BLACKROCK STRATEGIC TERM TRUST INC
N-30D, 1999-03-04
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC TERM TRUST INC.
                   CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS
                          REPORT OF INVESTMENT ADVISER
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                                               January 31, 1999

Dear Shareholders:

    Over the past twelve months,  U.S.  Treasury  securities have  experienced a
strong rally,  as investors  sought a safe haven from global market  turmoil and
the Federal Reserve continued to cut interest rates. Other segments of the fixed
income  market have  lagged  behind  Treasuries,  but still  produced  generally
positive  returns since our last report.  We anticipate that the Federal Reserve
will remain  prepared to combat any signs of a credit  crunch  through  interest
rate cuts, and given the unstable economic  situation in Brazil,  the Fed likely
will retain an easing bias.

    Despite previous worries of a second half slowdown in 1998, the U.S. economy
continues  to expand  rapidly,  supported  by  strong  consumer  spending.  This
momentum,  however,  may not  continue  as briskly  into the new year,  based on
weaker corporate  profits and a loosening of the labor markets.  Already,  major
corporations have warned of slower profit growth and announced major layoffs.

    This report contains detailed market and portfolio  strategy by your Trust's
managers in addition to the Trust's audited financial  statements and a detailed
list of the portfolio's  holdings. We thank you for your continued investment in
the Trust and look forward to serving your investment needs in the future.

Sincerely,


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

Laurence D. Fink                     Ralph L. Schlosstein
Chairman                             President


                                       1

<PAGE>


                                                                January 31, 1999


Dear Shareholder:

      We are pleased to present the annual  report for The  BlackRock  Strategic
Term Trust Inc.  ("the  Trust") for the year ended  December 31, 1998.  We would
like to take this  opportunity  to review the Trust's  stock price and net asset
value (NAV)  performance,  summarize  market  developments  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  "BGT".  The
Trust's  investment  objective is to return $10 per share (its initial  offering
price) to  shareholders  on or about  December  31,  2002 while  providing  high
current income. Although there can be no guarantee,  BlackRock is confident that
the  Trust  can  achieve  its  investment  objectives.  The  Trust  seeks  these
objectives by investing in investment grade fixed income  securities,  including
corporate debt securities,  mortgage-backed securities backed by U.S. Government
agencies  (such  as  Fannie  Mae,  Freddie  Mac  or  Ginnie  Mae),  asset-backed
securities and commercial mortgage-backed  securities. All of the Trust's assets
must be rated at least "BBB" by Standard & Poor's or "Baa" by Moody's at time of
purchase or be issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies.

      The table below  summarizes the performance of the Trust's stock price and
NAV (the market value of its assets per share) over the period:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 ---------------------------------------------------
                                  12/31/98   12/31/97     CHANGE      HIGH       LOW
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  <S>                            <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>
  STOCK PRICE                     $9.1875    $8.5000        8.09%     $9.19     $8.44
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  NET ASSET VALUE (NAV)          $10.08      $9.54          5.66%    $10.18     $9.53
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  5-YEAR U.S. TREASURY NOTE        4.54%      5.71%      (20.49%)      5.79%     3.97%
  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

THE FIXED INCOME MARKETS

      The first half of the Trust's  fiscal  year saw  Treasury  yields  decline
towards historic lows. These lows were the result of budget surplus  projections
as well as the Federal  Reserve's  decision to move from a tightening  bias to a
neutral  interest rate policy.  The positive  economic  momentum  throughout the
first half of the fiscal year was strengthened by unseasonably warm weather that
led to increased  consumer  spending and job gains,  which softened the negative
impact on trade from the Asian financial crisis.

      The  second  half  of  the  trust's   fiscal  year   witnessed   virtually
unparalleled  market  turbulence.  Although  consumers  continued their spending
domestically,  demand for U.S. goods abroad  faltered,  as the strong dollar and
overseas  weakness,  especially  in Asia,  drove  prices for U.S.  goods  higher
relative to foreign goods.

      Toward year-end,  U.S. GDP growth rebounded;  however,  the instability in
global financial markets began to rattle investor confidence. The devaluation of
the  Russian  ruble  and the fear of a  possible  devaluation  of the  Brazilian
currency caused a flight-to-quality to U.S. Treasuries.  Corporate yield spreads
across  all  credits  to  Treasuries  widened  dramatically  as a result  of the
sell-off.  This  dramatic  shift of investor  sentiment  culminated  in the near
collapse of a prominent hedge fund.

                                       2

<PAGE>

      The Treasury  market rally pushed Treasury yields to historic levels below
the 5% barrier.  In response to the financial  fragility in the third quarter of
1998,  the Fed eased  interest rates on September 29, 1998 by 25bps and again on
October 15, in an unusual  between-meetings  move. On November 17, the Fed eased
interest rates again by 25bps.

      These  rate  cuts  seem  to  have  had  their  desired  effect  on  the US
economy--which  finished  the year  with a 3.5%  growth  rate.  Growth  in 1999,
however, may decrease  significantly and further easing of interest rates by the
Federal  Reserve is  possible,  as the  Western  economies  will need to provide
support for the global economy.  With economic growth and labor markets expected
to soften  during the first half of 1999,  we expect  inflation  to remain under
control.

      The  global  instability  which  resulted  in a  flight-to-quality  to  US
Treasuries caused mortgages to severely  underperform  Treasuries.  However,  as
these  markets have  regained  some  stability,  investors  have begun to regain
confidence in the international markets.  Consequently,  we believe that current
spreads in the  corporate,  and  mortgage  markets  will  provide  the basis for
outperforming Treasuries.

THE TRUST'S PORTFOLIO AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY

      BlackRock actively manages the Trust's portfolio holdings  consistent with
BlackRock's  overall market outlook and the Trust's investment  objectives.  The
following  chart  compares  the  Trust's  current  and  December  31, 1997 asset
composition.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC TERM TRUST INC.
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      COMPOSITION                                      DECEMBER 31, 1998     DECEMBER 31, 1997
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      <S>                                                   <C>                  <C>
      Taxable Zero Coupon Bond                               24%                  27%
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Corporate Bonds                                        17%                  14%
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      U.S. Government Securities                             10%                   6%
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Multiple Class Mortgage Pass-Throughs                   9%                  15%
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Asset-Backed Securities                                 6%                   4%
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities                   5%                   6%
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Mortgage Pass-Throughs                                  5%                   2%
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Interest-Only Mortgage-Backed Securities                4%                   3%
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Principal-Only Mortgage-Backed Securities               4%                   8%
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Taxable Municipal Bonds                                 4%                   6%
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Interest-Only Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities     4%                   --
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Inverse-Floating Rate Mortgages                         3%                   3%
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      FHA Project Loans                                       2%                   2%
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Adjustable Rate Mortgages                               1%                   2%
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      CMO Residuals                                           1%                   1%
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      FNMA Project Loans                                      1%                   1%
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            RATING % OF CORPORATES
                                                   -------------------------------------------
                   CREDIT RATING                    DECEMBER 31, 1998     DECEMBER 31, 1997
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>             <C>                                      <C>                    <C>
                AAA or Equivalent                          5%                    7%
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 AA or Equivalent                         22%                    5%
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 A or Equivalent                          34%                   34%
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                BBB or Equivalent                         39%                   54%
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                       3

<PAGE>

      In accordance with the Trust's primary  investment  objective of returning
the initial offer price upon maturity, the Trust's portfolio management activity
focused on adding  securities  which offered both attractive  yield spreads over
Treasury securities and a maturity date matching the Trust's termination date of
December 31, 2002. Additionally, the Trust has been active in reducing positions
in bonds which have  maturity  dates or  potential  cash flows after the Trust's
termination date.

      We appreciate your  investment in The BlackRock  Strategic Term Trust Inc.
and look  forward to  managing  the fund to realize its  investment  objectives.
Please feel free to contact the mutual fund specialists at BlackRock's marketing
center at (800) 227-7BFM (7236) if you have any questions that weren't  answered
in    this    report.    You    can    also    reach    us   via    e-mail    at
[email protected]

Sincerely,


/s/ Robert S. Kapito                        /s/ Michael P. Lustig
- --------------------                        --------------------- 
Robert S. Kapito                            Michael P. Lustig
Vice Chairman and Portfolio Manager         Director and Portfolio Manager
BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.        BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.


                     THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC TERM TRUST INC.
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Symbol on New York Stock Exchange:                               BGT
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Initial Offering Date:                                    December 28, 1990
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Closing Stock Price as of 12/31/98:                             $9.19
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net Asset Value as of 12/31/98:                                $10.08
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Yield on Closing Stock Price as of 12/31/98 ($9.19)1:            5.17%
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Current Monthly Distribution per Share2:                        $0.0396
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Current Annualized Distribution per Share2:                     $0.4750
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------


- -------------
1Yield on Closing Stock Price is  calculated by dividing the current  annualized
distribution per share by the closing stock price per share.
2Distribution not constant and is subject to change.


