BlackRock Announces Board Approval of New Tender Offers for BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (BIGZ) and BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (BMEZ)
MWN-AI** Summary
BlackRock Advisors, LLC has announced significant updates regarding two of its closed-end funds, the BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (NYSE: BIGZ) and the BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (NYSE: BMEZ). The Board of Trustees for each fund has approved tender offers to repurchase a substantial portion of their outstanding shares—50% for BIGZ and 40% for BMEZ. The buyback prices will be set at 99.5% of the respective fund's net asset value (NAV) upon the completion of the tender offers.
The proposals stem from a joint agreement among BlackRock, the funds themselves, and Saba Capital Management, L.P., which is expected to remain in effect until after the 2027 proxy season. As part of this agreement, Saba has committed to several stipulations including the withdrawal of a prior shareholder proposal for the 2025 annual meeting and voting its fund shares in line with recommendations from the funds' boards.
In conjunction with these tender offers, the boards have decided to cancel an earlier scheduled tender offer for the quarter ending December 31, 2024, as well as terminate the previously announced discount management program, effective immediately.
Investors are advised that this announcement serves for informational purposes only and not as an official offer to purchase common shares. All relevant tender offer materials will be made available soon, and shareholders are encouraged to review these documents for important details before making any decisions regarding their shares. BlackRock remains dedicated to enhancing financial well-being for its clients and will continue to provide updates on fund performance through its website.
MWN-AI** Analysis
BlackRock's recent announcement regarding the tender offers for the BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (BIGZ) and the BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (BMEZ) signals potentially significant opportunities for investors seeking to capitalize on the evolving dynamics of these closed-end funds. The Board's approval to repurchase a substantial percentage of the outstanding shares—50% for BIGZ and 40% for BMEZ—reflects a strategic move to enhance shareholder value and mitigate discounts to net asset value (NAV).
Investors should consider the implications of these tender offers. The repurchases at 99.5% of NAV may provide an attractive exit point for those holding shares above this valuation, especially in a market where liquidity could be constrained. The tender offers signal BlackRock's commitment to managing share price performance and stakeholder interests, particularly in light of Saba Capital Management's involvement, which indicates a concerted effort to improve fund governance and alignment with shareholder interests.
Additionally, the cancellations of the previously announced tender offers and discount management programs suggest a more aggressive stance by BlackRock in its capital management strategy. This could instill confidence among shareholders, implying that the management is keen on returning capital to investors rather than locking it in underperforming strategies.
For potential investors or existing shareholders, monitoring the performance and fund updates on BlackRock's website will be crucial as these tender offers progress. It's also important to review the detailed tender offer materials once they become available to make informed decisions. As always, investors are advised to weigh the risks associated with any such offers, particularly in relation to overarching market conditions and the inherent volatility in asset values.
In conclusion, the tender offers by BlackRock represent a pivotal moment for BIGZ and BMEZ, providing potential upside for investors while highlighting the importance of a well-informed decision-making process.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
BlackRock Advisors, LLC (“BlackRock”) announced today that the Board of Trustees of BlackRock Innovation and Growth Term Trust (NYSE: BIGZ) has approved a tender offer to repurchase 50% of BIGZ’s outstanding shares, and that the Board of Trustees of BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust (NYSE: BMEZ) has approved a tender offer to repurchase 40% of BMEZ’s outstanding shares, in each case at a price per share equal to 99.5% of the applicable Fund’s net asset value per common share determined following the expiration of the tender offer (each, a “Tender Offer,” and each of BIGZ and BMEZ, a “Fund” and together, the “Funds”).
Each Tender Offer is being proposed pursuant to an agreement among the applicable Fund, BlackRock and Saba Capital Management, L.P. (“Saba”) (each, an “Agreement”) that will expire after each Fund’s 2027 proxy season. During the three-year effective period of each Agreement, Saba has agreed to (1) be bound by the terms of the Agreement, including certain customary standstill covenants, (2) withdraw the shareholder proposal previously submitted for consideration at the Fund’s 2025 annual meeting of shareholders, and (3) vote the Fund shares held by Saba on proposals submitted to shareholders in accordance with the recommendation of the Fund’s Board.
