Ways to Purchase Microsoft at an 8% Discount (Featuring a 7.7% Dividend)
Misconceptions about CEFs: Many investors misunderstand closed-end funds (CEFs), particularly regarding their fees and yields, which can lead them to miss out on significant dividends compared to ETFs like the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY).
CEF Fees Explained: While CEFs have higher average management fees (around 2.9%), these fees are taken from the fund's portfolio before dividends are distributed, meaning investors receive the full yield reported, which can be substantially higher than that of index funds.
Performance Comparison: CEFs like the BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST) and Columbia Seligman Premium Technology Growth Fund (STK) have outperformed the S&P 500 index, even after accounting for their fees, highlighting their potential for higher returns.
Investment Strategy: Investors can benefit from a "CEF rotation" strategy, buying CEFs when they are undervalued and selling when they are overvalued, while also enjoying high yields and diversification across various asset classes.
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- Distribution Amounts Announced: BlackRock's various funds announced per-share distributions for January 30, 2026, with BCX at $0.0697 and BME at $0.2621, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to stable income distribution.
- Managed Distribution Plan: All funds have adopted a managed distribution plan to ensure monthly distributions of income, capital gains, or return of capital, aimed at providing investors with consistent cash flow and enhancing investor confidence.
- Transparent Sources of Income: As of January 30, 2026, the sources of distributions for each fund include net income and return of capital, with 76% of BCX's distribution coming from capital return, indicating a diverse income structure.
- Long-term Investment Strategy: The distribution plans of BlackRock funds are expected to exceed current income and capital gains, potentially including return of capital, demonstrating the company's strategic flexibility in managing market volatility and maintaining investor returns.
BlackRock Closes End Funds: BlackRock has announced the closure of certain end funds, indicating a strategic shift in their investment approach.
Estimated Sources of Distributions: The announcement includes details on the estimated sources of distributions for the affected funds, providing transparency to investors.

- Significant Performance: BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST) has seen its market price rise by 130.4% over the past decade, while its total return stands at an impressive 408.5%, showcasing its strong earning potential and investment appeal.
- Return Analysis: An investor who put $10,000 into BST in 2016 would have earned a profit of $40,850, significantly exceeding average market returns, indicating the fund's potential in high-yield investments.
- Dividend Impact: BST's total return outperforms the S&P 500 index, highlighting its advantages in dividend reinvestment and underscoring the importance of comprehensive assessments for high-yield closed-end funds (CEFs).
- Future Investment Opportunities: As 2026 approaches, investors can leverage funds like BST to achieve a continuous cash flow with yields up to 9.3% through monthly payments, further enhancing their portfolio's earning capacity.
- Distribution Plan Announcement: BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust (BCX) plans to distribute $0.0697 per share on December 31, 2025, demonstrating the company's ongoing commitment to stable income distribution aimed at attracting more investor interest in its funds.
- Transparent Income Sources: The distribution for BCX will include $0.037414 from net income and $0.032286 from return of capital, indicating effective management of investment returns and capital returns, which enhances investor confidence.
- Diverse Distribution Strategy: Other BlackRock funds such as BDJ and BGR will also pay distributions of $0.174930 and $0.097300 respectively, reflecting the company's flexibility in adjusting distribution strategies across different market conditions to maintain investor appeal.
- Long-Term Earnings Outlook: BlackRock funds expect distributions for the fiscal year 2025 to exceed net income, potentially including return of capital, a strategy that not only helps maintain distribution stability but may also impact the funds' net asset values, showcasing the company's ability to respond to future market fluctuations.
Dividend Declaration: BlackRock Science & Technology Trust (BST) has declared a special dividend of $1.2015 per share, payable on December 31, with shareholders of record on December 22.
Dividend Details: The ex-dividend date is also set for December 22, and additional information is available through the BST Dividend Scorecard, Yield Chart, and Dividend Growth metrics.
Investment Profile: BST is characterized as a technology options closed-end fund (CEF) with a 7.3% yield, focusing on AI and offering monthly payouts, though it carries some volatility.
Performance Potential: The fund has the potential to earn significant alpha, as indicated by Seeking Alpha’s Quant Rating on BlackRock Science & Technology Trust.
Dividend Declaration: BlackRock Science & Technology Trust (BST) has declared a monthly dividend of $0.25 per share, payable on December 31 to shareholders of record on December 22, with an ex-dividend date also on December 22.
Investment Focus: BST is characterized as a technology options closed-end fund (CEF) with a 7.3% yield, emphasizing growth without leverage, although it may experience volatility.
AI Portfolio: The trust features an AI-focused portfolio that offers monthly payouts, indicating a strategic investment in technology sectors.
Performance Potential: There is potential for BST to earn significant alpha, as highlighted by Seeking Alpha’s Quant Rating, which assesses the fund's performance metrics.








