"The "Black Rock" refers to Rupes Nigra, a phantom island believed to be located at the North Pole, described by the cartographer Gerardus Mercator as a large magnetic rock that supposedly explained why compasses point north. This concept originated from a lost work titled "Inventio Fortunata" and appeared on maps during the 16th and 17th centuries"
It's an interesting hole to dive down cause this depiction of the north pole is shown on all kinds of maps before the 1800s. Many ancient cultures show a Blackrock at the pole with 4 islands surrounding it. They also show islands that currently aren't on today's maps.
What is BlackRock?
BlackRock originated in 1988 as an asset management company for institutional investors.
At first, it was part of Blackstone Financial, according to Blackstone founder and CEO Steve Schwarzman. When Larry Fink decided to break his company out from under Blackstone’s name, he and Schwarzman came up with the name “BlackRock” with tongue firmly in cheek.
BlackRock is the biggest investment manager in the world. It serves institutional and individual investors. BlackRock originally specialized in fixed-income investments like bonds and mortgage-backed securities. It also owns and manages the iShares line of exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Today, BlackRock also provides expertise on mutual funds, ETFs and alternative investments. The company prioritizes risk management, counseling its clients with sophisticated tools to limit adverse exposure. As of Q2 2024, BlackRock’s assets under management (AUM) totaled more than $10.6 trillion.
Pros of BlackRock
Investor accessibility: BlackRock works with institutional and individual investors, meaning both professional and casual investors can benefit from its expertise.
Diverse options: BlackRock covers the entire range of investment opportunities, including stock portfolios, mutual funds, ETFs and other vehicles. A diverse portfolio lessens overall risk for public and private investors.
Focus on the long view: BlackRock’s experts concentrate on an asset’s long-term potential for growth. For clients, this heightens the possibility of increased profits via compounding returns.
User-friendliness: With strong attention to client accessibility, BlackRock simplifies the investment process as much as possible. It provides easy-to-use tools for clients to manage their holdings.
Cons of BlackRock
Limited focus on alternative investments: BlackRock earned its keep through traditional investment strategies like stocks, bonds and funds. It does have a division, BlackRock Alternative Investors (BAI), that covers some private investments. However, BAI works almost exclusively with institutional investors.
Too big to ignore: BlackRock’s standing as the largest investment firm in the world may mean it has an outsized influence on the stock market. While that could work to its clients’ advantage, it may work against others.
What is Blackstone?
Blackstone was founded in 1985 by former employees of Lehman Brothers (including Schwarzman). Its original focus was on mergers and acquisitions. Blackstone has evolved into the world's biggest private equity firm and alternative investment strategy company.
Blackstone is one of the key drivers of private equity financing, having invested in healthcare, technology, energy, media and other companies. As the firm has grown, it’s expanded its holdings into commercial real estate, developed hedge fund solutions and provided loans through its credit division.
Working exclusively with private entities, Blackstone has more managerial and structural influence on the companies it invests in. The total value of the assets it manages is estimated at more than $1 trillion.
Until recently, Blackstone’s clients were exclusively institutional investors. In the last couple of years, however, the firm has shifted its focus to high-wealth individual investors.
Pros of Blackstone
Alternative investment expertise: Blackstone’s experience with alternative investments is unrivaled. The firm has helped institutional investors find private opportunities that aren’t offered through the stock market.
Hands-on management: Blackstone tends to have considerable influence on the private companies it invests in. Advising on everything from operational efficiency to organizational structure, Blackstone has a direct hand in its investments’ profitability.
Great timing: The firm’s close attention to market trends and factors gives it the uncanny ability to buy and sell for profit. It especially excels in bull markets, when its strategic unloading of assets puts big money in investors’ pockets.
Global reach: Blackstone has a heavy presence on the global financial scene. It’s able to find alternative investments in sites around the world, a very rare position for an investment firm to be in.
Cons of Blackstone
Near-exclusivity to wealthy clients: After years of working with institutions, Blackstone only recently started working with individual investors. However, all Blackstone clients must have enough capital to fund its high-risk, high-reward investments.
Low liquidity: Since Blackstone works with alternative investments that don’t trade on public exchanges, the assets aren’t very liquid. When an investor has to wait a long time for their transaction to process, they may not have a chance to capitalize on sudden opportunities.
Comparing BlackRock vs. Blackstone
How do these investment firms stack up? Let’s take a look.
Company Structure
BlackRock is headed by its Global Executive Committee, with its board of directors and leaders close behind. This group includes founder, long-time Chairman and CEO Larry Fink. BlackRock employs over 16,000 people across the world.
Blackstone divides its operations into four sectors: real estate, private equity, credit and insurance and hedge fund solutions. These divisions are run by senior managing directors, who are overseen by a group of six executives. One of them is company founder and CEO Steve Schwarzman.
