BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-Q

QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY

Investment Company Act file number: 811-08603

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

Fund Address: 100 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, DE 19809

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

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

Date of fiscal year end: 02/28/2017

Date of reporting period: 05/31/2016


Item 1 – Schedule of Investments


Consolidated Schedule of Investments May 31, 2016 (Unaudited)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Common Stocks          

    

Shares

    Value  

Chemicals — 0.0%

      

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

       481,806      $ 24,090   

GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc. (a)

       557,488        27,875   

LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A

       26        2,115   
      

 

 

 
                       54,080   

Diversified Financial Services — 0.0%

  

Kcad Holdings I Ltd. (a)

             1,075,282,733        10,753   

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.0%

  

Broadview Networks Holdings, Inc. (a)

             5,037        7,807   

Health Care Management Services — 0.0%

  

New Millennium HoldCo, Inc. (a)(c)

             10,718        41,532   

Media — 0.0%

      

Adelphia Communications Corp., Class A (a)

       400,000        2,000   

Adelphia Recovery Trust (a)

       396,568        833   
      

 

 

 
                       2,833   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 0.0%

  

Denbury Resources, Inc. (a)

       37,600        144,008   

Southcross Holdings LP (a)

       94        29,610   

Vantage Drilling International (a)

       331          
      

 

 

 
                       173,618   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.0%

  

SunPower Corp. (a)

             1,707        29,924   
Total Common Stocks — 0.0%        320,547   
      
                          
Asset-Backed Securities          

Par  

(000)

        

ACAS CLO Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class D, 4.28%, 4/18/27 (b)(d)

     USD        280        255,953   

Adirondack Park CLO Ltd., Series 2013-1A, Class D, 4.28%, 4/15/24 (b)(d)

       350        320,391   

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

      

Class C, 4.09%, 4/24/24

       605        577,077   

Class D, 5.64%, 4/24/24

       1,150        1,080,380   

ALM VII R-2, Ltd., Series 2013-7R2A, Class C, 4.09%, 4/24/24 (b)(d)

       250        238,460   

ALM XIV Ltd., Series 2014-14A, Class C, 4.08%, 7/28/26 (b)(d)

       463        427,185   
Asset-Backed Securities    

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Anchorage Capital CLO Ltd., Series 2015-6A, Class E1,
5.53%, 4/15/27 (b)(d)

     USD       750      $ 596,363   

Apidos CDO, Series 2015-21A, Class C,
4.18%, 7/18/27 (b)(d)

       250        225,262   

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

      

Series 2012-1A, Class B2L,
6.88%, 8/15/24

       340        316,421   

Series 2014-6A, Class D,
4.33%, 10/15/26

       1,240        1,100,140   

Atrium CDO Corp., Series 9A, Class D,
4.17%, 2/28/24 (b)(d)

       1,300        1,217,262   

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

      

Series 2014-4A, 5.97%, 11/30/26

       250        200,713   

Series 2015-2A, 5.98%, 7/18/27

       250        201,098   

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

      

Series 2012-4A, Class D, 5.13%, 1/20/25

       900        880,939   

Series 2013-1A, Class C, 4.63%, 2/14/25

       250        237,967   

Series 2015-2A, Class C, 4.38%, 4/27/27

       250        227,563   

Series 2015-2A, Class D, 5.93%, 4/27/27

       1,000        855,390   

CFIP CLO Ltd., Series 2013-1A, Class D,
4.38%, 4/20/24 (b)(d)

       1,500        1,317,343   

CIFC Funding Ltd., Series 2014-3A, Class D,
4.04%, 7/22/26 (b)(d)

       250        222,064   

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

      

Class D, 4.28%, 5/05/27

       300        277,050   

Class E1, 6.08%, 5/05/27

       1,250        1,017,880   

Madison Park Funding IX Ltd., Series 2012-9AR, Class DR, 4.48%, 8/15/22 (b)(d)

       655        622,505   

Madison Park Funding XI Ltd., Series 2013-11A, Class D, 4.14%, 10/23/25 (b)(d)

       555        493,454   

Neuberger Berman CLO XVI, Ltd., Series 2014-16A, Class D, 3.98%, 4/15/26 (b)(d)

       250        226,275   

Neuberger Berman CLO XVIII Ltd., Series 2014-18A, Class C, 4.38%, 11/14/25 (b)(d)

       1,000        887,701   

OZLM Funding Ltd., Series 2012-2A, Class C,
4.99%, 10/30/23 (b)(d)

       500        483,252   

OZLM IX Ltd., Series 2014-9A, Class C,
4.23%, 1/20/27 (b)(d)

       750        665,361   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    MAY 31, 2016    1


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Asset-Backed Securities   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

OZLM VII Ltd., Series 2014-7A, Class C,
4.23%, 7/17/26 (b)(d)

     USD       500      $ 441,736   

OZLM XII Ltd., Series 2015-12A, Class C,
4.34%, 4/30/27 (b)(d)

       340        300,424   

Regatta Funding LP, Series 2013-2A, Class C,
4.63%, 1/15/25 (b)(d)

       750        710,112   

Sound Point CLO IV Ltd., Series 2013-3A, Class D, 4.13%, 1/21/26 (b)(d)

       500        446,787   

Stewart Park CLO Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class E, 6.08%, 4/15/26 (b)(d)

       500        412,743   

TICP CLO I Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class D,
4.18%, 7/20/27 (b)(d)

       250        217,547   

Venture XI CLO Ltd., Series 2012-11AR, Class DR, 4.58%, 11/14/22 (b)(d)

       250        232,291   

Venture XII CLO Ltd., Series 2012-12A, Class D,
4.32%, 2/28/24 (b)(d)

       250        229,108   

Venture XX CLO Ltd., Series 2015-20A, Class D,
4.48%, 4/15/27 (b)(d)

       250        225,137   

Venture XXI CLO Ltd., Series 2015-21A, Class D, 4.23%, 7/15/27 (b)(d)

       500        452,614   

Voya CLO Ltd., Series 2012-2AR, Class ER,
6.63%, 10/15/22 (b)(d)

       1,250        1,157,025   

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

      

Class B1, 3.61%, 1/20/27

       500        499,980   

Class C, 4.56%, 1/20/27

             500        487,645   
Total Asset-Backed Securities — 2.8%                20,984,598   
      
                          
Corporate Bonds                

Aerospace & Defense — 0.7%

      

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

       167        138,610   

Bombardier, Inc. (b):

      

6.00%, 10/15/22

       55        47,025   

7.50%, 3/15/25

       883        777,040   

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

       307        323,118   

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

       480        472,800   

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

       100        109,250   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Aerospace & Defense (continued)

      

TransDigm, Inc.:

      

6.00%, 7/15/22

     USD       2,095      $ 2,131,662   

6.50%, 7/15/24

       461        470,220   

6.38%, 6/15/26 (b)(e)

       682        682,853   
      

 

 

 
                       5,152,578   

Air Freight & Logistics — 0.2%

      

XPO Logistics, Inc.:

      

5.75%, 6/15/21

     EUR        100        107,450   

6.50%, 6/15/22 (b)

     USD        1,520        1,459,200   
      

 

 

 
                       1,566,650   

Airlines — 1.4%

      

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

       712        732,470   

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

       542        525,740   

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

       3,153        3,200,453   

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

       2,390        2,509,500   

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

       220        228,716   

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

       2,108        2,168,058   

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

       744        743,770   
      

 

 

 
                       10,108,707   

Auto Components — 1.3%

      

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

     EUR        175        192,523   

Dakar Finance SA, (9.75% Cash PIK),
9.00%, 11/15/20 (f)

       100        110,709   

Dana Holding Corp., 6.75%, 2/15/21

     USD        180        186,300   

Fiat Chrysler Finance Europe:

      

4.75%, 3/22/21

     EUR        100        120,622   

4.75%, 7/15/22

       100        121,742   

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 6.50%, 3/01/21

     USD        651        682,736   

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

       133        134,496   

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

       4,609        4,453,446   
 

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds          

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Auto Components (continued)

  

 

Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC:

      

5.00%, 2/15/22

     GBP        100      $ 149,904   

5.63%, 2/01/23 (b)

     USD        425        446,781   

Schaeffler Holding Finance BV (f):

      

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

     EUR        87        103,654   

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

     USD        738        771,210   

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

       2,121        2,338,518   

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

     EUR        101        115,604   

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

      

12.00%, 7/01/49

     USD        5,150        1   

Series B, 9.50%, 7/01/05

       5,125        1   
      

 

 

 
        9,928,247   

Banks — 0.9%

  

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

     EUR        100        105,980   

Banco de Sabadell SA, 5.63%, 5/06/26

       100        112,925   

Banco Espirito Santo SA (a)(c):

      

2.63%, 5/08/17

       100        24,478   

4.75%, 1/15/18

       200        48,957   

4.00%, 1/21/19

       100        24,478   

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

       300        325,395   

CIT Group, Inc.:

      

5.00%, 5/15/17

     USD        950        966,331   

5.25%, 3/15/18

       1,434        1,480,605   

6.63%, 4/01/18 (b)

       295        311,134   

5.50%, 2/15/19 (b)

       3,099        3,238,455   

5.00%, 8/01/23

       130        132,600   

Commerzbank AG, 7.75%, 3/16/21

     EUR        100        134,696   

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

       100        105,312   

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

       12        14,153   
      

 

 

 
        7,025,499   

Beverages — 0.0%

  

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

     USD        87        91,459   

Horizon Holdings I SASU, 7.25%, 8/01/23

     EUR        100        119,031   
      

 

 

 
        210,490   

Building Materials — 0.0%

  

HeidelbergCement AG, 2.25%, 3/30/23

             75        85,222   
Corporate Bonds     Par  
(000)
    Value  

Building Products — 1.0%

  

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

      

5.63%, 4/15/21

     USD        210      $ 217,875   

5.75%, 12/15/23

       415        431,600   

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

       1,174        1,247,375   

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

       740        699,300   

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

       579        605,055   

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

       1,275        1,268,625   

Standard Industries, Inc. (b):

      

5.13%, 2/15/21

       274        284,275   

5.50%, 2/15/23

       453        466,590   

USG Corp.:

      

9.75%, 1/15/18

       980        1,095,415   

5.88%, 11/01/21 (b)

       1,233        1,293,873   
      

 

 

 
        7,609,983   

Capital Markets — 0.5%

  

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

       1,070        1,091,400   

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

       1,420        1,416,411   

E*Trade Financial Corp.:

      

5.38%, 11/15/22

       773        807,785   

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

       100        267,569   
      

 

 

 
        3,583,165   

Chemicals — 1.7%

  

Axalta Coating Systems US Holdings, Inc./Axalta Coating Systems Dutch Holding BV,
7.38%, 5/01/21 (b)

