Zinger Key Points
- The Bitcoin ETP emerged as the largest ETF launch in history, amassing over $50 billion in AUM in 2024.
- In Europe, BlackRock scaled its ETF platform considerably, with $90 billion in net inflows.
- Get 5 New Stock Recommendations Every Week
BlackRock Inc. BLK discussed the role of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in its growth strategy during its fourth-quarter earnings commentary. Its Q4 results showed significant achievements and robust momentum across its ETF business. The asset management giant reported $390 billion in ETF net inflows in 2024, representing 11% organic asset growth and 7% organic base fee growth.
Crunching The Inflow Numbers
The fourth quarter alone saw $143 billion in ETF inflows, driven by seasonal portfolio reallocations and investor re-risking as U.S. equity indices and spot Bitcoin prices hit record highs. iShares products helped clients diversify and invest in key investment themes.
ETFs are a core driver of BlackRock’s growth strategy. “Since our acquisition of iShares, Blackrock has led in expanding the market for ETFs by making them more accessible and by delivering new asset classes like bonds or crypto and investment strategies like Active. Approximately a quarter of our $390 billion of ETF net inflows were into products launched in the last five years,” said BlackRock CEO Larry Fink.
Notably, its Bitcoin ETP emerged as the largest ETF launch in history, amassing over $50 billion in assets under management (AUM) within a year. Active ETFs also had a great year, recording $22 billion in net inflows in 2024.
European Expansion
In Europe, BlackRock scaled its ETF platform considerably, with $90 billion in net inflows in the year, driving the European platform's AUM closer to $1 trillion. The region has seen double-digit organic growth for two straight years, thanks to the rise of individual investors using online platforms and ETF savings plans. Moreover, increasing financial education among first-time investors also enabled them to enter the markets.
A large part of BlackRock's growth story constitutes acquisitions, including GIP, Preqin, and HPS, which continues to complement the firm's long-term vision of integrated public and private markets and a larger suit of technology offerings. According to Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas, the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF IVV raked in the second largest amount of inflows in 2024, at $86.8 billion.
See Next:
Photo: Shutterstock
© 2025 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Trade confidently with insights and alerts from analyst ratings, free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about.
