Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
  EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
  EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the transition period from                                to                                .

Commission file number 001-33099

 

LOGO

BlackRock, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

    

32-0174431

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

         (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

(212) 810-5300

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

 

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yes

             X               No                                

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 

Yes

             X               No                                

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or, a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer           X      

   Accelerated filer                           Non-accelerated filer                

Smaller reporting company                  

       

 

(Do not check if a smaller

reporting company)

  

  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes                                

   No             X          

As of April 30, 2014, there were 166,817,871 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.


Table of Contents

BlackRock, Inc.

Index to Form 10-Q

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

          Page  
Item 1.    Financial Statements (unaudited)   
       Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition      1   
       Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income      2   
       Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income      3   
       Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity      4   
       Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows      6   
       Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements      7   
Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      38   
Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      69   
Item 4.    Controls and Procedures      71   

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings      72   
Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds      73   
Item 6.    Exhibits      73   

 

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Table of Contents

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

BlackRock, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

(unaudited)

 

(in millions, except share data)        March 31,    
2014
    December 31,
2013
 

Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

     $    4,394        $    4,390   

Accounts receivable

     2,868        2,247   

Investments

     2,092        2,151   

Assets of consolidated variable interest entities:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

     191        161   

Bank loans, other investments and other assets

     2,183        2,325   

Separate account assets

     155,097        155,113   

Separate account collateral held under securities lending agreements

     17,762        21,788   

Property and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation of $641 and $611 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively)

     508        525   

Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $1,097 and $1,057 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively)

     17,459        17,501   

Goodwill

     12,975        12,980   

Other assets

     768        692   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

                     $216,297                        $219,873   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

    

Accrued compensation and benefits

     $       668        $    1,747   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     1,615        1,084   

Liabilities of consolidated variable interest entities:

    

Borrowings

     2,244        2,369   

Other liabilities

     106        74   

Long-term borrowings

     5,936        4,939   

Separate account liabilities

     155,097        155,113   

Separate account collateral liabilities under securities lending agreements

     17,762        21,788   

Deferred income tax liabilities

     5,241        5,085   

Other liabilities

     927        1,004   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     189,596        193,203   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)

    

Temporary equity

    

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

     88        54   

Permanent Equity

    

BlackRock, Inc. stockholders’ equity

    

Common stock, $0.01 par value;

     2        2   

Shares authorized: 500,000,000 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013;

    

Shares issued: 171,252,185 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013;

    

Shares outstanding: 167,003,034 and 166,589,688 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively

    

Preferred stock (Note 16)

     -        -   

Additional paid-in capital

     19,087        19,473   

Retained earnings

     8,598        8,208   

Appropriated retained earnings

     6        22   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (35     (35

Treasury stock, common, at cost (4,249,151 and 4,662,497 shares held at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively)

     (1,180     (1,210
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total BlackRock, Inc. stockholders’ equity

     26,478        26,460   

Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests

     117        135   

Nonredeemable noncontrolling interests of consolidated variable interest entities

     18        21   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total permanent equity

     26,613        26,616   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities, temporary equity and permanent equity

     $216,297        $219,873   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

BlackRock, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(unaudited)

 

(in millions, except per share data)   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
    2014     2013  

Revenue

   

Investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue

   

Related parties

    $1,611        $1,455   

Other third parties

    680        674   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue

    2,291        2,129   

Investment advisory performance fees

    158        108   

BlackRock Solutions and advisory

    154        126   

Distribution fees

    19        17   

Other revenue

    48        69   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

    2,670        2,449   

Expenses

   

Employee compensation and benefits

    982        905   

Distribution and servicing costs

    89        91   

Amortization of deferred sales commissions

    15        12   

Direct fund expenses

    179        161   

General and administration

    313        331   

Amortization of intangible assets

    41        40   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    1,619        1,540   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

    1,051        909   

Nonoperating income (expense)

   

Net gain (loss) on investments

    76        62   

Net gain (loss) on consolidated variable interest entities

    (16     27   

Interest and dividend income

    10        6   

Interest expense

    (53     (54
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total nonoperating income (expense)

    17        41   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

    1,068        950   

Income tax expense

    324        284   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

    744        666   

Less:

   

Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests

    1        -   

Net income (loss) attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests

    (13     34   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc.

    $756        $632   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings per share attributable to BlackRock, Inc. common stockholders:

   

Basic

    $4.47        $3.69   

Diluted

    $4.40        $3.62   

Cash dividends declared and paid per share

    $1.93        $1.68   

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

   

Basic

    169,081,421        171,301,800   

Diluted

    171,933,803        174,561,132   

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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BlackRock, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(unaudited)

 

(in millions)        Three Months Ended     
March 31,
 
     2014     2013  

Net income

   $ 744      $ 666   

Other comprehensive income:

    

Change in net unrealized gains (losses) from available-for-sale investments, net of tax:

    

Unrealized holding gains (losses), net of tax(1)

     -        4   

Less: reclassification adjustment included in net income(1)

     8        3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change from available-for-sale investments, net of tax

     (8     1   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     8        (108
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     -        (107
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

     744        559   

Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (12     34   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income attributable to BlackRock, Inc.

   $ 756      $ 525   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) 

The tax benefit (expense) was not material for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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BlackRock, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

(unaudited)

 

(in millions)   Additional
Paid-in
Capital(1)
    Retained
Earnings
    Appropriated
Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Treasury
Stock
Common
    Total
BlackRock
Stockholders’
Equity
    Nonredeemable
Noncontrolling
Interests
    Nonredeemable
Noncontrolling
Interests of
Consolidated
VIEs
    Total
Permanent
Equity
    Redeemable
Noncontrolling
Interests /
Temporary
Equity
 

December 31, 2013

    $19,475          $8,208          $22          ($35)          ($1,210)          $26,460          $135          $21          $26,616          $54     

Net income

    -          756         -          -          -          756          3         (16)         743         1    

Allocation of gains (losses) of consolidated collateralized loan obligations

    -          -          (16)          -          -          (16)          -          16          -          -     

Dividends paid

    -          (366)         -          -          -          (366)          -          -          (366)          -     

Stock-based compensation

    126          -          -          -          1         127          -          -          127         -     

Issuance of common shares related to employee stock transactions

    (603)          -          -          -          604         1          -          -          1         -     

Employee tax withholdings related to employee stock transactions

    -          -          -          -          (325)          (325)          -          -          (325)         -     

Shares repurchased

    -          -          -          -          (250)          (250)          -          -          (250)         -     

Net tax benefit (shortfall) from stock-based compensation

    91          -          -          -          -          91          -          -          91         -     

Subscriptions (redemptions/distributions)-noncontrolling interest holders

    -          -          -          -          -          -          (21)          (3)          (24)         49    

Net consolidations (deconsolidations) of sponsored investment funds

    -          -          -          -          -          -          -          -          -          (16)     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

March 31, 2014

      $19,089            $8,598             $6              ($35)              ($1,180)              $26,478              $117              $18              $26,613              $88     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Amounts include $2 million of common stock at both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

BlackRock, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

(unaudited)

 

(in millions)   Additional
Paid-in
Capital(1)
    Retained
Earnings
    Appropriated
Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Treasury
Stock
Common
    Total
BlackRock
Stockholders’
Equity
    Nonredeemable
Noncontrolling
Interests
    Nonredeemable
Noncontrolling
Interests of
Consolidated
VIEs
    Total
Permanent
Equity
    Redeemable
Non-
controlling
Interests /
Temporary
Equity
 

December 31, 2012

    $19,421         $6,444         $29         ($59)         ($432)         $25,403         $155         $27         $25,585         $32    

Net income

    -         632         -         -         -         632         7         27         666         -    

Allocation of gains (losses) of consolidated collateralized loan obligations

    -         -         26         -         -         26         -         (26)         -         -    

Dividends paid

    -         (309)        -         -         -         (309)         -         -         (309)         -    

Stock-based compensation

    127         -         -         -         -         127         -         -         127         -    

Issuance of common shares related to employee stock transactions

    (364)         -         -         -         370         6         -         -         6         -    

Employee tax withholdings related to employee stock transactions

    -         -         -         -         (211)         (211)         -         -         (211)         -    

Shares repurchased

    -         -         -         -         (250)         (250)         -         -         (250)         -    

Net tax benefit (shortfall) from stock-based compensation

    28         -         -         -         -         28         -         -         28         -    

Subscriptions (redemptions/distributions)-noncontrolling interest holders

    -         -         -         -         -         -         (18)         114         96         11    

Net consolidations (deconsolidations) of sponsored investment funds

    -         -         -         -         -         -         -         -         -         (7)    

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    -         -         -         (107)         -         (107)         -         -         (107)         -    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

March 31, 2013

      $19,212           $6,767             $55             ($166)             ($523)             $25,345             $144             $142             $25,631             $36    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Amounts include $2 million of common stock at both March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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BlackRock, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

 

(in millions)        Three Months Ended     
     March 31,    
 
     2014     2013  

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net income

     $744        $666   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     73        72   

Amortization of deferred sales commissions

     15        12   

Stock-based compensation

     127        127   

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

     165        93   

Net (gains) losses on nontrading investments

     (47     (21

Purchases of investments within consolidated sponsored investment funds

     (7     (18

Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments within consolidated sponsored investment funds

     69        29   

Assets and liabilities of consolidated VIEs:

    

Change in cash and cash equivalents

     (46     7   

Net (gains) losses within consolidated VIEs

     16        (27

Net (purchases) proceeds within consolidated VIEs

     169        (41

(Earnings) losses from equity method investees

     (39     (50

Distributions of earnings from equity method investees

     7        17   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     (624     (376

Investments, trading

     (95     51   

Other assets

     (82     4   

Accrued compensation and benefits

     (1,079     (947

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     521        597   

Other liabilities

     (93     (5
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities

     (206     190   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Purchases of investments

     (123     (90

Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments

     266        117   

Distributions of capital from equity method investees

     8        25   

Net consolidations (deconsolidations) of sponsored investment funds

     (3     (3

Purchases of property and equipment

     (15     (18
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

     133        31   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Repayments of short-term borrowings

     -        (100

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

     997        -   

Cash dividends paid

     (366     (309

Proceeds from stock options exercised

     -        5   

Proceeds from issuance of common stock

     1        1   

Repurchases of common stock

     (575     (461

Net proceeds from (repayments of) borrowings by consolidated VIEs

     (120     (80

Net (redemptions/distributions paid) / subscriptions received from noncontrolling interests holders

     25        107   

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

     102        32   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

     64        (805
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     13        (80
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     4        (664

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     4,390        4,606   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

     $4,394        $3,942   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Cash paid for:

    

Interest

     $23        $24   

Interest on borrowings of consolidated VIEs

     $27        $29   

Income taxes

     $178        $78   

Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and financing transactions:

    

Issuance of common stock

     $603        $364   

Increase (decrease) in noncontrolling interests due to net consolidation (deconsolidation) of sponsored investment funds

     ($16     ($7

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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BlackRock, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

1.  Business Overview

BlackRock, Inc. (together, with its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise indicates, “BlackRock” or the “Company”) provides diversified investment management services to institutional clients, intermediary and individual investors through various investment vehicles. Investment management services primarily consist of the management of equity, fixed income, multi-asset, alternative investment and cash management products. BlackRock offers its investment products in a variety of vehicles, including open-end and closed-end mutual funds, iShares® exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), collective investment trusts and separate accounts. In addition, BlackRock provides market risk management, financial markets advisory and enterprise investment system services to a broad base of clients. Financial markets advisory services include valuation services relating to illiquid securities, dispositions and workout assignments (including long-term portfolio liquidation assignments), risk management and strategic planning and execution.

At March 31, 2014, The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”) held 20.8% of the Company’s voting common stock and 21.8% of the Company’s capital stock, which includes outstanding common and nonvoting preferred stock.

2.  Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation.    These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company and its controlled subsidiaries. Noncontrolling interests on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition include the portion of consolidated sponsored investment funds in which the Company does not have direct equity ownership. Accounts and transactions between consolidated entities have been eliminated.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Certain financial information that normally is included in annual financial statements, including certain financial statement footnotes, is not required for interim reporting purposes and has been condensed or omitted herein. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes related thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 28, 2014 (“2013 Form 10-K”).

The interim financial information at March 31, 2014 and for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 is unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, the interim information includes all normal recurring adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s results for the periods presented. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year.

 

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2.  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Fair Value Measurements.

Hierarchy of Fair Value Inputs.    The provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC 820”), establish a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value and require companies to disclose the fair value of their financial instruments according to the fair value hierarchy (i.e., Level 1, 2 and 3 inputs, as defined). The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs.

Assets and liabilities measured and reported at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:

Level 1 Inputs:

Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the reporting date.

 

   

Level 1 assets may include listed mutual funds (including those accounted for under the equity method of accounting as these mutual funds are investment companies that have publicly available net asset values (“NAVs”), which in accordance with GAAP, are calculated under fair value measures and the changes in fair values are equal to the earnings of such funds), ETFs, listed equities and certain exchange-traded derivatives.

Level 2 Inputs:

Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities that are not active; quotes from pricing services or brokers for which the Company can determine that orderly transactions took place at the quoted price or that the inputs used to arrive at the price are observable; and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, such as models or other valuation methodologies. As a practical expedient, the Company relies on the NAV (or its equivalent) of certain investments as their fair value.

 

   

Level 2 assets may include debt securities, bank loans, short-term floating-rate notes and asset-backed securities, securities held within consolidated hedge funds, certain equity method limited partnership interests in hedge funds valued based on NAV (or its equivalent) where the Company has the ability to redeem at the measurement date or within the near term without redemption restrictions, restricted public securities valued at a discount, as well as over-the-counter derivatives, including interest and inflation rate swaps and foreign currency exchange contracts that have inputs to the valuations that generally can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 Inputs:

Unobservable inputs for the valuation of the asset or liability, which may include nonbinding broker quotes. Level 3 assets include investments for which there is little, if any, market activity. These inputs require significant management judgment or estimation. Certain investments that are valued using a NAV (or its equivalent) and are subject to current redemption restrictions that will not be lifted in the near term are included in Level 3.

 

   

Level 3 assets may include general and limited partnership interests in private equity funds, funds of private equity funds, real estate funds, hedge funds and funds of hedge funds, direct private equity investments held within consolidated funds, bank loans and bonds.

 

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2.  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Fair Value Measurements(continued)

 

   

Level 3 liabilities include borrowings of consolidated collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) valued based upon nonbinding single-broker quotes.

 

   

Level 3 inputs include BlackRock capital accounts for its partnership interests in various alternative investments, including distressed credit hedge funds, opportunistic funds, real estate and private equity funds, which may be adjusted by using the returns of certain market indices.

Significance of Inputs.    The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument.

Valuation Techniques.    The fair values of certain Level 3 assets and liabilities were determined using various methodologies as appropriate, including NAVs of underlying investments, third-party pricing vendors, broker quotes and market and income approaches. Such quotes and modeled prices are evaluated for reasonableness through various procedures, including due diligence reviews of third-party pricing vendors, variance analyses, consideration of the current market environment and other analytical procedures.

As a practical expedient, the Company uses NAV as the fair value for certain investments. The inputs to value these investments may include BlackRock capital accounts for its partnership interests in various alternative investments, including distressed credit hedge funds, opportunistic funds, real estate and private equity funds, which may be adjusted by using the returns of certain market indices. The various partnerships generally are investment companies, which record their underlying investments at fair value based on fair value policies established by management of the underlying fund. Fair value policies at the underlying fund generally require the fund to utilize pricing/valuation information from third-party sources, including independent appraisals. However, in some instances, current valuation information for illiquid securities or securities in markets that are not active may not be available from any third-party source or fund management may conclude that the valuations that are available from third-party sources are not reliable. In these instances, fund management may perform model-based analytical valuations that may be used as an input to value these investments.

A significant number of inputs used to value equity, debt securities and bank loans is sourced from third-party pricing vendors. Generally, prices obtained from pricing vendors are categorized as Level 1 inputs for identical securities traded in active markets and as Level 2 for other similar securities if the vendor uses observable inputs in determining the price. Annually, BlackRock’s internal valuation committee or other designated groups review both the valuation methodologies, including the general assumptions and methods used to value various asset classes, and operational processes with these vendors. On a quarterly basis, meetings are held with key vendors to identify any significant changes to the vendors’ processes.

In addition, quotes obtained from brokers generally are nonbinding and categorized as Level 3 inputs. However, if the Company is able to determine that market participants have transacted for the asset in an orderly manner near the quoted price or if the Company can determine that the inputs used by the broker are observable, the quote is classified as a Level 2 input.

Fair Value Option.    ASC 825-10, Financial Instruments (“ASC 825-10”), provides a fair value option election that allows companies an irrevocable election to use fair value as the initial and subsequent accounting measurement attribute for certain financial assets and liabilities.

 

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2.  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

Fair Value Measurements(continued)

 

ASC 825-10 permits entities to elect to measure eligible financial assets and liabilities at fair value on an ongoing basis. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings. The decision to elect the fair value option is determined on an instrument-by-instrument basis, which must be applied to an entire instrument, and not only specified risks, specific cash flows, or portions of that instrument, and is irrevocable once elected. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value pursuant to ASC 825-10 are required to be reported separately from those instruments measured using another accounting method.

Upon the initial consolidation of certain CLOs, the Company elected to adopt the fair value option provisions for eligible assets and liabilities, including bank loans and borrowings of the CLOs to mitigate accounting mismatches between the carrying value of the assets and liabilities and to achieve operational simplification. To the extent there is a difference between the change in fair value of the assets and liabilities, the difference will be reflected as net income (loss) attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests on the condensed consolidated statements of income and offset by a change in appropriated retained earnings on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.    ASC 815-10, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815-10”), establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivatives embedded in other contracts and for hedging activities. ASC 815-10 generally requires an entity to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition and to measure those investments at fair value.

The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company may use derivative financial instruments primarily for purposes of hedging: (i) exposures to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates of certain assets and liabilities, (ii) market exposures for certain seed investments and (iii) future cash flows on floating-rate notes. The Company may also use derivatives within its separate account assets, which are segregated funds held for purposes of funding individual and group pension contracts. In addition, certain consolidated sponsored investment funds may also invest in derivatives as a part of their investment strategy.

Changes in the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments are generally recognized in earnings and, where applicable, are offset by the corresponding gain or loss on the related foreign-denominated assets or liabilities or hedged investments, on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Separate Account Assets and Liabilities.    Separate account assets are maintained by BlackRock Life Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, which is a registered life insurance company in the United Kingdom, and represent segregated assets held for purposes of funding individual and group pension contracts. The life insurance company does not underwrite any insurance contracts that involve any insurance risk transfer from the insured to the life insurance company. The separate account assets primarily include equity securities, debt securities, money market funds and derivatives. The separate account assets are not subject to general claims of the creditors of BlackRock. These separate account assets and the related equal and offsetting liabilities are recorded as separate account assets and separate account liabilities on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition in accordance with ASC 944-80, Financial Services – Separate Accounts.

