blk-10k_20191231.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019

☐	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	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.01 par value	BLK	New York Stock Exchange
1.250% Notes due 2025	BLK25	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 ☒ No ☐

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 ☐ No ☒

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 ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

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


Large accelerated filer ☒	Accelerated filer ☐

Non-accelerated filer ☐

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. ☐

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

The aggregate market value of the voting common stock and nonvoting common stock equivalents held by nonaffiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2019 was approximately $71.9 billion.

As of January 31, 2020, there were 154,827,534 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 2020 annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 21, 2020 (“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	29
Item 2	Properties	30
Item 3	Legal Proceedings	30
Item 4	Mine Safety Disclosures	30

PART II

Item 5	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	31
Item 6	Selected Financial Data	32
Item 7	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	34
Item 7A	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	58
Item 8	Financial Statements and Supplemental Data	59
Item 9	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	59
Item 9A	Controls and Procedures	59
Item 9B	Other Information	62

PART III

Item 10	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	62
Item 11	Executive Compensation	62
Item 12	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	62
Item 13	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	62
Item 14	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	62

PART IV

Item 15	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	62
	Signatures	66

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 $7.43 trillion of assets under management (“AUM”) at December 31, 2019. With approximately 16,200 employees in more than 30 countries who serve clients in over 100 countries across the globe, BlackRock provides a broad range of investment and technology services to institutional and retail clients worldwide.

Our diverse platform of alpha-seeking active, index and cash management 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 technology services, including the investment and risk management technology platform, Aladdin^®, Aladdin Wealth, eFront, Cachematrix and FutureAdvisor, as well as advisory services and solutions to a broad base of institutional and wealth management clients. The Company is highly regulated and manages its clients’ 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.

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, 2019, The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”) held 22.0% of BlackRock’s voting common stock and 22.4% of BlackRock’s capital stock, which includes outstanding common and nonvoting preferred stock.

Management seeks to deliver value for stockholders over time by, among other things, capitalizing on 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 50% of employees outside the United States serving clients locally and supporting local investment capabilities. Approximately 40% of total AUM is managed for clients domiciled outside the United States;

•

the Company’s breadth of investment strategies, including market-cap weighted index, factors, systematic active, traditional fundamental active, high conviction alpha and illiquid alternative product offerings, which enhance its ability 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 index investing and ETFs, a focus on income and retirement, increasing demand for sustainable investment strategies and barbelling using index, active and illiquid alternatives products; and

•

the Company’s longstanding commitment to innovation, technology services and the continued development of, and increased interest in, BlackRock technology products and solutions, including Aladdin, Aladdin Wealth, eFront, Cachematrix, and FutureAdvisor. This commitment is further extended by minority investments in distribution technologies including Scalable Capital, iCapital, Acorns and Envestnet.

BlackRock operates in a global marketplace impacted by changing market dynamics 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 Aladdin 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, to deliver excellent client service and to innovate in technology to serve clients’ evolving needs. 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.

Financial Highlights

(in millions, except per share data)
GAAP:	2019			2018			2017⁽⁴⁾			2016⁽⁴⁾			2015⁽⁴⁾
Total revenue	$	14,539		$	14,198		$	13,600		$	12,261		$	11,401
Operating income	$	5,551		$	5,457		$	5,254		$	4,565		$	4,664
Operating margin		38.2	%		38.4	%		38.6	%		37.2	%		40.9	%
Nonoperating income (expense)⁽¹⁾	$	186		$	(76	)	$	(32	)	$	(108	)	$	(69	)
Net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc.	$	4,476		$	4,305		$	4,952		$	3,168		$	3,345
Diluted earnings per common share	$	28.43		$	26.58		$	30.12		$	19.02		$	19.79

(in millions, except per share data)
As adjusted⁽²⁾:	2019			2018			2017⁽⁴⁾			2016⁽⁴⁾			2015⁽⁴⁾
Operating income	$	5,551		$	5,531		$	5,269		$	4,669		$	4,695
Operating margin		43.7	%		44.3	%		44.1	%		43.8	%		42.9	%
Nonoperating income (expense)⁽¹⁾	$	186		$	(76	)	$	(32	)	$	(108	)	$	(70	)
Net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc.⁽³⁾	$	4,484		$	4,361		$	3,698		$	3,210		$	3,313
Diluted earnings per common share⁽³⁾	$	28.48		$	26.93		$	22.49		$	19.27		$	19.60

(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 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Non-GAAP Financial Measures”, for further information on non-GAAP financial measures and for as adjusted items for 2019 and 2018.

In 2016, a restructuring charge, primarily comprised of severance and accelerated amortization expense of previously granted compensation awards, has been excluded to provide more meaningful 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 2017, 2016 and 2015, 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.

(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 referred to above and exclude the effect on deferred income tax expense resulting from certain income tax matters. In 2017, $1.2 billion of net tax benefit related to The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was excluded from net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc., as adjusted, and diluted earnings per common share, as adjusted.

(4)	Results for 2017 and 2016 were recast to reflect the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard. Results for 2015 reflect accounting guidance prior to the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard.

Assets Under Management

The Company’s AUM by product type for the years 2015 through 2019 is presented below.

	December 31,
(in millions)	2019		2018		2017		2016		2015		5-Year CAGR⁽¹⁾
Equity	$	3,820,329	$	3,035,825	$	3,371,641	$	2,657,176	$	2,423,772		9	%
Fixed income		2,315,392		1,884,417		1,855,465		1,572,365		1,422,368		11	%
Multi-asset		568,121		461,884		480,278		395,007		376,336		8	%
Alternatives		178,072		143,358		129,347		116,938		112,839		10	%
Long-term		6,881,914		5,525,484		5,836,731		4,741,486		4,335,315		10	%
Cash management		545,949		448,565		449,949		403,584		299,884		13	%
Advisory		1,770		1,769		1,515		2,782		10,213		(39	)%
Total	$	7,429,633	$	5,975,818	$	6,288,195	$	5,147,852	$	4,645,412		10	%

(1)	Percentage represents CAGR over a five-year period (2014-2019).

Component changes in AUM by product type for the five years ended December 31, 2019 are presented below.

(in millions)	December 31, 2014		Net inflows (outflows)			Adjustment/ acquisitions and dispositions⁽¹⁾		Market change		FX impact			December 31, 2019		5-Year CAGR⁽²⁾
Equity	$	2,451,111	$	277,866		$	2,590	$	1,134,325	$	(45,563	)	$	3,820,329		9	%
Fixed income		1,393,653		718,376			18,539		232,306		(47,482	)		2,315,392		11	%
Multi-asset		377,837		77,525			1,048		123,068		(11,357	)		568,121		8	%
Alternatives		111,240		48,035			10,121		11,255		(2,579	)		178,072		10	%
Long-term		4,333,841		1,121,802			32,298		1,500,954		(106,981	)		6,881,914		10	%
Cash management		296,353		168,051			81,321		6,583		(6,359	)		545,949		13	%
Advisory		21,701		(18,149	)		—		174		(1,956	)		1,770		(39	)%
Total	$	4,651,895	$	1,271,704		$	113,619	$	1,507,711	$	(115,296	)	$	7,429,633		10	%

(1)

Amounts include AUM acquired in the acquisition 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, AUM acquired in the acquisition of the equity infrastructure franchise of First Reserve (“First Reserve Transaction”) in June 2017, net AUM from the acquisitions of Tennenbaum Capital Partners in August 2018 (“TCP Transaction”) and the asset management business of Citibanamex in September 2018 (“Citibanamex Transaction”), AUM reclassifications and net dispositions related to the transfer of BlackRock’s UK Defined Contribution Administration and Platform business to Aegon N.V. in July 2018 (“Aegon Transaction”), and net AUM dispositions related to the sale of BlackRock’s minority interest in DSP BlackRock Investment Managers Pvt. Ltd. to the DSP Group in August 2018 (“DSP Transaction”). In addition, amounts include other reclassifications to conform to current period combined AUM policy and presentation.

(2)	Percentage represents CAGR over a five-year period (2014-2019).

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 determining 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 earned 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 other technology services, to institutional investors 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.

At December 31, 2019, total AUM was $7.43 trillion, representing a CAGR of 10% 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 BKCA, Infraestructura Institucional and FutureAdvisor, which collectively added $2.2 billion of AUM in 2015, BofA Global Capital Management, which added $80.6 billion of AUM in 2016, the First Reserve Transaction, which added $3.3 billion of AUM in 2017 and the net AUM impact from the TCP Transaction, the Citibanamex Transaction, the Aegon Transaction and the DSP Transaction, which added $27.5 billion of AUM in 2018. 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

BlackRock 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 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.

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, iShares ETFs are presented as a separate client type below, with investments in iShares ETFs by institutions and retail clients excluded from figures and discussions in their respective sections.

AUM by investment style and client type at December 31, 2019 is presented below.

(in millions)	Retail		iShares ETFs		Institutional		Total
Active	$	608,552	$	—	$	1,338,670	$	1,947,222
Non-ETF Index		94,745	—			2,599,882		2,694,627
iShares ETFs		—		2,240,065		—		2,240,065
Long-term		703,297		2,240,065		3,938,552		6,881,914
Cash management		10,842	—			535,107		545,949
Advisory		—	—			1,770		1,770
Total	$	714,139	$	2,240,065	$	4,475,429	$	7,429,633

Retail

BlackRock serves retail investors globally through a wide array of vehicles across the investment 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. Technology solutions, digital distribution tools and a shift toward portfolio construction are increasing the number of financial advisors and end-retail clients using BlackRock products. Retail represented 10% of long-term AUM at December 31, 2019 and 31% of long-term base fees for 2019.

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 totaled $565.1 billion, or 80%, of retail long-term AUM at year-end, with the remainder invested in private investment funds and separately managed accounts. 87% of retail long-term AUM is invested in active products.

Component changes in retail long-term AUM for 2019 are presented below.

(in millions)	December 31, 2018		Net inflows (outflows)			Market change		FX impact		December 31, 2019
Equity	$	205,714	$	(652	)	$	45,820	$	1,531	$	252,413
Fixed income		271,588		21,222			11,882		573		305,265
Multi-asset		113,417		(9,291	)		16,138		175		120,439
Alternatives		20,131		4,531			506		12		25,180
Total	$	610,850	$	15,810		$	74,346	$	2,291	$	703,297

The retail client base is diversified geographically, with 70% of long-term AUM managed for investors based in the Americas, 25% in EMEA and 5% in Asia-Pacific at year-end 2019.

•

US retail long-term net inflows of $23.4 billion were led by fixed income net inflows of $22.7 billion. Fixed income net inflows were diversified across exposures and products, with strong flows into municipal, total return, high yield and short duration bond offerings. Equity net inflows of $3.9 billion included the successful close of the $1.4 billion BlackRock Science & Technology Trust II, BlackRock’s largest closed-end fund launch in the last seven years. Alternatives net inflows of $2.7 billion were driven by flows into the BlackRock Global Event Driven fund. Multi-asset net outflows of $5.9 billion were primarily due to outflows from world allocation strategies.

•

International retail long-term net outflows of $7.6 billion resulted from net outflows from equity, multi-asset and fixed income, partially offset by alternatives net inflows. Alternatives net inflows of $1.8 billion were driven by flows into the BlackRock Global Event Driven fund. Equity net outflows of $4.5 billion were primarily due to outflows from European equities, as political and market uncertainty contributed to a risk-off environment in the region. Multi-asset net outflows of $3.4 billion were primarily due to outflows from world allocation strategies.

iShares ETFs

iShares is the leading ETF provider in the world with $2.2 trillion of AUM at December 31, 2019 and was the top asset gatherer globally in 2019¹ with net inflows of $183.5 billion driving an organic growth rate of 11%. iShares fixed income net inflows of $112.4 billion were diversified across exposures and product lines, led by flows into Core, treasuries and mortgage-backed securities funds. iShares equity net inflows of $64.7 billion were driven by flows into Core funds and factor-based ETFs. iShares ETF multi-asset and alternative funds contributed a combined $6.4 billion of net inflows, primarily into commodities funds. iShares ETFs represented 33% of long-term AUM at December 31, 2019 and 41% of long-term base fees for 2019.

Component changes in iShares ETFs AUM for 2019 are presented below.

(in millions)	December 31, 2018		Net inflows		Market change		FX impact			December 31, 2019
Equity	$	1,274,262	$	64,705	$	292,840	$	1,165		$	1,632,972
Fixed income		427,596		112,345		25,878		(29	)		565,790
Multi-asset		4,485		113		601		11			5,210
Alternatives⁽¹⁾		25,082		6,329		4,664		18			36,093
Total	$	1,731,425	$	183,492	$	323,983	$	1,165		$	2,240,065

(1)	Amounts include commodity iShares ETFs.

Our broad iShares ETF product range offers investors a precise, transparent and efficient way to gain exposure 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.

•

US iShares ETF² AUM ended 2019 at $1.7 trillion with $117.9 billion of net inflows driven by strong demand for a diverse range of fixed income products, Core funds and factor-based ETFs.

•

International iShares ETF²AUM ended 2019 at $549.0 billion with net inflows of $65.6 billion led by fixed income and equity net inflows of $45.8 billion and $17.1 billion, respectively.

1Source: BlackRock; Bloomberg

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

Institutional

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

Component changes in institutional long-term AUM for 2019 are presented below.

(in millions)	December 31, 2018		Net inflows (outflows)			Market change		FX impact		December 31, 2019
Active:
Equity	$	110,976	$	1,852		$	27,547	$	743	$	141,118
Fixed income		538,961		55,006			55,358		2,043		651,368
Multi-asset		336,237		28,785			68,410		801		434,233
Alternatives		93,805		13,813			3,852		481		111,951
Active subtotal		1,079,979		99,456			155,167		4,068		1,338,670
Index:
Equity		1,444,873		(37,552	)		380,101		6,404		1,793,826
Fixed income		646,272		75,006			55,969		15,722		792,969
Multi-asset		7,745		(718	)		1,203		9		8,239
Alternatives		4,340		166			272		70		4,848
Index subtotal		2,103,230		36,902			437,545		22,205		2,599,882
Total	$	3,183,209	$	136,358		$	592,712	$	26,273	$	3,938,552

Institutional active AUM ended 2019 at $1.3 trillion, reflecting $99.5 billion of net inflows, positive across all asset classes. Fixed income net inflows of $55.0 billion included two sizable client wins in the second quarter of 2019. Multi-asset strategies saw continued growth, with net inflows of $28.8 billion reflecting ongoing demand for solutions offerings and the LifePath^® target-date suite.

Alternatives net inflows of $13.8 billion were led by inflows into infrastructure, private equity and real estate. Excluding return of capital and investment of $5.1 billion, alternatives net inflows were $18.9 billion. In addition, 2019 was another strong fundraising year for illiquid alternatives, and at year-end 2019 we had approximately $24 billion of committed capital to deploy for institutional clients.

In total, Institutional active represented 19% of long-term AUM and 19% of long-term base fees.

Institutional index AUM totaled $2.6 trillion at December 31, 2019, reflecting $36.9 billion of net inflows. Fixed income net inflows of $75.0 billion were driven by demand for liability-driven investment solutions. Equity net outflows of $37.6 billion resulted from client de-risking, re-allocating, re-balancing and seeking liquidity in a more uncertain market environment. Institutional index represented 38% of long-term AUM at December 31, 2019 and accounted for 9% of long-term base fees for 2019.

BlackRock’s institutional franchise generated 5% long-term organic base fee growth in 2019 reflecting strength in higher-fee illiquid alternatives, multi-asset solutions and liability-driven investment strategies.

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 $2.6 trillion, or 67%, of long-term institutional AUM managed for defined benefit, defined contribution and other pension plans for corporations, governments and unions at December 31, 2019. The market landscape continues to shift from defined benefit to defined contribution, driving strong flows in our defined contribution channel, which had $16.7 billion of long-term net inflows for the year, driven by continued demand for our LifePath target-date suite. Defined contribution represented $1.1 trillion 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 $78.7 billion, or 2%, of long-term institutional AUM was managed for other tax-exempt investors, including charities, foundations and endowments.

•

Official Institutions. BlackRock managed $234.4 billion, or 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 2019. 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 $380.0 billion, or 10%, of institutional long-term AUM at year-end 2019. Assets managed for other taxable institutions, including corporations, banks and third-party fund sponsors for which we provide sub-advisory services, totaled $605.0 billion, or 15%, of long-term institutional AUM at year-end.

Client Type and Product Type

Component changes in AUM by product type and investment style for 2019 are presented below.

(in millions)	December 31, 2018		Net inflows (outflows)			Market change			FX impact			December 31, 2019
Retail:
Equity	$	205,714	$	(652	)	$	45,820		$	1,531		$	252,413
Fixed income		271,588		21,222			11,882			573			305,265
Multi-asset		113,417		(9,291	)		16,138			175			120,439
Alternatives		20,131		4,531			506			12			25,180
Retail subtotal		610,850		15,810			74,346			2,291			703,297
iShares ETFs:
Equity		1,274,262		64,705			292,840			1,165			1,632,972
Fixed income		427,596		112,345			25,878			(29	)		565,790
Multi-asset		4,485		113			601			11			5,210
Alternatives		25,082		6,329			4,664			18			36,093
iShares ETFs subtotal		1,731,425		183,492			323,983			1,165			2,240,065
Institutional:
Active:
Equity		110,976		1,852			27,547			743			141,118
Fixed income		538,961		55,006			55,358			2,043			651,368
Multi-asset		336,237		28,785			68,410			801			434,233
Alternatives		93,805		13,813			3,852			481			111,951
Active subtotal		1,079,979		99,456			155,167			4,068			1,338,670
Index:
Equity		1,444,873		(37,552	)		380,101			6,404			1,793,826
Fixed income		646,272		75,006			55,969			15,722			792,969
Multi-asset		7,745		(718	)		1,203			9			8,239
Alternatives		4,340		166			272			70			4,848
Index subtotal		2,103,230		36,902			437,545			22,205			2,599,882
Institutional subtotal		3,183,209		136,358			592,712			26,273			3,938,552
Long-term		5,525,484		335,660			991,041			29,729			6,881,914
Cash management		448,565		93,074			3,054			1,256			545,949
Advisory		1,769		2			(19	)		18			1,770
Total	$	5,975,818	$	428,736		$	994,076		$	31,003		$	7,429,633

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 and leverage fundamental research and 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 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. Net flows in institutional index products generally have a small impact on BlackRock’s revenues and earnings.

Equity

Year-end 2019 equity AUM totaled $3.8 trillion, reflecting net inflows of $28.4 billion. Net inflows included $64.7 billion into iShares ETFs, driven by net inflows into Core funds and factor-based ETFs, partially offset by non-ETF index and active net outflows of $33.4 billion and $2.9 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 US equity strategies. Accordingly, fluctuations in international

equity markets, which may not consistently move in tandem with US markets, have a greater impact on BlackRock’s equity revenues and effective fee rate.

Fixed Income

Fixed income AUM ended 2019 at $2.3 trillion, reflecting net inflows of $263.6 billion. iShares ETFs net inflows of $112.3 billion were led by flows into Core, treasuries and mortgage-backed securities funds. Non-ETF index net inflows of $76.3 billion were driven by demand for liability-driven investment solutions. Active net inflows of $75.0 billion included two sizable institutional client wins in the second quarter of 2019, in addition to strong flows in municipal, total return, high yield and short duration bond offerings.

Multi-Asset

BlackRock’s multi-asset 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.

Component changes in multi-asset AUM for 2019 are presented below.

(in millions)	December 31, 2018		Net inflows (outflows)			Market change		FX impact			December 31, 2019
Asset allocation and balanced	$	174,636	$	(13,792	)	$	23,641	$	599		$	185,084
Target date/risk		206,334		23,454			46,180		1,110			277,078
Fiduciary		80,402		9,404			16,496		(713	)		105,589
FutureAdvisor⁽¹⁾		512		(177	)		35		—			370
Total	$	461,884	$	18,889		$	86,352	$	996		$	568,121

(1)

FutureAdvisor amounts do not include AUM held in iShares ETFs.

Multi-asset net inflows reflected ongoing institutional demand for our solutions-based advice with $28.1 billion of net inflows coming from institutional clients. Defined contribution plans of institutional clients remained a significant driver of flows and contributed $18.9 billion to institutional multi-asset net inflows in 2019, primarily into target date and target risk product offerings. Retail net outflows of $9.3 billion were primarily due to outflows from world allocation strategies.

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

•

Asset allocation and balanced products represented 33% of multi-asset AUM at 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 fund families.

•

Target date and target risk products grew 11% organically in 2019, with net inflows of $23.5 billion. Institutional investors represented 90% of target date and target risk AUM, with defined contribution plans representing 84% 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 investment management, often with BlackRock acting as outsourced chief investment officer (“OCIO”). 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. In 2019, BlackRock saw $9.4 billion of net inflows, or 12% organic growth, in fiduciary mandates.

•

FutureAdvisor is a digital wealth management platform that provides financial institutions with technology-enabled investment advisory capabilities to manage their clients’ 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 technology-enabled advice with BlackRock’s multi-asset investment capabilities, proprietary technology and risk analytics. FutureAdvisor AUM does not include underlying iShares ETF investments.

Alternatives

BlackRock alternatives 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 three main categories — 1) illiquid alternatives, 2) liquid alternatives, and 3) currency and commodities. Illiquid alternatives include offerings in alternative solutions, private equity, opportunistic and credit, real estate and infrastructure. Liquid alternatives include offerings in direct hedge funds and hedge fund solutions (funds of funds).

In 2019, alternatives generated $24.8 billion of net inflows, or $30.8 billion excluding return of capital/investment of $6.0 billion. The largest contributors to return of capital/investment were private equity solutions, opportunistic and credit strategies, real estate and infrastructure. Net inflows were driven by infrastructure, direct hedge funds, real estate, and private equity and opportunistic strategies. At year-end, we had approximately $24 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 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. Our highly diversified alternatives franchise is well positioned to meet growing demand from both institutional and retail investors.

Component changes in alternatives AUM for 2019 are presented in the table below.

(in millions)	December 31, 2018		Net inflows (outflows)			Market change			FX impact			December 31, 2019		Memo: return of capital/ investment⁽¹⁾			Memo: committed capital⁽²⁾
Illiquid alternatives:
Alternative solutions	$	3,498	$	273		$	180		$	29		$	3,980	$	(536	)	$	3,287
Private equity and opportunistic:
Private equity solutions		13,308		1,095			(16	)		(13	)		14,374		(2,009	)		5,268
Opportunistic and credit strategies		8,671		2,408			51			(21	)		11,109		(1,095	)		5,228
Long Term Private Capital		—		2,430			—			—			2,430		—			—
Private equity and opportunistic subtotal		21,979		5,933			35			(34	)		27,913		(3,104	)		10,496
Real assets:
Real estate		20,262		2,472			1,457			239			24,430		(982	)		1,384
Infrastructure		14,088		5,425			(571	)		84			19,026		(936	)		7,373
Real assets subtotal		34,350		7,897			886			323			43,456		(1,918	)		8,757
Total illiquid alternatives		59,827		14,103			1,101			318			75,349		(5,558	)		22,540
Liquid alternatives:
Direct hedge fund strategies		29,330		4,337			2,426			141			36,234		—			—
Hedge fund solutions		22,388		(380	)		798			8			22,814		(434	)		955
Total Liquid alternatives		51,718		3,957			3,224			149			59,048		(434	)		955
Currency and commodities		31,813		6,779			4,969			114			43,675		—			—
Total	$	143,358	$	24,839		$	9,294		$	581		$	178,072	$	(5,992	)	$	23,495

(1)	Return of capital/investment is included in outflows.

(2)	Amount represents client assets that are uninvested commitments, which are currently non-fee paying and are not included in AUM. These commitments are expected to generate fees and will be counted in AUM and flows as the capital is deployed over time.

Illiquid Alternatives

The Company’s illiquid alternatives strategies include the following:

• Alternative Solutions represents highly customized portfolios of alternative investments. In 2019, alternative solutions portfolios had $0.3 billion of net inflows.

•

Private Equity and Opportunistic included $14.4 billion in private equity solutions, $11.1 billion in opportunistic and credit offerings, and $2.4 billion in Long Term Private Capital (“LTPC”). LTPC was launched in 2019, and is a perpetual, direct private equity fund designed to create value for the long-term, limit re-investment risk and operate with lower volatility than comparable vehicles. Net inflows of $5.9 billion into private equity and opportunistic strategies included $2.4 billion of net inflows into both LTPC and opportunistic and credit offerings, and $1.1 billion of net inflows into private equity solutions.

•

Real Assets, which includes infrastructure and real estate, totaled $43.5 billion, reflecting net inflows of $7.9 billion, led by infrastructure deployments.

Liquid Alternatives

The Company’s liquid alternatives products’ net inflows of $4.0 billion were due to net inflows of $4.3 billion from direct hedge funds, partially offset by $0.3 billion of net outflows from hedge fund solutions. Direct hedge fund AUM includes a variety of single- and multi-strategy offerings.

Currency and Commodities

The Company’s currency and commodities products include a range of active and index products.

Currency and commodities products had $6.8 billion of net inflows, primarily driven by iShares ETFs. iShares ETFs commodities products represented $36.1 billion of AUM and are not eligible for performance fees.

Cash Management

Cash management AUM totaled $545.9 billion at December 31, 2019, reflecting $93.1 billion of net inflows. Cash management products include taxable and tax-exempt money market funds, short term investment funds and customized separate accounts. Portfolios are denominated in US dollars, Canadian dollars, Australian dollars, Euros, Swiss Francs, New Taiwan Dollars or British pounds. Strong growth in cash management reflects BlackRock’s success in leveraging scale for clients and delivering innovative digital distribution and risk management solutions.

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.

AUM by product type and client region at December 31, 2019 is presented below.

(in millions)	Americas		EMEA		Asia-Pacific		Total
Equity	$	2,708,870	$	876,590	$	234,869	$	3,820,329
Fixed income		1,315,748		777,121		222,523		2,315,392
Multi-asset		388,931		153,067		26,123		568,121
Alternatives		92,145		61,041		24,886		178,072
Long-term		4,505,694		1,867,819		508,401		6,881,914
Cash management		403,742		133,846		8,361		545,949
Advisory		1,518		252		—		1,770
Total	$	4,910,954	$	2,001,917	$	516,762	$	7,429,633

Component changes in AUM by client region for 2019 are presented below.

(in millions)	December 31, 2018⁽¹⁾		Net inflows (outflows)		Market change		FX impact		December 31, 2019
Americas	$	3,931,771	$	280,069	$	691,361	$	7,753	$	4,910,954
EMEA		1,615,140		122,787		243,226		20,764		2,001,917
Asia-Pacific		428,907		25,880		59,489		2,486		516,762
Total	$	5,975,818	$	428,736	$	994,076	$	31,003	$	7,429,633

(1)	2018 AUM reflects the reclassification of $16.0 billion of aggregate AUM in the Iberia region (primarily Spain) from the Americas to EMEA.

Americas

Net inflows of $280.1 billion were positive across all asset classes, with net inflows into fixed income, cash, equity, multi-asset and alternatives of $168.0 billion, $62.4 billion, $21.1 billion, $15.2 and $13.4 billion, respectively. During the year, we served clients through offices in 32 states in the United States as well as Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile and Colombia.

EMEA

EMEA net inflows of $122.8 billion reflected net inflows into fixed income, cash, equity, alternatives and multi-asset of $64.7 billion, $29.4 billion, $15.9 billion, $9.3 and $3.5 billion, respectively. 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

Asia-Pacific net inflows of $25.9 billion were primarily due to fixed income net inflows of $30.9 billion, partially offset by equity net outflows of $8.6 billion. Clients in the Asia-Pacific region are served through offices in Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, China, and India.

Investment Performance

Investment performance across active and index products as of December 31, 2019 was as follows:

	One-year period	Three-year period	Five-year period
Fixed income:
Actively managed AUM above benchmark or peer median
Taxable	87%	86%	89%
Tax-exempt	61%	79%	77%
Index AUM within or above applicable tolerance	95%	98%	91%
Equity:
Actively managed AUM above benchmark or peer median
Fundamental	71%	76%	82%
Systematic	54%	84%	82%
Index AUM within or above applicable tolerance	97%	98%	99%

Performance Notes. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Except as specified, the performance information shown is as of December 31, 2019 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 US 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, 2019. The performance data does not include accounts terminated prior to December 31, 2019 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, 2019 for each account or fund in the asset class shown without adjustment for overlapping management of the same account or fund. Fund performance reflects the reinvestment of dividends and distributions.

Performance shown is derived from applicable benchmarks or peer median information, as selected by BlackRock, Inc. Peer medians are based in part on data either from Lipper, Inc. or Morningstar, Inc. for each included product.

TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

BlackRock offers investment management technology systems, risk management services, wealth management and digital 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 institutional investors around the world. BlackRock offers risk reporting capabilities via the Aladdin Risk offering, as well as investment accounting capabilities. Aladdin Provider 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 analytics for retail distributors. These tools include Aladdin Wealth, which provides wealth management firms and their financial professionals with institutional-quality business management, portfolio construction, modeling and risk analytics capabilities, FutureAdvisor, a digital wealth management platform that provides financial institutions with technology-enabled investment advisory capabilities to manage their clients’ investments, and 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 2019, BlackRock completed the acquisition of eFront, a leading end-to-end alternative investment management software and solutions provider. eFront will continue to be offered on a standalone basis, and, in combination with Aladdin, will provide clients with an ability to manage portfolios and risk across public and private asset classes on a single platform.

Technology services revenue of $974 million was up 24% year-over-year, reflecting the impact of the eFront acquisition and continued growth in Aladdin. Aladdin, which represented the majority of technology services 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 recurring revenue.