                                       4

<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC TERM TRUST INC.
CONSOLIDATED PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             PRINCIPAL
  RATING*     AMOUNT                                                  VALUE
(UNAUDITED)   (000)                   DESCRIPTION                    (NOTE 1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS--147.7%
                       MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGHS--12.9%
                       Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.,
             $17,972+    6.50%, 11/01/25-09/01/28 ...............   $18,100,694
                 486     7.50%, 11/01/10, 15 Year ...............       500,022
                 387     8.00%, 09/01/23 ........................       400,738
                 724     9.00%, 11/01/05, 15 Year ...............       750,310
                       Federal National Mortgage Association,
              45,000     6.50%, (TBA) ...........................    45,295,313
               5,590     7.25%, 01/01/23, Project 797 ...........     5,724,398
               3,923     7.50%, 06/01/08, 15 Year ...............     4,034,742
                       Government National Mortgage
                         Association,
                  69     9.00%, 01/15-03/15/20 ..................        73,664
                                                                    -----------
                                                                     74,879,881
                                                                    -----------
                       MULTIPLE CLASS MORTGAGE
                       PASS-THROUGHS--14.5%
                       Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.,
                         Multiclass Mortgage
                         Participation Certificates,
              12,811+    Series 90, Class 90-G,
                           10/15/20 .............................    13,526,719
                 672     Series 1218, Class 1218-G,
                           05/15/14 .............................       668,148
                 540     Series 1360, Class 1360-PE,
                           12/15/17 .............................       533,077
               1,883     Series 1488, Class 1488-F,
                           09/15/06 .............................     1,886,163
               1,625     Series 1488, Class 1488-PF,
                           09/15/06 .............................     1,651,520
                 398     Series 1590, Class 1590-K,
                           10/15/23 .............................       398,829
                 908     Series 1602, Class 1602-Y,
                           07/15/22 .............................       905,574
               1,032     Series 1603, Class 1603-MB,
                           10/15/23 (ARM) .......................     1,049,827
                       Federal National Mortgage Association,
                         REMIC Pass-Through Certificates,
               1,469     Trust G93-17, Class 17-SH,
                           04/25/23 (ARM). ......................     1,372,502
              10,000+    Trust 1992-43, Class 43-E,
                           04/15/22. ............................    10,387,800
              12,976     Trust 1992-129, Class 129-G,
                           06/25/18. ............................    12,843,424
               2,000     Trust 1992-155, Class 155-SB,
                           12/25/06 (ARM). ......................     2,171,200
             $27,725++   Trust 1992-156, Class 156-H,
                           04/15/06. ............................    27,142,578
                 327     Trust 1993-117, Class 117-SA,
                           07/25/08 (ARM). ......................       331,023
               1,628     Trust 1993-170, Class 170-SA,
                           09/25/08 (ARM). ......................     1,632,176
                 703     Trust 1993-185, Class 185-SH,
                           04/25/19 . ...........................       733,165
               1,899    TRUST 1993-225, CLASS 225-SB,
                           07/25/23 . ...........................     1,882,626
               2,205     Trust 1994-40, Class 40-H,
                           10/25/20. ............................     2,214,261
               2,000     Trust 1997-7, Class WC,
                           04/25/22 .............................       355,000
                       Government National Mortgage
                         Association,
               2,019     Trust 1996-3, Class 3-C,
                           09/20/20. ............................     2,070,488
                                                                    -----------
                                                                     83,756,100
                                                                    -----------
                      COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED
                      SECURITIES--12.7%
AAA           2,600   Aetna Commercial Mortgage Trust,
                        Series 1995-C5, Class B,
                          6.74%, 12/26/30 .......................     2,677,656
AAA          92,105   CS First Boston Mortgage Securities,
                        Series 1997-C1, Class AX,
                          04/20/22 (I/O) # ......................     9,158,753
BBB           3,000   DLJ Mortgage Acceptance Corp.,
                        Series 1993-MF7, Class B,
                          9.40%, 06/18/03 .......................     3,175,425
Baa2          4,000   FDIC Trust,
                        Series 1994-C1, Class IIF,
                          8.70%, 09/25/25 .......................     4,167,680
AAA         117,367   First Union Lehman Brothers
                        Bank Of America
                        Series 1998-C2, Class IO,
                          05/18/28 (I/O) ........................     4,819,737
                      LTC Commercial Mortgage
                        Pass-Through Certificates,
AAA           4,043     Series 1996-1, Class A,
                          7.06%, 04/15/28 # .....................     4,144,297
BBB+          1,000     Series 1993-1, Class D,
                          9.20%, 11/28/12 .......................     1,036,563
                      Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc.,
A             2,290     Series 1995-C1, Class C,
                          7.678%, 05/25/15 ......................     2,326,653
AAA         105,811     Series 1997-C2, Class IO,
                          12/10/29 (I/O) ........................     7,745,406
AAA          73,708     Series 1998-C2, Class IO,
                          02/15/30 (I/O) ........................     6,001,484

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       5
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             PRINCIPAL
  RATING*     AMOUNT                                                  VALUE
(UNAUDITED)   (000)                   DESCRIPTION                    (NOTE 1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      Morgan Stanley Capital Trust I,
AAA         $ 1,360     Series 1995-GAL1, Class A1,
                          7.00%, 08/15/27 # .....................   $ 1,378,190
AAA          99,225     Series 1998-HF1, Class X,
                          02/15/18 (I/O) ........................     6,259,398
                      Paine Webber Mortgage
                        Acceptance Corp.,
AAA           2,000     Series 1995-M1, Class M1-A,
                          6.70%, 01/15/07 # .....................     2,040,562
BBB           1,656     Series 1995-M1, Class M1-D,
                          7.30%, 01/15/07 # .....................     1,656,322
                      Resolution Trust Corp.,
A             1,415     Series 1993-C3, Class C3-D,
                          7.10%, 12/25/24 .......................     1,412,968
AA            4,000     Series 1994-C1, Class C1-C,
                          8.00%, 06/25/26 .......................     4,032,500
AA            2,702   Salomon Brothers Mortgage
                        Securities Trust VII,
                        Series 1997-TZH, Class TZH-A1,
                        7.15%, 03/25/22 # .......................     2,795,830
AAA           3,925   Structured Asset Securities Corp.,
                        Series 1996-CFL, Class B,
                          6.30%, 02/25/28 .......................     3,952,728
A             4,500   TVO Southwest, Series 1994-MFI,
                        Class A2, 9.37%, 11/18/04 # .............     4,832,247
                                                                    -----------
                                                                     73,614,399
                                                                    -----------
                      STRIPPED MORTGAGE-BACKED
                           SECURITIES--15.5%
AAA             502   Bear Stearns Secured Investors Trust,
                        Series 1988-8, Class C,
                          12/01/18 (P/O) ........................       497,818
AAA           2,251@  Collateralized Mortgage Obligation,
                        Trust 26, Class A,
                          04/23/17 (P/O) ........................     1,958,789
                      Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.,
              4,447     Series 2, Class 2-M,
                          07/25/18 (I/O) ........................       410,840
             13,458     Series 4, Class S,
                          11/25/22 (I/O) ........................       723,376
              2,094     Series 39, Class 39-J,
                          03/25/24 (I/O) ........................       222,740
                258     Series 186, Class 186-J,
                          08/15/21 (I/O) ........................        45,727
              5,106     Series 1055, Class 1055-I,
                          03/15/21 (I/O) ........................     1,008,501
              6,232     Series 1215, Class 1215-P,
                          06/15/06 (I/O) ........................       680,095
                471     Series 1373, Class 1373-B,
                          09/15/22 (P/O) ........................       444,445
                348     Series 1375, Class 1375-H,
                          12/15/05 (I/O) ........................        41,508
            $ 5,505     Series 1379, Class 1379-FB,
                          08/15/18 (I/O) ........................       491,732
              5,000     Series 1434, Class 1434-LA,
                          03/15/19 (I/O) ........................       568,080
             14,397     Series 1472, Class 1472-S,
                          05/15/06 (I/O) ........................       530,659
             13,611     Series 1551, Class 1551-J
                          07/15/08 (I/O) ........................       524,826
              5,596     Series 1590, Class 1590-JC,
                          01/15/19 (I/O) ........................       413,847
              2,269     Series 1597, Class 1597-H,
                          07/15/23 (P/O) ........................     1,502,117
              4,741     Series 1626, Class 1626-PV,
                          12/15/08 (I/O) ........................       423,565
              2,067     Series 1662, Class 1662-P,
                          11/15/07 (I/O) ........................       321,186
              3,019     Series 1662, Class 1662-PO,
                          01/15/09 (P/O) ........................     2,501,015
              8,682     Series 1682, Class 1682-SB,
                        09/15/23 (I/O) ..........................       439,540
              7,966     Series 1938, Class 1938-SB,
                          08/15/19 (I/O) ........................        21,268
             96,914     Series 1954, Class 1954-BA,
                          04/15/21 (I/O) ........................     2,826,988
             59,831     Series 1954, Class 1954-BB,
                          04/15/21 (I/O) ........................       682,674
             26,397     Series 1954, Class 1954-LL,
                          05/15/21 (I/O) ........................       308,847
             26,397     Series 1954, Class 1954-LM,
                          05/15/21 (I/O) ........................       314,126
             21,162     Series 1954, Class 1954-MD,
                          03/15/16 (I/O) ........................     2,261,359
              1,584     Series 2009, Class 2009-A,
                          12/15/22 (P/O) ........................     1,455,296
             15,351     Series 2049, Class 2049-PK,
                          06/15/14 (I/O) ........................     1,611,387
             22,670     Series 2054, Class 2054-PL,
                          10/15/19 (I/O) ........................     2,153,616
                     Federal National Mortgage Association,
             10,000     Trust G93-22, Class P,
                          06/25/23 (I/O) ........................     3,955,370
              4,605     Trust G93-25, Class N,
                          12/25/19 (I/O) ........................       828,616
             11,094     Trust G93-26, Class PT,
                          12/25/17 (I/O) ........................     1,030,785
             19,459     Trust G93-31, Class PS,
                          08/25/18 (I/O) ........................       745,869
                824     Trust 225, Class 1,
                          06/01/23 (P/O) ........................       693,823
              2,031     Trust 1991-49, Class G,
                          05/25/06 (I/O) ........................       408,664
              1,816     Trust 1992-82, Class IO,
                          05/25/22 (I/O) ........................       410,101
              3,024     Trust 1992-108, Class 108-L,
                          07/25/07 (I/O) ........................       733,697

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       6

<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             PRINCIPAL
  RATING*     AMOUNT                                                  VALUE
(UNAUDITED)   (000)                   DESCRIPTION                    (NOTE 1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