Investment Strategies
BlackRock deploys several investment strategies, according to its website. Its primary tools include risk factor investing, global tactical asset allocation and index fund strategies. BlackRock touts its customization abilities, flexibility and enhanced scale in its investment approach.
Per its website, Blackstone’s concentration on alternative investments requires an emphasis on “fast-growing sectors.” These include tech, life sciences and sustainability-focused firms. Its approach also includes more hands-on management of the firms it funds.
Performance and Track Record
BlackRock's Q2 2024 Earnings Highlights:
EPS: Reported diluted EPS of $9.99 ($10.36 adjusted).
AUM: Total assets under management reached $10.6 trillion, a $1.2 trillion increase year-over-year.
Revenue & Income: Revenue increased by 8% year-over-year to $4.805 billion. Operating income rose by 11% year-over-year (12% adjusted).
Net Inflows: Achieved $82 billion in quarterly total net inflows and $139 billion in first-half total net inflows.
Share Repurchases: Conducted $500 million in share repurchases during the quarter.
Acquisitions: Announced the acquisition of Preqin and Global Infrastructure Partners.
CEO Laurence D. Fink emphasized strong organic growth, innovative private market capabilities, and expanded ETF and active investment solutions.
In comparison, Blackstone reported strong results for the second quarter of 2024, with:
High Investment Activity: They saw nearly $40 billion in inflows and $34 billion deployed, marking the highest level in two years.
Future Growth Potential: Blackstone highlights their early efforts in promising markets, particularly digital and energy infrastructure supporting AI.
Clientele and Target Markets
Traditionally, BlackRock and Blackstone have emphasized institutional investors — pension funds, insurance companies, endowments and so forth. In recent years, both companies have started initiatives to draw in individual investors.
However, private investors need to have large cash reserves or resources to work with them, particularly Blackstone.
Impact on the Industry
BlackRock and Blackstone are titans in the investment field.
As the number one investment firm in the world, BlackRock’s influence on the market can be staggering. But Blackstone’s position as the leading alternative investment firm has given it sway in some of the newest, most promising future industries.
BlackRock vs. Blackstone: Who Wins?
BlackRock and Blackstone both deliver real results to their clientele. Most of their clients tend to be institutions and super-wealthy individual investors. It’s uncertain how casual investors may interact or thrive with either firm.
The big difference between the two groups is the investment vehicles they choose. BlackRock works largely with traditional market vehicles like stocks, bonds and ETFs. Blackstone focuses on alternative investments that aren’t widely available to the public but could generate huge profits in the future.
If you can afford to play and have a high risk tolerance for new industries, Blackstone may be the firm for you. But if you want proven results with slightly safer commodities, BlackRock is the better choice.
let's say you give 100k to blackrock.. what the hell are they gonna do with it.. and how long after would you make a profit and how much could you take out then. I guess.. give it a few years, eh.. and maybe you can get 1000
BlackRock is one of the world's largest asset managers, and they offer a wide range of investment products for individuals, from mutual funds and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) to more tailored solutions for high-net-worth clients.
Here's a breakdown of what they might do with $100,000 and what you could expect:
What BlackRock would do with $100,000:
Invest it in a fund: For $100,000, you would likely be investing in one of their various funds, such as:
ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds): These are baskets of securities (stocks, bonds, etc.) that trade on stock exchanges like individual stocks. BlackRock is well-known for its iShares ETFs, which cover a vast array of markets, sectors, and asset classes. They have ETFs with low minimums (even less than $100) and lower management fees.
Mutual Funds: These are professionally managed portfolios of stocks, bonds, or other investments. They often have higher minimum investments (e.g., $1,000 or more) and can have various fee structures, including sales charges (loads) and ongoing management fees.
Multi-Asset Funds: These funds invest across different asset classes (like stocks and bonds) to provide diversification and potentially specific risk/return profiles. An example is their Global Allocation Fund.
Diversify: BlackRock emphasizes diversification. They would likely invest your money across various assets and sectors to help mitigate risk. Their strategies often involve a mix of equities (stocks), fixed income (bonds), and potentially alternative investments.
Manage based on your goals: When you invest with BlackRock, whether directly or through a financial advisor, they would assess your financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon to recommend appropriate funds or strategies.
How long until you make a profit and how much could you take out?
This is where it gets tricky, as no one can guarantee profits or specific returns in investing. Here's what influences it:
Market Performance: The biggest factor is how the underlying investments perform. If the stock market has a strong bull run, your investment could grow significantly. If there's a downturn, you could see losses.
Fund Performance: Each fund has its own investment objectives and performance history. Some funds are more aggressive, aiming for higher returns with higher risk, while others are more conservative.
Fees: BlackRock, like any investment firm, charges fees. These can include:
Management Fees: An annual percentage of the assets you have invested.
