N-CSRS 1 d947773dncsrs.htm BLACKROCK VARIABLE SERIES FUNDS II, INC. BlackRock Variable Series Funds II, 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: 811-23346

Name of Fund: BlackRock Variable Series Funds II, Inc.

BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund

Fund Address:    100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809

Name and address of agent for service: John M. Perlowski, Chief Executive Officer, BlackRock Variable Series

Funds II, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055

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

Date of fiscal year end: 12/31/2020

Date of reporting period: 06/30/2020


Item 1 – Report to Stockholders


 

LOGO   JUNE 30, 2020

 

 

2020 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

BlackRock Variable Series Funds II, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Not FDIC Insured -May Lose Value -No Bank Guarantee       


The Markets in Review

Dear Shareholder,

The last 12 months have been a time of sudden change in global financial markets, as a long period of growth and positive returns was interrupted in early 2020 by the emergence and spread of the coronavirus. For the first part of the reporting period, U.S. equities and bonds both delivered impressive returns, despite fears and doubts about the economy that were ultimately laid to rest with unprecedented monetary stimulus and a sluggish yet resolute performance from the U.S. economy. But as the threat from the coronavirus became more apparent throughout February and March 2020, leading countries around the world took economically disruptive countermeasures, causing equity prices to fall sharply. While markets have since recovered some of these losses as countries around the world begin reopening, there is still significant uncertainty surrounding the course of the pandemic, and an uptick in U.S. infection rates caused concern late in the reporting period.

Returns for most securities were robust for the first part of the reporting period, as investors began to realize that the U.S. economy was maintaining the modest yet steady growth that had characterized this economic cycle. However, once stay-at-home orders and closures of non-essential businesses became widespread, many workers were laid off and unemployment claims spiked. With large portions of the global economy on hold, all types of international equities ended the 12-month reporting period with negative performance, while in the United States large-capitalization stocks, which investors saw as more resilient than smaller companies, delivered solid returns.

The performance of different types of fixed-income securities diverged substantially due to a reduced investor appetite for risk. Treasuries benefited from the risk-off environment, and posted healthy returns, as the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield (which is inversely related to bond prices) fell to an all-time low. Investment-grade corporate bonds also delivered a solid return, while high-yield corporate returns were flat due to credit concerns.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) reduced interest rates three times in 2019, to support slowing economic growth. After the coronavirus outbreak, the Fed instituted two emergency rate cuts, pushing short-term interest rates close to zero. To stabilize credit markets, the Fed also announced a new bond-buying program, as did several other central banks around the world, including the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan.

Looking ahead, while coronavirus-related disruption has clearly hindered worldwide economic growth, we believe that the global expansion is likely to continue once the impact of the outbreak subsides. Several risks remain, however, including a potential resurgence of the virus amid loosened restrictions, policy fatigue among governments already deep into deficit spending, and structural damage to the financial system from lengthy economic interruptions.

Overall, we favor a moderately positive stance toward risk, and in particular toward credit given the extraordinary central bank measures taken in recent months. This support extends beyond investment-grade corporates and into high-yield, leading to attractive opportunities throughout the credit market. We believe that both U.S. Treasuries and sustainable investments can help provide portfolio resilience, and the disruption created by the coronavirus appears to be accelerating the shift toward sustainable investments. We remain neutral on equities overall while favoring European stocks, which are poised for a cyclical upside as re-openings continue.

In this environment, our view is that 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 June 30, 2020

 

     6-Month     12-Month

 

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

 

  (3.08)%   7.51%

 

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

 

  (12.98)   (6.63)

 

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

 

  (11.34)   (5.13)

 

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

 

  (9.78)   (3.39)

 

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

 

  0.60   1.63

 

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

 

  12.68   14.21

 

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

 

  6.14   8.74

 

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

 

  1.97   4.23

 

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

 

  (3.83)   0.00
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.
 

 

 

THIS PAGE IS NOT PART OF YOUR FUND REPORT

      


 

LOGO   JUNE 30, 2020

 

  

2020 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

BlackRock Variable Series Funds II, Inc.

 

·  

BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

 

 

 

 

Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • No Bank Guarantee


Fund Summary  as of June 30, 2020    BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is to seek to maximize total return, consistent with income generation and prudent investment management.

Portfolio Management Commentary

How did the Fund perform?

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2020, the Fund outperformed the benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index.

What factors influenced performance?

High yield bonds posted a negative return in the first half of the year. The bulk of the loss occurred in late February and the first three weeks of March, when concerns about the economic impact of coronavirus pandemic led to a sharp sell-off in higher-risk segments of the financial markets. The asset class subsequently recovered in response to the significant stimulus provided by Congress and the Fed, but it was unable to recover the ground it had lost in the earlier downturn.

An underweight in the underperforming oil field services industry contributed positively, as did security selection in technology and retail. The Fund’s overweight in CCC rated issues and position in investment-grade securities added value, as well.

An underweight allocation to the independent energy sector and security selection in the banking and midstream energy sectors detracted from Fund performance. An underweight allocation to BB rated securities hurt results, as did the Fund’s out-of-benchmark allocations to equities and floating rate loan interests (“bank loans”).

Describe recent portfolio activity.

The Fund increased its weightings in the independent energy, midstream and automotive sectors, while reducing its allocations to the electricity, health care and media/ entertainment sectors. The Fund tactically increased its position in investment-grade securities, primarily new issues that came to the market at attractive valuations in the second quarter of 2020.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

The Fund remained underweight in BB rated issues. The Fund was overweight in select CCC bonds but underweight in the highest-yielding portion of the market that contains a larger concentration of distressed assets. Major sector positioning themes remained consistent, with the largest overweights in technology, aerospace/defense and banking. The Fund was underweight in energy and the sectors most vulnerable to the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, including retailers, automotive and leisure.

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.

 

 

2  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Fund Summary  as of June 30, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

 

Performance Summary for the Period Ended June 30, 2020

 

                         Average Annual Total Returns (a)  
      Standardized
30-Day Yields(b)
     Unsubsidized
30-Day Yields(b)
     6-Month Total
Returns (a)
    1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Class I(c)(d)

     5.30      5.20      (3.39 )%      1.32      4.36      6.55

Class III (c)(d)

     5.05        4.96        (3.37     1.07        4.14        6.29 (e) 

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index(f)

                   (3.83     0.00        4.79        6.67  

 

  (a) 

For a portion of the period, the Fund’s investment adviser waived a portion of its fee. Without such waiver, the Fund’s performance would have been lower.

 
  (b) 

The standardized 30-day yield includes the effects of any waivers and/or reimbursements. The unsubsidized 30-day yield excludes the effects of any waivers and/or reimbursements.

 
  (c) 

Average annual and cumulative total returns are based on changes in net asset value (“NAV”) for the periods shown, and assume reinvestment of all distributions at NAV on the ex-dividend/ payable date. Insurance-related fees and expenses are not reflected in these returns.

 
  (d) 

The Fund invests primarily in non-investment grade bonds with maturities of ten years or less. On September 17, 2018, the Fund acquired all of the assets, subject to the liabilities, of BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund (the “Predecessor Fund”), a series of BlackRock Variable Series Funds, Inc., through a tax-free reorganization (the “Reorganization”). The Predecessor Fund is the performance and accounting survivor of the Reorganization. The Fund’s total returns prior to October 1, 2011 are the returns of the Predecessor Fund when it followed different investment objectives and investment strategies under the name “BlackRock High Income V.I. Fund”.

 
  (e) 

The returns for Class III Shares prior to February 15, 2012, the recommencement of operations of Class III Shares, are based upon the performance of the Predecessor Fund’s Class I Shares, as adjusted to reflect the distribution (12b-1) fees applicable to Class III Shares.

 
  (f) 

An unmanaged index comprised of issues that meet the following criteria: at least $150 million par value outstanding; maximum credit rating of Ba1; at least one year to maturity; and no issuer represents more than 2% of the index.

 

Past performance is not indicative of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

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

Portfolio Information

 

 

CREDIT QUALITY ALLOCATION

 

Credit Rating (a)   Percent of
Total Investments (b)
 

AA/Aa

    %(c) 

A

    2  

BBB/Baa

    14  

BB/Ba

    36  

B

    31  

CCC/Caa

    13  

CC/Ca

    —  (c) 

D

    —  (c) 

NR

    4  

NR

    —  (c) 

 

  (a)

For financial reporting purposes, credit quality ratings shown above reflect the highest rating assigned by either S&P Global Ratings or Moody’s Investors Service if ratings differ. These rating agencies are independent, nationally recognized statistical rating organizations and are widely used. Investment grade ratings are credit ratings of BBB/ Baa or higher. Below investment grade ratings are credit ratings of BB/Ba or lower. Investments designated NR are not rated by either rating agency. Unrated investments do not necessarily indicate low credit quality. Credit quality ratings are subject to change.

 
  (b) 

Excludes short-term securities.

 
  (c) 

Represents less than 1% of the Fund’s total investments.

 
 

 

 

FUND SUMMARY

  3


Disclosure of Expenses        

 

Shareholders of the Fund may incur the following charges: (a) transactional expenses; 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 January 1, 2020 and held through June 30, 2020) 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.

 

    Actual           Hypothetical (a)           
     Beginning
Account Value
(01/01/20)
     Ending
Account Value
(06/30/20)
     Expenses
Paid During
the Period (b)
           Beginning
Account Value
(01/01/20)
     Ending
Account Value
(06/30/20)
     Expenses
Paid During
the Period (b)
       Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 966.10      $ 2.88       $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.93      $ 2.97          0.59

Class III

    1,000.00        966.30        4.06               1,000.00        1,020.74        4.17          0.83  

 

  (a) 

Hypothetical 5% annual return before expenses is calculated by prorating the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year divided by 366.

 
  (b) 

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).

 

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 Financial Statements.

 

 

4   2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security              
Shares
    Value  

Common Stocks — 1.2%

 

Building Products — 0.0%  

AZEK Co., Inc. (The)(a)

      346     $ 11,024  
     

 

 

 
Chemicals — 0.3%  

Element Solutions, Inc.(a)

      133,281       1,446,100  
     

 

 

 
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.0%(a)  

McDermott International, Inc.

      11,895       857  

Pioneer Energy Services Corp.(b)

      1,058       41,085  
     

 

 

 
        41,942  
Entertainment — 0.1%  

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.(a)

      5,404       239,559  
     

 

 

 
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.4%  

Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc.

      24,294       840,573  

VICI Properties, Inc.

      56,302       1,136,737  
     

 

 

 
        1,977,310  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.1%  

Churchill Downs, Inc.

      828       110,248  

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.

      3,221       236,582  

Six Flags Entertainment Corp.

      12,365       237,532  
     

 

 

 
        584,362  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.0%  

PPD, Inc.(a)

      1,969       52,769  
     

 

 

 
Media — 0.0%  

Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc.(a)

      146,145       151,991  
     

 

 

 
Metals & Mining — 0.1%  

Constellium SE, Class A(a)

      80,736       620,052  
     

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 0.2%  

Bausch Health Cos., Inc.(a)

      41,611       761,065  
     

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks — 1.2%
(Cost: $6,946,344)

        5,886,174  
     

 

 

 
           Par
(000)
       

Corporate Bonds — 86.0%

 

Aerospace & Defense — 4.2%  

Boeing Co. (The):

     

5.15%, 05/01/30

    USD       1,250       1,393,787  

5.81%, 05/01/50

      1,830       2,161,204  

5.93%, 05/01/60

      1,830       2,170,182  

Bombardier, Inc.(c):

     

8.75%, 12/01/21

      1,863       1,513,688  

5.75%, 03/15/22

      236       174,180  

6.13%, 01/15/23

      668       459,450  

7.50%, 12/01/24

      148       96,940  

7.50%, 03/15/25

      58       37,851  

7.88%, 04/15/27

      1,737       1,137,735  

BWX Technologies, Inc., 4.13%, 06/30/28(c)

      418       416,955  

F-Brasile SpA, Series XR,
7.38%, 08/15/26(c)

      741       568,495  

General Dynamics Corp., 4.25%, 04/01/50

      140       181,185  

Howmet Aerospace, Inc.:

     

5.87%, 02/23/22

      335       351,750  

5.13%, 10/01/24

      315       326,296  

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.,
6.50%, 11/30/25(c)

      516       535,350  

Leidos, Inc., 4.38%, 05/15/30(c)

      395       444,948  

Signature Aviation US Holdings, Inc.(c):

     

5.38%, 05/01/26

      165       165,115  
Security          Par
(000)
    Value  
Aerospace & Defense (continued)  

4.00%, 03/01/28

    USD       418     $ 377,768  

SSL Robotics LLC, 9.75%, 12/31/23(c)

      64       68,480  

TransDigm, Inc.(c):

     

8.00%, 12/15/25

      1,131       1,188,670  

6.25%, 03/15/26

      7,614       7,595,117  
     

 

 

 
        21,365,146  
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.1%                  

XPO Logistics, Inc.(c):

     

6.75%, 08/15/24

      198       207,425  

6.25%, 05/01/25

      173       181,217  
     

 

 

 
        388,642  
Airlines — 0.5%(c)                  

American Airlines, Inc., 11.75%, 07/15/25

      273       258,583  

Delta Air Lines, Inc., 7.00%, 05/01/25

      630       650,329  

Mileage Plus Holdings LLC, 6.50%, 06/20/27 .

      1,427       1,430,567  
     

 

 

 
        2,339,479  
Auto Components — 1.5%                  

Adient US LLC, 9.00%, 04/15/25(c)

      305       328,546  

Allison Transmission, Inc., 5.88%, 06/01/29(c) .

      923       959,920  

Clarios Global LP(c):

     

6.75%, 05/15/25

      402       418,080  

6.25%, 05/15/26

      2,058       2,122,312  

8.50%, 05/15/27

      2,267       2,278,222  

Dealer Tire LLC, 8.00%, 02/01/28(c)

      472       437,190  

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (The),
9.50%, 05/31/25

      332       355,240  

Icahn Enterprises LP:

     

6.75%, 02/01/24

      49       49,368  

4.75%, 09/15/24

      162       152,312  

6.25%, 05/15/26

      369       369,258  

5.25%, 05/15/27

      397       383,105  
     

 

 

 
        7,853,553  
Automobiles — 0.7%                  

Ford Motor Co.:

     

8.50%, 04/21/23

      382       403,965  

4.35%, 12/08/26

      82       76,490  

4.75%, 01/15/43

      167       131,563  

5.29%, 12/08/46

      160       131,566  

General Motors Co.:

     

6.13%, 10/01/25

      193       216,871  

6.80%, 10/01/27

      866       1,009,115  

5.00%, 10/01/28

      101       107,436  

5.00%, 04/01/35

      160       159,820  

6.25%, 10/02/43

      235       249,728  

5.20%, 04/01/45

      206       199,527  

5.95%, 04/01/49

      450       473,066  

Tesla, Inc., 5.30%, 08/15/25(c)

      705       705,000  
     

 

 

 
        3,864,147  
Banks — 0.5%                  

Banco Espirito Santo SA(a)(d):

     

2.63%, 05/08/17

    EUR       100       17,976  

4.75%, 01/15/18

      100       17,976  

4.00%, 01/21/19

      100       17,976  

Barclays plc:

     

4.38%, 09/11/24

    USD       850       907,344  

5.20%, 05/12/26

      200       222,480  

BNP Paribas SA, (US Treasury Yield Curve Rate T Note Constant Maturity 5 Year + 2.94%), 4.50%(c)(e)(f)

      325       284,781  

CIT Group, Inc.:

     

5.00%, 08/15/22

      30       30,638  

5.00%, 08/01/23

      396       403,880  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  5


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Banks (continued)            

HSBC Holdings plc, (USD Swap Rate 5 Year + 3.75%), 6.00%(e)(f)

    USD      465     $ 462,094  
   

 

 

 
      2,365,145  
Building Products — 0.5%(c)            

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.,
5.00%, 09/30/27

    545       549,087  

Builders FirstSource, Inc., 6.75%, 06/01/27

    193       197,584  

Griffon Corp., 5.75%, 03/01/28

    141       139,237  

James Hardie International Finance DAC,
5.00%, 01/15/28

    200       204,000  

JELD-WEN, Inc.:

   

6.25%, 05/15/25

    245       254,188  

4.63%, 12/15/25

    63       60,480  

4.88%, 12/15/27

    5       4,800  

Masonite International Corp.:

   

5.75%, 09/15/26

    45       46,350  

5.38%, 02/01/28

    117       119,633  

Standard Industries, Inc.:

   

6.00%, 10/15/25

    161       165,712  

5.00%, 02/15/27

    221       223,762  

4.38%, 07/15/30

    785       783,038  
   

 

 

 
      2,747,871  
Capital Markets — 1.0%            

Brookfield Finance, Inc., 4.35%, 04/15/30

    265       300,512  

Credit Suisse Group AG(c)(e)(f):

   

(USD Swap Semi 5 Year + 4.60%), 7.50%

    200       207,782  

(US Treasury Yield Curve Rate T Note Constant Maturity 5 Year + 4.82%), 6.37%

    700       710,850  

(US Treasury Yield Curve Rate T Note Constant Maturity 5 Year + 3.29%), 5.10%

    235       222,663  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), Series R, (US Treasury Yield Curve Rate T Note Constant Maturity 5 Year + 3.22%),
4.95%(e)(f)

    921       874,950  

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.,
3.00%, 06/15/50

    245       253,434  

MSCI, Inc., 3.88%, 02/15/31(c)

    1,149       1,171,980  

Owl Rock Capital Corp.:

   

5.25%, 04/15/24

    146       152,595  

4.00%, 03/30/25

    195       192,590  

3.75%, 07/22/25

    866       845,268  
   

 

 

 
      4,932,624  
Chemicals — 2.2%            

Atotech Alpha 2 BV, 8.75%, (8.75% Cash or 9.50% PIK), 06/01/23(c)(g)

    1,010       1,007,475  

Atotech Alpha 3 BV, 6.25%, 02/01/25(c)

    2,554       2,528,460  

Axalta Coating Systems LLC,
4.75%, 06/15/27(c)

    423       425,200  

Blue Cube Spinco LLC:

   

9.75%, 10/15/23

    567       584,010  

10.00%, 10/15/25

    40       41,700  

Chemours Co. (The), 6.63%, 05/15/23

    646       620,160  

Element Solutions, Inc., 5.88%, 12/01/25(c)

    2,011       2,030,482  

Gates Global LLC, 6.25%, 01/15/26(c)

    510       501,075  

GCP Applied Technologies, Inc.,
5.50%, 04/15/26(c)

    306       305,235  

Illuminate Buyer LLC, 9.00%, 07/01/28(c)

    342       356,535  

Minerals Technologies, Inc., 5.00%, 07/01/28(c)

    278       282,170  

NOVA Chemicals Corp., 4.88%, 06/01/24(c)

    81       75,532  

OCI NV, 5.25%, 11/01/24(c)

    277       265,920  

PQ Corp., 5.75%, 12/15/25(c)

    912       918,840  

Valvoline, Inc., 4.25%, 02/15/30(c)

    449       442,265  

W.R. Grace & Co., 5.63%, 10/01/24(c)

    206       216,815  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Chemicals (continued)            

WR Grace & Co.-Conn., 4.88%, 06/15/27(c)

    USD      462     $ 468,020  
   

 

 

 
      11,069,894  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 2.6%            

ACCO Brands Corp., 5.25%, 12/15/24(c)

    104       105,300  

ADT Security Corp. (The):

   

4.13%, 06/15/23

    85       85,212  

4.88%, 07/15/32(c)

    505       459,550  

Allied Universal Holdco LLC(c):

   

6.63%, 07/15/26

    2,633       2,764,650  

9.75%, 07/15/27

    862       908,333  

APX Group, Inc.:

   

7.88%, 12/01/22

    115       114,425  

8.50%, 11/01/24

    202       196,950  

6.75%, 02/15/27(c)

    455       429,406  

Aramark Services, Inc.:

   

5.00%, 04/01/25(c)

    53       52,205  

6.38%, 05/01/25(c)

    300       309,789  

4.75%, 06/01/26

    72       69,300  

Brink’s Co. (The), 5.50%, 07/15/25(c)

    201       204,725  

Clean Harbors, Inc.(c):

   

4.88%, 07/15/27

    233       239,407  

5.13%, 07/15/29

    199       206,395  

Garda World Security Corp.(c):

   

4.63%, 02/15/27

    509       501,365  

9.50%, 11/01/27

    376       397,620  

GFL Environmental, Inc.(c):

   

4.25%, 06/01/25

    140       141,225  

7.00%, 06/01/26

    1,195       1,236,825  

5.13%, 12/15/26

    851       880,785  

8.50%, 05/01/27

    632       687,300  

IAA, Inc., 5.50%, 06/15/27(c)

    274       282,664  

KAR Auction Services, Inc., 5.13%, 06/01/25(c)

    262       258,070  

Mobile Mini, Inc., 5.88%, 07/01/24

    1,268       1,305,152  

Nielsen Co. Luxembourg SARL (The),
5.00%, 02/01/25(c)

    196       192,570  

Prime Security Services Borrower LLC(c):

   

5.25%, 04/15/24

    135       138,038  

5.75%, 04/15/26

    42       43,554  

6.25%, 01/15/28

    276       260,130  

Waste Pro USA, Inc., 5.50%, 02/15/26(c)

    776       740,684  
   

 

 

 
      13,211,629  
Communications Equipment — 0.7%            

CommScope Technologies LLC,
6.00%, 06/15/25(c)

    654       631,568  

CommScope, Inc.(c):

   

5.50%, 03/01/24

    491       495,910  

5.50%, 06/15/24

    135       137,475  

6.00%, 03/01/26

    455       466,375  

Nokia OYJ:

   

4.38%, 06/12/27

    187       197,588  

6.63%, 05/15/39

    107       127,094  

ViaSat, Inc.(c):

   

5.63%, 04/15/27

    787       805,691  

6.50%, 07/15/28

    517       517,109  
   

 

 

 
      3,378,810  
Construction & Engineering — 0.2%(c)            

Brand Industrial Services, Inc.,
8.50%, 07/15/25

    930       837,000  

New Enterprise Stone & Lime Co., Inc.:

   

10.13%, 04/01/22

    158       157,210  

6.25%, 03/15/26

    99       99,495  
   

 

 

 
      1,093,705  
 

 

 

6  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Consumer Finance — 1.8%  

Ally Financial, Inc.:

   

5.80%, 05/01/25

    USD      1,255     $ 1,398,268  

8.00%, 11/01/31

    1,237       1,596,132  

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC:

   

5.88%, 08/02/21

    701       707,800  

2.98%, 08/03/22

    736       705,419  

3.09%, 01/09/23

    200       190,500  

4.14%, 02/15/23

    248       242,656  

3.81%, 01/09/24

    870       835,461  

4.06%, 11/01/24

    200       191,006  

5.13%, 06/16/25

    800       800,320  

4.13%, 08/04/25

    650       616,492  

4.39%, 01/08/26

    200       190,436  

General Motors Financial Co., Inc.,
5.65%, 01/17/29

    112       126,035  

Global Aircraft Leasing Co. Ltd., 6.50%, (6.50% Cash or 7.25% PIK),
09/15/24(c)(g)

    513       364,230  

Navient Corp.:

   

5.00%, 10/26/20

    47       46,806  

6.13%, 03/25/24

    176       167,200  

5.88%, 10/25/24

    49       46,030  

6.75%, 06/25/25

    103       98,236  

6.75%, 06/15/26

    138       127,650  

Springleaf Finance Corp.:

   

6.13%, 05/15/22

    45       45,827  

6.88%, 03/15/25

    227       232,888  

8.88%, 06/01/25

    133       142,183  

7.13%, 03/15/26

    111       114,884  

6.63%, 01/15/28

    340       336,600  

5.38%, 11/15/29

    19       17,765  
   

 

 

 
      9,340,824  
Containers & Packaging — 1.7%  

ARD Finance SA, 6.50%, 06/30/27(c)

    894       884,501  

Ardagh Packaging Finance plc(c):

   

5.25%, 04/30/25

    342       350,546  

4.13%, 08/15/26

    754       741,823  

4.75%, 07/15/27

    GBP      100       120,193  

5.25%, 08/15/27

    USD      1,218       1,196,539  

Ball Corp.:

   

5.25%, 07/01/25

    26       28,437  

4.88%, 03/15/26

    284       308,850  

Berry Global, Inc., 4.88%, 07/15/26(c)

    114       115,710  

Crown Americas LLC:

   

4.75%, 02/01/26

    220       224,187  

4.25%, 09/30/26

    302       308,795  

Crown Cork & Seal Co., Inc.,
7.38%, 12/15/26

    78       91,260  

Graphic Packaging International LLC(c):

   

4.75%, 07/15/27

    128       135,040  

3.50%, 03/15/28

    107       106,165  

Intertape Polymer Group, Inc.,
7.00%, 10/15/26(c)

    181       186,014  

LABL Escrow Issuer LLC,
6.75%, 07/15/26(c)

    365       379,713  

Mauser Packaging Solutions Holding Co.,
5.50%, 04/15/24(c)

    229       224,921  

Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc.,
7.00%, 07/15/24(c)

    205       205,576  

Sealed Air Corp.(c):

   

5.13%, 12/01/24

    20       21,350  

6.88%, 07/15/33

    31       36,658  

Silgan Holdings, Inc., 4.13%, 02/01/28(c)

    76       75,335  

Trivium Packaging Finance BV(c)(h):

   

5.50%, 08/15/26

    1,045       1,054,144  

8.50%, 08/15/27

    1,767       1,888,481  
   

 

 

 
      8,684,238  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Distributors — 0.5%(c)  

American Builders & Contractors Supply Co., Inc.,
4.00%, 01/15/28

    USD      220     $ 213,789  

Core & Main LP, 6.13%, 08/15/25

    2,398       2,389,967  

Wolverine Escrow LLC:

   

8.50%, 11/15/24

    114       86,640  

9.00%, 11/15/26

    131       94,320  
   

 

 

 
      2,784,716  
Diversified Consumer Services — 0.3%  

frontdoor, Inc., 6.75%, 08/15/26(c)

    302       320,875  

Graham Holdings Co., 5.75%, 06/01/26(c)

    158       163,393  

Laureate Education, Inc., 8.25%, 05/01/25(c)

    171       177,412  

Service Corp. International, 5.13%, 06/01/29

    310       333,560  

ServiceMaster Co. LLC (The),
5.13%, 11/15/24(c)

    234       237,218  

Sotheby’s, 7.38%, 10/15/27(c)

    400       378,000  
   

 

 

 
      1,610,458  
Diversified Financial Services — 1.5%(c)  

Fairstone Financial, Inc., 7.88%, 07/15/24

    289       283,220  

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC, 7.13%, 06/01/24

    1,711       1,591,230  

Refinitiv US Holdings, Inc.:

   

4.50%, 05/15/26

    EUR      650       760,161  

6.25%, 05/15/26

    USD      275       291,500  

8.25%, 11/15/26

    1,296       1,403,529  

Verscend Escrow Corp., 9.75%, 08/15/26

    2,929       3,146,771  
   

 

 

 
      7,476,411  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 6.2%  

Altice France Holding SA, 10.50%, 05/15/27(c)

    3,124       3,441,242  

Altice France SA(c):

   

7.38%, 05/01/26

    1,756       1,831,157  

8.13%, 02/01/27

    1,721       1,882,344  

5.50%, 01/15/28

    1,055       1,065,550  

CCO Holdings LLC(c):

   

5.00%, 02/01/28

    441       455,332  

5.38%, 06/01/29

    896       945,280  

4.75%, 03/01/30

    451       461,459  

4.50%, 08/15/30

    1,643       1,675,860  

4.50%, 05/01/32

    1,831       1,853,888  

CenturyLink, Inc.:

   

Series W, 6.75%, 12/01/23

    128       137,573  

Series Y, 7.50%, 04/01/24

    219       240,642  

5.13%, 12/15/26(c)

    1,485       1,481,287  

4.00%, 02/15/27(c)

    666       646,853  

Series P, 7.60%, 09/15/39

    593       638,216  

Series U, 7.65%, 03/15/42

    815       874,087  

Cincinnati Bell, Inc., 7.00%, 07/15/24(c)

    336       342,720  

Frontier Communications Corp.,
8.00%, 04/01/27(c)(h)

    2,333       2,365,989  

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

    106       107,503  

Level 3 Financing, Inc.:

   

5.25%, 03/15/26

    53       54,457  

4.25%, 07/01/28(c)

    1,341       1,339,458  

Qualitytech LP, 4.75%, 11/15/25(c)

    464       473,517  

Sable International Finance Ltd.,
5.75%, 09/07/27(c)

    200       203,576  

Sprint Capital Corp.:

   

6.88%, 11/15/28

    776       944,780  

8.75%, 03/15/32

    1,356       1,940,775  

Telecom Italia Capital SA:

   

6.38%, 11/15/33

    261       294,277  

6.00%, 09/30/34

    707       768,509  

7.20%, 07/18/36

    159       189,210  

7.72%, 06/04/38

    287       361,115  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  7


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
(000)
    Value  
Diversified Telecommunication Services (continued)  

Telecom Italia SpA, 5.30%, 05/30/24(c)

    USD       451     $ 470,650  

Telesat Canada(c):

     

4.88%, 06/01/27

      527       516,460  

6.50%, 10/15/27

      52       50,977  

Virgin Media Secured Finance plc(c):

     

5.50%, 05/15/29

      600       627,000  

4.50%, 08/15/30

      565       565,706  

Zayo Group Holdings, Inc.(c):

     

4.00%, 03/01/27

      825       785,037  

6.13%, 03/01/28

      1,834       1,783,565  
     

 

 

 
        31,816,051  
Electric Utilities — 0.5%  

NextEra Energy Operating Partners LP(c):

     

4.25%, 07/15/24

      67       67,754  

4.25%, 09/15/24

      143       143,852  

4.50%, 09/15/27

      22       22,997  

NRG Energy, Inc.:

     

5.75%, 01/15/28

      8       8,440  

4.45%, 06/15/29(c)

      726       761,977  

5.25%, 06/15/29(c)

      275       288,750  

PG&E Corp., 5.25%, 07/01/30

      596       599,397  

Vistra Operations Co. LLC(c):

     

3.55%, 07/15/24

      83       85,662  

5.00%, 07/31/27

      106       107,193  

4.30%, 07/15/29

      336       353,254  
     

 

 

 
        2,439,276  
Electrical Equipment — 0.1%  

Sensata Technologies BV(c):

     

5.63%, 11/01/24

      187       198,220  

5.00%, 10/01/25

      99       105,405  
     

 

 

 
        303,625  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.1%  

CDW LLC, 4.13%, 05/01/25

      353       353,441  

Itron, Inc., 5.00%, 01/15/26(c)

      34       33,873  

Sensata Technologies, Inc.,
4.38%, 02/15/30(c)

      232       229,680  
     

 

 

 
        616,994  
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.7%  

Archrock Partners LP(c):

     

6.88%, 04/01/27

      208       195,936  

6.25%, 04/01/28

      112       101,920  

ChampionX Corp., 6.38%, 05/01/26

      370       343,830  

Nabors Industries Ltd.(c):

     

7.25%, 01/15/26

      229       140,835  

7.50%, 01/15/28

      136       83,640  

Pioneer Energy Services Corp.(c):

     

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 9.50%),
11.00%, 05/15/25(f)

      434       342,459  

5.00%, (5.00% Cash or 5.00% PIK), 11/15/25(g)(i)

      296       159,972  

Tervita Corp., 7.63%, 12/01/21(c)

      845       663,325  

Transocean, Inc.:

     

6.50%, 11/15/20

      9       8,190  

8.37%, 12/15/21(h)

      31       21,700  

8.00%, 02/01/27(c)

      542       299,116  

USA Compression Partners LP:

     

6.88%, 04/01/26

      476       459,935  

6.88%, 09/01/27

      631       605,760  
     

 

 

 
        3,426,618  
Entertainment — 1.1%                  

Lions Gate Capital Holdings LLC(c):

     

6.38%, 02/01/24

      393       383,175  

5.88%, 11/01/24

      150       143,250  
Security          Par
(000)
    Value  
Entertainment (continued)                  

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.:

     

2.50%, 03/15/23(i)

    USD       354     $ 359,089  

6.50%, 05/15/27(c)

      1,524       1,569,720  

Netflix, Inc.:

     

4.88%, 04/15/28

      109       116,550  

5.88%, 11/15/28

      1,177       1,340,309  

5.38%, 11/15/29(c)

      842       922,158  

4.88%, 06/15/30(c)

      537       575,933  

WMG Acquisition Corp.(c):

     

5.50%, 04/15/26

      182       188,316  

3.88%, 07/15/30

      326       329,276  
     

 

 

 
        5,927,776  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 3.3%  

Brookfield Property REIT, Inc.,
5.75%, 05/15/26(c)

      318       268,710  

Diversified Healthcare Trust, 9.75%, 06/15/25

      421       452,049  

GLP Capital LP:

     

5.25%, 06/01/25

      706       767,704  

5.38%, 04/15/26

      172       187,925  

5.30%, 01/15/29

      15       16,231  

4.00%, 01/15/30

      645       639,357  

4.00%, 01/15/31

      295       292,861  

Iron Mountain, Inc.(c):

     

4.88%, 09/15/27

      165       160,741  

4.88%, 09/15/29

      45       43,763  

5.25%, 07/15/30

      682       671,770  

5.63%, 07/15/32

      830       828,257  

MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP:

     

5.63%, 05/01/24

      79       81,767  

4.63%, 06/15/25(c)

      705       689,405  

4.50%, 09/01/26

      532       526,840  

5.75%, 02/01/27

      102       104,550  

4.50%, 01/15/28

      1,110       1,054,500  

MPT Operating Partnership LP:

     

5.00%, 10/15/27

      976       1,002,840  

4.63%, 08/01/29

      764       767,820  

Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.,
4.75%, 10/15/27(c)

 

    659       586,510  

SBA Communications Corp.:

     

4.88%, 09/01/24

      172       176,085  

3.88%, 02/15/27(c)

      1,948       1,940,695  

Service Properties Trust:

     

4.50%, 06/15/23

      70       67,020  

4.35%, 10/01/24

      68       61,289  

7.50%, 09/15/25

      563       593,140  

Uniti Group LP:

     

6.00%, 04/15/23(c)

      507       494,325  

8.25%, 10/15/23

      198       187,110  

7.88%, 02/15/25(c)

      188       190,495  

VICI Properties LP(c):

     

3.50%, 02/15/25

      689       647,660  

4.25%, 12/01/26

      961       920,157  

3.75%, 02/15/27

      751       705,940  

4.63%, 12/01/29

      746       727,350  

4.13%, 08/15/30

      1,324       1,262,765  
     

 

 

 
        17,117,631  
Food & Staples Retailing — 0.5%  

Albertsons Cos., Inc.(c):

     

4.63%, 01/15/27

      409       409,000  

5.88%, 02/15/28

      668       689,223  

4.88%, 02/15/30

      241       246,574  

Sysco Corp.:

     

6.60%, 04/01/40

      310       418,042  
 

 

 

8  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Food & Staples Retailing (continued)  

6.60%, 04/01/50

    USD      310     $ 429,336  

US Foods, Inc., 6.25%, 04/15/25(c)

    231       235,043  
   

 

 

 
      2,427,218  
Food Products — 2.5%  

Chobani LLC, 7.50%, 04/15/25(c)

    490       472,850  

Darling Ingredients, Inc., 5.25%, 04/15/27(c)

    136       139,778  

JBS Investments II GmbH,
7.00%, 01/15/26(c)

    200       209,900  

JBS USA LUX SA(c):

   

5.75%, 06/15/25

    696       702,090  

6.75%, 02/15/28

    203       214,038  

6.50%, 04/15/29

    931       988,024  

5.50%, 01/15/30

    392       401,800  

Kraft Heinz Foods Co.:

   

3.88%, 05/15/27(c)

    92       96,139  

4.25%, 03/01/31(c)

    2,141       2,270,088  

5.00%, 07/15/35

    189       207,953  

6.88%, 01/26/39

    414       511,799  

4.63%, 10/01/39(c)

    129       129,536  

6.50%, 02/09/40

    280       337,024  

5.00%, 06/04/42

    125       131,701  

5.20%, 07/15/45

    245       265,695  

4.38%, 06/01/46

    652       640,976  

4.88%, 10/01/49(c)

    1,371       1,396,111  

5.50%, 06/01/50(c)

    2,109       2,248,108  

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.,
4.88%, 05/15/28(c)

    517       547,767  

Post Holdings, Inc.(c):

   

5.75%, 03/01/27

    6       6,195  

5.63%, 01/15/28

    165       170,775  

4.63%, 04/15/30

    321       314,195  

Simmons Foods, Inc., 7.75%, 01/15/24(c)

    415       432,928  
   

 

 

 
      12,835,470  
Gas Utilities — 0.2%  

Ferrellgas LP, 10.00%, 04/15/25(c)

    1,198       1,290,845  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.9%  

DENTSPLY SIRONA, Inc., 3.25%, 06/01/30

    340       357,448  

Hologic, Inc., 4.63%, 02/01/28(c)

    502       520,825  

Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc.(c):

   

7.38%, 06/01/25

    982       999,185  

7.25%, 02/01/28

    1,956       1,988,235  

Teleflex, Inc., 4.25%, 06/01/28(c)

    679       695,975  
   

 

 

 
      4,561,668  
Health Care Providers & Services — 4.3%  

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.:

   

5.13%, 07/01/22

    283       283,085  

5.63%, 02/15/23

    93       93,033  

5.50%, 07/01/28(c)

    335       335,837  

AHP Health Partners, Inc.,
9.75%, 07/15/26(c)

    443       455,182  

Centene Corp.:

   

4.25%, 12/15/27

    1,306       1,347,674  

4.63%, 12/15/29

    1,873       1,976,015  

3.38%, 02/15/30

    649       655,302  

Community Health Systems, Inc.(c):

   

8.63%, 01/15/24

    1,114       1,089,358  

6.63%, 02/15/25

    317       297,980  

8.00%, 03/15/26

    1,743       1,647,484  

Encompass Health Corp.:

   

4.50%, 02/01/28

    75       71,934  

4.75%, 02/01/30

    105       100,275  

HCA, Inc.:

   

5.38%, 02/01/25

    298       319,232  

5.63%, 09/01/28

    1,278       1,426,568  

3.50%, 09/01/30

    1,854       1,785,721  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Health Care Providers & Services (continued)  

LifePoint Health, Inc.(c):

   

6.75%, 04/15/25

    USD      289     $ 298,392  

4.38%, 02/15/27

    127       120,015  

MEDNAX, Inc.(c):

   

5.25%, 12/01/23

    343       341,285  

6.25%, 01/15/27

    142       142,000  

Molina Healthcare, Inc.:

   

5.38%, 11/15/22(h)

    63       64,260  

4.38%, 06/15/28(c)

    429       428,464  

Polaris Intermediate Corp., 8.50%, (8.50% Cash or 9.25% PIK), 12/01/22(c)(g)

    742       652,907  

Surgery Center Holdings, Inc.(c):

   

6.75%, 07/01/25

    1,130       1,019,825  

10.00%, 04/15/27

    786       786,000  

Tenet Healthcare Corp.:

   

8.13%, 04/01/22

    1,470       1,543,500  

4.63%, 09/01/24(c)

    406       396,865  

7.50%, 04/01/25(c)

    275       292,531  

4.88%, 01/01/26(c)

    1,272       1,238,610  

6.25%, 02/01/27(c)

    334       331,495  

5.13%, 11/01/27(c)

    1,297       1,279,750  

4.63%, 06/15/28(c)

    229       223,092  

Vizient, Inc., 6.25%, 05/15/27(c)

    439       459,853  

West Street Merger Sub, Inc.,
6.38%, 09/01/25(c)

    604       584,370  
   

 

 

 
      22,087,894  
Health Care Technology — 0.1%  

IQVIA, Inc.:

   

3.25%, 03/15/25

    EUR     224       253,412  

5.00%, 10/15/26(c)

    USD     298       306,553  

5.00%, 05/15/27(c)

    226       231,579  
   

 

 

 
      791,544  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 4.9%  

1011778 BC ULC(c):

   

4.25%, 05/15/24

    22       22,039  

5.75%, 04/15/25

    490       514,500  

5.00%, 10/15/25

    1,525       1,516,018  

3.88%, 01/15/28

    453       439,487  

4.38%, 01/15/28

    847       830,221  

Aramark International Finance SARL,
3.13%, 04/01/25

    EUR      506       537,888  

Boyd Gaming Corp.:

   

8.63%, 06/01/25(c)

    USD      238       248,710  

6.38%, 04/01/26

    97       92,150  

Boyne USA, Inc., 7.25%, 05/01/25(c)

    300       314,250  

Carnival Corp., 11.50%, 04/01/23(c)

    691       749,735  

Cedar Fair LP, 5.50%, 05/01/25(c)

    806       810,030  

Churchill Downs, Inc.(c):

   

5.50%, 04/01/27

    410       401,308  

4.75%, 01/15/28

    695       670,675  

Colt Merger Sub, Inc.(c):

   

5.75%, 07/01/25

    786       790,480  

6.25%, 07/01/25

    2,701       2,684,119  

8.13%, 07/01/27

    1,440       1,391,400  

Eldorado Resorts, Inc.:

   

6.00%, 04/01/25

    131       137,026  

6.00%, 09/15/26

    167       180,413  

Golden Nugget, Inc., 6.75%, 10/15/24(c)

    1,603       1,152,156  

Hilton Domestic Operating Co., Inc.:

   

5.38%, 05/01/25(c)

    284       284,000  

5.13%, 05/01/26

    378       376,348  

5.75%, 05/01/28(c)

    321       324,210  

4.88%, 01/15/30

    1,188       1,170,180  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  9


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)            

International Game Technology plc,
5.25%, 01/15/29(c)

    USD      320     $ 312,544  

IRB Holding Corp., 7.00%, 06/15/25(c)

    288       296,842  

Las Vegas Sands Corp.:

   

2.90%, 06/25/25

    83       80,618  

3.50%, 08/18/26

    75       74,787  

3.90%, 08/08/29

    68       67,082  

Marriott International, Inc., Series EE,
5.75%, 05/01/25

    215       233,567  

Marriott Ownership Resorts, Inc.,
6.50%, 09/15/26

    66       66,495  

MGM Resorts International:

   

7.75%, 03/15/22

    470       479,400  

5.75%, 06/15/25

    41       40,540  

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.(c):

   

10.88%, 06/01/23

    175       179,823  

9.13%, 06/15/23

    275       272,592  

11.50%, 06/01/25

    360       375,642  

Sabre GLBL, Inc.(c):

   

5.25%, 11/15/23

    73       67,160  

9.25%, 04/15/25

    723       761,861  

Scientific Games International, Inc.:

   

8.63%, 07/01/25(c)

    332       310,320  

5.00%, 10/15/25(c)

    395       364,688  

3.38%, 02/15/26

    EUR      500       516,810  

8.25%, 03/15/26(c)

    USD      857       768,622  

7.00%, 05/15/28(c)

    382       305,600  

7.25%, 11/15/29(c)

    193       154,400  

Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc.,
7.00%, 07/01/25(c)

    1,253       1,295,289  

Station Casinos LLC, 4.50%, 02/15/28(c)

    392       331,730  

Vail Resorts, Inc., 6.25%, 05/15/25(c)

    249       260,516  

Wynn Las Vegas LLC, 5.25%, 05/15/27(c)

    483       417,554  

Wynn Resorts Finance LLC(c):

   

7.75%, 04/15/25

    320       322,304  

5.13%, 10/01/29

    880       786,500  

Yum! Brands, Inc.:

   

7.75%, 04/01/25(c)

    490       528,587  

4.75%, 01/15/30(c)

    120       121,800  

5.35%, 11/01/43

    10       9,600  
   

 

 

 
      25,440,616  
Household Durables — 1.4%            

Ashton Woods USA LLC, 6.63%, 01/15/28(c)

    116       113,970  

Brookfield Residential Properties, Inc.(c):

   

6.25%, 09/15/27

    188       179,786  

4.88%, 02/15/30

    223       186,339  

CD&R Smokey Buyer, Inc.,
6.75%, 07/15/25(c)

    383       398,205  

Installed Building Products, Inc.,
5.75%, 02/01/28(c)

    205       205,000  

K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.,
7.75%, 02/15/26(c)

    521       513,185  

Lennar Corp.:

   

5.25%, 06/01/26

    355       383,400  

4.75%, 11/29/27

    301       326,585  

Mattamy Group Corp.(c):

   

5.25%, 12/15/27

    246       244,770  

4.63%, 03/01/30

    299       287,040  

MDC Holdings, Inc., 6.00%, 01/15/43

    187       196,818  

Meritage Homes Corp., 5.13%, 06/06/27

    240       247,200  

Newell Brands, Inc., 4.88%, 06/01/25

    228       238,782  

Picasso Finance Sub, Inc., 6.13%, 06/15/25(c)

    814       832,315  

PulteGroup, Inc.:

   

7.88%, 06/15/32

    20       25,556  

6.38%, 05/15/33

    512       599,040  

6.00%, 02/15/35

    244       280,844  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Household Durables (continued)            

Taylor Morrison Communities, Inc.,
5.88%, 06/15/27(c)

    USD      204     $ 211,291  

Tempur Sealy International, Inc.,
5.50%, 06/15/26

    14       14,140  

Toll Brothers Finance Corp., 4.35%, 02/15/28

    22       22,825  

TRI Pointe Group, Inc.:

   

5.88%, 06/15/24

    123       126,322  

5.25%, 06/01/27

    385       383,075  

5.70%, 06/15/28

    91       92,365  

Williams Scotsman International, Inc.(c):

   

7.88%, 12/15/22

    208       216,191  

6.88%, 08/15/23

    629       645,643  
   

 

 

 
      6,970,687  
Household Products — 0.2%(c)            

Energizer Holdings, Inc.:

   

6.38%, 07/15/26

    141       145,788  

7.75%, 01/15/27

    93       99,163  

4.75%, 06/15/28

    333       326,663  

Spectrum Brands, Inc.:

   

5.00%, 10/01/29

    209       206,388  

5.50%, 07/15/30

    244       244,305  
   

 

 

 
      1,022,307  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.9%  

Calpine Corp.:

   

5.50%, 02/01/24

    72       71,820  

5.75%, 01/15/25

    494       498,836  

5.25%, 06/01/26(c)

    411       414,991  

4.50%, 02/15/28(c)

    577       562,575  

5.13%, 03/15/28(c)

    2,002       1,961,960  

Clearway Energy Operating LLC,
4.75%, 03/15/28(c)

    520       530,369  

Pattern Energy Group, Inc., 5.88%, 02/01/24(c)

    494       496,470  
   

 

 

 
      4,537,021  
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.1%            

General Electric Co.:

   

3.63%, 05/01/30

    140       140,158  

4.25%, 05/01/40

    230       228,868  

4.35%, 05/01/50

    180       178,021  
   

 

 

 
      547,047  
Insurance — 1.2%            

Acrisure LLC, 8.13%, 02/15/24(c)

    162       168,431  

Alliant Holdings Intermediate LLC,
6.75%, 10/15/27(c)

    1,967       1,960,352  

AmWINS Group, Inc., 7.75%, 07/01/26(c)

    98       102,900  

Ardonagh Midco 2 plc, 11.50%, 01/15/27(c)

    200       201,000  

Ardonagh Midco 3 plc, 8.63%, 07/15/23(c)

    652       681,014  

GTCR AP Finance, Inc., 8.00%, 05/15/27(c)

    687       707,177  

HUB International Ltd., 7.00%, 05/01/26(c)

    1,651       1,647,533  

NFP Corp.(c):

   

7.00%, 05/15/25

    163       171,150  

8.00%, 07/15/25

    295       288,362  

Willis North America, Inc., 2.95%, 09/15/29

    30       31,757  
   

 

 

 
      5,959,676  
Interactive Media & Services — 0.2%(c)            

Match Group, Inc.:

   

4.63%, 06/01/28

    297       299,599  

5.63%, 02/15/29

    164       172,877  

4.13%, 08/01/30

    156       152,733  

Rackspace Hosting, Inc., 8.63%, 11/15/24

    317       318,585  

Twitter, Inc., 3.88%, 12/15/27

    128       128,013  
   

 

 

 
      1,071,807  
 

 

 

10  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
(000)
    Value  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.8%  

Booking Holdings, Inc.:

     

4.50%, 04/13/27

    USD       237     $ 272,210  

4.63%, 04/13/30

      2,226       2,627,392  

Expedia Group, Inc., 6.25%, 05/01/25(c)

      940       1,001,357  

Go Daddy Operating Co. LLC,
5.25%, 12/01/27(c)

      82       83,435  
     

 

 

 
        3,984,394  
IT Services — 0.9%(c)  

Banff Merger Sub, Inc., 9.75%, 09/01/26

      2,092       2,105,075  

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc., 5.13%, 05/01/25

      420       426,300  

Gartner, Inc., 4.50%, 07/01/28

      560       566,552  

Northwest Fiber LLC, 10.75%, 06/01/28

      149       154,960  

Presidio Holdings, Inc., 4.88%, 02/01/27

      495       483,863  

Science Applications International Corp.,
4.88%, 04/01/28

      408       405,576  

Tempo Acquisition LLC, 5.75%, 06/01/25

      314       321,850  

WEX, Inc., 4.75%, 02/01/23

      345       342,537  
     

 

 

 
        4,806,713  
Leisure Products — 0.2%  

Mattel, Inc.:

     

6.75%, 12/31/25(c)

      484       502,150  

5.88%, 12/15/27(c)

      433       445,990  

6.20%, 10/01/40

      40       34,600  

5.45%, 11/01/41

      186       154,320  
     

 

 

 
        1,137,060  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.4%(c)  

Avantor, Inc.:

     

6.00%, 10/01/24

      678       708,510  

9.00%, 10/01/25

      528       567,600  

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.:

     

5.50%, 04/01/26

      193       200,720  

4.25%, 05/01/28

      505       504,742  
     

 

 

 
        1,981,572  
Machinery — 1.3%  

Amsted Industries, Inc., 5.63%, 07/01/27(c)

      230       237,187  

Clark Equipment Co., 5.88%, 06/01/25(c)

      419       428,427  

Colfax Corp., 6.38%, 02/15/26(c)

      478       499,510  

EnPro Industries, Inc., 5.75%, 10/15/26

      568       568,000  

Grinding Media, Inc., 7.38%, 12/15/23(c)

      608       604,960  

Husky III Holding Ltd., 13.00%, (13.00% Cash or 13.75% PIK), 02/15/25(c)(g)

      367       353,238  

IDEX Corp., 3.00%, 05/01/30

      40       41,740  

Mueller Water Products, Inc.,
5.50%, 06/15/26(c)

      184       190,440  

Navistar International Corp.(c):

     

9.50%, 05/01/25

      118       126,443  

6.63%, 11/01/25

      354       335,415  

RBS Global, Inc., 4.88%, 12/15/25(c)

      281       282,405  

SPX FLOW, Inc., 5.63%, 08/15/24(c)

      183       187,118  

Stevens Holding Co., Inc., 6.13%, 10/01/26(c)

      457       477,565  

Terex Corp., 5.63%, 02/01/25(c)

      198       180,180  

Titan Acquisition Ltd., 7.75%, 04/15/26(c)

      777       735,236  

Vertical Holdco GmbH, 7.63%, 07/15/28(c)

      200       200,000  

Vertical U.S. Newco, Inc, 5.25%, 07/15/27(c)

      606       606,000  

Wabash National Corp., 5.50%, 10/01/25(c)

      674       618,395  
     

 

 

 
        6,672,259  
Media — 5.3%                  

Altice Financing SA(c):

     

7.50%, 05/15/26

      1,510       1,581,725  

5.00%, 01/15/28

      1,031       1,024,154  

AMC Networks, Inc.:

     

5.00%, 04/01/24

      69       68,310  

4.75%, 08/01/25

      71       69,949  

Block Communications, Inc., 4.88%, 03/01/28(c)

 

    231       228,180  
Security          Par
(000)
    Value  
Media (continued)                  

Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc.:

     

9.25%, 02/15/24

    USD       830     $ 769,908  

5.13%, 08/15/27(c)

      2,072       1,989,120  

CSC Holdings LLC:

     

5.25%, 06/01/24

      192       202,080  

7.75%, 07/15/25(c)

      850       884,085  

10.88%, 10/15/25(c)

      1,546       1,661,950  

5.50%, 05/15/26(c)

      398       408,495  

5.38%, 02/01/28(c)

      200       209,000  

6.50%, 02/01/29(c)

      236       258,125  

5.75%, 01/15/30(c)

      999       1,040,459  

4.13%, 12/01/30(c)

      1,161       1,150,841  

4.63%, 12/01/30(c)

      712       691,608  

Diamond Sports Group LLC, 5.38%, 08/15/26(c)

      656       474,780  

DISH DBS Corp.:

     

6.75%, 06/01/21

      614       625,513  

5.88%, 07/15/22

      494       502,299  

5.00%, 03/15/23

      625       623,500  

7.75%, 07/01/26

      1,379       1,461,740  

DISH Network Corp.(i):

     

2.38%, 03/15/24

      496       443,844  

3.38%, 08/15/26

      705       647,623  

Dolya Holdco 18 DAC, 5.00%, 07/15/28(c)

      1,233       1,217,218  

Entercom Media Corp., 6.50%, 05/01/27(c)

      469       420,928  

GCI LLC, 6.63%, 06/15/24(c)

      735       769,148  

Lamar Media Corp., 4.88%, 01/15/29(c)

      118       118,590  

LCPR Senior Secured Financing DAC,
6.75%, 10/15/27(c)

      855       872,100  

Meredith Corp., 6.88%, 02/01/26

      308       256,105  

Midcontinent Communications,
5.38%, 08/15/27(c)

      307       311,722  

Outfront Media Capital LLC, 5.00%, 08/15/27(c)

      531       477,900  

Radiate Holdco LLC(c):

     

6.88%, 02/15/23

      201       203,513  

6.63%, 02/15/25

      188       187,099  

Sirius XM Radio, Inc.(c):

     

5.38%, 07/15/26

      19       19,622  

5.00%, 08/01/27

      239       244,274  

5.50%, 07/01/29

      427       449,469  

4.13%, 07/01/30

      731       722,930  

TEGNA, Inc.(c):

     

5.50%, 09/15/24

      79       79,790  

4.63%, 03/15/28

      54       49,680  

Telenet Finance Luxembourg Notes SARL,
5.50%, 03/01/28(c)

      400       417,000  

Terrier Media Buyer, Inc., 8.88%, 12/15/27(c)

      1,144       1,096,810  

Univision Communications, Inc.(c):

     

5.13%, 02/15/25

      150       141,282  

6.63%, 06/01/27

      920       878,600  

Videotron Ltd., 5.13%, 04/15/27(c)

      229       237,617  

Ziggo Bond Co. BV(c):

     

6.00%, 01/15/27

      296       300,440  

5.13%, 02/28/30

      371       368,106  

Ziggo BV(c):

     

5.50%, 01/15/27

      378       382,748  

4.88%, 01/15/30

      229       230,241  
     

 

 

 
        27,470,220  
Metals & Mining — 2.6%                  

Anglo American Capital plc, 5.63%, 04/01/30(c)

      860       1,038,817  

Arconic Corp.(c):

     

6.00%, 05/15/25

      584       603,710  

6.13%, 02/15/28

      335       334,916  

Big River Steel LLC, 7.25%, 09/01/25(c)

      724       691,420  

Constellium SE(c):

     

5.75%, 05/15/24

      352       352,000  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  11


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Metals & Mining (continued)            

6.63%, 03/01/25

    USD      858     $ 867,670  

5.88%, 02/15/26

    784       786,093  

5.63%, 06/15/28

    389       381,220  

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.:

   

3.88%, 03/15/23

    529       529,000  

4.25%, 03/01/30

    477       462,690  

5.45%, 03/15/43

    3,788       3,712,240  

Kaiser Aluminum Corp.(c):

   

6.50%, 05/01/25

    175       180,906  

4.63%, 03/01/28

    278       265,857  

New Gold, Inc.(c):

   

6.38%, 05/15/25

    231       233,310  

7.50%, 07/15/27

    504       519,972  

Novelis Corp.(c):

   

5.88%, 09/30/26

    525       524,344  

4.75%, 01/30/30

    1,346       1,285,430  

United States Steel Corp.,
12.00%, 06/01/25(c)

    821       841,525  
   

 

 

 
      13,611,120  
Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.0%  

Starwood Property Trust, Inc.,
5.00%, 12/15/21

    255       247,350  
   

 

 

 
Multiline Retail — 0.5%(c)            

Macy’s, Inc., 8.38%, 06/15/25

    1,074       1,069,156  

Nordstrom, Inc., 8.75%, 05/15/25

    1,215       1,307,514  
   

 

 

 
      2,376,670  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 10.8%            

Apache Corp.:

   

3.25%, 04/15/22

    16       15,483  

5.25%, 02/01/42

    55       44,886  

4.75%, 04/15/43

    560       450,849  

4.25%, 01/15/44

    292       222,015  

5.35%, 07/01/49

    123       98,146  

Ascent Resources Utica Holdings LLC,
10.00%, 04/01/22(c)

    799       681,147  

Baytex Energy Corp., 8.75%, 04/01/27(c)

    497       263,410  

Buckeye Partners LP:

   

4.13%, 03/01/25(c)

    126       120,868  

3.95%, 12/01/26

    85       80,096  

4.50%, 03/01/28(c)

    190       177,650  

5.85%, 11/15/43

    208       180,502  

5.60%, 10/15/44

    270       216,000  

Callon Petroleum Co.:

   

6.25%, 04/15/23

    797       301,880  

6.13%, 10/01/24

    549       206,012  

8.25%, 07/15/25

    396       138,600  

6.38%, 07/01/26

    404       133,320  

Cenovus Energy, Inc.:

   

3.00%, 08/15/22

    140       136,142  

3.80%, 09/15/23

    80       75,228  

5.40%, 06/15/47

    59       50,650  

Centennial Resource Production LLC,
6.88%, 04/01/27(c)

    322       170,660  

Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC,
5.13%, 06/30/27

    1,028       1,129,639  

Cheniere Energy Partners LP:

   

5.63%, 10/01/26

    429       426,855  

4.50%, 10/01/29(c)

    594       575,437  

CITGO Petroleum Corp., 7.00%, 06/15/25(c)

    453       453,566  

CNX Resources Corp.:

   

5.88%, 04/15/22

    710       700,663  

7.25%, 03/14/27(c)

    98       90,160  

Comstock Resources, Inc.:

   

7.50%, 05/15/25(c)

    747       676,969  

9.75%, 08/15/26

    589       549,705  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)            

Continental Resources, Inc.:

   

5.00%, 09/15/22

    USD      682     $ 670,065  

4.50%, 04/15/23

    225       215,370  

4.90%, 06/01/44

    427       339,999  

Crestwood Midstream Partners LP:

   

6.25%, 04/01/23(h)

    266       236,740  

5.63%, 05/01/27(c)

    470       391,834  

CrownRock LP, 5.63%, 10/15/25(c)

    1,754       1,572,022  

CVR Energy, Inc.(c):

   

5.25%, 02/15/25

    391       359,720  

5.75%, 02/15/28

    130       113,750  

DCP Midstream Operating LP:

   

5.38%, 07/15/25

    272       269,960  

5.63%, 07/15/27

    328       330,050  

5.13%, 05/15/29

    84       80,588  

6.45%, 11/03/36(c)

    269       242,100  

6.75%, 09/15/37(c)

    706       633,487  

Diamondback Energy, Inc.:

   

4.75%, 05/31/25

    225       240,756  

3.50%, 12/01/29

    588       569,519  

Endeavor Energy Resources LP(c):

   

6.63%, 07/15/25

    331       333,588  

5.50%, 01/30/26

    1,053       1,008,248  

5.75%, 01/30/28

    553       530,880  

Energy Transfer Operating LP:

   

3.75%, 05/15/30

    125       124,157  

4.90%, 03/15/35

    50       50,248  

6.50%, 02/01/42

    450       487,456  

6.00%, 06/15/48

    216       224,030  

6.25%, 04/15/49

    40       42,405  

5.00%, 05/15/50

    934       887,079  

EnLink Midstream LLC,
5.38%, 06/01/29

    121       90,750  

EnLink Midstream Partners LP:

   

4.40%, 04/01/24

    443       367,912  

4.15%, 06/01/25

    27       20,790  

4.85%, 07/15/26

    28       20,728  

5.60%, 04/01/44

    255       155,550  

5.05%, 04/01/45

    41       25,535  

EOG Resources, Inc.:

   

4.38%, 04/15/30

    70       83,513  

4.95%, 04/15/50

    40       51,023  

EQM Midstream Partners LP:

   

6.00%, 07/01/25(c)

    523       529,757  

4.13%, 12/01/26

    53       48,594  

6.50%, 07/01/27(c)

    581       595,072  

EQT Corp.:

   

3.90%, 10/01/27

    562       456,507  

7.00%, 02/01/30(h)

    316       325,489  

Extraction Oil & Gas, Inc.(a)(c)(d):

   

7.38%, 05/15/24

    1,004       193,270  

5.63%, 02/01/26

    481       92,593  

Exxon Mobil Corp.:

   

2.61%, 10/15/30

    303       324,374  

3.45%, 04/15/51

    180       199,337  

Genesis Energy LP:

   

6.00%, 05/15/23

    249       224,100  

5.63%, 06/15/24

    342       297,540  

6.50%, 10/01/25

    63       53,865  

7.75%, 02/01/28

    167       148,630  

Great Western Petroleum LLC,
9.00%, 09/30/21(c)

    708       424,800  

Hess Corp., 5.80%, 04/01/47

    56       60,865  

Hess Midstream Operations LP(c):

   

5.63%, 02/15/26

    302       298,826  

5.13%, 06/15/28

    144       138,588  
 

 

 

12  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)            

Holly Energy Partners LP, 5.00%, 02/01/28(c)

    USD      360     $ 342,900  

Indigo Natural Resources LLC,
6.88%, 02/15/26(c)

    882       820,260  

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP,
4.70%, 11/01/42

    460       496,879  

Kinder Morgan, Inc.:

   

5.55%, 06/01/45

    160       195,312  

5.20%, 03/01/48

    75       90,338  

Matador Resources Co., 5.88%, 09/15/26

    759       561,660  

MEG Energy Corp.(c):

   

7.00%, 03/31/24

    594       509,355  

6.50%, 01/15/25

    666       621,458  

7.13%, 02/01/27

    351       291,769  

MPLX LP:

   

4.70%, 04/15/48

    170       171,343  

5.50%, 02/15/49

    188       208,346  

Murphy Oil Corp.:

   

5.75%, 08/15/25

    198       177,210  

6.37%, 12/01/42(h)

    46       35,691  

NGPL PipeCo LLC, 7.77%, 12/15/37(c)

    307       374,693  

NuStar Logistics LP, 6.00%, 06/01/26

    311       301,670  

Occidental Petroleum Corp.:

   

Series 1, 4.10%, 02/01/21

    713       715,852  

4.85%, 03/15/21

    102       101,235  

2.60%, 08/13/21

    998       975,335  

2.70%, 08/15/22

    618       575,327  

2.90%, 08/15/24

    445       380,244  

3.20%, 08/15/26

    75       60,937  

3.00%, 02/15/27

    36       27,907  

3.50%, 08/15/29

    110       80,476  

4.30%, 08/15/39

    852       587,633  

6.20%, 03/15/40

    1,238       1,036,825  

4.50%, 07/15/44

    347       239,430  

4.63%, 06/15/45

    848       593,600  

6.60%, 03/15/46

    46       40,042  

4.40%, 04/15/46

    813       567,084  

4.10%, 02/15/47

    101       68,049  

4.20%, 03/15/48

    568       384,649  

4.40%, 08/15/49

    205       141,450  

Parkland Corp., 5.88%, 07/15/27(c)

    418       433,675  

Parsley Energy LLC(c):

   

5.38%, 01/15/25

    864       840,499  

5.25%, 08/15/25

    395       379,338  

5.63%, 10/15/27

    54       53,190  

4.13%, 02/15/28

    410       371,050  

PBF Holding Co. LLC, 9.25%, 05/15/25(c)

    1,121       1,196,668  

PDC Energy, Inc.:

   

1.13%, 09/15/21(i)

    321       294,030  

6.13%, 09/15/24

    163       151,590  

6.25%, 12/01/25

    10       8,425  

5.75%, 05/15/26

    382       347,620  

Plains All American Pipeline LP:

   

3.55%, 12/15/29

    283       275,714  

3.80%, 09/15/30

    290       284,135  

6.65%, 01/15/37

    120       130,266  

5.15%, 06/01/42

    90       87,132  

4.30%, 01/31/43

    85       73,964  

4.90%, 02/15/45

    175       162,490  

QEP Resources, Inc.:

   

5.38%, 10/01/22

    870       661,200  

5.25%, 05/01/23

    130       85,800  

5.63%, 03/01/26

    233       147,955  

Range Resources Corp.:

   

5.88%, 07/01/22

    52       47,840  

5.00%, 08/15/22

    456       414,960  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)            

5.00%, 03/15/23

    USD      503     $ 432,580  

Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC,
4.50%, 05/15/30(c)

    1,122       1,245,649  

SM Energy Co., 10.00%, 01/15/25(c)

    1,208       1,146,851  

Southwestern Energy Co.:

   

4.10%, 03/15/22

    462       441,025  

6.20%, 01/23/25(h)

    194       166,113  

7.50%, 04/01/26

    134       117,290  

Sunoco Logistics Partners Operations LP:

   

4.00%, 10/01/27

    380       389,283  

5.30%, 04/01/44

    185       177,184  

5.40%, 10/01/47

    179       179,092  

Sunoco LP:

   

4.88%, 01/15/23

    279       274,815  

5.50%, 02/15/26

    6       5,820  

6.00%, 04/15/27

    42       41,580  

5.88%, 03/15/28

    185       183,642  

Tallgrass Energy Partners LP,
5.50%, 09/15/24(c)

    568       512,944  

Targa Resources Partners LP:

   

5.13%, 02/01/25

    213       205,012  

5.88%, 04/15/26

    337       333,630  

5.38%, 02/01/27

    32       30,880  

6.50%, 07/15/27

    616       617,540  

5.00%, 01/15/28

    748       703,404  

6.88%, 01/15/29

    193       202,168  

5.50%, 03/01/30(c)

    584       563,922  

TerraForm Power Operating LLC(c):

   

4.25%, 01/31/23

    28       28,350  

5.00%, 01/31/28

    91       94,868  

4.75%, 01/15/30

    391       396,865  

Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co. LLC,
3.95%, 05/15/50(c)

    65       69,258  

Viper Energy Partners LP, 5.38%, 11/01/27(c) .

