# BlackRock **Source:** https://geo.sig.ai/brands/blackrock **Vertical:** Consumer Finance **Subcategory:** Enterprise **Tier:** Leader **Website:** blackrock.com **Last Updated:** 2026-04-14 ## Summary New York world's largest asset manager (NYSE: BLK) at $12.5T AUM; record $641B 2024 net inflows, $28B acquisition program (GIP $12.5B + HPS $12B + Preqin $3.2B) building private markets platform competing with Vanguard and Fidelity. ## Company Overview BlackRock, Inc. is a New York City, New York-based global investment management company — publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BLK) as an S&P 500 Financials component — managing $12.5 trillion in assets under management (AUM) as the world's largest asset manager through over 19,000 employees serving institutional and individual investors in 100 countries from 70 offices in 30 countries. Founded in 1988 by CEO Larry Fink and seven partners as a fixed income risk management firm, BlackRock grew through landmark acquisitions including Merrill Lynch Investment Managers ($9.8B, 2006), Barclays Global Investors ($13.5B, 2009, which added iShares — the world's largest ETF platform with 400+ funds), and in 2024-2025, a $28 billion acquisition program including Global Infrastructure Partners ($12.5B), HPS Investment Partners ($12B, private credit), and Preqin ($3.2B, private markets data analytics). In full year 2024, BlackRock reported record net inflows of $641 billion, 14% revenue growth (reaching $5.19 billion), diluted EPS of $42.01 ($43.61 adjusted), and a 29% total shareholder return. AUM reached $11.6 trillion at end of 2024 and grew to $12.5 trillion by 2025 incorporating the infrastructure and private credit acquisitions. BlackRock's Aladdin technology platform (managing $21.6+ trillion across internal and external clients as of 2020) provides portfolio construction, risk analytics, and operations infrastructure to asset managers, pension funds, insurance companies, and sovereign wealth funds globally. BlackRock's integrated investment management and technology model addresses the institutional asset owner's need for a single counterparty that can manage public market index exposures (through iShares ETFs), actively managed equity and fixed income mandates, alternative investments (private equity, private credit, infrastructure, real estate), and portfolio risk analytics (Aladdin) across their entire investment portfolio: a $50 billion sovereign wealth fund managing public equities, fixed income, private credit, and infrastructure in a single portfolio needs BlackRock because no competitor offers the breadth of investment capabilities (index + active + alternatives + technology) and institutional service scale at BlackRock's level. The iShares ETF platform's market dominance (the largest ETF manager globally, with iShares MSFT and iShares Core S&P 500 being among the most liquid securities in the world) creates flow capture from both retail and institutional investors indexing to benchmark exposures. In 2025, BlackRock competes in the global asset management, ETF, and financial technology market with Vanguard (private, $9.3T AUM), Fidelity Investments (private, $11.8T AUM), and State Street Global Advisors (NYSE: STT, $4.6T AUM) for institutional mandates, ETF market share, and private markets capital allocation. The $28B 2024 acquisition program (Global Infrastructure Partners + HPS + Preqin) represents BlackRock's strategic bet that institutional capital allocation is migrating from public markets toward private markets — where alternatives allocations have grown from 5% to 20%+ of institutional portfolios — and that BlackRock must offer private infrastructure, private credit, and real assets capabilities at the same scale it offers public market index exposure. The Preqin acquisition (private markets data analytics) enables BlackRock to offer the benchmarking and analytics infrastructure for private markets that public market investors have through Bloomberg and FactSet. The 2025 strategy focuses on integrating the three major acquisitions, building Aladdin for private markets, and continuing iShares ETF market share growth in the rapidly expanding active ETF category. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What does BlackRock do? BlackRock is the world's largest asset manager with $12.5 trillion in assets under management. The company provides investment management services across equities, fixed income, multi-asset, and alternative investments to institutional and retail clients globally. BlackRock is best known for its iShares ETF platform (the world's largest with 400+ ETFs) and its Aladdin technology platform used by major financial institutions worldwide for portfolio management and risk analytics. ### Who are BlackRock's customers and target market? BlackRock serves a diverse global client base including pension funds, endowments, foundations, sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, banks, financial advisors, and individual investors across 100 countries. The company's clients range from the world's largest institutional investors to individual