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: 02/28/2016

Date of reporting period: 11/30/2015


Item 1 – Schedule of Investments


Consolidated Schedule of Investments November 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

(Percentages shown are based on Net Assets)

 

Common Stocks               
Shares
    Value  

Chemicals — 0.1%

  

GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc. (a)

       557,488      $ 250,870   

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

       481,806        216,813   

LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A

       26        2,491   
      

 

 

 
                       470,174   

Diversified Consumer Services — 0.2%

  

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co. (a)

             75,798        1,497,768   

Diversified Financial Services — 0.0%

  

Kcad Holdings I Ltd. (a)

             1,075,282,733        86,023   

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.0%

  

Broadview Networks Holdings, Inc. (a)

             5,037        7,555   

Media — 0.0%

      

Adelphia Recovery Trust (a)

       396,568        793   

Adept Communications Corp., Class A

       400,000        3,000   
      

 

 

 
                       3,793   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.0%

  

SunPower Corp. (a)

             1,707        40,900   
Total Common Stocks 0.3%        2,106,213   
      
                          
Asset-Backed Securities           Par
(000)
        

ACAS CLO Ltd., Class D (b)(c):

      

Series 2014-2A, 4.22%, 1/15/27

     USD        2,500        2,329,895   

Series 2015-1A, 3.97%, 4/18/27

       280        249,604   

Adirondack Park CLO Ltd., Series 2013-1A, Class D, 3.97%, 4/15/24 (b)(c)

       350        331,545   

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

      

Class C, 3.77%, 4/24/24

       1,310        1,279,985   

Class D, 5.32%, 4/24/24 (b)

       1,150        1,114,437   

ALM VII R-2, Ltd., Series 2013-7R2A, Class C, 3.77%, 4/24/24 (b)(c)

       250        246,299   

ALM XIV Ltd., Series 2014-14A, Class C, 3.77%, 7/28/26 (c)

       713        653,728   

Anchorage Capital CLO Ltd., Series 2015-6A, Class E1, 5.22%, 4/15/27 (b)(c)

       750        618,825   
Asset-Backed Securities           Par
(000)
    Value  

Apidos CDO, Series 2015-21A, Class C,
3.83%, 7/18/27 (b)(c)

     USD        250      $ 232,075   

Atlas Senior Loan Fund Ltd. (c):

      

Series 2012-1A, Class B2L,
6.61%, 8/15/24 (b)

       340        332,521   

Series 2014-6A, Class D, 4.02%, 10/15/26

       1,240        1,148,484   

Atrium CDO Corp., Series 9A, Class D,
3.91%, 2/28/24 (c)

       1,300        1,227,759   

Benefit Street Partners CLO II Ltd., Series 2013-IIA, Class C,
3.82%, 7/15/24 (b)(c)

       900        823,081   

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

      

Series 2014-4A, 5.71%, 11/30/26

       250        214,977   

Series 2015-2A, 5.63%, 7/18/27

       250        211,210   

Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO Ltd. (c):

      

Series 2012-4A, Class D, 4.79%, 1/20/25

       900        899,850   

Series 2013-1A, Class C,
4.36%, 2/14/25 (b)

       250        241,794   

Series 2015-2A, Class C,
4.07%, 4/27/27 (b)

       250        240,453   

Series 2015-2A, Class D,
5.62%, 4/27/27 (b)

       1,000        850,480   

Cent CLO 22 Ltd., Series 2014-22A, Class C,
4.09%, 11/07/26 (c)

       625        592,875   

CFIP CLO Ltd., Series 2013-1A, Class D,
4.07%, 4/20/24 (b)(c)

       1,500        1,376,795   

CIFC Funding Ltd., Series 2014-3A, Class D, 3.72%, 7/22/26 (b)(c)

       250        227,633   

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

      

Class D, 3.98%, 5/05/27

       300        273,000   

Class E1, 5.78%, 5/05/27

       1,250        1,037,500   

Madison Park Funding IX Ltd., Series 2012-9AR, Class DR, 4.21%, 8/15/22 (b)(c)

       655        636,401   

Madison Park Funding XI Ltd., Series 2013-11A, Class D, 3.82%, 10/23/25 (b)(c)

       555        523,258   

Neuberger Berman CLO XVI, Ltd., Series 2014-16A, Class D,
3.67%, 4/15/26 (b)(c)

       250        231,926   

Neuberger Berman CLO XVIII Ltd., Series 2014-18A, Class C, 4.11%, 11/14/25 (b)(c)

       1,000        930,013   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015    1


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Asset-Backed Securities           Par
(000)
    Value  

OZLM Funding Ltd., Series 2012-2A, Class C, 4.67%, 10/30/23 (b)(c)

     USD        500      $ 495,051   

OZLM VII Ltd., Series 2014-7A, Class C,
3.92%, 7/17/26 (b)(c)

       500        460,055   

OZLM IX, Ltd., Series 2014-9A, Class C,
3.89%, 1/20/27 (b)(c)

       1,000        933,593   

OZLM XII, Ltd., Series 2015-12A, Class C,
4.02%, 4/30/27 (b)(c)

       340        313,166   

Regatta Funding LP, Series 2013-2A, Class C, 4.32%, 1/15/25 (b)(c)

       750        734,097   

Sound Point CLO IV Ltd., Series 2013-3A (c):

      

Class A, 1.66%, 1/21/26

       910        900,122   

Class D, 3.79%, 1/21/26 (b)

       500        458,846   

Stewart Park CLO Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class E, 5.77%, 4/15/26 (b)(c)

       500        410,000   

TICP CLO I Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class D,
3.83%, 7/20/27 (b)(c)

       250        227,087   

Venture XI CLO Ltd., Series 2012-11AR (b)(c):

      

Class DR, 4.26%, 11/14/22

       250        237,402   

Class ER, 6.46%, 11/14/22

       250        239,764   

Venture XII CLO Ltd., Series 2012-12A, Class D, 4.06%, 2/28/24 (b)(c)

       250        228,823   

Venture XX CLO Ltd., Series 2015-20A, Class D, 4.17%, 4/15/27 (b)(c)

       250        234,475   

Venture XXI CLO Ltd., Series 2015-21A (c):

      

Class A, 1.77%, 7/15/27

       935        921,069   

Class D, 3.88%, 7/15/27 (b)

       500        455,150   

Voya CLO Ltd., Series 2012-2AR, Class ER, 6.32%, 10/15/22 (b)(c)

             1,250        1,175,488   
Total Asset-Backed Securities 3.7%        27,500,591   
      
                          
Corporate Bonds                      

Aerospace & Defense — 0.5%

  

Bombardier, Inc., 7.50%, 3/15/25 (b)

       205        152,725   

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

       307        313,908   

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

       347        377,869   

TransDigm, Inc.:

      

6.00%, 7/15/22

       2,205        2,166,412   
Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Aerospace & Defense (continued)

  

TransDigm, Inc. (continued):

      

6.50%, 7/15/24

     USD        1,030      $ 1,014,550   
      

 

 

 
                       4,025,464   

Air Freight & Logistics — 0.2%

  

WFS Global Holding SAS, 9.50%, 7/15/22

     EUR        150        166,803   

XPO Logistics, Inc.:

      

5.75%, 6/15/21

       100        101,182   

6.50%, 6/15/22 (b)

     USD        1,520        1,398,400   
      

 

 

 
                       1,666,385   

Airlines — 1.4%

  

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

       712        728,910   

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

       542        527,095   

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

       3,153        3,235,769   

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

       2,390        2,473,650   

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

       233        247,735   

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

       2,175        2,191,786   

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

       873        886,360   
      

 

 

 
                       10,291,305   

Auto Components — 1.8%

  

Affinia Group, Inc., 7.75%, 5/01/21

       1,200        1,242,000   

Autodis SA, 6.50%, 2/01/19

     EUR        100        109,592   

CNH Industrial Finance Europe SA,
2.75%, 3/18/19

       200        212,408   

Dakar Finance SA, 9.00%, 11/15/20 (d)

       100        104,598   

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

     USD        180        185,850   

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

       651        687,417   

Icahn Enterprises LP/Icahn Enterprises Finance Corp.:

      

3.50%, 3/15/17

       145        145,000   

4.88%, 3/15/19

       4,609        4,609,000   
 

 

                
2    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Auto Components (continued)

  

Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC:

      

5.00%, 2/15/22

     GBP        100      $ 155,128   

5.63%, 2/01/23 (b)

     USD        425        441,201   

Schaeffler Holding Finance BV (d):

      

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

     EUR        145        165,597   

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

     USD        738        780,435   

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

       3,522        3,812,565   

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

     EUR        285        311,385   

Venture Holdings Co. LLC:

      

12.00%, 7/01/49

     USD        5,150        1   

Series B, 9.50%, 7/01/2005 (a)(e)

       5,125        1   

ZF North America Capital, Inc.:

      

4.50%, 4/29/22 (b)

       206        202,137   

2.75%, 4/27/23

     EUR        100        101,705   
      

 

 

 
                       13,266,020   

Banks — 1.0%

  

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

       100        107,293   

Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA,
3.63%, 4/01/19

       100        107,723   

Banco Espirito Santo SA:

      

2.63%, 5/08/17

       100        98,020   

4.75%, 1/15/18

       200        197,231   

4.00%, 1/21/19

       100        96,357   

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

       300        316,236   

CIT Group, Inc.:

      

5.00%, 5/15/17

     USD        950        978,500   

5.25%, 3/15/18

       1,434        1,487,775   

6.63%, 4/01/18 (b)

       295        314,544   

5.50%, 2/15/19 (b)

       3,099        3,246,202   

5.00%, 8/01/23

       130        132,113   

Commerzbank AG, 7.75%, 3/16/21

     EUR        200        260,944   

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

       100        102,998   

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

       12        14,087   
      

 

 

 
                       7,460,023   
Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Beverages — 0.1%

  

Constellation Brands, Inc.:

      

7.25%, 5/15/17

     USD        87      $ 93,090   

3.88%, 11/15/19

       362        374,670   

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

     EUR        100        110,549   
      

 

 

 
                       578,309   

Building Products — 1.1%

  

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

      

