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: 02/28/2014

Date of reporting period: 11/30/2013


Item 1 – Schedule of Investments


Consolidated Schedule of Investments  November 30, 2013 (Unaudited)   

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Common Stocks    Shares     Value  

Chemicals — 0.1%

    

GEO Speciality Chemicals, Inc. (a)

     339,340      $ 288,439   

Containers & Packaging — 0.2%

    

Smurfit Kappa Group PLC

     36,342        862,987   

Diversified Financial Services — 0.9%

    

Kcad Holdings I Ltd. (a)

     756,012,055        4,309,269   

Electrical Equipment — 0.0%

    

Medis Technologies, Ltd. (a)

     286,757        3   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.0%

    

HRP PIK Corp., Class B (a)(b)

     5,000          

Metals & Mining — 0.1%

    

Euramax International

     2,337        560,952   

Paper & Forest Products — 1.0%

    

Ainsworth Lumber Co., Ltd. (a)

     544,427        1,971,304   

Ainsworth Lumber Co., Ltd. (a)(b)(c)

     504,922        1,820,781   

NewPage Corp. (a)

     9,120        775,200   

Western Forest Products, Inc. (a)

     211,149        337,822   
    

 

 

 
               4,905,107   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.0%

    

SunPower Corp. (a)

     1,707        51,790   

Software — 0.3%

    

HMH Holdings/EduMedia (a)

     93,855        1,454,752   

Specialty Retail — 0.0%

    

Movie Gallery, Inc. (a)

     503,737        5   
Total Common Stocks — 2.6%              12,433,304   
    
                  
Asset-Backed Securities   

Par  

(000)

        

ACAS CLO Ltd., Series 2013-1A, Class D, 3.84%, 4/20/25 (b)(d)

   USD 500        477,500   

ALM Loan Funding (b)(d):

    

Series 2013-7R2A, Class B, 2.86%, 4/24/24

     625        605,125   

Series 2013-7RA, Class C, 3.71%, 4/24/24

     1,750        1,693,300   

Series 2013-7RA, Class D, 5.26%, 4/24/24

     750        689,775   

Atrium CDO Corp., Series 9A, Class D, 3.74%, 2/28/24 (b)(d)

     1,050        1,004,325   
Asset-Backed Securities   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

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

    

Series 2012-4A, Class D, 4.74%, 1/20/25

   USD 600      $ 607,146   

Series 2013-1A, Class C, 4.24%, 2/14/25

     250        247,625   

Cavalry CLO II, Series 2A, Class D, 4.24%, 1/17/24 (b)(d)

     500        490,000   

CFIP CLO Ltd., Series 2013-1A, Class D, 3.99%, 4/20/24 (b)(d)

     1,000        960,960   

Fraser Sullivan CLO VII Ltd., Series 2012-7A, Class C, 4.24%, 4/20/23 (b)(d)

     765        758,803   

Highbridge Loan Management Ltd., Series 2012-1A, Class C, 5.25%, 9/20/22 (b)(d)

     1,200        1,204,200   

LCM IX LP, Series 9A, Class E, 4.44%, 7/14/22 (b)(d)

     1,000        940,500   

Madison Park Funding XI Ltd., Series 2013-11A, Class D, 3.80%, 10/23/25 (b)(d)

     305        289,628   

Neuberger Berman CLO XV, Series 2013-15A, Class C, 3.10%, 10/15/25 (b)(d)

     750        722,835   

OZLM Funding Ltd., Series 2012-2A, Class C, 4.59%, 10/30/23 (b)(d)

     500        495,400   
Total Asset-Backed Securities2.4%              11,187,122   
    
                  
Corporate Bonds               

Aerospace & Defense — 0.7%

    

DigitalGlobe, Inc., 5.25%, 2/01/21 (b)

     666        649,350   

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc., 7.13%, 3/15/21

     715        779,350   

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., 10.00%, 6/01/17

     1,364        1,476,530   

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

     247        256,838   
    

 

 

 
               3,162,068   

Airlines — 1.1%

    

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

     469        466,655   

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

     1,485        1,536,975   

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

     163        184,446   

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013    1


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Airlines (concluded)

    

United Continental Holdings, Inc., 6.00%, 12/01/20

   USD 685      $     681,575   

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

     1,530        1,487,925   

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

     895        898,284   
    

 

 

 
               5,255,860   

Auto Components — 1.9%

    

Affinia Group, Inc., 7.75%, 5/01/21 (b)

     790        825,550   

Brighthouse Group PLC, 7.88%, 5/15/18

   GBP 100        168,539   

Delphi Corp., 6.13%, 5/15/21

   USD 250        275,000   

Icahn Enterprises LP/Icahn Enterprise Finance Corp.:

    

7.75%, 1/15/16

     220        225,500   

8.00%, 1/15/18

     4,035        4,211,531   

Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC:

    

8.25%, 3/15/20

   GBP 392        723,212   

5.63%, 2/01/23 (b)

   USD 425        421,813   

Pittsburgh Glass Works LLC, 8.00%, 11/15/18 (b)

     310        322,400   

Rhino Bondco SpA, 7.25%, 11/15/20

   EUR 100        137,762   

Schaeffler Holding Finance BV (c):

    

6.88%, 8/15/18

     270        391,457   

6.88%, 8/15/18 (b)

   USD 785        836,025   

Servus Luxembourg Holding SCA, 7.75%, 6/15/18

     175        248,881   

Titan International, Inc., 6.88%, 10/01/20 (b)

     400        413,000   

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

    

12.00%, 7/01/49

     4,450          

Series B, 9.50%, 7/01/05

     1,800          
    

 

 

 
               9,200,670   

Automobiles — 0.4%

    

Ford Motor Co., 4.25%, 11/15/16 (f)

     314        635,261   

General Motors Co. (b):

    

4.88%, 10/02/23

     330        332,063   

6.25%, 10/02/43

     905        918,575   
    

 

 

 
               1,885,899   

Beverages — 0.0%

    

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

     57        66,049   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Building Products — 1.2%

    

American Builders & Contractors Supply Co., Inc., 5.63%, 4/15/21 (b)

   USD 300      $     303,750   

Builders FirstSource, Inc., 7.63%, 6/01/21 (b)

     639        662,962   

Building Materials Corp. of America (b):

    

7.00%, 2/15/20

     1,000        1,075,000   

6.75%, 5/01/21

     590        635,725   

Cemex SAB de CV, 5.88%, 3/25/19 (b)

     260        254,800   

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

     740        771,450   

Momentive Performance Materials, Inc., 8.88%, 10/15/20

     375        394,688   

Texas Industries, Inc., 9.25%, 8/15/20

     378        414,855   

USG Corp., 9.75%, 1/15/18

     980        1,146,600   
    

 

 

 
               5,659,830   

Capital Markets — 0.4%

    

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

     705        730,556   

E*Trade Financial Corp., 0.00%, 8/31/19 (b)(f)(g)

     593        1,027,373   

KCG Holdings, Inc., 8.25%, 6/15/18 (b)

     173        177,974   
    

 

 

 
               1,935,903   

Chemicals — 2.9%

    

Ashland, Inc., 3.88%, 4/15/18

     475        477,375   

Chemtura Corp., 5.75%, 7/15/21

     145        146,813   

Ciech Group Financing AB, 9.50%, 11/30/19

   EUR 130        199,829   

GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc., 7.50%, 3/31/15 (b)

   USD 4,171        9,217,439   

Huntsman International LLC, 8.63%, 3/15/21

     735        823,200   

INEOS Finance PLC, 7.50%, 5/01/20 (b)

     295        323,025   

INEOS Group Holdings SA:

    

6.13%, 8/15/18 (b)

     485        488,031   

6.50%, 8/15/18

   EUR 224        309,308   

LSB Industries, Inc., 7.75%, 8/01/19 (b)

   USD 218        227,265   

Nufarm Australia, Ltd., 6.38%, 10/15/19 (b)

     225        232,875   

Orion Engineered Carbons Bondco GmbH, 9.63%, 6/15/18 (b)

     800        884,000   

PetroLogistics LP/PetroLogistics Finance Corp., 6.25%, 4/01/20 (b)

     188        188,705   

 

                
2    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Chemicals (concluded)

    

Solvay Finance SA, 4.20% (d)(h)

   EUR 260      $     357,104   

US Coatings Acquisition, Inc./Axalta Coating Systems Dutch Holding B BV, 5.75%, 2/01/21

     100        140,989   
    

 

 

 
               14,015,958   

Commercial Banks — 0.9%

    

Bilbao Luxembourg SA, 10.50%, 12/01/18 (c)

     100        133,162   

CIT Group, Inc.:

    

5.00%, 5/15/17

   USD 620        661,850   

6.63%, 4/01/18 (b)

     120        135,600   

5.50%, 2/15/19 (b)

     1,886        2,032,165   

GLP Capital LP/GLP Financing II, Inc. (b):

    

4.38%, 11/01/18

     257        262,140   

4.88%, 11/01/20

     331        330,173   

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

   EUR 32        53,917   

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

   USD 160        160,000   

Sally Holdings LLC / Sally Capital, Inc., 5.50%, 11/01/23

     369        367,155   
    

 

 

 
               4,136,162   

Commercial Services & Supplies — 2.4%

    

ACCO Brands Corp., 6.75%, 4/30/20

     212        211,205   

ADS Waste Holdings, Inc., 8.25%, 10/01/20 (b)

     206        217,845   

The ADT Corp., 6.25%, 10/15/21 (b)

     291        303,731   

ARAMARK Corp., 5.75%, 3/15/20 (b)

     1,052        1,096,710   

AWAS Aviation Capital, Ltd., 7.00%, 10/17/16 (b)

     629        653,011   

Brickman Group Holdings, Inc., 9.13%, 11/01/18 (b)

     55        58,786   

Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc., 7.88%, 10/15/18

     216        219,780   

Covanta Holding Corp., 6.38%, 10/01/22

     800        824,374   

EC Finance PLC, 9.75%, 8/01/17

   EUR 60        89,069   

The Geo Group, Inc., 5.88%, 1/15/22 (b)

   USD 245        245,000   

Interactive Data Corp., 10.25%, 8/01/18

     1,545        1,740,133   

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

     640        705,600   

United Rentals North America, Inc.:

    

5.75%, 7/15/18

     877        941,679   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Commercial Services & Supplies (concluded)

    

United Rentals North America, Inc. (concluded):

    

7.38%, 5/15/20

   USD 435      $     486,113   

7.63%, 4/15/22

     2,328        2,607,360   

Verisure Holding AB:

    

8.75%, 9/01/18

   EUR 178        264,844   

8.75%, 12/01/18

     149        217,747   

West Corp., 8.63%, 10/01/18

   USD 315        342,956   
    

 

 

 
               11,225,943   

Communications Equipment — 0.9%

    

Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc., 6.75%, 11/15/20 (b)

     1,090        1,099,538   

Avaya, Inc., 7.00%, 4/01/19 (b)

     240        233,400   

CommScope Holding Co., Inc., 6.63%, 6/01/20 (b)(c)

     435        450,225   

Zayo Group LLC/Zayo Capital, Inc.:

    

8.13%, 1/01/20

     1,000        1,102,500   

10.13%, 7/01/20

     1,020        1,178,100   
    

 

 

 
               4,063,763   

Construction & Engineering — 0.2%

    

Astaldi SpA, 7.13%, 12/01/20 (i)

   EUR 200        282,440   

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

   USD 200        209,500   

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

     230        220,800   
    

 

 

 
               712,740   

Construction Materials — 1.4%

    

Buzzi Unicem SpA, 6.25%, 9/28/18

   EUR 106        161,372   

HD Supply, Inc.:

    

8.13%, 4/15/19 (j)

   USD 2,938        3,279,542   

11.00%, 4/15/20

     556        660,250   

7.50%, 7/15/20

     2,092        2,217,520   

HeidelbergCement Finance Luxembourg SA, 7.50%, 4/03/20

   EUR 46        76,412   

Lafarge SA, 4.75%, 9/30/20

     180        256,334   
    

 

