BlackRock Science and Technology Trust offers a ~7.5% yield through covered call options, focusing on U.S. and non-U.S. science and technology equities. BST's assets grew to $1.4B, with a stable expense ratio of 1.09%, and a 5-year dividend growth rate of nearly 19%. BST's tech-heavy portfolio poses risks in rising interest rate environments, impacting its share price and performance.
BST offers a 7.9% dividend yield, trading at a 4.58% discount to NAV, with significant tech exposure and an OTM option strategy for income. The fund's performance is hindered by its income-focused strategy, underperforming traditional tech indexes like QQQ, despite strong holdings in NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Apple. Interest rate cuts are delayed, impacting BST's growth potential, but the current discount and dividend sustainability make it an attractive buy.
BlackRock Science and Technology Trust is a top choice for tech investors seeking sector exposure, benefiting from AI spending. BST's concentrated investments in Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple, representing 30% of its portfolio, capitalize on AI growth, with a 15.5% annual NAV return since inception. Trading at a discount to NAV, BST represents a buying opportunity, especially given its historical performance and focus on high-growth semiconductor and tech sectors.
STK has historically outperformed BST, but BST currently offers better value based on discount/premium valuation metrics. Both funds employ a covered call strategy, with STK's semiconductor exposure driving performance, as they had held heavier allocations to this sub-sector. BlackRock Science and Technology Trust has seen its discount widen out, and that makes it a relatively more attractive investment option at this time in the tech space.
BlackRock Science and Technology Trust offers an attractive 8% dividend yield by selling investments periodically and by using option strategies. BST primarily invests in tech companies, with significant exposure to semiconductors, software, and tech hardware, providing high-tech sector returns. Managed by BlackRock, BST offers income investors a high dividend yield compared to low-yield tech ETFs like Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ).
Despite recent declines, the Dividend Harvesting Portfolio remains profitable, generating $1,908.79 in forward dividend income with a 23.38% return on invested capital. I believe the Fed's rate cuts are misplaced, and lower rates are needed to reduce housing costs and further curb inflation. I am bullish on 2025, expecting the portfolio to generate between $2,500-3,000 in dividend income, driven by reinvestments and weekly allocations.
The BlackRock Science and Technology Trust (BST) offers an 8% yield, trading at a -7.72% discount to NAV, and is poised for capital appreciation. With interest rates declining and a pro-business administration, 2025 is expected to continue 2024's bullish trend, benefiting BST's underlying holdings. Despite BST's underperformance compared to the S&P 500, its lucrative distribution and exposure to big tech make it attractive for hybrid investors seeking income and growth.
BST's dual mandate of growth and income via covered call writing and a managed distribution plan has led to underperformance, lagging the NASDAQ by 9% YTD. The fund's 8% "dividend yield" is misleading, as it relies on option writing and capital returns, limiting upside and hindering long-term growth. Portfolio changes show increased concentration and a significant rise in Nvidia's weight, highlighting active management's inconsistency compared to passive index trackers.
An 8%+ yield may look attractive initially, but fundamental flaws emerge upon reviewing the fund's financial statements and distribution history. Management has incurred losses on options writing. Return-of-capital distributions and a negative CAGR indicate subpar portfolio management practices. BST has underperformed in terms of capital appreciation compared to other tech-focused ETFs like QQQM. Better alternatives exist, such as STK.
Technology evolves rapidly, presenting both opportunities and challenges for investors. Tech companies tend to grow the fastest, but they also fail the fastest; gullible investors can quickly be outpaced, overwhelmed, and burned. We discuss two income-focused picks with up to 8% yields to benefit from all the tech innovation and growth.