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: 811-06540
Name of Fund: BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI)
Fund Address: 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809
Name and address of agent for service: John M. Perlowski, Chief Executive Officer, BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (800) 882-0052, Option 4
Date of fiscal year end: 07/31/2017
Date of reporting period: 07/31/2017
Explanatory Note:
The Registrant is filing this amendment to its Form N-CSR for the period ended July 31, 2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 4, 2017 (Accession Number 0001193125-17-303177). The sole purpose of this amendment is to attach as an exhibit the Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures referenced in Item 7 of the Form N-CSR. Except as set forth above, this amendment does not amend, update or change any other items or disclosures found in the original Form N-CSR filing.
Item 1 | Report to Stockholders |
JULY 31, 2017
ANNUAL REPORT
|
BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE)
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA)
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN)
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI)
Not FDIC Insured May Lose Value No Bank Guarantee |
The Markets in Review |
Dear Shareholder,
In the 12 months ended July 31, 2017, risk assets, such as stocks and high-yield bonds, continued to deliver strong performance. These markets showed great resilience during a period with big surprises, including the aftermath of the U.K.s vote to leave the European Union and the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, which brought only brief spikes in equity market volatility. These expressions of isolationism and discontent were countered by the closely watched and less surprising elections in France, the Netherlands and Australia.
Interest rates rose, which worked against high-quality assets with more interest rate sensitivity. Aside from the shortest-term Treasury bills, most U.S. Treasuries posted negative returns, as rising energy prices, modest wage increases and steady job growth led to expectations of higher inflation and anticipation of interest rate increases by the U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed).
The global reflationary theme rising nominal growth, wages and inflation was the dominant driver of asset returns during the period, outweighing significant political upheavals and economic uncertainty. Reflationary expectations accelerated after the U.S. election in November 2016 and continued into the beginning of 2017, stoked by expectations that the new administrations policies would provide an extra boost to U.S. growth.
The Fed has responded to these positive developments by increasing interest rates three times in the last six months, setting expectations for additional interest rate increases and moving toward normalizing monetary policy. Divergent global monetary policy continued in earnest, as the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan reiterated their commitments to economic stimulus despite nascent signs of sustained economic growth in both countries.
In recent months, growing skepticism about the near-term likelihood of significant U.S. tax reform and infrastructure spending has tempered enthusiasm around the reflation trade. Similarly, renewed concern about oversupply has weighed on energy prices. Nonetheless, financial markets and to an extent the Fed have adopted a wait-and-see approach to the economic data and potential fiscal stimulus. Although uncertainty has persisted, benign credit conditions, modest inflation and the positive outlook for economic growth have kept markets relatively tranquil.
Although economic momentum is gaining traction, the capacity for rapid global growth is restrained by structural factors, including an aging population, low productivity growth and excess savings, as well as cyclical factors, such as the Fed moving toward the normalization of monetary policy and the length of the current expansion. Tempered economic growth and high valuations across most assets have set the stage for muted returns going forward. At current valuation levels, potential equity gains will likely be closely tied to the pace of earnings growth, which has remained solid thus far in 2017.
In this environment, investors need to think globally, extend their scope across a broad array of asset classes, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit blackrock.com for further insight about investing in todays markets.
Sincerely,
Rob Kapito
President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC
Rob Kapito
President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC
Total Returns as of July 31, 2017 | ||||||||
6-month | 12-month | |||||||
U.S. large cap equities |
9.51 | % | 16.04 | % | ||||
U.S. small cap equities |
5.35 | 18.45 | ||||||
International equities |
13.79 | 17.77 | ||||||
Emerging market equities |
18.98 | 24.84 | ||||||
3-month Treasury bills |
0.35 | 0.54 | ||||||
U.S. Treasury securities |
2.33 | (5.73 | ) | |||||
U.S. investment grade bonds |
2.51 | (0.51 | ) | |||||
Tax-exempt municipal bonds (S&P Municipal Bond Index) |
3.40 | 0.36 | ||||||
U.S. high yield bonds |
4.57 | 10.94 | ||||||
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index. |
2 | THIS PAGE NOT PART OF YOUR FUND REPORT |
Table of Contents |
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Annual Report: |
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Financial Statements: | ||||
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43 | ||||
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47 | ||||
48 | ||||
52 | ||||
63 | ||||
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72 |
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 3 |
Municipal Market Overview |
For the Reporting Period Ended July 31, 2017 |
Municipal Market Conditions
Municipal bonds experienced modestly positive performance for the period as a result of vastly rising interest rates spurring from generally stronger economic data, signs of inflation pressures, Federal Reserve (Fed) monetary policy normalization, and market expectations for pro-growth fiscal policy. However, ongoing reassurance from the Fed that rates would be increased gradually and would likely remain low overall resulted in continued demand for fixed income investments. More specifically, investors favored the income, attractive relative yield, and stability of municipal bonds amid bouts of interest rate volatility (bond prices rise as rates fall) resulting from geopolitical tensions, the contentious U.S. election, and continued global central bank divergence i.e., policy easing outside the United States while the Fed slowly engages in policy tightening. During the 12 months ended July 31, 2017, municipal bond funds garnered net inflows of approximately $593 million (based on data from the Investment Company Institute).
For the same 12-month period, total new issuance remained robust from a historical perspective at $412 billion (above the $397 billion issued in the prior 12-month period). A noteworthy portion of new supply during this period was attributable to refinancing activity (roughly 57%) as issuers continued to take advantage of low interest rates and a flat yield curve to reduce their borrowing costs.
S&P Municipal Bond Index |
Total Returns as of July 31, 2017 |
6 months: 3.40% |
12 months: 0.36% |
A Closer Look at Yields
From July 31, 2016 to July 31, 2017, yields on AAA-rated 30-year municipal bonds increased by 62 basis points (bps) from 2.12% to 2.74%, while 10-year rates rose by 55 bps from 1.40% to 1.95% and 5-year rates increased 37 bps from 0.84% to 1.21% (as measured by Thomson Municipal Market Data). The municipal yield curve steepened over the 12-month period with the spread between 2- and 30-year maturities steepening by 20 bps.
During the same time period, on a relative basis, tax-exempt municipal bonds broadly
outperformed U.S. Treasuries with the greatest outperformance experienced in the front and intermediate portions of the yield curve. The relative positive performance of municipal bonds was driven largely by a supply/demand imbalance within the municipal market as investors sought income and incremental yield in an environment where opportunities became increasingly scarce. Municipal bonds came under pressure post the November U.S. election as a result of uncertainty surrounding potential tax-reform, though growing expectation that tax reform is likely to be delayed or watered down quickly eased investor concerns. The asset class is known for its lower relative volatility and preservation of principal with an emphasis on income as tax rates rise.
Financial Conditions of Municipal Issuers
The majority of municipal credits remain strong, despite well-publicized distress among a few issuers. Four of the five states with the largest amount of debt outstanding California, New York, Texas and Florida have exhibited markedly improved credit fundamentals during the slow national recovery. However, several states with the largest unfunded pension liabilities have seen their bond prices decline noticeably and remain vulnerable to additional price deterioration. On the local level, Chicagos credit quality downgrade is an outlier relative to other cities due to its larger pension liability and inadequate funding remedies. BlackRock maintains the view that municipal bond defaults will remain minimal and in the periphery while the overall market is fundamentally sound. We continue to advocate careful credit research and believe that a thoughtful approach to structure and security selection remains imperative amid uncertainty in a modestly improving economic environment.
The opinions expressed are those of BlackRock as of July 31, 2017, and are subject to change at any time due to changes in market or economic conditions. The comments should not be construed as a recommendation of any individual holdings or market sectors. Investing involves risk including loss of principal. Bond values fluctuate in price so the value of your investment can go down depending on market conditions. Fixed income risks include interest-rate and credit risk. Typically, when interest rates rise, there is a corresponding decline in bond values. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the bond issuer will not be able to make principal and interest payments. There may be less information on the financial condition of municipal issuers than for public corporations. The market for municipal bonds may be less liquid than for taxable bonds. Some investors may be subject to Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). Capital gains distributions, if any, are taxable.
The Standard & Poors Municipal Bond Index, a broad, market value-weighted index, seeks to measure the performance of the U.S. municipal bond market. All bonds in the index are exempt from U.S. federal income taxes or subject to AMT. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
4 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging |
Derivative Financial Instruments |
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 5 |
Fund Summary as of July 31, 2017 | BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. |
Fund Overview |
BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc.s (MUE) (the Fund) investment objective is to provide shareholders with current income exempt from U.S. federal income taxes. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in long-term, investment grade municipal obligations exempt from U.S. federal income taxes (except that the interest may be subject to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax). The municipal obligations in which the Fund primarily invests are either rated investment grade quality, or are considered by the Funds investment adviser to be of comparable quality, at the time of investment. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its assets in municipal obligations with remaining maturities of one year or more at the time of investment. The Fund may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.
No assurance can be given that the Funds investment objective will be achieved.
Fund Information |
Symbol on New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) |
MUE | |
Initial Offering Date |
February 26, 1999 | |
Yield on Closing Market Price as of July 31, 2017 ($14.17)1 |
5.42% | |
Tax Equivalent Yield2 |
9.58% | |
Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share3 |
$0.0640 | |
Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share3 |
$0.7680 | |
Economic Leverage as of July 31, 20174 |
38% |
1 | Yield on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. Past performance does not guarantee future results. |
2 | Tax equivalent yield assumes the maximum marginal U.S. federal tax rate of 43.4%, which includes the 3.8% Medicare tax. Actual tax rates will vary based on income, exemptions and deductions. Lower taxes will result in lower tax equivalent yields. |
3 | The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. |
4 | Represents VMTP Shares and TOB Trusts as a percentage of total managed assets, which is the total assets of the Fund, including any assets attributable to VMTP Shares and TOB Trusts, minus the sum of accrued liabilities. For a discussion of leveraging techniques utilized by the Fund, please see The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging on page 5. |
Performance |
Returns for the 12 months ended July 31, 2017 were as follows:
Returns Based On | ||||||||
Market Price | NAV | |||||||
MUE1,2 |
0.29% | (0.50)% | ||||||
Lipper General & Insured Municipal Debt Funds (Leveraged)3 |
(1.54)% | (0.78)% |
1 | All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices. |
2 | The Funds discount to NAV narrowed during the period, which accounts for the difference between performance based on price and performance based on NAV. |
3 | Average return. Returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at NAV on the ex-dividend date as calculated by Lipper. |
Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The following discussion relates to the Funds absolute performance based on NAV:
| The municipal bond market generated mixed returns in the 12-month reporting period. Municipal bonds initially moved lower in the third calendar quarter of 2016 due to a pick-up in new tax-exempt issuance and rising yields in the U.S. Treasury market. (Prices and yields move in opposite directions.) The weakness accelerated in November once Donald Trumps election victory caused investors to factor in the possibility of faster economic growth and tighter Fed policy. As optimism for meaningful fiscal reforms subsequently waned and the economy failed to experience a significant acceleration, municipal bonds stabilized and retraced the majority of their post-election losses. |
| Reinvestment was a drag on results, as the proceeds of higher-yielding bonds that matured or were called needed to be reinvested at materially lower prevailing rates. |
| Portfolio income made the most significant positive contribution during a period in which bond prices lost ground. The Funds use of leverage, while enhancing the level of income, also exacerbated the impact of declining bond prices. |
| The Fund sought to manage interest rate risk using U.S. Treasury futures. Given that Treasury yields rose, as prices fell, this aspect of the Funds positioning had a positive effect on returns. |
| The Funds exposure to pre-refunded issues benefited performance, as their low duration enabled them to hold up better than longer-duration bonds at a time of rising yields. (Duration is a measure of interest rate sensitivity.) Positions in the transportation and tax-backed (local) sectors also contributed to performance. However, investments in the tax-backed (state) sector detracted. |
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.
6 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. |
Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary |
7/31/17 | 7/31/16 | Change | High | Low | ||||||||||||||||
Market Price |
$ | 14.17 | $ | 14.94 | (5.15 | )% | $ | 15.04 | $ | 12.58 | ||||||||||
Net Asset Value |
$ | 14.19 | $ | 15.08 | (5.90 | )% | $ | 15.08 | $ | 13.81 |
Market Price and Net Asset Value History For the Past Five Years |
Overview of the Funds Total Investments* |
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 7 |
Fund Summary as of July 31, 2017 | BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. |
Fund Overview |
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc.s (MCA) (the Fund) investment objective is to provide shareholders with as high a level of current income exempt from U.S. federal and California income taxes as is consistent with its investment policies and prudent investment management. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its assets in municipal obligations exempt from U.S. federal income taxes (except that the interest may be subject to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax) and California income taxes. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests primarily in long-term municipal obligations that are investment grade quality, or are considered by the Funds investment adviser to be of comparable quality, at the time of investment. The Fund may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.
No assurance can be given that the Funds investment objective will be achieved.
Fund Information | ||
Symbol on NYSE |
MCA | |
Initial Offering Date |
October 30, 1992 | |
Yield on Closing Market Price as of July 31, 2017 ($15.18)1 |
5.14% | |
Tax Equivalent Yield2 |
10.47% | |
Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share3 |
$0.0650 | |
Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share3 |
$0.7800 | |
Economic Leverage as of July 31, 20174 |
40% |
1 | Yield on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. Past performance does not guarantee future results. |
2 | Tax equivalent yield assumes the maximum marginal U.S. federal and state tax rate of 50.93%, which includes the 3.8% Medicare tax. Actual tax rates will vary based on income, exemptions and deductions. Lower taxes will result in lower tax equivalent yields. |
3 | The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. |
4 | Represents VRDP Shares and TOB Trusts as a percentage of total managed assets, which is the total assets of the Fund, including any assets attributable to VRDP Shares and TOB Trusts, minus the sum of accrued liabilities. For a discussion of leveraging techniques utilized by the Fund, please see The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging on page 5. |
Performance |
Returns for the 12 months ended July 31, 2017 were as follows:
Returns Based On | ||||||||
Market Price | NAV | |||||||
MCA1,2 |
(4.26)% | (0.92)% | ||||||
Lipper California Municipal Debt Funds3 |
(4.75)% | (0.88)% |
1 | All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices. |
2 | The Funds discount to NAV widened during the period, which accounts for the difference between performance based on price and performance based on NAV. |
3 | Average return. Returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at NAV on the ex-dividend date as calculated by Lipper. |
Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The following discussion relates to the Funds absolute performance based on NAV:
| The municipal bond market generated mixed returns in the 12-month reporting period. Municipal bonds initially moved lower in the third calendar quarter of 2016 due to a pick-up in new tax-exempt issuance and rising yields in the U.S. Treasury market. (Prices and yields move in opposite directions.) The weakness accelerated in November once Donald Trumps election victory caused investors to factor in the possibility of faster economic growth and tighter Fed policy. As optimism for meaningful fiscal reforms subsequently waned and the economy failed to experience a significant acceleration, municipal bonds stabilized and retraced the majority of their post-election losses. |
| California municipal bonds performed slightly better than national municipals during the period. Californias 2017--2018 budget demonstrated both spending restraint and growing reserves, with a forecast that projects structural balance through 2019. The states economy has grown at a healthy rate in recent years, with median household income and job gains outpacing U.S. growth rates. |
| Positions in intermediate- and longer-dated maturities declined the most in value, as they typically have longer durations relative to shorter maturities. (Duration is a measure of interest rate sensitivity.) In addition, the Funds exposure to 3% and 4% coupon bonds detracted given that lower coupons typically underperform in a rising-rate environment. |
| Allocations in hospital and tax-backed (local) sectors also detracted from performance. |
| The Funds positions in high-quality, short-duration pre-refunded securities contributed positively to performance. At a time of rising yields, pre-refunded securities performed well relative to longer-duration issues in part due to their higher coupon income. |
| The Fund sought to manage interest rate risk using U.S. Treasury futures. Given that Treasury yields rose, as prices fell, this aspect of the Funds positioning had a positive effect on returns. |
| While the Funds use of leverage enhanced portfolio income, the benefits of this strategy were somewhat reduced given the modest rise in funding costs associated with less accommodative central bank monetary policy. In addition, leverage exacerbated the impact of declining bond prices. |
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.
8 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. |
Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary |
7/31/17 | 7/31/16 |
Change | High | Low | ||||||||||||||||
Market Price |
$ | 15.18 | $ | 16.75 | (9.37 | )% | $ | 16.87 | $ | 13.95 | ||||||||||
Net Asset Value |
$ | 15.73 | $ | 16.77 | (6.20 | )% | $ | 16.80 | $ | 15.09 |
Market Price and Net Asset Value History For the Past Five Years |
Overview of the Funds Total Investments* |
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 9 |
Fund Summary as of July 31, 2017 | BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. |
Fund Overview |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc.s (MYN) (the Fund) investment objective is to provide shareholders with as high a level of current income exempt from U.S. federal income taxes and New York State and New York City personal income taxes as is consistent with its investment policies and prudent investment management. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its assets in municipal obligations exempt from U.S. federal income taxes (except that the interest may be subject to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax) and New York State and New York City personal income taxes. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests primarily in long-term municipal obligations that are investment grade quality, or are considered by the Funds investment adviser to be of comparable quality, at the time of investment. The Fund may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.
No assurance can be given that the Funds investment objective will be achieved.
Fund Information | ||
Symbol on NYSE |
MYN | |
Initial Offering Date |
February 28, 1992 | |
Yield on Closing Market Price as of July 31, 2017 ($13.26)1 |
4.89% | |
Tax Equivalent Yield2 |
9.90% | |
Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share3 |
$0.0540 | |
Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share3 |
$0.6480 | |
Economic Leverage as of July 31, 20174 |
39% |
1 | Yield on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. Past performance does not guarantee future results. |
2 | Tax equivalent yield assumes the maximum marginal U.S. federal and state tax rate of 50.59%, which includes the 3.8% Medicare tax. Actual tax rates will vary based on income, exemptions and deductions. Lower taxes will result in lower tax equivalent yields. |
3 | The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. |
4 | Represents VRDP Shares and TOB Trusts as a percentage of total managed assets, which is the total assets of the Fund, including any assets attributable to VRDP Shares and TOB Trusts, minus the sum of accrued liabilities. For a discussion of leveraging techniques utilized by the Fund, please see The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging on page 5. |
Performance |
Returns for the 12 months ended July 31, 2017 were as follows:
Returns Based On | ||||||||
Market Price | NAV | |||||||
MYN1,2 |
(3.29)% | (0.69)% | ||||||
Lipper New York Municipal Debt Funds3 |
(5.60)% | (0.58)% |
1 | All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices. |
2 | The Funds discount to NAV widened during the period, which accounts for the difference between performance based on price and performance based on NAV. |
3 | Average return. Returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at NAV on the ex-dividend date as calculated by Lipper. |
Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The following discussion relates to the Funds absolute performance based on NAV:
| The municipal bond market generated mixed returns in the 12-month reporting period. Municipal bonds initially moved lower in the third calendar quarter of 2016 due to a pick-up in new tax-exempt issuance and rising yields in the U.S. Treasury market. (Prices and yields move in opposite directions.) The weakness accelerated in November once Donald Trumps election victory caused investors to factor in the possibility of faster economic growth and tighter Fed policy. As optimism for meaningful fiscal reforms subsequently waned and the economy failed to experience a significant acceleration, municipal bonds stabilized and retraced the majority of their post-election losses. |
| New York municipal bonds slightly outperformed the broader national market during the period. While new issuance in the state was relatively robust, much of it was concentrated in several large issuers. The states overall financial prospects exhibited positive trends, albeit slightly behind national averages. |
| The Funds exposure to the longer end of the yield curve detracted as longer-term bonds sold off more than the shorter-term issues. Positions in lower coupon securities also generally detracted from performance due to their longer duration characteristics. (Duration is a measure of interest rate sensitivity.) |
| Portfolio income made the most significant positive contribution to performance during a time in which bond prices lost ground. The Funds use of leverage, while enhancing income, also exacerbated the impact of declining bond prices. |
| The Fund sought to manage interest rate risk using U.S. Treasury futures. Given that Treasury yields rose, as prices fell, this aspect of the Funds positioning had a positive effect on returns. |
| From a sector perspective, the Funds exposure to the transportation and education sectors was a positive contributor. Additionally, exposure to the pre-refunded sector was beneficial as these high-quality, short-duration securities outperformed at a time of rising yields. |
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.
