UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

x

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20152017

or

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from               to             .

Commission File No. 001-33099

 

 

BlackRock, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

32-0174431

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(212) 810-5300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class 

Name of each exchange on which registered 

Common Stock, $.01 par value

1.250% Notes due 2025

 

New York Stock Exchange

New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known, seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  o    No  x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  o    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “smaller reporting“emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one)

Large accelerated filer                Accelerated filer

      

Large accelerated filer

x

Accelerated filer

o

Non-accelerated filer

o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

            Smaller reporting company

            Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.    

Smaller reporting company

o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  o    No  x

The aggregate market value of the voting common stock and nonvoting common stock equivalents held by nonaffiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 20152017 was approximately $56.3$67.3 billion.

As of January 31, 2016,2018, there were 163,941,835160,718,719 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The following documents are incorporated by reference herein:

Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement of BlackRock, Inc. to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the general rules and regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for the 20162018 annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 25, 201623, 2018 (“Proxy Statement”) are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

 

 

 


BlackRock, Inc.

Table of Contents

 

PART I

 

 

 

 

Item 1

Business

1

Item 1A

Risk Factors

18

Item 1B

Unresolved Staff Comments

2628

Item 2

Properties

2628

Item 3

Legal Proceedings

2628

Item 4

Mine Safety Disclosures

2729

 

 

PART II

 

 

 

 

Item 5

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

2730

Item 6

Selected Financial Data

2831

Item 7

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

3033

Item 7A

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

5458

Item 8

Financial Statements and Supplemental Data

5559

Item 9

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

5559

Item 9A

Controls and Procedures

5559

Item 9B

Other Information

5862

 

 

PART III

 

 

 

 

Item 10

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

5862

Item 11

Executive Compensation

5862

Item 12

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

5862

Item 13

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

5862

Item 14

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

5862

 

 

PART IV

 

 

 

 

Item 15

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

5862

 

Signatures

6166

 

 


Part I

Item 1. Business

Overview

BlackRock, Inc. (together, with its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise indicates, “BlackRock” or the “Company”) is a leading publicly traded investment management firm with $4.645$6.288 trillion of assets under management (“AUM”) at December 31, 2015.2017. With approximately 13,900 employees in more than 30 countries who serve clients in over 100 countries across the globe, BlackRock provides a broad range of investment, and risk management and technology services to institutional and retail clients worldwide.

Our diverse platform of alpha-seeking active, (alpha)index and index (beta)cash management investment strategies across asset classes enables the Company to tailor investment outcomes and asset allocation solutions for clients. Our product offerings includeWe offer single- and multi-asset class portfolios investing in equities, fixed income, alternatives and money market instruments. Products are offered directly and through intermediaries in a variety of vehicles, including open-end and closed-end mutual funds, iShares® exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), separate accounts, collective investment fundstrusts and other pooled investment vehicles. WeBlackRock also offer our BlackRock Solutions® (“BRS”)offers the investment and risk management technology platform, Aladdin®, risk analytics, advisory and advisorytechnology services and solutions to a broad base of institutional investors.and wealth management clients. The Company is highly regulated and servesmanages its clientsclients’ assets as a fiduciary. We do not engage in proprietary trading activities that could conflict with the interests of our clients.

BlackRock serves a diverse mix of institutional and retail clients across the globe. Clients include tax-exempt institutions, such as defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans, charities, foundations and endowments; official institutions, such as central banks, sovereign wealth funds, supranationals and other government entities; taxable institutions, including insurance companies, financial institutions, corporations and third-party fund sponsors, and retail investors.

BlackRock maintains a significant global sales and marketing presence that is focused on establishing and maintaining retail and institutional investment management and technology service relationships by marketing its services to investors directly and through third-party distribution relationships, including financial professionals and pension consultants, and establishing third-party distribution relationships.consultants.

BlackRock is an independent, publicly traded company, with no single majority shareholder and over two-thirds of its Board of Directors consisting of independent directors. At December 31, 2015,2017, The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”) held 21.1%21.2% of BlackRock’s voting common stock and 22.2%21.7% of BlackRock’s capital stock, which includes outstanding common stock and nonvoting preferred stock.

Management seeks to achieve attractive returnsdeliver value for stockholders over time by, among other things, capitalizing on the following factors:BlackRock’s differentiated competitive position, including:

the Company’s focus on strong performance providing alpha for active products and limited or no tracking error for index products;

the Company’s global reach and commitment to best practices around the world, with approximately 48%49% of employees outside the United States serving clients locally and supporting local investment capabilities and serving clients, and approximately 42%capabilities. Approximately 40% of total AUM is managed for clients domiciled outside the United States;

the Company’s diversified activebreadth of investment strategies, including market-cap weighted index, smart beta and indexfactor-based, high conviction alpha and liquid and illiquid alternative product offerings, which enhance its ability to offer a variety of traditional and alternative investment products across the risk spectrum and to tailor single- and multi-asset investment solutions to address specific client needs;

the Company’s differentiated client relationships and fiduciary focus, which enable effective positioning toward changing client needs and macro trends including the secular shift to passiveindex investing and ETFs, a focus on income and retirement, and barbelling of risk using index and active products, including alternatives; and

the Company’s longstanding commitment to innovation, technology and risk management and the continued development of, and increased interest in, BRSBlackRock technology products and services.solutions, including Aladdin, Aladdin Risk for Wealth Management, Cachematrix, and FutureAdvisor, as well as Scalable Capital and iCapital, in which BlackRock has made minority investments.

BlackRock operates in a global marketplace characterizedimpacted by a high degree ofchanging market volatilitydynamics and economic uncertainty, factors that can significantly affect earnings and stockholder returns in any given period.

The Company’s ability to increase revenue, earnings and stockholder value over time is predicated on its ability to generate new business, including business in BRSAladdin and other technology products and services. New business efforts depend on BlackRock’s ability to achieve clients’ investment objectives in a manner consistent with their risk preferences and to deliver excellent client service. All of these efforts require the commitment and contributions of BlackRock employees. Accordingly, the ability to attract, develop and retain talented professionals is critical to the Company’s long-term success.

 

 

 

1


Financial Highlights

 

(in millions, except per share data)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2012

 

 

2011

 

 

5-Year

CAGR(4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAAP:

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

5-Year

CAGR(4)

 

Total revenue

 

$

11,401

 

 

$

11,081

 

 

$

10,180

 

 

$

9,337

 

 

$

9,081

 

 

 

6

%

 

$

12,491

 

 

$

11,155

 

 

$

11,401

 

 

$

11,081

 

 

$

10,180

 

 

 

6

%

Operating income

 

$

4,664

 

 

$

4,474

 

 

$

3,857

 

 

$

3,524

 

 

$

3,249

 

 

 

9

%

 

$

5,272

 

 

$

4,570

 

 

$

4,664

 

 

$

4,474

 

 

$

3,857

 

 

 

8

%

Operating margin

 

 

40.9

%

 

 

40.4

%

 

 

37.9

%

 

 

37.7

%

 

 

35.8

%

 

 

3

%

 

 

42.2

%

 

 

41.0

%

 

 

40.9

%

 

 

40.4

%

 

 

37.9

%

 

 

2

%

Nonoperating income (expense)(1)

 

$

(69

)

 

$

(49

)

 

$

97

 

 

$

(36

)

 

$

(116

)

 

N/A

 

 

$

(32

)

 

$

(108

)

 

$

(69

)

 

$

(49

)

 

$

97

 

 

N/A

 

Net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc.

 

$

3,345

 

 

$

3,294

 

 

$

2,932

 

 

$

2,458

 

 

$

2,337

 

 

 

10

%

 

$

4,970

 

 

$

3,172

 

 

$

3,345

 

 

$

3,294

 

 

$

2,932

 

 

 

15

%

Diluted earnings per common share

 

$

19.79

 

 

$

19.25

 

 

$

16.87

 

 

$

13.79

 

 

$

12.37

 

 

 

13

%

 

$

30.23

 

 

$

19.04

 

 

$

19.79

 

 

$

19.25

 

 

$

16.87

 

 

 

17

%

 

(in millions, except per share data)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2012

 

 

2011

 

 

5-Year

CAGR(4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As adjusted(2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

5-Year

CAGR(4)

 

Operating income

 

$

4,695

 

 

$

4,563

 

 

$

4,024

 

 

$

3,574

 

 

$

3,392

 

 

 

8

%

 

$

5,287

 

 

$

4,674

 

 

$

4,695

 

 

$

4,563

 

 

$

4,024

 

 

 

8

%

Operating margin(2)

 

 

42.9

%

 

 

42.9

%

 

 

41.4

%

 

 

40.4

%

 

 

39.7

%

 

 

2

%

 

 

44.1

%

 

 

43.7

%

 

 

42.9

%

 

 

42.9

%

 

 

41.4

%

 

 

2

%

Nonoperating income (expense)(1)

 

$

(70

)

 

$

(56

)

 

$

7

 

 

$

(42

)

 

$

(113

)

 

N/A

 

 

$

(32

)

 

$

(108

)

 

$

(70

)

 

$

(56

)

 

$

7

 

 

N/A

 

Net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc.(3)

 

$

3,313

 

 

$

3,310

 

 

$

2,882

 

 

$

2,438

 

 

$

2,239

 

 

 

9

%

 

$

3,716

 

 

$

3,214

 

 

$

3,313

 

 

$

3,310

 

 

$

2,882

 

 

 

9

%

Diluted earnings per common share(3)

 

$

19.60

 

 

$

19.34

 

 

$

16.58

 

 

$

13.68

 

 

$

11.85

 

 

 

12

%

 

$

22.60

 

 

$

19.29

 

 

$

19.60

 

 

$

19.34

 

 

$

16.58

 

 

 

11

%

 

N/A

— not applicable

(1)

Net of net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests (“NCI”) (redeemable and nonredeemable).

(2)

BlackRock reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”); however, management believes evaluating the Company’s ongoing operating results may be enhanced if investors have additional non-GAAP financial measures.

See Item“Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Non-GAAP Financial Measures,Measures”, for further information on non-GAAP financial measures and for as adjusted items for 2015,2017, 2016, and 2015.

In 2014, general and 2013.administration expense relating to the reduction of an indemnification asset has been excluded since it is directly offset by a tax benefit of the same amount and, consequently, did not impact BlackRock’s book value. In 2012,2013, the Company made a charitable contribution of the Company’s investment in PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (“PennyMac”) to a donor advised fund. The expense related to the charitable contribution was excluded from operating income, as adjusted, included an adjustmentdue to its nonrecurring nature and because the noncash, nonoperating pre-tax gain directly related to estimated lease exit costs initially recordedthe contributed PennyMac investment was reported in 2011 and the contribution to certain of the Company’s bank-managed short-term investment funds (“STIFs”)nonoperating income (expense). In 2011, operating income, as adjusted, included U.K. lease exit costs which represent costs to exit two locations in London2014 and restructuring charges. In 2012 and 2011,2013, the portion of compensation expense associated with certain long-term incentive plans (“LTIP”) funded, or to be funded, through share distributions to participants of BlackRock stock held by PNC has been excluded because it ultimately did not impact BlackRock’s book value. Compensation expense associated with appreciation (depreciation) on investments related to certain BlackRock deferred compensation plans has been excluded as returns on investments set aside for these plans, which substantially offset this expense, are reported in nonoperating income (expense).

(3)

Net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc., as adjusted, and diluted earnings per common share, as adjusted exclude the after-tax impact of the items listedreferred to above and also include the effect on deferred income tax expense resulting from certain income tax matters.

(4)

Percentage represents compounded annual growth rate (“CAGR”) over a five-year period (2010-2015)(2012-2017).

 

 

Assets Under Management

The Company’s AUM by product type for the years 20112013 through 20152017 is presented below.

 

 

December 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2012

 

 

2011

 

 

5-Year

CAGR(1)

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

5-Year

CAGR(1)

 

Equity

 

$

2,423,772

 

 

$

2,451,111

 

 

$

2,317,695

 

 

$

1,845,501

 

 

$

1,560,106

 

 

 

7

%

 

$

3,371,641

 

 

$

2,657,176

 

 

$

2,423,772

 

 

$

2,451,111

 

 

$

2,317,695

 

 

 

13

%

Fixed income

 

 

1,422,368

 

 

 

1,393,653

 

 

 

1,242,186

 

 

 

1,259,322

 

 

 

1,247,722

 

 

 

5

%

 

 

1,855,465

 

 

 

1,572,365

 

 

 

1,422,368

 

 

 

1,393,653

 

 

 

1,242,186

 

 

 

8

%

Multi-asset

 

 

376,336

 

 

 

377,837

 

 

 

341,214

 

 

 

267,748

 

 

 

225,170

 

 

 

15

%

 

 

480,278

 

 

 

395,007

 

 

 

376,336

 

 

 

377,837

 

 

 

341,214

 

 

 

12

%

Alternatives

 

 

112,839

 

 

 

111,240

 

 

 

111,114

 

 

 

109,795

 

 

 

104,948

 

 

 

1

%

 

 

129,347

 

 

 

116,938

 

 

 

112,839

 

 

 

111,240

 

 

 

111,114

 

 

 

3

%

Long-term

 

 

4,335,315

 

 

 

4,333,841

 

 

 

4,012,209

 

 

 

3,482,366

 

 

 

3,137,946

 

 

 

7

%

 

 

5,836,731

 

 

 

4,741,486

 

 

 

4,335,315

 

 

 

4,333,841

 

 

 

4,012,209

 

 

 

11

%

Cash management

 

 

299,884

 

 

 

296,353

 

 

 

275,554

 

 

 

263,743

 

 

 

254,665

 

 

 

1

%

 

 

449,949

 

 

 

403,584

 

 

 

299,884

 

 

 

296,353

 

 

 

275,554

 

 

 

11

%

Advisory

 

 

10,213

 

 

 

21,701

 

 

 

36,325

 

 

 

45,479

 

 

 

120,070

 

 

 

(42

%)

 

 

1,515

 

 

 

2,782

 

 

 

10,213

 

 

 

21,701

 

 

 

36,325

 

 

 

(49

%)

Total

 

$

4,645,412

 

 

$

4,651,895

 

 

$

4,324,088

 

 

$

3,791,588

 

 

$

3,512,681

 

 

 

5

%

 

$

6,288,195

 

 

$

5,147,852

 

 

$

4,645,412

 

 

$

4,651,895

 

 

$

4,324,088

 

 

 

11

%

 

(1)

Percentage represents CAGR over a five-year period (2010-2015)(2012-2017).

Component changes in AUM by product type for the five years ended December 31, 20152017 are presented below.

 

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2010

 

 

Net Inflows

(Outflows)

 

 

Adjustment/

Acquisitions(1)

 

 

Market

Change

 

 

FX

Impact

 

 

December 31,

2015

 

 

5-Year

CAGR(2)

 

 

December 31,

2012

 

 

Net inflows

(outflows)

 

 

Adjustment/

acquisitions(1)

 

 

Market

change

 

 

FX

impact

 

 

December 31,

2017

 

 

5-Year

CAGR(2)

 

Equity

 

$

1,694,467

 

 

$

252,591

 

 

$

(16,112

)

 

$

605,577

 

 

$

(112,751

)

 

$

2,423,772

 

 

 

7

%

 

$

1,845,501

 

 

$

356,005

 

 

$

7,849

 

 

$

1,254,390

 

 

$

(92,104

)

 

$

3,371,641

 

 

 

13

%

Fixed income

 

 

1,141,324

 

 

 

122,375

 

 

 

2,968

 

 

 

230,218

 

 

 

(74,517

)

 

 

1,422,368

 

 

 

5

%

 

 

1,259,322

 

 

 

483,620

 

 

 

467

 

 

 

192,165

 

 

 

(80,109

)

 

 

1,855,465

 

 

 

8

%

Multi-asset

 

 

185,587

 

 

 

146,838

 

 

 

6,442

 

 

 

62,110

 

 

 

(24,641

)

 

 

376,336

 

 

 

15

%

 

 

267,748

 

 

 

112,926

 

 

 

6,364

 

 

 

109,515

 

 

 

(16,275

)

 

 

480,278

 

 

 

12

%

Alternatives

 

 

109,738

 

 

 

(6,541

)

 

 

21,345

 

 

 

(6,310

)

 

 

(5,393

)

 

 

112,839

 

 

 

1

%

 

 

109,795

 

 

 

8,634

 

 

 

17,736

 

 

 

(1,718

)

 

 

(5,100

)

 

 

129,347

 

 

 

3

%

Long-term

 

 

3,131,116

 

 

 

515,263

 

 

 

14,643

 

 

 

891,595

 

 

 

(217,302

)

 

 

4,335,315

 

 

 

7

%

 

 

3,482,366

 

 

 

961,185

 

 

 

32,416

 

 

 

1,554,352

 

 

 

(193,588

)

 

 

5,836,731

 

 

 

11

%

Cash management

 

 

279,175

 

 

 

25,411

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,487

 

 

 

(8,189

)

 

 

299,884

 

 

 

1

%

 

 

263,743

 

 

 

110,751

 

 

 

80,635

 

 

 

3,045

 

 

 

(8,225

)

 

 

449,949

 

 

 

11

%

Advisory

 

 

150,677

 

 

 

(134,686

)

 

 

 

 

 

1,676

 

 

 

(7,454

)

 

 

10,213

 

 

 

(42

%)

 

 

45,479

 

 

 

(39,090

)

 

-

 

 

 

759

 

 

 

(5,633

)

 

 

1,515

 

 

 

(49

%)

Total

 

$

3,560,968

 

 

$

405,988

 

 

$

14,643

 

 

$

896,758

 

 

$

(232,945

)

 

$

4,645,412

 

 

 

5

%

 

$

3,791,588

 

 

$

1,032,846

 

 

$

113,051

 

 

$

1,558,156

 

 

$

(207,446

)

 

$

6,288,195

 

 

 

11

%

 

(1)

Amounts include AUM acquired from Claymore Investments, Inc. (“Claymore”) in March 2012, Swiss Re Private Equity Partners (“SRPEP”) in September 2012, Credit Suisse’s ETF franchise (“Credit Suisse ETF Transaction”) in July 2013 and MGPA in October 2013. Amounts also include AUM acquired in the acquisitionsacquisition of certain assets of BlackRock Kelso Capital Advisors LLC (“BKCA”) in March 2015, AUM acquired from Infraestructura Institucional and FutureAdvisor in October 2015, AUM acquired in the BofA® Global Capital Management transaction in April 2016, and AUM acquired in the acquisition of the equity

2


infrastructure franchise of First Reserve (“First Reserve Transaction”) in June 2017.In addition, amounts include other reclassifications to conform to current period combined AUM policy and presentation. Amounts also include Barclays Global Investors merger-related outflows due to manager concentration considerations prior to the third quarter of 2011 and outflows from scientific active equity performance prior to the second quarter of 2011. As a result of

2


client investment manager concentration limits and the scientific active equity performance, outflows were expected to occur for a period of time subsequent to the close of the transaction.

(2)

Percentage represents CAGR over a five-year period (2010-2015)(2012-2017).

 

AUM represents the broad range of financial assets we manage for clients on a discretionary basis pursuant to investment management agreements that are expected to continue for at least 12 months. In general, reported AUM reflects the valuation methodology that corresponds to the basis used for billingdetermining revenue (for example, net asset value). Reported AUM does not include assets for which we provide risk management or other forms of nondiscretionary advice, or assets that we are retained to manage on a short-term, temporary basis.

Investment management fees are typically expressedearned as a percentage of AUM. We also earn performance fees on certain portfolios relative to an agreed-upon benchmark or return hurdle. On some products, we also may earn securities lending revenue. In addition, BlackRock offers its proprietary Aladdin investment system as well as risk management, outsourcing, advisory and advisoryother technology services, to institutional investors under the BRS name.and wealth management intermediaries. Revenue for these services may be based on several criteria including value of positions, number of users or accomplishment of specific deliverables or other objectives.deliverables.

At December 31, 2015,2017, total AUM was $4.645$6.288 trillion, representing a CAGR of 5%11% over the last five years. AUM growth during the period was achieved through the combination of net market valuation gains, net inflows and acquisitions, including Claymore and SRPEP, which collectively added $13.7 billion of AUM in 2012, Credit Suisse and MGPA, which collectively added $26.9 billion of AUM in 2013, and BKCA, Infraestructura Institucional and FutureAdvisor, which collectively added $2.2 billion of AUM in 2015.2015, BofA Global Capital Management which added $80.6 billion of AUM in 2016 and First Reserve which added $3.3 billion of AUM in 2017. Our AUM mix encompasses a broadly diversified product range, as described below.

The Company considers the categorization of its AUM by client type, product type, investment style, and client region useful to understanding its business. The following discussion of the Company’s AUM will be organized as follows:

 

Client Type

Product Type

Investment Style

Client Region

¨ Retail

¨ Equity

¨ Active

Americas

¨ iShares ETFs

¨ Fixed Income

¨ Index and iShares ETFs

 Europe, the Middle East and Africa  (“EMEA”)

¨ Institutional

¨ Multi-asset

¨ Asia-Pacific

 

¨ Alternatives

 

 

¨ Cash Management

 

 

Client Type

Our organizational structure was designedBlackRock serves a diverse mix of institutional and retail clients across the globe, with a regionally focused business model.  BlackRock leverages the benefits of scale across global investment, risk and technology platforms while at the same time using local distribution presence to ensure that strong investment performance is our highest priority, and that we best align with our clients’ needs to capitalize on broader industry trends.deliver solutions for clients. Furthermore, our structure facilitates strong teamwork globally across both functions and regions in order to enhance our ability to leverage best practices to serve our clients and continue to develop our talent.  Specifically, our investments functions are split into distinct strategies: Active Equity and Fixed Income, Beta, Multi-Asset, Alternatives and Trading/Liquidity.  

We serve a diverse mix of institutional and retail clients across the globe. Clients include tax-exempt institutions, such as defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans, charities, foundations and endowments; official institutions, such as central banks, sovereign wealth funds, supranationals and other government entities; taxable institutions, including insurance companies, financial institutions, corporations and third-party fund sponsors, and retail investors.

iShares ETFs are a growing component of both institutional and retail client portfolios. However, as iShares ETFs are traded on exchanges, complete transparency on the ultimate end-client is unavailable. Therefore, isiShares ETFs are presented as a separate client type below, with investments in iSharesiShares ETFs by institutions and retail clients excluded from figures and discussions in their respective sections below.sections.

AUM by investment style and client type at December 31, 20152017 is presented below.

 

(in millions)

 

Retail

 

 

iShares

 

 

Institutional

 

 

Total

 

 

Retail

 

 

iShares ETFs

 

 

Institutional

 

 

Total

 

Active

 

$

499,820

 

 

$

 

 

$

962,852

 

 

$

1,462,672

 

 

$

556,697

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,139,308

 

 

$

1,696,005

 

Non-ETF Index

 

 

41,305

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,738,777

 

 

 

1,780,082

 

 

 

71,680

 

 

 

 

 

2,316,807

 

 

 

2,388,487

 

iShares

 

 

 

 

 

1,092,561

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,092,561

 

iShares ETFs

 

 

 

 

1,752,239

 

 

 

 

 

1,752,239

 

Long-term

 

 

541,125

 

 

 

1,092,561

 

 

 

2,701,629

 

 

 

4,335,315

 

 

 

628,377

 

 

 

1,752,239

 

 

 

3,456,115

 

 

 

5,836,731

 

Cash management

 

 

27,406

 

 

 

 

 

 

272,478

 

 

 

299,884

 

 

 

24,354

 

 

 

 

 

425,595

 

 

 

449,949

 

Advisory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,213

 

 

 

10,213

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,515

 

 

 

1,515

 

Total AUM

 

$

568,531

 

 

$

1,092,561

 

 

$

2,984,320

 

 

$

4,645,412

 

Total

 

$

652,731

 

 

$

1,752,239

 

 

$

3,883,225

 

 

$

6,288,195

 

 

Retail

BlackRock serves retail investors globally through a wide array of vehicles across the active and passiveinvestment spectrum, including separate accounts, open-end and closed-end funds, unit trusts and private investment funds. Retail investors are served principally through intermediaries, including broker-dealers, banks, trust companies, insurance companies and independent financial advisors. Clients invest primarily inTechnology solutions and digital distribution tools are increasing the number of financial advisors and end-retail clients using BlackRock products. Retail represented 11% of long-term AUM at December 31, 2017 and 32% of long-term base fees for 2017.

iShares ETFs have a significant retail component, but is shown separately below. With the exclusion of iShares ETFs, retail AUM is predominantly comprised of active mutual funds. Mutual funds which totaled $446.4$519.4 billion, or 83%, of retail long-term AUM at year-end, with the remainder invested in private investment funds and separately managed accounts (“SMAs”). The majority (92%)89% of retail long-term retail AUM is invested in active products, although this is impacted by iSharesproducts. being shown separately. Retail represented 13% of long-term AUM at December 31, 2015 and 35% of long-term base fees for 2015.

3


Component changes in retail long-term AUM for 20152017 are presented below.

 

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2014

 

 

Net

Inflows

 

 

Acquisitions(1)

 

 

Market

Change

 

 

FX

Impact

 

 

December 31,

2015

 

 

December 31,

2016

 

 

Net inflows

(outflows)

 

 

Market

change

 

 

FX

impact

 

 

December 31,

2017

 

Equity

 

$

200,445

 

 

$

8,543

 

 

$

 

 

$

(10,040

)

 

$

(5,193

)

 

$

193,755

 

 

$

196,221

 

 

$

4,145

 

 

$

26,598

 

 

$

6,254

 

 

$

233,218

 

Fixed income

 

 

189,820

 

 

 

31,114

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5,691

)

 

 

(2,590

)

 

 

212,653

 

 

 

222,256

 

 

 

24,503

 

 

 

6,655

 

 

 

4,157

 

 

 

257,571

 

Multi-asset class

 

 

125,341

 

 

 

(1,307

)

 

 

366

 

 

 

(8,108

)

 

 

(985

)

 

 

115,307

 

Multi-asset

 

 

107,997

 

 

 

1,143

 

 

 

10,687

 

 

 

1,028

 

 

 

120,855

 

Alternatives

 

 

18,723

 

 

 

162

 

 

 

1,293

 

 

 

(177

)

 

 

(591

)

 

 

19,410

 

 

 

15,478

 

 

 

101

 

 

 

708

 

 

 

446

 

 

 

16,733

 

Total Retail

 

$

534,329

 

 

$

38,512

 

 

$

1,659

 

 

$

(24,016

)

 

$

(9,359

)

 

$

541,125

 

Total

 

$

541,952

 

 

$

29,892

 

 

$

44,648

 

 

$

11,885

 

 

$

628,377

 

 

(1)

Amounts represent $1.3 billion of AUM acquired in the BKCA acquisition in March 2015 and $366 million of AUM acquired in the FutureAdvisor acquisition in October  2015. The FutureAdvisor acquisition amount does not include AUM that was held in iShares holdings.

The retail client base is diversified geographically, with 70%68% of long-term AUM managed for investors based in the Americas, 24%26% in EMEA and 6% in Asia-Pacific at year-end 2015.2017.

U.S. retail long-term net inflows of $18.7$13.7 billion or 5% organic growth, were led by fixed income net inflows of $20.9$13.1 billion. Fixed income net inflows were diversified across exposures and products, with strong flows into our municipal, unconstrained high yield and coretotal return bond offerings. Equity net inflows of $1.3 billion were driven by flows into our index mutual funds, and we continued to make progress on the reinvigoration and globalizationrepositioning of our fundamental active equity business.platform. Multi-asset class net outflows of $2.5$0.9 billion were primarily due to a large single-client transition out of mutual funds into a series of iShares across asset classes.outflows from world allocation strategies.

International retail long-term net inflows of $19.8$16.2 billion representing 12% organic growth, were positive across major regions and diversified across asset classes. Fixed income products generated net inflows of $10.3$11.4 billion, led by emerging markets debt, unconstrained and short duration and unconstrained strategies as investors looked to manage duration and generate yield in their portfolios. Multi-asset classstrategies. Equity net inflows of $1.2$2.8 billion reflected strong flows into international equities. Multi-asset net inflows of $2.0 billion were driven by flows into managed volatility strategies and the cross-border version of our Multi-Asset Income fund. Equity net inflows of $7.2 billion reflected strong flows into international equities. Alternatives net inflows totaled $1.2 billion, and we remain committed to broadening the distribution of alternatives funds to bring institutional quality alternatives to retail investors.  

iShares ETFs

iShares is the leading ETF provider in the world, with $1.1$1.8 trillion of AUM at December 31, 20152017 and was the top asset gatherer globally in 201520171 with $129.9 billion ofrecord net inflows forof $245.3 billion resulting in an organic growth rate of 13%19%. Equity net inflows of $78.4$174.4 billion were driven by flows into the Core Seriesfunds and into fundsproducts with U.S. and broad developed market equity exposures, partially offset by outflows from emerging market products.exposures. Record fixed income net inflows of $50.3$67.5 billion were diversified across exposures and product lines, led by flows into core,Core, corporate and high yieldtreasury bond funds. iShares ETF multi-asset class and alternativesalternative funds contributed a combined $1.2$3.5 billion of net inflows, primarily into core allocationcommodities funds. iShares ETFs represented 25%30% of long-term AUM at December 31, 20152017 and 35%40% of long-term base fees for 2015.2017.

Component changes in iShares ETFs AUM for 20152017 are presented below.

 

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2014

 

 

Net

Inflows

 

 

Market

Change

 

 

FX

Impact

 

 

December 31,

2015

 

 

December 31,

2016

 

 

Net

inflows

 

 

Market

change

 

 

FX

impact

 

 

December 31,

2017

 

Equity

 

$

790,067

 

 

$

78,408

 

 

$

(32,349

)

 

$

(12,970

)

 

$

823,156

 

 

$

951,252

 

 

$

174,377

 

 

$

189,472

 

 

$

14,509

 

 

$

1,329,610

 

Fixed income

 

 

217,671

 

 

 

50,309

 

 

 

(7,508

)

 

 

(6,282

)

 

 

254,190

 

 

 

314,707

 

 

 

67,451

 

 

 

4,497

 

 

 

8,597

 

 

 

395,252

 

Multi-asset class

 

 

1,773

 

 

 

1,074

 

 

 

(90

)

 

 

(27

)

 

 

2,730

 

Multi-asset

 

 

3,149

 

 

 

322

 

 

 

280

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

3,761

 

Alternatives(1)

 

 

14,717

 

 

 

61

 

 

 

(2,160

)

 

 

(133

)

 

 

12,485

 

 

 

18,771

 

 

 

3,192

 

 

 

1,478

 

 

 

175

 

 

 

23,616

 

Total iShares

 

$

1,024,228

 

 

$

129,852

 

 

$

(42,107

)

 

$

(19,412

)

 

$

1,092,561

 

Total

 

$

1,287,879

 

 

$

245,342

 

 

$

195,727

 

 

$

23,291

 

 

$

1,752,239

 

 

(1)

Amounts include commodity iShares.ETFs.

Our broad iShares ETF product range offers investors a precise, transparent and efficient way to tap market returns and gain accessexposure to a full range of asset classes and global markets that have been difficult for many investors to access, as well as the liquidity required to make adjustments to their exposures quickly and cost-efficiently.

 

U.S. iShares ETF AUM ended 20152017 at $811.4 billion$1.3 trillion with $97.2$201.3 billion of net inflows driven by strong demand for the Core Seriesfunds and U.S. and broad developed market equities as well as a diverse range of fixed income products.2 In 2015, we saw increased investor focus on risk-aware, “smart beta” products, with our minimum volatility funds raising $8.3 billion.

International iShares AUM ended 2015 at $281.1 billion with net inflows of $32.7 billion led by fixed income net inflows of $19.2 billion, primarily into yield-focused categories including high yield and investment grade corporate debt.2 Our international Core Series ranges in Canada and Europe demonstrated solid results in their second year, raising a combined $14.1 billion in net inflows as we continue to expand our international presence among buy-and-hold investors.

International iShares ETF AUM ended 2017 at $424.7 billion with net inflows of $44.1 billion led by equity net inflows of $29.0 billion, which reflected strong flows into our international Core funds in Canada and Europe.

Institutional

BlackRock’s institutional AUM is well diversified by both product and region, and we serveBlackRock serves institutional investors on six continents in sub-categories including: pensions, endowments and foundations, official institutions, and financial institutions.institutions; institutional AUM is diversified across product and region.

1Source: BlackRock; Bloomberg

2Regional iShares ETF amounts based on jurisdiction of product, not underlying client.

Source: BlackRock; Bloomberg

2

Regional iShares amounts based on jurisdiction of product, not underlying client

4


Component changes in Institutionalinstitutional long-term AUM for 20152017 are presented below.

 

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2014

 

 

Net Inflows

(Outflows)

 

 

Acquisition(1)

 

 

Market

Change

 

 

FX

Impact

 

 

December 31,

2015

 

 

December 31,

2016

 

 

Net inflows

(outflows)

 

 

Acquisition(1)

 

 

Market

change

 

 

FX

impact

 

 

December 31,

2017

 

Active:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

$

125,143

 

 

$

(462

)

 

$

 

 

$

960

 

 

$

(4,199

)

 

$

121,442

 

 

$

120,699

 

 

$

(13,594

)

 

$

 

 

$

25,681

 

 

$

4,399

 

 

$

137,185

 

Fixed income

 

 

518,590

 

 

 

5,690

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,220

)

 

 

(8,632

)

 

 

514,428

 

 

 

536,727

 

 

 

(654

)

 

 

 

 

 

22,537

 

 

 

11,440

 

 

 

570,050

 

Multi-asset class

 

 

242,913

 

 

 

18,409

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,074

 

 

 

(10,355

)

 

 

252,041

 

Multi-asset

 

 

276,933

 

 

 

19,604

 

 

 

 

 

 

37,166

 

 

 

14,122

 

 

 

347,825

 

Alternatives

 

 

72,514

 

 

 

3,109

 

 

 

560

 

 

 

(175

)

 

 

(1,067

)

 

 

74,941

 

 

 

75,615

 

 

 

566

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

2,771

 

 

 

2,032

 

 

 

84,248

 

Active subtotal

 

 

959,160

 

 

 

26,746

 

 

 

560

 

 

 

639

 

 

 

(24,253

)

 

 

962,852

 

 

 

1,009,974

 

 

 

5,922

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

88,155

 

 

 

31,993

 

 

 

1,139,308

 

Index:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

1,335,456

 

 

 

(33,711

)

 

 

 

 

 

6,157

 

 

 

(22,483

)

 

 

1,285,419

 

 

 

1,389,004

 

 

 

(34,782

)

 

 

 

 

 

283,684

 

 

 

33,722

 

 

 

1,671,628

 

Fixed income

 

 

467,572

 

 

 

(10,169

)

 

 

 

 

 

2,317

 

 

 

(18,623

)

 

 

441,097

 

 

 

498,675

 

 

 

87,487

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,932

 

 

 

32,498

 

 

 

632,592

 

Multi-asset class

 

 

7,810

 

 

 

(1,009

)

 

 

 

 

 

(289

)

 

 

(254

)

 

 

6,258

 

Multi-asset

 

 

6,928

 

 

 

(739

)

 

 

 

 

 

1,427

 

 

 

221

 

 

 

7,837

 

Alternatives

 

 

5,286

 

 

 

1,793

 

 

 

 

 

 

(924

)

 

 

(152

)

 

 

6,003

 

 

 

7,074

 

 

 

(2,882

)

 

 

 

 

 

294

 

 

 

264

 

 

 

4,750

 

Index subtotal

 

 

1,816,124

 

 

 

(43,096

)

 

 

 

 

 

7,261

 

 

 

(41,512

)

 

 

1,738,777

 

 

 

1,901,681

 

 

 

49,084

 

 

 

 

 

 

299,337

 

 

 

66,705

 

 

 

2,316,807

 

Total Institutional

 

$

2,775,284

 

 

$

(16,350

)

 

$

560

 

 

$

7,900

 

 

$

(65,765

)

 

$

2,701,629

 

Total

 

$

2,911,655

 

 

$

55,006

 

 

$

3,264

 

 

$

387,492

 

 

$

98,698

 

 

$

3,456,115

 

 

(1)

Amounts represent $560 million ofAmount represents AUM acquired in the Infraestructura Institucional acquisition in October 2015.First Reserve Transaction.

Institutional active AUM ended 20152017 at $962.9 billion,$1.1 trillion, reflecting $26.8$5.9 billion of net inflows. Institutional active represented 22%19% of long-term AUM and 20%18% of long-term base fees. Growth in AUM reflected continued strength in multi-asset class products with net inflows of $18.4$19.6 billion reflecting ongoing demand for solutions offerings and the LifePath® target-date suite. Our top-performing fixed income platform generated net inflows of $5.7 billion,diversified across exposures. Alternatives net inflows of $3.1$0.6 billion were led by inflows into infrastructure, hedge fund solutions and alternatives solutions offerings. Excluding return of capital and investment of $6.0 billion, alternatives net inflows were $6.6 billion. In addition, 20152017 was another strong fundraising year for illiquid alternatives, and we raised over $5approximately $11 billion in new commitments, which will be a source of future net inflows. Equity and fixed income net outflows of $0.5were $13.6 billion reflected fundamental net outflows of $2.2and $0.7 billion, which were partially offset by scientific net inflows of $1.7 billion.respectively.  

Institutional index AUM totaled $1.739$2.3 trillion at December 31, 2015,2017, reflecting net outflowsinflows of $43.1$49.1 billion. Fixed income net inflows of $87.5 billion were driven by demand for liability-driven investment solutions, particularly in Europe. Equity net outflows of $33.7$34.8 billion were primarily due to low-fee global and regional index equity outflows as clients looked to re-allocate, re-balance or meet their cash needs. Fixed incomeAlternatives net outflows of $10.2$2.9 billion were concentrated in local currency mandates, linked toreflected outflows from liability management strategies.passive currency overlays. Institutional index represented 40% of long-term AUM at December 31, 20152017 and accounted for 10% of long-term base fees for 2015.2017.

The Company’s institutional clients consist of the following:

Pensions, Foundations and Endowments. BlackRock is among the world’s largest managers of pension plan assets with $1.847$2.403 trillion, or 68%69%, of long-term institutional AUM managed for defined benefit, defined contribution and other pension plans for corporations, governments and unions at December 31, 2015.2017. The market landscape is shiftingcontinues to shift from defined benefit to defined contribution, driving strong flows in our defined contribution channel, which had $36.2$46.5 billion of long-term net inflows for the year, or 6% organic growth, driven by continued demand for our LifePath target-date suite. Defined contribution represented $630.9$887.1 billion of total pension AUM, and we remain well positioned to capitalize on the on-going evolution of the defined contribution market and demand for outcome-oriented investments. An additional $52.8$76.4 billion, or 2%, of long-term institutional AUM was managed for other tax-exempt investors, including charities, foundations and endowments.

Official Institutions. We alsoBlackRock managed $185.0$195.3 billion, or 7%6%, of long-term institutional AUM for official institutions, including central banks, sovereign wealth funds, supranationals, multilateral entities and government ministries and agencies at year-end 2015.2017. These clients often require specialized investment advice, the use of customized benchmarks and training support.

Financial and Other Institutions. BlackRock is a top independent manager of assets for insurance companies, which accounted for $237.7$274.3 billion, or 9%8%, of institutional long-term AUM at year-end 2015.2017. Assets managed for other taxable institutions, including corporations, banks and third-party fund sponsors for which we provide sub-advisory services, totaled $379.4$506.9 billion, or 14%15%, of long-term institutional AUM at year-end.

5


Product Type and investment style

Component changes in AUM by product type and investment style for 20152017 are presented below.

 

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2014

 

 

Net Inflows

(Outflows)

 

 

Acquisitions(1)

 

 

Market

Change

 

 

FX

Impact

 

 

December 31,

2015

 

 

December 31,

2016

 

 

Net inflows

(outflows)

 

 

Acquisition(1)

 

 

Market

change

 

 

FX

impact

 

 

December 31,

2017

 

Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active

 

$

292,802

 

 

$

4,210

 

 

$

 

 

$

(7,738

)

 

$

(7,955

)

 

$

281,319

 

 

$

275,033

 

 

$

(18,506

)

 

$

 

 

$

46,134

 

 

$

8,548

 

 

$

311,209

 

iShares

 

 

790,067

 

 

 

78,408

 

 

 

 

 

 

(32,349

)

 

 

(12,970

)

 

 

823,156

 

iShares ETFs

 

 

951,252

 

 

 

174,377

 

 

 

 

 

189,472

 

 

 

14,509

 

 

 

1,329,610

 

Non-ETF index

 

 

1,368,242

 

 

 

(29,840

)

 

 

 

 

 

4,815

 

 

 

(23,920

)

 

 

1,319,297

 

 

 

1,430,891

 

 

 

(25,725

)

 

 

 

 

289,829

 

 

 

35,827

 

 

 

1,730,822

 

Equity subtotal

 

 

2,451,111

 

 

 

52,778

 

 

 

 

 

 

(35,272

)

 

 

(44,845

)

 

 

2,423,772

 

 

 

2,657,176

 

 

 

130,146

 

 

 

 

 

 

525,435

 

 

 

58,884

 

 

 

3,371,641

 

Fixed income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active

 

 

701,324

 

 

 

35,928

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6,907

)

 

 

(10,692

)

 

 

719,653

 

 

 

749,996

 

 

 

21,541

 

 

 

 

 

28,800

 

 

 

14,798

 

 

 

815,135

 

iShares

 

 

217,671

 

 

 

50,309

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7,508

)

 

 

(6,282

)

 

 

254,190

 

iShares ETFs

 

 

314,707

 

 

 

67,451

 

 

 

 

 

4,497

 

 

 

8,597

 

 

 

395,252

 

Non-ETF index

 

 

474,658

 

 

 

(9,293

)

 

 

 

 

 

2,313

 

 

 

(19,153

)

 

 

448,525

 

 

 

507,662

 

 

 

89,795

 

 

 

 

 

14,324

 

 

 

33,297

 

 

 

645,078

 

Fixed income subtotal

 

 

1,393,653

 

 

 

76,944

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12,102

)

 

 

(36,127

)

 

 

1,422,368

 

 

 

1,572,365

 

 

 

178,787

 

 

 

 

 

 

47,621

 

 

 

56,692

 

 

 

1,855,465

 

Multi-asset class

 

 

377,837

 

 

 

17,167

 

 

 

366

 

 

 

(7,413

)

 

 

(11,621

)

 

 

376,336

 

Multi-asset

 

 

395,007

 

 

 

20,330

 

 

 

 

 

49,560

 

 

 

15,381

 

 

 

480,278

 

Alternatives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core

 

 

88,006

 

 

 

4,080

 

 

 

1,853

 

 

 

(213

)

 

 

(1,641

)

 

 

92,085

 

 

 

88,630

 

 

 

780

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

3,438

 

 

 

2,421

 

 

 

98,533

 

Currency and commodities

 

 

23,234

 

 

 

1,045

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,223

)

 

 

(302

)

 

 

20,754

 

 

 

28,308

 

 

 

197

 

 

 

 

 

1,813

 

 

 

496

 

 

 

30,814

 

Alternatives subtotal

 

 

111,240

 

 

 

5,125

 

 

 

1,853

 

 

 

(3,436

)

 

 

(1,943

)

 

 

112,839

 

 

 

116,938

 

 

 

977

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

5,251

 

 

 

2,917

 

 

 

129,347

 

Long-term

 

 

4,333,841

 

 

 

152,014

 

 

 

2,219

 

 

 

(58,223

)

 

 

(94,536

)

 

 

4,335,315

 

 

 

4,741,486

 

 

 

330,240

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

627,867

 

 

 

133,874

 

 

 

5,836,731

 

Cash management

 

 

296,353

 

 

 

7,510

 

 

 

 

 

 

267

 

 

 

(4,246

)

 

 

299,884

 

 

 

403,584

 

 

 

38,259

 

 

 

 

 

1,239

 

 

 

6,867

 

 

 

449,949

 

Advisory

 

 

21,701

 

 

 

(9,629

)

 

 

 

 

 

461

 

 

 

(2,320

)

 

 

10,213

 

 

 

2,782

 

 

 

(1,245

)

 

 

 

 

(205

)

 

 

183

 

 

 

1,515

 

Total AUM

 

$

4,651,895

 

 

$

149,895

 

 

$

2,219

 

 

$

(57,495

)

 

$

(101,102

)

 

$

4,645,412

 

Total

 

$

5,147,852

 

 

$

367,254

 

 

$

3,264

 

 

$

628,901

 

 

$

140,924

 

 

$

6,288,195

 

 

(1)

Amounts represent $1.3 billion ofAmount represents AUM acquired in the BKCA acquisition in March 2015, $560 million of AUM acquired in the Infraestructura Institucional acquisition in October 2015 and $366 million of AUM acquired in the FutureAdvisor acquisition in October 2015. The FutureAdvisor acquisition amount does not include AUM that was held in iShares holdings.First Reserve Transaction.

Long-term product offerings include alpha-seeking active and index strategies. Our alpha-seeking active strategies seek to earn attractive returns in excess of a market benchmark or performance hurdle while maintaining an appropriate risk profile. We offer two types of active strategies: those that rely primarily onprofile, and leverage fundamental research and those that utilize primarily quantitative models to drive portfolio construction. In contrast, index strategies seek to closely track the returns of a corresponding index, generally by investing in substantially the same underlying securities within the index or in a subset of those securities selected to approximate a similar risk and return profile of the index. Index strategies include both our non-ETF index products and iShares ETFs.

Although many clients use both alpha-seeking active and index strategies, the application of these strategies may differ. For example, clients may use index products to gain exposure to a market or asset class.class, or may use a combination of index strategies to target active returns. In addition, institutional non-ETF index assignments tend to be very large (multi-billion dollars) and typically reflect low fee rates. This has the potential to exaggerate the significance of netNet flows in institutional index products generally have a small impact on BlackRock’s revenues and earnings.

Equity

Year-end 20152017 equity AUM totaled $2.424$3.372 trillion, reflecting net inflows of $52.8$130.1 billion. Net inflows included $78.4 billion and $4.2$174.4 billion into iShares and active products, respectively. iSharesETFs, driven by net inflows were driven by theinto Core Seriesfunds and flows into broad developed and emerging market equity exposures, and active net inflows reflected demand for international equities.  iShares and active net inflows wereequities, partially offset by non-ETF index and active net outflows of $29.8 billion.  $25.7 billion and $18.5 billion, respectively.

BlackRock’s effective fee rates fluctuate due to changes in AUM mix. Approximately half of BlackRock’s equity AUM is tied to international markets, including emerging markets, which tend to have higher fee rates than U.S. equity strategies. Accordingly, fluctuations in international equity markets, which domay not consistently move in tandem with U.S. markets, may have a greater impact on BlackRock’s equity revenues and effective equity fee rates and revenues.rate.

Fixed Income

Fixed income AUM ended 20152017 at $1.422$1.855 trillion, increasing $28.7 billion, or 2%, from December 31, 2014. The increase in AUM reflected $76.9 billion inreflecting net inflows partially offset by $48.2 billion in net market depreciation and foreign exchange movements.of $178.8 billion. In 2015,2017, active net inflows of $35.9$21.5 billion were diversified across fixed income offerings, withand included strong flowsinflows into ourmunicipal, unconstrained and total return and high yield strategies. Flagship funds in these product areas include our unconstrained Strategic Income Opportunities and Fixed Income Strategies funds, withbond funds. iShares ETFs net inflows of $7.0 billion and $3.7 billion, respectively; our Total Return fund with net inflows of $2.7 billion; and our High Yield Bond fund with net inflows of $3.5 billion. Fixed income iShares net inflows of $50.3$67.5 billion were led by flows into core,Core, corporate and high yieldtreasury bond funds. Active and iSharesNon-ETF index net inflows of $89.8 billion were partially offsetdriven by non-ETF index net outflows of $9.3 billion.demand for liability-driven investment solutions.

Multi-Asset Class

BlackRock’s multi-asset class team manages a variety of balanced funds and bespoke mandates for a diversified client base that leverages our broad investment expertise in global equities, bonds, currencies and commodities, and our extensive risk management capabilities. Investment solutions might include a combination of long-only portfolios and alternative investments as well as tactical asset allocation overlays.

6


Component changes in multi-asset class AUM for 20152017 are presented below.

 

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2014

 

 

Net Inflows

(Outflows)

 

 

Acquisition(1)

 

 

Market

Change

 

 

FX

Impact

 

 

December 31,

2015

 

 

December 31,

2016

 

 

Net inflows

(outflows)

 

 

Market

change

 

 

FX

impact

 

 

December 31,

2017

 

Asset allocation and balanced

 

$

183,032

 

 

$

12,926

 

 

$

 

 

$

(6,731

)

 

$

(3,391

)

 

$

185,836

 

 

$

176,675

 

 

$

(2,502

)

 

$

17,387

 

 

$

4,985

 

 

$

196,545

 

Target date/risk

 

 

128,611

 

 

 

218

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,308

)

 

 

(1,857

)

 

 

125,664

 

 

 

149,432

 

 

 

23,925

 

 

 

24,532

 

 

 

1,577

 

 

 

199,466

 

Fiduciary

 

 

66,194

 

 

 

3,985

 

 

 

 

 

 

627

 

 

 

(6,373

)

 

 

64,433

 

 

 

68,395

 

 

 

(1,047

)

 

 

7,522

 

 

 

8,819

 

 

 

83,689

 

FutureAdvisor(1)

 

 

 

 

 

38

 

 

 

366

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

403

 

 

 

505

 

 

 

(46

)

 

 

119

 

 

 

 

 

578

 

Multi-asset

 

$

377,837

 

 

$

17,167

 

 

$

366

 

 

$

(7,413

)

 

$

(11,621

)

 

$

376,336

 

Total

 

$

395,007

 

 

$

20,330

 

 

$

49,560

 

 

$

15,381

 

 

$

480,278

 

(1)

Amounts represent $366 million of AUM acquired in the FutureAdvisor acquisition in October 2015. The FutureAdvisor acquisition amount doesamounts do not include AUM that was held in iShares holdings.ETFs.

6


Multi-asset class net inflows reflected ongoing institutional demand for our solutions-based advice with $17.4$18.9 billion of net inflows coming from institutional clients. Defined contribution plans of institutional clients remained a significant driver of flows, and contributed $7.3$20.8 billion to institutional multi-asset class net new businessinflows in 2015,2017, primarily into target date and target risk product offerings. Retail net outflowsinflows of $1.3$1.1 billion were primarily due to a large single-client transition out of mutual funds into a series of iShares across asset classes. Notwithstanding this transition, retail flows reflected demand for our Multi-Asset Income fund family, which raised $4.6$5.8 billion in 2015.2017.

The Company’s multi-asset class strategies include the following:

Asset allocation and balanced products represented 49%41% of multi-asset class AUM at year-end, with growth in AUM driven by net new business of $12.9 billion.year-end. These strategies combine equity, fixed income and alternative components for investors seeking a tailored solution relative to a specific benchmark and within a risk budget. In certain cases, these strategies seek to minimize downside risk through diversification, derivatives strategies and tactical asset allocation decisions. Flagship products in this category include our Global Allocation and Multi-Asset Income suites.fund families.  

Target date and target risk product flows were impacted by a large single-client transition out of mutual funds into a series of iShares across asset classes. Institutional investors represented 95% of target date and target risk AUM, with defined contribution plans accounting for over 88% of AUM. Flows were driven by defined contribution investments in our LifePath and LifePath Retirement Income® offerings. LifePath products utilize a proprietary asset allocation model that seeks to balance risk and return over an investment horizon based on the investor’s expected retirement timing.

Target date and target risk products grew 16% organically in 2017, with net inflows of $23.9 billion. Institutional investors represented 93% of target date and target risk AUM, with defined contribution plans accounting for 87% of AUM. Flows were driven by defined contribution investments in our LifePath offerings. LifePath products utilize a proprietary active asset allocation overlay model that seeks to balance risk and return over an investment horizon based on the investor’s expected retirement timing. Underlying investments are primarily index products.

Fiduciary management services are complex mandates in which pension plan sponsors or endowments and foundations retain BlackRock to assume responsibility for some or all aspects of planinvestment management. These customized services require strong partnership with the clients’ investment staff and trustees in order to tailor investment strategies to meet client-specific risk budgets and return objectives.

FutureAdvisor is a leading digital wealth management platform, acquired by BlackRock in October 2015. FutureAdvisor operates as a service within BRS, providingprovides financial institutions with high quality, technology-enabled adviceinvestment advisory capabilities to improvemanage their clients’ investment experience.investments. As consumers increasingly engage with technology to invest, BlackRock and FutureAdvisor are positioned to empower distribution partners to better serve their clients by combining FutureAdvisor’s high-quality technology-enabled advice with BlackRock’s multi-asset investment capabilities, proprietary technology and risk analyticsanalytics. FutureAdvisor AUM does not include underlying iShares ETF investments.

Alternatives

BlackRock Alternative Investors (“BAI”) focusesalternatives focus on sourcing and managing high-alpha investments with lower correlation to public markets and developing a holistic approach to address client needs in alternatives investing. Our alternatives products fall into two main categories — 1) core alternatives, and 2) currency and commodities. Core includes alternative solutions,liquid alternatives offerings in direct hedge funds and hedge fund andsolutions (funds of funds), as well as illiquid offerings in alternative solutions, private equity solutions (funds of funds), opportunistic private equity and credit, real estate and infrastructure offerings. Theinfrastructure. BlackRock alternatives products offered under the BAI umbrella are described below.

In 2015, BlackRock returned $3.32017, alternatives generated $1.0 billion of net inflows, or $7.8 billion excluding return of capital/investment of $6.8 billion. The largest contributors to return of capital to investors, which is included in outflows.were real estate and private equity solutions. Net inflows were driven by infrastructure, alternative solutions and hedge fund solutions.  In addition, we raised $5.7approximately $11 billion of new commitments in 20152017 across a variety of strategies, includingled by infrastructure and private equity solutions, opportunistic credit, alternative solutions, real estate and infrastructure.solutions. At year-end, we had $10.9approximately $17 billion of non-fee paying, unfunded, uninvested commitments, which are expected to be deployed in future years; these commitments are not included in AUM or flows until they are invested.fee-paying.

We believe that as alternatives become more conventional and investors adapt their asset allocation strategies, investors will further increase their use of alternative investments to complement core holdings. As a top ten alternativealternatives provider3 our highly diversified $112.8$129.3 billion alternatives franchise is well positioned to meet growing demand from both institutional and retail investors.

 

3

Source: Towers Watson, July 2015

7


Component changes in alternatives AUM for 20152017 are presented in the table below.

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2014

 

 

Net Inflows

(Outflows)

 

 

Acquisitions(1)

 

 

Market

Change

 

 

FX

Impact

 

 

December 31,

2015

 

 

Memo:

Return of

Capital(2)

 

 

December 31,

2016

 

 

Net inflows

(outflows)

 

 

Acquisition(1)

 

 

Market

change

 

 

FX

impact

 

 

December 31,

2017

 

 

Memo:

return of

capital(2)

 

Core:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alternative solutions

 

$

528

 

 

$

1,367

 

 

$

 

 

$

(9

)

 

$

 

 

$

1,886

 

 

$

(127

)

Core alternatives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liquid alternatives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hedge funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct hedge fund strategies

 

 

31,996

 

 

 

(452

)

 

 

 

 

 

508

 

 

 

(1,001

)

 

 

31,051

 

 

 

 

 

$

26,971

 

 

$

(1,019

)

 

$

 

 

$

1,754

 

 

$

1,148

 

 

$

28,854

 

 

$

 

Hedge fund solutions

 

 

19,583

 

 

 

506

 

 

 

 

 

 

59

 

 

 

(31

)

 

 

20,117

 

 

 

(47

)

 

 

20,319

 

 

 

304

 

 

 

 

 

1,693

 

 

 

93

 

 

 

22,409

 

 

 

(475

)

Hedge funds subtotal

 

 

51,579

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

 

 

 

567

 

 

 

(1,032

)

 

 

51,168

 

 

 

(47

)

Total Liquid alternatives

 

 

47,290

 

 

 

(715

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,447

 

 

 

1,241

 

 

 

51,263

 

 

 

(475

)

Illiquid alternatives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alternative solutions

 

 

2,628

 

 

 

447

 

 

 

 

 

79

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

3,159

 

 

 

(222

)

Illiquid and opportunistic:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private equity solutions

 

 

12,340

 

 

 

690

 

 

 

 

 

 

(475

)

 

 

(146

)

 

 

12,409

 

 

 

(1,109

)

 

 

12,016

 

 

 

(93

)

 

 

 

 

(221

)

 

 

113

 

 

 

11,815

 

 

 

(1,873

)

Opportunistic private equity and credit strategies

 

 

802

 

 

 

295

 

 

 

1,293

 

 

 

(18

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,372

 

 

 

(436

)

 

 

2,288

 

 

 

(195

)

 

 

 

 

(72

)

 

 

3

 

 

 

2,024

 

 

 

(783

)

Illiquid and opportunistic subtotal

 

 

13,142

 

 

 

985

 

 

 

1,293

 

 

 

(493

)

 

 

(146

)

 

 

14,781

 

 

 

(1,545

)

 

 

14,304

 

 

 

(288

)

 

 

 

 

(293

)

 

 

116

 

 

 

13,839

 

 

 

(2,656

)

Real assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate

 

 

22,001

 

 

 

(481

)

 

 

 

 

 

(313

)

 

 

(445

)

 

 

20,762

 

 

 

(1,463

)

 

 

19,501

 

 

 

(1,683

)

 

 

 

 

292

 

 

 

834

 

 

 

18,944

 

 

 

(3,092

)

Infrastructure

 

 

756

 

 

 

2,155

 

 

 

560

 

 

 

35

 

 

 

(18

)

 

 

3,488

 

 

 

(76

)

 

 

4,907

 

 

 

3,019

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

(87

)

 

 

225

 

 

 

11,328

 

 

 

(329

)

Real assets subtotal

 

 

22,757

 

 

 

1,674

 

 

 

560

 

 

 

(278

)

 

 

(463

)

 

 

24,250

 

 

 

(1,539

)

 

 

24,408

 

 

 

1,336

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

205

 

 

 

1,059

 

 

 

30,272

 

 

 

(3,421

)

Core subtotal

 

 

88,006

 

 

 

4,080

 

 

 

1,853

 

 

 

(213

)

 

 

(1,641

)

 

 

92,085

 

 

 

(3,258

)

Total Illiquid alternatives

 

 

41,340

 

 

 

1,495

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

1,180

 

 

 

47,270

 

 

 

(6,299

)

Core alternatives subtotal

 

 

88,630

 

 

 

780

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

3,438

 

 

 

2,421

 

 

 

98,533

 

 

 

(6,774

)

Currency and commodities

 

 

23,234

 

 

 

1,045

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,223

)

 

 

(302

)

 

 

20,754

 

 

 

 

 

 

28,308

 

 

 

197

 

 

 

 

 

1,813

 

 

 

496

 

 

 

30,814

 

 

 

Alternatives

 

$

111,240

 

 

$

5,125

 

 

$

1,853

 

 

$

(3,436

)

 

$

(1,943

)

 

$

112,839

 

 

$

(3,258

)

Total

 

$

116,938

 

 

$

977

 

 

$

3,264

 

 

$

5,251

 

 

$

2,917

 

 

$

129,347

 

 

$

(6,774

)

(1)

Amounts represent $1.3 billion ofAmount represents AUM acquired in the BKCA acquisition in March 2015 and $560 million of AUM acquired in the Infraestructura Institucional acquisition in October 2015.First Reserve Transaction.

(2)

Return of capital is included in outflows.

3

Source: Towers Watson, July 2017

Core.

7


Core

The Company’s core alternatives strategies include the following:

Alternative Solutions represent holistic,represents highly customized portfolios of alternative investments. In 2015,2017, alternative solutions portfolios had $1.4$0.5 billion of net inflows.

Hedge Funds net inflowsoutflows of $0.1$0.7 billion were led bydue to net inflowsoutflows of $0.5$1.0 billion intofrom direct hedge fund solutions, our funds, of hedge funds offering, partially offset by $0.4$0.3 billion of net outflows from directinflows in hedge funds.fund solutions. Direct hedge fund AUM includes a variety of single- and multi-strategy offerings.

Illiquid and Opportunistic AUM included $12.4$11.8 billion in private equity solutions and $2.4$2.0 billion in opportunistic private equity and credit offerings. Net inflowsoutflows of $1.0$0.3 billion were predominantly into private equity solutions.  Our acquisition of certain assets of BKCA further enhanced our credit platform through the addition of a middle market, private credit capability.primarily from opportunistic credit.  

Real Assets AUM, totaled $24.3 billion, up $1.5 billion, or 7%. Real assets, which includeincludes infrastructure and real estate, sawtotaled $30.3 billion, reflecting net inflows of $1.7 billion. In 2015, we continued to build our infrastructure capabilities through$1.3 billion and $3.3 billion of AUM acquired in the acquisition of Infraestructura Institucional, a leading infrastructure investment business in Mexico. This acquisition advances our growth strategy in Mexico and Latin America and furthers our commitment to being a leader in infrastructure investing.First Reserve Transaction.

 

Currency and Commodities.Commodities

AUM inThe Company’s currency and commodities declined 11% from year-end 2014, reflecting portfolio valuation declines of $3.5 billion. Currency and commodities products include a range of active and passive products.

Currency and commodities products had $0.2 billion of net inflows, primarily driven by iShares ETFs. Our iShares ETFs commodities products represented $12.5$23.6 billion of AUM and are not eligible for performance fees.

Cash Management

Cash management AUM totaled $299.9$449.9 billion at December 31, 2015, up $3.5 billion, or 1%, from year-end 2014.2017. Cash management products include taxable and tax-exempt money market funds and customized separate accounts. Portfolios are denominated in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, Australian dollars, Euros, Swiss Francs, New Taiwan Dollars or British pounds. WeBlackRock generated net inflows of $7.5$38.3 billion during 2015,2017, reflecting continued market share gains and several large client wins. Strong growth in cash management also reflects successful integration of acquisitions to strengthen our platform and leverage our scale, including the 2017 acquisition of Cachematrix, a period marked by a near zero interest rate environment. BlackRock is workingdistribution technology portal enabling corporate treasurers to bring all U.S. money market funds into full compliance with new regulatory requirements in advance ofallocate among cash management products, and the 2016 deadlines, and is actively repurposing and streamlining our product lineup to meet the future requirements of clients.  In Europe, we continue to be a market leader highlighted by our implementation of the reverse distribution mechanism in our euro funds when facedtransaction with negative rates.  In November 2015, BlackRock and Bank of America’s asset management business, BofABoA Global Capital Management (“BACM”) entered into an agreement to transfer to BlackRock investment management responsibilities for approximately $87 billion of AUM in cash products currently managed by BACM.  The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2016, subject to customary approvals and closing conditions.Management.

Client Region

Our footprints in the Americas, EMEA and Asia-Pacific regions reflect strong relationships with intermediaries and an established ability to deliver our global investment expertise in funds and other products tailored to local regulations and requirements.

8


AUM by product type and client region at December 31, 20152017 is presented below.

 

(in millions)

 

Americas

 

 

EMEA

 

 

Asia-Pacific

 

 

Total

 

 

Americas

 

 

EMEA

 

 

Asia-Pacific

 

 

Total

 

Equity

 

$

1,610,776

 

 

$

622,744

 

 

$

190,252

 

 

$

2,423,772

 

 

$

2,318,852

 

 

$

801,625

 

 

$

251,164

 

 

$

3,371,641

 

Fixed income

 

 

807,722

 

 

 

485,388

 

 

 

129,258

 

 

 

1,422,368

 

 

 

1,011,545

 

 

 

673,762

 

 

 

170,158

 

 

 

1,855,465

 

Multi-asset class

 

 

233,441

 

 

 

120,362

 

 

 

22,533

 

 

 

376,336

 

Multi-asset

 

 

307,557

 

 

 

148,895

 

 

 

23,826

 

 

 

480,278

 

Alternatives

 

 

59,644

 

 

 

35,855

 

 

 

17,340

 

 

 

112,839

 

 

 

64,477

 

 

 

42,977

 

 

 

21,893

 

 

 

129,347

 

Long-term

 

 

2,711,583

 

 

 

1,264,349

 

 

 

359,383

 

 

 

4,335,315

 

 

 

3,702,431

 

 

 

1,667,259

 

 

 

467,041

 

 

 

5,836,731

 

Cash management

 

 

216,079

 

 

 

80,962

 

 

 

2,843

 

 

 

299,884

 

 

 

346,065

 

 

 

99,935

 

 

 

3,949

 

 

 

449,949

 

Advisory

 

 

7,364

 

 

 

2,849

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,213

 

 

 

590

 

 

 

925

 

 

 

 

 

1,515

 

Total

 

$

2,935,026

 

 

$

1,348,160

 

 

$

362,226

 

 

$

4,645,412

 

 

$

4,049,086

 

 

$

1,768,119

 

 

$

470,990

 

 

$

6,288,195

 

 

Component changes in AUM by client region for 20152017 are presented below.

 

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2014

 

 

Net

Inflows

 

 

Acquisitions(1)

 

 

Market

Change

 

 

FX

Impact

 

 

December 31,

2015

 

 

December 31,

2016

 

 

Net inflows

(outflows)

 

 

Acquisition(1)

 

 

Market

change

 

 

FX

impact

 

 

December 31,

2017

 

Americas

 

$

2,867,353

 

 

$

154,742

 

 

$

2,219

 

 

$

(66,714

)

 

$

(22,574

)

 

$

2,935,026

 

 

$

3,293,743

 

 

$

299,901

 

 

$

3,264

 

 

$

441,124

 

 

$

11,054

 

 

$

4,049,086

 

EMEA

 

 

1,413,441

 

 

 

(2,912

)

 

 

 

 

 

10,631

 

 

 

(73,000

)

 

 

1,348,160

 

 

 

1,478,233

 

 

 

36,659

 

 

 

 

 

133,762

 

 

 

119,465

 

 

 

1,768,119

 

Asia-Pacific

 

 

371,101

 

 

 

(1,936

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,411

)

 

 

(5,528

)

 

 

362,226

 

 

 

375,876

 

 

 

30,694

 

 

 

 

 

54,015

 

 

 

10,405

 

 

 

470,990

 

Total

 

$

4,651,895

 

 

$

149,894

 

 

$

2,219

 

 

$

(57,494

)

 

$

(101,102

)

 

$

4,645,412

 

 

$

5,147,852

 

 

$

367,254

 

 

$

3,264

 

 

$

628,901

 

 

$

140,924

 

 

$

6,288,195

 

 

(1)

Amounts represent $1.3 billion ofAmount represents AUM acquired in the BKCA acquisition in March 2015, $560 million of AUM acquired in the Infraestructura Institucional acquisition in October 2015 and $366 million of AUM acquired in the FutureAdvisor acquisition in October 2015. The FutureAdvisor acquisition amount does not include AUM that was held in iShares holdings.First Reserve Transaction.

Americas.

Long-term net new businessNet inflows of $144.6$299.9 billion was positive across all asset classes, withwere driven by net inflows of $84.6 billion, $49.7 billion, $6.3 billion and $4.0  billion ininto equity, fixed income multi-asset class and alternatives products,cash management of $139.6 billion, $91.1 billion and $50.4 billion, respectively. During the year, we served clients through offices in 31 states in the United States as well as Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Spain.

8


EMEA.

During the year, clients awarded us long-termNet inflows of $36.7 billion included net new business of $8.7 billion, including inflows from investors in 2327 countries across the region. EMEA net new business wasinflows were led by fixed income net inflows of $10.8$60.9 billion, reflecting strong flows into iShares ETFs and unconstrained fixed income.liability-driven investment solutions. Our offerings include fund families in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Dublin and iShares ETFs listed on stock exchanges throughout Europe as well as separate accounts and pooled investment products.

Asia-Pacific.

Net inflows of $30.7 billion were positive across asset classes, and were driven by fixed income net inflows of $26.8 billion across a variety of exposures. Clients in the Asia-Pacific region are served through offices in Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, China, and India. Long-term net outflows of $1.3 billion were due to equity net outflows of $20.2 billion, primarily from institutional index mandates. Fixed income, multi-asset class and alternatives saw net inflows of $16.5 billion, $2.3 billion and $0.1 billion, respectively.

 

Investment Performance

Investment performance across active and passive products as of December 31, 20152017 was as follows:

 

 

One-year

period

 

 

Three-year

period

 

 

Five-year

period

 

 

One-year

period

 

 

Three-year

period

 

 

Five-year

period

 

Fixed Income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actively managed AUM above benchmark or peer median

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taxable

 

 

69

%

 

 

91

%

 

 

92

%

 

81%

 

 

73%

 

 

90%

 

Tax-exempt

 

 

47

%

 

 

55

%

 

 

72

%

 

52%

 

 

68%

 

 

72%

 

Index AUM within or above tolerance

 

 

94

%

 

 

99

%

 

 

99

%

Index AUM within or above applicable tolerance

 

96%

 

 

93%

 

 

99%

 

Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actively managed AUM above benchmark or peer median

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fundamental

 

 

76

%

 

 

60

%

 

 

71

%

 

70%

 

 

72%

 

 

73%

 

Scientific

 

 

65

%

 

 

90

%

 

 

95

%

Index AUM within or above tolerance

 

 

97

%

 

 

96

%

 

 

97

%

Systematic

 

83%

 

 

87%

 

 

90%

 

Index AUM within or above applicable tolerance

 

96%

 

 

99%

 

 

98%

 

 

Product Performance Notes. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Except as specified, the performance information shown is as of December 31, 20152017 and is based on preliminary data available at that time. The performance data shown reflects information for all actively and passively managed equity and fixed income accounts, including U.S. registered investment companies, European-domiciled retail funds and separate accounts for which performance data is available, including performance data for high net worth accounts available as of November 30, 2015.2017. The performance data does not include accounts terminated prior to December 31, 20152017 and accounts for which data has not yet been verified. If such accounts had been included, the performance data provided may have substantially differed from that shown.

Performance comparisons shown are gross-of-fees for institutional and high net worth separate accounts, and net-of-fees for retail funds. The performance tracking shown for index accounts is based on gross-of-fees performance and includes all institutional accounts and all iShares funds globally using an index strategy. AUM information is based on AUM available as of December 31, 20152017 for each account or fund in the

9


asset class shown without adjustment for overlapping management of the same account or fund. Fund performance reflects the reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

Source of performancePerformance shown is derived from applicable benchmarks or peer median information, and peer medians isas selected by BlackRock, Inc. and isPeer medians are based in part on data either from Lipper, Inc. for U.S. funds andor Morningstar, Inc. for non-U.S. funds.each included product.

TECHNOLOGY AND RISK MANAGEMENT

BlackRock Solutions

BRS offers investment management technology systems, risk management services, wealth management and advisory servicesdigital distribution tools on a fee basis. Aladdin is our proprietary technology platform, which serves as the investment and risk management system for both BlackRock and a growing number of sophisticated institutional investors around the world. BRS alsoBlackRock offers comprehensive risk reporting capabilities via the Green Package® and risk management advisory services; interactive fixed income analytics through our web-based calculator, AnSer®;Aladdin Risk offering; middle and back office outsourcing services; and investment accounting. BRS’ Financial Markets Advisory (“FMA”) group advises global financial institutions, regulators, and government entities on complex financialProvider Aladdin is a tool used by BlackRock’s custodial partners, connecting them to the platform to add operational efficiency. BlackRock also offers a number of wealth management technology tools offering digital advice, portfolio construction capabilities and risk issues though core competencies across capital markets, data analysis and modeling; strategic advice regarding regulatory compliance, risk management, business transformations and transaction support; and integrated project management.analytics for retail distributors. These tools include FutureAdvisor, acquired by BlackRock in 2015, is a digital wealth management platform operating within BRS that provides financial institutions with high quality, technology-enabled adviceinvestment advisory capabilities to improvemanage their clients’ investment experience.investments, Aladdin Portfolio Builder, which provides financial advisors with portfolio construction tools, and Aladdin Risk for Wealth Management, which provides wealth management institutions and their advisors with institutional-quality portfolio construction, modeling and risk analytics capabilities. Additionally, in July 2017, BlackRock acquired Cachematrix, a leading provider of financial technology which simplifies the cash management process for banks and their corporate clients in a streamlined, open-architecture platform. In 2017, BlackRock also made minority investments in the digital distribution companies Scalable Capital and iCapital.  

BRS record revenuesTechnology and risk management revenue of $646$677 million werewas up 2%14% year-over-year.  Aladdin, which represented 82%the majority of BRStechnology and risk management revenue for the year, continues to benefit from trends favoring global investment platform consolidation and multi-asset risk solutions. Aladdin assignments are typically long-term contracts that provide significant recurring revenue.

Our FMA group continued to post solid revenues, even as the business transitions from a “crisis management” emphasis to a more institutionalized advisory business model, with a strong focus on helping clients navigate and implement requirements for the evolving regulatory environment. Advisory AUM decreased to $10.2 billion, driven by $9.6 billion of planned client distributions reflecting our continued success in disposing of assets for clients at, or above, targeted levels.

At year-end, BRS servedBlackRock technology and risk management clients includingincluded banks, insurance companies, official institutions, pension funds, asset managers, asset servicers, retail distributors and other institutional investors across North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

9


Securities Lending

Securities lending is managed by a dedicated team, supported by quantitative analysis, proprietary technology and disciplined risk management. BlackRock receives both cash (primarily for U.S. domiciled portfolios) and noncash collateral under securities lending arrangements. The cash management team invests the cash we receive as collateral for securities on loan in other portfolios. Fees for securities lending for U.S. domiciled portfolios can be structured as a share of earnings, or as a management fee based on a percentage of the value of the cash collateral or both. The value of the securities on loan and the revenue earned are captured in the corresponding asset class being managed. The value of the collateral is not included in AUM.

Outstanding loan balances ended the year at approximately $218$262 billion, up from $187$222 billion at year-end 2014. Liability2016. On average, relative to 2016, asset and liability spreads were generally flatslightly lower. However, strong market performance and asset gathering resulted in increased balances compared to 2014 levels.2016.

BlackRock employs a conservative investment style for cash and securities lending collateral that emphasizes quality, liquidity and interest rate risk management. Disciplined risk management, including a rigorous credit surveillance process, is an integral part of the investment process. BlackRock’s Cash Management Credit Committee has established risk limits, such as aggregate issuer exposure limits and maturity limits, across many of the products BlackRock manages, including over all of its cash management products. In the ordinary course of our business, there may be instances when a portfolio may exceed an internal risk limit or when an internal risk limit may be changed. No such instances, individually or in the aggregate, have been material to the Company. To the extent that daily evaluation and reporting of the profile of the portfolios identify that a limit has been exceeded, the relevant portfolio will be adjusted. To the extent a portfolio manager would like to obtain a temporary waiver of a risk limit, the portfolio manager must obtain approval from the credit research team, which is independent from the cash management portfolio managers. While a risk limit may be waived temporarily, such waivers are infrequent.

Risk & Quantitative Analysis

Across all asset classes, in addition to the efforts of the portfolio management teams, the Risk & Quantitative Analysis (“RQA”) group at BlackRock draws on extensive analytical systems and proprietary and third-party data to identify, measure and manage a wide range of risks. RQA provides risk management advice and independent risk oversight of the investment management processes, identifies and helps manage counterparty and operationalenterprise risks, coordinates standards for firm wide investment performance measurement and determines risk management-related analytical and information requirements. Where appropriate, RQA will work with portfolio managers and developers to facilitate the development or improvement of risk models and analytics.

 

 

COMPETITION

BlackRock competes with investment management firms, mutual fund complexes, insurance companies, banks, brokerage firms and other financial institutions that offer products that are similar to, or alternatives to, those offered by BlackRock. In order to grow its business, BlackRock must be able to compete effectively for AUM. Key competitive factors include investment performance track records, the efficient delivery of beta for index products, investment style and discipline, price, client service and brand name recognition. Historically, the Company has competed principally on the basis of its long-term investment performance track record, its investment process, its risk management and analytic capabilities and the quality of its client service.

10


Geographic Information

At December 31, 2015,2017, BlackRock served clients in more than 100 countries across the globe, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan. See Note 22,23, Segment Information, contained in Part II, Item 8 of this filing for more information.

Employees

At December 31, 2015,2017, BlackRock had a total of approximately 13,00013,900 employees, including approximately 6,2006,800 located in offices outside the United States. Consistent with our commitment to continually expand and enhance our talent base to support our clients, we added approximately 800 employees during the year, including in strategic focus areas.

 

REGULATION

Virtually all aspects of BlackRock’s business are subject to various laws and regulations around the world, some of which are summarized below. These laws and regulations are primarily intended to protect investment advisory clients, investors in registered and unregistered investment companies, trust customersand other fiduciary clients of BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), PNC and its bank subsidiaries and their customers and the financial system. Under these laws and regulations, agencies that regulate investment advisers, investment funds, trust banks and bank holding companies and other individuals and entities have broad administrative powers, including the power to limit, restrict or prohibit the regulated entity or person from carrying on business if it fails to comply with such laws and regulations. Possible sanctions for significant compliance failures include the suspension of individual employees, limitations on engaging in certain lines of business for specified periods of time, revocation of investment adviser and other registrations or bank charters, censures and fines both for individuals and BlackRock.

The rules governing the regulation of financial institutions and their holding companies and subsidiaries are very detailed and technical. Accordingly, the discussion below is general in nature, does not purport to be complete and is current only as of the date of this report.

GLOBAL REGULATORY REFORM

BlackRock is subject to numerous regulatory reform initiatives around the world. Any such initiative, or any new laws or regulations or changes to, or in the enforcement of, existing laws or regulations, could materially and adversely impact the scope or profitability of BlackRock’s business activities, lead to business disruptions, require BlackRock to alter its business or operating activities and expose BlackRock to additional costs (including compliance and legal costs) as well as reputational harm. BlackRock’s profitability also could be materially and

10


adversely affected by modification of the rules and regulations that impact the business and financial communities in general, including changes to the laws governing banking, taxation, antitrust regulation and electronic commerce.

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

In July 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “DFA”(“Dodd-Frank”) was signed into law in the U.S. The DFAUnited States.  Dodd-Frank is expansive in scope and requires the adoption of extensive regulations and numerous regulatory decisions, many of which have been adopted. BlackRock has commencedimplemented a conformance program to address certain regulations adopted under the DFA,Dodd-Frank, as well as financial reforms that have been introduced as part of the SEC’sSecurities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) investment company modernization initiatives.  The cost of these initial conformance activities havehas been substantially absorbed by BlackRock; however, as the full extentcertain limited aspects of the DFADodd-Frank and other rules will only become evident over time,are still being adopted, it is not yet possible to predict the ultimate effects that the DFA, or subsequent implementingany implementation of these rules and regulations and decisions, will have upon BlackRock’s business, financial condition, and operating activities.

Systemically Important Financial Institution (“SIFI”) Review

Both theThe Financial Stability Board (“FSB”) working with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (“IOSCO”) is considering potential systemic risk related to asset management; statements made by these organizations have generally indicated that they are, at this time, focused on a products and activities, rather than designation, approach in their review of asset managers. The FSB has indicated that it may develop criteria for designation of nonbank non-insurers in the future to address “residual risks”.   Any measures applied in relation to a global systemically important financial institution (“G-SIFI”) designation from the FSB would need to be implemented through existing regulatory processes and procedures by relevant national authorities. 

In the United States, the Financial Stability Oversight Council (“FSOC”) are considering potential systemic risk relatedhas the authority to asset management.  In July 2014, the FSOC issued a statement indicatingdesignate nonbank financial institutions as SIFIs. The FSOC’s most recent statements generally indicate that their review would focusit is focused on products and activities, and FSOC subsequently released a request for information addressing: market liquidity and fund redemption risk, the use of leverage, operational risk, and the resolutionrather than designation, in its review of asset managers includingmanagers. The U.S. Department of the transition of client assets.Treasury (“Treasury”) report on asset management, issued in October 2017 pursuant to the Executive Order (as defined below), also expressed this view. In June 2015, IOSCO issued a statement indicating they also favoredaddition, in November 2017, Treasury made recommendations concerning the process by which the FSOC designates nonbanks as SIFIs, further supporting a products and activities approach to addressing risks in their review of asset managers, and in July 2015, the FSB made a similar announcement.  In September 2015, the FSB released a statement indicating that their review would focus on: market liquidity and fund redemption risk, the use of leverage, securities lending practices, operational risk, and risks from pension funds and sovereign wealth funds.

Although FSOC, IOSCO and FSB have shifted from a focus on designating firms and/or funds as systemically important (i.e., G-SIFI or SIFI designations), the process is ongoing and may lead to designations in the future.management. In the event that BlackRock receivesis designated as a SIFI, designation, under the DFA,Dodd-Frank, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “Federal Reserve”) is charged with establishing enhanced regulatory requirements for nonbank financial institutions and BlackRock could become subject to direct supervision by the Federal Reserve.

Taxation

BlackRock’s businesses may be directly or indirectly affected by tax legislation and regulation, or the modification of existing tax laws, by U.S. or non-U.S. authorities. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Tax Act”) was enacted. Over the next few months, as the Company finalizes the impact of tax reform and clarifies the potential for future investment opportunities, BlackRock intends to reassess its capital management plans for the balance of 2018.

In addition, certain EU Member States, such as France and Italy, have enacted financial transaction taxes (“FTTs”) which impose taxation on a broad range of financial instruments and derivatives transactions, and the European Commission has proposed legislation to harmonize these taxes and provide for the adoption of EU-level legislation applicable to some (but not all) EU Member States. In general, any tax on securities and derivatives transactions would impact investors and would likely have a negative impact on the liquidity of the securities and derivatives markets, could diminish the attractiveness of certain types of products that BlackRock manages in those countries and could cause clients to shift assets away from such products. An FTT could significantly increase the operational costs of BlackRock entering into, on behalf of its clients, securities and derivatives transactions that would be subjected to an FTT, which could adversely impact BlackRock’s financial results and clients’ performance results.

The application of tax regulations involves numerous uncertainties and, in the normal course of business, U.S. and non-U.S. tax authorities may review and challenge tax positions adopted by BlackRock. These challenges may result in adjustments to, or impact the timing or amount of taxable income, deductions or other tax allocations, which may adversely affect BlackRock’s effective tax rate and overall financial condition.

Regulation of Swaps and Derivatives

The SEC, Federal Reserve, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission each continue to review practices and regulations relating to the use of futures, swaps and other derivatives. Such reviews could result in regulations that restrict or limit the use of such products by funds or accounts. If adopted, these limitations could require BlackRock was designatedto change certain business practices or implement new compliance processes, which could result in additional costs and/or restrictions. In December 2015, the SEC proposed a SIFInew rule governing the use of derivatives and other financial commitment transactions by investment companies that, if enacted, would represent a fundamental change in the nature of the SEC's regulations governing the use of derivatives and other financial commitment transactions by investment companies. While not on the SEC’s current agenda for finalization, this proposal has the potential to require BlackRock to change or G-SIFI,restrict certain investment strategies or practices for some investment companies and incur additional costs.

Jurisdictions outside the U.S. in which BlackRock operates have adopted and implemented, or are in the process of considering, adopting or implementing more pervasive regulation of many elements of the financial services industry, which could further impact BlackRock and the broader markets. For example, various global rules and regulations applicable to the use of financial products by funds, accounts and counterparties that have been adopted or proposed will require BlackRock to build and implement new compliance monitoring procedures to address the enhanced level of oversight to which it couldand its clients will be subject. These rules introduce new requirements such as mandatory central clearing of certain swaps transactions, requiring execution of certain swaps transactions on or through registered electronic trading venues (as opposed to over the phone or other execution methods), reporting transactions to central data repositories, mandating certain documentation standards, requiring the posting and collection of initial and/or variation margin for bilateral swap transactions and subjecting certain types of listed and/or over-the-counter transactions to position limit or position reporting requirements.

