New York, January 16, 2026, 15:41 EST — Regular session
- BlackRock shares climbed roughly 0.8% in afternoon trading, staying close to $1,165.
- After posting fourth-quarter results, the firm raised its quarterly dividend to $5.73 and increased its share buyback authorization.
- Investors are keeping an eye on whether the early-year move back into equity funds sticks through next week’s trading pause and the upcoming earnings reports.
Shares of BlackRock (BLK) gained roughly 0.8%, hitting $1,165.4 during Friday’s afternoon session. The stock fluctuated between $1,152.7 and $1,181.3.
The move shines a spotlight on a firm many investors see as a gauge for broader fund flows, not just a single stock. BlackRock’s iShares unit, linked to exchange-traded funds or ETFs — which are baskets of assets traded like shares — often reveals where retail and institutional capital is heading.
The mood swung sharply this month. U.S. equity funds pulled in $28.18 billion of net inflows in the week ending Jan. 14, rebounding from outflows the week before, according to LSEG Lipper data. Investors seemed encouraged by earnings forecasts and bets on rate cuts. 1
BlackRock closed 2025 with about $14 trillion in assets under management, driven by a record $698 billion in net inflows for the year, including $342 billion in the fourth quarter alone. The company’s board approved a 10% boost to the quarterly cash dividend, now $5.73 a share, payable on March 24 to shareholders of record as of March 6. Additionally, BlackRock authorized the repurchase of seven million more shares, the firm said. 2
BlackRock’s earnings release showed fourth-quarter “as adjusted” EPS at $13.16, a sharp contrast to GAAP diluted EPS of $7.16. The “as adjusted” figure excludes items like non-cash acquisition-related expenses. Long-term net flows hit $267.8 billion for the quarter, with $181.5 billion funneled into ETFs. Equity strategies accounted for $126.1 billion, fixed income pulled in $83.8 billion, and private markets added $12.7 billion, according to the release. CEO Larry Fink said the firm is stepping into 2026 with “accelerating momentum across our entire platform.”
BlackRock’s assets soared to a record $14.04 trillion, boosted by a fourth-quarter market rally and increased client cash inflows. The firm highlighted strong demand for index funds alongside growth in higher-fee private market investments. These results came as investors focused on easing inflation, changing rate forecasts, and AI-driven spending in investments. BlackRock’s shares have climbed 4.4% in 2025, still lagging the broader S&P 500. 3
A regulatory filing revealed that BlackRock submitted a Form 8-K on Thursday, disclosing results for the quarter and year ending Dec. 31. The filing also noted that supplemental materials accompanied the report. 4
On the earnings call, CFO Martin Small emphasized scale as a competitive edge. “It’s not that the big are getting bigger, it’s that the best are getting bigger,” he told analysts, highlighting plans for increased buybacks and a dividend hike. 5
The implications stretch well past BlackRock. Major ETF players like State Street’s SPDR lineup and Invesco follow the same “fee per dollar” logic — it’s not just about flows, market levels play a crucial role too.
The downside scenario is clear: a drop in equities or a surge in yields hits asset managers quickly—with lower market values, shrinking performance fees, and shifting client flows. Fundraising in private markets, a key growth driver, can also stall as risk appetite cools.
The calendar shows U.S. markets closed Monday, January 19, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Trading picks back up Tuesday, with eyes on whether BLK’s post-earnings rally can sustain through the shortened week. 6
