Blackstone (NYSE:BX) Q4 2025 Earnings call January 29, 2026 09:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsBen Budish - DirectorBrian Bedell - Director of Equity ResearchCraig Siegenthaler - Managing DirectorJon Gray - President and COOMichael Chae - Vice Chairman and CFOMike Brown - Assistant VP and Investment AssociatePatrick Davitt - PartnerSteve Schwarzman - Chairman, CEO and CO-FounderSteven Chubak - Director of Equity ResearchWeston Tucker - Head of Shareholder RelationsConference Call ParticipantsAlex Blostein - Se ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported GAAP net income for the quarter of $2 billion, with distributable earnings of $2.2 billion or $1.75 per common share, and declared a dividend of $1.49 per share [5][29] - Distributable earnings increased 20% year-over-year to $5.57 per share, or $7.1 billion for the full year, driven by strong growth in fee-related earnings and net realizations [7][32] - Management fees rose 11% year-over-year to a record $2.1 billion, with base management fees growing 10% and transaction and advisory fees increasing by 27% [29][32] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Infrastructure platform grew 40% year-over-year to $77 billion, with over $4 billion raised in the fourth quarter [18] - BXMA reported a gross return of 13% for 2025, with positive composite returns for the last 23 quarters [34] - The private equity flagship in the wealth channel, BXPE, achieved an annualized net return of 17% since inception, growing to $18 billion in two years [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved inflows of $71 billion in the fourth quarter, the highest level in three and a half years, contributing to approximately $240 billion for the full year [7][8] - Assets under management increased 13% year-over-year to nearly $1.3 trillion, setting a new industry record [8][32] - The insurance channel's AUM grew 18% year-over-year to $271 billion, reflecting strong demand for private market solutions [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on thematic areas such as digital infrastructure, private credit, and life sciences, with significant investments in AI and power generation [10][12] - The firm is well-positioned to benefit from the ongoing AI investment boom and the modernization of the U.S. electric grid [11][12] - The company anticipates a resurgence in capital markets activity, with an acceleration in IPO and M&A activity [12][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the firm's prospects, citing strong operating and capital market fundamentals despite geopolitical uncertainties [9][15] - The company expects management fees to continue on a strong positive trajectory in 2026, driven by growth in private equity, credit, and insurance segments [36] - The firm is optimistic about the multi-year outlook, supported by structural tailwinds and multiple engines of growth [37] Other Important Information - The company invested $138 billion across the firm in 2025, the highest level in four years, focusing on areas with significant growth potential [11] - The firm has nearly $200 billion of dry powder available to capitalize on future opportunities [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: On the record IPO pipeline - Management indicated that the focus will be on the corporate space, particularly in energy and electricity, with a broad-based approach expected [41] - The company noted that as limited partners receive capital back, it will facilitate further capital allocation to the firm, creating a positive cycle for fundraising [43] Question: About AI deployment across portfolio companies - Management highlighted early impacts of AI on productivity, particularly in software engineering and customer engagement across portfolio companies [45][46] - The firm is optimistic about the potential for earnings growth driven by AI advancements [47] Question: On retail opportunities and market evolution - Management discussed the breadth of offerings available, emphasizing the appeal of private credit and the potential for continued strong performance despite lower absolute rates [50][51] - The firm is confident in its ability to capture benefits across a wide range of equity products as rates decline [52] Question: On direct lending dynamics - Management noted strong fundraising dynamics on the institutional side, while acknowledging some redemptions in the wealth channel [54][58] - The firm remains confident in the health of its portfolio and the potential for durable premiums in private credit [58]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Blackstone reported GAAP net income for Q4 of $2 billion, with distributable earnings of $2.2 billion or $1.75 per common share, and declared a dividend of $1.49 per share [3][4] - For the full year, distributable earnings increased 20% to $7.1 billion, while fee-related earnings rose 9% to $5.7 billion, and management fees grew 12% to $8 billion [31][27] - Assets under management (AUM) increased 13% year-over-year to approximately $1.3 trillion, marking a new industry record [5][31] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The infrastructure platform grew 40% year-over-year to $77 billion, with over $4 billion raised in Q4 [16] - BXMA reported a gross return of 13% for 2025, with net inflows of $6.3 billion, the