BlackRock is the largest asset manager in the world, with $15... Show more
As the world's largest asset manager, BlackRock's quarterly results are a closely watched barometer for global capital markets and investor sentiment. The third quarter marked the first fully comparable period since BlackRock completed its $12 billion acquisition of alternative credit specialist HPS Investment Partners in July 2025, making this report a key test of the firm's push into higher-fee private markets. With AUM now surpassing $15 trillion, investors are focused on whether BlackRock can sustain double-digit organic growth and translate its expanding platform into durable earnings power, even as its shares had lagged the broader market through much of 2026.
BlackRock reported third quarter 2026 revenue of $7.75 billion, a 19% increase from $6.51 billion a year earlier. Adjusted EPS came in at $15.93, up 38% year over year and ahead of the FactSet consensus estimate of about $14.32. On a GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) basis, diluted EPS was $10.57, up 25%, reflecting a noncash change in the fair value of contingent consideration tied to prior acquisitions. Net income attributable to BlackRock rose roughly 25% to $1.66 billion.
Total AUM climbed 15% year over year to a record $15.5 trillion, supported by $205 billion of net inflows. Long-term investment funds attracted $175 billion, exceeding analyst expectations, while cash and money-market funds added $31 billion. iShares ETFs drew $135 billion, and active strategies pulled in $66 billion. Annualized organic base fee growth reached 11%. Technology services and subscription revenue increased 14% to $588 million, and annual contract value (ACV, a measure of recurring technology revenue) rose 12%.
Tickeron's AI Screener is an AI-powered stock and ETF discovery tool that helps traders and investors filter the market based on technical patterns, fundamentals, trends, volatility, and AI-driven signals. Users can scan thousands of stocks and ETFs using customizable filters such as industry, market capitalization, technical indicators, price patterns, and performance metrics. The screener helps identify trade ideas, trending stocks, breakout candidates, and market opportunities more efficiently than manual screening. Explore the AI Screener to uncover ideas aligned with your own research process.
BlackRock shares rose in premarket trading following the report, climbing more than 4% before paring some gains. The stock had been down roughly 0.4% for the year through the day before earnings, trailing the S&P 500, so the beat on both revenue and adjusted EPS provided a welcome catalyst. Investors responded positively to the breadth of inflows across ETFs, active strategies, private markets, and cash, as well as the record AUM figure. Still, attention remained on the firm's lower-fee institutional index products, which recorded outflows, a reminder that growth increasingly hinges on higher-fee categories.
BlackRock enters the fourth quarter, historically its seasonally strongest period, with management citing accelerating momentum and a broad pipeline spanning whole-portfolio solutions, private markets, retirement, and international platforms. CEO Laurence Fink described growing demand for capital across the global economy and positioned the firm at the center of how that capital is allocated.
Investors should monitor whether organic base fee growth can stay at or above the 5% target, particularly as the firm continues shifting toward higher-fee areas such as private credit, infrastructure, and systematic strategies. The integration of HPS Investment Partners and the performance of alternatives remain key watch items, along with technology ACV growth and the expansion of Aladdin and Preqin partnerships.
Fink also highlighted artificial intelligence infrastructure financing as a major long-term opportunity, noting early discussions with hyperscalers around financing data centers and related build-outs. Cost trends, including compensation tied to higher operating income and performance fees, will also shape margin expansion after the firm posted a 47.8% adjusted operating margin. No specific forward guidance figures were revised beyond these themes.
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
a provider of investment and risk management services
Industry InvestmentManagers