       151        159,954   

The Chemours Co.:

      

6.63%, 5/15/23

       245        219,888   

7.00%, 5/15/25

       548        480,528   

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

       6,272        6,473,810   

Huntsman International LLC:

      

5.13%, 4/15/21

     EUR        100        114,547   

5.13%, 11/15/22

     USD        1,931        1,945,482   

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

     EUR        100        108,736   

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

       100        115,298   

Platform Specialty Products Corp. (b):

      

10.38%, 5/01/21

     USD        156        159,120   

6.50%, 2/01/22

       2,712        2,408,595   

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

       617        643,222   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    MAY 31, 2016    3


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Chemicals (continued)

  

 

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

     USD       118      $ 122,351   
      

 

 

 
                       12,951,531   

Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.0%

  

 

ADT Corp.:

      

3.50%, 7/15/22

       765        701,887   

4.13%, 6/15/23

       295        274,350   

4.88%, 7/15/42

       55        43,863   

ARAMARK Corp., 5.75%, 3/15/20

       165        170,259   

Aramark Services, Inc., 5.13%, 1/15/24 (b)

       383        397,363   

Avis Budget Car Rental LLC/Avis Budget Finance, Inc., 3.42%, 12/01/17 (d)

       190        190,712   

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

       200        190,000   

Mobile Mini, Inc., 7.88%, 12/01/20

       1,110        1,154,400   

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

       1,955        992,162   

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

     EUR        150        171,904   

United Rentals North America, Inc.:

      

7.38%, 5/15/20

     USD        203        211,120   

7.63%, 4/15/22

       2,393        2,545,554   

5.75%, 11/15/24

       165        165,413   

Verisure Holding AB, 6.00%, 11/01/22

     EUR        125        149,165   
      

 

 

 
                       7,358,152   

Communications Equipment — 1.1%

  

 

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

     USD        2,215        2,347,900   

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

       944        960,520   

CommScope, Inc. (b):

      

4.38%, 6/15/20

       574        591,220   

5.50%, 6/15/24

       272        274,040   

Zayo Group LLC/Zayo Capital, Inc.:

      

6.00%, 4/01/23

       3,310        3,401,025   

6.38%, 5/15/25

       518        538,720   
      

 

 

 
                       8,113,425   

Computer Technology — 0.1%

  

 

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

             391        406,640   

Construction & Engineering — 0.7%

  

 

AECOM Co.:

      

5.75%, 10/15/22

       1,045        1,078,962   

5.88%, 10/15/24

       688        712,080   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Construction & Engineering (continued)

  

 

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

     USD       1,905      $ 1,609,725   

Safway Group Holding LLC/Safway Finance Corp., 7.00%, 5/15/18 (b)

       1,625        1,641,250   

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

       350        325,500   
      

 

 

 
                       5,367,517   

Construction Materials — 1.0%

  

 

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

       117        122,558   

HD Supply, Inc.:

      

7.50%, 7/15/20

       2,485        2,621,675   

5.25%, 12/15/21 (b)

       2,410        2,536,525   

5.75%, 4/15/24 (b)

       1,345        1,398,800   

LKQ Italia Bondco SpA, 3.88%, 4/01/24

     EUR        100        115,298   

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

     USD        446        454,644   

Rexel SA, 3.50%, 6/15/23

     EUR        130        147,537   
      

 

 

 
                       7,397,037   

Consumer Finance — 1.0%

  

 

Ally Financial, Inc.:

      

6.25%, 12/01/17

     USD        30        31,200   

5.13%, 9/30/24

       1,207        1,244,719   

4.63%, 3/30/25

       216        215,460   

8.00%, 11/01/31

       4,871        5,723,425   

Navient Corp.:

      

5.50%, 1/25/23

       45        38,700   

6.13%, 3/25/24

       237        208,782   

5.88%, 10/25/24

       258        220,590   
      

 

 

 
                       7,682,876   

Containers & Packaging — 1.3%

  

 

Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC, 9.13%, 10/15/20 (b)

       600        628,800   

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

      

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

       1,620        1,624,050   

6.75%, 1/31/21 (b)

       415        418,112   

3.88%, 5/15/21 (b)(d)

       319        319,797   

4.25%, 1/15/22

     EUR        170        192,697   

6.75%, 5/15/24

       125        141,168   

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

      

6.25%, 1/31/19

     USD        403        408,037   

4.63%, 5/15/23

       559        556,205   

7.25%, 5/15/24

       1,070        1,091,400   

Ball Corp.:

      

4.38%, 12/15/20

       665        694,925   

5.00%, 3/15/22

       313        327,085   
 

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds    

Par

(000)

    Value  

Containers & Packaging (continued)

  

Ball Corp. (continued):

      

4.38%, 12/15/23

     EUR        100      $ 120,272   

Beverage Packaging Holdings Luxembourg II SA (b):

      

5.63%, 12/15/16

     USD        170        169,788   

6.00%, 6/15/17

       557        557,000   

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

       1,075        1,087,094   

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

     EUR        220        263,754   

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

       100        118,564   

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

       100        113,490   

Sealed Air Corp.:

      

6.50%, 12/01/20 (b)

     USD        120        136,800   

4.50%, 9/15/23

     EUR        100        117,861   

5.13%, 12/01/24 (b)

     USD        209        214,748   

6.88%, 7/15/33 (b)

       73        76,650   

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

     EUR        100        114,603   

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

     USD        200        209,500   
      

 

 

 
        9,702,400   

Diversified Consumer Services — 0.2%

  

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

       88        87,120   

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

       427        392,840   

Prime Security One MS, Inc., 4.88%, 7/15/32 (b)

       20        15,622   

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

       665        693,262   

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

       307        315,059   
      

 

 

 
        1,503,903   

Diversified Financial Services — 1.6%

  

AerCap Ireland Capital Ltd./AerCap Global Aviation Trust:

      

4.63%, 10/30/20

       572        592,020   

5.00%, 10/01/21

       860        900,850   

4.63%, 7/01/22

       725        743,125   

Aircastle Ltd.:

      

5.13%, 3/15/21

       80        84,400   

5.50%, 2/15/22

       400        422,000   

5.00%, 4/01/23

       396        404,910   

Bank of America Corp.:

      

6.50%, 8/01/16

       410        413,599   

5.63%, 10/14/16

       100        101,701   
Corporate Bonds    

Par

(000)

    Value  

Diversified Financial Services (continued)

  

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

     EUR        100      $ 110,504   

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

     GBP        100        146,486   

HSH Nordbank AG, 0.58%, 2/14/17 (d)

     EUR        129        133,510   

International Lease Finance Corp.:

      

5.88%, 4/01/19

     USD        320        342,000   

8.25%, 12/15/20

       150        176,437   

4.63%, 4/15/21

       169        174,493   

5.88%, 8/15/22

       655        714,769   

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

      

7.38%, 4/01/20

       625        587,500   

6.88%, 4/15/22

       516        454,080   

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

       245        257,862   

ProGroup AG, 5.13%, 5/01/22

     EUR        130        153,699   

Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc.:

      

8.50%, 5/15/18

     USD        257        257,642   

9.88%, 8/15/19

       308        319,935   

5.75%, 10/15/20

       3,099        3,195,844   

6.88%, 2/15/21

       266        275,975   

8.25%, 2/15/21

       460        477,848   

UniCredit SpA:

      

6.95%, 10/31/22

     EUR        100        128,436   

5.75%, 10/28/25 (d)

       100        118,699   

4.38%, 1/03/27 (d)(e)

       100        111,165   
      

 

 

 
        11,799,489   

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.8%

  

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

     USD        1,393        1,413,895   

Frontier Communications Corp.:

      

6.25%, 9/15/21

       505        470,913   

7.13%, 1/15/23

       235        209,738   

7.63%, 4/15/24

       1,641        1,448,182   

6.88%, 1/15/25

       1,565        1,302,862   

Level 3 Financing, Inc.:

      

4.41%, 1/15/18 (d)

       646        651,653   

5.38%, 8/15/22

       2,031        2,061,465   

5.13%, 5/01/23

       1,120        1,125,600   

5.38%, 1/15/24

       712        724,602   

5.38%, 5/01/25

       1,388        1,412,568   

5.25%, 3/15/26 (b)

       371        370,073   

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

     EUR        129        153,751   

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

     USD        280        286,160   

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

     EUR        100        149,507   

Telecom Italia SpA:

      

6.38%, 6/24/19

     GBP        200        318,412   
 

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Diversified Telecommunication Services (continued)

  

   

Telecom Italia SpA (continued):

      

3.25%, 1/16/23

     EUR        150      $ 176,076   

5.88%, 5/19/23

     GBP        300        477,086   

Telenet Finance V Luxembourg SCA:

      

6.25%, 8/15/22

     EUR        319        383,437   

6.75%, 8/15/24

       322        400,399   
      

 

 

 
        13,536,379   

Electrical Equipment — 0.0%

  

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

             109        123,886   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.5%

  

CDW LLC/CDW Finance Corp.:

      

6.00%, 8/15/22

     USD        500        525,000   

5.00%, 9/01/23

       326        327,630   

5.50%, 12/01/24

       2,446        2,513,265   
      

 

 

 
        3,365,895   

Energy Equipment & Services — 0.6%

  

Ensco PLC:

      

4.70%, 3/15/21

       145        113,825   

4.50%, 10/01/24

       548        342,500   

5.20%, 3/15/25

       582        386,739   

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

       419        367,568   

Gates Global LLC/Gates Global Co., 5.75%, 7/15/22

     EUR        200        187,464   

Genesis Energy LP/Genesis Energy Finance Corp.:

      

5.75%, 2/15/21

     USD        103        95,790   

6.75%, 8/01/22

       557        529,150   

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

       150        99,750   

Noble Holding International Ltd.:

      

4.63%, 3/01/21

       70        52,850   

6.95%, 4/01/25

       185        135,512   

Transocean, Inc.:

      

3.75%, 10/15/17

       354        344,265   

6.00%, 3/15/18

       1,094        1,061,180   

7.38%, 4/15/18

       90        87,638   

6.50%, 11/15/20

       220        169,950   

8.13%, 12/15/21

       315        232,312   

5.05%, 10/15/22

       110        69,300   
      

 

 

 
        4,275,793   

Environmental, Maintenance, & Security Service — 0.0%

  

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

     EUR        100        111,265   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Food & Staples Retailing — 1.1%

  

Albertsons Cos. LLC/Safeway, Inc./New Albertson’s, Inc./Albertson’s LLC, 6.63%, 6/15/24 (b)

     USD        528      $ 540,540   

Casino Guichard Perrachon SA:

      