At year-end, BlackRock technology services clients included banks, insurance companies, official institutions, pension funds, asset managers, asset servicers, retail distributors and other investors across North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

In addition, BlackRock has made minority investments in the digital distribution companies Scalable Capital and iCapital, Acorns, a micro-investing tool, and Envestnet, a leading independent provider of technology-enabled, web-based investment solutions and services to financial advisors. BlackRock records its share of income related to minority investments accounted for under the equity method in other revenue. BlackRock records gains and losses related to changes in value of other minority investments in nonoperating income (expense).

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 US 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 US 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 $290 billion, up from $267 billion at year-end 2018. On average, relative to 2018, intrinsic lending spreads were slightly lower, while average cash reinvestment rates remained roughly flat. However, continued asset gathering in lending products resulted in increased balances compared to 2018.

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 enterprise 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.

Employees

At December 31, 2019, BlackRock had a total of approximately 16,200 employees, including approximately 8,600 located in offices outside the United States.

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, and trust and other fiduciary clients of BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”). Under these laws and regulations, agencies that regulate investment advisers, investment funds and trust banks 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’s business may be impacted by numerous regulatory reform initiatives occurring 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 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 (“Dodd-Frank”) was signed into law in the United 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 implemented a conformance program to address certain regulations adopted under Dodd-Frank, as well as financial reforms that have been introduced as part of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) investment company modernization initiatives. The cost of these conformance activities has been substantially absorbed by BlackRock; however, as certain limited aspects of Dodd-Frank and other rules are still being adopted, it is not yet possible to predict the ultimate effects that any implementation of these rules and regulations will have upon BlackRock’s business, financial condition, and operating activities.

Systemically Important Financial Institution (“SIFI”) Review

The Financial Stability Oversight Council (“FSOC”) has the authority to designate nonbank financial institutions as SIFIs in the United States. In July 2014, the FSOC pivoted from its previous entity-specific approach to designation and indicated that it would focus on a products and activities-based approach to designation in connection with addressing potential risks in the financial system related to asset management. In December 2019, the FSOC re-affirmed this approach when it voted to change its methodology for assessing financial stability to a products and activities-based approach. This reduces the risk of entity-level designation, however the FSOC retains the authority to designate an entity if an activities-based approach does not adequately address potential risks. In the event that BlackRock is designated as a SIFI under Dodd-Frank, it could become subject to enhanced regulatory requirements and direct supervision by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve (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 US or non-US tax authorities. In the US, legislation has been proposed in the House and Senate to enact a financial transaction tax (“FTT”) on stocks, bonds and a broad range of financial instruments and derivative transactions. In the European Union (“EU”), certain Member States have also enacted similar FTTs 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. If enacted as proposed, FTTs could have an adverse effect on BlackRock’s financial results and clients’ performance results.

The application of tax regulations involves numerous uncertainties and, in the normal course of business, US and non-US 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. Similarly, the Company manages assets in products and accounts that have investment objectives which may conform to tax positions adopted by BlackRock or to specific tax rules. To the extent there are changes in tax law or policy, or regulatory challenges to tax positions adopted by BlackRock, the value or attractiveness of such investments may be diminished and BlackRock may suffer financial or reputational harm.

Regulation of Swaps and Derivatives

The SEC, Federal Reserve, 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 compliance processes, which could result in additional costs and/or restrictions.

In November 2019, the SEC proposed a rule designed to enhance the regulation of the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, including mutual funds (other than money market funds), ETFs and closed-end funds, as well as business development companies. The proposed rule would permit such funds to use derivatives, such as forwards, futures, swaps and written options, that create future payment obligations, provided that the funds comply with certain conditions including adopting a derivatives risk management program and complying with a limit on the amount of leverage-related risk that a fund may obtain, based on value-at-risk. If adopted without change, the proposed rule would increase BlackRock’s disclosure and compliance obligations and may impact certain funds’ usage of derivatives and investment strategy.

Jurisdictions outside the US 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 and its clients will be subject. These rules impose 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.

In the US, certain interest rate swaps and certain index credit default swaps are subject to Dodd-Frank central clearing and electronic trading venue execution requirements, with additional products and asset classes potentially becoming subject to these requirements in the future. In the EU, central clearing and trading venue requirements for certain swap transactions have become effective for certain types of BlackRock funds and accounts. 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 US, EU and numerous other jurisdictions to post or collect mark-to-market margin payments. For certain BlackRock funds and accounts, initial margin requirements may apply in the future in addition to such mark-to-market margin payments. These rules and regulations have the potential to increase the complexity and cost of trading non-cleared derivatives for BlackRock's clients, and 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 implications of an increased presence of ETFs in the markets, including those related to transparency, liquidity and structural resiliency. BlackRock and other sponsors 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 increased regulatory scrutiny or restrictions, which may require BlackRock to incur additional compliance and reporting expenses and adversely affect the Company’s business.

In addition, in September 2019, the SEC adopted rule 6c-11 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”) known as the “ETF Rule”. The ETF Rule will allow ETFs that satisfy certain conditions to operate without first obtaining individual exemptive relief from the SEC. The ETF Rule is designed to create a clear and consistent regulatory framework for most ETFs operating today and will impact all BlackRock ETFs registered under the Investment Company Act (including iShares ETFs). The ETF Rule and related form amendments became effective in December 2019. The form amendments will have a transition period of one year following the effective date. In addition, the ETF Rule rescinds, one year after its effective date, the existing exemptive relief for all eligible ETFs (including iShares ETFs).

Volcker 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 has taken the position that PNC’s ownership interest in BlackRock, which is approximately 22%, in combination with certain other factors, 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 sell certain seed and co-investments that it holds in its covered funds, which may occur at a discount to existing carrying value depending on market conditions.

Standards of Conduct Rulemaking

In June 2019, the SEC adopted a package of rulemakings and interpretations addressing investment adviser and broker-dealer standards of conduct. The package includes new rules requiring registered advisers and registered broker-dealers to provide a relationship summary to retail investors, a new rule establishing a standard of conduct for broker-dealers when making recommendations to retail customers and two new interpretations under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”). The rulemakings and interpretations could increase BlackRock’s disclosure obligations, impact distribution arrangements between BlackRock and its distribution partners, create compliance and operational challenges for BlackRock’s distribution partners and limit BlackRock’s ability to provide certain other services to its clients. The Department of Labor (“DoL”) has also indicated it intends to propose a standards of conduct rule in 2020.

SEC Guidance on Proxy Voting Responsibilities of Investment Advisors

In August 2019, the SEC published guidance to assist investment advisers with their proxy voting responsibilities under the Advisers Act. The guidance confirmed that investment advisers’ fiduciary duties of care and loyalty to their clients apply to proxy voting and encouraged advisors with voting authority to review their policies and procedures in detail and consider whether more analysis may be required under certain circumstances, including when a proxy advisory firm’s services are retained. This guidance could impact voting arrangements between BlackRock and its clients, and lead to additional compliance, operational and disclosure obligations for BlackRock.

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 as investment advisers with the SEC under the Advisers Act, the requirement to establish written risk-based 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 include investment advisers 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.

Securities and Exchange Commission Rulemakings for US 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. These efforts relate to, among other things, embedded leverage through the use of derivatives and other trading practices, cybersecurity, liquidity, enhanced regulatory and public reporting requirements and the evaluation of systemic risks. The SEC has adopted rules that include (i) new monthly and annual reporting requirements for certain US 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 increase, and any additional rules or regulatory initiatives resulting from the SEC's efforts may increase, BlackRock’s public reporting and disclosure requirements, which could be costly and may impede BlackRock’s growth.

US Executive Order

On February 3, 2017, an executive order (the “Executive Order”) was issued articulating certain core principles for regulating the US financial system and directing the Secretary of the US Treasury to report on the extent to which existing laws, treaties, rules, regulations and policies promote, support or inhibit the federal regulation of the US financial system in a manner consistent with the core principles. Treasury has issued 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.

British Exit from the EU

Following the June 2016 vote to exit the EU, commonly referred to as Brexit, the United Kingdom (“UK”) left the EU on January 31, 2020 and entered an eleven-month transition period during which the UK, and UK-based entities, will retain the rights and obligations of EU membership.

Substantial uncertainty remains surrounding the future relationship between the UK and EU, but the UK government has indicated its preference for negotiating a trade deal with the EU before the end of the transition period rather than continuing Single Market or Customs Union membership. BlackRock is implementing a number of steps to prepare for various outcomes, including there being no agreement in place when the transition period expires. These steps, many of which are time consuming and costly, include effecting organizational, governance and operational changes, applying for and receiving licenses and permissions in the EU, and engaging in client communications, and are expected to add complexity to BlackRock’s European operations. In addition, depending on the terms of the future relationship between the UK and the EU, BlackRock may experience further organizational and operational challenges and incur additional costs in connection with its European operations during the transition period and post-Brexit, which may impede the Company’s growth or impact its financial performance.

Reform of Investment Markets

BlackRock is subject to numerous regulatory reform initiatives that may affect the Company’s provision of investment services globally. In Europe, the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (“MiFID”) governing the provision of investment services has been revised and is accompanied by an associated Regulation (together with certain secondary regulation, “MiFID II”). The Regulation’s requirements generally apply consistently across the EU. The MiFID II reforms, which came into force in January 2018, are substantive, materially changing market transparency requirements, enhancing protections afforded to investors, and increasing operational complexity for the Company. 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, force more derivatives to be traded on-exchange, introduce new commodity derivatives position limits and significantly enhance reporting obligations associated with individual trades. The broad nature of the MiFID II reforms impact BlackRock’s product development, client servicing and distribution models. In particular, additional disclosures are required to be made in respect of costs and fees BlackRock charges to certain of its clients. MiFID II also impacts the ability of certain of BlackRock’s distribution partners to accept commissions from BlackRock for distributing BlackRock funds. Similar reforms have been introduced in Switzerland and Australia.

EU Market Access

The European Commission and certain EU Member States have recently advanced a more restrictive approach to the need for a third country (i.e. non-EU country) to obtain “equivalence,” which is the process by which the legal, regulatory, and/or supervisory system in non-EU Member States is recognised by the European Commission as comparably effective to that in the EU, thereby allowing firms established in such non-EU Member States a degree of access to the EU single market in financial services. In addition, in 2019, the European Commission commenced a review of the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive to assess, among other things, the effectiveness of regulation on third country fund marketing passports and the continuation of national private placement regimes. To the extent the review results in formal legislation that limits the scope of existing permitted activities and EU market access rights for asset management firms with non-EU operations, BlackRock’s ability to access EU-based clients may be adversely affected.

Cessation of LIBOR

The Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which regulates the administrator of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) has announced that it will no longer compel panel banks to submit rates for LIBOR after year-end 2021. As a result, sterling LIBOR and certain other indices which are utilized as benchmarks may no longer be published. The disappearance, or change in the manner of administration, of these benchmarks could result in adverse consequences to the return on, value of and market for any BlackRock investments in instruments and securities linked to such benchmarks. BlackRock may also face operational challenges adopting successor benchmarks.

Revised EU Capital Requirements for Investment Firms

In December 2017, the European Commission published a proposal for a new Directive and Regulation on prudential requirements for MiFID investment firms. The proposal passed the EU legislative process and the final texts of the Regulation and Directive were published in December 2019. The new legislative package, which comes into effect in 2021, will result in changes to the amount of regulatory capital BlackRock is required to hold in the EU and how such capital is calculated, as well as introduce revised disclosure obligations for large investment firms.

UK Asset Management Market Study

The FCA has adopted requirements for UK fund managers to assess whether the retail collective investments they manage offer “value” to investors. Beginning in 2020, BlackRock will be required annually to disclose the conclusions of its assessment based upon various factors including cost, performance and comparable services. If “value” has not been provided to consumers, BlackRock will need to address any identified deficiencies. The FCA also requested that the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) assess the investment consultant and fiduciary markets. The CMA’s final report identified a number of competition issues in such markets and the UK regulatory regime will be revised in 2020 to introduce mandatory tendering of investment consultancy and fiduciary management services, and new standards of disclosure of fees and performance. The CMA’s remedies could have a significant impact on BlackRock’s ability to enter into fiduciary and investment management mandates with UK pension fund clients.

Macroprudential Policies for Asset Managers

Certain European policymakers continue to raise concerns about liquidity and leverage risks in the asset management industry and wider market-based finance sector. These concerns may lead to macroprudential policy measures being applied to open-ended investment funds broadly, or regulation being introduced that requires changes to the structural features of certain open-ended investment funds. Either eventuality could limit BlackRock’s ability to offer products to certain clients and/or result in clients altering their investment strategies or allocations in a manner that is adverse to BlackRock.

Senior Managers and Certification Regime

In the UK, the FCA extended the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (“SMCR”) to all financial services firms in December 2019. The regime imposes greater accountability and responsibility across the senior management of UK financial services firms by making individuals in impacted firms more accountable for conduct and competence. SMCR impacts nearly all staff of the Company in the UK, and requires extensive documentation to support senior managers and evidence the discharge of their responsibilities.

EU Shareholder Rights Directive

The European Commission has revised the Shareholder Rights Directive to enhance engagement between companies and their long-term shareholders. The revisions, which became effective in June 2019, require investment managers to provide EU institutional investors with enhanced disclosures on shareholder engagement and voting, and information on how the manager’s investment strategy contributes to such investors’ medium to long-term performance.

EU Sustainability Regulation

In 2018, the European Commission introduced a number of regulatory proposals to underpin sustainable investment products; require disclosure of sustainability-related information by market participants, investments products, and issuers; and require the integration of sustainability considerations into the investment and risk management processes of asset managers and other institutional investors. Rules arising from the reform proposals will come into effect beginning in 2021.

EXISTING US REGULATION - OVERVIEW

BlackRock and certain of its US 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 CFTC and other federal government agencies and regulatory bodies.

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

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

BlackRock manages a variety of private pools of capital, including hedge funds, funds of hedge funds, private equity funds, collateralized debt obligations, 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 the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and to regulations promulgated thereunder by the DoL, insofar as they act as a “fiduciary” under ERISA with respect to benefit plan clients that are subject to ERISA. 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 clients that are not subject to ERISA.

BlackRock has seven subsidiaries that are registered as commodity pool operators (“CPOs”) and/or commodity trading advisors (“CTAs”) with the CFTC and are members of the NFA. The CFTC and NFA each administer a comparable regulatory system covering futures contracts and various other financial instruments, including swaps as a result of Dodd-Frank, in which certain BlackRock clients may invest. Two of BlackRock’s subsidiaries 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. One of the broker-dealers is also an approved person with the New York Stock Exchange and a member of the MSRB, subject to MSRB rules.

Certain of BlackRock’s business activity in California is subject to the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”), which became effective in January 2020 and which provides for enhanced consumer protections for California residents. The CCPA imposes new obligations on BlackRock for the handling, disclosure and deletion of personal information for California residents. Any failure by BlackRock to comply with the CCPA may result in fines, enhanced regulatory scrutiny and/or reputational harm.

US 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, its affiliates or stockholders.

As described in “Item 1-Business”, as of December 31, 2019 PNC owned 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 has taken the position that this ownership interest, in combination with certain other factors, 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.

Regulation of Securities Financing Transactions

In its 2014 Annual Report, FSOC 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. In addition, in November 2015, the EU introduced a regulation on the reporting and transparency of securities financing transactions and total return swaps (“SFTR”). The SFTR aims to improve the transparency surrounding securities financing transactions and total return swaps by, among other things, requiring reporting of securities financing transactions to a trade repository and requiring disclosure of the use of securities financing transactions and total return swaps to investors. The regulation is being implemented in phases and more detailed rules and guidance, including in respect of reporting obligations, is in process. As these rules and guidance become clearer, BlackRock may be required to introduce further compliance measures, which will subject BlackRock to additional expenses and could lead to modifications in BlackRock’s securities financing transaction activities, including potential adjustments to its activities as agent lender for its clients.

Regulation of Money Market Funds

In October 2016, rules were implemented to reform the regulatory structure governing US money market funds to address perceived systemic risks of money market funds. The 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 additionally provide for 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.

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 US 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 UK. It also prudentially regulates those UK subsidiaries’ branches established in other EU countries and is also responsible for the conduct of business regulation of the UK branches of certain of BlackRock’s US subsidiaries. In addition, the Prudential Regulation Authority (“PRA”) regulates one BlackRock UK insurance subsidiary. Authorization by the FCA and (where relevant) the PRA is required to conduct certain financial services-related business in the UK 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 UK-based insurance subsidiary. The FCA supervises BlackRock’s UK-regulated subsidiaries through a combination of proactive engagement, event-driven and reactive supervision and theme-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 UK-regulated subsidiaries and/or its employees.

In addition, BlackRock has regulated entities in France, Germany, Ireland, Jersey, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Each of these entities is required to comply with regulatory rules in the country in which it has been established.

BlackRock’s UK-regulated subsidiaries and other European subsidiaries and branches must comply with the pan-European regulatory regime established by MiFID II, which regulates the provision of investment services and activities throughout the EU. MiFID II 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 Distribution Directive. In addition, relevant entities must comply with revised obligations on capital resources for banks and certain investment firms (the Capital Requirements 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 the European Market Infrastructure Regulation (“EMIR”), an EU regulation governing derivatives, central counterparties and trade repositories, which requires (i) the central clearing of standardized over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives, (ii) the application of risk-mitigation techniques to non-centrally cleared OTC derivatives (including the exchange of collateral with

certain counterparties) and (iii) the reporting of all derivative contracts to a European Securities and Markets Authority registered or recognized derivatives trade repository.

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, aligns 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. Compliance with the UCITS directive subjects BlackRock to additional expenses associated with depositary oversight and other organizational requirements.

Most EU Member States and other non-US jurisdictions have adopted statutes and/or regulations concerning data privacy and security and requiring notification of data breaches. For example, in May 2018, the EU Data Protection Directive was replaced by a more extensive General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”). GDPR, as well as other statutes and/or regulations concerning data privacy and security, increase compliance obligations, affect BlackRock’s collection, processing and retention of personal data and reporting of data breaches, and provide for increased penalties for non-compliance.

Regulation in the Asia-Pacific Region

In Japan, a BlackRock subsidiary is subject to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (“FIEA”) and the Act 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, cease and desist orders or the suspension or revocation of registrations and licenses granted under the FIEA. This Japanese subsidiary also holds a license for real estate brokerage activities which subjects it to the regulations set forth in the Real Estate Brokerage 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 activities in Australia and is responsible for promoting investor, creditor and consumer protection.

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. 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 all of these jurisdictions have authority with respect to financial services including, among other things, the authority to grant, suspend or cancel required licenses or registrations. In addition, these regulators may subject certain BlackRock subsidiaries to net capital requirements.

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. 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.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

As a global 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 assets, commodities, foreign 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 assets, commodities or alternative investments in which BlackRock invests, could cause:

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

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

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

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

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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.

Changes in interest or foreign exchange rates and/or divergent beta may cause BlackRock’s AUM and base fees to fluctuate and introduce volatility to the Company’s net income and operating cash flows.

In recent years, there have been prolonged periods of historically low interest rates, interspersed with periods in which certain central banks globally began increasing rates. BlackRock’s business is directly and indirectly affected by changes in global interest rates. Similarly, due to the global nature of BlackRock’s operations, a portion of its business is conducted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Any failure by BlackRock to manage movements in foreign exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar or its exposure to interest rates may cause BlackRock’s AUM to fluctuate and introduce volatility to the Company’s base fees, net income and operating cash flows.

In addition, beta divergence between equity markets, where certain markets perform differently than others, may lead to an increase in the proportion of BlackRock AUM weighted toward lower fee equity products, resulting in a decline in BlackRock’s effective fee rate. Divergent market factors may also erode the correlation between the growth rates of AUM and base fees.

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 providing investment advisory 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 applicable 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 US 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 reduced (including at the behest of a fund’s board of directors). In addition, if a number of BlackRock’s clients terminate their contracts, or otherwise remove BlackRock from its 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.

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.

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

The investment management industry is highly competitive and BlackRock competes based on a number of factors including: investment performance, its technology and portfolio construction offerings, the level of fees charged, the quality and breadth 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 additional 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 could lead to a loss of clients and could impede BlackRock’s productivity and growth.

The sophisticated risk analytics, portfolio management, trade execution and investment operations that BlackRock provides via its technology platform to support investment advisory and Aladdin clients are important elements of BlackRock’s competitive success. Aladdin’s competitive position is based in part on its ability to combine risk analytics with portfolio management, trading and operations tools on a single platform. Increased competition from risk analytics and investment management technology providers, including as a result of growing industry consolidation giving rise to competitors with increasingly sophisticated and comprehensive product offerings, 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, to the extent that Aladdin competitors are able to innovate more effectively than BlackRock or leverage delivery models that provide clients faster time to market, lower costs or the ability to more seamlessly combine or bundle with other service offerings, BlackRock may lose existing clients or fail to capture future market share, which may impede its productivity and growth. Moreover, although BlackRock takes steps to safeguard against infringements of its intellectual property, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to effectively protect and enforce its intellectual property rights in Aladdin.

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

BlackRock’s financial performance depends, in part, on its ability to react to changes in the asset management industry, respond to evolving client demands and develop, market and manage new investment products and services. Conversely, the development and introduction of new products and services, including the creation of products with a focus on environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) matters, requires continued innovative effort 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. There can be no assurance that BlackRock will be able to innovate effectively in order to develop new products or services that address the needs of its clients on the timescale they require. Any failure to develop new products and services, or successfully manage associated operational risks, could harm BlackRock’s reputation and expose the Company to additional costs, which may cause its AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

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

At December 31, 2019, BlackRock’s net economic investment exposure of approximately $2.7 billion in its investments (see “Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Investments”) 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 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 cause earnings to decline.

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 out 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, 2019 and subject to this type of indemnification was $210 billion. In the Company’s capacity as lending agent, cash and securities totaling $226 billion was held as collateral for indemnified securities on loan at December 31, 2019. 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 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.

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

Geopolitical risks, including those arising from trade tension, European fragmentation, unrest in the Middle East, Brexit negotiations and terrorist activity, as well as acts of civil or international hostility, are increasing. Similarly, other events outside of BlackRock’s control, including natural disasters, pandemics or health crises (such as the coronavirus), may arise from time to time. Any such events, and responses thereto, may cause significant volatility and declines in the global markets, disruptions to commerce (including to economic activity, travel and supply chains), loss of life and property damage, and may adversely affect the global economy or capital markets, as well as the Company’s products, clients, vendors and employees, which may 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, is one of the most important factors for the growth and retention of AUM. Poor investment performance relative to applicable portfolio benchmarks, aggregate fee levels or competitors may cause AUM, revenue and earnings to decline as a result of:

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client withdrawals in favor of better performing products offered by competitors;

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client shifts to products that charge lower fees;

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

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reduced, minimal or no performance fees;

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

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a decrease in the valuations of 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 $450 million, or 3%, of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019. Generally, the Company is entitled to a performance fee only if the agreement under 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 cumulative returns, the Company may not earn performance fees in future periods. The volatility of the Company’s future revenue and earnings may also be affected due to 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 affect product performance and client relationships.

BlackRock employs various quantitative models to support its investment processes, including those related to risk assessment, portfolio management, trading and hedging activities and product valuations. Any errors in the underlying models or model assumptions, as well as any failure of BlackRock’s governance, approval, testing and validation standards in respect of such models or model assumptions, could have unanticipated and adverse consequences on BlackRock’s business and reputation.

TECHNOLOGY AND OPERATIONAL RISKS

A failure in, or disruption to, BlackRock’s operational systems or infrastructure, including business continuity plans, could adversely affect operations, damage the Company’s reputation and 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, Budapest 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, health crisis (such as the coronavirus) or other catastrophic event, or the actions of individuals or groups seeking to disrupt BlackRock’s operations in any location at which BlackRock maintains a major presence, could materially impact operations, result in disruption to the business or impede its growth.

In 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.

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

BlackRock is dependent on the effectiveness of the information and cybersecurity policies, procedures and capabilities it maintains to protect its computer and telecommunications systems and the data that resides on or is transmitted through them. An externally caused information security incident, such as a cyber-attack including a phishing scam, malware, or denial-of-service attack, or an internally caused 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, developments in BlackRock’s use of process automation, as well as the 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 and the unauthorized transfer of customer funds, 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 nation state actors and terrorist organizations. BlackRock has been the target of attempted cyber-attacks, as well as the co-opting of its brand, and must 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 has implemented policies and controls, and takes protective measures involving significant expense, to strengthen its computer systems, processes, software, technology assets and networks to prevent and address potential data breaches, inadvertent disclosures, increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks and cyber-related fraud, 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 is subject to a successful cyber-attack or other information security 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, which could cause reputational harm, lead to a loss of clients and impede BlackRock’s productivity and growth.

BlackRock must maintain effective infrastructure, including a robust and secure technological framework, in order to maximize the benefit of the Aladdin platform. In so doing, it relies in part on certain third-party service providers. For example, Aladdin’s data architecture depends on third-party providers of technology solutions, including the ability of such parties to scale and perform in response to Aladdin’s growth. In addition, 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’s analytical calculations. Although BlackRock has implemented internal controls and procedures, and maintains a robust vendor management program designed to perform diligence and monitor third parties that support the Aladdin platform, there can be no assurance that these measures will prove effective. Any failure by third parties to maintain infrastructure that is commensurate with Aladdin’s size and growth, or provide the data or information required to support its varying capabilities, could compromise Aladdin’s resilience, result in operational difficulties, cause reputational harm 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 the Aladdin platform into new markets and geographies, have led to significant growth in Aladdin’s processing scale, which may expose BlackRock to reputational harm, increased regulatory scrutiny and heightened operational, data management, cyber- and information-security risks.

The operation of BlackRock’s Aladdin platform routinely involves updating existing capabilities, developing, testing and rolling out new functionalities and expanding coverage into new markets and geographies, including in connection with inorganic transactions or to address client or regulatory requirements. These updates and expansion initiatives, which have led to significant growth in Aladdin’s processing scale, frequently occur on accelerated time frames and may expose BlackRock to additional cyber- and information-security risks, as well as increased execution, operational and data management risks. If BlackRock is unable to manage the pace of, or provide the operational resiliency and stability for, the expansion of Aladdin and associated growth of its processing scale, BlackRock may experience client attrition, reduced business, reputational harm or regulatory fines and/or sanctions, which may cause BlackRock’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

In addition, the highly regulated business activities of many Aladdin clients may 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 complexity, as well as additional regulatory risks associated with the compliance requirements of such jurisdictions.

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 creditworthiness and ability to generate 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, liquidity and earnings to decline, curtail its operations and limit or impede its prospects for growth.

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

BlackRock lends securities to banks and broker-dealers on behalf 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. 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 such risks.

Inorganic 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 and technology businesses. 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, which must be managed in order for BlackRock to realize the benefit of such transactions. The success of BlackRock’s inorganic strategy also depends in large part on its ability to integrate the workforce, operations, strategies, technologies and other components of a target business following the completion of an acquisition. BlackRock may be required to commit significant management time, as well as create new, or grow existing, operational and support functions, to facilitate the integration of acquired businesses, manage combined future growth and maintain a cohesive corporate culture. There can be no assurance that BlackRock will be able to successfully integrate acquired businesses, retain associated talent, scale support functions or realize other intended benefits of its inorganic strategy. Moreover, the challenges associated with BlackRock’s inorganic strategy may be heightened when acquired businesses are in new geographic locations, involve new markets, products or business lines or are delivered via technology that differs from that employed by BlackRock. Any failure to identify and mitigate the risks associated with acquisitions through due diligence, indemnification provisions and/or operational expertise, or to manage the integration of acquisitions effectively, could have an adverse effect on BlackRock’s reputation or cause its AUM, revenue and earnings to decline, which may harm the Company’s competitive position in the investment management industry.

Client 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.

BlackRock makes investments on behalf of its clients in real assets, including real estate, infrastructure and energy assets, that 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:

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

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

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personal injury or property damage;

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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;

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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;

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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;

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the financial resources of tenants; and

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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 losses, 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 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 (“US”) may also expose BlackRock to increased compliance risks, as well as higher compliance costs to comply with US and non-US 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 systems, controls, policies and procedures intended to prevent and detect such errors. These can include calculation errors, errors in software implementation or development, failure to ensure data security, follow processes, 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, 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, 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 negatively impact the performance of products and accounts that BlackRock manages, which may cause BlackRock’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

BlackRock’s investment management activities expose the products and accounts it manages for its clients 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 BlackRock’s clients to credit risk in the event the applicable counterparty defaults. Although BlackRock maintains a robust vendor management program and 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 fail to meet their obligations. In addition, the concentration of certain financial institutions that BlackRock uses to facilitate securities and derivatives transactions for its clients, including clearing organizations, exchanges and central agents, increases the risk that a technical or operational issue at, or default by, one such institution could introduce operational issues or delays impacting multiple BlackRock clients. Any such operational issue, impairment or failure could negatively impact the performance of products or accounts that BlackRock manages for its clients, which may lead to client attrition and, in turn, cause BlackRock’s AUM, revenue and earnings to decline.

The failure of a key vendor to BlackRock to fulfill its obligations or a failure by BlackRock to maintain its relationships with key vendors could have a material adverse effect on BlackRock’s growth, 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, market data, market indices, technology and transfer agent roles and other distribution and operational needs. BlackRock relies upon a relatively concentrated group of third-party index providers to deliver services that are integral to its clients’ investment decisions. The index provider industry is characterized by large vendors and the use of long-term contracts remains the market standard. This industry structure may limit BlackRock’s ability to renegotiate its index provider contracts on favorable terms or at all. While BlackRock performs focused diligence on its vendors in an effort to ensure they operate in accordance with expectations, to the extent any significant deficiencies are uncovered, there may be few, or no, alternative vendors available. Moreover, in situations where BlackRock has limited access to alternative vendors, or where the nature of BlackRock’s arrangement with a

vendor requires a long term-commitment, BlackRock may be dependent on such vendor for continuous operational reliability and may be unable to avoid incurring costs if such vendor introduces required upgrades to its services.