 

 
               6,651,430   

Consumer Discretionary — 0.1%

    

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

   USD 442        450,840   

Consumer Finance — 0.2%

    

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC:

    

7.00%, 4/15/15

     280        302,999   

6.63%, 8/15/17

     148        172,864   

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013    3


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Consumer Finance (concluded)

    

IVS F. SpA, 7.13%, 4/01/20

   EUR 170      $ 237,348   

Springleaf Finance Corp. (b):

    

7.75%, 10/01/21

   USD 37        39,312   

8.25%, 10/01/23

     68        73,100   
    

 

 

 
               825,623   

Containers & Packaging — 0.5%

    

Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC, 7.38%, 10/15/17

   EUR 100        145,392   

Ball Corp., 6.75%, 9/15/20

   USD 310        337,125   

Berry Plastics Corp., 9.75%, 1/15/21

     210        244,388   

Beverage Packaging Holdings Luxembourg II SA, 8.00%, 12/15/16

   EUR  1,243        1,688,989   

Crown Americas LLC/Crown Americas Capital Corp. III, 6.25%, 2/01/21

   USD 103        111,240   
    

 

 

 
               2,527,134   

Distributors — 0.1%

    

VWR Funding, Inc., 7.25%, 9/15/17

     615        658,050   

Diversified Consumer Services — 0.7%

    

APX Group, Inc.:

    

6.38%, 12/01/19

     613        619,130   

8.75%, 12/01/20

     979        1,005,923   

Garda World Security Corp., 7.25%, 11/15/21 (b)

     199        201,985   

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

     1,025        1,122,375   

Rent-A-Center, Inc., 4.75%, 5/01/21

     494        463,125   
    

 

 

 
               3,412,538   

Diversified Financial Services — 3.8%

    

Aircastle Ltd., 6.25%, 12/01/19

     261        281,880   

Ally Financial, Inc.:

    

7.50%, 12/31/13

     90        90,360   

8.30%, 2/12/15

     1,330        1,436,400   

7.50%, 9/15/20

     1,990        2,333,275   

8.00%, 11/01/31

     2,634        3,134,062   

Co-Operative Group Ltd., 6.88%, 7/08/20

   GBP 240        399,580   

DPL, Inc.:

    

6.50%, 10/15/16

   USD 50        54,000   

7.25%, 10/15/21

     130        132,600   

Gala Group Finance PLC, 8.88%, 9/01/18

   GBP 400        703,609   

Jefferies Finance LLC/JFIN Co-Issuer Corp., 7.38%, 4/01/20 (b)

   USD 415        430,044   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Diversified Financial Services (concluded)

    

Jefferies LoanCore LLC/JLC Finance Corp., 6.88%, 6/01/20 (b)

   USD 462      $ 456,225   

Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc.:

    

7.13%, 4/15/19

     1,943        2,079,010   

9.00%, 4/15/19

     195        208,650   

9.88%, 8/15/19

     1,015        1,126,650   

5.75%, 10/15/20

     3,640        3,731,000   

6.88%, 2/15/21

     515        556,200   

8.25%, 2/15/21

     169        177,873   

WMG Acquisition Corp., 11.50%, 10/01/18

     544        629,680   
    

 

 

 
               17,961,098   

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.8%

    

CenturyLink, Inc., Series V, 5.63%, 4/01/20

     653        664,427   

Level 3 Communications, Inc., 8.88%, 6/01/19

     520        570,050   

Level 3 Financing, Inc.:

    

3.83%, 1/15/18 (b)(d)

     426        429,195   

8.13%, 7/01/19

     2,902        3,177,690   

7.00%, 6/01/20

     340        360,400   

6.13%, 1/15/21 (b)

     1,217        1,235,255   

Telecom Italia SpA:

    

6.38%, 6/24/19

   GBP 150        254,330   

4.88%, 9/25/20

   EUR 135        184,463   

5.88%, 5/19/23

   GBP 300        465,617   

Series TIT, 6.13%, 11/15/16

   EUR 200        278,310   

Telenet Finance V Luxembourg SCA:

    

6.25%, 8/15/22

     119        170,623   

6.75%, 8/15/24

     222        318,908   

Windstream Corp., 7.75%, 10/15/20

   USD 29        31,030   

Ziggo BV, 3.63%, 3/27/20

   EUR 357        485,092   
    

 

 

 
               8,625,390   

Electric Utilities — 0.2%

    

Homer City Generation LP (c):

    

8.14%, 10/01/19

   USD 250        258,125   

8.73%, 10/01/26

     360        369,900   

Mirant Mid Atlantic Pass-Through Trust B, Series B, 9.13%, 6/30/17

     378        398,807   
    

 

 

 
               1,026,832   

Electrical Equipment — 0.2%

    

General Cable Corp., 6.50%, 10/01/22 (b)

     670        663,300   

Techem GmbH, 6.13%, 10/01/19

   EUR 200        294,860   

 

                
4    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Electrical Equipment (concluded)

    

Trionista TopCo GmbH, 6.88%, 4/30/21

   EUR 100      $ 142,144   
    

 

 

 
               1,100,304   

Energy Equipment & Services — 2.4%

    

Calfrac Holdings LP, 7.50%, 12/01/20 (b)

   USD     1,396        1,413,450   

CGG, 6.50%, 6/01/21

     1,000        1,027,500   

Gulfmark Offshore, Inc., 6.38%, 3/15/22

     130        131,950   

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., 5.88%, 4/01/20

     265        272,950   

MEG Energy Corp. (b):

    

6.50%, 3/15/21

     1,518        1,578,720   

7.00%, 3/31/24

     623        635,460   

Oil States International, Inc.:

    

6.50%, 6/01/19

     1,319        1,403,086   

5.13%, 1/15/23

     653        732,993   

Peabody Energy Corp.:

    

6.00%, 11/15/18

     985        1,046,562   

6.25%, 11/15/21

     975        996,937   

Precision Drilling Corp.:

    

6.63%, 11/15/20

     125        133,438   

6.50%, 12/15/21

     505        539,088   

Rain CII Carbon LLC/CII Carbon Corp., 8.25%, 1/15/21 (b)

     377        386,425   

Seadrill Ltd., 5.63%, 9/15/17 (b)

     783        804,533   

Trionista Holdco GmbH, 5.00%, 4/30/20

   EUR 302        416,554   
    

 

 

 
               11,519,646   

Food & Staples Retailing — 0.2%

    

Bakkavor Finance 2 PLC:

    

8.25%, 2/15/18

   GBP 192        335,376   

8.75%, 6/15/20

     100        178,766   

R&R Ice Cream PLC, 9.25%, 5/15/18 (c)

   EUR 100        139,956   

Rite Aid Corp., 9.25%, 3/15/20

   USD 435        501,881   
    

 

 

 
               1,155,979   

Food Products — 0.3%

    

Findus Bondco SA:

    

9.13%, 7/01/18

   EUR 133        197,889   

9.50%, 7/01/18

   GBP 100        177,539   

Post Holdings, Inc., 6.75%, 12/01/21 (b)

   USD 181        184,620   

Smithfield Foods, Inc., 6.63%, 8/15/22

     554        585,162   

Sun Merger Sub, Inc. (b):

    

5.25%, 8/01/18

     150        156,750   

5.88%, 8/01/21

     140        144,900   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Food Products (concluded)

    

Univeg Holding BV, 7.88%, 11/15/20

   EUR 100      $ 135,201   
    

 

 

 
               1,582,061   

Gas Utilities — 0.3%

    

Targa Resources Partners LP/Targa Resources Partners Finance Corp., 7.88%, 10/15/18

   USD     1,095        1,188,075   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.7%

    

Biomet, Inc.:

    

6.50%, 8/01/20

     1,211        1,283,660   

6.50%, 10/01/20

     753        783,120   

DJO Finance LLC/DJO Finance Corp., 8.75%, 3/15/18

     295        323,025   

IDH Finance PLC, 6.00%, 12/01/18

   GBP 103        170,646   

Kinetic Concepts, Inc./KCI USA, Inc., 12.50%, 11/01/19

   USD 232        256,360   

Teleflex, Inc., 6.88%, 6/01/19

     475        498,750   
    

 

 

 
               3,315,561   

Health Care Providers & Services — 1.7%

    

Aviv Healthcare Properties LP/Aviv Healthcare Capital Corp.:

    

7.75%, 2/15/19

     700        752,500   

6.00%, 10/15/21 (b)

     168        172,200   

CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc., 5.13%, 8/15/18

     345        358,800   

Crown Newco 3 PLC:

    

7.00%, 2/15/18

   GBP 194        332,282   

7.00%, 2/15/18 (b)

     108        184,982   

HCA, Inc.:

    

7.88%, 2/15/20

   USD 1,245        1,343,044   

7.25%, 9/15/20

     270        294,975   

Hologic, Inc., 6.25%, 8/01/20

     977        1,030,735   

LifePoint Hospitals, Inc., 5.50%, 12/01/21 (b)(i)

     173        173,865   

Tenet Healthcare Corp.:

    

6.25%, 11/01/18

     814        891,330   

8.00%, 8/01/20

     560        610,400   

6.00%, 10/01/20 (b)

     334        349,030   

4.38%, 10/01/21 (b)

     617        579,980   

8.13%, 4/01/22

     866        939,610   
    

 

 

 
               8,013,733   

Health Care Technology — 0.8%

    

IMS Health, Inc., 12.50%, 3/01/18 (b)

     3,205        3,781,900   

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013    5


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 2.3%

    

Carlson Wagonlit BV, 6.88%, 6/15/19 (b)

   USD 260      $ 269,100   

Cirsa Funding Luxembourg SA, 8.75%, 5/15/18

   EUR     1,744        2,494,160   

Diamond Resorts Corp., 12.00%, 8/15/18

   USD 1,040        1,154,400   

Gategroup Finance Luxembourg SA, 6.75%, 3/01/19

   EUR 235        336,906   

HRP Myrtle Beach Holdings LLC, 14.50%, 4/01/14 (a)(b)(e)

   USD 6,892        1   

HRP Myrtle Beach Operations LLC (a)(e):

    

12.50%, 4/01/14

     5,000        1   

0.00%, 12/31/49

     5,000        1   

Intralot Finance Luxembourg SA, 9.75%, 8/15/18

   EUR 345        508,047   

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.:

    

7.75%, 3/15/19

   USD 50        53,500   

5.88%, 3/15/21

     211        204,670   

Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, 9.00%, 8/31/20 (b)

     609        596,820   

Playa Resorts Holding BV, 8.00%, 8/15/20 (b)

     150        157,500   

PNK Finance Corp., 6.38%, 8/01/21 (b)

     375        387,187   

Sabre, Inc., 8.50%, 5/15/19 (b)

     577        638,306   

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

     412        403,760   

Snai SpA, 7.63%, 6/15/18 (i)

   EUR 145        200,277   

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

   USD 1,618        1,727,215   

Travelport LLC/Travelport Holdings, Inc., 6.36%, 3/01/16 (b)(d)

     883        880,644   

Tropicana Entertainment LLC/Tropicana Finance Corp., 9.63%, 12/15/14 (a)(e)

     530          

The Unique Pub Finance Co. PLC, Series A3, 6.54%, 3/30/21

   GBP 300        511,753   

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

     103        178,651   

Wynn Macau Ltd., 5.25%, 10/15/21 (b)

   USD 311        314,110   
    

 

 

 
               11,017,009   

Household Durables — 1.6%

    

Algeco Scotsman Global Finance PLC, 9.00%, 10/15/18

   EUR 280        414,706   

Ashton Woods USA LLC/Ashton Woods Finance Co., 6.88%, 2/15/21 (b)

   USD 366        358,680   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Household Durables (concluded)

    

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

   USD 640      $ 688,000   

Brookfield Residential Properties, Inc., 6.50%, 12/15/20 (b)

     655        682,838   

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

     188        187,060   

K Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc., 7.25%, 10/15/20 (b)