3.31%, 1/25/23

     EUR        100        117,482   

3.25%, 3/07/24

       200        230,623   

2.33%, 2/07/25

       100        108,019   

Dollar Tree, Inc. (b):

      

5.25%, 3/01/20

     USD        129        134,482   

5.75%, 3/01/23

       4,048        4,275,700   

Rite Aid Corp.:

      

9.25%, 3/15/20

       435        458,925   

6.75%, 6/15/21

       32        33,680   

6.13%, 4/01/23 (b)

       1,954        2,066,355   

Tesco PLC, 5.00%, 3/24/23

     GBP        100        150,245   
      

 

 

 
        8,116,051   

Food Products — 0.5%

  

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

     USD        685        661,025   

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

       127        133,350   

Post Holdings, Inc. (b):

      

7.75%, 3/15/24

       837        909,191   

8.00%, 7/15/25

       508        563,880   

Smithfield Foods, Inc.:

      

5.88%, 8/01/21 (b)

       257        267,923   

6.63%, 8/15/22

       849        891,450   

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

       274        288,385   

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

       239        255,431   
      

 

 

 
        3,970,635   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.8%

  

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

       595        485,669   

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

       1,872        1,680,120   

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

       1,495        1,659,450   

Kinetic Concepts, Inc./KCI USA, Inc., 7.88%, 2/15/21 (b)

       191        204,901   

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

      

4.88%, 4/15/20

       350        339,500   

5.75%, 8/01/22

       990        935,550   

5.63%, 10/15/23

       401        376,940   
      

 

 

 
        5,682,130   
 

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Health Care Providers & Services — 4.0%

  

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.:

      

5.13%, 7/01/22

     USD       872      $ 876,360   

6.50%, 3/01/24 (b)

       122        126,609   

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

       406        423,409   

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

       2,072        2,103,080   

Centene Escrow Corp. (b):

      

5.63%, 2/15/21

       716        744,640   

6.13%, 2/15/24

       423        445,474   

CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.:

      

5.13%, 8/15/18

       156        158,903   

6.88%, 2/01/22

       1,069        918,688   

DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc.:

      

5.13%, 7/15/24

       2,295        2,325,982   

5.00%, 5/01/25

       1,084        1,074,515   

ExamWorks Group, Inc., 5.63%, 4/15/23

       288        308,880   

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

       510        545,700   

HCA, Inc.:

      

3.75%, 3/15/19

       1,048        1,079,440   

6.50%, 2/15/20

       1,744        1,918,400   

7.50%, 2/15/22

       1,055        1,196,106   

5.88%, 3/15/22

       1,148        1,239,840   

4.75%, 5/01/23

       1,898        1,935,960   

5.00%, 3/15/24

       450        461,813   

5.38%, 2/01/25

       653        662,795   

5.88%, 2/15/26

       852        881,820   

5.25%, 6/15/26

       219        225,023   

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

       239        242,286   

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

       515        538,819   

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

       574        587,277   

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

       548        563,070   

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

       734        755,565   

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

       128        130,240   

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

       146        146,730   

Tenet Healthcare Corp.:

      

6.25%, 11/01/18

       607        641,902   

4.75%, 6/01/20

       1,190        1,217,519   

4.15%, 6/15/20 (b)(d)

       989        984,055   

6.00%, 10/01/20

       2,918        3,071,195   

4.50%, 4/01/21

       24        24,150   

6.75%, 6/15/23

       1,355        1,273,700   
      

 

 

 
        29,829,945   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 2.1%

  

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

     USD       758      $ 794,763   

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

       300        302,250   

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

       204        197,370   

Cirsa Funding Luxembourg SA, 5.88%, 5/15/23

     EUR        175        198,803   

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

     USD        1,302        1,262,940   

Gala Electric Casinos PLC, 11.50%, 6/01/19

     GBP        64        95,762   

GLP Capital LP / GLP Financing II, Inc., 4.38%, 4/15/21

     USD        97        99,425   

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

       391        403,708   

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

       200        203,500   

MGM Resorts International:

      

8.63%, 2/01/19

       474        536,805   

5.25%, 3/31/20

       1,261        1,305,135   

6.75%, 10/01/20

       371        403,648   

6.63%, 12/15/21

       1,352        1,458,470   

6.00%, 3/15/23

       257        268,565   

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

       1,946        2,043,300   

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

       1,055        1,093,244   

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., 5.63%, 5/01/24 (b)

       139        135,873   

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

     EUR        100        116,292   

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

     USD        221        225,696   

Scientific Games International, Inc.:

      

7.00%, 1/01/22 (b)

       188        189,880   

10.00%, 12/01/22

       127        102,870   

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

       842        871,992   

Snai SpA, 7.63%, 6/15/18

     EUR        245        284,866   

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

     USD        1,938        2,039,745   

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

       800          

Unique Pub Finance Co. PLC:

      

Series A4, 5.66%, 6/30/27

     GBP        395        562,993   
 

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds    

Par

(000)

    Value  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)

  

Unique Pub Finance Co. PLC (continued):

      

Series N, 6.46%, 3/30/32

     GBP       200      $ 245,069   

Vougeot Bidco PLC, 7.88%, 7/15/20

       147        222,510   
      

 

 

 
        15,665,474   

Household Durables — 0.8%

  

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

     USD        935        953,952   

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

       285        271,463   

CalAtlantic Group Inc., 8.38%, 1/15/21

       1,735        2,034,287   

Lennar Corp.:

      

4.75%, 11/15/22

       110        109,175   

4.88%, 12/15/23

       265        261,688   

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

       589        600,780   

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

       130        143,325   

Standard Pacific Corp., 10.75%, 9/15/16

       565        579,125   

TRI Pointe Group, Inc., 4.88%, 7/01/21

       525        525,656   

TRI Pointe Holdings, Inc., 4.38%, 6/15/19

       435        435,000   
      

 

 

 
        5,914,451   

Household Products — 0.4%

  

Spectrum Brands, Inc.:

      

6.38%, 11/15/20

       315        330,356   

6.63%, 11/15/22

       1,810        1,928,791   

5.75%, 7/15/25

       462        482,790   
      

 

 

 
        2,741,937   

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 1.0%

  

AES Corp.:

      

7.38%, 7/01/21

       559        637,260   

5.50%, 3/15/24

       981        990,504   

6.00%, 5/15/26

       201        203,764   

Calpine Corp.:

      

5.38%, 1/15/23

       768        750,480   

5.50%, 2/01/24

       531        513,577   

Dynegy, Inc.:

      

6.75%, 11/01/19

       665        666,662   

7.38%, 11/01/22

       231        222,915   

NRG Energy, Inc.:

      

7.88%, 5/15/21

       533        552,987   

7.25%, 5/15/26 (b)

       920        917,700   

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

       195        187,688   
Corporate Bonds    

Par

(000)

    Value  

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (continued)

  

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

     USD       1,739      $ 1,617,270   
      

 

 

 
                       7,260,807   

Insurance — 0.3%

  

HUB International Ltd. (b):

      

9.25%, 2/15/21

       367        381,680   

7.88%, 10/01/21

       674        660,520   

Pension Insurance Corp. PLC, 6.50%, 7/03/24

     GBP        150        201,096   

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

     USD        725        750,375   
      

 

 

 
                       1,993,671   

Internet Software & Services — 0.2%

  

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

       997        1,039,373   

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

       663        678,746   
      

 

 

 
                       1,718,119   

IT Services — 1.9%

  

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

       795        796,988   

First Data Corp. (b):

      

5.38%, 8/15/23

       1,561        1,600,025   

7.00%, 12/01/23

       5,077        5,146,809   

5.00%, 1/15/24

       1,176        1,175,259   

5.75%, 1/15/24

       4,611        4,611,000   

Millennium Corp., 0.00%

       2,240          

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

       601        552,920   
      

 

 

 
                       13,883,001   

Machinery — 0.1%

  

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

       380        325,850   

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

     EUR        100        115,159   
      

 

 

 
                       441,009   

Media — 8.0%

  

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

       200        236,160   

Altice Financing SA:

      

6.50%, 1/15/22 (b)

     USD        1,260        1,282,050   

5.25%, 2/15/23

     EUR        200        229,484   

7.50%, 5/15/26 (b)

     USD        463        461,843   

Altice Luxembourg SA:

      

7.25%, 5/15/22

     EUR        202        228,689   

7.75%, 5/15/22 (b)

     USD        1,110        1,137,056   

7.63%, 2/15/25 (b)

       766        756,425   

Altice SA, 6.25%, 2/15/25

     EUR        101        105,354   

Altice US Finance I Corp. (b):

      

5.38%, 7/15/23

     USD        2,707        2,755,401   

5.50%, 5/15/26

       637        649,740   
 

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds    

Par

(000)

    Value  

Media (continued)

  

Altice US Finance II Corp., 7.75%, 7/15/25 (b)

     USD       1,569      $ 1,627,837   

AMC Networks, Inc.:

      

4.75%, 12/15/22

       156        156,000   

5.00%, 4/01/24

       395        395,988   

CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.:

      

5.13%, 2/15/23

       380        386,650   

5.88%, 4/01/24 (b)

       979        1,020,607   

5.75%, 2/15/26 (b)

       428        438,700   

5.50%, 5/01/26 (b)

       774        781,740   

5.88%, 5/01/27 (b)

       155        158,681   

Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc., 11.50%, 4/15/20

       669          

Cequel Communications Escrow 1 LLC/Cequel Capital Corp., 6.38%, 9/15/20 (b)

       420        427,564   

Cequel Communications Holdings I LLC/Cequel Capital Corp., 5.13%, 12/15/21 (b)

       1,185        1,130,916   

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

       1,300        1,390,510   

Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc.:

      

6.50%, 11/15/22

       5,710        5,691,450   

Series B, 7.63%, 3/15/20

       1,364        1,309,440   

Columbus International, Inc., 7.38%, 3/30/21 (b)

       850        891,013   

CSC Holdings LLC, 5.25%, 6/01/24

       705        634,500   

DISH DBS Corp.:

      

4.25%, 4/01/18

       1,460        1,496,500   

5.88%, 11/15/24

       1,503        1,391,042   

DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc., 6.88%, 8/15/20 (b)

       198        210,128   

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

       422        442,573   

iHeartCommunications, Inc.:

      

9.00%, 12/15/19

       450        353,250   

9.00%, 3/01/21

       160        119,400   

9.00%, 9/15/22

       930        685,875   

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA:

      

7.25%, 10/15/20

       1,445        1,007,887   

6.63%, 12/15/22

       710        477,475   

5.50%, 8/01/23

       1,467        942,547   

8.00%, 2/15/24 (b)

       1,348        1,373,275   

Lamar Media Corp., 5.75%, 2/01/26 (b)