    193       189,318  

Western Midstream Operating LP:

   

4.00%, 07/01/22

    67       66,786  

3.10%, 02/01/25(h)

    127       120,333  

3.95%, 06/01/25

    283       265,092  

4.65%, 07/01/26

    208       199,222  

4.75%, 08/15/28

    105       100,537  

4.05%, 02/01/30(h)

    237       228,134  

5.45%, 04/01/44

    499       415,567  

5.30%, 03/01/48

    639       518,389  

5.50%, 08/15/48

    105       85,050  

5.25%, 02/01/50(h)

    578       500,143  

Williams Cos., Inc. (The):

   

5.80%, 11/15/43

    460       527,157  

5.10%, 09/15/45

    135       148,160  

WPX Energy, Inc.:

   

8.25%, 08/01/23

    217       240,870  

5.25%, 09/15/24

    220       216,700  

5.75%, 06/01/26

    345       334,650  

5.25%, 10/15/27

    72       67,262  

5.88%, 06/15/28

    338       324,801  

4.50%, 01/15/30

    820       721,600  
   

 

 

 
      55,600,633  
Paper & Forest Products — 0.0%            

Norbord, Inc., 6.25%, 04/15/23(c)

    226       237,347  
   

 

 

 
Personal Products — 0.1%            

Edgewell Personal Care Co.,
5.50%, 06/01/28(c)

    282       289,755  
   

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 1.8%            

Bausch Health Americas, Inc.(c):

   

9.25%, 04/01/26

    100       108,490  

8.50%, 01/31/27

    1,239       1,314,889  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  13


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  
Pharmaceuticals (continued)            

Bausch Health Cos., Inc.:

   

5.50%, 03/01/23(c)

    USD      162     $ 162,000  

4.50%, 05/15/23

    EUR      643       714,139  

5.88%, 05/15/23(c)

    USD        21       20,947  

6.13%, 04/15/25(c)

    365       370,209  

9.00%, 12/15/25(c)

    456       491,208  

5.75%, 08/15/27(c)

    369       391,140  

7.00%, 01/15/28(c)

    438       451,140  

5.00%, 01/30/28(c)

    363       341,761  

6.25%, 02/15/29(c)

    870       874,350  

7.25%, 05/30/29(c)

    775       813,750  

5.25%, 01/30/30(c)

    382       362,422  

Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc.(c):

   

4.88%, 01/15/26

    230       233,496  

5.00%, 07/15/27

    95       98,622  

Elanco Animal Health, Inc., 5.65%, 08/28/28(h)

    14       15,523  

Endo Dac(c):

   

9.50%, 07/31/27

    222       234,810  

6.00%, 06/30/28

    239       154,155  

Par Pharmaceutical, Inc., 7.50%, 04/01/27(c)

    1,972       2,023,666  
   

 

 

 
      9,176,717  
Professional Services — 0.7%(c)            

ASGN, Inc., 4.63%, 05/15/28

    171       167,002  

Dun & Bradstreet Corp. (The):

   

6.88%, 08/15/26

    871       918,087  

10.25%, 02/15/27

    609       675,990  

Jaguar Holding Co. II/PPD Development LP:

   

4.63%, 06/15/25

    885       900,664  

5.00%, 06/15/28

    833       852,784  
   

 

 

 
      3,514,527  
Real Estate Management & Development — 0.3%(c)  

Cushman & Wakefield US Borrower LLC,
6.75%, 05/15/28

    694       723,495  

Five Point Operating Co. LP, 7.88%, 11/15/25

    274       258,930  

Greystar Real Estate Partners LLC,
5.75%, 12/01/25

    174       174,905  

Howard Hughes Corp. (The), 5.38%, 03/15/25

    255       237,303  

Realogy Group LLC, 7.63%, 06/15/25

    212       212,042  
   

 

 

 
      1,606,675  
Road & Rail — 0.5%(c)            

Ashtead Capital, Inc.:

   

5.25%, 08/01/26

    200       210,250  

4.00%, 05/01/28

    310       308,450  

Uber Technologies, Inc.:

   

7.50%, 11/01/23

    380       383,800  

7.50%, 05/15/25

    1,180       1,188,850  

8.00%, 11/01/26

    100       101,750  

7.50%, 09/15/27

    366       366,915  
   

 

 

 
      2,560,015  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 1.4%(c)  

Broadcom, Inc.:

   

5.00%, 04/15/30

    1,695       1,948,187  

4.15%, 11/15/30

    835       907,379  

4.30%, 11/15/32

    1,445       1,585,423  

Entegris, Inc., 4.38%, 04/15/28

    377       383,598  

Microchip Technology, Inc., 4.25%, 09/01/25

    1,616       1,626,283  

Qorvo, Inc., 4.38%, 10/15/29

    531       543,786  

Sensata Technologies UK Financing Co. plc,
6.25%, 02/15/26

    200       207,500  
   

 

 

 
      7,202,156  
Security  

Par

(000)

    Value  
Software — 4.3%            

ACI Worldwide, Inc., 5.75%, 08/15/26(c)

    USD      1,008     $ 1,050,084  

Ascend Learning LLC(c):

   

6.88%, 08/01/25

    685       690,052  

6.88%, 08/01/25

    356       357,780  

Boxer Parent Co., Inc.(c):

   

7.13%, 10/02/25

    620       650,070  

9.13%, 03/01/26

    978       1,012,230  

Camelot Finance SA, 4.50%, 11/01/26(c)

    654       654,000  

Castle US Holding Corp., 9.50%, 02/15/28(c)

    504       466,200  

CDK Global, Inc.:

   

4.88%, 06/01/27

    151       154,918  

5.25%, 05/15/29(c)

    350       363,447  

Change Healthcare Holdings LLC,
5.75%, 03/01/25(c)

    1,532       1,512,850  

Fair Isaac Corp., 4.00%, 06/15/28(c)

    126       126,315  

Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, Inc., 10.00%, 11/30/24(c)

    1,555       1,617,200  

Nuance Communications, Inc.,
5.63%, 12/15/26

    419       435,760  

Open Text Corp., 3.88%, 02/15/28(c)

    448       431,339  

Open Text Holdings, Inc., 4.13%, 02/15/30(c)

    452       444,090  

Oracle Corp.:

   

3.60%, 04/01/50

    2,434       2,708,749  

3.85%, 04/01/60

    2,565       3,002,263  

PTC, Inc.(c):

   

3.63%, 02/15/25

    27       26,797  

4.00%, 02/15/28

    290       287,135  

RP Crown Parent LLC, 7.38%, 10/15/24(c)

    1,049       1,046,378  

Solera LLC, 10.50%, 03/01/24(c)

    3,213       3,269,228  

Sophia LP, 9.00%, 09/30/23(c)

    193       194,930  

SS&C Technologies, Inc.,
5.50%, 09/30/27(c) .

    1,021       1,035,947  

Veritas US, Inc., 7.50%, 02/01/23(c)

    326       321,110  

VMware, Inc., 4.70%, 05/15/30

    325       358,452  
   

 

 

 
      22,217,324  
Specialty Retail — 1.2%            

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.(c):

   

4.50%, 03/01/28

    143       138,710  

4.75%, 03/01/30

    121       117,975  

eG Global Finance plc(c):

   

6.75%, 02/07/25

    267       260,659  

8.50%, 10/30/25

    399       408,975  

Gap, Inc. (The), 8.88%, 05/15/27(c)

    267       285,669  

L Brands, Inc.:

   

6.88%, 07/01/25(c)

    633       653,572  

9.38%, 07/01/25(c)

    13       13,016  

6.88%, 11/01/35

    654       544,063  

6.75%, 07/01/36

    119       97,580  

Murphy Oil USA, Inc., 4.75%, 09/15/29

    479       489,777  

Penske Automotive Group, Inc.,
5.50%, 05/15/26

    170       169,575  

PetSmart, Inc.(c):

   

7.13%, 03/15/23

    579       570,824  

5.88%, 06/01/25

    522       522,979  

SRS Distribution, Inc., 8.25%, 07/01/26(c)

    988       1,002,820  

Staples, Inc., 7.50%, 04/15/26(c)

    875       687,531  
   

 

 

 
      5,963,725  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 0.4%  

NCR Corp.(c):

   

8.13%, 04/15/25

    155       164,300  

5.75%, 09/01/27

    250       250,000  

6.13%, 09/01/29

    215       214,463  

NetApp, Inc., 2.70%, 06/22/30

    300       299,931  

Seagate HDD Cayman, 4.13%, 01/15/31(c)

    120       126,093  

Western Digital Corp., 4.75%, 02/15/26

    546       564,264  
 

 

 

14  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (continued)  

Xerox Corp., 4.80%, 03/01/35

    USD    331     $ 308,588  
   

 

 

 
      1,927,639  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.1%  

Hanesbrands, Inc., 5.38%, 05/15/25(c)

    198       200,227  

Levi Strauss & Co., 5.00%, 05/01/25

    83       83,312  

William Carter Co. (The), 5.50%, 05/15/25(c)

    115       118,594  

Wolverine World Wide, Inc.,
6.38%, 05/15/25(c)

    119       124,653  
   

 

 

 
      526,786  
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.2%(c)  

Ladder Capital Finance Holdings LLLP, 4.25%, 02/01/27

    518       414,400  

Nationstar Mortgage Holdings, Inc.:

   

8.13%, 07/15/23

    242       248,340  

6.00%, 01/15/27

    448       425,600  
   

 

 

 
      1,088,340  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.9%  

HD Supply, Inc., 5.38%, 10/15/26(c)

    1,170       1,194,862  

Herc Holdings, Inc., 5.50%, 07/15/27(c)

    440       440,946  

United Rentals North America, Inc.:

   

4.63%, 10/15/25

    200       201,000  

5.88%, 09/15/26

    191       200,168  

6.50%, 12/15/26

    22       23,100  

5.25%, 01/15/30

    30       30,975  

4.00%, 07/15/30

    271       262,119  

WESCO Distribution, Inc.(c):

   

7.13%, 06/15/25

    1,131       1,191,090  

7.25%, 06/15/28

    1,025       1,083,938  
   

 

 

 
      4,628,198  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 1.4%  

Altice France Holding SA, 6.00%, 02/15/28(c)

    481       454,247  

Connect Finco SARL, 6.75%, 10/01/26(c)

    3,570       3,382,575  

Hughes Satellite Systems Corp.,
5.25%, 08/01/26

    35       36,197  

Sprint Corp.:

   

7.88%, 09/15/23

    148       166,685  

7.13%, 06/15/24

    306       345,517  

7.63%, 02/15/25

    1,110       1,280,662  

7.63%, 03/01/26

    457       539,429  

T-Mobile USA, Inc., 4.75%, 02/01/28

    560       591,584  

VTR Comunicaciones SpA,
5.13%, 01/15/28(c)

    337       343,909  
   

 

 

 
      7,140,805  
   

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds — 86.0%
(Cost: $445,385,294)

 

    441,667,063  
   

 

 

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests — 8.3%

 

Aerospace & Defense — 0.0%            

Sequa Mezzanine Holdings LLC,
1st Lien Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 5.00%),
6.00%, 11/28/21(j)

    207       188,015  
   

 

 

 
Airlines — 0.0%            

JetBlue Airways Corp., Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 5.25%),
6.25%, 06/12/24(j)

    96       93,840  
   

 

 

 
Auto Components — 0.1%            

Panther BF Aggregator 2 LP, Term Loan B,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.50%),
3.68%, 04/30/26(j)

    435       412,938  
   

 

 

 
Automobiles — 0.0%            

Dealer Tire LLC, Term Loan B1,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 4.25%),
4.43%, 12/12/25(j)

    127       121,416  
   

 

 

 
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Building Products — 0.0%  

CPG Merger Sub LLC, Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 3.75%),
4.75%, 05/05/24(j)

    USD    113     $ 111,789  
   

 

 

 
Capital Markets — 0.1%  

Jefferies Finance LLC, Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.00%),
3.19%, 06/03/26(j)

    333       314,071  
   

 

 

 
Chemicals — 0.5%(j)  

Alpha 3 BV, Term Loan, 01/31/24(k)

    1,410       1,354,340  

Ascend Performance Materials LLC,
Term Loan B, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 5.25%),
6.25%, 08/27/26

    604       591,842  

Invictus Co., Term Loan B26,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 6.75%),
8.53%, 03/30/26

    74       58,188  

McDermott International, Inc., Term Loan,
06/16/27(k)

    477       469,129  

Momentive Performance Materials, Inc., Term Loan, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.25%),
3.43%, 05/15/24

    126       117,747  
   

 

 

 
      2,591,246  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.6%(j)  

Advanced Disposal Services, Inc., Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 2.25%),
3.00%, 11/10/23

    70       69,450  

Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services, Inc.,
Term Loan, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 4.25%),
5.25% - 5.64%, 06/21/24

    2,372       2,164,208  

Capri Acquisitions Bidco Ltd., Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 3.00%),
3.76%, 11/01/24

    23       21,518  

Diamond (BC) BV, Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 3.00%),
3.76%, 09/06/24

    470       430,539  

GFL Environmental, Inc., Term Loan B,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 3.00%),
4.00%, 05/30/25

    230       222,968  

Tempo Acquisition LLC, Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 2.75%),
2.93%, 05/01/24

    56       52,885  
   

 

 

 
      2,961,568  
Construction & Engineering — 0.1%  

SRS Distribution, Inc., Term Loan B,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 3.25%),
4.32%, 05/23/25(j)

    680       641,105  
   

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging — 0.1%(j)  

BWAY Holding Co., Term Loan, 04/03/24(k)

    553       494,756  

Charter NEX US, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.25%),
3.43%, 05/16/24

    127       121,401  
   

 

 

 
      616,157  
Diversified Consumer Services — 0.2%(j)  

Maverick Purchaser Sub LLC, Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 4.00%),
4.18%, 01/29/27

    114       111,672  

Mileage Plus Holdings LLC, Term Loan,
06/25/27(k)

    307       304,569  

Sotheby’s, Inc., Term Loan B,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 5.50%),
6.50%, 01/15/27

    458       426,572  

TierPoint LLC, Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.75%),
4.75%, 05/06/24

    194       183,698  
   

 

 

 
      1,026,511  
Diversified Financial Services — 0.1%  

Connect Finco SARL, Term Loan B, 12/11/26(j)(k)

    316       296,724  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  15


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.0%(j)  

Altice France SA, Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 4.00%),
4.18%, 08/14/26

    USD      289     $ 277,091  

Frontier Communications Corp., Term Loan B,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 3.75%),
5.35% - 6.00%, 06/15/24

    1,574       1,530,088  

Ligado Networks LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD + 0.00%), 0.00%, 12/07/20(a)(d)

    1,666       1,455,113  

Ligado Networks LLC, Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 6 Month + 12.50%),
13.50%, 12/07/20

    763       324,077  

Northwest Fiber LLC, Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 6 Month + 5.50%),
5.67% - 5.67%, 04/30/27(b)

    358       354,667  

Zayo Group LLC, Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.00%),
3.18%, 03/09/27

    1,128       1,068,289  
   

 

 

 
      5,009,325  
Electric Utilities — 0.1%  

PGE Corp., Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 4.50%),
5.50%, 06/23/25(j)

    644       631,925  
   

 

 

 
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.1%  

Lealand Finance Co. BV, Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 5.00%),
3.18%, 06/28/24(j)

    479       475,060  
   

 

 

 
Entertainment — 0.0%  

Renaissance Learning, Inc., Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 3.25%),
4.01%, 05/30/25(j)

    9       8,432  
   

 

 

 
Food Products — 0.0%  

Chobani LLC, Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.50%),
4.50%, 10/10/23(j)

    281       269,649  
   

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.5%(j)  

Immucor, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 5.00%),
6.00%, 06/15/21

    1,746       1,676,251  

Sotera Health Holdings LLC, Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 4.50%),
5.50%, 12/11/26

    795       774,961  
   

 

 

 
      2,451,212  
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.5%(j)  

AHP Health Partners, Inc., Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 4.50%),
5.50%, 06/30/25

    226       217,128  

Azalea TopCo, Inc., Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 3.50%),
4.26%, 07/24/26(b)

    259       250,879  

Envision Healthcare Corp., Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.75%),
3.93%, 10/10/25

    1,055       688,238  

Gentiva Health Services, Inc., Term Loan B,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.25%),
3.44%, 07/02/25

    268       259,006  

Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc., Term Loan B,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.25%),
3.43%, 06/30/25

    239       222,892  

Quorum Health Corp., 1st Lien Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 6.75%),
7.75%, 04/29/22

    308       274,590  

Regionalcare Hospital, Term Loan B,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.75%),
3.93%, 11/16/25

    205       191,353  

Surgery Center Holdings, Inc., Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 8.00%),
9.00%, 09/03/24

    28       27,930  

WCG Purchaser Corp., Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 4.00%),
5.24%, 01/08/27

    319       309,829  
   

 

 

 
      2,441,845  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.1%(j)  

Golden Nugget Online Gaming, Inc., Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 6 Month + 12.00%),
13.00%, 10/04/23(b)

    USD      87     $ 90,933  

Golden Nugget, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 2.50%),
3.25%, 10/04/23

    480       378,833  
   

 

 

 
      469,766  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.0%  

Calpine Corp., Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 2.00%),
2.18%, 08/12/26(j)

    26       24,965  
   

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.1%  

PSAV Holdings LLC, 2nd Lien Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 7.25%),
8.25%, 09/01/25(j)

    504       301,172  
   

 

 

 
Insurance — 0.4%(j)  

Asurion LLC, 2nd Lien Term Loan B2,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 6.50%),
6.68%, 08/04/25

    681       675,892  

Asurion LLC, Term Loan B4,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.00%),
3.18%, 08/04/22

    117       113,943  

Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc.,
1st Lien Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.25%),
3.43%, 12/31/25

    833       784,776  

Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc.,
1st Lien Term Loan B,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 4.00%),
4.18%, 09/03/26

    368       352,628  

Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Term Loan, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 4.25%),
4.43%, 09/03/26

    279       270,164  
   

 

 

 
      2,197,403  
IT Services — 0.7%(j)  

Airbnb, Inc., Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 7.50%),
8.50%, 04/17/25(b)

    114       117,990  

Boxer Parent Co., Inc., Term Loan B, 10/02/25(k)

    404       381,564  

CCC Information Services, Inc., Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.00%),
4.00%, 04/29/24

    165       158,968  

Mitchell International, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.25%),
3.43%, 11/29/24

    216       201,263  

Mitchell International, Inc., 2nd Lien Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 7.25%),
7.43%, 12/01/25

    123       108,560  

Peak 10 Holding Corp., 2nd Lien Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 7.25%),
7.59%, 08/01/25

    83       35,448  

Peak 10 Holding Corp., Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 3.50%),
3.81%, 08/01/24

    190       150,999  

Pug LLC, Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.50%),
3.68%, 02/12/27

    294       254,342  

Rackspace Hosting, Inc., Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 3.00%),
4.00%, 11/03/23

    179       169,940  

Sophia LP, 1st Lien Term Loan B,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 3.25%),
4.25%, 09/30/22

    24       23,619  

Verscend Holding Corp., Term Loan B,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 4.50%),
4.68%, 08/27/25

    1,779       1,715,120  

Vertafore, Inc., Term Loan B,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.25%),
3.43%, 07/02/25

    71       66,991  
   

 

 

 
      3,384,804  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.1%  

Parexel International Corp., Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 2.75%),
2.93%, 09/27/24(j)

    400       378,252  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

16  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Machinery — 0.3%(j)            

MHI Holdings LLC, Term Loan B,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 5.00%),
5.18%, 09/21/26(b)

    USD      350     $       334,479  

Titan Acquisition Ltd., Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 3.00%),
3.36%, 03/28/25

    1,577       1,438,807  
   

 

 

 
      1,773,286  
Media — 1.1%            

Ascend Learning LLC, Term Loan B,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.00%),
4.00%, 07/12/24(j)

    74       69,783  

Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc., Term Loan, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 3.50%),
4.26%, 08/21/26(j)

    1,276       1,153,711  

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, Term Loan:

   

07/13/21(j)(k)

    518       525,002  

11/27/23(j)(k)

    317       314,543  

6.63%, 01/02/24(l)

    2,255       2,164,608  

01/02/24(j)(k)

    416       415,200  

Learfield Communications LLC, Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.25%),
4.25%, 12/01/23(j)

    124       92,155  

Radiate Holdco LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.00%),
3.75%, 02/01/24(j)

    68       64,851  

Terrier Media Buyer, Inc., Term Loan, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 4.25%),
4.43%, 12/17/26(j)

    250       237,739  

Xplornet Communications, Inc., Term Loan, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 4.75%),
4.93%, 06/10/27(j)

    483       460,058  
   

 

 

 
      5,497,650  
Metals & Mining — 0.0%            

Big River Steel LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan B, 08/23/23(j)(k)

    110       103,235  
   

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.2%(j)            

Chesapeake Energy Corp., Term Loan, 06/24/24(k)

    1,784       1,023,390  

CNX Resources Corp., Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 4.50%),
4.68%, 11/28/22

    217       171,621  
   

 

 

 
      1,195,011  
Pharmaceuticals — 0.2%(j)            

Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Term Loan B, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 4.25%),
5.00%, 04/29/24

    601       566,005  

Jaguar Holding Co. I, Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 2.50%),
3.50%, 08/18/22

    363       358,371  
   

 

 

 
      924,376  
Professional Services — 0.1%            

Dun & Bradstreet Corp. (The), 1st Lien Term Loan B, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 4.00%), 4.18%, 02/06/26(j)

    689       670,279  
   

 

 

 
Software — 0.7%            

Castle US Holding Corp., Term Loan, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 3.75%),
4.06%, 01/29/27(j)

    357       325,101  

Informatica LLC, Term Loan:

   

7.13%, 02/25/25(l)

    707       706,116  

(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.25%),
3.43%, 02/25/27(j)

    330       315,315  

Kronos, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan B,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.00%),
3.18%, 11/01/23(j)

    97       96,295  

Kronos, Inc., 2nd Lien Term Loan B,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 8.25%),
9.25%, 11/01/24(j)

    569       568,647  

Refinitiv US Holdings, Inc., Term Loan, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.25%),
3.43%, 10/01/25(j)

    310       302,874  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Software (continued)            

RP Crown Parent LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 2.75%),
3.75%, 10/12/23(j)

    USD      162     $ 157,239  

The Ultimate Software Group, Inc., Term Loan, 05/04/26(j)(k)

    323       318,611  

TIBCO Software, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.75%),
3.93%, 06/30/26(b)(j)

    453       426,618  

TIBCO Software, Inc., 2nd Lien Term Loan,
03/03/28(j)(k)

    471       451,279  

Ultimate Software Group, Inc. (The),
1st Lien Term Loan,
(LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.75%),
3.93%, 05/04/26(j)

    169       163,380  
   

 

 

 
      3,831,475  
Specialty Retail — 0.2%            

PetSmart, Inc., Term Loan, 03/11/22(j)(k)

    1,012       997,139  
   

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.1%  

Digicel International Finance Ltd., Term Loan, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 3.25%), 3.80%, 05/27/24(j)

    407       340,196  
   

 

 

 

Total Floating Rate Loan Interests — 8.3%
(Cost: $45,864,206)

      42,751,837  
   

 

 

 
Capital Trusts — 1.9%            
Banks — 1.9%(e)(j)            

Bank of America Corp.:

   

Series X, 6.25%

    808       836,337  

Series Z, 6.50%

    584       627,601  

Series AA, 6.10%

    840       886,200  

Series DD, 6.30%

    98       108,753  

CIT Group, Inc., Series A, 5.80%

    295       226,967  

Citigroup, Inc., Series V, 4.70%

    1,050       933,188  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.:

   

Series V, 4.75%

    640       564,800  

Series I, 4.23%

    197       179,329  

Series Q, 5.15%

    190       184,775  

Series S, 6.75%

    240       258,000  

Series U, 6.13%

    99       101,030  

Series FF, 5.00%

    1,865       1,783,872  

Series X, 6.10%

    693       709,178  

Series HH, 4.60%

    959       855,908  

Wells Fargo & Co., Series U, 5.87%

    1,071       1,113,165  
   

 

 

 
      9,369,103  
Capital Markets — 0.0%            

Morgan Stanley, Series H, 4.83%(e)(j)

    162       145,792  
   

 

 

 

Total Capital Trusts — 1.9%
(Cost: $10,043,466)

      9,514,895  
   

 

 

 
             
    Shares        
Warrants — 0.0%            
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.0%            

SM Energy Co. (Issued/exercisable 06/17/20, 1 share for 1 warrant, Expires 06/30/23, Strike Price USD 0.01)(a)

    33,915       126,842  
   

 

 

 

Total Warrants — 0.0%

      126,842  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 97.4%
(Cost: $508,239,310)

      499,946,811  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  17


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Short-Term Securities — 0.5%(m)            

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 0.11%*

    2,360,952     $ 2,360,952  

JPMorgan U.S. Treasury Plus Money Market Fund, Agency Class, 0.05%

    316,929       316,929  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 0.5%
(Cost: $2,677,881)

      2,677,881  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments — 97.9%
(Cost: $510,917,191)

      502,624,692  
   

 

 

 

Other Assets Less Liabilities — 2.1%

      10,775,812  
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 513,400,504  
   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

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

(c)

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.

(d)

Issuer filed for bankruptcy and/or is in default.

(e)

Perpetual security with no stated maturity date.

(f)

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.

(g)

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.

(h)

Step-up bond that pays an initial coupon rate for the first period and then a higher coupon rate for the following periods. Rate as of period end.

(i)

Convertible security.

(j)

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

(k)

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.

(l)

Fixed rate.

(m)

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

 
*

Investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate/affiliates of the Fund during the six months ended June 30, 2020 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Shares
Held at
12/31/19
     Shares
Purchased
     Shares
Sold
     Shares
Held at
06/30/20
     Value at
06/30/20
     Income      Net Realized
Gain (Loss) (a)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

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

     17,457,639               (15,096,687      2,360,952      $ 2,360,952      $ 50,841      $      $  
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable.

 
(b) 

Represents net shares purchased (sold).

 

For Fund compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or rating group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such industry sub-classifications for reporting ease.

 

 

18  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

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

Short Contracts

                 

U.S. Treasury 10 Year Note

     163          09/21/20        $ 22,685        $ (79,580

U.S. Treasury Long Bond

     18          09/21/20          3,214          (33,334

U.S. Treasury Ultra Bond

     56          09/21/20          12,217          (135,628

U.S. Treasury 5 Year Note

     75          09/30/20          9,431          (30,429
                 

 

 

 
                  $ (278,971
                 

 

 

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

Currency
Purchased

      

Currency
Sold

       Counterparty      Settlement Date        Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
CAD     315,000        USD     230,105        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        07/06/20        $ 1,925  
EUR     2,623,000        USD     2,945,366        State Street Bank and Trust Co.        07/06/20          1,815  
GBP     88,000        USD     108,248        State Street Bank and Trust Co.        07/06/20          795  
                       

 

 

 
                          4,535  
                       

 

 

 
USD     228,910        CAD     315,000        BNP Paribas SA        07/06/20          (3,120
USD     2,919,643        EUR     2,623,000        UBS AG        07/06/20          (27,537
USD     108,392        GBP     88,000        Standard Chartered Bank        07/06/20          (651
USD     230,126        CAD     315,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        08/05/20          (1,923
USD     2,947,286        EUR     2,623,000        State Street Bank and Trust Co.        08/05/20          (1,960
USD     108,267        GBP     88,000        State Street Bank and Trust Co.        08/05/20          (798
                       

 

 

 
                          (35,989
                       

 

 

 

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps — Sell Protection

 

Reference Obligation/Index    Financing
Rate Received
by the Fund
     Payment
Frequency
   Termination
Date
     Credit
Rating (a)
  

Notional
Amount (000) (b)

     Value      Upfront
Premium
Paid
(Received)
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

CDX.NA.HY.34.V6

     5.00    Quarterly      06/20/25      B+    USD      11,533      $ (65,135    $ (466,225    $ 401,090  
                    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Using the rating of the issuer or the underlying securities of the index, as applicable, provided by S&P Global Ratings.

 
  (b) 

The maximum potential amount the Fund may pay should a negative credit event take place as defined under the terms of the agreement.

 

OTC Credit Default Swaps — Buy Protection

 

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

Notional
Amount
(000)

    Value     Upfront
Premium
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Nordstrom, Inc.

     1.00     Quarterly     Barclays Bank plc     06/20/25     USD     87     $ 14,592     $ 20,681     $ (6,089
              

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  19


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

 

OTC Credit Default Swaps — Sell Protection

 

Reference Obligation/Index    Financing
Rate Received
by the Fund
    Payment
Frequency
    Counterparty     Termination
Date
    Credit
Rating (a)
 

Notional
Amount
(000) (b)

    Value     Upfront
Premium
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

CenturyLink, Inc.

     1.00     Quarterly       Barclays Bank plc       12/20/23     NR     USD       312     $ (20,499   $ (16,624   $ (3,875

CenturyLink, Inc.

     1.00       Quarterly       Barclays Bank plc       06/20/25     NR     USD       567       (64,916     (74,829     9,913  
                

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                 $ (85,415   $ (91,453   $ 6,038  
                

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Using the rating of the issuer or the underlying securities of the index, as applicable, provided by S&P Global Ratings.

 
  (b) 

The maximum potential amount the Fund may pay should a negative credit event take place as defined under the terms of the agreement.

 

Balances Reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities for Centrally Cleared Swaps and OTC Swaps

 

      Swap
Premiums
Paid
     Swap
Premiums
Received
     Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
Depreciation
 

Centrally Cleared Swaps(a)

   $      $ (466,225    $ 401,090      $  

OTC Swaps

     20,681        (91,453      9,913        (9,964

 

  (a) 

Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on centrally cleared swaps, as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the 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 period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the 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

                    

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   $      $      $      $ 4,535      $      $      $ 4,535  

Swaps — centrally cleared

                    

Unrealized appreciation on centrally cleared swaps(a)

            401,090                                    401,090  

Swaps — OTC

                    

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swaps; Swap premiums paid

            30,594                                    30,594  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $ 431,684      $      $ 4,535      $      $      $ 436,219  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments                                                 

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

                                 278,971               278,971  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          35,989                      35,989  

Swaps — OTC

                    

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swaps; Swap premiums received

            101,417                                    101,417  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $ 101,417      $      $ 35,989      $ 278,971      $      $ 416,377  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts and centrally cleared swaps, if any, are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the 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).

 

 

 

20  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the 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

   $      $      $ (725,851    $      $ (50,908    $      $ (776,759

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          16,609                      16,609  

Swaps

            (1,674,727                                  (1,674,727
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $ (1,674,727    $ (725,851    $ 16,609      $ (50,908    $      $ (2,434,877
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:                                                 

Futures contracts

                                 (278,971             (278,971

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          33,344                      33,344  

Swaps

            152,406                                    152,406  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $ 152,406      $      $ 33,344      $ (278,971    $      $ (93,221
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — short

   $ 28,888,121  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts:

  

Average amounts purchased — in USD

     6,610,378  

Average amounts sold — in USD

     3,306,041  

Credit default swaps:

  

Average notional value — buy protection

     43,592  

Average notional value — sell protection

     12,877,013  

For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

The Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) were as follows:

 

      Assets        Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments:

       

Futures contracts

   $ 97,058        $  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     4,535          35,989  

Swaps — Centrally cleared

     95,594           

Swaps — OTC(a)

     30,594          101,417  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

   $ 227,781        $ 137,406  

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

     (192,652         
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $ 35,129        $ 137,406  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Includes unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on OTC swaps and swap premiums paid/received in the 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
       Cash
Collateral
Received
       Net Amount
of Derivative
Assets (b)
 

Barclays Bank plc

   $ 30,594        $ (30,594      $        $        $  

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

     1,925          (1,923                          2  

State Street Bank and Trust Co.

     2,610          (2,610                           
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 35,129        $ (35,127      $        $        $ 2  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  21


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

 

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

Barclays Bank plc

   $ 101,417        $ (30,594      $        $ (70,823      $  

BNP Paribas SA

     3,120                                     3,120  

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

     1,923          (1,923                           

Standard Chartered Bank

     651                                     651  

State Street Bank and Trust Co.

     2,758          (2,610                          148  

UBS AG

     27,537                                     27,537  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 137,406        $ (35,127      $        $ (70,823      $ 31,456  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

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

 
  (d) 

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to the counterparty in the event of default.

 

 

 

22  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

 

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 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:

                 

Long-Term Investments:

                 

Common Stocks:

                 

Building Products

   $ 11,024        $        $        $ 11,024  

Chemicals

     1,446,100                            1,446,100  

Energy Equipment & Services

     857                   41,085          41,942  

Entertainment

     239,559                            239,559  

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

     1,977,310                            1,977,310  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

     584,362                            584,362  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

     52,769                            52,769  

Media

     151,991                            151,991  

Metals & Mining

     620,052                            620,052  

Pharmaceuticals

     761,065                            761,065  

Corporate Bonds

              441,667,063                   441,667,063  

Floating Rate Loan Interests:

                 

Aerospace & Defense

              188,015                   188,015  

Airlines

              93,840                   93,840  

Auto Components

              412,938                   412,938  

Automobiles

              121,416                   121,416  

Building Products

              111,789                   111,789  

Capital Markets

              314,071                   314,071  

Chemicals

              2,591,246                   2,591,246  

Commercial Services & Supplies

              2,961,568                   2,961,568  

Construction & Engineering

              641,105                   641,105  

Containers & Packaging

              616,157                   616,157  

Diversified Consumer Services

              1,026,511                   1,026,511  

Diversified Financial Services

              296,724                   296,724  

Diversified Telecommunication Services

              4,654,658          354,667          5,009,325  

Electric Utilities

              631,925                   631,925  

Energy Equipment & Services

              475,060                   475,060  

Entertainment

              8,432                   8,432  

Food Products

              269,649                   269,649  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

              2,451,212                   2,451,212  

Health Care Providers & Services

              2,190,966          250,879          2,441,845  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

              378,833          90,933          469,766  

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers

              24,965                   24,965  

Industrial Conglomerates

              301,172                   301,172  

Insurance

              2,197,403                   2,197,403  

IT Services

              3,266,814          117,990          3,384,804  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

              378,252                   378,252  

Machinery

              1,438,807          334,479          1,773,286  

Media

              5,497,650                   5,497,650  

Metals & Mining

              103,235                   103,235  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

              1,195,011                   1,195,011  

Pharmaceuticals

              924,376                   924,376  

Professional Services

              670,279                   670,279  

Software

              3,404,857          426,618          3,831,475  

Specialty Retail

              997,139                   997,139  

Wireless Telecommunication Services

              340,196                   340,196  

Capital Trusts

              9,514,895                   9,514,895  

Warrants

              126,842                   126,842  

Short-Term Securities

     2,677,881                            2,677,881  

Unfunded Floating Rate Loan Interests(a)

              6,702                   6,702  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 8,522,970        $ 492,491,773        $ 1,616,651        $ 502,631,394  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(b)

                 

Assets:

                 

Credit contracts

   $        $ 411,003        $        $ 411,003  

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  23


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund

 

      Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Foreign currency exchange contracts

   $        $ 4,535        $        $ 4,535  

Liabilities:

                 

Credit contracts

              (9,964                 (9,964

Foreign currency exchange contracts

              (35,989                 (35,989

Interest rate contracts

     (278,971                          (278,971
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ (278,971      $ 369,585        $        $ 90,614  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

The breakdown of the Fund’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

  (a)

Unfunded floating rate loan interests are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the commitment.

 
  (b) 

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

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

24  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities  (unaudited)

June 30, 2020

 

     BlackRock High   
Yield V.I. Fund   
 

ASSETS

 

Investments at value — unaffiliated (cost — $508,556,239)

  $ 500,263,740  

Investments at value — affiliated (cost — $2,360,952)

    2,360,952  

Cash

    88,135  

Cash pledged:

 

Collateral — OTC derivatives

    410,000  

Futures contracts

    1,058,000  

Centrally cleared swaps

    1,600,000  

Foreign currency at value (cost — $1,879)

    1,867  

Receivables:

 

Investments sold

    12,892,270  

Capital shares sold

    3,222,262  

Dividends — affiliated

    1,046  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    16,755  

Interest — unaffiliated

    7,118,255  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    97,058  

Variation margin on centrally cleared swaps

    95,593  

Swap premiums paid

    20,681  

Unrealized appreciation on:

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    4,535  

OTC swaps

    9,913  

Unfunded floating rate loan interests

    6,702  

Prepaid expenses

    6,276  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    529,274,040  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Payables:

 

Investments purchased

    12,150,422  

Capital shares redeemed

    654,379  

Distribution fees

    74,475  

Income dividend distributions

    2,305,918  

Investment advisory fees

    206,405  

Directors’ and Officer’s fees

    1,846  

Other affiliates

    1,393  

Other accrued expenses

    341,292  

Swap premiums received

    91,453  

Unrealized depreciation on:

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    35,989  

OTC swaps

    9,964  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    15,873,536  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 513,400,504  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 542,538,630  

Accumulated loss

    (29,138,126
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 513,400,504  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE

 

Class I — Based on net assets of $160,702,080 and 23,014,517 shares outstanding, 200 million shares authorized, $0.10 par value

  $ 6.98  
 

 

 

 

Class III — Based on net assets of $352,698,424 and 50,539,533 shares outstanding, 100 million shares authorized, $0.10 par value

  $ 6.98  
 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  25


 

Statement of Operations  (unaudited)

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

 

    

BlackRock High   

Yield V.I. Fund   

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends — affiliated

  $ 50,841  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    57,091  

Interest — unaffiliated

    15,363,667  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (79
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    15,471,520  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory

    1,201,770  

Distribution — class specific

    443,387  

Transfer agent — class specific

    402,036  

Accounting services

    67,902  

Professional

    47,037  

Printing

    29,663  

Custodian

    18,635  

Transfer agent

    2,514  

Directors and Officer

    2,177  

Miscellaneous

    7,338  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    2,222,459  

Less:

 

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager

    (5,318

Transfer agent fees waived and/or reimbursed — class specific

    (264,368
 

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1,952,773  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    13,518,747  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments — unaffiliated

    (4,567,755

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    16,609  

Foreign currency transactions

    (949

Futures contracts

    (776,759

Swaps

    (1,674,727
 

 

 

 
    (7,003,581
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments — unaffiliated

    (24,536,889

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    33,344  

Foreign currency translations

    (4,111

Futures contracts

    (278,971

Swaps

    152,406  

Unfunded floating rate loan interests

    (22,545
 

 

 

 
    (24,656,766
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

    (31,660,347
 

 

 

 

NET DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ (18,141,600
 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

26  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund  
   

Six Months Ended
06/30/20

(unaudited)

    Year Ended
12/31/19
 
  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment income

  $ 13,518,747     $ 26,346,952  

Net realized loss

    (7,003,581     (2,928,838

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (24,656,766     45,625,137  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    (18,141,600     69,043,251  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (a)

   

Class I

    (4,564,142     (9,356,058

Class III

    (9,489,169     (17,474,280
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (14,053,311     (26,830,338
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    (29,800,766     103,576,572  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    (61,995,677     145,789,485  

Beginning of period

    575,396,181       429,606,696  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 513,400,504     $ 575,396,181  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  27


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund  
    Class I  
   

Six Months Ended

06/30/20

(unaudited)

      

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 7.43        $ 6.80      $ 7.39      $ 7.24      $ 6.77      $ 7.44  
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.19          0.38        0.38        0.38        0.37        0.36  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.45        0.64        (0.57      0.15        0.48        (0.61
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (0.26        1.02        (0.19      0.53        0.85        (0.25
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(b)

    (0.19        (0.39      (0.40      (0.38      (0.38      (0.42
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 6.98        $ 7.43      $ 6.80      $ 7.39      $ 7.24      $ 6.77  
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

                  

Based on net asset value

    (3.39 )%(d)         15.29      (2.79 )%       7.48      12.92      (3.60 )% 
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

                  

Total expenses

    0.70 %(f)          0.70      0.77      0.78      0.80      0.84
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.59 %(f)          0.59      0.63      0.67      0.68      0.70
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    5.40 %(f)          5.28      5.30      5.13      5.29      4.86
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                  

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 160,702        $ 178,147      $ 185,736      $ 201,945      $ 152,835      $ 127,742  
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    65        83      79      75      89      73
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Based on average shares outstanding.

 
(b)

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

(c)

Where applicable, excludes insurance-related fees and expenses and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(d)

Aggregate total return.

(e)

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

 

   

Six Months Ended

06/30/20

(unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Investments in underlying funds

    —       0.01      0.01      0.01      0.01      0.01
 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(f)

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

28  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund  
    Class III  
    Six Months Ended
06/30/20
(unaudited)
           Year Ended December 31,  
             2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 7.42        $ 6.80      $ 7.38      $ 7.24      $ 6.76      $ 7.43  
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.18          0.37        0.36        0.36        0.36        0.34  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (0.43        0.62        (0.56      0.14        0.48        (0.61
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    (0.25        0.99        (0.20      0.50        0.84        (0.27
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(b)

    (0.19        (0.37      (0.38      (0.36      (0.36      (0.40
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 6.98        $ 7.42      $ 6.80      $ 7.38      $ 7.24      $ 6.76  
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

                  

Based on net asset value

    (3.37 )%(d)         14.86      (2.89 )%       7.08      12.82      (3.85 )% 
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(e)

                  

Total expenses

    0.93 %(f)          0.94      1.02      1.03      1.00      1.06
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.83 %(f)          0.83      0.87      0.92      0.92      0.94
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    5.14 %(f)          5.06      5.05      4.87      5.05      4.63
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                  

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 352,698        $ 397,249      $ 243,871      $ 243,479      $ 190,149      $ 95,139  
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    65        83      79      75      89      73
 

 

 

      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

Where applicable, excludes insurance-related fees and expenses and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(d) 

Aggregate total return.

(e) 

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

 

       Six Months Ended
06/30/20
(unaudited)
       Year Ended December 31,  
        2019        2018        2017        2016        2015  

Investments in underlying funds

                    0.01              0.01              0.01            0.01              0.01
    

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(f) 

Annualized.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  29


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited)

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

BlackRock Variable Series Funds II, Inc. (the “Company”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is organized as a Maryland corporation that is comprised of 3 separate funds. The funds offer shares to insurance companies for their separate accounts to fund benefits under certain variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts. The financial statements presented are for BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is classified as diversified. Class I and Class III Shares have equal voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights, except that only shares of the respective classes are entitled to vote on matters concerning only that class. In addition, Class III Shares bear certain expenses related to the distribution of such shares.

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 non-index fixed-income mutual funds and all BlackRock-advised closed-end funds referred to as the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex.

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 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 and non-cash dividend income, if any, are 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 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., futures contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and swaps) 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.

Distributions: Distributions from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly. 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.

Deferred Compensation Plan: Under the Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) approved by the Board of Directors of the Fund (the “Board”), the directors who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act (“Independent Directors”), may defer a portion of their annual complex-wide compensation. Deferred amounts earn an approximate return as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in common shares of certain funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex selected by the Independent Directors. This has the same economic effect for the Independent Directors as if the Independent Directors had invested the deferred amounts directly in certain funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex.

The Plan is not funded and obligations thereunder represent general unsecured claims against the general assets of the Fund, as applicable. Deferred compensation liabilities are included in the Directors’ and Officer’s fees payable in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and will remain as a liability of the Fund until such amounts are distributed in accordance with the Plan.

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.

 

 

30  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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. If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value. 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 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.

 

   

Futures contract notional values are determined based on that day’s last reported settlement price on the exchange where the contract is traded.

 

   

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.

 

   

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.

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  31


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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.

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.

 

4.

SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS

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 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.

Warrants: Warrants entitle a fund to purchase a specified number of shares of common stock and are non-income producing. The purchase price and number of shares are subject to adjustment under certain conditions until the expiration date of the warrants, if any. If the price of the underlying stock does not rise above the strike price before the warrant expires, the warrant generally expires without any value and a fund will lose any amount it paid for the warrant. Thus, investments in warrants may involve more risk than investments in common stock. Warrants may trade in the same markets as their underlying stock; however, the price of the warrant does not necessarily move with the price of the underlying stock.

 

 

32  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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.

In connection with floating rate loan interests, the Fund may also enter into unfunded floating rate loan interests (“commitments”). In connection with these commitments, the fund earns a commitment fee, typically set as a percentage of the commitment amount. Such fee income, which is included in interest income in the Statement of Operations, is recognized ratably over the commitment period. Unfunded floating rate loan interests are marked-to-market daily, and any unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Statement of Operations. As of period end, the fund had the following unfunded floating rate loan interests:

 

Borrower   Par      Commitment
Amount
     Value      Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, Term Loan

  $  510,406      $  510,406      $  517,108      $  6,702  

 

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 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the 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.

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  33


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

The contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. When a contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the 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 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

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 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received or paid are recorded in the Statement of Operations as realized gains or losses, respectively. When an OTC swap is terminated, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the 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.

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 Schedule of Investments and cash deposited is shown as cash pledged for centrally cleared swaps in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted cash, are included in cash pledged for centrally cleared swaps in the 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received from (paid to) the counterparty, including at termination, are recorded as realized gains (losses) in the 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.

Swap transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of interest rate, credit and market risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the 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.

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 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 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.

 

 

34  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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

 

6.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory: The Company on behalf of 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 based on a percentage of the aggregate average daily net assets of the Fund and BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund, a series of the Company, at the following annual rates:

 

Average Daily Net Assets  

Investment

Advisory Fees

 

First $250 Million

    0.55

$250 Million — $500 Million

    0.50  

$500 Million — $750 Million

    0.45  

Greater than $750 Million

    0.40  

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the aggregate average daily net assets of the Fund and BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund were approximately $644,248,436.

The Manager entered into a sub-advisory agreement, effective March 2, 2020, with BlackRock International Limited (“BIL”), affiliate of the Manager. The Manager pays BIL for services it provides for that portion of the Fund for which BIL acts as sub-adviser, a monthly fee that is equal to a percentage of the investment advisory fees paid by the Fund to the Manager.

Distribution Fees: The Company, on behalf of the Fund, entered into a Distribution Agreement and a Distribution Plan with BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of the Manager. Pursuant to the Distribution Plan and in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund pays BRIL ongoing distribution fees. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.25% based upon the average daily net assets attributable to Class III.

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

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the class specific distribution fees borne directly by Class III were $443,387.

Transfer Agent: On behalf of the Fund, the Manager entered into agreements with insurance companies and other financial intermediaries (“Service Organizations”), some of which may be affiliates. Pursuant to these agreements, the Service Organizations provide the Fund with administrative, networking, recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency and shareholder services to underlying investor accounts. For these services, the Service Organizations receive an annual fee per shareholder account, which will vary depending on share class and/or net assets of Fund shareholders serviced by the Service Organizations which is shown as transfer agent – class specific. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Fund did not pay any amounts to affiliates in return for these services.

In addition, the Fund pays the transfer agent, which is not an affiliate, a fee for the issuance, transfer and redemption of shares and the opening and maintenance of shareholder accounts, which is included in transfer agent in the Statement of Operations.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the following table shows the class specific transfer agent fees borne directly by each share class of the Fund:

 

Class I

  $  133,983  

Class III

    268,053  
    $ 402,036  

Expense Limitations, Waivers and Reimbursements: The Manager contractually 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”) through April 30, 2021. 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. The amount of waivers and/or reimbursements of fees and expenses made pursuant to the expense limitations described below will be reduced by the amount of the affiliated money market fund waiver. Prior to May 1, 2020, this waiver was voluntary. This amount is included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statement of Operations. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the amount waived was $5,318.

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 April 30, 2021. 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 six months ended June 30, 2020, there were no fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager pursuant to this arrangement.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Fund reimbursed the Manager $3,011 for certain accounting services, which is included in accounting services in the Statement of Operations.

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  35


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

The Manager has contractually agreed to reimburse certain transfer agent fees in order to limit such expenses to a percentage of average daily net assets as follows:

 

Class I

    0.06

Class III

    0.05  

The Manager has agreed not to reduce or discontinue these contractual expense limitations through April 30, 2021, unless approved by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. These amounts waived and/or reimbursed are included in transfer agent fees waived and/or reimbursed — class specific in the Statement of Operations. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, class specific expense waivers and/or reimbursements were as follows:

 

    

Transfer Agent Fees

Waived and/or Reimbursed

 

Class I

  $ 85,049  

Class III

    179,319  
    $  264,368  

The Manager contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit expenses, excluding interest expense, dividend expense, tax expense, acquired fund fees and expenses, and certain other fund expenses, which constitute extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business (“expense limitation”). The expense limitations as a percentage of average daily net assets are as follows:

 

Class I

    1.25

Class III

    1.50  

The Manager has agreed not to reduce or discontinue these contractual expense limitations through April 30, 2021, unless approved by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, there were no fees waived and/ or reimbursed by the Manager.

Interfund Lending: In accordance with an exemptive order (the “Order”) from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“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 period ended June 30, 2020, the Fund did not participate in the Interfund Lending Program.

Directors and Officers: Certain directors and/or officers of the Company are directors and/or officers of BlackRock or its affiliates. The Fund reimburses the Manager for a portion of the compensation paid to the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer, which is included in Directors and Officer in the 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 six months ended June 30, 2020, the purchase and sale transactions and any net realized gains (losses) with an affiliated fund in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

Purchases

  $  2,329,867  

Sales

    6,537,545  

Net Realized Gain

    22,457  

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, purchases and sales of investments, including paydowns and excluding short-term securities, were $330,609,622 and $358,286,024, respectively.

 

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 December 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.

 

 

36  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Fund as of June 30, 2020, 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 financial statements.

As of December 31, 2019, the Fund had non-expiring capital loss carryforward available to offset future realized capital gains of $11,692,295.

As of June 30, 2020, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation for investments and derivatives based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Tax cost

  $  513,453,801  
 

 

 

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 9,826,314  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (20,564,809
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

  $  (10,738,495
 

 

 

 

 

9.

BANK BORROWINGS

The Company, on behalf of 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 2021 unless extended or renewed. 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 six months ended June 30, 2020, 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. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments. 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.

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.

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.

An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus has developed into a global pandemic and has resulted in closing borders, quarantines, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this pandemic, and other global health crises that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. This pandemic may result in substantial market volatility and may adversely impact the prices and liquidity of a fund’s investments. The duration of this pandemic and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

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

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  37


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the 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. With exchange-traded 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 may invest in securities that are rated below investment grade quality (sometimes called “junk bonds”) or are unrated, which are predominantly speculative, have greater credit risk and generally are less liquid than, and have more volatile prices than, higher quality securities.

