BlackRock Inc. is one of the world’s largest asset management companies, with significant influence on both Wall Street and global financial markets. The company manages trillions of dollars in assets, and its investment decisions can greatly affect the global economy. That leaves us with a logical question: Who owns BlackRock?
BlackRock’s substantial growth and influence can be attributed to its unique ownership structure. This article reviews the company’s major shareholders to gain insights into its governance structure, decision-making processes, and potential stakeholder interests in its strategic development. It also reveals who runs the largest American multinational investment company and uncovers its implications for the global financial system.
The article covers the following subjects:
Major Takeaways
- BlackRock is the world’s largest asset manager. It generates revenue primarily from investment management fees and the provision of financial and technological solutions.
- BlackRock’s largest shareholders are institutional investors, including companies such as Vanguard Group, State Street, and other investment funds.
- BlackRock’s business model is based on asset management, advisory services, risk management solutions, and its technology platform.
- A significant share of the company’s stock is held by institutional investors, while the stake of individual shareholders is relatively small.
- BlackRock’s board of directors includes professionals with extensive experience in finance and corporate governance, including Lawrence (Larry) Fink, Roberto Kapito, and Gregory J. Fleming.
- Due to the size of its assets under management, BlackRock has a significant influence on financial markets and major corporations, shaping investment trends and industry standards.
Quick Answer to BlackRock Ownership
BlackRock is the world’s largest asset management company, and its scale consistently attracts investors, analysts, and regulators. Therefore, it is important to understand who owns BlackRock in order to gain insight into the ownership structure and extent of influence of this financial firm.
BlackRock shares are traded on the stock exchange, which means that the company is public. The bulk of its shares are held by large institutional investors, such as investment funds and management companies, with a smaller stake held by private shareholders.
|
Owner |
Type |
Share |
|
Vanguard Group |
Institutional |
~9% |
|
BlackRock Inc. |
Institutional |
~7% |
|
Capital Research and Management Company |
Institutional |
~6% |
|
Kuwait (the Kuwaiti government) |
Institutional |
~5% |
|
State Street Corporation |
Institutional |
~4% |
|
Temasek Holdings (Singaporean state-owned firm) |
Institutional |
~3% |
|
Bank of America |
Institutional |
~3% |
|
Susan Wagner |
Private |
~0.28% |
BLK Stock Price Today
The current price of BlackRock Inc. shares on 04.02.2026 is $1 069.90.
What is BlackRock Inc and What Do They Do?
BlackRock Inc. is the world’s largest company providing a wide range of investment and financial services. It serves private and institutional clients, offering asset management and investment advisory solutions.
BlackRock’s primary income stems from commissions for asset management services, including investments in stocks, bonds, and other investment instruments. In addition, the company earns revenue from providing analytical and technological solutions to financial institutions.
BlackRock Business Model Explained
BlackRock’s business model centers on providing asset management services to both institutional clients and retail investors. The company offers a wide range of products, from exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to mutual funds and individual portfolios.
BlackRock's primary revenue comes from fees: the company charges a percentage of the volume of assets under management. The success of the business depends directly on its ability to deliver competitive returns, retain clients, and attract new funds.
At the same time, risk management is one of the cornerstones of BlackRock’s strategy and an important part of its business in global financial markets.
$14 Trillion in Assets Under Management
BlackRock manages more than $14 trillion in assets, making it the world’s largest asset manager. The company employs a diversified approach, investing in a wide range of asset classes, including equities, bonds, real estate, and alternative assets.
BlackRock’s investment management relies on advanced analytical methods and technological platforms. The company proactively leverages data analytics to assess clients’ risk profiles and build portfolios that align with their goals and risk tolerance.
In addition, corporate governance is an important part of BlackRock’s operations. Thanks to its significant stakes in the world’s largest companies, it can participate in shareholder votes and influence strategic decisions and business policies.
How BlackRock (BLK) Shares Are Distributed
The question of who owns BlackRock does not have a straightforward answer. The company is publicly traded, and its shares are distributed among many owners.
