EX-99.1 3 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE JAN 21,2004 Press Release Jan 21,2004

EXHIBIT 99.1

LOGO

 

Contact:

Paul Audet

212-409-3555

invrel@blackrock.com

 

BlackRock, Inc. Reports 13% Increase in Assets Under Management to $309.4 Billion;

Fourth Quarter and Full Year Diluted E.P.S. Increases

21% and 16%, Respectively, to $0.63 and $2.36;

Board Approves New Stock Repurchase Program

 

New York, January 21, 2004 – BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK) today reported net income for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2003 of $41.4 million, a 22% increase compared with $33.8 million earned in the fourth quarter of 2002 and a 3% increase compared with $40.1 million earned in the third quarter of 2003. Diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter were $0.63, a 21% increase compared with $0.52 for the fourth quarter of 2002 and a 3% increase compared with $0.61 for the third quarter of 2003. Operating income of $61.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2003 increased $6.8 million, or 12%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2002 and $4.1 million, or 7%, compared to the third quarter of 2003.

 

Net income for the year ended December 31, 2003 was $155.4 million, a 17% increase compared with $133.2 million earned in 2002. Diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2003 were $2.36, a 16% increase compared with $2.04 for the year ended December 31, 2002. Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2003 was $228.3 million, a $13.1 million, or 6%, increase compared with $215.1 million earned in 2002.

 

Assets under management (“AUM”) were up $15.9 billion during the quarter and $36.5 billion for the year to $309.4 billion, a 5% increase from the $293.5 billion reported at September 30, 2003 and a 13% increase from the $272.8 billion reported at December 31, 2002. New business during the quarter totaled $11.7 billion, with positive results in all distribution channels. For the full year, net new business was $22.5 billion, with $26.7 billion of inflows in long-dated assets overwhelming $4.2 billion of outflows in liquidity products. In addition, new business in BlackRock Solutions was very strong, driving an increase of more than 15% in revenue year-over-year.

 

“BlackRock achieved exceptional results in 2003, particularly in light of the headwinds we faced throughout the year, including anticipated outflows in liquidity assets, lower performance fees, and increased costs associated with industry-wide accounting and regulatory matters,” commented Laurence D. Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock. “We overcame these challenges with strong new business results in fixed income and alternatives and, I’m very happy to report, positive net flows in domestic equities. BlackRock Solutions had a terrific year as well, reflecting broad-based investor focus on operational and risk management. Importantly, we also delivered competitive investment performance in most products and the quality of our client service effort continues to differentiate the firm. Our success in 2003 can only be attributed to the hard work and dedication of our people. The quality of our team and their ongoing commitment to our clients gives me confidence in our ability to capitalize on our momentum and further expand BlackRock’s platform in 2004.”

 


BlackRock, Inc.

Fourth Quarter 2003 Earnings Release

 

 

Fourth Quarter and Full Year Highlights

 

v Fixed income assets increased $13.0 billion during the quarter and $38.8 billion for the year to $214.4 billion. Net new business totaled $10.8 billion during the quarter and $28.4 billion throughout the year, with positive inflows in every product category and from every client channel in both periods. While we continued to attract assets in our flagship core bond products, $11.9 billion of net inflows in targeted duration accounts and $5.6 billion of net new business in global bonds during the year contributed to greater diversification of our product mix.

 

v Liquidity assets ended the year at $74.3 billion, with net inflows of $2.2 billion from domestic institutional investors and $860 million of outflows in retail and international liquidity products during the quarter. Year-over-year, liquidity assets declined $4.2 billion or 5%, including $3.5 billion of inflows in security lending accounts and $7.7 billion of net outflows in all other products. As anticipated, $6.6 billion of outflows in institutional money market funds partially reversed the $14.3 billion of inflows that followed the Fed’s rate cut in November 2002. While liquidity flows are expected to remain volatile, our domestic institutional market position held steady in 2003 and we will seek to expand our market share in 2004.

 

v Total equity assets were up $1.3 billion during the quarter and $257 million for the full year, ending at $13.7 billion. During the quarter, we recorded net new business in domestic equities of $557 million. For the year, new business of $860 million in external channels was overshadowed by $759 million of outflows from PNC-related clients. International equities continued to struggle, with $1.2 billion of outflows during the quarter bringing the total for the year to $3.4 billion. Momentum in domestic equities accelerated throughout the year, and we believe we will have the opportunity to more broadly market these products in 2004. We have also made additional investments in our international equity effort and are hopeful that performance will stabilize and return to historical levels.

 

v Alternative investment AUM increased $258 million during the quarter and $1.7 billion during the year to $6.9 billion. We have expanded our alternative product offerings, adding our equity hedge fund, Cyllenius, in the fourth quarter of 2002 and, in 2003, introducing a municipal bond hedge fund in the first quarter, launching our fund of funds effort in the second quarter, and issuing a new collateralized debt obligation in the third quarter. These initiatives helped bring our total new business for the year to $1.5 billion, including $237 million in the fourth quarter.

