BlackRock stock (BLK) - Key metrics
As of 2024, the stock had a market capitalization of $115 billion, which is a moderate value. The P/E ratio is 18.5 which is lower than the S&P 500 average. The P/E ratio being low only indicates that the company’s stock is actually trading lower than the company’s value and performance. If we look at the newer stats as of 2025, the company has a market capitalization of 140-150 billion dollars and the P/E ratio is 22-23, which shows that the company’s stock price is now more valuable than before.
Is BlackRock stock a strong buy?
Based on the most recent data, the company’s stock (BLK) is trading with a P/E of 22-23 which is in line and sometimes even more attractive than its large competitors. Many analysts think the stock price and PE of BlackRock are in line with its strong fundamentals, but the stock is not at its peak for sure. The stock might be attractive for investors who are seeking long-term stable stocks but it might not be very attractive for trading.
BlackRock vs Vanguard - Major differences
Let's compare two giants, BlackRock and Vanguard in more detail to define how they differ.
|
|
BlackRock
|
Vanguard
|
|
Ownership
|
Publicly traded
|
Client-owned (mutual)
|
|
Assets Under Management
|
$11+ trillion
|
$8 trillion
|
|
Strategy
|
Active + ETFs
|
Passive indexing
|
|
ESG Focus
|
Strong focus
|
Neutral
|
As we can see, both companies are going toe to toe when it comes to assets under management. However, BlackRock still has more assets under management than Vanguard, indicating that the company is a leading asset management brand in the world. BlackRock employs both active management for some funds and ETF strategies. Vanguard focuses on passive indexing mostly. Vanguard also runs active management funds but its hallmark are passive strategies. While Vanguard has been less public about ESG strategies, BlackRock has been pushing it.
BlackRock assets under management
BlackRock currently controls more than $11.5 trillion under its management which is an epic amount of capital even by global standards.
BlackRock portfolio consists mainly of:
- ETFs - Approximately $3.2 trillion Exchange-Traded Funds with iShares commanding about 40% of the global ETF market.
- Retirement funds - About $1.2 trillion, bigger than the GDP of entire countries.
- Government programs - The company is involved in managing assets for government initiatives like the Fed’s bond-buying programs ($500 billion to $1 trillion).
- Institutional influence - One of the largest institutional investors holding over 5% of shares in companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon.
BlackRock’s government-related involvement covers programs and contracts. The company has a significant stake in leading global companies which makes it one of the largest investors in the world.
BlackRock investment strategy
The fact that the company has over $ 11.5 trillion under its management only indicates its massive expertise in the investment and capital management industry. The core tactics of BlackRock involve several avenues.
Aladdin Risk management
BlackRock’s in-house platform Aladdin delivers advanced risk analytics and portfolio management solutions to over 100 global institutional clients, making it the backbone of its investment decisions.
Stealth indexing
BlackRock widely employs stealth indexing, which blends active management with passive indexing strategies to optimize returns while managing risk efficiently.
Top holdings
BlackRock diversifies its portfolio and invests in major technology stocks like Apple, Nvidia, and Microsoft, along with significant allocations to the U.S. Treasury bonds, which ensures the company has the risks balanced and promotes its stability. Portfolio diversification is a very effective strategy when controlling this much capital.
Overall, BlackRock uses mostly conservative and very well-tested strategies to ensure stability and growth in the long term.
BlackRock influence - A major player
BlackRock has massive assets under management which makes it influential when it comes to global financial markets. Let’s analyze how influential it is and what policies shape its position in the global financial landscape.
Government advisory role
BlackRock advises leading governmental and regulatory institutions around the world. The firm has been contracted by the U.S. Treasury during times of market stress to help manage bond-buying programs. The risk management expertise of BlackRock is leveraged by institutions like ECB and Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF). These roles indicate BlackRock's significant influence over global financial policy and market stability.
ESG leadership and lobbying
The company is also known for its proactive stance on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. The firm has pushed many Fortune 500 companies to adopt climate and sustainability goals. Larry Fink also uses his voting power as a major shareholder to encourage companies to integrate ESG strategies and practices into their business models, influencing corporate behavior on a global scale.
