BLACKROCK STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL TRUST
N-30D/A, N-30D, 2000-08-31
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL TRUST
                       SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
                          REPORT OF INVESTMENT ADVISOR
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                                                   July 31, 2000

Dear Shareholder:

      In the first half of the year, fears of an open-ended tightening policy by
the Federal Reserve peaked in May, which resulted in a subsequent  relief in the
market  as the U.S.  economy  seemed to  decelerate  significantly.  During  the
period, the Federal Reserve tightened short-term rates by 1.00% in an attempt to
engineer a "soft landing" for the U.S.  economy.  In the first six months of the
new millennium we have witnessed  unprecedented  volatility in both the Treasury
yield curve and the spread sectors.  The Treasury curve inverted  sharply in the
first quarter,  but as weak economic data emerged in the second quarter,  market
participants  embraced an economic  "soft  landing"  scenario  causing the yield
curve to steepen.  The downward revision in growth  expectations  allowed spread
sectors to rally in the month of June, but year-to-date  their performance still
trails Treasuries.

      While  fears  of a  hawkish  Federal  Reserve  and  consequent  risks of a
"hard-landing"  may not  materialize  immediately,  the risks are skewed in that
direction.  A longer period of subdued financial market performance is necessary
to  enable  the  labor  markets  to  build  up  slack,  which  is  an  important
pre-condition for the Fed to achieve its goal.

      This report contains a summary of market conditions during the semi-annual
period and a review of portfolio  strategy by your Trust's  managers in addition
to the  Trust's  unaudited  financial  statements  and a  detailed  list  of the
portfolio's  holdings.  Continued  thanks for your  confidence in BlackRock.  We
appreciate the opportunity to help you achieve your long-term investment goals.

Sincerely,

/s/ Laurence D. Fink                                    /s/ Ralph L. Schlosstein
--------------------                                    ------------------------
Laurence D. Fink                                        Ralph L. Schlosstein
Chairman                                                President


                                       1

<PAGE>

                                                                   July 31, 2000

Dear Shareholder:

      We are  pleased  to  present  the  unaudited  semi-annual  report  for The
BlackRock  Strategic Municipal Trust (the "Trust") for the six months ended June
30, 2000.  We would like to take this  opportunity  to review the Trust's  stock
price and net asset value (NAV) performance, summarize developments in the fixed
income markets and discuss recent portfolio management activity.

      The Trust is a diversified,  actively  managed  closed-end bond fund whose
shares are traded on the New York Stock  Exchange  under the symbol  "BSD".  The
Trust's  investment  objective is to provide high current  income that is exempt
from regular Federal income tax consistent with the preservation of capital. The
Trust seeks to achieve this  objective  by investing  80% of its total assets in
investment grade (rated "AAA" to "BBB" by a major rating agency or of equivalent
quality),  and may invest up to 20% of its total assets in non-investment  grade
(rated Ba/BB or B by a major rating agency or of equivalent  quality) tax-exempt
general   obligation  and  revenue  bonds  issued  by  city,  county  and  state
municipalities throughout the United States.

      The table below  summarizes the changes in the Trust's stock price and NAV
since December 31, 1999:

                          ------------------------------------------------------
                             6/30/00     12/31/99    CHANGE      HIGH      LOW
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  STOCK PRICE               $12.5625      $12.50      0.50%     $14.00   $12.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  NET ASSET VALUE (NAV)     $13.81        $13.39      3.14%     $14.06   $12.99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


THE FIXED INCOME MARKETS

      The dynamic expansion of the U.S. economy  continues  undaunted by Federal
Reserve Chairman Greenspan's attempt to brake the economy,  short of stalling it
into a recession. The labor markets remain tight, growth remains strong with 5%+
annualized  growth  rates  and  inflation  pressures  continue  to be  offset by
increased  productivity.  However,  the Fed remains cautious,  in their February
minutes it was noted that: "Other members  acknowledged that the Committee might
need to move more aggressively at a later meeting should imbalances  continue to
build and  inflation  expectations  clearly  begin to pick  up." At the  Federal
Reserve meeting in November, February and March the Fed raised the discount rate
by 0.25%  at each  meeting  and a 0.50%  increase  was made in May to bring  the
current discount rate to 6.50%.

      The Treasury Yield curve experienced a complex set of dynamics,  which has
inverted  the curve and may  continue  to invert  the curve for the  foreseeable
future.  The yields on the short-end of the curve  increased  sharply during the
period in response to three Federal  Reserve  increases to the discount rate and
perceived future Fed actions in the coming months.  The long-end of the curve is
reacting to the  "official"  announcement  that the  Treasury  will buy back $30
billion  of  Treasuries  with  maturities  ranging  from 10 to 30 years.  With a
decreasing supply of available  Treasuries,  a balanced budget, and an unchanged
demand for longer  maturity  Treasuries,  we would  anticipate this condition to
continue.  This condition is further augmented by Treasury auction activity,  as
they reduce the  available  bonds on the long end of the curve they  continue to
add supply in the 1-10 year range through periodic auctions. For the semi-annual
period,  the yield of the  10-year  Treasury  security  declined  from  6.44% on
December 31, 1999 to 6.03% on June 30, 2000.

                                        2

<PAGE>

      Municipal bonds  outperformed  the taxable domestic bond market during the
past six months,  returning  4.49% (as measured by the LEHMAN  MUNICIPAL  INDEX)
versus the LEHMAN AGGREGATE INDEX's 3.98% on a pre-tax basis.  Overall, the tone
in the  market  during  the  period  was  extremely  positive  as the  result of
continued strong demand from individual/retail investors coupled with a slowdown
in new issuance.  During 1999, households increased their holdings of individual
municipal  bonds  by over $40  billion  while  mutual  funds  saw net  outflows.
Offsetting the large amount of mutual fund outflows  during the first quarter of
2000 was a 22% decline in overall new  municipal  bond issuance YTD for the same
period led by a 68% drop in refunding  volume.  Refunding volume was down due to
the relatively higher interest rates  experienced  during the first half of 2000
when compared to the first half of 1999,  while new money  issuance has declined
because the strong economy has led to full coffers at most municipalities.

THE TRUST'S PORTFOLIO AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

      In seeking to achieve its investment objectives,  the Trust's portfolio is
actively  managed to diversify  exposure to various  sectors,  issuers,  revenue
sources  and  security  types.  BlackRock's  investment  strategy  emphasizes  a
relative  value  approach,  which allows the Trust to  capitalize  upon changing
market conditions by rotating municipal sectors, credits and coupons.

      Additionally,  the Trust employs leverage via auction rate preferred stock
to enhance its income by borrowing at short-term  municipal  rates and investing
the proceeds in longer  maturity  issues that have higher yields.  The degree to
which the Trust can benefit  from its use of leverage  may affect its ability to
pay high monthly income.  While the amount of preferred  shares  outstanding has
remained  constant,  the percentage of leverage utilized by the Trust fluctuates
modestly as the net asset value moves. At the end of the semi-annual period, the
Trust's leverage amount was 38% of total assets.

      Since  inception,  the Trust sought to take  advantage of tight  municipal
credit  spreads  to build a  strong  credit  profile.  Specifically,  the  Trust
emphasized  higher rated securities over lower rated  securities.  Additionally,
the Trust maintained a defensive coupon structure,  which was achieved by adding
premium coupons,  which  positively  contributed to the Trust's total returns as
interest rates rose during the period.