Sales Charges (Loads): For some mutual funds, you might pay an upfront fee when you buy shares (front-end load) or a fee when you sell them (back-end load/CDSC). ETFs generally don't have sales charges, but you pay trading commissions to your broker.
Other Expenses: Fund operating expenses.
These fees will reduce your overall returns.
Time Horizon: Investing is generally a long-term game. While you might see small fluctuations daily, significant profits usually take years to materialize. A "few years" is a reasonable timeframe to start seeing meaningful growth, but short-term results are unpredictable.
Withdrawals: You can typically take out money from your investment whenever you need it, but there might be fees or tax implications:
Redemption Fees: Some funds might charge a short-term redemption fee if you sell shares too soon after buying them.
Tax Implications: Profits (capital gains) from your investments are subject to taxes, as are dividends or interest payments. The tax implications depend on your individual tax situation and the type of account you hold (e.g., registered vs. non-registered).
Regarding your thought of getting "$1000" after a few years:
If you mean turning $100,000 into $1,000 of profit, that would be an incredibly low return (1% over several years, or much less per year). While it's impossible to predict exact returns, a healthy long-term investment in a diversified portfolio would generally aim for more than that over several years, although there are no guarantees.
For example, the S&P 500 (a broad market index) has historically averaged around 10% per year over the long term, though past performance is not indicative of future results. Even with a conservative investment, a 1% profit on $100,000 over "a few years" would be quite low.
In summary:
If you give $100,000 to BlackRock, they will invest it in a diversified portfolio of funds aligned with your financial goals and risk tolerance. The time it takes to see a profit and the amount of profit you could make are highly dependent on market conditions, the specific funds you choose, and the fees involved. It's crucial to understand that all investments carry risk, and there are no guarantees of returns.
It's highly recommended to consult with a financial advisor who can help you understand your options, assess your risk tolerance, and develop an investment plan tailored to your specific situation. They can also explain the fees and potential returns of various BlackRock products.
has anybody talked about putting money into blackrock and how long it took to get some back
It's common for people to talk about investing with large asset managers like BlackRock, and for good reason: they manage trillions of dollars for individuals and institutions globally. However, when it comes to "how long it took to get some back" or "profit timelines," it's crucial to understand that investing is highly individualized and performance is never guaranteed.
Here's why you won't find a simple answer like "X months to make Y profit" when discussing personal experiences with BlackRock investments:
Variety of Investments: BlackRock offers thousands of different investment products, including:
ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds): These are popular for their diversification and low costs. Their performance depends on the underlying assets (e.g., stocks, bonds, commodities) they track.
Mutual Funds: Actively managed funds with various strategies (growth, value, income, etc.) and risk levels.
Index Funds: Designed to mirror the performance of a specific market index (like the S&P 500).
Target Date Funds: Designed for retirement, these automatically adjust their asset allocation over time.
Alternative Investments: For larger investors, they may offer access to private equity, real estate, and other less liquid assets.
Each of these has a different risk profile and potential for returns, meaning the timeline to profit will vary immensely.
Market Conditions: The broader market environment plays a huge role. If you invested in a stock-heavy fund right before a bull market, you'd likely see profits much sooner and larger than if you invested before a bear market. BlackRock, like any firm, cannot control market fluctuations. They provide insights and strategies to navigate them, but ultimately, market performance dictates a significant portion of your return.
Individual Goals and Risk Tolerance: A conservative investor might be happy with steady, single-digit annual returns over many years, while an aggressive investor might seek higher, but riskier, double-digit returns. The "profit" they expect and the timeline for it will be different.
Time Horizon: As mentioned before, investing is generally a long-term endeavor. While you might see daily or weekly fluctuations, "making a profit" in a meaningful sense usually requires letting your money grow over several years (e.g., 5, 10, or even 20+ years). Short-term investing carries higher risk and less predictable outcomes.
Fees: All investment products have fees (management fees, expense ratios, sometimes trading costs or sales loads). These fees eat into your returns, so two investors with similar gross returns might have different net profits after fees.
What you will find in discussions about BlackRock:
Fund Performance Data: BlackRock, like all fund providers, publishes historical performance data for its funds (e.g., 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, 10-year, and since inception returns). This gives an indication of how the fund has performed in the past, but it's not a predictor of future results.
Discussions of their ETFs (iShares): Many individual investors discuss iShares ETFs on financial forums (like Reddit's r/CanadianInvestor or r/investing) or in financial blogs. These discussions often revolve around specific ETFs, their historical performance, expense ratios, and how they fit into different portfolios. You might see people sharing their experiences, but these are anecdotal and not representative of guaranteed outcomes.
BlackRock's overall AUM growth: BlackRock frequently reports on its "Assets Under Management" (AUM) and net inflows, which reflect how much money clients are entrusting to them. This indicates confidence in their ability to manage investments, but doesn't translate directly to individual profit timelines.
