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: 02/28/2017


Item 1 – Report to Stockholders


FEBRUARY 28, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

ANNUAL REPORT

 

    LOGO

 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Not FDIC Insured • May Lose Value • No Bank Guarantee


The Markets in Review

 

Dear Shareholder,

Risk assets, such as stocks and high yield bonds, enjoyed strong performance in the 12 months ended February 28, 2017. It was a different story for higher-quality assets such as U.S. Treasuries, which generated muted returns after struggling in the latter part of 2016 as reflationary expectations in the United States helped drive a pick-up in global growth and investors braced for higher interest rates.

Markets showed great resilience during the period. Big surprises such as the United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union and the outcome of the U.S. presidential election brought spikes in equity market volatility, but they were ultimately short-lived. Instead, investors used the sell-offs to seize upon buying opportunities, allowing markets to quickly rebound. We believe this reinforces the case for taking the long view rather than reacting to short-term market noise.

The global reflationary theme — rising nominal growth, wages and inflation — was the dominant driver of asset returns during the period, outweighing significant political upheavals and uncertainty. This trend accelerated after the U.S. election and continued into the beginning of 2017, stoked by expectations for an extra boost to U.S. growth via fiscal policy.

Although economic momentum is gaining traction, the capacity for rapid global growth is restrained by structural factors including an aging population, low productivity growth and excess savings. A tempered economic growth trend and high valuations across most assets have set the stage for muted investment returns going forward.

Equity markets still have room to move, although the disparity between winners and losers is widening, making selectivity increasingly important. Fixed income investors are also facing challenges as bond markets recalibrate to accommodate rising rates and higher inflation expectations. And in a world where political risk and policy uncertainty abound, there is no lack of potential catalysts for higher volatility.

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

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC

LOGO

Rob Kapito

President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC

 

Total Returns as of February 28, 2017  
    6-month     12-month  

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

    10.01     24.98

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

    12.61       36.11  

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

    4.90       15.75  

Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)

    5.51       29.46  

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

    0.22       0.39  

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

    (6.17     (4.09

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

    (2.19     1.42  

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

    (2.51     0.76  

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

    5.43       21.83  
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest directly in an index.  

 

                
2    THIS PAGE NOT PART OF YOUR FUND REPORT      


Table of Contents     

 

     Page  

The Markets in Review

    2  

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

    27  

Consolidated Statement of Operations

    28  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets

    29  

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

    30  

Consolidated Financial Highlights

    31  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    32  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

    44  

Important Tax Information

    44  

Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan

    45  

Officers and Directors

    46  

Additional Information

    49  

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    3


Fund Summary as of February 28, 2017     

 

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 February 28, 2017 ($11.68)1

  6.47%

Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share2

  $0.063

Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share2

  $0.756

Economic Leverage as of February 28, 20173

  29%

 

  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 monthly distribution per Common Share, declared on March 1, 2017, was increased to $0.0685 per share. The current distribution rate on closing market price, current monthly distribution per Common Share and current annualized distribution per Common Share do not reflect the new distribution rate. The new distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change in the future. 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 12 months ended February 28, 2017 were as follows:

 

    Returns Based On  
     Market Price     NAV  

DSU1,2

    25.53     19.57

Lipper High Yield Funds (Leveraged)3

    32.93     27.73

 

  1   

All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions.

 

  2  

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

 

  3   

Average return.

 

      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). On a sector basis, the largest contributors over the annual period included the independent energy, metals & mining, and wireless sectors, while the smallest contributors were in health care, retail real estate investment trusts and tobacco. From a credit rating perspective, B-rated, BB-rated and CCC-rated names were the largest contributors, as the lower credit quality portions of both the high yield and bank loan markets drove a rally across both asset classes. By contrast, the Fund’s allocation to AAA-rated and AA-rated positions represented the smallest positive contributors. Lastly, non-benchmark tactical positions were substantial positive contributors to performance, in particular high yield exchange-traded funds and long equity positions.

 

For the period, on a sector basis the electric sector was the only detractor, driven mainly by security selection. In terms of credit ratings, CC-rated and C-rated names were slight detractors. From an asset allocation perspective, there were no absolute detractors over the annual period from core high yield bond or bank loan holdings, or non-benchmark tactical allocations.

Describe recent portfolio activity.

 

 

The Fund’s positioning was more conservative in early 2016 as markets continued to be plagued by significant volatility deriving from stress within commodity-related assets, muted global growth prospects and uncertainty regarding central bank policies. However, the Fund gradually increased its risk level over the period as volatility subsided and risk markets started to stabilize. During the period, the Fund utilized leverage of between 20% and 30% as a percentage of its total managed assets.

Describe portfolio positioning at period end.

 

 

The Fund’s largest issuer overweights included Altice (wireless), First Data Corp. (technology), and iHeartCommunications, Inc. (media & entertainment). From a credit rating perspective, the Fund held overweights in BB-rated, B-rated and high conviction CCC-rated names. By contrast, issues rated CC and below were slightly underweight. Issuer selection remained centered on favorable cash flows, identification of a specific catalyst for price improvement, and/or idiosyncratic characteristics. The Fund also remained focused on industries and companies with stable business profiles and consistent cash flow, while avoiding areas of the markets with longer-term concerns and/or deteriorating fundamental trends.

 

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.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


      

 

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary1                                        
      2/28/17      2/29/16      Change      High      Low  

Market Price

     $11.68        $9.96        17.27%        $11.68        $9.93  

Net Asset Value

     $12.70        $11.38        11.60%        $12.70        $11.38  

 

  1   

Market price and net asset value per share reflect a one-for-three reverse stock split effective after the close of trading on November 15, 2016 for the shareholders of record on November 15, 2016. See Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for details.

 

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

 

LOGO

 

Overview of the Fund’s Total Investments

 

Portfolio Composition   2/28/17     2/29/16  

Corporate Bonds

    49     45

Floating Rate Loan Interests

    47       49  

Asset-Backed Securities

    2       3  

Investment Companies

    1       2  

Preferred Securities

    1       1 

Other2

           

Short-Term Securities

          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: Common Stocks, Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities, Options Purchased, Other Interests, Rights and Warrants.

Credit Quality Allocation3,4   2/28/17     2/29/16  

BBB/Baa

    8     9

BB/Ba

    42       43  

B

    39       37  

CCC/Caa

    6       5  

N/R

    5       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.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    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, its 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 Consolidated 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.

 

 

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 the Fund can realize on an investment and/or may result in lower distributions paid to shareholders. The Fund’s investments in these instruments, if any, are discussed in detail in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

                
6    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments February 28, 2017

  

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Common Stocks               
Shares
    Value  

Chemicals — 0.0%

 

GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc. (a)

       557,488     $ 111,498  

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

       481,806       96,361  

LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A

       26       2,372  
      

 

 

 
                       210,231  

Diversified Financial Services — 0.3%

 

Kcad Holdings I Ltd. (a)

             1,075,282,733       2,311,858  

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.0%

 

Broadview Networks Holdings, Inc. (a)

             5,037       6,296  

Electric Utilities — 0.1%

 

Vistra Energy Corp.

             39,599       639,920  

Health Care Management Services — 0.0%

 

New Millennium HoldCo, Inc. (a)

             10,718       11,393  

Media — 0.0%

 

Adelphia Communications Corp., Class A (a)

       400,000        

Adelphia Recovery Trust (a)

       396,568       79  
      

 

 

 
                       79  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.0%

 

SunPower Corp. (a)

             1,707       14,954  

Specialty Retail — 0.0%

 

Things Remembered, Inc. (a)

             1,199,043       12  
Total Common Stocks — 0.4%                      3,194,743  
      
                          
Asset-Backed Securities           Par
(000)
        

Asset-Backed Securities — 3.3%

 

ACAS CLO Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class D, 4.67%, 4/18/27 (b)(c)

     USD       280       272,412  

ALM XIV Ltd., Series 2014-14A, Class C,
4.49%, 7/28/26 (b)(c)

       463       460,553  

Apidos CDO, Series 2015-21A, Class C,
4.57%, 7/18/27 (b)(c)

       250       250,060  

Ares CLO Ltd., Class D (b)(c):

      

Series 2015-38A, 5.17%, 1/20/27

       1,000       1,003,767  

Series 2016-41A, 5.09%, 1/15/29

       450       451,830  

Arrowpoint CLO Ltd., Series 2013-1A, Class CR, 5.51%, 11/15/28 (b)(c)

       800       800,000  

Atlas Senior Loan Fund VI Ltd.,
Series 2014-6A, Class DR, 4.63%, 10/15/26 (b)(c)

       1,000       1,000,544  

Atrium CDO Corp., Series 9A, Class D,
4.55%, 2/28/24 (b)(c)

       1,300       1,303,245  

BlueMountain CLO Ltd., Series 2015-2A, Class E, 6.37%, 7/18/27 (b)(c)

       250       239,743  

Burnham Park CLO Ltd., Series 2016-1A, Class D, 4.71%, 10/20/29 (b)(c)

       1,000       1,003,910  

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

      

Series 2012-4A, Class DR,
5.13%, 1/20/29

       1,000       1,000,000  

Series 2013-1A, Class C, 5.04%, 2/14/25

       250       250,696  

Series 2014-1A, Class CR, 3.77%, 4/17/25

       1,500       1,509,888  
Asset-Backed Securities           Par
(000)
    Value  

Asset-Backed Securities (continued)

 

Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO Ltd. (b)(c): (continued)

      

Series 2015-2A, Class C, 4.79%, 4/27/27

     USD       250     $ 250,611  

Series 2015-2A, Class D, 6.34%, 4/27/27

       1,000       976,382  

CFIP CLO Ltd., Series 2013-1A, Class D,
4.78%, 4/20/24 (b)(c)

       1,500       1,504,322  

CIFC Funding 2012-III Ltd., Series 2012-3A, Class B1R, 5.04%, 1/29/25 (b)(c)

       1,000       1,002,669  

Flatiron CLO Ltd., Series 2014-1A, Class D,
4.62%, 1/15/23 (b)(c)

       1,000       1,002,321  

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

      

Class D, 4.68%, 5/05/27

       300       296,078  

Class E1, 6.48%, 5/05/27

       1,250       1,209,031  

Madison Park Funding IX Ltd., Series 2012-9AR, Class DR, 4.89%, 8/15/22 (b)(c)

       655       655,604  

Madison Park Funding X Ltd., Series 2012-10A, Class DR, 5.23%, 1/20/29 (b)(c)

       1,500       1,505,835  

Neuberger Berman CLO XVIII Ltd., Series 2014-18A, Class CR, 5.29%, 11/14/27 (b)(c)

       1,000       1,007,836  

OCP CLO Ltd., Series 2012-2A, Class DR,
5.52%, 11/22/25 (b)(c)

       1,000       1,001,701  

OZLM IX Ltd., Series 2014-9A (b)(c):

      

Class C, 4.63%, 1/20/27

       750       750,128  

Class CR, 4.58%, 1/20/27 (d)

       750       750,000  

OZLM XII Ltd., Series 2015-12A, Class C, 4.74%, 4/30/27 (b)(c)

       340       340,141  

Sound Point CLO IV Ltd., Series 2013-3A, Class D, 4.54%, 1/21/26 (b)(c)

       500       500,438  

Stewart Park CLO Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class E, 6.47%, 4/15/26 (b)(c)

       500       484,015  

TICP CLO I Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class D, 4.58%, 7/20/27 (b)(c)

       250       240,833  

Venture XI CLO Ltd., Series 2012-11AR, Class DR, 4.26%, 11/14/22 (b)(c)

       250       250,315  

Venture XXI CLO Ltd., Series 2015-21A, Class D, 4.62%, 7/15/27 (b)(c)

       500       483,431  

Voya CLO Ltd., Series 2012-2AR, Class ER, 7.02%, 10/15/22 (b)(c)

       1,250       1,250,472  

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

      

Class B1, 4.13%, 1/20/27

       500       503,285  

Class C, 5.08%, 1/20/27

             500       501,858  
Total Asset-Backed Securities — 3.3%                      26,013,954  
      
                          
Corporate Bonds                      

Advertising Agencies — 0.0%

 

Kinross Gold Corp., 6.88%, 9/01/41

             180       182,250  

Aerospace & Defense — 1.6%

 

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

       167       146,543  

Bombardier, Inc. (b):

      

8.75%, 12/01/21

       187       207,103  

6.00%, 10/15/22

       1,134       1,135,417  

6.13%, 1/15/23

       648       648,000  

7.50%, 3/15/25

       1,554       1,616,160  
 

 

Portfolio Abbreviations

 

CDO

  

Collateralized Debt Obligation

    

GBP

  

British Pound

     

CLO

  

Collateralized Loan Obligation

    

LOC

  

Letter of Credit

     

DIP

  

Debtor-In-Possession

    

PIK

  

Payment-In-Kind

     

EBITDA

  

Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization

    

USD

  

U.S. Dollar

     
EUR    Euro              

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    7


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Aerospace & Defense (continued)

      

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

     USD       307     $ 320,815  

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

       1,462       1,539,047  

Koppers, Inc., 6.00%, 2/15/25 (b)

       606       630,240  

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

       100       107,600  

TransDigm, Inc.:

      

6.00%, 7/15/22

       2,915       2,993,647  

6.50%, 7/15/24

       2,189       2,249,197  

6.50%, 5/15/25

       555       568,181  

Series WI, 6.38%, 6/15/26

       223       225,230  
      

 

 

 
                       12,387,180  

Air Freight & Logistics — 0.4%

 

XPO Logistics, Inc.:

      

5.75%, 6/15/21

     EUR       100       111,872  

6.50%, 6/15/22 (b)

     USD       1,520       1,596,000  

6.13%, 9/01/23 (b)

       1,004       1,054,200  
      

 

 

 
                       2,762,072  

Airlines — 0.8%

 

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

       712       744,040  

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

       542       550,807  

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

       2,390       2,491,575  

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

       2,034       2,099,659  

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

       539       550,290  
      

 

 

 
                       6,436,371  

Auto Components — 0.9%

 

Allison Transmission, Inc., 5.00%, 10/01/24 (b)

       685       696,987  

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

     EUR       175       192,735  

Fiat Chrysler Finance Europe, 4.75%, 3/22/21

       100       117,064  

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

     USD       133       135,660  

Icahn Enterprises LP/Icahn Enterprises Finance Corp.:

      

4.88%, 3/15/19

       4,609       4,683,896  

6.25%, 2/01/22 (b)

       319       329,367  

6.75%, 2/01/24 (b)

       303       314,363  

IHO Verwaltungs GmbH (e):

      

(2.75% Cash or 3.50% PIK), 2.75%, 9/15/21

     EUR       100       109,423  

(3.25% Cash or 4.00% PIK), 3.25%, 9/15/23

       100       109,913  

(3.75 Cash or 4.50% PIK), 3.75%, 9/15/26

       100       107,926  

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

     USD       425       445,189  

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

      

12.00%, 6/01/2009

       5,150        

Series B, 9.50%, 7/01/2005

       5,125        
      

 

 

 
                       7,242,523  

Banks — 1.0%

 

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

     EUR       100       110,229  

Banca Popolare di Vicenza, 0.50%, 2/03/20

       100       104,979  

Banco Espirito Santo SA (a)(f):

      

2.63%, 5/08/17

       100       31,517  

4.75%, 1/15/18

       200       63,034  

4.00%, 1/21/19

       100       31,517  

Banco Popolare, 2.75%, 7/27/20

       100       108,111  

Bank of Ireland, 4.25%, 6/11/24 (c)

       100       110,442  

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

       300       324,549  

CaixaBank SA, 3.50%, 2/15/27 (c)

       100       109,014  

CIT Group, Inc.:

      

5.25%, 3/15/18

     USD       1,434       1,481,867  

6.63%, 4/01/18 (b)

       295       309,013  

5.00%, 5/15/18 (b)

       950       961,400  
Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Banks (continued)

      

CIT Group, Inc.: (continued)

      

5.50%, 2/15/19 (b)

     USD       3,099     $ 3,265,571  

5.00%, 8/01/23

       470       497,025  

Commerzbank AG, 7.75%, 3/16/21

     EUR       100       127,792  
      

 

 

 
                       7,636,060  

Building Materials — 0.0%

 

Dry Mix Solutions Investissements SAS,
3.93%, 6/15/21 (c)

       100       105,940  

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

       100       110,005  
      

 

 

 
                       215,945  

Building Products — 0.8%

 

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

      

5.63%, 4/15/21

     USD       210       215,513  

5.75%, 12/15/23

       415       435,750  

Building Materials Corp. of America (b):

      

5.38%, 11/15/24

       190       195,301  

6.00%, 10/15/25

       664       705,500  

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

       740       775,150  

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

       579       597,817  

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

       1,275       1,326,255  

Standard Industries, Inc. (b):

      

5.13%, 2/15/21

       84       87,570  

5.50%, 2/15/23

       453       471,120  

USG Corp., 8.25%, 1/15/18

       980       1,029,000  
      

 

 

 
                       5,838,976  

Capital Markets — 0.2%

 

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

       1,521       1,538,391  

E*Trade Financial Corp., Series A, 0.00%, 8/31/19 (g)(h)

       100       334,122  
      

 

 

 
                       1,872,513  

Chemicals — 3.0%

 

Alpha 3 BV/Alpha US Bidco, Inc., 6.25%, 2/01/25 (b)

       1,100       1,100,000  

Axalta Coating Systems Dutch Holding B BV, 3.75%, 1/15/25

     EUR       100       110,456  

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

     USD       325       331,500  

Blue Cube Spinco, Inc.:

      

9.75%, 10/15/23

       215       256,388  

10.00%, 10/15/25

       100       121,500  

CF Industries, Inc.:

      

5.15%, 3/15/34

       185       175,866  

4.95%, 6/01/43

       755       649,300  

Chemours Co.:

      

6.63%, 5/15/23

       270       286,538  

7.00%, 5/15/25

       321       348,686  

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

       6,638       9,304,604  

Hexion, Inc., 10.38%, 2/01/22 (b)

       336       346,080  

Huntsman International LLC:

      

5.13%, 4/15/21

     EUR       100       118,148  

5.13%, 11/15/22

     USD       1,101       1,156,050  

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

     EUR       100       110,310  

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

       100       112,633  

Momentive Performance Materials, Inc., 3.88%, 10/24/21

     USD       2,675       2,621,500  

Platform Specialty Products Corp. (b):

      

10.38%, 5/01/21

       506       568,618  

6.50%, 2/01/22

       3,375       3,526,875  

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

       967       1,046,777  

PSPC Escrow Corp., 6.00%, 2/01/23

     EUR       100       111,263  

Tronox Finance LLC:

      

6.38%, 8/15/20

     USD       564       573,870  

7.50%, 3/15/22 (b)

       172       179,740  

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

       488       513,620  
      

 

 

 
                       23,670,322  
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
8    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Commercial Services & Supplies — 0.8%

 

ADT Corp.:

      

3.50%, 7/15/22

     USD       765     $ 725,794  

4.13%, 6/15/23

       435       418,688  

4.88%, 7/15/32 (b)

       353       284,165  

Advanced Disposal Services, Inc.,
5.63%, 11/15/24 (b)

       608       621,680  

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

       200       209,500  

CEB, Inc., 5.63%, 6/15/23 (b)

       760       817,000  

Harland Clarke Holdings Corp., 8.38%, 8/15/22 (b)

       740       764,512  

Mobile Mini, Inc., 5.88%, 7/01/24

       104       108,680  

Park Aerospace Holdings Ltd., 5.25%, 8/15/22 (b)

       645       672,412  

Ritchie Bros Auctioneers, Inc., 5.38%, 1/15/25 (b)

       302       310,683  

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

     EUR       150       170,828  

United Rentals North America, Inc.:

      

7.63%, 4/15/22

     USD       858       895,812  

5.75%, 11/15/24

       165       175,230  

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

     EUR       125       144,277  
      

 

 

 
                       6,319,261  

Communications Equipment — 1.1%

 

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

     USD       1,767       1,952,535  

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

       505       540,350  

CommScope, Inc. (b):

      

5.00%, 6/15/21

       574       591,220  

5.50%, 6/15/24

       272       284,920  

Zayo Group LLC/Zayo Capital, Inc.:

      

