Core Insights - BlackRock Inc. is making a significant strategic investment in private markets, aiming to raise $400 billion in gross private-market assets by 2030, focusing on retirement accounts, insurance portfolios, and digital finance [1][2] Group 1: Private Market Strategy - The company reported $40 billion in net inflows for private markets in the last year, primarily driven by private credit and infrastructure investments [2] - BlackRock plans to integrate private-market investments into mainstream retirement accounts, with the launch of a LifePath target date fund that includes private markets expected later this year [3] - Technology and data play a crucial role in this strategy, highlighted by the $3.5 billion acquisition of Preqin, a private markets data company [3] Group 2: Indexing and Tokenization - BlackRock is working on creating investable indices for private markets, aiming to launch these in the coming years [4] - The company is exploring the role of tokenization in private markets, allowing investors to hold tokenized money-market funds alongside other assets, which could enhance the liquidity and distribution of illiquid assets [4] Group 3: Financial Performance - BlackRock's shares increased by 5.93% following the announcement of fourth-quarter results, with revenue reaching $7.01 billion, a 23% increase year-over-year, surpassing expectations [5] - The total assets under management rose to $14 trillion, up from $11 trillion the previous year, with $698 billion in net inflows for the full year [6]