,728               15,160,728        15,160,728        1,025,981                

iShares Gold Trust(c)

     28,916,741        7,163,292        (36,080,033                           (8,213,360      22,349,295  

iShares S&P 500 Value ETF

            97,927               97,927        11,974,514                      (48,483

Quintis Australia Pty. Ltd.

   $ 89,251,400      $      $ (6,566,872    $ 82,684,528        82,684,528               (698,419      970,594  

Quintis Australia Pty. Ltd.

   $ 75,260,640      $ 5,579,869      $ (4,903,331    $ 75,937,178        75,937,178        6,053,251        (64,503      81,953  

Quintis HoldCo Pty. Ltd.

     45,776,155               (2,040,353      43,735,802        26,229,868               886,401        6,825,532  

SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series(b)

     74,893,844        57,308,343               132,202,187        132,228,628        902,503 (d)       27,056        976  
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 362,878,069      $ 7,981,735      $ (8,062,825    $ 27,010,742  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable.

 
  (b) 

Represents net shares purchased (sold).

 
  (c) 

As of period end, the entity is no longer held by the Fund.

 
  (d) 

Represents securities lending income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral from loaned securities, net of fees and collateral investment expenses, and other payments to and from borrowers of securities.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Long Contracts

                 

Euro BTP

     785          12/06/19        $ 126,485        $ 608,200  

MSCI Emerging Markets Index

     1,073          12/20/19          55,871          788,955  

2-Year U.S. Treasury Note

     22,362          12/31/19          4,821,282          (4,916,344

5-Year U.S. Treasury Note

     903          12/31/19          107,640          303,859  
                 

 

 

 
                    (3,215,330
                 

 

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      17  


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2019

   BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

 

Futures Contracts (continued)

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Short Contracts

                 

Euro Bund

     431          12/06/19        $ 82,564        $ 1,208,479  

Yen Denom Nikkei Index

     4,146          12/12/19          436,138          (29,200,181

10-Year U.S. Treasury Note

     4,098          12/19/19          533,957          (2,541,902

10-Year U.S. Ultra Long Treasury Bond

     3,979          12/19/19          565,453          181,224  

SPI 200 Index

     159          12/19/19          18,192          125,749  

Euro Stoxx 50 Index

     417          12/20/19          16,785          (105,363

NASDAQ 100 E-Mini Index

     770          12/20/19          124,590          (3,171,305

S&P 500 E-Mini Index

     5,633          12/20/19          855,033          (6,884,015
                 

 

 

 
                    (40,387,314
                 

 

 

 
                  $ (43,602,644
                 

 

 

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

Currency
Purchased
       Currency
Sold
       Counterparty      Settlement Date        Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
USD     179,352,077        EUR     159,775,546        Goldman Sachs International        11/01/19        $ 1,154,461  
USD     335,785,023        EUR     300,425,000        UBS AG        11/01/19          721,116  
USD     4,903,841        CHF     4,836,000        Citibank N.A.        11/08/19          245  
USD     8,837,736        JPY     946,356,000        Citibank N.A.        11/15/19          69,324  
EUR     45,968,000        USD     51,194,148        UBS AG        11/22/19          133,597  
GBP     93,381,000        USD     113,175,456        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        11/22/19          7,853,287  
INR     591,987,000        USD     8,296,073        Deutsche Bank AG        11/22/19          16,298  
USD     13,256,189        JPY     1,418,891,000        Citibank N.A.        11/22/19          104,288  
EUR     57,510,000        USD     63,713,259        Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        12/03/19          547,712  
EUR     69,072,000        USD     76,767,415        Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        12/03/19          412,793  
EUR     91,565,000        USD     102,041,904        Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        12/05/19          286,429  
GBP     48,423,000        USD     58,988,952        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        12/05/19          3,796,860  
NZD     40,595,000        USD     25,719,774        UBS AG        12/05/19          322,786  
SGD     5,044,000        USD     3,663,342        Bank of America N.A.        12/05/19          45,412  
USD     3,093,236        JPY     330,802,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        12/05/19          24,714  
BRL     20,516,000        USD     4,897,940        Citibank N.A.        12/06/19          207,404  
EUR     57,920,000        USD     63,796,332        UBS AG        12/06/19          937,228  
NZD     40,301,000        USD     25,664,326        Goldman Sachs International        12/06/19          190,079  
NZD     40,368,000        USD     25,795,632        Goldman Sachs International        12/06/19          101,755  
USD     3,922,704        CHF     3,860,000        Citibank N.A.        12/06/19          538  
USD     45,205,000        CLP     32,479,792,500        Deutsche Bank AG        12/06/19          1,373,084  
USD     18,547,000        CLP     13,325,637,766        Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        12/06/19          563,873  
USD     3,421,555        NOK     30,919,000        Citibank N.A.        12/06/19          58,848  
EUR     161,921,000        USD     178,878,792        Goldman Sachs International        12/10/19          2,147,765  
USD     6,137,235        JPY     656,147,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        12/10/19          48,232  
EUR     81,353,000        USD     89,719,546        Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        12/13/19          1,254,257  
EUR     156,476,245        USD     173,696,456        Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        12/18/19          1,354,312  
USD     110,705,000        JPY     11,903,665,830        BNP Paribas S.A.        12/18/19          164,787  
USD     17,164,000        JPY     1,846,319,465        Goldman Sachs International        12/18/19          18,648  
USD     3,116,517        ZAR     46,866,000        Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        12/19/19          33,588  
JPY     12,418,519,000        USD     115,425,717        Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        01/09/20          101,580  
BRL     51,851,000        USD     12,522,791        BNP Paribas S.A.        01/15/20          354,590  
BRL     51,851,000        USD     12,541,057        Citibank N.A.        01/15/20          336,325  
BRL     51,851,000        USD     12,571,463        Citibank N.A.        01/15/20          305,919  
BRL     51,851,000        USD     12,557,458        Deutsche Bank AG        01/15/20          319,924  
GBP     440,518,200        USD     540,227,292        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        01/16/20          31,821,310  
EUR     108,224,000        USD     120,921,922        UBS AG        01/24/20          467,140  
JPY     14,182,118,000        USD     131,486,158        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        01/24/20          561,588  
                       

 

 

 
                          58,212,096  
                       

 

 

 
EUR     58,801,546        USD     65,645,282        Bank of America N.A.        11/01/19          (63,936
EUR     70,632,000        USD     79,218,520        Bank of America N.A.        11/01/19          (442,673
EUR     56,801,000        USD     63,429,109        Citibank N.A.        11/01/19          (78,971

 

 

18    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2019

   BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (continued)

 

Currency
Purchased
       Currency
Sold
       Counterparty      Settlement Date        Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
EUR     159,841,000        USD     180,710,640        Deutsche Bank AG        11/01/19        $ (2,440,024
EUR     57,134,000        USD     64,279,624        Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        11/01/19          (558,092
EUR     56,991,000        USD     64,071,562        UBS AG        11/01/19          (509,518
CHF     7,567,814        USD     7,805,000        BNP Paribas S.A.        11/08/19          (131,406
CHF     55,114,122        USD     56,890,000        UBS AG        11/08/19          (1,005,511
JPY     13,720,249,884        USD     129,497,000        Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        11/15/19          (2,372,746
USD     117,359,113        JPY     12,773,894,000        Bank of America N.A.        11/15/19          (996,730
JPY     20,699,576,000        USD     196,753,781        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        11/22/19          (4,886,498
USD     3,173,905        EUR     2,875,000        Deutsche Bank AG        11/22/19          (36,312
USD     7,295,659        GBP     5,854,000        UBS AG        11/22/19          (291,562
USD     65,994,744        INR     4,771,288,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        11/22/19          (1,001,176
USD     7,322,642        EUR     6,628,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        12/03/19          (83,405
USD     25,234,000        ZAR     389,915,768        BNP Paribas S.A.        12/03/19          (470,040
ZAR     23,203,000        USD     1,546,473        Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        12/03/19          (16,884
JPY     6,791,771,993        USD     64,272,000        Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        12/05/19          (1,271,471
USD     6,102,659        EUR     5,523,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        12/05/19          (69,562
USD     3,648,266        GBP     2,926,000        UBS AG        12/05/19          (145,619
USD     1,473,735        NZD     2,338,000        UBS AG        12/05/19          (26,142
USD     64,013,664        SGD     89,011,000        Bank of America N.A.        12/05/19          (1,434,361
CHF     62,298,053        USD     64,272,000        BNP Paribas S.A.        12/06/19          (970,621
CLP     2,802,349,000        USD     3,891,341        Citibank N.A.        12/06/19          (109,533
NOK     397,478,000        USD     45,495,786        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        12/06/19          (2,266,638
USD     70,772,000        BRL     295,968,504        Credit Suisse International        12/06/19          (2,878,849
USD     3,173,670        EUR     2,872,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        12/06/19          (36,184
USD     2,701,663        NZD     4,286,000        UBS AG        12/06/19          (47,946
JPY     12,137,669,685        USD     114,865,000        Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        12/10/19          (2,228,181
USD     8,787,346        EUR     7,950,000        BNP Paribas S.A.        12/10/19          (100,698
USD     3,905,852        EUR     3,533,000        Citibank N.A.        12/13/19          (44,961
NZD     40,027,000        USD     25,732,758        UBS AG        12/16/19          (49,647
USD     1,228,232        NZD     1,948,000        UBS AG        12/16/19          (21,692
JPY     524,653,000        USD     4,909,440        Citibank N.A.        12/18/19          (37,391
USD     7,566,667        EUR     6,842,000        BNP Paribas S.A.        12/18/19          (87,513
ZAR     1,004,149,000        USD     67,245,873        Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        12/19/19          (1,191,170
USD     118,209,492        GBP     95,700,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        01/10/20          (6,045,717
USD     51,369,412        BRL     207,404,000        Credit Suisse International        01/15/20          (140,116
USD     40,022,759        GBP     32,671,400        Deutsche Bank AG        01/16/20          (2,403,703
USD     41,275,013        GBP     33,036,000        Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        01/16/20          (1,624,912
USD     74,767,605        BRL     310,948,000        Credit Suisse International        01/24/20          (2,418,777
USD     19,654,957        JPY     2,128,236,762        Deutsche Bank AG        01/24/20          (160,762
USD     23,870,091        JPY     2,574,878,673        Deutsche Bank AG        01/24/20          (104,249
USD     19,600,592        JPY     2,114,903,501        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        01/24/20          (90,983
USD     23,769,426        JPY     2,573,083,818        Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC        01/24/20          (188,203
ZAR     498,199,000        USD     33,693,398        JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.        01/30/20          (1,103,898
                       

 

 

 
                          (42,684,983
                       

 

 

 
    Net unrealized appreciation        $ 15,527,113  
    

 

 

 

Interest Rate Caps — Purchased

 

Description    Exercise
Rate
     Counterparty      Expiration
Date
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value        Premiums
Paid
(Received)
       Unrealized
Depreciation
 

Call

 

2Y-10Y CMS Index CAP

     0.50    Goldman Sachs International        2/27/20          USD    2,314,244        $ 147,441        $ 3,008,518        $ (2,861,077

2Y-10Y CMS Index CAP

     0.50      Goldman Sachs International        8/27/20          USD    2,298,002          1,740,024          5,859,905          (4,119,881
                    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
                     $ 1,887,465        $ 8,868,423        $ (6,980,958
                    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      19  


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2019

   BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

 

Exchange-Traded Options Purchased

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call  

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

     44,851          11/01/19        USD     302.00        USD     1,360,465        $ 7,557,393  

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

     13,554          11/15/19        USD     305.00        USD     411,133          2,304,180  

iShares China Large-Cap ETF

     27,437          11/15/19        USD     42.50        USD     112,903          411,555  

iShares China Large-Cap ETF

     14,189          11/15/19        USD     42.00        USD     58,388          368,914  

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

     28,411          11/15/19        USD     44.00        USD     120,974          255,699  

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

     23,412          11/15/19        USD     43.50        USD     99,688          409,710  

iShares Russell 2000 ETF

     4,967          11/15/19        USD     158.50        USD     77,212          302,987  

iShares Russell 2000 ETF

     5,110          11/22/19        USD     159.00        USD     79,435          429,240  

Invesco QQQ Trust

     16,255          12/20/19        USD     205.00        USD     320,354          2,113,150  

Raytheon Co.

     3,124          12/20/19        USD     210.00        USD     66,294          2,585,110  

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

     2,266          12/20/19        USD     305.00        USD     68,735          1,042,360  

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

     28,704          12/20/19        USD     310.00        USD     870,678          6,300,528  

iShares Russell 2000 ETF

     2,638          12/31/19        USD     162.00        USD     41,008          309,965  

Johnson & Johnson

     921          01/17/20        USD     135.00        USD     12,161          239,460  

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

     5,317          01/17/20        USD     307.00        USD     161,281          2,581,404  

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

     3,422          01/17/20        USD     301.00        USD     103,800          2,924,099  

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

     26,074          01/17/20        USD     310.00        USD     790,903          8,891,234  
                          

 

 

 
                           $ 39,026,988  
                          

 

 

 

OTC Interest Rate Swaptions Purchased

 

Description

  Paid by
the Fund
  Received by
the Fund
 

Counterparty

 

Expiration
Date

   

Exercise
Rate

   

Notional
Amount (000)

   

Value

 
  Rate     Frequency   Rate     Frequency

Call

                                                                   

5-Year Interest Rate Swap, 01/04/25

   
3-Month LIBOR,
1.90%
 
 
  Quarterly     1.30%     Semi-Annual   Goldman Sachs International     01/02/20       1.30     USD       1,282,644     $ 3,291,663  

10-Year Interest Rate Swap, 08/15/30

   
3-Month LIBOR,
1.90%
 
 
  Quarterly     1.08     Semi-Annual   Bank of America N.A.     08/13/20       1.08       USD       142,054       987,235  
                   

 

 

 
                      4,278,898  
                   

 

 

 

Put

                   

5-Year Interest Rate Swap, 11/08/24

    1.56%     Semi-Annual    
3-Month LIBOR,
1.90%
 
 
  Quarterly   Citibank N.A.     11/06/19       1.56       USD       350,465       131,887  

5-Year Interest Rate Swap, 11/29/24

    1.53     Semi-Annual    
3-Month LIBOR,
1.90%
 
 
  Quarterly   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     11/27/19       1.53       USD       261,564       572,180  

5-Year Interest Rate Swap, 11/29/24

    1.53     Semi-Annual    
3-Month LIBOR,
1.90%
 
 
  Quarterly   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     11/27/19       1.53       USD       76,593       167,550  

10-Year Interest Rate Swap, 08/15/30

    2.08     Semi-Annual    
3-Month LIBOR,
1.90%
 
 
  Quarterly   Bank of America N.A.     08/13/20       2.08       USD       141,092       895,770  
                   

 

 

 
                      1,767,387  
                   

 

 

 
  $ 6,046,285  
 

 

 

 

OTC Options Purchased

 

Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise
Price
     Notional
Amount (000)
     Value  

Call

 

Euro Stoxx 50 Index

   Credit Suisse International      90,662        11/15/19      EUR     3,600.00      EUR     326,783      $ 4,656,360  

Lowe’s Cos., Inc..

   Nomura International Plc      424,102        11/15/19      USD     112.00      USD     47,334        708,250  

SPDR Gold Trust(a)

   Societe Generale      869,766        11/15/19      USD     138.00      USD     123,881        4,044,412  

SPDR Gold Trust(a)

   Societe Generale      647,215        11/15/19      USD     147.50      USD     92,183        152,095  

SPDR Gold Trust(a)

   Societe Generale      646,893        11/15/19      USD     145.00      USD     92,137        371,963  

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

   Goldman Sachs International      21,621,308        11/15/19      USD     325.00      USD     6,558,391        324,320  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR

   Citibank N.A.      185,947        11/22/19      USD     167.00      USD     32,851        2,198,567  

DAX Index

   Goldman Sachs International      11,323        12/20/19      EUR     13,700.00      EUR     145,691        126,917  

DAX Index

   Goldman Sachs International      3,267        12/20/19      EUR     13,300.00      EUR     42,036        255,058  

DAX Index

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      11,324        12/20/19      EUR     13,700.00      EUR     145,704        126,928  

 

 

20    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2019

   BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

 

OTC Options Purchased (continued)

 

Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise
Price
     Notional
Amount (000)
     Value  

Emerson Electric Co.

   Bank of America N.A.      858,462        12/20/19      USD     65.00      USD     60,221      $ 4,829,141  

Euro Stoxx 50 Index

   Goldman Sachs International      71,958        12/20/19      EUR     3,850.00      EUR     259,366        172,548  

Euro Stoxx 50 Index

   Goldman Sachs International      72,166        12/20/19      EUR     3,850.00      EUR     260,116        173,046  

Euro Stoxx 50 Index

   Goldman Sachs International      13,213        12/20/19      EUR     3,750.00      EUR     47,625        176,101  

Facebook, Inc., Class A

   UBS AG      428,241        12/20/19      USD     195.00      USD     82,072        2,537,328  

SPDR Gold Trust(a)

   Societe Generale      1,465,651        12/20/19      USD     146.00      USD     208,753        2,293,744  

USD-JPY Currency

   Deutsche Bank AG             12/20/19      JPY     109.50      USD     171,581        398,239  

SPDR Gold Trust(a)

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      214,800        12/31/19      USD     147.50      USD     30,594        314,278  

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

   Nomura International PLC      369,709        01/17/20      USD     71.00      USD     28,005        2,432,511  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR

   Bank of America N.A.      161,224        01/17/20      USD     162.50      USD     28,483        2,999,105  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      49,431        01/17/20      USD     1,315.00      USD     62,288        1,042,994  

FedEx Corp.

   Credit Suisse International      375,111        01/17/20      USD     162.00      USD     57,264        1,543,079  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   Citibank N.A.      386,847        01/17/20      USD     114.50      USD     48,325        4,571,158  

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

   Nomura International PLC      301,046        01/17/20      USD     98.00      USD     33,600        4,537,242  

QUALCOMM, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.      473,118        01/17/20      USD     71.00      USD     38,058        4,971,907  

SPDR Gold Trust(a)

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      430,603        01/17/20      USD     147.50      USD     61,331        827,813  

SPDR Gold Trust(a)

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      752,319        01/17/20      USD     145.00      USD     107,153        1,918,413  

SPDR Gold Trust(a)

   Societe Generale      862,103        01/17/20      USD     147.50      USD     122,789        1,657,350  

SPDR Gold Trust(a)

   Societe Generale      476,126        01/17/20      USD     143.50      USD     67,815        1,478,676  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

   Credit Suisse International      1,274,746        01/17/20      USD     46.00      USD     65,815        7,775,951  

BP PLC

   Credit Suisse International      1,143,038        03/20/20      USD     40.00      USD     43,333        714,959  

DAX Index

   Credit Suisse International      3,454        03/20/20      EUR     14,000.00      EUR     44,442        224,393  

DAX Index

   Goldman Sachs International      2,714        03/20/20      EUR     13,600.00      EUR     34,920        443,444  

Euro Stoxx 50 Index

   Credit Suisse International      7,179        03/20/20      EUR     3,600.00      EUR     25,876        986,430  

Euro Stoxx 50 Index

   Credit Suisse International      15,686        03/20/20      EUR     3,900.00      EUR     56,539        279,039  

Euro Stoxx 50 Index

   Goldman Sachs International      9,564        03/20/20      EUR     3,800.00      EUR     34,473        389,869  

SPDR Gold Trust(a)

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      1,289,687        03/20/20      USD     146.00      USD     183,690        4,836,326  
                     

 

 

 
     67,489,954  
                     

 

 

 
Put  

USD-JPY Currency

   BNP Paribas S.A.             12/17/19      JPY     106.00      USD     531,456        1,578,955  

USD-JPY Currency

   Bank of America N.A.             03/11/20      JPY     99.00      USD     146,065        206,827  

USD-JPY Currency

   UBS AG             03/11/20      JPY     102.00      USD     292,129        1,013,395  

EUR-USD Currency

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC             03/17/20      USD     1.08      EUR     332,279        853,469  

USD-JPY Currency

   Bank of America N.A.             04/06/20      JPY     103.50      USD     104,473        704,775  

EUR-USD Currency

   Bank of America N.A.             07/23/20      USD     1.12      EUR     35,879        485,195  
                     

 

 

 
     4,842,616  
  

 

 

 
   $ 72,332,570  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

All or a portion of the security is held by a wholly-owned subsidiary. See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for details on the wholly-owned subsidiary.

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  
Call  

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

     571          12/20/19        USD     230.00        USD     12,177        $ (85,650

Amazon.com, Inc.

     67          12/20/19        USD     1,930.00        USD     11,904          (52,260

Apple, Inc.

     1,504          12/20/19        USD     260.00        USD     37,414          (410,592

Charter Communications, Inc., Class A

     667          12/20/19        USD     455.00        USD     31,206          (1,467,400

Dollar Tree, Inc.

     1,090          12/20/19        USD     125.00        USD     12,034          (76,300

FleetCor Technologies, Inc.

     411          12/20/19        USD     330.00        USD     12,092          (61,650

Home Depot, Inc.