 

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2.  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

The net investment income attributable to separate account assets supporting individual and group pension contracts accrues directly to the contract owner and is not reported on the condensed consolidated statements of income. While BlackRock has no economic interest in these separate account assets and liabilities, BlackRock earns policy administration and management fees associated with these products, which are included in investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

Separate Account Collateral Assets Held and Liabilities Under Securities Lending Agreements.    The Company facilitates securities lending arrangements whereby securities held by separate account assets maintained by BlackRock Life Limited are lent to third parties under global master securities lending agreements. In exchange, the Company receives collateral with minimum values generally ranging from approximately 102% to 112% of the value of the securities lent in order to reduce counterparty risk. The required collateral value is calculated on a daily basis. The global master securities lending agreements provide the Company the right to request additional collateral or, in the event of borrower default, the right to liquidate collateral. Under the Company’s securities lending arrangements, the Company can resell or repledge the collateral and the borrower can resell or repledge the loaned securities. The securities lending transactions entered into by the Company are accompanied by an agreement that entitles the Company to request the borrower to return the securities at any time; therefore, these transactions are not reported as sales under ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing.

As a result of the Company’s ability to resell or repledge the collateral, the Company records on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition the cash and noncash collateral received under these arrangements as its own asset in addition to an equal and offsetting collateral liability for the obligation to return the collateral. During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had not resold or repledged any of the collateral received under these arrangements. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the fair value of loaned securities held by separate account assets was approximately $16.1 billion and $19.7 billion, respectively, and the fair value of the collateral held under these securities lending agreements was approximately $17.8 billion and $21.8 billion, respectively.

Appropriated Retained Earnings.    Upon the initial consolidation of CLOs, BlackRock records an adjustment to appropriated retained earnings on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition equal to the difference between the fair value of the CLOs’ assets and the fair value of their liabilities. Such amounts are recorded as appropriated retained earnings as the CLO noteholders ultimately will receive the benefits or absorb the losses associated with the CLOs’ assets and liabilities. The net change in the fair value of the CLOs’ assets and liabilities is recorded as net income (loss) attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests and as a change to appropriated retained earnings.

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014

Cumulative Translation Adjustment.    In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-05, Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity (“ASU 2013-05”). ASU 2013-05 addresses the accounting for the cumulative translation adjustment when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer

 

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2.  Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity. The adoption of ASU 2013-05 on January 1, 2014 was not material to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Investment Company Guidance.    In June 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-08, Financial Services – Investment Companies: Amendments to the Scope, Measurement, and Disclosure Requirements (“ASU 2013-08”). ASU 2013-08 amends the current criteria for an entity to qualify as an investment company, creates new disclosure requirements and amends the measurement criteria for certain interests in other investment companies. The adoption of ASU 2013-08 on January 1, 2014 was not material to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit.    In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (“ASU 2013-11”). The adoption of ASU 2013-11 on January 1, 2014 was not material to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

3.  Investments

A summary of the carrying value of total investments is as follows:

 

(in millions)   March 31,
2014
   December 31,
2013

Available-for-sale investments

    $150           $183     

Held-to-maturity investments

    32           83     

Trading investments:

        

Consolidated sponsored investment funds

    479           385     

Other equity and debt securities

    29           43     

Deferred compensation plan mutual funds

    61           58     
 

 

 

  

 

 

Total trading investments

    569           486     

Other investments:

        

Consolidated sponsored investment funds

    394           441     

Equity method investments

    697           697     

Deferred compensation plan hedge fund equity method investments

    38           39     

Cost method investments(1)

    95           119     

Carried interest

    117           103     
 

 

 

  

 

 

Total other investments

    1,341           1,399     
 

 

 

  

 

 

Total investments

                $2,092                       $2,151     
 

 

 

  

 

 

 

(1)

Amounts primarily include Federal Reserve Bank Stock.

At March 31, 2014, the Company consolidated $873 million of investments held by consolidated sponsored investment funds (excluding non-variable interest entities (“VIEs”)) of which $479 million and $394 million were classified as trading investments and other investments, respectively. At December 31, 2013, the Company consolidated $826 million of investments held by consolidated sponsored investment funds (excluding VIEs) of which $385 million and $441 million were classified as trading investments and other investments, respectively.

 

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3.  Investments (continued)

 

Available-for-Sale Investments

A summary of the cost and carrying value of investments classified as available-for-sale investments is as follows:

 

(in millions)                                    
        Gross Unrealized   Carrying
Value
 
March 31, 2014   Cost   Gains   Losses  

Equity securities of sponsored investment funds

    $149          $4          ($3)          $150   
December 31, 2013                  

Equity securities of sponsored investment funds

    $180          $4          ($4)          $180   

Other securities

    1          2          -          3   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale investments

            $181                  $6                  ($4)                  $183   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Available-for-sale investments primarily included seed investments in BlackRock sponsored investment mutual funds.

 

Held-to-Maturity Investments

The carrying value of held-to-maturity investments was $32 million and $83 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Held-to-maturity investments included foreign government debt held for regulatory purposes and the amortized cost (carrying value) of these investments approximated fair value. At March 31, 2014, $18 million of these investments mature in one year or less and $14 million mature after 10 years.

 

Trading Investments

A summary of the cost and carrying value of trading investments is as follows:

 

(in millions)        March 31, 2014              December 31, 2013      
     Cost      Carrying
Value
     Cost      Carrying
Value
 
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Trading investments:

           

Deferred compensation plan mutual funds

     $  48         $  61         $  49         $  58   

Equity securities/Multi-asset mutual funds

     238         241         174         184   

Debt securities/fixed income mutual funds:

           

Corporate debt

     154         156         128         128   

Government debt

     112         111         121         116   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total trading investments

             $552                 $569                 $472                 $486   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

At March 31, 2014, trading investments included $212 million of equity securities and $267 million of debt securities held by consolidated sponsored investment funds, $61 million of certain deferred compensation plan mutual fund investments and $29 million of other equity and debt securities.

At December 31, 2013, trading investments included $172 million of equity securities and $213 million of debt securities held by consolidated sponsored investment funds, $58 million of certain deferred compensation plan mutual fund investments and $43 million of other equity and debt securities.

 

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3.  Investments (continued)

 

Other Investments

A summary of the cost and carrying value of other investments is as follows:

 

(in millions)        March 31, 2014              December 31, 2013      
     Cost      Carrying
Value
     Cost      Carrying
Value
 
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other investments:

           

Consolidated sponsored investment funds

     $381         $394         $420         $441   

Equity method

     591         697         613         697   

Deferred compensation plan equity method investments

     35         38         37         39   

Cost method investments:

           

Federal Reserve Bank stock

     90         90         90         90   

Other

     5         5         17         29   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cost method investments

     95         95         107         119   

Carried interest

     -         117         -         103   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other investments

             $1,102                 $1,341                 $1,177                 $1,399   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Consolidated sponsored investment funds include third-party private equity funds, direct investments in private companies and third-party hedge funds held by BlackRock sponsored investment funds.

Equity method investments primarily include BlackRock’s direct investment in certain BlackRock sponsored investment funds. See Note 10, Other Assets, for information on the Company’s investment in PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (“PennyMac”), which is included in other assets on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

Cost method investments include nonmarketable securities, including Federal Reserve Bank stock, which is held for regulatory purposes and is restricted from sale. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, there were no indicators of impairment on these investments.

Carried interest represents allocations to BlackRock’s general partner capital accounts from certain funds. These balances are subject to change upon cash distributions, additional allocations or reallocations back to limited partners within the respective funds.

 

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4.  Consolidated Sponsored Investment Funds

The Company consolidates certain sponsored investment funds primarily because it is deemed to control such funds. The investments owned by these consolidated sponsored investment funds are classified as trading or other investments. The following table presents the balances related to these consolidated funds that were included on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition as well as BlackRock’s net interest in these funds:

 

(in millions)    March 31,
2014
    December 31,
2013
 

Cash and cash equivalents

     $  88        $114   

Investments:

    

Trading investments

     479        385   

Other investments

     394        441   

Other assets

     19        20   

Other liabilities

     (12     (39

Noncontrolling interests

     (205     (189
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

BlackRock’s net interests in consolidated sponsored investment funds

                       $763                          $732   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

BlackRock’s total exposure to consolidated sponsored investment funds represents the value of its economic ownership interest in these sponsored investment funds. Valuation changes associated with investments held at fair value by these consolidated investment funds are reflected in nonoperating income (expense) and partially offset in net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests for the portion not attributable to BlackRock.

In addition, at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, several consolidated CLOs and one sponsored investment fund, which were deemed to be VIEs, were excluded from the balances in the table above as the balances for these investment products are reported separately on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. See Note 6, Variable Interest Entities, for further discussion on these consolidated investment products.

The Company may not be readily able to access cash and cash equivalents held by consolidated sponsored investment funds to use in its operating activities. In addition, the Company may not be readily able to sell investments held by consolidated sponsored investment funds in order to obtain cash for use in the Company’s operations.

 

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5.  Fair Value Disclosures

 

Fair Value Hierarchy

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and other assets not held at fair value

 

March 31, 2014

(in millions)

 

Quoted
Prices in

Active

Markets for
Identical
Assets

(Level 1)

    Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
    Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
    Other Assets
Not Held at Fair
Value(1)
   

March 31,

2014

 
 

 

 

 

Assets:

         

Investments

         

Available-for-sale:

         

Equity securities of sponsored investment funds

  $ 148      $ 2      $ -      $ -      $ 150   

Held-to-maturity debt securities

    -        -        -        32        32   

Trading:

         

Deferred compensation plan mutual funds

    61        -        -        -        61   

Equity/Multi-asset mutual funds

    241        -        -        -        241   

Debt securities / fixed income mutual funds

    -        267        -        -        267   
 

 

 

 

Total trading

    302        267        -        -        569   

Other investments:

         

Consolidated sponsored investment funds:

         

Hedge funds / Funds of funds

    -        108        12        -        120   

Private / public equity(2)

    5        13        256        -        274   
 

 

 

 

Total consolidated sponsored investment funds

    5        121        268        -        394   

Equity method:

         

Hedge funds / Funds of hedge funds

    -        188        91        68        347   

Private equity investments

    -        -        101        -        101   

Real estate funds

    -        20        100        7        127   

Fixed income mutual funds

    114        -        -        -        114   

Other

    8        -        -        -        8   
 

 

 

 

Total equity method

    122        208        292        75        697   

Deferred compensation plan equity method investments

    -        7        31        -        38   

Cost method investments

    -        -        -        95        95   

Carried interest

    -        -        -        117        117   
 

 

 

 

Total investments

    577        605        591        319        2,092   
 

 

 

 

Separate account assets

    112,145        41,913        -        1,039        155,097   

Separate account collateral held under securities lending agreements:

         

Equity securities

    15,416        -        -        -        15,416   

Debt securities

    -        2,346        -        -        2,346   
 

 

 

 

Total separate account collateral held under securities lending agreements

    15,416        2,346        -        -        17,762   

Assets of consolidated VIEs:

         

Bank loans and other assets

    -        1,891        147        37        2,075   

Bonds

    -        54        28        -        82   

Private / public equity(3)

    -        13        13        -        26   
 

 

 

 

Total assets of consolidated VIEs

    -        1,958        188        37        2,183   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 128,138      $ 46,822      $ 779      $ 1,395      $ 177,134   
 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

         

Borrowings of consolidated VIEs

  $ -      $ -      $ 2,244      $ -      $ 2,244   

Separate account collateral liabilities under securities lending agreements

    15,416        2,346        -        -        17,762   

Other liabilities(4)

    -        4        42        -        46   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 15,416      $ 2,350      $ 2,286      $ -      $ 20,052   
 

 

 

 

 

  (1) 

Amounts are comprised of investments held at cost or amortized cost, carried interest and certain equity method investments, which include sponsored investment funds and other assets, which in accordance with GAAP are not accounted for under a fair value measure. In accordance with GAAP, certain equity method investees do not account for both their financial assets and liabilities under fair value measures; therefore, the Company’s investment in such equity method investees may not represent fair value.

  (2) 

Level 3 amounts include $192 million and $64 million of underlying third-party private equity funds and direct investments in private equity companies held by private equity funds, respectively.

  (3) 

Level 3 amounts include $13 million of underlying third-party private equity funds held by a private equity fund.

  (4) 

Amounts include a credit default swap (see Note 7, Derivatives and Hedging, for more information) and contingent liabilities related to the acquisitions of Credit Suisse’s ETF franchise and MGPA (see Note 12, Commitments and Contingencies, for more information).

 

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5.  Fair Value Disclosures (continued)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy (continued)

 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and other assets not held at fair value

 

December 31, 2013

(in millions)

 

Quoted
Prices in

Active

Markets for
Identical
Assets

(Level 1)

    Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
    Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
    Other Assets
Not Held at
Fair Value(1)
   

December 31,

2013

 
 

 

 

 

Assets:

         

Investments

         

Available-for-sale:

         

Equity securities of sponsored investment funds

  $ 180      $ -      $ -      $ -      $ 180   

Other securities

    -        3        -        -        3   
 

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale

    180        3        -        -        183   

Held-to-maturity debt securities

    -        -        -        83        83   

Trading:

         

Deferred compensation plan mutual funds

    58        -        -        -        58   

Equity/Multi-asset mutual funds

    184        -        -        -        184   

Debt securities / fixed income mutual funds

    31        213        -        -        244   
 

 

 

 

Total trading

    273        213        -        -        486   

Other investments:

         

Consolidated sponsored investment funds:

         

Hedge funds / Funds of funds

    -        135        24        -        159   

Private / public equity(2)

    5        13        223        41        282   
 

 

 

 

Total consolidated sponsored investment funds

    5        148        247        41        441   

Equity method:

         

Hedge funds / Funds of hedge funds

    -        177        99        63        339   

Private equity investments

    -        -        101        -        101   

Real estate funds

    -        20        98        7        125   

Fixed income mutual funds

    113        -        -        -        113   

Equity/Multi-asset, alternative mutual funds

    19        -        -        -        19   
 

 

 

 

Total equity method

    132        197        298        70        697   

Deferred compensation plan equity method investments

    -        10        29        -        39   

Cost method investments

    -        -        -        119        119   

Carried interest

    -        -        -        103        103   
 

 

 

 

Total investments

    590        571        574        416        2,151   
 

 

 

 

Separate account assets

    113,382        40,841        -        890        155,113   

Separate account collateral held under securities lending agreements:

         

Equity securities

    20,856        -        -        -        20,856   

Debt securities

    -        932        -        -        932   
 

 

 

 

Total separate account collateral held under securities lending agreements

    20,856        932        -        -        21,788   

Other assets(3)

    -        39        -        -        39   

Assets of consolidated VIEs:

         

Bank loans and other assets

    -        2,047        129        19        2,195   

Bonds

    -        71        35        -        106   

Private / public equity(4)

    -        10        14        -        24   
 

 

 

 

Total assets of consolidated VIEs

    -        2,128        178        19        2,325   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 134,828      $ 44,511      $ 752      $ 1,325      $ 181,416   
 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

         

Borrowings of consolidated VIEs

  $ -      $ -      $ 2,369      $ -      $ 2,369   

Separate account collateral liabilities under securities lending agreements

    20,856        932        -        -        21,788   

Other liabilities(5)

    18        4        42        -        64   
 

 

 

 

Total

  $ 20,874      $ 936      $ 2,411      $ -      $ 24,221   
 

 

 

 

 

  (1) 

Amounts are comprised of investments held at cost or amortized cost, carried interest and certain equity method investments, which include sponsored investment funds and other assets, which in accordance with GAAP are not accounted for under a fair value measure. In accordance with GAAP, certain equity method investees do not account for both their financial assets and liabilities under fair value measures; therefore, the Company’s investment in such equity method investees may not represent fair value.

  (2) 

Level 3 amounts include $195 million and $28 million of underlying third-party private equity funds and direct investments in private equity companies held by private equity funds, respectively.

  (3) 

Amount includes company-owned and split-dollar life insurance policies and unrealized gains on forward foreign currency exchange contracts.

  (4) 

Level 3 amounts include $14 million of underlying third-party private equity funds held by a sponsored private equity fund of fund.

  (5) 

Amounts include a credit default swap (see Note 7, Derivatives and Hedging, for more information), securities sold short within consolidated sponsored investment funds and contingent liabilities related to the acquisitions of Credit Suisse’s ETF franchise and MGPA (see Note 12, Commitments and Contingencies, for more information).

 

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5.  Fair Value Disclosures (continued)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy (continued)

 

Level 3 Assets.  Level 3 investments of $591 million and $574 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, primarily related to equity method investments and consolidated sponsored investment funds. Level 3 assets within investments, except for direct investments in private equity companies held by private equity funds described below, were primarily valued based upon NAVs received from internal and third-party fund managers.

Direct investments in private equity companies held by private equity funds totaled $64 million and $28 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Direct investments in private equity companies may be valued using the market approach or the income approach, or a combination thereof, and were valued based on an assessment of each underlying investment, incorporating evaluation of additional significant third-party financing, changes in valuations of comparable peer companies, the business environment of the companies, market indices, assumptions relating to appropriate risk adjustments for nonperformance and legal restrictions on disposition, among other factors. The fair value derived from the methods used is evaluated and weighted, as appropriate, considering the reasonableness of the range of values indicated. Under the market approach, fair value may be determined by reference to multiples of market-comparable companies or transactions, including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) multiples. Under the income approach, fair value may be determined by discounting the expected cash flows to a single present value amount using current expectations about those future amounts. Unobservable inputs used in a discounted cash flow model may include projections of operating performance generally covering a five-year period and a terminal value of the private equity direct investment. For securities utilizing the discounted cash flow valuation technique, a significant increase (decrease) in the discount rate, risk premium or discount for lack of marketability in isolation could result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement. For securities utilizing the market comparable companies valuation technique, a significant increase (decrease) in the EBITDA multiple in isolation could result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement.

Level 3 assets of consolidated VIEs include bank loans and bonds valued based on single-broker nonbinding quotes and direct private equity investments and private equity funds valued based upon internal as well as third-party fund managers, which may be adjusted by using the returns of certain market indices.

Level 3 Liabilities.  Level 3 borrowings of consolidated VIEs include CLO borrowings valued based upon single-broker nonbinding quotes.

Level 3 other liabilities include contingent liabilities related to the acquisitions of Credit Suisse’s ETF franchise and MGPA, which were valued based upon discounted cash flow analyses using unobservable market data inputs.