Most of the shares are held by large institutional investors, such as investment funds, management companies, and pension funds. At the same time, individual shareholders, including Larry Fink and other top managers, also hold shares, but their holdings are relatively small.
Thus, BlackRock’s ownership structure remains widely diversified, which is typical for the largest public corporations.
Institutional vs Individual Ownership Percentages
The bulk of BlackRock’s stock is held by major shareholders, including Vanguard Group, State Street Corporation, and other funds and financial institutions, including sovereign wealth funds such as Temasek Holdings.
The share of private investors, company employees, and management is relatively modest and does not have a significant impact on the ownership structure.
According to estimates, approximately 80% of BlackRock’s shares are held by other large asset managers, such as management companies, pension funds, banks, and other major market participants.
Public Float and Insider Holdings Breakdown
About 13.6% of BlackRock shares are freely traded on the stock exchange. The share of insiders, including executives and board members, is small relative to the total number of shares and amounts to approximately 1.9%.
This means that ownership of BlackRock is distributed among a large number of shareholders, primarily institutional investors.
BlackRock Ownership Distribution Chart
The distribution of BlackRock shares among the main types of holders is as follows:
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Mutual funds and ETFs own about 35.9% of the shares, which is approximately 55.7 million securities with a total value of about $63.5 billion.
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Other institutional investors hold the largest share, about 50.6%, or approximately 78.4 million shares, equivalent to $89.4 billion.
-
Public companies and retail investors own about 13.6% of the shares, which is about 21.1 million securities with a total value of about $24.0 billion.
Therefore, BlackRock’s ownership structure remains predominantly institutional, highlighting the influence of large funds and financial organizations on the company.
Top 5 Institutional Shareholders of BlackRock
Large institutional investors are key figures in BlackRock’s ownership structure. They control a significant part of the company’s shares and can have a significant influence on its corporate governance and strategic decisions.
Let’s take a look at BlackRock’s five largest institutional investors.
Vanguard Group Holds the Largest Stake
Vanguard has historically been one of BlackRock’s major shareholders, possessing an estimated 9% stake in the company.
Vanguard’s strategy relies on long-term investing: the fund typically holds large equity positions for several years, remaining an important institutional player and a key stakeholder in BlackRock’s ownership structure.
BlackRock Fund Advisors Self-Ownership Explained
As with many large financial institutions, BlackRock has a complex ownership structure involving cross-investments. Some of the company’s shares are held in funds and ETFs managed by BlackRock itself.
This creates a peculiar paradox: formally, these shares are counted among BlackRock’s holders, although the actual owners are the investors who have put their money into the relevant funds. In other words, the company does not own its own assets directly; it only manages client assets, including its own shares.
Based on general estimates, such funds may hold about 7% of BlackRock’s shares, underscoring the scale of its investment platform and its role in the global capital management system.
State Street Corporation Ownership Position
Like Vanguard Group, State Street Corporation is another major asset manager, holding a significant stake in the company.
According to current estimates, State Street owns approximately 4% of BlackRock’s shares, making it a key player in the management giant’s ownership structure.
Bank of America Institutional Holdings
Bank of America is also among the largest shareholders of BlackRock. The bank owns approximately 3% of the company’s shares.
This participation reflects the close ties between major financial institutions such as Bank of America and BlackRock. However, it is primarily a matter of investment ownership through capital management mechanisms rather than direct strategic control.
Temasek Holdings Investment in BlackRock
Temasek Holdings, the sovereign wealth fund of the Singapore government, is also one of BlackRock’s major shareholders. According to current estimates, its stake is approximately 3%.
Temasek Holdings’ investment reflects its confidence in BlackRock as the world’s largest asset manager and an important participant in the global financial system. As an international global investor with a long-term investment horizon, Temasek Holdings traditionally selects companies with stable growth prospects and sustainable business models.