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:

 

     Six Months Ended
06/30/20
    Year Ended
12/31/19
 
     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Class I

       

Shares sold

    10,319,333     $ 74,586,580       7,593,809     $ 55,369,906  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    656,073       4,590,276       1,308,440       9,425,674  

Shares redeemed

    (11,942,476     (85,392,038     (12,221,914     (88,379,054
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (967,070   $ (6,215,182     (3,319,665   $  (23,583,474
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class III

       

Shares sold

    23,631,181     $ 165,648,643       42,635,935     $ 307,644,405  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    1,348,006       9,439,081       2,356,193       17,002,418  

Shares redeemed

    (27,950,265     (198,673,308     (27,351,268     (197,486,777
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    (2,971,078   $  (23,585,584     17,640,860     $ 127,160,046  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Net Increase (Decrease)

    (3,938,148   $  (29,800,766     14,321,195     $ 103,576,572  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

38  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Currency

CAD    Canadian Dollar
EUR    Euro
GBP    British Pound
USD    United States Dollar
Portfolio Abbreviations
DAC    Designated Activity Company
LIBOR    London Interbank Offered Rate
MSCI    Morgan Stanley Capital International
OTC    Over-the-counter
PIK    Payment-In-Kind
REIT    Real Estate Investment Trust

 

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN THIS REPORT

  39


 

LOGO   JUNE 30, 2020

 

  

2020 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

BlackRock Variable Series Funds II, Inc.

 

·  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

 

 

 

 

Not FDIC Insured - May Lose Value - No Bank Guarantee


Fund Summary  as of June 30, 2020    BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is to maximize total return, consistent with income generation and prudent investment management.

Portfolio Management Commentary

How did the Fund perform?

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2020, the Fund underperformed its benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.

What factors influenced performance?

The Fund’s allocation to securitized assets, namely commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) and non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”), was the biggest constraint on performance relative to the benchmark for the period. Both CMBS and RMBS suffered from illiquidity and concerns that individuals and businesses would have difficulty servicing their mortgage debt in the wake of the economic downturn driven by the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic. An overweight in U.S. municipal bonds also detracted from the Fund’s performance.

An above-benchmark stance with respect to portfolio duration (and corresponding sensitivity to changes in interest rates) was the leading positive contributor to performance as U.S. Treasury yields declined (and prices increased) sharply over the period. The Fund’s overweighting of U.S. investment grade corporate bonds also added to relative performance as the asset class benefited from improved sentiment following the announcement by the Fed of its plans to include corporate bonds in its purchase program. Overweight positioning in agency RMBS and emerging market debt also contributed to the Fund’s performance for the period.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

During the first half of the period, the Fund maintained an overweight in duration versus the benchmark with a focus on the three-to-five-year and 15-year-and-above parts of the yield curve. The Fund’s investment adviser tactically traded agency RMBS, sharply reducing exposure when valuations became, in the investment adviser’s view, expensive in February 2020 and moving back to an overweight position in mid-March when valuations again became attractive. The sector has since benefited from the Fed’s announcement of its RMBS purchase program. Securitized assets came under significant pressure in March due to decreased liquidity, which ultimately led to indiscriminate selling across capital structure of these assets. The Fund’s positioning in securitized assets was focused on higher quality assets with strong levels of protection.

Risk assets performed well in the second quarter of 2020 due to immense policy support and much improved market sentiment. During the second quarter, the Fund reduced its overweight in U.S. duration, ending the quarter with a neutral duration stance relative to the benchmark. The Fund favored the long end of the yield curve as a means to manage risk against a deterioration in economic sentiment until June, when the investment adviser started to trim this overweight position on the view of the outlook for increased U.S. Treasury issuance. Within spread assets, the Fund added slightly to U.S. investment grade corporate credit and certain parts of the high yield corporate market. The Fund also increased its overweight in agency RMBS on the view that rates should remain within a relatively tight range, which the investment adviser believes should bode well for the sector.

The Fund held derivatives primarily through futures contracts for risk management purposes as well as to manage risk exposures. The Fund’s use of derivatives generally added to the Fund’s performance during the period.

At period end, the Fund had a slightly higher-than-average cash balance. The Fund’s cash balance had no material impact on Fund performance.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

The Fund ended the period with a neutral duration stance versus the benchmark. The Fund held a small overweight position in select European peripherals, such as Italy, given central bank support. The Fund remained constructive on inflation and real rates. Within spread assets, the Fund remained overweight in agency RMBS and investment grade corporate credit as sources of high-quality income. The Fund maintained an allocation to emerging market debt based on attractive valuations and intermediate-term return potential, while remaining prepared to tactically shift exposure there. Overall, the Fund continued to hold its up-in-quality bias in the portfolio.

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.

 

 

2  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Fund Summary  as of June 30, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

 

Performance Summary for the Period Ended June 30, 2020

 

                           

Average Annual Total Returns (a)

 
     Standardized
30-Day Yields (b)
    Unsubsidized
30-Day Yields (b)
    6-Month Total
Returns (a)
           1 Year            5 Years            10 Years  

Class I (c)(d)

    0.90     0.74     5.74       8.46       4.20       4.31

Class III (c)(d)

    0.59       0.50       5.64         8.20         3.89         4.01(e ) 

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (f)

                6.14               8.74               4.30               3.82  

 

(a) 

For a portion of the period, the Fund’s investment adviser waived a portion of its fee. Without such waiver, the Fund’s performance would have been lower.

 
(b) 

The standardized 30-day yield includes the effects of any waivers and/or reimbursements. The unsubsidized 30-day yield excludes the effects of any waivers and/or reimbursements.

 
(c) 

Average annual and cumulative total returns are based on changes in net asset value for the periods shown, and assume reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value on the ex-dividend/ payable date. Insurance-related fees and expenses are not reflected in these returns.

 
(d) 

Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80%, and typically invests 90% or more, of its assets in fixed income securities, such as corporate bonds and notes, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, convertible securities, preferred securities, government obligations and money market securities. On September 17, 2018, the Fund acquired all of the assets, subject to the liabilities, of BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund (the “Predecessor Fund”), a series of BlackRock Variable Series Funds, Inc., through a tax-free reorganization (the “Reorganization”). The Predecessor Fund is the performance and accounting survivor of the Reorganization.

 
(e) 

The returns for Class III Shares prior to August 14, 2012, the recommencement of operations of Class III Shares, are based upon the performance of the Predecessor Fund’s Class I Shares, as adjusted to reflect the distribution (12b-1) fees applicable to Class III Shares.

 
(f) 

A widely recognized unmanaged market-weighted index, comprised of investment-grade corporate bonds rated BBB or better, mortgages and U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government agency issues with at least one year to maturity.

 

Past performance is not indicative of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

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

Portfolio Information

 

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

 

Asset Type   Percent of
Total Investments (a)
 

U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities

    38 

Corporate Bonds

    34  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

    8  

Investment Companies

    6  

Asset-Backed Securities

    5  

Municipal Bonds

    4  

Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

    3  

Foreign Government Obligations

    2  

Floating Rate Loan Interests

     (b) 

Foreign Agency Obligations

     (b) 

Capital Trusts

     (b) 

Other Interests

     (b) 

 

(a) 

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

 
(b) 

Represents less than 1% of the Fund’s total investments.

 

CREDIT QUALITY ALLOCATION

 

Credit Rating (a)          Percent of
Total Investments (b)
 

AAA/Aaa (c)

      50 

AA/Aa

      5  

A

      21  

BBB/Baa

      17  

BB/Ba

      3  

B

      1  

CCC/Caa

       (d) 

CC/Ca

       (d) 

C

       (d) 

NR

            3  

 

(a) 

For financial reporting purposes, credit quality ratings shown above reflect the highest rating assigned by either S&P Global Ratings or Moody’s Investors Service if ratings differ. These rating agencies are independent, nationally recognized statistical rating organizations and are widely used. Investment grade ratings are credit ratings of BBB/Baa or higher. Below investment grade ratings are credit ratings of BB/Ba or lower. Investments designated NR are not rated by either rating agency. Unrated investments do not necessarily indicate low credit quality. Credit quality ratings are subject to change.

 
(b) 

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

 
(c) 

The investment adviser evaluates the credit quality of unrated investments based upon certain factors including, but not limited to, credit ratings for similar investments and financial analysis of sectors, individual investments and/or issuers. Using this approach, the investment adviser has deemed unrated U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities and U.S. Treasury Obligations to be of similar credit quality as investments rated AAA/Aaa.

 
(d) 

Represents less than 1% of the Fund’s total investments.

 
 

 

 

FUND SUMMARY

  3


The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging

 

The Fund may utilize leverage to seek to enhance returns and net asset value (“NAV”). However, there is no guarantee that these objectives can be achieved in all interest rate environments.

The Fund may utilize leverage by entering into reverse repurchase agreements.

In general, the concept of leveraging is based on the premise that the financing cost of leverage, which is based on short-term interest rates, is normally lower than the income earned by the Fund on its longer-term portfolio investments purchased with the proceeds from leverage. To the extent that the total assets of the Fund (including the assets obtained from leverage) are invested in higher-yielding portfolio investments, the Fund’s shareholders benefit from the incremental net income.

The interest earned on securities purchased with the proceeds from leverage is distributed to the Fund’s shareholders, and the value of these portfolio holdings is reflected in the Fund’s per share NAV. However, in order to benefit shareholders, the return on assets purchased with leverage proceeds must exceed the ongoing costs associated with the leverage. If interest and other ongoing costs of leverage exceed the Fund’s return on assets purchased with leverage proceeds, income to shareholders is lower than if the Fund had not used leverage.

Furthermore, the value of the Fund’s portfolio investments generally varies inversely with the direction of long-term interest rates, although other factors can also influence the value of portfolio investments. As a result, changes in interest rates can influence the Fund’s NAV positively or negatively in addition to the impact on the Fund’s performance from leverage. Changes in the direction of interest rates are difficult to predict accurately, and there is no assurance that the Fund’s leveraging strategy will be successful.

The use of leverage also generally causes greater changes in the Fund’s NAV and dividend rates than comparable portfolios without leverage. In a declining market, leverage is likely to cause a greater decline in the NAV of the Fund’s shares than if the Fund were not leveraged. In addition, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio securities at inopportune times or at distressed values in order to comply with regulatory requirements applicable to the use of leverage or as required by the terms of the leverage instruments, which may cause the Fund to incur losses. The use of leverage may limit the Fund’s ability to invest in certain types of securities or use certain types of hedging strategies. The Fund incurs expenses in connection with the use of leverage, all of which are borne by the Fund’s shareholders and may reduce income.

Disclosure of Expenses

Shareholders of the Fund may incur the following charges: (a) transactional expenses; 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 January 1, 2020 and held through June 30, 2020) 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.

 

    Actual           Hypothetical (a)  
                Including
Interest
Expense and
Fees
    Excluding
Interest
Expense and
Fees
                Including Interest Expense and
Fees
    Excluding Interest Expense
and Fees
 
     Beginning
Account Value
(01/01/20)
    Ending
Account Value
(06/30/20)
    Expenses
Paid During
the Period (b)
    Expenses
Paid During
the Period (c)
           Beginning
Account Value
(01/01/20)
    Ending
Account Value
(06/30/20)
    Expenses
Paid During
the Period (b)
    Ending
Account Value
(06/30/20)
    Expenses
Paid During
the Period  (c)
 

Class I

  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,057.40     $ 2.66     $ 2.61       $ 1,000.00     $ 1,022.28     $ 2.61     $ 1,022.33     $ 2.56  

Class III

    1,000.00       1,056.40       4.24       4.19               1,000.00       1,020.74       4.17       1,020.79       4.12  

 

(a) 

Hypothetical 5% annual return before expenses is calculated by prorating the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year divided by 366.

 
(b) 

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the class (0.52% for Class I and 0.83% for Class III), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).

 
(c) 

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the class (0.51% for Class I and 0.82% for Class III), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).

 

 

 

4  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


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 Financial Statements.

 

 

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

  5


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

    
Security
       Par
        (000)
                Value  
Asset-Backed Securities — 5.7%                

ACE Securities Corp. Home Equity Loan Trust(a):

     

Series 2003-OP1, Class A2, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.72%), 0.90%, 12/25/33

  USD     122     $ 105,066  

Series 2007-HE4, Class A2A, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.13%), 0.31%, 05/25/37

      94       22,618  

Adams Mill CLO Ltd., Series 2014-1A, Class A2R, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.10%),
2.32%, 07/15/26(a)(b)

      152       150,786  

Ajax Mortgage Loan Trust(b):

     

Series 2017-D, Class A, 3.75%, 12/25/57(c)

      303       303,286  

Series 2018-A, Class A, 3.85%, 04/25/58(c)

      309       293,855  

Series 2018-A, Class B, 0.00%, 04/25/58

      89       42,337  

Series 2018-B, Class A, 3.75%, 02/26/57(c)

      186       177,082  

Series 2018-B, Class B, 0.00%, 02/26/57

      92       24,972  

Series 2018-D, Class A, 3.75%, 08/25/58(c)(d)

      357       339,119  

Series 2018-D, Class B, 0.00%, 08/25/58(c)(d)

      109       52,004  

Series 2018-E, Class A, 4.38%, 06/25/58(d)

      200       201,876  

Series 2018-E, Class B, 5.25%, 06/25/58(c)(d)

      100       100,590  

Series 2018-E, Class C, 0.00%, 06/25/58(d)

      96       69,020  

Series 2018-F, Class A, 4.38%, 11/25/58(c)(d)

      628       633,404  

Series 2018-F, Class B, 5.25%, 11/25/58(c)(d)

      111       110,346  

Series 2018-F, Class C, 0.00%, 11/25/58

      243       137,287  

Series 2018-G, Class A, 4.38%, 06/25/57(c)(d)

      557       540,001  

Series 2018-G, Class B, 5.25%, 06/25/57(c)(d)

      103       77,250  

Series 2018-G, Class C, 5.25%, 06/25/57(c)

      227       221,627  

Series 2019-A, Class A, 3.75%, 08/25/57(d)

      545       559,259  

Series 2019-A, Class B, 5.25%, 08/25/57(d)

      100       72,513  

Series 2019-A, Class C, 0.00%, 08/25/57(c)

      185       152,166  

Series 2019-B, Class A, 3.75%, 01/25/59(d)

      900       924,470  

Series 2019-B, Class B, 5.25%, 01/25/59(c)(d)

      117       87,750  

Series 2019-B, Class C, 0.00%, 01/25/59(c)

      298       254,140  

Allegro CLO II-S Ltd., Series 2014-1RA, Class A1, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.08%),
2.19%, 10/21/28(a)(b)

      500       489,472  

Allegro CLO V Ltd., Series 2017-1A, Class A, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.24%),
2.42%, 10/16/30(a)(b)

      250       243,598  

ALM VII R Ltd., Series 2013-7RA, Class A1R, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.41%),
2.63%, 10/15/28(a)(b)

      250       248,119  

ALM XVI Ltd., Series 2015-16A, Class A2R2, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.50%),
2.72%, 07/15/27(a)(b)

      255       247,788  

American Homes 4 Rent Trust, Series 2014- SFR3, Class A, 3.68%, 12/17/36(b)

      180       192,601  

Anchorage Capital CLO 1-R Ltd., Series 2018- 1RA, Class A1, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.99%), 2.30%, 04/13/31(a)(b)

      310       298,590  

Anchorage Capital CLO 4-R Ltd.(a)(b):

     

Series 2014-4RA, Class A, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.05%), 1.94%, 01/28/31

      250       243,109  

Series 2014-4RA, Class C, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.85%), 2.74%, 01/28/31

      250       237,005  

Anchorage Capital CLO 5-R Ltd.(a)(b):

     

Series 2014-5RA, Class B, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.45%), 2.67%, 01/15/30

      500       481,760  

Series 2014-5RA, Class C, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.85%), 3.07%, 01/15/30

      250       234,413  

Anchorage Capital CLO 6 Ltd., Series 2015-6A, Class AR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.27%), 2.49%, 07/15/30(a)(b)

      250       244,564  

Anchorage Capital CLO Ltd., Series 2013-1A, Class A1R, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.25%), 2.56%, 10/13/30(a)(b)

      250       245,754  
    
Security
         Par
        (000)
                Value  
Asset-Backed Securities (continued)                  

Apidos CLO XII, Series 2013-12A, Class AR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.08%), 2.30%, 04/15/31(a)(b)

    USD       500     $ 487,829  

Apidos CLO XV, Series 2013-15A, Class A1RR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.01%), 2.15%, 04/20/31(a)(b)

      500       485,912  

Arbor Realty CLO Ltd., Series 2017-FL3, Class A, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.99%), 1.17%, 12/15/27(a)(b)

      130       127,685  

Ares XXXVII CLO Ltd., Series 2015-4A, Class A1R, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.17%), 2.39%, 10/15/30(a)(b)

      250       245,185  

Argent Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2005-W1, Class A2, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.48%), 0.66%, 05/25/35(a)

      48       42,045  

Avery Point V CLO Ltd., Series 2014-5A, Class AR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.98%), 2.11%, 07/17/26(a)(b)

      99       98,814  

Avery Point VI CLO Ltd., Series 2015-6A, Class BR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.50%), 2.04%, 08/05/27(a)(b)

      250       241,666  

B2R Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-2, Class A, 3.34%, 11/15/48(b)

      10       10,073  

Babson CLO Ltd., Series 2015-2A, Class AR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.19%), 2.33%, 10/20/30(a)(b)

      260       254,006  

BankAmerica Manufactured Housing Contract Trust, Series 1998-2, Class B1, 7.50%, 12/10/25(d)

      300       148,126  

Battalion CLO X Ltd., Series 2016-10A, Class A1R, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.25%), 2.27%, 01/24/29(a)(b)

      940       926,800  

Bayview Financial Revolving Asset Trust(a)(b):

     

Series 2004-B, Class A1, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 1.00%), 1.18%, 05/28/39

      110       89,818  

Series 2005-A, Class A1, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 1.00%), 1.18%, 02/28/40

      145       132,513  

Series 2005-E, Class A1, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 1.00%), 1.18%, 12/28/40

      56       48,832  

BCMSC Trust(d):

     

Series 2000-A, Class A2, 7.58%, 06/15/30

      40       11,565  

Series 2000-A, Class A3, 7.83%, 06/15/30

      37       11,100  

Series 2000-A, Class A4, 8.29%, 06/15/30

      27       8,504  

BDS Ltd., Series 2019-FL3, Class A, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 1.40%), 1.59%, 12/15/35(a)(b)

      200       196,033  

Bear Stearns Asset-Backed Securities I Trust(a):

     

Series 2007-FS1, Class 1A3, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.17%), 0.35%, 05/25/35

      66       70,337  

Series 2007-HE2, Class 23A, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.14%), 0.32%, 03/25/37

      44       45,378  

Series 2007-HE3, Class 1A4, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.35%), 0.53%, 04/25/37

      195       158,435  

Bear Stearns Asset-Backed Securities Trust,

     

Series 2005-4, Class M2, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 1.20%), 1.38%, 01/25/36(a)

      2       2,281  

Benefit Street Partners CLO VI Ltd., Series 2015-VIA, Class A1R, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.24%), 2.38%, 10/18/29(a)(b)

      250       246,088  

BlueMountain CLO Ltd.(a)(b):

     

Series 2013-1A, Class A1R2, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.23%), 2.37%, 01/20/29

      307       301,583  

Series 2013-2A, Class A1R, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.18%), 2.28%, 10/22/30

      498       484,418  

California Street CLO XII Ltd., Series 2013-12A, Class AR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.03%), 2.25%, 10/15/25(a)(b)

      125       124,299  
 

 

 

6  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

    
Security
         Par
        (000)
                Value  
Asset-Backed Securities (continued)                  

Carrington Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2006- NC4, Class A3, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.16%), 0.34%, 10/25/36(a)

    USD       68     $ 63,717  

CBAM Ltd., Series 2017-1A, Class A1, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.25%), 2.39%, 07/20/30(a)(b)

      250       247,580  

C-BASS Trust, Series 2006-CB7, Class A4, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.16%), 0.34%, 10/25/36(a)

      55       41,911  

Cedar Funding II CLO Ltd.(a)(b):

     

Series 2013-1A, Class A1R, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.23%), 1.54%, 06/09/30

      250       245,475  

Series 2013-1A, Class BR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.75%), 2.06%, 06/09/30

      250       243,482  

Cedar Funding VI CLO Ltd., Series 2016-6A, Class AR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.09%),
2.23%, 10/20/28(a)(b)

      430       421,806  

Cedar Funding VIII CLO Ltd., Series 2017-8A, Class A1, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.25%), 2.38%, 10/17/30(a)(b)

      510       501,716  

CIFC Funding Ltd.(a)(b):

     

Series 2013-2A, Class A1LR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.21%), 2.35%, 10/18/30

      230       225,611  

Series 2014-4RA, Class A1A, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.13%), 2.26%, 10/17/30

      540       530,366  

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust(a):

     

Series 2007-AHL2, Class A3B, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.20%), 0.38%, 05/25/37

      225       171,189  

Series 2007-AHL2, Class A3C, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.27%), 0.45%, 05/25/37

      102       78,306  

Conseco Finance Corp.:

     

Series 1997-3, Class M1, 7.53%, 03/15/28(d)

      41       41,811  

Series 1997-6, Class M1, 7.21%, 01/15/29(d)

      27       27,675  

Series 1998-8, Class M1, 6.98%, 09/01/30(d)

      106       96,291  

Series 1999-5, Class A5, 7.86%, 03/01/30(d)

      29       17,208  

Series 1999-5, Class A6, 7.50%, 03/01/30(d)

      30       17,571  

Series 2001-D, Class B1, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 2.50%), 2.68%, 11/15/32(a)

      73       67,317  

Conseco Finance Securitizations Corp.:

     

Series 2000-1, Class A5, 8.06%, 09/01/29(d)

      56       20,538  

Series 2000-4, Class A6, 8.31%, 05/01/32(d)

      151       53,236  

Series 2000-5, Class A7, 8.20%, 05/01/31

      142       72,979  

Countrywide Asset-Backed Certificates(a):

     

Series 2006-S10, Class A3, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.32%), 0.50%, 10/25/36

      26       23,470  

Series 2006-SPS1, Class A, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.22%), 0.40%, 12/25/25

      1       1,677  

Credit-Based Asset Servicing & Securitization LLC:

     

Series 2006-CB2, Class AF4, 3.26%, 12/25/36(e)

      13       12,580  

Series 2006-MH1, Class B1, 6.25%, 10/25/36(b)(e)

      100       103,832  

Series 2006-SL1, Class A2, 6.06%, 09/25/36(b)(e)

      83       9,901  

Series 2007-CB6, Class A4, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.34%), 0.52%, 07/25/37(a)(b)

      50       38,765  

CWABS Asset-Backed Certificates Trust:

     

Series 2005-16, Class 1AF, 4.63%, 04/25/36(d)

      121       116,057  

Series 2006-11, Class 3AV2, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.16%), 0.34%, 09/25/46(a)

      7       6,746  

CWABS Revolving Home Equity Loan Trust, Series 2004-U, Class 2A, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.27%), 0.45%, 03/15/34(a)

      20       18,912  
    
Security
         Par
        (000)
                Value  
Asset-Backed Securities (continued)                  

CWABS, Inc. Asset-Backed Certificates Trust, Series 2004-5, Class A, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.90%), 1.08%, 10/25/34(a)

    USD       102     $ 98,472  

CWHEQ Home Equity Loan Trust, Series 2006- S5, Class A5, 6.16%, 06/25/35

      9       10,251  

CWHEQ Revolving Home Equity Loan Resuritization Trust(a)(b):

     

Series 2006-RES, Class 4Q1B, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.30%), 0.48%, 12/15/33

      15       14,207  

Series 2006-RES, Class 5B1B, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.19%), 0.37%, 05/15/35(c)

      7       6,523  

CWHEQ Revolving Home Equity Loan Trust(a):

     

Series 2005-B, Class 2A, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.18%), 0.36%, 05/15/35

      12       11,915  

Series 2006-C, Class 2A, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.18%), 0.36%, 05/15/36

      82       78,234  

Series 2006-H, Class 1A, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.15%), 0.33%, 11/15/36

      54       43,334  

Dorchester Park CLO DAC, Series 2015-1A, Class BR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.45%), 2.59%, 04/20/28(a)(b)

      250       241,469  

Dryden 53 CLO Ltd., Series 2017-53A, Class A, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.12%), 2.34%, 01/15/31(a)(b)

      800       782,279  

Dryden XXV Senior Loan Fund, Series 2012- 25A, Class ARR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.90%), 2.12%, 10/15/27(a)(b)

      243       237,520  

First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust(a):

     

Series 2004-FFH3, Class M3, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 1.05%), 1.23%, 10/25/34

      33       28,662  

Series 2006-FF16, Class 2A3, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.14%), 0.32%, 12/25/36

      687       390,849  

Series 2006-FF17, Class A5, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.15%), 0.33%, 12/25/36

      551       484,958  

Series 2006-FFH1, Class M2, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.40%), 0.58%, 01/25/36

      91       54,221  

Flatiron CLO Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class AR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.89%), 2.11%, 04/15/27(a)(b)

      163       162,121  

Fremont Home Loan Trust, Series 2006-3, Class 1A1, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.14%),
0.32%, 02/25/37(a)

      102       78,088  

GE-WMC Asset-Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-2, Class A2C, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.50%), 0.68%, 12/25/35(a)

      14       13,690  

GSAA Home Equity Trust, Series 2007-2, Class AF3, 5.92%, 03/25/37(d)

      27       7,921  

GSAMP Trust(a):

     

Series 2007-H1, Class A1B, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.20%), 0.38%, 01/25/47

      27       16,043  

Series 2007-HS1, Class M6, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 2.25%), 2.43%, 02/25/47

      40       39,132  

Halcyon Loan Advisors Funding Ltd., Series 2015-2A, Class AR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.08%), 2.07%, 07/25/27(a)(b)

      264       260,964  

Highbridge Loan Management Ltd., Series 6A-2015, Class A1R, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.00%), 1.54%, 02/05/31(a)(b)

      248       241,680  

Home Equity Asset Trust, Series 2007-1, Class 2A3, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.15%), 0.33%, 05/25/37(a)

      90       73,882  

Home Equity Mortgage Loan Asset-Backed Trust(a):

     

Series 2004-A, Class M2, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 2.03%), 2.21%, 07/25/34

      23       22,814  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  7


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  
Asset-Backed Securities (continued)                  

Series 2007-A, Class 2A2, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.19%), 0.37%, 04/25/37

    USD       65     $ 46,184  

Home Equity Mortgage Trust, Series 2006-2, Class 1A1, 5.87%, 07/25/36(e)

      65       17,692  

Home Loan Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2005- 1, Class A3, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.72%), 0.90%, 04/15/36(a)

      21       19,049  

ICG US CLO Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class A1R, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.14%), 2.28%, 10/19/28(a)(b)

      250       246,226  

Invitation Homes Trust, Series 2018-SFR3, Class A, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 1.00%), 1.19%, 07/17/37(a)(b)

      121       119,828  

Irwin Home Equity Loan Trust, Series 2006-3, Class 2A3, 6.53%, 09/25/37(b)(e)

      32       31,220  

JPMorgan Mortgage Acquisition Trust, Series 2006-CW1, Class M1, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.27%), 0.45%, 05/25/36(a)

      100       92,733  

LCM 26 Ltd., Series 26A, Class A1, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.07%), 2.21%, 01/20/31(a)(b)

      280       273,616  

LCM XX LP, Series 20A, Class AR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.04%), 2.18%, 10/20/27(a)(b)

      250       246,931  

LCM XXIV Ltd., Series 24A, Class A, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.31%), 2.45%, 03/20/30(a)(b)

      250       244,925  

Legacy Mortgage Asset Trust, Series 2019-SL1, Class A, 4.00%, 12/28/54(b)(d)

      184       184,944  

Lehman ABS Manufactured Housing Contract Trust, Series 2001-B, Class M1, 6.63%, 04/15/40(d)

      72       75,732  

Litigation Fee Residual Funding LLC, Series 2015-1, Class A, 4.00%, 10/30/27(c)

      45       44,865  

Long Beach Mortgage Loan Trust(a): Series 2006-9, Class 2A2, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.11%), 0.29%, 10/25/36

      52       23,000  

Series 2006-9, Class 2A4, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.23%), 0.41%, 10/25/36

      118       54,215  

Madison Avenue Manufactured Housing Contract Trust, Series 2002-A, Class B2, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.25%), 3.43%, 03/25/32(a)

      29       29,195  

Madison Park Funding XI Ltd., Series 2013- 11A, Class AR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.16%), 2.20%, 07/23/29(a)(b)

      250       246,060  

Madison Park Funding XIII Ltd., Series 2014- 13A, Class AR2, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.95%), 2.09%, 04/19/30(a)(b)

      580       564,924  

Madison Park Funding XVIII Ltd., Series 2015- 18A, Class A1R, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.19%), 2.30%, 10/21/30(a)(b)

      510       500,760  

Madison Park Funding XXVI Ltd., Series 2017- 26A, Class AR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.20%), 2.04%, 07/29/30(a)(b)

      270       264,416  

Marble Point CLO XI Ltd., Series 2017-2A, Class A, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.18%), 2.32%, 12/18/30(a)(b)

      250       243,554  

Mariner CLO 5 Ltd., Series 2018-5A, Class A, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.11%), 2.10%, 04/25/31(a)(b)

      250       244,377  

Mariner CLO Ltd., Series 2017-4A, Class A, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.21%), 2.20%, 10/26/29(a)(b)

      250       246,039  

MASTR Specialized Loan Trust, Series 2006-3, Class A, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.26%), 0.44%, 06/25/46(a)(b)

      16       14,605  
Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  
Asset-Backed Securities (continued)                  

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors Trust(a):

     

Series 2006-OPT1, Class M1, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.26%), 0.44%, 08/25/37

    USD       34     $ 16,181  

Series 2006-RM3, Class A2B, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.09%), 0.27%, 06/25/37

      27       7,268  

Morgan Stanley ABS Capital I, Inc. Trust(a):

     

Series 2005-HE1, Class A2MZ, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.60%), 0.78%, 12/25/34

      155       140,298  

Series 2005-HE5, Class M4, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.87%), 1.05%, 09/25/35

      127       65,036  

MP CLO III Ltd., Series 2013-1A, Class AR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.25%), 2.39%, 10/20/30(a)(b)

      250       240,768  

MP CLO VIII Ltd., Series 2015-2A, Class AR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.91%), 1.80%, 10/28/27(a)(b)

      254       248,624  

Navient Private Education Loan Trust, Series 2014-AA, Class A2B, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 1.25%), 1.43%, 02/15/29(a)(b)

      215       214,777  

Neuberger Berman Loan Advisers CLO 26 Ltd., Series 2017-26A, Class A, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.17%), 2.31%, 10/18/30(a)(b)

      250       245,257  

Oakwood Mortgage Investors, Inc.(d):

     

Series 2001-D, Class A2, 5.26%, 01/15/19

      20       13,634  

Series 2001-D, Class A4, 6.93%, 09/15/31

      11       8,932  

Series 2002-B, Class M1, 7.62%, 06/15/32

      79       63,192  

OCP CLO Ltd.(a)(b):

     

Series 2016-12A, Class A1R, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.12%), 2.26%, 10/18/28

      216       212,860  

Series 2017-13A, Class A1A, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.26%), 2.48%, 07/15/30

      300       297,040  

Series 2017-14A, Class B, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.95%), 2.33%, 11/20/30

      250       237,949  

Octagon Investment Partners XIX Ltd., Series 2014-1A, Class AR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.10%), 2.32%, 04/15/26(a)(b)

      5       5,043  

Octagon Investment Partners XVI Ltd., Series 2013-1A, Class A1R, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.02%), 2.15%, 07/17/30(a)(b)

      250       243,609  

Octagon Investment Partners XVII Ltd., Series 2013-1A, Class A1R2, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.00%), 1.99%, 01/25/31(a)(b)

      250       243,208  

OFSI Fund VI Ltd., Series 2014-6A, Class A2R, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.13%), 2.35%, 03/20/25(a)(b)

      7       6,749  

OFSI Fund VII Ltd., Series 2014-7A, Class AR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.90%), 2.04%, 10/18/26(a)(b)

      24       24,279  

OHA Loan Funding Ltd., Series 2013-2A, Class AR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.04%), 1.40%, 05/23/31(a)(b)

      225       219,007  

Option One Mortgage Acceptance Corp. Asset- Backed Certificates, Series 2003-4, Class A2, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.64%), 0.82%, 07/25/33(a)

      162       149,012  

Option One Mortgage Loan Trust:

     

Series 2007-CP1, Class 2A3, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.21%), 0.39%, 03/25/37(a)

      90       56,195  

Series 2007-FXD1, Class 1A1, 5.87%, 01/25/37(e)

      89       83,649  

Series 2007-FXD1, Class 2A1, 5.87%, 01/25/37(e)

      236       221,636  

Series 2007-FXD2, Class 1A1, 5.82%, 03/25/37(e)

      125       128,960  
 

 

 

8  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  
Asset-Backed Securities (continued)  

Origen Manufactured Housing Contract Trust, Series 2007-B, Class A1, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 1.20%), 1.38%, 10/15/37(a)(b)(c)

    USD       65     $ 61,584  

Ownit Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2006-2, Class A2C, 6.00%, 01/25/37(e)

      70       66,623  

OZLM Funding IV Ltd., Series 2013-4A, Class A1R, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.25%), 2.35%, 10/22/30(a)(b)

      387       375,355  

OZLM XIV Ltd., Series 2015-14A, Class A2AR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.70%), 2.92%, 01/15/29(a)(b)

      250       242,943  

Palmer Square CLO Ltd.(a)(b):

     

Series 2014-1A, Class A1R2, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.13%), 2.26%, 01/17/31

      250       244,736  

Series 2018-1A, Class A1, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.03%), 2.17%, 04/18/31

      250       245,018  

Series 2018-2A, Class A1A, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.10%), 2.28%, 07/16/31

      420       409,464  

Park Avenue Institutional Advisers CLO Ltd.(a)(b):

     

Series 2017-1A, Class A1, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.22%), 1.64%, 11/14/29

      280       275,473  

Series 2017-1A, Class A2, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.70%), 2.12%, 11/14/29

      300       291,935  

Progress Residential Trust(b):

     

Series 2017-SFR1, Class A, 2.77%, 08/17/34

      100       101,120  

Series 2018-SFR1, Class F, 4.78%, 03/17/35

      100       96,960  

Race Point IX CLO Ltd., Series 2015-9A, Class A1AR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.21%), 2.43%, 10/15/30(a)(b)

      500       487,657  

Race Point X CLO Ltd., Series 2016-10A, Class A1R, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.10%), 2.09%, 07/25/31(a)(b)

      248       238,910  

Regatta VI Funding Ltd., Series 2016-1A, Class AR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.08%), 2.22%, 07/20/28(a)(b)

      330       324,686  

Rockford Tower CLO Ltd., Series 2017-3A, Class A, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.19%), 2.33%, 10/20/30(a)(b)

      250       245,265  

Romark WM-R Ltd., Series 2018-1A, Class A1, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.03%), 2.17%, 04/20/31(a)(b)

      250       242,932  

RR 3 Ltd., Series 2018-3A, Class A1R2, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.09%), 2.31%, 01/15/30(a)(b)

      1,250         1,220,015  

SG Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2006- OPT2, Class A3D, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.21%), 0.39%, 10/25/36(a)

      100       72,140  

Silver Creek CLO Ltd., Series 2014-1A, Class AR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.24%), 2.38%, 07/20/30(a)(b)

      250       245,944  

SLM Private Credit Student Loan Trust, Series 2004-B, Class A3, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.33%), 0.64%, 03/15/24(a)

      156       153,731  

SMB Private Education Loan Trust, Series 2015-B, Class B, 3.50%, 12/17/40(b)

      100       101,159  

Sound Point CLO XXIII Ltd., Series 2019-2A, Class A1, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.40%), 2.62%, 04/15/32(a)(b)

      800       780,922  

Soundview Home Loan Trust, Series 2004- WMC1, Class M2, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.80%), 0.98%, 01/25/35(a)

      2       1,482  
Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  
Asset-Backed Securities (continued)  

Structured Asset Securities Corp. Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2004-23XS, Class 2A1, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.30%), 0.48%, 01/25/35(a)

    USD       52     $ 51,088  

TCI-Flatiron CLO Ltd., Series 2017-1A, Class A, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.20%), 1.59%, 11/18/30(a)(b)

      250       245,275  

Towd Point Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-SJ2, Class M1, 4.50%, 11/25/58(b)(d)

      340       342,947  

Tricon American Homes Trust, Series 2018- SFR1, Class E, 4.56%, 05/17/37(b)

      100       102,145  

Venture 35 CLO Ltd., Series 2018-35A, Class AS, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.15%), 2.25%, 10/22/31(a)(b)

      100       99,456  

Venture XVIII CLO Ltd., Series 2014-18A, Class AR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.22%), 2.44%, 10/15/29(a)(b)

      315       303,914  

Voya CLO Ltd., Series 2017-4A, Class A1, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.13%), 2.35%, 10/15/30(a)(b)

      250       244,974  

Wachovia Asset Securitization Issuance II LLC Trust, Series 2007-HE2A, Class A, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.13%), 0.62%, 07/25/37(a)(b)

      70       62,452  

Washington Mutual Asset-Backed CertificatesTrust(a):

     

Series 2006-HE4, Class 2A2, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.18%), 0.36%, 09/25/36

      153       66,165  

Series 2006-HE5, Class 1A, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.16%), 0.34%, 10/25/36

      160       124,476  

Yale Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2007-1, Class A, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.40%), 0.58%, 06/25/37(a)(b)

      90       36,012  

York CLO-2 Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class AR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.15%), 2.25%, 01/22/31(a)(b)

      250       244,023  
 

 

 

 

Total Asset-Backed Securities — 5.7%
(Cost: $37,846,887)

 

      36,893,110  
 

 

 

 
Corporate Bonds — 37.4%  

Aerospace & Defense — 1.9%

 

BAE Systems Holdings, Inc.(b):

     

3.80%, 10/07/24

      48       52,711  

3.85%, 12/15/25

      265       293,432  

4.75%, 10/07/44

      8       9,783  

BAE Systems plc, 3.40%, 04/15/30(b)

      237       258,133  

Boeing Co. (The):

     

4.51%, 05/01/23

      70       73,950  

4.88%, 05/01/25

      300       326,941  

3.83%, 03/01/59

      33       27,969  

5.93%, 05/01/60

      170       201,602  

Embraer Netherlands Finance BV, 5.40%, 02/01/27

      53       46,905  

Embraer Overseas Ltd., 5.70%, 09/16/23

      119       113,385  

General Dynamics Corp.:

     

3.50%, 05/15/25

      85       95,049  

3.75%, 05/15/28

      20       23,323  

3.63%, 04/01/30

      224       262,062  

4.25%, 04/01/50

      92       119,065  

Howmet Aerospace, Inc., 6.88%, 05/01/25

      145       157,305  

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.(b):

     

3.84%, 05/01/25

      200       217,165  

4.20%, 05/01/30

      339       377,743  

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.:

     

3.85%, 06/15/23

      85       92,486  

3.85%, 12/15/26

      435       497,898  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  9


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  
Aerospace & Defense (continued)  

4.40%, 06/15/28

    USD       680     $ 804,368  

Leidos, Inc., 4.38%, 05/15/30(b)

      385       433,683  

Lockheed Martin Corp.:

     

3.55%, 01/15/26

      445       511,591  

1.85%, 06/15/30

      36       37,004  

3.60%, 03/01/35

      452       542,355  

3.80%, 03/01/45

      116       140,856  

4.70%, 05/15/46

      56       76,410  

2.80%, 06/15/50

      286       300,969  

Northrop Grumman Corp.:

     

2.93%, 01/15/25

      234       253,094  

3.25%, 01/15/28

      568       635,213  

4.03%, 10/15/47

      165       200,008  

5.25%, 05/01/50

      121       173,570  

Raytheon Technologies Corp.:

     

3.65%, 08/16/23

      26       28,157  

3.20%, 03/15/24(b)

      307       330,793  

3.15%, 12/15/24(b)

      155       167,427  

3.95%, 08/16/25

      267       303,803  

7.20%, 08/15/27(b)

      45       60,459  

7.00%, 11/01/28(b)

      360       495,200  

4.13%, 11/16/28

      762       897,547  

2.25%, 07/01/30

      565       588,448  

5.40%, 05/01/35

      95       128,573  

4.20%, 12/15/44(b)

      62       70,866  

4.15%, 05/15/45

      10       11,987  

Textron, Inc.:

     

3.88%, 03/01/25

      185       196,848  

3.65%, 03/15/27

      130       134,660  

3.90%, 09/17/29

      235       248,963  

TransDigm, Inc.(b):

     

8.00%, 12/15/25

      370       388,866  

6.25%, 03/15/26

      892       889,788  
 

 

 

 
          12,298,413  
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.4%  

FedEx Corp.:

     

3.80%, 05/15/25

      895       994,892  

3.88%, 08/01/42

      231       231,435  

5.10%, 01/15/44

      15       17,501  

4.05%, 02/15/48

      75       77,079  

United Parcel Service, Inc.:

     

3.40%, 03/15/29

      168       194,280  

4.45%, 04/01/30

      465       580,597  

5.20%, 04/01/40

      253       349,305  

XPO Logistics, Inc.(b):

     

6.13%, 09/01/23

      45       45,562  

6.75%, 08/15/24

      110       115,236  
 

 

 

 
        2,605,887  
Airlines — 0.4%  

Air Canada Pass-Through Trust(b):

     

Series 2015-2, Class B, 5.00%, 12/15/23

      56       47,168  

Series 2013-1, Class A, 4.13%, 05/15/25

      135       123,877  

Series 2017-1, Class B, 3.70%, 01/15/26

      1       740  

Series 2017-1, Class AA, 3.30%, 01/15/30

      89       80,356  

Alaska Airlines Pass-Through Trust, Series

     

2020-1, Class A, 4.80%, 08/15/27(b)

      330       334,125  

American Airlines Pass-Through Trust:

     

Series 2015-2, Class B, 4.40%, 09/22/23

      241       171,149  

Series 2016-1, Class B, 5.25%, 01/15/24

      190       125,836  

Series 2017-1, Class B, 4.95%, 02/15/25

      54       40,933  

Series 2017-2, Class B, 3.70%, 10/15/25

      64       44,331  

Series 2016-3, Class B, 3.75%, 10/15/25

      3       2,205  

Series 2015-2, Class AA, 3.60%, 09/22/27

      41       38,213  

Series 2016-1, Class AA, 3.58%, 01/15/28

      108       104,789  
Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  
Airlines (continued)                  

Series 2019-1, Class B, 3.85%, 02/15/28

    USD       229     $ 160,157  

Series 2016-2, Class AA, 3.20%, 06/15/28

      73       68,958  

Series 2016-3, Class AA, 3.00%, 10/15/28

      187       171,640  

Series 2017-1, Class AA, 3.65%, 02/15/29

      59       56,327  

Series 2019-1, Class AA, 3.15%, 02/15/32

      212       194,784  

Delta Air Lines Pass-Through Trust, Series 2019-1, Class AA, 3.20%, 04/25/24

      405       405,460  

Gol Finance SA, 7.00%, 01/31/25(b)

      55       30,938  

Transportes Aereos Portugueses SA, 5.63%, 12/02/24(b)

    EUR       100       74,706  

Turkish Airlines Pass-Through Trust, Series 2015-1, Class A, 4.20%, 03/15/27(b)

    USD       30       22,065  

United Airlines Pass-Through Trust:

     

Series 2014-1, Class B, 4.75%, 04/11/22

      13       11,617  

Series 2014-2, Class B, 4.63%, 09/03/22

      20       17,921  

Series 2016-2, Class B, 3.65%, 10/07/25

      12       8,630  

Series 2016-1, Class B, 3.65%, 01/07/26

      18       13,338  

Series 2018-1, Class B, 4.60%, 03/01/26

      70       52,213  

Series 2015-1, Class AA, 3.45%, 12/01/27

      37       36,172  

Series 2019-2, Class B, 3.50%, 05/01/28

      158       118,804  

Series 2016-1, Class AA, 3.10%, 07/07/28

      12       11,316  

Series 2016-2, Class AA, 2.88%, 10/07/28

      77       72,129  

Series 2018-1, Class AA, 3.50%, 03/01/30

      37       34,909  

Series 2019-2, Class AA, 2.70%, 05/01/32

      130       117,388  

US Airways Pass-Through Trust:

     

Series 2012-2, Class B, 6.75%, 06/03/21

      7       5,250  

Series 2013-1, Class B, 5.38%, 11/15/21

      24       19,784  
 

 

 

 
        2,818,228  
Auto Components — 0.0%  

American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc., 6.25%, 04/01/25

      74       72,705  

Aptiv plc, 5.40%, 03/15/49

      30       31,357  

Magna International, Inc., 2.45%, 06/15/30

      75       76,701  
 

 

 

 
        180,763  
Automobiles — 0.3%  

BMW US Capital LLC(b):

     

3.90%, 04/09/25

      15       16,646  

2.80%, 04/11/26

      84       88,946  

Daimler Finance North America LLC(b):

     

2.30%, 02/12/21

      150       151,039  

3.35%, 05/04/21

      430       437,944  

3.75%, 11/05/21

      150       155,068  

General Motors Co.:

     

6.60%, 04/01/36

      91       98,372  

5.20%, 04/01/45

      87       84,266  

6.75%, 04/01/46

      92       100,212  

5.40%, 04/01/48

      56       54,916  

Hyundai Capital America(b):

     

3.95%, 02/01/22

      305       313,864  

2.38%, 02/10/23

      601       601,853  
 

 

 

 
        2,103,126  
Banks — 6.2%  

Banco de Credito del Peru, (US Treasury Yield Curve Rate T Note Constant Maturity 5 Year + 3.00%), 1.00%, 07/01/30(a)(b)

      114       112,176  

Banco Internacional del Peru SAA Interbank, 3.25%, 10/04/26(b)

      325       328,148  

Banco Santander Mexico SA Institucion de Banca Multiple Grupo Financiero Santand, 5.38%, 04/17/25(b)

      150       164,160  

Banco Santander SA:

     

2.71%, 06/27/24

      200       210,213  

3.31%, 06/27/29

      400       431,740  

Bancolombia SA, 3.00%, 01/29/25

      200       195,000  
 

 

 

10  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  
Banks (continued)        

Bangkok Bank PCL, (US Treasury Yield Curve Rate T Note Constant Maturity 5 Year + 1.90%), 3.73%, 09/25/34(a)

    USD       200     $ 192,000  

Bank of America Corp.:

 

 

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.66%), 2.37%, 07/21/21(a)

      612       612,565  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.63%), 2.33%, 10/01/21(a)

      1,835       1,842,467  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.63%), 3.50%, 05/17/22(a)

      285       291,934  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.02%), 2.88%, 04/24/23(a)

      127       131,646  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.93%), 2.82%, 07/21/23(a)

      219       227,473  

4.20%, 08/26/24

      114       126,563  

4.00%, 01/22/25

      167       184,427  

Series L, 3.95%, 04/21/25

      265       293,437  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.87%), 2.46%, 10/22/25(a)

      415       435,982  

4.45%, 03/03/26

      345       397,179  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.06%), 3.56%, 04/23/27(a)

      121       135,046  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.58%), 3.82%, 01/20/28(a)

      297       337,098  

Series FF, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 2.93%), 5.87%(a)(f)

      290       296,248  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.51%), 3.71%, 04/24/28(a)

      108       122,079  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.37%), 3.59%, 07/21/28(a)

      85       95,271  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.04%), 3.42%, 12/20/28(a)

      1,634       1,820,034  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.31%), 4.27%, 07/23/29(a)

      334       393,942  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.18%), 3.19%, 07/23/30(a)

      370       408,446  

(SOFR + 1.93%), 2.68%, 06/19/41(a)

      865       888,349  

Bank of East Asia Ltd. (The), (US Treasury Yield Curve Rate T Note Constant Maturity 5 Year + 4.26%), 5.87%(a)(f)

      250       241,050  

Bank of Montreal, Series E, 3.30%, 02/05/24

      138       149,884  

Barclays plc:

 

 

4.38%, 01/12/26

      220       247,724  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.90%), 4.97%, 05/16/29(a)

      219       256,590  

BBVA Bancomer SA, (US Treasury Yield Curve Rate T Note Constant Maturity 5 Year + 4.31%), 5.87%, 09/13/34(a)(b)

      200       195,063  

BNP Paribas SA(b): 3.50%, 03/01/23

      400       423,389  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.11%), 2.82%, 11/19/25(a)

      403       422,037  

(SOFR + 2.07%), 2.22%, 06/09/26(a)

      200       204,803  

(SOFR + 1.51%), 3.05%, 01/13/31(a)

      212       223,298  

Citigroup, Inc.:

     

4.40%, 06/10/25

      232       259,795  

(SOFR + 2.75%), 3.11%, 04/08/26(a)

      4       4,302  

4.45%, 09/29/27

      76       86,767  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.56%), 3.89%, 01/10/28(a)

      487       548,948  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.39%), 3.67%, 07/24/28(a)

      1,077       1,200,784  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.19%), 4.07%, 04/23/29(a)

      151       172,272  

(SOFR + 1.42%), 2.98%, 11/05/30(a)

      55       58,531  

(SOFR + 2.11%), 2.57%, 06/03/31(a)

      113       116,871  
Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  
Banks (continued)        

Credit Suisse Group Funding Guernsey Ltd.,

     

3.80%, 09/15/22

    USD       594     $ 631,105  

Danske Bank A/S(b):

     

5.00%, 01/12/22

      400       420,244  

3.88%, 09/12/23

      210       222,600  

5.38%, 01/12/24

      300       333,847  

Discover Bank, 4.65%, 09/13/28

      495       568,503  

Emirates NBD Bank PJSC, (USD Swap Semi 6 Year + 3.66%), 6.13%(a)(f)

      200       199,063  

Fifth Third Bancorp, 3.65%, 01/25/24

      100       109,131  

HSBC Holdings plc(a):

     

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.55%), 4.04%, 03/13/28

      460       508,410  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.61%), 3.97%, 05/22/30

      335       371,882  

ING Groep NV:

     

4.10%, 10/02/23

      710       777,945  

4.63%, 01/06/26(b)

      200       234,327  

(US Treasury Yield Curve Rate T Note Constant Maturity 1 Year + 1.10%), 1.00%, 07/01/26(a)(b)

      200       200,467  

Itau Unibanco Holding SA(b):

     

2.90%, 01/24/23

      250       246,563  

3.25%, 01/24/25

      250       246,317  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.:

     

2.55%, 03/01/21

      344       348,296  

2.30%, 08/15/21

      415       415,867  

4.35%, 08/15/21

      32       33,395  

2.97%, 01/15/23

      194       200,881  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.70%), 3.21%, 04/01/23(a)

      459       477,891  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.94%), 2.78%, 04/25/23(a)

      73       75,577  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.73%), 3.56%, 04/23/24(a)

      117       125,250  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.89%), 3.80%, 07/23/24(a)

      288       312,416  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.00%), 4.02%, 12/05/24(a)

      1,450       1,597,745  

3.90%, 07/15/25

      590       667,348  

(SOFR + 1.16%), 2.30%, 10/15/25(a)

      335       350,905  

(SOFR + 1.59%), 2.00%, 03/13/26(a)

      399       412,943  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.25%), 3.96%, 01/29/27(a)

      713       812,141  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.34%), 3.78%, 02/01/28(a)

      200       226,186  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.38%), 3.54%, 05/01/28(a)

      1,436       1,602,705  

(SOFR + 1.89%), 2.18%, 06/01/28(a)

      196       202,882  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.12%), 4.01%, 04/23/29(a)

      267       308,094  

(SOFR + 3.79%), 4.49%, 03/24/31(a)

      120       146,289  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.36%), 3.88%, 07/24/38(a)

      85       99,820  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.38%), 3.96%, 11/15/48(a)

      145       177,332  

(SOFR + 2.44%), 3.11%, 04/22/51(a)

      844       908,764  

Kasikornbank PCL, (US Treasury Yield Curve Rate T Note Constant Maturity 5 Year + 1.70%), 3.34%, 10/02/31(a)

      200       191,813  

KeyBank NA, 2.30%, 09/14/22

      250       259,708  

KeyCorp:

     

4.15%, 10/29/25

      8       9,172  

4.10%, 04/30/28

      84       97,483  

2.55%, 10/01/29

      81       83,845  

Lloyds Banking Group plc, 3.75%, 01/11/27

      212       234,681  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  11


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
        (000)
                Value  
Banks (continued)                  

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.:

     

3.54%, 07/26/21

    USD       35     $ 36,114  

3.00%, 02/22/22

      85       88,071  

2.67%, 07/25/22

      211       219,322  

3.46%, 03/02/23

      450       481,052  

3.76%, 07/26/23

      859       931,896  

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.:

     

2.27%, 09/13/21

      200       204,002  

2.95%, 02/28/22

      1,383       1,434,245  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.10%), 2.55%, 09/13/25(a)

      719       749,101  

3.66%, 02/28/27

      200       220,686  

Santander UK Group Holdings plc, 2.88%, 08/05/21

      370       378,085  

Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd., (US Treasury Yield Curve Rate T Note Constant Maturity 5 Year + 1.50%),
3.34%, 02/05/30(a)

      200       209,187  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.:

     

2.70%, 07/16/24

      395       418,451  

2.35%, 01/15/25

      501       523,601  

US Bancorp:

     

3.10%, 04/27/26

      17       18,861  

3.00%, 07/30/29

      132       143,494  

Washington Mutual Escrow Bonds(c)(g)(h):

     

0.00%, 11/06/09

      300        

0.00%, 09/19/17

      250        

0.00%, 09/29/17

      500        

Wells Fargo & Co.:

     

3.50%, 03/08/22

      256       268,137  

2.63%, 07/22/22

      206       214,613  

3.75%, 01/24/24

      544       594,401  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.83%), 2.41%, 10/30/25(a)

      188       195,708  

3.00%, 10/23/26

      391       426,099  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.31%), 3.58%, 05/22/28(a)

      260       288,567  

(SOFR + 2.10%), 2.39%, 06/02/28(a)

      84       86,790  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.17%), 2.88%, 10/30/30(a)

      181       193,632  

(SOFR + 2.53%), 3.07%, 04/30/41(a)

      670       698,868  

Wells Fargo Bank NA, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.49%), 3.33%, 07/23/21(a)

      540       540,879  
     

 

 

 
        40,499,426  
Beverages — 0.8%  

Anheuser-Busch Cos. LLC, 4.70%, 02/01/36

 

    1,165       1,372,456  

Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc.:

     

3.50%, 01/12/24

      220       239,710  

4.75%, 01/23/29

      1,222       1,476,535  

3.50%, 06/01/30

      454       510,492  

4.90%, 01/23/31

      83       104,002  

4.38%, 04/15/38

      70       79,489  

Embotelladora Andina SA, 3.95%, 01/21/50(b)

 

    150       150,825  

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV, 3.50%, 01/16/50

      150       154,494  

Keurig Dr Pepper, Inc.:

     

4.06%, 05/25/23

      195       212,513  

3.40%, 11/15/25

      320       356,425  

Molson Coors Beverage Co., 5.00%, 05/01/42

 

    130       137,720  

PepsiCo, Inc.:

     

4.45%, 04/14/46

      4       5,348  

4.00%, 05/02/47

      91       114,507  
     

 

 

 
        4,914,516  
Security   Par
        (000)
                Value  
Biotechnology — 0.7%                  

AbbVie, Inc.:

     

2.30%, 11/21/22(b)

    USD       197     $ 203,773  

3.85%, 06/15/24(b)

      14       15,338  

2.60%, 11/21/24(b)

      925       981,991  

3.80%, 03/15/25(b)

      487       540,334  

4.55%, 03/15/35(b)

      269       326,217  

4.50%, 05/14/35

      332       399,931  

4.70%, 05/14/45

      454       570,681  

4.88%, 11/14/48

      80       105,059  

Amgen, Inc.:

     

2.45%, 02/21/30

      111       117,364  

4.40%, 05/01/45

      461       573,561  

4.66%, 06/15/51

      101       134,649  

Biogen, Inc., 2.25%, 05/01/30

      191       192,559  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.:

     

4.60%, 09/01/35

      41       53,801  

4.80%, 04/01/44

      143       193,386  

4.50%, 02/01/45

      104       135,234  

4.75%, 03/01/46

      15       20,273  
     

 

 

 
        4,564,151  
Building Products — 0.3%  

Carrier Global Corp.(b):

     

1.92%, 02/15/23

      458       466,865  

2.24%, 02/15/25

      915       935,513  

Johnson Controls International plc:

     

4.63%, 07/02/44(e)

      50       56,520  

5.13%, 09/14/45

      5       6,023  

Masonite International Corp., 5.38%, 02/01/28(b)

 

    54       55,215  

Owens Corning, 3.95%, 08/15/29

      41       44,667  

Standard Industries, Inc.(b):

     

6.00%, 10/15/25

      25       25,732  

5.00%, 02/15/27

      53       53,662  

4.75%, 01/15/28

      22       22,303  

Summit Materials LLC, 6.13%, 07/15/23

      53       52,764  
     

 

 

 
        1,719,264  
Capital Markets — 2.1%  

Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The)(a):

     

Series E, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 3.42%), 3.73%(f)

      200       189,740  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.07%), 3.44%, 02/07/28

      293       332,387  

Charles Schwab Corp. (The), 3.20%, 01/25/28

 

    166       185,603  

Credit Suisse AG, 2.95%, 04/09/25

      250       271,441  

Credit Suisse Group AG, (SOFR + 2.04%), 2.19%, 06/05/26(a)(b)

      250       253,200  

Deutsche Bank AG:

     

2.70%, 07/13/20

      422       422,089  

2.95%, 08/20/20

      100       100,083  

4.25%, 02/04/21

      155       156,749  

E*TRADE Financial Corp., 3.80%, 08/24/27

 

    30       33,273  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The):

     

5.75%, 01/24/22

      43       46,390  

3.63%, 02/20/24

      10       10,874  

3.50%, 01/23/25

      266       289,583  

3.50%, 04/01/25

      997       1,093,218  

3.75%, 02/25/26

      248       276,594  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.17%), 1.56%, 05/15/26(a)

      230       228,320  

3.85%, 01/26/27

      75       84,601  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.51%), 3.69%, 06/05/28(a)

      878       983,545  

Huarong Finance Co. Ltd.:

     

