SEC Form N-CSRS filed by Blackrock MuniHoldings Investment Quality Fund

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT

INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-08349

Name and address of agent for service: John M. Perlowski, Chief Executive Officer, BlackRock MuniHoldings Investment Quality Fund, 55 East 52^nd Street, New York, NY 10055

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

Date of fiscal year end: 08/31/2021

Date of reporting period: 02/28/2021

Item 1 – Report to Stockholders

(a) The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.

BlackRock Municipal Bond Trust (BBK)

BlackRock Municipal Income Investment Quality Trust (BAF)

BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust (BYM)

BlackRock Municipal Income Trust II (BLE)

BlackRock MuniHoldings Investment Quality Fund (MFL)

BlackRock MuniVest Fund, Inc. (MVF)

Table of Contents

Municipal Market Overview  For the Reporting Period Ended February 28, 2021

Municipal Market Conditions

Municipal bonds posted modestly positive total returns during the period amid increased volatility. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic-induced economic shutdown, performance plummeted -10.87% during a two-week period in March 2020 before rebounding on valuation-based buying. (For comparison, the -11.86% correction in 2008 spanned more than a month.) Fiscal stimulus, monetary policy accommodation, and the partial re-opening of the economy combined to stabilize the market and drive strong performance throughout the summer months. Performance briefly stalled on U.S. election uncertainty, but broadly has benefited from a favorable technical backdrop, vaccine optimism, and expectation for additional fiscal aid from the newly unified Democratic government. At the end of the period, performance briefly turned negative as historically rich valuations recalibrated and resulted in a temporary but healthy market correction.

of the pandemic as market liquidity became constrained amid the flight to quality. Taxable municipal issuance was elevated as issuers increasingly advance refunded tax-exempt debt in the taxable municipal market for cost savings.

A Closer Look at Yields

AAA Municipal Yield Curves

Financial Conditions of Municipal Issuers

The COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented shock to the system impacting nearly every sector in the municipal market. Fortunately, most states and municipalities were in excellent fiscal health before the crisis, and the federal government is set to deliver another massive federal aid injection. Direct state and local government aid will provide additional support to own-source government tax receipts, which have outperformed the dire predictions made in early 2020. Essential public services such as power, water, and sewer remain protected segments. State housing authority bonds, flagship universities, and strong national and regional health systems have absorbed the impact of the economic shock. While some segments face daunting financial challenges, the combination of new federal stimulus and vaccine distribution should augment economic activity and, consequently, bolster revenue receipts in these sectors as well. Critical providers (safety net hospitals, mass transit systems, airports) with limited resources may still experience fiscal strain, but the additional aid and the re-opening of the economy should bring better operating results in the second half of 2021. BlackRock anticipates that a small subset of the market, mainly non-rated stand-alone projects, will remain susceptible to credit deterioration. Again, however, the effective vaccine regimen and prospects for improved distribution suggest that a rebound in economic activity could reduce the number of potential defaults in riskier non-rated credits. While credit fundamentals are expected to improve noticeably across the municipal space, BlackRock advocates careful credit selection as the market must still navigate near-term uncertainty

The opinions expressed are those of BlackRock as of February 28, 2021 and are subject to change at any time due to changes in market or economic conditions. The comments should not be construed as a recommendation of any individual holdings or market sectors. Investing involves risk including loss of principal. Bond values fluctuate in price so the value of your investment can go down depending on market conditions. Fixed income risks include interest-rate and credit risk. Typically, when interest rates rise, there is a corresponding decline in bond values. Credit risk refers to the possibility that the bond issuer will not be able to make principal and interest payments. There may be less information on the financial condition of municipal issuers than for public corporations. The market for municipal bonds may be less liquid than for taxable bonds. Some investors may be subject to Alternative Minimum Tax (“AMT”). Capital gains distributions, if any, are taxable.

