Principal
Investment Strategies of the Fund
Under normal circumstances, the Fund seeks to invest at least 80% of its net assets,
plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in investments the income of which is free from federal income tax and derivatives that provide investment exposure to such securities or to one or more market risk factors associated with
such securities.
The obligations issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States, the District of
Columbia, and their respective authorities, agencies, instrumentalities and political subdivisions (“Municipal Obligations”) in which the Fund may invest will also not be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. Municipal Obligations in which the Fund may invest include variable rate demand notes, commercial paper, municipal bonds and
municipal notes. The Fund may invest in variable and floating rate instruments, and transact in securities on a when issued, delayed delivery or forward commitment basis.
The Fund invests in securities maturing in two years or less (with certain exceptions) and will maintain a
dollar-weighted average maturity of 120 days or less. Because of their shorter maturities, the Fund’s investments will not usually be as sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates as are long-term municipal bonds. Fluctuations in
interest rates on short-term municipal bonds may, however, vary more widely from time to time than those on long-term municipal bonds.
Short-term investments (or the issuers of such securities) will carry a rating in the highest rating categories of at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization (e.g., A-1, P-1 or F1 or better by S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”), Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or Fitch Ratings Inc. (“Fitch”), respectively), or if such investments are unrated, determined to be of comparable quality by BlackRock, at the time of investment. Long-term investments (or the
issuers of such securities) will carry a rating of A-, A3 or A- or better by S&P, Moody’s or Fitch, respectively, or if such investments are unrated, determined to be
of comparable quality by BlackRock, at the time of investment.
The
Fund is not a money market fund and does not seek to maintain a stable net asset value of $1.00 per share.
Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund
Risk is inherent in all investing. The value of your investment in the Fund, as well as
the amount of return you receive on your investment, may fluctuate significantly from day to day and over time. You may lose part or all of your investment in the Fund or your investment may not perform as well as other similar investments. The following is a
summary description of principal risks of investing in the Fund. The relative significance of each risk factor below may change over time and you should review each risk factor carefully.
◼
Variable Rate Demand Obligations Risks — Variable rate demand obligations are floating rate securities that combine an interest in a long-term municipal
bond with a right to demand payment before maturity from a bank or other financial institution. If the bank or financial institution is unable to pay, the Fund may lose
money.
◼
Municipal Securities Risks — Municipal securities risks include the ability of
the issuer to repay the obligation, the relative lack of information about certain issuers of municipal securities, and the possibility of future legislative changes which could affect the market for and value of municipal securities. Budgetary constraints of local, state, and
federal governments upon which the issuers may be relying for funding may also impact municipal securities. These risks include:
General Obligation Bonds Risks — Timely payments depend on the issuer’s credit quality,
ability to raise tax revenues and ability to maintain an adequate tax base.
Revenue Bonds Risks — These payments depend on the money earned by the particular facility or class of facilities, or the amount of
revenues derived from another source.
Private Activity Bonds Risks — Municipalities and other public authorities issue private
activity bonds to finance development of industrial facilities for use by a private enterprise. The private enterprise pays the principal and interest on the bond, and the issuer does not pledge its full faith, credit and taxing power for repayment.
Moral Obligation Bonds Risks — Moral obligation bonds are generally issued by special purpose public authorities of a state or municipality.
If the issuer is unable to meet its obligations, repayment of these bonds becomes a moral commitment, but not a legal obligation, of the state or municipality.
Municipal Notes Risks — Municipal notes are shorter term municipal debt obligations. If there is a shortfall in the anticipated
proceeds, the notes may not be fully repaid and the Fund may lose money.
Municipal Lease Obligations Risks — In a municipal lease obligation, the issuer agrees to make
payments when due on the lease obligation. Although the issuer does not pledge its unlimited taxing power for payment of the lease obligation, the lease obligation is secured by the leased property.