- Business
- BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK; FWB:BLQA) operates as the world's largest asset manager, providing investment management, advisory, risk management, and technology-enabled services to institutional and retail investors worldwide. Founded in 1988 and headquartered in New York City, the company manages approximately $12.5 trillion in assets under management as of 2025, with 70 offices across 30 countries and clients in 100 countries. BlackRock offers a broad array of core products and services, including iShares exchange-traded funds (ETFs), fixed income portfolios across various sectors, maturities, currencies, and credit qualities; equity strategies spanning global markets, styles, and capitalization ranges; multi-asset class solutions; alternative investments such as private equity, real estate equity and debt, hedge funds, commodities, and structured products; cash management instruments; and technology platforms like the Aladdin risk management and investment analytics system, alongside BlackRock Solutions for financial risk management, advisory, and transition services. The firm serves diverse clients, including individuals, families, educational institutions, governments, insurance companies, and nonprofits, with a focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) integration. In recent developments, BlackRock completed the acquisition of HPS Investment Partners in July 2025 to bolster its private credit and real estate capabilities; finalized a $40 billion acquisition of Aligned Data Centers in October 2025 through the AI Infrastructure Partnership (AIP) consortium with partners including Microsoft, Nvidia, xAI, MGX, and others to expand AI data center infrastructure across the United States and Latin America; welcomed Nvidia and xAI to AIP in March 2025 while collaborating with GE Vernova and NextEra Energy on energy solutions for AI; and completed the acquisition of Viridium, a European life insurance consolidator, in July 2025 alongside top-tier insurers and asset managers. These moves reflect BlackRock's strategic push into private markets, infrastructure, and AI-driven investments, building on its integration of Global Infrastructure Partners.