BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-08603

Name of Fund:  BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

Fund Address:   100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809

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

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (800) 882-0052, Option 4

Date of fiscal year end: 02/28/2017

Date of reporting period: 08/31/2016


Item 1 – Report to Stockholders


AUGUST 31, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT (UNAUDITED)

 

    LOGO

 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • No Bank Guarantee


Table of Contents     

 

     Page  

The Markets in Review

    3   

Semi-Annual Report:

 

Fund Summary

    4   

The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging

    6   

Derivative Financial Instruments

    6   
Financial Statements:  

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

    7   

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities

    29   

Consolidated Statement of Operations

    30   

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    31   

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

    32   

Financial Highlights

    33   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    34   

Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement

    46   

Officers and Directors

    50   

Additional Information

    51   

 

                
2    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


The Markets in Review

 

Dear Shareholder,

Uneven economic outlooks and the divergence of monetary policies across regions have been the overarching themes driving financial markets over the past couple of years. In the latter half of 2015, investors were focused largely on the timing of the Federal Reserve’s (the “Fed”) decision to end its near-zero interest rate policy. The Fed ultimately hiked rates in December, while, in contrast, the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan increased stimulus, even introducing negative interest rates. The U.S. dollar had strengthened considerably, causing profit challenges for U.S. companies that generate revenues overseas, and pressuring emerging market currencies and commodities prices. Also during this time period, oil prices collapsed due to excess global supply. China showed signs of slowing economic growth and declining confidence in the country’s policymakers stoked worries about the potential impact on the global economy. Risk assets (such as equities and high yield bonds) struggled as volatility increased.

The elevated market volatility spilled over into 2016, but as the first quarter wore on, fears of a global recession began to fade, allowing markets to calm and risk assets to rebound. Central bank stimulus in Europe and Japan, combined with a more tempered outlook for rate hikes in the United States, helped bolster financial markets. A softening in U.S. dollar strength brought relief to U.S. exporters and emerging market economies, and oil prices rebounded as the world’s largest producers agreed to reduce supply.

Volatility spiked in late June when the United Kingdom shocked investors with its vote to leave the European Union. Uncertainty around how the British exit might affect the global economy and political landscape drove investors to high-quality assets, pushing already low global yields to even lower levels. However, risk assets recovered swiftly in July as economic data suggested that the consequences had thus far been contained to the United Kingdom.

With a number of factors holding interest rates down — central bank accommodation, an aging population in need of income, and institutions such as insurance companies and pension plans needing to meet liabilities — assets offering decent yield have become increasingly scarce. As a result, income-seeking investors have stretched into riskier assets despite high valuations in many sectors.

Market volatility touched a year-to-date low in August, which may be a signal that investors have become complacent given persistent macro risks: Geopolitical turmoil continues to loom. A surprise move from the Fed — i.e., raising rates sooner than expected — has the potential to roil markets. And perhaps most likely to stir things up — the U.S. presidential election.

At BlackRock, we believe investors need to think globally, extend their scope across a broad array of asset classes and be prepared to adjust accordingly as market conditions change over time. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit blackrock.com for further insight about investing in today’s markets.

Sincerely,

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC

 

Total Returns as of August 31, 2016  
    6-month     12-month  

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

    13.60     12.55

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

    20.87        8.59   

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

    10.35        (0.12

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging
Markets Index)

    22.69        11.83   

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

    0.17        0.23   

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

    2.22        7.35   

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

    3.68        5.97   

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

    3.35        7.03   

U.S. high yield bonds

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

    15.56        9.12   
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.    

 

                
   THIS PAGE NOT PART OF YOUR FUND REPORT       3


Fund Summary as of August 31, 2016     

 

Fund Overview

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.’s (DSU) (the “Fund”) primary investment objective is to seek to provide current income by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of U.S. companies’ debt instruments, including corporate loans, which are rated in the lower rating categories of the established rating services (BBB or lower by S&P’s or Baa or lower by Moody’s) or unrated debt instruments, which are in the judgment of the investment adviser of equivalent quality. Corporate loans include senior and subordinated corporate loans, both secured and unsecured. The Fund may invest directly in debt instruments or synthetically through the use of derivatives. The Fund’s secondary objective is to provide capital appreciation.

No assurance can be given that the Fund’s investment objectives will be achieved.

 

Fund Information     

Symbol on New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”)

  DSU

Initial Offering Date

  March 27, 1998

Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of August 31, 2016 ($3.71)1

  6.47%

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share2

  $0.02

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share2

  $0.24

Economic Leverage as of August 31, 20163

  21%

 

  1   

Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate consists of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

 

  2   

The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. A portion of the distribution may be deemed a return of capital or net realized gain.

 

  3   

Represents bank borrowings outstanding as a percentage of total managed assets, which is the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to borrowings) minus the sum of liabilities (other than borrowings representing financial leverage). For a discussion of leveraging techniques utilized by the Fund, please see The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging on page 6.

 

Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary

 

Returns for the six months ended August 31, 2016 were as follows:

 

    Returns Based On  
     Market Price     NAV  

DSU1,2

    15.53     11.30

Lipper High Yield Funds (Leveraged)3

    23.37     18.28

 

  1   

All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions.

 

  2  

The Fund’s discount to NAV, which narrowed during the period, accounts for the difference between performance based on price and performance based on NAV.

 

  3   

Average return.

 

      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 Fund’s absolute performance based on NAV:

What factors influenced performance?

 

 

The Fund generally invests about 50% of its assets in high yield bonds and about 50% in floating rate loan interests (bank loans). The high yield and bank loan markets generated strong returns during the six-month period as credit assets recovered from their early 2016 slump. The most significant developments over the period included a recovery in commodity-related assets, and a strong bid for credit assets globally. As such, the most notable drivers of performance included names in the commodity complex, specifically the independent energy and metals & mining sectors. Exposure to the technology sector also contributed.

 

 

Convertible bond exposures detracted from returns during the period.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

 

 

The Fund gradually increased its risk level over the period as volatility subsided and risk markets started to stabilize. When markets began their ascent in mid-February, the Fund began to add risk, transitioning to a market-neutral risk position. While the Fund added risk, it did so at a relatively measured pace, focusing on quality and consistent cash flow credit stories where balance sheets and asset coverage were strong. The Fund remained underweight to the distressed segments of the market (with higher yields and greater downside risk), although those segments have been among the top performers in 2016. The Fund increased its exposure to commodity-related risk by adding to names within the metals & mining and independent energy sectors, while decreasing risk within the pharmaceuticals and retailers sectors.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

 

 

The Fund held a majority of its assets in B-rated credits, followed by BB-rated issuers. The Fund had exposure to CCC-rated issuers but continued to avoid the lower-rated, riskier areas of that segment. Top issuer positions included Level 3 (wirelines), First Data (technology) and Altice/Numericable (cable & satellite). Issuer selection remained centered on favorable cash flows, identification of a specific catalyst for price improvement, and/or idiosyncratic characteristics. The Fund continued to hold the majority of its assets in high yield bonds and bank loans, with the remainder in collateralized loan obligations, investment grade credit, equity and hybrid securities (convertibles and preferreds).

 

 

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

 

                
4    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


      

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary                                        
      8/31/16      2/29/16      Change      High      Low  

Market Price

     $3.71         $3.32         11.75%         $3.73         $3.31   

Net Asset Value

     $4.08         $3.79         7.65%         $4.09         $3.79   

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value History For the Past Five Years

 

LOGO

 

Overview of the Fund’s Total Investments

 

Portfolio Composition   8/31/16     2/29/16  

Corporate Bonds

    49     45

Floating Rate Loan Interests

    46        49   

Asset-Backed Securities

    2        3   

Investment Companies

    2        2   

Short-Term Securities

    1      1   

Other Interests1

             

Common Stocks1

             

Other2

    1          

 

  1   

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

 

  2   

Includes a less than 1% holding in each of the following investment types: Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities, Options Purchased, Preferred Securities and Warrants.

Credit Quality Allocation3,4   8/31/16     2/29/16  

BBB/Baa

    14     9

BB/Ba

    45        43   

B

    29        37   

CCC/Caa

    6        5   

N/R

    6        6   

 

  3   

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

 

  4   

Excludes Short-Term Securities.

 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    5


The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging     

 

The Fund may utilize leverage to seek to enhance the distribution rate on, and net asset value (“NAV”) of, their common shares (“Common Shares”). However, these objectives cannot be achieved in all interest rate environments.

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

To illustrate these concepts, assume the Fund’s capitalization is $100 million and it utilizes leverage for an additional $30 million, creating a total value of $130 million available for investment in longer-term income securities. If prevailing short-term interest rates are 3% and longer-term interest rates are 6%, the yield curve has a strongly positive slope. In this case, the Fund’s financing costs on the $30 million of proceeds obtained from leverage are based on the lower short-term interest rates. At the same time, the securities purchased by the Fund with the proceeds from leverage earn income based on longer-term interest rates. In this case, the Fund’s financing cost of leverage is significantly lower than the income earned on the Fund’s longer-term investments acquired from such leverage proceeds, and therefore the holders of Common Shares (“Common Shareholders”) are the beneficiaries of the incremental net income.

However, in order to benefit shareholders, the return on assets purchased with leverage proceeds must exceed the ongoing costs associated with the leverage. If interest and other costs of leverage exceed the Fund’s return on assets purchased with leverage proceeds, income to shareholders is lower than if the Fund had not used leverage. Furthermore, the value of the Fund’s portfolio investments generally varies inversely with the direction of long-term interest rates, although other factors can influence the value of portfolio investments. In contrast, the value of the Fund’s obligations under its leverage arrangement

generally does not fluctuate in relation to interest rates. As a result, changes in interest rates can influence the Fund’s NAVs positively or negatively. Changes in the future direction of interest rates are very difficult to predict accurately, and there is no assurance that the Fund’s intended leveraging strategy will be successful.

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

The Fund may utilize leverage through a credit facility as described in the Notes to Financial Statements.

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), the Fund is permitted to issue debt up to 33 1/3% of its total managed assets. The Fund may voluntarily elect to limit its leverage to less than the maximum amount permitted under the 1940 Act. In addition, the Fund may also be subject to certain asset coverage, leverage or portfolio composition requirements imposed by its credit facility, which may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act.

If the Fund segregates or designates on its books and records cash or liquid assets having values not less than the value of the Fund’s obligations under a TOB Trust (including accrued interest), reverse repurchase agreement (including accrued interest) or treasury roll transaction, then such transaction would not considered a senior security and would not be subject to the foregoing limitations and requirements under the 1940 Act.

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments         

 

The Fund may invest in various derivative financial instruments. These instruments are used to obtain exposure to a security, commodity, index, market, and/or other asset without owning or taking physical custody of securities, commodities and/or other referenced assets or to manage market, equity, credit, interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate, commodity and/or other risks. Derivative financial instruments may give rise to a form of economic leverage and involve risks, including the imperfect correlation between the value of a derivative financial instrument and the underlying asset, possible default of the

counterparty to the transaction or illiquidity of the instrument. The Fund’s successful use of a derivative financial instrument depends on the investment adviser’s ability to predict pertinent market movements accurately, which cannot be assured. The use of these instruments may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may limit the amount of appreciation a Fund can realize on an investment and/or may result in lower distributions paid to shareholders. The Fund’s investments in these instruments, if any, are discussed in detail in the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

 

                
6    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments August 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

  

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Common Stocks        
Shares
    Value  

Chemicals — 0.0%

  

 

GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc. (a)

       557,488      $ 16,725   

GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc. (a)(b)

       481,806        14,454   

LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A

       26        2,051   
      

 

 

 
                       33,230   

Diversified Financial Services — 0.1%

  

 

Kcad Holdings I Ltd. (a)

             1,075,282,733        365,596   

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.0%

  

Broadview Networks Holdings, Inc. (a)

             5,037        6,548   

Health Care Management Services — 0.0%

  

 

New Millennium HoldCo, Inc. (a)

             10,718        8,124   

Media — 0.0%

  

 

Adelphia Communications Corp., Class A (a)

       400,000        4   

Adelphia Recovery Trust (a)

       396,568        397   
      

 

 

 
                       401   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.0%

  

 

Denbury Resources, Inc.

       37,600        113,652   

Southcross Holdings LP

       94        28,200   

Whiting Petroleum Corp. (a)

       12,582        91,723   
      

 

 

 
                       233,575   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.0%

  

 

SunPower Corp. (a)

             1,707        17,002   

Specialty Retail — 0.0%

  

 

Things Remembered, Inc.

             1,199,043        12   
Total Common Stocks — 0.1%                      664,488   
      
                          
Asset-Backed Securities   

Par  

(000)

        

Asset-Backed Securities — 2.8%

  

ACAS CLO Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class D, 4.33%, 4/18/27 (b)(d)

     USD        280        269,937   

ALM Loan Funding,
Series 2013-7RA (b)(d):

      

Class C, 4.16%, 4/24/24

       605        589,140   

Class D, 5.71%, 4/24/24

       1,150        1,076,543   

ALM VII R-2, Ltd., Series 2013-7R2A, Class C, 4.16%, 4/24/24 (b)(d)

       250        243,058   

ALM XIV Ltd., Series 2014-14A, Class C, 4.19%, 7/28/26 (b)(d)

       463        448,357   

Anchorage Capital CLO Ltd.,
Series 2015-6A, Class E1, 5.58%, 4/15/27 (b)(d)

       750        648,703   

Apidos CDO, Series 2015-21A, Class C, 4.23%, 7/18/27 (b)(d)

       250        231,234   

Atlas Senior Loan Fund Ltd. (b)(d):

      

Series 2012-1A, Class B2L, 7.07%, 8/15/24

       340        340,035   
Asset-Backed Securities   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Asset-Backed Securities (continued)

      

Atlas Senior Loan Fund Ltd. (b)(d) (continued):

      

Series 2014-6A, Class D, 4.38%, 10/15/26

     USD        1,240      $ 1,173,751   

Atrium CDO Corp., Series 9A, Class D, 4.33%, 2/28/24 (b)(d)

       1,300        1,267,843   

BlueMountain CLO Ltd., Class E (b)(d):

      

Series 2014-4A, 6.13%, 11/30/26

       250        229,375   

Series 2015-2A, 6.03%, 7/18/27

       250        216,281   

Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO Ltd. (b)(d):

      

Series 2012-4A, Class D, 5.20%, 1/20/25

       900        900,084   

Series 2013-1A, Class C, 4.82%, 2/14/25

       250        248,868   

Series 2015-2A, Class C, 4.48%, 4/27/27

       250        244,823   

Series 2015-2A, Class D, 6.03%, 4/27/27

       1,000        894,420   

CFIP CLO Ltd., Series 2013-1A, Class D, 4.45%, 4/20/24 (b)(d)

       1,500        1,456,050   

CIFC Funding Ltd., Series 2014-3A, Class D, 4.10%, 7/22/26 (b)(d)

       250        230,803   

Highbridge Loan Management Ltd.,
Series 6A-2015 (b)(d):

      

Class D, 4.43%, 5/05/27

       300        281,481   

Class E1, 6.23%, 5/05/27

       1,250        1,093,442   

Madison Park Funding IX Ltd., Series 2012-9AR, Class DR, 4.67%, 8/15/22 (b)(d)

       655        648,542   

Madison Park Funding XI Ltd., Series 2013-11A, Class D, 4.21%, 10/23/25 (b)(d)

       555        525,541   

Neuberger Berman CLO XVIII Ltd., Series 2014-18A, Class C, 4.57%, 11/14/25 (b)(d)

       1,000        966,725   

OZLM Funding Ltd., Series 2012-2A, Class C, 5.11%, 10/30/23 (b)(d)

       500        499,960   

OZLM IX Ltd., Series 2014-9A, Class C, 4.30%, 1/20/27 (b)(d)

       750        709,094   

OZLM VII Ltd., Series 2014-7A, Class C, 4.28%, 7/17/26 (b)(d)

       500        470,271   

OZLM XII Ltd., Series 2015-12A, Class C, 4.46%, 4/30/27 (b)(d)

       340        315,542   

Regatta Funding LP, Series 2013-2A, Class C, 4.68%, 1/15/25 (b)(d)

       750        708,686   

Sound Point CLO IV Ltd., Series 2013-3A, Class D, 4.20%, 1/21/26 (b)(d)

       500        482,847   

Stewart Park CLO Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class E, 6.13%, 4/15/26 (b)(d)

       500        433,695   

TICP CLO I Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class D, 4.25%, 7/20/27 (b)(d)

       250        233,445   

Venture XI CLO Ltd., Series 2012-11AR, Class DR, 4.77%, 11/14/22 (b)(d)

       250        245,729   

Venture XII CLO Ltd., Series 2012-12A, Class D, 4.48%, 2/28/24 (b)(d)

       250        241,969   

Venture XX CLO Ltd., Series 2015-20A, Class D, 4.53%, 4/15/27 (b)(d)

       250        236,738   

Venture XXI CLO Ltd., Series 2015-21A, Class D, 4.28%, 7/15/27 (b)(d)

       500        459,122   

Voya CLO Ltd., Series 2012-2AR, Class ER, 6.68%, 10/15/22 (b)(d)

       1,250        1,236,600   
 
Portfolio Abbreviations

 

ADS    American Depositary Shares      EUR    Euro    OTC    Over-the-Counter
CAD    Canadian Dollar      GBP    British Pound    PIK    Payment-In-Kind
CLO    Collateralized Loan Obligation      LOC    Letter of Credit    SGD    Singapore Dollar
DIP    Debtor-In-Possession      MSCI    Morgan Stanley Capital International    USD    U.S. Dollar
ETF    Exchange-Traded Fund              

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    7


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Asset-Backed Securities   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Asset-Backed Securities (continued)

      

Webster Park CLO Ltd., Series 2015-1A (b)(d):

      

Class B1, 3.80%, 1/20/27

     USD        500      $ 502,535   

Class C, 4.75%, 1/20/27

             500        498,240   
Total Asset-Backed Securities — 2.8%                      21,499,509   
      
                          
Corporate Bonds                      

Aerospace & Defense — 0.9%

  

 

Accudyne Industries Borrower/Accudyne Industries LLC, 7.75%, 12/15/20 (b)

       167        129,008   

Bombardier, Inc. (b):

      

6.00%, 10/15/22

       321        303,345   

6.13%, 1/15/23

       245        230,300   

7.50%, 3/15/25

       977        928,150   

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc., 5.00%, 12/15/21 (b)

       307        323,118   

KLX, Inc., 5.88%, 12/01/22 (b)

       480        503,760   

Meccanica Holdings USA, Inc., 6.25%, 7/15/19 (b)

       100        109,550   

TransDigm, Inc.:

      

6.00%, 7/15/22

       2,095        2,178,800   

6.50%, 7/15/24

       1,191        1,235,662   

6.38%, 6/15/26 (b)

       682        695,640   
      

 

 

 
                       6,637,333   

Air Freight & Logistics — 0.3%

  

 

XPO Logistics, Inc.:

      

5.75%, 6/15/21

     EUR        100        116,307   

6.50%, 6/15/22 (b)

     USD        1,520        1,578,900   

6.13%, 9/01/23 (b)

       629        646,297   
      

 

 

 
                       2,341,504   

Airlines — 1.3%

  

 

Air Canada Pass-Through Trust, Series 2013-1, Class C, 6.63%, 5/15/18 (b)

       712        735,140   

American Airlines Group, Inc., 4.63%, 3/01/20 (b)

       542        543,355   

American Airlines Pass-Through Trust,
Series 2013-2, Class C, 6.00%, 1/15/17 (b)

       3,113        3,151,972   

Continental Airlines Pass-Through Trust,
Series 2012-3, Class C, 6.13%, 4/29/18

       2,390        2,509,500   

Delta Air Lines Pass-Through Trust, Series 2009-1, Class B, 9.75%, 6/17/18

       208        213,807   

US Airways Pass-Through Trust, Series 2013-1, Class B, 5.38%, 5/15/23

       2,108        2,181,760   

Virgin Australia Trust, Series 2013-1, Class C, 7.13%, 10/23/18 (b)

       677        685,507   
      

 

 

 
                       10,021,041   

Auto Components — 1.2%

  

 

Adient Global Holdings, Ltd., 4.88%, 8/15/26 (b)

       574        581,892   

CNH Industrial Finance Europe SA, 2.88%, 5/17/23

     EUR        175        201,818   

Fiat Chrysler Finance Europe:

      

4.75%, 3/22/21

       100        124,463   

4.75%, 7/15/22

       100        123,608   

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 5.00%, 5/31/26

     USD        133        139,234   

Icahn Enterprises LP/Icahn Enterprises Finance Corp., 4.88%, 3/15/19

       4,609        4,585,955   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Auto Components (continued)

  

 

Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC, 5.63%, 2/01/23 (b)

     USD        425      $ 448,375   

Schaeffler Holding Finance BV (e):

      

(5.75% Cash or 6.50% PIK), 5.75%, 11/15/21

     EUR        87        105,171   

(6.25% Cash), 6.25%, 11/15/19 (b)

     USD        738        765,675   

(6.75% Cash), 6.75%, 11/15/22 (b)

