3,000 BlackRock $BLK Shares Purchased by Viking Fund Management LLC

Viking Fund Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of BlackRock (NYSE:BLK) by 60.0% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 8,000 shares of the asset manager’s stock after buying an additional 3,000 shares during the period. Viking Fund Management LLC’s holdings in BlackRock were worth $8,466,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of BLK. Advisors Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in BlackRock during the second quarter valued at approximately $33,847,000. Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Co bought a new position in BlackRock during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,185,000. Haverford Trust Co bought a new position in BlackRock during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $264,500,000. Liberty One Investment Management LLC grew its position in shares of BlackRock by 30.7% in the 1st quarter. Liberty One Investment Management LLC now owns 4,861 shares of the asset manager’s stock worth $4,675,000 after acquiring an additional 1,141 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Basswood Capital Management L.L.C. acquired a new position in shares of BlackRock in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $23,122,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.69% of the company’s stock.

BlackRock Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:BLK opened at $1,075.09 on Thursday. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $1,106.43 and its two-hundred day moving average is $1,061.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $166.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.70, a PEG ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a current ratio of 3.59, a quick ratio of 3.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. BlackRock has a 52 week low of $917.39 and a 52 week high of $1,219.94.

BlackRock (NYSE:BLK) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 14th. The asset manager reported $15.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $14.32 by $1.61. The business had revenue of $7.75 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.42 billion. BlackRock had a return on equity of 14.90% and a net margin of 24.09%. The business’s revenue was up 19.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $8.43 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that BlackRock will post 55.70 earnings per share for the current year.

BlackRock Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 22nd. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 8th were given a $5.73 dividend. This represents a $22.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 8th. BlackRock’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 54.78%.

Key Headlines Impacting BlackRock

Here are the key news stories impacting BlackRock this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly beat and strong inflows: BlackRock reported adjusted EPS of $15.93, above the $14.32 consensus estimate, while revenue rose 19.1% year over year to $7.75 billion. Net inflows reached $205 billion, including $135 billion into ETFs, helping push assets under management to a record $15.49 trillion. BlackRock profit jumps as resilient markets boost fees
• Positive Sentiment: Growth outlook remains constructive: Management pointed to continued momentum in iShares ETFs, private-markets fundraising, technology revenue and performance fees. BlackRock’s crypto ETF assets also reportedly climbed 63% to approximately $80 billion, adding to fee-growth potential. BlackRock expects strong fourth quarter
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst price target raised: Bank of America reiterated a Buy rating and increased its price target from $1,287 to $1,313, citing strong third-quarter results and surging ETF inflows. BlackRock earns Buy rating and higher price target
• Neutral Sentiment: Strategic expansion: BlackRock is deploying capital across private markets, including a $2.8 billion CenterWell clinic joint venture with Humana and investments in technology and infrastructure. These moves broaden long-term fee opportunities but may require significant capital and execution. Humana forms joint venture with BlackRock
• Negative Sentiment: Rate and valuation risks: BlackRock has reduced U.S. stock exposure and favored Treasuries, warning that markets may be pricing in too many Federal Reserve rate hikes. Other commentary highlights emerging yield risks, while the stock’s elevated valuation could limit upside if markets weaken. BlackRock cuts U.S. stock exposure

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on BLK shares. Weiss Ratings downgraded BlackRock from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “buy” rating and set a $1,258.00 price target on shares of BlackRock in a research report on Thursday, July 16th. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on BlackRock from $1,479.00 to $1,468.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $1,389.00 price objective on shares of BlackRock in a report on Thursday, July 16th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded shares of BlackRock from a “hold” rating to a “moderate buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 7th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fourteen have issued a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $1,308.62.

About BlackRock

BlackRock, Inc is a global investment management and financial technology company serving individual investors, institutions, governments and financial professionals. The company provides investment management, risk management and advisory services across a broad range of asset classes, including equities, fixed income, multi-asset strategies, alternatives and cash management.

BlackRock offers investment products through mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and other vehicles. Its iShares brand is one of the company’s principal platforms for exchange-traded funds, providing access to domestic and international markets, industry sectors, bonds, commodities and specialized investment strategies.

The company also provides technology and analytical solutions through its Aladdin platform, which is used by asset managers, institutional investors and other financial organizations for portfolio management, risk analysis, trading and operational support.