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: 811-21793
Name of Fund: BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc. (EGF)
Fund Address: 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809
Name and address of agent for service: John M. Perlowski, Chief Executive Officer, BlackRock Enhanced
Government Fund, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055
Registrants telephone number,
including area code: (800) 882-0052, Option 4
Date of fiscal year end:
12/31/2020
Date of reporting period: 12/31/2020
Item 1 Report to Stockholders
(a) The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.
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DECEMBER 31, 2020
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BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc. (EGF)
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Not FDIC Insured May Lose Value No Bank
Guarantee
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Supplemental Information (unaudited)
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Section 19(a) Notices
BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc.s (EGF) (the Fund) amounts and sources of distributions reported are estimates and are being
provided to you pursuant to regulatory requirements and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Funds investment experience during its fiscal year and
may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will provide a Form 1099-DIV each calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
December 31, 2020
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Total Cumulative Distributions
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% Breakdown of the Total Cumulative
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for the Fiscal Period
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Distributions for the Fiscal Period
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Net
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Net Realized
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Net Realized
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Total Per
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Net
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Net Realized
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Net Realized
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Total Per
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Investment
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Capital Gains
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Capital Gains
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Return of
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Common
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Investment
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Capital Gains
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Capital Gains
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Return of
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Common
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Fund Name
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Income
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Short-Term
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Long-Term
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Capital
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(a)
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Share
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Income
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Short-Term
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Long-Term
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Capital
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Share
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EGF
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$
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0.369965
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$
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$
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$
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0.122035
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$
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0.492000
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75
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%
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%
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%
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25
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%
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100
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(a)
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The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its net investment income and net realized capital gains; therefore,
a portion of the distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the shareholders investment in the Fund is returned to the shareholder. A return of capital does not necessarily reflect
the Funds investment performance and should not be confused with yield or income. When distributions exceed total return performance, the difference will reduce the Funds net asset value per share.
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Section 19(a) notices for the Fund, as applicable, are available on the BlackRock website at blackrock.com.
Section 19(b) Disclosure
The Fund, acting pursuant to a
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) exemptive order and with the approval of the Funds Board of Directors (the Board), has adopted a managed distribution plan, consistent with its investment objectives and
policies to support a level distribution of income, capital gains and/or return of capital (the Plan). In accordance with the Plan, the Fund currently distributes the following fixed amounts per share on a monthly basis:
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Amount Per
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Exchange Symbol
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Common Share
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EGF
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$
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0.0410
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The fixed amounts distributed per share are subject to change at the discretion of the Funds Board. Under its Plan,
the Fund will distribute all available investment income to its shareholders as required by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). If sufficient income (inclusive of net investment income and short-term capital gains)
is not earned on a monthly basis, the Fund will distribute long-term capital gains and/or return of capital to shareholders in order to maintain a level distribution. Each monthly distribution to shareholders is expected to be at the fixed amount
established by the Board; however, the Fund may make additional distributions from time to time, including additional capital gain distributions at the end of the taxable year, if required to meet requirements imposed by the Code and/or the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act).
Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Funds investment
performance from the amount of these distributions or from the terms of the Plan. The Funds total return performance is presented in its financial highlights table.
The Board may amend, suspend or terminate the Funds Plan at any time without prior notice to the Funds shareholders if it deems such actions
to be in the best interests of the Fund or its shareholders. The suspension or termination of the Plan could have the effect of creating a trading discount (if the Funds stock is trading at or above net asset value) or widening an existing
trading discount. The Fund is subject to risks that could have an adverse impact on its ability to maintain level distributions. Examples of potential risks include, but are not limited to, economic downturns impacting the markets, changes in
interest rates, decreased market volatility, companies suspending or decreasing corporate dividend distributions and changes in the Code.
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2
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2 0 2 0 B L A C K R O C K
A N N U A L R E P O R T T O
S H A R E H O L D E R S
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The Markets in Review
Dear Shareholder,
The
12-month reporting period as of December 31, 2020 has been a time of sudden change in global financial markets, as the emergence and spread of the coronavirus (or
COVID-19) led to a vast disruption in the global economy and financial markets. The threat from the coronavirus became increasingly apparent throughout February and March 2020, and countries around
the world took economically disruptive countermeasures. Stay-at-home orders and closures of non-essential businesses became
widespread, many workers were laid off, and unemployment claims spiked, causing a global recession and a sharp fall in equity prices.
After markets
hit their lowest point of the reporting period in late March 2020, a steady recovery ensued, as businesses began to re-open and governments learned to adapt to life with the virus. Equity prices continued to
rise throughout the summer, fed by strong fiscal and monetary support and improving economic indicators. Many equity indices neared or surpassed all-time highs late in the reporting period following a series
of successful vaccine trials and passage of additional stimulus. In the United States, both large- and small-capitalization stocks posted a significant advance. International equities from developed economies grew at a more modest pace, lagging
emerging market stocks, which rebounded sharply.
During the market downturn, the performance of different types of fixed-income securities initially
diverged due to a reduced investor appetite for risk. U.S. Treasuries benefited from the risk-off environment, and posted solid returns, as the 10-year U.S. Treasury
yield (which is inversely related to bond prices) touched an all-time low. In the corporate bond market, support from the U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed) assuaged credit concerns and both
investment-grade and high-yield bonds recovered to post positive returns.
Following the coronavirus outbreak, the Fed instituted two emergency
interest rate cuts, pushing short-term interest rates, already low as the year began, close to zero. To stabilize credit markets, the Fed also implemented a new bond-buying program, as did several other central banks around the world, including the
European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan.
Looking ahead, while coronavirus-related disruptions have clearly hindered worldwide economic growth,
we believe that the global expansion is likely to accelerate as vaccination efforts get under way. The results of the U.S. elections also cleared the way for additional stimulus spending in 2021, which is likely to be a solid tailwind for economic
growth. Inflation should increase as the expansion continues, but a shift in central bank policy means that moderate inflation is less likely to be followed by interest rate hikes that could threaten the equity expansion.
Overall, we favor a positive stance toward risk, with an overweight in both equities and credit. We see U.S. and Asian equities benefiting from
structural growth trends in tech, while emerging markets should be particularly helped by a vaccine-led economic expansion. In credit, rising inflation should provide tailwinds for inflation-protected bonds,
and Euro area peripherals and Asian bonds also provide attractive opportunities. We believe that international diversification and a focus on sustainability can help provide portfolio resilience, and the disruption created by the coronavirus appears
to be accelerating the shift toward sustainable investments.
In this environment, our view is that investors need to think globally, extend their
scope across a broad array of asset classes, and be nimble as market conditions change. We encourage you to talk with your financial advisor and visit blackrock.com for further insight about investing in todays markets.
Sincerely,
Rob Kapito
President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC
Rob Kapito
President, BlackRock Advisors, LLC
Total Returns as of December 31, 2020
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6-Month
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12-Month
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U.S. large cap equities
(S&P 500® (Index)
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22.16%
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18.40%
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U.S. small cap equities
(Russell 2000® (Index)
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37.85
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19.96
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International equities
(MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East Index)
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21.61
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7.82
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Emerging market equities
(MSCI Emerging Markets Index)
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31.14
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18.31
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3-month Treasury
bills
(ICE BofA 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index)
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0.07
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0.67
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U.S. Treasury securities
(ICE BofA 10-Year U.S. Treasury Index)
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(1.87)
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10.58
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U.S. investment grade bonds
(Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index)
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1.29
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7.51
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Tax-exempt municipal
bonds
(S&P Municipal Bond Index)
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2.92
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4.95
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U.S. high yield bonds
(Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index)
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11.32
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7.05
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Past performance is not an indication of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. You cannot invest
directly in an index.
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T H I S P A G E I
S N O T P A R T O F Y O U R F
U N D R E P O R T
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3
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Table of Contents
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The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging
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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, there is no guarantee that these objectives can 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 Funds shareholders benefit from the incremental net income. The interest earned on securities purchased with the proceeds from leverage (after paying the leverage costs) is paid to shareholders in the
form of dividends, and the value of these portfolio holdings (less the leverage liability) is reflected in the per share NAV.
To illustrate these
concepts, assume the Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds financing cost of leverage is significantly lower than
the income earned on the Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds 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 amount of the Funds obligations under its leverage arrangement
generally does not fluctuate in relation to interest rates. As a result, changes in interest rates can influence the Funds NAV positively or negatively. Changes in the future direction of interest rates are very difficult to predict
accurately, and there is no assurance that the Funds intended leveraging strategy will be successful.
The use of leverage also generally
causes greater changes in the Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds 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 Funds investment advisory fees includes assets purchased with the proceeds of
leverage, the investment advisory fees payable to the Funds investment adviser will be higher than if the Fund did not use leverage.
The Fund
may utilize leverage through reverse repurchase agreements as described in the Notes to Financial Statements, if applicable.
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.
If the Fund segregates or designates on its books and records cash or liquid assets having a value not less than the value of the Funds
obligations under a reverse repurchase agreement (including accrued interest) then such transaction is not considered a senior security and is not subject to the foregoing limitations and requirements imposed by the 1940 Act.
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T H E B E N E F I T S
A N D R I S K S O F L E V E R A G I N G
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5
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Option Over-Writing Strategy
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BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc.
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In general, the goal of the Fund is to provide shareholders with current income and gains. The Fund seeks to pursue this goal primarily by investing in a
portfolio of U.S. Government and U.S. Agency securities and utilizing an option over-writing strategy in an effort to generate current gains from option premiums and to enhance each Funds risk-adjusted return. The Funds objectives cannot
be achieved in all market conditions.
The Fund writes call options on individual U.S. Government and U.S. Agency securities or on baskets of such
securities or on interest rate swaps (swaptions), and may write call options on other debt securities. When writing (selling) a call option, the Fund grants the counterparty the right to buy an underlying reference security or enter into
a defined transaction (e.g., a swap contract, in the case of the swaption) at an agreed-upon price (strike price) within an agreed upon time period. The Fund receives cash premiums from the counterparties upon writing (selling) the
option or swaption, which along with net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are generally available to support current or future distributions paid by the Fund. During the option term, the counterparty may elect to exercise the option
if the market value of the underlying reference security or underlying contract rises above the strike price, and the Fund is obligated to sell the security or contract to the counterparty at the strike price, realizing a gain or loss. If the option
remains unexercised upon its expiration, the Fund realizes gains equal to the premiums received.
Writing call options and swaptions entails certain
risks, which include but are not limited to, the following: an increase in the value of the underlying security above the strike price can result in the exercise of a written option (sale by the Fund to the counterparty) when the Fund might not
otherwise have sold the security; exercise of the option by the counterparty may result in a sale below the current market value and in a gain or loss realized by the Fund; writing call options and swaptions limits the potential appreciation on the
underlying interest rate swap or security and the yield on the Fund could decline; if current market interest rates fall below the strike price, the counterparty could exercise a written swaption when the Fund might not otherwise have entered into
an interest rate swap; the Fund is bound by the terms of the underlying interest rate swap agreement upon exercise of the option by the counterparty which can result in a loss to the Fund in excess of the premium received. The premium that the Fund
receives from writing a call option or swaption may not be sufficient to offset the potential appreciation on the underlying equity security or interest rate swap above the strike price of the option that could have otherwise been realized by the
Fund. As such, an option over-writing strategy may outperform the general fixed-income market in rising or flat interest rate environments (when bond prices are steady or falling) but underperform in a falling interest rate environment (when bond
prices are rising).
The Fund intends to write call options and swaptions to varying degrees depending upon market conditions. Please refer to the
Schedule of Investments and the Notes to Financial Statements for details of written call options and swaptions.
Derivative Financial
Instruments
The Fund may invest in various derivative financial instruments. These instruments are used to obtain exposure to a security, commodity,
index, market, and/or other assets without owning or taking physical custody of securities, commodities and/or other referenced assets or to manage market, equity, credit, interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate, commodity and/or other risks.
Derivative financial instruments may give rise to a form of economic leverage and involve risks, including the imperfect correlation between the value of a derivative financial instrument and the underlying asset, possible default of the
counterparty to the transaction or illiquidity of the instrument. The Funds successful use of a derivative financial instrument depends on the investment advisers 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
Funds investments in these instruments, if any, are discussed in detail in the Notes to Financial Statements.
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6
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2 0 2 0 B L A C K R O C
K A N N U A L R E P O R T T O S H A R E H O L D E R
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Fund Summary as of December 31, 2020
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BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc. (EGF)
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Investment Objective
BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund,
Inc.s (EGF) (the Fund) investment objective is to provide shareholders with current income and gains. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of U.S. Government securities and
U.S. Government Agency securities, including U.S. Government mortgage-backed securities, that pay interest in an attempt to generate current income, and by employing a strategy of writing (selling) call options on individual or baskets of U.S.
Government securities, U.S. Government Agency securities or other debt securities held by the Fund.
No assurance can be given that the Funds
investment objective will be achieved.
Fund Information
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Symbol on New York Stock Exchange
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EGF
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Initial Offering Date
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October 31, 2005
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Current Distribution Rate on Closing Market Price as of December 31, 2020 ($13.46)(a)
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3.66%
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Current Monthly Distribution per Common Share(b)
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$0.0410
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Current Annualized Distribution per Common Share(b)
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$0.4920
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Leverage as of December 31, 2020(c)
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16%
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(a)
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Current distribution rate on closing market price is calculated by dividing the current annualized distribution per
share by the closing market price. The current distribution rate may consist of income, net realized gains and/or a return of capital. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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(b)
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The distribution rate is not constant and is subject to change. A portion of the distribution may be deemed a return of
capital or net realized gain.
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(c)
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Represents reverse repurchase agreements as a percentage of total managed assets, which is the total assets of the Fund
(including any assets attributable to any borrowings) minus the sum of its liabilities (other than borrowings representing financial leverage). Does not reflect derivatives or other instruments that may give rise to economic leverage. For a
discussion of leveraging techniques utilized by the Fund, please see The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging and Derivative Financial Instruments.
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Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary
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12/31/20
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12/31/19
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Change
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High
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Low
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Market Price
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$
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13.46
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$
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13.15
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2.36
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%
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$
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13.83
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$
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9.63
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Net Asset Value
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13.34
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13.52
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(1.33
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)
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13.71
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13.30
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Market Price and Net Asset Value History for the Past Five Years
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Fund Summary as of December 31, 2020 (continued)
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BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc. (EGF)
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Performance and Portfolio Management Commentary
Returns for
the period ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:
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Average Annual Total Returns
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1 Year
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3 Years
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5 Years
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Fund at NAV(a)(b)
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2.41
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%
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2.26
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%
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2.41
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%
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Fund at Market
Price(a)(b)
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6.25
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3.98
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3.54
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Reference Benchmarks:
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ICE BofA 1-3 Year U.S. Treasury Index(c)
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3.10
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2.74
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1.90
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FTSE Government/Mortgage Index(d)
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6.45
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4.67
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3.51
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(a)
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All returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and/or distributions at actual reinvestment prices. Performance results
reflect the Funds use of leverage.
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(b)
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The Fund moved from a discount to NAV to a premium during the period, which accounts for the difference between
performance based on market price and performance based on NAV.
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(c)
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An unmanaged index comprised of Treasury securities with maturities ranging from one to three years.
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(d)
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An unmanaged index that tracks the performance of U.S. dollar-denominated bonds issued in the U.S. investment-grade
bond market. The index includes U.S. Treasury, government-sponsored, and collateralized securities and provides a reliable representation of the U.S. investment-grade bond market.
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Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S.
generally accepted accounting principles. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
EGF is presenting Reference Benchmarks to accompany
fund performance. The Reference Benchmarks are presented for informational purposes only, as the Fund is actively managed and does not seek to track or replicate the performance of the Reference Benchmarks or any other index. The portfolio
investments of the Fund may differ substantially from the securities that comprise the indices within the Reference Benchmarks, which may cause the Funds performance to differ materially from that of the Reference Benchmarks. The Fund employs
leverage as part of its investment strategy, which may change over time at the discretion of BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the Manager) as market and other conditions warrant. In contrast, the Reference Benchmarks are not adjusted for
leverage. Therefore, leverage generally may result in the Fund outperforming the Reference Benchmarks in rising markets and underperforming in declining markets. The Board considers additional factors to evaluate the Funds performance, such as
the performance of the Fund relative to a peer group of funds, a leverage-adjusted benchmark and/or other information provided by the Manager.
More
information about the Funds historical performance can be found in the Closed End Funds section of blackrock.com.
The following
discussion relates to the Funds absolute performance based on NAV:
What factors influenced performance?
Performance is reviewed on an absolute basis due to the Funds unique strategy, which entails writing call options on individual or baskets of U.S.
government securities or interest rates. The index returns listed above are for reference purposes only, as these indices do not reflect an option writing strategy.
Positions in U.S. Treasuries, 15- and 30-year mortgage pass-throughs, and
agency collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) were the primary contributors to absolute performance. Holdings in U.S. agency notes also contributed, as did positions in non-agency
adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) and CMOs.
The Funds core investment strategy is to sell call options on more than 50% of the
portfolio. The covered call strategy detracted from absolute performance given that yields moved lower (as prices rose).
The Fund utilized
derivatives, primarily in the form of interest rate swaptions to manage the risk of its U.S. Treasury positions and as a means to manage duration, spread exposure and yield curve positioning. The use of swaps continues to be an efficient interest
rate management tool and should be viewed in the context of its overall contribution to risk reduction and performance. During the period, the use of derivatives for these purposes detracted from Fund performance.
The Funds positions in corporate bonds, municipal bonds, and cash also detracted from 12-month results.
Describe recent portfolio activity.