BlackRock may from time to time transfer key contracts from one vendor to another. 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, 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. BlackRock’s ability to maintain strong relationships with its distributors may impact the Company’s future 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 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 and regulatory harm to BlackRock.

Disruption to the operations of third parties whose functions are integral to BlackRock’s Exchange-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. The net 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 net asset value, exchange prices may deviate significantly from the ETF’s 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 US 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 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 regulation around the world.

BlackRock’s business is subject to extensive regulation around the world. These regulations subject BlackRock’s business activities to an array of increasingly detailed operational requirements, compliance with which is costly 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 US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the USA PATRIOT Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, the UK Bribery Act, sanctions imposed by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, the United Nations and the European Union (“EU”) and its member states, as well as those imposed by other countries in which BlackRock operates. BlackRock is also subject to certain risk retention rules and regulation, as well as regulatory capital requirements, which require the Company to maintain capital to support certain of its businesses. Furthermore, many jurisdictions in which BlackRock operates have laws and regulations relating to data privacy, cybersecurity and protection of personal information, including the General Data Protection Regulation, which expands data protection rules for individuals within the EU and for personal data exported outside the EU. Any determination of a failure to comply with any such laws or regulations could result in fines and/or sanctions against the Company, as well as reputational harm. Moreover, to the extent that these laws 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 a failure to comply with existing laws and regulations or by changes in the interpretation or enforcement of such laws and regulations, including those discussed above. 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 BlackRock’s 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 decline. For a more extensive discussion of the laws, regulations and regulators to which BlackRock is subject and regulated by, see “Item 1 – Business – Regulation.”

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

In recent years a number of regulatory reforms have been proposed or fully or partially implemented in the United States, and the level of regulatory scrutiny to which BlackRock is subject has increased. Further changes to financial services regulation may arise, including in connection with the executive order issued in February 2017 (the “Executive Order”) directing the US Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) to identify laws, treaties, regulations and other policies that promote or inhibit certain core principles for financial regulation, 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, or may become, subject to numerous reform initiatives in the United States, see “Item 1 – Business – Regulation,” key regulatory reforms that may impact the Company include:

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Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Rulemakings for US Registered Funds and Investment Advisers: 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. These efforts relate to, among other things, embedded leverage through the use of derivatives and other trading practices, cybersecurity, liquidity, enhanced regulatory and public reporting requirements and the evaluation of systemic risks. The SEC has adopted rules that include (i) new monthly and annual reporting requirements for certain US 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 increase, and any additional rules or regulatory initiatives resulting from the SEC's efforts may increase, BlackRock’s public reporting and disclosure requirements, which could be costly and may impede BlackRock’s growth.

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SEC ETF Rule: In September 2019, the SEC adopted rule 6c-11 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Investment Company Act”) known as the “ETF Rule”. The ETF Rule will allow ETFs that satisfy certain conditions to operate without first obtaining individual exemptive relief from the SEC. The ETF Rule is designed to create a clear and consistent regulatory framework for most ETFs operating today and will impact all BlackRock ETFs registered under the Investment Company Act (including iShares ETFs). The ETF Rule and related form amendments became effective in December 2019. The form amendments will have a transition period of one year following the effective date. In addition, the ETF Rule rescinds, one year after its effective date, the existing exemptive relief for all eligible ETFs (including iShares ETFs).

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Standards of Conduct Rulemaking: In June 2019, the SEC adopted a package of rulemakings and interpretations addressing investment adviser and broker-dealer standards of conduct. The package includes new rules requiring registered advisers and registered broker-dealers to provide a relationship summary to retail investors, a new rule establishing a standard of conduct for broker-dealers when making recommendations to retail customers, and two new interpretations under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the “Advisers Act”). The rulemakings and interpretations could increase BlackRock’s disclosure obligations, impact distribution arrangements between BlackRock and its distribution partners, create compliance and operational challenges for BlackRock’s distribution partners and limit BlackRock’s ability to provide certain other services to its clients. The Department of Labor (“DoL”) has also indicated it intends to propose a standards of conduct rule in 2020.

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SEC Derivatives Rule for US Registered Funds: In November 2019, the SEC proposed a rule designed to enhance the regulation of the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, including mutual funds (other than money market funds), ETFs and closed-end funds, as well as business development companies. The proposed rule would permit such funds to use derivatives, such as forwards, futures, swaps and written options, that create future payment obligations, provided that the funds comply with certain conditions including adopting a derivatives risk management program and complying with a limit on the amount of leverage-related risk that a fund may obtain, based on value-at-risk. If adopted without change, the proposed rule would increase BlackRock’s disclosure and compliance obligations and may impact certain funds’ usage of derivatives and investment strategy.

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SEC Guidance on Proxy Voting Responsibilities of Investment Advisors: In August 2019, the SEC published guidance to assist investment advisers with their proxy voting responsibilities under the Advisers Act. The guidance confirmed that investment advisers’ fiduciary duties of care and loyalty to their clients apply to proxy voting and encouraged advisors with voting authority to review their policies and procedures in detail and consider whether more analysis may be required under certain circumstances, including when a proxy advisory firm’s services are retained. This guidance could impact voting arrangements between BlackRock and its clients, and lead to additional compliance, operational and disclosure obligations for BlackRock.

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The Volcker Rule: Provisions of Dodd-Frank referred to as the “Volcker Rule” created a new section of 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 has taken the position that PNC’s ownership interest in BlackRock, which is approximately 22%, in combination with certain other factors, 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 sell certain seed and co-investments that it holds in its covered funds, which may occur at a discount to existing carrying value depending on market conditions.

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Designation as a systemically important financial institution (“SIFI”): The Financial Stability Oversight Council (“FSOC”) has the authority to designate nonbank financial institutions as SIFIs. In July 2014, the FSOC pivoted from its previous entity-specific approach to designation and indicated that it would focus on a products and activities-based approach to designation in connection with addressing potential risks in the financial system related to asset management. In December 2019, the FSOC re-affirmed this approach when it voted to change its methodology for assessing financial stability to a products and activities-based approach. This reduces the risk of an entity-level designation, however the FSOC retains the authority to designate an entity if an activities-based approach does not adequately address potential risks. In the event that BlackRock is designated as a SIFI under Dodd-Frank, it could become subject to enhanced regulatory requirements and direct supervision by the Federal Reserve.

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 proposed or fully or partially implemented reform initiatives in EMEA and the Asia-Pacific region, as well as volatility associated with international regulatory uncertainty, including:

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British Exit from the EU: The UK left the EU on January 31, 2020 and entered an eleven-month transition period during which the UK, and UK-based entities, will retain the rights and obligations of EU membership. Substantial uncertainty remains surrounding the future relationship between the UK and EU, but the UK government has indicated its preference for negotiating a trade deal with the EU before the end of the transition period rather than continuing Single Market or Customs Union membership. BlackRock is implementing a number of steps to prepare for various outcomes, including there being no agreement in place when the transition period expires. These steps, many of which are time consuming and costly, include effecting organizational, governance and operational changes, applying for and receiving licenses and permissions in the EU, and engaging in client communications, and are expected to add complexity to BlackRock’s European operations. In addition, depending on the terms of the future relationship between the UK and the EU, BlackRock may experience further organizational and operational challenges and incur additional costs in connection with its European operations during the transition period and post-Brexit, which may impede the Company’s growth or impact its financial performance.

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Reform of investment markets: In Europe, the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (“MiFID”) governing the provision of investment services has been revised and is accompanied by an associated Regulation (together with certain secondary regulation, “MiFID II”). The Regulation’s requirements generally apply consistently across the EU. The MiFID II reforms, which came into force in January 2018, are substantive, materially changing market transparency requirements, enhancing protections afforded to investors, and increasing operational complexity for the Company. 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, force more derivatives to be traded on-exchange, introduce new commodity derivatives position limits and significantly enhance reporting obligations associated with individual trades. The broad nature of the MiFID II reforms impact BlackRock’s product development, client servicing and distribution models. In particular, additional disclosures are required to be made in respect of costs and fees BlackRock charges to certain of its clients. MiFID II also impacts the ability of certain of BlackRock’s distribution partners to accept commissions from BlackRock for distributing BlackRock funds. Similar reforms have been introduced in Switzerland and Australia.

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Revised EU capital requirements for investment firms: In December 2017, the European Commission published a proposal for a new Directive and Regulation on prudential requirements for MiFID investment firms. The proposal passed the EU legislative process and the final texts of the Regulation and Directive were published in December 2019. The new legislative package, which comes into effect in 2021, will result in changes to the amount of regulatory capital BlackRock is required to hold in the EU and how such capital is calculated, as well as introduce revised disclosure obligations for large investment firms.

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EU market access: In 2019, the European Commission commenced a review of the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive to assess, among other things, the effectiveness of regulation on third country fund marketing passports and the continuation of national private placement regimes. To the extent the review results in formal legislation that limits the scope of existing permitted activities and EU market access rights for asset management firms with non-EU operations, BlackRock’s ability to access EU-based clients may be adversely affected.

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Senior Managers and Certification Regime: In the UK, the FCA extended the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (“SMCR”) to all financial services firms in December 2019. The regime imposes greater accountability and responsibility across the senior management of UK financial services firms by making individuals in impacted firms more accountable for conduct and competence. SMCR impacts nearly all staff of the Company in the UK, and requires extensive documentation to support senior managers and evidence the discharge of their responsibilities.

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UK asset management market study: The FCA has adopted requirements for UK fund managers to assess whether the retail collective investments they manage offer “value” to investors. Beginning in 2020, the Company will be required annually to disclose the conclusions of its assessment based upon various factors including cost, performance and comparable services. If “value” has not been provided to consumers, the Company will need to address any identified deficiencies. The FCA also requested that the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) assess the investment consultant and fiduciary markets. The CMA’s final report identified a number of competition issues in such markets and the UK regulatory regime will be revised in 2020 to introduce mandatory tendering of investment consultancy and fiduciary management services, and new standards of disclosure of fees and performance. The CMA’s remedies could have a significant impact on the Company’s ability to enter into fiduciary and investment management mandates with UK pension fund clients.

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EU Sustainability Regulation: In 2018, the European Commission introduced a number of regulatory proposals to underpin sustainable investment products; require disclosure of sustainability-related information by market participants, investments products, and issuers; and require the integration of sustainability considerations into the investment and risk management processes of asset managers and other institutional investors. Rules arising from the reform proposals will come into effect beginning in 2021.

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Macroprudential policies for asset managers: Certain European policymakers continue to raise concerns about liquidity and leverage risks in the asset management industry and wider market-based finance sector. These concerns may lead to macroprudential policy measures being applied to open-ended investment funds broadly, or regulation being introduced that requires changes to the

structural features of certain open-ended investment funds. Either eventuality could limit BlackRock’s ability to offer products to certain clients and/or result in clients altering their investment strategies or allocations in a manner that is adverse to BlackRock.

International regulatory reforms could require BlackRock to alter its future business or operating activities, which could be time-consuming and costly, impede the Company’s growth and cause its AUM, revenue and earnings to decline. Regulatory reform may also impact BlackRock’s internationally-based clients, which could cause them to change their investment strategies or allocations in manners that may be adverse to 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 Securities Exchange Commission, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), DoL, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Financial Conduct Authority and Federal Reserve. Similarly, from time to time, BlackRock receives subpoenas or other requests for information from various US and non-US governmental and regulatory authorities in connection with certain industry-wide, company-specific or other investigations, proceedings or litigations. 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 governmental or regulatory authority to institute proceedings and/or impose sanctions for violations. Any such action may also result in litigation by investors in BlackRock’s funds, other BlackRock clients or 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 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.

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

BlackRock’s trust bank subsidiary, which is a national banking association chartered by the OCC, is subject to OCC regulation and capital requirements. The OCC has broad supervisory and enforcement authority over BlackRock’s trust 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”, as of December 31, 2019, PNC owned 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 has taken the position that this ownership interest, in combination with certain other factors, 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. 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 may 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 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 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 executive compensation, among other things. In the US, the FTC over the course of late 2018 held hearings on Competition and Consumer Protection in the 21^st Century, one of which included a discussion of common ownership. The hearings may be the subject of a report in 2020. In the EU, the European Parliament Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs is expected to publish a report on common ownership, and the European Commission may do so in 2020. There is substantial literature highlighting the

benefits of index investing, as well as casting doubt on the assumptions, data, methodology and conclusions associated with common ownership arguments. Some commentators have proposed remedies, including limits on stakes managed by asset managers that, if enacted into policy measures, could have a negative impact on the capital markets, increase transaction costs and limit the availability of products for investors. This may, in turn, adversely affect BlackRock.

New tax legislation or changes to existing US and non-US 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 tax legislation and regulation, or the modification of existing tax laws, by US or non-US tax authorities.

In the US, legislation has been proposed in the House and Senate to enact a financial transaction tax (“FTT”) on stocks, bonds and a broad range of financial instruments and derivative transactions. In the EU, certain Member States have also enacted similar FTTs 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. If enacted as proposed, FTTs could have an adverse effect on BlackRock’s financial results and clients’ performance results.

The application of tax regulations involves numerous uncertainties, and in the normal course of business US and non-US 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. Similarly, the Company manages assets in products and accounts that have investment objectives which may conform to tax positions adopted by BlackRock or to specific tax rules. To the extent there are changes in tax law or policy, or regulatory challenges to tax positions adopted by BlackRock, the value or attractiveness of such investments may be diminished and BlackRock may suffer financial or reputational harm.

RISKS RELATED TO BLACKROCK’S SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDER

PNC owns 22% 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, 2019, 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.

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;

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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 the 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;

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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;

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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;

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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 incorporation or bylaws; or

•	any matter requiring stockholder approval pursuant to the rules of the 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 Bank Holding Company Act, entering into any business or activity that is prohibited for any such subsidiary under the Bank Holding Company Act;

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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;

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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.

Item 1B. Unresolved 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 Atlanta, Belgrade (Serbia), Boston, Edinburgh, Mumbai (India), Gurgaon (India), Hong Kong, London, Melbourne (Australia), Mexico City, Munich, Princeton (New Jersey), San Francisco, Seattle, Frankfurt (Germany), Santa Monica, Budapest, 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 US federal and state governmental and regulatory authorities and international governmental and regulatory authorities in connection with industry-wide or other investigations or proceedings. It is BlackRock’s policy to cooperate fully with such matters. The Company, certain of its subsidiaries and employees have been named as defendants in various legal actions, including arbitrations and other litigation arising in connection with BlackRock’s activities. Additionally, BlackRock-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 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 US District Court for the District of New Jersey against BlackRock Advisors, LLC, BlackRock Investment Management, LLC and BlackRock International Limited under the caption In re BlackRock Mutual Funds Advisory Fee Litigation. In the lawsuit, which purports to be brought derivatively on behalf of the Funds, the plaintiffs allege that the defendants violated Section 36(b) of the Investment Company Act by receiving allegedly excessive investment advisory fees from the Funds. On June 13, 2018, the court granted in part and denied in part the defendants’ motion for summary judgment. On July 25, 2018, the plaintiffs served a pleading that supplemented the time period of their alleged damages to run through the date of trial. The lawsuit seeks, among other things, to recover on behalf of the Funds all allegedly excessive advisory fees received by the defendants beginning twelve months preceding the start of the lawsuit with respect to each Fund and ending on the date of judgment, along with purported lost investment returns on those amounts, plus interest. The trial on the remaining issues was completed on August 29, 2018. On February 8, 2019, the court issued an order dismissing the claims in their entirety. The plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal on March 8, 2019, which remains pending. The defendants believe the claims in this lawsuit are without merit.

On June 16, 2016, iShares Trust, BlackRock, Inc. and certain of its advisory subsidiaries, 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 by failing to adequately disclose in prospectuses issued by the ETFs the risks to the ETFs’ shareholders in the event of a "flash crash." The plaintiffs seek unspecified monetary and rescission damages. The plaintiffs’ complaint was dismissed in December 2016 and on January 6, 2017, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint. On April 27, 2017, the court partially granted the defendants’ motion for judgment on the pleadings, dismissing certain of the plaintiffs’ claims. On September 18, 2017, the court issued a decision dismissing the remainder of the lawsuit after a one-day bench trial. On December 1, 2017, the plaintiffs appealed the dismissal of their lawsuit and, on January 23, 2020, the California Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court’s dismissal. The defendants believe the claims in this lawsuit are without merit.

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 US District Court for the Northern District of California by a former employee on behalf of all participants and beneficiaries in the BlackRock employee 401(k) Plan (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 unaffiliated peer funds, focused disproportionately on active versus passive strategies, and were unduly concentrated in investment options managed by BlackRock. On October 18, 2017, the plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint, which, among other things, added as defendants certain current and former members of the BlackRock Retirement and Investment Committees. The Amended Complaint also included 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 securities lending agent on terms that the plaintiffs claim were excessive. The Amended Complaint also alleged that BlackRock took undue risks in its management of securities lending cash reinvestment vehicles during the financial crisis. On August 23, 2018, the court granted permission to the plaintiffs to file a Second Amended Complaint (“SAC”) which added as defendants the BlackRock, Inc. Management Development and Compensation Committee, the Plan’s independent investment consultant and the Plan’s Administrative Committee and its members. On October 22, 2018, BlackRock filed a motion to dismiss the SAC, and on June 3, 2019, the plaintiffs filed a motion seeking to certify both the Plan and the CTF classes. On September 3, 2019, the court granted BlackRock’s motion to dismiss part of the plaintiffs’ claim seeking to recover alleged losses in the securities lending vehicles but denied the motion to dismiss in all other respects. On February 11, 2020, the court denied the plaintiffs’ motion to certify the CTF class and granted their motion to certify the Plan class. On February 25, 2020, the plaintiffs requested permission from the appeals court to immediately appeal the class certification ruling. The defendants believe the claims in this lawsuit are without merit.

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.

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, 2020, there were 219 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 dividends declared per share for the common stock as reported on the NYSE:

	Cash Dividend
	Declared
2019
First Quarter	$	3.30
Second Quarter	$	3.30
Third Quarter	$	3.30
Fourth Quarter	$	3.30
2018
First Quarter	$	2.88
Second Quarter	$	2.88
Third Quarter	$	3.13
Fourth Quarter	$	3.13

BlackRock’s closing common stock price as of February 27, 2020 was $475.82.

Dividends

On January 29, 2020, the Board of Directors approved BlackRock’s quarterly dividend of $3.63 per share to be paid on March 23, 2020 to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 5, 2020.

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

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

During the three months ended December 31, 2019, 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⁽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, 2019 through October 31, 2019		7,813	$	446.13		—		5,836,665
November 1, 2019 through November 30, 2019		3,681	$	466.94		—		5,836,665
December 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019		4,402	$	496.90		—		5,836,665
Total		15,896	$	465.01		—

(1)	Consists of 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.

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The selected financial data presented below have 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. Results for 2017 and 2016 were recast to reflect the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard. Results for 2015 reflect accounting guidance prior to the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard.

(in millions, except per share data)	2019		2018			2017		2016			2015
Income statement data:
Revenue
Related parties⁽¹⁾	$	8,522	$	8,412		$	7,903	$	7,010		$	7,084
Other third parties		6,017		5,786			5,697		5,251			4,317
Total revenue		14,539		14,198			13,600		12,261			11,401
Expense
Restructuring charge		—		60			—		76			—
Other operating expenses		8,988		8,681			8,346		7,620			6,737
Total expense		8,988		8,741			8,346		7,696			6,737
Operating income		5,551		5,457			5,254		4,565			4,664
Total nonoperating income (expense)		236		(79	)		5		(110	)		(62	)
Income before income taxes		5,787		5,378			5,259		4,455			4,602
Income tax expense⁽²⁾		1,261		1,076			270		1,289			1,250
Net income		4,526		4,302			4,989		3,166			3,352
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		50		(3	)		37		(2	)		7
Net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc.	$	4,476	$	4,305		$	4,952	$	3,168		$	3,345
Per share data:⁽³⁾
Basic earnings	$	28.69	$	26.86		$	30.54	$	19.27		$	20.10
Diluted earnings	$	28.43	$	26.58		$	30.12	$	19.02		$	19.79
Book value⁽⁴⁾	$	216.15	$	204.23		$	197.45	$	178.32		$	172.12
Cash dividends declared and paid per share	$	13.20	$	12.02		$	10.00	$	9.16		$	8.72

(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, fees for management services to equity method investments are considered related parties due to the Company’s influence over the financial and operating policies of the investee. See Note 20, Related Party Transactions, to the consolidated financial statements for more information.

(2)	Income tax expense for 2017 reflected $1.2 billion of net tax benefit related to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

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

(4)	Book value amounts reflect total BlackRock stockholders’ equity divided by total common and preferred shares outstanding at December 31 of the respective year-end.

	December 31,
(in millions)	2019		2018		2017		2016		2015
Statement of financial condition data:
Cash and cash equivalents⁽¹⁾	$	4,829	$	6,488	$	7,038	$	6,175	$	6,231
Goodwill and intangible assets, net		32,931		31,365		30,609		30,481		30,495
Total assets⁽²⁾		168,622		159,573		220,241		220,198		225,261
Less:
Separate account assets⁽³⁾		102,844		90,285		149,937		149,089		150,851
Collateral held under securities lending agreements⁽³⁾		15,466		20,655		24,190		27,792		31,336
Consolidated sponsored investment products⁽⁴⁾		1,692		2,209		580		375		678
Adjusted total assets	$	48,620	$	46,424	$	45,534	$	42,942	$	42,396
Borrowings		4,955		4,979		5,014		4,915		4,930
Total BlackRock, Inc. stockholders’ equity	$	33,547	$	32,374	$	31,798	$	29,088	$	28,503

Assets under management:
Equity:
Active	$	316,145	$	258,205	$	311,209	$	275,033	$	281,319
iShares ETFs		1,632,972		1,274,262		1,329,610		951,252		823,156
Non-ETF index		1,871,212		1,503,358		1,730,822		1,430,891		1,319,297
Equity subtotal		3,820,329		3,035,825		3,371,641		2,657,176		2,423,772
Fixed income:
Active		939,275		795,985		815,135		749,996		719,653
iShares ETFs		565,790		427,596		395,252		314,707		254,190
Non-ETF index		810,327		660,836		645,078		507,662		448,525
Fixed income subtotal		2,315,392		1,884,417		1,855,465		1,572,365		1,422,368
Multi-asset		568,121		461,884		480,278		395,007		376,336
Alternatives:
Illiquid alternatives		75,349		59,827		47,270		41,340		40,917
Liquid alternatives		59,048		51,718		51,263		47,290		51,168
Currency and commodities⁽⁵⁾		43,675		31,813		30,814		28,308		20,754
Alternatives subtotal		178,072		143,358		129,347		116,938		112,839
Long-term		6,881,914		5,525,484		5,836,731		4,741,486		4,335,315
Cash management		545,949		448,565		449,949		403,584		299,884
Advisory⁽⁶⁾		1,770		1,769		1,515		2,782		10,213
Total	$	7,429,633	$	5,975,818	$	6,288,195	$	5,147,852	$	4,645,412

(1)	Amounts include cash and cash equivalents held by consolidated variable interest entities of $131 million, $186 million, $144 million, $84 million and $148 million at December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

(2)

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.

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

(4)	Amounts include assets held by consolidated sponsored investment products.

(5)	Amounts include commodity iShares ETFs.

(6)	Advisory AUM represents long-term portfolio liquidation assignments.

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.

BlackRock has previously disclosed risk factors in its Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) reports. These risk factors and those identified elsewhere in this report, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical 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) BlackRock’s ability to develop new products and services that address client preferences; (5) the impact of increased competition; (6) the impact of future acquisitions or divestitures; (7) BlackRock’s ability to integrate acquired businesses successfully; (8) the unfavorable resolution of legal proceedings; (9) the extent and timing of any share repurchases; (10) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes and the adequacy of intellectual property, information and cyber security protection; (11) attempts to circumvent BlackRock’s operational control environment or the potential for human error in connection with BlackRock’s operational systems; (12) the impact of legislative and regulatory actions and reforms and regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions of government agencies relating to BlackRock or The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”); (13) changes in law and policy and uncertainty pending any such changes; (14) 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; (15) the ability to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (16) fluctuations in the carrying value of BlackRock’s economic investments; (17) 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; (18) BlackRock’s success in negotiating distribution arrangements and maintaining distribution channels for its products; (19) the failure by a key vendor of BlackRock to fulfill its obligations to the Company; (20) any disruption to the operations of third parties whose functions are integral to BlackRock’s exchange-traded funds (“ETF”) platform; (21) 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 (22) 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 $7.43 trillion of AUM at December 31, 2019. With approximately 16,200 employees in more than 30 countries, BlackRock provides a broad range of investment and technology services to institutional and retail clients in more than 100 countries across the globe. For further information see Note 1, Business Overview, and Note 27, Segment Information, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Part II, Item 8.

The following discussion includes a comparison of BlackRock’s results for 2019 and 2018. For a discussion of BlackRock’s results for 2017, see “Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, which was filed with the SEC on February 28, 2019.

Certain prior period presentations and disclosures, while not required to be recast, were reclassified to ensure comparability with current period classifications.

United Kingdom Exit from European Union

Following the June 2016 vote to exit the European Union (“EU”), commonly referred to as Brexit, the United Kingdom (“UK”) left the EU on January 31, 2020 and entered an eleven-month transition period during which the UK, and UK-based entities, will retain the rights and obligations of EU membership.

Acquisition

On May 10, 2019, the Company acquired 100% of the equity interests of eFront Holding SAS (“eFront Transaction” or “eFront”), a leading alternative investment management software and solutions provider for approximately $1.3 billion, excluding the settlement of eFront’s outstanding debt. The acquisition of eFront expands Aladdin’s illiquid alternative capabilities and enables BlackRock to provide individual alternative or whole-portfolio technology solutions to clients.

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 prudent discretionary expense management.

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

BlackRock manages $3.8 trillion of equity assets across markets globally. Beta divergence between equity markets, where certain markets perform differently than others, may lead to an increase in the proportion of BlackRock AUM weighted toward lower fee equity products, resulting in a decline in BlackRock’s effective fee rate. Divergent market factors may also erode the correlation between the growth rates of AUM and base fees.

BlackRock’s highly diversified multi-product platform was created to meet client needs in all market environments. BlackRock is positioned to provide alpha-seeking active, index and cash management investment strategies across asset classes and geographies. In addition, BlackRock leverages its world-class risk management, analytics and technology 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 iShares ETFs, maintaining differentiated client relationships and a fiduciary focus. The diversity of BlackRock’s platform facilitates the generation of organic growth in various market environments, and as client preferences evolve. Client demand continues for ETFs and illiquid alternatives, which are two areas of focus for BlackRock.

The index investing industry has been growing rapidly – with ETFs as a major beneficiary – driven by structural tailwinds including the migration from commission-based to fee-based wealth management, clients’ focus on value for money, the use of ETFs as alpha tools and the growth of all-to-all networked trading. iShares ETFs’ growth strategy is centered on increasing scale and pursuing global growth themes in client and product segments, including Core, Strategic, which includes Fixed Income, Factors, Sustainable and Megatrends ETFs, and Precision Exposures.

As the wealth management landscape shifts globally from individual product selection to a whole-portfolio approach, BlackRock’s retail strategy is focused on creating outcome-oriented client solutions. This includes having a diverse platform of alpha-seeking active, index and alternative products, as well as enhanced distribution and portfolio construction technology offerings. Digital wealth tools are an important component of BlackRock’s retail strategy, as BlackRock scales and customizes model portfolios, extends Aladdin Wealth and digital wealth partnerships globally, and helps advisors build better portfolios through portfolio construction and risk management, powered by Aladdin.

BlackRock continues to invest in technology services offerings, which enhance the ability to manage portfolios and risk, effectively serve clients and operate efficiently. Anticipated industry consolidation and regulatory requirements should continue to drive demand for holistic and flexible technology solutions. In 2019, BlackRock completed the acquisition of eFront, a leading end-to-end alternative investment management software and solutions provider. eFront, in combination with Aladdin, will provide clients with an ability to manage portfolios and risk across public and private asset classes on a single platform.

Across BlackRock, more clients are focusing on the impact of sustainability on their portfolios. This shift has been driven by an increased understanding of how sustainability-related factors can affect economic growth, asset values, and financial markets as a whole. As a fiduciary, BlackRock is committed to helping clients build more resilient portfolios. Since sustainable investment options have the potential to offer clients better outcomes, we are making sustainability integral to the way BlackRock manages risk, constructs portfolios, designs products, and engages with companies. Over the past several years, BlackRock has been deepening the integration of sustainability into technology, risk management, and product choice across BlackRock, and plans to accelerate those efforts.

Executive Summary

(in millions, except shares and per share data)	2019			2018
GAAP basis:
Total revenue	$	14,539		$	14,198
Total expense		8,988			8,741
Operating income	$	5,551		$	5,457
Operating margin		38.2	%		38.4	%
Nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		186			(76	)
Income tax expense		(1,261	)		(1,076	)
Net income attributable to BlackRock	$	4,476		$	4,305
Diluted earnings per common share	$	28.43		$	26.58
Effective tax rate		22.0	%		20.0	%
As adjusted⁽¹⁾:
Operating income	$	5,551		$	5,531
Operating margin		43.7	%		44.3	%
Nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	186		$	(76	)
Net income attributable to BlackRock	$	4,484		$	4,361
Diluted earnings per common share	$	28.48		$	26.93
Effective tax rate		21.9	%		20.0	%
Other:
Assets under management (end of period)	$	7,429,633		$	5,975,818
Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding⁽²⁾		157,459,546			161,948,732
Common and preferred shares outstanding (end of period)		155,198,968			158,520,147
Book value per share⁽³⁾	$	216.15		$	204.23
Cash dividends declared and paid per share	$	13.20		$	12.02

(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.