       145        152,613   

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., 7.00%, 9/01/20 (b)

       232        243,394   
Corporate Bonds    

Par

(000)

    Value  

Media (continued)

  

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

     USD       784      $ 758,520   

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

       265        274,275   

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

       538        548,760   

Neptune Finco Corp. (b):

      

10.13%, 1/15/23

       712        797,440   

6.63%, 10/15/25

       1,298        1,386,277   

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

       410        419,225   

Numericable Group SA:

      

6.00%, 5/15/22 (b)

       1,192        1,186,636   

5.63%, 5/15/24

     EUR        195        225,103   

7.38%, 5/01/26 (b)

     USD        4,095        4,130,831   

Numericable-SFR SA, 5.63%, 5/15/24

     EUR        100        115,437   

Outfront Media Capital LLC/Outfront Media Capital Corp.:

      

5.25%, 2/15/22

     USD        130        132,113   

5.63%, 2/15/24

       242        250,470   

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

       485        499,550   

Sirius XM Radio, Inc. (b):

      

4.25%, 5/15/20

       141        143,644   

5.75%, 8/01/21

       464        485,460   

4.63%, 5/15/23

       60        58,950   

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

       1,300        1,287,000   

TEGNA, Inc.:

      

5.13%, 10/15/19

       215        221,450   

4.88%, 9/15/21 (b)

       466        475,320   

5.50%, 9/15/24 (b)

       289        298,393   

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

       873        881,730   

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

      

5.50%, 1/15/23 (b)

       1,270        1,309,687   

4.00%, 1/15/25

     EUR        198        224,380   

3.50%, 1/15/27

       200        215,387   

Univision Communications, Inc. (b):

      

8.50%, 5/15/21

     USD        893        933,185   

5.13%, 5/15/23

       3,002        3,024,515   

5.13%, 2/15/25

       1,170        1,161,225   

Virgin Media Secured Finance PLC:

      

5.38%, 4/15/21 (b)

       1,152        1,198,080   

5.50%, 8/15/26 (b)

       320        323,200   
 

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Media (continued)

      

Virgin Media Secured Finance PLC (continued):

      

4.88%, 1/15/27

     GBP        100      $ 137,050   

6.25%, 3/28/29

       453        658,563   

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

     USD        1,300        1,339,000   

Wind Acquisition Finance SA, 7.00%, 4/23/21

     EUR        100        106,814   

Ziggo Bond Finance BV:

      

4.63%, 1/15/25

       168        182,719   

5.88%, 1/15/25 (b)

     USD        1,095        1,084,050   
      

 

 

 
                       59,654,196   

Metals & Mining — 3.6%

      

Alcoa, Inc.:

      

6.15%, 8/15/20

       1,395        1,498,753   

5.13%, 10/01/24

       1,371        1,322,590   

Anglo American Capital PLC, 3.50%, 3/28/22

     EUR        100        102,265   

ArcelorMittal:

      

6.13%, 6/01/18

     USD        592        617,900   

7.25%, 2/25/22

       61        63,745   

7.75%, 3/01/41

       390        358,800   

Constellium NV (b):

      

8.00%, 1/15/23

       2,600        2,275,000   

5.75%, 5/15/24

       1,175        916,500   

First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (b):

      

7.00%, 2/15/21

       145        114,459   

7.25%, 5/15/22

       435        332,775   

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

       553        588,945   

Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.:

      

2.38%, 3/15/18

       2,868        2,781,960   

3.10%, 3/15/20

       430        392,106   

4.00%, 11/14/21

       175        151,813   

3.55%, 3/01/22

       882        738,675   

3.88%, 3/15/23

       2,057        1,691,882   

5.40%, 11/14/34

       1,271        962,782   

5.45%, 3/15/43

       377        284,518   

Glencore Finance Europe SA, 4.63%, 4/03/18

     EUR        100        117,396   

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

     USD        482        495,255   

Kaiser Aluminum Corp., 8.25%, 6/01/20

       550        572,687   

Novelis, Inc.:

      

8.38%, 12/15/17

       215        219,838   

8.75%, 12/15/20

       4,371        4,534,912   

Steel Dynamics, Inc.:

      

5.13%, 10/01/21

       790        805,310   

6.38%, 8/15/22

       595        624,750   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Metals & Mining (continued)

      

Steel Dynamics, Inc. (continued):

      

5.25%, 4/15/23

     USD       295      $ 302,611   

5.50%, 10/01/24

       138        141,823   

Teck Resources Ltd.:

      

2.50%, 2/01/18

       559        563,193   

3.00%, 3/01/19

       620        593,650   

3.75%, 2/01/23

       213        154,958   

Teck Resources, Ltd. (b)(e):

      

8.00%, 6/01/21

       513        523,260   

8.50%, 6/01/24

       504        516,600   

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

       624        644,280   

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

       820        752,350   
      

 

 

 
                       26,758,341   

Multiline Retail — 0.1%

      

Hema Bondco I BV, 6.25%, 6/15/19

     EUR        100        86,460   

Neiman Marcus Group Ltd. (b):

      

8.00%, 10/15/21

     USD        1,035        781,425   

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

       150        105,375   
      

 

 

 
                       973,260   

Offshore Drilling & Other Services — 0.0%

      

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

             220        230,450   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 6.4%

      

Alberta Energy Co. Ltd., 7.38%, 11/01/31

       143        137,084   

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

       1,362        994,260   

Cenovus Energy, Inc.:

      

5.70%, 10/15/19

       89        91,059   

3.00%, 8/15/22

       72        64,094   

3.80%, 9/15/23

       195        173,959   

6.75%, 11/15/39

       317        304,618   

5.20%, 9/15/43

       60        47,454   

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

       912        934,800   

Chesapeake Energy Corp.:

      

3.88%, 4/15/19 (d)

       1,097        805,609   

8.00%, 12/15/22 (b)

       530        426,650   

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

       172        177,590   

CONSOL Energy, Inc.:

      

5.88%, 4/15/22

       3,515        2,864,725   

8.00%, 4/01/23

       120        103,200   

Continental Resources, Inc.:

      

5.00%, 9/15/22

       249        235,305   

4.50%, 4/15/23

       321        292,311   
 

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)

  

   

Continental Resources, Inc. (continued):

      

3.80%, 6/01/24

     USD       1,350      $ 1,177,875   

4.90%, 6/01/44

       105        86,363   

Crestwood Midstream Partners LP/Crestwood Midstream Finance Corp., 6.25%, 4/01/23 (b)

       90        84,150   

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

       740        765,900   

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

       538        529,257   

Encana Corp.:

      

3.90%, 11/15/21

       288        256,320   

6.50%, 8/15/34

       382        338,425   

6.63%, 8/15/37

       226        199,043   

6.50%, 2/01/38

       1,048        925,918   

5.15%, 11/15/41

       454        333,852   

Energy Transfer Equity LP:

      

7.50%, 10/15/20

       200        204,000   

5.88%, 1/15/24

       1,078        999,845   

5.50%, 6/01/27

       380        329,650   

Freeport-McMoRan Oil & Gas LLC/FCX Oil & Gas, Inc.:

      

6.50%, 11/15/20

       323        310,080   

6.63%, 5/01/21

       325        307,937   

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

       85        76,288   

Gulfport Energy Corp.:

      

7.75%, 11/01/20

       422        428,330   

6.63%, 5/01/23

       60        58,950   

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

      

7.63%, 4/15/21

       125        129,063   

5.00%, 12/01/24

       461        437,950   

Marathon Oil Corp., 5.20%, 6/01/45

       570        478,798   

MEG Energy Corp. (b):

      

6.50%, 3/15/21

       2,599        2,046,712   

6.38%, 1/30/23

       29        22,185   

7.00%, 3/31/24

       724        557,480   

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

       997        993,261   

NGPL PipeCo LLC (b):

      

7.12%, 12/15/17

       4,303        4,502,014   

9.63%, 6/01/19

       435        455,662   

7.77%, 12/15/37

       262        257,415   

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

       248        257,931   

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

       510        532,950   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)

  

   

QEP Resources, Inc.:

      

6.88%, 3/01/21

     USD       52      $ 52,260   

5.25%, 5/01/23

       95        87,400   

Range Resources Corp.:

      

5.75%, 6/01/21

       277        269,383   

5.00%, 8/15/22

       10        9,388   

5.00%, 3/15/23

       555        516,150   

Rockies Express Pipeline LLC (b):

      

6.85%, 7/15/18

       99        102,960   

6.00%, 1/15/19

       26        26,975   

5.63%, 4/15/20

       140        142,450   

6.88%, 4/15/40

       64        62,400   

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

       356        367,570   

Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC:

      

5.63%, 2/01/21

       625        638,281   

6.25%, 3/15/22

       104        106,340   

5.63%, 4/15/23

       5,633        5,689,330   

5.75%, 5/15/24

       762        765,810   

5.63%, 3/01/25

       208        208,000   

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

       2,500        2,556,250   

Sanchez Energy Corp.:

      

7.75%, 6/15/21

       672        514,080   

6.13%, 1/15/23

       1,236        889,920   

Seven Generations Energy Ltd. (b):

      

8.25%, 5/15/20

       1,580        1,651,100   

6.75%, 5/01/23

       210        213,150   

SM Energy Co.:

      

6.13%, 11/15/22

       802        733,830   

5.00%, 1/15/24

       931        796,107   

Southwestern Energy Co.:

      

3.30%, 1/23/18

       809        780,685   

7.50%, 2/01/18

       210        211,050   

4.10%, 3/15/22

       90        73,350   

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

       120        119,100   

Tesoro Logistics LP / Tesoro Logistics Finance Corp.:

      

6.25%, 10/15/22

       833        860,072   

6.38%, 5/01/24

       198        203,940   

Tesoro Logistics LP/Tesoro Logistics Finance Corp., 6.13%, 10/15/21

       81        83,633   

Vantage Drilling International, 10.00%, 12/31/20

       5          

Weatherford International LLC:

      

6.35%, 6/15/17

       305        308,050   

6.80%, 6/15/37

       117        78,390   

Weatherford International Ltd.:

      

6.00%, 3/15/18

       516        508,260   

5.13%, 9/15/20

       340        275,400   
 

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)

  

   

Weatherford International Ltd. (continued):

      

4.50%, 4/15/22

     USD       219      $ 169,725   

6.50%, 8/01/36

       145        93,888   

5.95%, 4/15/42

       148        94,350   

Whiting Petroleum Corp.:

      

5.00%, 3/15/19

       101        90,900   

5.75%, 3/15/21

       390        330,525   

6.25%, 4/01/23

       91        75,075   

Williams Cos., Inc., 4.55%, 6/24/24

       494        431,015   

WPX Energy, Inc.:

      