6.00%, 4/01/23

       3,045       3,220,087  

6.38%, 5/15/25

       1,223       1,317,783  

5.75%, 1/15/27 (b)

       570       602,661  
      

 

 

 
                       8,509,556  

Construction & Engineering — 0.3%

 

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

       1,076       1,097,520  

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

       468       503,100  

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

     EUR       100       116,163  

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

     USD       350       337,750  
      

 

 

 
                       2,054,533  

Construction Materials — 0.7%

 

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

       117       122,265  

HD Supply, Inc. (b):

      

5.25%, 12/15/21

       2,410       2,542,550  

5.75%, 4/15/24

       1,625       1,718,438  

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

     EUR       100       113,225  

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

     USD       446       462,725  

Rexel SA, 3.50%, 6/15/23

     EUR       130       144,046  
      

 

 

 
                       5,103,249  

Consumer Discretionary — 0.1%

 

Nielsen Co. Luxembourg SARL, 5.00%, 2/01/25 (b)

     USD       471       474,533  

Consumer Finance — 1.2%

 

Ally Financial, Inc.:

      

6.25%, 12/01/17

       30       31,027  

5.13%, 9/30/24

       1,207       1,277,911  

4.63%, 3/30/25

       216       220,860  

8.00%, 11/01/31

       4,856       5,972,880  

Navient Corp.:

      

6.63%, 7/26/21

       297       309,623  

5.50%, 1/25/23

       345       330,337  

7.25%, 9/25/23

       10       10,250  

6.13%, 3/25/24

       237       226,928  

5.88%, 10/25/24

       258       241,875  

5.63%, 8/01/33

       260       210,600  
Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Consumer Finance (continued)

      

OneMain Financial Holdings LLC,
6.75%, 12/15/19 (b)

     USD       439     $ 459,580  
      

 

 

 
                       9,291,871  

Containers & Packaging — 2.8%

 

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

      

6.25%, 1/31/19 (b)

       603       612,533  

3.96%, 12/15/19 (b)(c)

       387       394,492  

6.75%, 1/31/21 (b)

       415       430,272  

6.00%, 6/30/21 (b)

       1,490       1,545,875  

4.25%, 1/15/22

     EUR       170       185,915  

4.25%, 9/15/22 (b)(d)

     USD       635       644,525  

4.63%, 5/15/23 (b)

       559       568,783  

2.75%, 3/15/24 (d)

     EUR       125       132,577  

6.75%, 5/15/24

       125       146,495  

7.25%, 5/15/24 (b)

       2,685       2,926,650  

6.00%, 2/15/25 (b)(d)

     USD       1,646       1,691,265  

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

       823       871,351  

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

     EUR       220       258,705  

Flex Acquisition Co., Inc., 6.88%, 1/15/25 (b)

     USD       394       402,865  

Graphic Packaging International, Inc., 4.13%, 8/15/24

       1,130       1,121,525  

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

     EUR       100       114,773  

Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc.:

      

5.75%, 10/15/20

     USD       3,099       3,191,970  

6.88%, 2/15/21

       172       177,145  

4.52%, 7/15/21 (b)(c)

       1,671       1,714,864  

5.13%, 7/15/23 (b)

       372       385,485  

7.00%, 7/15/24 (b)

       1,754       1,886,646  

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

     EUR       100       112,296  

Sealed Air Corp.:

      

4.88%, 12/01/22 (b)

     USD       120       124,050  

4.50%, 9/15/23

     EUR       100       118,595  

6.88%, 7/15/33 (b)

     USD       28       30,380  

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

       1,771       1,819,703  

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

       200       206,320  

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

     EUR       100       112,402  
      

 

 

 
                       21,928,457  

Diversified Consumer Services — 0.9%

 

APX Group, Inc.:

      

6.38%, 12/01/19

     USD       165       169,744  

8.75%, 12/01/20

       390       403,650  

7.88%, 12/01/22

       695       752,337  

7.88%, 12/01/22 (b)

       545       589,962  

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

       427       446,749  

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

       4,035       4,413,281  

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

       307       313,140  

Sotheby’s, 5.25%, 10/01/22 (b)

       73       74,460  

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

     EUR       100       109,039  
      

 

 

 
                       7,272,362  

Diversified Financial Services — 0.4%

 

Aircastle Ltd.:

      

5.13%, 3/15/21

     USD       33       35,228  

5.50%, 2/15/22

       427       460,626  

Deutsche Bank AG, 4.25%, 10/14/21 (b)

       150       151,696  

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

       350       374,570  

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

     GBP       100       129,669  

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

      

7.38%, 4/01/20

     USD       625       635,937  

6.88%, 4/15/22

       516       501,810  
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    9


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Diversified Financial Services (continued)

      

ProGroup AG, 5.13%, 5/01/22

     EUR       130     $ 146,360  

UniCredit SpA:

      

6.95%, 10/31/22

       100       123,066  

5.75%, 10/28/25 (c)

       100       113,301  

4.38%, 1/03/27 (c)

       100       108,734  
      

 

 

 
                       2,780,997  

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 2.2%

 

CenturyLink, Inc.:

      

6.45%, 6/15/21

     USD       1,753       1,868,049  

Series Y, 7.50%, 4/01/24

       165       177,375  

Cincinnati Bell, Inc., 7.00%, 7/15/24 (b)

       1,915       2,025,112  

Frontier Communications Corp.:

      

7.13%, 3/15/19

       50       53,125  

8.50%, 4/15/20

       260       275,600  

6.25%, 9/15/21

       345       329,475  

7.13%, 1/15/23

       235       212,675  

7.63%, 4/15/24

       1,641       1,472,798  

6.88%, 1/15/25

       1,750       1,474,375  

11.00%, 9/15/25

       265       266,325  

Level 3 Financing, Inc.:

      

4.76%, 1/15/18 (c)

       646       647,615  

5.38%, 8/15/22

       925       958,994  

5.13%, 5/01/23

       1,120       1,142,400  

5.38%, 1/15/24

       712       730,690  

5.38%, 5/01/25

       869       897,243  

5.25%, 3/15/26 (b)

       411       414,596  

OTE PLC, 3.50%, 7/09/20

     EUR       100       106,470  

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

       129       153,431  

Telecom Italia Capital SA:

      

6.38%, 11/15/33

     USD       301       304,010  

6.00%, 9/30/34

       429       423,638  

7.20%, 7/18/36

       280       296,520  

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

     EUR       100       138,360  

Telecom Italia SpA:

      

6.38%, 6/24/19

     GBP       200       271,401  

3.25%, 1/16/23

     EUR       150       167,983  

5.88%, 5/19/23

     GBP       100       139,372  

5.30%, 5/30/24 (b)

     USD       905       920,838  

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

     EUR       322       378,292  

Windstream Corp., 7.75%, 10/01/21

     USD       451       464,530  

Windstream Services LLC, 7.50%, 6/01/22

       339       335,610  
      

 

 

 
                       17,046,902  

Electric Utilities — 0.0%

 

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

             256       254,208  

Electrical Equipment — 0.0%

 

Areva SA, 4.88%, 9/23/24

     EUR       100       107,116  

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

       109       122,692  
      

 

 

 
                       229,808  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.5%

 

CDW LLC/CDW Finance Corp.:

      

6.00%, 8/15/22

     USD       500       529,375  

5.00%, 9/01/23

       1,036       1,067,080  

5.50%, 12/01/24

       2,050       2,152,500  

SESI LLC, 7.13%, 12/15/21

       180       184,950  
      

 

 

 
                       3,933,905  

Energy Equipment & Services — 1.1%

 

Ensco PLC:

      

4.50%, 10/01/24

       260       223,600  

5.20%, 3/15/25

       55       48,675  

Gates Global LLC/Gates Global Co.,
6.00%, 7/15/22 (b)

       568       572,260  
Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Energy Equipment & Services (continued)

      

Genesis Energy LP/Genesis Energy Finance Corp.:

      

5.75%, 2/15/21

     USD       103     $ 104,545  

6.75%, 8/01/22

       557       580,672  

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

       150       127,500  

Noble Holding International Ltd., 4.63%, 3/01/21

       22       20,845  

Pioneer Energy Services Corp., 6.13%, 3/15/22

       740       690,975  

Precision Drilling Corp., 6.50%, 12/15/21

       5       5,138  

Transocean, Inc.:

      

4.25%, 10/15/17

       354       356,089  

6.00%, 3/15/18

       1,399       1,433,975  

7.38%, 4/15/18

       90       92,475  

5.55%, 10/15/22

       322       301,070  

9.00%, 7/15/23 (b)

       1,702       1,833,905  

6.80%, 3/15/38

       375       307,500  

Trinidad Drilling Ltd., 6.63%, 2/15/25 (b)

       724       745,720  

Weatherford International Ltd.:

      

7.75%, 6/15/21

       215       231,931  

8.25%, 6/15/23

       335       363,475  

9.88%, 2/15/24 (b)

       356       411,180  
      

 

 

 
                       8,451,530  

Environmental, Maintenance, & Security Service — 0.2%

 

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

     EUR       100       108,212  

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

     USD       1,094       1,143,230  
      

 

 

 
                       1,251,442  

Food & Staples Retailing — 0.9%

 

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

      

6.63%, 6/15/24

       308       326,480  

5.75%, 3/15/25

       363       363,681  

B&M European Value Retail SA, 4.13%, 2/01/22

     GBP       100       129,224  

Casino Guichard Perrachon SA:

      

4.56%, 1/25/23

     EUR       100       118,464  

3.25%, 3/07/24

       200       232,452  

Dollar Tree, Inc.:

      

5.25%, 3/01/20

     USD       69       70,967  

5.75%, 3/01/23

       2,882       3,058,522  

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC/Pinnacle Foods Finance Corp., 5.88%, 1/15/24

       127       134,302  

Rite Aid Corp.:

      

9.25%, 3/15/20

       435       449,137  

6.75%, 6/15/21

       32       33,360  

6.13%, 4/01/23 (b)

       1,440       1,525,896  

7.70%, 2/15/27

       56       66,920  

Tesco PLC, 5.00%, 3/24/23

     GBP       100       137,582  
      

 

 

 
                       6,646,987  

Food Products — 0.8%

 

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

     USD       420       369,600  

Aramark Services, Inc.:

      

5.75%, 3/15/20

       165       167,636  

5.13%, 1/15/24

       78       81,713  

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

       770       787,325  

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

      

7.25%, 6/01/21

       355       365,650  

5.75%, 6/15/25

       704       726,880  

Post Holdings, Inc. (b):

      

7.75%, 3/15/24

       718       796,980  

8.00%, 7/15/25

       307       346,142  

5.00%, 8/15/26

       2,342       2,264,410  

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

       274       288,385  

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

       239       260,510  
      

 

 

 
                       6,455,231  
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
10    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.7%

 

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

     USD       595     $ 531,038  

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

       1,872       1,656,720  

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

       820       892,775  

IASIS Healthcare LLC/IASIS Capital Corp., 8.38%, 5/15/19

       600       586,500  

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

     GBP       100       118,811  

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

      

4.88%, 4/15/20

     USD       350       350,875  

5.75%, 8/01/22

       990       970,200  

5.63%, 10/15/23

       509       488,640  
      

 

 

 
                       5,595,559  

Health Care Providers & Services — 4.8%

 

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.:

      

5.13%, 7/01/22

       872       878,540  

5.63%, 2/15/23

       440       452,100  

6.50%, 3/01/24

       122       129,625  

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

       406       412,090  

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

       2,812       2,927,995  

Centene Corp.:

      

5.63%, 2/15/21

       716       753,590  

4.75%, 5/15/22

       67       69,429  

6.13%, 2/15/24

       311       337,435  

4.75%, 1/15/25

       610       627,537  

CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.:

      

5.13%, 8/15/18

       156       156,975  

8.00%, 11/15/19

       400       391,000  

5.13%, 8/01/21

       790       776,175  

6.88%, 2/01/22

       499       437,873  

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

       810       826,706  

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

       510       555,263  

HCA, Inc.:

      

3.75%, 3/15/19

       1,048       1,074,200  

6.50%, 2/15/20

       1,744       1,914,546  

7.50%, 2/15/22

       430       496,113  

5.88%, 3/15/22

       1,148       1,267,105  

4.75%, 5/01/23

       658       690,077  

5.00%, 3/15/24

       1,015       1,069,556  

5.38%, 2/01/25

       1,528       1,598,670  

5.25%, 4/15/25

       66       70,373  

5.88%, 2/15/26

       1,572       1,685,970  

5.25%, 6/15/26

       580       612,625  

4.50%, 2/15/27

       1,227       1,223,932  

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

       1,134       1,156,680  

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

       475       495,188  

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

       574       593,372  

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

       1,696       1,827,440  

New Amethyst Corp., 6.25%, 12/01/24 (b)

       302       320,120  

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

       609       654,675  

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

       128       130,880  

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

       146       156,220  

Tenet Healthcare Corp.:

      

6.25%, 11/01/18

       607       642,661  

4.75%, 6/01/20

       1,190       1,213,800  

4.46%, 6/15/20 (c)

       989       1,001,362  

6.00%, 10/01/20

       2,918       3,093,080  

4.50%, 4/01/21

       24       24,300  

7.50%, 1/01/22 (b)

       380       411,350  

8.13%, 4/01/22

       2,540       2,660,650  

6.75%, 6/15/23

       1,355       1,343,144  
      

 

 

 
                       37,160,422  
Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Health Care Technology — 0.0%

 

Quintiles IMS, Inc., 3.25%, 3/15/25 (b)

     EUR       100     $ 106,099  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 2.6%

 

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

     USD       758       818,640  

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

       1,428       1,494,045  

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

       183       184,601  

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

       200       216,000  

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

      

5.00%, 6/01/24

       66       67,756  

5.25%, 6/01/26

       234       241,898  

MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP/MGP Finance Co-Issuer, Inc., 5.63%, 5/01/24 (b)

       2,115       2,236,612  

MGM Resorts International:

      

8.63%, 2/01/19

       234       258,570  

5.25%, 3/31/20

       1,261       1,327,203  

6.75%, 10/01/20

       515       567,633  

6.63%, 12/15/21

       1,352       1,509,170  

4.63%, 9/01/26

       987       967,250  

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

       2,115       2,205,522  

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

     EUR       100       109,850  

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

     USD       221       224,315  

Scientific Games International, Inc.:

      

7.00%, 1/01/22 (b)

       2,281       2,426,331  

10.00%, 12/01/22

       2,120       2,249,850  

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

       842       865,576  

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

       1,938       2,020,365  

Thomas Cook Group PLC, 6.25%, 6/15/22

     EUR       100       112,879  

Unique Pub Finance Co. PLC, Series A4, 5.66%, 6/30/27

     GBP       279       374,689  

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

       147       189,555  
      

 

 

 
                       20,668,310  

Household Durables — 0.7%

 

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

     USD       285       293,550  

CalAtlantic Group, Inc.:

      

8.38%, 1/15/21

       1,090       1,273,937  

5.25%, 6/01/26

       285       285,356  

Lennar Corp.:

      

4.75%, 11/15/22

       475       488,538  

4.88%, 12/15/23

       265       273,613  

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

       589       599,307  

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

       130       143,325  

Standard Pacific Corp., 5.88%, 11/15/24

       360       386,100  

Tempur Sealy International, Inc., 5.50%, 6/15/26

       561       551,182  

TRI Pointe Group, Inc.:

      

4.38%, 6/15/19

       435       443,700  

4.88%, 7/01/21

       525       542,063  
      

 

 

 
                       5,280,671  

Household Products — 0.3%

 

Spectrum Brands, Inc.:

      

6.63%, 11/15/22

       1,810       1,914,075  

6.13%, 12/15/24

       87       92,577  

5.75%, 7/15/25

       284       301,750  
      

 

 

 
                       2,308,402  

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.9%

 

AES Corp.:

      

7.38%, 7/01/21

       559       630,272  

5.50%, 3/15/24

       725       739,500  

6.00%, 5/15/26

       201       207,030  

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

       128       129,280  
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    11


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (continued)

 

Dynegy, Inc.:

      

6.75%, 11/01/19

     USD       665     $ 684,950  

7.38%, 11/01/22

       231       226,958  

NRG Energy, Inc.:

      

7.88%, 5/15/21

       124       128,650  

6.25%, 5/01/24

       50       50,000  

7.25%, 5/15/26

       208       213,980  

6.63%, 1/15/27 (b)

       1,358       1,334,235  

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

       195       199,875  

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

       1,965       1,974,825  

TerraForm Power Operating LLC, 6.38%, 2/01/23 (b)(i)

       205       212,175  
      

 

 

 
                       6,731,730  

Industrial Conglomerates — 0.3%

 

Vertiv Group Corp, 9.25%, 10/15/24 (b)

             1,887       2,026,166  

Insurance — 0.4%

 

Assicurazioni Generali SpA (c):

      

7.75%, 12/12/42

     EUR       100       126,084  

5.50%, 10/27/47

       100       111,767  

Groupama SA, 6.00%, 1/23/27

       100       108,293  

HUB International Ltd. (b):

      

9.25%, 2/15/21

     USD       367       380,762  

7.88%, 10/01/21

       994       1,051,155  

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

       1,560       1,645,800  
      

 

 

 
                       3,423,861  

Internet Software & Services — 0.4%

 

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

       997       1,064,916  

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

       558       566,370  

Netflix, Inc.:

      

5.50%, 2/15/22

       72       76,860  

5.88%, 2/15/25

       132       142,725  

4.38%, 11/15/26 (b)

       888       880,230  

Symantec Corp., 5.00%, 4/15/25 (b)

       422       433,159  
      

 

 

 
                       3,164,260  

IT Services — 1.4%

 

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

       795       832,763  

First Data Corp. (b):

      

7.00%, 12/01/23

       3,857       4,146,275  

5.75%, 1/15/24

       5,066       5,249,642  

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

       601       597,995  
      

 

 

 
                       10,826,675  

Machinery — 0.3%

 

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

       380       391,400  

SPX FLOW, Inc. (b):

      

5.63%, 8/15/24

       359       368,872  

5.88%, 8/15/26

       359       364,385  

Terex Corp., 5.63%, 2/01/25 (b)

       912       935,940  

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

     EUR       100       113,854  
      

 

 

 
                       2,174,451  

Media — 9.7%

 

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

       200       221,150  

Altice Financing SA:

      

5.25%, 2/15/23

       100       113,186  

7.50%, 5/15/26 (b)

     USD       1,795       1,927,381  

Altice Luxembourg SA:

      

7.75%, 5/15/22 (b)

       1,110       1,180,762  

6.25%, 2/15/25

     EUR       100       112,561  

7.63%, 2/15/25 (b)

     USD       203       216,195  

Altice US Finance I Corp. (b):

      

5.38%, 7/15/23

       2,707       2,822,047  

5.50%, 5/15/26

       637       658,499  
Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Media (continued)

 

AMC Networks, Inc.:

      

4.75%, 12/15/22

     USD       156     $ 157,560  

5.00%, 4/01/24

       1,160       1,170,881  

Cablevision Systems Corp.:

      

7.75%, 4/15/18

       362       380,100  

8.00%, 4/15/20

       502       554,710  

CBS Radio, Inc., 7.25%, 11/01/24 (b)

       602       642,635  

CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.:

      

5.13%, 2/15/23

       1,110       1,155,787  

5.75%, 2/15/26 (b)

       1,148       1,228,360  

5.50%, 5/01/26 (b)

       774       821,408  

5.13%, 5/01/27 (b)

       703       730,241  

5.88%, 5/01/27 (b)

       1,252       1,344,773  

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

     EUR       100       106,999  

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

      

6.38%, 9/15/20

     USD       420       432,863  

5.13%, 12/15/21

       1,670       1,688,434  

7.75%, 7/15/25

       2,044       2,263,730  

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

       1,300       1,369,424  

Clear Channel International BV, 8.75%, 12/15/20 (b)

       700       742,000  

Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc.:

      

6.50%, 11/15/22

       7,365       7,591,729  

Series B, 7.63%, 3/15/20

       2,524       2,542,930  

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

       850       904,511  

CSC Holdings LLC:

      

10.13%, 1/15/23 (b)

       712       824,140  

5.25%, 6/01/24

       996       1,002,225  

6.63%, 10/15/25 (b)

       1,298       1,432,667  

10.88%, 10/15/25 (b)