5.63%, 4/15/21

     USD        210        213,150   

5.75%, 12/15/23

       415        420,706   

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

       1,625        1,675,781   

Cemex SAB de CV, 4.38%, 3/05/23

     EUR        100        98,914   

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

     USD        740        732,600   

LSF9 Balta Issuer SA, 7.75%, 9/15/22

     EUR        100        111,680   

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

     USD        579        605,055   

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

       1,755        1,702,350   

USG Corp.:

      

9.75%, 1/15/18

       980        1,100,050   

5.88%, 11/01/21 (b)

       1,108        1,163,400   
      

 

 

 
                       7,823,686   

Capital Markets — 0.7%

  

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

       1,070        1,106,112   

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

       1,356        1,369,756   

E*Trade Financial Corp.:

      

0.00%, 8/31/19 (b)(f)(g)

       593        1,749,178   

5.38%, 11/15/22

       773        817,448   

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

       100        294,971   
      

 

 

 
                       5,337,465   

Chemicals — 1.6%

  

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

       151        160,437   

Chemours Co., 7.00%, 5/15/25 (b)

       258        192,855   

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

       6,039        7,066,110   

Huntsman International LLC:

      

4.88%, 11/15/20

       40        37,600   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015    3


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Chemicals (continued)

  

Huntsman International LLC (continued):

      

5.13%, 4/15/21

     EUR        428      $ 444,290   

5.13%, 11/15/22 (b)

     USD        1,931        1,786,175   

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

     EUR        100        103,278   

INEOS Group Holdings SA, 6.13%, 8/15/18 (b)

     USD        342        344,565   

Platform Specialty Products Corp., 6.50%, 2/01/22 (b)

       1,995        1,735,650   

PSPC Escrow II Corp., 10.38%, 5/01/21 (b)

       156        159,120   
      

 

 

 
                       12,030,080   

Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.1%

  

Abengoa Greenfield SA, 6.50%, 10/01/19 (a)(b)(e)

       533        81,283   

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

       267        276,345   

ARAMARK Corp., 5.75%, 3/15/20

       1,599        1,662,960   

Avis Budget Car Rental LLC/Avis Budget Finance, Inc., 3.16%, 12/01/17 (c)

       190        190,475   

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

       164        143,500   

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

       1,110        1,148,850   

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

       1,955        938,400   

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

     EUR        150        168,499   

United Rentals North America, Inc.:

      

7.38%, 5/15/20

     USD        760        802,750   

8.25%, 2/01/21

       76        79,705   

7.63%, 4/15/22

       2,393        2,572,475   

Verisure Holding AB:

      

8.75%, 12/01/18

     EUR        100        110,277   

6.00%, 11/01/22

       125        138,047   
      

 

 

 
                       8,313,566   

Communications Equipment — 1.3%

  

Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc.:

      

6.75%, 11/15/20 (b)

     USD        1,296        1,371,479   

6.45%, 3/15/29

       855        876,375   

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

       283        222,863   

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

       944        903,880   

CommScope, Inc. (b):

      

4.38%, 6/15/20

       574        578,305   

5.50%, 6/15/24

       272        261,120   

Plantronics, Inc., 5.50%, 5/31/23 (b)

       422        429,385   

Zayo Group LLC/Zayo Capital, Inc.:

      

10.13%, 7/01/20

       1,370        1,486,450   
Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Communications Equipment (continued)

  

Zayo Group LLC/Zayo Capital, Inc. (continued):

      

6.00%, 4/01/23 (b)

     USD        3,825      $ 3,681,562   
      

 

 

 
                       9,811,419   

Construction & Engineering — 0.8%

  

Abengoa Finance SAU, 7.75%, 2/01/20 (b)

       150        22,500   

AECOM:

      

5.75%, 10/15/22

       1,045        1,078,304   

5.88%, 10/15/24

       862        872,775   

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

       1,905        1,728,788   

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

       1,625        1,641,250   

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

       350        327,250   
      

 

 

 
                       5,670,867   

Construction Materials — 1.0%

  

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

       117        120,510   

HD Supply, Inc.:

      

7.50%, 7/15/20

       4,769        5,031,295   

5.25%, 12/15/21 (b)

       2,250        2,337,187   
      

 

 

 
                       7,488,992   

Consumer Finance — 1.2%

  

Ally Financial, Inc.:

      

6.25%, 12/01/17

       30        31,650   

5.13%, 9/30/24

       2,320        2,403,984   

4.63%, 3/30/25

       216        216,000   

8.00%, 11/01/31

       4,791        5,713,267   

Navient Corp.:

      

5.50%, 1/25/23

       45        38,700   

6.13%, 3/25/24

       45        38,813   

5.88%, 10/25/24

       80        68,200   
      

 

 

 
                       8,510,614   

Containers & Packaging — 1.1%

  

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

      

3.51%, 12/15/19 (b)(c)

       1,620        1,591,650   

6.00%, 6/30/21 (b)

       465        458,025   

4.25%, 1/15/22

     EUR        370        400,208   

Beverage Packaging Holdings Luxembourg II SA (b):

      

5.63%, 12/15/16

     USD        170        169,150   

6.00%, 6/15/17

       557        554,215   
 

 

                
4    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds            Par
(000)
    Value  

Containers & Packaging (continued)

       

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

     USD         1,575      $ 1,557,281   

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

        715        739,131   

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

     EUR         320        354,156   

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

        100        110,493   

Sealed Air Corp. (b):

       

6.50%, 12/01/20

     USD         120        133,200   

5.13%, 12/01/24

        1,250        1,278,125   

5.50%, 9/15/25

        334        348,195   

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

     EUR         100        108,414   

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

     USD         200        207,500   
       

 

 

 
                        8,009,743   

Diversified Consumer Services — 0.1%

       

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

        427        326,655   

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

        307        311,221   
       

 

 

 
                        637,876   

Diversified Financial Services — 1.4%

       

AerCap Ireland Capital, Ltd./AerCap Global Aviation Trust:

       

4.63%, 10/30/20

        572        587,730   

5.00%, 10/01/21

        860        892,250   

4.63%, 7/01/22

        725        733,156   

Bank of America Corp.:

       

6.05%, 5/16/16

        325        332,193   

6.50%, 8/01/16

        410        424,510   

5.63%, 10/14/16

        100        103,815   

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

     GBP         100        155,128   

HSH Nordbank AG, 0.76%, 2/14/17 (c)

     EUR         179        171,666   

International Lease Finance Corp.:

       

5.88%, 4/01/19

     USD         320        340,000   

8.25%, 12/15/20

        150        178,875   

4.63%, 4/15/21

        169        174,070   

5.88%, 8/15/22

        655        707,891   

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

       

7.38%, 4/01/20

        625        605,469   
Corporate Bonds            Par
(000)
    Value  

Diversified Financial Services (continued)

       

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

  

 

6.88%, 4/15/22

     USD         716      $ 651,560   

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

        507        526,013   

ProGroup AG, 5.13%, 5/01/22

     EUR         130        144,605   

Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc.:

       

9.88%, 8/15/19

     USD         308        319,550   

5.75%, 10/15/20

        2,663        2,729,575   

6.88%, 2/15/21

        266        275,310   

8.25%, 2/15/21

        257        257,643   

UniCredit SpA, 6.95%, 10/31/22

     EUR         100        126,873   
       

 

 

 
                        10,437,882   

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 2.1%

  

CenturyLink, Inc.:

       

6.45%, 6/15/21

     USD         570        556,046   

Series V, 5.63%, 4/01/20

        823        815,799   

Frontier Communications Corp.:

       

6.25%, 9/15/21

        505        432,406   

7.13%, 1/15/23

        150        126,375   

7.63%, 4/15/24

        1,841        1,555,645   

6.88%, 1/15/25

        841        689,620   

11.00%, 9/15/25 (b)

        891        873,180   

Level 3 Financing, Inc.:

       

4.10%, 1/15/18 (c)

        646        650,845   

6.13%, 1/15/21

        1,217        1,275,428   

5.38%, 8/15/22

        2,475        2,491,719   

5.13%, 5/01/23 (b)

        1,120        1,111,600   

5.38%, 1/15/24 (b)

        712        712,890   

5.38%, 5/01/25 (b)

        2,312        2,297,550   

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

     EUR         100        141,703   

Telecom Italia SpA:

       

6.38%, 6/24/19

     GBP         200        332,257   

3.25%, 1/16/23

     EUR         150        164,602   

5.88%, 5/19/23

     GBP         300        498,588   

Telenet Finance V Luxembourg SCA:

       

6.25%, 8/15/22

     EUR         319        365,688   

6.75%, 8/15/24

        322        375,931   
       

 

 

 
                        15,467,872   

Electric Utilities — 0.2%

       

ContourGlobal Power Holdings SA, 7.13%, 6/01/19 (b)

     USD         897        892,515   

Homer City Generation LP (d):

       

(8.14% Cash), 8.14%, 10/01/19

     USD         203        200,549   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015    5


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds            Par
(000)
    Value  

Electric Utilities (continued)

       

Homer City Generation LP (d) (continued):

  

 

(8.73% Cash), 8.73%, 10/01/26

     USD         458      $ 452,925   
       

 

 

 
                        1,545,989   

Electrical Equipment — 0.0%

       

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

     EUR         209        224,462   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.0%

  

 

CDW LLC/CDW Finance Corp.,
5.00%, 9/01/23

     USD         326        327,630   

Energy Equipment & Services — 0.5%

       

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

        2,195        1,009,700   

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

     EUR         200        162,759   

Genesis Energy LP/Genesis Energy Finance Corp.:

       

5.75%, 2/15/21

     USD         18        16,380   

6.75%, 8/01/22

        182        169,260   

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

        150        72,000   

MEG Energy Corp., 6.38%, 1/30/23 (b)

        29        24,070   

Peabody Energy Corp., 6.00%, 11/15/18

        1,215        281,030   

Precision Drilling Corp., 5.25%, 11/15/24

        641        499,980   

Transocean, Inc.:

       

3.00%, 10/15/17

        509        481,005   

6.00%, 3/15/18

        674        643,670   

6.50%, 11/15/20

        220        173,800   

4.30%, 10/15/22

        75        48,000   
       

 

 

 
                        3,581,654   

Food & Staples Retailing — 0.4%

       

CVS Health Corp., 4.75%, 12/01/22 (b)