In essence: Nobody can definitively tell you how long it will take you to get a specific amount of profit back from investing with BlackRock. It depends on which fund you choose, when you invest, how the markets perform, and how long you stay invested. For individual investors, the typical advice is to have a long-term outlook (multiple years) and to understand that market fluctuations are normal.
they must be able to do something.. like what kind of numbers are we talking about here.. you're not gonna double your money.. I'll tell ya that. So it'd take like what.. 10 years to double your 100k?
You're hitting on a very important point about investing: it's not about guaranteed doubling of money in a fixed timeframe, and it's certainly not about quick riches. Your intuition that "you're not gonna double your money" in a very short period is generally correct for traditional, diversified investments.
Let's break down the "what kind of numbers are we talking about here" and the 10-year doubling question using real-world historical data and investment principles:
Realistic Returns and Doubling Your Money (The "Rule of 72")
You're right to question rapid doubling. The pace at which your money grows depends entirely on the annual rate of return you achieve. A common rule of thumb in finance is the "Rule of 72". It states that to estimate the number of years it takes for an investment to double, you divide 72 by the annual rate of return.
If you expect a 7% annual return, it would take approximately 10.3 years to double your money ($72 / 7 = 10.28). So, your guess of "10 years to double your 100k" with a 7% return is very close to accurate!
If you expect a 10% annual return, it would take about 7.2 years to double your money ($72 / 10 = 7.2).
What are "Typical" Investment Returns?
This is where the diversity of BlackRock's offerings comes in. BlackRock's performance is the sum of the performance of its thousands of underlying funds.
Broad Market Indexes (like the S&P 500): These are often used as benchmarks for long-term stock market returns. Historically, the S&P 500 (a broad index of 500 large U.S. companies) has averaged roughly 8-10% per year over very long periods (e.g., several decades), before inflation.
For example, over the past 10 years (2014-2024), the S&P 500 has averaged around 11-11.3% annually.
Over the past 20 years (2004-2024), it's been closer to 8.5-8.9% annually.
Over the past 30 years (1994-2024), it's been around 9-9.3% annually.
Inflation-Adjusted Returns (Real Returns): It's important to consider inflation. If the market returns 10% but inflation is 3%, your "real" return (what your purchasing power actually gained) is closer to 7%. Historically, real returns on diversified stock portfolios might be in the 5-7% range.
Bonds: Generally offer lower returns than stocks but also lower volatility. A diversified bond fund might yield 2-5% annually, depending on interest rates and bond types.
Balanced Funds: Many people invest in "balanced" portfolios or funds (like BlackRock's iShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio - XBAL in Canada) that hold a mix of stocks and bonds. These aim for a more moderate return with less volatility than an all-stock portfolio. Looking at specific BlackRock Canadian ETFs as of May 31, 2025:
XGRO (iShares Core Growth ETF Portfolio): Has an inception date in 2007, and has delivered an average annual return of 5.19% since inception, with 10.84% over the last 5 years and 13.78% over the last 1 year. This ETF is more heavily weighted to equities.
XBAL (iShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio): Also with a 2007 inception, it has delivered 5.62% since inception, with 8.13% over the last 5 years and 11.87% over the last 1 year. This is a mix of stocks and bonds.
"They must be able to do something..."
BlackRock's primary role is asset management, not guaranteeing returns. What they "do" is:
Offer diversified products: They create and manage a vast array of ETFs and mutual funds that allow investors to easily get exposure to different parts of the market (e.g., U.S. stocks, international bonds, specific sectors, etc.).
Manage risk: Through diversification within funds and by offering funds with different risk profiles (e.g., aggressive growth funds vs. conservative bond funds), they help investors align their investments with their risk tolerance.
Lower costs (especially with ETFs): Many of their iShares ETFs are very low-cost, meaning more of your returns stay in your pocket rather than going to fees. For example, the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) has an expense ratio of just 0.03%.
Provide expertise and research: They have teams of analysts and portfolio managers who conduct research and make investment decisions for their actively managed funds.
Provide access: They allow individual investors to easily access broad market exposure or specific investment themes that might otherwise be difficult or expensive to achieve on their own.
In summary:
You're correct that expecting to "double your money" quickly with a traditional, diversified investment like those offered by BlackRock is unrealistic. However, with a long-term perspective, an investment of $100,000 into a well-diversified portfolio that tracks the broader market (like an S&P 500 index ETF or a balanced portfolio) could realistically aim for average annual returns in the range of 6-10% over the long run.
At a 7% average annual return, your $100,000 would indeed take approximately 10 years to double to $200,000. It's a testament to the power of compounding over time, not a reflection of a short-term jackpot.