3.25%, 11/13/24

      200       201,538  

3.88%, 11/13/29

      200       204,312  
 

 

 

12  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
        (000)
                Value  
Capital Markets (continued)  

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.:

     

2.35%, 09/15/22

    USD       2     $ 2,075  

3.10%, 09/15/27

      17       18,921  

3.75%, 09/21/28

      121       141,369  

2.10%, 06/15/30

      61       61,982  

Joy Treasure Assets Holdings, Inc.,
3.50%, 09/24/29

      200       212,937  

Moody’s Corp.:

     

4.88%, 02/15/24

      59       66,672  

3.75%, 03/24/25

      170       192,663  

3.25%, 01/15/28

      103       114,306  

Morgan Stanley:

     

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.40%),
2.42%, 10/24/23(a)

      157       158,901  

Series F, 3.88%, 04/29/24

      891       985,247  

3.70%, 10/23/24

      159       176,313  

(SOFR + 1.15%), 2.72%, 07/22/25(a)

      443       470,010  

4.00%, 07/23/25

      76       86,172  

(SOFR + 1.99%), 2.19%, 04/28/26(a)

      502       522,687  

3.63%, 01/20/27

      1,376       1,553,561  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.34%),
3.59%, 07/22/28(a)

      77       86,585  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.63%),
4.43%, 01/23/30(a)

      474       564,737  

(SOFR + 1.14%), 2.70%, 01/22/31(a)

      134       141,944  

(SOFR + 3.12%), 3.62%, 04/01/31(a)

      340       388,407  

Northern Trust Corp., 3.15%, 05/03/29

      107       121,815  

State Street Corp., 2.65%, 05/19/26

      150       164,574  

UBS Group AG(b):

     

2.95%, 09/24/20

      205       206,151  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 0.95%),
2.86%, 08/15/23(a)

      510       528,237  

(USD Swap Semi 5 Year + 4.34%),
7.00%(a)(f)

      490       508,988  

4.13%, 09/24/25

      470       532,723  

4.13%, 04/15/26

      232       264,017  

USAA Capital Corp., 2.13%, 05/01/30(b)

      150       154,473  
   

 

 

 
        13,790,007  
Chemicals — 0.4%  

CNAC HK Finbridge Co. Ltd.,
4.63%, 03/14/23

      200       212,313  

Dow Chemical Co. (The):

     

9.00%, 04/01/21

      135       141,054  

4.55%, 11/30/25

      89       101,437  

3.63%, 05/15/26

      96       105,712  

1.88%, 03/15/40

    EUR       370       383,181  

5.25%, 11/15/41

    USD       6       7,243  

DuPont de Nemours, Inc., 4.49%, 11/15/25

      604       694,723  

LYB International Finance BV,
4.88%, 03/15/44

      115       135,697  

MEGlobal Canada ULC:

     

5.00%, 05/18/25

      200       214,187  

5.00%, 05/18/25(b)

      200       214,188  

RPM International, Inc., 5.25%, 06/01/45

      62       69,898  

Sherwin-Williams Co. (The):

     

4.20%, 01/15/22

      260       270,395  

2.95%, 08/15/29

      203       218,233  

4.00%, 12/15/42

      20       21,399  

4.50%, 06/01/47

      25       30,434  
   

 

 

 
        2,820,094  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.4%  

Aramark Services, Inc.:

     

4.75%, 06/01/26

      52       50,050  

5.00%, 02/01/28(b)

      125       118,750  

Clean Harbors, Inc., 4.88%, 07/15/27(b)

      57       58,567  
Security   Par
        (000)
                Value  
Commercial Services & Supplies (continued)  

Conservation Fund A Nonprofit Corp. (The), Series 2019, 3.47%, 12/15/29

    USD       40     $ 42,930  

Ford Foundation (The), Series 2020,
2.42%, 06/01/50

      95       97,363  

KAR Auction Services, Inc., 5.13%, 06/01/25(b)

 

    106       104,410  

Nielsen Co. Luxembourg SARL (The),
5.00%, 02/01/25(b)

      53       52,073  

RELX Capital, Inc.:

     

3.50%, 03/16/23

      355       378,565  

4.00%, 03/18/29

      239       277,561  

3.00%, 05/22/30

      298       321,185  

Republic Services, Inc.:

     

3.55%, 06/01/22

      10       10,505  

4.75%, 05/15/23

      305       338,028  

2.50%, 08/15/24

      200       212,743  

2.90%, 07/01/26

      131       143,121  

3.38%, 11/15/27

      40       44,863  

3.95%, 05/15/28

      381       444,928  

Waste Management, Inc., 3.13%, 03/01/25

 

    40       43,654  

Waste Pro USA, Inc., 5.50%, 02/15/26(b)

      55       52,497  
   

 

 

 
        2,791,793  
Communications Equipment — 0.1%  

Motorola Solutions, Inc.:

     

4.60%, 05/23/29

      416       480,062  

5.50%, 09/01/44

      235       263,940  
   

 

 

 
        744,002  
Construction & Engineering — 0.0%  

Stoneway Capital Corp.(g)(h):

     

10.00%, 03/01/27(b)

      133       45,331  

10.00%, 03/01/27

      133       45,331  
   

 

 

 
        90,662  
Construction Materials — 0.0%  

US Concrete, Inc., 6.38%, 06/01/24

      51       50,363  
   

 

 

 
Consumer Finance — 0.8%  

American Express Co.:

     

2.50%, 07/30/24

      454       480,528  

4.20%, 11/06/25

      62       72,052  

3.13%, 05/20/26

      438       485,443  

American Express Credit Corp., Series F,
2.60%, 09/14/20

      2       2,005  

Capital One Financial Corp.:

     

3.45%, 04/30/21

      2       2,042  

3.50%, 06/15/23

      39       41,737  

3.90%, 01/29/24

      165       179,435  

3.75%, 04/24/24

      10       10,836  

Discover Financial Services:

     

4.50%, 01/30/26

      149       166,963  

4.10%, 02/09/27

      44       48,092  

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC:

     

3.20%, 01/15/21

      200       197,000  

5.75%, 02/01/21

      200       200,760  

General Motors Financial Co., Inc.:

     

5.20%, 03/20/23

      819       875,279  

5.10%, 01/17/24

      167       178,505  

3.50%, 11/07/24

      161       163,152  

4.00%, 01/15/25

      170       177,711  

4.35%, 04/09/25

      257       270,799  

2.75%, 06/20/25

      584       576,820  

Hyundai Capital Services, Inc., 3.00%, 08/29/22(b)

      250       255,547  

Navient Corp.:

     

5.88%, 03/25/21

      62       60,915  

6.63%, 07/26/21

      74       72,520  

6.50%, 06/15/22

      100       98,250  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  13


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
        (000)
                Value  
Consumer Finance (continued)  

7.25%, 09/25/23

    USD       58     $ 56,688  

5.88%, 10/25/24

      55       51,666  

6.75%, 06/25/25

      57       54,364  

6.75%, 06/15/26

      55       50,875  

Synchrony Financial:

     

4.38%, 03/19/24

      140       146,539  

4.25%, 08/15/24

      11       11,552  

Toyota Motor Credit Corp., 3.38%, 04/01/30

      244       281,054  
   

 

 

 
        5,269,129  
Containers & Packaging — 0.1%  

Ball Corp.:

     

5.25%, 07/01/25

      22       24,062  

4.88%, 03/15/26

      17       18,488  

International Paper Co.:

     

5.00%, 09/15/35

      47       57,316  

6.00%, 11/15/41

      97       127,859  

4.80%, 06/15/44

      13       15,505  

Owens-Brockway Glass Container, Inc.(b):

     

5.00%, 01/15/22

      9       9,011  

5.88%, 08/15/23

      78       80,340  
   

 

 

 
        332,581  
Distributors — 0.0%(b)  

American Builders & Contractors Supply Co., Inc.:

     

5.88%, 05/15/26

      67       66,330  

4.00%, 01/15/28

      90       87,459  

Performance Food Group, Inc.,
5.50%, 10/15/27

      118       113,870  
   

 

 

 
        267,659  
Diversified Consumer Services — 0.2%  

American University (The), 3.67%, 04/01/49

      178       195,889  

Claremont Mckenna College, Series 2019, 3.38%, 01/01/50

      112       122,464  

George Washington University (The), Series 2018, 4.13%, 09/15/48

      81       98,962  

Northeastern University, Series 2020, 2.89%, 10/01/50

      65       65,875  

President & Fellows of Harvard College, 5.63%, 10/01/38

      229       355,631  

University of Southern California, 3.03%, 10/01/39

      50       54,465  

Wesleyan University, 4.78%, 07/01/2116

      45       52,935  

Yale University, Series 2020, 1.48%, 04/15/30

      194       196,087  
   

 

 

 
        1,142,308  
Diversified Financial Services — 0.5%  

Banco Votorantim SA, 4.00%, 09/24/22(b)

      200       201,375  

Coastal Emerald Ltd., (US Treasury Yield Curve Rate T Note Constant Maturity 5 Year + 7.45%), 4.30%(a)(f)

      200       201,000  

Equitable Holdings, Inc., 3.90%, 04/20/23

      30       32,112  

GE Capital International Funding Co. Unlimited Co., 4.42%, 11/15/35

      400       406,701  

MDGH – GMTN BV:

     

2.50%, 11/07/24(b)

      200       206,000  

2.88%, 11/07/29(b)

      200       209,625  

3.70%, 11/07/49

      200       211,563  

ORIX Corp., 2.90%, 07/18/22

      155       160,454  

Petronas Capital Ltd., 3.50%, 04/21/30(b)

      300       332,441  

Shell International Finance BV:

     

3.88%, 11/13/28

      128       148,840  

2.38%, 11/07/29

      501       528,659  

3.63%, 08/21/42

      12       13,119  
Security   Par
        (000)
                Value  
Diversified Financial Services (continued)  

4.38%, 05/11/45

    USD       288     $ 354,335  
   

 

 

 
        3,006,224  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.5%  

Altice France SA, 7.38%, 05/01/26(b)

      516       538,085  

AT&T, Inc.:

     

0.00%, 11/27/22(b)(i)

      1,000       978,546  

3.90%, 03/11/24

      185       204,249  

3.55%, 06/01/24

      45       49,237  

3.80%, 02/15/27

      9       10,136  

4.50%, 05/15/35

      844       1,001,574  

2.60%, 05/19/38

    EUR       395       468,655  

5.15%, 03/15/42

    USD       150       187,231  

4.80%, 06/15/44

      337       399,089  

4.85%, 07/15/45

      156       185,374  

4.75%, 05/15/46

      130       155,849  

5.15%, 11/15/46

      67       82,989  

CCO Holdings LLC(b):

     

5.75%, 02/15/26

      226       233,761  

5.50%, 05/01/26

      134       138,732  

5.13%, 05/01/27

      288       297,965  

5.88%, 05/01/27

      71       74,085  

5.00%, 02/01/28

      305       314,912  

5.38%, 06/01/29

      138       145,590  

4.75%, 03/01/30

      159       162,687  

Deutsche Telekom International Finance BV, 3.60%, 01/19/27(b)

      225       251,844  

Level 3 Financing, Inc.:

     

5.13%, 05/01/23

      58       58,000  

5.25%, 03/15/26

      82       84,255  

4.63%, 09/15/27(b)

      22       22,165  

Verizon Communications, Inc.:

     

4.13%, 03/16/27

      871       1,027,367  

4.33%, 09/21/28

      294       353,836  

3.88%, 02/08/29

      453       535,400  

4.27%, 01/15/36

      756       934,937  

2.88%, 01/15/38

    EUR       200       270,229  

1.85%, 05/18/40

      160       183,677  

4.52%, 09/15/48

    USD       51       67,463  

5.01%, 04/15/49

      200       278,938  
   

 

 

 
        9,696,857  
Electric Utilities — 2.7%  

Adani Transmission Ltd., 4.25%, 05/21/36

      199       191,289  

AEP Texas, Inc.:

     

3.95%, 06/01/28

      310       352,582  

Series H, 3.45%, 01/15/50

      91       98,076  

AEP Transmission Co. LLC:

     

3.75%, 12/01/47

      40       45,893  

4.25%, 09/15/48

      76       94,266  

3.80%, 06/15/49

      155       182,736  

3.15%, 09/15/49

      115       123,806  

Series M, 3.65%, 04/01/50

      143       165,333  

Alabama Power Co.:

     

Series 13-A, 3.55%, 12/01/23

      35       38,138  

4.15%, 08/15/44

      30       35,873  

3.75%, 03/01/45

      150       170,162  

Series A, 4.30%, 07/15/48

      147       181,101  

3.45%, 10/01/49

      88       96,050  

Baltimore Gas & Electric Co.:

     

2.80%, 08/15/22

      327       340,220  

3.50%, 08/15/46

      86       96,113  

3.75%, 08/15/47

      45       52,064  

4.25%, 09/15/48

      105       130,787  

3.20%, 09/15/49

      125       133,041  
 

 

 

14  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
        (000)
                Value  
Electric Utilities (continued)  

Baltimore Gas and Electric Co., 2.90%, 06/15/50

    USD       5     $ 5,113  

CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric LLC,
3.95%, 03/01/48

      85       103,071  

China Huaneng Group Hong Kong Treasury

     

Management Holding Ltd., 3.00%, 12/10/29

 

    200       208,875  

Dayton Power & Light Co. (The), 3.95%, 06/15/49

      178       191,218  

DTE Electric Co., Series A, 4.05%, 05/15/48

 

    265       325,506  

Duke Energy Carolinas LLC:

     

3.95%, 11/15/28

      72       85,609  

2.45%, 08/15/29

      230       247,012  

2.45%, 02/01/30

      247       265,263  

3.75%, 06/01/45

      56       65,315  

3.88%, 03/15/46

      32       38,161  

3.70%, 12/01/47

      115       135,455  

3.95%, 03/15/48

      52       64,041  

3.20%, 08/15/49

      189       210,695  

Duke Energy Florida LLC:

     

3.80%, 07/15/28

      100       116,750  

2.50%, 12/01/29

      550       594,463  

1.75%, 06/15/30

      333       337,550  

3.40%, 10/01/46

      90       100,178  

4.20%, 07/15/48

      34       42,843  

Duke Energy Ohio, Inc., 3.65%, 02/01/29

      425       491,142  

Duke Energy Progress LLC:

     

3.00%, 09/15/21

      75       76,626  

3.70%, 09/01/28

      400       464,611  

3.45%, 03/15/29

      253       290,425  

4.10%, 03/15/43

      105       126,411  

4.20%, 08/15/45

      62       76,647  

Edison International:

     

2.40%, 09/15/22

      42       42,532  

3.55%, 11/15/24

      48       50,588  

Entergy Corp., 2.95%, 09/01/26

      5       5,523  

Entergy Louisiana LLC:

     

5.40%, 11/01/24

      65       77,005  

4.20%, 09/01/48

      201       257,085  

2.90%, 03/15/51

      30       30,658  

Exelon Corp., 5.63%, 06/15/35

      34       44,670  

FirstEnergy Corp.:

     

2.05%, 03/01/25

      52       53,644  

2.65%, 03/01/30

      88       91,852  

Series C, 3.40%, 03/01/50

      193       203,792  

FirstEnergy Transmission LLC(b):

     

4.35%, 01/15/25

      555       627,687  

5.45%, 07/15/44

      42       54,272  

4.55%, 04/01/49

      180       218,713  

Florida Power & Light Co.:

     

3.25%, 06/01/24

      2       2,167  

3.70%, 12/01/47

      52       62,431  

3.95%, 03/01/48

      289       363,394  

3.15%, 10/01/49

      264       300,143  

Genneia SA, 8.75%, 01/20/22(b)

      3       2,404  

ITC Holdings Corp., 2.70%, 11/15/22

      10       10,425  

MidAmerican Energy Co.:

     

3.10%, 05/01/27

      35       39,316  

3.65%, 04/15/29

      460       549,001  

4.25%, 07/15/49

      131       168,985  

3.15%, 04/15/50

      120       136,182  

Mong Duong Finance Holdings BV,
5.13%, 05/07/29

      250       248,984  

Northern States Power Co.:

     

2.15%, 08/15/22

      370       380,208  

3.40%, 08/15/42

      110       124,644  
Security   Par
        (000)
                Value  
Electric Utilities (continued)  

4.00%, 08/15/45

    USD       59     $ 71,653  

3.60%, 05/15/46

      27       31,500  

2.90%, 03/01/50

      88       95,470  

NRG Energy, Inc.:

     

7.25%, 05/15/26

      110       116,050  

6.63%, 01/15/27

      133       138,819  

5.75%, 01/15/28

      88       92,840  

5.25%, 06/15/29(b)

      80       84,000  

NSTAR Electric Co.:

     

3.20%, 05/15/27

      76       85,382  

3.25%, 05/15/29

      35       39,711  

3.95%, 04/01/30

      59       71,248  

Ohio Power Co.:

     

Series G, 6.60%, 02/15/33

      140       194,977  

4.00%, 06/01/49

      125       151,541  

Oncor Electric Delivery Co. LLC:

     

3.70%, 11/15/28

      267       313,227  

3.80%, 09/30/47

      101       123,036  

3.80%, 06/01/49

      11       13,317  

3.10%, 09/15/49

      151       166,472  

Public Service Electric & Gas Co.:

     

3.00%, 05/15/25

      16       17,486  

3.65%, 09/01/28

      210       241,289  

3.20%, 05/15/29

      102       114,968  

Southern California Edison Co.:

     

Series A, 2.90%, 03/01/21

      85       86,470  

1.85%, 02/01/22

      84       84,356  

Series E, 3.70%, 08/01/25

      380       419,766  

Series A, 4.20%, 03/01/29

      57       66,498  

2.25%, 06/01/30

      300       302,909  

Series C, 3.60%, 02/01/45

      6       6,403  

4.00%, 04/01/47

      230       262,095  

Tampa Electric Co.:

     

4.30%, 06/15/48

      30       37,889  

4.45%, 06/15/49

      175       223,487  

Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Co.,
3.85%, 06/01/25(b)

      581       652,182  

Virginia Electric & Power Co.:

     

Series C, 2.75%, 03/15/23

      210       220,860  

Series A, 3.50%, 03/15/27

      205       232,469  

4.00%, 01/15/43

      170       202,260  

Series B, 4.20%, 05/15/45

      43       52,323  

Series C, 4.00%, 11/15/46

      57       67,550  

4.60%, 12/01/48

      4       5,268  

3.30%, 12/01/49

      4       4,433  

Vistra Operations Co. LLC(b):

     

3.55%, 07/15/24

      14       14,449  

5.50%, 09/01/26

      108       110,208  

5.63%, 02/15/27

      140       143,689  

5.00%, 07/31/27

      140       141,575  

4.30%, 07/15/29

      381       400,565  
   

 

 

 
        17,237,505  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.0%  

Corning, Inc.:

     

3.70%, 11/15/23

      35       37,142  

4.38%, 11/15/57

      75       86,189  

Tyco Electronics Group SA, 3.13%, 08/15/27 .

      65       70,858  
   

 

 

 
        194,189  
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.0%        

Hilong Holding Ltd., 8.25%, 09/26/22

      200       75,000  

Odebrecht Drilling Norbe VIII/IX Ltd.,
6.35%, 12/01/21(b)

      17       13,985  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  15


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
        (000)
                Value  
Energy Equipment & Services (continued)        

Odebrecht Offshore Drilling Finance Ltd., 6.72%, 12/01/22(b)

    USD       20     $ 16,420  
   

 

 

 
        105,405  
Entertainment — 0.2%  

NBCUniversal Media LLC:

     

5.95%, 04/01/41

      22       32,651  

4.45%, 01/15/43

      50       62,853  

Netflix, Inc.:

     

5.88%, 02/15/25

      18       19,890  

4.38%, 11/15/26

      22       22,884  

4.88%, 04/15/28

      36       38,494  

5.88%, 11/15/28

      43       48,966  

6.38%, 05/15/29

      18       20,880  

5.38%, 11/15/29(b)

      20       21,904  

4.88%, 06/15/30(b)

      22       23,595  

Walt Disney Co. (The):

     

3.35%, 03/24/25

      510       565,354  

5.40%, 10/01/43

      30       40,736  

4.75%, 09/15/44

      75       95,986  

4.70%, 03/23/50

      239       308,110  
   

 

 

 
        1,302,303  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 1.0%  

American Tower Corp.:

     

3.00%, 06/15/23

      132       140,747  

3.38%, 05/15/24

      130       141,141  

2.40%, 03/15/25

      325       343,108  

1.30%, 09/15/25

      15       15,048  

3.95%, 03/15/29

      143       162,763  

3.80%, 08/15/29

      305       345,191  

ARI FCP Investments LP, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 2.90%), 3.08%, 01/06/25(a)(c)

      761       723,011  

Boston Properties LP:

     

3.85%, 02/01/23

      67       71,541  

3.13%, 09/01/23

      133       140,676  

CC Holdings GS V LLC, 3.85%, 04/15/23

      80       86,402  

Crown Castle International Corp.:

     

3.40%, 02/15/21

      3       3,047  

4.88%, 04/15/22

      16       17,093  

3.20%, 09/01/24

      451       489,394  

1.35%, 07/15/25

      300       302,138  

4.45%, 02/15/26

      32       36,681  

3.70%, 06/15/26

      261       292,041  

3.80%, 02/15/28

      83       93,292  

4.30%, 02/15/29

      196       227,282  

3.10%, 11/15/29

      479       513,482  

4.15%, 07/01/50

      54       63,283  

Equinix, Inc.:

     

2.63%, 11/18/24

      296       315,127  

1.25%, 07/15/25

      385       384,904  

ESH Hospitality, Inc.(b):

     

5.25%, 05/01/25

      136       130,560  

4.63%, 10/01/27

      17       15,916  

MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP:

     

5.63%, 05/01/24

      239       247,370  

4.50%, 09/01/26

      66       65,360  

5.75%, 02/01/27

      107       109,675  

MPT Operating Partnership LP:

     

5.25%, 08/01/26

      11       11,413  

5.00%, 10/15/27

      150       154,125  

4.63%, 08/01/29

      20       20,100  

National Retail Properties, Inc., 2.50%, 04/15/30

      159       151,850  

Prologis Euro Finance LLC, 1.50%, 09/10/49

    EUR       100       106,963  
Security   Par
        (000)
                Value  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (continued)  

Realty Income Corp.:

     

4.13%, 10/15/26

    USD       112     $ 128,097  

3.00%, 01/15/27

      35       37,050  

3.25%, 01/15/31

      40       43,276  

Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc., 4.75%, 10/15/27(b)

      92       81,880  

Service Properties Trust, 4.35%, 10/01/24

      56       50,473  

VICI Properties LP(b):

     

3.50%, 02/15/25

      81       76,140  

4.25%, 12/01/26

      28       26,810  

3.75%, 02/15/27

      17       15,980  

4.63%, 12/01/29

      22       21,450  

4.13%, 08/15/30

      22       20,983  
   

 

 

 
        6,422,863  
Food & Staples Retailing — 0.2%  

Albertsons Cos., Inc.:

     

3.50%, 02/15/23(b)

      83       84,037  

6.63%, 06/15/24

      105       107,625  

5.75%, 03/15/25

      269       274,886  

7.50%, 03/15/26(b)

      138       149,040  

4.63%, 01/15/27(b)

      30       30,000  

5.88%, 02/15/28(b)

      102       105,241  

4.88%, 02/15/30(b)

      22       22,509  

Alimentation Couche-Tard, Inc., 3.55%, 07/26/27(b)

      382       410,182  

Walmart, Inc., 3.70%, 06/26/28

      332       393,140  
   

 

 

 
        1,576,660  
Food Products — 0.2%  

BRF GmbH, 4.35%, 09/29/26(b)

      200       193,000  

Campbell Soup Co., 8.88%, 05/01/21

      100       105,625  

Darling Ingredients, Inc., 5.25%, 04/15/27(b)

      54       55,500  

JBS USA LUX SA(b):

     

5.75%, 06/15/25

      88       88,770  

6.75%, 02/15/28

      102       107,546  

6.50%, 04/15/29

      159       168,739  

5.50%, 01/15/30

      28       28,700  

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.(b):

     

4.63%, 11/01/24

      89       92,337  

4.88%, 11/01/26

      89       92,115  

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp., 5.88%, 09/30/27(b)

      190       190,038  

Post Holdings, Inc.(b):

     

5.75%, 03/01/27

      147       151,778  

5.63%, 01/15/28

      108       111,780  

5.50%, 12/15/29

      85       87,900  

Simmons Foods, Inc., 5.75%, 11/01/24(b)

      57       54,150  
   

 

 

 
        1,527,978  
Gas Utilities — 0.0%  

Atmos Energy Corp., 3.38%, 09/15/49

      95       106,754  

Dominion Energy Gas Holdings LLC:

     

4.80%, 11/01/43

      45       53,027  

4.60%, 12/15/44

      46       51,972  

Piedmont Natural Gas Co., Inc., 3.64%, 11/01/46

      25       27,110  
   

 

 

 
        238,863  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.2%  

Becton Dickinson and Co., 3.30%, 03/01/23

      170       177,897  

Boston Scientific Corp.:

     

3.45%, 03/01/24

      448       485,282  

1.90%, 06/01/25

      160       165,818  

DH Europe Finance II SARL:

     

1.35%, 09/18/39

    EUR       170       181,613  

1.80%, 09/18/49

      100       107,510  

Edwards Lifesciences Corp., 4.30%, 06/15/28

    USD       17       20,267  
 

 

 

16  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (continued)        

Medtronic Global Holdings SCA, 1.75%, 07/02/49

    EUR       100     $ 109,372  

Teleflex, Inc., 4.63%, 11/15/27

    USD       52       54,975  
     

 

 

 
        1,302,734  
Health Care Providers & Services — 1.8%                  

Aetna, Inc.:

     

4.50%, 05/15/42

      79       93,974  

4.13%, 11/15/42

      4       4,498  

4.75%, 03/15/44

      65       78,220  

Anthem, Inc.:

     

2.38%, 01/15/25

      62       65,803  

4.10%, 03/01/28

      266       311,728  

Centene Corp.:

     

5.25%, 04/01/25(b)

      94       96,789  

5.38%, 06/01/26(b)

      194       201,112  

5.38%, 08/15/26(b)

      81       84,257  

4.25%, 12/15/27

      266       274,488  

4.63%, 12/15/29

      79       83,345  

CHRISTUS Health, Series C, 4.34%, 07/01/28

      113       127,641  

Cigna Corp.:

     

3.90%, 02/15/22(b)

      65       68,309  

3.00%, 07/15/23(b)

      60       63,782  

3.75%, 07/15/23

      7       7,599  

3.50%, 06/15/24(b)

      56       61,168  

3.25%, 04/15/25(b)

      192       209,577  

4.13%, 11/15/25

      50       57,476  

3.40%, 03/01/27(b)

      59       64,991  

4.38%, 10/15/28

      655       775,185  

Cottage Health Obligated Group, Series 2020, 3.30%, 11/01/49

      61       66,838  

CVS Health Corp.:

     

4.10%, 03/25/25

      632       714,756  

3.88%, 07/20/25

      12       13,486  

3.75%, 04/01/30

      657       756,934  

5.13%, 07/20/45

      433       557,920  

DaVita, Inc., 5.00%, 05/01/25

      157       160,532  

Encompass Health Corp.:

     

4.50%, 02/01/28

      53       50,833  

4.75%, 02/01/30

      55       52,525  

HCA, Inc.:

     

4.75%, 05/01/23

      481       521,889  

5.00%, 03/15/24

      708       786,943  

5.38%, 02/01/25

      58       62,132  

5.25%, 04/15/25

      618       708,761  

5.88%, 02/15/26

      34       37,272  

5.25%, 06/15/26

      41       47,368  

5.38%, 09/01/26

      22       23,953  

5.63%, 09/01/28

      34       37,953  

5.88%, 02/01/29

      22       24,895  

Humana, Inc.:

     

4.50%, 04/01/25

      150       170,780  

4.88%, 04/01/30

      61       75,322  

Molina Healthcare, Inc., 5.38%, 11/15/22(e)

      76       77,520  

Ochsner Clinic Foundation, 5.90%, 05/15/45

      20       25,738  

PeaceHealth Obligated Group, Series 2018, 4.79%, 11/15/48

      16       21,203  

RWJ Barnabas Health, Inc., 3.48%, 07/01/49

      56       59,025  

Select Medical Corp., 6.25%, 08/15/26(b)

      62       62,679  

Sutter Health, Series 2018, 3.70%, 08/15/28

      83       92,858  

Tenet Healthcare Corp.:

     

4.63%, 07/15/24

      154       150,888  

4.63%, 09/01/24(b)

      64       62,560  

5.13%, 05/01/25

      301       290,528  

4.88%, 01/01/26(b)

      222       216,173  

6.25%, 02/01/27(b)

      331       328,517  
Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  
Health Care Providers & Services (continued)                  

5.13%, 11/01/27(b)

    USD       34     $ 33,548  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.:

     

3.75%, 07/15/25

      958       1,091,475  

3.70%, 12/15/25

      30       34,384  

3.10%, 03/15/26

      122       136,150  

2.95%, 10/15/27

      324       361,460  

5.80%, 03/15/36

      46       65,037  

6.50%, 06/15/37

      11       16,750  

2.75%, 05/15/40

      369       395,027  

4.63%, 11/15/41

      17       22,302  

4.20%, 01/15/47

      241       305,719  
     

 

 

 
        11,450,575  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.6%                  

1011778 BC ULC(b):

     

5.00%, 10/15/25

      304       302,209  

3.88%, 01/15/28

      17       16,493  

Boyd Gaming Corp.:

     

6.38%, 04/01/26

      74       70,300  

6.00%, 08/15/26

      68       63,560  

Caesars Resort Collection LLC, 5.25%, 10/15/25(b)

      182       158,340  

Cedar Fair LP:

     

5.50%, 05/01/25(b)

      70       70,350  

5.38%, 04/15/27

      109       97,555  

5.25%, 07/15/29(b)

      110       99,550  

Churchill Downs, Inc.(b):

     

5.50%, 04/01/27

      132       129,202  

4.75%, 01/15/28

      66       63,690  

Eldorado Resorts, Inc., 6.00%, 09/15/26

      60       64,819  

Hilton Domestic Operating Co., Inc.:

     

5.13%, 05/01/26

      127       126,445  

4.88%, 01/15/30

      22       21,670  

Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC:

     

4.63%, 04/01/25

      96       93,860  

4.88%, 04/01/27

      64       62,480  

Hyatt Hotels Corp., 5.38%, 04/23/25

      57       60,401  

Marriott Ownership Resorts, Inc., 6.50%, 09/15/26

      83       83,622  

McDonald’s Corp.:

     

3.63%, 05/01/43

      62       68,032  

4.88%, 12/09/45

      34       43,509  

4.45%, 09/01/48

      213       263,154  

3.63%, 09/01/49

      397       435,602  

MGM Resorts International:

     

5.75%, 06/15/25

      15       14,832  

4.63%, 09/01/26

      9       8,190  

5.50%, 04/15/27

      15       14,437  

NCL Corp. Ltd., 3.63%, 12/15/24(b)

      13       7,946  

Scientific Games International, Inc., 5.00%, 10/15/25(b)

      118       108,945  

Starbucks Corp., 2.55%, 11/15/30

      335       351,398  

Station Casinos LLC, 5.00%, 10/01/25(b)

      60       52,800  

Sunny Express Enterprises Corp., 3.13%, 04/23/30

      200       209,565  

Viking Cruises Ltd., 5.88%, 09/15/27(b)

      92       54,774  

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc., 5.38%, 04/15/26(b)

      53       51,012  

Wynn Las Vegas LLC(b):

     

5.50%, 03/01/25

      243       222,345  

5.25%, 05/15/27

      121       104,604  

Wynn Resorts Finance LLC, 5.13%, 10/01/29(b)

      100       89,375  
     

 

 

 
        3,685,066  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  17


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  
Household Durables — 0.1%                  

Brookfield Residential Properties, Inc., 6.25%, 09/15/27(b)

    USD       131     $ 125,277  

Century Communities, Inc., 6.75%, 06/01/27

      58       58,290  

DR Horton, Inc., 2.60%, 10/15/25

      300       315,330  

Lennar Corp.:

     

4.75%, 04/01/21

      41       41,495  

4.13%, 01/15/22

      49       49,612  

4.50%, 04/30/24

      57       59,268  

4.75%, 05/30/25

      11       11,743  

4.75%, 11/29/27

      20       21,700  

Mattamy Group Corp., 5.25%, 12/15/27(b)

      11       10,945  

PulteGroup, Inc.:

     

5.50%, 03/01/26

      16       17,450  

5.00%, 01/15/27

      13       13,910  

Taylor Morrison Communities, Inc., 5.88%, 06/15/27(b)

      11       11,393  

Tempur Sealy International, Inc., 5.50%, 06/15/26

      131       132,310  
     

 

 

 
        868,723  
Household Products — 0.0%                  

Clorox Co. (The), 3.10%, 10/01/27

      31       33,917  

Spectrum Brands, Inc., 5.75%, 07/15/25

      96       98,522  
     

 

 

 
        132,439  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.0%  

Calpine Corp., 5.50%, 02/01/24

      56       55,860  
     

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates — 0.1%                  

3M Co., 3.38%, 03/01/29

      26       29,990  

General Electric Co., 5.88%, 01/14/38

      416       469,535  

Honeywell International, Inc., 0.75%, 03/10/32

    EUR       270       296,629  
     

 

 

 
        796,154  
Insurance — 0.4%                  

Ambac Assurance Corp., 5.10%(b)(f)

    USD       15       19,893  

Ambac LSNI LLC, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 5.00%), 6.00%, 02/12/23(a)(b)

      86       84,716  

Aon Corp.:

     

4.50%, 12/15/28

      264       314,106  

3.75%, 05/02/29

      647       740,794  

Aon plc, 4.25%, 12/12/42

      30       33,055  

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The), 4.30%, 04/15/43

      35       40,263  

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.:

     

3.50%, 12/29/20

      108       109,609  

4.05%, 10/15/23

      105       115,219  

3.88%, 03/15/24

      116       128,320  

3.50%, 06/03/24

      316       346,298  

3.50%, 03/10/25

      135       149,388  

1.35%, 09/21/26

    EUR       160       187,614  

1.98%, 03/21/30

      145       178,828  

2.25%, 11/15/30

    USD       98       101,700  

MetLife, Inc., 4.72%, 12/15/44(e)

      17       21,409  

Principal Financial Group, Inc., 3.70%, 05/15/29

      33       37,545  

Travelers Cos., Inc. (The):

     

6.75%, 06/20/36

      5       7,536  

6.25%, 06/15/37

      2       2,967  

Trinity Acquisition plc, 4.40%, 03/15/26

      80       91,134  

Willis North America, Inc., 3.60%, 05/15/24

      36       38,962  
     

 

 

 
        2,749,356  
Interactive Media & Services — 0.0%                  

Tencent Holdings Ltd., 3.24%, 06/03/50(b)

      200       201,858  
     

 

 

 
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.3%                  

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., 3.60%, 11/28/24

      220       239,270  

Amazon.com, Inc., 3.88%, 08/22/37

      245       303,360  

Booking Holdings, Inc., 4.10%, 04/13/25

      726       814,847  
Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail (continued)                  

Expedia Group, Inc.:

     

6.25%, 05/01/25(b)

    USD         188     $ 200,271  

3.80%, 02/15/28

      103       98,656  

3.25%, 02/15/30

      175       163,161  
     

 

 

 
        1,819,565  
IT Services — 1.0%                  

DXC Technology Co.:

     

4.00%, 04/15/23

      235       246,637  

4.13%, 04/15/25

      40       42,651  

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.:

     

1.00%, 12/03/28

    EUR       300       332,961  

3.75%, 05/21/29

    USD       34       39,839  

2.95%, 05/21/39

    EUR       200       256,988  

Fiserv, Inc.:

     

3.20%, 07/01/26

    USD       735       813,505  

3.50%, 07/01/29

      639       718,313  

Global Payments, Inc.:

     

3.75%, 06/01/23

      85       91,559  

4.00%, 06/01/23

      12       13,009  

4.80%, 04/01/26

      149       174,390  

2.90%, 05/15/30

      178       186,785  

International Business Machines Corp.:

     

3.30%, 05/15/26

      805       904,556  

3.50%, 05/15/29

      207       238,761  

1.95%, 05/15/30

      589       602,455  

2.85%, 05/15/40

      365       380,073  

Mastercard, Inc.:

     

2.95%, 06/01/29

      445       500,300  

3.35%, 03/26/30

      355       410,378  

PayPal Holdings, Inc.:

     

1.65%, 06/01/25

      162       167,467  

2.65%, 10/01/26

      61       66,291  

Visa, Inc.:

     

1.90%, 04/15/27

      294       307,295  

4.15%, 12/14/35

      209       267,349  
     

 

 

 
        6,761,562  
Leisure Products — 0.1%                  

Hasbro, Inc.:

     

2.60%, 11/19/22

      451       466,755  

3.90%, 11/19/29

      50       52,067  
     

 

 

 
        518,822  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.2%                  

Agilent Technologies, Inc.:

     

3.88%, 07/15/23

      34       36,734  

3.05%, 09/22/26

      366       401,015  

2.75%, 09/15/29

      171       185,860  

Avantor, Inc., 6.00%, 10/01/24(b)

      44       45,980  

Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.(b):

     

5.50%, 04/01/26

      43       44,720  

4.25%, 05/01/28

      11       10,994  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.:

     

4.13%, 03/25/25

      47       53,588  

4.50%, 03/25/30

      34       42,141  

1.88%, 10/01/49

    EUR       300       321,420  
     

 

 

 
        1,142,452  
Machinery — 0.2%                  

CNH Industrial Capital LLC, 4.38%, 11/06/20 .

    USD       480       484,252  

Colfax Corp., 6.00%, 02/15/24(b)

      65       67,031  

Otis Worldwide Corp.(b):

     

2.06%, 04/05/25

      350       367,182  

2.29%, 04/05/27

      35       36,550  

Parker-Hannifin Corp.:

     

2.70%, 06/14/24

      305       324,676  
 

 

 

18  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  
Machinery (continued)                  

3.25%, 06/14/29

    USD         90     $ 99,443  

Terex Corp., 5.63%, 02/01/25(b)

      128       116,480  
     

 

 

 
        1,495,614  
Media — 1.5%                  

AMC Networks, Inc.:

     

5.00%, 04/01/24

      104       102,960  

4.75%, 08/01/25

      84       82,757  

Charter Communications Operating LLC:

     

4.50%, 02/01/24

      30       33,192  

6.38%, 10/23/35

      21       27,751  

6.48%, 10/23/45

      656       867,394  

5.75%, 04/01/48

      450       560,182  

4.80%, 03/01/50

      163       180,412  

Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc.,

     

5.13%, 08/15/27(b)

      138       132,480  

Comcast Corp.:

     

4.15%, 10/15/28

      201       240,954  

2.65%, 02/01/30

      271       294,728  

3.40%, 04/01/30

      1,320       1,507,447  

1.95%, 01/15/31

      495       500,619  

4.25%, 01/15/33

      109       133,724  

4.40%, 08/15/35

      66       81,727  

1.25%, 02/20/40

    EUR       200       216,991  

4.60%, 08/15/45

    USD       38       48,852  

3.40%, 07/15/46

      285       316,616  

3.97%, 11/01/47

      70       82,997  

4.70%, 10/15/48

      67       90,110  

4.00%, 11/01/49

      304       367,122  

4.05%, 11/01/52

      51       62,575  

4.95%, 10/15/58

      5       7,111  

Cox Communications, Inc.(b):

     

3.25%, 12/15/22

      110       115,921  

3.15%, 08/15/24

      557       599,313  

3.35%, 09/15/26

      22       24,328  

3.50%, 08/15/27

      9       9,936  

Diamond Sports Group LLC(b):

     

5.38%, 08/15/26

      68       49,215  

6.63%, 08/15/27

      200       106,500  

Discovery Communications LLC:

     

3.80%, 03/13/24

      50       53,584  

5.00%, 09/20/37

      190       224,880  

4.88%, 04/01/43

      47       53,614  

5.20%, 09/20/47

      128       148,918  

5.30%, 05/15/49

      41       49,071  

Gray Television, Inc.(b):

     

5.88%, 07/15/26

      78       77,639  

7.00%, 05/15/27

      89       91,225  

iHeartCommunications, Inc.:

     

6.38%, 05/01/26

      90       89,100  

5.25%, 08/15/27(b)

      81       77,557  

4.75%, 01/15/28(b)

      11       10,148  

Lamar Media Corp.:

     

5.75%, 02/01/26

      72       74,277  

3.75%, 02/15/28(b)

      13       12,256  

Meredith Corp., 6.88%, 02/01/26

      140       116,411  

Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., 5.63%, 07/15/27(b)

      127       126,055  

Omnicom Group, Inc., 3.65%, 11/01/24

      30       33,015  

Outfront Media Capital LLC(b):

     

5.00%, 08/15/27

      146       131,400  

4.63%, 03/15/30

      11       9,955  

Sirius XM Radio, Inc.(b):

     

4.63%, 07/15/24

      159       162,975  

5.38%, 04/15/25

      83       85,241  

5.38%, 07/15/26

      86       88,816  

5.00%, 08/01/27

      163       166,597  
Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  
Media (continued)                  

5.50%, 07/01/29

    USD         135     $ 142,104  

TEGNA, Inc.(b):

     

4.63%, 03/15/28

      22       20,240  

5.00%, 09/15/29

      25       23,404  

Time Warner Cable LLC:

     

4.00%, 09/01/21

      22       22,586  

6.55%, 05/01/37

      50       65,777  

5.50%, 09/01/41

      52       62,720  

ViacomCBS, Inc.:

     

6.88%, 04/30/36

      122       165,333  

4.38%, 03/15/43

      150       156,856  

5.85%, 09/01/43

      71       83,548  
     

 

 

 
        9,469,216  
Metals & Mining — 0.2%                  

Chinalco Capital Holdings Ltd., 4.25%, 04/21/22

      200       202,125  

FMG Resources August 2006 Pty. Ltd.(b):

     

4.75%, 05/15/22

      80       81,542  

5.13%, 03/15/23

      53       54,457  

5.13%, 05/15/24

      81       83,430  

FMG Resources Pty. Ltd., 4.50%, 09/15/27(b)

      13       13,005  

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.:

     

5.00%, 09/01/27

      13       13,061  

5.25%, 09/01/29

      13       13,325  

Industrias Penoles SAB de CV, 4.15%, 09/12/29(b)

      200       208,312  

Minera Mexico SA de CV, 4.50%, 01/26/50(b)

      200       198,813  

Newmont Corp., 2.80%, 10/01/29

      176       185,613  

Nucor Corp.:

     

2.00%, 06/01/25

      16       16,569  

3.95%, 05/01/28

      56       64,281  

Steel Dynamics, Inc., 2.80%, 12/15/24

      135       140,496  

Teck Resources Ltd., 6.13%, 10/01/35

      81       91,935  
     

 

 

 
        1,366,964  
Multiline Retail — 0.0%                  

Dollar General Corp., 4.13%, 04/03/50

      83       99,319  
     

 

 

 
Multi-Utilities — 0.2%                  

Ameren Illinois Co.:

     

3.80%, 05/15/28

      120       138,479  

3.25%, 03/15/50

      159       175,533  

Consumers Energy Co.:

     

3.38%, 08/15/23

      2       2,152  

4.05%, 05/15/48

      45       56,601  

3.75%, 02/15/50

      300       365,870  

3.10%, 08/15/50

      85       94,575  

3.50%, 08/01/51

      120       142,233  
     

 

 

 
        975,443  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 2.5%                  

Boardwalk Pipelines LP, 4.80%, 05/03/29

      53       56,438  

BP Capital Markets America, Inc.:

     

3.79%, 02/06/24

      308       336,354  

3.80%, 09/21/25

      219       247,306  

3.41%, 02/11/26

      24       26,544  

3.12%, 05/04/26

      136       148,646  

BP Capital Markets plc, 3.81%, 02/10/24

      177       194,474  

Buckeye Partners LP, 3.95%, 12/01/26

      13       12,250  

Cameron LNG LLC(b):

     

3.30%, 01/15/35

      105       115,766  

3.40%, 01/15/38

      401       430,739  

Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC:

     

5.88%, 03/31/25

      552       618,666  

5.13%, 06/30/27

      501       550,535  

Cheniere Energy Partners LP:

     

5.25%, 10/01/25

      74       73,756  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  19


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)                  

5.63%, 10/01/26

    USD         55     $ 54,725  

4.50%, 10/01/29(b)

      34       32,937  

Citgo Holding, Inc., 9.25%, 08/01/24(b)

      75       74,625  

Concho Resources, Inc., 3.75%, 10/01/27

      60       63,919  

CrownRock LP, 5.63%, 10/15/25(b)

      58       51,982  

DCP Midstream Operating LP:

     

5.38%, 07/15/25

      19       18,857  

5.13%, 05/15/29

      13       12,472  

Diamondback Energy, Inc., 3.50%, 12/01/29

      411       398,082  

Enbridge Energy Partners LP, 7.38%, 10/15/45

      36       51,581  

Enbridge, Inc., 2.90%, 07/15/22

      55       57,058  

Energy Transfer Operating LP:

     

3.60%, 02/01/23

      95       98,280  

4.25%, 03/15/23

      135       142,612  

4.20%, 09/15/23

      50       53,125  

2.90%, 05/15/25

      871       889,844  

6.63%, 10/15/36

      30       32,584  

5.80%, 06/15/38

      64       65,222  

6.50%, 02/01/42

      101       109,407  

Energy Transfer Partners LP:

     

5.88%, 03/01/22

      410       432,621  

5.00%, 10/01/22

      430       457,771  

Enterprise Products Operating LLC:

     

3.13%, 07/31/29

      4       4,282  

Series D, 6.88%, 03/01/33

      41       54,239  

4.45%, 02/15/43

      176       194,983  

4.85%, 03/15/44

      54       62,557  

5.10%, 02/15/45

      272       324,061  

EOG Resources, Inc., 4.15%, 01/15/26

      34       39,134  

Exxon Mobil Corp., 1.41%, 06/26/39

    EUR       320       355,185  

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP:

     

6.50%, 02/01/37

    USD       266       333,178  

6.38%, 03/01/41

      43       52,841  

Lukoil Securities BV, 3.88%, 05/06/30(b)

      200       207,955  

Marathon Petroleum Corp.:

     

4.75%, 12/15/23

      76       83,401  

5.85%, 12/15/45

      65       68,279  

4.50%, 04/01/48

      86       87,815  

Matador Resources Co., 5.88%, 09/15/26

      24       17,760  

MPLX LP:

     

3.38%, 03/15/23

      70       72,998  

4.88%, 12/01/24

      191       212,137  

4.25%, 12/01/27

      90       97,575  

NGPL PipeCo LLC(b):

     

4.38%, 08/15/22

      207       213,496  

4.88%, 08/15/27

      242       265,939  

7.77%, 12/15/37

      52       63,466  

Northwest Pipeline LLC, 4.00%, 04/01/27

      365       399,649  

Occidental Petroleum Corp., 0.00%, 10/10/36(i)

      1,520       638,400  

Petrobras Global Finance BV:

     

5.75%, 02/01/29

      103       105,543  

5.09%, 01/15/30

      103       102,588  

6.75%, 06/03/50

      152       156,332  

ReNew Power Synthetic, 6.67%, 03/12/24

      200       201,312  

Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC:

     

5.63%, 04/15/23(e)

      184       201,235  

5.75%, 05/15/24

      165       185,815  

5.63%, 03/01/25

      1,610       1,840,116  

5.88%, 06/30/26

      189       222,075  

5.00%, 03/15/27

      157       175,666  

4.20%, 03/15/28

      100       107,345  

Sinopec Group Overseas Development 2018 Ltd., 2.15%, 05/13/25(b)

      200       205,714  

SM Energy Co., 10.00%, 01/15/25(b)

      18       17,101  
Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)                  

Suncor Energy, Inc.:

     

6.80%, 05/15/38

    USD         69     $ 89,117  

6.50%, 06/15/38

      44       55,516  

Sunoco Logistics Partners Operations LP:

     

4.25%, 04/01/24

      405       433,338  

5.95%, 12/01/25

      105       119,505  

Sunoco LP:

     

4.88%, 01/15/23

      48       47,280  

5.50%, 02/15/26

      39       37,830  

6.00%, 04/15/27

      29       28,710  

Targa Resources Partners LP:

     

6.75%, 03/15/24

      49       48,877  

5.13%, 02/01/25

      52       50,050  

5.88%, 04/15/26

      108       106,920  

5.38%, 02/01/27

      54       52,110  

6.50%, 07/15/27

      87       87,218  

5.00%, 01/15/28

      17       15,986  

6.88%, 01/15/29

      87       91,133  

5.50%, 03/01/30(b)

      22       21,244  

Texas Eastern Transmission LP(b):

     

3.50%, 01/15/28

      455       484,180  

4.15%, 01/15/48

      46       50,103  

Total Capital International SA:

     

2.75%, 06/19/21

      10       10,228  

2.88%, 02/17/22

      20       20,759  

3.70%, 01/15/24

      102       112,546  

2.43%, 01/10/25

      200       212,526  

TransCanada PipeLines Ltd., 5.85%, 03/15/36

      33       43,204  

Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co. LLC:

     

7.85%, 02/01/26

      234       304,587  

4.00%, 03/15/28

      246       275,409  

4.60%, 03/15/48

      89       101,204  

3.95%, 05/15/50(b)

      173       184,333  

Williams Cos., Inc. (The), Series A,
7.50%, 01/15/31

      15       19,208  
     

 

 

 
        16,382,471  
Paper & Forest Products — 0.2%                  

Georgia-Pacific LLC:

     

5.40%, 11/01/20(b)

      177       179,820  

3.73%, 07/15/23(b)

      184       198,819  

1.75%, 09/30/25(b)

      309       318,774  

7.38%, 12/01/25

      97       123,964  

2.10%, 04/30/27(b)

      98       101,772  

7.75%, 11/15/29

      60       89,557  

2.30%, 04/30/30(b)

      2       2,083  

8.88%, 05/15/31

      13       20,823  
     

 

 

 
        1,035,612  
Pharmaceuticals — 0.8%                  

Allergan Funding SCS, 3.45%, 03/15/22

      510       521,527  

Bausch Health Americas, Inc.(b):

     

9.25%, 04/01/26

      154       167,075  

8.50%, 01/31/27

      180       191,025  

Bausch Health Cos., Inc.(b):

     

5.50%, 11/01/25

      154       157,850  

9.00%, 12/15/25

      157       169,122  

5.75%, 08/15/27

      46       48,760  

7.00%, 01/15/28

      74       76,220  

7.25%, 05/30/29

      76       79,800  

Bayer US Finance II LLC, 4.38%, 12/15/28(b)

      346       404,357  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.(b):

     

3.90%, 02/20/28

      83       97,636  

4.55%, 02/20/48

      76       103,164  

Elanco Animal Health, Inc.(e):

     

5.02%, 08/28/23

      81       85,050  
 

 

 

20  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  
Pharmaceuticals (continued)                  

5.65%, 08/28/28

    USD        16     $ 17,741  

Eli Lilly & Co., 1.70%, 11/01/49

    EUR        100       116,617  

GlaxoSmithKline Capital, Inc., 3.88%, 05/15/28

    USD        465       547,454  

Johnson & Johnson, 2.95%, 03/03/27

      30       33,473  

Merck & Co., Inc.:

     

3.40%, 03/07/29

      209       241,152  

1.45%, 06/24/30

      100       99,886  

2.45%, 06/24/50

      123       123,627  

Pfizer, Inc.:

     

3.45%, 03/15/29

      310       362,232  

2.63%, 04/01/30

      222       244,560  

1.70%, 05/28/30

      104       105,719  

Shire Acquisitions Investments Ireland DAC:

     

2.88%, 09/23/23

      9       9,539  

3.20%, 09/23/26

      346       383,916  

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.:

     

5.00%, 11/26/28

      375       464,567  

2.00%, 07/09/40

    EUR        380       423,941  

Wyeth LLC, 5.95%, 04/01/37

    USD        131       191,255  
     

 

 

 
        5,467,265  
Real Estate Management & Development — 0.5%  

Celulosa Arauco y Constitucion SA, 4.25%, 04/30/29(b)

      200       206,000  

Central China Real Estate Ltd.:

     

6.50%, 03/05/21

      200       199,598  

6.75%, 11/08/21

      200       198,682  

China Aoyuan Group Ltd., 7.95%, 02/19/23

      200       207,542  

China Resources Land Ltd., (US Treasury Yield Curve Rate T Note Constant Maturity 5 Year + 5.14%), 3.75%(a)(f)

      200       202,374  

CIFI Holdings Group Co. Ltd., 5.50%, 01/23/22

      200       200,303  

Easy Tactic Ltd., 8.13%, 07/11/24

      200       174,750  

Howard Hughes Corp. (The), 5.38%, 03/15/25(b)

      106       98,644  

Kaisa Group Holdings Ltd., 11.95%, 10/22/22

      200       208,438  

Powerlong Real Estate Holdings Ltd., 7.13%, 11/08/22

      200       202,042  

Ronshine China Holdings Ltd., 8.95%, 01/22/23

      200       208,875  

Scenery Journey Ltd., 11.00%, 11/06/20

      200       201,562  

Vanke Real Estate Hong Kong Co. Ltd., 3.15%, 05/12/25

      200       205,000  

Yuzhou Properties Co. Ltd.:

     

6.00%, 10/25/23

      200       193,125  

8.50%, 02/26/24

      200       204,250  
     

 

 

 
        2,911,185  
Road & Rail — 0.7%                  

Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC:

     

6.15%, 05/01/37

      11       16,069  

5.05%, 03/01/41

      85       112,341  

4.95%, 09/15/41

      25       32,696  

4.40%, 03/15/42

      85       106,120  

Canadian Pacific Railway Co., 2.05%, 03/05/30

      34       34,798  

CSX Corp.:

     

4.25%, 03/15/29

      233       276,891  

6.15%, 05/01/37

      15       20,779  

4.30%, 03/01/48

      317       395,560  

4.75%, 11/15/48

      85       112,850  

4.50%, 03/15/49

      44       56,455  

Norfolk Southern Corp.:

     

3.85%, 01/15/24

      33       36,527  

3.65%, 08/01/25

      86       97,081  

2.90%, 06/15/26

      173       191,141  

2.55%, 11/01/29

      6       6,379  

4.84%, 10/01/41

      30       38,930  

4.45%, 06/15/45

      5       6,230  
Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  
Road & Rail (continued)                  

3.40%, 11/01/49

    USD        161     $ 175,366  

4.05%, 08/15/52

      87       104,033  

Penske Truck Leasing Co. LP(b):

     

4.25%, 01/17/23

      120       127,646  

2.70%, 03/14/23

      160       163,753  

2.70%, 11/01/24

      65       66,873  

3.95%, 03/10/25

      90       97,555  

4.00%, 07/15/25

      225       246,095  

3.35%, 11/01/29

      20       20,386  

Rumo Luxembourg SARL, 5.88%, 01/18/25(b)

      200       211,000  

Ryder System, Inc.:

     

3.65%, 03/18/24

      50       53,415  

2.50%, 09/01/24

      130       134,086  

4.63%, 06/01/25

      260       289,865  

Union Pacific Corp.:

     

3.25%, 08/15/25

      113       124,940  

2.75%, 03/01/26

      175       190,422  

3.38%, 02/01/35

      66       74,278  

3.60%, 09/15/37

      111       123,424  

4.50%, 09/10/48

      5       6,441  

3.84%, 03/20/60

      137       158,321  

3.75%, 02/05/70

      180       200,503  

Union Pacific Railroad Co. Pass-Through Trust, Series 2014-1, 3.23%, 05/14/26

      90       99,563  
     

 

 

 
        4,208,812  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 1.4%  

Analog Devices, Inc., 2.95%, 04/01/25

      268       290,331  

Applied Materials, Inc.:

     

5.10%, 10/01/35

      30       41,809  

4.35%, 04/01/47

      43       55,246  

2.75%, 06/01/50

      187       190,983  

Broadcom Corp., 3.88%, 01/15/27

      1,028       1,110,874  

Broadcom, Inc.(b):

     

2.25%, 11/15/23

      474       489,742  

3.63%, 10/15/24

      58       62,998  

4.70%, 04/15/25

      852       960,012  

4.25%, 04/15/26

      281       312,726  

4.11%, 09/15/28

      261       284,366  

Intel Corp.:

     

4.10%, 05/19/46

      65       81,122  

4.75%, 03/25/50

      222       312,967  

KLA Corp.:

     

4.10%, 03/15/29

      282       332,799  

5.00%, 03/15/49

      53       69,152  

3.30%, 03/01/50

      366       378,035  

Lam Research Corp.:

     

3.75%, 03/15/26

      280       320,079  

1.90%, 06/15/30

      97       99,149  

4.88%, 03/15/49

      88       122,026  

2.88%, 06/15/50

      132       135,986  

NVIDIA Corp.:

     

3.20%, 09/16/26

      423       479,140  

2.85%, 04/01/30

      404       449,445  

3.50%, 04/01/50

      273       311,918  

NXP BV(b):

     

4.13%, 06/01/21

      450       463,426  

3.88%, 09/01/22

      200       211,427  

4.63%, 06/01/23

      300       329,032  

3.15%, 05/01/27

      42       44,523  

5.55%, 12/01/28

      53       64,393  

4.30%, 06/18/29

      261       296,144  

QUALCOMM, Inc.:

     

4.80%, 05/20/45

      71       92,839  

4.30%, 05/20/47

      232       289,378  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  21


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (continued)  

Texas Instruments, Inc., 1.75%, 05/04/30

    USD        83     $ 84,229  
     

 

 

 
        8,766,296  
Software — 0.6%                  

Autodesk, Inc.:

     

4.38%, 06/15/25

      30       34,226  

3.50%, 06/15/27

      468       527,959  

Microsoft Corp.:

     

4.20%, 11/03/35

      91       118,439  

3.45%, 08/08/36

      70       84,592  

3.75%, 02/12/45

      325       406,785  

3.70%, 08/08/46

      189       235,359  

2.53%, 06/01/50

      58       60,495  

Oracle Corp.:

     

2.50%, 04/01/25

      300       321,307  

3.90%, 05/15/35

      501       604,308  

3.85%, 07/15/36

      103       120,195  

3.80%, 11/15/37

      84       96,926  

3.60%, 04/01/40

      213       241,774  

4.00%, 11/15/47

      98       114,333  

3.60%, 04/01/50

      843       938,158  
     

 

 

 
        3,904,856  
Specialty Retail — 0.2%                  

Home Depot, Inc. (The), 2.95%, 06/15/29

      544       611,778  

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.:

     

4.00%, 04/15/25

      470       535,603  

4.05%, 05/03/47

      55       64,829  

4.55%, 04/05/49

      157       197,584  
     

 

 

 
        1,409,794  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 0.5%  

Apple, Inc.:

     

3.85%, 05/04/43

      309       382,509  

4.45%, 05/06/44

      84       112,298  

3.45%, 02/09/45

      122       142,384  

4.25%, 02/09/47

      33       43,543  

3.75%, 11/13/47

      134       163,215  

Dell International LLC(b):

     

6.02%, 06/15/26

      12       13,758  

4.90%, 10/01/26

      203       223,990  

8.10%, 07/15/36

      190       250,560  

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.:

     

3.60%, 10/15/20(e)

      2       2,012  

4.40%, 10/15/22(e)

      820       877,835  

4.45%, 10/02/23

      355       387,326  

4.65%, 10/01/24

      525       589,525  

HP, Inc., 6.00%, 09/15/41

      15       17,587  

Seagate HDD Cayman, 4.09%, 06/01/29(b)

      109       114,261  
     

 

 

 
        3,320,803  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.1%                  

Hanesbrands, Inc.(b):

     

4.63%, 05/15/24

      96       95,520  

4.88%, 05/15/26

      20       20,150  

NIKE, Inc., 2.75%, 03/27/27

      375       413,086  

Under Armour, Inc., 3.25%, 06/15/26

      13       11,475  

William Carter Co. (The), 5.63%, 03/15/27(b)

      54       55,620  
     

 

 

 
        595,851  
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.2%(b)                  

BPCE SA, 2.70%, 10/01/29

      491       524,092  

Nationstar Mortgage Holdings, Inc.:

     

8.13%, 07/15/23

      108       110,830  

9.13%, 07/15/26

      88       93,004  

Quicken Loans, Inc.:

     

5.75%, 05/01/25

      105       107,341  
Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (continued)  

5.25%, 01/15/28

    USD        107     $ 110,411  
     

 

 

 
        945,678  
Tobacco — 0.6%                  

Altria Group, Inc.:

     

4.00%, 01/31/24

      215       236,732  

4.40%, 02/14/26

      349       401,857  

4.80%, 02/14/29

      154       179,801  

3.13%, 06/15/31

    EUR        300       366,691  

5.80%, 02/14/39

    USD        471       582,470  

BAT Capital Corp.:

     

3.22%, 08/15/24

      180       192,778  

3.22%, 09/06/26

      82       87,915  

4.70%, 04/02/27

      81       92,578  

4.54%, 08/15/47

      136       147,666  

5.28%, 04/02/50

      63       76,257  

Philip Morris International, Inc.:

     

2.88%, 05/01/24

      46       49,411  

3.25%, 11/10/24

      132       146,127  

1.45%, 08/01/39

    EUR        395       412,670  

Reynolds American, Inc.:

     

4.85%, 09/15/23

    USD        50       55,695  

4.45%, 06/12/25

      272       306,474  

5.85%, 08/15/45

      411       505,183  
     

 

 

 
        3,840,305  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.2%                  

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc., 4.88%, 11/01/25(b)

      134       119,595  

BOC Aviation Ltd.:

     

3.25%, 04/29/25(b)

      200       204,354  

3.00%, 09/11/29

      200       197,750  

H&E Equipment Services, Inc., 5.63%, 09/01/25

      209       211,046  

HD Supply, Inc., 5.38%, 10/15/26(b)

      64       65,360  

Herc Holdings, Inc., 5.50%, 07/15/27(b)

      134       134,288  

United Rentals North America, Inc.:

     

4.63%, 10/15/25

      80       80,400  

5.88%, 09/15/26

      110       115,280  

6.50%, 12/15/26

      123       129,150  

5.50%, 05/15/27

      110       113,300  

3.88%, 11/15/27

      17       16,958  

4.88%, 01/15/28

      177       181,425  

5.25%, 01/15/30

      17       17,552  
     

 

 

 
        1,586,458  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.6%  

America Movil SAB de CV, 2.88%, 05/07/30

      205       216,388  

Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones SA, 4.75%, 08/01/26(b)

      240       255,075  

Millicom International Cellular SA, 6.63%, 10/15/26(b)

      200       212,346  

Sprint Corp.:

     

7.63%, 02/15/25

      176       203,060  

7.63%, 03/01/26

      177       208,925  

Sprint Spectrum Co. LLC, 3.36%, 09/20/21(b)(e)

      247       250,198  

T-Mobile USA, Inc.(b):

     

3.50%, 04/15/25

      541       588,819  

3.75%, 04/15/27

      790       875,454  

2.55%, 02/15/31

      372       373,310  

Vodafone Group plc:

     

4.13%, 05/30/25

      118       133,783  

4.38%, 02/19/43

      157       182,720  

5.25%, 05/30/48

      302       394,394  
     

 

 

 
        3,894,472  
     

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds — 37.4%
(Cost: $233,551,351)

        243,472,799  
     

 

 

 
 

 

 

22  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  

Floating Rate Loan Interests — 0.5%

     
Air Freight & Logistics — 0.0%                  

XPO Logistics, Inc., Term Loan B, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 2.00%), 2.18%, 02/24/25(j)

    USD        269     $ 262,114  
     

 

 

 
Building Products — 0.0%(j)                  

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc., Term Loan, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 2.25%), 2.44%, 07/31/26

      44       43,057  

Jeld-Wen, Inc., Term Loan, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 2.00%), 2.18%, 12/14/24

      117       109,612  
     

 

 

 
        152,669  
Construction Materials — 0.0%                  

Foundation Building Materials, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan B, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.00%),
3.18%, 08/13/25(j)

      133       127,822  
     

 

 

 
Consumer Finance — 0.0%                  

Credito Realsab de CV., Term Loan, (LIBOR USD 6 Month + 3.75%), 5.45%, 11/06/21(c)(j)

      30       26,700  
     

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services — 0.0%                  

Connect Finco SARL, Term Loan B, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 4.50%), 5.50%, 12/11/26(j)

      271       254,576  
     

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services — 0.1%(j)                  

Acadia Healthcare Co., Term Loan B2, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 2.50%), 2.68%, 02/16/23

      302       295,026  

Select Medical Corp., Term Loan, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 2.50%), 2.68%, 03/01/21

      45       42,388  
     

 

 

 
        337,414  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.1%(j)                  

Aimbridge Acquisition, Inc., Term Loan B, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 3.75%), 3.93%, 02/02/26

      155       134,466  

Golden Nugget, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 2.50%), 3.25%, 10/04/23

      185       145,783  
     

 

 

 
        280,249  
Media — 0.0%(j)                  

CSC Holdings LLC, Term Loan B, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 2.50%), 2.68%, 04/15/27

      181       170,905  

Lamar Media Corp., 1st Lien Term Loan, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 1.50%), 1.67%, 02/05/27

      19       18,819  
     

 

 

 
        189,724  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.1%                  

Buckeye Partners LP, Term Loan, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 2.75%), 2.92%, 11/01/26(j)

      466       445,569  
     

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals — 0.1%                  

Grifols Worldwide Operations Ltd., Term Loan B, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 2.00%), 2.11%, 11/15/27(j)

      286       274,805  
     

 

 

 
Road & Rail — 0.0%                  

Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., Term Loan, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 2.00%), 2.31%, 12/30/26(j)

      169       161,926  
     

 

 

 
Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.1%(c)(j)                  

Caliber Home Loans, Inc., Term Loan, (LIBOR USD 6 Month + 3.00%), 4.69%, 04/24/21

    USD       410     $ 408,312  

Roundpoint Mortgage Servicing Corp., Term Loan, (LIBOR USD 6 Month + 2.49%), 5.87%, 08/08/20

      445       445,275  
     

 

 

 
        853,587  
     

 

 

 

Total Floating Rate Loan Interests — 0.5%
(Cost: $3,523,834)

        3,367,155  
     

 

 

 

Foreign Agency Obligations — 0.3%

 

Colombia — 0.1%                  

Ecopetrol SA:

     

5.38%, 06/26/26

      395       415,263  

6.88%, 04/29/30

      78       89,408  

Empresas Publicas de Medellin ESP, 4.25%, 07/18/29(b)

      200       199,812  
     

 

 

 
        704,483  
India — 0.0%                  

Power Finance Corp. Ltd., 4.50%, 06/18/29

      200       198,188  
     

 

 

 
Indonesia — 0.1%                  

Perusahaan Penerbit SBSN Indonesia III, 2.80%, 06/23/30(b)

      320       319,200  
     

 

 

 
Mexico — 0.1%                  

Petroleos Mexicanos:

     

5.50%, 01/21/21

      20       20,006  

(LIBOR USD 3 Month + 3.65%), 3.96%, 03/11/22(a)

      85       81,940  

4.25%, 01/15/25

      126       114,471  

4.50%, 01/23/26

      254       221,615  

5.95%, 01/28/31(b)

      12       9,859  
     

 

 

 
        447,891  
     

 

 

 

Total Foreign Agency Obligations — 0.3%
(Cost: $1,602,831)

        1,669,762  
     

 

 

 

Foreign Government Obligations — 2.5%

 

Brazil — 0.0%                  

Federative Republic of Brazil, 2.88%, 06/06/25

      379       373,694  
     

 

 

 
China — 0.1%                  

People’s Republic of China, 3.29%, 05/23/29

    CNY       5,480       792,408  
     

 

 

 
Colombia — 0.3%                  

Republic of Colombia:

     

6.25%, 11/26/25

    COP       440,100       126,370  

3.88%, 04/25/27

    USD       528       559,515  

4.50%, 03/15/29

      370       404,919  

3.13%, 04/15/31

      200       198,600  

7.25%, 10/18/34

    COP       1,230,200       338,213  

5.20%, 05/15/49

    USD       250       292,750  

4.13%, 05/15/51

      200       201,250  
     

 

 

 
        2,121,617  
Egypt — 0.1%                  

Arab Republic of Egypt:

     

5.63%, 04/16/30

    EUR       117       118,387  

6.38%, 04/11/31(b)

      132       137,179  

8.88%, 05/29/50(b)

    USD       205       202,438  
     

 

 

 
        458,004  
Hungary — 0.1%                  

Hungary Government Bond, 5.38%, 03/25/24

      414       469,890  
     

 

 

 
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  23


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  
Indonesia — 0.4%                  

Pertamina Persero PT, 4.18%, 01/21/50

    USD       200     $ 200,628  

Republic of Indonesia:

     

6.50%, 06/15/25

    IDR       3,991,000       278,686  

7.00%, 05/15/27

      3,185,000       223,296  

4.10%, 04/24/28

    USD       470       521,259  

2.85%, 02/14/30

      250       254,687  

7.00%, 09/15/30

    IDR       1,409,000       96,810  

6.63%, 05/15/33

      1,064,000       68,078  

7.50%, 06/15/35

      6,138,000       425,331  

8.38%, 04/15/39

      7,876,000       578,915  
     

 

 

 
        2,647,690  
Mexico — 0.3%                  

United Mexican States:

     

4.15%, 03/28/27

    USD       933       1,001,109  

4.75%, 04/27/32

      400       440,600  

4.50%, 01/31/50

      530       546,430  
     

 

 

 
        1,988,139  
Panama — 0.1%                  

Republic of Panama, 3.88%, 03/17/28

      826       928,217  
     

 

 

 
Peru — 0.1%                  

Republic of Peru, 4.13%, 08/25/27

      548       629,172  
     

 

 

 
Philippines — 0.2%                  

Republic of Philippines, 3.00%, 02/01/28

      1,010       1,089,305  
     

 

 

 
Qatar — 0.0%                  

State of Qatar, 3.75%, 04/16/30(b)

      231       263,557  
     

 

 

 
Russia — 0.3%                  

Russian Federation:

     

8.15%, 02/03/27

    RUB       20,185       326,786  

6.00%, 10/06/27

      11,275       163,017  

6.90%, 05/23/29

      46,648       709,334  

8.50%, 09/17/31

      45,715       776,250  
     

 

 

 
        1,975,387  
Saudi Arabia — 0.2%                  

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:

     

2.90%, 10/22/25(b)

    USD       856       907,360  

3.25%, 10/22/30

      200       214,650  
     

 

 

 
        1,122,010  
Sri Lanka — 0.0%                  

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, 7.55%, 03/28/30

      200       128,500  
     

 

 

 
Ukraine — 0.1%                  

Ukraine Government Bond:

     

6.75%, 06/20/26

    EUR       100       114,281  

9.75%, 11/01/28

    USD       391       446,717  
     

 

 

 
        560,998  
United Arab Emirates — 0.1%                  

United Arab Emirates Government Bond:

     

2.50%, 04/16/25(b)

      269       279,424  

3.13%, 09/30/49

      200       208,250  
     

 

 

 
        487,674  
Uruguay — 0.1%                  

Oriental Republic of Uruguay:

     

4.38%, 10/27/27

      333       381,036  
Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  
Uruguay (continued)                  

5.10%, 06/18/50

    USD       120     $ 154,725  
     

 

 

 
        535,761  
     

 

 

 

Total Foreign Government Obligations — 2.5%
(Cost: $16,210,568)

 

    16,572,023  
     

 

 

 
           Shares        
Investment Companies — 6.3%                  

BlackRock Allocation Target Shares- BATS Series A*

      4,216,604       41,027,557  
     

 

 

 

Total Investment Companies — 6.3%
(Cost: $42,310,000)

        41,027,557  
     

 

 

 
           Par
(000)
       
Municipal Bonds — 4.3%                  

American Municipal Power, Inc.:

     

Series 2010B, RB, 7.83%, 02/15/41

      50       80,950  

Series 2010B, RB, 8.08%, 02/15/50

      100       181,856  

Arizona Health Facilities Authority, Series 2007B, RB, VRDN, 1.77%, 07/01/20(k)

      35       32,919  

Bay Area Toll Authority:

     

Series 2019F-1, RB, 2.43%, 04/01/26

      285       303,300  

Series 2010S-1, RB, 6.92%, 04/01/40

      90       143,428  

Series 2010S-1, RB, 7.04%, 04/01/50

      410       737,688  

California Health Facilities Financing Authority, Series 2016A, RB, 5.00%, 08/15/33

      40       48,646  

California State Public Works Board, Series 2009G, Sub-Series G-2, RB,
8.36%, 10/01/34

      35       58,076  

California State University, Series 2020B, RB, 2.98%, 11/01/51

      380       402,283  

Canaveral Port Authority:

     

Series 2018A, RB, 5.00%, 06/01/45

      80       87,178  

Series 2018B, RB, 5.00%, 06/01/48

      40       43,810  

Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority, Series 2015S-1, RB, 5.00%, 11/01/50

      60       68,537  

Chesapeake Bay Bridge & Tunnel District, Series 2016, RB, 5.00%, 07/01/51

      25       26,949  

City of Atlanta, Series 2015, RB, 5.00%, 11/01/40

      30       35,376  

City of New York:

     

Series 2019D, Sub-Series D-2, GO, 3.76%, 12/01/27

      115       131,262  

Series 2019A, Sub-Series A-3, GO, 2.85%, 08/01/31

      220       233,596  

Series 2019A, Sub-Series A-3, GO, 2.90%, 08/01/32

      370       392,833  

Series 2018F, Sub-Series F-1, GO, 5.00%, 04/01/43

      375       452,302  

City of Riverside, Series 2010A, RB, 7.61%, 10/01/40

      50       80,924  

City of San Antonio Electric & Gas Systems:

     

Series 2010A, RB, 5.72%, 02/01/41

      120       172,645  

Series 2010A, RB, 5.81%, 02/01/41

      160       238,632  

Colorado Health Facilities Authority, Series 2019A-2, RB, 5.00%, 08/01/44

      120       140,894  

Commonwealth Financing Authority:

     

Series 2018A, RB, 3.86%, 06/01/38

      40       46,693  

Series 2016A, RB, 4.14%, 06/01/38

      20       24,035  

Series 2019A, RB, 3.81%, 06/01/41

      660       766,220  
 

 

 

24  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  

Municipal Bonds (continued)

     

Commonwealth of Massachusetts:

     

Series 2009E, GO, 5.46%, 12/01/39

    USD       15     $ 21,651  

Series 2019H, GO, 2.90%, 09/01/49

      80       85,998  

Connecticut State Health & Educational

     

Facilities Authority:

     

Series 2015F, RB, 5.00%, 07/01/45

      60       66,430  

Series 2015L, RB, 5.00%, 07/01/45

      90       96,838  

Contra Costa Community College District, Series 2010B, GO, 6.50%, 08/01/34

      10       14,476  

County of Broward Airport System:

     

Series 2019C, RB, 2.81%, 10/01/31

      65       64,126  

Series 2019C, RB, 2.91%, 10/01/32

      60       59,441  

County of Miami-Dade:

     

Series 2017D, RB, 3.35%, 10/01/29

      20       20,537  

Series 2019E, RB, 2.53%, 10/01/30

      235       226,606  

Series 2017D, RB, 3.45%, 10/01/30

      35       36,048  

Series 2017D, RB, 3.50%, 10/01/31

      30       30,903  

Series 2018C, RB, 4.06%, 10/01/31

      55       59,119  

Series 2015A, RB, 5.00%, 10/01/38

      10       11,299  

Series 2017B, RB, 5.00%, 10/01/40

      60       69,918  

Dallas Area Rapid Transit:

     

Series 2016A, RB, 5.00%, 12/01/41

      60       70,473  

Series 2016A, RB, 5.00%, 12/01/46

      90       104,438  

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Series 2019A-2, RB, 3.14%, 11/01/45

      100       102,298  

DuBois Hospital Authority, Series 2018, RB,
5.00%, 07/15/43

      60       69,369  

Dutchess County Local Development Corp.,
Series 2016B, RB, 5.00%, 07/01/46

      100       108,897  

Grant County Public Utility District No. 2,
Series 2015M, RB, 4.58%, 01/01/40

      15       18,490  

Great Lakes Water Authority Sewage Disposal System, Series 2020A, RB, 3.06%, 07/01/39

      75       79,839  

Great Lakes Water Authority Water Supply System, Series 2016C, RB, 5.25%, 07/01/33

      20       23,817  

Health & Educational Facilities Authority:

     

Series 2016, RB, 5.00%, 11/15/29

      25       29,900  

Series 2020A, RB, 3.23%, 05/15/50

      45       52,717  

Idaho Health Facilities Authority, Series 2017A, RB, 5.00%, 12/01/47

      50       58,715  

Indiana Finance Authority:

     

Series 2015A, RB, 5.00%, 10/01/45

      130       149,027  

Series 2016A, RB, 5.00%, 10/01/46

      420       492,782  

Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority, Series 2018A, RB, 3.80%, 07/01/38

      30       33,039  

JobsOhio Beverage System:

     

Series 2013B, RB, 3.99%, 01/01/29

      340       386,383  

Series 2020A, RB, 2.83%, 01/01/38

      55       56,352  

Lexington County Health Services District, Inc., Series 2016, RB, 5.00%, 11/01/41

      30       34,598  

Los Angeles Community College District, Series 2010E, GO, 6.60%, 08/01/42

      110       182,707  

Los Angeles Unified School District, Series 2010I, GO, 6.76%, 07/01/34

      375       553,470  

Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, Series 2018E, RB, 5.00%, 07/01/48

      50       58,866  

Maryland Health & Higher Educational Facilities Authority, Series 2015, RB, 5.00%, 08/15/27

      50       58,124  

Massachusetts Development Finance Agency:

     

Series 2018J-2, RB, 5.00%, 07/01/43

      80       93,114  

Series 2017L, RB, 5.00%, 07/01/44

      100       109,725  

Series 2016Q, RB, 5.00%, 07/01/47

      50       56,950  

Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency:

     

Series 2014B, RB, 4.50%, 12/01/39

      25       26,309  
Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  

Municipal Bonds (continued)

     

Series 2014B, RB, 4.60%, 12/01/44

    USD       40     $ 43,054  

Series 2015A, RB, 4.50%, 12/01/48

      40       42,682  

Massachusetts School Building Authority:

     

Series 2019B, RB, 2.87%, 10/15/31

      275       290,007  

Series 2019B, RB, 2.97%, 10/15/32

      170       179,670  

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority,
Series 2016C, RB, 5.00%, 08/01/40

      30       36,235  

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority,
Series 2015A, RB, 5.00%, 07/01/41

      110       129,865  

Metropolitan Government Nashville & Davidson County Health & Educational Facilities Board, Series 2016A, RB, 5.00%, 07/01/46

      60       66,907  

Metropolitan Transportation Authority:

     

Series 2010A, RB, 6.67%, 11/15/39

      55       71,428  

Series 2009C, RB, 7.34%, 11/15/39

      120       194,327  

Series 2019C, RB, 5.00%, 11/15/41

      80       96,554  

Michigan Finance Authority:

     

Series 2016, RB, 5.00%, 11/15/28

      50       60,171  

Series 2016, RB, 5.00%, 11/15/41

      30       34,567  

Michigan State Housing Development Authority:

     

Series 2018B, RB, 3.55%, 10/01/33

      30       33,023  

Series 2018A, RB, 4.00%, 10/01/43

      30       32,965  

Series 2018A, RB, 4.05%, 10/01/48

      20       21,984  

Series 2018A, RB, 4.15%, 10/01/53

      80       86,604  

Mississippi Hospital Equipment & Facilities Authority, Series 2016A, RB, 5.00%, 09/01/46

      60       65,668  

Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia:

     

Series 2010A, RB, 6.64%, 04/01/57

      40       58,140  

Series 2010A, RB, 6.66%, 04/01/57

      44       65,728  

New Hope Cultural Education Facilities Finance Corp., Series 2017A, RB, 5.00%, 08/15/47

      60       70,711  

New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority, Series 2010C, RB, 5.75%, 12/15/28

      70       81,091  

New Jersey Turnpike Authority, Series 2009F, RB, 7.41%, 01/01/40

      565       960,037  

New Orleans Aviation Board, Series 2015B, RB, 5.00%, 01/01/40

      50       55,703  

New York City Housing Development Corp.:

     

Series 2018C-1-A, RB, 3.70%, 11/01/38

      40       42,556  

Series 2018C-1-B, RB, 3.85%, 11/01/43

      110       117,245  

Series 2018C-1-A, RB, 4.00%, 11/01/53

      120       126,961  

New York City Transitional Finance Authority Future Tax Secured:

     

Series 2018, Sub-Series C-4, RB, 3.55%, 05/01/25

      170       190,230  

Series 2014A, Sub-Series A-2, RB, 3.75%, 11/01/25

      165       180,398  

Series 2017F, Sub-Series F-2, RB, 3.05%, 05/01/27

      160       176,082  

Series 2019C, Sub-Series C-3, RB, 3.35%, 11/01/30

      255       283,718  

Series 2019B, Sub-Series B-3, RB, 3.90%, 08/01/31

      210       240,358  

New York City Water & Sewer System:

     

Series 2010AA, RB, 5.75%, 06/15/41

      10       15,410  

Series 2010EE, RB, 6.01%, 06/15/42

      25       39,926  

Series 2020AA, RB, 5.38%, 06/15/43(l)

      135       138,132  

Series 2020AA, RB, 5.38%, 06/15/43

      65       66,327  

Series 2011AA, RB, 5.44%, 06/15/43

      120       185,507  

Series 2011EE, RB, 5.50%, 06/15/43(l)

      240       245,707  

Series 2011CC, RB, 5.88%, 06/15/44

      40       64,304  

New York Convention Center Development Corp., Series 2015, RB, 5.00%, 11/15/40

      30       32,537  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  25


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  

Municipal Bonds (continued)

 

New York State Dormitory Authority:

     

Series 2010H, RB, 5.39%, 03/15/40

    USD        60     $ 83,532  

Series 2020F, RB, 3.19%, 02/15/43

      160       180,918  

Series 2019B, RB, 3.14%, 07/01/43

      120       120,664  

New York State Urban Development Corp.:

     

Series 2019B, RB, 3.25%, 03/15/25

      100       109,673  

Series 2019B, RB, 3.35%, 03/15/26

      395       436,550  

Series 2019B, RB, 2.35%, 03/15/27

      230       241,624  

Series 2017D-2, RB, 3.32%, 03/15/29

      140       153,381  

New York Transportation Development Corp.:

     

Series 2016A, RB, 5.00%, 07/01/46

      30       32,196  

Series 2016A, RB, 5.25%, 01/01/50

      340       367,639  

Orange County Local Transportation Authority, Series 2010A, RB, 6.91%, 02/15/41

      75       111,476  

Oregon School Boards Association:

     

Series 2005A, GO, 4.76%, 06/30/28

      220       243,320  

Series 2002B, GO, 5.55%, 06/30/28

      290       347,983  

Series 2003B, GO, 5.68%, 06/30/28

      210       257,586  

Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Series 2018B, RB, 5.00%, 12/01/48

      90       104,838  

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey:

     

Series 2010-165, RB, 5.65%, 11/01/40

      95       132,389  

Series 2014-181, RB, 4.96%, 08/01/46

      170       230,561  

Series 2012-174, RB, 4.46%, 10/01/62

      95       126,287  

Port of Seattle, Series 2018A, RB, 5.00%, 05/01/43

      30       34,481  

Regents of the University of California Medical Center Pooled, Series 2009F, RB, 6.58%, 05/15/49

      55       87,532  

Royal Oak Hospital Finance Authority, Series 2014D, RB, 5.00%, 09/01/39

      40       44,821  

Rutgers The State University of New Jersey, Series 2019R, RB, 3.27%, 05/01/43

      175       180,294  

Sacramento County Sanitation Districts Financing Authority, Series 2007B, RB, VRDN, 0.76%, 09/01/20(k)

      330       285,949  

Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Series 2010W, RB, 6.16%, 05/15/36

      1,045       1,412,098  

Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement & Power District, Series 2015A, RB, 5.00%, 12/01/45

      120       141,010  

San Antonio Water System, Series 2015B, RB, 5.00%, 05/15/39

      30       35,447  

San Diego Public Facilities Financing Authority, Series 2016A, RB, 5.00%, 05/15/39

      50       60,988  

San Jose Redevelopment Agency Successor Agency, Series 2017A-T, 3.18%, 08/01/26

      85       93,772  

South Carolina Public Service Authority:

     

Series 2016D, RB, 2.39%, 12/01/23

      257       263,217  

Series 2012E, RB, 3.72%, 12/01/23

      65       69,422  

Series 2010C, RB, 6.45%, 01/01/50

      136       213,236  

State of California:

     

Series 2019, GO, 2.65%, 04/01/26

      425       461,945  

Series 2009, GO, 7.50%, 04/01/34

      60       97,447  

Series 2018, GO, 4.60%, 04/01/38

      815       953,142  

Series 2009, GO, 7.55%, 04/01/39

      85       150,710  

Series 2009, GO, 7.30%, 10/01/39

      85       141,029  

Series 2009, GO, 7.35%, 11/01/39

      340       566,688  

State of Colorado, Series 2018N, COP, 5.00%, 03/15/38

      1,030       1,258,310  

State of Connecticut:

     

Series 2017A, GO, 3.31%, 01/15/26

      125       136,474  

Series 2020A, GO, 2.55%, 07/01/28

      35       36,836  

Series 2008A, GO, 5.85%, 03/15/32

      180       244,453  
Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  

Municipal Bonds (continued)

 

State of Illinois, Series 2003, GO, 5.10%, 06/01/33

    USD        580     $ 588,555  

State of Minnesota, Series 2018A, GO, 5.00%, 08/01/36

      170       217,347  

State of New York, Series 2019B, GO, 2.80%, 02/15/32

      205       219,916  

State of Oregon, Series 2003, GO, 5.89%, 06/01/27

      335       423,524  

State of Texas, Series 2009A, GO, 5.52%, 04/01/39

      405       600,084  

State of Washington:

     

Series 2016A-1, GO, 5.00%, 08/01/40

      100       119,081  

Series 2018B, GO, 5.00%, 08/01/40

      40       49,441  

Sumter Landing Community Development District, Series 2016, RB, 4.17%, 10/01/47

      100       112,260  

Tennessee Housing Development Agency:

     

Series 2018-3, RB, 3.75%, 07/01/38

      30       32,566  

Series 2018-3, RB, 3.85%, 07/01/43

      20       21,622  

Series 2018-3, RB, 3.95%, 01/01/49

      10       10,773  

Texas A&M University, Series 2017B, RB, 2.84%, 05/15/27

      75       82,511  

Texas Municipal Gas Acquisition & Supply Corp. I, Series 2008D, RB, 6.25%, 12/15/26

      30       34,717  

Texas Transportation Commission, Series 2020, GO, 5.00%, 04/01/32(m)

      150       202,757  

Tobacco Settlement Finance Authority, Series 2007A, RB, 7.47%, 06/01/47

      85       85,531  

University of California:

     

Series 2019BD, RB, 3.35%, 07/01/29

      470       538,728  

Series 2013AJ, RB, 4.60%, 05/15/31

      185       228,312  

Series 2009R, RB, 5.77%, 05/15/43

      125       187,656  

Series 2012AD, RB, 4.86%, 05/15/2112

      20       28,032  

Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, Series 2017, RB, 5.00%, 12/31/52

      90       99,079  

West Virginia Hospital Finance Authority:

     

Series 2016A, RB, 5.00%, 06/01/21

      30       31,101  

Series 2016A, RB, 5.00%, 06/01/22

      30       32,267  

Series 2016A, RB, 5.00%, 06/01/23

      25       27,822  

Series 2016A, RB, 5.00%, 06/01/24

      25       28,645  
     

 

 

 

Total Municipal Bonds — 4.3%
(Cost: $25,851,101)

 

    27,979,585  
     

 

 

 

Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities — 2.8%

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 0.9%

 

Alternative Loan Trust:

     

Series 2005-22T1, Class A1, 0.53%, 06/25/35(d)

      135       104,167  

Series 2005-72, Class A3, 0.78%, 01/25/36(d)

      67       59,029  

Series 2005-76, Class 2A1, 2.50%, 02/25/36(d)

      23       20,481  

Series 2006-11CB, Class 3A1, 6.50%, 05/25/36

      58       43,270  

Series 2006-15CB, Class A1, 6.50%, 06/25/36

      10       7,218  

Series 2006-OA14, Class 1A1, 3.23%, 11/25/46(d)

      82       65,830  

Series 2006-OA16, Class A4C, 0.52%, 10/25/46(d)

      142       95,933  

Series 2006-OA8, Class 1A1, 0.37%, 07/25/46(d)

      12       10,450  

Series 2006-OC10, Class 2A3, 0.41%, 11/25/36(d)

      55       41,551  

Series 2006-OC7, Class 2A3, 0.43%, 07/25/46(d)

      79       66,830  
 

 

 

26  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
        (000)
                Value  
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (continued)  

Series 2007-3T1, Class 1A1, 6.00%, 04/25/37

    USD       12     $ 7,709  

Series 2007-OA3, Class 1A1, 0.32%, 04/25/47(d)

      22       19,610  

American Home Mortgage Assets Trust(d):

     

Series 2006-3, Class 2A11, 2.44%, 10/25/46

      61       48,739  

Series 2006-4, Class 1A12, 0.39%, 10/25/46

      72       45,496  

Series 2006-5, Class A1, 2.42%, 11/25/46

      122       51,921  

Series 2007-1, Class A1, 2.20%, 02/25/47

      63       33,843  

APS Resecuritization Trust(b)(d):

     

Series 2016-1, Class 1MZ, 4.23%, 07/31/57

      252       87,459  

Series 2016-3, Class 3A, 3.03%, 09/27/46

      172       169,771  

Series 2016-3, Class 4A, 2.78%, 04/27/47

      30       29,725  

Banc of America Funding Trust, Series 2016- R2, Class 1A1, 4.70%, 05/01/33(b)(d)

      82       77,417  

Bear Stearns Mortgage Funding Trust(d):

     

Series 2006-SL1, Class A1, 0.46%, 08/25/36

      45       44,056  

Series 2007-AR2, Class A1, 0.35%, 03/25/37

      117       101,584  

Series 2007-AR3, Class 1A1, 0.32%, 03/25/37

      16       14,709  

Series 2007-AR4, Class 1A1, 0.38%, 09/25/47

      53       47,973  

Series 2007-AR4, Class 2A1, 0.39%, 06/25/37

      17       15,563  

Chase Mortgage Finance Trust, Series 2007- S6, Class 1A1, 6.00%, 12/25/37

      841       573,776  

CHL Mortgage Pass-Through Trust:

     

Series 2006-OA4, Class A1, 2.46%, 04/25/46(d)

      149       63,425  

Series 2006-OA5, Class 3A1, 0.38%, 04/25/46(d)

      24       21,586  

Series 2007-15, Class 2A2, 6.50%, 09/25/37

      217       136,084  

Citicorp Mortgage Securities Trust:

     

Series 2007-9, Class 1A1, 6.25%, 12/25/37

      61       53,875  

Series 2008-2, Class 1A1, 6.50%, 06/25/38

      87       75,474  

Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital Certificates, Series 2009-12R, Class 3A1, 6.50%, 10/27/37(b)

      281       153,612  

CSFB Mortgage-Backed Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-10, Class 10A1, 1.53%, 11/25/35(d)

      45       9,187  

CSMC Trust(b)(d):

     

Series 2009-5R, Class 4A4, 3.21%, 06/25/36

      65       53,846  

Series 2014-11R, Class 16A1, 3.83%, 09/27/47

      30       29,859  

Series 2019-JR1, Class A1, 4.10%, 09/27/66

      1,303       1,307,273  

Deutsche Alt-A Securities Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2007-OA4, Class A2A, 0.35%, 08/25/47(d)

      137       90,217  

Deutsche Alt-B Securities Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2006-AB3, Class A8, 6.36%, 07/25/36(d)

      11       10,114  

GreenPoint Mortgage Funding Trust, Series 2006-AR2, Class 4A1, 3.50%, 03/25/36(d)

      25       23,591  

GSMPS Mortgage Loan Trust(b)(d):

     

Series 2005-RP1, Class 1AF, 0.53%, 01/25/35

      45       39,781  

Series 2005-RP2, Class 1AF, 0.53%, 03/25/35

      53       47,394  

Series 2006-RP1, Class 1AF1, 0.53%, 01/25/36

      41       32,886  

GSR Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2007-1F, Class 2A4, 5.50%, 01/25/37

      9       10,450  
Security   Par
        (000)
                Value  
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (continued)  

HarborView Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2007- 4, Class 2A2, 0.44%, 07/19/47(d)

    USD       153     $ 126,635  

IndyMac INDX Mortgage Loan Trust(d):

     

Series 2007-AR19, Class 3A1, 3.54%, 09/25/37

      79       52,591  

Series 2007-FLX5, Class 2A2, 0.42%, 08/25/37

      141       116,181  

Lehman XS Trust, Series 2007-20N, Class A1, 1.33%, 12/25/37(d)

      28       25,185  

LSTAR Securities Investment Trust, Series 2019-1, Class A1, 1.87%, 03/01/24(b)(d)

      125       125,834  

MASTR Resecuritization Trust, Series 2008-3, Class A1, 0.58%, 08/25/37(b)(d)

      24       12,326  

MCM Trust(b):

     

Series 2018-NPL1, Class A, 4.00%, 05/28/58

      42       42,101  

Series 2018-NPL2, Class A, 4.00%, 10/25/28(c)(e)

      324       291,608  

Series 2018-NPL2, Class B, 0.00%, 10/25/28

      746       222,551  

Merrill Lynch Alternative Note Asset Trust, Series 2007-OAR2, Class A2, 0.39%, 04/25/37(d)

      194       169,636  

Mortgage Loan Resecuritization Trust, Series 2009-RS1, Class A85, 0.51%, 04/16/36(b)(d)

      375       323,640  

New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2019-2A, Class A1, 4.25%, 12/25/57(b)(d)

      85       90,543  

Nomura Asset Acceptance Corp. Alternative Loan Trust, Series 2007-2, Class A4, 0.60%, 06/25/37(d)

      15       12,046  

RALI Trust, Series 2007-QH9, Class A1, 2.85%, 11/25/37(d)

      34       29,707  

Reperforming Loan REMIC Trust, Series 2005-R3, Class AF, 0.58%, 09/25/35(b)(d)

      5       4,659  

Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, Series 2018-1, Class BX, 1.59%, 05/25/57(d)

      19       8,711  

Structured Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2006-3, Class 4A, 3.69%, 04/25/36(d)

      64       48,438  

Structured Asset Mortgage Investments II Trust(d):

     

Series 2006-AR4, Class 3A1, 0.37%, 06/25/36

      77       66,791  

Series 2006-AR5, Class 2A1, 0.39%, 05/25/46

      56       46,818  

Washington Mutual Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates WMALT Trust:

     

Series 2006-4, Class 1A1, 6.00%, 04/25/36

      84       82,636  

Series 2006-4, Class 3A1, 6.50%, 05/25/36(e)

      39       36,186  
     

 

 

 
        5,977,587  
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — 1.7%  

245 Park Avenue Trust, Series 2017-245P, Class E, 3.78%, 06/05/37(b)(d)

      200       187,329  

280 Park Avenue Mortgage Trust(b)(d):

     

Series 2017-280P, Class D, 1.72%, 09/15/34

      100       96,546  

Series 2017-280P, Class E, 2.30%, 09/15/34

      150       141,771  

AOA Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-1177, Class C, 3.11%, 12/13/29(b)(d)

      100       100,240  

Ashford Hospitality Trust, Series 2018-ASHF, Class D, 2.28%, 04/15/35(b)(d)

      19       16,572  

BAMLL Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust(b)(d):

     

Series 2015-200P, Class F, 3.72%, 04/14/33

      300       289,079  

Series 2016-ISQ, Class E, 3.73%, 08/14/34

      200       173,162  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  27


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
        (000)
                Value  
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)  

Series 2017-SCH, Class CL, 1.68%, 11/15/32

    USD       100     $ 85,140  

Series 2017-SCH, Class DL, 2.18%, 11/15/32

      100       81,271  

Series 2018-DSNY, Class D, 1.88%, 09/15/34

      650       574,857  

Bancorp Commercial Mortgage Trust (The), Series 2018-CR3, Class A, 1.03%, 01/15/33(b)(d)

      8       8,016  

Bayview Commercial Asset Trust(b)(d):

     

Series 2005-4A, Class A1, 0.48%, 01/25/36

      43       39,981  

Series 2005-4A, Class M1, 0.63%, 01/25/36

      31       28,652  

Series 2006-1A, Class A2, 0.54%, 04/25/36

      10       9,084  

Series 2006-3A, Class A1, 0.43%, 10/25/36

      18       16,000  

Series 2006-3A, Class A2, 0.48%, 10/25/36

      15       13,167  

Series 2007-2A, Class A1, 0.45%, 07/25/37

      29       25,978  

Series 2007-4A, Class A1, 0.63%, 09/25/37

      150       134,252  

BBCMS Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-TALL, Class A, 0.91%, 03/15/37(b)(d)

      35       33,275  

BBCMS Trust, Series 2015-SRCH, Class A1, 3.31%, 08/10/35(b)

      100       104,658  

Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2007-T26, Class AM, 5.51%, 01/12/45(d)

      29       26,407  

Benchmark Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-B10, Class 3CCA, 4.03%, 03/15/62(b)(d)

      148       148,638  

BHMS, Series 2018-ATLS, Class A, 1.43%, 07/15/35(b)(d)

      140       132,640  

BWAY Mortgage Trust(b):

     

Series 2013-1515, Class A2, 3.45%, 03/10/33

      150       160,685  

Series 2013-1515, Class C, 3.45%, 03/10/33

      105       105,920  

BX Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2018- IND, Class H, 3.18%, 11/15/35(b)(d)

      371       359,923  

BXP Trust(b)(d):

     

Series 2017-CC, Class D, 3.67%, 08/13/37

      60       56,839  

Series 2017-CC, Class E, 3.67%, 08/13/37

      110       81,230  

Series 2017-GM, Class D, 3.54%, 06/13/39

      200       207,109  

Series 2017-GM, Class E, 3.54%, 06/13/39

      50       46,419  

CAMB Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-LIFE, Class D, 1.93%, 12/15/37(b)(d)

      218       210,355  

CD Mortgage Trust:

     

Series 2006-CD3, Class AM, 5.65%, 10/15/48

      18       18,743  

Series 2017-CD3, Class A4, 3.63%, 02/10/50

      30       33,416  

CFCRE Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-C3, Class A3, 3.87%, 01/10/48

      10       11,153  

CFK Trust, Series 2019-FAX, Class D, 4.64%, 01/15/39(b)(d)

      126       129,389  

CGDBB Commercial Mortgage Trust(b)(d):

     

Series 2017-BIOC, Class D, 1.78%, 07/15/32

      100       99,073  

Series 2017-BIOC, Class E, 2.33%, 07/15/32

      247       240,710  

Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust(d):

     

Series 2016-GC37, Class C, 5.08%, 04/10/49

      20       18,592  

Series 2016-P3, Class C, 5.05%, 04/15/49

      10       9,239  

Commercial Mortgage Trust:

     

Series 2005-C6, Class F, 5.92%, 06/10/44(b)(d)

      71       70,794  

Series 2014-CR14, Class A4, 4.24%, 02/10/47(d)

      30       32,563  

Series 2014-CR19, Class A5, 3.80%, 08/10/47

      50       54,448  
Security   Par
        (000)
                Value  
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)  

Series 2014-LC15, Class A4, 4.01%, 04/10/47

    USD       50     $ 54,255  

Series 2014-UBS4, Class C, 4.80%, 08/10/47(d)

      30       28,091  

Series 2015-CR25, Class A4, 3.76%, 08/10/48

      100       109,693  

Series 2015-LC21, Class C, 4.48%, 07/10/48(d)

      150       136,655  

Series 2016-667M, Class D, 3.28%, 10/10/36(b)(d)

      100       93,842  

CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-C2, Class A4, 3.50%, 06/15/57

      50       54,047  

CSMC Trust(b):

     

Series 2017-PFHP, Class A, 1.13%, 12/15/30(d)

      60       56,708  

Series 2017-TIME, Class A, 3.65%, 11/13/39

      100       96,381  

DBGS Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-1735, Class F, 4.33%, 04/10/37(b)(d)

      100       71,791  

DBUBS Mortgage Trust(b):

     

Series 2017-BRBK, Class A, 3.45%, 10/10/34

      140       150,129  

Series 2017-BRBK, Class E, 3.65%, 10/10/34(d)

      310       304,650  

Series 2017-BRBK, Class F, 3.65%, 10/10/34(d)

      80       77,106  

Eleven Madison Trust Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-11MD, Class A, 3.67%, 09/10/35(b)(d) .

      100       108,200  

Exantas Capital Corp. Ltd.(b)(d):

     

Series 2018-RSO6, Class A, 1.02%, 06/15/35

      9       9,214  

Series 2019-RSO7, Class AS, 1.69%, 04/15/36

      160       154,546  

GPMT Ltd., Series 2018-FL1, Class A, 1.09%, 11/21/35(b)(d)

      26       25,823  

GRACE Mortgage Trust, Series 2014-GRCE, Class F, 3.71%, 06/10/28(b)(d)

      330       318,055  

GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II, Series 2005- ROCK, Class A, 5.37%, 05/03/32(b)

      100       113,645  

GS Mortgage Securities Corp. Trust(b):

     

Series 2017-500K, Class D, 1.55%, 07/15/32(d)

      10       9,775  

Series 2017-500K, Class E, 1.75%, 07/15/32(d)

      20       19,424  

Series 2017-500K, Class F, 2.15%, 07/15/32(d)

      110       106,420  

Series 2017-GPTX, Class A, 2.86%, 05/10/34

      100       98,484  

GS Mortgage Securities Trust:

     

Series 2015-GC32, Class C, 4.57%, 07/10/48(d)

      10       9,122  

Series 2017-GS7, Class D, 3.00%, 08/10/50(b)

      20       14,485  

HMH Trust, Series 2017-NSS, Class A, 3.06%, 07/05/31(b)

      110       105,661  

IMT Trust(b):

     

Series 2017-APTS, Class AFX, 3.48%, 06/15/34

      100       105,844  

Series 2017-APTS, Class EFX, 3.61%, 06/15/34(d)

      100       87,576  

JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust:

     

Series 2014-C21, Class A5, 3.77%, 08/15/47

      50       54,212  

Series 2015-C33, Class D1, 4.27%, 12/15/48(b)(d)

      100       75,108  

JPMCC Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust:

     

Series 2017-JP5, Class D, 4.78%, 03/15/50(b)(c)(d)

      100       69,290  
 

 

 

28  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
        (000)
                Value  
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)  

Series 2017-JP7, Class B, 4.05%, 09/15/50

    USD       10     $ 10,105  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust:

     

Series 2012-CBX, Class A4FL,
1.49%, 06/15/45(b)(d)

      94       94,097  

Series 2014-C20, Class A5, 3.80%, 07/15/47

      70       75,578  

Series 2015-JP1, Class D, 4.39%, 01/15/49(d)

      50       37,642  

Series 2015-UES, Class D, 3.74%, 09/05/32(b)(d)

      130       128,679  

Series 2015-UES, Class E, 3.74%, 09/05/32(b)(d)

      100       98,477  

Lehman Brothers Small Balance Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2007-1A, Class 1A, 0.43%, 03/25/37(b)(d)

      29       26,843  

LSTAR Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2015-3, Class AS, 3.36%, 04/20/48(b)(d)

      69       69,756  

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust:

     

Series 2014-C16, Class A5, 3.89%, 06/15/47

      140       150,763  

Series 2015-C26, Class D, 3.06%, 10/15/48(b)(c)

      26       19,313  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust:

     

Series 2007-T27, Class AJ, 6.21%, 06/11/42(d)

      62       62,464  

Series 2015-MS1, Class D, 4.17%, 05/15/48(b)(d)

      100       76,316  

Series 2017-CLS, Class F, 2.78%, 11/15/34(b)(d)

      211       204,411  

Series 2017-H1, Class D, 2.55%, 06/15/50(b)

      140       90,867  

Series 2019-AGLN, Class D, 1.93%, 03/15/34(b)(d)

      150       129,167  

Series 2019-AGLN, Class F, 2.78%, 03/15/34(b)(d)

      150       118,059  

Natixis Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2018-FL1, Class MCR1, 2.53%, 06/15/35(b)(d)

      85       79,316  

Olympic Tower Mortgage Trust, Series 2017- OT, Class E, 4.08%, 05/10/39(b)(d)

      190       162,902  

PFP Ltd.(b)(d):

     

Series 2019-5, Class A, 1.17%, 04/14/36

      63       60,783  

Series 2019-5, Class AS, 1.62%, 04/14/36

      40       38,520  

Prima Capital CRE Securitization Ltd., Series 2015-4A, Class C, 4.00%, 08/24/49(b)(c)

      100       102,360  

USDC, Series 2018-USDC, Class E, 4.64%, 05/13/38(b)(d)

      50       41,718  

Velocity Commercial Capital Loan Trust(d):

     

Series 2016-2, Class M4, 7.23%, 10/25/46

      100       101,070  

Series 2017-2, Class M3, 4.24%, 11/25/47(b)

      135       121,888  

Series 2017-2, Class M4, 5.00%, 11/25/47(b)

      68       56,959  

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust:

     

Series 2015-C27, Class C, 3.89%, 02/15/48

      20       17,765  

Series 2015-C31, Class A4, 3.70%, 11/15/48

      50       54,221  

Series 2015-NXS2, Class A5, 3.77%, 07/15/58(d)

      110       118,891  

Series 2015-NXS4, Class A4, 3.72%, 12/15/48

      20       22,131  

Series 2015-P2, Class A4, 3.81%, 12/15/48

      70       78,004  

Series 2015-P2, Class D, 3.24%, 12/15/48(b)

      78       55,315  

Series 2017-C39, Class D, 4.50%, 09/15/50(b)(d)

      83       58,344  

Series 2017-C41, Class D, 2.60%, 11/15/50(b)(d)

      60       38,460  

Series 2017-HSDB, Class A, 1.03%, 12/13/31(b)(d)

      151       143,037  

Series 2018-C44, Class A5, 4.21%, 05/15/51

      770       898,431  
Security   Par
        (000)
                Value  
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)  

WFRBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2014-C21, Class A5, 3.68%, 08/15/47

    USD       60     $ 64,754  
     

 

 

 
        10,838,953  
Interest Only Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 0.0%  

Banc of America Funding Trust, Series 2014- R2, Class 1C, 0.00%, 11/26/36(b)(d)

      141       30,790  
     

 

 

 
Interest Only Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — 0.2%(d)  

BAMLL Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2016-SS1, Class XA, 0.70%, 12/15/35(b)

      15,000       431,550  

Banc of America Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-BNK3, Class XB, 0.78%, 02/15/50

      1,000       36,960  

BBCMS Trust, Series 2015-SRCH, Class XA, 1.12%, 08/10/35(b)

      1,030       54,075  

BB-UBS Trust, Series 2012-SHOW, Class XA, 0.73%, 11/05/36(b)

      3,475       85,658  

Benchmark Mortgage Trust:

     

Series 2018-B8, Class XA, 0.83%, 01/15/52

      4,986       224,779  

Series 2019-B9, Class XA, 1.21%, 03/15/52

      1,046       73,323  

CFCRE Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-C4, Class XB, 0.89%, 05/10/58

      170       6,696  

Commercial Mortgage Trust:

     

Series 2015-3BP, Class XA, 0.17%, 02/10/35(b)

      1,916       8,335  

Series 2015-CR25, Class XA, 0.99%, 08/10/48

      196       6,678  

CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-CX10, Class XB, 0.22%, 11/15/50

      1,430       20,789  

JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust:

     

Series 2014-C22, Class XA, 0.99%, 09/15/47

      1,149       32,721  

Series 2014-C23, Class XA, 0.78%, 09/15/47

      1,190       25,077  

JPMDB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2016-C4, Class XC, 0.75%, 12/15/49(b)

      1,800       70,760  

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2016-JP3, Class XC, 0.75%, 08/15/49(b)

      900       34,710  

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust(b):

     

Series 2014-C19, Class XF, 1.35%, 12/15/47

      130       6,027  

Series 2015-C26, Class XD, 1.49%, 10/15/48

      120       7,749  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust:

     

Series 2016-UBS9, Class XD, 1.76%, 03/15/49(b)

      1,000       81,480  

Series 2017-H1, Class XD, 2.36%, 06/15/50(b)

      110       13,443  

Series 2019-L2, Class XA, 1.19%, 03/15/52

      385       27,068  

One Market Plaza Trust(b):

     

Series 2017-1MKT, Class XCP, 0.22%, 02/10/32

      1,880       4,531  

Series 2017-1MKT, Class XNCP, 0.00%, 02/10/32(c)

      376       4  

Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-BNK1, Class XD, 1.40%, 08/15/49(b)

      1,000       63,990  
     

 

 

 
        1,316,403  
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  29


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
        (000)
                 Value  
Principal Only Collateralized Mortgage Obligations —
0.0%
               

Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust, Series 2017-3, Class B, 0.00%, 07/25/56(b)(i)

    USD        116      $ 12,195  
       

 

 

 

Total Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities — 2.8%
(Cost: $18,864,464)

 

        18,175,928  
       

 

 

 
     Beneficial Interest
(000)
         

Other Interests — 0.0%(n)

       
Capital Markets — 0.0%(c)(g)(h)                    

Lehman Brothers Holdings Capital Trust VII

       185         

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

       1,025         
       

 

 

 

Total Other Interests — 0.0%

           
       

 

 

 
             Par (000)          

Capital Trusts — 0.2%

       
Capital Markets — 0.1%(f)(j)                    

Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The), Series F, 4.62%

       310        305,164  

State Street Corp.:

       

Series F, 5.25%

       205        195,683  

Series H, 5.63%

       335        324,112  
       

 

 

 
          824,959  
Entertainment — 0.1%                    

NBCUniversal Enterprise, Inc., 5.25%(b)(f)

       620        621,550  
       

 

 

 

Total Capital Trusts — 0.2%
(Cost: $1,475,154)

 

        1,446,509  
       

 

 

 

U.S. Government Sponsored Agency
Securities — 42.5%

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 0.0%                

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes Variable Rate Notes, Series 2017-DNA3, Class B1, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 4.45%), 4.63%, 03/25/30(a)

       250        247,679  
       

 

 

 
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — 0.1%  

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Multifamily Structured Pass-Through Certificates Variable Rate Notes, Series KL4F, Class A2AS, 3.68%, 10/25/25(d)

       71        81,107  

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Variable Rate Notes(d):

       

Series 2017-K64, Class B, 4.12%, 05/25/50(b)(c)

       20        21,848  

Series 2018-K732, Class B, 4.19%, 05/25/25(b)

       80        86,539  

Series 2018-SB52, Class A10F, 3.48%, 06/25/28

       75        80,215  

Series 2018-SB53, Class A10F, 3.66%, 06/25/28

       45        49,687  

Government National Mortgage Association:

       

Series 2015-97, Class VA, 2.25%, 12/16/38

       31        32,233  

Series 2016-158, Class VA, 2.00%, 03/16/35

       83        84,660  
       

 

 

 
          436,289  
Interest Only Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — 0.0%  

Government National Mortgage Association Variable Rate Notes:

       

Series 2013-63, 0.80%, 09/16/51(d)

       533        22,359  

Series 2013-191, 0.72%, 11/16/53(d)

       94        2,510  

Series 2015-48, 0.66%, 02/16/50(d)

       180        6,713  

Series 2015-173, 0.82%, 09/16/55(d)

       187        9,516  
Security           Par
        (000)
                 Value  
Interest Only Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)  

Series 2016-26, 0.90%, 02/16/58(d)

    USD        528      $ 28,279  

Series 2016-67, 1.06%, 07/16/57(d)

       101        6,163  

Series 2016-110, 0.99%, 05/16/58(d)

       171        10,602  

Series 2016-113, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.00%), 1.15%, 02/16/58(a)

       230        17,416  

Series 2016-125, 0.99%, 12/16/57(d)

       247        15,295  

Series 2016-128, 0.95%, 09/16/56(d)

       143        9,402  

Series 2016-152, 0.87%, 08/15/58(d)

       482        29,591  

Series 2016-162, 0.97%, 09/16/58(d)

       117        8,151  
       

 

 

 
          165,997  
Mortgage-Backed Securities — 42.4%  

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.:

       

2.50%, 01/01/29 - 04/01/31

       533        566,630  

3.00%, 09/01/27 - 12/01/46

       2,763        2,986,346  

3.50%, 09/01/30 - 01/01/48

       3,920        4,266,138  

4.00%, 08/01/40 - 02/01/47

       973        1,067,421  

4.50%, 02/01/39 - 04/01/49

       5,793        6,449,581  

5.00%, 10/01/41 - 11/01/41

       141        160,688  

5.50%, 02/01/35 - 06/01/41

       169        194,235  

Federal National Mortgage Association:

       

4.00%, 01/01/41

       22        23,544  

6.00%, 07/01/39

       136        156,761  

Government National Mortgage Association:

       

2.50%, 07/15/50(o)

       2,619        2,756,907  

3.00%, 02/15/45 - 12/20/46

       7,108        7,565,122  

3.00%, 07/15/50(o)

       8,488        8,992,440  

3.50%, 01/15/42 - 11/20/46

       11,817        12,668,249  

3.50%, 07/15/50 - 08/15/50(o)

       4,177        4,406,972  

4.00%, 04/20/39 - 12/20/47

       1,787        1,935,220  

4.00%, 07/15/50(o)

       7,473        7,922,164  

4.50%, 12/20/39 - 04/20/50

       4,565        4,908,410  

4.50%, 07/15/50(o)

       3        3,204  

5.00%, 12/15/38 - 07/20/44

       153        173,973  

5.00%, 07/15/50(o)

       1,436        1,559,631  

Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities:

       

2.00%, 10/01/31 - 03/01/32

       511        531,321  

2.00%, 09/25/35 - 08/25/50(o)

       7,686        7,871,068  

2.50%, 09/01/27 - 02/01/33

       2,724        2,890,534  

2.50%, 07/25/35 - 08/25/50(o)

       71,688        74,683,622  

3.00%, 04/01/28 - 05/01/50

       11,289        12,110,912  

3.00%, 07/25/35 - 08/25/50(o)

       27,197        28,615,647  

3.50%, 03/01/29 - 04/01/50

       10,806        11,785,514  

3.50%, 07/25/35(o)

       673        707,097  

4.00%, 08/01/31 - 03/01/50

       8,510        9,361,337  

4.00%, 07/25/50(o)

       11,480        12,165,437  

4.50%, 02/01/25 - 05/01/49

       19,232        21,389,977  

4.50%, 07/25/50(o)

       18,697        20,089,049  

5.00%, 02/01/35 - 06/01/45

       964        1,104,194  

5.00%, 07/25/50(o)

       1,077        1,176,959  

5.50%, 02/01/35 - 03/01/40

       497        567,532  

5.50%, 07/25/50(o)

       987        1,086,025  

6.00%, 04/01/35 - 06/01/41

       278        323,905  

6.00%, 07/25/50(o)

       172        191,460  

6.50%, 05/01/40

       112        129,274  
       

 

 

 
          275,544,500  
       

 

 

 

Total U.S. Government Sponsored
Agency Securities — 42.5%
(Cost: $271,079,787)

 

     276,394,465  
       

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Obligations — 8.9%

 

U.S. Treasury Bonds:

       

4.25%, 05/15/39

       97        149,869  

4.50%, 08/15/39

       146        232,534  

4.38%, 11/15/39

       146        229,574  

3.13%, 02/15/43

       528        715,894  
 

 

 

30  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security          Par
        (000)
                Value  

U.S. Treasury Obligations (continued)

 

2.88%, 05/15/43 - 05/15/49

    USD       1,138     $ 1,503,386  

3.63%, 08/15/43

      528       771,210  

3.75%, 11/15/43

      528       785,792  

3.00%, 02/15/48

      423       579,064  

2.25%, 08/15/49

      1,937       2,329,469  

2.38%, 11/15/49

      2,431       3,002,665  

2.00%, 02/15/50

      73       83,602  

U.S. Treasury Inflation Linked Notes:

     

0.50%, 04/15/24

      9,990       10,498,956  

0.13%, 10/15/24 - 04/15/25

      10,632       11,136,120  

0.25%, 01/15/25

      2,104       2,213,711  

U.S. Treasury Notes:

     

2.00%, 07/31/20 - 02/15/25

      3,324       3,429,414  

2.50%, 12/31/20

      1,535       1,552,509  

1.13%, 07/31/21

      2,304       2,327,760  

1.75%, 07/31/21 - 07/31/24

      5,176       5,376,629  

1.50%, 01/31/22 - 08/15/26

      3,520       3,659,380  

2.13%, 12/31/22 - 05/15/25

      3,182       3,411,199  

2.75%, 05/31/23

      1,029       1,105,853  

2.25%, 08/15/27

      1,029       1,155,736  

2.88%, 08/15/28

      309       365,948  

3.13%, 11/15/28

      309       373,588  

1.63%, 08/15/29

      775       845,628  
     

 

 

 

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations — 8.9%
(Cost: $54,023,138)

 

    57,835,490  
     

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 111.4%
(Cost: $706,339,127)

 

    724,834,383  
     

 

 

 
Security              
        Shares
                Value  
Short-Term Securities — 12.4%(p)  

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 0.11%*

      80,730,410     $ 80,730,410  

JPMorgan U.S. Treasury Plus Money Market Fund, Agency Class, 0.05%

      12,832       12,832  
     

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 12.4%
(Cost: $80,743,242)

 

    80,743,242  
     

 

 

 

Total Options Purchased — 0.0%
(Cost: $213,938)

 

    246,560  
     

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written and TBA Sale Commitments — 123.8%
(Cost: $787,296,307)

 

    805,824,185  
     

 

 

 

Total Options Written — (0.0)%
(Premium Received — $71,063)

 

    (113,879
     

 

 

 
           Par
(000)
       
TBA Sale Commitments — (9.3)%(o)  
Mortgage-Backed Securities — (9.3)%  

Government National Mortgage Association:

     

3.50%, 07/15/50

      1,772       (1,870,229

4.50%, 07/15/50

      240       (259,027

Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities:

     

3.00%, 07/25/35 - 07/25/50

      6,708       (7,064,690

3.50%, 07/25/35 - 08/25/50

      17,474       (18,375,830

4.00%, 07/25/35

      336       (355,406

2.50%, 08/25/35 - 08/25/50

      28,551       (29,767,261

2.00%, 07/25/50

      3,105       (3,177,531
     

 

 

 

Total TBA Sale Commitments — (9.3)%
(Proceeds: $60,737,854)

 

    (60,869,974
     

 

 

 

Total Investments Net of Options Written and TBA Sale Commitments — 114.5%
(Cost: $726,487,390)

 

    744,840,332  

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (14.5)%

 

    (94,206,874
     

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 650,633,458  
 

 

 

 
 
(a) 

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.

