BlackRock Posts Record AUM Amid Profit Decline, Boosts Shareholder Returns
BlackRock closed 2025 with $14.04 trillion in assets under management, surpassing expectations despite a 33% year-over-year drop in Q4 net income to $1.13 billion. Adjusted EPS of $13.16 beat estimates, while base fees ROSE 9% excluding market effects.
The firm saw $268 billion in net inflows—below forecasts—but maintained aggressive capital returns: a 10% dividend hike to $5.73/share and $5 billion total shareholder returns for the year, including $1.6 billion in buybacks.
GAAP earnings were dented by acquisition costs and a one-time donation, but underlying performance showed 18% operating income growth. The results highlight institutional resilience despite crypto market volatility affecting assets like BTC, ETH, and SOL.