 

v While our distribution effort demonstrated strength broadly, growth was most notable in our insurance effort, which attracted $3.6 billion and $13.0 billion of net new business during the fourth quarter and full year, respectively. Net inflows from domestic tax-exempt investors totaled $3.6 billion for the quarter and $7.0 billion for the year, as pension plan rebalancing out of bonds abated and BlackRock benefited from contributions to defined benefit plans. We also had strong new business results during the year among non-U.S. clients and mutual fund investors, including net inflows of $2.1 billion from international institutions (excluding insurance companies) and $3.5 billion in long-dated closed-end and open-end mutual funds.

 

v BlackRock Solutions revenue increased by more than 15% year-over-year as a result of strong new business efforts. In total, we added sixteen new risk management, investment accounting and system outsourcing assignments during the year, including two new assignments during the quarter. We completed two system implementations and one additional implementation is in process. New business during the year included six risk management relationships and one investment accounting client. Discussions are ongoing with several potential clients and we are optimistic that we will be able to capitalize on some of these opportunities during the first quarter of 2004.

 

2


BlackRock, Inc.

Fourth Quarter 2003 Earnings Release

 

 

v At year end 2003, we took steps to further enhance the continuity of our team by granting previously unallocated awards in our 2002 Long Term Retention and Incentive Program to a broader universe of key employees and by introducing the use of restricted stock as a form of compensation. The restricted stock awards, which consisted of approximately 191,000 shares that vest ratably over four years, represented as much as 30% of total compensation for senior executives. At the same time, we discontinued the regular use of incentive stock option awards. Taken together, we believe these actions enhance our ability to retain key professionals and maintain appropriate alignment with the interests of our clients and shareholders.

 

v As more fully discussed below, our Board has authorized a 2 million share stock buy-back program, which includes a repurchase of shares owned by members of BlackRock’s Management Committee, to maintain relative stability in the publicly-traded float of BlackRock’s stock.

 

v We entered 2004 with strong momentum supported by competitive investment performance in most products and a growing presence among investors worldwide. Liquidity assets, which are expected to exhibit continued volatility, are up more than $4.0 billion in January. In addition, our pipeline is as robust as ever, with approximately $800 million of wins funded since year-end, over $6.0 billion of wins to be funded and nearly 400 searches in process across products. The level of inquiry regarding BlackRock Solutions also remains high, suggesting strong potential for additional risk management and system-related assignments in 2004. We also announced earlier this month that former Under-Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Peter Fisher joined BlackRock to focus on leveraging our investment and risk management capabilities, together with his expertise, to enhance our balance sheet advisory services. His addition and ongoing investments throughout the firm reflect our continuing commitment to more fully serve our existing and prospective clients and, thereby, enhance and expand BlackRock’s platform.

 

In December 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (“FIN 46R”). The Interpretation revised previous guidance issued by the FASB, which BlackRock adopted on July 1, 2003, requiring BlackRock to consolidate six collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”). Under the guidance set forth in FIN 46R, the Company’s management has concluded that BlackRock is not the primary beneficiary of these CDOs and, therefore, has adjusted previously issued financial results to reflect the deconsolidation of the CDOs at December 31, 2003. Certain reclassifications were made to BlackRock’s third quarter 2003 results to conform to the current financial statement presentation. The impact of the deconsolidation of the CDOs was immaterial to BlackRock’s results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2003.

 

As previously disclosed, BlackRock has received subpoenas from the New York State Attorney General and the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and various information requests from the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with industry-wide investigations of mutual fund matters. BlackRock is continuing to cooperate fully in these matters, and has incurred or reserved approximately $4 million to cover the currently estimated aggregate costs in connection with these regulatory matters.

 

- 3 -


BlackRock, Inc.

Fourth Quarter 2003 Earnings Release

 

 

Total revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 2003 increased $24.2 million, or 18%, to $161.2 million compared to $137.0 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2002. Separate account revenue increased by $13.3 million, or 19%, mutual funds revenue increased by $6.2 million, or 12%, and other income increased by $4.6 million, or 30%, compared with the quarter ended December 31, 2002. The increase in separate account revenue primarily consisted of a $12.4 million, or 18%, increase in separate account base fees driven by a $39.0 billion, or 21%, increase in AUM, concentrated in fixed income mandates. Mutual fund revenue increased primarily due to new closed-end fund launches in 2003, which generated $2.5 billion of additional AUM. Other income increased primarily due to strong sales in BlackRock Solutions products and services.

 


 

     Three months ended

   Variance vs.

 
     December 31,

   September 30,
2003


   December 31,
2002


    September 30,
2003


 
     2003

   2002

      Amount

    %

    Amount

    %

 

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

                                                 

Mutual funds revenue

                                                 

BlackRock Funds

   $ 18,865    $ 16,862    $ 17,255    $ 2,003     11.9 %   $ 1,610     9.3 %

Closed-end Funds

     15,804      11,442      13,267      4,362     38.1       2,537     19.1  

BPIF

     21,486      21,674      21,694      (188 )   (0.9 )     (208 )   (1.0 )

STIF

     263      232      266      31     13.4       (3 )   (1.1 )
    

  

  

  


 

 


 

Total mutual funds revenue

     56,418      50,210      52,482      6,208     12.4       3,936     7.5  
    

  

  

  


 

 


 

Separate accounts revenue

                                                 

Separate accounts base fees

     83,059      70,648      78,152      12,411     17.6       4,907     6.3  

Separate accounts performance fees

     1,800      883      2,403      917     103.9       (603 )   (25.1 )
    