       2,121        2,343,821   

(6.88% Cash), 6.88%, 8/15/18

     EUR        107        122,194   

Venture Holdings Co. LLC (a)(c):

      

12.00%, 7/01/49

     USD        5,150        1   

Series B, 9.50%, 7/01/05

       5,125        1   
      

 

 

 
                       9,542,208   

Banks — 0.9%

  

 

Allied Irish Banks PLC, 4.13%, 11/26/25 (d)

     EUR        100        105,968   

Banco Espirito Santo SA (a)(c):

      

2.63%, 5/08/17

       100        25,655   

4.75%, 1/15/18

       200        51,311   

4.00%, 1/21/19

       100        25,655   

Bankia SA, 4.00%, 5/22/24 (d)

       300        333,543   

CIT Group, Inc.:

      

5.00%, 5/15/17

     USD        950        969,000   

5.25%, 3/15/18

       1,434        1,494,945   

6.63%, 4/01/18 (b)

       295        314,323   

5.50%, 2/15/19 (b)

       3,099        3,281,066   

5.00%, 8/01/23

       130        137,800   

Commerzbank AG, 7.75%, 3/16/21

     EUR        100        134,765   

Ibercaja Banco SA, 5.00%, 7/28/25 (d)

       100        103,651   

Lloyds Bank PLC, 11.88%, 12/16/21 (d)

       12        13,821   
      

 

 

 
                       6,991,503   

Beverages — 0.0%

  

 

Constellation Brands, Inc., 7.25%, 5/15/17

     USD        87        90,371   

Verallia Packaging SASU, 5.13%, 8/01/22

     EUR        100        119,409   
      

 

 

 
                       209,780   

Building Materials — 0.0%

  

 

Titan Global Finance PLC, 3.50%, 6/17/21

             100        114,885   

Building Products — 1.1%

  

 

American Builders & Contractors Supply Co., Inc. (b):

      

5.63%, 4/15/21

     USD        210        217,875   

5.75%, 12/15/23

       415        438,862   

Builders FirstSource, Inc., 5.63%, 9/01/24 (b)

       423        430,403   

Building Materials Corp. of America, 6.00%, 10/15/25 (b)

       1,174        1,286,997   

CPG Merger Sub LLC, 8.00%, 10/01/21 (b)

       740        754,800   

HeidelbergCement AG, 2.25%, 3/30/23

     EUR        75        89,767   

Masonite International Corp., 5.63%, 3/15/23 (b)

     USD        579        613,740   

Ply Gem Industries, Inc., 6.50%, 2/01/22

       1,275        1,316,437   

Standard Industries, Inc. (b):

      

5.13%, 2/15/21

       274        289,413   

5.50%, 2/15/23

       453        480,746   

USG Corp.:

      

9.50%, 1/15/18

       980        1,073,100   

5.88%, 11/01/21 (b)

       1,233        1,293,109   
      

 

 

 
                       8,285,249   

Capital Markets — 0.5%

  

 

American Capital Ltd., 6.50%, 9/15/18 (b)

       1,070        1,089,153   

Blackstone CQP Holdco LP, 9.30%, 3/19/19

       1,453        1,467,489   
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
8    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Capital Markets (continued)

  

 

E*Trade Financial Corp.:

      

5.38%, 11/15/22

     USD        773      $ 830,009   

Series A, 0.00%, 8/31/19 (f)(g)

       100        253,932   
      

 

 

 
                       3,640,583   

Chemicals — 1.8%

  

 

Axalta Coating Systems LLC, 4.88%, 8/15/24 (b)

       475        495,188   

Chemours Co.:

      

6.63%, 5/15/23

       993        953,280   

7.00%, 5/15/25

       548        524,367   

GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc., 7.50%, 10/30/18

       6,391        5,918,482   

Huntsman International LLC:

      

5.13%, 4/15/21

     EUR        100        119,911   

5.13%, 11/15/22

     USD        1,931        1,993,757   

Ineos Finance PLC, 4.00%, 5/01/23

     EUR        100        114,334   

Inovyn Finance PLC, 6.25%, 5/15/21

       100        117,959   

Platform Specialty Products Corp. (b):

      

10.38%, 5/01/21

     USD        156        163,800   

6.50%, 2/01/22

       2,785        2,638,787   

PQ Corp., 6.75%, 11/15/22 (b)

       617        654,020   

WR Grace & Co-Conn, 5.13%, 10/01/21 (b)

       118        125,670   
      

 

 

 
                       13,819,555   

Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.7%

  

 

ADT Corp.:

      

3.50%, 7/15/22

       765        732,488   

4.13%, 6/15/23

       45        44,100   

Avis Budget Car Rental LLC/Avis Budget Finance, Inc., 3.59%, 12/01/17 (d)

       190        190,475   

Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services, Inc., 8.50%, 12/01/21 (b)

       200        199,500   

Modular Space Corp., 10.25%, 1/31/19 (b)

       1,955        801,550   

Silk Bidco AS, 7.50%, 2/01/22

     EUR        150        179,281   

United Rentals North America, Inc.:

      

7.63%, 4/15/22

     USD        2,393        2,551,536   

5.75%, 11/15/24

       165        172,425   

Verisure Holding AB, 6.00%, 11/01/22

     EUR        125        152,677   
      

 

 

 
                       5,024,032   

Communications Equipment — 1.2%

  

 

Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc., 6.45%, 3/15/29

     USD        3,205        3,485,437   

CommScope Technologies Finance LLC, 6.00%, 6/15/25 (b)

       944        1,001,820   

CommScope, Inc. (b):

      

4.38%, 6/15/20

       574        594,090   

5.50%, 6/15/24

       272        285,600   

Zayo Group LLC/Zayo Capital, Inc.:

      

6.00%, 4/01/23

       3,045        3,166,800   

6.38%, 5/15/25

       518        546,599   
      

 

 

 
                       9,080,346   

Construction & Engineering — 0.6%

  

 

AECOM Co.:

      

5.75%, 10/15/22

       1,045        1,107,700   

5.88%, 10/15/24

       688        752,500   

BlueLine Rental Finance Corp., 7.00%, 2/01/19 (b)

       1,905        1,647,825   

Engility Corp., 8.88%, 9/01/24 (b)

       296        301,180   

Swissport Investments SA, 6.75%, 12/15/21

     EUR        100        116,565   

Weekley Homes LLC/Weekley Finance Corp., 6.00%, 2/01/23

     USD        350        322,000   
      

 

 

 
                       4,247,770   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Construction Materials — 1.1%

  

 

Allegion US Holding Co., Inc., 5.75%, 10/01/21

     USD        117      $ 122,558   

HD Supply, Inc.:

      

7.50%, 7/15/20

       2,485        2,587,506   

5.25%, 12/15/21 (b)

       2,410        2,568,144   

5.75%, 4/15/24 (b)

       2,225        2,369,625   

LKQ Italia Bondco SpA, 3.88%, 4/01/24

     EUR        100        120,748   

PulteGroup, Inc., 5.50%, 3/01/26

     USD        446        477,220   

Rexel SA, 3.50%, 6/15/23

     EUR        130        151,171   
      

 

 

 
                       8,396,972   

Consumer Finance — 1.1%

  

 

Ally Financial, Inc.:

      

6.25%, 12/01/17

     USD        30        31,463   

5.13%, 9/30/24

       1,207        1,307,332   

4.63%, 3/30/25

       216        224,100   

8.00%, 11/01/31

       4,871        6,100,927   

Navient Corp.:

      

6.63%, 7/26/21

       297        306,281   

5.50%, 1/25/23

       45        42,750   

6.13%, 3/25/24

       237        227,520   

5.88%, 10/25/24

       258        243,165   

5.63%, 8/01/33

       260        213,200   
      

 

 

 
                       8,696,738   

Containers & Packaging — 1.6%

  

 

Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh Holdings USA, Inc.:

      

3.65%, 12/15/19 (b)(d)

       1,620        1,636,200   

6.75%, 1/31/21 (b)

       415        430,044   

4.25%, 1/15/22

     EUR        170        196,738   

6.75%, 5/15/24

       125        150,934   

Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC/Ardagh MP Holdings USA, Inc. (b):

      

6.25%, 1/31/19

     USD        603        616,567   

4.63%, 5/15/23

       559        568,783   

7.25%, 5/15/24

       1,070        1,138,212   

Ball Corp., 5.00%, 3/15/22

       978        1,056,240   

Beverage Packaging Holdings Luxembourg II SA, 5.63%, 12/15/16 (b)

       170        170,425   

Crown Americas LLC/Crown Americas Capital Corp. IV, 4.50%, 1/15/23

       1,075        1,123,375   

Crown European Holdings SA, 4.00%, 7/15/22

     EUR        220        274,871   

JH-Holding Finance SA, (8.25% Cash), 8.25%, 12/01/22 (e)

       100        119,735   

Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc./Reynolds Group Issuer LLC/Reynolds Group Issuer Lu (b):

      

4.13%, 7/15/21 (d)

     USD        1,671        1,696,065   

5.13%, 7/15/23

       67        69,513   

7.00%, 7/15/24

       1,754        1,878,972   

Sappi Papier Holding GmbH, 4.00%, 4/01/23

     EUR        100        117,122   

Sealed Air Corp.:

      

4.88%, 12/01/22 (b)

     USD        120        126,000   

4.50%, 9/15/23

     EUR        100        124,306   

5.13%, 12/01/24 (b)

     USD        209        223,630   

6.88%, 7/15/33 (b)

       63        68,198   

SGD Group SAS, 5.63%, 5/15/19

     EUR        100        114,831   

Signode Industrial Group Lux SA/Signode Industrial Group US, Inc., 6.38%, 5/01/22 (b)

     USD        64        65,280   

Smurfit Kappa Acquisitions, 4.88%, 9/15/18 (b)

       200        209,500   
      

 

 

 
                       12,175,541   
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    9


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Diversified Consumer Services — 0.3%

  

 

ADT Corp., 4.88%, 7/15/32 (b)

     USD        269      $ 229,995   

APX Group, Inc., 6.38%, 12/01/19

       158        162,146   

Laureate Education, Inc., 9.25%, 9/01/19 (b)

       427        392,306   

Prime Security Services Borrower LLC/Prime Finance, Inc., 9.25%, 5/15/23 (b)

       1,130        1,230,287   

Service Corp. International, 4.50%, 11/15/20

       307        315,443   
      

 

 

 
                       2,330,177   

Diversified Financial Services — 1.1%

  

 

Aircastle Ltd.:

      

5.13%, 3/15/21

       33        35,805   

5.50%, 2/15/22

       427        463,829   

5.00%, 4/01/23

       416        440,960   

Bank of America Corp., 5.63%, 10/14/16

       100        100,485   

Deutsche Bank AG, 4.50%, 5/19/26

     EUR        100        107,916   

FBM Finance, Inc., 8.25%, 8/15/21 (b)

     USD        225        235,687   

Garfunkelux Holdco 3 SA, 8.50%, 11/01/22

     GBP        100        135,254   

HSH Nordbank AG, 0.54%, 2/14/17 (d)

     EUR        129        138,511   

International Lease Finance Corp.:

      

5.88%, 4/01/19

     USD        320        345,200   

8.25%, 12/15/20

       150        179,437   

4.63%, 4/15/21

       169        179,225   

Jefferies Finance LLC/JFIN Co-Issuer Corp. (b):

      

7.38%, 4/01/20

       625        596,875   

6.88%, 4/15/22

       516        468,270   

MSCI, Inc., 5.75%, 8/15/25 (b)

       245        265,519   

ProGroup AG, 5.13%, 5/01/22

     EUR        130        155,703   

Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc.:

      

5.75%, 10/15/20

     USD        3,099        3,195,844   

6.88%, 2/15/21

       266        275,975   

8.25%, 2/15/21

       560        582,400   

UniCredit SpA:

      

6.95%, 10/31/22

     EUR        100        127,408   

5.75%, 10/28/25 (d)

       100        117,000   

4.38%, 1/03/27 (d)

       100        111,100   
      

 

 

 
                       8,258,403   

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.6%

  

 

CenturyLink, Inc., 6.45%, 6/15/21

     USD        1,393        1,496,604   

Frontier Communications Corp.:

      

6.25%, 9/15/21

       505        492,537   

7.13%, 1/15/23

       235        221,488   

7.63%, 4/15/24

       1,641        1,542,540   

6.88%, 1/15/25

       1,565        1,404,587   

Level 3 Financing, Inc.:

      

4.41%, 1/15/18 (d)

       646        649,230   

5.38%, 8/15/22

       925        966,764   

5.13%, 5/01/23

       1,120        1,163,400   

5.38%, 1/15/24

       712        746,710   

5.38%, 5/01/25

       1,304        1,369,200   

5.25%, 3/15/26 (b)

       411        425,899   

OTE PLC, 3.50%, 7/09/20

     EUR        100        114,735   

SoftBank Group Corp., 4.75%, 7/30/25

       129        162,779   

Telecom Italia Capital SA, 7.20%, 7/18/36

     USD        280        299,950   

Telecom Italia Finance SA, 7.75%, 1/24/33

     EUR        100        152,632   

Telecom Italia SpA:

      

6.38%, 6/24/19

     GBP        200        294,093   

3.25%, 1/16/23

     EUR        150        181,782   

5.88%, 5/19/23

     GBP        100        156,031   

Telenet Finance V Luxembourg SCA, 6.75%, 8/15/24

     EUR        322        402,276   
      

 

 

 
                       12,243,237   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Electric Utilities — 0.1%

  

 

AES Corp., 4.88%, 5/15/23

     USD        256      $ 259,200   

Enel SpA, 7.75%, 9/10/75 (d)

     GBP        100        148,162   
      

 

 

 
                       407,362   

Electrical Equipment — 0.0%

  

 

Belden, Inc., 5.50%, 4/15/23

     EUR        109        129,499   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.6%

  

 

CDW LLC/CDW Finance Corp.:

      

6.00%, 8/15/22

     USD        500        536,875   

5.00%, 9/01/23

       1,036        1,073,555   

5.50%, 12/01/24

       2,446        2,621,378   
      

 

 

 
                       4,231,808   

Energy Equipment & Services — 0.6%

  

 

Ensco PLC:

      

4.70%, 3/15/21

       145        125,135   

4.50%, 10/01/24

       405        288,311   

5.20%, 3/15/25

       202        145,440   

Gates Global LLC/Gates Global Co.:

      

5.75%, 7/15/22

     EUR        200        205,484   

6.00%, 7/15/22 (b)

     USD        568        539,600   

Genesis Energy LP/Genesis Energy Finance Corp.:

      

5.75%, 2/15/21

       103        102,228   

6.75%, 8/01/22

       557        568,140   

GrafTech International Ltd., 6.38%, 11/15/20

       150        115,875   

Noble Holding International Ltd.:

      

4.63%, 3/01/21

       70        58,632   

6.95%, 4/01/25

       115        93,725   

Transocean, Inc.:

      

3.75%, 10/15/17

       354        353,115   

6.00%, 3/15/18

       1,094        1,095,367   

7.38%, 4/15/18

       90        90,900   

8.13%, 12/15/21

       77        72,188   

5.05%, 10/15/22

       245        195,387   

Weatherford International, Ltd., 7.75%, 6/15/21

       219        216,810   
      

 

 

 
                       4,266,337   

Environmental, Maintenance, & Security Service — 0.0%

  

Befesa Zinc SAU Via Zinc Capital SA, 8.88%, 5/15/18

     EUR        100        113,776   

Food & Staples Retailing — 1.2%

  

 

Albertsons Cos. LLC/Safeway, Inc./New Albertson’s, Inc./Albertson’s LLC (b):

      

6.63%, 6/15/24

     USD        308        330,669   

5.75%, 3/15/25

       748        774,180   

Casino Guichard Perrachon SA:

      

3.31%, 1/25/23

     EUR        100        121,797   

3.25%, 3/07/24

       200        239,702   

2.33%, 2/07/25

       100        112,581   

Dollar Tree, Inc.:

      

5.25%, 3/01/20

     USD        69        71,846   

5.75%, 3/01/23

       4,108        4,421,235   

Rite Aid Corp.:

      

9.25%, 3/15/20

       435        458,925   

6.75%, 6/15/21

       32        33,720   

6.13%, 4/01/23 (b)

       1,954        2,109,499   

Tesco PLC, 5.00%, 3/24/23

     GBP        100        145,451   
      

 

 

 
                       8,819,605   
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
10    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Food Products — 0.9%

  

 

Acosta, Inc., 7.75%, 10/01/22 (b)

     USD        685      $ 632,769   

Aramark Services, Inc.:

      

5.75%, 3/15/20

       165        169,950   

5.13%, 1/15/24 (b)

       383        397,123   

FAGE International SA/FAGE USA Dairy Industry, Inc., 5.63%, 8/15/26 (b)

       400        413,500   

JBS USA LLC/JBS USA Finance, Inc. (b):

      

7.25%, 6/01/21

       355        367,425   

5.75%, 6/15/25

       704        714,560   

Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp., 5.88%, 1/15/24 (b)

       127        136,843   

Post Holdings, Inc. (b):

      

7.75%, 3/15/24

       837        930,116   

8.00%, 7/15/25

       508        580,390   

5.00%, 8/15/26

       757        755,107   

Smithfield Foods, Inc.:

      

5.88%, 8/01/21 (b)

       257        268,565   

6.63%, 8/15/22

       849        899,940   

TreeHouse Foods, Inc., 6.00%, 2/15/24 (b)

       274        297,975   

WhiteWave Foods Co., 5.38%, 10/01/22

       239        269,473   
      

 

 

 
                       6,833,736   

Forest Products — 0.0%

  

 

Tereos Finance Groupe I SA, 4.13%, 6/16/23

     EUR        100        116,559   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.8%

  

 

Crimson Merger Sub, Inc., 6.63%, 5/15/22 (b)

     USD        595        532,525   

DJO Finco, Inc./DJO Finance LLC/DJO Finance Corp., 8.13%, 6/15/21 (b)

       1,872        1,647,360   

Fresenius Medical Care US Finance, Inc., 5.75%, 2/15/21 (b)

       1,495        1,696,825   

IDH Finance PLC, 6.25%, 8/15/22

     GBP        100        130,711   

Mallinckrodt International Finance SA/Mallinckrodt CB LLC (b):

      

4.88%, 4/15/20

     USD        350        357,875   

5.75%, 8/01/22

       990        993,712   

5.63%, 10/15/23

       401        402,504   
      

 

 

 
                       5,761,512   

Health Care Providers & Services — 3.9%

  

 

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.:

      

5.13%, 7/01/22

       872        869,820   

6.50%, 3/01/24

       122        128,253   

Alere, Inc., 6.38%, 7/01/23 (b)

       406        415,135   

Amsurg Corp., 5.63%, 7/15/22

       2,072        2,139,340   

Centene Corp.:

      

5.63%, 2/15/21

       716        761,645   

4.75%, 5/15/22

       262        272,153   

6.13%, 2/15/24

       423        461,070   

CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.:

      

5.13%, 8/15/18

       156        157,950   

6.88%, 2/01/22

       1,069        887,270   

DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc., 5.13%, 7/15/24

       2,295        2,369,587   

HCA Holdings, Inc., 6.25%, 2/15/21

       510        552,075   

HCA, Inc.:

      

3.75%, 3/15/19

       1,048        1,080,750   

6.50%, 2/15/20

       1,744        1,927,120   

7.50%, 2/15/22

       430        490,200   

5.88%, 3/15/22

       1,148        1,262,800   

4.75%, 5/01/23

       658        688,432   

5.00%, 3/15/24

       450        477,000   

5.38%, 2/01/25

       1,933        1,990,990   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Health Care Providers & Services (continued)

  

HCA, Inc. (continued):

      

5.25%, 4/15/25

     USD        66      $ 70,703   

5.88%, 2/15/26

       852        900,990   

5.25%, 6/15/26

       580        619,875   

4.50%, 2/15/27

       1,227        1,237,736   

HealthSouth Corp., 5.75%, 11/01/24

       239        247,843   

Hologic, Inc., 5.25%, 7/15/22 (b)

       515        547,831   

MEDNAX, Inc., 5.25%, 12/01/23 (b)

       574        604,135   

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC, 7.13%, 6/01/24 (b)

       548        589,100   

RegionalCare Hospital Partners Holdings, Inc., 8.25%, 5/01/23 (b)

       684        696,825   

Sterigenics-Nordion Holdings LLC, 6.50%, 5/15/23 (b)

       128        133,770   

Surgery Center Holdings, Inc., 8.88%, 4/15/21 (b)

       146        155,855   

Tenet Healthcare Corp.:

      

6.25%, 11/01/18

       607        647,973   

4.75%, 6/01/20

       1,190        1,219,750   

4.15%, 6/15/20 (d)

       989        990,236   

6.00%, 10/01/20

       2,918        3,082,137   

4.50%, 4/01/21

       24        24,228   

6.75%, 6/15/23

       1,355        1,288,944   
      

 

 

 
                       29,989,521   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 2.4%

      

Boyd Gaming Corp., 6.88%, 5/15/23

       758        818,640   

Caesars Entertainment Resort Properties LLC/Caesars Entertainment Resort Property, 8.00%, 10/01/20

