BlackRock sees big inflows

BlackRock said on April 14 that clients added $130 billion in the first quarter, lifting profit and sending the stock up 4.1% in early trading. (blackrock.com) (cnbc.com) The world’s largest asset manager reported net income of $2.21 billion, or $14.06 a share, for the three months ended March 31, 2026. Adjusted earnings were $12.53 a share, above analyst expectations of $11.54, and assets under management rose to $13.89 trillion from $11.58 trillion a year earlier. (cnbc.com) (blackrock.com) Most of the new money went into iShares exchange-traded funds, and BlackRock called it a record first quarter for that business. The firm also reported $9.1 billion of net inflows into private markets during the quarter. (blackrock.com) (cnbc.com) Exchange-traded funds are baskets of securities that trade like stocks, and they have become one of BlackRock’s main engines of growth through its iShares brand. BlackRock said it has taken in $744 billion of net inflows over the last 12 months, with 10% organic base fee growth driven by private markets, exchange-traded funds, and systematic active strategies. (blackrock.com) Another boost came from performance fees, which are payments tied to investment results rather than a flat management charge. BlackRock said investment advisory performance fees jumped to $272 million in the quarter from $60 million a year earlier. (cnbc.com) The quarter also showed how much BlackRock is leaning on businesses beyond traditional fund management. Revenue rose 27% from a year earlier, helped by higher market levels, fees tied to the HPS transaction, and 22% growth in technology services and subscription revenue, including momentum in Aladdin and the impact of the Preqin transaction. (blackrock.com) Investors have been watching BlackRock’s private credit exposure for signs of stress after bankruptcies at First Brands and Tricolor renewed scrutiny of risk and disclosure in the sector. BlackRock said private markets assets slipped to $320.4 billion at the end of March from $322.6 billion at the end of December, reflecting $9.1 billion of inflows, $8.5 billion of capital returned to clients, and a $2 billion drop in market values. (cnbc.com) Chief Executive Laurence Fink said on BlackRock’s conference call that demand for private credit is “structural,” citing banks’ retreat from some lending markets since the 2008 financial crisis. BlackRock also raised its quarterly dividend 10% to $5.73 a share and repurchased $450 million of stock in the quarter. (cnbc.com) (blackrock.com)