        203        219,263   

Dollar Tree Inc., 5.25%, 3/01/20 (b)

        219        226,665   

Rite Aid Corp.:

       

9.25%, 3/15/20

        435        464,906   

6.75%, 6/15/21

        32        34,080   

6.13%, 4/01/23 (b)

        1,954        2,071,240   
       

 

 

 
                        3,016,154   

Food Products — 0.5%

       

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

        780        719,550   

Barry Callebaut Services NV,
5.50%, 6/15/23 (b)

        200        211,060   

Boparan Finance PLC:

       

4.38%, 7/15/21

     EUR         110        105,180   
Corporate Bonds            Par
(000)
    Value  

Food Products (continued)

       

Boparan Finance PLC (continued):

  

 

5.50%, 7/15/21

     GBP         145      $ 197,638   

Post Holdings, Inc. (b):

       

7.75%, 3/15/24

     USD         837        868,387   

8.00%, 7/15/25

        508        532,130   

Smithfield Foods, Inc.:

       

5.88%, 8/01/21(b)

        257        265,353   

6.63%, 8/15/22

        849        899,940   

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

        239        254,236   
       

 

 

 
                        4,053,474   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 0.7%

       

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

        595        486,412   

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

        1,542        1,387,800   

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

        1,495        1,614,600   

Mallinckrodt International Finance SA / Mallinckrodt CB LLC, 5.63%, 10/15/23 (b)

        401        345,863   

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

       

4.88%, 4/15/20

        350        316,750   

5.75%, 8/01/22

        990        876,150   
       

 

 

 
                        5,027,575   

Health Care Providers & Services — 4.2%

       

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc., 5.13%, 7/01/22

        1,990        1,950,200   

Alere, Inc.:

       

7.25%, 7/01/18

        1,500        1,550,865   

6.38%, 7/01/23 (b)

        406        411,075   

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

        2,628        2,582,010   

Care UK Health & Social Care PLC,
5.58%, 7/15/19 (c)

     GBP         100        139,465   

CHS/Community Health Systems, Inc.:

       

5.13%, 8/15/18

     USD         776        791,520   

6.88%, 2/01/22

        2,134        2,064,645   

DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc.:

       

5.13%, 7/15/24

        3,127        3,119,182   

5.00%, 5/01/25

        1,229        1,179,840   

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

        468        465,660   

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

        510        541,875   

HCA, Inc.:

       

3.75%, 3/15/19

        1,048        1,058,480   
 

 

                
6    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds            Par
(000)
    Value  

Health Care Providers & Services (continued)

  

    

HCA, Inc. (continued):

  

 

6.50%, 2/15/20

     USD         1,744      $ 1,929,300   

7.50%, 2/15/22

        1,055        1,178,962   

5.88%, 3/15/22

        1,148        1,231,230   

4.75%, 5/01/23

        1,898        1,883,765   

5.00%, 3/15/24

        450        453,375   

5.38%, 2/01/25

        879        863,618   

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

        274        264,410   

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

        515        535,600   

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

        128        128,160   

Tenet Healthcare Corp.:

       

6.25%, 11/01/18

        607        640,385   

4.75%, 6/01/20

        1,190        1,201,900   

4.01%, 6/15/20 (b)(c)

        989        975,401   

6.00%, 10/01/20

        2,918        3,100,375   

4.50%, 4/01/21

        24        23,700   

8.13%, 4/01/22

        707        704,791   
       

 

 

 
                        30,969,789   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 2.3%

       

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

        1,137        1,189,586   

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

        204        203,490   

CDW LLC/CDW Finance Corp.:

       

6.00%, 8/15/22

        660        696,300   

5.50%, 12/01/24

        2,678        2,691,390   

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

     EUR         275        284,740   

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

     USD         455        449,313   

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

        391        401,264   

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

        200        190,376   

Intralot Capital Luxembourg SA, 6.00%, 5/15/21

     EUR         100        98,251   

Jarden Corp., 5.00%, 11/15/23 (b)

     USD         260        266,793   

MGM Resorts International:

       

5.25%, 3/31/20

        1,175        1,177,937   

6.75%, 10/01/20

        330        344,748   

6.63%, 12/15/21

        1,000        1,042,500   

6.00%, 3/15/23

        1,108        1,097,612   

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

        1,055        1,094,563   

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., 6.38%, 8/01/21

        597        632,820   
Corporate Bonds            Par
(000)
    Value  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)

       

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

     EUR         100      $ 109,089   

RHP Hotel Properties LP/RHP Finance Corp., 5.00%, 4/15/23

     USD         412        416,120   

Sabre GLBL, Inc. (b):

       

5.38%, 4/15/23

        388        388,000   

5.25%, 11/15/23

        221        217,685   

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

        842        861,955   

Snai SpA, 7.63%, 6/15/18

     EUR         245        253,698   

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

     USD         1,938        2,054,280   

Tropicana Entertainment LLC/Tropicana Finance Corp., 1.00%, 12/15/15 (a)(e)

        800          

Unique Pub Finance Co. PLC:

       

Series A4, 5.66%, 6/30/27

     GBP         406        609,394   

Series N, 6.46%, 3/30/32

        200        257,091   
       

 

 

 
                        17,028,995   

Household Durables — 1.3%

       

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

     USD         556        511,520   

Beazer Homes USA, Inc.:

       

6.63%, 4/15/18

        935        951,362   

5.75%, 6/15/19

        646        610,470   

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

        285        267,900   

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

        193        171,770   

Lennar Corp.:

       

4.75%, 11/15/22

        110        109,725   

4.88%, 12/15/23

        465        465,000   

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

        589        596,363   

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

        130        143,325   

Shea Homes LP/Shea Homes Funding Corp. (b):

       

5.88%, 4/01/23

        858        885,885   

6.13%, 4/01/25

        868        896,210   

Standard Pacific Corp.:

       

10.75%, 9/15/16

        565        601,725   

8.38%, 1/15/21

        1,735        2,034,287   

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

        374        374,935   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015    7


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds            Par
(000)
    Value  

Household Durables (continued)

       

TRI Pointe Holdings, Inc.:

       

4.38%, 6/15/19

     USD         615      $ 610,388   

5.88%, 6/15/24

        420        416,850   
       

 

 

 
                        9,647,715   

Household Products — 0.4%

       

Spectrum Brands, Inc.:

       

6.38%, 11/15/20

        315        337,050   

6.63%, 11/15/22

        1,810        1,932,175   

5.75%, 7/15/25 (b)

        672        693,000   
       

 

 

 
                        2,962,225   

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.9%

  

AES Corp.:

       

7.38%, 7/01/21

        559        575,770   

5.50%, 3/15/24

        981        893,877   

Calpine Corp.:

       

5.38%, 1/15/23

        768        716,160   

5.50%, 2/01/24

        627        582,326   

Dynegy, Inc., 6.75%, 11/01/19

        750        732,660   

NRG Energy, Inc.:

       

7.88%, 5/15/21

        138        137,655   

6.25%, 7/15/22

        403        372,775   

6.63%, 3/15/23

        47        43,240   

6.25%, 5/01/24

        972        879,660   

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

        395        359,261   

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

        1,590        1,431,000   
       

 

 

 
                        6,724,384   

Insurance — 0.2%

       

CNO Financial Group, Inc., 4.50%, 5/30/20

        40        40,800   

Genworth Holdings, Inc., 4.80%, 2/15/24

        295        216,825   

HUB International Ltd., 7.88%, 10/01/21 (b)

        400        384,000   

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

     GBP         150        221,512   

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

     USD         725        762,156   

UNIQA Insurance Group AG,
6.00%, 7/27/46 (c)

     EUR         100        111,154   
       

 

 

 
                        1,736,447   

Internet Software & Services — 0.4%

       

Equinix, Inc., 5.88%, 1/15/26 (i)

     USD         997        1,011,955   

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

        700        716,625   
Corporate Bonds            Par
(000)
    Value  

Internet Software & Services (continued)

       

Interactive Data Corp., 5.88%, 4/15/19 (b)

     USD         910      $ 928,200   
       

 

 

 
                        2,656,780   

IT Services — 2.1%

       

Audatex North America, Inc.,
6.00%, 6/15/21 (b)

        1,125        1,134,844   

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

        795        624,075   

First Data Corp. (b):

       

5.38%, 8/15/23

        1,806        1,841,000   

7.00%, 12/01/23

        6,022        6,074,693   

5.00%, 1/15/24

        1,141        1,141,000   

5.75%, 1/15/24

        4,226        4,226,000   

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

        601        555,925   
       

 

 

 
                        15,597,537   

Machinery — 0.0%

       

SPX FLOW Inc, 6.88%, 9/01/17

        65        68,737   

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

     EUR         103        110,321   
       

 

 

 
                        179,058   

Media — 8.1%

       

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

        200        225,679   

Altice Financing SA:

       

6.50%, 1/15/22 (b)

     USD         1,260        1,266,300   

5.25%, 2/15/23

     EUR         200        215,536   

6.63%, 2/15/23 (b)

     USD         1,230        1,220,000   

Altice SA:

       

7.25%, 5/15/22

     EUR         502        514,540   

7.75%, 5/15/22 (b)

     USD         895        836,825   

6.25%, 2/15/25

     EUR         101        93,506   

7.63%, 2/15/25 (b)

     USD         1,221        1,068,375   

Altice US Finance I Corp.,
5.38%, 7/15/23 (b)

        2,912        2,912,000   

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

        744        716,100   

Altice US Finance SA, 7.75%, 7/15/25 (b)

        825        792,000   

AMC Networks, Inc.:

       

7.75%, 7/15/21

        1,005        1,068,355   

4.75%, 12/15/22

        156        155,025   

CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp.:

       

6.50%, 4/30/21

        620        648,415   

5.13%, 2/15/23

        380        377,906   
 

 

                
8    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds            Par
(000)
    Value  

Media (continued)

       

CCO Holdings LLC/CCO Holdings Capital Corp. (continued) :

  

 

5.88%, 5/01/27 (b)

     USD         155      $ 153,838   

CCO Safari II LLC, 4.91%, 7/23/25 (b)

        1,300        1,319,792   

CCOH Safari LLC, 5.75%, 2/15/26 (b)

