-Go-Anywhere Fund Seeks Income From Around the World, Across Asset
Classes and Within Sectors
-Tactical Asset Allocation Strategy Targets Broad Spectrum of
Opportunities While Mitigating Volatility
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK) today announced it is making available
to retail and high net worth clients the BlackRock Multi-Asset Income
Fund (BAICX), which provides an unconstrained strategy for
tapping the best opportunities for diversified income around the world,
across asset classes and within sectors. The Fund offers to individual
investors for the first time an approach for income generation that
BlackRock has already implemented for many leading, global institutional
investors. Previously named the BlackRock Income Portfolio Fund, the
Fund has changed by adding flexibility to pursue a broader range of
attractive income and return opportunities including alternative sources
of income such as MLPs, REITs and other investment instruments.
The Fund is managed by a team of portfolio managers from the BlackRock
Multi-Asset Client Solutions (BMACS) team. BMACS is a 150-person team
consisting of analysts, actuaries, strategists and portfolio managers
globally. At December 31, 2011, BMACS managed over $80 billion in retail
client assets. The team develops institutional-grade tactical asset
allocation strategies for some of the world’s largest endowments,
pension plans, sovereign wealth funds, 401k plan participants and retail
investors.
Tactical asset allocation is a flexible strategy that includes a
long-term outlook focusing on valuation to identify undervalued asset
classes while considering short-term drivers of return including
changing economic conditions and rapid swings in investor behavior. With
tactical asset allocation, the Fund can efficiently target income
opportunities in a world where yields fluctuate rapidly and widely.
“Low yields and high volatility have made generating investment income
more challenging than ever,” said Michael Fredericks, U.S. Retail Head
of BMACS. “With rising longevity, it is especially urgent for those near
or in retirement to secure stable income streams that outpace inflation.”
“Income-seeking investors need to look beyond traditional asset classes
and consider the new income opportunities emerging across sectors and
geographies worldwide,” he said. “The BlackRock Multi-Asset Income Fund
offers a solution, with a highly effective tactical asset allocation
strategy that allows us to seek income globally and quickly adjust
positions as risk, return and income characteristics change over time.”
The Multi-Asset Income Fund aims to provide less volatility than a
traditional balanced portfolio. To that end, its managers maintain daily
contact with BlackRock’s industry-leading risk management professionals
to assess the likely impact of risk sources on fund positions and
re-allocate assets accordingly.
“Traditional income sources are falling short in today’s environment.
Therefore, we want to help clients employ different strategies that go
beyond the simple, 60/40 equity-and-fixed income portfolio rule of the
past,” said Frank Porcelli, head of the firm’s U.S. Retail business.
“For investors who are starved for yield but don’t want added
volatility, the BlackRock Multi-Asset Income Fund could be an optimal
core portfolio holding.”
About BlackRock
BlackRock is a leader in investment management, risk management and
advisory services for institutional and retail clients worldwide. At
December 31, 2011, BlackRock’s AUM was $3.513 trillion. BlackRock offers
products that span the risk spectrum to meet clients’ needs, including
active, enhanced and index strategies across markets and asset classes.
Products are offered in a variety of structures including separate
accounts, mutual funds, iShares® (exchange-traded
funds), and other pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock also offers risk
management, advisory and enterprise investment system services to a
broad base of institutional investors through BlackRock Solutions®.
Headquartered in New York City, as of December 31, 2011, the firm has
approximately 10,100 employees in 27 countries and a major presence in
key global markets, including North and South America, Europe, Asia,
Australia and the Middle East and Africa. For additional information,
please visit the Company's website at www.blackrock.com.
Stock and bond values fluctuate in price so the value of your investment
can go down depending on marketing conditions.
You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and
expenses of the fund carefully before investing. The
prospectus and, if available, the summary prospectus contain this and
other information about the fund, and are available, along with
information on other BlackRock funds, by calling 800-882-0052 or from
your financial professional. The prospectus and, if available, the
summary prospectus should be read carefully before investing.
BlackRock, Inc.
Media Relations
Jessica Greaney,
212-810-5498
Jessica.Greaney@blackrock.com
or
Investor
Relations
Ellen Taylor, 212-810-3815
Ellen.Taylor@blackrock.com
Source: BlackRock, Inc.