       2,590       3,120,950  

DISH DBS Corp.:

      

5.88%, 7/15/22

       1,537       1,648,432  

5.88%, 11/15/24

       457       486,705  

7.75%, 7/01/26

       2,068       2,419,560  

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

     EUR       100       110,919  

Hughes Satellite Systems Corp. (b):

      

5.25%, 8/01/26

     USD       1,433       1,456,286  

6.63%, 8/01/26

       381       396,476  

iHeartCommunications, Inc.:

      

9.00%, 12/15/19

       1,010       882,488  

9.00%, 3/01/21

       160       129,600  

9.00%, 9/15/22

       930       748,650  

10.63%, 3/15/23

       850       705,500  

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA:

      

7.25%, 4/01/19

       1,695       1,622,962  

5.50%, 8/01/23

       1,467       1,206,607  

LG Finance Co. Corp., 5.88%, 11/01/24 (b)

       231       237,641  

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

       520       502,450  

Midcontinent Communications / Midcontinent Finance Corp. (b):

      

6.25%, 8/01/21

       265       275,335  

6.88%, 8/15/23

       309       332,948  

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

       538       542,708  

Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., 5.63%, 8/01/24 (b)

       531       542,948  

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

       205       211,150  

Numericable Group SA, 5.38%, 5/15/22

     EUR       100       110,495  

Outfront Media Capital LLC/Outfront Media Capital Corp.:

      

5.25%, 2/15/22

     USD       130       135,038  

5.63%, 2/15/24

       242       254,100  

SFR Group SA (b):

      

6.00%, 5/15/22

       1,192       1,236,330  

7.38%, 5/01/26

       4,095       4,243,444  
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
12    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Media (continued)

 

Sirius XM Radio, Inc. (b):

      

4.25%, 5/15/20

     USD       141     $ 142,763  

5.75%, 8/01/21

       464       483,393  

4.63%, 5/15/23

       60       61,350  

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

       1,300       1,287,000  

TEGNA, Inc., 5.13%, 10/15/19

       215       220,644  

Telesat Canada/Telesat LLC, 8.88%, 11/15/24 (b)

       457       499,273  

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

       1,583       1,616,639  

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

      

4.00%, 1/15/25

     EUR       198       221,193  

5.00%, 1/15/25 (b)

     USD       400       411,000  

Univision Communications, Inc. (b):

      

5.13%, 5/15/23

       3,152       3,152,000  

5.13%, 2/15/25

       934       921,157  

Virgin Media Finance PLC, 5.75%, 1/15/25 (b)

       600       615,750  

Virgin Media Receivables Financing Notes I DAC, 5.50%, 9/15/24

     GBP       100       127,777  

Virgin Media Secured Finance PLC:

      

5.25%, 1/15/26 (b)

     USD       975       985,969  

5.50%, 8/15/26 (b)

       320       327,965  

4.88%, 1/15/27

     GBP       100       124,892  

6.25%, 3/28/29

       233       313,809  

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

     USD       1,300       1,352,000  

Wind Acquisition Finance SA:

      

4.00%, 7/15/20

     EUR       168       181,361  

7.00%, 4/23/21

       100       110,336  

7.38%, 4/23/21 (b)

     USD       1,205       1,254,706  

Ziggo Bond Finance BV, 5.88%, 1/15/25 (b)

       1,095       1,112,794  
      

 

 

 
                       75,423,381  

Metals & Mining — 5.3%

 

Alcoa Nederland Holding BV, 7.00%, 9/30/26 (b)

       270       296,325  

Alcoa, Inc.:

      

6.15%, 8/15/20

       1,395       1,527,525  

5.13%, 10/01/24

       1,371       1,419,670  

5.90%, 2/01/27

       280       299,950  

Anglo American Capital PLC:

      

1.50%, 4/01/20

     EUR       100       108,326  

3.50%, 3/28/22

       100       117,047  

4.88%, 5/14/25 (b)

     USD       1,025       1,063,437  

ArcelorMittal:

      

8.00%, 10/15/39

       178       207,370  

7.75%, 3/01/41

       938       1,064,630  

Cliffs Natural Resources, Inc. (b):

      

8.25%, 3/31/20

       355       387,838  

5.75%, 3/01/25

       576       565,056  

Constellium NV (b):

      

8.00%, 1/15/23

       2,290       2,404,500  

5.75%, 5/15/24

       675       639,563  

6.63%, 3/01/25

       1,424       1,415,990  

First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (b):

      

7.00%, 2/15/21

       1,254       1,298,674  

7.25%, 5/15/22

       235       242,931  

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

       553       639,755  

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.:

      

2.38%, 3/15/18

       3,710       3,691,450  

3.10%, 3/15/20

       1,135       1,112,300  

4.00%, 11/14/21

       804       771,840  

3.55%, 3/01/22

       1,144       1,062,490  

3.88%, 3/15/23

       3,888       3,576,960  

5.40%, 11/14/34

       1,271       1,115,302  

5.45%, 3/15/43

       1,728       1,477,440  
Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Metals & Mining (continued)

 

Grinding Media, Inc. / MC Grinding Media Canada, Inc., 7.38%, 12/15/23 (b)

     USD       491     $ 525,370  

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

       482       537,430  

Kinross Gold Corp., 5.95%, 3/15/24

       110       116,325  

Novelis Corp. (b):

      

6.25%, 8/15/24

       1,758       1,863,480  

5.88%, 9/30/26

       1,904       1,958,740  

Peabody Securities Finance Corp. (b):

      

6.00%, 3/31/22

       325       331,500  

6.38%, 3/31/25

       342       348,840  

Steel Dynamics, Inc.:

      

5.13%, 10/01/21

       790       814,688  

6.38%, 8/15/22

       595       621,775  

5.25%, 4/15/23

       1,015       1,056,970  

5.50%, 10/01/24

       138       146,804  

5.00%, 12/15/26 (b)

       35       36,177  

Teck Resources Ltd.:

      

3.00%, 3/01/19

       250       256,050  

3.75%, 2/01/23

       1,403       1,367,644  

8.50%, 6/01/24 (b)

       722       842,935  

6.13%, 10/01/35

       181       187,335  

6.00%, 8/15/40

       811       813,028  

6.25%, 7/15/41

       429       445,088  

5.20%, 3/01/42

       1,118       1,058,947  

5.40%, 2/01/43

       977       930,592  

ThyssenKrupp AG, 1.38%, 3/03/22

     EUR       75       79,128  

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

     USD       624       702,000  
      

 

 

 
                       41,547,215  

Multi-Utilities — 0.2%

 

NGL Energy Partners LP/NGL Energy Finance Corp.:

      

6.88%, 10/15/21

       390       401,456  

7.50%, 11/01/23 (b)

       780       820,950  
      

 

 

 
                       1,222,406  

Multiline Retail — 0.1%

 

Neiman Marcus Group Ltd. (b):

      

8.00%, 10/15/21

       1,035       649,463  

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

       150       86,250  
      

 

 

 
                       735,713  

Offshore Drilling & Other Services — 0.0%

 

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

             220       232,100  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 8.8%

 

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

       2,112       1,805,760  

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc., 6.25%, 4/15/23

       235       237,938  

Cheniere Corpus Christi Holdings LLC (b):

      

7.00%, 6/30/24

       912       1,021,440  

5.88%, 3/31/25

       1,901       2,010,307  

Chesapeake Energy Corp.:

      

4.27%, 4/15/19 (c)

       1,678       1,665,415  

6.88%, 11/15/20

       100       99,000  

8.00%, 12/15/22 (b)

       205       216,788  

8.00%, 1/15/25 (b)

       932       925,010  

CONSOL Energy, Inc.:

      

5.88%, 4/15/22

       6,117       5,964,075  

8.00%, 4/01/23

       40       41,700  

Continental Resources, Inc., 3.80%, 6/01/24

       808       748,410  

Crestwood Midstream Partners LP/Crestwood Midstream Finance Corp.:

      

6.00%, 12/15/20

       65       66,869  

6.25%, 4/01/23

       90       93,375  

CrownRock LP/CrownRock Finance, Inc. (b):

      

7.13%, 4/15/21

       635       660,400  

7.75%, 2/15/23

       105       113,138  
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    13


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)

 

DCP Midstream LLC (b):

      

4.75%, 9/30/21

     USD       745     $ 769,212  

6.45%, 11/03/36

       250       256,875  

6.75%, 9/15/37

       426       451,560  

Denbury Resources, Inc.:

      

9.00%, 5/15/21 (b)

       1,288       1,387,820  

5.50%, 5/01/22

       633       522,225  

4.63%, 7/15/23

       108       84,240  

Eclipse Resources Corp., 8.88%, 7/15/23

       140       144,550  

Energy Transfer Equity LP:

      

7.50%, 10/15/20

       200       224,750  

5.88%, 1/15/24

       1,078       1,158,850  

5.50%, 6/01/27

       494       523,022  

EP Energy LLC/Everest Acquisition Finance, Inc.:

      

9.38%, 5/01/20

       493       481,907  

8.00%, 11/29/24 (b)

       625       662,500  

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

       648       690,120  

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

       85       84,788  

Gulfport Energy Corp.:

      

6.63%, 5/01/23

       163       165,853  

6.00%, 10/15/24 (b)

       342       340,290  

Halcon Resources Corp., 6.75%, 2/15/25 (b)

       2,092       2,071,080  

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

      

5.00%, 12/01/24

       281       269,058  

5.75%, 10/01/25

       73       72,453  

MEG Energy Corp. (b):

      

6.50%, 3/15/21

       2,599       2,657,477  

6.38%, 1/30/23

       54       47,925  

7.00%, 3/31/24

       694       624,600  

6.50%, 1/15/25

       2,295       2,243,362  

Murphy Oil Corp.:

      

6.88%, 8/15/24

       673       720,446  

6.13%, 12/01/42

       83       78,020  

Newfield Exploration Co., 5.63%, 7/01/24

       223       238,610  

NGPL PipeCo LLC (b):

      

7.12%, 12/15/17

       1,400       1,450,750  

7.77%, 12/15/37

       1,532       1,734,990  

Noble Holding International, Ltd., 7.75%, 1/15/24

       1,684       1,637,690  

Oasis Petroleum, Inc.:

      

6.50%, 11/01/21

       1,004       1,021,570  

6.88%, 3/15/22

       797       810,700  

ONEOK, Inc.:

      

7.50%, 9/01/23

       190       225,625  

6.00%, 6/15/35

       165       173,663  

Paramount Resources Ltd., 6.88%, 6/30/23 (b)

       2,515       2,660,241  

Parker Drilling Co.:

      

7.50%, 8/01/20

       314       306,150  

6.75%, 7/15/22

       435       402,375  

Parsley Energy LLC/Parsley Finance Corp., 5.38%, 1/15/25 (b)

       315       319,725  

Petroleos Mexicanos, 5.38%, 3/13/22 (b)

       102       106,687  

Precision Drilling Corp., 7.75%, 12/15/23 (b)

       150       162,375  

QEP Resources, Inc., 5.25%, 5/01/23

       95       93,575  

Range Resources Corp. (b):

      

5.88%, 7/01/22

       1,343       1,373,217  

5.00%, 8/15/22

       10       9,750  

5.00%, 3/15/23

       555       537,656  

Resolute Energy Corp., 8.50%, 5/01/20

       639       651,780  

Rockies Express Pipeline LLC (b):

      

6.85%, 7/15/18

       99       104,198  

6.00%, 1/15/19

       26       27,300  

5.63%, 4/15/20

       660       696,300  

6.88%, 4/15/40

       564       600,660  
Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)

 

Rowan Cos., Inc.:

      

4.88%, 6/01/22

     USD       95     $ 90,725  

7.38%, 6/15/25

       1,015       1,053,062  

RSP Permian, Inc.:

      

6.63%, 10/01/22

       356       376,470  

5.25%, 1/15/25 (b)

       408       418,200  

Sanchez Energy Corp.:

      

7.75%, 6/15/21

       672       688,800  

6.13%, 1/15/23

       2,656       2,549,760  

Seven Generations Energy Ltd., 8.25%, 5/15/20 (b)

       381       401,002  

SM Energy Co.:

      

6.50%, 11/15/21

       375       383,438  

6.13%, 11/15/22

       187       188,403  

5.00%, 1/15/24

       931       872,812  

5.63%, 6/01/25

       390       369,038  

Southwestern Energy Co.:

      

5.80%, 1/23/20

       2,322       2,298,780  

6.70%, 1/23/25

       80       76,800  

Summit Midstream Holdings LLC / Summit Midstream Finance Corp., 5.75%, 4/15/25

       230       233,450  

Tallgrass Energy Partners LP/Tallgrass Energy Finance Corp. (b):

      

5.13%, 2/01/25

       248       257,920  

5.38%, 2/01/27

       92       95,910  

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

       120       123,900  

Tesoro Corp. (b):

      

4.75%, 12/15/23

       1,202       1,244,070  

5.13%, 12/15/26

       1,521       1,608,457  

Tesoro Logistics LP/Tesoro Logistics Finance Corp.:

      

6.13%, 10/15/21

       81       84,544  

6.25%, 10/15/22

       833       891,310  

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

       157       147,973  

Weatherford International Ltd.:

      

4.50%, 4/15/22

       184       175,950  

6.50%, 8/01/36

       625       576,562  

7.00%, 3/15/38

       350       329,875  

5.95%, 4/15/42

       68       56,950  

Whiting Petroleum Corp.:

      

5.00%, 3/15/19

       1,343       1,354,751  

6.25%, 4/01/23

       120       120,300  

Williams Cos., Inc.:

      

4.55%, 6/24/24

       744       755,160  

5.75%, 6/24/44

       1,453       1,467,530  

WPX Energy, Inc.:

      

7.50%, 8/01/20

       115       123,913  

6.00%, 1/15/22

       1,263       1,289,839  

8.25%, 8/01/23

       400       448,000  
      

 

 

 
                       68,901,849  

Paper & Forest Products — 0.0%

      

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

             5       6,519  

Pharmaceuticals — 1.8%

      

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

       132       132,660  

Endo Finance LLC/Endo Finco, Inc.,
6.00%, 2/01/25 (b)

       600       536,250  

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

     EUR       100       114,691  

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

       100       116,690  

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

     USD       937       972,137  

inVentiv Group Holdings, Inc./inVentiv Health, Inc./inVentiv Health Clinical, Inc., 7.50%, 10/01/24 (b)

       1,161       1,213,245  

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

       2,123       2,284,879  

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

       1,701       1,796,681  

Tennessee Merger Sub, Inc., 6.38%, 2/01/25 (b)

       1,876       1,866,620  
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
14    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Pharmaceuticals (continued)

      

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (b):

      

6.75%, 8/15/18

     USD       961     $ 946,585  

7.00%, 10/01/20

       1,441       1,340,130  

7.50%, 7/15/21

       921       846,169  

6.75%, 8/15/21

       215       191,350  

5.63%, 12/01/21

       511       430,517  

7.25%, 7/15/22

       1,010       909,000  

6.13%, 4/15/25

       812       646,555  
      

 

 

 
                       14,344,159  

Producer Durables: Miscellaneous — 0.1%

      

Veritas US, Inc. / Veritas Bermuda Ltd. (b):

      

7.50%, 2/01/23

       369       391,140  

10.50%, 2/01/24

       200       216,000  
      

 

 

 
                       607,140  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.4%

      

ATF Netherlands BV, 2.13%, 3/13/23

     EUR       100       107,523  

Hilton Domestic Operating Co., Inc.,
4.25%, 9/01/24 (b)

     USD       423       418,347  

iStar, Inc.:

      

4.00%, 11/01/17

       535       537,006  

5.00%, 7/01/19

       375       381,563  

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

       1,279       1,243,827  

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

       638       662,722  
      

 

 

 
                       3,350,988  

Real Estate Management & Development — 0.4%

 

 

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

      

4.50%, 4/15/19

       391       404,685  

5.25%, 12/01/21

       541       562,640  

4.88%, 6/01/23

       1,807       1,779,895  

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

       245       249,288  
      

 

 

 
                       2,996,508  

Road & Rail — 0.9%

      

Avis Budget Car Rental LLC/Avis Budget Finance, Inc.:

      

3.80%, 12/01/17 (c)

       190       190,000  

5.13%, 6/01/22 (b)

       1,880       1,844,750  

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

     EUR       115       126,248  

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

     USD       1,338       1,374,795  

Herc Rentals, Inc. (b):

      

7.50%, 6/01/22

       222       239,760  

7.75%, 6/01/24

       55       60,500  

Hertz Corp.:

      

5.88%, 10/15/20

       520       507,000  

7.38%, 1/15/21

       358       358,000  

6.25%, 10/15/22

       223       212,965  

5.50%, 10/15/24 (b)

       714       644,385  

Loxam SAS, 3.50%, 5/03/23

     EUR       100       104,590  

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

     USD       646       655,690  

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

       2       2,110  

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

       350       366,625  
      

 

 

 
                       6,687,418  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.6%

 

   

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

       200       224,000  

Micron Technology, Inc.:

      

5.25%, 8/01/23 (b)

       433       436,789  

5.50%, 2/01/25

       90       92,925  

5.63%, 1/15/26 (b)

       282       289,755  

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

       67       77,217  
Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (continued)

 

 

NXP BV/NXP Funding LLC (b):

      

4.13%, 6/15/20

     USD       861     $ 895,595  

4.13%, 6/01/21

       347       360,221  

4.63%, 6/15/22

       1,050       1,115,625  

4.63%, 6/01/23

       202       215,130  

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

       852       864,780  

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

       200       215,500  
      

 

 

 
                       4,787,537  

Software — 2.4%

      

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

       2,838       2,880,570  

Inception Merger Sub, Inc./Rackspace Hosting, Inc., 8.63%, 11/15/24 (b)

       1,690       1,780,837  

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

       1,666       1,711,815  

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

       3,047       3,168,880  

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

       840       811,440  

JDA Escrow LLC/JDA Bond Finance, Inc., 7.38%, 10/15/24 (b)

       145       152,250  

Nuance Communications, Inc. (b):

      

5.38%, 8/15/20

       437       445,513  

6.00%, 7/01/24

       835       863,181  

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

       197       210,298  

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

       2,716       3,096,240  

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

       1,485       1,570,388  

TIBCO Software, Inc., 11.38%, 12/01/21 (b)

       2,212       2,405,550  
      

 

 

 
                       19,096,962  

Specialty Retail — 0.4%

      

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., 6.00%, 12/15/24

       1,605       1,669,200  

JC Penney Corp., Inc.:

      

8.13%, 10/01/19

       59       62,835  

7.40%, 4/01/37

       341       276,210  

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

       208       199,940  

Penske Automotive Group, Inc., 5.75%, 10/01/22

       365       378,688  

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

       146       143,445  
      

 

 

 
                       2,730,318  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 0.6%

 

 

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

      

4.42%, 6/15/21

       365       382,756  

7.13%, 6/15/24

       1,277       1,410,978  

6.02%, 6/15/26

       445       489,311  

8.35%, 7/15/46

       385       502,057  

Western Digital Corp.:

      

7.38%, 4/01/23 (b)

       391       429,122  

10.50%, 4/01/24

       1,315       1,538,550  
      

 

 

 
                       4,752,774  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.0%

      

BiSoho SAS, 5.88%, 5/01/23

     EUR       100       113,091  

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

     USD       122       123,525  
      

 

 

 
                       236,616  

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.0%

      

Jerrold Finco PLC, 6.25%, 9/15/21

     GBP       100       128,118  

Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.0%

      

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

     USD       320       339,200  

Transportation Infrastructure — 0.0%

      

CMA CGM SA, 7.75%, 1/15/21

     EUR       100       103,558  

Utilities — 0.0%

      

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

             100       112,148  
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    15


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Wireless Telecommunication Services — 3.6%

      

Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc./CSL Capital LLC:

      

6.00%, 4/15/23 (b)

     USD       255     $ 267,750  

8.25%, 10/15/23

       2,215       2,400,506  

7.13%, 12/15/24 (b)

       1,172       1,207,160  

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

       375       409,086  

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

       485       392,981  

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

       2,228       2,059,430  

GEO Group, Inc.:

      

5.88%, 1/15/22

       90       93,713  

5.13%, 4/01/23

       373       373,933  

5.88%, 10/15/24

       608       626,240  

6.00%, 4/15/26

       295       307,095  

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

     EUR       100       109,913  

Sprint Capital Corp.:

      

6.90%, 5/01/19

     USD       270       287,636  

6.88%, 11/15/28

       1,973       2,103,711  

Sprint Communications, Inc.:

      

9.00%, 11/15/18 (b)

       6,417       7,018,594  

7.00%, 8/15/20

       540       582,525  

Sprint Corp.:

      

7.88%, 9/15/23

       1,079       1,200,387  

7.13%, 6/15/24

       4,958       5,353,103  

7.63%, 2/15/25

       430       479,450  

T-Mobile USA, Inc.:

      

6.63%, 4/28/21

       390       405,678  

6.13%, 1/15/22

       81       85,658  

6.73%, 4/28/22

       1,172       1,218,880  

6.00%, 3/01/23

       653       690,547  

6.84%, 4/28/23

       85       90,661  

6.50%, 1/15/24

       584       627,508  
      

 

 

 
                       28,392,145  
Total Corporate Bonds — 70.8%                      552,450,422  
      
                          
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)                      

Aerospace & Defense — 0.8%

 

BE Aerospace, Inc., 2014 Term Loan B, 3.94%, 12/16/21

       1,426       1,431,826  

Engility Corp.:

      

Term Loan B1, 5.03%, 8/12/20

       239       240,592  

Term Loan B2, 4.53%, 8/12/23

       438       442,718  

TransDigm, Inc.:

      

2015 Term Loan E, 3.78%, 5/14/22

       692       694,844  

2016 Extended Term Loan F, 3.78%, 6/09/23

       2,762       2,774,850  

Term Loan D, 4.00%, 6/04/21

       829       831,709  
      

 

 

 
                       6,416,539  

Air Freight & Logistics — 1.1%

      

Avolon TLB Borrower 1 (Luxembourg) Sarl, Term Loan B2, 3.50%, 1/13/22

       5,050       5,137,365  

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

       701       610,199  

CEVA Intercompany BV, Dutch Term Loan, 6.54%, 3/19/21

       720       626,585  

CEVA Logistics Canada ULC, Canadian Term Loan, 6.54%, 3/19/21

       124       107,892  

CEVA Logistics US Holdings, Inc., Term Loan, 6.54%, 3/19/21

       949       825,922  

XPO Logistics, Inc., Term Loan B2, 4.30%, 11/01/21

       1,579       1,591,539  
      

 

 

 
                       8,899,502  

Airlines — 0.1%

      

Northwest Airlines, Inc.:

      

3.08%, 4/30/17

       82       82,194  

2.46%, 9/10/18

       302       297,594  
      

 

 

 
                       379,788  
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)           Par
(000)
    Value  

Auto Components — 0.9%

      

Anchor Glass Container Corp., 2016 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.25%, 12/07/23

     USD       365     $ 369,260  

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

       1,149       1,078,839  

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

       5,157       5,157,379  

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 2nd Lien Term Loan, 3.78%, 4/30/19

       401       401,333  
      

 

 

 
                       7,006,811  

Automobiles — 0.1%

      

CH Hold Corp.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 11.38%, 2/01/24

       820       828,101  

Delayed Draw Term Loan B, 4.50%, 1/18/24

       80       80,897  
      

 

 

 
                       908,998  

Building Materials — 0.8%

      

Forterra, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.50%, 10/25/23

       525       529,669  

USAGM HoldCo LLC:

      

2015 2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.54%, 7/28/23

       895       907,306  

2015 Term Loan, 4.79%, 7/28/22

       1,655       1,658,046  

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

       365       366,737  

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

       3,001       3,018,904  
      

 

 

 
                       6,480,662  

Building Products — 1.9%

      

Continental Building Products LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, 3.03%, 8/18/23

       1,427       1,437,901  

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

       3,899       3,921,449  

GYP Holdings III Corp., 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.54%, 4/01/21

       1,380       1,387,484  

Jeld-Wen, Inc., Term Loan B2, 4.75%, 7/01/22

       1,659       1,668,922  

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

       1,222       1,227,180  

Quikrete Holdings, Inc., 2016 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.02%, 11/15/23

       2,495       2,523,842  

Wilsonart LLC, 2016 Term Loan, 4.50%, 12/19/23

       2,646       2,661,644  
      

 

 

 
                       14,828,422  

Capital Markets — 0.2%

      

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

       425       423,327  

RPI Finance Trust, Term Loan B5, 3.50%, 10/14/22

       1,127       1,139,307  
      

 

 

 
                       1,562,634  

Chemicals — 1.6%

 

Atotech BV, 2017 Term Loan B1, 4.00%, 1/31/24

       715       722,150  

Axalta Coating Systems US Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B1, 3.50%, 2/01/23

       2,103       2,128,174  

CeramTec Acquisition Corp., Term Loan B2, 4.30%, 8/30/20

       72       71,834  

Chemours Co., Term Loan B, 3.79%, 5/12/22

       148       149,238  

MacDermid, Inc.:

      

2016 Term Loan, 5.00%, 6/07/23

       2,186       2,209,403  

Term Loan B5, 4.50%, 6/07/20

       338       341,771  

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

       2,374       2,344,050  

PQ Corp., 2016 Term Loan, 5.29%, 11/04/22

       697       706,283  

Royal Holdings, Inc.:

      

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

       361       361,831  

2017 Term Loan B, 4.25%, 6/30/22

       512       515,242  

Solenis International LP, 2nd Lien Term Loan, 7.80%, 7/31/22

       1,915       1,890,258  

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

       573       573,460  

Versum Materials, Inc., Term Loan, 3.50%, 9/29/23

       713       721,685  
      

 

 

 
                       12,735,379  

Commercial Services & Supplies — 4.0%

 

Advanced Disposal Services, Inc., Term Loan B3, 3.50%, 11/10/23

       1,992       2,011,600  
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
16    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)           Par
(000)
    Value  

Commercial Services & Supplies (continued)

 

Aramark Services, Inc.:

      

Term Loan E, 3.28%, 9/07/19

     USD       1,778     $ 1,795,771  

Term Loan F, 3.50%, 2/24/21

       1,192       1,203,490  

Asurion LLC:

      

2016 Term Loan B2, 4.03%, 7/08/20

       470       474,864  

Term Loan B4, 4.25%, 8/04/22

       2,439       2,467,711  

Term Loan B5, 4.75%, 11/03/23

       1,416       1,434,666  

Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.79%, 11/26/20

       1,956       1,956,178  

Camelot UK Holdco Ltd., Term Loan B, 4.75%, 10/03/23

       4,973       5,027,434  

Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.75%, 5/20/21

       2,436       2,464,374  

Creative Artists Agency LLC, 2017 1st Lien Term Loan B, 4.75%, 2/15/24

       1,300       1,312,194  

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

       517       480,976  

GCA Services Group, Inc., 2016 Term Loan, 5.99%, 3/01/23

       1,250       1,262,249  

KAR Auction Services, Inc., Term Loan B3, 4.50%, 3/09/23

       903       913,905  

Livingston International, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.50%, 4/18/19

       830       818,837  

Prime Security Services Borrower LLC, 2016 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.25%, 5/02/22

       2,188       2,208,064  

Spin Holdco, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.28%, 11/14/19

       3,076       3,063,724  

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

       1,671       1,689,609  

Waste Industries USA, Inc., 2016 Term Loan, 3.53%, 2/27/20

       645       648,389  
      

 

 

 
                       31,234,035  

Communications Equipment — 0.6%

 

Applied Systems, Inc.:

      

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

       569       572,618  

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

       534       538,107  

Avaya, Inc.:

      

DIP Term Loan, 3.28%, 1/24/18

       215       221,839  

Term Loan B7, 6.28%, 5/29/20

       935       746,023  

CommScope, Inc., Term Loan B5, 3.28%, 12/29/22

       548       553,028  

Riverbed Technology, Inc., 2016 Term Loan, 4.25%, 4/24/22

       2,295       2,312,820  
      

 

 

 
                       4,944,435  

Construction & Engineering — 0.5%

 

CNT Holdings III Corp., 2017 Term Loan, 4.25%, 1/22/23

       645       648,757  

Safway Group Holding LLC, Term Loan B, 5.75%, 8/19/23

       2,279       2,307,779  

USIC Holdings, Inc., 2016 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.75%, 12/08/23

       835       839,701  
      

 

 

 
                       3,796,237  

Construction Materials — 0.3%

 

Filtration Group Corp.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.30%, 11/21/20

       1,575       1,587,678  

Delayed Draw Term Loan, 3.77%, 11/21/20

       1,081       1,084,801  
      

 

 

 
                       2,672,479  

Containers & Packaging — 0.9%

 

Ardagh Holdings USA, Inc., Incremental Term Loan, 4.01%, 12/17/21

       424       424,567  

Berry Plastics Group, Inc., Term Loan I, 3.28%, 10/03/22

       3,990       4,017,088  

BWAY Holding Co., 2016 Term Loan B, 4.75%, 8/14/23

       1,025       1,024,865  

Flex Acquisition Company, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.25%, 12/29/23

       1,150       1,157,762  
      

 

 

 
                       6,624,282  
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)           Par
(000)
    Value  

Distributors — 0.3%

 

American Builders & Contractors Supply Co., Inc., Term Loan B, 3.53%, 10/31/23

     USD       2,322     $ 2,341,162  

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

       295       293,400  
      

 

 

 
                       2,634,562  

Diversified Consumer Services — 1.2%

 

Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 3.52%, 11/07/23

       2,993       3,023,782  

Serta Simmons Holdings LLC, 2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.04%, 11/08/24

       885       901,594  

ServiceMaster Co., 2016 Term Loan B, 3.28%, 11/08/23

       4,880       4,928,800  

Weight Watchers International, Inc., Term Loan B2, 4.25%, 4/02/20

       809       709,557  
      

 

 

 
                       9,563,733  

Diversified Financial Services — 0.3%

 

AlixPartners LLP, 2016 Term Loan B, 4.00%, 7/28/22

       1,686       1,701,184  

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

       262       263,890  
      

 

 

 
                       1,965,074  

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 3.7%

 

Consolidated Communications, Inc., Term Loan B2, 6.54%, 10/05/23

       680       683,883  

Hawaiian Telcom Communications, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.29%, 6/06/19

       806       805,770  

Integra Telecom, Inc.:

      

2015 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.29%, 8/14/20

       1,743       1,743,714  

2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.75%, 2/12/21

       1,063       1,062,451  

Level 3 Financing Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, 4.25%, 2/14/24

       8,075       8,112,468  

Sprint Communications, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan B, 3.31%, 2/02/24

       3,035       3,039,340  

Telenet International Finance Sarl, Term Loan AF, 3.77%, 1/31/25

       2,780       2,804,325  

Telesat Canada, 2017 Term Loan B, 3.85%, 11/17/23

       1,347       1,360,091  

Virgin Media Investment Holdings Ltd., Term Loan I, 3.52%, 1/31/25

       3,470       3,483,499  

Zayo Group LLC, 2017 Term Loan B2, 3.50%, 1/19/24

       5,765       5,818,960  
      

 

 

 
                       28,914,501  

Electric Utilities — 1.2%

 

Energy Future Intermediate Holding Co. LLC, 2016 DIP Term Loan, 4.30%, 6/30/17

       6,104       6,119,720  

Lightstone Generation LLC:

      

Term Loan B, 6.54%, 11/22/23

       647       656,521  

Term Loan C, 6.54%, 11/22/23

       62       62,526  

TEX Operations Co. LLC:

      

Exit Term Loan B, 3.53%, 8/04/23

       1,491       1,498,194  

Exit Term Loan C, 3.53%, 8/04/23

       340       341,807  

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC/TCEH Finance, Inc., Escrow, 5.03%, 11/10/17

       2,375        

Vistra Operations Co. LLC, 2016 Term Loan B2, 4.02%, 12/14/23

       710       714,104  
      

 

 

 
                       9,392,872  

Energy Equipment & Services — 0.1%

 

Weatherford International Ltd., Term Loan, 3.09%, 7/13/20

             911       890,490  

Food & Staples Retailing — 2.3%

 

Albertsons LLC:

      

2016 Term Loan B4, 3.78%, 8/22/21

       3,810       3,855,593  

2016 Term Loan B5, 4.25%, 12/22/22

       543       550,685  
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    17


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)           Par
(000)
    Value  

Food & Staples Retailing (continued)

 

BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc.:

      

2017 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.75%, 2/03/24

     USD       2,635     $ 2,613,604  

2017 2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.50%, 2/03/25

       1,115       1,113,372  

Hostess Brands LLC, 2016 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.00%, 8/03/22

       2,818       2,850,707  

Rite Aid Corp.:

      

5.75%, 8/21/20

       695       696,737  

4.88%, 6/21/21

       1,475       1,479,912  

US Foods, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 3.53%, 6/27/23

       4,801       4,859,686  
      

 

 

 
                       18,020,296  

Food Products — 1.7%

 

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

       1,100       1,087,533  

Chobani LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.25%, 10/07/23

       1,085       1,097,890  

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

       1,572       1,576,482  

JBS USA LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, 3.28%, 10/30/22

       1,970       1,980,677  

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, 4.25%, 2/02/24

       2,570       2,581,771  

Reddy Ice Corp.:

      

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

       1,796       1,769,201  

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

       724       632,595  

Reynolds Group Holdings Inc., 2017 Term Loan, 3.78%, 2/05/23

       2,206       2,222,156  
      

 

 

 
                       12,948,305  

Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 1.9%

 

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

       1,562       1,564,379  

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

       2,167       2,170,689  

Cotiviti Corp., Term Loan B, 3.75%, 9/28/23

       2,300       2,315,961  

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

       2,655       2,604,802  

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

       1,529       1,509,100  

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

       2,680       2,678,521  

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

       2,254       2,232,177  
      

 

 

 
                       15,075,629  

Health Care Providers & Services — 4.4%

 

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

       624       624,737  

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

       2,159       2,185,671  

Community Health Systems, Inc.:

      

Term Loan F, 4.19%, 12/31/18

       1,177       1,173,629  

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

       1,486       1,472,616  

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

       1,237       1,215,126  

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

       585       586,817  

DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.53%, 6/24/21

       6,835       6,918,476  

Envision Healthcare Corp., 2016 Term Loan B, 4.00%, 12/01/23

       5,195       5,257,755  

inVentiv Health, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 4.80%, 11/09/23

       2,825       2,841,736  

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

       2,187       2,219,975  

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

       671       670,739  

Precyse Acquisition Corp., 2016 1st Lien
Term Loan, 6.50%, 10/20/22

       1,327       1,343,250  

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

       1,534       1,533,514  

Surgery Center Holdings, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.75%, 11/03/20

       1,345       1,352,656  

Surgical Care Affiliates, Inc., Incremental Term Loan B, 3.75%, 3/17/22

       987       987,911  
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)           Par
(000)
    Value  

Health Care Providers & Services (continued)

 

Team Health, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 3.75%, 2/06/24

     USD       2,095     $ 2,088,464  

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

       879       808,450  

Vizient, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 5.00%, 2/13/23

       1,333       1,350,479  
      

 

 

 
                       34,632,001  

Health Care Technology — 1.1%

 

Change Healthcare Holdings, Inc., 2017
Term Loan B, 3.03%, 2/08/24

       5,345       5,367,289  

IMS Health, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 3.50%, 3/17/21

       2,543       2,553,412  

Press Ganey Holdings, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.25%, 10/21/23

       945       946,181  
      

 

 

 
                       8,866,882  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 4.2%

 

Amaya Holdings BV:

      

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

       2,317       2,318,680  

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

       2,200       2,205,931  

Boyd Gaming Corp.:

      

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

       812       814,803  

Term Loan B2, 3.71%, 9/15/23

       602       608,320  

Bronco Midstream Funding LLC, Term Loan B, 5.06%, 8/15/20

       1,601       1,608,753  

Burger King Capital Holdings LLC., 2017
Term Loan B, 3.25%, 2/14/24

       4,166       4,162,970  

Caesars Entertainment Operating Co.,
Term Loan B7 (Non RSA), 3.71%, 3/01/22

       1,685       2,023,399  

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

       8,324       8,393,636  

CCM Merger, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.03%, 8/08/21

       968       975,009  

ESH Hospitality, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 3.78%, 8/30/23

       1,865       1,877,916  

Four Seasons Holdings, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.00%, 11/30/23

       215       217,918  

Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC:

      

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

       101       101,638  

Term Loan B2, 3.28%, 10/25/23

       756       759,218  

La Quinta Intermediate Holdings LLC, Term Loan B, 3.77%, 4/14/21

       454       456,527  

Las Vegas Sands LLC, 2016 Term Loan B, 3.04%, 12/19/20

       1,597       1,607,452  

Sabre GLBL, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.53%, 2/08/24

       1,233       1,242,034  

Scientific Games International, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B3, 4.77%, 10/01/21

       1,527       1,550,050  

Station Casinos LLC, 2016 Term Loan B, 3.28%, 6/08/23

       1,139       1,144,333  

Yum! Brands, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan B, 3.53%, 6/16/23

       905       916,958  
      

 

 

 
                       32,985,545  

Household Products — 0.7%

 

Serta Simmons Bedding LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.54%, 11/08/23

       3,420       3,434,330  

Spectrum Brands, Inc., 2016 Term Loan, 3.51%, 6/23/22

       1,767       1,789,152  
      

 

 

 
                       5,223,482  

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.9%

 

Calpine Construction Finance Co., LP,
Term Loan B1, 3.03%, 5/03/20

       793       792,252  

Calpine Corp.:

      

Term Loan B5, 3.75%, 1/15/24

       465       466,973  

Term Loan B6, 3.75%, 1/15/23

       1,168       1,173,492  

Dynegy, Inc., 2017 Term Loan C, 4.25%, 6/27/23

       2,539       2,563,861  

Granite Acquisition, Inc.:

      

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

       1,674       1,689,481  

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

       75       75,854  
      

 

 

 
                       6,761,913  
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
18    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)           Par
(000)
    Value  

Industrial Conglomerates — 0.4%

 

Cortes NP Acquisition Corp., Term Loan B, 6.04%, 11/30/23

     USD       2,840     $ 2,860,227  

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

       373       359,404  
      

 

 

 
                       3,219,631  

Insurance — 1.0%

 

Alliant Holdings I, Inc., 2015 Term Loan B,
4.50%, 8/12/22

       1,194       1,204,256  

AmWINS Group, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, 3.75%, 1/25/24

       920       924,600  

AssuredPartners, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 5.25%, 10/21/22

       1,144       1,155,449  

Hub International Ltd., Term Loan B, 4.03%, 10/02/20

       1,072       1,079,624  

Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 3.75%, 3/01/21

       1,624       1,627,729  

2nd Lien Term Loan, 6.75%, 2/28/22

       1,650       1,654,818  
      

 

 

 
                       7,646,476  

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 0.3%

 

Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 3.78%, 8/19/23

             2,021       2,022,410  

Internet Software & Services — 0.7%

      

Go Daddy Operating Co. LLC:

      

Delayed Draw Term Loan, 2.50%, 2/15/24

       1,503       1,505,838  

2017 Term Loan B, 4.50%, 2/02/24

       1,131       1,133,341  

Rackspace Hosting, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.53%, 11/03/23

       2,305       2,329,502  

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

       289       79,068  
      

 

 

 
                       5,047,749  

IT Services — 2.1%

 

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

       1,139       1,145,917  

First Data Corp., 2016 Term Loan, 3.78%, 3/24/21

       9,199       9,278,079  

TKC Holdings, Inc., 2017 Term Loan, 4.75%, 2/01/23

       1,400       1,410,500  

Vantiv LLC, 2014 Term Loan B, 3.27%, 10/14/23

       798       805,764  

VF Holding Corp., Reprice Term Loan, 4.25%, 6/30/23

       1,157       1,166,507  

WEX, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.28%, 7/01/23

       2,463       2,499,564  
      

 

 

 
                       16,306,331  

Machinery — 1.0%

 

Faenza Acquisition GmbH:

      

Term Loan B1, 4.30%, 8/30/20

       614       615,612  

Term Loan B3, 4.30%, 8/30/20

       187       187,914  

Gardner Denver, Inc., Term Loan, 4.57%, 7/30/20

       1,182       1,178,717  

Milacron LLC, Amended Term Loan B, 3.78%, 6/20/23

       555       557,431  

Mueller Water Products, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, 3.28%, 11/26/21