In connection with the approval of the applicable Tender Offer, each Board has approved (i) the cancellation of the applicable Fund’s tender offer for the quarterly measurement period ended December 31, 2024, which was announced on January 2, 2025, and (ii) the termination of the applicable Fund’s previously announced discount management program, effective immediately.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
This press release is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute an offer or a solicitation to buy any common shares. Any offer to purchase Fund common shares will be made pursuant to an offer on Schedule TO. COMMON SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE TENDER OFFER MATERIALS, INCLUDING THE OFFER TO PURCHASE AND ANY SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT REGARDING THE TENDER OFFER, AS THEY MAY BE AMENDED OR SUPPLEMENTED FROM TIME TO TIME, WHEN THEY ARE FILED AND BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT HOLDERS OF COMMON SHARES SHOULD CONSIDER BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISION REGARDING TENDERING THEIR SHARES. Common shareholders may obtain a free copy of any of these statements and other documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov or by directing such requests to the applicable Fund.
About BlackRock
BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate
Availability of Fund Updates
BlackRock will update performance and certain other data for the Funds on a monthly basis on its website in the “Closed-end Funds” section of www.blackrock.com as well as certain other material information as necessary from time to time. Investors and others are advised to check the website for updated performance information and the release of other material information about the Funds. This reference to BlackRock’s website is intended to allow investors public access to information regarding the Funds and does not, and is not intended to, incorporate BlackRock’s website in this release.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release, and other statements that BlackRock or the Funds may make, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, with respect to the Funds or BlackRock’s future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “trend,” “potential,” “opportunity,” “pipeline,” “believe,” “comfortable,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “current,” “intention,” “estimate,” “position,” “assume,” “outlook,” “continue,” “remain,” “maintain,” “sustain,” “seek,” “achieve,” and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or similar expressions.
BlackRock cautions that forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and BlackRock assumes no duty to and does not undertake to update forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance.
With respect to the Funds, the following factors, among others, could cause actual events to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: (1) changes and volatility in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment, foreign exchange rates or financial and capital markets, which could result in changes in demand for the Funds or a Fund’s net asset value; (2) the relative and absolute investment performance of the Funds and its investments; (3) the impact of increased competition; (4) the unfavorable resolution of any legal proceedings; (5) the extent and timing of any distributions or share repurchases; (6) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes; (7) the impact of legislative and regulatory actions and reforms, and regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions of government agencies relating to the Funds or BlackRock, as applicable; (8) terrorist activities, international hostilities, health epidemics and/or pandemics and natural disasters, which may adversely affect the general economy, domestic and local financial and capital markets, specific industries or BlackRock; (9) BlackRock’s ability to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (10) the impact of BlackRock electing to provide support to its products from time to time; and (11) the impact of problems at other financial institutions or the failure or negative performance of products at other financial institutions.
Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and other regulatory filings of the Funds with the SEC are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on BlackRock’s website at www.blackrock.com , and may discuss these or other factors that affect the Funds. The information contained on BlackRock’s website is not a part of this press release.
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FAQ**
What are the expected implications of the tender offers on the BlackRock Innovation and Growth Trust of Beneficial Interest BIGZ’s share price and overall market perception?
How does Saba Capital Management's involvement and agreement with the BlackRock Innovation and Growth Trust of Beneficial Interest BIGZ align with the long-term growth strategy of the Fund?
What were the primary reasons for BlackRock to cancel the previously announced discount management program for the BlackRock Innovation and Growth Trust of Beneficial Interest BIGZ?
How might changes in economic conditions or market volatility impact the performance of the BlackRock Innovation and Growth Trust of Beneficial Interest BIGZ during the three-year period of the Agreement with Saba?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about BlackRock Health Sciences Term Trust of Beneficial Interest (NYSE: BMEZ).
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