The Fund made a
sizable increase to its allocation to U.S. Treasuries, while trimming its exposure to 15- and 30-year pass-throughs. The Fund also held a modest allocation to
securitized assets, including asset-backed securities and agency CMOs, as well as non-agency ARMs and CMOs.
Describe
portfolio positioning at period end.
The Fund continued to use an options writing strategy as a way to manage duration and generate incremental
yield. The majority of the portfolio was held in Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities (primarily 15- and 30-year pass-throughs).
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.
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8
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2 0 2 0 B L A C K R O C K
A N N U A L R E P O R T T O S
H A R E H O L D E R S
|
|
|
|
Fund Summary as of December 31, 2020 (continued)
|
|
BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc. (EGF)
|
Overview of the Funds Total Investments
PORTFOLIO ALLOCATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset Type(a)
|
|
12/31/20
|
|
|
12/31/19
|
|
U.S. Treasury Obligations
|
|
|
52
|
%
|
|
|
45
|
%
|
U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
51
|
|
Asset-Backed Securities
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Preferred Securities
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed
Securities(b)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CREDIT QUALITY ALLOCATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credit Rating(c)(d)
|
|
12/31/20
|
|
|
12/31/19
|
|
AAA/Aaa(e)
|
|
|
38
|
%
|
|
|
96
|
%
|
AA/Aa
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
BBB/Baa
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
B
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
(a)
|
Excludes short-term securities and options written.
|
|
|
(b)
|
Rounds to less than 1% of total investments.
|
|
|
(c)
|
For financial reporting purposes, credit quality ratings shown above reflect the highest rating assigned by either
S&P Global Ratings or Moodys Investors Service, Inc. if ratings differ. These rating agencies are independent, nationally recognized statistical rating organizations and are widely used. Investment grade ratings are credit ratings of
BBB/Baa or higher. Below investment grade ratings are credit ratings of BB/Ba or lower. Investments designated 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.
|
|
|
(d)
|
Excludes common stocks, warrants, short-term securities, options purchased and options written.
|
|
|
(e)
|
The investment adviser evaluates the credit quality of not-rated investments
based upon certain factors including, but not limited to, credit ratings for similar investments and financial analysis of sectors, individual investments and/or issuer. Using this approach, the investment adviser has deemed U.S. Government
Sponsored Agency Securities and U.S. Treasury Obligations as AAA/Aaa.
|
|
|
|
|
Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2020
|
|
BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc. (EGF)
(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security
|
|
|
|
|
Par
(000)
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset-Backed Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Birch Grove CLO Ltd., Series 19A, Class C, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 2.95%), 3.17%, 06/15/31(a)(b)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ 300
|
|
|
$
|
297,928
|
|
BlueMountain CLO XXIV Ltd., Series 2019-24A, Class C, (3 mo.
LIBOR US + 2.70%), 2.92%, 04/20/31(a)(b)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
250
|
|
|
|
251,084
|
|
Elmwood CLO II Ltd., Series 2019-2A, Class C, (3 mo. LIBOR US
+ 2.90%), 3.12%, 04/20/31(a)(b)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
250
|
|
|
|
250,427
|
|
Jamestown CLO IX Ltd., Series 2016-9A, Class BR, (3 mo. LIBOR US
+ 2.65%), 2.87%, 10/20/28(a)(b)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
255
|
|
|
|
253,092
|
|
OHA Credit Funding Ltd., Series 2019-4A, Class C, (3 mo. LIBOR
US + 2.65%), 2.87%, 10/22/32(a)(b)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
250
|
|
|
|
250,741
|
|
Palmer Square CLO Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class BR3, (3 mo. LIBOR
US + 2.00%), 0.00%, 05/21/29(a)(b)(c)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
250
|
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
Palmer Square Loan Funding Ltd.(a)(b)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2019-2A, Class B, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 2.25%), 2.47%,
04/20/27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
250
|
|
|
|
244,633
|
|
Series 2019-4A, Class B, (3 mo. LIBOR US + 2.10%), 2.31%,
10/24/27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
250
|
|
|
|
247,314
|
|
Securitized Asset Backed Receivables LLC Trust (a)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2005-OP1, Class M2, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.68%), 0.82%,
01/25/35
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
168
|
|
|
|
160,543
|
|
Series 2005-OP2, Class M1, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 0.65%), 0.79%,
10/25/35
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
385
|
|
|
|
384,764
|
|
Trimaran Cavu Ltd., Series 2019-1A, Class C1, (3 mo. LIBOR US
+ 3.15%), 3.37%, 07/20/32(a)(b)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
250
|
|
|
|
250,123
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Asset-Backed Securities 5.0%
|
|
(Cost: $2,829,624)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,840,649
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities
|
|
|
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 0.1%
|
|
Banc of America Mortgage Trust, Series 2003-J, Class 2A1, 2.61%,
11/25/33(a)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
|
28,132
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest Only Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 0.0%
|
|
CitiMortgage Alternative Loan Trust, Series 2007-A5, Class 1A7,
6.00%, 05/25/37
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
104
|
|
|
|
20,875
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities 0.1%
|
|
(Cost: $42,748)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49,007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital Trust 0.6%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Electric Utilities 0.6%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PPL Capital Funding, Inc., Series A, 2.91%, 03/30/67(a)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
400
|
|
|
|
344,992
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Preferred Securities 0.6%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Cost: $396,104)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
344,992
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities
|
|
|
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 1.5%
|
|
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities, Series 4480, Class ZX, 4.00%, 11/15/44
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
779
|
|
|
|
879,063
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest Only Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 1.0%
|
|
Ginnie Mae Mortgage-Backed
Securities(a)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2009-116, Class KS, (1 mo. LIBOR US +
6.47%), 6.32%, 12/16/39
|
|
|
|
189
|
|
|
|
32,925
|
|
Series 2009-78, Class SD, (1 mo. LIBOR US +
6.20%), 6.05%, 09/20/32
|
|
|
|
394
|
|
|
|
2,066
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security
|
|
|
|
|
Par
(000)
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
Interest Only Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (continued)
|
|
Ginnie Mae Mortgage-Backed Securities(a)
(continued)
|
|
Series 2011-52, Class NS, (1 mo. LIBOR US + 6.67%), 6.52%,
04/16/41
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,985
|
|
|
$
|
417,716
|
|
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series 2012-47, Class NI, 4.50%, 04/25/42
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
589
|
|
|
|
97,178
|
|
Series 2012-96, Class DI, 4.00%, 02/25/27
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
265
|
|
|
|
5,512
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
555,397
|
|
|
Mortgage-Backed Securities 46.7%
|
|
Ginnie Mae Mortgage-Backed Securities, Series 2006-30, Class IO, 2.60%, 05/16/46(a)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
126
|
|
|
|
4,146
|
|
Government National Mortgage Association Mortgage-Backed
Securities, 5.00%, 11/15/35
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
3,393
|
|
Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities 5.50%, 10/01/23 - 09/01/36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,414
|
|
|
|
1,652,162
|
|
4.00%, 10/01/24 - 02/01/41
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,274
|
|
|
|
4,673,394
|
|
2.50%, 10/01/28
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,251
|
|
|
|
2,351,666
|
|
3.50%, 08/01/33 - 01/01/46
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,248
|
|
|
|
5,697,810
|
|
5.00%, 11/01/33 - 02/01/40
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,697
|
|
|
|
1,968,316
|
|
6.00%, 02/01/36 - 03/01/38
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
193
|
|
|
|
226,898
|
|
4.50%, 04/01/39 - 02/01/46
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,521
|
|
|
|
6,154,550
|
|
3.00%, 03/01/43
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,596
|
|
|
|
3,825,323
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
26,557,658
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities 49.2%
|
|
(Cost: $25,625,598)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27,992,118
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury Obligations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 3.00%, 08/15/48
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,100
|
|
|
|
6,709,090
|
|
U.S. Treasury Notes
2.75%, 08/15/21 - 07/31/23(d)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,000
|
|
|
|
7,139,610
|
|
2.00%, 05/31/24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,500
|
|
|
|
7,959,375
|
|
2.88%, 07/31/25(d)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,230
|
|
|
|
11,419,237
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total U.S. Treasury Obligations 58.5%
|
|
(Cost: $29,982,995)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,227,312
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Long-Term Investments 113.4%
|
|
(Cost: $58,877,069)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
64,454,078
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-Term Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money Market Funds 5.9%
|
|
BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class, 0.00%(e)(f)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,363,620
|
|
|
|
3,363,620
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Short-Term Securities 5.9%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Cost: $3,363,620)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,363,620
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investments Before Options Written 119.3%
|
|
(Cost: $62,240,689)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
67,817,698
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options Written (0.3)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Premiums Received: $(141,000))
|
|
|
|
(162,964
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Investments, Net of Options Written 119.0%
|
|
(Cost: $62,099,689)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
67,654,734
|
|
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (19.0)%
|
|
|
|
(10,822,867
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets 100.0%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
56,831,867
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
|
|
2 0 2 0 B L A C
K R O C K A N N U A L R E P O R
T T O S H A R E H O L D E R
S
|
|
|
|
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2020
|
|
BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc. (EGF)
|
(a)
|
Variable rate security. Interest rate resets periodically. The rate shown is the effective interest rate as of period
end. Security description also includes the reference rate and spread if published and available.
|
(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)
|
When-issued security.
|
(d)
|
All or a portion of the security has been pledged as collateral in connection with outstanding reverse repurchase
agreements.
|
(e)
|
Affiliate of the Fund.
|
(f)
|
Annualized 7-day yield as of period end.
|
Affiliates
Investments in issuers considered to be affiliate(s) of the Fund during the year ended December 31, 2020 for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Affiliated Issuer
|
|
Value at
12/31/19
|
|
|
Purchases
at Cost
|
|
|
Proceeds
from Sales
|
|
|
Net
Realized
Gain (Loss)
|
|
|
Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
|
|
|
Value at
12/31/20
|
|
|
Shares
Held at
12/31/20
|
|
|
Income
|
|
|
Capital Gain
Distributions
from
Underlying
Funds
|
|
BlackRock Liquidity Funds, T-Fund, Institutional Class
|
|
$
|
1,581,878
|
|
|
$
|
1,781,742(a)
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,363,620
|
|
|
|
3,363,620
|
|
|
$
|
8,600
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Represents net amount purchased (sold).
|
|
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Counterparty
|
|
|
Interest
Rate
|
|
|
|
Trade
Date
|
|
|
|
Maturity
Date
|
(a)
|
|
|
Face Value
|
|
|
|
Face Value
Including
Accrued Interest
|
|
|
|
Type of Non-Cash Underlying
Collateral
|
|
|
|
Remaining
Contractual Maturity
of the Agreements
|
(a)
|
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC
|
|
|
0.14
|
%(b)
|
|
|
11/20/20
|
|
|
|
Open
|
|
|
$
|
6,670,625
|
|
|
$
|
6,671,564
|
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury Obligations
|
|
|
|
Open/Demand
|
|
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC
|
|
|
0.14
|
(b)
|
|
|
11/25/20
|
|
|
|
Open
|
|
|
|
4,279,750
|
|
|
|
4,280,291
|
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury Obligations
|
|
|
|
Open/Demand
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
10,950,375
|
|
|
$
|
10,951,855
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Certain agreements have no stated maturity and can be terminated by either party at any time.
|
|
|
(b)
|
Variable rate security. Rate as of period end and maturity is the date the principal owed can be recovered through
demand.
|
|
Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End
Futures Contracts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Description
|
|
Number of
Contracts
|
|
|
Expiration
Date
|
|
|
Notional
Amount (000)
|
|
|
Value/
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long Contracts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10-Year U.S. Treasury Note
|
|
|
44
|
|
|
|
03/22/21
|
|
|
$
|
6,075
|
|
|
$
|
3,724
|
|
10-Year U.S. Ultra Note
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
03/22/21
|
|
|
|
3,596
|
|
|
|
(12,421
|
)
|
U.S. Ultra Bond
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
03/22/21
|
|
|
|
1,495
|
|
|
|
(8,970
|
)
|
2-Year U.S. Treasury Notes
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
|
03/31/21
|
|
|
|
5,524
|
|
|
|
547
|
|
5-Year U.S. Treasury Notes
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
|
03/31/21
|
|
|
|
3,280
|
|
|
|
7,849
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9,271
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short Contracts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5-Year U.S. Treasury Note
|
|
|
61
|
|
|
|
03/31/21
|
|
|
|
7,696
|
|
|
|
(28,199
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(37,470
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S C H E D U L E
O F I N V E S T M E N T S
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2020
|
|
BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc. (EGF)
|
OTC Interest Rate Swaptions Written
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid by the Fund
|
|
|
Received by the Fund
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expiration
|
|
|
Exercise
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notional
|
|
|
|
|
Description
|
|
Rate
|
|
|
Frequency
|
|
|
Rate
|
|
|
Frequency
|
|
|
Counterparty
|
|
|
Date
|
|
|
Rate
|
|
|
Amount (000)
|
|
|
Value
|
|
Call
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10-Year Interest Rate Swap, 01/30/31
|
|
|
0.96%
|
|
|
|
Semi-Annual
|
|
|
|
3-Month
LIBOR, 0.24%
|
|
|
|
Quarterly
|
|
|
|
Morgan Stanley
& Co.
International PLC
|
|
|
|
01/28/21
|
|
|
|
0.96%
|
|
|
|
USD
|
|
|
|
6,029
|
|
|
$
|
(45,301
|
)
|
2-Year Interest Rate Swap, 01/30/23
|
|
|
0.20%
|
|
|
|
Semi-Annual
|
|
|
|
6-Month
LIBOR, 0.26%
|
|
|
|
Quarterly
|
|
|
|
Morgan Stanley
& Co.
International PLC
|
|
|
|
01/28/21
|
|
|
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
USD
|
|
|
|
24,115
|
|
|
|
(9,981
|
)
|
30-Year Interest Rate Swap, 01/30/51
|
|
|
1.44%
|
|
|
|
Semi-Annual
|
|
|
|
3-Month
LIBOR, 0.24%
|
|
|
|
Quarterly
|
|
|
|
Morgan Stanley
& Co.
International PLC
|
|
|
|
01/28/21
|
|
|
|
1.44
|
|
|
|
USD
|
|
|
|
3,015
|
|
|
|
(72,432
|
)
|
5-Year Interest Rate Swap, 01/30/26
|
|
|
0.46%
|
|
|
|
Semi-Annual
|
|
|
|
3-Month
LIBOR, 0.24%
|
|
|
|
Quarterly
|
|
|
|
Morgan Stanley
& Co.
International PLC
|
|
|
|
01/28/21
|
|
|
|
0.46
|
|
|
|
USD
|
|
|
|
15,273
|
|
|
|
(35,250
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(162,964
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balances Reported in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities for Options Written
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Description
|
|
Swap
Premiums
Paid
|
|
|
Swap
Premiums
Received
|
|
|
Unrealized
Appreciation
|
|
|
Unrealized
Depreciation
|
|
|
Value
|
|
Options Written
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(21,964)
|
|
|
$
|
(162,964)
|
|
Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure
As of period end, the fair values of derivative financial instruments located in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity
Contracts
|
|
|
Credit
Contracts
|
|
|
Equity
Contracts
|
|
|
Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
|
|
|
Interest
Rate
Contracts
|
|
|
Other
Contracts
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Assets Derivative Financial Instruments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Futures contracts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts(a)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
12,120
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
12,120
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities Derivative Financial Instruments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Futures contracts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts(a)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
49,590
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
49,590
|
|
Options written
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options written at value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
162,964
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
162,964
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
212,554
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
212,554
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts and centrally cleared swaps, if any, are
reported in the Schedule of Investments. In the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, only current days variation margin is reported in receivables or payables and the net cumulative unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is included in
accumulated earnings (loss).
|
|
For the year ended December 31, 2020, the effect of derivative financial instruments in the Statement of
Operations was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commodity
Contracts
|
|
|
Credit
Contracts
|
|
|
Equity
Contracts
|
|
|
Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
|
|
|
Interest
Rate
Contracts
|
|
|
Other
Contracts
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Net Realized Gain (Loss) from
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Futures contracts
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(2,571
|
)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(2,571
|
)
|
Options purchased(a)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,997
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,997
|
)
|
Options written
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,023,862
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,023,862
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(2,033,430
|
)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(2,033,430
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Futures contracts
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(37,470
|
)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(37,470
|
)
|
Options written
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(30,509
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(30,509
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(67,979
|
)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(67,979
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Options purchased are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments unaffiliated.
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
|
2 0 2 0 B L A C
K R O C K A N N U A L R E P O R
T T O S H A R E H O L D E R
S
|
|
|
|
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2020
|
|
BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc. (EGF)
|
Average Quarterly Balances of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments
|
|
|
|
|
Futures contracts
|
|
|
|
|
Average notional value of contracts long
|
|
$
|
4,992,830
|
|
Average notional value of contracts short
|
|
$
|
1,924,002
|
|
Options
|
|
|
|
|
Average notional value of swaption contracts purchased
|
|
$
|
|
(a)
|
Average notional value of swaption contracts written
|
|
$
|
52,776,750
|
|
|
(a)
|
Derivative not held at any quarter-end. The risk exposure table serves as an
indicator of activity during the period.
|
|
For more information about the Funds investment risks regarding derivative financial instruments, refer to
the Notes to Financial Statements.