  

  

  


 

 


 

Total separate accounts revenue

     84,859      71,531      80,555      13,328     18.6       4,304     5.3  
    

  

  

  


 

 


 

Total investment advisory and administration fees

     141,277      121,741      133,037      19,536     16.0       8,240     6.2  

Other income

     19,934      15,296      17,307      4,638     30.3       2,627     15.2  
    

  

  

  


 

 


 

Total revenue

   $ 161,211    $ 137,037    $ 150,344    $ 24,174     17.6 %   $ 10,867     7.2 %
    

  

  

  


 

 


 

 


 

Revenue growth from third quarter 2003 largely reflects an increase in separate account AUM of $12.7 billion or 6%, the successful offering of new closed-end funds during the third and fourth quarters of 2003, which generated $2.0 billion in AUM, and increased sales of BlackRock Solutions products and services.

 

Total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2003 increased $21.2 million, or 4%, to $598.2 million compared to $577.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2002. Increases in separate account base fees of $47.4 million, or 18%, and other income of $11.7 million, or 20%, were partially offset by

 

4


BlackRock, Inc.

Fourth Quarter 2003 Earnings Release

 

decreases of $31.8 million, or 78%, in separate account performance fees and $6.1 million, or 3%, in mutual funds revenue. The growth in separate account base fees was primarily attributable to an increase in assets under management of $39.0 billion, or 21%. The decline in separate account performance fees was attributable to a decrease in performance fees earned on BlackRock’s fixed income hedge fund which, as previously disclosed, cannot earn additional performance fees until investment performance exceeds the high water mark. The decrease in mutual funds revenue consists of decreases in BlackRock Funds revenue and BPIF revenue of $14.3 million and $3.1 million, respectively, partially offset by an $11.1 million increase in closed-end fund revenue. The decline in BlackRock Funds revenue reflects 2002 market depreciation and a reduction of PNC-related fees by $18.4 million associated with 2003 net redemptions of $2.0 billion, which offset higher revenues attributable to $1.4 billion of third party net sales. The decline in BPIF revenue was due primarily to a $1.3 billion decrease in average AUM in 2003 compared with 2002 and $1.8 million related to a rebate of Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) registration fees in 2002. Other income increased primarily due to strong sales of BlackRock Solutions products and services.

 


 

    

Year ended

December 31,


   Variance

 
     2003

   2002

   Amount

    %

 

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

                   

Mutual funds revenue

                            

BlackRock Funds

   $ 69,361    $ 83,647    $ (14,286 )   (17.1 %)

Closed-end Funds

     52,685      41,591      11,094     26.7  

BPIF

     83,035      86,115      (3,080 )   (3.6 )

STIF

     1,055      861      194     22.5  
    

  

  


 

Total mutual funds revenue

     206,136      212,214      (6,078 )   (2.9 )
    

  

  


 

Separate accounts revenue

                            

Separate accounts base fees

     313,681      266,252      47,429     17.8  

Separate accounts performance fees

     8,875      40,699      (31,824 )   (78.2 )
    

  

  


 

Total separate accounts revenue

     322,556      306,951      15,605     5.1  
    

  

  


 

Total investment advisory and administration fees

     528,692      519,165      9,527     1.8  

Other income

     69,520      57,812      11,708     20.3  
    

  

  


 

Total revenue

   $ 598,212    $ 576,977    $ 21,235     3.7 %
    

  

  


 

 


 

5


BlackRock, Inc.

Fourth Quarter 2003 Earnings Release

 

Total expenses for the quarter ended December 31, 2003 increased $17.4 million, or 21%, to $99.5 million compared to $82.0 million during the quarter ended December 31, 2002. The increase in total expenses during the quarter reflects increases of $9.5 million in general and administration expense, $6.5 million in employee compensation and benefits and $1.4 million in fund administration and servicing costs. The increase in general and administration expense primarily reflects $4.3 million in professional services and other costs incurred or reserved in connection with governmental investigations of the mutual fund industry and implementation of FIN 46R, increased marketing and promotional costs of $2.7 million primarily attributable to new closed-end fund launches, $0.8 million in occupancy costs due to rent escalations and property tax increases, a $0.5 million rise in PNC inter-company costs and higher insurance premiums of $0.4 million. The rise in employee compensation and benefits primarily reflects increased salary and incentive compensation expense, which was partially reduced by a $2.2 million reversal of deferred compensation expense. Fund administration and servicing costs increased $1.4 million during the fourth quarter of 2003 due to $1.3 million in BlackRock Funds sub-accounting fees that will not reappear in 2004 and a $1.1 million rise in third party servicing costs associated with closed-end fund launches, partially offset by a $1.0 million decline in affiliated costs due to a decline in PNC-related assets.

 


     Three months ended

   Variance vs.