highest in nearly 15 years [17] - In credit, total assets managed reached $520 billion, up 15% year-over-year, with inflows exceeding $140 billion in 2025 [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Private wealth fundraising increased 53% year-over-year to $43 billion, contributing to a total AUM growth of 16% in this segment [4][22] - The insurance channel's AUM grew 18% year-over-year to $271 billion, with significant demand for private credit solutions [20][21] - The individual investor channel's AUM tripled over the past five years, exceeding $300 billion [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Blackstone is focusing on thematic areas such as digital infrastructure, private credit, and life sciences, with a strong emphasis on AI-driven investment opportunities [8][10] - The firm is well-positioned to benefit from the ongoing AI and power investment mega cycle, with nearly $200 billion of dry powder available for future investments [12][10] - The company anticipates a resurgence in capital markets activity, with IPO and M&A activities accelerating [10][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the firm's ability to navigate geopolitical uncertainties and a complex operating environment, citing strong operating fundamentals [7][12] - The outlook for 2026 is optimistic, with expectations for continued growth in management fees and net realizations, driven by a favorable investment environment [35][36] - Management highlighted the importance of investment performance, with strong returns across various funds, particularly in infrastructure and corporate private equity [31][33] Other Important Information - Blackstone's fundraising success has led to a significant increase in AUM, with a record level of inflows in Q4 [4][5] - The firm has executed multiple privatizations and investments, including a notable $18 billion acquisition in the medical technology sector [8][9] - The company is actively innovating in the private wealth market, expecting 2026 to be a busy year for product launches [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: What sectors and industries will you be leaning into for the record IPO pipeline? - The focus will be primarily on the corporate space, particularly energy and electricity sectors, with expectations for increased activity in India and some real estate opportunities [38] Question: How is AI being deployed across portfolio companies? - AI is enhancing productivity in software engineering and customer engagement, with early positive impacts observed in various operational areas [41] Question: What is the outlook for direct lending in both wealth and institutional markets? - Institutional confidence remains strong, while the wealth side has seen some redemptions; however, performance metrics are healthy, and inflows have been positive recently [46][48] Question: How does the firm plan to maintain growth and preserve culture as it scales? - The firm emphasizes a strong commitment to delivering for customers and maintaining a performance-driven culture, which is crucial as it continues to grow [62]

Core Viewpoint - Blackstone's BREIT claims an 8.1% return in 2025, significantly outperforming public REITs, which had modest returns, with the Vanguard REIT ETF (VNQ) returning 4.17% including dividends [1][3]. Performance Comparison - Blackstone attributes its outperformance to superior asset selection, claiming a 70% outperformance over public REITs, which is a relative measure rather than a direct percentage point comparison [3][4]. - The total return for public REITs is calculated based on market prices and dividends, while private equity returns, like those of BREIT, are based on internal evaluations of net asset value (NAV), making comparisons less straightforward [6][9]. Sector Performance - BREIT's portfolio includes significant exposure to rental housing, industrial, and data centers, with industrial being the standout performer in 2025, up about 17% [13][18]. - Single-family rentals and multifamily apartments faced challenges in 2025 due to increased supply, leading to declines in major players like American Homes 4 Rent and Camden [14][16]. - Data centers, comprising 21% of BREIT's portfolio, suffered despite strong fundamentals, with major companies like Equinix and Digital Realty experiencing significant drops in stock prices [19][20]. Market Dynamics - Publicly traded REITs are trading at a substantial discount to NAV, with the median REIT trading at 83% of NAV, indicating that BREIT's reported outperformance is more about the relative decline of public REITs than actual superior performance [27][28]. - The article suggests that both BREIT and public REITs performed reasonably well fundamentally, but the difference in reported returns stems from differing methodologies [29]. Investment Considerations - Investors are advised to consider the premium at which BREIT is trading compared to public REITs, which may lead to underperformance going forward [35][36]. - BREIT's redeemable shares allow investors to cash out at NAV, presenting an opportunity to reinvest in public REITs at more attractive valuations [37]. Blackstone's Position - Despite concerns about BREIT's performance, Blackstone has a strong track record of raising assets under management (AUM), which remains a key driver for the company [38].