Derivative Financial Instruments Offsetting as of Period End
The Funds derivative assets and liabilities (by type) were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
Derivative Financial Instruments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Futures contracts
|
|
$
|
7,921
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
Options
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
162,964
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
|
|
|
7,921
|
|
|
|
162,964
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (MNA)
|
|
|
(7,921
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
162,964
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table presents the Funds derivative liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset
under an MNA and net of the related collateral pledged by the Fund:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Counterparty
|
|
|
Derivative
Liabilities
Subject to an
MNA by
Counterparty
|
|
|
|
Derivatives
Available for
Offset
|
|
|
|
Non-Cash
Collateral
Pledged
|
|
|
|
Cash
Collateral
Pledged
|
|
|
|
Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
|
(a)
|
Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC
|
|
$
|
162,964
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
162,964
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Net amount represents the net amount payable due to counterparty in the event of default. Net amount may be offset
further by the options written receivable/payable on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
|
|
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End
Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. For a description of the input levels and information about the
Funds policy regarding valuation of financial instruments, refer to the Notes to Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the
Funds investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy. The breakdown of the Funds investments into major categories is disclosed in the Schedule of Investments above.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
|
Level 2
|
|
|
Level 3
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term Investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset-Backed Securities
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,840,649
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,840,649
|
|
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49,007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49,007
|
|
Preferred Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital Trust
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
344,992
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
344,992
|
|
U.S. Government Sponsored Agency Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27,992,118
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27,992,118
|
|
U.S. Treasury Obligations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,227,312
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33,227,312
|
|
Short-Term Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Money Market Funds
|
|
|
3,363,620
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,363,620
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
3,363,620
|
|
|
$
|
64,454,078
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
67,817,698
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative Financial Instruments(a)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest Rate Contracts
|
|
$
|
12,120
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
12,120
|
|
|
|
|
S C H E D U L E
O F I N V E S T M E N T S
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2020
|
|
BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc. (EGF)
|
Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End (continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
|
Level 2
|
|
|
Level 3
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest Rate Contracts
|
|
$
|
(49,590
|
)
|
|
$
|
(162,964
|
)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(212,554
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(37,470
|
)
|
|
$
|
(162,964
|
)
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
(200,434
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Derivative financial instruments are futures contracts and options written. Futures contracts are valued at the
unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the instrument and options written are shown at value.
|
|
The Fund may hold assets and/or liabilities in which the fair value approximates the carrying amount or face
value, including accrued interest, for financial statement purposes. As of period end, reverse repurchase agreements of $10,951,855 are categorized as Level 2 within the disclosure hierarchy.
See notes to financial statements.
|
|
|
14
|
|
2 0 2 0 B L A C
K R O C K A N N U A L R E P O R
T T O S H A R E H O L D E R
S
|
|
|
|
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EGF
|
|
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
Investments at value unaffiliated(a)
|
|
$
|
64,454,078
|
|
Investments at value affiliated(b)
|
|
|
3,363,620
|
|
Cash
|
|
|
6,118
|
|
Cash pledged for futures contracts
|
|
|
173,000
|
|
Foreign currency at value(c)
|
|
|
3,169
|
|
Receivables:
|
|
|
|
|
Options written
|
|
|
141,000
|
|
Dividends affiliated
|
|
|
81
|
|
Interest unaffiliated
|
|
|
414,657
|
|
Variation margin on futures contracts
|
|
|
7,921
|
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
612
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
68,564,256
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
Options written at value(d)
|
|
|
162,964
|
|
Reverse repurchase agreements at value
|
|
|
10,951,855
|
|
Payables:
|
|
|
|
|
Investments purchased
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
Income dividend distributions
|
|
|
174,721
|
|
Investment advisory fees
|
|
|
31,466
|
|
Directors and Officers fees
|
|
|
268
|
|
Options written
|
|
|
36,035
|
|
Other accrued expenses
|
|
|
79,932
|
|
Principal payups
|
|
|
45,148
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
|
|
11,732,389
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET ASSETS
|
|
$
|
56,831,867
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF
|
|
|
|
|
Paid-in
capital(e)(f)(g)
|
|
$
|
76,511,931
|
|
Accumulated loss
|
|
|
(19,680,064
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET ASSETS
|
|
$
|
56,831,867
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value(e)(f)(g)
|
|
$
|
13.34
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) Investments at cost unaffiliated
|
|
$
|
58,877,069
|
|
(b) Investments at cost affiliated
|
|
$
|
3,363,620
|
|
(c) Foreign currency at cost
|
|
$
|
2,971
|
|
(d) Premiums received
|
|
$
|
141,000
|
|
(e) Shares outstanding
|
|
|
4,261,489
|
|
(f) Shares authorized
|
|
|
200 million
|
|
(g) Par value
|
|
$
|
0.10
|
|
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F I N A N C I A L S T A T E M E N T
S
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
Statement of Operations
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EGF
|
|
|
|
INVESTMENT INCOME
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends affiliated
|
|
$
|
8,600
|
|
Interest unaffiliated
|
|
|
2,180,282
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total investment income
|
|
|
2,188,882
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXPENSES
|
|
|
|
|
Investment advisory
|
|
|
631,259
|
|
Professional
|
|
|
56,400
|
|
Repurchase offer
|
|
|
39,925
|
|
Transfer agent
|
|
|
25,179
|
|
Accounting services
|
|
|
11,741
|
|
Custodian
|
|
|
11,076
|
|
Registration
|
|
|
8,525
|
|
Directors and Officer
|
|
|
5,144
|
|
Printing and postage
|
|
|
3,843
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
|
19,242
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses excluding interest expense
|
|
|
812,334
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
54,640
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
866,974
|
|
Less:
|
|
|
|
|
Fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager
|
|
|
(224,890
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed
|
|
|
642,084
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
1,546,798
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)
|
|
|
|
|
Net realized loss from:
|
|
|
|
|
Investments unaffiliated
|
|
|
(320,554
|
)
|
Futures contracts
|
|
|
(2,571
|
)
|
Options written
|
|
|
(2,023,862
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,346,987
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
|
|
|
|
|
Investments unaffiliated
|
|
|
2,203,942
|
|
Foreign currency translations
|
|
|
191
|
|
Futures contracts
|
|
|
(37,470
|
)
|
Options written
|
|
|
(30,509
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,136,154
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net realized and unrealized loss
|
|
|
(210,833
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
|
|
$
|
1,335,965
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
|
|
|
16
|
|
2 0 2 0 B L A C K R O C
K A N N U A L R E P O R T T O S H A R E H O L D E R
S
|
|
|
|
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EGF
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OPERATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
$
|
1,546,798
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,724,287
|
|
Net realized loss
|
|
|
(2,346,987
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,796,955
|
)
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation
|
|
|
2,136,154
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,690,984
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
|
|
|
1,335,965
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,618,316
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS(a)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(1,552,177
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,619,141
|
)
|
Return of capital
|
|
|
(738,610
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(926,177
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders
|
|
|
(2,290,787
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,545,318
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Redemption of shares resulting from a repurchase offer(b)
|
|
|
(6,217,029
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,970,734
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NET ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total decrease in net assets
|
|
|
(7,171,851
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6,897,736
|
)
|
Beginning of year
|
|
|
64,003,718
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,901,454
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
End of year
|
|
$
|
56,831,867
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
64,003,718
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
|
(b)
|
Net of repurchase fees of $126,897 and $142,260.
|
See notes to financial statements.
|
|
|
F I N A N C I A L S T A T E M E N T
S
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
Statement of Cash Flows
Year Ended
December 31, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EGF
|
|
|
|
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
|
|
$
|
1,335,965
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by
operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from sales of long-term investments and principal paydowns/payups
|
|
|
18,252,998
|
|
Purchases of long-term investments
|
|
|
(2,060,102
|
)
|
Net purchases of short-term securities
|
|
|
(1,781,742
|
)
|
Amortization of premium and accretion of discount on investments and other fees
|
|
|
153,327
|
|
Premiums paid on closing options written
|
|
|
(4,313,327
|
)
|
Premiums received from options written
|
|
|
2,325,500
|
|
Net realized loss on investments and options written
|
|
|
2,346,339
|
|
Net unrealized appreciation on investments, options written and foreign currency translations
|
|
|
(2,173,624
|
)
|
(Increase) Decrease in Assets
|
|
|
|
|
Receivables
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends affiliated
|
|
|
897
|
|
Interest unaffiliated
|
|
|
26,172
|
|
Variation margin on futures contracts
|
|
|
(7,921
|
)
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
(74
|
)
|
Increase (Decrease) in Liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Payables
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(84,435
|
)
|
Investment advisory fees
|
|
|
(48,097
|
)
|
Directors and Officers fees
|
|
|
69
|
|
Other accrued expenses
|
|
|
(44,160
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
13,927,785
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
|
|
|
|
|
Cash dividends paid to shareholders
|
|
|
(2,310,200
|
)
|
Net payments on redemption of capital shares
|
|
|
(6,217,029
|
)
|
Net borrowing of reverse repurchase agreements
|
|
|
(5,221,500
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used for financing activities
|
|
|
(13,748,729
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH IMPACT FROM FOREIGN EXCHANGE FLUCTUATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
Cash impact from foreign exchange fluctuations
|
|
|
192
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency
|
|
|
179,248
|
|
Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at beginning of year
|
|
|
3,039
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted and unrestricted cash and foreign currency at end of year
|
|
$
|
182,287
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OFCASH FLOW INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid during the year for interest expense
|
|
$
|
139,075
|
|
|
|
RECONCILIATION OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED CASH AND FOREIGN CURRENCY AT THE END OF YEAR TO THE
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
|
|
$
|
6,118
|
|
Cash pledged
|
|
|
|
|
Futures contracts
|
|
|
173,000
|
|
Foreign currency at value
|
|
|
3,169
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
182,287
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to financial statements.
|
|
|
18
|
|
2 0 2 0 B L A C K R O C
K A N N U A L R E P O R T T O S H A R E H O L D E R
S
|
|
|
|
Financial Highlights
(For a share
outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EGF
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2020
|
|
|
2019
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, beginning of year
|
|
$
|
13.52
|
|
|
$
|
13.48
|
|
|
$
|
13.96
|
|
|
$
|
13.88
|
|
|
$
|
14.29
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income(a)
|
|
|
0.33
|
|
|
|
0.33
|
|
|
|
0.30
|
|
|
|
0.28
|
|
|
|
0.36
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)(b)
|
|
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
(0.29
|
)
|
|
|
0.28
|
|
|
|
(0.24
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase from investment operations
|
|
|
0.31
|
|
|
|
0.53
|
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
|
0.56
|
|
|
|
0.12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions(c)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income
|
|
|
(0.33
|
)
|
|
|
(0.30
|
)
|
|
|
(0.31
|
)
|
|
|
(0.33
|
)
|
|
|
(0.40
|
)
|
Return of capital
|
|
|
(0.16
|
)
|
|
|
(0.19
|
)
|
|
|
(0.18
|
)
|
|
|
(0.16
|
)
|
|
|
(0.13
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.49
|
)
|
|
|
(0.49
|
)
|
|
|
(0.49
|
)
|
|
|
(0.49
|
)
|
|
|
(0.53
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital contributions(d)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value, end of year
|
|
$
|
13.34
|
|
|
$
|
13.52
|
|
|
$
|
13.48
|
|
|
$
|
13.96
|
|
|
$
|
13.88
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market price, end of year
|
|
$
|
13.46
|
|
|
$
|
13.15
|
|
|
$
|
12.98
|
|
|
$
|
13.40
|
|
|
$
|
13.20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return(e)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based on net asset value
|
|
|
2.41
|
%
|
|
|
4.13
|
%
|
|
|
0.27
|
%
|
|
|
4.32
|
%(f)
|
|
|
0.98
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based on market price
|
|
|
6.25
|
%
|
|
|
5.18
|
%
|
|
|
0.59
|
%
|
|
|
5.29
|
%
|
|
|
0.54
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses
|
|
|
1.37
|
%(g)
|
|
|
1.90
|
%
|
|
|
1.53
|
%
|
|
|
1.40
|
%
|
|
|
1.46
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed
|
|
|
1.02
|
%(g)
|
|
|
1.52
|
%
|
|
|
1.18
|
%
|
|
|
1.03
|
%
|
|
|
1.06
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses after fees waived and/or reimbursed and excluding interest expense
|
|
|
0.93
|
%(g)
|
|
|
0.97
|
%
|
|
|
0.90
|
%
|
|
|
0.85
|
%
|
|
|
0.92
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
|
2.45
|
%(g)
|
|
|
2.44
|
%
|
|
|
2.17
|
%
|
|
|
2.02
|
%
|
|
|
2.53
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of year (000)
|
|
$
|
56,832
|
|
|
$
|
64,004
|
|
|
$
|
70,901
|
|
|
$
|
81,612
|
|
|
$
|
90,131
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Borrowings outstanding, end of year (000)
|
|
$
|
10,952
|
|
|
$
|
16,258
|
|
|
$
|
15,635
|
|
|
$
|
16,480
|
|
|
$
|
22,805
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate(h)
|
|
|
3
|
%
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
|
|
70
|
%
|
|
|
|
%(i)
|
|
|
63
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Based on average shares outstanding.
|
(b)
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) per share amounts include repurchase fees of $0.03 for each of the years ended
December 31, 2016 through December 31, 2020.
|
(c)
|
Distributions for annual periods determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations.
|
(d)
|
Payment received related to certain shareholder transactions.
|
(e)
|
Total returns based on market price, which can be significantly greater or less than the net asset value, may result in
substantially different returns. Where applicable, excludes the effects of any sales charges and assumes the reinvestment of distributions at actual reinvestment prices.
|
(f)
|
Includes payment received from an affiliate, which impacted the Funds total return. Excluding the payment from an
affiliate, the Funds total return is 4.24%
|
(g)
|
Excludes expenses incurred indirectly as a result of investments in underlying funds of approximately 0.01%.
|
(h)
|
Includes mortgage dollar roll transactions (MDRs). Additional information regarding portfolio turnover rate
is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2020
|
|
|
2019
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2016
|
|
Portfolio turnover rate (excluding MDRs)
|
|
|
3
|
%
|
|
|
17
|
%
|
|
|
68
|
%
|
|
|
|
%(i)
|
|
|
29
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(i)
|
Percentage is less than 1%.
|
See notes to financial statements.
|
|
|
F I N A N C I A L H I G H L I G H T
S
|
|
19
|
Notes to Financial Statements
BlackRock Enhanced Government 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, is included in a complex of non-index fixed-income mutual funds and all BlackRock-advised closed-end
funds referred to as the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex.
2.
|
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
|
The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP),
which may require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the
reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and
reporting guidance applicable to investment companies. Below is a summary of significant accounting policies:
Investment Transactions and Income
Recognition: For financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are recorded on the dates the transactions are executed. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined using the specific identification method.
Dividend income and capital gain distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date at fair value. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, is recognized daily on an accrual basis.
Foreign Currency Translation: The Funds books and records are maintained in U.S. dollars. Securities and other assets and liabilities
denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates determined as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Purchases and sales of investments are recorded at the rates of exchange
prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Generally, when the U.S. dollar rises in value against a foreign currency, the investments denominated in that currency will lose value; the opposite effect occurs if the U.S. dollar falls in
relative value.
The Fund does not isolate the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates from the effect of fluctuations in the market prices
of investments for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investments are not segregated in the Statement of Operations from the effects of changes in market prices of those investments, but are
included as a component of net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments. The Fund reports realized currency gains (losses) on foreign currency related transactions as components of net realized gain (loss) for financial reporting
purposes, whereas such components are generally treated as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Segregation and
Collateralization: In cases where the Fund enters into (e.g., futures contracts, options written) or certain borrowings (e.g., reverse repurchase transactions) that would be treated as senior securities for 1940 Act purposes, the
Fund may segregate or designate on its books and records cash or liquid assets having a market value at least equal to the amount of its future obligations under such investments or borrowings. Doing so allows the investments or borrowings to be
excluded from treatment as a senior security. Furthermore, if required by an exchange or counterparty agreement, the Fund may be required to deliver/deposit cash and/or securities to/with an exchange, or broker-dealer or custodian as
collateral for certain investments or obligations.
Distributions: Distributions paid by the Fund are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Subject to the Funds managed distribution plan, the Fund intends to make monthly cash distributions to shareholders, which may consist of net investment income, and net realized and
unrealized gains on investments and/or return of capital.
The character of distributions is determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax
regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. The portion of distributions that exceeds the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits, which are measured on a tax basis, will constitute a
non-taxable return of capital. See Income Tax Information note for the tax character of the Funds distributions paid during the period.
Deferred Compensation Plan: Under the Deferred Compensation Plan (the Plan) approved by the Board of Directors of the Fund (the
Board), the directors who are not interested persons of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act (Independent Directors), may defer a portion of their annual complex-wide compensation. Deferred amounts earn an
approximate return as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in common shares of certain funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex selected by the Independent Directors. This has the same economic effect for the Independent Directors
as if the Independent Directors had invested the deferred amounts directly in certain funds in the BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex.
The Plan is not
funded and obligations thereunder represent general unsecured claims against the general assets of the Fund, as applicable. Deferred compensation liabilities, if any, are included in the Directors and Officers fees payable in the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities and will remain as a liability of the Fund until such amounts are distributed in accordance with the Plan.
Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide general
indemnification. The Funds 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.
|
|
|
20
|
|
2 0 2 0 B L A C
K R O C K A N N U A L R E P O R
T T O S H A R E H O L D E R
S
|
|
|
|
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
|
|
|
3.
|
INVESTMENT VALUATION AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
|
Investment Valuation Policies: The Funds investments are valued at fair value (also referred to as market value within the
financial statements) each day that the Fund is open for business and, for financial reporting purposes, as of the report date. U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an
orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Fund determines the fair values of its financial instruments using various independent dealers or pricing services under policies approved by the Board. If a
securitys market price is not readily available or does not otherwise accurately represent the fair value of the security, the security will be valued in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value. The BlackRock
Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the Global Valuation Committee) is the committee formed by management to develop global pricing policies and procedures and to oversee the pricing function for all financial instruments.