The S&P Municipal Bond Index, a broad, market value-weighted index, seeks to measure the performance of the U.S. municipal bond market. All bonds in the index are exempt from U.S. federal income taxes or subject to the AMT. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Index performance is shown for illustrative purposes only. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

The Benefits and Risks of Leveraging

The Trusts may utilize leverage to seek to enhance the distribution rate on, and net asset value (“NAV”) of, their common shares (“Common Shares”). However, there is no guarantee that these objectives can be achieved in all interest rate environments.

In general, the concept of leveraging is based on the premise that the financing cost of leverage, which is based on short-term interest rates, is normally lower than the income earned by a Trust on its longer-term portfolio investments purchased with the proceeds from leverage. To the extent that the total assets of each Trust (including the assets obtained from leverage) are invested in higher-yielding portfolio investments, each Trust’s shareholders benefit from the incremental net income. The interest earned on securities purchased with the proceeds from leverage (after paying the leverage costs) is paid to shareholders in the form of dividends, and the value of these portfolio holdings (less the leverage liability) is reflected in the per share NAV.

To illustrate these concepts, assume a Trust’s Common Shares capitalization is $100 million and it utilizes leverage for an additional $30 million, creating a total value of $130 million available for investment in longer-term income securities. If prevailing short-term interest rates are 3% and longer-term interest rates are 6%, the yield curve has a strongly positive slope. In this case, a Trust’s financing costs on the $30 million of proceeds obtained from leverage are based on the lower short-term interest rates. At the same time, the securities purchased by a Trust with the proceeds from leverage earn income based on longer-term interest rates. In this case, a Trust’s financing cost of leverage is significantly lower than the income earned on a Trust’s longer-term investments acquired from such leverage proceeds, and therefore the holders of Common Shares (“Common Shareholders”) are the beneficiaries of the incremental net income.

However, in order to benefit Common Shareholders, the return on assets purchased with leverage proceeds must exceed the ongoing costs associated with the leverage. If interest and other costs of leverage exceed a Trust’s return on assets purchased with leverage proceeds, income to shareholders is lower than if a Trust had not used leverage. Furthermore, the value of the Trusts’ portfolio investments generally varies inversely with the direction of long-term interest rates, although other factors can influence the value of portfolio investments. In contrast, the amount of each Trust’s obligations under its respective leverage arrangement generally does not fluctuate in relation to interest rates. As a result, changes in interest rates can influence the Trusts’ NAVs positively or negatively. Changes in the future direction of interest rates are very difficult to predict accurately, and there is no assurance that a Trust’s intended leveraging strategy will be successful.

The use of leverage also generally causes greater changes in each Trust’s NAV, market price and dividend rates than comparable portfolios without leverage. In a declining market, leverage is likely to cause a greater decline in the NAV and market price of a Trust’s Common Shares than if the Trust were not leveraged. In addition, each Trust may be required to sell portfolio securities at inopportune times or at distressed values in order to comply with regulatory requirements applicable to the use of leverage or as required by the terms of leverage instruments, which may cause the Trust to incur losses. The use of leverage may limit a Trust’s ability to invest in certain types of securities or use certain types of hedging strategies. Each Trust incurs expenses in connection with the use of leverage, all of which are borne by Common Shareholders and may reduce income to the Common Shares. Moreover, to the extent the calculation of each Trust’s investment advisory fees includes assets purchased with the proceeds of leverage, the investment advisory fees payable to the Trusts’ investment adviser will be higher than if the Trusts did not use leverage.

To obtain leverage, each Trust has issued Variable Rate Demand Preferred Shares (“VRDP Shares”) or Variable Rate Muni Term Preferred Shares (“VMTP Shares”) (collectively, “Preferred Shares”) and/or leveraged its assets through the use of tender option bond trusts (“TOB Trusts”) as described in the Notes to Financial Statements.

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), each Trust is permitted to issue debt up to 33 1/3% of its total managed assets or equity securities (e.g., Preferred Shares) up to 50% of its total managed assets. A Trust may voluntarily elect to limit its leverage to less than the maximum amount permitted under the 1940 Act. In addition, a Trust may also be subject to certain asset coverage, leverage or portfolio composition requirements imposed by the Preferred Shares’ governing instruments or by agencies rating the Preferred Shares, which may be more stringent than those imposed by the 1940 Act.