 
     December 31,

   September 30,
2003


   December 31, 2002

    September 30, 2003

 
     2003

   2002

      Amount

   %

    Amount

    %

 

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

                                                

General and administration expense:

                                                

Marketing and promotional

   $ 7,372    $ 4,633    $ 7,303    $ 2,739    59.1 %   $ 69     0.9 %

Occupancy

     5,422      4,621      5,598      801    17.3       (176 )   (3.1 )

Technology

     4,853      4,488      4,271      365    8.1       582     13.6  

Other general and administration

     13,442      7,847      8,497      5,595    71.3       4,945     58.2  
    

  

  

  

  

 


 

Total general and administration expense

   $ 31,089    $ 21,589    $ 25,669    $ 9,500    44.0 %   $ 5,420     21.1 %
    

  

  

  

  

 


 

 


 

The $4.9 million increase in other general and administration expense from the third quarter 2003 was largely attributable to a $3.9 million rise in professional services and other costs incurred or reserved in connection with governmental investigations of the mutual fund industry and $0.7 million in foreign currency losses.

 

Total expenses for the year ended December 31, 2003 increased $8.1 million, or 2%, to $369.9 million compared to $361.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2002. The increase was attributable to an $18.7 million, or 21%, increase in general and administration expense that was partially offset by decreases of $9.0 million in fund administration costs and $1.7 million in employee compensation and benefits. The rise in general and administration expense was primarily attributable to the following increases: $5.7 million in marketing and promotional costs to support new closed-end fund launches and general business growth, $2.8 million in occupancy costs related to the completion of BlackRock’s new headquarters facility in mid-2002, $4.8 million in professional services and other costs incurred or reserved in connection with governmental investigations of the mutual fund industry and

 

6


BlackRock, Inc.

Fourth Quarter 2003 Earnings Release

 

 

implementation of FIN 46R, $1.8 million in foreign currency expense due to the decline in the U.S. dollar, $1.5 million in market data services and $1.3 million in corporate insurance premiums. The decrease in fund administration and servicing costs reflects a $13.4 million decrease in affiliated expense attributable to a decline in PNC-related AUM which more than offset a $4.3 million increase in third-party servicing costs that includes $3.3 million of recurring expense associated with new closed-end fund offerings. Employee compensation and benefits decreased $1.7 million due to a decrease of $13.2 million in incentive compensation as a result of the substantial decrease in performance fees partially offset by increases of $6.8 million in salaries and benefits due to staff growth and $4.6 million in appreciation on Rabbi trust assets associated with BlackRock’s deferred compensation plans.

 


 

    

Year ended

December 31,


   Variance

 
     2003

   2002

   Amount

    %

 

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

                   

General and administration expense:

                            

Marketing and promotional

   $ 28,052    $ 22,379    $ 5,673     25.3 %

Occupancy

     22,033      19,263      2,770     14.4  

Technology

     17,613      17,822      (209 )   (1.2 )

Other general and administration

     39,635      29,137      10,498     36.0  
    

  

  


 

Total general and administration expense

   $ 107,333    $ 88,601    $ 18,732     21.1 %
    

  

  


 

 


 

Operating income growth for the fourth quarter and full year 2003 would have approximated 16% and 9%, respectively, after adjusting for Rabbi Trust investment returns, a fourth quarter reversal of deferred compensation expense and costs associated with implementation of FIN 46R and investigations of the mutual fund industry.

 

Non-operating income for the three months ended December 31, 2003 increased $3.4 million largely due to the recognition of $2.8 million in securities losses in 2002 as compared to realizing $0.7 million of gains in the fourth quarter of 2003. Non-operating income for the year ended December 31, 2003 increased $13.8 million compared with the year ended December 31, 2002 due to increased appreciation on Rabbi trust assets associated with BlackRock’s deferred compensation plans totaling $4.7 million, $4.1 million of increased interest and dividend income on higher levels of corporate investments, the recognition of impairment losses approximating $4.0 million on the Company’s CDO and mutual fund investments and $2.0 million in gains on seed equity trading investments for new quantitative equity strategies.

 

7


BlackRock, Inc.

Fourth Quarter 2003 Earnings Release

 

 

Share Repurchase Program

 

BlackRock’s Board of Directors has approved a new 2 million share repurchase program. BlackRock may make the repurchases from time to time as market conditions warrant in open market or privately negotiated transactions. Except as highlighted below, the amount of shares repurchased and the timing of the repurchases will be at the discretion of BlackRock’s management. Repurchases through December 31, 2003 under the previous repurchase program authorizations totaled approximately 1,690,000 shares at a total cost of $76.9 million. During the fourth quarter of 2003, the Company acquired approximately 387,300 shares at a total cost of $19.4 million. The authority to purchase 310,000 shares remaining available under the pre-existing repurchase program has been terminated effective with the new authorization. Repurchased shares will be available for general corporate purposes including the funding of various employee benefit and compensation plans.

 

In conjunction with authorizing the new share repurchase program, the Board also approved a senior management stock buy-back that authorizes BlackRock to purchase management shares through the repurchase program. The senior management buy-back is designed to ensure that personal asset management, estate planning and tax planning by members of the firm’s management committee is carried out in a manner consistent with the best interests of the Company. Shares repurchased by the Company under the senior management buy-back will reduce the number of shares available for repurchase under the new 2 million share repurchase program. The shares will be repurchased at the average daily closing price for the five trading days ending January 28, 2004. In total, eligible participants have elected to sell 690,575 shares, representing 5.4% of the total holdings (defined as vested and unvested stock and stock options and, subject to satisfaction of performance goals, shares issuable under the Company’s Long-Term Retention and Incentive Plan) of senior management (8.3% of vested stock and stock options). Among the eligible participants, Laurence D. Fink, CEO, is selling 250,000 shares; Ralph L. Schlosstein, President, is selling 100,000 shares; Robert S. Kapito, Vice Chairman, is selling 50,000 shares and Paul L. Audet, CFO, is selling 25,000 shares. In all cases, the sales by these executives represent less than 10% of their total holdings.