Fair Value Inputs and Methodologies: The following methods and inputs are used to establish the fair value of the Funds assets and
liabilities:
|
|
|
Fixed-income investments for which market quotations are readily available are generally valued using the last available
bid price or current market quotations provided by independent dealers or third party pricing services. Pricing services generally value fixed-income securities assuming orderly transactions of an institutional round lot size, but a fund may hold or
transact in such securities in smaller, odd lot sizes. Odd lots may trade at lower prices than institutional round lots. The pricing services may use matrix pricing or valuation models that utilize certain inputs and assumptions to derive values,
including transaction data (e.g., recent representative bids and offers), market data, 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.
|
|
|
|
Investments in open-end U.S. mutual funds (including money market funds) are
valued at that days published NAV.
|
|
|
|
Futures contracts are valued based on that days last reported settlement price on the exchange where the contract
is traded.
|
|
|
|
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 days price will be used, unless it is
determined that the prior days price no longer reflects the fair value of the option. Over-the-counter (OTC) options and options on swaps
(swaptions) are valued by an independent pricing service using a mathematical model, which incorporates a number of market data factors, such as the trades and prices of the underlying instruments.
|
If events (e.g., a market closure, market volatility, company announcement or a natural disaster) occur that are expected to materially affect the value
of such investment, or in the event that application of these methods of valuation results in a price for an investment that is deemed not to be representative of the market value of such investment, or if a price is not available, the investment
will be valued by the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, in accordance with a policy approved by the Board as reflecting fair value (Fair Valued Investments). The fair valuation approaches that may be used by the Global
Valuation Committee include market approach, income approach and cost approach. Valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow, use of market comparables and matrix pricing are types of valuation approaches and are typically used in determining
fair value. When determining the price for Fair Valued Investments, the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, seeks to determine the price that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive or pay from the current sale or purchase of that asset
or liability in an arms-length transaction. Fair value determinations shall be based upon all available factors that the Global Valuation Committee, or its delegate, deems relevant and consistent with
the principles of fair value measurement. The pricing of all Fair Valued Investments is subsequently reported to the Board or a committee thereof on a quarterly basis.
Fair Value Hierarchy: Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are
categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting 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 marketcorroborated inputs); and
|
|
|
|
Level 3 Unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent
observable inputs are not available (including the Global Valuation Committees assumptions used in determining the fair value of 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
that may not have a secondary market and/or may have a limited number of investors. The categorization of a value determined for financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the financial instruments and is not necessarily an
indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities.
|
|
|
N O T E S T O F I
N A N C I A L S T A T E M E
N T S
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
|
|
|
4.
|
SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS
|
Asset-Backed and Mortgage-Backed Securities: Asset-backed securities are generally issued as pass-through certificates or as debt instruments.
Asset-backed securities issued as pass-through certificates represent undivided fractional ownership interests in an underlying pool of assets. Asset-backed securities issued as debt instruments, which are also known as collateralized obligations,
are typically issued as the debt of a special purpose entity organized solely for the purpose of owning such assets and issuing such debt. Asset-backed securities are often backed by a pool of assets representing the obligations of a number of
different parties. The yield characteristics of certain asset-backed securities may differ from traditional debt securities. One such major difference is that all or a principal part of the obligations may be prepaid at any time because the
underlying assets (i.e., loans) may be prepaid at any time. As a result, a decrease in interest rates in the market may result in increases in the level of prepayments as borrowers, particularly mortgagors, refinance and repay their loans. An
increased prepayment rate with respect to an asset-backed security will have the effect of shortening the maturity of the security. In addition, a fund may subsequently have to reinvest the proceeds at lower interest rates. If a fund has purchased
such an asset-backed security at a premium, a faster than anticipated prepayment rate could result in a loss of principal to the extent of the premium paid.
For mortgage pass-through securities (the Mortgage Assets) there are a number of important differences among the agencies and
instrumentalities of the U.S. Government that issue mortgage-related securities and among the securities that they issue. For example, mortgage-related securities guaranteed by Ginnie Mae are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and
interest by Ginnie Mae and such guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. However, mortgage-related securities issued by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, including Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae guaranteed mortgage pass-through
certificates, which are solely the obligations of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, are not backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States, but are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury.
Non-agency mortgage-backed securities are securities issued by
non-governmental issuers and have no direct or indirect government guarantees of payment and are subject to various risks. Non-agency mortgage loans are obligations of
the borrowers thereunder only and are not typically insured or guaranteed by any other person or entity. The ability of a borrower to repay a loan is dependent upon the income or assets of the borrower. A number of factors, including a general
economic downturn, acts of God, terrorism, social unrest and civil disturbances, may impair a borrowers ability to repay its loans.
Multiple
Class Pass-Through Securities: Multiple class pass-through securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) and commercial mortgage-backed securities, may be issued by Ginnie Mae, U.S. Government
agencies or instrumentalities or by trusts formed by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans. In general, CMOs are debt obligations of a legal entity that are collateralized by a pool of residential or commercial mortgage loans or
mortgage pass-through securities (the Mortgage Assets). The payments on these are used to make payments on the CMOs or multiple pass-through securities. Multiple class pass-through securities represent direct ownership interests in the
Mortgage Assets. Classes of CMOs include interest only (IOs), principal only (POs), planned amortization classes and targeted amortization classes. IOs and POs are stripped mortgage-backed securities representing interests in
a pool of mortgages, the cash flow from which has been separated into interest and principal components. IOs receive the interest portion of the cash flow while POs receive the principal portion. IOs and POs can be extremely volatile in response to
changes in interest rates. As interest rates rise and fall, the value of IOs tends to move in the same direction as interest rates. POs perform best when prepayments on the underlying mortgages rise since this increases the rate at which the
principal is returned and the yield to maturity on the PO. When payments on mortgages underlying a PO are slower than anticipated, the life of the PO is lengthened and the yield to maturity is reduced. If the underlying Mortgage Assets experience
greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, a funds initial investment in the IOs may not fully recoup.
Capital Securities and Trust
Preferred Securities: Capital securities, including trust preferred securities, are typically issued by corporations, generally in the form of interest-bearing notes with preferred securities characteristics. In the case of trust preferred
securities, an affiliated business trust of a corporation issues these securities, generally in the form of beneficial interests in subordinated debentures or similarly structured securities. The securities can be structured with either a fixed or
adjustable coupon that can have either a perpetual or stated maturity date. For trust preferred securities, the issuing bank or corporation pays interest to the trust, which is then distributed to holders of these securities as a dividend. Dividends
can be deferred without creating an event of default or acceleration, although maturity cannot take place unless all cumulative payment obligations have been met. The deferral of payments does not affect the purchase or sale of these securities in
the open market. These securities generally are rated below that of the issuing companys senior debt securities and are freely callable at the issuers option.
Forward Commitments, When-Issued and Delayed Delivery Securities: The Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis and may purchase or sell
securities on a forward commitment basis. Settlement of such transactions normally occurs within a month or more after the purchase or sale commitment is made. The Fund may purchase securities under such conditions with the intention of actually
acquiring them, but may enter into a separate agreement to sell the securities before the settlement date. Since the value of securities purchased may fluctuate prior to settlement, the Fund may be required to pay more at settlement than the
security is worth. In addition, the Fund is not entitled to any of the interest earned prior to settlement. When purchasing a security on a delayed delivery basis, the Fund assumes the rights and risks of ownership of the security, including the
risk of price and yield fluctuations. In the event of default by the counterparty, the Funds maximum amount of loss is the unrealized appreciation of unsettled when-issued transactions.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements: Reverse repurchase agreements are agreements with qualified third party broker dealers in which a fund sells
securities to a bank or broker-dealer and agrees to repurchase the same securities at a mutually agreed upon date and price. A fund receives cash from the sale to use for other investment purposes. During the term of the reverse repurchase
agreement, a fund continues to receive the principal and interest payments on the securities sold. Certain agreements have no stated maturity and can be terminated by either party at any time. Interest on the value of the reverse repurchase
agreements issued and outstanding is based upon competitive market rates determined at the time of issuance. A fund may utilize reverse repurchase agreements when it is anticipated that the interest income to be earned from the investment of the
proceeds of the transaction is greater than the interest expense of the transaction. Reverse repurchase agreements involve leverage risk. If a fund suffers a loss on its investment of the transaction proceeds from a reverse repurchase agreement, a
fund would still be required to pay the full repurchase price. Further, a fund remains subject to the risk that the market value of the securities repurchased declines below the repurchase price. In such cases, a fund would be required to return a
portion of the cash received from the transaction or provide additional securities to the counterparty.
Cash received in exchange for securities
delivered plus accrued interest due to the counterparty is recorded as a liability in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at face value including accrued interest. Due to the short-term nature of the reverse repurchase agreements, face value
approximates fair value. Interest payments made by a fund to the
|
|
|
22
|
|
2 0 2 0 B L A C
K R O C K A N N U A L R E P O R
T T O S H A R E H O L D E R
S
|
|
|
|
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
|
|
|
counterparties are recorded as a component of
interest expense in the Statement of Operations. In periods of increased demand for the security, a fund may receive a fee for the use of the security by the counterparty, which may result in interest income to a fund.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, the average amount of reverse repurchase agreements outstanding and the daily weighted average interest rate
for the Fund was $10,926,630 and 0.50%, respectively.
Reverse repurchase transactions are entered into by a fund under Master Repurchase Agreements
(each, an MRA), which permit a fund, under certain circumstances, including an event of default (such as bankruptcy or insolvency), to offset payables and/or receivables under the MRA with collateral held and/or posted to the
counterparty and create one single net payment due to or from a fund. With reverse repurchase transactions, typically a fund and counterparty under an MRA are permitted to sell, re-pledge, or use the
collateral associated with the transaction. Bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against such a right of offset in the event of the MRA counterpartys bankruptcy or insolvency.
Pursuant to the terms of the MRA, a fund receives or posts securities and cash as collateral with a market value in excess of the repurchase price to be paid or received by a fund upon the maturity of the transaction. Upon a bankruptcy or insolvency
of the MRA counterparty, a fund is considered an unsecured creditor with respect to excess collateral and, as such, the return of excess collateral may be delayed.
As of period end, the following table is a summary of the Funds open reverse repurchase agreements by counterparty which are subject to offset under
an MRA on a net basis:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Counterparty
|
|
|
Reverse Repurchase
Agreements
|
|
|
|
Fair Value of
Non-Cash Collateral
Pledged Including
Accrued Interest
|
(a)
|
|
|
Cash Collateral
Pledged/Received
|
|
|
|
Net Amount
|
|
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC
|
|
$
|
(10,951,855)
|
|
|
$
|
10,951,855
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Collateral with a value of $10,963,466 has been pledged in connection with open reverse repurchase agreements. Excess
of net collateral pledged to the individual counterparty is not shown for financial reporting purposes.
|
In the event the
counterparty of securities under an MRA files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, a funds use of the proceeds from the agreement may be restricted while the counterparty, or its trustee or receiver, determines whether or not to enforce a
funds obligation to repurchase the securities.
5.
|
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
|
The Fund engages in various portfolio investment strategies using derivative contracts both to increase the returns of the Fund and/or to manage its
exposure to certain risks such as credit risk, equity risk, interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk, commodity price risk or other risks (e.g., inflation risk). Derivative financial instruments categorized by risk exposure are
included in the Schedule of Investments. These contracts may be transacted on an exchange or OTC.
Futures Contracts: Futures contracts are
purchased or sold to gain exposure to, or manage exposure to, changes in interest rates (interest rate risk) and changes in the value of equity securities (equity risk) or foreign currencies (foreign currency exchange rate risk).
Futures contracts are exchange-traded 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 contracts size and risk profile. The initial margin deposit must then be
maintained at an established level over the life of the contract. Amounts pledged, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged for futures contracts in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Securities deposited as initial margin are designated in the Schedule of Investments and cash deposited, if any, are shown as cash pledged for futures
contracts in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in market value of the contract (variation margin).
Variation margin is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and, if any, shown as variation margin receivable (or payable) on futures contracts in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. When the contract is closed, a realized gain or
loss is recorded in the Statement of Operations equal to the difference between the notional amount of the contract at the time it was opened and the notional amount at the time it was closed. The use of futures contracts involves the risk of an
imperfect correlation in the movements in the price of futures contracts and interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or underlying assets.
Options: The Fund purchases and writes call and put options to increase or decrease its exposure to the risks of underlying instruments, including
equity risk, interest rate risk and/or commodity price risk and/or, in the case of options written, to generate gains from options premiums.
A call
option gives the purchaser (holder) of the option the right (but not the obligation) to buy, and obligates the seller (writer) to sell (when the option is exercised) the underlying instrument at the exercise or strike price at any time or at a
specified time during the option period. A put option gives the holder the right to sell and obligates the writer to buy the underlying instrument at the exercise or strike price at any time or at a specified time during the option period.
Premiums paid on options purchased and premiums received on options written, as well as the daily fluctuation in market value, are included in investments
at value unaffiliated and options written at value, respectively, in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. When an instrument is purchased or sold through the exercise of an option, the premium is offset against the cost or proceeds of the
underlying instrument. When an option expires, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statement of Operations to the extent of the premiums received or paid. When an option is closed or sold, a gain or loss is recorded in the Statement of
Operations to the extent the cost of the closing transaction exceeds the premiums received or paid. When the Fund writes a call option, such option is typically covered, meaning that it holds the underlying instrument subject to being
called by the option counterparty. When the Fund writes a put option, cash is segregated in an amount sufficient to cover the obligation. These amounts, which are considered restricted, are included in cash pledged as collateral for options written
in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
|
|
|
N O T E S T O F I
N A N C I A L S T A T E M E
N T S
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Swaptions The Fund purchases and writes options on swaps (swaptions) primarily to preserve a return or
spread on a particular investment or portion of the Funds holdings, as a duration management technique or to protect against an increase in the price of securities it anticipates purchasing at a later date. The purchaser and writer of a
swaption is buying or granting the right to enter into a previously agreed upon interest rate or credit default swap agreement (interest rate risk and/or credit risk) at any time before the expiration of the option.
|
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.
Master Netting Arrangements: In order to define its contractual rights and to secure rights that will help it mitigate its counterparty risk, the
Fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (ISDA Master Agreement) or similar agreement with its counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between the Fund and a
counterparty that governs certain OTC derivatives and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund may, under
certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement
typically permit a single net payment in the event of default including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against the
right of offset in bankruptcy, insolvency or other events.
Collateral Requirements: For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the
collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement and comparing that amount to the value of
any collateral currently pledged by the Fund and the counterparty.
Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund and cash
collateral received from the counterparty, if any, is reported separately in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as cash pledged as collateral and cash received as collateral, respectively. Non-cash
collateral pledged by the Fund, if any, is noted in the Schedule of Investments. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a counterparty is subject to a certain minimum transfer amount threshold before a transfer is required, which is
determined at the close of business of the Fund. Any additional required collateral is delivered to/pledged by the Fund on the next business day. Typically, the counterparty is not permitted to sell, re-pledge
or use cash and non-cash collateral it receives. The Fund generally agrees not to use non-cash collateral that it receives but may, absent default or certain other
circumstances defined in the underlying ISDA Master Agreement, be permitted to use cash collateral received. In such cases, interest may be paid pursuant to the collateral arrangement with the counterparty. To the extent amounts due to the Fund from
the counterparties are not fully collateralized, the Fund 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, the Fund bears the risk of loss from a counterparty in the amount of the value of the collateral in the event the counterparty fails to return such collateral. Based on the terms of
agreements, collateral may not be required for all derivative contracts.
For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets
and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements, if any, in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
6.
|
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
|
Investment Advisory: The Fund entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Manager, the Funds investment adviser and an indirect,
wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (BlackRock), to provide investment advisory and administrative services. The Manager is responsible for the management of the Funds 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 0.85% of the average daily value of the Funds 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.
Expense Waivers: The Manager voluntarily agreed to waive a portion of its investment advisory fees equal to the annual rate of 0.30% of the
Funds average daily net assets, plus the proceeds of any outstanding borrowings used for leverage. This amount is included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31,
2020, the Manager waived $222,797 pursuant to this agreement.
The Manager contractually agreed to waive its investment advisory fees by the amount of
investment advisory fees the Fund pays to the Manager indirectly through its investment in affiliated money market funds (the affiliated money market fund waiver) through June 30, 2022. The contractual agreement may be terminated
upon 90 days notice by a majority of the Independent Directors, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. These amounts are included in fees waived and/or reimbursed by the Manager in the Statement of
Operations. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the amount waived was $2,093.
The Manager contractually agreed to waive its investment
advisory fee with respect to any portion of the Funds assets invested in affiliated equity and fixed-income mutual funds and affiliated exchange-traded funds that have a contractual management fee through June 30, 2022. The agreement can
be renewed for annual periods thereafter, and may be terminated on 90 days notice, each subject to approval by a majority of the Funds Independent Directors. For the year ended December 31, 2020, there were no fees waived by the
Manager pursuant to this arrangement.
Directors and Officers: Certain directors and/or officers of the Fund are directors and/or officers of
BlackRock or its affiliates. The Fund reimburses the Manager for a portion of the compensation paid to the Funds Chief Compliance Officer, which is included in Directors and Officer in the Statement of Operations.
|
|
|
24
|
|
2 0 2 0 B L A C
K R O C K A N N U A L R E P O R
T T O S H A R E H O L D E R
S
|
|
|
|
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
|
|
|
For the year ended December 31, 2020, purchases and sales of investments, including paydowns/payups and excluding short-term securities, were as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Government
Securities
|
|
|
Other Securities
|
Fund Name
|
|
Purchases
|
|
|
Sales
|
|
|
Purchases
|
|
|
Sales
|
EGF
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
4,180,272
|
|
|
$
|
2,331,061
|
|
|
$ 14,072,726
|
8.
|
INCOME TAX INFORMATION
|
It is the Funds policy to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment
companies, and to distribute substantially all of its taxable income to its shareholders. Therefore, no U.S. federal income tax provision is required.