Market power and institutional reach
With more than $ 11.5 trillion in assets under management, BlackRock’s reach includes major asset classes and markets worldwide. Since the company owns serious stakes in major tech giants, it potentially has the ability to shape market trends and influence global flows.
Criticism
Many critics sometimes go as far as to call BlackRock the “fourth branch of government” to emphasize that the company has a massive financial power that could be translated into influence over public policy and regulations.
BlackRock Holdings - Too Big to Fail?
The BlackRock global markets dominance was not by chance, as the company worked hard and diligently during crisis periods to maintain its capital and buy valuable assets.
2008 financial crisis
During the 2008 financial crisis, Larry Fink BlackRock was entrusted with distressed assets like Lehman Brothers’ portfolio, which enabled the firm to buy these assets at a discounted price. While these actions were essential to stabilize collapsing markets, some critics still argue that BlackRock made significant profits from these investments and solidified its “too big to fail” status.
2023 SEC fines
BlackRock was fined in 2023 by a $12 million fine for issuing misleading disclosures about its operations. However, when compared to the firm’s scale, this fine did not contain any noticeable risks for the company. Slight concerns were raised about BlackRocks transparency, and its willingness to adhere to regulatory standards.
Ethical challenges and concerns
BlackRock has also faced several challenges when it comes to ethics as the firm has implemented investments in controversial sectors linked to human rights issues. The firm was accused of investing in Chinese companies involved in surveillance and related technologies which might contradict its public commitments to ESG (environmental, social, and governance) principles.
BlackRock cases studies
Let’s now discuss some of the most important cases with BlackRock including the most important recent 2008 crisis and COVID-19 events.
BlackRock 2008 Bailout
When the 2008 crisis hit in the USA, BlackRock was entrusted by the Federal Reserve to manage around $130 billion in toxic assets which were acquired at discounted prices.
Result
BlackRock generated around $120 million in fees and further solidified its government relationships and reputation as a stabilizing force during the financial crisis.
BlackRock COVID-19 ETF Surge
In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic caused major market volatility, BlackRock’s iShares ETFs experienced an inflow of large amounts (about $400 million) as investors tried to diversify their portfolio and liquid exposure.
Result
This inflow of capital resulted in a roughly 45% surge in BlackRock’s stock price over a year, which indicated investor confidence in the firm’s strategic approach during crisis periods.
Key Takeaways
- Massive Scale - BlackRock oversees over $11.5 trillion in assets, which is the largest in the world.
- Founding and growth - Founded in 1988 by Larry Fuink and partners, acquired Merrill Lynch Investment Managers in 2006 and Barclays Global Investors in 2009.
- BlackRock Ownership - Institutional investors own 75% of BlackRock stock, and 0.5% is owned by Lary Fink.
- BlackRock Leadership - Larry Fink has been a CEO for a long time. He has shaped the firm’s strategic direction and its push into ESG investing.
- BlackRock Technological Edge - Aladdin is a powerful risk management platform that gives the firm unique insights into market trends and risks.
- BlackRock Portfolio - It invests in ETFs, retirement funds, government programs, and major stocks.
- BlackRock vs Vanguard - Unlike Vanguard’s client-owned and passive indexing model, BlackRock is publicly traded and uses both active management and ETFs.
- Stock valuation - BlackRock’s 22-23 P/E ratio reflects its strong fundamentals and growing investor confidence.
- BlackRock Global influence - The scale and diversified holdings of BlackRock give it enough power to influence global markets and advise governments.
- Resilience during crisis - 2008 and COVID-19 case studies show the company’s ability to stabilize markets and capitalize on crises.
- Conspiracies and criticism - Despite its influence BlackRock has faced controversies including SEC fines for misleading disclosures fueling debates about its “too big to fail” status.
FAQs on Who Owns BlackRock? The Power Behind the World’s Largest Asset Manager
Who owns BlackRock?
BlackRock’s stocks are owned by the public, institutional investors, and retail investors.
Is BlackRock bigger than Vanguard?
Yes, when it comes to Assets Under management (AUM) BlackRock is bigger than Vanguard.
Who regulates BlackRock?
BlackRock is a US-based company that is regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and multiple global agencies.