     522          12/20/19        USD     250.00        USD     12,245          (65,772

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

     1,096          12/20/19        USD     120.00        USD     12,232          (146,316

Marathon Petroleum Corp.

     1,894          12/20/19        USD     75.00        USD     12,112          (63,449

Microsoft Corp.

     2,646          12/20/19        USD     150.00        USD     37,936          (328,104

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      21  


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2019

   BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

 

Exchange-Traded Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
       Expiration
Date
       Exercise
Price
       Notional
Amount (000)
       Value  

Morgan Stanley

     2,693          12/20/19        USD     50.00        USD     12,401        $ (65,978

Newmont Goldcorp Corp.

     3,221          12/20/19        USD     42.00        USD     12,797          (217,418

Raytheon Co.

     6,251          12/20/19        USD     220.00        USD     132,652          (2,344,125

TJX Cos., Inc.

     2,012          12/20/19        USD     65.00        USD     11,599          (30,180

Target Corp.

     1,075          12/20/19        USD     125.00        USD     11,493          (29,562

Dollar Tree, Inc.

     1,298          01/17/20        USD     120.00        USD     14,330          (262,845
                          

 

 

 
                             (5,707,601
                          

 

 

 
Put  

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

     2,402          11/15/19        USD     70.00        USD     18,195          (31,226

FleetCor Technologies, Inc.

     451          11/15/19        USD     270.00        USD     13,269          (135,300

Merck & Co., Inc.

     2,702          11/15/19        USD     75.00        USD     23,416          (12,159

Wells Fargo & Co.

     5,171          11/15/19        USD     45.00        USD     26,698          (12,927

Amazon.com, Inc.

     151          12/20/19        USD     1,630.00        USD     26,828          (149,490

Amazon.com, Inc.

     67          12/20/19        USD     1,600.00        USD     11,904          (46,230

Bank of America Corp.

     4,805          12/20/19        USD     27.00        USD     15,025          (67,270

Citigroup, Inc.

     2,253          12/20/19        USD     62.50        USD     16,190          (88,994

Emerson Electric Co.

     1,951          12/20/19        USD     60.00        USD     13,686          (53,652

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

     2,266          12/20/19        USD     280.00        USD     68,735          (301,378

Sherwin-Williams Co.

     988          12/20/19        USD     490.00        USD     56,545          (148,200

iShares Russell 2000 ETF

     2,638          12/31/19        USD     140.00        USD     41,008          (211,040

Amazon.com, Inc.

     238          01/17/20        USD     1,560.00        USD     42,285          (236,810

Applied Materials, Inc.

     2,333          01/17/20        USD     45.00        USD     12,659          (137,647

Autodesk, Inc.

     937          01/17/20        USD     130.00        USD     13,808          (288,128

Cisco Systems, Inc.

     3,917          01/17/20        USD     42.00        USD     18,610          (195,850

Home Depot, Inc.

     2,248          01/17/20        USD     210.00        USD     52,734          (411,384

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

     3,508          01/17/20        USD     97.50        USD     39,153          (396,404

Mastercard, Inc., Class A

     800          01/17/20        USD     245.00        USD     22,145          (191,600

McDonald’s Corp.

     3,389          01/17/20        USD     190.00        USD     66,662          (1,030,256

Norfolk Southern Corp.

     1,325          01/17/20        USD     155.00        USD     24,115          (198,750

Target Corp.

     1,584          01/17/20        USD     95.00        USD     16,935          (282,744

Visa, Inc., Class A

     1,601          01/17/20        USD     155.00        USD     28,635          (137,686

Walmart, Inc.

     6,369          01/17/20        USD     105.00        USD     74,683          (487,229

salesforce.com, Inc.

     988          01/17/20        USD     135.00        USD     15,461          (143,754
                          

 

 

 
                             (5,396,108
                          

 

 

 
     $ (11,103,709
    

 

 

 

OTC Barrier Options Written

 

Description    Type of Option    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise
Price
     Barrier
Price/Range
     Notional
Amount (000)
     Value  

Put

 

AUD-USD Currency

   Down-and-in    Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      176,039,000        01/07/20        AUD       0.68      AUD     0.66        (176,039    $ (486,988

USD-JPY Currency

   Down-and-in    Bank of America N.A.      104,473,000        04/06/20        USD       100.00      USD     96.50        (104,473      (265,988
                           

 

 

 
   $ (752,976
  

 

 

 

 

 

22    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2019

   BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

 

OTC Interest Rate Swaptions Written

 

  

 

  Paid by
the Fund
  Received by
the Fund
    

 

    

 

      

 

      

 

      

 

 
Description   Rate     Frequency   Rate     Frequency   Counterparty   Expiration
Date
    Exercise
Rate
    Notional
Amount (000)
    Value  

Call

 

5-Year Interest Rate Swap, 12/29/24

    1.55%     Semi-Annual    
3-Month LIBOR,
1.90%
 
 
  Quarterly   Goldman Sachs
International
    12/27/19       1.55     USD       150,285     $ (1,092,750

5-Year Interest Rate Swap, 01/04/25

    1.10     Semi-Annual    
3-Month LIBOR,
1.90%
 
 
  Quarterly   Goldman Sachs International  

 

01/02/20

 

    1.10       USD       1,282,644       (1,242,369

2-Year Interest Rate Swap, 08/15/22

    0.88     Semi-Annual    
3-Month LIBOR,
1.90%
 
 
  Quarterly   Bank of America N.A.     08/13/20       0.88       USD       701,514       (1,046,112
                   

 

 

 
    (3,381,231
                   

 

 

 

Put

                   

5-Year Interest Rate Swap, 11/08/24

   
3-Month LIBOR,
1.90%
 
 
  Quarterly     1.66%     Semi-Annual   Citibank N.A.     11/06/19       1.66       USD       371,709       (7,494

5-Year Interest Rate Swap, 11/08/24

   
3-Month LIBOR,
1.90%
 
 
  Quarterly     1.76     Semi-Annual   Citibank N.A.     11/06/19       1.76       USD       371,709       (119

2-Year Interest Rate Swap, 08/15/22

   
3-Month LIBOR,
1.90%
 
 
  Quarterly     1.88     Semi-Annual   Bank of America N.A.     08/13/20       1.88       USD       701,808       (879,836
                   

 

 

 
                      (887,449
                   

 

 

 
  $ (4,268,680
 

 

 

 

OTC Options Written

 

Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise
Price
     Notional
Amount (000)
     Value  

Call

 

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

   Nomura International Plc      424,102        11/15/19      USD     125.00      USD     47,334      $ (21,896

SPDR Gold Trust(a)

   Societe Generale      648,297        11/15/19      USD     155.00      USD     92,337        (16,207

SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust

   Goldman Sachs International      21,621,308        11/15/19      USD     330.00      USD     6,558,391        (216,213

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR

   Citibank N.A.      185,947        11/22/19      USD     195.00      USD     32,851        (151,547

USD-ZAR Currency

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC             12/12/19      ZAR     15.50      USD     86,114        (1,037,238

Emerson Electric Co.

   Bank of America N.A.      897,114        12/20/19      USD     75.00      USD     62,933        (448,557

Facebook, Inc., Class A

   UBS AG      428,241        12/20/19      USD     225.00      USD     82,072        (152,026

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

   Nomura International PLC      369,709        01/17/20      USD     81.00      USD     28,005        (488,541

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR

   Bank of America N.A.      161,224        01/17/20      USD     202.50      USD     28,483        (322,464

FedEx Corp.

   Credit Suisse International      375,111        01/17/20      USD     190.00      USD     57,264        (112,533

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

   Citibank N.A.      386,847        01/17/20      USD     125.50      USD     48,325        (1,509,930

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

   Nomura International PLC      301,046        01/17/20      USD     115.00      USD     33,600        (1,098,818

QUALCOMM, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.      473,118        01/17/20      USD     86.00      USD     38,058        (885,644

SPDR Gold Trust(a)

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      429,897        01/17/20      USD     155.00      USD     61,230        (339,619

SPDR Gold Trust(a)

   Societe Generale      476,126        01/17/20      USD     164.50      USD     67,815        (149,637

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

   Credit Suisse International      1,274,746        01/17/20      USD     51.00      USD     65,815        (2,992,606

USD-MXN Currency

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC             03/05/20      MXN     21.50      USD     101,247        (367,728

EUR-USD Currency

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC             03/17/20      USD     1.15      EUR     332,279        (1,745,850

BP PLC

   Credit Suisse International      1,143,038        03/20/20      USD     43.00      USD     43,333        (190,967

SPDR Gold Trust(a)

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      429,897        03/20/20      USD     158.00      USD     61,230        (653,443

Comcast Corp., Class A

   Citibank N.A.      1,116,389        06/19/20      USD     40.00      USD     50,037        (6,441,565
                     

 

 

 
     (19,343,029
                     

 

 

 

Put

 

Euro Stoxx 50 Index

   Credit Suisse International      60,286        11/15/19      EUR     3,325.00      EUR     217,295        (117,665

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR

   Citibank N.A.      120,866        11/22/19      USD     140.00      USD     21,353        (231

USD-ZAR Currency

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC             12/12/19      ZAR     14.00      USD     86,114        (53,046

Topix-Bank Index

   Bank of America N.A.      23,933,618        12/13/19      JPY     156.59      JPY     3,540,739        (2,156,972

Topix-Bank Index

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      43,624,278        12/13/19      JPY     156.59      JPY     6,453,776        (3,930,770

USD-JPY Currency

   BNP Paribas S.A.             12/17/19      JPY     102.00      USD     531,456        (144,556

Emerson Electric Co.

   Bank of America N.A.      429,232        12/20/19      USD     55.00      USD     30,111        (53,508

SPDR Gold Trust(a)

   Societe Generale      700,498        12/20/19      USD     134.00      USD     99,772        (126,090

SPDR Gold Trust(a)

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      85,919        12/31/19      USD     136.00      USD     12,237        (35,656

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

   Nomura International PLC      321,863        01/17/20      USD     61.00      USD     24,381        (122,855

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. — ADR

   Bank of America N.A.      107,498        01/17/20      USD     135.00      USD     18,992        (46,078

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      23  


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2019

   BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

 

OTC Options Written (continued)

 

Description    Counterparty    Number of
Contracts
     Expiration
Date
     Exercise
Price
     Notional
Amount (000)
     Value  

CVS Health Corp.

   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      387,021        01/17/20      USD     56.00      USD     25,694      $ (190,828

FedEx Corp.

   Credit Suisse International      211,666        01/17/20      USD     130.00      USD     32,313        (318,557

Johnson & Johnson

   Bank of America N.A.      392,290        01/17/20      USD     109.00      USD     51,798        (144,371

Kroger Co.

   Nomura International PLC      429,660        01/17/20      USD     21.00      USD     10,587        (126,750

QUALCOMM, Inc.

   Citibank N.A.      236,558        01/17/20      USD     57.00      USD     19,029        (40,418

SPDR Gold Trust(a)

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      215,304        01/17/20      USD     134.00      USD     30,666        (72,127

SPDR Gold Trust(a)

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      214,947        01/17/20      USD     135.00      USD     30,615        (94,577

SPDR Gold Trust(a)

   Societe Generale      431,050        01/17/20      USD     133.00      USD     61,394        (105,737

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.

   Credit Suisse International      637,373        01/17/20      USD     39.00      USD     32,908        (191,212

USD-JPY Currency

   UBS AG             03/11/20      JPY     99.00      USD     292,129        (413,655

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      1,197,475        03/13/20      JPY     3,832.77      JPY     4,646,203        (1,772,991

Topix-Bank Index

   BNP Paribas S.A.      31,094,982        03/13/20      JPY     155.80      JPY     4,600,192        (3,379,521

SPDR Gold Trust(a)

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      429,895        03/20/20      USD     134.00      USD     61,230        (374,009

Topix-Bank Index

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      27,640,512        04/10/20      JPY     157.82      JPY     4,089,137        (3,679,144

BP PLC

   Nomura International PLC      2,073,835        04/17/20      USD     34.50      USD     78,619        (2,148,369

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      643,513        09/11/20      JPY     3,820.96      JPY     2,496,830        (1,713,713

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC      644,795        12/11/20      JPY     3,786.60      JPY     2,501,805        (2,058,577

Euro Stoxx

   Barclays Bank PLC      330,206        06/18/21      EUR     103.00      EUR     29,676        (9,173,482

Euro Stoxx

   UBS AG      336,192        09/17/21      EUR     103.00      EUR     30,214        (9,897,233
                     

 

 

 
     (42,682,698
  

 

 

 
   $ (62,025,727
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

All or a portion of the security is held by a wholly-owned subsidiary. See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for details on the wholly-owned subsidiary.

 

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps — Buy Protection

 

Reference Obligation/Index    Financing
Rate Paid
by the Fund
     Payment
Frequency
    

Termination

Date

     Notional
Amount (000)
     Value      Upfront
Premium
Paid
(Received)
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

CDX.NA.HY.33.V1

     5.00      Quarterly        12/20/24        USD       99,878      $ (7,735,617    $ (6,391,241    $ (1,344,376

CDX.NA.IG.33.V1

     1.00        Quarterly        12/20/24        USD       425,768        (9,817,206      (9,759,393      (57,813
                

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                 $ (17,552,823    $ (16,150,634    $ (1,402,189
                

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps

 

Paid by the Fund    Received by the Fund    Effective
Date
    Termination
Date
     Notional
Amount (000)
    Value     Upfront
Premium
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Rate    Frequency    Rate      Frequency
3-Month CAD BA,
1.97%
   Semi-Annual      1.91%      Semi-Annual      07/09/19       07/09/21      CAD     798,219     $ 737,794     $ 5,210     $ 732,584  
3-Month CAD BA,
1.97%
   Semi-Annual      1.91      Semi-Annual      07/09/19       07/09/21      CAD     6,312       5,596       41       5,555  
1.55    Semi-Annual      3-Month LIBOR, 1.90%      Quarterly      09/27/19       09/27/24      USD     240,417       (576,315     3,080       (579,395
3-Month LIBOR,
1.90%
   Quarterly      1.28      Semi-Annual      11/29/19       11/29/24      USD     173,658       (1,668,218     2,102       (1,670,320
                    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                     $ (1,501,143   $ 10,433     $ (1,511,576
                    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

24    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2019

   BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

 

OTC Total Return Swaps

 

Reference Entity   

Fixed Amount

Paid by the

Fund (a)

       Counterparty     

Termination

Date

       Notional
Amount (000)
    Value      Premiums
Paid
(Received)
    

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 

S&P 500 Index Annual Dividend Future December 2020

     USD       6,260,738        Goldman Sachs International        12/18/20        USD     6,261     $ 1,536,638      $      $ 1,536,638  

S&P 500 Index Annual Dividend Future December 2021

     USD       7,937,925        BNP Paribas S.A.        12/17/21        USD     7,938       1,945,650               1,945,650  
                       

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                        $ 3,482,288      $      $ 3,482,288  
                       

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

At termination, the fixed amount paid (received) will be exchanged for the total return of the reference entity.

 

OTC Total Return Swaps (a)

 

Reference Entity    Counterparty    Termination
Date
     Net Notional
Amount
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
     Net Value of
Reference
Entities
     Gross
Notional
Amount
Net Asset
Percentage
 

Equity Securities Short:

   Citibank N.A.      02/24/23 - 02/27/23      $ (32,854,132    $ (725,794 )(b)     $ (33,475,355      0.14
   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.      02/08/23        (41,370,815      (2,035,175 )(c)       (43,366,636      0.18  
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    
   $ (74,224,947    $ (2,760,969    $ (76,841,991   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

  (a) 

In regards to total return swaps with multiple financing rate benchmarks, the Fund pays the total return on a portfolio of short positions underlying the total return swap. In addition, the Fund receives a variable rate of interest, based on a specified benchmark, plus or minus a spread in a range of 1-850 basis points. The benchmark and spread are determined based upon the country and/or currency of the individual underlying positions. The following are the specified benchmarks used in determining the variable rate of interest:

 

USD — 1D Overnight Bank Funding Rate (OBFR01)

USD — 1M US Dollar LIBOR BBA

USD — 1W US Dollar LIBOR BBA

 

  (b)

Amount includes $(104,571) of net dividends and financing fees.

 
  (c) 

Amount includes $(39,354) of net dividends and financing fees.

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      25  


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2019

   BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

 

The following table represents the individual short positions and related values of the equity securities underlying the total return swap with Citibank N.A. as of October 31, 2019 expiration dates 02/24/23 — 02/27/23:

 

Security   Shares     Value     % of
Basket
Value
 

Reference Entity — Short

     
Canada                  

Shopify, Inc., Class A

    (2,446   $ (766,987     2.3
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
China                  

BYD Electronic International Co. Ltd.

    (381,500     (655,101     2.0  

China International Capital Corp. Ltd., Class H

    (84,800     (154,628     0.5  

China Molybdenum Co. Ltd., Class H

    (1,935,000     (609,788     1.8  

China Vanke Co. Ltd., Class H

    (16,000     (58,345     0.2  

Haidilao International Holding Ltd.

    (171,000     (827,826     2.5  

Meituan Dianping, Class B

    (10,300     (122,860     0.4  

Pinduoduo, Inc. — ADR

    (28,209     (1,153,184     3.4  

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    (146,000     (412,065     1.2  

Xiaomi Corp., Class B

    (2,438,000     (2,762,247     8.2  

ZTE Corp., Class H

    (142,400     (397,281     1.2  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      (7,153,325  
Germany                  

Continental AG

    (13,534     (1,812,755     5.4  

Volkswagen AG

    (9,492     (1,794,369     5.4  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      (3,607,124  
Hong Kong                  

China Everbright International Ltd.

    (1,257,000     (950,048     2.8  

Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.

    (300,000     (2,065,691     6.2  

Sino Biopharmaceutical Ltd.

    (1,785,000     (2,657,672     8.0  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      (5,673,411  
Ireland                  

Linde AG

    (6,638     (1,316,647     3.9  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Japan                  

LINE Corp.

    (17,900     (658,486     2.0  

Sharp Corp.

    (55,100     (632,061     1.9  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      (1,290,547  
Jersey                  

Aptiv PLC

    (11,297     (1,011,646     3.0  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Mexico                  

Industrias Penoles SAB de CV

    (9,278     (111,337     0.3  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Poland                  

Polskie Gornictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo SA

    (342,646     (422,146     1.3  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
South Korea                  

Amorepacific Corp.

    (465     (76,498     0.2  

Celltrion Healthcare Co. Ltd.

    (4,392     (206,765     0.6  

Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co. Ltd.

    (7,231     (755,730     2.3  

LG Display Co. Ltd.

    (113,574     (1,331,318     4.0  

Lotte Corp.

    (24,106     (754,595     2.2  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      (3,124,906  
Spain                  

Ferrovial SA

    (13,011     (383,866     1.1  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Switzerland                  

Kuehne + Nagel International AG, Registered Shares

    (1,810     (292,418     0.9  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Taiwan                  

Hotai Motor Co. Ltd.

    (50,000     (884,512     2.6  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Security   Shares     Value     % of
Basket
Value
 
United States                  

Fortive Corp.

    (402   $ (27,738     0.1 %  

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.

    (135,198     (1,327,644     3.9  

Hormel Foods Corp.

    (62,021     (2,536,039     7.6  

Longfor Group Holdings Ltd.

    (7,000     (29,051     0.1  

Nucor Corp.

    (40,859     (2,200,257     6.6  

ZTO Express Cayman, Inc. — ADR

    (59,807     (1,315,754     3.9  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      (7,436,483  
   

 

 

   

Total Reference Entity — Short

      (33,475,355  
   

 

 

   

Net Value of Reference Entity — Citibank N.A.

    $ (33,475,355  
   

 

 

   

The following table represents the individual short positions and related values of the equity securities underlying the total return swap with JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. as of October 31, 2019 expiration date 02/08/23:

 

Security   Shares     Value     % of
Basket
Value
 

Reference Entity — Short

 

Argentina  

Mercadolibre, Inc.

    (794   $ (414,087     1.0
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Brazil  

Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA

    (79,320     (782,421     1.8  

Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA, Preference ‘B’ Shares

    (69,293     (708,221     1.6  

Lojas Americanas SA, Preference Shares

    (54,548     (271,890     0.6  

Suzano Papel e Celulose SA

    (323,698     (2,634,460     6.1  

Ultrapar Participacoes SA

    (86,387     (406,464     1.0  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      (4,803,456  
Canada  

Cenovus Energy, Inc.

    (49,705     (423,423     1.0  

Saputo, Inc.

    (17,440     (505,814     1.1  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      (929,237  
China  

AAC Technologies Holdings, Inc.

    (12,000     (77,655     0.2  

China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd., Class H

    (3,284,000     (2,021,102     4.6  

Dongfeng Motor Group Co. Ltd., Class H

    (38,000     (38,118     0.1  

Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd.

    (1,127,000     (2,132,522     4.9  

Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd.

    (43,900     (606,639     1.4  

SINA Corp./China

    (12,906     (511,078     1.2  

Sunny Optical Technology Group Co. Ltd.