retirement savers using iShares ETFs. BlackRock also provides Aladdin technology and advisory services to asset managers, banks, and governments. ### When was BlackRock founded? BlackRock was founded in 1988 by Larry Fink and seven partners who had previously worked together at First Boston. The company initially operated under The Blackstone Group before becoming independent in 1994. BlackRock went public in 1999 and has been continuously led by founder Larry Fink as CEO and Chairman for over 35 years. ### Where is BlackRock based? BlackRock is headquartered at 50 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001, USA. The company operates globally with 70 offices in 30 countries across six continents, employing approximately 19,000 people worldwide. BlackRock serves clients in 100 countries. ### What are BlackRock's key financial metrics? BlackRock reported $11.6 trillion in assets under management at the end of 2024, with record net inflows of $641 billion for the year. The company generated revenue of $5.19 billion in Q3 2024 (up 15% year-over-year) with full-year diluted earnings per share of $42.01 ($43.61 as adjusted). BlackRock achieved a 29% total shareholder return in 2024 and returned $4.7 billion to shareholders including $1.6 billion in share repurchases. ### What makes BlackRock different from competitors? BlackRock differentiates itself through its massive scale ($12.5T AUM, double the size of nearest competitor Vanguard's $7T), its proprietary Aladdin technology platform managing $21.6 trillion in assets across the industry, and its iShares ETF leadership position. The company's integration of investment management, technology solutions, and advisory services creates a unique value proposition. BlackRock's recent $28 billion in acquisitions (GIP, HPS, Preqin) position it as the leader in private markets and private credit. ### Who are BlackRock's main competitors? BlackRock's main competitors are the other members of the "Big Four" asset managers: Vanguard ($7 trillion AUM), State Street ($3 trillion AUM), and Fidelity ($3.8 trillion AUM). Together, the Big Three (BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street) control nearly $11 trillion in assets and are the largest shareholders in 40% of all publicly listed U.S. companies. These firms collectively manage over 90% of all assets in passive equity funds. ### How can I contact BlackRock? You can contact BlackRock at their headquarters: 50 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001, USA. Visit www.blackrock.com for investment solutions, client services, and general inquiries. For career opportunities, visit careers.blackrock.com. BlackRock maintains client service centers globally across its 70 offices in 30 countries. ### Is BlackRock hiring? Yes, BlackRock actively recruits talent globally across investment management, technology, operations, finance, sales, and other business areas. The company employs approximately 19,000 people and offers opportunities across its 70 offices in 30 countries. Visit careers.blackrock.com to explore current openings and join the firm's Talent Community for updates on roles and events. ### What's the latest news about BlackRock? Recent developments include BlackRock's record 2024 results with $641 billion in net inflows and $11.6 trillion AUM, completion of the $12.5 billion Global Infrastructure Partners acquisition adding $116 billion in assets, announcement of the $12 billion HPS Investment Partners acquisition for private credit, completion of the $3.2 billion Preqin acquisition for private markets data, and strong performance of the iShares Bitcoin Trust which became the world's largest bitcoin fund. The company spent approximately $28 billion on strategic acquisitions in 2024 to expand beyond traditional asset management. ### What is BlackRock's market position? BlackRock is the undisputed global leader in asset management with $12.5 trillion in AUM, approximately double the size of its nearest competitor Vanguard. As one of the Big Three (along with Vanguard and State Street), BlackRock is the largest shareholder in 40% of all publicly listed U.S. firms. The company dominates the ETF market through iShares (the world's largest ETF provider), leads in risk management technology through Aladdin ($21.6T managed), and is rapidly expanding in private markets through recent acquisitions. ### What are BlackRock's future plans? BlackRock plans to complete the HPS Investment Partners acquisition in mid-2025 to create a $220 billion private credit platform, integrate the recently acquired Preqin private markets data into Aladdin, and continue expanding its cryptocurrency and tokenization offerings following the success of IBIT and BUIDL. The company is focused on growing alternative investments, enhancing its technology platform, and leveraging its scale in sustainable investing and ESG integration. BlackRock aims to maintain its position as the world's largest and most innovative asset manager. ## Tags b2c, fintech, global, public, fortune500 --- *Data from geo.sig.ai Brand Intelligence Database. Updated 2026-04-14.*