      The following  charts show the Trust's current and December 31, 1999 asset
composition and credit quality allocations:

     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   SECTOR BREAKDOWN

     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
       SECTOR                              JUNE 30, 2000   DECEMBER 31, 1999
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Transportation                           16%              17%
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
       School                                   15%              17%
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Water & Sewer                            11%              13%
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Hospital                                 11%               9%
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Industrial & Pollution Control           10%              12%
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Lease Revenue                             9%               1%
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Tax Revenue                               8%               5%
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
       City, County, & state                     7%              11%
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Housing                                   6%               5%
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Power                                     3%               8%
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Special District                          2%               2%
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Other                                     2%              --
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                       3

<PAGE>

     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
           CREDIT RATING*                 JUNE 30, 2000   DECEMBER 31, 1999
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
               AAA/Aaa                         39%                58%
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                AA/Aa                          23%                13%
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 A/A                            7%                 7%
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
               BBB/Baa                         26%                 6%
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Not Rated                         5%                16%
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------


-------------
      * Using the higher of Standard & Poor's or Moody's rating.

      We look  forward to  continuing  to manage  the Trust to benefit  from the
opportunities  available to investors in the investment grade municipal  market.
We  thank  you for your  investment  and  continued  interest  in The  BlackRock
Strategic  Municipal  Trust.  Please feel free to call our  marketing  center at
(800)  227-7BFM  (7236)  if you  have  any  specific  questions  which  were not
addressed in this report.

Sincerely yours,

/s/ Robert S. Kapito                     /s/ Kevin Klingert
--------------------                     ------------------
Robert S. Kapito                         Kevin Klingert
Vice Chairman and Portfolio Manager      Managing Director and Portfolio Manager
BlackRock Advisors, Inc.                 BlackRock Advisors, Inc.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL MUNICIPAL TRUST
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Symbol on New York Stock Exchange:                              BSD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Initial Offering Date:                                        8/25/99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Closing Stock Price as of 6/30/00:                            $12.5625
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Net Asset Value as of 6/30/00:                                $13.81
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Yield on Closing Stock Price as of 6/30/00 ($12.5625)1:         7.46%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Current Monthly Distribution per Share2:                      $ 0.078125
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Current Annualized Distribution per Share2:                   $ 0.9375
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------
1 Yield on Closing Stock Price is calculated by dividing the current  annualized
  distribution per share by the closing stock price per share.

2 Distribution is not constant and is subject to change.

                                        4
<PAGE>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL TRUST
PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS JUNE 30, 2000 (UNAUDITED)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           PRINCIPAL
            AMOUNT                                                                    OPTION CALL        VALUE
  RATING*    (000)                                 DESCRIPTION                        PROVISIONS+      (NOTE 1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>        <C>       <C>                                                              <C>             <C>
                     LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--157.3%
                     ALABAMA--17.7%
    AA     $10,000   Alabama St. Pub. Sch. & Coll. Auth. Rev., Cap. Impvt.,
                        Ser. C, 5.75%, 7/01/18 ..................................     07/09 @ 101.5   $ 10,101,100
   Baa1      3,000   Courtland Ind. Dev. Brd. Solid Waste Disp. Rev.,
                        Champion Intl. Corp. Proj., Ser. A, 6.70%, 11/01/29 .....     11/09 @ 101        3,020,550
    AAA      4,635   Jefferson Cnty. Swr. Rev., Ser. D, 5.75%, 2/01/27, FGIC ....     02/07 @ 101        4,573,030
                                                                                                      ------------
                                                                                                        17,694,680
                                                                                                      ------------
                     ALASKA--2.5%
    AAA      2,500   Alaska St. Hsg. Fin. Corp. Rev., Ser. A, 5.875%,
                        12/01/24, MBIA ...........................................    12/05 @ 102        2,453,800
                                                                                                      ------------
                     COLORADO--4.3%
    AAA      4,500   Denver City & Cnty. Arpt. Rev., Ser. D, 5.50%,
                        11/15/25, MBIA ...........................................    11/06 @ 101        4,270,095
                                                                                                      ------------
                     CONNECTICUT--3.9%
                     Mashantucket Western Pequot Tribe, Spl. Rev.,
   BBB-      1,500      Ser. A, 5.50%, 9/01/28 ...................................    09/09 @ 101        1,268,670
   Baa3      3,000      Ser. B, 5.75%, 9/01/27 ...................................    09/07 @ 102        2,673,930
                                                                                                      ------------
                                                                                                         3,942,600
                                                                                                      ------------
                     FLORIDA--4.3%
                     Florida Hsg. Fin. Corp. Rev., Sunset Place, Ser. K-1,
     A       2,400      6.00%, 10/01/19 ..........................................    10/09 @ 102        2,350,800
     A       2,000      6.10%, 10/01/29 ..........................................    10/09 @ 102        1,931,260
                                                                                                      ------------
                                                                                                         4,282,060
                                                                                                      ------------
                     ILLINOIS--19.7%
    AAA      5,000   Chicago Brd. of Ed., Chicago Sch. Reform, 5.75%,
                        12/01/27, AMBAC ..........................................    12/07 @ 102        4,878,850
   BBB-      7,560   Chicago O' Hare Intl. Arpt. Spec. Fac. Rev.,
                        Delta Air Lines Inc. Term., 6.45%, 5/01/18 ...............    05/02 @ 102        7,375,989
    AAA      3,445   Chicago Sales Tax Rev., 5.375%, 1/01/27, FGIC ...............    01/08 @ 102        3,169,607
    AAA      4,500   Met. Pier & Expo. Auth. Tax Rev., McCormick Pl.
                        Expn. Proj., 5.50%, 12/15/24, FGIC .......................    12/09 @ 101        4,240,575
                                                                                                      ------------
                                                                                                        19,665,021
                                                                                                      ------------
                     MICHIGAN--14.0%
    AAA      2,000   Michigan St. Hosp. Fin. Auth. Rev., Mercy Hlth. Svcs.,
                        5.75%, 8/15/19, MBIA .....................................    08/09 @ 101        1,972,260
    BB+     12,000   Midland Cnty. Econ. Dev. Rev., 6.875%, 7/23/09 ..............    07/07 @ 101       12,038,280
                                                                                                      ------------
                                                                                                        14,010,540
                                                                                                      ------------
                     NEW JERSEY--11.6%
    BB       6,000   New Jersey Econ. Dev. Auth. Spl. Fac. Rev.,
                        Continental Airlines Inc. Proj., 6.25%, 9/15/19 ..........    09/09 @ 101        5,454,180
    AA       6,000   New Jersey St. Transp. Trust Fund Auth. Rev.,
                        Transp. Sys., Ser. A, 6.00%, 6/15/19 .....................    06/10 @ 100        6,173,340
                                                                                                      ------------
                                                                                                        11,627,520
                                                                                                      ------------
                     NEW YORK--8.6%
    AA       6,000   New York City Transitional Fin. Auth. Rev., Ser. B,
                        6.00%, 11/15/21 ..........................................    05/10 @ 101        6,140,400
    Aa1      2,500   New York St. Mtge. Agcy. Rev., Homeowner Mtge., Ser. 85,
                        5.70%, 10/01/17 ..........................................    09/09 @ 100        2,461,125
                                                                                                      ------------
                                                                                                         8,601,525
                                                                                                      ------------
                     OKLAHOMA--4.4%
    AAA      4,500   Edmond Pub. Wks. Auth. Util. Rev., 5.625%, 7/01/24, AMBAC ...    07/09 @ 100        4,364,640
                                                                                                      ------------
</TABLE>


                       See Notes to Financial Statements.