       559       563,840  

Navistar International Corp., 2017 Term Loan B, 5.00%, 8/07/20

       761       765,431  

Rexnord LLC, 2016 Term Loan B, 3.75%, 8/21/23

       1,323       1,330,523  

Signode Industrial Group US, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.00%, 5/01/21

       890       892,965  

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

       2,057       1,960,742  
      

 

 

 
                       8,053,175  

Media — 5.8%

 

Altice US Finance I Corp., 2016 Term Loan B, 3.78%, 1/15/25

       3,264       3,298,390  

AMC Entertainment, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.53%, 12/15/23

       665       671,983  

CBS Radio, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.50%, 10/17/23

       1,318       1,329,266  
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)           Par
(000)
    Value  

Media (continued)

 

Charter Communications Operating LLC, 2016 Term Loan I Add, 3.03%, 1/15/24

     USD       4,575     $ 4,603,198  

CSC Holdings LLC, 2016 Term Loan, 3.77%, 10/11/24

       3,042       3,071,521  

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

       1,718       1,594,621  

iHeartCommunications, Inc., Term Loan D, 7.53%, 1/30/19

       3,967       3,442,500  

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

       5,281       5,244,544  

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., Term Loan B2, 3.31%, 10/31/23

       605       611,792  

Mission Broadcasting, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B2, 3.77%, 1/17/24

       304       308,359  

Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, 3.77%, 1/17/24

       3,198       3,247,072  

Numericable U.S. LLC:

      

Term Loan B10, 4.29%, 1/14/25

       2,170       2,184,923  

Term Loan B7, 5.29%, 1/15/24

       3,109       3,135,682  

SBA Senior Finance II LLC, Term Loan B1, 3.04%, 3/24/21

       1,926       1,933,655  

Trader Corp., Term Loan, 5.00%, 9/28/23

       1,075       1,078,139  

Tribune Media Co., Term Loan C, 3.78%, 1/27/24

       2,554       2,575,719  

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

       4,244       4,259,375  

Ziggo Secured Finance Partnership, Term Loan E, 3.53%, 4/23/25

       2,925       2,933,365  
      

 

 

 
                       45,524,104  

Metals & Mining — 0.1%

 

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

       530       51,235  

WireCo WorldGroup, Inc., 2016 1st Lien Term Loan, 6.50%, 9/30/23

       514       517,350  
      

 

 

 
                       568,585  

Multiline Retail — 0.1%

 

Hudson’s Bay Co., 2015 Term Loan B, 4.25%, 9/30/22

             882       866,312  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 2.5%

      

California Resources Corp.:

      

Second Out Term Loan, 11.38%, 12/31/21

       1,845       2,078,706  

Term Loan A, 3.78%, 10/01/19

       1,582       1,521,111  

Chesapeake Energy Corp., Term Loan, 8.55%, 8/23/21

       1,947       2,102,369  

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

       824       837,457  

Drillships Financing Holding, Inc., Term Loan B1, 6.06%, 3/31/21

       1,400       1,144,927  

Energy Transfer Equity LP, 2017 Term Loan B, 3.53%, 2/02/24

       1,885       1,889,826  

MEG Energy Corp., 2017 Term Loan B, 4.75%, 12/31/23

       3,415       3,433,542  

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

       501       490,003  

Peabody Energy Corp., Exit Term Loan, 4.25%, 1/30/22

       815       820,770  

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

       200       199,000  

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

       1,186       1,162,340  

Seventy Seven Operating LLC, Term Loan B, 3.78%, 6/25/20

       186       184,403  

Ultra Resources, Inc., Revolver, 3.53%, 4/06/17 (a)(f)

       1,674       1,709,573  

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

       1,875       1,894,135  
      

 

 

 
                       19,468,162  
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    19


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)           Par
(000)
    Value  

Personal Products — 0.5%

 

Prestige Brands, Inc., Term Loan B4, 3.53%, 1/26/24

     USD       2,047     $ 2,071,543  

Revlon Consumer Products Corp., 2016
Term Loan B, 4.28%, 9/07/23

       1,940       1,950,575  
      

 

 

 
                       4,022,118  

Pharmaceuticals — 3.3%

 

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

       1,349       1,367,965  

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

       4,625       4,644,571  

Endo Luxembourg Finance Co. I Sarl, 2015
Term Loan B, 3.81%, 9/26/22

       2,209       2,217,850  

Grifols Worldwide Operations USA, Inc., 2017 Acquisition Term Loan, 2.97%, 1/31/25

       5,985       6,004,631  

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

       4,121       4,142,004  

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.:

      

Series C2 Term Loan B, 5.28%, 12/11/19

       999       1,003,311  

Series D2 Term Loan B, 5.03%, 2/13/19

       1,467       1,473,226  

Series E Term Loan B, 5.27%, 8/05/20

       1,439       1,446,815  

Series F1 Term Loan B, 5.53%, 4/01/22

       3,279       3,299,876  
      

 

 

 
                       25,600,249  

Professional Services — 1.4%

 

Advantage Sales & Marketing, Inc., 2014 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.25%, 7/23/21

       748       744,689  

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

       3,421       3,425,178  

Information Resources, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.25%, 1/18/24

       775       784,207  

TransUnion LLC, Term Loan B2, 3.28%, 4/09/23

       5,548       5,605,378  
      

 

 

 
                       10,559,452  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.5%

 

Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc., 2017
Term Loan B, 4.00%, 10/24/22

       463       465,048  

MGM Growth Properties LLC, 2016 Term Loan B, 3.28%, 4/25/23

       3,187       3,211,760  
      

 

 

 
                       3,676,808  

Real Estate Management & Development — 0.8%

 

CityCenter Holdings LLC, Term Loan B, 3.53%, 10/16/20

       1,158       1,171,932  

DTZ U.S. Borrower LLC, 2015 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.29%, 11/04/21

       2,064       2,074,821  

Realogy Corp., 2017 Term Loan B, 3.03%, 7/20/22

       2,626       2,645,744  
      

 

 

 
                       5,892,497  

Road & Rail — 0.1%

 

SIRVA Worldwide, Inc., 2016 Term Loan, 7.50%, 11/14/22

             1,125       1,099,687  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.2%

 

 

Cavium, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.78%, 8/16/22

       525       529,299  

Microsemi Corp., 2015 Term Loan B, 3.03%, 1/15/23

       411       413,863  

ON Semiconductor Corp., Incremental Term Loan, 4.03%, 3/31/23

       643       648,901  
      

 

 

 
                       1,592,063  

Software — 4.5%

 

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

       2,349       2,360,460  

DTI Holdco, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 6.09%, 9/21/23

       1,197       1,193,505  

Hyland Software, Inc., 2017 Term Loan, 3.75%, 7/01/22

       275       278,223  

Infor (US), Inc., Term Loan B6, 3.75%, 2/01/22

       2,874       2,875,934  
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)           Par
(000)
    Value  

Software (continued)

 

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

     USD       3,694     $ 3,670,788  

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

       706       683,736  

Kronos, Inc.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 5.00%, 11/01/23

       2,615       2,644,680  

2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.28%, 11/01/24

       1,175       1,214,022  

LANDesk Group, Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, 5.25%, 1/20/24

       335       336,615  

Mitchell International, Inc.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.54%, 10/13/20

       1,983       1,994,219  

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.50%, 10/11/21

       1,250       1,247,662  

Optiv Security, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.25%, 2/01/24

       2,590       2,605,384  

RP Crown Parent LLC, 2016 Term Loan B, 4.50%, 10/12/23

       2,004       2,020,621  

SolarWinds, Inc., 2017 Term Loan, 4.50%, 2/05/23

       2,488       2,490,933  

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

       1,327       1,334,544  

Sophia LP, 2017 Term Loan B, 4.25%, 9/30/22

       1,765       1,771,121  

SS&C Technologies, Inc.:

      

2015 Term Loan B1, 4.03%, 7/08/22

       2,482       2,494,007  

2015 Term Loan B2, 4.03%, 7/08/22

       238       239,342  

Synchronoss Technologies, Inc., Term Loan, 4.25%, 1/19/24

       1,560       1,563,900  

Tibco Software Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, 5.50%, 12/04/20

       1,919       1,942,795  
      

 

 

 
                       34,962,491  

Specialty Retail — 1.3%

 

Academy Ltd., 2015 Term Loan B, 5.04%, 7/01/22

       1,040       820,360  

Bass Pro Group LLC:

      

2015 Term Loan, 4.02%, 6/05/20

       348       333,214  

Asset Sale Term Loan, 5.72%, 6/09/18

       655       655,000  

Term Loan B, 5.97%, 12/16/23

       750       719,482  

Coinstar LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.25%, 9/27/23

       711       716,717  

Leslie’s Poolmart, Inc., 2016 Term Loan, 4.75%, 8/16/23

       833       835,536  

Michaels Stores, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B1, 3.75%, 1/30/23

       3,267       3,258,052  

Party City Holdings, Inc., 2016 Term Loan, 3.79%, 8/19/22

       2,284       2,266,136  

Things Remembered, Inc., 2016 Term Loan, 3.86%, 2/29/20

       1,267       316,823  
      

 

 

 
                       9,921,320  

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 0.4%

 

Dell, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 4.04%, 9/07/23

       3,057       3,075,987  

Oberthur Technologies SA, 2016 Term Loan B1, 4.70%, 12/15/23

       164       165,618  
      

 

 

 
                       3,241,605  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.3%

 

Ascend Performance Materials LLC, Term Loan B, 6.50%, 8/12/22

             2,494       2,511,145  

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.2%

      

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

             1,486       1,495,495  

Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.5%

      

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.71%, 10/01/22

       583       585,538  

HD Supply, Inc.:

      

Incremental Term Loan B1, 3.75%, 8/13/21

       1,486       1,495,877  

Incremental Term Loan B2, 3.75%, 10/17/23

       1,910       1,924,539  

Nexeo Solutions LLC, 2016 Term Loan, 5.29%, 6/09/23

       244       245,055  
      

 

 

 
                       4,251,009  
 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
20    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)           Par
(000)
    Value  

Wireless Telecommunication Services — 1.7%

 

Ligado Networks LLC, PIK Exit Term Loan (9.75% PIK), 9.75%, 12/07/20 (e)

     USD       8,914     $ 8,718,248  

LTS Buyer LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.25%, 4/13/20

       3,826       3,854,115  

Radiate Holdco LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, 3.78%, 2/01/24

       945       951,955  
      

 

 

 
                       13,524,318  
Total Floating Rate Loan Interests — 67.5%               527,438,680  
      
                          
Investment Companies — 1.8%           Shares         

iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (j)

             157,001       13,861,618  
      
                          
Other Interests (k)           Beneficial
Interest
(000)
        

Auto Components — 0.0%

      

Intermet Liquidating Trust, Class A

             1,154       12  
      
                          
Preferred Securities                      
Capital Trusts (l)           Par
(000)
        

Banco Popular Espanol SA, 8.25% (c)

       200       183,541  

Banco Santander SA, 6.25% (c)

       200       208,967  

Bank of America Corp., Series X, 6.25% (c)

       1,100       1,177,110  

Barclays PLC (c):

      

7.25%

       200       248,165  

7.88%

       200       209,810  

Citigroup, Inc., Series N, 5.80% (c)

       1,100       1,141,250  

Cooperatieve Rabobank UA, 6.63% (c)

       200       228,724  

Credit Agricole SA, 6.50% (c)

       100       109,958  

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

       115       107,525  

Enel SpA (c):

      

6.50%

       100       114,415  

7.75%

       100       137,421  

Gas Natural Fenosa Finance BV, 3.38% (c)

       100       102,614  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Series L, 5.70% (c)

       750       772,500  

HBOS Capital Funding LP, 6.85%

       100       101,750  

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, 7.00% (c)

       400       424,819  

JPMorgan Chase & Co., Series V, 5.00% (c)

       780       784,688  

Lanxess AG, 4.50% (c)

       50       56,943  

Repsol International Finance BV, 4.50% (c)

       100       107,298  

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

       246       259,899  

Societe Generale SA, 7.38% (b)(c)

       200       202,500  

Solvay Finance SA, 5.12% (c)

       100       116,177  
Capital Trusts (l)           Par
(000)
    Value  

Telefonica Europe BV (c):

      

3.75%

       100     $ 107,132  

4.20%

       200       222,209  

5.00%

       100       112,577  

TOTAL SA, 3.88% (c)

       100       112,794  

UBS Group AG, 5.75% (c)

             200       231,479  
Total Capital Trusts — 1.0%               7,582,265  
      
                          
Preferred Stock — 0.0%           Shares         

Capital Markets — 0.0%

 

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Series J, 5.50% (c)(l)

             13,550       361,107  
Trust Preferred — 0.2%  

Diversified Financial Services — 0.2%

 

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

             59,219       1,518,623  
Total Preferred Securities — 1.2%                      9,461,995  
      
                          
Rights — 0.0%                      

Electric Utilities — 0.0%

      

Tex Energy LLC

             39,599       53,459  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.0%

      

Southcross Holdings LP

             94       28,204  
Total Rights — 0.0%                      81,663  
      
                          
Warrants                      

Software — 0.0%

 

HMH Holdings/EduMedia (Issued/exercisable 3/09/10, 19 Shares for 1 Warrant, Expires 6/22/19, Strike Price $21.14)

             3,049       793  

Transportation Infrastructure — 0.0%

 

Jack Cooper Enterprises, Inc., Class B (Issued/exercisable 4/26/17, 1 Share for 1 Warrant, Expires 4/26/27, Strike Price $0.01)

       4,494       28,851  

Turbo Cayman Ltd. (Expires 3/15/18,
Strike Price $0.01)

       1        
      

 

 

 
                       28,851  
Total Warrants — 0.0%               29,644  
Total Long-Term Investments
(Cost — $1,137,396,419) — 145.0%
              1,132,532,731  
Options Purchased
(Cost — $5,867) — 0.0%
               
Total Investments (Cost — $1,137,402,286) — 145.0%         1,132,532,731  
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (45.0)%         (351,723,434
      

 

 

 
Net Assets — 100.0%       $ 780,809,297  
      

 

 

 
 
Notes to Consolidated 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)   Variable rate security. Rate as of period end.

 

(d)   When-issued security.

 

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

 

(g)   Zero-coupon bond.

 

(h)   Convertible security.

 

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

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    21


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

(j)   During the year ended February 28, 2017, 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
Purchased
     Shares
Sold
    Shares Held
at February 28,
2017
    Value at
February 28,
2017
    Income     Net Realized
Gain (Loss)2
     Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class

                                   $ 3,358     $ 7         

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, TempFund, Institutional Class

     5,011,655               (5,011,655 )1                  2,378               

iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF

     267,180        126,941        (237,120     157,001     $ 13,861,618       1,202,554       (966,809    $ 3,291,775  

Total

             $ 13,861,618     $ 1,208,290     $ (966,802    $ 3,291,775  
            

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

1    Represents net shares sold.

     

        

2    Includes net capital gain distributions.

     

        

 

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

 

(l)   Perpetual security with no stated maturity date.

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

Futures Contracts

 

Contracts
Short
    Issue   Expiration   Notional Value   Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
        
  (1   5-Year U.S. Treasury Note   June 2017   $117,703   $     163    
  (4   Euro BOBL   June 2017   $562,160     (4  
  (2   Euro Bund Future   June 2017   $344,962     (150        
 

Total

  $ 9    
       

 

 

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

Currency
Purchased
    Currency
Sold
    Counterparty   Settlement
Date
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
        
EUR     500,000       USD       527,074     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     3/06/17     $ 2,700    
USD     12,832,960       EUR       11,922,000     Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     3/06/17       201,029    
USD     25,354       EUR       24,000     Northern Trust Co.     3/06/17       (75  
USD     2,296,324       GBP       1,838,000     Barclays Bank PLC     3/06/17       15,504    
USD     12,230,035       EUR       11,520,000     Bank of America N.A.     4/05/17       6,349    
USD     2,274,281       GBP       1,829,000     Barclays Bank PLC     4/05/17       2,767          
Total             $ 228,274    
           

 

 

 

OTC Options Purchased

 

Description    Put/
Call
     Counterparty        Expiration
Date
       Strike
Price
       Contracts      Value  

Marsico Parent Superholdco LLC

   Call        Goldman Sachs & Co.          12/14/19          USD    942.86        6         

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps — Sell Protection

 

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

Chesapeake Energy Corp.

    5.00     12/20/21       CCC       USD       620     $ (7,054  

Markit CDX North America High Yield Index, Series 27, Version 2

    5.00     12/20/21       B+       USD       21,174       352,240          

Total

            $ 345,186    
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
22    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

OTC Credit Default Swaps — Sell Protection

 

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

UniCredit SPA

    1.00     Barclays Bank PLC       12/20/21       BBB-       EUR       20     $ (700   $ (1,124   $ 424  

UniCredit SPA

    1.00     BNP Paribas S.A.       12/20/21       BBB-       EUR       10       (363     (457     94  

OTE PLC

    5.00     Goldman Sachs International       12/20/21       B+       EUR       30       2,253       1,733       520  

Total

              $ 1,190     $ 152     $ 1,038  
 

 

 

 

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.

    

 

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  

Futures contracts

   Net unrealized appreciation1                           $ 163           $ 163  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency

exchange contracts

                    $ 228,349                   228,349  

Swaps — centrally cleared

   Net unrealized appreciation1         $ 352,240                               352,240  

Swaps — OTC

   Unrealized appreciation on OTC derivatives; Swap premiums paid           2,771                               2,771  
    

 

 

 

Total

           $ 355,011           $ 228,349     $ 163           $ 583,523  
    

 

 

 
                
Liabilities — Derivative Financial Instruments                                     

Futures contracts

   Net unrealized depreciation1                           $ 154           $ 154  

Forward foreign currency exchange

contracts

  

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency

exchange contracts

                    $ 75                   75  

Swaps — centrally cleared

   Net unrealized depreciation1         $ 7,054                               7,054  

Swaps — OTC

   Unrealized depreciation on OTC derivatives; Swap premiums received           1,581                               1,581  
    

 

 

 

Total

           $ 8,635           $ 75     $ 154           $ 8,864  
    

 

 

 

 

1   

Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts and 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 year ended February 28, 2017, 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

                          $ (88,217         $ (88,217

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    $ (233,773                 (233,773

Swaps

        $ 2,143,499                               2,143,499  
 

 

 

 

Total

        $ 2,143,499           $ (233,773   $ (88,217         $ 1,821,509  
 

 

 

 
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on:                                                        

Futures contracts

                          $ 39,062           $ 39,062  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

                    $ 87,990                   87,990  

Swaps

        $ 477,331                               477,331  
 

 

 

 

Total

        $ 477,331           $ 87,990     $ 39,062           $ 604,383  
 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    23


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

 

Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Futures contracts:  

Average notional value of contracts — short

  $ 980,050  
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts:  

Average amounts purchased — in USD

  $ 31,161,799  

Average amounts sold — in USD

  $ 641,617  
Credit default swaps:  

Average notional value — buy protection

  $ 153,225  

Average notional value — sell protection

  $ 21,398,821  

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments — Offsetting as of Period End

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

 

     Assets      Liabilities  
Derivative Financial Instruments:     

Futures contracts

  $ 276      $  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    228,349        75  

Swaps — Centrally cleared

    5,446         

Swaps — OTC1

    2,771        1,581  
 

 

 

 

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

  $ 236,842      $ 1,656  
 

 

 

 

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

    (5,722       
 

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA

  $ 231,120      $ 1,656  
 

 

 

 

1    Includes unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on OTC swaps and swap premiums paid/received in the Consolidated 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 an MNA and net of the related collateral received and pledged by the Fund:

 

Counterparty   Derivative Assets
Subject to an MNA
by Counterparty
    Derivatives Available
for Offset1
    Non-cash
Collateral
Received
    Cash
Collateral
Received
    Net Amount of
Derivative Assets2,3
        

Bank of America N.A.

  $ 6,349                       $ 6,349    

Barclays Bank PLC

    18,695     $ (1,124                 17,571    

BNP Paribas S.A.