     1,505        1,591,537   

KB Home, 7.25%, 6/15/18

     635        695,325   

Libbey Glass, Inc., 6.88%, 5/15/20

     145        154,788   

RPG Byty Sro, 6.75%, 5/01/20

   EUR 160        220,126   

Spie BondCo 3 SCA, 11.00%, 8/15/19

     244        376,306   

Standard Pacific Corp., 8.38%, 1/15/21

   USD     1,685        1,937,750   

Taylor Morrison Communities, Inc./Monarch Communities, Inc., 5.25%, 4/15/21 (b)

     431        415,915   
    

 

 

 
               7,723,031   

Household Products — 0.2%

    

Ontex IV SA, 9.00%, 4/15/19

   EUR 217        318,914   

Spectrum Brands Escrow Corp. (b):

    

6.38%, 11/15/20

   USD 175        186,375   

6.63%, 11/15/22

     200        213,000   
    

 

 

 
               718,289   

Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders — 3.2%

    

Calpine Corp. (b):

    

7.50%, 2/15/21

     109        118,810   

6.00%, 1/15/22

     145        148,988   

5.88%, 1/15/24

     315        313,425   

Energy Future Intermediate Holding Co. LLC/EFIH Finance, Inc.:

    

6.88%, 8/15/17 (b)

     441        452,025   

10.00%, 12/01/20

     6,759        7,181,437   

10.00%, 12/01/20 (b)

     1,875        1,987,500   

12.25%, 3/01/22 (b)

     821        952,360   

GenOn REMA LLC:

    

Series B, 9.24%, 7/02/17

     173        178,152   

Series C, 9.68%, 7/02/26

     709        730,270   

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.:

    

9.50%, 2/15/19

     1,210        1,349,150   

7.38%, 5/01/22

     360        389,700   

NRG Energy, Inc., 7.63%, 1/15/18

     1,297        1,478,580   
    

 

 

 
               15,280,397   

Insurance — 0.2%

    

CNO Financial Group, Inc., 6.38%, 10/01/20 (b)

     215        230,050   

 

                
6    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Insurance (concluded)

    

Hockey Merger Sub 2, Inc., 7.88%, 10/01/21 (b)

   USD       184      $ 190,210   

MPL 2 Acquisition Canco, Inc., 9.88%, 8/15/18 (b)

     415        428,487   

Standard Life PLC, 5.50%, 12/01/19 (d)

   EUR 200        293,501   
    

 

 

 
               1,142,248   

Internet Software & Services — 0.1%

    

IAC/InterActiveCorp, 4.88%, 11/30/18 (b)

   USD 359        366,629   

IT Services — 1.8%

    

Ceridian Corp., 8.88%, 7/15/19 (b)

     1,885        2,179,531   

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

     723        835,065   

Epicor Software Corp., 8.63%, 5/01/19

     720        783,000   

First Data Corp. (b):

    

7.38%, 6/15/19

     1,335        1,428,450   

6.75%, 11/01/20

     960        1,005,600   

11.75%, 8/15/21

     420        435,750   

SunGard Data Systems, Inc., 6.63%, 11/01/19

     1,640        1,711,750   

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

     395        364,388   
    

 

 

 
               8,743,534   

Machinery — 0.0%

    

Trinseo Materials Operating SCA/Trinseo Materials Finance, Inc., 8.75%, 2/01/19 (b)

     119        121,380   

Media — 4.1%

    

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

   EUR 100        136,050   

AMC Networks, Inc., 7.75%, 7/15/21

   USD 605        680,625   

Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc., 11.50%, 4/15/20 (a)(b)(e)

     415        321,625   

Checkout Holding Corp., 10.72%, 11/15/15 (b)(g)

     740        603,100   

Clear Channel Communications, Inc., 9.00%, 3/01/21

     950        959,500   

Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc.:

    

7.63%, 3/15/20

     712        751,160   

6.50%, 11/15/22

     2,755        2,848,005   

DISH DBS Corp.:

    

4.25%, 4/01/18

     960        976,800   

5.88%, 7/15/22

     1,265        1,280,812   

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

     219        232,688   

Gannett Co., Inc. (b):

    

5.13%, 10/15/19

     144        148,500   

5.13%, 7/15/20

     156        159,120   

6.38%, 10/15/23

     217        226,223   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Media (concluded)

    

Gray Television, Inc., 7.50%, 10/01/20 (b)

   USD       310      $ 326,275   

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA:

    

7.25%, 10/15/20

     1,160        1,267,300   

5.50%, 8/01/23 (b)

     737        705,677   

Intelsat Luxembourg SA, 6.75%, 6/01/18 (b)

     655        686,112   

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

     134        144,720   

The McClatchy Co., 9.00%, 12/15/22

     230        249,550   

MDC Partners, Inc., 6.75%, 4/01/20 (b)

     355        369,200   

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

     175        177,625   

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

     308        318,010   

Nielsen Finance LLC/Nielsen Finance Co., 7.75%, 10/15/18

     658        715,575   

ProQuest LLC /ProQuest Notes Co., 9.00%, 10/15/18 (b)

     139        142,301   

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

     420        424,200   

Sirius XM Holdings, Inc. (b):

    

5.88%, 10/01/20

     250        257,812   

5.75%, 8/01/21

     306        309,825   

4.63%, 5/15/23

     225        200,813   

Sterling Entertainment Corp., 10.00%, 12/15/19

     850        850,000   

Townsquare Radio LLC / Townsquare Radio, Inc., 9.00%, 4/01/19 (b)

     569        611,675   

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

    

7.50%, 3/15/19

     1,040        1,131,000   

5.50%, 1/15/23 (b)

     830        809,250   

Univision Communications, Inc., 6.75%, 9/15/22 (b)

     206        226,600   

Ziggo Finance BV, 6.13%, 11/15/17

   EUR 50        70,147   
    

 

 

 
               19,317,875   

Metals & Mining — 2.5%

    

APERAM, 7.38%, 4/01/16 (b)

   USD 150        154,875   

ArcelorMittal:

    

9.50%, 2/15/15

     1,345        1,466,050   

4.25%, 8/05/15

     521        539,235   

5.00%, 2/25/17

     243        257,884   

6.13%, 6/01/18

     357        387,791   

Commercial Metals Co., 4.88%, 5/15/23

     650        606,125   

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013    7


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par   

(000)

    Value  

Metals & Mining (concluded)

    

Eco-Bat Finance PLC, 7.75%, 2/15/17

   EUR       305      $ 433,602   

FMG Resources August 2006 Property Ltd. (b):

    

7.00%, 11/01/15

   USD 150        155,438   

6.00%, 4/01/17

     540        572,400   

Global Brass & Copper, Inc., 9.50%, 6/01/19

     485        541,987   

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

     360        407,700   

New Gold, Inc., 6.25%, 11/15/22 (b)

     485        476,513   

Novelis, Inc., 8.75%, 12/15/20

     3,625        4,060,000   

Perstorp Holding AB, 8.75%, 5/15/17 (b)

     205        219,350   

RathGibson, Inc., 11.25%, 2/15/14 (a)(e)

     4,440          

Steel Dynamics, Inc., 6.38%, 8/15/22

     390        424,125   

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

     934        959,685   
    

 

 

 
               11,662,760   

Multiline Retail — 0.2%

    

Dufry Finance SCA, 5.50%, 10/15/20 (b)

     443        456,290   

The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc., 8.00%, 10/15/21 (b)

     618        634,995   
    

 

 

 
               1,091,285   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 5.9%

    

Access Midstream Partners LP/ACMP Finance Corp., 4.88%, 5/15/23

     330        323,400   

Alpha Natural Resources, Inc., 6.25%, 6/01/21

     151        129,483   

Antero Resources Finance Corp., 5.38%, 11/01/21 (b)

     560        565,600   

Athlon Holdings LP/Athlon Finance Corp., 7.38%, 4/15/21 (b)

     184        192,740   

Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc., 6.75%, 4/15/21

     114        120,555   

Chaparral Energy, Inc., 7.63%, 11/15/22

     215        232,738   

Chesapeake Energy Corp.:

    

7.25%, 12/15/18

     40        46,000   

6.63%, 8/15/20

     511        572,320   

6.88%, 11/15/20

     285        320,269   

6.13%, 2/15/21

     5        5,375   

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

     414        448,155   
Corporate Bonds   

Par   

(000)

    Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)

    

CONSOL Energy, Inc.:

    

8.00%, 4/01/17

   USD       55      $ 58,163   

8.25%, 4/01/20

     1,885        2,049,937   

Crosstex Energy LP / Crosstex Energy Finance Corp., 8.88%, 2/15/18

     370        390,350   

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

     275        279,125   

Energy XXI Gulf Coast, Inc., 7.75%, 6/15/19

     1,300        1,391,000   

EP Energy LLC/Everest Acquisition Finance, Inc., Series WI, 6.88%, 5/01/19

     440        474,100   

Halcon Resources Corp., 8.88%, 5/15/21

     666        675,990   

Hilcorp Energy I LP/Hilcorp Finance Co., 7.63%, 4/15/21 (b)

     734        796,390   

Holly Energy Partners LP/Holly Energy Finance Corp., 6.50%, 3/01/20

     150        157,125   

Kinder Morgan Finance Co. LLC, 6.00%, 1/15/18 (b)

     925        1,017,039   

Kinder Morgan, Inc., 5.63%, 11/15/23 (b)

     479        471,244   

Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp., 8.13%, 12/01/19

     1,040        1,151,800   

Linn Energy LLC/Linn Energy Finance Corp.:

    

8.63%, 4/15/20

     1,171        1,252,970   

7.75%, 2/01/21

     290        300,875   

Memorial Production Partners LP/Memorial Production Finance Corp., 7.63%, 5/01/21

     251        257,902   

Northern Oil and Gas, Inc., 8.00%, 6/01/20

     445        466,137   

Oasis Petroleum, Inc.:

    

7.25%, 2/01/19

     270        290,925   

6.50%, 11/01/21

     290        313,200   

6.88%, 3/15/22 (b)

     346        371,950   

Offshore Group Investment Ltd., 7.13%, 4/01/23

     473        487,190   

Pacific Drilling SA, 5.38%, 6/01/20 (b)

     431        435,310   

PBF Holding Co. LLC/PBF Finance Corp., 8.25%, 2/15/20

     144        151,200   

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

     290        313,925   

Penn Virginia Resource Partners LP/Penn Virginia Resource Finance Corp. II, 8.38%, 6/01/20

     320        353,600   

 

                
8    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (concluded)

    

PetroBakken Energy, Ltd., 8.63%, 2/01/20 (b)

   USD       266      $ 264,670   

Petrobras Global Finance BV, 3.00%, 1/15/19

     555        527,131   

Range Resources Corp.:

    

6.75%, 8/01/20

     571        619,535   

5.75%, 6/01/21

     155        165,269   

RKI Exploration & Production LLC/RKI Finance Corp., 8.50%, 8/01/21 (b)

     108        112,860   

Rosetta Resources, Inc., 5.63%, 5/01/21

     275        276,031   

Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC (b):

    

5.63%, 2/01/21

     1,697        1,675,787   

5.63%, 4/15/23

     540        511,650   

Sabine Pass LNG LP:

    

7.50%, 11/30/16

     2,905        3,282,650   

6.50%, 11/01/20

     525        543,375   

SandRidge Energy, Inc.:

    

8.75%, 1/15/20

     68        73,440   

7.50%, 2/15/23

     773        788,460   

SESI LLC, 6.38%, 5/01/19

     336        357,840   

SM Energy Co.:

    

6.63%, 2/15/19

     42        44,520   

6.50%, 11/15/21

     425        454,750   

Summit Midstream Holdings LLC/Summit Midstream Finance Corp., 7.50%, 7/01/21 (b)

     458        478,610   

Tesoro Logistics LP/Tesoro Logistics Finance Corp., 5.88%, 10/01/20

     125        128,438   

Whiting Petroleum Corp., 5.00%, 3/15/19

     1,031        1,054,197   
    

 

 

 
               28,223,295   

Paper & Forest Products — 0.2%

    

Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd., 7.50%, 12/15/17 (b)

     527        567,843   

NewPage Corp., 11.38%, 12/31/14 (a)(e)

     2,103          

Sappi Papier Holding GmbH, 8.38%, 6/15/19 (b)

     200        218,000   
    

 

 

 
               785,843   

Pharmaceuticals — 0.5%

    

Capsugel SA, 7.00%, 5/15/19 (b)(c)

     112        113,960   

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (b):

    

6.75%, 8/15/18

     643        708,104   

6.38%, 10/15/20

     435        458,381   

5.63%, 12/01/21 (i)

     372        373,860   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Pharmaceuticals (concluded)

                

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (b) (concluded):

    

7.25%, 7/15/22

   USD       660      $ 711,150   
    

 

 

 
               2,365,455   

Professional Services — 0.1%

    

Truven Health Analytics, Inc., 10.63%, 6/01/20

     380        429,875   

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.4%

    

Cantor Commercial Real Estate Co. LP/CCRE Finance Corp., 7.75%, 2/15/18 (b)

     455        481,163   

Felcor Lodging LP:

    

6.75%, 6/01/19

     929        994,030   

5.63%, 3/01/23

     206        200,850   

iStar Financial, Inc., 4.88%, 7/01/18

     324        322,380   
    

 

 

 
               1,998,423   

Real Estate Management & Development — 1.2%

    

Realogy Corp. (b):

    

7.88%, 2/15/19

     1,809        1,976,332   

7.63%, 1/15/20

     1,190        1,329,825   

9.00%, 1/15/20

     261        302,760   

The Realogy Group LLC/Sunshine Group Florida Ltd., 3.38%, 5/01/16 (b)

     546        547,365   

Shea Homes LP/Shea Homes Funding Corp., 8.63%, 5/15/19

     1,495        1,651,975   
    

 

 

 
               5,808,257   

Road & Rail — 0.9%

    

Avis Budget Car Rental LLC/Avis Budget Finance, Inc., 3.00%, 12/01/17 (b)(d)

     126        125,685   

The Hertz Corp.:

    

7.50%, 10/15/18

     1,490        1,611,062   

6.75%, 4/15/19

     285        307,088   

5.88%, 10/15/20

     305        316,438   

7.38%, 1/15/21

     1,385        1,520,037   

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

     230        229,425   
    

 

 

 
               4,109,735   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.3%

    

GCS Holdco Finance I SA, 6.50%, 11/15/18

   EUR 100        138,937   

NXP BV/NXP Funding LLC (b):

    

3.75%, 6/01/18

   USD 685        690,138   

5.75%, 2/15/21

     545        567,481   
    

 

 

 
               1,396,556   

 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013    9


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Software — 1.0%

    

Activision Blizzard, Inc. (b):

    

5.63%, 9/15/21

   USD       338      $ 351,098   

6.13%, 9/15/23

     118        123,605   

Healthcare Technology Intermediate, Inc., 7.38%, 9/01/18 (b)(c)

     216        221,940   

Infor US, Inc., 9.38%, 4/01/19

     2,420        2,728,550   

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

     1,305        1,229,962   
    

 

 

 
               4,655,155   

Specialty Retail — 0.8%

    

Claire’s Stores, Inc. (b):

    

9.00%, 3/15/19

     944        1,056,100   

7.75%, 6/01/20

     158        158,000   

Magnolia BC SA, 9.00%, 8/01/20

   EUR 120        170,394   

Michaels FinCo Holdings LLC/Michaels FinCo, Inc., 7.50%, 8/01/18 (b)(c)

   USD 450        465,750   

Michaels Stores, Inc., 7.75%, 11/01/18

     223        241,397   

New Academy Finance Co. LLC/New Academy Finance Corp., 8.00%, 6/15/18 (b)(c)

     155        158,683   

New Look Bondco I PLC, 8.75%, 5/14/18

   GBP 100        172,016   

Party City Holdings, Inc., 8.88%, 8/01/20

   USD 422        468,420   

PC Nextco Holdings LLC/PC Nextco Finance, Inc., 8.75%, 8/15/19 (b)(c)

     184        189,980   

Sally Holdings LLC/Sally Capital, Inc., 6.88%, 11/15/19

     650        719,062   

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

     96        89,280   
    

 

 

 
               3,889,082   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.2%

    

Levi Strauss & Co., 6.88%, 5/01/22

     265        289,512   

SIWF Merger Sub, Inc., 6.25%, 6/01/21 (b)

     460        462,300   

The William Carter Co., 5.25%, 8/15/21 (b)

     249        253,358   
    

 

 

 
               1,005,170   

Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.2%

    

Doric Nimrod Air Finance Alpha Ltd. Pass-Through Trust, Series 2012-1, Class A, 5.13%, 11/30/24 (b)

     955        969,459   
Corporate Bonds   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Transportation Infrastructure — 0.1%

    

Aguila 3 SA (b):

    

7.88%, 1/31/18

   USD       353      $ 374,621   

Series 144, 7.88%, 1/31/18

     250        265,313   
    

 

 

 
               639,934   

Wireless Telecommunication Services — 3.3%

    

Digicel Group, Ltd., 8.25%, 9/30/20 (b)

     995        1,039,775   

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

     816        787,440   

Sprint Communications, Inc. (b):

    

9.00%, 11/15/18

     4,260        5,154,600   

7.00%, 3/01/20

     2,111        2,348,487   

Sprint Corp., 7.88%, 9/15/23 (b)

     2,617        2,865,615   

T-Mobile USA, Inc.:

    

6.63%, 4/28/21

     1,355        1,419,362   

6.13%, 1/15/22

     155        157,906   

6.73%, 4/28/22

     1,305        1,360,463   

6.50%, 1/15/24

     285        288,563   

Wind Acquisition Finance SA, 6.50%, 4/30/20 (b)

     202        213,110   
    

 

 

 
               15,635,321   

Total Corporate Bonds59.7%

             284,213,036   
    
                  
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)               

Aerospace & Defense — 0.9%

    

DigitalGlobe, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.75%, 1/31/20

     925        933,447   

Transdigm, Inc., Term Loan C, 3.75%, 2/28/20

     471        473,441   

TransUnion LLC, Term Loan, 4.25%, 2/10/19

     2,741        2,756,451   
    

 

 

 
               4,163,339   

Airlines — 0.7%

    

Delta Air Lines, Inc., Term Loan B1, 4.00%, 10/18/18

     1,838        1,845,302   

Northwest Airlines, Inc., Term Loan:

    

2.24%, 3/10/17

     378        348,704   

1.62%, 9/10/18

     495        436,838   

US Airways Group, Inc., Term Loan B1, 4.25%, 5/23/19

     850        852,550   
    

 

 

 
               3,483,394   

Auto Components — 2.6%

    

Affinia Group Intermediate Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B2, 4.75%, 4/27/20

     658        666,579   

 

                
10    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Auto Components (concluded)

    

Autoparts Holdings Ltd.:

    

1st Lien Term Loan, 6.50%, 7/29/17

     USD      1,350      $ 1,324,959   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 10.50%, 1/29/18

     1,800        1,674,000   

Federal-Mogul Corp.:

    

Term Loan B, 2.10% — 2.11%, 12/29/14

     2,464        2,431,886   

Term Loan C, 2.10% — 2.11%, 12/28/15

     2,283        2,253,477   

FleetPride Corp., 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.25%, 11/19/19

     645        632,222   

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 2nd Lien Term Loan, 4.75%, 4/30/19

     2,170        2,188,987   

Schaeffler AG, Term Loan C, 4.25%, 1/27/17

     225        226,220   

Transtar Holding Co., 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.50%, 10/09/18

     901        889,639   
    

 

 

 
               12,287,969   

Biotechnology — 0.2%

    

Grifols, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 6/01/17

     1,015        1,019,662   

Building Products — 1.0%

    

Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.50%, 3/16/20

     473        471,888   

Continental Building Products LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 8/14/20

     665        661,675   

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

     1,305        1,306,631   

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

     520        522,044   

Wilsonart International Holdings LLC:

    

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

     275        271,562   

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

     1,419        1,405,679   
    

 

 

 
               4,639,479   

Capital Markets — 0.3%

    

American Capital Holdings, Inc., Term Loan, 4.00%, 8/22/16

     389        390,371   

HarbourVest Partners LLC, Term Loan B, 4.75%, 11/21/17

     560        561,594   

KCG Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.75%, 12/05/17

     498        499,670   
    

 

 

 
               1,451,635   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Chemicals — 2.4%

    

American Rock Salt Holdings LLC, Term Loan, 5.50%, 4/25/17

     USD      378      $ 380,024   

Axalta Coating Systems US Holdings Inc., Term Loan, 4.75%, 2/01/20

     1,617        1,628,323   

Chemtura Corp., Term Loan B, 3.50%, 8/27/16

     984        988,112   

Evergreen Acqco 1 LP, Term Loan, 5.50%, 7/09/19

     795        796,656   

General Chemical Corp., Term Loan, 5.00% — 5.75%, 10/06/15

     579        580,724   

INEOS US Finance LLC, 6 Year Term Loan, 4.00%, 5/04/18

     726        727,127   

MacDermid, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 3.16%, 6/08/20

     643        646,605   

Nexeo Solutions LLC, Term Loan B, 5.00%, 9/08/17

     1,673        1,661,741   

OXEA Finance LLC:

    

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.25%, 7/15/20

     695        706,078   

Term Loan B2, 4.25%, 1/15/20

     985        990,171   

Royal Adhesives and Sealants LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.50%, 7/31/18

     577        580,797   

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

     484        482,578   

Tronox Pigments (Netherlands) BV, 2013 Term Loan, 4.50%, 3/19/20

     1,015        1,026,640   

Univar, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.00%, 6/30/17

     465        457,471   
    

 

 

 
               11,653,047   

Commercial Banks — 0.4%

    

Fly Funding II Sarl, Term Loan B, 4.50%, 8/09/18

     100        100,563   

Redtop Acquisitions Ltd.:

    

1st Lien Term Loan, 3.27%, 11/30/20

     400        401,500   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.25%, 5/31/21

     255        256,275   

Santander Asset Management, Term Loan, 1.00%, 11/11/20

     1,070        1,070,000   
    

 

 

 
               1,828,338   

Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.9%

    

ADS Waste Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 10/09/19

     1,745        1,752,094   

AWAS Finance Luxembourg 2012 SA, Term Loan, 3.50%, 7/16/18

     412        412,920   

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013    11


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Commercial Services & Supplies (concluded)

    

AWAS Finance Luxembourg Sarl, Term Loan B, 3.50%, 6/10/16

     USD      460      $ 460,974   

Catalent Pharma Solutions, Inc., Term Loan, 6.50%, 12/29/17

     415        419,669   

KAR Auction Services, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.75%, 5/19/17

     1,026        1,029,159   

Learning Care Group (US) No. 2, Inc., Term Loan B, 6.00%, 5/08/19

     204        204,548   

Livingston International, Inc.:

    

1st Lien Term Loan, 5.00%, 4/18/19

     569        567,864   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.00%, 4/20/20

     254        255,789   

Protection One, Inc., Term Loan, 4.25%, 3/21/19

     946        944,028   

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

     1,705        1,706,074   

West Corp., Term Loan B8, 3.75%, 6/30/18

     1,234        1,238,022   
    

 

 

 
               8,991,141   

Communications Equipment — 2.6%

    

Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc.:

    

Term Loan C, 5.75%, 1/30/19

     2,700        2,721,548   

Term Loan D, 6.25%, 1/30/19

     EUR      868        1,180,034   

Avaya, Inc.:

    

Extended Term Loan B3, 4.74%, 10/26/17

     USD   1,404        1,343,775   

Term Loan B5, 8.00%, 3/30/18

     181        180,474   

CommScope, Inc., Term Loan, 3.75% — 5.00%, 1/14/18

     1,463        1,463,231   

Riverbed Technology, Inc., Term Loan, 4.00%, 12/18/19

     608        611,605   

Telesat Canada, Term Loan A, 4.38%, 3/28/17

     CAD   2,531        2,385,336   

Zayo Group LLC, Term Loan B, 4.00%, 7/02/19

     USD   2,367        2,365,729   
    

 