(b) 

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.

(c) 

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

(d) 

Variable or floating rate security, which interest rate adjusts periodically based on changes in current interest rates and prepayments on the underlying pool of assets. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.

(e) 

Step-up bond that pays an initial coupon rate for the first period and then a higher coupon rate for the following periods. Rate as of period end.

(f) 

Perpetual security with no stated maturity date.

(g) 

Issuer filed for bankruptcy and/or is in default.

(h) 

Non-income producing security.

(i) 

Zero-coupon bond.

(j)

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

(k) 

Variable rate security. Rate as of period end and maturity is the date the principal owed can be recovered through demand.

(l)

U.S. Government securities, held in escrow, are used to pay interest on this security, as well as to retire the bond in full at the date indicated, typically at a premium to par.

(m) 

When-issued security.

(n) 

Other interests represent beneficial interests in liquidation trusts and other reorganization or private entities.

(o) 

Represents or includes a TBA transaction.

(p) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

*

Investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate/affiliates of the Fund during the six months ended June 30, 2020 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  31


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

 

Affiliated Issuer    Shares
Held at
12/31/19
     Shares
Purchased
     Shares
Sold
     Shares
Held at
06/30/20
     Value at
06/30/20
     Income      Net
Realized
Gain (Loss) (a)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

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

     4,269,478        76,460,932               80,730,410      $ 80,730,410      $ 103,748      $      $  

BlackRock Allocation Target Shares-BATS Series A

     2,726,552        1,490,052               4,216,604        41,027,557        647,426               (1,184,294
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
               $ 121,757,967      $ 751,174      $      $ (1,184,294
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)    Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable.
(b)    Represents net shares purchased (sold).

For Fund compliance purposes, the Fund’s industry classifications refer to one or more of the industry sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or rating group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such industry sub-classifications for reporting ease.

 

 

32  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

 

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

     49          09/08/20        $ 7,921        $ 128,484  

U.S. Treasury 10 Year Ultra Note

     10          09/21/20          1,575          12,028  

U.S. Treasury Long Bond

     49          09/21/20          8,750          69,690  

U.S. Treasury Ultra Bond

     155          09/21/20          33,814          194,800  

U.S. Treasury 2 Year Note

     199          09/30/20          43,945          9,151  

U.S. Treasury 5 Year Note

     161          09/30/20          20,244          21,136  
                 

 

 

 
                    435,289  
                 

 

 

 

Short Contracts

                 

Euro-Bund

     35          09/08/20          6,941          (85,037

Euro-Buxl

     15          09/08/20          3,707          (109,850

Canada 10 Year Bond

     35          09/21/20          3,966          2,006  

U.S. Treasury 10 Year Note

     129          09/21/20          17,953          (48,381

Long Gilt

     20          09/28/20          3,411          (18,048
                 

 

 

 
                    (259,310
                 

 

 

 
                  $ 175,979  
                 

 

 

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

Currency
Purchased
       Currency
Sold
       Counterparty      Settlement
Date
       Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
KRW     195,335,400        USD     158,000        Deutsche Bank AG        07/02/20        $ 4,394  
USD     215,000        BRL     1,142,639        Bank of America NA        07/02/20          4,883  
USD     126,000        BRL     675,280        BNP Paribas SA        07/02/20          1,824  
USD     413,700        BRL     2,058,291        Citibank NA        07/02/20          35,205  
USD     159,000        BRL     791,820        Deutsche Bank AG        07/02/20          13,394  
USD     80,000        BRL     425,022        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        07/02/20          1,844  
AUD     140,000        USD     96,243        Standard Chartered Bank        07/06/20          373  
EUR     4,345,000        USD     4,878,955        State Street Bank and Trust Co.        07/06/20          3,050  
USD     200,806        EUR     178,000        Bank of America NA        07/06/20          807  
USD     119,707        EUR     105,000        BNP Paribas SA        07/06/20          1,730  
USD     483,739        MXN     10,973,000        Citibank NA        07/06/20          6,571  
AUD     268,000        USD     184,237        Deutsche Bank AG        07/15/20          725  
USD     126,000        CLP     100,044,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        07/15/20          4,164  
USD     194,000        COP     724,493,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        07/15/20          1,436  
USD     125,798        IDR     1,814,000,000        Goldman Sachs International        07/15/20          1,083  
USD     129,000        MXN     2,956,391        HSBC Bank plc        07/15/20          602  
USD     345,000        RUB     24,116,535        BNP Paribas SA        07/15/20          6,710  
USD     33,000        RUB     2,305,380        Citibank NA        07/15/20          662  
USD     462,000        ZAR     7,987,612        Bank of America NA        07/15/20          2,375  
USD     2,254,335        ZAR     38,757,204        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        07/15/20          24,160  
CLP     108,537,000        USD     132,000        Bank of America NA        07/20/20          190  
USD     152,235        COP     570,043,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        07/27/20          884  
USD     159,000        BRL     863,307        Citibank NA        08/04/20          523  
USD     270,000        COP     976,714,800        Citibank NA        08/10/20          10,994  
USD     261,203        COP     957,921,925        Barclays Bank plc        09/16/20          7,936  
USD     414,871        EUR     366,148        Natwest Markets plc        09/16/20          2,797  
USD     476,876        IDR     6,819,321,551        Barclays Bank plc        09/16/20          14,294  
USD     63,519        RUB     4,518,000        Barclays Bank plc        09/16/20          594  
USD     67,047        RUB     4,752,295        Credit Suisse International        09/16/20          859  
USD     100,084        RUB     7,118,291        HSBC Bank plc        09/16/20          943  
USD     1,807,860        RUB     125,962,877        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        09/16/20          53,499  
USD     70,044        RUB     4,974,670        Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc        09/16/20          758  

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  33


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts (continued)

 

Currency
Purchased

      

Currency
Sold

       Counterparty      Settlement
Date
       Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
USD     171,852        MXN     3,767,485        Barclays Bank plc        09/23/20        $ 9,752  
                       

 

 

 
                          220,015  
                       

 

 

 
BRL     416,422        USD     77,700        BNP Paribas SA        07/02/20          (1,125
BRL     1,875,316        USD     348,000        Citibank NA        07/02/20          (3,153
BRL     1,312,233        USD     252,000        Deutsche Bank AG        07/02/20          (10,697
BRL     1,680,553        USD     316,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        07/02/20          (6,967
USD     158,000        KRW     192,159,600        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        07/02/20          (1,754
USD     92,885        AUD     140,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        07/06/20          (3,731
USD     536,588        CAD     732,000        Citibank NA        07/06/20          (2,606
USD     168,770        EUR     153,000        ANZ Banking Group Ltd.        07/06/20          (3,140
USD     1,130,275        EUR     1,007,000        HSBC Bank plc        07/06/20          (1,182
USD     49,864        EUR     44,528        Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc        07/06/20          (168
USD     41,220        EUR     37,000        State Street Bank and Trust Co.        07/06/20          (353
USD     410,408        EUR     370,000        Toronto Dominion Bank        07/06/20          (5,320
USD     2,727,078        EUR     2,450,000        UBS AG        07/06/20          (25,721
USD     194,000        KRW     233,548,840        BNP Paribas SA        07/06/20          (446
CLP     145,152,000        USD     189,000        Citibank NA        07/15/20          (12,230
CLP     209,818,500        USD     258,000        Deutsche Bank AG        07/15/20          (2,478
COP     482,460,000        USD     129,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        07/15/20          (766
EUR     456,000        USD     514,110        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        07/15/20          (1,646
JPY     30,575,286        AUD     415,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        07/15/20          (3,200
JPY     17,052,180        USD     159,000        Citibank NA        07/15/20          (1,048
MXN     749,084        USD     33,000        Barclays Bank plc        07/15/20          (467
MXN     5,864,657        USD     258,500        Citibank NA        07/15/20          (3,794
MXN     2,138,401        USD     96,500        Deutsche Bank AG        07/15/20          (3,628
MXN     28,873,974        USD     1,295,500        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        07/15/20          (41,486
MXN     10,219,359        USD     459,000        Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc        07/15/20          (15,167
RUB     100,225,147        USD     1,437,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        07/15/20          (31,111
USD     1,100,498        IDR     16,081,032,612        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        07/15/20          (5,090
USD     152,000        KRW     184,086,470        BNP Paribas SA        07/15/20          (1,450
USD     40,000        KRW     48,464,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        07/15/20          (398
USD     62,000        MXN     1,429,288        Deutsche Bank AG        07/15/20          (75
ZAR     4,373,720        USD     258,000        Citibank NA        07/15/20          (6,326
USD     478,000        TRY     3,308,955        Citibank NA        07/17/20          (3,126
USD     132,000        CLP     108,537,000        Citibank NA        07/20/20          (190
KZT     9,731,250        USD     25,000        Goldman Sachs International        07/24/20          (1,184
KZT     9,407,145        USD     24,090        Natwest Markets plc        07/24/20          (1,068
USD     99,413        COP     378,862,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        07/27/20          (1,178
USD     65,000        BRL     355,985        Citibank NA        08/04/20          (348
USD     96,252        AUD     140,000        Standard Chartered Bank        08/05/20          (381
USD     4,882,136        EUR     4,345,000        State Street Bank and Trust Co.        08/05/20          (3,289
USD     108,000        COP     409,428,000        Natwest Markets plc        08/10/20          (572
USD     876,683        CNY     6,235,000        Standard Chartered Bank        09/16/20          (1,397
USD     111,922        EUR     99,463        UBS AG        11/27/20          (231
                       

 

 

 
                          (209,687
                       

 

 

 

OTC Barrier Options Purchased

 

Description    Type of Option      Counterparty      Expiration
Date
      

Exercise

Price

      

Barrier

Price/Range

   

Notional

Amount (000)

       Value  

Call

                                            

USD Currency

   One-Touch      Bank of America NA        09/10/20          CLP          820.00          CLP          820.00       USD          20        $ 9,346  
                                            

 

 

 

 

 

34  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

 

OTC Barrier Options Purchased (continued)

 

Description    Type of Option      Counterparty      Expiration
Date
      

Exercise

Price

      

Barrier

Price/Range

   

Notional

Amount (000)

       Value  

Put

                                            

USD Currency

   Down and Out      Goldman Sachs International        07/15/20          MXN          22.25          MXN          21.30       USD          321        $ 544  
                                            

 

 

 
                                             $     9,890  
                                            

 

 

 

OTC Currency Options Purchased

 

Description    Counterparty    Expiration
Date
    

Exercise

Price

   

Notional

Amount (000)

    Value  

Call

                                                        

USD Currency

   Bank of America NA      07/15/20        CLP        830.00       USD        314     $ 2,893  

USD Currency

   Citibank NA      07/23/20        ZAR        18.00       USD        252       1,574  

USD Currency

   Citibank NA      07/23/20        ZAR        17.25       USD        252       5,278  

USD Currency

   Deutsche Bank AG      07/23/20        ZAR        19.00       USD        252       369  

EUR Currency

   Bank of America NA      07/30/20        USD        1.13       EUR        460       2,625  

USD Currency

   Bank of America NA      08/07/20        TRY        7.00       USD        226       2,465  

USD Currency

   JPMorgan Chase Bank NA      11/03/20        TWD        30.00       USD        470       1,496  
                  

 

 

 
                     16,700  
                  

 

 

 
Put                                             

USD Currency

   Bank of America NA      07/02/20        BRL        5.00       USD        378       3  

USD Currency

   Bank of America NA      07/02/20        KRW        1,220.00       USD        441       7,417  

USD Currency

   Citibank NA      07/02/20        RUB        78.00       USD        1,295       122,729  

USD Currency

   Bank of America NA      07/09/20        KRW        1,170.00       USD        630       133  

USD Currency

   JPMorgan Chase Bank NA      07/16/20        KRW        1,200.00       USD        514       3,447  

USD Currency

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc      07/20/20        BRL        5.20       USD        258       2,420  

USD Currency

   Standard Chartered Bank      07/21/20        JPY        106.00       USD        646       758  

USD Currency

   HSBC Bank plc      07/27/20        MXN        22.60       USD        388       4,355  

USD Currency

   Bank of America NA      08/05/20        ZAR        16.90       USD        507       4,066  

USD Currency

   Bank of America NA      08/06/20        MXN        24.00       USD        251       12,551  

USD Currency

   Bank of America NA      10/09/20        MXN        23.80       USD        314       15,224  
                  

 

 

 
                     173,103  
                  

 

 

 
                   $     189,803  
                  

 

 

 

OTC Interest Rate Swaptions Purchased

 

  

 

  Paid by the Fund   Received by the Fund      

 

    

 

      

 

      

 

    

 

      

 

 
Description   Rate     Frequency   Rate     Frequency    Counterparty   Expiration
Date
    Exercise
Rate
   

Notional

Amount (000)

    Value  

Put

                                                                

10-Year Interest Rate Swap(a)

    1.05   Semi-Annual     3 month LIBOR     Quarterly    Deutsche Bank AG     12/03/20       1.05   USD     4,210     $ 23,401  

10-Year Interest Rate Swap(a)

    1.05   Semi-Annual     3 month LIBOR     Quarterly    Deutsche Bank AG     12/16/20       1.05     USD     1,570       9,615  

10-Year Interest Rate Swap(a)

    1.00   Semi-Annual     3 month LIBOR     Quarterly    Bank of America NA     12/17/20       1.00     USD     1,927       13,851  
                    

 

 

 
                     $     46,867  
                    

 

 

 

 

  (a)

Forward settling swaption.

 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  35


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

 

OTC Currency Options Written

 

Description    Counterparty    Expiration
Date
    

Exercise

Price

   

Notional

Amount (000)

    Value  
Call                                             

USD Currency

   BNP Paribas SA      07/02/20        BRL        5.35       USD        316     $ (6,262

USD Currency

   Bank of America NA      07/02/20        KRW        1,240.00       USD        441       (1

AUD Currency

   JPMorgan Chase Bank NA      07/09/20        JPY        71.00       AUD        194       (6,306

USD Currency

   Bank of America NA      07/09/20        MXN        25.00       USD        94       (62

USD Currency

   Bank of America NA      07/15/20        CLP        855.00       USD        314       (1,034

USD Currency

   Citibank NA      07/23/20        ZAR        19.00       USD        252       (369

USD Currency

   Citibank NA      07/23/20        ZAR        18.00       USD        505       (3,154

USD Currency

   HSBC Bank plc      07/27/20        MXN        24.00       USD        388       (3,289

EUR Currency

   Bank of America NA      07/30/20        USD        1.15       EUR        460       (1,001

USD Currency

   Bank of America NA      08/06/20        MXN        25.50       USD        94       (352
                  

 

 

 
                     (21,830
                  

 

 

 
Put                                             

USD Currency

   Citibank NA      07/02/20        RUB        75.00       USD        1,295       (68,188

USD Currency

   Bank of America NA      07/15/20        CLP        795.00       USD        314       (819

USD Currency

   JPMorgan Chase Bank NA      07/16/20        KRW        1,185.00       USD        772       (1,601

USD Currency

   Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc      07/20/20        BRL        4.95       USD        386       (815

USD Currency

   Citibank NA      07/23/20        ZAR        17.00       USD        252       (1,637

USD Currency

   Bank of America NA      08/06/20        MXN        23.00       USD        251       (5,318

USD Currency

   Bank of America NA      08/07/20        TRY        6.60       USD        226       (242

USD Currency

   JPMorgan Chase Bank NA      08/07/20        TWD        29.25       USD        251       (1,542

USD Currency

   Bank of America NA      10/09/20        MXN        22.80       USD        502       (11,887
                  

 

 

 
                     (92,049
                  

 

 

 
                     $      (113,879
                  

 

 

 

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps

 

Paid by the Fund         Received by the Fund                                                        
Rate   Frequency        Rate    Frequency    Effective
Date
     Termination
Date
      

 

     Notional
Amount (000)
     Value     

Upfront
Premium

Paid
(Received)

    

Unrealized

Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 
0.73%   Semi-Annual        3 month BA    Semi-Annual      04/05/21(a)        04/05/22        CAD        11,628      $ (15,139)      $      $ (15,139)  
0.77%   Semi-Annual      3 month BA    Semi-Annual      04/07/21(a)        04/07/22        CAD        22,980        (36,200)               (36,200)  
3 month BA   Semi-Annual      0.66%    Semi-Annual      05/13/22(a)        05/13/23        CAD        22,008        (14,624)               (14,624)  
1 day SONIA   At Termination      0.02%    At Termination      05/26/22(a)        05/26/23        GBP        25,890        25,680               25,680  
3 month BA   Semi-Annual      0.74%    Semi-Annual      05/26/22(a)        05/26/23        CAD        7,555        (1,024)               (1,024)  
3 month BA   Semi-Annual      0.73%    Semi-Annual      05/30/22(a)        05/30/23        CAD        6,123        (1,104)               (1,104)  
3 month BA   Semi-Annual      0.76%    Semi-Annual      05/30/22(a)        05/30/23        CAD        6,270        249               249  
0.08%   At Termination      1 day Fed Funds    At Termination      05/31/22(a)        05/31/23        USD        4,462        (3,889)               (3,889)  
0.06%   At Termination      1 day Fed Funds    At Termination      05/31/22(a)        05/31/23        USD        5,375        (3,594)               (3,594)  
3 month BA   Semi-Annual      0.76%    Semi-Annual      06/01/22(a)        06/01/23        CAD        12,246        (10)               (10)  
3 month BA   Semi-Annual      0.77%    Semi-Annual      06/01/22(a)        06/01/23        CAD        12,246        214               214  
0.05%   At Termination      1 day Fed Funds    At Termination      06/02/22(a)        06/02/23        USD        4,357        (2,450)               (2,450)  
0.04%   At Termination      1 day Fed Funds    At Termination      06/03/22(a)        06/03/23        USD        8,713        (4,080)               (4,080)  
0.04%   At Termination      1 day Fed Funds    At Termination      06/03/22(a)        06/03/23        USD        8,713        (4,302)               (4,302)  
0.74%   Semi-Annual      3 month BA    Semi-Annual      06/27/22(a)        06/27/23        CAD        22,095        6,545               6,545  
3 month BA   Semi-Annual      1.09%    Semi-Annual      04/03/23(a)        04/03/24        CAD        11,628        17,234               17,234  
3 month BA   Semi-Annual      1.22%    Semi-Annual      04/10/23(a)        04/10/24        CAD        22,980        54,944               54,944  
28 day MXIBTIIE   Monthly      6.67%    Monthly      N/A        08/12/24        MXN        10,494        34,575               34,575  
28 day MXIBTIIE   Monthly      6.72%    Monthly      N/A        08/13/24        MXN        9,029        30,427               30,427  
28 day MXIBTIIE   Monthly      6.59%    Monthly      N/A        11/08/24        MXN        6,685        21,788               21,788  
28 day MXIBTIIE   Monthly      5.20%    Monthly      N/A        05/02/25        MXN        16,540        12,338               12,338  
3 month BA   Semi-Annual      0.75%    Semi-Annual      N/A        05/26/25        CAD        4,475        (344)               (344)  
3 month BA   Semi-Annual      0.85%    Semi-Annual      N/A        06/04/25        CAD        2,240        7,788        (16)        7,804  
3 month BA   Semi-Annual      0.85%    Semi-Annual      N/A        06/04/25        CAD        2,240        7,624               7,624  
28 day MXIBTIIE   Monthly      6.32%    Monthly      N/A        07/17/25        MXN        1,733        5,111               5,111  
2.91%   Semi-Annual      3 month LIBOR    Quarterly      N/A        08/23/26        USD        125        (20,499)               (20,499)  
3.16%   Semi-Annual      3 month LIBOR    Quarterly      N/A        10/03/28        USD        152        (33,198)               (33,198)  

 

 

36  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

 

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps (continued)

 

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
28 day MXIBTIIE    Monthly    5.99%    Monthly      N/A        05/02/30      MXN     4,396      $ 5,126      $      $ 5,126  
28 day MXIBTIIE    Monthly    6.03%    Monthly      N/A        05/02/30      MXN     4,396        5,740               5,740  
28 day MXIBTIIE    Monthly    6.03%    Monthly      N/A        05/03/30      MXN     3,930        5,071               5,071  
28 day MXIBTIIE    Monthly    5.96%    Monthly      N/A        05/06/30      MXN     3,182        3,357               3,357  
3 month LIBOR    Quarterly    0.64%    Semi-Annual      08/12/20 (a)       08/12/30      USD     1,627        (2,097             (2,097
3 month LIBOR    Quarterly    0.80%    Semi-Annual      12/18/20 (a)       12/18/30      USD     424        5,103               5,103  
3 month LIBOR    Quarterly    0.75%    Semi-Annual      12/21/20 (a)       12/21/30      USD     520        3,645               3,645  
                      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                       $     110,005      $ (16    $ 110,021  
                      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Forward swap.

OTC Credit Default Swaps — Buy Protection

 

Reference Obligation/Index    Financing
Rate Paid
by the Fund
    Payment
Frequency
    Counterparty   Termination
Date
    Notional
Amount (000)
    Value     Upfront
Premium
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

United Mexican States

     1.00     Quarterly     Bank of America NA     09/20/20     USD     135     $ (221   $ 77     $ (298

Federative Republic of Brazil

     1.00       Quarterly     Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc     06/20/25     USD     202       14,390       25,559       (11,169

Federative Republic of Brazil

     1.00       Quarterly     Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc     06/20/25     USD     298       21,228       41,712       (20,484

Republic of South Africa

     1.00       Quarterly     Barclays Bank plc     06/20/25     USD     128       11,992       10,883       1,109  

Republic of South Africa

     1.00       Quarterly     Goldman Sachs International     06/20/25     USD     227       21,196       18,085       3,111  

Republic of South Africa

     1.00       Quarterly     Goldman Sachs International     06/20/25     USD     218       20,384       19,148       1,236  

Republic of South Africa

     1.00       Quarterly     Goldman Sachs International     06/20/25     USD     160       15,005       13,959       1,046  

Republic of South Africa

     1.00       Quarterly     Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc     06/20/25     USD     531       49,678       71,198       (21,520

Republic of the Philippines

     1.00       Quarterly     Citibank NA     06/20/25     USD     754       (12,696     25,413       (38,109

United Mexican States

     1.00       Quarterly     Citibank NA     06/20/25     USD     497       13,432       48,826       (35,394

CMBX.NA.9.AAA

     0.50       Monthly     Credit Suisse International     09/17/58     USD     300       (1,421     1,709       (3,130

CMBX.NA.9.AAA

     0.50       Monthly     Deutsche Bank AG     09/17/58     USD     240       (1,137     1,383       (2,520

CMBX.NA.9.AAA

     0.50       Monthly     Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc     09/17/58     USD     460       (2,179     2,823       (5,002

CMBX.NA.9.AAA

     0.50       Monthly     Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc     09/17/58     USD     180       (853     1,028       (1,881

CMBX.NA.9.AAA

     0.50       Monthly     Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc     09/17/58     USD     200       (948     1,139       (2,087

CMBX.NA.9.BBB-

     3.00       Monthly     Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc     09/17/58     USD     16       1,552       441       1,111  

CMBX.NA.6.AAA

     0.50       Monthly     Deutsche Bank AG     05/11/63     USD     158       (444     (11     (433

CMBX.NA.6.AAA

     0.50       Monthly     Deutsche Bank AG     05/11/63     USD     371       (1,047     (140     (907

CMBX.NA.6.BBB-

     3.00       Monthly     JPMorgan Securities LLC     05/11/63     USD     60       9,375       2,747       6,628  
              

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
               $ 157,286     $ 285,979     $  (128,693
              

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

OTC Credit Default Swaps — Sell Protection

 

Reference Obligation/Index    Financing
Rate Received
by the Fund
    Payment
Frequency
    Counterparty   Termination
Date
    Credit
Rating
(a)
  Notional
Amount
(000)
(b)
    Value     Upfront
Premium
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

United Mexican States

     1.00     Quarterly     JPMorgan Chase Bank NA     09/20/20     NR   USD     135     $ 219     $ (67   $ 286  

CMBX.NA.3.AM

     0.50       Monthly     Credit Suisse International     12/13/49     NR   USD                 (4     4  

CMBX.NA.9.BBB-

     3.00       Monthly     Deutsche Bank AG     09/17/58     BBB-   USD     58       (5,626     (3,335     (2,291

CMBX.NA.10.A

     2.00       Monthly     Deutsche Bank AG     11/17/59     A   USD     240       (10,361     (4,951     (5,410

CMBX.NA.10.A

     2.00       Monthly     Deutsche Bank AG     11/17/59     A   USD     120       (5,181     (2,522     (2,659

CMBX.NA.10.BBB-

     3.00       Monthly     JPMorgan Securities LLC     11/17/59     BBB-     USD     20       (1,996     (818     (1,178

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  37


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

 

OTC Credit Default Swaps — Sell Protection (continued)

 

Reference Obligation/Index    Financing
Rate Received
by the Fund
    Payment
Frequency
    Counterparty     Termination
Date
    Credit
Rating (a)
  Notional
Amount
(000) (b)
    Value     Upfront
Premium
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

CMBX.NA.6.BBB-

     3.00     Monthly       Credit Suisse International       05/11/63     BBB-   USD     60     $ (9,375   $ (2,271   $ (7,104
                

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                 $ (32,320   $ (13,968   $ (18,352
                

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)    Using the rating of the issuer or the underlying securities of the index, as applicable, provided by S&P Global Ratings.
(b)    The maximum potential amount the Fund may pay should a negative credit event take place as defined under the terms of the agreement.

OTC Interest Rate Swaps

 

Paid by the Fund    Received by the Fund    Counterparty    Termination
Date
    

Notional
Amount (000)

     Value      Upfront
Premium
Paid
(Received)
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Rate    Frequency    Rate     Frequency
3.27%    Semi-Annual      3 month LIBOR     Quarterly    Deutsche Bank AG      05/16/21        USD       470      $ (13,918    $      $ (13,918
1 day BZDIOVER    At Termination      5.13%     At Termination    JPMorgan Chase Bank NA      01/02/23        BRL       2,230        13,364               13,364  
28 day MXIBTIIE    Monthly      6.43%     Monthly    Bank of America NA      06/06/25        MXN       541        1,706               1,706  
28 day MXIBTIIE    Monthly      6.33%     Monthly    Citibank NA      06/09/25        MXN       271        802               802  
28 day MXIBTIIE    Monthly      6.33%     Monthly    Citibank NA      07/17/25        MXN       864        2,556               2,556  
28 day MXIBTIIE    Monthly      6.27%     Monthly    Bank of America NA      12/05/25        MXN       122        349               349  
                     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                      $ 4,859      $      $ 4,859  
                     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

OTC Inflation Swaps

 

Paid by the Fund    Received by the Fund    Counterparty    Termination
Date
    

Notional
Amount (000)

     Value      Upfront
Premium
Paid
(Received)
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Reference    Frequency    Rate     Frequency
1 month USCPI    At Termination      (0.96)%     At Termination    Citibank NA      04/15/21        USD       4,685      $ (30,497    $      $ (30,497
1 month USCPI    At Termination      (1.00)%     At Termination    Citibank NA      04/15/21        USD       4,685        (32,160             (32,160
1 month USCPI    At Termination      (1.00)%     At Termination    Citibank NA      04/15/21        USD       4,685        (32,160             (32,160
1 month USCPI    At Termination      (1.02)%     At Termination    Citibank NA      04/15/21        USD       4,685        (33,019             (33,019
0.04%    At Termination      1 month USCPI     At Termination    Citibank NA      04/15/22        USD       4,685        42,449               42,449  
0.02%    At Termination      1 month USCPI     At Termination    Citibank NA      04/15/22        USD       4,685        44,424               44,424  
0.01%    At Termination      1 month USCPI     At Termination    Citibank NA      04/15/22        USD       4,685        45,143               45,143  
0.00%    At Termination      1 month USCPI     At Termination    Citibank NA      04/15/22        USD       4,685        46,220               46,220  
1 month USCPI    At Termination      (0.05)%     At Termination    Citibank NA      04/15/22        USD       7,027        (76,062             (76,062
0.62%    At Termination      1 month USCPI     At Termination    Citibank NA      04/15/24        USD       7,027        102,912               102,912  
                     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                      $ 77,250      $      $ 77,250  
                     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

38  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

 

OTC Total Return Swaps

 

Paid by the Fund    Received by the Fund    Counterparty    Termination
Date
    

Notional
Amount (000)

     Value      Upfront
Premium
Paid
(Received)
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Rate (Amount)/
Reference
   Frequency    Rate/Reference      Frequency
3 month LIBOR    At Termination     

iBoxx USD Liquid
High Yield Total
Return Index
 
 
 
   At Termination    JPMorgan Chase Bank NA      09/20/20        USD       3,220      $ (4,291    $ (217    $ (4,074
3 month LIBOR    At Termination     


Markit iBoxx
USD Liquid
Investment
Grade Index
 
 
 
 
   At Termination    Barclays Bank plc      09/20/20        USD       6,470        (21,960      (207      (21,753
                      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                       $ (26,251    $ (424    $ (25,827
                      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following reference rates, and their values as of period end, are used for security descriptions:

 

Reference Index          Reference Rate  

1 day BZDIOVER

   Overnight Brazil CETIP — Interbank Rate      0.01

1 day Fed Funds

   1 day Fed Funds      0.08  

1 day SONIA

   Sterling Overnight Index Average      0.06  

1 month USCPI

   U.S. Consumer Price Index      0.10  

28 day MXIBTIIE

   Mexico Interbank TIIE 28-Day      5.28  

3 month BA

   Canadian Bankers Acceptances      0.56  

3 month LIBOR

   London Interbank Offered Rate      0.30  

Balances Reported in the 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)

   $      $ (16    $ 252,575      $ (142,554    $  

OTC Swaps

     286,130        (14,543      314,456        (405,219       

Options Written

     N/A        N/A        14,859        (57,675      (113,879

 

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

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  39


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the 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)

   $      $      $      $      $ 437,295      $      $ 437,295  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          220,015                      220,015  

Options purchased (b)

                    

Investments at value — unaffiliated (c)

                          199,693        46,867               246,560  

Swaps — centrally cleared

                    

Unrealized appreciation on centrally cleared swaps (a)

                                 252,575               252,575  

Swaps — OTC

                    

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swaps; Swap premiums paid

            300,661                      18,777        281,148        600,586  
  

 

 

 
   $      $ 300,661      $      $ 419,708      $ 755,514      $ 281,148      $ 1,757,031  
  

 

 

 
Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments                                            

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

                                 261,316               261,316  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          209,687                      209,687  

Options written

                    

Options written at value

                          113,879                      113,879  

Swaps — centrally cleared

                    

Unrealized depreciation on centrally cleared swaps (a)

                                 142,554               142,554  

Swaps — OTC

                    

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swaps; Swap premiums received

            175,695                      40,169        203,898        419,762  
  

 

 

 
   $      $ 175,695      $      $ 323,566      $ 444,039      $ 203,898      $ 1,147,198  
  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts and centrally cleared swaps, if any, are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the 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 forward settling swaptions.

 
  (c) 

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

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the 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

   $      $      $      $      $ 7,675,158      $      $ 7,675,158  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          407,345                      407,345  

Options purchased (a)

                          (310,830      59,269               (251,561

Options written

                          163,970        (129,997             33,973  

Swaps

            673,611                      566,588        260,552        1,500,751  
  

 

 

 
   $      $ 673,611      $      $ 260,485      $ 8,171,018      $ 260,552      $ 9,365,666  
  

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:                                                 

Futures contracts

                                 602,050               602,050  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          (239,473                    (239,473

Options purchased (b)

                          26,023        136,052               162,075  

Options written

                          (31,458      (168,921             (200,379

Swaps

            87,409                      96,294        77,250        260,953  
  

 

 

 
   $      $ 87,409      $      $ (244,908    $ 665,475      $ 77,250      $ 585,226  
  

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

(b) 

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

 

 

40  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 118,567,870  

Average notional value of contracts — short

     30,634,543  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts:

  

Average amounts purchased — in USD

     33,039,464  

Average amounts sold — in USD

     18,339,264  

Options:

  

Average value of option contracts purchased

     189,961  

Average value of option contracts written

     157,046  

Average notional value of swaption contracts purchased

     3,853,500  

Credit default swaps:

  

Average notional value — buy protection

     5,146,843  

Average notional value — sell protection

     451,805  

Interest rate swaps:

  

Average notional value — pays fixed rate

     37,714,429  

Average notional value — receives fixed rate

     66,370,932  

Inflation swaps:

  

Average notional value — pays fixed rate

     12,883,050  

Average notional value — receives fixed rate

     12,883,050  

Total return swaps:

  

Average notional value

     4,845,000  

For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

The Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) were as follows:

 

      Assets        Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments:

       

Futures contracts

     $ 82,729        $ 193,693  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     220,015          209,687  

Options(a)(b)

     246,560          113,879  

Swaps — Centrally cleared

              2,286  

Swaps — OTC(c)

     600,586          419,762  
  

 

 

 

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

     $ 1,149,890        $ 939,307  

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

     (82,729)          (195,979)  
  

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

     $         1,067,161        $         743,328  
  

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

 
(b) 

Includes forward settling swaptions.

 
(c) 

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

 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  41


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

 

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
       Cash
Collateral
Received(b)
       Net Amount
of Derivative
Assets(c)
 

Bank of America NA

   $ 80,961        $ (21,014      $        $        $ 59,947  

Barclays Bank plc

     44,568          (22,427                          22,141  

BNP Paribas SA

     10,264          (9,283                          981  

Citibank NA

     542,281          (383,570                 (158,711         

Credit Suisse International

     2,572          (2,572                           

Deutsche Bank AG

     53,281          (53,281                           

Goldman Sachs International

     58,212          (1,184                          57,028  

HSBC Bank plc

     5,900          (4,471                          1,429  

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

     104,580          (104,580                           

JPMorgan Securities LLC

     9,375          (1,996                          7,379  

Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc

     148,189          (78,293                          69,896  

Natwest Markets plc

     2,797          (1,640                          1,157  

Standard Chartered Bank

     1,131          (1,131                           

State Street Bank and Trust Co.

     3,050          (3,050                           
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 1,067,161        $ (688,492      $        $ (158,711      $ 219,958  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

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

ANZ Banking Group Ltd.

   $ 3,140        $        $        $        $ 3,140  

Bank of America NA

     21,014          (21,014                           

Barclays Bank plc

     22,427          (22,427                           

BNP Paribas SA

     9,283          (9,283                           

Citibank NA

     383,570          (383,570                           

Credit Suisse International

     12,509          (2,572                          9,937  

Deutsche Bank AG

     55,975          (53,281                          2,694  

Goldman Sachs International

     1,184          (1,184                           

HSBC Bank plc

     4,471          (4,471                           

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

     111,134          (104,580                          6,554  

JPMorgan Securities LLC

     1,996          (1,996                           

Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc

     78,293          (78,293                           

Natwest Markets plc

     1,640          (1,640                           

Standard Chartered Bank

     1,778          (1,131                          647  

State Street Bank and Trust Co.

     3,642          (3,050                          592  

Toronto Dominion Bank

     5,320                                     5,320  

UBS AG

     25,952                                     25,952  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 743,328        $ (688,492      $        $        $ 54,836  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(a)    The amount of derivatives available for offset is limited to the amount of derivative assets 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 represents the net amount payable due to the counterparty in the event of default.

 

 

42  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

 

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 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:

                 

Long-Term Investments:

                 

Asset-Backed Securities

   $        $     33,437,518        $     3,455,592        $     36,893,110  

Corporate Bonds:

                 

Aerospace & Defense

                 —          12,298,413                   12,298,413  

Air Freight & Logistics

              2,605,887                   2,605,887  

Airlines

              2,818,228                   2,818,228  

Auto Components

              180,763                   180,763  

Automobiles

              2,103,126                   2,103,126  

Banks

              40,499,426                   40,499,426  

Beverages

              4,914,516                   4,914,516  

Biotechnology

              4,564,151                   4,564,151  

Building Products

              1,719,264                   1,719,264  

Capital Markets

              13,790,007                   13,790,007  

Chemicals

              2,820,094                   2,820,094  

Commercial Services & Supplies

              2,791,793                   2,791,793  

Communications Equipment

              744,002                   744,002  

Construction & Engineering

              90,662                   90,662  

Construction Materials

              50,363                   50,363  

Consumer Finance

              5,269,129                   5,269,129  

Containers & Packaging

              332,581                   332,581  

Distributors

              267,659                   267,659  

Diversified Consumer Services

              1,142,308                   1,142,308  

Diversified Financial Services

              3,006,224                   3,006,224  

Diversified Telecommunication Services

              9,696,857                   9,696,857  

Electric Utilities

              17,237,505                   17,237,505  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components

              194,189                   194,189  

Energy Equipment & Services

              105,405                   105,405  

Entertainment

              1,302,303                   1,302,303  

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

              5,699,852          723,011          6,422,863  

Food & Staples Retailing

              1,576,660                   1,576,660  

Food Products

              1,527,978                   1,527,978  

Gas Utilities

              238,863                   238,863  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies

              1,302,734                   1,302,734  

Health Care Providers & Services

              11,450,575                   11,450,575  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

              3,685,066                   3,685,066  

Household Durables

              868,723                   868,723  

Household Products

              132,439                   132,439  

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers

              55,860                   55,860  

Industrial Conglomerates

              796,154                   796,154  

Insurance

              2,749,356                   2,749,356  

Interactive Media & Services

              201,858                   201,858  

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail

              1,819,565                   1,819,565  

IT Services

              6,761,562                   6,761,562  

Leisure Products

              518,822                   518,822  

Life Sciences Tools & Services

              1,142,452                   1,142,452  

Machinery

              1,495,614                   1,495,614  

Media

              9,469,216                   9,469,216  

Metals & Mining

              1,366,964                   1,366,964  

Multiline Retail

              99,319                   99,319  

Multi-Utilities

              975,443                   975,443  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

              16,382,471                   16,382,471  

Paper & Forest Products

              1,035,612                   1,035,612  

Pharmaceuticals

              5,467,265                   5,467,265  

Real Estate Management & Development

              2,911,185                   2,911,185  

Road & Rail

              4,208,812                   4,208,812  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment

              8,766,296                   8,766,296  

Software

              3,904,856                   3,904,856  

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  43


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)  (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

 

      Level 1     Level 2     Level 3      Total  

Specialty Retail

     $       $ 1,409,794       $        $ 1,409,794  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals

           3,320,803              3,320,803  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods

           595,851              595,851  

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance

           945,678              945,678  

Tobacco

           3,840,305              3,840,305  

Trading Companies & Distributors

           1,586,458              1,586,458  

Wireless Telecommunication Services

           3,894,472              3,894,472  

Floating Rate Loan Interests:

         

Air Freight & Logistics

           262,114              262,114  

Building Products

           152,669              152,669  

Construction Materials

           127,822              127,822  

Consumer Finance

                 26,700        26,700  

Diversified Financial Services

           254,576              254,576  

Health Care Providers & Services

           337,414              337,414  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure

           280,249              280,249  

Media

           189,724              189,724  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels

           445,569              445,569  

Pharmaceuticals

           274,805              274,805  

Road & Rail

           161,926              161,926  

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance

                 853,587        853,587  

Foreign Agency Obligations

           1,669,762              1,669,762  

Foreign Government Obligations

           16,572,023              16,572,023  

Investment Companies

     41,027,557                    41,027,557  

Municipal Bonds

           27,979,585              27,979,585  

Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

           17,693,353       482,575        18,175,928  

Capital Trusts

           1,446,509              1,446,509  

U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities

           276,372,617       21,848        276,394,465  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

           57,835,490              57,835,490  

Short-Term Securities

     80,743,242                    80,743,242  

Options Purchased:

         

Foreign currency exchange contracts

           199,693              199,693  

Interest rate contracts

           46,867              46,867  

Liabilities:

         

Investments:

         

TBA Sale Commitments

           (60,869,974            (60,869,974
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $     121,770,799       $     617,620,099       $     5,563,313        $     744,954,211  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

         

Assets:

         

Credit contracts

     $       $ 14,531       $        $ 14,531  

Foreign currency exchange contracts

           220,015              220,015  

Interest rate contracts

     437,295       271,352              708,647  

Other contracts

           281,148              281,148  

Liabilities:

         

Credit contracts

           (161,576            (161,576

Foreign currency exchange contracts

           (323,566            (323,566

Interest rate contracts

     (261,316     (182,299            (443,615

Other contracts

           (203,898            (203,898
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ 175,979       $ (84,293     $        $ 91,686  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The breakdown of the Fund’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

 

(a) 

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.

 

 

44  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund

 

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:

 

 

 
     Asset-Backed
Securities
       Corporate
Bonds
       Floating
Rate Loan
Interests
       Non-Agency
Mortgage-
Backed
Securities
       U.S.
Government
Sponsored
Agency
Securities
       Total   

 

 

Investments:

                           

Assets:

                           

Opening balance, as of December 31, 2019

   $ 3,780,025        $ 806,975        $ 1,988,467        $ 909,139        $        $ 7,484,606   

Transfers into level 3

     345,608                            128,029          21,140          494,777   

Transfers out of level 3

     (327,267                 (157,407        (370,381                 (855,055)  

Accrued discounts/premiums

     1,857                            452                   2,309   

Net realized gain

     165                            1,417                   1,582   

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

     (113,320        (38,053        (2,516        (77,057        708          (230,238)  

Purchases

                       87,673                            87,673   

Sales

     (231,476        (45,911        (1,035,930        (109,024                 (1,422,341)  
  

 

 

 

Closing balance, as of June 30, 2020

   $ 3,455,592        $ 723,011        $ 880,287        $ 482,575        $ 21,848        $ 5,563,313   
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at June 30, 2020(b)

   $ (113,320      $ (38,053      $ (3,827      $ (77,057      $ 708        $ (231,549)  
  

 

 

 

 

(a)    Included in the related net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in the 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 June 30, 2020 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

The Fund’s investments that are categorized as Level 3 were valued utilizing third party pricing information without adjustment. Such valuations are based on unobservable inputs. A significant change in third party information could result in a significantly lower or higher value of such Level 3 investments.

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  45


 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities  (unaudited) 

June 30, 2020

 

    

BlackRock

Total Return V.I.
Fund

 

ASSETS

 

Investments at value — unaffiliated (cost — $664,255,897)

  $ 684,066,218  

Investments at value — affiliated (cost — $123,040,410)

    121,757,967  

Cash

    26,051  

Cash pledged:

 

Futures contracts

    2,569,050  

Centrally cleared swaps

    588,090  

Foreign currency at value (cost — $4,575,474)

    4,533,178  

Receivables:

 

Investments sold

    66,169,374  

TBA sale commitments

    60,737,854  

Capital shares sold

    3,153,944  

Dividends — affiliated

    107,168  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    13,100  

Interest — unaffiliated

    3,781,405  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    82,729  

Swap premiums paid

    286,130  

Unrealized appreciation on:

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    220,015  

OTC swaps

    314,456  

Prepaid expenses

    7,231  

Other assets

    1,528  

Total assets

    948,415,488  

LIABILITIES

 

Cash received:

 

Collateral — OTC derivatives

    190,000  

Collateral — TBA commitments

    78,000  

Options written at value (premium received $71,063)

    113,879  

TBA sale commitments at value (proceeds $60,737,854)

    60,869,974  

Payables:

 

Investments purchased

    234,383,808  

Capital shares redeemed

    38,953  

Distribution fees

    78,095  

Income dividend distributions

    589,189  

Investment advisory fees

    214,278  

Directors’ and Officer’s fees

    1,383  

Other affiliates

    1,496  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    193,693  

Variation margin on centrally cleared swaps

    2,286  

Other accrued expenses

    397,547  

Swap premiums received

    14,543  

Unrealized depreciation on:

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    209,687  

OTC swaps

    405,219  

Total liabilities

    297,782,030  

NET ASSETS

  $ 650,633,458  

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 605,544,164  

Accumulated earnings

    45,089,294  

NET ASSETS

  $     650,633,458  

NET ASSET VALUE

 

Class I — Based on net assets of $246,140,396 and 19,259,261 shares outstanding, 600 million shares authorized, $0.10 par value

  $ 12.78  

Class III — Based on net assets of $404,493,062 and 32,029,618 shares outstanding, 100 million shares authorized, $0.10 par value

  $ 12.63  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

46  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


 

Statement of Operations  (unaudited) 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

 

    

BlackRock

Total Return V.I.
Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends — affiliated

  $ 751,174  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    613  

Interest — unaffiliated

            7,789,811  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (23,251

Total investment income

    8,518,347  

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory

    1,327,006  

Transfer agent — class specific

    513,310  

Distribution — class specific

    498,567  

Printing

    89,263  

Accounting services

    75,072  

Professional

    56,031  

Custodian

    41,480  

Directors and Officer

    3,136  

Transfer agent

    2,486  

Miscellaneous

    69,800  

Total expenses excluding interest expense

    2,676,151  

Interest expense

    2,914  

Total expenses

    2,679,065  

Less:

 

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager

    (14,830

Transfer agent fees waived and/or reimbursed — class specific

    (393,558)  

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    2,270,677  

Net investment income

    6,247,670  

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments — unaffiliated

    15,609,996  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    407,345  

Foreign currency transactions

    311,321  

Futures contracts

    7,675,158  

Options written

    33,973  

Short sales — unaffiliated

    (19,030

Swaps

    1,500,751  
    25,519,514  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments — affiliated

    (1,184,294

Investments — unaffiliated

    3,806,926  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    (239,473

Foreign currency translations

    (71,672

Futures contracts

    602,050  

Options written

    (200,379

Swaps

    260,953  

Unfunded floating rate loan interests

    (3,142)  
    2,970,969  

Net realized and unrealized gain

    28,490,483  

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 34,738,153  

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  47


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund  
    

        Six Months Ended        
06/30/20

(unaudited)

    Year Ended 12/31/19  

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment income

          $ 6,247,670     $ 16,365,241  

Net realized gain

    25,519,514       17,906,579  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    2,970,969       18,584,009  

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

            34,738,153       52,855,829  

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS (a)

   

Class I

    (2,697,166     (8,096,255

Class III

    (3,836,440     (10,610,090

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (6,533,606     (18,706,345

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    (8,903,181     32,197,720  

NET ASSETS

   

Total increase in net assets

    19,301,366       66,347,204  

Beginning of period

    631,332,092       564,984,888  

End of period

          $ 650,633,458     $         631,332,092  

 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

48  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund  
    Class I  
   

Six Months Ended
06/30/20

(unaudited)

          Year Ended December 31,  
    2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

      $ 12.22       $ 11.53     $ 11.91     $ 11.79     $ 11.71     $ 11.93  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.13         0.35       0.33       0.29       0.23       0.22  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.57         0.73       (0.39     0.13       0.09       (0.19
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.70         1.08       (0.06     0.42       0.32       0.03  
 

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

             

From net investment income

    (0.14       (0.35     (0.32     (0.30     (0.24     (0.25

From net realized gain

            (0.04                        
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.14       (0.39     (0.32     (0.30     (0.24     (0.25
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

      $ 12.78       $ 12.22     $ 11.53     $ 11.91     $ 11.79     $ 11.71  
 

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

             

Based on net asset value

    5.74 %(d)        9.49     (0.46 )%      3.60 %(e)       2.76     0.26
 

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

             

Total expenses

    0.69 %(g)         0.74     0.85 %(h)      0.94     0.82     0.92
 

 

 

 

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

    0.52 %(g)        0.54     0.58 %(h)      0.74     0.62     0.74
 

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense

    0.51 %(g)        0.52     0.55     0.62     0.59     0.69
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2.14 %(g)        2.90     2.84     2.43     1.92     1.89
 

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

             

Net assets, end of period (000)

      $   246,140       $   245,548     $   246,390     $   152,138     $   157,445     $   154,046  
 

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

    333       536     488     627     590     900
 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

Where applicable, excludes insurance-related fees and expenses and assumes the reinvestment of distributions. (d) Aggregate total return.

(e) 

Includes payment received from an affiliate, which impacted the Fund’s total return. Excluding the payment from an affiliate, the Fund’s total return is 3.51%.

(f) 

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

 

   

Six Months Ended
06/30/20

(unaudited)

          Year Ended December 31,  
    2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Investments in underlying funds

    0.01                         0.01                  0.01              —                  0.01              0.01
 

 

 

 

 

(g)

Annualized.

(h) 

Includes reorganization costs associated with the Fund’s reorganization. Without these costs, total expenses and total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed would have been 0.82% and 0.57%, respectively.

(i)

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

 

   

Six Months Ended
06/30/20

(unaudited)

          Year Ended December 31,  
    2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs)

    202                         326                  310              389                  396              625
 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  49


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund  
    Class III  
   

Six Months Ended
06/30/20

(unaudited)

          Year Ended December 31,  
    2019      2018     2017     2016      2015  
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 12.07       $ 11.40      $ 11.76     $ 11.65     $ 11.57      $ 11.79  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.11         0.31        0.29       0.25       0.19        0.18  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.57         0.71        (0.37     0.12       0.10        (0.19
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.68         1.02        (0.08     0.37       0.29        (0.01
 

 

 

 

Distributions(b)

               

From net investment income

    (0.12       (0.31      (0.28     (0.26     (0.21      (0.21

From net realized gain

            (0.04                          
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.12       (0.35      (0.28     (0.26     (0.21      (0.21
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.63       $ 12.07      $ 11.40     $ 11.76     $ 11.65      $ 11.57  
 

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

               

Based on net asset value

    5.64 %(d)        9.05      (0.63 )%      3.21 %(e)      2.46      (0.08 )% 
 

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets(f)

               

Total expenses

    0.92 %(g)         0.97      1.06 %(h)      1.16     1.01      1.06
 

 

 

 

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

    0.83 %(g)         0.85      0.89 %(h)       1.06     0.93      1.04
 

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense

    0.82 %(g)         0.83      0.86     0.94     0.89      0.98
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.83 %(g)        2.58      2.54     2.15     1.61      1.54
 

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

               

Net assets, end of period (000)

      $   404,493       $   385,784      $   318,595     $   267,651     $   175,153      $   68,844  
 

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(i)

    333       536      488     627     590      900
 

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

Where applicable, excludes insurance-related fees and expenses and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(d) 

Aggregate total return.

(e) 

Includes payment received from an affiliate, which had no impact on the Fund’s total return.

(f) 

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

 

   

Six Months Ended
06/30/20

(unaudited)

          Year Ended December 31,  
    2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Investments in underlying funds

    0.01                         0.01                  0.01              —              0.01                  0.01
 

 

 

 

 

(g) 

Annualized.

(h) 

Includes reorganization costs associated with the Fund’s reorganization. Without these costs, total expenses and total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed would have been 1.03% and 0.88%, respectively.

(i) 

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

 

   

Six Months Ended
06/30/20

(unaudited)

          Year Ended December 31,  
    2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs)

    202                         326                  310              389              396                  625
 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

50  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited)

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

BlackRock Variable Series Funds II, Inc. (the “Company”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is organized as a Maryland corporation that is comprised of 3 separate funds. The funds offer shares to insurance companies for their separate accounts to fund benefits under certain variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts. The financial statements presented are for BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is classified as diversified. Class I and Class III Shares have equal voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights, except that only shares of the respective classes are entitled to vote on matters concerning only that class. In addition, Class III Shares bear certain expenses related to the distribution of such shares.

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 non-index fixed-income mutual funds and all BlackRock-advised closed-end funds referred to as the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex.

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 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 and non-cash dividend income, if any, are 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. 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 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 and swaps) or certain borrowings (e.g., reverse repurchase transactions) 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 or borrowings. Doing so allows the investment or borrowings 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.

Distributions: Distributions from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly. 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.

Deferred Compensation Plan: Under the Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) approved by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), the directors who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act (“Independent Directors”), may defer a portion of their annual complex-wide compensation. Deferred amounts earn an approximate return as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in common shares of certain funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex selected by the Independent Directors. This has the same economic effect for the Independent Directors as if the Independent Directors had invested the deferred amounts directly in certain funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex.

The Plan is not funded and obligations thereunder represent general unsecured claims against the general assets of the Fund, as applicable. Deferred compensation liabilities are included in the Directors’ and Officer’s fees payable in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and will remain as a liability of the Fund until such amounts are distributed in accordance with the Plan.

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.

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  51


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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. If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value. 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 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.

 

   

Municipal investments (including commitments to purchase such investments on a “when-issued” basis) are valued on the basis of prices provided by dealers or pricing services. In determining the value of a particular investment, pricing services may use certain information with respect to transactions in such investments, quotations from dealers, pricing matrixes, market transactions in comparable investments and information with respect to various relationships between investments.

 

   

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

 

   

Futures contract notional values are determined based on that day’s last reported settlement price on the exchange where the contract is traded.

 

   

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 equity options for which market quotations are readily available will be valued at the National Best Bid and Offer quotes (“NBBO”). NBBO represents the mean of the bid and ask prices as quoted on the exchange on which such options are traded. In the event that there is no mean price available, the last bid (long positions) or ask (short positions) price will be used. If no bid or ask price is available, the prior day’s price may be used. 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.

 

   

To-be-announced (“TBA”) commitments are valued on the basis of last available bid prices or current market quotations provided by pricing services.

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.

 

 

52  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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.

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.

 

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

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  53


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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.

Collateralized Debt Obligations: Collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), including collateralized bond obligations (“CBOs”) and collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), are types of asset-backed securities. A CDO is an entity that is backed by a diversified pool of debt securities (CBOs) or syndicated bank loans (CLOs). The cash flows of the CDO can be split into multiple segments, called “tranches,” which will vary in risk profile and yield. The riskiest segment is the subordinated or “equity” tranche. This tranche bears the greatest risk of defaults from the underlying assets in the CDO and serves to protect the other, more senior, tranches from default in all but the most severe circumstances. Since it is shielded from defaults by the more junior tranches, a “senior” tranche will typically have higher credit ratings and lower yields than their underlying securities, and often receive investment grade ratings from one or more of the nationally recognized rating agencies. Despite the protection from the more junior tranches, senior tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to future defaults and the disappearance of one or more protecting tranches as a result of changes in the credit profile of the underlying pool of assets.

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 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.

Multiple Class Pass-Through Securities: Multiple class pass-through securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and commercial mortgage-backed securities, may be issued by Ginnie Mae, U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities or by trusts formed by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans. In general, CMOs are debt obligations of a legal entity that are collateralized by a pool of residential or commercial mortgage loans or Mortgage Assets. The payments on these are used to make payments on the CMOs or multiple pass-through securities. Multiple class pass-through securities represent direct ownership interests in the Mortgage Assets. Classes of CMOs include interest only (“IOs”), principal only (“POs”), planned amortization classes and targeted amortization classes. IOs and POs are stripped mortgage-backed securities representing interests in a pool of mortgages, the cash flow from which has been separated into interest and principal components. IOs receive the interest portion of the cash flow while POs receive the principal portion. IOs and POs can be extremely volatile in response to changes in interest rates. As interest rates rise and fall, the value of IOs tends to move in the same direction as interest rates. POs perform best when prepayments on the underlying mortgages rise since this increases the rate at which the principal is returned and the yield to maturity on the PO. When payments on mortgages underlying a PO are slower than anticipated, the life of the PO is lengthened and the yield to maturity is reduced. If the underlying Mortgage Assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, a fund’s initial investment in the IOs may not fully recoup.

Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities: Stripped mortgage-backed securities are typically issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities. Stripped mortgage-backed securities are usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest (IOs) and principal (POs) distributions on a pool of Mortgage Assets. Stripped mortgage-backed securities may be privately issued.

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 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

 

 

54  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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.

TBA Commitments: TBA commitments are forward agreements for the purchase or sale of mortgage-backed securities for a fixed price, with payment and delivery on an agreed upon future settlement date. The specific securities to be delivered are not identified at the trade date. However, delivered securities must meet specified terms, including issuer, rate and mortgage terms. When entering into TBA commitments, a fund may take possession of or deliver the underlying mortgage-backed securities but can extend the settlement or roll the transaction. TBA commitments involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased or sold declines or increases, respectively, prior to settlement date.

In order to better define contractual rights and to secure rights that will help a fund mitigate its counterparty risk, TBA commitments may be entered into by a fund under Master Securities Forward Transaction Agreements (each, an “MSFTA”). An MSFTA typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of default and/or termination event. 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 the collateral currently pledged by a fund and the counterparty. Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover the obligations of a fund and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, is reported separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as cash pledged as collateral for TBA commitments or cash received as collateral for TBA commitments, respectively. Non-cash collateral pledged by a fund, if any, is noted in the Schedule of Investments. Typically, a fund is permitted to sell, re-pledge or use the collateral it receives; however, the counterparty is not permitted to do so. To the extent amounts due to a fund are not fully collateralized, contractually or otherwise, a fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance.