2019 Compared with 2018

GAAP. Operating income of $5,551 million increased $94 million from 2018. Operating income growth reflected higher base fees and technology services revenue, partially offset by higher compensation and benefits expense and higher general and administration expense. Operating income for 2019 also included $61 million of product launch costs associated with the close of the $1.4 billion BlackRock Science and Technology Trust II, a closed-end active equity fund. Operating income for 2018 included a restructuring charge of $60 million from an initiative to modify the size and shape of the workforce. Nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests (“NCI”), increased $262 million from 2018 driven by higher marks on unhedged seed capital investments and the revaluation of certain minority investments. Nonoperating results for 2018 included a $40 million pre-tax gain related to the sale of the Company’s minority interest in DSP BlackRock Investment Managers Pvt. Ltd. to The DSP Group (“DSP Transaction”).

Income tax expense for 2019 included $28 million of discrete tax benefits, primarily related to stock-based compensation awards. Income tax expense for 2018 included $145 million of discrete tax benefits, primarily related to changes in the Company’s organizational entity structure and stock-based compensation awards. See Income Tax Expense within Discussion of Financial Results for more information.

Diluted earnings per common share increased $1.85, or 7%, from 2018, reflecting higher operating and nonoperating income, and a lower diluted share count, partially offset by a higher effective tax rate in the current year.

As Adjusted. Operating income of $5,551 million increased $20 million from 2018. In 2018, the pre-tax restructuring charge of $60 million described above has been excluded from as adjusted results. Diluted earnings per common share increased $1.55, or 6%, from 2018, driven primarily by higher nonoperating income and a lower diluted share count, partially offset by a higher effective tax rate.

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 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 considers them to be helpful, for both management and investors, in 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.

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. Management believes that operating margin, as adjusted, reflects the Company’s long-term ability to manage ongoing costs in relation to its revenues. The Company uses operating margin, as adjusted, to assess the Company’s financial performance and to determine the long-term and annual compensation of the Company’s senior-level employees. Furthermore, this metric is used to evaluate the Company’s relative performance against industry peers, as it eliminates margin variability arising from the accounting of revenues and expenses related to distributing different product structures in multiple distribution channels utilized by asset managers.

(in millions)	2019			2018
Operating income, GAAP basis	$	5,551		$	5,457
Non-GAAP expense adjustments:
Restructuring charge		—			60
PNC LTIP funding obligation		—			14
Operating income, as adjusted		5,551			5,531
Product launch costs and commissions		61			13
Operating income used for operating margin measurement	$	5,612		$	5,544
Revenue, GAAP basis	$	14,539		$	14,198
Non-GAAP adjustments:
Distribution fees		(1,069	)		(1,155	)
Investment advisory fees		(616	)		(520	)
Revenue used for operating margin measurement	$	12,854		$	12,523
Operating margin, GAAP basis		38.2	%		38.4	%
Operating margin, as adjusted		43.7	%		44.3	%

•

Operating income, as adjusted, includes non-GAAP expense adjustments. In 2018, a restructuring charge, primarily comprised of severance and accelerated amortization expense of previously granted deferred compensation awards, has been excluded to provide more meaningful analysis of BlackRock’s ongoing operations and to ensure comparability among periods presented. In 2018, 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.

•

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.

•

Revenue used for calculating operating margin, as adjusted, is reduced to exclude all of the Company’s distribution fees, which are recorded as a separate line item on the consolidated statements of income, as well as a portion of investment advisory fees received that is used to pay distribution and servicing costs. For certain products, based on distinct arrangements, distribution fees are collected by the Company and then passed-through to third-party client intermediaries. For other products, investment advisory fees are collected by the Company and a portion is passed-through to third-party client intermediaries. However, in both structures, the third-party client intermediary similarly owns the relationship with the retail client and is responsible for distributing the product and servicing the client. The amount of distribution and investment advisory fees fluctuates each period primarily based on a predetermined percentage of the value of AUM during the period. These fees also vary based on the type of investment product sold and the geographic location where it is sold. In addition, the Company may waive fees on certain products that could result in the reduction of payments to the third-party intermediaries.

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

(in millions, except per share data)	2019		2018
Net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc., GAAP basis	$	4,476	$	4,305
Non-GAAP adjustments:
Restructuring charge, net of tax		—		47
PNC LTIP funding obligation, net of tax		—		12
Other income tax matters		8		(3	)
Net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc., as adjusted	$	4,484	$	4,361
Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding (3)		157.5		161.9
Diluted earnings per common share, GAAP basis (3)	$	28.43	$	26.58
Diluted earnings per common share, as adjusted (3)	$	28.48	$	26.93

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 aforementioned discussion regarding operating income, as adjusted, and operating margin, as adjusted, for information on the PNC LTIP funding obligation and 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 respective blended rates applicable to the adjustments. Amounts for income tax matters represent net noncash (benefits) expense primarily associated with the revaluation of certain deferred tax liabilities related to intangible assets and goodwill as a result of tax rate changes. Amounts have been excluded from the as adjusted results as these items will not have a cash flow impact and to ensure comparability among periods presented.

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.

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 and Product Type
	AUM				Net inflows (outflows)
(in millions)	2019		2018		2019		2018
Retail	$	703,297	$	610,850	$	15,810	$	19,079
iShares ETFs		2,240,065		1,731,425		183,492		167,535
Institutional:
Active		1,338,670		1,079,979		99,456		(9,583	)
Index		2,599,882		2,103,230		36,902		(53,704	)
Institutional subtotal		3,938,552		3,183,209		136,358		(63,287	)
Long-term		6,881,914		5,525,484		335,660		123,327
Cash management		545,949		448,565		93,074		(21	)
Advisory⁽¹⁾		1,770		1,769		2		323
Total	$	7,429,633	$	5,975,818	$	428,736	$	123,629

AUM and Net Inflows (Outflows) by Investment Style and Product Type
	AUM				Net inflows (outflows)
(in millions)	2019		2018		2019		2018
Active	$	1,947,222	$	1,617,780	$	109,892	$	8
Index and iShares ETFs		4,934,692		3,907,704		225,768		123,319
Long-term		6,881,914		5,525,484		335,660		123,327
Cash management		545,949		448,565		93,074		(21	)
Advisory⁽¹⁾		1,770		1,769		2		323
Total	$	7,429,633	$	5,975,818	$	428,736	$	123,629

AUM and Net Inflows (Outflows) by Product Type
	AUM				Net inflows (outflows)
(in millions)	2019		2018		2019		2018
Equity	$	3,820,329	$	3,035,825	$	28,353	$	15,167
Fixed income		2,315,392		1,884,417		263,579		79,110
Multi-asset		568,121		461,884		18,889		16,913
Alternatives:
Illiquid alternatives		75,349		59,827		14,103		7,580
Liquid alternatives		59,048		51,718		3,957		2,010
Currency and commodities⁽²⁾		43,675		31,813		6,779		2,547
Alternatives subtotal		178,072		143,358		24,839		12,137
Long-term		6,881,914		5,525,484		335,660		123,327
Cash management		545,949		448,565		93,074		(21	)
Advisory⁽¹⁾		1,770		1,769		2		323
Total	$	7,429,633	$	5,975,818	$	428,736	$	123,629

(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 2019 and 2018.

(in millions)	2019		2018
Beginning AUM	$	5,975,818	$	6,288,195
Net inflows (outflows)
Long-term		335,660		123,327
Cash management		93,074		(21	)
Advisory⁽¹⁾		2		323
Total net inflows (outflows)		428,736		123,629
Acquisitions and dispositions⁽²⁾		—		27,500
Market change		994,076		(384,136	)
FX impact⁽³⁾		31,003		(79,370	)
Total change		1,453,815		(312,377	)
Ending AUM	$	7,429,633	$	5,975,818

(1)	Advisory AUM represents long-term portfolio liquidation assignments.

(2)

Amount for 2018 represents $5.4 billion and $25.6 billion of net AUM from the acquisitions of Tennenbaum Capital Partners in August 2018 (“TCP Transaction”) and the asset management business of Citibanamex in September 2018 (“Citibanamex Transaction”), respectively. In addition, amounts include $18.6 billion and $2.3 billion of AUM reclassifications and net dispositions, respectively, related to the transfer of BlackRock’s UK Defined Contribution Administration and Platform business to Aegon N.V. in July 2018 (“Aegon Transaction”) and $1.2 billion of net AUM dispositions related to the DSP Transaction.

(3)	Foreign exchange reflects the impact of translating non-US dollar denominated AUM into US dollars 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 2019

The following table presents the component changes in AUM by client type and product type for 2019.

(in millions)	December 31, 2018		Net inflows (outflows)			Market change			FX impact⁽¹⁾			December 31, 2019		Full year average AUM⁽²⁾
(in millions)	December 31, 2018		Net inflows (outflows)			Market change			FX impact⁽¹⁾			December 31, 2019		Full year average AUM⁽²⁾
Retail:
Equity	$	205,714	$	(652	)	$	45,820		$	1,531		$	252,413	$	229,688
Fixed income		271,588		21,222			11,882			573			305,265		289,632
Multi-asset		113,417		(9,291	)		16,138			175			120,439		117,366
Alternatives		20,131		4,531			506			12			25,180		22,384
Retail subtotal		610,850		15,810			74,346			2,291			703,297		659,070
iShares ETFs:
Equity		1,274,262		64,705			292,840			1,165			1,632,972		1,453,395
Fixed income		427,596		112,345			25,878			(29	)		565,790		503,266
Multi-asset		4,485		113			601			11			5,210		4,489
Alternatives		25,082		6,329			4,664			18			36,093		29,767
iShares ETFs subtotal		1,731,425		183,492			323,983			1,165			2,240,065		1,990,917
Institutional:
Active:
Equity		110,976		1,852			27,547			743			141,118		124,722
Fixed income		538,961		55,006			55,358			2,043			651,368		611,383
Multi-asset		336,237		28,785			68,410			801			434,233		385,495
Alternatives		93,805		13,813			3,852			481			111,951		103,369
Active subtotal		1,079,979		99,456			155,167			4,068			1,338,670		1,224,969
Index:
Equity		1,444,873		(37,552	)		380,101			6,404			1,793,826		1,640,715
Fixed income		646,272		75,006			55,969			15,722			792,969		733,371
Multi-asset		7,745		(718	)		1,203			9			8,239		8,095
Alternatives		4,340		166			272			70			4,848		4,580
Index subtotal		2,103,230		36,902			437,545			22,205			2,599,882		2,386,761
Institutional subtotal		3,183,209		136,358			592,712			26,273			3,938,552		3,611,730
Long-term		5,525,484		335,660			991,041			29,729			6,881,914		6,261,717
Cash management		448,565		93,074			3,054			1,256			545,949		486,636
Advisory⁽³⁾		1,769		2			(19	)		18			1,770		1,766
Total	$	5,975,818	$	428,736		$	994,076		$	31,003		$	7,429,633	$	6,750,119

(1)	Foreign exchange reflects the impact of translating non-US dollar denominated AUM into US 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.

The following table presents component changes in AUM by investment style and product type for 2019.

(in millions)	December 31, 2018		Net inflows (outflows)			Market change			FX impact⁽¹⁾			December 31, 2019		Full year average AUM⁽²⁾
Active:
Equity	$	258,205	$	(2,918	)	$	59,701		$	1,157		$	316,145	$	286,461
Fixed income		795,985		74,972			66,150			2,168			939,275		885,170
Multi-asset		449,654		19,494			84,549			975			554,672		502,860
Alternatives		113,936		18,344			4,357			493			137,130		125,753
Active subtotal		1,617,780		109,892			214,757			4,793			1,947,222		1,800,244
Index and iShares ETFs:
iShares ETFs:
Equity		1,274,262		64,705			292,840			1,165			1,632,972		1,453,395
Fixed income		427,596		112,345			25,878			(29	)		565,790		503,266
Multi-asset		4,485		113			601			11			5,210		4,489
Alternatives		25,082		6,329			4,664			18			36,093		29,767
iShares ETFs subtotal		1,731,425		183,492			323,983			1,165			2,240,065		1,990,917
Non-ETF Index:
Equity		1,503,358		(33,434	)		393,767			7,521			1,871,212		1,708,664
Fixed income		660,836		76,262			57,059			16,170			810,327		749,216
Multi-asset		7,745		(718	)		1,202			10			8,239		8,096
Alternatives		4,340		166			273			70			4,849		4,580
Non-ETF Index subtotal		2,176,279		42,276			452,301			23,771			2,694,627		2,470,556
Index & iShares ETFs subtotal		3,907,704		225,768			776,284			24,936			4,934,692		4,461,473
Long-term		5,525,484		335,660			991,041			29,729			6,881,914		6,261,717
Cash management		448,565		93,074			3,054			1,256			545,949		486,636
Advisory⁽³⁾		1,769		2			(19	)		18			1,770		1,766
Total	$	5,975,818	$	428,736		$	994,076		$	31,003		$	7,429,633	$	6,750,119

The following table presents component changes in AUM by product type for 2019.

	December 31,		Net inflows		Market			FX		December 31,		Full year average
(in millions)	2018		(outflows)		change			impact⁽¹⁾		2019		AUM⁽²⁾
Equity	$	3,035,825	$	28,353	$	746,308		$	9,843	$	3,820,329	$	3,448,520
Fixed income		1,884,417		263,579		149,087			18,309		2,315,392		2,137,652
Multi-asset		461,884		18,889		86,352			996		568,121		515,445
Alternatives:
Illiquid alternatives		59,827		14,103		1,101			318		75,349		68,030
Liquid alternatives		51,718		3,957		3,224			149		59,048		55,088
Currency and commodities⁽⁴⁾		31,813		6,779		4,969			114		43,675		36,982
Alternatives subtotal		143,358		24,839		9,294			581		178,072		160,100
Long-term		5,525,484		335,660		991,041			29,729		6,881,914		6,261,717
Cash management		448,565		93,074		3,054			1,256		545,949		486,636
Advisory⁽³⁾		1,769		2		(19	)		18		1,770		1,766
Total	$	5,975,818	$	428,736	$	994,076		$	31,003	$	7,429,633	$	6,750,119

(1)	Foreign exchange reflects the impact of translating non-US dollar denominated AUM into US 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.

(4)	Amounts include commodity iShares ETFs.

AUM increased $1.5 trillion to $7.43 trillion at December 31, 2019 from $5.98 trillion at December 31, 2018 driven by net market appreciation and positive net flows across all investment styles and product types.

Net market appreciation of $994.1 billion was driven primarily by higher global equity and fixed income markets.

AUM increased $31 billion due to the impact of foreign exchange movements, primarily due to the weakening of the US dollar, largely against the British pound.

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

Component Changes in AUM for 2018

The following table presents component changes in AUM by client type and product type for 2018.

	December 31,		Net inflows			Acquisitions and			Market			FX			December 31,		Full year average
(in millions)	2017		(outflows)			dispositions⁽¹⁾			change			impact⁽²⁾			2018		AUM⁽³⁾
Retail:
Equity	$	233,218	$	2,090		$	2,137		$	(28,005	)	$	(3,726	)	$	205,714	$	231,556
Fixed income		257,571		11,546			14,070			(8,630	)		(2,969	)		271,588		268,818
Multi-asset		120,855		2,914			2,519			(12,107	)		(764	)		113,417		120,907
Alternatives		16,733		2,529			1,628			(590	)		(169	)		20,131		18,492
Retail subtotal		628,377		19,079			20,354			(49,332	)		(7,628	)		610,850		639,773
iShares ETFs:
Equity		1,329,610		112,817			—			(159,433	)		(8,732	)		1,274,262		1,360,991
Fixed income		395,252		50,930			—			(14,355	)		(4,231	)		427,596		404,236
Multi-asset		3,761		1,050			—			(317	)		(9	)		4,485		3,837
Alternatives		23,616		2,738			—			(1,196	)		(76	)		25,082		24,663
iShares ETFs subtotal		1,752,239		167,535			—			(175,301	)		(13,048	)		1,731,425		1,793,727
Institutional:
Active:
Equity		137,185		(7,895	)		(4,296	)		(11,485	)		(2,533	)		110,976		131,474
Fixed income		570,050		(20,701	)		2,417			(7,301	)		(5,504	)		538,961		554,107
Multi-asset		347,825		11,944			(1,593	)		(14,650	)		(7,289	)		336,237		348,342
Alternatives		84,248		7,069			3,374			444			(1,330	)		93,805		88,715
Active subtotal		1,139,308		(9,583	)		(98	)		(32,992	)		(16,656	)		1,079,979		1,122,638
Index:
Equity		1,671,628		(91,845	)		4,749			(122,252	)		(17,407	)		1,444,873		1,648,418
Fixed income		632,592		37,335			2,051			(4,835	)		(20,871	)		646,272		640,733
Multi-asset		7,837		1,005			(243	)		(880	)		26			7,745		8,031
Alternatives		4,750		(199	)		1			(142	)		(70	)		4,340		4,689
Index subtotal		2,316,807		(53,704	)		6,558			(128,109	)		(38,322	)		2,103,230		2,301,871
Institutional subtotal		3,456,115		(63,287	)		6,460			(161,101	)		(54,978	)		3,183,209		3,424,509
Long-term		5,836,731		123,327			26,814			(385,734	)		(75,654	)		5,525,484		5,858,009
Cash management		449,949		(21	)		686			1,593			(3,642	)		448,565		453,883
Advisory⁽⁴⁾		1,515		323			—			5			(74	)		1,769		1,381
Total	$	6,288,195	$	123,629		$	27,500		$	(384,136	)	$	(79,370	)	$	5,975,818	$	6,313,273

(1)	Amount represents net AUM impact from the TCP Transaction, the Citibanamex Transaction, the Aegon Transaction and the DSP Transaction.

(2)	Foreign exchange reflects the impact of translating non-US dollar denominated AUM into US 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.

The following table presents component changes in AUM by investment style and product type for 2018.

	December 31,		Net inflows			Acquisitions and			Market			FX			December 31,		Full year average
(in millions)	2017		(outflows)			dispositions⁽¹⁾			change			impact⁽²⁾			2018		AUM⁽³⁾
Active:
Equity	$	311,209	$	(12,439	)	$	(2,160	)	$	(33,819	)	$	(4,586	)	$	258,205	$	300,671
Fixed income		815,135		(12,009	)		16,487			(15,869	)		(7,759	)		795,985		808,997
Multi-asset		468,679		14,858			926			(26,757	)		(8,052	)		449,654		469,249
Alternatives		100,982		9,598			5,002			(146	)		(1,500	)		113,936		107,206
Active subtotal		1,696,005		8			20,255			(76,591	)		(21,897	)		1,617,780		1,686,123
Index and iShares ETFs:
iShares ETFs:
Equity		1,329,610		112,817			—			(159,433	)		(8,732	)		1,274,262		1,360,991
Fixed income		395,252		50,930			—			(14,355	)		(4,231	)		427,596		404,236
Multi-asset		3,761		1,050			—			(317	)		(9	)		4,485		3,837
Alternatives		23,616		2,738			—			(1,196	)		(76	)		25,082		24,663
iShares ETFs subtotal		1,752,239		167,535			—			(175,301	)		(13,048	)		1,731,425		1,793,727
Non-ETF Index:
Equity		1,730,822		(85,211	)		4,750			(127,923	)		(19,080	)		1,503,358		1,710,777
Fixed income		645,078		40,189			2,051			(4,897	)		(21,585	)		660,836		654,661
Multi-asset		7,838		1,005			(243	)		(880	)		25			7,745		8,031
Alternatives		4,749		(199	)		1			(142	)		(69	)		4,340		4,690
Non-ETF Index subtotal		2,388,487		(44,216	)		6,559			(133,842	)		(40,709	)		2,176,279		2,378,159
Index & iShares ETFs subtotal		4,140,726		123,319			6,559			(309,143	)		(53,757	)		3,907,704		4,171,886
Long-term		5,836,731		123,327			26,814			(385,734	)		(75,654	)		5,525,484		5,858,009
Cash management		449,949		(21	)		686			1,593			(3,642	)		448,565		453,883
Advisory⁽⁴⁾		1,515		323			—			5			(74	)		1,769		1,381
Total	$	6,288,195	$	123,629		$	27,500		$	(384,136	)	$	(79,370	)	$	5,975,818	$	6,313,273

The following table presents component changes in AUM by product type for 2018.

	December 31,		Net inflows			Acquisitions and		Market			FX			December 31,		Full year average
(in millions)	2017		(outflows)			dispositions⁽¹⁾		change			impact⁽²⁾			2018		AUM⁽³⁾
Equity	$	3,371,641	$	15,167		$	2,590	$	(321,175	)	$	(32,398	)	$	3,035,825	$	3,372,439
Fixed income		1,855,465		79,110			18,538		(35,121	)		(33,575	)		1,884,417		1,867,894
Multi-asset		480,278		16,913			683		(27,954	)		(8,036	)		461,884		481,117
Alternatives:
Illiquid alternatives		47,270		7,580			4,968		828			(819	)		59,827		52,764
Liquid alternatives		51,263		2,010			27		(857	)		(725	)		51,718		51,888
Currency and commodities⁽⁵⁾		30,814		2,547			8		(1,455	)		(101	)		31,813		31,907
Alternatives subtotal		129,347		12,137			5,003		(1,484	)		(1,645	)		143,358		136,559
Long-term		5,836,731		123,327			26,814		(385,734	)		(75,654	)		5,525,484		5,858,009
Cash management		449,949		(21	)		686		1,593			(3,642	)		448,565		453,883
Advisory⁽⁴⁾		1,515		323			—		5			(74	)		1,769		1,381
Total	$	6,288,195	$	123,629		$	27,500	$	(384,136	)	$	(79,370	)	$	5,975,818	$	6,313,273

(1)	Amount represents net AUM impact from the TCP Transaction, the Citibanamex Transaction, the Aegon Transaction and the DSP Transaction.

(2)	Foreign exchange reflects the impact of translating non-US dollar denominated AUM into US 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.

(5)	Amounts include commodity iShares ETFs.

AUM decreased $312.4 billion to $5.98 trillion at December 31, 2018 from $6.29 trillion at December 31, 2017 driven by net market depreciation and the impact of foreign exchange movements, partially offset by positive long-term net flows, led by iShares ETFs, active multi-asset and illiquid alternatives, and net AUM added from strategic transactions.

Net market depreciation of $384.1 billion was driven by lower global equity markets.

AUM decreased $79.4 billion due to the impact of foreign exchange movements, primarily due to the strengthening of the US dollar, largely against the British pound and Euro.

Discussion of Financial Results

Introduction

The Company derives a substantial portion of its revenue from investment advisory and administration fees, which are recognized as the services are performed over time because the customer is receiving and consuming the benefits as they are provided by the Company. Fees are primarily based on agreed-upon percentages of AUM and recognized for services provided during the period, which are distinct from services provided in other periods. Such fees 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-US dollar denominated AUM into US dollars for reporting purposes.

The Company also earns revenue by lending securities on behalf of clients, primarily 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 the Company 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 the Company’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.

The Company offers investment management technology systems, risk management services, wealth management and digital distribution tools, all on a fee basis. Clients include banks, insurance companies, official institutions, pension funds, asset managers, retail distributors and other investors. Fees earned for technology services are primarily recorded as services are performed over time and are generally determined using the value of positions on the Aladdin platform, or on a fixed-rate basis. Revenue derived from the sale of software licenses is recognized upon the granting of access rights.

The Company earns distribution and service fees for distributing investment products and providing support services to investments portfolios. The fees are based on AUM and are recognized when the amount of fees is known.

The Company 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 are recognized over time as the related services are completed.

The Company earns fees for transition management services primarily comprised of commissions recognized in connection with buying and selling securities on behalf of its customers. Commissions related to transition management services, which are included in advisory and other revenue, are recorded on a trade-date basis as transactions occur.

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

Operating expense reflects employee compensation and benefits, distribution and servicing costs, 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 to third parties, primarily associated with distribution and servicing of client investments in certain Company products.

•

Direct fund expense primarily consists of third-party nonadvisory expenses incurred by the Company 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 expenses 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, contingent consideration fair value adjustments, product launch costs, the impact of foreign currency remeasurement, and other general and administration expense. Foreign currency remeasurement losses were $31 million and $16 million for 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Approximately 75% of the Company’s revenue is generated in US dollars. The Company’s revenue and expense generated in foreign currencies (primarily the Euro 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 and earnings on equity method investments as well as interest and dividend income and interest expense. The Company 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 assets. Investments generally are made for co-investment purposes, to establish a performance track record or for regulatory purposes, including Federal Reserve Bank stock. The Company does not engage in proprietary trading activities that could conflict with the interests of its clients.

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 the Company is allocated to NCI on the consolidated statements of income.

Revenue

The following table presents detail of revenue for 2019 and 2018 and includes the product type mix of investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue (collectively “base fees”) and performance fees.

(in millions)	2019		2018
Investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue:
Equity:
Active	$	1,554	$	1,654
iShares ETFs		3,495		3,549
Non-ETF index		667		685
Equity subtotal		5,716		5,888
Fixed income:
Active		1,918		1,840
iShares ETFs		963		825
Non-ETF index		405		387
Fixed income subtotal		3,286		3,052
Multi-asset		1,148		1,176
Alternatives:
Illiquid alternatives		488		348
Liquid alternatives		413		384
Currency and commodities ⁽¹⁾		108		98
Alternatives subtotal		1,009		830
Long-term		11,159		10,946
Cash management		618		607
Total base fees		11,777		11,553
Investment advisory performance fees:
Equity		36		91
Fixed income		10		8
Multi-asset		19		19
Alternatives:
Illiquid alternatives		136		70
Liquid alternatives		249		224
Alternatives subtotal		385		294
Total performance fees		450		412
Technology services revenue		974		785
Distribution fees:
Retrocessions		658		709
12b-1 fees (US mutual fund distribution fees)		358		406
Other		53		40
Total distribution fees		1,069		1,155
Advisory and other revenue:
Advisory		99		113
Other		170		180
Total advisory and other revenue		269		293
Total revenue	$	14,539	$	14,198

(1)	Amounts include commodity iShares ETFs.

The table below lists base fees and mix of average AUM by product type:

	Mix of Base Fees						Mix of Average AUM⁽¹⁾
	2019			2018			2019			2018
Equity:
Active		13	%		14	%		4	%		5	%
iShares ETFs		30	%		31	%		22	%		22	%
Non-ETF index		6	%		6	%		25	%		26	%
Equity subtotal		49	%		51	%		51	%		53	%
Fixed income:
Active		16	%		17	%		13	%		13	%
iShares ETFs		8	%		7	%		7	%		6	%
Non-ETF index		3	%		3	%		11	%		10	%
Fixed income subtotal		27	%		27	%		31	%		29	%
Multi-asset		10	%		10	%		8	%		8	%
Alternatives:
Illiquid alternatives		4	%		3	%		1	%		1	%
Liquid alternatives		4	%		3	%		1	%		1	%
Currency and commodities ⁽²⁾		1	%		1	%		1	%		1	%
Alternatives subtotal		9	%		7	%		3	%		3	%
Long-term		95	%		95	%		93	%		93	%
Cash management		5	%		5	%		7	%		7	%
Total excluding Advisory AUM		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%

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

(2)	Amounts include commodity iShares ETFs.

2019 Compared with 2018

Revenue increased $341 million, or 2%, from 2018, primarily driven by higher base fees and 24% growth in technology services revenue.

Investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue of $11,777 million in 2019 increased $224 million from $11,553 million in 2018, reflecting the positive impact of market beta and foreign exchange movements, organic growth and acquisitions, partially offset by the negative impact of strategic price changes to certain products. Securities lending revenue of $617 million in 2019 compared with $627 million in 2018.

Investment advisory performance fees of $450 million in 2019 increased $38 million from $412 million in 2018, primarily reflecting higher revenue from illiquid and liquid alternative products, partially offset by lower revenue from long-only equity products.

Technology services revenue of $974 million for 2019 increased $189 million from $785 million in 2018, primarily reflecting the impact of the eFront Transaction and higher revenue from Aladdin.

Advisory and other revenue of $269 million in 2019 decreased $24 million from $293 million in 2018, primarily reflecting lower fees from advisory assignments.

Expense

The following table presents expense for 2019 and 2018.

(in millions)	2019		2018
Expense, GAAP:
Employee compensation and benefits	$	4,470	$	4,320
Distribution and servicing costs:
Retrocessions		658		709
12b-1 costs		354		399
Other		673		567
Total distribution and servicing costs		1,685		1,675
Direct fund expense		978		998
General and administration:
Marketing and promotional		350		361
Occupancy and office related		307		293
Portfolio services		261		271
Technology		289		234
Professional services		161		158
Communications		39		37
Foreign exchange remeasurement		31		16
Contingent consideration fair value adjustments		53		65
Product launch costs		59		12
Other general and administration		208		191
Total general and administration expense		1,758		1,638
Restructuring charge		—		60
Amortization of intangible assets		97		50
Total expense, GAAP	$	8,988	$	8,741

2019 Compared with 2018

GAAP. Expense increased $247 million, or 3%, from 2018, primarily driven by higher employee compensation and benefits expense, higher general and administration expense and expense linked to the eFront Transaction.

Employee compensation and benefits expense increased $150 million, or 3%, to $4,470 million in 2019 from $4,320 million in 2018, primarily reflecting higher headcount, higher performance fees and higher deferred compensation expense. Employees at December 31, 2019 totaled approximately 16,200 compared with approximately 14,900 at December 31, 2018.

General and administration expense increased $120 million from 2018, reflecting higher technology expense, higher product launch costs, the impact of the eFront Transaction and the impact of foreign exchange remeasurement expense, partially offset by lower contingent consideration fair value adjustments related to prior acquisitions and lower marketing and promotional, and portfolio services expense.

Amortization of intangible assets expense increased $47 million, or 94%, to $97 million in 2019, primarily reflecting amortization of intangible assets associated with the eFront Transaction.