10 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. |
Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary | ||||||||||||||||||||
7/31/17 | 7/31/16 |
Change | High | Low | ||||||||||||||||
Market Price |
$13.26 | $14.40 | (7.92)% | $14.56 | $12.50 | |||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value |
$14.25 | $15.07 | (5.44)% | $15.08 | $13.52 |
Market Price and Net Asset Value History For the Past Five Years |
Overview of the Funds Total Investments* |
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 11 |
Fund Summary as of July 31, 2017 | BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. |
Fund Overview |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc.s (MYI) (the Fund) investment objective is to provide shareholders with as high a level of current income exempt from U.S. federal income taxes as is consistent with its investment policies and prudent investment management. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its assets in municipal obligations exempt from U.S. federal income taxes (except that the interest may be subject to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax). Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests primarily in long-term municipal obligations that are investment grade quality, or are considered by the Funds investment adviser to be of comparable quality, at the time of investment. The Fund may invest directly in such securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.
No assurance can be given that the Funds investment objective will be achieved.
Fund Information | ||
Symbol on NYSE |
MYI | |
Initial Offering Date |
March 27, 1992 | |
Yield on Closing Market Price as of July 31, 2017 ($14.66)1 |
5.57% | |
Tax Equivalent Yield2 |
9.84% | |
Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share3 |
$0.0680 | |
Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share3 |
$0.8160 | |
Economic Leverage as of July 31, 20174 |
38% |
1 | Yield on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. Past performance does not guarantee future results. |
2 | Tax equivalent yield assumes the maximum marginal U.S. federal tax rate of 43.4%, which includes the 3.8% Medicare tax. Actual tax rates will vary based on income, exemptions and deductions. Lower taxes will result in lower tax equivalent yields. |
3 | The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. |
4 | Represents VRDP Shares and TOB Trusts as a percentage of total managed assets, which is the total assets of the Fund, including any assets attributable to VRDP Shares and TOB Trusts, minus the sum of accrued liabilities. For a discussion of leveraging techniques utilized by the Fund, please see The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging on page 5. |
Performance |
Returns for the 12 months ended July 31, 2017 were as follows:
Returns Based On | ||||||||
Market Price | NAV | |||||||
MYI1,2 |
(0.69)% | (1.02)% | ||||||
Lipper General & Insured Municipal Debt Funds (Leveraged)3 |
(1.54)% | (0.78)% |
1 | All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices. |
2 | The Funds premium to NAV widened during the period, which accounts for the difference between performance based on price and performance based on NAV. |
3 | Average return. Returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at NAV on the ex-dividend date as calculated by Lipper. |
Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
The following discussion relates to the Funds absolute performance based on NAV:
| The municipal bond market generated mixed returns in the 12-month reporting period. Municipal bonds initially moved lower in the third calendar quarter of 2016 due to a pick-up in new tax-exempt issuance and rising yields in the U.S. Treasury market. (Prices and yields move in opposite directions.) The weakness accelerated in November once Donald Trumps election victory caused investors to factor in the possibility of faster economic growth and tighter Fed policy. As optimism for meaningful fiscal reforms subsequently waned and the economy failed to experience a significant acceleration, municipal bonds stabilized and retraced the majority of their post-election losses. |
| The Funds exposure to the longer end of the yield curve detracted from performance given that longer-term bonds sold off more than the shorter-term issues. Positions in lower coupon securities, including zero-coupon bonds also detracted due to their longer duration characteristics. (Duration is a measure of interest rate sensitivity.) Exposure to the utilities sector was a further detractor, as certain securities underperformed. |
| Portfolio income made the most significant positive contribution to performance during a period in which bond prices lost ground. The Funds use of leverage, while enhancing income, also exacerbated the impact of declining bond prices. |
| The Fund sought to manage interest rate risk using U.S. Treasury futures. Given that Treasury yields rose, as prices fell, this aspect of the Funds positioning had a positive effect on returns. |
| Exposure to the transportation sector, where yield spreads generally tightened, was a positive contributor. Many bonds in this sector are subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax, and these types of securities have outperformed in anticipation of possible tax law changes. |
| On a geographic basis, exposure to Illinois was beneficial. Yield spreads in the state tightened due to an increase in tax rates and a successful budget passage. |
| Exposure to the pre-refunded sector also aided performance, as these high-quality, short-duration securities outperformed at a time of rising yields. |
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.
12 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. |
Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary | ||||||||||||||||||||
7/31/17 | 7/31/16 |
Change | High | Low | ||||||||||||||||
Market Price |
$ | 14.66 | $ | 15.63 | (6.21 | )% | $ | 15.80 | $ | 13.23 | ||||||||||
Net Asset Value |
$ | 14.48 | $ | 15.49 | (6.52 | )% | $ | 15.49 | $ | 13.97 |
Market Price and Net Asset Value History For the Past Five Years |
Overview of the Funds Total Investments* |
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 13 |
BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
Portfolio Abbreviations |
AGC | Assured Guarantee Corp. | EDC | Economic Development Corp. | LRB | Lease Revenue Bonds | |||||
AGM | Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp. | ERB | Education Revenue Bonds | M/F | Multi-Family | |||||
AMBAC | American Municipal Bond Assurance Corp. | FHA | Federal Housing Administration | NPFGC | National Public Finance Guarantee Corp. | |||||
AMT | Alternative Minimum Tax (subject to) | GAB | Grant Anticipation Bonds | PILOT | Payment in Lieu of Taxes | |||||
ARB | Airport Revenue Bonds | GARB | General Airport Revenue Bonds | PSF | Permanent School Fund | |||||
BAM | Build America Mutual Assurance Co. | GO | General Obligation Bonds | PSF-GTD | Permanent School Fund Guaranteed | |||||
BARB | Building Aid Revenue Bonds | GTD | Guaranteed | RB | Revenue Bonds | |||||
BHAC | Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corp. | HFA | Housing Finance Agency | S/F | Single-Family | |||||
BOCES | Board of Cooperative Educational Services | IDA | Industrial Development Authority | SONYMA | State of New York Mortgage Agency | |||||
CAB | Capital Appreciation Bonds | IDB | Industrial Development Board | SRF | State Revolving Fund | |||||
COP | Certificates of Participation | IDRB | Industrial Development Revenue Bonds | |||||||
EDA | Economic Development Authority | ISD | Independent School District | |||||||
See Notes to Financial Statements.
14 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 15 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE) |
See Notes to Financial Statements.
16 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE) |
Notes to Schedule of Investments |
(a) | U.S. Government securities, held in escrow, are used to pay interest on this security, as well as to retire the bond in full at the date indicated, typically at a premium to par. |
(b) | When-issued security. |
(c) | Represent bonds transferred to a TOB Trust in exchange of cash and residual certificates received by the Fund. These bonds serve as collateral in a secured borrowing. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
(d) | All or a portion of security is subject to a recourse agreement. The aggregate maximum potential amount the Fund could ultimately be required to pay under the agreements, which expire between May 7, 2018 to October 1, 2024, is $6,783,458. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 17 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE) |
(e) | During the year ended July 31, 2017, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate of the Fund for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows: |
Affiliate |
Shares Held 2016 |
Net Activity |
Shares Held 2017 |
Value
at 2017 |
Income | Net Realized Gain |
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
BlackRock Liquidity Funds, MuniCash, Institutional Class |
627,379 | (299,986 | ) | 327,393 | $ | 327,524 | $ | 15,212 | $ | 2,344 | |
(f) | Current yield as of period end. |
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 |
||||||||||||||||||
5-Year U.S. Treasury Note |
(26 | ) | September 2017 | $ | 3,072 | $ | (277 | ) | ||||||||||
10-Year U.S. Treasury Note |
(54 | ) | September 2017 | $ | 6,798 | 1,414 | ||||||||||||
Long U.S. Treasury Bond |
(31 | ) | September 2017 | $ | 4,742 | (12,637 | ) | |||||||||||
Ultra U.S. Treasury Bond |
(7 | ) | September 2017 | $ | 1,152 | (9,508 | ) | |||||||||||
Total |
$ | (21,008 | ) | |||||||||||||||
|
|
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure |
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets Derivative Financial Instruments | Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate |
Other Contracts |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
Net unrealized appreciation1 | | | | | $ | 1,414 | | $ | 1,414 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities Derivative Financial Instruments | Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contracts |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
Net unrealized depreciation1 | | | | | $ | 22,422 | | $ | 22,422 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1 Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts, if any, as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current days variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the year ended July 31, 2017, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from: | Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contracts |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
| | | | $ | 647,800 | | $ | 647,800 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
| | | | $ | 40,008 | | $ | 40,008 |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments |
Futures contracts: | ||||
Average notional value of contracts short |
$ | 22,555,904 |
For more information about the Funds investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
18 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Schedule of Investments (concluded) |
BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE) |
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End |
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Funds policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following tables summarize the Funds investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Assets: |
| |||||||||||||||
Investments: | ||||||||||||||||
Long-Term Investments1 |
| $ | 513,322,862 | | $ | 513,322,862 | ||||||||||
Short-Term Securities |
$ | 327,524 | | | 327,524 | |||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 327,524 | $ | 513,322,862 | | $ | 513,650,386 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Derivative Financial Instruments2 | ||||||||||||||||
Assets: |
| |||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
$ | 1,414 | | | $ | 1,414 | ||||||||||
Liabilities: |
| |||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
(22,422 | ) | | | (22,422 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | (21,008 | ) | | | $ | (21,008 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
1 See above Schedule of Investments for values in each state or political subdivision. |
| |||||||||||||||
2 Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts that are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
|
The Fund may hold assets and/or liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes. As of period end, such assets and/or liabilities are categorized within the disclosure hierarchy as follows:
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Liabilities: |
| |||||||||||||||
TOB Trust Certificates |
| $ | (62,841,318 | ) | | $ | (62,841,318 | ) | ||||||||
VMTP Shares at Liquidation Value |
| (131,000,000 | ) | | (131,000,000 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total |
| $ | (193,841,318 | ) | | $ | (193,841,318 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
During the year ended July 31, 2017, there were no transfers between levels.
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 19 |
Schedule of Investments July 31, 2017 |
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
20 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA) |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 21 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA) |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
22 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA) |
Notes to Schedule of Investments |
(a) | Zero-coupon bond. |
(b) | U.S. Government securities, held in escrow, are used to pay interest on this security, as well as to retire the bond in full at the date indicated, typically at a premium to par. |
(c) | 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) | When-issued security. |
(e) | Represent bonds transferred to a TOB Trust in exchange of cash and residual certificates received by the Fund. These bonds serve as collateral in a secured borrowing. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
(f) | During the year ended July 31, 2017, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate of the Fund for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows: |
Affiliate | Shares Held at July 31, 2016 |
Net Activity |
Shares Held at July 31, 2017 |
Value at July 31, 2017 |
Income | Net Realized Gain1 |
Change in Unrealized Appreciation |
|||||||||||||||||||||
BlackRock Liquidity Funds, MuniCash, Institutional Class |
143,051 | 402,523 | 545,574 | $ | 545,792 | $ | 31,878 | $ | 937 | $ | 54 | |||||||||||||||||
1 Includes net capital gain distributions. |
|
(g) | Current yield as of period end. |
For Fund compliance purposes, the Funds sector classifications refer to one or more of the sector sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or rating group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such sector sub-classifications for reporting ease.
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End |
Futures Contracts | ||||||||||||||||||
Description | Number of Contracts |
Expiration Date | Notional Amount (000) |
Value/ Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
||||||||||||||
Short Contracts |
||||||||||||||||||
5-Year U.S. Treasury Note |
(42 | ) | September 2017 | $ | 4,962 | $ | (447 | ) | ||||||||||
10-Year U.S. Treasury Note |
(142 | ) | September 2017 | $ | 17,876 | 4,584 | ||||||||||||
Long U.S. Treasury Bond |
(94 | ) | September 2017 | $ | 14,379 | (37,006 | ) | |||||||||||
Ultra U.S. Treasury Bond |
(32 | ) | September 2017 | $ | 5,264 | (43,464 | ) | |||||||||||
Total |
$ | (76,333 | ) | |||||||||||||||
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 23 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA) |
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure |
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
Assets Derivative Financial Instruments | Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contracts |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
Net unrealized appreciation1 | | | | | $ | 4,584 | | $ | 4,584 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities Derivative Financial Instruments | Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contracts |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
Net unrealized depreciation1 | | | | | $ | 80,917 | | $ | 80,917 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1 Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts, if any, as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current days variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the year ended July 31, 2017, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from: | Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate Contracts |
Other Contracts |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
| | | | $ | 2,008,909 | | $ | 2,008,909 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
| | | | $ | 119,257 | | $ | 119,257 |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments |
Futures contracts: | ||||
Average notional value of contracts short |
$ | 49,124,037 |
For more information about the Funds investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End |
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Funds policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following tables summarize the Funds investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Investments: | ||||||||||||||||
Long-Term Investments1 |
| $ | 905,781,836 | | $ | 905,781,836 | ||||||||||
Short-Term Securities |
$ | 545,792 | | | 545,792 | |||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 545,792 | $ | 905,781,836 | | $ | 906,327,628 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Derivative Financial Instruments2 | ||||||||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
$ | 4,584 | | | $ | 4,584 | ||||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
(80,917 | ) | | | (80,917 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | (76,333 | ) | | | $ | (76,333 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
1 See above Schedule of Investments for values in each sector. |
| |||||||||||||||
2 Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts which are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
24 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Schedule of Investments (concluded) |
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA) |
The Fund may hold assets and/or liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes. As of period end, such assets and/or liabilities are categorized within the disclosure hierarchy as follows: | ||||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
TOB Trust Certificates |
| $ | (195,487,580 | ) | | $ | (195,487,580 | ) | ||||||||
VRDP Shares at Liquidation Value |
| (166,500,000 | ) | | (166,500,000 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total |
| $ | (361,987,580 | ) | | $ | (361,987,580 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
During the year ended July 31, 2017, there were no transfers between levels.
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 25 |
Schedule of Investments July 31, 2017 |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
26 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 27 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
28 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 29 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
30 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) |
Notes to Schedule of Investments |
(a) | Zero-coupon bond. |
(b) | U.S. Government securities, held in escrow, are used to pay interest on this security, as well as to retire the bond in full at the date indicated, typically at a premium to par. |
(c) | Represent bonds transferred to a TOB Trust in exchange of cash and residual certificates received by the Fund. These bonds serve as collateral in a secured borrowing. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
(d) | All or a portion of security is subject to a recourse agreement. The aggregate maximum potential amount the Fund could ultimately be required to pay under the agreements, which expire between September 6, 2018 to February 15, 2019, is $12,778,278. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
(e) | During the year ended July 31, 2017, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate of the Fund for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows: |
Affiliate | Shares Held at July 31, 2016 |
Net Activity |
Shares Held at July 31, 2017 |
Value at July 31, 2017 |
Income | Net Realized Gain1 |
Change in Unrealized Appreciation |
|||||||||||||||||||||
BlackRock Liquidity Funds, MuniCash, Institutional Class |
1,544,681 | 2,415,800 | 3,960,481 | $ | 3,962,065 | $ | 21,264 | $ | 1,654 | $ | 396 | |||||||||||||||||
1 Includes net capital gain distributions. |
|
(f) | Current yield as of period end. |
For Fund compliance purposes, the Funds sector classifications refer to one or more of the sector sub-classifications used by one or more widely recognized market indexes or rating group indexes, and/or as defined by the investment adviser. These definitions may not apply for purposes of this report, which may combine such sector sub-classifications for reporting ease.
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End | ||||||||||||||||||
Futures Contracts |
||||||||||||||||||
Description | Number of Contracts |
Expiration Date | Notional Amount (000) |
Value/ Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
||||||||||||||
Short Contracts |
||||||||||||||||||
5-Year U.S. Treasury Note |
(50 | ) | September 2017 | $ | 5,907 | $ | (533 | ) | ||||||||||
10-Year U.S. Treasury Note |
(195 | ) | September 2017 | $ | 24,549 | 5,105 | ||||||||||||
Long U.S. Treasury Bond |
(107 | ) | September 2017 | $ | 16,368 | (43,618 | ) | |||||||||||
Ultra U.S. Treasury Bond |
(39 | ) | September 2017 | $ | 6,416 | (52,971 | ) | |||||||||||
Total |
|
$ | (92,017 | ) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 31 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) |
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure |
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
Assets Derivative Financial Instruments | Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate |
Other Contracts |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
Net unrealized appreciation1 | | | | | $ | 5,105 | | $ | 5,105 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities Derivative Financial Instruments | Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate |
Other Contracts |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
Net unrealized depreciation1 | | | | | $ | 97,122 | | $ | 97,122 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1 Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts, if any, as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current days variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the year ended July 31, 2017, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from: | Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate |
Other Contracts |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
| | | | $ | 2,052,014 | | $ | 2,052,014 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
| | | | $ | 417,188 | | $ | 417,188 |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments |
Futures contracts: | ||||
Average notional value of contracts short |
$ | 61,113,500 |
For more information about the Funds investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End | ||||||||
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Funds policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements. |
The following tables summarize the Funds investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Assets: |
| |||||||||||||||
Investments: | ||||||||||||||||
Long-Term Investments1 |
| $ | 912,794,489 | | $ | 912,794,489 | ||||||||||
Short-Term Securities |
$ | 3,962,065 | | | 3,962,065 | |||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 3,962,065 | $ | 912,794,489 | | $ | 916,756,554 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Derivative Financial Instruments2 | ||||||||||||||||
Assets: |
| |||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
$ | 5,105 | | | $ | 5,105 | ||||||||||
Liabilities: |
| |||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
(97,122 | ) | | | (97,122 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | (92,017 | ) | | | $ | (92,017 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
1 See above Schedule of Investments for values in each sector. |
| |||||||||||||||
2 Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts which are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
32 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Schedule of Investments (concluded) |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) |
The Fund may hold assets and/or liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes. As of period end, such assets and/or liabilities are categorized within the disclosure hierarchy as follows: | ||||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Liabilities: |
| |||||||||||||||
TOB Trust Certificates |
| $ | (113,374,080 | ) | | $ | (113,374,080 | ) | ||||||||
VRDP Shares at Liquidation Value |
| (247,700,000 | ) | | (247,700,000 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total |
| $ | (361,074,080 | ) | | $ | (361,074,080 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
During the year ended July 31, 2017, there were no transfers between levels.
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 33 |
Schedule of Investments July 31, 2017 |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) (Percentages shown are based on Net Assets) |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
34 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 35 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
36 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 37 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
38 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 39 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
Notes to Schedule of Investments |
(a) | 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. |
(b) | U.S. Government securities, held in escrow, are used to pay interest on this security, as well as to retire the bond in full at the date indicated, typically at a premium to par. |
(c) | Zero-coupon bond. |
(d) | Represent bonds transferred to a TOB Trust in exchange of cash and residual certificates received by the Fund. These bonds serve as collateral in a secured borrowing. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
(e) | All or a portion of security is subject to a recourse agreement. The aggregate maximum potential amount the Fund could ultimately be required to pay under the agreements, which expire on November 1, 2017 to November 1, 2019, is $32,233,114. See Note 4 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
40 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Schedule of Investments (continued) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
(f) | During the year ended July 31, 2017, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate of the Fund for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows: |
Affiliate | Shares Held at July 31, 2016 |
Net Activity |
Shares Held at July 31, 2017 |
Value at July 31, 2017 |
Income | Net Realized Gain1 |
Change in Unrealized Appreciation |
|||||||||||||||||||||
BlackRock Liquidity Funds, MuniCash, Institutional Class |
5,108,362 | 5,237,458 | 10,345,820 | $ | 10,349,958 | $ | 64,678 | $ | 5,235 | $ | 2,542 | |||||||||||||||||
1 Includes net capital gain distributions. |
|
(g) | Current yield as of period end. |
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 |
||||||||||||||||||
5-Year U.S. Treasury Note |
(33 | ) | September 2017 | $ | 3,899 | $ | (351 | ) | ||||||||||
10-Year U.S. Treasury Note |
(248 | ) | September 2017 | $ | 31,221 | 6,492 | ||||||||||||
Long U.S. Treasury Bond |
(223 | ) | September 2017 | $ | 34,112 | (90,905 | ) | |||||||||||
Ultra U.S. Treasury Bond |
(48 | ) | September 2017 | $ | 7,896 | (65,195 | ) | |||||||||||
Total |
$ | (149,959 | ) | |||||||||||||||
|
|
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure |
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
Assets Derivative Financial Instruments | Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate |
Other Contracts |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
Net unrealized appreciation1 | | | | | $ | 6,492 | | $ | 6,492 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities Derivative Financial Instruments | Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate |
Other Contracts |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
Net unrealized depreciation1 | | | | | $ | 156,451 | | $ | 156,451 | ||||||||||||||||||||
1 Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts, if any, as reported in the Schedule of Investments. Only current days variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the year ended July 31, 2017, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statements of Operations was as follows: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from: | Commodity Contracts |
Credit Contracts |
Equity Contracts |
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts |
Interest Rate |
Other Contracts |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
| | | | $ | 3,447,898 | | $ | 3,447,898 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
| | | | $ | 406,004 | | $ | 406,004 |
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments |
Futures contracts: | ||||
Average notional value of contracts long |
$ | 1,932,070 | 1 | |
Average notional value of contracts short |
$ | 91,729,010 | ||
1 Actual amounts for the period are shown due to limited outstanding derivative financial instruments as of each quarter end. |
|
For more information about the Funds investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 41 |
Schedule of Investments (concluded) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End |
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. For information about the Funds policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following tables summarize the Funds investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy:
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Investments: | ||||||||||||||||
Long-Term Investments1 |
| $ | 1,574,166,256 | | $ | 1,574,166,256 | ||||||||||
Short-Term Securities |
$ | 10,349,958 | | | 10,349,958 | |||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total Investments |
$ | 10,349,958 | $ | 1,574,166,256 | | $ | 1,584,516,214 | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Derivative Financial Instruments2 | ||||||||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
$ | 6,492 | | | $ | 6,492 | ||||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
Interest rate contracts |
(156,451 | ) | | | (156,451 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | (149,959 | ) | | | $ | (149,959 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
1 See above Schedule of Investments for values in each state or political subdivision. |
| |||||||||||||||
2 Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts which are valued at the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument. |
| |||||||||||||||
The Fund may hold assets and/or liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes. As of period end, such assets and/or liabilities are categorized within the disclosure hierarchy as follows: | ||||||||||||||||
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||||||||
TOB Trust Certificates |
| $ | (252,930,497 | ) | | $ | (252,930,497 | ) | ||||||||
VRDP Shares at Liquidation Value |
| (356,400,000 | ) | | (356,400,000 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total |
| $ | (609,330,497 | ) | | $ | (609,330,497 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
During the year ended July 31, 2017, there were no transfers between levels.