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In the United States, certain interest rate swaps and certain index credit default swaps are subject to Dodd-Frank central clearing and electronic trading venue requirements, with additional products and asset classes potentially becoming subject to these requirements in the future.  In the European Union (“EU”), central clearing requirements for certain swap transactions have become effective for certain types of BlackRock funds and accounts and will continue to be phased in for other types of BlackRock funds and accounts over time. On March 1, 2017 most derivatives transactions that are not centrally cleared, including non-deliverable foreign exchange forward transactions and currency option transactions, became subject to requirements in the United States, EU and numerous other jurisdictions to post or collect mark-to-market margin payments.  These rules have the potential to increase the complexity and cost of trading non-cleared derivatives for BlackRock's clients. The new rules and regulations may produce regulatory inconsistencies in global derivatives trading rules and increase BlackRock’s operational and legal risks.

Regulation of Exchange-Traded Funds

As part of a focus on financial stability issues and due to the significant growth of this product class over the last few years, regulators globally are examining the potential risks in ETFs, including those related to transparency, liquidity and structural resiliency. BlackRock and other large issuers of ETFs are working with market participants and regulators to address certain of these issues but there can be no assurance that structural or regulatory reforms will be implemented in a manner favorable to BlackRock, or at all. Depending on the outcome of this renewed regulatory analysis, or any associated structural reforms, ETF products may become subject to enhanced prudential, capital, supervisoryincreased regulatory scrutiny or restrictions, which may require BlackRock to incur additional compliance and other requirements, suchreporting expenses and adversely affect the Company’s business.

Volcker Rule

Provisions of Dodd-Frank referred to as risk-based capital requirements, leverage limits, liquidity requirements, resolution planthe “Volcker Rule” created a new section of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the “Bank Holding Company Act”) that places limitations on the ability of banks and credit exposure report requirements, concentration limits, a contingent capital requirement, enhanced public disclosures, short-term debt limitstheir subsidiaries to engage in proprietary trading and overall risk management requirements. Requirements such as these,to invest in and transact with certain private investment funds, including hedge funds, private equity funds and funds of funds (collectively “covered funds”). The Bank Holding Company Act by its terms does not currently apply to BlackRock. The Federal Reserve currently takes the position that PNC’s ownership interest in BlackRock, which were designed to regulate banking institutions, would be extremely burdensome foris approximately 22%, causes BlackRock unless they were modified to be applicabletreated as a nonbank subsidiary of PNC for the purpose of the Bank Holding Company Act and that BlackRock is subject to banking regulation. Based on this interpretation of the Bank Holding Company Act, the Federal Reserve could initiate a process to formally determine that PNC controls BlackRock under the terms of the Bank Holding Company Act. Any such determination, if successful, would subject BlackRock to current and future regulatory requirements under the Bank Holding Company Act, including the Volcker Rule. Conformance with the Volcker Rule may require BlackRock to remove its name from the names of its covered funds, and to sell certain seed and co-investments that it holds in those funds, which may occur at a discount to existing carrying value depending on market conditions.

Revised Department of Labor (“DoL”) Fiduciary Rule

In April 2016, the DoL proposed a new regulation defining the term "fiduciary" for purposes of the fiduciary responsibility provisions of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) and the prohibited transaction excise tax provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The substantive provisions of the rule began to apply in June 2017. However, the applicability date of many conditions of the prohibited transaction exemptions accompanying the rule has been delayed until July 2019, while the DoL continues its re-examination of the rule and the prohibited transaction exemptions. If the DoL does not repeal or revise the rule or revise the prohibited transaction exemptions, the rule could require BlackRock to revise a number of its distribution relationships, create compliance and operational challenges for BlackRock’s distribution partners and may limit BlackRock’s ability to provide certain useful services and education to its clients.

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Proposed Rulemaking for Registered Investment Advisers

In 2015, the Financial Crime Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”)  issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“Proposed Rule”) that would extend to a number of BlackRock’s subsidiaries, which are registered or required to be registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”), the requirement to establish anti-money laundering programs and report suspicious activity to the FinCEN under the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970 (the “Bank Secrecy Act”).  The Proposed Rule would extend to those BlackRock subsidiaries captured within the Bank Secrecy Act’s definition of “financial institutions”, which would require them to comply with the Bank Secrecy Act reporting and recordkeeping requirements.  If adopted in its current form, the Proposed Rule would expose BlackRock to additional compliance costs.

U.S. Executive Order

On February 3, 2017, an asset manager. No proposals have been made indicating how such measures wouldexecutive order (the “Executive Order”) was issued articulating certain core principles for regulating the U.S. financial system and directing the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury to report on the extent to which existing laws, treaties, rules, regulations and policies promote, support or inhibit the federal regulation of the U.S. financial system in a manner consistent with the core principles. The Treasury has issued three (of an expected four) reports in response to the Executive Order (the “Treasury Reports”), which include a number of recommendations, the majority of which require further legislative or regulatory action in order to be adapted for asset managers, if at all.implemented, that may affect BlackRock’s business or operations. BlackRock will continue to monitor the potential impact of the Executive Order, as well as the Treasury Reports and any consequential legislative or regulatory action, on its business.


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Securities and Exchange Commission Review of Asset ManagersRulemakings for U.S. Registered Funds and Investment Advisers

BlackRock’s business may also be impacted by Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)SEC regulatory initiatives. The SEC and its staff continue to engageare engaged in various initiatives and reviews that seek to improve and modernize the regulatory structure governing the asset management industry, and registered investment companies in particular. During 2015, the SEC proposed, among other things:In so doing, it has adopted rules that include (i) new monthly and annual reporting requirements for certain U.S. registered funds; (ii) enhanced reporting byregimes for investment advisors, enhanced reporting on registered mutual funds, new rules foradvisers; and (iii) implementing liquidity risk management programs for ETFs and open-end funds, other than money market funds. The rules, many of which are currently in an implementation period, will increase BlackRock’s public reporting and disclosure requirements, which could be costly and may impede BlackRock’s growth.  

Certain other rules impacting investment advisers and U.S. registered funds and new rules governingwere proposed (or were under discussion for proposal) by the use of derivatives and leverage by registered investment companies and business development companies. Furthermore, in June 2015,SEC’s prior leadership, however the SEC issued a request for comments regarding practices related to exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), which is

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widelySEC’s current leadership has indicated that these efforts are not expected to result in a future rulemaking.  Theany short-term action.  In the event the SEC has also indicated an intention to propose new rules for the stress testing of registered investment companies and transition planning by asset managers, including the transfer of client assets.  The SEC’s focus has also been directed toward risk identification and controls in various areas, including the use of derivatives and other trading practices (as reflected in the SEC’s late December 2015 rule proposal described more particularly under” – Regulation of Swaps and Derivatives below), cyber-security and the evaluation of systemic risks. While thesemoves forward with any such proposals, have yet to be finalized into new rules, any new rules, guidance or regulatory initiatives resulting from these efforts could expose BlackRock to additional compliance and reporting costs and may require the Company to change how it operates its business and/or manages its funds.

Money Market Fund ReformVolcker Rule

Provisions of Dodd-Frank referred to as the “Volcker Rule” created a new section of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the “Bank Holding Company Act”) that places limitations on the ability of banks and their subsidiaries to engage in proprietary trading and to invest in and transact with certain private investment funds, including hedge funds, private equity funds and funds of funds (collectively “covered funds”). The Bank Holding Company Act by its terms does not currently apply to BlackRock. The Federal Reserve currently takes the position that PNC’s ownership interest in BlackRock, which is approximately 22%, causes BlackRock to be treated as a nonbank subsidiary of PNC for the purpose of the Bank Holding Company Act and that BlackRock is subject to banking regulation. Based on this interpretation of the Bank Holding Company Act, the Federal Reserve could initiate a process to formally determine that PNC controls BlackRock under the terms of the Bank Holding Company Act. Any such determination, if successful, would subject BlackRock to current and future regulatory requirements under the Bank Holding Company Act, including the Volcker Rule. Conformance with the Volcker Rule may require BlackRock to remove its name from the names of its covered funds, and to sell certain seed and co-investments that it holds in those funds, which may occur at a discount to existing carrying value depending on market conditions.

Revised Department of Labor (“DoL”) Fiduciary Rule

In April 2016, the DoL proposed a new regulation defining the term "fiduciary" for purposes of the fiduciary responsibility provisions of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) and the prohibited transaction excise tax provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The substantive provisions of the rule began to apply in June 2017. However, the applicability date of many conditions of the prohibited transaction exemptions accompanying the rule has been delayed until July 2014,2019, while the DoL continues its re-examination of the rule and the prohibited transaction exemptions. If the DoL does not repeal or revise the rule or revise the prohibited transaction exemptions, the rule could require BlackRock to revise a number of its distribution relationships, create compliance and operational challenges for BlackRock’s distribution partners and may limit BlackRock’s ability to provide certain useful services and education to its clients.

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Proposed Rulemaking for Registered Investment Advisers

In 2015, the Financial Crime Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”)  issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“Proposed Rule”) that would extend to a number of BlackRock’s subsidiaries, which are registered or required to be registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”), the requirement to establish anti-money laundering programs and report suspicious activity to the FinCEN under the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970 (the “Bank Secrecy Act”).  The Proposed Rule would extend to those BlackRock subsidiaries captured within the Bank Secrecy Act’s definition of “financial institutions”, which would require them to comply with the Bank Secrecy Act reporting and recordkeeping requirements.  If adopted newin its current form, the Proposed Rule would expose BlackRock to additional compliance costs.

U.S. Executive Order

On February 3, 2017, an executive order (the “Executive Order”) was issued articulating certain core principles for regulating the U.S. financial system and directing the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury to report on the extent to which existing laws, treaties, rules, designedregulations and policies promote, support or inhibit the federal regulation of the U.S. financial system in a manner consistent with the core principles. The Treasury has issued three (of an expected four) reports in response to reformthe Executive Order (the “Treasury Reports”), which include a number of recommendations, the majority of which require further legislative or regulatory action in order to be implemented, that may affect BlackRock’s business or operations. BlackRock will continue to monitor the potential impact of the Executive Order, as well as the Treasury Reports and any consequential legislative or regulatory action, on its business.


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Securities and Exchange Commission Rulemakings for U.S. Registered Funds and Investment Advisers

BlackRock’s business may also be impacted by SEC regulatory initiatives. The SEC and its staff are engaged in various initiatives and reviews that seek to improve and modernize the regulatory structure governing money market funds (“MMFs”)the asset management industry, and to address the perceived systemic risks that such funds present. The new rules, to which U.S. MMFs must conform by October 2016, require institutional prime and institutional municipal MMFs to employ a floating net asset value per share method of pricing, which allows the daily share prices of these funds to fluctuate along with changes in the market-based value of fund assets. Retail MMFs may continue operating with a constant net asset value per share.  The rules also provide for new tools for institutional and retail MMFs’ boards designed to address market shocks, including liquidity fees and redemption gates. The new rules do not apply to government (non-municipal) MMFs, although such funds may “opt-in” to the new liquidity fee and redemption gate provisions if previously disclosed to investors. Implementation of these new rules requires the development of new or additional systems by BlackRock and the funds’ service providers.  BlackRock has commenced efforts to move its MMFs into compliance in advance of the deadline.  The impact of the rules that affect the structure of the funds on BlackRock’s business remains uncertain as clients must decide which products fit their investment needs.  The new rules will, however, affect certain of BlackRock’s funds’ investment strategies, portfolio liquidity and return potential.  The new rules will also result in changes to BlackRock’s existing U.S. MMFs and may reduce the attractiveness of certain U.S. MMFs to investors.

Regulation of Swaps and Derivatives

The SEC, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) each continue to review practices and regulations relating to the use of futures, swaps and other derivatives.  Such reviews could result in regulations that restrict or limit the use of such products by funds or accounts. If adopted, these limitations could require BlackRock to change certain business practices or implement new reporting or compliance processes, which could result in additional costs and/or restrictions. In December 2015, the SEC proposed a new rule governing the use of derivatives and other financial commitment transactions byregistered investment companies that, if enacted, would represent a fundamental change in the nature of the SEC's regulations governing the use of derivatives and other financial commitment transactions by investment companies. This proposalparticular. In so doing, it has the potential to require BlackRock to change or restrict certain investment strategies or practices for some investment companies and incur additional costs. In some circumstances the proposed rule could make certain products less competitive with other investment options in the marketplace, which could negatively impact assets under management.  

Further, the full implementation of regulations under the DFA and similar regulations in the European Union (“EU”)  and other global jurisdictions relating to regulation of swaps and derivatives could impact the manner in which BlackRock-advised funds and accounts use and trade swaps and other derivatives, increasing the costs of derivatives trading for BlackRock’s clients. For example, various global rules and regulations applicable to the use of financial products by funds, accounts and counterparties that have been adopted or proposed will require BlackRock to build and implement new compliance monitoring procedures to address the enhanced level of oversight to which it and its clients will be subject. These rules also introduce new requirements for centrally clearing certain swaps transactions and for executing certain swaps transactions on or through CFTC or SEC-registered trading venues (as opposed to over the phone or other execution methods).

Jurisdictions outside the U.S. in which BlackRock operates also have adopted and implemented, or are in the process of considering, adopting or implementing more pervasive regulation of many elements of the financial services industry, which could further impact BlackRock and the broader markets. This includes the implementation of mandated central clearing of swaps in the EU and the implementation of trade reporting, documentation, central clearing and other requirements in various jurisdictions globally.

In the United States, certain interest rate swaps and certain index credit default swaps are already subject to the DFA central clearing and electronic trading venue requirements, with additional products and asset classes potentially becoming subject to these requirements in 2016 and beyond.  For swaps and security-based swaps that are not centrally cleared, U.S. bank regulators recently adopted rules that include (i) new monthly and annual reporting requirements for certain U.S. registered funds; (ii) enhanced reporting regimes for investment advisers; and (iii) implementing liquidity risk management programs for ETFs and open-end funds, other than money market funds. The rules, many of which are currently in an implementation period, will increase BlackRock’s public reporting and disclosure requirements, which could require BlackRock-advisedbe costly and may impede BlackRock’s growth.  

Certain other rules impacting investment advisers and U.S. registered funds and accounts to post margin payments when trading with a swap dealerwere proposed (or were under discussion for proposal) by the SEC’s prior leadership, however the SEC’s current leadership has indicated that is regulated by one of the U.S. bank regulators.  The CFTC also recently adopted similar margin rules applicable when trading non-cleared swaps with swap dealers whothese efforts are not regulated by one ofexpected to result in any short-term action.  In the U.S. bank regulators.  These rules haveevent the potential to increase the complexity and cost of trading non-cleared derivatives for BlackRock's clients. In EMEA, central clearing requirements will be implemented in a phased manner and will apply to BlackRock funds and accounts beginning in the latter half of 2016. TheSEC moves forward with any such proposals, any new rules, and regulations may produce regulatory inconsistencies in global derivatives trading rules and increase BlackRock’s operational and legal risks.

Regulation of Exchange Traded Funds

As a result of recent market volatility, regulators globally are examining the potential risks in ETFs, including those related to transparency, liquidity and structural resiliency. BlackRock and other large issuers of ETFs are working with market participants and regulators to address certain of these issues but there can be no assurance that structuralguidance or regulatory reforms will be implemented in a manner favorable to BlackRock, or at all.  Depending on the outcome of this renewed regulatory analysis, or any associated structural reforms, ETF products may become subject to increased regulatory scrutiny or restrictions, which may require BlackRock to incur additional compliance and reporting expenses and adversely affect the Company’s business.

Taxation

BlackRock’s businesses may be affected by new tax legislation or regulations, or the modification of existing tax laws, regulations and rulings, by U.S. or non-U.S. authorities. In particular, BlackRock may be impacted by the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) and the Common Reporting Standard (“CRS”) which have introduced new investor onboarding, withholding and reporting rules aimed at ensuring persons with financial assets outside of the their tax residence country pay appropriate taxes. FATCA and CRS rules will impact both U.S. and

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non-U.S. funds and subjectinitiatives could expose BlackRock to additional administrative burdens. In many instances, bilateral Intergovernmental Agreements (“IGAs”) betweencompliance costs and may require the U.S. and the countries in which BlackRock doesCompany to change how it operates its business will govern implementation of the new rules. While many of these IGAs have been put into place, others have yet to be concluded.

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”) has also launched a base erosion and profit shifting (“BEPS”) proposal that aims to rationalize tax treatment across jurisdictions. In October 2015, the OECD releasedand/or manages its final BEPS package in an effort to curb the use of certain tax regimes and elements of tax planning, primarily in a cross-border context. The final package was endorsed by the G20 and is subject to implementation. In addition, in January 2016, the European Commission announced an Anti-Tax Avoidance Package (“EU Package”) for consideration by the European Parliament and Council, containing measures to regulate certain elements of tax planning and to boost tax transparency. Once implemented, the BEPS package and the EU Package could curtail the amount of investments channeled by, and have unintended taxation consequences for funds as well as BlackRock’s overall tax position, which could adversely affect BlackRock’s financial condition and that of its clients.funds.

In addition, certain EU Member States, such as France and Italy, have enacted financial transaction taxes (“FTTs”) which impose taxation on a broad range of financial instruments and derivatives transactions. Several other Member States continue to discuss introducing FTTs. In general, any tax on securities and derivatives transactions would impact investors and would likely have a negative impact on the liquidity of the securities and derivatives markets, could diminish the attractiveness of certain types of products that BlackRock manages in those countries and could cause clients to shift assets away from such products. An FTT could significantly increase the operational costs of BlackRock entering into, on behalf of its clients, securities and derivatives transactions that would be subjected to an FTT, which could adversely impact BlackRock’s financial results and clients’ performance results.

Lastly, the application of tax regulations involves numerous uncertainties and, in the normal course of business, U.S. and non-U.S. tax authorities may review and challenge BlackRock’s historical tax positions. These challenges may result in adjustments to BlackRock’s tax position, or impact the timing or amount of taxable income, deductions or other tax allocations, which may adversely affect BlackRock’s effective tax rate and overall financial condition.

Volcker Rule

Provisions of the DFADodd-Frank referred to as the “Volcker Rule” placecreated a new section of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the “Bank Holding Company Act”) that places limitations on the ability of banks and their subsidiaries to engage in proprietary trading and to invest in and transact with certain private investment funds, including hedge funds, private equity funds and funds of funds (collectively “covered funds”). Because theThe Bank Holding Company Act by its terms does not currently apply to BlackRock. The Federal Reserve currently treatstakes the position that PNC’s ownership interest in BlackRock, which is approximately 22%, causes BlackRock to be treated as a nonbank subsidiary of PNC for the purpose of the Bank Holding Company Act and that BlackRock may be requiredis subject to conform its activitiesbanking regulation. Based on this interpretation of the Bank Holding Company Act, the Federal Reserve could initiate a process to formally determine that PNC controls BlackRock under the terms of the Bank Holding Company Act. Any such determination, if successful, would subject BlackRock to current and future regulatory requirements ofunder the Bank Holding Company Act, including the Volcker Rule. On December 18, 2014, the Federal Reserve announced a second extension toConformance with the Volcker Rule conformance period, giving banking entities until July 21, 2016, to conform investments in and relationships with covered funds and foreign funds that were in place prior to December 31, 2013 (“legacy covered funds”). The Federal Reserve also announced its intention to grant banking entities an additional one-year extension of the conformance period until July 21, 2017, to conform ownership interests in and relationships with these legacy covered funds.  The Volcker Rule’s restrictions may among other things, limit BlackRock’s ability to invest in covered funds and require BlackRock to remove its name from the names of its covered funds, which could subject BlackRock to additional expense. The Volcker Rule may also require BlackRockand to sell certain seed and co-investments that it holds in coveredthose funds, which may occur at a discount to existing carrying value depending on market conditions. The Volcker Rule may also reduce the level of market making and liquidity activities of several of BlackRock’s trading counterparties, which may adversely impact the liquidity and, in some cases, the pricing of various financial instruments in which BlackRock client accounts invest. For a further discussion of the Volcker Rule, see “Item 1A — Risk Factors — Legal and Regulatory Risks.”

Revised Department of Labor (“DoL”) Fiduciary Rule

In April 2015,2016, the DoL proposed a new regulation defining the term "fiduciary" for purposes of the fiduciary responsibility provisions of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) and the prohibited transaction exerciseexcise tax provisions of the IRS.Internal Revenue Code. The substantive provisions of the rule began to apply in June 2017. However, the applicability date of many conditions of the prohibited transaction exemptions accompanying the rule has been highly criticized by industry participants, particularly retail intermediaries, and BlackRock is engaging withdelayed until July 2019, while the DoL trade associations and industry participants in an effort to affect revisions to the proposed rule. To the extentcontinues its re-examination of the rule is enacted as written, it willand the prohibited transaction exemptions. If the DoL does not repeal or revise the rule or revise the prohibited transaction exemptions, the rule could require BlackRock to re-paperrevise a number of its distribution relationships, create compliance and operational challenges for BlackRock’s distribution partners and may limit BlackRock’s ability to provide certain useful services and education to its clients.

MarketsFinancial Crimes Enforcement Network Proposed Rulemaking for Registered Investment Advisers

In 2015, the Financial Crime Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”)  issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“Proposed Rule”) that would extend to a number of BlackRock’s subsidiaries, which are registered or required to be registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”), the requirement to establish anti-money laundering programs and report suspicious activity to the FinCEN under the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970 (the “Bank Secrecy Act”).  The Proposed Rule would extend to those BlackRock subsidiaries captured within the Bank Secrecy Act’s definition of “financial institutions”, which would require them to comply with the Bank Secrecy Act reporting and recordkeeping requirements.  If adopted in Financial Instruments Directivesits current form, the Proposed Rule would expose BlackRock to additional compliance costs.

U.S. Executive Order

On February 3, 2017, an executive order (the “Executive Order”) was issued articulating certain core principles for regulating the U.S. financial system and directing the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury to report on the extent to which existing laws, treaties, rules, regulations and policies promote, support or inhibit the federal regulation of the U.S. financial system in a manner consistent with the core principles. The Treasury has issued three (of an expected four) reports in response to the Executive Order (the “Treasury Reports”), which include a number of recommendations, the majority of which require further legislative or regulatory action in order to be implemented, that may affect BlackRock’s business or operations. BlackRock will continue to monitor the potential impact of the Executive Order, as well as the Treasury Reports and any consequential legislative or regulatory action, on its business.


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Securities and Exchange Commission Rulemakings for U.S. Registered Funds and Investment Advisers

BlackRock’s business may also be impacted by SEC regulatory initiatives. The SEC and its staff are engaged in various initiatives and reviews that seek to improve and modernize the regulatory structure governing the asset management industry, and registered investment companies in particular. In so doing, it has adopted rules that include (i) new monthly and annual reporting requirements for certain U.S. registered funds; (ii) enhanced reporting regimes for investment advisers; and (iii) implementing liquidity risk management programs for ETFs and open-end funds, other than money market funds. The rules, many of which are currently in an implementation period, will increase BlackRock’s public reporting and disclosure requirements, which could be costly and may impede BlackRock’s growth.  

Certain other rules impacting investment advisers and U.S. registered funds were proposed (or were under discussion for proposal) by the SEC’s prior leadership, however the SEC’s current leadership has indicated that these efforts are not expected to result in any short-term action.  In the event the SEC moves forward with any such proposals, any new rules, guidance or regulatory initiatives could expose BlackRock to additional compliance costs and may require the Company to change how it operates its business and/or manages its funds.

Money Market Fund Reform

In November 2016, the EU council announced political agreement with the European Parliament on certain money market funds reforms that are intended to reduce perceived risks associated with these products. The final text was published in the Official Journal of the EU in June 2017, starting an 18-month transition period for existing funds to comply. The reforms will limit the use of constant net asset value money market funds to those holding only government debt, and introduce a new category of “low volatility net asset value” money market funds, with both categories of money market funds being subject to reinforced liquidity requirements as well as safeguards such as liquidity fees and redemption gates. They may also reduce the attractiveness of certain money market funds to investors. BlackRock is evaluating the reforms and potential impact to its existing constant net asset value money market funds.

In the United States, there is currently legislation pending in Congress that would repeal the requirement that institutional prime and institutional municipal money market funds float their net asset values. In order to understand the potential impact of this legislation, a review of the impact of the 2014 money market fund reforms on financial stability, short-term funding markets, issuers, and money market fund investors should be undertaken. It is uncertain whether the legislation will pass Congress and become law.

British Exit from the European Union

Following the June 2016 vote to exit the EU, the United Kingdom served notice under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union on March 29, 2017 to initiate the process of exiting from the EU, commonly referred to as "Brexit". The outcome of the negotiations between the United Kingdom and the EU in connection with Brexit is highly uncertain and information regarding the long-term consequences is expected to become clearer over time as negotiations progress. The Company continues to prepare for a range of potential outcomes in connection with Brexit.

MiFID II Regime

BlackRock is also subject to numerous regulatory reform initiatives in Europe.  For example, in the EU rules and regulations made under the currentprevious Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (“MiFID”) regime (described more particularly under “— European Regulation” below) are in the process of beinghave been revised through implementation of the “MiFID II” package of measures which came into effect in January 2018 and is made up of a recast Directive and a new Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation.  MiFID II, which was originally scheduled to come into effectDirective, a new Markets in January 2017, but is now scheduled to come into effect in January 2018, will be implemented throughFinancial Instruments Regulation and a number of Implementing and Regulatory Technical Standards to be made throughin the form of Delegated Acts made by the European Commission following advice from the European Securities and Markets Authority (“ESMA”). MiFID II will buildbuilds upon many of the measures introduced by MiFID, and will extendextends investor protection, trading transparency, clearing and trading venue access and reporting requirements. It is expected that the reforms introduced by MiFID II will have significant and wide-ranging impacts on EU securities and derivatives markets. In particular, there will beMIFID II introduces (i) enhanced governance and investor protection standards, (ii) prescriptive rules on portfolio management firms’ ability to receive and pay for investment research relating to all asset classes, (iii) rules on the identification and monitoring of target markets for MiFID financial instruments by MiFID investment firms who manufacture and/or distribute such instruments, (iv) enhanced regulation of algorithmic trading, (iv)(v) the movement of trading in certain shares and derivatives on to regulated execution venues, (v)(vi) the extension of pre- and post-trade transparency requirements to wider categories of financial instruments, (vi)(vii) restrictions on the use of so-called dark pool trading, (vii)(viii) the creation of a new type of trading venue called the Organized Trading Facility for non-equity financial instruments, (viii)(ix) new commodity derivative position limits and reporting requirements, (ix)(x) a move away from vertical silos in execution, clearing and settlement, (x)(xi) an enhanced role for ESMA in supervising EU securities and derivatives markets and (xi)(xii) new requirements regarding non-EU investment firms’ access to EU financial markets. Implementation of these measures will have direct and indirect impacts on BlackRock and its subsidiaries and may require significant changes to client servicing models.  A significant number of the impacts are yet to be determined because MiFID II contains a wide ranging and complex set of measures. The broad nature of the MiFID II reforms may impact BlackRock’s product development, client servicing and distribution models. In particular, additional disclosures are required in respect of costs and fees BlackRock charges to certain of its clients. MiFID II may also impact the ability of certain of BlackRock’s distribution partners to accept commissions. Further, market structure reforms may impact the way that the Company executes investment decisions for client portfolios and reports on such transactions and could have an impact on general market liquidity.

EU Market Access

The European Commission and certain EU Member States have recently advanced a more restrictive approach to the need for “equivalence”, which is the process by which the legal, regulatory and/or supervisory system in non-EU Member States is recognized by the European Commission as comparably effective to that in the EU, thereby allowing such non-EU Member States access to the EU single market in financial services. Additionally, in September 2017, the European Commission issued a proposal to enhance the European Supervisory Authorities’ powers by requiring that all third country outsourcing, delegation and risk transfer arrangements be assessed by ESMA. If enacted, the proposal would transfer to ESMA the ability of EU Member States to authorize the outsourcing of asset management activities beyond the EU’s borders. The proposal could have a significant impact on asset management firms with operations based outside of the EU, including BlackRock, and it may affect the Company’s ability to delegate fund management and/or costs associated with such delegation.


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Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities

The EU has also adopted directives on the coordination of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to undertakings for collective investment in transferable securities (“UCITS”). The latest initiative in this area, UCITS V, seeks to align the UCITS depositary regime, UCITS remuneration rules and regulators’ power to sanction for breaches of the UCITS Directive with the requirements of the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (“AIFMD”).Directive. UCITS V is required to be adoptedcame into effect in the national law of each EU member state by March 18, 2016 thoughwith further implementing measures will only become effectivecommencing in lateOctober 2016. Compliance with the updated UCITS directive will subjectsubjects BlackRock to additional expenses associated with new depositary oversight and other organizational requirements.

EU Benchmarks Regulation

Political agreement on the EU Benchmarks Regulation was reached at the end of 2015. The Regulation provides the legislative framework to implement the 2013 International Organization of Securities Commissions Principles for Financial Benchmarks. The scope of the Regulation is broad as it includes submission-based benchmarks through to transaction-based market indices. Proportionality is applied to create a stricter framework for the systemically relevant benchmarks such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (EURIBOR). Although the Regulation creates a number of obligations on administrators of, and submitters to, benchmarks, it is less extensive with respect to obligations on users of benchmarks, such as asset managers. The Regulation formalizes due diligence procedures for users and imposes other additional administrative requirements of users of third-party benchmarks. Managers using third-party and/or bespoke benchmarks to assess fund performance are also subject to the Regulation. The Regulation came into effect in January 2018, imposing additional administrative and due diligence requirements on the Company, the burden of which is likely to increase as BlackRock makes additional enhancements to its indexing business.

Revised EU Capital Requirements

EU regulators are considering how to design an appropriate capital regime for non-systemically important investment firms as the current regime is based upon banking requirements and has not been materially modified for asset managers. In December 2017, the European Commission published a legislative proposal addressed to the European Parliament and Council for a new Directive and new Regulation on prudential requirements for MiFID investment firms. The new legislative package is currently expected to come into effect in 2020 following agreement between the European Council and Parliament. Once implemented, any new requirements could result in significant changes to the methodology used to determine the amount of regulatory capital that BlackRock is required to hold in the EU.

Reform of European Retail Distribution Rules

BlackRock must also comply with retail distribution rules aimed at enhancing consumer protections, overhauling mutual fund fee structures by banning the payment of commissions to distributors and increasing professionalism in the retail investment sector. The rules were originally introduced in the United Kingdom in 2012 and similar rules have since been introduced in other jurisdictions where BlackRock operates such as the Netherlands, and are under discussion elsewhere. Similarly, MiFID II will containcontains a ban on certain types of advisers recovering commissions and other nonmonetary benefits from fund managers. These rules will lead to greater fragmentation of distribution rules and may lead to changes to BlackRock’s client servicing and distribution models, in particular affecting the fees BlackRock is able to charge to its clients and the commissions it is able to pay to its distribution partners.

Revised Retail Consumer Disclosure Requirements

EU Benchmarks Regulation

Political agreement on the EU Benchmarks Regulation was reached at the end of 2015. The Regulation provides the legislative framework to implement the 2013 IOSCO Principles for Financial Benchmarks.  The scope of the Regulation is broad as it includes submission based benchmarks through to transaction based market indices. Proportionality is applied to createlegislators have introduced a stricter framework for the systemically relevant benchmarks such as LIBOR and EURIBOR. Although the Regulation creates a number of obligations on administrators of, and submitters to, benchmarks, it is less extensive as regards the obligations of users of benchmarks, such as asset managers. The Regulation formalizes due diligence procedures for users and implies other additional administrative requirements of users of third-party benchmarks. Managers using third-party and/or bespoke benchmarks to assess fund performance are also caught by the Regulation. It is expected that detailed rule-making underpinning the Regulation's framework will be developed during 2016 and implemented beginning in 2018. While it is not yet possible to assess the full effect of the Regulation on BlackRock's business, it may impose additional administrative and due diligence requirements on the Company, the burden ofnew “Key Information Document” (“KID”), which is likely to increase asapplicable where a retail consumer is sold Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products (“PRIIPs”) and which came into effect in January 2018. The KID must include specific information on costs, risks and performance. BlackRock makes additional enhancements to its indexing business.

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) Proposed Rulemaking for Registered Investment Advisers

FinCEN has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“Proposed Rule”) that would extend to a number of BlackRock’s subsidiaries, which are registered oris required to be registered withproduce a KID for each fund in scope, as well as to make information available to distribution partners who sell these funds in the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”), the requirement to establish anti-money laundering programs and report suspicious activity to FinCEN under the Bank Secrecy Act of 1970 (the “Bank Secrecy Act”).  The Proposed Rule would extend to those BlackRock subsidiaries captured within the Bank Secrecy Act’s definition of “financial institutions”, which would require them to comply with the Bank Secrecy Act reporting and recordkeeping requirements.  If enacted in its current form, the Proposed Rule would expose BlackRock to additional compliance costs.EU.

Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) Asset Management Market Survey

As part of its strategic priorities, theThe FCA is undertaking a market study intocontinuing its assessment of the asset management sector. The aim of this studyindustry, which is to understandfocused on understanding whether competition is working effectivelyprovides value to enable both institutional and retail investors to get value for money when purchasing asset management services. The FCA is interested in understanding whether there are any barriers to innovation or technological advances which may be preventing new ways of doing business that could benefit investors (Fintech). IfIn June 2017, the FCA concludes thatissued a final report to address concerns it had raised in its November 2016 Report about the effectiveness and sufficiency of price competition is not working well,in driving value for investors within the asset management industry. The final report recommended (i) the adoption of an “all-in” fee structure in the asset management industry in line with MiFID II and PRIIPs requirements; (ii) increasing independence in U.K. fund boards in line with existing Irish and Luxembourg practice; and (iii) imposing a specific value for money assessment on fund boards to challenge fund charging structures with the aim of passing on economies of scale to end investors.  If implemented as written, these recommendations could affect pricing and distribution arrangements across the U.K. asset management industry and potentially impact BlackRock’s profitability and operating margins.  Two further consultations on asset management have been initiated by the FCA may intervene through rule-making, introducing firm-specific remedies or enforcement action, publishing general guidance or proposing enhanced industry self-regulation. BlackRock is one of 40 firms included in the study and is currently respondingorder to an information request that consists of qualitative and quantitative data. Theset out specific FCA is aiming to engage with firms throughout 2016 with the proposal to issue a draft report to the industry in the summer of 2016. The FCA expect to publish their final report in early 2017.rule changes.  

EXISTING U.S. REGULATION - OVERVIEW

BlackRock and certain of its U.S. subsidiaries are currently subject to extensive regulation, primarily at the federal level, by the SEC, the DoL, the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), the National Futures Association (“NFA”), the CFTCCommodity Futures Trading Commission and other federal government agencies and regulatory bodies.

Certain of BlackRock’s U.S. subsidiaries are also subject to various anti-terrorist financing, privacy, anti-money laundering regulations and economic sanctions laws and regulations established by various agencies.

The Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”) imposes numerous obligations on registered investment advisers such as BlackRock, including record-keeping, operational and marketing requirements, disclosure obligations and prohibitions on fraudulent activities. State level regulation through Attorneys General, Insurance Commissioners and other state level agencies also applies to certain BlackRock activities.

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The Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”) imposes stringent governance, compliance, operational, disclosure and related obligations on registered investment companies and their investment advisers and distributors, such as BlackRock and its affiliated companies. The SEC is authorized to institute proceedings and impose sanctions for violations of the Advisers Act and the Investment Company Act, ranging from fines and censure to termination of an investment adviser’s registration. Investment advisers also are subject to certain state securities laws and regulations. Non-compliance with the Advisers Act, the Investment Company Act or other federal and state securities laws and regulations could result in investigations, sanctions, disgorgement, fines and reputational damage.

BlackRock’s trading and investment activities for client accounts are regulated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as well as the rules of various securities exchanges and self-regulatory organizations, including laws governing trading on inside information, market manipulation and a broad number of technical requirements (e.g., short sale limits, volume limitations and reporting obligations) and market regulation policies. Violation of any of these laws and regulations could result in fines or sanctions, as well as restrictions on BlackRock’s activities and damage to its

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reputation. Furthermore, one of BlackRock’s subsidiaries, BTC, was required to register as a municipal advisor (as that term is defined in the statute) with the SEC and Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (“MSRB”) as a result of SEC rules giving effect to a section of the DFADodd-Frank requiring such registration. The rules subject BTC to new and additional regulation by the SEC and MSRB.Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board.

BlackRock manages a variety of private pools of capital, including hedge funds, funds of hedge funds, private equity funds, collateralized debt obligations, (“CDOs”), collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), real estate funds, collective investment trusts, managed futures funds and hybrid funds. Congress, regulators, tax authorities and others continue to explore, on their own and in response to demands from the investment community and the public, increased regulation related to private pools of capital, including changes with respect to investor eligibility, certain limitations on trading activities, record-keeping and reporting, the scope of anti-fraud protections, safekeeping of client assets and a variety of other matters. BlackRock may be materially and adversely affected by new legislation, rule-making or changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing rules and regulations imposed by various regulators in this area.

Certain BlackRock subsidiaries are subject to ERISA, and to regulations promulgated thereunder by the DoL, insofar as they act as a “fiduciary” under Title I of ERISA with respect to benefit plan clients. ERISA and applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code impose certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries under ERISA, prohibit certain transactions involving ERISA plan clients and impose excise taxes for violations of these prohibitions, mandate certain required periodic reporting and disclosures and require certain BlackRock entities to carry bonds insuring against losses caused by fraud or dishonesty. ERISA also imposes additional compliance, reporting and operational requirements on BlackRock that otherwise are not applicable to non-benefit plan clients.

BlackRock has seven subsidiaries that are registered as commodity pool operators (“CPOs”) and/or commodity trading advisors (“CTAs”) with the CFTCCommodity Futures Trading Commission and are members of the NFA. The CFTCCommodity Futures Trading Commission and NFA each administer a comparable regulatory system covering futures contracts and various other financial instruments, including swaps as a result of the DFA,Dodd-Frank, in which certain BlackRock clients may invest. Two of BlackRock’s other subsidiaries, BlackRock Investments, LLC (“BRIL”) and BlackRock Execution Services, are registered with the SEC as broker-dealers and are member-firms of FINRA. Each broker-dealer has a membership agreement with FINRA that limits the scope of such broker-dealer’s permitted activities. BRIL is also an approved person with the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and a member of the MSRB,Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, subject to MSRBMunicipal Securities Rulemaking Board rules.

U.S. Banking Regulation

One of BlackRock’s subsidiaries, BTC, is organized as a nationally-chartered limited purpose trust company that does not accept deposits or make commercial loans. Accordingly, BTC is examined and supervised by the OCC and is subject to various banking laws and regulations enforced by the OCC, such as laws and regulations governing capital adequacy, fiduciary activities, conflicts of interest, self-dealing, and the prevention of financial crime, including money laundering. BTC is also a member of the Federal Reserve System and is subject to various Federal Reserve regulations applicable to member institutions, such as regulations restricting transactions with affiliates. Many of these laws and regulations are meant for the protection of BTC and/or BTC’s customers rather than BlackRock and its other affiliates or BlackRock’s stockholders.

PNC is a bank holding company and regulated as a “financial holding company” by the Federal Reserve under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (the “BHC Act”). As described in “Item 1-Business”, as of December 31, 2015 PNC owned approximately 22% of BlackRock’s capital stock. Based on the Federal Reserve’s interpretation of the BHC Act, the Federal Reserve currently takes the position that this ownership interest causes BlackRock to be treated as a nonbank subsidiary of PNC for purposes of the BHC Act, thereby subjecting BlackRock to banking regulation, including the supervision and regulation of the Federal Reserve and to most banking laws, regulations and orders that apply to PNC, including the Volcker Rule.Act. The supervision and regulation of PNC and its subsidiaries under applicable banking laws are intended primarily for the protection of its banking subsidiaries, its depositors, the Deposit Insurance Fund of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the financial system as a whole, rather than for the protection of stockholders, creditors or clients of PNC or BlackRock.

As described in “Item 1-Business”, as of December 31, 2017 PNC owned approximately 22% of BlackRock’s capital stock, which may subject BlackRock generally may conduct only activitiesto banking regulation as a nonbank subsidiary of PNC. The Bank Holding Company Act by its terms does not currently apply to BlackRock. The Federal Reserve currently takes the position that are authorizedthis ownership interest causes BlackRock to be treated as a nonbank subsidiary of PNC for the purpose of the Bank Holding Company Act and that BlackRock is subject to banking regulation. Based on this interpretation of the Bank Holding Company Act, the Federal Reserve could initiate a financial holding companyprocess to formally determine that PNC controls BlackRock under the BHCterms of the Bank Holding Company Act.  Investment management is an authorized activity, but must be conducted within applicableAny such determination, if successful, would subject BlackRock to current and future regulatory requirements which in some casesunder the Bank Holding Company Act, including the Volcker Rule, that are more restrictive than those BlackRock facesthe Company is subject to under other applicable securities laws. BlackRock may also invest in investment companies and private investment funds to which it provides advisory, administrative or other services, only tolaws, as well as the extent consistent with applicable law and regulatory interpretations. Based on the Federal Reserve’s position that BlackRock is a nonbank subsidiaryenforcement authority of PNC, the Federal Reserve, has broad powers to approve, deny or refuse to act upon applications or notices for BlackRock to conduct new activities, acquire or divest businesses or assets, or reconfigure existing operations, and there are limits on the ability of bank subsidiaries of PNC to extend credit to or conduct other transactions with BlackRock or its funds. PNC and its subsidiaries are also subject to examination by various banking regulators, which results in examination reports and ratings that may adversely impact the conduct and growth of BlackRock’s businesses. Furthermore, the Federal Reserve has broad enforcement authority over nonbank subsidiaries, includingincludes the power to prohibit them from conducting any activity that, in the Federal Reserve’s opinion, is unauthorized or constitutes an unsafe or unsound practice. The Federal Reserve may also impose substantial fines and other penalties for violations of applicable banking laws, regulations and orders. The DFA strengthenedviolations. Any effort by BlackRock to contest a control determination by the Federal Reserve’s supervisoryReserve may be costly and enforcement authority overcomplex, and may not result in a bank holding company’s nonbank subsidiaries.reversal of such determination.

Any failure of PNC to maintain its status as a financial holding company could result in substantial limitations on certain BlackRock activities and its growth. Such a change of status could be caused by any failure of PNC or one of PNC’s bank subsidiaries to remain “well capitalized” and “well managed,” by any examination downgrade of one of PNC’s bank subsidiaries, or by any failure of one of PNC’s bank subsidiaries to maintain a satisfactory rating under the Community Reinvestment Act.

One of BlackRock’s subsidiaries, BTC, is organized as a limited purpose national trust company that does not accept deposits or make commercial loans. BTC is a member of the Federal Reserve System. Accordingly, BTC is examined and supervised by the OCC and is subject to various banking laws and regulations enforced by the OCC, such as capital adequacy, regulations governing fiduciaries, conflicts of interest, self-dealing, and anti-money laundering laws and regulations. BTC is also subject to various Federal Reserve regulations applicable to member institutions, such as regulations restricting transactions with affiliates. Many of these laws and regulations are meant for the protection of BTC’s customers and not BTC, BlackRock and its affiliates, or BlackRock’s stockholders.15


Regulation of Securities Lending Financing Transactions

In its 2014 Annual Report, the FSOCFinancial Stability Oversight Council identified securities lending indemnification by asset managers who act as lending agents as a potential systemic risk that required further review and monitoring. The Federal Reserve is also considering whether to impose specific margin or minimum haircut requirements for securities financing transactions (“SFTs”).transactions. In addition, in OctoberNovember 2015, the European Parliament adopted the European Commission’s proposal forEU introduced a Europeannew regulation on the reporting and transparency of SFTs.securities financing transactions and total return swaps (“SFTR”). The SFT regulationSFTR aims to improve the transparency surrounding SFTssecurities financing transactions and limit the perceived risks of SFTstotal return swaps by, among other things, requiring central reporting of SFTs,securities financing transactions and total return swaps to a trade repository and requiring disclosure of SFTsthe use of securities financing transactions and total return swaps to investors and imposing minimum requirements relating to the difference in prices at which a market maker can buy and sell a security in SFTs.investors. If the recent scrutiny of SFTssecurities financing transactions results in additionalfurther regulatory requirements or reporting obligations, BlackRock may be

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required to introduce additionalfurther compliance measures, which will subject BlackRock to additional expenses and could lead to modifications in BlackRock’s SFTsecurities financing transaction activities, including potential adjustments to its activities as agent lender for its clients.

Regulation of Money Market Funds

In October 2016, new rules were implemented to reform the regulatory structure governing U.S. money market funds to address the perceived systemic risks of money market funds. The new rules require institutional prime and institutional municipal money market funds to employ a floating net asset value per share method of pricing, which allows the daily share prices of these funds to fluctuate along with changes in the market-based value of fund assets. Retail money market funds continue operating with a constant net asset value per share.  The rules, however, provide for new tools for institutional and retail money market funds’ boards designed to address market shocks, including the ability to impose liquidity fees and redemption gates under certain circumstances.  The new rules led to an approximately $1 trillion asset transition from the prime money funds industry to the government money funds industry and BlackRock saw a similar dynamic on its platform.

EXISTING INTERNATIONAL REGULATION — OVERVIEW

BlackRock’s international operations are subject to the laws and regulations of a number of international jurisdictions, as well as oversight by numerous regulatory agencies and bodies in those jurisdictions. In some instances, these operations are also affected by U.S. laws and regulations that have extra-territorial application.

Below is a summary of certain international regulatory standards to which BlackRock is subject. It is not meant to be comprehensive as there are parallel legal and regulatory arrangements in force in many jurisdictions where BlackRock’s subsidiaries conduct business.

Of note among the various other international regulations to which BlackRock is subject, are the extensive and complex regulatory reporting requirements that necessitate the monitoring and reporting of issuer exposure levels (thresholds) across the holdings of managed funds and accounts and those of the Company.

European Regulation

The FCA currently regulates certain BlackRock subsidiaries in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”).Kingdom. It also prudentially regulates those U.K. subsidiaries’ branches established in other European UnionEU countries and is also responsible for the conduct of business regulation of the U.K. branches of certain of BlackRock’s U.S. subsidiaries. In addition, the Prudential Regulation Authority (“PRA”) regulates one BlackRock U.K. insurance subsidiary. Authorization by the FCA and (where relevant) the PRA is required to conduct certain financial services related business in the U.K.United Kingdom under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”). The FCA’s rules adopted under the FSMA govern the majority of a firm’s capital resources requirements, senior management arrangements, conduct of business, interaction with clients, and systems and controls, whereas the rules of the PRA focus solely on the prudential requirements that apply to BlackRock’s U.K.-regulated insurance subsidiary. The FCA supervises BlackRock’s U.K.-regulated subsidiaries through a combination of proactive engagement, event-driven and reactive supervision and thematictheme based reviews in order to monitor BlackRock’s compliance with regulatory requirements. Breaches of the FCA’s rules may result in a wide range of disciplinary actions against BlackRock’s U.K.-regulated subsidiaries and/or its employees.

In addition, BlackRock’s U.K.-regulated subsidiaries and other European subsidiaries and branches must comply with the pan-European regulatory regime established by MiFID, which regulates the provision of investment services and activities throughout the wider EEA.EU. MiFID, the scope of which is being enhanced through MiFID II (which came into effect in January 2018 and is described more particularly under “— Global Regulatory Reform” above), sets out detailed requirements governing the organization and conduct of business of investment firms and regulated markets. It also includes pre- and post-trade transparency requirements for equity and non-equity markets and extensive transaction reporting requirements. Certain BlackRock European subsidiaries must also comply with the Consolidated Life Directive and Insurance Mediation Directive. In addition, relevant entities must comply with revised obligations on capital resources for banks and certain investment firms (the Capital Requirements Directive)Directive and Capital Requirements Regulation). These include requirements on capital, as well as matters of governance and remuneration. Relevant BlackRock entities must also comply with the requirements of the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive, which imposes obligations on the authorization and capital, conduct of business, organization, transparency and marketing of alternative investment funds that are sold in, or marketed to, the EU. The obligations introduced through these regulations and directives will have a direct effect on some of BlackRock’s European operations.

BlackRock’s EU-regulated subsidiaries are also subject to an EU regulation on OTCover-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives, central counterparties and trade repositories, which requires (i) the central clearing of standardized OTC derivatives, (ii) the application of risk-mitigation techniques to non-centrally cleared OTC derivatives (including since March 2017 the exchange of collateral with certain counterparties) and (iii) since 2014 the reporting of all derivative contracts since February 2014.to an ESMA-registered or recognized derivatives trade repository.

Regulation in the Asia-Pacific Region

In Japan, a BlackRock subsidiary is subject to the Financial Instruments and Exchange LawAct (“FIEL”FIEA”) and the Law ConcerningAct on Investment Trusts and Investment Corporations. These laws are administered and enforced by the Japanese Financial Services Agency (“JFSA”), which establishes standards for compliance, including capital adequacy and financial soundness requirements, customer protection requirements and conduct of business rules. The JFSA is empowered to conduct administrative proceedings that can result in censure, fines, the issuance of cease and

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desist orders or the suspension or revocation of registrations and licenses granted under the FIEL.FIEA. This Japanese subsidiary also holds a license for real estate investment management and brokerage activityactivities which subjects it to the regulations set forth in the Real Estate Brokerage Business Act.

In Australia, BlackRock’s subsidiaries are subject to various Australian federal and state laws, and certain subsidiaries are regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”). ASIC regulates companies and financial services in Australia and is responsible for promoting investor, creditor and consumer protection. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could result in the cancellation, suspension or variation of the regulated subsidiaries’ licenses in Australia.

The activities of certain BlackRock subsidiaries in Hong Kong are subject to the Securities and Futures Ordinance (“SFO”), which governs the securities and futures markets and regulates, among others, offers of investments to the public and provides for the licensing of intermediaries. The SFO is administered by the Securities and Futures Commission (“SFC”). The SFC is also empowered to establish standards for compliance as well as codes and guidelines. The relevant BlackRock subsidiaries and the employees conducting any of the regulated activities specified in the SFO are required to be licensed with the SFC, and are subject to the rules, codes and guidelines issued by the SFC. Failure to comply with the applicable laws, regulations, codes and guidelines issued by the SFC could result in the suspension or revocations of the licenses granted by the SFC.

BlackRock’s operations in Taiwan are regulated by the Taiwan Financial Supervisory Commission, which is responsible for regulating securities markets (including the Taiwan Stock Exchange and the Taiwan Futures Exchange), the banking industry and the insurance sector. Other financial regulators oversee BlackRock subsidiaries, branches, and representative offices across the Asia-Pacific region, including in Singapore and South Korea. Regulators in these jurisdictions have authority with respect to financial services including, among other things, the authority to grant or cancel required licenses or registrations. In addition, these regulators may subject certain BlackRock subsidiaries to net capital requirements.

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AVAILABLE INFORMATION

BlackRock files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and all amendments to these reports and other information with the SEC. BlackRock makes available free-of-charge, on or through its website at http://www.blackrock.com, the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and all amendments to those filings, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. The Company also makes available on its website the charters for the Audit Committee, Management Development and Compensation Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee and Risk Committee of the Board of Directors, its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, its Code of Ethics for Chief Executive and Senior Financial Officers and its Corporate Governance Guidelines. Further, BlackRock will provide, without charge, upon written request, a copy of the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and all amendments to those filings as well as the committee charters, its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, its Code of Ethics for Chief Executive and Senior Financial Officers and its Corporate Governance Guidelines. Requests for copies should be addressed to Investor Relations, BlackRock, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055. Investors may read and copy any document BlackRock files at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. Reports, proxy statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including BlackRock’s filings, are also available to the public from the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

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Item 1A. RiskRisk Factors

As a leadingglobal investment management firm, risk is an inherent part of BlackRock’s business. Global markets, by their nature, are prone to uncertainty and subject participants to a variety of risks. While BlackRock devotes significant resources across all of its operations to identify, measure, monitor, manage and analyze market, operating, legal, compliance, fiduciary and investment risks, BlackRock’s business, financial condition, operating results and nonoperating results could be materially adversely affected and the Company’s stock price could decline as a result of any of these risks and uncertainties, including the ones discussed below.

MARKET AND COMPETITION RISKS

Changes in the value levels of equity, debt, real estate,assets, commodities, currencyforeign exchange or other asset markets may cause assets under management (“AUM”), revenue and earnings to decline.

BlackRock’s investment management revenue is primarily comprised of fees based on a percentage of the value of AUM and, in some cases, performance fees which are normally expressed as a percentage of returns to the client. Numerous factors, including price movements in the equity, debt or currency markets, or in the price of real estate,assets, commodities or alternative investments in which BlackRock invests, could cause:

the value of AUM, or the returns BlackRock realizes on AUM, to decrease;

the withdrawal of funds from BlackRock’s products in favor of products offered by competitors;

the rebalancing or reallocating of assets into BlackRock products that yield lower fees;

an impairment to the value of intangible assets and goodwill; or

a decrease in the value of seed or co-investment capital.

The occurrence of any of these events may cause the Company’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

BlackRock’s investment advisory contracts may be terminated or may not be renewed by clients or fund boards on favorable terms and the liquidation of certain funds may be accelerated at the option of investors.

BlackRock derives a substantial portion of its revenue from itsproviding investment advisory business.services. The advisory or management contracts BlackRock has entered into with its clients, including the agreements that govern many of BlackRock’s investment funds, provide investors or, in some cases, the independent directors of private investment funds, with significant latitude to terminate such contracts, withdraw funds or liquidate funds by simple majority vote with limited notice or penalty, or to remove BlackRock as a fund’s investment advisor (or equivalent). BlackRock also manages its U.S. mutual funds, closed-end and exchange-traded funds under management contracts that must be renewed and approved annually by the funds’ respective boards of directors, a majority of whom are independent from the Company. BlackRock’s fee arrangements under any of its advisory or management contracts may be subject to reductionreduced (including at the behest of a fund’s board of directors). In addition, if a number of BlackRock’s clients terminate their contracts, remove BlackRock from advisory roles, liquidate funds or fail to renew management contracts on favorable terms, the fees or carried interest BlackRock earns could be reduced, which may cause BlackRock’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

Increased competition may cause BlackRock’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

The investment management industry is highly competitive and has relatively low barriers to entry. BlackRock competes based on a number of factors including: investment performance, the level of fees charged, the quality and diversity of services and products provided, name recognition and reputation, and the ability to develop new investment strategies and products to meet the changing needs of investors. In addition, the introduction of new technologies, as well as regulatory changes, have altered the competitive landscape for investment managers, which may lead to fee compression or require BlackRock to spend more to modify or adapt its product offerings to attract and retain customers and remain competitive with products and services offered by other financial institutions, technology companies, trading, advisory or asset management firms. Increased competition on the basis of any of these factors, including competition leading to fee reductions on existing or new business, may cause the Company’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

Failure to maintain Aladdin’s competitive position in a dynamic market for risk analytics could lead to a loss of clients and could impede BlackRock’s productivity and growth.

The sophisticated risk analytics that BlackRock provides via the Aladdin its technology platform to support investment advisory and BlackRock Solutions Aladdin clients are an important element of BlackRock’s competitive success.  Aladdin’s competitive position is based in part on its ability to combine sophisticated risk analytics with comprehensive portfolio management, trading and operations tools on a single platform.  Increased competition from risk analytics and investment management technology providers or a shift in client demand away to standalone or internally developed solutions, whether due to price competition, perceived client market share, platform flexibility or market-based or regulatory factors, may weaken Aladdin’s competitive position and may cause the Company’s revenue and earnings to decline.  In addition, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to effectively protect and enforce its intellectual property rights in Aladdin.

The impairment or failure of other financial institutions may cause BlackRock’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

BlackRock’s investment management activities expose the products and accounts it manages to many different industries and counterparties, including brokers and dealers, commercial and investment banks, clearing organizations, mutual and hedge funds, and other institutional clients. Transactions with counterparties expose the products and accounts BlackRock manages to credit risk in the event the applicable counterparty defaults. Although BlackRock regularly assesses risks posed by its counterparties, such counterparties may be subject to sudden swings in the financial and credit markets that may impair their ability to perform or they may otherwise fail to meet their obligations. Any such impairment or failure could negatively impact the performance of products or accounts managed by BlackRock, which could lead to the loss of clients and may cause BlackRock’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

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The failure or negative performance of products offered by competitors may cause AUM in similar BlackRock products to decline irrespective of BlackRock’s performance.

Many competitors offer similar products to those offered by BlackRock and the failure or negative performance of competitors’ products could lead to a loss of confidence in similar BlackRock products, irrespective of the performance of such products. Any loss of confidence in a product type could lead to withdrawals, redemptions and liquidity issues in such products, which may cause the Company’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

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Changes in the value of seed and co-investments that BlackRock owns could affect its nonoperating income and could increase the volatility of its earnings.

At December 31, 2015,2017, BlackRock’s net economic investment exposure of approximately $1.5$2.1 billion in its investments (see “Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Investments”Operations-Investments and Investments of Consolidated VIEs”) primarily resulted from co-investments and seed investments in its sponsored investment funds. Movements in the equity, debt or currency markets, or in the price of real estate,assets, commodities or other alternative investments, could lower the value of these investments as well as other minority investments, increase the volatility of BlackRock’s earnings and may cause earnings to decline.

ActsOperating risks associated with BlackRock’s securities lending program may result in client losses.

BlackRock lends securities to banks and broker-dealers on behalf of terrorcertain of its clients. In these securities lending transactions, the borrower is required to provide and maintain collateral at or above regulatory minimums. Securities on loan are marked to market daily to determine if the continued threatborrower is required to pledge additional collateral. BlackRock must manage this process and is charged with mitigating the associated operational risks. The failure of terrorism,BlackRock’s controls to mitigate such operational risks could result in financial losses for the Company’s clients that participate in its securities lending programs (separate from the risks of collateral investments), and BlackRock may be held liable for any failure to manage any such risks.

BlackRock indemnifies certain securities lending clients for specified losses as a result of a borrower default.

BlackRock provides borrower default indemnification to certain of its securities lending clients. In the event of a borrower default, BlackRock would use the collateral pledged by the borrower to repurchase securities out on loan in order to replace them in a client’s account. Borrower default indemnification is limited to the shortfall that occurs in the event the collateral available at the time of the borrower’s default is insufficient to repurchase those securities out on loan.  BlackRock requires all borrowers to mark to market their pledged collateral daily to levels in excess of the value of the securities on loan to mitigate the likelihood of the indemnity being triggered. Where the collateral is in the form of cash, the indemnities BlackRock provides do not guarantee, assume or otherwise insure the investment performance or return of any cash collateral vehicle into which that cash collateral is invested. The amount of securities on loan as of December 31, 2017 and subject to indemnification was $200 billion. BlackRock held, as agent, cash and securities totaling $214 billion as collateral for indemnified securities on loan at December 31, 2017. Significant borrower defaults occurring simultaneously with rapid declines in the value of collateral pledged and/or increases in the value of the securities loaned may create collateral shortfalls, which could result in material liabilities under these indemnities and may cause the Company’s revenue and earnings to decline.

BlackRock’s decision to provide support to particular products from time to time, or the inability to provide support, may cause AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

While not legally mandated, BlackRock may, at its option, from time to time choose to support investment products through capital or credit support for commercial or other reasons. Such support may utilize capital and liquidity that would otherwise be available for other corporate purposes. Losses on such support, as well as increasedregulatory restrictions on the Company’s ability to provide such support or the failure to have available or devote sufficient capital or liquidity to support products, may cause AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

Increased geopolitical unrest could adversely affect the global economy or specific international, regional and domestic markets, which may cause BlackRock’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

Terrorist activity and the continued threat of terrorism and acts of civil or international hostility, both within the United States and abroad, as well as ongoing military and other actions and heightened security measures in response to these types of threats,acts, may cause significant volatility and declines in the global markets, loss of life, property damage, disruptions to commerce and reduced economic activity. ActsGlobal unrest or conflict or acts of terror, may also resultas well as any changes in increased border security between countries which could adversely affect trade, impede growth and exacerbate refugee crises arising out of civil or international conflicts. Continuedthe current geopolitical unrest and terrorist activity thatenvironment, may adversely affect the global economy or capital markets mayand cause BlackRock’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

Risks Related to INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE

Poor investment performance could lead to the loss of clients and may cause AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

The Company’s management believes that investment performance, including the efficient delivery of beta, for passively managed products, is one of the most important factors for the growth and retention of AUM. Poor investment performance relative to applicable portfolio benchmarks or to competitors may cause AUM, revenue and earnings to decline as a result of:

client withdrawals in favor of better performing products;

client shifts from active to passive products whichthat charge lower fees;

the diminishing ability to attract additional funds from existing and new clients;

the Company earning reduced, minimal or no performance fees;

an impairment to the value of intangible assets and goodwill; or

a decrease in investment returns on seed and co-investment capital.

Performance fees may increase volatility of both revenue and earnings.

A portion of BlackRock’s revenue is derived from performance fees on investment advisory assignments. Performance fees represented $621$594 million, or 5%, of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2015.2017. Generally, the Company is entitled to a performance fee only if the agreement pursuant to which it is managing the assets provides for one and if returns on the related portfolio exceed agreed-upon periodic or cumulative return targets. If these targets are not exceeded, a performance fee for that period will not be earned and, if targets are based on

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cumulative returns, the Company may not earn performance fees in future periods, which may cause AUM,periods. The volatility of the Company’s future revenue and earnings may also be affected due to decline.illiquid alternatives becoming an increasing component of the overall composition of the Company’s performance fee generating assets. In particular, as BlackRock takes on more advisory assignments for illiquid investments, performance fees will generally be recognized over substantially longer multi-year periods than those associated with more liquid products.

Failure to identify errors in the quantitative models BlackRock utilizes to manage its business could adversely impact product performance and client relationships.

BlackRock employs various quantitative models to support its investment decisions and allocations, including those related to risk assessment, portfolio management, trading and hedging activities and product valuations. Any errors in the underlying models or model assumptions could have unanticipated and adverse consequences on BlackRock’s business and reputation.

TECHNOLOGY AND OPERATIONAL RISKS

A failure in BlackRock’s operational systems or infrastructure, including business continuity plans, could disrupt operations, damage the Company’s reputation and may cause BlackRock’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

BlackRock’s infrastructure, including its technological capacity, data centers and office space, is vital to the competitiveness of its business. Moreover, a significant portion of BlackRock’s critical business operations are concentrated in a limited number of geographic areas, including San Francisco, New York, London and Gurgaon. The failure to maintain an infrastructure commensurate with the size and scope of BlackRock’s business, or the occurrence of a business outage or event outside BlackRock’s control, including a major earthquake, hurricane, fire, terrorist act, pandemic or other catastrophic event in any location at which BlackRock maintains a major presence, could materially impact operations, result in disruption to the business or impede its growth. NotwithstandingIn addition, despite BlackRock’s efforts to ensure business continuity, if it fails to keep business continuity plans up-to-date or if such plans, including secure back-up facilities and systems and the availability of back-up employees, are improperly implemented or deployed during a disruption, the Company’s ability to operate could be adversely impacted which may cause AUM, revenue and earnings to decline or impact the Company’s ability to comply with regulatory obligations leading to reputational harm, regulatory fines and/or sanctions.

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A cyber-attack or a failure to implement effective information and cyber securitycybersecurity policies, procedures and capabilities could disrupt operations and cause financial losses that may cause BlackRock’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

BlackRock is dependent on the effectiveness of the information and cyber securitycybersecurity policies, procedures and capabilities it maintains to protect its computer and telecommunications systems and the data that resideresides on or areis transmitted through them. An externally caused information security incident, such as a hacker attack, virus,cyber-attack including a phishing scam, virus, or worm,denial-of-service attack, or an internally caused issue,incident, such as failure to control access to sensitive systems, could materially interrupt business operations or cause disclosure or modification of sensitive or confidential client or competitive information. Moreover, BlackRock’s increased use of mobile and cloud technologies could heighten these and other operational risks, as certain aspects of the security of such technologies may be complex, unpredictable or beyond BlackRock’s control. BlackRock’s growing exposure to the public Internet, as well as reliance on mobile or cloud technology or any failure by mobile technology and cloud service providers to adequately safeguard their systems and prevent cyber-attacks, could disrupt BlackRock’s operations and result in misappropriation, corruption or loss of personal, confidential or proprietary information. In addition, there is a risk that encryption and other protective measures may be circumvented, particularly to the extent that new computing technologies increase the speed and computing power available.

There have been a number of recent highly publicized cases involving financial services and consumer-based companies reporting the unauthorized disclosure of client or customer information, as well as cyber-attacks involving the dissemination, theft and destruction of corporate information or other assets, as a result of failure to follow procedures by employees or contractors or as a result of actions by third parties, including actions by terrorist organizations and hostile foreign governments. BlackRock has been the target of attempted cyber-attacks, as well as the co-opting of its brand to create fraudulent websites, and must continuously monitor and develop its systems to protect its technology infrastructure and data from misappropriation or corruption, as the failure to do so could disrupt BlackRock’s operations and cause financial losses. Although BlackRock takes protective measures and endeavors to strengthen its computer systems, software, technology assets and networks to prevent and address potential cyber-attacks, there can be no assurance that any of these measures prove effective. Moreover, due to the complexity and interconnectedness of BlackRock’s systems, the process of upgrading or patching the Company’s protective measures could itself create a risk of security issues or system disruptions for the Company, as well as for clients who rely upon, or have exposure to, BlackRock’s systems.

In addition, due to BlackRock’s interconnectivity with third-party vendors, advisors, central agents, exchanges, clearing houses and other financial institutions, BlackRock may be adversely affected if any of them are subject to a successful cyber-attack or other information security event. event, including those arising due to the use of mobile technology or a third-party cloud environment. BlackRock also routinely transmits and receives personal, confidential or proprietary information by email and other electronic means. The Company collaborates with clients, vendors and other third parties to develop secure transmission capabilities and protect against cyber-attacks. However, BlackRock cannot ensure that it or such third parties have all appropriate controls in place to protect the confidentiality of such information.

Any information security incident or cyber-attack against BlackRock or third parties with whom it is connected, including any interception, mishandling or misuse of personal, confidential or proprietary information, could result in material financial loss, loss of competitive position, regulatory fines and/or sanctions, breach of client contracts, reputational harm or legal liability, which, in turn, may cause BlackRock’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

Failure or unavailability of third-party dependencies may adversely affect Aladdin operations and could lead to a loss of clients and could impede BlackRock’s productivity and growthgrowth.

BlackRock relies on its ability to maintain a robust and secure technological framework to maximize the benefit of the Aladdin platform.  The analytical capabilities of Aladdin depend on the ability of a number of third parties to provide data and other information as inputs into Aladdin

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analytical calculations. The failure of these third parties to provide such data or information, or disruption of such information flows, could result in operational difficulties and adversely impact BlackRock’s ability to provide services to its investment advisory and Aladdin clients.

Continuing enhancements to Aladdin’s capabilities, as well as the expansion of BlackRock’s Aladdin platform into new markets and geographies, may expose BlackRock Solutions clients.to heightened cyber- and information-security, operational and data management risks.

The operation of BlackRock’s Aladdin platform routinely involves updating existing capabilities, developing new functionalities and expanding coverage into new markets and geographies, including to address client or regulatory requirements. These activities may expose BlackRock to additional cyber- and information-security risks, as well as increased execution, operational and data management risks, particularly in new geographies and markets. In addition, the highly regulated business activities of many Aladdin clients may indirectly expose BlackRock to heightened regulatory scrutiny. For example, the changing political and regulatory environment in certain jurisdictions in which Aladdin clients are based has required BlackRock to open new data centers in those jurisdictions in order to host client data in the client’s home location. Operating new data centers in foreign jurisdictions may expose BlackRock to increased operational and information security risks, as well as additional regulatory risks associated with BlackRock’s securities lending program may result in client losses.

BlackRock lends securities to banks and broker-dealers on behalfthe compliance requirements of certain of its clients. In these securities lending transactions, the borrower is required to provide and maintain collateral at or above regulatory minimums. Securities on loan are marked to market daily to determine if the borrower is required to pledge additional collateral.such jurisdictions. Any failure by BlackRock must manage this process and is charged with mitigating the associated operational risks. The failure of BlackRock’s controls to mitigate such operational risks could result in financial losses for the Company’s clients that participate in its securities lending programs (separate from the risks of collateral investments), and BlackRock may be held liable for any failure to manage any such risks.

BlackRock indemnifies certain securities lending clients for specified losses as a result of a borrower default.

BlackRock provides borrower default indemnificationor mitigate risks related to certain ofenhancing or expanding its securities lending clients. In the event of a borrower default, BlackRock would use the collateral pledged by the borrowerAladdin platform may lead to repurchase securities out on loan in order to replace them in a client’s account. Borrower default indemnification is limited to the shortfall that occurs in the event the collateral available at the time of the borrower’s default is insufficient to repurchase those securities out on loan.  BlackRock requires all borrowers to mark to market their pledged collateral daily to levels in excess of the value of the securities on loan to mitigate the likelihood of the indemnity being triggered. Where the collateral is in the form of cash, the indemnities BlackRock provides do not guarantee, assumeclient attrition, reduced business, reputational harm or otherwise insure the investment performance or return of any cash collateral vehicle into which that cash collateral is invested. The amount of securities on loan as of December 31, 2015 and subject to indemnification was $169.3 billion. BlackRock held, as agent, cash and securities totaling $179.6 billion as collateral for indemnified securities on loan at December 31, 2015. Significant borrower defaults occurring simultaneously with rapid declines in the value of collateral pledgedregulatory fines and/or increases in the value of the securities loaned may create collateral shortfalls,sanctions, which could result in material liabilities under these indemnities and may cause the Company’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

BlackRock’s decision to provide support to particular products from time to time, or the inability to provide support, may cause AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

BlackRock may, at its option, from time to time support investment products through capital or other credit support. Such support may utilize capital and liquidity that would otherwise be available for other corporate purposes. Losses on such support, as well as regulatory restrictions on the Company’s ability to provide such support or the failure to have available or devote sufficient capital or liquidity to support products, may cause AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

Failure to maintain adequate corporate and contingent liquidity may cause BlackRock’s AUM, liquidity and earnings to decline, as well as harm its prospects for growth.

BlackRock’s ability to meet anticipated cash needs depends upon a number of factors, including its ability to maintain and grow its AUM, its creditworthiness and operating cash flows. Failure to maintain adequate liquidity could lead to unanticipated costs and force BlackRock to revise existing strategic and business initiatives. BlackRock’s access to equity and debt markets and its ability to issue public or private debt, or secure lines of credit or commercial paper back-up lines, on reasonable terms may be limited by adverse market conditions, a reduction in its long- or short-term credit ratings, or changes in government regulations, including tax and interest rates. Failure to obtain funds and/or financing, or any adverse change to the cost of obtaining such funds and/or financing, may cause BlackRock’s AUM, revenueliquidity and earnings to decline, curtail its operations and limit or impede its prospects for growth.

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Fraud, or the circumvention of controls and risk management policies, could have an adverse effect on BlackRock’s reputation, which may cause the Company’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

Although BlackRock has adopted a comprehensive risk management process and continues to enhance various controls, procedures, policies and systems to monitor and manage risks, it cannot assure that such controls, procedures, policies and systems will successfully identify and manage internal and external risks to its businesses. BlackRock is subject to the risk that its employees, contractors or other third parties may deliberately seek to circumvent established controls to commit fraud or act in ways that are inconsistent with the Company’s controls, policies and procedures. Persistent attempts to circumvent policies and controls or repeated incidents involving fraud, conflicts of interests or transgressions of policies and controls could have an adverse effect on BlackRock’s reputation, which could cause costly regulatory inquiries, fines and/or sanctions and may cause the Company’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

BlackRock may be unable to develop new products and services and the development of new products and services may expose BlackRock to additional costs or operational risk.

BlackRock’s financial performance depends, in part, on its ability to develop, market and manage new investment products and services. The development and introduction of new products and services require continued innovative efforts on the part of BlackRock and may require significant time and resources as well as ongoing support and investment. Substantial risk and uncertainties are associated with the introduction of new products and services, including the implementation of new and appropriate operational controls and procedures, shifting client and market preferences, the introduction of competing products or services and compliance with regulatory requirements. A failure to continue to innovate to introduce new products and services or to successfully manage these risks may have an adverse impact on BlackRock’s reputation or cause the risks associated with such products and services may cause BlackRock’sCompany’s costs to fluctuate, which may cause its AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

The failure to recruit and retain employees and develop and implement effective executive succession could lead to the loss of clients and may cause AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

BlackRock’s success is largely dependent on the talents and efforts of its highly skilled workforce and the Company’s ability to plan for the future long-term growth of the business by identifying and developing those employees who can ultimately transition into key roles within BlackRock. The market for qualified fund managers, investment analysts, technology and risk specialists and other professionals is competitive, and factors that affect BlackRock’s ability to attract and retain such employees include the Company’s reputation, the compensation and benefits it provides, and its commitment to effectively managing executive succession, including the development and training of qualified individuals. BlackRock’s ability to attract and retain talent may also be affected if European regulations instituting bonus caps or limiting the amount of compensation that asset managers can pay to certain employees are enacted in the varying formats in which they have been proposed.  

In addition, a percentage of the deferred compensation that BlackRock pays to its employees is tied to the Company’s share price. As such, if BlackRock’s share price were to decrease materially, the retention value of such deferred compensation would decrease. There can be no assurance that the Company will continue to be successful in its efforts to recruit and retain employees and effectively manage executive succession. If BlackRock is unable to offer competitive compensation or otherwise attract and retain talented individuals, or if it fails to effectively manage executive succession, the Company’s ability to compete effectively and retain its existing clients may be materially impacted.

Future inorganicInorganic transactions may harm the Company’s competitive or financial position if they are not successful.

BlackRock employs a variety of organic and inorganic strategies intended to enhance earnings, increase product offerings, access new clients, leverage advances in technology and expand into new geographies. Inorganic strategies have included hiring smaller-sized investment teams, making minority investments in early- to mid-stage technological and other ventures and acquiring investment management businesses and other small and medium-sized companies or divisions of companies. Inorganic transactions involve a number of financial, accounting, tax, regulatory, geographical and operational challenges and uncertainties, including in some cases the assumption of pre-existing liabilities. Any failure to identify and mitigate these risks through due diligence and indemnification provisions could adversely impact BlackRock’s reputation, may cause its AUM, revenue and earnings to decline, and may harm the Company’s competitive position in the investment management industry. Moreover, there can be no assurancesassurance that BlackRock will be able to successfully integrate or realize the intended benefits from future inorganic transactions.

Investments in real assets such as real estate, infrastructure and energy assets may expose BlackRock and its funds and accounts to new or increased risks and liabilities, as well as reputational harm.

Investments in real assets, including real estate, infrastructure and energy assets, may expose BlackRock and its funds and accounts to increased risks and liabilities that are inherent in the ownership and management of such assets. These may include:

construction risks, including labor disputes or work stoppages, shortages of material or interruptions to the availability of necessary equipment;

accidents, adverse weather, force majeure or catastrophic events, such as explosions, fires or terrorist activity beyond BlackRock’s control;

personal injury or property damage;

failures on the part of third-party managers or sub-contractors appointed in connection with investments or projects to adequately perform their contractual duties or operate in accordance with applicable laws;

exposure to stringent and complex foreign, federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations, including those related to financial crime, permits, government contracting, conservation, exploration and production, tenancy, occupational health and safety, foreign investment and environmental protection;

environmental hazards, such as natural gas leaks, product and waste spills, pipeline and tank ruptures, and unauthorized discharges of products, wastes and other pollutants;

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changes to the supply and demand for properties and/or tenancies or fluctuations in the price of commodities;

21the financial resources of tenants; and


the financial resources of tenants; and

contingent liabilities on disposition of assets.

The above risks may expose BlackRock’s funds and accounts to additional expenses and liabilities, including costs associated with delays or remediation costs, and increased legal or regulatory costs, all of which could impact the returns earned by BlackRock’s clients.  These risks could also result in direct liability for BlackRock by exposing BlackRock to regulatory sanction or litigation, including claims for compensatory or punitive damages. Similarly, market conditions may change during the course of developments or projects in which BlackRock invests that make such development or project less attractive than at the time it was commenced and potentially harm the investment returns of BlackRock’s clients. The occurrence of any such events may expose BlackRock to reputational harm, divert management’s time and attention away from BlackRock’s other business activities or cause its AUM, revenue and earnings to decline. 

Operating in international markets increases BlackRock’s operational, political, regulatory and other risks.

As a result of BlackRock’s extensive international operations, the Company faces associated operational, regulatory, reputational, political and foreign exchange rate risks, many of which are outside of the Company’s control. Operating outside the United States may also expose BlackRock to increased compliance risks, as well as higher compliance costs to comply with U.S. and non-U.S. anti-corruption, anti-money laundering and sanctions laws and regulations. The failure of the Company’s systems of internal control to mitigate such risks, or of its operating infrastructure to support its global activities, could result in operational failures and regulatory fines and/or sanctions, which may cause the Company’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

 

RISKS RELATED TO HUMAN CAPITAL

The potential for human error in connection with BlackRock’s operational systems could disrupt operations, cause losses, lead to regulatory fines or damage the Company’s reputation and may cause BlackRock’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

Many of BlackRock’s operations are highly complex and are dependent on the Company’s ability to process and monitor a large number of transactions, many of which occur across numerous markets and currencies at high volumes and frequencies. Although BlackRock expends considerable resources on systemic controls, supervision, technology and training in an effort to ensure that such transactions do not violate client guidelines and applicable rules and regulations or adversely affect clients, counterparties or the Company, BlackRock’s operations are dependent on its employees. From time-to-time, employees make mistakes that are not always immediately detected by policies and procedures intended to prevent and detect such errors. These can include calculation errors, errors in software implementation or development, failure to follow protocols, patch systems, or report issues or errors in judgment. Human errors, even if promptly discovered and remediated, may disrupt operations or result in regulatory fines and/or sanctions, breach of client contracts, reputational harm or legal liability, which, in turn, may cause BlackRock’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

Fraud, the circumvention of controls or the violation of risk management and workplace policies could have an adverse effect on BlackRock’s reputation, which may cause the Company’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

Although BlackRock seeks to foster a positive workplace culture, has adopted a comprehensive risk management process and continues to enhance various controls, procedures, policies and systems to monitor and manage risks, it cannot ensure that its workplace culture or such controls, procedures, policies and systems will successfully identify and manage internal and external risks. BlackRock is subject to the risk that its employees, contractors or other third parties may deliberately or recklessly seek to circumvent established controls to commit fraud, pay or solicit bribes or otherwise act in ways that are inconsistent with the Company’s controls, policies, procedures, workplace culture or principles. Persistent attempts to circumvent policies and controls or repeated incidents involving fraud, conflicts of interests or transgressions of policies and controls could have an adverse effect on BlackRock’s reputation, which could cause adverse publicity, costly regulatory inquiries, fines and/or sanctions and may cause the Company’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

The failure to recruit and retain employees and develop and implement effective executive succession could lead to the loss of clients and may cause AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

BlackRock’s success is largely dependent on the talents and efforts of its highly skilled workforce and the Company’s ability to plan for the future long-term growth of the business by identifying and developing those employees who can ultimately transition into key roles within BlackRock. The global market for qualified fund managers, investment analysts, technology and risk specialists and other professionals is competitive, and factors that affect BlackRock’s ability to attract and retain such employees include the Company’s reputation and workplace culture, the immigration policies in the jurisdictions in which BlackRock has offices, the compensation and benefits it provides, and its commitment to effectively managing executive succession, including the development and training of qualified individuals.

In addition, a percentage of the deferred compensation that BlackRock pays to its employees is tied to the Company’s share price. As such, if BlackRock’s share price were to decrease materially, the retention value of such deferred compensation would decrease. There can be no assurance that the Company will continue to be successful in its efforts to recruit and retain employees and effectively manage executive succession. If BlackRock is unable to offer competitive compensation or otherwise attract and retain talented individuals, or if it fails to effectively manage executive succession, the Company’s ability to compete effectively and retain its existing clients may be materially impacted.

Risks Related to KEY THIRD-PARTY Relationships

The impairment or failure of third parties may cause BlackRock’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

BlackRock’s investment management activities expose the products and accounts it manages to many different industries and counterparties, including distributors, brokers and dealers, commercial and investment banks, clearing organizations, mutual and hedge funds, and other institutional clients. Transactions with counterparties expose the products and accounts BlackRock manages to credit risk in the event the

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applicable counterparty defaults. Although BlackRock regularly assesses risks posed by its counterparties, such counterparties may be subject to sudden swings in the financial and credit markets that may impair their ability to perform or they may otherwise fail to meet their obligations. Any such impairment or failure could negatively impact the performance of products or accounts managed by BlackRock, which could lead to the loss of clients and may cause BlackRock’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

The failure of a key vendor to BlackRock to fulfill its obligations could have a material adverse effect on BlackRock’s reputation or business, which may cause the Company’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

BlackRock depends on a number of key vendors for various fund administration, accounting, custody, risk analytics, market data, market indices and transfer agent roles and other distribution and operational needs. BlackRock performs focused diligence on its vendors in an effort to ensure they operate in accordance with expectations; however, to the extent any significant deficiencies are uncovered, there may be few, or no, feasible alternative vendors available to BlackRock in certain areas.

In addition, BlackRock may from time to time transfer key contracts from one vendor to another. For example, BlackRock is currently in the process of moving custody services on more than $1 trillion of client assets from State Street Corp. to JPMorgan Chase & Co., the migration of which is expected to be complete by the end of 2018. Key contract transfers may be costly and complex, and expose BlackRock to heightened operational risks.  Any failure to mitigate such risks could result in reputational harm, as well as financial losses to BlackRock and its clients.  The failure or inability of BlackRock to diversify its sources for key services or the failure of any key vendor to fulfill its obligations could result in activities inconsistent with clients’ investment management agreements, have an adverse financial impact on BlackRock products or lead to operational and regulatory issues for the Company, including with respect to certain of its products, which could result in reputational harm or legal liability, fines and/or sanctions and may cause BlackRock’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

Any disruption to the Company’s distribution channels may cause BlackRock’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

BlackRock relies on a number of third parties to provide distribution, portfolio administration and servicing for certain BlackRock investment management products and services through their various distribution channels. In particular, BlackRock entered into a global distribution agreement with Bank of America/Merrill Lynch in 2006, which is subject to renegotiation at the end of 2016. BlackRock’s ability to maintain strong relationships with its distributors is material tomay impact the Company’s future performance.performance, and its relationships with distributors are subject to periodic renegotiation that may result in increased distribution costs and/or reductions in the amount of BlackRock products and services being marketed or distributed. Moreover, new fiduciary regulations could lead to significant shifts in distributors' business models and more limited product offerings, potentially resulting in reduced distribution and/or marketing of certain of the Company’s products and services and fee compression. If BlackRock is unable to distribute its products and services successfully, if it experiences an increase in distribution-related costs, or if it is unable to replace or renew existing distribution arrangements, BlackRock’s AUM, revenue and earnings may decline. In addition, improper activities, as well as inadequate anti-money laundering diligence conducted by third-party distributors, could create reputational harm to BlackRock.

Disruption to the operations of third parties whose functions are integral to BlackRock’s Exchange TradedExchange-Traded Fund (“ETF”) platform may adversely affect the prices at which ETFs trade, particularly during periods of market volatility.

BlackRock is the largest provider of ETFs globally. Shares of ETFs trade on stock exchanges at prices at, above or below the ETF’s most recent net asset value (“NAV”).value. The NAVnet asset value of an ETF is calculated at the end of each business day and fluctuates with changes in the market value of the ETF’s holdings. The trading price of the ETF’s shares fluctuates continuously throughout trading hours. While an ETF’s creation/redemption feature and the arbitrage mechanism are designed to make it more likely that the ETF’s shares normally will trade at prices close to the ETF’s NAV,net asset value, exchange prices may deviate significantly from the ETF’s NAV.net asset value. ETF market prices are subject to numerous potential risks, including trading halts invoked by a stock exchange, inability or unwillingness of market markers, authorized participants, settlement systems or other market participants to perform functions necessary for an ETF’s arbitrage mechanism to function effectively, or significant market volatility. Although BlackRock and other large issuers of ETFs are working with market participants to seek to enhance U.S. equity market resiliency, there can be no assurance that structural reforms will be implemented in a timely or effective fashion, or at all. Moreover, if market events lead to incidences where ETFs trade at prices that deviate significantly from an ETF’s NAV,net asset value, or trading halts are invoked by the relevant stock exchange or market, investors may lose confidence in ETF products and redeem their holdings, which may cause BlackRock’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

Legal and Regulatory Risks

BlackRock is subject to extensive and pervasive regulation around the world.