       1,020        1,035,300   

Carlson Travel Holdings, Inc., (7.50% Cash or 8.25% PIK), 7.50%, 8/15/19 (b)(e)

       204        202,980   

Codere Finance 2 Luxembourg SA (e):

      

9.00%, 6/30/21 (b)

       26        26,780   

9.00%, 6/30/21

       14        14,121   

ESH Hospitality, Inc., 5.25%, 5/01/25 (b)

       1,162        1,161,640   

Gala Electric Casinos Ltd., 11.50%, 6/01/19

     GBP        64        86,200   

GLP Capital LP/GLP Financing II, Inc., 4.38%, 11/01/18

     USD        391        406,640   

International Game Technology PLC, 6.25%, 2/15/22 (b)

       200        215,500   

KFC Holding Co/Pizza Hut Holdings LLC/Taco Bell of America LLC (b):

      

5.00%, 6/01/24

       66        69,216   

5.25%, 6/01/26

       429        455,812   

MGM Resorts International:

      

8.63%, 2/01/19

       474        536,212   

5.25%, 3/31/20

       1,261        1,349,270   

6.75%, 10/01/20

       325        363,187   

6.63%, 12/15/21

       1,352        1,517,620   

6.00%, 3/15/23

       76        82,506   

4.63%, 9/01/26

       620        613,800   

MGP Escrow Issuer LLC/MGP Escrow Co-Issuer, Inc., 5.63%, 5/01/24 (b)

       2,220        2,408,700   

New Red Finance, Inc., 6.00%, 4/01/22 (b)

       1,055        1,103,794   

PortAventura Entertainment Barcelona BV, 7.25%, 12/01/20

     EUR        100        116,329   

Sabre GLBL, Inc., 5.25%, 11/15/23 (b)

     USD        221        227,078   

Scientific Games International, Inc.:

      

7.00%, 1/01/22 (b)

       188        199,750   

10.00%, 12/01/22

       1,362        1,259,850   

Six Flags Entertainment Corp., 5.25%, 1/15/21 (b)

       842        871,470   
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    11


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)

      

Station Casinos LLC, 7.50%, 3/01/21

     USD        1,938      $ 2,060,858   

Tropicana Entertainment LLC/Tropicana Finance Corp., 9.63%, 12/15/16 (a)(c)

       800          

Unique Pub Finance Co. PLC:

      

Series A4, 5.66%, 6/30/27

     GBP        389        529,579   

Series N, 6.46%, 3/30/32

       200        215,775   

Vue International Bidco PLC, 7.88%, 7/15/20

       147        201,719   
      

 

 

 
                       18,150,326   

Household Durables — 0.8%

      

Beazer Homes USA, Inc., 6.63%, 4/15/18

     USD        935        952,531   

Brookfield Residential Properties, Inc./Brookfield Residential US Corp., 6.13%, 7/01/22 (b)

       285        286,425   

CalAtlantic Group, Inc.:

      

8.38%, 1/15/21

       1,090        1,299,825   

5.25%, 6/01/26

       285        289,275   

Lennar Corp.:

      

4.75%, 11/15/22

       110        115,775   

4.88%, 12/15/23

       265        277,588   

Meritage Homes Corp., 4.50%, 3/01/18

       589        603,725   

Ryland Group, Inc., 6.63%, 5/01/20

       130        145,925   

Standard Pacific Corp.:

      

10.75%, 9/15/16

       565        565,706   

5.88%, 11/15/24

       360        388,800   

TRI Pointe Group, Inc.:

      

4.38%, 6/15/19

       435        446,963   

4.88%, 7/01/21

       525        540,750   
      

 

 

 
                       5,913,288   

Household Products — 0.4%

      

Spectrum Brands, Inc.:

      

6.38%, 11/15/20

       245        254,494   

6.63%, 11/15/22

       1,810        1,936,700   

6.13%, 12/15/24

       87        93,851   

5.75%, 7/15/25

       462        500,693   
      

 

 

 
                       2,785,738   

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.9%

  

AES Corp.:

      

7.38%, 7/01/21

       559        641,452   

5.50%, 3/15/24

       725        752,187   

6.00%, 5/15/26

       201        213,311   

Calpine Corp., 5.38%, 1/15/23

       128        128,079   

Dynegy, Inc.:

      

6.75%, 11/01/19

       665        681,625   

7.38%, 11/01/22

       231        228,113   

NRG Energy, Inc.:

      

7.88%, 5/15/21

       239        249,158   

6.25%, 5/01/24

       50        49,625   

7.25%, 5/15/26 (b)

       415        430,978   

6.63%, 1/15/27 (b)

       1,399        1,401,616   

NRG Yield Operating LLC, 5.38%, 8/15/24

       195        203,288   

QEP Resources, Inc., 5.38%, 10/01/22

       2,090        2,069,100   
      

 

 

 
                       7,048,532   

Insurance — 0.4%

      

Assicurazioni Generali SpA, 5.00%, 6/08/48 (d)

     EUR        100        115,031   

HUB International Ltd. (b):

      

9.25%, 2/15/21

     USD        367        387,185   

7.88%, 10/01/21

       674        689,165   

Trader Corp., 9.88%, 8/15/18 (b)

       543        556,575   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Insurance (continued)

      

Wayne Merger Sub LLC, 8.25%, 8/01/23 (b)

     USD        1,040      $ 1,074,970   
      

 

 

 
                       2,822,926   

Internet Software & Services — 0.3%

      

Equinix, Inc., 5.88%, 1/15/26

       997        1,086,102   

IAC/InterActiveCorp, 4.88%, 11/30/18

       588        602,700   

Netflix, Inc.:

      

5.50%, 2/15/22

       72        77,400   

5.75%, 3/01/24

       177        191,160   

5.88%, 2/15/25

       2        2,170   
      

 

 

 
                       1,959,532   

IT Services — 1.9%

      

Ceridian HCM Holding, Inc., 11.00%, 3/15/21 (b)

       795        822,825   

First Data Corp. (b):

      

5.38%, 8/15/23

       1,561        1,619,538   

7.00%, 12/01/23

       5,077        5,318,157   

5.75%, 1/15/24

       4,611        4,720,511   

Millennium Corp., 0.00%, 12/31/49

       2,240          

Western Digital Corp., 10.50%, 4/01/24 (b)

       933        1,054,290   

WEX, Inc., 4.75%, 2/01/23 (b)

       601        591,985   
      

 

 

 
                       14,127,306   

Machinery — 0.2%

      

Gardner Denver, Inc., 6.88%, 8/15/21 (b)

       380        350,550   

SPX FLOW, Inc. (b):

      

5.63%, 8/15/24

       359        368,873   

5.88%, 8/15/26

       359        370,667   

Trinseo Materials Operating SCA/Trinseo Materials Finance, Inc., 6.38%, 5/01/22

     EUR        100        118,294   
      

 

 

 
                       1,208,384   

Media — 8.6%

      

Adria Bidco BV, 7.88%, 11/15/20

       200        234,334   

Altice Financing SA:

      

6.50%, 1/15/22 (b)

     USD        1,260        1,326,150   

5.25%, 2/15/23

     EUR        100        117,686   

7.50%, 5/15/26 (b)

     USD        463        487,308   

Altice Luxembourg SA:

      

7.75%, 5/15/22 (b)

       1,110        1,181,456   

6.25%, 2/15/25

     EUR        101        111,252   

7.63%, 2/15/25 (b)

     USD        203        208,583   

Altice US Finance I Corp. (b):

      

5.38%, 7/15/23

       2,707        2,832,199   

5.50%, 5/15/26

       637        672,035   

AMC Networks, Inc.:

      

4.75%, 12/15/22

       156        160,680   

5.00%, 4/01/24

       395        404,875   

Cablevision Systems Corp., 7.75%, 4/15/18

       362        386,435   

CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.:

      

5.13%, 2/15/23

       380        399,000   

5.88%, 4/01/24 (b)

       979        1,054,872   

5.75%, 2/15/26 (b)

       428        457,960   

5.50%, 5/01/26 (b)

       774        819,472   

5.88%, 5/01/27 (b)

       155        165,850   

Cellnex Telecom SA, 2.38%, 1/16/24

     EUR        100        115,070   

Cequel Communications Holdings I LLC/Cequel Capital Corp. (b):

      

6.38%, 9/15/20

     USD        420        434,175   

5.13%, 12/15/21

       1,185        1,195,769   

7.75%, 7/15/25

       2,269        2,478,882   
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
12    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Media (continued)

      

Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital, 4.91%, 7/23/25 (b)

     USD        1,300      $ 1,434,446   

Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc.:

      

6.50%, 11/15/22

       7,000        7,282,112   

Series B, 7.63%, 3/15/20

       1,364        1,374,230   

Columbus Cable Barbados Ltd., 7.38%, 3/30/21 (b)

       850        909,500   

CSC Holdings LLC:

      

10.13%, 1/15/23 (b)

       712        813,015   

5.25%, 6/01/24

       705        686,050   

6.63%, 10/15/25 (b)

       1,298        1,409,952   

10.88%, 10/15/25 (b)

       1,590        1,864,275   

DISH DBS Corp.:

      

4.25%, 4/01/18

       1,460        1,501,143   

5.88%, 11/15/24

       457        450,716   

7.75%, 7/01/26 (b)

       1,802        1,922,716   

eircom Finance DAC, 4.50%, 5/31/22

     EUR        100        114,029   

Gray Television, Inc., 7.50%, 10/01/20

     USD        422        438,880   

Hughes Satellite Systems Corp. (b):

      

5.25%, 8/01/26

       408        404,732   

6.63%, 8/01/26

       371        368,218   

iHeartCommunications, Inc.:

      

9.00%, 12/15/19

       450        363,938   

9.00%, 3/01/21

       160        120,000   

9.00%, 9/15/22

       930        681,225   

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA:

      

7.25%, 10/15/20

       1,445        1,123,487   

5.50%, 8/01/23

       1,467        1,001,227   

Lamar Media Corp., Series WI, 5.75%, 2/01/26

       145        156,781   

MDC Partners, Inc., 6.50%, 5/01/24 (b)

       784        744,800   

Midcontinent Communications & Midcontinent Finance Corp., 6.25%, 8/01/21 (b)

       265        277,588   

NAI Entertainment Holdings/NAI Entertainment Holdings Finance Corp., 5.00%, 8/01/18 (b)

       538        546,070   

Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., 6.13%, 2/15/22 (b)

       164        169,740   

Nexstar Escrow Corp., 5.63%, 8/01/24 (b)

       576        587,520   

Nielsen Finance LLC/Nielsen Finance Co., 5.00%, 4/15/22 (b)

       410        421,222   

Outfront Media Capital LLC/Outfront Media Capital Corp.:

      

5.25%, 2/15/22

       130        136,175   

5.63%, 2/15/24

       242        257,428   

RCN Telecom Services LLC/RCN Capital Corp., 8.50%, 8/15/20 (b)

       485        517,131   

SFR Group SA:

      

6.00%, 5/15/22 (b)

       1,192        1,218,224   

5.63%, 5/15/24

     EUR        295        348,802   

7.38%, 5/01/26 (b)

     USD        4,095        4,228,087   

Sirius XM Radio, Inc. (b):

      

4.25%, 5/15/20

       141        143,820   

5.75%, 8/01/21

       464        484,880   

4.63%, 5/15/23

       60        60,675   

Sterling Entertainment Corp., 9.75%, 12/15/19

       1,300        1,287,000   

TEGNA, Inc.:

      

5.13%, 10/15/19

       215        221,181   

4.88%, 9/15/21 (b)

       466        483,475   

5.50%, 9/15/24 (b)

       289        304,895   

Tribune Media Co., 5.88%, 7/15/22

       1,003        1,025,567   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Media (continued)

      

Unitymedia Hessen GmbH & Co. KG/Unitymedia NRW GmbH:

      

5.50%, 1/15/23 (b)

     USD        1,270      $ 1,336,675   

4.00%, 1/15/25

     EUR        198        234,685   

3.50%, 1/15/27

       200        231,456   

Univision Communications, Inc. (b):

      

8.50%, 5/15/21

     USD        893        928,720   

5.13%, 5/15/23

       3,002        3,122,080   

5.13%, 2/15/25

       1,170        1,222,650   

Virgin Media Secured Finance PLC:

      

5.38%, 4/15/21 (b)

       1,152        1,198,080   

5.25%, 1/15/26 (b)

       790        807,775   

5.50%, 8/15/26 (b)

       320        334,400   

4.88%, 1/15/27

     GBP        100        137,552   

6.25%, 3/28/29

       233        338,243   

WaveDivision Escrow LLC/WaveDivision Escrow Corp., 8.13%, 9/01/20 (b)

     USD        1,300        1,356,875   

Wind Acquisition Finance SA:

      

7.00%, 4/23/21

     EUR        100        116,007   

7.38%, 4/23/21 (b)

     USD        220        226,600   

Ziggo Bond Finance BV:

      

4.63%, 1/15/25

     EUR        168        189,738   

5.88%, 1/15/25 (b)

     USD        1,095        1,100,475   
      

 

 

 
                       66,011,006   

Metals & Mining — 4.2%

      

Alcoa, Inc.:

      

6.15%, 8/15/20

       1,395        1,523,605   

5.13%, 10/01/24

       1,371        1,446,405   

Anglo American Capital PLC:

      

2.75%, 6/07/19

     EUR        107        122,643   

1.50%, 4/01/20

       100        108,745   

3.50%, 3/28/22

       100        112,726   

ArcelorMittal:

      

6.13%, 6/01/18

     USD        592        626,040   

7.25%, 2/25/22

       61        68,625   

6.13%, 6/01/25

       700        752,500   

8.00%, 10/15/39

       178        191,350   

7.75%, 3/01/41

       390        405,600   

Constellium NV (b):

      

8.00%, 1/15/23

       2,600        2,652,000   

5.75%, 5/15/24

       1,175        1,086,875   

First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (b):

      

7.00%, 2/15/21

       145        125,788   

7.25%, 5/15/22

       435        373,013   

FMG Resources August 2006 Property Ltd., 9.75%, 3/01/22 (b)

       553        638,715   

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.:

      

2.38%, 3/15/18

       3,004        2,955,185   

3.10%, 3/15/20

       430        395,600   

4.00%, 11/14/21

       1,064        973,560   

3.55%, 3/01/22

       860        750,350   

3.88%, 3/15/23

       2,195        1,882,212   

5.40%, 11/14/34

       1,271        991,380   

5.45%, 3/15/43

       732        559,980   

Joseph T Ryerson & Son, Inc., 11.00%, 5/15/22 (b)

       482        530,200   

Novelis Corp., 6.25%, 8/15/24 (b)

       2,248        2,343,540   

Novelis, Inc., 8.75%, 12/15/20

       3,736        3,913,460   
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    13


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Metals & Mining (continued)

      

Steel Dynamics, Inc.:

      

5.13%, 10/01/21

     USD        790      $ 821,600   

6.38%, 8/15/22

       595        627,725   

5.25%, 4/15/23

       295        306,800   

5.50%, 10/01/24

       138        145,590   

Teck Resources Ltd.:

      

3.00%, 3/01/19

       250        242,500   

8.00%, 6/01/21 (b)

       216        233,145   

3.75%, 2/01/23

       965        827,487   

8.50%, 6/01/24 (b)

       852        958,500   

6.00%, 8/15/40

       335        271,350   

5.20%, 3/01/42

       385        282,013   

Teck Resources, Ltd., 6.25%, 7/15/41

       680        562,275   

United States Steel Corp., 8.38%, 7/01/21 (b)

       624        678,600   

Wise Metals Group LLC/Wise Alloys Finance Corp., 8.75%, 12/15/18 (b)

       820        844,600   
      

 

 

 
                       32,332,282   

Multiline Retail — 0.1%

      

Neiman Marcus Group Ltd. (b):

      

8.00%, 10/15/21

       1,035        885,650   

(8.75% Cash or 9.50% PIK), 8.75%, 10/15/21 (e)

       150        121,875   
      

 

 

 
                       1,007,525   

Offshore Drilling & Other Services — 0.0%

      

Sensata Technologies BV, 5.63%, 11/01/24 (b)

             220        233,200   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 8.1%

      

California Resources Corp., 8.00%, 12/15/22 (b)

       1,672        1,128,600   

Cenovus Energy, Inc.:

      

5.70%, 10/15/19

       89        95,649   

5.20%, 9/15/43

       60        52,756   

Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC, 7.00%, 6/30/24 (b)

       912        975,840   

Chesapeake Energy Corp., 3.93%, 4/15/19 (d)

       2,056        1,860,680   

Concho Resources, Inc., 6.50%, 1/15/22

       172        178,880   

CONSOL Energy, Inc.:

      

5.88%, 4/15/22

       4,940        4,470,700   

8.00%, 4/01/23

       40        39,000   

Continental Resources, Inc.:

      

5.00%, 9/15/22

       239        231,233   

4.50%, 4/15/23

       321        302,542   

3.80%, 6/01/24

       1,613        1,455,732   

4.90%, 6/01/44

       62        51,770   

Crestwood Midstream Partners LP/Crestwood Midstream Finance Corp.:

      

6.00%, 12/15/20

       65        64,025   

6.25%, 4/01/23

       90        87,750   

CrownRock LP/CrownRock Finance, Inc., 7.13%, 4/15/21 (b)

       740        769,600   

DCP Midstream LLC (b):

      

6.45%, 11/03/36

       250        241,875   

6.75%, 9/15/37

       426        413,220   

Denbury Resources, Inc., 9.00%, 5/15/21 (b)

       1,288        1,323,420   

Encana Corp.:

      

3.90%, 11/15/21

       288        284,748   

6.50%, 8/15/34

       289        291,757   

6.63%, 8/15/37

       226        229,085   

6.50%, 2/01/38

       1,048        1,048,870   

5.15%, 11/15/41

       454        398,394   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)

      

Energy Transfer Equity LP:

      

7.50%, 10/15/20

     USD        200      $ 219,000   

5.88%, 1/15/24

       1,078        1,104,950   

5.50%, 6/01/27

       494        495,235   

Extraction Oil & Gas Holdings LLC/Extraction Finance Corp., 7.88%, 7/15/21 (b)

       738        745,380   

Freeport-McMoran Oil & Gas LLC / FCX Oil & Gas, Inc., 6.88%, 2/15/23

       648        630,180   

Genesis Energy LP/Genesis Energy Finance Corp., 5.63%, 6/15/24

       85        81,813   

Gulfport Energy Corp.:

      

7.75%, 11/01/20

       422        438,880   

6.63%, 5/01/23

       60        61,650   

Halcon Resources Corp., 8.63%, 2/01/20 (b)

       270        256,500   

Hilcorp Energy I LP/Hilcorp Finance Co. (b):

      

7.63%, 4/15/21

       125        128,438   

5.00%, 12/01/24

       461        447,170   

MEG Energy Corp. (b):

      

6.50%, 3/15/21

       2,599        2,131,180   

6.38%, 1/30/23

       29        22,620   

7.00%, 3/31/24

       1,294        1,041,670   

Memorial Resource Development Corp., 5.88%, 7/01/22

       1,343        1,356,430   

Murphy Oil Corp., 6.88%, 8/15/24

       413        431,894   

NGPL PipeCo LLC (b):

      

7.12%, 12/15/17

       5,023        5,242,756   

9.63%, 6/01/19

       435        456,750   

7.77%, 12/15/37

       262        281,323   

Noble Energy, Inc., 5.63%, 5/01/21

       248        258,705   

Oasis Petroleum, Inc.:

      

6.50%, 11/01/21

       1,004        926,190   

6.88%, 3/15/22

       37        34,410   

ONEOK, Inc., 7.50%, 9/01/23

       190        210,425   

PDC Energy, Inc., 7.75%, 10/15/22

       510        535,500   

QEP Resources, Inc.:

      

6.88%, 3/01/21

       52        54,366   

5.25%, 5/01/23

       95        93,100   

Range Resources Corp.:

      

5.75%, 6/01/21

       277        281,155   

5.00%, 8/15/22

       10        9,900   

5.00%, 3/15/23

       555        548,062   

Rockies Express Pipeline LLC (b):

      

6.85%, 7/15/18

       99        104,816   

6.00%, 1/15/19

       26        27,365   

5.63%, 4/15/20

       140        146,475   

6.88%, 4/15/40

       64        64,640   

RSP Permian, Inc., 6.63%, 10/01/22

       356        370,240   

Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC:

      

5.63%, 2/01/21

       525        551,250   

6.25%, 3/15/22

       204        218,280   

5.63%, 4/15/23

       5,633        5,928,732   

5.75%, 5/15/24

       762        809,625   

5.63%, 3/01/25

       208        219,960   

5.88%, 6/30/26 (b)

       1,371        1,466,970   

Sabine Pass LNG LP, 7.50%, 11/30/16

       2,500        2,534,375   

Sanchez Energy Corp.:

      

7.75%, 6/15/21

       672        584,640   

6.13%, 1/15/23

       2,736        2,161,440   

SBA Communications Corp., 4.88%, 9/01/24 (b)

       1,105        1,120,194   
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
14    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)

      

Seven Generations Energy Ltd. (b):

      

8.25%, 5/15/20

     USD        3,010      $ 3,201,887   

6.75%, 5/01/23

       210        214,725   

SM Energy Co.:

      

6.13%, 11/15/22

       157        152,683   

5.00%, 1/15/24

       931        850,701   

Southwestern Energy Co.:

      

7.50%, 2/01/18

       42        44,153   

5.80%, 1/23/20

       710        710,000   

4.10%, 3/15/22

       442        402,220   

6.70%, 1/23/25

       80        82,200   

Targa Resources Partners LP/Targa Resources Partners Finance Corp., 6.38%, 8/01/22

       120        123,900   

Tesoro Logistics LP/Tesoro Logistics Finance Corp.:

      

6.13%, 10/15/21

       81        84,848   

6.25%, 10/15/22

       833        881,730   

6.38%, 5/01/24

       198        211,365   

Weatherford International LLC, 6.80%, 6/15/37

       57        42,465   

Weatherford International Ltd.:

      

4.50%, 4/15/22

       184        152,720   

6.50%, 8/01/36

       145        107,300   

5.95%, 4/15/42

       68        47,770   

Whiting Petroleum Corp.:

      

Series 1, 1.25%, 6/05/20

       697        598,779   

Series C-1, 5.75%, 3/15/21

       281        262,548   

Series D-1, 6.25%, 4/01/23

       66        60,688   

Williams Cos., Inc.:

      

3.70%, 1/15/23

       35        33,950   

4.55%, 6/24/24

       494        505,115   

5.75%, 6/24/44

       216        221,940   

WPX Energy, Inc.:

      

5.25%, 1/15/17

       70        70,350   

7.50%, 8/01/20

       115        118,091   

6.00%, 1/15/22

       1,583        1,539,467   

8.25%, 8/01/23

       400        416,000   
      

 

 

 
                       61,968,355   

Paper & Forest Products — 0.0%

      

International Paper Co., 7.30%, 11/15/39

             5        6,761   

Pharmaceuticals — 1.3%

      

Capsugel SA, (7.00% Cash or 7.75% PIK), 7.00%, 5/15/19 (b)(e)

       132        133,320   

Ephios Bondco PLC, 6.25%, 7/01/22

     EUR        100        121,026   

Ephios Holdco II PLC, 8.25%, 7/01/23

       100        122,170   

Grifols Worldwide Operations Ltd., 5.25%, 4/01/22

     USD        937        979,165   

Jaguar Holding Co. II/Pharmaceutical Product Development LLC, 6.38%, 8/01/23 (b)

       1,763        1,846,742   

NBTY, Inc., 7.63%, 5/15/21 (b)

       1,159        1,185,078   

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (b):

      

6.75%, 8/15/18

       961        963,787   

5.38%, 3/15/20

       35        32,988   

7.00%, 10/01/20

       1,441        1,404,975   

7.50%, 7/15/21

       1,561        1,534,166   

5.63%, 12/01/21

       568        512,620   

7.25%, 7/15/22

       1,010        959,500   

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (b) (continued):

      

5.88%, 5/15/23

     USD        79        69,520   

6.13%, 4/15/25

       220        193,325   
      

 

 

 
                       10,058,382   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.3%

  

   

FelCor Lodging LP, 5.63%, 3/01/23

       377      $ 387,367   

Hilton Escrow Issuer LLC / Hilton Escrow Issuer Corp., 4.25%, 9/01/24 (b)

       593        604,489   

iStar, Inc.:

      

4.00%, 11/01/17

       535        535,669   

5.00%, 7/01/19

       375        375,469   

MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP/MGP Finance Co-Issuer, Inc., 4.50%, 9/01/26 (b)

       714        713,554   
      

 

 

 
                       2,616,548   

Real Estate Management & Development — 0.4%

  

 

Realogy Group LLC/Realogy Co-Issuer Corp. (b):

      

4.50%, 4/15/19

       391        405,663   

5.25%, 12/01/21

       634        664,115   

4.88%, 6/01/23

       1,852        1,875,150   

Rialto Holdings LLC/Rialto Corp., 7.00%, 12/01/18 (b)

       245        248,675   
      

 

 

 
                       3,193,603   

Road & Rail — 0.4%

      

EC Finance PLC, 5.13%, 7/15/21

     EUR        115        134,691   

Florida East Coast Holdings Corp., 6.75%, 5/01/19 (b)

     USD        1,338        1,378,140   

Herc Rentals, Inc. (b):

      

7.50%, 6/01/22

       222        230,880   

7.75%, 6/01/24

       55        57,475   

Hertz Corp., 7.38%, 1/15/21

       1,122        1,168,282   

Loxam SAS, 3.50%, 5/03/23

     EUR        100        116,565   

United Rentals North America, Inc., 5.50%, 7/15/25

     USD        2        2,062   

Watco Cos. LLC/Watco Finance Corp., 6.38%, 4/01/23 (b)

       350        350,875   
      

 

 

 
                       3,438,970   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.6%

  

 

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., 7.50%, 8/15/22

       315        305,550   

Micron Technology, Inc. (b):

      

5.25%, 8/01/23

       433        418,928   

5.63%, 1/15/26

       282        269,310   

Microsemi Corp., 9.13%, 4/15/23 (b)

       67        76,715   

NXP BV/NXP Funding LLC (b):

      

4.13%, 6/15/20

       1,064        1,101,240   

4.13%, 6/01/21

       347        362,962   

4.63%, 6/15/22

       1,050        1,105,776   

Sensata Technologies BV, 5.00%, 10/01/25 (b)

       852        881,820   

Sensata Technologies UK Financing Co. PLC, 6.25%, 2/15/26 (b)

       200        219,250   
      

 

 

 
                       4,741,551   

Software — 1.3%

      

BMC Software Finance, Inc., 8.13%, 7/15/21 (b)

       816        718,080   

Infor Software Parent LLC/Infor Software Parent, Inc., (7.13% Cash or 7.88% PIK),
7.13%, 5/01/21 (b)(e)

       1,666        1,561,875   

Infor US, Inc., 6.50%, 5/15/22

       1,567        1,588,546   

Informatica LLC, 7.13%, 7/15/23 (b)

       840        793,800   

Nuance Communications, Inc. (b):

      

5.38%, 8/15/20

     USD        435        445,331   

6.00%, 7/01/24

       835        868,400   
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    15


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Software (continued)

      

PTC, Inc., 6.00%, 5/15/24

       197      $ 213,006   

Solera LLC/Solera Finance, Inc., 10.50%, 3/01/24 (b)

       1,806        2,000,145   

SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc., 5.88%, 7/15/23

       1,485        1,562,963   
      

 

 

 
                       9,752,146   

Specialty Retail — 0.3%

      

L Brands, Inc., 6.88%, 11/01/35

       723        789,877   

Penske Automotive Group, Inc., 5.38%, 12/01/24

       646        657,305   

Sally Holdings LLC/Sally Capital, Inc.:

      

5.75%, 6/01/22

       146        152,388   

5.50%, 11/01/23

       570        607,050   

Sonic Automotive, Inc., 5.00%, 5/15/23

       146        145,270   
      

 

 

 
                       2,351,890   

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 0.4%

  

 

Diamond 1 Finance Corp./Diamond 2 Finance Corp. (b):

      

4.42%, 6/15/21

       365        381,658   

5.88%, 6/15/21

       577        610,086   

7.13%, 6/15/24

       700        758,348   

6.02%, 6/15/26

       445        476,117   

8.35%, 7/15/46

       385        448,664   

Western Digital Corp., 7.38%, 4/01/23 (b)

       391        424,235   
      

 

 

 
                       3,099,108   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.1%

      

BiSoho SAS, 5.88%, 5/01/23

     EUR        100        118,863   

Hanesbrands, Inc., 4.88%, 5/15/26 (b)

     USD        330        344,850   

PVH Corp., 4.50%, 12/15/22

       122        125,660   

Wolverine World Wide, Inc., 5.00%, 9/01/26 (b)

       177        177,221   
      

 

 

 
                       766,594   

Tobacco — 0.0%

      

Altria Group, Inc., 9.95%, 11/10/38

             17        30,939   

Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.0%

      

Ashtead Capital, Inc., 5.63%, 10/01/24 (b)

             320        336,400   

Transportation Infrastructure — 0.1%

      

Jack Cooper Enterprises, Inc., (10.50% Cash or 11.25% PIK), 10.50%, 3/15/19 (b)(e)

       1,189        321,035   

Onorato Armatori SpA, 7.75%, 2/15/23

     EUR        100        114,635   
      

 

 

 
                       435,670   

Utilities — 0.0%

      

ContourGlobal Power Holdings SA,
5.13%, 6/15/21

             100        118,795   

Wireless Telecommunication Services — 3.0%

      

Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc./CSL Capital LLC, 8.25%, 10/15/23

     USD        1,140        1,188,450   

Crown Castle Towers LLC, 6.11%, 1/15/40 (b)

       375        416,280   

Digicel Group Ltd., 7.13%, 4/01/22 (b)

       485        392,850   

Digicel Ltd., 6.00%, 4/15/21 (b)

       2,628        2,401,335   

GEO Group, Inc., 5.88%, 1/15/22

       90        85,050   

Geo Group, Inc., 5.88%, 10/15/24

       360        324,000   

GEO Group, Inc., 6.00%, 4/15/26

       295        264,394   

Matterhorn Telecom SA, 3.88%, 5/01/22

     EUR        100        111,532   

SBA Communications Corp., 5.63%, 10/01/19

     USD        581        598,430   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Wireless Telecommunication Services (continued)

  

   

Sprint Capital Corp.:

      

6.90%, 5/01/19

     USD        270      $ 272,700   

6.88%, 11/15/28

       1,438        1,294,200   

Sprint Communications, Inc.:

      

9.00%, 11/15/18 (b)

       6,417        7,066,721   

7.00%, 8/15/20

       540        531,900   

Sprint Corp.:

      

7.88%, 9/15/23

       81        78,731   

7.13%, 6/15/24

       3,258        3,038,085   

7.63%, 2/15/25

       295        280,066   

T-Mobile USA, Inc.:

      

6.63%, 4/28/21

       390        408,525   

6.13%, 1/15/22

       81        85,455   

6.73%, 4/28/22

       1,172        1,232,065   

6.00%, 3/01/23

       653        692,206   

6.84%, 4/28/23

       85        91,162   

6.50%, 1/15/24

       584        627,800   

6.38%, 3/01/25

       535        575,125   

6.50%, 1/15/26

       926        1,013,391   

Wind Acquisition Finance SA, 4.00%, 7/15/20

     EUR        168        190,207   
      

 

 

 
                       23,260,660   
Total Corporate Bonds 61.9%                      472,502,989   
                          
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)                      

Aerospace & Defense — 0.8%

      

BE Aerospace, Inc., 2014 Term Loan B, 3.75%, 12/16/21

     USD        1,426        1,439,413   

Camp International Holding Co., 2016 1st Lien Term Loan, 1.00%, 8/11/23

       640        635,469   

Engility Corp.:

      

Term Loan B1, 4.88%, 8/12/20

       245        246,380   

Term Loan B2, 5.75%, 8/12/23

       476        478,860   

Transdigm, Inc., 2015 Term Loan E, 3.75%, 5/14/22

       695        693,492   

TransDigm, Inc.:

      

2016 Delayed Draw Term Loan F, 3.75%, 6/09/23

       404        402,471   

2016 Extended Term Loan F, 3.75%, 6/09/23

       980        977,486   

2016 Term Loan F, 3.75%, 6/09/23

       449        447,190   

Transdigm, Inc., Term Loan D, 3.75%, 6/04/21

       833        830,784   
      

 

 

 
                       6,151,545   

Air Freight & Logistics — 0.7%

      

CEVA Group PLC, Synthetic LOC, 6.50%, 3/19/21

       982        781,947   

CEVA Intercompany BV, Dutch Term Loan, 6.50%, 3/19/21

       1,012        806,044   

CEVA Logistics Canada ULC, Canadian Term Loan, 6.50%, 3/19/21

       155        123,636   

CEVA Logistics US Holdings, Inc., Term Loan, 6.50%, 3/19/21

       1,396        1,111,786   

XPO Logistics, Inc., Term Loan B2, 4.25%, 10/30/21

       2,175        2,184,928   
      

 

 

 
                       5,008,341   

Airlines — 0.6%

      

Delta Air Lines, Inc., 2018 Term Loan B1, 3.25%, 10/18/18

       2,907        2,913,065   
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
16    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Airlines (continued)

      

Northwest Airlines, Inc.:

      

2.75%, 3/10/17

     USD        164      $ 163,212   

2.13%, 9/10/18

       377        367,656   

US Airways Group, Inc., Term Loan B1, 3.50%, 5/23/19

       1,251        1,250,524   
      

 

 

 
                       4,694,457   

Auto Components — 1.4%

      

Autoparts Holdings Ltd.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 7.00%, 7/29/17

       1,984        1,874,147   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 11.00%, 1/29/18

       1,890        1,625,400   

FPC Holdings, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.25%, 11/19/19

       1,467        1,245,195   

Gates Global, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 7/06/21

       5,183        5,099,191   

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 2nd Lien Term Loan, 3.75%, 4/30/19

       602        602,452   
      

 

 

 
                       10,446,385   

Banks — 0.1%

      

Redtop Acquisitions Ltd.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 12/03/20

       590        589,138   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.25%, 6/03/21

       375        367,867   
      

 

 

 
                       957,005   

Building Materials — 0.7%

      

USAGM HoldCo LLC:

      

2015 2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.50%, 7/28/23

       895        883,813   

2015 Term Loan, 4.75%, 7/28/22

       1,663        1,630,027   

2016 Incremental Term Loan, 5.50%, 7/28/22

       3,009        3,003,301   
      

 

 

 
                       5,517,141   

Building Products — 1.9%

      

Continental Building Products LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, 3.50%, 8/10/23

       1,434        1,436,162   

CPG International, Inc., Term Loan, 4.75%, 9/30/20

       3,930        3,919,791   

GYP Holdings III Corp., 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.75%, 4/01/21

       1,387        1,383,183   

Jeld-Wen, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.25%, 10/15/21

       2,167        2,179,872   

Ply Gem Industries, Inc., Term Loan, 4.00%, 2/01/21

       1,705        1,706,862   

Quikrete Holdings, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.00%, 9/28/20

       1,197        1,200,305   

Wilsonart LLC:

      

Incremental Term Loan B2, 4.00%, 10/31/19

       405        404,119   

Term Loan B, 4.00%, 10/31/19

       2,248        2,245,644   
      

 

 

 
                       14,475,938   

Capital Markets — 0.2%

      

Affinion Group, Inc., Term Loan B, 6.75%, 4/30/18

       427        410,984   

RPI Finance Trust, Term Loan B4, 3.50%, 11/09/20

       1,382        1,389,949   
      

 

 

 
                       1,800,933   

Chemicals — 1.7%

      

Allnex (Luxembourg) & Cy SCA, Term Loan B1, 4.50%, 10/03/19

       236        235,572   

Allnex USA, Inc., Term Loan B2, 4.50%, 10/03/19

       123        122,227   

Axalta Coating Systems US Holdings, Inc., Term Loan, 3.75%, 2/01/20

       2,628        2,639,218   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Chemicals (continued)

      

CeramTec Acquisition Corp., Term Loan B2, 4.25%, 8/30/20

     USD        72      $ 72,295   

Chemours Co., Term Loan B, 3.75%, 5/12/22

       155        152,708   

MacDermid, Inc.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 5.50%, 6/07/20

       2,341        2,339,073   

Term Loan B3, 5.50%, 6/07/20

       576        575,362   

OXEA Finance LLC, Term Loan B2, 4.25%, 1/15/20

       2,386        2,266,689   

PQ Corp., Term Loan, 5.75%, 11/04/22

       700        704,249   

Royal Holdings, Inc.:

      

2015 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 6/19/22

       515        515,927   

2015 2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.50%, 6/19/23

       655        645,175   

Solenis International LP, 2nd Lien Term Loan, 7.75%, 7/31/22

       1,915        1,829,782   

Tata Chemicals North America, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.75%, 8/07/20

       573        571,309   
      

 

 

 
                       12,669,586   

Commercial Services & Supplies — 2.7%

      

ADS Waste Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B2, 3.75%, 10/09/19

       2,503        2,498,992   

Aramark Services, Inc.:

      

Term Loan E, 3.25%, 9/07/19

       1,988        1,992,786   

Term Loan F, 3.25%, 2/24/21

       1,199        1,201,911   

Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.75%, 11/26/20

       1,966        1,940,784   

Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 5/20/21

       2,073        2,083,551   

Connolly Corp.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 5/14/21

       1,993        1,996,125   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.00%, 5/14/22

       232        230,586   

Employbridge LLC, Exit Term Loan, 7.50%, 5/16/20

       856        731,623   

GCA Services Group, Inc., 2016 Term Loan, 5.75%, 3/01/23

       1,267        1,274,211   

KAR Auction Services, Inc., Term Loan B3, 4.25%, 3/09/23

       908        918,509   

Livingston International, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.00%, 4/18/19

       834        771,635   

Prime Security Services Borrower LLC, 2016 Incremental Term Loan B1, 4.75%, 5/02/22

       800        805,248   

Spin Holdco, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 11/14/19

       2,220        2,197,096   

US Security Associates Holdings, Inc., 2016 Term Loan, 6.00%, 7/14/23

       1,675        1,672,203   

Waste Industries USA, Inc., 2016 Term Loan, 3.50%, 2/27/20

       649        649,827   
      

 

 

 
                       20,965,087   

Communications Equipment — 1.4%

      

Applied Systems, Inc.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.00%, 1/25/21

       572        572,562   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 7.50%, 1/24/22

       534        535,602   

Avaya, Inc., Term Loan B7, 6.25%, 5/29/20

       940        701,643   

CommScope, Inc., Term Loan B5, 3.75%, 12/29/22

       551        552,562   

Riverbed Technology, Inc., 2016 Term Loan, 5.00%, 4/24/22

       2,295        2,308,390   

Telesat Canada:

      

Term Loan A, 3.99%, 3/28/17

     CAD        1,775        1,346,937   

Term Loan B2, 3.50%, 3/28/19

     USD        522        521,648   

Zayo Group LLC, Term Loan B, 3.75%, 5/06/21

       4,338        4,340,763   
      

 

 

 
                       10,880,107   
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    17


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Construction & Engineering — 0.4%

      

AECOM Technology Corp., 2014 Term Loan B, 3.75%, 10/15/21

     USD        353      $ 354,941   

CNT Holdings III Corp., Term Loan B, 5.25%, 1/22/23

       648        650,534   

Safway Group Holding LLC, Term Loan B, 1.00%, 8/19/23

       1,865        1,865,000   
      

 

 

 
                       2,870,475   

Construction Materials — 0.4%

      

Filtration Group Corp., 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.25%, 11/21/20

       1,108        1,105,704   

HD Supply, Inc., 2015 Term Loan B, 3.75%, 8/13/21

       1,960        1,969,988   
      

 

 

 
                       3,075,692   

Containers & Packaging — 0.7%

      

Ardagh Holdings USA, Inc., Incremental Term Loan, 4.00%, 12/17/19

       426        427,151   

Berry Plastics Holding Corp., Term Loan H, 3.75%, 10/03/22

       4,201        4,197,973   

BWAY Holding Co., Inc., Term Loan B, 5.50%, 8/14/20

       1,040        1,042,909   
      

 

 

 
                       5,668,033   

Distributors — 0.2%

      

ABC Supply Co., Inc., Term Loan, 3.50%, 4/16/20

       864        865,334   

American Tire Distributors Holdings, Inc., 2015 Term Loan, 5.25%, 9/01/21

       296        292,672   
      

 

 

 
                       1,158,006   

Diversified Consumer Services — 1.3%

      

AssuredPartners, Inc., 2015 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.75%, 10/21/22

       2,242        2,249,484   

Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.:

      

Incremental Term Loan B1, 4.25%, 1/30/20

       1,486        1,488,186   

Term Loan B, 3.75%, 1/30/20

       1,515        1,519,080   

ServiceMaster Co., 2014 Term Loan B, 4.25%, 7/01/21

       4,933        4,962,994   
      

 

 

 
                       10,219,744   

Diversified Financial Services — 0.1%

      

AlixPartners LLP, 2015 Term Loan B, 4.50%, 7/28/22

       521        523,668   

SAM Finance Luxembourg Sarl, Term Loan, 4.25%, 12/17/20

       276        274,826   
      

 

 

 
                       798,494   

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.9%

      

Hawaiian Telcom Communications, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.25%, 6/06/19

       810        811,960   

Integra Telecom, Inc.:

      

2015 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.25%, 8/14/20

       1,752        1,733,822   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.75%, 2/12/21

       1,063        1,006,517   

Level 3 Financing, Inc.:

      

2013 Term Loan B, 4.00%, 1/15/20

       8,605        8,648,025   

2019 Term Loan, 4.00%, 8/01/19

       1,305        1,310,265   

Telenet International Finance Sarl, Term Loan AD, 4.25%, 6/30/24

       975        977,588   
      

 

 

 
                       14,488,177   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Electrical Equipment — 0.3%

      

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC:

      