If a Trust segregates or designates on its books and records cash or liquid assets having a value not less than the value of a Trust’s obligations under the TOB Trust (including accrued interest), then the TOB Trust is not considered a senior security and is not subject to the foregoing limitations and requirements imposed by the 1940 Act.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Trusts may invest in various derivative financial instruments. These instruments are used to obtain exposure to a security, commodity, index, market, and/or other assets without owning or taking physical custody of securities, commodities and/or other referenced assets or to manage market, equity, credit, interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate, commodity and/or other risks. Derivative financial instruments may give rise to a form of economic leverage and involve risks, including the imperfect correlation between the value of a derivative financial instrument and the underlying asset, possible default of the counterparty to the transaction or illiquidity of the instrument. The Trusts’ successful use of a derivative financial instrument depends on the investment adviser’s ability to predict pertinent market movements accurately, which cannot be assured. The use of these instruments may result in losses greater than if they had not been used, may limit the amount of appreciation a Trust can realize on an investment and/or may result in lower distributions paid to shareholders. The Trusts’ investments in these instruments, if any, are discussed in detail in the Notes to Financial Statements.

Investment Objective

BlackRock Municipal Bond Trust’s (BBK) (the “Trust”) investment objective is to provide current income exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in municipal bonds exempt from regular U.S. federal income taxes (except that the interest may be subject to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax). The Trust invests, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its managed assets in municipal bonds that are investment grade quality or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality by the investment adviser at the time of investment. The Trust may invest directly in securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.

On June 16, 2020, the Board of Trustees of BBK and the Board of Directors of BlackRock MuniHoldings Fund, Inc. (MHD) each approved the reorganization of BBK into MHD (the “Reorganization”). The Reorganization was approved by each fund’s shareholders on December 15, 2020 and is expected to be completed on March 8, 2021.

No assurance can be given that the Trust’s investment objective will be achieved.

Trust Information

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

Market Price and Net Asset Value History for the Past Five Years

Performance

Returns for the six months ended February 28, 2021 were as follows:

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

More information about the Trust’s historical performance can be found in the “Closed End Funds” section of blackrock.com.

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s absolute performance based on NAV:

Municipal bonds delivered positive returns in the six-month period, with income offsetting the effect of a modest increase in yields. After performing very well in the span from November 2020 to January 2021, the market fell sharply in February 2021 when concerns about higher inflation caused intermediate- and long-term U.S. Treasury yields to rise. However, tax-exempt bonds remained supported by the combination of an improving U.S. economy, strengthening municipal finances and robust investor demand. As a result, yield spreads relative to U.S. Treasuries declined.

The Trust’s positions in the state tax-backed, health care and education sectors contributed to performance, as did its allocation to BBB rated debt. Holdings in longer-term bonds added value as well.

Given the increase in yields, income was a large driver of the Trust’s performance. (Prices and yields move in opposite directions.) The Trust’s use of leverage also helped results by augmenting income. The Trust sought to manage interest rate risk using U.S. Treasury futures. Since Treasury yields rose, as prices fell, this strategy contributed to results.

Reinvestment risk remained a headwind since the proceeds from bonds that matured or were called needed to be reinvested at lower yields compared to bonds that were issued when yields were higher.

The views expressed reflect the opinions of BlackRock as of the date of this report and are subject to change based on changes in market, economic or other conditions. These views are not intended to be a forecast of future events and are no guarantee of future results.

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

Investment Objective

BlackRock Municipal Income Investment Quality Trust’s (BAF) (the “Trust”) investment objective is to provide current income exempt from U.S. federal income tax, including the alternative minimum tax and Florida intangible property tax. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its managed assets in municipal bonds exempt from U.S. federal income taxes, including the alternative minimum tax. The Trust also invests at least 80% of its managed assets in municipal bonds that are investment grade quality at the time of investment or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality by the investment adviser at the time of investment. The Trust may invest up to 20% of its managed assets in securities that are rated below investment grade, or are considered by BlackRock to be of comparable quality, at the time of purchase. The Trust may invest directly in securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives. Due to the repeal of the Florida intangible personal property tax, in September 2008, the Board gave approval to permit the Trust the flexibility to invest in municipal obligations regardless of geographic location since municipal obligations issued by any state or municipality that provides income exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax would now satisfy the foregoing objective and policy.