 

The Board of Directors also decided to review BlackRock’s dividend policy annually at its regularly scheduled February meeting.

 

Outlook

 

Based on current conditions, which assumes no significant changes in economic activity, interest rates or new business momentum, management expects full year and first quarter 2004 diluted earnings per share to be in a range of $2.70–$2.90 and $0.66–$0.68, respectively.

 

About BlackRock

 

BlackRock is one of the largest publicly traded investment management firms in the United States with $309 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2003. BlackRock manages assets on behalf of institutional and individual investors worldwide through a variety of equity, fixed income, liquidity and alternative investment products. In addition, BlackRock provides risk management and investment system services to a growing number of institutional investors under the BlackRock Solutions name. Clients are served from the Company’s headquarters in New York City, as well as offices in Boston, Edinburgh, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Tokyo and Wilmington. BlackRock is majority-owned by The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC) and by BlackRock employees.

 

8


BlackRock, Inc.

Fourth Quarter 2003 Earnings Release

 

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

This press release, 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 outlook for full year and first quarter 2004 earnings, fixed income hedge fund investment performance, potential new business opportunities, liquidity asset levels and other 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,” “current,” “intention,” “estimate,” “position,” “assume,” “outlook,” “continue,” “remain,” “maintain,” “sustain,” “seek,” “pursue,” “achieve,” and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or 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 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 to factors previously disclosed in BlackRock’s SEC reports and those identified elsewhere in this press release, forward-looking statements are subject, among others, to the following risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results of future events to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: (1) the introduction, withdrawal, success and timing of business initiatives and strategies; (2) changes in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment or financial and capital markets, which could result in changes in demand for products or services or in the value of assets under management or of BlackRock’s investments; (3) the investment performance of BlackRock’s advised or sponsored investment products and separately managed accounts; (4) the impact of increased competition; (5) the impact of capital improvement projects; (6) the impact of future acquisitions; (7) the unfavorable resolution of legal proceedings; (8) the extent and timing of any share repurchases; (9) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes and the adequacy of intellectual property protection; (10) the impact of legislative and regulatory actions and reforms and regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions of government agencies relating to BlackRock or PNC; (11) terrorist activities and international hostilities, which may adversely affect the general economy, financial and capital markets, specific industries, and BlackRock; and (12) the ability to attract and retain highly talented professionals.

 

BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 and BlackRock’s subsequent reports filed with the SEC, accessible on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and on BlackRock’s website at http://www.blackrock.com, discuss these factors in more detail and identify additional factors that can affect forward-looking statements.

 

# # #

 

9


TABLE 1

 

BlackRock, Inc.

Financial Highlights

($ in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

 

     Three months ended

    Variance vs.

 
     December 31,

    September 30,

   

December 31,

2002


   

September 30,

2003


 
     2003

    2002

    2003 (a)

    Amount

   %

    Amount

    %

 

Total revenue

   $ 161,211     $ 137,037     $ 150,344     $ 24,174    18 %   $ 10,867     7 %

Total expense

   $ 99,457     $ 82,034     $ 92,700     $ 17,423    21 %   $ 6,757     7 %

Operating income

   $ 61,754     $ 55,003     $ 57,644     $ 6,751    12 %   $ 4,110     7 %

Net income

   $ 41,355     $ 33,848     $ 40,053     $ 7,507    22 %   $ 1,302     3 %

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 0.63     $ 0.52     $ 0.61     $ 0.11    21 %   $ 0.02     3 %

Average diluted shares outstanding

     65,634,589       65,336,460       65,692,272       298,129    0 %     (57,682 )   0 %

Operating margin (b)

     40.7 %     42.6 %     40.5 %                           

Assets under management ($ in millions)

   $ 309,356     $ 272,841     $ 293,501     $ 36,515    13 %   $ 15,855     5 %

 

    

Year ended


       
     December 31,

    Variance

 
     2003

    2002

    Amount

   %

 

Total revenue

   $ 598,212     $ 576,977     $ 21,235    4 %

Total expense

   $ 369,936     $ 361,838     $ 8,098    2 %

Operating income

   $ 228,276     $ 215,139     $ 13,137    6 %

Net income

   $ 155,402     $ 133,249     $ 22,153    17 %

Diluted earnings per share

   $ 2.36     $ 2.04     $ 0.32    16 %

Average diluted shares outstanding

     65,860,368       65,307,548       552,819    1 %

Operating margin (b)

     40.4 %     40.2 %             

Assets under management ($ in millions)

   $ 309,356     $ 272,841     $ 36,515    13 %

 