    (51,800     (832,627     1.9  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      (6,219,741  
Finland  

Neste OYJ

    (19,142     (691,647     1.6  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Germany  

BASF SE

    (11,881     (903,184     2.1  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Hong Kong  

China Everbright International Ltd.

    (664,000     (501,855     1.2  

China Gas Holdings Ltd.

    (136,800     (582,760     1.3  

China State Construction International Holdings Ltd.

    (2,600,000     (2,394,478     5.5  

Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Ltd.

    (82,000     (71,132     0.2  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      (3,550,225  
Japan  

Eisai Co. Ltd.

    (1,100     (79,628     0.2  

FamilyMart UNY Holdings Co. Ltd.

    (13,100     (324,961     0.7  

LINE Corp.

    (45,800     (1,684,841     3.9  
 

 

 

26    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2019

   BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

 

Security   Shares     Value     % of
Basket
Value
 
Japan (continued)  

Makita Corp.

    (7,300   $ (245,505     0.6 %  

Nippon Paint Holdings Co. Ltd.

    (6,000     (326,763     0.7  

Oracle Corp. Japan

    (600     (52,738     0.1  

Renesas Electronics Corp.

    (131,900     (892,920     2.1  

SMC Corp.

    (2,300     (993,694     2.3  

SoftBank Group Corp.

    (8,900     (342,351     0.8  

Sony Financial Holdings, Inc.

    (2,600     (55,935     0.1  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      (4,999,336  
Poland  

mBank SA

    (369     (36,874     0.1  

PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna SA

    (91,815     (196,866     0.4  

Santander Bank Polska SA

    (3,116     (255,617     0.6  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      (489,357  
South Africa  

Shoprite Holdings Ltd.

    (119,514     (1,070,903     2.5  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
South Korea  

Amorepacific Corp.

    (2,084     (342,845     0.8  

AMOREPACIFIC Group

    (12,991     (941,493     2.1  

Hyundai Steel Co.

    (12,408     (337,931     0.8  

LG Display Co. Ltd.

    (61,855     (725,066     1.7  

Lotte Corp.

    (5,185     (162,307     0.4  

Lotte Shopping Co. Ltd.

    (2,167     (231,614     0.5  

SK Hynix, Inc.

    (9,226     (648,735     1.5  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      (3,389,991  
Turkey  

Akbank TAS

    (42,611     (51,481     0.1  

BIM Birlesik Magazalar AS

    (45,874     (379,686     0.9  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      (431,167  
Security   Shares     Value     % of
Basket
Value
 
United Kingdom  

British American Tobacco PLC

    (8,951   $ (313,069     0.7 %  

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC

    (255,048     (705,013     1.7  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      (1,018,082  
United States  

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

    (52,431     (1,778,984     4.1  

Autohome, Inc. — ADR

    (30,333     (2,564,958     5.9  

Baker Hughes a GE Co.

    (5,334     (114,147     0.3  

Conagra Brands, Inc.

    (80,658     (2,181,799     5.0  

Concho Resources, Inc.

    (5,448     (367,849     0.8  

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A

    (5,048     (960,786     2.2  

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

    (2,037     (174,693     0.4  

Fox Corp., Class A

    (11,633     (372,721     0.9  

Fox Corp., Class B

    (838     (26,179     0.1  

Hess Corp.

    (7,744     (509,168     1.2  

Illumina, Inc.

    (3,290     (972,261     2.2  

iQIYI, Inc. — ADR

    (157,579     (2,746,602     6.3  

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.

    (268     (116,717     0.3  

Southwest Airlines Co.

    (25,377     (1,424,411     3.3  

Sprint Corp.

    (23,341     (144,948     0.3  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (14,456,223  
   

 

 

   

Total Reference Entity — Short

 

    (43,366,636  
   

 

 

   

Net Value of Reference Entity — JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

 

  $ (43,366,636  
   

 

 

   
 

Balances Reported in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities for Centrally Cleared Swaps, OTC Swaps and Options Written

 

      Swap
Premiums
Paid
     Swap
Premiums
Received
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
     Value  

Centrally Cleared Swaps(a)

   $ 10,433      $ (16,150,634    $ 738,139      $ (3,651,904    $  

OTC Swaps

                   3,482,288        (2,760,969       

Options Written

     N/A        N/A        39,754,062        (10,167,542      (78,151,092

 

  (a) 

Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on centrally cleared swaps, as reported in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities and is net of any previously paid (received) swap premium amounts.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of year end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:

 

     Commodity
Contracts
    Credit
Contracts
    Equity
Contracts
    Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
    Interest
Rate
Contracts
    Other
Contracts
    Total  

Assets — Derivative Financial Instruments

             

Futures contracts

             

Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)

  $     $     $ 914,704     $     $ 2,301,762     $     $ 3,216,466  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

             

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                      58,212,096                   58,212,096  

Options purchased(b)

             

Investments at value — unaffiliated

                106,118,703       5,240,855       7,933,750             119,293,308  

Swaps — centrally cleared

             

Unrealized appreciation on centrally cleared swaps(a)

                            738,139             738,139  

Swaps — OTC

             

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swaps; Swap premiums paid

                3,482,288                         3,482,288  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $     $     $ 110,515,695     $ 63,452,951     $ 10,973,651     $     $ 184,942,297  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      27  


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2019

   BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

 

     Commodity
Contracts
    Credit
Contracts
    Equity
Contracts
    Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
    Interest
Rate
Contracts
    Other
Contracts
    Total  

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

             

Futures contracts

             

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

  $     $     $ 39,360,864     $     $ 7,458,246     $     $ 46,819,110  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

             

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                      42,684,983                   42,684,983  

Options written

             

Options written at value

                69,367,363       4,515,049       4,268,680             78,151,092  

Swaps — centrally cleared

             

Unrealized depreciation on centrally cleared swaps(a)

          1,402,189                   2,249,715             3,651,904  

Swaps — OTC

             

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swaps; Swap premiums received

                2,760,969                         2,760,969  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $     $ 1,402,189     $ 111,489,196     $ 47,200,032     $ 13,976,641     $     $ 174,068,058  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts and centrally cleared swaps, if any, are reported in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments. In the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities, only current day’s variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in accumulated earnings (loss).

 
  (b) 

Includes options purchased at value as reported in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments.

 

For the year ended October 31, 2019, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Consolidated Statement of Operations was as follows:

 

      Commodity
Contracts
     Credit
Contracts
     Equity
Contracts
     Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
     Interest Rate
Contracts
     Other
Contracts
     Total  

Net Realized Gain (Loss) from:

                    

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ 6,023,432      $      $ (8,467,550    $      $ (2,444,118

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          (14,174,384                    (14,174,384

Options purchased(a)

                   (80,707,095      (24,116,793      48,201,797               (56,622,091

Options written

                   39,845,321        6,355,890        (14,961,545             31,239,666  

Swaps

            (2,903,012      6,338,405               13,324,771               16,760,164  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $ (2,903,012    $ (28,499,937    $ (31,935,287    $ 38,097,473      $      $ (25,240,763
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:                                                 

Futures contracts

   $      $      $ (99,867,684    $      $ (5,156,483    $      $ (105,024,167

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          32,164,646                      32,164,646  

Options purchased(b)

                   73,175,992        5,853,292        (8,046,041             70,983,243  

Options written

                   53,869,605        3,930,873        4,576,995               62,377,473  

Swaps

            (1,706,988      (28,981,007             (1,165,041             (31,853,036
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $ (1,706,988    $ (1,803,094    $ 41,948,811      $ (9,790,570    $      $ 28,648,159  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Options purchased are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments.

 
  (b) 

Options purchased are included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments.

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

 

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 1,829,387,845  

Average notional value of contracts — short

   $ 1,287,735,363  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts:

 

Average amounts purchased — in USD

   $ 1,470,756,281  

Average amounts sold — in USD

   $ 2,361,486,894  

Options:

 

Average value of option contracts purchased

   $ 90,897,750  

Average value of option contracts written

   $ 106,477,608  

Average notional value of swaption contracts purchased

   $ 1,372,518,857  

Average notional value of swaption contracts written

   $ 2,185,071,438  

Credit default swaps:

 

Average notional value — buy protection

   $ 197,069,147  

Interest rate swaps:

 

Average notional value — pays fixed rate

   $ 569,185,337  

Average notional value — receives fixed rate .

   $ 969,323,277  

Total return swaps:

 

Average notional amounts

   $ (52,251,933

 

 

28    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2019

   BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

 

      Assets      Liabilities  

Futures contracts

   $ 11,663,539      $ 4,098,593  

Swaps — Centrally cleared

     524,218         

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     58,212,096        42,684,983  

Options

     119,293,308 (a)       78,151,092  

Swaps — OTC(b)

     3,482,288        2,760,969  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities

   $ 193,175,449      $ 127,695,637  

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

     (51,214,745      (15,202,302
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $ 141,960,704      $ 112,493,335  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Includes options purchased at value which is included in Investments at value — unaffiliated in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities and reported in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments.

 
  (b)

Includes unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on OTC swaps and swap premiums (paid/received) in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

The following tables present the Fund’s derivative assets (and liabilities) by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an MNA and net of the related collateral received (and pledged) by the Fund:

 

Counterparty    Derivative
Assets
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
       Derivatives
Available
for Offset
 (a)
       Non-cash
Collateral
Received
 (b)
       Cash
Collateral
Received
 (b)
       Net Amount
of Derivative
Assets
  (c)(d)
 

Bank of America N.A.

   $ 11,153,460        $ (8,301,586      $ (2,851,874      $        $  

BNP Paribas S.A.

     4,043,982          (4,043,982                           

Citibank N.A.

     12,956,410          (10,033,598                 (2,919,975        2,837  

Credit Suisse International

     16,180,211          (9,361,282                 (6,818,929         

Deutsche Bank AG

     2,107,545          (2,107,545                           

Goldman Sachs International

     12,389,777          (2,551,332                 (6,390,000        3,448,445  

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     45,148,985          (17,810,064                          27,338,921  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC(e)

     14,171,501          (14,171,501                           

Nomura International PLC

     7,678,003          (4,007,229                 (3,670,000        774  

Societe Generale(e)

     9,998,240          (397,671                 (7,270,000        2,330,569  

UBS AG

     6,132,590          (6,132,590                           
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 141,960,704        $ (78,918,380      $ (2,851,874      $ (27,068,904      $ 33,121,546  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

Counterparty    Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to
an MNA by
Counterparty
       Derivatives
Available
for Offset
 (a)
       Non-cash
Collateral
Pledged
 (f)
       Cash
Collateral
Pledged
       Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
  (d)(g)
 

Bank of America N.A.

   $ 8,301,586        $ (8,301,586      $        $        $  

Barclays Bank PLC

     9,173,482                   (9,173,482                  

BNP Paribas S.A.

     5,284,355          (4,043,982                          1,240,373  

Citibank N.A.

     10,033,598          (10,033,598                           

Credit Suisse International

     9,361,282          (9,361,282                           

Deutsche Bank AG

     5,145,050          (2,107,545                          3,037,505  

Goldman Sachs International

     2,551,332          (2,551,332                           

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

     17,810,064          (17,810,064                           

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC(e)

     27,867,135          (14,171,501        (12,578,465                 1,117,169  

Nomura International PLC

     4,007,229          (4,007,229                           

Societe Generale(e)

     397,671          (397,671                           

UBS AG

     12,560,551          (6,132,590        (6,427,961                  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 112,493,335        $ (78,918,380      $ (28,179,908      $        $ 5,395,047  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

The amount of derivatives available for offset is limited to the amount of derivative asset and/or liabilities that are subject to an MNA.

 
  (b)

Excess of collateral received from the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (c)

Net amount represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.

 
  (d)

Net amount may also include forward foreign currency exchange contracts and currency options that are not required to be collateralized.

 
  (e)

Includes derivatives owned by the BlackRock Cayman Global Allocation Fund I, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund. See Note 1 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
  (f)

Excess of collateral pledged to the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.

 
  (g)

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to counterparty in the event of default. Net amount may be offset further by the options written receivable/payable on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      29  


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2019

   BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

 

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 Fund’s policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The following tables summarize the Fund’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

 

Investments:

 

Common Stocks:

 

Argentina

   $ 493,787        $        $        $ 493,787  

Australia

              14,906,473          26,229,868          41,136,341  

Brazil

     156,492,997                            156,492,997  

Canada

     167,852,161                            167,852,161  

Chile

     4,912,339                            4,912,339  

China

     153,394,548          315,677,384                   469,071,932  

Czech Republic

              7,514,031                   7,514,031  

Denmark

              14,272,357                   14,272,357  

Finland

              758,617                   758,617  

France

     84,684,697          434,672,456                   519,357,153  

Germany

     77,493,363          274,052,119                   351,545,482  

Hong Kong

              183,575,296                   183,575,296  

India

              193,655,063                   193,655,063  

Indonesia

              11,079,496                   11,079,496  

Italy

     28,286,380          219,828,932                   248,115,312  

Japan

              1,324,878,614                   1,324,878,614  

Malaysia

              3,479,909                   3,479,909  

Mexico

     2,021,273                            2,021,273  

Netherlands

     49,951,600          385,710,106                   435,661,706  

Peru

     57,035                            57,035  

Poland

              7,702,236                   7,702,236  

Singapore

              119,714,355                   119,714,355  

South Africa

              2,186,489                   2,186,489  

South Korea

     6,184,122          100,326,704                   106,510,826  

Spain

              177,097,532                   177,097,532  

Sweden

              4,082,806                   4,082,806  

Switzerland

              206,353,400                   206,353,400  

Taiwan

              337,931,115                   337,931,115  

Thailand

     19,215,259          25,741,867                   44,957,126  

Turkey

              1,238,128                   1,238,128  

United Arab Emirates

              32,700,907          15          32,700,922  

United Kingdom

     790,824          277,412,207                   278,203,031  

United States

     8,448,345,963          68,921,116          11,475,662          8,528,742,741  

Corporate Bonds(a)

     15,744,647          1,442,230,805          177,284,776          1,635,260,228  

Floating Rate Loan Interests(a)

              98,635,723                   98,635,723  

Foreign Agency Obligations(a)

              1,375,648,776                   1,375,648,776  

Investment Companies

     90,219,182                            90,219,182  

Capital Trusts(a)

              234,438,849                   234,438,849  

Preferred Stock(a)

     13,805,281          73,779,325          156,271,267          243,855,873  

Trust Preferreds(a)

     59,303,481                            59,303,481  

U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities

              762,858,483                   762,858,483  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

              3,079,204,806                   3,079,204,806  

Short-Term Securities

                 

Foreign Agency Obligations(a)

              907,591,219                   907,591,219  

Money Market Funds

     15,160,728                            15,160,728  

Time Deposits(a)

              3,017,954                   3,017,954  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

              2,502,656,783                   2,502,656,783  

Options Purchased

                 

Equity contracts

     39,026,988          67,091,715                   106,118,703  

Foreign Exchange contracts

              5,240,855                   5,240,855  

Interest Rate contracts

              7,933,750                   7,933,750  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Subtotal

   $ 9,433,436,655        $ 15,305,798,758        $ 371,261,588        $ 25,110,497,001  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Investments Valued at NAV(b)

                    132,228,628  
                 

 

 

 

Total Investments

                  $ 25,242,725,629  
                 

 

 

 

 

 

30    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  (continued)

October 31, 2019

   BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Derivative Financial Instruments(c)

 

Assets:

 

Equity contracts

   $ 914,704        $ 3,482,288        $        $ 4,396,992  

Forward foreign currency contracts

              58,212,096                   58,212,096  

Interest rate contracts

     2,301,762          738,139                   3,039,901  

Liabilities:

 

Credit contracts

              (1,402,189                 (1,402,189

Equity contracts

     (50,464,573        (61,024,623                 (111,489,196

Forward foreign currency contracts

              (47,200,032                 (47,200,032

Interest rate contracts

     (7,458,246        (6,518,395                 (13,976,641
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ (54,706,353      $ (53,712,716      $        $ (108,419,069
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a)

See above Consolidated Schedule of Investments for values in each country.

 
  (b)

Certain investments of the Fund were fair valued using NAV per share or its equivalent as no quoted market value is available and therefore have been excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

 
  (c)

Derivative financial instruments are swaps, futures contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, and options written. Swaps, futures contracts and forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument and options written are shown at value.

 

A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented when the Fund had a significant amount of Level 3 investments at the beginning and/or end of the period in relation to net assets. The following table is a reconciliation of Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used in determining fair value:

 

     

Common

Stocks

    

Corporate

Bonds

     Preferred
Stocks
     Total  

Assets:

           

Opening Balance, as of October 31, 2018

   $ 41,961,322      $ 186,344,256      $ 400,330,166      $ 628,635,744  

Transfers into Level 3.

                           

Transfers out of Level 3

                           

Accrued discounts (premiums)

            (289,625             (289,625

Net realized gain (loss)

     (223,803      (2,851,295      (951,300      (4,026,398

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(a)(b)

     (1,612,307      (28,205      (184,987,904      (186,628,416

Purchases

            5,579,869        35,425,349        41,005,218  

Sales

     (2,419,667      (11,470,224      (93,545,044      (107,434935
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Closing Balance, as of October 31, 2019

   $ 37,705,545      $ 177,284,776      $ 156,271,267      $ 371,261,588  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still  held at October 31, 2019(b)

   $ (1,612,307    $ (28,205    $ 9,380,077      $ 7,739,565  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Included in the related net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 
  (b) 

Any difference between net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at October 31, 2019 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

 

The following table summarizes the valuation approaches used and unobservable inputs utilized by the BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) to determine the value of certain of the Fund’s Level 3 investments as of period end. The table does not include Level 3 investments with values based upon unadjusted third party pricing information in the amount of $11,392,884. A significant change in the third party information could result in a significantly lower or higher value of such Level 3 investments.

 

      Value        Valuation
Approaches
       Unobservable Inputs        Range of
Unobservable
Inputs
Utilized
 (a)
    

Weighted

Average of
Unobservable
Inputs Based
on Fair Value

 

Assets:

                    

Common Stocks

   $ 26,326,292          Market         

Revenue Multiple

Time to Exit

Volatility

 

 

 

      

5.00x

2.6 years

38

 

 

    


 

 

 

          Income          Discount Rate          15       

Corporate Bonds

     177,284,331          Income          Discount Rate          15% - 30%        17

Preferred Stocks

     156,258,081          Market         

Revenue Multiple

Time to Exit

Volatility

Discount Rate

Recent Transactions

 

 

 

 

 

      

5.00x - 14.50x

0.67 - 2.60 years

38

20

 

 

 

    

9.91x

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

                   
   $ 359,868,704            
  

 

 

                   

 

  (a) 

A significant change in unobservable input would have resulted in a correlated (inverse) significant change to value.

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS      31  


 

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities

October 31, 2019

 

     BlackRock Global
Allocation Fund, Inc.
 

ASSETS

 

Investments at value — unaffiliated (including securities loaned at value of $127,494,601, cost — $21,379,834,506)

  $ 24,879,847,560  

Investments at value — affiliated (cost — $489,553,758)

    362,878,069  

Cash

    20,015,189  

Cash pledged for centrally cleared swaps

    16,844,000  

Receivables:

 

Investments sold

    196,653,648  

Options written

    25,237,229  

Securities lending income — affiliated

    58,348  

Swaps

    671,295  

Capital shares sold

    13,324,608  

Dividends — affiliated

    592,926  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    27,692,926  

Income — affiliated

    474,607  

Interest — unaffiliated

    41,029,629  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    11,663,539  

Variation margin on centrally cleared swaps

    524,218  

Unrealized appreciation on:

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    58,212,096  

OTC swaps

    3,482,288  

Prepaid expenses

    324,622  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    25,659,526,797  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Cash collateral on securities loaned at value

    132,125,513  

Foreign bank overdraft (cost $14,687,387)

    14,488,463  

Cash received

 

Collateral — OTC derivatives

    33,169,975  

Collateral — centrally cleared swaps

    60  

Options written at value (premiums received — $107,737,612)

    78,151,092  

Payables:

 

Investments purchased

    1,144,332,885  

Board realignment and consolidation

    303,308  

Capital shares redeemed

    52,314,079  

Deferred foreign capital gain tax

    4,434,184  

Investment advisory fees

    14,467,347  

Directors’ and Officer’s fees

    41,662  

Options written

    7,749,392  

Other accrued expenses

    9,946,020  

Other affiliates

    95,041  

Service and distribution fees

    5,175,299  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    4,098,593  

Swaps

    1,410,358  

Unrealized depreciation on:

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    42,684,983  

OTC swaps

    2,760,969  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    1,547,749,223  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 24,111,777,574  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 20,171,415,664  

Accumulated earnings

    3,940,361,910  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 24,111,777,574  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE

 

Institutional — Based on net assets of $8,617,255,943 and 444,991,897 shares outstanding, 2 billion shares authorized, $0.10 par value

  $ 19.36  
 

 

 

 

Investor A — Based on net assets of $10,601,653,310 and 551,265,172 shares outstanding, 2 billion shares authorized, $0.10 par value

  $ 19.23  
 

 

 

 

Investor C — Based on net assets of $3,143,500,643 and 183,043,684 shares outstanding, 2 billion shares authorized, $0.10 par value

  $ 17.17  
 

 

 

 

Class K — Based on net assets of $1,146,295,032 and 59,209,631 shares outstanding, 2 billion shares authorized, $0.10 par value

  $ 19.36  
 

 

 

 

Class R — Based on net assets of $603,072,646 and 33,058,875 shares outstanding, 2 billion shares authorized, $0.10 par value

  $ 18.24  
 

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

32    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Consolidated Statement of Operations

Year Ended October 31, 2019

 

    

BlackRock Global

Allocation Fund, Inc.