            $ 2,312     Trust 1992-208, Class S,
                          11/25/07 (I/O) ........................     $ 575,122
              7,763     Trust 1993-67, Class B,
                          12/25/21 (P/O) ........................     7,407,609
              2,617     Trust 1993-92, Class G,
                          05/25/23 (P/O) ........................     1,733,612
              6,488     Trust 1993-213, Class H,
                          09/25/23 (P/O) ........................     6,291,303
              1,225     Trust 1993-237, Class C,
                          11/25/23 (P/O) ........................     1,061,203
              4,559     Trust 1993-245, Class  JA,
                          03/25/19 (I/O) ........................       286,778
                800     Trust 1994-8, Class D,
                          11/25/23 (P/O) ........................       712,744
              2,339     Trust 1994-42, Class SO,
                          03/25/23 (I/O) ........................       353,242
                281     Trust 1994-54, Class C,
                        11/25/23 (P/O) ..........................       279,084
                550     Trust 1994-54, Class E,
                          11/25/23 (P/O) ........................       469,095
              3,445++   Trust 1994-87, Class E,
                          03/25/09 (P/O) ........................     2,818,271
             20,598     Trust 1996-15, Class SG,
                          08/25/08 (I/O) ........................     2,937,277
             12,937     Trust 1996-20, Class SB,
                          10/25/08 (I/O) ........................     3,042,134
              4,484     Trust 1996-24, Class SB,
                          10/25/08 (I/O) ........................       939,912
              8,499     Trust 1996-24, Class SJ,
                          01/25/22 (I/O) ........................     2,531,868
              2,104     Trust 1996-54, Class SM,
                          09/25/23 (I/O) ........................       106,501
              3,773     Trust 1997-17, Class PJ,
                          03/18/18 (I/O) ........................        44,807
              2,482     Trust 1997-19, Class C,
                          09/25/23 (P/O) ........................     2,259,050
              3,433     Trust 1997-19, Class H,
                          10/25/22 (P/O) ........................     3,266,821
                815     Trust 1997-32, Class ML,
                          02/25/27 (P/O) ........................       791,085
              2,446     Trust 1997-35, Class PK,
                          09/18/21 (I/O) ........................       139,127
             41,406     Trust 1997-35, Class SB,
                          03/25/09 (I/O) ........................     1,215,915
             24,000     Trust 1997-44, Class SC,
                          06/25/08 (I/O) . ......................     1,414,488
             27,219     Trust 1997-50, Class HJ,
                          12/25/17 (I/O) ........................     2,095,020
             50,441     Trust 1997-90, Class L,
                          10/25/19 (I/O) ........................     5,067,738
             51,375     Trust 1998-27, Class L,
                          03/25/20 (I/O) ........................     5,029,392
              2,168   Government National Mortgage
                        Association,
                        Series 1997-16, Class PR,
                          12/20/20 (I/O) ........................       204,307
AAA           2,463   Prudential Bache CMO Trust,
                        Series 10, Class H,
                          04/01/19 (P/O) ........................     2,243,313
N/R           1,082   Salomon Brothers Mortgage Securities,
                        Series 1987-3, Class B,
                          10/23/17 (I/O) ........................       296,122
                                                                     ----------
                                                                     89,805,832
                                                                     ----------
                      ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES--8.9%
AAA           1,928   Barnett Auto Receivables Trust,
                        Class A2, 5.92%, 07/15/00 ...............     1,929,124
AAA           7,626   Brazos Student Loan Financial Corp.,
                        Series 1998-A, Class A1,
                        5.399%, 06/01/06 ........................     7,548,344
                      Broad Index Secured Trust Offering,
Baa2          5,000     Series 1998-1A, Class A,
                          6.58%, 03/26/01 # .....................     4,944,759
Baa2          5,000     Series 1998-4A, Class B2,
                          7.14%, 09/09/01 # .....................     4,942,500
AAA          20,545   Chase Credit Card Master Trust,
                        Series 1997-5, Class 5-A,
                          6.194%, 08/15/05 ......................    20,990,860
N/R           3,014   Global Rated Eligible Asset Trust,
                        Series 1998-A,
                          7.33%, 09/15/07 #/** ..................     2,092,470
                      Structured Mortgage Asset
                        Residential Trust #/**
N/R           4,106     Series 1997-2, Class 2,
                          8.24%, 03/15/06 .......................     2,483,922
N/R           4,497     Series 1997-3,
                          8.724%, 04/15/06 ......................     2,487,977
A1            4,500   Student Loan Marketing Association,
                        Trust 1995-1, Class 1,
                          10/25/09 ..............................     4,289,063
                                                                    -----------
                                                                     51,709,019
                                                                    -----------
                      TAXABLE ZERO COUPON
                      BONDS--35.2%
                      Financing Corp (FICO Strips),
             18,000     03/07/02 ................................    15,434,820
             29,300     12/27/02 ................................    24,129,136
                      Government Trust Certificates (Israel),
             25,000     11/15/02 ................................    20,729,000
                      U.S. Treasury Strips,
            119,800++   08/15/02 ................................   101,159,120
             51,200++   10/31/02 ................................    42,873,344
                                                                    -----------
                                                                    204,325,420
                                                                    -----------
                      TAXABLE MUNICIPAL BONDS--6.5%
AAA           1,000   Kern County California,
                        Pension Obligation,
                          6.39%, 08/15/02 .......................     1,031,990

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       7
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             PRINCIPAL
  RATING*     AMOUNT                                                  VALUE
(UNAUDITED)   (000)                   DESCRIPTION                    (NOTE 1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 AAA         $ 3,510   Long Beach California,
                        Pension Obligation,
                          6.56%, 09/01/02 .......................   $ 3,643,029
AAA           5,000   Los Angeles County California,
                        Pension Obligation,
                          6.54%, 06/30/02 .......................     5,178,750
AAA          10,000   New Jersey Economic
                        Development Auth., Zero Coupon,
                          02/15/03 ..............................     8,040,400
                      New York City G.O.,
A-            5,000     6.54%, 03/15/02 .........................     5,127,750
A-            5,000     7.125%, 08/15/02 ........................     5,237,300
A-            5,000     7.34%, 04/15/02 .........................     5,248,800
BBB+          1,235   New York St. Environ. Fac. Auth.,
                        6.73%, 09/15/02 .........................     1,280,411
AAA           1,950   San Francisco California International
                        Airport, 6.35%, 05/01/02 ................     2,005,419
AA            1,000   St. Josephs Health System California,
                        G.O., 7.13%, 07/01/02 ...................     1,050,090
                                                                    -----------
                                                                     37,843,939
                                                                    -----------
                      CORPORAATE BONDS--24.4%
                      BANKING & FINANCE--10.9%
A3            4,900   Ahmanson HF & Co.,
                        8.25%, 10/01/02 .........................     5,254,400
A3            1,700   Amsouth Bankcorp.,
                        6.75%, 11/01/25 .........................     1,752,381
A+            5,000   Goldman Sachs Group L P,
                        6.25%, 02/01/03 # .......................     5,007,872
                      Lehman Brothers Hldgs Inc
A             5,000     6.625%, 12/27/02 ........................     5,011,969
A               875     6.75%, 09/24/01 .........................       882,546
A             5,000     7.25%, 04/15/03 .........................     5,138,950
AA-           1,665   Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc.,
                        5.75%, 11/04/02 .........................     1,669,612
                      Nationsbank Corp.,
Aa2           5,000     6.65%, 04/09/02 .........................     5,151,200
Aa2           5,000     7.00%, 09/15/01 .........................     5,195,200
                      Paine Webber Group Inc.,
BBB+          2,190     7.875%, 02/15/03 ........................     2,314,655
BBB+          7,790     8.25%, 05/01/02 .........................     8,254,596
                      Salomon Inc.,
Aa3           3,000     5.875%, 02/01/01 ........................     3,021,600
Aa3           1,500     7.00%, 05/15/00 .........................     1,529,385
Aa3           4,500     7.98%, 03/01/00 .........................     4,624,290
A-            8,500   Transamerica Finance Corp.,
                        6.75%, 06/01/00 .........................     8,608,885
                                                                    -----------
                                                                     63,417,541
                                                                    -----------
                      INDUSTRIAL--5.3%
A             1,000   Bass America Inc.,
                        8.125%, 03/31/02 ........................     1,065,810
A1            1,000   Ford Motor Credit Co.,
                        8.00%, 06/15/02 .........................     1,075,430
BBB+          5,425   Jones Apparel Group Inc.,
                        6.25%, 10/01/01 # .......................     5,391,051
BBB+          5,000   Norfolk Southern Corp.,
                        6.95%, 05/01/02 .........................     5,196,400
Baa1          5,265   Raytheon Co., 6.45%, 08/15/02 .............     5,399,889
BBB-          5,000   RJR Nabisco Inc., 8.625%, 12/01/02              5,079,800
AA-           4,000   TCI Communications Inc.,
                         9.25%, 04/15/02 ........................     4,447,800
Baa1          2,700   Tenneco Inc., 8.075%, 10/01/02 ............     2,815,263
                                                                    -----------
                                                                     30,471,443
                                                                    -----------
                    UTILITY--2.5%
A3          5,000@  Columbia Energy Group Inc.,
                      6.61%, 11/28/02 ...........................     5,162,000
BBB+        5,000   MCI Worldcom Inc. Communications,
                      6.125%, 04/15/02 ..........................     5,076,100
A           4,000   360 Communications,
                      7.125%, 03/01/03 ..........................     4,231,040
                                                                    -----------
                                                                     14,469,140
                                                                    -----------
                    YANKEE BONDS--5.7%
AA1         5,000@  AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK,
                      7.75%, 12/15/01. ..........................     5,302,048
A3          5,000   Corporacion Andina De Fome,
                      7.10%, 02/01/03 ...........................     4,850,950
BBB-        3,500   Empresa Elec. Guacolda SA,
                      7.95%, 04/30/03 (Chile) # .................     3,211,862
BBB+        1,650   Empresa Elec. Pehuence,
                      7.30%, 05/01/03 (Chile) ...................     1,520,077
BBB-        2,000   Korea Development Bank,
                      6.50%, 11/15/02 ...........................     1,816,580
BBB-        5,000   Transpatadora de Gas Tragas,
                      10.25%, 04/25/01 (Argentina) ..............     5,100,000
AAA         7,500   U.S. Remittance Master Trust,
                      Series 1996-1, 01/01/01 # .................     7,478,906
Baa1        3,669   YPF Sociedad Anonima,
                      7.50%, 10/26/02 (Argentina) ...............     3,674,790
                                                                    -----------
                                                                     32,955,213
                                                                    -----------
                      Total corporate bonds .....................   141,313,337
                                                                    -----------
                    UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
                    SECURITIES--15.7%
           85,000++ United States Treasury Bond,
                      5.5%, 08/15/28 ............................    88,971,200
            1,680++ United States Treasury Notes,
                      6.125%, 08/15/07 ..........................     1,834,880
                                                                    ------------
                                                                     90,806,080
                                                                    -----------
                    COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE
                    OBLIGATION RESIDUALS **--0.4%
               10   Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.,
                      Series 1016, Class 1016-R,
                        11/15/20 ................................        58,400
                    Federal National Mortgage Association,
                      REMIC,
                1     Trust 1991-9, Class 9-R,
                        02/25/06. ...............................       391,500
                1     Trust 1991-9, Class 9-RL,
                        02/25/06. ...............................         1,000
                1     Trust 1991-48, Class 48-R,
                        05/25/06. ...............................     1,350,000
                1     Trust 1991-48, Class 48-RL,
                        05/25/06. ...............................         1,000
               10     Trust 1991-50, Class 50-R,
                        05/25/06. ...............................       550,260
                                                                    -----------
                                                                      2,352,160
                                                                    -----------
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       8

