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BlackRock (NYSE:BLK) reported stronger-than-expected first-quarter earnings on Friday, supported by consistent growth in its fee-based business, particularly across private markets, exchange-traded funds, and systematic active strategies.
Adjusted earnings per share came in at $11.30, exceeding the average analyst estimate of $10.21. While that figure was down from $11.93 in the previous quarter, it improved from $9.81 in Q1 2024.
Revenue for the period was $5.28 billion, just below the consensus forecast of $5.31 billion, slipping from $5.68 billion in Q4 but rising from $4.73 billion a year ago.
The firm recorded $84 billion in long-term net inflows, narrowly missing the $90 billion estimate from Visible Alpha and trailing the $281 billion inflows logged in Q4. Assets under management reached $11.58 trillion, slightly below the $11.66 trillion expected, with market declines offsetting part of the new inflows.
Revenue from investment advisory, administration, and securities lending totaled $4.40 billion, slightly down from $4.42 billion in the previous quarter but higher than $3.78 billion in Q1 last year. Technology services revenue reached $436 million, climbing both sequentially and year over year.
Total expenses declined to $3.58 billion from $3.60 billion in Q4 and rose from $3.04 billion a year earlier.
CEO Laurence Fink described the 6% organic base fee growth as the firm's strongest start to a year since 2021, emphasizing the company's positioning in sectors expected to attract continued investment amid broader market instability.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.