BlackRock’s fixed income SMAs

Explore BlackRock’s full platform of fixed income SMAs to address your clients’ needs.

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Municipal fixed income

Active:

Short-Term Municipal Fact Sheet Sample Portfolio GIPS Composite Report
Intermediate Municipal Fact Sheet Sample Portfolio GIPS Composite Report
Long-Term Municipal Fact Sheet Sample Portfolio GIPS Composite Report
Municipal Opportunities Fact Sheet Sample Portfolio GIPS Composite Report

Laddered:

Municipal Ladder 1-5 year Fact Sheet Sample Portfolio GIPS Composite Report
Municipal Ladder 1-10 year Fact Sheet Sample Portfolio GIPS Composite Report
Municipal Ladder 5-15 year Fact Sheet Sample Portfolio GIPS Composite Report
Municipal Ladder 10-20 year Fact Sheet Sample Portfolio GIPS Composite Report

Why SMAs for fixed income investors?

A fixed income SMA is a portfolio of individual bonds that blends the benefits of direct ownership and institutional asset management. The unique structure of an SMA can provide benefits to both advisors and their clients.

Benefits to the client

Customization shapes
Customization
SMAs can be customized across investment characteristics, return/yield objectives and liquidity needs.
Graph
Tax-efficiency
Accounts can be funded with existing securities, customized to state of residence for munis and tax-loss harvested at the individual security level.
Coin
Low cost
SMA fees are often lower and more transparent than those of funds.

Benefits to the advisor

Clock
Capacity
Advisors that partner with a professional manager can scale investment management responsibilities and spend more time with clients.
Home
Access
With SMAs, advisors can receive institutional level tools and access in client accounts including credit research and risk management.
People
Service
Portfolio managers serve as an extension to an advisors practice, from constructing portfolios to conducting client reviews.

Personalize your fixed income with BlackRock SMAs

BlackRock is a leader in the fixed income SMA industry, managing over $70B in client assets.1 Our platform offers a scalable process to help advisors build personalized bond portfolios for their clients.

The BlackRock SMA experience

number 1
Meet your PM2
BlackRock portfolio managers partner locally with advisors to help build, transition and manage client portfolios.
number 2
Customize beyond the ordinary
Consultative approach to working with advisors to build personalized portfolios with a focus on solving investor needs.
number 3
Transition with care
Transition bonds in-kind over a multi-year tax budget, seeking to minimize tax friction while maintaining the integrity of the portfolio.
number 4
Invest at scale
BlackRock’s allocation to new issuances allows us to purchase bonds at scale which can benefit clients through lower transaction costs.3

Scale matters when trading municipal bonds

BlackRock generally trades on the financial market to purchase bonds for clients at a larger scale, potentially benefiting investors with lower transaction costs and greater access to inventory.
municipal bonds graph

BlackRock customizes fixed income SMAs across five dimensions

BlackRock fixed income SMAs offer a range of enhanced customization capabilities seeking to deliver personalized solutions for advisors and their clients.
5 step personalization graph

FAQ's

  • Not all bonds are created equal. Some of the key differences between municipal and taxable bonds include the issuer and type of projects that will be funded, risk profile, yields and tax implications. It is important to consider the potential benefits and risks of each when deciding the best option for your specific situation. 

  • Taxes vary according to the type of bond you own. Tax-equivalent yield is the return calculation that puts a taxable and tax-exempt bond on equal footing. To calculate tax-equivalent yield, divide the municipal (tax-free) yield by 100% minus the investor’s tax bracket. This formula helps in comparing municipal and taxable bonds. 

  • Bonds typically pay interest on a semiannual basis, or every 6-months.

  • All
  • Fixed Income
  • Bonds / Fixed Income
  • Bonds / Fixed Income

    How bond ETFs can help advisors reshape client portfolios

    Sep 21, 2023 | By Karen Veraa, CFA
    Learn why bond ETFs may be the right vehicle for advisors to take advantage of rising yields and restructure client portfolios.
  • Strategic Income Opportunities Fund
    Bonds / Fixed Income

    Strategic Income Opportunities Fund

    Sep 20, 2023 | By BlackRock
    The portfolio managers of the BlackRock Strategic Income Opportunities Fund discuss the fund’s performance and positioning in this monthly commentary.
  • Total Return Fund
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    Total Return Fund

    Sep 19, 2023 | By BlackRock
    A diversified core bond strategy can help your portfolio deliver more consistent performance through market cycles. BlackRock Total Return Fund seeks returns in a variety of fixed income sectors while providing protection when stocks fall.
  • Municipal Market Insight
    Bonds / Fixed Income