Top Individual Shareholders and Insiders
In addition to institutional investors, a small portion of BlackRock shares is owned by individual shareholders, primarily top managers and members of the company’s board of directors. Although their combined stake is relatively small, these insiders play an important role in corporate governance and long-term strategic planning.
Let’s take a look at the key members of BlackRock’s management who own shares in the company.
Laurence Fink, CEO: Ownership and Net Worth
Lawrence Fink is the co-founder of BlackRock and its long-standing CEO. He remains one of the company’s largest individual shareholders, owning approximately 0.27% of BlackRock’s shares — roughly 414,000 shares valued at more than $340 million.
This stake underscores his commitment to the long-term success of the company he founded.
In addition, Larry Fink is the former head of First Boston investment bank. In 1988, he held the position of managing director there.
In addition to his job at BlackRock, he is heavily involved in a number of international and public initiatives: in particular, he is a member of the World Economic Forum’s leadership team and a Co-Chair of the NYU Langone Health Board of Trustees.
Robert Kapito, President, Share Holdings
Robert Kapito is the president of BlackRock and one of the company’s key executives responsible for its operational management. He owns approximately 0.14% of the company’s shares, or about 217,000 shares, worth more than $170 million. This stake points to Kapito’s significant role in BlackRock’s structure and his vested interest in its long-term success.
Kapito oversees key areas of BlackRock’s operations: investment divisions, client relations, technology solutions, risk management, and operational processes.
He is also associated with the iShares brand, BlackRock’s largest ETF platform, which plays a central role in the company’s business.
Until 2007, Kapito headed a number of divisions related to portfolio management and investment program development, including corporate bond purchase programs, liquid strategies, and alternative assets.
Before BlackRock was founded in 1988, he worked at First Boston investment bank, where he was involved in mortgage finance products.
Susan Wagner, Co-Founder, Ownership Stake
Susan Wagner is a co-founder of BlackRock and a key figure in the company’s early development and growth. Her contribution to shaping BlackRock’s strategy, corporate culture, and management principles is remarkable.
Wagner owns approximately 0.28% of the company’s shares — about 428,000 securities worth more than $350 million. This stake underscores her long-term commitment and involvement in BlackRock’s success.
Susan Wagner currently serves on the boards of several major companies, including Apple Inc., Samsara Inc., and the medical technology company Color Health, further demonstrating her influence and authority in corporate governance on a global level.
J. Richard Kushel, Insider Holdings
Richard Kushel is one of BlackRock’s key insiders and a senior managing director. With decades of experience, he has profound insight into the internal structure and investment processes of the world’s largest asset manager. Kushel owns approximately 0.04% of BlackRock’s shares, or about 67,000, worth approximately $55 million.
Kushel heads the Portfolio Management Group (PMG), one of BlackRock’s most vital divisions, which brings together key investment areas, including:
- bond management (including municipal and financial bonds);
- index and LDI strategies;
- equity analysis and management;
- private lending;
- systematic investing;
- multi-asset solutions;
- products for private investors.
He also previously led strategic product management, BlackRock’s investment division, and the company’s Investment Institute.
From 2009 to 2011, Kushiel worked in London, where he served as chairman of BlackRock’s international business and oversaw the company’s operations outside the United States and Canada.
Barbara Novick, Co-Founder, Share Position
Barbara Novik is a co-founder of BlackRock and a senior advisor to the company, continuing to play a prominent role in its development. Like the other founders, Novik owns a significant stake in BlackRock.
Between 1988 and 2008, she led global client services, overseeing the company’s international development, marketing, and support for clients investing in stocks, bonds, and other asset classes. Under her leadership, BlackRock strengthened its position among both large institutional clients and private investors.
In 2009, Novik established a public policy division focused on engaging with regulators and protecting the interests of clients and investors.
From 2018 to 2020, she also held leadership roles in BlackRock’s investment division, helping to develop the company’s key capital management approaches.
Who Sits on BlackRock’s Board of Directors?
BlackRock’s Board of Directors is the highest corporate governance body, setting the company’s strategic priorities and overseeing its operations. It comprises experienced professionals with extensive expertise in finance, business, and corporate governance.