BlackRock’s business is subject to extensive regulation around the world. These regulations subject BlackRock’s business activities to a pervasivean array of increasingly detailed operational requirements, compliance with which is costly time-consuming and complex. In addition, many of BlackRock’s legal entities may be subject to laws and regulations aimed at preventing corruption, money laundering, inappropriate employment practices, illegal payments and engaging in business activities with certain individuals, countries or groups, including but not limited to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the USA PATRIOT Act, the Bank Secrecy Act and the U.K. Bribery Act. BlackRock is also subject to certain risk retention rules and regulation, as well as regulatory capital requirements, in the United States and abroad, which require the Company to maintain capital to support certain of its businesses. To the extent that these rules and regulations become more stringent, or if BlackRock is required to hold increased levels of capital to support its businesses, the Company’s financial performance or plans for growth may be adversely impacted.

BlackRock may also be adversely affected by its failure to comply with current laws and regulations or by changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing laws and regulations. Challenges associated with interpreting regulations issued in numerous countries in a globally consistent manner may add to such risks, if regulators in different jurisdictions have inconsistent views or provide only limited regulatory guidance. In particular, violation of applicable laws or regulations could result in fines and/or sanctions, temporary or permanent prohibition of certain activities, reputational harm and related client terminations, suspensions of employees or revocation of their licenses, suspension or termination of investment adviser, broker-dealer or other registrations, or suspension or termination of bank charter or other sanctions, which could have a material adverse effect on BlackRock’s reputation or business and may cause the Company’s AUM, revenue and earnings to

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decline. For a more extensive discussion of the laws, regulations and regulators to which BlackRock is subject, see “Item 1 – Business – Regulation.”

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Regulatory reforms in the United States and internationally expose BlackRock and its clients to increasing regulatory scrutiny.scrutiny, as well as regulatory uncertainty.

In recent years a number of proposals for regulatory reformreforms have been introduced in the United States, including several that remain proposals or that are at various phases of implementation, and the level of regulatory scrutiny to which BlackRock is subject has increased. In addition, there are numerous potential changes to financial services regulation under current consideration, including reform and repeal initiatives arising out of or in connection with the executive order issued in February 2017 directing the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) to identify the extent to which existing laws, treaties, rules, regulations and policies promote, support or inhibit certain core principles for financial regulation set forth in the order (the “Executive Order”), that may directly or indirectly impact BlackRock’s business or operating activities.  BlackRock, as well as its clients, vendors and distributors, have expended resources and altered certain of their business or operating activities to prepare for, address and meet the requirements that such regulatory reforms impose. While BlackRock is, expectedor may become, subject to increase. Seenumerous reform initiatives in the United States, see “Item 1 – Business – Regulation.Regulation,A number of regulatory reforms that have been proposed may require BlackRock to alter its business or operating activities, which could be time-consuming and costly and which may impede the Company’s growth and may cause AUM, revenue and earnings to decline. Regulatory reform may also impact BlackRock’s banking, insurance company and pension fund clients, which could cause them to change their investment strategies or allocations in manners that may be adverse to BlackRock. Keykey regulatory reforms that may impact the Company include:

Designation as a systemically important financial institution (“SIFI”): BothTheFinancial Stability Oversight Council (“FSOC”) has the FSB, working with IOSCO, and FSOC are considering potential systemic risk relatedauthority to asset management. In July 2014, the FSOC issued a statement indicatingdesignate nonbank financial institutions as SIFIs. The FSOC’s most recent statements generally indicate that their review would focusit is focused on products and activities, and FSOC subsequently released a request for information addressing: market liquidity and fund redemption risk, the use of leverage, operational risk, and the resolutionrather than designation, in its review of asset managers includingmanagers. The Treasury report on asset management, issued in October 2017 pursuant to the transition of client assets.Executive Order, also expressed this view. In June 2015, IOSCO issued a statement indicating they also favoredaddition, in November 2017, Treasury made recommendations concerning the process by which the FSOC designates nonbanks as SIFIs, further supporting a products and activities approach to addressing risks in their review of asset managers, and in July 2015, the FSB made a similar announcement.management. In September 2015, the FSB released a statement indicating that their review would focus on: market liquidity and fund redemption risk, the use of leverage, securities lending practices, operational risk, and risks from pension funds and sovereign wealth funds. Although FSOC, IOSCO and FSB have shifted from a focus on designating firms and/or funds as systemically important (i.e., G-SIFI or SIFI designations), the process is ongoing and may lead to designations in the future.  In the event that BlackRock receivesis designated as a SIFI, designation, under the DFA,Dodd-Frank, the Federal Reserve System is charged with establishing enhanced regulatory requirements for nonbank financial institutions and BlackRock could become subject to its direct supervision.  If BlackRock were designated a SIFI or G-SIFI, it could become subject to enhanced prudential, capital, supervisory and other requirements, such as risk-based capital requirements, leverage limits, liquidity requirements, resolution plan and credit exposure report requirements, concentration limits, a contingent capital requirement, enhanced public disclosures, short-term debt limits and overall risk management requirements. Requirements such as these, which were designed to regulate banking institutions, would be extremely burdensome for BlackRock, unless they were modified to be applicable to an asset manager. No proposals have been made indicating how such measures would be adapted for asset managers, if at all.supervision by the Federal Reserve.

Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Rulemakings for US Registered Funds and Investment Advisers: The SEC is engaged in a period of rule-making in an effort to improve and modernize the regulatory structure governing the asset management industry, and registered investment companies in particular. In so doing, it has adopted rules that include (i) new monthly and annual reporting requirements for certain U.S. registered funds; (ii) enhanced reporting regimes for investment advisers; and (iii) implementing liquidity risk management programs for ETFs and open-end funds, other than money market funds. These rules, many of which are currently in an implementation period, will increase BlackRock’s public reporting and disclosure requirements, which could be costly and may impede BlackRock’s growth. Certain other rules impacting investment advisers and U.S. registered funds were proposed (or were under discussion for proposal) by the SEC’s prior leadership, however the SEC’s current leadership has indicated that these efforts are not expected to result in any short-term action.  In the event the SEC moves forward with any such proposals, any new rules, guidance or regulatory initiatives could expose BlackRock to additional compliance costs and may require the Company to change how it operates its business and/or manages its funds.

The Volcker Rule:Rule: Provisions of the DFADodd-Frank referred to as the “Volcker Rule” created a new section of the BHCBank Holding Company Act that places limitations on the ability of banks and their subsidiaries to engage in proprietary trading and to invest in and transact with certain private investment funds, including hedge funds, private equity funds and funds of funds (collectively “covered funds”). Conformance with the Volcker Rule’s requirements may reduce the level of market making and liquidity activities of several of BlackRock’s trading counterparties, which may adversely impact the liquidity and, in some cases, the pricing of various financial instruments in which BlackRock client accounts invest. Because theThe Bank Holding Company Act by its terms does not currently apply to BlackRock. The Federal Reserve currently treatstakes the position that PNC’s ownership interest in BlackRock, which is approximately 22%, causes BlackRock to be treated as a nonbank subsidiary of PNC for the purpose of the Bank Holding Company Act and that BlackRock may be requiredis subject to conform its activitiesbanking regulation. Based on this interpretation of the Bank Holding Company Act, the Federal Reserve could initiate a process to formally determine that PNC controls BlackRock under the terms of the Bank Holding Company Act. Any such determination, if successful, would subject BlackRock to current and future regulatory requirements ofunder the Bank Holding Company Act, including the Volcker Rule. On December 18, 2014, the Federal Reserve announced a second extension toConformance with the Volcker Rule conformance period, giving banking entities until July 21, 2016, to conform investments in and relationships with covered funds and foreign funds that were in place prior to December 31, 2013 (“legacy covered funds”). The Federal Reserve also announced its intention to grant banking entities an additional one-year extension of the conformance period until July 21, 2017, to conform ownership interests in and relationships with these legacy covered funds. BlackRock has chosen to commence a conformance program for covered funds, including legacy covered funds. The Volcker Rule’s restrictions may among other things, limit BlackRock’s ability to invest in covered funds and require BlackRock to remove its name from the names of its covered funds. The Volcker Rule may also require BlackRockfunds, and to sell certain seed and co-investments that it holds in coveredthose funds, which may occur at a discount to existing carrying value depending on market conditions.

Money market mutual fund reform: Approximately 3% of BlackRock’s AUM as of December 31, 2015, consisted of assets in U.S. MMFs, of which institutional prime or institutional municipal MMFs (including offshore funds that feed into such MMFs) comprised approximately 2%. In July 2014, the SEC adopted new rules designed to reform the regulatory structure governing MMFs and to address the perceived systemic risks that such funds present. The new rules, to which U.S. MMFs must conform by October 2016, require institutional prime and institutional municipal MMFs to employ a floating net asset value per share method of pricing, which allows the daily share prices of these funds to fluctuate along with changes in the market-based value of fund assets. Retail MMFs may continue operating with a constant net asset value per share.  The rules also provide for new tools for institutional and retail MMFs’ boards designed to address market shocks, including liquidity fees and redemption gates. The new rules do not apply to government (non-municipal) MMFs, although such funds may “opt-in” to the new liquidity fee and redemption gate provisions if previously disclosed to investors. Implementation of these new rules requires the development of new or additional systems by BlackRock and the funds’ service providers. BlackRock has commenced efforts to move its MMFs into compliance in advance of the deadline.  The impact of the rules that affect the structure of the funds on BlackRock’s business remains uncertain as clients must decide which products fit their investment needs.  The new rules will, however, affect certain of BlackRock’s funds’ investment strategies, portfolio liquidity and return potential. The new rules will also result in changes to BlackRock’s existing U.S. MMFs and may reduce the attractiveness of certain U.S. MMFs to investors.

Regulation of swaps and derivatives: The implementation of DFA regulations, similar regulations in the EU and other global jurisdictions relating to swaps and derivatives could impact the manner in which BlackRock-advised funds and accounts use and trade swaps and other derivatives, increasing the costs of derivatives trading for BlackRock’s clients. Various global rules and regulations applicable to the use of financial products by funds, accounts and counterparties that have been adopted or proposed will require BlackRock to build and implement new compliance monitoring procedures to address the enhanced level of oversight to which it and its clients will be subject. These rules will also introduce new central clearing requirements for certain swap transactions and will require that certain swaps be executed only on or through electronic trading venues (as opposed to over the phone or other execution methods), with which BlackRock will have to comply. In the United States, certain interest rate swaps and certain index credit default swaps are already subject to the DFA central clearing and electronic trading venue requirements, with additional products and asset classes potentially becoming subject to these requirements in 2016 and beyond.  For swaps and security-based swaps that are not centrally cleared, U.S. bank regulators recently adopted rules that could require BlackRock-advised funds and accounts to post margin payments when trading with a swap dealer that is regulated by one of the U.S. bank regulators. The CFTC also recently adopted similar margin rules applicable when trading non-cleared swaps with swap dealers who are not regulated by one of the U.S. bank regulators. These rules have the potential to increase the complexity and cost of trading non-cleared derivatives for BlackRock's clients. In EMEA, central clearing requirements will be implemented

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in a phased manner and will apply to BlackRock funds and accounts beginning in the latter half of 2016. The new rules and regulations may produce regulatory inconsistencies in global derivatives trading rules and increase BlackRock’s operational and legal risks.

SEC asset management industry initiatives: The SEC and its staff continue to engage in various initiatives and reviews that seek to improve and modernize the regulatory structure governing the asset management industry, and registered investment companies in particular. During 2015, the SEC proposed, among other things: enhanced reporting by investment advisors, enhanced reporting on registered mutual funds, new rules for liquidity risk management in registered funds, and new rules governing the use of derivatives and leverage by registered investment companies and business development companies. Furthermore, in June 2015, the SEC issued a request for comments regarding practices related to ETFs, which is widely expected to result in a future rulemaking.  The SEC has also indicated an intention to propose new rules for the stress testing of registered investment companies and transition planning by asset managers, including the transfer of client assets.  The SEC’s focus has also been directed toward risk identification and controls in various areas, including the use of derivatives and other trading practices (as reflected in the SEC’s late December 2015 rule proposal referenced in “Item 1 – Business – Regulation – Regulation of Swaps and Derivatives” above), cyber-security and the evaluation of systemic risks. While these proposals have yet to be finalized into new rules, any new rules, guidance or regulatory initiatives resulting from these efforts could require BlackRock to alter its business or operating activities or fund management practices, or increase its public reporting and disclosure requirements, which could be time-consuming and costly and which may impede BlackRock's growth and may cause AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

Revised DoLDepartment of Labor (“DOL”) Fiduciary Rule:In April 2015,2016, the DoL proposedpublished a new regulation defining the term "fiduciary" for purposes of the fiduciary responsibility provisions of Title I of ERISAthe Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the prohibited transaction exerciseexcise tax provisions of the IRS.Internal Revenue Code. The substantive provisions of the rule began to apply in June 2017. However, the applicability date of many conditions of the prohibited transaction exemptions accompanying the rule has been highly criticized by industry participants, particularly retail intermediaries, and BlackRock is engaging withdelayed until July 2019, while the DoL trade associations and industry participants in an effort to affect revisions to the proposed rule. To the extentcontinues its re-examination of the rule is enacted as written, it willand the prohibited transaction exemptions. If the DoL does not repeal or revise the rule or revise the prohibited transaction exemptions, the rule could require BlackRock to re-paperrevise a number of its distribution relationships, create compliance and operational challenges for BlackRock’s distribution partners and may limit BlackRock’s ability to provide certain useful services and education to its clients.

Regulatory reforms in the United States could require BlackRock to alter its future business or operating activities, which could be costly, impede the Company’s growth and cause its AUM, revenue and earnings to decline. Regulatory reform may also impact BlackRock’s banking, insurance company and pension fund clients, which could cause them to change their investment strategies or allocations in manners that may be adverse to BlackRock.

International regulatory reforms expose BlackRock and its clients to increasing regulatory scrutiny, as well as regulatory uncertainty.

BlackRock’s business and operating activities are subject to increasing regulatory oversight outside of the United States and the Company may be affected by a number of pending regulatory reform initiatives in EMEA and the Asia-Pacific region, as well as volatility associated with international regulatory uncertainty, including:

British Exit from the European Union: Following the June 2016 vote to exit the European Union (“EU”), the United Kingdom served notice under Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union on March 29, 2017 to initiate the process of exiting from the EU, commonly referred to as "Brexit". The outcome of the negotiations between the United Kingdom and the EU in connection with Brexit is highly

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uncertain and information regarding the long-term consequences is expected to become clearer over time as negotiations progress. The Company continues to prepare for a range of potential outcomes in connection with Brexit.

Designation as a systemically important financial institution: The Financial Stability Board (“FSB”) working with the International Organization of Securities Commissions (“IOSCO”) is considering potential systemic risk related to asset management; statements made by these organizations have generally indicated that they are, at this time, focused on a products and activities, rather than designation, approach in their review of asset managers. The FSB has indicated that it may develop criteria for designation of nonbank non-insurers in the future to address “residual risks”.  Any measures applied in relation to a G-SIFI designation from the FSB would need to be implemented through existing regulatory processes and procedures by relevant national authorities.

Reform of EU investment markets: The European Commission has revised the Directive governing the provision of investment services in Europe (“MiFID”) and introduced an associated Regulation (together with certain secondary regulation, “MiFID II”). The Regulation’s requirements apply consistently across the EU, whereas there may be some variation in the application of MiFID as between EU Member States. The MiFID II reforms, which came into force in January 2018, are substantive, materially changing market transparency requirements and enhancing protections afforded to investors. New disclosure and reporting obligations have been introduced, together with restrictions on how research may be funded and the nature of payments that may be provided to distributors. MiFID II, together with other market structure reforms, will additionally force more derivatives to be traded on-exchange and introduce new commodity derivatives position limits. The broad nature of the MiFID II reforms may impact BlackRock’s product development, client servicing and distribution models. In particular, additional disclosures are required in respect of costs and fees BlackRock charges to certain of its clients. MiFID II may also impact the ability of certain of BlackRock’s distribution partners to accept commissions. Market structure reforms may also impact the way that the Company executes investment decisions for client portfolios and reports on such transactions and could have an impact on general market liquidity.

Revised EU capital requirements: EU regulators are considering how to design an appropriate capital regime for non-systemically important investment firms as the current regime is based on banking requirements and has not been modified for asset managers. In December 2017, the European Commission published a legislative proposal addressed to the European Parliament and Council for a new Directive and new Regulation on prudential requirements for MiFID investment firms. The new legislative package is currently expected to come into effect in 2020 following agreement between the European Council and Parliament. Once implemented, any new requirements could result in significant changes to the methodology used to determine the amount of regulatory capital that BlackRock is required to hold in the EU.

EU market access: The European Commission and certain EU Member States have recently advanced a more restrictive approach to the need for “equivalence”, which is the process by which the legal, regulatory and/or supervisory system in non-EU Member States is recognized by the European Commission as comparably effective to that in the EU, thereby allowing such non-EU Member States access to the EU single market in financial services. Additionally,in September 2017, the European Commission issued a proposal to enhance the European Supervisory Authorities’ powers by requiring that all third-country outsourcing, delegation and risk transfer arrangements be assessed by the European Securities and Markets Authority (“ESMA”). If enacted, the proposal would transfer to ESMA the ability of EU Member States to authorize the outsourcing of asset management activities beyond the EU’s borders. The proposal could have a significant impact on asset management firms with operations based outside of the EU, including BlackRock, and it may affect the Company’s ability to delegate fund management and/or costs associated with such delegation.

EU money market fund reform: In November 2016, the EU council announced political agreement with the European Parliament on certain money market funds reforms that are intended to reduce perceived risks associated with these products. The final text was published in the Official Journal of the EU in June 2017, starting an 18-month transition period for existing funds to comply. The reforms will limit the use of constant net asset value money market funds to those holding only government debt, and introduce a new category of “low volatility net asset value” money market funds, with both categories of money market funds being subject to reinforced liquidity requirements as well as safeguards such as liquidity fees and redemption gates. They may also reduce the attractiveness of certain money market funds to investors. BlackRock is evaluating the reforms and potential impact to its existing constant net asset value money market funds.

New disclosures to retail consumers: EU legislators have introduced a new “Key Information Document” (“KID”), which is applicable where a retail consumer is sold Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products (“PRIIPs”) and which came into effect in January 2018. The KID must include specific information on costs, risks and performance. BlackRock is required to produce a KID for each fund in scope, as well as to make information available to distribution partners who sell these funds in the EU.

Increased international regulatory scrutiny: In addition to the extensive scrutiny BlackRock faces from U.S.-based regulators, the Company and its subsidiaries are also subject to the authority of numerous governmental and regulatory bodies globally, in particular in Europe andoutside of the Asia-Pacific region.United States. These regulators have imposed numerous regulations, guidelines and standards on the activities of BlackRock and its subsidiaries covering a variety of areas, including capital resources requirements, marketing activities, client and investor protections, senior management arrangements, and system and control requirements. In the event that BlackRock or any of its subsidiaries failsfail to comply with these often complex guidelines, regulations and standards, the regulators have broad powers to suspend or revoke any licenses they may have granted and/or to impose fines and/or sanctions.

 

European Union Directives: InInternational regulatory reforms could require BlackRock to alter its future business or operating activities, which could be time-consuming and costly, impede the aftermath of the financial crisis, the European Commission (“EC”) initiated a plan for EU financialCompany’s growth and cause its AUM, revenue and earnings to decline. Regulatory reform including a number of consultations and initiatives intendedmay also impact BlackRock’s internationally-based clients, which could cause them to improve retail investor protections, which the EC reflectedchange their investment strategies or allocations in new or updated Directives and regulations. The resulting review of MiFID, introduction of AIFMD, the introduction of MiFID II and the revision of the UCITS Directive have increased the compliance, disclosure and other obligations BlackRock faces in the European Economic Area. Once fully implemented, these Directives will have significant and wide-ranging impacts on EU securities and derivative markets, products and distribution, and internal governance arrangements, which will directly and indirectly impact BlackRock's EU regulated subsidiaries and other group companies.

Reform of European Retail Distribution: BlackRock must also comply with retail distribution rules aimed at enhancing consumer protections, overhauling mutual fund fee structures by banning the payment of commissionsmanners that may be adverse to distributors and increasing professionalism in the retail investment sector. The rules were originally introduced in the United Kingdom in 2012 and similar rules have since been introduced in other jurisdictions where BlackRock operates such as the Netherlands, and are under discussion elsewhere. Similarly, MiFID II will contain a ban on certain advisers recovering commissions and other nonmonetary benefits from fund managers. These rules will lead to greater fragmentation of distribution rules and may lead to changes to BlackRock’s client servicing and distribution models, in particular affecting the fees BlackRock is able to charge to its clients and the commissions it is able to pay to its distribution partners.BlackRock.

Legal proceedings may cause the Company’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

BlackRock is subject to a number of sources of potential legal liability and the Company, certain of the investment funds it manages and certain of its subsidiaries and employees have been named as defendants in various legal actions, including arbitrations, class actions and other litigation arising in connection with BlackRock’s activities. Certain of BlackRock’s subsidiaries and employees are also subject to periodic examination, special inquiries and potential proceedings by regulatory authorities, including the SEC,Securities Exchange Commission, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), DoL, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Financial Conduct Authority and Federal Reserve, OCC, DoL, CFTC and FCA.Reserve. Similarly, from time to time, BlackRock receives subpoenas or other requests for information from various U.S. and non-U.S. governmental and

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regulatory authorities in connection with certain industry-wide, company-specific or other investigations or proceedings. These examinations, inquiries and proceedings have in the past and could in the future, if compliance failures or other violations are found, cause the relevant regulator to institute proceedings and impose sanctions for violations. Any such action may also result in litigation by investors in BlackRock’s funds, other BlackRock clients or by BlackRock’s shareholders, which could harm the Company’s reputation and may cause its AUM, revenue and earnings to decline, potentially harm the investment returns of the applicable fund, or result in the Company being liable for damages.

In addition, when clients retain BlackRock to manage their assets or provide them with products or services, they typically specify contractual requirements or guidelines that BlackRock must observe in the provision of its services. A failure to comply with these guidelines or requirements could expose BlackRock to lawsuits, harm its reputation or cause clients to withdraw assets or terminate contracts.

As BlackRock’s business continues to grow, the Company must routinely address conflicts of interest, as well as the perception of conflicts of interest, between itself and its clients, employees or vendors. In addition, the SEC and other regulators have increased their scrutiny of potential conflicts. BlackRock has procedures and controls in place that are designed to detect and address these issues. However, appropriately dealing with conflicts of interest is complex and if the Company fails, or appears to fail, to deal appropriately deal with any conflict of interest, it may face reputational damage, litigation, regulatory proceedings, or penalties, fines and/or sanctions, any of which may cause BlackRock’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

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BlackRock is subject to U.S. banking regulations that may limit its business activities.

As described in “Item 1-Business-Regulation”, PNC owns approximately 22% of BlackRock’s capital stock. Based on the Federal Reserve’s interpretation of the BHC Act, the Federal Reserve takes the position that this ownership interest causes BlackRock to be treated as a nonbank subsidiary of PNC for purposes of the BHC Act, thereby subjecting BlackRock to banking regulation, including the supervision and regulation of the Federal Reserve. Such banking regulation limits the activities and the types of businesses that a nonbank subsidiary may conduct. The Federal Reserve has broad enforcement authority over nonbank subsidiaries, including the power to prohibit them from conducting any activity that, in the Federal Reserve’s opinion, is unauthorized or constitutes an unsafe or unsound practice, and to impose substantial fines and other penalties for violations. PNC is regulated as a “financial holding company” under the BHC Act, which allows PNC and BlackRock to engage in a much broader set of activities than would otherwise be permitted under the BHC Act; any failure of PNC to maintain its status as a financial holding company could result in substantial limitations on certain BlackRock activities and its growth.

In addition, BlackRock’s trust bank subsidiary, which is organized as a national bank,banking association chartered by the OCC, is separately subject to bankingOCC regulation by the OCC.and capital requirements. The OCC has broad supervisory and enforcement authority over BlackRock’s trust bank subsidiary and also subjects it to capital requirements.bank. Being subject to banking regulation may put BlackRock at a competitive disadvantage because certain of its competitors are not subject to these limitations. In addition, as described in “Item 1-Business-Regulation”, PNC owns approximately 22% of BlackRock’s capital stock, which may subject BlackRock to banking regulation as a nonbank subsidiary of PNC. The Bank Holding Company Act by its terms does not currently apply to BlackRock. The Federal Reserve currently takes the position that this ownership interest causes BlackRock to be treated as a nonbank subsidiary of PNC for the purpose of the Bank Holding Company Act and that BlackRock is subject to banking regulation. Based on this interpretation of the Bank Holding Company Act, the Federal Reserve could initiate a process to formally determine that PNC controls BlackRock under the terms of the Bank Holding Company Act.  Any such determination, if successful, would subject BlackRock to current and future regulatory requirements under the Bank Holding Company Act, including the Volcker Rule, that are more restrictive than those the Company is subject to under other applicable laws, as well as the enforcement authority of the Federal Reserve, which includes the power to impose substantial fines and other penalties for violations. Any effort by BlackRock to contest a control determination by the Federal Reserve may be costly and complex and may not result in a reversal of such determination.

Failure to comply with ownership reporting requirements could result in harm to BlackRock’s reputation and may cause its AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

Of note among the various international regulations to which BlackRock is subject are the extensive and increasingly stringent regulatory reporting requirements that necessitate the monitoring and reporting of issuer exposure levels (thresholds) across the holdings of managed funds and accounts and those of the Company. The specific triggers and the reporting methods that these threshold filings entail vary significantly by regulator and across jurisdictions. BlackRock continues to invest in technology, training and its employees to further enhance its monitoring and reporting functions and improve the timeliness and accuracy of its disclosures.functions. Despite these investments, the complexity of the various threshold reporting requirements combined with the breadth of the assets managed by the Company and high volume of securities trading have caused errors and omissions to occur in the past, and pose a risk that errors or omissions will occasionallymay occur in the future. Any such errors may expose BlackRock to monetary penalties, which could have an adverse effect on BlackRock’s reputation and may cause its AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

BlackRock has been the subject of third-party commentary citing concerns about index investing and common ownership.

As a leader in the index investing and asset management industry, BlackRock has been the subject of third-party commentary citing concerns about the growth of index investing, as well as perceived competition issues associated with asset managers managing stakes in multiple companies within certain industries, known as “common ownership”. The commentators argue that index funds have the potential to distort investment flows, create stock price bubbles, or conversely, exacerbate a decline in market prices. Additional commentary focuses on competition issues associated with common ownership and purports to link aggregated equity positions in certain concentrated industries managed by asset managers with higher consumer prices and escalating executive compensation, among other things. Although there is substantial literature highlighting the benefits of index investing, as well as casting doubt on the assumptions, methodology and conclusions associated with common ownership arguments, some commentators have proposed policy measures in connection with the discourse in this area, including limits on stakes managed by asset managers. If the conclusions advanced by such commentators were to gain traction or result in the enactment of policy measures that place limits on asset managers, BlackRock’s business operations, reputation or financial condition may be adversely affected.

New tax legislation or changes into existing U.S. and foreignnon-U.S. tax laws, treaties and regulations or challenges to BlackRock’s historical taxation practices may adversely affect BlackRock’s effective tax rate, business and overall financial condition.

BlackRock’s businesses may be directly or indirectly affected by new tax legislation or regulations,and regulation, or the modification of existing tax laws, regulations and rulings, by U.S. or non-U.S. authorities. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Tax Act”) was enacted. Over the next few months, as the Company finalizes the impact of tax reform and clarifies the potential for future investment opportunities, BlackRock intends to reassess its capital management plans for the balance of 2018.

In particular, FATCA and the CRS have introduced new investor onboarding, withholding and reporting rules aimed at ensuring persons with financial assets outside of their tax residence country pay appropriate taxes. FATCA and CRS will impact both U.S. and non-U.S. funds and subject BlackRock to additional administrative burdens. Similarly,addition, certain EU Member States have enacted FTTs,financial transaction taxes (“FTTs”), which impose taxation on a broad range of financial instrument and derivatives transactions. Several othertransactions, and the European Commission has proposed legislation to harmonize these taxes and provide for the adoption of EU-level legislation applicable to some (but not all) EU Member States continue to discuss introducing FTTs.States. If introduced as proposed, FTTs could have an adverse effect on BlackRock’s financial results and on clients’ performance results. In addition, in October 2015 the OECD released its final BEPS package in an effort to curb the use of certain tax regimes and elements of tax planning, primarily in a cross-border context. The final package was endorsed by the G20 and is subject to implementation. BEPS contains a number of provisions that may negatively impact cross-border investing using commingled investment vehicles. In addition, in January 2016, the European Commission announced an Anti-Tax Avoidance Package (“EU Package”) for consideration by the European Parliament and Council containing measures to regulate certain elements of tax planning further and to boost tax transparency.  Once implemented, the BEPS package and the EU Package could curtail the amount of investments channeled by, and have unintended taxation consequences for, funds as well as the BlackRock’s overall tax position, which could adversely affect BlackRock’s financial condition and that of its clients.

The Company also manages significant assets in products and accounts that have specific tax objectives, which could be adversely impacted by changes in tax law or policy, particularly with respect to U.S. municipal income, the U.S. individual income tax rate on qualified dividends and long-term capital gains and, globally, alternative products. 26


The application of complex tax regulations involves numerous uncertainties, and in the normal course of business U.S. and non-U.S. tax authorities may review and challenge BlackRock’s historical tax positions.positions adopted by BlackRock. These challenges may result in adjustments to, BlackRock’s tax position, or impact the timing or amount of, taxable income, deductions or other tax allocations, which may adversely affect BlackRock’s effective tax rate and overall financial condition.

Risks Related to BlackRock’s

RISKS RELATED TO BLACKROCK’S SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDER

PNC owns a large portion22% of BlackRock’s capital stock. Future sales or distributions of BlackRock’s common stock in the public market by the Company or PNC could adversely affect the trading price of BlackRock’s common stock.

As of December 31, 2015,2017, PNC owned 22% of the Company’s capital stock. Sales or distributions of a substantial number of shares of BlackRock’s common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales or distributions might occur, may cause the market price of BlackRock’s common stock to decline.

PNC has agreed to vote as a stockholder in accordance with the recommendation of BlackRock’s Board of Directors, and certain actions will require special board approval or the prior approval of PNC.

As discussed in BlackRock’s proxy statement, PNC has agreed to vote all of its voting shares in accordance with the recommendation of BlackRock’s Board of Directors in accordance with the provisions of its stockholder agreement with BlackRock. As a consequence, if the shares held by PNC constitute a substantial portion of the outstanding voting shares, matters submitted to a stockholder vote that require a majority or a plurality of votes for approval, including elections of directors, will have a substantial number of shares voted in accordance with the determination of the BlackRock Board of Directors. This arrangement has the effect of concentrating a significant block of voting control over BlackRock in its Board of Directors, whether or not stockholders agree with any particular determination of the Board.

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As discussed in BlackRock’s proxy statement, pursuant to BlackRock’s stockholder agreement with PNC, the following may not be done without prior approval of all of the independent directors, or at least two-thirds of the directors, then in office:

appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer of BlackRock;

any merger, issuance of shares or similar transaction in which beneficial ownership of a majority of the total voting power of BlackRock capital stock would be held by persons different than those currentlythe persons holding such majority of the total voting power prior to the occurrence of any such merger, issuance of shares or similar transaction, or any sale of all or substantially all assets of BlackRock;

any acquisition of any person or business which has a consolidated net income after taxes for its preceding fiscal year that equals or exceeds 20% of BlackRock’s consolidated net income after taxes for its preceding fiscal year if such acquisition involves the current or potential issuance of BlackRock capital stock constituting more than 10% of the total voting power of BlackRock capital stock issued and outstanding immediately after completion of such acquisition;

any acquisition of any person or business constituting a line of business that is materially different from the lines of business BlackRock and its controlled affiliates are engaged in at that time if such acquisition involves consideration in excess of 10% of the total assets of BlackRock on a consolidated basis;

except for repurchases otherwise permitted under the stockholder agreement, any repurchase by BlackRock or any subsidiary of shares of BlackRock capital stock such that after giving effect to such repurchase BlackRock and its subsidiaries shall have repurchased more than 10% of the total voting power of BlackRock capital stock within the 12-month period ending on the date of such repurchase;

any amendment to BlackRock’s certificate of incorporationincorporation or bylaws; or

any matter requiring stockholder approval pursuant to the rules of the NYSE.New York Stock Exchange.

Additionally, BlackRock may not enter into any of the following transactions without the prior approval of PNC:

any sale of any subsidiary of BlackRock, the annualized revenue of which, together with the annualized revenue of any other subsidiaries disposed of within the same year, are more than 20% of the annualized revenue of BlackRock for the preceding fiscal year on a consolidated basis;

for so long as BlackRock is deemed a subsidiary of PNC for purposes of the BHCBank Holding Company Act, entering into any business or activity that is prohibited for any such subsidiary under the BHCBank Holding Company Act;

any amendment of any provision of a stockholder agreement between BlackRock and any stockholder beneficially owning greater than 20% of BlackRock capital stock that would be viewed by a reasonable person as being adverse to PNC or materially more favorable to the rights of any stockholder beneficially owning greater than 20% of BlackRock capital stock than to PNC;

any amendment, modification, repeal or waiver of BlackRock’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws that would be viewed by a reasonable person as being adverse to the rights of PNC or more favorable to the rights of any stockholder beneficially owning greater than 20% of BlackRock capital stock, or any settlement or consent in a regulatory enforcement matter that would be reasonably likely to cause PNC or any of its affiliates to suffer regulatory disqualification, suspension of registration or license or other material adverse regulatory consequences; or

a voluntary bankruptcy or similar filing by BlackRock.

27


Item 1B. UnresolvedUnresolved Staff Comments

The Company has no unresolved comments from the SEC staff relating to BlackRock’s periodic or current reports filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act.

 

 

Item 2. Properties

BlackRock’s principal office, which is leased, is located at 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York. BlackRock leases additional office space in New York City at 40 East 52nd Street and 49 East 52nd Street, and throughout the world, including Boston, Chicago, Edinburgh, Gurgaon (India), Hong Kong, London, Melbourne (Australia), Munich, Princeton (New Jersey), San Francisco, Seattle, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei and Tokyo. The Company also owns an 84,500 square foot office building in Wilmington (Delaware) and a 43,000 square foot data center in Amherst (New York).

 

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time, BlackRock receives subpoenas or other requests for information from various U.S. federal, state governmental and domesticregulatory authorities and international regulatory authorities in connection with certain industry-wide or other investigations or proceedings. It is BlackRock’s policy to cooperate fully with such inquiries. The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have been named as defendants in various legal actions, including arbitrations and other litigation arising in connection with BlackRock’s activities. Additionally, BlackRock advisedBlackRock-advised investment portfolios may be subject to lawsuits, any of which potentially could harm the investment returns of the applicable portfolio or result in the Company being liable to the portfolios for any resulting damages.

 

On May 27, 2014, certain purported investors in the BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc. and the BlackRock Equity Dividend Fund (collectively, the “Funds”) filed a consolidated complaint (the “Consolidated Complaint”) in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against BlackRock Advisors, LLC, BlackRock Investment Management, LLC and BlackRock International Limited (collectively, the “Defendants”) under the caption In re BlackRock Mutual Funds Advisory Fee Litigation. The Consolidated Complaint, which purports to be brought derivatively on behalf of the Funds, alleges that the Defendantsdefendants violated Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act by receiving allegedly excessive investment advisory fees from the Funds. On February 24, 2015, the same plaintiffs filed another complaint in the same

26


court against BlackRock Investment Management, LLC and BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The allegations and legal claims in both complaints are substantially similar, with the new complaint purporting to challenge fees received by Defendants after the plaintiffs filed their prior complaint. Both complaints seek, among other things, to recover on behalf of the Funds all allegedly excessive advisory fees received by Defendantsdefendants in the twelve month period preceding the start of each lawsuit, along with purported lost investment returns on those amounts, plus interest. On March 25, 2015, Defendants’ motion to dismiss the Consolidated Complaint was denied. The Defendantsdefendants believe the claims in both lawsuits are without merit and intendare vigorously defending the actions.  On September 25, 2017, the defendants filed a motion for summary judgment to vigorously defenddismiss the actions.lawsuit, which is pending.

BetweenIn November 12, 2015 and November 16, 2015, BlackRock, Inc., BlackRock Realty Advisors, Inc. (“BRA”) and the, BlackRock US Core Property Fund, Inc. (formerly known as BlackRock Granite Property Fund, Inc.) (“Granite Fund”), along withand certain other Granite Fund-relatedFund related entities (collectively, the “BlackRock Parties”) were named as defendants in thirteen separate lawsuits filed in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Alameda arising out of the June 16, 2015 collapse of a balcony at the Library Gardens apartment complex in Berkeley, California (the “Property”). The Property is indirectly owned by the Granite Fund, which is managed by BRA. The plaintiffs also named as defendants in the lawsuits Greystar, which is the property manager ofmanages the Property, and certain other non-BlackRock related entities, including the developer of the Property, building contractors and building materials suppliers. The plaintiffs allege,alleged, among other things, that the BlackRock Parties were negligent in their ownership, control and maintenance of the Property’s balcony, and seeksought monetary, including punitive, damages. Additionally, on March 16, 2016, three former tenants of the Library Gardens apartment unit who were not physically injured but experienced the balcony collapse sued the BlackRock believesParties for emotional damages. In November 2017, the BlackRock Parties settled all of the lawsuits relating to Library Gardens.

On June 16, 2016, iShares Trust, BlackRock, Inc. and certain of its advisory affiliates, and the directors and certain officers of the iShares ETFs were named as defendants in a purported class action lawsuit filed in California state court. The lawsuit was filed by investors in certain iShares ETFs (the "ETFs"), and alleges the defendants violated the federal securities laws, purportedly by failing to adequately disclose in prospectuses issued by the ETFs the risks to the ETFs’ shareholders in the event of a "flash crash."  Plaintiffs seek unspecified monetary damages. The plaintiffs’ complaint was dismissed in December 2016 and on January 6, 2017, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint. The defendants filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings dismissing that complaint. On September 18, 2017, the court dismissed the lawsuit. On December 1, 2017, the plaintiffs appealed the dismissal of their lawsuit.

On April 5, 2017, BlackRock, Inc., BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), the BlackRock, Inc. Retirement Committee and various sub-committees, and a BlackRock employee were named as defendants in a purported class action lawsuit brought in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California by a former employee on behalf of all BlackRock employee 401(k) Plan (the “Plan”) participants and beneficiaries in the Plan from April 5, 2011, to the present. The lawsuit generally alleges that the defendants breached their duties towards Plan participants in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 by, among other things, offering investment options that were overly expensive, underperformed peer funds, focused disproportionately on active versus passive strategies, and were unduly concentrated with investment options managed by BlackRock. While the complaint does not contain any specific amount in alleged damages, it claims that the purported underperformance and hidden fees cost Plan participants more than $60 million. On October 10, 2017, the plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint, which, among other things, adds as defendants certain current and former members of the BlackRock Retirement and Investment Committees. The Amended Complaint also includes a new purported class claim on behalf of investors in certain Collective Trust Funds (“CTFs”) managed by BTC. Specifically, the plaintiffs allege that BTC, as fiduciary to the CTFs, engaged in self-dealing by, most significantly, selecting itself as the lending agent on terms that plaintiffs claim were excessive.  The defendants believe the claims in the lawsuitsthis lawsuit are without merit and intendsis vigorously defending the action. BlackRock moved to vigorously defenddismiss the actions.Amended Complaint on November 8, 2017.

28


Management, after consultation with legal counsel, currently does not anticipate that the aggregate liability arising out of regulatory matters or lawsuits will have a material effect on BlackRock’s results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. However, there is no assurance as to whether any such pending or threatened matters will have a material effect on BlackRock’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows in any future reporting period. Due to uncertainties surrounding the outcome of these matters, management cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may arise from these matters.  

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

29


Part II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

BlackRock’s common stock is listed on the NYSE and is traded under the symbol “BLK”. At the close of business on January 31, 2016,2018, there were 272247 common stockholders of record. Common stockholders include institutional or omnibus accounts that hold common stock for many underlying investors.

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the high and low reported sale prices, period-end closing prices for the common stock and dividends declared per share for the common stock as reported on the NYSE:

 

 

Common Stock

Price Ranges

 

 

Closing

 

 

Cash

Dividend

 

 

Common Stock

Price Ranges

 

 

Closing

 

 

Cash

Dividend

 

 

High

 

 

Low

 

 

Price

 

 

Declared

 

 

High

 

 

Low

 

 

Price

 

 

Declared

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

$

380.33

 

 

$

340.51

 

 

$

365.84

 

 

$

2.18

 

 

$

397.81

 

 

$

371.64

 

 

$

383.51

 

 

$

2.50

 

Second Quarter

 

$

377.85

 

 

$

344.54

 

 

$

345.98

 

 

$

2.18

 

 

$

428.38

 

 

$

377.10

 

 

$

422.41

 

 

$

2.50

 

Third Quarter

 

$

354.54

 

 

$

293.52

 

 

$

297.47

 

 

$

2.18

 

 

$

447.09

 

 

$

412.19

 

 

$

447.09

 

 

$

2.50

 

Fourth Quarter

 

$

363.72

 

 

$

295.92

 

 

$

340.52

 

 

$

2.18

 

 

$

518.86

 

 

$

449.95

 

 

$

513.71

 

 

$

2.50

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

$

323.89

 

 

$

286.39

 

 

$

314.48

 

 

$

1.93

 

 

$

342.56

 

 

$

289.72

 

 

$

340.57

 

 

$

2.29

 

Second Quarter

 

$

319.85

 

 

$

293.71

 

 

$

319.60

 

 

$

1.93

 

 

$

367.47

 

 

$

319.54

 

 

$

342.53

 

 

$

2.29

 

Third Quarter

 

$

336.47

 

 

$

301.10

 

 

$

328.32

 

 

$

1.93

 

 

$

376.00

 

 

$

335.11

 

 

$

362.46

 

 

$

2.29

 

Fourth Quarter

 

$

364.40

 

 

$

303.91

 

 

$

357.56

 

 

$

1.93

 

 

$

398.45

 

 

$

338.61

 

 

$

380.54

 

 

$

2.29

 

 

BlackRock’s closing common stock price as of February 25, 201627, 2018 was $313.62.$552.77.

Dividends

On January 14, 2016,11, 2018, the Board of Directors approved BlackRock’s quarterly dividend of $2.29$2.88 to be paid on March 23, 201622, 2018 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 7, 2016.2018.

PNC receives dividends on shares of nonvoting participating preferred stock, which are equivalent to the dividends received by common stockholders.

27


Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

During the three months ended December 31, 2015,2017, the Company made the following purchases of its common stock, which is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act.

 

 

 

Total

Number of

Shares

Purchased

 

 

 

Average

Price Paid

per Share

 

 

Total Number of

Shares Purchased

as Part of Publicly

Announced Plans

or Programs

 

 

Maximum

Number of

Shares that

May Yet Be

Purchased

Under the

Plans or

Programs(1)

 

October 1, 2015 through October 31, 2015

 

 

244,379

 

(2)

 

$

331.76

 

 

 

243,705

 

 

 

6,825,131

 

November 1, 2015 through November 30, 2015

 

 

491,287

 

(2)

 

$

355.43

 

 

 

488,869

 

 

 

6,336,262

 

December 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015

 

 

62,180

 

(2)

 

$

358.99

 

 

 

56,484

 

 

 

6,279,778

 

Total

 

 

797,846

 

 

 

$

348.46

 

 

 

789,058

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

Number of

Shares

Purchased(1)

 

 

 

Average

Price Paid

per Share

 

 

Total Number of

Shares Purchased

as Part of Publicly

Announced Plans

or Programs

 

 

Maximum

Number of

Shares That

May Yet Be

Purchased

Under the

Plans or

Programs

 

October 1, 2017 through October 31, 2017

 

 

228,894

 

 

 

$

474.49

 

 

 

218,859

 

 

 

6,723,797

 

November 1, 2017 through November 30, 2017

 

 

327,922

 

 

 

$

477.02

 

 

 

327,228

 

 

 

6,396,569

 

December 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017

 

 

44,772

 

 

 

$

508.97

 

 

 

29,396

 

 

 

6,367,173

 

Total

 

 

601,588

 

 

 

$

478.43

 

 

 

575,483

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

In January 2015, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the availability of shares that may be repurchased under the Company’s existing share repurchase program to allow for the repurchase of up to a total of 9.4 million additional shares of BlackRock common stock with no stated expiration date.

(2)

Includes purchases made by the Company primarily to satisfy income tax withholding obligations of employees and members of the Company’s Board of Directors related to the vesting of certain restricted stock or restricted stock unit awards and purchases made by the Company as part of the publicly announced share repurchase program.

 

 

30


Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The selected financial data presented below hashave been derived in part from, and should be read in conjunction with, the consolidated financial statements of BlackRock and Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in this Form 10-K.

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

(in millions, except per share data)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2012

 

 

2011

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Income statement data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related parties(1)

 

$

7,084

 

 

$

6,994

 

 

$

6,260

 

 

$

5,501

 

 

$

5,431

 

 

$

7,948

 

 

$

7,058

 

 

$

7,084

 

 

$

6,994

 

 

$

6,260

 

Other third parties

 

 

4,317

 

 

 

4,087

 

 

 

3,920

 

 

 

3,836

 

 

 

3,650

 

 

 

4,543

 

 

 

4,097

 

 

 

4,317

 

 

 

4,087

 

 

 

3,920

 

Total revenue

 

 

11,401

 

 

 

11,081

 

 

 

10,180

 

 

 

9,337

 

 

 

9,081

 

 

 

12,491

 

 

 

11,155

 

 

 

11,401

 

 

 

11,081

 

 

 

10,180

 

Expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restructuring charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32

 

Restructuring charge

 

 

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other operating expenses

 

 

6,737

 

 

 

6,607

 

 

 

6,323

 

 

 

5,813

 

 

 

5,800

 

 

 

7,219

 

 

 

6,509

 

 

 

6,737

 

 

 

6,607

 

 

 

6,323

 

Total expenses

 

 

6,737

 

 

 

6,607

 

 

 

6,323

 

 

 

5,813

 

 

 

5,832

 

Total expense

 

 

7,219

 

 

 

6,585

 

 

 

6,737

 

 

 

6,607

 

 

 

6,323

 

Operating income

 

 

4,664

 

 

 

4,474

 

 

 

3,857

 

 

 

3,524

 

 

 

3,249

 

 

 

5,272

 

 

 

4,570

 

 

 

4,664

 

 

 

4,474

 

 

 

3,857

 

Total nonoperating income (expense)

 

 

(62

)

 

 

(79

)

 

 

116

 

 

 

(54

)

 

 

(114

)

 

 

5

 

 

 

(110

)

 

 

(62

)

 

 

(79

)

 

 

116

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

4,602

 

 

 

4,395

 

 

 

3,973

 

 

 

3,470

 

 

 

3,135

 

 

 

5,277

 

 

 

4,460

 

 

 

4,602

 

 

 

4,395

 

 

 

3,973

 

Income tax expense

 

 

1,250

 

 

 

1,131

 

 

 

1,022

 

 

 

1,030

 

 

 

796

 

Income tax expense(2)

 

 

270

 

 

 

1,290

 

 

 

1,250

 

 

 

1,131

 

 

 

1,022

 

Net income

 

 

3,352

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

2,951

 

 

 

2,440

 

 

 

2,339

 

 

 

5,007

 

 

 

3,170

 

 

 

3,352

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

2,951

 

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

7

 

 

 

(30

)

 

 

19

 

 

 

(18

)

 

 

2

 

 

 

37

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

7

 

 

 

(30

)

 

 

19

 

Net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc.

 

$

3,345

 

 

$

3,294

 

 

$

2,932

 

 

$

2,458

 

 

$

2,337

 

 

$

4,970

 

 

$

3,172

 

 

$

3,345

 

 

$

3,294

 

 

$

2,932

 

Per share data:(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per share data:(3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings

 

$

20.10

 

 

$

19.58

 

 

$

17.23

 

 

$

14.03

 

 

$

12.56

 

 

$

30.65

 

 

$

19.29

 

 

$

20.10

 

 

$

19.58

 

 

$

17.23

 

Diluted earnings

 

$

19.79

 

 

$

19.25

 

 

$

16.87

 

 

$

13.79

 

 

$

12.37

 

 

$

30.23

 

 

$

19.04

 

 

$

19.79

 

 

$

19.25

 

 

$

16.87

 

Book value(3)

 

$

172.12

 

 

$

164.06

 

 

$

156.69

 

 

$

148.20

 

 

$

140.07

 

Book value(4)

 

$

197.61

 

 

$

178.38

 

 

$

172.12

 

 

$

164.06

 

 

$

156.69

 

Cash dividends declared and paid per share

 

$

8.72

 

 

$

7.72

 

 

$

6.72

 

 

$

6.00

 

 

$

5.50

 

 

$

10.00

 

 

$

9.16

 

 

$

8.72

 

 

$

7.72

 

 

$

6.72

 

 

(1)

BlackRock’s related party revenue includes fees for services provided to registered investment companies that it manages, which include mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, as a result of the Company’s advisory relationship. In addition, equity method investments are considered related parties due to the Company’s influence over the financial and operating policies of the investee. See Note 16, Related Party Transactions, to the consolidated financial statements for more information.

(2)

Income tax expense for 2017 reflects $1.2 billion of net tax benefit related to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. See Note 21, Income Taxes, to the consolidated financial statements for more information.

(3)

Participating preferred stock is considered to be a common stock equivalent for purposes of earnings per share calculations.

(3)(4)

Book value amounts for 2017, 2016 and 2015 reflect Total BlackRock stockholders’ equity divided by total common and preferred shares outstanding at December 31 of the respective year-end. Book value amounts for 2014 and 2013 reflect Total BlackRock stockholders’ equity, excluding appropriated retained deficit of $19 million for 2014 and appropriated retained earnings of $22 million for 2013, divided by total common and preferred shares outstanding at December 31 of the respective year-end.


28


 

December 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2012

 

 

2011

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Balance sheet data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

6,083

 

 

$

5,723

 

 

$

4,390

 

 

$

4,606

 

 

$

3,506

 

 

$

6,894

 

 

$

6,091

 

 

$

6,083

 

 

$

5,723

 

 

$

4,390

��

Goodwill and intangible assets, net

 

 

30,495

 

 

 

30,305

 

 

 

30,481

 

 

 

30,312

 

 

 

30,148

 

 

 

30,609

 

 

 

30,481

 

 

 

30,495

 

 

 

30,305

 

 

 

30,481

 

Total assets(1)

 

 

225,261

 

 

 

239,792

 

 

 

219,859

 

 

 

200,433

 

 

 

179,880

 

 

 

220,217

 

 

 

220,177

 

 

 

225,261

 

 

 

239,792

 

 

 

219,859

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Separate account assets(2)

 

 

150,851

 

 

 

161,287

 

 

 

155,113

 

 

 

134,768

 

 

 

118,871

 

 

 

149,937

 

 

 

149,089

 

 

 

150,851

 

 

 

161,287

 

 

 

155,113

 

Collateral held under securities lending

agreements(2)

 

 

31,336

 

 

 

33,654

 

 

 

21,788

 

 

 

23,021

 

 

 

20,918

 

 

 

24,190

 

 

 

27,792

 

 

 

31,336

 

 

 

33,654

 

 

 

21,788

 

Consolidated investment vehicles(3)

 

 

678

 

 

 

3,787

 

 

 

2,714

 

 

 

2,813

 

 

 

2,006

 

 

 

580

 

 

 

375

 

 

 

678

 

 

 

3,787

 

 

 

2,714

 

Adjusted total assets

 

$

42,396

 

 

$

41,064

 

 

$

40,244

 

 

$

39,831

 

 

$

38,085

 

 

$

45,510

 

 

$

42,921

 

 

$

42,396

 

 

$

41,064

 

 

$

40,244

 

Short-term borrowings

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

100

 

 

$

100

 

Long-term borrowings

 

 

4,930

 

 

 

4,922

 

 

 

4,925

 

 

 

5,669

 

 

 

4,674

 

Total borrowings

 

$

4,930

 

 

$

4,922

 

 

$

4,925

 

 

$

5,769

 

 

$

4,774

 

Borrowings

 

 

5,014

 

 

 

4,915

 

 

 

4,930

 

 

 

4,922

 

 

 

4,925

 

Total BlackRock, Inc. stockholders’ equity

 

$

28,503

 

 

$

27,366

 

 

$

26,460

 

 

$

25,403

 

 

$

25,048

 

 

$

31,825

 

 

$

29,098

 

 

$

28,503

 

 

$

27,366

 

 

$

26,460

 

Assets under management:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active

 

$

281,319

 

 

$

292,802

 

 

$

317,262

 

 

$

287,215

 

 

$

275,156

 

 

$

311,209

 

 

$

275,033

 

 

$

281,319

 

 

$

292,802

 

 

$

317,262

 

iShares

 

 

823,156

 

 

 

790,067

 

 

 

718,135

 

 

 

534,648

 

 

 

419,651

 

iShares ETFs

 

 

1,329,610

 

 

 

951,252

 

 

 

823,156

 

 

 

790,067

 

 

 

718,135

 

Non-ETF index

 

 

1,319,297

 

 

 

1,368,242

 

 

 

1,282,298

 

 

 

1,023,638

 

 

 

865,299

 

 

 

1,730,822

 

 

 

1,430,891

 

 

 

1,319,297

 

 

 

1,368,242

 

 

 

1,282,298

 

Equity subtotal

 

 

2,423,772

 

 

 

2,451,111

 

 

 

2,317,695

 

 

 

1,845,501

 

 

 

1,560,106

 

 

 

3,371,641

 

 

 

2,657,176

 

 

 

2,423,772

 

 

 

2,451,111

 

 

 

2,317,695

 

Fixed income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active

 

 

719,653

 

 

 

701,324

 

 

 

652,209

 

 

 

656,331

 

 

 

614,804

 

 

 

815,135

 

 

 

749,996

 

 

 

719,653

 

 

 

701,324

 

 

 

652,209

 

iShares

 

 

254,190

 

 

 

217,671

 

 

 

178,835

 

 

 

192,852

 

 

 

153,802

 

iShares ETFs

 

 

395,252

 

 

 

314,707

 

 

 

254,190

 

 

 

217,671

 

 

 

178,835

 

Non-ETF index

 

 

448,525

 

 

 

474,658

 

 

 

411,142

 

 

 

410,139

 

 

 

479,116

 

 

 

645,078

 

 

 

507,662

 

 

 

448,525

 

 

 

474,658

 

 

 

411,142

 

Fixed income subtotal

 

 

1,422,368

 

 

 

1,393,653

 

 

 

1,242,186

 

 

 

1,259,322

 

 

 

1,247,722

 

 

 

1,855,465

 

 

 

1,572,365

 

 

 

1,422,368

 

 

 

1,393,653

 

 

 

1,242,186

 

Multi-asset

 

 

376,336

 

 

 

377,837

 

 

 

341,214

 

 

 

267,748

 

 

 

225,170

 

 

 

480,278

 

 

 

395,007

 

 

 

376,336

 

 

 

377,837

 

 

 

341,214

 

Alternatives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core

 

 

92,085

 

 

 

88,006

 

 

 

85,026

 

 

 

68,367

 

 

 

63,647

 

 

 

98,533

 

 

 

88,630

 

 

 

92,085

 

 

 

88,006

 

 

 

85,026

 

Currency and commodities(4)

 

 

20,754

 

 

 

23,234

 

 

 

26,088

 

 

 

41,428

 

 

 

41,301

 

 

 

30,814

 

 

 

28,308

 

 

 

20,754

 

 

 

23,234

 

 

 

26,088

 

Alternatives subtotal

 

 

112,839

 

 

 

111,240

 

 

 

111,114

 

 

 

109,795

 

 

 

104,948

 

 

 

129,347

 

 

 

116,938

 

 

 

112,839

 

 

 

111,240

 

 

 

111,114

 

Long-term

 

 

4,335,315

 

 

 

4,333,841

 

 

 

4,012,209

 

 

 

3,482,366

 

 

 

3,137,946

 

 

 

5,836,731

 

 

 

4,741,486

 

 

 

4,335,315

 

 

 

4,333,841

 

 

 

4,012,209

 

Cash management

 

 

299,884

 

 

 

296,353

 

 

 

275,554

 

 

 

263,743

 

 

 

254,665

 

 

 

449,949

 

 

 

403,584

 

 

 

299,884

 

 

 

296,353

 

 

 

275,554

 

Advisory(5)

 

 

10,213

 

 

 

21,701

 

 

 

36,325

 

 

 

45,479

 

 

 

120,070

 

 

 

1,515

 

 

 

2,782

 

 

 

10,213

 

 

 

21,701

 

 

 

36,325

 

Total

 

$

4,645,412

 

 

$

4,651,895

 

 

$

4,324,088

 

 

$

3,791,588

 

 

$

3,512,681

 

 

$

6,288,195

 

 

$

5,147,852

 

 

$

4,645,412

 

 

$

4,651,895

 

 

$

4,324,088

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes separate account assets that are segregated funds held for purposes of funding individual and group pension contracts and collateral held under securities lending agreements related to these assets that have equal and offsetting amounts recorded in liabilities and ultimately do not impact BlackRock’s stockholders’ equity or cash flows.

(2)

Equal and offsetting amounts, related to separate account assets and collateral held under securities lending agreements, are recorded in liabilities.

(3)

Amounts include assets held by consolidated sponsored investment products. During 2015, the Company adopted new accounting guidance on consolidations effective January 1, 2015 using the modified retrospective method.  As a result of the adoption, the Company’s balance sheet at December 31, 2015 reflects the deconsolidation of the Company’s previously consolidated collateralized loan obligations.

(4)

Amounts include commodity iShares.ETFs.

(5)

Advisory AUM represents long-term portfolio liquidation assignments.



2932


Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-looking Statements

This report, and other statements that BlackRock may make, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, with respect to BlackRock’s future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “trend,” “potential,” “opportunity,” “pipeline,” “believe,” “comfortable,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “current,” “intention,” “estimate,” “position,” “assume,” “outlook,” “continue,” “remain,” “maintain,” “sustain,” “seek,” “achieve,” and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” and similar expressions.

BlackRock cautions that forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and BlackRock assumes no duty to and does not undertake to update forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance.

In addition toBlackRock has previously disclosed risk factors previously disclosed in BlackRock’sits Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) reportsreports. These risk factors and those identified elsewhere in this report, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance:performance and include: (1) the introduction, withdrawal, success and timing of business initiatives and strategies; (2) changes and volatility in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment, foreign exchange rates or financial and capital markets, which could result in changes in demand for products or services or in the value of assets under management (“AUM”); (3) the relative and absolute investment performance of BlackRock’s investment products; (4) the impact of increased competition; (5) the impact of future acquisitions or divestitures; (6) the unfavorable resolution of legal proceedings; (7) the extent and timing of any share repurchases; (8) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes and the adequacy of intellectual property, information and cyber security protection; (9) the potential for human error in connection with BlackRock’s operational systems; (10) the impact of legislative and regulatory actions and reforms including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions of government agencies relating to BlackRock or The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”); (10)(11) changes in law and policy and uncertainty pending any such changes; (12) terrorist activities, international hostilities and natural disasters, which may adversely affect the general economy, domestic and local financial and capital markets, specific industries or BlackRock; (11)(13) the ability to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (12)(14) fluctuations in the carrying value of BlackRock’s economic investments; (13)(15) the impact of changes to tax legislation, including income, payroll and transaction taxes, and taxation on products or transactions, which could affect the value proposition to clients and, generally, the tax position of the Company; (14)(16) BlackRock’s success in negotiating distribution arrangements and maintaining the distribution ofchannels for its products; (15)(17) the failure by a key vendor of BlackRock to fulfill its obligations to the Company; (18) any disruption to the operations of third parties whose functions are integral to BlackRock’s exchange-traded funds (“ETF”) platform; (19) the impact of BlackRock electing to provide support to its products from time to time and any potential liabilities related to securities lending or other indemnification obligations; and (16)(20) the impact of problems at other financial institutions or the failure or negative performance of products at other financial institutions.

Overview

BlackRock, Inc. (together, with its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise indicates, “BlackRock” or the “Company”) is a leading publicly traded investment management firm with $4.645$6.288 trillion of AUM at December 31, 2015.2017. With approximately 13,00013,900 employees in more than 30 countries, BlackRock provides a broad range of investment, and risk management and technology services to institutional and retail clients worldwide.

For further information seeBusiness, in Part I, Item 1 and Note 1, Introduction and Basis of Presentation, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements beginning on page F-1 of this Form 10-K.contained in Part II, Item 8.

 

Acquisitions

30


In June 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of the equity infrastructure franchise of First Reserve (“First Reserve Transaction”), expanding the Company’s energy and power infrastructure platform. In July 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of Cachematrix (“Cachematrix Transaction”), a leading provider of financial technology which simplifies the cash management process for banks and their corporate clients in a streamlined, open-architecture platform. In November 2017, the Company acquired a minority investment in Scalable Capital, a digital investment Executive Summarymanager in Europe.  

 

(in millions, except per share data)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

GAAP basis:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

11,401

 

 

$

11,081

 

 

$

10,180

 

Total expense

 

 

6,737

 

 

 

6,607

 

 

 

6,323

 

Operating income

 

$

4,664

 

 

$

4,474

 

 

$

3,857

 

Operating margin

 

 

40.9

%

 

 

40.4

%

 

 

37.9

%

Nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling

   interests(1)

 

 

(69

)

 

 

(49

)

 

 

97

 

Income tax expense

 

 

(1,250

)

 

 

(1,131

)

 

 

(1,022

)

Net income attributable to BlackRock

 

$

3,345

 

 

$

3,294

 

 

$

2,932

 

Diluted earnings per common share

 

$

19.79

 

 

$

19.25

 

 

$

16.87

 

Effective tax rate

 

 

27.2

%

 

 

25.6

%

 

 

25.8

%

As adjusted(2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

11,401

 

 

$

11,081

 

 

$

10,180

 

Total expense

 

 

6,706

 

 

 

6,518

 

 

 

6,156

 

Operating income

 

$

4,695

 

 

$

4,563

 

 

$

4,024

 

Operating margin

 

 

42.9

%

 

 

42.9

%

 

 

41.4

%

Nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling

   interests(1)

 

 

(70

)

 

 

(56

)

 

 

7

 

Income tax expense

 

 

(1,312

)

 

 

(1,197

)

 

 

(1,149

)

Net income attributable to BlackRock

 

$

3,313

 

 

$

3,310

 

 

$

2,882

 

Diluted earnings per common share

 

$

19.60

 

 

$

19.34

 

 

$

16.58

 

Effective tax rate

 

 

28.4

%

 

 

26.6

%

 

 

28.5

%

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets under management (end of period)

 

$

4,645,412

 

 

$

4,651,895

 

 

$

4,324,088

 

Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding(3)

 

 

169,038,571

 

 

 

171,112,261

 

 

 

173,828,902

 

Common and preferred shares outstanding (end of period)

 

 

165,596,139

 

 

 

166,921,863

 

 

 

168,724,763

 

Book value per share(4)

 

$

172.12

 

 

$

164.06

 

 

$

156.69

 

Cash dividends declared and paid per share

 

$

8.72

 

 

$

7.72

 

 

$

6.72

 

In November 2017, the Company announced that it had entered an agreement to acquire the asset management business of Citibanamex, a subsidiary of Citigroup Inc. This transaction involves approximately $31 billion in AUM across local fixed income, equity and multi-asset products. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2018, subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. Consideration for the transaction will include an upfront cash payment and contingent consideration.

 

(1)

Net of net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests (“NCI”) (redeemable and nonredeemable).

(2)

As adjusted items are described in more detail in Non-GAAP Financial Measures.

(3)

Nonvoting participating preferred shares are considered to be common stock equivalents for purposes of determining basic and diluted earnings per share calculations.

(4)

Total BlackRock stockholders’ equity, excluding an appropriated retained deficit of $19 million for 2014 and appropriated retained earnings of $22 million for 2013, divided by total common and preferred shares outstanding at December 31 of the respective year-end.

2015 Compared with 2014United Kingdom Exit from European Union

GAAP.    Operating income of $4,664 million increased $190 million and operating margin of 40.9% increasedFollowing the June 2016 vote to exit the European Union (“EU”), the United Kingdom served notice under Article 50 bps from 2014. Operating income reflected growth in base fees and performance fees, partially offset by higher expense. The Company’s 2015 expense reflected higher revenue-related expense, including compensation, and distribution and servicing costs, partially offset by lower general and administration expense and lower amortization of intangible assets.  In connection with the Barclays Global Investors (“BGI”) acquisition, BlackRock recorded a $50 million indemnification asset for unrecognized tax benefits. Due to the resolution of outstanding tax matters in 2014, BlackRock recorded $50 million of general and administration expense in 2014 to reflect the reduction of the indemnification asset and an offsetting $50 million tax benefit.  Results for 2014 also included $11 millionTreaty on European Union on March 29, 2017 to initiate the process of closed-end fund launch costs. Nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributableexiting from the EU, commonly referred to NCI, decreased $20 million from 2014 due to lower net gains on investments in 2015.

Income tax expense for 2015 included a $54 million net noncash benefit associated withas "Brexit". The outcome of the revaluation of certain deferred income tax liabilities, including the effect of tax legislation enacted innegotiations between the United Kingdom and state and local income tax changes and benefited from $75 million of nonrecurring items.  Income tax expense for 2014 included $94 million of tax benefits, including the $50 million tax benefit mentioned above, a $9 million net noncash benefit, primarily associated with the revaluation of certain deferred income tax liabilities as a result of domestic state and local tax changes, and a $73 million net tax benefit related to several favorable nonrecurring items.

Diluted earnings per common share rose $0.54, or 3%, compared with the prior year period, reflecting higher operating income and the benefit of share repurchases, partially offset by the impact of a higher 2015 effective tax rate and lower nonoperating income.

As Adjusted.    Operating income of $4,695 million increased $132 million from 2014 and the operating margin for both 2015 and 2014 was 42.9%. Income tax expense on an as adjusted basis for 2015 included a $75 million net benefit and excluded the net noncash benefit of $54 million described above. General and administration expense for 2014 excluded the $50 million related to the reduction of the indemnification asset described above.  Income tax expense for 2014 included a $73 million net benefit and excluded a $50 million tax benefit associated with the reduction of the same indemnification asset and $9 million of net noncash benefits described above.  Diluted earnings per common share rose $0.26, or 1%, from 2014.

2014 Compared with 2013

GAAP. Operating income of $4,474 million increased $617 million from 2013, reflecting growth in base fees and BlackRock Solutions and advisory revenue, partially offset by higher expense. The Company’s 2014 expense reflected higher revenue-related expense, including compensation and direct fund expense. Expense for 2014 also included the previously mentioned $50 million general and administration expense related to the reduction of an indemnification asset and $11 million of closed-end fund launch costs. The 2013 expense included $124 million of expense related to the Charitable Contribution described below and $18 million of closed-end fund launch costs.

31


Nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to NCI, decreased $146 million from 2013. Expense for 2013 included a $39 million noncash, nonoperating pre-tax gain related to the carrying value of the Company’s equity method investment as a result of an initial public offering of PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (the “PennyMac IPO”). In addition, in 2013, the Company made a charitable contribution of approximately six million units of the Company’s investment in PennyMac to a donor advised fund (the “Charitable Contribution”). In connection with the Charitable Contribution, the Company also recorded a noncash, nonoperating pre-tax gain of $80 million related to the contributed investment. The decrease in nonoperating income (expense) also reflected net lower returns on the co-investment and seed portfolio and higher interest expense resulting from a long-term debt issuance in March 2014, partially offset by the positive impact of the monetization of a nonstrategic, opportunistic private equity investment during 2014.

Income tax expense of $1,131 million included $94 million of tax benefits, including the $50 million tax benefit mentioned above. Income tax expense for 2014 and 2013 reflected the revaluation of deferred income tax liabilities related to intangible assets and goodwill. Income tax expense for 2014 included a $9 million net noncash benefit arising primarily from state and local income tax changes and a $73 million net benefit related to several favorable nonrecurring items. Income tax expense for 2013 included a $69 million noncash benefit, primarily related to legislation enacted in the United Kingdom and state and local income tax changes. In addition, 2013 income tax expense included a benefit of approximately $48 million recognizedEU in connection with Brexit is highly uncertain and information regarding the Charitable Contribution,long-term consequences is expected to become clearer over time as negotiations progress. The Company continues to prepare for a benefitrange of approximately $29 million, primarily due to the realization of tax loss carryforwards, and benefits from certain nonrecurring items.

Diluted earnings per common share rose $2.38, or 14%, from 2013 due to higher net income and the benefit of share repurchases.

As Adjusted. Operating income of $4,563 million and operating margin of 42.9% increased $539 million and 150 basis points, respectively, from 2013. Results for 2014 excluded a $50 million general and administrative expense related to the reduction of an indemnification asset. The 2014 income tax expense included a $73 million net benefit and excluded a $50 million tax benefit associatedpotential outcomes in connection with the reduction of the same indemnification asset and $9 million of net noncash benefits described above. The 2013 results excluded the financial impact of the Charitable Contribution, but included the $39 million pre-tax nonoperating gain related to the PennyMac IPO. The 2013 income tax expense included a benefit of approximately $29 million and benefits from certain nonrecurring items and excluded the $69 million net noncash benefit, described above. Diluted earnings per common share rose $2.76, or 17%, from 2013.

See Non-GAAP Financial Measures for further information on as adjusted items.

For further discussion of BlackRock’s revenue, expense, nonoperating results and income tax expense, see Discussion of Financial Results herein.Brexit.

 


33


Business Outlook

BlackRock's framework for long-term value creation is predicated on generating differentiated organic growth, leveraging scale to increase operating margins over time, and returning capital to shareholders on a consistent basis.  BlackRock's diversified platform, in terms of style, product, client and geography, enables it to generate more stable cash flows through market cycles, positioning BlackRock to invest for the long-term by striking an appropriate balance between investing for future growth and practicalprudent discretionary expense management.

BlackRock’s highly diversified multi-product platform was created to meet the needs of its clients in all market environments. BlackRock is positioned to provide alpha-seeking active and index investment solutions across asset classes and geographies and leverage geographies. In addition, BlackRock Solutions’leverages its world-class risk management, analytics and advisorytechnology capabilities, including the Aladdin platform, on behalf of clients. BlackRock serves a diverse mix of institutional and retail clients across the globe, including investors in iSharesETFs, maintaining differentiated client relationships and a fiduciary focus.

BlackRock’s Retailretail strategy is focused on an outcome-oriented approach to creating client solutions, including alpha-seeking active, index and alternative products, enhanced distribution and enhanced distribution.technology offerings. In the United States, BlackRock is leveraging its integrated wholesaler force to further penetrate wirehouse distribution platforms and gain share among registered investment advisors. Internationally, BlackRock continues to diversify the range of investment solutions available to clients, penetrate new distribution channels and capitalize onposition effectively for regulatory change impacting retrocession arrangements.change.

iShares growth strategy is centered on increasing global iShares market share and driving global market expansion. BlackRock intends to achieve these goals by pursuing global growth themes in client and product segments including core investments, fixed income, smart beta, financial instruments and precision exposures.

BlackRock believes Institutional results will be driven by strength in specialty areas, including Defined Contribution, Financial Institutions, Official Institutions and Foundations, Family Offices and Endowments;enhancing BlackRock’s solutions-oriented approach; deepening client relationships through effective cross-selling efforts; enhancing BlackRock’s solutions-oriented approachproduct diversification and higher value-add capabilities; and leveraging BlackRock Solutions’Aladdin’s analytical and risk management expertise.

BlackRock continues to invest in technology and risk management offerings, which enhance the ability to generate alpha, effectively serve clients and operate efficiently.   BlackRock’s technology portfolio includes Aladdin and Aladdin Risk for Wealth Management, FutureAdvisor, Cachematrix, as well as minority investments in Scalable Capital and iCapital.

U.S. Tax Reform

On December 22, 2017, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Tax Act”) was enacted.  The 2017 Tax Act significantly revises the U.S. tax code, including, but not limited to, (1) reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, (2) requiring companies to pay a one-time tax on certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries, (3) generally eliminating U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries, (4) creating new taxes on certain earnings of controlled foreign corporations, and (5) creating a new limitation on deductible net interest expense. BlackRock’s results in 2017 included a $1.2 billion net tax benefit related to the 2017 Tax Act comprised of the following amounts:

$106 million tax expense related to the revaluation of certain deferred income tax assets;

$1,758 million noncash tax benefit related to the revaluation of certain deferred income tax liabilities (which was excluded from as adjusted results); and

$477 million tax expense related to the mandatory deemed repatriation of undistributed foreign earnings and profits (which was excluded from as adjusted results) and is payable over eight years.

These amounts may require further adjustments as additional guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury is provided, as changes in the Company’s assumptions occur, and as further information and interpretations become available.

For further information on the 2017 Tax Act, see Note 21, Income Taxes, in the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this filing.

34


Executive Summary

(in millions, except shares and per share data)

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

GAAP basis:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

12,491

 

 

$

11,155

 

 

$

11,401

 

Total expense

 

 

7,219

 

 

 

6,585

 

 

 

6,737

 

Operating income

 

$

5,272

 

 

$

4,570

 

 

$

4,664

 

Operating margin

 

 

42.2

%

 

 

41.0

%

 

 

40.9

%

Nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling

   interests

 

 

(32

)

 

 

(108

)

 

 

(69

)

Income tax expense

 

 

(270

)

 

 

(1,290

)

 

 

(1,250

)

Net income attributable to BlackRock

 

$

4,970

 

 

$

3,172

 

 

$

3,345

 

Diluted earnings per common share

 

$

30.23

 

 

$

19.04

 

 

$

19.79

 

Effective tax rate

 

 

5.2

%

 

 

28.9

%

 

 

27.2

%

As adjusted(1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

$

5,287

 

 

$

4,674

 

 

$

4,695

 

Operating margin

 

 

44.1

%

 

 

43.7

%

 

 

42.9

%

Nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling

   interests

 

 

(32

)

 

 

(108

)

 

 

(70

)

Net income attributable to BlackRock

 

$

3,716

 

 

$

3,214

 

 

$

3,313

 

Diluted earnings per common share

 

$

22.60

 

 

$

19.29

 

 

$

19.60

 

Effective tax rate

 

 

29.3

%

 

 

29.6

%

 

 

28.4

%

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets under management (end of period)

 

$

6,288,195

 

 

$

5,147,852

 

 

$

4,645,412

 

Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding(2)

 

 

164,415,035

 

 

 

166,579,752

 

 

 

169,038,571

 

Common and preferred shares outstanding (end of period)

 

 

161,046,825

 

 

 

163,121,291

 

 

 

165,596,139

 

Book value per share(3)

 

$

197.61

 

 

$

178.38

 

 

$

172.12

 

Cash dividends declared and paid per share

 

$

10.00

 

 

$

9.16

 

 

$

8.72

 

(1)

As adjusted items are described in more detail in Non-GAAP Financial Measures.

(2)

Nonvoting participating preferred shares are considered to be common stock equivalents for purposes of determining basic and diluted earnings per share calculations.

(3)

Total BlackRock stockholders’ equity, divided by total common and preferred shares outstanding at December 31 of the respective year-end.

2017 Compared with 2016

GAAP.  Operating income of $5,272 million increased $702 million and operating margin of 42.2% increased 120 bps from 2016.Operating income and operating margin growth primarily reflected higher base fees, performance fees, and technology and risk management revenue, partially offset by higher compensation and benefits, higher volume-related expense, and higher general and administration expense. Operating income for 2017 also included approximately $22 million of expense associated with the strategic repositioning of the active equity platform.  Operating income for 2016 included a restructuring charge of $76 million in connection with a project to streamline and simplify the organization. Nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests (“NCI”), increased $76 million from 2016 driven by higher net gains on investments.  

Income tax expense for 2017 included the previously mentioned $1.2 billion net tax benefit related to the 2017 Tax Act, $173 million of discrete tax benefits, primarily related to stock-based compensation awards, including a $151 million discrete tax benefit reflecting the adoption of new stock-based compensation accounting guidance, and a $16 million noncash tax expense associated with the revaluation of certain deferred income tax liabilities. Income tax expense for 2016 included a $30 million net noncash benefit associated with the revaluation of certain deferred income tax liabilities, including the effect of tax legislation enacted in the United Kingdom, and state and local income tax changes. Income tax expense for 2016 also included nonrecurring tax benefits of $65 million. See Income Tax Expense within Discussion of Financial Results for more information.

Diluted earnings per common share increased $11.19, or 59%, compared with 2016, reflecting the net tax benefit from the 2017 Tax Act and higher operating income, partially offset by the benefit of share repurchases.

As Adjusted.  Operating income of $5,287 million increased $613 million and operating margin of 44.1% increased 40 bps from 2016. The pre-tax restructuring charge of $76 million described above was excluded from as adjusted results for 2016. Income tax expense for 2017 excluded the previously described $1,758 million noncash tax benefit and $477 million deemed repatriation tax expense related to the 2017 Tax Act, and the previously described noncash expense of $16 million. Income tax expense for 2016 excluded the previously mentioned net noncash benefit of $30 million. Diluted earnings per common share increased $3.31, or 17%, from 2016.

2016 Compared with 2015

GAAP.  Operating income of $4,570 million decreased $94 million from 2015. Operating income was impacted by lower performance fees, partially offset by expense discipline and growth in technology and risk management revenue. Operating income also reflected a restructuring charge of $76 million recorded in the first quarter of 2016 in connection with a project to streamline and simplify the organization. Operating margin of 41% increased 10 bps from 2015 driven by continued expense discipline. Nonoperating income (expense), less NCI, decreased $39 million from 2015 due to lower net gains on investments, partially offset by higher interest and dividend income during 2016.  Net gains on investments in 2015 included a $40 million noncash gain related to the BlackRock Kelso Capital Advisors LLC (“BKCA”) transaction and a $35 million unrealized gain on a private equity investment.

35


Income tax expense for 2016 included a $30 million net noncash tax benefit associated with the revaluation of certain deferred income tax liabilities, including the effect of tax legislation enacted in the United Kingdom, and state and local income tax changes. Income tax expense for 2016 also included nonrecurring tax benefits of $65 million. Income tax expense for 2015 included a $54 million net noncash benefit associated with the revaluation of certain deferred income tax liabilities and nonrecurring tax benefits of $75 million.  

Diluted earnings per common share decreased $0.75, or 4%, compared with 2015, reflecting lower nonoperating income and a higher tax rate in 2016, partially offset by the benefit of share repurchases.

As Adjusted.  Operating income of $4,674 million decreased $21 million, and operating margin of 43.7% increased 80 bps, from 2015. The pre-tax restructuring charge of $76 million described above was excluded from as adjusted results. Income tax expense for 2016 and 2015 excluded the previously described net noncash benefits of $30 million and $54 million, respectively. Diluted earnings per common share decreased $0.31, or 2%, from 2015.

See Non-GAAP Financial Measures for further information on as adjusted items.

For further discussion of BlackRock’s revenue, expense, nonoperating results and income tax expense, see Discussion of Financial Results herein.

 

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

BlackRock reports its financial results in accordance with GAAP;accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”); however, management believes evaluating the Company’s ongoing operating results may be enhanced if investors have additional non-GAAP financial measures. Management reviews non-GAAP financial measures to assess ongoing operations and for the reasons described below, considers them to be effective indicators,helpful, for both management and investors, ofin evaluating BlackRock’s financial performance over time. Management also uses non-GAAP financial measures as a benchmark to compare its performance with other companies and to enhance the comparability of this information for the reporting periods presented. Non-GAAP measures may pose limitations because they do not include all of BlackRock’s revenue and expense. BlackRock’s management does not advocate that investors consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

Management uses both GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures in evaluating BlackRock’s financial performance. Adjustments to GAAP financial measures (“non-GAAP adjustments”) include certain items management deems nonrecurring or that occur infrequently, transactions that ultimately will not impact BlackRock’s book value or certain tax items that do not impact cash flow.

32


Computations for all periods are derived from the consolidated statements of income as follows:

(1) Operating income, as adjusted, and operating margin, as adjusted:

Management believes operating income, as adjusted, and operating margin, as adjusted, are effective indicators of BlackRock’s financial performance over time and, therefore, provide useful disclosure to investors.

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Operating income, GAAP basis

 

$

4,664

 

 

$

4,474

 

 

$

3,857

 

 

$

5,272

 

 

$

4,570

 

 

$

4,664

 

Non-GAAP expense adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restructuring charge

 

 

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

 

PNC LTIP funding obligation

 

 

30

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

28

 

 

 

30

 

Compensation expense related to appreciation (depreciation) on deferred

compensation plans

 

 

1

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Reduction of indemnification asset

 

 

 

 

 

50

 

 

 

 

Charitable Contribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

124

 

Operating income, as adjusted

 

 

4,695

 

 

 

4,563

 

 

 

4,024

 

 

 

5,287

 

 

 

4,674

 

 

 

4,695

 

Product launch costs and commissions

 

 

5

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

Operating income used for operating margin measurement

 

$

4,700

 

 

$

4,574

 

 

$

4,042

 

 

$

5,287

 

 

$

4,674

 

 

$

4,700

 

Revenue, GAAP basis

 

$

11,401

 

 

$

11,081

 

 

$

10,180

 

 

$

12,491

 

 

$

11,155

 

 

$

11,401

 

Non-GAAP adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution and servicing costs

 

 

(409

)

 

 

(364

)

 

 

(353

)

 

 

(492

)

 

 

(429

)

 

 

(409

)

Amortization of deferred sales commissions

 

 

(48

)

 

 

(56

)

 

 

(52

)

 

 

(17

)

 

 

(34

)

 

 

(48

)

Revenue used for operating margin measurement

 

$

10,944

 

 

$

10,661

 

 

$

9,775

 

 

$

11,982

 

 

$

10,692

 

 

$

10,944

 

Operating margin, GAAP basis

 

 

40.9

%

 

 

40.4

%

 

 

37.9

%

 

 

42.2

%

 

 

41.0

%

 

 

40.9

%

Operating margin, as adjusted

 

 

42.9

%

 

 

42.9

%

 

 

41.4

%

 

 

44.1

%

 

 

43.7

%

 

 

42.9

%

 

Operating income, as adjusted, includes non-GAAP expense adjustments. The portion of compensation expense associated with certain long-term incentive plans (“LTIP”) funded, or to be funded, through share distributions to participants of BlackRock stock held by PNC has been excluded because it ultimately does not impact BlackRock’s book value. CompensationIn 2016, a restructuring charge primarily comprised of severance and accelerated amortization expense of previously granted deferred compensation awards has been excluded to provide an analysis of BlackRock’s ongoing operations and to ensure comparability among periods presented. In 2015, compensation expense associated with appreciation (depreciation) on investments related to certain BlackRock deferred compensation plans has been excluded, as returns on investments set aside for these plans, which substantially offset this expense, are reported in nonoperating income (expense).   In 2014, general and administration expense relating to the reduction of an indemnification asset has been excluded since it is directly offset by a tax benefit of the same amount and, consequently, does not impact BlackRock’s book value.  In 2013, the $124 million expense related to the Charitable Contribution was excluded from operating income, as adjusted, due to its nonrecurring nature and because the noncash, nonoperating pre-tax gain of $80 million directly related to the contributed PennyMac investment is reported in nonoperating income (expense).

Operating income used for measuring operating margin, as adjusted, is equal to operating income, as adjusted, excluding the impact of product launch costs (e.g. closed-end fund launch costs) and related commissions. Management believes the exclusion of such costs and related commissions is useful because these costs can fluctuate considerably and revenue associated with the expenditure of these costs will not fully impact BlackRock’s results until future periods.

