Investor Education > Managed Funds > BlackRock

BLACKROCK

BlackRock is a global provider of investment and risk management services to institutional and retail clients. Its operations extend to North and South America, Europe, Asia, Japan, Australia and the Middle East, with offices in 19 countries around the world. Its scale has grown to a management asset value of $1.41 trillion across equity, fixed income, cash management, alternative investment and real estate strategies.

BlackRock began as an institutional fixed income manager in 1988. Its client reach now includes corporate, public, union and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, foundations, charities, corporations, official institutions, banks and individuals worldwide.

The recent merger with Merrill Lynch played an integral part in bringing BlackRock out onto the global stage and added greatly to the company’s ability to service investors worldwide. BlackRock operates independently in terms of ownership and governance with a majority of independent directors. Merrill Lynch owns stakes of approximately 49% while the PNC Financial Services has a stake of approximately 34%. The remainder belongs to BlackRock employees and public shareholders.