New York, January 25, 2026, 15:43 EST — The market has closed.
- Blackstone enters the new week following two straight sessions of losses.
- As earnings season nears, investors will focus on new indicators around fundraising, exits, and fee growth.
- The Federal Reserve’s midweek decision might reshape the outlook for rate-sensitive financial stocks.
Blackstone Inc. shares slipped 2.86% Friday, closing at $150.48 and marking a second straight day of declines. The stock underperformed a mostly flat U.S. equity market. It now trades roughly 21% below its 52-week peak of $190.09, with Friday’s volume edging slightly above recent averages. (MarketWatch)
The slide capped a volatile week on Wall Street, with investors balancing earnings updates against looming policy shifts. “We’re feeling pretty good, but mindful we might have some significant twists and turns throughout the rest of the year,” said Jason Blackwell, chief investment strategist at Focus Partners Wealth, following Friday’s close. (Reuters)
Blackstone is zeroing in on the calendar this week. The alternative-asset giant will unveil its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results Thursday, followed by an investor call at 9:00 a.m. ET. Traders often see this report as a key signal for fundraising strength and how quickly the firm is selling investments—crucial drivers of its performance fees. (Blackstone)
Rates remain in the background ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy update, set for Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET, with a press conference to follow at 2:30 p.m., per the central bank’s schedule. Any shift in the anticipated interest rate trajectory could swiftly alter deal calculations—and it might also impact how investors price long-term management fees linked to private equity and real estate holdings. (Federal Reserve)
Executives have been dialing back their long-term optimism. At Davos, Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman declared that India had “emerged” and insisted artificial intelligence will transform the world faster than any past industrial revolution, telling The Economic Times: “AI will do that in 10.” (The Economic Times)
Traders are watching closely for updates on flows into Blackstone’s products, particularly those dependent on steady client subscriptions. Attention will also turn to any rise in realizations — the firm’s knack for offloading assets at favorable prices — following a week marked by shaky risk appetite.
Some key terms are crucial here. “Performance fees” kick in when investments surpass set targets, whereas “management fees” rely largely on assets under management, regardless of market swings. In weeks like this, investors often favor steady fee income and straightforward updates on exit strategies.
The stock’s positioning invites direct comparisons. Traders frequently group Blackstone with rivals like KKR and Apollo Global Management. During earnings week, a wary tone from any of their management teams on deal financing or pricing can ripple through the sector.
But there’s a catch. Should volatility spike again—whether from rates, geopolitics, or unexpected earnings shocks—exits might stall, asset values could drop, and performance fees may get pushed back on the calendar. That’s the downside bulls are wary of as a week packed with scheduled catalysts approaches.
The next key events come back-to-back: the Fed’s decision Wednesday afternoon, followed by Blackstone’s earnings report and call Thursday morning. The stock’s initial real challenge will be how it reacts as those two moments shape the week’s risk appetite.
