Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company ended Q1 2025 with record assets under management (AUM) of $840 billion, driven by record money market assets of $637 billion [6][20] - Total revenue for Q1 decreased slightly from the prior quarter, with higher revenue from money market assets offset by lower revenue from equity assets [25] - Q1 operating expenses decreased by $22.5 million from the prior quarter, mainly due to lower FX-related expenses [26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Equity assets increased by $1.5 billion from year-end, primarily due to net sales of $1.4 billion [6] - Fixed income assets increased by about $1.4 billion in Q1, mainly due to higher market valuations, partially offset by net redemptions [11] - Alternative private markets saw an increase of $562 million in Q1, driven by FX rates and net sales of about $61 million [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company’s money market mutual fund market share was approximately 7.10% at the end of Q1, down slightly from 7.22% at the end of 2024 [23] - Managed assets were approximately $828 billion, including $629 billion in money markets, $78.5 billion in equities, and $98 billion in fixed income [24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on developing its private markets business for growth, including the acquisition of a majority interest in a U.K. renewable energy company [17] - The company plans to continue adding active ETFs, with a goal of launching a handful each year [91] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the first quarter is typically the worst quarter of the year for the industry, but this year saw positive flows [37] - There are expectations for higher interest rates for a longer period, which is anticipated to continue driving positive flows into money market products [52] Other Important Information - The company declared a $0.34 per share dividend, an increase of nearly 10% from the prior quarter [29] - The company purchased over 3 million shares for about $120 million during Q1 [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Comments on money market market-share - Management clarified that the company had $3 billion of increased money market fund AUM, indicating positive inflows despite competitive pressures [32][36] Question: Update on fixed-income outflows - Management indicated that fixed-income outflows were primarily from the Total Return Bond Fund and High Yield, with performance improving [42][44] Question: Flows since tax date - Management reported an increase of about $5 billion in assets since the tax date, indicating positive flows from both retail and institutional sides [55] Question: Capacity issues with MDT - Management confirmed there are no capacity issues with MDT, expressing enthusiasm for continued growth [96]

BlackRock Inc. (BLK) has completed the acquisition of Preqin, a premier independent provider of private markets data, for almost $3.2 billion (£2.55 billion) in cash. The deal represents a strategic expansion of the company’s Aladdin technology business into the rapidly growing private markets data segment. Over the past year, BLK has been striving to expand its presence in the lucrative private markets business. In sync with this, in December 2024, the company agreed to acquire HPS Investment Partners for ...