Mortgage Dollar Roll Transactions: The fund may sell TBA mortgage-backed securities and simultaneously contract to repurchase substantially similar (i.e., same type, coupon and maturity) securities on a specific future date at an agreed upon price. During the period between the sale and repurchase, a fund is not entitled to receive interest and principal payments on the securities sold. Mortgage dollar roll transactions are treated as purchases and sales and realize gains and losses on these transactions. Mortgage dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities that a fund is required to purchase may decline below the agreed upon repurchase price of those securities.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements: Reverse repurchase agreements are agreements with qualified third party broker dealers in which a fund sells securities to a bank or broker-dealer and agrees to repurchase the same securities at a mutually agreed upon date and price. A fund receives cash from the sale to use for other investment purposes. During the term of the reverse repurchase agreement, a fund continues to receive the principal and interest payments on the securities sold. Certain agreements have no stated maturity and can be terminated by either party at any time. Interest on the value of the reverse repurchase agreements issued and outstanding is based upon competitive market rates determined at the time of issuance. A fund may utilize reverse repurchase agreements when it is anticipated that the interest income to be earned from the investment of the proceeds of the transaction is greater than the interest expense of the transaction. Reverse repurchase agreements involve leverage risk. If a fund suffers a loss on its investment of the transaction proceeds from a reverse repurchase agreement, a fund would still be required to pay the full repurchase price. Further, a fund remains subject to the risk that the market value of the securities repurchased declines below the repurchase price. In such cases, a fund would be required to return a portion of the cash received from the transaction or provide additional securities to the counterparty.

Cash received in exchange for securities delivered plus accrued interest due to the counterparty is recorded as a liability in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at face value including accrued interest. Due to the short-term nature of the reverse repurchase agreements, face value approximates fair value. Interest payments made by a fund to the counterparties are recorded as a component of interest expense in the Statement of Operations. In periods of increased demand for the security, a fund may receive a fee for the use of the security by the counterparty, which may result in interest income to a fund.

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  55


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the average amount of reverse repurchase agreements outstanding and the daily weighted average interest rate for the Fund were $500,501 and 1.62%, respectively

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 and deliver the fixed-income security to the counterparty to which it sold the security short. An amount equal to the proceeds received by a fund is reflected as an asset and an equivalent liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the market value of the short sale. A fund is required to repay the counterparty interest on the security sold short, which, if applicable, is included in interest expense in the 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 is 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.

 

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 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities. When a contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the 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 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 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 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 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 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, cash is segregated 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 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

 

 

56  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

  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.

 

   

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.

 

   

Barrier options — The Fund may purchase and write a variety of options with non-standard payout structures or other features (“barrier options”) that are generally traded OTC.

The Fund may invest in various types of barrier options, including down-and-out options, down-and-in options, double no-touch options, one-touch options, up-and-out options and up-and-in options. Down-and-out options expire worthless to the purchaser if the price of the underlying instrument falls below a specific barrier price level prior to the expiration date. Down-and-in options expire worthless to the purchaser unless the price of the underlying instrument falls below a specific barrier price level prior to the expiration date. Double no-touch options provide the purchaser an agreed-upon payout if the price of the underlying instrument does not reach or surpass predetermined barrier price levels prior to the option’s expiration date. One-touch options provide the purchaser an agreed-upon payout if the price of the underlying instrument reaches or surpasses predetermined barrier price levels prior to the expiration date. Up-and-out options expire worthless to the purchaser if the price of the underlying instrument increases beyond a predetermined barrier price level prior to the expiration date. Up-and-in options can only be exercised when the price of the underlying instrument increases beyond a predetermined barrier price level.

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 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received or paid are recorded in the Statement of Operations as realized gains or losses, respectively. When an OTC swap is terminated, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the 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.

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 Schedule of Investments and cash deposited is shown as cash pledged for centrally cleared swaps in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted cash, are included in cash pledged for centrally cleared swaps in the 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received from (paid to) the counterparty, including at termination, are recorded as realized gains (losses) in the 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 instrument(s) 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.

 

   

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).

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  57


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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.

 

   

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.

 

   

Inflation swaps — Inflation swaps are entered into to gain or reduce exposure to inflation (inflation risk). In an inflation swap, one party makes fixed interest payments on a notional principal amount in exchange for another party’s variable payments based on an inflation index, such as the Consumer Price Index.

Swap transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of interest rate, credit and market risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the 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.

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 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 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

6.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory: The Company, on behalf of 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 based on a percentage of the aggregate average daily net assets of the Fund and BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund, a series of the Company, at the following annual rates:

 

Average Daily Net Assets   Investment
Advisory Fees
 

First $250 Million

    0.50

$250 Million - $500 Million

    0.45  

$500 Million - $750 Million

    0.40  

Greater than $750 Million

    0.35  

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the aggregate average daily net assets of the Fund and BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund were approximately $1,164,635,509.

The Manager entered into separate sub-advisory agreements with BlackRock International Limited (“BIL”) and BlackRock (Singapore) Limited (“BRS”) (collectively, the “Sub-Advisers”), each an affiliate of the Manager. The Manager pays BIL and BRS for services they provide for that portion of the Fund for which BIL and BRS, as applicable, acts as sub-adviser, a monthly fee that is equal to a percentage of the investment advisory fees paid by the Fund to the Manager.

Distribution Fees: The Company, on behalf of the Fund, entered into a Distribution Agreement and a Distribution Plan with BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of the Manager. Pursuant to the Distribution Plan and in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund pays BRIL ongoing distribution fees. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly at an annual rate of 0.25% based upon the average daily net assets attributable to Class III.

 

 

58  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the class specific distribution fees borne directly by Class III were $498,567.

Transfer Agent: On behalf of the Fund, the Manager entered into agreements with insurance companies and other financial intermediaries (“Service Organizations”), some of which may be affiliates. Pursuant to these agreements, the Service Organizations provide the Fund with administrative, networking, recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency and shareholder services to underlying investor accounts. For these services, the Service Organizations receive an annual fee per shareholder account, which will vary depending on share class and/or net assets of Fund shareholders serviced by the Service Organizations which is shown as transfer agent — class specific. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Fund did not pay any amounts to affiliates in return for these services.

In addition, the Fund pays the transfer agent, which is not an affiliate, a fee for the issuance, transfer and redemption of shares and the opening and maintenance of shareholder accounts, which is included in transfer agent in the Statement of Operations.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the following table shows the class specific transfer agent fees borne directly by each share class of the Fund:

 

Class I

  $ 208,950  

Class III

    304,360  
    $         513,310  

Expense Limitations, Waivers and Reimbursements: The Manager contractually 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”) through April 30, 2021. 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. The amount of waivers and/or reimbursements of fees and expenses made pursuant to the expense limitations described below will be reduced by the amount of the affiliated money market fund waiver. Prior to May 1, 2020, this waiver was voluntary. This amount is included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statement of Operations. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the amount waived was $11,099.

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 April 30, 2021. 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 six months ended June 30, 2020, there were no fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager pursuant to this arrangement.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Fund reimbursed the Manager $3,745 for certain accounting services, which is included in accounting services in the Statement of Operations.

The Manager has contractually agreed to reimburse certain transfer agent fees in order to limit such expenses to a percentage of average daily net assets as follows:

 

Class I

    0.00

Class III

    0.06  

The Manager has agreed not to reduce or discontinue these contractual expense limitations through April 30, 2021, unless approved by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.

These amounts waived and/or reimbursed are shown as transfer agent fees waived and/or reimbursed — class specific in the Statement of Operations. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, class specific expense waivers and/or reimbursements are as follows:

 

     Transfer Agent Fees
Waived and/or Reimbursed
 

Class I

  $         208,950  

Class III

    184,608  
    $ 393,558  

The Manager contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit expenses, excluding interest expense, dividend expense, acquired fund fees and expenses, and certain other fund expenses, which constitute extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business and excluding distribution fees for Class III shares (“expense limitation”). The expense limitations as a percentage of average daily net assets are as follows:

 

Class I

    0.60

Class III

    1.50  

In addition, with respect to Class I shares, the Manager has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit expenses including interest expense, and excluding dividend expense, acquired fund fees and expenses, and certain other fund expenses, which constitute extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business to 0.60% of average daily net assets through April 30, 2021.

The Manager has agreed not to reduce or discontinue this contractual expense limitation through April 30, 2021, unless approved by the Board, including a majority of the Independents Directors, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Manager waived and/or reimbursed $3,731, which is included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statement of Operations.

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  59


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Interfund Lending: In accordance with an exemptive order (the “Order”) from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“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 period ended June 30, 2020, the Fund did not participate in the Interfund Lending Program.

Directors and Officers: Certain directors and/or officers of the Company are directors and/or officers of BlackRock or its affiliates. The Fund reimburses the Manager for a portion of the compensation paid to the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer, which is included in Directors and Officer in the 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 six months ended June 30, 2020, 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

  $  402,218  

Sales

    720,788  

Net Realized Gain

    32,956  

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, purchases and sales of investments, including paydowns and mortgage dollar rolls and excluding short-term securities, were as follows:

 

     Purchases      Sales  

Non-U.S. Government Securities

  $ 2,376,545,552      $ 2,427,376,254  

U.S. Government Securities

    39,812,618        143,295,735  

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, purchases and sales related to mortgage dollar rolls were $949,239,920 and $949,490,828, respectively.

 

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 December 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 June 30, 2020, 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 financial statements.

As of June 30, 2020, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation for investments and derivatives based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Tax cost

  $  787,813,810    
 

 

 

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 26,456,223    

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (8,415,219)   
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

  $         18,041,004    
 

 

 

 

 

9.

BANK BORROWINGS

The Company, on behalf of 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 2021 unless extended or renewed. 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 six months ended June 30, 2020, the Fund did not borrow under the credit agreement.

 

 

60  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

10.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

Many municipalities insure repayment of their bonds, which may reduce the potential for loss due to credit risk. The market value of these bonds may fluctuate for other reasons, including market perception of the value of such insurance, and there is no guarantee that the insurer will meet its obligation.

Inventories of municipal bonds held by brokers and dealers may decrease, which would lessen their ability to make a market in these securities. Such a reduction in market making capacity could potentially decrease the Fund’s ability to buy or sell bonds. As a result, the Fund may sell a security at a lower price, sell other securities to raise cash, or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative impact on performance. If the Fund needed to sell large blocks of bonds, those sales could further reduce the bonds’ prices and impact performance.

In the normal course of business, 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. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments. 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.

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.

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.

An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus has developed into a global pandemic and has resulted in closing borders, quarantines, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this pandemic, and other global health crises that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. This pandemic may result in substantial market volatility and may adversely impact the prices and liquidity of a fund’s investments. The duration of this pandemic and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

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 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 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

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  61


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

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.

The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities backed by commercial or residential mortgage loans or in issuers that hold mortgage and other asset-backed securities. Investment percentages in these securities are presented in the Schedule of Investments. Changes in economic conditions, including delinquencies and/or defaults on assets underlying these securities, can affect the value, income and/or liquidity of such positions.

 

11.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

 

 
   

Six Months Ended

06/30/20

   

Year Ended

12/31/19

 
 

 

 

 
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     

 

 

Class I

       

Shares sold

                560,086     $ 7,075,337       993,847     $ 11,950,864  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    239,139                   2,966,228       677,136                   8,126,680  

Shares redeemed

    (1,635,997     (20,184,953     (2,942,075     (35,288,318
 

 

 

 

Net decrease

    (836,772   $ (10,143,388     (1,271,092   $ (15,210,774
 

 

 

 

Class III

       

Shares sold

    4,447,555     $ 54,492,195       6,788,622     $ 80,399,856  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    346,204       4,242,772       883,225       10,495,162  

Shares redeemed

    (4,716,533     (57,494,760     (3,678,563     (43,486,524
 

 

 

 

Net increase

    77,226     $ 1,240,207                   3,993,284     $ 47,408,494  
 

 

 

 

Total Net Increase (Decrease)

    (759,546   $ (8,903,181     2,722,192     $ 32,197,720  
 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

62  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Currency
AUD    Australian Dollar
BRL    Brazilian Real
CAD    Canadian Dollar
CLP    Chilean Peso
CNY    Chinese Yuan
COP    Colombian Peso
EUR    Euro
GBP    British Pound
IDR    Indonesian Rupiah
JPY    Japanese Yen
KRW    South Korean Won
KZT    Kazakhstani Tenge
MXN    Mexican Peso
RUB    New Russian Ruble
TRY    Turkish Lira
TWD    Taiwan New Dollar
USD    United States Dollar
ZAR    South African Rand

 

Portfolio Abbreviations
ABS    Asset-Backed Security
BA    Canadian Bankers Acceptances
BZDIOVER    Overnight Brazil CETIP — Interbank Rate
CLO    Collateralized Loan Obligation
COP    Certificates of Participation
CSMC    Credit Suisse Mortgage Capital
CWABS    Countrywide Asset-Backed Certificates
DAC    Designated Activity Company
GO    General Obligation Bonds
LIBOR    London Interbank Offered Rate
MXIBTIIE    Mexico Interbank TIIE 28-Day
OTC    Over-the-counter
PCL    Public Company Limited
PJSC    Public Joint Stock Company
RB    Revenue Bonds
REMIC    Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit
SCA    Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget
SOFR    Secured Overnight Financing Rate
SONIA    Sterling Overnight Interbank Avergage Rate
TBA    To-be-announced
USCPI    U.S. Consumer Price Index
VRDN    Variable Rate Demand Notes
 

 

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN THIS REPORT

  63


 

LOGO   JUNE 30, 2020

 

  

2020 Semi-Annual Report

(Unaudited)

 

BlackRock Variable Series Funds II, Inc.

 

·  

BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund

 

 

 

 

Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • No Bank Guarantee


Fund Summary  as of June 30, 2020    BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund

 

Investment Objective

BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund’s (the “Fund”) investment objective is to seek to maximize total return, consistent with income generation and prudent investment management.

Portfolio Management Commentary

How did the Fund perform?

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2020, the Fund underperformed its benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government/Mortgage Index. For the same period, the Fund outperformed its secondary benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Mortgage-Backed Securities Index. The following discussion of relative performance pertains to the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government/Mortgage Index.

What factors influenced performance?

Detractors from the Fund’s performance relative to the benchmark included the allocation to commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”), as the sector was negatively impacted by the market volatility and illiquidity seen in the wake of coronavirus concerns. Positioning with respect to interest rate volatility and inflation also weighed on returns.

Positive contributors to the Fund’s performance relative to the benchmark included selection within 30-year agency mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”). The Fund’s stance with respect to U.S. and global interest rates also aided returns, specifically, an above-benchmark stance with respect to duration (and corresponding interest rate sensitivity) as Treasury yields declined sharply during the period.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

During the reporting period, allocations to agency MBS and U.S. Treasuries were reduced, along with exposure to inflation-protected securities and agency CMBS. The Fund’s duration stance shifted from an overweight position to an underweight.

The Fund had a modestly elevated cash position at period end due to the investment adviser’s increasing preference for using forward contracts to gain MBS exposure as opposed to holding cash bonds. The Fund’s cash position did not have a material impact on performance over the six-month period.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

The Fund was slightly underweight in U.S. duration. Overall, the Fund maintained a modestly constructive near-term stance on agency MBS, with a focus on low coupon, “to be announced” securities that will derive fundamental benefits from the Fed’s ongoing purchases. Within global interest rate and currency strategies, the Fund maintained a small long position in select European peripherals, including Italy and Spain, given accommodative central bank policy.

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.

Portfolio Information

 

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION

 

Asset Type   Percent of
Total Investments 
(a)
 

U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities

    51

U.S. Treasury Obligations

    43  

Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

    4  

Asset-Backed Securities

    2  

Foreign Government Obligations

    (b) 

 

  (a) 

Excludes short-term securities, options purchased, options written and TBA sale commitments.

 
  (b) 

Represents less than 1% of the Fund’s total investments.

 
 
   
   
   
   
   

 

 

2  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Fund Summary  as of June 30, 2020 (continued)    BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund

 

Performance Summary for the Period Ended June 30, 2020

 

                               Average Annual Total Returns (a)  
      Standardized
30-Day Yields
 (b)
     Unsubsidized
30-Day Yields
 (b)
     6-Month
Total Returns
 (a)
           1 Year      5 Years      10 Years  

Class I(c)(d)

     1.36      0.92      5.97       7.75      3.18      2.80

Class III(c)(d)

     1.06        0.70        5.81         7.42        2.86        2.52 (e) 

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government/Mortgage Index(f)

                   6.59         8.50        3.73        3.23  

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Mortgage-Backed Securities Index(g)

                   3.50               5.67        3.23        3.06  

 

  (a) 

For a portion of the period, the Fund’s investment adviser waived a portion of its fee. Without such waiver, the Fund’s performance would have been lower.

 
  (b) 

The standardized 30-day yield includes the effects of any waivers and/or reimbursements. The unsubsidized 30-day yield excludes the effects of any waivers and/or reimbursements.

 
  (c) 

Average annual and cumulative total returns are based on changes in net asset value (“NAV”) for the periods shown, and assume reinvestment of all distributions at NAV on the ex-dividend/ payable date. Insurance-related fees and expenses are not reflected in these returns.

 
  (d) 

The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its assets in fixed-income securities that are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government and its agencies. On September 17, 2018, the Fund acquired all of the assets, subject to the liabilities, of BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund (the “Predecessor Fund”), a series of BlackRock Variable Series Funds, Inc., through a tax-free reorganization (the “Reorganization”). The Predecessor Fund is the performance and accounting survivor of the Reorganization. The Fund’s total returns prior to October 1, 2011 are the returns of the Predecessor Fund when it followed a different investment objective and different investment strategies under the name “BlackRock Government Income V.I. Fund”.

 
  (e) 

The returns for Class III Shares prior to July 15, 2013, the recommencement of operations of Class III Shares, are based upon the performance of the Predecessor Fund’s Class I Shares. The returns for Class III Shares, however, are adjusted to reflect the distribution (12b-1) fees applicable to Class III Shares.

 
  (f) 

An index that measures debt issued by the U.S. Government, and its agencies, as well as mortgage-backed pass-through securities of Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

 
  (g) 

An unmanaged index that includes the mortgage-backed pass-through securities of Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that meet certain maturity and liquidity criteria.

 

Past performance is not indicative of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.

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

 

 

FUND SUMMARY

  3


The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging

 

The Fund may utilize leverage to seek to enhance returns and net asset value (“NAV”). However, there is no guarantee that these objectives can be achieved in all interest rate environments.

The Fund may utilize leverage by entering into reverse repurchase agreements.

In general, the concept of leveraging is based on the premise that the financing cost of leverage, which is based on short-term interest rates, is normally lower than the income earned by the Fund on its longer-term portfolio investments purchased with the proceeds from leverage. To the extent that the total assets of the Fund (including the assets obtained from leverage) are invested in higher-yielding portfolio investments, the Fund’s shareholders benefit from the incremental net income.

The interest earned on securities purchased with the proceeds from leverage is distributed to the Fund’s shareholders, and the value of these portfolio holdings is reflected in the Fund’s per share NAV. However, in order to benefit shareholders, the return on assets purchased with leverage proceeds must exceed the ongoing costs associated with the leverage. If interest and other ongoing costs of leverage exceed the Fund’s return on assets purchased with leverage proceeds, income to shareholders is lower than if the Fund had not used leverage.

Furthermore, the value of the Fund’s portfolio investments generally varies inversely with the direction of long-term interest rates, although other factors can also influence the value of portfolio investments. As a result, changes in interest rates can influence the Fund’s NAV positively or negatively in addition to the impact on the Fund’s performance from leverage. Changes in the direction of interest rates are difficult to predict accurately, and there is no assurance that the Fund’s leveraging strategy will be successful.

The use of leverage also generally causes greater changes in the Fund’s NAV and dividend rates than comparable portfolios without leverage. In a declining market, leverage is likely to cause a greater decline in the NAV of the Fund’s shares than if the Fund were not leveraged. In addition, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio securities at inopportune times or at distressed values in order to comply with regulatory requirements applicable to the use of leverage or as required by the terms of the leverage instruments, which may cause the Fund to incur losses. The use of leverage may limit the Fund’s ability to invest in certain types of securities or use certain types of hedging strategies. The Fund incurs expenses in connection with the use of leverage, all of which are borne by the Fund’s shareholders and may reduce income.

Disclosure of Expenses

Shareholders of the Fund may incur the following charges: (a) transactional expenses; 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 January 1, 2020 and held through June 30, 2020) 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.

 

    Actual           Hypothetical (a)  
                Including
Interest
Expense
and Fees
    Excluding
Interest
Expense
and Fees
                Including
Interest
Expense
and Fees
    Excluding
Interest
Expense
and Fees
 
     Beginning
Account Value
(01/01/20)
    Ending
Account Value
(06/30/20)
    Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 (b)
    Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 (c)
           Beginning
Account Value
(01/01/20)
    Ending
Account Value
(06/30/20)
    Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 (b)
    Ending
Account Value
(06/30/20)
    Expenses
Paid During
the Period
 (c)
 

Class I

  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,059.70     $ 3.69     $ 2.92       $ 1,000.00     $ 1,021.28     $ 3.62     $ 1,022.03     $ 2.87  

Class III

    1,000.00       1,058.10       5.12       4.35               1,000.00       1,019.89       5.02       1,020.64       4.27  

 

  (a) 

Hypothetical 5% annual return before expenses is calculated by prorating the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year divided by 366.

 
  (b) 

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the class (0.72% for Class I and 1.00% for Class III), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).

 
  (c) 

For each class of the Fund, expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the class (0.57% for Class I and 0.85% for Class III), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).

 

 

 

4  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


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 Financial Statements.

 

 

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

  5


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  

Asset-Backed Securities — 2.0%(a)

 

Dryden XXVIII Senior Loan Fund, Series 2013-28A, Class A1LR, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.20%), 1.59%, 08/15/30(b)

  USD 700     $ 683,997  

Progress Residential Trust, Series 2017-SFR1, Class A, 2.77%, 08/17/34

    100       101,120  

Romark WM-R Ltd., Series 2018-1A, Class A1, (LIBOR USD 3 Month + 1.03%), 2.17%, 04/20/31(b)

    500       485,863  
   

 

 

 

Total Asset-Backed Securities — 2.0%
(Cost: $1,299,580)

 

    1,270,980  
   

 

 

 

Foreign Government Obligations — 0.2%

 

Colombia — 0.0%

 

Republic of Colombia:

   

6.25%, 11/26/25

  COP  26,800       7,695  

7.25%, 10/18/34

    78,700       21,637  
   

 

 

 
      29,332  
Russia — 0.2%  

Russian Federation:

   

8.15%, 02/03/27

  RUB  1,279       20,706  

6.00%, 10/06/27

    585       8,458  

6.90%, 05/23/29

    2,602       39,567  

8.50%, 09/17/31

    2,242       38,070  
   

 

 

 
      106,801  
   

 

 

 

Total Foreign Government Obligations — 0.2%
(Cost: $136,216)

 

    136,133  
   

 

 

 

Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities — 3.8%

 

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 0.5%

 

Seasoned Credit Risk Transfer Trust:

   

Series 2018-2, Class MA, 3.50% 11/25/57

  USD 98       106,276  

Series 2018-3, Class MA, 3.50% 08/25/57

    127       138,122  

Series 2019-2, Class MA, 3.50% 08/25/58

    74       81,116  
   

 

 

 
      325,514  
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — 2.9%  

BANK, Series 2020-BN26, Class B, 2.91% 03/15/63(c)

    155       150,447  

BX Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-XL, Class D,
1.63% 10/15/36(a)(c)

    287       279,446  

BX Trust, Series 2019-OC11, Class A, 3.20% 12/09/41(a)

    300       312,528  

Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-PANW, Class A, 3.24% 10/10/29(a)

    440       452,909  

CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-C17, Class C, 3.93% 09/15/52

    85       85,493  

Hudson Yards Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-30HY, Class D,
3.56% 07/10/39(a)(c)

    101       101,161  

KKR Industrial Portfolio Trust, Series 2020-AIP, Class A, 1.22% 03/15/37(a)(c)

    39       38,528  

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2018-SUN, Class A,
1.08% 07/15/35(a)(c)

    145       138,461  

One Bryant Park Trust, Series 2019-OBP, Class A, 2.52% 09/15/54(a)

    290       306,863  
   

 

 

 
      1,865,836  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Interest Only Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — 0.4%(c)  

CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-C16, Class XA, 1.73% 06/15/52

  USD  1,737     $ 180,099  

UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2019-C17, Class XA, 1.64% 10/15/52

    1,015       102,138  
   

 

 

 
      282,237  
   

 

 

 

Total Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities — 3.8%
(Cost: $2,468,557)

 

    2,473,587  
   

 

 

 

U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities — 53.3%

 

Agency Obligations — 1.0%

 

Federal Home Loan Bank, 4.00%, 04/10/28

    500       616,789  
   

 

 

 
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 0.5%  

Federal National Mortgage Association, Series 2011-8, Class ZA, 4.00%, 02/25/41

    187       203,924  

Government National Mortgage Association Variable Rate Notes, Series 2014-107, Class WX, 6.80%, 07/20/39(c)

    122       142,177  
   

 

 

 
      346,101  
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — 0.7%  

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Variable Rate Notes(c):

   

Series 2019-SB60, Class A10F, 3.31%, 01/25/29

    220       236,328  

Series 2019-SB61, Class A10F, 3.17%, 01/25/29

    174       186,401  

Government National Mortgage Association, Series 2019-7, Class V, 3.00%, 05/16/35

    21       23,714  
   

 

 

 
      446,443  
Interest Only Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — 1.1%  

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., Series 2015-K718, Class X2A,
0.10%, 02/25/48(a)

    20,675       21,885  

Government National Mortgage Association Variable Rate Notes:

   

Series 2002-83, 0.00%, 10/16/42(c)

    877       1  

Series 2003-17, 0.00%, 03/16/43(c)

    987       10  

Series 2003-109, 0.00%, 11/16/43(c)

    1,647       64  

Series 2016-22, 0.77%, 11/16/55(c)

    2,510       116,319  

Series 2016-45, 0.98%, 02/16/58(c)

    1,415       85,302  

Series 2016-92, 0.90%, 04/16/58(c)

    538       30,568  

Series 2016-113, (LIBOR USD 1 Month + 0.00%), 1.15%, 02/16/58(b)

    1,195       90,449  

Series 2016-151, 1.06%, 06/16/58(c)

    919       62,387  

Series 2017-30, 0.66%, 08/16/58(c)

    579       27,564  

Series 2017-44, 0.70%, 04/17/51(c)

    646       31,496  

Series 2017-53, 0.67%, 11/16/56(c)

    1,815       87,313  

Series 2017-61, 0.76%, 05/16/59(c)

    475       29,240  

Series 2017-64, 0.70%, 11/16/57(c)

    724       38,778  

Series 2017-72, 0.67%, 04/16/57(c)

    1,156       60,285  
   

 

 

 
      681,661  
Mortgage-Backed Securities — 50.0%  

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.:

   

2.50%, 03/01/30 - 04/01/31

    184       195,833  

3.00%, 09/01/27 - 12/01/46

    450       481,475  

3.50%, 04/01/31 - 01/01/48

    609       663,322  

4.00%, 08/01/40 - 12/01/45

    112       122,207  

4.50%, 02/01/39 - 07/01/47

    214       238,220  

5.00%, 10/01/41 - 11/01/41

    141       160,688  

5.50%, 06/01/41

    97       111,021  

8.00%, 12/01/29 - 07/01/30

    21       25,167  
 

 

 

6  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-NNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
Mortgage-Backed Securities (continued)  

Federal National Mortgage Association:

   

3.00%, 02/01/44

  USD 64     $ 68,235  

3.50%, 11/01/46

    167       179,010  

4.00%, 01/01/41

    8       8,633  

Government National Mortgage Association:

   

2.50%, 07/15/50(d)

    397       417,905  

3.00%, 02/15/45 - 12/20/46

    778       828,090  

3.00%, 07/15/50(d)

    1,149       1,217,357  

3.50%, 01/15/42 - 10/20/46

    2,292       2,457,983  

3.50%, 07/15/50(d)

    4       4,221  

4.00%, 09/20/40 - 05/20/50

    713       769,737  

4.00%, 07/15/50(d)

    523       553,942  

4.50%, 12/20/39 - 12/20/49

    1,283       1,405,968  

5.00%, 12/15/38 - 07/20/42

    89       101,183  

5.00%, 07/15/50(d)

    126       136,848  

5.50%, 01/15/34

    475       554,770  

Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities:

   

2.00%, 10/01/31 - 03/01/32

    110       113,959  

2.00%, 09/25/35 - 08/25/50(d)

    450       460,867  

2.50%, 04/01/30 - 02/01/33

    616       653,913  

2.50%, 07/25/35 - 08/25/50(d)

    4,296       4,476,047  

3.00%, 04/01/29 - 05/01/50

    2,875       3,080,846  

3.00%, 07/25/35 - 07/25/50(d)

    1,420       1,494,992  

3.50%, 04/01/29 - 04/01/50

    2,667       2,910,270  

3.50%, 07/25/50(d)

    256       269,535  

4.00%, 01/01/26 - 03/01/50

    2,214       2,448,407  

4.00%, 07/25/35 - 07/25/50(d)

    952       1,008,839  

4.50%, 05/01/24 - 04/01/49

    691       756,328  

4.50%, 07/25/50(d)

    2,842       3,053,596  

5.00%, 09/01/35 - 08/01/41

    195       223,373  

5.00%, 07/25/50(d)

    3       3,278  

5.50%, 05/01/34 - 12/01/39

    198       226,624  

6.00%, 04/01/35 - 06/01/41

    223       259,904  

6.50%, 05/01/40

    40       45,940  
   

 

 

 
      32,188,533  
   

 

 

 

Total U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities — 53.3%
(Cost: $33,400,212)

 

    34,279,527  
   

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury Obligations — 44.3%

 

U.S. Treasury Bonds:

   

4.25%, 05/15/39

    170       262,657  

4.50%, 08/15/39

    170       270,758  

4.38%, 11/15/39

    170       267,312  

3.13%, 02/15/43

    660       894,867  

2.88%, 05/15/43 - 11/15/46

    1,290       1,700,004  

3.63%, 08/15/43

    660       964,012  

3.75%, 11/15/43

    660       982,240  

3.00%, 02/15/48

    630       862,436  

2.25%, 08/15/49

    895       1,076,342  

U.S. Treasury Inflation Linked Notes:

   

0.50%, 04/15/24

    266       279,493  

0.13%, 10/15/24

    740       775,213  

U.S. Treasury Notes:

   

2.00%, 07/31/20

    2,520       2,523,797  

2.50%, 12/31/20

    1,890       1,911,558  

1.13%, 07/31/21

    2,840       2,869,287  

1.75%, 07/31/21 - 04/30/22

    3,935       4,030,612  

1.50%, 01/31/22 - 08/15/26

    3,450       3,563,389  

2.13%, 12/31/22

    1,260       1,321,376  

2.75%, 05/31/23

    1,260       1,354,106  

2.25%, 08/15/27

    1,260       1,415,187  

2.88%, 08/15/28

    380       450,033  

3.13%, 11/15/28

    380       459,429  
Security   Par
(000)
    Value  
U.S. Treasury Obligations (continued)  

1.63%, 08/15/29

  USD 215     $ 234,594  
   

 

 

 

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations — 44.3%
(Cost: $26,179,166)

 

    28,468,702  
   

 

 

 

Total Long-Term Investments — 103.6%
(Cost: $63,483,731)

 

    66,628,929  
   

 

 

 
     Shares         
Short-Term Securities — 13.5%            

Money Market Funds — 1.0%

   

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class,
0.11%(e)*

    661,547       661,547  
   

 

 

 

Total Money Market Funds — 1.0%
(Cost: $661,547)

 

    661,547  
   

 

 

 
     Par
(000)
        
U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities — 12.5%  

Federal Home Loan Bank Discount Notes, 0.09%, 07/24/20(f)

    8,000       7,999,387  
   

 

 

 

Total U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities — 12.5%
(Cost: $7,999,519)

 

    7,999,387  
   

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Securities — 13.5%
(Cost: $8,661,066)

 

    8,660,934  
   

 

 

 

Total Options Purchased — 0.0%
(Cost: $20,257)

 

    2,797  
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Before Options Written and TBA Sale Commitments — 117.1%
(Cost: $72,165,054)

 

    75,292,660  
   

 

 

 

Total Options Written — (0.0)% (Premium Received — $19,330)

 

    (7,710
   

 

 

 

TBA Sale Commitments — (9.8)%(d)

 

Mortgage-Backed Securities — (9.8)%

 

Government National Mortgage Association:

   

3.50%, 07/15/50

    133       (139,841

4.50%, 07/15/50

    317       (338,571

Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities:

   

2.50%, 07/25/35 - 08/25/50

    1,732       (1,806,145

3.00%, 07/25/35 - 07/25/50

    416       (438,070

3.50%, 07/25/35 - 08/25/50

    2,755       (2,897,467

4.00%, 07/25/35 - 07/25/50

    183       (193,684

2.00%, 07/25/50

    180       (184,205

5.50%, 07/25/50

    88       (96,829

6.00%, 07/25/50

    160       (178,103
   

 

 

 

Total TBA Sale Commitments — (9.8)%
(Proceeds: $6,265,521)

 

    (6,272,915
   

 

 

 

Total Investments Net of Options Written and TBA Sale Commitments — 107.3%
(Cost: $65,880,203)

 

    69,012,035  
   

 

 

 

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (7.3)%

 

    (4,680,036
   

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

    $ 64,331,999  
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  7


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund

 

(a) 

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.

(b) 

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.

(c) 

Variable or floating rate security, which interest rate adjusts periodically based on changes in current interest rates and prepayments on the underlying pool of assets. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.

(d) 

Represents or includes a TBA transaction.

(e) 

Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.

(f) 

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

*

Investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate/affiliates of the Fund during the six months ended June 30, 2020 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliated Issuer    Shares
Held at
12/31/19
     Shares
Purchased
     Shares
Sold
     Shares
Held at
06/30/20
     Value at
06/30/20
     Income      Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
 (a)
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

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

     1,258,784               (597,237      661,547      $ 661,547      $ 6,680      $      $  
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Includes net capital gain distributions, if applicable.

 
  (b) 

Represents net shares purchased (sold).

 

 

 

8  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund

 

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

     4          09/08/20        $ 647        $ 10,216  

U.S. Treasury 10 Year Note

     16          09/21/20          2,227          617  

U.S. Treasury Long Bond

     2          09/21/20          357          1,387  

U.S. Treasury 2 Year Note

     32          09/30/20          7,067          4,596  

U.S. Treasury 5 Year Note

     53          09/30/20          6,664          11,049  
                 

 

 

 
                    27,865  
                 

 

 

 

Short Contracts

                 

Euro-Bund

     4          09/08/20          793          (9,023

Canada 10 Year Bond

     3          09/21/20          340          172  

U.S. Treasury 10 Year Ultra Note

     2          09/21/20          315          (968

U.S. Treasury Ultra Bond

     2          09/21/20          436          511  

Long Gilt

     2          09/28/20          341          (1,875
                 

 

 

 
                    (11,183
                 

 

 

 
                  $ 16,682  
                 

 

 

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

Currency
Purchased
       Currency
Sold
       Counterparty      Settlement
Date
       Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
USD     30,859        MXN     700,000        Citibank NA        07/06/20        $ 419  
EUR     10,000        USD     11,216        State Street Bank and Trust Co.        07/16/20          22  
USD     7,016        AUD     10,000        Citibank NA        07/16/20          114  
USD     10,000        RUB     701,742        Goldman Sachs International        07/16/20          158  
USD     40,000        TRY     274,340        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        07/16/20          99  
USD     50,000        ZAR     828,937        Standard Chartered Bank        07/16/20          2,306  
USD     10,000        CLP     7,709,300        Citibank NA        07/20/20          611  
USD     9,748        COP     36,500,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        07/27/20          57  
USD     17,524        COP     64,267,786        Barclays Bank plc        09/16/20          532  
USD     5,183        RUB     368,746        BNP Paribas SA        09/16/20          47  
USD     3,473        RUB     246,181        Credit Suisse International        09/16/20          45  
USD     3,631        RUB     257,701        Deutsche Bank AG        09/16/20          41  
USD     108,823        RUB     7,576,869        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        09/16/20          3,297  
USD     6,118        MXN     134,119        Barclays Bank plc        09/23/20          347  
                       

 

 

 
                          8,095  
                       

 

 

 
USD     53,512        CAD     73,000        Citibank NA        07/06/20          (260
USD     102,188        EUR     91,000        HSBC Bank plc        07/06/20          (58
JPY     1,071,741        USD     10,000        UBS AG        07/16/20          (72
KRW     11,883,700        USD     10,000        Barclays Bank plc        07/16/20          (94
MXN     1,538,921        USD     70,000        Bank of America NA        07/16/20          (3,174
MXN     451,282        USD     20,000        State Street Bank and Trust Co.        07/16/20          (403
RUB     5,512,800        USD     80,000        BNP Paribas SA        07/16/20          (2,682
USD     10,000        COP     37,800,000        BNP Paribas SA        07/16/20          (46
USD     10,000        KRW     12,138,357        BNP Paribas SA        07/16/20          (118
USD     10,000        TWD     293,490        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        07/16/20          (10
USD     10,000        ZAR     174,372        State Street Bank and Trust Co.        07/16/20          (33
CLP     7,832,206        USD     10,000        Royal Bank of Canada        07/20/20          (461
USD     5,149        COP     19,621,000        JPMorgan Chase Bank NA        07/27/20          (61
                       

 

 

 
                          (7,472
                       

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  9


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund

 

OTC Interest Rate Swaptions Purchased

 

  

 

  Paid by the Fund   Received by the Fund    Counterparty   Expiration
Date
    Exercise
Rate
    Notional
Amount (000)
   

Value

 
Description   Rate     Frequency   Rate     Frequency

Put 10-Year Interest Rate Swap(a)

    2.11   Semi-Annual     3 month LIBOR   Quarterly    Citibank NA     08/17/20       2.11   USD 1,800     $ 4  

10-Year Interest Rate Swap(a)

    1.05   Semi-Annual     3 month LIBOR     Quarterly    Deutsche Bank AG     12/03/20       1.05     USD 253       1,406  

10-Year Interest Rate Swap(a)

    1.05   Semi-Annual     3 month LIBOR     Quarterly    Deutsche Bank AG     12/16/20       1.05     USD 95       582  

10-Year Interest Rate Swap(a)

    1.00   Semi-Annual     3 month LIBOR     Quarterly    Bank of America NA     12/17/20       1.00     USD 112       805  
                  

 

 

 
                   $ 2,797  
                  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Forward settling swaption.

 

OTC Interest Rate Swaptions Written

 

  

 

  Paid by the Fund   Received by the Fund    Counterparty   Expiration
Date
    Exercise
Rate
   

Notional

Amount (000)

   

Value

 
Description   Rate     Frequency   Rate     Frequency

Call 10-Year Interest Rate Swap(a)

    3 month LIBOR     Quarterly     0.35   Semi-Annual    Deutsche Bank AG     09/30/20       0.35   USD 600     $ (2,253

10-Year Interest Rate Swap(a)

    3 month LIBOR     Quarterly     0.40   Semi-Annual    Barclays Bank plc     10/28/20       0.40     USD 900       (5,389
                  

 

 

 
                     (7,642
                  

 

 

 

Put 2-Year Interest Rate Swap(a)

    0.60   Semi-Annual     3 month LIBOR     Quarterly    Deutsche Bank AG     09/25/20       0.60     USD 4,600       (68
                  

 

 

 
                   $ (7,710
                  

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Forward settling swaption.

 

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 LIBOR    Quarterly    1.37%    Semi-Annual      N/A        11/30/20      USD     1,350      $ 7,108      $ 12,806      $ (5,698
1.37%    Semi-Annual    3 month LIBOR    Quarterly      N/A        11/30/20      USD     2,470        (13,004             (13,004
0.73%    Semi-Annual    3 month BA    Semi-Annual      04/05/21 (a)       04/05/22      CAD     1,388        (1,806             (1,806
0.77%    Semi-Annual    3 month BA    Semi-Annual      04/07/21 (a)       04/07/22      CAD     2,750        (4,332             (4,332
3 month BA    Semi-Annual    0.66%    Semi-Annual      05/13/22 (a)       05/13/23      CAD     2,765        (1,837             (1,837
1 day SONIA    At Termination    0.02%    At Termination      05/26/22 (a)       05/26/23      GBP     2,670        2,648               2,648  
3 month BA    Semi-Annual    0.74%    Semi-Annual      05/26/22 (a)       05/26/23      CAD     954        (129             (129
3 month BA    Semi-Annual    0.73%    Semi-Annual      05/30/22 (a)       05/30/23      CAD     773        (139             (139
3 month BA    Semi-Annual    0.76%    Semi-Annual      05/30/22 (a)       05/30/23      CAD     793        31               31  
0.06%    At Termination    1 day Fed Funds    At Termination      05/31/22 (a)       05/31/23      USD     679        (454             (454
0.08%    At Termination    1 day Fed Funds    At Termination      05/31/22 (a)       05/31/23      USD     564        (492             (492
3 month BA    Semi-Annual    0.76%    Semi-Annual      06/01/22 (a)       06/01/23      CAD     1,547        (2             (2
3 month BA    Semi-Annual    0.77%    Semi-Annual      06/01/22 (a)       06/01/23      CAD     1,548        27               27  
0.05%    At Termination    1 day Fed Funds    At Termination      06/02/22 (a)       06/02/23      USD     550        (309             (309
0.04%    At Termination    1 day Fed Funds    At Termination      06/03/22 (a)       06/03/23      USD     1,101        (544             (544
0.04%    At Termination    1 day Fed Funds    At Termination      06/03/22 (a)       06/03/23      USD     1,101        (516             (516
0.74%    Semi-Annual    3 month BA    Semi-Annual      06/27/22 (a)       06/27/23      CAD     2,190        649               649  
3 month BA    Semi-Annual    1.09%    Semi-Annual      04/03/23 (a)       04/03/24      CAD     1,388        2,057               2,057  
3 month BA    Semi-Annual    1.22%    Semi-Annual      04/10/23 (a)       04/10/24      CAD     2,750        6,575               6,575  
28 day MXIBTIIE    Monthly    6.67%    Monthly      N/A        08/12/24      MXN     496        1,635               1,635  
28 day MXIBTIIE    Monthly    6.72%    Monthly      N/A        08/13/24      MXN     427        1,439               1,439  
28 day MXIBTIIE    Monthly    6.59%    Monthly      N/A        11/08/24      MXN     314        1,022               1,022  
28 day MXIBTIIE    Monthly    5.20%    Monthly      N/A        05/02/25      MXN     1,048        782               782  

 

 

10  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund

 

Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swaps (continued)

 

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 BA    Semi-Annual    0.75%    Semi-Annual      N/A        05/26/25      CAD     460      $ (35    $      $ (35
3 month BA    Semi-Annual    0.85%    Semi-Annual      N/A        06/04/25      CAD     230        783               783  
3 month BA    Semi-Annual    0.85%    Semi-Annual      N/A        06/04/25      CAD     230        801        (1      802  
2.85%    Semi-Annual    3 month LIBOR    Quarterly      N/A        12/21/28      USD     300        (58,069             (58,069
1.61%    Semi-Annual    3 month LIBOR    Quarterly      N/A        10/01/29      USD     400        (37,082             (37,082
28 day MXIBTIIE    Monthly    5.99%    Monthly      N/A        05/02/30      MXN     277        323               323  
28 day MXIBTIIE    Monthly    6.03%    Monthly      N/A        05/02/30      MXN     277        361               361  
28 day MXIBTIIE    Monthly    6.03%    Monthly      N/A        05/03/30      MXN     247        319               319  
28 day MXIBTIIE    Monthly    5.96%    Monthly      N/A        05/06/30      MXN     201        212               212  
3 month LIBOR    Quarterly    0.64%    Semi-Annual      08/12/20 (a)       08/12/30      USD     124        (160             (160
3 month LIBOR    Quarterly    0.80%    Semi-Annual      12/18/20 (a)       12/18/30      USD     26        313               313  
3 month LIBOR    Quarterly    0.75%    Semi-Annual      12/21/20 (a)       12/21/30      USD     30        210               210  
                      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                       $ (91,615    $ 12,805      $ (104,420
                      

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Forward swap.

 

OTC Interest Rate Swaps

 

Paid by the Fund    Received by the Fund    Counterparty    Termination
Date
     Notional
Amount (000)
    Value      Upfront
Premium
Paid
(Received)
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Rate    Frequency    Rate     Frequency
1 day
BZDIOVER
   At Termination      5.13%     At Termination    JPMorgan Chase Bank NA      01/02/23        BRL        120     $ 717      $      $ 717  
28 day
MXIBTIIE
   Monthly      6.32%     Monthly    Goldman Sachs International      08/06/25        MXN        640       1,899               1,899  
                     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                      $ 2,616      $      $ 2,616  
                  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

OTC Inflation Swaps

 

Paid by the Fund    Received by the Fund    Counterparty    Termination
Date
     Notional
Amount (000)
    Value      Upfront
Premium
Paid
(Received)
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Reference    Frequency    Rate     Frequency
1 month USCPI    At Termination      (0.96)%     At Termination    Citibank NA      04/15/21        USD        594     $ (3,866    $      $ (3,866
1 month USCPI    At Termination      (1.00)%     At Termination    Citibank NA      04/15/21        USD        594       (4,078             (4,078
1 month USCPI    At Termination      (1.00)%     At Termination    Citibank NA      04/15/21        USD        594       (4,078             (4,078
1 month USCPI    At Termination      (1.02)%     At Termination    Citibank NA      04/15/21        USD        594       (4,187             (4,187
0.04%    At Termination      1 month USCPI     At Termination    Citibank NA      04/15/22        USD        594       5,383               5,383  
0.02%    At Termination      1 month USCPI     At Termination    Citibank NA      04/15/22        USD        594       5,633               5,633  
0.01%    At Termination      1 month USCPI     At Termination    Citibank NA      04/15/22        USD        594       5,724               5,724  
0.00%    At Termination      1 month USCPI     At Termination    Citibank NA      04/15/22        USD        594       5,860               5,860  
1 month USCPI    At Termination      (0.05)%     At Termination    Citibank NA      04/15/22        USD        891       (9,644             (9,644
0.62%    At Termination      1 month USCPI     At Termination    Citibank NA      04/15/24        USD        891       13,049               13,049  
                     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
                      $ 9,796      $      $ 9,796  
                  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  11


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund

 

The following reference rates, and their values as of period end, are used for security descriptions:

 

Reference Index          Reference Rate  

1 day BZDIOVER

   Overnight Brazil CETIP — Interbank Rate      0.01

1 day Fed Funds

   1 day Fed Funds      0.08  

1 day SONIA

   Sterling Overnight Index Average      0.06  

1 month USCPI

   U.S. Consumer Price Index      0.10  

28 day MXIBTIIE

   Mexico Interbank TIIE 28-Day      5.28  

3 month BA

   Canadian Bankers Acceptances      0.56  

3 month LIBOR

   London Interbank Offered Rate      0.30  

Balances Reported in the 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)

   $ 12,806      $ (1    $ 20,188      $ (124,608    $  

OTC Swaps

                   38,265        (25,853       

Options Written

     N/A        N/A        11,620               (7,710

 

  (a) 

Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on centrally cleared swaps, as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the 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 period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the 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)

   $      $      $      $      $ 28,548      $      $ 28,548  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          8,095                      8,095  

Options purchased(b)

                    

Investments at value — unaffiliated(c)

                                 2,797               2,797  

Swaps — centrally cleared

                    

Unrealized appreciation on centrally cleared swaps(a)

                                 20,188               20,188  

Swaps — OTC

                    

Unrealized appreciation on OTC swaps; Swap premiums paid

                                 2,616        35,649        38,265  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $      $ 8,095      $ 54,149      $ 35,649      $ 97,893  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments

                    

Futures contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)

                                 11,866               11,866  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          7,472                      7,472  

Options written

                    

Options written at value

                                 7,710               7,710  

Swaps — centrally cleared

                    

Unrealized depreciation on centrally cleared swaps(a)

                                 124,608               124,608  

Swaps — OTC

                    

Unrealized depreciation on OTC swaps; Swap premiums received

                                        25,853        25,853  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $      $      $ 7,472      $ 144,184      $ 25,853      $ 177,509  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts and centrally cleared swaps, if any, are reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the 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 forward settling swaptions.

 
  (c) 

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

 

 

 

12  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the 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

   $      $      $      $      $ 398,865      $      $ 398,865  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          34,643                      34,643  

Options purchased(a)

                                 (10,674             (10,674

Options written

                                 40,726               40,726  

Swaps

            1,799                      (1,185,848      22,421        (1,161,628
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $ 1,799      $      $ 34,643      $ (756,931    $ 22,421      $ (698,068
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:                                                 

Futures contracts

                                 21               21  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                          (12,898                    (12,898

Options purchased(b)

                                 15,506               15,506  

Options written

                                 797               797  

Swaps

            1,057                      467,952        9,796        478,805  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $      $ 1,057      $      $ (12,898    $ 484,276      $ 9,796      $ 482,231  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

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

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments    

 

Futures contracts:

        

Average notional value of contracts — long

   $ 19,313,431  

Average notional value of contracts — short

     2,429,059  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts:

  

Average amounts purchased — in USD

     1,445,848  

Average amounts sold — in USD

     558,384  

Options:

  

Average value of option contracts purchased

     537  

Average value of option contracts written

     58,954  

Average notional value of swaption contracts purchased

     2,030,000  

Average notional value of swaption contracts written

     7,800,000  

Credit default swaps:

  

Average notional value — buy protection

     (a)  

Average notional value — sell protection

     (a)  

Interest rate swaps:

  

Average notional value — pays fixed rate

     9,155,678  

Average notional value — receives fixed rate

     9,770,424  

Inflation swaps:

  

Average notional value — pays fixed rate

     1,633,500  

Average notional value — receives fixed rate

     1,633,500  

 

  (a) 

Derivative not held at any quarter-end. The risk exposure table serves as an indicator of activity during the period.

 

For more information about the Fund’s investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  13


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund

 

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

The Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities (by type) were as follows:

 

      Assets        Liabilities  

Derivative Financial Instruments:

       

Futures contracts

   $ 5,187        $ 3,100  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

     8,095          7,472  

Options(a)(b)

     2,797          7,710  

Swaps — Centrally cleared

              1,475  

Swaps — OTC(c)

     38,265          25,853  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

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

   $ 54,344        $ 45,610  

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

     (5,187        (4,575
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

   $ 49,157        $ 41,035  
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

Includes forward settling swaptions.

 
  (c) 

Includes unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on OTC swaps and swap premiums paid/received in the 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
       Cash
Collateral
Received
       Net Amount
of Derivative
Assets
 (b)
 

Bank of America NA

   $ 805        $ (805      $        $        $  

Barclays Bank plc

     879          (879                           

BNP Paribas SA

     47          (47                           

Citibank NA

     36,797          (26,113                          10,684  

Credit Suisse International

     45                                     45  

Deutsche Bank AG

     2,029          (2,029                           

Goldman Sachs International

     2,057                                     2,057  

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

     4,170          (71                          4,099  

Standard Chartered Bank

     2,306                                     2,306  

State Street Bank and Trust Co.

     22          (22                           
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 49,157        $ (29,966      $        $        $ 19,191  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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

Bank of America NA

   $ 3,174        $ (805      $        $        $ 2,369  

Barclays Bank plc

     5,483          (879                          4,604  

BNP Paribas SA

     2,846          (47                          2,799  

Citibank NA

     26,113          (26,113                           

Deutsche Bank AG

     2,321          (2,029                          292  

HSBC Bank plc

     58                                     58  

JPMorgan Chase Bank NA

     71          (71                           

Royal Bank of Canada

     461                                     461  

State Street Bank and Trust Co.

     436          (22                          414  

UBS AG

     72                                     72  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 41,035        $ (29,966      $        $        $ 11,069  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

  (a) 

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

 
  (b) 

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

 
  (c) 

Net amount represents the net amount payable due to the counterparty in the event of default.

 

 

 

14  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Schedule of Investments  (unaudited) (continued)

June 30, 2020

  

BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund

 

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 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:

                 

Long-Term Investments

   $        $ 66,628,929        $        $ 66,628,929  

Short-Term Securities:

                 

Money Market Funds

     661,547                            661,547  

U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities

              7,999,387                   7,999,387  

Options Purchased:

                 

Interest rate contracts

              2,797                   2,797  

Liabilities:

                 

Investments:

                 

TBA Sale Commitments

              (6,272,915                 (6,272,915
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 661,547        $ 68,358,198        $        $ 69,019,745  
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments(a)

                 

Assets:

                 

Foreign currency exchange contracts

   $        $ 8,095        $        $ 8,095  

Interest rate contracts

     28,548          22,804                   51,352  

Other contracts

              35,649                   35,649  

Liabilities:

                 

Foreign currency exchange contracts

              (7,472                 (7,472

Interest rate contracts

     (11,866        (132,318                 (144,184

Other contracts

              (25,853                 (25,853
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
   $ 16,682        $ (99,095      $        $ (82,413
  

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

The breakdown of the Fund’s investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.

  (a) 

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.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

  15


 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities  (unaudited)

June 30, 2020

 

     BlackRock U.S.
Government
Bond V.I. Fund
 

ASSETS

 

Investments at value — unaffiliated (cost — $71,503,507)

  $ 74,631,113  

Investments at value — affiliated (cost — $661,547)

    661,547  

Cash pledged:

 

Futures contracts

    114,710  

Centrally cleared swaps

    66,943  

Foreign currency at value (cost — $363,726)

    359,031  

Receivables:

 

Investments sold

    3,747,686  

TBA sale commitments

    6,265,521  

Capital shares sold

    443,293  

Dividends — affiliated

    88  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    9,910  

Interest — unaffiliated

    246,500  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    5,187  

Unrealized appreciation on:

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    8,095  

OTC swaps

    38,265  

Prepaid expenses

    718  

Other assets

    1,156  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    86,599,763  
 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

Bank overdraft

    15,618  

Options written at value (premium received $19,330)

    7,710  

TBA sale commitments at value (proceeds $6,265,521)

    6,272,915  

Payables:

 

Investments purchased

    15,656,430  

Capital shares redeemed

    124  

Distribution fees

    1,525  

Income dividend distributions

    107,192  

Investment advisory fees

    12,519  

Directors’ and Officer’s fees

    5,505  

Other affiliates

    167  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    3,100  

Variation margin on centrally cleared swaps

    1,475  

Other accrued expenses

    150,159  

Unrealized depreciation on:

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    7,472  

OTC swaps

    25,853  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    22,267,764  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 64,331,999  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 64,606,714  

Accumulated loss

    (274,715
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

  $ 64,331,999  
 

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE

 

Class I — Based on net assets of $57,075,134 and 5,269,607 shares outstanding, 300 million shares authorized, $0.10 par value

  $ 10.83  
 

 

 

 

Class III — Based on net assets of $7,256,865 and 670,376 shares outstanding, 100 million shares authorized, $0.10 par value

  $ 10.83  
 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

16  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


 

Statement of Operations  (unaudited)

Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

 

     BlackRock U.S.
Government
Bond V.I. Fund
 

INVESTMENT INCOME

 

Dividends — affiliated

  $ 6,680  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    36  

Interest — unaffiliated

    817,197  

Foreign taxes withheld

    (75
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    823,838  
 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

Investment advisory

    164,826  

Transfer agent — class specific

    63,838  

Professional

    41,205  

Accounting services

    36,013  

Custodian

    17,360  

Distribution — class specific

    13,275  

Printing

    2,764  

Transfer agent

    2,486  

Miscellaneous

    9,771  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding interest expense

    351,538  

Interest expense

    48,479  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    400,017  

Less:

 

Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager

    (86,775

Transfer agent fees waived and/or reimbursed — class specific

    (60,651
 

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    252,591  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    571,247  
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments — unaffiliated

    1,786,221  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    34,643  

Foreign currency transactions

    (3,921

Futures contracts

    398,865  

Options written

    40,726  

Swaps

    (1,161,628
 

 

 

 
    1,094,906  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments — unaffiliated

    1,750,475  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    (12,898

Foreign currency translations

    (4,996

Futures contracts

    21  

Options written

    797  

Swaps

    478,805  
 

 

 

 
    2,212,204  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    3,307,110  
 

 

 

 

NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS

  $ 3,878,357  
 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  17


 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

    BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund  
     Six Months Ended
06/30/20
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
12/31/19
 

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS

   

OPERATIONS

   

Net investment income

  $ 571,247     $ 1,287,039  

Net realized gain

    1,094,906       760,480  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    2,212,204       1,570,977  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    3,878,357       3,618,496  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)

   

Class I

    (547,557     (1,276,900

Class III

    (86,693     (76,865
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders

    (634,250     (1,353,765
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

   

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions

    4,525,291       (3,827,360
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS

   

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    7,769,398       (1,562,629

Beginning of period

    56,562,601       58,125,230  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 64,331,999     $ 56,562,601  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) 

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

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

18  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Financial Highlights  

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund  
    Class I  
   

Six Months Ended
06/30/20

(unaudited)

          Year Ended December 31,  
    2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.32       $ 9.93      $ 10.12      $ 10.18      $ 10.23      $ 10.39  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.10         0.23        0.21        0.16        0.15        0.15  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.51         0.40        (0.18      (0.01      (0.01      (0.10
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase from investment operations

    0.61         0.63        0.03        0.15        0.14        0.05  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(b)

    (0.10       (0.24      (0.22      (0.21      (0.19      (0.21
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 10.83       $ 10.32      $ 9.93      $ 10.12      $ 10.18      $ 10.23  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

                 

Based on net asset value

    5.97 %(d)        6.36      0.29      1.52      1.33      0.45
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                 

Total expenses

    1.19 %(e)(f)        1.70      1.85      1.31      1.02      0.96
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    0.72 %(e)(f)        1.31      1.27      1.01      0.76      0.73
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and excluding interest expense

    0.57 %(e)(f)        0.74      0.82      0.87      0.70      0.70
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.81 %(e)(f)        2.22      2.10      1.58      1.43      1.41
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 57,075       $ 53,865      $ 54,820      $ 65,100      $ 72,433      $ 83,016  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    324       699      737      1,052      1,140      1,581
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

Where applicable, excludes insurance-related fees and expenses and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(d) 

Aggregate total return.