Nonoperating Results

The summary and reconciliation of GAAP nonoperating income (expense) to nonoperating income (expense), as adjusted for 2019 and 2018 was as follows:

(in millions)	2019		2018
Nonoperating income (expense), GAAP basis⁽¹⁾	$	236	$	(79	)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to NCI		50		(3	)
Nonoperating income (expense), as adjusted, net of NCI⁽²⁾⁽³⁾	$	186	$	(76	)

(1)	Amounts included gains of $210 million and losses of $105 million attributable to consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for 2019 and 2018, respectively.

(2)	Net of net income (loss) attributable to NCI.

(3)	Management believes nonoperating income (expense), as adjusted, is an effective measure for reviewing the Company’s nonoperating results, which ultimately impact BlackRock’s book value. See Non-GAAP Financial Measures for further information on non-GAAP financial measures for 2019 and 2018.

The components of nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to NCI for 2019 and 2018 were as follows:

(in millions)	2019			2018
Net gain (loss) on investments⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾
Private equity	$	47		$	(5	)
Real assets		21			26
Other alternatives⁽³⁾		19			2
Other investments⁽⁴⁾		144			(70	)
Subtotal		231			(47	)
Other gains (losses) ⁽⁵⁾		61			51
Total net gain (loss) on investments⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾		292			4
Interest and dividend income		97			104
Interest expense		(203	)		(184	)
Net interest expense		(106	)		(80	)
Nonoperating income (expense), as adjusted⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	$	186		$	(76	)

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

(2)	Management believes nonoperating income (expense), as adjusted, is an effective measure for reviewing the Company’s nonoperating results, which ultimately impact BlackRock’s book value. See Non-GAAP Financial Measures for further information on non-GAAP financial measures for 2019 and 2018.

(3)	Amounts primarily include net gains (losses) related to direct hedge fund strategies and hedge fund solutions.

(4)	Amounts primarily include net gains (losses) related to equity and fixed income investments.

(5)	2019 primarily include noncash pre-tax gains (losses) related to the revaluation of certain minority investments. 2018 primarily includes a $40 million pre-tax gain related to the DSP Transaction and a $10 million noncash pre-tax gain related to the revaluation of another minority investment.

Income Tax Expense

	GAAP						As adjusted
(in millions)	2019			2018			2019			2018
Operating income⁽¹⁾	$	5,551		$	5,457		$	5,551		$	5,531
Total nonoperating income (expense)⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	$	186		$	(76	)	$	186		$	(76	)
Income before income taxes⁽²⁾	$	5,737		$	5,381		$	5,737		$	5,455
Income tax expense	$	1,261		$	1,076		$	1,253		$	1,094
Effective tax rate		22.0	%		20.0	%		21.9	%		20.0	%

(1)	Management believes nonoperating income (expense), as adjusted, is an effective measure for reviewing the Company’s nonoperating results, which ultimately impact BlackRock’s book value. See Non-GAAP Financial Measures for further information on non-GAAP financial measures for 2019 and 2018.

(2)	Net of net income (loss) attributable to NCI.

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 that have different statutory tax rates than the US federal statutory rate of 21% include the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and Netherlands.

2019 Income tax expense (GAAP) reflected:

a discrete tax benefit of $28 million primarily related to stock-based compensation awards that vested in 2019.

2018 Income tax expense (GAAP) reflected:

$81 million discrete tax benefits, primarily related to changes in the Company’s organization entity structure; and

a $64 million discrete tax benefit related to stock-based compensation awards that vested in 2018.

Balance Sheet Overview

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 products.

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, which contains non-GAAP financial 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.

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 that 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 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 Products

The Company consolidates certain sponsored investment products accounted for as VIEs and voting rights entities (“VREs”), (collectively, “consolidated sponsored investment products”). See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Part II, Item 8 of this filing for more information on the Company’s consolidation policy.

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

	December 31, 2019
(in millions)	GAAP Basis		Separate Account Assets/ Collateral⁽¹⁾		Consolidated Sponsored Investment Products⁽²⁾		As Adjusted
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	4,829	$	—	$	141	$	4,688
Accounts receivable		3,179		—		—		3,179
Investments		5,489		—		1,494		3,995
Separate account assets and collateral held under securities lending agreements		118,310		118,310		—		—
Other assets⁽³⁾		3,884		—		57		3,827
Subtotal		135,691		118,310		1,692		15,689
Goodwill and intangible assets, net		32,931		—		—		32,931
Total assets	$	168,622	$	118,310	$	1,692	$	48,620
Liabilities
Accrued compensation and benefits	$	2,057	$	—	$	—	$	2,057
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		1,167		—		—		1,167
Borrowings		4,955		—		—		4,955
Separate account liabilities and collateral liabilities under securities lending agreements		118,310		118,310		—		—
Deferred income tax liabilities⁽⁴⁾		3,734		—		—		3,734
Other liabilities		3,470		—		310		3,160
Total liabilities		133,693		118,310		310		15,073
Equity
Total stockholders’ equity		33,547		—		—		33,547
Noncontrolling interests		1,382		—		1,382		—
Total equity		34,929		—		1,382		33,547
Total liabilities and equity	$	168,622	$	118,310	$	1,692	$	48,620

(1)	Amounts represent segregated client assets and related liabilities. 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.

(2)	Amounts represent the portion of assets and liabilities of Consolidated Sponsored Investment Products attributable to NCI.

(3)	Amount includes property and equipment and other assets.

(4)	Amount includes approximately $4.2 billion of deferred income tax liabilities related to goodwill and intangibles. See Note 25, Income Taxes, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Part II, Item 8 of this filing 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, 2019 and 2018 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, 2019 and 2018 included $141 million and $245 million, respectively, of cash held by consolidated sponsored investment products (see Liquidity and Capital Resources for details on the change in cash and cash equivalents during 2019).

Accounts receivable at December 31, 2019 increased $522 million from December 31, 2018, primarily due to higher base fees, technology services and performance fee receivables. Investments were $5,489 million at December 31, 2019 (for more information see Investments herein). Goodwill and intangible assets increased $1,566 million from December 31, 2018, primarily due to the eFront Transaction, partially offset by amortization of intangible assets. Other assets (including operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and property and equipment) increased $237 million from December 31, 2018, primarily due to the initial recognition of the operating lease ROU assets related to the adoption of the new lease accounting guidance and an increase in certain corporate minority investments, property and equipment, and unit trust receivables (substantially offset by an increase in unit trust payables recorded within other liabilities), partially offset by a decrease in other assets of consolidated sponsored investment products.

Liabilities. Accrued compensation and benefits at December 31, 2019 increased $69 million from December 31, 2018, primarily due to higher 2019 deferred compensation accruals. Other liabilities increased $207 million from December 31, 2018, primarily due to the initial recognition of the operating lease liabilities related to the adoption of the new lease accounting guidance and higher unit trust payables (substantially offset by an increase in unit trust receivables recorded within other assets), partially offset by a decrease in contingent liability in connection with certain prior acquisitions, and restructuring liability payments and a decrease in other liabilities of consolidated sponsored investment products. Net deferred income tax liabilities at December 31, 2019 increased $163 million from December 31, 2018, primarily due to the effects of temporary differences associated with the eFront Transaction and investment income.

Investments

The Company’s investments were $5,489 million and $4,476 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Investments include consolidated investments held by sponsored investment products accounted for as VIEs and VREs. Management reviews BlackRock’s investments on an “economic” basis, which eliminates the portion of 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 investments, as adjusted, to enable investors to understand the portion of 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 helpful measure for investors. The economic impact of investments held pursuant to deferred compensation arrangements is 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, 2019			December 31, 2018
Investments, GAAP	$	5,489		$	4,476
Investments held by consolidated sponsored investment products		(3,784	)		(3,204	)
Net interest in consolidated sponsored investment products⁽¹⁾		2,290			2,109
Investments, as adjusted		3,995			3,381
Federal Reserve Bank stock		(93	)		(92	)
Deferred compensation investments		(23	)		(34	)
Hedged investments		(644	)		(483	)
Carried interest		(528	)		(387	)
Total “economic” investment exposure	$	2,707		$	2,385

(1)	Amount included $514 million and $369 million of carried interest (VIEs) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, 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, 2019 and 2018:

(in millions)	December 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Private equity	$	355	$	305
Real assets		322		377
Other alternatives⁽¹⁾		235		199
Other investments⁽²⁾		1,795		1,504
Total “economic” investment exposure	$	2,707	$	2,385

(1)	Other alternatives primarily include 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 UK government securities, primarily held for regulatory purposes.

As adjusted investment activity for 2019 and 2018 was as follows:

(in millions)	2019			2018
Investments, as adjusted, beginning balance	$	3,381		$	3,154
Purchases/capital contributions/acquisitions		975			1,494
Sales/maturities		(617	)		(1,124	)
Distributions ⁽¹⁾		(226	)		(95	)
Market appreciation(depreciation)/earnings from equity method investments		333			(107	)
Carried interest capital allocations/(distributions)/acquired		141			89
Other		8			(30	)
Investments, as adjusted, ending balance	$	3,995		$	3,381

(1)	Amount includes distributions representing return of capital and return on investments.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

BlackRock Cash Flows Excluding the Impact of Consolidated Sponsored Investment Products

The consolidated statements of cash flows include the cash flows of the consolidated sponsored investment products. The Company uses an adjusted cash flow statement, which excludes the impact of Consolidated Sponsored Investment Products, 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 sponsored investment products, 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 products:

(in millions)	GAAP Basis			Impact on Cash Flows of Consolidated Sponsored Investment Products			Cash Flows Excluding Impact of Consolidated Sponsored Investment Products
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, December 31, 2017	$	7,096		$	207		$	6,889
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities		3,075			(1,181	)		4,256
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities		(808	)		(84	)		(724	)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities		(2,765	)		1,303			(4,068	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(93	)		—			(93	)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(591	)		38			(629	)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, December 31, 2018	$	6,505		$	245		$	6,260
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities		2,884			(1,563	)		4,447
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities		(2,014	)		(110	)		(1,904	)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities		(2,583	)		1,569			(4,152	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		54			—			54
Net increase/(decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(1,659	)		(104	)		(1,555	)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, December 31, 2019	$	4,846		$	141		$	4,705

Sources of BlackRock’s operating cash primarily include investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue, performance fees, technology services revenue, advisory revenue and distribution fees. BlackRock uses its cash to pay for all operating expense, interest and principal on borrowings, income taxes, dividends on BlackRock’s capital stock, repurchases of the Company’s stock, acquisitions, 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 provided by operating activities, excluding the impact of consolidated sponsored investment products, primarily include the receipt of investment advisory and administration fees, securities lending revenue and performance 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 flows used in investing activities, excluding the impact of consolidated sponsored investment products, for 2019 were $1,904 million and primarily reflected $1.5 billion of cash outflow related to the eFront Transaction, $693 million of investment purchases and $254 million of purchases of property and equipment, partially offset by $417 million of net proceeds from sales and maturities of certain investments.

Cash flows used in financing activities, excluding the impact of consolidated sponsored investment products, for 2019 were $4,152 million, primarily resulting from $1.9 billion of share repurchases, including $400 million in open market transactions, a $1.3 billion private transaction and $245 million of employee tax withholdings related to employee stock transactions, $2.1 billion of cash dividend payments, and $1 billion of repayments of long-term borrowings, partially offset by $992 million of proceeds from long-term borrowings.

The Company manages its financial condition and funding to maintain appropriate liquidity for the business. Liquidity resources at December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:

(in millions)	December 31, 2019			December 31, 2018
Cash and cash equivalents⁽¹⁾	$	4,829		$	6,488
Cash and cash equivalents held by consolidated sponsored investment products⁽²⁾		(141	)		(245	)
Subtotal		4,688			6,243
Credit facility — undrawn		4,000			4,000
Total liquidity resources⁽³⁾	$	8,688		$	10,243

(1)	The percentage of cash and cash equivalents held by the Company’s US subsidiaries was approximately 45% and 50% at December 31, 2019 and 2018, 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 $1.4 billion for both 2019 and 2018, which are paid in the first quarter of the following year.

Total liquidity resources decreased $1,555 million during 2019, primarily reflecting cash dividend payments of $2.1 billion, share repurchases of $1.9 billion, reflecting the impact of a $1.3 billion private transaction, and approximately $1.5 billion of cash outflow related to the eFront Transaction, partially offset by cash flows from operating activities.

A significant portion of the Company’s $3,995 million of investments, as adjusted, is illiquid in nature and, as such, cannot be readily convertible to cash.

Share Repurchases. In January 2019, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional seven million shares under the Company’s existing share repurchase program for a total up to approximately 9.9 million shares of BlackRock common stock.

During 2019, the Company repurchased 4.0 million common shares under the share repurchase program for approximately $1.7 billion, including a $1.3 billion private transaction that closed on March 25, 2019. At December 31, 2019, there were 5.9 million shares still authorized to be repurchased.

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 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 deposits or make commercial loans and whose powers are limited to trust and other fiduciary activities. BTC provides investment management and other fiduciary services, including investment advisory and securities lending agency services, to institutional clients. BTC is subject to regulatory capital and liquid asset requirements administered by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company was required to maintain approximately $1.9 billion and $1.8 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 The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the one-time mandatory deemed repatriation tax on untaxed accumulated foreign earnings, US income taxes were provided on the Company’s undistributed foreign earnings. The financial statement basis in excess of tax basis of its foreign subsidiaries remains indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations. The Company will continue to evaluate its capital management plans throughout 2020.

Short-Term Borrowings

2019 Revolving Credit Facility. The Company’s credit facility has an aggregate commitment amount of $4 billion and was amended in March 2019 to extend the maturity date to March 2024 (the “2019 credit facility”). The 2019 credit facility permits the Company to request up to an additional $1 billion of borrowing capacity, subject to lender credit approval, increasing the overall size of the 2019 credit facility to an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5 billion. Interest on borrowings outstanding accrues at a rate based on the applicable London Interbank Offered Rate plus a spread. The 2019 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, 2019. The 2019 credit facility provides back-up liquidity to fund ongoing working capital for general corporate purposes and various investment opportunities. At December 31, 2019, the Company had no amount outstanding under the credit facility.

Commercial Paper Program. The Company can 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 billion. The commercial paper program is currently supported by the 2019 credit facility. At December 31, 2019, BlackRock had no CP Notes outstanding.

Long-Term Borrowings

The carrying value of long-term borrowings at December 31, 2019 included the following:

(in millions)	Maturity Amount		Carrying Value		Maturity
4.25% Notes	$	750	$	749	May 2021
3.375% Notes		750		748	June 2022
3.50% Notes		1,000		996	March 2024
1.25% Notes⁽¹⁾		786		781	May 2025
3.20% Notes		700		695	March 2027
3.25% Notes		1,000		986	April 2029
Total Long-term Borrowings	$	4,986	$	4,955

(1)	The carrying value of the 1.25% Notes is calculated using the EUR/USD foreign exchange rate as of December 31, 2019.

In April 2019, the Company issued $1 billion in aggregate principal amount of 3.25% senior unsecured and unsubordinated notes maturing on April 30, 2029 (the “2029 Notes”). The net proceeds of the 2029 Notes were used for general corporate purposes, which included a portion of the purchase price of the eFront Transaction, repayment of a portion of the $1 billion 5.00% notes in December 2019 and repayment of borrowings under its commercial paper program. Interest is payable semi-annually on April 30 and October 30 of each year, which commenced on October 30, 2019, and is approximately $33 million per year. The 2029 Notes may be redeemed prior to January 30, 2029 in whole or in part at any time, at the option of the Company, at a “make-whole” redemption price or at par thereafter. The unamortized discount and debt issuance costs are being amortized over the remaining term of the 2029 Notes.

In December 2019, the Company fully repaid $1 billion of 5.00% notes at maturity.

In January 2020, the Company issued $1 billion in aggregate principal amount of 2.40% senior unsecured and unsubordinated notes maturing on April 30, 2030 (the “2030 Notes”). The net proceeds of the 2030 Notes will be used for general corporate purposes. Interest of approximately $24 million per year will be payable semi-annually on April 30 and October 30 of each year, commencing April 30, 2020. The 2030 Notes may be redeemed prior to January 30, 2030 in whole or in part at any time, at the option of the Company, at a “make-whole” redemption price or at 100% of the principal amount of the 2030 Notes thereafter. The discount and debt issuance costs will be amortized over the term of the 2030 Notes.

For more information on Company’s borrowings, see Note 15, Borrowings, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Part II, Item 8 of this filing.

Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies

The following table sets forth contractual obligations, commitments and contingencies by year of payment at December 31, 2019:

(in millions)	2020		2021		2022		2023		2024		Thereafter		Total
Contractual obligations and commitments:
Long-term borrowings⁽¹⁾:
Principal	$	—	$	750	$	750	$	—	$	1,000	$	2,486	$	4,986
Interest		157		141		112		100		82		213		805
Operating leases		158		152		141		125		110		1,682		2,368
Purchase obligations		149		98		37		20		12		—		316
Investment commitments		553		—		—		—		—		—		553
Total contractual obligations and commitments		1,017		1,141		1,040		245		1,204		4,381		9,028
Contingent obligations:
Contingent payments related to business acquisitions⁽²⁾		189		19		—		—		—		—		208
Total contractual obligations, commitments and contingent obligations⁽³⁾	$	1,206	$	1,160	$	1,040	$	245	$	1,204	$	4,381	$	9,236

(1)	The amount of principal and interest payments for the 1.25% Notes (issued in Euros) represents the expected payment amounts using the EUR/USD foreign exchange rate as of December 31, 2019.

(2)

The amount of contingent payments reflected for any year represents the expected payments using foreign currency exchange rates as of December 31, 2019. The fair value of the remaining aggregate contingent payments at December 31, 2019 totaled $193 million and is included in other liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

(3)	At December 31, 2019, the Company had approximately $618 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 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.

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). In November 2019, the Company exercised its initial expansion option with respect to two additional floors of approximately 122,000 square feet of office space. The additional space requires approximately $185 million in base rent over its twenty-year term.

For more information on the Company’s operating leases, see Note 13, Leases, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Part II, Item 8 of this filing.

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, 2019, 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, 2019.

Investment Commitments. At December 31, 2019, the Company had $553 million of various capital commitments to fund sponsored investment products, including consolidated sponsored investment products. These products include private equity funds, real assets 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. 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.

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, 2019 totaled $193 million, and is included in other liabilities on the consolidated statements 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 products, 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 investments, or cash and cash equivalents to the extent that it is distributed, and as a deferred carried interest liability on its consolidated statements of financial condition. Carried interest is recorded as performance fees on BlackRock’s consolidated statements of income when fees are no longer probable of significant reversal.

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, 2019. See further discussion in Note 16, Commitments and Contingencies, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Part II, Item 8 of this 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. In connection with securities lending transactions, BlackRock has agreed to indemnify 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. The amount of securities on loan as of December 31, 2019 and subject to this type of indemnification was $210 billion. In the Company’s capacity as lending agent, cash and securities totaling $226 billion was held as collateral for indemnified securities on loan at December 31, 2019. The fair value of these indemnifications was not material at December 31, 2019.

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.

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, 2019 totaled $2,057 million and included annual incentive compensation of $1,372 million, deferred compensation of $399 million and other compensation and benefits related obligations of $286 million. Substantially all of the incentive compensation liability was paid in the first quarter of 2020, while the deferred compensation obligations are payable over various periods, with the majority payable over periods of up to three years.

CRITICAL 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 included in Part II, Item 8 of this filing, including information regarding the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases.

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. Investments that are determined to be VIEs are consolidated if the Company is the primary beneficiary (“PB”) of the entity. BlackRock is deemed to be the PB of a VIE if 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 economic interest of 10% or greater and deconsolidates such VIEs once equity ownership falls below 10%. See Note 6, Consolidated Sponsored Investment Products, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements contained in Part II, Item 8 of this filing for more information.

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 corporate minority investments, which are recorded in other assets, since such investees are considered to be an extension of BlackRock’s core business.

At December 31, 2019, the Company had $943 million and $531 million of equity method investments, included in investments and other assets, respectively, and at December 31, 2018, the Company had $781 million and $459 million of equity method investments included in investments and other assets, respectively.

Other nonequity method corporate minority investments. Other nonequity method corporate minority investments are recorded within other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, these investments totaled $282 million and $199 million, respectively, and included investments in equity securities, which are generally measured at fair value or under the measurement alternative to fair value for nonmarketable securities. Changes in value of these securities are recorded in nonoperating income (expense) on the consolidated statements of income. See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, in the consolidated financial statements contained in Part II, Item 8 of this filing for more information.

Impairments of Investments. 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. See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, in the consolidated financial statements contained in Part II, Item 8 of this filing for more information.

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 contained in Part II, Item 8 of this filing for more information on fair value measurements.

Changes in Valuation. Changes in value on $5,489 million of investments will impact the Company’s nonoperating income (expense), $342 million are held at cost or amortized cost and the remaining $528 million relates to carried interest, which will not impact nonoperating income (expense). At December 31, 2019, changes in fair value of $3,270 million of consolidated sponsored investment products will impact BlackRock’s net income (loss) attributable to NCI on the consolidated statements of income. BlackRock’s net exposure to changes in fair value of consolidated sponsored investment products was $1,776 million.

Leases

The Company determines if a contract is a lease or contains a lease at inception. The identification of whether a contract contains a lease requires judgment, including determining whether there are identified assets in the contract that the Company has control over for a specified period of time in exchange for consideration.

Fixed lease payments are included in the measurement of ROU assets and lease liabilities on the consolidated statement of financial condition. The Company recognizes ROU assets and lease liabilities based on the present value of these future lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date discounted using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate (“IBR”). Management judgment is required in determining the Company’s IBR, including assessing the Company’s credit rating using various financial metrics, such as revenue, operating margin and revenue growth, and, as appropriate, performing market analysis of yields on publicly traded bonds (secured or unsecured) of comparable companies. See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, in the consolidated financial statements contained in Part II, Item 8 of this filing for more information on leases.

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 that 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 if 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. Indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill are not amortized.

Finite-lived management contracts, which relate to acquired separate accounts and funds, investor/customer relationships, and technology related assets that are expected to contribute to the future cash flows of the Company for a specified period of time are amortized over their remaining expected useful lives, which, at December 31, 2019 ranged from 1 to 11 years with a weighted-average remaining estimated useful life of 7.8 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, 2019 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, 2019, the Company’s common stock closed at $502.70, which exceeded its book value of approximately $216.15 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 the Company 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) the Company-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 $97 million, $50 million and $89 million for 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

In 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company performed impairment tests, including evaluating various qualitative factors and performing certain quantitative assessments. The Company determined that no impairment charges were required and that the classification of indefinite-lived versus finite-lived intangibles was still appropriate and no changes were required to the expected lives of the finite-lived intangibles. The Company continuously monitors various factors, including AUM, for potential indicators of impairment.

Contingent Consideration Liabilities

In connection with certain acquisitions, BlackRock is required to make contingent payments, subject to achieving specified performance targets. The fair value of this contingent consideration is estimated at the time of acquisition closing and is included in other liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition. As the fair value of the expected payments amount subsequently changes, the contingent consideration liability is adjusted, resulting in contingent consideration fair value adjustments recorded within general and administration expense of the consolidated statements of income. Cash payments up to the acquisition date fair value amount of the contingent consideration liability are reflected as financing activities with excess (if any) cash payments classified in operating activities. Any cash payments made soon after the acquisition date will be classified in investing activities.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised services to customers in an amount to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those services. The Company enters into contracts that can include multiple services, which are accounted for separately if they are determined to be distinct. Management judgment is required to identify distinct services and involves assessing such factors as whether the promised services significantly modify or customize one another or are highly interdependent or interrelated. Management judgment may be also required when determining the following: when variable consideration is no longer probable of significant reversal (and hence can be included in revenue); whether certain revenue should be presented gross or net of certain related costs; when a promised service transfers to the customer; and the applicable method of measuring progress for services transferred to the customer over time. Many of BlackRock's promised services represent a series of distinct services (e.g., investment advisory services) in which the associated variable consideration (e.g., management fees) is allocated to specific days of service as opposed to over the entire contract term.

Investment advisory and administration fees are recognized as the services are performed over time because the customer is receiving and consuming the benefits as they are provided by the Company. Fees are primarily based on agreed-upon percentages of AUM and recognized for services provided during the period, which are distinct from services provided in other periods. Such fees are affected by changes in AUM, including market appreciation or depreciation, foreign exchange translation and net inflows or outflows. AUM represents the broad range of financial assets the Company manages for clients on a discretionary basis pursuant to investment management and trust 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 determining revenue (for example, net asset values).

The Company earns revenue by lending securities on behalf of clients, primarily to highly rated banks and broker-dealers. The securities loaned are secured by collateral, generally ranging from 102% to 112% of the value of the loaned securities. For 2019, 2018 and 2017, securities lending revenue earned by the Company totaled $617 million, $627 million and $597 million, respectively, and is recorded in investment advisory, administration 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, including incentive allocations (carried interest) 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, which may vary by product or account, and include monthly, quarterly, annual or longer measurement periods.

Performance fees, including carried interest, are recognized when it is determined that they are no longer probable of significant reversal (such as upon the sale of a fund’s investment or when the amount of AUM becomes known as of the end of a specified measurement period). Given the unique nature of each fee arrangement, contracts with customers are evaluated on an individual basis to determine the timing of revenue recognition. Significant judgement is involved in making such determination. Performance fees typically arise from investment management services that began in prior reporting periods. Consequently, a portion of the fees the Company recognizes may be partially related to the services performed in prior periods that meet the recognition criteria in the current period. At each reporting date, the Company considers various factors in estimating performance fees to be recognized, including carried interest. These factors include but are not limited to whether: (1) the fees are dependent on the market and thus are highly susceptible to factors outside the Company’s influence; (2) the fees have a large number and a broad range of possible amounts; and (3) the funds or separately managed accounts have the ability to invest or reinvest their sales proceeds.

The Company is allocated carried interest from certain alternative investment products upon exceeding performance thresholds. The Company may be required to reverse/return all, or part, of such carried interest allocations/distributions depending upon future performance of these funds. Carried interest subject to such clawback provisions is recorded in investments or cash and cash equivalents to the extent that it is distributed, on its consolidated statements of financial condition.

The Company records a liability for deferred carried interest to the extent it receives cash or capital allocations related to carried interest prior to meeting the revenue recognition criteria. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had $483 million and $293 million, respectively, of deferred carried interest recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition. A portion of the deferred carried interest may also be paid to certain employees. The ultimate timing of the recognition of performance fee revenue and related compensation expense, if any, for these products is unknown. See Note 17, Revenue, in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for detailed changes in the deferred carried interest liability balance for 2019 and 2018.

Fees earned for technology services are primarily recorded as services are performed and are generally determined using the value of positions on the Aladdin platform or on a fixed-rate basis. Revenue derived from the sale of software licenses is recognized upon the granting of access rights.

Distribution and service fees earned for distributing investment products and providing support services to investment portfolios, are based on AUM, and are recognized when the amount of fees is known.

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: (1) performance thresholds have been exceeded and (2) management determines the fees are no longer probable of significant reversal.

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, 2019, BlackRock had $900 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits, of which $513 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, 2019, the Company had deferred income tax assets of $175 million and deferred income tax liabilities of $3,734 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.

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 $282 million and current income taxes payables of $293 million at December 31, 2019.

Accounting Developments

For accounting pronouncements that the Company adopted during the year ended December 31, 2019 and for 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, 2019, 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, 2019, the Company had outstanding total return swaps with an aggregate notional value of approximately $644 million. At December 31, 2019, there were no outstanding interest rate swaps.

At December 31, 2019, approximately $3.8 billion of BlackRock’s investments were maintained in consolidated sponsored investment products accounted for as VIEs and VREs. 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 $2.7 billion. See Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Balance Sheet Overview-Investments for further information on the Company’s investments.

Equity Market Price Risk. At December 31, 2019, the Company’s net exposure to equity market price risk in its investment portfolio was approximately $763 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 $76.3 million in the carrying value of such investments.

Interest-Rate/Credit Spread Risk. At December 31, 2019, the Company was exposed to interest rate risk and credit spread risk as a result of approximately $1,944 million of 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 $40 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 $753 million at December 31, 2019. A 10% adverse change in the applicable foreign exchange rates would result in approximately a $75.3 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, 2019, the Company had outstanding forward foreign currency exchange contracts with an aggregate notional value of approximately $3.4 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, 2019 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

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, 2019 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, 2019, 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, 2020

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, 2019, 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, 2019, 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, 2019 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, 2020, 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, 2020

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 – Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports” 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.

The information regarding BlackRock’s Audit Committee under the caption “Item 1: Election of Directors – Corporate Governance – Board Committees” of the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

The information contained in the sections captioned “Management Development & Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Item 2: Approval, in a Non-Binding Advisory Vote, of the Compensation for Named Executive Officers – Executive Compensation – Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Item 1: Election of Directors – Corporate Governance – 2019 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 – Approval, in a Non-Binding Advisory Vote, of the Compensation for Named Executive Officers – Executive Compensation – Compensation Discussion and Analysis – 5. Compensation Policies and Practices – Equity Compensation Plan Information” 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 – Criteria for Board Membership – 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 3: Ratification of the Appointment of the 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

Financial statement 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.

