Office address: 50 Hudson Yards New York, NY 10001
Website: www.blackrock.com
Year established: 1988
Company type: investment company
Employees: 19,800+
Expertise: asset management, risk management, ETFs (iShares), fixed income, alternative investments, wealth management, retirement solutions, private equity, infrastructure, real estate, sustainable investing, financial technology
Parent company: N/A
Key people: Larry Fink (CEO), Rob Kapito (president), Joud Abdel Majeid (global head), Stephen Cohen (CPO), Ed Fishwick (CRO), Rob Goldstein (COO), Martin Small (CFO), Chris Meade (CLO)
Financing status: N/A
BlackRock is a global investment company from New York, offering asset management, advisory, and risk management services. The firm manages $11.5 trillion in assets as of October 2024 and operates in over 38 countries. With over 19,800 employees, the company serves clients in more than 100 countries, helping them achieve long-term financial well-being through innovative financial solutions.
BlackRock was founded in 1988 by Laurence Fink and seven partners, driven by a desire to manage assets with a focus on risk management and client interests. The company quickly grew, and in 1999, it launched Aladdin, its proprietary technology that transformed the risk management industry. During the 2008 financial crisis, the company was tapped by the Federal Reserve to assess Bear Stearns' assets, playing a crucial advisory role.
In 2009, it acquired Barclays Global Investors, becoming the world's largest asset manager and integrating both active and index strategies. In 2017, the company deepened its focus on investment stewardship, emphasizing the long-term value of purpose in profitability. By 2024, it partnered with Vestmark to boost model portfolios, further expanding its offerings for registered investment advisors.
BlackRock offers a wide range of investment products and services designed to meet the diverse needs of its clients. Below are the some of their key offerings:
BlackRock’s global team provides insights on markets, economies, and long-term strategies, helping clients navigate the complexities of investing. Whether it is a professional or a new investor, their services aim to support financial success while also empowering employees and giving back to communities.
BlackRock’s culture is built on a commitment to its clients, employees, and core principles. The company focuses on employee growth, offering benefits that support physical, emotional, and financial well-being. The firm provides various resources and benefits to keep employees engaged and balanced, some of which include:
The firm’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is central to its success, fostering an environment where employees feel a sense of belonging. The company’s global platform thrives by incorporating diverse perspectives to deliver the best outcomes for clients. By embracing unique skills and experiences, they empower employees to collaborate effectively and contribute to a shared mission:
The company’s social impact focuses on making financial prosperity accessible to more people and communities. The BlackRock Foundation supports low- to moderate-income households by helping them save, invest, and build wealth. Initiatives include:
BlackRock’s approach to corporate sustainability focuses on long-term value for shareholders, employees, communities, and clients. The company is committed to transparency, providing stakeholders with meaningful sustainability-related information.
Laurence Fink is company’s chairman, CEO, and founder, also serving on the boards of NYU and the World Economic Forum. Before founding BlackRock in 1988, he was a managing director at The First Boston Corporation. Fink earned a BA in political science and an MBA in real estate from UCLA.
The company’s key leadership team includes notable figures who lead the firm’s operations across global markets:
To prepare for potential market volatility, BlackRock advises financial professionals to reduce risk and shift toward safer investment options. With uncertainty ahead, particularly due to macroeconomic concerns and the upcoming elections, the firm highlights the importance of defensive strategies like the BlackRock Flexible Income ETF (BINC). This strategic adjustment also reflects their broader move toward active management, signaling its belief in a more hands-on approach during turbulent times.
The company recently reached an $11.5 trillion milestone in assets under management by the third quarter of 2024. This growth was driven by strong client inflows, notably into ETFs, fixed income, and private assets. BlackRock is accelerating its push into private assets, following acquisitions like Global Infrastructure Partners, and continues to lead in both public and private markets.
The world’s biggest ETF issuer is cutting the expense ratios on nine iShares Morningstar U.S. Equity Style Box ETFs to a range of 0.03% to 0.06% — down from previous charges between 0.25% and 0.30%.
The program would apply to businesses with as few as five employees, requiring companies to participate and automatically enroll workers, unless they already provide retirement plans.
During this time of consolidation in the asset management industry, and activity in fintech, the adoption of digital strategies and tools by both will better enhance their chances of survival, or continued success.
JPMorgan is another large player slowly giving investors access to Bitcoin trading given there is no cryptocurrency backed ETF in the U.S.
The campaigner who was instrumental in pushing BlackRock to act against climate change is now taking aim at Vanguard Group.
At the heart of NFP case is the flexPath target-date series, which was added to Wood Group plan in 2016, when it was essentially brand new. Schlichter Bogard & Denton brought the case.
Abbott Labs and Genentech won dismissals in cases against them, although plaintiffs can refile their complaints. Cerner Corp. and BlackRock have reached settlements in class-action cases against them.
Bitcoin's rally and an increase in institutional adoption amplify the need for advisers to educate themselves on cryptocurrencies.
The Bridgewater Associates founder calls Bitcoin ‘one hell of an invention.’ But he says that he finds it challenging to put a value on digital assets and that cryptocurrencies are probably vulnerable to being hacked.
The big news, announcements and underlying trends emerging in the world of technology solutions for financial advisers!
Fidelity's new technology is designed to help advisers create ESG model portfolios and engage clients with impact investing.
Fink challenged his fellow CEOs to disclose how their companies will operate in a net-zero world and said positioning for the long term means preparing for the realities of climate change.
Ever since Bitcoin rallied to all-time highs this month, the big question advisers are asking themselves is when will it be suitable to use the cryptocurrency in client portfolios.
Prices for the digital asset have tumbled 14% this week, marking the steepest decline since March, with Bitcoin near $31,000 Friday. Commentators have cautioned that a sustained drop below $30,000 could presage further losses.
The fund manager added Bitcoin futures as an eligible investment for two of its funds, according to SEC filings.