36


Revenue used for operating margin, as adjusted, excludes distribution and servicing costs paid to related parties and other third parties. Management believes such costs represent a benchmark for the amount of revenue passed through to external parties who distribute the Company’s products.  In addition,management believes the exclusion of such costs is useful because it creates consistency in the treatment for certain contracts for similar services, which due to the terms of the contracts, are accounted for under GAAP on a net basis within investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue. Amortization of deferred sales commissions is excluded from revenue used for operating margin measurement, as adjusted, because such costs, over time, substantially offset distribution fee revenue the Company earns. For each of these items, BlackRock excludes from revenue used for operating margin, as adjusted, the costs related to each of these items as a proxy for such offsetting revenue.

(2) Nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to NCI, as adjusted:

Nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to NCI, as adjusted, equals nonoperating income (expense), GAAP basis, less net income (loss) attributable to NCI, adjusted for compensation expense associated with (appreciation) depreciation on investments related to certain BlackRock deferred compensation plans. The compensation expense offset is recorded in operating income. This compensation expense has been included in nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to NCI, as adjusted, to offset returns on investments set aside for these plans, which are reported in nonoperating income (expense), GAAP basis.

During 2013, the noncash, nonoperating pre-tax gain of $80 million related to the contributed PennyMac investment was excluded from nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to NCI, as adjusted due to its nonrecurring nature and because the more than offsetting associated Charitable Contribution expense of $124 million is reported in operating income.

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Nonoperating income (expense), GAAP basis

 

$

(62

)

 

$

(79

)

 

$

116

 

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to NCI

 

 

7

 

 

 

(30

)

 

 

19

 

Nonoperating income (expense), net of NCI

 

 

(69

)

 

 

(49

)

 

 

97

 

Gain related to Charitable Contribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(80

)

Compensation expense related to (appreciation) depreciation on deferred

   compensation plans

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(7

)

 

 

(10

)

Nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to NCI, as adjusted

 

$

(70

)

 

$

(56

)

 

$

7

 

33


(3)(2) Net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc., as adjusted:

 

(in millions, except per share data)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Net income attributable to BlackRock, GAAP basis

 

$

3,345

 

 

$

3,294

 

 

$

2,932

 

Non-GAAP adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PNC LTIP funding obligation, net of tax

 

 

22

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

23

 

Income tax matters

 

 

(54

)

 

 

(9

)

 

 

(69

)

Amount related to the Charitable Contribution, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4

)

Net income attributable to BlackRock, as adjusted

 

$

3,313

 

 

$

3,310

 

 

$

2,882

 

Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding(4)

 

169.0

 

 

 

171.1

 

 

 

173.8

 

Diluted earnings per common share, GAAP basis(4)

 

$

19.79

 

 

$

19.25

 

 

$

16.87

 

Diluted earnings per common share, as adjusted(4)

 

$

19.60

 

 

$

19.34

 

 

$

16.58

 

(in millions, except per share data)

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc., GAAP basis

 

$

4,970

 

 

$

3,172

 

 

$

3,345

 

Non-GAAP adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restructuring charge (including $23 tax benefit)

 

 

 

 

 

53

 

 

 

 

PNC LTIP funding obligation, net of tax

 

 

11

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

22

 

The 2017 Tax Act:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax revaluation (noncash)

 

 

(1,758

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deemed repatriation tax

 

 

477

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income tax matters

 

 

16

 

 

 

(30

)

 

 

(54

)

Net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc., as adjusted

 

$

3,716

 

 

$

3,214

 

 

$

3,313

 

Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding(3)

 

 

164.4

 

 

 

166.6

 

 

169.0

 

Diluted earnings per common share, GAAP basis(3)

 

$

30.23

 

 

$

19.04

 

 

$

19.79

 

Diluted earnings per common share, as adjusted(3)

 

$

22.60

 

 

$

19.29

 

 

$

19.60

 

 

Management believes net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc., as adjusted, and diluted earnings per common share, as adjusted, are useful measures of BlackRock’s profitability and financial performance. Net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc., as adjusted, equals net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc., GAAP basis, adjusted for significant nonrecurring items, charges that ultimately will not impact BlackRock’s book value or certain tax items that do not impact cash flow.

See the aforementioned discussion regarding operating income, as adjusted, and operating margin, as adjusted, for information on the PNC LTIP funding obligation and the Charitable Contribution.restructuring charge.

For each period presented, the non-GAAP adjustment related to the restructuring charge and PNC LTIP funding obligation was tax effected at the respectiverespective blended rates applicable to the adjustments. Amounts for 2013 included aThe noncash deferred tax revaluation benefit of approximately $48$1,758 million recognized in connection withand the Charitable Contribution. The tax benefit has been excluded from net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc., as adjusted due to the nonrecurring nature of the Charitable Contribution.

Non-GAAPother income tax matters adjustments for 2015, 2014 and 2013 reflectedwere primarily associated with the revaluation of certain deferred income tax liabilities. The amount for 2015 included a $54 million net noncash benefit, primarilyliabilities related to the impact of legislation enacted in the United Kingdomintangible assets and state and local income tax changes. The amount for 2014 included a $9 million net noncash tax benefit arising primarily from state and local income tax changes. The amount for 2013 included a $69 million noncash tax benefit, primarily related to the impact of legislation enacted in the United Kingdom and state and local income tax changes. Suchgoodwill. These amounts for 2015, 2014 and 2013 have been excluded from the as adjusted results as theythese items will not have a cash flow impact and to ensure comparability among periods presented. A deemed repatriation tax expense of $477 million has been excluded from the 2017 as adjusted results due to the one-time nature and to ensure comparability among periods presented.  

(4)Per share amounts reflect net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc., as adjusted divided by diluted weighted average common shares outstanding.

(3) Nonvoting participating preferred stock is considered to be a common stock equivalent for purposes of determining basic and diluted earnings per share calculations.

 

 

3437


Assets Under Management

AUM for reporting purposes generally is based upon how investment advisory and administration fees are calculated for each portfolio. Net asset values, total assets, committed assets or other measures may be used to determine portfolio AUM.

AUM and Net Inflows (Outflows) by Client Type

 

 

 

AUM

 

 

Net Inflows (Outflows)

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Retail

 

$

541,125

 

 

$

534,329

 

 

$

487,777

 

 

$

38,512

 

 

$

54,944

 

 

$

38,804

 

iShares

 

 

1,092,561

 

 

 

1,024,228

 

 

 

914,372

 

 

 

129,852

 

 

 

100,601

 

 

 

63,971

 

Institutional:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active

 

 

962,852

 

 

 

959,160

 

 

 

932,410

 

 

 

26,746

 

 

 

(10,420

)

 

 

(928

)

Index

 

 

1,738,777

 

 

 

1,816,124

 

 

 

1,677,650

 

 

 

(43,096

)

 

 

36,128

 

 

 

15,266

 

Institutional subtotal

 

 

2,701,629

 

 

 

2,775,284

 

 

 

2,610,060

 

 

 

(16,350

)

 

 

25,708

 

 

 

14,338

 

Long-term

 

 

4,335,315

 

 

 

4,333,841

 

 

 

4,012,209

 

 

 

152,014

 

 

 

181,253

 

 

 

117,113

 

Cash management

 

 

299,884

 

 

 

296,353

 

 

 

275,554

 

 

 

7,510

 

 

 

25,696

 

 

 

10,056

 

Advisory(1)

 

 

10,213

 

 

 

21,701

 

 

 

36,325

 

 

 

(9,629

)

 

 

(13,173

)

 

 

(7,442

)

Total

 

$

4,645,412

 

 

$

4,651,895

 

 

$

4,324,088

 

 

$

149,895

 

 

$

193,776

 

 

$

119,727

 

AUM and Net Inflows (Outflows) by Product Type

 

 

AUM

 

 

Net Inflows (Outflows)

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Equity

 

$

2,423,772

 

 

$

2,451,111

 

 

$

2,317,695

 

 

$

52,778

 

 

$

52,420

 

 

$

69,257

 

Fixed income

 

 

1,422,368

 

 

 

1,393,653

 

 

 

1,242,186

 

 

 

76,944

 

 

 

96,406

 

 

 

11,508

 

Multi-asset

 

 

376,336

 

 

 

377,837

 

 

 

341,214

 

 

 

17,167

 

 

 

28,905

 

 

 

42,298

 

Alternatives

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core

 

 

92,085

 

 

 

88,006

 

 

 

85,026

 

 

 

4,080

 

 

 

3,061

 

 

 

2,703

 

Currency and commodities(2)

 

 

20,754

 

 

 

23,234

 

 

 

26,088

 

 

 

1,045

 

 

 

461

 

 

 

(8,653

)

Subtotal

 

 

112,839

 

 

 

111,240

 

 

 

111,114

 

 

 

5,125

 

 

 

3,522

 

 

 

(5,950

)

Long-term

 

 

4,335,315

 

 

 

4,333,841

 

 

 

4,012,209

 

 

 

152,014

 

 

 

181,253

 

 

 

117,113

 

Cash management

 

 

299,884

 

 

 

296,353

 

 

 

275,554

 

 

 

7,510

 

 

 

25,696

 

 

 

10,056

 

Advisory(1)

 

 

10,213

 

 

 

21,701

 

 

 

36,325

 

 

 

(9,629

)

 

 

(13,173

)

 

 

(7,442

)

Total

 

$

4,645,412

 

 

$

4,651,895

 

 

$

4,324,088

 

 

$

149,895

 

 

$

193,776

 

 

$

119,727

 

AUM and Net Inflows (Outflows) by Investment Style

AUM and Net Inflows (Outflows) by Client Type

AUM and Net Inflows (Outflows) by Client Type

 

 

AUM

 

 

Net Inflows (Outflows)

 

 

AUM

 

 

Net inflows (outflows)

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Retail

 

$

628,377

 

 

$

541,952

 

 

$

541,125

 

 

$

29,892

 

 

$

(11,324

)

 

$

38,512

 

iShares ETFs

 

 

1,752,239

 

 

 

1,287,879

 

 

 

1,092,561

 

 

 

245,342

 

 

 

140,479

 

 

 

129,852

 

Institutional:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active

 

$

1,462,672

 

 

$

1,453,613

 

 

$

1,391,243

 

 

$

60,510

 

 

$

34,408

 

 

$

41,177

 

 

 

1,139,308

 

 

 

1,009,974

 

 

 

962,852

 

 

 

5,922

 

 

 

17,918

 

 

 

26,746

 

Index & iShares

 

 

2,872,643

 

 

 

2,880,228

 

 

 

2,620,966

 

 

 

91,504

 

 

 

146,845

 

 

 

75,936

 

Index

 

 

2,316,807

 

 

 

1,901,681

 

 

 

1,738,777

 

 

 

49,084

 

 

 

33,491

 

 

 

(43,096

)

Total institutional

 

 

3,456,115

 

 

 

2,911,655

 

 

 

2,701,629

 

 

 

55,006

 

 

 

51,409

 

 

 

(16,350

)

Long-term

 

 

4,335,315

 

 

 

4,333,841

 

 

 

4,012,209

 

 

 

152,014

 

 

 

181,253

 

 

 

117,113

 

 

 

5,836,731

 

 

 

4,741,486

 

 

 

4,335,315

 

 

 

330,240

 

 

 

180,564

 

 

 

152,014

 

Cash management

 

 

299,884

 

 

 

296,353

 

 

 

275,554

 

 

 

7,510

 

 

 

25,696

 

 

 

10,056

 

 

 

449,949

 

 

 

403,584

 

 

 

299,884

 

 

 

38,259

 

 

 

29,228

 

 

 

7,510

 

Advisory(1)

 

 

10,213

 

 

 

21,701

 

 

 

36,325

 

 

 

(9,629

)

 

 

(13,173

)

 

 

(7,442

)

 

 

1,515

 

 

 

2,782

 

 

 

10,213

 

 

 

(1,245

)

 

 

(7,601

)

 

 

(9,629

)

Total

 

$

4,645,412

 

 

$

4,651,895

 

 

$

4,324,088

 

 

$

149,895

 

 

$

193,776

 

 

$

119,727

 

 

$

6,288,195

 

 

$

5,147,852

 

 

$

4,645,412

 

 

$

367,254

 

 

$

202,191

 

 

$

149,895

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AUM and Net Inflows (Outflows) by Product Type

AUM and Net Inflows (Outflows) by Product Type

 

 

AUM

 

 

Net inflows (outflows)

 

(in millions)

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Equity

 

$

3,371,641

 

 

$

2,657,176

 

 

$

2,423,772

 

 

$

130,146

 

 

$

51,424

 

 

$

52,778

 

Fixed income

 

 

1,855,465

 

 

 

1,572,365

 

 

 

1,422,368

 

 

 

178,787

 

 

 

119,955

 

 

 

76,944

 

Multi-asset

 

 

480,278

 

 

 

395,007

 

 

 

376,336

 

 

 

20,330

 

 

 

4,227

 

 

 

17,167

 

Alternatives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core

 

 

98,533

 

 

 

88,630

 

 

 

92,085

 

 

 

780

 

 

 

(1,165

)

 

 

4,080

 

Currency and commodities(2)

 

 

30,814

 

 

 

28,308

 

 

 

20,754

 

 

 

197

 

 

 

6,123

 

 

 

1,045

 

Subtotal

 

 

129,347

 

 

 

116,938

 

 

 

112,839

 

 

 

977

 

 

 

4,958

 

 

 

5,125

 

Long-term

 

 

5,836,731

 

 

 

4,741,486

 

 

 

4,335,315

 

 

 

330,240

 

 

 

180,564

 

 

 

152,014

 

Cash management

 

 

449,949

 

 

 

403,584

 

 

 

299,884

 

 

 

38,259

 

 

 

29,228

 

 

 

7,510

 

Advisory(1)

 

 

1,515

 

 

 

2,782

 

 

 

10,213

 

 

 

(1,245

)

 

 

(7,601

)

 

 

(9,629

)

Total

 

$

6,288,195

 

 

$

5,147,852

 

 

$

4,645,412

 

 

$

367,254

 

 

$

202,191

 

 

$

149,895

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AUM and Net Inflows (Outflows) by Investment Style

AUM and Net Inflows (Outflows) by Investment Style

 

 

AUM

 

 

Net inflows (outflows)

 

(in millions)

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Active

 

$

1,696,005

 

 

$

1,501,052

 

 

$

1,462,672

 

 

$

24,449

 

 

$

(774

)

 

$

60,510

 

Index and iShares ETFs

 

 

4,140,726

 

 

 

3,240,434

 

 

 

2,872,643

 

 

 

305,791

 

 

 

181,338

 

 

 

91,504

 

Long-term

 

 

5,836,731

 

 

 

4,741,486

 

 

 

4,335,315

 

 

 

330,240

 

 

 

180,564

 

 

 

152,014

 

Cash management

 

 

449,949

 

 

 

403,584

 

 

 

299,884

 

 

 

38,259

 

 

 

29,228

 

 

 

7,510

 

Advisory(1)

 

 

1,515

 

 

 

2,782

 

 

 

10,213

 

 

 

(1,245

)

 

 

(7,601

)

 

 

(9,629

)

Total

 

$

6,288,195

 

 

$

5,147,852

 

 

$

4,645,412

 

 

$

367,254

 

 

$

202,191

 

 

$

149,895

 

 

(1)

Advisory AUM represents long-term portfolio liquidation assignments.  

(2)

Amounts include commodity iShares.ETFs.

The following table presents the component changes in BlackRock’s AUM for 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 2013.2015.

 

 

December 31,

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Beginning assets under management

 

$

4,651,895

 

 

$

4,324,088

 

 

$

3,791,588

 

Beginning AUM

 

$

5,147,852

 

 

$

4,645,412

 

 

$

4,651,895

 

Net inflows (outflows)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term

 

 

152,014

 

 

 

181,253

 

 

 

117,113

 

 

 

330,240

 

 

 

180,564

 

 

 

152,014

 

Cash management

 

 

7,510

 

 

 

25,696

 

 

 

10,056

 

 

 

38,259

 

 

 

29,228

 

 

 

7,510

 

Advisory(1)

 

 

(9,629

)

 

 

(13,173

)

 

 

(7,442

)

 

 

(1,245

)

 

 

(7,601

)

 

 

(9,629

)

Total net inflows (outflows)

 

 

149,895

 

 

 

193,776

 

 

 

119,727

 

 

 

367,254

 

 

 

202,191

 

 

 

149,895

 

Acquisitions(2)

 

 

2,219

 

 

 

 

 

 

26,932

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

80,635

 

 

 

2,219

 

Market change

 

 

(57,495

)

 

 

261,682

 

 

 

398,707

 

 

 

628,901

 

 

 

326,364

 

 

 

(57,495

)

FX impact(3)

 

 

(101,102

)

 

 

(127,651

)

 

 

(12,866

)

 

 

140,924

 

 

 

(106,750

)

 

 

(101,102

)

Total change

 

 

(6,483

)

 

 

327,807

 

 

 

532,500

 

 

 

1,140,343

 

 

 

502,440

 

 

 

(6,483

)

Ending assets under management

 

$

4,645,412

 

 

$

4,651,895

 

 

$

4,324,088

 

Ending AUM

 

$

6,288,195

 

 

$

5,147,852

 

 

$

4,645,412

 

 

(1)

Advisory AUM represents long-term portfolio liquidation assignments.

(2)

AmountsAmount for 2015 represent $1.32017 represents $3.3 billion of AUM acquired in the acquisition of certain assets of BlackRock Kelso Capital Advisors LLCFirst Reserve Infrastructure business transaction in June 2017 (“BKCA”First Reserve Transaction”) in March 2015, $560 million of AUM acquired in the Infraestructura Institucional acquisition in October 2015 and $366 million of AUM acquired in the FutureAdvisor acquisition in October

35


2015.  The FutureAdvisor acquisition amount does not include AUM that was held in iShares holdings. Amounts.  Amount for 2013 represent $16.02016 represents $80.6 billion of AUM acquired in the Credit Suisse ETF franchiseBofA Global Capital Management transaction in July 2013 (the “Credit Suisse ETF Transaction”) and $11.0 billion of AUM acquired in the MGPA acquisition in October 2013.

(3)

Foreign exchange reflects the impact of translating non-U.S. dollar denominated AUM into U.S. dollarsApril 2016. Amounts for reporting purposes.

BlackRock has historically grown AUM through organic growth and acquisitions. Management believes that the Company will be able to continue to grow AUM organically by focusing on strong investment performance, efficient delivery of beta for index products, client service, developing new products and optimizing distribution capabilities.

Component Changes in AUM for 2015

The following table presents the component changes in AUM by client type and product type for 2015.

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2014

 

 

Net

inflows

(outflows)

 

 

Acquisitions(1)

 

 

Market

change

 

 

FX

impact(2)

 

 

December 31,

2015

 

 

Full Year

Average

AUM(3)

 

Retail:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

$

200,445

 

 

$

8,543

 

 

$

 

 

$

(10,040

)

 

$

(5,193

)

 

$

193,755

 

 

$

199,474

 

Fixed income

 

 

189,820

 

 

 

31,114

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5,691

)

 

 

(2,590

)

 

 

212,653

 

 

 

205,919

 

Multi-asset

 

 

125,341

 

 

 

(1,307

)

 

 

366

 

 

 

(8,108

)

 

 

(985

)

 

 

115,307

 

 

 

125,019

 

Alternatives

 

 

18,723

 

 

 

162

 

 

 

1,293

 

 

 

(177

)

 

 

(591

)

 

 

19,410

 

 

 

19,351

 

Retail subtotal

 

 

534,329

 

 

 

38,512

 

 

 

1,659

 

 

 

(24,016

)

 

 

(9,359

)

 

 

541,125

 

 

 

549,763

 

iShares:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

790,067

 

 

 

78,408

 

 

 

 

 

 

(32,349

)

 

 

(12,970

)

 

 

823,156

 

 

 

810,836

 

Fixed income

 

 

217,671

 

 

 

50,309

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7,508

)

 

 

(6,282

)

 

 

254,190

 

 

 

239,164

 

Multi-asset

 

 

1,773

 

 

 

1,074

 

 

 

 

 

 

(90

)

 

 

(27

)

 

 

2,730

 

 

 

1,924

 

Alternatives

 

 

14,717

 

 

 

61

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,160

)

 

 

(133

)

 

 

12,485

 

 

 

14,268

 

iShares subtotal

 

 

1,024,228

 

 

 

129,852

 

 

 

 

 

 

(42,107

)

 

 

(19,412

)

 

 

1,092,561

 

 

 

1,066,192

 

Institutional:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

125,143

 

 

 

(462

)

 

 

 

 

 

960

 

 

 

(4,199

)

 

 

121,442

 

 

 

125,410

 

Fixed income

 

 

518,590

 

 

 

5,690

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,220

)

 

 

(8,632

)

 

 

514,428

 

 

 

523,536

 

Multi-asset

 

 

242,913

 

 

 

18,409

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,074

 

 

 

(10,355

)

 

 

252,041

 

 

 

254,781

 

Alternatives

 

 

72,514

 

 

 

3,109

 

 

 

560

 

 

 

(175

)

 

 

(1,067

)

 

 

74,941

 

 

 

73,683

 

Active subtotal

 

 

959,160

 

 

 

26,746

 

 

 

560

 

 

 

639

 

 

 

(24,253

)

 

 

962,852

 

 

 

977,410

 

Index:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

1,335,456

 

 

 

(33,711

)

 

 

 

 

 

6,157

 

 

 

(22,483

)

 

 

1,285,419

 

 

 

1,333,159

 

Fixed income

 

 

467,572

 

 

 

(10,169

)

 

 

 

 

 

2,317

 

 

 

(18,623

)

 

 

441,097

 

 

 

466,494

 

Multi-asset

 

 

7,810

 

 

 

(1,009

)

 

 

 

 

 

(289

)

 

 

(254

)

 

 

6,258

 

 

 

7,305

 

Alternatives

 

 

5,286

 

 

 

1,793

 

 

 

 

 

 

(924

)

 

 

(152

)

 

 

6,003

 

 

 

5,907

 

Index subtotal

 

 

1,816,124

 

 

 

(43,096

)

 

 

 

 

 

7,261

 

 

 

(41,512

)

 

 

1,738,777

 

 

 

1,812,865

 

Institutional subtotal

 

 

2,775,284

 

 

 

(16,350

)

 

 

560

 

 

 

7,900

 

 

 

(65,765

)

 

 

2,701,629

 

 

 

2,790,275

 

Long-term

 

 

4,333,841

 

 

 

152,014

 

 

 

2,219

 

 

 

(58,223

)

 

 

(94,536

)

 

 

4,335,315

 

 

$

4,406,230

 

Cash management

 

 

296,353

 

 

 

7,510

 

 

 

 

 

 

267

 

 

 

(4,246

)

 

 

299,884

 

 

 

 

 

Advisory(4)

 

 

21,701

 

 

 

(9,629

)

 

 

 

 

 

461

 

 

 

(2,320

)

 

 

10,213

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

4,651,895

 

 

$

149,895

 

 

$

2,219

 

 

$

(57,495

)

 

$

(101,102

)

 

$

4,645,412

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Amounts represent $1.3 billion of AUM acquired in the acquisition of certain assets of BKCA in March 2015, $560 million of AUM acquired in the Infraestructura Institucional acquisition in October 2015 and $366 million of AUM acquired in the FutureAdvisor acquisition in October 2015.  The FutureAdvisor acquisition amount does not include AUM that was held in iShares holdings.

(3)

Foreign exchange reflects the impact of translating non-U.S. dollar denominated AUM into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes.

38


BlackRock has historically grown AUM through organic growth and acquisitions. Management believes that the Company will be able to continue to grow AUM organically by focusing on strong investment performance, efficient delivery of beta for index products, client service, developing new products and optimizing distribution capabilities.

Component Changes in AUM for 2017

The following table presents the component changes in AUM by client type and product type for 2017.

 

 

December 31,

 

 

Net

inflows

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market

 

 

FX

 

 

December 31,

 

 

Full year

average

 

(in millions)

 

2016

 

 

(outflows)

 

 

Acquisition(1)

 

 

change

 

 

impact(2)

 

 

2017

 

 

AUM(3)

 

Retail:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

$

196,221

 

 

$

4,145

 

 

$

 

 

$

26,598

 

 

$

6,254

 

 

$

233,218

 

 

$

216,545

 

Fixed income

 

 

222,256

 

 

 

24,503

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,655

 

 

 

4,157

 

 

 

257,571

 

 

 

240,251

 

Multi-asset

 

 

107,997

 

 

 

1,143

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,687

 

 

 

1,028

 

 

 

120,855

 

 

 

114,485

 

Alternatives

 

 

15,478

 

 

 

101

 

 

 

 

 

 

708

 

 

 

446

 

 

 

16,733

 

 

 

16,541

 

Retail subtotal

 

 

541,952

 

 

 

29,892

 

 

 

 

 

 

44,648

 

 

 

11,885

 

 

 

628,377

 

 

 

587,822

 

iShares ETFs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

951,252

 

 

 

174,377

 

 

 

 

 

 

189,472

 

 

 

14,509

 

 

 

1,329,610

 

 

 

1,143,351

 

Fixed income

 

 

314,707

 

 

 

67,451

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,497

 

 

 

8,597

 

 

 

395,252

 

 

 

361,171

 

Multi-asset

 

 

3,149

 

 

 

322

 

 

 

 

 

 

280

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

3,761

 

 

 

3,262

 

Alternatives

 

 

18,771

 

 

 

3,192

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,478

 

 

 

175

 

 

 

23,616

 

 

 

21,071

 

iShares ETFs subtotal

 

 

1,287,879

 

 

 

245,342

 

 

 

 

 

 

195,727

 

 

 

23,291

 

 

 

1,752,239

 

 

 

1,528,855

 

Institutional:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

120,699

 

 

 

(13,594

)

 

 

 

 

 

25,681

 

 

 

4,399

 

 

 

137,185

 

 

 

128,133

 

Fixed income

 

 

536,727

 

 

 

(654

)

 

 

 

 

 

22,537

 

 

 

11,440

 

 

 

570,050

 

 

 

554,549

 

Multi-asset

 

 

276,933

 

 

 

19,604

 

 

 

 

 

 

37,166

 

 

 

14,122

 

 

 

347,825

 

 

 

310,561

 

Alternatives

 

 

75,615

 

 

 

566

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

2,771

 

 

 

2,032

 

 

 

84,248

 

 

 

80,821

 

Active subtotal

 

 

1,009,974

 

 

 

5,922

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

88,155

 

 

 

31,993

 

 

 

1,139,308

 

 

 

1,074,064

 

Index:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

1,389,004

 

 

 

(34,782

)

 

 

 

 

 

283,684

 

 

 

33,722

 

 

 

1,671,628

 

 

 

1,537,730

 

Fixed income

 

 

498,675

 

 

 

87,487

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,932

 

 

 

32,498

 

 

 

632,592

 

 

 

557,465

 

Multi-asset

 

 

6,928

 

 

 

(739

)

 

 

 

 

 

1,427

 

 

 

221

 

 

 

7,837

 

 

 

7,595

 

Alternatives

 

 

7,074

 

 

 

(2,882

)

 

 

 

 

 

294

 

 

 

264

 

 

 

4,750

 

 

 

6,911

 

Index subtotal

 

 

1,901,681

 

 

 

49,084

 

 

 

 

 

 

299,337

 

 

 

66,705

 

 

 

2,316,807

 

 

 

2,109,701

 

Institutional subtotal

 

 

2,911,655

 

 

 

55,006

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

387,492

 

 

 

98,698

 

 

 

3,456,115

 

 

 

3,183,765

 

Long-term

 

 

4,741,486

 

 

 

330,240

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

627,867

 

 

 

133,874

 

 

 

5,836,731

 

 

 

5,300,442

 

Cash management

 

 

403,584

 

 

 

38,259

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,239

 

 

 

6,867

 

 

 

449,949

 

 

 

414,835

 

Advisory(4)

 

 

2,782

 

 

 

(1,245

)

 

 

 

 

 

(205

)

 

 

183

 

 

 

1,515

 

 

 

2,508

 

Total

 

$

5,147,852

 

 

$

367,254

 

 

$

3,264

 

 

$

628,901

 

 

$

140,924

 

 

$

6,288,195

 

 

$

5,717,785

 

(1) Amount represents AUM acquired in the First Reserve Transaction.

(2)

Foreign exchange reflects the impact of translating non-U.S. dollar denominated AUM into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes.

(3)

Average AUM is calculated as the average of the month-end spot AUM amounts for the trailing thirteen months.

(4)

Advisory AUM represents long-term portfolio liquidation assignments.

36

39


The following table presents component changes in AUM by investment style and product type for 2017.

 

December 31,

 

 

Net

inflows

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market

 

 

FX

 

 

December 31,

 

 

Full year

average

 

(in millions)

2016

 

 

(outflows)

 

 

Acquisition(1)

 

 

change

 

 

impact(2)

 

 

2017

 

 

AUM(3)

 

Active:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

$

275,033

 

 

$

(18,506

)

 

$

 

 

$

46,134

 

 

$

8,548

 

 

$

311,209

 

 

$

293,278

 

Fixed income

 

749,996

 

 

 

21,541

 

 

 

 

 

 

28,800

 

 

 

14,798

 

 

 

815,135

 

 

 

783,345

 

Multi-asset

 

384,930

 

 

 

20,747

 

 

 

 

 

 

47,853

 

 

 

15,149

 

 

 

468,679

 

 

 

425,045

 

Alternatives

 

91,093

 

 

 

667

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

3,479

 

 

 

2,479

 

 

 

100,982

 

 

 

97,361

 

Active subtotal

 

1,501,052

 

 

 

24,449

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

126,266

 

 

 

40,974

 

 

 

1,696,005

 

 

 

1,599,029

 

Index and iShares ETFs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

iShares ETFs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

951,252

 

 

 

174,377

 

 

 

 

 

 

189,472

 

 

 

14,509

 

 

 

1,329,610

 

 

 

1,143,351

 

Fixed income

 

314,707

 

 

 

67,451

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,497

 

 

 

8,597

 

 

 

395,252

 

 

 

361,171

 

Multi-asset

 

3,149

 

 

 

322

 

 

 

 

 

 

280

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

3,761

 

 

 

3,262

 

Alternatives

 

18,771

 

 

 

3,192

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,478

 

 

 

175

 

 

 

23,616

 

 

 

21,071

 

iShares ETFs subtotal

 

1,287,879

 

 

 

245,342

 

 

 

 

 

 

195,727

 

 

 

23,291

 

 

 

1,752,239

 

 

 

1,528,855

 

Non-ETF Index

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

1,430,891

 

 

 

(25,725

)

 

 

 

 

 

289,829

 

 

 

35,827

 

 

 

1,730,822

 

 

 

1,589,130

 

Fixed income

 

507,662

 

 

 

89,795

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,324

 

 

 

33,297

 

 

 

645,078

 

 

 

568,920

 

Multi-asset

 

6,928

 

 

 

(739

)

 

 

 

 

 

1,427

 

 

 

222

 

 

 

7,838

 

 

 

7,596

 

Alternatives

 

7,074

 

 

 

(2,882

)

 

 

 

 

 

294

 

 

 

263

 

 

 

4,749

 

 

 

6,912

 

Non-ETF Index subtotal

 

1,952,555

 

 

 

60,449

 

 

 

 

 

 

305,874

 

 

 

69,609

 

 

 

2,388,487

 

 

 

2,172,558

 

Index & iShares ETFs subtotal

 

3,240,434

 

 

 

305,791

 

 

 

 

 

 

501,601

 

 

 

92,900

 

 

 

4,140,726

 

 

 

3,701,413

 

Long-term

 

4,741,486

 

 

 

330,240

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

627,867

 

 

 

133,874

 

 

 

5,836,731

 

 

 

5,300,442

 

Cash management

 

403,584

 

 

 

38,259

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,239

 

 

 

6,867

 

 

 

449,949

 

 

 

414,835

 

Advisory(4)

 

2,782

 

 

 

(1,245

)

 

 

 

 

 

(205

)

 

 

183

 

 

 

1,515

 

 

 

2,508

 

Total

$

5,147,852

 

 

$

367,254

 

 

$

3,264

 

 

$

628,901

 

 

$

140,924

 

 

$

6,288,195

 

 

$

5,717,785

 

The following table presents component changes in AUM by product type for 2015.2017.

 

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2014

 

 

Net

inflows

(outflows)

 

 

Acquisitions(1)

 

 

Market

change

 

 

FX

impact(2)

 

 

December 31,

2015

 

 

Full Year

Average

AUM(3)

 

Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active

 

$

292,802

 

 

$

4,210

 

 

$

 

 

$

(7,738

)

 

$

(7,955

)

 

$

281,319

 

 

$

292,204

 

iShares

 

 

790,067

 

 

 

78,408

 

 

 

 

 

 

(32,349

)

 

 

(12,970

)

 

 

823,156

 

 

 

810,836

 

Non-ETF index

 

 

1,368,242

 

 

 

(29,840

)

 

 

 

 

 

4,815

 

 

 

(23,920

)

 

 

1,319,297

 

 

 

1,365,839

 

Equity subtotal

 

 

2,451,111

 

 

 

52,778

 

 

 

 

 

 

(35,272

)

 

 

(44,845

)

 

 

2,423,772

 

 

 

2,468,879

 

Fixed income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active

 

 

701,324

 

 

 

35,928

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6,907

)

 

 

(10,692

)

 

 

719,653

 

 

 

722,023

 

iShares

 

 

217,671

 

 

 

50,309

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7,508

)

 

 

(6,282

)

 

 

254,190

 

 

 

239,164

 

Non-ETF index

 

 

474,658

 

 

 

(9,293

)

 

 

 

 

 

2,313

 

 

 

(19,153

)

 

 

448,525

 

 

 

473,926

 

Fixed income subtotal

 

 

1,393,653

 

 

 

76,944

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12,102

)

 

 

(36,127

)

 

 

1,422,368

 

 

 

1,435,113

 

Multi-asset

 

 

377,837

 

 

 

17,167

 

 

 

366

 

 

 

(7,413

)

 

 

(11,621

)

 

 

376,336

 

 

 

389,029

 

Alternatives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core

 

 

88,006

 

 

 

4,080

 

 

 

1,853

 

 

 

(213

)

 

 

(1,641

)

 

 

92,085

 

 

 

90,077

 

Currency and commodities(4)

 

 

23,234

 

 

 

1,045

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,223

)

 

 

(302

)

 

 

20,754

 

 

 

23,132

 

Alternatives subtotal

 

 

111,240

 

 

 

5,125

 

 

 

1,853

 

 

 

(3,436

)

 

 

(1,943

)

 

 

112,839

 

 

 

113,209

 

Long-term

 

 

4,333,841

 

 

 

152,014

 

 

 

2,219

 

 

 

(58,223

)

 

 

(94,536

)

 

 

4,335,315

 

 

$

4,406,230

 

Cash management

 

 

296,353

 

 

 

7,510

 

 

 

 

 

 

267

 

 

 

(4,246

)

 

 

299,884

 

 

 

 

 

Advisory(5)

 

 

21,701

 

 

 

(9,629

)

 

 

 

 

 

461

 

 

 

(2,320

)

 

 

10,213

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

4,651,895

 

 

$

149,895

 

 

$

2,219

 

 

$

(57,495

)

 

$

(101,102

)

 

$

4,645,412

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

Net

inflows

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market

 

 

FX

 

 

December 31,

 

 

Full year

average

 

(in millions)

 

2016

 

 

(outflows)

 

 

Acquisition(1)

 

 

change

 

 

impact(2)

 

 

2017

 

 

AUM(3)

 

Equity

 

$

2,657,176

 

 

$

130,146

 

 

$

 

 

$

525,435

 

 

$

58,884

 

 

$

3,371,641

 

 

$

3,025,759

 

Fixed income

 

 

1,572,365

 

 

 

178,787

 

 

 

 

 

 

47,621

 

 

 

56,692

 

 

 

1,855,465

 

 

 

1,713,436

 

Multi-asset

 

 

395,007

 

 

 

20,330

 

 

 

 

 

 

49,560

 

 

 

15,381

 

 

 

480,278

 

 

 

435,903

 

Alternatives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core

 

 

88,630

 

 

 

780

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

3,438

 

 

 

2,421

 

 

 

98,533

 

 

 

94,976

 

Currency and commodities(5)

 

 

28,308

 

 

 

197

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,813

 

 

 

496

 

 

 

30,814

 

 

 

30,368

 

Alternatives subtotal

 

 

116,938

 

 

 

977

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

5,251

 

 

 

2,917

 

 

 

129,347

 

 

 

125,344

 

Long-term

 

 

4,741,486

 

 

 

330,240

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

627,867

 

 

 

133,874

 

 

 

5,836,731

 

 

 

5,300,442

 

Cash management

 

 

403,584

 

 

 

38,259

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,239

 

 

 

6,867

 

 

 

449,949

 

 

 

414,835

 

Advisory(4)

 

 

2,782

 

 

 

(1,245

)

 

 

 

 

 

(205

)

 

 

183

 

 

 

1,515

 

 

 

2,508

 

Total

 

$

5,147,852

 

 

$

367,254

 

 

$

3,264

 

 

$

628,901

 

 

$

140,924

 

 

$

6,288,195

 

 

$

5,717,785

 

 

(1) Amount represents AUM acquired in the First Reserve Transaction.

(2) Foreign exchange reflects the impact of translating non-U.S. dollar denominated AUM into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes.

(1)

Amounts represent $1.3 billion of AUM acquired in the acquisition of certain assets of BKCA in March 2015, $560 million of AUM acquired in the Infraestructura Institucional acquisition in October 2015 and $366 million of AUM acquired in the FutureAdvisor acquisition in October 2015. The FutureAdvisor acquisition amount does not include AUM that was held in iShares holdings.

(2)

Foreign exchange reflects the impact of translating non-U.S. dollar denominated AUM into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes.

(3)

Average AUM is calculated as the average of the month-end spot AUM amounts for the trailing thirteen months.

(4)

Amounts include commodity iShares.

(5)

Advisory AUM represents long-term portfolio liquidation assignments.

(5) 

Amounts include commodity iShares ETFs.

AUM increased $1.1 trillion to $6.3 trillion at December 31, 2017 from $5.1 trillion at December 31, 2016 driven by net market appreciation, positive net inflows, the impact of foreign exchange movements and AUM acquired in the First Reserve Transaction.

Net market appreciation of $628.9 billion was primarily driven by higher U.S. and global equity markets.

AUM increased $140.9 billion due to the impact of foreign exchange movements, primarily resulting from the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the Euro and the British pound.

For further discussion on AUM, see “Part I, Item 1 – Business Assets Under Management”.

40


Component Changes in AUM for 2016

The following table presents component changes in AUM by investment styleclient type and product type for 2015.2016.

 

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2014

 

 

Net

inflows

(outflows)

 

 

Acquisitions(1)

 

 

Market

change

 

 

FX

impact(2)

 

 

December 31,

2015

 

 

Full Year

Average

AUM(3)

 

 

December 31,

2015

 

 

Net

inflows

(outflows)

 

 

Acquisition(1)

 

 

Market

change

 

 

FX

impact(2)

 

 

December 31,

2016

 

 

Full year

average

AUM(3)

 

Active

 

$

1,453,613

 

 

$

60,510

 

 

$

2,219

 

 

$

(22,026

)

 

$

(31,644

)

 

$

1,462,672

 

 

$

1,487,060

 

Index & iShares

 

 

2,880,228

 

 

 

91,504

 

 

 

 

 

 

(36,197

)

 

 

(62,892

)

 

 

2,872,643

 

 

 

2,919,170

 

Retail:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

$

193,755

 

 

$

(7,429

)

 

$

 

 

$

15,456

 

 

$

(5,561

)

 

$

196,221

 

 

$

192,311

 

Fixed income

 

 

212,653

 

 

 

8,407

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,130

 

 

 

(1,934

)

 

 

222,256

 

 

 

221,797

 

Multi-asset

 

 

115,307

 

 

 

(9,367

)

 

 

 

 

 

3,100

 

 

 

(1,043

)

 

 

107,997

 

 

 

111,416

 

Alternatives

 

 

19,410

 

 

 

(2,935

)

 

 

 

 

 

(835

)

 

 

(162

)

 

 

15,478

 

 

 

17,424

 

Retail subtotal

 

 

541,125

 

 

 

(11,324

)

 

 

 

 

 

20,851

 

 

 

(8,700

)

 

 

541,952

 

 

 

542,948

 

iShares ETFs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

823,156

 

 

 

74,914

 

 

 

 

 

 

56,469

 

 

 

(3,287

)

 

 

951,252

 

 

 

849,017

 

Fixed income

 

 

254,190

 

 

 

59,913

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,782

 

 

 

(3,178

)

 

 

314,707

 

 

 

301,061

 

Multi-asset

 

 

2,730

 

 

 

354

 

 

 

 

 

 

61

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

3,149

 

 

 

2,448

 

Alternatives

 

 

12,485

 

 

 

5,298

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,055

 

 

 

(67

)

 

 

18,771

 

 

 

18,561

 

iShares ETFs subtotal

 

 

1,092,561

 

 

 

140,479

 

 

 

 

 

 

61,367

 

 

 

(6,528

)

 

 

1,287,879

 

 

 

1,171,087

 

Institutional:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

121,442

 

 

 

(7,449

)

 

 

 

 

 

11,112

 

 

 

(4,406

)

 

 

120,699

 

 

 

119,604

 

Fixed income

 

 

514,428

 

 

 

10,234

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,242

 

 

 

(8,177

)

 

 

536,727

 

 

 

542,332

 

Multi-asset

 

 

252,041

 

 

 

13,322

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,516

 

 

 

(6,946

)

 

 

276,933

 

 

 

265,652

 

Alternatives

 

 

74,941

 

 

 

1,811

 

 

 

 

 

 

619

 

 

 

(1,756

)

 

 

75,615

 

 

 

74,919

 

Active subtotal

 

 

962,852

 

 

 

17,918

 

 

 

 

 

 

50,489

 

 

 

(21,285

)

 

 

1,009,974

 

 

 

1,002,507

 

Index:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

1,285,419

 

 

 

(8,612

)

 

 

 

 

 

135,997

 

 

 

(23,800

)

 

 

1,389,004

 

 

 

1,307,812

 

Fixed income

 

 

441,097

 

 

 

41,401

 

 

 

 

 

 

55,665

 

 

 

(39,488

)

 

 

498,675

 

 

 

478,444

 

Multi-asset

 

 

6,258

 

 

 

(82

)

 

 

 

 

 

843

 

 

 

(91

)

 

 

6,928

 

 

 

7,464

 

Alternatives

 

 

6,003

 

 

 

784

 

 

 

 

 

 

790

 

 

 

(503

)

 

 

7,074

 

 

 

6,642

 

Index subtotal

 

 

1,738,777

 

 

 

33,491

 

 

 

 

 

 

193,295

 

 

 

(63,882

)

 

 

1,901,681

 

 

 

1,800,362

 

Institutional subtotal

 

 

2,701,629

 

 

 

51,409

 

 

 

 

 

 

243,784

 

 

 

(85,167

)

 

 

2,911,655

 

 

 

2,802,869

 

Long-term

 

 

4,333,841

 

 

 

152,014

 

 

 

2,219

 

 

 

(58,223

)

 

 

(94,536

)

 

 

4,335,315

 

 

$

4,406,230

 

 

 

4,335,315

 

 

 

180,564

 

 

 

 

 

 

326,002

 

 

 

(100,395

)

 

 

4,741,486

 

 

 

4,516,904

 

Cash management

 

 

296,353

 

 

 

7,510

 

 

 

 

 

 

267

 

 

 

(4,246

)

 

 

299,884

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

299,884

 

 

 

29,228

 

 

 

80,635

 

 

 

430

 

 

 

(6,593

)

 

 

403,584

 

 

 

358,498

 

Advisory(4)

 

 

21,701

 

 

 

(9,629

)

 

 

 

 

 

461

 

 

 

(2,320

)

 

 

10,213

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,213

 

 

 

(7,601

)

 

 

 

 

 

(68

)

 

 

238

 

 

 

2,782

 

 

 

9,687

 

Total

 

$

4,651,895

 

 

$

149,895

 

 

$

2,219

 

 

$

(57,495

)

 

$

(101,102

)

 

$

4,645,412

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

4,645,412

 

 

$

202,191

 

 

$

80,635

 

 

$

326,364

 

 

$

(106,750

)

 

$

5,147,852

 

 

$

4,885,089

 

 

(1)  Amount represents AUM acquired in the BofA Global Capital Management transaction in April 2016.

(1)

Amounts represent $1.3 billion of AUM acquired in the acquisition of certain assets of BKCA in March 2015, $560 million of AUM acquired in the Infraestructura Institucional acquisition in October 2015 and $366 million of AUM acquired in the FutureAdvisor acquisition in October 2015. The FutureAdvisor acquisition amount does not include AUM that was held in iShares holdings.

(2)

Foreign exchange reflects the impact of translating non-U.S. dollar denominated AUM into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes.

(3)

Average AUM is calculated as the average of the month-end spot AUM amounts for the trailing thirteen months.

(4)

Advisory AUM represents long-term portfolio liquidation assignments.

AUM decreased $6.5 billion to $4.645 trillion at December 31, 2015 from $4.652 trillion at December 31, 2014 driven largely by foreign exchange movements and net market depreciation that more than offset organic growth.

Net market depreciation of $57.5 billion was driven by $35.3 billion from equity products due to lower U.S. and global equity markets and $12.1 billion from fixed income products.

AUM decreased $101.1 billion due to the impact of foreign exchange movements, primarily resulting from the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the euro, the British pound and the Canadian dollar.

For further discussion on AUM, see “Item 1. Business – Assets Under Management”.

3741


Component ChangesThe following table presents component changes in AUM by investment style and product type for 20142016.

 

December 31,

 

 

Net

inflows

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market

 

 

FX

 

 

December 31,

 

 

Full year

average

 

(in millions)

2015

 

 

(outflows)

 

 

Acquisition(1)

 

 

change

 

 

impact(2)

 

 

2016

 

 

AUM(3)

 

Active:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

$

281,319

 

 

$

(20,230

)

 

$

 

 

$

21,045

 

 

$

(7,101

)

 

$

275,033

 

 

$

275,656

 

Fixed income

 

719,653

 

 

 

16,625

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,742

 

 

 

(9,024

)

 

 

749,996

 

 

 

756,110

 

Multi-asset

 

367,349

 

 

 

3,954

 

 

 

 

 

 

21,617

 

 

 

(7,990

)

 

 

384,930

 

 

 

377,068

 

Alternatives

 

94,351

 

 

 

(1,123

)

 

 

 

 

 

(217

)

 

 

(1,918

)

 

 

91,093

 

 

 

92,342

 

Active subtotal

 

1,462,672

 

 

 

(774

)

 

 

 

 

 

65,187

 

 

 

(26,033

)

 

 

1,501,052

 

 

 

1,501,176

 

Index and iShares ETFs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

iShares ETFs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

823,156

 

 

 

74,914

 

 

 

 

 

 

56,469

 

 

 

(3,287

)

 

 

951,252

 

 

 

849,017

 

Fixed income

 

254,190

 

 

 

59,913

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,782

 

 

 

(3,178

)

 

 

314,707

 

 

 

301,061

 

Multi-asset

 

2,730

 

 

 

354

 

 

 

 

 

 

61

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

3,149

 

 

 

2,448

 

Alternatives

 

12,485

 

 

 

5,298

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,055

 

 

 

(67

)

 

 

18,771

 

 

 

18,561

 

iShares ETFs subtotal

 

1,092,561

 

 

 

140,479

 

 

 

 

 

 

61,367

 

 

 

(6,528

)

 

 

1,287,879

 

 

 

1,171,087

 

Non-ETF Index

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

1,319,297

 

 

 

(3,260

)

 

 

 

 

 

141,520

 

 

 

(26,666

)

 

 

1,430,891

 

 

 

1,344,071

 

Fixed income

 

448,525

 

 

 

43,417

 

 

 

 

 

 

56,295

 

 

 

(40,575

)

 

 

507,662

 

 

 

486,463

 

Multi-asset

 

6,257

 

 

 

(81

)

 

 

 

 

 

842

 

 

 

(90

)

 

 

6,928

 

 

 

7,464

 

Alternatives

 

6,003

 

 

 

783

 

 

 

 

 

 

791

 

 

 

(503

)

 

 

7,074

 

 

 

6,643

 

Non-ETF Index subtotal

 

1,780,082

 

 

 

40,859

 

 

 

 

 

 

199,448

 

 

 

(67,834

)

 

 

1,952,555

 

 

 

1,844,641

 

Index & iShares ETFs subtotal

 

2,872,643

 

 

 

181,338

 

 

 

 

 

 

260,815

 

 

 

(74,362

)

 

 

3,240,434

 

 

 

3,015,728

 

Long-term

 

4,335,315

 

 

 

180,564

 

 

 

 

 

 

326,002

 

 

 

(100,395

)

 

 

4,741,486

 

 

 

4,516,904

 

Cash management

 

299,884

 

 

 

29,228

 

 

 

80,635

 

 

 

430

 

 

 

(6,593

)

 

 

403,584

 

 

 

358,498

 

Advisory(4)

 

10,213

 

 

 

(7,601

)

 

 

 

 

 

(68

)

 

 

238

 

 

 

2,782

 

 

 

9,687

 

Total

$

4,645,412

 

 

$

202,191

 

 

$

80,635

 

 

$

326,364

 

 

$

(106,750

)

 

$

5,147,852

 

 

$

4,885,089

 

The following table presents the component changes in AUM by client type and product type for 2014.2016.

 

 

December 31,

 

 

Net

inflows

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market

 

 

FX

 

 

December 31,

 

 

Full year

average

 

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2013

 

 

Net

inflows

(outflows)

 

 

Market

change

 

 

FX

impact(1)

 

 

December 31,

2014

 

 

Full Year

Average

AUM(2)

 

 

2015

 

 

(outflows)

 

 

Acquisition(1)

 

 

change

 

 

impact(2)

 

 

2016

 

 

AUM(3)

 

Retail:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

$

203,035

 

 

$

1,582

 

 

$

1,831

 

 

$

(6,003

)

 

$

200,445

 

 

$

207,280

 

 

$

2,423,772

 

 

$

51,424

 

 

$

 

 

$

219,034

 

 

$

(37,054

)

 

$

2,657,176

 

 

$

2,468,744

 

Fixed income

 

 

151,475

 

 

 

36,995

 

 

 

3,698

 

 

 

(2,348

)

 

 

189,820

 

 

 

170,490

 

 

 

1,422,368

 

 

 

119,955

 

 

 

 

 

 

82,819

 

 

 

(52,777

)

 

 

1,572,365

 

 

 

1,543,634

 

Multi-asset

 

 

117,054

 

 

 

13,366

 

 

 

(4,080

)

 

 

(999

)

 

 

125,341

 

 

 

123,619

 

 

 

376,336

 

 

 

4,227

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,520

 

 

 

(8,076

)

 

 

395,007

 

 

 

386,980

 

Alternatives

 

 

16,213

 

 

 

3,001

 

 

 

152

 

 

 

(643

)

 

 

18,723

 

 

 

18,487

 

Retail subtotal

 

 

487,777

 

 

 

54,944

 

 

 

1,601

 

 

 

(9,993

)

 

 

534,329

 

 

 

519,876

 

iShares:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

718,135

 

 

 

59,626

 

 

 

26,517

 

 

 

(14,211

)

 

 

790,067

 

 

 

751,830

 

Fixed income

 

 

178,835

 

 

 

40,007

 

 

 

4,905

 

 

 

(6,076

)

 

 

217,671

 

 

 

199,410

 

Multi-asset

 

 

1,310

 

 

 

439

 

 

 

37

 

 

 

(13

)

 

 

1,773

 

 

 

1,535

 

Alternatives

 

 

16,092

 

 

 

529

 

 

 

(1,722

)

 

 

(182

)

 

 

14,717

 

 

 

16,453

 

iShares subtotal

 

 

914,372

 

 

 

100,601

 

 

 

29,737

 

 

 

(20,482

)

 

 

1,024,228

 

 

 

969,228

 

Institutional:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

138,726

 

 

 

(18,648

)

 

 

9,935

 

 

 

(4,870

)

 

 

125,143

 

 

 

131,779

 

Fixed income

 

 

505,109

 

 

 

(6,943

)

 

 

34,062

 

 

 

(13,638

)

 

 

518,590

 

 

 

515,411

 

Multi-asset

 

 

215,276

 

 

 

15,835

 

 

 

23,435

 

 

 

(11,633

)

 

 

242,913

 

 

 

233,729

 

Alternatives

 

 

73,299

 

 

 

(664

)

 

 

1,494

 

 

 

(1,615

)

 

 

72,514

 

 

 

73,075

 

Active subtotal

 

 

932,410

 

 

 

(10,420

)

 

 

68,926

 

 

 

(31,756

)

 

 

959,160

 

 

 

953,994

 

Index:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

1,257,799

 

 

 

9,860

 

 

 

102,549

 

 

 

(34,752

)

 

 

1,335,456

 

 

 

1,305,930

 

Fixed income

 

 

406,767

 

 

 

26,347

 

 

 

56,086

 

 

 

(21,628

)

 

 

467,572

 

 

 

440,047

 

Multi-asset

 

 

7,574

 

 

 

(735

)

 

 

1,652

 

 

 

(681

)

 

 

7,810

 

 

 

7,001

 

Alternatives

 

 

5,510

 

 

 

656

 

 

 

(693

)

 

 

(187

)

 

 

5,286

 

 

 

6,061

 

Index subtotal

 

 

1,677,650

 

 

 

36,128

 

 

 

159,594

 

 

 

(57,248

)

 

 

1,816,124

 

 

 

1,759,039

 

Institutional subtotal

 

 

2,610,060

 

 

 

25,708

 

 

 

228,520

 

 

 

(89,004

)

 

 

2,775,284

 

 

 

2,713,033

 

Alternatives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core

 

 

92,085

 

 

 

(1,165

)

 

 

 

 

 

(291

)

 

 

(1,999

)

 

 

88,630

 

 

 

90,028

 

Currency and commodities(5)

 

 

20,754

 

 

 

6,123

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,920

 

 

 

(489

)

 

 

28,308

 

 

 

27,518

 

Alternatives subtotal

 

 

112,839

 

 

 

4,958

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,629

 

 

 

(2,488

)

 

 

116,938

 

 

 

117,546

 

Long-term

 

 

4,012,209

 

 

 

181,253

 

 

 

259,858

 

 

 

(119,479

)

 

 

4,333,841

 

 

$

4,202,137

 

 

 

4,335,315

 

 

 

180,564

 

 

 

 

 

 

326,002

 

 

 

(100,395

)

 

 

4,741,486

 

 

 

4,516,904

 

Cash management

 

 

275,554

 

 

 

25,696

 

 

 

715

 

 

 

(5,612

)

 

 

296,353

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

299,884

 

 

 

29,228

 

 

 

80,635

 

 

 

430

 

 

 

(6,593

)

 

 

403,584

 

 

 

358,498

 

Advisory(3)

 

 

36,325

 

 

 

(13,173

)

 

 

1,109

 

 

 

(2,560

)

 

 

21,701

 

 

 

 

 

Advisory(4)

 

 

10,213

 

 

 

(7,601

)

 

 

 

 

 

(68

)

 

 

238

 

 

 

2,782

 

 

 

9,687

 

Total

 

$

4,324,088

 

 

$

193,776

 

 

$

261,682

 

 

$

(127,651

)

 

$

4,651,895

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

4,645,412

 

 

$

202,191

 

 

$

80,635

 

 

$

326,364

 

 

$

(106,750

)

 

$

5,147,852

 

 

$

4,885,089

 

 

(1)  Amount represents AUM acquired in the BofA Global Capital Management transaction in April 2016.

(2)  Foreign exchange reflects the impact of translating non-U.S. dollar denominated AUM into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes.

(1)

Foreign exchange reflects the impact of translating non-U.S. dollar denominated AUM into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes.

(2)(3) 

Average AUM is calculated as the average of the month-end spot AUM amounts for the trailing thirteen months.

(3)(4) 

Advisory AUM represents long-term portfolio liquidation assignments.

The following table presents component changes in AUM by product type for 2014.(5)  Amounts include commodity iShares ETFs.

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2013

 

 

Net

inflows

(outflows)

 

 

Market

change

 

 

FX

impact(1)

 

 

December 31,

2014

 

 

Full Year

Average

AUM(2)

 

Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active

 

$

317,262

 

 

$

(24,882

)

 

$

9,867

 

 

$

(9,445

)

 

$

292,802

 

 

$

310,551

 

iShares

 

 

718,135

 

 

 

59,626

 

 

 

26,517

 

 

 

(14,211

)

 

 

790,067

 

 

 

751,830

 

Non-ETF index

 

 

1,282,298

 

 

 

17,676

 

 

 

104,448

 

 

 

(36,180

)

 

 

1,368,242

 

 

 

1,334,438

 

Equity subtotal

 

 

2,317,695

 

 

 

52,420

 

 

 

140,832

 

 

 

(59,836

)

 

 

2,451,111

 

 

 

2,396,819

 

Fixed income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active

 

 

652,209

 

 

 

27,694

 

 

 

36,942

 

 

 

(15,521

)

 

 

701,324

 

 

 

680,078

 

iShares

 

 

178,835

 

 

 

40,007

 

 

 

4,905

 

 

 

(6,076

)

 

 

217,671

 

 

 

199,410

 

Non-ETF index

 

 

411,142

 

 

 

28,705

 

 

 

56,904

 

 

 

(22,093

)

 

 

474,658

 

 

 

445,870

 

Fixed income subtotal

 

 

1,242,186

 

 

 

96,406

 

 

 

98,751

 

 

 

(43,690

)

 

 

1,393,653

 

 

 

1,325,358

 

Multi-asset

 

 

341,214

 

 

 

28,905

 

 

 

21,044

 

 

 

(13,326

)

 

 

377,837

 

 

 

365,884

 

Alternatives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core

 

 

85,026

 

 

 

3,061

 

 

 

1,808

 

 

 

(1,889

)

 

 

88,006

 

 

 

87,689

 

Currency and commodities(3)

 

 

26,088

 

 

 

461

 

 

 

(2,577

)

 

 

(738

)

 

 

23,234

 

 

 

26,387

 

Alternatives subtotal

 

 

111,114

 

 

 

3,522

 

 

 

(769

)

 

 

(2,627

)

 

 

111,240

 

 

 

114,076

 

Long-term

 

 

4,012,209

 

 

 

181,253

 

 

 

259,858

 

 

 

(119,479

)

 

 

4,333,841

 

 

$

4,202,137

 

Cash management

 

 

275,554

 

 

 

25,696

 

 

 

715

 

 

 

(5,612

)

 

 

296,353

 

 

 

 

 

Advisory(4)

 

 

36,325

 

 

 

(13,173

)

 

 

1,109

 

 

 

(2,560

)

 

 

21,701

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

4,324,088

 

 

$

193,776

 

 

$

261,682

 

 

$

(127,651

)

 

$

4,651,895

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Foreign exchange reflects the impact of translating non-U.S. dollar denominated AUM into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes.

(2)

Average AUM is calculated as the average of the month-end spot AUM amounts for the trailing thirteen months.

(3)

Amounts include commodity iShares.

(4)

Advisory AUM represents long-term portfolio liquidation assignments.

38


The following table presents component changes in AUM by investment style for 2014.

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2013

 

 

Net

inflows

(outflows)

 

 

Market

change

 

 

FX

impact(1)

 

 

December 31,

2014

 

 

Full Year

Average

AUM(2)

 

Active

 

$

1,391,243

 

 

$

34,408

 

 

$

67,816

 

 

$

(39,851

)

 

$

1,453,616

 

 

$

1,439,474

 

Index & iShares

 

 

2,620,966

 

 

 

146,845

 

 

 

192,042

 

 

 

(79,628

)

 

 

2,880,225

 

 

 

2,762,663

 

Long-term

 

 

4,012,209

 

 

 

181,253

 

 

 

259,858

 

 

 

(119,479

)

 

 

4,333,841

 

 

$

4,202,137

 

Cash management

 

 

275,554

 

 

 

25,696

 

 

 

715

 

 

 

(5,612

)

 

 

296,353

 

 

 

 

 

Advisory(3)

 

 

36,325

 

 

 

(13,173

)

 

 

1,109

 

 

 

(2,560

)

 

 

21,701

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

4,324,088

 

 

$

193,776

 

 

$

261,682

 

 

$

(127,651

)

 

$

4,651,895

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Foreign exchange reflects the impact of translating non-U.S. dollar denominated AUM into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes.

(2)

Average AUM is calculated as the average of the month-end spot AUM amounts for the trailing thirteen months.

(3)

Advisory AUM represents long-term portfolio liquidation assignments.

AUM increased $327.8$502.4 billion or 8%, to $4.652$5.1 trillion at December 31, 20142016 from $4.324$4.6 trillion at December 31, 2013. The increase in AUM was2015 driven by net market appreciation, of $261.7 billion andpositive net inflows of $193.8 billion,and AUM acquired in the BofA Global Capital Management transaction, partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange movements.movements.

Net market appreciation of $261.7$326.4 billion included $140.8was driven by $219.0 billion of growth infrom equity products, primarily due to higher U.S. equity markets, and appreciation of $98.8$82.8 billion and $21.0 billion infrom fixed income products and $22.5 billion from multi-asset products respectively, across the majority of strategies.

AUM decreased $127.7$106.8 billion fromdue to the impact of foreign exchange movements, primarily resulting from the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, largely against the euro, the British pound and the Japanese yen.Euro.

 

 

42


Discussion of Financial Results

Introduction

BlackRock derives a substantial portion of its revenue from investment advisory and administration fees, which are recognized as the services are performed. Such fees are primarily based on predetermined percentages of the market value of AUM or percentages of committed capital during investment periods of certain alternative products and are affected by changes in AUM, including market appreciation or depreciation, foreign exchange translation and net inflows or outflows. Net inflows or outflows represent the sum of new client assets, additional fundings from existing clients (including dividend reinvestment), withdrawals of assets from, and termination of, client accounts and distributions to investors representing return of capital and return on investments to investors. Market appreciation or depreciation includes current income earned on, and changes in the fair value of, securities held in client accounts. Foreign exchange translation reflects the impact of translating non-U.S. dollar denominated AUM into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes.

BlackRock also earns revenue by lending securities on behalf of clients to highly rated banks and broker-dealers. The securities loaned are secured by collateral in the form of cash or securities, with minimum collateral generally ranging from approximately 102% to 112% of the value of the loaned securities. Generally, the revenue earned is shared between BlackRock and the funds or accounts managed by the Company from which the securities are borrowed. Historically, securities lending revenue in the second quarter exceeds revenue in the other quarters during the year driven by higher seasonal demand.

Investment advisory agreements for certain separate accounts and investment funds provide for performance fees based upon relative and/or absolute investment performance, in addition to base fees based on AUM. Investment advisory performance fees generally are earned after a given period of time and when investment performance exceeds a contractual threshold. As such, the timing of recognition of performance fees may increase the volatility of BlackRock’s revenue and earnings. The magnitude of performance fees can fluctuate quarterly due to the timing of carried interest recognition on alternative products; however, the third and fourth quarters have a greater number of nonalternative products with performance measurement periods that end on either September 30 or December 31.

BlackRock provides a variety ofoffers investment management technology systems, risk management investment analyticservices, wealth management and investment system and advisory services to financialdigital distribution tools on a fee basis.  Clients include banks, insurance companies, official institutions, pension funds, asset managers, foundations, consultants, mutual fund sponsors, real estate investment trustsretail distributors and government agencies. These services are provided under the brand name BlackRock Solutions and include a wide array of risk management services, valuation services related to illiquid securities, disposition and workout assignments (including long-term portfolio liquidation assignments), strategic planning and execution, and enterprise investment system outsourcing to clients. The Company’s Aladdin operating platform serves as the investment/risk solutions system for BlackRock and other institutional investors. Fees earned for BlackRock Solutionstechnology and advisoryrisk management revenue are recorded as services are performed and are generally determined using some, or all, of the following methods: (i) percentages of various attributes of advisory AUM or value of positions on the Aladdin platform (ii) fixedor on a fixed-rate basis.

BlackRock advises global financial institutions, regulators, and government entities across a range of risk, regulatory, capital markets and strategic services. Fees earned for advisory services, which are included in advisory and other revenue, are determined using fixed-rate fees and (iii) performance fees if contractual thresholds are met.

BlackRock buildsrecorded upon its leadership position to meet the growing need for investment and risk management solutions. Through its scale and diversity of products, it is able to provide its clients with customized solutions including fiduciary outsourcing for liability-driven investments and overlay strategies for pension plan sponsors, balance sheet management and related services for insurance companies and target date and target return funds, as well as asset allocation portfolios, for retail investors. BlackRock is also able to service these clients via its Aladdin platform to provide risk management and other outsourcing services for institutional investors and custom and tailored solutions to address complex risk exposures.delivery.

The Company earns fees for transition management services primarily comprised of commissions from acting as a broker-dealerrecognized in connection with buying and selling securities on behalf of its customers. Commissions related to transition management services are recorded on a trade-date basis as securities transactions occur.

The Company also earns revenue related to certain strategic investments accounted for as equity method investments.

39


Operating expense reflects employee compensation and benefits, distribution and servicing costs, amortization of deferred sales commissions, direct fund expense, general and administration expense and amortization of finite-lived intangible assets.

Employee compensation and benefits expense includes salaries, commissions, temporary help, deferred and incentive compensation, employer payroll taxes, severance and related benefit costs.

Distribution and servicing costs, which are primarily AUM driven, include payments made to Merrill Lynch-affiliated entities under a global distribution agreement, to PNC and Barclays, as well as other third parties, primarily associated with obtaining and retaining client investments in certain BlackRock products.

Direct fund expense primarily consists of third-party nonadvisory expense incurred by BlackRock related to certain funds for the use of index trademarks, reference data for indices, custodial services, fund administration, fund accounting, transfer agent services, shareholder reporting services, legal expense, and audit and tax services as well as other fund-related expense directly attributable to the nonadvisory operations of the fund. These expenses may vary over time with fluctuations in AUM, number of shareholder accounts, or other attributes directly related to volume of business.

General and administration expense includes marketing and promotional, occupancy and office-related costs, portfolio services (including clearing expense related to transition management services), technology, professional services, communications, closed-end fundproduct launch costs and other general and administration expense, including the impact of foreign currency remeasurement. Foreign currency remeasurement (gains) losses were $5 million, $(6) million and $(8) million $(11) millionfor 2017, 2016 and $1 million for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Approximately 75% of the Company’s revenue is generated in U.S. dollars. The Company’s revenue and expense generated in foreign currencies (primarily the euroEuro and British pound) are impacted by foreign exchange rates. Any effect of foreign exchange rate change on revenue is partially offset by a change in expense driven by the Company’s considerable non-dollar expense base related to its operations outside the United States.

Nonoperating income (expense) includes the effect of changes in the valuations on investments (excluding available-for-sale investments) and earnings on equity method investments as well as interest and dividend income and interest expense. Other comprehensive income includes changes in valuations related to available-for-sale investments. BlackRock primarily holds seed and co-investments in sponsored investment products that invest in a variety of asset classes, including private equity, hedge funds and real estate.assets. Investments generally are made for co-investment purposes, to establish a performance track record or for regulatory purposes, including Federal Reserve Bank stock. BlackRock does not engage in proprietary trading activities that could conflict with the interests of its clients.

43


In addition, nonoperating income (expense) includes the impact of changes in the valuations of consolidated sponsored investment funds. The portion of nonoperating income (expense) not attributable to BlackRock is allocated to NCI on the consolidated statements of income.

Revenue

The following table presents the Company’s revenue for 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 2013.2015.

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active

 

$

1,709

 

 

$

1,844

 

 

$

1,741

 

 

$

1,662

 

 

$

1,591

 

 

$

1,709

 

iShares

 

 

2,751

 

 

 

2,705

 

 

 

2,390

 

iShares ETFs

 

 

3,221

 

 

 

2,651

 

 

 

2,751

 

Non-ETF index

 

 

680

 

 

 

677

 

 

 

594

 

 

 

687

 

 

 

674

 

 

 

680

 

Equity subtotal

 

 

5,140

 

 

 

5,226

 

 

 

4,725

 

 

 

5,570

 

 

 

4,916

 

 

 

5,140

 

Fixed income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active

 

 

1,566

 

 

 

1,396

 

 

 

1,269

 

 

 

1,735

 

 

 

1,658

 

 

 

1,566

 

iShares

 

 

554

 

 

 

484

 

 

 

464

 

iShares ETFs

 

 

808

 

 

 

696

 

 

 

554

 

Non-ETF index

 

 

282

 

 

 

260

 

 

 

238

 

 

 

344

 

 

 

297

 

 

 

282

 

Fixed income subtotal

 

 

2,402

 

 

 

2,140

 

 

 

1,971

 

 

 

2,887

 

 

 

2,651

 

 

 

2,402

 

Multi-asset

 

 

1,253

 

 

 

1,204

 

 

 

1,039

 

 

 

1,148

 

 

 

1,138

 

 

 

1,253

 

Alternatives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core

 

 

653

 

 

 

638

 

 

 

576

 

 

 

639

 

 

 

634

 

 

 

653

 

Currency and commodities

 

 

73

 

 

 

89

 

 

 

107

 

 

 

91

 

 

 

83

 

 

 

73

 

Alternatives subtotal

 

 

726

 

 

 

727

 

 

 

683

 

 

 

730

 

 

 

717

 

 

 

726

 

Long-term

 

 

9,521

 

 

 

9,297

 

 

 

8,418

 

 

 

10,335

 

 

 

9,422

 

 

 

9,521

 

Cash management

 

 

319

 

 

 

292

 

 

 

321

 

 

 

558

 

 

 

458

 

 

 

319

 

Total base fees

 

 

9,840

 

 

 

9,589

 

 

 

8,739

 

 

 

10,893

 

 

 

9,880

 

 

 

9,840

 

Investment advisory performance fees:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

205

 

 

 

111

 

 

 

91

 

 

 

152

 

 

 

102

 

 

 

205

 

Fixed income

 

 

26

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

26

 

Multi-asset

 

 

34

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

34

 

Alternatives

 

 

356

 

 

 

376

 

 

 

421

 

 

 

375

 

 

 

161

 

 

 

356

 

Total performance fees

 

 

621

 

 

 

550

 

 

 

561

 

 

 

594

 

 

 

295

 

 

 

621

 

BlackRock Solutions and advisory

 

 

646

 

 

 

635

 

 

 

577

 

Technology and risk management revenue(1)

 

 

677

 

 

 

595

 

 

 

528

 

Distribution fees

 

 

55

 

 

 

70

 

 

 

73

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

41

 

 

 

55

 

Other revenue

 

 

239

 

 

 

237

 

 

 

230

 

Advisory and other revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advisory(1)

 

 

128

 

 

 

119

 

 

 

118

 

Other

 

 

175

 

 

 

225

 

 

 

239

 

Advisory and other revenue

 

 

303

 

 

 

344

 

 

 

357

 

Total revenue

 

$

11,401

 

 

$

11,081

 

 

$

10,180

 

 

$

12,491

 

 

$

11,155

 

 

$

11,401

 

(1)

Beginning with the first quarter of 2017, Aladdin revenue previously reported within “BlackRock Solutions® and advisory” has been presented within “Technology and risk management revenue” on the consolidated statement of income.  The remaining previously reported “BlackRock Solutions and advisory” revenue is currently reported as part of “Advisory and other revenue.” Under the historical presentation, BlackRock Solutions and advisory revenue would have totaled $805 million for 2017. The prior period amounts reported for BlackRock Solutions and advisory of $714 million and $646 million for 2016 and 2015, respectively, have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.  

 

40


The table below lists the asset type mix of investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue (collectively “base fees”) and mix of average AUM by product type:

 

 

Mix of Base Fees

 

 

Mix of Average AUM by Asset Class(1)

 

 

Mix of Base Fees

 

 

Mix of Average AUM by Asset Class(1)

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active

 

 

17

%

 

 

18

%

 

 

20

%

 

 

6

%

 

 

7

%

 

 

7

%

 

 

15

%

 

 

16

%

 

 

17

%

 

 

5

%

 

 

6

%

 

 

6

%

iShares

 

 

28

%

 

 

28

%

 

 

26

%

 

 

17

%

 

 

17

%

 

 

16

%

iShares ETFs

 

 

30

%

 

 

27

%

 

 

28

%

 

 

20

%

 

 

17

%

 

 

17

%

Non-ETF index

 

 

7

%

 

 

7

%

 

 

7

%

 

 

30

%

 

 

30

%

 

 

29

%

 

 

6

%

 

 

7

%

 

 

7

%

 

 

28

%

 

 

27

%

 

 

30

%

Equity subtotal

 

 

52

%

 

 

53

%

 

 

53

%

 

 

53

%

 

 

54

%

 

 

52

%

 

 

51

%

 

 

50

%

 

 

52

%

 

 

53

%

 

 

50

%

 

 

53

%

Fixed income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Active

 

 

15

%

 

 

15

%

 

 

15

%

 

 

16

%

 

 

15

%

 

 

16

%

 

 

16

%

 

 

17

%

 

 

15

%

 

 

13

%

 

 

16

%

 

 

16

%

iShares

 

 

6

%

 

 

5

%

 

 

5

%

 

 

5

%

 

 

4

%

 

 

5

%

iShares ETFs

 

 

7

%

 

 

7

%

 

 

6

%

 

 

6

%

 

 

6

%

 

 

5

%

Non-ETF index

 

 

3

%

 

 

3

%

 

 

3

%

 

 

10

%

 

 

10

%

 

 

10

%

 

 

3

%

 

 

3

%

 

 

3

%

 

 

10

%

 

 

10

%

 

 

10

%

Fixed income subtotal

 

 

24

%

 

 

23

%

 

 

23

%

 

 

31

%

 

 

29

%

 

 

31

%

 

 

26

%

 

 

27

%

 

 

24

%

 

 

29

%

 

 

32

%

 

 

31

%

Multi-asset

 

 

13

%

 

 

13

%

 

 

12

%

 

 

8

%

 

 

8

%

 

 

7

%

 

 

11

%

 

 

11

%

 

 

13

%

 

 

8

%

 

 

8

%

 

 

8

%

Alternatives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core

 

 

7

%

 

 

7

%

 

 

7

%

 

 

2

%

 

 

2

%

 

 

2

%

 

 

6

%

 

 

6

%

 

 

7

%

 

 

2

%

 

 

2

%

 

 

2

%

Currency and commodities

 

 

1

%

 

 

1

%

 

 

1

%

 

 

0

%

 

 

1

%

 

 

1

%

 

 

1

%

 

 

1

%

 

 

1

%

 

 

1

%

 

 

1

%

 

 

-

%

Alternatives subtotal

 

 

8

%

 

 

8

%

 

 

8

%

 

 

2

%

 

 

3

%

 

 

3

%

 

 

7

%

 

 

7

%

 

 

8

%

 

 

3

%

 

 

3

%

 

 

2

%

Long-term

 

 

97

%

 

 

97

%

 

 

96

%

 

 

94

%

 

 

94

%

 

 

93

%

 

 

95

%

 

 

95

%

 

 

97

%

 

 

93

%

 

 

93

%

 

 

94

%

Cash management

 

 

3

%

 

 

3

%

 

 

4

%

 

 

6

%

 

 

6

%

 

 

7

%

 

 

5

%

 

 

5

%

 

 

3

%

 

 

7

%

 

 

7

%

 

 

6

%

Total excluding Advisory AUM

 

 

100

%

 

 

100

%

 

 

100

%

 

 

100

%

 

 

100

%

 

 

100

%

 

 

100

%

 

 

100

%

 

 

100

%

 

 

100

%

 

 

100

%

 

 

100

%

 

(1)

Average AUM is calculated as the average of the month-end spot AUM amounts for the trailing thirteen months.

41

44


20152017 Compared with 20142016

Revenue increased $320$1,336 million, or 3%12%, from 2014,2016, driven by highergrowth in base fees, performance fees, and growth in performance fees.technology and risk management revenue.

Investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue of $10,893 million in 2017 increased $1,013 million from $9,880 million in 2016 reflecting the impact of higher markets and organic growth on average AUM, and the effect of AUM acquired in the BofA Global Capital Management transaction, partially offset by pricing changes to select investment products. Securities lending revenue of $597 million in 2017 compared with $579 million in 2016.  

Investment advisory performance fees were $594 million in 2017 compared with $295 million in 2016. The increase primarily reflected improved performance in hedge fund and long-only equity products.

Technology and risk management revenue of $677 million for 2017 increased $82 million from $595 million in 2016 reflecting ongoing demand for Aladdin.

Advisory and other revenue of $303 million decreased $41 million from $344 million in 2016, reflecting lower earnings from a strategic minority investment and lower fees for distributing certain exchange-traded products.

2016 Compared with 2015

Revenue decreased $246 million, or 2%, from 2015, driven by lower performance fees, partially offset by higher technology and risk management revenue.

Investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue of $9,880 million for 2016 increased $40 million from $9,840 million forin 2015 increased $251 million from $9,589 million in 2014 primarily driven byreflecting the impact of organic growth despiteand higher markets on average AUM, the effect of AUM acquired in the BofA Global Capital Management transaction and lower yield-related fee waivers on certain money market funds, partially offset by the impact of divergent beta and mix shift, and the impact of foreign exchange and market volatility.movements. Securities lending revenue increased $36$66 million from 20142015 to $513$579 million in 2015,2016, primarily reflecting an increase in average balances of securities on loan.loan and higher spreads.  

Investment advisory performance fees were $295 million in 2016 compared with $621 million in 2015 compared with $550 million in 2014.2015. The current year reflected higherdecrease was primarily driven by lower fees from equity and alternative products, andincluding the impact of the strong 2015 performance from a single hedge fund with an annual performance measurement period that ended in the third quarter of 2015. The prior year reflected a large fee associated with the liquidation

Technology and risk management revenue of a closed-end mortgage fund in 2014.

BlackRock Solutions and advisory revenue in 2015 totaled $646$595 million compared with $635for 2016 increased $67 million in 2014. The current year reflected higher revenue fromAladdin mandates and lower revenue from disposition-related advisory assignments. BlackRock Solutions and advisory revenue included $528 million in 2015 reflecting ongoing demand for AladdinAladdin revenue compared with $474 million in 2014..

2014 Compared with 201345

Revenue increased $901 million, or 9%, from 2013, reflecting growth in markets, long-term net inflows and strength in BlackRock Solutions and advisory revenue.

Investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue of $9,589 million for 2014 increased $850 million from $8,739 million in 2013 due to higher long-term average AUM, reflecting organic growth and market appreciation. Securities lending revenue increased $30 million from 2013 to $477 million in 2014.

BlackRock Solutions and advisory revenue in 2014 totaled $635 million compared with $577 million in 2013. The year ended 2014 reflected higher revenue from Aladdin mandates and higher revenue from advisory assignments. BlackRock Solutions and advisory revenue included $474 million in Aladdin revenue compared with $433 million in 2013.


Expense

The following table presents the Company’s expense for 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 2013.2015.

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

2015

 

Expense, GAAP:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee compensation and benefits

 

$

4,005

 

 

$

3,829

 

 

$

3,560

 

 

$

4,255

 

 

$

3,880

 

$

4,005

 

Distribution and servicing costs

 

 

409

 

 

 

364

 

 

 

353

 

 

 

492

 

 

429

 

409

 

Amortization of deferred sales commissions

 

 

48

 

 

 

56

 

 

 

52

 

 

 

17

 

 

34

 

48

 

Direct fund expense

 

 

767

 

 

 

748

 

 

 

657

 

 

 

904

 

 

766

 

767

 

General and administration:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketing and promotional

 

 

365

 

 

 

413

 

 

 

409

 

 

 

333

 

 

325

 

365

 

Occupancy and office related

 

 

280

 

 

 

267

 

 

 

277

 

 

 

275

 

 

272

 

280

 

Portfolio services

 

 

221

 

 

 

215

 

 

 

203

 

 

 

268

 

 

234

 

221

 

Technology

 

 

170

 

 

 

164

 

 

 

160

 

 

 

203

 

 

175

 

170

 

Professional services

 

 

120

 

 

 

126

 

 

 

128

 

 

 

142

 

 

114

 

120

 

Communications

 

 

37

 

 

 

39

 

 

 

37

 

 

 

34

 

 

38

 

37

 

Regulatory, filing and license fees

 

 

24

 

 

 

36

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

30

 

 

21

 

24

 

Closed-end fund launch costs

 

 

4

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

16

 

Charitable Contribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

124

 

Reduction of indemnification asset

 

 

 

 

 

50

 

 

 

 

Other general and administration

 

 

159

 

 

 

133

 

 

 

155

 

 

 

177

 

 

122

 

163

 

Total general and administration expense

 

 

1,380

 

 

 

1,453

 

 

 

1,540

 

 

 

1,462

 

 

1,301

 

1,380

 

Restructuring charge

 

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

128

 

 

 

157

 

 

 

161

 

 

 

89

 

 

99

 

128

 

Total expense, GAAP

 

$

6,737

 

 

$

6,607

 

 

$

6,323

 

 

$

7,219

 

 

$

6,585

 

$

6,737

 

Less non-GAAP expense adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less non-GAAP expense adjustments (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee compensation and benefits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PNC LTIP funding obligation

 

$

30

 

 

$

32

 

 

$

33

 

 

$

15

 

 

$

28

 

$

30

 

Compensation expense related to appreciation (depreciation) on deferred

compensation plans

 

 

1

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

Subtotal

 

 

31

 

 

 

39

 

 

 

43

 

 

 

15

 

 

28

 

31

 

General and administration:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reduction of indemnification asset

 

 

 

 

 

50

 

 

 

 

Charitable Contribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

124

 

Subtotal

 

 

 

 

 

50

 

 

 

124

 

Restructuring charge

 

 

 

 

76

 

 

Total non-GAAP expense adjustments

 

$

31

 

 

$

89

 

 

$

167

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

 

104

 

 

 

31

 

Expense, as adjusted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee compensation and benefits

 

$

3,974

 

 

$

3,790

 

 

$

3,517

 

 

$

4,240

 

 

$

3,852

 

$

3,974

 

Distribution and servicing costs

 

 

409

 

 

 

364

 

 

 

353

 

 

 

492

 

 

429

 

409

 

Amortization of deferred sales commissions

 

 

48

 

 

 

56

 

 

 

52

 

 

 

17

 

 

34

 

48

 

Direct fund expense

 

 

767

 

 

 

748

 

 

 

657

 

 

 

904

 

 

766

 

767

 

General and administration

 

 

1,380

 

 

 

1,403

 

 

 

1,416

 

 

 

1,462

 

 

1,301

 

1,380

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

128

 

 

 

157

 

 

 

161

 

 

 

89

 

 

99

 

128

 

Total expense, as adjusted

 

$

6,706

 

 

$

6,518

 

 

$

6,156

 

 

$

7,204

 

 

$

6,481

 

$

6,706

 

(1)

See Non-GAAP Financial Measures for further information on non-GAAP expense adjustments.

42


 

20152017 Compared with 20142016

GAAP. Expense increased $130$634 million, or 2%10%, from 2014,2016, driven primarily reflectingby higher revenue-related expense, includingemployee compensation and benefits expense, higher volume-related expense, and distribution and servicing costs, partially offset by lowerhigher general and administration expense, and amortization of intangible assets. Expense for 2014 included an expense related topartially offset by a $50 million reduction of an indemnification asset.restructuring charge recorded in 2016.  

Employee compensation and benefits expense increased $176$375 million, or 5%10%, to $4,005$4,255 million in 20152017 from $3,829$3,880 million in 2014,2016, reflecting higher incentive compensation, higher headcount, and higher incentiveapproximately $20 million of severance and deferredaccelerated compensation partially offset byexpense associated with the impactrepositioning of foreign exchange movements.the active equity platform. Employees at December 31, 20152017 totaled approximately 13,00013,900 compared with approximately 12,20013,000 at December 31, 2014.2016.  

 Distribution and servicing costs totaled $409$492 million in 2017 compared with $429 million in 2016 reflecting higher average AUM and the effect of AUM acquired in the BofA Global Capital Management transaction.  

Direct fund expense increased $138 million from 2016, reflecting higher iShares ETFs average AUM.

General and administration expense increased $161 million from 2016, reflecting higher portfolio services, professional services fees (associated with strategic transactions, MiFID implementation, and tax reform), technology expense, operating errors, contingent consideration fair value adjustments and the impact of foreign exchange remeasurement expense.