The Fund files U.S. federal and various state and local tax returns. No income tax returns are currently under examination. The statute of limitations on
the Funds U.S. federal tax returns generally remains open for a period of three fiscal years after they are filed. The statutes of limitations on the Funds 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 December 31, 2020, inclusive of the
open tax return years, and does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability in the Funds financial statements.
The tax character of distributions paid was as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12/31/20
|
|
|
12/31/19
|
Ordinary income
|
|
$
|
1,552,177
|
|
|
$ 1,619,141
|
Return of capital
|
|
|
738,610
|
|
|
926,177
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,290,787
|
|
|
$ 2,545,318
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of period end, the tax components of accumulated earnings (loss) were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts
|
|
|
|
Non-expiring capital loss carryforwards(a)
|
|
$
|
(25,060,586
|
)
|
Net unrealized gains(b)
|
|
|
5,380,522
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(19,680,064
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
Amounts available to offset future realized capital gains.
|
|
(b)
|
The differences between book-basis and tax-basis net unrealized gains were
attributable primarily to the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains / (losses) on certain futures contracts and the timing of distributions.
|
As of December 31, 2020, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost of investments (including short positions and derivatives, if
any) for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts
|
|
|
|
Tax cost
|
|
$
|
62,240,689
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross unrealized appreciation
|
|
$
|
5,945,539
|
|
Gross unrealized depreciation
|
|
|
(390,494
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
|
|
$
|
5,555,045
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In the normal course of business, the Fund invests in securities or other instruments and may enter into certain transactions, and such activities subject
the Fund to various risks, including among others, fluctuations in the market (market risk) or failure of an issuer to meet all of its obligations. The value of securities or other instruments may also be affected by various factors, including,
without limitation: (i) the general economy; (ii) the overall market as well as local, regional or global political and/or social instability; (iii) regulation, taxation or international tax treaties between various countries; or
(iv) currency, interest rate and price fluctuations. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on
the Fund and its investments.
The Fund may invest without limitation in illiquid or less liquid investments or investments in which no secondary
market is readily available or which are otherwise illiquid, including private placement securities. The Fund may not be able to readily dispose of such investments at prices that approximate those at which the Fund could sell such investments if
they were more widely traded and, as a result of such illiquidity, the Fund may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions if necessary to raise funds to meet its obligations. Limited liquidity can also affect the market
price of investments, thereby adversely affecting the Funds net asset value and ability to make dividend distributions. Privately issued debt securities are often of below investment grade quality, frequently are unrated and present many of
the same risks as investing in below investment grade public debt securities.
|
|
|
N O T E S T O F I
N A N C I A L S T A T E M E
N T S
|
|
25
|
|
|
|
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
|
|
|
Market Risk: 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 Funds 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 portfolios current earnings rate.
An outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus has developed into a global pandemic and has resulted in closing borders, quarantines,
disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this pandemic, and other global health crises that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual
companies and the market in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. This pandemic may result in substantial market volatility and may adversely impact the prices and liquidity of a funds investments. The
duration of this pandemic and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.
Counterparty Credit Risk: The Fund may be exposed to
counterparty credit risk, or the risk that an entity may fail to or be unable to perform on its commitments related to unsettled or open transactions, including making timely interest and/or principal payments or otherwise honoring its obligations.
The Fund manages counterparty credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that the Manager believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties.
Financial assets, which potentially expose the Fund to market, issuer and counterparty credit risks, consist principally of financial instruments and receivables due from counterparties. The extent of the Funds exposure to market, issuer and
counterparty credit risks with respect to these financial assets is approximately their value recorded in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, less any collateral held by the Fund.
A derivative contract may suffer a mark-to-market loss if the value of the
contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.
For OTC options purchased, the Fund bears the risk of loss in the amount of the premiums paid plus the positive change in market values net of any
collateral held by the Fund should the counterparty fail to perform under the contracts. Options written by the Fund do not typically give rise to counterparty credit risk, as options written generally obligate the Fund, and not the counterparty, to
perform. The Fund may be exposed to counterparty credit risk with respect to options written to the extent the Fund deposits collateral with its counterparty to a written option.
With exchange-traded options purchased and futures, 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
with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing brokers customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or
goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing brokers
customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund.
Concentration Risk: A diversified portfolio, where this is appropriate and consistent
with a funds objectives, minimizes the risk that a price change of a particular investment will have a material impact on the NAV of a fund. The investment concentrations within the Funds portfolio are disclosed in its Schedule of
Investments.
The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in fixed-income securities and/or uses derivatives tied to the fixed-income
markets. Changes in market interest rates or economic conditions may affect the value and/or liquidity of such investments. Interest rate risk is the risk that prices of bonds and other fixed-income securities will increase as interest rates fall
and decrease as interest rates rise. The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates.
The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities backed by commercial or residential mortgage loans or in issuers that hold mortgage and
other asset-backed securities. When a Fund concentrates its investments in this manner, it assumes a greater risk of prepayment or payment extension by securities issuers. Changes in economic conditions, including delinquencies and/or defaults on
assets underlying these securities, can affect the value, income and/or liquidity of such positions. Investment percentages in these securities are presented in the Schedule of Investments.
LIBOR Transition Risk: The United Kingdoms Financial Conduct Authority announced a phase out of the London Interbank Offered Rate
(LIBOR) by the end of 2021, and it is expected that LIBOR will cease to be published after that time. The Fund may be exposed to financial instruments tied to LIBOR to determine payment obligations, financing terms, hedging strategies or
investment value. The transition process away from LIBOR might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets for, and reduce the effectiveness of new hedges placed against, instruments whose terms currently include LIBOR. The ultimate
effect of the LIBOR transition process on the Fund is uncertain.
10.
|
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS
|
The Fund is authorized to issue 200 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 the approval of Common Shareholders.
Common Shares The Fund participates in
an open market share repurchase program (the Repurchase Program). From December 1, 2019 through November 30, 2020, the Fund may repurchase up to 5% of its outstanding common shares under the Repurchase Program, based on common
shares outstanding as of the close of business on November 30, 2019, subject to certain conditions. There is no assurance that the Fund will purchase shares in any particular amounts. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund did not
repurchase any shares.
On September 28, 2020, the Fund announced a continuation of its open market share repurchase program. Commencing on
December 1, 2020, the Fund may repurchase through November 30, 2021, up to 5% of its common shares outstanding as of the close of business on November 30, 2020, subject to certain conditions. There is no assurance that the Fund will
purchase shares in any particular amounts.
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26
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Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
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The Fund will make offers to purchase between 5% and 25% of its outstanding shares at approximate 12 month intervals. Repurchase offer results for the
year ended December 31, 2020 were as follows:
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Commencement
Date(a)
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Valuation
Date
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Number of Shares
Tendered
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Tendered Shares
as a Percentage of
Outstanding Shares
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Number of Tendered
Shares
Purchased
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Tendered Shares
Purchased
as a Percentage of
Outstanding Shares
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Purchase Price
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Total Amount of
Purchases
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October 19, 2020
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November 19, 2020
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1,202,530
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25.4
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%
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473,498
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10.0
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%
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$13.1300
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$6,217,029
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(a)
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Date the repurchase offer period began.
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The amount of the repurchase offer is shown as redemptions of shares resulting from a repurchase offer in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets. The Fund
charged a 2% repurchase fee of the value of the shares that were repurchased to compensate the Fund for expenses directly related to the repurchase offer, which is included in the capital share transactions in the Statement of the Changes in Net
Assets. Costs directly related to the repurchase offer, primarily mailing and printing costs, are shown as repurchase offer in the Statement of Operations.
Managements evaluation of the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds financial statements was completed through the date the financial
statements were issued and the following items were noted:
The Fund declared and paid distributions to Common Shareholders as follows:
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Dividend Per Common Share
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Fund Name
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Paid
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(a)
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Declared(b)
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EGF
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$
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0.041000
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$
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0.041000
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(a)
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Net investment income dividend paid on January 11, 2021 to Common Shareholders of record on December 31,
2020.
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(b)
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Net investment income dividend declared on February 1, 2021, payable to Common Shareholders of record on
February 16, 2021.
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N O T E S T O F I N A N C I A L
S T A T E M E N T S
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27
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
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To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors
of BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc.:
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc. (the Fund), including the
schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2020, the related statements of operations and cash flows for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights
for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2020,
and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Funds management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
the Funds financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect
to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over
financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Funds internal control over
financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement
of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial
highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that
our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
February 23, 2021
We have served as the auditor of one or more BlackRock investment companies since 1992.
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28
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2 0 2 0 B L A C
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Important Tax Information (unaudited)
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For the fiscal year ended December 31,
2020, the Fund hereby designates the following maximum amounts allowable as interest-related dividends eligible for exemption from U.S. withholding tax for nonresident aliens and foreign corporations:
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Fund Name
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Interest-Related
Dividends
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EGF
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$ 1,565,977
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The Fund hereby designates the following amount of distributions from direct federal obligation interest for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2020:
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Fund Name
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Federal Obligation
Interest
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EGF
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$ 396,254
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The law varies in each state as to whether and what percent of ordinary income dividends attributable to federal
obligations is exempt from state income tax. Shareholders are advised to check with their tax advisers to determine if any portion of the dividends received is exempt from state income tax.
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I M P O R T A N T
T A X I N F O R M A T I O N (
U N A U D I T E D )
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29
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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks
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Recent Changes
The following information is a summary of certain changes since December 31, 2019. This information may not reflect all of the changes that have
occurred since you purchased the Fund.
During the Funds most recent fiscal year, there were no material changes in the Funds
investment objectives or policies that have not been approved by shareholders or in the principal risk factors associated with investment in the Fund.
Investment Objectives and Policies
The
Funds investment objective is to provide stockholders with current income and gains. The Fund has an interval fund structure, pursuant to which the Fund will conduct, subject to applicable Maryland law, annual repurchase offers for between 5%
and 25% of the Funds outstanding shares. The Funds investment objective and interval fund structure are fundamental policies and may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (as
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act).
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing
primarily in a diversified portfolio of U.S. Government securities and U.S. Government Agency securities, including U.S. Government mortgage-backed securities, that pay interest in an attempt to generate current income, and by employing a strategy
of writing (selling) call options on individual or baskets of U.S. Government securities, U.S. Government Agency securities and other debt securities and on interest rate swaps (swaptions) held by the Fund in an effort to generate
current gains from option premiums and to enhance the Funds risk-adjusted return (the Option Strategy).
Under normal market
conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of the value of its net assets (including assets acquired with the proceeds from the sale of any preferred stock), plus the amount of any outstanding debt securities or borrowings for investment
purposes, in U.S. Government securities and U.S. Government Agency securities, including U.S. Government mortgage-backed securities. This is a non-fundamental policy and may be changed by the Board of
Directors of the Fund provided that stockholders are provided with at least 60 days prior notice of any change as required by the rules under the 1940 Act.
The Fund may also invest up to 20% of its net assets in non-U.S. Government debt securities of foreign or domestic
issuers, including commercial paper, notes, corporate bonds, debentures, asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, corporate loans, sovereign debt securities and money market securities that are rated in one of the four highest rating
categories by at least one of the nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (including Baa or better by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. or BBB or better by S&P Global Ratings or Fitch Ratings) or, if unrated, are considered by
BlackRock Advisors, LLC (the Manager) to be of comparable quality (referred to herein as other debt securities). Securities rated in any of the four highest rating categories are known as investment grade
securities. As part of its Option Strategy, the Fund may also write call options on these other debt securities.
The Fund is not limited as to the
maturities of its portfolio investments and may take full advantage of the entire range of maturities offered by U.S. Government securities, U.S. Government Agency securities and other debt securities. The Manager may adjust the average maturity of
the Funds portfolio from time to time, depending on its assessment of the relative yields available on securities of different maturities and its assessment of future interest rate patterns.
Most of the options written by the Fund will be traded over-the-counter
although the Fund may utilize exchange-traded options as well. In general, the Fund will primarily write (sell) call options that are European style, meaning that the options may be exercised only on the expiration date. However, the
Fund may from time to time write call options that are American style, meaning that the options may be exercised at any point up to and including the expiration date.
The Fund will generally write (sell) call options that are out-of-the-money or at-the-money at the time of sale. Out-of-the-money call options are options with an exercise price that is above the principal value of the underlying U.S. Government security, U.S. Government Agency
security or other debt security at the time of sale whereas at-the-money call options are options with an exercise price that is equal to the principal value of the
underlying U.S. Government security, U.S. Government Agency security or other debt security at the time of sale. In addition to providing possible gains through premiums, out-of-the-money call options allow the Fund to potentially benefit from appreciation in the U.S. Government securities, U.S. Government Agency securities or other debt securities held by the Fund with
respect to which the option was written, up to the exercise price. The Fund also reserves the right to sell call options that are in-the-money (i.e., those
with an exercise price below the principal value of the underlying security at the time of sale). When the price of the security upon which a call option is written rises, call options that were out-of-the-money when written may become in-the-money (i.e., the principal value of the
security rises above the exercise price of the option), thereby increasing the likelihood that the options will be exercised and the Fund will be forced to sell the security at the exercise price upon the purchasers exercise of the option.
The Fund expects that it will primarily write call options whose terms to expiration range from one to three months. The Fund reserves the right to
sell call options of both longer and shorter terms.
The Manager will attempt to maintain for the Fund written call options positions on U.S.
Government securities, U.S. Government Agency securities or other debt securities whose price movements, taken in the aggregate, are correlated with the price movements of the U.S. Government securities, U.S. Government Agency securities and other
debt securities held in the Funds portfolio. In doing so, the Manager will consider data relating to the Funds fixed income holdings, including interest rates, maturity and coupon rate. The Fund anticipates that it will write (sell) call
options on a substantial portion of the U.S. Government securities, U.S. Government Agency securities and other debt securities held in its portfolio.
The Fund also may use other derivative strategies involving call and put options, futures and forward contracts, swap agreements, options on swaps, short
sales and other derivative instruments in an attempt to enhance return or to hedge against market and other risks in the portfolio. The Fund may also enter into derivatives transactions that in certain circumstances may produce effects similar to
leverage.
The Fund may vary its investment objective and policies for temporary defensive purposes during periods in which the Manager believes that
conditions in the securities markets or other economic, financial or political conditions warrant and in order to keep the Funds cash fully invested, including during the period in which the net proceeds of
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30
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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks (continued)
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Investment Objectives and Policies (continued)
the offering are being invested. Under such conditions, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its total assets in short-term securities issued or guaranteed
by the U.S. Government or its instrumentalities or agencies, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances and other bank obligations, commercial paper rated in the highest category by an established rating service, or other debt securities
deemed by the Manager to be consistent with a defensive posture, or may hold its assets in cash. This might negatively affect the Funds ability to achieve its investment objective.
Leverage: Although the Fund has no present intention to use leverage, it may in the future leverage its portfolio through borrowings, the issuance
of debt securities, the issuance of preferred stock or a combination thereof. The Fund may borrow money and issue debt securities in amounts up to 331/3 %, and may issue shares of preferred stock in amounts up to 50%, of the value of its total
assets to finance additional investments. The Fund also may borrow money as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, including the payment of dividends and the settlement of securities transactions that otherwise might require
untimely dispositions of Fund securities.
Risk Factors
This section contains a discussion of the general risks of investing in the Fund. The net asset value and market price of, and dividends paid on, the
common shares will fluctuate with and be affected by, among other things, the risks more fully described below. As with any fund, there can be no guarantee that the Fund will meet its investment objective or that the Funds performance will be
positive for any period of time.
Annual Repurchases of Fund Shares: The Fund has an interval fund structure, pursuant to which the Fund will
conduct, subject to applicable Maryland law, annual repurchase offers for between 5% and 25% of the Funds outstanding shares. These required annual repurchases are likely to decrease the overall size of the Fund, which could over time:
(i) harm the Funds investment performance by limiting the extent to which the Fund may invest in illiquid securities; (ii) increase the Funds expense ratio as the Funds assets decrease; (iii) threaten the Funds
continued listing of its common shares on the New York Stock Exchange, and, consequently, the liquidity of its shares; and (iv) jeopardize the Funds viability and continued existence. Moreover, there are additional risks associated with
the Funds annual repurchase offers, including the risk that: (i) because a repurchase offer will be for 5% to 25% of the Funds outstanding shares, if the repurchase offer is oversubscribed, shareholders may be unable to liquidate
all or a given percentage of their investment at net asset value during the repurchase offer; (ii) due to the potential for the Fund to purchase shares on a pro rata basis if the repurchase offer is over-subscribed, some investors may tender
more shares than they wish to have repurchased in order to ensure the repurchase of a specific number of shares; (iii) the repurchase offer may not eliminate any discount at which the Funds shares trade; and (iv) because the Fund
expects, in certain circumstances, to liquidate portfolio securities in order to fund repurchase offers, the need to sell such securities may in turn affect the market for such securities and accordingly diminish the value of the Funds
investments. Furthermore, to the extent the Fund borrows to finance the making of repurchases, interest on such borrowings reduce the Funds returns.