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
42 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Statements of Assets and Liabilities |
July 31, 2017 | BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE) |
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA) |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
||||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||||||
Investments at value unaffiliated1 |
$ | 513,322,862 | $ | 905,781,836 | $ | 912,794,489 | $ | 1,574,166,256 | ||||||||
Investments at value affiliated2 |
327,524 | 545,792 | 3,962,065 | 10,349,958 | ||||||||||||
Cash pledged for futures contracts |
201,800 | 599,750 | 732,350 | 1,166,600 | ||||||||||||
Receivables: | ||||||||||||||||
Interest unaffiliated |
5,407,602 | 12,750,497 | 8,695,869 | 16,674,588 | ||||||||||||
Variation margin on futures contracts |
11,016 | 32,766 | 39,641 | 69,039 | ||||||||||||
Dividends affiliated |
115 | 5,575 | 4,598 | 9,309 | ||||||||||||
Investments sold |
| | 2,771,511 | | ||||||||||||
Prepaid expenses |
17,544 | 21,644 | 22,633 | 31,849 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total assets |
519,288,463 | 919,737,860 | 929,023,156 | 1,602,467,599 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Accrued Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
Bank overdraft |
205,365 | 230,363 | 342,708 | 493,101 | ||||||||||||
Payables: | ||||||||||||||||
Investments purchased |
3,620,549 | 12,396,630 | | | ||||||||||||
Income dividends |
1,440,974 | 2,236,371 | 2,137,676 | 4,629,768 | ||||||||||||
Investment advisory fees |
451,159 | 752,349 | 772,629 | 1,327,120 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense and fees |
104,835 | 540,801 | 260,074 | 609,815 | ||||||||||||
Officers and Directors fees |
4,511 | 287,267 | 302,420 | 519,913 | ||||||||||||
Other accrued expenses |
207,202 | 275,293 | 293,482 | 440,788 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total accrued liabilities |
6,034,595 | 16,719,074 | 4,108,989 | 8,020,505 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Other Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||
TOB Trust Certificates |
62,841,318 | 195,487,580 | 113,374,080 | 252,930,497 | ||||||||||||
VMTP Shares, at liquidation value of $100,000 per share3,4 |
131,000,000 | | | | ||||||||||||
VRDP Shares, at liquidation value of $100,000 per share, net of deferred offering costs3,4 |
| 166,228,160 | 247,338,256 | 355,922,910 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total other liabilities |
193,841,318 | 361,715,740 | 360,712,336 | 608,853,407 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
199,875,913 | 378,434,814 | 364,821,325 | 616,873,912 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders |
$ | 319,412,550 | $ | 541,303,046 | $ | 564,201,831 | $ | 985,593,687 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders Consist of | ||||||||||||||||
Paid-in capital5,6 |
$ | 296,651,935 | $ | 493,038,423 | $ | 527,849,631 | $ | 903,699,243 | ||||||||
Undistributed net investment income |
1,647,251 | 1,354,786 | 3,038,136 | 9,041,071 | ||||||||||||
Accumulated net realized loss |
(16,398,440 | ) | (2,426,644 | ) | (23,946,287 | ) | (34,051,662 | ) | ||||||||
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
37,511,804 | 49,336,481 | 57,260,351 | 106,905,035 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders |
$ | 319,412,550 | $ | 541,303,046 | $ | 564,201,831 | $ | 985,593,687 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net asset value, per Common Share |
$ | 14.19 | $ | 15.73 | $ | 14.25 | $ | 14.48 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
1 Investments at cost unaffiliated |
$ | 475,790,050 | $ | 856,369,076 | $ | 855,442,517 | $ | 1,467,113,804 | ||||||||
2 Investments at cost affiliated |
$ | 327,524 | $ | 545,738 | $ | 3,961,669 | $ | 10,347,416 | ||||||||
3 Preferred Shares outstanding, par value $0.10 per share |
1,310 | 1,665 | 2,477 | 3,564 | ||||||||||||
4 Preferred Shares authorized, including Auction Market Preferred Shares (AMPS) |
9,490 | 12,665 | 14,637 | 26,364 | ||||||||||||
5 Common Shares outstanding, par value $0.10 per share |
22,515,224 | 34,405,717 | 39,586,584 | 68,084,838 | ||||||||||||
6 Common Shares authorized |
199,990,510 | 199,987,335 | 199,985,363 | 199,973,636 |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 43 |
Statements of Operations |
Year Ended July 31, 2017 | BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE) |
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA) |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
||||||||||||
Investment Income | ||||||||||||||||
Interest unaffiliated |
$ | 22,950,504 | $ | 35,538,742 | $ | 36,252,396 | $ | 70,674,070 | ||||||||
Dividends affiliated |
15,212 | 31,878 | 21,264 | 64,678 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total investment income |
22,965,716 | 35,570,620 | 36,273,660 | 70,738,748 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Expenses | ||||||||||||||||
Investment advisory |
2,832,624 | 4,497,016 | 4,648,713 | 8,039,806 | ||||||||||||
Professional |
86,598 | 116,380 | 123,896 | 180,934 | ||||||||||||
Accounting services |
83,239 | 127,380 | 125,318 | 184,073 | ||||||||||||
Officer and Directors |
34,691 | 90,463 | 94,273 | 163,950 | ||||||||||||
Transfer agent |
33,596 | 37,918 | 46,443 | 81,870 | ||||||||||||
Custodian |
22,214 | 36,348 | 37,919 | 61,480 | ||||||||||||
Registration |
9,828 | 13,852 | 15,922 | 27,694 | ||||||||||||
Printing |
8,402 | 9,849 | 10,668 | 13,789 | ||||||||||||
Rating agency |
38,871 | 38,927 | 39,054 | 39,225 | ||||||||||||
Miscellaneous |
22,972 | 36,272 | 36,146 | 55,157 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total expenses excluding interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs |
3,173,035 | 5,004,405 | 5,178,352 | 8,847,978 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs1 |
3,123,902 | 5,369,145 | 5,672,583 | 9,415,458 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total expenses |
6,296,937 | 10,373,550 | 10,850,935 | 18,263,436 | ||||||||||||
Less fees waived by the Manager |
(111,819 | ) | (5,546 | ) | (3,472 | ) | (10,601 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived |
6,185,118 | 10,368,004 | 10,847,463 | 18,252,835 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
16,780,598 | 25,202,616 | 25,426,197 | 52,485,913 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) | ||||||||||||||||
Net realized gain (loss) from: | ||||||||||||||||
Investments unaffiliated |
573,857 | (2,013,107 | ) | 1,089,181 | (290,673 | ) | ||||||||||
Investments affiliated |
2,344 | 934 | 1,653 | 1,141 | ||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
647,800 | 2,008,909 | 2,052,014 | 3,447,898 | ||||||||||||
Capital gain distributions from investment companies affiliated |
| 3 | 1 | 4,094 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
1,224,001 | (3,261 | ) | 3,142,849 | 3,162,460 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | ||||||||||||||||
Investments unaffiliated |
(20,833,372 | ) | (32,435,276 | ) | (35,583,854 | ) | (69,575,265 | ) | ||||||||
Investments affiliated |
| 54 | 396 | 2,542 | ||||||||||||
Futures contracts |
40,008 | 119,257 | 417,188 | 406,004 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
(20,793,364 | ) | (32,315,965 | ) | (35,166,270 | ) | (69,166,719 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized loss |
(19,569,363 | ) | (32,319,226 | ) | (32,023,421 | ) | (66,004,259 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net Decrease in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders Resulting from Operations |
$ | (2,788,765 | ) | $ | (7,116,610 | ) | $ | (6,597,224 | ) | $ | (13,518,346 | ) | ||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
1 Related to TOB Trusts, VMTP Shares and/or VRDP Shares. |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
44 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets |
BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE) |
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA) |
|||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended July 31, | Year Ended July 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders: | 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||||||
Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
$ | 16,780,598 | $ | 17,649,198 | $ | 25,202,616 | $ | 27,797,843 | ||||||||||||
Net realized gain (loss) |
1,224,001 | (180,558 | ) | (3,261 | ) | 1,382,536 | ||||||||||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
(20,793,364 | ) | 14,305,532 | (32,315,965 | ) | 22,794,435 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to Common Shareholders resulting from operations |
(2,788,765 | ) | 31,774,172 | (7,116,610 | ) | 51,974,814 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Distributions to Common Shareholders1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
From net investment income |
(17,291,692 | ) | (18,192,301 | ) | (26,836,468 | ) | (29,271,550 | ) | ||||||||||||
From net realized gain |
| | (1,659,457 | ) | | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to Common Shareholders |
(17,291,692 | ) | (18,192,301 | ) | (28,495,925 | ) | (29,271,550 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Capital Share Transactions | ||||||||||||||||||||
Reinvestment of common distributions |
| | 151,954 | | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to Common Shareholders |
(20,080,457 | ) | 13,581,871 | (35,460,581 | ) | 22,703,264 | ||||||||||||||
Beginning of year |
339,493,007 | 325,911,136 | 576,763,627 | 554,060,363 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
End of year |
$ | 319,412,550 | $ | 339,493,007 | $ | 541,303,046 | $ | 576,763,627 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Undistributed net investment income, end of year |
$ | 1,647,251 | $ | 2,160,168 | $ | 1,354,786 | $ | 2,743,421 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
1 Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 45 |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
|||||||||||||||||||
Year Ended July 31, | Year Ended July 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders: | 2017 | 2016 | 2017 | 2016 | ||||||||||||||||
Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
$ | 25,426,197 | $ | 27,609,415 | $ | 52,485,913 | $ | 57,199,642 | ||||||||||||
Net realized gain (loss) |
3,142,849 | 872,615 | 3,162,460 | (710,916 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
(35,166,270 | ) | 36,534,748 | (69,166,719 | ) | 50,664,478 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to Common Shareholders resulting from operations |
(6,597,224 | ) | 65,016,778 | (13,518,346 | ) | 107,153,204 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Distributions to Common Shareholders1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
From net investment income |
(25,728,944 | ) | (28,860,756 | ) | (55,560,635 | ) | (59,486,296 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Capital Share Transactions | ||||||||||||||||||||
Reinvestment of common distributions |
| | 1,440,983 | 1,943,879 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total increase (decrease) in net assets applicable to Common Shareholders |
(32,326,168 | ) | 36,156,022 | (67,637,998 | ) | 49,610,787 | ||||||||||||||
Beginning of year |
596,527,999 | 560,371,977 | 1,053,231,685 | 1,003,620,898 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
End of year |
$ | 564,201,831 | $ | 596,527,999 | $ | 985,593,687 | $ | 1,053,231,685 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Undistributed net investment income, end of year |
$ | 3,038,136 | $ | 3,525,453 | $ | 9,041,071 | $ | 12,352,410 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
1 Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
46 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Statements of Cash Flows |
Year Ended July 31, 2017 | BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE) |
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA) |
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) |
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
||||||||||||
Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities | ||||||||||||||||
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations |
$ | (2,788,765 | ) | $ | (7,116,610 | ) | $ | (6,597,224 | ) | $ | (13,518,346 | ) | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net decrease in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from sales of long-term investments |
95,364,695 | 331,937,688 | 120,662,886 | 273,339,652 | ||||||||||||
Purchases of long-term investments |
(103,289,116 | ) | (356,107,615 | ) | (126,880,511 | ) | (261,709,948 | ) | ||||||||
Net proceeds from sales (purchases) of short-term securities |
302,199 | (401,753 | ) | (2,415,335 | ) | (5,237,913 | ) | |||||||||
Amortization of premium and accretion of discount on investments and other fees |
1,772,013 | 5,474,018 | 4,732,887 | (1,610,597 | ) | |||||||||||
Net realized (gain) loss on investments |
(576,201 | ) | 2,026,453 | (1,090,834 | ) | 291,332 | ||||||||||
Net unrealized loss on investments |
20,833,372 | 32,435,222 | 35,583,458 | 69,572,723 | ||||||||||||
(Increase) Decrease in Assets: |
| |||||||||||||||
Cash pledged for futures contracts |
(21,000 | ) | (204,000 | ) | (128,000 | ) | (479,000 | ) | ||||||||
Receivables: | ||||||||||||||||
Interest unaffiliated |
(84,885 | ) | 519,344 | 367,785 | 900,045 | |||||||||||
Dividends affiliated |
630 | (5,445 | ) | (4,126 | ) | (7,465 | ) | |||||||||
Variation margin on futures contracts |
(11,016 | ) | (32,766 | ) | (39,641 | ) | (69,039 | ) | ||||||||
Prepaid expenses |
13,443 | 14,202 | 14,247 | 15,679 | ||||||||||||
Increase (Decrease) in Liabilities: |
| |||||||||||||||
Payables: | ||||||||||||||||
Investment advisory fees |
207,428 | 360,562 | 366,449 | 620,569 | ||||||||||||
Interest expense and fees |
50,679 | 303,653 | 148,544 | 296,317 | ||||||||||||
Officers and Directors fees |
(558 | ) | 39,963 | 41,717 | 72,177 | |||||||||||
Variation margin on futures contracts |
(59,047 | ) | (127,016 | ) | (195,376 | ) | (217,251 | ) | ||||||||
Other accrued expenses |
74,500 | 103,521 | 140,783 | 193,600 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
11,788,371 | 9,219,421 | 24,707,709 | 62,452,535 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities | ||||||||||||||||
Proceeds from TOB Trust Certificates |
10,888,376 | 74,666,900 | 18,967,284 | 49,720,346 | ||||||||||||
Repayments of TOB Trust Certificates |
(5,596,424 | ) | (45,871,737 | ) | (17,698,191 | ) | (58,592,489 | ) | ||||||||
Proceeds from Loan for TOB Trust Certificates |
| 2,994,900 | 7,858,738 | 18,851,064 | ||||||||||||
Repayments of Loan for TOB Trust Certificates |
| (12,735,075 | ) | (8,466,238 | ) | (18,851,064 | ) | |||||||||
Cash dividends paid to Common Shareholders |
(17,291,692 | ) | (28,343,382 | ) | (25,728,944 | ) | (54,113,157 | ) | ||||||||
Increase in bank overdraft |
205,365 | 57,537 | 342,708 | 493,101 | ||||||||||||
Amortization of deferred offering costs |
| 11,436 | 15,214 | 19,999 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net cash used for financing activities |
(11,794,375 | ) | (9,219,421 | ) | (24,709,429 | ) | (62,472,200 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Cash | ||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash |
(6,004 | ) | | (1,720 | ) | (19,665 | ) | |||||||||
Cash at beginning of year |
6,004 | | 1,720 | 19,665 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Cash at end of year |
| | | | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information | ||||||||||||||||
Cash paid during the year for interest expense |
$ | 3,073,223 | $ | 5,054,056 | $ | 5,508,825 | $ | 9,099,142 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Non-Cash Financing Activities | ||||||||||||||||
Capital shares issued in reinvestment of distributions paid to Common Shareholders |
| $ | 151,954 | | $ | 1,440,983 | ||||||||||
|
|
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 47 |
Financial Highlights | BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE) |
Year Ended July 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||
Per Share Operating Performance | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of year |
$ | 15.08 | $ | 14.48 | $ | 14.42 | $ | 13.27 | $ | 15.18 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income1 |
0.75 | 0.78 | 0.80 | 0.82 | 0.81 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
(0.87 | ) | 0.63 | 0.09 | 1.18 | (1.87 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations |
(0.12 | ) | 1.41 | 0.89 | 2.00 | (1.06 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Distributions to Common Shareholders from net investment income2 |
(0.77 | ) | (0.81 | ) | (0.83 | ) | (0.85 | ) | (0.85 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of year |
$ | 14.19 | $ | 15.08 | $ | 14.48 | $ | 14.42 | $ | 13.27 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Market price, end of year |
$ | 14.17 | $ | 14.94 | $ | 13.13 | $ | 12.94 | $ | 12.32 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total Return Applicable to Common Shareholders3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Based on net asset value |
(0.50)% | 10.33% | 6.84% | 16.19% | (7.41)% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Based on market price |
0.29% | 20.55% | 7.96% | 12.30% | (16.08)% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses |
1.96% | 1.56% | 1.50% | 1.61% | 1.66% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly |
1.92% | 1.55% | 1.49% | 1.56% | 1.60% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs4 |
0.95% | 0.95% | 0.96% | 0.95% | 0.97% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income to Common Shareholders |
5.21% | 5.32% | 5.41% | 6.01% | 5.36% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets applicable to Common Shareholders, end of year (000) |
$ | 319,413 | $ | 339,493 | $ | 325,911 | $ | 324,563 | $ | 298,707 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
VMTP Shares outstanding at $100,000 liquidation value, end of year (000) |
$ | 131,000 | $ | 131,000 | $ | 131,000 | $ | 131,000 | $ | 131,000 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Asset coverage per VMTP Shares at $100,000 liquidation value, end of year |
$ | 343,826 | $ | 359,155 | $ | 348,787 | $ | 347,758 | $ | 328,021 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Borrowings outstanding, end of year (000) |
$ | 62,841 | $ | 57,549 | $ | 51,795 | $ | 52,497 | $ | 81,123 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate |
19% | 15% | 13% | 28% | 40% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
1 | Based on average Common Shares outstanding. |
2 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
3 | Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices. |
4 | Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs related to TOB Trusts and/or VMTP Shares. See Note 4 and Note 10 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
48 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Financial Highlights | BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA) |
Year Ended July 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||
Per Share Operating Performance | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of year |
$ | 16.77 | $ | 16.11 | $ | 16.14 | $ | 14.83 | $ | 16.60 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income1 |
0.73 | 0.81 | 0.83 | 0.87 | 0.88 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
(0.94 | ) | 0.70 | 0.02 | 1.35 | (1.74 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations |
(0.21 | ) | 1.51 | 0.85 | 2.22 | (0.86 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Distributions to Common Shareholders:2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
From net investment income |
(0.78 | ) | (0.85 | ) | (0.88 | ) | (0.91 | ) | (0.91 | ) | ||||||||||
From net realized gain |
(0.05 | ) | | | | | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total distributions |
(0.83 | ) | (0.85 | ) | (0.88 | ) | (0.91 | ) | (0.91 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of year |
$ | 15.73 | $ | 16.77 | $ | 16.11 | $ | 16.14 | $ | 14.83 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Market price, end of year |
$ | 15.18 | $ | 16.75 | $ | 14.71 | $ | 14.37 | $ | 13.66 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total Return Applicable to Common Shareholders3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Based on net asset value |
(0.92)% | 9.84% | 5.76% | 16.04% | (5.41)% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Based on market price |
(4.26)% | 20.15% | 8.47% | 12.16% | (12.83)% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses |
1.91% | 1.46% | 1.32% | 1.40% | 1.48% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly |
1.91% | 1.46% | 1.32% | 1.40% | 1.48% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs4 |
0.92% | 0.89% | 0.86% | 0.90% | 0.92% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income to Common Shareholders |
4.64% | 4.94% | 5.09% | 5.63% | 5.37% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets applicable to Common Shareholders, end of year (000) |
$ | 541,303 | $ | 576,764 | $ | 554,060 | $ | 555,127 | $ | 510,018 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
VRDP Shares outstanding at $100,000 liquidation value, end of year (000) |
$ | 166,500 | $ | 166,500 | $ | 166,500 | $ | 166,500 | $ | 166,500 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Asset coverage per VRDP Shares at $100,000 liquidation value, end of year |
$ | 425,107 | $ | 446,404 | $ | 432,769 | $ | 433,410 | $ | 406,317 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Borrowings outstanding, end of year (000) |
$ | 195,488 | $ | 176,433 | $ | 172,574 | $ | 127,397 | $ | 188,185 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate |
37% | 23% | 36% | 15% | 25% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
1 | Based on average Common Shares outstanding. |
2 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
3 | Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices. |
4 | Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs related to TOB Trusts and/or VRDP Shares. See Note 4 and Note 10 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 49 |
Financial Highlights | BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN) |
Year Ended July 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||
Per Share Operating Performance | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of year |
$ | 15.07 | $ | 14.16 | $ | 14.09 | $ | 13.17 | $ | 15.07 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income1 |
0.64 | 0.70 | 0.75 | 0.78 | 0.83 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
(0.81 | ) | 0.94 | 0.09 | 0.97 | (1.88 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations |
(0.17 | ) | 1.64 | 0.84 | 1.75 | (1.05 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Distributions to Common Shareholders from net investment income2 |
(0.65 | ) | (0.73 | ) | (0.77 | ) | (0.83 | ) | (0.85 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of year |
$ | 14.25 | $ | 15.07 | $ | 14.16 | $ | 14.09 | $ | 13.17 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Market price, end of year |
$ | 13.26 | $ | 14.40 | $ | 13.13 | $ | 12.71 | $ | 12.34 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total Return Applicable to Common Shareholders3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Based on net asset value |
(0.69)% | 12.19% | 6.54% | 14.21% | (7.33)% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Based on market price |
(3.29)% | 15.60% | 9.52% | 9.95% | (13.40)% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses |
1.93% | 1.51% | 1.44% | 1.50% | 1.53% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly |
1.93% | 1.50% | 1.44% | 1.50% | 1.53% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs4 |
0.92% | 0.89% | 0.89% | 0.91% | 0.91% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income to Common Shareholders |
4.52% | 4.79% | 5.22% | 5.82% | 5.59% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets applicable to Common Shareholders, end of year (000) |
$ | 564,202 | $ | 596,528 | $ | 560,372 | $ | 557,606 | $ | 521,263 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
VRDP Shares outstanding at $100,000 liquidation value, end of year (000) |