 

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5.  Fair Value Disclosures (continued)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy (continued)

 

Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014

 

(in millions)   December 31,
2013
    Realized
and
unrealized
gains
(losses) in
earnings
and OCI
    Purchases     Sales and
maturities
    Issuances  and
other
settlements(1)
    Transfers
into
Level 3(2)
    Transfers
out of
Level 3
    March 31,
2014
    Total net
unrealized
gains (losses)
included in
earnings(3)
 

Assets:

                 

Investments

                 

Consolidated sponsored investment funds:

                 

Hedge funds / Funds of funds

    $24        $1        $-        ($12     ($1     $-        $-        $12        $-   

Private equity

    223        1        5        (14     -        41        -        256        1   

Equity method:

                 

Hedge funds / Funds of hedge funds

    99        2        4        (11     (3     -        -        91        2   

Private equity investments

    101        3        3        -        (6     -        -        101        4   

Real estate funds

    98        2        2        -        (2     -        -        100        1   

Deferred compensation plan equity method investments

    29        2        -        -        -        -        -        31        2   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Level 3 investments

    574        11        14        (37     (12     41        -        591        10   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Assets of consolidated VIEs:

                 

Bank loans

    129        -        16        (13     -        73        (58     147     

Bonds

    35        -        -        (7     -        -        -        28     

Private equity

    14        -        -        (1     -        -        -        13     
 

 

 

   

Total Level 3 assets of consolidated VIEs

    178        -        16        (21     -        73        (58     188        n/a (4) 
 

 

 

   

Total Level 3 assets

    $752        $11        $30        ($58     ($12     $114        ($58     $779     
 

 

 

   

Liabilities:

                 

Borrowings of consolidated VIEs

            $2,369        $5        $-        $-        ($120     $-        $-        $2,244        n/a (4) 

Other liabilities

    42        -        -        -        -        -        -        42        -   
 

 

 

   

Total Level 3 liabilities

    $2,411        $5        $-        $-        ($120     $-        $-        $2,286     
 

 

 

   

 

  n/a – not applicable
  (1) 

Amount primarily includes distributions from equity method investees and repayment of borrowings of consolidated VIEs.

  (2) 

Includes investments previously held at cost.

  (3) 

Earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets still held at the reporting date.

  (4) 

The net gain (loss) on consolidated VIEs is solely attributable to noncontrolling interests on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

 

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5.  Fair Value Disclosures (continued)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy (continued)

 

Changes in Level 3 Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

 

(in millions)   December 31,
2012
    Realized
and
unrealized
gains
(losses) in
earnings
and OCI
    Purchases     Sales and
maturities
    Issuances  and
other
settlements(1)
    Transfers
into
Level 3
    Transfers
out of
Level 3
    March 31,
2013
    Total net
unrealized
gains
(losses)
included in
earnings(2)
 

Assets:

                 

Investments

                 

Available-for-sale:

                 

Equity securities (CDOs)

    $1        $-        $-        $-        $-        $-        $-        $1        $-   

Consolidated sponsored investment funds:

                 

Hedge funds / Funds of funds

    73        4        12        -        -        -        (5     84        4   

Private equity

    266        23        7        (29     -        -        (3     264        20   

Equity method:

                 

Hedge funds / Funds of hedge funds

    161        4        1        -        (30     -        -        136        4   

Private equity investments

    90        6        5        -        (2     -        -        99        6   

Real estate funds

    88        1        2        -        -        -        -        91        2   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Level 3 investments

    679        38        27        (29     (32     -        (8     675        36   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Separate account assets

    2        -        -        (2     -        -        -        -        n/a (3) 

Assets of consolidated VIEs:

                 

Bank loans

    106        -        24        (11     -        15        (37     97     

Bonds

    46        (1     4        -        -        -        -        49     

Private equity

    22        1        -        (3     -        -        -        20     

Fund of hedge funds

    -        -        116        -        -        -        -        116     
 

 

 

   

Total Level 3 assets of consolidated VIEs

    174        -        144        (14     -        15        (37     282        n/a (4) 
 

 

 

   

Total Level 3 assets

    $855        $38        $171        ($45     ($32     $15        ($45     $957     
 

 

 

   

Liabilities:

                 

Borrowings of consolidated VIEs

            $2,402        ($10     $-        $-        ($80     $-        $-        $2,332        n/a (4) 
 

 

 

   

 

  n/a – not applicable
  (1) 

Amount primarily includes distributions from equity method investees and repayment of borrowings of consolidated VIEs.

  (2) 

Earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets still held at the reporting date.

  (3) 

The net investment income attributable to separate account assets accrues directly to the contract owners and is not reported on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

  (4) 

The net gain (loss) on consolidated VIEs is solely attributable to noncontrolling interests on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

 

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5.  Fair Value Disclosures (continued)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy (continued)

 

Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) for Level 3 Assets and Liabilities. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) recorded for Level 3 assets and liabilities are reported in nonoperating income (expense) on the condensed consolidated statements of income. A portion of net income (loss) for consolidated investments and all of the net income (loss) for consolidated VIEs are allocated to noncontrolling interests to reflect net income (loss) not attributable to the Company.

Transfers in and/or out of Levels. Transfers in and/or out of levels are reflected when significant inputs, including market inputs or performance attributes, used for the fair value measurement become observable/unobservable, or when the Company determines it has the ability, or no longer has the ability, to redeem, in the near term, certain investments that the Company values using a NAV (or a capital account), or when the carrying value of certain equity method investments no longer represents fair value as determined under valuation methodologies.

Assets of Consolidated VIEs.    During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, there were $58 million and $37 million, respectively, of transfers out of Level 3 to Level 2 related to bank loans. In addition, during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, there were $73 million and $15 million, respectively, of transfers into Level 3 from Level 2 related to bank loans. These transfers in and out of levels were primarily due to availability/unavailability of observable market inputs, including inputs from pricing vendors and brokers.

Consolidated Sponsored Investment Funds.    During the three months ended March 31, 2013, there were $12 million of transfers out of Level 1 to Level 2 related to consolidated private equity funds. These transfers were due to a direct investment in a public company valued at a discount due to restrictions on sale.

Significant Other Settlements. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, there were $32 million of distributions from equity method investees categorized in Level 3.

Disclosures of Fair Value for Financial Instruments Not Held at Fair Value. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments not held at fair value are categorized in the table below:

 

     March 31, 2014      December 31, 2013         
(in millions)    Carrying 
Amount
     Estimated 
Fair Value
     Carrying 
Amount
     Estimated 
Fair Value
     Fair Value 
Hierarchy
 

Financial Assets:

              

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,394       $ 4,394       $ 4,390       $ 4,390         Level 1 (1), (2) 

Accounts receivable

     2,868         2,868         2,247         2,247         Level 1 (3) 

Cash and cash equivalents of consolidated VIEs

     191         191         161         161         Level 1 (1) 

Financial Liabilities:

              

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

     1,615         1,615         1,084         1,084         Level 1 (3) 

Long-term borrowings

     5,936         6,286         4,939         5,284         Level 2 (4) 

 

  (1) 

Cash and cash equivalents are carried at either cost or amortized cost, which approximates fair value due to their short-term maturities.

 

  (2)

At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, approximately $131 million and $64 million, respectively, of money market funds were recorded within cash and cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Money market funds are valued based on quoted market prices, or $1.00 per share, which

 

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Table of Contents

5.  Fair Value Disclosures (continued)

 

Fair Value Hierarchy (continued)

 

  generally is the NAV of the fund. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, approximately $88 million and $114 million, respectively, related to cash and cash equivalents held by consolidated sponsored investment funds.

 

  (3) 

The carrying amounts of accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to their short-term nature.

 

  (4) 

Long-term borrowings are recorded at amortized cost. The fair value of the long-term borrowings, including the current portion of long-term borrowings, is estimated using market prices at the end of March 2014 and December 2013, respectively. See Note 11, Borrowings, for the fair value of each of the Company’s long-term borrowings.

 

Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share.

As a practical expedient to value certain investments that do not have a readily determinable fair value and have attributes of an investment company, the Company relies on NAV as the fair value. The following tables list information regarding all investments that use a fair value measurement to account for both their financial assets and financial liabilities in their calculation of a NAV per share (or its equivalent).

March 31, 2014

 

(in millions)   Ref     Fair Value     Total Unfunded
Commitments
   

Redemption
Frequency

  Redemption
Notice Period

Consolidated sponsored investment funds:

         

Private equity funds/funds of funds

    (a     $192        $28      n/r   n/r

Other funds of hedge funds

    (b     117        -        Quarterly (100%)   30 – 90 days

Equity method:(1)

         

Hedge funds/funds of hedge funds

    (c     279        41     

Monthly(58%)

Quarterly(11%)

n/r(31%)

  15 – 90 days

Private equity funds

    (d     101        62      n/r   n/r

Real estate funds

    (e     120        12     

Quarterly(17%)

n/r(83%)

  60 days

Deferred compensation plan investments

    (f     38        7     

Quarterly(19%)

n/r(81%)

  60 – 90 days

Consolidated VIEs:

         

Private equity fund

    (g     13        1      n/r   n/r
   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total

      $860        $151       
   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

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Table of Contents

5.  Fair Value Disclosures (continued)

 

Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share. (continued)

 

December 31, 2013

 

(in millions)   Ref     Fair Value     Total
Unfunded
Commitments
   

Redemption
Frequency

  Redemption
Notice Period

Consolidated sponsored investment funds:

         

Private equity funds of funds

    (a     $195        $23      n/r   n/r

Other funds of hedge funds

    (b     155        -     

Monthly(13%)

Quarterly(78%)

n/r(9%)

  30 – 90 days

Equity method:(1)

         

Hedge funds/funds of hedge funds

    (c     276        84     

Monthly(55%)

Quarterly(11%)

n/r(34%)

  15 – 90 days

Private equity funds

    (d     101        62      n/r   n/r

Real estate funds

    (e     118        12     

Quarterly(17%)

n/r(83%)

  60 days

Deferred compensation plan investments

    (f     39        7     

Monthly(8%)

Quarterly(18%)

n/r(74%)

  60 – 90 days

Consolidated VIEs:

         

Private equity fund

    (g     14        1      n/r   n/r
   

 

 

   

 

 

     

Total

      $898        $189       
   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

  n/r – not redeemable

 

  (1) 

Comprised of equity method investments, which include investment companies, which account for their financial assets and most financial liabilities under fair value measures; therefore, the Company’s investment in such equity method investees approximates fair value.

 

  (a) 

This category includes the underlying third-party private equity funds within consolidated BlackRock sponsored private equity funds of funds. The fair values of the investments in the third-party funds have been estimated using capital accounts representing the Company’s ownership interest in each fund in the portfolio as well as other performance inputs. These investments are not subject to redemption; however, for certain funds, the Company may sell or transfer its interest, which may need approval by the general partner of the underlying funds. Due to the nature of the investments in this category, the Company reduces its investment by distributions that are received through the realization of the underlying assets of the funds. It is estimated that the underlying assets of these funds will be liquidated over a weighted-average period of approximately seven years at both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The total remaining unfunded commitments to other third-party funds were $28 million and $23 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The Company was contractually obligated to fund $37 million and $30 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, to the consolidated funds.

 

  (b) 

This category includes consolidated funds of hedge funds that invest in multiple strategies to diversify risks. The fair values of the investments have been estimated using the NAV of the fund’s ownership interest in partners’ capital of each fund in the portfolio. Certain of the underlying funds can be redeemed as long as there are no restrictions in place. This category also includes a consolidated offshore feeder fund that invests in a master fund with multiple alternative investment strategies. The fair value of this investment has been estimated using the NAV of the master offshore fund held by the feeder fund. The investment is currently subject to restrictions in place by the underlying master fund.

 

  (c) 

This category includes hedge funds and funds of hedge funds that invest primarily in equities, fixed income securities, distressed credit, opportunistic and mortgage instruments and other third-party hedge funds. The fair values of the investments have been estimated using the NAV of the Company’s ownership interest in partners’ capital. It was estimated that the investments in the funds that are not subject to redemption will be liquidated over a weighted-average period of approximately three years at both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

 

  (d) 

This category includes several private equity funds that initially invest in nonmarketable securities of private companies, which ultimately may become public in the future. The fair values of these investments have been

 

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5.  Fair Value Disclosures (continued)

 

Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value Per Share. (continued)

 

  estimated using capital accounts representing the Company’s ownership interest in the funds as well as other performance inputs. The Company’s investment in each fund is not subject to redemption and is normally returned through distributions as a result of the liquidation of the underlying assets of the private equity funds. It was estimated that the investments in these funds will be liquidated over a weighted-average period of approximately four years and five years at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

  (e) 

This category includes several real estate funds that invest directly in real estate and real estate related assets. The fair values of the investments have been estimated using capital accounts representing the Company’s ownership interest in the funds. A majority of the Company’s investments are not subject to redemption or are not currently redeemable and is normally returned through distributions as a result of the liquidation of the underlying assets of the real estate funds. It is estimated that the investments in these funds not subject to redemptions will be liquidated over a weighted-average period of approximately seven years at both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

 

  (f) 

This category includes investments in several real estate funds and certain hedge funds that invest in energy and health science related equity securities. The fair values of the investments in this category have been estimated using capital accounts representing the Company’s ownership interest in partners’ capital as well as performance inputs. The investments in hedge funds will be redeemed upon settlement of certain deferred compensation liabilities. The real estate investments are not subject to redemption; however, distributions as a result of the liquidation of the underlying assets will be used to settle certain deferred compensation liabilities over time.

 

  (g) 

This category includes the underlying third-party private equity funds within one consolidated BlackRock sponsored private equity fund of funds. The fair values of the investments in the third-party funds have been estimated using capital accounts representing the Company’s ownership interest in each fund in the portfolio as well as other performance inputs. These investments are not subject to redemption; however, for certain funds the Company may sell or transfer its interest, which may need approval by the general partner of the underlying third-party funds. Due to the nature of the investments in this category, the Company reduces its investment by distributions that are received through the realization of the underlying assets of the funds. It is estimated that the underlying assets of these funds will be liquidated over a weighted-average period of approximately two years at both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. Total remaining unfunded commitments to other third-party funds were not material at both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, which commitments are required to be funded by capital contributions from noncontrolling interest holders.

 

Fair Value Option.

The following table summarizes information at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 related to those assets and liabilities for which the fair value option was elected:

 

(in millions)    March 31,
2014
         December 31,    
2013
 

CLO Bank Loans:

     

Aggregate principal amounts outstanding

     $2,055         $2,181   

Fair value

     2,038         2,176   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Aggregate unpaid principal balance in excess of (less than) fair value

     $17         $5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unpaid principal balance of loans more than 90 days past due

     $14         $14   

Aggregate fair value of loans more than 90 days past due

     -         9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Aggregate unpaid principal balance in excess of fair value for loans more than 90 days past due

     $14         $5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

CLO Borrowings:

     

Aggregate principal amounts outstanding

     $2,336         $2,455   

Fair value

     $2,244         $2,369   

At March 31, 2014, the principal amounts outstanding of the borrowings issued by the CLOs mature between 2016 and 2025.

 

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Table of Contents

5.  Fair Value Disclosures (continued)

 

Fair Value Option(continued)

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the change in fair value of the bank loans and bonds held by the CLOs resulted in a $27 million and a $72 million gain, respectively, which were offset by a $22 million and a $41 million loss, respectively, from the change in fair value of the CLO borrowings.

The net gains (losses) were recorded in net gain (loss) on consolidated VIEs on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

The change in fair value of the assets and liabilities included interest income and expense, respectively.

6.  Variable Interest Entities

In the normal course of business, the Company is the manager of various types of sponsored investment vehicles, including CDOs/CLOs and sponsored investment funds, which may be considered VIEs. The Company receives advisory fees and/or other incentive-related fees for its services and may from time to time own equity or debt securities or enter into derivatives with the vehicles, each of which are considered variable interests. The Company enters into these variable interests principally to address client needs through the launch of such investment vehicles. The VIEs are primarily financed via capital contributed by equity and debt holders. The Company’s involvement in financing the operations of the VIEs is generally limited to its equity interests.

The primary beneficiary (“PB”) of a VIE that is an investment fund that meets the conditions of ASU 2010-10, Amendments to Statement 167 for Certain Investment Funds (“ASU 2010-10”), is the enterprise that has a variable interest (or combination of variable interests, including those of related parties) that will absorb a majority of the entity’s expected losses, receive a majority of the entity’s expected residual returns or both. In order to determine whether the Company is the PB of a VIE, management must make significant estimates and assumptions of probable future cash flows of the VIEs. Assumptions made in such analyses may include, but are not limited to, market prices of securities, market interest rates, potential credit defaults on individual securities or default rates on a portfolio of securities, prepayments, realization of gains, liquidity or marketability of certain securities, discount rates and the probability of certain other outcomes.

The PB of a CDO/CLO or other entity that is a VIE that does not meet the conditions of ASU 2010-10 is the enterprise that has the power to direct activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that potentially could be significant to the entity.

 

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6.  Variable Interest Entities (continued)

 

Consolidated VIEs.    Consolidated VIEs included CLOs in which BlackRock did not have an investment; however, BlackRock, as the collateral manager, was deemed to have both the power to control the activities of the CLOs and the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the CLOs. In addition, BlackRock was the PB of one investment fund because it absorbed the majority of the variability due to its de facto related-party relationships with other partners in the fund. The assets of these VIEs are not available to creditors of the Company. In addition, the investors in these VIEs have no recourse to the credit of the Company. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the following balances related to VIEs were consolidated on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition:

 

(in millions)      March 31, 2014          December 31, 2013    

Assets of consolidated VIEs:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

     $191         $161   

Bank loans

     2,038         2,176   

Bonds

     82         106   

Other investments and other assets

     63         43   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total bank loans, bonds, other investments and other assets

     2,183         2,325   

Liabilities of consolidated VIEs:

     

Borrowings

     (2,244)         (2,369)   

Other liabilities

     (106)         (74)   

Appropriated retained earnings

     (6)         (22)   

Noncontrolling interests of consolidated VIEs

     (18)         (21)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total BlackRock net interests in consolidated VIEs

     $-         $-   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded nonoperating expense of $16 million and nonoperating income of $27 million, respectively, offset by a $16 million net loss attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests and a $27 million net gain attributable to nonredeemable noncontrolling interests, respectively, on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the weighted-average maturity of the bank loans and bonds were approximately 4.6 and 4.7 years, respectively.