"The "Black Rock" refers to Rupes Nigra, a phantom island believed to be located at the North Pole, described by the cartographer Gerardus Mercator as a large magnetic rock that supposedly explained why compasses point north. This concept originated from a lost work titled "Inventio Fortunata" and appeared on maps during the 16th and 17th centuries"
Incidentally, I'm currently watching Lost and it seems to be inspired by this story.
It's an interesting hole to dive down cause this depiction of the north pole is shown on all kinds of maps before the 1800s. Many ancient cultures show a Blackrock at the pole with 4 islands surrounding it. They also show islands that currently aren't on today's maps.
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=rupris%20negra%20maps&ko=-1&ia=images&iax=images&iai=https%3A%2F%2Fexternal-preview.redd.it%2FXsaSumtirxfYndQnbh0TYcKXKOuo7CFhMDutNFK0bjI.jpg%3Fwidth%3D960%26crop%3Dsmart%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3D493a1fc1819b7b7c29d8512990db26e3e7997b01
AUM stands for Assets Under Management.
What is BlackRock? BlackRock originated in 1988 as an asset management company for institutional investors.
At first, it was part of Blackstone Financial, according to Blackstone founder and CEO Steve Schwarzman. When Larry Fink decided to break his company out from under Blackstone’s name, he and Schwarzman came up with the name “BlackRock” with tongue firmly in cheek.
BlackRock is the biggest investment manager in the world. It serves institutional and individual investors. BlackRock originally specialized in fixed-income investments like bonds and mortgage-backed securities. It also owns and manages the iShares line of exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Today, BlackRock also provides expertise on mutual funds, ETFs and alternative investments. The company prioritizes risk management, counseling its clients with sophisticated tools to limit adverse exposure. As of Q2 2024, BlackRock’s assets under management (AUM) totaled more than $10.6 trillion.
Pros of BlackRock Investor accessibility: BlackRock works with institutional and individual investors, meaning both professional and casual investors can benefit from its expertise. Diverse options: BlackRock covers the entire range of investment opportunities, including stock portfolios, mutual funds, ETFs and other vehicles. A diverse portfolio lessens overall risk for public and private investors. Focus on the long view: BlackRock’s experts concentrate on an asset’s long-term potential for growth. For clients, this heightens the possibility of increased profits via compounding returns. User-friendliness: With strong attention to client accessibility, BlackRock simplifies the investment process as much as possible. It provides easy-to-use tools for clients to manage their holdings. Cons of BlackRock Limited focus on alternative investments: BlackRock earned its keep through traditional investment strategies like stocks, bonds and funds. It does have a division, BlackRock Alternative Investors (BAI), that covers some private investments. However, BAI works almost exclusively with institutional investors. Too big to ignore: BlackRock’s standing as the largest investment firm in the world may mean it has an outsized influence on the stock market. While that could work to its clients’ advantage, it may work against others. What is Blackstone? Blackstone was founded in 1985 by former employees of Lehman Brothers (including Schwarzman). Its original focus was on mergers and acquisitions. Blackstone has evolved into the world's biggest private equity firm and alternative investment strategy company.
Blackstone is one of the key drivers of private equity financing, having invested in healthcare, technology, energy, media and other companies. As the firm has grown, it’s expanded its holdings into commercial real estate, developed hedge fund solutions and provided loans through its credit division.
Working exclusively with private entities, Blackstone has more managerial and structural influence on the companies it invests in. The total value of the assets it manages is estimated at more than $1 trillion.
Until recently, Blackstone’s clients were exclusively institutional investors. In the last couple of years, however, the firm has shifted its focus to high-wealth individual investors.
Pros of Blackstone Alternative investment expertise: Blackstone’s experience with alternative investments is unrivaled. The firm has helped institutional investors find private opportunities that aren’t offered through the stock market. Hands-on management: Blackstone tends to have considerable influence on the private companies it invests in. Advising on everything from operational efficiency to organizational structure, Blackstone has a direct hand in its investments’ profitability. Great timing: The firm’s close attention to market trends and factors gives it the uncanny ability to buy and sell for profit. It especially excels in bull markets, when its strategic unloading of assets puts big money in investors’ pockets. Global reach: Blackstone has a heavy presence on the global financial scene. It’s able to find alternative investments in sites around the world, a very rare position for an investment firm to be in. Cons of Blackstone Near-exclusivity to wealthy clients: After years of working with institutions, Blackstone only recently started working with individual investors. However, all Blackstone clients must have enough capital to fund its high-risk, high-reward investments. Low liquidity: Since Blackstone works with alternative investments that don’t trade on public exchanges, the assets aren’t very liquid. When an investor has to wait a long time for their transaction to process, they may not have a chance to capitalize on sudden opportunities. Comparing BlackRock vs. Blackstone How do these investment firms stack up? Let’s take a look.
Company Structure BlackRock is headed by its Global Executive Committee, with its board of directors and leaders close behind. This group includes founder, long-time Chairman and CEO Larry Fink. BlackRock employs over 16,000 people across the world.