As Adjusted. Expense, as adjusted, increased $723 million, or 11%, to $7,204 million in 2017 from $6,481 million in 2016. The increase in total expense, as adjusted, is driven primarily by higher employee compensation and benefit expense, higher volume-related expense and higher general and administration expense.  The restructuring charge recorded in 2016 has been excluded from the as adjusted results.

46


2016 Compared with 2015

GAAP. Expense decreased $152 million, or 2%, from 2015, reflecting lower compensation and benefits expense, expense discipline and lower amortization of intangible assets, partially offset by a restructuring charge recorded in 2016.

Employee compensation and benefits expense decreased $125 million, or 3%, to $3,880 million in 2016 from $4,005 million in 2015, compared with $364 million in 2014. These costs included payments to Bank of America/Merrill Lynch under a global distribution agreement and payments to PNC, as well as other third parties,reflecting lower incentive compensation, primarily associated with the distribution and servicing of client investments in certain BlackRock products. driven by lower performance fees.

Distribution and servicing costs for 2015 and 2014 included $194 totaled $429 million and $183in 2016 compared with $409 million respectively, attributable to Bank of America/Merrill Lynch.in 2015.  

General and administration expense decreased $73$79 million from 2014, primarily2015, reflecting the previously mentioned $50 million reduction of an indemnification asset, lower marketingexpense discipline and promotional expense, and lower legal and regulatory expense, partially offset by the impact of higher transaction-related expense.expense recorded in 2015.

Restructuring charge of $76 million, primarily comprised of severance and accelerated amortization expense of previously granted deferred compensation awards, was recorded in 2016 in connection with a project to streamline and simplify the organization.

Amortization of intangible assets expense decreased $29 million, or 18%23%, to $99 million in 2016 from $128 million in 2015, from $157 million in 2014,primarily reflecting certain finite-lived intangible assets becoming fully amortized.

As Adjusted. Expense, as adjusted, increased $188decreased $225 million, or 3%, to $6,481 million in 2016 from $6,706 million in 2015 from $6,518 million in 2014.2015. The increasedecrease in total expense, as adjusted, is primarily attributable to higher revenue-related expense, includinglower employee compensation and benefits expense, expense discipline and distribution and servicing costs, partially offset by lower amortization of intangible assets and lower general and administration expense. Amounts related to the reduction of the indemnification asset in 2014 haveassets. The restructuring charge has been excluded from the as adjusted results.

2014 Compared with 2013

GAAP. Expense increased $284 million, or 4%, from 2013, primarily reflecting higher revenue-related expenses, including compensation and direct fund expense and a $50 million reduction of an indemnification asset. Expense for 2013 included the $124 million expense related to the Charitable Contribution.

Employee compensation and benefits expense increased $269 million, or 8%, to $3,829 million in 2014 from $3,560 million in 2013, reflecting higher headcount and higher incentive compensation driven by higher operating income. Employees at December 31, 2014 totaled approximately 12,200 compared with approximately 11,400 at December 31, 2013.

Distribution and servicing costs totaled $364 million in 2014 compared with $353 million in 2013.  Distribution and servicing costs for 2014 and 2013 included $183 million and $184 million, respectively, attributable to Bank of America/Merrill Lynch.

Direct fund expense increased $91 million, reflecting higher average AUM, primarily related to iShares, where BlackRock pays certain nonadvisory expense of the funds.

General and administration expense decreased $87 million, primarily due to the $124 million related to the Charitable Contribution incurred in 2013 and foreign currency remeasurement, partially offset by the $50 million reduction of an indemnification asset.

As Adjusted. Expense, as adjusted, increased $362 million, or 6%, to $6,518 million in 2014 from $6,156 million in 2013. The increase in total expense, as adjusted, is primarily attributable to higher employee compensation and benefits and direct fund expense. Amounts related to the reduction of the indemnification asset and the Charitable Contribution have been excluded from as adjusted results.

Nonoperating Results

NonoperatingThe summary and reconciliation of U.S. GAAP nonoperating income (expense) to nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to NCIas adjusted for 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 20132015 was as follows:

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Nonoperating income (expense), GAAP basis(1)

 

$

(62

)

 

$

(79

)

 

$

116

 

 

$

5

 

 

$

(110

)

 

$

(62

)

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to NCI(1)

 

 

7

 

 

 

(30

)

 

 

19

 

 

 

37

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

7

 

Nonoperating income (expense)(2)

 

 

(69

)

 

 

(49

)

 

 

97

 

 

 

(32

)

 

 

(108

)

 

 

(69

)

Gain related to the Charitable Contribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(80

)

Compensation expense related to (appreciation) depreciation on deferred compensation

plans

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(7

)

 

 

(10

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

Nonoperating income (expense), as adjusted(2)

 

$

(70

)

 

$

(56

)

 

$

7

 

Nonoperating income (expense), as adjusted(2)(3)

 

$

(32

)

 

$

(108

)

 

$

(70

)

 

(1)

Amounts included a gaingains of $58$118 million, $16 million and a loss of $41$58 million attributable to consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for 2017, 2016 and 2015, and 2014, respectively. During 2013, the Company did not record any nonoperating income (loss) or net income (loss) attributable to VIEs on the consolidated statements of income.

(2)

Net of net income (loss) attributable to NCI.

(3)

Management believes nonoperating income (expense), as adjusted, is an effective measure for reviewing BlackRock’s nonoperating contribution to results. See Non-GAAP Financial Measures for further information on non-GAAP financial measures for 2017, 2016 and 2015.

43


The components of nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to NCI for 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 20132015 were as follows:

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Net gain (loss) on investments(1)(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private equity

 

$

71

 

 

$

69

 

 

$

52

 

 

$

21

 

 

$

6

 

 

$

71

 

Real estate

 

 

12

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

24

 

Real assets

 

 

17

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

12

 

Other alternatives(2)(3)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

55

 

 

 

65

 

 

 

38

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

(2

)

Other investments(3)(4)

 

 

(19

)

 

 

7

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

43

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

(18

)

Subtotal

 

 

62

 

 

 

147

 

 

 

157

 

 

 

119

 

 

 

57

 

 

 

63

 

Other gains(4)(5)

 

 

46

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

46

 

Gain related to the PennyMac IPO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39

 

Gain related to the Charitable Contribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

80

 

Investments related to deferred compensation plans

 

 

1

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

10

 

Total net gain (loss) on investments(1)

 

 

109

 

 

 

154

 

 

 

286

 

Total net gain (loss) on investments(1)(2)

 

 

124

 

 

 

57

 

 

 

109

 

Interest and dividend income

 

 

26

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

49

 

 

 

40

 

 

 

26

 

Interest expense

 

 

(204

)

 

 

(232

)

 

 

(211

)

 

 

(205

)

 

 

(205

)

 

 

(204

)

Net interest expense

 

 

(178

)

 

 

(203

)

 

 

(189

)

 

 

(156

)

 

 

(165

)

 

 

(178

)

Total nonoperating income (expense)(1)

 

 

(69

)

 

 

(49

)

 

 

97

 

 

 

(32

)

 

 

(108

)

 

 

(69

)

Gain related to the Charitable Contribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(80

)

Compensation expense related to (appreciation) depreciation on deferred compensation

plans

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(7

)

 

 

(10

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

Nonoperating income (expense), as adjusted(1)

 

$

(70

)

 

$

(56

)

 

$

7

 

Nonoperating income (expense), as adjusted(1)(2)

 

$

(32

)

 

$

(108

)

 

$

(70

)

 

(1)

Net of net income (loss) attributable to NCI. Amounts for 2015 also include net gain (loss) on consolidated VIEs.

(2)

Management believes nonoperating income (expense), as adjusted, is an effective measure for reviewing BlackRock’s nonoperating contribution to results. See Non-GAAP Financial Measures for further information on non-GAAP financial measures for 2017, 2016 and 2015.

(3)

Amounts primarily include net gains (losses) related to direct hedge fund strategies and hedge fund solutions. The prior year periods also included net gains related to opportunistic credit strategies.

(3)(4)

Amounts primarily include net gains (losses) related to equity and fixed income investments, and BlackRock’s seed capital hedging program.investments.

(4)(5)

The amount for 2015 primarily includes a $40 million gain related to the acquisition of certain assets of BKCA.

2015 Compared with 201447

BlackRock Kelso Capital Advisors LLC.    On March 6, 2015, BlackRock acquired certain assets related to managing BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation (formerly known as BlackRock Kelso Capital Corporation) from BKCA. In connection with the acquisition, BlackRock recorded a noncash, nonoperating, pre-tax gain of $40 million related to the fair value of its pre-existing interest in BKCA. See Note 9, Goodwill, and Note 10, Intangible Assets, for further discussion on the BKCA acquisition.

Net gains on investments of $109 million in 2015 decreased $45 million from 2014 due to lower net positive marks in 2015. Net gains on investments in 2015 included a $40 million gain related to the BKCA acquisition and a $35 million unrealized gain on a private equity investment. Net gains on investments in 2014 included the positive impact of the monetization of a nonstrategic, opportunistic private equity investment.

Interest expense decreased $28 million from 2014 primarily due to repayments of long-term borrowings in the fourth quarter of 2014.

2014 Compared with 2013

Net gains on investments of $154 million in 2014 decreased $132 million from 2013. Net gains on investments in 2013 included the noncash, nonoperating pre-tax gain of $80 million related to the Charitable Contribution and the $39 million pre-tax gain related to the PennyMac IPO. Net gains on investments in 2014 included the positive impact of the monetization of a nonstrategic, opportunistic private equity investment.

Net interest expense increased $14 million from 2013 primarily due to higher interest expense resulting from a long-term debt issuance in March 2014.

For further information on the Company’s long-term debt, see Liquidity and Capital Resources herein.


Income Tax Expense

 

 

 

GAAP

 

 

As adjusted

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Income before income taxes(1)

 

$

4,595

 

 

$

4,425

 

 

$

3,954

 

 

$

4,625

 

 

$

4,507

 

 

$

4,031

 

Income tax expense

 

$

1,250

 

 

$

1,131

 

 

$

1,022

 

 

$

1,312

 

 

$

1,197

 

 

$

1,149

 

Effective tax rate

 

 

27.2

%

 

 

25.6

%

 

 

25.8

%

 

 

28.4

%

 

 

26.6

%

 

 

28.5

%

 

 

GAAP

 

 

As adjusted

 

(in millions)

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Operating income(1)

 

$

5,272

 

 

$

4,570

 

 

$

4,664

 

 

$

5,287

 

 

$

4,674

 

 

$

4,695

 

Total nonoperating income (expense)(1)(2)

 

 

(32

)

 

 

(108

)

 

 

(69

)

 

 

(32

)

 

 

(108

)

 

 

(70

)

Income before income taxes(2)

 

$

5,240

 

 

$

4,462

 

 

$

4,595

 

 

$

5,255

 

 

$

4,566

 

 

$

4,625

 

Income tax expense(3)

 

$

270

 

 

$

1,290

 

 

$

1,250

 

 

$

1,539

 

 

$

1,352

 

 

$

1,312

 

Effective tax rate(3)

 

 

5.2

%

 

 

28.9

%

 

 

27.2

%

 

 

29.3

%

 

 

29.6

%

 

 

28.4

%

 

(1)

See Non-GAAP Financial Measures for further information on and reconciliation of as adjusted items.

(2)

Net of net income (loss) attributable to NCI.

(3)

GAAP income tax expense and effective tax rate for 2017 reflects $1.2 billion of a net tax benefit related to the 2017 Tax Act.

The Company’s tax rate is affected by tax rates in foreign jurisdictions and the relative amount of income earned in those jurisdictions, which the Company expects to be fairly consistent in the near term. The significant foreign jurisdictions whichthat have lower statutory tax rates than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35%, include the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, CanadaIreland and Netherlands.

2017. Income tax expense (GAAP) reflected:

o

the following amounts related to the 2017 Tax Act:

o

$106 million tax expense related to the revaluation of certain deferred income tax assets;

o

$1,758 million noncash tax benefit related to the revaluation of certain deferred income tax liabilities; and

o

$477 million tax expense related to the mandatory deemed repatriation of undistributed foreign earnings and profits.

o

a noncash expense of $16 million, primarily associated with the revaluation of certain deferred income tax liabilities as a result of domestic state and local tax changes; and

o

$173 million discrete tax benefits, primarily related to stock-based compensation awards, including $151 million related to the adoption of new accounting guidance related to stock-based compensation awards. See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, for further information.

The as adjusted effective tax rate of 29.3% for 2017 excluded the Netherlands. U.S. income taxes werenoncash deferred tax revaluation benefit of $1,758 million and noncash expense of $16 million mentioned above as it will not providedhave a cash flow impact and to ensure comparability among periods presented. In addition, the deemed repatriation tax expense of $477 million has been excluded from the as adjusted results due to the one-time nature and to ensure comparability among periods presented.

2016. Income tax expense (GAAP) reflected:

o

a net noncash benefit of $30 million, primarily associated with the revaluation of certain deferred income tax liabilities; and

o

a benefit from $65 million of nonrecurring items, including the resolution of certain outstanding tax matters.

The as adjusted effective tax rate of 29.6% for certain undistributed foreign earnings intended2016 excluded the net noncash benefit of $30 million mentioned above as it will not have a cash flow impact and to be indefinitely reinvested outside the United States.ensure comparability among periods presented.

44


2015. Income tax expense (GAAP) reflected:

 

o

a net noncash benefit of $54 million, primarily associated with the revaluation of certain deferred income tax liabilities; and

 

o

a benefit from $75 million of nonrecurring items.items, primarily due to the realization of losses from changes in the Company’s organizational tax structure and the resolution of certain outstanding tax matters.

The as adjusted effective tax rate of 28.4% for 2015 excluded the net noncash benefit of $54 million mentioned above, as it will not have a cash flow impact and to ensure comparability among periods presented.

2014. Income tax expense (GAAP) reflected:

o

a $94 million tax benefit, primarily due to the resolution of certain outstanding tax matters related to the acquisition of BGI, including the previously mentioned $50 million tax benefit (see Executive Summary for more information);

o

a $73 million net tax benefit related to several favorable nonrecurring items; and

o

a net noncash benefit of $9 million associated with the revaluation of deferred income tax liabilities.

The as adjusted effective tax rate of 26.6% for 2014 excluded the $9 million net noncash benefit as it will not have a cash flow impact and to ensure comparability among periods presented and $50 million tax benefit mentioned above. The $50 million general and administrative expense and $50 million tax benefit have been excluded from as adjusted results as there is no impact on BlackRock’s book value.

2013. Income tax expense (GAAP) reflected:

o

a $69 million net noncash benefit primarily related to the revaluation of certain deferred income tax liabilities related to intangible assets and goodwill, including the effect of legislation enacted in the United Kingdom and domestic state and local income tax changes;

o

a tax benefit of approximately $48 million recognized in connection with the Charitable Contribution; and

o

a tax benefit of approximately $29 million, primarily due to the realization of tax loss carryforwards, and benefits from certain nonrecurring items.

The as adjusted effective tax rate of 28.5% for 2013 excluded the $69 million net noncash benefit and the $48 million tax benefit related to the Charitable Contribution mentioned above.

 

 

Balance Sheet Overview

As Adjusted Balance Sheet

The following table presents a reconciliation of the consolidated statement of financial condition presented on a GAAP basis to the consolidated statement of financial condition, excluding the impact of separate account assets and separate account collateral held under securities lending agreements (directly related to lending separate account securities) and separate account liabilities and separate account collateral liabilities under securities lending agreements and consolidated sponsored investment funds, including consolidated VIEs.

The Company presents the as adjusted balance sheet as additional information to enable investors to exclude certain assets that have equal and offsetting liabilities or noncontrolling interests that ultimately do not have an impact on stockholders’ equity or cash flows. Management views the as adjusted balance sheet, awhich contains non-GAAP financial measure,measures, as an economic presentation of the Company’s total assets and liabilities; however, it does not advocate that investors consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

48


Separate Account Assets and Liabilities and Separate Account Collateral Held under Securities Lending Agreements

Separate account assets are maintained by BlackRock Life Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company whichthat is a registered life insurance company in the United Kingdom, and represent segregated assets held for purposes of funding individual and group pension contracts. The Company records equal and offsetting separate account liabilities. The separate account assets are not available to creditors of the Company and the holders of the pension contracts have no recourse to the Company’s assets. The net investment income attributable to separate account assets accrues directly to the contract owners and is not reported on the Company’s consolidated statements of income. While BlackRock has no economic interest in these assets or liabilities, BlackRock earns an investment advisory fee for the service of managing these assets on behalf of its clients.

In addition, the Company records on its consolidated statements of financial condition the separate account collateral received under BlackRock Life Limited securities lending arrangements as its own asset in addition to an equal and offsetting separate account collateral liability for the obligation to return the collateral. The collateral is not available to creditors of the Company, and the borrowers under the securities lending arrangements have no recourse to the Company’s assets.

Consolidated Sponsored Investment Funds

The Company consolidates certain sponsored investment funds accounted for as voting rights entities (“VREs”) and VIEs, (collectively, “Consolidated Sponsored Investment Funds”). See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements beginning on page F-1contained in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-Kfiling for furthermore information ofon the Company’s consolidation policy.

45


The Company cannot readily access cash and cash equivalents or other assets held by Consolidated Sponsored Investment Funds to use in its operating activities. In addition, the Company cannot readily sell investments held by Consolidated Sponsored Investment Funds in order to obtain cash for use in the Company’s operations.

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

December 31, 2017

 

(in millions)

 

GAAP

Basis

 

Separate

Account

Assets/

Collateral(1)

 

 

Consolidated Sponsored Investment Funds(2)

 

 

As

Adjusted

 

 

GAAP

Basis

 

Separate

Account

Assets/

Collateral(1)

 

 

Consolidated Sponsored Investment Funds(2)

 

 

As

Adjusted

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

6,083

 

$

 

$

88

 

$

5,995

 

 

$

6,894

 

$

 

$

49

 

$

6,845

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

2,237

 

 

 

2,237

 

 

 

2,699

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,699

 

Investments

 

 

1,578

 

 

84

 

1,494

 

 

 

1,981

 

 

 

 

52

 

 

 

1,929

 

Assets of consolidated VIEs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

148

 

 

148

 

 

 

 

144

 

 

 

 

144

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

 

1,030

 

 

297

 

733

 

 

 

1,493

 

 

 

 

268

 

 

 

1,225

 

Other assets

 

 

67

 

 

67

 

 

 

 

66

 

 

 

 

66

 

 

 

 

Separate account assets and collateral held under securities

lending agreements

 

 

182,187

 

182,187

 

 

 

 

 

174,127

 

174,127

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets(3)

 

 

1,436

 

 

(6

)

 

1,442

 

 

 

2,204

 

 

1

 

2,203

 

Subtotal

 

 

194,766

 

182,187

 

 

 

678

 

 

 

11,901

 

 

 

189,608

 

174,127

 

 

 

580

 

 

 

14,901

 

Goodwill and intangible assets, net

 

 

30,495

 

 

 

30,495

 

 

 

30,609

 

 

 

30,609

 

Total assets

 

$

225,261

 

 

 

$

182,187

 

 

 

$

678

 

 

 

$

42,396

 

 

$

220,217

 

 

 

$

174,127

 

 

 

$

580

 

 

 

$

45,510

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued compensation and benefits

 

$

1,971

 

$

 

$

 

$

1,971

 

 

$

2,153

 

$

 

$

 

$

2,153

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

1,068

 

 

 

1,068

 

 

 

1,161

 

 

 

1,161

 

Liabilities of consolidated VIEs

 

 

177

 

 

177

 

-

 

 

 

369

 

 

369

 

 

Borrowings

 

 

4,930

 

 

 

4,930

 

 

 

5,014

 

 

 

5,014

 

Separate account liabilities and collateral liabilities under

securities lending agreements

 

 

182,187

 

182,187

 

 

 

 

 

174,127

 

174,127

 

 

 

Deferred income tax liabilities(4)

 

 

4,851

 

 

 

4,851

 

 

 

3,538

 

 

 

3,538

 

Other liabilities

 

 

1,033

 

 

(40

)

 

1,073

 

 

 

1,564

 

 

(255

)

 

1,819

 

Total liabilities

 

 

196,217

 

182,187

 

 

 

137

 

 

 

13,893

 

 

 

187,926

 

174,127

 

 

 

114

 

 

 

13,685

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

28,503

 

 

 

28,503

 

 

 

31,825

 

 

 

31,825

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

541

 

 

541

 

-

 

 

 

466

 

 

466

 

 

Total equity

 

 

29,044

 

 

 

 

541

 

 

 

28,503

 

 

 

32,291

 

 

 

 

466

 

 

 

31,825

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

225,261

 

 

 

$

182,187

 

 

 

$

678

 

 

 

$

42,396

 

 

$

220,217

 

 

 

$

174,127

 

 

 

$

580

 

 

 

$

45,510

 

 

(1)

Amounts represent segregated client assets generating advisory fees in which BlackRock has no economic interest or liability.

(2)

Amounts represent the portion of assets and liabilities of Consolidated Sponsored Investment Funds attributable to NCI.

(3)

Amounts include property and equipment and other assets.

(4)

Amount includes approximately $5.6$3.9 billion of deferred income tax liabilities related to goodwill and intangibles.  See Note 20,21, Income Taxes, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements beginning on page F-1contained in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-Kfiling for more information.

The following discussion summarizes the significant changes in assets and liabilities on a GAAP basis. Please see the consolidated statements of financial condition as of December 31, 20152017 and 20142016 contained in Part II, Item 8 of this filing. The discussion does not include changes related to assets and liabilities that are equal and offsetting and have no impact on BlackRock’s stockholders’ equity.

Assets. Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 20152017 and 20142016 included $100$63 million and $120$53 million, respectively, of cash held by consolidated sponsored investment fundsVREs (see Liquidity and Capital Resources for details on the change in cash and cash equivalents during 2015)2017).

49


Accounts receivable at December 31, 20152017 increased $117$584 million from December 31, 20142016 primarily due to higher BlackRock mutual funds, iShares ETFs and performance fee receivables. Investments were $1,981 million at December 31, 2017 (for more information see Investments herein). Goodwill and intangible assets increased $128 million from December 31, 2016, primarily due to the First Reserve and Cachematrix Transactions, partially offset by $89 million of amortization of intangible assets. Other assets (including property and equipment) increased $345 million from December 31, 2016, primarily related to an increase in unit trust receivables (substantially offset by an increase in unit trust payables recorded within accounts payable and accruedother liabilities) and higher performance fee receivables. Investments were $1,578 million at December 31, 2015 (for more information see Investments herein). Goodwill and intangible assets increased $190 million from December 31, 2014, primarily due to the BKCA, Infraestructura Institucional and FutureAdvisor acquisitions, partially offset by $128 million of amortization of intangible assets. Other assets (including property, plant and equipment) increased $284 million from December 31, 2014, primarily related to an increase in property and equipment, higher, earnings from certain strategic investments, and an increaseother assets, partially offset by a decrease in current taxes receivable.

Liabilities. Accrued compensation and benefits at December 31, 20152017 increased $106$273 million from December 31, 2014,2016, primarily due to 2015higher 2017 incentive compensation accruals. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities at December 31, 20152017 increased $33$281 million from December 31, 20142016 due to higher current income taxes payables and increased accruals.

Net deferred income tax liabilities at December 31, 2017 decreased $1.3 billion, primarily as a result of revaluation of deferred income tax liabilities due to the 2017 Tax Act. Other liabilities increased $343 million from December 31, 2016, primarily related to an increase in unit trust payables (substantially offset by an increase in unit trust receivables recorded within accounts receivable)other assets) and increased accruals,contingent liabilities related to the First Reserve Transaction and uncertain tax positions, partially offset by a decrease in current income taxes payable.

Net deferred income tax liabilities at December 31, 2015 decreased $138 million, primarily due to the effects of temporary differences associated with stock compensation, the BKCA acquisition, realization of loss carryforwards, and goodwill and intangibles. Other liabilities increased $147 million from December 31, 2014, primarily resulting from an increase in uncertain tax positions and consolidated fundsother operating liabilities.

46


Investments and Investments of Consolidated VIEs

The Company’s investments and investments of consolidated VIEs (collectively, “Total Investments”) were $1,578$1,981 million and $1,030$1,493 million, respectively, at December 31, 2015.2017. Total Investments include consolidated investments held by sponsored investment funds accounted for as VREs and VIEs. Management reviews BlackRock’s Total Investments on an “economic” basis, which eliminates the portion of Total Investments that does not impact BlackRock’s book value or net income attributable to BlackRock. BlackRock’s management does not advocate that investors consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

The Company presents Total Investments, as adjusted, to enable investors to understand the portion of its Total Investments that is owned by the Company, net of NCI, as a gauge to measure the impact of changes in net nonoperating income (expense) on investments to net income (loss) attributable to BlackRock.

The Company further presents net “economic” investment exposure, net of deferred compensation investments and hedged investments, to reflect another gaugehelpful measure for investors.  The economic impact of Total Investments held pursuant to deferred compensation arrangements is substantially offset by a change in compensation expense. The impact of certain investments is substantially mitigated by swap hedges. Carried interest capital allocations are excluded as there is no impact to BlackRock’s stockholders’ equity until such amounts are realized as performance fees. Finally, the Company’s regulatory investment in Federal Reserve Bank stock, which is not subject to market or interest rate risk, is excluded from the Company’s net economic investment exposure.

 

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2015

 

 

December 31,

2014

 

 

December 31,

2017

 

 

December 31,

2016

 

Investments, GAAP

 

$

1,578

 

 

$

1,921

 

 

$

1,981

 

 

$

1,595

 

Investments held by consolidated VIEs, GAAP(1)

 

 

1,030

 

 

 

3,320

 

 

 

1,493

 

 

 

1,008

 

Total Investments

 

 

2,608

 

 

 

5,241

 

 

 

3,474

 

 

 

2,603

 

Investments held by consolidated VIEs

 

 

(1,493

)

 

 

(1,008

)

Investments held by consolidated VREs

 

 

(700

)

 

 

(713

)

 

 

(512

)

 

 

(465

)

Investments held by consolidated VIEs

 

 

(1,030

)

 

 

(3,320

)

Net interest in consolidated VREs

 

 

616

 

 

 

696

 

 

 

460

 

 

 

444

 

Net interest in consolidated VIEs(2)(1)

 

 

733

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,225

 

 

 

840

 

Total Investments, as adjusted

 

 

2,227

 

 

 

1,904

 

 

 

3,154

 

 

 

2,414

 

Federal Reserve Bank stock

 

 

(93

)

 

 

(92

)

 

 

(91

)

 

 

(89

)

Deferred compensation investments

 

 

(79

)

 

 

(85

)

 

 

(56

)

 

 

(66

)

Hedged investments

 

 

(407

)

 

 

(323

)

 

 

(587

)

 

 

(614

)

Carried interest (VIEs/VREs)

 

 

(100

)

 

 

(85

)

 

 

(298

)

 

 

(126

)

Total “economic” investment exposure

 

$

1,548

 

 

$

1,319

 

 

$

2,122

 

 

$

1,519

 

 

(1)

Amounts represent investments held in sponsored investment funds that are consolidated in accordance with GAAP as either a VIE or VRE. See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, for further information on the Company’s consolidation policy and the 2015 adoption of ASU 2015-02.

(2)

Amount includes $81$266 million and $108 million of carried interest (VIEs), as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which has no impact on the Company’s “economic” investment exposure.

The following table represents the carrying value of the Company’s economic investment exposure, by asset type, at December 31, 20152017 and 2014:2016:

 

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2015

 

 

December 31,

2014

 

 

December 31,

2017

 

 

December 31,

2016

 

Private equity

 

$

375

 

 

$

314

 

 

$

331

 

 

$

334

 

Real estate

 

 

91

 

 

 

117

 

Real assets

 

 

313

 

 

 

94

 

Other alternatives(1)

 

 

240

 

 

 

289

 

 

 

236

 

 

 

245

 

Other investments(2)

 

 

842

 

 

 

599

 

 

 

1,242

 

 

 

846

 

Total “economic” investment exposure

 

$

1,548

 

 

$

1,319

 

 

$

2,122

 

 

$

1,519

 

 

(1)

Other alternatives primarily include distressed credit/mortgage funds/opportunistic funds and hedge funds/funds of hedge funds.

(2)

Other investments primarily include seed investments in fixed income, equity and multi-asset mutual funds/strategies as well as U.K. government securities, primarily held for regulatory purposes.

50


As adjusted investment activity for 20152017 and 2016 was as follows:

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Total Investments, as adjusted, December 31, 2014

 

$

1,904

 

Total Investments, as adjusted, beginning balance

 

$

2,414

 

 

$

2,227

 

Purchases/capital contributions

 

 

1,300

 

 

 

1,082

 

 

 

1,234

 

Sales/maturities

 

 

(847

)

 

 

(696

)

 

 

(976

)

Distributions (1)

 

 

(169

)

 

 

(102

)

 

 

(134

)

Market appreciation(depreciation)/earnings from equity method investments

 

 

24

 

 

 

240

 

 

 

82

 

Carried interest capital allocations/distributions received

 

 

15

 

Total Investments, as adjusted, December 31, 2015

 

$

2,227

 

Carried interest capital allocations/(distributions)/acquired

 

 

172

 

 

 

26

 

Other

 

 

44

 

 

 

(45

)

Total Investments, as adjusted, ending balance

 

$

3,154

 

 

$

2,414

 

 

(1)

Amounts includeAmount includes distributions representing return of capital and return on investments.

 

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

BlackRock Cash Flows Excluding the Impact of Consolidated Sponsored Investment Funds

The consolidated statements of cash flows include the cash flows of the Consolidated Sponsored Investment Funds. The Company uses an adjusted cash flow statement, which excludes the impact of Consolidated Sponsored Investment Funds, as a supplemental non-GAAP measure to assess liquidity and capital requirements. The Company believes that its cash flows, excluding the impact of the Consolidated

47


Sponsored Investment Funds, provide investors with useful information on the cash flows of BlackRock relating to its ability to fund additional operating, investing and financing activities. BlackRock’s management does not advocate that investors consider such non-GAAP measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, its cash flows presented in accordance with GAAP.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the consolidated statements of cash flows presented on a GAAP basis to the consolidated statements of cash flows, excluding the impact of the cash flows of Consolidated Sponsored Investment Funds:

 

(in millions)

 

GAAP

Basis

 

 

Impact on

Cash Flows

of Consolidated

Sponsored Investment Funds

 

 

Cash Flows

Excluding

Impact of

Consolidated

Sponsored Investment Funds

 

 

GAAP

Basis

 

 

Impact on

Cash Flows

of Consolidated

Sponsored Investment Funds

 

 

Cash Flows

Excluding

Impact of

Consolidated

Sponsored Investment Funds

 

Cash and cash equivalents, December 31, 2013

 

$

4,390

 

 

$

114

 

 

$

4,276

 

Cash and cash equivalents, December 31, 2015

 

$

6,083

 

 

$

100

 

 

$

5,983

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

3,087

 

 

 

(534

)

 

 

3,621

 

 

 

2,154

 

 

 

(1,063

)

 

 

3,217

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

239

 

 

 

(174

)

 

 

413

 

 

 

(188

)

 

 

(130

)

 

 

(58

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

(1,861

)

 

 

714

 

 

 

(2,575

)

 

 

(1,685

)

 

 

1,146

 

 

 

(2,831

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(132

)

 

 

 

 

 

(132

)

 

 

(273

)

 

 

 

 

 

(273

)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

1,333

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

1,327

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

(47

)

 

 

55

 

Cash and cash equivalents, December 31, 2014

 

$

5,723

 

 

$

120

 

 

$

5,603

 

Cash and cash equivalents, December 31, 2016

 

$

6,091

 

 

$

53

 

 

$

6,038

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

3,004

 

 

 

(348

)

 

 

3,352

 

 

 

3,828

 

 

 

(384

)

 

 

4,212

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

(465

)

 

 

(156

)

 

 

(309

)

 

 

(587

)

 

 

(70

)

 

 

(517

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

(2,064

)

 

 

484

 

 

 

(2,548

)

 

 

(2,630

)

 

 

464

 

 

 

(3,094

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(115

)

 

 

 

 

 

(115

)

 

 

192

 

 

 

 

 

 

192

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

360

 

 

 

(20

)

 

 

380

 

 

 

803

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

793

 

Cash and cash equivalents, December 31, 2015

 

$

6,083

 

 

$

100

 

 

$

5,983

 

Cash and cash equivalents, December 31, 2017

 

$

6,894

 

 

$

63

 

 

$

6,831

 

 

Sources of BlackRock’s operating cash primarily include investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue, performance fees, revenue from BlackRock Solutionstechnology and risk management services, advisory products and services, other revenue and distribution fees. BlackRock uses its cash to pay all operating expense, interest and principal on borrowings, income taxes, dividends on BlackRock’s capital stock, repurchases of the Company’s stock, capital expenditures and purchases of co-investments and seed investments.

For details of the Company’s GAAP cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities, see the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows contained in Part II, Item 8 of this filing.

Cash flows from operating activities, excluding the impact of Consolidated Sponsored Investment Funds, primarily include the receipt of investment advisory and administration fees, securities lending revenue and other revenueperformance fees offset by the payment of operating expenses incurred in the normal course of business, including year-end incentive compensation accrued for in the prior year.

Cash outflows from investing activities, excluding the impact of Consolidated Sponsored Investment Funds, for 20152017 were $309$517 million and primarily reflected $412$497 million of investment purchases, $221$155 million of purchases of property and equipment, and $273$73 million related to certain acquisitions,the First Reserve Transaction and $29 million related to the Cachematrix Transaction, partially offset by $531$205 million of net proceeds from sales and maturities of certain investments.

Cash outflows from financing activities, excluding the impact of Consolidated Sponsored Investment Funds, for 20152017 were $2,548$3,094 million, primarily resulting from $1.3$1.4 billion of share repurchases, including $1.1 billion in open-market transactionsopen market-transactions and $231$321 million of employee tax withholdings related to employee stock transactions, and $1.5$1.7 billion of cash dividend payments and $700 million of repayments of long-term borrowings, partially offset by $126$697 million of proceeds from stock options and $105 millionissuance of excess tax benefits from vested stock-based compensation awards.long-term borrowings.

51


The Company manages its financial condition and funding to maintain appropriate liquidity for the business. Liquidity resources at December 31, 20152017 and 20142016 were as follows:

 

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2015

 

 

December 31,

2014

 

 

December 31,

2017

 

 

December 31,

2016

 

Cash and cash equivalents(1)

 

$

6,083

 

 

$

5,723

 

 

$

6,894

 

 

$

6,091

 

Cash and cash equivalents held by consolidated sponsored investment funds, excluding VIEs(2)

 

 

(100

)

 

 

(120

)

Cash and cash equivalents held by consolidated VREs(2)

 

 

(63

)

 

 

(53

)

Subtotal

 

 

5,983

 

 

 

5,603

 

 

 

6,831

 

 

 

6,038

 

Credit facility — undrawn

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

3,990

 

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

4,000

 

Total liquidity resources(3)

 

$

9,983

 

 

$

9,593

 

 

$

10,831

 

 

$

10,038

 

 

(1)

The percentage of cash and cash equivalents held by the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries was approximately 40% and 50% at both December 31, 20152017 and 2014.2016, respectively.  See Net Capital Requirements herein for more information on net capital requirements in certain regulated subsidiaries.

 

(2)

The Company cannot readily access such cash to use in its operating activities.

(3)

Amounts do not reflect a reduction for year-end incentive compensation accruals of approximately $1.5 billion and $1.4$1.3 billion for 20152017 and 2014,2016, respectively, which wereare paid in Februarythe first quarter of the following year.

Total liquidity resources increased $390$793 million during 2015,2017, primarily reflecting cash flows from operations,operating activities, partially offset by cash payments of 20142016 year-end incentive awards, share repurchases of $1.3$1.4 billion and cash dividend payments.payments of $1.7 billion.

A significant portion of the Company’s $2,227$3,154 million of Total Investments, as adjusted, is illiquid in nature and, as such, cannot be readily convertible to cash.

Share Repurchases. The Company repurchased 3.12.6 million common shares in open market-transactionsmarket transactions under the share repurchase program for approximately $1.1 billion during 2015.2017. At December 31, 2015,2017, there were 6.36.4 million shares still authorized to be repurchased.

48


Net Capital Requirements. The Company is required to maintain net capital in certain regulated subsidiaries within a number of jurisdictions, which is partially maintained by retaining cash and cash equivalent investments in those subsidiaries or jurisdictions. As a result, such subsidiaries of the Company may be restricted in their ability to transfer cash between different jurisdictions and to their parents. Additionally, transfers of cash between international jurisdictions including repatriation to the United States, may have adverse tax consequences that could discourage such transfers.

BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”) is chartered as a national bank that does not accept client deposits and whose powers are limited to trust and other fiduciary activities. BTC provides investment management services, including investment advisory and securities lending agency services, to institutional investors and other clients. BTC is subject to regulatory capital and liquid asset requirements administered by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

At both December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, the Company was required to maintain approximately $1.1$1.8 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively, in net capital in certain regulated subsidiaries, including BTC, entities regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority in the United Kingdom, and the Company’s broker-dealers.  The Company was in compliance with all applicable regulatory net capital requirements.

Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries. As a result of December 31, 2015, the Company has not provided for2017 Tax Act and the one-time mandatory deemed repatriation tax on untaxed accumulated foreign earnings, a provisional amount of U.S. federal and state income taxes was provided on approximately $4.7 billionthe undistributed foreign earnings. The financial statement basis in excess of undistributed earningstax basis of its foreign subsidiaries. Such earnings are consideredsubsidiaries remains indefinitely reinvested outside the United States.in foreign operations. The Company’s currentCompany will continue to evaluate its capital management plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate these funds.throughout 2018.  

Short-Term Borrowings

20152017 Revolving Credit Facility.  In April 2015, theThe Company’s credit facility has an aggregate commitment amount of $4.0 billion and was further amended in April 2017 to extend the maturity date to March 2020 and to increase the amount of the aggregate commitment to $4.0 billionApril 2022 (the “2015“2017 credit facility”). The 20152017 credit facility permits the Company to request up to an additional $1.0 billion of borrowing capacity, subject to lender credit approval, increasing the overall size of the 20152017 credit facility to an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5.0 billion. Interest on borrowings outstanding accrues at a rate based on the applicable London Interbank Offered Rate plus a spread. The 20152017 credit facility requires the Company not to exceed a maximum leverage ratio (ratio of net debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, where net debt equals total debt less unrestricted cash) of 3 to 1, which was satisfied with a ratio of less than 1 to 1 at December 31, 2015.2017. The 20152017 credit facility provides back-up liquidity to fund ongoing working capital for general corporate purposes and various investment opportunities. At December 31, 2015,2017, the Company had no amount outstanding under the 20152017 credit facility.

Commercial Paper Program.  The maximum aggregate amount for which the Company couldcan issue unsecured commercial paper notes (the “CP Notes”) on a private-placement basis up to a maximum aggregate amount outstanding at any time of $4.0 billion as amended in April 2015.billion.  The commercial paper program is currently supported by the 20152017 credit facility. At December 31, 2015,2017, BlackRock had no CP Notes outstanding.

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Long-Term Borrowings.Borrowings

The carrying value of long-term borrowings at December 31, 20152017 included the following:

 

(in millions)

 

Maturity Amount

 

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Maturity

 

Maturity Amount

 

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Maturity

6.25% Notes

 

$

700

 

 

$

699

 

 

September 2017

5.00% Notes

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

997

 

 

December 2019

 

$

1,000

 

 

$

999

 

 

December 2019

4.25% Notes

 

 

750

 

 

 

745

 

 

May 2021

 

 

750

 

 

 

747

 

 

May 2021

3.375% Notes

 

 

750

 

 

 

744

 

 

June 2022

 

 

750

 

 

 

746

 

 

June 2022

3.50% Notes

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

992

 

 

March 2024

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

994

 

 

March 2024

1.25% Notes

 

 

760

 

 

 

753

 

 

May 2025

1.25% Notes(1)

 

 

841

 

 

 

835

 

 

May 2025

3.20% Notes

 

 

700

 

 

 

693

 

 

March 2027

Total Long-term Borrowings

 

$

4,960

 

 

$

4,930

 

 

 

 

$

5,041

 

 

$

5,014

 

 

 

(1)

The carrying value of the 1.25% Notes estimated using foreign exchange rate as of December 31, 2017.

 

During 2015, the Company fully repaid $750 million of 1.375% notes at maturity. In May 2015, the Company issued 700 million of 1.25% senior unsecured notes maturing in May 2025. Upon conversion to U.S. dollars the Company designated the €700 million debt offering as a net investment hedge to offset its currency exposure relating to its net investment in certain euro functional currency operations. For more information on Company’s borrowings, see Note 12, Borrowings, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements beginning on page F-1contained in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.filing.

Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies

The following table sets forth contractual obligations, commitments and contingencies by year of payment at December 31, 2015:2017:

 

(in millions)

 

2016

 

 

2017

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

Thereafter

 

 

Total

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

2022

 

 

Thereafter(1)

 

 

Total

 

Contractual obligations and commitments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term borrowings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contractual obligations and commitments(1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term borrowings(2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal

 

$

 

 

$

700

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,000

 

 

$

 

 

$

3,260

 

 

$

4,960

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,000

 

 

$

 

 

$

750

 

 

$

750

 

 

$

2,541

 

 

$

5,041

 

Interest

 

 

196

 

 

 

196

 

 

 

152

 

 

 

152

 

 

 

102

 

 

 

224

 

 

 

1,022

 

 

 

175

 

 

 

175

 

 

 

125

 

 

 

109

 

 

 

81

 

 

 

185

 

 

 

850

 

Operating leases

 

 

134

 

 

 

133

 

 

 

131

 

 

 

125

 

 

 

120

 

 

 

560

 

 

 

1,203

 

 

 

141

 

 

 

132

 

 

 

126

 

 

 

118

 

 

 

109

 

 

 

1,580

 

 

 

2,206

 

Purchase obligations

 

 

79

 

 

 

50

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

131

 

 

 

128

 

 

 

101

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

28

 

 

 

327

 

Investment commitments

 

 

179

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

179

 

 

 

298

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

298

 

Total contractual obligations and commitments

 

 

588

 

 

 

1,079

 

 

 

285

 

 

 

1,277

 

 

 

222

 

 

 

4,044

 

 

 

7,495

 

 

 

742

 

 

 

1,408

 

 

 

280

 

 

 

999

 

 

 

959

 

 

 

4,334

 

 

 

8,722

 

Contingent obligations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contingent distribution obligations

 

 

185

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

185

 

Contingent payments related to business acquisitions(1)

 

 

12

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

63

 

Total contractual obligations, commitments and

contingent obligations(2)

 

$

785

 

 

$

1,087

 

 

$

306

 

 

$

1,287

 

 

$

234

 

 

$

4,044

 

 

$

7,743

 

Contingent payments related to business acquisitions(3)

 

 

33

 

 

 

179

 

 

 

39

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

285

 

Total contractual obligations, commitments and

contingent obligations(4)

 

$

775

 

 

$

1,587

 

 

$

319

 

 

$

1,033

 

 

$

959

 

 

$

4,334

 

 

$

9,007

 

49


 

(1)

Amounts do not include $350 million of cash payment consideration and contingent consideration related to the Company’s agreement to acquire the asset management business of Citibanamex.

(2)

The amount of principal and interest payments for the 2025 Notes (issued in Euros) represents the expected payment amounts using foreign exchange rates as of December 31, 2017.

(3)

The amount of contingent payments reflected for any year represents the expected payment amountspayments using foreign currency exchange rates as of December 31, 2015 under the terms of the business acquisition’s agreement.2017. The fair value of the remaining aggregate contingent obligationspayments at December 31, 2017 totaled $236 million and is not significant toincluded in other liabilities on the consolidated statementstatements of financial condition and is recorded within other liabilities.condition.

(2)(4)

At December 31, 2015,2017, the Company had approximately $350$365 million of net unrecognized tax benefits. Due to the uncertainty of timing and amounts that will ultimately be paid, this amount has been excluded from the table above.

Operating Leases. The Company leases its primary office locations under agreements that expire on varying dates through 2035.2043. In connection with certain lease agreements, the Company is responsible for escalation payments. The contractual obligations table above includes only guaranteed minimum lease payments for such leases and does not project potential escalation or other lease-related payments. These leases are classified as operating leases and, as such, are not recorded as liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

In May 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with 50 HYMC Owner LLC, for the lease of approximately 847,000 square feet of office space located at 50 Hudson Yards, New York, New York. The term of the lease is twenty years from the date that rental payments begin, expected to occur in May 2023, with the option to renew for a specified term. The lease requires annual base rental payments of approximately $51 million per year during the first five years of the lease term, increasing every five years to $58 million, $66 million and $74 million per year (or approximately $1.2 billion in base rent over its twenty-year term). This lease is classified as an operating lease and, as such, is not recorded as a liability on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Purchase Obligations. In the ordinary course of business, BlackRock enters into contracts or purchase obligations with third parties whereby the third parties provide services to or on behalf of BlackRock. Purchase obligations included in the contractual obligations table above represent executory contracts, which are either noncancelable or cancelable with a penalty. At December 31, 2015,2017, the Company’s obligations primarily reflected standard service contracts for portfolio services, market data, office-related services and third-party marketing and promotional services, and obligations for equipment. Purchase obligations are recorded on the consolidated financial statements when services are provided and, as such, obligations for services and equipment not received are not included in the consolidated statement of financial condition at December 31, 2015.2017.

Investment Commitments. At December 31, 2015,2017, the Company had $179$298 million of various capital commitments to fund sponsored investment funds, including consolidated VIEs.  These funds include private equity funds, real estate funds, infrastructureassets funds and opportunistic funds. This amount excludes additional commitments made by consolidated funds of funds to underlying third-party funds as third-party noncontrolling interest holders have the legal obligation to fund the respective commitments of such funds of funds. In addition to the capital commitments of $179 million, the Company had approximately $38 million of contingent commitments for certain funds which have investment periods that have expired. Generally, the timing of the funding of these commitments is unknown and the commitments are callable on demand at any time prior to the expiration of the commitment. These unfunded commitments are not recorded on the consolidated statements of financial condition. These commitments do not include potential future commitments

53


approved by the Company that are not yet legally binding. The Company intends to make additional capital commitments from time to time to fund additional investment products for, and with, its clients.

Contingent Distribution Obligations. In November 2010, BlackRock entered into a second amended and restated global distribution agreement with Merrill Lynch, which requires the Company to make payments to Merrill Lynch contingent upon sales of products and level of AUM maintained in certain BlackRock products. The initial term of the agreement remained in effect until January 2014 and was renewed for one automatic three-year extension.

Contingent Payments Related to Business Acquisitions. In connection with certain acquisitions, BlackRock is required to make contingent payments, subject to the acquired businesses achieving specified performance targets, over awhich may include revenue related to acquired contracts or new capital commitments for certain period, subsequent to the applicable acquisition date.products. 

The fair value of the remaining aggregate contingent payments at December 31, 20152017 totaled $236 million, including $128 million related to the First Reserve Transaction, and is included in other liabilities and is not significant toon the consolidated statementstatements of financial condition.

The following items have not been included in the contractual obligations, commitments and contingencies table:

Carried Interest Clawback. As a general partner in certain investment funds, including private equity partnerships and certain hedge funds, the Company may receive carried interest cash distributions from the partnerships in accordance with distribution provisions of the partnership agreements. The Company may, from time to time, be required to return all or a portion of such distributions to the limited partners in the event the limited partners do not achieve a return as specified in the various partnership agreements. Therefore, BlackRock records carried interest subject to such clawback provisions in Total Investments, or cash/cash of consolidated VIEs to the extent that it is distributed, and as a deferred carried interest liability/other liabilities of consolidated VIEs on its consolidated statements of financial condition. Carried interest is recorded as performance fees on BlackRock’s consolidated statements of income upon the earlier of the termination of the investment fund or when the likelihood of clawback is considered mathematically improbable.

Indemnifications. In the ordinary course of business or in connection with certain acquisition agreements, BlackRock enters into contracts pursuant to which it may agree to indemnify third parties in certain circumstances. The terms of these indemnities vary from contract to contract and the amount of indemnification liability, if any, cannot be determined or the likelihood of any liability is considered remote and, therefore, has not been included in the table above or recorded in the consolidated statement of financial condition at December 31, 2015.2017. See further discussion in Note 13, Commitments and Contingencies, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements beginning on page F-1contained in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.filing.

On behalf of certain clients, the Company lends securities to highly rated banks and broker-dealers. In these securities lending transactions, the borrower is required to provide and maintain collateral at or above regulatory minimums. Securities on loan are marked to market daily to determine if the borrower is required to pledge additional collateral. BlackRock has issued certain indemnifications to certain securities lending clients against potential loss resulting from a borrower’s failure to fulfill its obligations under the securities lending agreement should the value of the collateral pledged by the borrower at the time of default be insufficient to cover the borrower’s obligation under the securities lending agreement. At December 31, 2015,2017, the Company indemnified certain of its clients for their securities lending loan balances of approximately $169.3$200 billion. The Company held, as agent, cash and securities totaling $179.6$214 billion as collateral for indemnified securities on loan at December 31, 2015.2017. The fair value of these indemnifications was not material at December 31, 2015.2017.

While the collateral pledged by a borrower is intended to be sufficient to offset the borrower’s obligations to return securities borrowed and any other amounts owing to the lender under the relevant securities lending agreement, in the event of a borrower default, the Company can give no assurance that the collateral pledged by the borrower will be sufficient to fulfill such obligations. If the amount of such pledged collateral is not sufficient to fulfill such obligations to a client for whom the Company has provided indemnification, BlackRock would be responsible for the amount of the shortfall. These indemnifications cover only the collateral shortfall described above, and do not in any way guarantee, assume or otherwise insure the investment performance or return of any cash collateral vehicle into which securities lending cash collateral is invested.

50


Compensation and Benefit Obligations. The Company has various compensation and benefit obligations, including bonuses, commissions and incentive payments payable, defined contribution plan matching contribution obligations, and deferred compensation arrangements, that are excluded from the contractual obligations and commitments table above. Accrued compensation and benefits at December 31, 20152017 totaled $1,971$2,153 million and included incentive compensation of $1,452$1,499 million, deferred compensation of $266$350 million and other compensation and benefits related obligations of $253$304 million. Substantially all of the incentive compensation liability was paid in the first quarter of 2016,2018, while the deferred compensation obligations are generally payable over periods of up to fivethree years.

 

 

Critical Accounting PoliciesCRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Management considers the following critical accounting policies important to understanding the consolidated financial statements. For a summary of these and additional accounting policies see Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, in the consolidated financial statements beginning on page F-1included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.filing.

Consolidation

In the normal course of business, the Company is the manager of various types of sponsored investment vehicles. The Company performs an analysis for investment products to determine if the product is a VIE or a VRE. Assessing whether an entity is a VIE or a VRE involves judgment and analysis. Factors considered in this assessment include the entity’s legal organization, the entity’s capital structure and equity ownership, and any related party or de facto agent implications of the Company’s involvement with the entity. Investments that are determined to be VREs are consolidated if the Company can exert control over the financial and operating policies of the investee, which generally exists if there is greater than 50% voting interest. See Note 4, Consolidated Voting RightRights Entities, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements beginning on page F-1contained in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-Kfiling for more information. Investments that are determined to be VIEs are consolidated if the Company is the primary beneficiary (“PB”) of the entity.

At December 31, 2015,2017, BlackRock was determined to be the PB for certain investment productsfunds that were determined to be VIEs, which required BlackRock to consolidate them. BlackRock was deemed to be the PB because it has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entities’ economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that potentially could be significant to the VIE.  The Company generally consolidates VIEs in which it holds an equity ownership interest of 10% or greater and

54


deconsolidates such VIEs once equity ownership falls below 10%.  See Note 5, Variable Interest Entities, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements beginning on page F-1contained in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-Kfiling for more information.

See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies — Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2015, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements beginning on page F-1 of this Form 10-K for more information on ASU 2015-02.

Investments

Equity Method Investments. For equity investments where BlackRock does not control the investee, and where it is not the PB of a VIE, but can exert significant influence over the financial and operating policies of the investee, the Company follows the equity method of accounting. The evaluation of whether the Company exerts control or significant influence over the financial and operational policies of its investees requires significant judgment based on the facts and circumstances surrounding each individual investment. Factors considered in these evaluations may include the type of investment, the legal structure of the investee, the terms and structure of the investment agreement, including investor voting or other rights, the terms of BlackRock’s advisory agreement or other agreements with the investee, any influence BlackRock may have on the governing board of the investee, the legal rights of other investors in the entity pursuant to the fund’s operating documents and the relationship between BlackRock and other investors in the entity.

BlackRock’s equity method investees that are investment companies record their underlying investments at fair value. Therefore, under the equity method of accounting, BlackRock’s share of the investee’s underlying net income predominantly represents fair value adjustments in the investments held by the equity method investees. BlackRock’s share of the investee’s underlying net income or loss is based upon the most currently available information and is recorded as nonoperating income (expense) for investments in investment companies, or as advisory and other revenue for certain strategic investments, which are recorded in other assets, since such investees are considered to be an extension of BlackRock’s core business.

At December 31, 2015,2017, the Company had $527$816 million and $265$468 million of equity method investments, including equity method investments held for deferred compensation, reflected withinincluded in investments and other assets, respectively, and at December 31, 2014,2016, the Company had $654$730 million and $208$348 million of equity method investees reflectedinvestments included in investments and other assets, respectively.

Impairments of Investments. Management periodically assesses equity method, available-for-sale, held-to-maturity and cost investments for other-than-temporary Impairmentimpairment (“OTTI”). If an OTTI exists, an impairment charge is recorded in nonoperating income (expense) on the consolidated statements of the income.

For equity method, held-to-maturity and cost method investments, if circumstances indicate that an OTTI may exist, the investments are evaluated using market values, where available, or the expected future cash flows of the investment. If the Company determines an OTTI exists, an impairment charge is recognized for the excess of the carrying amount of the investment over its estimated fair value.

For available-for-sale securities, when the fair value is lower than cost, the Company considers, among other factors, the length of time the security has been in a loss position, the extent to which the security’s fair value is less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the security’s issuer and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security for a length of time sufficient to allow for recovery of such unrealized losses. For equity securities, if the impairment is considered other-than-temporary, an impairment charge is recognized for the excess of the carrying amount of the investment over its fair value. For debt securities, the Company considers whether: (1) it has the intent to sell the security; (2) it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery; or (3) it expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. If the Company intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the

51


security, the entire difference between the amortized cost and fair value must be recognized in earnings.  If the Company does not intend to sell a security and it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security but the security has suffered an impairment related to credit, the credit loss will be bifurcated from the total decline in value and recorded in earnings with the remaining portion recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

For the Company’s investments in CLOs, the Company reviews cash flow estimates over the life of each CLO investment.  On a quarterly basis, if the present value of the estimated future cash flows is lower than the carrying value of the investment and there is an adverse change in estimated cash flows, an impairment is considered to be other-than-temporary. An impairment charge is recognized for the excess of the carrying amount of the investment over its estimated fair value.

Evaluation of impairments involves significant assumptions and management judgments, which could differ from actual results, and these differences could have a material impact on the consolidated statements of income.

Fair Value Measurements

The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement according to the fair value hierarchy (i.e., Level 1, 2 and 3 inputs, as defined) in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument. See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, in the consolidated financial statements beginning on page F-1contained in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-Kfiling for more information on fair value measurements.

Changes in Valuation. Changes in value on $2,261$2,878 million of Total Investments will impact the Company’s nonoperating income (expense), $44$103 million will impact accumulated other comprehensive income, $203$195 million are held at cost or amortized cost and the remaining $100$298 million relates to carried interest, which will not impact nonoperating income (expense). At December 31, 2015,2017, changes in fair value of approximately $1,649$1,739 million of such consolidated VIEs/VREs will impact BlackRock’s net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests on the consolidated statements of income. BlackRock’s net exposure to changes in fair value of such consolidated sponsored investment fundsVIEs/VREs was $1,268$1,419 million.

55


Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The value of advisory contracts acquired in business acquisitions to manage AUM in proprietary open-end investment funds as well as collective trust funds without a specified termination date are classified as indefinite-lived intangible assets. The assignment of indefinite lives to such investment fund contracts is based upon the assumption there is no foreseeable limit on the contract period to manage these funds due to the likelihood of continued renewal at little or no cost. In addition, trade names/trademarks are considered indefinite-lived intangibles as they are expected to generate cash flows indefinitely. Goodwill represents the cost of a business acquisition in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired. In accordance with the applicable provisions of ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”), indefinite-livedIndefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill are not amortized. Finite-lived management contracts and investor/customer relationships, which relate to acquired separate accounts and funds with a specified termination date, are amortized over their remaining expected useful lives, which, at December 31, 2015,2017, ranged from 1 to 911 years with a weighted-average remaining estimated useful life of 3.76.5 years.

Goodwill. The Company assesses its goodwill for impairment at least annually, considering such factors as the book value and the market capitalization of the Company. The impairment assessment performed as of July 31, 20152017 indicated no impairment charge was required. The Company continues to monitor its book value per share compared with closing prices of its common stock for potential indicators of impairment. At December 31, 2015,2017, the Company’s common stock closed at $340.52,$513.71, which exceeded its book value of approximately $172.12$197.61 per share.

 

Indefinite-lived and finite-lived intangibles. The Company performs assessments to determine if any intangible assets are impaired and whether the indefinite-life and finite-life classifications are still appropriate.

 

In evaluating whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of indefinite-lived intangibles is less than carrying value, BlackRock performed certain quantitative assessments and assessed various significant qualitative factors including AUM, revenue basis points, projected AUM growth rates, operating margins, tax rates and discount rates. In addition, the Company considered other factors including: (i) macroeconomic conditions such as a deterioration in general economic conditions, limitations on accessing capital, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, or other developments in equity and credit markets; (ii) industry and market considerations such as a deterioration in the environment in which an entity operates, an increased competitive environment, a decline in market-dependent multiples or metrics, a change in the market for an entity’s services, or regulatory, legal or political developments; and (iii) entity-specific events, such as a change in management or key personnel, overall financial performance and litigation that could affect significant inputs used to determine the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset. If an indefinite-lived intangible is determined to be more likely than not impaired, then the fair value of the asset is compared with its carrying value and any excess of the carrying value over the fair value would be recognized as an expense in the period in which the impairment occurs.

For finite-lived intangible assets, if potential impairment circumstances are considered to exist, the Company will perform a recoverability test, using an undiscounted cash flow analysis. Actual results could differ from these cash flow estimates, which could materially impact the impairment conclusion. If the carrying value of the asset is determined not to be recoverable based on the undiscounted cash flow test, the difference between the book value of the asset and its current fair value would be recognized as an expense in the period in which the impairment occurs.

In addition, management judgment is required to estimate the period over which finite-lived intangible assets will contribute to the Company’s cash flows and the pattern in which these assets will be consumed. A change in the remaining useful life of any of these assets, or the reclassification of an indefinite-lived intangible asset to a finite-lived intangible asset, could have a significant impact on the Company’s amortization expense, which was $89 million, $99 million and $128 million $157 millionfor 2017, 2016 and $161 million for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

In 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 2013,2015, the Company performed impairment tests, including evaluating various qualitative factors and performing certain quantitative assessments. The Company determined that no impairment charges were required, the classification of indefinite-lived versus

52


finite-lived intangibles was still appropriate and no changes to the expected lives of the finite-lived intangibles were required. The Company continuously monitors various factors, including AUM, for potential indicators of impairment.

Income Taxes

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases using currently enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

Significant management judgment is required in estimating the ranges of possible outcomes and determining the probability of favorable or unfavorable tax outcomes and potential interest and penalties related to such unfavorable outcomes. Actual future tax consequences relating to uncertain tax positions may be materially different than the Company’s current estimates. At December 31, 2015,2017, BlackRock had $466$629 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits, of which $320$316 million, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.

Management is required to estimate the timing of the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities, make assumptions about the future deductibility of deferred income tax assets and assess deferred income tax liabilities based on enacted tax rates for the appropriate tax jurisdictions to determine the amount of such deferred income tax assets and liabilities. At December 31, 2015,2017, the Company had deferred tax assets of $20$19 million and net deferred tax liabilities of approximately $4,851$3,538 million on the consolidated statement of financial condition. Changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities may occur in certain circumstances, including statutory income tax rate changes, statutory tax law changes, changes in the anticipated timing of recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities or changes in the structure or tax status of the Company.

The Company assesses whether a valuation allowance should be established against its deferred income tax assets based on consideration of all available evidence, both positive and negative, using a more likely than not standard. The assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of recent losses, forecast of future profitability, the duration of statutory carry back and carry forward periods, the Company’s experience with tax attributes expiring unused, and tax planning alternatives.

56


The Company records income taxes based upon its estimated income tax liability or benefit. The Company’s actual tax liability or benefit may differ from the estimated income tax liability or benefit. The Company had current income taxes receivables of approximately $166$142 million and current income taxes payables of $79$256 million at December 31, 2015.2017.

For further information on the 2017 Tax Act, see Note 21, Income Taxes, in the consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this filing.

Revenue Recognition

Investment advisory and administration fees are recognized as the services are performed. Such fees are primarily based on pre-determinedagreed-upon percentages of the marketnet asset value of AUM or in the case of certain real estate clients, net operating income generated by the underlying properties.committed capital. Investment advisory and administration fees are affected by changes in AUM, including market appreciation or depreciation, foreign exchange translation and net inflows or outflows. Investment advisory and administration fees for investment funds are shown net of fees waived pursuant to contractual expense limitations of the funds or voluntary waivers.

The Company contracts with third parties and related parties for various fund distribution and shareholder servicing to be performed on behalf of certain funds the Company manages. Such arrangements generally are priced as a portion of the management fee paid by the fund. In certain cases, the fund (primarily international funds) takes on the primary responsibility for payment for services such that the Company bears no credit risk to the third-party. The Company accounts for such retrocession arrangements in accordance with ASC 605-45, Revenue Recognition — Principal Agent Considerations (“ASC 605-45”), andcurrently records its management fees net of retrocessions. Retrocessions for 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $870 million, $891 million and $785 million, respectively. The Company has additional contracts for similar services with third parties, which due to the terms of the contracts, are recorded as distribution and servicing costs and thus not netted on the consolidated statements of income.

The Company earns revenue by lending securities as an agent on behalf of clients, primarily to highly rated banks and broker-dealers.brokerage institutions. Revenue is accounted for on an accrual basis. The securities loaned are secured by collateral, generally ranging from 102% to 112% of the value of the loaned securities. Generally, the revenue earned is shared between the Company and the funds or other third-party accounts managed by the Company from which the securities are borrowed. For 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 2013,2015, securities lending revenue earned by the Company totaled $513$597 million, $477$579 million and $447$513 million, respectively, and is recorded in investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue on the consolidated statements of income. Investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue are reported together as the fees for these services often are agreed upon with clients as a bundled fee.

The Company receives investment advisory performance fees or incentive allocations, from certain actively managed investment funds and certain SMAs.separately managed accounts. These performance fees are dependent upon exceeding specified relative or absolute investment return thresholds. Such fees are recorded upon completion of the measurement period, which varies by product or account, and could be monthly, quarterly, annually or longer.

In addition, the Company is allocated carried interest from certain alternative investment products upon exceeding performance thresholds. BlackRock may be required to reverse/return all, or part, of such carried interest allocations depending upon future performance of these funds. Therefore, BlackRock records carried interest subject to such clawback provisions in Total Investments or cash/cash of consolidated VIEs to the extent that it is distributed, on its consolidated statements of financial condition. Carried interest is recorded as performance fee revenue upon the earlier of the termination of the investment fund or when the likelihood of clawback is considered mathematically improbable.

The Company records a deferred carried interest liability to the extent it receives cash or capital allocations related to carried interest prior to meeting the revenue recognition criteria. At December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, the Company had $143$219 million and $105$152 million, respectively, of deferred carried interest recorded in other liabilities/other liabilities of consolidated VIEs on the consolidated statements of financial condition. A portion of the deferred carried interest liability will be paid to certain employees. The ultimate timing of the recognition of performance fee revenue, if any, for these products is unknown.

53


The following table presents changes in the deferred carried interest liability (including the portion related to consolidated VIEs) for 20152017 and 2014:2016:

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Beginning balance

 

$

105

 

 

$

108

 

 

$

152

 

 

$

143

 

Net increase (decrease)

 

 

69

 

 

 

69

 

Net increase (decrease) in unrealized allocations

 

 

75

 

 

 

37

 

Performance fee revenue recognized

 

 

(31

)

 

 

(72

)

 

 

(21

)

 

 

(28

)

Acquisition

 

 

13

 

 

 

 

Ending balance

 

$

143

 

 

$

105

 

 

$

219

 

 

$

152

 

 

For 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 2013,2015, performance fee revenue (which included recognized carried interest) totaled $621$594 million, $550$295 million and $561$621 million, respectively.

Fees earned for BlackRock Solutions, which include advisory services,technology and risk management revenue are recorded as services are performed or when completed and are generally determined using some, or all, of the following methods: (i) percentages of various attributes of advisory AUM or value of positions on the Aladdin platform (ii) fixed feesor on a fixed-rate basis. For 2017, 2016 and (iii) performance fees if contractual thresholds are met. Revenue earned on advisory assignments was comprised of one-time advisory2016, technology and portfolio structuring fees and ongoing fees based on AUM of the respective portfolio assignment. For 2015, 2014 and 2013, BlackRock Solutions and advisoryrisk management revenue totaled $646$677 million, $635$595 million and $577$528 million, respectively.

Adjustments to revenue arising from initial estimates recorded historically have been immaterial since the majority of BlackRock’s investment advisory and administration revenue is calculated based on AUM and since the Company does not record performance fee revenue until performance thresholds have been exceeded and the likelihood of clawback is mathematically improbable.

Recent Developments57

In November 2015, the Company announced that it had entered an agreement to assume investment management responsibilities of approximately $87 billion of cash assets under management from BofA® Global Capital Management, Bank of America’s asset management business. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2016, subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions.  This transaction is not expected to be material to the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.


Accounting Developments

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers.    In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The guidance also changes the accounting for certain contract costs and revises the criteria for determining if an entity is acting as a principal or agent in certain arrangements.

The key changes in the standard that impact the Company’s revenue recognition relate to the presentation of certain revenue contracts and associated contract costs. The most significant of these changes relates to the presentation of certain distribution costs, which are currently presented net against revenues (contra-revenue) and will be presented as an expense on a gross basis.  The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 effective January 1, 2018 on a full retrospective basis, which will require 2016 and 2017 to be restated in future filings. The cumulative effect adjustment to the 2016 opening retained earnings was not material. The Company currently expects the net gross up to revenue to be approximately $1 billion with a corresponding gross up to expense for both 2016 and 2017. Consequently, the Company expects its GAAP operating margin to decline upon adoption due to the gross up of revenue. However, no material impact is expected on the Company’s as adjusted operating margin.

For accounting pronouncements that the Company adopted during 2015the year ended December 31, 2017 and for additional recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted, see Note 2,Significant Accounting Policies, in the consolidated financial statements beginning on page F-1contained in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K.filing.

 

 

Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

AUM Market Price Risk. BlackRock’s investment advisory and administration fees are primarily comprised of fees based on a percentage of the value of AUM and, in some cases, performance fees expressed as a percentage of the returns realized on AUM. At December 31, 2015,2017, the majority of the Company’s investment advisory and administration fees were based on average or period end AUM of the applicable investment funds or separate accounts. Movements in equity market prices, interest rates/credit spreads, foreign exchange rates or all three could cause the value of AUM to decline, which would result in lower investment advisory and administration fees.

Corporate Investments Portfolio Risks. As a leading investment management firm, BlackRock devotes significant resources across all of its operations to identifying, measuring, monitoring, managing and analyzing market and operating risks, including the management and oversight of its own investment portfolio. The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted guidelines for the review of investments to be made by the Company, requiring, among other things, that investments be reviewed by certain senior officers of the Company, and that certain investments may be referred to the Audit Committee or the Board of Directors, depending on the circumstances, for approval.

In the normal course of its business, BlackRock is exposed to equity market price risk, interest rate/credit spread risk and foreign exchange rate risk associated with its corporate investments.

BlackRock has investments primarily in sponsored investment products that invest in a variety of asset classes, including real estate,assets, private equity and hedge funds. Investments generally are made for co-investment purposes, to establish a performance track record, to hedge exposure to certain deferred compensation plans or for regulatory purposes. Currently, the Company has a seed capital hedging program in which it enters into swaps to hedge market and interest rate exposure to certain investments. At December 31, 2015,2017, the Company had outstanding total return swaps and interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional value of approximately $360 million and $46 million, respectively.$587 million. At December 31, 2017, there were no outstanding interest rate swaps.

At December 31, 2015,2017, approximately $1.7$2.0 billion of BlackRock’s Total Investments were maintained in consolidated sponsored investment funds accounted for as VREs and VIEs. Excluding the impact of the Federal Reserve Bank stock, carried interest, investments made to hedge exposure to certain deferred compensation plans and certain investments that are hedged via the seed capital hedging program, the Company’s economic exposure to its investment portfolio is $1,548 million.$2.1 billion. See Balance Sheet Overview-Investments and Investments of Consolidated VIEs in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for further information on the Company’s Total Investments.

Equity Market Price Risk. At December 31, 2015,2017, the Company’s net exposure to equity market price risk in its investment portfolio was approximately $578$946 million of the Company’s total economic investment exposure. Investments subject to market price risk include private equity and real estateassets investments, hedge funds and funds of funds as well as mutual funds. The Company estimates that a hypothetical 10% adverse change in market prices would result in a decrease of approximately $57.8$94.6 million in the carrying value of such investments.

Interest-Rate/Credit Spread Risk. At December 31, 2015,2017, the Company was exposed to interest rate risk and credit spread risk as a result of approximately $970$1,176 million of Total Investments in debt securities and sponsored investment products that invest primarily in debt securities. Management considered a hypothetical 100 basis point fluctuation in interest rates or credit spreads and estimates that the impact of such a

54


fluctuation on these investments, in the aggregate, would result in a decrease, or increase, of approximately $14.6$19 million in the carrying value of such investments.

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk. As discussed above, the Company invests in sponsored investment products that invest in a variety of asset classes. The carrying value of the total economic investment exposure denominated in foreign currencies, primarily the British pound sterling and euro,Euro, was $343$483 million at December 31, 2015.2017. A 10% adverse change in the applicable foreign exchange rates would result in approximately a $34.3$48.3 million decline in the carrying value of such investments.

Other Market Risks. The Company executes forward foreign currency exchange contracts to mitigate the risk of certain foreign exchange risk movements. At December 31, 2015,2017, the Company had outstanding forward foreign currency exchange contracts with an aggregate notional value of approximately $169 million.$1.5 billion.


 

Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplemental Data

The report of the independent registered public accounting firm and financial statements listed in the accompanying index are included in Item 15 of this report. See Index to the consolidated financial statements on page F-1 of this Form 10-K.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

There have been no disagreements on accounting and financial disclosure matters. BlackRock has not changed accountants in the two most recent fiscal years.

Item 9a. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Under the direction of BlackRock’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, BlackRock evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 10-K. Based on this evaluation, BlackRock’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that BlackRock’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ending December 31, 20152017 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

5559


 Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management of BlackRock, Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and affectedeffected by the Company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and includes those policies and procedures that:

pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with the authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and

provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 20152017 based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2015,2017, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

February 26, 201628, 2018

5660


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of BlackRock, Inc.:

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of BlackRock, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2015,2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2017 and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the year then ended of the Company and our report dated February 28, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

Basis for Opinion  

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of theits inherent limitations, of internal control over financial reporting including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be preventedprevent or detected on a timely basis.detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2015 and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the year then ended of the Company and our report dated February 26, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

New York, New York

February 26, 201628, 2018

 

5761


Item 9b. Other Information

The Company is furnishing no other information in this Form 10-K.

Revenue Recognition

Investment advisory and administration fees are recognized as the services are performed. Such fees are primarily based on agreed-upon percentages of the net asset value of AUM or committed capital. Investment advisory and administration fees are affected by changes in AUM, including market appreciation or depreciation, foreign exchange translation and net inflows or outflows. Investment advisory and administration fees for investment funds are shown net of fees waived pursuant to contractual expense limitations of the funds or voluntary waivers.

The Company contracts with third parties and related parties for various fund distribution and shareholder servicing to be performed on behalf of certain funds the Company manages. Such arrangements generally are priced as a portion of the fee paid by the fund. In certain cases, the fund (primarily international funds) takes on the primary responsibility for payment for services such that the Company bears no credit risk to the third-party. The Company currently records its management fees net of retrocessions. The Company has additional contracts for similar services with third parties, which due to the terms of the contracts, are recorded as distribution and servicing costs and thus not netted on the consolidated statements of income.

The Company earns revenue by lending securities as an agent on behalf of clients, primarily to brokerage institutions. Revenue is accounted for on an accrual basis. The securities loaned are secured by collateral, generally ranging from 102% to 112% of the value of the loaned securities. Generally, the revenue earned is shared between the Company and the funds or other third-party accounts managed by the Company from which the securities are borrowed. For 2017, 2016 and 2015, securities lending revenue earned by the Company totaled $597 million, $579 million and $513 million, respectively, and is recorded in investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue on the consolidated statements of income. Investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue are reported together as the fees for these services often are agreed upon with clients as a bundled fee.

The Company receives investment advisory performance fees or incentive allocations, from certain actively managed investment funds and certain separately managed accounts. These performance fees are dependent upon exceeding specified relative or absolute investment return thresholds. Such fees are recorded upon completion of the measurement period, which varies by product or account, and could be monthly, quarterly, annually or longer.

In addition, the Company is allocated carried interest from certain alternative investment products upon exceeding performance thresholds. BlackRock may be required to reverse/return all, or part, of such carried interest allocations depending upon future performance of these funds. Therefore, BlackRock records carried interest subject to such clawback provisions in Total Investments or cash/cash of consolidated VIEs to the extent that it is distributed, on its consolidated statements of financial condition. Carried interest is recorded as performance fee revenue upon the earlier of the termination of the investment fund or when the likelihood of clawback is considered mathematically improbable.

The Company records a deferred carried interest liability to the extent it receives cash or capital allocations related to carried interest prior to meeting the revenue recognition criteria. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had $219 million and $152 million, respectively, of deferred carried interest recorded in other liabilities/other liabilities of consolidated VIEs on the consolidated statements of financial condition. A portion of the deferred carried interest liability will be paid to certain employees. The ultimate timing of the recognition of performance fee revenue, if any, for these products is unknown.

The following table presents changes in the deferred carried interest liability (including the portion related to consolidated VIEs) for 2017 and 2016:

(in millions)

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Beginning balance

 

$

152

 

 

$

143

 

Net increase (decrease) in unrealized allocations

 

 

75

 

 

 

37

 

Performance fee revenue recognized

 

 

(21

)

 

 

(28

)

Acquisition

 

 

13

 

 

 

 

Ending balance

 

$

219

 

 

$

152

 

For 2017, 2016 and 2015, performance fee revenue (which included recognized carried interest) totaled $594 million, $295 million and $621 million, respectively.

Fees earned for technology and risk management revenue are recorded as services are performed and are generally determined using the value of positions on the Aladdin platform or on a fixed-rate basis. For 2017, 2016 and 2016, technology and risk management revenue totaled $677 million, $595 million and $528 million, respectively.

Adjustments to revenue arising from initial estimates recorded historically have been immaterial since the majority of BlackRock’s investment advisory and administration revenue is calculated based on AUM and since the Company does not record performance fee revenue until performance thresholds have been exceeded and the likelihood of clawback is mathematically improbable.

57


Accounting Developments

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers.    In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The guidance also changes the accounting for certain contract costs and revises the criteria for determining if an entity is acting as a principal or agent in certain arrangements.

The key changes in the standard that impact the Company’s revenue recognition relate to the presentation of certain revenue contracts and associated contract costs. The most significant of these changes relates to the presentation of certain distribution costs, which are currently presented net against revenues (contra-revenue) and will be presented as an expense on a gross basis.  The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 effective January 1, 2018 on a full retrospective basis, which will require 2016 and 2017 to be restated in future filings. The cumulative effect adjustment to the 2016 opening retained earnings was not material. The Company currently expects the net gross up to revenue to be approximately $1 billion with a corresponding gross up to expense for both 2016 and 2017. Consequently, the Company expects its GAAP operating margin to decline upon adoption due to the gross up of revenue. However, no material impact is expected on the Company’s as adjusted operating margin.

For accounting pronouncements that the Company adopted during the year ended December 31, 2017 and for additional recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted, see Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, in the consolidated financial statements contained in Part IIIII, Item 8 of this filing.

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

AUM Market Price Risk. BlackRock’s investment advisory and administration fees are primarily comprised of fees based on a percentage of the value of AUM and, in some cases, performance fees expressed as a percentage of the returns realized on AUM. At December 31, 2017, the majority of the Company’s investment advisory and administration fees were based on average or period end AUM of the applicable investment funds or separate accounts. Movements in equity market prices, interest rates/credit spreads, foreign exchange rates or all three could cause the value of AUM to decline, which would result in lower investment advisory and administration fees.

Corporate Governance

Investments Portfolio Risks. As a leading investment management firm, BlackRock devotes significant resources across all of its operations to identifying, measuring, monitoring, managing and analyzing market and operating risks, including the management and oversight of its own investment portfolio. The information regarding directors and executive officers set forth under the captions “Item 1: ElectionBoard of Directors – Information Concerningof the NomineesCompany has adopted guidelines for the review of investments to be made by the Company, requiring, among other things, that investments be reviewed by certain senior officers of the Company, and Directors” and “Item 1: Electionthat certain investments may be referred to the Audit Committee or the Board of Directors, – Other Executive Officers”depending on the circumstances, for approval.

In the normal course of its business, BlackRock is exposed to equity market price risk, interest rate/credit spread risk and foreign exchange rate risk associated with its corporate investments.

BlackRock has investments primarily in sponsored investment products that invest in a variety of asset classes, including real assets, private equity and hedge funds. Investments generally are made for co-investment purposes, to establish a performance track record, to hedge exposure to certain deferred compensation plans or for regulatory purposes. Currently, the Company has a seed capital hedging program in which it enters into swaps to hedge market and interest rate exposure to certain investments. At December 31, 2017, the Company had outstanding total return swaps with an aggregate notional value of approximately $587 million. At December 31, 2017, there were no outstanding interest rate swaps.

At December 31, 2017, approximately $2.0 billion of BlackRock’s Total Investments were maintained in consolidated sponsored investment funds accounted for as VREs and VIEs. Excluding the impact of the Proxy StatementFederal Reserve Bank stock, carried interest, investments made to hedge exposure to certain deferred compensation plans and certain investments that are hedged via the seed capital hedging program, the Company’s economic exposure to its investment portfolio is incorporated herein by reference.$2.1 billion. See Balance Sheet Overview-Investments and Investments of Consolidated VIEs in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for further information on the Company’s Total Investments.

The information regarding compliance with Section 16(a)Equity Market Price Risk. At December 31, 2017, the Company’s net exposure to equity market price risk in its investment portfolio was approximately $946 million of the Company’s total economic investment exposure. Investments subject to market price risk include private equity and real assets investments, hedge funds and funds of funds as well as mutual funds. The Company estimates that a hypothetical 10% adverse change in market prices would result in a decrease of approximately $94.6 million in the carrying value of such investments.

Interest-Rate/Credit Spread Risk. At December 31, 2017, the Company was exposed to interest rate risk and credit spread risk as a result of approximately $1,176 million of Total Investments in debt securities and sponsored investment products that invest primarily in debt securities. Management considered a hypothetical 100 basis point fluctuation in interest rates or credit spreads and estimates that the impact of such a fluctuation on these investments, in the aggregate, would result in a decrease, or increase, of approximately $19 million in the carrying value of such investments.

Foreign Exchange Act set forth underRate Risk. As discussed above, the caption “Item 1: Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance”Company invests in sponsored investment products that invest in a variety of asset classes. The carrying value of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.total economic investment exposure denominated in foreign currencies, primarily the British pound and Euro, was $483 million at December 31, 2017. A 10% adverse change in the applicable foreign exchange rates would result in approximately a $48.3 million decline in the carrying value of such investments.

Other Market Risks.The information regarding BlackRock’s CodeCompany executes forward foreign currency exchange contracts to mitigate the risk of Ethics for Chief Executive and Senior Financial Officers undercertain foreign exchange risk movements. At December 31, 2017, the caption “Item 1: Corporate Governance Guidelines and CodeCompany had outstanding forward foreign currency exchange contracts with an aggregate notional value of Business Conduct and Ethics” of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.approximately $1.5 billion.


Item 11. Executive Compensation8. Financial Statements and Supplemental Data

The information containedreport of the independent registered public accounting firm and financial statements listed in the sections captioned “Item 1: Compensationaccompanying index are included in Item 15 of Executive Officers” and “Item 1: 2015 Director Compensation”this report. See Index to the consolidated financial statements on page F-1 of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.this Form 10-K.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners9. Changes in and ManagementDisagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Related Stockholder MattersFinancial Disclosure

The information containedThere have been no disagreements on accounting and financial disclosure matters. BlackRock has not changed accountants in the sections captioned “Item 1: Ownership of BlackRock Common and Preferred Stock” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.two most recent fiscal years.

Item 13. Certain Relationships9a. Controls and Related Transactions,Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Director Independence

The information containedProcedures. Under the direction of BlackRock’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, BlackRock evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the sections captioned “Item 1: Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Item 1: Director Independence” of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information regarding BlackRock’s independent auditor fees and services in the section captioned “Item 4: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Part IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

1. Financial Statements

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are included beginning on page F-1.

2. Financial Statement Schedules

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges has been included as Exhibit 12.1. All other schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable, not required or the information required is included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

3. Exhibit Index

As used in this exhibit list, “BlackRock” refers to BlackRock, Inc. (formerly named New BlackRock, Inc. and previously, New Boise, Inc.) (Commission File No. 001-33099) and “Old BlackRock” refers to BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. (formerly named BlackRock, Inc.) (Commission File No. 001-15305), which is the predecessor of BlackRock. The following exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

58


Please note that the agreements included as exhibits to this Form 10-K are included to provide information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about BlackRock or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement that have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and may not describe the actual state of affairsExchange Act) as of the date theyend of the period covered by this annual report on Form 10-K. Based on this evaluation, BlackRock’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that BlackRock’s disclosure controls and procedures were madeeffective.

Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017 that have materially affected or at any other time.are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

Exhibit No.

Description

3.1(1)

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of BlackRock.

3.2(2)

Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of BlackRock, Inc.

3.3(3)

Amended and Restated Bylaws of BlackRock.

3.4(1)

Certificate of Designations of Series A Convertible Participating Preferred Stock of BlackRock.

3.5(4)

Certificate of Designations of Series B Convertible Participating Preferred Stock of BlackRock.

3.6(4)

Certificate of Designations of Series C Convertible Participating Preferred Stock of BlackRock.

3.7(5)

Certificate of Designations of Series D Convertible Participating Preferred Stock of BlackRock.

4.1(6)

Specimen of Common Stock Certificate.

4.2(7)

Indenture, dated September 17, 2007, between BlackRock and The Bank of New York, as trustee, relating to senior debt securities.

4.3(8)

Form of 6.25% Notes due 2017.

4.4(9)

Form of 5.00% Notes due 2019.

4.5(10)

Form of 4.25% Notes due 2021.

4.6(11)

Form of 3.375% Notes due 2022.

4.7(12)

Form of 3.500% Notes due 2024.

4.8(13)

Form of 1.250% Notes due 2025.

4.9(13)

Officers’ Certificate, dated May 6, 2015, for the 1.250% Notes due 2025 issued pursuant to the Indenture.