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends — unaffiliated

  $ 392,567,648  

Interest — unaffiliated

    277,465,044  

Dividends — affiliated

    7,079,232  

Securities lending income — affiliated — net

    902,503  

Other income

    78,850  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (24,829,218
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    653,264,059  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory

    205,480,484  

Transfer agent — class specific

    24,978,887  

Accounting services

    2,154,305  

Custodian

    1,564,685  

Professional

    453,111  

Directors and Officer

    330,041  

Registration

    284,673  

Printing

    281,722  

Board realignment and consolidation

    142,457  

Service and distribution — class specific

    69,881,698  

Miscellaneous

    533,904  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding dividend expense and fees

    306,085,967  

Dividends expense — unaffiliated

    1,787,395  

Stock loan fees

    100,185  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    307,973,547  

Less:

 

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager

    (14,088,071

Fees paid indirectly

    (6,395
 

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly

    293,879,081  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    359,384,978  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments — unaffiliated (including $477,221 foreign capital gain tax)

    1,371,979,262  

Investments — affiliated

    (8,062,825

In-kind redemptions — unaffiliated(a)

    251,398,126  

In-kind redemptions — affiliated(a)

    483,358  

Futures contracts

    (2,444,118

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    (14,174,384

Foreign currency transactions

    (8,693,860

Options written

    31,239,666  

Short sales

    19,026,502  

Swaps

    16,760,164  
 

 

 

 
    1,657,511,891  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments — unaffiliated (including $4,434,184 foreign capital gain tax)

    493,879,869  

Investments — affiliated

    27,010,742  

Futures contracts

    (105,024,167

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    32,164,646  

Foreign currency translations

    1,048,740  

Options written

    62,377,473  

Swaps

    (31,853,036

Short sales

    (18,749,774
 

 

 

 
    460,854,493  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    2,118,366,384  
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 2,477,751,362  
 

 

 

 

 

(a) 

See Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      33  


 

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.  
    Year Ended October 31,  
     2019     2018  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment income

  $ 359,384,978     $ 408,730,485  

Net realized gain

    1,657,511,891       1,342,440,429  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    460,854,493       (2,719,804,186
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    2,477,751,362       (968,633,272
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS(a)

   

Institutional

    (740,960,412     (791,109,150

Investor A

    (660,060,342     (596,739,777

Investor B

          (92,993

Investor C

    (268,550,116     (330,973,431

Class K

    (81,596,844     (68,176,312

Class R

    (44,354,639     (47,519,768
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (1,795,522,353     (1,834,611,431
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

Net decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    (7,595,454,785     (5,095,841,995
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   

Total decrease in net assets

    (6,913,225,776     (7,899,086,698

Beginning of year

    31,025,003,350       38,924,090,048  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 24,111,777,574     $ 31,025,003,350  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

34    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Consolidated Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.  
    Institutional  
    Year Ended October 31,  
     2019      2018     2017     2016     2015  

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 18.81      $ 20.39     $ 18.43     $ 19.88     $ 21.77  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.30        0.28       0.25       0.25       0.26  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.45        (0.84     2.12       (0.05     (0.22
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.75        (0.56     2.37       0.20       0.04  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

          

From net investment income

    (0.22      (0.32     (0.26     (0.15     (0.45

From net realized gain

    (0.98      (0.70     (0.15     (1.50     (1.48
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.20      (1.02     (0.41     (1.65     (1.93
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 19.36      $ 18.81     $ 20.39     $ 18.43     $ 19.88 (c) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

          

Based on net asset value

    9.96      (2.94 )%      13.10     1.34     0.31 %(c) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

          

Total expenses

    0.85      0.87 %(e)      0.90 %(e)      0.88 %(e)      0.87
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly

    0.80      0.80 %(e)      0.82 %(e)      0.80 %(e)      0.78
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding dividend expense, interest expense, broker fees and expenses on short sales

    0.80      0.79 %(e)      0.80 %(e)      0.79 %(e)      0.78
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.59      1.43 %(e)      1.28 %(e)      1.39 %(e)      1.28
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

          

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 8,617,256      $ 12,963,106     $ 16,164,754     $ 16,122,793     $ 20,210,226  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

    156      154     110     131     84
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(c) 

For financial reporting purposes, the market value of certain investments was adjusted as of report date. Accordingly, the NAV per share and total return performance based on NAV presented herein are different than the information previously published on October 31, 2015.

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds as follows:

 

    Year Ended October 31,  
     2019      2018      2017      2016  

Investments in underlying funds

         0.01      0.01      0.01
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(f) 

Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate is as follows:

 

    Year Ended October 31,  
     2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs)

    156      154      110      131      82
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS      35  


Consolidated Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc. (continued)  
    Investor A  
    Year Ended October 31,  
     2019      2018     2017     2016     2015  

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 18.68      $ 20.26     $ 18.29     $ 19.76     $ 21.65  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.24        0.23       0.19       0.20       0.21  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.46        (0.85     2.11       (0.04     (0.23
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.70        (0.62     2.30       0.16       (0.02
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

          

From net investment income

    (0.17      (0.26     (0.18     (0.13     (0.39

From net realized gain

    (0.98      (0.70     (0.15     (1.50     (1.48
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.15      (0.96     (0.33     (1.63     (1.87
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 19.23      $ 18.68     $ 20.26     $ 18.29     $ 19.76 (c) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

          

Based on net asset value

    9.71      (3.24 )%      12.77     1.08     0.02 %(c) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

          

Total expenses

    1.13      1.14 %(e)      1.18 %(e)      1.15 %(e)      1.14
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly

    1.08      1.07 %(e)      1.10 %(e)      1.08 %(e)      1.05
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding dividend expense, interest expense, broker fees and expenses on short sales

    1.08      1.07 %(e)      1.07 %(e)      1.07 %(e)      1.05
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.29      1.14 %(e)      1.00 %(e)      1.10 %(e)      1.01
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

          

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 10,601,653      $ 10,547,464     $ 12,809,356     $ 13,447,603     $ 16,016,234  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

    156      154     110     131     84
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(c) 

For financial reporting purposes, the market value of certain investments was adjusted as of report date. Accordingly, the NAV per share and total return performance based on NAV presented herein are different than the information previously published on October 31, 2015.

(d) 

Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds as follows:

 

    Year Ended October 31,  
     2019      2018      2017      2016  

Investments in underlying funds

         0.01      0.01      0.01
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(f) 

Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate is as follows:

 

    Year Ended October 31,  
     2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs)

    156      154      110      131      82
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

36    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Consolidated Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc. (continued)  
    Investor C  
    Year Ended October 31,  
     2019      2018     2017     2016     2015  

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 16.82      $ 18.33     $ 16.57     $ 18.11     $ 20.00  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.09        0.07       0.04       0.06       0.05  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.30        (0.76     1.91       (0.04     (0.21
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.39        (0.69     1.95       0.02       (0.16
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

 

From net investment income

    (0.06      (0.12     (0.04     (0.06     (0.25

From net realized gain

    (0.98      (0.70     (0.15     (1.50     (1.48
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.04      (0.82     (0.19     (1.56     (1.73
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 17.17      $ 16.82     $ 18.33     $ 16.57     $ 18.11 (c) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

 

Based on net asset value

    8.88      (3.95 )%      11.92     0.36     (0.73 )%(c) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

Total expenses

    1.88      1.88 %(e)      1.92 %(e)      1.89 %(e)      1.88
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly

    1.83      1.81 %(e)      1.84 %(e)      1.82 %(e)      1.79
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding dividend expense, interest expense, broker fees and expenses on short sales

    1.82      1.81 %(e)      1.82 %(e)      1.82 %(e)      1.79
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.56      0.38 %(e)      0.27 %(e)      0.37 %(e)      0.27
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 3,143,501      $ 5,402,163     $ 7,545,249     $ 11,029,706     $ 14,085,089  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

    156      154     110     131     84
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b)

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(c) 

For financial reporting purposes, the market value of certain investments was adjusted as of report date. Accordingly, the NAV per share and total return performance based on NAV presented herein are different than the information previously published on October 31, 2015.

(d) 

Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds as follows:

 

    Year Ended October 31,  
     2019      2018      2017      2016  

Investments in underlying funds

         0.01      0.01      0.01
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(f) 

Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate is as follows:

 

    Year Ended October 31,  
     2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs)

    156      154      110      131      82
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS      37  


Consolidated Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc. (continued)  
    Class K  
    Year Ended October 31,    

Period from
06/08/16 (a)

to 10/31/16

 
    2019      2018     2017  
         

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 18.80      $ 20.39     $ 18.44     $ 18.23  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(b)

    0.31        0.30       0.27       0.08  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.46        (0.85     2.12       0.13  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.77        (0.55     2.39       0.21  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(c)

 

From net investment income

    (0.23      (0.34     (0.29      

From net realized gain

    (0.98      (0.70     (0.15      
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.21      (1.04     (0.44      
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 19.36      $ 18.80     $ 20.39     $ 18.44  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

 

Based on net asset value

    10.10      (2.91 )%      13.20     1.15 %(e) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

 

Total expenses

    0.78      0.80 %(f)      0.82 %(f)      0.79 %(f)(g) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and before paid indirectly

    0.73      0.73 %(f)      0.74 %(f)      0.71 %(f)(g) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding dividend expense, interest expense, broker fees and expenses on short sales

    0.72      0.72 %(f)      0.72 %(f)      0.71 %(f)(g) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.67      1.53 %(f)      1.39 %(f)      1.06 %(f)(g) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 1,146,295      $ 1,326,617     $ 1,341,925     $ 604,611  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(h)

    156      154     110     131 %(i) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Commencement of operations.

(b) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(c) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Aggregate total return.

(f) 

Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds as follows:

 

    Year Ended October 31,  
     2019      2018      2017      2016  

Investments in underlying funds

         0.01      0.01      0.01
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate is as follows:

 

    Year Ended October 31,  
     2019      2018      2017      2016  

Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs)

    156      154      110      131
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(i) 

Portfolio turnover rate is representative of the Portfolio for the entire year.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

38    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Consolidated Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc. (continued)  
    Class R  
    Year Ended October 31,  
     2019      2018     2017     2016     2015  

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 17.77      $ 19.32     $ 17.46     $ 18.96     $ 20.86  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.17        0.15       0.13       0.14       0.13  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.38        (0.80     2.01       (0.04     (0.22
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    1.55        (0.65     2.14       0.10       (0.09
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

          

From net investment income

    (0.10      (0.20     (0.13     (0.10     (0.33

From net realized gain

    (0.98      (0.70     (0.15     (1.50     (1.48
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (1.08      (0.90     (0.28     (1.60     (1.81
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 18.24      $ 17.77     $ 19.32     $ 17.46     $ 18.96 (c) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return(d)

          

Based on net asset value

    9.35      (3.56 )%      12.42     0.79     (0.37 )%(c) 
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

          

Total expenses

    1.46      1.47 %(e)      1.50 %(e)      1.47 %(e)      1.48
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly

    1.41      1.40 %(e)      1.42 %(e)      1.39 %(e)      1.40
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding dividend expense, interest expense, broker fees and expenses on short sales

    1.40      1.39 %(e)      1.40 %(e)      1.39 %(e)      1.40
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income

    0.98      0.81 %(e)      0.68 %(e)      0.79 %(e)      0.67
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

          

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 603,073      $ 785,653     $ 1,060,273     $ 1,131,647     $ 1,186,678  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(f)

    156      154     110     131     84
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.

(c) 

For financial reporting purposes, the market value of certain investments was adjusted as of report date. Accordingly, the NAV per share and total return performance based on NAV presented herein are different than the information previously published on October 31, 2015.

(d) 

Where applicable, assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(e) 

Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds as follows:

 

    Year Ended October 31,  
     2019      2018      2017      2016  

Investments in underlying funds

         0.01      0.01      0.01
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(f) 

Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (“MDRs”). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate is as follows:

 

    Year Ended October 31,  
     2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs)

    156      154      110      131      82
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS      39  


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Fund is classified as diversified. The Fund is organized as a Maryland corporation.

The Fund offers multiple classes of shares. All classes of shares have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and are subject to the same terms and conditions, except that certain classes bear expenses related to the shareholder servicing and distribution of such shares. Institutional and Class K Shares are sold without a sales charge and only to certain eligible investors. Investor A Shares are generally sold with an initial sales charge, and may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) for certain redemptions where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase. Investor C Shares may be subject to a 1.00% CDSC if redeemed within one year of purchase. Class R Shares are sold without a sales charge and only to certain employer-sponsored retirement plans. Investor A, Investor C and Class R Shares bear certain expenses related to shareholder servicing of such shares, and Investor C and Class R Shares also bear certain expenses related to the distribution of such shares. Investor A and Investor C Shares are generally available through financial intermediaries. Effective November 8, 2018, the Fund adopted an automatic conversion feature whereby Investor C Shares held for approximately ten years will be automatically converted into Investor A Shares. Each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters relating to its shareholder servicing and distribution expenditures (except that Investor C shareholders may vote on material changes to the Investor A Shares distribution and service plan).

 

Share Class   Initial Sales Charge    CDSC      Conversion Privilege

Institutional, Class K and Class R Shares

  No      No      None

Investor A Shares

  Yes      No (a)     None

Investor C Shares

  No      Yes      To Investor A Shares after approximately 10 years

 

  (a) 

Investor A Shares may be subject to a CDSC for certain redemptions where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase.

 

The Fund, together with certain other registered investment companies advised by BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”) or its affiliates, is included in a complex of equity, multi-asset, index and money market funds referred to as the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex.

Basis of Consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Fund include the account of BlackRock Cayman Global Allocation Fund I, Ltd. (the “Subsidiary”), which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund and primarily invests in commodity-related instruments and other derivatives. The Subsidiary enables the Fund to hold these commodity-related instruments and satisfy regulated investment company tax requirements. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the Subsidiary. The net assets of the Subsidiary as of period end were $145,611,695, which is 0.6% of the Fund’s consolidated net assets. Intercompany accounts and transactions, if any, have been eliminated. The Subsidiary is subject to the same investment policies and restrictions that apply to the Fund, except that the Subsidiary may invest without limitation in commodity-related instruments.

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated 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. The 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:

Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Upon notification from issuers, a portion of the dividend income received from a real estate investment trust may be redesignated as a reduction of cost of the related investment and/or realized gain. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, is recognized on an accrual basis. Income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated daily to each class based on its relative net assets.

Foreign Currency Translation: The Fund’s books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates determined as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Purchases and sales of investments are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the investments denominated in that currency will lose value; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value.

The Fund does not isolate the portion of the results of operations arising as a result of changes in the exchange rates from the changes in the market prices of investments held or sold for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Consolidated Statement of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. The Fund reports realized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency related transactions as components of net realized gain (loss) for financial reporting purposes, whereas such components are generally treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Segregation and Collateralization: In cases where the Fund enters into certain investments (e.g., dollar rolls, TBA sale commitments, futures contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, options written, swaps and short sales) that would be treated as “senior securities” for 1940 Act purposes, the 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. Doing so allows the investment to be excluded from treatment as a “senior security.” Furthermore, if required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Fund 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.

 

 

40    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (continued)

 

In-Kind Redemptions: The Fund transferred securities and cash to shareholders in connection with an in-kind redemption transaction. For financial reporting purposes, these transactions were treated as a sale of securities and the resulting gains and losses were recognized based on the market value of the securities on the date of the redemption. For the year ended October 31, 2019, the Fund had in-kind redemptions of $1,147,570,537. For tax purposes, no gains or losses were recognized.

Net gains and losses resulting from such in-kind redemptions, which are included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, were as follows:

 

Investments — unaffiliated

  $ 253,459,427  

Investments — affiliated

    483,358  

Options Purchased

    (2,061,301
 

 

 

 
  $ 251,881,484  
 

 

 

 

Distributions: Distributions paid by the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions of capital gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and made at least annually. The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. Net income and realized gains from investments held by the Subsidiary are treated as ordinary income for tax purposes. If a net loss is realized by the Subsidiary in any taxable year, the loss will generally not be available to offset the Fund’s ordinary income and/or capital gains for that year.

Recent Accounting Standards: In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update “Premium Amortization of Purchased Callable Debt Securities” which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities. Under the new guidance, the premium amortization of purchased callable debt securities that have explicit, non-contingent call features and are callable at fixed prices will be amortized to the earliest call date. The guidance will be applied on a modified retrospective basis and is effective for fiscal years, and their interim periods, beginning after December 15, 2018. Management continues to evaluate the impact of this guidance on the Fund.

Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against the Fund, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.

Other: Expenses directly related to the Fund or its classes are charged to the 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. Expenses directly related to the Fund and other shared expenses prorated to the Fund are allocated daily to each class based on its relative net assets or other appropriate methods.

The Fund has an arrangement with its custodian whereby credits are earned on uninvested cash balances, which could be used to reduce custody fees and/or overdraft charges. The Fund may incur charges on certain uninvested cash balances and overdrafts, subject to certain conditions.

 

3.

INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Investment Valuation Policies: The Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) as of the close of trading on the NYSE (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time). U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under policies approved by the Board of Directors of the 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 oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments.

Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of the Fund’s assets and liabilities:

 

   

Equity investments traded on a recognized securities exchange are valued at the official closing price each day, if available. For equity investments traded on more than one exchange, the official closing price on the exchange where the stock is primarily traded is used. Equity investments traded on a recognized exchange for which there were no sales on that day may be valued at the last available bid (long positions) or ask (short positions) price.

 

   

Fixed-income securities for which market quotations are readily available are generally valued using the last available bid prices or current market quotations provided by independent dealers or third party pricing services. Floating rate loan interests are valued at the mean of the bid prices from one or more independent brokers or dealers as obtained from a third party pricing service. Pricing services generally value fixed-income securities assuming orderly transactions of an institutional round lot size, but a fund may hold or transact in such securities in smaller, odd lot sizes. Odd lots may trade at lower prices than institutional round lots. The pricing services may use matrix pricing or valuation models that utilize certain inputs and assumptions to derive values, including transaction data (e.g., recent representative bids and offers), credit quality information, perceived market movements, news, and other relevant information. Certain fixed-income securities, including asset-backed and mortgage related securities may be valued based on valuation models that consider the estimated cash flows of each tranche of the entity, establish a benchmark yield and develop an estimated tranche specific spread to the benchmark yield based on the unique attributes of the tranche. The amortized cost method of valuation may be used with respect to debt obligations with sixty days or less remaining to maturity unless the Manager determines such method does not represent fair value.

Generally, trading in foreign instruments is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of trading on the NYSE. Occasionally, events affecting the values of such instruments may occur between the foreign market close and the close of trading on the NYSE that may not be reflected in the computation of the Fund’s net assets. Each business day, the Fund uses a pricing service to assist with the valuation of certain foreign exchange-traded equity securities and foreign exchange-traded and over-the-counter (“OTC”) options (the “Systematic Fair Value Price”). Using current market factors, the Systematic Fair

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      41  


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Value Price is designed to value such foreign securities and foreign options at fair value as of the close of trading on the NYSE, which follows the close of the local markets.

 

   

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds are valued at net asset value (“NAV”) each business day.

 

   

The Fund values its investment in SL Liquidity Series, LLC, Money Market Series (the “Money Market Series”) at fair value, which is ordinarily based upon its pro rata ownership in the underlying fund’s net assets. The Money Market Series seeks current income consistent with maintaining liquidity and preserving capital. Although the Money Market Series is not registered under the 1940 Act, its investments may follow the parameters of investments by a money market fund that is subject to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act.

 

   

Futures contracts traded on exchanges are valued at their last sale price.

 

   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean between the bid and ask prices and are determined as of the close of trading on the NYSE based on that day’s prevailing forward exchange rate for the underlying currencies. Interpolated values are derived when the settlement date of the contract is an interim date for which quotations are not available.

 

   

Exchange-traded options are valued at the mean between the last bid and ask prices at the close of the options market in which the options trade. An exchange-traded option for which there is no mean price is valued at the last bid (long positions) or ask (short positions) price. If no bid or ask price is available, the prior day’s price will be used, unless it is determined that the prior day’s price no longer reflects the fair value of the option. OTC options and options on swaps (“swaptions”) are valued by an independent pricing service using a mathematical model, which incorporates a number of market data factors, such as the trades and prices of the underlying instruments.