Blackstone divides its operations into four sectors: real estate, private equity, credit and insurance and hedge fund solutions. These divisions are run by senior managing directors, who are overseen by a group of six executives. One of them is company founder and CEO Steve Schwarzman.
Investment Strategies BlackRock deploys several investment strategies, according to its website. Its primary tools include risk factor investing, global tactical asset allocation and index fund strategies. BlackRock touts its customization abilities, flexibility and enhanced scale in its investment approach.
Per its website, Blackstone’s concentration on alternative investments requires an emphasis on “fast-growing sectors.” These include tech, life sciences and sustainability-focused firms. Its approach also includes more hands-on management of the firms it funds.
Performance and Track Record BlackRock's Q2 2024 Earnings Highlights:
EPS: Reported diluted EPS of $9.99 ($10.36 adjusted). AUM: Total assets under management reached $10.6 trillion, a $1.2 trillion increase year-over-year. Revenue & Income: Revenue increased by 8% year-over-year to $4.805 billion. Operating income rose by 11% year-over-year (12% adjusted). Net Inflows: Achieved $82 billion in quarterly total net inflows and $139 billion in first-half total net inflows. Share Repurchases: Conducted $500 million in share repurchases during the quarter. Acquisitions: Announced the acquisition of Preqin and Global Infrastructure Partners. CEO Laurence D. Fink emphasized strong organic growth, innovative private market capabilities, and expanded ETF and active investment solutions.
In comparison, Blackstone reported strong results for the second quarter of 2024, with:
High Investment Activity: They saw nearly $40 billion in inflows and $34 billion deployed, marking the highest level in two years. Future Growth Potential: Blackstone highlights their early efforts in promising markets, particularly digital and energy infrastructure supporting AI. Clientele and Target Markets Traditionally, BlackRock and Blackstone have emphasized institutional investors — pension funds, insurance companies, endowments and so forth. In recent years, both companies have started initiatives to draw in individual investors.
However, private investors need to have large cash reserves or resources to work with them, particularly Blackstone.
Impact on the Industry BlackRock and Blackstone are titans in the investment field.
As the number one investment firm in the world, BlackRock’s influence on the market can be staggering. But Blackstone’s position as the leading alternative investment firm has given it sway in some of the newest, most promising future industries.
BlackRock vs. Blackstone: Who Wins? BlackRock and Blackstone both deliver real results to their clientele. Most of their clients tend to be institutions and super-wealthy individual investors. It’s uncertain how casual investors may interact or thrive with either firm.
The big difference between the two groups is the investment vehicles they choose. BlackRock works largely with traditional market vehicles like stocks, bonds and ETFs. Blackstone focuses on alternative investments that aren’t widely available to the public but could generate huge profits in the future.
If you can afford to play and have a high risk tolerance for new industries, Blackstone may be the firm for you. But if you want proven results with slightly safer commodities, BlackRock is the better choice.
Let's say I dump 100k into blackrock. lol.
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let's say you give 100k to blackrock.. what the hell are they gonna do with it.. and how long after would you make a profit and how much could you take out then. I guess.. give it a few years, eh.. and maybe you can get 1000
BlackRock is one of the world's largest asset managers, and they offer a wide range of investment products for individuals, from mutual funds and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) to more tailored solutions for high-net-worth clients.
Here's a breakdown of what they might do with $100,000 and what you could expect:
What BlackRock would do with $100,000:
Invest it in a fund: For $100,000, you would likely be investing in one of their various funds, such as:
ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds): These are baskets of securities (stocks, bonds, etc.) that trade on stock exchanges like individual stocks. BlackRock is well-known for its iShares ETFs, which cover a vast array of markets, sectors, and asset classes. They have ETFs with low minimums (even less than $100) and lower management fees.
Mutual Funds: These are professionally managed portfolios of stocks, bonds, or other investments. They often have higher minimum investments (e.g., $1,000 or more) and can have various fee structures, including sales charges (loads) and ongoing management fees.
Multi-Asset Funds: These funds invest across different asset classes (like stocks and bonds) to provide diversification and potentially specific risk/return profiles. An example is their Global Allocation Fund.
Diversify: BlackRock emphasizes diversification. They would likely invest your money across various assets and sectors to help mitigate risk. Their strategies often involve a mix of equities (stocks), fixed income (bonds), and potentially alternative investments.
Manage based on your goals: When you invest with BlackRock, whether directly or through a financial advisor, they would assess your financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon to recommend appropriate funds or strategies.
How long until you make a profit and how much could you take out?
This is where it gets tricky, as no one can guarantee profits or specific returns in investing. Here's what influences it:
Market Performance: The biggest factor is how the underlying investments perform. If the stock market has a strong bull run, your investment could grow significantly. If there's a downturn, you could see losses.