(a) In December 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued FASB Interpretion ("FIN") 46 (revised December 2003), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities ("FIN 46R"), which revised the conceptual framework for determining which party holds a controlling interest in a variable interest entity. Under previous guidance, the Company's management had determined that the Company was the primary beneficiary of six collaterized debt obligations ("CDO") and had consolidated the results of operations, financial position and cash flow for these entites during the three months ended September 30, 2003. Under guidance set forth in FIN 46R, the Company's management has determined that the Company is not the primary beneficiary of the CDOs and has elected to reflect its deconsolidation of the CDOs through an adjustment of previously reported financial results. Certain reclassifications were made to BlackRock’s third quarter 2003 results to conform with the current financial statement presentation. The impact of the deconsolidation of the CDOs was immaterial to BlackRock’s results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2003.
(b) Operating income divided by total revenue less fund administration and servicing costs. Computations for all periods presented are derived from the Company's consolidated financial statements, as follows:

 

     Three months ended

   

Year ended

December 31,


 
     December 31,

    September 30,

   
     2003

    2002

    2003

    2003

    2002

 

Operating income, as reported

   $ 61,754     $ 55,003     $ 57,644     $ 228,276     $ 215,139  
    


 


 


 


 


Revenue, as reported

     161,211       137,037       150,344       598,212       576,977  

Less: fund administration and servicing costs

     (9,393 )     (7,962 )     (7,844 )     (32,773 )     (41,779 )
    


 


 


 


 


Revenue used for operating margin measurement

     151,818       129,075       142,500       565,439       535,198  
    


 


 


 


 


Adjusted operating margin

     38.3 %     40.1 %     38.3 %     38.2 %     37.3 %
    


 


 


 


 


Operating margin, as reported

     40.7 %     42.6 %     40.5 %     40.4 %     40.2 %
    


 


 


 


 


 

We believe that operating margin, as reported, is an effective indicator of management's ability to effectively employ the Company’s resources. Fund administration and servicing costs have been excluded from operating margin because these costs are a fixed, asset-based expense, which can fluctuate based on the discretion of a third party.

 

10


TABLE 2

 

BlackRock, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

 

     Three months ended

          Year ended

       
     December 31,

          December 31,

       
     2003

    2002

    % Change

    2003

    2002

    % Change

 

Revenue

                                            

Investment advisory and administration fees

                                            

Mutual funds

   $ 56,418     $ 50,210     12.4 %   $ 206,136     $ 212,214     (2.9 )%

Separate accounts

     84,859       71,531     18.6       322,556       306,951     5.1  
    


 


       


 


     

Total investment advisory and administration fees

     141,277       121,741     16.0       528,692       519,165     1.8  

Other income

     19,934       15,296     30.3       69,520       57,812     20.3  
    


 


       


 


     

Total revenue

     161,211       137,037     17.6       598,212       576,977     3.7  
    


 


       


 


     

Expense

                                            

Employee compensation and benefits

     58,744       52,262     12.4       228,905       230,634     (0.7 )

Fund administration and servicing costs

                                            

Affiliates

     6,699       7,379     (9.2 )     26,949       40,304     (33.1 )

Other

     2,694       583     362.1       5,824       1,475     294.8  

General and administration

     31,089       21,589     44.0       107,333       88,601     21.1  

Amortization of intangible assets

     231       221     4.5       925       824     12.3  
    


 


       


 


     

Total expense

     99,457       82,034     21.2       369,936       361,838     2.2  
    


 


       


 


     

Operating income

     61,754       55,003     12.3       228,276       215,139     6.1  

Non-operating income (expense)

                                            

Investment income

     5,497       2,049     168.3       23,345       9,492     145.9  

Interest expense

     (252 )     (164 )   53.7       (719 )     (683 )   5.3  
    


 


       


 


     
       5,245       1,885     178.2       22,626       8,809     156.9  
    


 


       


 


     

Income before income taxes and minority interest

     66,999       56,888     17.8       250,902       223,948     12.0  

Income taxes

     25,347       23,040     10.0       95,247       90,699     5.0  
    


 


       


 


     

Income before minority interest

     41,652       33,848     23.1       155,655       133,249     16.8  

Minority interest

     297       —       NM       253       —       NM  
    


 


       


 


     

Net income

   $ 41,355     $ 33,848     22.2     $ 155,402     $ 133,249     16.6  
    


 


       


 


     

Weighted-average shares outstanding

                                            

Basic

     64,072,611       64,848,221     (1.2 )%     64,653,348       64,756,290     (0.2 )%

Diluted

     65,634,589       65,336,460     0.5 %     65,860,368       65,307,548     0.8 %

Earnings per share

                                            

Basic

   $ 0.65     $ 0.52     25.0 %   $ 2.40     $ 2.06     16.5 %

Diluted

   $ 0.63     $ 0.52     21.2 %   $ 2.36     $ 2.04     15.7 %

 

NM = Not meaningful.

