On Monday, Citi maintained its Buy rating and $920.00 price target for BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK), following the firm's recent announcement of acquiring Preqin, a move poised to enhance BlackRock's capabilities in the private markets sector. The acquisition, valued at $3.2 billion, is set to combine Preqin's extensive data and research tools with BlackRock's Aladdin platform, aiming to establish a leading technology and data provider for private markets.
BlackRock anticipates that Preqin will contribute approximately $240 million in highly recurring revenue for the year 2024, with a 99% recurrence rate. This revenue has been on an upward trend, growing at about 20% annually over the past three years. The deal is slated for completion before the end of 2024 and is expected to result in a slight dilution of margins and adjusted earnings per share (EPS) in 2025.
The strategic acquisition is seen as a positive development for BlackRock, as it is expected to bolster the Aladdin ecosystem, deepen the firm's penetration into private market data, and further diversify its revenue and earnings streams. The integration of Preqin's capabilities with Aladdin's workflow is anticipated to create a dominant presence in the private markets technology and data sphere.
In other recent news, BlackRock has announced its acquisition of Preqin, a UK-based data firm, in a $3.2 billion deal. The purchase is expected to amplify BlackRock's Aladdin technology platform by integrating Preqin's data, research, and tools. Despite the acquisition, Preqin is projected to operate as a standalone product and is anticipated to generate about $240 million in recurring revenue for 2024.
In parallel developments, BlackRock is set to re-engage in negotiations with Sri Lanka regarding the restructuring of over $12 billion in bonds. The discussions are expected to recommence shortly after a group of bondholders, including BlackRock, agreed to non-disclosure terms.
On the analytical front, the BlackRock Investment Institute has expressed caution on long-term U.S. Treasuries ahead of the upcoming presidential elections, anticipating that investors will seek higher compensation due to the persistence of wide fiscal deficits.
Additionally, the U.S. House of Representatives' judiciary committee is examining potential antitrust violations by the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), a group of which BlackRock is a member. Lastly, BlackRock, in association with Citadel Securities, is preparing to launch a new national stock exchange in Texas, with registration documents to be submitted to the Securities and Exchange Commission later this year.
InvestingPro Insights
BlackRock's strategic move to acquire Preqin aligns with its financial stability and growth potential as indicated by real-time data from InvestingPro. With a robust market capitalization of $116.56 billion and a favorable P/E ratio standing at 19.77, BlackRock demonstrates strong market confidence. The company's revenue growth over the last twelve months, as of Q1 2024, has been a steady 5.32%, reinforcing the firm's upward trajectory in earnings.
Investors looking at BlackRock's long-term commitment to shareholder value can take note of the company's consistent dividend increase for 14 consecutive years, as highlighted by one of the InvestingPro Tips. Additionally, the firm's liquid assets surpassing short-term obligations suggest a healthy liquidity position, providing further reassurance of BlackRock's financial prudence. For those seeking deeper insights and more InvestingPro Tips, including the company's low P/E ratio relative to near-term earnings growth, there are 5 additional tips available, which can be accessed with a subscription. Remember to use the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription.
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