Alan Brochstein, CFA has been contributing articles to Seeking Alpha since 2007. He has worked on the sell-side and the buy-side in fixed-income and on the buy-side in equities. Alan got his start as a financial professional in the securities industry in 1986 after earning a B.A. in Economics and in Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences from Northwestern University. He was managing investments in institutional environments until he founded AB Analytical Services in 2007 to provide independent consulti ...

Join iREIT on Alpha today to get the most in-depth research that includes REITs, mREITs, Preferreds, BDCs, MLPs, ETFs, and other income alternatives. 438 testimonials and most are 5 stars. Nothing to lose with our FREE 2-week trial .Before we get to the main part, I have to briefly discuss the many direct messages and comments I have gotten in recent weeks and days. As some of you may have noticed, I have missed a few days every now andLeo Nelissen is a long-term investor and macro-focused strategist with a ...

If you are looking for an incredible community to apply proven financial models ranging from Dividends, to Breakout picks, to ETFs, and Long Term Value consistently beating the markets with double digit returns, then join our outstanding members at Value & Momentum BreakoutsThis article serves as a brief January recap and a forecast into February. Some records were set in January that may be the first to have ever happened in my lifetime. As February begins we have some precariousJD Henning is a Finance PhD ...

Last week Goldman Sachs boosted its 2026 target on gold to $5,400/oz. and this morning the yellow metal has topped $5,500. Gold (XAUUSD:CUR) and silver (XAGUSD:CUR) are rallying faster than sell-siders can chase. Looking at the major ETFs — SPDR Gold Shares ...

Group 1 - The article discusses Bluerock, an institutional alternative asset manager based in New York, highlighting its relevance in the investment landscape alongside other firms like BlackRock and Blackstone [1] Group 2 - Binary Tree Analytics (BTA) is introduced as a firm with a background in investment banking cash and derivatives trading, focusing on providing transparency and analytics for capital markets instruments and trades [2] - BTA specializes in Closed-End Funds (CEFs), Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), and Special Situations, aiming to deliver high annualized returns with low volatility [2] - The firm has over 20 years of investment experience, having been established by individuals with a finance major from a top university [2]

Group 1 - JPMorgan is expanding its ETF business to better compete with iShares/BlackRock [1] - The JPMorgan ActiveBuilders Emerging Markets Equity fund is part of its 'Active Builders' suite [1] - Binary Tree Analytics (BTA) focuses on providing transparency and analytics for capital markets instruments, particularly in CEFs, ETFs, and Special Situations [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - BlackRock reported full-year revenue of $24 billion, up 19% year-over-year, with operating income of $9.6 billion, an 18% increase, and earnings per share (EPS) of $48.09, which increased by 10% [7][8] - Q4 revenue reached $7 billion, a 23% increase year-over-year, driven by acquisitions and organic base fee growth [7][8] - The company achieved nearly $700 billion in net new assets for the year, with a 9% organic base fee growth and a 16% technology annual contract value (ACV) expansion [3][4] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Q4 base fees and securities lending revenue totaled $5.3 billion, up 19% year-over-year, supported by market beta impacts and organic growth [9] - Performance fees for Q4 were $754 million, reflecting higher revenue from alternatives, including $158 million from HPS [10] - Technology services and subscription revenue increased by 24% year-over-year, with annual contract value (ACV) rising 31% [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - iShares led the industry with $527 billion in net inflows for 2025, representing 12% organic asset growth [14] - Full-year retail net inflows were $107 billion, driven by significant assignments and strong performance in various asset classes [15] - BlackRock's institutional active franchise generated net inflows of $54 billion, while institutional index net outflows were $119 billion, primarily from low-fee index equity strategies [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - BlackRock aims to build leading franchises in high-growth markets, including private markets, digital assets, and active ETFs, targeting $500 million revenue generators in the next five years [6] - The company plans to raise $400 billion in gross private markets fundraising by 2030, leveraging strong client relationships and investment performance [15][22] - BlackRock is focused on integrating public and private markets, enhancing its technology and data capabilities through platforms like Aladdin and Preqin [6][35] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the growth trajectory, with a strong pipeline of business across products and regions, and a commitment to delivering durable, profitable growth [18][20] - The company anticipates continued organic base fee growth of 6% or higher, supported by structural growth strategies and favorable market conditions [40] - Management highlighted the importance of cash management and the potential for elevated cash holdings as global capital markets grow [45][47] Other Important Information - BlackRock returned a record $5 billion to shareholders in 2025 through dividends and share repurchases, with a 10% increase in the dividend per share planned for Q1 2026 [13][21] - The company is integrating Preqin to enhance its private market data capabilities and aims to create investable indices for private markets [80][82] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the outlook for net flow pipeline and the money market business? - Management noted that organic base fee growth continues to outperform expectations, with a diversified fundraising plan for 2026 [40][41] - They expect money market yields to fall with rate cuts, but anticipate strong demand for fixed income offerings [42][43] Question: How is BlackRock prioritizing growth in Asia? - Management highlighted the rapid growth of capital markets in Asia, particularly in Japan and India, and the opportunities for self-directed retirement platforms [51][52][55] Question: How does BlackRock differentiate in the insurance channel? - Management emphasized their full-service capabilities and strong relationships with insurance companies, positioning them well for growth in private credit and high-grade portfolios [61][65] Question: What is the outlook for operating margins in 2026? - Management targets a 45% or greater adjusted operating margin, with expectations for margin expansion driven by strong growth in private markets and technology [69][71]

Group 1 - The article emphasizes the transformative potential of AI technology, highlighting its significance beyond being a trendy topic or producing impressive tech [1] - Leo Nelissen is identified as a long-term investor and macro-focused strategist, with a focus on dividend growth and high-quality compounders [1] - The approach combines macro analysis with bottom-up stock research to identify businesses with strong cash-flow potential [1] Group 2 - The article mentions that Leo Nelissen also contributes to Main Street Alpha, where he provides in-depth research and actionable investment ideas for long-term investors [1]

Group 1 - The article discusses the expertise of Sensor Unlimited, who has a PhD in financial economics and has been covering the mortgage market, commercial market, and banking industry for the past decade [2] - Sensor Unlimited focuses on asset allocation and ETFs related to the overall market, bonds, banking and financial sectors, and housing markets [2] - The investing group Envision Early Retirement, led by Sensor Unlimited, offers solutions for generating high income and growth with isolated risks through dynamic asset allocation [2] Group 2 - Envision Early Retirement features two model portfolios: one for short-term survival/withdrawal and another for aggressive long-term growth [2] - The group provides direct access via chat for discussing ideas, monthly updates on all holdings, tax discussions, and ticker critiques by request [2]

Top stock-market newsletter editors share gems from their 'buy' list. ...