                                        5


<PAGE>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           PRINCIPAL
            AMOUNT                                                                    OPTION CALL        VALUE
  RATING*    (000)                                 DESCRIPTION                        PROVISIONS+      (NOTE 1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>        <C>       <C>                                                              <C>             <C>
                     PENNSYLVANIA--23.6%
                     Lehigh Cnty. Gen. Purp. Auth. Rev., Kidspeace Oblig. Group,
    NR      $2,250      6.00%, 11/01/23 ..........................................    11/08 @ 102      $ 1,959,413
    NR       2,335      6.20%, 11/01/14 ..........................................    11/09 @ 102        2,167,627
    A-       4,000   Montgomery Cnty. Ind. Dev. Auth. Rev., Retirement Life
                        Cmnty., 5.25%, 11/15/28 ..................................    11/08 @ 101        3,263,880
    NR       4,000   MuniMae TE Bond Subsidiary, LLC, Ser. A, 6.875%, 6/30           No Opt. Call        3,930,880
   BBB+      2,500   Pennsylvania Econ. Dev. Fin. Auth., Solid Waste Disp.
                        Rev., USG Corp. Proj., 6.00%, 6/01/31 ....................    06/09 @ 102        2,263,500
    AAA      8,500   Philadelphia Sch. Dist. G.O., Ser. C, 5.75%, 3/01/29, MBIA ..    03/10 @ 100        8,429,620
    AAA      1,500   Washington Cnty. Auth. Rev., Cap. Fdg. & Equip. Proj.,
                        6.15%, 12/01/29, AMBAC ...................................   No Opt. Call        1,578,255
                                                                                                      ------------
                                                                                                        23,593,175
                                                                                                      ------------
                     TENNESSEE--5.8%
     A       3,750   Maury Cnty. Ind. Dev. Brd., P.C.R., Saturn Corp. Proj.,
                        6.50%, 9/01/24 ...........................................    09/04 @ 102        3,829,725
    AAA      2,000   Memphis Shelby Cnty. Arpt. Auth. Arpt. Rev., Ser. D,
                        6.00%, 3/01/24, AMBAC ....................................    03/10 @ 101        2,019,280
                                                                                                      ------------
                                                                                                         5,849,005
                                                                                                      ------------
                     TEXAS--21.4%
   Baa1      6,500   Dallas Ft. Worth Intl. Arpt. Fac. Impt. Rev., Amer.
                        Airlines Inc., 6.375%, 5/01/35 ...........................    11/09 @ 101        5,955,430
    AAA      7,000   Houston Wtr. & Swr. Sys. Rev., Ser. A, 5.375%,
                        12/01/27, FGIC ...........................................    12/07 @ 101        6,521,480
    AAA      1,500   Lower Colorado River Auth. Rev., Ser. A, 5.50%,
                        5/15/21, AMBAC ...........................................    05/09 @ 101        1,436,955
    Aa1        500   Texas St. Wtr. Fin. Asst. G.O., 5.75%, 8/01/22 ..............    08/10 @ 100          495,030
    AAA      7,030   Travis Cnty. Hlth. Facs. Dev. Corp. Rev., Ascension
                        Hlth., Ser. A, 5.875%, 11/15/24, AMBAC ...................    11/09 @ 101        6,953,233
                                                                                                      ------------
                                                                                                        21,362,128
                                                                                                      ------------
                     UTAH--6.2%
    AAA      4,000   Intermountain Pwr. Agcy. Pwr. Supply Rev., Ser. B,
                        5.75%, 7/01/19, MBIA .....................................    07/07 @ 102        3,994,960
    AA       2,315   Salt Lake Cnty. Mun. Bldg. Auth. Lease Rev.,
                        5.60%, 10/01/21 ..........................................    10/09 @ 100        2,255,759
                                                                                                      ------------
                                                                                                         6,250,719
                                                                                                      ------------
                     VIRGINIA--1.7%
    AAA      1,750   Virginia St. Res. Auth. Clean Wtr. Rev., 5.625%, 10/01/22 ...    10/10 @ 100        1,737,750
                                                                                                      ------------
                     WASHINGTON--6.6%
                     Washington St. G.O.,
    AA+      4,750      Ser. 2000 A, 5.625%, 7/01/24 .............................    07/09 @ 100        4,595,245
    AA+      2,000      Ser. B, 6.00%, 1/01/25 ...................................    01/10 @ 100        2,011,840
                                                                                                      ------------
                                                                                                         6,607,085
                                                                                                      ------------
                     WYOMING--1.0%
   Baa2      1,000   Sweetwater Cnty. Sld. Wst. Disp. Rev., FMC Corp. Proj.,
                        Ser. A, 7.00%, 6/01/24 ...................................    06/04 @ 102        1,009,900
                                                                                                      ------------
                     TOTAL LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS (COST $157,857,289)                                   157,322,243
                                                                                                      ------------
</TABLE>

                       See Notes to Financial Statements.

                                        6


<PAGE>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           PRINCIPAL
            AMOUNT                                                                    OPTION CALL        VALUE
  RATING*    (000)                                 DESCRIPTION                        PROVISIONS+      (NOTE 1)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>        <C>       <C>                                                              <C>             <C>
                     SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT**--2.8%
    A1+    $ 2,800   No.Central Texas Hlth. Fac. Dev. Corp. Rev., Dates Hosp.
                        Pres. Med Ctr., FRDD, 4.55%, 7/03/00,
                        MBIA (cost $2,800,000) ...................................        N/A         $  2,800,000
                                                                                                      ------------
                     TOTAL INVESTMENTS--160.1% (AMORTIZED COST $160,657,289) .....                     160,122,243
                     Liquidation value of preferred stock--(62.0)% ...............                     (62,000,000)
                     Other assets in excess of liabilities--1.9% .................                       1,861,310
                                                                                                      ------------
                     NET ASSETS APPLICABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS--100%                               $ 99,983,553
                                                                                                      ============
</TABLE>

----------------
   * Using the higher of Standard & Poor's or Moody's rating.
  ** For  purposes  of  amortized  cost  valuation,  the  maturity  date of this
     instrument  is  considered  to be the earlier of the next date on which the
     security  can be  redeemed  at par,  or the next  date on which the rate of
     interest is adjusted.
   + Option  call  provisions:  date  (month/year)  and  price  of the  earliest
     optional call or redemption.  There may be other call provisions at varying
     prices at later dates.
  ++ Security is exempt from registration  under Rule 144A of the Securities Act
     of 1933.  These  securities  may be  resold  in  transactions  exempt  from
     registration to qualified institutional buyers.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          THE  FOLLOWING  ABBREVIATIONS  ARE  USED IN  PORTFOLIO DESCRIPTIONS
  <S>       <C>                                                <C>       <C>
  AMBAC     -- American Municipal Bond Assurance Corporation   G.O.      -- General Obligation
  FGIC      -- Financial Guaranty Insurance Company            MBIA      -- Municipal Bond Insurance Association
  FRDD      -- Floating Rate Daily Demand                      P.C.R.    -- Pollution Control Revenue
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                       See Notes to Financial Statements.

