UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549


FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)

xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2006March 31, 2007

OR

 

¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.

For the transition period from                        to                        .

Commission file number 001-33099


BlackRock, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


Delaware32-0174431

                        Delaware                         

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

                        32-0174431                         

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

40 East 52nd52nd Street, New York, NY 10022

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(212) 810-5300

(212) 810-5300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  x             X                                    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one)

Large accelerated filer  x        X            Accelerated filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  ¨                         No  x            X            

As of October 31, 2006,April 30, 2007, there were 116,434,872116,088,158 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.



BlackRock, Inc.

Index to Form 10-Q

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

      

Page

Item 1.

  Financial Statements (unaudited)  
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

  1
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

  2
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash FlowsComprehensive Income

  3
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ EquityCash Flows

  4
  

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

  5

Item 2.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations  2518

Item 3.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk  4736

Item 4.

  Controls and Procedures  4938

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

  Legal Proceedings  5039
Item 1A.Risk Factors50

Item 2.

  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds  5639
Item 4.Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders57

Item 6.

  Exhibits  6140

 

- ii -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

BlackRock, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

   

September 30,

2006

  

December 31,

2005

 

Assets

   

Cash and cash equivalents

  $943,901  $484,223 

Accounts receivable

   1,043,840   339,578 

Investments

   1,616,211   298,668 

Intangible assets, net

   5,881,967   294,168 

Goodwill

   3,504,726   189,814 

Separate account assets

   4,212,311   —   

Deferred mutual fund commissions

   197,984   16,025 

Property and equipment, net

   193,752   129,451 

Deferred taxes

   88,466   43,498 

Other assets

   191,518   52,575 
         

Total assets

  $17,874,676  $1,848,000 
         

Liabilities

   

Accrued compensation

  $865,295  $522,637 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   748,548   63,886 

Due to affiliates

   278,189   11,893 

Purchase price contingencies

   —     39,463 

Long-term borrowings

   253,170   253,791 

Separate account liabilities

   4,212,311   —   

Other liabilities

   41,481   24,473 
         

Total liabilities

   6,398,994   916,143 
         

Minority interest

   868,397   9,614 
         

Stockholders’ equity

   

Common stock ($0.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized and 117,381,582 shares issued at September 30, 2006)

   1,174   —   

Common stock, class A ($0.01 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized and 19,975,305 shares issued at December 31, 2005)

   —     200 

Common stock, class B ($0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized and 45,117,284 shares issued at December 31, 2005)

   —     453 

Series A participating preferred stock ($0.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized and 12,604,918 shares issued at September 30, 2006)

   126   —   

Additional paid-in capital

   9,771,739   171,090 

Retained earnings

   878,929   806,884 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

   7,352   2,673 

Treasury stock, common, at cost (948,066 shares held at September 30, 2006)

   (52,035)  —   

Treasury stock, class A, at cost (285,104 shares held at December 31, 2005)

   —     (25,248)

Treasury stock, class B, at cost (806,667 shares held at December 31, 2005)

   —     (33,809)
         

Total stockholders’ equity

   10,607,285   922,243 
         

Total liabilities, minority interest and stockholders’ equity

  $17,874,676  $1,848,000 
         

   March 31,
2007
  December 31,
2006
 

Assets

   

Cash and cash equivalents

  $1,018,828  $1,160,304 

Accounts receivable

   1,282,316   964,366 

Due from affiliates

   72,491   113,184 

Investments

   2,194,863   2,097,574 

Intangible assets, net

   5,851,394   5,882,430 

Goodwill

   5,306,882   5,257,017 

Separate account assets

   4,442,747   4,299,879 

Deferred mutual fund commissions

   160,939   177,242 

Property and equipment, net

   226,710   214,784 

Taxes and other receivables

   165,323   124,291 

Other assets

   159,496   178,421 
         

Total assets

  $20,881,989  $20,469,492 
         

Liabilities

   

Accrued compensation

  $345,905  $1,051,273 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   902,078   753,839 

Due to affiliates

   122,809   243,836 

Short-term borrowings

   550,000   —   

Long-term borrowings

   253,167   253,167 

Separate account liabilities

   4,442,747   4,299,879 

Deferred taxes

   1,864,653   1,738,670 

Other liabilities

   317,410   237,856 
         

Total liabilities

   8,798,769   8,578,520 
         

Non-controlling interest

   1,084,479   1,109,092 
         

Stockholders’ equity

   

Common stock ($0.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 117,381,582 shares issued, 116,350,912 and 116,408,897 shares outstanding at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively)

   1,174   1,174 

Series A participating preferred stock ($0.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized and 12,604,918 shares issued and outstanding)

   126   126 

Additional paid-in capital

   9,977,810   9,799,447 

Retained earnings

   1,093,673   993,821 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

   45,412   44,666 

Treasury stock, common, at cost (1,030,670 and 972,685 shares held at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively)

   (119,454)  (57,354)
         

Total stockholders’ equity

   10,998,741   10,781,880 
         

Total liabilities, non-controlling interest and stockholders’ equity

  $20,881,989  $20,469,492 
         

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


 

- 1 -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

BlackRock, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

 

   

Three months ended

September 30,

  

Nine months ended

September 30,

 
   2006  2005  2006  2005 

Revenue

     

Investment advisory and administration fees

  $274,506  $254,641  $938,142  $698,368 

Other income

   48,552   46,166   141,309   123,910 
                 

Total revenue

   323,058   300,807   1,079,451   822,278 
                 

Expense

     

Employee compensation and benefits

   198,099   155,077   566,993   413,036 

Fund administration and servicing costs

   10,653   11,997   31,583   31,531 

General and administration

   82,905   51,524   214,256   144,089 

Fee sharing payment

   —     —     34,450   —   

Amortization of intangible assets

   2,393   2,540   6,452   5,477 
                 

Total expense

   294,050   221,138   853,734   594,133 
                 

Operating income

   29,008   79,669   225,717   228,145 
                 

Non-operating income (expense)

     

Investment income

   3,931   21,439   25,840   37,252 

Interest expense

   (2,022)  (2,008)  (6,021)  (6,084)
                 

Total non-operating income

   1,909   19,431   19,819   31,168 
                 

Income before income taxes and minority interest

   30,917   99,100   245,536   259,313 

Income taxes

   11,108   37,077   89,963   95,732 
                 

Income before minority interest

   19,809   62,023   155,573   163,581 

Minority interest

   895   904   2,394   2,591 
                 

Net income

  $18,914  $61,119  $153,179  $160,990 
                 

Earnings per share

     

Basic

  $0.29  $0.95  $2.38  $2.51 

Diluted

  $0.28  $0.92  $2.29  $2.41 

Dividends paid per share

  $0.42  $0.30  $1.26  $0.90 

Weighted-average shares outstanding

     

Basic

   64,761,447   64,087,871   64,326,752   64,243,408 

Diluted

   67,477,536   66,714,797   66,903,553   66,809,706 

   

Three months ended

March 31,

 
   2007  2006 

Revenue

   

Investment advisory and administration fees

   

Unaffiliated

  $322,417  $242,497 

Affiliated

   573,509   107,211 

Other revenue

   

Unaffiliated

   80,231   42,164 

Affiliated

   29,217   3,788 
         

Total revenue

   1,005,374   395,660 
         

Expense

   

Employee compensation and benefits

   352,398   191,796 

Portfolio administration and servicing costs

   

Unaffiliated

   12,346   10,084 

Affiliated

   114,331   5,075 

General and administration

   

Unaffiliated

   210,703   50,341 

Affiliated

   12,333   1,858 

Fee sharing payment

   —     34,450 

Amortization of intangible assets

   31,032   2,029 
         

Total expense

   733,143   295,633 
         

Operating income

   272,231   100,027 
         

Non-operating income (expense)

   

Net gain on investments

   150,360   9,294 

Interest and dividend income

   18,357   5,770 

Interest expense

   (10,986)  (1,969)
         

Total non-operating income

   157,731   13,095 
         

Income before income taxes and non-controlling interest

   429,962   113,122 

Income tax expense

   109,906   41,618 
         

Income before non-controlling interest

   320,056   71,504 

Non-controlling interest

   124,668   642 
         

Net income

  $195,388  $70,862 
         

Earnings per share

   

Basic

  $1.52  $1.11 

Diluted

  $1.48  $1.06 

Dividends paid per share

  $0.67  $0.42 

Weighted-average shares outstanding

   

Basic

   128,809,726   64,074,888 

Diluted

   131,895,570   66,731,560 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


 

- 2 -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

BlackRock, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

(unaudited)

     Three Months Ended March 31,
     2007     2006

Net income

    $195,388     $70,862

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

        

Net unrealized gain (loss) from available-for-sale investments

     (1,457)     376

Foreign currency translation gain (loss)

     2,203      411
             

Comprehensive income

    $196,134     $71,649
             

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


- 3 -


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

BlackRock, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

   

Year to Date

September 30,

 
   2006  2005 

Cash flows from operating activities

   

Net income

  $153,179  $160,990 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash from operating activities:

   

Depreciation and amortization

   29,301   22,414 

Minority interest

   2,394   2,591 

Stock-based compensation

   78,567   52,963 

Deferred income taxes

   (32,965)  (2,609)

Net unrealized gain on investments

   (5,569)  (15,580)

Amortization of deferred mutual fund commissions and bond issuance costs

   7,411   8,969 

Tax benefit from stock-based compensation

   —     4,040 

Other adjustments

   (3,734)  —   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

   

Increase in accounts receivable

   (57,185)  (78,898)

Increase in investments, trading

   (17,121)  (7,927)

Increase in other assets

   (9,051)  (39,676)

Increase (decrease) in accrued compensation

   21,950   (48,520)

Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   61,797   18,307 

Increase in other liabilities

   8,883   7,756 
         

Cash flows from operating activities

   237,857   84,820 
         

Cash flows from investing activities

   

Purchase of investments

   (62,046)  (27,730)

Sale of investments

   18,022   44,464 

Sale of real estate held for sale

   —     112,184 

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

   389,886   (247,220)

Purchase of property and equipment

   (47,014)  (42,930)
         

Cash flows from investing activities

   298,848   (161,232)
         

Cash flows from financing activities

   

Borrowings, net of issuance costs

   —     395,000 

Principal repayment of borrowings

   —     (150,000)

Repayment of short-term borrowings

   —     (111,840)

Additions to minority interest

   15,735   7,996 

Dividends paid

   (81,134)  (57,507)

Reissuance of treasury stock

   7,464   13,268 

Purchase of treasury stock

   (24,615)  (72,775)

Issuance of common stock

   1,196   706 

Tax benefit from stock-based compensation

   4,156   —   

Other

   (3,622)  (6,528)
         

Cash flows from financing activities

   (80,820)  18,320 
         

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

   3,793   (3,067)
         

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

   459,678   (61,159)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

   484,223   457,673 
         

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

  $943,901  $396,514 
         

   

Year to Date

March 31,

 
   2007  2006 

Cash flows from operating activities

   

Net income

  $195,388  $70,862 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash from operating activities:

   

Depreciation and amortization

   46,062   9,109 

Non-controlling interest

   124,668   642 

Stock-based compensation

   43,881   26,542 

Deferred income taxes

   103,426   (5,117)

Net unrealized gain on investments

   (100,235)  (4,029)

Amortization of deferred mutual fund commissions and bond issuance costs

   16,303   2,799 

Other adjustments

   6,003   (2,864)

Accrued MLIM transaction costs

   —     6,362 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

   

Accounts receivable

   (317,950)  (48,673)

Due from affiliates

   40,693   (844)

Investments, trading

   6,353   (7,511)

Taxes and other receivables

   (51,720)  939 

Other assets

   (48,025)  (2,909)

Accrued compensation

   (537,405)  (152,043)

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

   149,898   (34,613)

Due to affiliates

   (85,127)  81,485 

Other liabilities

   110,861   (2,177)
         

Cash flows from operating activities

   (296,926)  (62,040)
         

Cash flows from investing activities

   

Purchase of investments

   (125,629)  (41,372)

Sale of investments

   41,742   16,083 

Consolidation of sponsored investment funds

   135   —   

Deconsolidation of sponsored investment funds

   (5,844)  —   

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

   (53,501)  —   

Purchases of property and equipment

   (27,983)  (14,602)
         

Cash flows from investing activities

   (171,080)  (39,891)
         

Cash flows from financing activities

   

Short-term borrowings, net

   550,000   —   

Dividends paid

   (88,417)  (26,891)

Reissuance of treasury stock

   32,194   4,441 

Purchase of treasury stock

   (164,396)  (39)

Subscriptions received from non-controlling interest holders, net of redemptions

   (48,663)  6,111 

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

   43,609   1,773 
         

Cash flows from financing activities

   324,327   (14,605)
         

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

   2,203   411 
         

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

   (141,476)  (116,125)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

   1,160,304   484,223 
         

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

  $1,018,828  $368,098 
         

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


 

- 34 -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

BlackRock, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

(unaudited)

   

Common

Stock

  Common Stock  

Participating

Preferred

Stock

  

Additional

Paid-in

Capital

  

Retained

Earnings

  

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income

  Treasury Stock  

Total

Stockholders’

Equity

 
    Class A  Class B        Common  Class A  Class B  

December 31, 2005

  $—    $200  $453  $—    $171,090  $806,884  $2,673  $—    ($25,248) ($33,809) $922,243 

Net income

   —     —     —     —     —     153,179   —     —     —     —     153,179 

Dividends paid

   —     —     —     —     —     (81,134)  —     —     —     —     (81,134)

Conversion of class B common stock to class A common stock

   —     —     (2)  —     (14,337)  —     —     —     14,339   —     —     

Issuance of Common Stock to Merrill Lynch

   523   —     —     —     7,719,506   —     —     —     —     —     7,719,889 

Issuance of series A participating preferred shares to Merrill Lynch

   —     —     —     126   1,857,082   —     —     —     —     —     1,857,208 

Conversion of class A and B stock to common stock in connection with MLIM Transaction

   651   (200)  (451)  —     —     —     —     —     —     —     —   

Conversion of treasury stock in connection with MLIM Transaction

   —     —     —     —     —     —     —     (52,035)  18,226   33,809   —   

Stock based compensation

   —     —     —     —     35,902   —     —     —     —     —     35,902 

Treasury stock transactions

   —     —     —     —     33   —     —     —     (7,317)  —     (7,284)

Tax benefit from stock options exercised

   —     —     —     —     2,603   —     —     —     —     —     2,603 

Minimum pension liability adjustment

   —     —     —     —     —     —     379   —     —     —     379 

Foreign currency translation gain

   —     —     —     —     —     —     3,793   —     —     —     3,793 

Unrealized gain on investments, net

   —     —     —     —     —     —     507   —     —     —     507 
                                             

September 30, 2006

  $1,174  $—    $—    $126  $9,771,739  $878,929  $7,352  ($52,035) $—    $—    $10,607,285 
                                             

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

- 4 -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

BlackRock, Inc.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

BlackRock, Inc. (together, withand its subsidiaries and its predecessors, unless the context otherwise indicates, “BlackRock”(“BlackRock” or the “Company”) providesprovide diversified investment management services to institutional retail clients. Institutionalclients and to individual investors through various investment vehicles. Investment management services primarily consist of the active management of fixed income, cash management and equity client accounts, the management of a number of open-end and closed-end mutual fund families and other non-U.S. equivalent retail products serving the institutional and retail markets and the management of alternative funds developed to serve various customer needs. BlackRock also offers risk management, investment system outsourcing and financial advisory services to institutional investors under the BlackRock Solutions® brand name.

On September 29, 2006, pursuant to the Transaction Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Transaction Agreement”), dated as of February 15, 2006, by and among BlackRock (formerly known as New Boise, Inc.) BlackRock Merger Sub., Inc. (formerly known as Boise Merger Sub., Inc., “Merger Sub”), BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. (formerly known as BlackRock, Inc., “Old BlackRock”) and Merrill Lynch, Merger Sub merged with and into Old BlackRock with old surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock and Merrill Lynch contributed the entities and assets that constitute its investment management business (the “MLIM business”) to BlackRock via a capital contribution, in exchange for 52,395,082 shares of common stock and 12,604,918 shares of series A non-voting participating preferred shares of BlackRock, representing a 45% voting interest and approximately 49.3% of the fully-diluted capital stock (such transactions, collectively, referred to as the “MLIM Transaction”). PNC ownership, which was at approximately 69% prior to the MLIM Transaction, was reduced to approximately 34% as a result of the MLIM Transaction.

In connection with the MLIM Transaction, BlackRock entered into a global distribution agreement with Merrill Lynch. The global distribution agreement provides a framework under which Merrill Lynch will distribute the Company’s investment advisory products. Pursuant to the global distribution agreement, among other things: 1) Merrill Lynch has agreed to cause each of its distributors to continue distributing BlackRock products that it distributed as of the date of the Transaction Agreement, on the same economic terms as were in effect as of the date of the Transaction Agreement or as the parties otherwise agree; 2) products introduced by BlackRock to Merrill Lynch for distribution that do not fall within an existing category, type or platform of products distributed by Merrill Lynch will be entitled to the most favorable economic terms offered by BlackRock to other distributors of the same product; and 3) with respect to any Merrill Lynch distributor that does not at the time in question distribute a particular BlackRock product, Merrill Lynch has agreed to, upon BlackRock’s request, use all commercially reasonable efforts to obtain distribution of any products by such Merrill Lynch distributor as BlackRock requests on the same terms as provided to such products by Merrill Lynch distributors already distributing the product. See Note 2 for additional information regarding the MLIM Transaction.

- 5 -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

 

1.Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company, its controlled subsidiaries and other entities consolidated pursuant to various accounting guidance.as required by GAAP. All significant accounts and transactions between consolidated entities have been eliminated.

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions. Certain financial information that is normally included in annual financial statements, including certain financial statement footnotes, prepared in accordance with GAAP, is not required for interim reporting purposes and has been condensed or omitted herein. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes related thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005,2006, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 8, 2006.13, 2007.

The interim financial data as of September 30, 2006March 31, 2007 and for each of the three months ended March 31, 2007 and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 are unaudited. However, in the opinion of management, the interim data includes all normal recurring adjustments, as well as purchase accounting fair value adjustments related to the MLIM Transaction,Merrill Lynch Investment Managers (“MLIM”) transaction, necessary for a fair statementpresentation of the Company’s results for the periods presented.shown. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year. Certain amounts in the Company’s prior year condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 20062007 presentation.

Stock-based Compensation

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123(R),Share-Based Payment. This statement is a revision of SFAS No. 123 and supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion (“APB”) No. 25,Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. The statement establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services, primarily focusing on the accounting for transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions. Entities are required to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award (with limited exceptions). That cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service (usually the vesting period) in exchange for the award. The grant-date fair value of employee share options and similar instruments is measured using option-pricing models. If an equity award is modified after the grant date, incremental compensation cost is recognized in an amount equal to the excess of the fair value of the modified award over the fair value of the original award immediately before the modification.

 

- 65 -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

 

1.Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

The Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R), using the modified-prospective transition method, effective January 1, 2006, with no cumulative effect on net income. Under the modified-prospective transition method, the Company is recognizing compensation cost for share-based awards to employees based on their grant-date fair value from January 1, 2006, as well as compensation cost for awards that were granted prior to, but not vested as of, the date of adoption. Prior periods remain unchanged and pro forma disclosures previously required by SFAS No. 123 continue to be required. The impact of SFAS No. 123(R) was to reduce net income for the three months ended September 30, 2006 by $1,978, or $0.03 per basic and diluted share, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 by $5,934, or $0.09 per basic and diluted share. Pro forma basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2005, including the impact of stock options not expensed under SFAS No.

123(R), would have been $0.92 and $0.89, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 would have been $2.42 and $2.32, respectively. Net income for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2005 would have been reduced by approximately $1,978 and $5,934, respectively. Significantly all of the Company’s stock options that were impacted by the implementation of SFAS No. 123(R) vest in January 2007.

Consolidation

In June 2005, the FASB ratified the consensus reached by the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) on Issue No. 04-5,Determining Whether a General Partner, or the General Partners as a Group, Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights (“EITF 04-5”). EITF No. 04-5 presumes that a general partner controls a limited partnership (including certain limited liability companies), and should therefore consolidate a limited partnership, unless the limited partners have the substantive ability to remove the general partner without cause based on a simple majority vote or can otherwise dissolve the limited partnership, or unless the limited partners have substantive participating rights over decision making. The guidance in EITF No. 04-5 was effective immediately for all newly formed partnerships and any modified limited partnership agreements. The guidance was effective for existing partnership agreements for financial reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2005. The adoption of EITF No. 04-5 on January 1, 2006 had no impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. At September 30, 2006, the Company consolidated entities acquired in the MLIM Transaction as the result of the provisions of EITF No. 04-5.

Separate Account Assets and Liabilities

Effective September 29, 2006, in connection with the MLIM Transaction, the Company maintains certain separate accounts representing segregated funds held for purposes of funding individual and group pension contracts. The separate account assets are not subject to general claims of the creditors of BlackRock. These accounts and the related liabilities are recorded as separate account assets and separate account liabilities on the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition.

The net investment income and net realized and unrealized gains and losses attributable to separate account assets supporting individual and group pension contracts accrue directly to the contract owner and are not reported as revenue in the condensed consolidated statements of income. Policy administration and management fees associated with separate account products are included in investment advisory and administration fees in the condensed consolidated statements of income.

- 7 -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

1.Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Impairment of Investments

In November 2005, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) FAS 115-1/124-1,The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments, which provides guidance for determining when impairment charges should be taken on certain debt and equity securities. FSP FAS 115-1/124-1 requires that debt and equity securities subject to the provisions of SFAS No. 115,Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, and equity securities subject to the provisions of APB No. 18,The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock, but which are not accounted for under the equity method (i.e., securities accounted for under the cost method) shall be reviewed for impairment when circumstances warrant. For securities subject to SFAS No. 115, a review for other-than-temporary impairments shall occur in each accounting period where the fair value of the security is less than its cost. For securities subject to APB No. 18, a review for other-than-temporary impairments shall occur in each accounting period where a) circumstances indicate that impairment may exist and b) the fair value of the security is less than its carrying value. The provisions of the FSP were required to be applied to reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2005. The adoption of FSP FAS 115-1/124-1 on January 1, 2006 had no material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Changes and Corrections

In June 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154,Accounting Changes and Error Corrections. SFAS No. 154 replaces APB Opinion No. 20,Accounting Changes, and SFAS No. 3,Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements. SFAS No. 154 requires that a voluntary change in accounting principle be applied retrospectively with all prior period financial statements presented under the new accounting principle. SFAS No. 154 also requires that a change in the method of depreciating or amortizing a long-lived non-financial asset be accounted for prospectively as a change in estimate, and correction of errors in previously issued financial statements should be termed “restatements”. SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The adoption of SFAS No. 154 on January 1, 2006 had no impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Disclosure of Fair Value

SFAS No. 107,Disclosure about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, requires disclosure of estimated fair values of certain financial instruments, both on and off the balance sheet. The Company’s methods and assumptions regarding the value of its financial instruments are set forth below:

Cash and cash equivalents, receivables, other assets, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are carried at cost which approximates fair value due to their short maturities.