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 5.00% Notes due 2019.
4.4(9)		Form of 4.25% Notes due 2021.
4.5(10)		Form of 3.375% Notes due 2022.
4.6(11)		Form of 3.500% Notes due 2024.
4.7(12)		Form of 1.250% Notes due 2025.
4.8(13)		Form of 3.200% Notes due 2027.
4.9(14)		Form of 3.250% Notes due 2029.
4.10(12)		Officers’ Certificate, dated May 6, 2015, for the 1.250% Notes due 2025 issued pursuant to the Indenture.
4.11		Description of Securities.
10.1(15)		BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+
10.2(16)		Amendment to the BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+
10.3(17)		Amended and Restated BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Annual Incentive Performance Plan.+
10.4(18)		Amendment No. 1 to the BlackRock, Inc. Amended and Restated 1999 Annual Incentive Performance Plan.+
10.5(19)		Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+
10.6(20)		Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (BPIP) under the BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+
10.7(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.+
10.8(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.+
10.9(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.+
10.10(20)		Form of Performance-Based Stock Option Agreement under the BlackRock, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan. +
10.11(15)		BlackRock, Inc. Amended and Restated Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated as of November 16, 2015.+
10.12(21)		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.+
10.13(22)		First Amendment, dated as of February 15, 2006, to the Share Surrender Agreement.+
10.14(23)		Second Amendment, dated as of June 11, 2007, to the Share Surrender Agreement.+
10.15(4)		Third Amendment, dated as of February 27, 2009, to the Share Surrender Agreement.+
10.16(24)		Fourth Amendment, dated as of August 7, 2012, to the Share Surrender Agreement.+
10.17(25)		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.
10.18(26)		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.
10.19(27)		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.
10.20(28)		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.
10.21(29)		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.
10.22(30)		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.
10.23(31)		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.

10.24(32)		Amendment No. 7, dated as of April 3, 2018, 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.
10.25(34)		Amendment No. 8, dated as of March 29, 2019, 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.
10.26(4)		Amended and Restated Implementation and Stockholder Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2009, between The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. and BlackRock.
10.27(33)		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.
10.28(35)		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.
10.29(36)		Lease, by and between BlackRock, Inc. and 50 HYMC Holdings LLC.*
10.30(37)		Letter Agreement, dated February 12, 2013, between Gary S. Shedlin and BlackRock.+
10.31(38)		Amended and Restated Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement between BlackRock and Barclays Capital Inc., dated as of December 23, 2014.
10.32(38)		Amended and Restated Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement between BlackRock and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., dated as of December 23, 2014.
10.33(38)		Amended and Restated Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement between BlackRock and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, dated as of January 6, 2015.
10.34(38)		Amended and Restated Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement between BlackRock and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC dated as of January 6, 2015.
10.35		BlackRock, Inc. Leadership Retention Carry Plan.+
10.36(39)		Form of Percentage Points Award Agreement pursuant to the BlackRock, Inc. Leadership Retention Carry Plan.+
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		Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104		Cover Page formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101

(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 December 10, 2009.

(9)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 25, 2011.

(10)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2012.

(11)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 18, 2014.

(12)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2015.

(13)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2017.

(14)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 29, 2019.

(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 BlackRock’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Form DEF 14A filed on April 13, 2018

(17)	Incorporated by reference to Old BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

(18)	Incorporated by reference to Old BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 24, 2006.

(19)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015

(20)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2018

(21)	Incorporated by reference to Old BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002.

(22)	Incorporated by reference to Old BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 22, 2006.

(23)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 15, 2007.

(24)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012.

(25)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on August 24, 2012.

(26)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 4, 2012.

(27)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 3, 2013.

(28)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2014.

(29)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 3, 2015.

(30)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 14, 2016.

(31)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 11, 2017.

(32)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 6, 2018.

(33)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 17, 2009.

(34)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 29, 2019.

(35)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

(36)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017.

(37)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 19, 2013.

(38)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

(39)	Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2019.

+	Denotes compensatory plans or arrangements.

*	Portions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment order from the SEC

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, 2020

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, 2020
/S/ GARY S. SHEDLIN Gary S. Shedlin	Senior Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)	February 28, 2020
/S/ MARC D. COMERCHERO Marc D. Comerchero	Managing Director and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)	February 28, 2020
/S/ BADER M. ALSAAD	Director	February 28, 2020
Bader M. Alsaad
/S/ MATHIS CABIALLAVETTA	Director	February 28, 2020
Mathis Cabiallavetta
/S/ PAMELA DALEY	Director	February 28, 2020
Pamela Daley
/S/ WILLIAM S. DEMCHAK	Director	February 28, 2020
William S. Demchak
/S/ JESSICA P. EINHORN	Director	February 28, 2020
Jessica P. Einhorn
/S/ WILLIAM E. FORD	Director	February 28, 2020
William E. Ford
/S/ FABRIZIO FREDA	Director	February 28, 2020
Fabrizio Freda
/S/ MURRY S. GERBER	Director	February 28, 2020
Murry S. Gerber
/S/ MARGARET L. JOHNSON	Director	February 28, 2020
Margaret L. Johnson
/S/ ROBERT S. KAPITO	Director	February 28, 2020
Robert S. Kapito
/S/ CHERYL D. MILLS	Director	February 28, 2020
Cheryl D. Mills
/S/ GORDON M. NIXON	Director	February 28, 2020
Gordon M. Nixon
/S/ CHARLES H. ROBBINS	Director	February 28, 2020
Charles H. Robbins
/S/ IVAN G. SEIDENBERG	Director	February 28, 2020
Ivan G. Seidenberg
/S/ MARCO ANTONIO SLIM DOMIT	Director	February 28, 2020
Marco Antonio Slim Domit
/S/ SUSAN L. WAGNER	Director	February 28, 2020
Susan L. Wagner
/S/ MARK WILSON	Director	February 28, 2020
Mark Wilson

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	F-2
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition	F-4
Consolidated Statements of Income	F-5
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	F-6
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity	F-7
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, 2019 and 2018, 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, 2019, 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, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, 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, 2019, 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, 2020, 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.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets — Refer to Notes 2 and 12 to the financial statements

Critical Audit Matter Description

The Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets are comprised of management contracts and trade names/trademarks acquired in business acquisitions. The Company performs its impairment assessment of its indefinite-lived 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 carrying value, the Company performs certain quantitative assessments and assesses various significant qualitative factors. If an indefinite-lived intangible asset is determined to be more likely than not impaired, the fair value of the asset is then 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. The determination of fair value requires management to make estimates and assumptions related to projected assets under management (“AUM”) growth rates, revenue basis points, operating margins, tax rates, and discount rates.

Given the significant judgments made by management to estimate the fair value of its indefinite-lived intangible assets, performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of management’s estimates and assumptions related to projected AUM growth rates, revenue basis points, operating margins, tax rates, and discount rates, required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve our fair value specialists.

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our audit procedures related to the determination of fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets included the following, among others:

•

We tested the design, implementation and operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment analysis, including those related to management’s determination of fair value for the indefinite-lived intangible asset. This includes controls related to management’s projected AUM growth rates, operating margins, tax rates, and the selection of the discount rates.

•

We evaluated the reasonableness of management’s projected AUM growth rates, revenue basis points, operating margins, and tax rates by comparing management’s projections to:

historical amounts,

F-2

internal communications to management and the Board of Directors, and

forecasted information included in analyst and industry reports for the Company and certain of its peer companies.

•

We evaluated management’s ability to accurately project AUM growth rates, operating margins, and tax rates by comparing actual results to management’s historical forecasts.

•

With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the reasonableness of the Company’s valuation methodology and assumptions, including the selection of the discount rate by: (1) tested the source information underlying the determination of the discount rate and the mathematical accuracy of the evaluation and (2) developed a range of independent estimates and compared those to the discount rate selected by management.

•

We evaluated the impact of changes in management’s forecasts from July 31, 2019, the annual impairment assessment date, to December 31, 2019.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche, LLP

New York, New York

February 28, 2020

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2002.

F-3

BlackRock, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

(in millions, except shares and per share data)	December 31, 2019			December 31, 2018
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents⁽¹⁾	$	4,829		$	6,488
Accounts receivable		3,179			2,657
Investments⁽¹⁾		5,489			4,476
Separate account assets		102,844			90,285
Separate account collateral held under securities lending agreements		15,466			20,655
Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $880 and $750 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively)		715			643
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $185 and $244 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively)		18,369			17,839
Goodwill		14,562			13,526
Other assets⁽¹⁾		3,169			3,004
Total assets	$	168,622		$	159,573
Liabilities
Accrued compensation and benefits	$	2,057		$	1,988
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		1,167			1,292
Borrowings		4,955			4,979
Separate account liabilities		102,844			90,285
Separate account collateral liabilities under securities lending agreements		15,466			20,655
Deferred income tax liabilities		3,734			3,571
Other liabilities⁽¹⁾		3,470			3,263
Total liabilities		133,693			126,033
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)
Temporary equity
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		1,316			1,107
Permanent equity
BlackRock, Inc. stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value;		2			2
Shares authorized: 500,000,000 at December 31, 2019 and 2018; Shares issued: 171,252,185 at December 31, 2019 and 2018; Shares outstanding: 154,375,780 and 157,553,501 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively
Series B nonvoting participating preferred stock, $0.01 par value;		—			—
Shares authorized: 150,000,000 at December 31, 2019 and 2018; Shares issued and outstanding: 823,188 at December 31, 2019 and 2018;
Series C nonvoting participating preferred stock, $0.01 par value;		—			—
Shares authorized: 6,000,000 at December 31, 2019 and 2018; Shares issued and outstanding: 0 and 143,458 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively
Additional paid-in capital		19,186			19,168
Retained earnings		21,662			19,282
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(571	)		(691	)
Treasury stock, common, at cost (16,876,405 and 13,698,684 shares held at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively)		(6,732	)		(5,387	)
Total BlackRock, Inc. stockholders’ equity		33,547			32,374
Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests		66			59
Total permanent equity		33,613			32,433
Total liabilities, temporary equity and permanent equity	$	168,622		$	159,573

(1)

For 2019, cash and cash equivalents, investments, other assets and other liabilities include $131 million, $3,301 million, $68 million, and $820 million, respectively, related to consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”). For 2018, cash and cash equivalents, investments, other assets and other liabilities include $186 million, $2,680 million, $876 million, and $1,374 million, respectively, related to consolidated VIEs.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-4

BlackRock, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Income

(in millions, except shares and per share data)	2019			2018			2017
Revenue
Investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue:
Related parties	$	8,323		$	8,226		$	7,692
Other third parties		3,454			3,327			3,176
Total investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue		11,777			11,553			10,868
Investment advisory performance fees		450			412			594
Technology services revenue		974			785			657
Distribution fees		1,069			1,155			1,183
Advisory and other revenue		269			293			298
Total revenue		14,539			14,198			13,600
Expense
Employee compensation and benefits		4,470			4,320			4,253
Distribution and servicing costs		1,685			1,675			1,663
Direct fund expense		978			998			895
General and administration		1,758			1,638			1,446
Restructuring charge		—			60			—
Amortization of intangible assets		97			50			89
Total expense		8,988			8,741			8,346
Operating income		5,551			5,457			5,254
Nonoperating income (expense)
Net gain (loss) on investments		342			1			161
Interest and dividend income		97			104			49
Interest expense		(203	)		(184	)		(205	)
Total nonoperating income (expense)		236			(79	)		5
Income before income taxes		5,787			5,378			5,259
Income tax expense		1,261			1,076			270
Net income		4,526			4,302			4,989
Less:
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		50			(3	)		37
Net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc.	$	4,476		$	4,305		$	4,952
Earnings per share attributable to BlackRock, Inc. common stockholders:
Basic	$	28.69		$	26.86		$	30.54
Diluted	$	28.43		$	26.58		$	30.12
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic		156,014,343			160,301,116			162,160,601
Diluted		157,459,546			161,948,732			164,415,035

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-5

BlackRock, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(in millions)	2019		2018			2017
Net income	$	4,526	$	4,302		$	4,989
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments⁽¹⁾		120		(253	)		284
Other comprehensive income (loss)		120		(253	)		284
Comprehensive income		4,646		4,049			5,273
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		50		(3	)		37
Comprehensive income attributable to BlackRock, Inc.	$	4,596	$	4,052		$	5,236

(1)	Amounts for 2019 and 2018 include gains from a net investment hedge of $11 million (net of tax expense of $3 million) and $30 million (net of tax expense of $10 million), respectively. Amount for 2017 includes a loss from a net investment hedge of $64 million (net of tax benefit of $38 million).

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-6

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		$	13,650		$	(716	)	$	(3,185	)	$	29,088		$	52		$	29,140		$	194
Net income		—			4,952			—			—			4,952			2			4,954			35
Dividends declared ($10.00 per share)		—			(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			(1	)		—			—			2			—			2			—
December 31, 2017	$	19,258		$	16,939		$	(432	)	$	(3,967	)	$	31,798		$	50		$	31,848		$	416
Net income		—			4,305			—			—			4,305			—			4,305			(3	)
Dividends declared ($12.02 per share)		—			(1,968	)		—			—			(1,968	)		—			(1,968	)		—
Stock-based compensation		564			—			—			—			564			—			564			—
PNC preferred stock capital contribution		58			—			—			—			58			—			58			—
Retirement of preferred stock		(58	)		—			—			—			(58	)		—			(58	)		—
Issuance of common shares related to employee stock transactions		(652	)		—			—			667			15			—			15			—
Employee tax withholdings related to employee stock transactions		—			—			—			(427	)		(427	)		—			(427	)		—
Shares repurchased		—			—			—			(1,660	)		(1,660	)		—			(1,660	)		—
Subscriptions (redemptions/distributions) — noncontrolling interest holders		—			—			—			—			—			9			9			1,254
Net consolidations (deconsolidations) of sponsored investment funds		—			—			—			—			—			—			—			(560	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		—			—			(253	)		—			(253	)		—			(253	)		—
Adoption of new accounting pronouncement		—			6			(6	)		—			—			—			—			—
December 31, 2018	$	19,170		$	19,282		$	(691	)	$	(5,387	)	$	32,374		$	59		$	32,433		$	1,107
Net income		—			4,476			—			—			4,476			7			4,483			43
Dividends declared ($13.20 per share)		—			(2,096	)		—			—			(2,096	)		—			(2,096	)		—
Stock-based compensation		567			—			—			—			567			—			567			—
PNC preferred stock capital contribution		60			—			—			—			60			—			60			—
Retirement of preferred stock		(60	)		—			—			—			(60	)		—			(60	)		—
Issuance of common shares related to employee stock transactions		(549	)		—			—			566			17			—			17			—
Employee tax withholdings related to employee stock transactions		—			—			—			(245	)		(245	)		—			(245	)		—
Shares repurchased		—			—			—			(1,666	)		(1,666	)		—			(1,666	)		—
Subscriptions (redemptions/distributions) — noncontrolling interest holders		—			—			—			—			—			2			2			1,456
Net consolidations (deconsolidations) of sponsored investment funds		—			—			—			—			—			(2	)		(2	)		(1,290	)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		—			—			120			—			120			—			120			—
December 31, 2019	$	19,188		$	21,662		$	(571	)	$	(6,732	)	$	33,547		$	66		$	33,613		$	1,316

(1)	Amounts include $2 million of common stock at December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-7

BlackRock, Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in millions)	2019			2018			2017
Operating activities
Net income	$	4,526		$	4,302		$	4,989
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		405			220			240
Stock-based compensation		567			564			542
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)		17			(226	)		(1,221	)
Contingent consideration fair value adjustments		53			65			8
Other gains		(30	)		(50	)		—
Net (gains) losses within consolidated sponsored investment products		(254	)		149			(218	)
Net (purchases) proceeds within consolidated sponsored investment products		(1,746	)		(1,938	)		(570	)
(Earnings) losses from equity method investees		(116	)		(94	)		(122	)
Distributions of earnings from equity method investees		70			30			35
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(433	)		4			(521	)
Investments, trading		(21	)		179			146
Other assets		141			(223	)		(173	)
Accrued compensation and benefits		58			(230	)		276
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(111	)		43			308
Other liabilities		(242	)		280			231
Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities		2,884			3,075			3,950
Investing activities
Purchases of investments		(693	)		(327	)		(489	)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments		417			449			166
Distributions of capital from equity method investees		136			24			32
Net consolidations (deconsolidations) of sponsored investment funds		(110	)		(51	)		(60	)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired		(1,510	)		(699	)		(102	)
Purchases of property and equipment		(254	)		(204	)		(155	)
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities		(2,014	)		(808	)		(608	)
Financing activities
Proceeds from long-term borrowings		992			—			697
Repayments of long-term borrowings		(1,000	)		—			(700	)
Cash dividends paid		(2,096	)		(1,968	)		(1,662	)
Repurchases of common stock		(1,911	)		(2,087	)		(1,421	)
Net proceeds from (repayments of) borrowings by consolidated sponsored investment products		111			40			—
Net (redemptions/distributions paid)/subscriptions received from noncontrolling interest holders		1,458			1,263			464
Other financing activities		(137	)		(13	)		(8	)
Net cash provided by/(used in) financing activities		(2,583	)		(2,765	)		(2,630	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		54			(93	)		192
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(1,659	)		(591	)		904
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of year		6,505			7,096			6,192
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of year	$	4,846		$	6,505		$	7,096
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for:
Interest	$	193		$	177		$	205
Income taxes (net of refunds)	$	1,168		$	1,159		$	1,124
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing transactions:
Issuance of common stock	$	549		$	652		$	626
PNC preferred stock capital contribution	$	60		$	58		$	193
Increase (decrease) in noncontrolling interests due to net consolidation (deconsolidation) of sponsored investment funds	$	(1,292	)	$	(560	)	$	(281	)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-8

BlackRock, Inc.

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Business Overview

BlackRock’s diverse platform of alpha-seeking active, index and cash management 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 technology services, including the investment and risk management technology platform, Aladdin^®, Aladdin Wealth, eFront, Cachematrix and FutureAdvisor, as well as advisory services and solutions to a broad base of institutional and wealth management clients.

At December 31, 2019, The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”) held 22.0% of the Company’s voting common stock and 22.4% of the Company’s capital stock, which includes outstanding common and nonvoting preferred stock.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

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 (“NCI”) 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 prior period presentations and disclosures, while not required to be recast, were reclassified to ensure comparability with current period classifications. The prior year amounts related to the Company’s consolidated variable interest entities have been reclassified to cash and cash equivalents, investments, other assets and other liabilities within the Company’s consolidated statement of financial condition for consistency with the current year’s presentation. In addition, conforming changes were made to the prior year amounts within the statements of cash flows and the related notes to the consolidated financial statements. The reclassifications had no effect on the previously reported total stockholders’ equity, results of operations, or cash flows from operating, investing or financing activities.

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2019

Leases. In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases, and several amendments (collectively, “ASU 2016-02”), which requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities arising from most operating leases on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 on its effective date of January 1, 2019 on a modified retrospective basis and elected not to apply ASU 2016-02 to the comparative periods presented. Under this transition method, any cumulative effect adjustment is recognized in the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Company elected the package of practical expedients to alleviate certain operational complexities related to the adoption, which allowed the Company to carry forward the existing lease classification. The Company elected to account for lease and non-lease components as a single component for its leases. The Company also elected the short-term lease practical expedient. Consequently, leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the consolidated statement of financial condition. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-02, the Company recorded a net increase of approximately $0.7 billion in its assets and liabilities related to the right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and lease liability for its operating leases. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 did not have a material impact on the consolidated statement of income or cash flows. See Note 13, Leases, for more information.

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 VIEs and voting rights entities (“VREs”) are not considered legally restricted and are included in cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Investments

Investments in Debt Securities. The Company classifies debt investments as available-for-sale, held-to-maturity or trading based on the Company’s intent to sell the security or, its intent and ability to hold the debt security to maturity.

Available-for-sale securities are those securities that are not classified as trading or held-to-maturity. Available-for-sale securities include certain investments in collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) and are carried at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition with changes in fair value recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) within 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 AOCI to nonoperating income (expense) on the consolidated statements of income.

F-9

Held-to-maturity 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.

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. Trading securities include certain investments in CLOs for which the fair value option is elected in order to reduce operational complexity of bifurcating embedded derivatives.

Investments in Equity Securities. Equity securities are generally carried at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition with changes in the fair value recorded through net income (“FVTNI”) within nonoperating income (expense). For nonmarketable equity securities, the Company generally elects to apply the practicality exception to fair value measurement, under which such securities will be measured at cost, less impairment, plus or minus observable price changes for identical or similar securities of the same issuer with such changes recorded in the consolidated statements of income. Dividends received are recorded as dividend income within nonoperating income (expense).

Equity Method. The Company applies the equity method of accounting for equity investments where the Company does not consolidate the investee, but can exert significant influence over the financial and operating policies of the investee. The Company’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 corporate minority investments since such investees are considered to be an extension of the Company’s core business. The Company’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 reduce the Company’s carrying value of the investee and the cost basis if deemed to be a return of capital.

Impairments of Investments. Management periodically assesses equity method, available-for-sale and held-to-maturity investments for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”). If an OTTI exists, an impairment charge would be recorded for the excess of the carrying amount of the investment over its estimated fair value in the consolidated statements of income.

For equity method investments and held-to-maturity 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.

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.

In addition, for nonmarketable equity securities that are accounted for under the measurement alternative to fair value, the Company applies the impairment model that does not require the Company to consider whether the impairment is other-than-temporary.

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 primary beneficiary (“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 at risk 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 economic 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 or equity securities FVTNI if the Company still maintains an investment.

F-10

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. 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 2019 and 2018, the Company had not resold or repledged any of the collateral received under these arrangements. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the fair value of loaned securities held by separate accounts was approximately $14.4 billion and $18.9 billion, respectively, and the fair value of the collateral held under these securities lending agreements was approximately $15.5 billion and $20.7 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.

The Company capitalizes certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software within property and equipment. Capitalized software costs are amortized, beginning when the software product 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 31^st.

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, and technology-related assets that are expected to contribute to the future cash flows of the Company for a specified period of time, 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 at least annually, as of July 31^st. 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.

F-11

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 sponsored investment products. Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests is not adjusted for income taxes for consolidated sponsored 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 sponsored 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. Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised services to customers in an amount to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those services. The Company enters into contracts that can include multiple services, which are accounted for separately if they are determined to be distinct. Consideration for the Company’s services is generally in the form of variable consideration because the amount of fees is subject to market conditions that are outside of the Company’s influence. The Company includes variable consideration in revenue when it is no longer probable of significant reversal, i.e. when the associated uncertainty is resolved. For some contracts with customers, the Company has discretion to involve a third party in providing services to the customer. Generally, the Company is deemed to be the principal in these arrangements because the Company controls the promised services before they are transferred to customers, and accordingly presents the revenue gross of related costs.

Investment Advisory, Administration Fees and Securities Lending Revenue. Investment advisory and administration fees are recognized as the services are performed over time because the customer is receiving and consuming the benefits as they are provided by the Company. Fees are primarily based on agreed-upon percentages of AUM and recognized for services provided during the period, which are distinct from services provided in other periods. Such 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 fee waivers. In addition, the Company may contract with third parties to provide sub-advisory services on its behalf. The Company presents the investment advisory fees and associated costs to such third-party advisors on a gross basis where it is deemed to be the principal and on a net basis where it is deemed to be the agent. Management judgment involved in making these assessments is focused on ascertaining whether the Company is primarily responsible for fulfilling the promised service.

The Company earns revenue by lending securities on behalf of clients, primarily to highly rated banks and broker-dealers. Revenue is recognized over time as services are performed. Generally, the securities lending fees 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, including incentive allocations (carried interest) 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, which may vary by product or account, and include monthly, quarterly, annual or longer measurement periods.

F-12

The Company records a liability for deferred carried interest to the extent it receives cash or capital allocations related to carried interest prior to meeting the revenue recognition criteria. A portion of the deferred carried interest may also be paid to certain employees. The ultimate timing of the recognition of performance fee revenue and related compensation expense, if any, for these products is unknown.

Technology services revenue. The Company offers investment management technology systems, risk management services, wealth management and digital distribution tools, all on a fee basis. Clients include banks, insurance companies, official institutions, pension funds, asset managers, retail distributors and other investors. Fees earned for technology services are primarily recorded as services are performed over time and are generally determined using the value of positions on the Aladdin platform, or a fixed-rate basis. Revenue derived from the sale of software licenses is recognized upon the granting of access rights.

Distribution Fees. The Company earns distribution and service fees for distributing investment products and providing ongoing shareholder support services to investment portfolios. Distribution fees are passed-through to third-party distributors, which perform various fund distribution services and shareholder servicing of certain funds on the Company’s behalf, and are recognized as distribution and servicing costs. The Company presents distribution fees and related distribution and servicing costs incurred on a gross basis.

Distribution fees primarily consist of ongoing distribution fees, shareholder servicing fees and upfront sales commissions for serving as the principal underwriter and/or distributor for certain managed mutual funds. The service of distribution is satisfied at the point in time when an investor makes an investment in a share class of the managed mutual funds. Fees are generally considered variable consideration because they are based on the value of AUM and are uncertain on trade date. Accordingly, the Company recognizes distribution fees over the investment period as the amounts become known and the portion recognized in the current period may relate to distribution services performed in prior periods. Upfront sales commissions are recognized on a trade date basis. Shareholder servicing fees are based on AUM and recognized in revenue as the services are performed.

Advisory and other revenue. Advisory and other revenue primarily includes fees earned for advisory services, fees earned for transition management services primarily comprised of commissions recognized in connection with buying and selling securities on behalf of customers, and equity method investment earnings related to certain corporate minority investments.

Advisory services fees are determined using fixed-rate fees and are recognized over time as the related services are completed.

Commissions related to transition management services are recorded on a trade-date basis as transactions occur.

Stock-based Compensation. The Company recognizes compensation cost for equity classified awards 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 and is adjusted for actual forfeitures as they occur.

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.

The Company recognizes all excess tax benefits and deficiencies in income tax expense on the consolidated statements of income, which results in volatility of income tax expense as a result of fluctuations in the Company’s stock price. Accordingly, the Company recorded a discrete income tax benefit of $23 million, $64 million and $151 million during 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, for vested RSUs where the grant date stock price was lower than the vesting date stock price. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur.

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.

Direct Fund Expense. Direct fund expense, which is expensed as incurred, primarily consists of third-party nonadvisory expense 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 expense directly attributable to the nonadvisory operations of the fund.

Leases. The Company determines if a contract is a lease or contains a lease at inception. The Company accounts for its office facility leases as operating leases, which may include escalation clauses that are based on an index or market rate. The Company accounts for lease and non-lease components as a single component for its leases. The Company elected the short-term lease exception for leases with an initial term of 12 months or less. Consequently, such leases are not recorded on the consolidated statement of financial condition. The Company’s lease terms include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain they will be exercised or not, respectively.

F-13

Fixed lease payments are included in ROU assets and lease liabilities within other assets and other liabilities, respectively, on the consolidated statement of financial condition. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of these future lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date using the Company’s incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate. Fixed lease payments made over the lease term are recorded as lease expense on a straight-line basis. Variable lease payments based on usage, changes in an index or market rate are expensed as incurred.

Upon adoption of ASU 2016-02, for existing leases, the Company elected to determine the discount rate based on the remaining lease term as of January 1, 2019 and for lease payments based on an index or rate to apply the rate at commencement date. For new leases, the discount rates are based on the entire noncancelable lease term.

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 US dollars are included in AOCI, 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.

Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation are recognized as an income tax benefit on the consolidated statements of income and are reflected as operating cash flows on the consolidated statements of 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.

Fair Value Measurements

Hierarchy of Fair Value Inputs. The Company uses a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation approaches 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, investments in CLOs, bank loans, 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, investments in CLOs and bank loans of a consolidated CLO.

•

Level 3 liabilities include contingent liabilities related to acquisitions valued based upon discounted cash flow analyses using unobservable market data and borrowings of a consolidated CLO.

F-14

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 Approaches. The fair values of certain Level 3 assets and liabilities were determined using various valuation approaches as appropriate, including third-party pricing vendors, broker quotes and market and income approaches.

A significant number of inputs used to value equity, debt securities, investments in CLOs and bank loans 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.

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 NAV. As a practical expedient, the Company uses net asset value (“NAV”) as the fair value for certain investments. The inputs to value these investments may include the Company’s capital accounts for its partnership interests in various alternative investments, including hedge funds, real assets 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 could be used as an input to value these investments.

Fair Value Assets and Liabilities of Consolidated CLO. The Company applies the fair value option provisions for eligible assets, including bank loans, held by a consolidated CLO. As the fair value of the financial assets of the consolidated CLO is more observable than the fair value of the borrowings of the consolidated CLO, the Company measures the fair value of the borrowings of the consolidated CLO as the fair value of the assets of the consolidated CLO less the fair value of the Company’s economic interest in the CLO.

Derivatives 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. However, certain consolidated sponsored investment funds may also utilize 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 not US dollars. The gain or loss from revaluing accounting hedges of net investments in foreign operations at the spot rate is deferred and reported within AOCI on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Amounts excluded from the effectiveness assessment are reported in the consolidated statements of income using a systematic and rational method. The Company reassesses the effectiveness of its net investment hedge at least quarterly.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted in 2019

Measurement of Credit Losses. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), which significantly changes the accounting and disclosures for credit losses for most financial assets. The new guidance requires an estimate of expected lifetime credit losses and eliminates the existing recognition thresholds under current models. The adoption of ASU 2016-13, which was effective for the Company on January 1, 2020, did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

3. Acquisition

The purchase price was funded through a combination of existing cash and issuance of commercial paper (subsequently repaid with existing cash) and long-term notes in April 2019. See Note 15, Borrowings, for information on the debt issuance in April 2019.

The purchase price for the eFront Transaction was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values at the date of the transaction. The goodwill recognized in connection with the acquisition is non-deductible for tax purposes and is primarily attributable to anticipated synergies from the transaction.

