BlackRock Successfully Prices $2.5 Billion Offering of Senior Notes
BlackRock (NYSE: BLK) has successfully priced a $2.5 billion debt offering of senior unsecured notes through its subsidiary, BlackRock Funding, Inc. The offering consists of three tranches: $800 million at 4.600% due 2027, $500 million at 4.900% due 2035, and $1.2 billion at 5.350% due 2055. The notes will be fully guaranteed by BlackRock on a senior unsecured basis.
The net proceeds will primarily fund the cash consideration for BlackRock's proposed acquisition of Preqin Holding The 2027 Notes include a special mandatory redemption clause if the Preqin Transaction is not completed. The offering is expected to close on July 26, 2024, subject to customary conditions.
- Successfully priced a $2.5 billion debt offering, indicating strong market demand
- Proceeds to fund strategic acquisition of Preqin Holding
- Diversified maturity profile with three tranches of notes (2027, 2035, 2055)
- Increase in long-term debt obligations
- Potential dilution of shareholder value if Preqin acquisition fails to deliver expected returns
- Special mandatory redemption clause for 2027 Notes may impact flexibility if Preqin deal falls through
Insights
BlackRock's debt offering of
The interest rates on the notes (4.600% for 2027, 4.900% for 2035 and 5.350% for 2055) reflect current market conditions and BlackRock's creditworthiness. It's important for investors to note that if the acquisition doesn't go through, the proceeds from the 2027 notes would be used for a special mandatory redemption at 101% of the principal amount, while the 2035 and 2055 proceeds would be directed towards general corporate purposes, including debt repayment. This clause provides a level of risk mitigation for bondholders.
In the short term, the debt issuance can impact BlackRock's leverage ratios and interest obligations. However, the expected long-term benefits from acquiring Preqin, such as enhanced data capabilities and potential revenue growth, could outweigh these concerns. Investors should weigh the immediate financial impact against the strategic benefits of the acquisition.
The acquisition of Preqin by BlackRock signifies a strategic move into the realm of alternative asset data, which is becoming increasingly valuable in financial markets. Preqin is well-known for its comprehensive database on private equity, hedge funds, real estate, infrastructure and private debt. This acquisition could allow BlackRock to offer more tailored and data-driven products to its clients.
From a market perspective, this enhances BlackRock’s competitive edge in the asset management industry. The alternative assets market is growing, driven by institutional investors seeking diversification and higher returns. By integrating Preqin's capabilities, BlackRock can tap into this expanding market segment more effectively, potentially increasing its market share and revenue streams.
For retail investors, it's important to understand that such strategic acquisitions can lead to long-term value creation, even if they come with short-term financial adjustments. The successful pricing of the notes and the strategic intent behind the acquisition reflect BlackRock's proactive approach in adapting to market trends and client needs.
The Notes will be issued by BlackRock’s wholly owned subsidiary, BlackRock Funding, Inc. (“BlackRock Funding”), and will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by BlackRock. BlackRock intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to fund a portion of the cash consideration for BlackRock’s proposed acquisition of Preqin Holding Limited (“Preqin” and the “Preqin Transaction”). The 2027 Notes will be subject to a special mandatory redemption (at a price equal to
The closing of the offering is expected to occur on July 26, 2024, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, BofA Securities, Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.
This offering is being made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement and prospectus and a related preliminary prospectus supplement filed by BlackRock Funding and BlackRock with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Before investing, potential investors should read the prospectus and the related preliminary prospectus supplement, the shelf registration statement and other documents that BlackRock has filed with the SEC for more complete information about BlackRock and this offering.
Copies of the prospectus supplement and related prospectus for this offering can be obtained from Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC toll-free at (866) 718-1649, from J.P. Morgan Securities LLC toll-free at (212) 834-4533, from BofA Securities, Inc. toll-free at (800) 294-1322 and from Wells Fargo Securities, LLC toll-free at (800) 645-3751.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, including the Notes. There shall not be any sale of the securities described herein in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction.
About BlackRock
BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release, 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, including the anticipated timing, consummation and expected benefits of the proposed acquisitions of Preqin and Global Infrastructure Management, LLC (“GIP” or the “GIP Transaction” and together with the Preqin Transaction, the “Transactions”). 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 and may contain information that is not purely historical in nature. Such information may include, among other things, projections and forecasts. There is no guarantee that any forecasts made will come to pass. 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.
BlackRock has previously disclosed risk factors in its SEC reports. These risk factors and those identified elsewhere in this press release, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance and include: (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; (3) the relative and absolute investment performance of BlackRock’s investment products; (4) BlackRock’s ability to develop new products and services that address client preferences; (5) the impact of increased competition; (6) the impact of future acquisitions or divestitures, including the Transactions; (7) BlackRock’s ability to integrate acquired businesses successfully, including the Transactions; (8) risks related to the Transactions, including the expected closing dates of the Transactions, the possibility that one or both of the Transactions do not close, including, but not limited to, due to the failure to satisfy their respective closing conditions, the possibility that expected synergies and value creation from either of the Transactions will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period, and impacts to business and operational relationships related to disruptions, from the Transactions; (9) the unfavorable resolution of legal proceedings; (10) the extent and timing of any share repurchases; (11) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes and the adequacy of intellectual property, data, information and cybersecurity protection; (12) the failure to effectively manage the development and use of artificial intelligence; (13) attempts to circumvent BlackRock’s operational control environment or the potential for human error in connection with BlackRock’s operational systems; (14) the impact of legislative and regulatory actions and reforms, regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions of government agencies and governmental scrutiny relating to BlackRock; (15) changes in law and policy and uncertainty pending any such changes; (16) any failure to effectively manage conflicts of interest; (17) damage to BlackRock’s reputation; (18) increasing focus from stakeholders regarding environmental, social and governance matters; (19) geopolitical unrest, terrorist activities, civil or international hostilities, and other events outside BlackRock’s control, including wars, natural disasters and health crises, which may adversely affect the general economy, domestic and local financial and capital markets, specific industries or BlackRock; (20) climate-related risks to BlackRock’s business, products, operations and clients; (21) the ability to attract, train and retain highly qualified and diverse professionals; (22) fluctuations in the carrying value of BlackRock’s economic investments; (23) the impact of changes to tax legislation, including income, payroll and transaction taxes, and taxation on products, which could affect the value proposition to clients and, generally, the tax position of BlackRock; (24) BlackRock’s success in negotiating distribution arrangements and maintaining distribution channels for its products; (25) the failure by key third-party providers of BlackRock to fulfill their obligations to BlackRock; (26) operational, technological and regulatory risks associated with BlackRock’s major technology partnerships; (27) any disruption to the operations of third parties whose functions are integral to BlackRock’s exchange-traded funds platform; (28) 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 (29) the impact of problems, instability or failure of other financial institutions or the failure or negative performance of products offered by other financial institutions.
BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10–K and BlackRock’s subsequent filings with the SEC discuss these factors in more detail and identify additional factors that can affect forward-looking statements.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240717516274/en/
BlackRock Media Relations
Ed Sweeney
646-231-0268
Ed.Sweeney@BlackRock.com
BlackRock Investor Relations
Caroline Rodda
212-810-3442
Caroline.Rodda@BlackRock.com
Source: BlackRock
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