$ | 247,700 | $ | 247,700 | $ | 247,700 | $ | 247,700 | $ | 247,700 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Asset coverage per VRDP Shares at $100,000 liquidation value, end of year |
$ | 327,776 | $ | 340,827 | $ | 326,230 | $ | 325,114 | $ | 310,441 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Borrowings outstanding, end of year (000) |
$ | 113,374 | $ | 112,712 | $ | 93,113 | $ | 89,734 | $ | 108,615 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate |
13% | 15% | 20% | 18% | 10% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
1 | Based on average Common Shares outstanding. |
2 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
3 | Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices. |
4 | Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs related to TOB Trusts and/or VRDP Shares. See Note 4 and Note 10 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
50 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Financial Highlights | BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) |
Year Ended July 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||||||
Per Share Operating Performance | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of year |
$ | 15.49 | $ | 14.79 | $ | 14.84 | $ | 13.64 | $ | 15.32 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income1 |
0.77 | 0.84 | 0.87 | 0.89 | 0.89 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) |
(0.96 | ) | 0.74 | (0.03 | ) | 1.18 | (1.70 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations |
(0.19 | ) | 1.58 | 0.84 | 2.07 | (0.81 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Distributions to Common Shareholders from net investment income2 |
(0.82 | ) | (0.88 | ) | (0.89 | ) | (0.87 | ) | (0.87 | ) | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of year |
$ | 14.48 | $ | 15.49 | $ | 14.79 | $ | 14.84 | $ | 13.64 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Market price, end of year |
$ | 14.66 | $ | 15.63 | $ | 14.04 | $ | 13.46 | $ | 12.80 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total Return Applicable to Common Shareholders3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Based on net asset value |
(1.02)% | 11.08% | 6.12% | 16.23% | (5.66)% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Based on market price |
(0.69)% | 18.07% | 11.06% | 12.35% | (14.21)% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets Applicable to Common Shareholders | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses |
1.85% | 1.45% | 1.39% | 1.47% | 1.43% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly |
1.84% | 1.45% | 1.39% | 1.47% | 1.43% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs4 |
0.89% | 0.88% | 0.88% | 0.91% | 0.89% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income to Common Shareholders |
5.30% | 5.60% | 5.78% | 6.35% | 5.83% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Supplemental Data | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets applicable to Common Shareholders, end of year (000) |
$ | 985,594 | $ | 1,053,232 | $ | 1,003,621 | $ | 1,007,291 | $ | 925,812 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
VRDP Shares outstanding at $100,000 liquidation value, end of year (000) |
$ | 356,400 | $ | 356,400 | $ | 356,400 | $ | 356,400 | $ | 356,400 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Asset coverage per VRDP Shares at $100,000 liquidation value, end of year |
$ | 376,541 | $ | 395,520 | $ | 381,600 | $ | 382,629 | $ | 359,768 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Borrowings outstanding, end of year (000) |
$ | 252,930 | $ | 261,803 | $ | 244,245 | $ | 262,507 | $ | 287,426 | ||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate |
16% | 10% | 11% | 15% | 9% | |||||||||||||||
|
|
1 | Based on average Common Shares outstanding. |
2 | Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations. |
3 | Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices. |
4 | Interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs related to TOB Trusts and/or VRDP Shares. See Note 4 and Note 10 of the Notes to Financial Statements for details. |
See Notes to Financial Statements. | ||||||
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 51 |
Notes to Financial Statements |
1. Organization:
The following are registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as closed-end management investment companies and are referred to herein collectively as the Funds, or individually as a Fund:
Fund Name | Herein Referred To As | Organized | Diversification Classification | |||
BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. |
MUE | Maryland | Diversified* | |||
BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. |
MCA | Maryland | Diversified* | |||
BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. |
MYN | Maryland | Non-diversified | |||
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. |
MYI | Maryland | Diversified* |
* | The Funds classification changed from non-diversified to diversified during the reporting period. |
The Boards of Directors of the Funds are collectively referred to throughout this report as the Board of Directors or the Board, and the directors thereof are collectively referred to throughout this report as Directors. The Funds determine and make available for publication the net asset values (NAVs) of their Common Shares on a daily basis.
The Funds, together with certain other registered investment companies advised by BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the Manager) or its affiliates, are included in a complex of closed-end funds referred to as the Closed-End Complex.
2. Significant Accounting Policies:
The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Each Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:
Investment Transactions and Income Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are entered into (the trade dates). Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined on the identified cost basis. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, is recognized on an accrual basis.
Segregation and Collateralization: In cases where a Fund enters into certain investments (e.g., futures contracts) or certain borrowings (e.g., TOB Trust transactions) that would be treated as senior securities for 1940 Act purposes, a Fund may segregate or designate on its books and records cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal to the amount of its future obligations under such investments or borrowings. Doing so allows the investment or borrowings to be excluded from treatment as a senior security. Furthermore, if required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Funds may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments or obligations.
Distributions: Distributions from net investment income are declared 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.
Distributions to Preferred Shareholders are accrued and determined as described in Note 10.
Deferred Compensation Plan: Under the Deferred Compensation Plan (the Plan) approved by each Funds Board, the independent Directors (Independent Directors) may defer a portion of their annual complex-wide compensation. Deferred amounts earn an approximate return as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in common shares of certain other BlackRock Closed-End Funds selected by the Independent Directors. This has the same economic effect for the Independent Directors as if the Independent Directors had invested the deferred amounts directly in certain other BlackRock Closed-End Funds.
The Plan is not funded and obligations thereunder represent general unsecured claims against the general assets of each Fund, if applicable. Deferred compensation liabilities are included in the officers and directors fees payable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities and will remain as a liability of the Funds until such amounts are distributed in accordance with the Plan.
Recent Accounting Standards: In November 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update Restricted Cash which will require entities to include the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents in the beginning and ending cash balances in the Statements of Cash Flows. The guidance will be applied retrospectively and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those years. Management is evaluating the impact, if any, of this guidance on the Funds presentation in the Statements of Cash Flows.
In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update Premium Amortization of Purchased Callable Debt Securities which amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities. Under the new guidance, the premium amortization of
52 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) |
purchased callable debt securities that have explicit, non-contingent call features and are callable at fixed prices will be amortized to the earliest call date. The guidance will be applied on a modified retrospective basis and is effective for fiscal years, and their interim periods, beginning after December 15, 2018. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance to the Funds.
SEC Reporting Modernization: The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted new rules and forms and amended other rules to enhance the reporting and disclosure of information by registered investment companies. As part of these changes, the SEC amended Regulation S-X to standardize and enhance disclosures in investment company financial statements. The compliance date for implementing the new or amended rules is August 1, 2017.
Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, a Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general indemnification. A Funds maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown because it involves future potential claims against a Fund, which cannot be predicted with any certainty.
Other: Expenses directly related to a Fund are charged to that Fund. 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.
Through May 31, 2016, the Funds had an arrangement with their custodian whereby credits were earned on uninvested cash balances, which could be used to reduce custody fees and/or overdraft charges. Credits previously earned have been utilized until December 31, 2016. Under current arrangements effective June 1, 2016, the Funds no longer earn credits on uninvested cash, and may incur charges on uninvested cash balances and overdrafts, subject to certain conditions.
3. Investment Valuation and Fair Value Measurements:
Investment Valuation Policies: The Funds investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as market value within the financial statements) as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time). U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price the Funds would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Funds determine the fair values of their financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under policies approved by the Board of Directors of each Fund (the Board). The BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the Global Valuation Committee) is the committee formed by management to develop global pricing policies and procedures and to 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 each Funds assets and liabilities:
| Municipal investments (including commitments to purchase such investments on a when-issued basis) are valued on the basis of prices provided by dealers or pricing services. In determining the value of a particular investment, pricing services may use certain information with respect to transactions in such investments, quotations from dealers, pricing matrixes, market transactions in comparable investments and information with respect to various relationships between investments. |
| Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds are valued at NAV each business day. |
| Futures contracts traded on exchanges are valued at their last sale price. |
If events (e.g., a company announcement, market volatility or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such 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 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 each Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arms-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, deems relevant 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 each Fund has the ability to access |
| Level 2 Other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other marketcorroborated inputs) |
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 53 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) |
| Level 3 Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available (including each Fund own assumptions used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments) |
The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. 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. Level 3 investments may also be adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, with the amount of such discount estimated by the Global Valuation Committee in the absence of market information.
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the hierarchy. In accordance with each Funds policy, transfers between different levels of the fair value hierarchy are deemed to have occurred as of the beginning of the reporting period. The categorization of a value determined for investments and derivative financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the investments and derivative financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.
4. Securities and Other Investments:
Zero-Coupon Bonds: Zero-coupon bonds are normally issued at a significant discount from face value and do not provide for periodic interest payments. These bonds may experience greater volatility in market value than other debt obligations of similar maturity which provide for regular interest payments.
Forward Commitments and When-Issued Delayed Delivery Securities: Certain Funds may purchase securities on a when-issued basis and may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis. Settlement of such transactions normally occurs within a month or more after the purchase or sale commitment is made. A Fund may purchase securities under such conditions with the intention of actually acquiring them, but may enter into a separate agreement to sell the securities before the settlement date. Since the value of securities purchased may fluctuate prior to settlement, a Fund may be required to pay more at settlement than the security is worth. In addition, a Fund is not entitled to any of the interest earned prior to settlement. When purchasing a security on a delayed delivery basis, a Fund assumes the rights and risks of ownership of the security, including the risk of price and yield fluctuations. In the event of default by the counterparty, a Funds maximum amount of loss is the unrealized appreciation of unsettled when-issued transactions.
Municipal Bonds Transferred to TOB Trusts: Certain Funds leverage their assets through the use of TOB Trust transactions. The Funds transfer municipal bonds into a special purpose trust (a TOB Trust). A TOB Trust issues two classes of beneficial interests: short-term floating rate interests (TOB Trust Certificates), which are sold to third party investors, and residual inverse floating rate interests (TOB Residuals), which are issued to the participating funds that contributed the municipal bonds to the TOB Trust. The TOB Trust Certificates have interest rates that reset weekly and their holders have the option to tender such certificates to the TOB Trust for redemption at par and any accrued interest at each reset date. The TOB Residuals held by a Fund provide the Fund with the right to cause the holders of a proportional share of the TOB Trust Certificates to tender their certificates to the TOB Trust at par plus accrued interest. The Funds may withdraw a corresponding share of the municipal bonds from the TOB Trust. Other funds managed by the investment adviser may also contribute municipal bonds to a TOB Trust into which a Fund has contributed bonds. If multiple BlackRock advised funds participate in the same TOB Trust, the economic rights and obligations under the TOB Residuals will be shared among the funds ratably in proportion to their participation in the TOB Trust.
TOB Trusts are supported by a liquidity facility provided by a third party bank or other financial institution (the Liquidity Provider) that allows the holders of the TOB Trust Certificates to tender their certificates in exchange for payment of par plus accrued interest on any business day. The tendered TOB Trust Certificates are remarketed by a Remarketing Agent. In the event of a failed remarketing, the TOB Trust may draw upon a loan from the Liquidity Provider to purchase the tendered TOB Trust Certificates. Any loans made by the Liquidity Provider will be secured by the purchased TOB Trust Certificates held by the TOB Trust and will be subject to an increased interest rate based on number of days the loan is outstanding.
The TOB Trust may be collapsed without the consent of a Fund, upon the occurrence of a termination event as defined in the TOB Trust agreement. Upon the occurrence of a termination event, a TOB Trust would be liquidated with the proceeds applied first to any accrued fees owed to the trustee of the TOB Trust, the Remarketing Agent and the Liquidity Provider. Upon certain termination events, TOB Trust Certificates holders will be paid before the TOB Residuals holders (i.e., the Funds) whereas in other termination events, TOB Trust Certificates holders and TOB Residuals holders will be paid pro rata.
While a Funds investment policies and restrictions expressly permit investments in inverse floating rate securities, such as TOB Residuals, they restrict the ability of a Fund to borrow money for purposes of making investments. The management of MCA, MYN and MYI believes that each Funds restrictions on borrowings do not apply to the Funds TOB Trust transactions. Each Funds transfer of the municipal bonds to a TOB Trust is considered a secured borrowing for financial reporting purposes. The cash received by the TOB Trust from the sale of the TOB Trust Certificates, less certain transaction expenses, is paid to a Fund. A Fund typically invests the cash received in additional municipal bonds.
54 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) |
Accounting for TOB Trusts: The municipal bonds deposited into a TOB Trust are presented in a Funds Schedule of Investments and the TOB Trust Certificates are shown in Other Liabilities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Any loans drawn by the TOB Trust pursuant to the liquidity facility to purchase tendered TOB Trust Certificates are shown as Loan for TOB Trust Certificates. The carrying amount of a Funds payable to the holder of the TOB Trust Certificates, as reported in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as TOB Trust Certificates, approximates its fair value.
Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts, from the underlying municipal bonds is recorded by a Fund on an accrual basis. Interest expense incurred on the TOB Trust transaction and other expenses related to remarketing, administration, trustee, liquidity and other services to a TOB Trust are shown as interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs in the Statements of Operations. Fees paid upon creation of the TOB Trust are recorded as debt issuance costs and are amortized to interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs in the Statements of Operations to the expected maturity of the TOB Trust. In connection with the restructurings of the TOB Trusts to non-bank sponsored TOB Trusts, a Fund incurred non-recurring, legal and restructuring fees, which are recorded as interest expense, fees and amortization of deferred offering costs in the Statements of Operations.
For the year ended July 31, 2017, the following table is a summary of each Funds TOB Trusts:
Underlying Transferred to TOB Trusts1 |
Liability
for TOB Trust Certificates2 |
Range of Interest Rates on TOB Trust Certificates at Period End |
Average TOB Trust Certificates Outstanding |
Daily Weighted Average Rate of Interest and Other Expenses on TOB Trusts |
||||||||||||||||
MUE |
$ | 114,554,503 | $ | 62,841,318 | 0.84% - 1.00% | $ | 62,270,444 | 1.40% | ||||||||||||
MCA |
$ | 416,116,254 | $ | 195,487,580 | 0.83% - 1.02% | $ | 190,062,267 | 1.37% | ||||||||||||
MYN |
$ | 218,613,598 | $ | 113,374,080 | 0.84% - 0.97% | $ | 118,827,211 | 1.38% | ||||||||||||
MYI |
$ | 434,616,538 | $ | 252,930,497 | 0.84% - 1.48% | $ | 261,136,211 | 1.39% |
1 | The municipal bonds transferred to a TOB Trust are generally high grade municipal bonds. In certain cases, when municipal bonds transferred are lower grade municipal bonds, the TOB Trust transaction may include a credit enhancement feature that provides for the timely payment of principal and interest on the bonds to the TOB Trust by a credit enhancement provider in the event of default of the municipal bond. The TOB Trust would be responsible for the payment of the credit enhancement fee and the Funds, as TOB Residuals holders, would be responsible for reimbursement of any payments of principal and interest made by the credit enhancement provider. The maximum potential amounts owed by the Funds, for such reimbursements, as applicable, are included in the maximum potential amounts disclosed for recourse TOB Trusts. |
2 | TOB Trusts may be structured on a non-recourse or recourse basis. When a Fund invests in TOB Trusts on a non-recourse basis, the Liquidity Provider may be required to make a payment under the liquidity facility to allow the TOB Trust to repurchase TOB Trust Certificates. The Liquidity Provider will be reimbursed from the liquidation of bonds held in the TOB Trust. If a Fund invests in a TOB Trust on a recourse basis, a Fund enters into a reimbursement agreement with the Liquidity Provider where a Fund is required to reimburse the Liquidity Provider for any shortfall between the amount paid by the Liquidity Provider and proceeds received from liquidation of municipal bonds held in the TOB Trust (the Liquidation Shortfall). As a result, if a Fund invests in a recourse TOB Trust, a Fund will bear the risk of loss with respect to any Liquidation Shortfall. If multiple funds participate in any such TOB Trust, these losses will be shared ratably, including the maximum potential amounts owed by a Fund at July 31, 2017, in proportion to their participation in the TOB Trust. The recourse TOB Trusts are identified in the Schedules of Investments including the maximum potential amounts owed by a Fund at July 31, 2017. |
For the year ended July 31, 2017, the following table is a summary of each Funds Loan for TOB Trust Certificates:
Loans Outstanding at |
Range of Interest Rates on Loans at Period End |
Average Loans Outstanding |
Daily Weighted Average Rate of Interest and Other Expenses on Loans |
|||||||||||||
MCA |
| | $ | 379,509 | 0.78% | |||||||||||
MYN |
| | $ | 451,400 | 0.83% | |||||||||||
MYI |
| | $ | 999,553 | 0.78% |
5. Derivative Financial Instruments:
The Funds engage in various portfolio investment strategies using derivative contracts both to increase the returns of the Funds and/or to manage their 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 Schedules of Investments. These contracts may be transacted on an exchange or over-the-counter (OTC).
Futures Contracts: Futures contracts are purchased or sold to gain exposure to, or manage exposure to, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk), changes in the value of equity securities (equity risk) or foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).
Futures contracts are agreements between the Funds 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 Funds are required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on a contracts size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract.
Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedules of Investments and cash deposited, if any, is shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Funds agree to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 55 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) |
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 Statements of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. The use of 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.