The fair value of readily marketable investments is based on quoted market prices. If securities are not readily marketable, fair values are determined by the Company’s management. At September 30, 2006, the carrying value of investments approximates their fair value (see Note 3).

At September 30, 2006, the estimated fair value of the Company’s $250,000 aggregate principal amount of debentures is $378,600 compared with $288,125 at December 31, 2005.

- 8 -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

1.Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Disclosure of Fair Value (continued)

The Company acts as the portfolio manager in a series of credit default swap transactions, referred to collectively as the Pillars Synthetic Collateralized Debt Obligation (“Pillars”) transaction. The Company has entered into a credit default swap with a major multi-national financial institution (the “Counterparty”), affording the Counterparty credit protection of approximately $16,667, representing the Company’s maximum possible risk of loss. Pursuant to SFAS No. 133,Accounting for Derivative Instruments and HedgingActivities, as amended, the Company carries the Pillars credit default swap at fair value based on the expected future cash flows under the arrangement. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company recorded losses of $305 and gains of $1,365, respectively, in non-operating income in the condensed consolidated statements of income related to changes in the fair value of the Pillars credit default swap. The fair value of the Pillars credit default swap was approximately $6,077 as of September 30, 2006, and is included in other assets on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

Recent Accounting Developments

In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155,Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments, which amends SFAS No. 133 and SFAS No. 140,Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities. The Statement provides, among other things, that:

For embedded derivatives which would otherwise be required to be bifurcated from their host contracts and accounted for at fair value in accordance with SFAS No. 133, an irrevocable election may be made on an instrument-by-instrument basis, to be measured as a hybrid financial instrument at fair value in its entirety, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings.

Concentrations of credit risk in the form of subordination are not considered embedded derivatives.

SFAS No. 155 is effective for all financial instruments acquired, issued or subject to remeasurement after the beginning of an entity’s first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. Upon adoption, differences between the total carrying amount of the individual components of an existing bifurcated hybrid financial instrument and the fair value of the combined hybrid financial instrument should be recognized as a cumulative effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings. Prior periods should not be restated. The Company intends to adopt the Statement on January 1, 2007 and does not expect the impact of adoption to be material to its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156,Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets.SFAS No. 156 amends SFAS No. 140 to require that all separately recognized servicing assets and liabilities be initially measured at fair value, if practicable. SFAS No. 156 also permits servicers to subsequently measure each separate class of servicing assets and liabilities at fair value rather than at the lower of cost or market. For companies that elect to measure their servicing assets and liabilities at fair value, SFAS No. 156 requires the difference between the carrying value and fair value at the date of adoption to be recognized as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which the election is made. The Company intends to adopt the Statement on January 1, 2007 and does not expect the impact of adoption to be material to its consolidated financial statements.

- 9 -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

1.Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Recent Accounting Developments (continued)Income Taxes

In July 2006, the FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48,Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes and Related Implementation Issues. FIN No. 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in a Company’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109,Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN No. 48 prescribes a threshold and measurement attribute for recognition in the financial statements of an asset or liability resulting from a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN No. 48 also provides guidance on derecognition,de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.

BlackRock adopted the provisions of FIN No. 48 is effective ason January 1, 2007. As a result of the beginningadoption, the Company recognized approximately $15,200 in increased income tax reserves related to uncertain tax positions. Approximately $13,600 of fiscal yearsthis increase related to taxes that begin afterwould affect the effective tax rate if recognized, and this portion was accounted for as a reduction to the January 1, 2007 balance in retained earnings. The remaining $1,600 balance, if disallowed, would not affect the annual effective tax rate. Total gross unrecognized tax benefits at December 15, 2006. 31, 2006 were approximately $52,100. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate at December 31, 2006 were approximately $25,700. As of March 31, 2007, the Company does not anticipate a significant change to the amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. Interest related to tax matters at December 31, 2006, was approximately $4,600. The Company has not accrued any tax-related penalties.

BlackRock is currently evaluatingsubject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax in multiple jurisdictions. The tax years after 2002 remain open to U.S. federal income tax examination, and the effectstax years after 2004 remain open to income tax examination in the United Kingdom. Prior to the closing of implementing this new standard.the MLIM transacton, BlackRock filed New York State and New York City income tax returns on a combined basis with The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”), and the tax years after 2001 remain open to income tax examination in New York State and New York City.

- 6 -


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

1.Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Recent Accounting Developments (continued)

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFASStatement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157,Fair Value Measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 requires companies to disclose the fair value of itstheir financial instruments according to a fair value hierarchy (i.e., levels 1, 2, and 3, as defined). Additionally, companies are required to provide enhanced disclosure regarding instruments in the level 3 category (which have inputs to the valuation techniques that are unobservable and require significant management judgment), including a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances separately for each major category of assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and all interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact adoption maywill have on theits consolidated financial statements of the Company.statements.

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158,Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans -an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 132(R). SFAS No. 158 requires an employer to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position and recognize changes in the funded status in the year in which the changes occur. The statement also requires actuarial valuations to be performed as of the balance sheet date. The balance sheet recognition provisions of SFAS No. 158 arewere effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2006. The valuation date provisions are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2007. The Company does not expectadopted the balance sheet recognition provisions of SFAS No. 158 on December 31, 2006 and the impact of adoption of SFAS No. 158 to bewas not material to its consolidated financial statements.

In September 2006,February 2007, the SecuritiesFASB issued SFAS No. 159,The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”)Financial Liabilities. SFAS No. 108,Considering159 permits entities to choose to measure eligible financial instruments at fair value. The unrealized gains and losses on items for which the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatementsfair value option has been elected should be reported in Current Year Financial Statements. SAB 108 provides guidanceearnings. The decision to elect the fair value option is determined on an instrument by instrument basis, it should be applied to an entire instrument, and it is irrevocable. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value pursuant to the consideration of effectsfair value option should be reported separately in the balance sheet from those instruments measured using another measurement attribute. SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the prior year misstatements in quantifying current year misstatements for the purposebeginning of a materiality assessment. The SEC staff believes registrants must quantify errors using both a balance sheet and income statement approach and evaluate whether either approach results in quantifying a misstatement that, when all relevant quantitative and qualitative factors are considered, is material. SAB 108 is effective for the first annual period endingfiscal year that begins after November 15, 2006 with early application encouraged.2007. The Company has assessedis currently analyzing the potential impact of SAB 108 on its consolidated financial statements and does not expect the impact or adoption to be materialof SFAS No. 159 to its consolidated financial statements.

 

- 107 -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

 

2.Mergers and Acquisitions

Merrill Lynch Investment Managers

On September 29, 2006, the Company completed the MLIM Transaction and issued 52,395,082 shares of BlackRock common stock and 12,604,918 of series A participating preferred stock to Merrill Lynch in consideration for the MLIM business. Total consideration issued to Merrill Lynch was $9,083,661, including capitalized transaction costs and net of cash acquired. The acquisition of the MLIM business added to BlackRock’s existing investment management capabilities for retail and institutional investors through proprietary and third-party distribution channels globally. The investment management capabilities of the acquired MLIM business include equity, fixed income, cash management, index, enhanced index, balanced and alternative investments, which are offered through vehicles such as mutual funds, non-registered investment management vehicles, privately managed accounts and retail and institutional separate accounts with approximately $592.5 billion in assets under management (“AUM”) at September 29, 2006. The combined company is one of the world’s largest asset management firms with approximately $1.075 trillion in AUM, providing a full range of equity, fixed income, cash management and alternative investment products, with strong representation in both retail and institutional channels, in the U.S. and non-U.S. markets. In completing this transaction, the Company expects, among other things, increased opportunities for growth as the result of broad investment and risk management capabilities and global scale; increased retail presence in the U.S. and a stronger reputation in Europe and Asia; and new opportunities for distributing BlackRock investment management products through access to Merrill Lynch’s distribution network.

In connection with the MLIM Transaction, Merril Lynch and PNC have each entered into stockholder agreements with BlackRock. As of September 30, 2006, Merrill Lynch’s ownership represents 45% of the voting interest in BlackRock and approximately 49.3% of total capital stock outstanding on a fully diluted basis. Pursuant to the terms of the stockholder agreement, Merrill Lynch is restricted from owning more than 49.8% of the fully diluted capital stock of BlackRock. PNC, which owned approximately 69% of BlackRock prior to the MLIM Transaction, owns approximately 34% of the total outstanding capital stock as of September 30, 2006. Pursuant to the terms of the stockholder agreement, PNC is generally restricted from owning more than 35% of the fully capital stock of BlackRock, except in the case where an increase in PNC’s percentage ownership is due to a BlackRock share buyback, in which case PNC is permitted to own no more than 40% of the Company’s outstanding capital stock.

In addition to the ownership restrictions described above, the stockholder agreements include the following additional provisions, among others:

Both Merrill Lynch and PNC are generally restricted from the purchasing additional shares of BlackRock common stock if it would result in either exceeding their respective ownership cap;

Merrill Lynch is restricted from transferring any common stock or the series A participating preferred stock for a period of three years without the prior consent of BlackRock;

PNC and Merrill Lynch after the third anniversary of the closing of the MLIM Transaction, are subject to additional transfer restrictions designed to ensure that no party acquires a significant holding of voting stock;

Merrill Lynch and PNC are required to vote their shares in accordance with the BlackRock Board of Directors’ recommendations to the extent consistent with the provisions of the stockholder agreements; and

Certain fundamental transactions may not be entered into without prior approval of all of the independent directors then in office, or at least two thirds of the directors then in office. Additionally, BlackRock may not enter into certain key transactions without prior approval of Merrill Lynch and PNC.

The series A participating preferred stock have the following terms:

Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, is non-voting;

Participate in dividends on common stock on an equal basis as the common stock;

Grant the holder the option to receive dividends in common stock or in cash (subject to applicable ownership restrictions);

Benefit from a liquidation preference of $0.01 per share; and

Is mandatorily convertible to BlackRock common stock upon transfer to an unrelated party.

- 11 -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

2.Mergers and Acquisitions

Merrill Lynch Investment Managers (continued)

In connection with the approval of the Transaction Agreement, the Company adopted a dividend policy establishing a targeted payout ratio of 40% of historical net income, with all subsequent quarterly dividend declarations under such policy remaining subject to the board of directors’ discretion. The PNC stockholder agreement refers to the board’s resolution adopting the policy including its resolution to not revise the dividend payout ratio downward except in furtherance of its board’s fiduciary duties or other prudent financial considerations.

In addition, Merrill Lynch has agreed that it will provide reimbursement to BlackRock for employee incentive awards issued to former MLIM employees who became BlackRock employees subsequent to the MLIM Transaction. Reimbursements will amount to 50% of eligible incentive compensation between $100 million and $200 million. In October 2006, the Company’s management development and compensation committee approved the issuance of $147,000 of incentive stock awards to former MLIM employees now employed by BlackRock (see Note 15).

The MLIM Transaction was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting in accordance with SFAS No. 141,Business Combinations. Accordingly, the purchase price was allocated to the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values at the date of the transaction. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed was recorded as goodwill. Third quarter results of operations include an estimate of one day of earnings (September 30, 2006) from the former MLIM business and one day of amortization expense associated with finite-life intangible assets acquired. The value of the consideration paid for the net assets acquired was determined using the average closing price of BlackRock’s common stock two days before, the day of, and two days after MLIM Transaction announcement date of February 15, 2006. Both the common stock and the series A participating preferred stock were valued at a price of $147.34 per share since both classes of stock participate equally in dividends and have transfer restrictions.

A summary of the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in this acquisition is as follows:

Accounts receivable

  $645,273 

Investments

   1,256,476 

Property and equipment

   40,138 

Deferred mutual fund commissions

   188,464 

Other assets

   144,977 

Separate account assets

   4,212,311 

Finite-life intangible management contracts

   1,082,720 

Indefinite-life intangible management contracts

   4,498,200 

Goodwill

   3,266,702 

Liabilities assumed

   (6,109,678)

Payable to Merrill Lynch

   (141,922)
     

Total purchase price, including acquisition costs

  $9,083,661 
     

Summary of consideration, net of cash acquired:

  

Capital stock, at fair value

  $9,577,100 

Cash

   (519,761)

Other capitalized transaction costs

   26,322 
     

Total consideration

  $9,083,661 
     

- 12 -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

2.Mergers and Acquisitions

Merrill Lynch Investment Managers (continued)

Approximately $26,322 of direct costs were capitalized in conjunction with the MLIM Transaction, primarily representing $20,000 of financial advisory fees and approximately $4,500 in legal and other professional fees. Certain capitalized costs have been estimated as of September 30, 2006 and are subject to adjustment. Finite-life intangible management contracts have a weighted average estimated useful life of 10.2 years.

The allocation of the purchase price is preliminary and subject to adjustment. Specifically, the following accounts are subject to change in their preliminary values:

Investments and related minority interest on consolidated investments were valued at fair value using the most up to date information available. The values of such investments may change, primarily as the result of finalization of non-marketable investment valuations using information as of September 29, 2006;

Deferred mutual fund commissions were valued using third party bids and may change depending upon the update of assumptions used in the bids to reflect information as of September 29, 2006;

Intangible management contracts were valued using June 30, 2006 AUM and assumptions. The value of such contracts may change, primarily as the result of updating AUM and other assumptions as of September 29, 2006;

Accounts receivable, property and equipment, deferred taxes, other assets, accounts payable and accrued liabilities have been stated at preliminary estimates of fair value. These fair values are subject to adjustment based upon further management receipt of additional information as of September 29, 2006;

The amount payable to Merrill Lynch of $141,922 is the result of excess tangible equity over the amount required by the Transaction Agreement. This amount is subject to adjustment and may be affected by changes in the valuation of investments and certain other adjustments; and

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed and is subject to adjustment as the fair value of those assets and liabilities is adjusted.

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not purport to be indicative of actual financial position or results of BlackRock’s operations had the MLIM Transaction actually been consummated at the beginning of each period presented. Certain one-time charges have been eliminated. The pro forma adjustments reflecting the allocation of the purchase price of MLIM and the effect thereof on pro forma adjustments to the unaudited pro forma condensed financial information below are based on preliminary estimates and are subject to adjustment. The pro forma combined provision for income taxes may not represent the amount that would have resulted had BlackRock and MLIM filed consolidated income tax returns during the year presented. Management expects to realize net operating synergies from this transaction. The pro forma condensed combined financial information does not reflect the potential impact of these synergies.

   

Three months ended

September 30,

  

Nine months ended

September 30,

(in millions)

 

  2006  2005  2006  2005

Total revenue

  $902  $722  $2,740  $2,017

Operating income

  $315  $262  $883  $494

Net income

  $198  $192  $582  $364

Earnings per share:

        

Basic

  $1.53  $1.49  $4.50  $2.82

Diluted

  $1.49  $1.46  $4.41  $2.76

BlackRock results contained $71 million and $91 million of MLIM integration costs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively. For purposes of the pro forma financial information above, these costs have been removed. In addition, in the first quarter of 2006, as a result of a Merrill Lynch policy modification, MLIM recorded an adjustment to earnings reflecting $109 million of accelerated vesting of certain stock awards. This adjustment has been reversed in the pro forma financial information above since management believes that this expense would be non-recurring.

- 13 -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

2.Mergers and Acquisitions

Nomura-BlackRock Asset Management

On September 29, 2006, BlackRock acquired the 90% equity ownership stake in Nomura BlackRock Asset Management (“NBAM”) that was held by its joint venture partner, Nomura Asset Managers for a purchase price of five billion Japanese yen (approximately $42,408), subject to certain adjustment provisions. Prior to the NBAM transaction, NBAM was consolidated in the Company’s financial statements under FIN No. 46R,Variable Interest Entities, as a result of the preferential payments received by a BlackRock subsidiary which resulted in BlackRock being considered the primary beneficiary of NBAM.

The Company accounted for its acquisition of 90% of NBAM using step acquisition accounting in accordance with SFAS No. 141, resulting in a partial step up in basis of the assets of NBAM to fair value. As a result of the acquisition, the Company recorded finite-life intangible assets of $13,150 with an amortizable life of 10 years and goodwill of approximately $28,414. The value of the intangible assets and goodwill recorded as a result of the NBAM acquisition may change, primarily as the result of updating AUM and other assumptions as of September 29, 2006.

3.Investments

As of September 30, 2006At March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2005,2006, BlackRock had total investments of $1,616,211$2,194,863 and $298,668,$2,097,574, respectively. Of the total investments as of September 30, 2006, $161,719at March 31, 2007, $160,758 were classified as available-for-sale investments, $233,276$453,614 were classified as trading investments and $1,221,216$1,580,491 were classified as other investments, which include equity and cost method investments.investments and certain consolidated private equity and other alternative funds.

A summary of the cost and carrying value of investments classified as available-for-sale is as follows:

 

September 30, 2006

  

Cost

  Gross Unrealized 

Carrying

Value

  Gains  Losses 
     Gross Unrealized 

Carrying

Value

March 31, 2007

  Cost  Gains  Losses 

Available-for-sale investments:

       

Commingled investments

  $120,495  $9,697  ($393) $129,799

Collateralized debt obligations

   26,281   1,858   —     28,139

Other

   2,812   8   —     2,820
            

Total available-for-sale investments

  $149,588  $11,563  ($393) $160,758
            

December 31, 2006

           

Available-for-sale investments:

              

Commingled investments

  $121,466  $91  $(81) $121,476  $118,147  $8,085  ($583) $125,649

Collateralized debt obligations

   31,493   1,258   —     32,751   27,496   1,866   —     29,362

Other

   7,156   336   —     7,492   3,312   119   —     3,431
                        

Total available-for-sale investments

  $160,115  $1,685  $(81) $161,719  $148,955  $10,070  ($583) $158,442
                        
         

December 31, 2005

           

Available-for-sale investments

       

Collateralized debt obligations

  $25,750  $773  $(806) $25,717

Commingled investments

   4,442   20   (153)  4,309
            

Total available-for-sale investments

  $30,192  $793  $(959) $30,026
            

Available-for-sale investments acquiredThe Company has reviewed the gross unrealized losses of $393 at March 31, 2007, all of which had been in a loss position for less than 12 months, and determined that these losses were not other than temporary primarily because the MLIM Transaction included $116,755Company has the ability and intent to hold the securities for a period of commingled investments, $9,536time sufficient to recover such losses. As a result, the Company recorded no impairments on such securities.

During the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded impairments of $393 and $998, respectively, on certain collateralized debt obligationobligations (“CDO”CDOs”) investments and $4,979 of other investments, which amounts reflect the cost value and the carrying value as of September 30, 2006..

 

- 148 -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

 

3.2.Investments (continued)

At September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the Company’s available-for-sale investments had an aggregate cost basis of $160,115 and $30,192 and an aggregate fair value of $161,719 and $30,026, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company recorded impairments of $145 and $2,211, respectively, to certain CDO investments.

A summary of the cost and carrying value of trading and other investments is as follows:

 

September 30, 2006

  Cost  

Carrying

Value

Trading investments:

    

Equity securities

  $115,317  $119,500

Commingled investments

   66,452   69,271

Municipal debt securities

   26,367   26,368

Corporate notes and bonds

   12,538   12,427

Mortgage-backed securities and other

   5,863   5,710
        

Total trading investments

   226,537   233,276
        

Other investments:

    

Other fund investments

   1,188,772   1,203,398

Deferred compensation plan assets

   14,074   17,818
        

Total other investments

   1,202,846   1,221,216
        

Total trading and other investments

  $1,429,383  $1,454,492
        

December 31, 2005

      

Trading investments:

    

Commingled investments

  $19,699  $22,319

Equity securities

   15,964   18,425

Mortgage-backed securities

   13,345   13,069

Corporate notes and bonds

   8,146   7,946

Municipal debt securities

   119   123
        

Total trading investments

   57,273   61,882
        

Other investments:

    

Other fund investments

   167,593   181,292

Deferred compensation plan assets

   20,976   24,495

Other

   193   973
        

Total other investments

   188,762   206,760
        

Total trading and other investments

  $246,035  $268,642
        

Trading investments acquired in the MLIM Transaction included $89,103 of equity securities, $47,352 of commingled investments and $24,681 of municipal debt securities. Other investments acquired in the MLIM Transaction included $964,071 of other fund investments consisting primarily of interests in private equity funds sponsored by the Company.

March 31, 2007

  Cost  Carrying
Value

Trading investments:

    

Equity securities

  $80,974  $95,579

Commingled investments

   140,159   151,114

Municipal debt securities

   183,850   185,910

U.S. government securities

   7,624   7,529

Mortgage-backed securities

   6,883   6,797

Corporate debt

   1,489   1,470

Other debt securities

   5,281   5,215
        

Total trading investments

   426,260   453,614

Other investments:

    

Other fund investments

   1,531,883   1,558,777

Deferred compensation plan assets

   17,040   21,714
        

Total other investments

   1,548,923   1,580,491
        

Total trading and other investments

  $1,975,183  $2,034,105
        

December 31, 2006

      

Trading investments:

    

Equity securities

  $139,874  $155,930

Municipal debt securities

   154,015   154,510

Commingled investments

   137,505   148,387

Corporate notes and bonds

   13,779   13,656
        

Total trading investments

   445,173   472,483
        

Other investments:

    

Other fund investments

   1,428,617   1,448,503

Deferred compensation plan assets

   14,074   18,146
        

Total other investments

   1,442,691   1,466,649
        

Total trading and other investments

  $1,887,864  $1,939,132
        
         

 

- 159 -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

 

3.2.Investments (continued)

Included in other investments at March 31, 2007 is $101,069$32,399 of investments accounted for using the cost method. FSPFASB Statement of Position FAS 115-1/124-1 requires that a company review cost method investments for other-than-temporary impairment whenever management estimates a fair value for such investments or when events or changes in circumstances have occurred that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment. At September 30, 2006,March 31, 2007, management reviewed $46,889 inthe carrying value of otherthese investments and estimated antheir aggregate fair value of $50,788 and foundto be $35,138. As such, no impairments to exist.

In addition, $54,180 in cost basis investments were not reviewed for other-than-temporary impairment because management’s review concluded that no events had occurred that indicated a potentially significant adverse impact on the fair value of the investment.was recorded.