5.25%, 1/15/17

       70        69,825   

7.50%, 8/01/20

       115        112,700   

6.00%, 1/15/22

       588        529,200   

8.25%, 8/01/23

       400        391,000   
      

 

 

 
        48,025,589   

Paper & Forest Products — 0.0%

  

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

             5        6,409   

Pharmaceuticals — 1.5%

  

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

       132        132,495   

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

       223        193,453   

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

     EUR        100        117,106   

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

       100        113,768   

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

     USD        937        958,082   

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

       1,763        1,800,023   

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

       1,159        1,182,180   

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.:

      

6.75%, 8/15/18 (b)

       961        939,378   

5.38%, 3/15/20 (b)

       35        30,888   

7.00%, 10/01/20 (b)

       1,766        1,593,815   

6.38%, 10/15/20 (b)

       197        175,330   

7.50%, 7/15/21 (b)

       2,026        1,833,530   

5.63%, 12/01/21 (b)

       568        479,960   

7.25%, 7/15/22 (b)

       1,010        884,255   

4.50%, 5/15/23

     EUR        300        256,188   

5.88%, 5/15/23 (b)

     USD        94        79,195   

6.13%, 4/15/25 (b)

       220        183,975   
      

 

 

 
        10,953,621   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Real Estate — 0.0%

  

Tesco Property Finance 4 PLC, 5.80%, 10/13/40

     GBP        99      $ 129,142   

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.2%

  

Corrections Corp. of America, 4.63%, 5/01/23

     USD        36        36,540   

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

       377        384,540   

Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC/Hilton Worldwide Finance Corp., 5.63%, 10/15/21

       513        531,267   

iStar Financial, Inc.:

      

4.00%, 11/01/17

       535        532,967   

5.00%, 7/01/19

       375        356,250   
      

 

 

 
        1,841,564   

Real Estate Management & Development — 0.4%

  

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

      

4.50%, 4/15/19

       801        825,030   

5.25%, 12/01/21

       1,178        1,219,230   

4.88%, 6/01/23

       883        875,274   

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

       245        241,937   
      

 

 

 
        3,161,471   

Restaurants — 0.0%

  

Pizzaexpress Financing 2 PLC, 6.63%, 8/01/21

     GBP        120        173,382   

Road & Rail — 0.7%

  

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

     EUR        215        252,080   

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

     USD        1,338        1,331,310   

Herc Spinoff Escrow Issuer LLC/Herc Spinoff Escrow Issuer Corp. (b)(e):

      

7.50%, 6/01/22

       222        223,110   

7.75%, 6/01/24

       200        200,500   

Hertz Corp.:

      

7.50%, 10/15/18

       1,555        1,579,414   

7.38%, 1/15/21

       1,122        1,145,843   

Loxam SAS, 3.50%, 5/03/23

     EUR        100        112,500   

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

     USD        17        16,681   

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

       350        348,250   
      

 

 

 
        5,209,688   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.4%

  

NXP BV/NXP Funding LLC (b):

      

4.13%, 6/15/20

       1,064        1,085,280   

4.63%, 6/15/22

       1,050        1,065,750   
 

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds    

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (continued)

  

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

     USD       852      $ 854,130   

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

       200        210,000   
      

 

 

 
        3,215,160   

Software — 0.8%

  

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

       623        520,136   

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

       1,352        1,240,460   

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

       300        285,750   

Nuance Communications, Inc., 5.38%, 8/15/20 (b)

       1,270        1,290,638   

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

       197        205,126   

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

       1,516        1,644,860   

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

       485        504,400   
      

 

 

 
        5,691,370   

Specialty Retail — 0.4%

  

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

       723        762,765   

New Look Secured Issuer PLC, 6.50%, 7/01/22

     GBP        200        284,688   

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

     USD        646        646,000   

Sally Holdings LLC/Sally Capital, Inc.:

      

5.75%, 6/01/22

       146        151,840   

5.50%, 11/01/23

       570        598,500   

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

       146        143,445   

THOM Europe SAS, 7.38%, 7/15/19

     EUR        285        336,528   
      

 

 

 
        2,923,766   

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 0.2%

  

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

      

4.42%, 6/15/21

     USD        365        372,288   

6.02%, 6/15/26

       445        449,843   

8.35%, 7/15/46

       385        391,923   
      

 

 

 
        1,214,054   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.2%

  

BiSoho SAS, 5.88%, 5/01/23

     EUR        100        114,341   

Levi Strauss & Co.:

      

6.88%, 5/01/22

     USD        405        432,168   
Corporate Bonds    

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (continued)

  

Levi Strauss & Co. (continued):

      

5.00%, 5/01/25

     USD       189      $ 189,236   

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

       122        124,135   

William Carter Co., 5.25%, 8/15/21

       469        485,415   
      

 

 

 
        1,345,295   

Tobacco — 0.0%

  

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

             17        30,162   

Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.1%

  

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

       320        323,200   

Travis Perkins PLC, 4.50%, 9/07/23

     GBP        100        143,784   
      

 

 

 
        466,984   

Transportation Infrastructure — 0.1%

  

JCH Parent, Inc., (10.50% Cash or 11.25% PIK), 10.50%, 3/15/19 (b)(f)

     USD        1,189        511,278   

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

     EUR        100        109,039   
      

 

 

 
        620,317   

Wireless Telecommunication Services — 2.5%

  

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

     USD        430        405,275   

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

       375        414,426   

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

       485        374,081   

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

       2,628        2,328,093   

Geo Group, Inc.:

      

5.88%, 1/15/22

       90        91,350   

5.88%, 10/15/24

       360        364,050   

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

       295        297,950   

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

     EUR        100        108,644   

OTE PLC, 3.50%, 7/09/20

       100        111,265   

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

     USD        581        602,061   

Sprint Capital Corp.:

      

6.90%, 5/01/19

       270        251,775   

6.88%, 11/15/28

       1,205        899,231   

Sprint Communications, Inc.:

      

9.00%, 11/15/18 (b)

       6,417        6,826,084   

7.00%, 8/15/20

       540        461,981   

Sprint Corp.:

      

7.13%, 6/15/24

       1,591        1,197,227   

7.63%, 2/15/25

       115        86,502   
 

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds     Par
(000)
    Value  

Wireless Telecommunication Services (continued)

  

T-Mobile USA, Inc.:

      

6.63%, 4/28/21

     USD       390      $ 409,988   

6.13%, 1/15/22

       81        85,455   

6.73%, 4/28/22

       295        309,381   

6.00%, 3/01/23

       653        680,752   

6.84%, 4/28/23

       85        89,994   

6.50%, 1/15/24

       584        619,770   

6.38%, 3/01/25

       535        560,412   

6.50%, 1/15/26

       926        979,245   

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

     EUR        168        185,757   
      

 

 

 
        18,740,749   
Total Corporate Bonds — 57.4%        427,548,929   
 
                          
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)  

Aerospace & Defense — 0.6%

  

BE Aerospace, Inc., 2014 Term Loan B,
4.00%, 12/16/21

     USD        1,426        1,431,384   

Engility Corp., 2nd Lien Term Loan,
12.00%, 5/30/21

       815        809,072   

Transdigm, Inc.:

      

2015 Term Loan E, 3.50%, 5/14/22

       697        693,503   

Term Loan C, 3.75%, 2/28/20

       980        979,632   

Term Loan D, 3.75%, 6/04/21

       835        834,499   
      

 

 

 
        4,748,090   

Air Freight & Logistics — 0.5%

  

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

       982        836,137   

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

       1,014        864,108   

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

       156        132,542   

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

       1,399        1,191,874   

XPO Logistics, Inc., Term Loan,
5.50%, 11/01/21

       918        924,583   
      

 

 

 
        3,949,244   

Airlines — 0.6%

  

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

       2,915        2,921,836   

Northwest Airlines, Inc.:

      

2.75%, 3/10/17

       164        162,800   

2.13%, 9/10/18

       377        366,714   

 

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

Airlines (continued)

  

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

     USD       1,251      $ 1,251,613   
      

 

 

 
        4,702,963   

Auto Components — 1.5%

  

Autoparts Holdings Ltd.:

      

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

       1,984        1,831,563   

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

       1,890        1,448,213   

Dayco Products LLC, Term Loan B,
5.25%, 12/12/19

       963        948,648   

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

       1,471        1,264,968   

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

       5,197        5,023,023   

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

       602        602,187   

Schaeffler AG, Term Loan B, 4.25%, 5/15/20

       275        276,274   
      

 

 

 
        11,394,876   

Banks — 0.1%

  

Redtop Acquisitions Ltd.:

      

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

       591        590,157   

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

       376        352,504   
      

 

 

 
        942,661   

Building Materials — 0.3%

  

USAGM HoldCo LLC:

      

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

       895        809,975   

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

       1,667        1,622,317   
      

 

 

 
        2,432,292   

Building Products — 2.0%

  

Continental Building Products LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.00%, 8/28/20

       1,513        1,489,833   

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

       3,940        3,929,868   

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

       1,390        1,364,713   

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

       2,173        2,178,844   

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

       1,852        1,850,786   

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

       1,197        1,199,611   
 

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)    

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Building Products (continued)

  

Wilsonart LLC:

      

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

     USD       406      $ 404,985   

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

       2,254        2,250,514   
      

 

 

 
        14,669,154   

Capital Markets — 0.3%

  

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

       428        390,497   

American Capital Holdings, Inc., 2017 Term Loan, 3.50%, 8/22/17

       651        649,874   

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

       1,386        1,390,580   
      

 

 

 
        2,430,951   

Chemicals — 1.9%

  

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

       237        235,758   

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

       123        122,323   

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

       2,636        2,640,435   

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

       72        72,211   

Ineos US Finance LLC, 6 Year Term Loan, 3.75%, 5/04/18

       1,002        1,000,349   

MacDermid, Inc.:

      

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

       2,347        2,338,742   

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

       577        575,415   

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

       1,458        1,434,551   

PQ Corp., Term Loan, 5.75%, 11/04/22

       700        705,642   

Royal Holdings, Inc.:

      

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

       516        515,713   

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

       655        621,706   

Solenis International LP:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.25%, 7/31/21

       1,174        1,163,693   

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

       1,915        1,730,681   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)    

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Chemicals (continued)

  

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

     USD       652      $ 647,820   
      

 

 

 
        13,805,039   

Commercial Services & Supplies — 3.1%

  

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

       2,503        2,496,915   

ARAMARK Corp.:

      

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

       1,988        1,992,169   

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

       1,202        1,203,110   

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

       1,971        1,915,468   

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

       2,078        2,082,319   

Connolly Corp.:

      