Core Viewpoint - Blackstone's BREIT claims an 8.1% return in 2025, significantly outperforming public REITs, which had modest returns, with the Vanguard REIT ETF (VNQ) returning 4.17% including dividends [1][3]. Performance Comparison - Blackstone attributes its outperformance to superior asset selection, claiming a 70% outperformance over public REITs, which is a relative measure rather than an absolute one [3][4]. - The total return for public REITs is calculated based on market prices and dividends, while BREIT's return is based on internal evaluations of net asset value (NAV), making direct comparisons challenging [6][9]. Sector Performance - BREIT's portfolio includes significant exposure to rental housing, industrial, and data centers, with industrial being the standout performer in 2025, up about 17% [13][18]. - Single-family rentals and multifamily apartments faced challenges due to increased supply, leading to declines in major players like American Homes 4 Rent and Camden [14][16]. - Data centers, comprising 21% of BREIT's portfolio, suffered despite strong fundamentals, with major companies like Equinix and Digital Realty experiencing significant drops in stock prices [19][20]. Market Dynamics - Publicly traded REITs are trading at a substantial discount to NAV, with the median REIT trading at 83% of NAV, indicating that BREIT's reported outperformance may be more about the relative decline of public REITs than actual superior performance [27][28]. - The article suggests that both BREIT and public REITs performed reasonably well fundamentally, but the difference in reported returns is due to differing methodologies [29]. Investment Considerations - BREIT is currently trading at a premium to public REITs, which may position it for underperformance in the future [35]. - Investors are encouraged to consider redeeming shares of BREIT at NAV and reinvesting in public REITs, which may offer more attractive valuations [37].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported GAAP net income for the quarter of $1.2 billion, with distributable earnings of $1.9 billion or $1.52 per common share, marking a 48% year-over-year increase [5][36] - Distributable earnings increased nearly 50% year-on-year, driven by a 26% growth in fee-related earnings and a more than doubling of net realizations [7][36] - Total assets under management (AUM) rose 12% year-over-year to a record $1.242 trillion, while fee-earning AUM grew 10% to $906 billion [35] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In private credit, AUM grew 18% year-over-year to over $500 billion, with infrastructure and asset-based credit business growing 29% year-over-year to $107 billion [20][21] - The private wealth channel saw AUM grow 15% year-over-year to nearly $290 billion, with significant fundraising success, raising over $11 billion in the third quarter [25][26] - The institutional business grew by 64% over the last five years, with infrastructure platform growing 32% year-over-year to $69 billion [29] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the third quarter, global IPO issuance more than doubled year-over-year, indicating a resurgence in capital markets activity [10] - The company noted a significant external focus on credit defaults, clarifying that these were linked to bank-led credits rather than private credit [11][46] - Commercial real estate values are beginning to recover, with transaction activity increasing by 25% year-over-year in U.S. logistics [32] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to capture generational shifts in the global economy, focusing on massive capital solutions across equity and debt to support sectors like AI, energy infrastructure, and life sciences [17][18] - The firm emphasizes organic growth, having built major market-leading platforms across various sectors over the past 40 years [14][16] - The company is expanding its investment scope into digital and energy infrastructure, private credit, and Asia, among other growth areas [9][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in strong growth prospects, citing structural tailwinds in the alternative sector and increasing allocations to alternatives by institutional investors [8][9] - The firm anticipates a robust pipeline of realizations and a favorable environment for capital markets, which should support fundraising and deployment [38][100] - Management acknowledged potential increases in defaults as the cycle progresses but remains optimistic about the firm's structural advantages [12][46] Other Important Information - The company celebrated its 40th anniversary, highlighting its growth from a startup to the largest alternative asset manager globally [13] - The firm has a strong focus on investment performance, with various funds delivering healthy returns, particularly in infrastructure and private equity [39][42] - The company is committed to responsible management of dividend levels in response to market conditions [94] Q&A Session Summary Question: Follow-up on private credit market and credit quality changes - Management clarified that recent credit issues were linked to bank-led credits and not reflective of the private credit market, with minimal realized losses reported [45][46] Question: Plans for defined contribution business and partnerships - The company is building capabilities in the defined contribution market and plans to leverage existing partnerships with financial institutions [49][50][53] Question: Brand strategy and marketing evolution - The firm is expanding its brand presence globally, including targeted advertising efforts in key markets like Japan [55][56][59] Question: Impact of dividend cut on wealth management channel - Management noted that the wealth channel is adapting to the reality of floating rate products and expects strong flows despite the recent dividend cut [94][95] Question: Competition from banks in direct lending - Management acknowledged increased competition from banks but emphasized the firm's strong positioning and unique offerings in the private credit space [102]

