BlackRock CEO Larry Fink: Expect 'Stickier' Inflation, And Brace For Fragmentation

BlackRock BLK CEO Larry Fink says interest rates are going to remain high, despite signs the Federal Reserve's aggressive response to high inflation is starting to take effect.

The top asset manager told CNBC on Friday that inflation is "going to be stickier for longer," and that he expects a "four-ish percent floor in inflation," but not anytime soon. 

BlackRock CEO On A Fragmented World: "A lot of it has to do with geopolitical issues," Fink said, citing how the U.S. continues to move global supply chains out of China.

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"We have moved away from this whole concept of globalization; We moved to fragmentation," Fink added, regarding the breakup of supply chains. "If we want to have national security for food, national security interest for [microchips] and energy, no one's asking the essential question — at what cost?"

While this might be the "right thing for our country and every other country," Fink says, these types of policies will keep inflation stickier for longer.

As a result, the Fed will likely tighten "a few more times," he added. 

BlackRock's Q1 Earnings: Fink spoke on the heels of the firm's most recent financial report. BlackRock's earnings per share of $7.93 were down from the $9.52 EPS reported in the first quarter of 2022, but higher than the $7.73 EPS projected by Wall Street analysts. 

The asset manager posted revenues of $4.24 billion for the quarter, marginally lower than the expected $4.25 billion.

Total net inflows at BlackRock rose by $110 billion in the quarter, bringing total assets under management to $9.09 trillion. 

BlackRock leads the industry with $34 billion of bond ETF net inflows, Fink said in a prepared statement. That accounts for over 60% of total fixed income ETF trading volume during the quarter.

Fink On ESG Debate: On CNBC, Fink also responded to the backlash that BlackRock has received on the topic of ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) from both Republicans in red states like Texas and Democrats in blue states like New York.

"I will tell them what I think is right or wrong but if they don't want to listen to what I think in a private session, our job is to do what they're asking us to do ... Our clients are speaking loudly by the amount of money they're awarding us."

BLK Price Action: BlackRock shares were trading 3.47% higher at $694 late Friday morning. 

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