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             NOTIONAL
  RATING*     AMOUNT                                                  VALUE
(UNAUDITED)   (000)                   DESCRIPTION                    (NOTE 1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                    CALL OPTIONS PURCHASED--1.0%
          $85,000   Interest Rate Swap,
                      3 Month LIBOR over 5.60%,
                      expires 08/07/00 ..........................   $ 2,893,409
           68,000   Interest Rate Swap,
                    3 MONTH LIBOR OVER 5.85%,
                      expires 08/09/10 ..........................     2,966,493
                                                                     ----------
                                                                      5,859,902
                                                                     ----------
                    Total long-term investments
                      (cost $843,373,951) .......................   856,266,069
                                                                    -----------
          PRINCIPAL
           AMOUNT
            (000)
          ---------
                     SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS--9.3%
                     DISCOUNT NOTES
                     FederalHome Loan Bank,
          $43,400     4.30%, due 01/04/99 .......................    43,384,448
           10,370     4.50%, due 01/04/99 .......................    10,366,111
                                                                     ----------
                    Total short-term investments
                      (cost $53,750,559) ........................    53,750,559
                                                                     ----------
                    Total investments before
                      outstanding call options written
                      and investments sold
                      short--157.0%
                      (cost $897,124,510) .......................   910,016,628
                                                                     ----------
            NOTIONAL
             AMOUNT
              (000)
            ---------
                    CALL OPTION WRITTEN--(0.5%)
      $  $136,000   Interest Rate Swap,
                      3 Month LIBOR over 5.50%,
                      expires 08/10/99
                      (PREMIUM RECEIVED $833,000) ...............   (3,019,744)
                                                                   -----------


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             PRINCIPAL
  RATING*     AMOUNT                                                  VALUE
(UNAUDITED)   (000)                   DESCRIPTION                    (NOTE 1)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                   INVESTMENTS SOLD SHORT--(0.3%)
           $1,700   U.S. Treasury Note,
                      4.75%, 11/15/08
                      (proceeds $1,718,429) .....................  $(1,713,277)
                                                                   -----------
                    Total call options written
                      and investments sold
                      short--(0.8%) .............................   (4,733,021)
                                                                   ------------
                    Total investments net of
                      call options written and
                      investments sold
                      short--156.2%
                      (cost $894,573,081) .......................   905,283,607
                    Liabilities in excess of other
                      assets--(56.2%) ........................... (325,530,994)
                                                                   ------------
                    NET ASSETS --100% ...........................  $579,752,613
                                                                   ============
       
    
- -------------
 *Using the higher of Standard & Poor's or Moody's rating **Illiquid securities
  representing 1.6% of portfolio assets.
 #Security restricted as to resale.
 +Partial principal amount pledged as collateral for reverse repurchase
  agreements. See Note 4
++Entire principal amount pledged as collateral for reverse repurchase
  agreements. See Note 4
 @Entire principal amount pledged as collateral for financial futures contracts.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS
            ARM - Ajustable Rate Mortgage
            CMO - Collateralized Mortgage Obligation
           G.O. - General Obligation
            I/O - Interest Only Class
          LIBOR - London InterBank Offer Rate
            P/O - Principal Only Class
          REMIC - Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit
            TBA - To Be Allocated
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       9

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------
THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC TERM TRUST INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
DECEMBER 31, 1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASSETS
Investments, at value (cost $897,124,510)
  (Note 1) ..................................................       $910,016,628
Cash ........................................................            534,896
Receivable for investments sold .............................         38,141,709
Interest receivable .........................................          8,285,557
Deposit with broker for investments sold short
  (Note 1) ..................................................          1,727,626
Unrealized appreciation on interest rate swap
  (Note 1 & 3) ..............................................            465,937
Due from broker--variation margin ...........................            135,343
                                                                    ------------
                                                                     959,307,696
                                                                    ------------
LIABILITIES
Reverse repurchase agreements (Note 4) ......................        286,008,300
Payable for investments purchased ...........................         83,828,030
Swap option written, at value
  (proceeds $833,000) (Note 1) ..............................          3,019,744
Dividend payable ............................................          2,276,444
Investments sold short, at value
  (proceeds $1,718,429) (Note 1) ............................          1,713,277
Interest payable ............................................          1,702,290
Advisory fee payable (Note 2) ...............................            245,326
Administration fee payable (Note 2) .........................             67,452
Other accrued expenses and liabilities ......................            694,220
                                                                    ------------
                                                                     379,555,083
                                                                    ------------
NET ASSETS ..................................................       $579,752,613
                                                                    ============
Net assets were comprised of:
  Common stock, at par (Note 5) .............................       $    575,106
  Paid-in capital in excess of par ..........................        535,541,670
                                                                    ------------
                                                                     536,116,776
  Undistributed net investment income .......................         29,916,991
  Accumulated net realized gain .............................          2,319,689
  Net unrealized appreciation ...............................         11,399,157
                                                                    ------------
  Net assets, December 31, 1998 .............................       $579,752,613
                                                                    ============
Net asset value per share:
  ($579,752,613 / 57,510,639 shares of
  common stock issued and outstanding) ......................             $10.08
                                                                          ======

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BLACKROCK  STRATEGIC  TERM TRUST INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NET INVESTMENT INCOME
Income
  Interest (including net reduction of discount
    of $546,034, and net of interest
    expense of $13,335,783) ..................................     $ 46,048,616
                                                                   ------------
Expenses
  Investment advisory ........................................        2,542,392
  Administration .............................................          706,220
  Reports to shareholders ....................................          230,000
  Custodian ..................................................          136,000
  Audit ......................................................          120,000
  Directors ..................................................           85,000
  Transfer agent .............................................           84,000
  Legal ......................................................           58,000
  Registration ...............................................           49,000
  Miscellaneous ..............................................          210,400
                                                                   ------------
    Total operating expenses .................................        4,221,012
                                                                   ------------
Net investment income before excise tax ......................       41,827,604
  Excise tax .................................................          401,000
                                                                   ------------
Net investment income ........................................       41,426,604
                                                                   ------------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON
  INVESTMENTS (NOTE 3)
Net realized gain (loss) on:
  Investments ................................................       10,227,875
  Short sales ................................................      (15,529,502)
  Options written ............................................          799,788
  Futures ....................................................       12,840,687
  Swaps ......................................................         (689,119)
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      7,649,729
                                                                   ------------
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
  Investments ................................................       (2,652,302)
Short sales ..................................................       13,078,459
  Interest rate cap ..........................................          583,977
  Options written ............................................       (1,908,554)
  Futures ....................................................          (44,144)
  Swaps ......................................................          419,851
                                                                   ------------
                                                                      9,477,287
                                                                   ------------
Net gain on investments ......................................       17,127,016
                                                                   ------------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING
  FROM OPERATIONS ............................................     $ 58,553,620
                                                                   ============

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
          
                                       10


<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC TERM TRUST INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                     <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH Cash flows used for operating activities:
  Interest received .................................................   $  57,352,214
  Operating expenses paid ...........................................      (4,091,904)
  Interest expense paid .............................................     (13,969,747)
  Cash paid for purchase of short-term
    portfolio investments, net ......................................     (52,710,732)
  Variation margin on futures .......................................      13,144,593
  Purchase of long-term portfolio investments .......................    (947,502,680)
  Proceeds from disposition of long-term
    portfolio investments ...........................................     901,433,047
                                                                         ------------
    Net cash flows used for operating activities ....................     (46,345,209
                                                                         ------------
Cash flows provided by financing activities:
  Net increase in reverse repurchase agreements73,764,610
  Cash dividends paid ...............................................     (27,317,174)
                                                                          -----------
  Net cash flows provided by financing activities ...................      46,447,436
                                                                          -----------
Net increase in cash ................................................         102,227
Cash at beginning of year ...........................................         432,669
                                                                          -----------
Cash at end of year .................................................     $   534,896
                                                                          ===========

RECONCILIATION OF NET INCREASE IN
  NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM
  OPERATIONS TO NET CASH FLOWS
  USED FOR OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net increase in net assets resulting
  from operations ...................................................    $ 58,553,620
                                                                         ------------
Increase in investments .............................................    (115,481,361)
Decrease in interest rate cap .......................................       1,015,665
Net realized gain ...................................................      (7,649,729)
Increase in unrealized appreciation .................................      (9,477,287)
Increase in unrealized appreciation on interest
  rate swap .........................................................        (419,851)
Increase in receivable for investments sold .........................     (34,576,610)
Decrease in receivable for variation margin .........................         303,906
Increase in interest receivable .....................................      (2,578,219)
Decrease in other assets ............................................          13,642
Increase in payable for investments purchased .......................      63,036,702
Increase in swap options written ....................................       1,047,994
Decrease in deposits with broker
  for short sales ...................................................      58,313,625
Decrease in payable for securities sold short .......................     (58,343,448)
Decrease in interest payable ........................................        (633,964)
Increase in accrued expenses and
  other liabilities .................................................         530,106

                                                                        ------------
  Total adjustments .................................................    (104,898,829)
                                                                        ------------
Net cash flows used for operating activities ........................   $ (46,345,209)
                                                                        =============
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC TERM TRUST INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES
IN NET ASSETS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                               FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                               -------------------------------
                                    1998           1997
                                ------------    -----------
INCREASE IN NET ASSETS

Operations:

  Net investment income .....   $  41,426,604    $  36,419,362

  Net realized gain .........       7,649,729        6,829,343

  Net change in unrealized
    appreciation ............       9,477,287        6,468,860
                                -------------    -------------

  Net increase in net assets
    resulting from operations      58,553,620       49,717,565

  Dividends from net
    investment income .......     (27,317,150)     (27,317,264)
                                -------------    -------------

  Total increase ............      31,236,470       22,400,301

NET ASSETS

Beginning of year ...........     548,516,143      526,115,842
                                -------------    -------------

End of year .................   $ 579,752,613    $ 548,516,143
                                =============    =============