                                        7


<PAGE>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL TRUST
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
JUNE 30, 2000 (UNAUDITED)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Investments, at value (cost $160,657,289)
  (Note 1) .....................................      $160,122,243
Cash ............................................           20,685
Interest receivable .............................        2,604,482
Other assets ....................................              502
                                                      ------------
                                                       162,747,912
                                                      ------------
LIABILITIES
Dividends payable--common stock .................          565,796
Offering costs payable (Note 4) .................           82,958
Investment advisory fee payable (Note 2) ........           46,304
Dividends payable--preferred stock ..............           15,794
Accrued expenses and other liabilities ..........           53,507
                                                      ------------
                                                           764,359
                                                      ------------
NET INVESTMENT ASSETS ...........................     $161,983,553
                                                      ============

Net investment assets were comprised of:
  Common shares of beneficial interest:
    Par value (Note 4) ..........................     $      7,242
    Paid-in capital in excess of par ............      102,600,462
  Preferred shares of beneficial interest
    (Note 4) ....................................       62,000,000
                                                      ------------
                                                       164,607,704
  Distributions in excess of net investment
    income ......................................         (301,091)
  Accumulated net realized loss .................       (1,788,014)
  Net unrealized depreciation ...................         (535,046)
                                                      ------------
  Net investment assets, June 30, 2000 ..........     $161,983,553
                                                      ============
  Net assets applicable to common shareholders ..     $ 99,983,553
                                                      ============
Net asset value per common shares of beneficial interest:
  ($99,983,553 O 7,242,188 shares of
  common shares of beneficial interest
  issued and outstanding) .......................           $13.81
                                                            ======

NET INVESTMENT INCOME
Income
  Interest and discount earned ..................     $  4,774,564
                                                      ------------
Expenses
  Investment advisory ...........................          477,700
  Auction agent .................................           77,400
  Reports to shareholders .......................           21,300
  Independent accountants .......................           12,000
  Custodian .....................................           12,000
  Trustees ......................................            9,800
  Transfer agent ................................            8,000
  Legal .........................................            7,500
  Miscellaneous .................................            8,768
                                                      ------------
    Total expenses ..............................          634,468
Less expenses waived by advisor (Note 2) ........         (199,031)
                                                      ------------
Net expenses ....................................          435,437
                                                      ------------
Net investment income ...........................        4,339,127
                                                      ------------

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)
ON INVESTMENTS
Net realized loss on investments ................       (1,657,743)
Net change in unrealized depreciation
  on investments ................................        5,011,767
                                                      ------------
Net gain on investments .........................        3,354,024
                                                      ------------

NET INCREASE IN NET INVESTMENT ASSETS
RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS                               $7,693,151
                                                      ============


                       See Notes to Financial Statements.

                                        8


<PAGE>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL TRUST
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET INVESTMENT ASSETS (UNAUDITED)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               FOR THE PERIOD
                                                                                                              AUGUST 25, 1999*
                                                                                        SIX MONTHS ENDED           THROUGH
                                                                                            JUNE 30,            DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                              2000                  1999
                                                                                        ----------------      ----------------
<S>                                                                                         <C>                  <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET INVESTMENT ASSETS
OPERATIONS:
  Net investment income ............................................................        $  4,339,127         $ 2,152,001
  Net realized loss on investments .................................................          (1,657,743)           (130,271)
  Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments .............................           5,011,767          (5,546,813)
                                                                                            ------------        ------------
    Net increase (decrease) in net investment assets resulting from operations .....           7,693,151          (3,525,083)
                                                                                            ------------        ------------
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS:
  To common shareholders from net investment income ................................          (3,177,057)         (1,697,129)
  To common shareholders in excess of net investment income ........................            (217,650)                 --
  To preferred shareholders from net investment income .............................          (1,217,999)           (398,943)
  To preferred shareholders in excess of net investment income .....................             (83,441)                 --
                                                                                            ------------        ------------
    Total dividends and distributions ..............................................          (4,696,147)         (2,096,072)
                                                                                            ------------        ------------
CAPITAL STOCK TRANSACTIONS:
  Net proceeds from initial public offering of Trust's common stock ................                  --          95,776,291
  Net proceeds from underwriters' over-allotment option ............................                  --           7,634,959
  Net proceeds from preferred stock issuance .......................................                  --          61,080,532
  Common shares issued in connection with the reinvestment of common dividends
   and distributions ...............................................................              15,919                   --
                                                                                            ------------        ------------
    Net proceeds from capital stock transactions ...................................              15,919         164,491,782
                                                                                            ------------        ------------
      Total increase ...............................................................           3,012,923         158,870,627

NET INVESTMENT ASSETS

Beginning of period ................................................................         158,970,630             100,003
                                                                                            ------------        ------------
End of period (including undistributed net investment income
  of $-0- and $55,929, respectively) ...............................................        $161,983,553        $158,970,630
                                                                                            ============        ============
</TABLE>

---------------
*Commencement of investment operations (Note 1).

                       See Notes to Financial Statements.

                                        9

<PAGE>


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL TRUST
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (UNAUDITED)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       FOR THE PERIOD
                                                                                                      AUGUST 25, 1999**
                                                                                 SIX MONTHS ENDED         THROUGH
                                                                                      JUNE 30,          DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                       2000                1999
                                                                                  ----------------    -----------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>                  <C>
PER COMMON SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of period ..........................................       $ 13.39              $ 14.33
                                                                                     --------             --------
  Net investment income .......................................................          0.60                 0.30
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments ......................          0.46                (0.79)
                                                                                     --------             --------
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations ............................          1.06                (0.49)
                                                                                     --------             --------
Dividends and distributions:
  Dividends from net investment income to:
    Common shareholders .......................................................         (0.44)               (0.23)
    Preferred shareholders ....................................................         (0.17)               (0.06)
  Distributions in excess of net investment income to:
    Common shareholders .......................................................         (0.02)                  --
    Preferred shareholders ....................................................         (0.01)                  --
                                                                                     --------             --------
Total dividends and distributions .............................................         (0.64)               (0.29)
                                                                                     --------             --------
Capital charge with respect to issuance of common shares ......................            --                (0.03)
Capital charge with respect to issuance of preferred shares ...................            --                (0.13)
                                                                                     --------             --------
Total capital charges .........................................................            --                (0.16)
                                                                                     --------             --------
Net asset value, end of period* ...............................................      $  13.81             $  13.39
                                                                                     ========             ========
Market value, end of period*. .................................................      $12.5625             $  12.50
                                                                                     ========             ========
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN .......................................................          4.20%              (15.17)%
                                                                                     ========             ========
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS OF COMMON
  SHAREHOLDERS***:
Expenses after fee waiver .....................................................          0.90%                0.94%##
Expenses before fee waiver++ ..................................................          1.31%                1.35%##
Net investment income after fee waiver and before preferred stock dividends++ .          8.97%                6.24%
Preferred stock dividends .....................................................          2.69%                1.16%
Net investment income available to common shareholders ........................          6.28%                5.08%

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Average net assets of common shareholders (in thousands) ......................      $ 97,225             $ 98,300
Portfolio turnover ............................................................            31%                   4%
Net assets of common shareholders, end of period (in thousands) ...............      $ 99,984             $ 96,971
Preferred stock outstanding (in thousands) ....................................      $ 62,000             $ 62,000
Asset coverage per share of preferred stock, end of period ....................      $ 65,624             $ 64,109
</TABLE>

---------------
   * Net asset value and market value are  published in BARRON'S on Saturday and
     THE WALL STREET JOURNAL on Monday.
  ** Commencement of investment operations (Note 1).
 *** Annualized.
   + Total investment  return is calculated  assuming a purchase of common stock
     at the  current  market  price on the first  day and a sale at the  current
     market  price  on the  last  day  of the  period  reported.  Dividends  and
     distributions are assumed for purposes of this calculation to be reinvested
     at prices  obtained  under the Trust's  dividend  reinvestment  plan.  This
     calculation does not reflect brokerage commissions. Total investment return
     for a period less than one year is not annualized.
  ++ Ratios  calculated  on the basis of income and expenses  applicable to both
     the common and  preferred  shares  relative  to the  average  net assets of
     common shareholders.
   # Net asset value  immediately after the closing of the first public offering
     was $14.30.
  ## Restated to conform with current period presentation.