F-15

Goodwill, finite-lived intangible assets and deferred income tax liabilities were retrospectively adjusted to reflect new information obtained about facts that existed as of May 10, 2019, the eFront acquisition date. There was no material change to the consolidated statements of income for the year ended December 31, 2019 as a result of these adjustments. A summary of the initial and revised fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in this acquisition is as follows⁽¹⁾:

	Initial			Revised
	Estimate of			Estimate of
(in millions)	Fair Value			Fair Value
Accounts receivable	$	65		$	61
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Customer relationships⁽²⁾		452			400
Technology-related⁽³⁾		205			203
Trade name⁽⁴⁾		21			14
Goodwill		990			1,044
Other assets		31			49
Deferred income tax liabilities		(194	)		(146	)
Other liabilities assumed		(64	)		(125	)
Total consideration, net of cash acquired	$	1,506		$	1,500

Summary of consideration, net of cash acquired:
Cash paid including settlement of outstanding debt of approximately $0.2 billion	$	1,555		$	1,555
Cash acquired		(49	)		(55	)
Total consideration, net of cash acquired	$	1,506		$	1,500

⁽¹⁾	At this time, the Company does not expect additional material changes to the value of the assets acquired or liabilities assumed in conjunction with the transaction.

⁽²⁾	The fair value was determined based on the excess earnings method (a Level 3 input), has a weighted-average estimated useful life of approximately 10 years and is amortized using the accelerated amortization method.

⁽³⁾	The fair value was determined based upon a relief from royalty method (a Level 3 input), has a weighted-average estimated useful life of approximately eight years and is amortized using the accelerated amortization method.

⁽⁴⁾	The fair value was determined using a relief from royalty method (a Level 3 input), has an estimated useful life of approximately four years and is amortized using the accelerated amortization method.

Finite-lived intangible assets in the table above are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range from four to 10 years. Amortization expense related to the finite-lived intangible assets was $38 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The finite-lived intangible assets had a weighted-average remaining useful life of approximately nine years with remaining amortization expense as follows:

(in millions)
Year	Amount
2020	$	60
2021		64
2022		68
2023		69
2024		71
Thereafter		247
Total	$	579

For the year ended December 31, 2019, eFront contributed $96 million of revenue and did not have a material impact to net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc. Consequently, the Company has not presented pro forma combined results of operations for this acquisition.

4. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents reported within the consolidated statements of financial condition to the cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the consolidated statements of cash flows.

	December 31,		December 31,
(in millions)	2019		2018
Cash and cash equivalents	$	4,829	$	6,488
Restricted cash included in other assets		17		17
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	4,846	$	6,505

F-16

5. Investments

A summary of the carrying value of total investments is as follows:

(in millions)	December 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Debt securities:
Held-to-maturity investments	$	249	$	188
Trading securities		1,249		1,660
Total debt securities		1,498		1,848
Equity securities at FVTNI		1,926		1,021
Equity method investments⁽¹⁾		943		781
Bank loans		204		84
Federal Reserve Bank stock⁽²⁾		93		92
Carried interest⁽³⁾		528		387
Other investments⁽⁴⁾		297		263
Total investments	$	5,489	$	4,476

⁽¹⁾	Equity method investments primarily include BlackRock’s direct investments in certain BlackRock sponsored investment funds.

⁽²⁾	At both December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no indicators of impairment of Federal Reserve Bank stock, which is held for regulatory purposes and is restricted from sale.

⁽³⁾

Carried interest of consolidated sponsored investment funds 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⁾	Other investments include BlackRock’s investments in nonmarketable equity securities, which are measured at cost, adjusted for observable price changes and private equity and real assets investments of consolidated sponsored investment products.

Available-for-Sale Investments

A summary of sale activity of available-for-sale during 2019, 2018 and 2017 is shown below.

	Year ended December 31,
(in millions)	2019		2018		2017
Sales proceeds	$	—	$	173	$	—
Net realized gain (loss):
Gross realized gains	$	—	$	—	$	—
Gross realized losses		—		—		—
Net realized gain (loss)	$	—	$	—	$	—

There were no available-for-sale investments at both December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Held-to-Maturity Investments

The carrying value of held-to-maturity investments was $249 million and $188 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Held-to-maturity investments included certain investments in BlackRock sponsored CLOs and foreign government debt held primarily for regulatory purposes. The amortized cost (carrying value) of these investments approximated fair value (primarily a Level 2 input). At December 31, 2019, $80 million of these investments mature between five years to ten years and $169 million mature after ten years.

Equity and Trading Debt Securities

A summary of the cost and carrying value of equity and trading debt securities is as follows:

	December 31, 2019				December 31, 2018
(in millions)	Cost		Carrying Value		Cost		Carrying Value
Trading debt securities:
Corporate debt	$	822	$	844	$	800	$	798
Government debt		268		269		771		756
Asset/mortgage backed debt		141		136		115		106
Total trading debt securities	$	1,231	$	1,249	$	1,686	$	1,660
Equity securities at FVTNI:
Deferred compensation plan mutual funds	$	6	$	23	$	21	$	34
Equity securities/multi-asset mutual funds		1,763		1,903		995		987
Total equity securities at FVTNI	$	1,769	$	1,926	$	1,016	$	1,021

6. Consolidated Sponsored Investment Products

The Company consolidates certain sponsored investment funds accounted for as VREs because it is deemed to control such funds.

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’s consolidated VIEs include certain sponsored investment products 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 products and the right to receive benefits (or the obligation to absorb losses) that could potentially be significant to these sponsored investment products. 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.

F-17

The following table presents the balances related to these consolidated sponsored investment products accounted for as VIEs and VREs that were recorded on the consolidated statements of financial condition, including BlackRock’s net interest in these products:

	December 31, 2019									December 31, 2018
(in millions)	VIEs			VREs			Total			VIEs			VREs			Total
Cash and cash equivalents	$	131		$	10		$	141		$	186		$	59		$	245
Investments:
Trading debt securities		1,059			151			1,210			1,395			233		$	1,628
Equity securities at FVTNI		1,330			332			1,662			569			291			860
Bank loans		204			—			204			84			—			84
Other investments		194			—			194			263			—			263
Carried interest		514			—			514			369			—			369
Total investments		3,301			483			3,784			2,680			524			3,204
Other assets		68			5			73			876			8			884
Other liabilities⁽¹⁾		(820	)		(20	)		(840	)		(1,374	)		(53	)		(1,427	)
Noncontrolling interests		(1,348	)		(34	)		(1,382	)		(1,076	)		(90	)		(1,166	)
BlackRock's net interest in consolidated investment products	$	1,332		$	444		$	1,776		$	1,292		$	448		$	1,740

(1)	At December 31, 2019 and 2018, other liabilities of VIEs include $195 million and $84 million, respectively, related to borrowings of a consolidated CLO.

BlackRock’s total exposure to consolidated sponsored investment products represents the value of its economic ownership interest in these sponsored investment products. Valuation changes associated with investments held at fair value by these consolidated sponsored investment products are reflected in nonoperating income (expense) and partially offset in net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests for the portion not attributable to BlackRock.

The Company cannot readily access cash and cash equivalents held by consolidated sponsored investment products to use in its operating activities.

Net gain (loss) related to consolidated VIEs is presented in the following table:

(in millions)	2019			2018			2017
Nonoperating net gain (loss) on consolidated VIEs	$	210	$	(105	)	$	118

Net income (loss) attributable to NCI on consolidated VIEs	$	42	$	(6	)	$	33

7. Variable Interest Entities

Nonconsolidated VIEs. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, 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, 2019	Investments		Advisory Fee Receivables		Other Net Assets (Liabilities)			Maximum Risk of Loss⁽¹⁾
Sponsored investment products	$	539	$	71	$	(10	)	$	627
At December 31, 2018
Sponsored investment products	$	348	$	43	$	(6	)	$	408

(1)	At December 31, 2019 and 2018, BlackRock’s maximum risk of loss associated with these VIEs primarily related to BlackRock’s investments and the collection of advisory fee receivables.

The net assets of sponsored investment products that are nonconsolidated VIEs approximated $12 billion and $9 billion at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

F-18

8. Fair Value Disclosures

Fair Value Hierarchy

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

December 31, 2019 (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⁽²⁾		December 31, 2019
Assets:
Investments
Debt securities:
Held-to-maturity investments	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	249	$	249
Trading securities		—		1,241		8		—		—		1,249
Total debt securities		—		1,241		8		—		249		1,498
Equity securities at FVTNI:
Deferred compensation plan mutual funds		23		—		—		—		—		23
Equity securities/Multi-asset mutual funds		1,903		—		—		—		—		1,903
Total equity securities at FVTNI		1,926		—		—		—		—		1,926
Equity method:
Equity and fixed income mutual funds		157		—		—		—		—		157
Hedge funds/funds of hedge funds		—		—		—		220		—		220
Private equity funds		—		—		—		248		—		248
Real assets funds		—		—		—		296		—		296
Other		12		—		—		10		—		22
Total equity method		169		—		—		774		—		943
Bank loans		—		27		177		—		—		204
Federal Reserve Bank Stock		—		—		—		—		93		93
Carried interest		—		—		—		—		528		528
Other investments⁽³⁾		—		—		9		98		190		297
Total investments		2,095		1,268		194		872		1,060		5,489
Other assets⁽⁴⁾		173		—		—		—		—		173
Separate account assets		72,515		29,582		—		—		747		102,844
Separate account collateral held under securities lending agreements:
Equity securities		10,209		—		—		—		—		10,209
Debt securities		—		5,257		—		—		—		5,257
Total separate account collateral held under securities lending agreements		10,209		5,257		—		—		—		15,466
Total	$	84,992	$	36,107	$	194	$	872	$	1,807		123,972
Liabilities:
Separate account collateral liabilities under securities lending agreements	$	10,209	$	5,257	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	15,466
Other liabilities⁽⁵⁾		—		10		388		—		—		398
Total	$	10,209	$	5,267	$	388	$	—	$	—	$	15,864

⁽¹⁾	Amounts are comprised of certain investments measured at fair value using NAV (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient.

⁽²⁾

Amounts are comprised of investments held at amortized cost and cost, adjusted for observable price changes, 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⁾	Amount includes a minority investment in a publicly traded company.

⁽⁵⁾

Amounts primarily include contingent liabilities related to certain acquisitions (see Note 16, Commitments and Contingencies, for more information) and other liabilities of a consolidated CLO classified based on the significance of unobservable inputs used for calculating the fair value of consolidated CLO assets.

F-19

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

December 31, 2018 (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⁽²⁾		December 31, 2018
Assets:
Investments
Debt securities:
Held-to-maturity investments	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	188	$	188
Trading securities		—		1,656		4		—		—		1,660
Total debt securities		—		1,656		4		—		188		1,848
Equity securities at FVTNI:
Deferred compensation plan mutual funds		34		—		—		—		—		34
Equity securities/Multi-asset mutual funds		987		—		—		—		—		987
Total equity securities at FVTNI		1,021		—		—		—		—		1,021
Equity method:
Equity and fixed income mutual funds		122		—		—		—		—		122
Hedge funds/funds of hedge funds		—		—		—		173		—		173
Private equity funds		—		—		—		116		—		116
Real assets funds		—		—		—		353		—		353
Other		—		—		—		14		3		17
Total equity method		122		—		—		656		3		781
Bank loans		—		14		70		—		—		84
Federal Reserve Bank Stock		—		—		—		—		92		92
Carried interest		—		—		—		—		387		387
Other investments⁽³⁾		—		—		82		106		75		263
Total investments		1,143		1,670		156		762		745		4,476
Other assets⁽⁴⁾		122		—		—		—		—		122
Separate account assets		63,610		25,810		—		—		865		90,285
Separate account collateral held under securities lending agreements:
Equity securities		15,066		—		—		—		—		15,066
Debt securities		—		5,589		—		—		—		5,589
Total separate account collateral held under securities lending agreements		15,066		5,589		—		—		—		20,655
Total	$	79,941	$	33,069	$	156	$	762	$	1,610	$	115,538
Liabilities:
Separate account collateral liabilities under securities lending agreements	$	15,066	$	5,589	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	20,655
Other liabilities⁽⁵⁾		—		6		371		—		—		377
Total	$	15,066	$	5,595	$	371	$	—	$	—	$	21,032

⁽¹⁾	Amounts are comprised of certain investments measured at fair value using NAV (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient.

⁽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⁾	Amount includes a minority investment in a publicly traded company.

⁽⁵⁾

F-20

Level 3 Assets. Level 3 assets may include investments in CLOs and bank loans of consolidated CLOs, which were valued based on single-broker nonbinding quotes and direct private equity investments, which were valued using the market or income approach as described below.

Level 3 investments of $194 million and $156 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, included bank loans of a consolidated CLO, investments in CLOs and 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 a discounted cash flow valuation technique, a significant increase (decrease) in the discount rate, risk premium or discount for lack of marketability in isolation could have resulted in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement as of December 31, 2019. For investments utilizing the market-comparable valuation technique, a significant increase (decrease) in a valuation multiple in isolation could have resulted in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement as of December 31, 2019.

Level 3 Liabilities. Level 3 liabilities primarily include contingent liabilities associated with certain acquisitions, which were valued based upon discounted cash flow analyses using unobservable market data inputs and borrowings of a consolidated CLO, which were valued based on the fair value of the assets of the consolidated CLO less the fair value of the Company’s economic interest in the CLO.

F-21

Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for 2019

(in millions)	December 31, 2018		Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses)			Purchases		Sales and Maturities		Issuances and Other Settlements⁽¹⁾			Transfers into Level 3		Transfers out of Level 3⁽²⁾			December 31, 2019		Total Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings⁽³⁾
Assets:
Investments:
Debt securities:
Trading	$	4	$	—		$	10	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	(6	)	$	8	$	—
Total debt securities		4		—			10		—		—			—		(6	)		8		—
Private equity		82		—			—		—		—			—		(73	)		9		—
Bank loans⁽⁴⁾		70		—			107		—		—			—		—			177		—
Total investments		156		—			117		—		—			—		(79	)		194		—
Total Level 3 assets	$	156	$	—		$	117	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	(79	)	$	194	$	—
Liabilities:
Other liabilities⁽⁴⁾	$	371	$	(53	)	$	—	$	—	$	(36	)	$	—	$	—		$	388	$	(53	)
Total Level 3 liabilities	$	371	$	(53	)	$	—	$	—	$	(36	)	$	—	$	—		$	388	$	(53	)

(1)	Amounts include proceeds from borrowings of a consolidated CLO and contingent liability payments in connection with certain prior acquisitions.

(2)	Amounts include an investment in a consolidated entity that no longer qualifies as an investment company and is no longer accounted for under a fair value measure.

(3)	Earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date.

(4)	Amounts include contingent liabilities in connection with certain acquisitions and bank loans and borrowings related to a consolidated CLO.

F-22

Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for 2018

(in millions)	December 31, 2017		Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses)			Purchases		Sales and Maturities			Issuances and Other Settlements⁽¹⁾		Transfers into Level 3		Transfers out of Level 3			December 31, 2018		Total Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings⁽²⁾
Assets:
Investments:
Debt securities
Available-for-sale securities⁽³⁾	$	—	$	—		$	26	$	—		$	—	$	—	$	(26	)	$	—	$	—
Trading		—		—			9		—			—		—		(5	)		4		—
Total debt securities		—		—			35		—			—		—		(31	)		4		—
Private equity		116		(20	)		—		(14	)		—		—		—			82		(20	)
Bank loans⁽⁴⁾		—		—			—		—			70		—		—			70		—
Total investments		116		(20	)		35		(14	)		70		—		(31	)		156		(20	)
Total Level 3 assets	$	116	$	(20	)	$	35	$	(14	)	$	70	$	—	$	(31	)	$	156	$	(20	)
Liabilities:
Other liabilities⁽⁴⁾	$	236	$	(65	)	$	—	$	—		$	70	$	—	$	—		$	371	$	(65	)
Total Level 3 liabilities	$	236	$	(65	)	$	—	$	—		$	70	$	—	$	—		$	371	$	(65	)

(1)	Issuances and other settlements amount includes a contingent liability in connection with an acquisition, partially offset by a contingent liability payment in connection with a prior acquisition.

(2)	Earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date.

(3)	Amounts include investments in CLOs.

(4)	Amounts include contingent liabilities in connection with certain acquisitions and bank loans and borrowings related to the consolidation of one additional CLO.

F-23

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.

Disclosures of Fair Value for Financial Instruments Not Held at Fair Value. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments not held at fair value are categorized in the table below.

	December 31, 2019				December 31, 2018
(in millions)	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Fair Value Hierarchy
Financial Assets⁽¹⁾:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	4,829	$	4,829	$	6,488	$	6,488	Level 1	^{(2) (3)}
Other assets		68		68		18		18	Level 1	^{(2) (4)}

Financial Liabilities:
Long-term borrowings		4,955		5,254		4,979		5,034	Level 2	⁽⁵⁾

(1)	See Note 5, Investments, for further information on investments not held at fair value.

(2)	Cash and cash equivalents are carried at either cost or amortized cost, which approximates fair value due to their short-term maturities.

(3)

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, approximately $674 million and $173 million of money market funds were recorded within cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Money market funds are valued based on quoted market prices, or $1.00 per share, which generally is the NAV of the fund.

(4)	Other assets include restricted cash and cash collateral deposited with certain derivative counterparties. The carrying values of these assets approximate fair value due to their short-term maturities.

(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 determined using market prices at the end of December 2019 and 2018, respectively. See Note 15, Borrowings, for the fair value of each of the Company’s long-term borrowings.

F-24

Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate NAV 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, 2019

(in millions)

Ref

Fair Value

Total

Unfunded

Commitments

Redemption

Frequency

Redemption

Notice Period

Equity method:⁽¹⁾

Hedge funds/funds of hedge funds

(a)

220

120

Daily/Monthly (27%)

Quarterly (15%)

N/R (58%)

1 – 90 days

Private equity funds

(b)

248

212

N/R

Real assets funds

(c)

296

120

Quarterly (57%)

N/R (43%)

60 days

Other

N/R

Consolidated sponsored investment products:

Private equity funds of funds

(d)

N/R

Hedge fund

(a)

—

Quarterly

90 days

Real assets funds

(c)

Total

872

553

December 31, 2018

(in millions)

Ref

Fair Value

Total

Unfunded

Commitments

Redemption

Frequency

Redemption

Notice Period

Equity method:⁽¹⁾

Hedge funds/funds of hedge funds

(a)

173

Daily/Monthly (30%)

Quarterly (18%)

N/R (52%)

1 – 90 days

Private equity funds

(b)

116

N/R

Real assets funds

(c)

353

Quarterly (68%)

N/R (32%)

60 days

Other

Daily (80%)

N/R (20%)

5 days

Consolidated sponsored investment products:

Private equity funds of funds

(d)

N/R

Hedge fund

(a)

—

Quarterly

90 days

Real assets funds

(c)

Total

762

343

N/R – not redeemable

(1)	Comprised of equity method investments, which include investment companies that 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 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. The liquidation period for the investments in the funds that are not subject to redemption is unknown at both December 31, 2019 and 2018.

(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. The liquidation period for the investments in the funds that are not subject to redemption is unknown at both December 31, 2019 and 2018.

(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. The liquidation period for the investments in the funds that are not subject to redemption is unknown at both December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. The total remaining unfunded commitments to other third-party funds were $203 million and $130 million at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The Company had contractual obligations to the consolidated funds of $172 million and $117 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

(d)

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. The liquidation period for the investments in the funds that are not subject to redemption is unknown at both December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. The total remaining unfunded commitments to other third-party funds were $9 million and $18 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company had contractual obligations to the consolidated funds of $22 million at both December 31, 2019 and 2018.

F-25

Fair Value Option

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company elected the fair value option for certain investments in CLOs of approximately $37 million and $32 million, respectively, reported within investments.

In addition, the Company elected the fair value option for bank loans and borrowings of a consolidated CLO, recorded within investments and other liabilities, respectively. The following table summarizes the information related to these bank loans and borrowings at December 31, 2019 and 2018:

	December 31,		December 31,
(in millions)	2019		2018
CLO Bank loans:
Aggregate principal amounts outstanding	$	204	$	84
Fair value		204		84
Aggregate unpaid principal balance in excess of (less than) fair value	$	—	$	—

CLO Borrowings:
Aggregate principal amounts outstanding	$	195	$	84
Fair value	$	195	$	84

At December 31, 2019, the principal amounts outstanding of the borrowings issued by the CLOs mature in 2030.

During the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the net gains (losses) from the change in fair value of the bank loans and borrowings held by the consolidated CLO were not material and were recorded in net gain (loss) on the consolidated statements of income. The change in fair value of the assets and liabilities included interest income and expense, respectively.

9. 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, 2019 and 2018, the Company had outstanding total return swaps with aggregate notional values of approximately $644 million and $483 million, respectively.

At both December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had a derivative providing credit protection with a notional amount of approximately $17 million to a counterparty, representing the Company’s maximum risk of loss with respect to the derivative. The Company carries the derivative at fair value based on the expected discounted future cash outflows under the arrangement.

The Company executes forward foreign currency exchange contracts to mitigate the risk of certain foreign exchange movements. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had outstanding forward foreign currency exchange contracts with aggregate notional values of approximately $3.4 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively.

The fair values of the outstanding total return swaps, credit default swap and forward foreign currency exchange contracts were not material to the consolidated statement of financial condition at both December 31, 2019 and 2018.

The following table presents gains (losses) recognized in the consolidated statements of income on derivative instruments:

(in millions)		Gains (Losses)
Derivative Instruments	Statement of Income Classification	2019			2018			2017
Total return swaps	Nonoperating income (expense)	$	(106	)	$	54		$	(118	)
Interest rate swaps	Nonoperating income (expense)		—			—			(2	)
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts	General and administration expense		55			(124	)		63
Total gain (loss) from derivative instruments		$	(51	)	$	(70	)	$	(57	)

The Company consolidates certain sponsored investment funds, which may utilize derivative instruments as a part of the funds’ investment strategies. The change in fair value of such derivatives, which is recorded in nonoperating income (expense), was not material for 2019, 2018 and 2017.

See Note 15, Borrowings, for more information on the Company’s net investment hedge.

F-26

10. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consists of the following:

	Estimated useful		December 31,
(in millions)	life-in years		2019		2018
Property and equipment:
Land	N/A		$	6	$	6
Building		39		33		33
Building improvements		15		30		30
Leasehold improvements	1-15			565		534
Equipment and computer software		3		672		541
Other transportation equipment		10		136		135
Furniture and fixtures		7		70		66
Construction in progress	N/A			83		48
Total				1,595		1,393
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization				880		750
Property and equipment, net			$	715	$	643

N/A – Not Applicable

Qualifying software costs of approximately $93 million, $77 million and $60 million have been capitalized within equipment and computer software during 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and are being amortized over an estimated useful life of three years.

Depreciation and amortization expense was $182 million, $154 million and $132 million for 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

11. Goodwill

Goodwill activity during 2019 and 2018 was as follows:

(in millions)	2019			2018
Beginning of year balance	$	13,526		$	13,220
Acquisitions		1,044			316
Goodwill adjustments related to Quellos and other⁽¹⁾		(8	)		(10	)
End of year balance	$	14,562		$	13,526

(1)

Amounts primarily 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 $106 million and $137 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

In 2019, the $1,044 increase in goodwill resulted from the eFront Transaction, which closed on May 10, 2019. See Note 3, Acquisition, for information on the eFront Transaction.

In 2018, the $316 million increase in goodwill included $184 million of goodwill related to the acquisition of Tennenbaum Capital Partners, LLC, a middle market credit and special situation credit opportunities manager, in August 2018 (“TCP Transaction”). The Company believes the acquisition enhances its ability to provide clients with private credit solutions across a range of risk level, liquidity and geography. Total cash consideration paid at closing for the TCP Transaction was approximately $393 million. The amount also included $132 million of goodwill related to the acquisition of the asset management business of Citibanamex, a subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc. in September 2018 (“Citibanamex Transaction”). The Company acquired AUM across local fixed income, equity and multi-asset products, enabling the Company to offer a full range of local and international investment solutions for clients in Mexico. Total consideration at closing for the Citibanamex Transaction was approximately $360 million, including estimated contingent consideration at close.

BlackRock assessed its goodwill for impairment as of July 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 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, 2019, the Company’s common stock closed at a market price of $502.70, which exceeded its book value of approximately $216.15 per share.

F-27

12. Intangible Assets

Intangible assets at December 31, 2019 and 2018 consisted of the following:

(in millions)	Remaining Weighted- Average Estimated Useful Life		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net Carrying Amount
At December 31, 2019
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Management contracts	N/A		$	16,169	$	—	$	16,169
Trade names / trademarks	N/A			1,403		—		1,403
License	N/A			6		—		6
Total indefinite-lived intangible assets				17,578		—		17,578
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Management contracts		4.8		283		135		148
Investor/customer relationships		9.2		476		39		437
Technology-related		7.4		203		9		194
Trade names / trademarks		3.3		14		2		12
Total finite-lived intangible assets		7.8		976		185		791
Total intangible assets			$	18,554	$	185	$	18,369
At December 31, 2018
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Management contracts	N/A		$	16,169	$	—	$	16,169
Trade names / trademarks	N/A			1,403		—		1,403
License	N/A			6		—		6
Total indefinite-lived intangible assets				17,578		—		17,578
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Management contracts		5.2		439		237		202
Investor/customer relationships		10.7		66		7		59
Total finite-lived intangible assets		6.5		505		244		261
Total intangible assets			$	18,083	$	244	$	17,839

N/A – Not Applicable

The impairment tests performed for intangible assets as of July 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 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
2020	$	106
2021		107
2022		103
2023		97
2024		92

In 2019, in connection with the eFront Transaction, the Company acquired $400 million of finite-lived customer relationships, $203 million of finite-lived technology-related intangible assets and $14 million of a finite-lived trade name, with weighted-average estimated lives of approximately 10 years, eight years and four years, respectively. See Note 3, Acquisition, for information on the eFront Transaction.

In 2018, in connection with the TCP and Citibanamex transactions, the Company acquired $145 million and $255 million of indefinite-lived management contracts, respectively, and $48 million and $31 million of finite-lived management contracts, respectively, with a weighted-average estimated life of approximately six and eight years, respectively.

13. Leases

The following table presents components of lease cost included in general and administration expense on the consolidated statements of income:

(in millions)	2019
Lease cost ⁽¹⁾:
Operating lease cost ⁽²⁾	$	141
Variable lease cost ⁽³⁾		39
Total lease cost	$	180

(1)	Rent expense and certain office equipment expense under lease agreements amounted to $135 million and $132 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively.

(2)	Amount includes short-term leases, which are immaterial for 2019.

(3)	Amount includes operating lease payments, which may be adjusted based on usage, changes in an index or market rate.

F-28

The following table presents operating leases included on the consolidated statement of financial condition:

(in millions)	Statement of Financial Condition Classification	December 31, 2019
Statement of Financial Condition information:
Operating lease ROU assets	Other assets	$	669
Operating lease liabilities	Other liabilities	$	776

Supplemental information related to operating leases is summarized below:

(in millions)	December 31, 2019
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities	$	142

Supplemental noncash information:
ROU assets in exchange for operating lease liabilities in connection with the adoption of ASU 2016-02	$	661
ROU assets in exchange for operating lease liabilities	$	117


	December 31, 2019
Lease term and discount rate:
Weighted-average remaining lease term		9	years
Weighted-average discount rate		3	%

(in millions)
Maturity of operating lease liabilities at December 31, 2019	Amount⁽¹⁾
2020	$	152
2021		147
2022		142
2023		91
2024		58
Thereafter		294
Total lease payments	$	884
Less: imputed interest		108
Present value of lease liabilities	$	776

(1)	Amount excludes $1.5 billion of legally binding minimum lease payments for leases signed but not yet commenced.

The table below summarizes BlackRock’s future minimum commitments under the operating leases at December 31, 2018, reflecting accounting guidance prior to the adoption of the new lease accounting standard:

(in millions)
Operating lease commitments at December 31, 2018	Amount
2019	$	145
2020		139
2021		130
2022		121
2023		106
Thereafter		1,516
Total	$	2,157

F-29

14. Other Assets

The Company accounts for its interest in PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (“PennyMac”) as an equity method investment. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company’s investment in PennyMac is included in other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition. The carrying value and market value of the Company’s interest (approximately 20% or 16 million shares) were approximately $451 million and $530 million, respectively, at December 31, 2019 and approximately $397 million and $331 million, respectively, at December 31, 2018. The market value of the Company’s interest reflected the PennyMac stock price at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively (a Level 1 input).

15. Borrowings

Short-Term Borrowings

2019 Revolving Credit Facility. The Company’s credit facility has an aggregate commitment amount of $4 billion and was amended in March 2019 to extend the maturity date to March 2024 (the “2019 credit facility”). The 2019 credit facility permits the Company to request up to an additional $1 billion of borrowing capacity, subject to lender credit approval, increasing the overall size of the 2019 credit facility to an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5 billion. Interest on borrowings outstanding accrues at a rate based on the applicable London Interbank Offered Rate plus a spread. The 2019 credit facility requires the Company not to exceed a maximum leverage ratio (ratio of net debt to EBITDA, 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, 2019. The 2019 credit facility provides back-up liquidity to fund ongoing working capital for general corporate purposes and various investment opportunities. At December 31, 2019, the Company had no amount outstanding under the 2019 credit facility.

Long-Term Borrowings

The carrying value and fair value of long-term borrowings determined using market prices and EUR/USD foreign exchange rate at December 31, 2019 included the following:

(in millions)	Maturity Amount		Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Costs			Carrying Value		Fair Value
4.25% Notes due 2021	$	750	$	(1	)	$	749	$	775
3.375% Notes due 2022		750		(2	)		748		777
3.50% Notes due 2024		1,000		(4	)		996		1,062
1.25% Notes due 2025		786		(5	)		781		832
3.20% Notes due 2027		700		(5	)		695		740
3.25% Notes due 2029		1,000		(14	)		986		1,068
Total Long-term Borrowings	$	4,986	$	(31	)	$	4,955	$	5,254

Long-term borrowings at December 31, 2018 had both a carrying value and a fair value of approximately $5 billion determined using market prices at the end of December 2018.

See Note 29, Subsequent Events, for information on the January 2020 debt offering.