The Board of Directors bears responsibility to shareholders for ensuring BlackRock’s sustainable development and long-term profitability. Its members approve key decisions related to investment policy, risk management, and corporate control standards.
In addition, the board oversees senior management, including the CEO, and performs an important role in maintaining investor confidence.
Given the scale of BlackRock’s assets under management, the company’s board of directors has a significant influence not only on its strategy but also on broader processes in the global financial system.
The board of directors consists of:
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Lawrence Fink is the CEO of BlackRock.
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Pamela Daley is the former senior vice president of corporate business development at GE.
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Gregory Fleming is the president and CEO of Rockefeller Capital.
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William Ford is the chairman and CEO of General Atlantic.
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Fabrizio Freda is the former president and CEO of Estée Lauder Companies.
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Murry Gerber is the former chairman and CEO of EQT Corporation.
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Margaret “Peggy” Johnson is the CEO of Agility Robotics.
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Robert Kapito is president of BlackRock.
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Gregg Lemkau is Co-CEO of BDT & MSD Partners.
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Cheryl Mills is the founder and CEO of BlackIvy Group.
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Kathleen Murphy is the former president of Fidelity’s personal investment division.
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Amin Nasser is president and CEO of Saudi Aramco.
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Gordon Nixon is a former president and CEO of the Royal Bank of Canada.
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Adebayo “Bayo” Ogunlesi is chairman and CEO of Global Infrastructure Partners.
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Kristin Peck is CEO of Zoetis, Inc.
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Charles Robbins is chairman and CEO of Cisco Systems.
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Hans Vestberg is Chairman and CEO of Verizon.
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Susan Wagner is a former Vice Chair of BlackRock.
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Mark Wilson is CEO of Reinsurance Intelligence Quotient.
How BlackRock Influences Other Companies
Given the scale of BlackRock’s assets under management, the company can exert significant influence on global financial markets and corporate governance practices. The company’s investments in major corporations and entire industries can affect their market value and strategic priorities.
As one of the largest institutional investors, BlackRock has voting rights on corporate governance issues. In particular, the company is actively involved in discussions on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies, which allows it to influence business standards and encourage companies to pursue sustainable development.
In addition, BlackRock provides analytical and advisory services that help clients and corporations develop investment strategies, manage risk, and attract capital across global markets.
Is BlackRock Stock a Good Investment?
BlackRock (BLK) shares are widely regarded as a key instrument in the financial sector. The company manages trillions of dollars in assets, remaining the world’s largest capital manager. So, is it worth considering buying its shares right now?
Investors say BlackRock’s main advantages are its diversified business model, steady dividend growth, and strong global brand. The company is a leader in the ETF segment and is actively developing tech solutions for financial markets.
At the same time, when evaluating BLK, it is important to consider the risks posed by macroeconomic conditions, intensifying competition in the asset management industry, and potential regulatory pressure.
Before making an investment decision, you should carefully study the company’s financial metrics and market forecasts and compare potential investments with your goals and investment horizon. In general, BLK shares can be viewed as a long-term investment due to their stability and impact on the global financial system.
Conclusion
BlackRock Inc. is one of the most powerful participants in the global financial system, with a significant impact on the global economy and capital markets. The company’s role in asset management, corporate governance, and investment trends is difficult to overstate.
Understanding BlackRock’s ownership structure, business model, and reach is valuable for investors, analysts, and anyone interested in how the modern financial system works. The company continues to grow, and changes in its strategy can have consequences far beyond the investment industry.
So, how do you buy BlackRock shares? They are traded on the US stock market and are available through most international brokers. To purchase them, you need to:
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Register an account with the brokerage company LiteFinance.
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Top up your account.
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Perform your analysis of the company and market conditions.
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Make an informed investment decision.
Remember that any investment involves risks, so before buying, you should assess your goals, investment horizon, and risk tolerance.
BlackRock Shareholders FAQs
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