 

 
               12,251,732   

Construction & Engineering — 0.7%

    

BakerCorp International, Inc., Term Loan, 4.25%, 2/14/20

     1,174        1,166,594   

Centaur LLC:

    

1st Lien Term Loan, 5.25%, 2/20/19

     1,035        1,045,148   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.75%, 2/20/20

     510        520,200   

USIC Holdings, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.75%, 7/10/20

     479        480,596   
    

 

 

 
               3,212,538   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Construction Materials — 1.1%

    

Filtration Group Corp.:

    

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 11/30/20

     USD      400      $ 402,832   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.25%, 11/30/21

     435        442,069   

HD Supply, Inc., Senior Debt B, 4.50%, 10/12/17

     3,905        3,925,202   

McJunkin Red Man Corp., Term Loan, 5.00%, 11/12/19

     275        276,977   
    

 

 

 
               5,047,080   

Consumer Finance — 0.3%

    

Springleaf Financial Funding Co., Term Loan B2, 4.75%, 9/30/19

     1,210        1,222,100   

Containers & Packaging — 0.9%

    

Pact Group (USA), Inc., Term Loan B, 3.75%, 5/29/20

     1,716        1,699,624   

Polarpak, Inc., 1st Lien Canadian Borrower, 5.50%, 6/05/20

     219        220,088   

Sealed Air Corp., 2013 Term Loan, 4.00%, 10/03/18

     594        594,357   

Tekni-Plex, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.50% — 6.50%, 8/25/19

     1,431        1,431,412   

WNA Holdings, Inc.:

    

1st Lien US Borrower, 4.50% — 5.50%, 6/05/20

     119        119,554   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.50%, 12/07/20

     345        347,588   
    

 

 

 
               4,412,623   

Distributors — 0.6%

    

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

     2,165        2,162,294   

Crossmark Holdings, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 12/21/19

     422        419,703   

VWR Funding, Inc., Extended Add on Term Loan, 4.16%, 4/03/17

     496        497,491   
    

 

 

 
               3,079,488   

Diversified Consumer Services — 1.1%

    

Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.00% — 5.25%, 1/30/20

     1,022        1,026,753   

Doncasters Finance US LLC, Term Loan, 5.50%, 4/09/20

     396        398,728   

Garda World Security Corp., Term Loan B, 4.00%, 11/06/20

     748        751,539   

ROC Finance LLC, Term Loan, 5.00%, 5/15/19

     450        430,596   

 

                
12    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Diversified Consumer Services (concluded)

    

ServiceMaster Co., Term Loan, 4.25%, 1/31/17

     USD        1,274      $ 1,253,610   

Weight Watchers International, Inc., Term Loan B2, 3.75%, 4/02/20

     1,393        1,194,819   
    

 

 

 
               5,056,045   

Diversified Financial Services — 1.2%

    

ION Trading Technologies Sarl:

    

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 5/22/20

     728        731,364   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.25%, 5/22/21

     305        307,797   

Kasima LLC, Term Loan B, 3.25%, 5/17/21

     815        812,457   

Reynolds Group Holdings, Inc., Dollar Term Loan, 4.00%, 12/31/18

     2,181        2,194,892   

RPI Finance Trust, Term Loan B3, 3.50%, 11/09/18

     317        318,477   

WMG Acquisition Corp., Term Loan, 3.75%, 7/01/20

     1,455        1,453,181   
    

 

 

 
               5,818,168   

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 2.6%

    

Consolidated Communications, Inc., Term Loan B3, 5.25%, 12/31/18

     1,553        1,561,495   

Hawaiian Telcom Communications, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.00%, 6/06/19

     2,005        2,008,105   

Integra Telecom, Inc.:

    

1st Lien Term Loan, 5.25%, 2/22/19

     836        843,899   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.75%, 2/21/20

     420        430,323   

Level 3 Financing, Inc., 2020 Term Loan B, 4.00%, 1/15/20

     4,475        4,502,969   

Syniverse Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.00%, 4/23/19

     805        809,732   

US Telepacific Corp., Term Loan B, 5.75%, 2/23/17

     2,387        2,383,200   
    

 

 

 
               12,539,723   

Electric Utilities — 0.1%

    

Sandy Creek Energy Associates, L.P., Term Loan B, 5.00%, 11/06/20

     410        411,119   

Electrical Equipment — 0.4%

    

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC, Extended Term Loan, 4.74%, 10/10/17

     2,515        1,739,449   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.2%

    

CDW LLC, Term Loan, 3.50%, 4/29/20

     USD          945      $ 940,524   

Energy Equipment & Services — 0.4%

    

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

     798        798,830   

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

     658        662,049   

Unifrax Corp., Term Loan, 4.25%, 11/28/18

     397        397,576   
    

 

 

 
               1,858,455   

Food & Staples Retailing — 1.5%

    

Alliance Boots Holdings Ltd., Term Loan B1, 3.48%, 7/09/15

     GBP        3,000        4,900,701   

Rite Aid Corp.:

    

2nd Lien Term Loan, 5.75%, 8/21/20

     USD          430        440,212   

Term Loan 6, 4.00%, 2/21/20

     403        405,780   

Supervalu, Inc., Refinancing Term Loan B, 5.00%, 3/21/19

     934        937,399   

US Foods, Inc., Refinancing Term Loan, 4.50%, 3/29/19

     349        349,998   
    

 

 

 
               7,034,090   

Food Products — 2.2%

    

AdvancePierre Foods, Inc., Term Loan, 5.75%, 7/10/17

     963        956,467   

CTI Foods Holding Co. LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 6/29/20

     475        475,000   

Del Monte Foods Co., Term Loan:

    

1st Lien, 4.00%, 11/06/20

     615        618,075   

4.50%, 3/08/18

     1,018        1,021,987   

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

     1,100        1,104,884   

GFA Brands, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.00%, 7/09/20

     404        404,997   

Performance Food Group Co., 2nd Lien Term Loan, 6.25%, 11/14/19

     1,481        1,475,733   

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC:

    

Incremental Term Loan H, 3.25%, 4/29/20

     305        304,533   

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

     1,294        1,291,560   

Reddy Ice Corp.:

    

1st Lien Term Loan, 6.75% — 7.75%, 5/01/19

     1,975        1,973,850   

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

     995        977,588   
    

 

 

 
               10,604,674   

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013    13


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Gas Utilities — 0.1%

    

EFS Cogen Holdings I, Inc., Term Loan B, 1.00%, 12/01/20

     USD        585      $ 585,000   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 2.8%

    

Arysta LifeScience Corp.:

    

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 5/30/20

     1,626        1,633,047   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.25%, 11/30/20

     700        711,375   

Biomet, Inc., Term Loan B2, 3.67% — 3.75%, 7/25/17

     1,466        1,477,088   

Capital Safety North America Holding, Inc., Term Loan, 4.50%, 1/21/19

     1,246        1,242,981   

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

     49        48,932   

DJO Finance LLC, Term Loan B3, 4.75%, 9/15/17

     2,442        2,466,143   

The Hologic, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.75%, 8/01/19

     1,560        1,565,202   

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

     1,489        1,494,173   

Kinetic Concepts, Inc., Term Loan D1, 4.50%, 5/04/18

     260        262,535   

LHP Hospital Group, Inc., Term Loan, 9.00%, 7/03/18

     746        697,101   

Onex Carestream Finance LP:

    

1st Lien Term Loan, 5.00%, 6/07/19

     751        758,410   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.50%, 6/07/19

     890        895,563   
    

 

 

 
               13,252,550   

Health Care Providers & Services — 2.9%

    

American Renal Holdings, Inc.:

    

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 9/22/19

     1,070        1,066,951   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.50%, 2/14/20

     850        837,250   

Ardent Medical Services, Inc., Term Loan, 6.75%, 7/02/18

     506        504,910   

CHG Buyer Corp., Term Loan, 4.25%, 11/19/19

     705        707,505   

ConvaTec, Inc., Term Loan, 4.00%, 12/22/16

     1,712        1,719,834   

DaVita, Inc.:

    

Term Loan B, 4.50%, 10/20/16

     1,945        1,954,239   

Term Loan B2, 4.00%, 11/01/19

     1,107        1,112,447   

Envision Healthcare Corp., Term Loan, 5.75%, 5/25/18

     553        554,055   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Health Care Providers & Services (concluded)

    

Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA, Incremental TL B, 2.25%, 6/30/19

     EUR        440      $ 596,378   

Genesis HealthCare Corp., Term Loan B, 10.00% — 10.75%, 10/02/17

     USD        951        960,629   

Ikaria Acquisition, Inc.:

    

1st Lien Term Loan, 7.25%, 7/03/18

     509        512,377   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 11.00%, 7/03/19

     330        336,600   

inVentiv Health, Inc.:

    

Combined Term Loan, 7.50%, 8/04/16

     621        613,430   

Incremental Term Loan B3, 7.75%, 5/15/18

     545        539,492   

Surgical Care Affiliates, Inc., Class C Incremental Term Loan, 4.25%, 6/30/18

     783        784,995   

US Renal Care, Inc., Incremental 1st Lien Term Loan, 1.00%, 7/03/19

     1,045        1,054,043   
    

 

 

 
               13,855,135   

Health Care Technology — 0.6%

    

IMS Health, Inc., Term Loan B1, 3.75%, 9/01/17

     2,624        2,630,796   

MedAssets, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.00%, 12/13/19

     374        373,961   
    

 

 

 
               3,004,757   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 7.6%

    

Bally Technologies, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 8/31/20

     815        819,751   

Bronco Midstream Funding LLC, Term Loan B, 5.00%, 8/17/20

     1,350        1,363,500   

Caesars Entertainment Resort Properties, LLC, Term Loan B, 7.00%, 10/12/20

     12,660        12,430,601   

Drumm Investors LLC, Term Loan, 5.00%, 5/04/18

     1,003        977,369   

Four Seasons Holdings, Inc., 2nd Lien Term Loan, 6.25%, 12/28/20

     590        604,013   

Hilton Worldwide Finance, LLC, Term Loan B2, 4.00%, 10/26/20

     6,581        6,599,491   

Intrawest ULC, Term Loan, 5.50%, 11/26/20

     670        670,837   

Marina District Finance Co., Inc., Term Loan B, 1.00%, 8/15/18

     980        981,225   

MGM Resorts International, Term Loan B, 3.50%, 12/20/19

     1,081        1,080,013   

 

                
14    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par   

(000)

    Value  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (concluded)

    

OSI Restaurant Partners LLC, Term Loan, 3.50%, 10/26/19

     USD        655      $ 655,138   

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., Term Loan B2, 3.75%, 8/13/20

     943        945,880   

Playa Resorts Holding BV, Term Loan B, 4.75%, 8/09/19

     735        740,976   

Sabre, Inc.:

    

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

     425        424,205   

Term Loan B, 5.25%, 2/19/19

     581        583,881   

Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.00% — 5.25%, 12/20/18

     386        387,779   

Station Casinos, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.00%, 3/02/20

     2,980        3,010,451   

Travelport LLC:

    

2nd Lien Term Loan 1, 9.50%, 1/31/16

     1,040        1,075,763   

Refinancing Term Loan, 6.25%, 6/26/19

     1,142        1,165,997   

Twin River Management Group, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.25%, 11/10/18

     1,030        1,040,256   

Wendy’s International, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.25%, 5/15/19

     749        748,633   
    

 

 

 
               36,305,759   

Household Products — 0.7%

    

Prestige Brands, Inc., Term Loan, 3.75% — 5.00%, 1/31/19

     989        991,012   

Spectrum Brands, Inc.:

    

Term Loan, 4.50% — 5.50%, 12/17/19

     1,250        1,254,733   

Term Loan A, 3.00%, 9/07/17

     855        855,710   

Term Loan C, 3.50%, 9/04/19

     170        170,421   
    

 

 