 

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6.  Variable Interest Entities (continued)

 

Non-Consolidated VIEs.    At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company’s carrying value of assets and liabilities and its maximum risk of loss related to VIEs for which it was the sponsor or in which it held a variable interest, but for which it was not the PB, were as follows:

 

(in millions)    Variable Interests on the Condensed
Consolidated
Statement of Financial Condition
        
At March 31, 2014    Investments      Advisory
Fee
Receivables
     Other Net
Assets
(Liabilities)
     Maximum
Risk of Loss(1)
 

CDOs/CLOs

     $-         $1         ($4)         $18   

Other sponsored investment funds:

           

Collective trusts

     -         185         -         185   

Other

     38         183         (4)         221   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $38         $369         ($8)         $424   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At December 31, 2013

  

CDOs/CLOs

     $-         $1         ($4)         $18   

Other sponsored investment funds:

           

Collective trusts

     -         184         -         184   

Other

     37         137         (6)         174   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $37         $322         ($10)         $376   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

At both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, BlackRock’s maximum risk of loss associated with these VIEs primarily related to: (i) advisory fee receivables; (ii) BlackRock’s investments; and (iii) $17 million of credit protection sold by BlackRock to a third party in a synthetic CDO transaction.

The net assets related to the above CDOs/CLOs and other sponsored investment funds, including collective trusts, that the Company does not consolidate were as follows:

CDOs/CLOs

 

(in billions)        March 31, 2014              December 31, 2013      

Assets at fair value

     $1         $1   

Liabilities(1)

     2         2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets

     ($1)         ($1)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Amounts primarily comprised of unpaid principal debt obligations to CDO/CLO debt holders.

The net assets of other sponsored investment funds that are nonconsolidated VIEs approximated $1.7 trillion to $1.8 trillion at March 31, 2014 and $1.6 trillion to $1.7 trillion at December 31, 2013. Net assets included $1.5 trillion of collective trusts at March 31, 2014 and $1.4 trillion of collective trusts at December 31, 2013. Each collective trust has been aggregated separately and may include collective trusts that invest in other collective trusts. The net assets of these VIEs primarily are comprised of cash and cash equivalents and investments offset by liabilities primarily comprised of various accruals for the sponsored investment vehicles.

 

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7.  Derivatives and Hedging

The Company maintains a program to enter into swaps to hedge against market price and interest rate exposures with respect to certain seed investments in sponsored investment products. At March 31, 2014, the Company had outstanding total return swaps and interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional value of approximately $153 million and $121 million, respectively. At December 31, 2013, the Company had outstanding total return swaps and interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional value of approximately $117 million and $71 million, respectively.

The Company has entered into a credit default swap, providing credit protection to a counterparty of approximately $17 million, representing the Company’s maximum risk of loss with respect to the provision of credit protection. The Company carries the credit default swap at fair value based on the expected future cash flows under the arrangement.

The fair values of the outstanding total return swaps, interest rate swaps and the credit default swap were not material to the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition at both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

The Company executes forward foreign currency exchange contracts to mitigate the risk of foreign exchange movements. At March 31, 2014, the Company had outstanding forward foreign currency exchange contracts with an aggregate notional value of approximately $195 million. The fair value of the forward foreign currency exchange contracts at March 31, 2014 was not material to the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. At December 31, 2013, the Company had outstanding forward foreign currency exchange contracts with an aggregate notional value of approximately $792 million and a fair value of approximately $26 million.

Gains (losses) on the total return swaps, interest rate swaps, credit default swap and the forward foreign currency exchange contracts were not material to the condensed consolidated statements of income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.

The Company consolidates certain sponsored investment funds, which may utilize derivative instruments as a part of the funds’ investment strategies. The fair value of such derivatives at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was not material. The change in fair value of such derivatives, which is recorded in nonoperating income (expense), was not material for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.

8.  Goodwill

Goodwill activity during the three months ended March 31, 2014 was as follows:

 

(in millions)       

December 31, 2013

                 $12,980   

Goodwill adjustment related to Quellos(1)

     (5
  

 

 

 

March 31, 2014

     $12,975   
  

 

 

 

 

 

(1) 

The decrease in goodwill during the three months ended March 31, 2014 resulted from a decline related to tax benefits realized from tax-deductible goodwill in excess of book goodwill from the acquisition of the fund-of-funds business of Quellos Group, LLC in October 2007 (the “Quellos Transaction”). Goodwill related to the Quellos Transaction will continue to be reduced in future periods by the amount of tax benefits realized from tax-deductible goodwill in excess of book goodwill from the Quellos Transaction. The balance of the Quellos tax-deductible goodwill in excess of book goodwill was approximately $285 million and $293 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

 

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9.  Intangible Assets

The carrying amounts of identifiable intangible assets are summarized as follows:

 

(in millions)    Indefinite-lived
 intangible assets 
    Finite-lived
 intangible assets 
    Total
 intangible assets 
 

December 31, 2013

                 $16,991                    $510                    $17,501   

Amortization expense

     -        (41     (41

Other

     (1     -        (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

March 31, 2014

     $16,990        $469        $17,459   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

10.  Other Assets

The Company accounts for its interest in PennyMac as an equity method investment and includes the investment in other assets on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

The carrying value and fair value of the Company’s interest (approximately 20% or 16 million shares and units) was approximately $135 million and $259 million, respectively, at March 31, 2014 and approximately $127 million and $273 million, respectively, at December 31, 2013. The fair value of the Company’s interest reflected the PennyMac stock price at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively (a Level 1 input).

See Note 11, Other Assets, in the 2013 Form 10-K for more information.

11.  Borrowings

 

Short-Term Borrowings

2014 Revolving Credit Facility.    In March 2014, the Company’s credit facility was amended to extend the maturity date by one year to March 2019. The amount of the aggregate commitment is $3.990 billion (the “2014 credit facility”). The 2014 credit facility permits the Company to request up to an additional $1.0 billion of borrowing capacity, subject to lender credit approval, increasing the overall size of the 2014 credit facility to an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $4.990 billion. Interest on borrowings outstanding accrues at a rate based on the applicable London Interbank Offered Rate plus a spread. The 2014 credit facility requires the Company not to exceed a maximum leverage ratio (ratio of net debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, where net debt equals total debt less unrestricted cash) of 3 to 1, which was satisfied with a ratio of less than 1 to 1 at March 31, 2014. At March 31, 2014, the Company had no amount outstanding under the 2014 credit facility.

Commercial Paper Program.    In April 2013, BlackRock increased the maximum aggregate amount for which the Company could issue unsecured commercial paper notes (the “CP Notes”) on a private-placement basis up to a maximum aggregate amount outstanding at any time of $3.990 billion. The commercial paper program is currently supported by the 2014 credit facility. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, BlackRock had no CP Notes outstanding.

 

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11.  Borrowings (continued)

 

Long-Term Borrowings

The carrying value and fair value of long-term borrowings determined using market prices at the end of March 2014 included the following:

 

(in millions)     Maturity Amount      

 Unamortized 

  Discount  

     Carrying Value       Fair Value   
 

 

 

 

3.50% Notes due 2014

    $1,000        $-        $1,000        $1,021   

1.375% Notes due 2015

    750        -        750        759   

6.25% Notes due 2017

    700        (2)        698        812   

5.00% Notes due 2019

    1,000        (2)        998        1,131   

4.25% Notes due 2021

    750        (3)        747        815   

3.375% Notes due 2022

    750        (4)        746        760   

3.50% Notes due 2024

    1,000        (3)        997        988   
 

 

 

 

Total Long-term Borrowings

    $5,950        ($14)        $5,936        $6,286   
 

 

 

 

Long-term borrowings at December 31, 2013 had a carrying value of $4.939 billion and a fair value of $5,284 billion determined using market prices at the end of December 2013.

2024 Notes.    In March 2014, the Company issued $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of 3.50% senior unsecured and unsubordinated notes maturing on March 18, 2024 (the “2024 Notes”). The net proceeds of the 2024 Notes are intended to be used for general corporate purposes, including refinancing of outstanding indebtedness. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 18 and September 18 of each year, or approximately $35 million per year. The 2024 Notes may be redeemed prior to maturity at any time in whole or in part at the option of the Company at a “make-whole” redemption price. The 2024 Notes were issued at a discount of $3 million that is being amortized over the term of the notes. The Company incurred approximately $6 million of debt issuance costs, which are being amortized over the term of the 2024 Notes.

See Note 12, Borrowings, in the 2013 Form 10-K for more information regarding the Company’s borrowings.

12.  Commitments and Contingencies

Investment Commitments.    At March 31, 2014, the Company had $170 million of various capital commitments to fund sponsored investment funds, including funds of private equity funds, real estate funds, infrastructure funds, opportunistic funds and distressed credit funds. This amount excludes additional commitments made by consolidated funds of funds to underlying third-party funds as third-party noncontrolling interest holders have the legal obligation to fund the respective commitments of such funds of funds. In addition to the capital commitments of $170 million, the Company had approximately $39 million of contingent commitments for certain funds which have investment periods that have expired. Generally, the timing of the funding of these commitments is unknown and the commitments are callable on demand at any time prior to the expiration of the commitment. These unfunded commitments are not recorded on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. These commitments do not include potential future commitments approved by the Company, but which are not yet legally binding. The Company intends to make additional capital commitments from time to time to fund additional investment products for, and with, its clients.

 

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12.  Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

 

Contingencies

Contingent Payments.    The Company acts as the portfolio manager in a series of credit default swap transactions and has a maximum potential exposure of $17 million under a credit default swap between the Company and counterparty. See Note 7, Derivatives and Hedging, for further discussion.

Contingent Payments Related to Business Acquisitions.    In connection with the Credit Suisse ETF Transaction, BlackRock is required to make contingent payments annually to Credit Suisse, subject to achieving specified thresholds during a seven-year period, subsequent to the acquisition date. In addition, BlackRock is required to make contingent payments related to the MGPA Transaction during a five-year period, subject to achieving specified thresholds, subsequent to the acquisition date. The fair value of the contingent payments at March 31, 2014 is not significant to the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition and is included in other liabilities.

Legal Proceedings.    From time to time, BlackRock receives subpoenas or other requests for information from various U.S. federal, state governmental and domestic and international regulatory authorities in connection with certain industry-wide or other investigations or proceedings. It is BlackRock’s policy to cooperate fully with such inquiries. The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have been named as defendants in various legal actions, including arbitrations and other litigation arising in connection with BlackRock’s activities. Additionally, certain BlackRock-sponsored investment funds that the Company manages are subject to lawsuits, any of which potentially could harm the investment returns of the applicable fund or result in the Company being liable to the funds for any resulting damages.

Management, after consultation with legal counsel, currently does not anticipate that the aggregate liability, if any, arising out of regulatory matters or lawsuits will have a material effect on BlackRock’s results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. However, there is no assurance as to whether any such pending or threatened matters will have a material effect on BlackRock’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows in any future reporting period. Due to uncertainties surrounding the outcome of these matters, management cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may arise from these matters.

Indemnifications.    In the ordinary course of business or in connection with certain acquisition agreements, BlackRock enters into contracts pursuant to which it may agree to indemnify third parties in certain circumstances. The terms of these indemnities vary from contract to contract and the amount of indemnification liability, if any, cannot be determined or the likelihood of any liability is considered remote. Consequently, no liability has been recorded on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

In connection with securities lending transactions, BlackRock has issued certain indemnifications to certain securities lending clients against potential loss resulting from a borrower’s failure to fulfill its obligations under the securities lending agreement should the value of the collateral pledged by the borrower at the time of default be insufficient to cover the borrower’s obligation under the securities lending agreement. At March 31, 2014, the Company indemnified certain of its clients for their securities lending loan balances of approximately $129.5 billion. The Company held as agent, cash and securities totaling $136.1 billion as collateral for indemnified securities on loan at March 31, 2014. The fair value of these indemnifications was not material at March 31, 2014.

 

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13.  Stock-Based Compensation

Restricted stock and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014 is summarized below:

 

Outstanding at        

   Restricted
Stock and
RSUs
     Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 

December 31, 2013

                     4,612,813                 $207.94   

Granted    

     1,344,821                 $318.31   

Converted

     (2,440,596)                 $205.08   

Forfeited  

     (20,504)                 $232.80   
  

 

 

    

March 31, 2014(1)

     3,496,534                 $252.42   
  

 

 

    

 

(1) 

At March 31, 2014, approximately 3.3 million awards are expected to vest and 0.2 million awards have vested but have not been converted.

The Company values restricted stock and RSUs at their grant-date fair value as measured by BlackRock’s common stock price. In January 2014, the Company granted 1,022,295 RSUs to employees as part of annual incentive compensation that vest ratably over three years from the date of grant and 287,963 RSUs to employees that cliff vest 100% on January 31, 2017.

At March 31, 2014, the intrinsic value of outstanding RSUs was $1.1 billion reflecting a stock price of $314.48 at March 31, 2014.

At March 31, 2014, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested RSUs was $561 million. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average period of 1.6 years.

 

Market Performance-based RSUs.

Market performance-based RSU activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014 is summarized below:

 

Outstanding at

   Market
Performance-
Based RSUs
     Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 

December 31, 2013

                 1,132,113         $120.80   

Granted

     315,961         $195.30   
  

 

 

    

March 31, 2014(1)

     1,448,074       $ 137.05   
  

 

 

    

 

(1) 

At March 31, 2014, approximately 1.4 million awards are expected to vest and an immaterial amount of awards have vested and have not been converted.

In January 2014, the Company granted 315,961 market performance-based RSUs.

See Note 14, Stock-Based Compensation, in the 2013 Form 10-K for more information on market performance-based RSUs.

At March 31, 2014, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested market performance-based awards was $138 million. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average period of 2.7 years.

 

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13.  Stock-Based Compensation (continued)

 

Market Performance-based RSUs. (continued)

 

Long-Term Incentive Plans Funded by PNC.    Under a share surrender agreement, PNC committed to provide up to 4 million shares of BlackRock stock, held by PNC, to fund certain BlackRock long-term incentive plans (“LTIP”). The current share surrender agreement commits PNC to provide BlackRock series C nonvoting participating preferred stock to fund the remaining committed shares. As of March 31, 2014, 2.7 million shares had been surrendered by PNC.

At March 31, 2014, the remaining shares committed by PNC of 1.3 million were available to fund certain future long-term incentive awards.

Stock Options.    Stock options outstanding at both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were 931,758 with a weighted average exercise price of $167.76. At March 31, 2014, all options were vested. The remaining average life of stock options outstanding at March 31, 2014 is approximately three years.

14.  Net Capital Requirements

The Company is required to maintain net capital in certain regulated subsidiaries within a number of jurisdictions, which is partially maintained by retaining cash and cash equivalent investments in those subsidiaries or jurisdictions. As a result, such subsidiaries of the Company may be restricted in their ability to transfer cash between different jurisdictions and to their parents. Additionally, transfers of cash between international jurisdictions, including repatriation to the United States, may have adverse tax consequences that could discourage such transfers.

Capital Requirements.    At March 31, 2014, the Company was required to maintain approximately $1.2 billion in net capital in certain regulated subsidiaries, including BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (a chartered national bank whose powers are limited to trust activities and which is subject to regulatory capital requirements administered by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency), entities regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority in the United Kingdom and the Company’s broker-dealers. At such date, the Company was in compliance with all applicable regulatory net capital requirements.

 

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15.  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table presents changes in AOCI by component for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:

 

(in millions)   Unrealized gains
(losses) on
available-for-sale
investments
         Benefit plans          Foreign
currency
translation
adjustments
         Total(1)  

December 31, 2013

    $7           $6           ($48        ($35

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications(2)

    -           -           8           8   

Amount reclassified from AOCI(3)

    (8        -           -           (8
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2014

    (8        -           8           -   
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

March 31, 2014

    ($1        $6           ($40        ($35
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
(in millions)   Unrealized gains
(losses) on
available-for-sale
investments
         Benefit plans          Foreign
currency
translation
adjustments
         Total(1)  

December 31, 2012

  $ 16         ($ 4      ($ 71      ($ 59

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications(2)

    4           -           (108        (104

Amount reclassified from AOCI(3)

    (3        -           -           (3
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2013

    1           -           (108        (107
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

March 31, 2013

  $ 17         ($ 4      ($ 179      ($ 166
 

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

(1) 

All amounts are net of tax.

(2) 

The tax benefit (expense) was not material for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.

(3) 

The tax benefit (expense) was not material for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. The pre-tax amount reclassified from AOCI was included in net gain (loss) on investments on the condensed consolidated statements of income.

 

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16.  Capital Stock

Nonvoting Participating Preferred Stock.    The Company’s preferred shares authorized, issued and outstanding consisted of the following:

 

     March 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 

Series A

     

Shares authorized, $0.01 par value

     20,000,000         20,000,000   

Shares issued and outstanding

     -         -   

Series B

     

Shares authorized, $0.01 par value

     150,000,000         150,000,000   

Shares issued and outstanding

     823,188         823,188   

Series C

     

Shares authorized, $0.01 par value

     6,000,000         6,000,000   

Shares issued and outstanding

     1,311,887         1,311,887   

Series D

     

Shares authorized, $0.01 par value

     20,000,000         20,000,000   

Shares issued and outstanding

     -         -   

Share Repurchase Approvals.    In January 2013, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the availability under the Company’s existing share repurchase program to allow for the repurchase of up to 10.2 million shares of BlackRock common stock. The Company repurchased 0.8 million common shares in open market-transactions under the share repurchase program for approximately $250 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014. At March 31, 2014, there were 5.7 million shares still authorized to be repurchased.

17.  Earnings Per Share

Due to the similarities in terms between BlackRock nonvoting participating preferred stock and the Company’s common stock, the Company considers its participating preferred stock to be a common stock equivalent for purposes of EPS calculations. As such, the Company has included the outstanding nonvoting participating preferred stock in the calculation of average basic and diluted shares outstanding.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 under the treasury stock method:

 

    Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(in millions, except per share data)   2014         2013  

Net income attributable to BlackRock

    $756          $632   

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding

    169,081,421          171,301,800   

Dilutive effect of:

     

Nonparticipating RSUs and stock options

    2,852,382          3,259,332   
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total diluted weighted-average shares outstanding

    171,933,803          174,561,132   
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share

    $4.47          $3.69   

Diluted earnings per share

    $4.40          $3.62   

 

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18.  Segment Information

The Company’s management directs BlackRock’s operations as one business, the asset management business. As such, the Company operates in one business segment in accordance with ASC 280-10, Segment Reporting.

The following table illustrates investment advisory, administration fees, securities lending revenue and performance fees, BlackRock Solutions® and advisory revenue, distribution fees and other revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(in millions)      2014          2013    

Equity

   $ 1,277       $ 1,161   

Fixed income

     503         486   

Multi-asset

     289         255   

Alternatives

     306         249   

Cash management

     74         86   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investment advisory, administration fees, securities lending revenue and performance fees

     2,449         2,237   

BlackRock Solutions and advisory

     154         126   

Distribution fees

     19         17   

Other revenue

     48         69   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenue

   $ 2,670       $ 2,449   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table illustrates total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, by geographic region. These amounts are aggregated on a legal entity basis and do not necessarily reflect where the customer resides.