Investment and Market Discount Risk: An investment in the Funds common shares is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of
the entire amount that you invest. As with any stock, the price of the Funds common shares will fluctuate with market conditions and other factors. If shares are sold, the price received may be more or less than the original investment. Common
shares are designed for long-term investors and the Fund should not be treated as a trading vehicle. Shares of closed-end management investment companies frequently trade at a discount from their net asset
value. This risk is separate and distinct from the risk that the Funds net asset value could decrease as a result of its investment activities. At any point in time an investment in the Funds common shares may be worth less than the
original amount invested, even after taking into account distributions paid by the Fund. During periods in which the Fund may use leverage, the Funds investment, market discount and certain other risks will be magnified.
Debt Securities Risk: Debt securities, such as bonds, involve interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk, and prepayment risk, among other
things.
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Interest rate risk The market value of bonds and other fixed-income securities changes in response to interest
rate changes and other factors. 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.
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The Fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates due to the current period of historically low rates. For example, if
interest rates increase by 1%, assuming a current portfolio duration of ten years, and all other factors being equal, the value of the Funds investments would be expected to decrease by 10%. The magnitude of these fluctuations in the market
price of bonds and other fixed-income securities is generally greater for those securities with longer maturities. Fluctuations in the market price of the Funds investments will not affect interest income derived from instruments already owned
by the Fund, but will be reflected in the Funds net asset value. The Fund may lose money if short-term or long-term interest rates rise sharply in a manner not anticipated by Fund management.
To the extent the Fund invests in debt securities that may be prepaid at the option of the obligor (such as mortgage-backed securities),
the sensitivity of such securities to changes in interest rates may increase (to the detriment of the Fund) when interest rates rise. Moreover, because rates on certain floating rate debt securities typically reset only periodically, changes in
prevailing interest rates (and particularly sudden and significant changes) can be expected to cause some fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund to the extent that it invests in floating rate debt securities.
These basic principles of bond prices also apply to U.S. Government securities. A security backed by the full faith and credit
of the U.S. Government is guaranteed only as to its stated interest rate and face value at maturity, not its current market price. Just like other fixed-income securities, government-guaranteed securities will fluctuate in value when interest rates
change.
A general rise in interest rates has the potential to cause investors to move out of fixed-income securities on a large
scale, which may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of fixed-income securities. Heavy redemptions could cause the Fund to sell assets at inopportune times or at a loss or depressed value and could hurt the Funds
performance.
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Credit risk Credit risk refers to the possibility that the issuer of a debt security (i.e., the borrower) will not
be able to make payments of interest and principal when due. Changes in an issuers credit rating or the markets perception of an issuers creditworthiness may also affect the value of the Funds investment in that issuer. The
degree of credit risk depends on both the financial condition of the issuer and the terms of the obligation.
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I N V E S T M E
N T O B J E C T I V E
S, P O L I C I E S A N D
R I S K S
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31
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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks (continued)
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Risk Factors (continued)
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Extension risk When interest rates rise, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more slowly than
anticipated, causing the value of these obligations to fall.
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Prepayment risk When interest rates fall, certain obligations will be paid off by the obligor more quickly than
originally anticipated, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields.
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U.S. Government
Obligations Risk: Certain securities in which the Fund may invest, including securities issued by certain U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government sponsored enterprises, are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government or supported by the full
faith and credit of the United States.
Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities Risks: Mortgage- and asset-backed securities represent interests
in pools of mortgages or other assets, including consumer loans or receivables held in trust. Mortgage- and asset-backed securities are subject to credit, interest rate, prepayment and extension risks. These securities also are subject
to risk of default on the underlying mortgage or asset, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed
securities.
Foreign Securities Risk: Foreign investments often involve special risks not present in U.S. investments that can increase the
chances that the Fund will lose money. These risks include:
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The Fund generally holds its foreign securities and cash in foreign banks and securities depositories, which may be
recently organized or new to the foreign custody business and may be subject to only limited or no regulatory oversight.
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Changes in foreign currency exchange rates can affect the value of the Funds portfolio.
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The economies of certain foreign markets may not compare favorably with the economy of the United States with respect to
such issues as growth of gross national product, reinvestment of capital, resources and balance of payments position.
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The governments of certain countries may prohibit or impose substantial restrictions on foreign investments in their
capital markets or in certain industries.
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Many foreign governments do not supervise and regulate stock exchanges, brokers and the sale of securities to the same
extent as does the United States and may not have laws to protect investors that are comparable to U.S. securities laws.
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Settlement and clearance procedures in certain foreign markets may result in delays in payment for or delivery of
securities not typically associated with settlement and clearance of U.S. investments.
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The Funds claims to recover foreign withholding taxes may not be successful, and if the likelihood of recovery of
foreign withholding taxes materially decreases, due to, for example, a change in tax regulation or approach in the foreign country, accruals in the Funds net asset value for such refunds may be written down partially or in full, which will
adversely affect the Funds net asset value.
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Risks Associated with Writing Call Options: There are various risks
associated with the Option Strategy. The purchaser of an option written (sold) by the Fund has the right to purchase the security underlying the option at the exercise price up to and including the expiration date of the option. Therefore, as the
writer of a call option, the Fund forgoes, during the term of the option, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the underlying securities held by the Fund with respect to which the option was written above the sum of the
premium and the exercise price of the call. However the Fund has retained the risk of loss (net of premiums received) should the price of the Funds portfolio securities decline. Consequently, as a result of the Option Strategy, the net asset
value of the Fund may tend to decline over time.
A decision as to whether, when and how to use options involves the exercise of skill and judgment
and even a well-conceived transaction may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market developments or unexpected events.
Derivatives Risk:
The Funds use of derivatives may increase its costs, reduce the Funds returns and/or increase volatility. Derivatives involve significant risks, including:
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Volatility risk Volatility is defined as the characteristic of a security, an index or a market to fluctuate
significantly in price within a short time period. A risk of the Funds use of derivatives is that the fluctuations in their values may not correlate with the overall securities markets.
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Counterparty risk Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the
transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation.
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Market and illiquidity risk The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting
inability of the Fund to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Fund to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Fund to value accurately.
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Valuation risk Valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers
may be reluctant to purchase complex instruments or quote prices for them.
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Hedging risk Hedges are sometimes subject to imperfect matching between the derivative and the underlying
security, and there can be no assurance that the Funds hedging transactions will be effective. The use of hedging may result in certain adverse tax consequences.
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Tax risk Certain aspects of the tax treatment of derivative instruments, including swap agreements and
commodity-linked derivative instruments, are currently unclear and may be affected by changes in legislation, regulations or other legally binding authority. Such treatment may be less favorable than that given to a direct investment in an
underlying asset and may adversely affect the timing, character and amount of income the Fund realizes from its investments.
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32
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2 0 2 0 B L A C
K R O C K A N N U A L R E P O R
T T O S H A R E H O L D E R
S
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Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks (continued)
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`
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Risk Factors (continued)
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Regulatory risk Derivative contracts, including, without limitation, swaps, currency forwards and non-deliverable forwards, are subject to regulation under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Dodd-Frank Act) in the United States and under comparable regimes in Europe,
Asia and other non-U.S. jurisdictions. Under the Dodd-Frank Act, certain derivatives are subject to margin requirements and swap dealers are required to collect margin from the Fund with respect to such
derivatives. Specifically, regulations are now in effect that require swap dealers to post and collect variation margin (comprised of specified liquid instruments and subject to a required haircut) in connection with trading of OTC swaps with the
Fund. Shares of investment companies (other than certain money market funds) may not be posted as collateral under these regulations. Requirements for posting of initial margin in connection with OTC swaps will be
phased-in through at least 2021. In addition, regulations adopted by global prudential regulators that are now in effect require certain bank-regulated counterparties and certain of their affiliates to include
in certain financial contracts, including many derivatives contracts, terms that delay or restrict the rights of counterparties, such as the Fund, to terminate such contracts, foreclose upon collateral, exercise other default rights or restrict
transfers of credit support in the event that the counterparty and/or its affiliates are subject to certain types of resolution or insolvency proceedings. The implementation of these requirements with respect to derivatives, as well as regulations
under the Dodd-Frank Act regarding clearing, mandatory trading and margining of other derivatives, may increase the costs and risks to the Fund of trading in these instruments and, as a result, may affect returns to investors in the Fund.
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On October 28, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted new regulations governing the use of derivatives by
registered investment companies (Rule 18f-4). The Fund will be required to implement and comply with Rule 18f-4 by August 19, 2022. Once implemented,
Rule 18f-4 will impose limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into, eliminate the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, treat
derivatives as senior securities so that a failure to comply with the limits would result in a statutory violation and require funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure amount to establish and maintain a comprehensive
derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager.
Leverage Risk: The Fund may utilize leverage for investment
purposes through borrowings, the issuance of debt securities, the issuance of preferred stock or a combination thereof, as well as derivative instruments with leverage embedded in them. The Funds use of leverage may increase or decrease from
time to time in its discretion and the Fund may, in the future, determine not to use leverage.
The use of leverage creates an opportunity for
increased common share net investment income dividends, but also creates risks for the holders of common shares. The Fund cannot assure you that the use of leverage will result in a higher yield on the common shares. Any leveraging strategy the Fund
employs may not be successful.
Leverage involves risks and special considerations for common shareholders, including:
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the likelihood of greater volatility of net asset value, market price and dividend rate of the common shares than a
comparable portfolio without leverage;
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the risk that fluctuations in interest rates or dividend rates on any leverage that the Fund must pay will reduce the
return to the common shareholders;
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the effect of leverage in a declining market, which is likely to cause a greater decline in the net asset value of the
common shares than if the Fund were not leveraged, which may result in a greater decline in the market price of the common shares;
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leverage may increase operating costs, which may reduce total return.
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Any decline in the net asset value of the Funds investments will be borne entirely by the holders of common shares. Therefore, if the market value
of the Funds portfolio declines, leverage will result in a greater decrease in net asset value to the holders of common shares than if the Fund were not leveraged. This greater net asset value decrease will also tend to cause a greater decline
in the market price for the common shares.
Illiquid Investments Risk: The Fund may invest without limitation in illiquid or less liquid
investments or investments in which no secondary market is readily available or which are otherwise illiquid, including private placement securities. The Fund may not be able to readily dispose of such investments at prices that approximate those at
which the Fund could sell such investments if they were more widely traded and, as a result of such illiquidity, the Fund may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions if necessary to raise cash to meet its obligations.
Limited liquidity can also affect the market price of investments, thereby adversely affecting the Funds net asset value and ability to make dividend distributions. The financial markets in general, and certain segments of the mortgage-related
securities markets in particular, have in recent years experienced periods of extreme secondary market supply and demand imbalance, resulting in a loss of liquidity during which market prices were suddenly and substantially below traditional
measures of intrinsic value. During such periods, some investments could be sold only at arbitrary prices and with substantial losses. Periods of such market dislocation may occur again at any time. Privately issued debt securities are often of
below investment grade quality, frequently are unrated and present many of the same risks as investing in below investment grade public debt securities.
Tax Risk: Certain transactions entered into by the Fund are subject to special tax rules that may, among other things, (i) affect the
character of gains and losses realized, (ii) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions and (iii) accelerate the recognition of income without a corresponding receipt of cash (with which to make the
necessary distributions to satisfy distribution requirements applicable to regulated investment companies). Operation of these rules could, therefore, affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. Special tax rules also
will require the Fund to mark to market certain types of positions in its portfolio, including some of its call options (i.e., treat them as sold on the last day of the taxable year), and may result in the recognition of income without a
corresponding receipt of cash. The Fund intends to monitor its transactions, to make appropriate tax elections and to make appropriate entries in its books and records to lessen the effect of these tax rules and avoid any possible disqualification
for the favorable tax treatment afforded regulated investment companies. In addition, there is a possibility that the Fund may make total distributions during a calendar or fiscal year in an amount that exceeds the Funds net investment income
and net realized capital gains for the relevant fiscal year. In such situations, the amount by which the Funds total distributions exceed net investment income and net realized capital gains would generally be treated as a tax-free return of capital up to the amount of a shareholders tax basis in his or her shares, with any amounts exceeding such basis treated as gain from the sale of shares.
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I N V E S T M E
N T O B J E C T I V E
S, P O L I C I E S A N D
R I S K S
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33
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|
Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks (continued)
|
|
|
Risk Factors
(continued)
Certain dividend income is eligible for taxation at a lower rate that is also applicable to long term capital gains in the hands of
individual shareholders. Certain tax rules may limit the Funds ability to designate dividends as long term capital gains eligible for taxation at reduced rates. Short term capital gains and interest income on debt securities are not eligible
for this reduced tax rate. In addition, gains from writing call options generally will not be eligible for taxation at a reduced rate.
The
Funds investments and the tax treatment of Fund distributions may be affected by future changes in tax laws and regulations. The impact of such legislation on the Fund and its shareholders cannot be predicted.
Market Risk and Selection Risk: Market risk is the risk that one or more markets in which the Fund invests will go down in value, including the
possibility that the markets will go down sharply and unpredictably. The value of a security or other asset may decline due to changes in general market conditions, economic trends or events that are not specifically related to the issuer of the
security or other asset, or factors that affect a particular issuer or issuers, exchange, country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class. Local, regional or global events such as war, acts of
terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues like pandemics or epidemics, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments. Selection risk is the risk that the securities
selected by Fund management will underperform the markets, the relevant indices or the securities selected by other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies. This means you may lose money.
A recent outbreak of an infectious coronavirus has developed into a global pandemic that has resulted in numerous disruptions in the market and has had
significant economic impact leaving general concern and uncertainty. The impact of this coronavirus, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the market in
general ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.
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34
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2 0 2 0 B L A C
K R O C K A N N U A L R E P O R
T T O S H A R E H O L D E R
S
|
|
|
|
Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan
|
|
|
Pursuant to EGFs Dividend Reinvestment
Plan (the Reinvestment Plan), Common Shareholders are automatically enrolled to have all distributions of dividends and capital gains and other distributions reinvested by Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the Reinvestment Plan
Agent) in the Funds 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 EGF declares a dividend or determines to make a capital gain or other distribution, the Reinvestment Plan Agent will acquire shares for the
participants accounts, depending upon the following circumstances, either (i) through receipt of unissued but authorized shares from the Fund (newly issued shares) or (ii) by purchase of outstanding shares on the open
market or on the Funds primary exchange (open-market purchases). If, on the dividend payment date, the net asset value per share (NAV) is equal to or less than the market price per share plus estimated brokerage
commissions (such condition often referred to as a market premium), the Reinvestment Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in newly issued shares acquired on behalf of the participants. The number of newly issued shares to be
credited to each participants account will be determined by dividing the dollar amount of the dividend by the NAV on the date the shares are issued. However, if the NAV is less than 95% of the market price on the dividend payment date, the
dollar amount of the dividend will be divided by 95% of the market price on the dividend payment date. If, on the dividend payment date, the NAV is greater than the market price per share plus estimated brokerage commissions (such condition often
referred to as a market discount), the Reinvestment Plan Agent will invest the dividend amount in shares acquired on behalf of the participants in open-market purchases. If the Reinvestment Plan Agent is unable to invest the full
dividend amount in open-market purchases, or if the market discount shifts to a market premium during the purchase period, the Reinvestment Plan Agent will invest any un-invested portion in newly issued
shares. Investments in newly issued shares made in this manner would be made pursuant to the same process described above and the date of issue for such newly issued shares will substitute for the dividend payment date.
You may elect not to participate in the Reinvestment Plan and to receive all dividends in cash by contacting the Reinvestment Plan Agent, at the address
set forth below.
Participation in the Reinvestment Plan is completely voluntary and may be terminated or resumed at any time without penalty by
notice if received and processed by the Reinvestment Plan Agent prior to the dividend record date. Additionally, the Reinvestment Plan Agent seeks to process notices received after the record date but prior to the payable date and such notices often
will become effective by the payable date. Where late notices are not processed by the applicable payable date, such termination or resumption will be effective with respect to any subsequently declared dividend or other distribution.
The Reinvestment Plan Agents fees for the handling of the reinvestment of distributions will be paid by the Fund. However, each participant will pay
a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred with respect to the Reinvestment Plan Agents open-market purchases in connection with the reinvestment of all distributions. The automatic reinvestment of all distributions will not relieve
participants of any U.S. federal, state or local income tax that may be payable on such dividends or distributions.
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
computershare.com/blackrock, or in writing to Computershare, P.O. Box 505000, Louisville, KY 40233, Telephone: (800) 699-1236. Overnight correspondence should be directed to the Reinvestment Plan Agent at
Computershare, 462 South 4th Street, Suite 1600, Louisville, KY 40202.