 

11


TABLE 3

 

BlackRock, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

    

December 31,

2003


  

December 31,

2002


     

Assets

             

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 315,941    $ 255,234

Accounts receivable

     127,316      114,070

Investments

     234,923      210,559

Property and equipment, net

     87,006      93,923

Intangible assets, net

     192,079      182,827

Other assets

     9,958      7,575
    

  

Total assets

   $ 967,223    $ 864,188
    

  

Liabilities

             

Accrued compensation

   $ 172,447    $ 173,047

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     60,098      37,963

Acquired management contract obligation

     5,736      6,578

Other liabilities

     14,395      11,946
    

  

Total liabilities

     252,676      229,534

Minority interest

     1,239      —  

Stockholders' equity

     713,308      634,654
    

  

Total liabilities, minority interest and stockholders' equity

   $ 967,223    $ 864,188
    

  

 

12


TABLE 4

 

BlackRock, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

    

Year ended

December 31,


 
    
     2003

    2002

 

Cash flows from operating activities

                

Net income

   $ 155,402     $ 133,249  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

                

Depreciation and amortization

     21,366       20,238  

Minority interest

     220       —    

Stock-based compensation

     6,351       4,926  

Deferred income taxes

     (2,311 )     7,053  

Tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     6,506       7,679  

Purchase of investments, trading, net

     (17,071 )     (17,350 )

Net (gain) loss on investments

     (7,947 )     2,031  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                

Increase in accounts receivable

     (13,198 )     (19,699 )

Decrease in receivable from affiliates

     200       2,288  

(Increase) decrease in other assets

     (540 )     946  

Increase in accrued compensation

     5,493       33,349  

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     23,193       (4,137 )

Increase in other liabilities

     1,931       1,472  
    


 


Cash provided by operating activities

     179,595       172,045  
    


 


Cash flows from investing activities

                

Purchase of property and equipment

     (13,453 )     (42,827 )

Purchase of investments

     (177,775 )     (353,762 )

Sale of investments

     180,509       301,517  

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired

     (8,930 )     (1,733 )
    


 


Cash used in investing activities

     (19,649 )     (96,805 )
    


 


Cash flows from financing activities

                

Issuance of class A common stock

     623       2,658  

Issuance of class B common stock

     —         332  

Dividends paid

     (25,614 )     —    

Purchase of treasury stock

     (83,418 )     (12,444 )

Reissuance of treasury stock

     6,915       2,048  

Acquired management contract obligation payment

     (842 )     (766 )
    


 


Cash used in financing activities

     (102,336 )     (8,172 )
    


 


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     3,097       1,715  

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     60,707       68,783  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

     255,234       186,451  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

   $ 315,941     $ 255,234  
    


 


 

13


TABLE 5

 

BlackRock, Inc.

Assets Under Management

(Dollar amounts in millions)

(unaudited)

 

     December 31,

     2003

   2002

All Accounts

             

Fixed income

   $ 214,356    $ 175,586

Liquidity

     74,345      78,512

Equity

     13,721      13,464

Alternative investment products

     6,934      5,279
    

  

Total

   $ 309,356    $ 272,841
    

  

Separate Accounts

             

Fixed income

   $ 190,432    $ 156,574

Liquidity

     5,855      5,491

Liquidity-Securities lending

     9,925      6,433

Equity

     9,443      9,736

Alternative investment products

     6,934      5,279
    

  

Subtotal

     222,589      183,513
    

  

Mutual Funds

             

Fixed income

     23,924      19,012

Liquidity

     58,565      66,588

Equity

     4,278      3,728
    

  

Subtotal

     86,767      89,328
    

  

Total

   $ 309,356    $ 272,841
    

  

 

Component Changes in Assets Under Management

(Dollar amounts in millions)

(unaudited)

 

    

Year ended

December 31,


 
     2003

    2002

 

All Accounts

                

Beginning assets under management

   $ 272,841     $ 238,584  

Net subscriptions

     22,468       25,378  

Market appreciation

     14,047       8,879  
    


 


Ending assets under management

   $ 309,356     $ 272,841  
    


 


% of Change in AUM from net subscriptions

     61.5 %     74.1 %

Separate Accounts

                

Beginning assets under management

   $ 183,513     $ 151,986  

Net subscriptions

     26,540       21,322  

Market appreciation

     12,536       10,205  
    


 


Ending assets under management

     222,589       183,513  
    


 


Mutual Funds

                

Beginning assets under management

     89,328       86,598  

Net subscriptions (redemptions)

     (4,072 )     4,056  

Market appreciation (depreciation)

     1,511       (1,326 )
    


 


Ending assets under management

     86,767       89,328  
    


 


Total

   $ 309,356     $ 272,841  
    


 


 

14


TABLE 6

 

BlackRock, Inc.

Assets Under Management

Quarterly Trend

(Dollar amounts in millions)

(unaudited)

 

     2002

    2003

   

Year ended

December 31, 2003


 
     December 31

    March 31

    June 30

    September 30

    December 31

   

Separate Accounts

                                                

Fixed Income

                                                

Beginning assets under management

   $ 145,839     $ 156,574     $ 167,778     $ 174,480     $ 178,390     $ 156,574  

Net subscriptions

     7,455       8,889       1,682       3,700       9,842       24,113  

Market appreciation

     3,280       2,315       5,020       210       2,200       9,745  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Ending assets under management

     156,574       167,778       174,480       178,390       190,432       190,432  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Liquidity

                                                

Beginning assets under management

     5,438       5,491       6,040       5,366       5,707       5,491  

Net subscriptions (redemptions)

     42       541       (677 )     328       135       327  

Market appreciation

     11       8       3       13       13       37  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Ending assets under management

     5,491       6,040       5,366       5,707       5,855       5,855  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Liquidity-Securities lending

                                                

Beginning assets under management

     5,693       6,433       6,344       8,374       9,996       6,433  

Net subscriptions (redemptions)

     740       (89 )     2,030       1,622       (71 )     3,492  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Ending assets under management