The information above represents the unaudited operating  performance data for a
share of common stock outstanding,  total investment  return,  ratios to average
net  assets  and  other  supplemental  data  for  the  periods  indicated.  This
information has been determined based upon financial information provided in the
financial statements and market value data for the Trust's shares.

                       See Notes to Financial Statements.

                                       10


<PAGE>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC
MUNICIPAL TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION & ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The BlackRock  Strategic Municipal Trust (the "Trust") was organized in Delaware
on June 17, 1999 as a diversified, closed-end management investment company. The
Trust had no  transactions  until  August 19, 1999 when it sold 6,981  shares of
common stock for  $100,003 to BlackRock  Advisors,  Inc.  Investment  operations
commenced on August 25, 1999. The Trust's  investment  objectives are to provide
current income exempt from regular Federal income tax and to invest in municipal
bonds that over time will perform better than the broader municipal bond market.
The  ability  of  insurers  of debt  securities  held by the Trust to meet their
obligations may be affected by economic  developments in a specific  industry or
region. No assurance can be given that the Trust's investment  objective will be
achieved.

   The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the
Trust.

SECURITIES VALUATION:  Municipal securities  (including  commitments to purchase
such  securities  on a  "when-issued"  basis)  are valued on the basis of prices
provided by dealers or pricing services approved by the Trustees. In determining
the value of a particular security, pricing services may use certain information
with respect to transactions in such  securities,  quotations from bond dealers,
market transactions in comparable  securities and various  relationships between
securities in determining values.  Short-term securities are valued at amortized
cost. Any  securities or other assets for which such current  market  quotations
are not readily  available  are valued at fair value as determined in good faith
under  procedures   established  by  and  under  the  general   supervision  and
responsibility of the Trustees.

SECURITIES  TRANSACTIONS  AND INVESTMENT  INCOME:  Securities  transactions  are
recorded on trade date.  Realized and unrealized gains and losses are calculated
on the identified  cost basis.  Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis
and the  Trust  accretes  original  issue  discount  and  amortizes  premium  on
securities purchased using the interest method.

FEDERAL  INCOME TAXES:  It is the Trust's  intention to elect to be treated as a
regulated  investment  company under the Internal Revenue Code and to distribute
sufficient net income to shareholders. For this reason and because substantially
all of the Trust's  gross income  consists of  tax-exempt  interest,  no Federal
income tax provision is required.

DIVIDENDS  AND  DISTRIBUTIONS:   The  Trust  declares  and  pays  dividends  and
distributions to common  shareholders  monthly from net investment  income,  net
realized short-term capital gains and other sources, if necessary. Net long-term
capital  gains,  if any,  in excess  of loss  carryforwards  may be  distributed
annually.  Dividends and  distributions  are recorded on the  ex-dividend  date.
Dividends and distributions to preferred shareholders are accrued and determined
as described in Note 4

ESTIMATES: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting
principles   generally  accepted  in  the  United  States  of  America  requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets and  liabilities  and disclosure of contingent  assets and liabilities at
the date of the financial  statements  and the reported  amounts of revenues and
expenses  during the reporting  period.  Actual  results could differ from those
estimates.

DEFERRED  COMPENSATION PLAN: Under a deferred  compensation plan approved by the
Board of Trustees on February  24,  2000,  non-interested  Trustees may elect to
defer receipt of all or a portion of their annual compensation.

   Deferred amounts earn a return as though  equivalent  dollar amounts had been
invested in common  shares of other  BlackRock  funds  selected by the Trustees.
This has the same  economic  effect as if the Trustees had invested the deferred
amounts in such other BlackRock funds.

   The  deferred  compensation  plan is not  funded and  obligations  thereunder
represent  general unsecured claims against the general assets of the Trust. The
Trust may, however,  elect to invest in common shares of those funds selected by
the Trustees in order to match its deferred  compensation  obligations.

NOTE 2. AGREEMENTS

The Fund has an Investment Advisory Agreement with BlackRock Advisors, Inc. (the
"Advisor"),  a wholly-owned  subsidiary of BlackRock,  Inc., which in turn is an
indirect  majority-owned  subsidiary of PNC Financial  Services Group,  Inc. The
investment   management   agreement   covers  both   investment   advisory   and
administration services.

   The  investment  advisory  fee paid to the  Advisor  is  computed  weekly and
payable  monthly at an annual  rate of 0.60% of the Trust's  average  weekly net
investment assets.

   The Advisor has  undertaken  to waive fees and  expenses as follows:  Through
year ended 12/31/04 by 0.25%,  for year ended 12/31/05 by 0.20%,  for year ended
12/31/06 by 0.15%,  for year ended 12/31/07 by 0.10% and for year ended 12/31/08
by 0.05%.  Pursuant to the agreement the Advisor waived fees of $199,031  during
the period ended June 30, 2000.

                                       11

<PAGE>

   Pursuant to the agreement, the Advisor provides continuous supervision of the
investment  portfolio,  pays the  compensation  of officers of the Trust who are
affiliated  persons of the Advisor,  and pays occupancy and certain clerical and
accounting costs. The Trust bears all other costs and expenses.

NOTE 3. PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

Purchases and sales of investment securities,  other than short-term investments
for the period  ended June 30,  2000  aggregated  $48,962,877  and  $51,705,323,
respectively.

   The federal income tax basis of the Trust's  investments at June 30, 2000 was
the same as the basis for financial  reporting  purposes,  and accordingly,  net
unrealized depreciation was $535,046 (gross unrealized appreciation--$1,737,475,
gross unrealized depreciation--$2,272,521).

   For Federal income tax purposes, the Trust had a capital loss carryforward at
December  31,  1999  of  approximately  $130,000  which  will  expire  in  2007.
Accordingly, no capital gain distribution is expected to be paid to shareholders
until  net  gains  have  been  realized  in  excess  of  such  amount.

NOTE 4. CAPITAL

There are an unlimited  number of $.001 par value of common shares of beneficial
interest  authorized.  Of the 7,242,188  common  shares of  beneficial  interest
outstanding at June 30, 2000, the Advisor owned 6,981 shares.

   Transactions  in common shares of  beneficial  interest for the period August
25, 1999  (commencement  of investment  operations) to December 31, 1999 were as
follows:

Shares issued in connection with
  initial public offering ...........................................  6,700,000
Shares issued in connection with the exercise
  of the underwriters' overallotment option .........................    534,100
                                                                       ---------
Net increase in shares outstanding ..................................  7,234,100
                                                                       =========

   During the six months  ended June 30,  2000,  the Trust  issued  1,107 common
shares of beneficial interest under the terms of its Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

   Underwriting  discounts of $4,883,017 and offering costs of $217,232 incurred
in  connection  with the Trust's  offering of common shares have been charged to
paid-in capital in excess of par of the common shares.

   The Trust may classify or reclassify any unissued common shares of beneficial
interest into one or more series of preferred shares of beneficial interest.  On
November  5,  1999 the Trust  reclassified  2,480  shares  of  common  shares of
beneficial  interest  and issued a series of  Auction  Market  Preferred  shares
(Preferred  shares) Series W7. The preferred shares have a liquidation  value of
$25,000  per share  plus any  accumulated  but  unpaid  dividends.  Underwriting
discounts  $620,000 and offering costs $299,468  incurred in connection with the
preferred  shares offering have been charged to paid-in capital in excess of par
at the common shares.

