Lansforsakringar Fondforvaltning AB publ lifted its position in BlackRock (NYSE:BLK – Free Report) by 2.7% in the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 55,274 shares of the asset manager’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,427 shares during the quarter. Lansforsakringar Fondforvaltning AB publ’s holdings in BlackRock were worth $64,442,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in BlackRock by 1.7% in the second quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 13,991,264 shares of the asset manager’s stock worth $14,680,334,000 after buying an additional 227,192 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of BlackRock by 1.1% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 3,143,429 shares of the asset manager’s stock worth $3,281,641,000 after acquiring an additional 34,049 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $2,644,007,000. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake in shares of BlackRock by 72.5% in the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 2,005,358 shares of the asset manager’s stock valued at $2,104,122,000 after purchasing an additional 842,901 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of BlackRock by 105,267.4% during the 2nd quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,705,899 shares of the asset manager’s stock valued at $1,789,915,000 after purchasing an additional 1,704,280 shares during the last quarter. 80.69% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Trending Headlines about BlackRock
Here are the key news stories impacting BlackRock this week:
- Positive Sentiment: ValueAct (Morfit) announced a position in BlackRock and suggested the firm can become “more powerful” by leaning into technology—an activist investor endorsement that can be a catalyst for strategic change and a re-rating. ValueAct’s Morfit announces BlackRock position, says technology can make the company ‘more powerful’
- Positive Sentiment: An analyst price target was raised to $1,340, signaling bullish analyst sentiment that supports the stock’s upward momentum. BlackRock (NYSE:BLK) Price Target Raised to $1,340.00
- Positive Sentiment: BlackRock proposed combining two UK smaller‑company trusts (Throgmorton and Smaller Companies Trust); shareholders and an activist (Saba) have reacted favorably — the deal would create the largest growth‑focused trust in the UK smaller companies sector, which can boost AUM and stewardship fees. BlackRock Smaller Companies Trust jumps 4% on merger plan with Throgmorton
- Neutral Sentiment: Regulatory disclosures show BlackRock building stakes in other companies (WPP hitting a 10% voting threshold; a ~10.7% capital interest in Qiagen). These moves reflect portfolio positioning and potential engagement but are mixed for BLK’s stock direction. WPP Discloses BlackRock’s Voting Stake Reaching 10% on 18 February 2026 BlackRock Discloses 10.68% Capital Interest and 11.8% Voting Stake in Qiagen
- Neutral Sentiment: Analyst coverage and estimate pages refreshed this week show continued bullish long‑term outlooks even as BLK has underperformed recently—important context but not an immediate driver. BlackRock Stock: Analyst Estimates & Ratings
- Negative Sentiment: Crypto flow and trading activity tied to BlackRock’s crypto ETFs are a near-term headwind: Arkham data shows BlackRock moved about $270M in BTC/ETH to Coinbase as $2.4B in crypto options expire — this looks like selling pressure that can reduce AUM and fee momentum in crypto products. BlackRock Signals $270M Bitcoin, Ethereum Sell-Off as $2.4B in Crypto Options Expire
- Negative Sentiment: Reports show BlackRock has trimmed exposure to a Bitcoin proxy strategy and IBIT/Fbtc ETF flows/absorption that helped during prior selloffs are weakening — this increases volatility risk for BlackRock’s crypto product revenue. BlackRock trims stake in Bitcoin proxy Strategy but keeps top shareholder spot Bitcoin Bottom Call On Ice: Fear Is Extreme, Whales Aren’t Buying
- Negative Sentiment: Rosen Law Firm announced an investigation into potential breaches of fiduciary duties by BlackRock directors/officers—this raises governance/legal risk that can pressure sentiment until resolved. BLK Investor News: Rosen Law Firm Announces Investigation of Breaches of Fiduciary Duties by the Directors and Officers of BlackRock, Inc. – BLK
BlackRock Price Performance
BlackRock (NYSE:BLK – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 15th. The asset manager reported $13.16 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $12.55 by $0.61. BlackRock had a return on equity of 15.14% and a net margin of 22.93%.The company had revenue of $6.33 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.80 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $11.93 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 23.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that BlackRock will post 47.41 earnings per share for the current year.
BlackRock Increases Dividend
The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 6th will be given a $5.73 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 6th. This represents a $22.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. This is a positive change from BlackRock’s previous quarterly dividend of $5.21. BlackRock’s dividend payout ratio is 58.84%.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
Several analysts have weighed in on the stock. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of BlackRock from $1,300.00 to $1,350.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, January 16th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their target price on BlackRock from $1,244.00 to $1,267.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, January 9th. Evercore reduced their price target on BlackRock from $1,300.00 to $1,275.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 12th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $1,351.00 price target on shares of BlackRock in a research note on Friday, January 16th. Finally, TD Cowen lowered BlackRock from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have issued a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $1,311.11.
View Our Latest Analysis on BLK
Insider Activity at BlackRock
In other BlackRock news, COO Robert L. Goldstein sold 5,293 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $1,084.22, for a total value of $5,738,776.46. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer directly owned 46,185 shares in the company, valued at $50,074,700.70. This trade represents a 10.28% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, Director J. Richard Kushel sold 20,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, January 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $1,125.00, for a total value of $22,500,000.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 61,894 shares in the company, valued at $69,630,750. This trade represents a 24.42% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 109,967 shares of company stock worth $122,487,380. 1.98% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
About BlackRock
BlackRock, Inc is a global investment management firm that provides a broad range of products and services to institutional, intermediary and individual investors. Its core activities include portfolio management across active and index strategies, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) under the iShares brand, fixed income, equity and multi-asset solutions, as well as alternatives such as private equity, real estate and infrastructure. The firm also offers cash management and liquidity solutions and retirement-focused products designed for defined contribution and defined benefit investors.
In addition to traditional investment management, BlackRock is known for its technology and risk management capabilities, most prominently its Aladdin platform, which combines portfolio management, trading and risk analytics and is used both internally and licensed to external clients.
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