6. Investment Advisory Agreement and Other Transactions with Affiliates:
The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. is the largest stockholder and an affiliate of BlackRock, Inc. (BlackRock) for 1940 Act purposes.
Investment Advisory: Each Fund entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Manager, the Funds investment adviser, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, to provide investment advisory services. The Manager is responsible for the management of each Funds portfolio and provides the personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary to the operations of each Fund.
For such services, each Fund pays the Manager a monthly fee at an annual rate equal to the following percentages of the average daily value of each Funds net assets:
MUE | MCA | MYN | MYI | |||||||||||||
Investment advisory fees |
0.55% | 0.50% | 0.50% | 0.50% |
For purposes of calculating these fees, net assets mean the total assets of a Fund minus the sum of its accrued liabilities (which does not include liabilities represented by TOB Trusts and the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred shares). It is understood that the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred shares (other than accumulated dividends) and TOB Trusts is not considered a liability in determining a Funds NAV.
Waivers: With respect to each Fund, the Manager voluntarily agreed to waive its investment advisory fees by the amount of investment advisory fees each Fund pays to the Manager indirectly through its investment in affiliated money market funds (the affiliated money market fund waiver). These amounts are included in fees waived by the Manager in the Statements of Operations. For the year ended July 31, 2017, the amounts waived were as follows:
MUE | MCA | MYN | MYI | |||||||||||||
Amounts waived |
$ | 2,360 | $ | 5,546 | $ | 3,472 | $ | 10,601 |
Effective September 1, 2016, the Manager voluntarily agreed to waive its investment advisory fee with respect to any portion of each Funds assets invested in affiliated equity and fixed-income mutual funds and affiliated exchange-traded funds that have a contractual management fee. Prior to September 1, 2016, the Manager did not waive such fees. Effective December 2, 2016, the waiver became contractual through June 30, 2018. The agreement can be renewed for annual periods thereafter, and may be terminated on 90 days notice, each subject to approval by a majority of the Funds Independent Directors. For the year ended July 31, 2017, there were no such fees waived by the Manager.
The Manager, for MUE, voluntarily agreed to waive its investment advisory fee on the proceeds of the Preferred Shares and TOB Trusts that exceed 35% of total assets minus the sum of its accrued liabilities (which does not include liabilities represented by TOB Trusts and the liquidation preference of preferred shares). This amount is included in fees waived by the Manager in the Statements of Operations. For the year ended July 31, 2017, the waiver was $109,459.
Officers and Directors: Certain officers and/or Directors of the Funds are officers and/or directors of BlackRock or its affiliates. The Funds reimburse the Manager for a portion of the compensation paid to the Funds Chief Compliance Officer, which is included in Officer and Directors in the Statements of Operations.
7. Purchases and Sales:
For the year ended July 31, 2017, purchases and sales of investments, excluding short-term securities, were as follows:
MUE | MCA | MYN | MYI | |||||||||||||
Purchases |
$ | 97,943,224 | $ | 360,070,590 | $ | 126,880,511 | $ | 257,030,268 | ||||||||
Sales |
$ | 95,364,695 | $ | 331,937,688 | $ | 122,937,900 | $ | 271,043,012 |
8. Income Tax Information:
It is each Funds policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of their taxable income to their shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.
Each Fund files U.S. federal and various state and local tax returns. No income tax returns are currently under examination. The statute of limitations on each Funds U.S. federal tax returns generally remains open for each of the four years ended July 31, 2017. The statutes of limitations on each Funds state and local tax returns may remain open for an additional year depending upon the jurisdiction.
56 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) |
Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Funds as of July 31, 2017, 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 Funds financial statements.
U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. As of period end, the following permanent differences attributable to amortization methods on fixed income securities, non-deductible expenses, the expiration of capital loss carryforwards, distributions received from a regulated investment company, the characterization of expenses and the sale of bonds received from TOB Trusts were reclassified to the following accounts:
MUE | MCA | MYN | MYI | |||||||||||||
Paid-in capital |
$ | (3,385,582 | ) | $ | (11,436 | ) | $ | (2,310,951 | ) | $ | (21,271,303 | ) | ||||
Undistributed net investment income |
$ | (1,823 | ) | $ | 245,217 | $ | (184,570 | ) | $ | (236,617 | ) | |||||
Accumulated net realized loss |
$ | 3,387,405 | $ | (233,781 | ) | $ | 2,495,521 | $ | 21,507,920 |
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
MUE | MCA | MYN | MYI | |||||||||||||||||
Tax-exempt income1 |
7/31/17 | $ | 19,532,177 | $ | 29,457,340 | $ | 29,637,043 | $ | 61,268,578 | |||||||||||
7/31/16 | $ | 19,704,376 | $ | 31,026,504 | $ | 31,428,254 | $ | 63,226,052 | ||||||||||||
Ordinary income2 |
7/31/17 | | 1,247,453 | 85,038 | 32,524 | |||||||||||||||
7/31/16 | 29 | | 44,987 | 17,196 | ||||||||||||||||
Long-term capital gains3 |
7/31/17 | | 528,936 | | | |||||||||||||||
7/31/16 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total |
7/31/17 | $ | 19,532,177 | $ | 31,233,729 | $ | 29,722,081 | $ | 61,301,102 | |||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
7/31/16 | $ | 19,704,405 | $ | 31,026,504 | $ | 31,473,241 | $ | 63,243,248 | ||||||||||||
|
|
1 | The Funds designate these amounts paid during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2017, as exempt-interest dividends. |
2 | Ordinary income consists primarily of taxable income recognized from market discount and net shot-term capital gains. Additionally, all ordinary income distributions are comprised of interest related dividends non-US residents and are eligible for exemption from U.S. withholding tax for nonresident aliens and foreign corporations. |
3 | The Funds designate these amounts paid during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2017 as capital gain dividends. |
As of period end, the tax components of accumulated net earnings were as follows:
MUE | MCA | MYN | MYI | |||||||||||||
Undistributed tax-exempt income |
$ | 1,054,974 | $ | 1,006,528 | $ | 1,617,240 | $ | 5,159,970 | ||||||||
Undistributed ordinary income |
| | 8,123 | 383,451 | ||||||||||||
Capital loss carryforwards |
(15,533,608 | ) | | (21,837,715 | ) | (26,689,609 | ) | |||||||||
Net unrealized gains1 |
37,239,249 | 48,747,286 | 56,564,552 | 103,040,632 | ||||||||||||
Qualified late-year losses2 |
| (1,489,191 | ) | | | |||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 22,760,615 | $ | 48,264,623 | $ | 36,352,200 | $ | 81,894,444 | ||||||||
|
|
1 | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis net unrealized gains was attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and straddles, amortization methods of premiums and discounts on fixed income securities, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on certain futures contracts, the treatment of residual interests in TOB Trusts and the deferral of compensation to Directors. |
2 | The Funds have elected to defer certain qualified late-year losses and recognize such losses in the next taxable year. |
As of July 31, 2017, the Funds had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains through the indicated expiration dates as follows:
Expires July 31, | MUE | MYN | MYI | |||||||||
No expiration date1 |
$ | 9,520,478 | $ | 17,179,778 | $ | 229,581 | ||||||
2018 |
6,013,130 | 3,370,191 | 26,460,028 | |||||||||
2019 |
| 1,287,746 | | |||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Total |
$ | 15,533,608 | $ | 21,837,715 | $ | 26,689,609 | ||||||
|
|
1 | Must be utilized prior to losses subject to expiration. |
During the year ended July 31, 2017, the Funds listed below utilized the following amounts of their respective capital loss carryforward:
MUE | MYN | MYI | ||||||||||
Amount utilized |
$ | 1,106,529 | $ | 3,543,690 | $ | 3,930,685 |
As of July 31, 2017, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost for U.S. federal income-tax purposes were as follows:
MUE | MCA | MYN | MYI | |||||||||||||
Tax cost |
$ | 413,567,233 | $ | 661,808,940 | $ | 746,521,421 | $ | 1,228,035,627 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Gross unrealized appreciation |
$ | 37,553,038 | $ | 50,200,431 | $ | 58,433,189 | $ | 108,481,784 | ||||||||
Gross unrealized depreciation |
(311,203 | ) | (1,169,323 | ) | (1,572,136 | ) | (4,931,694 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||
Net unrealized appreciation |
$ | 37,241,835 | $ | 49,031,108 | $ | 56,861,053 | $ | 103,550,090 | ||||||||
|
|
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 57 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) |
9. Principal Risks:
Many municipalities insure repayment of their bonds, which may reduce the potential for loss due to credit risk. The market value of these bonds may fluctuate for other reasons, including market perception of the value of such insurance, and there is no guarantee that the insurer will meet its obligation.
Inventories of municipal bonds held by brokers and dealers may decrease, which would lessen their ability to make a market in these securities. Such a reduction in market making capacity could potentially decrease a Funds ability to buy or sell bonds. As a result, a Fund may sell a security at a lower price, sell other securities to raise cash, or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative impact on performance. If a Fund needed to sell large blocks of bonds, those sales could further reduce the bonds prices and impact performance.
In the normal course of business, certain Funds invest in securities and enter into transactions where risks exist due to fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of the issuer to meet all its obligations, including the ability to pay principal and interest when due (issuer credit risk). The value of securities may also be affected by one or all of the following: (i) general economy; (ii) overall market as well as local, regional or global political and/or social instability; (iii) regulation, taxation or international tax treaties between various countries; and (iv) currency, interest rate and price fluctuations.
Each 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 each Fund to reinvest in lower yielding securities. Each Fund may also be exposed to reinvestment risk, which is the risk that income from each Funds portfolio will decline if each Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called fixed-income securities at market interest rates that are below each Fund portfolios current earnings rate.
The Funds may hold a significant amount of bonds subject to calls by the issuers at defined dates and prices. When bonds are called by issuers and the Funds reinvest the proceeds received, such investments may be in securities with lower yields than the bonds originally held, and correspondingly, could adversely impact the yield and total return performance of a Fund.
A Fund structures and sponsors the TOB Trusts in which it holds TOB Residuals and has certain duties and responsibilities, which may give rise to certain additional risks including, but not limited to, compliance, securities law and operational risks.
Should short-term interest rates rise, the Funds investments in TOB Trusts may adversely affect the Funds net investment income and dividends to Common Shareholders. Also, fluctuations in the market value of municipal bonds deposited into the TOB Trust may adversely affect the Funds NAVs per share.
The SEC and various federal banking and housing agencies have adopted credit risk retention rules for securitizations (the Risk Retention Rules). The Risk Retention Rules would require the sponsor of a TOB Trust to retain at least 5% of the credit risk of the underlying assets supporting the TOB Trusts municipal bonds. The Risk Retention Rules may adversely affect the Funds ability to engage in TOB Trust transactions or increase the costs of such transactions in certain circumstances.
TOB Trusts constitute an important component of the municipal bond market. Any modifications or changes to rules governing TOB Trusts may adversely impact the municipal market and the Funds, including through reduced demand for and liquidity of municipal bonds and increased financing costs for municipal issuers. The ultimate impact of any potential modifications on the TOB Trust market and the overall municipal market is not yet certain.
Counterparty Credit Risk: Similar to issuer credit risk, the Funds may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions. The Funds manage counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that the Manager believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Funds to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Funds exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Funds.
A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.
With exchange-traded futures, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Funds since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, a Fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing brokers customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing brokers customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Funds.
58 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) |
Concentration Risk: MCA and MYN invests a substantial amount of their assets in issuers located in a single state or limited number of states. This may subject each Fund to the risk that economic, political or social issues impacting a particular state or group of states could have an adverse and disproportionate impact on the income from, or the value or liquidity of, the Funds respective portfolios. Investment percentages in specific states or U.S. territories are presented in the Schedules of Investments.
As of period end, MUE, MYN and MYI invested a significant portion of their assets in securities in the transportation sector. MCA invested a significant portion of its assets in securities in the county, city, special district and school district sector. Changes in economic conditions affecting such sectors would have a greater impact on the Funds and could affect the value, income and/or liquidity of positions in such securities.
Certain Funds invest a significant portion of their assets in fixed-income securities and/or use derivatives tied to the fixed-income markets. Changes in market interest rates or economic conditions may affect the value and/or liquidity of such investments. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The Funds may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates.
10. Capital Share Transactions:
Each Fund is authorized to issue 200 million shares, all of which were initially classified as Common Shares. The par value for each Funds Common Shares is $0.10. The par value for each Funds Preferred Shares outstanding is $0.10. The Board is authorized, however, to reclassify any unissued Common Shares to Preferred Shares without the approval of Common Shareholders.
Common Shares
For the years shown, shares issued and outstanding increased by the following amounts as a result of dividend reinvestment:
Year Ended July 31, | MCA | MYI | ||||||
2017 |
9,066 | 95,522 | ||||||
2016 |
| 126,962 |
For the years ended July 31, 2017 and July 31, 2016, shares issued and outstanding remained constant for MUE and MYN.
Preferred Shares
Each Funds Preferred Shares rank prior to the Funds Common Shares as to the payment of dividends by the Fund and distribution of assets upon dissolution or liquidation of a Fund. The 1940 Act prohibits the declaration of any dividend on a Funds Common Shares or the repurchase of a Funds Common Shares if a Fund fails to maintain asset coverage of at least 200% of the liquidation preference of the Funds outstanding Preferred Shares. In addition, pursuant to the Preferred Shares governing instruments, a Fund is restricted from declaring and paying dividends on classes of shares ranking junior to or on parity with the Funds Preferred Shares or repurchasing such shares if a Fund fails to declare and pay dividends on the Preferred Shares, redeem any Preferred Shares required to be redeemed under the Preferred Shares governing instruments or comply with the basic maintenance amount requirement of the ratings agencies rating the Preferred Shares.
The holders of Preferred Shares have voting rights equal to the voting rights of the holders of Common Shares (one vote per share) and will vote together with holders of Common Shares (one vote per share) as a single class on certain matters. However, the holders of Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, are also entitled to elect two Directors to the Board of each Fund. The holders of Preferred Shares are also entitled to elect the full Board of Directors if dividends on the Preferred Shares are not paid for a period of two years. The holders of Preferred Shares are also generally entitled to a separate class vote to amend the Preferred Share governing documents. In addition, the 1940 Act requires the approval of the holders of a majority of any outstanding Preferred Shares, voting as a separate class, to (a) adopt any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the Preferred Shares, (b) change a Funds sub-classification as a closed-end investment company or change its fundamental investment restrictions or (c) change its business so as to cease to be an investment company.
VRDP Shares
MCA, MYN and MYI (collectively, the VRDP Funds), have issued Series W-7 VRDP Shares, $100,000 liquidation preference per share, in privately negotiated offerings. The VRDP Shares were offered to qualified institutional buyers as defined pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the Securities Act). The VRDP Shares include a liquidity feature and VRDP Shares of certain Funds are currently in a special rate period, each as described below.
As of period end, the VRDP Shares outstanding of each Fund were as follows:
Issue Date | Shares Issued | Aggregate Principal | Maturity Date | |||||||||||||
MCA |
4/21/11 | 1,665 | $ | 166,500,000 | 5/01/41 | |||||||||||
MYN |
4/21/11 | 2,477 | $ | 247,700,000 | 5/01/41 | |||||||||||
MYI |
5/19/11 | 3,564 | $ | 356,400,000 | 6/01/41 |
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 59 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) |
Redemption Terms: Each VRDP Fund is required to redeem its VRDP Shares on the maturity date, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased. Six months prior to the maturity date, each VRDP Fund is required to begin to segregate liquid assets with the Funds custodian to fund the redemption. In addition, each VRDP Fund is required to redeem certain of its outstanding VRDP Shares if it fails to comply with certain asset coverage, basic maintenance amount or leverage requirements.
Subject to certain conditions, the VRDP Shares may also be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time at the option of each VRDP Fund. The redemption price per VRDP Share is equal to the liquidation preference per share plus any outstanding unpaid dividends.
Liquidity Feature: Each VRDP Fund entered into a fee agreement with the liquidity provider that requires an upfront/an initial commitment and a per annum liquidity fee payable to the liquidity provider. These fees, if applicable, are shown as liquidity fees in the Statements of Operations.
The fee agreement between each VRDP Fund and its respective liquidity provider is for a 364 day term and was scheduled to expire on July 6, 2017. Each VRDP Fund renewed the fee agreement for an additional 364 days term which is scheduled to expire on July 5, 2018 unless renewed or terminated in advance.
In the event the fee agreement is not renewed or is terminated in advance, and the VRDP Funds do not enter into a fee agreement with an alternate liquidity provider, the VRDP Shares will be subject to mandatory purchase by the liquidity provider prior to the termination of the fee agreement. In the event of such mandatory purchase, the VRDP Funds are required to redeem the VRDP Shares six months after the purchase date. Immediately after such mandatory purchase, the VRDP Funds are required to begin to segregate liquid assets with their custodian to fund the redemption. There is no assurance the VRDP Funds will replace such redeemed VRDP Shares with any other preferred shares or other form of leverage.
Remarketing: The VRDP Funds may incur remarketing fees of 0.10% on the aggregate principal amount of all the Funds VRDP Shares, which, if any, are included in remarketing fees on Preferred Shares in the Statements of Operations. During any special rate period (as described below), VRDP Funds may incur no/nominal remarketing fees.
Dividends: Dividends on the VRDP Shares are payable monthly at a variable rate set weekly by the remarketing agent. Such dividend rates are generally based upon a spread over a base rate and cannot exceed a maximum rate. In the event of a failed remarketing, the dividend rate of the VRDP Shares will be reset to a maximum rate. The maximum rate is determined based on, among other things, the long-term preferred share rating assigned to the VRDP Shares and the length of time that the VRDP Shares fail to be remarketed. At the date of issuance, the VRDP Shares were assigned long-term ratings of Aaa from Moodys and AAA from Fitch. Subsequent to the issuance of the VRDP Shares, Moodys completed a review of its methodology for rating securities issued by registered closed-end funds. As of period end, MCAs and MYNs VRDP Shares were assigned a long-term rating of Aa2 and MYIs VRDP Shares were assigned a long-term rating of Aa1 from Moodys under its new ratings methodology. The VRDP Shares continue to be assigned a long-term rating of AAA from Fitch.
For the year ended July 31, 2017, the annualized dividend rates for the VRDP Shares were as follows:
MCA | MYN | MYI | ||||||||||
Rate |
1.64% | 1.61% | 1.61% |
Ratings: The short-term ratings on the VRDP Shares are directly related to the short-term ratings of the liquidity provider for such VRDP Shares. Changes in the credit quality of the liquidity provider could cause a change in the short-term credit ratings of the VRDP Shares as rated by Moodys, Fitch and/or S&P. A change in the short-term credit rating of the liquidity provider or the VRDP Shares may adversely affect the dividend rate paid on such shares, although the dividend rate paid on the VRDP Shares is not directly based upon either short-term rating. The liquidity provider may be terminated prior to the scheduled termination date if the liquidity provider fails to maintain short-term debt ratings in one of the two highest rating categories.
Special Rate Period: On June 21, 2012, the VRDP Funds each commenced a three-year term ending June 24, 2015 (the special rate period) with respect to their VRDP Shares, during which the VRDP Shares will not be subject to any remarketing and the dividend rate will be based on a predetermined methodology. The special rate period has been extended each year for an additional one year term and is currently set to expire on June 20, 2018. Prior to June 20, 2018, the holder of the VRDP Shares and the VRDP Funds may mutually agree to extend the special rate period. If the special rate period is not extended, the VRDP Shares will revert to remarketable securities upon the termination of the special rate period and will be remarketed and available for purchase by qualified institutional investors.
During the special rate period, the liquidity and fee agreements remain in effect and the VRDP Shares remain subject to mandatory redemption by the VRDP Funds on the maturity date. The VRDP Shares will not be remarketed or subject to optional or mandatory tender events during the special rate period. During the special rate period, the VRDP Funds are required to comply with the same asset coverage, basic maintenance amount and leverage requirements for the VRDP Shares as is required when the VRDP Shares are not in a special rate period. The VRDP Funds will not pay any fees to the liquidity provider and remarketing agent during the special rate period. The VRDP Funds will also pay dividends monthly based on the sum of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) Municipal Swap Index rate and a percentage per annum based on the long-term ratings assigned to the VRDP Shares.
60 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Notes to Financial Statements (continued) |
If the VRDP Funds redeem the VRDP Shares prior to end of the special rate period and the VRDP Shares have long-term ratings above A1/A+ and its equivalent by all ratings agencies then rating the VRDP Shares, then such redemption may be subject to a redemption premium payable to the holder of the VRDP Shares based on the time remaining in the special rate period, subject to certain exceptions for redemptions that are required to comply with minimum asset coverage requirements.