2016 DIP Term Loan B, 5.00%, 10/31/17

     USD        1,491      $ 1,494,839   

2016 DIP Term Loan C, 5.00%, 10/31/17

       340        341,041   

Extended Term Loan,
4.97%, 10/10/17 (a)(c)

       2,375        760,000   
      

 

 

 
                       2,595,880   

Energy Equipment & Services — 0.3%

      

Dynegy Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B2, 4.00%, 4/23/20

       1,075        1,073,755   

Weatherford International Ltd., Term Loan, 1.95%, 7/13/20

       1,072        1,007,445   
      

 

 

 
                       2,081,200   

Food & Staples Retailing — 1.4%

      

Albertsons LLC:

      

2016 Term Loan B4, 4.50%, 8/25/21

       1,594        1,600,499   

2016 Term Loan B5, 4.75%, 12/21/22

       545        547,566   

Hostess Brands LLC:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 8/03/22

       1,231        1,236,546   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.50%, 8/03/23

       65        65,514   

Rite Aid Corp.:

      

5.75%, 8/21/20

       695        696,522   

4.88%, 6/21/21

       1,475        1,477,212   

US Foods, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 4.00%, 6/27/23

       4,825        4,846,133   
      

 

 

 
                       10,469,992   

Food Products — 1.3%

      

Blue Ribbon LLC, Term Loan, 5.00%, 11/13/21

       1,545        1,555,559   

Dole Food Co., Inc., Term Loan B, 4.50%, 11/01/18

       1,580        1,584,929   

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC:

      

2016 Term Loan I, 3.27%, 1/13/23

       721        725,285   

Term Loan G, 3.25%, 4/29/20

       1,846        1,850,504   

Reddy Ice Corp.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 6.75%, 5/01/19

       1,805        1,645,996   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 10.75%, 11/01/19

       724        557,480   

Reynolds Group Holdings, Inc., 2016 Term Loan, 4.25%, 2/05/23

       2,211        2,213,220   
      

 

 

 
                       10,132,973   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 1.6%

      

Alere, Inc., 2015 Term Loan B, 4.25%, 6/18/22

       1,570        1,550,000   

Capsugel Holdings US, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.00%, 7/31/21

       1,664        1,671,975   

DJO Finance LLC, 2015 Term Loan, 4.25%, 6/08/20

       2,668        2,570,213   

Iasis Healthcare LLC, Term Loan B2, 4.50%, 5/03/18

       36        36,029   

Immucor, Inc., Refinancing Term Loan B2, 5.00%, 8/17/18

       1,537        1,489,758   

National Vision, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.00%, 3/12/21

       2,694        2,647,384   

Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.75%, 6/30/21

       2,265        2,210,276   
      

 

 

 
                       12,175,635   

Health Care Providers & Services — 3.5%

      

Air Medical Group Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 4/28/22

       627        617,523   
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
18    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Health Care Providers & Services (continued)

      

Amsurg Corp., 1st Lien Term Loan B, 3.50%, 7/16/21

     USD        1,911      $ 1,911,827   

CHG Healthcare Services, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 4.75%, 6/07/23

       2,170        2,181,777   

Community Health Systems, Inc.:

      

Term Loan F, 4.08%, 12/31/18

       1,218        1,198,990   

Term Loan G, 3.75%, 12/31/19

       1,881        1,806,028   

Term Loan H, 4.00%, 1/27/21

       715        685,213   

Curo Health Services Holdings, Inc., 2015 1st Lien Term Loan, 6.50%, 2/07/22

       1,432        1,431,875   

DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.50%, 6/24/21

       6,870        6,905,867   

Envision Healthcare Corp., Term Loan:

      

4.25%, 5/25/18

       1,081        1,080,645   

B2, 4.50%, 10/28/22

       801        801,728   

National Mentor Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 1/31/21

       674        674,403   

Sterigenics-Nordion Holdings LLC, 2015 Term Loan B, 4.25%, 5/15/22

       660        657,953   

Surgery Center Holdings, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.25%, 11/03/20

       1,352        1,351,939   

Surgical Care Affiliates, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 3/17/22

       444        445,766   

Team Health, Inc., 2016 Term Loan, 3.75%, 11/23/22

       2,593        2,598,257   

U.S. Renal Care, Inc., 2015 Term Loan B, 5.25%, 12/31/22

       1,119        1,077,398   

Vizient, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 6.25%, 2/13/23

       1,511        1,527,277   
      

 

 

 
                       26,954,466   

Health Care Technology — 0.3%

      

IMS Health, Inc., Term Loan, 3.50%, 3/17/21

             2,556        2,556,162   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 4.6%

      

Amaya Holdings BV:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 5.00%, 8/01/21

       1,582        1,564,788   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.00%, 8/01/22

       2,200        2,182,702   

Boyd Gaming Corp.:

      

Term Loan B, 4.00%, 8/14/20

       2,187        2,191,756   

Term Loan B2, 1.00%, 8/16/23

       605        607,269   

Bronco Midstream Funding LLC, Term Loan B, 5.00%, 8/15/20

       1,669        1,493,401   

Burger King Newco Unlimited Liability Co., Term Loan B2, 3.75%, 12/10/21

       4,187        4,202,552   

Caesars Entertainment Resort Properties LLC, Term Loan B, 7.00%, 10/11/20

       8,367        8,176,347   

CCM Merger, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.50%, 8/08/21

       1,002        1,007,279   

ESH Hospitality, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 3.80%, 8/16/23

       1,870        1,873,890   

Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC:

      

2016 Term Loan B2, 3.21%, 10/26/23

       1,380        1,386,074   

Term Loan B1, 3.50%, 10/26/20

       135        135,007   

La Quinta Intermediate Holdings LLC, Term Loan B, 3.75%, 4/14/21

       456        450,624   

Las Vegas Sands LLC, Term Loan B, 3.25%, 12/19/20

       1,605        1,609,976   

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC, 2016 Term Loan B, 5.00%, 6/07/23

       2,375        2,399,747   

Sabre, Inc.:

      

Incremental Term Loan, 4.50%, 2/19/19

       520        521,421   

Term Loan B, 4.00%, 2/19/19

       712        714,943   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)

      

Scientific Games International, Inc.:

      

2014 Term Loan B1, 6.00%, 10/18/20

     USD        969      $ 968,940   

2014 Term Loan B2, 6.00%, 10/01/21

       985        984,320   

Station Casinos LLC, 2016 Term Loan B, 3.75%, 6/08/23

       1,585        1,585,999   

Yum! Brands, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan B, 3.26%, 6/16/23

       910        915,360   
      

 

 

 
                       34,972,395   

Household Products — 0.4%

      

Bass Pro Group LLC, 2015 Term Loan, 4.00%, 6/05/20

       772        767,478   

Spectrum Brands, Inc., Term Loan, 3.51%, 6/23/22

       1,944        1,950,653   
      

 

 

 
                       2,718,131   

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 1.7%

  

 

Calpine Construction Finance Co., LP, Term Loan B1, 3.00%, 5/03/20

       797        785,984   

Calpine Corp., Term Loan B6, 4.00%, 1/15/23

       1,174        1,179,724   

Dynegy, Inc., Escrow, 5.00%, 6/27/23

       3,080        3,080,493   

Energy Future Intermediate Holding Co. LLC, DIP Term Loan, 4.25%, 12/19/16

       6,104        6,127,351   

Granite Acquisition, Inc.:

      

Term Loan B, 5.00%, 12/19/21

       1,682        1,637,662   

Term Loan C, 5.00%, 12/19/21

       75        73,154   
      

 

 

 
                       12,884,368   

Industrial Conglomerates — 0.0%

      

Sequa Corp., Term Loan B, 5.25%, 6/19/17

             375        322,615   

Insurance — 0.7%

      

Alliant Holdings I, Inc., Incremental Term Loan B2, 5.00%, 8/12/22

       1,200        1,200,000   

Asurion LLC, Term Loan B1, 5.00%, 5/24/19

       1,109        1,109,846   

Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 3.75%, 3/01/21

       1,632        1,612,020   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 6.75%, 2/28/22

       1,650        1,630,744   
      

 

 

 
                       5,552,610   

Internet & Catalog Retail — 0.3%

      

Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 1.00%, 8/19/23

             2,031        2,035,234   

Internet Software & Services — 0.3%

      

Go Daddy Operating Co. LLC, Term Loan B, 4.25%, 5/13/21

       2,401        2,411,132   

W3 Co., 2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.25%, 9/11/20

       289        101,246   
      

 

 

 
                       2,512,378   

IT Services — 1.9%

      

Cision US Inc., Term Loan B, 7.00%, 6/16/23

       1,145        1,086,319   

First Data Corp., 2021 Extended Term Loan, 4.52%, 3/24/21

       9,855        9,900,998   

Vantiv LLC, 2014 Term Loan B, 3.50%, 6/13/21

       1,215        1,219,484   

WEX, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 7/01/23

       2,475        2,492,226   
      

 

 

 
                       14,699,027   

Machinery — 0.8%

      

Allison Transmission, Inc., Term Loan B3, 3.50%, 8/23/19

       1,092        1,094,340   

Faenza Acquisition GmbH:

      

Term Loan B1, 4.25%, 8/30/20

       650        652,238   
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    19


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Machinery (continued)

      

Faenza Acquisition GmbH (continued):

      

Term Loan B3, 4.25%, 8/30/20

     USD        199      $ 199,354   

Mueller Water Products, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.00%, 11/26/21

       561        562,388   

Rexnord LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan B, 4.00%, 8/21/20

       1,484        1,483,371   

Silver II US Holdings LLC, Term Loan, 4.00%, 12/13/19

       2,057        1,829,461   
      

 

 

 
                       5,821,152   

Media — 4.8%

      

Altice U.S. Finance I Corp., Extended Term Loan, 4.25%, 12/14/22

       2,101        2,108,883   

Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 5.25%, 6/07/23

       1,140        1,137,868   

Charter Communications Operating LLC, 2016 Term Loan I, 3.50%, 1/24/23

       4,598        4,621,468   

CSC Holdings LLC, 2015 Term Loan B, 5.00%, 10/09/22

       3,302        3,327,181   

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Co., 2015 Term Loan B, 4.00%, 5/31/21

       1,483        1,471,312   

iHeartCommunications, Inc., Term Loan D, 7.27%, 1/30/19

       3,467        2,657,575   

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, Term Loan B2, 3.75%, 6/30/19

       1,191        1,129,208   

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., 2020 Term Loan B1, 3.50%, 8/16/20

       608        608,955   

MGOC, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.00%, 7/31/20

       532        532,070   

Numericable U.S. LLC:

      

Term Loan B6, 4.75%, 2/10/23

       1,274        1,276,784   

Term Loan B7, 5.00%, 1/15/24

       2,115        2,125,802   

SBA Senior Finance II LLC, Term Loan B1, 3.25%, 3/24/21

       1,936        1,931,997   

Trader Corp., Term Loan, 5.50%, 8/09/23

       1,075        1,075,677   

Tribune Media Co., Term Loan, 3.75%, 12/27/20

       2,567        2,571,953   

Univision Communications, Inc., Term Loan C4, 4.00%, 3/01/20

       4,370        4,367,724   

UPC Financing Partnership, Term Loan AN, 1.00%, 8/31/24

       1,100        1,096,051   

Virgin Media Investment Holdings Ltd., Term Loan F, 3.65%, 6/30/23

       687        686,692   

Ziggo Financing Partnership:

      

Term Loan B1, 3.65%, 1/15/22

       1,561        1,553,201   

Term Loan B2A, 3.70%, 1/15/22

       1,023        1,017,824   

Term Loan B3, 3.70%, 1/15/22

       1,682        1,673,958   
      

 

 

 
                       36,972,183   

Metals & Mining — 0.4%

      

Ameriforge Group, Inc., 2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.75%, 12/19/20

       530        63,600   

Novelis, Inc., 2015 Term Loan B, 4.00%, 6/02/22

       2,248        2,251,843   

WireCo WorldGroup, Inc., 2016 1st Lien Term Loan, 6.50%, 7/13/23

       515        515,427   
      

 

 

 
                       2,830,870   

Multiline Retail — 0.6%

      

Dollar Tree, Inc., Term Loan B1, 3.50%, 7/06/22

       1,964        1,966,854   

Hudson’s Bay Co., 2015 Term Loan B, 4.75%, 9/30/22

       882        883,865   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Multiline Retail (continued)

      

Neiman Marcus Group, Inc., 2020 Term Loan, 4.25%, 10/25/20

     USD        1,564      $ 1,465,839   
      

 

 

 
                       4,316,558   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 2.3%

      

California Resources Corp.:

      

Second Out Term Loan, 11.50%, 8/04/21

       1,845        1,932,637   

Term Loan A, 1.00%, 10/01/19

       281        267,182   

Chesapeake Energy Corp., Term Loan, 8.50%, 8/15/21

       1,947        2,007,470   

CITGO Holding, Inc., 2015 Term Loan B, 9.50%, 5/12/18

       829        833,519   

Drillships Financing Holding, Inc., Term Loan B1, 6.00%, 3/31/21

       1,407        644,552   

EP Energy LLC, 2016 Term Loan, 9.75%, 8/16/21

       365        358,737   

EWT Holdings III Corp., 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.75%, 1/15/21

       1,185        1,187,587   

MEG Energy Corp., Refinancing Term Loan, 3.75%, 3/31/20

       3,434        3,151,957   

Panda Patriot LLC, Term Loan B1, 6.75%, 12/19/20

       2,012        1,911,069   

PowerTeam Services LLC, 2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.25%, 11/06/20

       200        198,000   

Samchully Midstream 3 LLC, Term Loan B, 5.75%, 10/20/21

       1,221        1,099,221   

Seventy Seven Operating LLC, Term Loan B, 3.75%, 6/25/20

       187        162,800   

Southcross Energy Partners LP, 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.25%, 8/04/21

       42        33,576   

Southcross Holdings Borrower LP, Exit Term Loan B, 3.50%, 4/13/23

       85        71,356   

Ultra Resources, Inc., Revolver, 1.00%, 10/06/16

       1,674        1,548,450   

Veresen Midstream Limited Partnership, Term Loan B1, 5.25%, 3/31/22

       1,885        1,863,719   
      

 

 

 
                       17,271,832   

Personal Products — 0.4%

      

Prestige Brands, Inc., Term Loan B3, 3.53%, 9/03/21

       945        948,667   

Revlon Consumer Products Corp., 2016 Term Loan B, 1.00%, 7/22/23

       1,945        1,942,083   
      

 

 

 
                       2,890,750   

Pharmaceuticals — 3.3%

      

Akorn, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.25%, 4/16/21

       1,349        1,361,218   

DPx Holdings BV, 2014 Incremental Term Loan, 4.25%, 3/11/21

       4,649        4,628,318   

Endo Luxembourg Finance Co. I Sarl, 2015 Term Loan B, 3.75%, 9/26/22

       2,920        2,902,978   

Grifols Worldwide Operations USA, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.44%, 2/27/21

       3,695        3,719,891   

Jaguar Holding Co. II, 2015 Term Loan B, 4.25%, 8/18/22

       4,142        4,153,709   

NBTY, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.00%, 5/05/23

       885        885,274   

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.:

      

Series C2 Term Loan B, 5.25%, 12/11/19

       1,005        1,006,112   

Series D2 Term Loan B, 5.00%, 2/13/19

       1,475        1,473,031   

Series E Term Loan B, 5.25%, 8/05/20

       1,447        1,444,450   

Series F1 Term Loan B, 5.50%, 4/01/22

       3,324        3,328,412   
      

 

 

 
                       24,903,393   
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
20    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Professional Services — 2.0%

      

Acosta Holdco, Inc., 2015 Term Loan, 4.25%, 9/26/21

     USD        1,339      $ 1,301,149   

Advantage Sales & Marketing, Inc.:

      

2014 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.25%, 7/23/21

       1,804        1,788,748   

2014 2nd Lien Term Loan, 7.50%, 7/25/22

       1,870        1,778,052   

Emdeon Business Services LLC, Term Loan B2, 3.75%, 11/02/18

       3,439        3,434,374   

SIRVA Worldwide, Inc., Term Loan, 7.50%, 3/27/19

       1,096        1,077,883   

TransUnion LLC, Term Loan B2, 3.50%, 4/09/21

       5,577        5,592,943   
      

 

 

 
                       14,973,149   

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.4%

      

Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.00%, 10/24/22

       465        465,300   

MGM Growth Properties LLC, 2016 Term Loan B, 4.00%, 4/25/23

       2,611        2,632,439   
      

 

 

 
                       3,097,739   

Real Estate Management & Development — 0.8%

      

CityCenter Holdings LLC, Term Loan B, 4.25%, 10/16/20

       1,158        1,163,781   

DTZ U.S. Borrower LLC, 2015 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.25%, 11/04/21

       2,074        2,063,037   

Realogy Corp., 2016 Term Loan B, 3.75%, 7/20/22

       2,639        2,652,441   
      

 

 

 
                       5,879,259   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 1.3%

  

 

Avago Technologies Cayman Ltd., Term Loan B3, 3.51%, 2/01/23

       6,375        6,430,057   

Cavium, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.75%, 8/16/22

       600        601,500   

Microsemi Corp., 2015 Term Loan B, 3.75%, 1/15/23

       463        466,245   

NXP BV, 2015 Term Loan B, 3.75%, 12/07/20

       1,990        2,000,468   

ON Semiconductor Corp., Term Loan B, 5.25%, 3/31/23

       430        435,298   
      

 

 

 
                       9,933,568   

Software — 2.5%

      

BMC Software Finance, Inc., Term Loan, 5.00%, 9/10/20

       431        410,976   

Infor US, Inc., Term Loan B5, 3.75%, 6/03/20

       2,228        2,202,358   

Informatica Corp., Term Loan, 4.50%, 8/05/22

       1,385        1,336,673   

IQOR US, Inc., Term Loan B, 6.00%, 4/01/21

       709        602,992   

Kronos, Inc.:

      

2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.75%, 4/30/20

       1,951        1,990,938   

Initial Incremental Term Loan, 4.50%, 10/30/19

       1,140        1,143,427   

Mitchell International, Inc.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 10/13/20

       1,993        1,987,673   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.50%, 10/11/21

       1,250        1,210,938   

SolarWinds, Inc., 2016 Term Loan, 5.50%, 2/03/23

       2,500        2,508,125   

Solera LLC, Term Loan B, 5.75%, 3/03/23

       1,017        1,022,904   

Sophia LP, 2015 Term Loan B, 4.75%, 9/30/22

       596        595,750   

SS&C Technologies, Inc.:

      

2015 Term Loan B1, 4.00%, 7/08/22

       2,614        2,630,143   

2015 Term Loan B2, 4.00%, 7/08/22

       333        335,075   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Software (continued)

      

Vertafore, Inc., 2016 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.75%, 6/30/23

     USD        1,160      $ 1,161,775   
      

 

 

 
                       19,139,747   

Specialty Retail — 0.9%

      

Leslie’s Poolmart, Inc., 2016 Term Loan, 5.25%, 7/27/23

       835        840,219   

Michaels Stores, Inc.:

      

Incremental 2014 Term Loan B2, 4.00%, 1/28/20

       1,691        1,701,696   

Term Loan B, 3.75%, 1/28/20

       1,594        1,599,744   

Party City Holdings, Inc., 2015 Term Loan B, 4.49%, 8/19/22

       2,483        2,485,603   

Things Remembered, Inc., 2016 Term Loan, 11.00%, 2/29/20 (a)(c)

       1,199        526,980   
      

 

 

 
                       7,154,242   

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 0.5%

  

 

Dell International LLC, Term Loan B2, 4.00%, 4/29/20

       1,980        1,985,737   

Dell, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 4.00%, 5/24/23

       1,680        1,689,005   
      

 

 

 
                       3,674,742   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.3%

      

Ascend Performance Materials Operations LLC, Term Loan B, 6.75%, 8/12/22

             2,507        2,468,922   

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.2%

      

IG Investment Holdings LLC, Term Loan B, 6.00%, 10/29/21

             1,494        1,496,188   

Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.1%

      

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.00%, 10/01/22

       586        587,039   

Nexeo Solutions LLC, 2016 Term Loan, 5.25%, 6/09/23

       245        245,767   
      

 

 

 
                       832,806   

Wireless Telecommunication Services — 1.6%

      

New Lightsquared LLC, PIK Exit Term Loan (9.75% PIK), 0.00%, 6/15/20 (a)(e)

       8,488        7,703,262   

LTS Buyer LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.00%, 4/13/20

       2,302        2,298,476   

T-Mobile USA, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.50%, 11/09/22

       2,080        2,092,880   
      

 

 

 
                       12,094,618   
Total Floating Rate Loan Interests - 59.0%                      450,259,930   
      
                          
Investment Companies — 3.0%    Shares         

iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (h)

             267,180        23,167,178   
      
                          
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities   

Par  

(000)

        

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 0.2%

      

Hilton USA Trust, Series 2013-HLT, Class EFX, 5.61%, 11/05/30 (b)(d)

     USD        1,263        1,266,170   
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    21


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Other Interests (i)          

Beneficial

Interest

(000)

    Value  

Auto Components — 0.0%

      

Intermet Liquidating Trust, Class A

     USD        1,154      $ 12   

Household Durables — 0.4%

      

Stanley Martin, Class B Membership Units (j)

             2        2,812,500   
Total Other Interests 0.4%                      2,812,512   
      
                          
Preferred Securities                      
Capital Trusts (k)   

Par  

(000)

        

ABN AMRO Bank NV, 5.75% (d)

       200        221,417   

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA, 6.75% (d)

       200        209,705   

Banco Popular Espanol SA, 8.25% (d)

       200        204,072   

Banco Santander SA, 6.25% (d)

       200        202,454   

Barclays PLC, Series ., 7.88% (d)

       200        200,450   

BNP Paribas SA, 7.38% (b)(d)

       200        203,500   

Cooperatieve Rabobank UA, 6.63% (d)

       200        238,088   

Credit Agricole SA, 6.50% (d)

       100        111,545   

DCP Midstream LLC, 5.85% (b)(d)

       115        87,975   

Enel SpA, 6.50% (d)

       100        122,277   

Gas Natural Fenosa Finance BV, 3.38% (d)(g)

       100        108,478   

HBOS Capital Funding LP, 6.85%

       100        101,379   

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, 7.00% (d)

       400        437,256   

Telefonica Europe BV, 4.20% (d)

       200        231,186   

Repsol International Finance BV, 4.50% (d)

       100        103,458   

Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, 8.63% (d)

       470        478,812   

Telefonica Europe BV, 5.00% (d)

       100        118,195   

TOTAL SA, 3.88% (d)

       100        119,802   

UBS Group AG, 5.75% (d)

             200        232,571   
Total Capital Trusts — 0.5%                      3,732,620   
Preferred Stock               
    
Shares
    Value  

Capital Markets — 0.0%

      

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Series J, 0.00% (d)(g)

             13,550      $ 366,527   
Trust Preferred                      

Diversified Financial Services — 0.2%

      

GMAC Capital Trust I, Series 2, 2/15/40, 8.13% (d)

             59,219        1,491,653   
Total Preferred Securities 0.7%                      5,590,800   
      
                          
Warrants                      

Software — 0.0%

      

HMH Holdings/EduMedia (Issued/exercisable 3/09/10, 19 Shares for 1 Warrant, Expires 6/22/19, Strike Price $42.27)

             3,049        6,212   
Total Long-Term Investments
(Cost — $1,004,372,497) — 128.1%
                     977,769,788   
      
                          
Short-Term Securities                      

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, TempFund, Institutional Class, 0.33% (h)(l)

             997,140        997,140   
Total Short-Term Securities
(Cost — $997,140) — 0.1%
        997,140   
Options Purchased
(Cost — $5,867) — 0.0%
                       
Total Investments (Cost — $1,005,375,504) — 128.2%        978,766,928   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (28.2)%

  

    (215,367,380
      

 

 

 

Net Assets — 100.0%

  

  $ 763,399,548   
      

 

 

 
 
Notes to Schedule of Investments

 

(a)   Non-income producing security.