2029 Notes. In April 2019, the Company issued $1 billion in aggregate principal amount of 3.25% senior unsecured and unsubordinated notes maturing on April 30, 2029 (the “2029 Notes”). The net proceeds of the 2029 Notes were used for general corporate purposes, which included a portion of the purchase price of the eFront Transaction, repayment of a portion of the $1 billion 5.00% notes in December 2019 and repayment of borrowings under its commercial paper program. Interest is payable semi-annually on April 30 and October 30 of each year, which commenced on October 30, 2019, and is approximately $33 million per year. The 2029 Notes may be redeemed prior to January 30, 2029 in whole or in part at any time, at the option of the Company, at a “make-whole” redemption price or at par thereafter. The unamortized discount and debt issuance costs are being amortized over the remaining term of the 2029 Notes.

In December 2019, the Company fully repaid $1 billion of 5.00% notes at maturity.

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”). The net proceeds of the 2027 Notes were used to fully repay $700 million in aggregate principal amount outstanding of 6.25% notes in April 2017 prior to their maturity in September 2017. Interest is payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, 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.

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 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.

F-30

Upon conversion to US 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 gain of $11 million (net of tax expense of $3 million), a gain of $30 million (net of tax expense of $10 million), and a loss of $64 million (net of tax benefit of $38 million) were recognized in other comprehensive income for 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. No hedge ineffectiveness was recognized during 2019, 2018, and 2017.

2024 Notes. In March 2014, the Company issued $1 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 is payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each 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, 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. Interest on the 4.25% notes due in 2021 (“2021 Notes”) is payable semi-annually on May 24 and November 24 of each year, 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.

16. Commitments and Contingencies

Investment Commitments. At December 31, 2019, the Company had $553 million of various capital commitments to fund sponsored investment products, including consolidated sponsored investment products. These products include private equity funds, real assets 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. 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

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 9, Derivatives and Hedging, for further discussion.

Legal Proceedings. From time to time, BlackRock receives subpoenas or other requests for information from various US federal and state governmental and regulatory authorities and international governmental and regulatory authorities in connection with industry-wide or other investigations or proceedings. It is BlackRock’s policy to cooperate fully with such matters. The Company, certain of its subsidiaries and employees have been named as defendants in various legal actions, including arbitrations and other litigation arising in connection with BlackRock’s activities. Additionally, BlackRock-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.

F-31

issued by the ETFs the risks to the ETFs’ shareholders in the event of a "flash crash." The plaintiffs seek unspecified monetary and rescission damages. The plaintiffs’ complaint was dismissed in December 2016 and on January 6, 2017, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint. On April 27, 2017, the court partially granted the defendants’ motion for judgment on the pleadings, dismissing certain of the plaintiffs’ claims. On September 18, 2017, the court issued a decision dismissing the remainder of the lawsuit after a one-day bench trial. On December 1, 2017, the plaintiffs appealed the dismissal of their lawsuit and, on January 23, 2020, the California Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court’s dismissal. The defendants believe the claims in this lawsuit are without merit.

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 agreed to indemnify 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. The amount of securities on loan as of December 31, 2019 and subject to this type of indemnification was $210 billion. In the Company’s capacity as lending agent, cash and securities totaling $226 billion was held as collateral for indemnified securities on loan at December 31, 2019. The fair value of these indemnifications was not material at December 31, 2019.

F-32

17. Revenue

The table below presents detail of revenue for 2019, 2018 and 2017 and includes the product mix of investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue (collectively “base fees”) and performance fees.

(in millions)	2019		2018		2017
Investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue:
Equity:
Active	$	1,554	$	1,654	$	1,654
iShares ETFs		3,495		3,549		3,220
Non-ETF index		667		685		680
Equity subtotal		5,716		5,888		5,554
Fixed income:
Active		1,918		1,840		1,717
iShares ETFs		963		825		808
Non-ETF index		405		387		344
Fixed income subtotal		3,286		3,052		2,869
Multi-asset		1,148		1,176		1,157
Alternatives:
Illiquid alternatives		488		348		281
Liquid alternatives		413		384		358
Currency and commodities ⁽¹⁾		108		98		91
Alternatives subtotal		1,009		830		730
Long-term		11,159		10,946		10,310
Cash management		618		607		558
Total base fees		11,777		11,553		10,868
Investment advisory performance fees:
Equity		36		91		152
Fixed income		10		8		34
Multi-asset		19		19		33
Alternatives:
Illiquid alternatives		136		70		62
Liquid alternatives		249		224		313
Alternatives subtotal		385		294		375
Total performance fees		450		412		594
Technology services revenue		974		785		657
Distribution fees:
Retrocessions		658		709		675
12b-1 fees (US mutual fund distribution fees)		358		406		466
Other		53		40		42
Total distribution fees		1,069		1,155		1,183
Advisory and other revenue:
Advisory		99		113		128
Other		170		180		170
Total advisory and other revenue		269		293		298
Total revenue	$	14,539	$	14,198	$	13,600

(1)	Amounts include commodity iShares ETFs.

The tables below present the investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue by client type and investment style:

(in millions)	2019		2018		2017
By client type:
Retail	$	3,411	$	3,413	$	3,250
iShares ETFs		4,564		4,468		4,113
Institutional:
Active		2,172		2,044		1,955
Index		1,012		1,021		992
Total institutional		3,184		3,065		2,947
Long-term		11,159		10,946		10,310
Cash management		618		607		558
Total	$	11,777	$	11,553	$	10,868

By investment style:
Active	$	5,510	$	5,391	$	5,152
Index and iShares ETFs		5,649		5,555		5,158
Long-term		11,159		10,946		10,310
Cash management		618		607		558
Total	$	11,777	$	11,553	$	10,868

F-33

Investment advisory and administration fees – remaining performance obligation

The tables below present estimated investment advisory and administration fees expected to be recognized in the future related to the unsatisfied portion of the performance obligations at December 31, 2019 and 2018:

December 31, 2019

(in millions)	2020			2021		2022	Thereafter		Total
Investment advisory and administration fees:
Alternatives⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	$	98	$	88	$	74	$	107	$	367

December 31, 2018

(in millions)	2019			2020		2021	Thereafter		Total
Investment advisory and administration fees:
Alternatives⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	$	61	$	53	$	42	$	70	$	226

(1)

Investment advisory and administration fees include management fees related to certain alternative products, which are based on contractual committed capital outstanding at December 31, 2019 and 2018. Actual management fees could be higher to the extent additional committed capital is raised. These fees are generally billed on a quarterly basis in arrears.

(2)	The Company elected the following practical expedients and therefore does not include amounts related to (1) performance obligations with an original duration of one year or less, and (2) variable consideration related to future service periods.

Change in Deferred Carried Interest Liability

The table below presents changes in the deferred carried interest liability, which is included in other liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition, for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

(in millions)	2019			2018
Beginning balance	$	293		$	219
Net increase (decrease) in unrealized allocations		259			92
Performance fee revenue recognized		(75	)		(18	)
Other		6			—
Ending balance	$	483		$	293

Technology services revenue – remaining performance obligation

The tables below present estimated technology services revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to the unsatisfied portion of the performance obligations at December 31, 2019 and 2018:

December 31, 2019

(in millions)	2020					2021				2022			Thereafter				Total
Technology services revenue⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	$	117			$	53			$	31			$	20			$	221

December 31, 2018

(in millions)	2019					2020				2021			Thereafter				Total
Technology services revenue⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	$	28			$	24			$	18			$	17			$	87

(1)	Technology services revenue primarily includes upfront payments from customers, which the Company generally recognizes as services are performed.

(2)	The Company elected the following practical expedients and therefore does not include amounts related to (1) performance obligations with an original duration of one year or less, and (2) variable consideration related to future service periods.

In addition to amounts disclosed in the table above, certain technology services contracts require fixed minimum fees, which are billed on a monthly or quarterly basis in arrears. The Company recognizes such revenue as services are performed. As of December 31, 2019, the estimated fixed minimum fees for 2020 for outstanding contracts approximated $640 million. The term for these contracts, which are either in their initial or renewal period, ranges from one to five years.

The table below presents changes in the technology services deferred revenue liability for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, which is included in other liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition:

(in millions)	2019			2018
Beginning balance	$	70		$	62
Additions		86			44
Revenue recognized that was included in the beginning balance		(40	)		(36	)
Ending balance	$	116		$	70

F-34

18. Stock-Based Compensation

The components of stock-based compensation expense are as follows:

(in millions)	2019		2018		2017
Stock-based compensation:
Restricted stock and RSUs	$	532	$	514	$	524
Long-term incentive plans to be funded by PNC		—		14		15
Stock options		35		36		3
Total stock-based compensation	$	567	$	564	$	542

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 41,500,000 shares of common stock were authorized for issuance under the Award Plan. Of this amount, 7,197,212 shares remain available for future awards at December 31, 2019. 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.

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 2019 is summarized below.

Outstanding at	Restricted Stock and RSUs			Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
December 31, 2018		2,139,890		$	429.19
Granted		1,226,249		$	414.41
Converted		(1,047,423	)	$	379.85
Forfeited		(82,264	)	$	434.02
December 31, 2019⁽¹⁾		2,236,452		$	444.02

(1)	At December 31, 2019, approximately 2.0 million awards are expected to vest and 0.2 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 fair market value of RSUs/restricted stock granted to employees during 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $508 million, $492 million and $421 million, respectively. The total grant-date fair market value of RSUs/restricted stock converted to common stock during 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $398 million, $443 million and $457 million, respectively.

RSUs/restricted stock granted in connection with annual incentive compensation under the Award Plan primarily related to the following:

	2019		2018		2017
Awards granted that vest ratably over three years from the date of grant		674,206		527,337		699,991
Awards granted that cliff vest 100% on:
January 31, 2020		—		—		277,313
January 31, 2021		—		209,201		—
January 31, 2022		377,291		—		—
		1,051,497		736,538		977,304

In addition, the Company also granted RSUs of 174,752, 155,403 and 126,906 during 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, with varying vesting periods.

At December 31, 2019, the intrinsic value of outstanding RSUs was $1.1 billion, reflecting a closing stock price of $502.70.

At December 31, 2019, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested RSUs was $347 million. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average period of 1.1 years.

In January 2020, the Company granted under the Award Plan:

•

517,129 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

•

380,335 RSUs or shares of restricted stock to employees that cliff vest 100% on January 31, 2023.

F-35

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. 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 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company granted 283,014, 199,068, and 294,584, respectively, performance-based RSUs to certain employees that cliff vest 100% on January 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020 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. In January 2019, the Company granted 2,117 additional RSUs to certain employees based on the attainment of Company performance measures during the performance period.

Performance-based RSU activity for 2019 is summarized below.

Outstanding at	Performance- Based RSUs			Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
December 31, 2018		845,285		$	386.13
Granted		283,014		$	410.32
Additional shares granted due to attainment of performance measures		2,117		$	296.57
Converted		(360,927	)	$	296.57
Forfeited		(26,571	)	$	435.33
December 31, 2019		742,918		$	436.84

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 2019, 2018, and 2017 was $117 million, $121 million and $111 million, respectively.

At December 31, 2019, the intrinsic value of outstanding performance-based RSUs was $373 million reflecting a closing stock price of $502.70.

At December 31, 2019, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested performance-based awards was $107 million. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average period of 1.1 years.

In January 2020, the Company granted 239,415 performance-based RSUs to certain employees that cliff vest 100% on January 31, 2023. 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 Series C nonvoting participating preferred stock to fund the remaining committed shares. On January 31, 2019, PNC surrendered its remaining 143,458 shares to BlackRock and has completed its share delivery obligation in connection with the agreement.

Performance-based Stock Options. Pursuant to the Award Plan, performance-based stock options may be granted 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 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 assumes the performance condition will be achieved. If such condition is not met, no compensation cost is recognized and any recognized compensation cost is reversed. Stock option activity for 2019 is summarized below.

Outstanding at	Shares Under Option			Weighted Average Exercise Price
December 31, 2018		2,106,482		$	513.50
Forfeited		(165,337	)	$	513.50
December 31, 2019		1,941,145		$	513.50

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The options 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 the awards issued in 2017 was $208 million and 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 expected term was derived using a Monte Carlo simulation with the embedded lattice model and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The expected stock volatility was based 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 US Treasury Constant Maturities yield curve at date of grant.

At December 31, 2019, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested performance-based stock options was $108 million. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average period of 3.9 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.

19. 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 $23 million and $34 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, is reflected in investments on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Such investments are classified as trading investments. The liability balance of $80 million and $71 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, 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 liability are reflected as employee compensation and benefits expense on the consolidated statements of income.

Leadership Retention Carry Plan. In 2019, the Company adopted a carried interest retention incentive program referred to as the BlackRock Leadership Retention Carry Plan, pursuant to which senior-level employees (but not including the Chief Executive Officer), as may be determined by the Company from time to time, will be eligible to receive a portion of the cash payments, based on their percentage points, in the total carried interest distributions payable to the Company from participating carry funds. Cash payments, if any, with respect to these percentage points will be made following the recipient’s termination of employment due to qualified retirement, death or disability, subject to his or her execution of a release of claims and continued compliance with his or her restrictive covenant obligations following termination. There was no impact to the consolidated financial statements.

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 $311 million and $236 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and are reflected in the consolidated statements of financial condition as accrued compensation and benefits. In January 2020, the Company granted approximately $137 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 US employees participate in a defined contribution plan. Employee contributions of up to 8% of eligible compensation, as defined by the plan and subject to Internal Revenue Code 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. The Company’s contribution expense related to this plan was $66 million in 2019, $63 million in 2018, and $78 million in 2017.

Certain UK wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company contribute to defined contribution plans for their employees. The contributions range between 6% and 15% of each employee’s eligible compensation. The Company’s contribution expense related to these plans was $41 million in 2019, $35 million in 2018, and $29 million in 2017.

In addition, the contribution expense related to defined contribution plans in other regions was $29 million in 2019, $22 million in 2018 and $21 million in 2017.

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, 2019 and 2018, the plan assets for these plans were approximately $28 million and $26 million, respectively. The underfunded obligations at December 31, 2019 and 2018 were not material. Benefit payments for the next five years and in aggregate for the five years thereafter are not expected to be material.

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20. 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, 2019, PNC owned approximately 22.0% of the Company’s voting common stock and held approximately 22.4% of the total capital stock. Revenue for services provided by the Company to PNC was not material for 2019, 2018 and 2017.

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

Revenue for services provided by the Company to these and other related parties are as follows:

(in millions)	2019		2018		2017
Investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue⁽¹⁾	$	8,323	$	8,226	$	7,692
Investment advisory performance fees		131		112		143
Technology services revenue⁽²⁾		9		9		9
Advisory and other revenue⁽³⁾		59		65		59
Total revenue from related parties	$	8,522	$	8,412	$	7,903

(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. The Company also provides investment advisory and administration services for fees based on AUM and risk management services to PNC and its affiliates.

Expenses for Transactions with Related Parties

Expenses for transactions with related parties, which are included within general and administration expense, were $2 million, $2 million and $10 million for 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

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 fourth amendment to the share surrender agreement with PNC. On January 31, 2019, PNC surrendered its remaining BlackRock Series C Preferred Stock to BlackRock and has completed its share delivery obligation in connection with the agreement.

Receivables and Payables with Related Parties. Due from related parties, which is included within other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition was $119 million and $179 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and primarily represented receivables from certain investment products managed by BlackRock. Accounts receivable at December 31, 2019 and 2018 included $995 million and $878 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 $12 million and $11 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and primarily represented payables to certain investment products managed by BlackRock.

21. 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 may have adverse tax consequences that could discourage such transfers.

Banking Regulatory Requirements. BTC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is chartered as a national bank whose powers are limited to trust and other fiduciary activities and which is subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Federal banking regulators would be required to take certain actions and permitted to take other actions in the event of BTC’s failure to meet minimum capital requirements that, if undertaken, could have a direct material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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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, 2019 and 2018, it exceeded the applicable capital adequacy requirements.

	Actual					For Capital Adequacy Purposes					To Be Well Capitalized Under Prompt Corrective Action Provisions
(in millions)	Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio			Amount		Ratio
December 31, 2019
Total capital (to risk weighted assets)	$	686		137.7	%	$	40		8.0	%	$	50		10.0	%
Common Equity Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)	$	686		137.7	%	$	22		4.5	%	$	32		6.5	%
Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)	$	686		137.7	%	$	30		6.0	%	$	40		8.0	%
Tier 1 capital (to average assets)	$	686		72.8	%	$	38		4.0	%	$	47		5.0	%
December 31, 2018
Total capital (to risk weighted assets)	$	572		131.1	%	$	35		8.0	%	$	44		10.0	%
Common Equity Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)	$	572		131.1	%	$	20		4.5	%	$	28		6.5	%
Tier 1 capital (to risk weighted assets)	$	572		131.1	%	$	26		6.0	%	$	35		8.0	%
Tier 1 capital (to average assets)	$	572		58.0	%	$	39		4.0	%	$	49		5.0	%

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 December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company was required to maintain approximately $1.9 billion and $1.8 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.

22. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table presents changes in AOCI by component for 2019, 2018 and 2017:

(in millions)	2019			2018			2017
Beginning balance	$	(691	)	$	(432	)	$	(716	)
Foreign currency translation adjustments⁽¹⁾		120			(253	)		284
Reclassification as a result of adoption of accounting guidance		—			(6	)		—
Ending balance	$	(571	)	$	(691	)	$	(432	)

(1)	Amounts for 2019 and 2018 include gains from a net investment hedge of $11 million (net of tax expense of $3 million) and $30 million (net of tax expense of $10 million), respectively. Amount for 2017 includes a loss from a net investment hedge of $64 million (net of tax benefit of $38 million).

23. Capital Stock

The Company’s authorized common stock and nonvoting participating preferred stock, $0.01 par value, (“Preferred”) consisted of the following:

	December 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Common Stock		500,000,000		500,000,000
Nonvoting Participating Preferred Stock
Series A Preferred		20,000,000		20,000,000
Series B Preferred		150,000,000		150,000,000
Series C Preferred		6,000,000		6,000,000
Series D Preferred		20,000,000		20,000,000

PNC Capital Contribution. During 2019 and 2018, PNC surrendered to BlackRock 143,458 and 103,064 shares, respectively, of BlackRock Series C Preferred to fund certain LTIP awards and has completed its share delivery obligation in connection with its share surrender agreement.

Cash Dividends for Common and Preferred Shares / RSUs. During 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company paid cash dividends of $13.20 per share (or $2,096 million), $12.02 per share (or $1,968 million) and $10.00 per share (or $1,662 million), respectively.

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Share Repurchases. During 2019, the Company repurchased 4.0 million common shares under the share repurchase program for $1.7 billion, including a $1.3 billion private transaction that closed on March 25, 2019. At December 31, 2019, there were 5.9 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
	Common Shares		Treasury Common Shares			Series B Preferred		Series C Preferred			Common Shares			Series B Preferred		Series C Preferred
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
Shares repurchased		—		(3,511,603	)		—		—			(3,511,603	)		—		—
Net issuance of common shares related to employee stock transactions		—		1,087,989			—		—			1,087,989			—		—
PNC LTIP capital contribution		—		—			—		(103,064	)		—			—		(103,064	)
December 31, 2018		171,252,185		(13,698,684	)		823,188		143,458			157,553,501			823,188		143,458
Shares repurchased		—		(4,018,905	)		—		—			(4,018,905	)		—		—
Net issuance of common shares related to employee stock transactions		—		841,184			—		—			841,184			—		—
PNC LTIP capital contribution		—		—			—		(143,458	)		—			—		(143,458	)
December 31, 2019		171,252,185		(16,876,405	)		823,188		—			154,375,780			823,188		—

24. Restructuring Charge

A restructuring charge of $60 million ($47 million after-tax), comprised of $53 million of severance and $7 million of expense related to the accelerated amortization of previously granted equity compensation awards, was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2018 in connection with an initiative to modify the size and shape of the workforce.

The table below presents a rollforward of the Company’s restructuring liability for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, which is included in other liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition:

(in millions)
Liability as of December 31, 2017	$	—
Additions		60
Accelerated amortization expense of equity-based awards		(7	)
Liability as of December 31, 2018	$	53
Cash payments		(53	)
Liability as of December 31, 2019	$	—

25. Income Taxes

The components of income tax expense for 2019, 2018 and 2017, are as follows:

(in millions)	2019			2018			2017
Current income tax expense:
Federal	$	735		$	605		$	1,166
State and local		109			97			36
Foreign		400			600			289
Total net current income tax expense		1,244			1,302			1,491
Deferred income tax expense (benefit):
Federal		15			(71	)		(1,382	)
State and local		7			(1	)		81
Foreign		(5	)		(154	)		80
Total net deferred income tax expense (benefit)		17			(226	)		(1,221	)
Total income tax expense	$	1,261		$	1,076		$	270

Income tax expense has been based on the following components of income before taxes, less net income (loss) attributable to NCI:

(in millions)	2019		2018		2017
Domestic	$	3,766	$	3,536	$	3,280
Foreign		1,971		1,845		1,942
Total	$	5,737	$	5,381	$	5,222

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The foreign income before taxes includes countries that have statutory tax rates that are different than the US federal statutory tax rate of 21%, such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada and Netherlands.

A reconciliation of income tax expense with expected federal income tax expense computed at the applicable federal income tax rate of 21% for 2019 and 2018 and 35% for 2017 is as follows:

(in millions)	2019					2018					2017
Statutory income tax expense	$	1,205		21	%	$	1,130		21	%	$	1,834		35	%
Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:
State and local taxes (net of federal benefit)		96		2			99		2			60		1
Impact of federal, foreign, state, and local tax rate changes on deferred taxes		5		—			0		—			(1,637	)	(31	)
Mandatory deemed repatriation tax		—		—			0		—			477		9
Stock-based compensation awards		(23	)	—			(64	)	(1	)		(159	)	(3	)
Effect of foreign tax rates		(76	)	(1	)		(119	)	(2	)		(337	)	(6	)
Other		54		—			30		—			32		—
Income tax expense	$	1,261		22	%	$	1,076		20	%	$	270		5	%

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 below:

	December 31,
(in millions)	2019			2018
Deferred income tax assets:
Compensation and benefits	$	282		$	267
Loss carryforwards		84			82
Other		481			362
Gross deferred tax assets		847			711
Less: deferred tax valuation allowances		(51	)		(68	)
Deferred tax assets net of valuation allowances		796			643
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Goodwill and acquired indefinite-lived intangibles		3,971			3,939
Acquired finite-lived intangibles		179			48
Unrealized investment gains		63			30
Other		142			34
Gross deferred tax liabilities		4,355			4,051
Net deferred tax (liabilities)	$	(3,559	)	$	(3,408	)

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recorded net when related to the same tax jurisdiction. At December 31, 2019, the Company recorded on the consolidated statement of financial condition deferred income tax assets, within other assets, and deferred income tax liabilities of $175 million and $3,734 million, respectively. At December 31, 2018, the Company recorded on the consolidated statement of financial condition deferred income tax assets, within other assets, and deferred income tax liabilities of $163 million and $3,571 million, respectively.

Income tax expense for 2019 included a $28 million discrete tax benefit, primarily related to stock-based compensation awards that vested in 2019.

Income tax expense for 2018 reflected a reduced tax rate associated with The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and $81 million of discrete tax benefits, primarily related to changes in the Company’s organizational entity structure and a $64 million discrete tax benefit, related to stock-based compensation awards that vested in 2018.

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had available state net operating loss carryforwards of $1.9 billion and $2.9 billion, respectively, which will begin to expire in 2020. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $110 million and $76 million, respectively, of which $3 million will begin to expire in 2021.

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had $51 million and $68 million of valuation allowances for deferred income tax assets, respectively, recorded on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

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 11, 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, 2019, the Company had current income taxes receivable and payable of $282 million and $293 million, respectively, recorded in other assets and accounts payable and accrued liabilities, respectively. At December 31, 2018, the Company had current income taxes receivable and payable of $282 million and $341 million, respectively, recorded in other assets and accounts payable and accrued liabilities, respectively.

F-41

The following tabular reconciliation presents the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits:

(in millions)	2019			2018			2017
Balance at January 1	$	795		$	629		$	410
Additions for tax positions of prior years		99			82			161
Reductions for tax positions of prior years		(27	)		(15	)		(3	)
Additions based on tax positions related to current year		47			102			67
Lapse of statute of limitations		(4	)		(3	)		(6	)
Settlements		(10	)		—			—
Balance at December 31	$	900		$	795		$	629

Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, are $513 million, $462 million and $316 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 $27 million during 2019 and in total, as of December 31, 2019, had recognized a liability for interest and penalties of $133 million. The Company accrued interest and penalties of $30 million during 2018 and in total, as of December 31, 2018, had recognized a liability for interest and penalties of $106 million. 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.

BlackRock is subject to US federal income tax, state and local income tax, and foreign income tax in multiple jurisdictions. Tax years after 2009 remain open to US federal income tax examination.

In June 2014, the Internal Revenue Service commenced its examination of BlackRock’s 2010 through 2012 tax years. During 2019, the Internal Revenue Service commenced its examination of BlackRock’s 2013 through 2015 tax years. While the examination impact on the Company’s 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 for tax years 2012 through 2014, New York City for tax years 2009 through 2011, and California for tax years 2015 through 2016. No state and local income tax audits cover years earlier than 2009. 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 issued a closure notice during 2017 for various UK BlackRock subsidiaries for tax years 2009 and years 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 to the consolidated financial statements.

From time to time, BlackRock may receive or be subject to tax authorities’ assessments and challenges related to income taxes. BlackRock does not currently expect the ultimate resolution of any existing matters to be material to the consolidated financial statements.

At December 31, 2019, 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 $5 million to $20 million within the next twelve months.

26. Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS for 2019, 2018 and 2017 under the treasury stock method:

(in millions, except shares and per share data)	2019		2018		2017
Net income attributable to BlackRock	$	4,476	$	4,305	$	4,952
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding		156,014,343		160,301,116		162,160,601
Dilutive effect of nonparticipating RSUs and stock options		1,445,203		1,647,616		2,254,434
Total diluted weighted-average shares outstanding		157,459,546		161,948,732		164,415,035
Basic earnings per share	$	28.69	$	26.86	$	30.54
Diluted earnings per share	$	28.43	$	26.58	$	30.12

Anti-dilutive RSUs and stock options for 2019, 2018 and 2017 were immaterial. In addition, performance-based RSUs and stock options are excluded from potential dilution until the designated performance conditions are met.

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27. 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.

The following table illustrates total revenue for 2019, 2018 and 2017 by geographic region. These amounts are aggregated on a legal entity basis and do not necessarily reflect where the customer resides or affiliated services are provided.

(in millions)
Revenue	2019		2018		2017
Americas	$	9,703	$	9,303	$	8,798
Europe		4,158		4,217		4,126
Asia-Pacific		678		678		676
Total revenue	$	14,539	$	14,198	$	13,600

See Note 17, Revenue, for further information on the Company’s sources of revenue.

The following table illustrates long-lived assets that consist of goodwill and property and equipment at December 31, 2019 and 2018 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	2019		2018
Americas	$	13,830	$	13,780
Europe		1,360		303
Asia-Pacific		87		86
Total long-lived assets	$	15,277	$	14,169

Americas is primarily comprised of the United States, Latin America and Canada, while Europe is primarily comprised of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Asia-Pacific is primarily comprised of Hong Kong, Australia, Japan and Singapore.

28. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)

(in millions, except shares and per share data)
2019	1^st Quarter⁽¹⁾		2^nd Quarter		3^rd Quarter⁽²⁾		4^th Quarter⁽³⁾
Revenue	$	3,346	$	3,524	$	3,692	$	3,977
Operating income	$	1,233	$	1,278	$	1,502	$	1,538
Net income	$	1,060	$	1,013	$	1,119	$	1,334
Net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc.	$	1,053	$	1,003	$	1,119	$	1,301
Earnings per share attributable to BlackRock, Inc. common stockholders:
Basic	$	6.65	$	6.46	$	7.21	$	8.38
Diluted	$	6.61	$	6.41	$	7.15	$	8.29
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic		158,268,034		155,354,552		155,280,877		155,195,733
Diluted		159,348,431		156,360,741		156,447,387		156,894,201
Dividend declared per share	$	3.30	$	3.30	$	3.30	$	3.30

2018
Revenue	$	3,583	$	3,605	$	3,576	$	3,434
Operating income	$	1,375	$	1,440	$	1,396	$	1,246
Net income	$	1,094	$	1,078	$	1,203	$	927
Net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc.	$	1,089	$	1,073	$	1,216	$	927
Earnings per share attributable to BlackRock, Inc. common stockholders:
Basic	$	6.75	$	6.67	$	7.59	$	5.84
Diluted	$	6.68	$	6.62	$	7.54	$	5.78
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic		161,250,018		160,980,960		160,141,506		158,859,998
Diluted		162,918,961		162,161,937		161,378,217		160,450,266
Dividend declared per share	$	2.88	$	2.88	$	3.13	$	3.13

(1)	The first quarter of 2019 and 2018 included $22 million and $56 million, respectively, of discrete tax benefit related to stock-based compensation awards that vested in the first quarter of each respective year.

(2)	The third quarter of 2018 benefited from $90 million of discrete tax items, primarily related to changes in the Company’s organizational entity structure.

(3)	The fourth quarter of 2018 included a pre-tax restructuring charge of $60 million.

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29. Subsequent Events

On February 13, 2020, BlackRock announced the establishment of The BlackRock Foundation (the “Foundation”) and the contribution of its remaining stake in PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. to the new Foundation and the BlackRock Charitable Fund, which BlackRock established in 2013. The contribution will result in an operating expense of $589 million, which is expected to be offset by an approximately $125 million noncash, nonoperating pre-tax gain on the contributed shares and a tax benefit of approximately $241 million. The contribution will provide long-term funding for BlackRock’s philanthropic investments and partnerships.

The Company conducted a review for additional subsequent events and determined that no subsequent events had occurred that would require accrual or additional disclosures.

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