Blackstone Plans to Invest $500 Billion in Europe Over 10 Years

Group 1 - Blackstone plans to invest up to $500 billion in Europe over the next decade, having already invested nearly $100 billion in the U.K. [1][7] - The company's London office currently employs 650 people, indicating a strong presence in the region [1][7]. - Blackstone's CEO, Steve Schwarzman, believes that Europe's changing approach will lead to higher growth rates, presenting a "major opportunity" for the firm [3]. Group 2 - Recent interest in Europe from investment firms is driven by impressive growth prospects, influenced by geopolitical changes and increased defense spending in the European Union [2]. - Germany has approved historic spending plans, further enhancing the investment landscape in Europe [2]. - Blackstone's diversified products and revenue mix are expected to support growth in assets under management (AUM), with fee-earning AUM witnessing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.3% over the past four years [5]. Group 3 - Despite a decline in segment revenues in 2023, Blackstone has a strong global presence and solid organic growth prospects, with a four-year CAGR of 15.6% [4]. - The company's shares have lost 24.9% over the past six months, compared to an industry decline of 11.2% [6].