    Municipal Market Insight

    Sep 8, 2023 | By BlackRock
    Market update from BlackRock's municipal bond team.
  • Making the Move to Mortgage-Backed Securities
    Multi-Asset

    Making the Move to Mortgage-Backed Securities

    Aug 31, 2023 | By BlackRock
    Mortgage-backed securities (MBS) can be a high-quality diversifier in fixed-income portfolios. Our experts discuss why now may be a good time to move into MBS.
  • Inflation, Interest Rates, and your Bond Portfolio
    Bonds / Fixed Income

    Inflation, Interest Rates, and your Bond Portfolio

    Aug 9, 2023 | By Carolyn Barnette
    High interest rates create opportunities beyond cash. Lock in attractive opportunities across multiple asset classes.
  • Rotation to Duration: Seeking a More Resilient Portfolio
    Bonds / Fixed Income

    Rotation to Duration: Seeking a More Resilient Portfolio

    Aug 1, 2023 | By BlackRock
    Consider adding duration to your investment portfolio. A potential Fed pause creates an opportunity, and duration can offer protection from market volatility
  • Investors Rediscover the Importance of Getting Paid Back
    Bonds / Fixed Income

    Investors Rediscover the Importance of Getting Paid Back

    Jun 21, 2023 | By Rick Rieder
    Rick Rieder and team argue that one of the most important questions investors should ask today is “Am I getting paid back for the risk I am taking?
  • Put cash to work with bond ETFs
    Bonds / Fixed Income

    Put cash to work with bond ETFs

    Jun 15, 2023 | By Karen Veraa, CFA
    Short duration bond ETFs can potentially generate more income while helping clients step out of cash and meet their short – or long-term investment goals.
  • What does the Fed pause mean for advisors and their clients?
    Bonds / Fixed Income

    What does the Fed pause mean for advisors and their clients?

    May 23, 2023 | By Gargi Pal Chaudhuri
    When the Federal Reserve stops raising rates, history suggests advisors should consider having their clients step out of cash into stocks and bonds.
  • It’s Time to Start Playing Investment “Small Ball” in Portfolios
    Bonds / Fixed Income

    It’s Time to Start Playing Investment “Small Ball” in Portfolios

    May 23, 2023 | By Rick Rieder
    Rick Rieder and team argue that a series of small, but more probable, wins in fixed income can pave the way for portfolios to outperform benchmarks in 2023.
  • How ETF bond ladders can help give client portfolios a boost
    Bonds / Fixed Income

    How ETF bond ladders can help give client portfolios a boost

    May 11, 2023 | By Karen Veraa, CFA
    Learn how iBond ETFs make bond laddering simpler and more time-efficient for advisors to create, while helping clients access yields and reinvest coupons.
  • iShares 2023 Investment Directions
    Equities

    iShares 2023 Investment Directions

    May 3, 2023 | By Gargi Pal Chaudhuri
    We pair our macro and market analysis with key implementation ideas, providing timely insights as investors navigate volatile markets.
  • Yields are back and it may be time to rethink your allocation
    Bonds / Fixed Income

    Yields are back and it may be time to rethink your allocation

    Apr 13, 2023 | By Karen Veraa, CFA
    Yields are back and advisors have an opportunity to rethink their clients’ overall asset allocation – and the tools they use to build fixed income portfolios.
  • 5 Reasons to Call an Investment Time-Out
    Bonds / Fixed Income

    5 Reasons to Call an Investment Time-Out

    Mar 31, 2023 | By Rick Rieder
    Rick Rieder and team argue that a major shift in market perception of growth, inflation and policy trajectories means investors should consider calling a “time-out” to reassess portfolios.
  • Navigating the current debt limit episode
    Bonds / Fixed Income

    Navigating the current debt limit episode

    Mar 8, 2023 | By BlackRock
    Debates over fiscal policy, debt levels, and differences in views of government spending priorities, have led to a contentious debt limit standoff.
  • The Polyurethane Economy: Flexible and Adaptable
    Bonds / Fixed Income

    The Polyurethane Economy: Flexible and Adaptable

    Feb 22, 2023 | By Rick Rieder
    Rick Rieder and team argue that the U.S. economy continues to display polyurethane-like flexibility and resilience, despite extraordinary shocks. Investors need the same qualities.
  • The outlook for inflation and case for TIPS
    Bonds / Fixed Income

    The outlook for inflation and case for TIPS

    Feb 15, 2023 | By Gargi Pal Chaudhuri
    Although inflation appears to be cooling, we still favor TIPS in the medium term and in a strategic allocation given the longer-term outlook for inflation.
  • The new environment for cash investing
    Multi-Asset

    The new environment for cash investing

    Jan 27, 2023 | By BlackRock
    LEAF® is part of BlackRock Global Cash Management’s effort to incorporate Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) factors into Cash Investing.
  • Three Peaks: The Macro Outlook and Fixed income
    Bonds / Fixed Income