The carrying value of investments in debt securities by contractual maturity at September 30,March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 is as follows:

 

Maturity Date

  Carrying Value

Less than 5 years

  $9,571

5-10 years

   5,099

Greater than 10 years

   29,835
    

Total

  $44,505
    
    Carrying Value

Maturity date

  March 31, 2007  December 31, 2006

<1 year

  $3,561  $776

1-5 years

   17,607   7,989

5-10 years

   59,107   2,772

After 10 years

   126,646   156,629
        

Total

  $206,921  $168,166
        
         

In connection with the MLIM Transaction, theThe Company acquired a fund investingconsolidates certain investments, primarily in municipal debt securities, whichbecause it is consolidated in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements at September 30, 2006. The fair value of these debt securities at September 30, 2006, was $24,681 and the securities, mature as follows: $529 in less than 5 years, $331 in 5-10 years and $23,821 in greater than 10 years.

4.Goodwill

In connection with the MLIM Transaction on September 29, 2006 (see Note 2), the Company estimated the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumeddeemed to control such investments in accordance with SFAS No. 141,Business Combinations. The excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired, amounting to $3,266,702, was recorded as goodwill.

In connection with the NBAM transaction on September 29, 2006 (see further discussion in Note 2), the Company estimated the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in accordance with SFAS No. 141. The excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in the transaction, amounting to $28,414, was recorded as goodwill.

As a part of the SSRM Holdings Inc. (“SSRM”) transaction in January 2005, the Company acquired BlackRock Realty Advisors, Inc. (formerly SSR Realty Inc., or “Realty”), which has a management agreement with MetLife whereby Realty acted as sub-advisor of Tower Fund (“Tower”), an open-ended commingled insurance company real estate separate account sponsored and managed by MetLife. On September 30, 2006, the Company completed a transfer of the assets, liabilities and investors of Tower to a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) structured, sponsored and managed by MetLife, whereby BlackRock can manage the fund directly. In order to effectuate the transfer, Realty incurred $10,225 in transfer taxes, legal costs and other costs, which were capitalized as part of the purchase price upon completing the conversion.

- 16 -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

5.Intangible Assets

Intangible assets at September 30, 2006GAAP. At March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2005 consist of the following:

      September 30, 2006
   

Weighted-Average
Estimated

Useful Life

  Gross Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization
  Net Carrying
Amount

Indefinite-life intangible assets:

        

Acquired management contracts:

        

Institutional and retail

  N/A  $4,498,200  $—    $4,498,200

Mutual funds and private investment funds

  N/A   234,332   —     234,332
              

Total indefinite-life intangible assets

     4,732,532   —     4,732,532
              

Finite-life intangible assets:

        

Acquired management contracts:

        

Client relationships

  10.1   1,090,450   365   1,090,085

Institutional separate accounts and other

  10.5   76,663   17,313   59,350
               

Total finite-life intangible assets

  10.2   1,167,113   17,678   1,149,435
              

Total intangible assets

    $5,899,645  $17,678  $5,881,967
              
      December 31, 2005
   

Weighted-Average
Estimated

Useful Life

  Gross Carrying
Amount
  Accumulated
Amortization
  Net Carrying
Amount

Indefinite-life intangible assets:

        

Acquired management contracts:

        

Mutual funds and private investment funds

  N/A  $234,152  $—    $234,152
              

Total indefinite-life intangible assets

     234,152   —     234,152
              

Finite-life intangible assets:

        

Acquired management contracts:

        

Institutional separate accounts and other

  10.5   71,240   11,224   60,016
               

Total finite-life intangible assets

  10.5   71,240   11,224   60,016
              

Total intangible assets

    $305,392  $11,224  $294,168
              

N/A – Not applicable

Finite-Life Acquired Management Contracts

On September 29, 2006, in conjunction with the MLIM Transaction, the Company acquired finite-life management contracts valued at $1,082,720, consisting primarily of $352,100 of domestic retail and private investor accounts, $331,200 of institutional equity accounts, $297,900 of domestic non-proprietary accounts, $97,120 of other institutional accounts and $4,400 in trade name intangibles. The weighted-average useful life of these finite-life management contracts is approximately 10.2 years.

On September 29, 2006, in conjunction with the NBAM transaction, the Company acquired $13,150 of finite-life management contracts, consisting primarily of private client fixed income accounts. The weighted-average useful life of these finite-life management contracts is approximately 10 years.

Future expected amortization expense for intangible assets for each of the five succeeding years is as follows:

2006

  $29,493

2007

  $117,971

2008

  $117,421

2009

  $115,771

2010

  $114,700

- 17 -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

5.Intangible Assets (continued)

Indefinite-Life Acquired Management Contracts

On September 29, 2006, in conjunction with the MLIM Transaction, the Company acquired indefinite-life management contracts valued at $4,498,220, consisting primarily of $2,979,300 of retail and private accounts balanced and equity funds, $733,600 of fixed income funds, $390,000 of alternative funds and $395,300 of liquidity and other funds.

6.Consolidated Entities

Variable Interest Entities

The Company is involved with various entities in the normal course of business that are considered to be variable interest entities (“VIEs”) and holds interests therein, including investment advisory agreements and equity securities, which are considered variable interests. The Company engages in these transactions principally to address client needs through the launch of CDOs and private investment funds. At September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the aggregate assets, debt and BlackRock’s maximum risk of loss in VIEs in which BlackRock is not the primary beneficiary were as follows:

September 30, 2006

  Assets  Debt  BlackRock’s
Maximum Risk
of Loss

Collateralized debt obligations

  $9,773,647  $9,316,101  $49,417

Private investment funds

   7,044,374   547,634   13,914
            

Total

  $16,818,021  $9,863,735  $63,331
            

December 31, 2005

         

Collateralized debt obligations

  $6,289,500  $5,491,200  $42,383

Private investment funds

   5,185,500   1,051,400   18,944
            

Total

  $11,475,000  $6,542,600  $61,327
            

Other Consolidated Entities

In accordance with various accounting guidance, the Company consolidated certain investments acquired in connection with the MLIM Transaction. At September 30, 2006, the following balances related to these entities were consolidated in the condensed consolidated statementstatements of financial position:

 

September 30, 2006

    
  March 31, 2007 December 31, 2006 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $22,868   $98,671  $90,919 

Investments

   1,045,092    1,546,533   1,515,754 

Other liabilities, net

   (6,320)

Minority Interest

   (854,325)

Other net liabilities

   (189,189)  (127,266)

Non-controlling interest

   (1,084,479)  (1,109,092)
       
    

Total consolidated net assets

  $207,315   $371,536  $370,315 
           
   

Total consolidated net assets of $207,315 represents$371,536 and $370,315 at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively, represent the fair value of the Company’s ownership interest in these funds.investments. Valuation changes associated with these investments are reflected in non-operating income and minority interestnon-controlling interest. Other net liabilities includes $180,811 and $95,815 of debt held by consolidated investments at March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively, which are included in other liabilities on the statements of financial condition.

The Company may resultnot be able to access cash and cash equivalents held by consolidated investments to use in volatilityits operating activities. In addition, the Company may not be readily able to sell investments held by consolidated investments in the Company’s net income.order to obtain cash for use in its operations.

 

- 1810 -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

 

7.3.PropertyDerivatives and EquipmentHedging

PropertyFrom time to time, the Company may consolidate a sponsored investment product that holds freestanding derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. The Company recognizes derivative instruments at fair value and equipment asrecords the changes in fair value in non-operating income on the condensed consolidated statements of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 consists ofincome. BlackRock may also enter into derivative financial instruments to economically hedge market price exposures with respect to seed investments in sponsored products or to hedge foreign currency exchange risk. For the following:

   

Estimated useful

life-in years

  

September 30,

2006

  

December 31,

2005

Property and equipment, net:

      

Land

  N/A  $4,320  $3,564

Building

  39   16,972   16,972

Building improvements

  15   11,960   10,861

Leasehold improvements

  1-13   94,843   71,654

Equipment and computer software

  3-5   159,799   122,759

Furniture and fixtures

  7   47,203   27,071

Construction in progress

  N/A   2,747   294
          

Gross property and equipment

     337,844   253,175

Less: accumulated depreciation

     144,092   123,724
          

Property and equipment, net

    $193,752  $129,451
          

N/A - Not applicable

Fixed assets acquired in connection with the MLIM Transaction included $756 of land, $17,922 of leasehold improvements, $4,745 of equipment and computer software, $16,540 of furniture and fixtures and $175 of construction in progress.

Depreciation expense was $22,852 and $16,937 for the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2007 and 2006, and 2005, respectively.

8.Derivatives

In connection with the MLIM Transaction, the Company acquired one consolidated fund which uses interest ratedid not hold any derivatives designated in a formal hedge relationship under SFAS No. 133,Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

During first quarter 2007, the Company entered into a series of total return swaps to economically hedge against changes in its portfolio. As of September 30, 2006, the fair value of interest rateits investments in certain sponsored investment products. At March 31, 2007, the outstanding total return swaps consolidated on BlackRock’s condensed consolidated statement of financial condition was a liability of $1,602 and had an aggregate notional value of $62,100,approximately $65,000 and resulted in a net loss of approximately $292 for the three months ended March 31, 2007.

During first quarter 2007, the Company also entered into a forward contract to sell 1.2 billion yen in August 2007 as a hedge against the foreign exchange risk associated with expiration datesa consolidated sponsored investment product in Japan. The change in value in the forward contract is expected to offset the change in the value associated with foreign exchange, related to the Company’s investment in the sponsored investment fund. For the three months ended March 31, 2007, the change in fair value of the forward contract was immaterial to the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of income.

4.Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,

   2007  2006

Net income

  $195,388  $70,862
        

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding

   128,809,726   64,074,888

Dilutive potential shares from stock options and restricted stock units

   2,565,696   2,230,015

Dilutive potential shares from convertible debt

   520,148   426,657
        

Dilutive weighted-average shares outstanding

   131,895,570   66,731,560
        

Basic earnings per share

  $1.52  $1.11
        

Diluted earnings per share

  $1.48  $1.06
         

Due to the similarities in terms between 2015BlackRock series A non-voting participating preferred stock and 2018.the Company’s common stock, the Company considers the series A non-voting participating preferred stock to be common stock for purposes of earnings per share calculations. As such, the Company has included the outstanding series A non-voting participating preferred stock in the calculation of average basic shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2007.

 

- 1911 -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

 

9.5.Commitments and ContingenciesStock-Based Compensation

Lease CommitmentsBlackRock, Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”)

The BlackRock, Inc. 2002 Long-Term Retention and Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) permitted the grant of up to $240,000 in deferred compensation awards (the “LTIP Awards”), of which the Company leases its primary office spacepreviously granted approximately $230,300. Approximately $210,000 of the LTIP awards were paid in January 2007. The awards were payable approximately 16.7% in cash and certain office equipment under agreementsthe remainder in BlackRock stock contributed by PNC and distributed to LTIP participants. Under a related share surrender agreement, PNC committed to provide up to 4,000,000 shares of BlackRock common stock to fund compensation programs. The payment of the January 2007 LTIP awards resulted in the surrender by PNC of approximately 1,000,000 shares of BlackRock common stock. The remaining approximately 3,000,000 shares which expire through 2018. Future minimum commitments under these operating leases, net of subleases,were committed and are as follows:

2006

  $11,772

2007

   46,680

2008

   46,431

2009

   46,694

2010

   45,876

Thereafter

   185,395
    

Total

  $382,848
    

In connectionavailable to support future long-term retention and incentive programs but are not subject to surrender by PNC until the programs are approved by the Management Development and Compensation Committee and awards are made in accordance with the MLIM Transaction,share surrender agreement. The Company granted additional long-term incentive awards in January 2007 which included 1,540,050 restricted stock units that are intended to be settled using these shares.

Under the terms of the LTIP, employees elected to put approximately 95% of the stock portion of the awards back to the Company renegotiated MLIM’s existing lease agreements or entered into sublease arrangements with Merrill Lynch effective September 29, 2006. The lease obligations included inat a total fair market value of approximately $165,700. On the table above related to MLIM properties are as follows:

2006

  $4,719

2007

   19,115

2008

   18,253

2009

   18,557

2010

   17,443

Thereafter

   16,678
    

Total

  $94,765
    

Rent expense amounted to $20,682 and $16,086payment date, the Company recorded a capital contribution from PNC for the nineamount of shares funded by PNC. For the shares not put back to the Company, no dilution resulted from the delivery of stock pursuant to the awards since they were funded by shares held by PNC and were issued and outstanding at December 31, 2006. Put elections made by employees were accounted for as treasury stock repurchases and are accretive to the Company’s earnings per share. The shares repurchased have been retained as treasury stock.

Share-Based Payment

The Company adopted SFAS No. 123R,Share-Based Payment, on January 1, 2006, using the modified-prospective transition approach, with no cumulative effect on net income. The total stock-based compensation expense before taxes associated with stock-based employee compensation plans was $40,252 and $11,213 for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2007 and 2006, and September 30, 2005, respectively.

Investment Commitments

The Company has certain investment commitments relating primarily to private equity funds. Dates shown below represent the expiration dates of the commitments. Amounts to be funded generally are callable at any point prior to the expiration of the commitment. The Company has the following unfunded investment commitments as of September 30, 2006:

2006

  $12,772

2007

   11,350

2008

   10,795

2009

   —  

2010

   25,744

Thereafter

   125,968
    

Total

  $186,629
    

 

- 2012 -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

 

5.Stock-Based Compensation (continued)

Stock Options

Options outstanding as of March 31, 2007 and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2007 were as follows:

Outstanding at

  

Shares

Under

Option

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

  

Aggregate

Intrinsic

Value

December 31, 2006

  4,457,669  $36.90  $512,624

Granted

  1,545,735  $167.76   —  

Exercised

  (860,084) $37.42  $102,255
       

March 31, 2007

  5,143,320  $76.14  $430,030
       
            

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the first quarter of fiscal 2007 of $159.75 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that all option holders would have received had they exercised their options on March 31, 2007. This amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company’s stock. Total intrinsic value of options exercised for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 was $102,255 and $5,769, respectively.

As of March 31, 2007, the Company had 3,597,585 shares under option which were exercisable.

On January 31, 2007, the Company awarded options to purchase 1,545,735 shares of BlackRock common stock to certain executives as long-term incentive compensation. The options vest on September 29, 2011, provided that the Company has actual GAAP earnings per share of at least $5.20 in 2009, $5.52 in 2010 or $5.85 in 2011. An alternative performance hurdle provides for vesting of the awards based on specific targets for the Company’s earnings growth performance to peers over the term of the awards. The options have a strike price of $167.76, which was based upon the closing price of the shares on the grant date. Fair value, as calculated in accordance with a modified Black-Scholes model, was approximately $45.88 per option. The fair value of the options is being amortized over the vesting period as the performance hurdles were deemed to be probable of occurring.

Assumptions used in the calculation of grant-date fair value for the stock options issued in January 2007 were as follows:

Exercise Price

$167.76

Expected Term (years)

7.335

Expected Volatility

24.5%

Dividend Yield

1.0%-4.44%

Risk Free Interest Rate

4.8%

- 13 -


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

5.Stock-Based Compensation (continued)

Stock Options (continued)

The Company’s expected option term was derived using the mathematical average between the earliest vesting date and the option expiration date in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107. The Company’s expected stock volatility assumption was based upon historical stock price fluctuations of BlackRock’s common stock. The dividend yield assumption was derived using estimated dividends over the expected term and the stock price at date of grant. The risk free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield at date of grant.

Restricted Stock and Stock Units

Unvested restricted stock and stock unit awards at March 31, 2007 and changes during the three months then ended were as follows:

Outstanding at

  

Unvested

Restricted

Stock and

Units

  

Weighted

Average

Grant Date

Fair Value

December 31, 2006

  1,516,063  $133.44

Granted

  2,447,418  $168.48

Vested

  (105,036) $126.50
     

March 31, 2007

  3,858,445  $155.84
     
        

On January 25, 2007, the Company issued 901,609 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to employees in conjunction with their annual service awards. The RSU awards vest 33.3% per year through January 2010. The value of the RSUs was calculated using BlackRock’s closing stock price on the date of grant, or $169.70. The grant date fair value of the RSUs is being amortized into earnings on the straight-line method over the requisite service period, net of expected forfeitures, for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award was, in substance, multiple awards.

On January 31, 2007, the Company issued 1,540,050 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to employees as long-term incentive compensation. The RSU awards vest on September 29, 2011 provided that BlackRock has actual GAAP earnings per share of at least $5.20 in 2009, $5.52 in 2010 or $5.85 in 2011. An alternative performance hurdle provides for vesting of the awards based on specific targets for the Company’s earnings growth performance to peers over the term of the awards. The value of the RSUs was calculated using BlackRock’s closing stock price on the date of grant, or $167.76. The grant-date fair value of the RSUs is being amortized into earnings over the vesting period, net of expected forfeitures.

At March 31, 2007, there was $487,299 in unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to nonvested restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards. The Company expects to recognize that cost over a weighted-average period of 4.0 years.

- 14 -


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

6.Goodwill

During the three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company increased its deferred tax liabilities acquired in the MLIM transaction in the amount of $33,244 as the result of a $68,793 adjustment to the expected state tax rate applicable to such reserves, offset by $35,549 of additional federal income tax compensation deductions expected to be received in the future.

7.Borrowings

In December 2006, the Company entered into a revolving credit agreement with a syndicate of banking institutions with an initial borrowing capacity of $600,000 (the “Credit Agreement”). The term of the facility is five years and interest currently accrues at the applicable London Interbank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 0.20%. The Company pays a commitment fee of 0.04% per annum on the undrawn balance. Additionally, for each day that the total amount outstanding is greater than 50% of the total commitments by all lenders, the Company pays a utilization fee of 0.05% per annum on the total amount outstanding. Financial convenants in the Credit Agreement require BlackRock to maintain a maximum debt/EBITDA ratio of 3.0 and a minimum EBITDA/interest expense ratio of 4.0. As of March 31, 2007, the Company was in compliance with such covenants. The facility is intended to fund various investment opportunities as well as BlackRock’s near-term operating cash requirements.

In February 2007, the Company increased the maximum capacity of the facility to $800,000. The Credit Agreement allows BlackRock to request an additional $200,000 of borrowing capacity, subject to lender credit approval, up to a maximum of $1,000,000. At March 31, 2007, the Company had $550,000 outstanding on the facility. During April 2007, the Company repaid $80,000 on the facility and extended the remaining balance into May 2007.

8.Supplemental Statements of Cash Flow Information

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information is as follows:

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,

   2007  2006

Cash paid for interest

  $6,707  $3,281
        

Cash paid for income taxes

  $50,315  $29,305
        
         

- 15 -


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

8.Supplemental Statements of Cash Flow Information (continued)

Supplemental schedule of non-cash transactions is as follows:

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,

   2007  2006

Reissuance of treasury stock at a discount to its cost basis

  $63,953  $6,601

Decrease in investments due to deconsolidation of sponsored investment funds

  $225,600  $—  

Increase in investments due to consolidation of sponsored investment funds

  $146,953  $—  

Decrease in non-controlling interest due to deconsolidation of sponsored investment funds

  $248,389  $—  

Increase in non-controlling interest due to consolidation of sponsored investment funds

  $147,135  $—  

PNC LTIP capital contribution

  $173,497  $—  

Accrued fee-sharing payment

  $—    $50,000
         

9.Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

Investment Commitments

The Company assumed the obligation to fund in the future certain private equity funds acquired with the MLIM business. These funding commitments of $144,356 expire $12,772 in 2006, $10,795 in 2008, $15,489 in 2010 and $105,300 thereafter.

The Company has also committed to fund certain BlackRock funds, primarily alternative funds, a total of $42,273. These commitments expire $11,350 in 2007, $10,255 in 2010 and $20,668.

BlackRock is also obligated to maintain a specified ownership level in certain investment products, which may result in additional required contributions of capital. These amounts are inherently uncertain and have been excluded from the contractual obligations schedule above. In addition, as a general partner in certain private equity partnerships, the Company receives distributions from the partnerships according to the provisions of the partnership agreements. The Company may, from time to time, be required to return all or a portion of such distributions to the limited partners in the event the limited partners do not achieve a certain return as specified in the various partnership agreements.

In October 2006, the Company, along with other investors, committed capital to fund the purchase of a large apartment complex in New York City from MetLife. The Company’s maximum commitment is $125,000, which is expected to be funded in the fourth quarter of 2006. This commitment was excluded from the table above since it was made subsequent to September 30, 2006.

Legal Proceedings

BlackRock has received subpoenas from various U.S. federal and state governmental and regulatory authorities and various information requests from the SEC in connection with industry-wide investigations of U.S. mutual fund matters. BlackRock is continuing to cooperate fully in these matters. From time to time, BlackRock is subject to other regulatory inquiresinquiries and proceedings.

The Company, including a number of the legal entities acquired in the MLIM Transaction,transaction, has been named as a defendant in various legal actions, including arbitrations, class actions, and other litigation and regulatory proceedings arising in connection with BlackRock’s activities. Additionally, the investment funds that the Company manages are subject to lawsuits, any of which could harm the investment returns of the applicable fund or result in managers being liable to the funds for any resulting damages. While Merrill Lynch has agreed to indemnify the Company for certain of the pre-closing liabilities related to legal and regulatory proceedings acquired in the MLIM Transaction,transaction, entities that BlackRock now owns may be named as defendants in these matters and the Company’s reputation may be negatively impacted.

Management, after consultation with legal counsel, does not currently anticipate that the aggregate liability, if any, arising out of such regulatory matters or lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on BlackRock’s financial position, although at the present time, management is not in a position to determine whether any such pending or threatened matters will have a material adverse effect on BlackRock’s results of operations and cash flows in any future reporting period.

Long-Term Retention and Incentive Plan

Under the BlackRock, Inc. Long-Term Retention and Incentive Plan (“LTIP”), grants of up to $240,000 in deferred compensation (the “LTIP Awards”) were authorized in 2002, payable in cash and BlackRock common stock. As of September 30, 2006, approximately $173,490 in common stock and $34,706 in cash will vest in the first quarter of 2007. Shares distributed to LTIP participants upon vesting of the awards in the first quarter of 2007 include an option to put such distributed Shares back to BlackRock at fair market value. The put option was provided to LTIP participants for liquidity purposes due to the Company’s small public float. The Company currently cannot estimate the number of participants that will exercise this put option upon vesting of LTIP awards in 2007.

 

- 2116 -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

 

10.9.Earnings Per ShareCommitments and Contingencies (continued)

Indemnifications

In the ordinary course of business, BlackRock enters into contracts with third parties pursuant to which the third parties provide services on behalf of BlackRock. In many of the contracts, BlackRock agrees to indemnify the third party service provider under certain circumstances. The following table sets forthterms of the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

   Three months ended
September 30,
  Nine months ended
September 30,
   2006  2005  2006  2005

Net income

  $18,914  $61,119  $153,179  $160,990
                

Basic weighted-average shares outstanding

   64,761,447   64,087,871   64,326,752   64,243,408

Dilutive potential shares from stock options and restricted stock units

   2,208,829   2,626,926   2,074,384   2,566,298

Dilutive potential shares from convertible debt

   507,260   —     502,417   —  
                

Dilutive weighted-average shares outstanding

   67,477,536   66,714,797   66,903,553   66,809,706
                

Basic earnings per share

  $0.29  $0.95  $2.38  $2.51
                

Diluted earnings per share

  $0.28  $0.92  $2.29  $2.41
                

Dueindemnity vary from contract to the similarities in terms between BlackRock series A participating preferred stockcontract and the Company’s common stock,amount of indemnification liability, if any, cannot be determined.