 

(in millions)    Three Months Ended
March 31,
 

Revenue

     2014            2013    

Americas

     $1,782           $1,663   

Europe

             757                       648   

Asia-Pacific

     131           138   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total revenue

     $2,670           $2,449   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

The following table illustrates long-lived assets that consist of goodwill and property and equipment at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 by geographic region. These amounts are aggregated on a legal entity basis and do not necessarily reflect where the asset is physically located.

 

(in millions)    March 31,
2014
         December 31,
2013
 

Long-lived Assets

       

Americas

     $13,185           $13,204   

Europe

             211                       214   

Asia-Pacific

     87           87   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total long-lived assets

     $13,483           $13,505   
  

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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18.  Segment Information (continued)

 

Americas primarily is comprised of the United States, Canada, Brazil, Chile and Mexico, while Europe primarily is comprised of the United Kingdom. Asia-Pacific is comprised of Japan, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, India, Malaysia and China.

19.  Subsequent Events

The Company conducted a review for subsequent events and determined that no subsequent events had occurred that would require accrual or disclosure.

 

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Item  2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report, and other statements that BlackRock may make, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, with respect to BlackRock’s future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as “trend,” “potential,” “opportunity,” “pipeline,” “believe,” “comfortable,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “current,” “intention,” “estimate,” “position,” “assume,” “outlook,” “continue,” “remain,” “maintain,” “sustain,” “seek,” “achieve,” and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” and similar expressions.

BlackRock cautions that forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and BlackRock assumes no duty to and does not undertake to update forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance.

In addition to risk factors previously disclosed in BlackRock’s Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) reports and those identified elsewhere, in this report, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: (1) the introduction, withdrawal, success and timing of business initiatives and strategies; (2) changes and volatility in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment, foreign exchange rates or financial and capital markets, which could result in changes in demand for products or services or in the value of assets under management (“AUM”); (3) the relative and absolute investment performance of BlackRock’s investment products; (4) the impact of increased competition; (5) the impact of future acquisitions or divestitures; (6) the unfavorable resolution of legal proceedings; (7) the extent and timing of any share repurchases; (8) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes and the adequacy of intellectual property, information and cyber security protection; (9) the impact of legislative and regulatory actions and reforms, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions of government agencies relating to BlackRock or The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”); (10) terrorist activities, international hostilities and natural disasters, which may adversely affect the general economy, domestic and local financial and capital markets, specific industries or BlackRock; (11) the ability to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (12) fluctuations in the carrying value of BlackRock’s economic investments; (13) the impact of changes to tax legislation, including income, payroll and transaction taxes, and taxation on products or transactions, which could affect the value proposition to clients and, generally, the tax position of the Company; (14) BlackRock’s success in maintaining the distribution of its products; (15) the impact of BlackRock electing to provide support to its products from time to time and any potential liabilities related to securities lending or other indemnification obligations; and (16) the impact of problems at other financial institutions or the failure or negative performance of products at other financial institutions.

 

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OVERVIEW

BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock” or the “Company”) is the world’s largest publicly traded investment management firm. BlackRock has portfolio managers located around the world, primarily including the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and Germany. At March 31, 2014, the Company managed $4.401 trillion of assets under management (“AUM”) on behalf of institutional and individual investors worldwide. The Company provides a wide range of capabilities, including passively and actively managed strategies across various equity, fixed income, multi-asset, alternative investment and cash management products. BlackRock offers clients diversified access to global markets through separate accounts, collective investment trusts, open-end and closed-end mutual funds, exchange-traded products, hedge funds and funds of funds. BlackRock also provides global advisory services for private investment funds and retail products. The Company’s non-U.S. investment funds are based in a number of domiciles and cover a range of asset classes, including equities, fixed income, cash management and alternatives. In addition, BlackRock Solutions® provides market risk management, financial markets advisory and enterprise investment system services to a broad base of clients. Financial markets advisory services include valuation services relating to illiquid securities, dispositions and workout assignments (including long-term portfolio liquidation assignments), risk management and strategic planning and execution.

In the United States, retail offerings include various open-end and closed-end funds, including iShares®, the global product leader in exchange-traded products for institutional and retail, including high net worth, investors. The BlackRock Global Funds, the Company’s primary retail fund group offered outside the United States, are authorized for distribution in 35 jurisdictions worldwide. Additional fund offerings include structured products, real estate funds, hedge funds, hedge funds of funds, private equity funds and funds of funds, and managed futures funds. These products are sold to both U.S. and non-U.S., retail and institutional investors in a wide variety of active and passive strategies covering equity, fixed income and alternative assets.

BlackRock’s client base consists of financial institutions and other corporate clients, pension plans, charities, official institutions, such as central banks, sovereign wealth funds, supranational authorities and other government entities and retail investors around the world. BlackRock maintains a significant sales and marketing presence both inside and outside the United States that is focused on establishing and maintaining retail and institutional investment management relationships by marketing its services to investors directly and through financial professionals, pension consultants and establishing third-party distribution relationships, including the distribution of BlackRock products and services through Merrill Lynch under a global distribution agreement, which was automatically renewed for an additional three-year term after the initial term expired on January 1, 2014. The term of the agreement may renew for such annual or other periods as the parties may agree.

At March 31, 2014, PNC held 20.8% of the Company’s voting common stock and 21.8% of the Company’s capital stock, which includes outstanding common and nonvoting preferred stock.

 

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(in millions, except per share data)    2014      2013  

GAAP basis:

     

Total revenue

   $ 2,670          $ 2,449      

Total expenses

     1,619            1,540      
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income

   $ 1,051          $ 909      

Operating margin

     39.4%         37.1%   

Nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(1)

     29            7      

Income tax expense

     (324)           (284)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income attributable to BlackRock

   $ 756          $ 632      
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 4.40          $ 3.62      

Effective tax rate

     30.0%         31.0%   

As adjusted(2):

     

Total revenue

   $ 2,670          $ 2,449      

Total expenses

     1,608            1,528      
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income

   $ 1,062          $ 921      

Operating margin

     41.4%         40.0%   

Nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(1)

     26            3      

Income tax expense

     (326)           (287)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income attributable to BlackRock

   $ 762          $ 637      
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 4.43          $ 3.65      

Effective tax rate

     30.0%         31.0%   

Other:

     

Assets under management (end of period)

   $ 4,400,925          $ 3,936,409      

Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding(3)

     171,933,803            174,561,132      

Shares outstanding (end of period)

     169,138,109            171,102,532      

Book value per share(4)

   $ 156.51          $ 147.81      

Cash dividends declared and paid per share

   $ 1.93          $ 1.68      

 

(1) 

Net of net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests (“NCI”) (redeemable and nonredeemable).

(2) 

As adjusted items are described in more detail in Non-GAAP Financial Measures.

(3) 

Nonvoting participating preferred shares are considered to be common stock equivalents for purposes of determining basic and diluted earnings per share calculations.

(4) 

Total BlackRock stockholders’ equity, excluding appropriated retained earnings, divided by total common and preferred shares outstanding at March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

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THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2014 COMPARED WITH THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2013

GAAP.    Operating income of $1,051 million and operating margin of 39.4% increased $142 million and 230 bps, respectively, from the first quarter of 2013. Operating income reflected continued growth in base fees, strong performance fees and higher BlackRock Solutions and advisory revenue, partially offset by higher revenue-related expenses, including employee compensation and benefits, and direct fund expenses. The increase in these expenses was partially offset by lower general and administration expense. The first quarter of 2013 results also included $18 million of launch costs for the $700 million Multi-Sector Income Trust closed-end fund launched in February 2013. Nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to NCI increased $22 million, including the positive impact of the monetization of a non-strategic, opportunistic private equity investment in the first quarter of 2014. Earnings per diluted common share rose $0.78, or 22%, compared with the first quarter of 2013 due to higher net income and the benefit of share repurchases.

As Adjusted.    Operating income of $1,062 million and operating margin of 41.4% increased $141 million and 140 bps, respectively, from the first quarter of 2013. Earnings per diluted common share rose $0.78, or 21%, from the first quarter of 2013.

See Non-GAAP Financial Measures for further information on as adjusted items.

For further discussion of BlackRock’s revenue, expenses, nonoperating results and income tax expense, see Discussion of Financial Results herein.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

BlackRock reports its financial results in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”); however, management believes evaluating the Company’s ongoing operating results may be enhanced if investors have additional non-GAAP financial measures. Management reviews non-GAAP financial measures to assess ongoing operations and, for the reasons described below, considers them to be effective indicators, for both management and investors, of BlackRock’s financial performance over time. BlackRock’s management does not advocate that investors consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

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Computations for all periods are derived from the condensed consolidated statements of income as follows:

(1) Operating income, as adjusted, and operating margin, as adjusted:

Operating income, as adjusted, equals operating income, GAAP basis, excluding certain items management deems nonrecurring, recurring infrequently or transactions that ultimately will not impact BlackRock’s book value. Management believes operating income, as adjusted, and operating margin, as adjusted, are effective indicators of BlackRock’s financial performance over time and, therefore, provide useful disclosure to investors.

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(in millions)      2014          2013    

Operating income, GAAP basis

     $1,051          $909     

Non-GAAP expense adjustments:

     

PNC LTIP funding obligation

     8          8    

Compensation expense related to appreciation (depreciation) on deferred compensation plans

     3          4    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income, as adjusted

     1,062          921    

Closed-end fund launch costs

     -           16    

Closed-end fund launch commissions

     -           2    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income used for operating margin measurement

           $1,062                $939    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Revenue, GAAP basis

     $2,670          $2,449    

Non-GAAP adjustments:

     

Distribution and servicing costs

     (89)          (91)    

Amortization of deferred sales commissions

     (15)          (12)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Revenue used for operating margin measurement

     $2,566          $2,346    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating margin, GAAP basis

     39.4%          37.1%    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating margin, as adjusted

     41.4%          40.0%    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

   

Operating income, as adjusted, includes non-GAAP expense adjustments. The portion of compensation expense associated with certain long-term incentive plans (“LTIP”) funded, or to be funded, through share distributions to participants of BlackRock stock held by PNC has been excluded because it ultimately does not impact BlackRock’s book value. Compensation expense associated with appreciation (depreciation) on investments related to certain BlackRock deferred compensation plans has been excluded as returns on investments set aside for these plans, which substantially offset this expense, are reported in nonoperating income (expense).

Management believes operating income exclusive of these items is a useful measure in evaluating BlackRock’s operating performance and helps enhance the comparability of this information for the reporting periods presented.

 

   

Operating margin, as adjusted, allows the Company to compare performance from period to period by adjusting for items that may not recur, recur infrequently or may have an economic offset in nonoperating income (expense). The Company also uses operating margin, as adjusted, to monitor corporate performance and efficiency and as a benchmark to compare its performance with other companies. Management uses both GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures in evaluating BlackRock’s financial performance. The non-GAAP measure by itself may pose limitations because it does not include all of the Company’s revenues and expenses.

 

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Table of Contents

(1) (continued)

Operating income used for measuring operating margin, as adjusted, is equal to operating income, as adjusted, excluding the impact of closed-end fund launch costs and related commissions. Management believes the exclusion of such costs and related commissions is useful because these costs can fluctuate considerably and revenues associated with the expenditure of these costs will not fully impact the Company’s results until future periods.

Revenue used for operating margin, as adjusted, excludes distribution and servicing costs paid to related parties and other third parties. Management believes the exclusion of such costs is useful because it creates consistency in the treatment for certain contracts for similar services, which due to the terms of the contracts, are accounted for under GAAP on a net basis within investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue. Amortization of deferred sales commissions is excluded from revenue used for operating margin measurement, as adjusted, because such costs, over time, substantially offset distribution fee revenue the Company earns. For each of these items, BlackRock excludes from revenue used for operating margin, as adjusted, the costs related to each of these items as a proxy for such offsetting revenues.

(2) Nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to NCI, as adjusted:

Nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to NCI, as adjusted, equals nonoperating income (expense), GAAP basis, less net income (loss) attributable to NCI, adjusted for compensation expense associated with (appreciation) depreciation on investments related to certain BlackRock deferred compensation plans. The compensation expense offset is recorded in operating income. This compensation expense has been included in nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to NCI, as adjusted, to offset returns on investments set aside for these plans, which are reported in nonoperating income (expense), GAAP basis.

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(in millions)        2014             2013      

Nonoperating income (expense), GAAP basis

     $17       $41  

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to NCI

     (12 )     34  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Nonoperating income (expense), net of NCI

     29       7  

Compensation expense related to (appreciation) depreciation on deferred compensation plans

     (3 )     (4 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Nonoperating income (expense), net of NCI, as adjusted

     $26       $3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Management believes nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to NCI, as adjusted, provides comparability of information among reporting periods and is an effective measure for reviewing BlackRock’s nonoperating contribution to results. As compensation expense associated with (appreciation) depreciation on investments related to certain deferred compensation plans, which is included in operating income, substantially offsets the gain (loss) on the investments set aside for these plans, management believes nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to NCI, as adjusted, provides a useful measure, for both management and investors, of BlackRock’s nonoperating results that impact book value.

 

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Table of Contents

(3) Net income attributable to BlackRock, as adjusted:

Management believes net income attributable to BlackRock, as adjusted, and diluted earnings per common share, as adjusted, are useful measures of BlackRock’s profitability and financial performance. Net income attributable to BlackRock, as adjusted, equals net income attributable to BlackRock, GAAP basis, adjusted for significant nonrecurring items, charges that ultimately will not impact BlackRock’s book value or certain tax items that do not impact cash flow.

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(in millions, except per share data)      2014          2013    

Net income attributable to BlackRock, GAAP basis

     $756           $632     

Non-GAAP adjustment, net of tax:(4)

     

PNC LTIP funding obligation

     6          5    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income attributable to BlackRock, as adjusted

     $762          $637    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding(5)

     171.9          174.6    

Diluted earnings per common share, GAAP basis(5)

     $4.40          $3.62    

Diluted earnings per common share, as adjusted(5)

     $4.43          $3.65    

See note (1) Operating income, as adjusted, and operating margin, as adjusted, for information on the PNC LTIP funding obligation.

(4) For each period presented, the non-GAAP adjustment related to the PNC LTIP funding obligation was tax effected at the respective blended rates applicable to the adjustment.

(5) Nonvoting participating preferred stock is considered to be a common stock equivalent for purposes of determining basic and diluted earnings per share calculations.

 

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Table of Contents

Assets Under Management

AUM for reporting purposes generally is based upon how investment advisory and administration fees are calculated for each portfolio. Net asset values, total assets, committed assets or other measures may be used to determine portfolio AUM.

AUM and Net Subscriptions (Redemptions) by Client Type

 

     AUM      Net Subscriptions (Redemptions)  
(in millions)    March 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
     March 31,
2013
     Three Months
Ended

March 31,
2014
    Twelve Months
Ended

March 31,
2014
 

Retail

   $ 508,717       $ 487,777       $ 421,141       $ 14,002      $ 44,012   

iShares

     930,380         914,372         802,776         7,759        46,134   

Institutional:

             

Active

     939,654         932,410         878,741         (12,611     (3,241

Index

     1,726,855         1,677,650         1,526,597         17,577        17,490   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total institutional

     2,666,509         2,610,060         2,405,338         4,966        14,249   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term

     4,105,606         4,012,209         3,629,255         26,727        104,395   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash management

     263,533         275,554         261,329         (12,432     (2,541

Advisory(1)

     31,786         36,325         45,825         (3,773     (12,105
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 4,400,925       $ 4,324,088       $ 3,936,409       $ 10,522      $ 89,749   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

AUM and Net Subscriptions (Redemptions) by Product Type

 

     AUM      Net Subscriptions (Redemptions)  
(in millions)    March 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
     March 31,
2013
     Three Months
Ended

March 31,
2014
    Twelve Months
Ended

March 31,
2014
 

Equity

   $ 2,347,934       $ 2,317,695       $ 1,992,595       $ 3,824      $ 39,410   

Fixed income

     1,289,014         1,242,186         1,245,533         15,642        29,729   

Multi-asset

     353,231         341,214         283,566         4,989        38,258   

Alternatives

             

Core

     87,865         85,026         69,943         1,934        3,127   

Currency and commodities(2)

     27,562         26,088         37,618         338        (6,129
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     115,427         111,114         107,561         2,272        (3,002
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term

     4,105,606         4,012,209         3,629,255         26,727        104,395   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash management

     263,533         275,554         261,329         (12,432     (2,541

Advisory(1)

     31,786         36,325         45,825         (3,773     (12,105
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 4,400,925       $ 4,324,088       $ 3,936,409       $ 10,522      $ 89,749   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Advisory AUM represents long-term portfolio liquidation assignments.

(2) 

Amounts include commodity iShares.

 

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Table of Contents

Component Changes in AUM for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014

The following table presents the component changes in AUM by client type and product for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.

 

(in millions)    December 31,
2013
     Net
subscriptions
(redemptions)
    Market
change
     FX
impact(1)
    March 31,
2014
    
Average
AUM(2)
 

Retail:

               

Equity

   $ 203,035       $ 2,183      $ 2,715       $ 305      $ 208,238       $ 204,108   

Fixed income

     151,475         6,058        2,854         61        160,448         156,082   

Multi-asset

     117,054         3,636        765         93        121,548         118,893   

Alternatives

     16,213         2,125        131         14        18,483         17,278   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Retail subtotal

     487,777         14,002        6,465         473        508,717         496,361   

iShares:

               

Equity

     718,135         934        5,774         (870     723,973         711,373   

Fixed income

     178,835         6,624        2,860         (297     188,022         185,214   

Multi-asset

     1,310         110        23         (6     1,437         1,374   

Alternatives

     16,092         91        777         (12     16,948         16,692   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

iShares subtotal

     914,372         7,759        9,434         (1,185     930,380         914,653   

Institutional:

               

Active:

               

Equity

     138,726         (8,032     1,508         172        132,374         135,369   

Fixed income

     505,109         (7,023     10,768         838        509,692         508,127   

Multi-asset

     215,276         2,850        5,660         79        223,865         220,506   

Alternatives

     73,299         (406     676         154        73,723         73,550   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Active subtotal

     932,410         (12,611     18,612         1,243        939,654         937,552   

Index:

               

Equity

     1,257,799         8,739        14,818         1,993        1,283,349         1,257,400   

Fixed income

     406,767         9,983        12,646         1,456        430,852         417,821   

Multi-asset

     7,574         (1,607     346         68        6,381         6,662   

Alternatives

     5,510         462        278         23        6,273         5,972   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Index subtotal

     1,677,650         17,577        28,088         3,540        1,726,855         1,687,855   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Institutional subtotal

     2,610,060         4,966        46,700         4,783        2,666,509         2,625,407   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term

     4,012,209         26,727        62,599         4,071        4,105,606       $ 4,036,421   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash management

     275,554         (12,432     126         285        263,533      

Advisory(3)

     36,325         (3,773     235         (1,001     31,786      
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Total

   $ 4,324,088       $ 10,522      $ 62,960       $ 3,355      $ 4,400,925      
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

(1) 

Foreign exchange reflects the impact of converting non-U.S. dollar denominated AUM into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes.