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

       1,998        1,994,764   

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

       2,125        2,066,563   

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

       1,270        1,277,150   

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

       910        915,305   

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

       1,885        1,560,229   

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

       836        779,896   

Prime Security Services Borrower LLC, 2016 Incremental Term Loan B1, 5.50%, 5/02/22

       800        807,336   

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

       2,225        2,190,722   

Waste Industries USA, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 2/27/20

       650        652,688   

West Corp., Term Loan B10, 3.25%, 6/30/18

       1,178        1,177,118   
      

 

 

 
        23,111,752   

Communications Equipment — 1.2%

  

Applied Systems, Inc.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.25%, 1/25/21

       573        572,196   

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

       534        530,320   

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

       943        687,013   

CommScope, Inc., Term Loan B5, 3.83%, 12/29/22

       552        553,147   

Riverbed Technology, Inc., 2016 Term Loan, 5.75%, 4/24/22

       289        290,131   
 

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

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

Communications Equipment (continued)

  

Telesat Canada:

      

Term Loan A, 3.00%, 3/28/17

     CAD        1,874      $ 1,421,822   

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

     USD        524        523,158   

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

       4,338        4,341,587   
      

 

 

 
        8,919,374   

Construction & Engineering — 0.2%

  

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

       506        507,810   

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

       650        653,659   
      

 

 

 
        1,161,469   

Construction Materials — 0.4%

  

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

       1,111        1,110,977   

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

       1,965        1,966,599   
      

 

 

 
        3,077,576   

Containers & Packaging — 0.8%

  

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

       427        427,517   

Berry Plastics Holding Corp.:

      

Term Loan E, 3.75%, 1/06/21

       979        981,591   

Term Loan F, 4.00%, 10/01/22

       3,222        3,234,082   

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

       1,071        1,070,700   
      

 

 

 
        5,713,890   

Distributors — 0.2%

  

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

       936        936,387   

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

       297        288,369   
      

 

 

 
        1,224,756   

Diversified Consumer Services — 1.7%

  

Allied Security Holdings LLC:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.25%, 2/12/21

       2,643        2,642,639   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.00%, 8/13/21

       599        599,494   

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

       1,748        1,747,637   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)     Par
(000)
    Value  

Diversified Consumer Services (continued)

  

Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.:

      

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

     USD       1,490      $ 1,494,391   

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

       1,519        1,525,051   

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

       4,946        4,964,494   
      

 

 

 
        12,973,706   

Diversified Financial Services — 0.4%

  

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

       522        523,812   

Reynolds Group Holdings, Inc., Dollar Term Loan, 4.50%, 12/01/18

       2,393        2,401,163   

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

       276        276,412   
      

 

 

 
        3,201,387   

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 2.1%

  

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

       1,802        1,798,649   

Integra Telecom, Inc.:

      

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

       1,757        1,691,888   

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

       1,063        1,003,987   

Level 3 Financing, Inc.:

      

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

       8,605        8,632,966   

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

       1,305        1,307,682   

Telenet International Finance Sarl, Term Loan AD, 3.75%, 6/30/24

       975        979,401   
      

 

 

 
        15,414,573   

Electrical Equipment — 0.3%

  

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC:

      

DIP Term Loan, 3.75%, 11/07/16

       1,227        1,227,026   

Extended Term Loan,
4.92%, 10/10/17 (a)(c)

       2,375        742,188   
      

 

 

 
        1,969,214   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.2%

  

CDW LLC, Term Loan, 3.25%, 4/29/20

             1,388        1,389,110   
 

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

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

Energy Equipment & Services — 0.1%

  

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

     USD       1,078      $ 1,077,675   

Food & Staples Retailing — 0.7%

  

Hostess Brands LLC:

      

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

       1,234        1,237,909   

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

       65        64,778   

Rite Aid Corp.:

      

5.75%, 8/21/20

       695        696,737   

4.88%, 6/21/21

       1,475        1,476,844   

Supervalu, Inc., Refinancing Term Loan B, 5.50%, 3/21/19

       257        256,546   

US Foods, Inc., Refinancing Term Loan, 4.50%, 3/31/19

       1,136        1,136,555   
      

 

 

 
        4,869,369   

Food Products — 1.1%

  

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

       1,549        1,546,866   

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

       1,585        1,579,962   

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC:

      

Incremental Term Loan I, 3.75%, 1/13/23

       723        726,312   

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

       1,846        1,847,217   

Reddy Ice Corp.:

      

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

       1,810        1,592,922   

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

       995        703,962   
      

 

 

 
        7,997,241   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 1.6%

  

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

       1,574        1,568,864   

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

       1,668        1,667,924   

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

       2,675        2,619,072   

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

       96        95,732   

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

       1,541        1,462,802   

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

       2,701        2,667,767   

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

       2,271        2,150,138   
      

 

 

 
        12,232,299   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)     Par
(000)
    Value  

Health Care Management Services — 0.0%

  

New Millennium HoldCo, Inc., Exit Term Loan, 7.50%, 12/21/20 (a)(c)

     USD       366      $ 274,304   

Health Care Providers & Services — 4.5%

  

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc., Term Loan B, 3.75%, 2/11/22

       477        477,955   

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

       629        621,830   

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

       1,916        1,919,195   

CHG Healthcare Services Inc., Term Loan:

      

2016 B, 3.75%, 5/19/23

       2,175        2,183,156   

4.25%, 11/19/19

       2,709        2,708,113   

Community Health Systems, Inc.:

      

Term Loan F, 3.92%, 12/31/18

       1,218        1,215,609   

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

       2,073        2,031,213   

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

       740        728,567   

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

       1,436        1,430,117   

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

       6,887        6,928,649   

Envision Healthcare Corp., Term Loan:

      

4.25%, 5/25/18

       1,083        1,084,097   

B2, 4.50%, 10/28/22

       803        805,565   

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC, Term Loan:

      

2016 B, 4.25%, 5/26/23

       1,875        1,888,125   

3.75%, 3/31/21

       1,193        1,202,539   

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

       676        674,648   

Quorum Health Corporation, Term Loan B, 6.75%, 4/29/22

       525        524,507   

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

       662        658,367   

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

       980        982,213   

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

       446        444,667   

Team Health, Inc., 2015 Term Loan B, 4.50%, 11/23/22

       2,249        2,253,591   

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

       1,122        1,112,368   
 

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)    

Par

(000)

    Value  

Health Care Providers & Services (continued)

  

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

     USD       1,515      $ 1,532,998   
      

 

 

 
        33,408,089   

Health Care Technology — 0.3%

  

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

             2,563        2,563,161   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 4.5%

  

Amaya Holdings BV:

      

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

       1,586        1,535,210   

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

       2,200        2,154,831   

Boyd Gaming Corp., Term Loan B, 4.00%, 8/14/20

       2,187        2,190,838   

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

       1,669        1,485,058   

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

       4,197        4,211,142   

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

       8,389        8,019,557   

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

       1,052        1,056,671   

Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC, Term Loan B2, 3.50%, 10/26/20

       1,515        1,518,611   

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

       938        927,546   

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

       1,609        1,609,969   

Sabre, Inc.:

      

Incremental Term Loan, 4.50%, 2/19/19

       629        628,875   

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

       861        862,332   

Scientific Games International, Inc.:

      

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

       971        961,108   

2014 Term Loan B2, 7.50%, 10/01/21

       988        976,391   

Station Casinos LLC, Term Loan B:

      

2016, 3.00%, 5/23/23

       3,525        3,529,406   

4.25%, 3/02/20

       1,814        1,816,351   
      

 

 

 
        33,483,896   

Household Products — 0.4%

  

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

       774        760,803   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)    

Par

(000)

    Value  

Household Products (continued)

  

Spectrum Brands, Inc., Term Loan, 3.50%, 6/23/22

    USD       2,151      $ 2,159,500   
     

 

 

 
        2,920,303   

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.8%

  

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

      799        779,775   

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

      1,177        1,173,519   

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

      2,104        2,103,154   

Granite Acquisition, Inc.:

     

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

      1,686        1,668,127   

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

      75        74,326   
     

 

 

 
        5,798,901   

Industrial Conglomerates — 0.1%

  

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

            515        404,558   

Insurance — 0.6%

  

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

      1,109        1,110,223   

Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc.:

     

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

      1,637        1,612,051   

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

      1,650        1,581,937   
     

 

 

 
        4,304,211   

Internet Software & Services — 0.3%

  

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

      2,407        2,414,491   

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

      289        115,710   
     

 

 

 
        2,530,201   

IT Services — 2.1%

  

Blue Coat Holdings, Inc., 2015 Term Loan, 4.50%, 5/20/22

      1,323        1,317,977   

Cision US Inc., Term Loan B, 5.75%, 5/12/23

      1,145        1,104,570   

First Data Corp.:

     

2018 Term Loan, 3.94%, 9/24/18

      1,935        1,934,187   

2021 Extended Term Loan, 4.44%, 3/24/21

      10,292        10,334,569   
 

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

IT Services (continued)

  

   

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

     USD       1,215      $ 1,217,966   
      

 

 

 
        15,909,269   

Machinery — 0.8%

  

   

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

       1,095        1,097,891   

Faenza Acquisition GmbH:

      

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

       665        665,431   

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

       203        203,075   

Mueller Water Products, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.00%, 11/25/21

       563        564,986   

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

       1,566        1,556,844   

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

       2,057        1,852,764   
      

 

 

 
        5,940,991   

Media — 5.5%

  

   

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

       2,106        2,108,389   

Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc., Term Loan:

      

1st Lien, 7.00%, 3/31/20

       3,427        3,421,158   

2016 B, 4.75%, 5/17/23

       2,640        2,636,700   

0.00%, 7/03/16 (a)(c)

       2,596          

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

       4,610        4,628,578   

Clear Channel Communications, Inc., Term Loan D, 7.20%, 1/30/19

       3,467        2,654,559   

CSC Holdings LLC, Term Loan B, 2.95%, 4/17/20

       1,103        1,110,125   

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

       1,676        1,653,594   

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

       1,191        1,094,813   

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

       609        610,137   

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

       541        541,114   

Neptune Finco Corp., 2015 Term Loan B, 5.00%, 10/09/22

       3,310        3,334,130   

Numericable U.S. LLC:

      

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

       1,277        1,278,396   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Media (continued)

  

   

Numericable U.S. LLC (continued):

      

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

     USD       2,120      $ 2,125,300   

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

       1,940        1,938,012   

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

       2,574        2,577,908   

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

       4,382        4,379,131   

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

       687        687,021   

Ziggo Financing Partnership:

      

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

       1,561        1,559,055   

Term Loan B2A, 3.65%, 1/15/22

       1,023        1,021,660   

Term Loan B3, 3.60%, 1/15/22

       1,682        1,680,267   
      

 

 

 
        41,040,047   

Metals & Mining — 0.3%

  

