Assets Under Management - Total Assets Under Management in the Real Estate segment reached 352.2 billion in Total Assets Under Management as of December 31, 2024[39]. - The Credit & Insurance segment manages 84.2 billion in Total Assets Under Management as of December 31, 2024[51]. Investment Strategies - The Blackstone Real Estate Partners (BREP) platform targets high-quality assets with outsized growth potential driven by global economic trends[36]. - The Private Wealth Strategy is expanding to offer more investment products to high-net-worth individuals, reflecting an increasing portion of Total Assets Under Management[55]. - The Credit & Insurance segment is one of the largest credit managers globally, focusing on both investment grade and non-investment grade credit[48]. - The Core+ real estate strategy includes perpetual capital vehicles, contributing significantly to management fees and performance revenues[54]. - The investment process includes rigorous evaluation and risk management, ensuring a qualitative and quantitative assessment of investment opportunities[56]. Revenue and Fees - The management fees for Blackstone's investment funds are generally based on an annual rate, payable monthly or quarterly, and are not subject to clawback[65]. - Performance revenues from carry funds typically consist of carried interest, which is generally up to 20% of net realized income and gains generated by the fund[68]. - The general partner of certain open-ended funds is entitled to an incentive fee allocation between 7% and 12.5% of net profit, subject to a hurdle amount of 5.5% to 7%[72]. - Investors in many funds have the opportunity to make additional co-investments, sometimes without management fees or carried interest[74]. - Blackstone's revenues primarily consist of management and advisory fees, incentive fees, investment income, interest and dividend revenue, and other sources[655]. Competition and Market Environment - The asset management industry remains intensely competitive, with competition based on investment performance, transaction execution, and access to capital[75]. - Certain institutional investors are increasingly preferring to in-source investment professionals and make direct investments, creating competition for Blackstone[76]. - The company faces intense competition for attractive investment opportunities from various financial institutions, corporate buyers, and other funds, which may create competitive disadvantages due to differing capital costs and risk tolerances[77]. Employee and Workplace - Employee retention and attraction are critical for the company's success, with a focus on creating an inclusive workplace to access a broader talent pool[78]. - The company has a strong commitment to sustainability, focusing on generating strong returns while pursuing investments in the global energy transition[79]. - The company emphasizes the importance of a diverse workforce, believing it leads to better investment outcomes and overall firm performance[80]. - Nearly 90% of employees engaged globally with the Blackstone Charitable Foundation's initiatives in 2024, highlighting the company's commitment to community involvement[85]. - The company offers comprehensive employee benefits, including a minimum of 21 weeks of primary caregiver leave and various family planning resources[93]. - The compensation structure is designed to align employee interests with those of investors, with a significant portion of senior employees' compensation being performance-based[90]. - The company provides extensive training and development opportunities for employees, including compliance training and leadership development programs[88]. Financial Performance - Total revenues for 2024 reached 8,022,841 in 2023[625]. - Net income for 2024 was 2,444,253 in 2023[627]. - Management and Advisory Fees increased to 6,671,260 in 2023[625]. - Total investment income surged to 232,842 in 2023, marking a substantial increase[625]. - Basic net income per share rose to 1.84 in 2023, reflecting a growth of 96.2%[625]. - Total expenses for 2024 were 4,981,130 in 2023[625]. - Comprehensive income for 2024 was 2,503,951 in 2023, indicating a growth of 114.8%[627]. Regulatory Compliance - The company is subject to extensive regulatory compliance, including SEC regulations and international standards, which may impact operations and profitability[96]. - The company operates under various regulatory frameworks in multiple jurisdictions, including the U.K. and Ireland, ensuring compliance with local laws[100][101]. - Blackstone's investment funds and vehicles not domiciled in the EEA are advised by a registered U.S. investment adviser under the Advisers Act[62]. Risk Management - The enterprise risk management framework is designed to manage various non-investment risks, including financial, operational, and regulatory risks[108]. - Blackstone's compliance group oversees communications between private and public sides to maintain compliance with legal obligations[106]. - The firmwide valuation committee reviews the valuation process for investments to ensure appropriate standards are applied consistently[109]. - Blackstone's internal audit operates independently to evaluate the effectiveness of governance and risk management processes[107]. Investment Valuation - The fair value of certain underlying investments is critical for determining performance allocations, which are subject to market conditions and management's assumptions[614]. - Fair value measurements of financial instruments are classified into three levels based on market price observability, with Level I being the most observable and Level III requiring significant management judgment[675][678]. - Real estate investments are valued using methods such as discounted cash flow and market approach, considering projected operating cash flows and comparable asset sales[678]. - Blackstone utilizes various methods to determine the fair values of private equity investments, including discounted cash flow and market approaches, with valuations based on projected net earnings and EBITDA[679]. - The fair values of credit-focused investments are generally determined using market prices or discounted cash flow methods, with expected cash flows projected based on contractual terms[681]. Financial Position - Total assets increased to 40,287,530 thousand in 2023, representing a growth of approximately 5.4%[619]. - Investments rose to 26,146,622 thousand in 2023, marking an increase of about 10.1%[619]. - Cash and cash equivalents decreased to 2,955,866 thousand in 2023, a decline of approximately 33.2%[619]. - Total liabilities increased to 22,212,316 thousand in 2023, reflecting a rise of about 7.9%[619]. - Stockholders' equity grew to 6,816,798 thousand in 2023, an increase of approximately 20.5%[619]. - The total equity of Blackstone Inc. increased to 16,896,141 thousand in 2023, representing a growth of approximately 10.6%[619].
Blackstone(BX) - 2024 Q4 - Annual Report