Zacks Research Has Negative Outlook of BlackRock Q1 Earnings

BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research decreased their Q1 2025 earnings per share estimates for shares of BlackRock in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, February 5th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the asset manager will earn $10.40 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $10.73. The consensus estimate for BlackRock’s current full-year earnings is $47.45 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for BlackRock’s Q2 2025 earnings at $11.05 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $12.00 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $46.57 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $12.38 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $64.16 EPS.

BlackRock (NYSE:BLK) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, January 15th. The asset manager reported $11.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $11.52 by $0.41. The business had revenue of $5.68 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.57 billion. BlackRock had a return on equity of 16.32% and a net margin of 31.21%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 22.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $9.66 EPS.

A number of other equities research analysts have also recently weighed in on the company. Barclays lowered their price target on BlackRock from $1,220.00 to $1,160.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 13th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their target price on BlackRock from $1,225.00 to $1,160.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, January 13th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on BlackRock from $1,155.00 to $1,175.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on BlackRock from $1,261.00 to $1,275.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on BlackRock from $914.00 to $971.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, BlackRock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $1,120.67.

BlackRock Stock Performance

BLK opened at $1,005.99 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $155.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.95, a P/E/G ratio of 2.06 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a current ratio of 5.23 and a quick ratio of 5.23. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $1,025.82 and its 200 day simple moving average is $966.82. BlackRock has a 1-year low of $745.55 and a 1-year high of $1,084.22.

BlackRock Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 7th will be given a $5.21 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 7th. This is a positive change from BlackRock’s previous quarterly dividend of $5.10. This represents a $20.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.07%. BlackRock’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 48.57%.

Insider Buying and Selling at BlackRock

In other news, Director J. Richard Kushel sold 10,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, January 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,010.00, for a total transaction of $10,100,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 68,433 shares in the company, valued at $69,117,330. This trade represents a 12.75 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Mark Wiedman sold 36,190 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,045.90, for a total value of $37,851,121.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 6,480 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,777,432. This represents a 84.81 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 110,190 shares of company stock valued at $115,163,141 over the last three months. 0.90% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of BlackRock

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of BLK. FSA Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in BlackRock in the third quarter worth about $26,000. Collier Financial acquired a new position in BlackRock in the fourth quarter worth about $32,000. Compass Planning Associates Inc acquired a new position in BlackRock in the fourth quarter worth about $33,000. Atwood & Palmer Inc. acquired a new position in BlackRock in the fourth quarter worth about $36,000. Finally, Reston Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in BlackRock in the third quarter worth about $37,000. 80.69% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About BlackRock

BlackRock, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm primarily provides its services to institutional, intermediary, and individual investors including corporate, public, union, and industry pension plans, insurance companies, third-party mutual funds, endowments, public institutions, governments, foundations, charities, sovereign wealth funds, corporations, official institutions, and banks.