   

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

       530        71,550   

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

       2,254        2,245,901   
      

 

 

 
        2,317,451   

Multiline Retail — 1.0%

  

   

BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 9/26/19

       2,236        2,224,805   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.50%, 3/26/20

       781        753,588   

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

       1,971        1,980,497   

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

       882        882,118   

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

       1,568        1,435,628   
      

 

 

 
        7,276,636   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.7%

  

   

California Resources Corp., Term Loan A, 2.00%, 10/01/19

       398        364,668   

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

       831        834,072   

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

       1,684        735,461   

EP Energy LLC, Term Loan B3, 2.75%, 5/24/18

       710        574,827   

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

       3,954        3,518,942   
 

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)

  

   

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

     USD       2,050      $ 1,906,500   

Power Buyer LLC, 2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.25%, 11/06/20

       200        192,000   

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

       1,225        1,041,372   

Seventy Seven Operating LLC, Term Loan B, 3.75%, 6/25/21 (a)(c)

       188        157,901   

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

       71        56,801   

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

       83        66,748   

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

       1,890        1,779,867   

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

       1,188        1,184,693   
      

 

 

 
        12,413,852   

Personal Products — 0.3%

  

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

       885        889,868   

Prestige Brands, Inc., Term Loan B3, 3.51%, 9/03/21

       1,059        1,061,323   
      

 

 

 
        1,951,191   

Pharmaceuticals — 2.9%

  

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

       1,349        1,356,158   

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

       2,329        2,289,836   

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

       2,928        2,885,826   

Grifols Worldwide Operations USA, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.45%, 2/27/21

       3,704        3,712,105   

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

       4,153        4,156,225   

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.:

      

Series C2 Term Loan B, 4.75%, 12/11/19

       1,025        1,010,667   

Series D2 Term Loan B, 4.50%, 2/13/19

       1,505        1,484,403   

Series E Term Loan B, 4.75%, 8/05/20

       1,476        1,452,455   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Pharmaceuticals (continued)

  

   

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (continued):

  

   

Series F1 Term Loan B, 5.00%, 4/01/22

     USD       3,416      $ 3,370,981   
      

 

 

 
        21,718,656   

Professional Services — 2.3%

  

   

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

       1,342        1,333,938   

Advantage Sales & Marketing, Inc.:

      

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

       1,808        1,800,316   

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

       1,870        1,781,175   

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

       3,448        3,444,110   

ON Assignment, Inc., 2015 Term Loan, 3.75%, 6/03/22

       2,093        2,096,326   

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

       1,110        1,052,178   

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

       5,591        5,589,335   
      

 

 

 
        17,097,378   

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.4%

  

   

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

       466        462,832   

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

       2,140        2,152,990   
      

 

 

 
        2,615,822   

Real Estate Management & Development — 1.1%

  

   

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

       1,158        1,160,644   

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

       2,079        2,072,364   

Realogy Corp.:

      

Extended Letter of Credit, 2.43%, 10/16/16

       626        618,366   

Term Loan B, 3.75%, 3/05/20

       4,300        4,307,100   
      

 

 

 
        8,158,474   

Road & Rail — 0.2%

  

   

Road Infrastructure Investment LLC:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.25%, 3/31/21

       606        600,759   
 

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Road & Rail (continued)

  

 

Road Infrastructure Investment LLC (continued):

      

2nd Lien Term Loan, 7.75%, 9/30/21

     USD       1,175      $ 1,157,375   
      

 

 

 
                       1,758,134   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 1.7%

  

 

Avago Technologies Cayman Ltd., 2016 Term Loan B1, 4.25%, 2/01/23

       9,425        9,447,526   

Microsemi Corp., 2015 Term Loan B, 5.25%, 1/15/23

       704        710,490   

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

       1,995        2,000,434   

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

       430        432,778   
      

 

 

 
                       12,591,228   

Software — 2.6%

  

 

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

       2,273        2,226,276   

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

       2,779        2,744,493   

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

       711        583,190   

Kronos, Inc.:

      

2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.75%, 4/30/20

       1,951        1,990,334   

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

       1,140        1,140,749   

Mitchell International, Inc.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 10/13/20

       1,998        1,983,917   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.50%, 10/11/21

       1,250        1,154,162   

SolarWinds, Inc., Term Loan, 6.50%, 2/03/23

       2,500        2,499,225   

Solera Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.75%, 3/03/23

       1,020        1,025,528   

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

       597        596,504   

SS&C Technologies, Inc.:

      

2015 Term Loan B1, 4.01%, 7/08/22

       2,781        2,789,802   

2015 Term Loan B2, 4.02%, 7/08/22

       382        383,514   
      

 

 

 
                       19,117,694   

Specialty Retail — 1.4%

  

 

Leslie’s Poolmart, Inc., Term Loan, 4.25%, 10/16/19

       704        704,474   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Specialty Retail (continued)

  

 

Michaels Stores, Inc.:

      

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

     USD       1,697      $ 1,701,239   

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

       1,598        1,600,106   

Party City Holdings, Inc., 2015 Term Loan B, 4.25%, 8/19/22

       3,489        3,478,265   

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B1, 5.75%, 1/26/23

       1,630        1,640,083   

PetSmart, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 3/11/22

       702        701,714   

Things Remembered, Inc., Term Loan B, 0.00%, 5/24/18 (a)(c)

       1,916        526,819   
      

 

 

 
                       10,352,700   

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 0.3%

  

 

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

             1,984        1,984,705   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.3%

  

 

Ascend Performance Materials LLC, Term Loan B, 6.75%, 4/10/18

             2,513        2,475,368   

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.2%

  

 

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

             1,498        1,491,826   

Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.1%

  

 

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

       587        587,995   

Nexeo Solutions LLC, 2016 Term Loan, 4.50%, 5/05/23

       245        245,154   
      

 

 

 
                       833,149   

Wireless Telecommunication Services — 1.6%

  

 

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

       2,308        2,300,592   

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

       8,282        7,619,515   

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

       2,085        2,097,554   
      

 

 

 
                       12,017,661   
Total Floating Rate Loan Interests — 60.2%                448,158,517   
 

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

   BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

 

Investment Companies — 3.0%    

Shares

    Value  

iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (j)

             267,180      $ 22,338,920   
      
                          
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities — 0.2%    

Par  

(000)

        

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 0.2%

  

Hilton USA Trust, Series 2013-HLT, Class EFX, 4.60%, 11/05/30 (b)(d)

     USD        1,263        1,265,780   
      
                          
Other Interests (k)    

Beneficial

Interest

(000)

        

Auto Components — 0.0%

  

Intermet Liquidating Trust, Class A

             1,154        12   

Household Durables — 0.4%

  

Stanley Martin, Class B Membership Units (l)

             2        2,745,000   
Total Other Interests — 0.4%        2,745,012   
      
                          
Preferred Securities  
Capital Trusts    

Par  

(000)

        

ABN AMRO Bank NV, 5.75% (d)(i)

       200        214,768   

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA, 6.75% (d)(i)

       200        204,728   

Banco Popular Espanol SA, 8.25% (d)(i)

       200        195,159   

Banco Santander SA, Series ., 6.25% (d)(i)

       200        198,608   

Bank of Ireland, 7.38% (d)(i)

       200        217,913   

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

       400        399,000   

Cooperatieve Rabobank UA, 6.63% (d)(i)

       200        227,002   

Credit Agricole SA, 6.50% (d)(i)

       100        109,457   

Enel SpA, 6.50% (d)(i)

       100        120,450   

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

       200        199,106   

HBOS Capital Funding LP, 6.85% (i)

       100        101,750   

HSBC Holdings PLC, 6.88% (d)(e)(i)

       200        201,500   

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, 7.00% (d)(i)

       400        430,596   

Orange SA, 4.00% (d)(i)

       250        281,840   

Santander UK Group Holdings PLC, 7.38% (d)(i)

       200        280,618   

Telefonica Europe BV, 4.20% (d)(i)

       200        222,541   
Capital Trusts    

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Telefonica Europe BV, 5.00% (d)(i)

     USD        100      $ 112,943   

TOTAL SA, 3.88% (d)(i)

       100        114,580   

UBS Group AG, 5.75% (d)(i)

       200        226,424   

UBS Group AG, 7.00% (d)(i)

             200        208,500   
Total Capital Trusts — 0.6%        4,267,483   
      
                          
Preferred Stock     Shares         

Capital Markets — 0.0%

  

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

             13,550        350,945   
      
                          
Trust Preferred  

Diversified Financial Services — 0.2%

  

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

             59,219        1,478,921   
Total Preferred Securities — 0.8%        6,097,349   
      
                          
Warrants  

Software — 0.0%

  

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

    

    3,049        7,828   
Total Long-Term Investments
(Cost — $974,223,313) — 124.8%
        929,467,480   
      
                          
Short-Term Securities — 0.1%  

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, TempFund, Institutional Class, 0.39% (j)(m)

             743,708        743,708   
Total Short-Term Securities
(Cost — $743,708) — 0.1%
        743,708   
Options Purchased
(Cost — $5,867) — 0.0%
          
Total Investments (Cost — $974,972,888*) — 124.9%        930,211,188   
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (24.9)%        (185,555,633
      

 

 

 
Net Assets — 100.0%      $ 744,655,555   
      

 

 

 
 

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

 

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

*   As of May 31, 2016, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

Tax cost

  $ 980,605,506   
 

 

 

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

  $ 13,161,295   

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (63,555,613
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized depreciation

  $ (50,394,318
 

 

 

 

    

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Schedule of Investments

 

(a)   Non-income producing security.

 

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

 

(c)   Issuer filed for bankruptcy and/or is in default of interest payments.

 

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

 

(e)   When-issued security.

 

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

 

(g)   Zero-coupon bond.

 

(h)   Convertible security.

 

(i)   Perpetual security with no stated maturity date.

 

(j)   During the period ended May 31, 2016, investments in issuers considered to be affiliates of the Fund for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliate    Shares Held
at February 28,
2016
     Shares
Purchased
    

Shares

Sold

     Shares Held
at May 31,
2016
    

Value at

May 31,

2016

    
Income
 

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, TempFund, Institutional Class

     5,011,655                 (4,267,947 )1       743,708       $ 743,708       $ 733   

iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF

     267,180                         267,180       $ 22,338,920       $ 315,246   
Total                $ 23,082,628       $ 315,979   
              

 

 

 

 

1  Represents net shares sold.

     

        

 

 

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

 

(l)   All or a portion of security is held by a wholly owned subsidiary.

 

(m)   Current yield as of period end.