Group 1 - Blackstone Group announced a new round of personnel adjustments, appointing Katie Keenan as CEO of BREIT and Global Head of Core+ Business, overseeing a flagship real estate fund with assets exceeding $100 billion (approximately 710 billion RMB) [1][4] - Katie Keenan, a Harvard graduate, joined Blackstone in 2012 and has been instrumental in growing the Blackstone Real Estate Debt Strategies fund to $77 billion [4][2] - Following the unexpected death of Wesley LePatner, Keenan is now leading BREIT, which focuses on real estate and infrastructure investments, and is one of the largest REITs globally [2][4] Group 2 - Keenan expressed optimism about the current market conditions, citing tightening supply, declining financing costs, and a rebound in transaction activity as positive signals [4] - Blackstone also made several personnel appointments, including Zaneta Koplewicz as Senior Managing Director of BREIT and Tim Johnson as CEO of BXMT [5][4] - Johnson highlighted BXMT's strong performance, with a nearly 20% total return year-to-date and $26 billion in new investments deployed last quarter [5][4] Group 3 - Blackstone's Strategic Partners Infrastructure IV fund raised a total of $5.5 billion (approximately 39.2 billion RMB), marking the largest S fund in the global infrastructure sector [6] - The investment strategy of SPI IV focuses on energy, transportation, digital infrastructure, and water and waste management, particularly projects with stable cash flows and long-term contracts [6] - Blackstone is strategically reducing its reliance on traditional office and retail assets, as indicated by the recent sale of three outlet centers in Italy for €410 million (approximately 3.4 billion RMB) [6] Group 4 - In July, Blackstone and Google announced a joint investment of $50 billion in artificial intelligence infrastructure, with Blackstone committing over $25 billion for new data centers and energy infrastructure [7] - Blackstone has made significant investments in the data center sector, including $925 million in a liquid cooling technology data center operator and a $1 billion acquisition of a natural gas power plant [7] - The company currently manages a global data center platform valued at $85 billion, with land reserves supporting future growth exceeding $125 billion [7]

Group 1: Leadership Changes - Blackstone Group announced a new round of personnel adjustments, appointing Katie Keenan as the CEO of BREIT and Global Head of Core+ business, overseeing a flagship real estate fund with assets exceeding $100 billion (approximately 710 billion RMB) [2][8] - Katie Keenan, a Harvard graduate, joined Blackstone in 2012 and has been instrumental in growing the assets of Blackstone's Real Estate Debt Strategies Fund to $77 billion [7][8] - Following the unexpected passing of Wesley LePatner, Keenan is seen as a key figure in Blackstone's leadership, previously considered a potential successor to Stephen Schwarzman [5][8] Group 2: Fund Performance and Strategy - BREIT, under Keenan's leadership, is recognized as one of Blackstone's most successful outcomes, with approximately 90% of its portfolio concentrated in sectors benefiting from long-term structural trends, particularly in data centers [8][12] - Blackstone's recent personnel changes also include Zane Koplewicz being promoted to Senior Managing Director of BREIT and Tim Johnson taking over as CEO of BXMT [9][10] - Blackstone's Strategic Partners Infrastructure IV fund recently completed fundraising, reaching a total size of $5.5 billion (approximately 39.2 billion RMB), focusing on energy, transportation, and digital infrastructure [11] Group 3: Investment Focus - Blackstone is strategically reducing its reliance on traditional office and retail assets, shifting focus towards data centers and infrastructure as core investment areas [12] - The company announced a significant investment of $50 billion in AI infrastructure, with over $25 billion allocated for new data centers and energy infrastructure [13] - Blackstone currently manages a global data center platform valued at $85 billion, with strong land reserves supporting future growth exceeding $125 billion [13]

Core Insights - Blackstone has appointed Katie Keenan as the new CEO of its $105 billion real estate fund, BREIT, following the tragic death of former leader Wesley LePatner [1][2] - Keenan has been with Blackstone for 13 years and has held various roles, including co-chief investment officer for the real estate debt business and CEO of Blackstone Mortgage Trust [3][4] - The leadership change highlights Blackstone's commitment to maintaining its position as one of the world's largest landlords, with Keenan's experience in significant deals, such as the $23 billion acquisition of GE's real estate [4][6] Leadership Transition - The previous CEO, Wesley LePatner, was killed in a shooting incident at Blackstone's Manhattan headquarters, which also resulted in the deaths of three others [2] - Tim Johnson, a 14-year veteran at Blackstone, will take over leadership of the mortgage trust following Keenan's promotion [3] Katie Keenan's Background - Keenan was recognized in Business Insider's inaugural rising stars list in 2017 and has successfully led her team in closing over 15 transactions worth $2.75 billion in a single year [5][7] - Prior to her tenure at Blackstone, Keenan worked at Lupert-Adler and G2 Investment Group, and began her career at Lehman Brothers as a real estate investment banker [7]

Group 1 - Blackstone appointed Katie Keenan as CEO of its real estate income trust and global head of the Core+ business following the fatal shooting of the former head in July [1][2] - Keenan has over a decade of experience at Blackstone and previously served as global co-chief investment officer of real estate debt strategies and CEO of mortgage trust [1][2] - The investment trust, BREIT, has over $100 billion in assets and is one of the largest real estate investment trusts globally [3] Group 2 - Tim Johnson will take over Keenan's previous role in real estate debt strategies [2] - Zaneta Koplewicz has been named co-president and director of the real estate income trust [2] - All leadership changes will take effect on November 10, except for Keenan's role as global head of Core+, which is effective immediately [3]