    94       (94                    

Goldman Sachs International

    2,253                         2,253    

Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC

    203,729                         203,729    
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 231,120     $ (1,218               $ 229,902    
 

 

 

 
           
Counterparty   Derivative Liabilities
Subject to an MNA
by Counterparty
    Derivatives Available
for Offset1
    Non-cash
Collateral
Pledged
    Cash
Collateral
Pledged
    Net Amount of
Derivative Liabilities4
        

Barclays Bank PLC

  $ 1,124     $ (1,124                    

BNP Paribas S.A.

    457       (94               $ 363    

Northern Trust Co.

    75                         75    
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 1,656     $ (1,218               $ 438    
 

 

 

 

1    The amount of derivatives available for offset is limited to the amount of derivative asset 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 may also include forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are not required to be collateralized.

     

 

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

     

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
24    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

     

 

 

Fair Value Heirarchy as of Period End

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

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

 

     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

                
Investments:                 

Long-Term Investments:

                

Asset-Backed Securities

           $ 24,213,954        $ 1,800,000        $ 26,013,954  

Common Stocks

  $ 657,246          17,768          2,519,729          3,194,743  

Corporate Bonds

             541,858,818          10,591,604          552,450,422  

Floating Rate Loan Interests

             511,464,406          15,974,274          527,438,680  

Investment Companies

    13,861,618                            13,861,618  

Other Interests

                      12          12  

Preferred Securities

    1,879,730          7,582,265                   9,461,995  

Rights

                      81,663          81,663  

Warrants

                      29,644          29,644  

Unfunded Floating Rate Loan Interests1

             3,824                   3,824  
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 16,398,594        $ 1,085,141,035        $ 30,996,926        $ 1,132,536,555  
 

 

 

 
     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  
Derivative Financial Instruments 2                 

Assets:

                

Foreign currency exchange contracts

           $ 228,349                 $ 228,349  

Credit contracts

             353,278                   353,278  

Interest rate contracts

  $ 163                            163  

Liabilities:

                

Foreign currency exchange contracts

             (75                 (75

Credit contracts

             (7,054                 (7,054

Interest rate contracts

    (154                          (154
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 9        $ 574,498                 $ 574,507  
 

 

 

 

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

     

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

     

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, bank borrowings payable of $318,000,000 are categorized as Level 2 within the disclosure hierarchy.

During the year ended February 28, 2017, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2.

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    25


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (concluded)

     

 

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
    Rights     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                   3,358,161                         3,359,661  

Transfers out of Level 32

          (4,949,220     (1,304,448     (14,277,845                       (20,531,513

Accrued discounts/premiums

          4,909       2,508       93,133                         100,550  

Net realized gain (loss)

          29,641       (799,480     (1,390,111     2,973,564                   813,614  

Net change in unrealized

appreciation (depreciation)3,4

    2,091,759       148,525       3,292,345       1,634,714       (1,350,779   $ 72,317       19,588       5,908,469  

Purchases

          1,786,000       482,920       10,180,188             9,346             12,458,454  

Sales

          (944,375     (511     (10,475,413     (4,745,785                 (16,166,084
 

 

 

 

Closing Balance, as of February 28, 2017

  $ 2,519,729     $ 1,800,000     $ 10,591,604     $ 15,974,274     $ 12     $ 81,663     $ 29,644     $ 30,996,926  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at February 28, 20174

  $ 2,091,759     $ 14,000     $ 2,494,864     $ 344,295           $ 72,317     $ 19,588     $ 5,036,823  
 

 

 

 

1    As of February 29, 2016, the Fund used observable inputs in determining the value of certain investments. As of February 28, 2017, 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 February 28, 2017, 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 February 28, 2017 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

     

 

The following table summarizes the valuation approaches used and unobservable inputs utilized by the BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) to determine the value of certain of the Fund’s Level 3 investments as of period end. The table does not include Level 3 investments with values based upon unadjusted third party pricing information in the amount of $17,188,203.

 

     Value     Valuation Approach     Unobservable Inputs    

Range of

Unobservable Inputs
Utilized

 

Assets:

       

Common Stocks

  $ 2,519,717       Market       EBITDA Multiple1       7.0x  
        Marketability Discount2       20.00%  
        Time to Exit1       1 — 2 years  
        Volatility1       28.7%  
        Last 12 Months EBITDA Multiple1       4.63x — 6.63x  
        Current Fiscal Year EBITDA Multiple1       5.38x — 7.88x  

Corporate Bonds

    10,591,604       Income       Discount Rate2       10.4%  
      Market       EBITDA Multiple1       7.0x  
        Marketability Discount2       20.00%  
        Time to Exit1       1 — 2 years  
        Volatility1       28.7%  

Floating Rate Loan Interests

    696,611       Income       Discount Rate2       4.44% — 4.55%  
      Market       Last 12 Months Revenue Multiple1       0.075x  

Warrants3

    793       Market       Volatility1       25.00%  
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 13,808,725        

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.

     

3    For the year ended February 28, 2017, the valuation technique changed for certain warrants amounting to $793 from an adjusted dealer mark to the Black-Scholes model. The change was due to changes in available market inputs.

     

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

                
26    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities     

 

February 28, 2017      
 
Assets        

Investments at value — unaffiliated (cost — $1,124,015,991)

  $ 1,118,671,113  

Investments at value — affiliated (cost — $13,386,295)

    13,861,618  

Cash

    5,109,851  

Cash pledged:

 

Centrally cleared swaps

    1,631,000  

Futures contracts

    12,000  

Foreign currency at value (cost — $114,922)

    114,889  

Receivables:

 

Interest — unaffiliated

    10,823,798  

Investments sold

    5,576,338  

Variation margin on centrally cleared swaps

    5,446  

Dividends — affiliated

    1,239  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    276  

Swap premiums paid

    1,733  

Unrealized appreciation on:

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    228,349  

Unfunded floating rate loan interests

    3,824  

OTC derivatives

    1,038  

Prepaid expenses

    44,441  

Other assets

    57,400  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    1,156,144,353  
 

 

 

 
 
Liabilities        

Bank overdraft

    2,674,126  

Payables:

 

Bank borrowings

    318,000,000  

Investments purchased

    51,980,477  

Capital shares redeemed

    757,163  

Investment advisory fees

    455,492  

Interest expense

    382,315  

Officer’s and Directors’ fees

    292,082  

Income dividends

    97,770  

Other accrued expenses

    693,975  

Swap premiums received

    1,581  

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    75  

Contingencies1

     
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    375,335,056  
 

 

 

 

Net Assets

  $ 780,809,297  
 

 

 

 
 
Net Assets Consist of        

Paid-in capital

  $ 1,017,870,769  

Undistributed net investment income

    3,238,048  

Accumulated net realized loss

    (236,050,035

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (4,249,485
 

 

 

 

Net Assets

  $ 780,809,297  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, based on net assets of $780,809,297 and 61,499,287 shares outstanding, 400 million shares authorized, $0.10 par value

  $ 12.70 2 
 

 

 

 

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

     

2    Shares outstanding and net asset value per share reflect a one for three reverse stock split effective after the close of trading on November 15, 2016 for the shareholders of record on November 15, 2016. See Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

     

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.      
                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    27


Consolidated Statement of Operations     

 

Year Ended February 28, 2017      
 
Investment Income  

Interest — unaffiliated

  $ 54,614,904  

Dividends — affiliated

    1,208,290  

Dividends — unaffiliated

    120,367  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    55,943,561  
 

 

 

 
 
Expenses        

Investment advisory

    5,444,481  

Professional

    560,797  

Transfer agent

    138,705  

Officer and Directors

    122,493  

Accounting services

    85,352  

Registration

    79,014  

Custodian

    61,465  

Printing

    31,749  

Miscellaneous

    155,169  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding interest expense and income tax

    6,679,225  

Interest expense

    3,090,441  

Income tax

    535,669  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    10,305,335  

Less:

 

Fees waived by the Manager

    (63,355

Fees paid indirectly

    (1,470
 

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly

    10,240,510  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    45,703,051  
 

 

 

 
 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)        

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments — unaffiliated

    1,743,476  

Investments — affiliated

    (966,809

Futures contracts

    (88,217

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    (233,773

Foreign currency transactions

    955,077  

Capital gain distributions from investment companies—affiliated

    7  

Swaps

    2,143,499  
 

 

 

 
    3,553,260  
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments — unaffiliated

    74,405,751  

Investments — affiliated

    3,291,775  

Futures contracts

    39,062  

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

    87,990  

Foreign currency translations

    (14,410

Swaps

    477,331  

Unfunded floating rate loan interests

    3,824  
 

 

 

 
    78,291,323  
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

    81,844,583  
 

 

 

 

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

  $ 127,547,634  
 

 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.      
                
28    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets     

 

    Year Ended  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:  

February 28,

2017

   

February 29,

2016

 
   
Operations  

Net investment income

  $ 45,703,051     $ 47,933,661  

Net realized gain (loss)

    3,553,260       (27,841,328

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    78,291,323       (62,650,503
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    127,547,634       (42,558,170
 

 

 

 
   
Distributions to Shareholders1                

From net investment income

    (46,740,255     (50,092,741
 

 

 

 
   
Capital Share Transactions                

Redemption of shares resulting from share repurchase program (including transaction costs)

    (9,233,758      
 

 

 

 
   
Net Assets                

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

    71,573,621       (92,650,911

Beginning of year

    709,235,676       801,886,587  
 

 

 

 

End of year

  $ 780,809,297     $ 709,235,676  
 

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income, end of year

  $ 3,238,048     $ 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.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    29


Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows     

 

Year Ended February 28, 2017      
 
Cash Used for Operating Activities        

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 127,547,634  

Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash used for operating activities:

 

Proceeds from sales of long-term investments and principal paydowns

    552,719,643  

Purchases of long-term investments

    (675,965,250

Net proceeds from sales of short-term securities

    5,011,655  

Amortization of premium and accretion of discount on investments and other fees

    (756,144

Paid-in-kind income

    (1,883,585

Net realized gain on investments

    (375,784

Net unrealized gain on investments, swaps, foreign currency translations and unfunded floating rate loan interests

    (77,812,266

(Increase) Decrease in Assets:

 

Cash Pledged:

 

Futures contracts

    12,710  

Centrally cleared swaps

    (371,000

Receivables:

 

Interest — unaffiliated

    (847,112

Swaps

    2,739  

Dividends — affiliated

    (1,214

Variation margin on futures contracts

    (276

Variation margin on centrally cleared swaps

    71,929  

Swap premiums paid

    (1,733

Other assets

    21,204  

Prepaid expenses

    38,007  

Increase (Decrease) in Liabilities:

 

Payables:

 

Investment advisory fees

    66,435  

Interest expense and fees

    198,022  

Officer’s and Directors’ fees

    58,248  

Variation margin on futures contracts

    (4,788

Other accrued expenses

    323,936  

Swap premiums received

    1,581  
 

 

 

 

Net cash used for operating activities

    (71,945,409
 

 

 

 
 
Cash Provided by Financing Activities        

Cash dividends paid to Common Shareholders

    (46,872,914

Payments on bank borrowings

    (259,000,000

Proceeds from bank borrowings

    387,000,000  

Net payments on redemption of Common Shares

    (8,476,595

Increase in bank overdraft

    2,674,126  
 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

    75,324,617  
 

 

 

 
 
Cash Impact from Foreign Exchange Fluctuations        

Cash impact from foreign exchange fluctuations

  $ 684  
 

 

 

 
 
Cash and Foreign Currency        

Net increase in cash and foreign currency at value

    3,379,892  

Cash and foreign currency at value at beginning of year

    1,844,848  
 

 

 

 

Cash and foreign currency at value at end of year

  $ 5,224,740  
 

 

 

 
 
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information        

Cash paid during the year for interest expense

  $ 2,892,419  
 

 

 

 

 

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.      
                
30    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


Consolidated Financial Highlights     

 

   

Year Ended
February 28,

2017

   

Year Ended
February 29,

20169

    Year Ended February 28,  
        20159     20149     20139  
         
Per Share Operating Performance                                        

Net asset value, beginning of year

  $ 11.38     $ 12.87     $ 13.32     $ 13.15     $ $12.39  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income1

    0.73       0.77       0.87       0.90       0.99  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    1.34       (1.46     (0.43     0.28       0.77  
 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) from investment operations

    2.07       (0.69     0.44       1.18       1.76  
 

 

 

 

Distributions:2

         

From net investment income

    (0.75     (0.80     (0.89     (0.99     (1.00

From return of capital

                      (0.02      
 

 

 

 

Total distributions

    (0.75     (0.80     (0.89     (1.01     (1.00
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

  $ 12.70     $ 11.38     $ 12.87     $ 13.32     $ 13.15  
 

 

 

 

Market price, end of year

  $ 11.68     $ 9.96     $ 11.43     $ 12.24     $ 13.38  
 

 

 

 
         
Total Return3                                        

Based on net asset value

    19.57%       (4.73 )%      4.15%       9.91%       14.78%  
 

 

 

 

Based on market price

    25.53%       (6.03 )%      0.66%       (0.81)%       16.87%  
 

 

 

 
         
Ratios to Average Net Assets                                        

Total expenses

    1.36% 4      1.18% 5      1.24%       1.38% 6      1.41% 7 
 

 

 

 

Total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly

    1.35% 4      1.18% 5      1.24%       1.38% 6      1.41% 7 
 

 

 

 

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

    0.87% 4      0.84% 5      0.89%       1.00% 6      1.04% 8 
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    6.04%       6.29%       6.68%       6.80%       7.89% 7 
 

 

 

 
         
Supplemental Data                                        

Net assets, end of year (000)

  $ 780,810     $ 709,236     $ 801,887     $ 829,737     $ 474,953  
 

 

 

 

Borrowings outstanding, end of year (000)

  $ 318,000     $ 190,000     $ 295,000     $ 315,000     $ 190,000  
 

 

 

 

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

  $ 3,455     $ 4,733     $ 3,719     $ 3,634     $ 3,500  
 

 

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

    55%       41%       54%       54%       72%  
 

 

 

 

 

  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   

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

 

  5   

Ratios do not include expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds of approximately 0.01%.

 

  6   

Includes reorganization costs associated with the Fund’s reorganization. Without these costs, total expenses, total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly, and total expenses after fees waived and paid indirectly and excluding interest expense and income tax would have been 1.31%, 1.31% and 0.94%, respectively.

 

  7   

Restated to include income taxes for the consolidated entity.

 

  8   

For the year ended February 28, 2013, the total expense ratio after fees waived and excluding interest expense, borrowing costs and income tax was 0.98%.

 

  9   

Per share operating performance amounts have been adjusted to reflect a one-for-three reverse stock split effective after the close of trading on November 15, 2016 for the shareholders of record on November 15, 2016. See Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.      
                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    31


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements     

 

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 net asset value (“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, are included in a complex of closed-end funds referred to as the Closed-End Complex.

Basis of Consolidation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements of DSU 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 Statement 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 DSU. DSU 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 $4,747,393, which is 0.6% of DSU’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 consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:

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 monthly and paid monthly. Distributions of capital gains are recorded on the ex-dividend date and made at least annually. The character and timing of distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

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.

 

                
32    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)     

 

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 Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities and will remain as a liability of the Fund until such amounts are distributed in accordance with the Plan.

Recent Accounting Standards: In November 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update “Restricted Cash” which will require entities to include the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents in the beginning and ending cash balances in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The guidance will be applied retrospectively and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those years. Management is evaluating the impact, if any, of this guidance on the Fund’s presentation in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

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 its custodian whereby credits were earned on uninvested cash balances, which could be used to reduce custody fees and/or overdraft charges. Credits previously earned have been utilized until December 31, 2016. Under current arrangements effective June 1, 2016, the 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 consolidated 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 and inputs are used to establish the fair value of the Fund’s assets and liabilities:

 

 

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

 

 

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

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

 

 

Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds are valued at NAV each business day.

 

 

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

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    33


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)     

 

 

 

Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates determined as of the close of trading on the 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 trading 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 investments, or in the event that the application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment will be valued by the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value (“Fair Valued Investments”). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Global Valuation Committee will include Market approach, Income approach and Cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and typically used in determining fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, seeks to determine the price that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset or liability in an arm’s-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, deems relevant and consistent with the principles of fair value measurement.

The 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. As a result of the inherent uncertainty in valuation of these investments, the fair values may differ from the values that would have been used had an active market existed.

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

 

Standard Inputs Generally Considered By Third Party Pricing Services

Market approach

    (i   recent market transactions, including subsequent rounds of financing, in the underlying investment or comparable issuers;
    (ii   recapitalizations and other transactions across the capital structure; and
      (iii   market multiples of comparable issuers.

Income approach

    (i   future cash flows discounted to present and adjusted as appropriate for liquidity, credit, and/or market risks;
    (ii   quoted prices for similar investments or assets in active markets; and
      (iii   other risk factors, such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, recovery rates, liquidation amounts and/or default rates.

Cost approach

    (i   audited or unaudited financial statements, investor communications and financial or operational metrics issued by the Private Company;
    (ii   changes in the valuation of relevant indices or publicly traded companies comparable to the Private Company;
    (iii   relevant news and other public sources; and
      (iv   known secondary market transactions in the Private Company’s interests and merger or acquisition activity in companies comparable to the Private Company.

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

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

 

                
34    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)     

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

Level 3 — unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available (including the 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. Investments classified within Level 3 have significant unobservable inputs used by the Global Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments. Level 3 investments include equity or debt issued by Private Companies. There may not be a secondary market, and/or there are a limited number of investors. Level 3 investments may also be adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, with the amount of such discount estimated by the Global Valuation Committee in the absence of market information.

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the hierarchy. In accordance with 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

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    35


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)     

 

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.

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 in bankruptcy proceedings. In addition, transactions in floating rate loan interests may settle on a delayed basis, which may result to 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 NAV of the Fund to the extent that it 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 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

 

                
36    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)     

 

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
 

Oberthur Technologies SA

  $ 265,921     $ 264,591     $ 268,415     $ 3,824  

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.

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.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    37


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)     

 

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.

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.

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 their 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 the Fund and a counterparty that governs certain OTC derivatives and typically contains, among

 

                
38    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)     

 

other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. Bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may restrict or prohibit the right of offset in bankruptcy, insolvency or other events. 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 Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities as cash pledged as collateral and cash received as collateral, respectively. Non-cash collateral pledged by the Fund, if any, is noted in the Consolidated Schedule of Investments. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a counterparty is subject to a certain minimum transfer amount threshold before a transfer is required, which is determined at the close of business of the Fund. Any additional required collateral is delivered to/pledged by the Fund on the next business day. Typically, the counterparty is not permitted to sell, re-pledge or use cash and non-cash collateral it receives. The Fund generally agrees not to use non-cash collateral that it receives but may, absent default or certain other circumstances defined in the underlying ISDA Master Agreement, be permitted to use cash collateral received. In such cases, interest may be paid pursuant to the collateral arrangement with the counterparty. To the extent amounts due to the Fund from its counterparties are not fully collateralized, it bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance. Likewise, to the extent the Fund has delivered collateral to a counterparty and stands ready to perform under the terms of its agreement with such counterparty, it bears the risk of loss from a counterparty in the amount of the value of the collateral in the event the counterparty fails to return such collateral. Based on the terms of agreements, collateral may not be required for all derivative contracts.

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

6. Investment Advisory Agreement and Other Transactions with Affiliates:

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 at an annual rate equal to 0.55% of the average daily value of the Fund’s net assets, plus the proceeds of any debt securities or outstanding borrowings used for leverage. For purposes of calculating this fee, “net assets” mean the total assets of the Fund minus the sum of its 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.

Expense Waivers: The Manager voluntarily agreed to waive its investment advisory fees by the amount of investment advisory fees the Fund pays to the Manager indirectly through its investment in affiliated money market funds (the “affiliated money market fund waiver”). This amount is included in fees waived by the Manager in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. For the year ended February 28, 2017, the amount waived was $1,020.