(2) 

Average AUM is calculated as the average of the month-end spot AUM amounts for the trailing four months.

(3) 

Advisory AUM represents long-term portfolio liquidation assignments.

 

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The following table presents component changes in AUM by product for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

 

(in millions)    December 31,
2013
     Net
subscriptions
(redemptions)
    Market
change
     FX
impact(1)
    March 31,
2014
     Average
AUM(2)
 

Equity:

               

Active

   $ 317,262       $ (6,916   $ 4,117       $ 387      $ 314,850       $ 314,522   

iShares

     718,135         934        5,774         (870     723,973         711,373   

Fixed income:

               

Active

     652,209         (1,458     13,530         870        665,151         659,491   

iShares

     178,835         6,624        2,860         (297     188,022         185,214   

Multi-asset

     341,214         4,989        6,794         234        353,231         347,435   

Alternatives:

               

Core

     85,026         1,934        807         98        87,865         86,402   

Currency and

    commodities(3)

     26,088         338        1,055         81        27,562         27,090   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     2,318,769         6,445        34,937         503        2,360,654         2,331,527   

Non-ETF Index:

               

Equity

     1,282,298         9,806        14,924         2,083        1,309,111         1,282,355   

Fixed income

     411,142         10,476        12,738         1,485        435,841         422,539   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal Non-ETF Index

     1,693,440         20,282        27,662         3,568        1,744,952         1,704,894   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term

     4,012,209         26,727        62,599         4,071        4,105,606       $ 4,036,421   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash management

     275,554         (12,432     126         285        263,533      

Advisory(4)

     36,325         (3,773     235         (1,001     31,786      
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

Total

   $ 4,324,088       $ 10,522      $ 62,960       $ 3,355      $ 4,400,925      
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

(1) 

Foreign exchange reflects the impact of converting non-U.S. dollar denominated AUM into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes.

(2) 

Average AUM is calculated as the average of the month-end spot AUM amounts for the trailing four months.

(3) 

Amounts include commodity iShares.

(4) 

Advisory AUM represents long-term portfolio liquidation assignments.

AUM increased $76.8 billion, or 2%, to $4.401 trillion at March 31, 2014 from $4.324 trillion at December 31, 2013, driven largely by net market appreciation and positive net inflows.

Net market appreciation of $63.0 billion reflected $29.1 billion appreciation in fixed income products across the majority of strategies and growth in equity markets, which contributed $24.8 billion.

AUM increased $3.4 billion from foreign exchange movements primarily resulting from the weakening of the U.S. dollar, largely against the pound sterling and Japanese yen, partially offset by the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar.

Net Subscriptions (Redemptions).    Net subscriptions of $10.5 billion reflected $26.7 billion of long-term net inflows across all client types, including $14.0 billion, $7.8 billion, and $4.9 billion from retail, iShares and institutional clients, respectively. Net subscriptions in long-term products of $26.7 billion reflected the following:

Net Subscriptions

 

  ·   

Non-ETF index fixed income net inflows of $10.5 billion, including strong liability driven investment activity;

  ·   

Non-ETF index equity net inflows of $9.8 billion, reflecting flows into developed market mandates;

 

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  ·   

iShares net inflows of $7.8 billion, including U.S and European iShares net inflows of $3.2 billion and $4.8 billion, respectively. Strong demand for local currency and U.S. targeted duration mandates drove fixed income net inflows of $6.6 billion;

  ·   

Multi-asset net inflows of $5.0 billion driven by $3.6 billion into retail strategies, concentrated in the flagship Global Allocation and Multi-Asset Income funds, and continued institutional demand for the LifePath® target-date suite; and

  ·   

Alternatives net inflows of $2.3 billion, with the Global Long/Short Credit and Global Long/Short Equity funds each gathering more than $0.7 billion in net assets.

Net Redemptions

 

  ·   

Active equity net outflows of $6.9 billion were driven by scientific active equity outflows of $4.2 billion, which were primarily due to a redemption from a single client, while fundamental equity outflows of $2.7 billion were focused in the United States and driven by a large subadvisory client due to historical performance.

Cash Management Net Redemptions. Cash management net outflows of $12.4 billion were primarily comprised of net outflows from Americas institutional and retail clients out of prime strategies, partially offset by net inflows from EMEA institutional clients in offshore funds.

Advisory Net Redemptions. Advisory net outflows of $3.8 billion were driven by portfolio liquidations. The execution of these liquidations contributed to BlackRock Solutions and advisory revenue in the current quarter.

 

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Table of Contents

Component Changes in AUM for the Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2014

The following table presents the component changes in AUM by client type and product for the twelve months ended March 31, 2014.

 

(in millions)

  March 31,
2013
    Net
subscriptions
(redemptions)
    Adjustments(1)     Acquisitions(2)     Market
change
    FX
impact(3)
    March 31,
2014
    Average
AUM(4)
 

Retail:

               

Equity

    $169,402      $ 6,434      $ 13,066      $ -     $ 16,430      $ 2,906      $ 208,238      $ 182,265   

Fixed income

    143,711        14,819        3,897        -       (2,592     613        160,448        147,871   

Multi-asset

    97,373        15,569        2,663        -       5,790        153        121,548        108,386   

Alternatives

    10,655        7,190        -       136        218        284        18,483        14,366   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Retail subtotal

    421,141        44,012        19,626        136        19,846        3,956        508,717        452,888   

iShares:

               

Equity

    588,694        48,773        -       13,021        71,236        2,249        723,973        653,926   

Fixed income

    189,501        189        -       1,294        (4,655     1,693        188,022        185,498   

Multi-asset

    1,035        336        -       -       79        (13     1,437        1,218   

Alternatives

    23,546        (3,164     -       1,645        (5,125     46        16,948        18,327   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

iShares subtotal

    802,776        46,134        -       15,960        61,535        3,975        930,380        858,969   

Institutional:

               

Active:

               

Equity

    130,138        (18,893     -       -       19,130        1,999        132,374        132,312   

Fixed income

    505,391        (2,808     -       -       2,846        4,263        509,692        503,606   

Multi-asset

    175,524        25,973        3,335        -       13,229        5,804        223,865        196,969   

Alternatives

    67,688        (7,513     -       10,836        2,626        86        73,723        69,168   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Active subtotal

    878,741        (3,241     3,335        10,836        37,831        12,152        939,654        902,055   

Index:

               

Equity

    1,104,361        3,096        (18,238     -       184,591        9,539        1,283,349        1,191,932   

Fixed income

    406,930        17,529        (4,723     -       (2,651     13,767        430,852        408,955   

Multi-asset

    9,634        (3,620     -       -       375        (8     6,381        8,173   

Alternatives

    5,672        485        -       -       (145     261        6,273        5,656   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Index subtotal

    1,526,597        17,490        (22,961     -       182,170        23,559        1,726,855        1,614,716   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Institutional subtotal

    2,405,338        14,249        (19,626     10,836        220,001        35,711        2,666,509        2,516,771   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term

    3,629,255        104,395        -       26,932        301,382        43,642        4,105,606      $ 3,828,628   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash management

    261,329        (2,541     -       -       419        4,326        263,533     

Advisory(5)

    45,825        (12,105     -       -       (241     (1,693     31,786     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

    $3,936,409      $ 89,749      $ -     $ 26,932      $ 301,560      $ 46,275      $ 4,400,925     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

(1) 

Amounts include $19.6 billion of AUM related to fund ranges reclassed from institutional to retail and $6.0 billion of AUM reclassed from non-ETF index equity and fixed income to multi-asset.

(2) 

Amounts represent $16.0 billion of AUM acquired in the Credit Suisse’s ETF franchise acquisition in July 2013 (the “Credit Suisse ETF Transaction”) and $11.0 billion of AUM acquired in the MGPA acquisition in October 2013.

(3) 

Foreign exchange reflects the impact of converting non-U.S. dollar denominated AUM into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes.

(4) 

Average AUM is calculated as the average of the month-end spot AUM amounts for the trailing thirteen months.

(5) 

Advisory AUM represents long-term portfolio liquidation assignments.

 

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The following table presents component changes in AUM by product for the twelve months ended March 31, 2014.

 

(in millions)   March 31,
2013
    Net
subscriptions
(redemptions)
    Adjustments(1)     Acquisitions(2)     Market
Change
    FX
impact(3)
    March 31,
2014
    Average
AUM(4)
 
               
               

Equity:

               

Active

  $ 291,759      $ (15,418   $ -     $ -     $ 33,913      $ 4,596      $ 314,850      $ 301,043   

iShares

    588,694        48,773        -       13,021        71,236        2,249        723,973        653,926   

Fixed income:

               

Active

    648,865        11,364        -       -       164        4,758        665,151        649,856   

iShares

    189,501        189        -       1,294        (4,655     1,693        188,022        185,498   

Multi-asset

    283,566        38,258        5,998        -       19,473        5,936        353,231        314,746   

Alternatives:

               

Core

    69,943        3,127        -       10,972        3,020        803        87,865        77,901   

Currency and commodities(5)

    37,618        (6,129     -       1,645        (5,446     (126     27,562        29,616   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

    2,109,946        80,164        5,998        26,932        117,705        19,909        2,360,654        2,212,586   

Non-ETF Index:

               

Equity

    1,112,142        6,055        (5,172     -       186,238        9,848        1,309,111        1,205,466   

Fixed income

    407,167        18,176        (826     -       (2,561     13,885        435,841        410,576   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal Non-ETF Index

    1,519,309        24,231        (5,998 )      -       183,677        23,733        1,744,952        1,616,042   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term

    3,629,255        104,395        -       26,932        301,382        43,642        4,105,606      $ 3,828,628   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash management

    261,329        (2,541     -       -       419        4,326        263,533     

Advisory(6)

    45,825        (12,105     -       -       (241     (1,693     31,786     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

  $ 3,936,409      $ 89,749      $ -     $ 26,932      $ 301,560      $ 46,275      $ 4,400,925     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

(1) 

Amounts include $6.0 billion of AUM reclassed from non-ETF index equity and fixed income to multi-asset.

(2) 

Amounts represent $16.0 billion of AUM acquired in the Credit Suisse ETF Transaction in July 2013 and $11.0 billion of AUM acquired in the MGPA acquisition in October 2013.

(3) 

Foreign exchange reflects the impact of converting non-U.S. dollar denominated AUM into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes.

(4) 

Average AUM is calculated as the average of the month-end spot AUM amounts for the trailing thirteen months.

(5) 

Amounts include commodity iShares.

(6) 

Advisory AUM represents long-term portfolio liquidation assignments.

AUM increased approximately $464.5 billion, or 12%, to $4.401 trillion at March 31, 2014 from $3.936 trillion at March 31, 2013, largely driven by market gains, positive net inflows, an increase in AUM from foreign exchange movements and acquired AUM related to the MGPA acquisition and the Credit Suisse ETF Transaction.

Net market appreciation of $301.6 billion included $291.4 billion from equity products, primarily due to higher U.S. and global equity markets, and $19.5 billion from multi-asset products, concentrated in target-date strategies and asset allocation strategies.

AUM increased $46.3 billion from foreign exchange movements resulting from the weakening of the U.S. dollar, primarily against the pound sterling and euro, partially offset by the strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the Japanese yen and Canadian dollar.

 

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Net Subscriptions (Redemptions).    Net subscriptions of $89.7 billion reflected $104.4 billion of long-term net inflows across all client types, including $46.1 billion, $44.0 billion and $14.3 billion from iShares, retail and institutional clients, respectively. Net subscriptions in long-term products of $104.4 billion reflected the following:

Net Subscriptions

 

  ·   

Equity iShares net inflows of $48.8 billion, concentrated in U.S. and global equity offerings;

  ·   

Multi-asset products net inflows of $38.3 billion, reflecting strong demand for target-date funds, including LifePath portfolios;

  ·   

Non-ETF index fixed income products net inflows of $18.2 billion concentrated in U.S. targeted duration and local currency strategies, partially offset by outflows from U.S. core strategies;

  ·   

Active fixed income net inflows of $11.4 billion concentrated in U.S. sector products and local currency strategies, partially offset by outflows from U.S. targeted duration strategies;

  ·   

Non-ETF index equity products net inflows of $6.1 billion primarily into global strategies, partially offset by outflows from U.S. and regional and country specific strategies; and

  ·   

Alternatives core net inflows of $3.1 billion primarily into retail hedge funds.

Net Redemptions

 

  ·   

Active equity net outflows of $15.4 billion with $7.7 billion each from fundamental and scientific active equity products; and

  ·   

Alternatives currency and commodities net outflows of $6.1 billion concentrated in low fee active currency mandates and iShares commodities.

Cash Management Net Redemptions. Cash management net outflows of $2.5 billion were comprised of net outflows from Americas institutional and retail clients primarily out of prime strategies, partially offset by net inflows from European institutional clients concentrated in offshore funds and Americas institutional clients into government strategies.

Advisory Net Redemptions. Advisory net outflows of $12.1 billion were driven by portfolio liquidations.

 

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Table of Contents

DISCUSSION OF FINANCIAL RESULTS

The Company’s results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 are discussed below. For a further description of the Company’s revenues and expenses, see the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (“2013 Form 10-K”).

Revenue

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(in millions)    2014      2013  

Investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue:

     

Equity:

     

Active

   $ 463       $ 433   

iShares

     634         571   

Fixed income:

     

Active

     324         312   

iShares

     113         116   

Multi-asset

     286         248   

Alternatives:

     

Core

     159         136   

Currency and commodities

     22         30   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     2,001         1,846   

Non-ETF Index:

     

Equity

     158         140   

Fixed income

     58         57   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal Non-ETF Index

     216         197   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term

     2,217         2,043   

Cash management

     74         86   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total base fees

     2,291         2,129   

Investment advisory performance fees:

     

Equity

     22         17   

Fixed income

     8         1   

Multi-asset

     3         7   

Alternatives

     125         83   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     158         108   

BlackRock Solutions and advisory

     154         126   

Distribution fees

     19         17   

Other revenue

     48         69   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenue

   $ 2,670       $ 2,449   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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The table below lists the asset type mix of investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue (collectively “base fees”) and mix of average AUM by asset class:

 

    Mix of Base Fees          Mix of Average AUM
by Asset Class(1)
 
    Three months ended
March 31,
         Three months ended
March 31,
 
    2014     2013          2014     2013  

Equity:

           

Active

    20     20         7     8

iShares

    28     27         17     15

Fixed income:

           

Active

    14     15         15     16

iShares

    5     5         4     5

Multi-asset

    12     12         8     7

Alternatives:

           

Core

    7     6         2     2

Currency and commodities

    1     1         1     1
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

    87     86         54     54

Non-ETF Index:

           

Equity

    7     7         30     28

Fixed income

    3     3         10     11
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal Non-ETF Index:

    10     10         40     39
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term

    97     96         94     93
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash management

    3     4         6     7
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total excluding Advisory AUM

    100     100         100     100
 

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Average AUM is calculated as the average of the month-end spot AUM amounts for the trailing four months.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Compared with Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

Revenues increased $221 million, or 9%, from the first quarter of 2013, reflecting growth in markets, long-term net inflows and strength in performance fees and BlackRock Solutions and advisory revenue, partially offset by lower other revenue.

Investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue of $2,291 million for the current quarter increased $162 million from $2,129 million in the first quarter of 2013 due to growth in long-term average AUM. Securities lending fees of $105 million in the current quarter decreased $7 million from the first quarter of 2013, primarily related to lower spreads, partially offset by an increase in average balances of securities on loan.

Investment advisory performance fees were $158 million in the current quarter compared with $108 million in the first quarter of 2013. The current quarter primarily reflected a large fee associated with the planned final liquidation of the closed-end mortgage fund that was partially liquidated in the fourth quarter of 2013.

BlackRock Solutions and advisory revenue in the current quarter totaled $154 million compared with $126 million in the first quarter of 2013. The current quarter reflected higher revenue from advisory assignments and higher revenue from Aladdin® mandates. BlackRock Solutions and advisory revenue included $109 million in Aladdin business revenues in the current quarter compared with $99 million in the first quarter of 2013.

 

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Other revenue decreased $21 million from the first quarter of 2013 due to lower transition management service fees and lower earnings from certain strategic investments.

Expenses

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(in millions)    2014      2013(1)  

Expenses, GAAP:

     

Employee compensation and benefits

   $ 982       $ 905   

Distribution and servicing costs

     89         91   

Amortization of deferred sales commissions

     15         12   

Direct fund expenses

     179         161   

General and administration:

     

Marketing and promotional

     89         89   

Occupancy and office related

     62         65   

Portfolio services

     50         50   

Technology

     41         38   

Professional services

     25         28   

Communications

     10         9   

Closed-end fund launch costs

     -         16   

Other general and administration

     36         36   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total general and administration expenses

     313         331   

Amortization of intangible assets

     41         40   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses, GAAP

   $ 1,619       $ 1,540   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less non-GAAP expense adjustments(2):

     

Employee compensation and benefits:

     

PNC LTIP funding obligation

     8         8   

Compensation expense related to appreciation (depreciation) on deferred compensation plans

     3         4   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-GAAP expense adjustments

     11         12   

Expenses, as adjusted:

     

Employee compensation and benefits

     971         893   

Distribution and servicing costs

     89         91   

Amortization of deferred sales commissions

     15         12   

Direct fund expenses

     179         161   

General and administration

     313         331   

Amortization of intangible assets

     41         40   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses, as adjusted

   $ 1,608       $ 1,528   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Certain prior period information has been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

(2)

See Non-GAAP Financial Measures for further information on as adjusted items.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Compared with Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

GAAP.  Expenses increased $79 million, or 5%, from the first quarter of 2013, primarily reflecting higher revenue-related expenses, partially offset by lower general and administration expenses.

Employee compensation and benefits expense increased $77 million, or 9%, to $982 million in the current quarter from $905 million in the first quarter of 2013, reflecting higher headcount and higher incentive compensation driven by higher operating income. Employees at March 31, 2014 totaled approximately 11,500 compared with approximately 10,600 at March 31, 2013.

 

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Distribution and servicing costs totaled $89 million in the current quarter compared with $91 million in the first quarter of 2013. These costs included payments to Bank of America/Merrill Lynch under a global distribution agreement and PNC, as well as other third parties, primarily associated with the distribution and servicing of client investments in certain BlackRock products. Distribution and servicing costs for the first quarter of 2014 and 2013 included $46 million and $47 million, respectively, of costs attributable to Bank of America/Merrill Lynch.

Direct fund expenses increased $18 million from the first quarter of 2013, reflecting higher average AUM, primarily related to iShares, where BlackRock pays certain nonadvisory expenses of the funds.