        1,684        1,692,420   

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

        669          

Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc.:

       

7.63%, 3/15/20

        1,364        1,323,080   

6.50%, 11/15/22

        3,826        3,756,982   

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

        850        895,687   

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

        215        182,213   

DISH DBS Corp.:

       

4.25%, 4/01/18

        1,460        1,452,700   

5.88%, 11/15/24

        1,728        1,546,560   

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

        198        196,020   

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

        422        437,825   

iHeartCommunications, Inc.:

       

9.00%, 12/15/19

        450        326,250   

9.00%, 3/01/21

        1,356        931,911   

9.00%, 9/15/22

        930        634,725   

Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, 5.50%, 8/01/23

        3,792        2,825,040   

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

        232        243,890   

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

        265        269,638   

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

        538        544,052   

Neptune Finco Corp. (b):

       

10.13%, 1/15/23

        912        953,040   

6.63%, 10/15/25

        951        985,474   

10.88%, 10/15/25

        431        455,782   

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

        410        407,437   

Numericable Group SA:

       

4.88%, 5/15/19 (b)

        3,155        3,147,112   

5.38%, 5/15/22

     EUR         135        148,340   

6.00%, 5/15/22 (b)

     USD         1,765        1,742,937   

5.63%, 5/15/24

     EUR         295        321,033   

6.25%, 5/15/24 (b)

     USD         330        325,050   
Corporate Bonds            Par
(000)
    Value  

Media (continued)

       

Outfront Media Capital LLC/Outfront Media Capital Corp.:

       

5.25%, 2/15/22

     USD         130      $ 133,413   

5.63%, 2/15/24

        115        118,450   

5.63%, 2/15/24 (b)

        127        131,128   

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

        485        494,700   

Sirius XM Radio, Inc. (b):

       

4.25%, 5/15/20

        141        141,705   

5.75%, 8/01/21

        464        479,614   

4.63%, 5/15/23

        60        58,050   

5.38%, 4/15/25

        2,636        2,609,640   

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

        1,300        1,300,000   

TEGNA, Inc.:

       

5.13%, 10/15/19

        215        223,600   

4.88%, 9/15/21 (b)

        466        468,330   

5.50%, 9/15/24 (b)

        289        291,167   

Tribune Media Co., 5.88%, 7/15/22 (b)

        938        938,000   

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

       

5.50%, 1/15/23 (b)

        1,270        1,276,350   

4.00%, 1/15/25

     EUR         298        314,065   

3.50%, 1/15/27

        200        199,688   

Univision Communications, Inc. (b):

       

8.50%, 5/15/21

     USD         1,820        1,892,800   

5.13%, 5/15/23

        3,190        3,086,325   

5.13%, 2/15/25

        942        910,207   

Virgin Media Secured Finance PLC:

       

5.38%, 4/15/21 (b)

        1,152        1,186,560   

4.88%, 1/15/27

     GBP         100        142,399   

6.25%, 3/28/29

        453        692,497   

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

     USD         1,300        1,267,500   

Ziggo Bond Finance BV:

       

4.63%, 1/15/25

     EUR         168        169,424   

5.88%, 1/15/25 (b)

     USD         1,895        1,781,300   
       

 

 

 
                        59,636,302   

Metals & Mining — 2.2%

       

Alcoa, Inc.:

       

6.15%, 8/15/20

        1,395        1,454,287   

5.13%, 10/01/24

        1,756        1,661,615   

Constellium NV (b):

       

8.00%, 1/15/23

        2,600        2,236,000   

5.75%, 5/15/24

        1,175        881,250   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015    9


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Metals & Mining (continued)

      

First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (b):

      

7.00%, 2/15/21

     USD        145      $ 92,166   

7.25%, 5/15/22

       435        268,613   

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

     EUR        100        100,372   

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

     USD        740        789,950   

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

  

    550        582,312   

Novelis, Inc.:

      

8.38%, 12/15/17

       215        212,850   

8.75%, 12/15/20

       4,671        4,542,547   

Ryerson, Inc./Joseph T Ryerson & Son, Inc.,
9.00%, 10/15/17

   

    673        566,922   

Steel Dynamics, Inc.:

      

5.13%, 10/01/21

       790        768,275   

6.38%, 8/15/22

       595        602,437   

5.25%, 4/15/23

       155        148,800   

5.50%, 10/01/24

       23        21,965   

Teck Resources Ltd.:

      

3.00%, 3/01/19

       340        228,863   

5.20%, 3/01/42

       227        104,988   

5.40%, 2/01/43

       103        47,380   

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

   

    1,555        1,228,450   
      

 

 

 
        16,540,042   

Multi-Utilities — 0.0%

  

 

CE Energy AS, 7.00%, 2/01/21

     EUR        175        190,295   

Multiline Retail — 0.9%

  

 

Dollar Tree Inc., 5.75%, 3/01/23 (b)

     USD        4,263        4,422,862   

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

     EUR        250        195,462   

House of Fraser Funding PLC, 6.34%, 9/15/20 (c)

     GBP        100        150,761   

Neiman Marcus Group Ltd. (b):

      

8.00%, 10/15/21

     USD        1,955        1,744,837   

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

       150        133,500   
      

 

 

 
        6,647,422   

Offshore Drilling & Other Services — 0.2%

  

 

Sensata Technologies BV (b):

      

5.63%, 11/01/24

       220        223,300   

5.00%, 10/01/25

       1,002        946,890   
      

 

 

 
        1,170,190   
Corporate Bonds           Par
(000)
    Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 4.9%

      

Antero Resources Corp., 5.13%, 12/01/22

     USD        26      $ 23,660   

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

  

    750        690,000   

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

  

    239        187,615   

California Resources Corp.:

      

5.00%, 1/15/20

       326        207,825   

5.50%, 9/15/21

       895        537,000   

6.00%, 11/15/24

       2,598        1,558,800   

Concho Resources, Inc.:

      

6.50%, 1/15/22

       172        175,440   

5.50%, 4/01/23

       1,398        1,363,050   

CONSOL Energy, Inc., 5.88%, 4/15/22

  

    3,746        2,453,630   

Crestwood Midstream Partners LP/Crestwood Midstream Finance Corp., 6.13%, 3/01/22

   

    57        48,735   

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

   

    740        752,950   

Denbury Resources, Inc.:

      

5.50%, 5/01/22

       421        261,020   

4.63%, 7/15/23

       49        28,420   

Energy Transfer Equity LP:

      

7.50%, 10/15/20

       345        360,525   

5.88%, 1/15/24

       1,302        1,204,350   

EP Energy LLC/Everest Acquisition Finance, Inc.,
6.38%, 6/15/23

   

    336        257,040   

Halcon Resources Corp., 8.63%, 2/01/20 (b)

  

    502        395,325   

Hilcorp Energy I LP/Hilcorp Finance Co.,
5.00%, 12/01/24 (b)

   

    461        414,614   

Laredo Petroleum, Inc., 7.38%, 5/01/22

  

    153        149,175   

Linn Energy LLC/Linn Energy Finance Corp.,
12.00%, 12/15/20 (b)

   

    24        14,760   

MarkWest Energy Partners LP/MarkWest Energy Finance Corp.:

      

4.50%, 7/15/23

       10        8,875   

4.88%, 6/01/25

       655        582,950   

MEG Energy Corp. (b):

      

6.50%, 3/15/21

       2,599        2,235,140   

7.00%, 3/31/24

       1,011        856,822   

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

       1,262        1,176,815   
 

 

                
10    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds          Par
(000)
    Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)

     

NGPL PipeCo LLC, 9.63%, 6/01/19 (b)

    USD        435      $ 378,450   

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

  

    479        483,787   

Oasis Petroleum, Inc.:

     

7.25%, 2/01/19

      495        469,012   

6.50%, 11/01/21

      555        471,750   

6.88%, 1/15/23

      200        172,500   

Paramount Resources, Ltd., 6.88%, 6/30/23 (b)

  

    388        333,680   

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

  

    510        515,100   

Petroleum Geo-Services ASA,
7.38%, 12/15/18 (b)

   

    210        177,975   

Range Resources Corp.:

     

5.75%, 6/01/21

      277        258,303   

5.00%, 8/15/22

      10        8,850   

5.00%, 3/15/23

      23        20,355   

Rockies Express Pipeline LLC (b):

     

6.85%, 7/15/18

      224        229,040   

6.00%, 1/15/19

      110        108,900   

Rose Rock Midstream LP/Rose Rock Finance Corp., 5.63%, 7/15/22

   

    339        284,760   

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

  

    356        353,775   

Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC:

     

5.63%, 2/01/21

      745        720,787   

6.25%, 3/15/22

      104        100,490   

5.63%, 4/15/23

      3,962        3,654,945   

5.75%, 5/15/24

      962        887,445   

5.63%, 3/01/25 (b)

      442        405,535   

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

  

    3,335        3,401,700   

Sanchez Energy Corp., 6.13%, 1/15/23

  

    1,057        726,687   

SandRidge Energy, Inc.:

     

8.75%, 1/15/20

      91        16,153   

7.50%, 2/15/23

      1,082        170,415   

Seven Generations Energy Ltd. (b):

     

8.25%, 5/15/20

      1,510        1,464,700   

6.75%, 5/01/23

      365        322,113   

SM Energy Co., 6.13%, 11/15/22

  

    1,730        1,656,475   

Tesoro Logistics LP/Tesoro Logistics Finance Corp., 6.25%, 10/15/22 (b)

   

    833        861,114   

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

  

    839        788,660   

Williams Cos., Inc.:

     

3.70%, 1/15/23

      132        106,180   

4.55%, 6/24/24

      456        374,043   
Corporate Bonds          Par
(000)
    Value  

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)

     

WPX Energy, Inc., 5.25%, 9/15/24

    USD        210      $ 173,775   
     

 

 

 
        36,041,990   

Paper & Forest Products — 0.0%

     

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

            5        5,972   

Pharmaceuticals — 2.3%

     

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

      171        172,069   

Endo Finance LLC, 5.75%, 1/15/22 (b)

      380        362,900   

Endo Finance LLC/Endo Finco, Inc. (b):

     

