Statement-Related FAQs
Below, you will find some commonly asked questions about BlackRock mutual fund statements. If you have additional questions, please call the BlackRock Service Center at 800-441-7762, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM ET, or view the Legal Notes section of your statement for further explanation.
- What is the "Lead Fund/Account Number?" Where is it located?
- What is "Your Portfolio Performance?" How is it calculated?
- What do the different time intervals represent?
- Are the rates of return annualized or cumulative?
- Why does the reported inception date differ from the original investment date?
- Why do some of my returns show 'NA'?
- For accounts originated with Merrill Lynch or State Street Research: I opened my account with Merrill Lynch or State Street Research prior to January 1, 1993. Why does my statement use January 1, 1993 as my inception date?
- For accounts originated with BlackRock: I opened my account prior to January 1, 2005. Why does my statement use January 1, 2005 as my inception date?
- Why does the chart in the "Your Portfolio History" section look different now?
- I originally invested 0,000 into two funds. Now the chart shown in the "Your Portfolio History" section of my statement only shows a ,000 investment for that date. Why?
- I'm comparing my personal investment returns to the "Historical Fund Performance" rate of returns. Why are they different?
- I would like to receive my statement electronically. Is this possible?
Q1: What is the "Lead Fund/Account Number?" Where is it located?
A: The Lead Fund/Account Number is the primary account number for your portfolio. It is located on the first page of your statement and is designed to eliminate unnecessary time spent searching throughout the statement for individual fund account numbers.
Q2: What is "Your Portfolio Performance?" How is it calculated?
A: "Your Portfolio Performance" represents the total performance of your entire portfolio. In order to calculate your fund and portfolio performance, our software captures cash flows both into and out of your account(s) over the indicated time period. The performance information is shown on the statement as a rate-of-return percentage. Calculations include only accounts that were open during the quarter. Your personal performance is calculated using a standard accounting method known as internal rate of return (IRR). This method provides your rate of return by determining the difference between your beginning and ending balances, including all purchases and/or redemptions in the stated period. The return of purchases and/or redemptions is weighted based on their activity date. Please be advised that certain factors, such as account adjustments, may affect the return.
For more information about this section of your statement, click here.
Q3: What do the different time intervals represent?
A: The time intervals represent rates of return for the following periods: current quarter, year-to-date (YTD), one-year and since inception. The current quarter period represents the performance for the statement-reporting period listed at the top right of your statement. The YTD period reflects your performance from January 1 of the current year. The one-year return represents the portfolio's performance for the prior 12 months. The since inception rate of return represents your overall performance results from the time that the portfolio or account was opened, unless your account was established prior to 1993. For accounts that originated with Merrill Lynch or State Street Research and were established prior to 1993, an inception date of January 1, 1993 is used to calculate individual performance. For accounts that originated with BlackRock, an inception date of January 1, 2005 is used to calculate individual performance.
Q4: Are the rates of return annualized or cumulative?
A: It depends on the period shown and the inception date of the portfolio. (Please refer to the table below.)
| Annualized rate of return | Cumulative rate of return | |
|---|---|---|
| Return is adjusted to reflect a rate based on a full year | Return is not adjusted to reflect the full year's activity | |
| Period |
|
|
Q5: Why does the reported inception date differ from the original investment date?
A: The inception date used to calculate your rate of return is based on the first purchase of the oldest fund currently reflected on this statement. If you withdraw all of your money from your original investment option, the inception date will switch to the next oldest investment and recalculate your performance based on the newer inception date.
Q6: Why do some of my returns show 'NA'?
A: If your portfolio or account has been open for less than one year, the one-year calculation cannot be determined, or if the calculated rate of return meets or exceeds a value of "+" or "-" 75% the return will show "NA".
Q7: For accounts originated with Merrill Lynch or State Street Research: I opened my account with Merrill Lynch or State Street Research prior to January 1, 1993. Why does my statement use January 1, 1993 as my inception date?
A: At this time, our database does not have the ability to track data for accounts opened prior to January 1, 1993. If your portfolio or account was opened prior to January 1, 1993, the software will use the value of your account as of January 1, 1993 for the initial purchase.
Q8: For accounts originated with BlackRock: I opened my account prior to January 1, 2005. Why does my statement use January 1, 2005 as my inception date?
A: At this time our database does not have the ability to track data for accounts opened prior to January 1, 2005. If your portfolio or account was opened prior to January 1, 2005, the software will use the value of your account as of January 1, 2005 for the initial purchase.
Q9: Why does the chart in the "Your Portfolio History" section look different now?
A: On your account's two-year anniversary, we replaced the bar chart illustrating change in the value of your portfolio with a more comprehensive line graph. The line graph compares the total value of your portfolio to the net amount you have invested. Your net investment amount is the total amount invested minus the total amount withdrawn. If your account is less than two years old, a bar chart will illustrate your portfolio history and you will not notice any changes in this section.
Q10: I originally invested $10,000 into two funds. Now the chart shown in the "Your Portfolio History" section of my statement only shows a $5,000 investment for that date. Why?
A: The statement reflects only the accounts that were active during the current statement period. If one of the funds has been closed out through redemption and is no longer reflected on the statement, those cash flows will be removed from the chart. Therefore, the chart will show only the historical flow of the active accounts reflected on this statement.
Q11: I'm comparing my personal investment returns to the "Historical Fund Performance" rate of returns. Why are they different?
A: The "Historical Fund Performance" section reflects the actual rates of return for the fund. The personal performance calculation is based on your investment results and is affected by applicable sales charges and the timing of your purchases and withdrawals.
Q12: I would like to receive my statement electronically. Is this possible?
A: We are happy to announce that BlackRock offers electronic delivery of quarterly statements, shareholder reports and fund prospectuses. To sign up for e-delivery, click here.
Through e-delivery, you will receive an e-mail notification when your statement and other fund reports are available online. You can choose e-delivery for all official BlackRock mailings, including your quarterly statement, annual tax forms, prospectuses, annual and semiannual shareholder reports. Or, you can elect to receive only your statement or only your prospectuses and shareholder reports electronically. If you change your mind, you may discontinue electronic delivery of your statements or compliance materials at any time.
You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of any fund carefully before investing. The funds' prospectuses and, if available, the summary prospectuses contain this and other information about the funds, and are available, along with information on other BlackRock funds by calling 800-882-0052. The prospectus and, if available, the summary prospectuses should be read carefully before investing.
The information on this web site is intended for U.S. residents only. The information provided does not constitute a solicitation of an offer to buy, or an offer to sell securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is not lawful to make such an offer.