Blackstone experienced a step decline in profits in its latest quarter, but exceeded analysts’ estimates of distributable earnings.
The private equity and financial services company reported net income per share on a diluted basis of 45 cents for the second quarter, down -59% from a year ago (based on generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)).
Increased earnings from the sale of assets in Blackstone’s private equity, credit and fund-of-hedge-funds divisions was offset by a decline in proceeds from divestments in its real estate unit.
Nevertheless, the company’s distributable earnings – which represents cash available for paying dividends – came in at 57 cents per share, beating analysts’ expectations of 49 cents (based on Refinitiv data).
According to Blackstone, its assets under management surged to a record $545.5 billion in the three months through June, compared to the year-ago quarter’s $511.8 billion.
Blackstone said that the value of its private equity portfolio rose by 0.7%, compared to a 3.8% increase in the benchmark S&P 500 stock index.
CEO Stephen Schwarzman indicated that the U.S.-China trade war had limited effect on Blackstone because the firm does not own many businesses in the global supply chain.