7.50%, 12/15/20

      167        173,054   

7.25%, 1/15/22

      145        146,087   

6.00%, 7/15/23

      1,018        979,825   

6.00%, 2/01/25

      1,693        1,608,350   

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

    EUR        275        307,171   

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

      100        109,089   

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

    USD        937        951,055   

Jaguar Holding Co. II/Pharmaceutical Product Development LLC, 6.38%, 8/01/238 (b)

      1,330        1,276,800   

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.:

     

6.75%, 8/15/18 (b)

      1,221        1,190,475   

5.38%, 3/15/20 (b)

      869        777,755   

7.00%, 10/01/20 (b)

      1,516        1,409,880   

6.38%, 10/15/20 (b)

      1,152        1,055,520   

7.50%, 7/15/21 (b)

      2,026        1,914,732   

5.63%, 12/01/21 (b)

      870        759,075   

7.25%, 7/15/22 (b)

      1,010        914,050   

5.50%, 3/01/23 (b)

      637        546,227   

4.50%, 5/15/23

    EUR        300        264,666   

5.88%, 5/15/23 (b)

    USD        1,388        1,200,620   

6.13%, 4/15/25 (b)

      916        792,340   
     

 

 

 
        16,911,740   

Professional Services — 0.1%

     

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

            380        393,300   

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.3%

     

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

      76        72,105   

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

      377        389,253   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015    11


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds          Par
(000)
    Value  

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (continued)

     

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

    USD        513      $ 534,136   

iStar Financial, Inc.:

     

4.00%, 11/01/17

      535        520,287   

5.00%, 7/01/19

      375        363,750   
     

 

 

 
        1,879,531   

Real Estate Management & Development — 0.3%

     

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

     

4.50%, 4/15/19

      1,181        1,222,335   

5.25%, 12/01/21

      798        825,930   

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

      245        249,900   
     

 

 

 
        2,298,165   

Road & Rail — 0.6%

     

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

    EUR        215        238,596   

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

    USD        1,338        1,311,240   

Hertz Corp.:

     

7.50%, 10/15/18

      1,555        1,586,100   

7.38%, 1/15/21

      1,122        1,167,452   

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

      350        348,250   
     

 

 

 
        4,651,638   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 0.4%

  

 

Micron Technology, Inc., 5.25%, 1/15/24 (b)

      465        432,450   

NXP BV/NXP Funding LLC (b):

     

4.13%, 6/15/20

      1,064        1,060,010   

5.75%, 2/15/21

      1,020        1,065,900   

4.63%, 6/15/22

      325        320,937   
     

 

 

 
        2,879,297   

Software — 0.7%

     

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

      793        615,566   

Infor US, Inc., 6.50%, 5/15/22 (b)

      1,352        1,199,900   

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

      350        336,000   

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

      2,270        2,304,050   
Corporate Bonds          Par
(000)
    Value  

Software (continued)

     

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

    USD        410      $ 425,375   
     

 

 

 
        4,880,891   

Specialty Retail — 0.6%

     

L Brands, Inc., 6.88%, 11/01/35 (b)

      1,053        1,079,325   

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

    EUR        220        250,746   

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

    GBP        300        454,446   

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

    USD        1,100        1,113,750   

Sally Holdings LLC/Sally Capital, Inc.:

     

5.75%, 6/01/22

      146        152,205   

5.50%, 11/01/23

      570        588,169   

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

  

    146        139,795   

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

    EUR        285        318,822   
     

 

 

 
        4,097,258   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.2%

     

Levi Strauss & Co.:

     

6.88%, 5/01/22

    USD        405        437,400   

5.00%, 5/01/25

      394        393,015   

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

  

    122        120,170   

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

  

    469        481,898   
     

 

 

 
        1,432,483   

Tobacco — 0.0%

     

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

  

    17        27,359   

Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.1%

     

Ashtead Capital, Inc. (b):

     

6.50%, 7/15/22

      539        563,255   

5.63%, 10/01/24

      525        534,188   
     

 

 

 
        1,097,443   

Transportation Infrastructure — 0.2%

     

Aguila 3 SA, 7.88%, 1/31/18 (b)

  

    459        470,475   

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

   

    1,126        709,190   
     

 

 

 
        1,179,665   

Wireless Telecommunication Services — 3.6%

     

Communications Sales & Leasing, Inc.,
6.00%, 4/15/23 (b)

   

    600        567,000   

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

   

    830        738,700   
 

 

                
12    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Corporate Bonds          Par
(000)
    Value  

Wireless Telecommunication Services (continued)

  

 

Crown Castle International Corp.:

     

4.88%, 4/15/22

    USD        157      $ 160,533   

5.25%, 1/15/23

      115        119,169   

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

  

    375        412,322   

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

      485        390,769   

Digicel Ltd., 6.00%, 4/15/21 (b)

  

    2,228        1,988,490   

Geo Group, Inc.:

     

5.88%, 1/15/22

      90        88,763   

5.88%, 10/15/24

      360        351,450   

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

    EUR        100        98,391   

SBA Communications Corp., 4.88%, 7/15/22

    USD        2,400        2,385,000   

Sprint Communications, Inc. (b):

     

9.00%, 11/15/18

      7,557        8,161,560   

7.00%, 3/01/20

      2,845        2,903,678   

Sprint Corp.:

     

7.88%, 9/15/23

      2,604        2,096,220   

7.13%, 6/15/24

      1,476        1,129,140   

T-Mobile USA, Inc.:

     

6.63%, 4/28/21

      455        470,356   

6.13%, 1/15/22

      81        82,661   

6.73%, 4/28/22

      295        303,850   

6.00%, 3/01/23

      588        590,940   

6.84%, 4/28/23

      85        87,338   

6.50%, 1/15/24

      584        588,380   

6.38%, 3/01/25

      620        616,900   

6.50%, 1/15/26

      1,316        1,314,355   

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

    EUR        668        714,597   
     

 

 

 
        26,360,562   
Total Corporate Bonds - 58.3%                430,428,981   
     
                         
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)                     

Aerospace & Defense — 0.7%

  

 

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

    USD        1,426        1,424,853   

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

  

    99        96,371   

TASC, Inc., 2nd Lien Term Loan, 12.00%, 5/30/21

  

    1,375        1,404,219   

Transdigm, Inc.:

     

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

      700        677,391   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)          Par
(000)
    Value  

Aerospace & Defense (continued)

     

Transdigm, Inc. (continued):

     

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

    USD        985      $ 959,557   

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

      839        817,132   
     

 

 

 
        5,379,523   

Air Freight & Logistics — 0.5%

     

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

   

    982        845,746   

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

   

    1,020        878,498   

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

      156        134,749   

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

   

    1,406        1,211,722   

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

   

    920        915,980   
     

 

 

 
        3,986,695   

Airlines — 0.7%

     

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

  

    2,930        2,923,312   

Northwest Airlines, Inc.:

     

2.39%, 3/10/17

      246        244,200   

1.77%, 9/10/18

      453        438,925   

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

  

    1,264        1,252,746   
     

 

 

 
        4,859,183   

Auto Components — 1.6%

  

 

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

   

    665        661,940   

Autoparts Holdings Ltd.:

     

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

      2,067        1,550,151   

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

      1,890        894,594   

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

   

    1,223        1,207,922   

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

   

    1,478        1,204,973   

Gates Global, Inc., Term Loan B,
4.25%, 7/05/21

   

    5,300        4,944,030   

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

   

    1,003        1,002,501   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015    13


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)       

Par

(000)

    Value  

Auto Components (continued)

     

INA Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Term Loan B, 4.25%, 5/15/20

  USD     432      $ 432,000   
     

 

 

 
                  11,898,111   

Banks — 0.1%

     

Redtop Acquisitions Ltd.:

     

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

      594        589,954   

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

      378        366,915   
     

 

 

 
                  956,869   

Building Materials — 0.3%

     

USAGM HoldCo LLC:

     

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

      895        861,438   

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

      1,672        1,598,516   
     

 

 

 
                  2,459,954   

Building Products — 2.0%

     

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

      1,619        1,605,283   

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

      3,960        3,831,224   

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

      1,397        1,350,717   

Hanson Building Products Ltd., 1st Lien Term Loan, 6.50%, 3/13/22

      295        286,007   

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

      2,184        2,174,635   

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

      2,004        1,971,902   

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

      1,197        1,189,040   

Wilsonart LLC:

     

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

      408        398,311   

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

      2,266        2,213,540   
     

 

 

 
                  15,020,659   

Capital Markets — 0.4%

     

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

      982        912,468   

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

      651        649,463   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)       

Par  

(000)

    Value  

Capital Markets (coutinued)

     

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

 

USD

    1,393      $ 1,379,638   
     

 

 

 
                  2,941,569   

Chemicals — 2.0%

     

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

      238        235,658   

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

      124        122,272   

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

      2,787        2,757,214   

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

      73        71,855   

Chromaflo Technologies Corp., 2nd Lien Term Loan, 8.25%, 6/02/20

      405        372,586   

Evergreen Acqco 1 LP, Term Loan, 5.00%, 7/09/19

      100        81,486   

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

      1,007        986,301   

MacDermid, Inc.:

     

1st Lien Term Loan, 4.50%, 6/07/20

      2,359        2,284,914   

Term Loan B3, 4.50%, 6/07/20

      580        563,870   

OXEA Finance LLC:

     

2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.50%, 7/15/20

      1,155        1,041,429   

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

      1,465        1,399,171   

Royal Holdings, Inc.:

     

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

      519        513,902   

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

      655        648,994   

Solenis International LP:

     

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

      1,179        1,153,701   

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

      1,915        1,737,862   

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

      652        632,337   
     

 

 

 
                  14,603,552   

Commercial Services & Supplies — 3.1%

     

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

      2,503        2,443,208   

ARAMARK Corp.:

     

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

      2,522        2,508,430   

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

      1,208        1,194,912   
 

 

                
14    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

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

Commercial Services & Supplies (continued)

     

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

  USD     2,462      $ 2,269,848   

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

      2,089        2,064,425   

Connolly Corp.:

     

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

      2,008        1,977,302   

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

      2,125        2,105,514   

Koosharem LLC, Exit Term Loan, 7.50%, 5/15/20

      2,839        2,775,289   

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

      841        783,906   

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

      3,175        3,082,485   

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

      654        652,920   

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

      1,248        1,227,555   
     

 

