BlackRock vs Principal Financial Group
Side-by-side comparison of AI visibility scores, market position, and capabilities
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.
About
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.
Des Moines retirement and asset management (NASDAQ: PFG) at $16.13B 2024 revenue (+18%), $753B AUM; new CEO Deanna Strable (Jan 2025), Ascensus ESOP acquisition (2024), $1.7T AUA competing with Empower for mid-market 401(k).
About
Principal Financial Group, Inc. is a Des Moines, Iowa-based financial services company — publicly traded on NASDAQ (NASDAQ: PFG) as an S&P 500 Financials component — providing retirement savings, asset management, and group insurance and benefits to 61 million customers worldwide through approximately 20,000 employees with $753 billion in assets under management (AUM) as of Q2 2025, $1.7 trillion in assets under administration, and $16.13 billion in 2024 annual revenue (up 18% year-over-year) with net income of $1.57 billion. Founded in 1879 as The Bankers Life Association by Edward Temple and Simon Casady to provide affordable life insurance to Iowans, Principal demutualized and completed its IPO in 2001. Deanna Strable became President and CEO in January 2025 (succeeding Dan Houston), with Joel Pitz named CFO. Principal operates through three segments: Retirement and Income Solutions (RIS — 401(k), 403(b), defined benefit plans, nonqualified executive benefits, pension risk transfer, and individual retirement products), Principal Asset Management (equity, fixed income, real estate, and alternative investments for institutional clients), and Benefits and Protection (group dental, vision, life, and disability insurance). Key acquisitions include AFP Cuprum (Chilean pension, $1.5B, 2012), Wells Fargo's institutional retirement and trust business ($1.2B, 2019, adding 401(k)/pension/ESOP plans), and the 2024 agreement to acquire Ascensus's ESOP business (800 plans, 165,000+ participants). Principal's market capitalization stands at approximately $18.3 billion.
AI Visibility Head-to-Head
Key Details
Also Compare
Track AI Visibility in Real Time
Monitor how your brand performs across ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Claude, and Grok daily.