 

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

 

(c)   Issuer filed for bankruptcy and/or is in default

 

(d)   Variable rate security. Rate as of period end.

 

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

 

(f)   Zero-coupon bond.

 

(g)   Convertible Security

 

(h)   During the period ended August 31, 2016, investments in issuers considered to be affiliates 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 February 29,
2016
       Shares
Sold
       Shares Held
at August 31,
2016
       Value at
August 31,
2016
      
Income
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, TempFund, Institutional Class

       5,011,655           (4,014,515 )1         997,140         $ 997,140         $ 2,367   

iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF

       267,180                     267,180           23,167,178           630,918   

Total

                    $ 24,164,318         $ 633,285   
                   

 

 

 

1   Represents net shares sold.

      

    

 

(i)   Other interests represent beneficial interests in liquidation trusts and other reorganization or private entities.

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
22    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

 

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

 

(k)   Perpetual security with no stated maturity date.

 

(l)   Current yield as of period end.

 

 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

Currency
Purchased
       Currency
Sold
    Counterparty   Settlement
Date
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
        
EUR        27,000           USD           30,461      Australia And New Zealand Bank Group     9/06/16      $ (340  
EUR        250,000           USD           279,293      Deutsche Bank AG     9/06/16        (392  
GBP        375,000           USD           492,833      Australia And New Zealand Bank Group     9/06/16        (372  
USD        501,638           CAD           654,000      Westpac Group     9/06/16        2,921     
USD        5,584           EUR           5,000      Barclays Bank PLC     9/06/16        6     
USD        12,052,524           EUR           10,824,000      Royal Bank of Scotland PLC     9/06/16        (22,779  
USD        2,800,144           GBP           2,125,000      HSBC Bank USA N.A.     9/06/16        9,532     
USD        493,209           CAD           647,000      Westpac Group     10/05/16        (244  
USD        66,948           EUR           60,000      Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     10/05/16        (76  
USD        11,771,136           EUR           10,552,000      Royal Bank of Scotland PLC     10/05/16        (16,012  
USD        2,254,298           GBP           1,719,000      Royal Bank of Scotland PLC     10/05/16        (4,841        
Total                      $ (32,597  
                    

 

 

 

OTC Options Purchased

 

Description    Put/
Call
     Counterparty        Expiration
Date
       Strike
Price
       Contracts        Value  

Marsico Parent Superholdco LLC

   Call        Goldman Sachs & Co.           12/14/2019           USD           942.86           6             

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps — Buy Protection

 

Index   Pay
Fixed
Rate
     Expiration
Date
   Notional
Amount
(000)
   Unrealized
Depreciation
 

Markit iTraxx XO, Series 26, Version 1

    5.00    12/20/21    EUR    549    $ (20,216

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps — Sell Protection

 

Index    Receive
Fixed Rate
    Expiration
Date
   Credit
Rating1
   Notional
Amount
(000)2
     Unrealized
Appreciation
 

Dow Jones CDX North America High Yield Index, Series 26, Version 1

     5.00   6/20/21    B+      29,500       $ 258,142   

OTC Credit Default Swaps — Sell Protection

 

Issuer   Receive
Fixed Rate
   
Counterparty
    Expiration
Date
    Credit
Rating1
    Notional
Amount
(000)2
   
Value
    Premiums
Paid
    Unrealized
Appreciation
 

CNH Industrial NV

    5.00     BNP Paribas S.A.        12/20/20        BB+        EUR    21      $ 2,797        2,139      $ 658   

1    Using Standard & Poor’s (“S&P’s”) rating of the issuer or the underlying securities of the index, as applicable.

       

 

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

       

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    23


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure      

As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Consolidated Statement 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  
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts    Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts                            $ 12,459                       $ 12,459   
Swaps – centrally cleared    Net unrealized appreciation1            $ 258,142                                         258,142   

Swaps – OTC

   Unrealized appreciation on OTC derivatives; Swaps premiums paid              2,797                                         2,797   
  

 

 

Total

              $ 260,939               $ 12,459                       $ 273,398   
     

 

 

 
Liabilities—Derivative Financial Instruments                                          
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts    Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts                            $ 45,056                         45,056   
Swaps – centrally cleared    Net unrealized depreciation1            $ 20,216                                         20,216   
  

 

 

Total

              $ 20,216               $ 45,056                       $ 65,272   
     

 

 

 

1   Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on centrally cleared swaps, if any, as reported in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

       

For the period ended August 31, 2016, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Consolidated Statement 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

                              $ (79,416          $ (79,416

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                       $ (43,955                   (43,955

Swaps

         $ 1,145,233                                    1,145,233   
 

 

 

 

Total

         $ 1,145,233             $ (43,955   $ (79,416          $ 1,021,862   
 

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:                                                        

Futures contracts

                              $ 39,053             $ 39,053   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                       $ (172,881                   (172,881

Swaps

         $ 369,691                                    369,691   
 

 

 

 

Total

         $ 369,691             $ (172,881   $ 39,053               235,863   
 

 

 

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Financial futures contracts:  

Average notional value of contracts — short

  $ 1,207,339   
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts:  

Average amounts purchased — in USD

  $ 34,206,672   

Average amounts sold — in USD

  $ 698,816   
Credit default swaps:  

Average notional amount-buy protection

  $ 306,451   

Average notional amount-sell protection

  $ 24,670,867   

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

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
24    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments:   Assets      Liabilities  

Financial futures contracts

              

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  $ 12,459       $ 45,056   

Swaps — Centrally cleared

            61,077   

Swaps — OTC1

    2,797           
 

 

 

 

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

    15,256         106,133   
 

 

 

 

Derivatives not subject to a master netting agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

            (61,077
 

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

  $ 15,256       $ 45,056   
 

 

 

 

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

      

The following table presents the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under a Master Netting Agreement (“MNA”) and net of the related collateral received and pledged by the Fund:

 

Counterparty   Derivative Assets
Subject to an MNA
by Counterparty
    Derivatives
Available for
Offset1
    Non-cash Collateral
Received
    Cash
Collateral
Received
    Net Amount of
Derivative Assets2
        

Barclays Bank PLC

    $ 6                           $ 6     

BNP Paribas S.A.

      2,797                             2,797     

HSBC Bank USA N.A.

      9,532                             9,532     

Westpac Group

      2,921      $ (244                   2,677     
   

 

 

 

Total

    $ 15,256      $ (244                 $ 15,012     
   

 

 

 
Counterparty          Derivative Liabilities
Subject to an MNA
by Counterparty
    Derivatives
Available for
Offset1
    Non-cash Collateral
Pledged
    Cash
Collateral
Pledged
    Net Amount of
Derivative Liabilities3
        

Australia And New Zealand Bank Group

    $ 712                           $ 712     

Deutsche Bank AG

      392                             392     

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

      76                             76     

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

      43,632                             43,632     

Westpac Group

      244      $ (244                       
   

 

 

 

Total

    $ 45,056      $ (244                 $ 44,812     
   

 

 

 

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

      

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

       

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

       

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    25


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments. For information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.

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

 

     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

                
Investments:                 

Long-Term Investments:

                

Asset-Backed Securities

            $ 18,086,233         $ 3,413,276         $ 21,499,509   

Common Stocks

  $ 110,776           128,721           424,991           664,488   

Corporate Bonds

              465,297,505           7,205,484           472,502,989   

Floating Rate Loan Interests

              425,385,952           24,873,978           450,259,930   

Investment Companies

    23,167,178                               23,167,178   

Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

              1,266,170                     1,266,170   

Other Interests

                        2,812,512           2,812,512   

Preferred Securities

    1,858,180           3,732,620                     5,590,800   

Warrants

                        6,212           6,212   

Unfunded Floating Rate Loan Interests

              4,854                     4,854   

Short-Term Securities

    997,140                               997,140   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 26,133,274         $ 913,902,055         $ 38,736,453         $ 978,771,782   
 

 

 

 
                
Derivative Financial Instruments 1                                         

Assets:

                

Foreign currency exchange contracts

            $ 12,459                   $ 12,459   

Credit contracts

              258,800                     258,800   

Liabilities:

                

Foreign currency exchange contracts

              (45,056                  (45,056

Credit contracts

              (20,216                  (20,216
 

 

 

 

Total

            $ 205,987                   $ 205,987   
 

 

 

 

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

        

The Fund may hold assets and/or liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount for financial statement purposes. As of period end, such assets and/or liabilities are categorized within the disclosure hierarchy as follows:

 

     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

                

Cash

  $ 839,038                             $ 839,038   

Cash pledged for centrally cleared swaps

    1,628,000                               1,628,000   

Foreign currency at value

    87,163                               87,163   

Liabilities:

                

Bank borrowings payable

            $ (207,000,000                  (207,000,000
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 2,554,201         $ (207,000,000                $ (204,445,799
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
26    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

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

 

    

Common

Stocks

    Asset-Backed
Securities
   

Corporate

Bonds

    Floating
Rate Loan
Interests
    Other
Interests
    Warrants     Total  

Assets:

             

Opening balance, as of February 29, 2016

  $ 426,470      $ 5,724,520      $ 8,918,270      $ 26,851,447      $ 3,123,012      $ 10,056      $ 45,053,775   

Transfers into Level 31

    1,500                      9,664,560                      9,666,060   

Transfers out of Level 32

           (2,615,445     (1,304,448     (12,687,106                   (16,606,999

Accrued discounts/premiums

           3,210        1,604        9,610                      14,424   

Net realized gain (loss)

                  511        (1,469,538                   (1,469,027

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)3,4

    (12,325     300,991        (645,536     3,444,359        (127,943     (3,844     2,955,702   

Purchases

    9,346               235,594        6,434,507                      6,679,447   

Sales

                  (511     (7,373,861     (182,557            (7,556,929

Closing Balance, as of August 31, 2016

  $ 424,991      $ 3,413,276        7,205,484        24,873,978        2,812,512        6,212        38,736,453   
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at August 31, 20164

  $ (12,325   $ 300,992      $ (645,536     2,230,382        (127,943     (3,843     1,741,727   
 

 

 

 

1    As of February 29, 2016, the Fund used observable inputs in determining the value of certain investments. As of August 31, 2016, the Fund used significant unobservable inputs in determining the value of the same investments. As a result, investments at the beginning of period value were transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 in the disclosure hierarchy.

         

2    As of February 29, 2016, the Fund used significant unobservable inputs in determining the value of certain investments. As of August 31, 2016, the Fund used observable inputs in determining the value of the same investments. As a result, investments at the beginning of period value were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 in the disclosure hierarchy.

         

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

       

4    Any difference between net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at August 31, 2016 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

        

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    27


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (concluded)

     

 

The following table summarizes the valuation techniques used and unobservable inputs utilized by the BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) to determine the value of certain of the Fund’s Level 3 investments as of period end. The table does not include Level 3 investments with values based upon unadjusted third party pricing information in the amount of $28,315,484. A significant change in such third party pricing information could result in a significantly lower or higher value of such Level 3 investments.

 

     Value     Valuation Techniques   Unobservable Inputs      Range of
Unobservable Inputs
Utilized
 

Assets:

          

Common Stocks

  $ 396,775      Market Comparables   Last 12 Months EBITDA Multiple1        3.75x – 5.25x   
      Current Fiscal Year EBITDA Multiple1        5.125x – 5.25x   
    Option Pricing Model   EBITDA Multiple1        6.5x   
      Marketability Discount2        20.00%   
      Volatility1        30.00%   
      Years to Exit1        1-2 years   

Corporate Bonds

    7,205,482      Discounted Cash Flow   Discount Rate3        10.39%   
    Option Pricing Model   EBITDA Multiple1        6.5x   
      Marketability Discount2        20.00%   
      Volatility1        30.00%   
      Years to Exit2        1-2 years   

Other Interests & Warrants

    2,818,712      Market Comparables   Tangible Book Value Multiple1        1.00x   
    Last Dealer Mark — Adjusted   Delta Adjustment Based on Daily Movement in the Common Equity1        90.00%   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  $ 10,420,969            
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

1   Increase in unobservable input may result in a significant increase to value, while a decrease in the unobservable input may result in a significant decrease to value.

       

2   Decrease in unobservable input may result in a significant increase to value, while an increase in the unobservable input may result in a significant decrease to value.

       

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
28    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities     

 

August 31, 2016 (Unaudited)      
 
Assets        

Investments at value — unaffiliated (cost — $980,166,138)

  $ 954,602,610   

Investments at value — affiliated (cost — $25,209,366)

    24,164,318   

Cash

    839,038   

Cash pledged as collateral for centrally cleared swaps

    1,628,000   

Foreign currency at value (cost — $87,198)

    87,163   
Receivables:  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    22   

Interest

    10,272,380   

Investments sold

    5,384,799   

Dividends — affiliated

    655   

Swap premiums paid

    2,139   
Unrealized appreciation on:  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    12,459   

OTC derivatives

    658   

Unfunded floating rate loan interests

    4,854   

Prepaid expenses

    32,402   

Other assets

    65,326   
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    997,096,823   
 

 

 

 
 
Liabilities        
Payables:  

Bank borrowings

    207,000,000   

Interest expense

    196,962   

Income dividends

    212,496   

Investment advisory fees

    878,082   

Investments purchased

    24,722,057   

Officer’s and Directors’ fees

    266,730   

Variation margin on centrally cleared swaps

    61,077   

Other accrued expenses

    314,815   

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    45,056   

Contingencies1

      
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    233,697,275   
 

 

 

 

Net Assets

  $ 763,399,548   
 

 

 

 
 
Net Assets Consist of        

Paid-in capital

  $ 1,093,454,244   

Undistributed net investment income

    902,024   

Accumulated net realized loss

    (304,576,556

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (26,380,164
 

 

 

 

Net Assets

  $ 763,399,548   
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, based on net assets of $763,399,548 and 186,913,216 shares outstanding, 400 million shares authorized, $0.10 par value

  $ 4.08   
 

 

 

 

 

  1   

See Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for details of contingencies.

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.      
                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    29


Consolidated Statement of Operations     

 

Six Months Ended August 31, 2016 (Unaudited)      
 
Investment Income        

Interest

  $ 25,781,839   

Dividends — affiliated

    633,285   

Dividends — unaffiliated

    9,359   
 

 

 

 

Total income

    26,424,483   
 

 

 

 
 
Expenses        

Investment advisory

    2,566,808   

Professional

    130,424   

Accounting services

    65,882   

Officer and Directors

    59,043   

Transfer agent

    53,582   

Registration

    40,021   

Custodian

    27,956   

Printing

    18,909   

Miscellaneous

    68,054   
 

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding interest expense and income tax

    3,030,679   

Interest expense

    1,124,589   

Income tax

    172,377   
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    4,327,645   
Less:  

Fees waived by the Manager

    (430

Fees paid indirectly

    (1,470
 

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly

    4,325,745   
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    22,098,738   
 

 

 

 
 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)        
Net realized gain (loss) from:  

Investments

    (2,865,498

Futures contracts

    (79,416

Foreign currency transactions

    133,757   

Swaps

    1,145,233   
 

 

 

 
    (1,665,924
 

 

 

 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:  

Investments — unaffiliated

    54,129,701   

Investments — affiliated

    1,771,404   

Futures contracts

    39,053   

Foreign currency translations

    (154,059

Swaps

    369,691   

Unfunded floating rate loan interests

    4,854   
 

 

 

 
    56,160,644   
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    54,494,720   
 

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

  $ 76,593,458   
 

 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.      
                
30    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets     

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:  

Six Months Ended
August 31,

2016
(Unaudited)

   

Year Ended

February 29,

2016

       
     
Operations                        

Net investment income

  $ 22,098,738      $ 47,933,661     

Net realized loss

    (1,665,924     (27,841,328  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    56,160,644        (62,650,503  
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    76,593,458        (42,558,170  
 

 

 

 
     
Distributions to Shareholders1                        

From net investment income:

    (22,429,586     (50,092,741  
 

 

 

 
     
Net Assets                        

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    54,163,872        (92,650,911  

Beginning of period

    709,235,676        801,886,587     
 

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 763,399,548      $ 709,235,676     
 

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income, end of period

  $ 902,024      $ 1,232,872     
 

 

 

 

 

  1   

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

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.      
                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    31


Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows     

 

Six Months Ended August 31, 2016      
 
Cash Provided by (used for) Operating Activities        

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 76,593,458   

Proceeds from sales of long-term investments

    235,370,488   

Purchases of long-term investments

    (258,203,284

Net purchases of short-term securities

    4,014,455   

Amortization of premium and accretion of discount on investments

    (378,564

Net realized gain on investments

    2,896,923   

Net unrealized loss on investments

    (55,802,604
(Increase) Decrease in Assets:  

Cash pledged:

 

Financial futures contracts

    24,710   

OTC derivatives

    (1,628,000

Centrally cleared swaps

    1,260,000   
Receivables:  

Interest

    (295,694

Swaps

    2,739   

Dividends — unaffiliated

    3   

Dividends — affiliated

    (655

Variation margin on centrally cleared swaps

    77,375   

Swap premiums paid

    (2,139

Prepaid expenses

    50,046   

Other assets

    13,278   
Increase (Decrease) in Liabilities:  

Payables:

 

Investment advisory fees

    489,025   

Interest expense

    12,669   

Other accrued expenses

    (55,224

Officer’s and Directors’ fees

    32,896   

Variation margin on financial futures contracts

    (4,788

Variation margin on centrally cleared swaps

    61,077   
 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

    4,528,190   
 

 

 

 
 
Cash Used for Financing Activities        

Proceeds from bank borrowings

    135,000,000   

Payments on bank borrowings

    (118,000,000

Cash dividends paid to Common Shareholders

    (22,447,519
 

 

 

 

Net cash used for financing activities

    (5,447,519
 

 

 

 
 
Cash Impact from Foreign Exchange Fluctuations        

Cash impact from foreign exchange fluctuations

  $ 682   
 

 

 

 
 
Cash        

Net decrease in cash

    (918,647

Cash and foreign currency at value at beginning of period

    1,844,848   
 

 

 

 

Cash and foreign currency at value at end of period

  $ 926,201   
 

 

 

 
 
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information        

Cash paid during the period for interest

  $ 1,111,920   
 

 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.      
                