See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       11
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC TERM TRUST INC.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                      --------------------------------------------
                                                                      1998      1997      1996     1995       1994
                                                                      ----      ----      ----     ----       ----
<S>                                                                 <C>        <C>       <C>      <C>        <C>
PER SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE:
Net asset value, beginning of year                                  $ 9.54     $9.15     $9.32    $ 8.12     $ 9.36
                                                                    ------     -----     -----    ------     ------
  Net investment income (net of interest expense
    of $0.23, $0.18, $0.19,  $0.34 and $0.19,
    respectively)                                                     0.72      0.67      0.58      0.62       0.46
  Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments              0.30      0.20     (0.22)     1.14      (1.07)
                                                                    ------     -----     -----    ------     ------
Net increase (decrease) from investment operations                    1.02      0.87      0.36      1.76      (0.61)
                                                                    ------     -----     -----    ------     ------
Dividends from net investment income                                 (0.48)    (0.48)    (0.53)    (0.56)     (0.49)
Distributions in excess of net investment income                        --        --        --        --      (0.14)
                                                                    ------     -----     -----    ------     ------
Net asset value, end of year*                                       $10.08     $9.54     $9.15    $ 9.32     $ 8.12
                                                                    ======     =====     =====    ======     ======
Market value, end of year*                                          $ 9.19     $8.50     $8.00    $ 7.63     $ 7.13
                                                                    ======     =====     =====    ======     ======
TOTAL INVESTMENT RETURN+:                                            14.02%    12.56%    11.79%    14.68%    (20.28%)
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:

Operating Expenses**                                                  0.75%     0.73%     0.74%     0.78%      0.98%
Net Investment Income                                                 7.35%     6.84%     6.39%     7.13%      5.32%
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

Average net assets (in thousands)                                 $563,470  $531,101  $518,963  $501,869   $491,747
Portfolio turnover rate                                                 61%      110%      107%      135%       133%
Net assets, end of year (000)                                     $579,753  $548,516  $526,116  $535,741   $467,125
Reverse repurchase agreements
  outstanding, end of year (000)                                  $286,008  $212,244  $213,085  $232,396   $184,672
Asset coverage++                                                   $ 3,027  $ 3,584 $ 3,469   $ 3,305   $ 3,529
</TABLE>

- -------------
   * Net asset value and market value are  published in THE WALL STREET  JOURNAL
     each Monday.
  ** The ratios of operating  expenses,  including interest expense,  to average
     net  assets,  were  3.12%,  3.05%,  3.87%,  4.68%  and  3.18% for the years
     indicated above, respectively.  The ratios of operating expenses, including
     interest expense and excise tax, to average net assets,  were 3.19%, 3.05%,
     3.87%, 4.68% and 3.18% for the years indicated above, respectively.
   + 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  each  year  reported.  Dividends  and
     distributions,  if any, are assumed for purposes of this  calculation to be
     reinvested at prices obtained under the Trust's dividend reinvestment plan.
     Total investment return does not reflect brokerage commissions.
  ++  Per $1,000 of reverse repurchase agreement outstanding.

The information  above represents the audited  operating  performance data for a
share of common stock outstanding,  total investment  return,  ratios to average
net assets and other  supplemental  data for each of the years  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 Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       12
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC TERMTRUST INC.
CONSOLIDATED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION &                            The    BlackRock    Strategic
ACCOUNTING                                        Term Trust Inc., (the "Trust")
POLICIES                                          a    Maryland  corporation, is
a  diversified,   closed-end   management  investment  company.  The  investment
objective of the Trust is to manage a portfolio of investment grade fixed income
securities  that will return at least $10 per share to  investors  on or shortly
before December 31, 2002,  while  providing high monthly income.  The ability of
issuers 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: The Trust values mortgage-backed,  asset-backed, municipal
and other debt securities on the basis of current market quotations  provided by
dealers or pricing  services  approved by the  Trust's  Board of  Directors.  In
determining the value of a particular security, pricing services may use certain
information  with respect to  transactions in such  securities,  quotations from
dealers,  market transactions in comparable  securities,  various  relationships
observed in the market between  securities,  and calculated yield measures based
on valuation  technology  commonly  employed in the market for such  securities.
Exchange-traded  options are valued at their last sales price as of the close of
options trading on applicable exchanges.  In the absence of a last sale, options
are valued at the average of the quoted bid and asked  prices as of the close of
business. A futures contract is valued at the last sale price as of the close of
the  commodities  exchange  on which  it  trades  unless  the  Trust's  Board of
Directors  determines  that such price does not reflect its fair value, in which
case it will be valued at its fair value as  determined  by the Trust's Board of
Directors.  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 Trust's Board of Directors.

   Short-term securities which mature in 60 days or less are valued at amortized
cost,  if their  term to  maturity  from  date of  purchase  is 60 days or less.
Short-term securities with a term to maturity greater than 60 days from the date
of purchase are valued at current market quotations until maturity.

   In  connection  with  transactions  in  repurchase  agreements,  the  Trust's
custodian takes possession of the underlying collateral securities, the value of
which at least  equals  the  principal  amount  of the  repurchase  transaction,
including  accrued  interest.  To the  extent  that any  repurchase  transaction
exceeds one business day, the value of the collateral is  marked-to-market  on a
daily basis to ensure the adequacy of the collateral. If the seller defaults and
the value of the collateral declines or if bankruptcy  proceedings are commenced
with respect to the seller of the security, realization of the collateral by the
Trust may be delayed or limited.

OPTION  SELLING/PURCHASING:  When the Trust  sells or  purchases  an option,  an
amount  equal to the  premium  received  or paid by the Trust is  recorded  as a
liability or an asset and is  subsequently  adjusted to the current market value
of the option  written or purchased.  Premiums  received or paid from writing or
purchasing  options  which  expire  unexercised  are treated by the Trust on the
expiration date as realized gains or losses.  The difference between the premium
and the  amount  paid or  received  on  effecting  a  closing  purchase  or sale
transaction, including brokerage commissions, is also treated as a realized gain
or loss. If an option is exercised, the premium paid or received is added to the
proceeds from the sale or cost of the purchase in determining  whether the Trust
has realized a gain or a loss on investment  transactions.  The Trust, as writer
of an option, may have no control over whether the underlying  securities may be
sold  (call) or  purchased  (put) and as a result  bears the  market  risk of an
unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying the written option.

   Options,  when used by the Trust,  help in  maintaining a targeted  duration.
Duration is a measure of the price  sensitivity  of a security or a portfolio to
relative changes in interest rates. For instance, a duration of "one" means that
a portfolio's or a security's price would be expected to change by approximately
one percent  with a one percent  change in interest  rates,  while a duration of
five  would  imply  that the price  would  move  approximately  five  percent in
relation to a one percent change in interest rates.

   Option  selling and  purchasing is used by the Trust to  effectively  "hedge"
positions  so that  changes in interest  rates do not change the duration of the
portfolio  unexpectedly.  In general,  the Trust uses options to hedge a long or
short  position  or an  overall  portfolio  that is longer or  shorter  than the
benchmark  security.  A call option gives the  purchaser of the option the right
(but not  obligation)  to buy, and obligates the seller to sell (when the option
is exercised), the underlying position at the exercise price at any time or at a
specified time during the option period. A put option gives the holder the right
to sell and obligates the writer to buy the underlying  position at the exercise
price at any time or at a specified time during

                                       13

<PAGE>

the option period.  Put options can be purchased to effectively hedge a position
or a portfolio against price declines if a portfolio is long. In the same sense,
call  options can be  purchased  to hedge a portfolio  that is shorter  than its
benchmark against price changes. The Trust can also sell (or write) covered call
options and put options to hedge portfolio positions.

   The main risk that is associated with  purchasing  options is that the option
expires without being exercised.  In this case, the option expires worthless and
the premium paid for the option is considered the loss. The risk associated with
writing call options is that the Trust may forego the  opportunity  for a profit
if the  market  value of the  underlying  position  increases  and the option is
exercised. 

     The risk in writing  put  options is that the Trust may incur a loss if the
market value of the underlying  position  decreases and the option is exercised.
In addition, as with futures contracts,  the Trust risks not being able to enter
into a closing  transaction  for the written option as the result of an illiquid
market.

INTEREST  RATE  SWAPS:  In a simple  interest  rate swap,  one  investor  pays a
floating  rate of interest on a notional  principal  amount and receives a fixed
rate of interest on the same notional principal amount for a specified period of
time.  Alternatively,  an  investor  may pay a fixed rate and receive a floating
rate.  Rate swaps were conceived as  asset/liability  management  tools. In more
complex swaps, the notional principal amount may decline (or amortize) overtime.
During the term of the swap,  changes in the value of the swap are recognized as
unrealized gains or losses by "marking-to-market" to reflect the market value of
the swap. When the swap is terminated,  the Trust will record a realized gain or
loss equal to the difference  between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing
transaction and the Trust's basis in the contract, if any.

   The Trust is exposed to credit  loss in the event of  non-performance  by the
other party to the swap. However, the Trust does not anticipate  non-performance
by any  counterparty.

SWAP  OPTIONS:  Swap  options are similar to options on  securities  except that
instead of  purchasing  the right to buy a security,  the  purchaser of the swap
option has the right to enter into a previously  agreed upon  interest rate swap
agreement at any time before the expiration of the option.  Premiums received or
paid from writing or purchasing  options which expire unexercised are treated by
the Trust on the  expiration  date as realized  gains or losses.  The difference
between the  premium  and the amount  paid or  received  on  effecting a closing
purchase or sale transaction,  including brokerage commissions,  is also treated
as a realized  gain or loss.  If an option is  exercised,  the  premium  paid or
received  is added to the  proceeds  from  the sale or cost of the  purchase  in
determining  whether  the  Trust  has  realized  a gain or a loss on  investment
transactions.  The Trust,  as writer of an option,  bears the market  risk of an
unfavorable  change in the value of the swap  contract  underlying  the  written
option.  Interest  rate swap options may be used as part of an income  producing
strategy  reflecting  the view of the Trust's  management  on the  direction  of
interest rates.

FINANCIAL  FUTURES  CONTRACTS:  A futures  contract is an agreement  between two
parties to buy or sell a financial  instrument for a set price on a future date.
Initial margin deposits are made upon entering into futures contracts and can be
either cash or securities.  During the period that the futures contract is open,
changes in the value of the  contract  are  recognized  as  unrealized  gains or
losses by  "marking-to-market"  on a daily basis to reflect the market  value of
the contract at the end of each day's  trading.  Variation  margin  payments are
made or  received,  depending  upon  whether  unrealized  gains  or  losses  are
incurred. When the contract is closed, the Trust records a realized gain or loss
equal to the  difference  between  the  proceeds  from (or cost of) the  closing
transaction and the Trust's basis in the contract.