   Dividends on Series W7 are  cumulative  at a rate which is reset every 7 days
based on the results of an auction.  Dividend  rates  ranged from 3.70% to 5.20%
during the period ended June 30, 2000.

   The Trust may not declare  dividends  or make other  distributions  to common
shares  or  purchase  any  such  shares  if,  at the  time  of the  declaration,
distribution,  or  purchase,  asset  coverage  with  respect to the  outstanding
Preferred shares would be less than 200%.

   The Preferred  shares are redeemable at the option of the Trust,  in whole or
in part, on any dividend  payment date at $25,000 per share plus any accumulated
or unpaid  dividends  whether or not  declared.  The  Preferred  shares are also
subject to mandatory  redemption  at $25,000 per share plus any  accumulated  or
unpaid dividends,  whether or not declared,  if certain requirements relating to
the  composition of the assets and  liabilities of the Trust as set forth in the
Declaration of Trust are not satisfied.

   The holders of  Preferred  shares have voting  rights equal to the holders of
common shares (one vote per share) and will vote together with holders of common
shares as a single class. However, holders of Preferred shares are also entitled
to elect two of the Trust's directors.  In addition,  the Investment Company Act
of 1940 requires that, along with approval by shareholders  that might otherwise
be  required,  the  approval  of the  holders of a majority  of any  outstanding
preferred  shares,  voting  separately as a class would be required to (a) adopt
any plan of reorganization that would adversely affect the preferred shares, and
(b) take any action requiring a vote of security holders, including, among other
things,  changes in the Trust's  subclassification  as a  closed-end  investment
company or changes in its fundamental investment restrictions.

NOTE 5.  DIVIDENDS

Subsequent  to June 30,  2000,  the Board of  Trustees  of the Trust  declared a
dividend  from  undistributed  earnings of $0.078125  per common  share  payable
August 1, 2000, to shareholders of record on July 14, 2000.

   For the period July 1, 2000  through  July 31,  2000,  dividends  declared on
Preferred Stock totalled $222,357.

                                       12


<PAGE>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL TRUST
                           DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Pursuant  to  the  Trust's  Dividend   Reinvestment   Plan  (the  "Plan"),
shareholders are  automatically  enrolled to have all distributions of dividends
and capital  gains  reinvested by State Street Bank and Trust Company (the "Plan
Agent") in Trust  shares  pursuant  to the Plan.  Shareholders  who elect not to
participate in the Plan will receive all  distributions in cash paid by check in
United States dollars mailed  directly to the  shareholders of record (or if the
shares are held in street or other  nominee  name,  then to the  nominee) by the
transfer agent, as dividend disbursing agent.

      The Plan Agent serves as agent for the shareholders in  administering  the
Plan.  After the Trust  declares a dividend or determines to make a capital gain
distribution,  the  transfer  agent will  acquire  shares for the  participants'
accounts,  depending upon the circumstances  described below, either (i) through
receipt of unissued but authorized shares from the Trust ("newly issued shares")
or (ii) by purchase of  outstanding  shares on the open market,  on the New York
Stock  Exchange or  elsewhere  ("open-market  purchases").  If, on the  dividend
payment  date the net asset  value per share is equal to or less than the market
price per share plus  estimated  brokerage  commissions  (such  condition  being
referred  to herein as "market  premium"),  the  transfer  agent will invest the
dividend amount in newly issued shares on behalf of the participants. The number
of newly  issued  shares to be credited to each  participant's  account  will be
determined  by dividing the dollar amount of the dividend by the net asset value
per share (but in no event less than 95% of the then  current  market  price per
share) on the date the shares are issued,  if, on the dividend payment,  the net
asset value per share is greater than the market value per share (such condition
being referred to herein as "market  discount"),  the transfer agent will invest
in the dividend amount in shares acquired on behalf of the  participants in open
market purchases.

      Participants in the Plan may withdraw from the Plan upon written notice to
the Plan Agent and will receive  certificates  for whole Trust shares and a cash
payment for any fraction of a Trust share.

      The Plan Agent's fees for the  handling of the  reinvestment  of dividends
and distributions will be paid by the Trust.  However, each participant will pay
a pro rata share of  brokerage  commissions  incurred  with  respect to the Plan
Agent's open market  purchases in connection with the  reinvestment of dividends
and  distributions.  The automatic  reinvestment of dividends and  distributions
will not relieve  participants  of any federal income tax that may be payable on
such dividends or distributions.

      The Trust  reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan as applied to
any dividend or  distribution  paid  subsequent to written  notice of the change
sent to all  shareholders  of the Trust at least 90 days  before the record date
for the dividend or distribution.  The Plan also may be amended or terminated by
the Plan Agent upon at least 90 days' written notice to all  shareholders of the
Trust.  All  correspondence  concerning  the Plan should be directed to the Plan
Agent at (800) 699-1BFM. The address is the front of this report.


                                       13

<PAGE>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL TRUST
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      ANNUAL MEETING OF TRUST SHAREHOLDERs.  There have been no material changes
in the Trust's investment  objectives or policies that have not been approved by
the  shareholders  or to its charter or by-laws or in the principal risk factors
associated  with  investment  in the  Trust.  There  have been no changes in the
persons who are  primarily  responsible  for the  day-to-day  management  of the
Trust's Portfolio.

      The Annual Meeting of Trust  Shareholders was held May 18, 2000 to vote on
      the following matters:

      (1) To elect all eight Trustees as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         DIRECTOR                                   CLASS           TERM            EXPIRING
         -------                                    -----           -----            -------
         <S>                                         <C>           <C>                <C>
         Andrew F. Brimmer ...................       III           3 years            2003
         Richard E. Cavanagh .................        I            1 year             2001
         Kent Dixon ..........................       III           3 years            2003
         Frank J. Fabozzi ....................       II            2 years            2002
         Laurence D. Fink ....................       III           3 years            2003
         James Clayburn La Force, Jr. ........        I            1 year             2001
         Walter F. Mondale ...................       II            2 years            2002
         Ralph L. Schlosstein ................       II            2 years            2002
</TABLE>

      (2) To ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent public
          accountants of the Trust for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2000.

          Shareholders  elected the eight Trustees and ratified the selection of
          Deloitte & Touche LLP. The results of the voting was as follows.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 VOTES FOR*    VOTES AGAINST*     ABSTENTIONS*
                                                  --------       -----------       ----------
      <S>                                         <C>                <C>             <C>
      Andrew F. Brimmer ......................    7,079,483          --              94,181
      Richard E. Cavanagh. ...................        2,479          --                   1
      Kent Dixon .............................    7,079,483          --              94,181
      Frank J. Fabozzi .......................        2,479          --                   1
      Laurence D. Fink .......................    7,077,777          --              95,887
      James Clayburn La Force, Jr. ...........    7,079,483          --              94,181
      Walter F. Mondale ......................    7,079,484          --              94,180
      Ralph L. Schlosstein ...................    7,079,483          --              94,181
      Ratification of Deloitte & Touche LLP ..    7,079,483          --              94,181
</TABLE>

-------------
*  The votes  represent  common and  preferred  shareholders  voting as a single
   class except for the election of Richard E. Cavanagh and Frank J. Fabozzi who
   were elected by the preferred shareholders.

                                       14


<PAGE>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL TRUST
                               INVESTMENT SUMMARY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE TRUST'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES

The BlackRock Strategic  Municipal Trust's investment  objectives are to provide
current  income  exempt from  regular  Federal  income tax  consistent  with the
preservation  of capital  and to invest in  municipal  bonds that over time will
perform better than the broader municipal bond market.

WHO MANAGES THE TRUST?