 

   

Swap agreements are valued utilizing quotes received daily by the Fund’s pricing service or through brokers, which are derived using daily swap curves and models that incorporate a number of market data factors, such as discounted cash flows, trades and values of the underlying reference instruments.

If events (e.g., a company announcement, market volatility or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such investments, 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”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Global Valuation Committee will include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, seeks to determine the price that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, deems relevant and 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.

For investments in equity or debt issued by privately held companies or funds (“Private Company” or collectively, the “Private Companies”) and other Fair Valued Investments, the fair valuation approaches that are used by the Global Valuation Committee and third party pricing services utilize one or a combination of, but not limited to, the following inputs.

 

     Standard Inputs Generally Considered By Third Party Pricing Services

Market approach

 

(i)  recent market transactions, including subsequent rounds of financing, in the underlying investment or comparable issuers;

(ii) recapitalizations and other transactions across the capital structure; and

(iii)   market multiples of comparable issuers.

Income approach

 

(i)  future cash flows discounted to present and adjusted as appropriate for liquidity, credit, and/or market risks;

(ii) quoted prices for similar investments or assets in active markets; and

(iii)   other risk factors, such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, recovery rates, liquidation amounts and/or default rates.

Cost approach

 

(i)  audited or unaudited financial statements, investor communications and financial or operational metrics issued by the Private Company;

(ii) changes in the valuation of relevant indices or publicly traded companies comparable to the Private Company;

(iii)   relevant news and other public sources; and

(iv)   known secondary market transactions in the Private Company’s interests and merger or acquisition activity in companies comparable to the Private Company.

Investments in series of preferred stock issued by Private Companies are typically valued utilizing market approach in determining the enterprise value of the company. Such investments often contain rights and preferences that differ from other series of preferred and common stock of the same issuer. Valuation techniques such as an option pricing model (“OPM”), a probability weighted expected return model (“PWERM”) or a hybrid of those techniques are used in allocating enterprise value of the company, as deemed appropriate under the circumstances. The use of OPM and PWERM techniques involve a determination of the exit scenarios of the investment in order to appropriately allocate the enterprise value of the company among the various parts of its capital structure.

The Private Companies are not subject to the public company disclosure, timing, and reporting standards as other investments held by the Fund. Typically, the most recently available information by a Private Company is as of a date that is earlier than the date the Fund is calculating its NAV. This factor may result in a difference between the value of the investment and the price the Fund could receive upon the sale of the investment.

 

 

42    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (continued)

 

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 the 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 market–corroborated inputs)

 

   

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available (including the Global Valuation Committee’s 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. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Global Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by Private Companies. There may not be a secondary market, and/or there are a limited number of investors. 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.

As of October 31, 2019, certain investments of the Fund were valued using NAV (or its equivalent) as no quoted market value is available and therefore have been excluded from the fair value hierarchy.

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities: Asset-backed securities are generally issued as pass-through certificates or as debt instruments. Asset-backed securities issued as pass-through certificates represent undivided fractional ownership interests in an underlying pool of assets. Asset-backed securities issued as debt instruments, which are also known as collateralized obligations, are typically issued as the debt of a special purpose entity organized solely for the purpose of owning such assets and issuing such debt. Asset-backed securities are often backed by a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of different parties. The yield characteristics of certain asset-backed securities may differ from traditional debt securities. One such major difference is that all or a principal part of the obligations may be prepaid at any time because the underlying assets (i.e., loans) may be prepaid at any time. As a result, a decrease in interest rates in the market may result in increases in the level of prepayments as borrowers, particularly mortgagors, refinance and repay their loans. An increased prepayment rate with respect to an asset-backed security will have the effect of shortening the maturity of the security. In addition, a fund may subsequently have to reinvest the proceeds at lower interest rates. If a fund has purchased such an asset-backed security at a premium, a faster than anticipated prepayment rate could result in a loss of principal to the extent of the premium paid.

For mortgage pass-through securities (the “Mortgage Assets”) there are a number of important differences among the agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government that issue mortgage-related securities and among the securities that they issue. For example, mortgage-related securities guaranteed by Ginnie Mae are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by Ginnie Mae and such guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. However, mortgage-related securities issued by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, including Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae guaranteed mortgage pass-through certificates, which are solely the obligations of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, are not backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States, but are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury.

Non-agency mortgage-backed securities are securities issued by non-governmental issuers and have no direct or indirect government guarantees of payment and are subject to various risks. Non-agency mortgage loans are obligations of the borrowers thereunder only and are not typically insured or guaranteed by any other person or entity. The ability of a borrower to repay a loan is dependent upon the income or assets of the borrower. A number of factors, including a general economic downturn, acts of God, terrorism, social unrest and civil disturbances, may impair a borrower’s ability to repay its loans.

Inflation-Indexed Bonds: Inflation-indexed bonds (other than municipal inflation-indexed and certain corporate inflation-indexed bonds) are fixed-income securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation. If the index measuring inflation rises or falls, the principal value of inflation-indexed bonds (other than municipal inflation-indexed and certain corporate inflation-indexed bonds) will be adjusted upward or downward, and consequently the interest payable on these securities (calculated with respect to a larger or smaller principal amount) will be increased or reduced, respectively. Any upward or downward adjustment in the principal amount of an inflation-indexed bond will be included as interest income in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, even though investors do not receive their principal until maturity. Repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed in the case of U.S. Treasury inflation-indexed bonds. For bonds that do not provide a similar guarantee, the adjusted principal value of the bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal. With regard to municipal inflation-indexed bonds and certain corporate inflation-indexed bonds, the inflation adjustment is typically reflected in the semi-annual coupon payment. As a result, the principal value of municipal inflation-indexed bonds and such corporate inflation-indexed bonds does not adjust according to the rate of inflation.

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.

Capital Securities and Trust Preferred Securities: Capital securities, including trust preferred securities, are typically issued by corporations, generally in the form of interest-bearing notes with preferred securities characteristics. In the case of trust preferred securities, an affiliated business trust of a corporation issues these securities, generally in the form of beneficial interests in subordinated debentures or similarly structured securities. The securities can be structured with either a fixed or adjustable

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      43  


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (continued)

 

coupon that can have either a perpetual or stated maturity date. For trust preferred securities, the issuing bank or corporation pays interest to the trust, which is then distributed to holders of these securities as a dividend. Dividends can be deferred without creating an event of default or acceleration, although maturity cannot take place unless all cumulative payment obligations have been met. The deferral of payments does not affect the purchase or sale of these securities in the open market. These securities generally are rated below that of the issuing company’s senior debt securities and are freely callable at the issuer’s option.

Preferred Stocks: Preferred stock has a preference over common stock in liquidation (and generally in receiving dividends as well), but is subordinated to the liabilities of the issuer in all respects. As a general rule, the market value of preferred stock with a fixed dividend rate and no conversion element varies inversely with interest rates and perceived credit risk, while the market price of convertible preferred stock generally also reflects some element of conversion value. Because preferred stock is junior to debt securities and other obligations of the issuer, deterioration in the credit quality of the issuer will cause greater changes in the value of a preferred stock than in a more senior debt security with similar stated yield characteristics. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock dividends are payable only if declared by the issuer’s board of directors. Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption provisions.

Floating Rate Loan Interests: Floating rate loan interests are typically issued to companies (the “borrower”) by banks, other financial institutions, or privately and publicly offered corporations (the “lender”). Floating rate loan interests are generally non-investment grade, often involve borrowers whose financial condition is troubled or uncertain and companies that are highly leveraged or in bankruptcy proceedings. In addition, transactions in floating rate loan interests may settle on a delayed basis, which may result in proceeds from the sale not being readily available for a fund to make additional investments or meet its redemption obligations. Floating rate loan interests may include fully funded term loans or revolving lines of credit. Floating rate loan interests are typically senior in the corporate capital structure of the borrower. Floating rate loan interests generally pay interest at rates that are periodically determined by reference to a base lending rate plus a premium. Since the rates reset only periodically, changes in prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the NAV of a fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate loan interests. The base lending rates are generally the lending rate offered by one or more European banks, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), the prime rate offered by one or more U.S. banks or the certificate of deposit rate. Floating rate loan interests may involve foreign borrowers, and investments may be denominated in foreign currencies. These investments are treated as investments in debt securities for purposes of a fund’s investment policies.

When a fund purchases a floating rate loan interest, it may receive a facility fee and when it sells a floating rate loan interest, it may pay a facility fee. On an ongoing basis, a fund may receive a commitment fee based on the undrawn portion of the underlying line of credit amount of a floating rate loan interest. Facility and commitment fees are typically amortized to income over the term of the loan or term of the commitment, respectively. Consent and amendment fees are recorded to income as earned. Prepayment penalty fees, which may be received by a fund upon the prepayment of a floating rate loan interest by a borrower, are recorded as realized gains. A fund may invest in multiple series or tranches of a loan. A different series or tranche may have varying terms and carry different associated risks.

Floating rate loan interests are usually freely callable at the borrower’s option. A fund may invest in such loans in the form of participations in loans (“Participations”) or assignments (“Assignments”) of all or a portion of loans from third parties. Participations typically will result in a fund having a contractual relationship only with the lender, not with the borrower. A fund has the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the lender selling the Participation and only upon receipt by the lender of the payments from the borrower. In connection with purchasing Participations, a fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement, nor any rights of offset against the borrower. A fund may not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the Participation. As a result, a fund assumes the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender that is selling the Participation. A fund’s investment in loan participation interests involves the risk of insolvency of the financial intermediaries who are parties to the transactions. In the event of the insolvency of the lender selling the Participation, a fund may be treated as a general creditor of the lender and may not benefit from any offset between the lender and the borrower. Assignments typically result in a fund having a direct contractual relationship with the borrower, and a fund may enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement.

Forward Commitments, When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities: The fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis and may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis. Settlement of such transactions normally occurs within a month or more after the purchase or sale commitment is made. The 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, the fund may be required to pay more at settlement than the security is worth. In addition, the fund is not entitled to any of the interest earned prior to settlement. When purchasing a security on a delayed delivery basis, the 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, the fund’s maximum amount of loss is the unrealized appreciation of unsettled when-issued transactions.

Short Sale Transactions: In short sale transactions, a fund sells a security it does not hold in anticipation of a decline in the market price of that security. When a fund makes a short sale, it will borrow the security sold short from a broker/counterparty and deliver the security to the purchaser. To close out a short position, a fund delivers the same security to the broker and records a liability to reflect the obligation to return the security to the broker. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the market value of the short sale. A fund maintains a segregated account of securities or deposits cash with the broker-dealer as collateral for the short sales. Cash deposited with the broker is recorded as an asset in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Securities segregated as collateral are denoted in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments. A fund may pay a financing fee for the difference between the market value of the short position and the cash collateral deposited with the broker which would be recorded as interest expense. A fund is required to repay the counterparty any dividends received on the security sold short, which, if applicable, is shown as dividend expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. A fund may pay a fee on the assets borrowed from the counterparty, which, if applicable, is shown as broker fees and expenses on short sales in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. A fund is exposed to market risk based on the amount, if any, that the market value of the security increases beyond the market value at which the position was sold. Thus, a short sale of a security involves the risk that instead of declining, the price of the security sold short will rise. The short sale of securities involves the possibility of an unlimited loss since there is an unlimited potential for the market price of the security sold short to increase. A gain, limited to the price at which a fund sold the security short. A realized gain or loss is recognized upon the termination of a short sale if the market price is either less than or greater than the proceeds originally received. There is no assurance that a fund will be able to close out a short position at a particular time or at an acceptable price.

 

 

44    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Securities Lending: The Fund may lend its securities to approved borrowers, such as brokers, dealers and other financial institutions. The borrower pledges and maintains with the Fund collateral consisting of cash, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by a bank, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government. The initial collateral received by the Fund is required to have a value of at least 102% of the current value of the loaned securities for securities traded on U.S. exchanges and a value of at least 105% for all other securities. The collateral is maintained thereafter at a value equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund, or excess collateral returned by the Fund, on the next business day. During the term of the loan, the Fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities, but does not receive interest income on securities received as collateral. Loans of securities are terminable at any time and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within the standard time period for settlement of securities transactions.

The market value of any securities on loan, all of which were classified as common stocks in the Fund’s Consolidated Schedule of Investments, and the value of any related collateral are shown separately in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a component of investments at value-unaffiliated, and collateral on securities loaned at value, respectively. As of period end, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash and/or U.S. Government obligations. Cash collateral invested by the securities lending agent, BlackRock Investment Management, LLC (“BIM”), if any, is disclosed in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments.

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Fund under Master Securities Lending Agreements (each, an “MSLA”), which provide the right, in the event of default (including bankruptcy or insolvency), for the non-defaulting party to liquidate the collateral and calculate a net exposure to the defaulting party or request additional collateral. In the event that a borrower defaults, the Fund, as lender, would offset the market value of the collateral received against the market value of the securities loaned. When the value of the collateral is greater than that of the market value of the securities loaned, the lender is left with a net amount payable to the defaulting party. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of an MSLA counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. Under the MSLA, absent an event of default, the borrower can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities, and the Fund can reinvest cash collateral received in connection with loaned securities. Upon an event of default, the parties’ obligations to return the securities or collateral to the other party are extinguished, and the parties can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities or the collateral received in connection with the loaned securities in order to satisfy the defaulting party’s net payment obligation for all transactions under the MSLA. The defaulting party remains liable for any deficiency.

As of period end, the following table is a summary of the Fund’s securities lending agreements by counterparty which are subject to offset under an MSLA:

 

Counterparty  

Securities

Loaned at Value

     Cash Collateral
Received
 (a)
   

Net

Amount

 

Barclays Capital Inc.

  $ 589,565      $ (589,565   $  

Bank of America Securities

    61,502,409        (61,502,409      

Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.

    12,498,757        (12,498,757      

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    1,209,715        (1,209,715      

Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc.

    2,963,996        (2,963,996      

Goldman Sachs & Co

    2,488,285        (2,488,285      

JP Morgan Securities LLC .

    44,443,677        (44,443,677      

National Financial Services LLC.

    978,670        (978,670      

State Street Bank & Trust Co

    64,777        (64,777      

UBS Securities LLC.

    754,750        (754,750      
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 127,494,601      $ (127,494,601   $  
 

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Collateral received in excess of the market value of securities on loan is not presented in this table. The total cash collateral received by the Fund is disclosed in the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

The risks of securities lending include the risk that the borrower may not provide additional collateral when required or may not return the securities when due. To mitigate these risks, the Fund benefits from a borrower default indemnity provided by BIM. BIM’s indemnity allows for full replacement of the securities loaned to the extent the collateral received does not cover the value on the securities loaned in the event of borrower default. The Fund could incur a loss if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the market value of loaned securities or if the value of an investment purchased with cash collateral falls below the value of the original cash collateral received. Such losses are borne entirely by the Fund.

 

5.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Fund engages in various portfolio investment strategies using derivative contracts both to increase the returns of the Fund and/or to manage its exposure to certain risks such as credit risk, equity risk, interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk, commodity price risk or other risks (e.g., inflation risk). Derivative financial instruments categorized by risk exposure are included in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments. These contracts may be transacted on an exchange or OTC.

Futures Contracts: Futures contracts are purchased or sold to gain exposure to, or manage exposure to, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk) and changes in the value of equity securities (equity risk) or foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

Futures contracts are agreements between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified price and on a specified date. Depending on the terms of a contract, it is settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash amount on the settlement date. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on a contract’s size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged for futures contracts in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      45  


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on futures contracts in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations equal to the difference between the notional amount of the contract at the time it was opened and the notional amount at the time it was closed. The use of futures contracts involves the risk of an imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of futures contracts and interest, foreign currency exchange rates or underlying assets.

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts: Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are entered into to gain or reduce exposure to foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

A forward foreign currency exchange contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set exchange rate on a specified date. These contracts help to manage the overall exposure to the currencies in which some of the investments held by the Fund are denominated and in some cases, may be used to obtain exposure to a particular market.

The contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. When a contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. Non-deliverable forward foreign currency exchange contracts are settled with the counterparty in cash without the delivery of foreign currency. The use of forward foreign currency exchange contracts involves the risk that the value of a forward foreign currency exchange contract changes unfavorably due to movements in the value of the referenced foreign currencies, and such value may exceed the amount(s) reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Cash amounts pledged for forward foreign currency exchange contracts are considered restricted and are included in cash pledged as collateral for OTC derivatives in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Options: The Fund purchases and writes call and put options to increase or decrease its exposure to the risks of underlying instruments, including equity risk, interest rate risk and/or commodity price risk and/or, in the case of options written, to generate gains from options premiums.

A call option gives the purchaser (holder) of the option the right (but not the obligation) to buy, and obligates the seller (writer) to sell (when the option is exercised) the underlying instrument at the exercise or strike price at any time or at a specified time during the option period. A put option gives the holder the right to sell and obligates the writer to buy the underlying instrument at the exercise or strike price at any time or at a specified time during the option period.

Premiums paid on options purchased and premiums received on options written, as well as the daily fluctuation in market value, are included in investments at value — unaffiliated and options written at value, respectively, in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. When an instrument is purchased or sold through the exercise of an option, the premium is offset against the cost or proceeds of the underlying instrument. When an option expires, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations to the extent of the premiums received or paid. When an option is closed or sold, a gain or loss is recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations to the extent the cost of the closing transaction exceeds the premiums received or paid. When the Fund writes a call option, such option is typically “covered,” meaning that it holds the underlying instrument subject to being called by the option counterparty. When the Fund writes a put option, such option is covered by cash in an amount sufficient to cover the obligation. These amounts, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged as collateral for options written in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

   

Swaptions — The Fund purchases and writes options on swaps (“swaptions”) primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of the Fund’s holdings, as a duration management technique or to protect against an increase in the price of securities it anticipates purchasing at a later date. The purchaser and writer of a swaption is buying or granting the right to enter into a previously agreed upon interest rate or credit default swap agreement (interest rate risk and/or credit risk) at any time before the expiration of the option.

 

   

Interest rate caps — Interest rate caps are entered into to gain or reduce exposure to interest rates (interest rate risk and/or other risk). Caps are agreements whereby one party agrees to make payments to the other, in return for a premium, to the extent that interest rate indexes exceed a specified rate, or “cap.” The maximum potential amount of future payments that the Fund would be required to make under an interest rate cap would be the notional amount times the percentage increase in interest rates determined by the difference between the interest rate index current value and the value at the time the cap was entered into.

 

   

Foreign currency options — The Fund purchases and writes foreign currency options, foreign currency futures and options on foreign currency futures to gain or reduce exposure to foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk). Foreign currency options give the purchaser the right to buy from or sell to the writer a foreign currency at any time before the expiration of the option.

In purchasing and writing options, the Fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the value of the underlying instrument or the risk that it may not be able to enter into a closing transaction due to an illiquid market. Exercise of a written option could result in the Fund purchasing or selling a security when it otherwise would not, or at a price different from the current market value.

Swaps: Swap contracts are entered into to manage exposure to issuers, markets and securities. Such contracts are agreements between the Fund and a counterparty to make periodic net payments on a specified notional amount or a net payment upon termination. Swap agreements are privately negotiated in the OTC market and may be entered into as a bilateral contract (“OTC swaps”) or centrally cleared (“centrally cleared swaps”).

For OTC swaps, any upfront premiums paid and any upfront fees received are shown as swap premiums paid and swap premiums received, respectively, in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities and amortized over the term of the contract. The daily fluctuation in market value is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on OTC Swaps in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received or paid are recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations as realized gains or losses, respectively. When an OTC swap is terminated, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transaction and the Fund’s basis in the contract, if any. Generally, the basis of the contract is the premium received or paid.

 

 

46    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (continued)

 

In a centrally cleared swap, immediately following execution of the swap contract, the swap contract is novated to a central counterparty (the “CCP”) and the Fund’s counterparty on the swap agreement becomes the CCP. The Fund is required to interface with the CCP through the broker. Upon entering into a centrally cleared swap, the Fund is required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on the size and risk profile of the particular swap. Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments and cash deposited is shown as cash pledged for centrally cleared swaps in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted cash, are included in cash pledged for centrally cleared swaps in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on centrally cleared swaps in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received from (paid to) the counterparty, including at termination, are recorded as realized gains (losses) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

   

Credit default swaps — Credit default swaps are entered into to manage exposure to the market or certain sectors of the market, to reduce risk exposure to defaults of corporate and/or sovereign issuers or to create exposure to corporate and/or sovereign issuers to which a fund is not otherwise exposed (credit risk).

The Fund may either buy or sell (write) credit default swaps on single-name issuers (corporate or sovereign), a combination or basket of single-name issuers or traded indexes. Credit default swaps are agreements in which the protection buyer pays fixed periodic payments to the seller in consideration for a promise from the protection seller to make a specific payment should a negative credit event take place with respect to the referenced entity (e.g., bankruptcy, failure to pay, obligation acceleration, repudiation, moratorium or restructuring). As a buyer, if an underlying credit event occurs, the Fund will either (i) receive from the seller an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and deliver the referenced security or underlying securities comprising the index, or (ii) receive a net settlement of cash equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the security or underlying securities comprising the index. As a seller (writer), if an underlying credit event occurs, the Fund will either pay the buyer an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and take delivery of the referenced security or underlying securities comprising the index or pay a net settlement of cash equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the security or underlying securities comprising the index.