Effective September 1, 2016, the Manager voluntarily agreed to waive its investment advisory fee with respect to any portion of the Fund’s assets invested in affiliated equity or fixed-income mutual funds or affiliated exchange-traded funds. Prior to September 1, 2016, the Manager did not waive such fees. On December 2, 2016, the Manager entered into a Master Advisory Fee Agreement (“Agreement”), contractually committing to this arrangement through June 30, 2017. The Agreement can be renewed for annual periods thereafter, and may be terminated on 90 days’ notice, each subject to approval by a majority of the Fund’s Independent Directors. For the year ended February 28, 2017, the Fund waived $62,335 in investment advisory fees pursuant to these arrangements.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    39


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)     

 

Officers and Directors: Certain officers and/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 year ended February 28, 2017, purchases and sales of investments, including paydowns and excluding short-term securities, were $716,076,065 and $551,620,625, 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 28, 2017. 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 February 28, 2017, inclusive of the open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Fund’s consolidated financial statements.

U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. As of period end, the following permanent differences attributable to the accounting for swap agreements, amortization methods on fixed income securities, foreign currency transactions, liquidating distribution on a wholly-owned subsidiary, limitations on the utilization of capital loss carryforwards and expiration of capital loss carryforwards were reclassified to the following accounts:

 

Paid-in capital

  $ (66,349,717

Undistributed net investment income

  $ 3,042,380  

Accumulated net realized loss

  $ 63,307,337  

The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:

 

     2/28/17      2/29/16  

Ordinary income

  $ 46,667,038      $ 50,092,741  
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 46,667,038      $ 50,092,741  
 

 

 

 

As of period end, the tax components of accumulated net earnings (losses) were as follows:

 

Undistributed ordinary income

  $ 3,647,188  

Capital loss carryforwards

    (235,282,195

Net unrealized losses1

    (4,910,769

Qualified late-year losses2

    (515,696
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ (237,061,472
 

 

 

 

 

  1   

The differences between book-basis and tax-basis net unrealized losses were attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and straddles, amortization methods for premiums and discounts on fixed income securities, the accrual of income on securities in default, the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on certain futures and foreign currency contracts, income recognized from pass-through entities, the deferral of compensation to directors and the classification of investments.

 

  2   

The Fund has elected to defer certain qualified late year losses and recognize such losses in the next taxable year.

As of February 28, 2017, the Fund had a capital loss carryforward available to offset future realized capital gains through the indicated expiration dates as follows:

 

Expires February 28,       

No expiration date3

  $ 61,352,908  

2018

    157,627,297  

2019

    16,301,990  
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 235,282,195  
 

 

 

 

 

  3   

Must be utilized prior to losses subject to expiration.

 

                
40    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)     

 

As of February 28, 2017, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Tax cost

  $ 1,137,418,195  
 

 

 

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

    29,507,151  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (34,392,615
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized depreciation

  $ (4,885,464
 

 

 

 

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 their assets to SSB. The SSB Agreement allows for the following maximum commitment amount of $377,000,000.

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 pays a commitment fee (based on the daily unused portion of the commitments). 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 year ended February 28, 2017, the average amount of bank borrowings and the daily weighted average interest rate for loans under the revolving credit agreements were $234,238,356 and 1.32%, 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.

Valuation Risk: The market values of equities, such as common stocks and preferred securities or equity related investments, such as futures and options, may decline due to general market conditions which are not specifically related to a particular company. They may also decline due to factors which affect a particular industry or industries. The Fund may invest in illiquid investments and may experience difficulty in selling those investments in a timely manner at the price that it believes the investments are worth. Prices may fluctuate widely over short or extended periods in response to company, market or economic news. Markets also tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. This volatility may cause the Fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or decreases over short periods of time. If there is a general decline in the securities and other markets, the NAV of the Fund may lose value, regardless of the individual results of the securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests.

The price the Fund could receive upon the sale of any particular portfolio investment may differ from the Fund’s valuation of the investment, particularly for securities that trade in thin or volatile markets or that are valued using a fair valuation technique or a price provided by an independent pricing service. Changes to significant unobservable inputs and assumptions (i.e., publicly traded company multiples, growth rate, time to exit) due to the lack of observable inputs may significantly impact the resulting fair value and therefore the Fund’s results of operations. As a result, the price received upon the sale of an investment may be less than the value ascribed by the Fund, and the Fund could realize a greater than expected loss or lesser than expected gain upon the sale of the investment. The Fund’s ability to value its investments may also be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by pricing services or other third party service providers.

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 stability of those

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    41


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)     

 

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 Board authorized a one-for-three reverse stock split for the Fund, effective after the close of trading on November 15, 2016, for the shareholders of record on November 15, 2016. The impact of the reverse stock split was a decrease in the number of shares outstanding by a factor of three, while increasing the NAV per share by a factor of three, resulting in no effect on the net assets of the Fund. The consolidated financial statements for the Fund have been adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split.

On October 26, 2016 the Board approved the Fund’s participation in an open market share repurchase program. The Fund is eligible to purchase, at prevailing market prices, up to 5% of its common shares outstanding as of the close of business on October 28, 2016, subject to certain conditions. Repurchases may be made through November 30, 2017. There is no assurance that the Fund will purchase shares in any particular amounts. For the year ended February 28, 2017, the Fund repurchased 805,119 shares at a cost of $9,233,758, including transaction costs. The total amount of the repurchase offer is reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

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). For the year ended February 28, 2017, Common Shares issued and outstanding under the Self Offering remained constant. 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.

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 institu-

 

                
42    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (concluded)     

 

tional 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 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 NAV. As such, no liability for litigation related to this matter is reflected in the consolidated 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 $0.0685 per share on March 31, 2017 to Common Shareholders of record on March 15, 2017.

Additionally, the Fund declared a net investment income dividend of $0.0685 per share on April 3, 2017 payable to Common Shareholders of record on April 13, 2017.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    43


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm     

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of assets and liabilities, including the consolidated schedule of investments, of BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. and Subsidiary (the “Fund”), as of February 28, 2017, and the related consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the consolidated statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the consolidated financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended. These consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of their internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of the securities owned as of February 28, 2017, by correspondence with the custodian, brokers and agent banks; where replies were not received from brokers or agent banks, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. and Subsidiary as of February 28, 2017, the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, the consolidated changes in their net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the consolidated financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

April 21, 2017

 

Important Tax Information (Unaudited)     

During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2017, the following information is provided with respect to the ordinary income distributions paid by the Fund.

 

     Interest-Related Dividends
for Non-US Residents1
March 2016       79.55 %
April 2016 — January 2017       78.96 %
February 2017       64.40 %

 

  1   

Represents the portion of the taxable ordinary income dividends eligible for exemption from U.S. withholding tax for nonresident alien and foreign corporations.

 

                
44    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan     

 

Pursuant to the Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Reinvestment Plan”), Common Shareholders are automatically enrolled to have all distributions of dividends and capital gains reinvested by Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the “Reinvestment Plan Agent”) in the Fund’s Common Shares pursuant to the Reinvestment Plan. Shareholders who do not participate in the Reinvestment Plan will receive all distributions in cash paid by check and mailed directly to the shareholders of record (or if the shares are held in street name or other nominee name, then to the nominee) by the Reinvestment Plan Agent, which serves as agent for the shareholders in administering the Reinvestment Plan.

After the Fund declares a dividend or determines to make a capital gain or other distribution, the Reinvestment Plan Agent will acquire shares for the participant’s accounts, depending upon the following circumstances, either (i) through receipt of unissued but authorized shares from the Fund (“newly issued shares”) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding shares on the open market or on the Fund’s primary exchange (“open-market purchases”). If, on the dividend payment date, the net asset value per share (“NAV”) is equal to or less than the market price per share plus estimated brokerage commissions (such condition often referred to as a “market premium”), the Reinvestment Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in newly issued shares acquired on behalf of the participants. The number of newly issued shares to be credited to each participant’s account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the dividend by the NAV on the date the shares are issued. However, if the NAV is less than 95% of the market price on the dividend payment date, the dollar amount of the dividend will be divided by 95% of the market price on the dividend payment date. If, on the dividend payment date, the NAV is greater than the market price per share plus estimated brokerage commissions (such condition often referred to as a “market discount”), the Reinvestment Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in shares acquired on behalf of the participants in open-market purchases. If the Reinvestment Plan Agent is unable to invest the full dividend amount in open-market purchases, or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period, the Reinvestment Plan Agent will invest any un-invested portion in newly issued shares. Investments in newly issued shares made in this manner would be made pursuant to the

same process described above and the date of issue for such newly issued shares will substitute for the dividend payment date.

You may elect not to participate in the Reinvestment Plan and to receive all dividends in cash by contacting the Reinvestment Plan Agent, at the address set forth below.

Participation in the Reinvestment Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by notice if received and processed by the Reinvestment Plan Agent prior to the dividend record date. Additionally, the Reinvestment Plan Agent seeks to process notices received after the record date but prior to the payable date and such notices often will become effective by the payable date. Where late notices are not processed by the applicable payable date, such termination or resumption will be effective with respect to any subsequently declared dividend or other distribution.

The Reinvestment Plan Agent’s fees for the handling of the reinvestment of all distributions will be paid by the Fund. However, each participant will pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Reinvestment Plan Agent’s open market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of all distributions. The automatic reinvestment of all distributions will not relieve participants of any federal income tax that may be payable on such dividends or distributions.

The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the Reinvestment Plan. There is no direct service charge to participants in the Reinvestment Plan; however, the Fund reserves the right to amend the Reinvestment Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants. Participants that request a sale of shares are subject to a $0.02 per share sold brokerage commission. All correspondence concerning the Reinvestment Plan should be directed to Computershare Trust Company, N.A. through the internet at http://www.computershare.com/blackrock, or in writing to Computershare, P.O. Box 30170, College Station, TX 77842-3170, Telephone: (800) 699-1236. Overnight correspondence should be directed to the Reinvestment Plan Agent at Computershare, 211 Quality Circle, Suite 210, College Station, TX 77845.

 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    45


Officers and Directors     

 

Name, Address1
and Year of Birth
  Position(s)
Held with
the Fund
  Length
of Time
Served3
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years   Number of BlackRock-
Advised Registered
Investment Companies
(“RICs”) Consisting of
Investment  Portfolios
(“Portfolios”) Overseen4
  Public Company and
Other Investment
Company Directorships
Held
During Past Five Years
Independent Directors2

Richard E. Cavanagh

 

1946

  Chair of the Board and Director  

Since

2007

  Director, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America since 1998; Director, Arch Chemical (chemical and allied products) from 1999 to 2011; Trustee, Educational Testing Service from 1997 to 2009 and Chairman thereof from 2005 to 2009; Senior Advisor, The Fremont Group since 2008 and Director thereof since 1996; Faculty Member/Adjunct Lecturer, Harvard University since 2007; President and Chief Executive Officer, The Conference Board, Inc. (global business research organization) from 1995 to 2007.  

75 RICs consisting of

75 Portfolios

  None

Karen P. Robards

 

1950

  Vice Chair of the Board and Director  

Since

2007

  Principal of Robards & Company, LLC (consulting and private investing) since 1987; Co-founder and Director of the Cooke Center for Learning and Development (a not-for-profit organization) since 1987; Investment Banker at Morgan Stanley from 1976 to 1987.  

75 RICs consisting of

75 Portfolios

  AtriCure, Inc. (medical devices); Greenhill & Co., Inc.

Michael J. Castellano

 

1946

  Director  

Since

2011

  Chief Financial Officer of Lazard Group LLC from 2001 to 2011; Chief Financial Officer of Lazard Ltd from 2004 to 2011; Director, Support Our Aging Religious (non-profit) from 2009 to June 2015; Director, National Advisory Board of Church Management at Villanova University since 2010; Trustee, Domestic Church Media Foundation since 2012; Director, CircleBlack Inc. (financial technology company) since 2015.  

75 RICs consisting of

75 Portfolios

  None

Cynthia L. Egan

 

1955

  Director  

Since

2016

  Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury from 2014 to 2015; President, Retirement Plan Services for T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. from 2007 to 2012; executive positions within Fidelity Investments from 1989 to 2007.  

75 RICs consisting of

75 Portfolios

  Unum (insurance); The Hanover Insurance Group (insurance); Envestnet (investment platform) from 2013 until 2016

Frank J. Fabozzi

 

1948

  Director  

Since

2007

  Editor of and Consultant for The Journal of Portfolio Management since 2006; Professor of Finance, EDHEC Business School since 2011; Visiting Professor, Princeton University from 2013 to 2014 and since 2016; Professor in the Practice of Finance and Becton Fellow, Yale University School of Management from 2006 to 2011.  

75 RICs consisting of

75 Portfolios

  None

Jerrold B. Harris

 

1942

  Director  

Since

2007

  Trustee, Ursinus College from 2000 to 2012; Director, Ducks Unlimited - Canada (conservation) since 2015; Director, Waterfowl Chesapeake (conservation) since 2014; Director, Ducks Unlimited, Inc. since 2013; Director, Troemner LLC (scientific equipment) from 2000 to 2016; Director of Delta Waterfowl Foundation from 2010 to 2012; President and Chief Executive Officer, VWR Scientific Products Corporation from 1990 to 1999.  

75 RICs consisting of

75 Portfolios

  BlackRock Capital Investment Corp. (business development company)

R. Glenn Hubbard

 

1958

  Director  

Since

2007

  Dean, Columbia Business School since 2004; Faculty member, Columbia Business School since 1988.  

75 RICs consisting of

75 Portfolios

  ADP (data and information services); Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (insurance)

W. Carl Kester

 

1951

  Director  

Since

2007

  George Fisher Baker Jr. Professor of Business Administration, Harvard Business School since 2008, Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs from 2006 to 2010, Chairman of the Finance Unit, from 2005 to 2006, Senior Associate Dean and Chairman of the MBA Program from 1999 to 2005; Member of the faculty of Harvard Business School since 1981.  

75 RICs consisting of

75 Portfolios

  None

Catherine A. Lynch

 

1961

  Director  

Since

2016

  Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer and various other positions, National Railroad Retirement Investment Trust from 2003 to 2016; Associate Vice President for Treasury Management, The George Washington University from 1999 to 2003; Assistant Treasurer, Episcopal Church of America from 1995 to 1999.  

75 RICs consisting of

75 Portfolios

  None

 

                
46    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


Officers and Directors (continued)     

 

Name, Address1
and Year of Birth
  Position(s)
Held with
the Fund
  Length
of Time
Served3
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years   Number of BlackRock-
Advised Registered
Investment Companies
(“RICs”) Consisting of
Investment  Portfolios
(“Portfolios”) Overseen4
  Public Company and
Other Investment
Company Directorships
Held
During Past Five Years
Interested Directors5

Barbara G. Novick

 

1960

  Director  

Since

2015

  Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006; Chair of BlackRock’s Government Relations Steering Committee since 2009; Head of the Global Client Group of BlackRock, Inc. from 1988 to 2008.  

101 RICs consisting of

220 Portfolios

  None

John M. Perlowski

 

1964

  Director, President and Chief Executive Officer   Since 2015 (Director); Since 2010 (President and Chief Executive Officer)   Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009; Head of BlackRock Global Fund & Accounting Services since 2009; Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Global Product Group at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. from 2003 to 2009; Treasurer of Goldman Sachs Mutual Funds from 2003 to 2009 and Senior Vice President thereof from 2007 to 2009; Director of Goldman Sachs Offshore Funds from 2002 to 2009; Advisory Director of Family Resource Network (charitable foundation) since 2009.  

129 RICs consisting of

318 Portfolios

  None
 

1    The address of each Director is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055.

 

2    Each Independent Director will serve until his or her successor is elected and qualifies, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal, or until December 31 of the year in which he or she turns 75. The maximum age limitation may be waived as to any Director by action of a majority of the Directors upon finding of good cause therefor.

 

3    Following the combination of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. (“MLIM”) and BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock”) in September 2006, the various legacy MLIM and legacy BlackRock fund boards were realigned and consolidated into three new fund boards in 2007. As a result, although the chart shows certain Independent Directors as joining the Board in 2007, each Director first became a member of the boards of other legacy MLIM or legacy BlackRock funds as follows: Richard E. Cavanagh, 1994; Frank J. Fabozzi, 1988; Jerrold B. Harris, 1999; R. Glenn Hubbard, 2004; W. Carl Kester, 1995 and Karen P. Robards, 1998.

 

4    For purposes of this chart, “RICs” refers to investment companies registered under the 1940 Act and “Portfolios” refers to the investment programs of the BlackRock-advised funds. The Closed-End Complex is comprised of 75 RICs. Mr. Perlowski and Ms. Novick are also board members of certain complexes of BlackRock registered open-end funds. Mr. Perlowski is also a board member of the BlackRock Equity-Bond Complex and the BlackRock Equity-Liquidity Complex, and Ms. Novick is also a board member of the BlackRock Equity-Liquidity Complex.

 

5    Mr. Perlowski and Ms. Novick are both “interested persons,” as defined in the 1940 Act, of the Fund based on their positions with BlackRock and its affiliates. Mr. Perlowski and Ms. Novick are also board members of certain complexes of BlackRock registered open-end funds. Mr. Perlowski is also a board member of the BlackRock Equity-Bond Complex and the BlackRock Equity-Liquidity Complex, and Ms. Novick is also a board member of the BlackRock Equity-Liquidity Complex. Interested Directors serve until their resignation, removal or death, or until December 31 of the year in which they turn 72. The maximum age limitation may be waived as to any Director by action of a majority of the Directors upon a finding of good cause therefor.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    47


Officers and Directors (concluded)     

 

Name, Address1
and Year of Birth
  Position(s)
Held with
the Fund
  Length
of Time
Served as
an Officer
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years        
Officers Who Are Not Directors2

Jonathan Diorio

 

1980

  Vice President  

Since

2015

  Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2015; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2011 to 2015; Director of Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management from 2009 to 2011.

Neal J. Andrews

 

1966

  Chief Financial Officer  

Since

2007

  Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2006; Senior Vice President and Line of Business Head of Fund Accounting and Administration at PNC Global Investment Servicing (U.S.) Inc. from 1992 to 2006.

Jay M. Fife

 

1970

  Treasurer  

Since

2007

  Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2007; Director of BlackRock, Inc. in 2006; Assistant Treasurer of the MLIM and Fund Asset Management, L.P. advised funds from 2005 to 2006; Director of MLIM Fund Services Group from 2001 to 2006.

Charles Park

 

1967

  Chief Compliance Officer  

Since

2014

  Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for the BlackRock-advised Funds in the Equity-Bond Complex, the Equity-Liquidity Complex and the Closed-End Complex from 2014 to 2015; Chief Compliance Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and the BlackRock-advised Funds in the Equity-Bond Complex, the Equity-Liquidity Complex and the Closed-End Complex since 2014; Principal of and Chief Compliance Officer for iShares® Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC since 2012 and BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”) since 2006; Chief Compliance Officer for the BFA-advised iShares® exchange traded funds since 2006; Chief Compliance Officer for BlackRock Asset Management International Inc. since 2012.

Janey Ahn

 

1975

  Secretary  

Since

2012

  Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009; Assistant Secretary of the funds in the Closed-End Complex from 2008 to 2012.
 

1    The address of each Officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055.

 

2    Officers of the Fund serve at the pleasure of the Board.

 

         

Investment Adviser

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 02111

 

Distributor

BlackRock Investments, LLC

New York, NY 10022

   

 

                
48    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


Additional Information     

 

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 distributions 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 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. 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 Statement of Assets and Liabilities, which comprises part of the financial information included in this report.

 

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, the Fund may from time to time purchase shares of its common stock in open market or in private transactions.

Except as described below, 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 October 28, 2016, the Fund announced that it had divided its Board of Directors into three classes, with one class standing for election each year, and had adopted a voting standard of a majority of the outstanding shares for the election of directors in a contested election.

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. Any reference to BlackRock’s website in this report 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.

To enroll in electronic delivery:

Shareholders Who Hold Accounts with Investment Advisers, Banks or Brokerages:

Please contact your financial advisor. Please note that not all investment advisers, banks or brokerages may offer this service.

Householding

The Fund will mail only one copy of shareholder documents, annual and semi-annual reports and proxy statements, to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is commonly called “householding” and is intended to reduce expenses and eliminate duplicate mailings of shareholder documents. Mailings of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be combined with those for other members of your household, please call the Fund at (800) 882-0052.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    49


Additional Information (continued)     

 

 

General Information (concluded)

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, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room or 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.

 

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 of an offer 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.