On June 16, 2020, the Board of Trustees of BAF and the Board of Directors of BlackRock MuniHoldings Fund, Inc. (MHD) each approved the reorganization of BAF into MHD (the “Reorganization”). The Reorganization was approved by each fund’s shareholders on December 15, 2020 and is expected to be completed on March 8, 2021.

No assurance can be given that the Trust’s investment objective will be achieved.

Trust Information

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

Market Price and Net Asset Value History for the Past Five Years

Performance

Returns for the six months ended February 28, 2021 were as follows:

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

More information about the Trust’s historical performance can be found in the “Closed End Funds” section of blackrock.com.

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s absolute performance based on NAV:

Municipal bonds delivered positive returns in the six-month period, with income offsetting the effect of a modest increase in yields. After performing very well in the span from November 2020 to January 2021, the market fell sharply in February 2021 when concerns about higher inflation caused intermediate- and long-term U.S. Treasury yields to rise. However, tax-exempt bonds remained supported by the combination of an improving U.S. economy, strengthening municipal finances and robust investor demand. As a result, yield spreads relative to U.S. Treasuries declined.

Given the increase in yields, income was a large driver of the Trust’s performance. (Prices and yields move in opposite directions.) The Trust’s use of leverage also helped results by augmenting income. Positions in sectors that had been hardest hit by COVID-19, including health care and transportation, performed well following vaccine approvals and the resulting improvement in the economic outlook. Positions in the state tax-backed sector also outperformed due to the strong returns of lower-rated issuers such as Illinois, New Jersey and Puerto Rico. Longer-dated holdings with maturities of 20 years and above added value, as well. Even though yields rose, the effect was offset by income and a compression of yield spreads.

Reinvestment risk remained a headwind since the proceeds from bonds that matured or were called needed to be reinvested at lower yields compared to bonds that were issued when yields were higher.

The views expressed reflect the opinions of BlackRock as of the date of this report and are subject to change based on changes in market, economic or other conditions. These views are not intended to be a forecast of future events and are no guarantee of future results.

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

Investment Objective

BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust’s (BYM) (the “Trust”) investment objective is to provide current income exempt from U.S. federal income taxes, including the alternative minimum tax. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its managed assets in municipal bonds exempt from U.S. federal income taxes, including the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax. The Trust also invests at least 80% of its managed assets in municipal bonds that are investment grade quality at the time of investment or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality by the investment adviser at the time of investment. The Trust may invest up to 20% of its managed assets in securities that are rated below investment grade, or are considered by BlackRock to be of comparable quality, at the time of purchase. The Trust may invest directly in securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.

No assurance can be given that the Trust’s investment objective will be achieved.

Trust Information

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

Market Price and Net Asset Value History for the Past Five Years

Performance

Returns for the six months ended February 28, 2021 were as follows:

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

More information about the Trust’s historical performance can be found in the “Closed End Funds” section of blackrock.com.

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s absolute performance based on NAV:

Municipal bonds delivered positive returns in the six-month period, with income offsetting the effect of a modest increase in yields. After performing very well in the span from November 2020 to January 2021, the market fell sharply in February 2021 when concerns about higher inflation caused intermediate- and long-term U.S. Treasury yields to rise. However, tax-exempt bonds remained supported by the combination of an improving U.S. economy, strengthening municipal finances and robust investor demand. As a result, yield spreads relative to U.S. Treasuries declined.

The Trust’s positions in the state tax-backed, health care and education sectors contributed to performance. Trust allocations to BBB rated and high yield debt, particularly Puerto Rico sales tax debt, also supported results. Holdings in longer-term bonds added value as well.

Given the increase in yields, income was a large driver of the Trust’s performance. (Prices and yields move in opposite directions.) The Trust’s use of leverage also helped results by augmenting income. The Trust sought to manage interest rate risk using U.S. Treasury futures. Since Treasury yields rose, as prices fell, this strategy contributed to results.