10.1

BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+

10.2(14)

Amended and Restated BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Annual Incentive Performance Plan.+

10.3(15)

Amendment No. 1 to the BlackRock, Inc. Amended and Restated 1999 Annual Incentive Performance Plan.+

10.4(16)

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+

10.5(16)

Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (BPIP) under the BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+

10.6(1)

Form of Stock Option Agreement expected to be used in connection with future grants of Stock Options under the BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+

10.7(1)

Form of Restricted Stock Agreement expected to be used in connection with future grants of Restricted Stock under the BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+

10.8(1)

Form of Directors’ Restricted Stock Unit Agreement expected to be used in connection with future grants of Restricted Stock Units under the BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+

10.9

BlackRock, Inc. Amended and Restated Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated as of November 16, 2015.+

10.10(17)

Share Surrender Agreement, dated October 10, 2002 (the “Share Surrender Agreement”), among Old BlackRock, PNC Asset Management, Inc. and The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.+

10.11(18)

First Amendment, dated as of February 15, 2006, to the Share Surrender Agreement.+

10.12(19)

Second Amendment, dated as of June 11, 2007, to the Share Surrender Agreement.+

10.13(4)

Third Amendment, dated as of February 27, 2009, to the Share Surrender Agreement.+

10.14(20)

Fourth Amendment, dated as of August 7, 2012, to the Share Surrender Agreement.+

10.15(21)

Five-Year Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2011, by and among BlackRock, Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender, issuing lender and L/C agent, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, as Japanese Yen lender, a group of lenders, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Barclays Capital, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, Citibank, N.A., as syndication agent and Bank of America, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as documentation agents.

10.16(22)

Amendment No. 1, dated as of March 30, 2012, by and among BlackRock, Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender, issuing lender, L/C agent and a lender, and the banks and other financial institutions referred to therein.

10.17(23)

Amendment No. 2, dated as of March 28, 2013, by and among BlackRock, Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender, issuing lender, L/C agent and a lender, and the banks and other financial institutions referred to therein.

10.18(24)

Amendment No. 3, dated as of March 28, 2014, by and among BlackRock, Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender, issuing lender, L/C agent and a lender, and the banks and other financial institutions referred to therein.

10.19(25)

Amendment No. 4, dated as of April 2, 2015, by and among BlackRock, Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender, issuing lender, L/C agent and a lender, and the banks and other financial institutions referred to therein.

10.20(26)†

Second Amended and Restated Global Distribution Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2010, among BlackRock and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

10.21(3)

Amended and Restated Implementation and Stockholder Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2009, between The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. and BlackRock.

10.22(27)

Amendment No. 1, dated as of June 11, 2009, to the Amended and Restated Implementation and Stockholder Agreement between The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. and BlackRock.

10.23(28)

Lease Agreement, dated as of February 17, 2010, among BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited and Mourant & Co Trustees Limited and Mourant Property Trustees Limited as Trustees of the Drapers Gardens Unit Trust for the lease of Drapers Gardens, 12 Throgmorton Avenue, London, EC2, United Kingdom.

59


10.24(29)

Letter Agreement, dated February 12, 2013, between Gary S. Shedlin and BlackRock.+

10.25(30)

Amended and Restated Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement between BlackRock and Barclays Capital Inc., dated as of December 23, 2014.

10.26(30)

Amended and Restated Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement between BlackRock and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., dated as of December 23, 2014.

10.27(30)

Amended and Restated Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement between BlackRock and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, dated as of January 6, 2015.

10.28(30)

Amended and Restated Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement between BlackRock and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC dated as of January 6, 2015.

12.1

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

21.1

Subsidiaries of Registrant.

23.1

Deloitte & Touche LLP Consent.

31.1

Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

31.2

Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

32.1

Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

 

(1)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 5, 2006.

(2)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 25, 2012.

(3)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

(4)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 27, 2009.

(5)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 3, 2009.

(6)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-137708) filed on September 29, 2006.

(7)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

(8)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 17, 2007.

(9)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 10, 2009.

(10)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 25, 2011.

(11)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2012.

(12)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 18, 2014.

(13)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2015.

(14)

Incorporated by reference to Old BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

(15)

Incorporated by reference to Old BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 24, 2006.

(16)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015

(17)

Incorporated by reference to Old BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002.

(18)

Incorporated by reference to Old BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 22, 2006.

(19)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 15, 2007.

(20)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012.

(21)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on August 24, 2012.

(22)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 4, 2012.

(23)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 3, 2013.

(24)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2014.

(25)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 3, 2015.

(26)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on August 24, 2012.

(27)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 17, 2009.

(28)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

(29)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 19, 2013.

(30)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

+

Denotes compensatory plans or arrangements.

Confidential treatment has been granted for certain portions of this exhibit, which portions have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

60


SIGNATURESManagement’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Pursuant to the requirementsManagement of Section 13 or 15(d) ofBlackRock, Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as a process designed by, or under the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalfsupervision of, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

BLACKROCK, INC.

Company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and includes those policies and procedures that:

By:

/s/ LAURENCE D. FINK

Laurence D. Fink

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director

February 26, 2016

Eachpertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the officersassets of the Company;

provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with the authorizations of management and directors of BlackRock, Inc. whose signature appears below,the Company; and

provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in so signing, also makes, constitutes and appoints Laurence D. Fink, Gary S. Shedlin, Matthew J. Mallow, Christopher J. Meade, Daniel R. Waltcher and R. Andrew Dickson III, hisconditions, or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power and substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to execute and cause to be filedthat the degree of compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments topolicies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management assessed the Annual Report on Form 10-K, with exhibits thereto and other documents connected therewith and to perform any acts necessary to be done in order to file such documents, and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorney-in-fact or his or her substitute or substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirementseffectiveness of the Securities Exchange ActCompany’s internal control over financial reporting as of 1934, this report has been signed belowDecember 31, 2017 based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the following persons on behalfCommittee of Sponsoring Organizations of the registrant and inTreadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2017, the capacities andCompany’s internal control over financial reporting is effective.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on the dates indicated.effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Signature

Title

Date

/S/ LAURENCE D. FINK

Laurence D. Fink

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

February 26, 2016

/S/ GARY SHEDLIN

Gary S. Shedlin

Senior Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

February 26, 2016

/S/ JOSEPH FELICIANI, JR.

Joseph Feliciani, Jr.

Managing Director and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)

February 26, 2016

/S/ ABDLATIF Y. AL-HAMAD

Director

February 26, 2016

Abdlatif Y. Al-Hamad

/S/ MATHIS CABIALLAVETTA

Director

February 26, 2016

Mathis Cabiallavetta

/S/ PAMELA DALEY

Director

February 26, 2016

Pamela Daley

/S/ WILLIAM S. DEMCHAK

Director

February 26, 2016

William S. Demchak

/S/ JESSICA EINHORN

Director

February 26, 2016

Jessica Einhorn

/S/ FABRIZIO FREDA

Director

February 26, 2016

Fabrizio Freda

/S/ MURRY S. GERBER

Director

February 26, 2016

Murry S. Gerber

/S/ JAMES GROSFELD

Director

February 26, 2016

James Grosfeld

/S/ ROBERT S. KAPITO

Director

February 26, 2016

Robert S. Kapito

/S/ DAVID H. KOMANSKY

Director

February 26, 2016

David H. Komansky

/S/ SIR DERYCK MAUGHAN

Director

February 26, 2016

Sir Deryck Maughan

/S/ CHERYL D. MILLS

Director

February 26, 2016

Cheryl D. Mills

/S/ GORDON M. NIXON 

Director

February 26, 2016

Gordon M. Nixon

/S/ THOMAS H. O’BRIEN

Director

February 26, 2016

Thomas H. O’Brien

/S/ IVAN G. SEIDENBERG

Director

February 26, 2016

Ivan G. Seidenberg

/S/ MARCO ANTONIO SLIM DOMIT

Director

February 26, 2016

Marco Antonio Slim Domit

/S/ JOHN S. VARLEY

Director

February 26, 2016

John S. Varley

/S/ SUSAN L. WAGNER

Director

February 26, 2016

Susan L. Wagner

February 28, 2018

6160


INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

F-2

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

F-3

Consolidated Statements of Income

F-4

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

F-5

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

F-6

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

F-8

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

F-9

F-1


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTEREDREGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of BlackRock, Inc.:

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements ofinternal control over financial conditionreporting of BlackRock, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the related consolidated statementsCommittee of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for eachSponsoring Organizations of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)Treadway Commission (COSO). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly,the Company maintained, in all material respects, theeffective internal control over financial positionreporting as of BlackRock, Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years2017, based on criteria established in the period ended December 31, 2015, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2017 and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the year then ended of the Company and our report dated February 28, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

Basis for Opinion  

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting asand for its assessment of December 31, 2015, basedthe effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 26, 2016 expressedOver Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

New York, New York

February 26, 201628, 2018

 

F-261


BlackRock, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

(in millions, except shares and per share data)

 

December 31,

2015

 

 

December 31,

2014

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

6,083

 

 

$

5,723

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

2,237

 

 

 

2,120

 

Investments

 

 

1,578

 

 

 

1,921

 

Assets of consolidated variable interest entities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

148

 

 

 

278

 

Investments

 

 

1,030

 

 

 

3,320

 

Other assets

 

 

67

 

 

 

32

 

Separate account assets

 

 

150,851

 

 

 

161,287

 

Separate account collateral held under securities lending agreements

 

 

31,336

 

 

 

33,654

 

Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $570 and $587 at December 31,

   2015 and 2014, respectively)

 

 

581

 

 

 

467

 

Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $745 and $1,040 at December 31,

   2015 and 2014, respectively)

 

 

17,372

 

 

 

17,344

 

Goodwill

 

 

13,123

 

 

 

12,961

 

Other assets

 

 

855

 

 

 

685

 

Total assets

 

$

225,261

 

 

$

239,792

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued compensation and benefits

 

$

1,971

 

 

$

1,865

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

1,068

 

 

 

1,035

 

Liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings

 

 

 

 

 

3,389

 

Other liabilities

 

 

177

 

 

 

245

 

Borrowings

 

 

4,930

 

 

 

4,922

 

Separate account liabilities

 

 

150,851

 

 

 

161,287

 

Separate account collateral liabilities under securities lending agreements

 

 

31,336

 

 

 

33,654

 

Deferred income tax liabilities

 

 

4,851

 

 

 

4,989

 

Other liabilities

 

 

1,033

 

 

 

886

 

Total liabilities

 

 

196,217

 

 

 

212,272

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

 

 

464

 

 

 

35

 

Permanent Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BlackRock, Inc. stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $ 0.01 par value;

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Shares authorized: 500,000,000 at December 31, 2015 and 2014; Shares issued: 171,252,185 at

   December 31, 2015 and 2014; Shares outstanding: 163,461,064 and 164,786,788 at

   December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series B nonvoting participating preferred stock, $0.01 par value;

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares authorized: 150,000,000 at December 31, 2015 and 2014; Shares issued and outstanding:

   823,188 at December 31, 2015 and 2014;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series C nonvoting participating preferred stock, $0.01 par value;

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares authorized: 6,000,000 at December 31, 2015 and 2014; Shares issued and outstanding:

   1,311,887 at December 31, 2015 and 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

19,405

 

 

 

19,386

 

Retained earnings

 

 

12,033

 

 

 

10,164

 

Appropriated retained earnings

 

 

 

 

 

(19

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(448

)

 

 

(273

)

Treasury stock, common, at cost (7,791,121 and 6,465,397 shares held at December 31, 2015 and

   2014, respectively)

 

 

(2,489

)

 

 

(1,894

)

Total BlackRock, Inc. stockholders’ equity

 

 

28,503

 

 

 

27,366

 

Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests

 

 

77

 

 

 

119

 

Total permanent equity

 

 

28,580

 

 

 

27,485

 

Total liabilities, temporary equity and permanent equity

 

$

225,261

 

 

$

239,792

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-3


BlackRock, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Income

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

(in millions, except shares and per share data)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related parties

 

$

6,875

 

 

$

6,738

 

 

$

5,991

 

Other third parties

 

 

2,965

 

 

 

2,851

 

 

 

2,748

 

Total investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue

 

 

9,840

 

 

 

9,589

 

 

 

8,739

 

Investment advisory performance fees

 

 

621

 

 

 

550

 

 

 

561

 

BlackRock Solutions and advisory

 

 

646

 

 

 

635

 

 

 

577

 

Distribution fees

 

 

55

 

 

 

70

 

 

 

73

 

Other revenue

 

 

239

 

 

 

237

 

 

 

230

 

Total revenue

 

 

11,401

 

 

 

11,081

 

 

 

10,180

 

Expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee compensation and benefits

 

 

4,005

 

 

 

3,829

 

 

 

3,560

 

Distribution and servicing costs

 

 

409

 

 

 

364

 

 

 

353

 

Amortization of deferred sales commissions

 

 

48

 

 

 

56

 

 

 

52

 

Direct fund expenses

 

 

767

 

 

 

748

 

 

 

657

 

General and administration

 

 

1,380

 

 

 

1,453

 

 

 

1,540

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

128

 

 

 

157

 

 

 

161

 

Total expense

 

 

6,737

 

 

 

6,607

 

 

 

6,323

 

Operating income

 

 

4,664

 

 

 

4,474

 

 

 

3,857

 

Nonoperating income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net gain (loss) on investments

 

 

58

 

 

 

165

 

 

 

305

 

Net gain (loss) on consolidated variable interest entities

 

 

58

 

 

 

(41

)

 

 

 

Interest and dividend income

 

 

26

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

22

 

Interest expense

 

 

(204

)

 

 

(232

)

 

 

(211

)

Total nonoperating income (expense)

 

 

(62

)

 

 

(79

)

 

 

116

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

4,602

 

 

 

4,395

 

 

 

3,973

 

Income tax expense

 

 

1,250

 

 

 

1,131

 

 

 

1,022

 

Net income

 

 

3,352

 

 

 

3,264

 

 

 

2,951

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests

 

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

(1

)

Net income (loss) attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests

 

 

6

 

 

 

(32

)

 

 

20

 

Net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc.

 

$

3,345

 

 

$

3,294

 

 

$

2,932

 

Earnings per share attributable to BlackRock, Inc. common stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

20.10

 

 

$

19.58

 

 

$

17.23

 

Diluted

 

$

19.79

 

 

$

19.25

 

 

$

16.87

 

Cash dividends declared and paid per share

 

$

8.72

 

 

$

7.72

 

 

$

6.72

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

166,390,009

 

 

 

168,225,154

 

 

 

170,185,870

 

Diluted

 

 

169,038,571

 

 

 

171,112,261

 

 

 

173,828,902

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-4


BlackRock, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Net income

 

$

3,352

 

 

$

3,264

 

 

$

2,951

 

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in net unrealized gains (losses) from available-for-sale investments,

   net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized holding gains (losses)(1)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

3

 

 

 

4

 

Less: reclassification adjustment included in net income(1)

 

 

2

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

13

 

Net change from available-for-sale investments

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(9

)

Benefit plans, net

 

 

1

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

10

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments(2)

 

 

(173

)

 

 

(231

)

 

 

23

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

(175

)

 

 

(238

)

 

 

24

 

Comprehensive income

 

 

3,177

 

 

 

3,026

 

 

 

2,975

 

Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

7

 

 

 

(30

)

 

 

19

 

Comprehensive income attributable to BlackRock, Inc.

 

$

3,170

 

 

$

3,056

 

 

$

2,956

 

(1)

The tax benefit (expense) was not material in 2015, 2014 and 2013.

(2)

Amount for the year ended December 31, 2015 includes gains from a net investment hedge of $19 million, net of tax of $11 million.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


BlackRock, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

(in millions)

 

Additional

Paid-in

Capital(1)

 

 

Retained

Earnings

 

 

Appropriated

Retained

Earnings

 

 

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

 

 

Treasury

Stock

Common

 

 

Total

BlackRock

Stockholders’

Equity

 

 

Nonredeemable

Noncontrolling

Interests

 

 

Total

Permanent

Equity

 

 

Redeemable

Noncontrolling

Interests /

Temporary

Equity

 

December 31, 2012

 

$

19,421

 

 

$

6,444

 

 

$

29

 

 

$

(59

)

 

$

(432

)

 

$

25,403

 

 

$

182

 

 

$

25,585

 

 

$

32

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

2,932

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,932

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

2,952

 

 

 

(1

)

Consolidation of a collateralized loan obligation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

Allocation of gains (losses) of consolidated

   collateralized loan obligations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid

 

 

 

 

 

(1,168

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,168

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,168

)

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

447

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

448

 

 

 

 

 

 

448

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common shares related to employee

   stock transactions

 

 

(429

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

464

 

 

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

 

35

 

 

 

 

Employee tax withholdings related to employee

   stock transactions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(243

)

 

 

(243

)

 

 

 

 

 

(243

)

 

 

 

Shares repurchased

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,000

)

 

 

(1,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,000

)

 

 

 

Net tax benefit (shortfall) from stock-based

   compensation

 

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

 

36

 

 

 

 

Subscriptions (redemptions/distributions)

   — noncontrolling interest holders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

66

 

 

 

66

 

 

 

137

 

Net consolidations (deconsolidations) of sponsored

   investment funds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(115

)

 

 

(115

)

 

 

(114

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2013

 

$

19,475

 

 

$

8,208

 

 

$

22

 

 

$

(35

)

 

$

(1,210

)

 

$

26,460

 

 

$

156

 

 

$

26,616

 

 

$

54

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

3,294

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,294

 

 

 

(32

)

 

 

3,262

 

 

 

2

 

Allocation of gains (losses) of consolidated

   collateralized loan obligations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(41

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(41

)

 

 

41

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid

 

 

 

 

 

(1,338

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,338

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,338

)

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

453

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

453

 

 

 

 

 

 

453

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common shares related to employee

   stock transactions

 

 

(646

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

660

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

 

Employee tax withholdings related to employee

   stock transactions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(344

)

 

 

(344

)

 

 

 

 

 

(344

)

 

 

 

Shares repurchased

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,000

)

 

 

(1,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,000

)

 

 

 

Net tax benefit (shortfall) from stock-based

   compensation

 

 

106

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

106

 

 

 

 

 

 

106

 

 

 

 

Subscriptions (redemptions/distributions)

   — noncontrolling interest holders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(46

)

 

 

(46

)

 

 

248

 

Net consolidations (deconsolidations) of

   sponsored investment funds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(269

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(238

)

 

 

 

 

 

(238

)

 

 

 

 

 

(238

)

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

 

$

19,388

 

 

$

10,164

 

 

$

(19

)

 

$

(273

)

 

$

(1,894

)

 

$

27,366

 

 

$

119

 

 

$

27,485

 

 

$

35

 

(1)

Amounts include $2 million of common stock at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


BlackRock, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

(in millions)

 

Additional

Paid-in

Capital(1)

 

 

Retained

Earnings

 

 

Appropriated

Retained

Earnings

 

 

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

 

 

Treasury

Stock

Common

 

 

Total

BlackRock

Stockholders’

Equity

 

 

Nonredeemable

Noncontrolling

Interests

 

 

Total

Permanent

Equity

 

 

Redeemable

Noncontrolling

Interests /

Temporary

Equity

 

December 31, 2014

 

$

19,388

 

 

$

10,164

 

 

$

(19

)

 

$

(273

)

 

$

(1,894

)

 

$

27,366

 

 

$

119

 

 

$

27,485

 

 

$

35

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

3,345

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,345

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

3,351

 

 

 

1

 

Net consolidation (deconsolidation) of VIEs due to adoption

   of new accounting pronouncement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

11

 

 

 

194

 

Dividends paid

 

 

 

 

 

(1,476

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,476

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,476

)

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

514

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

514

 

 

 

 

 

 

514

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common shares related to employee stock

   transactions

 

 

(600

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

736

 

 

 

136

 

 

 

 

 

 

136

 

 

 

 

Employee tax withholdings related to employee stock

   transactions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(231

)

 

 

(231

)

 

 

 

 

 

(231

)

 

 

 

Shares repurchased

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,100

)

 

 

(1,100

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,100

)

 

 

 

Net tax benefit (shortfall) from stock-based compensation

 

 

105

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

105

 

 

 

 

 

 

105

 

 

 

 

Subscriptions (redemptions/distributions)

   — noncontrolling interest holders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(34

)

 

 

(34

)

 

 

518

 

Net consolidations (deconsolidations) of sponsored

   investment funds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(284

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(175

)

 

 

 

 

 

(175

)

 

 

 

 

 

(175

)

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

$

19,407

 

 

$

12,033

 

 

$

 

 

$

(448

)

 

$

(2,489

)

 

$

28,503

 

 

$

77

 

 

$

28,580

 

 

$

464

 

(1)

Amounts include $2 million of common stock at both December 31, 2015 and 2014.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


BlackRock, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in millions)

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

3,352

 

 

$

3,264

 

 

$

2,951

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

247

 

 

 

278

 

 

 

291

 

Amortization of deferred sales commissions

 

 

48

 

 

 

56

 

 

 

52

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

514

 

 

 

453

 

 

 

448

 

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

(156

)

 

 

(104

)

 

 

(193

)

Other gains

 

 

(40

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (gains) losses on nontrading investments

 

 

12

 

 

 

(37

)

 

 

(73

)

Purchases of investments within consolidated sponsored investment funds

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(160

)

 

 

(195

)

Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments within consolidated

   sponsored investment funds

 

 

2

 

 

 

137

 

 

 

145

 

Gain related to PennyMac initial public offering

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(39

)

Gain related to the charitable contribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(80

)

Charitable contribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

124

 

Assets and liabilities of consolidated VIEs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(98

)

 

 

168

 

 

 

143

 

Net (gains) losses within consolidated VIEs

 

 

(58

)

 

 

41

 

 

 

 

Net (purchases) proceeds within consolidated VIEs

 

 

(227

)

 

 

(599

)

 

 

142

 

(Earnings) losses from equity method investees

 

 

(91

)

 

 

(158

)

 

 

(158

)

Distributions of earnings from equity method investees

 

 

41

 

 

 

57

 

 

 

80

 

Other adjustments

 

 

1

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

10

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(154

)

 

 

78

 

 

 

14

 

Investments, trading

 

 

(584

)

 

 

(416

)

 

 

(218

)

Other assets

 

 

(123

)

 

 

5

 

 

 

(92

)

Accrued compensation and benefits

 

 

98

 

 

 

101

 

 

 

203

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

14

 

 

 

(69

)

 

 

7

 

Other liabilities

 

 

207

 

 

 

(13

)

 

 

80

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

3,004

 

 

 

3,087

 

 

 

3,642

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of investments

 

 

(330

)

 

 

(369

)

 

 

(412

)

Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments

 

 

456

 

 

 

654

 

 

 

286

 

Distributions of capital from equity method investees

 

 

66

 

 

 

143

 

 

 

83

 

Net consolidations (deconsolidations) of sponsored investment funds

 

 

(163

)

 

 

(123

)

 

 

(48

)

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 

(273

)

 

 

 

 

 

(298

)

Purchases of property and equipment

 

 

(221

)

 

 

(66

)

 

 

(94

)

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

(465

)

 

 

239

 

 

 

(483

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repayments of short-term borrowings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(100

)

Repayments of long-term borrowings

 

 

(750

)

 

 

(1,000

)

 

 

(750

)

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

 

 

787

 

 

 

997

 

 

 

 

Cash dividends paid

 

 

(1,476

)

 

 

(1,338

)

 

 

(1,168

)

Proceeds from stock options exercised

 

 

126

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

28

 

Repurchases of common stock

 

 

(1,331

)

 

 

(1,344

)

 

 

(1,243

)

Net proceeds from (repayments of) borrowings by consolidated VIEs

 

 

 

 

 

512

 

 

 

(410

)

Net (redemptions/distributions paid)/subscriptions received from noncontrolling

   interest holders

 

 

484

 

 

 

202

 

 

 

203

 

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

 

 

105

 

 

 

106

 

 

 

41

 

Other financing activities

 

 

(9

)

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

(2,064

)

 

 

(1,861

)

 

 

(3,392

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(115

)

 

 

(132

)

 

 

17

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

360

 

 

 

1,333

 

 

 

(216

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

 

 

5,723

 

 

 

4,390

 

 

 

4,606

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

 

$

6,083

 

 

$

5,723

 

 

$

4,390

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

$

194

 

 

$

216

 

 

$

202

 

Interest on borrowings of consolidated VIEs

 

$

 

 

$

142

 

 

$

102

 

Income taxes (net of refunds)

 

$

1,276

 

 

$

1,227

 

 

$

1,064

 

Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing transactions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock

 

$

600

 

 

$

646

 

 

$

429

 

Increase (decrease) in noncontrolling interests due to net consolidation (deconsolidation) of

   sponsored investment funds

 

$

(104

)

 

$

(269

)

 

$

(229

)

Increase (decrease) in borrowings due to consolidation/deconsolidation of VIEs

 

$

(3,389

)

 

$

585

 

 

$

363

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


BlackRock, Inc.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Introduction and Basis of Presentation

Business. BlackRock, Inc. (together, with its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise indicates, “BlackRock” or the “Company”) is a leading publicly traded investment management firm providing a broad range of investment and risk management services to institutional and retail clients worldwide.

BlackRock’s diverse platform of active (alpha) and index (beta) investment strategies across asset classes enables the Company to tailor investment outcomes and asset allocation solutions for clients. Product offerings include single- and multi-asset class portfolios investing in equities, fixed income, alternatives and money market instruments. Products are offered directly and through intermediaries in a variety of vehicles, including open-end and closed-end mutual funds, iSharesItem 9b. Other® exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), separate accounts, collective investment funds and other pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock also offers the BlackRock Solutions® investment and risk management technology platform, Aladdin®, risk analytics and advisory services and solutions to a broad base of institutional investors.

At December 31, 2015, The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”) held 21.1% of the Company’s voting common stock and 22.2% of the Company’s capital stock, which includes outstanding common and nonvoting preferred stock.

Basis of Presentation. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company and its controlled subsidiaries. Noncontrolling interests on the consolidated statements of financial condition represents the portion of consolidated sponsored investment funds in which the Company does not have direct equity ownership. Accounts and transactions between consolidated entities have been eliminated.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Certain items previously reported have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2015

Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis.    In February 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation: Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, (“ASU 2015-02”) that requires companies to reevaluate all legal entities under revised consolidation guidance. The revised consolidation rules provide guidance for evaluating: i) limited partnerships and similar entities for consolidation ii) how decision maker or service provider fees affect the consolidation analysis, iii) how interests held by related parties affect the consolidation analysis, and iv) the consolidation analysis required for certain investment funds. The consolidation guidance also provides a scope exception for reporting entities with interests in legal entities that are required to comply with or operate in accordance with requirements similar to those in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for registered money market funds. Information

The Company early adopted ASU 2015-02 using the modified retrospective method with an effective adoption date of January 1, 2015. The modified retrospective method did not require the restatement of prior year periods. In connection with the adoption of ASU 2015-02, the Company reevaluated all of its investment products for consolidation. As of January 1, 2015, the Company deconsolidated all of its previously consolidated collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) as its fee arrangements were no longer deemed to be variable interests and it heldis furnishing no other interests in these entities.

The adoption of the ASU also resulted in the consolidation of certain investment products that were not previously consolidated. Upon adoption, these products became consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) as the Company is considered the party with both (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

The impact to the consolidated statement of financial condition upon adoption was primarily the deconsolidation of approximately $3.6 billion of assets and $3.6 billion of liabilities related to certain CLOs that the Company manages with an adjustment to appropriated retained earnings of $19 million. In addition, certain investment products previously accounted for as voting rights entities (“VREs”) became VIEs under the new accounting guidance and were consolidated.

Debt Issuance Costs.    In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (“ASU 2015-03”). ASU 2015-03 requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the associated debt liability, consistent with the presentation of a debt discount. The Company early adopted ASU 2015-03 during 2015 on a retrospective basis, which required the restatement of prior periods. The adoption of ASU 2015-03 was not material to the consolidated financial statements.

Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate NAV per Share.    In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-07, Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent) (“ASU 2015-07”). ASU 2015-07 removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value (“NAV”) per share practical expedient. The Company early adopted ASU 2015-07 during 2015 on a retrospective basis, which required the restatement of prior periods. As a result of the adoption, $647 million and $692 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, of NAV investments are no longer included in Level 2 and 3 within the fair value hierarchy.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents primarily consists of cash, money market funds and short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less in which the Company is exposed to market and credit risk. Cash and cash


equivalent balances that are legally restricted from use by the Company are recorded in other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Cash balances maintained by consolidated VREs are not considered legally restricted and are included in cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Cash balances maintained by consolidated VIEs are included in assets of consolidated variable interest entities on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Investments. Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities. BlackRock classifies debt and marketable equity investments as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity based on the Company’s intent to sell the security or, for a debt security, the Company’s intent and ability to hold the debt security to maturity.

Trading securities are those investments that are purchased principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term. Trading securities are carried at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition with changes in fair value recorded in nonoperating income (expense) on the consolidated statements of income in the period of the change.

Held-to-maturity debt securities are purchased with the positive intent and ability to be held to maturity and are recorded at amortized cost on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Available-for-sale securities are those securities that are not classified as trading or held-to-maturity. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition with changes in fair value recorded in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component of stockholders’ equity in the period of the change. Upon the disposition of an available-for-sale security, the Company reclassifies the gain or loss on the security from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to nonoperating income (expense) on the consolidated statements of income.

Equity Method. For equity investments where BlackRock does not control the investee, and where it is not the primary beneficiary (“PB”) of a VIE, but can exert significant influence over the financial and operating policies of the investee, the Company follows the equity method of accounting. BlackRock’s share of the investee’s underlying net income or loss is recorded as net gain (loss) on investments within nonoperating income (expense) and as other revenue for certain strategic investments since such companies are considered to be an extension of BlackRock’s core business. BlackRock’s share of net income of the investee is recorded based upon the most current information available at the time, which may precede the date of the consolidated statement of financial condition. Distributions received from the investment reduce the Company’s carrying value of the investee and the cost basis if deemed to be a return of capital.

Cost Method. For nonmarketable equity investments where BlackRock neither controls nor has significant influence over the investee, the investments are accounted for using the cost method of accounting. Dividends received from the investment are recorded as dividend income within nonoperating income (expense).

Impairments of Investments. Management periodically assesses equity method, available-for-sale, held-to-maturity and cost investments for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”). If an OTTI exists, an impairment charge is recorded in nonoperating income (expense) on the consolidated statements of the income.

For equity method, held-to-maturity and cost method investments, if circumstances indicate that an OTTI may exist, the investments are evaluated using market values, where available, or the expected future cash flows of the investment. If the Company determines an OTTI exists, an impairment charge is recognized for the excess of the carrying amount of the investment over its estimated fair value.

For available-for-sale securities, when the fair value is lower than cost, the Company considers, among other factors, the length of time the security has been in a loss position, the extent to which the security’s fair value is less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the security’s issuer and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security for a length of time sufficient to allow for recovery of such unrealized losses. For equity securities, if the impairment is considered other-than-temporary, an impairment charge is recognized for the excess of the carrying amount of the investment over its fair value. For debt securities, the Company considers whether: (1) it has the intent to sell the security; (2) it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery; or (3) it expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. If the Company intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security, the entire difference between the amortized cost and fair value must be recognized in earnings.  If the Company does not intend to sell a security and it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security but the security has suffered an impairment related to credit, the credit loss will be bifurcated from the total decline in value and recorded in earnings with the remaining portion recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.

For the Company’s investments in CLOs, the Company reviews cash flow estimates over the life of each CLO investment.  On a quarterly basis, if the present value of the estimated future cash flows is lower than the carrying value of the investment and there is an adverse change in estimated cash flows, an impairment is considered to be other-than-temporary. An impairment charge is recognized for the excess of the carrying amount of the investment over its estimated fair value.

Consolidation.    The Company performs an analysis for investment products to determine if the product is a VIE or a VRE. Assessing whether an entity is a VIE or a VRE involves judgment and analysis. Factors considered in this assessment include the entity’s legal organization, the entity’s capital structure and equity ownership, and any related party or de facto agent implications of the Company’s involvement with the entity. Investments that are determined to be VIEs are consolidated if the Company is the PB of the entity. VREs are typically consolidated if the Company holds the majority voting interest. Upon the occurrence of certain events (such as contributions and redemptions, either by the Company, or third parties, or amendments to the governing documents of the Company’s investment products), management reviews and reconsiders its previous conclusion regarding the status of an entity as a VIE or a VRE. Additionally, management continually reconsiders whether the Company is deemed to be a VIE’s PB that consolidates such entity.Form 10-K.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.    Certain investment products for which a controlling financial interest is achieved through arrangements that do not involve or are not directly linked to voting interests are deemed VIEs. BlackRock reviews factors, including whether or not i) the entity has equity that is sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated support from other parties and ii) the equity holders at risk have the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns, and the right to direct the activities of


the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, to determine if the investment product is a VIE. BlackRock re-evaluates such factors as facts and circumstances change.

Prior to the adoption of ASU 2015-02, the Company used two methods for determining whether it was the PB of a VIE depending on the nature and characteristics of the entity. For CLOs, the Company was deemed to be the PB if it had the power to direct activities of the entity that most significantly impacted the entity’s economic performance and had the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that potentially could be significant to the VIE. For certain sponsored investment funds, the Company was deemed to be the PB if it absorbed the majority of the entity’s expected losses, received a majority of the entity’s expected residual returns, or both.

Following the adoption of ASU 2015-02, all VIEs are evaluated for consolidation under a single method. The PB of a VIE is defined as the variable interest holder that has a controlling financial interest in the VIE. A controlling financial interest is defined as (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that potentially could be significant to the VIE. The consolidation analysis can generally be performed qualitatively, however, if it is not readily apparent that the Company is not the PB, a quantitative analysis may also be performed.

Consolidation of Voting Rights Entities.    BlackRock is required to consolidate an investee to the extent that BlackRock can exert control over the financial and operating policies of the investee, which generally exists if there is a greater than 50% voting equity interest.

Retention of Specialized Investment Company Accounting Principles.    Upon consolidation of sponsored investment funds, the Company retains the specialized investment company accounting principles of the underlying funds. All of the underlying investments held by such consolidated sponsored investment funds are carried at fair value with corresponding changes in the investments’ fair values reflected in nonoperating income (expense) on the consolidated statements of income. When the Company no longer controls these funds due to reduced ownership percentage or other reasons, the funds are deconsolidated and accounted for as an equity method investment, available-for-sale security or trading investment if the Company still maintains an investment.

Money Market Fee Waivers.    The Company is currently voluntarily waiving a portion of its management fees on certain money market funds to ensure that they maintain a minimum level of daily net investment income (the “Yield Support waivers”). During 2015, these waivers resulted in a reduction of management fees of approximately $137 million. Approximately 50% of Yield Support waivers were offset by a reduction of BlackRock’s distribution and servicing costs paid to a financial intermediary. BlackRock has provided Yield Support waivers in prior periods and may increase or decrease the level of fee waivers in future periods.

Separate Account Assets and Liabilities.    Separate account assets are maintained by BlackRock Life Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, which is a registered life insurance company in the United Kingdom, and represent segregated assets held for purposes of funding individual and group pension contracts. The life insurance company does not underwrite any insurance contracts that involve any insurance risk transfer from the insured to the life insurance company. The separate account assets primarily include equity securities, debt securities, money market funds and derivatives. The separate account assets are not subject to general claims of the creditors of BlackRock. These separate account assets and the related equal and offsetting liabilities are recorded as separate account assets and separate account liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

The net investment income attributable to separate account assets supporting individual and group pension contracts accrues directly to the contract owner and is not reported on the consolidated statements of income. While BlackRock has no economic interest in these separate account assets and liabilities, BlackRock earns policy administration and management fees associated with these products, which are included in investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue on the consolidated statements of income.

Separate Account Collateral Assets Held and Liabilities Under Securities Lending Agreements.    The Company facilitates securities lending arrangements whereby securities held by separate accounts maintained by BlackRock Life Limited are lent to third parties under global master securities lending agreements. In exchange, the Company receives legal title to the collateral with minimum values generally ranging from approximately 102% to 112% of the value of the securities lent in order to reduce counterparty risk. The required collateral value is calculated on a daily basis. The global master securities lending agreements provide the Company the right to request additional collateral or, in the event of borrower default, the right to liquidate collateral. The securities lending transactions entered into by the Company are accompanied by an agreement that entitles the Company to request the borrower to return the securities at any time; therefore, these transactions are not reported as sales

The Company records on the consolidated statements of financial condition the cash and noncash collateral received under these BlackRock Life Limited securities lending arrangements as its own asset in addition to an equal and offsetting collateral liability for the obligation to return the collateral. During 2015 and 2014, the Company had not resold or repledged any of the collateral received under these arrangements. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the fair value of loaned securities held by separate accounts was approximately $28.8 billion and $30.6 billion, respectively, and the fair value of the collateral held under these securities lending agreements was approximately $31.3 billion and $33.7 billion, respectively.

Property and Equipment. Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is generally determined by cost less any estimated residual value using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the various classes of property and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the remaining lease term.

BlackRock develops a variety of risk management, investment analytic and investment system services for internal use, utilizing proprietary software that is hosted and maintained by BlackRock. The Company capitalizes certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use. Capitalized software costs are included within property and equipment on the consolidated statements of financial condition and are amortized, beginning when the software project is ready for its intended use, over the estimated useful life of the software of approximately three years.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets. Goodwill represents the cost of a business acquisition in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired. The Company has determined that it has one reporting unit for goodwill impairment testing purposes, the consolidated BlackRock single


operating segment, which is consistent with internal management reporting and management's oversight of operations. In its assessment of goodwill for impairment, the Company considers such factors as the book value and market capitalization of the Company.

On a quarterly basis, the Company considers if triggering events have occurred that may indicate a potential goodwill impairment. If a triggering event has occurred, the Company performs assessments, which may include reviews of significant valuation assumptions, to determine if goodwill may be impaired. The Company performs an impairment assessment of its goodwill at least annually as of July 31st.

Intangible assets are comprised of indefinite-lived intangible assets and finite-lived intangible assets acquired in a business acquisition. The value of contracts to manage assets in proprietary open-end funds and collective trust funds and certain other commingled products without a specified termination date is generally classified as indefinite-lived intangible assets. The assignment of indefinite lives to such contracts primarily is based upon the following: (i) the assumption that there is no foreseeable limit on the contract period to manage these products; (ii) the Company expects to, and has the ability to, continue to operate these products indefinitely; (iii) the products have multiple investors and are not reliant on a single investor or small group of investors for their continued operation; (iv) current competitive factors and economic conditions do not indicate a finite life; and (v) there is a high likelihood of continued renewal based on historical experience. In addition, trade names/trademarks are considered indefinite-lived intangible assets when they are expected to generate cash flows indefinitely.

Indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill are not amortized. Finite-lived management contracts, which relate to acquired separate accounts and funds with a specified termination date, are amortized over their remaining useful lives.

The Company performs assessments to determine if any intangible assets are potentially impaired and whether the indefinite-lived and finite-lived classifications are still appropriate. The carrying value of finite-lived management contracts and their remaining useful lives are reviewed at least annually to determine if circumstances exist which may indicate a potential impairment or revisions to the amortization period. The Company performs impairment assessments of all of its intangible assets at least annually, as of July 31st.

In evaluating whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of indefinite-lived intangibles is less than its carrying value, BlackRock assesses various significant qualitative factors, including assets under management (“AUM”), revenue basis points, projected AUM growth rates, operating margins, tax rates and discount rates. In addition, the Company considers other factors, including (i) macroeconomic conditions such as a deterioration in general economic conditions, limitations on accessing capital, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, or other developments in equity and credit markets; (ii) industry and market considerations such as a deterioration in the environment in which the entity operates, an increased competitive environment, a decline in market-dependent multiples or metrics, a change in the market for an entity’s services, or regulatory, legal or political developments; and (iii) entity-specific events, such as a change in management or key personnel, overall financial performance and litigation that could affect significant inputs used to determine the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset. If an indefinite-lived intangible is determined to be more likely than not impaired, then the fair value of the asset is compared with its carrying value and any excess of the carrying value over the fair value would be recognized as an expense in the period in which the impairment occurs.

For finite-lived intangible assets, if potential impairment circumstances are considered to exist, the Company will perform a recoverability test using an undiscounted cash flow analysis. Actual results could differ from these cash flow estimates, which could materially impact the impairment conclusion. If the carrying value of the asset is determined not to be recoverable based on the undiscounted cash flow test, the difference between the carrying value of the asset and its current fair value would be recognized as an expense in the period in which the impairment occurs.

Noncontrolling Interests. The Company reports noncontrolling interests as equity, separate from the parent’s equity, on the consolidated statements of financial condition. In addition, the Company’s consolidated net income on the consolidated statements of income includes the income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest holders of the Company’s consolidated investment products. Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests is not adjusted for income taxes for consolidated investment products that are treated as pass-through entities for tax purposes.

Classification and Measurement of Redeemable Securities. The Company includes redeemable noncontrolling interests related to certain consolidated investment products in temporary equity on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Treasury Stock. The Company records common stock purchased for treasury at cost. At the date of subsequent reissuance, the treasury stock account is reduced by the cost of such stock using the average cost method.

Revenue Recognition

Investment advisory and administration fees are recognized as the services are performed. Such fees are primarily based on agreed-upon percentages of the net asset value of AUM or committed capital. Investment advisory and administration fees are affected by changes in AUM, including market appreciation or depreciation, foreign exchange translation and net inflows or outflows. Investment advisory and administration fees for investment funds are shown net of fees waived pursuant to contractual expense limitations of the funds or voluntary waivers.

The Company contracts with third parties and related parties for various fund distribution and shareholder servicing to be performed on behalf of certain funds the Company manages. Such arrangements generally are priced as a portion of the fee paid by the fund. In certain cases, the fund (primarily international funds) takes on the primary responsibility for payment for services such that the Company bears no credit risk to the third-party. The Company currently records its management fees net of retrocessions. The Company has additional contracts for similar services with third parties, which due to the terms of the contracts, are recorded as distribution and servicing costs and thus not netted on the consolidated statements of income.

The Company earns revenue by lending securities as an agent on behalf of clients, primarily to brokerage institutions. Revenue is accounted for on an accrual basis. The securities loaned are secured by collateral, generally ranging from 102% to 112% of the value of the loaned securities. Generally, the revenue earned is shared between the Company and the funds or other third-party accounts managed by the Company from which the securities are borrowed. For 2017, 2016 and 2015, securities lending revenue earned by the Company totaled $597 million, $579 million and $513 million, respectively, and is recorded in investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue on the consolidated statements of income. Investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue are reported together as the fees for these services often are agreed upon with clients as a bundled fee.

The Company receives investment advisory performance fees or incentive allocations, from certain actively managed investment funds and certain separately managed accounts. These performance fees are dependent upon exceeding specified relative or absolute investment return thresholds. Such fees are recorded upon completion of the measurement period, which varies by product or account, and could be monthly, quarterly, annually or longer.

In addition, the Company is allocated carried interest from certain alternative investment products upon exceeding performance thresholds. BlackRock may be required to reverse/return all, or part, of such carried interest allocations depending upon future performance of these funds. Therefore, BlackRock records carried interest subject to such clawback provisions in Total Investments or cash/cash of consolidated VIEs to the extent that it is distributed, on its consolidated statements of financial condition. Carried interest is recorded as performance fee revenue upon the earlier of the termination of the investment fund or when the likelihood of clawback is considered mathematically improbable.

The Company records a deferred carried interest liability to the extent it receives cash or capital allocations related to carried interest prior to meeting the revenue recognition criteria. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had $219 million and $152 million, respectively, of deferred carried interest recorded in other liabilities/other liabilities of consolidated VIEs on the consolidated statements of financial condition. A portion of the deferred carried interest liability will be paid to certain employees. The ultimate timing of the recognition of performance fee revenue, if any, for these products is unknown.

The following table presents changes in the deferred carried interest liability (including the portion related to consolidated VIEs) for 2017 and 2016:

(in millions)

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Beginning balance

 

$

152

 

 

$

143

 

Net increase (decrease) in unrealized allocations

 

 

75

 

 

 

37

 

Performance fee revenue recognized

 

 

(21

)

 

 

(28

)

Acquisition

 

 

13

 

 

 

 

Ending balance

 

$

219

 

 

$

152

 

For 2017, 2016 and 2015, performance fee revenue (which included recognized carried interest) totaled $594 million, $295 million and $621 million, respectively.

Fees earned for technology and risk management revenue are recorded as services are performed and are generally determined using the value of positions on the Aladdin platform or on a fixed-rate basis. For 2017, 2016 and 2016, technology and risk management revenue totaled $677 million, $595 million and $528 million, respectively.

Adjustments to revenue arising from initial estimates recorded historically have been immaterial since the majority of BlackRock’s investment advisory and administration revenue is calculated based on AUM and since the Company does not record performance fee revenue until performance thresholds have been exceeded and the likelihood of clawback is mathematically improbable.

57


Accounting Developments

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers.    In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The guidance also changes the accounting for certain contract costs and revises the criteria for determining if an entity is acting as a principal or agent in certain arrangements.

The key changes in the standard that impact the Company’s revenue recognition relate to the presentation of certain revenue contracts and associated contract costs. The most significant of these changes relates to the presentation of certain distribution costs, which are currently presented net against revenues (contra-revenue) and will be presented as an expense on a gross basis.  The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 effective January 1, 2018 on a full retrospective basis, which will require 2016 and 2017 to be restated in future filings. The cumulative effect adjustment to the 2016 opening retained earnings was not material. The Company currently expects the net gross up to revenue to be approximately $1 billion with a corresponding gross up to expense for both 2016 and 2017. Consequently, the Company expects its GAAP operating margin to decline upon adoption due to the gross up of revenue. However, no material impact is expected on the Company’s as adjusted operating margin.

For accounting pronouncements that the Company adopted during the year ended December 31, 2017 and for additional recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted, see Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, in the consolidated financial statements contained in Part II, Item 8 of this filing.

Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

AUM Market Price Risk. BlackRock’s investment advisory and administration fees are primarily comprised of fees based on a percentage of the value of AUM and, in some cases, performance fees expressed as a percentage of the returns realized on AUM. At December 31, 2017, the majority of the Company’s investment advisory and administration fees were based on average or period end AUM of the applicable investment funds or separate accounts. Movements in equity market prices, interest rates/credit spreads, foreign exchange rates or all three could cause the value of AUM to decline, which would result in lower investment advisory and administration fees.

Corporate Investments Portfolio Risks. As a leading investment management firm, BlackRock devotes significant resources across all of its operations to identifying, measuring, monitoring, managing and analyzing market and operating risks, including the management and oversight of its own investment portfolio. The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted guidelines for the review of investments to be made by the Company, requiring, among other things, that investments be reviewed by certain senior officers of the Company, and that certain investments may be referred to the Audit Committee or the Board of Directors, depending on the circumstances, for approval.

In the normal course of its business, BlackRock is exposed to equity market price risk, interest rate/credit spread risk and foreign exchange rate risk associated with its corporate investments.

BlackRock has investments primarily in sponsored investment products that invest in a variety of asset classes, including real assets, private equity and hedge funds. Investments generally are made for co-investment purposes, to establish a performance track record, to hedge exposure to certain deferred compensation plans or for regulatory purposes. Currently, the Company has a seed capital hedging program in which it enters into swaps to hedge market and interest rate exposure to certain investments. At December 31, 2017, the Company had outstanding total return swaps with an aggregate notional value of approximately $587 million. At December 31, 2017, there were no outstanding interest rate swaps.

At December 31, 2017, approximately $2.0 billion of BlackRock’s Total Investments were maintained in consolidated sponsored investment funds accounted for as VREs and VIEs. Excluding the impact of the Federal Reserve Bank stock, carried interest, investments made to hedge exposure to certain deferred compensation plans and certain investments that are hedged via the seed capital hedging program, the Company’s economic exposure to its investment portfolio is $2.1 billion. See Balance Sheet Overview-Investments and Investments of Consolidated VIEs in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for further information on the Company’s Total Investments.

Equity Market Price Risk. At December 31, 2017, the Company’s net exposure to equity market price risk in its investment portfolio was approximately $946 million of the Company’s total economic investment exposure. Investments subject to market price risk include private equity and real assets investments, hedge funds and funds of funds as well as mutual funds. The Company estimates that a hypothetical 10% adverse change in market prices would result in a decrease of approximately $94.6 million in the carrying value of such investments.

Interest-Rate/Credit Spread Risk. At December 31, 2017, the Company was exposed to interest rate risk and credit spread risk as a result of approximately $1,176 million of Total Investments in debt securities and sponsored investment products that invest primarily in debt securities. Management considered a hypothetical 100 basis point fluctuation in interest rates or credit spreads and estimates that the impact of such a fluctuation on these investments, in the aggregate, would result in a decrease, or increase, of approximately $19 million in the carrying value of such investments.

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk. As discussed above, the Company invests in sponsored investment products that invest in a variety of asset classes. The carrying value of the total economic investment exposure denominated in foreign currencies, primarily the British pound and Euro, was $483 million at December 31, 2017. A 10% adverse change in the applicable foreign exchange rates would result in approximately a $48.3 million decline in the carrying value of such investments.

Other Market Risks. The Company executes forward foreign currency exchange contracts to mitigate the risk of certain foreign exchange risk movements. At December 31, 2017, the Company had outstanding forward foreign currency exchange contracts with an aggregate notional value of approximately $1.5 billion.


Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplemental Data

The report of the independent registered public accounting firm and financial statements listed in the accompanying index are included in Item 15 of this report. See Index to the consolidated financial statements on page F-1 of this Form 10-K.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

There have been no disagreements on accounting and financial disclosure matters. BlackRock has not changed accountants in the two most recent fiscal years.

Item 9a. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Under the direction of BlackRock’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, BlackRock evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 10-K. Based on this evaluation, BlackRock’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that BlackRock’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

59


Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management of BlackRock, Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the Company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and includes those policies and procedures that:

pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with the authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and

provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2017, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

February 28, 2018

60


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of BlackRock, Inc.:

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of BlackRock, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated statement of financial condition as of December 31, 2017 and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for the year then ended of the Company and our report dated February 28, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

Basis for Opinion  

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

New York, New York

February 28, 2018

61


Item 9b. Other Information

The Company is furnishing no other information in this Form 10-K.

Part III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information regarding directors and executive officers set forth under the captions “Item 1: Election of Directors – Director Nominee Biographies” and “Item 1: Election of Directors  – Corporate Governance – Other Executive Officers” of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

The information regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act set forth under the caption “Item 1: Election of Directors – Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

The information regarding BlackRock’s Code of Ethics for Chief Executive and Senior Financial Officers under the caption “Item 1: Election of Directors – Corporate Governance – Our Corporate Governance Framework” of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information contained in the sections captioned “Item 2: Non-Binding Advisory Vote on Compensation for Named Executive Officers – Executive Compensation – Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Item 1: Election of Directors – Corporate Governance – 2017 Director Compensation” of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information contained in the sections captioned “Item 1: Election of Directors – Ownership of BlackRock Common and Preferred Stock” and “Item 2 – Non-Binding Advisory Vote on Compensation for Named Executive Officers – Executive Compensation – Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Our Compensation Program – BlackRock Performance Incentive Plan (“BPIP”)” of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information contained in the sections captioned “Item 1: Election of Directors – Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Item 1: Election of Directors – Corporate Governance – Corporate Governance Practices and Policies– Director Independence” of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information regarding BlackRock’s independent auditor fees and services in the section captioned “Item 4: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Part IV

Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

1. Financial Statements

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are included beginning on page F-1.

2. Financial Statement Schedules

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges has been included as Exhibit 12.1. All other schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable, not required or the information required is included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

3. Exhibit Index

As used in this exhibit list, “BlackRock” refers to BlackRock, Inc. (formerly named New BlackRock, Inc. and previously, New Boise, Inc.) (Commission File No. 001-33099) and “Old BlackRock” refers to BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. (formerly named BlackRock, Inc.) (Commission File No. 001-15305), which is the predecessor of BlackRock. The following exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

Please note that the agreements included as exhibits to this Form 10-K are included to provide information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about BlackRock or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement that have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.


62


Exhibit No.

Description

3.1(1)

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of BlackRock.

3.2(2)

Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of BlackRock, Inc.

3.3(3)

Amended and Restated Bylaws of BlackRock.

3.4(1)

Certificate of Designations of Series A Convertible Participating Preferred Stock of BlackRock.

3.5(4)

Certificate of Designations of Series B Convertible Participating Preferred Stock of BlackRock.

3.6(4)

Certificate of Designations of Series C Convertible Participating Preferred Stock of BlackRock.

3.7(5)

Certificate of Designations of Series D Convertible Participating Preferred Stock of BlackRock.

4.1(6)

Specimen of Common Stock Certificate.

4.2(7)

Indenture, dated September 17, 2007, between BlackRock and The Bank of New York, as trustee, relating to senior debt securities.

4.3(8)

Form of 6.25% Notes due 2017.

4.4(9)

Form of 5.00% Notes due 2019.

4.5(10)

Form of 4.25% Notes due 2021.

4.6(11)

Form of 3.375% Notes due 2022.

4.7(12)

Form of 3.500% Notes due 2024.

4.8(13)

Form of 1.250% Notes due 2025.

4.9(14)

Form of 3.200% Notes due 2027.

4.10(13)

Officers’ Certificate, dated May 6, 2015, for the 1.250% Notes due 2025 issued pursuant to the 
Indenture.

10.1(15)

BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+

10.2(16)

Amended and Restated BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Annual Incentive Performance Plan.+

10.3(17)

Amendment No. 1 to the BlackRock, Inc. Amended and Restated 1999 Annual Incentive Performance Plan.+

10.4(18)

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+

10.5(18)

Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (BPIP) under the BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+

10.6(1)

Form of Stock Option Agreement expected to be used in connection with future grants of Stock Options under the BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+

10.7(1)

Form of Restricted Stock Agreement expected to be used in connection with future grants of Restricted Stock under the BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+

10.8(1)

Form of Directors’ Restricted Stock Unit Agreement expected to be used in connection with future grants of Restricted Stock Units under the BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+

10.9(15)

BlackRock, Inc. Amended and Restated Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated as of November 16, 2015.+

10.10(19)

Share Surrender Agreement, dated October 10, 2002 (the “Share Surrender Agreement”), among Old BlackRock, PNC Asset Management, Inc. and The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.+

10.11(20)

First Amendment, dated as of February 15, 2006, to the Share Surrender Agreement.+

10.12(21)

Second Amendment, dated as of June 11, 2007, to the Share Surrender Agreement.+

10.13(4)

Third Amendment, dated as of February 27, 2009, to the Share Surrender Agreement.+

10.14(22)

Fourth Amendment, dated as of August 7, 2012, to the Share Surrender Agreement.+

10.15(23)

Five-Year Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2011, by and among BlackRock, Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender, issuing lender and L/C agent, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, as Japanese Yen lender, a group of lenders, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Barclays Capital, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, Citibank, N.A., as syndication agent and Bank of America, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as documentation agents.

10.16(24)

Amendment No. 1, dated as of March 30, 2012, by and among BlackRock, Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender, issuing lender, L/C agent and a lender, and the banks and other financial institutions referred to therein.

10.17(25)

Amendment No. 2, dated as of March 28, 2013, by and among BlackRock, Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender, issuing lender, L/C agent and a lender, and the banks and other financial institutions referred to therein.

10.18(26)

Amendment No. 3, dated as of March 28, 2014, by and among BlackRock, Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender, issuing lender, L/C agent and a lender, and the banks and other financial institutions referred to therein.

10.19(27)

Amendment No. 4, dated as of April 2, 2015, by and among BlackRock, Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender, issuing lender, L/C agent and a lender, and the banks and other financial institutions referred to therein.

10.20(28)

Amendment No. 5, dated as of April 8, 2016, by and among BlackRock, Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender, issuing lender, L/C agent and a lender, and the banks and other financial institutions referred to therein.

10.21(29)

Amendment No. 6, dated as of April 6, 2017, by and among BlackRock, Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender, issuing lender, L/C agent and a lender, and the banks and other financial institutions referred to therein.

10.22(4)

Amended and Restated Implementation and Stockholder Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2009, between The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. and BlackRock.

10.23(30)

Amendment No. 1, dated as of June 11, 2009, to the Amended and Restated Implementation and Stockholder Agreement between The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. and BlackRock.

63


10.24(31)

Lease Agreement, dated as of February 17, 2010, among BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited and Mourant & Co Trustees Limited and Mourant Property Trustees Limited as Trustees of the Drapers Gardens Unit Trust for the lease of Drapers Gardens, 12 Throgmorton Avenue, London, EC2, United Kingdom.

10.25(32)

Lease, by and between BlackRock, Inc. and 50 HYMC Holdings LLC.*

10.26(33)

Letter Agreement, dated February 12, 2013, between Gary S. Shedlin and BlackRock.+

10.27(34)

Amended and Restated Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement between BlackRock and Barclays Capital Inc., dated as of December 23, 2014.

10.28(34)

Amended and Restated Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement between BlackRock and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., dated as of December 23, 2014.

10.29(34)

Amended and Restated Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement between BlackRock and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, dated as of January 6, 2015.

10.30(34)

Amended and Restated Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement between BlackRock and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC dated as of January 6, 2015.

12.1

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

21.1

Subsidiaries of Registrant.

23.1

Deloitte & Touche LLP Consent.

31.1

Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

31.2

Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

32.1

Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

(1)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 5, 2006.

(2)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 25, 2012.

(3)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 22, 2016.

(4)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 27, 2009.

(5)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 3, 2009.

(6)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-137708) filed on September 29, 2006.

(7)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

(8)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 17, 2007.

(9)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 10, 2009.

(10)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 25, 2011.

(11)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2012.

(12)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 18, 2014.

(13)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2015.

(14)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2017.

(15)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

(16)

Incorporated by reference to Old BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

(17)

Incorporated by reference to Old BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 24, 2006.

(18)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015

(19)

Incorporated by reference to Old BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002.

(20)

Incorporated by reference to Old BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 22, 2006.

(21)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 15, 2007.

(22)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012.

(23)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on August 24, 2012.

(24)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 4, 2012.

(25)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 3, 2013.

(26)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2014.

(27)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 3, 2015.

(28)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 14, 2016.

(29)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 11, 2017.

(30)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 17, 2009.


(31)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

(32)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017.

(33)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 19, 2013.

(34)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

+

Denotes compensatory plans or arrangements.

*        Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment order from the SEC.

65


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

BLACKROCK, INC.

By:

/s/ LAURENCE D. FINK

Laurence D. Fink

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director

February 28, 2018

Each of the officers and directors of BlackRock, Inc. whose signature appears below, in so signing, also makes, constitutes and appoints Laurence D. Fink, Gary S. Shedlin, Christopher J. Meade, Daniel R. Waltcher and R. Andrew Dickson III, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power and substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to execute and cause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments to the Annual Report on Form 10-K, with exhibits thereto and other documents connected therewith and to perform any acts necessary to be done in order to file such documents, and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorney-in-fact or his or her substitute or substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature

Title

Date

/S/ LAURENCE D. FINK

Laurence D. Fink

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

February 28, 2018

/S/ GARY S. SHEDLIN

Gary S. Shedlin

Senior Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

February 28, 2018

/S/ MARC D. COMERCHERO

Marc D. Comerchero

Managing Director and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)

February 28, 2018

/S/ MATHIS CABIALLAVETTA

Director

February 28, 2018

Mathis Cabiallavetta

/S/ PAMELA DALEY

Director

February 28, 2018

Pamela Daley

/S/ WILLIAM S. DEMCHAK

Director

February 28, 2018

William S. Demchak

/S/ JESSICA EINHORN

Director

February 28, 2018

Jessica P. Einhorn

/S/ FABRIZIO FREDA

Director

February 28, 2018

Fabrizio Freda

/S/ MURRY S. GERBER

Director

February 28, 2018

Murry S. Gerber

/S/ JAMES GROSFELD

Director

February 28, 2018

James Grosfeld

/S/ ROBERT S. KAPITO

Director

February 28, 2018

Robert S. Kapito

/S/ SIR DERYCK MAUGHAN

Director

February 28, 2018

Sir Deryck Maughan

/S/ CHERYL D. MILLS

Director

February 28, 2018

Cheryl D. Mills

/S/ GORDON M. NIXON 

Director

February 28, 2018

Gordon M. Nixon

/S/ CHARLES H. ROBBINS

Director

February 28, 2018

Charles H. Robbins

/S/ IVAN G. SEIDENBERG

Director

February 28, 2018

Ivan G. Seidenberg

/S/ MARCO ANTONIO SLIM DOMIT

Director

February 28, 2018

Marco Antonio Slim Domit

/S/ SUSAN L. WAGNER

Director

February 28, 2018

Susan L. Wagner

66


INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

F-2

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

F-3

Consolidated Statements of Income

F-4

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

F-5

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

F-6

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

F-8

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

F-9

F-1


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of BlackRock, Inc.:

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of BlackRock, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 28, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

New York, New York

February 28, 2018

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2002.

F-2


BlackRock, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

(in millions, except shares and per share data)

 

December 31,

2017

 

 

December 31,

2016

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

6,894

 

 

$

6,091

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

2,699

 

 

 

2,115

 

Investments

 

 

1,981

 

 

 

1,595

 

Assets of consolidated variable interest entities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

144

 

 

 

84

 

Investments

 

 

1,493

 

 

 

1,008

 

Other assets

 

 

66

 

 

 

63

 

Separate account assets

 

 

149,937

 

 

 

149,089

 

Separate account collateral held under securities lending agreements

 

 

24,190

 

 

 

27,792

 

Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $658 and $601 at December 31,

   2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)

 

 

592

 

 

 

559

 

Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $219 and $832 at December 31, 2017

   and December 31, 2016, respectively)

 

 

17,389

 

 

 

17,363

 

Goodwill

 

 

13,220

 

 

 

13,118

 

Other assets

 

 

1,612

 

 

 

1,300

 

Total assets

 

$

220,217

 

 

$

220,177

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued compensation and benefits

 

$

2,153

 

 

$

1,880

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

1,161

 

 

 

880

 

Liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities

 

 

369

 

 

 

216

 

Borrowings

 

 

5,014

 

 

 

4,915

 

Separate account liabilities

 

 

149,937

 

 

 

149,089

 

Separate account collateral liabilities under securities lending agreements

 

 

24,190

 

 

 

27,792

 

Deferred income tax liabilities

 

 

3,538

 

 

 

4,840

 

Other liabilities

 

 

1,564

 

 

 

1,221

 

Total liabilities

 

 

187,926

 

 

 

190,833

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

 

 

416

 

 

 

194

 

Permanent Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BlackRock, Inc. stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $ 0.01 par value;

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

Shares authorized: 500,000,000 at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016;

  Shares issued: 171,252,185 at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016;

  Shares outstanding: 159,977,115 and 161,534,443 at December 31, 2017 and

  December 31, 2016, respectively

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series B nonvoting participating preferred stock, $0.01 par value;

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares authorized: 150,000,000 at December 31, 2017 and 2016; Shares issued and outstanding:

   823,188 at December 31, 2017 and 2016;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series C nonvoting participating preferred stock, $0.01 par value;

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares authorized: 6,000,000 at December 31, 2017 and 2016; Shares issued and outstanding:

   246,522 at December 31, 2017 and 763,660 at December 31, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

19,256

 

 

 

19,337

 

Retained earnings

 

 

16,966

 

 

 

13,660

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(432

)

 

 

(716

)

Treasury stock, common, at cost (11,275,070 and 9,717,742 shares held at December 31, 2017 and

   December 31, 2016, respectively)

 

 

(3,967

)

 

 

(3,185

)

Total BlackRock, Inc. stockholders’ equity

 

 

31,825

 

 

 

29,098

 

Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests

 

 

50

 

 

 

52

 

Total permanent equity

 

 

31,875

 

 

 

29,150

 

Total liabilities, temporary equity and permanent equity

 

$

220,217

 

 

$

220,177

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-3


BlackRock, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Income

(in millions, except shares and per share data)

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related parties

 

$

7,740

 

 

$

6,836

 

 

$

6,875

 

Other third parties

 

 

3,153

 

 

 

3,044

 

 

 

2,965

 

Total investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue

 

 

10,893

 

 

 

9,880

 

 

 

9,840

 

Investment advisory performance fees

 

 

594

 

 

 

295

 

 

 

621

 

Technology and risk management revenue

 

 

677

 

 

 

595

 

 

 

528

 

Distribution fees

 

 

24

 

 

 

41

 

 

 

55

 

Advisory and other revenue

 

 

303

 

 

 

344

 

 

 

357

 

Total revenue

 

 

12,491

 

 

 

11,155

 

 

 

11,401

 

Expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee compensation and benefits

 

 

4,255

 

 

 

3,880

 

 

 

4,005

 

Distribution and servicing costs

 

 

492

 

 

 

429

 

 

 

409

 

Amortization of deferred sales commissions

 

 

17

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

48

 

Direct fund expense

 

 

904

 

 

 

766

 

 

 

767

 

General and administration

 

 

1,462

 

 

 

1,301

 

 

 

1,380

 

Restructuring charge

 

 

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

89

 

 

 

99

 

 

 

128

 

Total expense

 

 

7,219

 

 

 

6,585

 

 

 

6,737

 

Operating income

 

 

5,272

 

 

 

4,570

 

 

 

4,664

 

Nonoperating income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net gain (loss) on investments

 

 

161

 

 

 

55

 

 

 

116

 

Interest and dividend income

 

 

49

 

 

 

40

 

 

 

26

 

Interest expense

 

 

(205

)

 

 

(205

)

 

 

(204

)

Total nonoperating income (expense)

 

 

5

 

 

 

(110

)

 

 

(62

)

Income before income taxes

 

 

5,277

 

 

 

4,460

 

 

 

4,602

 

Income tax expense

 

 

270

 

 

 

1,290

 

 

 

1,250

 

Net income

 

 

5,007

 

 

 

3,170

 

 

 

3,352

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

37

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

7

 

Net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc.

 

$

4,970

 

 

$

3,172

 

 

$

3,345

 

Earnings per share attributable to BlackRock, Inc. common stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

30.65

 

 

$

19.29

 

 

$

20.10

 

Diluted

 

$

30.23

 

 

$

19.04

 

 

$

19.79

 

Cash dividends declared and paid per share

 

$

10.00

 

 

$

9.16

 

 

$

8.72

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

162,160,601

 

 

 

164,425,858

 

 

 

166,390,009

 

Diluted

 

 

164,415,035

 

 

 

166,579,752

 

 

 

169,038,571

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-4


BlackRock, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(in millions)

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Net income

 

$

5,007

 

 

$

3,170

 

 

$

3,352

 

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments(1)

 

 

285

 

 

 

(269

)

 

 

(173

)

Other

 

 

(1

)

 

 

1

 

 

 

(2

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

284

 

 

 

(268

)

 

 

(175

)

Comprehensive income

 

 

5,291

 

 

 

2,902

 

 

 

3,177

 

Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

37

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

7

 

Comprehensive income attributable to BlackRock, Inc.

 

$

5,254

 

 

$

2,904

 

 

$

3,170

 

(1) Amount for 2017 includes a loss from a net investment hedge of $64 million (net of a tax benefit of $38 million). Amount for 2016 and 2015 include a gain from a net investment hedge of $14 million (net of tax of $8 million) and $19 million (net of tax of $11 million), respectively.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


BlackRock, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

(in millions)

 

Additional

Paid-in

Capital(1)

 

 

Retained

Earnings

 

 

Appropriated

Retained

Earnings

 

 

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

 

 

Treasury

Stock

Common

 

 

Total

BlackRock

Stockholders’

Equity

 

 

Nonredeemable

Noncontrolling

Interests

 

 

Total

Permanent

Equity

 

 

Redeemable

Noncontrolling

Interests /

Temporary

Equity

 

December 31, 2014

 

$

19,388

 

 

$

10,164

 

 

$

(19

)

 

$

(273

)

 

$

(1,894

)

 

$

27,366

 

 

$

119

 

 

$

27,485

 

 

$

35

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

3,345

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,345

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

3,351

 

 

 

1

 

Net consolidation (deconsolidation) of VIEs due to adoption

   of new accounting pronouncement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

11

 

 

 

194

 

Dividends paid

 

 

 

 

 

(1,476

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,476

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,476

)

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

514

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

514

 

 

 

 

 

 

514

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common shares related to employee stock

   transactions

 

 

(600

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

736

 

 

 

136

 

 

 

 

 

 

136

 

 

 

 

Employee tax withholdings related to employee stock

   transactions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(231

)

 

 

(231

)

 

 

 

 

 

(231

)

 

 

 

Shares repurchased

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,100

)

 

 

(1,100

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,100

)

 

 

 

Net tax benefit (shortfall) from stock-based compensation

 

 

105

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

105

 

 

 

 

 

 

105

 

 

 

 

Subscriptions (redemptions/distributions)

   — noncontrolling interest holders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(34

)

 

 

(34

)

 

 

518

 

Net consolidations (deconsolidations) of sponsored

   investment funds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(284

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(175

)

 

 

 

 

 

(175

)

 

 

 

 

 

(175

)

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

$

19,407

 

 

$

12,033

 

 

$

 

 

$

(448

)

 

$

(2,489

)

 

$

28,503

 

 

$

77

 

 

$

28,580

 

 

$

464

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

3,172

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,172

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

3,170

 

 

 

 

Dividends paid

 

 

 

 

 

(1,545

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,545

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,545

)

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

521

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

521

 

 

 

 

 

 

521

 

 

 

 

PNC preferred stock capital contribution

 

 

172

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

172

 

 

 

 

 

 

172

 

 

 

 

Retirement of preferred stock

 

 

(172

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(172

)

 

 

 

 

 

(172

)

 

 

 

Issuance of common shares related to employee stock

   transactions

 

 

(667

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

703

 

 

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

 

36

 

 

 

 

Employee tax withholdings related to employee stock

   transactions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(274

)

 

 

(274

)

 

 

 

 

 

(274

)

 

 

 

Shares repurchased

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,125

)

 

 

(1,125

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,125

)

 

 

 

Net tax benefit (shortfall) from stock-based compensation

 

 

78

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

78

 

 

 

 

 

 

78

 

 

 

 

Subscriptions (redemptions/distributions)

   — noncontrolling interest holders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(23

)

 

 

(23

)

 

 

1,169

 

Net consolidations (deconsolidations) of sponsored

   investment funds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,439

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(268

)

 

 

 

 

 

(268

)

 

 

 

 

 

(268

)

 

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

$

19,339

 

 

$

13,660

 

 

$

 

 

$

(716

)

 

$

(3,185

)

 

$

29,098

 

 

$

52

 

 

$

29,150

 

 

$

194

 

(1)

Amounts include $2 million of common stock at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


BlackRock, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

(in millions)

 

Additional

Paid-in

Capital(1)

 

 

Retained

Earnings

 

 

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

 

 

Treasury

Stock

Common

 

 

Total

BlackRock

Stockholders’

Equity

 

 

Nonredeemable

Noncontrolling

Interests

 

 

Total

Permanent

Equity

 

 

Redeemable

Noncontrolling

Interests /

Temporary

Equity

 

December 31, 2016

 

$

19,339

 

 

$

13,660

 

 

$

(716

)

 

$

(3,185

)

 

$

29,098

 

 

$

52

 

 

$

29,150

 

 

$

194

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

4,970

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,970

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

4,972

 

 

 

35

 

Dividends paid

 

 

 

 

 

(1,662

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,662

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,662

)

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

542

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

542

 

 

 

 

 

 

542

 

 

 

 

PNC preferred stock capital contribution

 

 

193

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

193

 

 

 

 

 

 

193

 

 

 

 

Retirement of preferred stock

 

 

(193

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(193

)

 

 

 

 

 

(193

)

 

 

 

Issuance of common shares related to employee stock

   transactions

 

 

(626

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

639

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

 

Employee tax withholdings related to employee stock

   transactions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(321

)

 

 

(321

)

 

 

 

 

 

(321

)

 

 

 

Shares repurchased

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,100

)

 

 

(1,100

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,100

)

 

 

 

Subscriptions (redemptions/distributions)

   — noncontrolling interest holders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(18

)

 

 

(18

)

 

 

482

 

Net consolidations (deconsolidations) of sponsored

   investment funds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

(295

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

284

 

 

 

 

 

 

284

 

 

 

 

 

 

284

 

 

 

 

Adoption of new accounting pronouncement

 

 

3

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2017

 

$

19,258

 

 

$

16,966

 

 

$

(432

)

 

$

(3,967

)

 

$

31,825

 

 

$

50

 

 

$

31,875

 

 

$

416

 

(1)

Amounts include $2 million of common stock at both December 31, 2017 and 2016.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


BlackRock, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in millions)

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

5,007

 

 

$

3,170

 

 

$

3,352

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

240

 

 

 

263

 

 

 

295

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

542

 

 

 

521

 

 

 

514

 

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

(1,221

)

 

 

(14

)

 

 

(156

)

Other gains

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(40

)

Assets and liabilities of consolidated VIEs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(81

)

 

 

(119

)

 

 

(98

)

Net (gains) losses within consolidated VIEs

 

 

(118

)

 

 

(16

)

 

 

(58

)

Net (purchases) proceeds within consolidated VIEs

 

 

(302

)

 

 

(816

)

 

 

(227

)

(Earnings) losses from equity method investees

 

 

(122

)

 

 

(113

)

 

 

(91

)

Distributions of earnings from equity method investees

 

 

35

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

41

 

Other adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(521

)

 

 

(65

)

 

 

(82

)

Investments, trading

 

 

(222

)

 

 

(449

)

 

 

(584

)

Other assets

 

 

(212

)

 

 

(151

)

 

 

(195

)

Accrued compensation and benefits

 

 

276

 

 

 

(86

)

 

 

98

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

308

 

 

 

26

 

 

 

(41

)

Other liabilities

 

 

219

 

 

 

(28

)

 

 

262

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

3,828

 

 

 

2,154

 

 

 

3,004

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of investments

 

 

(489

)

 

 

(377

)

 

 

(330

)

Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments

 

 

166

 

 

 

378

 

 

 

456

 

Distributions of capital from equity method investees

 

 

32

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

66

 

Net consolidations (deconsolidations) of sponsored investment funds

 

 

(39

)

 

 

(74

)

 

 

(163

)

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 

(102

)

 

 

(30

)

 

 

(273

)

Purchases of property and equipment

 

 

(155

)

 

 

(119

)

 

 

(221

)

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

(587

)

 

 

(188

)

 

 

(465

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

 

 

697

 

 

 

 

 

 

787

 

Repayments of long-term borrowings

 

 

(700

)

 

 

 

 

 

(750

)

Cash dividends paid

 

 

(1,662

)

 

 

(1,545

)

 

 

(1,476

)

Proceeds from stock options exercised

 

 

 

 

 

26

 

 

 

126

 

Repurchases of common stock

 

 

(1,421

)

 

 

(1,399

)

 

 

(1,331

)

Net (redemptions/distributions paid)/subscriptions received from noncontrolling

   interest holders

 

 

464

 

 

 

1,146

 

 

 

484

 

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

82

 

 

 

105

 

Other financing activities

 

 

(8

)

 

 

5

 

 

 

(9

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

(2,630

)

 

 

(1,685

)

 

 

(2,064

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

192

 

 

 

(273

)

 

 

(115

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

803

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

360

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

 

 

6,091

 

 

 

6,083

 

 

 

5,723

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

 

$

6,894

 

 

$

6,091

 

 

$

6,083

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

$

205

 

 

$

198

 

 

$

194

 

Income taxes (net of refunds)

 

$

1,124

 

 

$

1,365

 

 

$

1,276

 

Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing transactions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of common stock

 

$

626

 

 

$

667

 

 

$

600

 

PNC preferred stock capital contribution

 

$

193

 

 

$

172

 

 

$

 

Increase (decrease) in noncontrolling interests due to net consolidation (deconsolidation) of

   sponsored investment funds

 

$

(281

)

 

$

(1,439

)

 

$

(104

)

Increase (decrease) in borrowings due to consolidation/deconsolidation of VIEs

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

(3,389

)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



BlackRock, Inc.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Introduction and Basis of Presentation

Business. BlackRock, Inc. (together, with its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise indicates, “BlackRock” or the “Company”) is a leading publicly traded investment management firm providing a broad range of investment and risk management services to institutional and retail clients worldwide.

BlackRock’s diverse platform of active (alpha) and index (beta) investment strategies across asset classes enables the Company to tailor investment outcomes and asset allocation solutions for clients. Product offerings include single- and multi-asset portfolios investing in equities, fixed income, alternatives and money market instruments. Products are offered directly and through intermediaries in a variety of vehicles, including open-end and closed-end mutual funds, iShares® exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), separate accounts, collective investment trusts and other pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock also offers an investment and risk management platform, Aladdin®, risk analytics, advisory and technology services and solutions to a broad base of institutional and wealth management investors.

At December 31, 2017, The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”) held 21.2% of the Company’s voting common stock and 21.7% of the Company’s capital stock, which includes outstanding common and nonvoting preferred stock.

Basis of Presentation. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company and its controlled subsidiaries. Noncontrolling interests on the consolidated statements of financial condition represents the portion of consolidated sponsored investment funds in which the Company does not have direct equity ownership. Accounts and transactions between consolidated entities have been eliminated.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Certain items previously reported have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Beginning with the first quarter of 2017, Aladdin revenue previously reported within “BlackRock Solutions® and advisory” has been presented within “Technology and risk management revenue” on the consolidated statements of income.  The remaining previously reported “BlackRock Solutions and advisory” revenue is currently reported as part of “Advisory and other revenue.” The prior period amounts reported for BlackRock Solutions and advisory for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

Cash and Cash Equivalents.Cash and cash equivalents primarily consists of cash, money market funds and short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less in which the Company is exposed to market and credit risk. Cash and cash equivalent balances that are legally restricted from use by the Company are recorded in other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Cash balances maintained by consolidated voting rights entities (“VREs”) are not considered legally restricted and are included in cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Cash balances maintained by consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”)are included in assets of consolidated variable interest entities on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Investments. Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities. BlackRock classifies debt and marketable equity investments as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity based on the Company’s intent to sell the security or, for a debt security, the Company’s intent and ability to hold the debt security to maturity.

Trading securities are those investments that are purchased principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term. Trading securities are carried at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition with changes in fair value recorded in nonoperating income (expense) on the consolidated statements of income in the period of the change.

Held-to-maturity debt securities are purchased with the positive intent and ability to be held to maturity and are recorded at amortized cost on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Available-for-sale securities are those securities that are not classified as trading or held-to-maturity. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition with changes in fair value recorded in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component of stockholders’ equity in the period of the change. Upon the disposition of an available-for-sale security, the Company reclassifies the gain or loss on the security from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to nonoperating income (expense) on the consolidated statements of income.

Equity Method. For equity investments where BlackRock does not control the investee, and where it is not the primary beneficiary (“PB”) of a VIE, but can exert significant influence over the financial and operating policies of the investee, the Company follows the equity method of accounting. BlackRock’s share of the investee’s underlying net income or loss is recorded as net gain (loss) on investments within nonoperating income (expense) and as other revenue for certain strategic investments since such companies are considered to be an extension of BlackRock’s core business. BlackRock’s share of net income of the investee is recorded based upon the most current information available at the time, which may precede the date of the consolidated statement of financial condition. Distributions received from the investment reduce the Company’s carrying value of the investee and the cost basis if deemed to be a return of capital.


Cost Method. For nonmarketable equity investments where BlackRock neither controls nor has significant influence over the investee, the investments are accounted for using the cost method of accounting. Dividends received from the investment are recorded as dividend income within nonoperating income (expense).

Impairments of Investments. Management periodically assesses equity method, available-for-sale, held-to-maturity and cost investments for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”). If an OTTI exists, an impairment charge is recorded in nonoperating income (expense) on the consolidated statements of the income.

For equity method, held-to-maturity and cost method investments, if circumstances indicate that an OTTI may exist, the investments are evaluated using market values, where available, or the expected future cash flows of the investment. If the Company determines an OTTI exists, an impairment charge is recognized for the excess of the carrying amount of the investment over its estimated fair value.

For available-for-sale securities, when the fair value is lower than cost, the Company considers, among other factors, the length of time the security has been in a loss position, the extent to which the security’s fair value is less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the security’s issuer and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security for a length of time sufficient to allow for recovery of such unrealized losses. For equity securities, if the impairment is considered other-than-temporary, an impairment charge is recognized for the excess of the carrying amount of the investment over its fair value. For debt securities, the Company considers whether: (1) it has the intent to sell the security; (2) it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery; or (3) it expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. If the Company intends to sell the security or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security, the entire difference between the amortized cost and fair value must be recognized in earnings.  If the Company does not intend to sell a security and it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security but the security has suffered an impairment related to credit, the credit loss will be bifurcated from the total decline in value and recorded in earnings with the remaining portion recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.

For the Company’s investments in collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), the Company reviews cash flow estimates over the life of each CLO investment.  If the present value of the estimated future cash flows is lower than the carrying value of the investment and there is an adverse change in estimated cash flows, an impairment is considered to be other-than-temporary. An impairment charge is recognized for the excess of the carrying amount of the investment over its estimated fair value.

Consolidation.  The Company performs an analysis for investment products to determine if the product is a VIE or a VRE. Assessing whether an entity is a VIE or a VRE involves judgment and analysis. Factors considered in this assessment include the entity’s legal organization, the entity’s capital structure and equity ownership, and any related party or de facto agent implications of the Company’s involvement with the entity. Investments that are determined to be VIEs are consolidated if the Company is the PB of the entity. VREs are typically consolidated if the Company holds the majority voting interest. Upon the occurrence of certain events (such as contributions and redemptions, either by the Company, or third parties, or amendments to the governing documents of the Company’s investment products), management reviews and reconsiders its previous conclusion regarding the status of an entity as a VIE or a VRE. Additionally, management continually reconsiders whether the Company is deemed to be a VIE’s PB that consolidates such entity.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. Certain investment products for which a controlling financial interest is achieved through arrangements that do not involve or are not directly linked to voting interests are deemed VIEs. BlackRock reviews factors, including whether or not i) the entity has equity that is sufficient to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated support from other parties and ii) the equity holders at risk have the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns, and the right to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, to determine if the investment product is a VIE. BlackRock re-evaluates such factors as facts and circumstances change.

The PB of a VIE is defined as the variable interest holder that has a controlling financial interest in the VIE. A controlling financial interest is defined as (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that potentially could be significant to the VIE. The Company generally consolidates VIEs in which it holds an equity ownership interest of 10% or greater and deconsolidates such VIEs once equity ownership falls below 10%.

Consolidation of Voting Rights Entities. BlackRock is required to consolidate an investee to the extent that BlackRock can exert control over the financial and operating policies of the investee, which generally exists if there is a greater than 50% voting equity interest.

Retention of Specialized Investment Company Accounting Principles. Upon consolidation of sponsored investment funds, the Company retains the specialized investment company accounting principles of the underlying funds. All of the underlying investments held by such consolidated sponsored investment funds are carried at fair value with corresponding changes in the investments’ fair values reflected in nonoperating income (expense) on the consolidated statements of income. When the Company no longer controls these funds due to reduced ownership percentage or other reasons, the funds are deconsolidated and accounted for as an equity method investment, available-for-sale security or trading investment if the Company still maintains an investment.

Money Market Fee Waivers. The Company is currently voluntarily waiving a portion of its management fees on certain money market funds to ensure that they maintain a targeted level of daily net investment income (the “Yield Support waivers”). During 2017, 2016 and 2015, these waivers resulted in a reduction of management fees of approximately $6 million, $56 million and $137 million, respectively. Approximately 0%, 35% and 50% of Yield Support waivers for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, were offset by a reduction of BlackRock’s distribution and servicing costs paid to a financial intermediary. BlackRock may increase or decrease the level of fee waivers in future periods.


Separate Account Assets and LiabilitiesSeparate account assets are maintained by BlackRock Life Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, which is a registered life insurance company in the United Kingdom, and represent segregated assets held for purposes of funding individual and group pension contracts. The life insurance company does not underwrite any insurance contracts that involve any insurance risk transfer from the insured to the life insurance company. The separate account assets primarily include equity securities, debt securities, money market funds and derivatives. The separate account assets are not subject to general claims of the creditors of BlackRock. These separate account assets and the related equal and offsetting liabilities are recorded as separate account assets and separate account liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

The net investment income attributable to separate account assets supporting individual and group pension contracts accrues directly to the contract owner and is not reported on the consolidated statements of income. While BlackRock has no economic interest in these separate account assets and liabilities, BlackRock earns policy administration and management fees associated with these products, which are included in investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue on the consolidated statements of income.