 

 
                  23,085,794   

Communications Equipment — 1.3%

     

Applied Systems, Inc.:

     

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

      599        588,336   

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

      540        517,725   

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

      1,278        966,536   

CommScope, Inc., Term Loan B5, 3.75%, 12/29/22

      555        547,890   

Riverbed Technology, Inc., Term Loan B, 6.00%, 4/24/22

      385        384,188   

Telesat Canada, Term Loan A, 3.89%, 3/24/17

 

CAD

    2,038        1,520,541   

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

 

USD

    4,824        4,764,914   
     

 

 

 
                  9,290,130   

Construction & Engineering — 0.1%

     

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

        590        589,677   

Construction Materials — 0.2%

     

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

      590        586,312   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)        Par
(000)
    Value  

Construction Materials (continued)

     

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

  USD     1,116      $ 1,089,072   
     

 

 

 
                  1,675,384   

Containers & Packaging — 0.8%

     

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

      429        425,096   

Berry Plastics Holding Corp.:

     

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

      979        966,888   

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

      3,571        3,544,282   

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

      1,076        1,044,417   
     

 

 

 
                  5,980,683   

Distributors — 0.2%

     

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

      939        931,266   

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

      299        298,375   
     

 

 

 
                  1,229,641   

Diversified Consumer Services — 1.5%

     

Allied Security Holdings LLC:

     

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

      2,655        2,595,709   

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

      599        564,554   

Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.:

     

Incremental Term Loan B1, 4.50%, 1/30/20

      1,497        1,498,214   

Term Loan B, 4.00%, 1/30/20

      1,527        1,523,252   

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

      4,971        4,936,455   
     

 

 

 
                  11,118,184   

Diversified Financial Services — 0.8%

     

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

      525        520,737   

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

      945        939,094   

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

      2,393        2,380,777   

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

      285        284,310   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015    15


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

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

Diversified Financial Services (continued)

     

TransFirst, Inc., Incremental Term Loan B,
4.75%, 11/12/21

  USD     1,489      $ 1,475,733   
     

 

 

 
                  5,600,651   

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 2.3%

     

Altice Financing SA, Term Loan:

     

Delayed Draw, 5.50%, 7/02/19

      404        404,095   

5.25%, 2/04/22

      1,096        1,087,686   

Cequel Communications LLC, Term Loan B, 3.50%, 2/14/19

      350        344,750   

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

      1,811        1,796,176   

Integra Telecom, Inc.:

     

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

      1,766        1,714,222   

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

      1,063        1,038,619   

Level 3 Financing, Inc.:

     

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

      8,605        8,589,941   

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

      1,305        1,302,214   

Virgin Media Investment Holdings Ltd., Term Loan F, 3.50%, 6/30/23

      687        675,799   
     

 

 

 
                  16,953,502   

Electrical Equipment — 0.3%

     

Texas Competitive Electric Holdings Co. LLC:

     

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

      1,227        1,222,425   

Extended Term Loan, 4.68%, 10/10/17 (a)(e)

      2,375        805,125   
     

 

 

 
                  2,027,550   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.2%

  

 

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

        1,395        1,342,669   

Energy Equipment & Services — 0.7%

     

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

      2,542        2,490,320   

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

      3,269        3,066,737   
     

 

 

 
                  5,557,057   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)        Par
(000)
    Value  

Food & Staples Retailing — 0.9%

     

Hostess Brands LLC:

     

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

  USD     1,240      $ 1,233,279   

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

      65        65,023   

New Albertson’s, Inc., Term Loan, 4.75%, 6/27/21

      1,054        1,044,935   

Rite Aid Corp.:

     

5.75%, 8/21/20

      695        697,029   

4.88%, 6/21/21

      1,475        1,475,457   

Supervalu, Inc., Refinancing Term Loan B,
4.50%, 3/21/19

      1,390        1,383,430   

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

      1,142        1,131,378   
     

 

 

 
                  7,030,531   

Food Products — 1.5%

     

Diamond Foods, Inc., Term Loan, 4.25%, 8/20/18

      2,777        2,767,034   

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

      1,589        1,579,424   

Pabst Brewing Co., Inc., Term Loan,
5.75%, 10/21/21

      1,549        1,542,994   

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

      1,585        1,579,511   

Pinnacle Foods Finance LLC, Term Loan G, 3.00%, 4/29/20

      1,846        1,826,612   

Post Holdings Inc., Series A Incremental Term Loan, 3.75%, 6/02/21

      (j)      416   

Reddy Ice Corp.:

     

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

      1,819        1,498,024   

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

      995        597,000   
     

 

 

 
                  11,391,015   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 2.1%

     

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

      1,582        1,560,161   

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

      1,678        1,667,993   

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

      2,688        2,623,287   

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

      96        94,606   
 

 

                
16    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

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

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (continued)

     

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

  USD     2,401      $ 2,310,915   

Leonardo Acquisition Corp., Term Loan, 4.25%, 1/31/21

      1,632        1,605,925   

Mallinckrodt International Finance SA, Term Loan B, 3.25%, 3/19/21

      536        513,872   

Millennium Health LLC, Term Loan B, 6.50%, 4/16/21

      1,072        428,738   

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

      2,463        2,395,614   

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

      2,283        2,140,147   
     

 

 

 
                  15,341,258   

Health Care Providers & Services — 4.0%

     

Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25%, 2/11/22

      479        480,178   

Air Medical Group Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.50%, 4/28/22

      632        617,500   

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

      1,926        1,908,107   

CHG Healthcare Services Inc., Term Loan, 4.25%, 11/19/19

      2,724        2,685,387   

Community Health Systems, Inc.:

     

Term Loan F, 3.48%, 12/31/18

      1,379        1,353,172   

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

      2,084        2,037,279   

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

      1,443        1,436,445   

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

      6,922        6,882,848   

Envision Healthcare Corp., Term Loan:

     

4.25%, 5/25/18

      1,089        1,086,229   

B2, 3.88%, 10/28/22

      805        800,218   

Genesis HealthCare Corp., Term Loan B, 10.00%, 12/04/17

      1,185        1,197,042   

MPH Acquisition Holdings LLC, Term Loan, 3.75%, 3/31/21

      1,349        1,310,744   

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

      679        660,758   

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

      665        653,363   

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

      985        976,712   

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

      448        444,392   

Team Health Inc., Term Loan B, 4.50%, 11/06/22

      2,255        2,238,088   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)        Par
(000)
    Value  

Health Care Providers & Services (continued)

     

U.S. Renal Care, Inc.:

     

2013 Term Loan, 4.25%, 7/03/19

  USD     1,985      $ 1,976,137   

2015 Term Loan B, 5.25%, 11/06/22

      1,125        1,116,563   
     

 

 

 
                  29,861,162   

Health Care Technology — 0.5%

     

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

      2,576        2,545,870   

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

      1,291        1,281,473   
     

 

 

 
                  3,827,343   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 4.8%

     

Amaya Holdings BV:

     

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

      1,594        1,525,839   

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

      2,200        2,172,253   

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

      1,382        1,372,837   

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

      1,750        1,583,434   

Burger King Newco Unlimited Liability Co., 2015 Term Loan B, 3.75%, 12/12/21

      4,219        4,191,671   

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

      8,432        7,870,361   

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

      1,080        1,072,808   

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

      1,515        1,505,722   

Intrawest ULC, Term Loan, 4.75%, 12/09/20

      997        994,126   

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

      4,330        4,245,974   

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

      1,617        1,587,379   

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

      2,153        2,139,228   

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

      450        449,055   

Sabre, Inc.:

     

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

      632        627,757   

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

      866        858,497   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015    17


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)       

Par

(000)

    Value  

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (continued)

     

Scientific Games International, Inc.:

     

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

  USD     976      $ 903,467   

2014 Term Loan B2, 6.00%, 10/01/21

      993        917,358   

Station Casinos LLC, Term Loan B, 4.25%, 3/02/20

      1,881        1,865,237   
     

 

 

 
                  35,883,003   

Household Products — 0.5%

     

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

      1,478        1,382,413   

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

      2,162        2,157,732   
     

 

 

 
                  3,540,145   

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.8%

  

 

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

      803        767,390   

Calpine Corp., Term Loan B6, 4.00%, 1/13/23

      1,180        1,168,200   

Energy Future Intermediate Holding Co. LLC, DIP Term Loan, 4.25%, 6/19/16

      2,104        2,095,515   

Granite Acquisition, Inc.:

     

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

      1,695        1,576,284   

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

      75        69,880   
     

 

 

 
                  5,677,269   

Industrial Conglomerates — 0.1%

     

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

        693        500,731   

Insurance — 0.7%

     

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

      1,115        1,049,325   

Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford of Delaware Holding Corp., 1st Lien Term Loan, 5.00%, 4/16/20

      1,019        974,288   

Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc.:

     

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

      1,645        1,590,124   

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

      1,650        1,515,245   
     

 

 

 
                  5,128,982   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)       

Par

(000)

    Value  

Internet Software & Services — 0.8%

     

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

  USD     2,419      $ 2,407,617   

Interactive Data Corp., 2014 Term Loan, 4.75%, 5/02/21

      3,133        3,125,138   

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

      289        164,887   
     

 

 

 
                  5,697,642   

IT Services — 2.5%

     

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

      1,330        1,290,938   

Epicor Software Corp., 1st Lien Term Loan, 4.75%, 6/01/22

      1,646        1,613,846   

First Data Corp.:

     

2018 Extended Term Loan, 3.71%, 3/24/18

      12,272        12,133,855   

2018 Term Loan, 3.71%, 9/24/18

      1,935        1,914,837   

2021 Extended Term Loan, 4.21%, 3/24/21

      385        383,179   

Vantiv LLC, 2014 Term Loan B, 3.75%, 6/13/21

      1,233        1,230,478   
     

 

 

 
                  18,567,133   

Machinery — 0.7%

     

Faenza Acquisition GmbH:

     

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

      697        689,723   

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

      212        209,887   

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

      566        565,374   

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

      1,574        1,536,838   

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

      2,105        1,843,005   
     

 

 

 
                  4,844,827   

Media — 5.2%

     

Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc.:

     