General and administration expenses decreased $18 million from the first quarter of 2013, primarily related to the impact of closed-end fund launch costs of $16 million (excluding $2 million included in employee compensation and benefits expense) in the first quarter of 2013, a one-time benefit from the reversal of a real estate-related retirement obligation which is no longer required to be funded and lower various other expenses, partially offset by the impact of foreign currency exchange movements.

As Adjusted.  Expenses, as adjusted, increased $80 million, or 5%, to $1,608 million in the current quarter from $1,528 million in the first quarter of 2013. The increase in total expenses, as adjusted, is primarily attributable to increases in employee compensation and benefits and direct fund expenses, partially offset by a decline in general and administration expenses.

NONOPERATING RESULTS

Nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to NCI for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was as follows:

 

    Three Month Ended
March 31,
 
(in millions)   2014     2013  

Nonoperating income (expense), GAAP basis

        $ 17           $ 41  

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to NCI(1)

    (12 )     34  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Nonoperating income (expense)(2)

    29       7  

Compensation expense related to (appreciation) depreciation on deferred compensation plans

    (3 )     (4 )
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Nonoperating income (expense), as adjusted(2)

        $ 26           $ 3  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Amounts included losses of $16 million and gains of $27 million attributable to consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

(2) 

Net of net income (loss) attributable to NCI.

 

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The components of nonoperating income (expense), less net income (loss) attributable to NCI, for the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
(in millions)        2014             2013      

Net gain (loss) on investments(1)

    

Private equity

     $44       $19  

Real estate

     2       3  

Distressed credit/mortgage funds/opportunistic funds

     10       19  

Hedge funds/funds of hedge funds

     11       3  

Other investments(2)

     2       7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

             69               51  

Investments related to deferred compensation plans

     3       4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net gain (loss) on investments

     72       55  

Interest and dividend income

     10       6  

Interest expense

     (53 )     (54 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest expense

     (43 )     (48 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total nonoperating income (expense)(1)

     29       7  

Compensation expense related to (appreciation) depreciation on deferred compensation plans

     (3 )     (4 )
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Nonoperating income (expense), as adjusted(1)

     $26       $3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Net of net income (loss) attributable to NCI.

(2) 

Amounts included net gains (losses) related to equity and fixed income investments, and BlackRock’s seed capital hedging program.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Compared with Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

Net gains on investments of $69 million in the current quarter increased $18 million from the first quarter of 2013 due to the positive impact of the monetization of a non-strategic, opportunistic private equity investment.

Net interest expense decreased $5 million from the first quarter of 2013, primarily due to higher dividend income. For further information on the Company’s long-term debt, see Liquidity and Capital Resources herein.

Income Tax Expense

 

(in millions)    GAAP
Three Months Ended
March 31,
     As adjusted
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2014      2013      2014      2013  

Income before income taxes(1)

     $1,080         $916         $1,088         $924   

Income tax expense

     $324         $284         $326         $287   

Effective tax rate

     30.0%         31.0%         30.0%         31.0%   

 

(1) 

Net of net income (loss) attributable to NCI.

 

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BALANCE SHEET OVERVIEW

As Adjusted Balance Sheet

The following table presents a reconciliation of the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition presented on a GAAP basis to the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition, excluding the impact of separate account assets and separate account collateral held under securities lending agreements (directly related to lending separate account securities) and separate account liabilities and separate account collateral liabilities under securities lending agreements, consolidated VIEs and consolidated sponsored investment funds.

The Company presents the as adjusted balance sheet as additional information to enable investors to exclude certain assets that have equal and offsetting liabilities or noncontrolling interests that ultimately do not have an impact on stockholders’ equity (excluding appropriated retained earnings related to consolidated collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”)) or cash flows. Management views the as adjusted balance sheet, a non-GAAP financial measure, as an economic presentation of its total assets and liabilities; however, it does not advocate that investors consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Separate Account Assets and Liabilities and Separate Account Collateral Held under Securities Lending Agreements

Separate account assets are maintained by BlackRock Life Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, which is a registered life insurance company in the United Kingdom, and represent segregated assets held for purposes of funding individual and group pension contracts. The Company records equal and offsetting separate account liabilities. The separate account assets are not available to creditors of the Company and the holders of the pension contracts have no recourse to the Company’s assets. The net investment income attributable to separate account assets accrues directly to the contract owners and is not reported on the condensed consolidated statements of income. While BlackRock has no economic interest in these assets or liabilities, BlackRock earns an investment advisory fee for the service of managing these assets on behalf of the clients.

In addition, the Company records on its condensed consolidated statements of financial condition the separate account collateral received under securities lending arrangements as its own asset in addition to an equal and offsetting separate account collateral liability for the obligation to return the collateral.

Consolidated VIEs

At March 31, 2014, BlackRock’s consolidated VIEs included multiple CLOs and one private investment fund. The assets of these VIEs are not available to creditors of the Company and the Company has no obligation to settle the liabilities of the VIEs. While BlackRock has no material economic interest in these assets or liabilities, BlackRock earns an investment advisory fee, as well as a potential performance fee, for the service of managing these assets on behalf of clients.

Consolidated Sponsored Investment Funds

The Company consolidates certain sponsored investment funds primarily because it is deemed to control such funds. The Company may not be readily able to access cash and cash equivalents held by consolidated sponsored investment funds to use in its operating activities. In addition, the Company may not be readily able to sell investments held by consolidated sponsored investment funds in order to obtain cash for use in the Company’s operations.

 

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    March 31, 2014  
          Segregated client assets
generating advisory fees in
which BlackRock has no
economic interest or
liability
       
(in millions)   GAAP
Basis
    Separate
Account
Assets/
Collateral
    Consolidated
VIEs
    Consolidated
Sponsored
Investment
Funds
    As
Adjusted
 

Assets

         

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 4,394      $ -     $ -     $ 88      $ 4,306   

Accounts receivable

    2,868        -       -       -       2,868   

Investments

    2,092        -       -       110        1,982   

Assets of consolidated VIEs

    2,374        -       2,374        -       -  

Separate account assets and separate account collateral held under securities lending agreements

    172,859        172,859        -       -       -  

Other assets(1)

    1,276        -       -       19        1,257   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

    185,863          172,859            2,374               217        10,413   

Goodwill and intangible assets, net

    30,434        -       -       -         30,434   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

  $ 216,297      $ 172,859      $ 2,374      $ 217      $ 40,847   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

         

Accrued compensation and benefits

  $ 668      $ -     $ -     $ -     $ 668   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    1,615        -       -       -       1,615   

Liabilities of consolidated VIEs

    2,350        -       2,350        -       -  

Borrowings

    5,936        -       -       -       5,936   

Separate account liabilities and separate account collateral liabilities under securities lending agreements

    172,859        172,859        -       -       -  

Deferred income tax liabilities

    5,241        -       -       -       5,241   

Other liabilities

    927        -       -       12        915   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    189,596        172,859        2,350        12        14,375   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity

         

Total stockholders’ equity(2)

    26,478        -       6        -       26,472   

Noncontrolling interests

    223        -       18        205        -  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

    26,701        -       24        205        26,472   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 216,297      $ 172,859      $ 2,374      $ 217      $ 40,847   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Amounts include property and equipment and other assets.

(2) 

GAAP amount includes $6 million of appropriated retained earnings related solely to consolidated CLOs in which the Company has no equity exposure.

The following discussion summarizes the significant changes in assets and liabilities on a GAAP basis. The discussion does not include changes related to assets and liabilities that are equal and offsetting and have no impact on BlackRock’s stockholders’ equity.

 

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Assets.    Cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 included $88 million and $114 million, respectively, of cash held by consolidated sponsored investment funds (see Liquidity and Capital Resources for details on the change in cash and cash equivalents during the three months ended March 31, 2014).

Accounts receivable at March 31, 2014 increased $621 million from December 31, 2013 due to an increase in unit trust receivables (substantially offset by an increase in unit trust payables recorded within accounts payable and accrued liabilities). Investments decreased $59 million from December 31, 2013 (for more information see Investments herein). Goodwill and intangible assets decreased $47 million from December 31, 2013, primarily due to $41 million of amortization of intangible assets. Other assets (including property, plant and equipment) increased $59 million from December 31, 2013, primarily related to an increase in current taxes receivable and other assets, partially offset by a decrease in property and equipment due to depreciation.

Liabilities.    Accrued compensation and benefits at March 31, 2014 decreased $1,079 million from December 31, 2013, primarily due to 2013 incentive compensation cash payments in the first quarter of 2014, partially offset by the effect of 2014 incentive compensation accruals. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities at March 31, 2014 increased $531 million from December 31, 2013 due to higher unit trust payables (substantially offset by an increase in unit trust receivables recorded within accounts receivable) and increased accruals, including direct fund expenses, partially offset by a decrease in current income taxes payable. Borrowings increased $997 million from December 31, 2013 resulting from net proceeds from the $1.0 billion new issuance of long-term borrowings in March 2014.

Net deferred income tax liabilities at March 31, 2014 increased $156 million, primarily due to the effects of temporary differences associated with stock compensation. Other liabilities decreased $77 million from December 31, 2013, primarily resulting from a decrease in deferred carry interest and other operating liabilities.

Investments

Investments totaled $2,092 million at March 31, 2014 and $2,151 million at December 31, 2013. Investments include consolidated investments held by sponsored investment funds deemed to be controlled by BlackRock. Management reviews BlackRock’s investments on an “economic” basis, which eliminates the portion of investments that does not impact BlackRock’s book value or net income attributable to BlackRock. BlackRock’s management does not advocate that investors consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

The Company presents total investments, as adjusted, to enable investors to understand the portion of its investments that is owned by the Company, net of NCI, as a gauge to measure the impact of changes in net nonoperating gain (loss) on investments to net income (loss) attributable to BlackRock.

 

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The Company further presents net “economic” investment exposure, net of deferred compensation investments and hedged investments, to reflect another gauge for investors as the economic impact of investments held pursuant to deferred compensation arrangements is substantially offset by a change in compensation expense and the impact of hedged investments is substantially mitigated by swap hedges. Carried interest capital allocations are excluded as there is no impact to BlackRock’s stockholders’ equity until such amounts are realized as performance fees. Finally, the Company’s regulatory investment in Federal Reserve Bank stock, which is not subject to market or interest rate risk, is excluded from the Company’s net economic investment exposure.

 

(in millions)    March 31,
2014
    December 31,
2013
 

Total investments, GAAP

           $ 2,092              $ 2,151   

Investments held by consolidated sponsored investment funds(1)

     (873     (826

Net exposure to consolidated investment funds

     763        732   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments, as adjusted

     1,982        2,057   

Federal Reserve Bank stock

     (90     (90

Carried interest

     (117     (103

Deferred compensation investments

     (99     (97

Hedged investments

     (274     (184
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total “economic” investment exposure

           $         1,402              $         1,583   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, approximately $873 million and $826 million, respectively, of BlackRock’s total GAAP investments were held in sponsored investment funds that were deemed to be controlled by BlackRock in accordance with GAAP, and, therefore, were consolidated even though BlackRock may not economically own a majority of such funds.

The following table represents the carrying value of the Company’s economic investment exposure, by asset type, at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:

 

(in millions)    March 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 

Private equity

   $         292           $         328       

Real estate

     127             125       

Distressed credit/mortgage funds/opportunistic funds

     142             148       

Hedge funds/funds of hedge funds

     327             348       

Other investments(1)

     514             634       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total “economic” investment exposure

   $ 1,402           $ 1,583       
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Other investments primarily include seed investments in fixed income and equity funds/strategies as well as U.K. government securities held for regulatory purposes.

 

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As adjusted investment activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was as follows:

 

(in millions)       

Investments, as adjusted, December 31, 2013

   $ 2,057        

Purchases/capital contributions

     229        

Sales/maturities

     (339)       

Distributions

     (44)       

Market valuations/earnings from equity method investments

     65        

Carried interest capital allocations

     14        
  

 

 

 

Investments, as adjusted, March 31, 2014

   $ 1,982        
  

 

 

 

The following table represents investments, as adjusted at March 31, 2014:

 

(in millions)   Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
    Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
    Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
    Other
Investments Not
Held at Fair
Value(1)
    Investments at
March 31,

2014
 

Total investments, as adjusted(2)

  $           567      $           583      $           513      $           319      $           1,982   

 

(1) 

Amount includes investments held at cost or amortized cost, carried interest and certain equity method investments, which include sponsored investment funds, which are not accounted for under a fair value measure. Certain equity method investees do not account for both their financial assets and financial liabilities under fair value measures, therefore, the Company’s investment in such equity method investees may not represent fair value.

(2) 

Amounts include cash and cash equivalents, other assets and liabilities that are consolidated from non-VIE sponsored investment funds. See Note 5, Fair Value Disclosures, to the condensed consolidated financial statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this filing, for total GAAP investments.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

BlackRock Cash Flows Excluding the Impact of Consolidated Sponsored Investment Funds and VIEs

BlackRock consolidates certain of its sponsored investment funds and CLOs, notwithstanding the fact BlackRock may only have a minority interest, if any, in these funds or CLOs. As a result, the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows include the cash flows of consolidated sponsored investment funds and CLOs. The Company uses an adjusted cash flow statement, which excludes the impact of consolidated sponsored investment funds and CLOs, as a supplemental non-GAAP measure to assess liquidity and capital requirements. The Company believes that its cash flows, excluding the impact of the consolidated sponsored investment funds and CLOs, provide investors with useful information on the cash flows of BlackRock relating to its ability to fund additional operating, investing and financing activities. BlackRock’s management does not advocate that investors consider such non-GAAP measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, its cash flows presented in accordance with GAAP.

 

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The following table presents a reconciliation of the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows presented on a GAAP basis to the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows, excluding the impact of the cash flows of consolidated sponsored investment funds and consolidated VIEs:

 

(in millions)    GAAP
Basis
     Impact on
Cash Flows
of Consolidated
Sponsored
Investment
Funds
     Impact on
Cash Flows
of
Consolidated
VIEs
     Cash Flows
Excluding
Impact of
Consolidated
Sponsored
Investment
Funds  and
VIEs
 

Cash and cash equivalents, December 31, 2013

   $ 4,390         $ 114           $ -           $ 4,276       

Cash flows from operating activities

     (206)          1             123             (330)      

Cash flows from investing activities

     133           (55)            -             188       

Cash flows from financing activities

     64                       28             (123)            159       

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     13           -             -             13       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

     4           (26)                        -             30       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, March 31, 2014

   $ 4,394         $ 88           $-             $ 4,306       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Sources of BlackRock’s operating cash primarily include investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue, performance fees, revenue from BlackRock Solutions and advisory products and services, other revenue and distribution fees. BlackRock uses its cash to pay all operating expenses, interest and principal on the Company’s borrowings, income taxes, dividends on BlackRock’s capital stock, repurchases of the Company’s stock, capital expenditures and purchases of co-investments and seed investments.

Cash flows from operating activities, excluding the impact of consolidated sponsored investment funds and VIEs, primarily include the receipt of investment advisory and administration fees, securities lending revenue and other revenue offset by the payment of operating expenses incurred in the normal course of business, including year-end incentive compensation accrued for in the prior year.

Cash inflows from investing activities, excluding the impact of consolidated sponsored investment funds and VIEs, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were $188 million and primarily reflected $319 million of net proceeds from sales and maturities of certain investments, partially offset by $124 million of investment purchases.

Cash inflows from financing activities, excluding the impact of consolidated sponsored investment funds and VIEs, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 were $159 million, primarily resulting from cash inflows related to $1.0 billion of proceeds from issuance of long-term borrowings and $102 million of excess tax benefits from vested stock-based compensation awards. Cash inflows from financing activities were partially offset by $575 million of share repurchases, including $250 million in open market transactions and $325 million of employee tax withholdings related to employee stock transactions and $366 million of cash dividend payments.

 

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The Company manages its financial condition and funding to maintain appropriate liquidity for the business. Liquidity resources at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

(in millions)    March 31,
2014
     December 31,
2013
 

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 4,394        $ 4,390    

Cash and cash equivalents held by consolidated sponsored investment funds(1)

     (88)         (114)   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     4,306          4,276    

Credit facility – undrawn

     3,990          3,990    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liquidity

   $         8,296        $         8,266    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

The Company may not be able to access such cash to use in its operating activities.

Total liquidity increased $30 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014, primarily reflecting proceeds from long-term debt issuances in March 2014, partially offset by cash payments of 2013 year-end incentive awards and share repurchases of $575 million.

A significant portion of the Company’s $1,982 million of total investments, as adjusted, is illiquid in nature and, as such, may not be readily convertible to cash.

Share Repurchase Approvals. In January 2013, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the availability under the Company’s existing share repurchase program to allow for the repurchase of up to 10.2 million shares of BlackRock common stock. The Company repurchased 0.8 million common shares in open market-transactions under the share repurchase program for approximately $250 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014. At March 31, 2014, there were 5.7 million shares still authorized to be repurchased.

Net Capital Requirements. The Company is required to maintain net capital in certain regulated subsidiaries within a number of jurisdictions, which is partially maintained by retaining cash and cash equivalent investments in those subsidiaries or jurisdictions. As a result, such subsidiaries of the Company may be restricted in their ability to transfer cash between different jurisdictions and to their parents. Additionally, transfers of cash between international jurisdictions, including repatriation to the United States, may have adverse tax consequences that could discourage such transfers.

BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”) is chartered as a national bank that does not accept client deposits and whose powers are limited to trust activities. BTC provides investment management services, including investment advisory and securities lending agency services, to institutional investors and other clients. BTC is subject to regulatory capital and liquid asset requirements administered by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

At March 31, 2014, the Company was required to maintain approximately $1.2 billion compared with $1.1 billion at December 31, 2013 in net capital in certain regulated subsidiaries, including BTC, entities regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority in the United Kingdom and the Company’s broker-dealers. At such date, the Company was in compliance with all applicable regulatory net capital requirements.

Short-Term Borrowings

2014 Revolving Credit Facility.    In March 2014, the Company’s credit facility was amended to extend the maturity date by one year to March 2019. The amount of the aggregate commitment is $3.990 billion (the “2014 credit facility”). The 2014 credit facility permits the Company to request

 

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up to an additional $1.0 billion of borrowing capacity, subject to lender credit approval, increasing the overall size of the 2014 credit facility to an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $4.990 billion. Interest on borrowings outstanding accrues at a rate based on the applicable London Interbank Offered Rate plus a spread. The 2014 credit facility requires the Company not to exceed a maximum leverage ratio (ratio of net debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, where net debt equals total debt less unrestricted cash) of 3 to 1, which was satisfied with a ratio of less than 1 to 1 at March 31, 2014. The 2014 credit facility provides back-up liquidity, funds ongoing working capital for general corporate purposes and funds various investment opportunities. At March 31, 2014, the Company had no amount outstanding under the 2014 credit facility.