 

   

Total return swaps — Total return swaps are entered into to obtain exposure to a security or market without owning such security or investing directly in such market or to exchange the risk/return of one security or market (e.g., fixed-income) with another security or market (e.g., equity or commodity prices) (equity risk, commodity price risk and/or interest rate risk).

Total return swaps are agreements in which there is an exchange of cash flows whereby one party commits to make payments based on the total return (distributions plus capital gains/losses) of an underlying instrument, or basket of underlying instruments, in exchange for fixed or floating rate interest payments. If the total return of the instruments or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting fixed or floating interest rate obligation, the Fund receives payment from or makes a payment to the counterparty.

Certain total return swaps are designed to function as a portfolio of direct investments in long and short equity positions. This means that the Fund has the ability to trade in and out of these long and short positions within the swap and will receive the economic benefits and risks equivalent to direct investment in these positions, subject to certain adjustments due to events related to the counterparty. Benefits and risks include capital appreciation (depreciation), corporate actions and dividends received and paid, all of which are reflected in the swap’s market value. The market value also includes interest charges and credits (“financing fees”) related to the notional values of the long and short positions and cash balances within the swap. These interest charges and credits are based on a specified benchmark rate plus or minus a specified spread determined based upon the country and/or currency of the positions in the portfolio.

Positions within the swap and financing fees are reset periodically. During a reset, any unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on positions and accrued financing fees become available for cash settlement between the Fund and the counterparty. The amounts that are available for cash settlement are recorded as realized gains or losses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Cash settlement in and out of the swap may occur at a reset date or any other date, at the discretion of the Fund and the counterparty, over the life of the agreement. Certain swaps have no stated expiration and can be terminated by either party at any time.

 

   

Interest rate swaps — Interest rate swaps are entered into to gain or reduce exposure to interest rates or to manage duration, the yield curve or interest rate (interest rate risk).

Interest rate swaps are agreements in which one party pays a stream of interest payments, either fixed or floating, in exchange for another party’s stream of interest payments, either fixed or floating, on the same notional amount for a specified period of time. In more complex interest rate swaps, the notional principal amount may decline (or amortize) over time.

 

   

Currency swaps — Currency swaps are entered into to gain or reduce exposure to foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

Currency swaps are interest rate swaps in which one party pays a stream of interest payments, either fixed or floating, in exchange for another party’s stream of interest payments, either fixed or floating, based on the notional amounts of two different currencies. The notional amounts are typically determined based on the spot exchange rates at the inception of the trade. Currency swaps may also involve an exchange of notional amounts at the start, during and/or at expiration of the contract, either at the current spot rate or another specified rate.

 

   

Forward swaps — The Fund enters into forward interest rate swaps and forward total return swaps. In a forward swap, the Fund and the counterparty agree to make periodic net payments beginning on a specified date or a net payment at termination.

Swap transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of interest rate, credit and market risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the counterparty to the agreements may default on its obligation to perform or disagree as to the meaning of the contractual terms in the agreements, and that there may be unfavorable changes in interest rates and/or market values associated with these transactions.

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      47  


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (continued)

 

Master Netting Arrangements: In order to define its contractual rights and to secure rights that will help it mitigate its counterparty risk, the Fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with its counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between the Fund and a counterparty that governs certain OTC derivatives and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. Bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may restrict or prohibit the right of offset in bankruptcy, insolvency or other events.

Collateral Requirements: For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement and comparing that amount to the value of any collateral currently pledged by the Fund and the counterparty.

Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, is reported separately in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities as cash pledged as collateral and cash received as collateral, respectively. Non-cash collateral pledged by the Fund, if any, is noted in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a counterparty is subject to a certain minimum transfer amount threshold before a transfer is required, which is determined at the close of business of the Fund. Any additional required collateral is delivered to/pledged by the Fund on the next business day. Typically, the counterparty is not permitted to sell, re-pledge or use cash and non-cash collateral it receives. The Fund generally agrees not to use non-cash collateral that it receives but may, absent default or certain other circumstances defined in the underlying ISDA Master Agreement, be permitted to use cash collateral received. In such cases, interest may be paid pursuant to the collateral arrangement with the counterparty. To the extent amounts due to the Fund from its counterparties are not fully collateralized, it bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance. Likewise, to the extent the Fund has delivered collateral to a counterparty and stands ready to perform under the terms of its agreement with such counterparty, it bears the risk of loss from a counterparty in the amount of the value of the collateral in the event the counterparty fails to return such collateral. Based on the terms of agreements, collateral may not be required for all derivative contracts.

For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements, if any, in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

6.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory: The Fund entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Manager, the Fund’s investment adviser and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”), to provide investment advisory and administrative services. The Manager is responsible for the management of the Fund’s portfolio and provides the personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary to the operations of the Fund.

For such services, the Fund pays the Manager a monthly fee at an annual rate equal to 0.75% of the average daily value of the Fund’s net assets.

Manager provides investment management and other services to the Subsidiary. The Manager does not receive separate compensation from the Subsidiary for providing investment management or administrative services. However, the Fund pays the Manager based on the Fund’s net assets, which includes the assets of the Subsidiary.

Service and Distribution Fees: The Fund entered into a Distribution Agreement and a Distribution and Service Plan with BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of the Manager. Pursuant to the Distribution and Service Plan and in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund pays BRIL ongoing service and distribution fees. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly at annual rates based upon the average daily net assets of the relevant share class of the Fund as follows:

 

     Investor A      Investor C      Class R  

Service Fee

    0.25      0.25      0.25

Distribution Fee

           0.75        0.25  

BRIL and broker-dealers, pursuant to sub-agreements with BRIL, provide shareholder servicing and distribution services to the Fund. The ongoing service and/or distribution fee compensates BRIL and each broker-dealer for providing shareholder servicing and/or distribution related services to shareholders.

For the year ended October 31, 2019, the following table shows the class specific service and distribution fees borne directly by each share class of the Fund:

 

Investor A             Investor C           Investor R             Total  
$ 26,642,444              $ 39,783,642          $ 3,455,612              $ 69,881,698  

Transfer Agent: Pursuant to written agreements, certain financial intermediaries, some of which may be affiliates, provide the Fund with sub-accounting, recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency and other administrative services with respect to servicing of underlying investor accounts. For these services, these entities receive an asset-based fee or an annual fee per shareholder account, which will vary depending on share class and/or net assets. For the year ended October 31, 2019, the Fund paid the following amounts to affiliates of BlackRock in return for these services, which are included in transfer agent — class specific in the Consolidated Statement of Operations:

 

Institutional             Investor A           Investor C             Total  
$ 124,377              $ 1,564          $ 5              $ 125,946  

 

 

48    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (continued)

 

The Manager maintains a call center that is responsible for providing certain shareholder services to the Fund. Shareholder services include responding to inquiries and processing purchases and sales based upon instructions from shareholders. For the year ended October 31, 2019, the Fund reimbursed the Manager the following amounts for costs incurred in running the call center, which are included in transfer agent — class specific in the Consolidated Statement of Operations:

 

Institutional             Investor A           Investor C             Class K           Class R             Total  
$ 24,623              $ 168,860          $ 79,763              $ 3,101          $ 3,645              $ 279,992  

For the year ended October 31, 2019, the following table shows the class specific transfer agent fees borne directly by each share class of the Fund:

 

Institutional             Investor A           Investor C             Class K           Class R             Total  
$ 8,146,270              $ 11,440,385          $ 4,089,406              $ 34,290            $1,268,536              $ 24,978,887  

Other Fees: For the year ended October 31, 2019, affiliates earned underwriting discounts, direct commissions and dealer concessions on sales of the Fund’s Investor A Shares, which totaled $128,998.

For the year ended October 31, 2019, affiliates received CDSCs as follows:

 

Investor A           Investor C           Total  
$ 86,774          $ 122,557          $ 209,331  

Expense Waivers and Reimbursements: The Manager contractually agreed to waive a portion of its investment advisory fees payable by the Fund through February 29, 2020, so that such fee is reduced as a percentage of average daily net assets of the Fund as follows:

 

First $10 Billion

    0.75

$10 Billion — $15 Billion

    0.69  

$15 Billion — $20 Billion

    0.68  

$20 Billion — $25 Billion

    0.67  

$25 Billion — $30 Billion

    0.65  

$30 Billion — $40 Billion

    0.63  

$40 Billion — $60 Billion

    0.62  

$60 Billion — $80 Billion

    0.61  

Greater than $80 Billion

    0.60  

This contractual waiver may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the directors who are not “interested persons” of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”), or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. This amount is included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. During the year ended October 31, 2019, the Manager waived $12,933,719 pursuant to this agreement.

The Manager voluntarily agreed to waive its investment advisory fees by the amount of investment advisory fees the Fund pays to the Manager indirectly through its investment in affiliated money market funds (the “affiliated money market fund waiver”). This amount is included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. For the year ended October 31, 2019, the Manager waived $30,814.

The Manager has contractually agreed to waive its investment advisory fee with respect to any portion of the Fund’s assets invested in affiliated equity and fixed-income mutual funds and affiliated exchange-traded funds that have a contractual management fee through February 29, 2020. The contractual agreement may be terminated upon 90 days’ notice by a majority of the Independent Directors or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. For the year ended October 31, 2019, the Manager waived $1,123,538 in investment advisory fees pursuant to this arrangement.

For the year ended October 31, 2019, the Fund reimbursed the Manager $353,428 for certain accounting services, which is included in accounting services in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Securities Lending: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has issued an exemptive order which permits BIM, an affiliate of the Manager, to serve as securities lending agent for the Fund, subject to applicable conditions. As securities lending agent, BIM bears all operational costs directly related to securities lending. The Fund is responsible for expenses in connection with the investment of cash collateral received for securities on loan (the “collateral investment expenses”). The cash collateral is invested in a private investment company managed by the Manager or its affiliates. However, BIM has agreed to cap the collateral investment expenses of the private investment company to an annual rate of 0.04%. The investment adviser to the private investment company will not charge any advisory fees with respect to shares purchased by the Fund. The private investment company in which the cash collateral has been invested may, under certain circumstances, impose a liquidity fee of up to 2% of the value withdrawn or temporarily restrict withdrawals for up to 10 business days during a 90 day period, in the event that the private investment company’s weekly liquid assets fall below certain thresholds.

Securities lending income is equal to the total of income earned from the reinvestment of cash collateral, net of fees and other payments to and from borrowers of securities, and less the collateral investment expenses. The Fund retains a portion of securities lending income and remits a remaining portion to BIM as compensation for its services as securities lending agent.

Pursuant to the current securities lending agreement, the Fund retains 82% of securities lending income (which excludes collateral investment expenses), and this amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment expenses.

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      49  


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (continued)

 

In addition, commencing the business day following the date that the aggregate securities lending income earned across the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex in a calendar year exceeds a specified threshold, the Fund, pursuant to the securities lending agreement, will retain for the remainder of that calendar year securities lending income in an amount equal to 85% of securities lending income, (which excludes collateral investment expenses) and this amount retained can never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment expenses.

Prior to January 1, 2019, the Fund retained 80% of securities lending income (which excluded collateral investment expenses) and the amount retained could never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment expenses. In addition, commencing the business day following the date that the aggregate securities lending income earned across a complex of open-end funds referred to as the Equity-Bond Complex in a calendar year exceeded a specified threshold, the Fund would retain for the remainder of that calendar year 85% of securities lending income (which excluded collateral investment expenses), and the amount retained could never be less than 70% of the total of securities lending income plus the collateral investment expenses.

The share of securities lending income earned by the Fund is shown as securities lending income — affiliated — net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. For the year ended October 31, 2019, the Fund paid BIM $185,355 for securities lending agent services.

Interfund Lending: In accordance with an exemptive order (the “Order”) from the SEC, the Fund may participate in a joint lending and borrowing facility for temporary purposes (the “Interfund Lending Program”), subject to compliance with the terms and conditions of the Order, and to the extent permitted by the Fund’s investment policies and restrictions. The Fund is currently permitted to borrow under the Interfund Lending Program.

A lending BlackRock fund may lend in aggregate up to 15% of its net assets, but may not lend more than 5% of its net assets to any one borrowing fund through the Interfund Lending Program. A borrowing BlackRock fund may not borrow through the Interfund Lending Program or from any other source more than 33 1/3% of its total assets (or any lower threshold provided for by the fund’s investment restrictions). If a borrowing BlackRock fund’s total outstanding borrowings exceed 10% of its total assets, each of its outstanding interfund loans will be subject to collateralization of at least 102% of the outstanding principal value of the loan. All interfund loans are for temporary or emergency purposes and the interest rate to be charged will be the average of the highest current overnight repurchase agreement rate available to a lending fund and the bank loan rate, as calculated according to a formula established by the Board.

During the year ended October 31, 2019, the Fund did not participate in the Interfund Lending Program.

Directors and Officers: Certain directors and/or officers of the Fund are directors and/or officers of BlackRock or its affiliates. The Fund reimburses the Manager for a portion of the compensation paid to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer, which is included in Directors and Officer in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Other Transactions: The Fund may purchase securities from, or sell securities to, an affiliated fund provided the affiliation is due solely to having a common investment adviser, common officers, or common directors. For the year ended October 31, 2019, the purchase and sale transactions and any net realized gains (losses) with affiliated funds in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

Purchases           Sales           Net Realized Gain (Loss)  
$ 644,371          $ 6,211,330          $ (60,356

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the year ended October 31, 2019, purchases and sales of investments, including paydowns, and excluding short-term securities and in-kind redemptions, were as follows:

 

     Purchases      Sales  

Non-U.S. Government Securities

  $ 13,270,365,699      $ 19,123,942,214  

U.S. Government Securities

    26,529,247,816        30,283,992,375  

For the year ended October 31, 2019, sales related to in-kind redemptions were $1,069,529,723.

 

8.

INCOME TAX INFORMATION

It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.

The 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 the Fund’s U.S. federal tax returns generally remains open for each of the four years ended October 31, 2019. The statutes of limitations on the Fund’s 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 Fund as of October 31, 2019, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Fund’s consolidated financial statements.

U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or NAVs per share. As of period end, the following permanent differences attributable to income recognized from the Fund’s wholly owned subsidiary, in-kind redemptions and the use of equalization were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 360,207,517  

Accumulated earnings

    (360,207,517

 

 

50    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (continued)

 

The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:

 

     10/31/19      10/31/18  

Ordinary income(a)

  $ 301,805,775      $ 1,015,754,483  

Long-term capital gains(a)

    1,673,336,233        1,067,349,608  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 
  $ 1,975,142,008      $ 2,083,104,091  
 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Distribution amounts may include a portion of the proceeds from redeemed shares.

 

As of period end, the tax components of accumulated net earnings (losses) were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

  $ 346,448,520  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

    496,844,033  

Net unrealized gains(a)

    3,097,069,357  
 

 

 

 
  $ 3,940,361,910  
 

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis net unrealized gains was attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and straddles, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on certain futures, options and foreign currency contracts, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains on investments in passive foreign investment companies, the accounting for swap agreements and the classification of investments.

 

As of October 31, 2019, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation for investments and derivatives based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Tax cost

  $ 22,013,827,409  
 

 

 

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 3,997,995,093  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (739,643,274
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

  $ 3,258,351,819  
 

 

 

 

 

9.

BANK BORROWINGS

The Fund, along with certain other funds managed by the Manager and its affiliates (“Participating Funds”), is a party to a 364-day, $2.25 billion credit agreement with a group of lenders. Under this agreement, the Fund may borrow to fund shareholder redemptions. Excluding commitments designated for certain individual funds, the Participating Funds, including the Fund, can borrow up to an aggregate commitment amount of $1.75 billion at any time outstanding, subject to asset coverage and other limitations as specified in the agreement. The credit agreement has the following terms: a fee of 0.10% per annum on unused commitment amounts and interest at a rate equal to the higher of (a) one-month LIBOR (but, in any event, not less than 0.00%) on the date the loan is made plus 0.80% per annum or (b) the Fed Funds rate (but, in any event, not less than 0.00%) in effect from time to time plus 0.80% per annum on amounts borrowed. The agreement expires in April 2020 unless extended or renewed. Prior to April 18, 2019, Participating Funds paid an upfront commitment fee of 0.02% on the total commitment amounts, in addition to administration, legal and arrangement fees, which are included in miscellaneous expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. These fees were allocated among such funds based upon portions of the aggregate commitment available to them and relative net assets of Participating Funds. During the year ended October 31, 2019, the Fund did not borrow under the credit agreement.

 

10.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

In the normal course of business, the Fund invests in securities or other instruments and may enter into certain transactions, and such activities subject the Fund to various risks, including among others, fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of an issuer to meet all of its obligations. The value of securities or other instruments may also be affected by various factors, including, without limitation: (i) the general economy; (ii) the overall market as well as local, regional or global political and/or social instability; (iii) regulation, taxation or international tax treaties between various countries; or (iv) currency, interest rate and price fluctuations. The Fund’s prospectus provides details of the risks to which the Fund is subject.

The Fund may be exposed to prepayment risk, which is the risk that borrowers may exercise their option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled during periods of declining interest rates, which would force the Fund to reinvest in lower yielding securities. The Fund may also be exposed to reinvestment risk, which is the risk that income from the Fund’s portfolio will decline if the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called fixed-income securities at market interest rates that are below the Fund portfolio’s current earnings rate.

The Fund may be exposed to additional risks when reinvesting cash collateral in money market funds that do not seek to maintain a stable NAV per share of $1.00, which may be subject to redemption gates or liquidity fees under certain circumstances.

Valuation Risk: The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments, such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries. The Fund may invest in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment is any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. The Fund may experience difficulty in selling illiquid investments in a timely manner at the price that it believes the investments are worth. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. This volatility may cause the Fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or decreases over short periods of time. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, the NAV of the Fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests.

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      51  


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (continued)

 

The price the Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from the Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation technique or a price provided by an independent pricing service. Changes to significant unobservable inputs and assumptions (i.e., publicly traded company multiples, growth rate, time to exit) due to the lack of observable inputs may significantly impact the resulting fair value and therefore the Fund’s results of operations. As a result, the price received upon the sale of an investment may be less than the value ascribed by the Fund, and the Fund could realize a greater than expected loss or lesser than expected gain upon the sale of the investment. The Fund’s ability to value its investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third party service providers.

Counterparty Credit Risk: The Fund 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 Fund manages 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 Fund to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Fund’s exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Fund.

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.

The Fund’s risk of loss from counterparty credit risk on OTC derivatives is generally limited to the aggregate unrealized gain less the value of any collateral held by the Fund.

For OTC options purchased, the Fund bears the risk of loss in the amount of the premiums paid plus the positive change in market values net of any collateral held by the Fund should the counterparty fail to perform under the contracts. Options written by the Fund do not typically give rise to counterparty credit risk, as options written generally obligate the Fund, and not the counterparty, to perform. The Fund may be exposed to counterparty credit risk with respect to options written to the extent the Fund deposits collateral with its counterparty to a written option.

With exchange-traded options purchased and futures and centrally cleared swaps, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Fund 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, the 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 and centrally cleared swaps with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing broker’s 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 broker’s customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund.

Concentration Risk: The Fund invests a significant portion of its 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 Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates.

 

11.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

     Year Ended
10/31/19
    Year Ended
10/31/18
 
     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Institutional

       

Shares sold

    65,547,601     $ 1,211,921,527       106,242,749     $ 2,116,868,649  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    38,223,294       679,170,797       36,778,283       725,403,374  

Shares redeemed

    (348,120,063     (6,489,291,802     (246,444,915     (4,883,899,283
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (244,349,168   $ (4,598,199,478     (103,423,883   $ (2,041,627,260
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor A

       

Shares sold and automatic conversion of shares

    114,513,713     $ 2,131,384,710       56,320,224     $ 1,112,340,696  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    34,806,478       615,764,480       28,312,618       555,355,917  

Shares redeemed

    (162,648,789     (3,008,794,310     (152,236,410     (3,004,278,199
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (13,328,598   $ (261,645,120     (67,603,568   $ (1,336,581,586
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investor B(a)

       

Shares sold

        $       1,138     $ 22,428  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

                4,787       91,289  

Shares redeemed and automatic conversion of shares

                (135,022     (2,592,411
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

        $       (129,097   $ (2,478,694
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

52    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements  (continued)

 

     Year Ended
10/31/19
    Year Ended
10/31/18
 
     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Investor C

       

Shares sold

    7,512,871     $ 123,175,408       12,697,810     $ 226,769,559  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    16,253,238       256,393,304       17,841,428       316,149,765  

Shares redeemed

    (161,893,916     (2,696,127,334     (120,932,098     (2,151,887,381
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (138,127,807   $ (2,316,558,622     (90,392,860   $ (1,608,968,057
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class K

       

Shares sold

    15,405,222     $ 288,087,479       26,227,314     $ 520,379,790  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    4,551,509       80,871,066       2,884,369       56,858,218  

Shares redeemed

    (31,310,151     (589,431,669     (24,364,006     (482,570,822
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    (11,353,420   $ (220,473,124     4,747,677     $ 94,667,186  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class R

       

Shares sold

    4,070,448     $ 71,438,095       5,302,958     $ 99,784,045  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    2,644,412       44,332,192       2,540,669       47,478,359  

Shares redeemed

    (17,862,274     (314,348,728     (18,516,622     (348,115,988
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (11,147,414   $ (198,578,441     (10,672,995   $ (200,853,584
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Net Decrease

    (418,306,407   $ (7,595,454,785     (267,474,726   $ (5,095,841,995
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

On December 27, 2017, all issued and outstanding Investor B Shares converted into Investor A Shares.