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

 

Futures Contracts

 

    Contracts

    Short

  Issue   Expiration  

Notional

Value

      

Unrealized

Appreciation
(Depreciation)

 
 (2)   10-Year U.S. Treasury Note   September 2016     USD               259,375         $ (19
(11)   German Euro BOBL Futures   June 2016     USD            1,607,980           1,215   
  (3)   German Euro-Bund Futures   June 2016     USD               547,324           (3,340
Total            $ (2,144
          

 

 

 

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

Currency

Purchased

      

Currency

Sold

    Counterparty  

Settlement

Date

       Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
EUR        180,000           USD           201,767      State Street Bank and Trust Co.     6/06/16         $ (1,465
EUR        353,000           USD           393,279      State Street Bank and Trust Co.     6/06/16           (465
USD        619,504           CAD           776,000      Westpac Banking Corp.     6/06/16           27,760   
USD        113,365           EUR           100,000      Bank of America N.A.     6/06/16           2,086   
USD        219,097           EUR           190,000      Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce     6/06/16           7,667   
USD        45,745           EUR           40,000      Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     6/06/16           1,233   
USD        16,007           EUR           14,000      Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     6/06/16           428   
USD        370,487           EUR           328,000      Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     6/06/16           5,493   
USD        13,313,395           EUR           11,647,000      Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC     6/06/16           352,760   
USD        11,386           EUR           10,000      Royal Bank of Scotland PLC     6/06/16           259   
USD        109,320           EUR           96,000      Royal Bank of Scotland PLC     6/06/16           2,493   
USD        317,090           EUR           280,000      Royal Bank of Scotland PLC     6/06/16           5,509   
USD        57,667           EUR           50,000      Standard Chartered Bank     6/06/16           2,028   
USD        200,552           EUR           175,000      State Street Bank and Trust Co.     6/06/16           5,814   
USD        28,815           GBP           20,000      State Street Bank and Trust Co.     6/06/16           (153
USD        4,256,791           GBP           2,912,000      State Street Bank and Trust Co.     6/06/16           39,130   
USD        590,399           CAD           769,000      Royal Bank of Canada     7/06/16           3,992   
USD        13,842,241           EUR           12,396,000      Barclays Bank PLC     7/06/16           33,382   
USD        101,455           EUR           91,000      HSBC Bank PLC     7/06/16           83   
USD        111,470           EUR           100,000      State Street Bank and Trust Co.     7/06/16           72   
USD        4,143,079           GBP           2,829,000      Barclays Bank PLC     7/06/16           44,685   
Total                         $ 532,791   
                       

 

 

 

OTC Options Purchased

 

Description  

Put/

Call

  Counterparty  

Expiration

Date

 

Strike

Price

  Contracts   Value

Marsico Parent Superholdco LLC

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

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps — Sell Protection

 

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

Dow Jones CDX North America High Yield, Series 24, Version 3

      5.00 %       6/20/20         B+         4,670       $ (154,048 )

Dow Jones CDX North America High Yield, Series 25, Version 2

      5.00 %       12/20/20         B+         14,850         645,870  

Total

                    $ 491,822  
                   

 

 

 

1    Using Standard & Poor’s rating of the issuer or the underlying securities of the index, as applicable.

       

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

       

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

OTC Credit Default Swaps — Sell Protection

 

Issuer/Index   Receive
Fixed
Rate
    Counterparty   Expiration
Date
   

Credit
Rating1

 

Notional
Amount
(000)2

    Value     Premiums
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
 

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV

    5.00   Bank of America N.A.     12/20/20      BB     EUR        55      $ 4,447      $ 4,788      $ (341

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV

    5.00   Bank of America N.A.     12/20/20      BB     EUR        1        43        45        (2

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV

    5.00   Barclays Bank PLC     6/20/21      BB     EUR        51        3,778        3,541        237   

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV

    5.00   Citibank N.A.     6/20/21      BB     EUR        31        2,261        2,525        (264

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV

    5.00   Citibank N.A.     6/20/21      BB     EUR        31        2,261        2,525        (264

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV

    5.00   Citibank N.A.     6/20/21      BB     EUR        31        2,261        2,525        (264

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV

    5.00   Citibank N.A.     6/20/21      BB     EUR        49        3,623        3,392        231   

Fiat Industrial Finance Europe SA

    5.00   BNP Paribas S.A.     12/20/20      BB+     EUR        21        2,666        2,260        406   

Total

  

  $ 21,340      $ 21,601      $ (261
             

 

 

 

 

Portfolio Abbreviations

 

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

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments. These inputs to valuation techniques are categorized into a fair value hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial 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 market-corroborated inputs)

 

   

Level 3 — unobservable inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available (including the Fund’s own assumptions used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments)

The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3. The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the fair value hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The significant unobservable inputs used by the Global Valuation Committee in determining the price for Fair Valued Investments are typically categorized as level 3.

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the hierarchy. In accordance with the Fund’s policy, transfers between different levels of the fair value hierarchy are deemed to have occurred as of the beginning of the reporting period. The categorization of a value determined for investments and derivative financial instruments is based on the pricing transparency of the investments and derivative financial instruments and is not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in those securities. For information about the Fund’s policy regarding valuation of investments and derivative financial instruments, refer to the Fund’s most recent financial statements as contained in its annual report.

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

 

     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

                
Investments:                 
Long-Term Investments:                 

Asset-Backed Securities

            $ 17,707,508         $ 3,277,090         $ 20,984,598   

Common Stocks

  $ 39,846           188,373           92,328           320,547   

Corporate Bonds

              419,788,117           7,760,812           427,548,929   

Floating Rate Loan Interests

              423,729,662           24,428,855           448,158,517   

Investment Companies

    22,338,920                               22,338,920   

Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

              1,265,780                     1,265,780   

Other Interests

                        2,745,012           2,745,012   

Preferred Securities

    1,829,866           4,267,483                     6,097,349   

Warrants

                        7,828           7,828   
Short-Term Securities     743,708                               743,708   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 24,952,340         $ 866,946,923         $ 38,311,925         $ 930,211,188   
 

 

 

 

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments1   

Assets:

  

Credit contracts

            $ 646,744              $ 646,744   

Foreign currency exchange contracts

              534,874                534,874   

Interest rate contracts

  $ 1,215                          1,215   

Liabilities:

  

Credit contracts

         (155,183             (155,183

Foreign currency exchange contracts

              (2,083             (2,083

Interest rate contracts

    (3,359                       (3,359
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ (2,144      $ 1,024,352              $ 1,022,208   
 

 

 

 

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

        

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

 

  

     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3      Total  

Assets:

                

Cash

  $ 936,894                        $ 936,894   

Cash pledged for centrally cleared swaps

    1,074,000                          1,074,000   

Cash pledged for futures contracts

    25,710                          25,710   

Foreign currency at value

    16,343                          16,343   

Liabilities:

                

Bank borrowings payable

            $ (181,000,000             (181,000,000
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 2,052,947         $ (181,000,000           $ (178,947,053
 

 

 

 

During the period ended May 31, 2016, there were no transfers between levels 1 and 2.

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

 

     Common
Stocks
      

Asset-

Backed

Securities

      

Corporate

Bonds

      

Floating

Rate Loan

Interests

      

Other

Interests

       Warrants        Total  

Assets:

                               

Opening balance, as of February 29, 2016

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

Transfers into Level 31

                                  12,375,503                               12,375,503   

Transfers out of Level 32

              (2,615,445        (1,304,448        (15,252,079                            (19,171,972

Accrued discounts/premiums

              1,601           802           19,431                               21,834   

Net realized gain (loss)

                                  (111,324                            (111,324

Net change in unrealized

appreciation (depreciation)3

    (343,489        166,414           29,497           2,130,951           (195,443        (2,228        1,785,702   

Purchases

    9,347                     116,691           71,011                               197,049   

Sales

                                  (1,656,085        (182,557                  (1,838,642

Closing balance, as of May 31, 2016

    92,328           3,277,090           7,760,812           24,428,855           2,745,012           7,828           38,311,925   
 

 

 

 

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

    (343,489        166,414           29,497           2,029,400           (195,443        (2,228        1,684,151   
 

 

 

 

 

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


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (concluded)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

 

1    As of February 29, 2016, the Fund used significant observable inputs in determining the value of certain investments. As of May 31, 2016, the Fund used unobservable inputs in determining the value of the same investments. As a result, investments with a beginning of period value of $12,375,503 transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 in the disclosure hierarchy.

2    As of February 29, 2016, the Fund used significant unobservable inputs in determining the value of certain investments. As of May 31, 2016, the Fund used observable inputs in determining the value of the same investments. As a result, investments with a beginning of period value of $19,171,972 transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 in the disclosure hierarchy.

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

The following table summarizes the valuation techniques used and unobservable inputs utilized by the BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) to determine the value of certain of the Fund’s Level 3 investments as of period end. The table does not include Level 3 investments with values based upon unadjusted third party pricing information in the amount of $27,746,322. A significant change in such third party pricing information could result in a significantly lower or higher value of such Level 3 investments.

 

     Value        Valuation Techniques      Unobservable Inputs      Range of
Unobservable Inputs
Utilized
 

Assets:

                

Common Stocks1

  $ 51,965         Option Pricing Model      EBITDA Multiple2        6.00x   
            Marketability Discount3        20.00%   
            Risk Free Rate2        0.78%   
            Volatility2        31.00%   
            Years to Exit2        1-2 Years   

Corporate Bonds1

    7,760,810         Discounted Cash Flow      Internal Rate of Return3        10.00% — 11.00%   
       Option Pricing Model      EBITDA Multiple2        6.00x   
            Marketability Discount3        20.00%   
            Risk Free Rate3        0.78%   
            Volatility3        31.00%   
            Years to Exit3        1-2 Years   

Other Interests and Warrants

    2,752,828         Market Comparables      Tangible Book Value Multiple2        1.00x   
       Last Dealer Mark — Adjusted      Delta Adjustment Based on Daily Movement in the Common Equity2        90%   
 

 

 

                

Total

  $ 10,565,603                  
 

 

 

                

1    For the period ended May 31, 2016, the valuation technique for certain investments classified as common stocks and corporate bonds changed to an Option Pricing Model. The investments were previously valued utilizing Market Comparables. An option pricing model was considered to be a more relevant measure of fair value for these investments.

         

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

       

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

       

 

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


Item 2 – Controls and Procedures

 

2(a) – The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

2(b) – There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the registrant’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 3 – Exhibits

Certifications – Attached hereto


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.

 

By:   

/s/ John M. Perlowski            

  
   John M. Perlowski
   Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of
   BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.
Date:    July 22, 2016

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:   

/s/ John M. Perlowski            

  
   John M. Perlowski
   Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of
   BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.
Date:    July 22, 2016
By:   

/s/ Neal J. Andrews

  
   Neal J. Andrews   
   Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of
   BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.
Date:    July 22, 2016