 
               3,271,876   

Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders — 1.1%

    

AES Corp., Refinancing Term Loan B, 3.75%, 6/01/18

     1,372        1,379,620   

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

     274        271,363   

Calpine Corp., Term Loan B1, 4.00%, 4/02/18

     750        754,567   

La Frontera Generation LLC, Term Loan, 4.50%, 9/30/20

     1,859        1,877,023   

Star West Generation LLC, Term Loan B, 4.25%, 3/13/20

     741        745,908   
    

 

 

 
               5,028,481   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par   

(000)

    Value  

Industrial Conglomerates — 0.4%

    

Sequa Corp., Term Loan B, 5.25%, 12/19/17

     USD        1,883      $ 1,858,053   

Insurance — 1.3%

    

Alliant Holdings I, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.75%, 12/20/19

     754        755,718   

Asurion LLC, Term Loan B1, 4.50%, 5/24/19

     1,082        1,081,078   

CNO Financial Group, Inc.:

    

Term Loan B1, 3.00%, 9/28/16

     592        593,800   

Term Loan B2, 3.75%, 9/28/18

     927        928,163   

Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford Ltd.:

    

1st Lien Term Loan, 5.00%, 4/16/20

     768        757,752   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.25%, 10/16/20

     360        353,099   

Cunningham Lindsey US, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.00%, 12/10/19

     655        653,412   

Hub International Ltd., Term Loan B, 4.75%, 10/02/20

     790        797,608   

National Financial Partners Corp., Term Loan, 5.25%, 7/01/20

     314        317,747   
    

 

 

 
               6,238,377   

Internet Software & Services — 0.7%

    

Interactive Data Corp., Term Loan B, 3.75%, 2/11/18

     1,679        1,677,181   

W3 Co.:

    

1st Lien Term Loan, 5.75%, 3/13/20

     741        743,128   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.25%, 9/13/20

     289        292,168   

Web.com Group, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.50%, 10/27/17

     643        648,419   
    

 

 

 
               3,360,896   

IT Services — 2.2%

    

CCC Information Services, Inc., Term Loan, 4.00%, 12/20/19

     382        382,112   

Ceridian Corp., Term Loan B, 4.42%, 5/09/17

     1,694        1,700,990   

First Data Corp., 2018 Term Loan:

    

4.17%, 9/24/18

     1,110        1,112,420   

Extended B, 4.17%, 3/23/18

     5,503        5,514,106   

Genpact International, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.50%, 8/30/19

     485        485,719   

InfoGroup, Inc., Term Loan, 8.00%, 5/26/18

     606        491,026   

Moneygram International, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 3/27/20

     137        137,721   

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013    15


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

IT Services (concluded)

    

SunGard Data Systems, Inc.:

    

Term Loan D, 4.50%, 1/31/20

     USD          476      $ 478,930   

Term Loan E, 4.00%, 3/09/20

     308        310,763   
    

 

 

 
               10,613,787   

Leisure Equipment & Products — 0.1%

    

FGI Operating Co. LLC, Term Loan, 5.50%, 4/19/19

     538        543,883   

Life Sciences Tools & Services — 0.1%

    

Patheon, Inc., Term Loan, 7.25%, 12/14/18

     495        499,643   

Machinery — 3.0%

    

Allegion PLC, Term Loan B, 3.00%, 9/30/20

     750        750,233   

Alliance Laundry Systems LLC:

    

2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.50%, 12/10/19

     442        445,684   

Refinancing Term Loan, 4.25%, 12/10/18

     384        384,808   

Dayco Products LLC, Term Loan B, 5.25%, 11/26/19

     825        818,812   

Faenza Acquisition GmbH:

    

Term Loan B1, 4.25%, 8/31/20

     495        496,944   

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

     151        151,153   

Gardner Denver, Inc., Term Loan:

    

4.25%, 7/30/20

     1,365        1,357,451   

4.75%, 7/30/20

     EUR          225        308,451   

Generac Power Systems, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.50%, 5/31/20

     USD        1,441        1,441,387   

Intelligrated, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 7/30/18

     792        793,980   

Mirror Bidco Corp., Term Loan, 5.25%, 12/27/19

     1,012        1,016,987   

Navistar International Corp., Term Loan B, 5.75%, 8/17/17

     1,176        1,193,358   

Pacific Industrial Services US Finco LLC:

    

1st Lien Term Loan, 5.00%, 10/02/18

     910        919,673   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.75%, 4/02/19

     705        719,100   

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

     854        853,617   

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

     701        699,941   

Terex Corp., Term Loan, 4.00%, 4/28/17

     EUR          125        170,371   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)   

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Machinery (concluded)

    

Wabash National Corp., Term Loan B, 4.50%, 5/08/19

     USD        1,657      $ 1,663,452   
    

 

 

 
               14,185,402   

Marine — 0.3%

    

HGIM Corp., Term Loan B, 5.50%, 6/18/20

     1,665        1,671,244   

Media — 6.5%

    

Activision Blizzard, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.25%, 10/12/20

     1,245        1,247,726   

Advanstar Communications, Inc., 2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.50%, 6/06/20

     470        470,000   

Capsugel Holdings US, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.50%, 8/01/18

     1,005        1,002,200   

Catalina Marketing Corp., Term Loan B, 5.25%, 10/12/20

     1,035        1,043,797   

Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc., Tranche 1 Incremental, 7.50%, 7/03/14

     1,234        927,441   

Charter Communications Operating LLC, Term Loan E, 3.00%, 7/01/20

     482        474,720   

Clear Channel Communications, Inc.:

    

Term Loan B, 3.81%, 1/29/16

     256        246,667   

Term Loan C, 3.81%, 1/29/16

     148        141,370   

Term Loan D, 6.91%, 1/30/19

     3,252        3,064,900   

Cumulus Media Holdings, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 9/17/18

     1,362        1,368,899   

EMI Music Publishing Ltd., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 6/29/18

     886        889,166   

EW Scripps Co., Term Loan B, 1.00%, 11/14/20

     460        461,150   

Fender Musical Instruments Corp., 2019 Term Loan B, 5.75%, 4/03/19

     187        189,306   

Foxco Acquisition Sub LLC, Term Loan B, 5.50%, 7/14/17

     1,183        1,184,839   

Getty Images, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.75%, 10/18/19

     176        162,282   

Gray Television, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.75%, 10/15/19

     247        248,216   

Hemisphere Media Group, Inc., Term Loan, 6.25%, 7/30/20

     903        905,563   

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Co., DIP Term Loan B, 4.25%, 6/01/18

     1,502        1,505,249   

Hubbard Radio LLC, Term Loan B, 4.50%, 4/29/19

     874        881,052   

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, Term Loan B2, 2.00%, 6/30/19

     2,493        2,496,193   

 

                
16    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)          

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Media (concluded)

      

Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., 2nd Lien Term Loan, 5.00%, 7/17/20

     USD        400      $ 400,500   

Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., 2020 Term Loan B1, 3.50%, 8/17/20

       410        410,205   

Media General, Inc., Delayed Draw Term Loan B, 5.50%, 7/31/20

       760        767,129   

NEP/NCP Holdco, Inc.:

      

2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.50%, 7/22/20

       246        251,705   

Term Loan, 4.75%, 1/22/20

       1,191        1,193,977   

Nielsen Finance LLC, Term Loan E, 2.92%, 5/02/16

       341        341,471   

Rentpath, Inc., Term Loan B, 6.25%, 5/29/20

       988        965,306   

Salem Communications Corp., Term Loan B, 4.50%, 3/16/20

       725        727,251   

Sinclair Television Group, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.00%, 4/09/20

       388        384,899   

Springer Science & Business Media Deutschland GmbH, Term Loan B2, 5.00%, 8/14/20

       1,015        1,017,751   

Tribune Co., 2013 Term Loan, 1.00%, 11/12/20

       1,185        1,179,442   

TWCC Holding Corp., 2nd Lien Term Loan, 7.00%, 6/26/20

       845        865,069   

Univision Communications, Inc., Converted Extended Term Loan, 4.50%, 3/02/20

       1,954        1,961,697   

UPC Financing Partnership:

      

Term Loan AG, 3.88%, 3/31/21

     EUR        396        540,937   

Term Loan AH, 3.25%, 6/30/21

     USD        255        254,283   

WideOpenWest Finance LLC, Term Loan B, 4.75%, 4/01/19

       647        650,343   
      

 

 

 
                       30,822,701   

Metals & Mining — 2.3%

      

Ameriforge Group, Inc.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 5.00%, 12/19/19

       675        680,522   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.75%, 12/18/20

       335        341,700   

API Heat Transfer, Inc., Term Loan, 5.25%, 5/03/19

       691        687,203   

Constellium Holdco BV, Term Loan B, 6.00%, 3/25/20

       1,497        1,533,040   

FMG Resources August 2006 Property Ltd., Term Loan, 4.25%, 6/30/19

       2,314        2,334,367   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)          

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Metals & Mining (concluded)

      

Murray Energy Corp., Term Loan B, 4.75%, 5/24/19

     USD        174      $ 174,945   

Novelis, Inc., Term Loan, 3.75%, 3/10/17

       2,169        2,178,022   

SunCoke Energy, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.00%, 7/26/18

       485        482,310   

Walter Energy, Inc., Term Loan B, 6.75%, 4/02/18

       1,219        1,192,952   

Windsor Financing LLC, Term Loan B, 6.25%, 12/05/17

       1,104        1,130,486   
      

 

 

 
                       10,735,547   

Multiline Retail — 2.1%

      

99 Cents Only Stores, Term Loan, 4.50%, 1/11/19

       1,295        1,300,216   

Apex Tool Group LLC, Term Loan B, 4.50%, 2/01/20

       871        872,079   

BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.75%, 9/26/19

       973        975,444   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 4.75%, 3/26/20

       720        733,500   

HEMA Holding BV:

      

Extended 2nd Lien TL, 5.88%, 1/05/18

     EUR        2,900        3,651,564   

Extended Term Loan B, 4.50%, 12/06/17

       346        472,467   

Extended Term Loan C, 4.50%, 12/06/17

       317        432,684   

Hudson’s Bay Co.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.75%, 11/04/20

     USD        840        850,214   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.25%, 11/04/21

       125        128,334   

JC Penney Corp., Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 6.00%, 5/22/18

       594        579,630   
      

 

 

 
                       9,996,132   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 3.7%

      

Brand Energy & Infrastructure Services, Inc., Term Loan B, 1.00%, 11/20/20

       1,579        1,585,103   

Chesapeake Energy Corp., Unsecured Term Loan, 5.75%, 12/02/17

       1,920        1,958,400   

Drillships Financing Holding, Inc., Term Loan B2, 5.50%, 7/15/16

       1,506        1,523,803   

EP Energy LLC, Term Loan B3, 3.50%, 5/24/18

       793        793,532   

Fieldwood Energy LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, 3.88%, 9/30/18

       475        477,893   

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013    17


      

 

 

Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)          

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (concluded)

      

GIM Channelview Cogeneration LLC, Term Loan B, 4.25%, 5/08/20

     USD        484      $ 486,811   

Obsidian Natural Gas Trust, Term Loan, 7.00%, 11/02/15

       1,161        1,160,975   

Offshore Group Investment Ltd.:

      

6.25%, 10/25/17

       1,695        1,700,456   

6.25%, 3/28/19

       687        692,770   

Pacific Drilling SA, Term Loan B, 4.50%, 6/04/18

       1,012        1,020,694   

Panda Temple II Power LLC, Term Loan B, 7.25%, 4/03/19

       650        666,250   

Philadelphia Energy Solutions LLC, Term Loan B, 6.25%, 4/04/18

       681        608,014   

PowerTeam Services LLC:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.25%, 5/06/20