32    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Consolidated Financial Highlights     

 

   

Six Months Ended
August 31,

2016

(Unaudited)

   

Year Ended
February 29,

2016

    Year Ended February 28,    

Year Ended
February 29,

2012

       
        2015     2014     2013      
             
Per Share Operating Performance                                                        

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 3.79      $ 4.29      $ 4.44      $ 4.38      $ 4.13      $ 4.28     
 

 

 

 

Net investment income1

    0.12        0.26        0.29        0.30        0.33        0.33     

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    0.29        (0.49     (0.14     0.10        0.25        (0.16  
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.41        (0.23     0.15        0.40        0.58        0.17     
 

 

 

 
Distributions:2              

From net investment income

    (0.12     (0.27     (0.30     (0.33     (0.33     (0.32  

From return of capital

                         (0.01                
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.12     (0.27     (0.30     (0.34     (0.33     (0.32  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 4.08      $ 3.79      $ 4.29      $ 4.44      $ 4.38      $ 4.13     
 

 

 

 

Market price, end of period

  $ 3.71      $ 3.32      $ 3.81      $ 4.08      $ 4.46      $ 4.13     
 

 

 

 
             
Total Return3                                                        

Based on net asset value

    11.30% 4      (4.73)%        4.15%        9.91%        14.78%        4.53%     
 

 

 

 

Based on market price

    15.53% 4      (6.03)%        0.66%        (0.81)%        16.87%        10.47%     
 

 

 

 
             
Ratios to Average Net Assets                                                        

Total expenses

    1.16% 5,6      1.18% 6      1.24%        1.38% 7      1.41% 8      1.44%     
 

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly

    1.16% 5,6      1.18% 6      1.24%        1.38% 7      1.41% 8      1.44%     
 

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense and income tax

    0.81% 5,6      0.84% 6      0.89%        1.00% 7      1.04% 9      1.06% 9   
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    5.92% 5      6.29%        6.68%        6.80%        7.89% 8      7.99%     
 

 

 

 
             
Supplemental Data                                                        

Net assets, end of period (000)

  $  763,400      $  709,236      $  801,887      $  829,737      $  474,953      $  445,824     
 

 

 

 

Borrowings outstanding, end of period (000)

  $ 207,000      $ 190,000      $ 295,000      $ 315,000      $ 190,000      $ 145,000     
 

 

 

 

Asset coverage, end of period, per $1,000 of bank borrowings

  $ 4,688      $ 4,733      $ 3,719      $ 3,634      $ 3,500      $ 4,075     
 

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    25%        41%        54%        54%        72%        59%     
 

 

 

 

 

  1   

Based on average shares outstanding.

 

  2  

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

 

  3  

Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions.

 

  4  

Aggregate total return

 

  5  

Annualized

 

  6  

Ratios do not include expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds of approximately 0.02%.

 

  7  

Includes reorganization costs. Without these costs, total expenses, total expenses after fees waived, and total expenses after fees waived and excluding interest expense and income tax would have been 1.31%, 1.31% and 0.94%, respectively.

 

  8  

Restated to include income taxes for the consolidated entity.

 

  9  

For the years ended February 28, 2013 and February 29, 2012, the total expense ratio after fees waived and excluding interest expense, borrowing costs and income tax were 0.98% and 0.95%, respectively.

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.      
                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    33


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)     

 

1. Organization:

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Fund is registered as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund is organized as a Maryland corporation. The Fund determines and makes available for publication the NAV of its Common Shares on a daily basis.

The Fund, together with certain other registered investment companies advised by BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”) or its affiliates, is included in a complex of closed-end funds referred to as the Closed-End Complex.

Basis of Consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Fund include the account of DSU Subsidiary, LLC (the “Taxable Subsidiary”), which is a wholly owned taxable subsidiary of DSU. The Taxable Subsidiary enables DSU to hold an investment in an operating partnership and satisfy Regulated Investment Company (“RIC”) tax requirements. Income earned and gains realized on the investment held by the Taxable Subsidiary are taxable to such subsidiary. A tax provision for income, if any, is shown as income tax in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for DSU. A tax provision for realized and unrealized gains, if any, is included as a reduction of realized and/or unrealized gain (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Fund. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the Taxable Subsidiary. The net assets of the Taxable Subsidiary as of period end were $3,368,713, which is 0.4% of the Fund’s consolidated net assets. Intercompany accounts and transactions, if any, have been eliminated. The Taxable Subsidiary is subject to the same investment policies and restrictions that apply to DSU.

2. Significant Accounting Policies:

The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:

Foreign Currency: The Fund’s books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Purchases and sales of investments are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the investments denominated in that currency will lose value; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in relative value.

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

Segregation and Collateralization: In cases where the Fund enters into certain investments (e.g., futures contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and swaps) that would be treated as “senior securities” for 1940 Act purposes, the Fund may segregate or designate on its books and records cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal to the amount of its future obligations under such investments. Doing so allows the investment to be excluded from treatment as a “senior security.” Furthermore, if required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Fund may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as collateral for certain investments or obligations.

Investment Transactions and Investment Income: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are entered into (the trade dates). Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Dividends from foreign securities where the ex-dividend date may have passed are subsequently recorded when the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Under the applicable foreign tax laws, a withholding tax at various rates may be imposed on capital gains, dividends and interest. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, is recognized on the accrual basis.

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. Portions of return of capital distributions under U.S. GAAP may be taxed at ordinary income rates. The character of

 

                
34    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)     

 

distributions is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. The portion of distributions that exceeds the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, as measured on a tax basis, constitute a non-taxable return of capital. Realized net capital gains can be offset by capital losses carried forward from prior years. However, the Fund has capital loss carryforwards from pre-2012 tax years that offset realized net capital gains but do not offset current and accumulated earnings and profits. Consequently, if distributions in any tax year are less than the Fund’s current earnings and profits but greater than net investment income and net realized capital gains (taxable income), distributions in excess of taxable income are not treated as non-taxable return of capital, but rather may be taxable to shareholders at ordinary income rates. Under certain circumstances, taxable excess distributions could be significant.

Deferred Compensation Plan: Under the Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) approved by the Fund’s 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 the Fund, if applicable. Deferred compensation liabilities are included in officer’s and directors’ fees payable in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and will remain as a liability of the Fund until such amounts are distributed in accordance with the Plan.

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

Other: Expenses directly related to the Fund are charged to the 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 Fund 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 may be utilized until December 31, 2016. Under current arrangements effective June 1, 2016, the Fund no longer earns 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 Fund’s investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as “market value” within the financial statements) as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time). U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under policies approved by the Board of Directors of the Fund (the “Board”). The BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) is the committee formed by management to develop global pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments.

Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods (or “techniques”) and inputs are used to establish the fair value of the Fund’s assets and liabilities:

 

 

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

 

 

Bond investments are valued on the basis of last available bid prices or current market quotations provided by dealers or pricing services. Floating rate loan interests are valued at the mean of the bid prices from one or more brokers or dealers as obtained from a pricing service. 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, various relationships observed in the market between investments and calculated yield measures. Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities are valued by independent pricing services using models that consider estimated cash flows of each tranche of the security, establish a benchmark yield and develop an estimated tranche-specific spread to the benchmark yield based on the unique attributes of the tranche.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    35


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)     

 

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

 

 

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.

 

 

Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates determined as of the close of business on the NYSE. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean between the bid and ask prices and are determined as of the close of business on the NYSE. Interpolated values are derived when the settlement date of the contract is an interim date for which quotations are not available.

 

 

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

 

 

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

If events (e.g., a company announcement, market volatility or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value of such instruments, or in the event that the application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, seeks to determine the price that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement, which include the market approach, income approach and/or in the case of recent investments, the cost approach, as appropriate. The market approach generally consists of using comparable market transactions. The income approach generally is used to discount future cash flows to present value and is adjusted for liquidity as appropriate. These factors include but are not limited to: (i) attributes specific to the investment or asset; (ii) the principal market for the investment or asset; (iii) the customary participants in the principal market for the investment or asset; (iv) data assumptions by market participants for the investment or asset, if reasonably available; (v) quoted prices for similar investments or assets in active markets; and (vi) other factors, such as future cash flows, interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, recovery rates, liquidation amounts and/or default rates. Due to the inherent uncertainty of valuations of such investments, the fair values may differ from the values that would have been used had an active market existed. The Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, employs various methods for calibrating valuation approaches for investments where an active market does not exist, including regular due diligence of the Fund’s pricing vendors, regular reviews of key inputs and assumptions, transactional back-testing or disposition analysis to compare unrealized gains and losses to realized gains and losses, reviews of missing or stale prices and large movements in market values and reviews of any market related activity. The pricing of all Fair Valued Investments is subsequently reported to the Board or a committee thereof on a quarterly basis.

Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial statement purposes as follows:

 

 

Level 1 — unadjusted price quotations in active markets/exchanges for identical assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access

 

 

Level 2 — other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market–corroborated inputs)

 

                
36    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Notes to Consolidated 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 the Fund’s own assumptions used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments)

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The significant unobservable inputs used by the Global Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments are typically categorized as Level 3. The fair value hierarchy for the Fund’s investments and derivative financial instruments has been included in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments.

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the hierarchy. In accordance with the Fund’s 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:

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

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

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

Collateralized Debt Obligations: Collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), including collateralized bond obligations (“CBOs”) and collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), are types of asset-backed securities. A CDO is an entity that is backed by a diversified pool of debt securities (CBOs) or syndicated bank loans (CLOs). The cash flows of the CDO can be split into multiple segments, called “tranches,” which will vary in risk profile and yield. The riskiest segment is the subordinated or “equity” tranche. This tranche bears the greatest risk of defaults from the underlying assets in the CDO and serves to protect the other, more senior, tranches from default in all but the most severe circumstances. Since it is shielded from defaults by the more junior tranches, a “senior” tranche will typically have higher credit ratings and lower yields than their underlying securities, and often receive investment grade ratings from one or more of the nationally recognized rating agencies. Despite the protection from the more junior tranches, senior tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to future defaults and the disappearance of one or more protecting tranches as a result of changes in the credit profile of the underlying pool of assets.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    37


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)     

 

Zero-Coupon Bonds: Zero-coupon bonds are normally issued at a significant discount from face value and do not provide for periodic interest payments. These bonds may experience greater volatility in market value than other debt obligations of similar maturity which provide for regular interest payments.

Capital Securities and Trust Preferred Securities: Capital securities, including trust preferred securities, are typically issued by corporations, generally in the form of interest-bearing notes with preferred securities characteristics. In the case of trust preferred securities, an affiliated business trust of a corporation issues these securities, generally in the form of beneficial interests in subordinated debentures or similarly structured securities. The securities can be structured with either a fixed or adjustable coupon that can have either a perpetual or stated maturity date. For trust preferred securities, the issuing bank or corporation pays interest to the trust, which is then distributed to holders of these securities as a dividend. Dividends can be deferred without creating an event of default or acceleration, although maturity cannot take place unless all cumulative payment obligations have been met. The deferral of payments does not affect the purchase or sale of these securities in the open market. Payments on these securities are treated as interest rather than dividends for federal income tax purposes. These securities generally are rated below that of the issuing company’s senior debt securities and are freely callable at the issuer’s option.

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

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

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

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

Floating rate loan interests are usually freely callable at the borrower’s option. The Fund may invest in such loans in the form of participations in loans (“Participations”) or assignments (“Assignments”) of all or a portion of loans from third parties. Participations typically will result in the Fund having a

 

                
38    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)     

 

contractual relationship only with the lender, not with the borrower. The Fund has the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the lender selling the Participation and only upon receipt by the lender of the payments from the borrower. In connection with purchasing Participations, the Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement, nor any rights of offset against the borrower. The Fund may not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the Participation. As a result, the Fund assumes the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender that is selling the Participation. The Fund’s investment in loan participation interests involves the risk of insolvency of the financial intermediaries who are parties to the transactions. In the event of the insolvency of the lender selling the Participation, the Fund may be treated as a general creditor of the lender and may not benefit from any offset between the lender and the borrower. Assignments typically result in the Fund having a direct contractual relationship with the borrower, and the Fund may enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement.

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

 

Borrower   Par     

Commitment

Amount

     Value     

Unrealized

Appreciation

 

USAGM HoldCO LLC

  $ 597,009       $ 591,039       $ 595,893       $ 4,854   

Forward Commitments and When-Issued Delayed Delivery Securities: The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis and may purchase or sell securities on a forward commitment basis. Settlement of such transactions normally occurs within a month or more after the purchase or sale commitment is made. The Fund may purchase securities under such conditions with the intention of actually acquiring them, but may enter into a separate agreement to sell the securities before the settlement date. Since the value of securities purchased may fluctuate prior to settlement, the Fund may be required to pay more at settlement than the security is worth. In addition, the Fund is not entitled to any of the interest earned prior to settlement. When purchasing a security on a delayed delivery basis, the Fund assumes the rights and risks of ownership of the security, including the risk of price and yield fluctuations. In the event of default by the counterparty, the Fund’s maximum amount of loss is the unrealized appreciation of unsettled when-issued transactions.

5. Derivative Financial Instruments:

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

Futures Contracts: The Fund invests in long and/or short positions in futures and options on futures contracts 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 Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified price and on a specified date. Depending on the terms of a contract, it is settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash amount on the settlement date. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or securities in an amount that varies depending on a contract’s size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be maintained at an established level over the life of the contract.

Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, is shown as cash pledged for futures contracts in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (“variation margin”). Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on futures contracts in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Operations equal to the difference between the 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.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    39


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)     

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts: The Fund enters into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to gain or reduce exposure to foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

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

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

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

 

                
40    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)     

 

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

 

 

Credit default swaps — The Fund enters into credit default swaps to manage its exposure to the market or certain sectors of the market, to reduce its risk exposure to defaults of corporate and/or sovereign issuers or to create exposure to corporate and/or sovereign issuers to which it is not otherwise exposed (credit risk).

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

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

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

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

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    41


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)     

 

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

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: The Fund entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Manager, the Fund’s investment adviser, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock, to provide investment advisory and administration services. The Manager is responsible for the management of the Fund’s portfolio and provides the personnel, facilities, equipment and certain other services necessary to the operations of the Fund. For such services, the Fund pays the Manager a monthly fee based on an annual rate of 0.55% of the average daily value of the Fund’s net assets, plus the proceeds of any outstanding debt securities or borrowings used for leverage. For purposes of calculating this fee, “net assets” means the total assets of the Fund minus the sum of the accrued liabilities.

The Manager provides investment management and other services to the Taxable Subsidiary. The Manager does not receive separate compensation from the Taxable Subsidiary for providing investment management or administrative services. However, the Fund pays the Manager based on the Fund’s net assets, plus the proceeds of any debt securities or outstanding borrowings used for leverage, which includes the assets of the Taxable Subsidiary.

Distribution Fees: The Fund has entered into a Distribution Agreement with BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”), an affiliate of the Manager, to provide for distribution of the Fund’s Common Shares on a reasonable best efforts basis through an equity shelf offering (a “Shelf Offering”) (the “Distribution Agreement”). Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Fund will compensate BRIL with respect to sales of Common Shares at a commission rate of 1.00% of the gross proceeds of the sale of the fund’s Common Shares and a portion of such commission is re-allowed to broker-dealers engaged by BRIL.

Waivers: With respect to the Fund, the Manager voluntarily agreed to waive its investment advisory fees by the amount of investment advisory fees the Fund pays to the Manager indirectly through its investment in affiliated money market funds. This amount is shown as fees waived by the Manager in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. However, the Manager does not waive its investment advisory fees by the amount of investment advisory fees paid in connection with the Fund’s investments in other affiliated investment companies, if any. For the six months ended August 31, 2016, the amount waived was $430.

Officers and Directors: Certain officers or Directors of the Fund are officers and/or directors of BlackRock or its affiliates. The Fund reimburses the Manager for a portion of the compensation paid to the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer, which is included in Officer and Directors in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

7. Purchases and Sales:

For the six months ended August 31, 2016, purchases and sales of investments, including paydowns and excluding short-term securities were $271,055,679 and $234,079,931, respectively.

8. Income Tax Information:

It is the Fund’s policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required, except with respect to any taxes related to the Taxable Subsidiary.

The Fund files U.S. federal and various state and local tax returns. No income tax returns are currently under examination. The statute of limitations on the Fund’s U.S. federal tax returns generally remains open for each of the four years ended February 29, 2016. The statutes of limitations on the Fund’s state and local tax returns may remain open for an additional year depending upon the jurisdiction.

Management has analyzed tax laws and regulations and their application to the Fund as of August 31, 2016, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Fund’s consolidated financial statements.

 

                
42    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)     

 

As of August 31, 2016, the Fund had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains through the indicated expiration dates as follows:

 

Expires February 28,       

No expiration date1

  $ 43,165,567   

2017

    64,528,254   

2018

    155,847,890   

2019

    16,301,990   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 279,843,701   
 

 

 

 

 

  1  

Must be utilized prior to losses subject to expiration.

As of August 31, 2016, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Tax cost

  $ 1,011,008,122   

Gross unrealized appreciation

    21,862,651   

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (54,103,845
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized depreciation

  $ (32,241,194
 

 

 

 

9. Bank Borrowings:

The Fund is party to a senior committed secured, 360-day rolling line of credit facility and a separate security agreement (the “SSB Agreement”) with State Street Bank and Trust Company (“SSB”). SSB may elect to terminate its commitment upon 360-days written notice to the Fund. As of period end, the Fund has not received any notice to terminate. The Fund has granted a security interest in substantially all of its assets to SSB. The SSB Agreement allows for a maximum commitment amount of $377,000,000. Prior to August 31, 2016, the maximum commitment amount for DSU was $405,000,000.

Advances will be made by SSB to the Fund, at the Fund’s option of (a) the higher of (i) 0.80% above the Fed Funds rate and (ii) 0.80% above the Overnight LIBOR or (b) 0.80% above 7-day, 30-day, 60-day or 90-day LIBOR.

In addition, the Fund paid a facility fee and may pay a commitment fee (based on the daily unused portion of the commitments). The commitment fees are waived if the Fund meets certain conditions. The fees associated with each of the agreements are included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations as borrowing costs, if any. Advances to the Fund as of period end are shown in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities as bank borrowings payable. Based on the short-term nature of the borrowings under the line of credit and the variable interest rate, the carrying amount of the borrowings approximates fair value.

The Fund may not declare dividends or make other distributions on shares or purchase any such shares if, at the time of the declaration, distribution or purchase, asset coverage with respect to the outstanding short-term borrowings is less than 300%.

For the six months ended August 31, 2016, the average amount of bank borrowings and the daily weighted average interest rates for the Fund under the revolving credit agreements was $183,597,826 and 1.2% respectively.

10. Principal Risks:

In the normal course of business, the Fund invests in securities and enters into transactions where risks exist due to fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of the issuer to meet all its obligations, including the ability to pay principal and interest when due (issuer credit risk). The value of securities held by the Fund may decline in response to certain events, including those directly involving the issuers of securities owned by the Fund. Changes arising from the general economy, the overall market and local, regional or global political and/or social instability, as well as currency, interest rate and price fluctuations, may also affect the securities’ value.

The Fund may be exposed to prepayment risk, which is the risk that borrowers may exercise their option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled during periods of declining interest rates, which would force the Fund to reinvest in lower yielding securities. The Fund may also be exposed to reinvestment risk, which is the risk that income from the Fund’s portfolio will decline if the Fund invests the proceeds from matured, traded or called fixed income securities at market interest rates that are below the Fund portfolio’s current earnings rate.

Counterparty Credit Risk: Similar to issuer credit risk, the Fund may be exposed to counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions. The Fund manages counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that the Manager believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    43


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)     

 

stability of those counterparties. Financial assets, which potentially expose the Fund to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Fund’s exposure to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Fund.

A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

The Fund’s risk of loss from counterparty credit risk on OTC derivatives is generally limited to the aggregate unrealized gain less the value of any collateral held by the Fund.

For OTC options purchased, the Fund bears the risk of loss in the amount of the premiums paid plus the positive change in market values net of any collateral held by the Fund should the counterparty fail to perform under the contracts. Options written by the Fund do not typically give rise to counterparty credit risk, as options written generally obligate the Fund, and not the counterparty, to perform. The Fund may be exposed to counterparty credit risk with respect to options written to the extent the Fund deposits collateral with its counterparty to a written option.

With exchange-traded options purchased, futures and centrally cleared swaps, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Fund since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, the Fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency). Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange-traded futures and centrally cleared swaps with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing broker’s customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund.

Concentration Risk: The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in fixed-income securities and/or uses derivatives tied to the fixed-income markets. Changes in market interest rates or economic conditions may affect the value and/or liquidity of such investments. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates.

The Fund may invest in securities that are rated below investment grade quality (sometimes called “junk bonds”), which are predominantly speculative, have greater credit risk and generally are less liquid and have more volatile prices than higher quality securities.

11. Capital Share Transactions:

The Fund is authorized to issue 400 million shares, all of which were initially classified as Common Shares. The Board is authorized, however, to reclassify any unissued Common Shares to Preferred Shares without approval of Common Shareholders.