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

      3,429        3,371,936   

Term Loan, 0.00%, 7/03/16 (a)(e)

      2,596          

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

      4,610        4,597,645   
 

 

                
18    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)        

Par

(000)

    Value  

Media (continued)

      

Clear Channel Communications, Inc., Term Loan D, 6.98%, 1/30/19

  USD      3,467      $ 2,501,172   

CSC Holdings LLC, Term Loan B, 2.73%, 4/17/20

       1,108        1,097,126   

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

       1,684        1,612,448   

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

       1,191        1,111,683   

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

       613        609,438   

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

       541        536,788   

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

       3,310        3,298,183   

Numericable U.S. LLC:

      

Term Loan B1, 4.50%, 5/21/20

       1,676        1,639,560   

Term Loan B2, 4.50%, 5/21/20

       1,450        1,418,442   

Term Loan B6, 4.75%, 1/31/23

       1,280        1,252,006   

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

       1,950        1,906,704   

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

       2,587        2,570,409   

TWCC Holding Corp., Term Loan B1, 5.75%, 2/11/20

       1,060        1,058,573   

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

       4,405        4,333,531   

WideOpenWest Finance LLC, 2015 Term Loan B,
4.50%, 4/01/19

       1,454        1,414,247   

Ziggo Financing Partnership:

      

Term Loan B1, 3.50%, 1/15/22

       1,561        1,521,981   

Term Loan B2A, 3.50%, 1/15/22

       1,023        997,365   

Term Loan B3, 3.50%, 1/15/22

       1,682        1,640,311   
      

 

 

 
                   38,489,548   

Metals & Mining — 0.3%

      

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

       530        23,187   

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

       2,265        2,197,419   
      

 

 

 
                   2,220,606   

Multiline Retail — 1.3%

      

BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc.:

      

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

       2,298        2,249,647   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)        

Par

(000)

    Value  

Multiline Retail (continued)

      

BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc. (continued):

      

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

  USD      785      $ 749,023   

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

       2,852        2,839,047   

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

       882        877,529   

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

       2,859        2,670,055   
      

 

 

 
                   9,385,301   

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.6%

      

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

       973        973,492   

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

       1,693        848,147   

EP Energy LLC/Everest Acquisition Finance, Inc., Term Loan B3, 3.50%, 5/24/18

       2,223        2,004,713   

Offshore Group Investment Ltd., Term Loan B, 5.75%, 3/28/19

       192        53,232   

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

       2,050        1,927,000   

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

       200        191,126   

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

       1,504        1,364,551   

Seventy Seven Operating LLC, Term Loan B,
3.75%, 6/25/21

       189        146,604   

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

       780        655,305   

Southcross Holdings Borrower LP, Term Loan B,
6.00%, 8/04/21

       627        431,106   

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

       1,899        1,906,363   

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

       1,194        1,180,308   
      

 

 

 
                   11,681,947   

Personal Products — 0.1%

      

Prestige Brands, Inc., Term Loan B3, 3.50%, 9/03/21

         1,120        1,113,961   

Pharmaceuticals — 3.2%

      

Akorn, Inc., Term Loan B, 6.00%, 4/16/21

       1,678        1,604,635   

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

       2,935        2,883,638   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015    19


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)        

Par

(000)

    Value  

Pharmaceuticals (continued)

      

Grifols Worldwide Operations USA, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.23%, 2/27/21

  USD      3,723      $ 3,689,455   

Horizon Pharma Holdings USA, Inc., Term Loan B, 4.50%, 5/07/21

       349        305,918   

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

       4,174        4,058,922   

JLL/Delta Dutch Newco BV, 2014 Incremental Term Loan, 4.25%, 3/11/21

       2,090        2,020,498   

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.:

      

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

       1,036        976,131   

Series D2 Term Loan B, 3.50%, 2/13/19

       1,521        1,432,052   

Series E Term Loan B, 3.75%, 8/05/20

       1,492        1,402,922   

Term Loan B F1, 4.00%, 4/01/22

       6,003        5,659,688   
      

 

 

 
                   24,033,859   

Professional Services — 2.4%

      

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

       1,349        1,289,115   

Advantage Sales & Marketing, Inc.:

      

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

       1,817        1,757,077   

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

       1,870        1,700,765   

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

       3,465        3,424,888   

ON Assignment, Inc., 2015 Term Loan, 3.75%, 6/05/22

       1,438        1,433,342   

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

       1,110        1,068,836   

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

       5,619        5,470,510   

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

       1,698        1,660,080   
      

 

 

 
                   17,804,613   

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.1%

      

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

         469        432,491   

Real Estate Management & Development — 1.1%

      

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

       1,441        1,430,736   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)        

Par

(000)

    Value  

Real Estate Management & Development (continued)

  

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

  USD      2,090      $ 2,050,580   

Realogy Corp.:

      

Extended Letter of Credit, 0.05%, 10/10/16

       629        619,940   

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

       4,322        4,300,304   
      

 

 

 
                   8,401,560   

Road & Rail — 0.2%

      

Road Infrastructure Investment LLC:

      

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

       614        595,998   

2nd Lien Term Loan, 7.75%, 9/30/21

       1,175        1,116,250   
      

 

 

 
                   1,712,248   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 2.5%

  

Avago Technologies Cayman Ltd., Term Loan B:

      

2015, 4.25%, 11/06/22

       7,575        7,493,569   

3.75%, 5/06/21

       3,768        3,763,396   

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.:

      

Term Loan B4, 4.25%, 2/28/20

       3,202        3,196,213   

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

       402        401,334   

NXP BV, 2015 Term Loan B, 3.75%, 10/30/20

       3,732        3,708,668   
      

 

 

 
                   18,563,180   

Software — 2.4%

      

GCA Services Group, Inc.:

      

2nd Lien Term Loan, 9.25%, 10/22/20

       624        611,520   

Term Loan B, 4.25%, 11/01/19

       1,083        1,076,607   

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

       2,284        2,174,641   

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

       2,441        2,369,794   

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

       1,076        848,029   

Kronos, Inc.:

      

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

       1,952        1,971,384   

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

       1,159        1,151,474   

Mitchell International, Inc.:

      

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

       2,009        1,964,617   
 

 

                
20    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)        

Par

(000)

    Value  

Software (continued)

  

Mitchell International, Inc. (continued):

      

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

  USD      1,250      $ 1,223,437   

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

       600        593,904   

SS&C Technologies, Inc.:

      

2015 Term Loan B1, 3.75%, 7/08/22

       2,901        2,888,495   

2015 Term Loan B2, 3.75%, 7/08/22

       436        434,109   

Tibco Software, Inc., Term Loan B, 6.50%, 12/04/20

       113        103,706   
      

 

 

 
                   17,411,717   

Specialty Retail — 2.0%

      

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

       1,546        1,506,102   

Michaels Stores, Inc.:

      

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

       2,079        2,060,935   

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

       1,606        1,589,704   

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

       2,755        2,686,814   

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

       2,776        2,768,572   

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

       2,751        2,699,343   

Things Remembered, Inc., Term Loan B, 8.25%, 5/24/18

       1,938        1,404,782   
      

 

 

 
                   14,716,252   

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 0.3%

  

 

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

         1,989        1,977,629   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.4%

      

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

         2,838        2,625,089   

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.2%

      

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

         1,506        1,497,563   

Trading Companies & Distributors — 0.3%

      

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

         1,975        1,953,275   

Wireless Telecommunication Services — 1.7%

      

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

       2,320        2,274,189   

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

       8,100        7,877,250   
Floating Rate Loan Interests (c)         

Par

(000)

    Value  

Wireless Telecommunication Services (continued)

  

T-Mobile USA, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.50%, 10/30/22

    USD        2,090      $ 2,090,982   
     

 

 

 
                      12,242,421   
Total Floating Rate Loan Interests 65.0%                480,111,338   
     
                         
Investment Companies — 3.0%          Shares         

iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (k)

  

    267,180        22,189,299   
     
                         
Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities          Par
(000)
        

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 0.2%

  

 

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

    USD        1,668        1,674,605   
     
                         
Other Interests (l)         

Beneficial
Interest

(000)

        

Auto Components — 0.0%

     

Intermet Liquidating Trust, Class A,

            1,154        12   

Household Durables — 0.4%

     

Stanley Martin, Class B Membership Units (m)

            2        3,116,250   
Total Other Interests0.4%                     3,116,262   
Preferred Securities         

Par

(000)

    Value  

Capital Trusts — 0.4%

     

ABN AMRO Bank NV, 5.75% (c)(h)

    USD        200        212,297   

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA, 6.75% (c)(h)

      200        208,835   

Banco Popular Espanol SA, 8.25% (c)(h)

      200        205,499   

Banco Santander SA, 6.25% (c)(h)

      200        205,428   

Bank of Ireland, 7.38% (c)(h)

      200        219,452   

BNP Paribas SA, 7.38% (b)(c)(h)

      400        411,000   

Gas Natural Fenosa Finance BV, 3.38% (c)(h)

    EUR        200        190,105   

Orange SA, 4.00% (c)(h)

    USD        250        270,741   
 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015    21


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Preferred Securities         Par
(000)
     Value  

Capital Trusts (continued)

       

Santander UK Group Holdings PLC, 7.38% (c)(h)

  USD      200         $307,940   

Telefonica Europe, 4.20% (c)(h)

     200         213,423   

UBS Group AG, 5.75% (c)(h)

     200         220,819   

UBS Group AG, 7.00% (c)(h)

     200         211,155   
                    2,876,694   
       
                       
Preferred Stock         Shares          

Capital Markets — 0.0%

       

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Series J, 0.00% (c)(h)

         13,550         341,596   
       
                       
Trust Preferred                     

Diversified Financial Services — 0.2%

       

GMAC Capital Trust I, Series 2, 2/15/40 (c)

     59,219         1,504,738   
Total Preferred Securities - 0.6%         4,723,028   
Warrants — 0.0%   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) (a)

    3,049      $ 20,567   

Total Long-Term Investments

(Cost — $1,038,717,728) — 131.5%

  

  

    971,870,884   
     
                     
Short-Term Securities                   

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, TempFund, Institutional Class, 0.14% (k)(n)

    2,920,888        2,920,888   
Total Short-Term Securities
(Cost — $2,920,888) — 0.4%
        2,920,888   
Options Purchased
(Cost — $5,867) — 0.0%
          
Total Investments (Cost — $1,041,644,483*) — 131.9%        974,791,772   
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (31.9)%        (235,585,945
     

 

 

 
Net Assets — 100.0%      $ 739,205,827   
     

 

 

 

* As of November 30, 2015, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation based on cost for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

   

Tax cost

  

  $ 1,049,812,030   
     

 

 

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

  

  $ 9,760,531   

Gross unrealized depreciation

  

    (84,780,789
     

 

 

 

Net unrealized depreciation

  

  $ (75,020,258
     

 

 

 
 
Notes to Consolidated Schedule of Investments

 

(a)   Non-income producing security.