 

 

12.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund through the date the financial statements were issued and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment or additional disclosure in the financial statements.

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      53  


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.:

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of assets and liabilities of BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), including the consolidated schedule of investments, as of October 31, 2019, the related consolidated statement of operations for the year then ended, the consolidated statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the consolidated financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of October 31, 2019, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2019, by correspondence with the custodian, agent banks, and brokers; when replies were not received from agent banks or brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

December 20, 2019

We have served as the auditor of one or more BlackRock investment companies since 1992.

 

 

Important Tax Information  (unaudited)

The following information is provided with respect to the ordinary income distributions paid by BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc. during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019.

 

      Payable Date      12/20/18      07/20/19  

Qualified Dividend Income for Individuals(a)

        80.85      49.04

Dividends Qualifying for the Dividend Received Deduction for Corporations(a)

        22.35        22.57  

Federal Obligation Interest(b)

        44.90        35.74  

Interest-Related Dividends for Non-US Residents and Qualified Short-Term Capital Gains(c)

              70.07        37.87  

 

  (a) 

The Fund hereby designates the percentage indicated above or the maximum amount allowable by law.

 
  (b) 

The law varies in each state as to whether and what percentage of dividend income attributable to federal obligations is exempt from state income tax. We recommend that you consult your tax advisor to determine if any portion of the dividends you received is exempt from state income taxes.

 
  (c) 

Represents the portion of the taxable ordinary income dividends eligible for exemption from U.S. withholding tax for nonresident aliens and foreign corporations.

 

Additionally, the Fund distributed long-term capital gains of $0.792888 per share and $0.188874 per share to shareholders of record on December 18, 2018 and July 17, 2019, respectively.

 

 

54    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement

 

The Board of Directors (the “Board,” the members of which are referred to as “Board Members”) of BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) met in person on April 17, 2019 (the “April Meeting”) and May 14-15, 2019 (the “May Meeting”) to consider the approval of the investment advisory agreement (the “Agreement”) between the Fund and BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager” or “BlackRock”), the Fund’s investment advisor.

Activities and Composition of the Board

On the date of the May Meeting, the Board consisted of fifteen individuals, thirteen of whom were not “interested persons” of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (the “Independent Board Members”). The Board Members are responsible for the oversight of the operations of the Fund and perform the various duties imposed on the directors of investment companies by the 1940 Act. The Independent Board Members have retained independent legal counsel to assist them in connection with their duties. The Chair of the Board is an Independent Board Member. The Board has established five standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Governance and Nominating Committee, a Compliance Committee, a Performance Oversight Committee and an Ad Hoc Topics Committee, each of which is chaired by an Independent Board Member and composed of Independent Board Members (except for the Ad Hoc Topics Committee, which also has one interested Board Member).

The Agreement

Consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Board considers the continuation of the Agreement on an annual basis. The Board has four quarterly meetings per year, each typically extending for two days, and additional in-person and telephonic meetings throughout the year, as needed. While the Board also has a fifth one-day meeting to consider specific information surrounding the renewal of the Agreement, the Board’s consideration entails a year-long deliberative process whereby the Board and its committees assess BlackRock’s services to the Fund. In particular, the Board assessed, among other things, the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund by BlackRock, BlackRock’s personnel and affiliates, including (as applicable): investment management; accounting, administrative and shareholder services; oversight of the Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; legal and compliance services; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Throughout the year, including during the contract renewal process, the Independent Board Members were advised by independent legal counsel, and met with independent legal counsel in various executive sessions outside of the presence of management.

During the year, the Board, acting directly and through its committees, considers information that is relevant to its annual consideration of the renewal of the Agreement, including the services and support provided by BlackRock to the Fund and its shareholders. BlackRock also furnished additional information to the Board in response to specific questions from the Board. This additional information is discussed further below in the section titled “Board Considerations in Approving the Agreement.” Among the matters the Board considered were: (a) investment performance for one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and/or since inception periods, as applicable, against peer funds, applicable benchmark, and performance metrics, as applicable, as well as senior management’s and portfolio managers’ analyses of the reasons for any over-performance or under-performance relative to its peers, benchmarks, and other performance metrics, as applicable; (b) fees, including advisory, administration, if applicable, and other amounts paid to BlackRock and its affiliates by the Fund for services; (c) Fund operating expenses and how BlackRock allocates expenses to the Fund; (d) the resources devoted to, risk oversight of, and compliance reports relating to, implementation of the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions, and meeting regulatory requirements; (e) BlackRock and the Fund’s adherence to applicable compliance policies and procedures; (f) the nature, character and scope of non-investment management services provided by BlackRock and its affiliates and the estimated cost of such services; (g) BlackRock’s and other service providers’ internal controls and risk and compliance oversight mechanisms; (h) BlackRock’s implementation of the proxy voting policies approved by the Board; (i) the use of brokerage commissions and execution quality of portfolio transactions; (j) BlackRock’s implementation of the Fund’s valuation and liquidity procedures; (k) an analysis of management fees for products with similar investment mandates across the open-end fund, exchange-traded fund (“ETF”), closed-end fund, sub-advised mutual fund, separately managed account, collective investment trust, and institutional separate account product channels, as applicable, and the similarities and differences between these products and the services provided as compared to the Fund; (l) BlackRock’s compensation methodology for its investment professionals and the incentives and accountability it creates, along with investment professionals’ investments in the fund(s) they manage; and (m) periodic updates on BlackRock’s business.

Board Considerations in Approving the Agreement

The Approval Process: Prior to the April Meeting, the Board requested and received materials specifically relating to the Agreement. The Independent Board Members are continuously engaged in a process with their independent legal counsel and BlackRock to review the nature and scope of the information provided to better assist its deliberations. The materials provided in connection with the April Meeting included, among other things: (a) information independently compiled and prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”), based on either a Lipper classification or Morningstar category, regarding the Fund’s fees and expenses as compared with a peer group of funds as determined by Broadridge (“Expense Peers”) and the investment performance of the Fund as compared with a peer group of funds (“Performance Peers”) and other metrics, as applicable; (b) information on the composition of the Expense Peers and Performance Peers, and a description of Broadridge’s methodology; (c) information on the estimated profits realized by BlackRock and its affiliates pursuant to the Agreement and a discussion of fall-out benefits to BlackRock and its affiliates; (d) a general analysis provided by BlackRock concerning investment management fees received in connection with other types of investment products, such as institutional accounts, sub-advised mutual funds, ETFs, closed-end funds, open-end funds, and separately managed accounts under similar investment mandates, as well as the performance of such other products, as applicable; (e) review of non-management fees; (f) the existence, impact and sharing of potential economies of scale, if any, with the Fund; (g) a summary of aggregate amounts paid by the Fund to BlackRock; (h) sales and redemption data regarding the Fund’s shares; and (i) various additional information requested by the Board as appropriate regarding BlackRock’s and the Fund’s operations.

At the April Meeting, the Board reviewed materials relating to its consideration of the Agreement. As a result of the discussions that occurred during the April Meeting, and as a culmination of the Board’s year-long deliberative process, the Board presented BlackRock with questions and requests for additional information. BlackRock responded to these requests with additional written information in advance of the May Meeting.

At the May Meeting, the Board concluded its assessment of, among other things: (a) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BlackRock; (b) the investment performance of the Fund as compared with Performance Peers and other metrics, as applicable; (c) the advisory fee and the estimated cost of the services and

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT      55  


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement  (continued)

 

estimated profits realized by BlackRock and its affiliates from their relationship with the Fund; (d) the Fund’s fees and expenses compared to Expense Peers; (e) the sharing of potential economies of scale; (f) fall-out benefits to BlackRock and its affiliates as a result of BlackRock’s relationship with the Fund; and (g) other factors deemed relevant by the Board Members.

The Board also considered other matters it deemed important to the approval process, such as other payments made to BlackRock or its affiliates relating to securities lending and cash management, and BlackRock’s services related to the valuation and pricing of Fund portfolio holdings. The Board noted the willingness of BlackRock personnel to engage in open, candid discussions with the Board. The Board did not identify any particular information as determinative, and each Board Member may have attributed different weights to the various items considered.

A. Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services Provided by BlackRock: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the nature, extent and quality of services provided by BlackRock, including the investment advisory services and the resulting performance of the Fund. Throughout the year, the Board compared Fund performance to the performance of a comparable group of mutual funds, relevant benchmark, and performance metrics, as applicable. The Board met with BlackRock’s senior management personnel responsible for investment activities, including the senior investment officers. The Board also reviewed the materials provided by the Fund’s portfolio management team discussing the Fund’s performance and the Fund’s investment objective, strategies and outlook.

The Board considered, among other factors, with respect to BlackRock: the number, education and experience of investment personnel generally and the Fund’s portfolio management team; BlackRock’s research capabilities; investments by portfolio managers in the funds they manage; portfolio trading capabilities; use of technology; commitment to compliance; credit analysis capabilities; risk analysis and oversight capabilities; and the approach to training and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory and management personnel. The Board also considered BlackRock’s overall risk management program, including the continued efforts of BlackRock and its affiliates to address cybersecurity risks and the role of BlackRock’s Risk & Quantitative Analysis Group. The Board engaged in a review of BlackRock’s compensation structure with respect to the Fund’s portfolio management team and BlackRock’s ability to attract and retain high-quality talent and create performance incentives.

In addition to investment advisory services, the Board considered the nature and quality of the administrative and other non-investment advisory services provided to the Fund. BlackRock and its affiliates provide the Fund with certain administrative, shareholder and other services (in addition to any such services provided to the Fund by third parties) and officers and other personnel as are necessary for the operations of the Fund. In particular, BlackRock and its affiliates provide the Fund with administrative services including, among others: (i) responsibility for disclosure documents, such as the prospectus, the summary prospectus (as applicable), the statement of additional information and periodic shareholder reports; (ii) oversight of daily accounting and pricing; (iii) responsibility for periodic filings with regulators; (iv) overseeing and coordinating the activities of other service providers, including, among others, the Fund’s custodian, fund accountant, transfer agent, and auditor; (v) organizing Board meetings and preparing the materials for such Board meetings; (vi) providing legal and compliance support; (vii) furnishing analytical and other support to assist the Board in its consideration of strategic issues such as the merger, consolidation or repurposing of certain open-end funds; and (viii) performing or managing administrative functions necessary for the operation of the Fund, such as tax reporting, expense management, fulfilling regulatory filing requirements, overseeing the Fund’s distribution partners, and shareholder call center and other services. The Board reviewed the structure and duties of BlackRock’s fund administration, shareholder services, and legal & compliance departments and considered BlackRock’s policies and procedures for assuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

B. The Investment Performance of the Fund and BlackRock: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, also reviewed and considered the performance history of the Fund. In preparation for the April Meeting, the Board was provided with reports independently prepared by Broadridge, which included a comprehensive analysis of the Fund’s performance as of December 31, 2018. Broadridge ranks funds in quartiles, ranging from first to fourth, where first is the most desirable quartile position and fourth is the least desirable. In connection with its review, the Board received and reviewed information regarding the investment performance of the Fund as compared to its Performance Peers. The Board and its Performance Oversight Committee regularly review, and meet with Fund management to discuss, the performance of the Fund throughout the year.

In evaluating performance, the Board focused particular attention on funds with less favorable performance records. The Board also noted that while it found the data provided by Broadridge generally useful, it recognized the limitations of such data, including in particular, that notable differences may exist between a fund and the Performance Peer funds (for example, the investment objective(s) and investment strategies). Further, the Board recognized that the performance data reflects a snapshot of a period as of a particular date and that selecting a different performance period could produce significantly different results. The Board also acknowledged that long-term performance could be impacted by even one period of significant outperformance or underperformance, and that a single investment theme could have the ability to affect long-term performance disproportionately.

The Board noted that for the one-, three- and five-year periods reported, the Fund ranked in the second, fourth and third quartiles, respectively, against its Performance Peers. The Board and BlackRock reviewed the Fund’s underperformance during the applicable periods. The Board was informed that, among other things, the Fund’s underweight allocation to U.S. equities, overweight allocation to cash and cash equivalents and the portfolio management team’s decision to hold gold over the last several years were the primary detractors from performance. From an equity sector perspective, stock selection in health care, financials, and consumer discretionary detracted from performance.

The Board and BlackRock discussed BlackRock’s strategy for improving the Fund’s investment performance. Discussions covered topics such as performance attribution, the Fund’s investment personnel, and the resources appropriate to support the Fund’s investment processes. The Board noted significant changes to the Fund’s portfolio management team under the senior leadership of BlackRock’s Global Fixed Income Chief Investment Officer and an expansion of resources. The Board will continue to monitor the Fund’s performance.

C. Consideration of the Advisory/Management Fees and the Estimated Cost of the Services and Estimated Profits Realized by BlackRock and its Affiliates from their Relationship with the Fund: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the Fund’s contractual management fee rate compared with those of its Expense Peers. The contractual management fee rate represents a combination of the advisory fee and any administrative fees, before taking into account any

 

 

56    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement  (continued)

 

reimbursements or fee waivers. The Board also compared the Fund’s total expense ratio, as well as its actual management fee rate, to those of its Expense Peers. The total expense ratio represents a fund’s total net operating expenses, including any 12b-1 or non 12b-1 service fees. The total expense ratio gives effect to any expense reimbursements or fee waivers that benefit a fund, and the actual management fee rate gives effect to any management fee reimbursements or waivers that benefit a fund. The Board considered the services provided and the fees charged by BlackRock and its affiliates to other types of clients with similar investment mandates, as applicable, including institutional accounts and sub-advised mutual funds (including mutual funds sponsored by third parties).

The Board received and reviewed statements relating to BlackRock’s financial condition. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s profitability methodology and was also provided with an estimated profitability analysis that detailed the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by BlackRock for services provided to the Fund. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s estimated profitability with respect to the Fund and other funds the Board currently oversees for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to available aggregate estimated profitability data provided for the prior two years. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s estimated profitability with respect to certain other U.S. fund complexes managed by the Manager and/or its affiliates. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s assumptions and methodology of allocating expenses in the estimated profitability analysis, noting the inherent limitations in allocating costs among various advisory products. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors including, among other things, fee waivers and expense reimbursements by the Manager, the types of funds managed, precision of expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is difficult.

The Board noted that, in general, individual fund or product line profitability of other advisors is not publicly available. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s overall operating margin, in general, compared to that of certain other publicly-traded asset management firms. The Board considered the differences between BlackRock and these other firms, including the contribution of technology at BlackRock, BlackRock’s expense management, and the relative product mix.

In addition, the Board considered the estimated cost of the services provided to the Fund by BlackRock, and BlackRock’s and its affiliates’ estimated profits relating to the management of the Fund and the other funds advised by BlackRock and its affiliates. As part of its analysis, the Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology in allocating its costs of managing the Fund, to the Fund. The Board considered whether BlackRock has the financial resources necessary to attract and retain high quality investment management personnel to perform its obligations under the Agreement and to continue to provide the high quality of services that is expected by the Board. The Board further considered factors including but not limited to BlackRock’s commitment of time, assumption of risk, and liability profile in servicing the Fund, including in contrast to what is required of BlackRock with respect to other products with similar investment mandates across the open-end fund, ETF, closed-end fund, sub-advised mutual fund, separately managed account, collective investment trust, and institutional separate account product channels, as applicable.

The Board noted that the Fund’s contractual management fee rate ranked in the second quartile, and that the actual management fee rate and total expense ratio ranked in the second and first quartiles, respectively, relative to the Fund’s Expense Peers. The Board also noted that the Fund has an advisory fee arrangement that includes breakpoints, in the form of an advisory fee waiver that adjusts the fee rate downward as the size of the Fund increases above certain contractually specified levels. The Board noted that if the size of the Fund were to decrease, the Fund could lose the benefit of one or more breakpoints.

D. Economies of Scale: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase, including the existence of fee waivers and/or expense caps, as applicable, noting that any contractual fee waivers and expense caps had been approved by the Board. The Board also considered the extent to which the Fund benefits from such economies in a variety of ways and whether there should be changes in the advisory fee rate or breakpoint structure in order to enable the Fund to more fully participate in these economies of scale. The Board considered the Fund’s asset levels and whether the current fee schedule was appropriate. In its consideration, the Board Members took into account the existence of any expense caps and further considered the continuation and/or implementation, as applicable, of such caps.

E. Other Factors Deemed Relevant by the Board Members: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, also took into account other ancillary or “fall-out” benefits that BlackRock or its affiliates may derive from BlackRock’s respective relationships with the Fund, both tangible and intangible, such as BlackRock’s ability to leverage its investment professionals who manage other portfolios and risk management personnel, an increase in BlackRock’s profile in the investment advisory community, and the engagement of BlackRock’s affiliates as service providers to the Fund, including for administrative, distribution, securities lending and cash management services. The Board also considered BlackRock’s overall operations and its efforts to expand the scale of, and improve the quality of, its operations. The Board also noted that, subject to applicable law, BlackRock may use and benefit from third party research obtained by soft dollars generated by certain registered fund transactions to assist in managing all or a number of its other client accounts.

In connection with its consideration of the Agreement, the Board also received information regarding BlackRock’s brokerage and soft dollar practices. The Board received reports from BlackRock which included information on brokerage commissions and trade execution practices throughout the year.

The Board noted the competitive nature of the open-end fund marketplace, and that shareholders are able to redeem their Fund shares if they believe that the Fund’s fees and expenses are too high or if they are dissatisfied with the performance of the Fund.

Conclusion

The Board, including the Independent Board Members, unanimously approved the continuation of the Agreement between the Manager and the Fund for a one-year term ending June 30, 2020. Based upon its evaluation of all of the aforementioned factors in their totality, as well as other information, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, was satisfied that the terms of the Agreement were fair and reasonable and in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders. In arriving at its decision to approve the Agreement, the Board did not identify any single factor or group of factors as all-important or controlling, but considered all factors together, and different Board Members may have attributed different weights to the various factors considered. The Independent Board Members were also assisted by the advice of independent legal counsel in making this determination.