Separate Account Collateral Assets Held and Liabilities Under Securities Lending Agreements. The Company facilitates securities lending arrangements whereby securities held by separate accounts maintained by BlackRock Life Limited are lent to third parties under global master securities lending agreements. In exchange, the Company receives legal title to the collateral with minimum values generally ranging from approximately 102% to 112% of the value of the securities lent in order to reduce counterparty risk. The required collateral value is calculated on a daily basis. The global master securities lending agreements provide the Company the right to request additional collateral or, in the event of borrower default, the right to liquidate collateral. The securities lending transactions entered into by the Company are accompanied by an agreement that entitles the Company to request the borrower to return the securities at any time; therefore, these transactions are not reported as sales.

The Company records on the consolidated statements of financial condition the cash and noncash collateral received under these BlackRock Life Limited securities lending arrangements as its own asset in addition to an equal and offsetting collateral liability for the obligation to return the collateral. The securities lending revenue earned from lending securities held by the separate accounts is included in investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue on the consolidated statements of income. During 2017 and 2016, the Company had not resold or repledged any of the collateral received under these arrangements. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the fair value of loaned securities held by separate accounts was approximately $22.3 billion and $25.7 billion, respectively, and the fair value of the collateral held under these securities lending agreements was approximately $24.2 billion and $27.8 billion, respectively.

Property and Equipment. Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is generally determined by cost less any estimated residual value using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the various classes of property and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the remaining lease term.

BlackRock develops a variety of risk management, investment analytic and investment system services for internal use, utilizing proprietary software that is hosted and maintained by BlackRock. The Company capitalizes certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use. Capitalized software costs are included within property and equipment on the consolidated statements of financial condition and are amortized, beginning when the software project is ready for its intended use, over the estimated useful life of the software of approximately three years.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets. Goodwill represents the cost of a business acquisition in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired. The Company has determined that it has one reporting unit for goodwill impairment testing purposes, the consolidated BlackRock single operating segment, which is consistent with internal management reporting and management's oversight of operations. In its assessment of goodwill for impairment, the Company considers such factors as the book value and market capitalization of the Company.

On a quarterly basis, the Company considers if triggering events have occurred that may indicate a potential goodwill impairment. If a triggering event has occurred, the Company performs assessments, which may include reviews of significant valuation assumptions, to determine if goodwill may be impaired. The Company performs an impairment assessment of its goodwill at least annually as of July 31st.

Intangible assets are comprised of indefinite-lived intangible assets and finite-lived intangible assets acquired in a business acquisition. The value of contracts to manage assets in proprietary open-end funds and collective trust funds and certain other commingled products without a specified termination date is generally classified as indefinite-lived intangible assets. The assignment of indefinite lives to such contracts primarily is based upon the following: (i) the assumption that there is no foreseeable limit on the contract period to manage these products; (ii) the Company expects to, and has the ability to, continue to operate these products indefinitely; (iii) the products have multiple investors and are not reliant on a single investor or small group of investors for their continued operation; (iv) current competitive factors and economic conditions do not indicate a finite life; and (v) there is a high likelihood of continued renewal based on historical experience. In addition, trade names/trademarks are considered indefinite-lived intangible assets when they are expected to generate cash flows indefinitely.

Indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill are not amortized. Finite-lived management contracts, which relate to acquired separate accounts and funds and investor/customer relationships with a specified termination date, are amortized over their remaining useful lives.

The Company performs assessments to determine if any intangible assets are potentially impaired and whether the indefinite-lived and finite-lived classifications are still appropriate. The carrying value of finite-lived assets and their remaining useful lives are reviewed at least annually to determine if circumstances exist which may indicate a potential impairment or revisions to the amortization period. The Company performs impairment assessments of all of its intangible assets at least annually, as of July 31st.

In evaluating whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of indefinite-lived intangibles is less than its carrying value, BlackRock assesses various significant qualitative factors, including assets under management (“AUM”), revenue basis points, projected AUM growth rates, operating margins, tax rates and discount rates. In addition, the Company considers other factors, including (i) macroeconomic conditions such as a deterioration in general economic conditions, limitations on accessing capital, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, or other developments in equity and credit markets; (ii) industry and market considerations such as a deterioration in the environment in which the entity


operates, an increased competitive environment, a decline in market-dependent multiples or metrics, a change in the market for an entity’s services, or regulatory, legal or political developments; and (iii) entity-specific events, such as a change in management or key personnel, overall financial performance and litigation that could affect significant inputs used to determine the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset. If an indefinite-lived intangible is determined to be more likely than not impaired, then the fair value of the asset is compared with its carrying value and any excess of the carrying value over the fair value would be recognized as an expense in the period in which the impairment occurs.

For finite-lived intangible assets, if potential impairment circumstances are considered to exist, the Company will perform a recoverability test using an undiscounted cash flow analysis. Actual results could differ from these cash flow estimates, which could materially impact the impairment conclusion. If the carrying value of the asset is determined not to be recoverable based on the undiscounted cash flow test, the difference between the carrying value of the asset and its current fair value would be recognized as an expense in the period in which the impairment occurs.

Noncontrolling Interests. The Company reports noncontrolling interests as equity, separate from the parent’s equity, on the consolidated statements of financial condition. In addition, the Company’s consolidated net income on the consolidated statements of income includes the income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest holders of the Company’s consolidated investment products. Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests is not adjusted for income taxes for consolidated investment products that are treated as pass-through entities for tax purposes.

Classification and Measurement of Redeemable Securities. The Company includes redeemable noncontrolling interests related to certain consolidated investment products in temporary equity on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Treasury Stock. The Company records common stock purchased for treasury at cost. At the date of subsequent reissuance, the treasury stock account is reduced by the cost of such stock using the average cost method.

Revenue Recognition

Investment Advisory, Administration Fees and Securities Lending Revenue. Investment advisory and administration fees are recognized as the services are performed. Such fees are primarily based on pre-determinedagreed-upon percentages of the marketnet asset value of AUM or committed capital. Investment advisory and administration fees are affected by changes in AUM, including market appreciation or depreciation, foreign exchange translation and net inflows or outflows. Investment advisory and administration fees for investment funds are shown net of fees waived pursuant to contractual expense limitations of the funds or voluntary waivers.

The Company contracts with third parties and related parties for various mutual fund distribution and shareholder servicing to be performed on behalf of certain funds the Company manages. Such arrangements generally are priced as a portion of the management fee paid by the fund. In certain cases, the fund (primarily international funds) takes on the primary responsibility for payment for services such that the Company bears no credit risk to the third-party. The Company accounts for such retrocession arrangements in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605-45, Revenue Recognition – Principal Agent Considerations, andcurrently records its management fees net of retrocessions.    Retrocessions for 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $870 million, $891 million and $785 million, respectively, and were reflected net in investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue on the consolidated statements of income.

The Company also earns revenue by lending securities as an agent on behalf of clients, primarily to brokerage institutions. Revenue is accounted for on an accrual basis. The revenue earned isGenerally, the fees generated from securities lending activities are shared between the Company and the funds or other third-party accounts managed by the Company from which the securities are borrowed.


Investment Advisory Performance Fees / Carried Interest. The Company receives investment advisory performance fees or incentive allocations from certain actively managed investment funds and certain separately managed accounts (“SMAs”).accounts. These performance fees are dependent upon exceeding specified relative or absolute investment return thresholds. Such fees are recorded upon completion of the measurement period, which varies by product or account, and could be monthly, quarterly, annually or longer.

In addition, the Company is allocated carried interest from certain alternative investment products upon exceeding performance thresholds. BlackRock may be required to reverse/return all, or part, of such carried interest allocations depending upon future performance of these funds. Therefore, BlackRock records carried interest subject to such clawback provisions in total investments/investments of consolidated VIEs or cash/cash of consolidated VIEs to the extent that it is distributed, on its consolidated statements of financial condition. Carried interest is recorded as performance fee revenue upon the earlier of the termination of the investment fund or when the likelihood of clawback is considered mathematically improbable.

The Company records a deferred carried interest liability to the extent it receives cash or capital allocations related to carried interest prior to meeting the revenue recognition criteria. At December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, the Company had $143$219 million and $105$152 million, respectively, of deferred carried interest recorded in other liabilities/other liabilities of consolidated VIEs on the consolidated statements of financial condition. A portion of the deferred carried interest liability will be paid to certain employees. The ultimate timing of the recognition of performance fee revenue, if any, for these products is unknown.

BlackRock Solutions

Technology and Advisoryrisk management revenue. BlackRock provides a variety ofoffers investment management technology systems, risk management investment analytic, enterprise investment systemservices, wealth management and financial markets advisory services to financialdigital distribution tools on a fee basis. Clients include banks, insurance companies, official institutions, pension funds, asset managers, foundations, consultants, mutual fund sponsors, real estate investment trustsretail distributors and government agencies. These services are provided under the brand name BlackRock Solutions and include a wide array of risk management services, valuation of illiquid securities, disposition and workout assignments (including long-term portfolio liquidation assignments), strategic planning and execution, and enterprise investment system outsourcing to clients.other investors. Fees earned for BlackRock Solutions technology and advisory servicesrisk management revenue are recorded as services are performed and are generally determined using some, or all, of the following methods: (i) percentages of various attributes of advisory AUM or value of positions on the Aladdin platform (ii) fixed feesor on a fixed-rate basis.

Advisory and (iii) performance fees if contractual thresholds are met. Theother revenue. Advisory and other revenue primarily includes fees earned for BlackRock Solutions and advisory services, are recorded in BlackRock Solutions and advisory on the consolidated statements of income.

Other Revenue. The Company earns fees earned for transition management services primarily comprised of commissions from acting as an introducing broker-dealerrecognized in connection with buying and selling securities on behalf of the Company’s customers. customers, and equity method investment earnings related to certain strategic investments.

Fees earned for advisory services are determined using fixed-rate fees, and recorded upon delivery.

Commissions related to transition management services are recorded on a trade-date basis as securities transactions occuroccur.


Stock-based Compensation. In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 simplifies accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and are reflectedstatutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in other revenuethe consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 as of January 1, 2017. ASU 2016-09 requires all excess tax benefits and deficiencies to be recognized in income tax expense on the consolidated statements of income. Accordingly, the Company recorded a discrete income tax benefit of $151 million during 2017 for vested restricted stock units where the grant date stock price was lower than the vesting date stock price. The new guidance will increase the volatility of income tax expense as a result of fluctuations in the Company’s stock price. Upon adoption, the Company elected to account for forfeitures as they occur, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.  In addition, the Company elected to present excess tax benefits and deficiencies prospectively in operating activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows.

The Company earns commissions revenue upon the sale of unit trusts and Class A mutual funds. Revenue is recorded at the time of the sale of the product.

Other revenue also includes equity method investment earnings related to certain strategic investments.

Stock-based Compensation. Entities are required to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The compensation cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service (usually the vesting period) in exchange for the stock-based award.

The Company measures the grant-date fair value of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) using the Company’s share price on the date of grant. For employee share options and instruments with market conditions, the Company uses pricing models. Stock option awards may have performance, market and/or service conditions. If an equity award is modified after the grant-date, incremental compensation cost is recognized for an amount equal to the excess of the fair value of the modified award over the fair value of the original award immediately before the modification. Awards under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans vest over various periods. Compensation cost is recorded by the Company on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separate vesting portion of the award as if the award is, in-substance, multiple awards. Compensation cost iswas reduced by the number of awards expected to be forfeited prior to vesting. Forfeiture estimates generally are derived using historical forfeiture information, where available, and are reviewed for reasonableness at least quarterly.

The Company amortizes the grant-date fair value of stock-based compensation awards made to retirement-eligible employees over the requisite service period. Upon notification of retirement, the Company accelerates the unamortized portion of the award over the contractually required retirement notification period.

Distribution and Servicing Costs. Distribution and servicing costs include payments to third parties, primarily associated with distribution and servicing of client investments in certain BlackRock products. Distribution and servicing costs are expensed when incurred.

Amortization of Deferred Sales Commissions. The Company holds the rights to receive certain cash flows from sponsored mutual funds sold without a front-end sales charge (“back-end load shares”). The carrying value of these deferred mutual fund commissions is recorded within other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition and is being amortized over periods between one and six years. The Company receives distribution fees from these funds and contingent deferred sales commissions (“CDSCs”) upon shareholder redemption of certain back-end load shares that are recorded within distribution fees on the consolidated statements of income. Upon receipt of CDSCs, the Company records revenue and the remaining unamortized deferred sales commission is expensed.

Direct Fund ExpensesExpense. Direct fund expenses,expense, which areis expensed as incurred, primarily consistconsists of third-party nonadvisory expensesexpense incurred by BlackRock related to certain funds for the use of certain index trademarks, reference data for certain indices, custodial services, fund administration, fund accounting, transfer agent services, shareholder reporting services, audit and tax services as well as other fund-related expensesexpense directly attributable to the nonadvisory operations of the fund.

Leases. The Company accounts for its office facilities leases as operating leases, which may include escalation clauses. The Company expenses the lease payments associated with operating leases evenly during the lease term (including rent-free periods) commencing when the Company obtains the right to control the use of the leased property.

Foreign Exchange. Foreign currency transactions are recorded at the exchange rates prevailing on the dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are subsequently remeasured into the functional currencies of the Company's


subsidiaries at the rates prevailing at each balance sheet date. Gains and losses arising on remeasurement are included in general and administration expense on the consolidated statements of income. Revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the period. Gains or losses resulting from translating foreign currency financial statements into U.S. dollars are included in accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of stockholders’ equity, on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Income Taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases using currently enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred income tax assets and liabilities is recognized on the consolidated statements of income in the period that includes the enactment date.

Management periodically assesses the recoverability of its deferred income tax assets based upon expected future earnings, taxable income in prior carryback years, future deductibility of the asset, changes in applicable tax laws and other factors. If management determines that it is not more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be fully recoverable in the future, a valuation allowance will be established for the difference between the asset balance and the amount expected to be recoverable in the future. This allowance will result in additional income tax expense. Further, the Company records its income taxes receivable and payable based upon its estimated income tax position.

ExcessIn 2017, excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation arewere recognized as additional paid-in capitalan income tax benefit on the consolidated statements of income and are reflected as financingoperating cash flows on the consolidated statements of cash flows.  If the Company does not haveFor prior year periods, excess tax benefits were recognized as additional paid-in capital credits (cumulative tax benefits recorded to additional paid-in capital), the Company will record an expense for any deficit, or shortfall, between the recorded tax benefit and tax return benefit. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, BlackRock had excess additional paid-in capital credits to absorb potential future deficits between recorded tax benefits and tax return benefits.financing cash flows.  

Earnings per Share (“EPS”). Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income applicable to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS includes the determinants of basic EPS and common stock equivalents outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed using the treasury stock method.

Due to the similarities in terms between BlackRock’s nonvoting participating preferred stock and the Company’s common stock, the Company considers its nonvoting participating preferred stock to be a common stock equivalent for purposes of EPS calculations. As such, the Company has included the outstanding nonvoting participating preferred stock in the calculation of average basic and diluted shares outstanding.

Business Segments. The Company’s management directs BlackRock’s operations as one business, the asset management business.  The Company utilizes a consolidated approach to assess performance and allocate resources. As such, the Company operates in one business segment as defined in ASC 280-10, Segment Reporting (“ASC 280-10”).


Fair Value Measurements.Measurements

Hierarchy of Fair Value Inputs. The Company uses a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniquesapproaches used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. Assets and liabilities measured and reported at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:

Level 1 Inputs:

Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the reporting date.

Level 1 assets may include listed mutual funds, ETFs, listed equities and certain exchange-traded derivatives.

Level 2 Inputs:

Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities that are not active; quotes from pricing services or brokers for which the Company can determine that orderly transactions took place at the quoted price or that the inputs used to arrive at the price are observable; and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, such as models or other valuation methodologies.

Level 2 assets may include debt securities, bank loans,investments in CLOs, short-term floating-rate notes, asset-backed securities, securities held within consolidated hedge funds, restricted public securities valued at a discount, as well as over-the-counter derivatives, including interest and inflation rate swaps and foreign currency exchange contracts that have inputs to the valuations that generally can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 Inputs:

Unobservable inputs for the valuation of the asset or liability, which may include nonbinding broker quotes. Level 3 assets include investments for which there is little, if any, market activity. These inputs require significant management judgment or estimation.

Level 3 assets may include direct private equity investments held within consolidated funds and investments in CLOs, bank loans and bonds.CLOs.

Level 3 liabilities include contingent liabilities related to acquisitions valued based upon discounted cash flow analysisanalyses using unobservable market data. Level 3 liabilities at December 31, 2014 also included borrowings of consolidated CLOs valued based upon nonbinding single-broker quotes.

Significance of Inputs. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument.

Valuation Techniques.Approaches. The fair values of certain Level 3 assets and liabilities were determined using various methodologiesvaluation approaches as appropriate, including third-party pricing vendors, broker quotes and market and income approaches. Such quotes and modeled prices are evaluated for


reasonableness through various procedures, including due diligence reviews of third-party pricing vendors, variance analyses, consideration of the current market environment and other analytical procedures.

A significant number of inputs used to value equity, debt securities and bank loansinvestments in CLOs is sourced from third-party pricing vendors. Generally, prices obtained from pricing vendors are categorized as Level 1 inputs for identical securities traded in active markets and as Level 2 for other similar securities if the vendor uses observable inputs in determining the price. Annually, BlackRock’s internal valuation committee or other designated groups review both the valuation methodologies,approaches, including the general assumptions and methods used to value various asset classes, and operational processes with these vendors. On a quarterly basis, meetings are held with key vendors to identify any significant changes to the vendors’ processes.

In addition, quotes obtained from brokers generally are nonbinding and categorized as Level 3 inputs. However, if the Company is able to determine that market participants have transacted for the asset in an orderly manner near the quoted price or if the Company can determine that the inputs used by the broker are observable, the quote is classified as a Level 2 input.

Investments Measured at Net Asset Values. As a practical expedient, the Company uses NAVnet asset value (“NAV”) as the fair value for certain investments. The inputs to value these investments may include BlackRock capital accounts for its partnership interests in various alternative investments, including distressed credit hedge funds, opportunistic funds, real estateassets and private equity funds, which may be adjusted by using the returns of certain market indices. The various partnerships generally are investment companies, which record their underlying investments at fair value based on fair value policies established by management of the underlying fund. Fair value policies at the underlying fund generally require the fund to utilize pricing/valuation information from third-party sources, including independent appraisals. However, in some instances, current valuation information for illiquid securities or securities in markets that are not active may not be available from any third-party source or fund management may conclude that the valuations that are available from third-party sources are not reliable. In these instances, fund management may perform model-based analytical valuations that maycould be used as an input to value these investments.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company uses derivative financial instruments primarily for purposes of hedging exposures to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates of certain assets and liabilities, and market exposures for certain seed investments. The Company may also use derivatives within its separate account assets, which are segregated for purposes of funding individual and group pension contracts. In addition,However, certain consolidated sponsored investment funds may also invest inutilize derivatives as a part of their investment strategy.

Changes in the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments are recognized in earnings and, where applicable, are offset by the corresponding gain or loss on the related foreign-denominated assets or liabilities or hedged investments, on the consolidated statements of income.


The Company may also use financial instruments designated as net investment hedges for accounting purposes to hedge net investments in international subsidiaries whose functional currency is different from the reporting currency of the parent company.not U.S. dollars. The gain or loss from revaluing accounting hedges of net investments in foreign operations at the spot rate is deferred and reported within accumulated other comprehensive income on the consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company reassesses the effectiveness of its net investment hedge on a quarterly basis.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted in 2017

Revenue from Contracts with Customers.In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers(“ (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The Companyguidance also changes the accounting for certain contract costs and revises the criteria for determining if an entity is currently evaluatingacting as a principal or agent in certain arrangements.

The key changes in the standard that impact of adopting ASU 2014-09, which is effective for the Company on January 1, 2018.

Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments.In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments (“ASU 2015-16”).  Under ASU 2015-16, an acquirer must recognize, upon determination, adjustmentsCompany’s revenue recognition relate to the original amounts recorded forpresentation of certain revenue contracts and associated contract costs. The most significant of these changes relates to the presentation of certain distribution costs, which are currently presented net against revenues (contra-revenue) and will be presented as an expense on a business acquisition that are identified during the one-year period following the acquisition date. Previously prior period information was required to be revised.gross basis. The Company adopted ASU 2015-16 prospectively on2014-09 effective January 1, 2018 on a full retrospective basis, which will require 2016 and will apply2017 to be restated in future filings. The cumulative effect adjustment to the ASU2016 opening retained earnings was not material. The Company currently expects the net gross up to any adjustments relatedrevenue to business acquisitions. be approximately $1 billion with a corresponding gross up to expense for both 2016 and 2017.   

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Instruments.In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities(“ (“ASU 2016-01”). ASU 2016-01 amends guidance on the classification and measurement of financial instruments, including significant revisions in accounting related to the classification and measurement of investments in certain equity securities and presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities when the fair value option is elected.securities. ASU 2016-01 also amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. The Company is currently evaluating the impactreclassification of adopting ASU 2016-01, which isunrealized gains (losses) on equity securities within accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings was not material upon adoption effective for the Company on January 1, 2018.

Leases

Leases. . In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02, which requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities arising from most operating leases on the statementconsolidated statements of financial position.condition. The Company is currently evaluating the impactexpects to record assets and liabilities for its current operating leases upon adoption of adopting ASU 2016-02 whichand does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its results of operations or cash flows. ASU 2016-02 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2019.2019, and the Company intends to apply the practical expedients allowed by the standard upon transition.

Cash Flow Classification. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (“ASU 2016-15”), which amends and clarifies the current guidance to reduce diversity in practice of the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-15 to have a material impact on its consolidated statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. The Company must apply the guidance retrospectively to all periods presented.

 

 


3. Investments

A summary of the carrying value of total investments is as follows:

 

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2015

 

 

December 31,

2014

 

 

December 31,

2017

 

 

December 31,

2016

 

Available-for-sale investments

 

$

44

 

 

$

201

 

 

$

103

 

 

$

80

 

Held-to-maturity investments

 

 

108

 

 

 

79

 

 

 

102

 

 

 

51

 

Trading investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated sponsored investment funds

 

 

700

 

 

 

443

 

Consolidated sponsored investment funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debt securities

 

 

267

 

 

 

246

 

Equity securities

 

 

245

 

 

 

219

 

Other equity and debt securities

 

 

20

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

267

 

 

 

101

 

Deferred compensation plan mutual funds

 

 

65

 

 

 

64

 

 

 

56

 

 

 

59

 

Total trading investments

 

 

785

 

 

 

536

 

 

 

835

 

 

 

625

 

Other investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated sponsored investment funds

 

 

-

 

 

 

270

 

Equity method investments

 

 

513

 

 

 

633

 

Deferred compensation plan equity method investments

 

 

14

 

 

 

21

 

Equity method investments(1)

 

 

816

 

 

 

730

 

Cost method investments(1)(2)

 

 

95

 

 

 

96

 

 

 

93

 

 

 

91

 

Carried interest(3)

 

 

19

 

 

 

85

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

18

 

Total other investments

 

 

641

 

 

 

1,105

 

 

 

941

 

 

 

839

 

Total investments

 

$

1,578

 

 

$

1,921

 

 

$

1,981

 

 

$

1,595

 

 

(1)  Equity method investments primarily include BlackRock’s direct investments in certain BlackRock sponsored investment funds.

(2)  Amounts include nonmarketable securities, primarily Federal Reserve Bank stock, which is held for regulatory purposes and is restricted from sale. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, there were no indicators of impairment on these investments.

(3)  Carried interest of consolidated sponsor investment funds accounted for as voting rights entities (“VREs”) represents allocations to BlackRock’s general partner capital accounts from certain funds. These balances are subject to change upon cash distributions, additional allocations or reallocations back to limited partners within the respective funds.

Amounts primarily include Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) Stock.

Available-for-Sale Investments

A summary of the cost and carrying value of investments classified as available-for-sale investments is as follows:

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Unrealized

 

 

Carrying

 

 

 

Cost

 

 

Gains

 

 

Losses

 

 

Value

 

December 31, 2015

 

$

45

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

(3

)

 

$

44

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

 

$

205

 

 

$

5

 

 

$

(9

)

 

$

201

 

 

At both December 31, 20152017 and 2016, available-for-sale investments primarily included certain investments in CLOs.  At December 31, 2014, available-for-saleBlackRock sponsored CLOs and seed investments primarily included seed investment in BlackRock sponsored mutual funds. The cost of these investments approximated carrying value.


A summary of sale activity of available-for-sale securities during 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 20132015 is shown below.

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Sales proceeds

 

$

36

 

 

$

155

 

 

$

139

 

 

$

 

 

$

40

 

 

$

36

 

Net realized gain (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross realized gains

 

$

3

 

 

$

14

 

 

$

20

 

 

$

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

3

 

Gross realized losses

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(1

)

Net realized gain (loss)

 

$

2

 

 

$

11

 

 

$

19

 

 

$

 

 

$

1

 

 

$

2

 

 

Held-to-Maturity Investments

The carrying value of held-to-maturity investments was $108$102 million and $79$51 million at December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, respectively. Held-to-maturity investments included foreign government debt held primarily for regulatory purposes.purposes and certain investments in BlackRock sponsored CLOs. The amortized cost (carrying value) of these investments approximated fair value. At December 31, 2015, $962017, $11 million of these investments mature in one year or lessbetween five years to ten years and $12$91 million mature after five years through ten years.

Trading Investments

A summary of the cost and carrying value of trading investments is as follows:

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

December 31, 2017

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

(in millions)

 

Cost

 

 

Carrying

Value

 

 

Cost

 

 

Carrying

Value

 

 

Cost

 

 

Carrying

Value

 

 

Cost

 

 

Carrying

Value

 

Trading investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred compensation plan mutual funds

 

$

48

 

 

$

65

 

 

$

48

 

 

$

64

 

 

$

34

 

 

$

56

 

 

$

41

 

 

$

59

 

Equity securities/multi-asset mutual funds

 

294

 

 

279

 

 

 

210

 

 

 

239

 

 

 

446

 

 

 

493

 

 

 

290

 

 

 

308

 

Debt securities/fixed income mutual funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate debt

 

194

 

 

190

 

 

 

109

 

 

 

110

 

 

 

152

 

 

 

157

 

 

 

128

 

 

 

128

 

Government debt

 

202

 

 

202

 

 

 

100

 

 

 

103

 

 

 

72

 

 

 

73

 

 

 

60

 

 

 

60

 

Asset/mortgage backed debt

 

49

 

 

49

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

56

 

 

 

56

 

 

 

70

 

 

 

70

 

Total trading investments

 

$

787

 

 

$

785

 

 

$

487

 

 

$

536

 

 

$

760

 

 

$

835

 

 

$

589

 

 

$

625

 

At December 31, 2015, trading investments included $437 million of debt securities and $263 million of equity securities held by consolidated sponsored investment funds accounted for as VREs, $65 million of certain deferred compensation plan mutual fund investments and $20 million of other equity and debt securities.


At December 31, 2014, trading investments included $223 million of debt securities and $220 million of equity securities held by consolidated sponsored investment funds accounted for as VREs, $64 million of certain deferred compensation plan mutual fund investments and $29 million of other equity and debt securities.

Other Investments

A summary of the cost and carrying value of other investments is as follows:

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

December 31, 2014

 

(in millions)

 

Cost

 

 

Carrying

Value

 

 

Cost

 

 

Carrying

Value

 

Other investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated sponsored investment funds accounted for as VREs

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

268

 

 

$

270

 

Equity method Investments

 

429

 

 

513

 

 

 

518

 

 

 

633

 

Deferred compensation plan equity method investments

 

14

 

 

14

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

21

 

Cost method investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal Reserve Bank stock

 

93

 

 

93

 

 

 

92

 

 

 

92

 

Other

 

2

 

 

2

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

4

 

Total cost method investments

 

95

 

 

95

 

 

 

96

 

 

 

96

 

Carried interest(1)

 

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

 

85

 

Total other investments

 

$

538

 

 

$

641

 

 

$

903

 

 

$

1,105

 

(1)

Carried interest related to VREs.

At December 31, 2014, consolidated sponsored investment funds accounted for as VREs include third-party private equity funds, direct investments in private companies and third-party hedge funds held by BlackRock sponsored investment funds.

Equity method investments primarily include BlackRock’s direct investments in certain BlackRock sponsored investment funds. See Note 11, Other Assets, for more information on the Company’s investment in PennyMac Financial Services, Inc.  (“PennyMac”), which is included in other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Cost method investments include nonmarketable securities, primarily FRB stock, which is held for regulatory purposes and is restricted from sale. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, there were no indicators of impairment on these investments.

Carried interest represents allocations to BlackRock’s general partner capital accounts from certain funds. These balances are subject to change upon cash distributions, additional allocations or reallocations back to limited partners within the respective funds.

 

 

4. Consolidated Voting Rights Entities

The Company consolidates certain sponsored investment funds accounted for as VREs because it is deemed to control such funds. The investments owned by these consolidated VREs are classified as trading or other investments. The following table presents the balances related to these consolidated VREs that were recorded on the consolidated statements of financial condition, including BlackRock’s net interest in these funds:

 

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2015

 

 

December 31,

2014

 

 

December 31,

2017

 

 

December 31,

2016

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

100

 

 

$

120

 

 

$

63

 

 

$

53

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trading investments

 

700

 

 

 

443

 

Other investments

 

 

-

 

 

 

270

 

Investments

 

 

512

 

 

 

465

 

Other assets

 

18

 

 

 

20

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

15

 

Other liabilities

 

 

(77

)

 

 

(18

)

 

 

(37

)

 

 

(50

)

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

(125

)

 

 

(139

)

 

 

(91

)

 

 

(39

)

BlackRock’s net interests in consolidated VREs

 

$

616

 

 

$

696

 

 

$

460

 

 

$

444

 

 

BlackRock’s total exposure to consolidated VREs represents the value of its economic ownership interest in these sponsored investment funds. Valuation changes associated with investments held at fair value by these consolidated VREs are reflected in nonoperating income (expense) and partially offset in net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests for the portion not attributable to BlackRock.

In addition, at December 31, 2015 and 2014, certain consolidated sponsored investment funds, which were accounted for as VIEs, were excluded from the balances in the table above as the balances for these investment products are reported separately on the consolidated statements of financial condition. See Note 5, Variable Interest Entities, for further discussion on these consolidated investment products. See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, for the Company’s consolidation policy and for further information on the adoption of ASU 2015-02.

The Company cannot readily access cash and cash equivalents held by consolidated VREs to use in its operating activities.

 

 

5. Variable Interest Entities

In the normal course of business, the Company is the manager of various types of sponsored investment vehicles, which may be considered VIEs. The Company may from time to time own equity or debt securities or enter into derivatives with the vehicles, each of which are considered variable interests. The Company’s involvement in financing the operations of the VIEs is generally limited to its investments in the entity. The Company consolidates entities when it is determined to be the PB. See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, for further information on the Company’s accounting policy on consolidation.


As a result of the adoption of ASU 2015-02, the Company deconsolidated all previously consolidated CLOs effective January 1, 2015 as its fees are no longer deemed variable interests. The Company also consolidated certain investment products that were not previously consolidated. See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies – Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2015, for further information on ASU 2015-02.

Consolidated VIEs.    The Company’s consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2015 include certain sponsored investment funds in which BlackRock has an investment and as the investment manager, is deemed to have both the power to direct the most significant activities of the funds and the right to receive benefits (or the obligation to absorb losses) that could potentially be significant to these sponsored investment funds. The assets of these VIEs are not available to creditors of the Company. In addition, the investors in these VIEs have no recourse to the credit of the Company.

The Company’s consolidated VIEs under previous accounting guidance as of December 31, 2014 primarily included CLOs in which BlackRock did not have an investment; however, as the collateral manager, BlackRock was deemed to have both the power to direct the most significant activities of the CLOs and the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the CLOs.


Consolidated VIE assets and liabilities are presented after intercompany eliminations at December 31, 20152017 and 20142016 in the following table:

 

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2015

 

 

December 31,

2014

 

 

December 31,

2017

 

 

December 31,

2016

 

Assets of consolidated VIEs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

148

 

 

$

278

 

 

$

144

 

 

$

84

 

Investments

 

 

1,030

 

 

 

3,320

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trading investments

 

 

915

 

 

 

552

 

Other investments

 

 

578

 

 

 

456

 

Other assets

 

 

67

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

66

 

 

 

63

 

Total investments and other assets

 

 

1,097

 

 

 

3,352

 

 

 

1,559

 

 

 

1,071

 

Liabilities of consolidated VIEs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings

 

 

 

 

 

(3,389

)

Other liabilities

 

 

(177

)

 

 

(245

)

Appropriated retained earnings

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

Noncontrolling interests of consolidated VIEs

 

 

(416

)

 

 

(15

)

Liabilities of consolidated VIEs

 

 

(369

)

 

 

(216

)

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

(375

)

 

 

(207

)

BlackRock's net interests in consolidated VIEs

 

$

652

 

 

$

 

 

$

959

 

 

$

732

 

 

The Company recorded a $58 million nonoperating netNet gain for 2015 related to consolidated VIEs. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests(loss) related to consolidated VIEs for 2015 was $6 million.is presented in the following table:

The Company recorded $41 million of nonoperating expense and an equal and offsetting loss attributable to noncontrolling interests related to consolidated VIEs for 2014.  No gain or loss was recorded for 2013.

(in millions)

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonoperating net gain (loss) on consolidated VIEs

 

$

118

 

 

$

16

 

 

$

58

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net gain (loss) attributable to NCI on consolidated VIEs

 

$

33

 

 

$

(2

)

 

$

6

 

 

 

Non-Consolidated VIEs. At December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, the Company’s carrying value of assets and liabilities included on the consolidated statements of financial condition pertaining to nonconsolidated VIEs and its maximum risk of loss related to VIEs for which it held a variable interest, but for which it was not the PB, was as follows:

 

(in millions)

At December 31, 2015

 

Investments

 

 

Advisory

Fee

Receivables

 

 

Other Net

Assets

(Liabilities)

 

 

Maximum

Risk of Loss(1)

 

Sponsored investment products

 

$

64

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

(7

)

 

$

84

 

At December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CDOs/CLOs

 

$

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

(5

)

 

$

19

 

Other sponsored investment funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collective trusts

 

 

 

 

 

191

 

 

 

 

 

 

191

 

Other

 

 

57

 

 

 

177

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

234

 

Total

 

$

57

 

 

$

370

 

 

$

(8

)

 

$

444

 

(in millions)

At December 31, 2017

 

Investments

 

 

Advisory

Fee

Receivables

 

 

Other Net

Assets

(Liabilities)

 

 

Maximum

Risk of Loss(1)

 

Sponsored investment products

 

$

263

 

 

$

15

 

 

$

(7

)

 

$

295

 

At December 31, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sponsored investment products

 

$

171

 

 

$

9

 

 

$

(8

)

 

$

197

 

 

(1)

At December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, BlackRock’s maximum risk of loss associated with these VIEs primarily related to BlackRock’s investments and collecting advisory fee receivables and BlackRock’s investments.receivables.

The net assets of sponsored investment products that are nonconsolidated VIEs approximated $3$5 billion and $4 billion at December 31, 2015. Net assets of other sponsored investment funds approximated $1.7 trillion to $1.8 trillion at December 31, 20142017 and included approximately $1.4 trillion of collective trusts at December 31, 2014. Upon the adoption of ASU 2015-02, BlackRock no longer has a variable interest in collective trusts as BlackRock does not have any economic interest and earns at-market fees from these products.2016, respectively.  

 

 


6. Fair Value Disclosures

Fair Value Hierarchy

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and other assets not held at fair value

 

December 31, 2015

(in millions)

 

Quoted Prices in

Active

Markets for

Identical Assets

(Level 1)

 

 

Significant Other

Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

 

 

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

 

 

Investments Measured at NAV(1)

 

 

Other Assets

Not Held at Fair

Value(2)

 

 

December 31,

2015

 

December 31, 2017

(in millions)

 

Quoted Prices

in Active

Markets for

Identical Assets

(Level 1)

 

 

Significant Other

Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

 

 

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

 

 

Investments Measured at NAV(1)

 

 

Other Assets

Not Held at

Fair Value(2)

 

 

December 31,

2017

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale

 

$

19

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

23

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

44

 

 

$

7

 

 

$

96

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

103

 

Held-to-maturity debt securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

108

 

 

 

108

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

102

 

 

 

102

 

Trading:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred compensation plan mutual funds

 

 

65

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

65

 

 

 

56

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

56

 

Equity/Multi-asset mutual funds

 

 

278

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

278

 

Equity securities / Multi-asset mutual funds

 

 

493

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

493

 

Debt securities / fixed income mutual funds

 

 

2

 

 

 

438

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

442

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

284

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

286

 

Total trading

 

 

345

 

 

 

438

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

785

 

 

 

551

 

 

 

284

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

835

 

Other investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity method:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity and fixed income mutual funds

 

 

73

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

103

 

 

 

183

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

195

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

400

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

410

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

609

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

621

 

Total equity method

 

 

73

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

430

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

513

 

 

 

183

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

621

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

816

 

Deferred compensation plan equity method investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

14

 

Cost method investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

95

 

 

 

95

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

93

 

 

 

93

 

Carried interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

32

 

Total investments

 

 

437

 

 

 

440

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

444

 

 

 

232

 

 

 

1,578

 

 

 

741

 

 

 

380

 

 

 

 

 

 

621

 

 

 

239

 

 

 

1,981

 

Separate account assets

 

 

109,761

 

 

 

40,152

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

938

 

 

 

150,851

 

 

 

114,422

 

 

 

34,582

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

933

 

 

 

149,937

 

Separate account collateral held under securities lending

agreements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

 

26,062

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26,062

 

 

 

18,778

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,778

 

Debt securities

 

 

 

 

 

5,274

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,274

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,412

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,412

 

Total separate account collateral held under securities

lending agreements

 

 

26,062

 

 

 

5,274

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31,336

 

 

 

18,778

 

 

 

5,412

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24,190

 

Investments of consolidated VIEs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private / public equity(3)

 

 

6

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

196

 

 

 

145

 

 

 

 

 

 

351

 

Trading:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

 

298

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

298

 

 

 

440

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

440

 

Debt securities

 

 

 

 

 

242

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

242

 

 

 

 

 

 

475

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

475

 

Other investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private / public equity(3)

 

 

6

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

116

 

 

 

59

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

259

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

58

 

 

 

 

 

 

58

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

53

 

 

 

 

 

 

53

 

Carried interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

81

 

 

 

81

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

266

 

 

 

266

 

Total investments of consolidated VIEs

 

 

304

 

 

 

246

 

 

 

196

 

 

 

203

 

 

 

81

 

 

 

1,030

 

 

 

446

 

 

 

477

 

 

 

116

 

 

 

112

 

 

 

342

 

 

 

1,493

 

Total

 

$

136,564

 

 

$

46,112

 

 

$

221

 

 

$

647

 

 

$

1,251

 

 

$

184,795

 

 

$

134,387

 

 

$

40,851

 

 

$

116

 

 

$

733

 

 

$

1,514

 

 

$

177,601

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Separate account collateral liabilities under securities

lending agreements

 

$

26,062

 

 

$

5,274

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

31,336

 

 

$

18,778

 

 

$

5,412

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

24,190

 

Other liabilities(4)

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

48

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

236

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

243

 

Total

 

$

26,062

 

 

$

5,280

 

 

$

48

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

31,390

 

 

$

18,778

 

 

$

5,419

 

 

$

236

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

24,433

 

 

(1) 

Amounts are comprised of certain investments measured at fair value using NAV (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. These investments have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy (see Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, for more information on the adoption of ASU 2015-07).

(2) 

Amounts are comprised of investments held at cost or amortized cost, carried interest and certain equity method investments, which include sponsored investment funds and other assets, which are not accounted for under a fair value measure. In accordance with GAAP, certain equity method investees do not account for both their financial assets and liabilities under fair value measures; therefore, the Company’s investment in such equity method investees may not represent fair value.

(3) 

Level 3 amounts primarily include direct investments in private equity companies held by private equity funds.

(4) 

Amounts primarily include a derivative (see Note 7, Derivatives and Hedging, for more information) and recorded contingent liabilities related to certain acquisitions (see Note 13, Commitments and Contingencies, for more information).

 


Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and other assets not held at fair value

 

December 31, 2014

(in millions)

 

Quoted Prices in

Active

Markets for

Identical Assets

(Level 1)

 

 

Significant Other

Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

 

 

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

 

 

Investments

Measured at

NAV(1)

 

 

Other Assets

Not Held at Fair Value(2)

 

 

December 31,

2014

 

December 31, 2016

(in millions)

 

Quoted Prices

in Active

Markets for

Identical Assets

(Level 1)

 

 

Significant Other

Observable Inputs

(Level 2)

 

 

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

 

 

Investments Measured at NAV(1)

 

 

Other Assets

Not Held at

Fair Value(2)

 

 

December 31,

2016

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale

 

$

198

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

201

 

 

$

7

 

 

$

49

 

 

$

24

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

80

 

Held-to-maturity debt securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

79

 

 

 

79

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

51

 

 

 

51

 

Trading:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred compensation plan mutual funds

 

 

64

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

64

 

 

 

59

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

59

 

Equity/Multi-asset mutual funds

 

 

239

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

239

 

Equity securities / Multi-asset mutual funds

 

 

308

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

308

 

Debt securities / fixed income mutual funds

 

 

11

 

 

 

222

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

233

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

250

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

258

 

Total trading

 

 

314

 

 

 

222

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

536

 

 

 

368

 

 

 

250

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

625

 

Other investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated sponsored investment funds

private / public equity(3)

 

 

11

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

80

 

 

 

168

 

 

 

 

 

 

270

 

Equity method:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed income mutual funds

 

 

29

 

��

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29

 

Equity and fixed income mutual funds

 

 

323

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

328

 

Other

 

 

98

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

493

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

604

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

394

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

402

 

Total equity method

 

 

127

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

493

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

633

 

 

 

323

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

399

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

730

 

Deferred compensation plan

equity method investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

21

 

Cost method investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

96

 

 

 

96

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

91

 

 

 

91

 

Carried interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

85

 

 

 

85

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

18

 

Total investments

 

 

650

 

 

 

236

 

 

 

80

 

 

 

682

 

 

 

273

 

 

 

1,921

 

 

 

698

 

 

 

299

 

 

 

31

 

 

 

399

 

 

 

168

 

 

 

1,595

 

Separate account assets

 

 

113,566

 

 

 

46,866

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

855

 

 

 

161,287

 

 

 

109,663

 

 

 

38,542

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

884

 

 

 

149,089

 

Separate account collateral held under securities lending

agreements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

 

30,387

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30,387

 

 

 

22,173

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,173

 

Debt securities

 

 

 

 

 

3,267

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,267

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,619

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,619

 

Total separate account collateral held under securities

lending agreements

 

 

30,387

 

 

 

3,267

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33,654

 

 

 

22,173

 

 

 

5,619

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27,792

 

Assets of consolidated VIEs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank loans and other assets

 

 

 

 

 

2,958

 

 

 

302

 

 

 

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

3,292

 

Bonds

 

 

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

47

 

Investments of consolidated VIEs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trading:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity securities

 

 

278

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

278

 

Debt securities

 

 

 

 

 

274

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

274

 

Other investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private / public equity(3)

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

3

 

 

2

 

 

 

112

 

 

 

89

 

 

 

79

 

 

 

285

 

Total assets of consolidated VIEs

 

 

 

 

 

2,990

 

 

 

320

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

3,352

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

63

 

 

 

 

 

 

63

 

Carried interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

108

 

 

 

108

 

Total investments of consolidated VIEs

 

 

281

 

 

 

276

 

 

 

112

 

 

 

152

 

 

 

187

 

 

 

1,008

 

Total

 

$

144,603

 

 

$

53,359

 

 

$

400

 

 

$

692

 

 

$

1,160

 

 

$

200,214

 

 

$

132,815

 

 

$

44,736

 

 

$

143

 

 

$

551

 

 

$

1,239

 

 

$

179,484

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings of consolidated VIEs

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

3,389

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

3,389

 

Separate account collateral liabilities under securities

lending agreements

 

 

30,387

 

 

 

3,267

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33,654

 

 

$

22,173

 

 

$

5,619

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

27,792

 

Other liabilities(4)

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

115

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

122

 

Total

 

$

30,387

 

 

$

3,272

 

 

$

3,428

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

37,087

 

 

$

22,173

 

 

$

5,626

 

 

$

115

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

27,914

 

(1) 

Amounts are comprised of certain investments measured at fair value using NAV (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. These investments have not been classified in the fair value hierarchy (see Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, for more information on the adoption of ASU 2015-07).

(2) 

Amounts are comprised of investments held at cost or amortized cost, carried interest and certain equity method investments, which include sponsored investment funds and other assets, which are not accounted for under a fair value measure. In accordance with GAAP, certain equity method investees do not account for both their financial assets and liabilities under fair value measures; therefore, the Company’s investment in such equity method investees may not represent fair value.

(3) 

Level 3 amounts include direct investments in private equity companies held by private equity funds.

(4) 

Amounts primarily include a derivative (see Note 7, Derivatives and Hedging, for more information) and contingent liabilities related to certain acquisitions (see Note 13, Commitments and Contingencies, for more information).



 

Level 3 Assets. Level 3 investments of consolidated VIEs of $196$116 million and $112 million at December 31, 20152017 and Level 3 investments of $80 million at December 31, 20142016, respectively, related to direct investments in private equity companies held by consolidated private equity funds.  

Direct investments in private equity companies may be valued using the market approach or the income approach, or a combination thereof, and were valued based on an assessment of each underlying investment, incorporating evaluation of additional significant third-party financing, changes in valuations of comparable peer companies, the business environment of the companies, market indices, assumptions relating to appropriate risk adjustments for nonperformance and legal restrictions on disposition, among other factors. The fair value derived from the methods used is evaluated and weighted, as appropriate, considering the reasonableness of the range of values indicated. Under the market approach, fair value may be determined by reference to multiples of market-comparable companies or transactions, including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) multiples. Under the income approach, fair value may be determined by discounting the expected cash flows to a single present value amount using current expectations about those future amounts. Unobservable inputs used in a discounted cash flow model may include projections of operating performance generally covering a five-year period and a terminal value of the private equity direct investment. For investments utilizing the discounted cash flow valuation technique, a significant increase (decrease) in the discount rate, risk premium or discount for lack of marketability in isolation could result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. For investments utilizing the market comparable companies valuation technique, a significant increase (decrease) in the EBITDA multiple in isolation could result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.


Level 3 assets may include bank loans, investments in CLOs and bonds valued based on single-broker nonbinding quotes, and direct private equity investments valued using the market approach or the income approach as described above.

Level 3 Liabilities. Level 3 borrowings of consolidated VIEs at December 31, 2014 include CLO borrowings valued based upon single-broker nonbinding quotes.

Level 3 other liabilities primarily include recorded contingent liabilities related to certain acquisitions, which were valued based upon discounted cash flow analyses using unobservable market data inputs.


Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for 2017

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2016

 

 

Realized

and

Unrealized

Gains

(Losses) in

Earnings

and OCI

 

 

Purchases

 

 

Sales and

Maturities

 

 

Issuances

and

Other

Settlements(1)

 

 

Transfers

into

Level 3

 

 

Transfers

out of

Level 3(2)

 

 

December 31,

2017

 

 

Total Net

Unrealized

Gains (Losses)

Included in

Earnings(3)

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities(4)

 

$

24

 

 

$

 

 

$

23

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

(47

)

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

Trading

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(14

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments

 

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(61

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets of consolidated VIEs - Private equity

 

 

112

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

116

 

 

$

4

 

Total Level 3 assets

 

$

143

 

 

$

4

 

 

$

30

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

(61

)

 

$

116

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other liabilities(5)

 

$

115

 

 

$

(10

)

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

111

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

236

 

 

$

(10

)

(1) 

Issuance and other settlements amount includes $120 million and $9 million of contingent liabilities in connection with the acquisition of the equity infrastructure franchise of First Reserve in June 2017 (“First Reserve Transaction”) and the acquisition of Cachematrix in July 2017 (“Cachematrix Transaction”), respectively, offset by contingent liability payments in connection with certain prior acquisitions.

(2) 

Amounts include transfers out of Level 3 due to availability of observable market inputs from pricing vendors.  

(3)     Earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date.

(4) 

Amounts include investments in CLOs.

(5) 

Other liabilities amount includes contingent liabilities in connection with certain acquisitions.


Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for 2015(1)2016

 

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2014

 

 

Realized

and

Unrealized

Gains

(Losses) in

Earnings

and OCI

 

 

Purchases

 

 

Sales and

Maturities

 

 

Issuances

and

Other

Settlements(2)(3)

 

 

Transfers

into

Level 3

 

 

Transfers

out of

Level 3

 

 

December 31,

2015

 

 

Total Net

Unrealized

Gains (Losses)

Included in

Earnings(4)

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities(5)

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

23

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

23

 

 

$

 

Trading

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

Consolidated sponsored

   investment funds- Private

   equity

 

 

80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(80

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments

 

 

80

 

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

(80

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

Assets of consolidated VIEs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private equity

 

 

 

 

 

37

 

 

 

79

 

 

 

 

 

 

80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

196

 

 

 

37

 

Bank loans

 

 

302

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(302

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonds

 

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(18

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

   of consolidated VIEs

 

 

320

 

 

 

37

 

 

 

79

 

 

 

 

 

 

(240

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

196

 

 

 

37

 

Total Level 3 assets

 

$

400

 

 

$

37

 

 

$

104

 

 

$

 

 

$

(320

)

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

221

 

 

$

37

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings of consolidated

   VIEs

 

$

3,389

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

(3,389

)

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Other liabilities

 

 

39

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

48

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

$

3,428

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

(3,377

)

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

48

 

 

$

 

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2015

 

 

Realized

and

Unrealized

Gains

(Losses) in

Earnings

and OCI

 

 

Purchases

 

 

Sales and

Maturities

 

 

Issuances

and

Other

Settlements(1)

 

 

Transfers

into

Level 3

 

 

Transfers

out of

Level 3(2)

 

 

December 31,

2016

 

 

Total Net

Unrealized

Gains (Losses)

Included in

Earnings(3)

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale securities(4)

 

$

23

 

 

$

 

 

$

47

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

(46

)

 

$

24

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trading

 

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total investments

 

 

25

 

 

 

 

 

 

55

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(49

)

 

 

31

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets of consolidated VIEs - Private equity

 

 

196

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

(15

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(78

)

 

 

112

 

 

$

3

 

 

Total Level 3 assets

 

$

221

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

61

 

 

$

(15

)

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

(127

)

 

$

143

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other liabilities(5)

 

$

48

 

 

$

3

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

70

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

115

 

 

$

3

 

 

 

(1) 

Upon adoption of ASU 2015-07, investments measured at NAV are no longer requiredIssuances and other settlements amount includes a contingent liability related to be categorized within the fair value hierarchy. See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, for further information.BofA® Global Capital Management transaction in April 2016.  

(2) 

Amounts include the consolidation (deconsolidation)transfers out of VIEsLevel 3 due to the adoptionavailability of ASU 2015-02 effective January 1, 2015.observable market inputs from pricing vendors.

(3)

Other liabilities amount includes contingent liabilities and payments of contingent liabilities related to certain acquisitions.

(4) 

Earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date.

(5)(4) 

Amounts include investments in CLOs.


Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for 2014(1)

(in millions)

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

Realized

and

Unrealized

Gains

(Losses) in

Earnings

and OCI

 

 

Purchases

 

 

Sales and

Maturities

 

 

Issuances

and

Other

Settlements(2)

 

 

Transfers

into

Level 3(3)

 

 

Transfers

out of

Level 3

 

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

Total Net

Unrealized

Gains (Losses)

Included in

Earnings(4)

 

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated sponsored

   investment funds:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hedge funds

 

$

2

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

(1

)

 

$

(1

)

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

Private equity

 

 

28

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37

 

 

 

 

 

 

80

 

 

 

(8

)

 

Assets of consolidated VIEs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank loans

 

 

129

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

210

 

 

 

(96

)

 

 

46

 

 

 

302

 

 

 

(280

)

 

 

302

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonds

 

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets of

   consolidated VIEs

 

 

164

 

 

 

(9

)

 

 

210

 

 

 

(113

)

 

 

46

 

 

 

302

 

 

 

(280

)

 

 

320

 

 

N/A

 

(5)

Total assets

 

$

194

 

 

$

(17

)

 

$

233

 

 

$

(114

)

 

$

45

 

 

$

339

 

 

$

(280

)

 

$

400

 

 

$

(8

)

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings of consolidated VIEs

 

$

2,369

 

 

$

77

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,097

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

$

3,389

 

 

N/A

 

(5)

Other liabilities

 

 

42

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

$

2,411

 

 

$

76

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,093

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

3,428

 

 

 

 

 

 

N/A – not applicable

(1) 

Upon adoption of ASU 2015-07, investments measured at NAV are no longer required to be categorized within the fair value hierarchy. See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, for further information.

(2) 

Amount primarily includes net proceeds from borrowings of consolidated VIEs.

(3) 

Includes investments previously held at cost.

(4) 

Earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets still held at the reporting date.

(5) 

The net gain (loss) on consolidated VIEs is solely attributable to noncontrolling interests on the consolidated statementsOther liabilities amount includes contingent liabilities and payments of income.contingent liabilities in connection with certain acquisitions.

 


F-22


Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) for Level 3 Assets and Liabilities. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) recorded for Level 3 assets and liabilities are reported in nonoperating income (expense) on the consolidated statements of income. A portion of net income (loss) for consolidated sponsored investment funds are allocated to noncontrolling interests to reflect net income (loss) not attributable to the Company.

Transfers in and/or out of Levels. Transfers in and/or out of levels are reflected when significant inputs, including market inputs or performance attributes, used for the fair value measurement become observable/unobservable, or when the carrying value of certain equity method investments no longer represents fair value as determined under valuation methodologies.

Assets of Consolidated VIEs. During 2014, there were $280 million of transfers out of Level 3 to Level 2 related to bank loans. In addition, in 2014, there were $302 million of transfers into Level 3 from Level 2 related to bank loans. These transfers in and out of levels were primarily due to availability/unavailability of observable market inputs, including inputs from pricing vendors and brokers.

Significant Issuances and Other Settlements. During 2015, other settlements primarily included the impact of deconsolidating previously consolidated CLOs effective January 1, 2015 as a result of adopting ASU 2015-02. See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, for further information on ASU 2015-02.

In 2014, issuances and other settlements included $1,582 million of borrowings due to the consolidation of CLOs and $485 million of repayments of borrowings of consolidated CLOs.

Disclosures of Fair Value for Financial Instruments Not Held at Fair Value. At December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments not held at fair value are categorized in the table below.

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2017

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Carrying

Amount

 

 

Estimated

Fair Value

 

 

Carrying

Amount

 

 

Estimated

Fair Value

 

 

Fair Value

Hierarchy

 

 

Carrying

Amount

 

 

Estimated

Fair Value

 

 

Carrying

Amount

 

 

Estimated

Fair Value

 

 

Fair Value

Hierarchy

 

Financial Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

6,083

 

 

$

6,083

 

 

$

5,723

 

 

$

5,723

 

 

Level 1

(1),(2)

 

$

6,894

 

 

$

6,894

 

 

$

6,091

 

 

$

6,091

 

 

Level 1

(1) (2)

Accounts receivable

 

 

2,237

 

 

 

2,237

 

 

 

2,120

 

 

 

2,120

 

 

Level 1

(3)

 

 

2,699

 

 

 

2,699

 

 

 

2,115

 

 

 

2,115

 

 

Level 1

(3)

Cash and cash equivalents of consolidated VIEs

 

 

148

 

 

 

148

 

 

 

278

 

 

 

278

 

 

Level 1

(1),(2)

 

 

144

 

 

 

144

 

 

 

84

 

 

 

84

 

 

Level 1

(1) (2)

Other assets

 

 

70

 

 

 

70

 

 

 

25

 

 

 

25

 

 

Level 1

(1) (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

 

1,068

 

 

 

1,068

 

 

 

1,035

 

 

 

1,035

 

 

Level 1

(3)

 

 

1,161

 

 

 

1,161

 

 

 

880

 

 

 

880

 

 

Level 1

(3)

Long-term borrowings

 

 

4,930

 

 

 

5,223

 

 

 

4,922

 

 

 

5,309

 

 

Level 2

(4)

 

 

5,014

 

 

 

5,225

 

 

 

4,915

 

 

 

5,165

 

 

Level 2

(5)

 

(1)

Cash and cash equivalents are carried at either cost or amortized cost, which approximates fair value due to their short-term maturities.

(2)

At December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, approximately $132$163 million and $100$132 million respectively, of money market funds were recorded within cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated statements of financial condition. In addition, at December 31, 2015,2017 and 2016, approximately $68$14 million and $13 million, respectively, of money market funds waswere recorded within cash and cash equivalents of consolidated VIEs. Money market funds are valued based on quoted market prices, or $1.00 per share, which generally is the NAV of the fund.

(3)

The carrying amounts of accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to their short-term nature.

(4)

Other assets primarily include restricted cash.

(5)

Long-term borrowings are recorded at amortized cost, net of debt issuance costs. The fair value of the long-term borrowings, including the current portion of long-term borrowings, is estimated using market prices at the end of December 20152017 and 2014,2016, respectively. See Note 12, Borrowings, for the fair value of each of the Company’s long-term borrowings.

Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share

As a practical expedient to value certain investments that do not have a readily determinable fair value and have attributes of an investment company, the Company uses NAV as the fair value. The following tables list information regarding all investments that use a fair value measurement to account for both their financial assets and financial liabilities in their calculation of a NAV per share (or equivalent).

December 31, 20152017

 

(in millions)

 

Ref

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Total

Unfunded

Commitments

 

 

Redemption

Frequency

 

Redemption

Notice Period

 

Ref

 

Fair Value

 

 

Total

Unfunded

Commitments

 

 

Redemption

Frequency

 

Redemption

Notice Period

Equity method:(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hedge funds/funds of hedge funds

 

 

(b

)

 

$

230

 

 

$

33

 

 

Daily/Monthly (21%)

Quarterly (49%)

N/R (30%)

 

30 – 90 days

 

(a)

 

$

230

 

 

$

48

 

 

Daily/Monthly (21%)

Quarterly (49%)

N/R (30%)

 

1 – 90 days

Private equity funds

 

 

(c

)

 

 

89

 

 

 

67

 

 

N/R

 

N/R

 

(b)

 

 

94

 

 

 

86

 

 

N/R

 

N/R

Real estate funds

 

 

(d

)

 

 

81

 

 

 

28

 

 

Quarterly (28%)

N/R (72%)

 

60 days

Real assets funds

 

(c)

 

 

282

 

 

 

69

 

 

Quarterly (83%)

N/R (17%)

 

60 days

Other

 

 

(e

)

 

 

44

 

 

 

5

 

 

Daily/Monthly (68%)

N/R (32%)

 

3-5 days

 

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

14

 

 

Daily (80%)

N/R (20%)

 

5 days

Consolidated VIEs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private equity funds of funds

 

 

(a

)

 

 

145

 

 

 

19

 

 

N/R

 

N/R

 

(d)

 

 

59

 

 

 

20

 

 

N/R

 

N/R

Hedge fund

 

 

(b

)

 

 

58

 

 

 

 

 

Quarterly

 

90 days

 

(a)

 

 

19

 

 

 

 

 

Quarterly

 

90 days

Real assets funds

 

(c)

 

 

34

 

 

 

49

 

 

NR

 

NR

Total

 

 

 

 

 

$

647

 

 

$

152

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

733

 

 

$

286

 

 

 

 

 

 

F-23


December 31, 20142016

 

(in millions)

 

Ref

 

Fair Value

 

 

Total

Unfunded

Commitments

 

 

Redemption

Frequency

 

Redemption

Notice Period

 

Ref

 

Fair Value

 

 

Total

Unfunded

Commitments

 

 

Redemption

Frequency

 

Redemption

Notice Period

Consolidated VREs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private equity funds of funds

 

(a)

 

$

168

 

 

$

22

 

 

N/R

 

N/R

Equity method:(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hedge funds/funds of hedge funds

 

(b)

 

 

277

 

 

 

39

 

 

Daily/Monthly (29%)

Quarterly (48%)

N/R (23%)

 

1 – 90 days

 

(a)

 

$

237

 

 

$

14

 

 

Daily/Monthly (21%)

Quarterly (51%)

N/R (28%)

 

1 – 90 days

Private equity funds

 

(c)

 

 

107

 

 

 

61

 

 

N/R

 

N/R

 

(b)

 

 

90

 

 

 

62

 

 

N/R

 

N/R

Real estate funds

 

(d)

 

 

109

 

 

 

1

 

 

Quarterly (19%)

N/R (81%)

 

60 days

Deferred compensation plan investments

 

(e)

 

 

21

 

 

 

5

 

 

N/R

 

N/R

Real assets funds

 

(c)

 

 

60

 

 

 

35

 

 

Quarterly (41%)

N/R (59%)

 

60 days

Other

 

 

 

 

12

 

 

 

9

 

 

Daily/Monthly (42%)

N/R (58%)

 

3-5 days

Consolidated VIEs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private equity fund of funds

 

(f)

 

 

10

 

 

 

1

 

 

N/R

 

N/R

Private equity funds of funds

 

(d)

 

 

89

 

 

 

16

 

 

N/R

 

N/R

Hedge fund

 

(a)

 

 

36

 

 

 

 

 

Quarterly

 

90 days

Real assets funds

 

(c)

 

 

27

 

 

 

21

 

 

NR

 

NR

Total

 

 

 

$

692

 

 

$

129

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

551

 

 

$

157

 

 

 

 

 

 

N/R – not redeemable

(1)

Comprised of equity method investments, which include investment companies, which account for their financial assets and most financial liabilities under fair value measures; therefore, the Company’s investment in such equity method investees approximates fair value.

(a)

This category includes the underlying third-party private equity funds within consolidated BlackRock sponsored private equity funds of funds. The fair values of the investments in the third-party funds have been estimated using capital accounts representing the Company’s ownership interest in each fund in the portfolio as well as other performance inputs. These investments are not subject to redemption; however, for certain funds, the Company may sell or transfer its interest, which may need approval by the general partner of the underlying funds. Due to the nature of the investments in this category, the Company reduces its investment by distributions that are received through the realization of the underlying assets of the funds. It is estimated that the underlying assets of these funds will be liquidated over a weighted-average period of approximately five years and seven years at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The total remaining unfunded commitments to other third-party funds were $19 million and $22 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company had contractual obligations to the consolidated funds of $31 million at both December 31, 2015 and 2014.


(b)

This category includes hedge funds and funds of hedge funds that invest primarily in equities, fixed income securities, distressed credit, opportunistic and mortgage instruments and other third-party hedge funds. The fair values of the investments have been estimated using the NAV of the Company’s ownership interest in partners’ capital. It was estimated that the investments in the funds that are not subject to redemption will be liquidated over a weighted-average period of approximately one year and twoseven years at December 31, 20152017 and 2014, respectively. approximately one year at December 31, 2016.

(c)(b)

This category includes several private equity funds that initially invest in nonmarketable securities of private companies, which ultimately may become public in the future. The fair values of these investments have been estimated using capital accounts representing the Company’s ownership interest in the funds as well as other performance inputs. The Company’s investment in each fund is not subject to redemption and is normally returned through distributions as a result of the liquidation of the underlying assets of the private equity funds. It was estimated that the investments in these funds will be liquidated over a weighted-average period of approximately four years at both December 31, 2015 and 2014.

(d)

This category includes several real estate funds that invest directly in real estate and real estate related assets. The fair values of the investments have been estimated using capital accounts representing the Company’s ownership interest in the funds. A majority of the Company’s investments are not subject to redemption or are not currently redeemable and are normally returned through distributions as a result of the liquidation of the underlying assets of the real estate funds. It is estimated that the investments in these funds not subject to redemptions will be liquidated over a weighted-average period of approximately six years and sevenfive years at December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, respectively.

(e)

This category for 2015 primarily includes a multi-asset fund that is redeemable.  The fair values of the investments have been estimated using capital accounts representing the Company’s ownership interest in partners’ capital.  In addition, for both 2014 and 2015, this category includes investments in several real estate funds.  The fair values of the investments have been estimated using capital accounts representing the Company’s ownership interest in partners’ capital.  The investments are not subject to redemption; however, distributions as a result of the liquidation of the underlying assets will be used to settle certain deferred compensation liabilities over time.

(f)

This category includes the underlying third-party private equity funds within one consolidated BlackRock sponsored private equity fund of funds. The fair values of the investments in the third-party funds have been estimated using capital accounts representing the Company’s ownership interest in each fund in the portfolio as well as other performance inputs. These investments are not subject to redemption; however, for certain funds the Company may sell or transfer its interest, which may need approval by the general partner of the underlying third-party funds. Due to the nature of the investments in this category, the Company reduces its investment by distributions that are received through the realization of the underlying assets of the funds. It is estimated that the underlying assets of these funds will be liquidated over a weighted-average period of approximately one year

(c)This category includes several real assets funds that invest directly in real estate, real estate related assets and infrastructure. The fair values of the investments have been estimated using capital accounts representing the Company’s ownership interest in the funds. The Company’s investments that are not subject to redemption or are not currently redeemable are normally returned through distributions as a result of the liquidation of the underlying assets of the funds. It is estimated that the investments in these funds not subject to redemptions will be liquidated over a weighted-average period of approximately eight years and six years at December 31, 2014.

Fair Value Option.

As of December 31, 2015, assets for which the fair value option was elected2017 and 2016, respectively. The total remaining unfunded commitments to other third-party funds were not material$117 million and $56 million at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The Company had contractual obligations to the consolidated financial statements.

The following table summarizes informationfunds of $98 million at December 31, 2014 related to those assets2017 and liabilities for which the fair value option was elected:

(in millions)

 

December 31,

2014

 

CLO Bank Loans:

 

 

 

 

Aggregate principal amounts outstanding

 

$

3,338

 

Fair value

 

 

3,260

 

Aggregate unpaid principal balance in excess of (less than) fair value

 

$

78

 

Unpaid principal balance of loans more than 90 days past due

 

$

6

 

Aggregate fair value of loans more than 90 days past due

 

 

2

 

Aggregate unpaid principal balance in excess of fair value for loans more than 90 days past due

 

$

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLO Borrowings:

 

 

 

 

Aggregate principal amounts outstanding

 

$

3,508

 

Fair value

 

$

3,389

 

At$56 million at December 31, 2014,2016.

(d)    This category includes the principal amounts outstandingunderlying third-party private equity funds within consolidated BlackRock sponsored private equity funds of funds. The fair values of the borrowings issuedinvestments in the third-party funds have been estimated using capital accounts representing the Company’s ownership interest in each fund in the portfolio as well as other performance inputs. These investments are not subject to redemption; however, for certain funds, the Company may sell or transfer its interest, which may need approval by the CLOs mature between 2016 and 2027.

During 2014 and 2013, the change in fair valuegeneral partner of the bank loansunderlying funds. Due to the nature of the investments in this category, the Company reduces its investment by distributions that are received through the realization of the underlying assets of the funds. It is estimated that the underlying assets of these funds will be liquidated over a weighted-average period of approximately five years at both December 31, 2017 and bonds held by the CLOs resulted in a $692016. The total remaining unfunded commitments to other third-party funds were $20 million and $153$16 million gain, respectively, which were offset by a $65at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company had contractual obligations to the consolidated funds of $23 million and $117$24 million loss, respectively, from the change in fair value of the CLO borrowings.  The net gains (losses) were recorded in net gain (loss) on consolidated VIEs on the consolidated statements of income.

The change in fair value of the assetsat December 31, 2017 and liabilities included interest income and expense,2016, respectively.

Effective January 1, 2015, the Company no longer consolidates CLOs due to the adoption of ASU 2015-02. See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, for further information.

 

 

7. Derivatives and Hedging

The Company maintains a program to enter into swaps to hedge against market price and interest rate exposures with respect to certain seed investments in sponsored investment products. At December 31, 2015,2017, the Company had outstanding total return swaps with an aggregate notional value of approximately $587 million. At December 31, 2016, the Company had outstanding total return swaps and interest rate swaps with aggregate notional values of approximately $360$572 million and $46$42 million, respectively. At December 31, 2014, the Company had outstanding

Gains (losses) on total return swaps are recorded in nonoperating income (expense) and were $(118) million, $(31) million and $11 million for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Gains (losses) on the interest rate swaps with aggregate notional values of approximately $238 millionare recorded in nonoperating income (expense) and $84 million, respectively.were not material for 2017, 2016 and 2015.

The Company has entered into a derivative, providing credit protection to a counterparty of approximately $17 million, representing the Company’s maximum risk of loss with respect to the provision of credit protection. The Company carries the derivative at fair value based on the expected discounted future cash flowsoutflows under the arrangement.

The fair values of the outstanding derivatives mentioned above were not material to the consolidated statements of financial condition at December 31, 2015 and 2014.

The Company executes forward foreign currency exchange contracts to mitigate the risk of certain foreign exchange movements. At December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, the Company had outstanding forward foreign currency exchange contracts with aggregate notional values of


approximately $169 million$1.5 billion and $201$107 million, respectively. The fair value of the forward foreign currency exchange contracts at December 31, 2015 and 2014 was not material to the consolidated statement of financial condition.

Gains (losses) on total return swaps are recorded in nonoperating income (expense) and were $11 million, $(26) million and $(15) million for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Gains (losses) on the interest rate swaps are recorded in nonoperating income (expense) and were $(21) million for 2014. Gains (losses) were not material for 2015 and 2013.

Gains (losses) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts are recorded in other general and administration expense and were $(26)$63 million for 2013.2017. Gains (losses) on the forward foreign currency exchange contracts were not material to the consolidated statements of income for 20152016 and 2014.2015.

The Company consolidates certain sponsored investment funds, which may utilize derivative instruments as a part of the funds’ investment strategies. The fair value of such derivatives at December 31, 2015 and 2014 was not material. The change in fair value of such derivatives, which is recorded in nonoperating income (expense), was not material for 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 2013.2015.

F-24


The fair value of the outstanding derivatives mentioned above were not material to the consolidated statements of financial condition at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

See Note 12, Borrowings, for more information on the Company’s net investment hedge.

 

 

8. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consists of the following:

 

 

Estimated useful

 

 

December 31,

 

 

Estimated useful

 

 

December 31,

 

(in millions)

 

life-in years

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

life-in years

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Property and equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

N/A

 

 

$

6

 

 

$

4

 

 

N/A

 

 

$

6

 

 

$

6

 

Building

 

 

39

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

39

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

33

 

Building improvements

 

 

15

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

29

 

 

 

29

 

Leasehold improvements

 

1-15

 

 

 

491

 

 

 

478

 

 

1-15

 

 

 

504

 

 

 

476

 

Equipment and computer software

 

 

3

 

 

 

374

 

 

 

387

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

444

 

 

 

411

 

Other transportation equipment

 

 

10

 

 

 

135

 

 

 

56

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

134

 

 

 

135

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

 

7

 

 

 

62

 

 

 

93

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

67

 

 

 

65

 

Construction in progress

 

N/A

 

 

 

51

 

 

 

5

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

5

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,151

 

 

 

1,054

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,250

 

 

 

1,160

 

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

570

 

 

 

587

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

658

 

 

 

601

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

 

 

 

$

581

 

 

$

467

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

592

 

 

$

559

 

 

N/A

– Not Applicable

Qualifying software costs of approximately $48$60 million, $45$50 million and $35$48 million have been capitalized within equipment and computer software during 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 2013,2015, respectively, and are being amortized over an estimated useful life of three years.

Depreciation and amortization expense was $132 million, $124 million and $115 million $117 millionfor 2017, 2016 and $128 million for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

 

9. Goodwill

Goodwill activity during 20152017 and 20142016 was as follows:

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Beginning of year balance

 

$

12,961

 

 

$

12,980

 

 

$

13,118

 

 

$

13,123

 

Acquisitions(1)

 

 

181

 

 

 

 

 

 

121

 

 

 

14

 

Goodwill adjustments related to Quellos and other(2)

 

 

(19

)

 

 

(19

)

Goodwill adjustments related to Quellos(2)

 

 

(19

)

 

 

(19

)

End of year balance

 

$

13,123

 

 

$

12,961

 

 

$

13,220

 

 

$

13,118

 

 

(1)

In 2015, amount represents $1132017, the $121 million increase includes $91 million of goodwill fromrelated to the Company’s acquisition of FutureAdvisor,First Reserve Transaction, which expanded the Company’s digital wealth management capabilities, $49energy and power infrastructure platform and $30 million of goodwill fromrelated to the Cachematrix Transaction, which enhanced the Company’s acquisition of Infraestructura Institucional, which expanded the Company’s infrastructure capabilities in Mexico,technology and $19 million of goodwill from the Company’s acquisition of certain assets related to BKCA.cash management capabilities. The total consideration paid for these acquisitionsthe First Reserve Transaction was approximately $300$193 million, including $27$120 million of contingent consideration at fair value at time of close. The total consideration paid for the Cachematrix Transaction was approximately $38 million, including $9 million of contingent consideration at fair value at time of close. In 2016, the $14 million increase represents goodwill from the BofA Global Capital Management transaction in April 2016 that transferred investment management responsibilities of approximately $80.6 billion of cash assets under management to the Company. Total consideration included $75 million of contingent consideration at fair value at time of close. BlackRock’s platform provides clients with broad access to high quality, global liquidity investment solutions.          

(2)

The decrease in goodwill during both 20152017 and 2014 primarily2016 resulted from a decline related to tax benefits realized from tax-deductible goodwill in excess of book goodwill from the acquisition of the fund-of-funds business of Quellos Group, LLC in October 2007 (the “Quellos Transaction”). Goodwill related to the Quellos Transaction will continue to be reduced in future periods by the amount of tax benefits realized from tax-deductible goodwill in excess of book goodwill from the Quellos Transaction. The balance of the Quellos tax-deductible goodwill in excess of book goodwill was approximately $231$168 million and $263$200 million at December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, respectively.

BlackRock assessed its goodwill for impairment as of July 31, 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 20132015 and considered such factors as the book value and the market capitalization of the Company. The impairment assessment indicated no impairment charges were required. The Company continues to monitor its book value per share compared with closing prices of its common stock for potential indicators of impairment. At December 31, 2015,2017, the Company’s common stock closed at a market price of $340.52,$513.71, which exceeded its book value of approximately $172.12$197.61 per share.

 

F-25



10. Intangible Assets

Intangible assets at December 31, 20152017 and 20142016 consisted of the following:

 

(in millions)

 

Remaining

Weighted-

Average

Estimated

Useful Life

 

 

Gross Carrying

Amount

 

 

Accumulated

Amortization

 

 

Net Carrying

Amount

 

 

Remaining

Weighted-

Average

Estimated

Useful Life

 

 

Gross Carrying

Amount

 

 

Accumulated

Amortization

 

 

Net Carrying

Amount

 

At December 31, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At December 31, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indefinite-lived intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management contracts

 

N/A

 

 

$

15,769

 

 

$

 

 

$

15,769

 

Trade names / trademarks

 

N/A

 

 

 

1,403

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,403

 

License

 

N/A

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

Total indefinite-lived intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,178

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,178

 

Finite-lived intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management contracts

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

379

 

 

 

212

 

 

 

167

 

Investor/customer relationships

 

 

11.2

 

 

 

45

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

43

 

Intellectual property

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

1

 

Total finite-lived intangible assets

 

 

6.5

 

 

 

430

 

 

 

219

 

 

 

211

 

Total intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

$

17,608

 

 

$

219

 

 

$

17,389

 

At December 31, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indefinite-lived intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management contracts

 

N/A

 

 

$

15,699

 

 

$

 

 

$

15,699

 

 

N/A

 

 

$

15,769

 

 

$

 

 

$

15,769

 

Trade names / trademarks

 

N/A

 

 

 

1,403

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,403

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

1,403

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,403

 

License

 

N/A

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

Total indefinite-lived intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,108

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,108

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,178

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,178

 

Finite-lived intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management contracts

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

1,003

 

 

 

741

 

 

 

262

 

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

1,011

 

 

 

827

 

 

 

184

 

Intellectual property

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

1

 

Total finite-lived intangible assets

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

1,009

 

 

 

745

 

 

 

264

 

 

 

3.8

 

 

 

1,017

 

 

 

832

 

 

 

185

 

Total intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

$

18,117

 

 

$

745

 

 

$

17,372

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

18,195

 

 

$

832

 

 

$

17,363

 

At December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indefinite-lived intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management contracts

 

N/A

 

 

$

15,579

 

 

$

 

 

$

15,579

 

Trade names / trademarks

 

N/A

 

 

 

1,403

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,403

 

License

 

N/A

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

Total indefinite-lived intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,988

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,988

 

Finite-lived intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management contracts

 

 

3.8

 

 

 

1,390

 

 

 

1,036

 

 

 

354

 

Intellectual property

 

 

3.6

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

2

 

Total finite-lived intangible assets

 

 

3.8

 

 

 

1,396

 

 

 

1,040

 

 

 

356

 

Total intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

$

18,384

 

 

$

1,040

 

 

$

17,344

 

 

N/A

— Not Applicable

 

The impairment tests performed for intangible assets as of July 31, 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 20132015 indicated no impairment charges were required.

Estimated amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets for each of the five succeeding years is as follows:

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year

 

Amount

 

 

Amount

 

2016

 

$

97

 

2017

 

 

80

 

2018

 

 

30

 

 

$

45

 

2019

 

 

28

 

 

 

44

 

2020

 

 

14

 

 

 

29

 

2021

 

 

27

 

2022

 

 

18

 

 

Indefinite-Lived Acquired Management Contracts

In March 2015,2017, in connection with the BKCA acquisition,First Reserve Transaction, the Company acquired $120 million of indefinite-lived management contracts.

Finite-Lived Acquired Management Contracts

In October 2015, in connection with the Infraestructura Institucional acquisition, the Company acquired $36$70 million of finite-lived management contracts with a weighted-average estimated useful life of approximately six7.6 years.  In addition, in 2017 in connection with the First Reserve and Cachematrix Transactions, the Company acquired $40 million and $5 million, respectively, of investor/customer relationships with a weighted-average estimated life of approximately 12 and 10 years, respectively.  

In 2016, in connection with the BofA Global Capital Management transaction, the Company acquired $70 million of indefinite-lived management contracts and $20 million of finite-lived management contracts with a weighted-average estimated life of approximately 10 years.

 

11. Other Assets

At March 31, 2013, BlackRock held an approximately one-third economic equityThe Company accounts for its interest in Private National Mortgage Acceptance Company, LLC (“PNMAC”), which is accounted forPennyMac as an equity method investment, andwhich is included in other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition. On May 8, 2013, PennyMac became the sole managing member of PNMAC in connection with an initial public offering of PennyMac (the “PennyMac IPO”). As a result of the 2013 PennyMac IPO, BlackRock recorded a noncash, nonoperating pre-tax gain of $39 million related to the carrying value of its equity method investment.

Subsequent to the PennyMac IPO, in 2013 the Company contributed 6.1 million units of its PennyMac investment to a new donor advised fund (the “Charitable Contribution”). The fair value of the Charitable Contribution was $124 million and is included in general and administration expense on the consolidated statements of income for 2013. In connection with the Charitable Contribution, the Company also recorded a noncash, nonoperating pre-tax gain of $80 million related to the contributed investment and a tax benefit of approximately $48 million.

The carrying value and fair value of the Company’s interest (approximately 20% or 16 million shares and non-public units) was approximately $222$342 million and $239$348 million, respectively, at December 31, 20152017 and approximately $167$301 million and $269$259 million, respectively, at December 31, 2014.2016. The fair value of the Company’s interest reflected the PennyMac stock price at December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, respectively (a Level 1 input). The fair value of the Company’s interest in the non-public units held of PennyMac is based on the stock price of the PennyMac public securities at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

 


12. Borrowings

Short-Term Borrowings

20152017 Revolving Credit Facility.  In March 2011, the Company entered into a five-year $3.5 billion unsecured revolvingThe Company’s credit facility whichhas an aggregate commitment amount of $4.0 billion and was amended in 2014, 2013 and 2012. In April 2015, the Company’s credit facility was further amended2017 to extend the maturity date to March 2020 and to increase April 2022(the amount of the aggregate commitment to $4.0 billion (the “2015“2017 credit facility”). The 20152017 credit facility permits the Company to request up to an additional $1.0 billion of borrowing capacity, subject to lender credit approval, increasing the overall size of the 20152017 credit facility to an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5.0 billion. Interest on borrowings outstanding accrues at a rate based on the applicable London Interbank Offered Rate plus a spread. The 20152017 credit facility requires the Company not to exceed a maximum leverage ratio (ratio of net debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, where net debt equals total debt less unrestricted cash) of 3 to 1, which was

F-26


satisfied with a ratio of less than 1 to 1 at December 31, 2015.2017. The 20152017 credit facility provides back-up liquidity to fund ongoing working capital for general corporate purposes and various investment opportunities. At December 31, 2015,2017, the Company had no amount outstanding under the 20152017 credit facility.

Commercial Paper Program.  On October 14, 2009, BlackRock established a commercial paper program (the “CP Program”) under which theThe Company couldcan issue unsecured commercial paper notes (the “CP Notes”) on a private placementprivate-placement basis up to a maximum aggregate amount outstanding at any time of $4.0 billion as amended in April 2015.billion. The CP Programcommercial paper program is currently supported by the 20152017 credit facility. At December 31, 2015,2017, BlackRock had no CP Notes outstanding.

Long-Term Borrowings

The carrying value and fair value of long-term borrowings estimated using market prices and foreign exchange rates at December 31, 20152017 included the following:

 

(in millions)

 

Maturity Amount

 

 

Unamortized

Discount and Debt Issuance Costs

 

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Maturity Amount

 

 

Unamortized

Discount and Debt Issuance Costs

 

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Fair Value

 

6.25% Notes due 2017

 

$

700

 

 

$

(1

)

 

$

699

 

 

$

757

 

5.00% Notes due 2019

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

997

 

 

 

1,106

 

 

$

1,000

 

 

$

(1

)

 

$

999

 

 

$

1,051

 

4.25% Notes due 2021

 

 

750

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

745

 

 

 

828

 

 

 

750

 

 

 

(3

)

 

 

747

 

 

 

792

 

3.375% Notes due 2022

 

 

750

 

 

 

(6

)

 

 

744

 

 

 

773

 

 

 

750

 

 

 

(4

)

 

 

746

 

 

 

774

 

3.50% Notes due 2024

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 

992

 

 

 

1,030

 

 

 

1,000

 

 

 

(6

)

 

 

994

 

 

 

1,038

 

1.25% Notes due 2025

 

 

760

 

 

 

(7

)

 

 

753

 

 

 

729

 

 

 

841

 

 

 

(6

)

 

 

835

 

 

 

864

 

3.20% Notes due 2027

 

 

700

 

 

 

(7

)

 

 

693

 

 

 

706

 

Total Long-term Borrowings

 

$

4,960

 

 

$

(30

)

 

$

4,930

 

 

$

5,223

 

 

$

5,041

 

 

$

(27

)

 

$

5,014

 

 

$

5,225

 

 

Long-term borrowings at December 31, 20142016 had a carrying value of $4.922$4.9 billion and a fair value of $5.309$5.2 billion determined using market prices at the end of December 2014.2016.

2027 Notes.  In March 2017, the Company issued $700 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.20% senior unsecured and unsubordinated notes maturing on March 15, 2027 (the “2027 Notes”). Interest is payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing September 15, 2017, and is approximately $22 million per year. The 2027 Notes may be redeemed prior to maturity at any time in whole or in part at the option of the Company at a “make-whole” redemption price.  The unamortized discount and debt issuance costs are being amortized over the remaining term of the 2027 Notes.

In April 2017, the net proceeds of the 2027 Notes were used to fully repay $700 million in aggregate principal amount outstanding of 6.25% notes prior to their maturity in September 2017.

