BlackRock Announces Information Relating to Certain Investment Policies for BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust

NEW YORK--()--BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“BlackRock”) announced today certain information regarding the investment policies for BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust (NYSE:BTZ) (the "Fund"), including a change to a non-fundamental investment policy. The policies as described below are intended to provide greater flexibility for BTZ to continue to invest in what BlackRock believes are the most attractive credit opportunities.

Non-U.S. Securities. The Fund’s Board of Trustees has approved changes to a non-fundamental investment policy of the Fund, as set forth below. The change to the Fund’s non-fundamental investment policy is expected to take effect on or about February 8, 2019.

   
Current Policy     New Policy

Under normal market conditions, up to 35%
of the Fund’s Managed Assets may be
invested in non-U.S. securities, which may
include securities denominated in U.S.
dollars or in non-U.S. currencies or
multinational currency units.

   

Under normal market conditions, up to 50%
of the Fund’s Managed Assets may be
invested in non-U.S. securities, which may
include securities denominated in U.S.
dollars or in non-U.S. currencies or
multinational currency units.

 

Average Credit Quality. The Fund’s existing investment policies permit it to invest, under normal market conditions, without limitation in securities rated below investment grade at the time of purchase. Notwithstanding this policy, the Fund has previously disclosed that it was anticipated, under then-current market conditions, that the Fund would have an anticipated average credit quality of at least investment grade. BlackRock currently intends to manage the Fund’s credit quality in accordance with its stated investment policy, which means that at times the Fund’s average credit quality may be at or below investment grade.

There are no changes to the Fund’s investment objective or to other investment policies of the Fund.

About BlackRock

BlackRock helps investors build better financial futures. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, our clients turn to us for the solutions they need when planning for their most important goals. As of December 31, 2018, the firm managed approximately $5.98 trillion in assets on behalf of investors worldwide. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com | Twitter: @blackrock | Blog: www.blackrockblog.com |
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock.

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 www.blackrock.com as well as certain other material information as necessary from time to time. Investors and others are advised to check the website for updated performance information and the release of other material information about the Fund. This reference to BlackRock’s website is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Fund and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRock’s website in this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release, and other statements that BlackRock or the Fund may make, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, with respect to the Fund’s or BlackRock’s future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “trend,” “potential,” “opportunity,” “pipeline,” “believe,” “comfortable,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “current,” “intention,” “estimate,” “position,” “assume,” “outlook,” “continue,” “remain,” “maintain,” “sustain,” “seek,” “achieve,” and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or similar expressions.

BlackRock cautions that forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and BlackRock assumes no duty to and does not undertake to update forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance.

With respect to the Fund, the following factors, among others, could cause actual events to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: (1) changes and volatility in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment, foreign exchange rates or financial and capital markets, which could result in changes in demand for the Fund or in the Fund’s net asset value; (2) the relative and absolute investment performance of the Fund and its investments; (3) the impact of increased competition; (4) the unfavorable resolution of any legal proceedings; (5) the extent and timing of any distributions or share repurchases; (6) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes; (7) the impact of legislative and regulatory actions and reforms, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions of government agencies relating to the Fund or BlackRock, as applicable; (8) terrorist activities, international hostilities and natural disasters, which may adversely affect the general economy, domestic and local financial and capital markets, specific industries or BlackRock; (9) BlackRock’s ability to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (10) the impact of BlackRock electing to provide support to its products from time to time; and (11) the impact of problems at other financial institutions or the failure or negative performance of products at other financial institutions.

Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and other regulatory filings of the Fund with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on BlackRock’s website at www.blackrock.com , and may discuss these or other factors that affect the Fund. The information contained on BlackRock’s website is not a part of this press release.

Contacts

BlackRock Closed-End Funds
1-800-882-0052

Contacts

BlackRock Closed-End Funds
1-800-882-0052