 

                
50    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017   


Additional Information (concluded)     

 

 

BlackRock Privacy Principles

BlackRock is committed to maintaining the privacy of its current and former fund investors and individual clients (collectively, “Clients”) and to safeguarding their non-public personal information. The following information is provided to help you understand what personal information BlackRock collects, how we protect that information and why in certain cases we share such information with select parties.

If you are located in a jurisdiction where specific laws, rules or regulations require BlackRock to provide you with additional or different privacy-related rights beyond what is set forth below, then BlackRock will comply with those specific laws, rules or regulations.

BlackRock obtains or verifies personal non-public information from and about you from different sources, including the following: (i) information we receive from you or, if applicable, your financial intermediary, on applications, forms or other documents; (ii) information about your transactions with us, our affiliates, or others; (iii) information we receive from a consumer reporting agency; and (iv) from visits to our websites.

BlackRock does not sell or disclose to non-affiliated third parties any non-public personal information about its Clients, except as permitted by law or as is necessary to respond to regulatory requests or to service Client accounts. These non-affiliated third parties are required to protect the confidentiality and security of this information and to use it only for its intended purpose.

We may share information with our affiliates to service your account or to provide you with information about other BlackRock products or services that may be of interest to you. In addition, BlackRock restricts access to non-public personal information about its Clients to those BlackRock employees with a legitimate business need for the information. BlackRock maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that are designed to protect the non-public personal information of its Clients, including procedures relating to the proper storage and disposal of such information.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    FEBRUARY 28, 2017    51


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.

 

LOGO

 

CEFDSU-2/17-AR    LOGO


Item 2 –

  Code of Ethics – The registrant (or the “Fund”) has adopted a code of ethics, as of the end of the period covered by this report, applicable to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. During the period covered by this report, the code of ethics was amended to update certain information and to make other non-material changes. During the period covered by this report, there have been no waivers granted under the code of ethics. The registrant undertakes to provide a copy of the code of ethics to any person upon request, without charge, by calling 1-800-882-0052, option 4.
Item 3 –   Audit Committee Financial Expert – The registrant’s board of directors (the “board of directors”), has determined that (i) the registrant has the following audit committee financial experts serving on its audit committee and (ii) each audit committee financial expert is independent:
 

 

Michael Castellano

Frank J. Fabozzi

W. Carl Kester

Karen P. Robards

 

The registrant’s board of directors has determined that W. Carl Kester and Karen P. Robards qualify as financial experts pursuant to Item 3(c)(4) of Form N-CSR.

 

Prof. Kester has a thorough understanding of generally accepted accounting principles, financial statements and internal control over financial reporting as well as audit committee functions. Prof. Kester has been involved in providing valuation and other financial consulting services to corporate clients since 1978. Prof. Kester’s financial consulting services present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the breadth and complexity of issues that can reasonably be expected to be raised by the registrant’s financial statements.

 

Ms. Robards has a thorough understanding of generally accepted accounting principles, financial statements and internal control over financial reporting as well as audit committee functions. Ms. Robards has been President of Robards & Company, a financial advisory firm, since 1987. Ms. Robards was formerly an investment banker for more than 10 years where she was responsible for evaluating and assessing the performance of companies based on their financial results. Ms. Robards has over 30 years of experience analyzing financial statements. She also is a member of the audit committee of one publicly held company and a non-profit organization.

 

Under applicable securities laws, a person determined to be an audit committee financial expert will not be deemed an “expert” for any purpose, including without limitation for the purposes of Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as a result of being designated or identified as an audit committee financial expert. The designation or identification as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities greater than the duties, obligations, and liabilities imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and board of directors in the absence of such designation or identification. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not affect the duties, obligations, or liability of any other member of the audit committee or board of directors.

 

2


Item 4 – Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The following table presents fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP (“D&T”) in each of the last two fiscal years for the services rendered to the Fund:

 

      (a) Audit Fees        (b) Audit-Related Fees1        (c) Tax Fees2, 4        (d) All Other Fees3    
Entity Name    Current    
Fiscal Year    
End     
   Previous    
Fiscal Year    
End     
   Current    
Fiscal Year    
End     
   Previous    
Fiscal Year    
End     
   Current    
Fiscal Year    
End     
   Previous    
Fiscal Year    
End     
   Current    
Fiscal Year    
End     
   Previous    
Fiscal Year    
End    
BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.    $98,494        $102,064        $0        $0        $27,402        $27,402        $0        $0    

The following table presents fees billed by D&T that were required to be approved by the registrant’s audit committee (the “Committee”) for services that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the Fund and that are rendered on behalf of BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“Investment Adviser” or “BlackRock”) and entities controlling, controlled by, or under common control with BlackRock (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser) that provide ongoing services to the Fund (“Fund Service Providers”):

 

     Current Fiscal Year End   Previous Fiscal Year End
(b) Audit-Related Fees1   $0   $0
(c) Tax Fees2, 4   $0   $0
(d) All Other Fees3   $2,104 ,000   $2,129,000

1 The nature of the services includes assurance and related services reasonably related to the performance of the audit of financial statements not included in Audit Fees.

2 The nature of the services includes tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning, including services relating to the filing or amendment of federal, state or local income tax returns, regulated investment company qualification reviews, tax distribution and analysis reviews and miscellaneous tax advice.

3 Aggregate fees borne by BlackRock in connection with the review of compliance procedures and attestation thereto performed by D&T with respect to all of the registered closed-end funds and some of the registered open-end funds advised by BlackRock.

4 Includes fees for the Fund and the Fund’s subsidiary.

(e)(1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures:

The Committee has adopted policies and procedures with regard to the pre-approval of services. Audit, audit-related and tax compliance services provided to the registrant on an annual basis require specific pre-approval by the Committee. The Committee also must approve other non-audit services provided to the registrant and those non-audit services provided to the Investment Adviser and Fund Service Providers that relate directly to the operations and the financial reporting of the registrant. Certain of these non-audit services that the Committee believes are (a) consistent with the SEC’s auditor independence rules and (b) routine and recurring services that will not impair the independence of the independent accountants may be approved by the Committee without consideration on a specific case-by-case basis (“general pre-approval”). The term of any general pre-approval is 12 months from the date of the pre-approval, unless the Committee provides for a different period. Tax or other non-audit services provided to the registrant which have a direct impact on the operations or financial reporting of the registrant will only be deemed pre-approved provided that any individual project does not exceed $10,000 attributable to the registrant or $50,000 per project. For this purpose, multiple projects will be aggregated to determine if they exceed the previously mentioned cost levels.

 

3


Any proposed services exceeding the pre-approved cost levels will require specific pre-approval by the Committee, as will any other services not subject to general pre-approval (e.g., unanticipated but permissible services). The Committee is informed of each service approved subject to general pre-approval at the next regularly scheduled in-person board meeting. At this meeting, an analysis of such services is presented to the Committee for ratification. The Committee may delegate to the Committee Chairman the authority to approve the provision of and fees for any specific engagement of permitted non-audit services, including services exceeding pre-approved cost levels.

(e)(2) None of the services described in each of Items 4(b) through (d) were approved by the Committee pursuant to the de minimis exception in paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

(f) Not Applicable

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees paid to the accountant for services rendered by the accountant to the registrant, the Investment Adviser and the Fund Service Providers were:

 

Entity Name  

Current Fiscal

Year End

 

Previous Fiscal

Year End

   
BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.   $27,402   $27,402  

Additionally, SSAE 16 Review (Formerly, SAS No. 70) fees for the current and previous fiscal years of $2,104,000 and $2,129,000, respectively, were billed by D&T to the Investment Adviser.

(h) The Committee has considered and determined that the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the Investment Adviser, and the Fund Service Providers that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

 

Item 5 –   Audit Committee of Listed Registrants
  (a)   The following individuals are members of the registrant’s separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(58)(A)):
   

Michael Castellano

Frank J. Fabozzi

W. Carl Kester

Catherine A. Lynch

Karen P. Robards

  (b)  

Not Applicable

Item 6 –  

Investments

 

(a) The registrant’s Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

 

4


  (b) Not Applicable due to no such divestments during the semi-annual period covered since the previous Form N-CSR filing.
Item 7 –  

Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies – The board of directors has delegated the voting of proxies for the Fund’s portfolio securities to the Investment Adviser pursuant to the Investment Adviser’s proxy voting guidelines. Under these guidelines, the Investment Adviser will vote proxies related to Fund securities in the best interests of the Fund and its stockholders. From time to time, a vote may present a conflict between the interests of the Fund’s stockholders, on the one hand, and those of the Investment Adviser, or any affiliated person of the Fund or the Investment Adviser, on the other. In such event, provided that the Investment Adviser’s Equity Investment Policy Oversight Committee, or a sub-committee thereof (the “Oversight Committee”) is aware of the real or potential conflict or material non-routine matter and if the Oversight Committee does not reasonably believe it is able to follow its general voting guidelines (or if the particular proxy matter is not addressed in the guidelines) and vote impartially, the Oversight Committee may retain an independent fiduciary to advise the Oversight Committee on how to vote or to cast votes on behalf of the Investment Adviser’s clients. If the Investment Adviser determines not to retain an independent fiduciary, or does not desire to follow the advice of such independent fiduciary, the Oversight Committee shall determine how to vote the proxy after consulting with the Investment Adviser’s Portfolio Management Group and/or the Investment Adviser’s Legal and Compliance Department and concluding that the vote cast is in its client’s best interest notwithstanding the conflict. A copy of the Fund’s Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures are attached as Exhibit 99.PROXYPOL. Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, (i) at www.blackrock.com and (ii) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Item 8 –   Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies –
  (a)(1)   As of the date of filing this Report:
    The Fund is managed by a team of investment professionals comprised of James E. Keenan, Managing Director at BlackRock, C. Adrian Marshall, Managing Director at BlackRock and Mitchell Garfin, Managing Director at BlackRock. Messrs. Keenan, Marshall and Garfin are the Fund’s co-portfolio managers and are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio and the selection of its investments. Messrs. Keenan and Marshall have been members of the Fund’s management team since 2009. Mr. Garfin has been a member of the Fund’s portfolio management team since 2016.

 

  Portfolio Manager      Biography

James E. Keenan

     Managing Director of BlackRock since 2008 and Head of the Leveraged Finance Portfolio team; Director of BlackRock from 2006 to 2007.

C. Adrian Marshall

     Managing Director of BlackRock since 2013; Director of BlackRock from 2007 to 2013; Vice President of BlackRock from 2004 to 2007.

 

5


Mitchell Garfin

     Managing Director of BlackRock since 2009; Director of BlackRock from 2005 to 2008.

  (a)(2) As of February 28, 2017:

 

    

(ii) Number of Other Accounts Managed

and Assets by Account Type

  

(iii) Number of Other Accounts and

Assets for Which Advisory Fee is

Performance-Based

(i) Name of

Portfolio Manager

  

Other

Registered

Investment

Companies

  

    Other Pooled    

Investment

Vehicles

  

Other

Accounts

  

Other

Registered

Investment

Companies

  

Other Pooled

Investment

Vehicles

  

Other

Accounts

James E. Keenan

   13    20    19    0    0    4
     $29.42 Billion    $12.13 Billion    $8.41 Billion    $0    $0    $817.3 Million

C. Adrian Marshall

   6    28    11    0    3    0
     $5.57 Billion    $9.97 Billion    $1.30 Billion    $0    $0.10 Million    $0

Mitchell Garfin*

   13    14    22    0    0    4
     $27.72 Billion    $9.30 Billion    $9.93 Billion    $0    $0    $817.3 Million

 

  (iv) Portfolio Manager Potential Material Conflicts of Interest

BlackRock has built a professional working environment, firm-wide compliance culture and compliance procedures and systems designed to protect against potential incentives that may favor one account over another. BlackRock has adopted policies and procedures that address the allocation of investment opportunities, execution of portfolio transactions, personal trading by employees and other potential conflicts of interest that are designed to ensure that all client accounts are treated equitably over time. Nevertheless, BlackRock furnishes investment management and advisory services to numerous clients in addition to the Fund, and BlackRock may, consistent with applicable law, make investment recommendations to other clients or accounts (including accounts which are hedge funds or have performance or higher fees paid to BlackRock, or in which portfolio managers have a personal interest in the receipt of such fees), which may be the same as or different from those made to the Fund. In addition, BlackRock, Inc., its affiliates and significant shareholders and any officer, director, shareholder or employee may or may not have an interest in the securities whose purchase and sale BlackRock recommends to the Fund. BlackRock, Inc., or any of its affiliates or significant shareholders, or any officer, director, shareholder, employee or any member of their families may take different actions than those recommended to the Fund by BlackRock with respect to the same securities. Moreover, BlackRock may refrain from rendering any advice or services concerning securities of companies of which any of BlackRock, Inc.’s (or its affiliates’ or significant shareholders’) officers, directors or employees are directors or officers, or companies as to which BlackRock, Inc. or any of its affiliates or significant shareholders or the officers, directors and employees of any of them has any substantial economic interest or possesses material non-public information. Certain portfolio managers also may manage accounts whose investment strategies may at times be opposed to the strategy utilized for a fund.    It should also be noted that

 

6


Messrs. Keenan, Marshall and Garfin may be managing hedge fund and/or long only accounts, or may be part of a team managing hedge fund and/or long only accounts, subject to incentive fees. Messrs. Keenan, Marshall and Garfin may therefore be entitled to receive a portion of any incentive fees earned on such accounts.

As a fiduciary, BlackRock owes a duty of loyalty to its clients and must treat each client fairly. When BlackRock purchases or sells securities for more than one account, the trades must be allocated in a manner consistent with its fiduciary duties. BlackRock attempts to allocate investments in a fair and equitable manner among client accounts, with no account receiving preferential treatment. To this end, BlackRock, Inc. has adopted policies that are intended to ensure reasonable efficiency in client transactions and provide BlackRock with sufficient flexibility to allocate investments in a manner that is consistent with the particular investment discipline and client base, as appropriate.

 

  (a)(3) Portfolio Manager Compensation Overview

 The discussion below describes the portfolio managers’ compensation as of February 28, 2017.

BlackRock’s financial arrangements with its portfolio managers, its competitive compensation and its career path emphasis at all levels reflect the value senior management places on key resources. Compensation may include a variety of components and may vary from year to year based on a number of factors. The principal components of compensation include a base salary, a performance-based discretionary bonus, participation in various benefits programs and one or more of the incentive compensation programs established by BlackRock.

Base Compensation.  Generally, portfolio managers receive base compensation based on their position with the firm.

Discretionary Incentive Compensation

Discretionary incentive compensation is a function of several components: the performance of BlackRock, Inc., the performance of the portfolio manager’s group within BlackRock, the investment performance, including risk-adjusted returns, of the firm’s assets under management or supervision by that portfolio manager relative to predetermined benchmarks, and the individual’s performance and contribution to the overall performance of these portfolios and BlackRock. In most cases, these benchmarks are the same as the benchmark or benchmarks against which the performance of the Fund or other accounts managed by the portfolio managers are measured. Among other things, BlackRock’s Chief Investment Officers make a subjective determination with respect to each portfolio manager’s compensation based on the performance of the Fund and other accounts managed by each portfolio manager relative to the various benchmarks. Performance of fixed income funds is measured on a pre-tax and/or after-tax basis over various time periods including 1-, 3- and 5- year periods, as applicable. With respect to these portfolio managers, such benchmarks for the Fund and other accounts are:

 

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     Portfolio Managers             Applicable Benchmarks
    C. Adrian Marshall        A combination of market-based indices (e.g., S&P Leveraged All Loan Index), certain customized indices and certain fund industry peer groups.
   

James Keenan

Mitchell Garfin

       A combination of market-based indices (e.g., The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Cap Index), certain customized indices and certain fund industry peer groups.

Distribution of Discretionary Incentive Compensation. Discretionary incentive compensation is distributed to portfolio managers in a combination of cash and BlackRock, Inc. restricted stock units which vest ratably over a number of years. For some portfolio managers, discretionary incentive compensation is also distributed in deferred cash awards that notionally track the returns of select BlackRock investment products they manage and that vest ratably over a number of years. The BlackRock, Inc. restricted stock units, upon vesting, will generally be settled in BlackRock, Inc. common stock. Typically, the cash portion of the discretionary incentive compensation, when combined with base salary, represents more than 60% of total compensation for the portfolio managers. Paying a portion of discretionary incentive compensation in BlackRock, Inc. stock puts compensation earned by a portfolio manager for a given year “at risk” based on BlackRock’s ability to sustain and improve its performance over future periods. Providing a portion of discretionary incentive compensation in deferred cash awards that notionally track the BlackRock investment products they manage provides direct alignment with investment product results.

Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards — From time to time long-term incentive equity awards are granted to certain key employees to aid in retention, align their interests with long-term shareholder interests and motivate performance. Equity awards are generally granted in the form of BlackRock, Inc. restricted stock units that, once vested, settle in BlackRock, Inc. common stock. The portfolio managers of this Fund have unvested long-term incentive awards.

Deferred Compensation Program — A portion of the compensation paid to eligible United States-based BlackRock employees may be voluntarily deferred at their election for defined periods of time into an account that tracks the performance of certain of the firm’s investment products. Any portfolio manager who is either a managing director or director at BlackRock with compensation above a specified threshold is eligible to participate in the deferred compensation program.

Other Compensation Benefits.  In addition to base salary and discretionary incentive compensation, portfolio managers may be eligible to receive or participate in one or more of the following:

Incentive Savings Plans — BlackRock, Inc. has created a variety of incentive savings plans in which BlackRock, Inc. employees are eligible to participate, including a 401(k) plan, the BlackRock Retirement Savings Plan (RSP), and the BlackRock Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). The employer contribution components of the RSP include a company match equal to 50% of the first 8% of eligible pay contributed to the plan capped at $5,000 per year, and a company retirement contribution equal to 3-5% of eligible compensation up to the Internal Revenue Service limit ($270,000 for 2017). The RSP offers a range of investment options, including registered

 

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investment companies and collective investment funds managed by the firm. BlackRock, Inc. contributions follow the investment direction set by participants for their own contributions or, absent participant investment direction, are invested into a target date fund that corresponds to, or is closest to, the year in which the participant attains age 65. The ESPP allows for investment in BlackRock, Inc. common stock at a 5% discount on the fair market value of the stock on the purchase date. Annual participation in the ESPP is limited to the purchase of 1,000 shares of common stock or a dollar value of $25,000 based on its fair market value on the purchase date. All of the eligible portfolio managers are eligible to participate in these plans.

 

  (a)(4) Beneficial Ownership of Securities – As of February 28, 2017.

 

    Portfolio Manager   

Dollar Range of Equity

Securities of the Fund

Beneficially Owned

    
  James Keenan    $10,001 - $50,000   
  C. Adrian Marshall    $10,001 - $50,000   
  Mitchell Garfin    $10,001 - $50,000   

(b) Not Applicable

 

Item 9 –  Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers

 

Period   (a) Total   (b) Average   (c) Total Number of   (d) Maximum Number of
    Number of

Shares

Purchased1

  Price Paid per
Share
  Shares Purchased as Part
of Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs1
  Shares that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the Plans
or Programs1, 2
September 1-30, 2016   N/A   N/A   N/A   N/A
October 1-31, 2016   N/A   N/A   N/A   3,115,220
November 1-30, 2016   N/A   N/A   N/A   3,115,220
December 1-31, 2016   128,284   $11.1672   128,284   2,986,936
January 1-31, 2017   342,670   $11.4386   342,670   2,644,266
February 1-28, 2017   334,165   $11.4600   334,165   2,310,101
Total:   805,119   $11.3553   805,119   2,310,101

1The Fund completed a 1-for-3 reverse stock split on November 16, 2016. All shares shown are on a post-split basis.

2The Fund announced an open market share repurchase program on October 28, 2016 pursuant to which the Fund may repurchase, through November 30, 2017, up to 5% of its outstanding common shares based on common shares outstanding on October 28, 2016 (3,115,220 common shares), in open market transactions.

 

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

 

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  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 – See Item 2
  (a)(2) – Certifications – Attached hereto
  (a)(3) – Not Applicable
  (b) – Certifications – Attached hereto

 

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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

BlackRock 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: May 3, 2017

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:       /s/ John M. Perlowski                                    
  John M. Perlowski
 

Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.

Date: May 3, 2017

 

By:       /s/ Neal J. Andrews                                             
  Neal J. Andrews
 

Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.

Date: May 3, 2017

 

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