   Financial  futures  contracts,  when used by the Trust, help in maintaining a
targeted  duration.  Futures  contracts  can be sold to  effectively  shorten an
otherwise longer duration portfolio. In the same sense, futures contracts can be
purchased  to lengthen a portfolio  that is shorter  than its  duration  target.
Thus, by buying or selling futures  contracts,  the Trust can effectively  hedge
positions  so that  changes in interest  rates do not change the duration of the
portfolio unexpectedly.

   The Trust may invest in financial futures contracts primarily for the purpose
of hedging its existing portfolio  securities or securities the Trust intends to
purchase  against  fluctuations in value caused by changes in prevailing  market
interest  rates.  Should  interest  rates move  unexpectedly,  the Trust may not
achieve the  anticipated  benefits of the  financial  futures  contracts and may
realize a loss. The use of futures  transactions  involves the risk of imperfect
correlation in movements in the price of futures  contracts,  interest rates and
the underlying hedged assets. The Trust is also at the risk of not being able to
enter into a closing transaction for the futures contract because of an illiquid
secondary market.  In addition,  since futures are used to shorten or lengthen a
portfolio's  duration,  there is a risk that the portfolio may have  temporarily
performed better without the hedge or that the Trust may lose the opportunity to
realize appreciation in the market price of the underlying positions.

SECURITIES  LENDING:  The Trust may lend its  portfolio  securities to qualified
institutions.  The loans are secured by collateral at least equal, at all times,
to the market  value of the  securities  loaned.  The Trust may bear the risk of
delay in recovery of, or even loss of rights in, the  securities  loaned  should
the borrower of the securities fail financially. The Trust

                                       14


<PAGE>

receives  compensation for lending its securities in the form of interest on the
loan. The Trust also continues to receive interest on the securities loaned, and
any gain or loss in the market  price of the  securities  loaned  that may occur
during the term of the loan will be for the account of the Trust.

SHORT SALES: The Trust may make short sales of securities as a method of hedging
potential  price declines in similar  securities  owned.  When the Trust makes a
short  sale,  it may  borrow  the  security  sold  short and  deliver  it to the
broker-dealer  through  which  it made  the  short  sale as  collateral  for its
obligation  to deliver the security upon  conclusion of the sale.  The Trust may
have to pay a fee to borrow the  particular  securities  and may be obligated to
pay over any payments received on such borrowed  securities.  A gain, limited to
the price at which the Trust sold the security short, or a loss, unlimited as to
dollar amount will be  recognized  upon the  termination  of a short sale if the
market  price  is  less  or  greater  than  the  proceeds  originally  received.

SECURITIES  TRANSACTIONS  AND INVESTMENT  INCOME:  Securities  transactions  are
recorded  on the 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  discount  and  amortizes  premium  on
securities purchased using the interest method.

TAXES:  It is the Trust's  intention  to meet the  requirements  of the Internal
Revenue Code  applicable  to regulated  investment  companies  and to distribute
substantially all of its taxable income to shareholders.  Therefore,  no federal
income tax  provision is required.  As part of the tax  planning  strategy,  the
Trust may  retain a portion of its  taxable  income and pay an excise tax on the
undistributed amounts.


DIVIDENDS  AND  DISTRIBUTIONS:   The  Trust  declares  and  pays  dividends  and
distributions  monthly,  first from net  investment  income,  then from 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 exdividend date.

   Income  distributions  and  capital  gain  distributions  are  determined  in
accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from generally  accepted
accounting  principles.  

ESTIMATES:  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted  accounting  principles  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.


RECLASSIFICATION  OF  CAPITAL  ACCOUNTS:  The  trust  accounts  for and  reports
distributions  to  shareholders  in  accordance  with the American  Institute of
Certified  Public  Accountants'  Statement  of  Position  93-2:   Determination,
Disclosure,  and Financial Statement  Presentation of Income,  Capital Gain, and
Return of Capital  Distributions by Investment  Companies.  The effect caused by
applying  this   statement  was  to  decrease   paid-in   capital  and  increase
undistributed  net  investment  income by $401,000  due to certain  expenses not
being deductible for tax purposes. Net investment income, net realized gains and
net assets were not affected by this change.

NOTE 2. AGREEMENTS 
The  Trust  has  an  Investment  Advisory  Agreement  with  BlackRock  Financial
Management  Inc.  (the  "Adviser"),   a  wholly-owned  corporate  subsidiary  of
BlackRockAdvisors,  Inc., which is an indirect majority-owned  subsidiary of PNC
Bank,  N.A.,  and an  Administration  Agreement with  MorganStanley  Dean Witter
Advisors Inc. ("MSDWA"), formerly DeanWitter InterCapital, Inc.

The investment  advisory fee paid to the Adviser is computed  weekly and payable
monthly at an annual rate of 0.45%. The administration fee paid to MSDWA is also
computed  weekly and payable monthly at an annual rate of 0.125% From January 1,
1995 through December 31, 1998 and 0.10% From January 1, 1999 to the termination
of the Trust.

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

NOTE 3. PORTFOLIO SECURITIES  
Purchases  and  sales  of  investment  securities,  other  than  for  short-term
investments,  for the year ended December 31, 1998, aggregated  $908,677,890 and
$689,136,102, respectively.

   The Trust may invest up to 60% of its total  assets in  securities  which are
not readily  marketable,  including those which are restricted as to disposition
under securities law ("restricted securities").  At December 31, 1998, the Trust
held 11% of its portfolio assets in securities restricted as to resale.

   The Trust may from time to time  purchase  in the  secondary  market  certain
mortgage  pass-through  securities  packaged or master  serviced by PNC Mortgage
Securities Corp. (or Sears

                                       15

<PAGE>

Mortgage if PNC  Mortgage  Securities  Corp.  succeeded  to rights and duties of
Sears) or mortgage related securities  containing loans or mortgages  originated
by PNC Bank or its  affiliates,  including  Midland  Loan  Services,  Inc. It is
possible  under  certain  circumstances,  PNC Mortgage  Securities  Corp. or its
affiliates,  including Midland Loan Services, Inc. could have interests that are
in  conflict  with the  holders of these  mortgage-backed  securities,  and such
holders  could  have  rights  against  PNC  Mortgage  Securities  Corp.  or  its
affiliates, including Midland Loan Services, Inc.

   The federal income tax basis of the Trust's  investments at December 31, 1998
was  substantially  the  same  as  the  basis  for  financial  reporting,   and,
accordingly,  net  unrealized  appreciation  for federal income tax purposes was
$12,892,118  (gross  unrealized   appreciation--$38,125,687;   gross  unrealized
depreciation--$25,233,569).

   For federal income tax purposes, the Trust has a capital loss carryforward as
of December 31, 1998 of approximately  $7,584,199 of which $2,265,008 expires in
2001 and $5,319,191 expires at the termination of the Trust.

   Details  of  open  financial futures  contracts at  December 31, 1998 were as
 follows:

                                        VALUE AT      VALUE AT
NUMBER OF                 EXPIRATION      TRADE      DECEMBER 31,   UNREALIZED
CONTRACTS    TYPE           DATE          DATE          1998       APPRECIATION
- ---------    -----       -----------     -------     -----------   ------------
          Long position:
  500     30 Yr. T-Bond    Mar. 1999    $63,756,531   $63,890,625    $134,094
          Short position:
 (80)     5 Yr. T-Bond    Mar. 1999      (9,156,100)   (9,067,500)     88,600
                                                                   ----------
                                                                     $222,694
                                                                   ==========

THE TRUST HAD NO OPEN INTEREST RATE CAPS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998.

   Details of open interest rate swaps at December 31, 1998 were as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NOTIONAL                     FIXED/                                     UNREALIZED
 AMOUNT                    FLOATING       FLOATING     TERMINATION     APPRECIATION
 (000)          TYPE         RATE           RATE         PREMIUM      (DEPRECIATION)
- -------        -----        -------      ----------   ------------   ---------------
<S>          <C>            <C>          <C>            <C>            <C>
$(150,000)   Interest Rate  6.421%       3 Mo. LIBOR    07/27/01       $(7,188,141)
  218,250    Interest Rate  6.365%       3 Mo. LIBOR    07/27/00         7,937,076
   35,000    Floating Rate  3 Mo T-Bill  3 Mo. LIBOR    09/10/03          (168,000)
                            + 80.25 bps
   30,000    Floating Rate  3 Mo. T-Bill 3 Mo. LIBOR    09/10/03          (114,998)
                            +81.75 bps
                                                                       -----------
                                                                       $   465,937
                                                                       -----------
</TABLE>


NOTE 4. BORROWINGS REVERSE REPURCHASE

AGREEMENTS:  The  Trust  may  enter  into  reverse  repurchase  agreements  with
qualified,  third party  broker-dealers as determined by and under the direction
of the  Trust's  board  of  directors.  Interest  on the  value  of the  reverse
repurchase  agreements  issued and  outstanding  will be based upon  competitive
market  rates at the time of  issuance.  At the time  the  Trust  enters  into a
reverse  repurchase  agreement,  it will  establish  and  maintain a  segregated
account with the lender the value of which at least equals the principal  amount
of the reverse repurchase transaction, including accrued interest.

The average daily balance of reverse  repurchase  agreements  outstanding during
the year ended December 31, 1998 WAS $33,497,623 AT a weighted  average interest
rate of approximately 4.97%. The maximum amount of reverse repurchase agreements
outstanding at any month-end  during the year was  $288,914,875  as of September
30, 1998 which was 26.0% of total assets.

DOLLAR  ROLLS:  The Trust may enter into  dollar  rolls in which the Trust sells
securities  for delivery in the current  month and  simultaneously  contracts to
repurchase  substantially similar (same type, coupon and maturity) securities on
a specified future date.  During the roll period the Trust forgoes principal and
interest paid on the  securities.  The Trust will be compensated by the interest
earned on the cash  proceeds  of the  initial  sale and by the lower  repurchase
price at the future date.

   The average monthly balance of dollar rolls outstanding during the year ended
December 31, 1998 was  approximately  $12,900,000.  The maximum amount of dollar
rolls  outstanding  at any  month-end  during the period was  $18,598,281  as of
December 31, 1998 which was 2.0% of total assets.

NOTE 5. CAPITAL  
There are 200 million shares of $.01 par value common stock  authorized.  Of the
57,510,639  shares  outstanding  at December 31, 1998,  the Adviser owned 10,724
shares.