For the year ended July 31, 2017, VRDP Shares issued and outstanding of the VRDP Funds remained constant.
VMTP Shares
MUE has issued Series W-7 VMTP Shares, $100,000 liquidation preference per share, in a privately negotiated offering and sale of VMTP Shares exempt from registration under the Securities Act. The VMTP Shares are subject to certain restrictions on transfer, and MUE may also be required to register the VMTP Shares for sale under the Securities Act under certain circumstances. In addition, amendments to the VMTP governing documents generally require the consent of the holders of VMTP Shares.
As of period end, the VMTP Shares outstanding of MUE were as follows:
Issue Date | Shares Issued | Aggregate Principal | Term Redemption Date |
|||||||||||||
MUE |
12/16/11 | 1,310 | $ | 131,000,000 | 1/02/19 |
Redemption Terms: MUE is required to redeem its VMTP Shares on the term redemption date, unless earlier redeemed or repurchased or unless extended. There is no assurance that the term of MUEs VMTP Shares will be extended further or that MUEs VMTP Shares will be replaced with any other preferred shares or other form of leverage upon the redemption or repurchase of the VMTP Shares. Six months prior to the term redemption date, MUE is required to begin to segregate liquid assets with the MUEs custodian to fund the redemption. In addition, MUE is required to redeem certain of its outstanding VMTP Shares if it fails to comply with certain asset coverage, basic maintenance amount or leverage requirements.
Subject to certain conditions, MUEs VMTP Shares may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time at the option of MUE. The redemption price per VMTP Share is equal to the liquidation preference per share plus any outstanding unpaid dividends and applicable redemption premium. If MUE redeems the VMTP Shares prior to the term redemption date and the VMTP Shares have long-term ratings above A1/A+ or its equivalent by the ratings agencies then rating the VMTP Shares, then such redemption may be subject to a prescribed redemption premium (up to 3% of the liquidation preference) payable to the holder of the VMTP Shares based on the time remaining until the term redemption date, subject to certain exceptions for redemptions that are required to comply with minimum asset coverage requirements.
Dividends: Dividends on the VMTP Shares are declared daily and payable monthly at a variable rate set weekly at a fixed rate spread to the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) Municipal Swap Index. The fixed spread is determined based on the long-term preferred share rating assigned to the VMTP Shares by the ratings agencies then rating the VMTP Shares. At the date of issuance, the VMTP Shares were assigned long-term ratings of Aaa from Moodys and AAA from Fitch. Subsequent to the issuance of the VMTP Shares, Moodys completed a review of its methodology for rating securities issued by registered closed-end funds. As of period end, the VMTP Shares were assigned a long-term rating of Aa1 from Moodys under its new rating methodology. The VMTP Shares continue to be assigned a long-term rating of AAA from Fitch. The dividend rate on the VMTP Shares is subject to a step-up spread if MUE fails to comply with certain provisions, including, among other things, the timely payment of dividends, redemptions or gross-up payments, and complying with certain asset coverage and leverage requirements.
For the year ended July 31, 2017, the annualized dividend rate for MUE VMTP Shares was 1.71%.
For the year ended July 31, 2017, VMTP Shares issued and outstanding of MUE remained constant.
Offering Costs: The Funds incurred costs in connection with the issuance of VRDP and VMTP Shares, which were recorded as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the related debt liability and will be amortized over the life of the VRDP and VMTP Shares, with the exception of upfront fees paid to the liquidity provider which were amortized over the life of the liquidity agreement. Amortization of these costs is included in interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs in the Statements of Operations.
Financial Reporting: The VRDP and VMTP Shares are considered debt of the issuer; therefore, the liquidation preference, which approximates fair value of the VRDP and VMTP Shares, is recorded as a liability in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities net of deferred offering costs. Unpaid dividends are included in interest expense and fees payable in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, and the dividends accrued and paid on the VRDP and VMTP Shares are included as a component of interest expense, fees and amortization of offering costs in the Statements of Operations. The VRDP and VMTP Shares are treated as equity for tax purposes. Dividends paid to holders of the VRDP and VMTP Shares are generally classified as tax-exempt income for tax-reporting purposes.
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 61 |
Notes to Financial Statements (concluded) |
11. Subsequent Events:
Managements evaluation of the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds financial statements was completed through the date the financial statements were issued and the following items were noted:
Common Dividend Per Share | Preferred Shares3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Paid1 | Declared2 | Shares | Series | Declared | ||||||||||||||||||||
MUE |
0.0640 | 0.0640 | VMTP | W-7 | 198,366 | |||||||||||||||||||
MCA |
0.0650 | 0.0650 | VRDP | W-7 | 237,160 | |||||||||||||||||||
MYN |
0.0540 | 0.0540 | VRDP | W-7 | 353,872 | |||||||||||||||||||
MYI |
0.0680 | 0.0680 | VRDP | W-7 | 507,650 |
1 | Net investment income dividend paid on September 1, 2017 to Common Shareholders of record on August 15, 2017. |
2 | Net investment income dividend declared on September 1, 2017, payable to Common Shareholders of record on September 15, 2017. |
3 | Dividends declared for period August 1, 2017 to August 31, 2017. |
62 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc., BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc., BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. and BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc., BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc., BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. and BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (collectively, the Funds) as of July 31, 2017, the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Funds are not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of July 31, 2017, by correspondence with the custodian, brokers and other financial intermediaries; when replies were not received from brokers and other financial intermediaries, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial positions of BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc., BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc., BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. and BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc., as of July 31, 2017, the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
September 25, 2017
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 63 |
Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreements |
The Board of Directors (the Board, the members of which are referred to as Board Members) of BlackRock MuniHoldings Quality Fund II, Inc. (MUE), BlackRock MuniYield California Quality Fund, Inc. (MCA), BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. (MYI) and BlackRock MuniYield New York Quality Fund, Inc. (MYN and together with MUE, MCA and MYI, each a Fund, and, collectively, the Funds) met in person on April 27, 2017 (the April Meeting) and June 7-8, 2017 (the June Meeting) to consider the approval of each Funds investment advisory agreement (each an Agreement, and, collectively, the Agreements) with BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the Manager), each Funds investment advisor. The Manager is also referred to herein as BlackRock.
Activities and Composition of the Board
On the date of the June Meeting, the Board of each Fund consisted of eleven individuals, nine of whom were not interested persons of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) (the Independent Board Members). The Board Members are responsible for the oversight of the operations of its Fund and perform the various duties imposed on the directors of investment companies by the 1940 Act. The Independent Board Members have retained independent legal counsel to assist them in connection with their duties. The Chair of each Board is an Independent Board Member. Each 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 Agreements
Pursuant to the 1940 Act, each Board is required to consider the continuation of the Agreement for its Fund on an annual basis. Each Board has four quarterly meetings per year, each extending over two days, a fifth one-day meeting to consider specific information surrounding the consideration of renewing the Agreement for its Fund and additional in-person and telephonic meetings as needed. In connection with this year-long deliberative process, each Board assessed, among other things, the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to its Fund by BlackRock, BlackRocks personnel and affiliates, including, as applicable; investment management, administrative, and shareholder services; the oversight of fund service providers; marketing; risk oversight; compliance; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
Each Board, acting directly and through its committees, considers at each of its meetings, and from time to time as appropriate, factors that are relevant to its annual consideration of the renewal of the Agreement for its Fund, including the services and support provided by BlackRock to the Fund and its shareholders. BlackRock also furnished additional information to each Board in response to specific questions from the Board. This additional information is discussed further below in the section titled Board Considerations in Approving the Agreements. Among the matters each Board considered were: (a) investment performance for one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and/or since inception periods, as applicable, against peer funds, applicable benchmarks, and performance metrics, as applicable, as well as senior managements and portfolio managers analysis of the reasons for any over-performance or underperformance relative to its peers, benchmarks, and other performance metrics, as applicable; (b) fees, including advisory, administration, if applicable, paid to BlackRock and its affiliates by the Fund for services; (c) Fund operating expenses and how BlackRock allocates expenses to the Fund; (d) the resources devoted to, risk oversight of, and compliance reports relating to, implementation of the Funds investment objective(s), policies and restrictions, and meeting regulatory requirements; (e) the Funds adherence to its compliance policies and procedures; (f) the nature, cost and character of non-investment management services provided by BlackRock and its affiliates; (g) BlackRocks and other service providers internal controls and risk and compliance oversight mechanisms; (h) BlackRocks implementation of the proxy voting policies approved by the Board; (i) execution quality of portfolio transactions; (j) BlackRocks implementation of the Funds valuation and liquidity procedures; (k) an analysis of management fees for products with similar investment mandates across the open-end fund, closed-end fund, sub-advised mutual fund, collective investment trust, and institutional separate account product channels, as applicable, and the similarities and differences between these products and the services provided as compared to the Fund; (l) BlackRocks 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 BlackRocks business.
The Board of each Fund considered BlackRocks efforts during the past several years with regard to the redemption of outstanding auction rate preferred securities (AMPS). As of the date of this report, each Fund has redeemed all of its outstanding AMPS.
Board Considerations in Approving the Agreements
The Approval Process: Prior to the April Meeting, each Board requested and received materials specifically relating to the Agreement for its Fund. Each Board is continuously engaged in a process with its independent legal counsel and BlackRock to review the nature and scope of the information provided to better assist its deliberations. The materials provided to the Board of each Fund in connection with the April Meeting included (a) information independently compiled and prepared by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (Broadridge) on Fund fees and expenses as compared with a peer group of funds as determined by Broadridge (Expense Peers) and the investment performance of the Fund as compared with a peer group of funds as determined by Broadridge1 and a customized peer group selected by BlackRock (Customized Peer Group); (b) information on the profits realized by BlackRock and its affiliates pursuant to the Funds Agreement and a discussion of fall-out benefits to BlackRock and its affiliates; (c) a general analysis provided by BlackRock concerning investment management fees charged to other clients, such as institutional clients, sub-advised mutual funds, and open-end funds,
1 | Funds are ranked by Broadridge in quartiles, ranging from first to fourth, where first is the most desirable quartile position and fourth is the least desirable. |
64 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreements (continued) |
under similar investment mandates, as applicable; (d) review of non-management fees; (e) the existence, impact and sharing of potential economies of scale; and (f) a summary of aggregate amounts paid by the Fund to BlackRock.
At the April Meeting, each Board reviewed materials relating to its consideration of the Agreement for its Fund. As a result of the discussions that occurred during the April Meeting, and as a culmination of each Boards year-long deliberative process, each Board presented BlackRock with questions and requests for additional information. BlackRock responded to these requests with additional written information in advance of the June Meeting. Topics covered included: (a) fund repositionings and portfolio management changes, including additional information about the portfolio managers, research teams, organization and methods and historical track records of the teams, and the potential impact of such changes on fund performance and the costs of such changes; (b) scientific active equity management; (c) BlackRocks option overwrite policy; (d) differences in services between closed-end funds and mutual funds; (d) market discount; and (e) adviser profitability.
At the June Meeting, each Board, including the Independent Board Members, unanimously approved the continuation of the Agreement between the Manager and its Fund for a one-year term ending June 30, 2018. In approving the continuation of the Agreement for its Fund, each Board considered: (a) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by BlackRock; (b) the investment performance of the Fund; (c) the advisory fee and the cost of the services and profits to be realized by BlackRock and its affiliates from their relationship with the Fund; (d) the Funds costs to investors compared to the costs of Expense Peers and performance compared to the relevant performance metrics as previously discussed; (e) the sharing of potential economies of scale; (f) fall-out benefits to BlackRock and its affiliates as a result of its relationship with the Fund; and (g) other factors deemed relevant by the Board Members.
Each 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, services related to the valuation and pricing of Fund portfolio holdings, and advice from independent legal counsel with respect to the review process and materials submitted for the Boards review. Each Board noted the willingness of BlackRock personnel to engage in open, candid discussions with the Board. Each 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: Each 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 its Fund. Throughout the year, each Board compared its Funds performance to the performance of a comparable group of closed-end funds, relevant benchmark, and performance metrics, as applicable. Each Board met with BlackRocks senior management personnel responsible for investment activities, including the senior investment officers. Each Board also reviewed the materials provided by its Funds portfolio management team discussing the Funds performance and the Funds investment objective(s), strategies and outlook.
Each Board considered, among other factors, with respect to BlackRock: the number, education and experience of investment personnel generally and its Funds portfolio management team; BlackRocks 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. Each Board engaged in a review of BlackRocks compensation structure with respect to its Funds portfolio management team and BlackRocks ability to attract and retain high-quality talent and create performance incentives.
In addition to investment advisory services, each Board considered the quality of the administrative and other non-investment advisory services provided to its Fund. BlackRock and its affiliates provide each Fund with certain administrative, shareholder, and other services (in addition to any such services provided to the Fund by third parties) and officers and other personnel as are necessary for the operations of the Fund. In particular, BlackRock and its affiliates provide each Fund with administrative services including, among others: (i) preparing disclosure documents, such as the prospectus and the statement of additional information in connection with the initial public offering and periodic shareholder reports; (ii) preparing communications with analysts to support secondary market trading of the Fund; (iii) oversight of daily accounting and pricing; (iv) preparing periodic filings with regulators and stock exchanges; (v) overseeing and coordinating the activities of other service providers; (vi) organizing Board meetings and preparing the materials for such Board meetings; (vii) providing legal and compliance support; (viii) furnishing analytical and other support to assist the Board in its consideration of strategic issues such as the merger, consolidation or repurposing of certain closed-end funds; and (ix) performing other administrative functions necessary for the operation of the Fund, such as tax reporting, fulfilling regulatory filing requirements and call center services. Each Board reviewed the structure and duties of BlackRocks fund administration, shareholder services, and legal & compliance departments and considered BlackRocks policies and procedures for assuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
B. The Investment Performance of the Funds and BlackRock: Each Board, including the Independent Board Members, also reviewed and considered the performance history of its Fund. In preparation for the April Meeting, the Board of each Fund was provided with reports independently prepared by Broadridge, which included a comprehensive analysis of the Funds performance. Each Board also reviewed a narrative and statistical analysis of the Broadridge data that was prepared by BlackRock. In connection with its review, the Board of each Fund received and reviewed information regarding the investment performance, based on net asset value (NAV), of the Fund as compared to other funds in its applicable Broadridge category and its Customized Peer
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 65 |
Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreements (continued) |
Group. Each Board was provided with a description of the methodology used by Broadridge to select peer funds and periodically meets with Broadridge representatives to review its methodology. Each Board was provided with information on the composition of the Broadridge performance universes and expense universes. Each Board and its Performance Oversight Committee regularly review, and meet with Fund management to discuss, the performance of its Fund throughout the year.
In evaluating performance, each 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. Further, each Board recognized that it is possible that long-term performance can be adversely affected by even one period of significant underperformance so that a single investment decision or theme has the ability to affect long-term performance disproportionately.
Each Board noted that for each of the one-, three- and five-year periods reported, its Fund ranked first out of two funds against its Customized Peer Group Composite. BlackRock believes that the Customized Peer Group Composite is an appropriate performance metric for each Fund. The Composite measures a blend of total return and yield.
C. Consideration of the Advisory/Management Fees and the Cost of the Services and Profits to be Realized by BlackRock and its Affiliates from their Relationship with the Funds: Each Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed its Funds contractual management fee rate compared with the other funds in its Broadridge category. 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. Each Board also compared its Funds total expense ratio, as well as its actual management fee rate as a percentage of total assets, to those of other funds in its Broadridge category. The total expense ratio represents a funds total net operating expenses, excluding any investment related expenses. The total expense ratio gives effect to any expense reimbursements or fee waivers that benefit a fund, and the actual management fee rate gives effect to any management fee reimbursements or waivers that benefit a fund. Each 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).
Each Board received and reviewed statements relating to BlackRocks financial condition. Each Board reviewed BlackRocks profitability methodology and was also provided with a profitability analysis that detailed the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by BlackRock for services provided to its Fund. Each Board reviewed BlackRocks profitability with respect to its Fund and other funds the Board currently oversees for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared to available aggregate profitability data provided for the prior two years. Each Board reviewed BlackRocks profitability with respect to certain other U.S. fund complexes managed by the Manager and/or its affiliates. Each Board reviewed BlackRocks assumptions and methodology of allocating expenses in the profitability analysis, noting the inherent limitations in allocating costs among various advisory products. Each 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. As a result, calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund levels is difficult.
Each Board noted that, in general, individual fund or product line profitability of other advisors is not publicly available. Each Board reviewed BlackRocks overall operating margin, in general, compared to that of certain other publicly-traded asset management firms. Each Board considered the differences between BlackRock and these other firms, including the contribution of technology at BlackRock, BlackRocks expense management, and the relative product mix.
In addition, each Board considered the cost of the services provided to its Fund by BlackRock, and BlackRocks and its affiliates profits relating to the management of its Fund and the other funds advised by BlackRock and its affiliates. As part of its analysis, each Board reviewed BlackRocks methodology in allocating its costs of managing its Fund, to the Fund. Each Board may receive and review information from independent third parties as part of its annual evaluation. Each Board considered whether BlackRock has the financial resources necessary to attract and retain high quality investment management personnel to perform its obligations under the Funds Agreement and to continue to provide the high quality of services that is expected by the Board. Each Board further considered factors including but not limited to BlackRocks commitment of time, assumption of risk, and liability profile in servicing its Fund in contrast to what is required of BlackRock with respect to other products with similar investment mandates across the open-end fund, closed-end fund, sub-advised mutual fund, collective investment trust, and institutional separate account product channels, as applicable.
The Boards of MUE and MYI noted that each Funds 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 Expense Peers.
The Boards of MCA and MYN noted that each Funds 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 Expense Peers.
D. Economies of Scale: Each Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of its Fund increase. Each Board also considered the extent to which its Fund benefits from such economies in a variety of ways, and whether there should be changes in the advisory fee rate or breakpoint structure in order to enable the Fund to more fully participate in these economies of scale. Each Board considered its Funds asset levels and whether the current fee was appropriate.
66 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreements (concluded) |
Based on each Boards review and consideration of the issue, each Board concluded that most closed-end funds do not have fund level breakpoints because closed-end funds generally do not experience substantial growth after the initial public offering. They are typically priced at scale at a funds inception.
E. Other Factors Deemed Relevant by the Board Members: Each Board, including the Independent Board Members, also took into account other ancillary or fall-out benefits that BlackRock or its affiliates may derive from their respective relationships with its Fund, both tangible and intangible, such as BlackRocks ability to leverage its investment professionals who manage other portfolios and risk management personnel, an increase in BlackRocks profile in the investment advisory community, and the engagement of BlackRocks affiliates as service providers to the Fund, including for administrative, securities lending and cash management services. Each Board also considered BlackRocks overall operations and its efforts to expand the scale of, and improve the quality of, its operations. Each Board also noted that 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 for its Fund, each Board also received information regarding BlackRocks brokerage and soft dollar practices. Each Board received reports from BlackRock which included information on brokerage commissions and trade execution practices throughout the year.
Each Board noted the competitive nature of the closed-end fund marketplace, and that shareholders are able to sell their Fund shares in the secondary market if they believe that the Funds fees and expenses are too high or if they are dissatisfied with the performance of the Fund.
Each Board also considered the various notable initiatives and projects BlackRock performed in connection with its closed-end fund product line. These initiatives included the redemption of AMPS for the BlackRock closed-end funds with AMPS outstanding; developing equity shelf programs; efforts to eliminate product overlap with fund mergers; ongoing services to manage leverage that has become increasingly complex; periodic evaluation of share repurchases and other support initiatives for certain BlackRock funds; and continued communications efforts with shareholders, fund analysts and financial advisers. With respect to the latter, the Independent Board Members noted BlackRocks continued commitment to supporting the secondary market for the common shares of its closed-end funds through a comprehensive secondary market communication program designed to raise investor and analyst awareness and understanding of closed-end funds. BlackRocks support services included, among other things: continuing communications concerning the redemption efforts related to AMPS; sponsoring and participating in conferences; communicating with closed-end fund analysts covering the BlackRock funds throughout the year; providing marketing and product updates for the closed-end funds; and maintaining and enhancing its closed-end fund website.