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A U T O M A T I
C D I V I D E N D R E I N V E
S T M E N T P L A N
|
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35
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|
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|
Director and Officer Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Independent Directors(a)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
Year of Birth(b)
|
|
Position(s) Held
(Length of Service)(c)
|
|
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
|
|
Number of
BlackRock-Advised
Registered Investment Companies
(RICs) Consisting of
Investment
Portfolios
(Portfolios) Overseen
|
|
Public Company
and Other
Investment
Company
Directorships Held
During
Past Five Years
|
|
|
|
|
|
Richard E. Cavanagh
1946
|
|
Co-Chair of the Board and Director
(Since 2007)
|
|
Director, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America since 1998; Board Chair, Volunteers of America (a not-for-profit organization) from 2015 to
2018 (board member since 2009); Director, Arch Chemicals (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 and Executive Dean from 1987 to 1995; President and Chief Executive Officer, The Conference Board, Inc. (global business research organization) from 1995
to 2007.
|
|
84 RICs consisting of 108 Portfolios
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Karen P. Robards
1950
|
|
Co-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; Director of Enable Injections, LLC (medical devices) since 2019; Investment Banker at Morgan Stanley from 1976 to 1987.
|
|
84 RICs consisting of 108 Portfolios
|
|
Greenhill & Co., Inc.; AtriCure, Inc. (medical devices) from 2000 until 2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael J. Castellano
1946
|
|
Director
(Since 2011)
|
|
Chief Financial Officer of Lazard Group LLC from 2001 to 2011; Chief Financial Officer of Lazard Ltd from 2004 to 2011; Director, Support Our Aging Religious (non-profit) from 2009 to June
2015 and from 2017 to September 2020; 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) from
2015 to July 2020.
|
|
84 RICs consisting of 108 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.
|
|
84 RICs consisting of 108 Portfolios
|
|
Unum (insurance); The Hanover Insurance Group (Board Chair) (insurance); Huntsman Corporation (chemical products); Envestnet (investment platform) from 2013 until 2016
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frank J. Fabozzi(d)
1948
|
|
Director
(Since
2007)
|
|
Editor of The Journal of Portfolio Management since 1986; Professor of Finance, EDHEC Business School (France) since 2011; Visiting Professor, Princeton University for the 2013 to 2014
academic year and Spring 2017 semester; Professor in the Practice of Finance, Yale University School of Management from 1994 to 2011 and currently a Teaching Fellow in Yales Executive Programs; Board Member, BlackRock Equity-Liquidity Funds
from 2014 to 2016; affiliated professor Karlsruhe Institute of Technology from 2008 to 2011; Visiting Professor, Rutgers University for the Spring 2019 semester; Visiting Professor, New York University for the 2019 academic year.
|
|
85 RICs consisting of 109 Portfolios
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
36
|
|
2 0 2 0 B L A C
K R O C K A N N U A L R E P O R
T T O S H A R E H O L D E R
S
|
|
|
|
Director and Officer Information (continued)
|
|
|
Independent Directors(a)
(continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
Year of Birth(b)
|
|
Position(s) Held
(Length of Service)(c)
|
|
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
|
|
Number of
BlackRock-Advised
Registered Investment Companies
(RICs) Consisting of
Investment
Portfolios
(Portfolios) Overseen
|
|
Public Company
and Other
Investment
Company
Directorships Held
During
Past Five Years
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. Glenn Hubbard
1958
|
|
Director
(Since 2007)
|
|
Dean, Columbia Business School from 2004 to 2019; Faculty member, Columbia Business School since 1988.
|
|
84 RICs consisting of 108 Portfolios
|
|
ADP (data and information services); Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (insurance); KKR Financial Corporation (finance) from 2004 until 2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. Carl Kester(d)
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.
|
|
85 RICs consisting of 109 Portfolios
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Catherine A. Lynch(d) 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.
|
|
85 RICs consisting of 109 Portfolios
|
|
None
|
|
Interested Directors(a)(e)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
Year of Birth(b)
|
|
Position(s) Held
(Length of Service)(c)
|
|
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
|
|
Number of BlackRock-Advised
Registered Investment
Companies
(RICs) Consisting of
Investment Portfolios
(Portfolios) Overseen
|
|
Public Company
and
Other
Investment
Company
Directorships
Held During
Past Five Years
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert Fairbairn
1965
|
|
Director
(Since 2018)
|
|
Vice Chairman of BlackRock, Inc. since 2019; Member of BlackRocks Global Executive and Global Operating Committees; Co-Chair of BlackRocks Human Capital Committee; Senior Managing
Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2010 to 2019; oversaw BlackRocks Strategic Partner Program and Strategic Product Management Group from 2012 to 2019; Member of the Board of Managers of BlackRock Investments, LLC from 2011 to 2018; Global Head
of BlackRocks Retail and iShares® businesses from 2012 to 2016.
|
|
117 RICs consisting of 267 Portfolios
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
John M. Perlowski(d)
1964
|
|
Director
(Since 2015);
President and Chief Executive Officer (Since 2010)
|
|
Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2009; Head of BlackRock Global Accounting and Product Services since 2009; Advisory Director of Family Resource Network (charitable foundation) since
2009.
|
|
118 RICs consisting of 268 Portfolios
|
|
None
|
(a)
|
The address of each Director is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055.
|
|
(b)
|
Each Independent Director holds office until his or her successor is duly elected and qualifies or until his or her
earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal as provided by the Funds by-laws or charter or statute, or until December 31 of the year in which he or she turns 75. Directors who are
interested persons, as defined in the Investment Company Act serve until their successor is duly elected and qualifies or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal as provided by the Funds by-laws or statute, or until December 31 of the year in which they turn 72. The Board may determine to extend the terms of Independent Directors on a case-by-case basis, as appropriate.
|
|
|
|
|
DIRECTOR AND OFFICER INFORMATION
|
|
37
|
|
|
|
Director and Officer Information (continued)
|
|
|
(c)
|
Following the combination of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. (MLIM) and BlackRock, Inc. in
September 2006, the various legacy MLIM and legacy BlackRock fund boards were realigned and consolidated into three new fund boards in 2007. Certain Independent Directors first became members of the boards of other legacy MLIM or legacy BlackRock
funds as follows: Richard E. Cavanagh, 1994; Frank J. Fabozzi, 1988; R. Glenn Hubbard, 2004; W. Carl Kester, 1995; and Karen P. Robards, 1998.
|
|
(d)
|
Dr. Fabozzi, Dr. Kester, Ms. Lynch and Mr. Perlowski are also trustees of the BlackRock Credit
Strategies Fund.
|
|
(e)
|
Mr. Fairbairn and Mr. Perlowski are both interested persons, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the
Fund based on their positions with BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates. Mr. Fairbairn and Mr. Perlowski are also board members of the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Officers Who Are Not Directors(a)
|
Name
Year of Birth(b)
|
|
Position(s) Held
(Length of Service)
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
|
|
|
|
Jonathan Diorio
1980
|
|
Vice President
(Since 2015)
|
|
Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2015; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2011 to 2015.
|
|
|
|
Neal J. Andrews
1966
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
(Since 2007)
|
|
Chief Financial Officer of the iShares® exchange traded funds from 2019 to 2020; Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since
2006.
|
|
|
|
Jay M. Fife
1970
|
|
Treasurer
(Since 2007)
|
|
Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2007.
|
|
|
|
Charles Park
1967
|
|
Chief Compliance Officer
(Since 2014)
|
|
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer for certain BlackRock-advised Funds from 2014 to 2015; Chief Compliance Officer of BlackRock Advisors, LLC and the BlackRock-advised Funds in the BlackRock Multi-Asset Complex and the
BlackRock Fixed-Income Complex since 2014; Principal of and Chief Compliance Officer for iShares® Delaware Trust Sponsor LLC since 2012 and BlackRock Fund
Advisors (BFA) since 2006; Chief Compliance Officer for the BFA-advised iShares® exchange traded funds
since 2006; Chief Compliance Officer for BlackRock Asset Management International Inc. since 2012.
|
|
|
|
Janey Ahn
1975
|
|
Secretary
(Since
2012)
|
|
Managing Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2018; Director of BlackRock, Inc. from 2009 to 2017.
|
(a)
|
The address of each Officer is c/o BlackRock, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055.
|
|
(b)
|
Officers of the Fund serve at the pleasure of the Board.
|
|
|
|
Neal J. Andrews retired as the Chief Financial Officer effective December 31, 2020, and Trent Walker was elected as the
Chief Financial Officer effective January 1, 2021.
Effective October 15, 2020, the Funds portfolio managers are Scott MacLellan and Akiva Dickstein. Mr. Dickstein
has been a Managing Director since 2009.
|
|
|
|
38
|
|
2 0 2 0 B L A C
K R O C K A N N U A L R E P O R
T T O S H A R E H O L D E R
S
|
Proxy Results
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on July 27, 2020 for shareholders of record on May 29, 2020, to elect director nominees
for BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc. There were no broker non-votes with regards to the Fund.
Shareholders elected the Class I Directors as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cynthia L. Egan
|
|
|
Michael J. Castellano
|
|
|
Catherine A. Lynch
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fund Name
|
|
Votes For
|
|
|
Votes Withheld
|
|
|
Votes For
|
|
|
Votes Withheld
|
|
|
Votes For
|
|
|
Votes Withheld
|
|
EGF
|
|
|
4,249,162
|
|
|
|
112,186
|
|
|
|
4,246,521
|
|
|
|
114,827
|
|
|
|
4,264,954
|
|
|
|
96,394
|
|
For the Fund listed above, Directors whose term of office continued after the Annual Meeting of Shareholders because they
were not up for election are Richard E. Cavanagh, Robert Fairbairn, R. Glenn Hubbard, John M. Perlowski, Karen P. Robards, Frank J. Fabozzi and W. Carl Kester.
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 NYSEs 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.
Regulation Regarding Derivatives
On October 28, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) adopted new regulations governing the use of derivatives by
registered investment companies (Rule 18f-4). The Fund will be required to implement and comply with Rule 18f-4 by the third quarter of 2022. Once
implemented, Rule 18f-4 will impose limits on the amount of derivatives a fund can enter into, eliminate the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act,
treat derivatives as senior securities so that a failure to comply with the limits would result in a statutory violation and require funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure amount to establish and maintain a
comprehensive derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager.
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Integration
Although a Fund does not seek to implement a specific ESG, impact or sustainability strategy unless otherwise disclosed, Fund management will
consider ESG characteristics as part of the investment process for actively managed Funds. These considerations will vary depending on a Funds particular investment strategies and may include consideration of third-party research as well as
consideration of proprietary BlackRock research across the ESG risks and opportunities regarding an issuer. Fund management will consider those ESG characteristics it deems relevant or additive when making investment decisions for a Fund. The ESG
characteristics utilized in a Funds investment process are anticipated to evolve over time and one or more characteristics may not be relevant with respect to all issuers that are eligible for investment. ESG characteristics are not the sole
considerations when making investment decisions for a Fund. Further, investors can differ in their views of what constitutes positive or negative ESG characteristics. As a result, a Fund may invest in issuers that do not reflect the beliefs and
values with respect to ESG of any particular investor. ESG considerations may affect a Funds exposure to certain companies or industries and a Fund may forego certain investment opportunities. While Fund management views ESG considerations as
having the potential to contribute to a Funds long-term performance, there is no guarantee that such results will be achieved.
Dividend Policy
The Funds policy is to make monthly distributions to shareholders. In order to provide shareholders with a more stable level of dividend
distributions, the Fund employs a managed distribution plan (the Plan), the goal of which is to provide shareholders with consistent and predictable cash flows by setting distribution rates based on expected long-term returns of the
Fund.
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. Furthermore, the final tax characterization of distributions is determined after the year-end of the Fund and is reported in the Funds annual report to shareholders. Distributions can
be characterized as ordinary income, capital gains and/or return of capital. The Funds taxable net investment income and net realized capital gains (taxable income) may not be sufficient to support the level of distributions paid.
To the extent that distributions exceed the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess may be treated as a non-taxable return of capital.
A return of capital is a return of a portion of an investors original investment. A return of capital is not expected to be taxable, but it reduces
a shareholders tax basis in his or her shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent disposition by the shareholder of his or her shares. It is possible that a substantial portion of the distributions paid during a
calendar year may ultimately be classified as return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes when the final determination of the source and character of the distributions is made.
Such distributions, under certain circumstances, may exceed the Funds total return performance. When total distributions exceed total return
performance for the period, the difference reduces the Funds total assets and net asset value per share (NAV) and, therefore, could have the effect of increasing the Funds expense ratio and reducing the amount of assets the
Fund has available for long term investment.
|
|
|
A D D I T I O N A
L I N F O R M A T I O N
|
|
39
|
|
|
|
Additional Information (continued)
|
|
|
General Information
The Fund does not make available copies of its Statement of Additional Information because the Funds shares are not continuously offered, which
means that the Statement of Additional Information of the Fund has not been updated after completion of the Funds offerings and the information contained in the Funds Statement of Additional Information may have become outdated.
The following information is a summary of certain changes since December 31, 2019. This information may not reflect all of the changes that have
occurred since you purchased the Fund.
Effective October 19, 2020, EGF has elected to be subject to the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act
(the MCSAA). In general, the MCSAA limits the ability of holders of control shares to vote those shares above various threshold levels that start at 10% unless the other stockholders of EGF, as applicable, reinstate those
voting rights at a meeting of stockholders as provided in the MCSAA. Control shares are generally defined in the MCSAA as shares of stock that, if aggregated with all other shares of stock that are either (i) owned by a person or
(ii) as to which that person is entitled to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power, except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy, would entitle that person to exercise voting power in electing directors above various thresholds of
voting power starting at 10%. EGFs Bylaws also provide that the provisions of the MCSAA shall not apply to the voting rights of the holders of any shares of preferred stock of EGF, but the MCSAA would apply to any common stock held by the same
holder.
Except if noted otherwise herein, there were no changes to the Funds charters or by-laws that
would delay or prevent a change of control of the Fund that were not approved by the shareholders. Except if noted otherwise herein, there have been no changes in the persons who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolios.
In accordance with Section 23(c) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Fund may from time to time purchase shares of its common stock in the open market or in private transactions.
Quarterly performance, semi-annual and annual reports, current net asset value and other information regarding the Fund may be found on BlackRocks
website, which can be accessed at blackrock.com. Any reference to BlackRocks 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
BlackRocks website in this report.
Electronic Delivery
Shareholders can sign up for e-mail notifications of quarterly statements, annual and semi-annual shareholder
reports by enrolling in the electronic delivery program. Electronic copies of shareholder reports are available on BlackRocks website.
To
enroll in electronic delivery:
Shareholders Who Hold Accounts with Investment Advisers, Banks or Brokerages:
Please contact your financial adviser. 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, Rule 30e-3 notices and proxy statements, to shareholders with multiple accounts at the same address. This practice is commonly called householding and is
intended to reduce expenses and eliminate duplicate mailings of shareholder documents. Mailings of your shareholder documents may be householded indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. If you do not want the mailing of these documents to be
combined with those for other members of your household, please call the Fund at (800) 882-0052.
Availability of
Quarterly Schedule of Investments
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of
each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Funds Form N-PORT is available on the SECs website at sec.gov. Additionally, the
Fund makes its portfolio holdings for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year available at blackrock.com/fundreports.
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 blackrock.com; and (3) on the SECs website at sec.gov.
Availability of Proxy Voting Record
Information about how
the Fund voted proxies relating to securities held in the Funds portfolio during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available upon request and without charge (1) at
blackrock.com; or by calling (800) 882-0052 and (2) on the SECs website at 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 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
|
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40
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|
2 0 2 0 B L A C
K R O C K A N N U A L R E P O R
T T O S H A R E H O L D E R
S
|
|
|
|
Additional Information (continued)
|
|
|
Availability
of Fund Updates (continued)
of other material information about the Fund. This reference to BlackRocks website is intended to allow
investors public access to information regarding the Fund and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRocks website in this report.
Fundamental
Periodic Repurchase Policy
The Fund has adopted an interval fund structure pursuant to Rule
23c-3 under the 1940 Act as a fundamental policy. As an interval fund, the Fund will make annual repurchase offers at net asset value (less a repurchase fee not to exceed 2%) to all Fund shareholders. The
percentage of outstanding shares that the Fund can repurchase in each offer will be established by the Funds Board shortly before the commencement of each offer, and will be between 5% and 25% of the Funds then outstanding shares.
The Fund has adopted the following fundamental policies regarding periodic repurchases:
(a) The Fund will make repurchase offers at periodic intervals pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act.
(b) The periodic interval between repurchase request deadlines will be approximately 12 months.
(c) The maximum number of days between a repurchase request deadline and the next repurchase pricing date will be 14 days; provided that if the 14th day
after a repurchase request deadline is not a business day, the repurchase pricing date shall be the next business day.
The Board may place such
conditions and limitations on a repurchase offer as may be permitted under Rule 23c-3. Repurchase offers may be suspended or postponed under certain circumstances, as provided in Rule 23c-3.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund conducted a repurchase offer for up to 10% of
its outstanding Common Shares, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the 1940 Act, as summarized in the following table:
|
|
|
|
|
Number
of
Repurchase Offers
|
|
Number of
Shares Repurchased
|
|
Number of
Shares Tendered
|
1
|
|
473,498
|
|
1,202,530
|
Because the repurchase offer was oversubscribed, all Common Shares tendered pursuant to the repurchase offer were
repurchased by the Fund on a pro rata basis, except with regard to shareholders who owned an aggregate of not more than 99 Common Shares and tendered all of their Common Shares, which were repurchased by the Fund in their entirety.
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.
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A D D I T I O N A
L I N F O R M A T I O N
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41
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Additional Information (continued)
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|
(continued)
Fund and Service Providers
|
|
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Investment Adviser
|
|
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
BlackRock Advisors, LLC
|
|
Deloitte & Touche LLP
|
Wilmington, DE 19809
|
|
Boston, MA 02116
|
|
|
Accounting Agent and Custodian
|
|
Legal Counsel
|
State Street Bank and Trust Company
|
|
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
|
Boston, MA 02111
|
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New York, NY 10019
|
|
|
Transfer Agent
|
|
Address of the Fund
|
Computershare Trust Company, N.A.
|
|
100 Bellevue Parkway
|
Canton, MA 02021
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Wilmington, DE 19809
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42
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2 0 2 0 B L A C
K R O C K A N N U A L R E P O R
T T O S H A R E H O L D E R
S
|
|
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|
Glossary of Terms Used in this Report
|
|
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Currency
Abbreviation
|
|
|
USD
|
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United States Dollar
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|
Portfolio Abbreviation
|
|
|
CLO
|
|
Collateralized Loan Obligation
|
|
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IO
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Interest Only
|
|
|
LIBOR
|
|
London Interbank Offered Rate
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|
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|
G L O S S A R
Y O F T E R M S U S E D I N T H
I S R E P O R T
|
|
43
|
Want to know more?
blackrock.com | 800-882-0052
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. Statements and other information herein are as dated and are subject to change.