     6,433       6,344       8,374       9,996       9,925       9,925  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Equity

                                                

Beginning assets under management

     8,322       9,736       8,995       9,105       9,143       9,736  

Net subscriptions (redemptions)

     867       174       (1,526 )     (334 )     (1,234 )     (2,920 )

Market appreciation (depreciation)

     547       (915 )     1,636       372       1,534       2,627  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Ending assets under management

     9,736       8,995       9,105       9,143       9,443       9,443  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Alternative investment products

                                                

Beginning assets under management

     5,490       5,279       5,398       6,352       6,676       5,279  

Net subscriptions (redemptions)

     (217 )     6       900       385       237       1,528  

Market appreciation (depreciation)

     6       113       54       (61 )     21       127  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Ending assets under management

     5,279       5,398       6,352       6,676       6,934       6,934  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total Separate Accounts

                                                

Beginning assets under management

     170,782       183,513       194,555       203,677       209,912       183,513  

Net subscriptions

     8,887       9,521       2,409       5,701       8,909       26,540  

Market appreciation

     3,844       1,521       6,713       534       3,768       12,536  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Ending assets under management

   $ 183,513     $ 194,555     $ 203,677     $ 209,912     $ 222,589     $ 222,589  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Mutual Funds

                                                

Fixed Income

                                                

Beginning assets under management

   $ 18,471     $ 19,012     $ 20,280     $ 21,480     $ 22,974     $ 19,012  

Net subscriptions

     677       1,104       788       1,426       977       4,295  

Market appreciation (depreciation)

     (136 )     164       412       68       (27 )     617  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Ending assets under management

     19,012       20,280       21,480       22,974       23,924       23,924  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Liquidity

                                                

Beginning assets under management

     52,426       66,588       55,594       57,845       57,334       66,588  

Net subscriptions (redemptions)

     14,160       (10,995 )     2,247       (512 )     1,225       (8,035 )

Market appreciation

     2       1       4       1       6       12  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Ending assets under management

     66,588       55,594       57,845       57,334       58,565       58,565  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Equity

                                                

Beginning assets under management

     4,184       3,728       3,170       3,307       3,281       3,728  

Net subscriptions (redemptions)

     (698 )     (418 )     (346 )     (147 )     579       (332 )

Market appreciation (depreciation)

     242       (140 )     483       121       418       882  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Ending assets under management

     3,728       3,170       3,307       3,281       4,278       4,278  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total Mutual Funds

                                                

Beginning assets under management

     75,081       89,328       79,044       82,632       83,589       89,328  

Net subscriptions (redemptions)

     14,139       (10,309 )     2,689       767       2,781       (4,072 )

Market appreciation

     108       25       899       190       397       1,511  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Ending assets under management

   $ 89,328     $ 79,044     $ 82,632     $ 83,589     $ 86,767     $ 86,767  
    


 


 


 


 


 


 

15


TABLE 7

 

BlackRock, Inc.

Assets Under Management

Quarterly Trend

(Dollar amounts in millions)

(unaudited)

 

     2002

    2003

   

Year ended

December 31, 2003


 
     December 31

    March 31

    June 30

    September 30

    December 31

   

Mutual Funds

                                                

BlackRock Funds

                                                

Beginning assets under management

   $ 18,484     $ 18,115     $ 18,013     $ 18,410     $ 18,044     $ 18,115  

Net subscriptions (redemptions)

     (604 )     18       (213 )     (385 )     57       (523 )

Market appreciation (depreciation)

     235       (120 )     610       19       253       762  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Ending assets under management

     18,115       18,013       18,410       18,044       18,354       18,354  
    


 


 


 


 


 


BlackRock Global Series

                                                

Beginning assets under management

     188       211       500       589       794       211  

Net subscriptions (redemptions)

     9       287       44       193       (3 )     521  

Market appreciation

     14       2       45       12       47       106  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Ending assets under management

     211       500       589       794       838       838  
    


 


 


 


 


 


BPIF

                                                

Beginning assets under management

     45,328       59,576       48,489       51,163       51,078       59,576  

Net subscriptions (redemptions)

     14,248       (11,087 )     2,674       (85 )     1,792       (6,706 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Ending assets under management

     59,576       48,489       51,163       51,078       52,870       52,870  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Closed End

                                                

Beginning assets under management

     10,425       10,771       11,294       11,723       12,920       10,771  

Net subscriptions

     487       380       185       1,038       944       2,547  

Market appreciation (depreciation)

     (141 )     143       244       159       97       643  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Ending assets under management

     10,771       11,294       11,723       12,920       13,961       13,961  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Short Term Investment Funds (STIF)

                                                

Beginning assets under management

     656       655       748       747       753       655  

Net subscriptions (redemptions)

     (1 )     93       (1 )     6       (9 )     89  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Ending assets under management

     655       748       747       753       744       744  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total Mutual Funds

                                                

Beginning assets under management

     75,081       89,328       79,044       82,632       83,589       89,328  

Net subscriptions (redemptions)

     14,139       (10,309 )     2,689       767       2,781       (4,072 )

Market appreciation

     108       25       899       190       397       1,511  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Ending assets under management

   $ 89,328     $ 79,044     $ 82,632     $ 83,589     $ 86,767     $ 86,767  
    


 


 


 


 


 


 

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