BlackRock  Advisors,  Inc.  (the  "Advisor")  is  an  SEC-registered  investment
advisor.  As  of  June  30,  2000,  BlackRock  and  its  affiliates   (together,
"BlackRock")  managed $177 billion on behalf of taxable and  tax-exempt  clients
worldwide.  Strategies include fixed income, equity and cash and may incorporate
both domestic and  international  securities.  Domestic fixed income  strategies
utilize  the  government,   mortgage,  corporate  and  municipal  bond  sectors.
BlackRock manages twenty-two  closed-end funds that are traded on either the New
York or American stock  exchanges,  and a $28 billion family of open-end  equity
and bond funds.  BlackRock  manages over 629  accounts,  domiciled in the United
States and overseas.

WHAT CAN THE TRUST INVEST IN?

Under normal  conditions,  the Trust expects to continue to manage its assets so
that at least 80% of its investments are rated at least  investment grade ("BBB"
by Standard & Poor's or "Baa" by Moody's Investor Services) and up to 20% of its
assets are rated  below  investment  grade  (Ba/BB or B) or that are unrated but
deemed to be of comparable quality by the Advisor.

WHAT IS THE ADVISOR'S INVESTMENT STRATEGY?

The Advisor will manage the assets of the Trust in  accordance  with the Trust's
investment  objective and policies to seek to achieve its objective by investing
substantially  all of its assets in municipal debt  securities that pay interest
that is exempt from regular  Federal income tax. As such,  the Advisor  actively
manages the assets in relation to market  conditions  and interest rate changes.
Depending  on yield and  portfolio  allocation  considerations,  the Advisor may
choose  to invest a  portion  of the  Trust's  assets  in  securities  which pay
interest that is subject to AMT (alternative  minimum tax). The Trust intends to
invest  primarily  in  long-term  bonds and expects  bonds in its  portfolio  to
maintain an average portfolio maturity of at least 15 years, but the average may
be shortened or lengthened from time to time depending on market conditions.

Under current market conditions the use of leverage  increases the income earned
by the Trust.  The Trust  employs  leverage  primarily  through the  issuance of
preferred  shares.  Preferred  shareholders  will  receive  dividends  based  on
short-term rates in exchange for allowing the Trust to borrow additional assets.
These assets will be invested in longer-term assets which typically offer higher
interest  rates and the  difference  between the cost of the  dividends  paid to
preferred  shareholders  and the interest earned on the  longer-term  securities
will provide higher income levels for common  shareholders in most interest rate
environments.  The Trust issued preferred shares to leverage the portfolio.  See
"Leverage Considerations in the Trust" below.


                                       15

<PAGE>

HOW ARE THE TRUST'S  SHARES  PURCHASED  AND SOLD?  DOES THE TRUST PAY  DIVIDENDS
REGULARLY?

The  Trust's  shares are traded on the New York Stock  Exchange  which  provides
investors with  liquidity on a daily basis.  Orders to buy or sell shares of the
Trust must be placed through a registered broker or financial advisor. The Trust
pays monthly dividends which are typically paid on the first business day of the
month. For shares held in the shareholder's name, dividends may be reinvested in
additional  shares of the fund through the Trust's transfer agent,  State Street
Bank and Trust Company. Investors who wish to hold shares in a brokerage account
should check with their financial  advisor to determine  whether their brokerage
firm offers dividend reinvestment services.

LEVERAGE CONSIDERATIONS IN THE TRUST

Leverage  increases  the duration (or price  sensitivity  of the net assets with
respect to changes  in  interest  rates) of the  Trust,  which can  improve  the
performance  of the Trust in a  declining  rate  environment,  but can cause net
assets to decline  faster in a rapidly  rising  interest rate  environment.  The
Trust may reduce, or unwind,  the amount of leverage employed should the Advisor
consider that reduction to be in the best interests of the Trust.  The Advisor's
portfolio managers  continuously monitor and regularly review the Trust's use of
leverage  and  maintain  the  ability to unwind the  leverage  if that course is
chosen.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND RISK FACTORS RELEVANT TO THE TRUST

THE TRUST IS  INTENDED  TO BE A  LONG-TERM  INVESTMENT  AND IS NOT A  SHORT-TERM
TRADING VEHICLE.

INVESTMENT  OBJECTIVES.  Although  the  objectives  of the Trust are to  provide
current  income  exempt from  regular  Federal  income tax  consistent  with the
preservation  of capital  and to invest in  municipal  bonds that over time will
perform better than the broader municipal bond market, there can be no assurance
that this objective will be achieved.

DIVIDEND  CONSIDERATIONS.  The income and dividends paid by the Trust are likely
to vary over time as fixed income market conditions change. Future dividends may
be higher or lower than the dividend the Trust is currently paying.

LEVERAGE.  The Trust utilizes  leverage through the issuance of preferred stock,
which involves  special risks.  The Trust's net asset value and market value may
be more volatile due to its use of leverage.

MARKET PRICE OF SHARES.  The shares of closed-end  investment  companies such as
the Trust trade on the New York Stock  Exchange  (NYSE symbol:  BSD) and as such
are subject to supply and demand influences.  As a result, shares may trade at a
discount or a premium to their net asset value.

MUNICIPAL  OBLIGATIONS.  The value of municipal debt securities generally varies
inversely with changes in prevailing  market  interest  rates.  Depending on the
amount of call  protection  that the securities in the Trust have, the Trust may
be subject to certain  reinvestment  risks in environments of declining interest
rates.

ILLIQUID  SECURITIES.  The Trust may  invest in  securities  that are  illiquid,
although  under current  market  conditions the Trust expects to do so to only a
limited extent. These securities involve special risks.

ANTITAKEOVER  PROVISIONS.  Certain antitakeover provisions will make a change in
the Trust's  business or management  more difficult  without the approval of the
Trustees and may have the effect of depriving  shareholders of an opportunity to
sell their shares at a premium above the prevailing market price.

                                       16


<PAGE>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC MUNICIPAL TRUST
                                    GLOSSARY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CLOSED-END FUND:              Investment  vehicle which initially offers a fixed
                              number of shares and  trades on a stock  exchange.
                              The Trust  invests in a portfolio of securities in
                              accordance with its stated  investment  objectives
                              and policies.

DISCOUNT:                     When a Trust's net asset value is greater than its
                              stock  price the fund is said to be  trading  at a
                              discount.

DIVIDEND:                     Income  generated by securities in a portfolio and
                              distributed to shareholders after the deduction of
                              expenses.  This Trust  declares and pays dividends
                              to common shareholders on a monthly basis.

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT:        Shareholders    may   have   all   dividends   and
                              distributions   of  capital  gains   automatically
                              reinvested into additional shares of a Trust.

MARKET PRICE:                 Price  per  share  of a  security  trading  in the
                              secondary  market.  For a closed-end fund, this is
                              the price at which one share of the fund trades on
                              the  stock  exchange.  If you  were to buy or sell
                              shares, you would pay or receive the market price.

NET ASSET VALUE (NAV):        Net asset value is the total  market  value of all
                              securities  and other  assets  held by the  Trust,
                              plus income accrued on its investments,  minus any
                              liabilities including accrued expenses, divided by
                              the total number of outstanding  shares. It is the
                              underlying value of a single share on a given day.
                              Net asset value for the Trust is calculated weekly
                              and published in BARRON'S on Saturday and THE WALL
                              STREET JOURNAL on Monday.

PREMIUM:                      When a Trust's stock price is greater than its net
                              asset value,  the Trust is said to be trading at a
                              premium.