The Fund filed a final prospectus with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) allowing it to issue an additional 16,125,000 Common Shares through an equity shelf program (a “Shelf Offering”). Under the Shelf Offering, the Fund, subject to market conditions, may raise additional equity capital from time to time in varying amounts and utilizing various offering methods at a net price at or above the Fund’s NAV per Common Share (calculated within 48 hours of pricing). See Additional Information — Shelf Offering Program for additional information about the Shelf Offering.

Costs incurred by the Fund in connection with the Shelf Offering are recorded as a deferred charge and amortized over 12 months.

For the six months ended August 31, 2016, and the year ended February 29, 2016, shares issued and outstanding remained constant.

12. Contingencies:

In May 2015, the Motors Liquidation Company Avoidance Action Trust, as the Trust Administrator and Trustee of the General Motors bankruptcy estate, began serving amended complaints on defendants, which include former holders of certain General Motors debt (the “Debt”), in an adversary proceeding in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. In addition to the Fund, the lawsuit also names over five hundred other institutional investors as defendants, some of which are also managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC or its affiliates. The plaintiffs are seeking an order that the Fund and other defendants return proceeds received in 2009 in full payment of the principal and interest on the Debt. The

 

                
44    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (concluded)     

 

holders received a full repayment of a term loan pursuant to a court order in the General Motors bankruptcy proceeding with the understanding that the Debt was fully secured at the time of repayment. The plaintiffs contend that the Fund and other defendants were not secured creditors at the time of the 2009 payments and therefore not entitled to the payments in full. The Fund cannot predict the outcome of the lawsuit, or the effect, if any, on the Fund’s net asset value. As such, no liability for litigation related to this matter is reflected in the financial statements. Management cannot determine the amount of loss that will be realized by the Fund but does not expect the loss to exceed the payment received in 2009. The amount of the proceeds received in 2009 is $1,385,823.

13. Subsequent Events:

Management’s evaluation of the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund’s consolidated financial statements was completed through the date the consolidated financial statements were issued and the following items were noted:

The Fund paid a net investment income dividend of $0.02 per share on September 30, 2016 to Common Shareholders of record on September 15, 2016.

Additionally, the Fund declared a net investment income dividend of $0.02 per share on October 03, 2016 payable to Common Shareholders of record on October 14, 2016.

On October 26, 2016, the Board approved the following:

 

 

An open market share repurchase program that allows the Fund to purchase up to 5% of its outstanding common stock from time to time in open market transactions through November 30, 2017, subject to certain conditions. There is no assurance that the Fund will purchase shares in any particular amounts.

 

 

Effective November 16, 2016, a one-for-three reverse stock split of the Fund’s common stock for common stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 15, 2016. As a result of the reverse stock split, every three shares of the Fund’s outstanding common stock will be converted into one share of common stock.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    45


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement     

 

The Board of Directors (the “Board,” the members of which are referred to as “Board Members”) of BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) met in person on April 28, 2016 (the “April Meeting”) and June 9-10, 2016 (the “June Meeting”) to consider the approval of the Fund’s investment advisory agreement (the “Agreement”) with BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the “Manager”), the Fund’s 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 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 the Fund and perform the various duties imposed on the directors of investment companies by the 1940 Act. The Independent Board Members have retained independent legal counsel to assist them in connection with their duties. The Chair of the Board is an Independent Board Member. The Board has established five standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Governance and Nominating Committee, a Compliance Committee, a Performance Oversight Committee, and an Executive Committee, each of which is chaired by an Independent Board Member and composed of Independent Board Members (except for the Executive Committee, which also has one interested Board Member).

The Agreement

Pursuant to the 1940 Act, the Board is required to consider the continuation of the Agreement on an annual basis. The 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 and additional in-person and telephonic meetings as needed. In connection with this year-long deliberative process, the Board assessed, among other things, the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund by BlackRock, BlackRock’s personnel and affiliates, including, as applicable; investment management, administrative, and shareholder services; the oversight of fund service providers; marketing; risk oversight; compliance; and ability to meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

The 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, including the services and support provided by BlackRock to the Fund and its shareholders. BlackRock also furnished additional information to the Board in response to specific questions from the Board. This additional information is discussed further below in the section titled “Board Considerations in Approving the Agreement.” Among the matters the Board considered were: (a) investment performance for one-year, three-year, five-year, ten-year, and/or since inception periods, as applicable, against peer funds, applicable benchmarks, and performance metrics, as applicable, as well as senior management’s 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 Fund’s investment objectives, policies and restrictions, and meeting regulatory requirements; (e) the Fund’s compliance with its compliance policies and procedures; (f) the nature, cost and character of non-investment management services provided by BlackRock and its affiliates; (g) BlackRock’s and other service providers’ internal controls and risk and compliance oversight mechanisms; (h) BlackRock’s implementation of the proxy voting policies approved by the Board; (i) execution quality of portfolio transactions; (j) BlackRock’s implementation of the Fund’s valuation and liquidity procedures; (k) an analysis of management fees for products with similar investment mandates across the open-end fund, closed-end fund and institutional account product channels, as applicable, and the similarities and differences between these products and the services provided as compared to the Fund; (l) BlackRock’s compensation methodology for its investment professionals and the incentives and accountability it creates, along with investment professionals’ investments in the fund(s) they manage; and (m) periodic updates on BlackRock’s business.

Board Considerations in Approving the Agreement

The Approval Process: Prior to the April Meeting, the Board requested and received materials specifically relating to the Agreement. The 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 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 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, under

 

 

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.

 

                
46    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement (continued)

 

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, the Board reviewed materials relating to its consideration of the Agreement. As a result of the discussions that occurred during the April Meeting, and as a culmination of the Board’s year-long deliberative process, the Board presented BlackRock with questions and requests for additional information. BlackRock responded to these requests with additional written information in advance of the June Meeting.

At the June Meeting, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, unanimously approved the continuation of the Agreement between the Manager and the Fund for a one-year term ending June 30, 2017. In approving the continuation of the Agreement, the 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 Fund’s 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.

The Board also considered other matters it deemed important to the approval process, such as other payments made to BlackRock or its affiliates relating to securities lending and cash management, 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 Board’s review. The Board noted the willingness of BlackRock personnel to engage in open, candid discussions with the Board. The Board did not identify any particular information as determinative, and each Board Member may have attributed different weights to the various items considered.

A. Nature, Extent and Quality of the Services Provided by BlackRock: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the nature, extent and quality of services provided by BlackRock, including the investment advisory services and the resulting performance of the Fund. Throughout the year, the Board compared Fund performance to the performance of a comparable group of closed-end funds, relevant benchmark, and performance metrics, as applicable. The Board met with BlackRock’s senior management personnel responsible for investment activities, including the senior investment officers. The Board also reviewed the materials provided by the Fund’s portfolio management team discussing the Fund’s performance and the Fund’s investment objectives, strategies and outlook.

The Board considered, among other factors, with respect to BlackRock: the number, education and experience of investment personnel generally and the Fund’s portfolio management team; BlackRock’s research capabilities; investments by portfolio managers in the funds they manage; portfolio trading capabilities; use of technology; commitment to compliance; credit analysis capabilities; risk analysis and oversight capabilities; and the approach to training and retaining portfolio managers and other research, advisory and management personnel. The Board engaged in a review of BlackRock’s compensation structure with respect to the Fund’s portfolio management team and BlackRock’s ability to attract and retain high-quality talent and create performance incentives.

In addition to investment advisory services, the Board considered the quality of the administrative and other non-investment advisory services provided to the Fund. BlackRock and its affiliates provide the Fund with certain administrative, shareholder, and other services (in addition to any such services provided to the Fund by third parties) and officers and other personnel as are necessary for the operations of the Fund. In particular, BlackRock and its affiliates provide the Fund with administrative services including, among others: (i) preparing disclosure documents, such as the prospectus and the statement of additional information in connection with the initial public offering, registration statements in connection with the Fund’s equity shelf program 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. The Board reviewed the structure and duties of BlackRock’s fund administration, shareholder services, and legal & compliance departments and considered BlackRock’s policies and procedures for assuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

B. The Investment Performance of the Fund and BlackRock: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, also reviewed and considered the performance history of the Fund. In preparation for the April Meeting, the Board was provided with reports independently prepared by Broadridge, which included a comprehensive analysis of the Fund’s performance. The Board also reviewed a narrative and statistical analysis of the Broadridge

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    47


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement (continued)

 

data that was prepared by BlackRock. In connection with its review, the Board 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 the Customized Peer Group. The 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. The Board was provided with information on the composition of the Broadridge performance universes and expense universes. The Board and its Performance Oversight Committee regularly review, and meet with Fund management to discuss, the performance of the Fund throughout the year.

In evaluating performance, the Board 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, the 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.

The Board noted that for each of the one-, three- and five-year periods reported, the Fund ranked in the first quartile against its Customized Peer Group. BlackRock believes that the Customized Peer Group is an appropriate performance metric for the Fund.

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 Fund: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, reviewed the Fund’s 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. The Board also compared the Fund’s 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 fund’s 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. The Board considered the services provided and the fees charged by BlackRock and its affiliates to other types of clients with similar investment mandates, as applicable, including institutional accounts and sub-advised mutual funds (including mutual funds sponsored by third parties).

The Board received and reviewed statements relating to BlackRock’s financial condition. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s profitability methodology and was also provided with a profitability analysis that detailed the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by BlackRock for services provided to the Fund. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s profitability with respect to the Fund and other funds the Board currently oversees for the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to available aggregate profitability data provided for the prior two years. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s profitability with respect to certain other U.S. fund complexes managed by the Manager and/or its affiliates. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s assumptions and methodology of allocating expenses in the profitability analysis, noting the inherent limitations in allocating costs among various advisory products. The Board recognized that profitability may be affected by numerous factors including, among other things, fee waivers and expense reimbursements by the Manager, the types of funds managed, precision of expense allocations and business mix. As a result, calculating and comparing profitability at individual fund level is difficult.

The Board noted that, in general, individual fund or product line profitability of other advisors is not publicly available. The Board reviewed BlackRock’s overall operating margin, in general, compared to that of certain other publicly-traded asset management firms. The Board considered the differences between BlackRock and these other firms, including the contribution of technology at BlackRock, BlackRock’s expense management, and the relative product mix.

In addition, the Board considered the cost of the services provided to the Fund by BlackRock, and BlackRock’s and its affiliates’ profits relating to the management of the Fund and the other funds advised by BlackRock and its affiliates. As part of its analysis, the Board reviewed BlackRock’s methodology in allocating its costs of managing the Fund, to the Fund. The Board may receive and review information from independent third parties as part of its annual evaluation. The Board considered whether BlackRock has the financial resources necessary to attract and retain high quality investment management personnel to perform its obligations under the Agreement and to continue to provide the high quality of services that is expected by the Board. The Board further considered factors including but not limited to BlackRock’s commitment of time, assumption of risk, and liability profile in servicing the Fund in contrast to what is required of BlackRock with respect to other products with similar investment mandates across the open-end fund, ETF, closed-end fund, sub-advised mutual fund and institutional account product channels, as applicable.

The Board noted that the Fund’s contractual management fee rate ranked in the first quartile, and that the actual management fee rate and total expense ratio each ranked in first quartile, relative to the Expense Peers.

 

                
48    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Disclosure of Investment Advisory Agreement (concluded)

 

D. Economies of Scale: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, considered the extent to which economies of scale might be realized as the assets of the Fund increase. The Board also considered the extent to which the Fund benefits from such economies in a variety of ways, and whether there should be changes in the advisory fee rate or breakpoint structure in order to enable the Fund to more fully participate in these economies of scale. The Board considered the Fund’s asset levels and whether the current fee was appropriate.

Based on the Board’s review and consideration of the issue, the 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 fund’s inception. The Board noted that although the Fund may from time-to-time make additional share offerings pursuant to its equity shelf program, the growth of the Fund’s assets will occur primarily through the appreciation of its investment portfolio.

E. Other Factors Deemed Relevant by the Board Members: The Board, including the Independent Board Members, also took into account other ancillary or “fall-out” benefits that BlackRock or its affiliates may derive from their respective relationships with the Fund, both tangible and intangible, such as BlackRock’s ability to leverage its investment professionals who manage other portfolios and risk management personnel, an increase in BlackRock’s profile in the investment advisory community, and the engagement of BlackRock’s affiliates as service providers to the Fund, including for administrative, securities lending and cash management services. The Board also considered BlackRock’s overall operations and its efforts to expand the scale of, and improve the quality of, its operations. The Board also noted that 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. The Board further noted that it had considered the investment by BlackRock’s funds in affiliated exchange traded funds (i.e., ETFs) without any offset against the management fees payable by the funds to BlackRock.

In connection with its consideration of the Agreement, the Board also received information regarding BlackRock’s brokerage and soft dollar practices. The Board received reports from BlackRock which included information on brokerage commissions and trade execution practices throughout the year.

The Board noted the competitive nature of the closed-end fund marketplace, and that shareholders are able to sell their Fund shares in the secondary market if they believe that the Fund’s fees and expenses are too high or if they are dissatisfied with the performance of the Fund.

The 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 auction rate preferred securities (“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 BlackRock’s 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. BlackRock’s 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

The Board, including the Independent Board Members, unanimously approved the continuation of the Agreement between the Manager and the Fund for a one-year term ending June 30, 2017. Based upon its evaluation of all of the aforementioned factors in their totality, as well as other information, the Board, including the Independent Board Members, was satisfied that the terms of the Agreement were fair and reasonable and in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders. In arriving at its decision to approve the Agreement, the Board did not identify any single factor or group of factors as, all-important or controlling, but considered all factors together, and different Board Members may have attributed different weights to the various factors considered. The Independent Board Members were also assisted by the advice of independent legal counsel in making this determination. The contractual fee arrangements for the Fund reflect the results of several years of review by the 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.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    49


Officers and Directors     

 

Richard E. Cavanagh, Chair of the Board and Director

Karen P. Robards, Vice Chair of the Board and Director

Michael J. Castellano, Director

Cynthia L. Egan, Director

Frank J. Fabozzi, Director

Jerrold B. Harris, Director

R. Glenn Hubbard, Director

W. Carl Kester, Director

Catherine A. Lynch, Director

Barbara G. Novick, Interested Director

John M. Perlowski, Interested Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

Jonathan Diorio, Vice President

Neal J. Andrews, Chief Financial Officer

Jay M. Fife, Treasurer

Charles Park, Chief Compliance Officer

Janey Ahn, Secretary

 

         

Investment Advisor

BlackRock Advisors, LLC
Wilmington, DE 19809

 

Transfer Agent

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
Canton, MA 02021

 

Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP
Boston, MA 02116

 

Legal Counsel

Skadden, Arps, Slate,
Meagher & Flom LLP
Boston, MA 02116

 

Address of the Fund

100 Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, DE 19809

 

Custodian and Accounting Agent

State Street Bank and
Trust Company
Boston, MA 02110

 

Distributor

BlackRock Investments, LLC

New York, NY 10022

   

 

                
50    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Additional Information     

 

Proxy Results

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on July 26, 2016 for shareholders of record on May 31, 2016, to elect director nominees for BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. There were no broker non-votes with regard to the Fund.

 

             Votes For        Votes Withheld        Abstain  
Approved the Directors as follows:   Michael J. Castellano        131,789,969           39,076,734           0   
  Richard E. Cavanagh        131,726,976           39,139,727           0   
  Cynthia L. Egan        131,169,741           39,696,962           0   
  Frank J. Fabozzi        131,866,195           39,000,508           0   
  Jerrold B. Harris        131,460,852           39,405,851           0   
  R. Glenn Hubbard        131,537,179           39,329,524           0   
  W. Carl Kester        131,670,610           39,196,093           0   
  Catherine A. Lynch        131,132,487           39,734,216           0   
  Barbara G. Novick        131,135,176           39,731,527           0   
  John M. Perlowski        131,811,402           39,055,301           0   
    Karen P. Robards        131,809,979           39,056,724           0   

 

Fund Certification

The Fund is listed for trading on the NYSE and has filed with the NYSE its annual chief executive officer certification regarding compliance with the NYSE’s listing standards. The Fund 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

The Fund’s 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 dividend distributions, the dividends paid by the Fund for any particular month may be more or less than the amount of net investment income earned by the Fund during such month. The portion of dividend distributions that exceeds the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, which are measured on a tax basis, will constitute a nontaxable return of capital. Dividend distributions in excess of the Fund’s taxable income and net capital gains, but not in excess of the Fund’s earnings and profits, will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income and will not constitute a nontaxable return of capital. The Fund’s current accumulated but undistributed net investment income, if any, is disclosed in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities, which comprises part of the financial information included in this report.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    51


Additional Information (continued)     

 

 

General Information

DSU’s Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about its Board and is available, without charge upon request by calling (800)-882-0052.

In accordance with Section 23(c) of the 1940 Act, notice is hereby given that the Fund may from time to time purchase its common stock in open market transactions.

During the period there were no material changes in the Fund’s investment objectives or policies or to the Fund’s charter or by-laws that would delay or prevent a change of control of the Fund that were not approved by shareholders or in the principal risk factors associated with investment in the Fund. There have been no changes in the persons who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio.

On September 14, 2016, a Schedule 13D (the “Schedule 13D”) was publicly filed for the Fund on behalf of six funds managed by Saba Capital Management, L. P. (collectively, “Saba”). Based on public filings, including the Schedule 13D, to the Fund’s knowledge, Saba beneficially owns approximately 13.78% of the Fund as of the date of this report.

Quarterly performance, semi-annual and annual reports, current net asset value and other information regarding the Fund may be found on BlackRock’s website, which can be accessed at http://www.blackrock.com. This reference to BlackRock’s website is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Fund and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRock’s 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 BlackRock’s website.

Shareholders Who Hold Accounts with Investment Advisors, Banks or Brokerages:

Please contact your financial advisor. Please note that not all investment advisors, banks or brokerages may offer this service.

Householding

The Fund will mail only one copy of shareholder documents, including annual and semi-annual reports and proxy statements, to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is commonly called “householding” and is intended to reduce expenses and eliminate duplicate mailings of shareholder documents. Mailings of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please call the Fund at (800) 882-0052.

Availability of Quarterly Schedule of Investments

The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on how to access documents on the SEC’s website without charge may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330. The Fund’s 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 Fund uses 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 SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Availability of Proxy Voting Record

Information about how the Fund voted proxies relating to securities held in the Fund’s portfolio during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available upon request and without charge (1) at http://www.blackrock.com or by calling (800) 882-0052 and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Availability of Fund Updates

BlackRock will update performance and certain other data for the Fund 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 Fund. This reference to BlackRock’s website is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Fund and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRock’s website in this report.

 

                
52    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016   


Additional Information (concluded)     

 

 

Shelf Offering Program

From time to time, the Fund may seek to raise additional equity capital through an equity shelf program (a “Shelf Offering”). In a Shelf Offering, the Fund may, subject to market conditions, raise additional equity capital by issuing new Common Shares from time to time in varying amounts at a net price at or above the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per Common Share (calculated within 48 hours of pricing). While any such Shelf Offering may allow the Fund to pursue additional investment opportunities without the need to sell existing portfolio investments, it could also entail risks — including that the issuance of additional Common Shares may limit the extent to which the Common Shares are able to trade at a premium to NAV in the secondary market.

On June 20, 2016, the Fund filed a final prospectus with the SEC in connection with its Shelf Offering. This report is not an offer to sell Fund Common Shares or a solicitation to buy Fund Common Shares in any jurisdiction where such offers or sales are not permitted. The prospectus contains important information about the Fund, including its investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. Investors are urged to read the prospectus of the Fund carefully and in its entirety before investing. A copy of the final prospectus for the Fund can be obtained from BlackRock at http://www.blackrock.com.

 

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.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    AUGUST 31, 2016    53


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 Fund has leveraged its 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.

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CEFDSU-8/16-SAR  
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Item 2 – Code of Ethics – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report

 

Item 3 – Audit Committee Financial Expert – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report

 

Item 4 – Principal Accountant Fees and Services – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report

 

Item 5 – Audit Committee of Listed Registrants – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report

 

Item 6 – Investments
   (a) The registrant’s Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.
   (b) Not Applicable due to no such divestments during the semi-annual period covered since the previous Form N-CSR filing.

 

Item 7 – Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report

 

Item 8 – Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies
  (a) Not Applicable to this semi-annual report
  (b) As of the date of this filing, there have been no changes in any of the portfolio managers identified in the most recent annual report on Form N-CSR.

 

Item 9 – Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers – Not Applicable

 

Item 10 –  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders – There have been no material changes to these procedures.

 

Item 11 –  Controls and Procedures

 

   (a) – The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
 

 

   (b) – There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.  

 

Item 12 –  Exhibits attached hereto

 

   (a)(1) – Code of Ethics – Not Applicable to this semi-annual report

 

   (a)(2) – Certifications – Attached hereto

 

   (a)(3) – Not Applicable

 

   (b) –   Certifications – Attached hereto

 

2


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 Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.
By:       /s/ John M. Perlowski                               
  John M. Perlowski
  Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of 
  BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.
Date: November 3, 2016

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:       /s/ John M. Perlowski                              
  John M. Perlowski
  Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of 
  BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.
Date: November 3, 2016
By:   /s/ Neal J. Andrews                                 
  Neal J. Andrews
  Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of
  BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.
Date: November 3, 2016

 

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