Under the Company considersTransaction Agreement in the series A participating preferred stock to be a common stock equivalent for purposes of earnings per share calculations. As such,MLIM transaction, the Company has agreed to indemnify Merrill Lynch for losses it may incur arising from (1) inaccuracy in or breach of representations or warranties related to the Company’s SEC reports, absence of undisclosed liabilities, litigation and compliance with laws and government regulations, without giving effect to any materiality or material adverse effect qualifiers, (2) any alleged or actual breach, failure to comply, violation or other deficiency with respect to any regulatory or fiduciary requirements relating to the operation of BlackRock’s business, (3) any fees or expenses incurred or owed by BlackRock to any brokers, financial advisors or comparable other person retained or employed by BlackRock in connection with the transactions, and (4) certain specified tax covenants.

Merrill Lynch is not entitled to indemnification for any losses arising from the circumstances and events described in (1) above until the aggregate losses (other than individual losses less than $100) of Merrill Lynch exceed $100,000. In the event that such losses exceed $100,000, Merrill Lynch is entitled to be indemnified only for such losses (other than individual losses less than $100) in excess of $100,000. Merrill Lynch is not entitled to indemnification payments pursuant to (1) above in excess of $1,600,000 or for claims made more than 18 months from the closing of the MLIM Transaction. These limitations do not apply to losses arising from the circumstances and events described in (2), (3) and (4) above, which survive indefinitely.

Management believes that the likelihood of any liability arising under these indemnification provisions to be remote and, as such, no liability has been recorded on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Management cannot estimate any potential maximum exposure due both to the remoteness of any potential claims and the fact that items that would be included within any such calculated claim would be beyond the outstanding series A participating preferred stock in the calculationcontrol of average basic shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006.BlackRock.

 

11.10.Other Comprehensive IncomeSubsequent Events

In April 2007, the Company purchased from a subsidiary of PNC rights to receive certain cash flows from sponsored mutual funds without a front-end sales charge (“back-end load shares”). The fair value of these assets will be capitalized and subsequently amortized over periods between one and seven years. The Company also acquired the rights to related distribution and service fees from certain funds and contingent deferred sales commissions (“CDSCs”) upon shareholder redemption of certain back-end load shares. The purchase price of such rights was $33,996.

   

Three months ended

September 30,

  

Nine months ended

September 30,

 
   2006  2005  2006  2005 

Net income

  $18,914  $61,119  $153,179  $160,990 

Unrealized gain (loss) from investments, net of tax

   456   265   507   (697)

Foreign currency gain (loss), net of tax

   467   (456)  3,793   (3,068)

Minimum pension liability adjustment

   379   —     379   —   
                 

Comprehensive income

  $20,216  $60,928  $157,858  $157,225 
                 

In April 2007, the State of New York enacted income tax law changes which will impact BlackRock’s income tax expense. The Company is in the process of determining the impact of such changes, which could be material.

 

- 2217 -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

12.Related Party Transactions

Included in accounts receivable is approximately $21,562 and $29,155 at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively, receivable from affiliates, primarily representing investment advisory and administration services provided to PNC and MetLife and their affiliates.

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities payable to affiliates were $278,189 and $11,893 at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively. At September 30, 2006, these amounts primarily consisted of a payable to Merrill Lynch totaling $141,922 assumed in connection with the MLIM Transaction (see Note 2), $107,158 in other payables to Merrill Lynch affiliates, $25,433 payable to MetLife relating to the SSRM acquisition in January 2005 and $2,730 due to PNC-related entities primarily for fund administration and servicing costs. At December 31, 2005, these amounts included income taxes payable and accrued fund administration and servicing costs payable to PNC. These accounts payable to related parties do not bear interest.

In connection with the MLIM Transaction on September 29, 2006, the Company entered into various transition service agreements with Merrill Lynch primarily to allow BlackRock to transition the MLIM business to BlackRock’s systems. Such services are generally priced at historical rates for such services.

In November 2006, the Company repaid $100,000 of the $141,922 payable to Merrill Lynch assumed in the MLIM Transaction (see Note 2).

13.Supplemental Statements of Cash Flow Information

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

   Nine months ended
September 30,
   2006  2005

Cash paid for interest

  $6,876  $3,936
        

Cash paid for income taxes

  $127,364  $103,282
        

- 23 -


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1. Financial Statements (continued)

13.Supplemental Statements of Cash Flow Information (Continued)

Supplemental schedule of non-cash transactions:

   

Nine months ended

September 30,

 
   2006  2005 

Stock issued in MLIM Transaction

  $9,577,100  $—   

Reissuance of treasury stock, class A, at a discount to its cost basis

  $13,278  $27,741 

Mark-to-market on available-for-sale securities

  $507  $(697)

Dividend reinvestment

  $492  $320 

Decrease in investment due to deconsolidation of sponsored investment funds

  $7,638  $13,758 

Decrease in minority interest due to deconsolidation of sponsored investment fund

  $8,881  $18,170 

Short-term borrowings assumed in SSRM transaction

  $—    $111,840 

Stock issued in SSRM transaction

  $—    $37,212 

Convertible debt issuance costs

  $—    $5,000 

14.Net Capital Requirements

Certain of BlackRock’s subsidiaries are subject to regulatory minimum net capital requirements. At September 30, 2006, the Company was required to maintain approximately $365,000 in net capital at these subsidiaries. The Company is currently in compliance with all regulatory minimum net capital requirements as of September 30, 2006.

As registered broker-dealers, two subsidiaries of BlackRock are subject to the Uniform Net Capital requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which requires maintenance of certain minimum net capital levels. At September 30, 2006, the aggregate net capital requirement was $714. Both subsidiaries were in compliance with such requirements at September 30, 2006 and these subsidiaries’ aggregate capital was in excess of regulatory requirements by $35,969.

15.Subsequent Event

In October 2006, the management development and compensation committee of the Board of Directors approved the issuance of approximately $147,000 of incentive stock awards. The awards were granted to former MLIM employees in October and were converted, pursuant to the terms of the grants, to approximately 1.0 million shares of common stock in November 2006 at an average stock price of $145.37. The awards vest in September 2011 and will be expensed over the five year service period on a straight-line basis.

In connection with the MLIM Transaction, BlackRock amended and restated its employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”). The amended and restated plan allows eligible employees to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at 95% of the fair market value on the last day of each quarter. Eligible employees may not purchase more than $25,000 of common stock in any calendar year. In accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), the Company will no longer record compensation expense in relation to the discount on the amended and restated ESPP plan.

- 24 -


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-LookingForward-looking Statements

This report, 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. 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” or similar expressions.

BlackRock cautions that forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. 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.

In addition to factors previously disclosed in BlackRock’s SEC reports and those identified elsewhere in this report including the Risk Factors section of Part II of this report, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: (1) the introduction, withdrawal, success and timing of business initiatives and strategies; (2) changes in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment 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, including its separately managed accounts and the investments of the former Merrill Lynch Investment Managers (MLIM) business;MLIM business: (4) the impact of increased competition; (5) the impact of capital improvement projects; (6) the impact of future acquisitions or divestitures; (7) the unfavorable resolution of legal proceedings; (8) the extent and timing of any share repurchases; (9) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes and the adequacy of intellectual property protection; (10) the impact of legislative and regulatory actions and reforms and regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions of government agencies relating to BlackRock, Merrill Lynch or PNC; (11) terrorist activities and international hostilities, which may adversely affect the general economy, domestic and local financial and capital markets, specific industries, and BlackRock; (12) the ability to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (13) fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, which may adversely affect the value of advisory fees earned by BlackRock and certain investments denominated in foreign currencies; (14) the impact of changes to tax legislation and, generally, the tax position of the Company; (15) BlackRock’s ability to successfully integrate the MLIM business with its existing business; (16) the ability of BlackRock to effectively manage the former MLIM assets along with its historical assets under management; and (17) BlackRock’s success in maintaining the distribution of its products.

 

- 2518 -


PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

BlackRock, Inc. (“BlackRock” or the “Company”) is one of the largest publicly traded investment management firms in the United States with $1.075$1.154 trillion of AUMassets under management (“AUM”) at September 30, 2006.March 31, 2007. BlackRock manages assets on behalf of institutional and individual investors worldwide through a variety of fixed income, cash management, equity and alternative investment separate accounts and mutual funds. In addition, BlackRock provides risk management, investment system outsourcing and financial advisory services to institutional investors. On September 29, 2006, BlackRock and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (“Merrill Lynch”) closed the MLIM Transactiona transaction pursuant to which Merrill Lynch contributed its investment management business, MLIM,Merrill Lynch Investment Managers (“MLIM”), to BlackRock in exchange for an aggregate of 65 million shares of newly issued BlackRock common and non-voting participating preferred stock.stock (the “MLIM Transaction”). Immediately following the closing, Merrill Lynch owned 45% of the voting common stock and approximately 49.3% of the total capital stock on a fully diluted basis of the combined company and The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”) owned approximately 34% of the combined company (as compared with 69% immediately prior to the closing).

The following table summarizes BlackRock’s operating performance for each of the three months ended September 30, 2006, June 30,March 31, 2007 and 2006 and September 30, 2005 and the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and September 30, 2005:December 31, 2006. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to 2007 presentation:

BlackRock, Inc.

Financial Highlights

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except share data)

(unaudited)

 

   Three months ended  Variance vs. 
   September 30,  June 30,  September 30, 2005  June 30, 2006 
   2006  2005  2006  Amount  %  Amount  % 

Total revenue

  $323,058  $300,807  $360,733  $22,251  7.4% $(37,675) (10.4)%

Total expense

  $294,050  $221,138  $264,050  $72,912  33.0% $30,000  11.4%

Operating income(a)

  $29,008  $79,669  $96,683  $(50,661) (63.6)% $(67,595) (70.0)%

Operating margin(a)

   9.0%  26.5%  26.8%    

Net income(b)

  $18,914  $61,119  $63,404  $(42,205) (69.1%) $(44,490) (70.2)%

Diluted earnings per share(b)

  $0.28  $0.92  $0.95  $(0.64) (70.0)% $(0.67) (70.5)%

Average diluted shares outstanding

   67,477,536   66,714,797   66,653,479   762,739  1.1%  824,057  1.2%

Assets under management ($ in millions)

  $1,075,016  $427,837  $464,070  $647,179  151.3% $610,946  131.6 

  Three months ended  Variance vs.
  Nine months ended
September 30,
 Variance   March 31,  December 31,  March 31, 2006  December 31, 2006
  2006 2005 Amount %   2007  2006  2006  Amount  %  Amount  %

Total revenue

  $1,079,451  $822,278  $257,173  31.3%  $1,005,374  $395,660  $1,018,525  $609,714  154.1%  $(13,151)  (1.3)%

Total expense

  $853,734  $594,133  $259,601  43.7%  $733,143  $295,633  $772,443  $437,510  148.0%  $(39,300)  (5.1)%

Operating income(a)

  $225,717  $228,145  $(2,428) (1.1)%  $272,231  $100,027  $246,082  $172,204  172.2%  $26,149  10.6%

Operating margin(a)

   20.9%  27.7%  

Net income(b)

  $153,179  $160,990  $(7,811) (4.9)%

Diluted earnings per share(b)

  $2.29  $2.41  $(0.12) (5.0)%

Average diluted shares outstanding

   66,903,553   66,809,706   47,675  NM 

Operating income, as adjusted(a)

  $296,360  $157,274  $318,345  $139,086  88.4%  $(21,985)  (6.9)%

Net income

  $195,388  $70,862  $169,422  $124,526  175.7%  $25,966  15.3%

Net income, as adjusted(b)

  $209,240  $82,363  $211,733  $126,877  154.0%  $(2,493)  (1.2)%

Diluted earnings per share (c)

  $1.48  $1.06  $1.28  $0.42  39.6%  $0.20  15.6%

Diluted earnings per share, as adjusted(b) (c)

  $1.59  $1.23  $1.61  $0.36  29.3%  $(0.02)  (1.2)%

Average diluted shares outstanding(c)

   131,895,570   66,731,560   131,853,835   65,164,010  97.7%   41,735  0.0%

Operating margin, GAAP basis

   27.1%   25.3%   24.2%        

Operating margin, as adjusted (a)

   34.0%   42.0%   35.6%        

Assets under management ($ in millions)

  $1,075,016  $427,837  $647,179  151.3%  $1,154,164  $463,060  $1,124,627  $691,104  149.2%  $29,537  2.6%
                     

 

- 2619 -


PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(continued)

Overview (continued)

BlackRock, Inc.

Financial Highlights

(continued)

(a) While BlackRock reports its financial results on a GAAP basis, management believes that evaluating the Company’s ongoing operating results may not be as useful if investors are limited to reviewing only GAAP financial measures. Management reviews non-GAAP financial measures to assess ongoing operations, and for the reasons described below, considers them to be effective indicators, for both management and investors, of BlackRock’s financial performance over time. BlackRock’s management does not advocate that investors consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Certain prior year non-GAAP data has been restated to conform to current year presentation.

(a)While BlackRock reports its financial results on a GAAP basis, management believes that evaluating its ongoing operating results may not be as useful if investors are limited to reviewing only GAAP-basis financial measures. Management reviews non-GAAP financial measures to assess ongoing operations, and for the reasons described below, considers them to be effective indicators, for both management and investors, of BlackRock’s financial performance over time. BlackRock’s management does not advocate that investors consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Operating margin, as adjusted, equals operating income, as adjusted, divided by revenue used for operating margin measurement, as indicated in the table below. Computations for all periods presented include affiliated and unaffiliated fundportfolio administration and servicing expense reported as a separate income statement line itemcosts and are derived from the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements as follows:

 

  Three months ended Nine months ended   Three months ended 
  September 30, June 30, September 30,   March 31, December 31, 
  2006 2005 2006 2006 2005   2007 2006 2006 

Operating income, GAAP basis

  $29,008  $79,669  $96,683  $225,717  $228,145   $272,231  $100,027  $246,082 

Non-GAAP adjustments:

          

MLIM integration costs

   7,100   6,579   51,349 

PNC LTIP funding obligation

   12,045   12,313   12,347   36,068   36,296    12,043   11,676   13,964 

MLIM Transaction costs

   71,456   —     12,547   90,582   —   

Appreciation (depreciation) on deferred compensation plans

   (3,149)  8,178   1,044   2,437   10,467 

Fee sharing payment

   —     —     —     34,450   —      —     34,450   —   

SSR acquisition costs

   —     —     —     —     8,873 

Appreciation on assets related to deferred compensation plans

   2,486   4,542   5,102 

Merrill Lynch compensation contribution

   2,500   —     1,848 
                          

Operating income, as adjusted

  $109,360  $100,160  $122,621  $389,254  $283,781   $296,360  $157,274  $318,345 
                          

Revenue, GAAP basis

  $323,058  $300,807  $360,733  $1,079,451  $822,278   $1,005,374  $395,660  $1,018,525 

Non-GAAP adjustments:

          

Fund administration and servicing costs

   (10,653)  (11,997)  (10,556)  (31,583)  (31,531)

Portfolio administration and servicing costs

   (126,677)  (15,159)  (120,259)

Reimbursable property management compensation

   (6,219)  (6,485)  (5,879)  (17,696)  (16,783)   (6,642)  (5,598)  (4,922)
                          

Revenue used for operating margin measurement, as adjusted

  $306,186  $282,325  $344,298  $1,030,172  $773,964   $872,055  $374,903  $893,344 
          
                

Operating margin, GAAP basis

   9.0%  26.5%  26.8%  20.9%  27.7%   27.1%  25.3%  24.2%
                          

Operating margin, as adjusted

   35.7%  35.5%  35.6%  37.8%  36.7%   34.0%  42.0%  35.6%
                          
   

Management believes that operating income, as adjusted, and operating margin, as adjusted, are effective indicators of management’s ability to, and useful to management in deciding how to, effectively employ BlackRock’s resources. As such, management believes that operating income, as adjusted, and operating margin, as adjusted, provide useful disclosure to investors. MLIM integration costs consist principally of certain professional fees, rebranding costs and compensation costs related to the integration which were reflected in GAAP net income. MLIM integration costs have been deemed non-recurring by management and have been excluded from operating income, as adjusted, and operating margin per share, as adjusted, to help ensure the comparability of this information to prior periods. The 2006portion of the LTIP expense associated with awards met by the distribution to participants of shares of BlackRock stock held by PNC has been excluded because, exclusive of the impact related to LTIP participants’ put options, these charges do not impact BlackRock’s book value. A fee sharing payment made in the first quarter 2006 has been excluded because it represents a non-recurring payment (based upon a performance fee) pursuant to the SSRSSRM Holdings, Inc. acquisition agreement. The portion of the BlackRock Long-Term Retention and Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) expense associated with awards to be met by the distribution to participants of shares of BlackRock stock currently held by PNC has been excluded because, exclusive of the potential impact related to LTIP participants’ put options, these charges will not impact BlackRock’s book value. Compensation expense associated with appreciation on assets related to BlackRock’s deferred compensation plans has been excluded because investment returns on these assets reported in non-operating income, net of the related impact on compensation expense, result in a nominal impact onto net income. MLIM Transaction costs consist primarilyThe portion of professional fees incurred in 2006the compensation expense related to the MLIM Transaction. SSRM acquisition costs consist of compensation costs and professional fees incurred in 2005.incentive awards to be funded by Merrill Lynch has been excluded because it is not expected to impact BlackRock’s book value.

 

- 2720 -


PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

Overview (continued)

BlackRock, Inc.

Financial Highlights

(continued)

(a) (continued)

(a)(continued)

FundPortfolio administration and servicing costs have been excluded from revenue used for operating margin, measurement, as adjusted, because the Company receives offsetting revenue and expense for these services. Reimbursable property management compensation represents compensation and benefits paid to certain BlackRock Realty Advisors, Inc. (“Realty”) personnel. These employees are retained on Realty’s payroll when certain properties are acquired by Realty’s clients. The related compensation and benefits are fully reimbursed by Realty’s clients and have been excluded from revenue used for operating margin, measurement, as adjusted, because they bear no economic cost to BlackRock.

If(b) While BlackRock reports its financial results on a GAAP basis, management believes that evaluating the first quarter 2006 revenue was reducedCompany’s ongoing operating results may not be as useful if investors are limited to exclude multi-yearreviewing only GAAP-basis financial measures. Management reviews non-GAAP financial measures to assess ongoing operations, and for the reasons described below, considers them to be effective indicators, for both management and investors, of BlackRock’s financial performance fee of $106.0 million and operating income was adjusted by $57.2 millionover time. BlackRock’s management does not advocate that investors consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, related expenses, operating margin, as adjusted, would have been 36.6%.financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

(b)While BlackRock reports its financial results on a GAAP basis, management believes that evaluating the Company’s ongoing operating results may not be as useful if investors are limited to reviewing only GAAP-basis financial measures. Management reviews non-GAAP financial measures to assess ongoing operations, and for the reasons described below, considers them to be effective indicators, for both management and investors, of BlackRock’s financial performance over time. BlackRock’s management does not advocate that investors consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.

  Three months ended  Nine months ended   Three months ended
  September 30,  June 30,  September 30,   March 31,  December 31,
  2006  2005  2006  2006  2005   2007  2006  2006

Net income, GAAP basis

  $18,914  $61,119  $63,404  $153,179  $160,990   $195,388  $70,862  $169,422

Non-GAAP adjustments, net of tax

                

MLIM Transaction costs

   45,017   —     7,905   57,067   —   

PNC’s LTIP funding obligation

   7,588   7,757   7,779   22,723   22,866 

Impact of Trepp sale

   —     —     —     —     (486)

SSR acquisition costs

   —     —     —     —     5,590 

MLIM integration costs

   4,544   4,145   32,350

PNC LTIP funding obligation

   7,708   7,356   8,797

Merrill Lynch compensation contribution

   1,600   —     1,164
                         

Net income, as adjusted

  $71,519  $68,876  $79,088   232,969  $188,960   $209,240  $82,363  $211,733
                         

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

   67,477,536   66,714,797   66,653,479   66,903,553   66,809,706    131,895,570   66,731,560   131,853,835
         
                

Diluted earnings per share, GAAP basis

  $0.28  $0.92  $0.95  $2.29  $2.41   $1.48  $1.06  $1.28
                         

Diluted earnings per share, as adjusted

  $1.06  $1.03  $1.19  $3.48  $2.83   $1.59  $1.23  $1.61
                         
         

Management believes that net income, as adjusted, and diluted earnings per share, as adjusted, are effective measurements of BlackRock’s profitability and financial performance. The portion of LTIP expense associated with awards to be met by the distribution to participants of shares of BlackRock stock currently held by PNC has been excluded from net income, as adjusted, and diluted earnings per share, as adjusted, because, exclusive of the potential impact related to LTIP participants’ put options, these charges will not impact BlackRock’s book value. SSRM acquisitionMLIM integration costs consist of compensation costs and professional fees in 2005. Compensation reflected in this amount represents direct performance incentives paid to SSR employees assumed in conjunction with the acquisition and settled by BlackRock with no future service requirement. Net income, as adjusted, and diluted earnings per share, as adjusted, exclude this amount because it does not relate to the current period’s operations. MLIM Transaction costs consist of compensation costs and professional fees incurred in 2006 in conjunction with the MLIM Transaction. Professional fees related to the SSRM acquisition and the MLIM Transaction reflected in GAAP net income have been deemed non-recurring by management and have been excluded from net income, as adjusted, and diluted earnings per share, as adjusted, to help ensure the comparability of this information to prior reporting periods. MLIM integration costs consist principally of compensation costs, professional fees and rebranding costs incurred in conjunction with the MLIM integration. The portion of LTIP expense associated with awards funded by the distribution to participants of shares of BlackRock stock held by PNC has been excluded from net income, as adjusted, and diluted earnings per share, as adjusted, because these charges do not impact BlackRock’s book value. The portion of the current year compensation expense related to incentive awards to be funded by Merrill Lynch has been excluded because it is not expected to impact BlackRock’s book value.

(c) Series A non-voting participating preferred stock is considered to be common stock for purposes of earnings per share calculations.