Conclusion: Each Board, including the Independent Board Members, unanimously approved the continuation of the Agreement between the Manager and its Fund for a one-year term ending June 30, 2018. Based upon its evaluation of all of the aforementioned factors in their totality, as well as other information, each Board, including the Independent Board Members, was satisfied that the terms of the Agreement for its Fund were fair and reasonable and in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders. In arriving at its decision to approve the Agreement for its Fund, each 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. The contractual fee arrangements for each Fund reflect the results of several years of review by the Funds Board Members and predecessor Board Members, and discussions between such Board Members (and predecessor Board Members) and BlackRock. As a result, the Board Members conclusions may be based in part on their consideration of these arrangements in prior years.
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 67 |
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plans |
Pursuant to each Funds Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the Reinvestment Plan), Common Shareholders are automatically enrolled to have all distributions of dividends and capital gains and other distributions reinvested by Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the Reinvestment Plan Agent) in the respective Funds shares pursuant to the Reinvestment Plan. Shareholders who do not participate in the Reinvestment Plan will receive all distributions in cash paid by check and mailed directly to the shareholders of record (or if the shares are held in street name or other nominee name, then to the nominee) by the Reinvestment Plan Agent, which serves as agent for the shareholders in administering the Reinvestment Plan.
After the Funds declare a dividend or determine to make a capital gain or other distribution, the Reinvestment Plan Agent will acquire shares for the participants accounts, depending upon the following circumstances, either (i) through receipt of unissued but authorized shares from the Funds (newly issued shares) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding shares on the open market or on the Funds primary exchange (open-market purchases). If, on the dividend payment date, the net asset value per share (NAV) is equal to or less than the market price per share plus estimated brokerage commissions (such condition often referred to as a market premium), the Reinvestment Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in newly issued shares acquired on behalf of the participants. The number of newly issued shares to be credited to each participants account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the dividend by the NAV on the date the shares are issued. However, if the NAV is less than 95% of the market price on the dividend payment date, the dollar amount of the dividend will be divided by 95% of the market price on the dividend payment date. If, on the dividend payment date, the NAV is greater than the market price per share plus estimated brokerage commissions (such condition often referred to as a market discount), the Reinvestment Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in shares acquired on behalf of the participants in open-market purchases. If the Reinvestment Plan Agent is unable to invest the full dividend amount in open-market purchases, or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period, the Reinvestment Plan Agent will invest any un-invested portion in newly issued shares. Investments in newly issued shares made in this manner would be made pursuant to the same process described above and the date of issue for such newly issued shares will substitute for the dividend payment date.
You may elect not to participate in the Reinvestment Plan and to receive all dividends in cash by contacting the Reinvestment Plan Agent, at the address set forth below.
Participation in the Reinvestment Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by notice if received and processed by the Reinvestment Plan Agent prior to the dividend record date. Additionally, the Reinvestment Plan Agent seeks to process notices received after the record date but prior to the payable date and such notices often will become effective by the payable date. Where late notices are not processed by the applicable payable date, such termination or resumption will be effective with respect to any subsequently declared dividend or other distribution.
The Reinvestment Plan Agents fees for the handling of the reinvestment of distributions will be paid by each Fund. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Reinvestment Plan Agents open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of all distributions. The automatic reinvestment of all distributions will not relieve participants of any U.S. federal, state or local income tax that may be payable on such dividends or distributions.
Each Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Reinvestment Plan. There is no direct service charge to participants in the Reinvestment Plan; however, each Fund reserves the right to amend the Reinvestment Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants. Participants in MUE, MCA and MYI that request a sale of shares are subject to a $2.50 sales fee and a $0.15 per share fee. Per share fees include any applicable brokerage commissions the Reinvestment Plan Agent is required to pay. Participants in MYN that request a sale of shares are subject to a $0.02 per share sold brokerage commission. All correspondence concerning the Reinvestment Plan should be directed to Computershare Trust Company, N.A. through the internet at http://www.computershare.com/blackrock, or in writing to Computershare, P.O. Box 505000, Louisville, KY 40233, Telephone: (800) 699-1236. Overnight correspondence should be directed to the Reinvestment Plan Agent at Computershare, 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202.
68 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Officers and Directors |
Name, Address1 and Year of Birth |
Position(s) Held with the Fund |
Length of Time Served³ |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years | Number of BlackRock- Advised Registered Investment Companies (RICs) Consisting of Investment Portfolios (Portfolios) Overseen4 |
Public Company and Other Investment Company Directorships | |||||
Independent Directors2 | ||||||||||
Richard E. Cavanagh 1946 |
Chair of the Board and Director | Since 2007 |
Director, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America since 1998; Board Chair, Volunteers of America (a not-for-profit organization) since 2015 (board member since 2009); Director, Arch Chemical (chemical and allied products) from 1999 to 2011; Trustee, Educational Testing Service from 1997 to 2009 and Chairman thereof from 2005 to 2009; Senior Advisor, The Fremont Group since 2008 and Director thereof since 1996; Faculty Member/Adjunct Lecturer, Harvard University since 2007; President and Chief Executive Officer, The Conference Board, Inc. (global business research organization) from 1995 to 2007. | 75 RICs consisting of 75 Portfolios |
None | |||||
Karen P. Robards 1950 |
Vice Chair of the Board and Director | Since 2007 |
Principal of Robards & Company, LLC (consulting and private investing) since 1987; Co-founder and Director of the Cooke Center for Learning and Development (a not-for-profit organization) since 1987; Investment Banker at Morgan Stanley from 1976 to 1987. | 75 RICs consisting of 75 Portfolios |
Greenhill & Co., Inc.; AtriCure, Inc. (medical devices) from 2000 until 2017 | |||||
Michael J. Castellano 1946 |
Director | Since 2011 |
Chief Financial Officer of Lazard Group LLC from 2001 to 2011; Chief Financial Officer of Lazard Ltd from 2004 to 2011; Director, Support Our Aging Religious (non-profit) from 2009 to June 2015 and since 2017; Director, National Advisory Board of Church Management at Villanova University since 2010; Trustee, Domestic Church Media Foundation since 2012; Director, CircleBlack Inc. (financial technology company) since 2015. | 75 RICs consisting of 75 Portfolios |
None | |||||
Cynthia L. Egan 1955 |
Director | Since 2016 |
Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury from 2014 to 2015; President, Retirement Plan Services for T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. from 2007 to 2012; executive positions within Fidelity Investments from 1989 to 2007. | 75 RICs consisting of 75 Portfolios |
Unum (insurance); The Hanover Insurance Group (insurance); Envestnet (investment platform) from 2013 until 2016 | |||||
Frank J. Fabozzi 1948 |
Director | Since 2007 |
Editor of and Consultant for The Journal of Portfolio Management since 2006; Professor of Finance, EDHEC Business School since 2011; Visiting Professor, Princeton University from 2013 to 2014 and since 2016; Professor in the Practice of Finance and Becton Fellow, Yale University School of Management from 2006 to 2011. | 75 RICs consisting of 75 Portfolios |
None | |||||
Jerrold B. Harris 1942 |
Director | Since 2007 |
Trustee, Ursinus College from 2000 to 2012; Director, Ducks Unlimited Canada (conservation) since 2015; Director, Waterfowl Chesapeake (conservation) since 2014; Director, Ducks Unlimited, Inc. since 2013; Director, Troemner LLC (scientific equipment) from 2000 to 2016; Director of Delta Waterfowl Foundation from 2010 to 2012; President and Chief Executive Officer, VWR Scientific Products Corporation from 1990 to 1999. | 75 RICs consisting of 75 Portfolios |
BlackRock Capital Investment Corp. (business development company) | |||||
R. Glenn Hubbard 1958 |
Director | Since 2007 |
Dean, Columbia Business School since 2004; Faculty member, Columbia Business School since 1988. | 75 RICs consisting of 75 Portfolios |
ADP (data and information services); Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (insurance) | |||||
W. Carl Kester 1951 |
Director | Since 2007 |
George Fisher Baker Jr. Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School since 2008, Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs from 2006 to 2010, Chairman of the Finance Unit, from 2005 to 2006, Senior Associate Dean and Chairman of the MBA Program from 1999 to 2005; Member of the faculty of Harvard Business School since 1981. | 75 RICs consisting of 75 Portfolios |
None | |||||
Catherine A. Lynch 1961 |
Director | Since 2016 |
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer and various other positions, National Railroad Retirement Investment Trust from 2003 to 2016; Associate Vice President for Treasury Management, The George Washington University from 1999 to 2003; Assistant Treasurer, Episcopal Church of America from 1995 to 1999. | 75 RICs consisting of 75 Portfolios |
None |
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 69 |
Officers and Directors (continued) |
Name, Address1 and Year of Birth |
Position(s) Held with the Fund |
Length of Time Served³ |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years | Number of BlackRock- Advised Registered Investment
Companies (RICs) Consisting of Investment Portfolios (Portfolios) Overseen4 |
Public Company and Other Investment Company Directorships | |||||
Interested Directors5 | ||||||||||
Barbara G. Novick 1960 |
Director | Since 2014 | Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006; Chair of BlackRocks Government Relations Steering Committee since 2009; Head of the Global Client Group of BlackRock, Inc. from 1988 to 2008. | 101 RICs consisting of 219 Portfolios |
None | |||||
John M. Perlowski 1964 |
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer | Since 2015 (Director); Since 2011 (President and Chief Executive Officer) | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009; Head of BlackRock Global Fund & Accounting Services since 2009; Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Global Product Group at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. from 2003 to 2009; Treasurer of Goldman Sachs Mutual Funds from 2003 to 2009 and Senior Vice President thereof from 2007 to 2009; Director of Goldman Sachs Offshore Funds from 2002 to 2009; Advisory Director of Family Resource Network (charitable foundation) since 2009. | 128 RICs consisting of 317 Portfolios |
None | |||||
1 The address of each Director is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055. | ||||||||||
2 Each Independent Director will serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal, or until December 31 of the year in which he or she turns 75. The maximum age limitation may be waived as to any Director by action of a majority of the Directors upon finding of good cause therefor. | ||||||||||
3 Following the combination of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. (MLIM) and BlackRock, Inc. (BlackRock) in September 2006, the various legacy MLIM and legacy BlackRock fund boards were realigned and consolidated into three new fund boards in 2007. As a result, although the chart shows certain Independent Directors as joining the Board in 2007, each Director first became a member of the boards of other legacy MLIM or legacy BlackRock funds as follows: Richard E. Cavanagh, 1994; Frank J. Fabozzi, 1988; Jerrold B. Harris, 1999; R. Glenn Hubbard, 2004; W. Carl Kester, 1995 and Karen P. Robards, 1998. | ||||||||||
4 For purposes of this chart, RICs refers to investment companies registered under the 1940 Act and Portfolios refers to the investment programs of the BlackRock-advised funds. The Closed-End Complex is comprised of [# RICS from RICs/Ports] RICs. Ms. Novick and Mr. Perlowski are also board members of certain complexes of BlackRock registered open-end funds. Ms. Novick is also a board member of the BlackRock Equity-Liquidity Complex and Mr. Perlowski is also a board member of the BlackRock Equity-Bond Complex and the BlackRock Equity-Liquidity Complex. | ||||||||||
5 Ms. Novick and Mr. Perlowski are both interested persons, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Fund based on their positions with BlackRock and its affiliates. Ms. Novick and Mr. Perlowski are also board members of certain complexes of BlackRock registered open-end funds. Ms. Novick is also a board member of the BlackRock Equity-Liquidity Complex and Mr. Perlowski is also a board member of the BlackRock Equity-Bond Complex and the BlackRock Equity-Liquidity Complex. Interested Directors serve until their resignation, removal or death, or until December 31 of the year in which they turn 72. The maximum age limitation may be waived as to any Director by action of a majority of the Directors upon a finding of good cause therefor. |
70 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Officers and Directors (concluded) |
Name, Address1 and Year of Birth |
Position(s) Held with the Fund |
Length of Time Served as an Officer |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years | |||
Officers Who Are Not Directors2 | ||||||
Jonathan Diorio 1980 |
Vice President | Since 2015 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2015; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2011 to 2015; Director of Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management from 2009 to 2011. | |||
Neal J. Andrews 1966 |
Chief Financial Officer | Since 2007 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006; Senior Vice President and Line of Business Head of Fund Accounting and Administration at PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. from 1992 to 2006. | |||
Jay M. Fife 1970 |
Treasurer | Since 2007 | Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2007; Director of BlackRock, Inc. in 2006; Assistant Treasurer of the MLIM and Fund Asset Management, L.P. advised funds from 2005 to 2006; Director of MLIM Fund Services Group from 2001 to 2006. | |||
Charles Park 1967 |
Chief Compliance Officer | Since 2014 | Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for the BlackRock-advised Funds in the Equity-Bond Complex, the Equity-Liquidity Complex and the Closed-End Complex from 2014 to 2015; Chief Compliance Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and the BlackRock-advised Funds in the Equity-Bond Complex, the Equity-Liquidity Complex and the Closed-End Complex since 2014; Principal of and Chief Compliance Officer for iShares® Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC since 2012 and BlackRock Fund Advisors (BFA) since 2006; Chief Compliance Officer for the BFA-advised iShares® exchange traded funds since 2006; Chief Compliance Officer for BlackRock Asset Management International Inc. since 2012. | |||
Janey Ahn 1975 |
Secretary | Since 2012 | Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009; Assistant Secretary of the funds in the Closed-End Complex from 2008 to 2012. | |||
1 The address of each Officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055. | ||||||
2 Officers of the Fund serve at the pleasure of the Board. |
As of the date of this report, the portfolio managers of:
| MUE are Ted Jaeckel, Phillip Soccio, Peter Hayes and Christian Romaglino. |
| MYN are Michael Kalinoski and Walter OConnor. |
| MYI are Michael Kalinoski, Walter OConnor, Peter Hayes and Christian Romaglino. |
Investment Adviser BlackRock Advisors, LLC Wilmington, DE 19809 |
Accounting Agent and Custodian State Street Bank and |
VRDP Tender and Paying Agent and VMTP Redemption and Paying Agent The Bank of New York Mellon New York, NY 10286 |
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Deloitte & Touche LLP Boston, MA 02116 |
Legal Counsel Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP Boston, MA 02116 | ||||
Transfer Agent Computershare Trust Company, N.A. Canton, MA 02021 |
VRDP Remarketing Agent Citigroup Global Markets Inc. New York, NY 10179 |
VRDP Liquidity Provider Citibank, N.A. |
Address of the Funds 100 Bellevue Parkway Wilmington, DE 19809 |
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 71 |
Additional Information |
Proxy Results |
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on July 25, 2017 for shareholders of record on May 30, 2017, to elect director nominees for each Fund. There were no broker non-votes with regard to any of the Funds.
Michael J. Castellano |
Richard E. Cavanagh |
Cynthia L. Egan | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Votes For | Votes Withheld |
Votes For | Votes Withheld |
Votes For | Votes Withheld | |||||||||||||||||||
MUE |
21,054,958 | 591,376 | 20,929,913 | 716,421 | 21,136,136 | 510,198 | ||||||||||||||||||
MCA |
31,970,320 | 634,037 | 31,784,491 | 819,866 | 32,011,056 | 593,301 | ||||||||||||||||||
MYI |
64,042,987 | 1,624,841 | 63,888,903 | 1,778,925 | 64,298,956 | 1,368,872 | ||||||||||||||||||
MYN |
34,968,185 | 1,547,665 | 34,316,695 | 2,199,155 | 34,931,845 | 1,584,005 | ||||||||||||||||||
Frank J. Fabozzi1 |
Jerrold B. Harris |
R. Glenn Hubbard | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Votes For | Votes Withheld |
Votes For | Votes Withheld |
Votes For | Votes Withheld | |||||||||||||||||||
MUE |
1,310 | 0 | 20,922,577 | 723,757 | 20,935,437 | 710,897 | ||||||||||||||||||
MCA |
1,665 | 0 | 31,674,462 | 929,895 | 31,513,232 | 1,091,125 | ||||||||||||||||||
MYI |
3,564 | 0 | 63,811,239 | 1,856,589 | 63,905,618 | 1,762,210 | ||||||||||||||||||
MYN |
2,477 | 0 | 34,359,272 | 2,156,578 | 34,981,051 | 1,534,799 | ||||||||||||||||||
W. Carl Kester1 |
Catherine A. Lynch |
Barbara G. Novick | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Votes For | Votes Withheld |
Votes For | Votes Withheld |
Votes For | Votes Withheld | |||||||||||||||||||
MUE |
1,310 | 0 | 21,127,880 | 518,454 | 21,124,713 | 521,621 | ||||||||||||||||||
MCA |
1,665 | 0 | 31,994,777 | 609,580 | 31,920,495 | 683,862 | ||||||||||||||||||
MYI |
3,564 | 0 | 64,298,442 | 1,369,386 | 64,337,608 | 1,330,220 | ||||||||||||||||||
MYN |
2,477 | 0 | 34,982,353 | 1,533,497 | 34,998,121 | 1,517,729 | ||||||||||||||||||
John M. Perlowski |
Karen P. Robards |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Votes For | Votes Withheld |
Votes For | Votes Withheld |
|||||||||||||||||||||
MUE |
21,059,856 | 586,478 | 21,130,826 | 515,508 | ||||||||||||||||||||
MCA |
31,905,309 | 699,048 | 31,756,541 | 847,816 | ||||||||||||||||||||
MYI |
64,144,552 | 1,523,276 | 64,271,989 | 1,395,839 | ||||||||||||||||||||
MYN |
35,024,550 | 1,491,300 | 34,836,063 | 1,679,787 |
1 | Voted on by holders of preferred shares only. |
Fund Certification |
Certain Funds are listed for trading on the NYSE and have filed with the NYSE their annual chief executive officer certification regarding compliance with the NYSEs listing standards. The Funds filed with the SEC the certification of its chief executive officer and chief financial officer required by section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
Dividend Policy |
Each Funds dividend policy is to distribute all or a portion of its net investment income to its shareholders on a monthly basis. In order to provide shareholders with a more stable level of distributions, the Funds may at times pay out less than the entire amount of net investment income earned in any particular month and may at times in any particular month pay out such accumulated but undistributed income in addition to net investment income earned in that month. As a result, the distributions paid by the Funds for any particular month may be more or less than the amount of net investment income earned by the Funds during such month. The Funds current accumulated but undistributed net investment income, if any, is disclosed in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities, which comprises part of the financial information included in this report.
72 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
Additional Information (continued) |
General Information |
The Funds do not make available copies of their Statements of Additional Information because the Funds shares are not continuously offered, which means that the Statement of Additional Information of each Fund has not been updated after completion of the respective Funds offerings and the information contained in each Funds Statement of Additional Information may have become outdated.
During the period, there were no material changes in the Funds investment objectives or policies or to the Funds charters or by-laws that would delay or prevent a change of control of the Funds that were not approved by the shareholders or in the principal risk factors associated with investment in the Funds. Except as disclosed on page 71, there have been no changes in the persons who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolios.
Effective September 26, 2016, BlackRock implemented a new methodology for calculating effective duration for BlackRocks municipal bond portfolios. The new methodology replaces the model previously used by BlackRock to evaluate municipal bond duration and is a common indicator of an investments sensitivity to interest rate movements. The new methodology is applied to each Funds duration reported for periods after September 26, 2016.
Quarterly performance, semi-annual and annual reports, current net asset value and other information regarding the Funds, may be found on BlackRocks website, which can be accessed at http://www.blackrock.com. Any reference to BlackRocks website in this report is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Funds and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRocks website in this report.
Electronic Delivery
Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications of quarterly statements, annual and semi-annual shareholder reports by enrolling in the electronic delivery program. Electronic copies of shareholder reports are available on BlackRocks website.
To enroll in electronic delivery:
Shareholders Who Hold Accounts with Investment Advisers, Banks or Brokerages:
Please contact your financial advisor. Please note that not all investment advisers, banks or brokerages may offer this service.
Householding
The Funds will mail only one copy of shareholder documents, annual and semi-annual reports and proxy statements, to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is commonly called householding and is intended to reduce expenses and eliminate duplicate mailings of shareholder documents. Mailings of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please call the Funds at (800) 882-0052.
Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments
The Funds file their complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Funds Forms N-Q are available on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov and may also be reviewed and copied at the SECs Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room or how to access documents on the SECs website without charge may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330. The Funds Forms N-Q may also be obtained upon request and without charge by calling (800) 882-0052.
Availability of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
A description of the policies and procedures that the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available upon request and without charge (1) by calling (800) 882-0052; (2) at http://www.blackrock.com; and (3) on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
Availability of Proxy Voting Record
Information about how the Funds voted proxies relating to securities held in the Funds portfolios during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available upon request and without charge (1) at http://www.blackrock.com or by calling (800) 882-0052; and (2) on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
Availability of Fund Updates
BlackRock will update performance and certain other data for the Funds on a monthly basis on its website in the Closed-end Funds section of http://www.blackrock.com as well as certain other material information as necessary from time to time. Investors and others are advised to check the website for updated performance information and the release of other material information about the Funds. This reference to BlackRocks website is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Funds and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRocks website in this report.
ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 | 73 |
Additional Information (concluded) |
BlackRock Privacy Principles |
BlackRock is committed to maintaining the privacy of its current and former fund investors and individual clients (collectively, Clients) and to safeguarding their non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information BlackRock collects, how we protect that information and why in certain cases we share such information with select parties.
If you are located in a jurisdiction where specific laws, rules or regulations require BlackRock to provide you with additional or different privacy-related rights beyond what is set forth below, then BlackRock will comply with those specific laws, rules or regulations.
BlackRock obtains or verifies personal non-public information from and about you from different sources, including the following: (i) information we receive from you or, if applicable, your financial intermediary, on applications, forms or other documents; (ii) information about your transactions with us, our affiliates, or others; (iii) information we receive from a consumer reporting agency; and (iv) from visits to our websites.
BlackRock does not sell or disclose to non-affiliated third parties any non-public personal information about its Clients, except as permitted by law or as is necessary to respond to regulatory requests or to service Client accounts. These non-affiliated third parties are required to protect the confidentiality and security of this information and to use it only for its intended purpose.
We may share information with our affiliates to service your account or to provide you with information about other BlackRock products or services that may be of interest to you. In addition, BlackRock restricts access to non-public personal information about its Clients to those BlackRock employees with a legitimate business need for the information. BlackRock maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that are designed to protect the non-public personal information of its Clients, including procedures relating to the proper storage and disposal of such information.
74 | ANNUAL REPORT | JULY 31, 2017 |
This report is intended for current holders. It is not a prospectus. Past performance results shown in this report should not be considered a representation of future performance. The Funds have leveraged their Common Shares, which creates risks for Common Shareholders, including the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value and market price of the Common Shares, and the risk that fluctuations in short-term interest rates may reduce the Common Shares yield. Statements and other information herein are as dated and are subject to change.
MHMYINS4-7/17-AR |
Item 2 | Code of Ethics The registrant (or the Fund) has adopted a code of ethics, as of the end of the period covered by this report, applicable to the registrants principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. During the period covered by this report, the code of ethics was amended to clarify an inconsistency in to whom persons covered by the code should report suspected violations of the code. The amendment clarifies that such reporting should be made to BlackRocks General Counsel, and retains the alternative option of anonymous reporting following whistleblower policies. Other non-material changes were also made in connection with this amendment. During the period covered by this report, there have been no waivers granted under the code of ethics. The registrant undertakes to provide a copy of the code of ethics to any person upon request, without charge, by calling 1-800-882-0052, option 4. |
Item 3 | Audit Committee Financial Expert The registrants board of directors (the board of directors), has determined that (i) the registrant has the following audit committee financial experts serving on its audit committee and (ii) each audit committee financial expert is independent: |
Michael Castellano
Frank J. Fabozzi
W. Carl Kester
Catherine A. Lynch
Karen P. Robards
The registrants board of directors has determined that W. Carl Kester and Karen P. Robards qualify as financial experts pursuant to Item 3(c)(4) of Form N-CSR.
Prof. Kester has a thorough understanding of generally accepted accounting principles, financial statements and internal control over financial reporting as well as audit committee functions. Prof. Kester has been involved in providing valuation and other financial consulting services to corporate clients since 1978. Prof. Kesters financial consulting services present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the registrants financial statements.
Ms. Robards has a thorough understanding of generally accepted accounting principles, financial statements and internal control over financial reporting as well as audit committee functions. Ms. Robards has been Principal of Robards & Company, a financial advisory firm, since 1987. Ms. Robards was formerly an investment banker for more than 10 years where she was responsible for evaluating and assessing the performance of companies based on their financial results. Ms. Robards has over 30 years of experience analyzing financial statements. She also is a member of the audit committee of one publicly held company and a non-profit organization.
Under applicable securities laws, a person determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an expert for any purpose, including without limitation for the purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities greater than the duties, obligations, and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and board of directors in the absence of such designation or identification. The designation or identification of a person as an
2
audit committee financial expert does not affect the duties, obligations, or liability of any other member of the audit committee or board of directors.
Item 4 | Principal Accountant Fees and Services |
The following table presents fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP (D&T) in each of the last two fiscal years for the services rendered to the Fund:
(a) Audit Fees | (b) Audit-Related Fees1 | (c) Tax Fees2 | (d) All Other Fees | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Entity Name | Current Fiscal Year End |
Previous Fiscal Year End |
Current Fiscal Year End |
Previous Fiscal Year End |
Current Fiscal Year End |
Previous Fiscal Year End |
Current Fiscal Year End |
Previous Fiscal Year End | ||||||||||||||||||||||
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. | $39,436 | $39,436 | $0 | $0 | $29,682 | $29,682 | $0 | $0 |
The following table presents fees billed by D&T that were required to be approved by the registrants audit committee (the Committee) for services that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the Fund and that are rendered on behalf of BlackRock Advisors, LLC (Investment Adviser or BlackRock) and entities controlling, controlled by, or under common control with BlackRock (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser) that provide ongoing services to the Fund (Affiliated Service Providers):
Current Fiscal Year End | Previous Fiscal Year End | |||
(b) Audit-Related Fees1 |
$0 | $0 | ||
(c) Tax Fees2 |
$0 | $0 | ||
(d) All Other Fees3 |
$2,129,000 | $2,154,000 |
1 The nature of the services includes assurance and related services reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of financial statements not included in Audit Fees, including accounting consultations, agreed-upon procedure reports, attestation reports, comfort letters, out-of-pocket expenses and internal control reviews not required by regulators.
2 The nature of the services includes tax compliance and/or tax preparation, including services relating to the filing or amendment of federal, state or local income tax returns, regulated investment company qualification reviews, taxable income and tax distribution calculations.
3 Non-audit fees of $2,129,000 and $2,154,000 for the current fiscal year and previous fiscal year, respectively, were paid to the Funds principal accountant in their entirety by BlackRock, in connection with services provided to the Affiliated Service Providers of the Fund and of certain other funds sponsored and advised by BlackRock or its affiliates for a service organization review and an accounting research tool subscription. These amounts represent aggregate fees paid by BlackRock and were not allocated on a per fund basis.
(e)(1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures:
The Committee has adopted policies and procedures with regard to the pre-approval of services. Audit, audit-related and tax compliance services provided to the registrant on an annual basis require specific pre-approval by the Committee. The Committee also must approve other non-audit services provided to the registrant and those non-audit services provided to the Investment Adviser and Affiliated Service Providers that relate directly to the operations and the financial reporting of the registrant. Certain of these non-audit services that the Committee believes are (a) consistent with the SECs auditor independence rules and (b) routine and recurring services that will not impair the independence of the independent accountants may be approved by the Committee without consideration on a specific case-by-case basis (general pre-approval). The term of any general pre-approval is 12 months from the date of the pre-approval, unless the Committee provides for a different period. Tax or other non-audit services provided to the registrant which have a direct impact on the operations or financial reporting of the registrant will only be deemed pre-approved
3
provided that any individual project does not exceed $10,000 attributable to the registrant or $50,000 per project. For this purpose, multiple projects will be aggregated to determine if they exceed the previously mentioned cost levels.
Any proposed services exceeding the pre-approved cost levels will require specific pre-approval by the Committee, as will any other services not subject to general pre-approval (e.g., unanticipated but permissible services). The Committee is informed of each service approved subject to general pre-approval at the next regularly scheduled in-person board meeting. At this meeting, an analysis of such services is presented to the Committee for ratification. The Committee may delegate to the Committee Chairman the authority to approve the provision of and fees for any specific engagement of permitted non-audit services, including services exceeding pre-approved cost levels.
(e)(2) None of the services described in each of Items 4(b) through (d) were approved by the Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception in paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
(f) Not Applicable
(g) The aggregate non-audit fees, defined as the sum of the fees shown under Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees and All Other Fees, paid to the accountant for services rendered by the accountant to the registrant, the Investment Adviser and the Affiliated Service Providers were:
Entity Name | Current Fiscal Year End |
Previous Fiscal Year End |
||||||||
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. | $29,682 | $29,682 |
Additionally, the amounts billed by D&T in connection with services provided to the Affiliated Service Providers of the Fund and of other funds sponsored or advised by BlackRock or its affiliates during the current and previous fiscal years for a service organization review and an accounting research tool subscription were:
Current Fiscal Year End |
Previous Fiscal Year End |
|||||||||
$2,129,000 | $2,154,000 |
These amounts represent aggregate fees paid by BlackRock and were not allocated on a per fund basis.
(h) The Committee has considered and determined that the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the Investment Adviser, and the Affiliated Service Providers that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountants independence.
Item 5 | Audit Committee of Listed Registrants |
(a) | The following individuals are members of the registrants separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of |
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1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(58)(A)): |
Michael Castellano
Frank J. Fabozzi
W. Carl Kester
Catherine A. Lynch
Karen P. Robards
(b) Not Applicable
Item 6 | Investments |
(a) The registrants Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.
(b) Not Applicable due to no such divestments during the semi-annual period covered since the previous Form N-CSR filing.
Item 7 | Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies The board of directors has delegated the voting of proxies for the Funds portfolio securities to the Investment Adviser pursuant to the Investment Advisers proxy voting guidelines. Under these guidelines, the Investment Adviser will vote proxies related to Fund securities in the best interests of the Fund and its stockholders. From time to time, a vote may present a conflict between the interests of the Funds stockholders, on the one hand, and those of the Investment Adviser, or any affiliated person of the Fund or the Investment Adviser, on the other. In such event, provided that the Investment Advisers Equity Investment Policy Oversight Committee, or a sub-committee thereof (the Oversight Committee) is aware of the real or potential conflict or material non-routine matter and if the Oversight Committee does not reasonably believe it is able to follow its general voting guidelines (or if the particular proxy matter is not addressed in the guidelines) and vote impartially, the Oversight Committee may retain an independent fiduciary to advise the Oversight Committee on how to vote or to cast votes on behalf of the Investment Advisers clients. If the Investment Adviser determines not to retain an independent fiduciary, or does not desire to follow the advice of such independent fiduciary, the Oversight Committee shall determine how to vote the proxy after consulting with the Investment Advisers Portfolio Management Group and/or the Investment Advisers Legal and Compliance Department and concluding that the vote cast is in its clients best interest notwithstanding the conflict. A copy of the Funds Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures are attached as Exhibit 99.PROXYPOL. Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, (i) at www.blackrock.com and (ii) on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. |
Item 8 | Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies |
(a)(1) | As of the date of filing this Report: |
The registrant is managed by a team of investment professionals comprised of Michael Kalinoski, CFA, Director at BlackRock, Walter OConnor, CFA, Managing Director at BlackRock and Christian Romaglino, Director at BlackRock. Each is a member of BlackRocks municipal tax-exempt management group. Each is jointly responsible for the
5
day-to-day management of the registrants portfolio, which includes setting the registrants overall investment strategy, overseeing the management of the registrant and/or selection of its investments. Messrs. Kalinoski ,OConnor and Romaglino have been members of the registrants portfolio management team since 2011, 2006 and 2017 respectively.
Portfolio Manager | Biography | |
Michael Kalinoski, CFA | Director of BlackRock since 2006; Director of MLIM from 1999 to 2006. | |
Walter OConnor, CFA | Managing Director of BlackRock since 2006; Managing Director of MLIM from 2003 to 2006; Director of MLIM from 1998 to 2003. | |
Christian Romaglino | Director of BlackRock since 2017. |
(a)(2) | As of July 31, 2017: |
(ii) Number of Other Accounts Managed and Assets by Account Type |
(iii) Number of Other Accounts and Assets for Which Advisory Fee is Performance-Based | |||||||||||||||||||||
(i) Name of Portfolio Manager |
Other Registered Investment Companies |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Other Accounts |
Other Registered Investment Companies |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles |
Other Accounts | ||||||||||||||||
Michael Kalinoski, CFA |
21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
$22.57 Billion | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |||||||||||||||||
Walter OConnor, CFA |
31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
$19.28 Billion | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |||||||||||||||||
Christian Romaglino1 |
6 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||||||||||||||||
$3.00 Billion | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
1 Mr. Romaglino became a portfolio manager of the Fund on July 10. 2017.
(iv) | Portfolio Manager Potential Material Conflicts of Interest |
BlackRock has built a professional working environment, firm-wide compliance culture and compliance procedures and systems designed to protect against potential incentives that may favor one account over another. BlackRock has adopted policies and procedures that address the allocation of investment opportunities, execution of portfolio transactions, personal trading by employees and other potential conflicts of interest that are designed to ensure that all client accounts are treated equitably over time. Nevertheless, BlackRock furnishes investment management and advisory services to numerous clients in addition to the Fund, and BlackRock may, consistent with applicable law, make investment recommendations to other clients or accounts (including accounts which are hedge funds or have performance or higher fees paid to BlackRock, or in which portfolio managers have a personal interest in the receipt of such fees), which may be the same as or different from those made to the Fund. In addition, BlackRock, Inc., its affiliates and significant shareholders and any officer, director, shareholder or employee may or may not have an interest in the securities whose purchase and sale BlackRock
6
recommends to the Fund. BlackRock, Inc., or any of its affiliates or significant shareholders, or any officer, director, shareholder, employee or any member of their families may take different actions than those recommended to the Fund by BlackRock with respect to the same securities. Moreover, BlackRock may refrain from rendering any advice or services concerning securities of companies of which any of BlackRock, Inc.s (or its affiliates or significant shareholders) officers, directors or employees are directors or officers, or companies as to which BlackRock, Inc. or any of its affiliates or significant shareholders or the officers, directors and employees of any of them has any substantial economic interest or possesses material non-public information. Certain portfolio managers also may manage accounts whose investment strategies may at times be opposed to the strategy utilized for a fund. It should also be noted that a portfolio manager may be managing hedge fund and/or long only accounts, or may be part of a team managing hedge fund and/or long only accounts, subject to incentive fees. Such portfolio managers may therefore be entitled to receive a portion of any incentive fees earned on such accounts. Currently, the portfolio managers of this Fund are not entitled to receive a portion of incentive fees of other accounts.
As a fiduciary, BlackRock owes a duty of loyalty to its clients and must treat each client fairly. When BlackRock purchases or sells securities for more than one account, the trades must be allocated in a manner consistent with its fiduciary duties. BlackRock attempts to allocate investments in a fair and equitable manner among client accounts, with no account receiving preferential treatment. To this end, BlackRock, Inc. has adopted policies that are intended to ensure reasonable efficiency in client transactions and provide BlackRock with sufficient flexibility to allocate investments in a manner that is consistent with the particular investment discipline and client base, as appropriate.
(a)(3) | As of July 31, 2017: |
Portfolio Manager Compensation Overview
The discussion below describes the portfolio managers compensation as of July 31, 2017.
BlackRocks financial arrangements with its portfolio managers, its competitive compensation and its career path emphasis at all levels reflect the value senior management places on key resources. Compensation may include a variety of components and may vary from year to year based on a number of factors. The principal components of compensation include a base salary, a performance-based discretionary bonus, participation in various benefits programs and one or more of the incentive compensation programs established by BlackRock.
Base compensation. Generally, portfolio managers receive base compensation based on their position with the firm.
Discretionary Incentive Compensation. Discretionary incentive compensation is a function of several components: the performance of BlackRock, Inc., the performance of the portfolio managers group within BlackRock, the investment performance, including risk-adjusted returns, of the firms assets under management or supervision by that portfolio manager relative to predetermined benchmarks, and the individuals performance and contribution to the overall performance of these portfolios and BlackRock. In most cases, these benchmarks are the same as
7
the benchmark or benchmarks against which the performance of the Funds or other accounts managed by the portfolio managers are measured. Among other things, BlackRocks Chief Investment Officers make a subjective determination with respect to each portfolio managers compensation based on the performance of the Funds and other accounts managed by each portfolio manager relative to the various benchmarks. Performance of fixed income funds is measured on a pre-tax and/or after-tax basis over various time periods including 1-, 3- and 5- year periods, as applicable. With respect to these portfolio managers, such benchmarks for the Fund and other accounts are: a combination of market-based indices (e.g., Standard & Poors Municipal Bond Index), certain customized indices and certain fund industry peer groups.
Distribution of Discretionary Incentive Compensation. Discretionary incentive compensation is distributed to portfolio managers in a combination of cash, deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards, and/or deferred cash awards that notionally track the return of certain BlackRock investment products.
Typically, the cash portion of the discretionary incentive compensation, when combined with base salary, represents more than 60% of total compensation for the portfolio managers.
Portfolio managers generally receive deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards as part of their discretionary incentive compensation. Paying a portion of discretionary incentive compensation in the form of deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock puts compensation earned by a portfolio manager for a given year at risk based on BlackRocks ability to sustain and improve its performance over future periods. Deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards are generally granted in the form of BlackRock, Inc. restricted stock units that vest ratably over a number of years and, once vested, settle in BlackRock, Inc. common stock. In some cases, additional deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock may be granted to certain key employees as part of a long-term incentive award to aid in retention, align their interests with long-term shareholder interests and motivate performance. Such equity awards are generally granted in the form of BlackRock, Inc. restricted stock units that vest pursuant to the terms of the applicable plan and, once vested, settle in BlackRock, Inc. common stock. The portfolio managers of this Fund have deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards.
For some portfolio managers, discretionary incentive compensation is also distributed in the form of deferred cash awards that notionally track the returns of select BlackRock investment products they manage. Providing a portion of discretionary incentive compensation in deferred cash awards that notionally track the BlackRock investment products they manage provides direct alignment with investment product results. Deferred cash awards vest ratably over a number of years and, once vested, settle in the form of cash. Any portfolio manager who is either a managing director or director at BlackRock with compensation above a specified threshold is eligible to participate in the deferred compensation program.
Other Compensation Benefits. In addition to base salary and discretionary incentive compensation, portfolio managers may be eligible to receive or participate in one or more of the following:
Incentive Savings Plans BlackRock, Inc. has created a variety of incentive savings plans in which BlackRock, Inc. employees are eligible to participate, including a 401(k) plan, the BlackRock Retirement Savings Plan (RSP), and the BlackRock Employee Stock Purchase Plan
8
(ESPP). The employer contribution components of the RSP include a company match equal to 50% of the first 8% of eligible pay contributed to the plan capped at $5,000 per year, and a company retirement contribution equal to 3-5% of eligible compensation up to the Internal Revenue Service limit ($270,000 for 2017). The RSP offers a range of investment options, including registered investment companies and collective investment funds managed by the firm. BlackRock, Inc. contributions follow the investment direction set by participants for their own contributions or, absent participant investment direction, are invested into a target date fund that corresponds to, or is closest to, the year in which the participant attains age 65. The ESPP allows for investment in BlackRock, Inc. common stock at a 5% discount on the fair market value of the stock on the purchase date. Annual participation in the ESPP is limited to the purchase of 1,000 shares of common stock or a dollar value of $25,000 based on its fair market value on the purchase date. All of the eligible portfolio managers are eligible to participate in these plans.
(a)(4) Beneficial Ownership of Securities As of July 31, 2017.
Portfolio Manager |
Dollar Range of Equity Securities of the Fund Beneficially Owned | |
Michael Kalinoski, CFA |
None | |
Walter OConnor, CFA |
None | |
Christian Romaglino1 |
None |
1 | Mr. Romaglino became a portfolio manager of the Fund on July 10, 2017. |
(b) Not Applicable
Item 9 | Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers Not Applicable due to no such purchases during the period covered by this report. |
Item 10 | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders There have been no material changes to these procedures. |
Item 11 | Controls and Procedures |
(a) The registrants principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrants disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(b) There were no changes in the registrants internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12 | Exhibits attached hereto |
(a)(1) Code of Ethics See Item 2
(a)(2) Certifications Attached hereto
9
(a)(3) Not Applicable
(b) Certifications Attached hereto
10
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc.
By: | /s/ John M. Perlowski | |||
John M. Perlowski | ||||
Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of | ||||
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. |
Date: October 10, 2017
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: | /s/ John M. Perlowski | |||
John M. Perlowski | ||||
Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of | ||||
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. | ||||
Date: October 10, 2017 | ||||
By: | /s/ Neal J. Andrews | |||
Neal J. Andrews | ||||
Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of | ||||
BlackRock MuniYield Quality Fund III, Inc. | ||||
Date: October 10, 2017 |
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