EGF-12/20-AR
(b) Not Applicable
Item 2
|
Code of Ethics The registrant (or the Fund) has adopted a code of ethics, as of the end of
the period covered by this report, applicable to the registrants principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. During the period covered by this
report, the code of ethics was amended to update certain information and to make other non-material changes. During the period covered by this report, there have been no waivers granted under the code of
ethics. The registrant undertakes to provide a copy of the code of ethics to any person upon request, without charge, who calls
1-800-882-0052, option 4.
|
Item 3
|
Audit Committee Financial Expert The registrants board of directors (the board of
directors), has determined that (i) the registrant has the following audit committee financial experts serving on its audit committee and (ii) each audit committee financial expert is independent:
|
Michael Castellano
Frank J.
Fabozzi
Catherine A. Lynch
Karen P. Robards
The
registrants board of directors has determined that Karen P. Robards qualifies as an audit committee financial expert pursuant to Item 3(c)(4) of Form N-CSR.
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 of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not impose on such person any duties, obligations, or liabilities greater than the duties, obligations, and liabilities
imposed on such person as a member of the audit committee and board of directors in the absence of such designation or identification. The designation or identification of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not affect the duties,
obligations, or liability of any other member of the audit committee or board of directors.
Item 4
|
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
|
The following table presents fees billed by Deloitte & Touche LLP (D&T) in each of the last two fiscal years for the
services rendered to the Fund:
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
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(a) Audit Fees
|
|
(b) Audit-Related
Fees1
|
|
(c) Tax Fees2
|
|
(d) All Other Fees
|
Entity Name
|
|
Current
Fiscal Year
End
|
|
Previous
Fiscal Year
End
|
|
Current
Fiscal Year
End
|
|
Previous
Fiscal Year
End
|
|
Current
Fiscal Year
End
|
|
Previous
Fiscal Year
End
|
|
Current
Fiscal Year
End
|
|
Previous
Fiscal Year
End
|
BlackRock
Enhanced
Government Fund,
Inc.
|
|
$36,516
|
|
$36,516
|
|
$0
|
|
$0
|
|
$10,700
|
|
$11,000
|
|
$0
|
|
$0
|
The following table presents fees billed by D&T that were required to be approved by the registrants
audit committee (the Committee) for services that relate directly to the operations or financial reporting of the Fund and that are rendered on behalf of BlackRock Advisors, LLC ( the Investment Adviser or
BlackRock) and entities controlling, controlled by, or under common control with BlackRock (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or
overseen by another investment adviser) that provide ongoing services to the Fund (Affiliated Service Providers):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Fiscal Year
End
|
|
Previous Fiscal
Year End
|
(b) Audit-Related Fees1
|
|
$0
|
|
$0
|
(c) Tax Fees2
|
|
$0
|
|
$0
|
(d) All
Other Fees3
|
|
$1,984,000
|
|
$2,050,500
|
1 The nature of the services includes assurance and related services
reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of financial statements not included in Audit Fees, including accounting consultations, agreed-upon procedure reports, attestation reports, comfort letters,
out-of-pocket expenses and internal control reviews not required by regulators.
2 The nature of the services includes tax compliance and/or tax preparation, including services relating to
the filing or amendment of federal, state or local income tax returns, regulated investment company qualification reviews, taxable income and tax distribution calculations.
3 Non-audit fees of $1,984,000 and $2,050,500 for the current
fiscal year and previous fiscal year, respectively, were paid to the Funds principal accountant in their entirety by BlackRock, in connection with services provided to the Affiliated Service Providers of the Fund and of certain other funds
sponsored and advised by BlackRock or its affiliates for a service organization review and an accounting research tool subscription. These amounts represent aggregate fees paid by BlackRock and were not allocated on a per fund basis.
(e)(1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures:
The Committee has adopted policies and procedures with regard to the pre-approval of
services. Audit, audit-related and tax compliance services provided to the registrant on an annual basis require specific pre-approval by the Committee. The Committee also must approve other non-audit services provided to the registrant and those non-audit services provided to the Investment Adviser and Affiliated Service Providers that relate directly to the
operations and the financial reporting of the registrant. Certain of these non-audit services that the Committee believes are (a) consistent with the SECs auditor independence rules and
(b) routine and recurring services that will not impair the independence of the independent accountants may be approved by the Committee without consideration on a specific
case-by-case basis (general pre-approval). The term of any general
pre-approval is 12 months from the date of the pre-approval, unless the Committee provides for a different period. Tax or other
non-audit services provided to the registrant which have a direct impact on the operations or financial reporting of the registrant will only be deemed pre-approved
provided that any individual project does not exceed $10,000 attributable to the registrant or $50,000 per project. For this purpose, multiple projects will be aggregated to determine if they exceed the previously mentioned cost levels.
Any proposed services exceeding the pre-approved cost levels will require specific pre-approval by the Committee, as will any other services not subject to general pre-approval (e.g., unanticipated but permissible services). The Committee is informed of each
service approved
3
subject to general pre-approval at the next regularly scheduled in-person board meeting. At this meeting, an
analysis of such services is presented to the Committee for ratification. The Committee may delegate to the Committee Chairman the authority to approve the provision of and fees for any specific engagement of permitted
non-audit services, including services exceeding pre-approved cost levels.
(e)(2) None of the services described in each of Items 4(b) through (d) were approved by the Committee pursuant to the de minimis
exception in paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
(f) Not Applicable
(g) The aggregate non-audit fees, defined as the sum of the fees shown under Audit-Related
Fees, Tax Fees and All Other Fees, paid to the accountant for services rendered by the accountant to the registrant, the Investment Adviser and the Affiliated Service Providers were:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Entity Name
|
|
Current Fiscal Year
End
|
|
Previous Fiscal Year
End
|
|
BlackRock Enhanced
Government Fund, Inc.
|
|
$10,700
|
|
$11,000
|
Additionally, the amounts billed by D&T in connection with services provided to the Affiliated Service
Providers of the Fund and of other funds sponsored or advised by BlackRock or its affiliates during the current and previous fiscal years for a service organization review and an accounting research tool subscription were:
|
|
|
Current Fiscal
Year End
|
|
Previous Fiscal
Year End
|
$1,984,000
|
|
$2,050,500
|
These amounts represent aggregate fees paid by BlackRock and were not allocated on a per fund basis.
(h) The Committee has considered and determined that the provision of non-audit services that were
rendered to the Investment Adviser, and the Affiliated Service Providers that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountants independence.
Item 5
|
Audit Committee of Listed Registrant
|
|
(a)
|
The following individuals are members of the registrants separately designated standing audit committee
established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(58)(A)):
|
4
Michael Castellano
Frank J. Fabozzi
Catherine A.
Lynch
Karen P. Robards
(a) The registrants Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Report to Stockholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.
(b) Not Applicable due to no such divestments during the semi-annual period covered since the previous Form
N-CSR filing.
Item 7
|
Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End
Management Investment Companies The board of directors has delegated the voting of proxies for the Funds portfolio securities to the Investment Adviser pursuant to the Investment Advisers proxy voting guidelines. Under these
guidelines, the Investment Adviser will vote proxies related to Fund securities in the best interests of the Fund and its stockholders. From time to time, a vote may present a conflict between the interests of the Funds stockholders, on the
one hand, and those of the Investment Adviser, or any affiliated person of the Fund or the Investment Adviser, on the other. In such event, provided that the Investment Advisers Equity Investment Policy Oversight Committee, or a sub-committee thereof (the Oversight Committee) is aware of the real or potential conflict or material non-routine matter and if the Oversight Committee does not
reasonably believe it is able to follow its general voting guidelines (or if the particular proxy matter is not addressed in the guidelines) and vote impartially, the Oversight Committee may retain an independent fiduciary to advise the Oversight
Committee on how to vote or to cast votes on behalf of the Investment Advisers clients. If the Investment Adviser determines not to retain an independent fiduciary, or does not desire to follow the advice of such independent fiduciary, the
Oversight Committee shall determine how to vote the proxy after consulting with the Investment Advisers Portfolio Management Group and/or the Investment Advisers Legal and Compliance Department and concluding that the vote cast is in its
clients best interest notwithstanding the conflict. A copy of the Funds Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures are attached as Exhibit 99.PROXYPOL, a copy of the Funds Global Corporate
Governance
& Engagement Principles are attached as Exhibit 99.GLOBAL.CORP.GOV and a copy of the Funds Corporate Governance and Proxy Voting Guidelines for U.S. Securities are attached as Exhibit
99.US.CORP.GOV. Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, (i) at
www.blackrock.com and (ii) on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
|
Item 8
|
Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies
|
(a)(1) As of the date of filing this Report:
The registrant is managed by Scott MacLellan, Director at BlackRock and Akiva Dickstein, Managing Director at BlackRock. Messrs. MacLellan
and Dickstein are the Funds portfolio managers and are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds portfolio and the selection of its investments.
Mr. MacLellan has been part of the registrants portfolio management team since 2018. Mr. Dickstein became a portfolio manager to the Fund on October 15, 2020.
5
|
|
|
Portfolio Manager
|
|
Biography
|
Scott MacLellan
|
|
Director of BlackRock, Inc. since 2010. Vice President of BlackRock, Inc. from 2007 to 2009.
|
Akiva Dickstein
|
|
Managing Director of BlackRock since 2009; Managing Director of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers, L.P. from 2003 to 2009 and Head of the U.S. Rates & Structured Credit Research
Group.
|
(a)(2) As of December 31, 2020:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(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
|
Scott MacLellan
|
|
12
|
|
16
|
|
134
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
2
|
|
|
$16.32 Billion
|
|
$4.36 Billion
|
|
$56.32 Billion
|
|
$0
|
|
$0
|
|
$877.0 Million
|
Akiva Dickstein
|
|
24
|
|
27
|
|
266
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
6
|
|
|
$29.37 Billion
|
|
$9.91 Billion
|
|
$101.6 Billion
|
|
$0
|
|
$0
|
|
$2.17 Billion
|
(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. MacLellan and Dickstein may be managing certain hedge fund and/or long only accounts, or may be part of a team managing certain hedge fund and/or long only accounts, subject to incentive
fees. Messrs. MacLellan and Dickstein 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) As of December 31, 2020:
Portfolio Manager Compensation Overview
The discussion below describes the portfolio managers compensation as of December 31, 2020.
BlackRocks financial arrangements with its portfolio managers, its competitive compensation and its career path emphasis
at all levels reflect the value senior management places on key resources. Compensation may include a variety of components and may vary from year to year based on a number of factors. The principal components of compensation include a base salary,
a performance-based discretionary bonus, participation in various benefits programs and one or more of the incentive compensation programs established by BlackRock.
Base Compensation. Generally, portfolio managers receive base compensation based on their position with the firm.
Discretionary Incentive Compensation
Discretionary incentive compensation is a function of several components: the performance of BlackRock, Inc., the performance
of the portfolio managers group within BlackRock, the investment performance, including risk-adjusted returns, of the firms assets under management or supervision by that portfolio manager relative to predetermined benchmarks, and the
individuals performance and contribution to the overall performance of these portfolios and BlackRock. In most cases, these benchmarks are the same as the benchmark or benchmarks against which the performance of the Funds or other accounts
managed by the portfolio managers are measured. Among other things, BlackRocks Chief Investment Officers make a subjective determination with respect to each portfolio managers compensation based on the performance of the funds and other
accounts managed by each portfolio manager relative to the various benchmarks. Performance of fixed income funds is measured on a pre-tax and/or after-tax basis over
various time periods including 1-, 3- and 5- year periods, as applicable. With respect to these portfolio managers, such
benchmarks for the Fund and other accounts are:
7
|
|
|
Portfolio Manager
|
|
Benchmark
|
Scott MacLellan
|
|
A combination of market-based indices (e.g., Bank of America Merrill Lynch U.S. Corporate & Government Index, 1-3 Years), certain customized indices and certain fund industry peer groups.
|
Akiva Dickstein
|
|
A combination of market-based indices (e.g. Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Index, Bloomberg Barclays US Universal Index and Bloomberg
Barclays Intermediate Aggregate Index), certain customized indices and certain fund industry peer groups.
|
Distribution of Discretionary Incentive Compensation. Discretionary incentive
compensation is distributed to portfolio managers in a combination of cash, deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards, and/or deferred cash awards that notionally track the return of certain BlackRock investment products.
Portfolio managers receive their annual discretionary incentive compensation in the form of cash. Portfolio managers whose
total compensation is above a specified threshold also receive deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards annually as part of their discretionary incentive compensation. Paying a portion of discretionary incentive compensation in the form of deferred
BlackRock, Inc. stock puts compensation earned by a portfolio manager for a given year at risk based on BlackRocks ability to sustain and improve its performance over future periods. In some cases, additional deferred BlackRock,
Inc. stock may be granted to certain key employees as part of a long-term incentive award to aid in retention, align interests with long-term shareholders and motivate performance. Deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards are generally granted in the
form of BlackRock, Inc. restricted stock units that vest pursuant to the terms of the applicable plan and, once vested, settle in BlackRock, Inc. common stock. The portfolio managers of this Fund have deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards.
For certain portfolio managers, a portion of the discretionary incentive compensation is also distributed in the form of
deferred cash awards that notionally track the returns of select BlackRock investment products they manage, which provides direct alignment of portfolio manager discretionary incentive compensation with investment product results. Deferred cash
awards vest ratably over a number of years and, once vested, settle in the form of cash. Only portfolio managers who manage specified products and whose total compensation is above a specified threshold are eligible to participate in the deferred
cash award 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 ($285,000 for 2020). The RSP offers a range of investment options, including registered investment companies
and collective investment funds managed by the firm.
8
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 December 31, 2020.
|
|
|
Portfolio Manager
|
|
Dollar Range
of Equity
Securities of the Fund
Beneficially
Owned
|
Scott
MacLellan
|
|
None
|
Akiva
Dickstein
|
|
None
|
(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
Purchased
|
|
Price Paid per
Share
|
|
Shares Purchased as Part
of Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
|
|
Shares that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the Plans
or
Programs1,2
|
July 1-31, 2020
|
|
0
|
|
$0
|
|
0
|
|
236,749
|
August 1-31, 2020
|
|
0
|
|
$0
|
|
0
|
|
236,749
|
September 1-30, 2020
|
|
0
|
|
$0
|
|
0
|
|
236,749
|
October 1-31, 2020
|
|
0
|
|
$0
|
|
0
|
|
236,749
|
November 1-30, 2020
|
|
473,4982
|
|
$13.132
|
|
473,4982
|
|
236,749
|
December 1-31, 2020
|
|
0
|
|
$0
|
|
0
|
|
213,074
|
Total:
|
|
473,4982
|
|
$13.132
|
|
473,4982
|
|
213,074
|
1On September 5, 2019, the Fund announced
a continuation of its open market share repurchase program. Commencing on December 1, 2019, the Fund may repurchase through November 30, 2020, up to 5% of its common shares outstanding as of the close of business on November 30, 2019,
subject to certain conditions. On September 28, 2020, the Fund announced a further continuation of its open market share repurchase program. Commencing on December 1, 2020, the Fund may repurchase through November 30, 2021, up to 5%
of its common shares outstanding as of the close of business on November 30, 2020, subject to certain conditions.
2The registrant conducts annual repurchases for between 5% and 25% of its outstanding shares pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended. On October 19, 2020, the annual repurchase offer was announced to repurchase up to 10% of outstanding shares. The expiration date of the offer was November 18, 2020. Shares reflected as repurchased under columns (a), (b)
and (c) were repurchased pursuant to the Funds annual Rule 23c-3 repurchase offer. Shares reported under column (d) reflect only shares available for repurchase under the Funds
open market share repurchase program described in footnote 1, and not shares that may be repurchased pursuant to the Funds annual repurchase offers.
Item 10
|
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders There have been no material changes to these
procedures.
|
9
Item 11
|
Controls and Procedures
|
(a) The registrants principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that
the registrants disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act)) are effective as of a date within 90 days
of the filing of this report based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(b) There were no changes in the registrants internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial
reporting.
Item 12
|
Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End
Management Investment Companies Not Applicable
|
Item 13
|
Exhibits attached hereto
|
(a)(1) Code of Ethics See Item 2
(a)(2) Section 302 Certifications are attached
(a)(3) Not Applicable
(a)(4)
Not Applicable
(b) Section 906 Certifications are attached
(c) Notices to the registrants common shareholders in accordance with the order under Section
6(c) of the 1940 Act granting an exemption from Section 19(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 under the 1940 Act, dated May 9, 20091
1
|
The Fund has received exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission permitting it to make
periodic distributions of long-term capital gains with respect to its outstanding common stock as frequently as twelve times each year, and as frequently as distributions are specified by or in accordance with the terms of its outstanding preferred
stock. This relief is conditioned, in part, on an undertaking by the Fund to make the disclosures to the holders of the Funds common shares, in addition to the information required by Section 19(a) of the 1940 Act and Rule 19a-1
thereunder. The Fund is likewise obligated to file with the SEC the information contained in any such notice to shareholders and, in that regard, has attached hereto copies of each such notice made during the period.
|
10
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc.
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ John M. Perlowski
|
|
|
John M. Perlowski
|
|
|
Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of
|
|
|
BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc.
|
|
Date: March 5, 2021
|
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 Enhanced Government Fund, Inc.
|
|
Date: March 5, 2021
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Trent Walker
|
|
|
Trent Walker
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of
|
|
|
BlackRock Enhanced Government Fund, Inc.
|
|
Date: March 5, 2021
|
11
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