PRE-REFUNDED BONDS:           These  securities  are   collateralized   by  U.S.
                              Government securities which are held in escrow and
                              are used to pay  principal and interest on the tax
                              exempt  issue and  retire  the bond in full at the
                              date indicated, typically at a premium to par.

                                       17


<PAGE>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            BLACKROCK ADVISORS, INC.
                           SUMMARY OF CLOSED-END FUNDS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TAXABLE TRUSTS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                              STOCK      MATURITY
                                                                                             SYMBOL        DATE
                                                                                             ------       ------
<S>                                                                                           <C>           <C>
PERPETUAL TRUSTS

The BlackRock Income Trust Inc.                                                               BKT           N/A
The BlackRock North American Government Income Trust Inc.                                     BNA           N/A
The BlackRock High Yield Trust                                                                BHY           N/A

TERM TRUSTS

The BlackRock Target Term Trust Inc.                                                          BTT          12/00
The BlackRock 2001 Term Trust Inc.                                                            BTM          06/01
The BlackRock Strategic Term Trust Inc.                                                       BGT          12/02
The BlackRock Investment Quality Term Trust Inc.                                              BQT          12/04
The BlackRock Advantage Term Trust Inc.                                                       BAT          12/05
The BlackRock Broad Investment Grade 2009 Term Trust Inc.                                     BCT          12/09
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TAX-EXEMPT TRUSTS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              STOCK      MATURITY
                                                                                             SYMBOL        DATE
                                                                                             ------       ------
<S>                                                                                           <C>           <C>
PERPETUAL TRUSTS

The BlackRock Investment Quality Municipal Trust Inc.                                         BKN           N/A
The BlackRock California Investment Quality Municipal Trust Inc.                              RAA           N/A
The BlackRock Florida Investment Quality Municipal Trust                                      RFA           N/A
The BlackRock New Jersey Investment Quality Municipal Trust Inc.                              RNJ           N/A
The BlackRock New York Investment Quality Municipal Trust Inc.                                RNY           N/A
The BlackRock Pennsylvania Strategic Municipal Trust                                          BPS           N/A
The BlackRock Strategic Municipal Trust                                                       BSD           N/A

TERM TRUSTS

The BlackRock Municipal Target Term Trust Inc.                                                BMN          12/06
The BlackRock Insured Municipal 2008 Term Trust Inc.                                          BRM          12/08
The BlackRock California Insured Municipal 2008 Term Trust Inc.                               BFC          12/08
The BlackRock Florida Insured Municipal 2008 Term Trust                                       BRF          12/08
The BlackRock New York Insured Municipal 2008 Term Trust Inc.                                 BLN          12/08
The BlackRock Insured Municipal Term Trust Inc.                                               BMT          12/10
</TABLE>


                IF YOU WOULD LIKE FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CALL
   BLACKROCK AT (800) 227-7BFM (7236) OR CONSULT WITH YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR.

                                       18


<PAGE>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            BLACKROCK ADVISORS, INC.
                                   AN OVERVIEW
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      BlackRock Advisors,  Inc. (the "Advisor") is an SEC-registered  investment
advisor.  As of  June  30,  2000,  the  Advisor  and its  affiliates  (together,
"BlackRock")  managed $177 billion on behalf of taxable and  tax-exempt  clients
worldwide.  Strategies include fixed income, equity and cash and may incorporate
both  domestic  and  international  securities.   BlackRock  manages  twenty-two
closed-end  funds  that are  traded on  either  the New York or  American  stock
exchanges,  and a $28 billion family of open-end funds.  BlackRock  manages over
629 accounts, domiciled in the United States and overseas.

      BlackRock's  fixed  income  product  was  introduced  in 1988 by a team of
highly seasoned fixed income  professionals.  These  professionals had extensive
experience   creating,   analyzing   and  trading  a  variety  of  fixed  income
instruments,  including the most complex structured securities. In fact, several
individuals  at BlackRock  were  responsible  for  developing  many of the major
innovations  in  the  mortgage-backed   and  asset-backed   securities  markets,
including   the  creation  of  the  first  CMO,  the  floating   rate  CMO,  the
senior/subordinated pass-through and the multi-class asset-backed security.

      BlackRock  is unique  among asset  management  and  advisory  firms in the
emphasis it places on the  development of proprietary  analytical  capabilities.
Over one  quarter of the  firm's  professionals  are  dedicated  to the  design,
maintenance  and use of these  systems,  which are not  otherwise  available  to
investors. BlackRock's proprietary analytical tools are used for evaluating, and
designing fixed income investment  strategies for client portfolios.  Securities
purchased include mortgages,  corporate bonds,  municipal bonds and a variety of
hedging instruments.

      BlackRock  has  developed  investment  products that respond to investors'
needs and has been  responsible  for several  major  innovations  in  closed-end
funds. In fact,  BlackRock  introduced the first  closed-end  mortgage fund, the
first taxable and tax-exempt  closed-end funds to offer a finite term, the first
closed-end  fund to  achieve a AAA rating by  Standard  & Poor's,  and the first
closed-end  fund to invest  primarily in North American  Government  securities.
Currently,  BlackRock's closed-end funds have dividend reinvestment plans, which
are designed to provide  ongoing  demand for the stock in the secondary  market.
BlackRock  manages a wide range of  investment  vehicles,  each having  specific
investment objectives and policies.

      In view of our continued  desire to provide a high level of service to all
our shareholders, BlackRock maintains a toll-free number for your questions. The
number is (800) 227-7BFM (7236).  We encourage you to call us with any questions
that you may have about your BlackRock  funds and we thank you for the continued
trust that you place in our abilities.

                      IF YOU WOULD LIKE FURTHER INFORMATION
           PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL BLACKROCK AT (800) 227-7BFM

                                       19


<PAGE>

---------
BlackRock
---------

TRUSTEES
Laurence D. Fink, CHAIRMAN
Andrew F. Brimmer
Richard E. Cavanagh
Kent Dixon
Frank J. Fabozzi
James Clayburn La Force, Jr.
Walter F. Mondale
Ralph L. Schlosstein

OFFICERS
Ralph L. Schlosstein, PRESIDENT
Keith T. Anderson, VICE PRESIDENT
Michael C. Huebsch, VICE PRESIDENT
Robert S. Kapito, VICE PRESIDENT
Kevin M. Klingert, VICE PRESIDENT
Richard M. Shea, VICE PRESIDENT/TAX
Henry Gabbay, Treasurer
James Kong, Assistant Treasurer
Karen H. Sabath, Secretary

INVESTMENT ADVISOR
BlackRock Advisors, Inc.
400 Bellevue Parkway
Wilmington, DE19809
(800) 227-7BFM

CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Heritage Drive
North Quincy, MA 02171
(800) 699-1BFM

AUCTION AGENT
Deutsche Bank
4 Albany Street
New York, NY 10006

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Two World Financial Center
New York, NY 10281-1434

LEGAL COUNSEL
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Four Times Square
New York, NY 10036

LEGAL COUNSEL - INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
Debevoise & Plimpton
875 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022

   The  accompanying  financial  statements as of June 30, 2000 were not audited
and accordingly, no opinion is expressed on them.

   This report is for shareholder information. This is not a prospectus intended
for use in the purchase or sale of any securities.

                     The BlackRock Strategic Municipal Trust
                          c/o Blackrock Advisors, Inc.
                              400 Bellevue Parkway
                              Wilmington, DE 19809
                                 (800) 227-7BFM

[RECYCLE LOGO] Printed on recycled paper


THE BlackRock
STRATEGIC
MUNICIPAL TRUST
--------------------
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
JUNE 30, 2000

[Graphic omitted]



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