Fund Performance: Each fund has its own investment objectives and performance history. Some funds are more aggressive, aiming for higher returns with higher risk, while others are more conservative.
Fees: BlackRock, like any investment firm, charges fees. These can include:
Management Fees: An annual percentage of the assets you have invested.
Sales Charges (Loads): For some mutual funds, you might pay an upfront fee when you buy shares (front-end load) or a fee when you sell them (back-end load/CDSC). ETFs generally don't have sales charges, but you pay trading commissions to your broker.
Other Expenses: Fund operating expenses. These fees will reduce your overall returns.
Time Horizon: Investing is generally a long-term game. While you might see small fluctuations daily, significant profits usually take years to materialize. A "few years" is a reasonable timeframe to start seeing meaningful growth, but short-term results are unpredictable.
Withdrawals: You can typically take out money from your investment whenever you need it, but there might be fees or tax implications:
Redemption Fees: Some funds might charge a short-term redemption fee if you sell shares too soon after buying them.
Tax Implications: Profits (capital gains) from your investments are subject to taxes, as are dividends or interest payments. The tax implications depend on your individual tax situation and the type of account you hold (e.g., registered vs. non-registered).
Regarding your thought of getting "$1000" after a few years:
If you mean turning $100,000 into $1,000 of profit, that would be an incredibly low return (1% over several years, or much less per year). While it's impossible to predict exact returns, a healthy long-term investment in a diversified portfolio would generally aim for more than that over several years, although there are no guarantees.
For example, the S&P 500 (a broad market index) has historically averaged around 10% per year over the long term, though past performance is not indicative of future results. Even with a conservative investment, a 1% profit on $100,000 over "a few years" would be quite low.
In summary:
If you give $100,000 to BlackRock, they will invest it in a diversified portfolio of funds aligned with your financial goals and risk tolerance. The time it takes to see a profit and the amount of profit you could make are highly dependent on market conditions, the specific funds you choose, and the fees involved. It's crucial to understand that all investments carry risk, and there are no guarantees of returns.
It's highly recommended to consult with a financial advisor who can help you understand your options, assess your risk tolerance, and develop an investment plan tailored to your specific situation. They can also explain the fees and potential returns of various BlackRock products.
has anybody talked about putting money into blackrock and how long it took to get some back
It's common for people to talk about investing with large asset managers like BlackRock, and for good reason: they manage trillions of dollars for individuals and institutions globally. However, when it comes to "how long it took to get some back" or "profit timelines," it's crucial to understand that investing is highly individualized and performance is never guaranteed.
Here's why you won't find a simple answer like "X months to make Y profit" when discussing personal experiences with BlackRock investments:
Variety of Investments: BlackRock offers thousands of different investment products, including:
ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds): These are popular for their diversification and low costs. Their performance depends on the underlying assets (e.g., stocks, bonds, commodities) they track.
Mutual Funds: Actively managed funds with various strategies (growth, value, income, etc.) and risk levels.
Index Funds: Designed to mirror the performance of a specific market index (like the S&P 500).
Target Date Funds: Designed for retirement, these automatically adjust their asset allocation over time.
Alternative Investments: For larger investors, they may offer access to private equity, real estate, and other less liquid assets.
Each of these has a different risk profile and potential for returns, meaning the timeline to profit will vary immensely.
Market Conditions: The broader market environment plays a huge role. If you invested in a stock-heavy fund right before a bull market, you'd likely see profits much sooner and larger than if you invested before a bear market. BlackRock, like any firm, cannot control market fluctuations. They provide insights and strategies to navigate them, but ultimately, market performance dictates a significant portion of your return.
Individual Goals and Risk Tolerance: A conservative investor might be happy with steady, single-digit annual returns over many years, while an aggressive investor might seek higher, but riskier, double-digit returns. The "profit" they expect and the timeline for it will be different.
Time Horizon: As mentioned before, investing is generally a long-term endeavor. While you might see daily or weekly fluctuations, "making a profit" in a meaningful sense usually requires letting your money grow over several years (e.g., 5, 10, or even 20+ years). Short-term investing carries higher risk and less predictable outcomes.
Fees: All investment products have fees (management fees, expense ratios, sometimes trading costs or sales loads). These fees eat into your returns, so two investors with similar gross returns might have different net profits after fees.
What you will find in discussions about BlackRock:
Fund Performance Data: BlackRock, like all fund providers, publishes historical performance data for its funds (e.g., 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, 10-year, and since inception returns). This gives an indication of how the fund has performed in the past, but it's not a predictor of future results.
Discussions of their ETFs (iShares): Many individual investors discuss iShares ETFs on financial forums (like Reddit's r/CanadianInvestor or r/investing) or in financial blogs. These discussions often revolve around specific ETFs, their historical performance, expense ratios, and how they fit into different portfolios. You might see people sharing their experiences, but these are anecdotal and not representative of guaranteed outcomes.
