Back to top

Image: Bigstock

BlackRock (BLK) Q2 Earnings Lag Estimates as Expenses Rise

Read MoreHide Full Article

BlackRock, Inc. (BLK - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2017 adjusted earnings of $5.24 per share, which lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.39. However, the bottom line came in 10% higher than the year-ago quarter.

Lower-than-expected results were primarily due to a rise in operating expenses and lower investment advisory performance fees. However, increase in investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenues, along with growth in assets under management (AUM) acted as tailwinds.

Net income (on a GAAP basis) came in at $857 million, up 9% from the prior-year quarter.

Revenue Growth Offsets Rise in Expenses

Revenues (GAAP basis) increased 6% year over year to $2.97 billion. The rise was due to increase in investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenues, and technology and risk management revenues. The reported figure was in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

Total expenses amounted to $1.72 billion, up 6% year over year. This was due to a rise in all cost components except amortization of deferred sales commissions and stable amortization of intangible assets, which witnessed a fall.

Non-operating income (on a GAAP basis) came in at $1 million as against Non-operating expense $25 million in the year-ago quarter.

BlackRock’s adjusted operating income came in at $1.25 billion, up 6% year over year.

Strong AUM & Inflows

As of Jun 30, 2017, AUM totaled $5.7 trillion, up 16% year over year. Further, during the reported quarter, the company witnessed long-term net inflows of $94.5 billion.

Share Repurchases

During the quarter, BlackRock repurchased shares worth $275 million.

Our Viewpoint

BlackRock remains well poised for opportunistic acquisitions, supported by a strong liquidity position. Moreover, its initiatives to gain market share in the ETF business are expected to drive revenue growth in the future. However, increased dependence on overseas revenues and regulatory restrictions remain primary near-term concerns.

BlackRock, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

 

BlackRock, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | BlackRock, Inc. Quote

Currently, BlackRock carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Among other investment managers, The Blackstone Group L.P. (BX - Free Report) is scheduled to announce second-quarter 2017 results on Jul 20, Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (AMP - Free Report) on Jul 25 and Invesco Ltd. (IVZ - Free Report) on Jul 27.

Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies

It's hard to believe, even for us at Zacks. But while the market gained +18.8% from 2016 - Q1 2017, our top stock-picking screens have returned +157.0%, +128.0%, +97.8%, +94.7%, and +90.2% respectively.

And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - Q1 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 11X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation. See Them Free>>


Zacks' 7 Best Strong Buy Stocks (New Research Report)


Valued at $99, click below to receive our just-released report
predicting the 7 stocks that will soar highest in the coming month.


Click Here, It's Really Free