 

- 2821 -


PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

Overview (continued)

BlackRock has portfolio managers located around the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Japan, Australia and Hong Kong. The Company provides a wide array of taxable and tax-exempt fixed income, equity and balanced mutual funds and separate accounts, as well as a wide assortment of index-based equity and alternative investment products to a diverse global clientele. In addition, BlackRock provides global advisory services for mutual funds and other non-U.S. equivalent retail products. The Company’s non-U.S. mutual funds are based in a number of domiciles and cover a range of asset classes, including cash management, fixed income and equities. The primary retail fund group offered outside the United States is the Merrill Lynch International Investment Funds (“MLIIF”), which is authorized for distribution in more than 30 jurisdictions worldwide. In the United States, the primary retail offerings include a variety of open-end and closed-end funds, including BlackRock Funds and the BlackRock Liquidity Funds. Additional fund offerings include structured products, real estate funds, hedge funds and funds of funds, private equity funds and funds of funds, managed futures funds and exchange funds. These products are sold to both U.S. and non-U.S. high net worth, retail and institutional investors in active and passive strategies covering both equity and fixed income assets.

BlackRock’s client base consists of financial institutions and other corporate clients, pension funds, high net worth individuals and retail investors around the world. BlackRock maintains a significant sales and marketing presence globally that is focused on acquiring and maintaining retail and institutional investment management relationships by marketing its services to retail and institutional investors directly and through financial professionals, pension consultants and third-party distribution relationships. BlackRock also distributes certain of its products and services through Merrill Lynch.

BlackRock derives a substantial portion of its revenue from investment advisory and administration fees, which are recognized as the services are performed. Such fees are primarily based on pre-determined percentages of the market value of AUM or, in the case of certain real estate equity separate accounts, net operating income generated by the underlying properties, and are affected by changes in AUM, including market appreciation or depreciation, foreign exchange gains or losses and net subscriptions or redemptions. Net subscriptions or redemptions represent the sum of new client assets, additional fundings from existing clients (including dividend reinvestment), withdrawals of assets from, and termination of, client accounts and purchases and redemptions of mutual fund shares. Market appreciation or depreciation includes current income earned on, and changes in the fair value of, securities held in client accounts.

Investment advisory agreements for certain separate accounts and BlackRock’s alternative investment products provide for performance fees in addition to fees based on AUM. Performance fees generally are earned after a given period of time or when investment performance exceeds a contractual threshold, whichthreshold. As such, performance fees may increase the volatility of BlackRock’s revenue and earnings.

BlackRock provides a variety of risk management, investment analytic and investment system services to insurance companies, finance companies,financial institutions, pension funds, asset managers, foundations, consultants, mutual fund sponsors, real estate investment trusts commercial and mortgage banks, savings institutions and government agencies. These services are provided under the brand nameBlackRock Solutions® and include a wide array of risk management services and enterprise investment system outsourcing to clients. Fees earned forBlackRock Solutions services are based on a number of factors including pre-determined percentages of the market value of assets subject to the services and the number of individual investment accounts, or fixed fees. Fees earned on risk management, investment analytic and investment system assignments are recorded as other incomerevenue in the Condensed Consolidated Statementsconsolidated statements of Income.income.

Operating expense primarily consists of employee compensation and benefits, fund administration and servicing costs, general and administration expense and amortization of intangible assets. Employee compensation and benefits expense reflects salaries, deferred and incentive compensation, vesting of awards granted under the LTIP plan and related benefit costs. Fund administration and servicing costs reflect payments made to PNC-affiliated entities and third parties, primarily associated with the administration and servicing of client investments in certain BlackRock mutual funds.

Prior to the MLIM Transaction, MLIM was among the world’s largest asset managers with approximately $592.5 billion of AUM as of September 29, 2006. With portfolio managers located in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Japan and Australia, the acquired MLIM business includes a wide array of taxable and tax-exempt fixed-income, equity and balanced mutual funds and client accounts for a diverse global clientele, as well as a wide assortment of index-based equity products and alternative investment products.

Clients of the acquired MLIM business include institutions, pension funds, high-net-worth individuals and retail investors. Product distribution of the acquired MLIM business is managed through seven channels. The acquired MLIM business also distributes certain of its products and services through Merrill Lynch. The acquired MLIM business maintains a significant sales and marketing presence both inside and outside the United States that is focused on acquiring and maintaining retail and institutional investment management relationships by marketing its services to retail and institutional investors both directly and through financial professionals, pension consultants, and establishing third-party distribution relationships.

 

- 2922 -


PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

Overview (continued)

The acquired MLIM business offers a broad arrayOperating expense primarily consists of taxableemployee compensation and tax-exempt fixed-income, cash management, equitybenefits, portfolio administration and balanced mutual fundsservicing costs, general and segregated separate accounts for a diverse global clientele,administration expense and amortization of intangible assets. Employee compensation and benefits expense includes salaries, deferred and incentive compensation, long-term retention and incentive plans and related benefit costs. Portfolio administration and servicing costs reflect payments made to Merrill Lynch-affiliated entities and PNC-affiliated entities, as well as a wide assortmentthird parties, primarily associated with the administration and servicing of index-based equity and alternative investment products to its diverse client base of institutions, pension funds, high-net-worth individuals and retail investors around the world. In some cases, the same or similar products and services may be offered to both individual and institutional clients, utilizing the same infrastructure. In other cases, a single infrastructure may be used to support multiple products and services offered to clients.

The MLIM business provides global advisory services for mutual funds and other non-U.S. equivalent retail products. The MLIM business’ non-U.S. mutual fund ranges are basedinvestments in a number of domiciles and cover a range of asset classes, including cash, fixed income and equities. The primary retail fund range offered outside the United States is Merrill Lynch International Investment Funds (“MLIIF”), which is authorized for distribution in more than 30 jurisdictions worldwide. In the United States, the primary retail offering is the Merrill Lynch family of funds, which is now operating under the BlackRcok name. Additional fund offerings include structured products, real estate funds, hedge funds, hedge funds of funds, private equity funds of funds, managed futures funds and exchange funds. These products are sold to both U.S. and non-U.S. high-net-worth retail and institutional investors.certain BlackRock products.

The MLIM business also manages separate accounts for high-net-worth retail investors as well as accounts for governments, pension funds, endowments and other institutional investors in a wide variety of active and passive strategies covering both equity and fixed income assets.

Assets Under Management

BlackRock, Inc.

Assets Under Management Summary

(Dollar amounts in millions)

(unaudited)

 

  

September 30,

  

June 30,

  

December 31,

  

September 30,

  Variance               Variance
  

Quarter to

Quarter

  

Year to

Date

  

Year over

Year

   March 31,  December 31, *  March 31,  

Quarter to

Quarter

  

Year to

Year

  2006  2005     2007  2006  

Fixed income

  $451,148  $307,640  $303,928  $290,041  47% 48% 56%  $470,513  $462,049  $318,529  1.8%  47.7%

Equity and balanced

   402,983   392,708   40,751  2.6%  NM

Cash management

   220,549   88,431   86,128   76,713  149% 156% 187%   244,838   235,768   86,484  3.8%  183.1%

Equity

   359,483   40,872   37,303   35,600  780% 864% 910%

Alternative investments

   43,836   27,127   25,323   25,483  62% 73% 72%

Alternative investments products

   35,830   34,102   17,296  5.1%  107.2%
                             

Total

  $1,075,016  $464,070  $452,682  $427,837  132% 137% 151%  $1,154,164  $1,124,627  $463,060  2.6%  149.2%
                             
               

NM – Not Meaningful

AUM increased approximately $647.2$691.1 billion, or 151.3%149.2%, to $1.075$1.154 trillion at September 30, 2006,March 31, 2007, compared with $427.8$463.1 billion at September 30, 2005.March 31, 2006. The growth in AUM was attributable to $592.5$589.2 billion acquired in the MLIM transaction, $39.4Transaction, $53.4 billion in market appreciation, $39.5 billion in net subscriptions and $15.2$9.0 billion in market appreciation.

- 30 -


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

Assets Under Management (continued)

foreign exchange gains. Net subscriptions of $8.4$39.5 billion for the threetwelve months ended September 30, 2006March 31, 2007 were primarily attributable to net new business of $4.0$20.3 billion in cash management products, as a result of customer reallocations of funds due to changes$11.7 billion in prevailing economic policy, new fixed income client salesequity and increased fundings from existing fixed income clients of $1.7balanced products and $5.2 billion and net new business in alternative products of $2.7 billion.products. Market appreciation of $10.0$53.4 billion largely reflected appreciation in equity and balanced assets of $30.2 billion, as equity markets improved during the period ended March 31, 2007 and market appreciation on fixed income products of $9.3$19.3 billion due to current income and changes in market interest ratesrates. Foreign exchange gains of $9.0 billion consisted primarily of $5.9 billion in equity and balanced assets and $2.7 billion in fixed income assets.

AUM increased approximately $29.5 billion, or 2.6%, to $1.154 trillion at March 31, 2007, compared to $1.125 trillion at December 31, 2006. The growth in AUM was attributable to $14.4 billion in net subscriptions, $13.7 billion in market appreciation and $1.4 billion in foreign exchange gains. Net subscriptions of $14.4 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2007 were attributable to net new business of $8.4 billion in cash management products, $3.5 billion in fixed income products, $1.6 billion in equity and balanced products and $0.9 billion in alternative products. Market appreciation of $13.7 billion primarily reflected appreciation in equity and balanced assets of $0.8$7.8 billion, as equity markets improved during the twelve monthsperiod ended September 30, 2006.

The following table presents the componentMarch 31, 2007 and market appreciation on fixed income products of $4.5 billion due to current income and changes in BlackRock’smarket interest rates. Foreign exchange gains of $1.4 billion consisted primarily of $0.9 billion in equity and balanced assets and $0.4 billion in fixed income assets.

* AUM for the three months ended September 30, 2006.

BlackRock, Inc.

Third Quarter 2006 Component Changes in Assets Under Management

(Dollar amounts in millions)

(Unaudited)

   

June 30,

2006

  Net
subscriptions
(redemptions)
  Acquisition  Market
appreciation
(depreciation)
  September 30,
2006

Fixed income

  $307,639  $1,679  $132,538  $9,292  $451,148

Cash management

   88,431   3,975   128,023   120   220,549

Equity

   40,873   43   317,784   783   359,483

Alternative investments

   27,127   2,722   14,199   (212)  43,836
                    

Total

  $464,070  $8,419  $592,544  $9,983  $1,075,016
                    

The following table presents the component changes in BlackRock’s AUM for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

BlackRock, Inc.

Yearreflects a reclassification of MLIM acquired assets of approximately $7.9 billion from fixed income to Date 2006 Component Changes in Assets Under Managementcash management.

(Dollar amounts in millions)

(Unaudited)

   

December 31,

2005

  Net
subscriptions
(redemptions)
  Acquisition  Market
appreciation
(depreciation)
  September 30,
2006

Fixed income

  $303,928  $4,730  $132,538  $9,952  $451,148

Cash management

   86,128   6,129   128,023   269   220,549

Equity

   37,303   1,384   317,784   3,012   359,483

Alternative investments

   25,323   3,451   14,199   863   43,836
                    

Total

  $452,682  $15,694  $592,544  $14,096  $1,075,016
                    

 

- 3123 -


PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

Assets Under Management (continued)

The following table presents the component changes in BlackRock’s AUM for the three months ended March 31, 2007.

 

BlackRock, Inc.

Year to Date 2007 Component Changes in Assets Under Management

(Dollar amounts in millions)

(Unaudited)

 

   

December 31,

20061

  

Net

subscriptions

(redemptions)

  

Foreign

Exchange 3

  

Market

appreciation

(depreciation)

  

March 31,

2007

Fixed income

  $462,049  $3,546  $424  $4,494  $470,513

Equity and balanced

   392,708   1,612   912   7,751   402,983

Cash management

   235,768   8,387   17   666   244,838

Alternative investments products

   34,102   890   34   804   35,830
                    

Total

  $1,124,627  $14,435  $1,387  $13,715  $1,154,164
                    
                     

The following table presents the component changes in BlackRock’s AUM for the twelve months ended September 30, 2006.March 31, 2007.

BlackRock, Inc.

 

BlackRock, Inc.

Component Changes in Assets Under Management

For the Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2006March 31, 2007

(Dollar amounts in millions)

(Unaudited)

March 31,

(Unaudited)2006

   

September 30,

2005

  Net
subscriptions
(redemptions)
  Acquisition  Market
appreciation
(depreciation)
  

September 30,

2006

Fixed income

  $290,041  $17,560  $132,538  $11,009  $451,148

Cash management

   76,713   15,499   128,023   314   220,549

Equity

   35,600   3,254   317,784   2,845   359,483

Alternative investments

   25,483   3,125   14,199   1,029   43,836
                    

Total

  $427,837  $39,438  $592,544  $15,197  $1,075,016
                    

- 32 -


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)Net

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)subscriptions

Operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2006 as compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005.(redemptions)

Acquisitions/

RevenueReclassifications 2

   Three months ended
September 30,
  Variance 

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

  2006  2005  Amount  % 

Investment advisory and administration fees:

       

Fixed income

  $116,925  $110,894  $6,031  5.4%

Cash management

   32,176   27,032   5,144  19.0%

Equity

   58,473   47,623   10,850  22.8%

Alternative

   49,115   36,422   12,693  34.8%
              

Investment advisory base fees

   256,689   221,971   34,718  15.6%

Investment advisory performance fees

   17,817   32,670   (14,853) (45.5)%
              

Total investment advisory and administration fees

   274,506   254,641   19,865  7.8%

BlackRock Solutions

   30,154   28,871   1,283  4.4%

Other income

   18,398   17,295   1,103  6.4%
              

Total other income

   48,552   46,166   2,386  5.2%
              

Total revenue

  $323,058  $300,807  $22,251  7.4%
              

Total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2006 increased $22.3 million, or 7.4%, to $323.1 million, compared with $300.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. Investment advisory and administration fees increased $19.9 million, or 7.8%,to $274.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with $254.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. Other income increased by $2.4 million, or 5.2%, to $48.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with $46.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005.

- 33 -


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)Foreign

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)Exchange 3

Market

Operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2006 as compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005. (continued)appreciation

Revenue (continued)(depreciation)

March 31,

Investment Advisory2007

Fixed income

$318,529$2,338$127,654$2,664$19,328$470,513

Equity and Administration Feesbalanced

40,75111,682314,4195,88530,246402,983

Cash management

86,48420,318135,6292012,206244,838

Alternative investments products

17,2965,19011,4562781,61035,830

Total

$463,060$39,528$589,158$9,028$53,390$1,154,164

1

The increase in investment advisory and administration feesAUM reflects a reclassification of $19.9 million, or 7.8%, was the resultMLIM acquired assets of an increase in investment advisory base fees of $34.7 million, or 15.6%, to $256.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with $222.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005 partially offset by a reduction in performance fees of $14.9 million. Investment advisory base fees increased in the quarter ended September 30, 2006 primarily due to increased AUM of $54.6approximately $7.9 billion as a result of net new subscriptions of $39.4 billion and $15.2 billion due to market appreciation.

The increase in base investment advisory fees of $34.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005 consisted of increases of $12.7 million in alternative products, $10.9 million in equity products, $6.0 million in fixed income products and $5.1 million in cash management products. The $12.7 million increase in advisory fees from alternative products was primarily the result of an increase in AUM of $4.2 billion, or 16.3%. The $10.9 million increase in advisory fees from equity products was primarily the result of a $6.1 billion, or 17.1%, increase in AUM from net subscriptions of $3.3 billion and market appreciation of $2.8 billion. The $6.0 million increase in advisory fees from fixed income products was primarilyto cash management.

2

Data reflects the resultreclassification of a $28.6$14.0 billion or 9.8%, increase in AUM from net subscriptions of $17.6 billion and market appreciation of $11.0 billion. The $5.1 million increase in advisory fees from cash management products was primarily the result of an increase in AUM of $15.8 billion, or 20.6%.

The decrease in performance fees was primarily attributable to higher fees earned on an energy equity hedge fund and a fixed income hedge fund duringoriented absolute return and structured product alternatives to fixed income, as well as the third quarter 2005.

Other Income

Other income of $48.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2006 increased $2.4 million compared with the quarter ended September 30, 2005 and primarily represents fees earned onBlackRock Solutions products and services of $30.2 million, property management fees of $8.5 million (which represent direct reimbursement of the salaries of certain BlackRock Realty employees), fees for investment accounting services of $2.8 million, distribution fees earned onBlackRock Funds of $2.3 million and $2.3 million of placement and loan facility structuring fees earned on new CDO product launches.

The increase in other income of $2.4 million, or 5.2%, for the three months ended September 30, 2006 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2005 was primarily the result of the $2.3 million in CDO placement and loan facility structuring fees, increased revenues of $1.3 millionnet assets acquired fromBlackRock Solutions products and services driven by new assignments, partially offset by a $1.3 million decline in distribution fees earned onBlackRock Funds.

- 34 -


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

Operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2006 as compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005. (continued)

Expense

   Three months ended
September 30,
  Variance 

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

  2006  2005  Amount  % 

Expense:

       

Employee compensation and benefits

  $198,099  $155,077  $43,022  27.7%

Fund administration and servicing costs

   10,653   11,997   (1,344) (11.2)%

General and administration

   82,905   51,524   31,381  60.9%

Amortization of intangible assets

   2,393   2,540   (147) (5.8)%
              

Total expense

  $294,050  $221,138  $72,912  33.0%
              

Total expense increased $72.9 million, or 33.0%, to $294.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with $221.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in employee compensation and benefits and general and administration expense. Expense related to the integration of the MLIM business totaled $71.5 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2006 and was comprised primarilyyear-ended March 31, 2007.

3

Foreign exchange reflects the impact of employee compensation and benefits costs of $43.5 million and general and administration expenses of $28.0 million.

Employee Compensation and Benefits

Employee compensation and benefits expense increased by $43.0 million, or 27.7%, to $198.1 million, at September 30, 2006 compared to $155.1 millionconverting non-dollar denominated AUM into USD for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The increase in employee compensation and benefits expense was primarily attributable to increases in incentive compensation and salaries and benefits of $22.4 million and $33.1 million, respectively, partially offset by lower returns of $11.3 million on assets related to deferred compensation plans. The $22.4 million increase in incentive compensation was primarily attributable to employee incentive compensation associated with the integration of MLIM, partially offset by lower direct incentives associated with lower performance fees earned on the Company’s alternative investment products. The increase of $33.1 million, or 46.8%, in salaries and benefits was primarily attributable to higher staffing levels associated with the MLIM Transaction and business growth.reporting.

- 35 -


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

Operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2006 as compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005. (continued)

Expense (continued)

General and Administration Expense and Fee Sharing Payment

   

Three months ended

September 30,

  Variance 

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

  2006  2005  Amount  % 

General and administration expense:

        

Marketing and promotional

  $31,071  $20,097  $10,974  54.6%

Occupancy

   12,794   9,631   3,163  32.8%

Technology

   15,731   5,591   10,140  181.4%

Portfolio services

   5,218   4,002   1,216  30.4%

Other general and administration

   18,091   12,203   5,888  48.3%
              

Total general and administration expense

  $82,905  $51,524  $31,381  60.9%
              

General and administration expense increased $31.4 million, or 60.9%, for the three months ended September 30, 2006 to $82.9 million, compared to $51.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005. The increase in general and administration expense was primarily due to increases in marketing and promotional expense of $11.0 million, technology expense of $10.1 million, occupancy expense of $3.2 million, portfolio services expense of $1.2 million, and other general and administration expense of $5.9 million.

Marketing and promotional expense increased $11.0 million, or 54.6%, to $31.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared to $20.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005 primarily due to increased marketing activities which included $7.7 million related to BlackRock’s rebranding campaign and $2.7 million of additional MLIM-related marketing expense. Technology expense increased $10.1 million, or 181.4%, to $15.7 million, compared to $5.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005 primarily due to $7.1 million in consulting expenses related to the integration of the MLIM business. Occupancy costs for the three months ended September 30, 2006 totaled $12.8 million, representing a $3.2 million, or 32.8%, increase from $9.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005.

- 24 -


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(continued)

Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2007 as compared with the three months ended March 31, 2006.

Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2007 reflect the impact of the MLIM Transaction, which closed on September 29, 2006. The magnitude of the acquired business is the primary driver of most line item variances in the analysis below which compares the three months ended March 31, 2007 to the three months ended March 31, 2006. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to 2007 presentation:

Revenue

    

Three months ended

March 31,

  Variance
(Dollar amounts in thousands)  2007  2006  Amount  %

Investment advisory and administration fees:

       

Fixed income

  $233,907  $111,861  $122,046  109.1%

Cash management

   115,389   29,815   85,574  287.0%

Equity and balanced

   453,847   54,058   399,789  NM

Alternative investment products

   70,365   39,367   30,998  78.7%
              

Investment advisory and administration base fees

   873,508   235,101   638,407  271.5%

Investment advisory performance fees

   22,418   114,607   (92,189) (80.4)%
              

Total investment advisory and administration fees

   895,926   349,708   546,218  156.2%

Other revenue:

       

BlackRock Solutions

   42,314   34,050   8,264  24.3%

Other revenue

   67,134   11,902   55,232  464.1%
              

Total other revenue

   109,448   45,952   63,496  138.2%
              

Total revenue

  $1,005,374  $395,660  $609,714  154.1%
              
                

NM – Not Meaningful

Total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2007 increased $609.7 million, or 154.1%, to $1,005.4 million, compared with $395.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006. Investment advisory and administration fees increased $546.2 million, or 156.2%,to $895.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, compared with $349.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006. Other income increased by $63.5 million, or 138.2%, to $109.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, compared with $46.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006.

- 25 -


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(continued)

Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2007 as compared with the three months ended March 31, 2006. (continued)

Revenue (continued)

Investment advisory and administration fees

The increase in investment advisory and administration fees of $546.2 million, or 156.2%, was the result of an increase in investment advisory and administration base fees of $638.4 million, or 271.5%, to $873.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, compared with $235.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 partially offset by a reduction in performance fees of $92.2 million. Investment advisory and administration base fees increased in the three months ended March 31, 2007 primarily due to increased AUM of $691.1 billion, including $589.2 billion of AUM acquired in the MLIM Transaction.

The increase in base investment advisory and administration fees of $638.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, compared with the three months ended March 31, 2006 consisted of increases of $399.8 million in equity and balanced products, $122.0 million in fixed income products, $85.6 million in cash management products and $31.0 million in alternative products. The increase in investment advisory and administration fees for equity and balanced, fixed income, cash management and alternative investment products was driven by increases in AUM of $362.2 billion, $152.0 billion, $158.4 billion and $18.5 billion, respectively. The AUM growth in equity and balanced, fixed income, cash management and alternative products included assets acquired in the MLIM Transaction of $314.4 billion, $127.7 billion, $135.6 billion and $11.5 billion, respectively.

