Company: BSTZ
Filing Date: 2025-03-07
Form Type: N-CSR
Source: 0001193125-25-049659
Chunk: 158

Company: BlackRock Science & Technology Term Trust
Filing Date: 2025-03-07
Form: N-CSR
Chunk 158
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 as new technologies evolve.

198 2024 BlackRock Annual Report to Shareholders

Investment Objectives, Policies and Risks (continued)

Risk Factors (continued) Health Sciences and Healthcare Companies Risk (BMEZ and BME): The Trust’s investments in health sciences companies are subject to a number of risks, including the adverse impact of legislative actions and government regulations. These actions and regulations can affect the approval process for patents, medical devices and drugs, the funding of research and medical care programs, and the operation and licensing of facilities and personnel. The goods and services of health sciences companies are subject to risks of rapid technological change and obsolescence, product liability litigation, and intense price and other competitive pressures. Energy Sector Risk (BGR): The market value of securities in the energy sector may decline for many reasons, including, among others, changes in energy prices, energy supply and demand, government regulations and energy conservation efforts. Energy companies can be significantly affected by the supply of, and demand for, specific products (e.g., oil and natural gas) and services, exploration and production spending, government subsidization, world events and general economic conditions. In 2020, the energy sector has experienced increased volatility. In particular, significant market volatility occurred and is continuing in the crude oil markets as well as the oil futures markets, which resulted in the market price of the front month futures contract falling fell below zero for a period of time. Energy and Natural Resources Risk (BCX): The Trust’s investments in energy and natural resources companies are especially affected by variations in the commodities markets (that may be due to market events, regulatory developments or other factors that the Trust cannot control) and these companies may lack the resources and the broad business lines to weather hard times. Energy companies can be significantly affected by the supply of and demand for specific products and services, the supply of and demand for oil and gas, the price of oil and gas, exploration and production spending, government regulation, world events and economic conditions. Natural resources companies can be significantly affected by events relating to international political developments, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, commodity prices, and tax and government regulations. Commodities Related Investments Risk (BCX): Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Trust to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative investments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in inflation, interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, embarg