    Three Peaks: The Macro Outlook and Fixed income

    Jan 23, 2023 | By BlackRock
    Peaking economic indicators suggest that we are entering a phase of slowing momentum and a more moderate Fed, setting up 2023 to be a strong year for fixed income
  • Zooming in on Fixed Income in 2023
    Bonds / Fixed Income

    Zooming in on Fixed Income in 2023

    Jan 18, 2023 | By Rick Rieder
    Rick Rieder and team argue that volatility and a "mountain" of rate hikes create a long runway for positive fixed income return in 2023 and beyond.
  • iShares 2023 year-ahead investor guide
    Factors

    iShares 2023 year-ahead investor guide

    Dec 30, 2022 | By Gargi Pal Chaudhuri
    Persistent inflation and a hawkish Fed have forced a shift in markets: the era of low yields is ending. Our experts share what this means for diversification.
  • A Fed pivot shouldn’t signal the all-clear to investors
    Multi-Asset

    A Fed pivot shouldn’t signal the all-clear to investors

    Dec 14, 2022 | By BlackRock
    Optimism for a Fed pivot is growing in markets following a string of better-than-expected economic data. For income investors, we remain wary of what’s ahead.
  • Making the most of opportunities in the fixed income market
    Tax

    Making the most of opportunities in the fixed income market

    Oct 26, 2022 | By Michael Lane
    As central banks continue the fight against inflation, BlackRock’s equity market experts reveal what is driving their Q4 2022 outlook and stock market forecasts.
  • Municipal bonds: now is the time to put your cash to work
    Bonds / Fixed Income

    Municipal bonds: now is the time to put your cash to work

    Oct 19, 2022 | By Peter Hayes
    Municipal bonds are more compelling than they have been in several years while remaining a safe, high credit quality corner of the fixed income markets.
  • iShares Investment Directions
    Bonds / Fixed Income

    iShares Investment Directions

    Oct 3, 2022 | By Gargi Pal Chaudhuri
    Is the worst behind us? In June, the S&P 500 entered a bear market and high yield spreads topped 500bps. We help you understand how this can affect your clients’ portfolios.
  • A once-in-a-generation tax loss harvesting opportunity for bonds
    Tax

    A once-in-a-generation tax loss harvesting opportunity for bonds

    Sep 30, 2022 | By Jonathan Diorio
    2022 has been a historically bad year for bonds presenting a generational opportunity to tax loss harvest. See how to take advantage of this opportunity here.
  • Housing is about more than just where we live…
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    Housing is about more than just where we live…

    Sep 23, 2022 | By BlackRock
    With housing affordability top of mind for households accessing affordable homeownership has come into clear focus. How can investors access the opportunity?
  • People. Progress. Possibilities.
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    People. Progress. Possibilities.

    Sep 2, 2022 | By BlackRock
    The BlackRock Liquid Federal Trust Fund (BLFT) allows investors the opportunity to seek positive social outcomes from the familiarity of a government MMF.
  • Finding Opportunities Amidst Volatility in High Yield
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    Finding Opportunities Amidst Volatility in High Yield

    Aug 23, 2022 | By BlackRock
    Finding Opportunities Amidst Volatility in High Yield: Using history as a guide, there could be meaningful total return opportunity at current yields of ~7.5%
  • An Unconstrained Approach Serves Well in Uncertain Times
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    An Unconstrained Approach Serves Well in Uncertain Times

    Aug 2, 2022 | By BlackRock
    There are several benefits that can be gained by investors pursuing a more flexible and unconstrained approach to fixed income. Read more today.
  • A show of force
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    A show of force

    Jul 25, 2022 | By BlackRock
    The first half of the year has been difficult for the economy. Markets have faced many concerns: the Russia/Ukraine conflict, surging inflation and central banks tightening.
  • Managing cash when rates rise
    Bonds / Fixed Income

    Managing cash when rates rise

    Jun 30, 2022 | By BlackRock
    Managing duration risk in a hawkish interest rate environment is essential. We seek to actively position our global money market funds to quickly benefit from rate hikes.
  • Prepare your bond portfolios for 2022 and beyond
    Bonds / Fixed Income

    Prepare your bond portfolios for 2022 and beyond

    Apr 19, 2022 | By Karen Veraa, CFA
    Inflation has resulted in record low real yields and led the Fed to raise rates. Investors should be thoughtful when crafting their bond portfolios, balancing risks and rewards.
  • Customized cash solutions
    Fixed Income

    Customized cash solutions

    By BlackRock
    Many cash investors share the same objectives. How you get there can be driven by your unique circumstances.