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT      57  


Director and Officer Information

 

Independent Directors (a)
         
Name
Year of Birth
 (b)
  Position(s) Held
(Length of Service)
 (c)
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years   Number of BlackRock-Advised
Registered Investment Companies
(“RICs”) Consisting of
Investment Portfolios
(“Portfolios”) Overseen
  Public Company and Other
Investment Company
Directorships Held During
Past Five Years

Mark Stalnecker

1951

 

Chair of the Board

and Director (Since 2019)

  Chief Investment Officer, University of Delaware from 1999 to 2013; Trustee and Chair of the Finance and Investment Committees, Winterthur Museum and Country Estate from 2005 to 2016; Member of the Investment Committee, Delaware Public Employees’ Retirement System since 2002; Member of the Investment Committee, Christiana Care Health System from 2009 to 2017; Member of the Investment Committee, Delaware Community Foundation from 2013 to 2014; Director and Chair of the Audit Committee, SEI Private Trust Co. from 2001 to 2014.   37 RICs consisting of 181 Portfolios   None

Bruce R. Bond

1946

 

Director

(Since 2007)

  Board Member, Amsphere Limited (software) since 2018; Trustee and Member of the Governance Committee, State Street Research Mutual Funds from 1997 to 2005; Board Member of Governance, Audit and Finance Committee, Avaya Inc. (computer equipment) from 2003 to 2007.   37 RICs consisting of 181 Portfolios   None

Susan J. Carter

1956

 

Director

(Since 2019)

  Director, Pacific Pension Institute from 2014 to 2018; Advisory Board Member, Center for Private Equity and Entrepreneurship at Tuck School of Business since 1997; Senior Advisor, Commonfund Capital, Inc. (“CCI”) (investment adviser) in 2015; Chief Executive Officer, CCI from 2013 to 2014; President & Chief Executive Officer, CCI from 1997 to 2013; Advisory Board Member, Girls Who Invest from 2015 to 2018 and Board Member thereof since 2018; Advisory Board Member, Bridges Fund Management since 2016; Trustee, Financial Accounting Foundation since 2017; Practitioner Advisory Board Member, Private Capital Research Institute (“PCRI”) since 2017.   37 RICs consisting of 181 Portfolios   None

Collette Chilton

1958

 

Director

(Since 2019)

  Chief Investment Officer, Williams College since 2006; Chief Investment Officer, Lucent Asset Management Corporation from 1998 to 2006.   37 RICs consisting of 181 Portfolios   None

Neil A. Cotty

1954

 

Director

(Since 2019)

  Bank of America Corporation from 1996 to 2015, serving in various senior finance leadership roles, including Chief Accounting Officer from 2009 to 2015, Chief Financial Officer of Global Banking, Markets and Wealth Management from 2008 to 2009, Chief Accounting Officer from 2004 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Consumer Bank from 2003 to 2004, Chief Financial Officer of Global Corporate Investment Bank from 1999 to 2002.   37 RICs consisting of 181 Portfolios   None

Lena G. Goldberg

1949

 

Director

(Since 2016)

  Senior Lecturer, Harvard Business School, since 2008; Director, Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. since 2013; FMR LLC/Fidelity Investments (financial services) from 1996 to 2008, serving in various senior roles including Executive Vice President — Strategic Corporate Initiatives and Executive Vice President and General Counsel; Partner, Sullivan & Worcester LLP from 1985 to 1996 and Associate thereof from 1979 to 1985.   37 RICs consisting of 181 Portfolios   None

Robert M. Hernandez

1944

 

Director

(Since 2007)

  Director, Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer of USX Corporation (energy and steel business) from 1991 to 2001; Director and non-executive Chairman, RTI International Metals, Inc. from 1990 to 2015; Director, TE Connectivity (electronics) from 2006 to 2012.   37 RICs consisting of 181 Portfolios   Chubb Limited (insurance company); Eastman Chemical Company

 

 

58    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Director and Officer Information  (continued)

 

Independent Directors (a) (continued)
         
Name
Year of Birth
 (b)
  Position(s) Held
(Length of Service)
 (c)
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years   Number of BlackRock-Advised
Registered Investment Companies
(“RICs”) Consisting of
Investment Portfolios
(“Portfolios”) Overseen
  Public Company and Other
Investment Company
Directorships Held During
Past Five Years

Henry R. Keizer

1956

 

Director

(Since 2016)

  Director, Park Indemnity Ltd. (captive insurer) since 2010; Director, MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation and MUFG Union Bank, N.A. (financial and bank holding company) from 2014 to 2016; Director, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants from 2009 to 2011; Director, KPMG LLP (audit, tax and advisory services) from 2004 to 2005 and 2010 to 2012; Director, KPMG International in 2012, Deputy Chairman and Chief Operating Officer thereof from 2010 to 2012 and U.S. Vice Chairman of Audit thereof from 2005 to 2010; Global Head of Audit, KPMGI (consortium of KPMG firms) from 2006 to 2010; Director, YMCA of Greater New York from 2006 to 2010.   37 RICs consisting of 181 Portfolios   Hertz Global Holdings (car rental); Montpelier Re Holdings, Ltd. (publicly held property and casualty reinsurance) from 2013 until 2015; Sealed Air Corp. (packaging); WABCO (commercial vehicle safety systems)

Cynthia A. Montgomery

1952

 

Director

(Since 2019)

  Professor, Harvard Business School since 1989.   37 RICs consisting of 181 Portfolios   Newell Rubbermaid, Inc. (manufacturing)

Donald C. Opatrny

1952

 

Director

(Since 2015)

  Trustee, Vice Chair, Member of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Investment Committee, Cornell University since 2004; President, Trustee and Member of the Investment Committee, The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum from 2007 to 2014; Member of the Board and Investment Committee, University School from 2007 to 2018; Member of the Investment Committee, Mellon Foundation from 2009 to 2015; Trustee, Artstor (a Mellon Foundation affiliate) from 2010 to 2015; President and Trustee, the Center for the Arts, Jackson Hole from 2011 to 2018; Director, Athena Capital Advisors LLC (investment management firm) since 2013; Trustee and Chair of the Investment Committee, Community Foundation of Jackson Hole since 2014; Member of Affordable Housing Supply Board of Jackson, Wyoming since 2018; Member, Investment Funds Committee, State of Wyoming since 2017; Trustee, Phoenix Art Museum since 2018.   37 RICs consisting of 181 Portfolios   None

Joseph P. Platt

1947

 

Director

(Since 2019)

  General Partner, Thorn Partners, LP (private investments) since 1998; Director, WQED Multi-Media (public broadcasting not-for-profit) since 2001; Chair, Basic Health International (non-profit) since 2015.   37 RICs consisting of 181 Portfolios   Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd. (reinsurance company); Consol Energy Inc.

Kenneth L. Urish

1951

 

Director

(Since 2019)

  Managing Partner, Urish Popeck & Co., LLC (certified public accountants and consultants) since 1976; Past-Chairman of the Professional Ethics Committee of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Committee Member thereof since 2007; Member of External Advisory Board, The Pennsylvania State University Accounting Department since founding in 2001; Principal, UP Strategic Wealth Investment Advisors, LLC since 2013; Trustee, The Holy Family Institute from 2001 to 2010; President and Trustee, Pittsburgh Catholic Publishing Associates from 2003 to 2008; Director, Inter-Tel from 2006 to 2007.   37 RICs consisting of 181 Portfolios   None

Claire A. Walton

1957

 

Director

(Since 2019)

  Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Liberty Square Asset Management, LP from 1998 to 2015; General Partner of Neon Liberty Capital Management, LLC since 2003; Director, Boston Hedge Fund Group from 2009 to 2018; Director, Woodstock Ski Runners since 2013; Director, Massachusetts Council on Economic Education from 2013 to 2015.   37 RICs consisting of 181 Portfolios   None

 

 

DIRECTOR AND OFFICER INFORMATION      59  


Director and Officer Information  (continued)

 

Interested Directors (a)(d)
         
Name
Year of Birth 
(b)
  Position(s) Held
(Length of Service) 
(c)
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years   Number of BlackRock-Advised
Registered Investment Companies
(“RICs”) Consisting of
Investment Portfolios
(“Portfolios”) Overseen
  Public Company and Other
Investment Company
Directorships Held During
Past Five Years

Robert Fairbairn

1965

 

Director

(Since 2015)

  Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. since 2019; Member of BlackRock’s Global Executive and Global Operating Committees; Co-Chair of BlackRock’s Human Capital Committee; Senior Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2010 to 2019; oversaw BlackRock’s Strategic Partner Program and Strategic Product Management Group from 2012 to 2019; Member of the Board of Managers of BlackRock Investments, LLC from 2011 to 2018; Global Head of BlackRock’s Retail and iShares® businesses from 2012 to 2016.   123 RICs consisting of 291 Portfolios   None

John M. Perlowski (e)

1964

 

Director

(Since 2015);

President and Chief Executive Officer (Since 2010)

  Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009; Head of BlackRock Global Accounting and Product Services since 2009; Advisory Director of Family Resource Network (charitable foundation) since 2009.   124 RICs consisting of 292 Portfolios   None

(a) The address of each Director is c/o BlackRock, Inc.,55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055.

(b) Each Independent Director holds office until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal as provided by the Fund’s by-laws or charter or statute, or until December 31 of the year in which he or she turns 75. Directors who are “interested persons,” as defined in the 1940 Act, serve until their successor is duly elected and qualifies or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal as provided by the Fund’s by-laws or statute, or until December 31 of the year in which they turn 72. The Board may determine to extend the terms of Independent Directors on a case-by-case basis, as appropriate.

(c) Following the combination of MLIM and BlackRock, Inc. in September 2006, the various legacy MLIM and legacy BlackRock fund boards were realigned and consolidated into three new fund boards in 2007. In addition, effective January 1, 2019, three BlackRock Fund Complexes were realigned and consolidated into two BlackRock Fund Complexes. As a result, although the chart shows the year that each Independent Director joined the Board, certain Independent Directors first became members of the boards of other BlackRock-advised Funds, legacy MLIM funds or legacy BlackRock funds as follows: Bruce R. Bond, 2005; Susan J. Carter, 2016; Collette Chilton, 2015; Neil A. Cotty, 2016; Robert M. Hernandez, 1996; Cynthia A. Montgomery, 1994; Joseph P. Platt, 1999; Mark Stalnecker, 2015; Kenneth L. Urish, 1999; Claire A. Walton, 2016.

(d) Mr. Fairbairn and Mr. Perlowski are both “interested persons,” as defined in the Act 1940 Act, of the Fund based on their positions with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates. Mr. Fairbairn and Mr. Perlowski are also board members of the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex.

(e) Mr. Perlowski is also a trustee of the BlackRock Credit Strategies Fund.

 

 

60    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Director and Officer Information  (continued)

 

Officers Who Are Not Directors (a)
     
Name
Year of Birth
 (b)
   Position(s) Held
(Length of Service)
   Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years

Jennifer McGovern

1977

  

Vice President

(Since 2014)

   Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2016; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2011 to 2015; Head of Product Development and Oversight for BlackRock’s Strategic Product Management Group since 2019; Head of Product Structure and Oversight for BlackRock’s U.S. Wealth Advisory Group from 2013 to 2019.

Neal J. Andrews

1966

  

Chief Financial Officer

(Since 2007)

   Chief Financial Officer of the iShares® exchange traded funds since 2019; Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006.

Jay M. Fife

1970

  

Treasurer

(Since 2007)

   Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2007.

Charles Park

1967

  

Chief Compliance

Officer (Since 2014)

   Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for certain BlackRock-advised Funds from 2014 to 2015; Chief Compliance Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and the BlackRock-advised Funds in the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex and the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex since 2014; Principal of and Chief Compliance Officer for iShares® Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC since 2012 and BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”) since 2006; Chief Compliance Officer for the BFA-advised iShares® exchange traded funds since 2006; Chief Compliance Officer for BlackRock Asset Management International Inc. since 2012.

Lisa Belle

1968

   Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer (Since 2019)    Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2019; Global Financial Crime Head for Asset and Wealth Management of JP Morgan from 2013 to 2019; Managing Director of RBS Securities from 2012 to 2013; Head of Financial Crimes for Barclays Wealth Americas from 2010 to 2012.

Janey Ahn

1975

  

Secretary

(Since 2019)

   Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2018; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2009 to 2017.

(a) The address of each Officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055.

(b) Officers of the Fund serve at the pleasure of the Board.

Further information about the Fund’s Directors and Officers is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained without charge by calling (800) 441-7762.

 

Effective September 19, 2019, Lisa Belle replaced John MacKessy as the Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer of the Fund.

Effective September 19, 2019, Janey Ahn replaced Benjamin Archibald as the Secretary of the Fund.

 

Investment Adviser

BlackRock Advisors, LLC

Wilmington, DE 19809

Accounting Agent

State Street Bank and Trust Company

Boston, MA 02111

Custodian

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

Boston, MA 02109

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc

Wilmington, DE 19809

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, MA 02116

Distributor

BlackRock Investments, LLC

New York, NY 10022

Legal Counsel

Sidley Austin LLP

New York, NY 10019

Address of the Fund

100 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

 

 

 

DIRECTOR AND OFFICER INFORMATION      61  


Additional Information

 

General Information

Householding

The Fund will mail only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, annual and semi-annual reports and proxy statements, to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is commonly called “householding” and is intended to reduce expenses and eliminate duplicate mailings of shareholder documents. Mailings of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please call the Fund at (800) 441-7762.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT, and for reporting periods ended prior to March 31, 2019, filed such information on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Form N-PORT and N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. The Fund’s Form N-Q may also be obtained upon request and without charge by calling (800) 441-7762.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available upon request and without charge (1) by calling (800) 441-7762; (2) at blackrock.com; and (3) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

Availability of Proxy Voting Record

Information about how the Fund voted proxies relating to securities held in the Fund’s portfolio during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available upon request and without charge (1) at blackrock.com or by calling (800) 441-7762 and (2) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

BlackRock’s Mutual Fund Family

BlackRock offers a diverse lineup of open-end mutual funds crossing all investment styles and managed by experts in equity, fixed income and tax-exempt investing. Visit blackrock.com for more information.

Shareholder Privileges

Account Information

Call us at (800) 441-7762 from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM ET on any business day to get information about your account balances, recent transactions and share prices. You can also reach us on the Web at blackrock.com.

Automatic Investment Plans

Investor class shareholders who want to invest regularly can arrange to have $50 or more automatically deducted from their checking or savings account and invested in any of the BlackRock funds.

Systematic Withdrawal Plans

Investor class shareholders can establish a systematic withdrawal plan and receive periodic payments of $50 or more from their BlackRock funds, as long as their account balance is at least $10,000.

Retirement Plans

Shareholders may make investments in conjunction with Traditional, Rollover, Roth, Coverdell, Simple IRAs, SEP IRAs and 403(b) Plans.

 

 

62    2019 BLACKROCK ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Additional Information  (continued)

 

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.

Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

Currency

AUD

  

Australian Dollar

BRL

  

Brazilian Real

CAD

  

Canadian Dollar

CHF

  

Swiss Franc

CLP

  

Chilean Peso

DKK

  

Danish Krone

EUR

  

Euro

GBP

  

British Pound

HKD

  

Hong Kong Dollar

INR    Indian Rupee
JPY    Japanese Yen
KRW    South Korean Won
MXN    Mexican Peso
NOK    Norwegian Krone
NZD    New Zealand Dollar
SEK    Swedish Krona
SGD    Singapore Dollar
TRY    Turkish Lira
TWD    Taiwan New Dollar
USD    U.S. Dollar
ZAR    South African Rand
Portfolio Abbreviations
ADR    American Depositary Receipts
CME    Chicago Mercantile Exchange
CVA    Certificaten Van Aandelen (Dutch Certificate)
ETF    Exchange-Traded Fund
FTSE    Financial Times Stock Exchange
JSC    Joint Stock Company
MSCI    Morgan Stanley Capital International
NVDR    Non-voting Depository Receipts
OTC    Over-the-Counter
PCL    Public Company Limited
PIK    Payment-In-Kind
REIT    Real Estate Investment Trust
S&P    S&P Global Ratings
SPDR    Standard & Poor’s Depository Receipts
 

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN THIS REPORT      63  


Want to know more?

blackrock.com    |    877-275-1255 (1-877-ASK-1BLK)

This report is intended for current holders. It is not authorized for use as an offer of sale or a solicitation of an offer to buy shares of the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by the Fund’s current prospectus. Past performance results shown in this report should not be considered a representation of future performance. Investment returns and principal value of shares will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Statements and other information herein are as dated and are subject to change.

GA-10/19-AR

 

 

LOGO    LOGO


Item  2 –   Code of Ethics – The registrant (or the “Fund”) has adopted a code of ethics, as of the end of the period covered by this report, applicable to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. During the period covered by this report, the code of ethics was amended to update certain information and to make other non-material changes. During the period covered by this report, there have been no waivers granted under the code of ethics. The registrant undertakes to provide a copy of the code of ethics to any person upon request, without charge, who calls 1-800-441-7762.
Item  3 –   Audit Committee Financial Expert – The registrant’s board of directors (the “board of directors”), has determined that (i) the registrant has the following audit committee financial experts serving on its audit committee and (ii) each audit committee financial expert is independent:
 

Neil A. Cotty

Robert M. Hernandez

Henry R. Keizer

Kenneth L. Urish

Claire A. Walton

  Under applicable securities laws, a person determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an “expert” for any purpose, including without limitation for the purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities greater than the duties, obligations, and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and board of directors in the absence of such designation or identification. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not affect the duties, obligations, or liability of any other member of the audit committee or board of directors.
Item  4 –   Principal Accountant Fees and Services
  The following table presents fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP (“D&T”) in each of the last two fiscal years for the services rendered to the Fund:

 

      (a) Audit Fees    (b) Audit-Related  Fees1    (c) Tax Fees2    (d) All Other Fees                    
Entity Name    Current
  Fiscal Year  
End
   Previous
  Fiscal Year  
End
   Current
  Fiscal Year  
End
   Previous 
Fiscal Year 
End
   Current
  Fiscal Year  
End
   Previous
  Fiscal Year  
End
   Current
  Fiscal Year  
End
   Previous
  Fiscal Year  
End
BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.    $97,002    $98,226    $0    $0    $24,800    $26,000    $0    $0

The following table presents fees billed by D&T that were required to be approved by the registrant’s audit committee (the “Committee”) for services that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the Fund and that are rendered on behalf of BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Investment Advisor” or “BlackRock”) and entities controlling, controlled by, or under common control with BlackRock (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser) that provide ongoing services to the Fund (“Affiliated Service Providers”):

 

2


      Current Fiscal Year End    Previous Fiscal Year End
(b) Audit-Related Fees1    $0    $0
(c) Tax Fees2    $0    $0
(d) All Other Fees3    $2,050,500    $2,274,000

1 The nature of the services includes assurance and related services reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of financial statements not included in Audit Fees, including accounting consultations, agreed-upon procedure reports, attestation reports, comfort letters, out-of-pocket expenses and internal control reviews not required by regulators.

2 The nature of the services includes tax compliance and/or tax preparation, including services relating to the filing or amendment of federal, state or local income tax returns, regulated investment company qualification reviews, taxable income and tax distribution calculations.

3 Non-audit fees of $2,050,500 and $2,274,000 for the current fiscal year and previous fiscal year, respectively, were paid to the Fund’s principal accountant in their entirety by BlackRock, in connection with services provided to the Affiliated Service Providers of the Fund and of certain other funds sponsored and advised by BlackRock or its affiliates for a service organization review and an accounting research tool subscription. These amounts represent aggregate fees paid by BlackRock and were not allocated on a per fund basis.

(e)(1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures:

    The Committee has adopted policies and procedures with regard to the pre-approval of services. Audit, audit-related and tax compliance services provided to the registrant on an annual basis require specific pre-approval by the Committee. The Committee also must approve other non-audit services provided to the registrant and those non-audit services provided to the Investment Adviser and Affilliated Service Providers that relate directly to the operations and the financial reporting of the registrant. Certain of these non-audit services that the Committee believes are (a) consistent with the SEC’s auditor independence rules and (b) routine and recurring services that will not impair the independence of the independent accountants may be approved by the Committee without consideration on a specific case-by-case basis (“general pre-approval”). The term of any general pre-approval is 12 months from the date of the pre-approval, unless the Committee provides for a different period. Tax or other non-audit services provided to the registrant which have a direct impact on the operations or financial reporting of the registrant will only be deemed pre-approved provided that any individual project does not exceed $10,000 attributable to the registrant or $50,000 per project. For this purpose, multiple projects will be aggregated to determine if they exceed the previously mentioned cost levels.

    Any proposed services exceeding the pre-approved cost levels will require specific pre-approval by the Committee, as will any other services not subject to general pre-approval (e.g., unanticipated but permissible services). The Committee is informed of each service approved subject to general pre-approval at the next regularly scheduled in-person board meeting. At this meeting, an analysis of such services is presented to the Committee for ratification. The Committee may delegate to the Committee Chairman the authority to approve the provision of and fees for any specific engagement of permitted non-audit services, including services exceeding pre-approved cost levels.

(e)(2) None of the services described in each of Items 4(b) through (d) were approved by the Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception in paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

(f) Not Applicable

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees, defined as the sum of the fees shown under “Audit-Related Fees,” “Tax Fees” and “All Other Fees,” paid to the accountant for services rendered by the accountant to the registrant, the Investment Adviser and the Affiliated Service Providers were:

 

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  Entity Name    Current Fiscal Year    
End    
   Previous Fiscal Year    
End     
 

BlackRock Global Allocation  

Fund, Inc.

   $24,800    $26,000

Additionally, the amounts billed by D&T in connection with services provided to the Affiliated Service Providers of the Fund and of other funds sponsored and advised by BlackRock or its affiliates during the current and previous fiscal years for a service organization review and an accounting research tool subscription were:

 

    Current Fiscal Year    

End

  

  Previous Fiscal Year  

End

$2,050,500

   $2,274,000

These amounts represent aggregate fees paid by BlackRock and were not allocated on a per fund basis.

(h) The Committee has considered and determined that the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the Investment Adviser and the Affiliated Service Providers that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

 

Item  5 –   Audit Committee of Listed Registrants – Not Applicable
Item  6 –   Investments
  (a) The registrant’s Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.
  (b) Not Applicable due to no such divestments during the semi-annual period covered since the previous Form N-CSR filing.
Item  7 –   Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies – Not Applicable
Item  8 –   Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies – Not Applicable
Item  9 –   Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers – Not Applicable
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 registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

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  (b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item  12 –   Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies – Not Applicable to the registrant.
Item  13 –   Exhibits attached hereto
  (a)(1) Code of Ethics – See Item 2
  (a)(2) Certifications – Attached hereto
  (a)(3) Not Applicable
  (a)(4) Not Applicable
  (b) Certifications – Attached hereto

 

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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 Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

 

By:       /s/ John M. Perlowski                            
  John M. Perlowski
  Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of
  BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

Date: January 3, 2020

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 Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

Date: January 3, 2020

 

By:       /s/ Neal J. Andrews                                
  Neal J. Andrews
  Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of
  BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc.

Date: January 3, 2020

 

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