(e) 

Annualized.

(f) 

Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds of 0.01%.

(g) 

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

 

   

Six Months Ended
06/30/20

(unaudited)

          Year Ended December 31,  
          2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs)

    211             445      435      681      705      991
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

  19


Financial Highlights  (continued)

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund  
    Class III  
   

Six Months Ended
06/30/20

(unaudited)

          Year Ended December 31,  
    2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  
               

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.32       $ 9.92      $ 10.11      $ 10.18      $ 10.22      $ 10.39  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income(a)

    0.07         0.19        0.18        0.13        0.11        0.13  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.53         0.42        (0.18      (0.02             (0.12
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase from investment operations

    0.60         0.61        0.00        0.11        0.11        0.01  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Distributions from net investment income(b)

    (0.09       (0.21      (0.19      (0.18      (0.15      (0.18
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 10.83       $ 10.32      $ 9.92      $ 10.11      $ 10.18      $ 10.22  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Return(c)

                 

Based on net asset value

    5.81 %(d)        6.14      (0.01 )%       1.10      1.08      0.08
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

                 

Total expenses

    1.35 %(e)(f)        1.89      2.03      1.45      1.27      1.11
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed

    1.00 %(e)(f)        1.61      1.57      1.30      1.08      1.00
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and excluding interest expense

    0.85 %(e)(f)        1.03      1.13      1.17      1.01      0.97
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1.34 %(e)(f)        1.86      1.86      1.30      1.09      1.27
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental Data

                 

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $ 7,257       $ 2,698      $ 3,305      $ 1,785      $ 2,758      $ 1,894  
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate(g)

    324       699      737      1,052      1,140      1,581
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) 

Based on average shares outstanding.

(b) 

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

(c) 

Where applicable, excludes insurance-related fees and expenses and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

(d) 

Aggregate total return.

(e) 

Annualized.

(f) 

Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds of 0.01%.

(g) 

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

 

   

Six Months Ended
06/30/20

(unaudited)

          Year Ended December 31,  
          2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs)

    211             445      435      681      705      991
 

 

 

     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

20  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited)

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

BlackRock Variable Series Funds II, Inc. (the “Company”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Company is organized as a Maryland corporation that is comprised of 3 separate funds. The funds offer shares to insurance companies for their separate accounts to fund benefits under certain variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts. The financial statements presented are for BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is classified as diversified. Class I and Class III Shares have equal voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights, except that only shares of the respective classes are entitled to vote on matters concerning only that class. In addition, Class III Shares bear certain expenses related to the distribution of such shares.

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 non-index fixed-income mutual funds and all BlackRock-advised closed-end funds referred to as the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex.

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 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 and non-cash dividend income, if any, are 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. 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 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 and swaps) or certain borrowings (e.g., reverse repurchase transactions) 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 or borrowings. Doing so allows the investment or borrowings 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.

Distributions: Distributions from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly. 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.

Deferred Compensation Plan: Under the Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) approved by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), the directors who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act (“Independent Directors”), may defer a portion of their annual complex-wide compensation. Deferred amounts earn an approximate return as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in common shares of certain funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex selected by the Independent Directors. This has the same economic effect for the Independent Directors as if the Independent Directors had invested the deferred amounts directly in certain funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex.

The Plan is not funded and obligations thereunder represent general unsecured claims against the general assets of the Fund, as applicable. Deferred compensation liabilities are included in the Directors’ and Officer’s fees payable in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and will remain as a liability of the Fund until such amounts are distributed in accordance with the Plan.

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.

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  21


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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. If a security’s market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value. 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:

 

   

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 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.

 

   

Futures contract notional values are determined based on that day’s last reported settlement price on the exchange where the contract is traded.

 

   

Exchange-traded equity options for which market quotations are readily available will be valued at the National Best Bid and Offer quotes (“NBBO”). NBBO represents the mean of the bid and ask prices as quoted on the exchange on which such options are traded. In the event that there is no mean price available, the last bid (long positions) or ask (short positions) price will be used. If no bid or ask price is available, the prior day’s price may be used. 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.

 

   

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.

 

   

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.

 

   

To-be-announced (“TBA”) commitments are valued on the basis of last available bid prices or current market quotations provided by pricing services.

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.

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

 

 

22  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

  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 privately held companies or funds. 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.

 

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 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.

Multiple Class Pass-Through Securities: Multiple class pass-through securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and commercial mortgage-backed securities, may be issued by Ginnie Mae, U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities or by trusts formed by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans. In general, CMOs are debt obligations of a legal entity that are collateralized by a pool of residential or commercial mortgage loans or Mortgage Assets. The payments on these are used to make payments on the CMOs or multiple pass-through securities. Multiple class pass-through securities represent direct ownership interests in the Mortgage Assets. Classes of CMOs include interest only (“IOs”), principal only (“POs”), planned amortization classes and targeted amortization classes. IOs and POs are stripped mortgage-backed securities representing interests in a pool of mortgages, the cash flow from which has been separated into interest and principal components. IOs receive the interest portion of the cash flow while POs receive the principal portion. IOs and POs can be extremely volatile in response to changes in interest rates. As interest rates rise and fall, the value of IOs tends to move in the same direction as interest rates. POs perform best when prepayments on the underlying mortgages rise since this increases the rate at which the principal is returned and the yield to maturity on the PO. When payments on mortgages underlying a PO are slower than anticipated, the life of the PO is lengthened and the yield to maturity is reduced. If the underlying Mortgage Assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, a fund’s initial investment in the IOs may not fully recoup.

Stripped Mortgage-Backed Securities: Stripped mortgage-backed securities are typically issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities. Stripped mortgage-backed securities are usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest (IOs) and principal (POs) distributions on a pool of Mortgage Assets. Stripped mortgage-backed securities may be privately issued.

TBA Commitments: TBA commitments are forward agreements for the purchase or sale of mortgage-backed securities for a fixed price, with payment and delivery on an agreed upon future settlement date. The specific securities to be delivered are not identified at the trade date. However, delivered securities must meet specified terms, including issuer, rate and mortgage terms. When entering into TBA commitments, a fund may take possession of or deliver the underlying mortgage-backed securities but can extend the settlement or roll the transaction. TBA commitments involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased or sold declines or increases, respectively, prior to settlement date.

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  23


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

In order to better define contractual rights and to secure rights that will help a fund mitigate its counterparty risk, TBA commitments may be entered into by a fund under Master Securities Forward Transaction Agreements (each, an “MSFTA”). An MSFTA typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of default and/or termination event. 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 the collateral currently pledged by a fund and the counterparty. Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover the obligations of a fund and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, is reported separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as cash pledged as collateral for TBA commitments or cash received as collateral for TBA commitments, respectively. Non-cash collateral pledged by a fund, if any, is noted in the Schedule of Investments. Typically, a fund is permitted to sell, re-pledge or use the collateral it receives; however, the counterparty is not permitted to do so. To the extent amounts due to a fund are not fully collateralized, contractually or otherwise, a fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance.

Mortgage Dollar Roll Transactions: The Fund may sell TBA mortgage-backed securities and simultaneously contract to repurchase substantially similar (i.e., same type, coupon and maturity) securities on a specific future date at an agreed upon price. During the period between the sale and repurchase, a fund is not entitled to receive interest and principal payments on the securities sold. Mortgage dollar roll transactions are treated as purchases and sales and realize gains and losses on these transactions. Mortgage dollar rolls involve the risk that the market value of the securities that a fund is required to purchase may decline below the agreed upon repurchase price of those securities.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements: Reverse repurchase agreements are agreements with qualified third party broker dealers in which a fund sells securities to a bank or broker-dealer and agrees to repurchase the same securities at a mutually agreed upon date and price. A fund receives cash from the sale to use for other investment purposes. During the term of the reverse repurchase agreement, a fund continues to receive the principal and interest payments on the securities sold. Certain agreements have no stated maturity and can be terminated by either party at any time. Interest on the value of the reverse repurchase agreements issued and outstanding is based upon competitive market rates determined at the time of issuance. A fund may utilize reverse repurchase agreements when it is anticipated that the interest income to be earned from the investment of the proceeds of the transaction is greater than the interest expense of the transaction. Reverse repurchase agreements involve leverage risk. If a fund suffers a loss on its investment of the transaction proceeds from a reverse repurchase agreement, a fund would still be required to pay the full repurchase price. Further, a fund remains subject to the risk that the market value of the securities repurchased declines below the repurchase price. In such cases, a fund would be required to return a portion of the cash received from the transaction or provide additional securities to the counterparty.

Cash received in exchange for securities delivered plus accrued interest due to the counterparty is recorded as a liability in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at face value including accrued interest. Due to the short-term nature of the reverse repurchase agreements, face value approximates fair value. Interest payments made by a fund to the counterparties are recorded as a component of interest expense in the Statement of Operations. In periods of increased demand for the security, a fund may receive a fee for the use of the security by the counterparty, which may result in interest income to a fund.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the average amount of reverse repurchase agreements outstanding and the daily weighted average interest rate for the Fund were $7,584,258 and 0.64%, respectively.

 

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 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities. When a contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the 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

 

 

24  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

value of the referenced foreign currencies, and such value may exceed the amount(s) reflected in the 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 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 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 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 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, cash is segregated 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 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). 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.

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 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received or paid are recorded in the Statement of Operations as realized gains or losses, respectively. When an OTC swap is terminated, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the 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.

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 Schedule of Investments and cash deposited is shown as cash pledged for centrally cleared swaps in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted cash, are included in cash pledged for centrally cleared swaps in the 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received from (paid to) the counterparty, including at termination, are recorded as realized gains (losses) in the 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.

 

   

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

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  25


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

  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.

 

   

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.

 

   

Inflation swaps — Inflation swaps are entered into to gain or reduce exposure to inflation (inflation risk). In an inflation swap, one party makes fixed interest payments on a notional principal amount in exchange for another party’s variable payments based on an inflation index, such as the Consumer Price Index.

Swap transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of interest rate, credit and market risk in excess of the amounts recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Such risks involve the possibility that there will be no liquid market for these agreements, that the 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.

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 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 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

6.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Investment Advisory: The Company, on behalf of 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 the following percentages of the average daily value of the Fund’s net assets:

 

Average Daily Net Assets   Investment
Advisory Fees
 

First $1 Billion

    0.50

$1 Billion — $3 Billion

    0.47  

$3 Billion — $5 Billion

    0.45  

$5 Billion — $10 Billion

    0.44  

Greater than $10 Billion

    0.43  

The Manager entered into a sub-advisory agreement, effective May 19, 2020, with BlackRock International Limited (“BIL”), an affiliate of the Manager. The Manager pays BIL for services it provides for that portion of the Fund for which BIL acts as sub-adviser, a monthly fee that is equal to a percentage of the investment advisory fees paid by the Fund to the Manager.

Distribution Fees: The Company, on behalf of the Fund, entered into a Distribution Agreement and a Distribution Plan with BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of the Manager. Pursuant to the Distribution Plan and in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund pays BRIL ongoing distribution fees. The fees are accrued daily and paid monthly at annual rate of 0.25% based upon the average daily net assets attributable to Class III.

 

 

26  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

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

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the class specific distribution fees borne directly by Class III were $13,275.

Transfer Agent: On behalf of the Fund, the Manager entered into agreements with insurance companies and other financial intermediaries (“Service Organizations”), some of which may be affiliates. Pursuant to these agreements, the Service Organizations provide the Fund with administrative, networking, recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency and shareholder services to underlying investor accounts. For these services, the Service Organizations receive an annual fee per shareholder account, which will vary depending on share class and/or net assets of Fund shareholders serviced by the Service Organizations which is shown as transfer agent – class specific. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Fund did not pay any amounts to affiliates in return for these services.

In addition, the Fund pays the transfer agent, which is not an affiliate, a fee for the issuance, transfer and redemption of shares and the opening and maintenance of shareholder accounts, which is included in transfer agent in the Statement of Operations.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the following table shows the class specific transfer agent fees borne directly by each share class of the Fund:

 

Class I

  $ 55,695  

Class III

    8,143  
    $ 63,838  

Expense Limitations, Waivers and Reimbursements: The Manager voluntarily agreed to waive 0.26% of its investment advisory fee paid by the Fund. This voluntary waiver may be reduced or discontinued at any time without notice. This amount is included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statement of Operations. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the amount waived was $85,709.

The Manager contractually 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”) through April 30, 2021. 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. The amount of waivers and/or reimbursements of fees and expenses made pursuant to the expense limitations described below will be reduced by the amount of the affiliated money market fund waiver. Prior to May 1, 2020, this waiver was voluntary. This amount is included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statement of Operations. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the amount waived was $1,066.

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 April 30, 2021. 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 six months ended June 30, 2020, there were no fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager pursuant to this arrangement.

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Fund reimbursed the Manager $357 for certain accounting services, which is included in accounting services in the Statement of Operations.

The Manager has contractually agreed to reimburse certain transfer agent fees in order to limit such expenses to a percentage of average daily net assets as follows:

 

Class I

    0.00

Class III

    0.06  

The Manager has agreed not to reduce or discontinue the contractual expense limitations through April 30, 2021, unless approved by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. These amounts are included in transfer agent fees waived and/or reimbursed — class specific in the Statement of Operations. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, class specific expense waivers and/or reimbursements were as follows:

 

     Transfer Agent Fees
Waived and/or Reimbursed
 

Class I

  $ 55,695  

Class III

    4,956  
    $ 60,651  

The Manager contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse fees or expenses in order to limit expenses, excluding interest expense, dividend expense, acquired fund fees and expenses, and certain other fund expenses, which constitute extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business (“expense limitation”). The expense limitations as a percentage of average daily net assets are as follows:

 

Class I

    1.25

Class III

    1.50  

The Manager has agreed not to reduce or discontinue these contractual expense limitations through April 30, 2021, unless approved by the Board, including a majority of Independent Directors, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, there were no fees waived and/ or reimbursed by the Manager.

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  27


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

Interfund Lending: In accordance with an exemptive order (the “Order”) from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“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 period ended June 30, 2020, the Fund did not participate in the Interfund Lending Program.

Directors and Officers: Certain directors and/or officers of the Company are directors and/or officers of BlackRock or its affiliates. The Fund reimburses the Manager for a portion of the compensation paid to the Company’s Chief Compliance Officer, which is included in Directors and Officer in the Statement of Operations.

 

7.

PURCHASES AND SALES

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, purchases and sales of investments, including paydowns and mortgage dollar rolls and excluding short-term securities, were as follows:

 

     Purchases      Sales  

Non-U.S. Government Securities

  $ 219,614,783      $ 227,496,608  

U.S. Government Securities

    16,822,145        22,518,243  

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, purchases and sales related to mortgage dollar rolls were $83,006,246 and $83,007,099, respectively.

 

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 December 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 June 30, 2020, 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 financial statements.

As of December 31, 2019, the Fund had non-expiring capital loss carryforward available to offset future realized capital gains of $4,638,280.

As of June 30, 2020, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation for investments and derivatives based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Tax cost

  $ 72,186,952  
 

 

 

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 3,606,626  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (571,396
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

  $ 3,035,230  
 

 

 

 

 

9.

BANK BORROWINGS

BlackRock Variable Series Funds II, Inc., on behalf of 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 2021 unless extended or renewed. 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 six months ended June 30, 2020, 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;

 

 

28  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

(iii) regulation, taxation or international tax treaties between various countries; or (iv) currency, interest rate and price fluctuations. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments. 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.

Valuation Risk: An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus has developed into a global pandemic and has resulted in closing borders, quarantines, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this pandemic, and other global health crises that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. This pandemic may result in substantial market volatility and may adversely impact the prices and liquidity of a fund’s investments. The duration of this pandemic and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.

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 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 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.

The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities backed by commercial or residential mortgage loans or in issuers that hold mortgage and other asset-backed securities. Investment percentages in these securities are presented in the Schedule of Investments. Changes in economic conditions, including delinquencies and/or defaults on assets underlying these securities, can affect the value, income and/or liquidity of such positions.

 

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  29


Notes to Financial Statements  (unaudited) (continued)

 

11.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Transactions in capital shares for each class were as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
06/30/20
    Year Ended
12/31/19
 
     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Class I

       

Shares sold

    449,416     $ 4,795,471       306,520     $ 3,139,125  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    50,555       537,832       127,398       1,295,840  

Shares redeemed

    (447,930     (4,783,169     (736,860     (7,515,644
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    52,041     $ 550,134       (302,942   $ (3,080,679
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Class III

       

Shares sold

    2,287,532     $ 24,261,048       674,859     $ 6,868,096  

Shares issued in reinvestment of distributions

    7,354       79,038       7,647       77,885  

Shares redeemed

    (1,885,954     (20,364,929     (754,061     (7,692,662
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease)

    408,932     $ 3,975,157       (71,555   $ (746,681
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Net Increase (Decrease)

    460,973     $ 4,525,291       (374,497   $ (3,827,360
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

30  

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Glossary of Terms Used in this Report

 

Currency
AUD    Australian Dollar
BRL    Brazilian Real
CAD    Canadian Dollar
CLP    Chilean Peso
COP    Colombian Peso
EUR    Euro
GBP    British Pound
JPY    Japanese Yen
KRW    South Korean Won
MXN    Mexican Peso
RUB    New Russian Ruble
TRY    Turkish Lira
TWD    Taiwan New Dollar
USD    United States Dollar
ZAR    South African Rand
  
Portfolio Abbreviations
BA    Canadian Bankers Acceptances
BZDIOVER    Overnight Brazil CETIP — Interbank Rate
LIBOR    London Interbank Offered Rate
MXIBTIIE    Mexico Interbank TIIE 28-Day
OTC    Over-the-counter
TBA    To-be-announced
 

 

 

GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN THIS REPORT

  31


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements  

 

The Board of Directors (the “Board,” the members of which are referred to as “Board Members”) of BlackRock Variable Series Funds, Inc. (the “Corporation”) met on April 7, 2020 (the “April Meeting”) and May 11-13, 2020 (the “May Meeting”) to consider the approval of the investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) between the Corporation, on behalf of BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core V.I. Fund (the “Large Cap Core V.I. Fund”), BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value V.I. Fund (the “Large Cap Value V.I. Fund”), BlackRock Advantage U.S. Total Market V.I. Fund (the “U.S. Total Market V.I. Fund”), BlackRock Basic Value V.I. Fund (the “Basic Value V.I. Fund”), BlackRock Capital Appreciation V.I. Fund (the “Capital Appreciation V.I. Fund”), BlackRock Equity Dividend V.I. Fund (the “Equity Dividend V.I. Fund”), BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Fund (the “Global Allocation V.I. Fund”), BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Fund (the “Government Money Market V.I. Fund”), BlackRock International V.I. Fund (the “International V.I. Fund”), BlackRock International Index V.I. Fund (the “International Index V.I. Fund”), BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation ETF V.I. Fund (the “60/40 Target Allocation ETF V.I. Fund”), BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Fund (the “Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Fund”), BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I. Fund (the “Managed Volatility V.I. Fund”), BlackRock Small Cap Index V.I. Fund (the “Small Cap Index V.I. Fund”) and BlackRock S&P 500 Index V.I. Fund (the “S&P 500 Index V.I. Fund”) (each, a “Fund,” and collectively the “Funds”), each a series of the Corporation, and BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”), the Corporation’s investment advisor. The Board also considered the approval of the sub-advisory agreements between the Manager and (a) BlackRock International Limited (“BIL”) with respect to International V.I. Fund and Managed Volatility V.I. Fund (the “BIL Sub-Advisory Agreements”); (b) BlackRock Asset Management North Asia Limited (“BNA”) with respect to Managed Volatility V.I. Fund (the “BNA Sub-Advisory Agreement”); and (c) BlackRock (Singapore) Limited (“BSL” and together with BIL and BNA, the “Sub-Advisors”) with respect to Managed Volatility V.I. Fund (the “BSL Sub-Advisory Agreement” and together with the BIL Sub-Advisory Agreements and the BNA Sub-Advisory Agreement, the “Sub-Advisory Agreements”). The Manager and the Sub-Advisors are referred to herein as “BlackRock.” The Advisory Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements are referred to herein as the “Agreements.”

Activities and Composition of the Board

On the date of the May Meeting, the Board consisted of fourteen individuals, twelve of whom were not “interested persons” of the Corporation as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (the “Independent Board Members”). The Board Members are responsible for the oversight of the operations of the Corporation 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 Agreements

Consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Board considers the continuation of the Agreements 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 Agreements, the Board’s consideration entails a year-long deliberative process whereby the Board and its committees assess BlackRock’s services to the Funds. In particular, the Board assessed, among other things, the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to each Fund by BlackRock, BlackRock’s personnel and affiliates, including (as applicable): investment management services; accounting oversight; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of each Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; and legal, regulatory and compliance services. 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 BlackRock’s 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 Agreements, including the services and support provided by BlackRock to each 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 in the section titled “Board Considerations in Approving the Agreements.” Among the matters the Board considered were: (a) with respect to each Fund, investment performance for one-year, three-year, five-year, and/or since inception periods, as applicable, against peer funds, an applicable benchmark, and other performance metrics, as applicable, as well as BlackRock senior management’s and portfolio managers’ analyses of the reasons for any outperformance or underperformance 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 each Fund for services; (c) Fund operating expenses and how BlackRock allocates expenses to each Fund; (d) the resources devoted to, risk oversight of, and compliance reports relating to, implementation of each Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions, and meeting regulatory requirements; (e) BlackRock’s and the Corporation’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 Corporation’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 each 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 Agreements

The Approval Process: Prior to the April Meeting, the Board requested and received materials specifically relating to the Agreements. 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 the Board 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 each Fund’s fees and expenses as compared with a peer group of funds as determined by Broadridge (“Expense Peers”) and the investment performance of each Fund as compared with a peer group of funds (“Performance Peers”); (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 Agreements 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,

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND  SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS

   


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements  (continued)

 

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) a review of non-management fees; (f) the existence, impact and sharing of potential economies of scale, if any, with the Funds; (g) a summary of aggregate amounts paid by each Fund to BlackRock; (h) sales and redemption data regarding each Fund’s shares; and (i) various additional information requested by the Board as appropriate regarding BlackRock’s and each Fund’s operations.

At the April Meeting, the Board reviewed materials relating to its consideration of the Agreements. 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 questions and 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 each Fund as compared to its Performance Peers and to other metrics, as applicable; (c) the advisory fee and the estimated cost of the services and estimated profits realized by BlackRock and its affiliates from their relationship with the Funds; (d) each Fund’s fees and expenses compared to its Expense Peers; (e) the existence and sharing of potential economies of scale; (f) any fall-out benefits to BlackRock and its affiliates as a result of BlackRock’s relationship with the Funds; 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 each Fund’s 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 each Fund. Throughout the year, the Board compared each Fund’s 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 each Fund’s portfolio management team discussing the Fund’s performance, investment strategies and outlook.

The Board considered, among other factors, with respect to BlackRock: the number, education and experience of investment personnel generally and each Fund’s portfolio management team; 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 each 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 each Fund. BlackRock and its affiliates provide the Funds with certain administrative, shareholder and other services (in addition to any such services provided to the Funds by third-parties) and officers and other personnel as are necessary for the operations of the Funds. In particular, BlackRock and its affiliates provide the Funds 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 third-party service providers, including, among others, each 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 each Fund, such as tax reporting, expense management, fulfilling regulatory filing requirements, overseeing each 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 Funds and BlackRock: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, also reviewed and considered the performance history of each Fund. In preparation for the April Meeting, the Board was provided with reports independently prepared by Broadridge, which included an analysis of each Fund’s performance as of December 31, 2019, as compared to its Performance Peers. 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 each Fund as compared to its Performance Peers and, with respect to 60/40 Target Allocation ETF V.I. Fund, Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Fund, Capital Appreciation V.I. Fund, Large Cap Core V.I. Fund, Large Cap Value V.I. Fund, Global Allocation V.I. Fund, Basic Value V.I. Fund, U.S. Total Market V.I. Fund and International V.I. Fund, the respective Morningstar open-end fund category (“Morningstar Open-End Category”); with respect to Managed Volatility V.I. Fund, in light of the Fund’s outcome-oriented investment objective, certain performance metrics (“Outcome-Oriented Performance Metrics”); with respect to International Index V.I. Fund, Small Cap Index V.I. Fund and S&P 500 Index V.I. Fund, the performance of the Fund as compared with its benchmark; and, with respect to Government Money Market V.I. Fund, a weighted average benchmark of similar funds, as defined by BlackRock (“Benchmark Weighted Average”). The Board and its Performance Oversight Committee regularly review, and meet with Fund management to discuss, the performance of each 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 its Performance Peers (for example, the investment objectives and 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 disproportionately affect long-term performance.

The Board noted that for each of the one-, three- and five-year periods reported, Equity Dividend V.I. Fund ranked in the first quartile against its Performance Peers.

The Board noted that for the one-, three-, and five-year periods reported, 60/40 Target Allocation ETF V.I. Fund ranked in the first, first and second quartiles, respectively, against its Morningstar Open-End Category. The Board noted that BlackRock believes that the Morningstar Open-End Category is an appropriate performance metric for the

 

 

      

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements  (continued)

 

Fund, and that BlackRock has explained its rationale for this belief to the Board.

The Board noted that for the one-, three- and five-year periods reported, International V.I. Fund ranked in the first, first and second quartiles, respectively, against its Morningstar Open-End Category. The Board noted that BlackRock believes that the Morningstar Open-End Category is an appropriate performance metric for the Fund, and that BlackRock has explained its rationale for this belief to the Board.

The Board noted that for the one-, three- and five-year periods reported, Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Fund ranked in the second, first and first quartile, respectively, against its Morningstar Open-End Category. The Board noted that BlackRock believes that the Morningstar Open-End Category is an appropriate performance metric for the Fund, and that BlackRock has explained its rationale for this belief to the Board.

The Board noted that for each of the one-, three- and five-year periods reported, Global Allocation V.I. Fund ranked in the second quartile against its Morningstar Open-End Category. The Board noted that BlackRock believes that the Morningstar Open-End Category is an appropriate performance metric for the Fund, and that BlackRock has explained its rationale for this belief to the Board. 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 noted that for the one-, three- and five-year periods reported, Capital Appreciation V.I. Fund ranked in the third, first and first quartiles, respectively, against its Morningstar Open-End Category. The Board noted that BlackRock believes that the Morningstar Open-End Category is an appropriate performance metric for the Fund, and that BlackRock has explained its rationale for this belief to the Board. The Board and BlackRock reviewed the Fund’s underperformance relative to its Morningstar Open-End Category during the applicable periods.

The Board noted that for the one-, three- and five-year periods reported, Large Cap Core V.I. Fund ranked in the third, second and second quartiles, respectively against its Morningstar Open-End Category. The Board noted that BlackRock believes that the Morningstar Open-End Category is an appropriate performance metric for the Fund, and that BlackRock has explained its rationale for this belief to the Board. The Board and BlackRock reviewed the Fund’s underperformance relative to its Morningstar Open-End Category during the applicable periods.

The Board noted that for the one-, three- and five-year periods reported, Large Cap Value V.I. Fund ranked in the third, second and second quartiles, respectively, against its Morningstar Open-End Category. The Board noted that BlackRock believes that the Morningstar Open-End Category is an appropriate performance metric for the Fund, and that BlackRock has explained its rationale for this belief to the Board. The Board and BlackRock reviewed the Fund’s underperformance relative to its Morningstar Open-End Category during the applicable periods.

The Board noted that for the one-, three- and five-year periods reported, U.S. Total Market V.I. Fund ranked in the third, fourth and third quartiles, respectively against its Morningstar Open-End Category. The Board noted that BlackRock believes that the Morningstar Open-End Category is an appropriate performance metric for the Fund, and that BlackRock has explained its rationale for this belief to the Board. The Board and BlackRock reviewed the Fund’s underperformance relative to its Morningstar Open-End Category during the applicable periods.

The Board noted that for the one-, three- and five-year periods reported, Basic Value V.I. Fund ranked in the third, fourth and fourth quartiles, respectively, against its Morningstar Open-End Category. The Board noted that BlackRock believes that the Morningstar Open-End Category is an appropriate performance metric for the Fund, and that BlackRock has explained its rationale for this belief to the Board. The Board and BlackRock reviewed the Fund’s underperformance relative to its Morningstar Open-End Category during the applicable periods. The Board was informed that, among other things, longer-term performance was impacted by the investment team’s focus on value and related positioning in more volatile areas of the market.

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 that for each of the one-and three-year periods reported, Government Money Market V.I. Fund outperformed its Benchmark Weighted Average. The Board noted that BlackRock believes that the Benchmark Weighted Average is an appropriate performance metric for the Fund, and that BlackRock has explained its rationale for this belief to the Board.

The Board reviewed and considered the Fund’s performance relative to Managed Volatility V.I. Fund’s Outcome-Oriented Performance Metrics including a total return target. The Board noted that for each of the one-, three- and five-year periods reported, the Fund underperformed its total return target. The Board noted that BlackRock believes that the Outcome-Oriented Performance Metrics are an appropriate performance metric for the Fund, and that BlackRock has explained its rationale for this belief to the Board. The Board and BlackRock reviewed the Fund’s underperformance relative to its total return target during the applicable periods.

The Board noted that for the one-year period reported, S&P 500 Index V.I. Fund’s net performance was within the tolerance range of its benchmark. The Board noted that BlackRock believes that net performance relative to the benchmark is an appropriate performance metric for the Fund, and that BlackRock has explained its rationale for this belief to the Board.

The Board noted that for the one-year period reported, International Index V.I. Fund’s net performance above the tolerance range of its benchmark. The Board noted that BlackRock believes that net performance relative to the benchmark is an appropriate performance metric for the Fund, and that BlackRock has explained its rationale for this belief to the Board. The Board and BlackRock reviewed the Fund’s above tolerance performance relative to its benchmark over the period.

The Board noted that for the one-year period reported, Small Cap Index V.I. Fund’s net performance was above the tolerance range of its benchmark. The Board noted that BlackRock believes that net performance relative to the benchmark is an appropriate performance metric for the Fund, and that BlackRock has explained its rationale for this belief to the Board. The Board and BlackRock reviewed the Fund’s above tolerance performance relative to its benchmark over the period.

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 Funds: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed each 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 reimbursements or fee waivers. The Board also compared each 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

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND  SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS

   


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements  (continued)

 

reimbursements or fee waivers, and the actual management fee rate gives effect to any management fee reimbursements or waivers. 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 each Fund. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s estimated profitability with respect to each Fund and other funds the Board currently oversees for the year ended December 31, 2019 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 BlackRock 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 BlackRock, the types of funds managed, precision of expense allocations and business mix. The Board thus recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at the individual fund level 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.

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 Agreements 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 Funds, 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 Large Cap Core V.I. Fund’s contractual management fee rate ranked in the first quartile, and that the actual management fee rate and total expense ratio each ranked in the first quartile relative to the Fund’s Expense Peers. The Board further noted that BlackRock and the Board have contractually agreed to a cap on the Fund’s total expenses as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets on a class-by-class basis.

The Board noted that Small Cap Index V.I. Fund’s contractual management fee rate ranked in the first quartile, and that the actual management fee rate and total expense ratio each ranked in the first quartile relative to the Fund’s Expense Peers. The Board also noted that BlackRock and the Board have contractually agreed to a cap on the Fund’s total expenses as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets on a class-by-class basis.

The Board noted that S&P 500 Index V.I. Fund’s contractual management fee rate ranked in the first quartile, and that the actual management fee rate and total expense ratio each ranked in the first quartile relative to the Fund’s Expense Peers. The Board also noted that BlackRock and the Board have contractually agreed to a cap on the Fund’s total expenses as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets on a class-by-class basis.

The Board noted that International Index V.I. Fund’s contractual management fee rate ranked in the first quartile, and that the actual management fee rate and total expense ratio each ranked in the first quartile relative to the Fund’s Expense Peers. The Board also noted that BlackRock and the Board have contractually agreed to a cap on the Fund’s total expenses as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets on a class-by-class basis.

The Board noted that Basic Value V.I. Fund’s contractual management fee rate ranked in the first quartile, and that the actual management fee rate and total expense ratio ranked in the first and second quartiles, respectively, relative to the Fund’s Expense Peers. The Board further noted that BlackRock and the Board have contractually agreed to a cap on the Fund’s total expenses as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets on a class-by-class basis.

BlackRock has reviewed with the Board that the varying fee structure for fund of funds can limit the value of management fee comparisons. The Board noted that 60/40 Target Allocation ETF V.I. Fund’s contractual management fee rate ranked in the first quartile, and that the actual management fee rate and total expense ratio ranked in the first and second quartiles, respectively, relative to the Fund’s Expense Peers. Additionally, the Board noted that BlackRock and the Board have contractually agreed to a cap on the Fund’s total expenses as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets on a class-by-class basis.

The Board noted that Capital Appreciation V.I. Fund’s contractual management fee rate ranked in the first quartile, and that the actual management fee rate and total expense ratio ranked in the first and second quartiles, respectively, relative to the Fund’s Expense Peers. The Board further noted that BlackRock and the Board have contractually agreed to a cap on the Fund’s total expenses as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets on a class-by-class basis.

The Board noted that Equity Dividend V.I. Fund’s contractual management fee rate ranked in the first quartile, and that the actual management fee rate and total expense ratio ranked in the first and second quartiles, respectively, relative to the Fund’s Expense Peers. The Board further noted that BlackRock and the Board have contractually agreed to a cap on the Fund’s total expenses as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets on a class-by-class basis.

The Board noted that International V.I. Fund’s contractual management fee rate ranked in the first quartile, and that the actual management fee rate and total expense ratio ranked in the second and fourth quartiles, respectively, relative to the Fund’s Expense Peers. The Board further noted that BlackRock and the Board have contractually agreed to a cap on the Fund’s total expenses as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets on a class-by-class basis. In addition, the Board noted that BlackRock and the Board agreed to a lower contractual expense cap, on a class-by-class basis. After discussions between the Board, including Independent Board Members, and BlackRock, the Board and BlackRock agreed to a continuation of the contractual cap.

The Board noted that Managed Volatility V.I. Fund’s contractual management fee rate ranked in the first quartile, and that the actual management fee rate and total expense ratio ranked in the third and second quartiles, respectively, relative to the Fund’s Expense Peers. The Board further noted that BlackRock and the Board have contractually agreed to a cap on the Fund’s total expenses as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets on a class-by-class basis.

The Board noted that Global Allocation V.I. Fund’s contractual management fee rate ranked in the second quartile, and that the actual management fee rate and total expense ratio each ranked in the second quartile relative to the Fund’s Expense Peers. The Board further noted that BlackRock and the Board have contractually agreed to a cap on the Fund’s total expenses as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets on a class-by-class basis.

 

 

   

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements  (continued)

 

The Board noted that Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. 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 fourth quartiles, respectively, relative to the Fund’s Expense Peers. The Board further noted that BlackRock and the Board have contractually agreed to a cap on the Fund’s total expenses as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets on a class-by-class basis.

The Board noted that Government Money Market V.I. Fund’s contractual management fee rate ranked in the third quartile, and that the actual management fee rate and total expense ratio each ranked in the first quartile relative to the Fund’s Expense Peers. The Board further noted that BlackRock and the Board have contractually agreed to a cap on the Fund’s total expenses as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets on a class-by-class basis.

The Board noted that U.S. Total Market V.I. Fund’s contractual management fee rate ranked in the third quartile, and that the actual management fee rate and total expense ratio each ranked in the first quartile relative to the Fund’s Expense Peers. The Board further noted that BlackRock and the Board have contractually agreed to a cap on the Fund’s total expenses as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets on a class-by-class basis.

The Board noted that the Large Cap Value V.I. Fund’s contractual management fee rate ranked in the fourth quartile, and that the actual management fee rate and total expense ratio each ranked in the first quartile relative to the Fund’s Expense Peers. Additionally, the Board noted that BlackRock had voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of the advisory fee payable by the Fund. The Board further noted that BlackRock and the Board have contractually agreed to a cap on the Fund’s total expenses as a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets on a class-by-class basis.

With respect to Large Cap Core V.I. Fund, Large Cap Value V.I. Fund, U.S. Total Market V.I. Fund, Basic Value V.I. Fund, Capital Appreciation V.I. Fund, Equity Dividend V.I. Fund, Global Allocation V.I. Fund, Government Money Market V.I. Fund, International V.I. Fund, 60/40 Target Allocation ETF V.I. Fund, Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Fund and Managed Volatility V.I. Fund, the Board noted that each Fund has an advisory fee arrangement that includes breakpoints that adjust the fee rate downward as the size of the pertinent Fund increases above certain contractually specified levels. The Board noted that if the size of the pertinent Fund were to decrease, the Fund could lose the benefit of one or more breakpoints.

With respect to Large Cap Core V.I. Fund, Large Cap Value V.I. Fund, U.S. Total Market V.I. Fund, Basic Value V.I. Fund, Capital Appreciation V.I. Fund, Equity Dividend V.I. Fund, Global Allocation V.I. Fund, International V.I. Fund, International Index V.I. Fund, Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Fund, Managed Volatility V.I. Fund, Small Cap Index V.I. Fund and S&P 500 Index V.I. Fund, the Board noted that BlackRock and the Board have contractually agreed to a cap on certain operational and recordkeeping fees for each Fund on a class-by-class basis.

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 Funds increase, including the existence of fee waivers and/or expense caps, as applicable, noting that any contractual fee waivers and contractual expense caps had been approved by the Board. In its consideration, the Board further considered the continuation and/or implementation of fee waivers and/or expense caps, as applicable. The

Board also considered the extent to which each Fund benefits from such economies of scale in a variety of ways and whether there should be changes in the advisory fee rate or breakpoint structure in order to enable the Funds to more fully participate in these economies of scale. The Board considered each Fund’s asset levels and whether the current fee schedule was appropriate.

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 Funds, both tangible and intangible, such as BlackRock’s ability to leverage its investment professionals who manage other portfolios and its 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 Funds, 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 Agreements, the Board also received information regarding BlackRock’s brokerage and soft dollar practices. The Board received reports from BlackRock which included information on brokerage commissions and trade execution practices throughout the year.

The Board noted the competitive nature of the open-end fund marketplace, and that shareholders are able to redeem their Fund shares if they believe that the pertinent 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 (i) the Advisory Agreement between the Manager and the Corporation, on behalf of each Fund, (ii) the BIL Sub-Advisory Agreements between the Manager and BIL with respect to International V.I. Fund and Managed Volatility V.I. Fund, (iii) the BNA Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Manager and BNA with respect to Managed Volatility V.I. Fund and (iv) BSL Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Manager and BSL with respect to Managed Volatility V.I. Fund, each for a one-year term ending June 30, 2021. 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 Agreements were fair and reasonable and in the best interest of each Fund, as pertinent, and its shareholders. In arriving at its decision to approve the Agreements, 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 AND  SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS

   


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement

 

The Board of Directors (the “Board,” the members of which are referred to as “Board Members”) of BlackRock Variable Series Funds II, Inc. (the “Company”) met on April 16, 2020 (the “April Meeting”) and May 20-21, 2020 (the “May Meeting”) to consider the approval of the investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement” or the “Agreement”) between the Company, on behalf of BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund (the “High Yield V.I. Fund”), BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund (the “Total Return V.I. Fund”) and BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund (the “U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund” and together with the High Yield V.I. Fund and the Total Return V.I. Fund, the “Funds” and each, a “Fund”), and BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager” or “BlackRock”), each Fund’s investment advisor.

Activities and Composition of the Board

On the date of the May Meeting, the Board consisted of ten individuals, eight of whom were not “interested persons” of the

Company 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 each 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 Co-Chairs of the Board are Independent Board Members. The Board has established five standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Governance and Nominating Committee, a Compliance Committee, a Performance Oversight Committee and an Executive Committee, each of which is chaired by an Independent Board Member and composed of Independent Board Members (except for the Executive 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 each Fund. In particular, the Board assessed, among other things, the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to each Fund by BlackRock, BlackRock’s personnel and affiliates, including (as applicable): investment management services; accounting oversight; administrative and shareholder services; oversight of each Fund’s service providers; risk management and oversight; and legal, regulatory and compliance services. 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 BlackRock’s 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 each 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 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, and/or since inception periods, as applicable, against peer funds, applicable benchmarks, and other performance metrics, as applicable, as well as BlackRock senior management’s and portfolio managers’ analyses of the reasons for any outperformance or underperformance 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 each Fund for services; (c) Fund operating expenses and how BlackRock allocates expenses to each Fund; (d) the resources devoted to, risk oversight of, and compliance reports relating to, implementation of each Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions, and meeting regulatory requirements; (e) BlackRock’s and each 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) execution quality of portfolio transactions; (j) BlackRock’s implementation of each 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 each 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 the Board 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 each Fund’s fees and expenses as compared with a peer group of funds as determined by Broadridge (“Expense Peers”) and the investment performance of each Fund as compared with a peer group of funds (“Performance Peers”); (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) a review of non-management fees; (f) the existence, impact and sharing of potential economies of scale, if any, with each Fund; (g) a summary of aggregate amounts paid by each Fund to BlackRock; (h) sales and redemption data regarding each Fund’s shares; and (i) various additional information requested by the Board as appropriate regarding BlackRock’s and each 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 questions and requests with additional written information in advance of the May Meeting. Topics covered included: (a) the methodology for measuring estimated fund profitability; (b) economies of scale; (c) fund expenses and potential fee waivers; and (d) differences in services provided and management fees between open-end funds and other product channels.

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 each Fund as compared to its Performance Peers and to other metrics, as applicable; (c) the advisory fee and the estimated cost of the services and

 

 

   

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement  (continued)

 

estimated profits realized by BlackRock and its affiliates from their relationship with each Fund; (d) each Fund’s fees and expenses compared to its Expense Peers; (e) the existence and sharing of potential economies of scale; (f) any fall-out benefits to BlackRock and its affiliates as a result of BlackRock’s relationship with each 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’s 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 each Fund. Throughout the year, the Board compared Fund performance to the performance of a comparable group of mutual funds, relevant benchmarks, 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 each Fund’s portfolio management team discussing each Fund’s performance, investment strategies and outlook.

The Board considered, among other factors, with respect to BlackRock: the number, education and experience of investment personnel generally and each Fund’s portfolio management team; 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 each 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 each Fund. BlackRock and its affiliates provide each Fund with certain administrative, shareholder and other services (in addition to any such services provided to each Fund by third-parties) and officers and other personnel as are necessary for the operations of each Fund. In particular, BlackRock and its affiliates provide each 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 third-party service providers including, among others, each 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 each Fund, such as tax reporting, expense management, fulfilling regulatory filing requirements, overseeing each 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 each Fund and BlackRock: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, also reviewed and considered the performance history of each Fund. In preparation for the April Meeting, the Board was provided with reports independently prepared by Broadridge, which included an analysis of each Fund’s performance as of December 31, 2019, as compared to its Performance Peers. 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 each Fund as compared to its Performance Peers and the respective Morningstar open-end fund category (“Morningstar Open-End Category”). The Board and its Performance Oversight Committee regularly review and meet with Fund management to discuss the performance of each 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 its Performance Peers (for example, the investment objectives and 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 disproportionately affect long-term performance.

The Board noted that for each of the one-, three- and five-year periods reported, the High Yield V.I. Fund ranked in the first quartile against its Morningstar Open-End Category. The Board noted that BlackRock believes that the Morningstar Open-End Category is an appropriate performance metric for the High Yield V.I. Fund, and that BlackRock has explained its rationale for this belief to the Board.

The Board noted that for the one-, three- and five-year periods reported, the Total Return V.I. Fund ranked in the second, second, and third quartiles, respectively, against its Morningstar Open-End Category. The Board noted that BlackRock believes that the Morningstar Open-End Category is an appropriate performance metric for the Total Return V.I. Fund, and that BlackRock has explained its rationale for this belief to the Board. The Board and BlackRock reviewed the Total Return V.I. Fund’s underperformance relative to its Morningstar Open-End Category during the applicable period.

The Board noted that for the one-, three- and five-year periods reported, the U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund ranked in the second, third and third quartiles, respectively, against its Morningstar Open-End Category. The Board noted that BlackRock believes that the Morningstar Open-End Category is an appropriate performance metric for the U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund, and that BlackRock has explained its rationale for this belief to the Board. The Board and BlackRock reviewed the U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund’s underperformance relative to its Morningstar Open-End Category during the applicable periods.

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 each Fund: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed each 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 reimbursements or fee waivers. The Board also compared each 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, and the actual management fee rate gives effect to any management fee reimbursements or waivers. The Board considered the services

 

 

DISCLOSURE OF INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

   


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement  (continued)

 

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 each Fund. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s estimated profitability with respect to each Fund and other funds the Board currently oversees for the year ended December 31, 2019 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 the individual fund level 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.

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 each 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 High Yield V.I. Fund’s contractual management fee rate ranked in the first quartile, and that the actual management fee rate and total expense ratio each ranked in the first quartile, relative to the High Yield V.I. Fund’s Expense Peers. The Board also noted that the High Yield V.I. Fund has an advisory fee arrangement that includes breakpoints that adjust the fee rate downward as the aggregate assets of the High Yield V.I. Fund, combined with the assets of the Total Return V.I. Fund, increase above certain contractually specified levels. The Board noted that if the size of the High Yield V.I. Fund or the Total Return V.I. Fund were to decrease, the High Yield V.I. Fund could lose the benefit of one or more breakpoints. The Board further noted that BlackRock and the Board have contractually agreed to a cap on the High Yield V.I. Fund’s total expenses as a percentage of the High Yield V.I. Fund’s average daily net assets on a class-by-class basis. Additionally, the Board noted that BlackRock and the Board have contractually agreed to a cap on certain operational and recordkeeping fees for the High Yield V.I. Fund on a class-by-class basis.

The Board noted that the Total Return V.I. Fund’s contractual management fee rate ranked in the second quartile, and that the actual management fee rate and total expense ratio each ranked in the first quartile, relative to the Total Return V.I. Fund’s Expense Peers. The Board also noted that the Total Return V.I. Fund has an advisory fee arrangement that includes breakpoints that adjust the fee rate downward as the aggregate assets of the Total Return V.I. Fund, combined with the assets of the High Yield V.I. Fund, increase above certain contractually specified levels. The Board noted that if the size of the Total Return V.I. Fund or the High Yield V.I Fund were to decrease, the Total Return V.I. Fund could lose the benefit of one or more breakpoints. The Board further noted that BlackRock and the Board have contractually agreed to a cap on the Total Return V.I. Fund’s total expenses as a percentage of the Total Return V.I. Fund’s average daily net assets on a class-by-class basis. Additionally, the Board noted that BlackRock and the Board have contractually agreed to a cap on certain operational and recordkeeping fees for the Total Return V.I. Fund on a class-by-class basis.

The Board noted that the U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund’s contractual management fee rate ranked in the first quartile, and that the actual management fee rate and total expense ratio ranked in the first and third quartiles, respectively, relative to the U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund’s Expense Peers. The Board also noted that the U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund has an advisory fee arrangement that includes breakpoints that adjust the fee rate downward as the size of the U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund increases above certain contractually specified levels. The Board noted that if the size of the U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund were to decrease, the U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund could lose the benefit of one or more breakpoints. The Board further noted that BlackRock and the Board have contractually agreed to a cap on the U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund’s total expenses as a percentage of the U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund’s average daily net assets on a class-by-class basis. Additionally, the Board noted that BlackRock and the Board have contractually agreed to a cap on certain operational and recordkeeping fees for the U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund on a class-by-class basis. In addition, the Board noted that BlackRock has voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of the advisory fee payable by the U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund. An advisory fee waiver has been in effect since 2016, that amount of which may have varied from time to time. After discussion between the Board, including the Independent Board Members, and BlackRock, the Board and BlackRock agreed to a continuation of the current 26 basis point voluntary advisory fee waiver.

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 each Fund increase, including the existence of fee waivers and/or expense caps, as applicable, noting that any contractual fee waivers and contractual expense caps had been approved by the Board. In its consideration, the Board further considered the continuation and/or implementation of fee waivers and/or expense caps, as applicable. The Board also considered the extent to which each Fund benefits from such economies of scale in a variety of ways, and whether there should be changes in the advisory fee rate or breakpoint structure in order to enable each Fund to more fully participate in these economies of scale. The Board considered each Fund’s asset levels and whether the current fee schedule was appropriate.

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 each Fund, both tangible and intangible, such as BlackRock’s ability to leverage its investment professionals who manage other portfolios and its 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 each 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 each Fund’s fees

 

 

   

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement  (continued)

 

and expenses are too high or if they are dissatisfied with the performance of each Fund.

Conclusion

The Board, including the Independent Board Members, unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement between the Manager and the Company, on behalf of each Fund, for a one-year term ending June 30, 2021. 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 each 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

   


Disclosure of Sub-Advisory Agreements

 

The Board of Directors (the “Board,” and the members of which are referred to as “Board Members”) of BlackRock Variable Series Funds II, Inc. (the “Company”), on behalf of its series BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund (the “Fund”), met in person on February 19, 2020 (the “February Meeting”) to consider the initial approval of the sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) between BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”), the Fund’s investment advisor, and BlackRock International Limited, with respect to the Fund. The Sub-Advisory Agreement was substantially similar to the sub-advisory agreements previously approved with respect to certain other portfolios in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex.

On the date of the February Meeting, the Board consisted of ten individuals, eight of whom were not “interested persons” of the Company as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (the “Independent Board Members”). Pursuant to the 1940 Act, the Board is required to consider the initial approval of the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

At the February Meeting, the Board reviewed materials relating to its consideration of the proposed Sub-Advisory Agreement. The Fund’s investment advisory agreement with the Manager was most recently approved by the Board at in-person meetings on May 1, 2019 (the “May Meeting”) and June 5-6, 2019 (the “June Meeting”). A discussion of the basis for the Board’s approval of this agreement at the May and June Meetings is included in the Fund’s semi-annual shareholder report for the reporting period ended June 30, 2019. The factors considered by the Board at the February Meeting in connection with approval of the proposed Sub-Advisory Agreement were substantially the same as the factors considered at the May and June Meetings.

Following discussion, all the Board Members present at the February Meeting, including all the Independent Board Members present, approved the Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Manager and BlackRock International Limited, with respect to the Fund for a two-year term beginning on the effective date of the Sub-Advisory Agreement. Based upon its evaluation of all of the aforementioned factors in their totality, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, was satisfied that the terms of the Sub-Advisory Agreement were fair and reasonable and in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders. In arriving at its decision to approve the Sub-Advisory 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.

 

 

   

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Disclosure of Sub-Advisory Agreements  (continued)

 

The Board of Directors (the “Board,” and the members of which are referred to as “Board Members”) of BlackRock Variable Series Funds II, Inc. (the “Company”), on behalf of its series BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund (the “Fund”), met on April 16, 2020 (the “April Meeting”) to consider the initial approval of the sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) between BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”), the Fund’s investment advisor, and BlackRock International Limited, with respect to the Fund. The Sub-Advisory Agreement was substantially similar to the sub-advisory agreements previously approved with respect to certain other portfolios in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex.

On the date of the April Meeting, the Board consisted of ten individuals, eight of whom were not “interested persons” of the Company as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (the “Independent Board Members”). Pursuant to the 1940 Act, the Board is required to consider the initial approval of the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

At the April Meeting, the Board reviewed materials relating to its consideration of the proposed Sub-Advisory Agreement. The Fund’s investment advisory agreement with the Manager was most recently approved by the Board at in-person meetings on May 1, 2019 (the “May Meeting”) and June 5-6, 2019 (the “June Meeting”). A discussion of the basis for the Board’s approval of this agreement at the May and June Meetings is included in the Fund’s semi-annual shareholder report for the reporting period ended June 30, 2019. The factors considered by the Board at the April Meeting in connection with approval of the proposed Sub-Advisory Agreement were substantially the same as the factors considered at the May and June Meetings.

Following discussion, all the Board Members present at the April Meeting, including all the Independent Board Members present, approved the Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Manager and BlackRock International Limited, with respect to the Fund for a two-year term beginning on the effective date of the Sub-Advisory Agreement.

Based upon its evaluation of all of the aforementioned factors in their totality, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, was satisfied that the terms of the Sub-Advisory Agreement were fair and reasonable and in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders. In arriving at its decision to approve the Sub-Advisory 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 SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENTS

   


Director and Officer Information

 

BlackRock Variable Series Funds, Inc.

Mark Stalnecker, Chair of the Board and Director

Bruce R. Bond, Director

Susan J. Carter, Director

Collette Chilton, Director

Neil A. Cotty, Director

Lena G. Goldberg, Director

Henry R. Keizer, Director

Cynthia A. Montgomery, Director

Donald C. Opatrny, Director

Joseph P. Platt, Director

Kenneth L. Urish, Director

Claire A. Walton, Director

Robert Fairbairn, Director

John M. Perlowski, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

Jennifer McGovern, Vice President

Neal J. Andrews, Chief Financial Officer

Jay M. Fife, Treasurer

Charles Park, Chief Compliance Officer

Lisa Belle, Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer

Janey Ahn, Secretary

 

Investment Adviser and Administrator

BlackRock Advisors, LLC

Wilmington, DE 19809

Sub-Advisers

BlackRock International Limited (a)

Edinburgh, EH3 8BL

United Kingdom

BlackRock Asset Management

North Asia Limited (b)

Hong Kong

BlackRock (Singapore) Limited (b)

079912 Singapore

Accounting Agent

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

New York, NY 10179

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

Wilmington, DE 19809

 

Custodians

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (c)

New York, NY 10179

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (d)

Boston, MA 02109

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 Funds

100 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

 

 

(a)

For BlackRock International V.I. Fund and BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I. Fund.

(b)

For BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I. Fund.

(c)

For BlackRock 60/40 Target Allocation ETF V.I. Fund, BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Core V.I. Fund, BlackRock Advantage Large Cap Value V.I. Fund, BlackRock Advantage U.S. Total Market V.I. Fund, BlackRock Basic Value V.I. Fund, BlackRock Capital Appreciation V.I. Fund, BlackRock Equity Dividend V.I. Fund, BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Fund, BlackRock International Index V.I. Fund, BlackRock Managed Volatility V.I. Fund, BlackRock S&P 500 Index V.I. Fund and BlackRock Small Cap Index V.I. Fund.

(d)

For BlackRock Global Allocation V.I. Fund, BlackRock International V.I. Fund and BlackRock Large Cap Focus Growth V.I. Fund.

 

 

   

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS


Trustee and Officer Information  

 

BlackRock Variable Series Funds II, Inc.

Richard E. Cavanagh, Co-Chair of the Board and Director

Karen P. Robards, Co-Chair of the Board and Director

Michael J. Castellano, Director

Cynthia L. Egan, Director

Frank J. Fabozzi, Director

R. Glenn Hubbard, Director

W. Carl Kester, Director

Catherine A. Lynch, Director

Robert Fairbairn, Director

John M. Perlowski, Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

Jennifer McGovern, Vice President

Neal J. Andrews, Chief Financial Officer

Jay M. Fife, Treasurer

Charles Park, Chief Compliance Officer Lisa Belle, Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer

Janey Ahn, Secretary

 

Effective February 19, 2020, Henry Gabbay resigned as a Director of the Company.

 

Investment Adviser and Administrator

BlackRock Advisors, LLC

Wilmington, DE 19809

Sub-Advisers

BlackRock International Limited (a)

Edinburgh, EH3 8BL

United Kingdom

BlackRock (Singapore) Limited (b)

079912 Singapore

Accounting Agent

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

New York, NY 10179

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

Wilmington, DE 19809

Custodian

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

New York, NY 10179

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, MA 02116

Distributor

BlackRock Investments, LLC

New York, NY 10022

Legal Counsel

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

New York, NY 10019

Address of the Funds

100 Bellevue Parkway

Wilmington, DE 19809

 

 

(a) 

For BlackRock High Yield V.I. Fund, BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund and BlackRock U.S. Government Bond V.I. Fund.

(b) 

For BlackRock Total Return V.I. Fund.

 

 

DIRECTOR AND OFFICER INFORMATION

   


Additional Information  

 

General Information

Householding

The Funds 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 Funds at (800) 441-7762.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Funds (except BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Fund) file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to their reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

The BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC each month on Form N-MFP. The Fund’s reports on Form N-MFP are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. The Fund makes portfolio holdings available to shareholders on its website at blackrock.com.

Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available upon request and without charge (1) by calling (800) 441-7762; (2) at blackrock.com/prospectus/insurance; and (3) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

Availability of Proxy Voting Record

Information about how the Funds voted proxies relating to securities held in the Funds’ portfolios during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available upon request and without charge (1) at blackrock.com/prospectus/insurance; 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 visit blackrock.com for more information.

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.

 

 

   

2020 BLACKROCK SEMI-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.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

   


 

 

Want to know more?

blackrock.com    |    800-441-7762

This report is only for distribution to shareholders of the Funds of BlackRock Variable Series Funds, Inc. and BlackRock Variable Series Funds II, Inc. Past performance results shown in this report should not be considered a representation of future performance. Investment return and principal value of non-money market fund shares will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You could lose money by investing in the Funds. Although BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. An investment in BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund at any time. Performance data quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Total return information assumes reinvestment of all distributions. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted. For current month-end performance information, call (800) 626-1960. BlackRock Government Money Market V.I. Fund’s current 7-day yield more closely reflects the current earnings of the Fund than the total returns quoted. Statements and other information herein are as dated and are subject to change.

VS-6/20-SAR

 

 

LOGO    LOGO


Item 2 –

 

Code of Ethics – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report

Item 3 –

 

Audit Committee Financial Expert – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report

Item 4 –

 

Principal Accountant Fees and Services – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report

Item 5 –

 

Audit Committee of Listed Registrant – 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.
  (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

Item 13 –

 

Exhibits attached hereto

 

(a)(1) – Code of Ethics – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report

 

(a)(2) – Section 302 Certifications are attached

 

(a)(3) – Not Applicable

 

2


 

(a)(4) – Not Applicable

 

(b) – Section 906 Certifications are attached

 

3


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 Variable Series Funds II, Inc.

  

By:

  

/s/ John M. Perlowski

  
  

John M. Perlowski

  

Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of

  

BlackRock Variable Series Funds II, Inc.

Date: August 28, 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 Variable Series Funds II, Inc.

Date: August 28, 2020

 

By:

  

/s/ Neal J. Andrews

  
  

Neal J. Andrews

  

Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of

  

BlackRock Variable Series Funds II, Inc.

Date: August 28, 2020

 

4