                                       16

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     THE BLACKROCK STRATEGICTERM TRUST INC.
                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Shareholders and Board of Directors of
The BlackRock Strategic Term Trust Inc.:

   We have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  statement  of  assets  and
liabilities  of  The  BlackRock   Strategic  Term  Trust  Inc.,   including  the
consolidated portfolio of investments,  as of December 31, 1998, and the related
consolidated  statements of operations  and of  consolidated  cash flows for the
year then ended, the consolidated statement of changes in net assets for each of
the two years in the period then ended and the consolidated financial highlights
for  each of the  five  years  in the  period  then  ended.  These  consolidated
financial   statements   and   consolidated   financial   highlights   are   the
responsibility of the Trust's  management.  Our  responsibility is to express an
opinion on these consolidated  financial  statements and consolidated  financial
highlights based on our audits.

   We  conducted  our audits in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable  assurance about whether the  consolidated  financial  statements and
consolidated  financial highlights are free of material  misstatement.  An audit
includes  examining,  on a test  basis,  evidence  supporting  the  amounts  and
disclosures in the consolidated  financial  statements.  Our procedures included
confirmation of securities  owned at December 31, 1998, by  correspondence  with
the  custodian and brokers;  where  replies were not received  from brokers,  we
performed  other  auditing  procedures.  An audit also  includes  assessing  the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well
as evaluating the overall  consolidated  financial  statement  presentation.  We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

   In our opinion,  such  consolidated  financial  statements  and  consolidated
financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects,  the consolidated
financial position of The BlackRock Strategic Term Trust Inc. as of December 31,
1998, and the results of its  consolidated  operations,  its  consolidated  cash
flows, the changes in its consolidated net assets and the consolidated financial
highlights  for the  respective  stated  periods in  conformity  with  generally
accepted accounting principles.



Deloitte & Touche LLP
- ---------------------
Deloitte & Touche LLP


New York, New York
February 12, 1999



                                       17

<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC TERM TRUST INC.
                                 TAX INFORMATION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      We wish to  advise  you as to the  federal  tax  status of  dividends  and
distributions paid by the Trust during the fiscal year ended Decebmber 31, 1998.

      During the fiscal year ended  December 31, 1998,  the Trust paid aggregate
dividends and distributions of $.475 per share from net investment  income.  For
federal  income tax purposes,  the  aggregate of any  dividends  and  short-term
capital  gains  distributions  you received are  reportable in your 1998 federal
income tax returns as ordinary income.  Further, we wish to advise you that your
income dividends do not qualify for the dividends received deduction.

      For the purpose fo preparing  your 1998 annual  federal income tax return,
however, you should report the amounts as reflected on the appropriate Form 1099
DIV which was mailed to you in January 1999.

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           DIVIDENDS REINVESTMENT PLAN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Pursuant  to  the  Trust's  Dividend   Reinvestment   Plan  (the  "Plan"),
shareholders may elect to have all  distributions of dividends and capital gains
reinvested  by Morgan  Stanley  Dean Witter FSB (the  "Agent")  in Trust  shares
pursuant  to the  Plan.  Shareholders  who do not  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 Plan Agent will, as agent for the  participants,  receive the
cash payment and use it to buy Trust shares in the open market,  on the New York
Stock Exchange or elsewhere for the participants'  accounts.  The Trust will not
issue shares under the Plan.

      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 will be made 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, state or local income tax that may
be payable on such dividend 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) 576-3143 or BlackRock Financial Management at (800) 227-7BFM. The
addresses are on the front of this report.


                                       18

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC TERM TRUST INC.
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     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.

     YEAR 2000  READINESS  DISCLOSURE.  The Trust is currently in the process of
evaluating its information  technology  infrastructure for Year 2000 compliance.
Substantially  all  of the  Trust's  information  systems  are  supplied  by the
Adviser.  The  Adviser has  advised  the Trust that it is  currently  evaluating
whether such systems are year 2000  compliant and that it expects to incur costs
of up to approximately five hundred thousand dollars to complete such evaluation
and to make any modifications to its systems as may be necessary to achieve Year
2000 compliance.  The Adviser has advised the Trust that it has fully tested its
systems for Year 2000 compliance. The Trust may be required to bear a portion of
such cost  incurred by the Adviser in this  regard.  The Adviser has advised the
Trust that it does not anticipate  any material  disruption in the operations of
the  Trust as a result  of any  failure  by the  Adviser  to  achieve  Year 2000
compliance.  There can be no assurance that the costs will not exceed the amount
referred  to  above or that  the  Trust  will not  experience  a  disruption  in
operations.

     The Adviser  has advised the Trust that it is in the process of  evaluating
the Year 2000 compliance of various  suppliers of the Adviser and the Trust. The
Adviser has advised the Trust that it intends to communicate with such suppliers
to  determine  their  Year 2000  compliance  status  and the extent to which the
Adviser or the Trust could be affected by any  supplier's  Year 2000  compliance
issues. To date,  however,  the Adviser has not received responses from all such
suppliers  with  respect  to their  Year  2000  compliance,  and there can be no
assurance  that the  systems  of such  suppliers,  who are  beyond  the  Trust's
control,  will be Year  2000  compliant.  In the event  that any of the  Trust's
significant   suppliers  do  not  successfully  and  timely  achieve  Year  2000
compliance,  the Trust's business or operations could be adversely affected. The
Adviser  has  advised  the  Trust  that  it is in the  process  of  preparing  a
contingency  plan for Year 2000  compliance  by its  suppliers.  There can be no
assurance  that  such  contingency  plan  will be  successful  in  preventing  a
disruption of the Trust's operations.

     The  Trust  is  designating  this  disclosure  as its Year  2000  readiness
disclosure  for all  purposes  under the Year  2000  Information  and  Readiness
Disclosure  Act and the  foregoing  information  shall  constitute  a Year  2000
statement for purposes of that Act.


                                       19


<PAGE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC TERM TRUST INC.
                               INVESTMENT SUMMARY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE TRUST'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The BlackRock  Strategic Term Trust Inc.'s  investment  objective is to manage a
portfolio of investment grade fixed income  securities that will return at least
$10 per share (the initial  public  offering price per share) to investors on or
shortly before December 31, 2002 while providing high monthly income.

WHO MANAGES THE TRUST?

BlackRock  Financial  Management,   Inc.   ("BlackRock")  is  an  SEC-registered
investment  adviser.  BlackRock and its  affiliates  currently  manage over $132
billion  on behalf of  taxable  and  tax-exempt  clients  worldwide.  Strategies
include  fixed  income,  equity and cash any may  incorporate  both domestic and
international   securities.   Domestic  fixed  income  strategies   utilize  the
government,  mortgage,  corporate and municipal bond  sectors.BlackRock  manages
twenty-one  closed-end  funds that are traded on either the New York or American
stock  exchanges,  and a $24 billion  family of open-end  equity and bond funds.
Current  institutional  clients  number 425,  domiciled in the United States and
overseas.

WHAT CAN THE TRUST INVEST IN?

The Trust may invest in all fixed income  securities  rated  investment grade or
higher ("AAA",  "AA",  "A" or "BBB").  Examples of securities in which the Trust
may invest include U.S. government and government agency securities, zero coupon
securities,  mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt securities, asset-backed
securities,  U.S.  dollar-denominated  foreign  debt  securities  and  municipal
securities. Under current market conditions,  BlackRock expects that the primary
investments of the Trust will be U.S. government  securities,  securities backed
by government  agencies (such as mortgage-backed  securities) and corporate debt
securities.

WHAT IS THE ADVISER'S INVESTMENT STRATEGY?

The Adviser will seek to meet the Trust's  investment  objective by managing the
assets of the Trust so as to return the initial  offering  price ($10 per share)
at maturity.  The Trust will implement a conservative strategy that will seek to
closely match the maturity of the assets of the portfolio with the future return
of the  initial  investment  at the end of  2002.  At the  Trust's  termination,
BlackRock expects that the value of the securities which have matured,  combined
with the value of the securities  that are sold will be sufficient to return the
initial offering price to investors.  On a continuous basis, the Trust will seek
its objective by actively managing its assets in relation to market  conditions,
interest rate changes and,  importantly,  the remaining  term to maturity of the
Trust.

In addition to seeking the return of the  initial  offering  price,  the Adviser
also seeks to provide high monthly income to investors.  The portfolio  managers
will attempt to achieve this  objective by investing in securities  that provide
competitive  income.  In  addition,  leverage  will be used (in an  amount up to
331/3% of total  assets) to enhance  the  income of the  portfolio.  In order to
maintain  competitive  yields as the Trust approaches  maturity and depending on
market  conditions,  the Adviser will attempt to purchase  securities  with call
protection  or  maturities  as close to the Trust's  maturity  date as possible.
Securities with call protection should provide the portfolio with some degree of
protection against  reinvestment risk during times of lower prevailing  interest
rates. Since the Trust's primary goal is to return the initial offering price at
maturity, any cash that the Trust receives prior to its maturity date (i.e. cash
from early and  regularly  scheduled  payments of principal  on  mortgage-backed
securities) will be reinvested in securities with maturities which coincide with
the remaining term of the Trust. Since shorter-term  securities  typically yield
less than longer-term securities,  this strategy will likely result in a decline
in the Trust's income over time. However, the Adviser will attempt to maintain a
yield which is competitive with a comparable maturity Treasury at the same point
on the yield curve (i.e.  if the Trust has three years left until its  maturity,
the  Adviser  will  attempt  to  maintain  a yield  at a  spread  over a  3-year
Treasury).  It is  important  to note that the Trust  will be  managed  so as to
preserve the integrity of the return of the initial offering price.


                                       20

<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 adviser. The Trust
pays monthly  dividends which are typically paid on the last 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,  Dean Witter
Trust Company.  Investors who wish to hold shares in a brokerage  account should
check with their  financial  adviser to determine  whether their  brokerage firm
offers dividend reinvestment services.