 

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

 

(c)   Variable rate security. Rate shown is as of period end.

 

(d)   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.

 

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

 

(f)   Zero-coupon bond.

 

(g)   Convertible security.

 

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

 

(i)   When-issued security.

 

(j)   Amount is less than $500.

 

                
22    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

 

(k)   During the period ended November 30, 2015, investments in issuers considered to be an affiliate of the Fund for purposes of Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, were as follows:

 

Affiliate      Shares Held
at February 28,
2015
       Shares
Purchased
       Shares Held
at November 30,
2015
       Value at
November 30,
2015
       Income  

BlackRock Liquidity Funds, TempFund, Institutional Class

                 2,920,888 1         2,920,888         $ 2,920,888         $ 662   

iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF

                 267,180           267,180           22,189,299           738,265   

1    Represent net shares purchased.

       

    

 

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

 

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

 

(n)   Represents the current yield as of period end.

 

Portfolio Abbreviations

 

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

 

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding as of Period End

 

Financial Futures Contracts

 

    Contracts
    Short
  Issue   Expiration   Notional
Value
    Unrealized
Depreciation
 
(12)   German Euro BOBL Futures   December 2015     $1,648,598      $ (21,438
  (5)   German Euro-Bund Futures   December 2015     $836,312        (24,992
  (2)   10-Year U.S. Treasury Note   March 2016     $252,875        (640
  (4)   Long Gilt Future   March 2016     $709,252        (2,535
Total     $ (49,605
       

 

 

 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015    23


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

 

Currency
Purchased
       Currency
Sold
    Counterparty   Settlement
Date
     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
USD        666,160         CAD        878,000      UBS AG   12/03/15      $ 8,711   
USD        14,604,936         EUR        13,216,000      Barclays Bank PLC   12/03/15        641,386   
USD        81,769         EUR        76,000      Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC   12/03/15        1,471   
USD        4,126,421         GBP        2,688,000      Morgan Stanley & Co. International PLC   12/03/15        78,054   
USD        656,910         CAD        878,000      HSBC Bank PLC   1/06/16        (541
USD        13,923,276         EUR        13,145,000      UBS AG   1/06/16        18,921   
USD        4,026,888         GBP        2,680,000      BNP Paribas S.A.   1/06/16        (10,179
Total                         $ 737,823   
                       

 

 

 

OTC Options Purchased

 

Description   Put/
Call
  Counterparty   Expiration
Date
  Strike
Price
  Contracts   Value

Marsico Parent Superholdco LLC

      Call         Goldman Sachs & Co     12/14/19       USD 942.86     6        

Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swaps — Sold Protection

 

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

Dow Jones CDX North America High Yield Index, Series 24, Version 2

      5.00 %   6/20/20   B+     $ 4,717       $ (8,706 )

1    Using Standard & Poor’s (“S&P’s”) rating of the issuer or the underlying securities of the index, as applicable.

       

   

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

       

OTC Credit Default Swaps — Sell Protection

 

Issuer/Index   Receive
Fixed
Rate
 
Counterparty
  Expiration
Date
  Credit
Rating1
 

Notional
Amount
(000)2

      
Value
  Premiums
Received
  Unrealized
Depreciation

Astaldi SpA

  5.00%       Citibank N.A.     12/20/20   B+   EUR 20         $ (2,000 )     $ (1,740 )     $ (260 )

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

             

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

       

   

 

                
24    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

 

Fair Value Hierarchy as of Period End

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

 

   

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

 

   

Level 2 — other observable inputs (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks and default rates) or other market–corroborated inputs)

 

   

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

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

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

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

 

        Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  
Assets:  
Investments:                    

Long-Term Investments:

                   

Asset-Backed Securities

               $ 20,459,201         $ 7,041,390         $ 27,500,591   

Common Stocks

     $ 1,541,159           11,348           553,706           2,106,213   

Corporate Bonds

                 420,693,113           9,735,868           430,428,981   

Floating Rate Loan Interests

                 449,506,880           30,604,458           480,111,338   

Investment Companies

       22,189,299                               22,189,299   

Non-Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

                 1,674,605                     1,674,605   

Other Interests

                           3,116,262           3,116,262   

Preferred Securities

       1,846,334           2,876,694                     4,723,028   

Warrants

                           20,567           20,567   

Short-Term Securities:

                   

Money Market Funds

       2,920,888                               2,920,888   
    

 

 

 

Total

     $ 28,497,680         $ 895,221,841         $ 51,072,251         $ 974,791,772   
    

 

 

 

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015    25


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (continued)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

 

     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  
Derivative Financial Instruments1                 

Assets:

                
Foreign currency exchange contracts             $ 748,543                   $ 748,543   

Liabilities:

                
Interest rate contracts   $ (49,605                            (49,605
Credit contracts               (8,966                  (8,966
Foreign currency exchange contracts               (10,720                  (10,720
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ (49,605      $ 728,857                   $ 679,252   
 

 

 

 

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

        

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

 

     Level 1        Level 2        Level 3        Total  

Assets:

                

Cash

  $ 2,829,258                             $ 2,829,258   

Cash pledged for centrally cleared swaps

    271,000                               271,000   

Cash pledged for financial futures contracts

    44,710                               44,710   

Foreign currency at value

    175,147                               175,147   

Liabilities:

                

Bank borrowings payable

            $ (225,000,000                  (225,000,000
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 3,320,115         $ (225,000,000                $ (221,679,885
 

 

 

 

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, 2015

  $ 1,175,186         $ 1,949,200         $ 16,414,679         $ 38,495,099         $ 3,165,836         $ 495,709         $ 61,695,709   

Transfers into Level 31

                                  11,455,744                               11,455,744   

Transfers out of Level 32

                                  (8,945,166                            (8,945,166

Accrued discounts/premiums

              14,937           25,513           58,487                               98,937   

Net realized gain (loss)

    (5,274,636        (284,148        710           (87,645        (750                  (5,646,469

Net change in unrealized

appreciation (depreciation)3

    4,241,469           (483,218        (6,728,375        (496,794        64,307           (475,142        (3,877,753

Purchases

    411,687           7,164,080           6,134,461           7,698,898                               21,409,126   

Sales

              (1,319,461        (6,111,120        (17,574,165        (113,131                  (25,117,877

Closing balance, as of November 30, 2015

  $ 553,706         $ 7,041,390         $ 9,735,868         $ 30,604,458         $ 3,116,262         $ 20,567         $ 51,072,251   
 

 

 

 

 

                
26    BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015   


Consolidated Schedule of Investments (concluded)

  

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (DSU)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at November 30, 20153

  $ (1,033,165      $ (482,723      $ (6,728,375      $ (776,744      $ 63,631         $ 4,298         $ (8,953,078
 

 

 

 

1    As of February 28, 2015, the Fund used significant observable inputs in determining the value of certain investments. As of November 30, 2015, the Fund used unobservable inputs in determining the value of the same investments. As a result, investments with a beginning of period value of $11,455,744 transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 in the disclosure hierarchy.

         

2    As of February 28, 2015, the Fund used significant unobservable inputs in determining the value of certain investments. As of November 30, 2015, the Fund used observable inputs in determining the value of the same investments. As a result, investments with a beginning of period value of $8,945,166 transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 in the disclosure hierarchy.

         

3    Any difference between net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held at November 30, 2015 is generally due to investments no longer held or categorized as Level 3 at period end.

        

The following table summarizes the valuation techniques used and unobservable inputs utilized by the BlackRock Global Valuation Methodologies Committee (the “Global Valuation Committee”) to determine the value of certain of the Fund’s Level 3 investments as of period end. The table does not include Level 3 investments with values based upon unadjusted third party pricing information in the amount of $37,645,862.

 

     Value        Valuation Techniques        Unobservable Inputs      Range of
Unobservable Inputs
Utilized

Assets:

                

Common Stocks

  $ 553,706           Market Comparable Companies         Last 12 Months EBITDA Multiple1      5.75x
            Illiquidity Discount2      20.00%
            Last 12 Months EBITDA Multiple1      4.63x — 4.88x
            Current Fiscal Year EBITDA Multiple1      4.88x
            Discontinued Operations Expected
Sale Proceeds1
     $203

Corporate Bonds4

    9,735,866           Discounted Cash Flow         Internal Rate of Return2      10.32%
         Market Comparable Companies         Last 12 Months EBITDA Multiple1      5.75x
            Illiquidity Discount2      20.00%
         Last Transaction Price         Transaction Price1      $101.00

Other investments including other Interests

    3,136,817           Market Comparable Companies         Tangible Book Value Multiple1      1.20x
         Last Dealer Mark — Adjusted         Delta Adjustment Based on Daily
Movement in the Common Equity1
     120.00%
                                  

Total

  $ 13,426,389                  
 

 

 

                

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

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

3    Amount is stated in millions.

4    For the period ended November 30, 2015, the valuation technique for a certain investment classified as Corporate Bonds changed to Last Transaction Price. The investment was previously valued utilizing an income approach. Transaction Price was considered to be a more relevant measure of fair value for this investment which leverages the most recent market transactions.

 

                
   BLACKROCK DEBT STRATEGIES FUND, INC.    NOVEMBER 30, 2015    27


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 22, 2016

 

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

 

By:      

/s/ John M. Perlowski

  
  John M. Perlowski   
 

Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.

 

     Date: January 22, 2016

 

By:      

/s/ Neal J. Andrews

  
  Neal J. Andrews   
 

Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) of

BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.

 

     Date: January 22, 2016