BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust (BTZ)

I maintain my Hold rating on BTZ due to inconsistent NAV growth, questionable dividend coverage, and a shrinking discount to NAV. BTZ offers a high 9% yield and diversified credit exposure, but heavy leverage and elevated rates increase risk and suppress share price. Dividend sustainability is a concern, as recent earnings have often failed to cover payouts, risking future distribution cuts if performance doesn't improve.

BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust offers a high 9.4% yield and trades at a discount to NAV, making it attractive for income-focused, long-term investors. The fund's earnings and NAV growth have been inconsistent, raising concerns about the sustainability of current dividend payouts. BTZ's performance is highly sensitive to interest rates; future rate cuts could be a positive catalyst, but timing remains uncertain.

We upgrade BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust from 'Sell' to 'Hold' due to fair valuation amidst wider spreads and macro uncertainties. Recent violent price action and a significant discount to NAV have brought BTZ to a more balanced valuation. The macro outlook remains uncertain, with potential tariff reinstatements and slowing GDP growth, warranting a cautious 'Hold' rating for BTZ.

Recent market volatility has driven investors to safer assets like US Treasury debt and corporate bonds, with notable ETFs and funds showing positive returns. The BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust offers a 9.5% dividend yield, investing primarily in credit-related securities with a diversified portfolio and significant leverage. Bonds are expected to perform well in 2025, but BTZ is recommended for watchlist consideration pending a deeper discount to its long-term average.

BTZ, a fixed income CEF, has a high 34% leverage ratio and invests in U.S. IG and HY bonds. Current credit spreads are very tight, and a mean reversion is expected in 2025, potentially leading to a -10% drawdown. The fund's distribution is not fully covered, with only 67% from cash-flows, translating to an actual yield of 6.3%.

It's a party on Wall Street! While the suits fawn over the hot “Trump trade” stocks, we dividend investors are going to dumpster dive.

The BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust offers a high yield of 8.96%, appealing to income-seeking investors despite its limited inflation protection. The BTZ closed-end fund's substantial allocation to fixed-income securities makes it vulnerable in an inflationary environment, which favors equities and hard assets instead. Recent economic data suggests inflation may not be under control, potentially limiting the Federal Reserve's ability to cut interest rates further.

This analysis argues that BTZ, a BlackRock fixed income CEF, is not a good buy right now despite its attractive yield. The analysis highlights that current credit spreads are historically low, and when they widen (which is expected), it will negatively impact BTZ's price. A significant portion of BTZ's distribution comes from ROC, which essentially returns investors' own money and can erode the fund's NAV over time.

While many investors love PIMCO's Dynamic Income Fund because of its big monthly distributions (13.7% yield), others have been very traumatized by recent share price volatility and declines.

BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust is a debt-focused closed-end fund that boasts a 9.23% current yield. The BTZ closed-end fund claims to invest in a combination of floating-rate and fixed-rate debt, but the portfolio is almost entirely in fixed-rate assets with floating-rate securities an afterthought. The BTZ fund substantially underperformed competing funds that are more flexible in the balance between floaters and fixed-rate bonds over the past three years.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Certain BlackRock closed-end funds (the “Funds”) announced distributions today as detailed below. Municipal Funds: Declaration- 3/1/2024   Ex-Date- 3/14/2024   Record- 3/15/2024   Payable- 4/1/2024 National Funds Ticker Distribution Change From Prior Distribution BlackRock Municipal Income Quality Trust* BYM $0.052500 - BlackRock Long-Term Municipal Advantage Trust* BTA $0.043500 - BlackRock MuniAssets Fund, Inc.* MUA $0.055500 - BlackRock Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

The BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust offers a current yield of 9.68%, lower than other debt funds in the market. The fund's shares have increased by 7.19% since October 12, 2023, outperforming the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. BTZ's performance history suggests competent management, but it favors fixed-rate securities over floating-rate securities, which may impact performance.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Certain BlackRock closed-end funds (the “Funds”) announced distributions today as detailed below. BlackRock Floating Rate Income Trust (NYSE: BGT), BlackRock Floating Rate Income Strategies Fund, Inc. (NYSE: FRA) and BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc. (NYSE: DSU) announced increases to their monthly distributions. Certain BlackRock municipal Funds previously declared their December, January and February distributions and declared special distributions today in order.

Investment-grade corporate-focused closed-end funds offer attractive fixed-income options with higher yields in the current higher-rate environment. Leverage and discounts/premiums in CEFs add volatility to consider when investing in these funds, which would otherwise be for more conservative investors. Besides the higher yields, when rates decline investment-grade funds should see a significant rebound, adding a catalyst for potential upside and 'locking in' higher yields now.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (NYSE: BCX), BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust (NYSE: BDJ), BlackRock Energy and Resources Trust (NYSE: BGR), BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust (NYSE: BGY), BlackRock Health Sciences Trust (NYSE: BME), BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (NYSE: BMEZ), BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust (NYSE: BOE), BlackRock Utilities, Infrastructure & Power Opportunities Trust (NYSE: BUI), Bla.

The BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust offers a high yield of 10.29%, but it is lower than other fixed-income closed-end funds. The BTZ closed-end fund has outperformed its peers in the past, but may have been slower to adapt its strategy to higher interest rates. The BTZ fund's leverage is above the preferred level, but it is not out of line with other debt-focused closed-end funds.