Commercial Paper Program.In April 2013, BlackRock increased the maximum aggregate amount for which the Company could issue unsecured commercial paper notes (the “CP Notes”) on a private-placement basis up to a maximum aggregate amount outstanding at any time of $3.990 billion. The commercial paper program is currently supported by the 2014 credit facility. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, BlackRock had no CP Notes outstanding.

Long-Term Borrowings

2024 Notes. In March 2014, the Company issued $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of 3.50% senior unsecured and unsubordinated notes maturing on March 18, 2024 (the “2024 Notes”). The net proceeds of the 2024 Notes are intended to be used for general corporate purposes, including refinancing of outstanding indebtedness. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 18 and September 18 of each year, or approximately $35 million per year. The 2024 Notes may be redeemed prior to maturity at any time in whole or in part at the option of the Company at a “make-whole” redemption price. The “make-whole” redemption price represents a price, subject to the specific terms of the 2024 Notes and related indenture, that is the greater of (a) the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed and (b) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon (exclusive of interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the redemption date on a semiannual basis at the Treasury Rate plus 15 basis points, plus in each case accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of redemption. The 2024 Notes were issued at a discount of $3 million that is being amortized over the term of the notes. The Company incurred approximately $6 million of debt issuance costs, which are being amortized over the term of the 2024 Notes.

At March 31, 2014, the principal amount of long-term borrowings outstanding was $5.950 billion. See Note 12, Borrowings, in the 2013 Form 10-K for more information on borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2013. During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, the Company paid approximately $22 million of interest on long-term borrowings. Future principal repayments and interest requirements at March 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

(in millions)                     

Year

       Principal              Interest          Total
    Payments    
 

Remainder of 2014

     $1,000          $   192         $1,192   

2015

     750         191         941   

2016

            186         186   

2017

     700         186         886   

2018

            142         142   

2019

     1,000         142         1,142    

Thereafter

            2,500                       269         2,769   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $5,950         $1,308                 $7,258   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Investment Commitments.    At March 31, 2014, the Company had $170 million of various capital commitments to fund sponsored investment funds, including funds of private equity funds, real estate funds, infrastructure funds, opportunistic funds and distressed credit funds. This amount excludes additional commitments made by consolidated funds of funds to underlying third-party funds as third-party noncontrolling interest holders have the legal obligation to fund the respective commitments of such funds of funds. In addition to the capital commitments of $170 million, the Company had approximately $39 million of contingent commitments for certain funds which have investment periods that have expired. Generally, the timing of the funding of these commitments is unknown and the commitments are callable on demand at any time prior to the expiration of the commitment. These unfunded commitments are not recorded on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. These commitments do not include potential future commitments approved by the Company, but which are not yet legally binding. The Company intends to make additional capital commitments from time to time to fund additional investment products for, and with, its clients.

Carried Interest Clawback.    As a general partner in certain investment funds, including private equity partnerships and certain hedge funds, the Company may receive carried interest cash distributions from the partnerships in accordance with distribution provisions of the partnership agreements. The Company may, from time to time, be required to return all or a portion of such distributions to the limited partners in the event the limited partners do not achieve a return as specified in the various partnership agreements. Therefore, BlackRock records carried interest subject to such clawback provisions in investments, or cash to the extent that it is distributed, and as a deferred carried interest liability on its condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Carried interest is realized and recorded as performance fees on BlackRock’s condensed consolidated statements of income upon the earlier of the termination of the investment fund or when the likelihood of clawback is considered mathematically improbable.

Contingent Payments Related to Business Acquisitions.    In connection with the Credit Suisse ETF Transaction, BlackRock is required to make contingent payments annually to Credit Suisse, subject to achieving specified thresholds during a seven-year period, subsequent to the acquisition date. In addition, BlackRock is required to make contingent payments related to the MGPA Transaction during a five-year period, subject to achieving specified thresholds, subsequent to the acquisition date. The fair value of the contingent payments at March 31, 2014 is not significant to the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition and is included in other liabilities.

Indemnifications.    On behalf of certain clients, the Company lends securities to highly rated banks and broker-dealers. In these securities lending transactions, the borrower is required to provide and maintain collateral at or above regulatory minimums. Securities on loan are marked to market daily to determine if the borrower is required to pledge additional collateral. BlackRock has issued certain indemnifications to certain securities lending clients against potential losses resulting from a borrower’s failure to fulfill its obligations should the value of the collateral pledged by the borrower at the time of default be insufficient to cover the borrower’s obligations under the securities lending agreement. At March 31, 2014, the Company indemnified certain of its clients for their securities lending loan balances of approximately $129.5 billion. The Company held, as agent, cash and securities totaling $136.1 billion as collateral for indemnified securities on loan at March 31, 2014. The fair value of these indemnifications was not material at March 31, 2014. The Company currently expects indemnified balances to continue to increase over time.

While the collateral pledged by a borrower is intended to be sufficient to offset the borrower’s obligations to return securities borrowed and any other amounts owing to the lender under the relevant securities lending agreement, in the event of a borrower default, the Company can give no

 

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assurance that the collateral pledged by the borrower will be sufficient to fulfill such obligations. If the amount of such pledged collateral is not sufficient to fulfill such obligations to a client for whom the Company has provided indemnification, BlackRock would be responsible for the amount of the shortfall. These indemnifications cover only the collateral shortfall described above, and do not in any way guarantee, assume or otherwise insure the investment performance or return of any cash collateral vehicle into which securities lending cash collateral is invested.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Management considers the following critical accounting policies important to understanding the condensed consolidated financial statements. For a summary of these and additional accounting policies see Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, in the condensed consolidated financial statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this filing and Critical Accounting Policies in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in BlackRock’s 2013 Form 10-K and Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, in the 2013 Form 10-K for further information.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.    In the normal course of business, the Company is the manager of various types of sponsored investment vehicles, including collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) or CLOs and sponsored investment funds, which may be considered VIEs in accordance with GAAP. At March 31, 2014, the Company’s VIEs primarily consisted of the following:

CLOs.    At March 31, 2014, BlackRock was the manager of over 20 CLOs/CDOs and other securitization entities. BlackRock was determined to be the primary beneficiary (“PB”) for certain of these CLOs, which required BlackRock to consolidate these VIEs. BlackRock was deemed to be the PB because it has the power to direct the activities of the CLOs that most significantly impact the entities’ economic performance and has the right to receive benefits that potentially could be significant to the VIE. At March 31, 2014, the Company had $2,356 million and $2,350 million in assets and liabilities, respectively, on its condensed consolidated statement of financial condition related to these consolidated CLOs. The Company recorded appropriated retained earnings for the difference between the assets and liabilities of the CLOs recorded on the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition as the CLO noteholders ultimately will receive the benefits or absorb the losses associated with the CLOs’ assets and liabilities. Changes in the fair value of the assets and liabilities of these CLOs have no impact on net income attributable to BlackRock or its cash flows. Excluding outstanding management receivables, the Company has no risk of loss with its involvement with these VIEs.

Sponsored Private Equity Funds of Funds.    At March 31, 2014, BlackRock was determined to be the PB of one investment fund of funds and was deemed to absorb the majority of the variability due to its de facto third-party relationships with other partners in the fund, which limited the ability of the partners to transfer or sell their interests without BlackRock’s consent as the general partner of the fund. At March 31, 2014, the Company had recorded $3 million, $15 million and $18 million in cash and cash equivalents, investments and nonredeemable noncontrolling interests related to the consolidated VIE, respectively, on its condensed consolidated statement of financial condition related to this VIE. Changes in the fair value of the assets and liabilities of this VIE recorded on the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition have no impact on net income attributable to BlackRock. Excluding outstanding management fee receivables, the Company has no risk of loss related to its involvement with this VIE.

Fair Value Measurements.    The provisions of Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820-10”) establish a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value and require companies to disclose the fair value of their financial instruments according to the fair

 

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value hierarchy (i.e., Level 1, 2 and 3 inputs, as defined). The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs.

Level 3 inputs include the most currently available information, including capital account balances for its partnership interests in various alternative investments, which may be adjusted by using the returns of certain market indices. Certain investments that are valued using net asset values and are subject to current redemption restrictions that will not be lifted in the near term are included in Level 3. BlackRock’s $591 million of Level 3 investments, or 28% of total GAAP investments at March 31, 2014, primarily included co-investments in private equity funds of funds and private equity funds, funds of hedge funds as well as alternative hedge funds that invest in distressed credit, opportunistic funds and mortgage securities and real estate equity products. Many of these investees are investment companies, which record their underlying investments at fair value based on fair value policies established by management of the underlying fund, which could include BlackRock employees. Fair value policies at the underlying fund generally require the fund to utilize pricing/valuation information, including independent appraisals from third-party sources. However, in some instances current valuation information, for illiquid securities or securities in markets that are not active, may not be available from any third-party source or fund management may conclude that the valuations that are available from third-party sources are not reliable. In these instances, fund management may perform model-based analytical valuations to value these investments.

The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument. See Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this filing for further information regarding fair value measurements.

Performance Fees / Carried Interest.    The Company receives investment advisory performance fees or incentive allocations, including carried interest allocations, from certain actively managed investment funds and certain separately managed accounts. These performance fees are earned upon exceeding specified relative or absolute investment return thresholds. Such fees are recorded upon completion of the measurement period, which varies by product or account, and could be monthly, quarterly, annually or longer. For the quarters ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, performance fee revenue totaled $158 million and $108 million, respectively. In addition, the Company receives carried interest from certain alternative investments upon exceeding performance thresholds. BlackRock may be required to return all, or part, of such carried interest depending upon future performance of these funds. Therefore, BlackRock records carried interest subject to such clawback provisions in investments or cash to the extent that it is distributed, on its condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. Carried interest is realized and recorded as performance fee revenue upon the earlier of the termination of the investment fund or when the likelihood of clawback is considered mathematically improbable. The Company records realized carried interest as performance fees on its condensed consolidated statements of income. The Company records a deferred carried interest liability to the extent it receives cash or capital allocations related to carried interest prior to meeting the revenue recognition criteria. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had $72 million and $108 million, respectively, of deferred carried interest recorded in other liabilities on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The ultimate recognition of performance fee revenue, if any, for these products is unknown.

 

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Accounting Developments

For accounting pronouncements that the Company adopted during the three months ended March 31, 2014, see Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, in the condensed consolidated financial statements contained in Part I, Item 1 of this filing.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

AUM Market Price Risk.    BlackRock’s investment advisory and administration fees are primarily comprised of fees based on a percentage of the value of AUM and, in some cases, performance fees expressed as a percentage of the returns realized on AUM. At March 31, 2014, the majority of the Company’s investment advisory and administration fees were based on average or period end AUM of the applicable investment funds or separate accounts. Movements in equity market prices, interest rates/credit spreads, foreign exchange rates or all three could cause the value of AUM to decline, which would result in lower investment advisory and administration fees.

Corporate Investments Portfolio Risks.    As a leading investment management firm, BlackRock devotes significant resources across all of its operations to identifying, measuring, monitoring, managing and analyzing market and operating risks, including the management and oversight of its own investment portfolio. The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted guidelines for the review of investments to be made by the Company, requiring, among other things, that investments be reviewed by certain senior officers of the Company, and that certain investments may be referred to the Audit Committee or the Board of Directors, depending on the circumstances, for approval.

In the normal course of its business, BlackRock is exposed to equity market price risk, interest rate/credit spread risk and foreign exchange rate risk associated with its corporate investments.

BlackRock has investments primarily in sponsored investment products that invest in a variety of asset classes, including real estate, private equity and hedge funds. Investments generally are made for co-investment purposes, to establish a performance track record, to hedge exposure to certain deferred compensation plans or for regulatory purposes. Currently, the Company has a seed capital hedging program in which it enters into swaps to hedge market and interest rate exposure to certain investments. At March 31, 2014, the Company had outstanding total return swaps and interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional value of approximately $153 million and $121 million, respectively.

At March 31, 2014, approximately $873 million of BlackRock’s total investments were maintained in sponsored investment funds deemed to be controlled by BlackRock in accordance with GAAP and, therefore, are consolidated even though BlackRock may not own a majority of such funds. Excluding the impact of the Federal Reserve Bank stock, carried interest, investments made to hedge exposure to certain deferred compensation plans and certain investments that are hedged via the seed capital hedging program, the Company’s economic exposure to its investment portfolio is $1,402 million. See Management’s Discussion and Analysis-Balance Sheet Overview-Investments for further information on the Company’s investments.

Equity Market Price Risk.    At March 31, 2014, the Company’s net exposure to equity market price risk in its investment portfolio was approximately $774 million of the Company’s total economic investment exposure. Investments subject to market price risk include private equity and real estate investments, hedge funds and funds of funds as well as mutual funds. The Company estimates that a hypothetical 10% adverse change in market prices would result in a decrease of approximately $77.4 million in the carrying value of such investments.

 

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Interest Rate/Credit Spread Risk.    At March 31, 2014, the Company was exposed to interest-rate risk and credit spread risk as a result of approximately $628 million of investments in debt securities and sponsored investment products that invest primarily in debt securities. Management considered a hypothetical 100 basis point fluctuation in interest rates or credit spreads and estimates that the impact of such a fluctuation on these investments, in the aggregate, would result in a decrease, or increase, of approximately $7.9 million in the carrying value of such investments.

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk.    As discussed above, the Company invests in sponsored investment products that invest in a variety of asset classes. The carrying value of the total economic investment exposure denominated in foreign currencies, primarily the pound sterling and euro, was $123 million at March 31, 2014. A 10% adverse change in the applicable foreign exchange rates would result in approximately a $12.3 million decline in the carrying value of such investments.

Other Market Risks.    The Company executes forward foreign currency exchange contracts to mitigate the risk of foreign exchange risk movements. At March 31, 2014, the Company had outstanding forward foreign currency exchange contracts with an aggregate notional value of approximately $195 million.

 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures.    Under the direction of BlackRock’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, BlackRock evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) at March 31, 2014. Based on this evaluation, BlackRock’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that BlackRock’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Internal Control over Financial Reporting.    There have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2014 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect such internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.      Legal Proceedings

From time to time, BlackRock receives subpoenas or other requests for information from various U.S. federal, state governmental and domestic and international regulatory authorities in connection with certain industry-wide or other investigations or proceedings. It is BlackRock’s policy to cooperate fully with such inquiries. The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have been named as defendants in various legal actions, including arbitrations and other litigation arising in connection with BlackRock’s activities. Additionally, certain BlackRock-sponsored investment funds that the Company manages are subject to lawsuits, any of which potentially could harm the investment returns of the applicable fund or result in the Company being liable to the funds for any resulting damages.

Italian Securities Regulator Proceeding

The Italian securities regulator, Commissione Nazionale per le Societa e la Borsa (“Consob”), initiated a civil proceeding on January 3, 2014 against Nigel Bolton, a portfolio manager and head of BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited’s European Equity Team (“EET”), in connection with the sale of shares in the Italian oil and gas services company Saipem, SpA in January 2013.

Consob alleges that Mr. Bolton, on behalf of certain BlackRock clients, sold, or influenced the sale of, approximately 10.7 million shares of Saipem using material, non-public information thereby avoiding client losses of over 114.5 million. The EET’s sale of Saipem shares occurred between January 25 and January 29, 2013, and Saipem announced negative news following the market close on January 29, 2013. While BlackRock is not charged in the proceeding, it may be liable for the actions of its employee.

BlackRock conducted a thorough investigation and found no evidence to support the allegations. As a result of the investigation, BlackRock believes that the sale of Saipem shares was made as a fiduciary based on publicly available information that was widely disseminated in the marketplace, including negative publicity and a third-party analyst research report reducing earnings estimates, which was issued to the market before trading on January 25, 2013.

Consob also alleges that BlackRock declined to provide Consob with information and was an obstacle to Consob’s investigation. BlackRock believes it has fully cooperated with Consob, and it will continue to do so.

While under Italian law the potential penalty could be greater than the loss actually avoided, BlackRock believes that Mr. Bolton will not be found liable and, as a result, neither Mr. Bolton nor BlackRock will incur any penalty.

All Legal Proceedings

Management, after consultation with legal counsel, currently does not anticipate that the aggregate liability, if any, arising out of regulatory matters or lawsuits will have a material effect on BlackRock’s results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. However, there is no assurance as to whether any such pending or threatened matters will have a material effect on BlackRock’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows in any future reporting period. Due to uncertainties surrounding the outcome of these matters, management cannot reasonably estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may arise from these matters.

 

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Item  2.      Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company made the following purchases of its common stock, which is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act.

 

      Total Number
  of Shares
Purchased
    Average Price
  Paid per Share  
    Total Number of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
  Announced Plans   
or Programs
    Maximum
Number of
  Shares that May   
Yet Be
Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs(1)
 
January 1, 2014 through January 31, 2014     1,286,589    (2)      $306.33         260,000                 6,275,555    
February 1, 2014 through February 28, 2014     544,349    (2)      $300.10         513,500         5,762,055    
March 1, 2014 through March 31, 2014     58,293    (2)      $304.17         51,200         5,710,855    
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

Total

        1,889,231                $304.46                 824,700      
 

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

(1) 

In January 2013, the Board of Directors approved an increase in the availability under the Company’s existing share repurchase program to allow for the repurchase of up to 10.2 million shares of BlackRock common stock with no stated expiration date.

(2) 

Includes purchases made by the Company primarily to satisfy income tax withholding obligations of employees and members of the Company’s Board of Directors related to the vesting of certain restricted stock or restricted stock unit awards and purchases made by the Company as part of the publicly announced share repurchase program.

Item  6.      Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.  

 

Description

10.1(1)   Amendment No. 3, dated as of March 28, 2014, to BlackRock, Inc.’s Five-Year Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2011, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto, dated as of March 30, 2012, and Amendment No. 2 thereto, dated as of March 28, 2013, by and among BlackRock, Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender, issuing lender, L/C agent and a lender, and the banks and other financial institutions referred to therein.
12.1   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
31.1   Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2   Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
32.1   Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

 

(1) Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 31, 2014

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

  BLACKROCK, INC.   
  (Registrant)   
  By:       /s/ Gary Shedlin   

Date: May 9, 2014

     Gary S. Shedlin   
   

 Senior Managing Director &

 Chief Financial Officer

  

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.    

  

Description

10.1(1)    Amendment No. 3, dated as of March 28, 2014, to BlackRock, Inc.’s Five-Year Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2011, as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto, dated as of March 30, 2012, and Amendment No. 2 thereto, dated as of March 28, 2013, by and among BlackRock, Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender, issuing lender, L/C agent and a lender, and the banks and other financial institutions referred to therein.
12.1    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
31.1    Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2    Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
32.1    Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
101.INS    XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE            XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

(1) Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 31, 2014