2025 Notes.  In May 2015, the Company issued €700 million of 1.25% senior unsecured notes maturing on May 6, 2025 (the “2025 Notes”). The notes are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The net proceeds of the 2025 Notes were used for general corporate purposes, including refinancing of outstanding indebtedness. Interest of approximately $10$9 million per year based on current exchange rates is payable annually on May 6 of each year. The 2025 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part prior to maturity at any time at the option of the Company at a “make-whole” redemption price. The unamortized discount and debt issuance costs are being amortized over the remaining term of the 2025 Notes.  

Upon conversion to U.S. dollars the Company designated the €700 million debt offering as a net investment hedge to offset its currency exposure relating to its net investment in certain euro functional currency operations. A loss of $64 million (net of a tax benefit of $38 million), a gain of $14 million (net of tax of $8 million), and a gain of $19 million net(net of tax wasof $11 million) were recognized in other comprehensive income for 2015.2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. No hedge ineffectiveness was recognized during 2017, 2016, and 2015.

2024 Notes.  In March 2014, the Company issued $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of 3.50% senior unsecured and unsubordinated notes maturing on March 18, 2024 (the “2024 Notes”). The net proceeds of the 2024 Notes were used to refinance certain indebtedness which matured in the fourth quarter of 2014. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 18 and September 18 of each year, or approximately $35 million per year. The 2024 Notes may be redeemed prior to maturity at any time in whole or in part at the option of the Company at a “make-whole” redemption price. The unamortized discount and debt issuance costs are being amortized over the remaining term of the 2024 Notes.

2022 Notes. In May 2012, the Company issued $1.5 billion in aggregate principal amount of unsecured unsubordinated obligations. These notes were issued as two separate series of senior debt securities, including $750 million of 1.375% notes, which were repaid in June 2015 at maturity, and $750 million of 3.375% notes maturing in June 2022 (the “2022 Notes”).   Net proceeds were used to fund the repurchase of BlackRock’s common stock and Series B Preferred from Barclays and affiliates and for general corporate purposes. Interest on the 2022 Notes of approximately $25 million per year respectively, is payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year, which commenced December 1, 2012.year. The 2022 Notes may be redeemed prior to maturity at any time in whole or in part at the option of the Company at a “make-whole” redemption price. The “make-whole” redemption price represents a price, subject to the specific terms of the 2022 Notes and related indenture, that is the greater of (a) par value and (b) the present value of future payments that will not be paid because of an early redemption, which is discounted at a fixed spread over a comparable Treasury security. The unamortized discount and debt issuance costs are being amortized over the remaining term of the 2022 Notes.

2021 Notes.In May 2011, the Company issued $1.5 billion in aggregate principal amount of unsecured unsubordinated obligations. These notes were issued as two separate series of senior debt securities, including $750 million of 4.25% notes maturing in May 2021 and $750 million of floating rate notes, (“2013 Floating Rate Notes”), which were repaid in May 2013 at maturity. Net proceeds of this offering were used to fund the repurchase of BlackRock’s Series B Preferred from affiliates of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (“Merrill Lynch”). Interest on the 4.25% notes due in 2021 (“2021 Notes”) is payable semi-annually on May 24 and November 24 of each year, which commenced November 24, 2011, and is approximately $32 million per year. The 2021 Notes may be redeemed prior to maturity at any time in whole or in part at the option of the


Company at a “make-whole” redemption price. The unamortized discount and debt issuance costs are being amortized over the remaining term of the 2021 Notes.

F-27


2019 Notes.  In December 2009, the Company issued $2.5 billion in aggregate principal amount of unsecured and unsubordinated obligations. These notes were issued as three separate series of senior debt securities including $0.5 billion of 2.25% notes, which were repaid in December 2012, $1.0 billion of 3.50% notes, which were repaid in December 2014 at maturity, and $1.0 billion of 5.0% notes maturing in December 2019 (the “2019 Notes”). Net proceeds of this offering were used to repay borrowings under the CP Program, which was used to finance a portion of the acquisition of Barclays Global Investors (“BGI”) from Barclays on December 1, 2009, (the “BGI Transaction”), and for general corporate purposes. Interest on the 2019 Notes of approximately $50 million per year is payable semi-annually in arrears on June 10 and December 10 of each year. These notes may be redeemed prior to maturity at any time in whole or in part at the option of the Company at a “make-whole” redemption price. The unamortized discount and debt issuance costs are being amortized over the remaining term of the 2019 Notes.

2017 Notes. In September 2007, the Company issued $700 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.25% senior unsecured and unsubordinated notes maturing on September 15, 2017 (the “2017 Notes”). A portion of the net proceeds of the 2017 Notes was used to fund the initial cash payment for the acquisition of the fund-of-funds business of Quellos and the remainder was used for general corporate purposes. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, or approximately $44 million per year. The 2017 Notes may be redeemed prior to maturity at any time in whole or in part at the option of the Company at a “make-whole” redemption price. The unamortized discount and debt issuance costs are being amortized over the remaining term of the 2017 Notes.

 

 

13. Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Lease Commitments

The Company leases its primary office spaces under agreements that expire through 2035.2043. Future minimum commitments under these operating leases are as follows:

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year

 

Amount

 

 

Amount

 

2016

 

$

134

 

2017

 

 

133

 

2018

 

 

131

 

 

 

141

 

2019

 

 

125

 

 

 

132

 

2020

 

 

120

 

 

 

126

 

2021

 

 

118

 

2022

 

 

109

 

Thereafter

 

 

560

 

 

 

1,580

 

Total

 

$

1,203

 

 

$

2,206

 

In May 2017, the Company entered into an agreement with 50 HYMC Owner LLC, for the lease of approximately 847,000 square feet of office space located at 50 Hudson Yards, New York, New York. The term of the lease is twenty years from the date that rental payments begin, expected to occur in May 2023, with the option to renew for a specified term. The lease requires annual base rental payments of approximately $51 million per year during the first five years of the lease term, increasing every five years to $58 million, $66 million and $74 million per year (or approximately $1.2 billion in base rent over its twenty-year term). This lease is classified as an operating lease and, as such, is not recorded as a liability on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

 

Rent expense and certain office equipment expense under lease agreements amounted to $132 million, $134 million and $136 million $132 millionin 2017, 2016 and $137 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Investment Commitments. At December 31, 2015,2017, the Company had $179$298 million of various capital commitments to fund sponsored investment funds, including consolidated VIEs.  These funds include private equity funds, real estate funds, infrastructureassets funds, and opportunistic funds. This amount excludes additional commitments made by consolidated funds of funds to underlying third-party funds as third-party noncontrolling interest holders have the legal obligation to fund the respective commitments of such funds of funds. In addition to the capital commitments of $179 million, the Company had approximately $38 million of contingent commitments for certain funds which have investment periods that have expired. Generally, the timing of the funding of these commitments is unknown and the commitments are callable on demand at any time prior to the expiration of the commitment. These unfunded commitments are not recorded on the consolidated statements of financial condition. These commitments do not include potential future commitments approved by the Company that are not yet legally binding. The Company intends to make additional capital commitments from time to time to fund additional investment products for, and with, its clients.

Contingencies

Contingent Payments Related to Business Acquisitions.  In connection with certain acquisitions, BlackRock is required to make contingent payments, subject to achieving specified performance targets, which may include revenue related to acquired contracts or new capital commitments for certain products. The fair value of the remaining aggregate contingent payments at December 31, 2017 totaled $236 million, including $128 million related to the First Reserve Transaction, and is included in other liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Other Contingent Payments. The Company acts as the portfolio manager in a series of derivative transactions and has a maximum potential exposure of $17 million between the Company and counterparty. See Note 7, Derivatives and Hedging, for further discussion.

Contingent Payments Related to Business Acquisitions. In connection with certain acquisitions, BlackRock is required to make contingent payments, subject to the acquired businesses achieving specified performance targets over a certain period subsequent to the applicable acquisition date.  The fair value of the remaining aggregate contingent payments at December 31, 2015 is not significant to the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition and is included in other liabilities.

Legal Proceedings. From time to time, BlackRock receives subpoenas or other requests for information from various U.S. federal, state governmental and domesticregulatory authorities and international regulatory authorities in connection with certain industry-wide or other investigations or proceedings. It is BlackRock’s policy to cooperate fully with such inquiries. The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have been named as defendants in various legal actions, including arbitrations and other litigation arising in connection with BlackRock’s activities. Additionally, BlackRock advisedBlackRock-advised investment portfolios may be subject to lawsuits, any of which potentially could harm the investment returns of the applicable portfolio or result in the Company being liable to the portfolios for any resulting damages.

 

On May 27, 2014, certain purported investors in the BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, Inc. and the BlackRock Equity Dividend Fund (collectively, the “Funds”) filed a consolidated complaint (the “Consolidated Complaint”) in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against BlackRock Advisors, LLC, BlackRock Investment Management, LLC and BlackRock International Limited (collectively, the “Defendants”) under the caption In re BlackRock Mutual Funds Advisory Fee Litigation. The Consolidated Complaint, which purports to be brought derivatively on behalf of the Funds, alleges that the Defendantsdefendants violated Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act by receiving


allegedly excessive investment advisory fees from the Funds. On February 24, 2015, the same plaintiffs filed another complaint in the same court against BlackRock Investment Management, LLC and BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The allegations and legal claims in both complaints are substantially similar, with the new complaint purporting to challenge fees received by Defendants after the plaintiffs filed their prior complaint. Both complaints seek, among other things, to recover on behalf of the Funds all allegedly excessive advisory fees received by Defendantsdefendants in the twelve month period preceding the start of each lawsuit, along with purported lost investment returns on

F-28


those amounts, plus interest. On March 25, 2015, Defendants’ motion to dismiss the Consolidated Complaint was denied. The Defendantsdefendants believe the claims in both lawsuits are without merit and intendare vigorously defending the actions.  On September 25, 2017, the defendants filed a motion for summary judgment to vigorously defenddismiss the actions.lawsuit, which is pending.

BetweenIn November 12, 2015 and November 16, 2015, BlackRock, Inc., BlackRock Realty Advisors, Inc. (“BRA”) and the, BlackRock US Core Property Fund, Inc. (formerly known as BlackRock Granite Property Fund, Inc.) (“Granite Fund”), along withand certain other Granite Fund-relatedFund related entities (collectively, the “BlackRock Parties”) were named as defendants in thirteen separate lawsuits filed in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Alameda arising out of the June 16, 2015 collapse of a balcony at the Library Gardens apartment complex in Berkeley, California (the “Property”). The Property is indirectly owned by the Granite Fund, which is managed by BRA. The plaintiffs also named as defendants in the lawsuits Greystar, which is the property manager ofmanages the Property, and certain other non-BlackRock related entities, including the developer of the Property, building contractors and building materials suppliers. The plaintiffs allege,alleged, among other things, that the BlackRock Parties were negligent in their ownership, control and maintenance of the Property’s balcony, and seeksought monetary, including punitive, damages. Additionally, on March 16, 2016, three former tenants of the Library Gardens apartment unit who were not physically injured but experienced the balcony collapse sued the BlackRock Parties for emotional damages. In November 2017, the BlackRock Parties settled all of the lawsuits relating to Library Gardens.  

On June 16, 2016, iShares Trust, BlackRock, Inc. and certain of its advisory affiliates, and the directors and certain officers of the iShares ETFs were named as defendants in a purported class action lawsuit filed in California state court. The lawsuit was filed by investors in certain iShares ETFs (the "ETFs"), and alleges the defendants violated the federal securities laws, purportedly by failing to adequately disclose in prospectuses issued by the ETFs the risks to the ETFs’ shareholders in the event of a "flash crash."  Plaintiffs seek unspecified monetary damages. The plaintiffs’ complaint was dismissed in December 2016 and on January 6, 2017, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint. The defendants filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings dismissing that complaint. On September 18, 2017, the court dismissed the lawsuit. On December 1, 2017, the plaintiffs appealed the dismissal of their lawsuit.

On April 5, 2017, BlackRock, Inc., BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, believesN.A. (“BTC”), the BlackRock, Inc. Retirement Committee and various sub-committees, and a BlackRock employee were named as defendants in a purported class action lawsuit brought in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California by a former employee on behalf of all BlackRock employee 401(k) Plan (the “Plan”) participants and beneficiaries in the Plan from April 5, 2011, to the present. The lawsuit generally alleges that the defendants breached their duties towards Plan participants in violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 by, among other things, offering investment options that were overly expensive, underperformed peer funds, focused disproportionately on active versus passive strategies, and were unduly concentrated with investment options managed by BlackRock. While the complaint does not contain any specific amount in alleged damages, it claims that the purported underperformance and hidden fees cost Plan participants more than $60 million. On October 10, 2017, the plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint, which, among other things, adds as defendants certain current and former members of the BlackRock Retirement and Investment Committees. The Amended Complaint also includes a new purported class claim on behalf of investors in certain Collective Trust Funds (“CTFs”) managed by BTC. Specifically, the plaintiffs allege that BTC, as fiduciary to the CTFs, engaged in self-dealing by, most significantly, selecting itself as the lending agent on terms that plaintiffs claim were excessive.  The defendants believe the claims in the lawsuitsthis lawsuit are without merit and intendsis vigorously defending the action. BlackRock moved to vigorously defenddismiss the actions.Amended Complaint on November 8, 2017.

Management, after consultation with legal counsel, currently does not anticipate that the aggregate liability arising out of regulatory matters or lawsuits will have a material effect on BlackRock’s results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. However, there is no assurance as to whether any such pending or threatened matters will have a material effect on BlackRock’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows in any future reporting period. Due to uncertainties surrounding the outcome of these matters, management cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may arise from these matters.  

Indemnifications. In the ordinary course of business or in connection with certain acquisition agreements, BlackRock enters into contracts pursuant to which it may agree to indemnify third parties in certain circumstances. The terms of these indemnities vary from contract to contract and the amount of indemnification liability, if any, cannot be determined or the likelihood of any liability is considered remote. Consequently, no liability has been recorded on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

In connection with securities lending transactions, BlackRock has issued certain indemnifications to certain securities lending clients against potential loss resulting from a borrower’s failure to fulfill its obligations under the securities lending agreement should the value of the collateral pledged by the borrower at the time of default be insufficient to cover the borrower’s obligation under the securities lending agreement. At December 31, 2015,2017, the Company indemnified certain of its clients for their securities lending loan balances of approximately $169.3$200 billion. The Company held as agent, cash and securities totaling $179.6$214 billion as collateral for indemnified securities on loan at December 31, 2015.2017. The fair value of these indemnifications was not material at December 31, 2015.2017.

 

 

14. Stock-Based Compensation

The components of stock-based compensation expense are as follows:

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Stock-based compensation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock and RSUs

 

$

484

 

 

$

421

 

 

$

415

 

 

$

524

 

 

$

493

 

 

$

484

 

Long-term incentive plans to be funded by PNC

 

 

30

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

33

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

28

 

 

 

30

 

Stock options

 

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation

 

$

514

 

 

$

453

 

 

$

448

 

 

$

542

 

 

$

521

 

 

$

514

 

 

Stock Award and Incentive Plan. Pursuant to the BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan (the “Award Plan”), options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price not less than the market value of BlackRock’s common stock on the date of grant in the form of stock options, restricted stock or RSUs may be granted to employees and nonemployee directors. A maximum of 34,500,000 shares of common stock were authorized for issuance under the Award Plan. Of this amount, 7,621,0462,438,646 shares remain available for future awards at December 31, 2015.2017. Upon exercise of employee stock options, the issuance of restricted stock or the vesting of RSUs, the Company issues shares out of treasury to the extent available.

F-29


Restricted Stock and RSUs. Pursuant to the Award Plan, restricted stock grants and RSUs may be granted to certain employees. Substantially all restricted stock and RSUs vest over periods ranging from one to three years and are expensed using the straight-line method over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award was, in-substance, multiple awards. Restricted stock and RSUs are not considered participating securities for purposes of calculating EPS as the dividend equivalents are subject to forfeiture prior to vesting of the award.  

Restricted stock and RSU activity for 20152017 is summarized below.

 

Outstanding at

 

Restricted

Stock and

Units

 

 

Weighted

Average

Grant-Date

Fair Value

 

 

Restricted

Stock and

RSUs

 

 

Weighted-

Average

Grant Date

Fair Value

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

3,401,909

 

 

$

257.01

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

2,987,588

 

 

$

318.04

 

Granted

 

 

1,377,263

 

 

$

343.49

 

 

 

1,104,210

 

 

$

381.62

 

Converted

 

 

(1,639,078

)

 

$

231.26

 

 

 

(1,424,649

)

 

$

321.12

 

Forfeited

 

 

(72,357

)

 

$

306.41

 

 

 

(58,481

)

 

$

339.17

 

December 31, 2015(1)

 

 

3,067,737

 

 

$

308.42

 

December 31, 2017(1)

 

 

2,608,668

 

 

$

342.79

 

 

(1)

At December 31, 2015,2017, approximately 2.82.3 million awards are expected to vest and 0.20.3 million awards have vested but have not been converted.


The Company values restricted stock and RSUs at their grant-date fair value as measured by BlackRock’s common stock price. The total grant-date fair market value of RSUs/restricted stock granted to employees during 2017, 2016 and 2015 2014 and 2013 was $473$421 million, $472$446 million and $390$473 million, respectively. The total grant-date fair market value of RSUs/restricted stock converted to common stock during 2017, 2016 and 2015 2014was $457 million, $413 million and 2013 was $379 million, $534 million and $528 million, respectively.

At December 31, 2015, the intrinsic value of outstanding RSUs was $1.0 billion, reflecting a closing stock price of $340.52 at December 31, 2015.

RSUs/restricted stock granted in connection with annual incentive compensation under the Award Plan primarily related to the following:

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Awards granted as part of annual incentive compensation that vest ratably over three

   years from the date of grant

 

 

952,329

 

 

 

1,022,295

 

 

 

1,172,381

 

Awards granted that cliff vest 100% on:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 31, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

370,812

 

January 31, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

287,963

 

 

 

 

January 31, 2018

 

 

303,999

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,256,328

 

 

 

1,310,258

 

 

 

1,543,193

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Awards granted that vest ratably over three years from the date of grant

 

 

699,991

 

 

 

1,030,964

 

 

 

952,329

 

Awards granted that cliff vest 100% on:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

303,999

 

January 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

303,587

 

 

 

 

January 31, 2020

 

 

277,313

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

977,304

 

 

 

1,334,551

 

 

 

1,256,328

 

 

In addition the Company also granted RSUs of 126,906, 146,574 and 120,935 166,018during 2017, 2016 and 117,339 during 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.respectively, with varying vesting periods up to three years.

At December 31, 2015,2017, the intrinsic value of outstanding RSUs was $1.3 billion, reflecting a closing stock price of $513.71 at December 31, 2017.

At December 31, 2017, there was $305$272 million in total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested RSUs. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average period of 0.9 years.less than one year.

In January 2016,2018, the Company granted under the Award Plan

1,030,964527,337 RSUs or shares of restricted stock to employees as part of annual incentive compensation that vest ratably over three years from the date of grant; and

303,587209,201 RSUs or shares of restricted stock to employees that cliff vest 100% on January 31, 2019.2021.  

Performance-Based RSUs.  Pursuant to the Award Plan, performance-based RSUs may be granted to certain employees. Each performance-based award consists of a “base” number of RSUs granted to the employee. The number of shares that an employee ultimately receives at vesting will be equal to the base number of performance-based RSUs granted, multiplied by a predetermined percentage determined in accordance with the level of attainment of Company performance measures during the performance period and could be higher or lower than the original RSU grant. The awards are generally forfeited if the employee leaves the Company before the vesting date. Performance-based RSUs are not considered participating securities as the dividend equivalents are subject to forfeiture prior to vesting of the award.

In the first quarter of 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company granted 294,584, 375,242, and 262,847, respectively, performance-based RSUs to certain employees that cliff vest 100% on January 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 respectively. These awards are amortized over a service period of three years.  The number of shares distributed at vesting could be higher or lower than the original grant based on the level of attainment of predetermined Company performance measures.

Performance-based RSU activity for 2017 is summarized below.

Outstanding at

 

Performance-

Based RSUs

 

 

Weighted-

Average

Grant Date

Fair Value

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

610,371

 

 

$

315.65

 

Granted

 

 

294,584

 

 

$

375.27

 

Forfeited

 

 

(1,430

)

 

$

296.12

 

December 31, 2017

 

 

903,525

 

 

$

335.12

 


The Company initially values performance-based RSUs at their grant-date fair value as measured by BlackRock’s common stock price. The total grant-date fair market value of performance-based RSUs granted to employees during 2017 was $111 million.

At December 31, 2017, the intrinsic value of outstanding performance-based RSUs was $464 million reflecting a closing stock price of $513.71.

At December 31, 2017, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested performance-based awards was $117 million.  The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average period of 1.2 years.

In January 2018, the Company granted 199,068 performance-based RSUs to certain employees that cliff vest 100% on January 31, 2021. These awards are amortized over a service period of three years.  The number of shares distributed at vesting could be higher or lower than the original grant based on the level of attainment of predetermined Company performance measures.

Market Performance-based RSUs. Pursuant to the Award Plan, market performance-based RSUs may be granted to certain employees. The market performance-based RSUs require that separate 15%, 25% and 35% share price appreciation targets be achieved during the six-year term of the awards. The awards are split into three tranches and each tranche may vest if the specified target increase in share price is met. Eligible vesting dates for each tranche are January 31 (or, if such date is not a business day, the next following business day) of the year in which the fourth, fifth or sixth anniversaries of the grant-date occurs. Certain awards are forfeited if the employee leaves BlackRock before the vesting date. These awards are amortized over a service period of four years, which is the longer of the explicit service period or the period in which the market target is expected to be met. Market performance-based RSUs are not considered participating securities as the dividend equivalents are subject to forfeiture prior to vesting of the award. During 20152017 and 2016 there were no market performance-based awards granted.  In 2014 and 2013, the Company granted 315,961 and 556,581 market performance-based RSUs, respectively.  The 2013 grant will be funded primarily by shares currently held by PNC (see Long-Term Incentive PlansFunded by PNC below).

Market performance-based RSU activity for 20152017 is summarized below.

 

Outstanding at

 

Market

Performance-

Based RSUs

 

 

Weighted

Average

Grant-Date

Fair Value

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

1,425,319

 

 

$

137.31

 

Forfeited

 

 

(47,142

)

 

$

144.27

 

December 31, 2015(1)

 

 

1,378,177

 

 

$

137.07

 

Outstanding at

 

Market

Performance-

Based RSUs

 

 

Weighted-

Average

Grant Date

Fair Value

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

803,474

 

 

$

151.20

 

Converted

 

 

(517,138

)

 

$

126.76

 

December 31, 2017(1)

 

 

286,336

 

 

$

195.33

 

 

(1)

At December 31, 2015,2017, approximately 1.30.3 million awards are expected to vest and an immaterial amount of awards have vested and have not been converted.on January 31, 2018.  

At December 31, 2015,2017, the intrinsic value of outstanding market performance-based awards was $147 million reflecting a closing stock price of $513.71.

At December 31, 2017, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested market performance-based awards was $47$1 million. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected towill be recognized over the remaining weighted-average period of 0.9 years.

At December 31, 2015, the intrinsic value of outstanding market performance-based awards was $469 million reflecting a closing stock price of $340.52.

The grant-date fair value of the awards was $62 million in 2014 and $71 million in 2013. The fair value was calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation with the following assumptions:

Grant

Year

 

Risk-Free

Interest

Rate

 

 

Performance

Period

 

 

Expected

Stock

Volatility

 

 

Expected

Dividend

Yield

 

2013

 

 

1.05

%

 

 

6

 

 

 

25.85

%

 

 

2.89

%

2014

 

 

2.05

%

 

 

6

 

 

 

27.40

%

 

 

2.42

%

The Company’s expected stock volatility assumption was based upon an average of the historical stock price fluctuations of BlackRock’s common stock and an implied volatility at the grant-date. The dividend yield assumption was derived using estimated dividends over the expected term and the stock price at the date of grant. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield at date of grant.


Performance-Based RSUs.  Pursuant to the Award Plan, performance-based RSUs may be granted to certain employees. Each performance-based award consists of a “base” number of RSUs granted to the employee. The number of shares that an employee ultimately receives at vesting will be equal to the base number of performance-based RSUs granted, multiplied by a predetermined percentage determined in accordance with the level of attainment of Company performance measures during the performance period and could be higher or lower than the original RSU grant. The awards are generally forfeited if the employee leaves the Company before the vesting date. Performance-based RSUs are not considered participating securities as the dividend equivalents are subject to forfeiture prior to vesting of the award.

In January 2015, the Company granted 262,847 performance-based RSUs to certain employees that cliff vest 100% on January 31, 2018. These awards are amortized over a service period of three years.  The number of shares distributed at vesting could be higher or lower than the original grant based on the level of attainment of predetermined Company performance measures.

Performance-based RSU activity for 2015 is summarized below.

Outstanding at

 

Performance-

Based RSUs

 

 

Weighted

Average

Grant-Date

Fair Value

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

$

 

Granted

 

 

262,847

 

 

$

343.86

 

Forfeited

 

 

(6,979

)

 

$

343.86

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

255,868

 

 

$

343.86

 

At December 31, 2015, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested performance-based awards was $59 million.  The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average period of 2.1 years.

The Company values performance-based RSUs at their grant-date fair value as measured by BlackRock’s common stock price. The total grant-date fair market value of performance-based RSUs expected to vest was $90 million.

At December 31, 2015, the intrinsic value of outstanding performance-based RSUs was $87 million reflecting a closing stock price of $340.52.

In January 2016, the Company granted 375,242 performance-based RSUs to certain employees that cliff vest 100% on January 31, 2019. These awards are amortized over a service period of three years.  The number of shares distributed at vesting could be higher or lower than the original grant based on the level of attainment of predetermined Company performance measures.

Long-Term Incentive Plans Funded by PNC. Under a share surrender agreement, PNC committed to provide up to 4 million shares of BlackRock stock, held by PNC, to fund certain BlackRock long-term incentive plans (“LTIP”)., including performance-based and market performance-based RSUs. The current share surrender agreement commits PNC to provide BlackRock seriesSeries C nonvoting participating preferred stock to fund the remaining committed shares. As of December 31, 2015, 2.72017, 3.8 million shares had been surrendered by PNC.PNC, including 517,138 shares which were surrendered by PNC in the first quarter of 2017.     

At December 31, 2015,2017, the remaining shares committed by PNC of 1.30.2 million were available to fund certain future long-term incentive awards.

In January 2016, 548,277103,064 shares were surrendered by PNC.PNC in the first quarter of 2018.

Performance-based Stock Options. Stock option grants were made to certain employees pursuantPursuant to the Award Plan, in 1999 through 2007. Optionsperformance-based stock options may be granted have a ten-year life, vested ratably over periods ranging from two to certain employees.  Vesting of the performance-based stock options is contingent upon the achievement of obtaining 125% of BlackRock’s grant-date stock price within five years from the grant date and  became exercisable upon vesting.the attainment of Company performance measures during the four-year performance period. If both hurdles are achieved, the award will vest in three equal installments at the end of years five, six and seven. Vested options can then be exercised up to nine years following the grant date.  The awards are generally forfeited if the employee leaves the Company before the respective vesting date. The expense for each tranche is amortized over the respective requisite service period. The Company hasassumes the performance condition will be achieved. If such condition is not grantedmet, no compensation cost is recognized and any stock options subsequent to the January 2007 grant, which vested on September 29, 2011.recognized compensation cost is reversed.  Stock option activity for 20152017 is summarized below.

 

Outstanding and Exercisable at

 

Shares

under

option

 

 

Weighted

average

exercise

price

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

906,719

 

 

$

167.76

 

Exercised

 

 

(752,625

)

 

$

167.76

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

154,094

 

 

$

167.76

 

Outstanding at

 

Shares

Under

Option

 

 

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

 

 

$

 

Granted

 

 

2,147,562

 

 

$

513.50

 

December 31, 2017

 

 

2,147,562

 

 

$

513.50

 

 

The aggregate intrinsicoptions have a strike price of $513.50, which was the closing price of the shares on the grant date. The grant-date fair value of options exercised during 2015, 2014 and 2013the awards issued in 2017 was $128 million, $4$208 million and $19 million, respectively.was estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation with an embedded lattice model using the assumptions included in the following table:


Grant

Year

 

Expected Term (Years)

 

Expected Stock Volatility

 

Expected Dividend Yield

 

Risk-Free Interest Rate

 

2017

 

6.56

 

22.23

%

2.16

%

2.33

%

 

The aggregate intrinsic valueexpected term was derived using a Monte Carlo simulation with the embedded lattice model and represents the period of exercisable sharestime that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The expected stock volatility was $27 millionbased upon an average of historical stock price fluctuations of BlackRock’s common stock and an implied volatility at the grant date. The dividend yield was calculated as the most recent quarterly dividend divided by the average three-month stock price as of the grant date. The risk free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury Constant Maturities yield curve at date of grant.

At December 31, 2015, reflecting a closing stock price of $340.52.  The weighted average remaining life of the options outstanding at December 31, 2015 was approximately one year.

As of December 31, 2015, the Company had no remaining2017, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested performance-based stock options.options was $205 million. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average period of 5.9 years. 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). The ESPP allows eligible employees to purchase the Company’s common stock at 95% of the fair market value on the last day of each three-month offering period. The Company does not record compensation expense related to employees purchasing shares under the ESPP.

 

 

15. Employee Benefit Plans

Deferred Compensation Plans

Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan. The Company adopted a Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan (“VDCP”) that allows eligible employees in the United States to elect to defer between 1% and 100% of their annual cash incentive compensation. The participants must specify a deferral period of up to 10 years from the year of deferral and additionally, elect to receive distributions in the form of a lump sum or in up to 10 annual installments. The Company may fund the obligation through the rabbi trust on behalf of the plan’s participants.


The rabbi trust established for the VDCP, with assets totaling $65$56 million and $59 million at both December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, respectively, is reflected in investments on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Such investments are classified as trading investments. The corresponding liability balance of $88$85 million and $78$83 million at December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, respectively, is reflected on the consolidated statements of financial condition as accrued compensation and benefits. Earnings in the rabbi trust, including unrealized appreciation or depreciation, are reflected as nonoperating income (expense) and changes in the corresponding liability are reflected as employee compensation and benefits expense on the consolidated statements of income.

 

Other Deferred Compensation Plans. The Company has additional compensation plans for the purpose of providing deferred compensation and retention incentives to certain employees. For these plans, the final value of the deferred amount to be distributed in cash upon vesting is associated with investment returns of certain investment funds. The liabilities for these plans were $178$262 million and $126$223 million atDecember 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, respectively, and are reflected in the consolidated statements of financial condition as accrued compensation and benefits. In January 2016,2018, the Company granted approximately $151$143 million of additional deferred compensation that will fluctuate with investment returns and will vest ratably over three years from the date of grant.

Defined Contribution Plans

The Company has several defined contribution plans primarily in the United States and United Kingdom.

Certain of the Company’s U.S. employees participate in a defined contribution plan (“U.S. Plan”). Employee contributions of up to 8% of eligible compensation, as defined by the plan and subject to Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) limitations, are matched by the Company at 50% up to a maximum of $5,000 annually. In addition, the Company makes an annual retirement contribution to eligible participants equal to 3-5% of eligible compensation. In 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 2013,2015, the Company’s contribution expense related to the U.S. Plan was $72$78 million, $67$75 million and $63$72 million, respectively.

Certain U.K. wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company contribute to a defined contribution plan for their employees (“U.K. Plan”).employees.  The contributions range between 6% and 15% of each employee’s eligible compensation. The Company’s contribution expense related to this plan was $29 million in 2017, $30 million in 2016, and $33 million in both 2015 and 2014, and $29 million in 2013.2015.

In addition, the contribution expense related to defined contribution plans in other regions was $21 million in 2017, $20 million in 2016 and $18 million in 2015 and 2014, and 2013.2015.

Defined Benefit Plans. The Company has several defined benefit pension plans primarily in Japan and Germany. All accrued benefits under the Germany defined benefit plan are currently frozen and the plan is closed to new participants. The participant benefits under the Germany plan will not change with salary increases or additional years of service. At December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, the plan assets for both these plans were approximately $22$26 million and $21$23 million, respectively. The underfunded obligations at December 31, 20152017 and 20142016 were not material. Benefit payments for the next five years and in aggregate for the five years thereafter are not expected to be material.

 

 

16. Related Party Transactions

Determination of Related Parties

PNC. The Company considers PNC, along with its affiliates, to be related parties based on the level of its ownership of BlackRock capital stock. At December 31, 2015,2017, PNC owned approximately 21.1%21.2% of the Company’s voting common stock and held approximately 22.2%21.7% of the total capital stock. Revenue for services provided by the Company to PNC was not material for 2017, 2016 and 2015.

F-32


Registered Investment Companies and Equity Method Investments. The Company considers the registered investment companies that it manages, which include mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, to be related parties as a result of the Company’s advisory relationship. In addition, equity method investments are considered related parties, due to the Company’s influence over the financial and operating policies of the investee.

 

Revenue from Related Parties

RevenuesRevenue for services provided by the Company to these and other related parties are as follows:

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PNC and affiliates

 

$

4

 

 

$

5

 

 

$

5

 

Registered investment companies/equity method investees

 

 

6,871

 

 

 

6,733

 

 

 

5,986

 

Total investment advisory, administration fees, and securities lending revenue

 

 

6,875

 

 

 

6,738

 

 

 

5,991

 

Investment advisory performance fees

 

 

129

 

 

 

173

 

 

 

185

 

BlackRock Solutions and advisory:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PNC and affiliates

 

 

7

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

7

 

Equity method investees

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

 

11

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

Total BlackRock Solutions and advisory

 

 

7

 

 

 

13

 

 

 

23

 

Other revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PNC and affiliates

 

 

3

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

3

 

Equity method investees

 

 

70

 

 

 

67

 

 

 

58

 

Total other revenue

 

 

73

 

 

 

70

 

 

 

61

 

Total revenue from related parties

 

$

7,084

 

 

$

6,994

 

 

$

6,260

 

(in millions)

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue(1)

 

$

7,740

 

 

$

6,836

 

 

$

6,875

 

Investment advisory performance fees

 

 

143

 

 

 

125

 

 

 

129

 

Technology and risk management revenue(2)

 

 

7

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

7

 

Advisory and other revenue(3)

 

 

58

 

 

 

90

 

 

 

73

 

Total revenue from related parties

 

$

7,948

 

 

$

7,058

 

 

$

7,084

 

(1)

Amount primarily includes revenue from registered investment companies/and equity method investees.

(2)

Amount primarily includes revenue from PNC and affiliates.

(3)

Amount primarily includes revenue from equity method investees.

 

The Company provides investment advisory and administration services to its open- and closed-end funds and other commingled or pooled funds and separate accounts in which related parties invest. In addition, the Company provides investment advisory and administration services


to PNC and its affiliates for fees based on AUM. Further, the Company provides risk management services to PNC. The Company records its investment advisory and administration fees net of retrocessions.

 Aggregate Expenses for Transactions with Related Parties

Aggregate expenses included in the consolidated statements of incomeExpenses for transactions with related parties are as follows:

 

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

Expenses with related parties:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution and servicing costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PNC and affiliates

 

$

2

 

 

$

2

 

 

$

2

 

Total distribution and servicing costs

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

2

 

General and administration expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other registered investment companies

 

 

60

 

 

 

55

 

 

 

50

 

Other

 

 

18

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

 

Total general and administration expenses

 

 

78

 

 

 

60

 

 

 

50

 

Total expenses with related parties

 

$

80

 

 

$

62

 

 

$

52

 

(in millions)

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

General and administration expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Registered investment companies

 

$

60

 

 

$

61

 

 

$

60

 

Other

 

 

9

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

18

 

Total general and administration expense

 

$

69

 

 

$

65

 

 

$

78

 

 

Certain Agreements and Arrangements with PNC

PNC. On February 27, 2009, BlackRock entered into an amended and restated implementation and stockholder agreement with PNC, and a thirdfourth amendment to the share surrender agreement with PNC.  

Receivables and Payables with Related Parties. Due from related parties, which is included within other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition was $73$91 million and $89$100 million at December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, respectively, and primarily represented receivables from certain investment products managed by BlackRock. Accounts receivable at December 31, 20152017 and 20142016 included $705$850 million and $747$688 million, respectively, related to receivables from BlackRock mutual funds, including iShares, ETFs, for investment advisory and administration services.

Due to related parties, which is included within other liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition, was $18$28 million and $12$19 million at December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, respectively, and primarily represented payables to certain investment products managed by BlackRock.

 

 

17. Net Capital Requirements

The Company is required to maintain net capital in certain regulated subsidiaries within a number of jurisdictions, which is partially maintained by retaining cash and cash equivalent investments in those subsidiaries or jurisdictions. As a result, such subsidiaries of the Company may be restricted in their ability to transfer cash between different jurisdictions and to their parents. Additionally, transfers of cash between international jurisdictions including repatriation to the United States, may have adverse tax consequences that could discourage such transfers.

Banking Regulatory Requirements. BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company is chartered as a national bank whose powers are limited to trust activities. BTCand other fiduciary activities and which is subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possibly additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the consolidated financial statements. Under the capital adequacy guidelines and the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action, BTC must meet specific capital guidelines that invoke quantitative measures of BTC’s assets, liabilities, and certain off-balance sheet items as calculated under the regulatory accounting practices. BTC’s capital amounts and classification are also subject to qualitative judgments by the regulators about components, risk weightings and other factors.

F-33


Quantitative measures established by regulators to ensure capital adequacy require BTC to maintain a minimum Common Equity Tier 1 capital and Tier 1 leverage ratio, as well as Tier 1 and total risk-based capital ratios. Based on BTC’s calculations as of December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, it exceeded the applicable capital adequacy requirements.

 

 

Actual

 

 

For Capital

Adequacy

Purposes

 

 

To Be Well

Capitalized

Under Prompt

Corrective Action

Provisions

 

 

Actual

 

 

For Capital

Adequacy

Purposes

 

 

To Be Well

Capitalized

Under Prompt

Corrective Action

Provisions

 

(in millions)

 

Amount

 

 

Ratio

 

 

Amount

 

 

Ratio

 

 

Amount

 

 

Ratio

 

 

Amount

 

 

Ratio

 

 

Amount

 

 

Ratio

 

 

Amount

 

 

Ratio

 

December 31, 2015(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total capital (to risk weighted assets)

 

$

1,593

 

 

 

88.6

%

 

$

144

 

 

 

8.0

%

 

$

180

 

 

 

10.0

%

 

$

1,124

 

 

 

111.7

%

 

$

81

 

 

 

8.0

%

 

$

101

 

 

 

10.0

%

Common Equity Tier 1 capital (no risk weighted assets)(1)

 

$

1,593

 

 

 

88.6

%

 

$

81

 

 

 

4.5

%

 

$

117

 

 

 

6.5

%

Common Equity Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)

 

$

1,124

 

 

 

111.7

%

 

$

45

 

 

 

4.5

%

 

$

65

 

 

 

6.5

%

Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)

 

$

1,593

 

 

 

88.6

%

 

$

108

 

 

 

6.0

%

 

$

144

 

 

 

8.0

%

 

$

1,124

 

 

 

111.7

%

 

$

60

 

 

 

6.0

%

 

$

81

 

 

 

8.0

%

Tier 1 capital (to average assets)

 

$

1,593

 

 

 

66.7

%

 

$

96

 

 

 

4.0

%

 

$

119

 

 

 

5.0

%

 

$

1,124

 

 

 

70.5

%

 

$

64

 

 

 

4.0

%

 

$

80

 

 

 

5.0

%

December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total capital (to risk weighted assets)

 

$

775

 

��

 

142.0

%

 

$

44

 

 

 

8.0

%

 

$

56

 

 

 

10.0

%

 

$

1,211

 

 

 

92.5

%

 

$

105

 

 

 

8.0

%

 

$

131

 

 

 

10.0

%

Common Equity Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)

 

$

1,211

 

 

 

92.5

%

 

$

59

 

 

 

4.5

%

 

$

85

 

 

 

6.5

%

Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)

 

$

775

 

 

 

142.0

%

 

$

22

 

 

 

4.0

%

 

$

33

 

 

 

6.0

%

 

$

1,211

 

 

 

92.5

%

 

$

79

 

 

 

6.0

%

 

$

105

 

 

 

8.0

%

Tier 1 capital (to average assets)

 

$

775

 

 

 

72.1

%

 

$

43

 

 

 

4.0

%

 

$

54

 

 

 

5.0

%

 

$

1,211

 

 

 

65.3

%

 

$

74

 

 

 

4.0

%

 

$

93

 

 

 

5.0

%

 

(1)

Ratios and amounts as of December 31, 2015 reflect the adoption of revised capital rules effective January 1, 2015.


Broker-dealers. BlackRock Investments, LLC and BlackRock Execution Services are registered broker-dealers and wholly owned subsidiaries of BlackRock that are subject to the Uniform Net Capital requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which requires maintenance of certain minimum net capital levels.

Capital Requirements. At both December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, the Company was required to maintain approximately $1.1$1.8 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively, in net capital in certain regulated subsidiaries, including BTC, entities regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority in the United Kingdom, and the Company’s broker-dealers. The Company was in compliance with all applicable regulatory net capital requirements.

 

 

18. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI”) by component for 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 2013:2015:

 

(in millions)

 

Unrealized Gains

(Losses) on

Available-for-sale

Investments(1),(2)

 

 

Benefit Plans

 

 

Foreign

Currency

Translation

Adjustments(3)

 

 

Total

 

December 31, 2012

 

$

16

 

 

$

(4

)

 

$

(71

)

 

$

(59

)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before

   reclassifications

 

 

4

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

23

 

 

 

37

 

Amount reclassified from AOCI(4)

 

 

(13

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13

)

Net other comprehensive income (loss) for 2013

 

 

(9

)

 

 

10

 

 

 

23

 

 

 

24

 

December 31, 2013

 

$

7

 

 

$

6

 

 

$

(48

)

 

$

(35

)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before

   reclassifications

 

 

3

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(231

)

 

 

(230

)

Amount reclassified from AOCI(4)

 

 

(8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8

)

Net other comprehensive income (loss) for 2014

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(231

)

 

 

(238

)

December 31, 2014

 

$

2

 

 

$

4

 

 

$

(279

)

 

$

(273

)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before

   reclassifications

 

 

(1

)

 

 

1

 

 

 

(173

)

 

 

(173

)

Amount reclassified from AOCI(4)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2

)

Net other comprehensive income (loss) for 2015

 

 

(3

)

 

 

1

 

 

 

(173

)

 

 

(175

)

December 31, 2015

 

$

(1

)

 

$

5

 

 

$

(452

)

 

$

(448

)

(in millions)

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments(1)

 

 

Other(2)

 

 

Total

 

December 31, 2014

 

$

(279

)

 

$

6

 

 

$

(273

)

Net other comprehensive income (loss) for 2015

 

 

(173

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(175

)

December 31, 2015

 

$

(452

)

 

$

4

 

 

$

(448

)

Net other comprehensive income (loss) for 2016

 

 

(269

)

 

 

1

 

 

 

(268

)

December 31, 2016

 

$

(721

)

 

$

5

 

 

$

(716

)

Net other comprehensive income (loss) for 2017

 

 

285

 

 

 

(1

)

 

 

284

 

December 31, 2017

 

$

(436

)

 

$

4

 

 

$

(432

)

 

(1)

All amounts areAmount for 2017 includes a loss from a net investment hedge of tax.$64 million (net of a tax benefit of $38 million). Amount for 2016 and 2015 include a gain from a net investment hedge of $14 million (net of tax of $8 million) and $19 million (net of tax of $11 million), respectively.   

(2)

The taxOther includes amounts related to benefit (expense) wasplans and available-for-sale investments and are presented net of tax. Amounts reclassified to AOCI were not material for 2015, 20142017, 2016, and 2013.2015.

(3)

Amount for 2015 includes gains from a net investment hedge of $19 million, net of tax of $11 million.   

(4)

The pre-tax amount reclassified from AOCI was included in net gain (loss) on investments on the consolidated statements of income.

 

 

19. Capital Stock

The Company’s authorized common stock and nonvoting participating preferred stock, $0.01 par value, (“Preferred”) consisted of the following:

 

 

December 31,

2015

 

 

December 31,

2014

 

 

December 31,

2017

 

 

December 31,

2016

 

Common Stock

 

 

500,000,000

 

 

 

500,000,000

 

 

 

500,000,000

 

 

 

500,000,000

 

Nonvoting Participating Preferred Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A Preferred

 

 

20,000,000

 

 

 

20,000,000

 

 

 

20,000,000

 

 

 

20,000,000

 

Series B Preferred

 

 

150,000,000

 

 

 

150,000,000

 

 

 

150,000,000

 

 

 

150,000,000

 

Series C Preferred

 

 

6,000,000

 

 

 

6,000,000

 

 

 

6,000,000

 

 

 

6,000,000

 

Series D Preferred

 

 

20,000,000

 

 

 

20,000,000

 

 

 

20,000,000

 

 

 

20,000,000

 

 

January 2013 PNC Capital Contribution. In January 2013,During 2017 and 2016, PNC surrendered to BlackRock 205,350517,138 and 548,227 shares, respectively, of BlackRock Series C Preferred to fund certain LTIP awards in accordance with the share surrender agreement between PNC and BlackRock.awards.

Cash Dividends for Common and Preferred Shares / RSUs. During 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 2013,2015, the Company paid cash dividends of $10.00 per share (or $1,662 million), $9.16 per share (or $1,545 million) and $8.72 per share (or $1,476 million), $7.72 per share (or $1,338 million)and $6.72 per share (or $1,168 million), respectively.

F-34


Share Repurchases. The Company repurchased 3.12.6 million common shares in open market-transactions under its share repurchase program for $1.1 billion during 2015.2017. At December 31, 2015,2017, there were 6.36.4 million shares still authorized to be repurchased.


The Company’s common and preferred shares issued and outstanding and related activity consist of the following:

 

 

Shares Issued

 

 

Shares Outstanding

 

 

Shares Issued

 

 

Shares Outstanding

 

 

Common

Shares

 

 

Treasury

Common

Shares

 

 

Series B

Preferred

 

 

Series C

Preferred

 

 

Common

Shares

 

 

Series B

Preferred

 

 

Series C

Preferred

 

 

Common

Shares

 

 

Treasury

Common

Shares

 

 

Series B

Preferred

 

 

Series C

Preferred

 

 

Common

Shares

 

 

Series B

Preferred

 

 

Series C

Preferred

 

December 31, 2012

 

 

171,252,185

 

 

 

(2,376,881

)

 

 

823,188

 

 

 

1,517,237

 

 

 

168,875,304

 

 

 

823,188

 

 

 

1,517,237

 

Shares repurchased

 

 

 

 

 

(3,689,845

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,689,845

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net issuance of common shares related to employee

stock transactions

 

 

 

 

 

1,404,229

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,404,229

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PNC LTIP capital contribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(205,350

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(205,350

)

December 31, 2013

 

 

171,252,185

 

 

 

(4,662,497

)

 

 

823,188

 

 

 

1,311,887

 

 

 

166,589,688

 

 

 

823,188

 

 

 

1,311,887

 

Shares repurchased

 

 

 

 

 

(3,175,088

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,175,088

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net issuance of common shares related to employee

stock transactions

 

 

 

 

 

1,372,188

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,372,188

 

 

��

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

171,252,185

 

 

 

(6,465,397

)

 

 

823,188

 

 

 

1,311,887

 

 

 

164,786,788

 

 

 

823,188

 

 

 

1,311,887

 

 

 

171,252,185

 

 

 

(6,465,397

)

 

 

823,188

 

 

 

1,311,887

 

 

 

164,786,788

 

 

 

823,188

 

 

 

1,311,887

 

Shares repurchased

 

 

 

 

 

(3,080,689

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,080,689

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,080,689

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,080,689

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net issuance of common shares related to employee

stock transactions

 

 

 

 

 

1,754,965

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,754,965

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,754,965

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,754,965

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

171,252,185

 

 

 

(7,791,121

)

 

 

823,188

 

 

 

1,311,887

 

 

 

163,461,064

 

 

 

823,188

 

 

 

1,311,887

 

 

 

171,252,185

 

 

 

(7,791,121

)

 

 

823,188

 

 

 

1,311,887

 

 

 

163,461,064

 

 

 

823,188

 

 

 

1,311,887

 

Shares repurchased

 

 

 

 

 

(3,264,935

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,264,935

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net issuance of common shares related to

employee stock transactions

 

 

 

 

 

1,338,314

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,338,314

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PNC LTIP capital contribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(548,227

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(548,227

)

December 31, 2016

 

 

171,252,185

 

 

 

(9,717,742

)

 

 

823,188

 

 

 

763,660

 

 

 

161,534,443

 

 

 

823,188

 

 

 

763,660

 

Shares repurchased

 

 

 

 

 

(2,647,670

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,647,670

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net issuance of common shares related to

employee stock transactions

 

 

 

 

 

1,090,342

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,090,342

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PNC LTIP capital contribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(517,138

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(517,138

)

December 31, 2017

 

 

171,252,185

 

 

 

(11,275,070

)

 

 

823,188

 

 

 

246,522

 

 

 

159,977,115

 

 

 

823,188

 

 

 

246,522

 

 

 

20. Restructuring Charge

A restructuring charge of $76 million ($53 million after-tax), comprised of $44 million of severance and $32 million of expense related to the accelerated amortization of previously granted deferred cash and equity compensation awards, was recorded in the first quarter of 2016 in connection with a project to streamline and simplify the organization.      

The following table presents a rollforward of the Company’s restructuring liability for 2016 and 2017:

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

Liability as of December 31, 2015

 

$

 

Additions

 

 

76

 

Cash payments

 

 

(44

)

Accelerated amortization expense of equity-based awards

 

 

(28

)

Liability as of December 31, 2016

 

$

4

 

Cash payments

 

 

(4

)

Liability as of December 31, 2017

 

$

 

21. Income Taxes

U.S. Tax Reform

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Tax Act”). The 2017 Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code, including, but not limited to, (1) reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent, (2) requiring companies to pay a one-time tax on certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries, (3) generally eliminating U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries, (4) creating new taxes on certain earnings of controlled foreign corporations, and (5) creating a new limitation on deductible net interest expense.

For 2017, the Company recorded a net tax benefit of $1,175 million, based on a reasonable estimate, related to the impact of the 2017 Tax Act. The tax benefit primarily consists of a $1,652 million tax benefit related to the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and $477 million tax expense related to the mandatory deemed repatriation tax. As of December 31, 2017, the Company has not completed the accounting for the income tax effects of certain elements of the 2017 Tax Act; however, as described below, reasonable estimates of the effects were determined, and therefore, have been recorded as provisional adjustments as follows:

Reduction of U.S. federal corporate tax rate: The 2017 Tax Act reduces the U.S. corporate tax rate to 21 percent. As a result of revaluing deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the rates at which they are expected to reverse in the future, the Company recorded a $1,652 million tax benefit for the reduction in the net deferred tax liabilities for 2017.

Mandatory deemed repatriation tax: The mandatory deemed repatriation tax is a tax on previously untaxed accumulated and current earnings and profits of foreign subsidiaries. Based on a reasonable estimate, the Company recorded a tax expense of $477 million related to the mandatory deemed repatriation tax, which is payable over eight years.

Global intangible low taxed income (“GILTI”): The 2017 Tax Act creates a new requirement that the income (i.e., GILTI) earned by foreign subsidiaries must be included in the taxable income of the entity’s U.S. shareholder. The Company has not yet adopted an accounting policy for GILTI, as it is still not clear whether to 1) treat the taxes (if any) resulting from the GILTI inclusion as a current-period expense when incurred or 2) factoring such amounts into the Company’s measurement of its deferred taxes is the appropriate accounting.

F-35


While the Company was able to make a reasonable estimate of the impact related the 2017 Tax Act, the provisional amounts may require further adjustments as additional guidance from the U.S. Department of the Treasury is provided, as changes in the Company’s assumptions occur, and as further information and interpretations become available.

The components of income tax expense for 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 2013,2015, are as follows:

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Current income tax expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

937

 

 

$

923

 

 

$

869

 

 

$

1,166

 

 

$

858

 

 

$

937

 

State and local

 

 

74

 

 

 

54

 

 

 

39

 

 

 

36

 

 

 

61

 

 

 

74

 

Foreign

 

 

395

 

 

 

258

 

 

 

307

 

 

 

289

 

 

 

385

 

 

 

395

 

Total net current income tax expense

 

 

1,406

 

 

 

1,235

 

 

 

1,215

 

 

 

1,491

 

 

 

1,304

 

 

 

1,406

 

Deferred income tax expense (benefit):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

 

(13

)

 

 

(73

)

 

 

(68

)

 

 

(1,382

)

 

 

31

 

 

 

(13

)

State and local

 

 

(19

)

 

 

(9

)

 

 

13

 

 

 

81

 

 

 

14

 

 

 

(19

)

Foreign

 

 

(124

)

 

 

(22

)

 

 

(138

)

 

 

80

 

 

 

(59

)

 

 

(124

)

Total net deferred income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

(156

)

 

 

(104

)

 

 

(193

)

 

 

(1,221

)

 

 

(14

)

 

 

(156

)

Total income tax expense

 

$

1,250

 

 

$

1,131

 

 

$

1,022

 

 

$

270

 

 

$

1,290

 

 

$

1,250

 

 

Income tax expense has been based on the following components of income before taxes, less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests:

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Domestic

 

$

2,840

 

 

$

2,946

 

 

$

2,814

 

 

$

3,298

 

 

$

2,837

 

 

$

2,840

 

Foreign

 

 

1,755

 

 

 

1,479

 

 

 

1,140

 

 

 

1,942

 

 

 

1,625

 

 

 

1,755

 

Total

 

$

4,595

 

 

$

4,425

 

 

$

3,954

 

 

$

5,240

 

 

$

4,462

 

 

$

4,595

 

 

The foreign income before taxes includes countries that have statutory tax rates that are lower than the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35%, such as the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, CanadaIreland and the Netherlands.

 

A reconciliation of income tax expense with expected federal income tax expense computed at the applicable federal income tax rate of 35% is as follows:

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

%

 

 

2014

 

 

%

 

 

2013

 

 

%

 

 

2017

 

 

%

 

 

2016

 

 

%

 

 

2015

 

 

%

 

Statutory income tax expense

 

$

1,608

 

 

 

35

%

 

$

1,549

 

 

 

35

%

 

$

1,383

 

 

 

35

%

 

$

1,834

 

 

 

35

%

 

$

1,562

 

 

 

35

%

 

$

1,608

 

 

 

35

%

Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

State and local taxes (net of federal benefit)

 

 

42

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

51

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

39

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

60

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

69

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

42

 

 

 

1

 

Impact of foreign, state, and local tax rate changes on deferred

taxes

 

 

(45

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

 

 

(69

)

 

 

(2

)

Impact of federal, foreign, state, and local tax rate changes on deferred taxes

 

 

(1,637

)

 

 

(31

)

 

 

(33

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(45

)

 

 

(1

)

Mandatory deemed repatriation tax

 

 

477

 

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation awards

 

 

(159

)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of foreign tax rates

 

 

(385

)

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(434

)

 

 

(10

)

 

 

(329

)

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(337

)

 

 

(6

)

 

 

(329

)

 

 

(7

)

 

 

(385

)

 

 

(8

)

Other

 

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

(31

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

30

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

$

1,250

 

 

 

27

%

 

$

1,131

 

 

 

26

%

 

$

1,022

 

 

 

26

%

 

$

270

 

 

 

5

%

 

$

1,290

 

 

 

29

%

 

$

1,250

 

 

 

27

%

 

Deferred income taxes are provided for the effects of temporary differences between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its reported amount in the consolidated financial statements. These temporary differences result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years.


The components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities are shown belowbelow:

 

 

December 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Deferred income tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

$

372

 

 

$

323

 

 

$

187

 

 

$

399

 

Unrealized investment losses

 

 

114

 

 

 

157

 

 

 

28

 

 

 

42

 

Loss carryforwards

 

 

98

 

 

 

47

 

 

 

84

 

 

 

85

 

Foreign tax credit carryforwards

 

 

83

 

 

 

40

 

 

 

 

 

 

118

 

Other

 

 

235

 

 

 

253

 

 

 

116

 

 

 

216

 

Gross deferred tax assets

 

 

902

 

 

 

820

 

 

 

415

 

 

 

860

 

Less: deferred tax valuation allowances

 

 

(20

)

 

 

(29

)

 

 

(22

)

 

 

(22

)

Deferred tax assets net of valuation allowances

 

 

882

 

 

 

791

 

 

 

393

 

 

 

838

 

Deferred income tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill and acquired indefinite-lived intangibles

 

 

5,588

 

 

 

5,616

 

 

 

3,810

 

 

 

5,568

 

Acquired finite-lived intangibles

 

 

45

 

 

 

65

 

 

 

40

 

 

 

36

 

Other

 

 

80

 

 

 

89

 

 

 

62

 

 

 

54

 

Gross deferred tax liabilities

 

 

5,713

 

 

 

5,770

 

 

 

3,912

 

 

 

5,658

 

Net deferred tax (liabilities)

 

$

(4,831

)

 

$

(4,979

)

 

$

(3,519

)

 

$

(4,820

)

 

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recorded net when related to the same tax jurisdiction. At December 31, 2015,2017, the Company recorded on the consolidated statement of financial condition deferred income tax assets, within other assets, and deferred income tax liabilities

F-36


of $20$19 million and $4,851$3,538 million, respectively. At December 31, 2014,2016, the Company recorded on the consolidated statement of financial condition deferred income tax assets, within other assets, anddeferred income tax liabilities of $10$20 million and $4,989$4,840 million, respectively.

The 2017 Tax Act resulted in a $106 million tax expense related to the revaluation of certain deferred income tax assets and $1,758 million noncash tax benefit related to the revaluation of certain deferred income tax liabilities. In addition, mandatory deemed repatriation of undistributed foreign earnings and profits with respect to the 2017 Tax Act resulted in a $477 million tax expense.

Income tax expense for 2017 included a $16 million noncash tax expense related to the revaluation of certain deferred income tax liabilities as a result of domestic state and local tax changes and a $173 million discrete tax benefit, primarily related to stock-based compensation awards.  

During 2015,2016, tax legislation enacted in the United Kingdom and domestic state and local tax changes resulted in a $54 million net noncash benefit related to the revaluation of certain deferred income tax liabilities. During 2014, state and local tax changes resulted in a $4$30 million net noncash benefit related to the revaluation of certain deferred income tax liabilities.

 At December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, the Company had available state net operating loss carryforwards of $1.5$1.7 billion and $1.2$1.6 billion, respectively, which will begin to expire in 2017.2019. At both December 31, 20152017 and 2014,2016, the Company had foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $135$90 million and $137 million, respectively, of which $6$3 million will begin to expire in 2021.

At both December 31, 2017 and the balance will carry forward indefinitely. At December 31, 2015,2016, the Company had foreign tax credit carryforwards for income tax purposes of $83 million which will begin to expire in 2023.

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had $20 million and $29$22 million of valuation allowances for deferred income tax assets, respectively, recorded on the consolidated statements of financial condition.  The year-over-year decrease in the valuation allowance primarily related to the realization of tax loss carryforwards and certain foreign deferred income tax assets.

Goodwill recorded in connection with the Quellos Transaction has been reduced during the period by the amount of tax benefit realized from tax-deductible goodwill. See Note 9, Goodwill, for further discussion.

Current income taxes are recorded net on the consolidated statements of financial condition when related to the same tax jurisdiction. At December 31, 2015,2017, the Company had current income taxes receivable and payable of $166$142 million and $79$256 million, respectively, recorded in other assets and accounts payable and accrued liabilities, respectively. At December 31, 2014,2016, the Company had current income taxes receivable and payable of $117$247 million and $125$75 million, respectively, recorded in other assets and accounts payable and accrued liabilities, respectively.

As a result of the 2017 Tax Act and the one-time mandatory deemed repatriation tax, previously undistributed foreign earnings for which no U.S. deferred tax liability had been recognized have now been subject to U.S. income tax. No additional income or withholding taxes were provided for with respect to the financial statement basis in excess of tax basis of its foreign subsidiaries as these amounts remain indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations. The Company does not provide deferred taxeswill continue to evaluate its indefinite reinvestment assertion based on additional guidance from the excessU.S. Department of the financial reporting over tax basis on its investments in foreign subsidiaries that are essentially permanent in duration. The excess totaled $4,734 millionTreasury and $3,871 million at December 31, 2015as further information and 2014, respectively. The determination of the additional deferred income taxes on the excess has not been provided because it is not practicable due to the complexities associated with its hypothetical calculation.interpretations become available.

The following tabular reconciliation presents the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits:

 

 

Year ended December 31,

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Balance at January 1

 

$

379

 

 

$

467

 

 

$

404

 

 

$

410

 

 

$

466

 

 

$

379

 

Additions for tax positions of prior years

 

 

39

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

161

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

39

 

Reductions for tax positions of prior years

 

 

(25

)

 

 

(24

)

 

 

(5

)

 

 

(3

)

 

 

(78

)

 

 

(25

)

Additions based on tax positions related to current year

 

 

75

 

 

 

85

 

 

 

67

 

 

 

67

 

 

 

37

 

 

 

75

 

Lapse of statute of limitations

 

 

(2

)

 

 

(2

)

 

 

 

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2

)

Settlements

 

 

 

 

 

(168

)

 

 

(12

)

 

 

 

 

 

(18

)

 

 

 

Positions assumed in acquisitions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

Balance at December 31

 

$

466

 

 

$

379

 

 

$

467

 

 

$

629

 

 

$

410

 

 

$

466

 

 

Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 2013,2015, respectively, are $320$316 million, $283$284 million and $304$320 million of tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax matters as a component of income tax expense. Related to the unrecognized tax benefits noted above, the Company accrued interest and penalties of $17 million during 2017 and in total, as of December 31, 2017, had recognized a liability for interest and penalties of $76 million. The Company accrued interest and penalties of $3 million during 2016 and in total, as of December 31, 2016, had recognized a liability for interest and penalties of $59 million. The Company accrued interest and penalties of $12 million during 2015 and in total, as of December 31, 2015, had recognized a liability for interest and penalties of $56 million. The Company accrued interest and penalties of $(25) million during 2014 and in total, as of December 31, 2014, had recognized a liability for interest and penalties of $44 million. The Company accrued interest


and penalties of $(1) million during 2013 and in total, as of December 31, 2013, had recognized a liability for interest and penalties of $68 million.

BlackRock is subject to U.S. federal income tax, state and local income tax, and foreign income tax in multiple jurisdictions. Tax years after 2009 remain open to U.S. federal income tax examination.

In June 2014, the IRS commenced its examination of BlackRock’s 2010 through 2012 tax years, and while the impact on the consolidated financial statements is undetermined, it is not expected to be material.

The Company is currently under audit in several state and local jurisdictions. The significant state and local income tax examinations are in New York State and New York City for tax years 2009 through 2011, and New JerseyCalifornia for tax years 20072013 through 2009.2014. No state and local income tax audits cover years earlier than 2007.2008.  No state and local income tax audits are expected to result in an assessment material to BlackRock’s consolidated financial statements.

Upon conclusion of its examination, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs’ (“HMRC”(‘HMRC’) United Kingdom income tax auditissued a closure notice during 2017 for various U.K. BlackRock subsidiaries is in progress for tax years 2009 and forward. Whileyears after. The Company made a decision to pursue litigation for the tax matters included on such notice. BlackRock does not expect the ultimate resolution to result in a material impact onto the consolidated financial statements is undetermined, it isstatements.

From time to time, BlackRock may receive or be subject to tax authorities’ assessments and challenges related to income taxes.  BlackRock does not expectedcurrently expect the ultimate resolution of any existing matters to be material.material to the consolidated financial statements.

F-37


At December 31, 2015,2017, it is reasonably possible the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change within the next twelve months due to completion of tax authorities’ exams or the expiration of statues of limitations. Management estimates that the existing liability for uncertain tax positions could decrease by approximately $13$10 million to $33$40 million within the next twelve months.

 

 

21.22. Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS for 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 20132015 under the treasury stock method:

 

(in millions, except shares and per share data)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Net income attributable to BlackRock

 

$

3,345

 

 

$

3,294

 

 

$

2,932

 

 

$

4,970

 

 

$

3,172

 

 

$

3,345

 

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding

 

 

166,390,009

 

 

 

168,225,154

 

 

 

170,185,870

 

 

 

162,160,601

 

 

 

164,425,858

 

 

 

166,390,009

 

Dilutive effect of nonparticipating RSUs and stock options

 

 

2,648,562

 

 

 

2,887,107

 

 

 

3,643,032

 

 

 

2,254,434

 

 

 

2,153,894

 

 

 

2,648,562

 

Total diluted weighted-average shares outstanding

 

 

169,038,571

 

 

 

171,112,261

 

 

 

173,828,902

 

 

 

164,415,035

 

 

 

166,579,752

 

 

 

169,038,571

 

Basic earnings per share

 

$

20.10

 

 

$

19.58

 

 

$

17.23

 

 

$

30.65

 

 

$

19.29

 

 

$

20.10

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

$

19.79

 

 

$

19.25

 

 

$

16.87

 

 

$

30.23

 

 

$

19.04

 

 

$

19.79

 

 

Anti-dilutive RSUs and stock options for 2017 and 2016 were immaterial. There were no anti-dilutive RSUs for 2015 and 2013. Amounts of anti-dilutive RSUs for 2014 were immaterial. In addition, there were no anti-dilutive stock options for 2015, 2014 and 2013.2015.  

 

 

22.23. Segment Information

The Company’s management directs BlackRock’s operations as one business, the asset management business. The Company utilizes a consolidated approach to assess performance and allocate resources. As such, the Company operates in one business segment as defined in ASC 280-10.

The following table illustrates investment advisory, administration fees, securities lending revenue and performance fees by product type, BlackRock Solutionstechnology and advisoryrisk management revenue, distribution fees, and advisory and other revenue for 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 2013.2015.

 

(in millions)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Equity

 

$

5,345

 

 

$

5,337

 

 

$

4,816

 

 

$

5,722

 

 

$

5,018

 

 

$

5,345

 

Fixed income

 

 

2,428

 

 

 

2,171

 

 

 

1,996

 

 

 

2,921

 

 

 

2,664

 

 

 

2,428

 

Multi-asset

 

 

1,287

 

 

 

1,236

 

 

 

1,063

 

 

 

1,181

 

 

 

1,157

 

 

 

1,287

 

Alternatives

 

 

1,082

 

 

 

1,103

 

 

 

1,104

 

 

 

1,105

 

 

 

878

 

 

 

1,082

 

Cash management

 

 

319

 

 

 

292

 

 

 

321

 

 

 

558

 

 

 

458

 

 

 

319

 

Total investment advisory, administration fees, securities lending revenue and

performance fees

 

 

10,461

 

 

 

10,139

 

 

 

9,300

 

 

 

11,487

 

 

 

10,175

 

 

 

10,461

 

BlackRock Solutions and advisory

 

 

646

 

 

 

635

 

 

 

577

 

Technology and risk management revenue

 

 

677

 

 

 

595

 

 

 

528

 

Distribution fees

 

 

55

 

 

 

70

 

 

 

73

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

41

 

 

 

55

 

Other revenue

 

 

239

 

 

 

237

 

 

 

230

 

Advisory and other revenue

 

 

303

 

 

 

344

 

 

 

357

 

Total revenue

 

$

11,401

 

 

$

11,081

 

 

$

10,180

 

 

$

12,491

 

 

$

11,155

 

 

$

11,401

 

 

The following table illustrates total revenue for 2015, 20142017, 2016 and 20132015 by geographic region. These amounts are aggregated on a legal entity basis and do not necessarily reflect where the customer resides.resides or affiliated services are provided.

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Americas

 

$

7,502

 

 

$

7,286

 

 

$

6,829

 

 

$

8,406

 

 

$

7,530

 

 

$

7,502

 

Europe

 

 

3,356

 

 

 

3,246

 

 

 

2,832

 

 

 

3,432

 

 

 

3,083

 

 

 

3,356

 

Asia-Pacific

 

 

543

 

 

 

549

 

 

 

519

 

 

 

653

 

 

 

542

 

 

 

543

 

Total revenue

 

$

11,401

 

 

$

11,081

 

 

$

10,180

 

 

$

12,491

 

 

$

11,155

 

 

$

11,401

 

 


The following table illustrates long-lived assets that consist of goodwill and property and equipment at December 31, 2015, 20142017 and 20132016 by geographic region. These amounts are aggregated on a legal entity basis and do not necessarily reflect where the asset is physically located.

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-lived Assets

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Americas

 

$

13,422

 

 

$

13,151

 

 

$

13,204

 

 

$

13,560

 

 

$

13,424

 

Europe

 

 

186

 

 

 

194

 

 

 

214

 

 

 

168

 

 

 

163

 

Asia-Pacific

 

 

96

 

 

 

83

 

 

 

87

 

 

 

84

 

 

 

90

 

Total long-lived assets

 

$

13,704

 

 

$

13,428

 

 

$

13,505

 

 

$

13,812

 

 

$

13,677

 

 

Americas primarily is comprised of the United States and Canada, while Europe primarily is comprised of the United Kingdom and Luxembourg. Asia-Pacific primarily is comprised of Hong Kong, Australia, Japan and Singapore.

 

 

23.F-38


24. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)

 

(in millions, except shares and per share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

1st Quarter(1)

 

 

2nd Quarter(3)

 

 

3rd Quarter(4)

 

 

4th Quarter(2) (5)

 

2017

 

1st Quarter(1)(2)

 

 

2nd Quarter

 

 

3rd Quarter(3)

 

 

4th Quarter(4)

 

Revenue

 

$

2,723

 

 

$

2,905

 

 

$

2,910

 

 

$

2,863

 

 

$

2,824

 

 

$

2,965

 

 

$

3,233

 

 

$

3,469

 

Operating income

 

$

1,067

 

 

$

1,238

 

 

$

1,222

 

 

$

1,137

 

 

$

1,147

 

 

$

1,242

 

 

$

1,394

 

 

$

1,489

 

Net income(6)

 

$

825

 

 

$

826

 

 

$

832

 

 

$

869

 

 

$

871

 

 

$

867

 

 

$

959

 

 

$

2,310

 

Net income attributable to BlackRock

 

$

822

 

 

$

819

 

 

$

843

 

 

$

861

 

Net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc.

 

$

862

 

 

$

857

 

 

$

947

 

 

$

2,304

 

Earnings per share attributable to BlackRock, Inc. common stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

4.92

 

 

$

4.92

 

 

$

5.08

 

 

$

5.19

 

 

$

5.29

 

 

$

5.27

 

 

$

5.85

 

 

$

14.29

 

Diluted

 

$

4.84

 

 

$

4.84

 

 

$

5.00

 

 

$

5.11

 

 

$

5.23

 

 

$

5.22

 

 

$

5.78

 

 

$

14.07

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

167,089,037

 

 

 

166,616,558

 

 

 

166,045,291

 

 

 

165,826,808

 

 

 

163,016,599

 

 

 

162,502,465

 

 

 

161,872,716

 

 

 

161,272,950

 

Diluted

 

 

169,723,167

 

 

 

169,114,759

 

 

 

168,665,303

 

 

 

168,632,558

 

 

 

164,856,183

 

 

 

164,149,861

 

 

 

163,773,546

 

 

 

163,777,534

 

Dividend declared per share

 

$

2.18

 

 

$

2.18

 

 

$

2.18

 

 

$

2.18

 

 

$

2.50

 

 

$

2.50

 

 

$

2.50

 

 

$

2.50

 

Common stock price per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

$

380.33

 

 

$

377.85

 

 

$

354.54

 

 

$

363.72

 

 

$

397.81

 

 

$

428.38

 

 

$

447.09

 

 

$

518.86

 

Low

 

$

340.51

 

 

$

344.54

 

 

$

293.52

 

 

$

295.92

 

 

$

371.64

 

 

$

377.10

 

 

$

412.19

 

 

$

449.95

 

Close

 

$

365.84

 

 

$

345.98

 

 

$

297.47

 

 

$

340.52

 

 

$

383.51

 

 

$

422.41

 

 

$

447.09

 

 

$

513.71

 

 

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

2,670

 

 

$

2,778

 

 

$

2,849

 

 

$

2,784

 

 

$

2,624

 

 

$

2,804

 

 

$

2,837

 

 

$

2,890

 

Operating income

 

$

1,051

 

 

$

1,122

 

 

$

1,157

 

 

$

1,144

 

 

$

963

 

 

$

1,173

 

 

$

1,209

 

 

$

1,225

 

Net income

 

$

744

 

 

$

841

 

 

$

873

 

 

$

806

 

 

$

647

 

 

$

795

 

 

$

877

 

 

$

851

 

Net income attributable to BlackRock

 

$

756

 

 

$

808

 

 

$

917

 

 

$

813

 

Net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc.

 

$

657

 

 

$

789

 

 

$

875

 

 

$

851

 

Earnings per share attributable to BlackRock, Inc. common stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

4.47

 

 

$

4.79

 

 

$

5.46

 

 

$

4.86

 

 

$

3.97

 

 

$

4.79

 

 

$

5.33

 

 

$

5.21

 

Diluted

 

$

4.40

 

 

$

4.72

 

 

$

5.37

 

 

$

4.77

 

 

$

3.92

 

 

$

4.73

 

 

$

5.26

 

 

$

5.13

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

169,081,421

 

 

 

168,712,221

 

 

 

167,933,040

 

 

 

167,197,844

 

 

 

165,388,130

 

 

 

164,758,612

 

 

 

164,129,214

 

 

 

163,441,552

 

Diluted

 

 

171,933,803

 

 

 

171,150,153

 

 

 

170,778,766

 

 

 

170,367,445

 

 

 

167,398,938

 

 

 

166,639,290

 

 

 

166,256,598

 

 

 

165,854,167

 

Dividend declared per share

 

$

1.93

 

 

$

1.93

 

 

$

1.93

 

 

$

1.93

 

 

$

2.29

 

 

$

2.29

 

 

$

2.29

 

 

$

2.29

 

Common stock price per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High

 

$

323.89

 

 

$

319.85

 

 

$

336.47

 

 

$

364.40

 

 

$

342.56

 

 

$

367.47

 

 

$

376.00

 

 

$

398.45

 

Low

 

$

286.39

 

 

$

293.71

 

 

$

301.10

 

 

$

303.91

 

 

$

289.72

 

 

$

319.54

 

 

$

335.11

 

 

$

338.61

 

Close

 

$

314.48

 

 

$

319.60

 

 

$

328.32

 

 

$

357.56

 

 

$

340.57

 

 

$

342.53

 

 

$

362.46

 

 

$

380.54

 

 

(1)

The first quarter of 20152016 included nonrecurring tax benefitsa pre-tax restructuring charge of $69 million, primarily due to the realization of losses from changes in the Company’s organizational tax structure and the resolution of certain outstanding tax matters.$76 million.

(2)

The fourthfirst quarter of 20152017 included a $64an $81 million noncashdiscrete tax benefit primarily related toreflecting the revaluationadoption of certain deferred income tax liabilities, including the effect of tax legislation enacted in the United Kingdom.  

(3)

The second quarter of 2014 included a $23 million net noncash tax expense, primarily associated with the revaluation of certain deferred income tax liabilities arising from the state and local tax effect of changes in the Company’s organizational structure. In addition, the second quarter of 2014 benefited from an improvement in the geographic mix of earnings and included a $34 million net tax benefit related to several favorable nonrecurring items.

(4)

The third quarter of 2014 included a $32 million noncash tax benefit, primarily associated with the revaluation of certain deferred income tax liabilities related to intangible assets and goodwill as a result of domestic state and local tax changes.

In addition, the third quarter of 2014 included a $94 million tax benefit, primarily due to the resolution of certain outstanding tax matters related to the acquisition of BGI. In connection with the acquisition, BlackRock recorded a $50 million indemnification asset for unrecognized tax benefits. Due to the resolution of such tax matters, BlackRock recorded $50 million of general and administration expense to reflect the reduction of the indemnification asset and an offsetting $50 million tax benefit.

(5)

The fourth quarter of 2014 benefited from $39 million of nonrecurring tax items.

(6)

During the second quarter of 2015, the Company adopted new accounting guidance on consolidations effective January 1, 2015 usingrelated to stock-based compensation awards that vested in the modified retrospective method.   Upon adoption, the Company recorded a change to total nonoperating income (expense) with an equal and offsetting change to noncontrolling interests for the three months ended March 31, 2015.  There was no impact to net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc. or to BlackRock’s earnings per share.first quarter of 2017.

(3) The third quarter of 2016 included a $26 million net noncash tax benefit, primarily related to the revaluation of certain deferred income tax liabilities as a result of legislation enacted in the United Kingdom, and domestic state and local changes.

(4) The fourth quarter of 2017 included a $1.2 billion net tax benefit related to the 2017 Tax Act.

 


24.

25. Subsequent Events

In November 2015,2017, the Company announced that it had entered an agreement to assume investmentacquire the asset management responsibilitiesbusiness of Citibanamex, a subsidiary of Citigroup Inc. This transaction involves approximately $87$31 billion of cashin assets under management from BofA® Global Capital Management, Bank of America’s asset management business.across local fixed income, equity and multi-asset products. The transaction is expected to close in the firstsecond half of 2016,2018, subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. ThisConsideration for the transaction is not expected to be material to the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.will include an upfront cash payment and contingent consideration.

On January 14, 2016,11, 2018, the Board of Directors approved BlackRock’s quarterly dividend of $2.29$2.88 to be paid on March 23, 201622, 2018 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 7, 2016.2018.

The Company conducted a review for additional subsequent events and determined that no additional subsequent events had occurred that would require accrual or additional disclosures.

 

F-39


As used in this exhibit list, “BlackRock” refers to BlackRock, Inc. (formerly named New BlackRock, Inc. and previously, New Boise, Inc.) (Commission File No. 001-33099) and “Old BlackRock” refers to BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. (formerly named BlackRock, Inc.) (Commission File No. 001-15305), which is the predecessor of BlackRock. The following exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:

Exhibit Index

Please note that the agreements included as exhibits to this Form 10-K are included to provide information regarding their terms and are not intended to provide any other factual or disclosure information about BlackRock or the other parties to the agreements. The agreements contain representations and warranties by each of the parties to the applicable agreement that have been made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.

Exhibit No.

Description

3.1(1)

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of BlackRock.

3.2(2)

Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of BlackRock, Inc.

3.3(3)

Amended and Restated Bylaws of BlackRock.

3.4(1)

Certificate of Designations of Series A Convertible Participating Preferred Stock of BlackRock.

3.5(4)

Certificate of Designations of Series B Convertible Participating Preferred Stock of BlackRock.

3.6(4)

Certificate of Designations of Series C Convertible Participating Preferred Stock of BlackRock.

3.7(5)

Certificate of Designations of Series D Convertible Participating Preferred Stock of BlackRock.

4.1(6)

Specimen of Common Stock Certificate.

4.2(7)

Indenture, dated September 17, 2007, between BlackRock and The Bank of New York, as trustee, relating to senior debt securities.

4.3(8)

Form of 6.25% Notes due 2017.

4.4(9)

Form of 5.00% Notes due 2019.

4.5(10)

Form of 4.25% Notes due 2021.

4.6(11)

Form of 3.375% Notes due 2022.

4.7(12)

Form of 3.500% Notes due 2024.

4.8(13)

Form of 1.250% Notes due 2025.

4.9(13)

Officers’ Certificate, dated May 6, 2015, for the 1.250% Notes due 2025 issued pursuant to the Indenture.

10.1

BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+

10.2(14)

Amended and Restated BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Annual Incentive Performance Plan.+

10.3(15)

Amendment No. 1 to the BlackRock, Inc. Amended and Restated 1999 Annual Incentive Performance Plan.+

10.4(16)

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+

10.5(16)

Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (BPIP) under the BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+

10.6(1)

Form of Stock Option Agreement expected to be used in connection with future grants of Stock Options under the BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+

10.7(1)

Form of Restricted Stock Agreement expected to be used in connection with future grants of Restricted Stock under the BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+

10.8(1)

Form of Directors’ Restricted Stock Unit Agreement expected to be used in connection with future grants of Restricted Stock Units under the BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+

10.9

BlackRock, Inc. Amended and Restated Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated as of November 16, 2015.+

10.10(17)

Share Surrender Agreement, dated October 10, 2002 (the “Share Surrender Agreement”), among Old BlackRock, PNC Asset Management, Inc. and The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.+

10.11(18)

First Amendment, dated as of February 15, 2006, to the Share Surrender Agreement.+

10.12(19)

Second Amendment, dated as of June 11, 2007, to the Share Surrender Agreement.+

10.13(4)

Third Amendment, dated as of February 27, 2009, to the Share Surrender Agreement.+

10.14(20)

Fourth Amendment, dated as of August 7, 2012, to the Share Surrender Agreement.+

10.15(21)

Five-Year Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2011, by and among BlackRock, Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender, issuing lender and L/C agent, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, as Japanese Yen lender, a group of lenders, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Barclays Capital, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, Citibank, N.A., as syndication agent and Bank of America, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as documentation agents.

10.16(22)

Amendment No. 1, dated as of March 30, 2012, by and among BlackRock, Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender, issuing lender, L/C agent and a lender, and the banks and other financial institutions referred to therein.

10.17(23)

Amendment No. 2, dated as of March 28, 2013, by and among BlackRock, Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender, issuing lender, L/C agent and a lender, and the banks and other financial institutions referred to therein.

10.18(24)

Amendment No. 3, dated as of March 28, 2014, by and among BlackRock, Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender, issuing lender, L/C agent and a lender, and the banks and other financial institutions referred to therein.

10.19(25)

Amendment No. 4, dated as of April 2, 2015, by and among BlackRock, Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender, issuing lender, L/C agent and a lender, and the banks and other financial institutions referred to therein.

10.20(26)†

Second Amended and Restated Global Distribution Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2010, among BlackRock and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

10.21(3)

Amended and Restated Implementation and Stockholder Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2009, between The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. and BlackRock.


10.22(27)

Amendment No. 1, dated as of June 11, 2009, to the Amended and Restated Implementation and Stockholder Agreement between The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. and BlackRock.

10.23(28)

Lease Agreement, dated as of February 17, 2010, among BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited and Mourant & Co Trustees Limited and Mourant Property Trustees Limited as Trustees of the Drapers Gardens Unit Trust for the lease of Drapers Gardens, 12 Throgmorton Avenue, London, EC2, United Kingdom.

10.24(29)

Letter Agreement, dated February 12, 2013, between Gary S. Shedlin and BlackRock.+

10.25(30)

Amended and Restated Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement between BlackRock and Barclays Capital Inc., dated as of December 23, 2014.

10.26(30)

Amended and Restated Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement between BlackRock and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., dated as of December 23, 2014.

10.27(30)

Amended and Restated Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement between BlackRock and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, dated as of January 6, 2015.

10.28(30)

Amended and Restated Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement between BlackRock and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC dated as of January 6, 2015.

12.1

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

21.1

Subsidiaries of Registrant.

23.1

Deloitte & Touche LLP Consent.

31.1

Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

31.2

Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

32.1

Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

(1)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 5, 2006.

(2)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 25, 2012.

(3)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

(4)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 27, 2009.

(5)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 3, 2009.

(6)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-137708) filed on September 29, 2006.

(7)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

(8)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 17, 2007.

(9)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 10, 2009.

(10)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 25, 2011.

(11)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2012.

(12)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 18, 2014.

(13)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2015.

(14)

Incorporated by reference to Old BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

(15)

Incorporated by reference to Old BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 24, 2006.

(16)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015

(17)

Incorporated by reference to Old BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002.

(18)

Incorporated by reference to Old BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 22, 2006.

(19)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 15, 2007.

(20)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012.

(21)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on August 24, 2012.

(22)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 4, 2012.

(23)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 3, 2013.

(24)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2014.

(25)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 3, 2015.

(26)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on August 24, 2012.

(27)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 17, 2009.

(28)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

(29)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 19, 2013.


(30)

Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

+

Denotes compensatory plans or arrangements.

Confidential treatment has been granted for certain portions of this exhibit, which portions have been omitted and filed separately with the Securities and Exchange Commission.