The views expressed reflect the opinions of BlackRock as of the date of this report and are subject to change based on changes in market, economic or other conditions. These views are not intended to be a forecast of future events and are no guarantee of future results.

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

Investment Objective

BlackRock Municipal Income Trust II’s (BLE) (the “Trust”) investment objective is to provide current income exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in municipal bonds exempt from U.S. federal income taxes (except that the interest may be subject to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax). The Trust invests, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of its managed assets in municipal bonds that are investment grade quality at the time of investment or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality by the investment adviser at the time of investment. The Trust may invest directly in securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.

On June 16, 2020, the Board of Trustees of BlackRock Strategic Municipal Trust (BSD), the Board of Directors of BlackRock MuniYield Investment Quality Fund (MFT), the Board of Trustees of BlackRock Municipal Income Investment Trust (BBF) and the Board of Trustees of BLE each approved the reorganizations of BSD, MFT and BBF into BLE (the “Reorganizations”). The Reorganizations were approved by each fund’s shareholders on January 21, 2021 and are expected to be completed on April 12, 2021.

No assurance can be given that the Trust’s investment objective will be achieved.

Trust Information

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

Market Price and Net Asset Value History for the Past Five Years

Performance

Returns for the six months ended February 28, 2021 were as follows:

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

More information about the Trust’s historical performance can be found in the “Closed End Funds” section of blackrock.com.

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s absolute performance based on NAV:

Municipal bonds delivered positive returns in the six-month period, with income offsetting the effect of a modest increase in yields. After performing very well in the span from November 2020 to January 2021, the market fell sharply in February 2021 when concerns about higher inflation caused intermediate- and long-term U.S. Treasury yields to rise. However, tax-exempt bonds remained supported by the combination of an improving U.S. economy, strengthening municipal finances and robust investor demand. As a result, yield spreads relative to U.S. Treasuries declined.

Portfolio income, enhanced by leverage, was a key contributor to Trust results. Longer-dated holdings with maturities of 20 years and above also added value. Even though yields rose, the effect was offset by income and the compression of yield spreads. While the Trust’s allocation to investment-grade bonds was the leading driver of performance, positions in non investment-grade and unrated issues also contributed given the backdrop of elevated investor risk appetites. At the sector level, allocations to state tax-backed, transportation and tobacco issues made the largest contributions. On the negative side, holdings in very short-dated, high-quality bonds—which did not keep pace with the strong performance for the overall market—detracted.

The views expressed reflect the opinions of BlackRock as of the date of this report and are subject to change based on changes in market, economic or other conditions. These views are not intended to be a forecast of future events and are no guarantee of future results.

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

Investment Objective

BlackRock MuniHoldings Investment Quality Fund’s (MFL) (the “Trust”) investment objective is to provide shareholders with current income exempt from U.S. federal income tax and to provide shareholders with the opportunity to own shares the value of which is exempt from Florida intangible personal property tax. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in long-term, investment grade (as rated or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality by the investment adviser at the time of investment) municipal obligations exempt from U.S. federal income taxes (except that the interest may be subject to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax). Under normal market conditions, the Trust invests at least 80% of its assets in municipal obligations with remaining maturities of one year or more at the time of investment. The Trust may invest up to 20% of its managed assets in securities that are rated below investment grade, or are considered by BlackRock to be of comparable quality, at the time of purchase. The Trust may invest directly in securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives. Due to the repeal of the Florida intangible personal property tax, in September 2008, the Board gave approval to permit the Trust the flexibility to invest in municipal obligations regardless of geographic location since municipal obligations issued by any state or municipality that provides income exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax would now satisfy the foregoing objective and policy.

No assurance can be given that the Trust’s investment objective will be achieved.

Trust Information

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

Market Price and Net Asset Value History for the Past Five Years

Performance

Returns for the six months ended February 28, 2021 were as follows:

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

More information about the Trust’s historical performance can be found in the “Closed End Funds” section of blackrock.com.