       359        354,500   

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

       200        196,500   

Delayed Draw Term Loan, 3.25% — 4.25%, 5/06/20

       20        19,325   

Ruby Western Pipeline Holdings LLC, Term Loan B, 3.50%, 3/27/20

       511        511,992   

Samson Investment Co., 2nd Lien Term Loan, 6.00%, 9/25/18

       525        526,312   

State Class Tankers II LLC, Term Loan B, 6.75%, 6/22/20

       1,090        1,098,175   

Tesoro Corp., Term Loan B, 2.41%, 5/30/16

       980        980,075   

Western Refining, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 11/12/20

       1,210        1,219,837   
      

 

 

 
                       17,581,417   

Paper & Forest Products — 0.2%

      

NewPage Corp., Exit Term Loan, 7.75%, 12/21/18

             846        862,654   

Pharmaceuticals — 2.6%

      

Akorn, Inc., Term Loan B, 1.00%, 8/27/20

       750        752,347   

Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC, Term Loan, 7.00%, 11/01/19

       585        585,000   

Aptalis Pharma, Inc., Term Loan B, 6.00%, 9/18/20

       2,111        2,130,951   

Envision Acquisition Co. LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.75%, 11/04/20

       860        862,150   

Par Pharmaceutical Cos., Inc., Refinancing Term Loan B, 4.25%, 9/30/19

       3,039        3,052,275   

Pharmaceutical Product Development LLC, Term Loan B, 4.25%, 12/05/18

       2,020        2,031,448   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)          

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Pharmaceuticals (concluded)

      

Quintiles Transnational Corp., Term Loan B, 4.00%, 6/08/18

     USD        756      $ 756,423   

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.:

      

Series C2 Term Loan B, 3.75%, 12/11/19

       583        586,476   

Series D2 Term Loan B, 3.75%, 2/13/19

       1,114        1,121,392   

Term Loan E, 4.50%, 8/05/20

       650        657,128   
      

 

 

 
                       12,535,590   

Professional Services — 1.1%

      

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

       2,328        2,335,338   

ON Assignment, Inc., Refinancing Term Loan B, 3.50%, 4/30/20

       449        447,486   

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

       766        779,558   

TriNet Group, Inc., Term Loan B2, 5.00%, 8/14/20

       585        585,000   

Truven Health Analytics, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.50%, 6/06/19

       1,047        1,049,846   
      

 

 

 
                       5,197,228   

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.5%iStar Financial, Inc., Term Loan, 4.50%, 10/16/17

       2,077        2,085,956   

Starwood Property Trust, Inc., Term Loan B, 1.00%, 4/17/20

       455        453,012   
      

 

 

 
                       2,538,968   

Real Estate Management & Development — 0.8%

      

CityCenter Holdings LLC, Term Loan B, 5.00%, 10/16/20

       1,045        1,056,432   

Realogy Corp.:

      

Extended Letter of Credit, 4.45%, 10/10/16

       346        349,221   

Extended Term Loan, 4.50%, 3/05/20

       2,451        2,475,106   
      

 

 

 
                       3,880,759   

Road & Rail — 0.2%

      

Road Infrastructure Investment LLC, Term Loan B, 6.25%, 3/30/18

             804        807,693   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.7%

      

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.:

      

Term Loan B3, 4.75%, 12/01/16

       284        285,081   

Term Loan B4, 5.00%, 3/01/20

       1,532        1,548,098   

 

                
18    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)          

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (concluded)

  

 

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. (concluded):

      

Term Loan B5, 5.00%, 1/15/21

     USD        270      $ 272,794   

NXP BV:

      

Term Loan C, 4.75%, 1/11/20

       685        685,339   

Term Loan D, 1.00%, 1/10/20

       705        705,529   
      

 

 

 
                       3,496,841   

Software — 3.1%

      

Blackboard, Inc., Term Loan B3, 4.75%, 10/04/18

       270        272,171   

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

       1,010        1,015,050   

Chromaflo Technologies Corp.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 1.00%, 11/30/19

       475        475,000   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 1.00%, 5/30/20

       405        407,025   

CompuCom Systems, Inc., Refinancing Term Loan B, 4.25%, 5/11/20

       219        218,255   

Evertec Group LLC, Term Loan B, 3.50%, 4/17/20

       449        437,092   

GCA Services Group, Inc.:

      

2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.25%, 11/01/20

       780        787,800   

Term Loan B, 5.25% — 6.25%, 11/01/19

       761        761,150   

Infor US, Inc., Term Loan B2, 5.25%, 4/05/18

       2,105        2,113,877   

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

       1,480        1,524,400   

Mitchell International, Inc.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 10/12/20

       460        462,875   

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

       1,250        1,265,625   

RP Crown Parent LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, 6.75%, 12/21/18

       863        871,212   

Sophia LP, Term Loan B, 4.50%, 7/19/18

       1,117        1,124,659   

SS&C Technologies, Inc.:

      

Term Loan B1, 3.25%, 6/08/19

       1,186        1,188,135   

Term Loan B2, 3.25%, 6/08/19

       123        122,911   

StoneRiver Holdings, Inc.:

      

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 11/30/19

       477        475,594   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.50%, 5/30/20

       270        271,536   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)          

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Software (concluded)

      

Websence, Inc.:

      

2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.25%, 12/24/20

     USD        605      $ 604,244   

Term Loan B, 4.50%, 6/25/20

       399        398,501   
      

 

 

 
                       14,797,112   

Specialty Retail — 4.2%

      

Academy Ltd., Term Loan, 4.50%, 8/03/18

       2,055        2,064,404   

Atlantic Aviation FBO, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.25%, 6/01/20

       489        488,316   

Bass Pro Group LLC, Term Loan, 4.00%, 11/20/19

       1,327        1,331,565   

Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corp., Term Loan B2, 4.25%, 2/23/17

       478        480,584   

David’s Bridal, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.00%, 10/11/19

       1,623        1,623,760   

Equinox Holdings, Inc., Repriced Term Loan B, 5.50%, 1/31/20

       801        804,980   

Gymboree Corp., Initial Term Loan, 5.00%, 2/23/18

       128        124,437   

Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.75%, 7/26/19

       1,276        1,288,868   

Jo-Ann Stores, Inc., Term Loan, 4.00%, 3/19/18

       764        764,705   

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

       1,256        1,258,876   

Michaels Stores, Inc., Term Loan, 3.75%, 1/28/20

       1,243        1,246,621   

The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc., Term Loan, 4.00%, 10/26/20

       1,270        1,277,620   

Party City Holdings, Inc., Refinancing Term Loan B, 4.25%, 7/29/19

       2,699        2,705,601   

Petco Animal Supplies, Inc., Term Loan, 4.00%, 11/24/17

       1,775        1,781,596   

Sprouts Farmers Markets Holdings LLC, Term Loan, 4.00%, 4/23/20

       368        370,328   

SRAM LLC, Term Loan B, 4.00%, 4/10/20

       413        411,222   

Things Remembered, Inc., Term Loan B, 8.00%, 5/24/18

       1,466        1,458,818   

Toys ‘R’ Us-Delaware, Inc.:

      

Incremental Term Loan B2, 5.25%, 5/25/18

       653        579,556   

Term Loan B3, 5.25%, 5/25/18

       94        83,194   
      

 

 

 
                       20,145,051   

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013    19


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (d)          

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.6%

  

 

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

     USD        1,636      $ 1,554,903   

Phillips-Van Heusen Corp., Term Loan B, 3.25%, 2/13/20

       899        899,865   

True Religion Apparel, Inc., 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.88%, 7/30/19

       160        153,000   
      

 

 

 
                       2,607,768   

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.3%

  

   

IG Investments Holdings LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.25%, 10/31/19

       804        807,189   

Ocwen Financial Corp., Term Loan, 5.00%, 2/15/18

       682        689,386   
      

 

 

 
                       1,496,575   

Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.0%

  

   

WESCO Distribution, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.50%, 12/12/19

             226        226,266   

Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.4%

  

   

Cricket Communications, Inc., Term Loan, 4.75%, 10/10/19

       624        626,406   

Light Tower Fiber LLC, 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 4/13/20

       1,127        1,127,649   

Time Warner Telecom Holdings Inc., Term Loan B, 2.67%, 4/17/20

       204        204,999   
      

 

 

 
                       1,959,054   

Total Floating Rate Loan Interests79.5%

  

            378,708,011   
      
                          
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities — 0.2%         

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 0.2%

      

Hilton USA Trust 2013-HLT, Series 2013-HLT, Class EFX, 5.22%, 11/05/30 (b)(i)

             1,103        1,108,515   
      
                          
Other Interests (k)           Beneficial
Interest
(000)
        

Auto Components — 0.0%

  

 

Intermet Liquidating Trust, Class A (a)

             833        8   
Other Interests           Beneficial
Interest
(000)
    Value  

Diversified Financial Services — 0.1%

  

 

J.G. Wentworth LLC Preferred Equity Interests (90-day lock), (Acquired 11/18/13, cost $896,177) (a)(l)

     USD        13      $ 198,624   

J.G. Wentworth LLC Preferred Equity Interests (135-day lock), (Acquired 11/18/13, cost $896,177) (a)(l)

       13        198,625   

J.G. Wentworth LLC Preferred Equity Interests (180-day lock), (Acquired 11/18/13, cost $896,177) (a)(l)

       13        198,624   
      

 

 

 
                       595,873   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.0%

  

   

Buffets, Inc. (a)

             1,440        15   

Household Durables — 0.7%

      

Stanley Martin, Class B Membership Units

             2        3,123,000   

Media — 0.0%

      

Adelphia Escrow (a)

       7,500        75   

Adelphia Preferred Escrow (a)

       5          

Adelphia Recovery Trust (a)

       9,406        94,060   

Adelphia Recovery Trust, Series ACC-6B INT (a)

       500        15,000   
      

 

 

 
                       109,135   

Total Other Interests0.8%

  

            3,828,031   
      
                          
Warrants (m)           Shares         

Chemicals — 0.1%

      

GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc.(Expires 3/31/15)

       385,026        323,422   

Health Care Providers & Services — 0.0%

      

HealthSouth Corp., (Expires 1/16/14)

             126,761        2   

Media — 0.2%

      

Charter Communications Inc, (Issued/exercisable 11/30/09, 1 Share for 1 Warrant, Expires 11/30/14, Strike Price $51.28)

             12,661        1,076,438   

 

 

                
20    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Warrants (m)        Shares     Value  

Software — 0.0%

    

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

     2,067          
Total Warrants — 0.3%            $ 1,399,862   
Total Long-Term Investments (Cost — $719,077,440) — 145.5%              692,877,881   
    
                  
Short-Term Securities        Beneficial
    Interest
     (000)
        

Bank of New York Cash Reserves, 0.01% (n)

   USD         3,007        3,007,450   
Short-Term Securities        Shares     Value  

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, TempFund, Institutional Class, 0.07% (n)(o)

     321,753      $ 321,753   
Total Short-Term Securities
(Cost — $3,329,203) — 0.7%
             3,329,203   
Total Investments (Cost — $722,406,643*) — 146.2%        696,207,084   

Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets(46.2)%

       (219,874,736
    

 

 

 
Net Assets100.0%      $ 476,332,348   
    

 

 

 

 

*  As of November 30, 2013, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

 

      

Tax cost

     $ 719,475,304   
    

 

 

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

     $ 30,239,239   

Gross unrealized depreciation

       (53,507,459
    

 

 

 

Net unrealized depreciation

     $ (23,268,220
    

 

 

 
  
Notes to 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)   Represents a 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.

 

(d)   Variable rate security. Rate shown is as of report date.

 

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

 

(f)   Convertible security.

 

(g)   Represents a zero-coupon bond. Rate shown reflects the current yield as of report date.

 

(h)   Security is perpetual in nature and has no stated maturity date.

 

(i)   When-issued security. Unsettled when-issued transactions were as follows:

 

Counterparty   Value     Unrealized
Appreciation
 

BNP Paribas Prime Brokerage, Inc.

  $ 282,440      $ 10,970   

Bank of America N.A.

  $ 959,685      $ 25,685   

Barclays Capital, Inc.

  $ 173,865      $ 865   

Goldman Sachs & Co.

  $ 373,860      $ 1,860   

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

  $ 1,308,792      $ 3,461   

 

(j)   All or a portion of security has been pledged as collateral in connection with swaps.