Performance fees decreased by $92.2 million, or 80.4%, for the three months ended March 31, 2007 primarily due to fees earned on a large institutional real estate equity client account in the first quarter of 2006.

Other Revenue

Other revenue of $109.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 increased $63.5 million compared with the quarter ended March 31, 2006 and primarily represents fees earned onBlackRock Solutions products and services of $42.3 million, distribution fees earned onBlackRock Funds of $24.8 million, fees for fund accounting services of $12.0 million and property management fees of $9.4 million earned on real estate AUM (which represented direct reimbursement of the salaries of certain Realty employees).

The increase in other revenue of $63.5 million, or 138.2%, for the three months ended March 31, 2007 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2006 was primarily the result of an increase of $22.3 million in distribution fees earned on mutual funds and $12.0 million in fund accounting services acquired during the MLIM Transaction and an increase of $8.3 million fromBlackRock Solutions products and services driven by new assignments.

- 26 -


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(continued)

Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2007 as compared with the three months ended March 31, 2006. (continued)

Expense

    

Three months ended

March 31,

  Variance
(Dollar amounts in thousands)  2007  2006  Amount  %

Expense:

       

Employee compensation and benefits

  $352,398  $191,796  $160,602  83.7%

Portfolio administration and servicing costs

   126,677   15,159   111,518  NM

General and administration

   223,036   52,199   170,837  327.3%

Fee sharing payment

   —     34,450   (34,450) NM

Amortization of intangible assets

   31,032   2,029   29,003  NM
              

Total expense

  $733,143  $295,633  $437,510  148.0%
              
                

NM – Not Meaningful

Total expense, which reflects the impact of the MLIM Transaction on September 29, 2006, increased $437.5 million, or 148.0%, to $733.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, compared with $295.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in general and administration expenses and employee compensation and benefits and portfolio and administration and servicing costs. Integration charges related to the MLIM Transaction of $7.1 million and $6.6 million in the first quarter of 2007 and first quarter of 2006, respectively, were recorded in general and administration expense.

Employee Compensation and Benefits

Employee compensation and benefits expense increased by $160.6 million, or 83.7%, to $352.4 million, at March 31, 2007, compared to $191.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006. The increase in employee compensation and benefits expense was primarily attributable to increases in salaries and benefits and incentive compensation of $135.2 million and $25.9 million, respectively. The increase of $135.2 million, or 160.3%, in salaries and benefits was primarily attributable to higher staffing levels associated with business growth and the MLIM Transaction. Employees (excluding employees of Metric Management Properties, Inc., “Metric”) at March 31, 2007 totaled 4,766 as compared to 1,832 at March 31, 2006. The $25.9 million increase in incentive compensation was primarily attributable to higher operating income offset by lower incentive compensation associated with lower performance fees earned on the Company’s alternative investment products.

- 27 -


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(continued)

Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2007 as compared with the three months ended March 31, 2006. (continued)

Expense (continued)

General and Administration Expense

    

Three months ended

March 31,

  Variance
(Dollar amounts in thousands)  2007  2006  Amount  %

General and administration expense:

        

Marketing and promotional

  $75,580  $13,052  $62,528  479.1%

Occupancy

   33,232   10,228   23,004  224.9%

Technology

   28,438   6,490   21,948  338.2%

Portfolio services

   37,729   4,671   33,058  NM

Other general and administration

   48,057   17,758   30,299  170.6%
              

Total general and administration expense

  $223,036  $52,199  $170,837  327.3%
              
                

NM—Not Meaningful

General and administration expense increased $170.8 million, or 327.3%, for the three months ended March 31, 2007 to $223.0 million, compared to $52.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006. The increase in general and administration expense was due to increases in marketing and promotional expense of $62.5 million, portfolio services expense of $33.1 million, occupancy expense of $23.0 million, technology expense of $21.9 million, and other general and administration expense of $30.3 million.

Marketing and promotional expense increased $62.5 million, or 479.1%, to $75.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, compared to $13.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 primarily due to increased marketing activities of $42.5 million (which included $23.2 million related to domestic and international marketing efforts, $13.2 million related to fund launch costs of a new closed-end fund in the first quarter, and $6.6 million related to BlackRock’s advertising and rebranding campaign) and $20.0 million of increased amortization of deferred mutual fund commissions assumed in the MLIM Transaction. Portfolio services costs increased by $33.1 million to $37.7 million, related to supporting higher AUM levels and increased trading activities. Occupancy costs for the three months ended March 31, 2007 totaled $33.2 million, representing a $23.0 million, or 224.9%, increase from $10.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006. The increase in occupancy costs primarily reflects costs related to the expansion of corporate facilities related to the MLIM Transaction and business growth. Technology expenses increased $21.9 million, or 338.2%, to $28.4 million, compared to $6.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 partially due to $8.6 million in technology consulting expenses associated with operating growth and a $4.9 million increase in depreciation expense. Other general and administration costs increased by $30.3 million to $48.1 million from $17.8 million, including $15.5 million in professional fees.

- 28 -


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(continued)

Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2007 as compared with the three months ended March 31, 2006. (continued)

Fee Sharing Payment

For the quarter ended March 31, 2006, BlackRock expensed a one-time fee sharing payment of $34.5 million, representing a payment related to a large institutional real estate equity client account acquired in the SSR acquisition in January 2005.

Amortization of Intangible Assets

The $29.0 million increase in amortization of intangible assets to $31.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, compared to $2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006, primarily reflects amortization of finite-lived intangible assets acquired in the MLIM Transaction.

Non-Operating Income and Non-Controlling Interest

Non-operating income, net of non-controlling interest for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 were as follows:

    

Three months ended

March 31,

  Variance
(Dollar amounts in thousands)  2007  2006  Amount  %

Total non-operating income

  $157,731  $13,095  $144,636  NM

Non-controlling interest

   (124,668)  (642)  (124,026) NM
              

Total non-operating income, net of non-controlling interest

  $33,063  $12,453  $20,610  165.5%
              
                

NM – Not Meaningful

The components of non-operating income, net of non-controlling interest for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:

    Three months ended  Variance
   March 31,      
(Dollar amounts in thousands)  2007  2006  Amount  %

Non-operating income, net of non-controlling interest:

     

Net gain (loss) on investments, net of non-controlling interest:

     

Private equity1

  $10,267  $—    $10,267  NM

Real estate2

   (1,164)  215   (1,379) NM

Other alternative products

   8,650   4,398   4,252  96.7%

Other3

   7,939   4,039   3,900  96.6%
              

Total net gain on investments, net of non-controlling interest

   25,692   8,652   17,040  196.9%

Interest and dividend income

   18,357   5,770   12,587  218.1%

Interest expense

   (10,986)  (1,969)  (9,017) NM
              

Total non-operating income, net of non-controlling interest

  $33,063  $12,453  $20,610  165.5%
              
                

NM – Not Meaningful

1

Includes earnings on BlackRock’s limited partnership investments in private equity funds.

2

Includes BlackRock’s share of one-time syndication costs related to the expansion of corporate facilitiesa real estate investment fund established in 2006.

3

Includes investments related to the MLIM Transaction and business growth. Portfolio services costs increased by 30.4% to $5.2 million, related to supporting higher AUM levels and increased trading activities. Other general and administration costs increased by 48.3% to $18.1 million from $12.2 million, and included $11.7 million in professional fees and other expenses related to the MLIM Transaction.

- 36 -


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

Operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2006 as compared with the three months ended September 30, 2005. (continued)

Non-Operating Income

Non-operating income decreased $17.5 million to $1.9 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, as compared to $19.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2005 primarily as a result of a $17.5 million, or 81.7% decrease in investment income. The decrease in investment income was primarily due to unrealized gains in energy-related investments recorded in the third quarter of 2005.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $11.1 million and $37.1 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, representing an effective tax rate of 37.0%.

Net Income

Net income was $18.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and includes the after-tax impact of the portion of LTIP awards to be funded by a capital contribution of BlackRock common stock currently held by PNC and expenses related to the MLIM Transaction, of $7.6 million and $45.0 million, respectively. MLIM Transaction costs primarily include professional fees and compensation expense related to the transaction. Net income of $61.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2005 included the after-tax impact of the portion of LTIP awards to be funded by a capital contribution of BlackRock stock currently held by PNC of $7.8 million.

- 37 -


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 as compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

Revenue

   Nine months ended
September 30,
  Variance 

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

  2006  2005  Amount  % 

Investment advisory and administration fees.

        

Fixed income

  $342,795  $320,004  $22,791  7.1%

Cash Management

   92,300   77,982   14,318  18.4%

Equity

   168,117   126,246   41,871  33.2%

Alternatives

   132,562   93,372   39,190  42.0%
              

Investment advisory base fees

   735,774   617,604   118,170  19.1%

Investment advisory performance fees

   202,368   80,764   121,604  150.6%
              

Total investment advisory and administration fees

   938,142   698,368   239,774  34.3%
              

BlackRock Solutions

   88,693   79,433   9,260  11.7%

Other income

   52,616   44,477   8,139  18.3%
              

Total other income

   141,309   123,910   17,399  14.0%
              

Total revenue

  $1,079,451  $822,278  $257,173  31.3%
              

Total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 increased $257.2 million, or 31.3%, to $1,079.5 million, compared with $822.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Investment advisory and administration fees increased $239.8 million, or 34.3%,to $938.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with $698.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Other income increased $17.4 million, or 14.0%, for the three months ended September 30, 2006, compared with $123.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2005.

- 38 -


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 as compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005. (continued)

Revenue (continued)

Investment Advisory and Administration Fees

The increase in investment advisory and administration fees of $239.8 million, or 34.3%, was the result of an increase in investment advisory base fees of $118.2 million, or 19.1%, to $735.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with $617.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and an increase in performance fees of $121.6 million. Investment advisory base fees increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 as compared to September 30, 2005, primarily due to increased AUM of $54.6 billion related to net new subscriptions of $39.4 billion and an increase of $15.2 billion in AUM due to market appreciation.

The increase in base investment advisory fees of $118.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005 consisted of revenue increases of $41.9 million in equity, products, $39.2 million in alternative products, $22.8 in fixed income, products and $14.3 million in cash management products. The $41.9 million increase in advisory fees from equity products was primarily the result of an increase in AUM of $6.1 billion, or 17.1%, from net subscriptions of $3.3 billion and market appreciation of $2.8 billion. The $39.2 million increase in advisory fees from alternative products was primarily the result of an increase in AUM of $4.2 billion, or 16.3%. The $22.8 million increase in advisory fees from fixed income products was primarily the result of a $28.6 billion, or 9.8%, increase in AUM from net subscriptions of $17.6 billion and market appreciation of $11.0 billion. The $14.3 million increase in advisory fees from cash management products was primarily the result of an increase in AUM of $15.8 billion, or 20.6%.

Performance fees of $202.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 increased $121.6 million compared with $80.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase in separate account performance fees was primarily attributable to fees earned on a large institutional real estate equity client account and fees earned on an energy equity hedge fund.

Other Income

Other income of $141.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 primarily represents fees earned onBlackRock Solutions products and services of $88.7 million, property management fees of $24.5 million which represent direct reimbursement of the salaries of certain BlackRock Realty employees, fees for investment accounting services of $8.8 million, distribution fees earned onBlackRock Funds of $7.2 million and $2.4 million in CDO placement and loan facility structuring fees.

The increase in other income of $17.4 million, or 14.0%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2005 was primarily the result of increased revenues of $9.3 million fromBlackRock Solutions products and services driven by new assignments, new investment accounting assignments of $3.3 million, increased CDO placement and loan facility structuring fees received from products launched in 2006 of $1.8 million and higher property management fees of $1.2 million.

- 39 -


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 as compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005. (continued)

Expense

   Nine months ended
September 30,
  Variance 

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

  2006  2005  Amount  % 

Expense:

        

Employee compensation and benefits

  $566,993  $413,036  $153,957  37.3%

Fund administration and servicing costs

   31,583   31,531   52  0.2%

Fee sharing payment

   34,450   —     34,450  NM 

General and administration

   214,256   144,089   70,167  48.7%

Amortization of intangible assets

   6,452   5,477   975  17.8%
              

Total expense

  $853,734  $594,133  $259,601  43.7%
              

NM – Not Meaningful

Total expense increased $259.6 million, or 43.7%, to $853.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared with $594.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in compensation and benefits, general and administration expense and a fee sharing payment to MetLife related to the SSRM acquisition. Expenses related to the MLIM integration were $90.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, and were comprised primarily of employee compensation and benefits costs of $43.5 million and general and administration expenses of $47.1 million.

Employee Compensation and Benefits

Employee compensation and benefits expense increased by $154.0 million, or 37.3%, to $567.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared to $413.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase in employee compensation and benefits expense was primarily attributable to increases in incentive compensation and salaries and benefits of $88.5 million and $76.5 million, respectively, partially offset by lower returns of $8.0 million on assets related toCDOs, deferred compensation plans. The $88.5arrangements and BlackRock’s seed capital hedging program.

- 29 -


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(continued)

Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2007 as compared with the three months ended March 31, 2006. (continued)

Non-Operating Income and Non-Controlling Interest (continued)

Non-operating income, net of non-controlling interest, increased primarily as the result of certain investments in BlackRock private equity funds and investments in other alternative products. Non-operating income increased $144.6 million to $157.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 as compared to $13.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 as a result of a $141.1 million or 53.5%, increase in net gain on investments and $12.6 million in interest and dividend income, partially offset by a $9.0 million increase in interest expense related to borrowings under BlackRock’s revolving credit agreement. The increase in the net gain on investments in 2007 was primarily due to market appreciation and investment gains on consolidated private equity investments. Non-controlling interest in earnings of consolidated products increased $124.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 due to the increase in consolidated investments.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $109.9 million and $41.6 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, representing an effective tax rate of 36.0% and 37.0%, respectively.

Net Income

Net income totaled $195.4 million, or $1.48 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and increased $124.5 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2006. Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, includes the after-tax impact of the portion of LTIP awards funded in January 2007 by a capital contribution of BlackRock common stock held by PNC, integration expenses related to the MLIM Transaction and a contribution by Merrill Lynch to fund certain compensation of former MLIM employees, of $7.7 million, $4.5 million and $1.6 million, respectively. MLIM integration costs primarily include professional fees and other general and administration expenses. Net income of $70.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2006 included the after-tax impact of the portion of LTIP awards funded by a capital contribution of BlackRock stock held by PNC of $7.4 million and MLIM integration costs of $4.1 million. Exclusive of these items, fully diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2007, as adjusted, increased $0.36, or 29.3%, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2006.

- 30 -


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(continued)

Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2007 as compared with the three months ended December 31, 2006.

Revenue

    Three months ended        
   March 31,  December 31,  Variance
(Dollar amounts in thousands)  2007  2006  Amount  %

Investment advisory and administration fees:

       

Fixed income

  $233,907  $229,230  $4,677  2.0%

Cash management

   115,389   110,754   4,635  4.2%

Equity and balanced

   453,847   451,247   2,600  0.6%

Alternative investment products

   70,365   71,736   (1,371) (1.9)%
              

Investment advisory and administration base fees

   873,508   862,967   10,541  1.2%

Investment advisory performance fees

   22,418   39,914   (17,496) (43.8)%
              

Total investment advisory and administration fees

   895,926   902,881   (6,955) (0.8)%

Other revenue:

       

BlackRock Solutions

   42,314   45,473   (3,159) (6.9)%

Other revenue

   67,134   70,171   (3,037) (4.3)%
              

Total other revenue

   109,448   115,644   (6,196) (5.4)%
              

Total revenue

  $1,005,374  $1,018,525  $(13,151) (1.3)%
              
                

Total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2007 decreased $13.2 million, or 1.3%, to $1,005.4 million, compared with $1,018.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2006. Investment advisory and administration fees increased $10.5 million, or 1.2%,to $873.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, compared with $863.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2006. Performance fees decreased $17.5 million, or 43.8%, to $22.4 million, compared with $39.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2006. The decrease in performance fees was primarily the result of timing issues pertaining to annual performance lock periods for energy, fund of funds and fixed income products. Other income decreased by $6.2 million, or 5.4%, to $109.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, compared with $115.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2006.

Expense

    Three months ended        
   March 31,  December 31,  Variance
(Dollar amounts in thousands)  2007  2006  Amount  %

Expense:

       

Employee compensation and benefits

  $352,398  $378,594  $(26,196) (6.9)%

Portfolio administration and servicing costs

   126,677   120,259   6,418  5.3%

General and administration

   223,036   242,526   (19,490) (8.0)%

Amortization of intangible assets

   31,032   31,064   (32) (0.1)%
               

Total expense

  $733,143  $772,443  $(39,300) (5.1)%
               
                

- 31 -


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(continued)

Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2007 as compared with the three months ended December 31, 2006.

Expense (continued)

Total expense decreased $39.3 million, or 5.1%, to $733.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, compared with $772.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2006. The decrease was primarily attributable to decreases in employee compensation and benefits and general and administration expense, partially offset by increases in portfolio administration and servicing costs.

Employee Compensation and Benefits

Employee compensation and benefits expense decreased by $26.2 million, or 6.9%, to $352.4 million, at March 31, 2007 compared to $378.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2006. The decrease in employee compensation and benefits expense was primarily attributable to decreases in LTIP expense of $18.3 million and a lower incentive compensation costs which offset higher salaries and benefit expenses due to merit raises and increased headcount.

General and Administration Expense

    Three months ended        
   

March 31,

2007

  

December 31,

2006

  Variance
(Dollar amounts in thousands)      Amount  %

General and administration expense:

       

Marketing and promotional

  $75,580  $87,335  $(11,755) (13.5)%

Occupancy

   33,232   29,671   3,561  12.0%

Technology

   28,438   33,982   (5,544) (16.3)%

Portfolio services

   37,729   35,897   1,832  5.1%

Other general and administration

   48,057   55,641   (7,584) (13.6)%
              

Total general and administration expense

  $223,036  $242,526  $(19,490) (8.0)%
              
                

General and administration expense, which included MLIM integration costs of $7.1 million and $45.3 million in the first quarter 2007 and the fourth quarter 2006, respectively, decreased $19.5 million, or 8.0%, for the three months ended March 31, 2007 to $223.0 million, compared to $242.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2006. The decrease in general and administration expense was primarily due to decreases in marketing and promotional expense of $11.8 million, technology expense of $5.5 million, and other general and administration expense of $7.6 million, partially offset by an increase of $3.6 million in occupancy expenses.

Marketing and promotional expense decreased $11.8 million, or 13.5%, to $75.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007, compared to $87.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2006 primarily due to decreased expenses of $18.2 million related to BlackRock’s advertising and rebranding campaign, partially offset by $7.0 million in higher fund launch costs related to a new closed-end fund. Technology expenses decreased $5.5 million, or 16.3%, to $28.4 million, compared to $34.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2006 primarily due to $8.6 million in consulting expenses associated with the MLIM integration. Other general and administration expenses decreased by $7.6 million primarily related to lower MLIM integration costs in the first quarter 2007. The increase in occupancy costs primarily reflects costs related to the expansion of corporate facilities related to business growth.

- 32 -


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(continued)

Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2007 as compared with the three months ended December 31, 2006.

Non-Operating Income and Non-Controlling Interest

Non-operating income, net of non-controlling interest for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006 were as follows:

    Three months ended        
   March 31,  December 31,  Variance
(Dollar amounts in thousands)  2007  2006  Amount  %

Total non-operating income

  $157,731  $36,614  $121,117  330.8%

Non-controlling interest

   (124,668)  (13,774)  (110,894) NM
              

Total non-operating income, net of non-controlling interest

  $33,063  $22,840  $10,223  44.8%
              
                

NM – Not Meaningful

The components of non-operating income, net of non-controlling interest for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:

    Three months ended        
   March 31,  December 31,  Variance
(Dollar amounts in thousands)  2007  2006  Amount  %

Non-operating income, net of non-controlling interest:

     

Net gain (loss) on investments, net of non-controlling interest:

     

Private equity1

  $10,267  $—    $10,267  NM

Real Estate2

   (1,164)  598   (1,762) (294.6)%

Other alternative products

   8,650   3,924   4,726  120.4%

Other3

   7,939   9,470   (1,531) (16.2)%
              

Total net gain on investments, net of non-controlling interest

   25,692   13,992   11,700  83.6%

Interest and dividend income

   18,357   12,743   5,614  44.1%

Interest expense

   (10,986)  (3,895)  (7,091) 182.1%
              

Total non-operating income, net of non-controlling interest

  $33,063  $22,840  $10,223  44.8%
              
                

NM – Not Meaningful

1

Includes earnings on BlackRock’s limited partnership investments in incentive compensation was primarily attributable to direct incentive compensation associated with higher performance fees earned on the Company’s alternative investment products, employee incentive compensation associated with the integrationprivate equity funds.

2

Includes BlackRock’s share of the MLIM business and increased operating income growth. The increase of $76.5 million, or 38.4%, in salaries and benefits was primarily attributable to higher staffing levels associated with the MLIM Transaction and business growth.

- 40 -


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 as compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005. (continued)

Expense (continued)

General and Administration Expense and Fee Sharing Payment

   

Nine months ended

September 30,

  Variance 

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

  2006  2005  Amount  % 

General and administration expense:

        

Marketing and promotional

  $67,801  $49,978  $17,823  35.7%

Occupancy

   34,414   26,312   8,102  30.8%

Technology

   29,404   16,874   12,530  74.3%

Portfolio services

   15,797   10,364   5,433  52.4%

Other general and administration

   66,840   40,561   26,279  64.8%
              

Total general and administration expense

  $214,256  $144,089  $70,167  48.7%
              

Fee sharing payment

  $34,450  $—    $34,450  NM 
              

NM – Not Meaningful

General and administration expense increased $70.2 million, or 48.7%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 to $214.3 million, compared to $144.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase in general and administration expense was primarily due to increases in marketing and promotional expense of $17.8 million, technology expense of $12.5 million, occupancy expense of $8.1 million, portfolio services expense of $5.4 million and other general and administration expense of $26.3 million.

Marketing and promotional expense increased $17.8 million, or 35.7%, to $67.8 million, compared to $50.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 primarily due to increased marketing activities of $15.8 million (which included $7.7 million related to BlackRock’s rebranding campaign, $5.3 million of additional MLIM-related marketing expense) and increased institutional service fees of $2.0 million. Technology expenses increased by 74.3% to $29.4 million, compared to $16.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 primarily related to consulting efforts associated with the integration of the MLIM business. Occupancy costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 totaled $34.4 million, representing an $8.1 million, or 30.8% increase from $26.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase in occupancy costs during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 primarily reflectsone-time syndication costs related to the expansion of corporate facilitiesa real estate investment fund established in 2006.

