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.
Given the three dozen others that have filed for a bitcoin ETF without success, ETF watchers are wondering if BlackRock has an inside track to gain approval.
Vanguard was half as likely to vote for shareholder resolutions as BlackRock and State Street, a new report finds.
Wealthfront says its portfolio uses a mix of Treasury and corporate bond ETFs and can achieve an annual return of 5.48% after its 0.25% fee.
Will Hild’s Consumers’ Research is focusing on the second-largest US bank in its latest push against sustainable investing.
The retirement plan for federal government workers also includes numerous Christian and 'pro-life' funds that would seemingly be affected by the legislation.
Meaghan Muldoon, who had been global head of ESG integration at BlackRock, started in her new position at BNY Mellon this month.
More than half of US asset managers see ESG as a high priority, and many are adding staff to support that.
An analysis tool on its Invest Your Values site gives participants a peek into the exposure their plans have.
Representatives took jabs at the other party and expressed opposing views on the potential of ESG.
Blass, the former head of the SEC's division of investment management, led external affairs at BlackRock for two years.
Here’s a look at the four primary ways in which model portfolios can benefit an advisory firm’s growth goals.
The state’s Senate approved a bill that bans state and local governments from using environmental, social, governance criteria when selling debt or investing public money.
This month's highlights includes Altruist's purchase of Shareholders Service Group, BlackRock's closing of the retail arm of robo FutureAdvisor and Absolute Engagement's launch of an engagement tool.
As the environmental, social and governance space evolves, we're learning that the value from an investment perspective is not always best, even if it's always good.
A big client moved $2 billion from a different Xtrackers ESG exchange-traded fund to the new fund, the Xtrackers MSCI USA Climate Action Equity ETF.