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s absolute performance based on NAV:

Municipal bonds delivered positive returns in the six-month period, with income offsetting the effect of a modest increase in yields. After performing very well in the span from November 2020 to January 2021, the market fell sharply in February 2021 when concerns about higher inflation caused intermediate- and long-term U.S. Treasury yields to rise. However, tax-exempt bonds remained supported by the combination of an improving U.S. economy, strengthening municipal finances and robust investor demand. As a result, yield spreads relative to U.S. Treasuries declined.

The Trust’s positions in longer-term bonds were key contributors to performance. Even though yields rose, the effect was offset by income and the compression of yield spreads. At the sector level, holdings in transportation, state and local tax-backed and health care issues aided returns. The Trust’s use of leverage also helped performance by augmenting income. The Trust actively sought to manage interest rate risk using U.S. Treasury futures. Since Treasury yields rose, as prices fell, this strategy contributed to results.

On the negative side, the Trust’s higher-quality bias represented an opportunity cost at a time of outperformance for lower-quality issues.

The views expressed reflect the opinions of BlackRock as of the date of this report and are subject to change based on changes in market, economic or other conditions. These views are not intended to be a forecast of future events and are no guarantee of future results.

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments

Investment Objective

BlackRock MuniVest Fund, Inc.’s (MVF) (the “Trust”) investment objective is to provide shareholders with as high a level of current income exempt from U.S. federal income taxes as is consistent with its investment policies and prudent investment management. The Trust seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of an aggregate of the Trust’s net assets (including proceeds from the issuance of any preferred shares) and the proceeds of any borrowing for investment purposes, in municipal obligations exempt from U.S. federal income taxes (except that the interest may be subject to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax). Under normal market conditions, the Trust primarily invests in long term municipal obligations rated investment grade at the time of investment (or, if unrated, are considered by the Trust’s investment adviser to be of comparable quality at the time of investment) and in long term municipal obligations with maturities of more than ten years at the time of investment. The Trust may invest up to 20% of its total assets in securities rated below investment grade or deemed equivalent at the time of purchase. The Trust may invest directly in securities or synthetically through the use of derivatives.

No assurance can be given that the Trust’s investment objective will be achieved.

Trust Information

Market Price and Net Asset Value Per Share Summary

Market Price and Net Asset Value History for the Past Five Years

Performance

Returns for the six months ended February 28, 2021 were as follows:

Performance results may include adjustments made for financial reporting purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Past performance is not an indication of future results.

More information about the Trust’s historical performance can be found in the “Closed End Funds” section of blackrock.com.

The following discussion relates to the Trust’s absolute performance based on NAV:

Municipal bonds delivered positive returns in the six-month period, with income offsetting the effect of a modest increase in yields. After performing very well in the span from November 2020 to January 2021, the market fell sharply in February 2021 when concerns about higher inflation caused intermediate- and long-term U.S. Treasury yields to rise. However, tax-exempt bonds remained supported by the combination of an improving U.S. economy, strengthening municipal finances and robust investor demand. As a result, yield spreads relative to U.S. Treasuries declined.

Given the increase in yields, income was a large driver of the Trust’s performance. (Prices and yields move in opposite directions.) The Trust was also helped by its positions in longer-term bonds and higher-yielding areas such as Puerto Rico and tobacco issues.

On a sector basis, state tax-backed bonds were the largest contributor. The category’s relative strength was largely driven by the outperformance of lower-quality issuers such as Puerto Rico, Illinois and New Jersey. All offered more yield than higher-rated states, which was a positive given investors’ elevated demand for yield. In addition, tax revenues proved more resilient than expected in the wake of COVID-19.

The Trust actively sought to manage interest rate risk using U.S. Treasury futures. Since Treasury yields rose, as prices fell, this strategy contributed to results.

Reinvestment risk continued to be a headwind since the proceeds from bonds that matured or were called needed to be reinvested at a lower yield compared to bonds that were issued when yields were higher.

The views expressed reflect the opinions of BlackRock as of the date of this report and are subject to change based on changes in market, economic or other conditions. These views are not intended to be a forecast of future events and are no guarantee of future results.

Overview of the Trust’s Total Investments