3

Includes investments related to the MLIM Transactionequity, fixed income, CDOs, deferred compensation arrangements and business growth. Portfolio services costs increased by 52.4% to $15.8 million, related to supporting higher AUM levels and increased trading activities. Other general and administration costs increased by 64.8% to $66.8 million from $40.6 million, and included $26.3 million in professional fees related to the MLIM Transaction.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, BlackRock recorded a fee sharing payment of $34.5 million, representing a one-time estimated expense related to a large institutional real estate equity client account acquired in the SSRM acquisition in January 2005.

- 41 -


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)BlackRock’s seed capital hedging program.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Non-operating income, net of non-controlling interest, increased primarily as the result of certain BlackRock private equity funds. Total non-operating income increased $121.1 million to $157.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 as compared to $36.6 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2006 primarily as a result of a $122.6 million increase in net gain on investments and a $5.6 million increase in interest and dividend income, partially offset by a $7.1 million increase in interest expense related to a BlackRock’s revolving credit agreement. The increase in net gain on investments in 2007 was primarily due to market appreciation and investment gains on consolidated private equity investments. Non-controlling interest in earnings of consolidated products increased $110.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 primarily due to the impact of consolidated private equity investments.

- 33 -


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(continued)

Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2007 as compared with the three months ended December 31, 2006.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $109.9 million and $68.3 million for the quarters ended March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively, representing an effective tax rate of 36.0% and 37.0%, respectively.

Net Income

Net income totaled $195.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and increased $26.0 million, or 15.3%, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006. Net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, includes the after-tax impact of the portion of LTIP awards funded in January 2007 by a capital contribution of BlackRock common stock held by PNC and integration expenses related to the MLIM transaction of $7.7 million and $4.5 million, respectively. MLIM integration costs primarily include professional fees and other general and administration expenses. Net income of $169.4 million during the three months ended December 31, 2006 included MLIM integration costs of $32.4 million and the after-tax impact of the portion of LTIP awards funded by a capital contribution of BlackRock stock held by PNC of $8.8 million. Exclusive of these items and a contribution by Merrill Lynch to fund certain compensation of former MLIM employees of $1.6 million and $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively, net income for the three months ended March 31, 2007, as adjusted, decreased $2.5 million, or 1.2%, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2006.

Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 as compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2005. (continued)

Non-Operating Income

Non-operating income decreased $11.3 million, or 36.4%, to $19.8 million for the period ended September 30, 2006, as compared to $31.2 million for the period ended September 30, 2005 primarily as a result of an $11.4 million, or 30.6%, decrease in investment income. The decrease in investment income was primarily due to unrealized gains on energy-related investments in 2005.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense was $90.0 million and $95.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, representing an effective tax rate of 37.0%.

Net Income

Net income totaled $153.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and includes the after-tax impact of the portion of LTIP awards to be funded by a capital contribution of BlackRock common stock currently held by PNC and expenses related to the MLIM Transaction, of $22.7 million and $57.1 million, respectively, after tax. MLIM Transaction costs primarily include professional fees, compensation expense and other general and administration expenses. Net income of $161.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 included the after-tax impact of the portion of LTIP awards to be funded by a capital contribution of BlackRock stock currently held by PNC of $22.9 million and expenses related to the SSR acquisition of $5.6 million. SSR acquisition costs included acquisition-related payments to continuing employees of BlackRock and professional fees.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity

BlackRock generally meets its working capital requirements through net cash generated by operating activities. Sources of BlackRock’s operating cash include investment advisory and administration fees, revenues fromBlackRock SolutionsSolutions’products and services, property management fees, mutual fund distribution fees and realized earnings on certain of the Company’s investments. BlackRock primarily uses its operating cash to pay compensation and benefits, fundportfolio administration and servicing costs, general and administration expenses, interest on the Company’s long-term debt, purchases of investments, capital expenditures and dividends on BlackRock’s common stock. Management believes that the Company has sufficient access to cash through its operations and the revolving credit facility described below to fund its operations in the near term.

Cash provided byused in the Company’s operating activities totaled $237.9$296.9 million for the nine monthsquarter ended September 30, 2006.March 31, 2007, and included payments of approximately $593.9 million related to the Company’s 2006 incentive compensation programs and approximately $35 million related to LTIP.

In December 2006, the Company entered into a revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of banking institutions with an initial borrowing capacity of $600 million. The term of the facility is five years and interest currently accrues at the applicable London Interbank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 0.20%. The Company pays a commitment fee of 0.04% per annum on the undrawn balance. Additionally, for each day that the total amount outstanding is greater than 50% of the total commitments by all lenders, the Company pays a utilization fee of 0.05% per annum on the total amount outstanding. Financial covenants in the Credit Agreement require BlackRock management expects thatto maintain a maximum debt/EBITDA ratio of 3.0 and a minimum EBITDA/interest expense ratio of 4.0. BlackRock is currently in compliance with these covenants. The facility is intended to fund various investment opportunities as well as BlackRock’s near-term operating cash flows provided by operating activities will continuerequirements.

In February 2007, the Company increased the capacity of the facility to serve as$800 million. The Credit Agreement allows BlackRock to request an additional $200 million of borrowing capacity, subject to lender credit approval, up to a maximum of $1 billion. During April 2007, the principal source of working capital forCompany repaid $80 million on the near future.facility and extended the remaining balance into May 2007.

 

- 4234 -


PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(continued)

Liquidity and Capital Resources (continued)

Capital Resources

Net cash provided by investing activities was $298.8 million duringAs of March 31, 2007, the nine months ended September 30, 2006, primarily consisting of $493.4Company has $389 million of net assets acquiredvarious capital commitments to fund investment funds in the MLIM Transactionwhich it has an ownership stake and the sale of certain investments of $18.0 million, partially offset by $50.0 million in cash consideration paidunfunded commitment related to private equity warehouse facilities. Generally, the SSRM transaction, $42.4 million in cash consideration paid related to the NBAM acquisition, $62.0 million related to the purchase of several investments and $47.0 million in capital expenditures primarily in computer hardware and software (approximately $10.0 million), as a resulttiming of the MLIM integration and business growth.funding of these commitments is uncertain.

Net cash used in investing activities was $171.1 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2007, primarily consisting of $125.6 million in purchases of investments, $53.5 million in settlement payments related to the SSR and MLIM acquisitions and $27.9 million of capital expenditures. Partially offsetting these cash outflows was $41.7 million in cash received on the sale of investments.

Net cash flows from financing activities was $80.8$324.3 million during the periodquarter ended September 30, 2006,March 31, 2007, primarily representingconsisting of the drawdown of $550 million on the Company’s revolving line of credit, partially offset by $164.4 million in common stock repurchases related to the LTIP put obligation and the payment of $81.1$88.4 million in dividends anddividends.

On August 2, 2006, BlackRock announced that its Board had authorized a new program to purchase an additional 2.1 million shares. Pursuant to this repurchase program, BlackRock may make repurchases from time to time, as market conditions warrant, in the net acquisitionopen market or in privately negotiated transactions at the discretion of $17.2 millionmanagement. The Company had not repurchased any shares in treasury stock, partially offset by $15.7 million in additions to minority interest for entities consolidated byopen market transactions under the current authorization through March 31, 2007. Through May 2, 2007, the Company and $4.2 millionhad repurchased a total of excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation.445,700 shares at an average price of $151.44 per share.

At September 30, 2006,March 31, 2007, long-term debt, including current maturities, was $253.2 million. Debt service requirements are $6.9 million in 2007, $6.8 million in 2008 and $6.7 million in 2009 and 2010.

LTIP grants of up to $240,000 in deferred compensation were authorized in 2002, payableApproximately $98.7 million in cash and cash equivalents and $1.5 billion in BlackRock common stock. As of September 30, 2006, approximately $173,490 in common stock and $34,706 in cash will vestinvestments included in the first quarterCompany’s 2007 consolidated statement of 2007. Shares distributedfinancial condition is held by entities that are deemed to LTIP participants upon vestingbe controlled by BlackRock in accordance with GAAP. As such, the Company may not be able to access such cash or investments to use in its operating activities.

The Company is required to maintain net capital in certain international jurisdictions, which is met in part by retaining cash and cash equivalent investments in those jurisdictions. As a result, the Company may be restricted in its ability to transfer cash between different jurisdictions. Additionally, transfer of the awards in the first quarter of 2007 include an option to put such distributed shares back to BlackRock at fair market value. The put option was provided to LTIP participants for liquidity purposes duecash between international jurisdictions, including repatriation to the Company’s small public float. TheUnited States, may have adverse tax consequences that could discourage such transfers. At March 31, 2007, the Company currently cannot estimate the number of participants that will exercise this put option upon vesting of LTIP awardswas required to maintain approximately $242.0 million in 2007.

Contractual Obligations, Commitmentsnet capital at these subsidiaries and Contingenciesis in compliance with all regulatory minimum net capital requirements.

The Company’s contractual obligations as of September 30, 2006 are as follows:

(Dollar amounts in thousands)

 

  Total  2006  2007  2008  2009  2010  Thereafter

Contractual obligations:

              

Convertible debentures

  $270,606  $3  $6,563  $6,563  $6,563  $250,914  $—  

Lease commitments

   382,848   11,772   46,680   46,431   46,694   45,876   185,395

Investment commitments

   186,629   12,772   11,350   10,795   —     25,744   125,968

Payable to Merrill Lynch

   141,922   141,922   —     —     —     —     —  

Purchase obligations

   26,649   7,277   12,506   6,055   811   —     —  

Management contract

   4,000   —     1,000   1,000   1,000   1,000   —  
                            

Total contractual obligations

  $1,012,654  $173,746  $78,099  $70,844  $55,068  $323,534  $311,363
                            

 

- 4335 -


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

Convertible Debentures

In February 2005, the Company issued $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of convertible debentures due in 2035 and bearing interest at a rate of 2.625% per annum (the “Debentures”). Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, or approximately $6.6 million a year, and commenced August 15, 2005. The Debentures are callable by the Company at any time on or after February 20, 2010. In addition, the Debentures contain certain put and conversion provisions. On the contractual obligations table above, the principal balance of the Debentures is assumed to be repaid in 2010, and related interest has been included through the call date.

Lease Commitments

The Company leases its primary office space and certain office equipment under agreements that expire through 2017. In connection with certain lease agreements, the Company is responsible for escalation payments. The contractual obligations table above includes only guaranteed minimum lease payments for such leases and does not project potential escalation or other lease-related payments. These leases are classified as operating leases for financial statement purposes and, as such, are not recorded as liabilities on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition.

Investment Commitments

The Company has various capital commitments to fund companies or investment funds in which it has an ownership stake. Generally, the timing of the funding of these commitments is dependent upon the needs of the investment and, therefore, is uncertain. Capital commitments have been shown in the contractual obligations table above to be paid upon the expiration of the commitment. Actual payments could be made at any time prior to such date. As these commitments are not probable and estimable, they have not been recorded on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2006. The above schedule does not include potential future commitments approved by the Company’s Investment Committee but which are not yet considered legally binding commitments.

The Company assumed the obligation to fund in the future certain primarily private equity funds acquired with the MLIM business. These funding commitments of $144,356 expire $12,772 in 2006, $10,795 in 2008, $15,489 in 2010 and $105,300 thereafter.

The Company has also committed to fund certain BlackRock funds, primarily alternative funds, a total of $42,273. These commitments expire $11,350 in 2007, $10,255 in 2010 and $20,668 thereafter.

BlackRock is also obligated to maintain a specified ownership level in certain investment products, which may result in additional required contributions of capital. These amounts are inherently uncertain and have been excluded from the contractual obligations schedule above. In addition, as a general partner in certain private equity partnerships, the Company receives distributions from the partnerships according to the provisions of the partnership agreements. The Company may, from time to time, be required to return all or a portion of such distributions to the limited partners in the event the limited partners do not achieve a certain return as specified in the various partnership agreements.

In October 2006, the Company, along with other investors, committed capital to fund the purchase of a large apartment complex in New York City from MetLife. The Company’s maximum commitment is $125,000, which is expected to be funded in the fourth quarter of 2006.

- 44 -


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

Payable to Merrill Lynch

In connection with the MLIM Transaction, Merrill Lynch was required to provide a minimum tangible equity balance calculated pursuant to the Transaction Agreement. As of September 30, 2006, the Company has estimated that the tangible equity in the MLIM entities exceeded the required amount by $141,922. This amount has been recorded as a payable to Merrill Lynch in Due to Affiliates on the condensed consolidated statement of financial condition at September 30, 2006. This amount is subject to a number of fair value and other adjustments. In November 2006, the Company repaid $100,000 of this amount and expects the remainder to be repaid in 2006.

Purchase Obligations

In the ordinary course of business, BlackRock enters into contracts, or purchase obligations, with third parties whereby the third parties provide services to or on behalf of BlackRock. Purchase obligations included in the contractual obligations table above represent executory contracts which are either non-cancelable or cancelable with penalty. At September 30, 2006, the Company’s obligations primarily reflect shareholder servicing arrangements related to client investments in the BlackRock Closed-End Funds, sub-advisory agreements and standard service contracts with third parties for portfolio, market data and office services. Purchase obligations are recorded on the Company’s financial statements only after the goods or services have been received and, as such, these obligations are not included in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2006.

Management Contract

In connection with a management contract acquired on May 15, 2000, which was associated with the agreement and plan of merger of CORE Cap, Inc. with Anthracite Capital, Inc. (“Anthracite”), a BlackRock managed REIT, the Company recorded an $8.0 million liability using an imputed interest rate of 10.0%, the prevailing interest rate on the date of acquisition. For the period ended September 30, 2006, the related expense was $0.3 million. At September 30, 2006, the future commitment under the agreement is $4.0 million and has been included in the contractual obligations table above. If Anthracite’s management contract is terminated, not renewed or not extended for any reason other than cause, Anthracite would remit to the Company all future payments due under this obligation. As of September 30, 2006, the discounted value of this obligation was $3.2 million and was included in long-term borrowings.

Acquisition Forward Commitment

On April 30, 2003, the Company purchased an investment manager of a fund of hedge funds for approximately $4.1 million in cash. Additionally, the Company committed to purchase the remaining equity of the investment manager on March 31, 2008, subject to certain acceleration provisions. The purchase price of this remaining interest is performance-based and is not subject to a maximum, minimum or the continued employment of former employees of the investment manager with the Company. Based on the current performance of the investment manager, the Company’s obligation, if it were to be settled at September 30, 2006, would be approximately $7.1 million. As the remaining obligation is dependent upon the performance of the investment managers through March 31, 2008, however, the ultimate liability is not estimable at September 30, 2006 and, as such, this commitment has been excluded from the contractual obligations table above and from BlackRock’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

- 45 -


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)

Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

Compensation and Benefit Obligations

The Company has various compensation and benefit obligations, including bonuses, commissions and incentive payments payable, employee stock purchase plan and defined contribution plan matching contribution obligations, deferred compensation arrangements, defined benefit plan obligations, post-employment benefits and post-retirement benefits which are excluded from the table above due to uncertainties in their payout periods. Accrued compensation and benefits at September 30, 2006 totaled $865.3 million and included incentive compensation of $402.1 million, deferred compensation of $384.9 million and other compensation and benefits related obligations of $78.3 million. Incentive compensation is primarily payable in early 2007, while the deferred compensation obligations are generally payable over three to five years, but include defined benefit plan liabilities whose payment patterns are uncertain.

Shares to be distributed to participants under the Company’s LTIP program, which vest in the first quarter of 2007, include an option whereby the LTIP participants may put approximately $173,490 in distributed shares back to BlackRock at fair market value. The Company currently cannot estimate the number of participants that will exercise this put option upon vesting of LTIP awards in the first quarter of 2007 and has, therefore, excluded this amount from the contractual obligations table above. In addition, the Company will pay approximately $34,706 in cash awards in the first quarter of 2007 related to the LTIP awards.

Credit Default Swap Obligation

SSR acts as investment manager for a synthetic CDO arrangement (“Pillars”). In connection with the Pillars transaction, SSR entered into a swap arrangement providing up to $16.7 million in credit protection with respect to a portfolio of highly-rated asset-backed securities and corporate bonds. The potential $16.7 million obligation has been excluded from the contractual obligations table above, and from the condensed consolidated financial statements, since the obligation was not considered probable of occurring as of September 30, 2006.

Purchase Price Contingencies

In January 2005, the Company closed its acquisition of SSR from MetLife for adjusted consideration of approximately $265.1 million in cash and 550,000 restricted shares of class A common stock, not including certain additional contingent payments. On the fifth anniversary of the closing of the SSR transaction, MetLife could receive an additional payment up to a maximum of $10.0 million based on the Company’s retained AUM associated with the MetLife defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Due to its inherent uncertainty, this contingency has been excluded from the contractual obligations table above and has not been recorded on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2006.

Indemnifications

In many of the contracts, BlackRock agrees to indemnify the third party service provider under certain circumstances. The terms of the indemnities vary from contract to contract and the amount of indemnification liability, if any, cannot be determined and has not been included in the table above or recorded in the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2006.

- 46 -


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 3. Quantitative3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

In the normal course of its business, BlackRock is primarily exposed to equity market price risk, interest rate risk and foreign exchange rate risk. The tables below represent BlackRock’s total consolidated investment portfolio. Approximately $1.5 billion of BlackRock’s total investment portfolio is maintained in investments which are deemed to be controlled by BlackRock in accordance with GAAP and are, therefore, consolidated even though BlackRock may or may not own a majority of such funds. Equity risk inherent in those funds, as displayed below, would be limited to its net exposure of $371.5 million on these investments.

As a leading investment management firm, BlackRock devotes significant resources across all of its operations to identifying, measuring, monitoring, managing and analyzing market and operating risks, including in the management and oversight of its own investment portfolio. The Board of Directors of the Company has adopted guidelines for the review of investments to be made by the Company, requiring, among other things, that all investments be reviewed by the Company’s Investment Committee, which consists of senior officers of the Company, and that certain investments over prescribed thresholds receive prior approval from the Audit Committee or the Board of Directors depending on the circumstances.

Equity Price Risk

BlackRock’s investments, including consolidated seed investments, and investments consolidated under EITF 04-5, may expose BlackRock to equity price risk. The following table summarizes the fair values of the investments exposed to equity price risk and provides a sensitivity analysis of the estimated fair values of those investments, assuming a 10% increase or decrease in equity prices:

 

September 30, 2006

  

Carrying

Value

  Fair value
assuming 10%
increase in
market price
  Fair value
assuming 10%
decrease in
market price
  Book Value  

Fair value

assuming 10%

increase

  

Fair value

assuming 10%

decrease

March 31, 2007

         

Equity securities

  $95,579  $105,137  $86,021

Commingled investments

  $80,105  $88,116  $72,095   151,114   166,225   136,003

Equity securities

   108,666   119,533   97,799
                  

Total trading investments

   188,771   207,649   169,894

Total investments, trading

   246,693   271,362   222,024
                  

Commingled investments

   75,123   82,635   67,611   70,322   77,354   63,290

Other

   7,492   8,241   6,743
                  

Total available-for-sale investments

   82,615   90,876   74,354   70,322   77,354   63,290
                  

Other fund investments

   1,087,542   1,196,296   978,788   1,511,305   1,662,436   1,360,175

Deferred compensation plans

   17,818   19,600   16,036   21,714   23,885   19,543
                  

Total other investments

   1,105,360   1,215,896   994,824   1,533,019   1,686,321   1,379,718
                  

Total equity price risk on investments

  $1,376,746  $1,514,421  $1,239,072  $1,850,034  $2,035,037  $1,665,032
                  

December 31, 2005

         

Mutual funds

  $22,319  $24,550  $20,087

December 31, 2006

         

Equity securities

   18,425   20,267   16,582  $155,930  $171,523  $140,337

Commingled investments

   125,115   137,627   112,604
                  

Total trading investments

   40,744   44,817   36,669

Total investments, trading

   281,045   309,150   252,941
                  

Mutual funds

   766   842   689

Commingled investments

   77,272   84,999   69,545
                  

Total available-for-sale investments

   766   842   689   77,272   84,999   69,545
                  

Other fund investments

   84,843   93,327   76,358   1,377,541   1,515,295   1,239,787

Deferred compensation plans

   24,495   26,944   22,045   18,146   19,961   16,331

Other

   973   1,070   875
                  

Total equity investments

   110,311   121,341   99,278

Total other investments

   1,395,687   1,535,256   1,256,118
                  

Total equity price risk on investments

  $151,821  $167,000  $136,636  $1,754,004  $1,929,405  $1,578,604
                  
         

- 36 -


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk (continued)

Equity Market Price Risk (continued)

BlackRock’s deferred compensation plans comprise $21.9$49.2 million and $22.3$31.3 million of total trading investments, and $17.8$21.7 million and $24.5$18.1 million of total other investments, at September 30, 2006March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2005,2006, respectively, and reflect investments held by BlackRock with respect to senior employee elections under BlackRock’s deferred compensation plans. Any change in the fair value of these investments is offset by a corresponding change in the related deferred compensation liability.

Approximately $1,045,092During 2007, the Company established a hedging program to hedge exposure to equity price risk in certain investments through the use of BlackRock’s total investment portfolio is maintained in investment funds which are consolidated under various accounting standards even though BlackRock does not own a majority of such funds. BlackRock owns an average stake of approximately 23% of such funds. As such, equity risk inherent in those funds, as displayed above, would be partially offset in minority interest.derivative instruments.

- 47 -


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk (continued)

Interest Rate Risk

The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s investments in debt securities and funds that invest primarily in debt securities that expose BlackRock to interest rate risk at September 30, 2006March 31, 2007 and December 31, 2005.2006. The table also provides a sensitivity analysis of the estimated fair value of these financial instruments, assuming 100 basis point upward and downward parallel shifts in the yield curve:

 

September 30, 2006

  Carrying
Value
  Fair market value
assuming +100
basis point shift
  Fair market value
assuming -100
basis point shift
  

Book

Value

  

Fair market value

assuming +100

basis point shift

  

Fair market value

assuming -100

basis point shift

March 31, 2007

         

Municipal debt securities

  $185,910  $158,024  $213,797

U.S. government securities

   7,529   7,529   7,529

Mortgage-backed securities

  $5,711  $5,538  $5,884   6,797   6,797   6,797

Corporate notes and bonds

   12,427   12,032   12,822

Municipal bonds

   26,367   23,363   26,371

Corporate debt

   1,470   1,470   1,470

Other debt securities

   5,215   5,215   5,215
                  

Total trading investments

   44,505   43,933   45,077   206,921   179,035   234,808
                  

Commingled investments

   46,353   45,668   47,040   59,477   57,721   61,233

Collateralized debt obligations

   32,751   31,921   33,580   28,139   27,502   28,776

Other

   2,820   2,538   3,102
                  

Total available-for-sale investments

   79,104   77,589   80,620   90,436   87,761   93,111
                  

Other fund investments

   115,856   115,388   116,323   47,472   46,286   48,658
                  

Total other investments

   115,856   115,388   116,323
         

Total investments

  $239,465  $236,910  $242,020  $344,829  $313,082  $376,577
                  

December 31, 2005

         

Mortgage-backed securities

  $13,069  $12,827  $13,311

December 31, 2006

         

Municipal debt securities

  $154,510  $130,224  $178,796

Corporate notes and bonds

   7,946   7,575   8,262   13,656   13,192   14,120

Municipal bonds

   123   117   128

Commingled investments

   23,272   23,275   23,269
                  

Total trading investments

   21,138   20,519   21,701   191,438   166,691   216,185
                  

Mutual funds

   3,543   3,426   3,660

Commingled investments

   48,377   48,305   48,449

Collateralized debt obligations

   25,717   25,222   26,212   29,362   29,346   29,378

Other

   3,431   3,397   3,465
                  

Total available-for-sale investments

   29,260   28,648   29,872   81,170   81,048   81,292
                  

Other fund investments

   96,449   94,998   97,900   70,962   71,209   70,715
                  

Total other investments

   96,449   94,998   97,900
         

Total investments

  $146,847  $144,165  $149,473  $343,570  $318,948  $368,192
                  
         

Approximately $1,045,092 of BlackRock’s investment portfolio is maintained in investment funds which are consolidated under various accounting standards even though BlackRock does not own a majority of such funds. BlackRock owns an average stake of approximately 23% of such funds. As such, interest rate risk inherent in those funds, as displayed above, would be partially offset in minority interest.