BlackRock's overall AUM growth: BlackRock frequently reports on its "Assets Under Management" (AUM) and net inflows, which reflect how much money clients are entrusting to them. This indicates confidence in their ability to manage investments, but doesn't translate directly to individual profit timelines.
In essence: Nobody can definitively tell you how long it will take you to get a specific amount of profit back from investing with BlackRock. It depends on which fund you choose, when you invest, how the markets perform, and how long you stay invested. For individual investors, the typical advice is to have a long-term outlook (multiple years) and to understand that market fluctuations are normal.
they must be able to do something.. like what kind of numbers are we talking about here.. you're not gonna double your money.. I'll tell ya that. So it'd take like what.. 10 years to double your 100k?
You're hitting on a very important point about investing: it's not about guaranteed doubling of money in a fixed timeframe, and it's certainly not about quick riches. Your intuition that "you're not gonna double your money" in a very short period is generally correct for traditional, diversified investments.
Let's break down the "what kind of numbers are we talking about here" and the 10-year doubling question using real-world historical data and investment principles:
You're right to question rapid doubling. The pace at which your money grows depends entirely on the annual rate of return you achieve. A common rule of thumb in finance is the "Rule of 72". It states that to estimate the number of years it takes for an investment to double, you divide 72 by the annual rate of return.
If you expect a 7% annual return, it would take approximately 10.3 years to double your money ($72 / 7 = 10.28). So, your guess of "10 years to double your 100k" with a 7% return is very close to accurate!
If you expect a 10% annual return, it would take about 7.2 years to double your money ($72 / 10 = 7.2).
This is where the diversity of BlackRock's offerings comes in. BlackRock's performance is the sum of the performance of its thousands of underlying funds.
Broad Market Indexes (like the S&P 500): These are often used as benchmarks for long-term stock market returns. Historically, the S&P 500 (a broad index of 500 large U.S. companies) has averaged roughly 8-10% per year over very long periods (e.g., several decades), before inflation.
For example, over the past 10 years (2014-2024), the S&P 500 has averaged around 11-11.3% annually.
Over the past 20 years (2004-2024), it's been closer to 8.5-8.9% annually.
Over the past 30 years (1994-2024), it's been around 9-9.3% annually.
Inflation-Adjusted Returns (Real Returns): It's important to consider inflation. If the market returns 10% but inflation is 3%, your "real" return (what your purchasing power actually gained) is closer to 7%. Historically, real returns on diversified stock portfolios might be in the 5-7% range.
Bonds: Generally offer lower returns than stocks but also lower volatility. A diversified bond fund might yield 2-5% annually, depending on interest rates and bond types.
Balanced Funds: Many people invest in "balanced" portfolios or funds (like BlackRock's iShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio - XBAL in Canada) that hold a mix of stocks and bonds. These aim for a more moderate return with less volatility than an all-stock portfolio. Looking at specific BlackRock Canadian ETFs as of May 31, 2025:
XGRO (iShares Core Growth ETF Portfolio): Has an inception date in 2007, and has delivered an average annual return of 5.19% since inception, with 10.84% over the last 5 years and 13.78% over the last 1 year. This ETF is more heavily weighted to equities.
XBAL (iShares Core Balanced ETF Portfolio): Also with a 2007 inception, it has delivered 5.62% since inception, with 8.13% over the last 5 years and 11.87% over the last 1 year. This is a mix of stocks and bonds.
BlackRock's primary role is asset management, not guaranteeing returns. What they "do" is:
Offer diversified products: They create and manage a vast array of ETFs and mutual funds that allow investors to easily get exposure to different parts of the market (e.g., U.S. stocks, international bonds, specific sectors, etc.).
Manage risk: Through diversification within funds and by offering funds with different risk profiles (e.g., aggressive growth funds vs. conservative bond funds), they help investors align their investments with their risk tolerance.
Lower costs (especially with ETFs): Many of their iShares ETFs are very low-cost, meaning more of your returns stay in your pocket rather than going to fees. For example, the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) has an expense ratio of just 0.03%.
Provide expertise and research: They have teams of analysts and portfolio managers who conduct research and make investment decisions for their actively managed funds.
Provide access: They allow individual investors to easily access broad market exposure or specific investment themes that might otherwise be difficult or expensive to achieve on their own.
In summary:
You're correct that expecting to "double your money" quickly with a traditional, diversified investment like those offered by BlackRock is unrealistic. However, with a long-term perspective, an investment of $100,000 into a well-diversified portfolio that tracks the broader market (like an S&P 500 index ETF or a balanced portfolio) could realistically aim for average annual returns in the range of 6-10% over the long run.
At a 7% average annual return, your $100,000 would indeed take approximately 10 years to double to $200,000. It's a testament to the power of compounding over time, not a reflection of a short-term jackpot.
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