LEVERAGE  CONSIDERATIONS IN A TERM TRUST
Under current  market  conditions,  leverage  increases the income earned by the
Trust.  The  Trust  employs  leverage  primarily  through  the  use  of  reverse
repurchase  agreements  and dollar rolls.  Leverage  permits the Trust to borrow
money at short-term  rates and reinvest that money in  longer-term  assets which
typically offer higher interest  rates.  The difference  between the cost of the
borrowed funds and the income earned on the proceeds that are invested in longer
term assets is the benefit to the Trust from leverage. In general, the portfolio
is typically  leveraged at approximately  331/3% of total assets.  Leverage also
increases  the  duration (or price  volatility  of the net assets) of the Trust,
which can improve the  performance of the fund in a declining rate  environment,
but can  cause  net  assets  to  decline  faster  than  the  market  in a rising
environment.  BlackRock's  portfolio managers continuously monitor and regularly
review the  Trust's use of leverage  and the Trust may  reduce,  or unwind,  the
amount of leverage  employed should  BlackRock  consider that reduction to be in
the best interests of the shareholders.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND RISK FACTORS RELEVANT TO TERM TRUSTS

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

RETURN OF INITIAL  INVESTMENT.  Although the objective of the Trust is to return
its initial offering price upon termination, there can be no assurance that this
objective will be achieved.

DIVIDEND  CONSIDERATIONS.  The income and dividends paid by the Trust are likely
to  decline  to some  extent  over the term of the Trust due to the  anticipated
shortening of the dollar-weighted average maturity of the Trust's assets.

INTEREST-ONLY SECURITIES (IO). The yield to maturity on an IO class is extremely
sensitive  to the rate of  principal  payments  (including  prepayments)  on the
related underlying  Mortgage Assets, and a repaid rate of principal payments may
have a material  adverse  effect on such  security's  yield to maturity.  If the
underlying  Mortgage Assets experience  greater than anticipated  prepayments of
principal,  the Trust may fail to recoup fully its initial  investment  in these
securities even if the securities are rated AAA by S&P or Aaa by Moody's.

LEVERAGE.  The Trust utilizes leverage through reverse repurchase agreements and
dollar rolls,  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 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.

MORTGAGE-BACKED   AND   ASSET-BACKED   SECURITIES.   The  cash  flow  and  yield
characteristics of these securities differ from traditional debt securities. The
major  differences  typically include more frequent payments and the possibility
of prepayments which will change the yield to maturity of the security.

CORPORATE  DEBT  SECURITIES.  The value of corporate debt  securities  generally
varies inversely with changes in prevailing market interest rates. The Trust may
be subject to certain  reinvestment  risks in environments of declining interest
rates.

ZERO COUPON SECURITIES. Such securities receive no cash flows prior to maturity,
therefore  interim  price  movements  on these  securities  are  generally  more
sensitive to interest rate movements than  securities  that make periodic coupon
payments.  these  securities  appreciate  in  value  over  time  and can play an
important role in helping the trust achieve its primary objective.

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.

NON-U.S SECURITIES. The Trust may invest less than 10% of its assets in non-U.S.
dollar-denominated  securities  which  involve  special  risks such as currency,
political and economic risks,  although under current market conditions does not
do so.

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

                                       21


<PAGE>

 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     THE BLACKROCK STRATEGIC TERM TRUST INC.
                                    GLOSSARY
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE-      Mortgage  instruments  with  interest  rates that
  BACKED SECURITIES (ARMS):    adjust at periodic  intervals  at a fixed  amount
                               relative to the market  levels of interest  rates
                               as  reflected  in  specified  indexes.  ARMs  are
                               backed  by   mortgage   loans   secured  by  real
                               property.

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES:       Securities backed by various types of receivables
                               such as automobile and credit card receivables.

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

COLLATERALIZED                 Mortgage-backed    securities    which   separate
                               mortgage   pools  into   short-,   medium-,   and
                               long-term  securities  with different  priorities
                               for receipt of principal and interest. Each class
                               is paid a fixed or  floating  rate of interest at
                               regular  intervals.  Also known as multiple-class
                               mortgage pass-throughs.

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE            Mortgage-backed  securities  secured or backed by
BACKED SECURITIES (CMBS):      mortgage loans on commercial properties.

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

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

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

FHA:                           Federal  Housing  Administration,   a  government
                               agency  that  facilitates  a  secondary  mortgage
                               market by  providing  an agency  that  guarantees
                               timely  payment  of  interest  and  principal  on
                               mortgages.

FHLMC:                         Federal  Home  Loan   Mortgage   Corporation,   a
                               publicly owned,  federally chartered  corporation
                               that  facilitates a secondary  mortgage market by
                               purchasing mortgages from lenders such as savings
                               institutions  and reselling  them to investors by
                               means of mortgage-backed securities.  Obligations
                               of  FHLMC   are  not   guaranteed   by  the  U.S.
                               government,  however;  they are backed by FHLMC's
                               authority  to  borrow  from the U.S.  government.
                               Also known as Freddie Mac.

FNMA:                          
                               Federal National Mortgage Association, a publicly
                               owned,   federally  chartered   corporation  that
                               facilitates  a  secondary   mortgage   market  by
                               purchasing mortgages from lenders such as savings
                               institutions  and reselling  them to investors by
                               means of mortgage-backed securities.  Obligations
                               of  FNMA   are  not   guaranteed   by  the   U.S.
                               government,  however,  they are  backed by FNMA's
                               authority  to  borrow  from the U.S.  government.
                               Also known as Fannie Mae.

GNMA:                          Government National Mortgage Association,  a U.S.
                               Government  agency that  facilitates  a secondary
                               mortgage  market  by  providing  an  agency  that
                               guarantees   timely   payment  of  interest   and
                               principal on mortgages.  GNMA's  obligations  are
                               supported  by the full  faith  and  credit of the
                               U.S. Treasury. Also known as Ginnie Mae.


                                       22

<PAGE>

GOVERNMENT SECURITIES:         Securities  issued  or  guaranteed  by  the  U.S.
                               government,   or   one   of   its   agencies   or
                               instrumentalities,   such  as  GNMA   (Government
                               National  Mortgage  Association),  FNMA  (Federal
                               National Mortgage Association) and FHLMC (Federal
                               Home Loan Mortgage Corporation).

INVERSE-FLOATING RATE          Mortgage instruments with  coupons that adjust at
 MORTGAGES:                    periodic  intervals  according to a formula which
                               sets  inversely with a market level interest rate
                               index.

INTEREST-ONLY                  Mortgage  securities  including CMBS that receive
 SECURITIES (I/O):             only the interest  cash flows from an  underlying
                               pool of mortgage loans or underlying pass-through
                               securities. Also known as a Strip.

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.

MORTGAGE DOLLAR ROLLS:         A mortgage  dollar roll is a transaction in which
                               the Trust sells  mortgage-backed  securities  for
                               delivery in the current month and  simultaneously
                               contracts  to  repurchase  substantially  similar
                               (although not the same) securities on a specified
                               future date. During the "roll" period,  the Trust
                               does not receive  principal and interest payments
                               on the securities,  but is compensated for giving
                               up  these  payments  by  the  difference  in  the
                               current  sales  price (for which the  security is
                               sold) and lower price that the Trust pays for the
                               similar  security  at the end date as well as the
                               interest  earned  on  the  cash  proceeds  of the
                               initial sale.


MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGHS:        Mortgage-backed  securities  issued   by   Fannie
 MULTIPLE-CLASS                Mae, Freddie Mac  or Ginnie   Mae. Collateralized
 PASS-THROUGHS:                Mortgage Obligations.

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 each Monday.

PRINCIPAL-ONLY                 Mortgage   securities   that   receive  only  the
 SECURITIES (P/O):             principal  cash flows from an underlying  pool of
                               mortgage   loans   or   underlying   pass-through
                               securities.

PROJECT LOANS:                 Mortgages for multi-family, low- to middle-income
 PREMIUM:                      housing.  When a fund's  stock  price is  greater
                               than its net asset value,  the fund is said to be
                               trading at a premium.

REMIC:                         A real estate  mortgage  investment  conduit is a
                               multiple-class security backed by mortgage-backed
                               securities or whole  mortgage loans and formed as
                               a trust, corporation,  partnership, or segregated
                               pool of assets  that  elects to be  treated  as a
                               REMIC for federal tax purposes. Generally, Fannie
                               Mae REMICs are formed as trusts and are backed by
                               mortgage-backed securities.

RESIDUALS:                      Securities     issued    in    connection   with
                               collateralized    mortgage    obligations    that
                               generally represent the excess cash flow from the
                               mortgage assets  underlying the CMO after payment
                               of  principal  and  interest  on  the  other  CMO
                               securities and related administrative expenses.

REVERSE                        In a  reverse  repurchase  agreement,  the  Trust
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS:         sells securities and agrees to repurchase them at
                               a mutually  agreed  date and price.  During  this
                               time,   the  Trust   continues   to  receive  the
                               principal   and  interest   payments   from  that
                               security.  At  the  end of the  term,  the  Trust
                               receives the same  securities  that were sold for
                               the same initial  dollar  amount plus interest on
                               the cash proceeds of the initial sale.

STRIPPED MORTGAGE BACKED       Arrangements   in  which  a  pool  of  assets  is
 SECURITIES:                   separated into two classes that receive different
                               proportions   of  the  interest   and   principal
                               distributions  from  underlying   mortgage-backed
                               securities. IO's and PO's are examples of strips.


                                       23

<PAGE>

BLACKROCK

DIRECTORS
Laurence D. Fink, CHAIRMAN
Andrew F. Brimmer
Richard E. Cavanagh
Kent Dixon
Frank J. Fabozzi
James Grosfeld
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
Scott Amero, VICE PRESIDENT
Robert S. Kapito, VICE PRESIDENT
Richard M. Shea, VICE PRESIDENT/TAX
Henry Gabbay, TREASURER
James Kong, ASSISTANT TREASURER
Karen H. Sabath, SECRETARY

INVESTMENT ADVISER
BlackRock Financial Management, Inc.
345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154
(800) 227-7BFM

ADMINISTRATOR
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc.
Two World Trade Center
New York, NY 10048
(800) 729-8855

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

TRANSFER AGENT
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter FSB
Harborside Financial Center -- Plaza Two
Jersey City, New Jersey 07311-3977
(800) 526-3143

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

LEGAL COUNSEL
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
919 Third Avenue
New York, NY 10022

   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 TERM TRUST INC.
                  c/o Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors Inc.
                                   71st Floor
                             Two World Trade Center
                               New York, NY 10048
                          Call toll free (800) 227-7BFM

                                                         

[logo] Printed on recycled paper                                     9247P-10-8


                                                        

THE  BLACKROCK
STRATEGIC TERM
TRUST INC.
- -------------------------------
Consolidated
Annual Report
December 31, 1998


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