 

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

 

(l)   Restricted securities as to resale. As of report date the Trusts held 0.1% of their net assets, with a current value of $595,873 in these securities.

 

(m)   Warrants entitle the Fund to purchase a predetermined number of shares of common stock and are non-income producing. The purchase price and number of shares are subject to adjustment under certain conditions until the expiration date, if any.

 

(n)   Represents the current yield as of report date.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013    21


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

   BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

 

(o)   Investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate of the Fund during the period ended November 30, 2013, 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,

2013

       Net
Activity
      

Shares Held
at November 30,

2013

       Income  

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, TempFund, Institutional Class

       157,333           164,420           321,753         $ 1,538   

 

Portfolio Abbreviations

 

To simplify the listings of portfolio holdings in the Schedule of Investments, the names and descriptions of many of the securities have been abbreviated according to the following list:      CAD    Canadian Dollar
     DIP    Debtor-In-Possession
     EBITDA    Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization
     EUR    Euro
     GBP    British Pound
     USD    US Dollar
       

 

Ÿ  

Foreign currency exchange contracts as of November 30, 2013 were as follows:

 

Currency

Purchased

      

Currency

Sold

    Counterparty  

Settlement

Date

      

Unrealized

Appreciation/

(Depreciation)

 
EUR        337,000         USD        458,540      Royal Bank of Canada     12/04/13         $ (624
USD        20,813,314         EUR        15,413,000      Barclays Bank PLC     1/22/14           (130,331
USD        458,548         EUR        337,000      Royal Bank of Canada     1/22/14           623   
USD        2,263,280         CAD        2,344,000      Barclays Bank PLC     1/23/14           60,096   
USD        1,558,918         GBP        969,000      Bank of America N.A.     1/23/14           (26,073
USD        8,725,203         GBP        5,406,000      Barclays Bank PLC     1/23/14           (117,381
USD        246,209         GBP        154,000      Deutche Bank AG     1/23/14           (5,689
USD        955,342         GBP        595,000      UBS AG     1/23/14           (17,898
Total                         $ (237,277
                       

 

 

 

 

Ÿ  

Over-the-counter credit default swaps – sold protection outstanding as of November 30, 2013 were as follows:

 

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

Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Inc.

    5.00   Goldman Sachs International   12/20/15     CCC-      $ 278      $ (69,594   $ (35,382   $ (34,212

Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Inc.

    5.00   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.   12/20/15     CCC-      $ 123        (30,749     (27,333     (3,416

Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Inc.

    5.00   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.   12/20/15     CCC-      $ 442        (110,902     (113,722     2,820   

 

                
22    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

   BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

 

Ÿ  

Over-the-counter credit default swaps — sold protection outstanding (continued):

 

Issuer  

Receive

Fixed

Rate

    Counterparty   Expiration
Date
  Credit
Rating1
 

Notional

Amount

(000)2

    Market
Value
    Premiums
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Inc.

    5.00   Goldman Sachs International   3/20/16   CCC-   $ 528      $ (152,952   $ (108,846   $ (44,106

Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Inc.

    5.00   Goldman Sachs International   3/20/16   CCC-   $ 118        (34,198     (23,143     (11,055

Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Inc.

    5.00   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.   3/20/16   CCC-   $ 68        (19,763     (12,629     (7,134

Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Inc.

    5.00   Goldman Sachs International   3/20/16   CCC-   $ 270        (78,285     (42,779     (35,506

Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Inc.

    5.00   Goldman Sachs International   3/20/16   CCC-   $ 176        (51,001     (38,079     (12,922

Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Inc.

    5.00   Goldman Sachs International   3/20/16   CCC-   $ 176        (51,001     (38,079     (12,922

Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Inc.

    5.00   Goldman Sachs International   6/20/16   CCC-   $ 359        (118,175     (82,029     (36,146

Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Inc.

    5.00   Goldman Sachs International   6/20/16   CCC-   $ 690        (227,354     (152,836     (74,518

Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Inc.

    5.00   JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.   6/20/16   CCC-   $ 296        (97,656     (54,928     (42,728

Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Inc.

    5.00   Goldman Sachs International   9/20/16   CCC-   $ 784        (290,205     (164,503     (125,702

Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Inc.

    5.00   Goldman Sachs International   3/20/17   CCC-   $ 325        (140,277     (83,583     (56,694

Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Inc.

    5.00   Goldman Sachs International   3/20/17   CCC-   $ 226        (97,609     (61,856     (35,753

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013    23


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

   BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

 

Ÿ  

Over-the-counter credit default swaps – sold protection outstanding (concluded):

 

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

Caesars Entertainment Operating Co., Inc.

    5.00     Deutsche Bank AG        6/20/17        CCC-      $ 423      $ (192,337   $ (116,701   $ (75,636

Total

            $ (1,762,058   $ (1,156,428   $ (605,630
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1   

Using Standard & Poor’s rating of the issuer.

2   

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

 

Ÿ  

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

 

  Ÿ  

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

 

  Ÿ  

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)

 

  Ÿ  

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.

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. In accordance with the Fund’s policy, transfers between different levels of the fair value disclosure 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 investment and derivative financial instrument 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, please refer to the Fund’s most recent consolidated financial statements as contained in its semi-annual report.

The following tables summarize the Fund’s investments and derivative financial instruments categorized in the disclosure hierarchy as of November 30, 2013:

 

     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

                
Investments:                 
Long-Term Investments:                 

Common Stocks

  $ 2,023,094         $ 3,021,590         $ 7,388,620         $ 12,433,304   

Asset-Backed Securities

                        11,187,122           11,187,122   

Corporate Bonds

              274,145,594           10,067,442           284,213,036   

Floating Rate Loan Interests

              345,332,950           33,375,061           378,708,011   

Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

              1,108,515                     1,108,515   

Other Interests

              94,060           3,733,971           3,828,031   

Warrants

              1,076,438           323,424           1,399,862   

Short-Term Securities

    3,329,203                               3,329,203   

Unfunded Loan Commitments

              1,204                     1,204   

Liabilities:

                

Unfunded Loan Commitments

              (207                  (207
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

  $ 5,352,297         $ 624,780,144         $ 66,075,640         $ 696,208,081   
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

                
24    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

   BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3      Total  

Derivative Financial Instruments1

                

Assets:

                

Credit contracts

            $ 2,820              $ 2,820   

Foreign currency exchange contracts

              60,719                60,719   

Liabilities:

                

Credit contracts

              (608,450             (608,450

Foreign currency exchange contracts

  $ (624        (297,372             (297,996
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

    

 

 

 

Total

  $ (624      $ (842,283           $ (842,907
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

    

 

 

 

 

1   

Derivative financial instruments are swaps and foreign currency exchange contracts. Swaps and foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

Certain of the Fund’s assets and/or liabilities are held at carrying amount, which approximates fair value for financial reporting purposes. As of November 30, 2013, such assets and liabilities are categorized within the disclosure hierarchy as follows:

 

     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

                

Cash

  $ 134,756                             $ 134,756   

Cash pledged as collateral for over-the-counter swaps

    446,162                               446,162   

Foreign currency at value

    1,962,714                               1,962,714   

Liabilities:

                

Loans payable

            $ (207,000,000                  (207,000,000
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total

  $ 2,543,632         $ (207,000,000                $ (204,456,368
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the period ended November 30, 2013.

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 28, 2013

  $ 6,100,576      $ 19,075,856      $ 8,566,689      $ 37,135,002      $ 3,916,514      $ 24,836      $ 74,819,473   

Transfers into Level 31

    1,439,063        477,500               4,032,130        15,000               5,963,693   

Transfers out of Level 32

                  (584,640     (11,062,682                   (11,647,322

Accrued discounts/premiums

           49,070        141,140        46,395                      236,605   

Net realized gain (loss)

    (21,143     782,830        171        267,439               (15     1,029,282   

Net change in unrealized

appreciation/depreciation3

    (7,393     (664,478     1,947,946        (216,208     256,014        298,603        1,614,484   

Purchases

           4,236,344               24,873,683        2,689,282               31,799,309   

Sales

    (122,483     (12,770,000     (3,864     (21,700,698     (3,142,839            (37,739,884
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Closing balance, as of November 30, 2013

  $ 7,388,620      $ 11,187,122      $ 10,067,442      $ 33,375,061      $ 3,733,971      $ 323,424      $ 66,075,640   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013    25


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

   BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

 

1   

As of February 28, 2013, the Fund used significant unobservable inputs in determining the value of certain investments. As of November 30, 2013, the Fund used observable inputs in determining the value of the same investments. As a result, investments with a beginning of period value of $5,963,693 transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 in the disclosure hierarchy.

 

2   

As of February 28, 2013, the Fund used significant unobservable inputs in determining the value of certain investments. As of November 30, 2013, the Fund used observable inputs in determining the value of the same investments. As a result, investments with a beginning of period value of $11,647,322 transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 in the disclosure hierarchy.

 

3   

The change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments still held as of November 30, 2013 was $416,398.

The following table summarizes the valuation techniques used and unobservable inputs developed by the Global Valuation Committee to determine the value of certain of the Fund’s Level 3 investments and derivative financial instruments as of November 30, 2013. The table does not include Level 3 investments and derivative financial instruments with values derived based upon unadjusted third party pricing information. A significant change in third party pricing information could result in a significantly lower or higher value of such Level 3 investments and derivative financial instruments. The value of Level 3 investments and derivative financial instruments derived using third party pricing information is $45,909,380.

 

     Value     Valuation Techniques   Unobservable Inputs1   Range of
Unobservable
Inputs Utilized
Assets:      

Common Stocks

  $ 4,597,708      Market Comparable Companies   Last 12 months EBITDA Multiple   6.50x
      Illiquidity Discount   17.50%
      Offshore Last 12 months EBITDA Multiple   8.50x
      Offshore Current Fiscal Year EBITDA Multiple   7.25x
      Onshore EBITDA Multiple   4.75x
      Onshore Current Fiscal Year EBITDA Multiple   4.50x

Corporate Bonds2

    10,067,439      Market Comparable Companies   Last 12 months EBITDA Multiple   6.50x – 10.00x
      Illiquidity Discount   17.50%

Floating Rate Loan Interests

    1,458,818      Market Comparable Yield Analysis   Yield   8.13%

Other Interests

    3,123,000      Discounted Cash Flow   Perpetuity Growth Rate   3.50%
      Free Cash Flow   $2.10-$35.203
      Weighted Cost of Capital   11.90%
    595,873      Discounted Vendor Price   Illiquidity Discount   5.00%

Warrants

    323,422      Market Comparable Companies   Last 12 months EBITDA Multiple   6.50x
      Illiquidity Discount   17.50%
 

 

 

       

Total

  $ 20,166,260       
 

 

 

       

 

1   

A change to the unobservable input may result in a significant change to the value of the investment as follows:

 

Unobservable Input   Impact to Value if Input Increases   Impact to Value if Input Decreases

Last 12 months EBITDA Multiple

  Increase   Decrease

Illiquidity Discount

  Decrease   Increase

Offshore Last 12 months EBITDA Multiple

  Increase   Decrease

Offshore Current Fiscal Year EBITDA Multiple

  Increase   Decrease

Onshore EBITDA Multiple

  Increase   Decrease

Onshore Current Fiscal Year EBITDA Multiple

  Increase   Decrease

Yield

  Decrease   Increase

Perpetuity Growth Rate

  Increase   Decrease

Free Cash Flow

  Increase   Decrease

Weighted Cost of Capital

  Decrease   Increase

 

2  

For the period ended November 30, 2013, the valuation technique for certain investments classified as corporate bonds changed to a market approach. The investment was previously valued utilizing acquisition cost. Market information became available for this investment which is considered to be a more relevant measure of fair value for this investment.

 

3  

Amount is stated in millions.

 

                
26    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2013   


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:

  January 24, 2014

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:   January 24, 2014

 

By:       /s/ Neal J. Andrews
  Neal J. Andrews
  Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of
  BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.
Date:   January 24, 2014