- 37 -


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk (continued)

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk

The Company has increased its foreign exchange rate risk as a result of the MLIM Transaction.transaction. The Company has investments totaling approximately $160,445$144 million that are denominated in foreign currencies, primarily the British pound sterling and the euro. A 10% increase or decrease in foreign exchange rates as of September 30, 2006March 31, 2007 would result in an increase or a decline in value of the investment portfolio of approximately $16,045.$14 million. In addition, the Company maintains certain foreign currency denominated cash accounts totaling approximately $450,000 as of September 30, 2006,$496.0 million at March 31, 2007, primarily in British pounds sterling. A 10% increase or decrease in foreign exchange rates as of September 30, 2006March 31, 2007 would result in aan increase or decline in value of such cash accounts of approximately $8,180.$49.6 million.

- 48 -


PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk (continued)

Other Market Risks

In February 2005, the Company issued $250 million aggregate principal amount of convertible debentures, which will be due in 2035 and bear interest at 2.625% per annum. Due to the Debentures’ conversion feature, these financial instruments are exposed to both interest rate risk and equity price risk. At September 30, 2006,March 31, 2007, the fair value of the debentures was $378.6$405.2 million. Assuming 100 basis point upward and downward parallel shifts in the yield curve, based on the fair value of the debentures on September 30, 2006,March 31, 2007, the fair value of the debentures would fluctuate to $370.4$398.6 million and $386.8$411.7 million, respectively. Assuming a 10% increase and 10% decrease in the Company’s stock price, based on the fair value of the Debenturesdebentures on September 30, 2006,March 31, 2007, the fair value of the debenturesDebentures would fluctuate to $410.1$437.2 million and $347.5$373.7 million, respectively.

In addition, BlackRock’s investment management revenues are comprised of fees based on a percentage of the value of AUM and, in some cases, performance fees expressed as a percentage of the returns realized on AUM. Declines in equity market prices or interest rates, or both, could cause revenues to decline because of lower investment management fees byby:

 

causing the value of AUM to decrease;

causing the returns realized on AUM to decrease;

causing clients to withdraw funds in favor of investments in markets that they perceive to offer greater opportunity and that the Company does not serve; and

causing clients to rebalance assets away from investments that BlackRock manages into investments that BlackRock does not manage.

Item 4.4.Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the direction of BlackRock’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, BlackRock management evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of September 30, 2006.March 31, 2007. Based on this evaluation, BlackRock’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that BlackRock’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2006.March 31, 2007.

No changeInternal Control and Financial Reporting

Other than system conversion activities related to the transition of support from Merrill Lynch to BlackRock, there have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting occurred during the periodquarter ended September 30, 2006March 31, 2007 that hashave materially affected, or isare reasonably likely to materially affect, such internal control over financial reporting.

The Company believes that the acquisition of the MLIM business will have a significant impact on the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting and currently is evaluatingcontinuing to evaluate its internal controls in light of the MLIM Transaction. The CompanyTransaction and expects to make the appropriateadditional modifications to its internal controls after completion of its review.

 

- 4938 -


PART II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal1.Legal Proceedings

BlackRock has received subpoenas from various U.S. federal and state governmental and regulatory authorities and various information requests from the SEC in connection with industry-wide investigations of U.S. mutual fund matters. BlackRock is continuing to cooperate fully in these matters. From time to time, BlackRock is subject to other regulatory inquiries and proceedings.

The Company, including a number of the legal entities acquired in the MLIM Transaction, has been named as a defendant in various legal actions, including arbitrations, class actions, and other litigation and regulatory proceedings arising in connection with BlackRock’s activities. Additionally, the investment funds that the Company manages are subject to lawsuits, any of which could harm the investment returns of the applicable fund or result in the Companymanagers being liable to the funds for any resulting damages. While Merrill Lynch has agreed to indemnify the Company for certain of the pre-closing liabilities related to legal and regulatory proceedings acquired in the MLIM Transaction, entities that BlackRock now owns may be named as defendants in these matters and the Company’s reputation may be negatively impacted.

Management, after consultation with legal counsel, does not currently anticipate that the aggregate liability, if any, arising out of such regulatory matters or lawsuits will have a material adverse effect on BlackRock’s financial position, although at the present time, management is not in a position to determine whether any such pending or threatened matters will have a material adverse effect on BlackRock’s results of operations and cash flows in any future reporting period.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

BlackRock’s business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of the following risks. The value of the Company’s securities could decline due to any of these risks. The following risk factors are intended to supersede those presented in the Company’s Form 10-K as of December 31, 2005 as filed with the SEC on March 8, 2006.

Risks Related to Our Business and Competition

Changes in the securities markets could lead to a decline in revenues.

BlackRock’s investment management revenues are comprised of fees based on a percentage of the value of assets under management (“AUM”) and, in some cases, performance fees expressed as a percentage of the returns realized on AUM. A decline in the prices of stocks or bonds within or outside the United States could cause revenues to decline because of lower investment management fees by:

causing the value of AUM to decrease;

causing the returns realized on AUM to decrease;

causing clients to withdraw funds in favor of investments in markets that they perceive offer greater opportunity and that the Company does not serve; and

causing clients to rebalance assets away from investments that BlackRock manages into investments that it does not manage.

Poor investment performance could lead to the loss of clients and a decline in revenues.

The Company’s management believes that investment performance is one of the most important factors for the growth of AUM. Poor investment performance relative to the portfolio benchmarks and to competitors could reduce revenues and growth because:

existing clients might withdraw funds in favor of better performing products, which would result in lower investment management fees;

the ability to attract funds from existing and new clients might diminish;

the Company might earn minimal or no performance fees; and

the value of certain seed investments that BlackRock makes in its funds, as well as investments in other securities, may decline.

- 50 -


PART II — OTHER INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1A. Risk Factors (continued)

Loss of key employees could lead to the loss of clients and a decline in revenues.

The ability to attract and retain quality personnel has contributed significantly to BlackRock’s growth and success and is important to attracting and retaining clients. The market for qualified fund managers, investment analysts, financial advisers and other professionals is competitive. Key employees may depart because of issues relating to the difficulty integrating the MLIM business. The Company has encouraged the continued retention of executives and other key personnel through measures such as providing deferred compensation and competitive annual and long-term compensation arrangements and, in the case of the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, an employment agreement. BlackRock has also provided retention incentives for individuals who are a part of the combined business that took effect upon the completion of the MLIM Transaction. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in its efforts to recruit and retain the required personnel. Loss of a significant number of key personnel could have an adverse effect on the Company.

Our investment advisory contracts may be terminated or may not be renewed by clients.

Separate account clients may terminate their investment management contracts with BlackRock or withdraw funds on short notice. The Company has, from time to time, lost separate accounts and could, in the future, lose accounts under various circumstances, such as adverse market conditions or poor performance. Additionally, BlackRock manages its U.S. mutual funds pursuant to management contracts with the funds that must be renewed and approved by the funds’ boards of directors annually. A majority of the directors of each mutual fund are independent from BlackRock. Consequently, there can be no assurance that the board of directors of each fund that the Company manages will approve the fund’s management contract each year, or will not condition its approval on the terms of the management contract being revised in a way that is adverse to the Company.

Failure to comply with client contractual requirements and/or guidelines could result in damage awards against BlackRock and loss of revenues due to client terminations.

When clients retain BlackRock to manage assets or provide products or services on their behalf, they specify guidelines or contractual requirements that the Company is required to observe in the provision of its services. A failure to comply with these guidelines or contractual requirements could result in damage to BlackRock’s reputation or to the client seeking to recover losses, reducing its AUM or risk management advisory assignment, or terminating its contract, any of which could cause the Company’s earnings or stock price to decline.

Competitive fee pressures could reduce revenues and profit margins.

The investment management business is highly competitive and has relatively low barriers to entry. To the extent that the Company is forced to compete on the basis of price, it may not be able to maintain its current fee structure. Fee reductions on existing or future new business could cause revenues and profit margins to decline.

Performance fees may increase earnings volatility, which could decrease BlackRock’s stock price.

A portion of the Company’s revenues are derived from performance fees on investment and risk management advisory assignments. In most cases, performance fees are based on investment returns, although in some cases they are based on achieving specific service standards. Generally, the Company is entitled to performance fees only if the returns on the related portfolios exceed agreed-upon periodic or cumulative return targets. If these targets are not exceeded, performance fees for that period will not be earned and, if targets are based on cumulative returns, the Company may not earn performance fees in future periods. Performance fees will vary from period to period in relation to volatility in investment returns, causing earnings to be more volatile than if assets were not managed on a performance fee basis. The volatility in earnings may decrease BlackRock’s stock price. Performance fees represented $202.4 million, or 18.7%, of total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2006.

- 51 -


PART II — OTHER INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1A. Risk Factors (continued)

Additional acquisitions may decrease earnings and harm the Company’s competitive position.

BlackRock employs a variety of strategies intended to enhance earnings and expand product offerings in order to improve profit margins. These strategies have included smaller-sized lift-outs of investment teams and acquisitions of investment management businesses, such as the MLIM Transaction. In general, these strategies may not be effective and failure to successfully develop and implement these strategies may decrease earnings and harm the Company’s competitive position in the investment management industry. In the event BlackRock pursues meaningful acquisitions, it may not be able to find suitable businesses to acquire at acceptable prices and it may not be able to successfully integrate or realize the intended benefits from these acquisitions.

Risks Related to BlackRock’s Operations

Failure to maintain adequate infrastructure could impede the ability to support business growth.

BlackRock has experienced significant growth in its business activities as a result of the MLIM Transaction and other efforts. The Company is in the process of building out its infrastructure to integrate the MLIM business and to support continued growth, including technological capacity, data centers, backup facilities and sufficient space for expanding staff levels. The failure to maintain an adequate infrastructure commensurate with expansion could impede the Company’s growth, which could cause the Company’s earnings or stock price to decline.

Our expansion into international markets increases our operational, regulatory and other risks.

BlackRock has dramatically increased its international business activities as a result of the MLIM Transaction and other efforts. As a result of such expansion, the Company faces increased operational, regulatory, reputational and foreign exchange rate risk. The failure of the Company’s systems of internal control to properly mitigate such additional risks, or of its operating infrastructure to support such international expansion, could result in operational failures and regulatory fines or sanctions, which could cause the Company’s earnings or stock price to decline.

Failure to maintain a technological advantage could lead to a loss of clients and a decline in revenues.

A key element to continued success is the ability to maintain a technological advantage both in terms of operational efficiency and in providing the sophisticated risk analytics incorporated into BlackRock’s operating systems that support investment advisory andBlackRock Solutions clients. Moreover, the Company’s technological and software advantage is dependent on a number of third parties who provide it with various types of data. The failure of these third parties to provide such data or software could result in operational difficulties and adversely impact BlackRock’s ability to provide services toBlackRock Solutions clients. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to maintain this technological advantage or be able to effectively protect and enforce its intellectual property rights in these systems and processes.

Failure to implement effective information security policies, procedures and capabilities could disrupt operations and cause financial losses that could result in a decrease in our earnings or stock price.

BlackRock is dependent on the effectiveness of its information security policies, procedures and capabilities to protect its computer and telecommunications systems, and the data that reside on or are transmitted through them. An externally caused information security incident, such as a hacker attack or a virus or worm, or an internally caused issue, such as failure to control access to sensitive systems, could materially interrupt business operations or cause disclosure or modification of sensitive or confidential information and could result in material financial loss, regulatory actions, breach of client contracts, reputational harm or legal liability, which, in turn, could cause a decline in the Company’s earnings or stock price.

- 52 -


PART II — OTHER INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1A. Risk Factors (continued)

Risks Related to the Recently Closed MLIM Transaction

The continuing integration of the MLIM business creates numerous risks and uncertainties that could adversely affect profitability.

The MLIM business and personnel are in the process of being integrated with BlackRock’s previously existing business and personnel. These transition activities are complex, and the Company may encounter unexpected difficulties, or incur unexpected costs, in any of them, including:

the diversion of management’s attention to integration matters;

difficulties in achieving expected synergies associated with the MLIM Transaction;

difficulties in the integration of operations and systems;

difficulties in the assimilation of employees;

difficulties in replacing the support functions previously provided by Merrill Lynch to MLIM, including support and assistance in respect of risk management, financial and operational functions;

challenges in keeping existing clients and obtaining new clients, including potential conflicts of interest; and

challenges in attracting and retaining key personnel.

As a result, the Company may not be able to realize the expected revenue growth and other benefits that it hopes to achieve from the MLIM Transaction. In addition, BlackRock may be required to spend additional time or money on integration that would otherwise be spent on the development and expansion of its business and services.

Merrill Lynch is a primary distributor of BlackRock’s products, and the Company is therefore subject to risks associated with the business of Merrill Lynch.

Pursuant to a global distribution agreement entered into with Merrill Lynch in connection with the MLIM Transaction, Merrill Lynch distributes BlackRock’s asset management products and services through its various distribution channels and is a primary distributor of the Company’s products. The Company may not be successful in distributing products through Merrill Lynch or in distributing our products and services through other third party distributors, and the transfer of the MLIM business to BlackRock might have an adverse effect on Merrill Lynch’s ability to distribute, and on the costs of distributing, the Company’s existing products and services. If BlackRock is unable to distribute its products and services successfully or if it experiences an increase in distribution-related expenses following the completion of the MLIM Transaction, BlackRock’s business, results of operations or financial condition may be adversely affected.

Loss of market share with Merrill Lynch’s Global Private Client group could harm operating results.

A significant portion of the revenue of the MLIM business has historically come from AUM generated by Merrill Lynch’s Global Private Client Group (“GPC”). At September 29, 2006, the GPC affiliated accounts of the MLIM business represented 20% of BlackRock’s AUM. BlackRock’s ability to maintain a strong relationship with GPC is material to the Company’s future performance. If one of the Company’s competitors gains significant additional market share within the GPC retail channel, then BlackRock’s business, results of operations or financial condition might be negatively impacted.

- 53 -


PART II — OTHER INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1A. Risk Factors (continued)

For so long as Merrill Lynch and PNC maintain certain levels of stock ownership, Merrill Lynch and PNC will vote as stockholders in accordance with the recommendation of the BlackRock’s board of directors, and certain actions will require special board approval or the prior approval of Merrill Lynch and PNC.

As a result of the stockholder agreements entered into with BlackRock and PNC and Merrill Lynch in connection with the MLIM Transaction, together with the Company’s ownership structure, stockholders may have no effective power to influence corporate actions. Merrill Lynch owns 45% of BlackRock’s issued and outstanding common stock, and approximately 49.3% of total capital stock on a fully-diluted basis, and PNC owns approximately 34% of BlackRock’s issued and outstanding capital stock.

Merrill Lynch and PNC have agreed to vote all of their shares in accordance with the recommendation of BlackRock’s board of directors to the extent consistent with the provisions of the Merrill Lynch stockholder agreement and the PNC implementation and stockholder agreement. As a consequence, matters submitted to a stockholder vote, including elections of directors, will be approved or disapproved solely in accordance with the determinations of the BlackRock board of directors, so long as the shares held by Merrill Lynch and PNC constitute a majority of the outstanding shares. This arrangement will have the effect of concentrating control over BlackRock in its board of directors, whether or not stockholders agree with any particular determination of the board.

Legal and Regulatory Risks

BlackRock is subject to extensive regulation in the United States and internationally.

BlackRock’s business is subject to extensive regulation in the United States and around the world. Violation of applicable laws or regulations could result in fines, temporary or permanent prohibition of the engagement in certain activities, reputational harm, suspensions of personnel or revocation of their licenses, suspension or termination of investment adviser or broker-dealer registrations, or other sanctions, which could cause the Company’s earnings or stock price to decline. Additionally, BlackRock’s business may be adversely impacted by regulatory and legislative initiatives imposed by various U.S. and non-U.S. regulatory and exchange authorities, and industry participants that continue to review and, in many cases, adopt changes to their established rules and policies.

Failure to comply with the Investment Advisers Act and the Investment Company Act and related regulations could result in substantial harm to BlackRock’s reputation and results of operations.

Certain of BlackRock’s subsidiaries are registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act and BlackRock’s U.S. mutual funds are registered with the SEC under the Investment Company Act. The Investment Advisers Act imposes numerous obligations and fiduciary duties on registered investment advisers, including record-keeping, operating and marketing requirements, disclosure obligations and prohibitions on fraudulent activities. The Investment Company Act imposes similar obligations, as well as additional detailed operational requirements, on investment advisers to registered investment companies. The failure of any of BlackRock’s subsidiaries to comply with the Investment Advisers Act or the Investment Company Act could cause the SEC to institute proceedings and impose sanctions for violations of either of these acts, including censure, termination of an investment adviser’s registration or prohibition to serve as adviser to SEC-registered funds and could lead to litigation by investors in those funds or harm to the Company’s reputation, any of which could cause its earnings or stock price to decline.

- 54 -


PART II — OTHER INFORMATION (continued)

Item 1A. Risk Factors (continued)

Failure to comply with ERISA regulations could result in penalties and cause the Company’s earnings or stock price to decline.

BlackRock’s asset management subsidiaries are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) and to regulations promulgated thereunder, insofar as they act as a “fiduciary” under ERISA with respect to benefit plan clients. ERISA and applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code impose duties on persons who are fiduciaries under ERISA, prohibit specified transactions involving ERISA plan clients and provide monetary penalties for violations of these prohibitions. The failure of any of BlackRock’s subsidiaries to comply with these requirements could result in significant penalties that could reduce the Company’s earnings or cause its stock price to decline.

BlackRock is subject to banking regulations that may limit its business activities.

Because BlackRock is deemed an affiliate of PNC, a bank holding company, the Company is subject to general banking regulations that limit the activities and the types of businesses in which it may engage. Banking regulations may put the Company at a competitive disadvantage because most competitors are not subject to these limitations. As an affiliate of PNC, BlackRock is subject to the supervision, regulation and examination of the Federal Reserve Board (“FRB”). The Company is also subject to the broad enforcement authority of the FRB, including the FRB’s power to prohibit BlackRock from engaging in any activity that, in the FRB’s opinion, constitutes an unsafe or unsound practice in conducting the Company’s business. The FRB also may impose substantial fines and other penalties for violations of applicable banking regulations.

Legal proceedings could adversely affect operating results and financial condition for a particular period.

Many aspects of BlackRock’s business involve substantial risks of legal liability. The Company, including a number of the legal entities acquired in the MLIM Transaction, has been named as a defendant in various legal actions, including arbitrations, class actions, and other litigation and regulatory proceedings arising in connection with BlackRock’s activities. Additionally, the investment funds that the Company manages are subject to lawsuits, any of which could harm the investment returns of the applicable fund or result in the Company being liable to the funds for any resulting damages. While Merrill Lynch has agreed to indemnify the Company for certain of the pre-closing liabilities related to legal and regulatory proceedings acquired in the MLIM Transaction, entities that BlackRock now owns may be named as defendants in these matters and the Company’s reputation may be negatively impacted. Liability for legal actions for which no indemnification is available could have a negative impact on results of operations and financial condition. See “Part II, Item I, Legal Proceedings.”

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION (continued)

Item 2. Unregistered2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

(c)During the three months ended September 30, 2006,March 31, 2007, the Company made the following purchases of its shares of class A common stock, that werewhich are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.Act.

 

   

Total Number of

Shares

Purchased

  

Average Price

Paid per Share

  

Total Number of

Shares

Purchased as

Part of Publicly
Announced Plans

of Programs

  

Maximum

Number of

Shares that May

Yet Be

Purchased

Under the Plans

or Programs1

July 1, 2006 through July 31, 2006

  180,825  $129.21  180,825  —  

August 1, 2006 through August 31, 2006

  2042 $125.43  —    2,100,000

September 1, 2006 through September 30, 2006

  —     —    —    2,100,000
            

Total

  181,029  $129.20  180,825  
            

    

Total Number of

Shares

Purchased

  

Average Price

Paid per Share

  

Total Number of

Shares

Purchased as

Part of Publicly

Announced Plans

of Programs

  

Maximum

Number of

Shares that May

Yet Be

Purchased

Under the Plans

or Programs1

 

January 1, 2007 through January 31, 2007

  967,7032 $169.15  —    2,100,000 

February 1, 2007 through February 28, 2007

  4,1963 $169.17  —    2,100,000 

March 1, 2007 through March 31, 2007

  —     —    —    2,100,0004
            

Total

  971,899  $169.15  —    
            
       

1

On January 21, 2004, the Company announced a two million share repurchase program. On August 2, 2006, the Company announced that it had made purchases of all two million shares under this program and that the Board has authorized a new program to purchase an additional 2.1 million shares.share repurchase program with no stated expiration date.

2

Includes 966,512 shares purchased by the Company from employees on January 29, 2007 pursuant to a put feature available in connection with the payment of BlackRock’s LTIP awards on that date. This number also includes purchases made by the Company primarily to satisfy income tax withholding obligations of employees related to the vesting of certain employees.restricted stock or restricted stock unit awards. All such purchases were made outside of the publicly announced share repurchase program.

3

On February 8, 2007, the Company purchased 4,196 shares from employees pursuant to a put feature available in connection with the payment of BlackRock’s LTIP awards.

4

During the second quarter 2007 through May 2, 2007, the Company had repurchased a total of 445,700 shares at an average price of $151.44 per share under the program.

 

- 5639 -


PART II OTHER INFORMATION (continued)

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of the Stockholders

The 2006 special meeting of the stockholders of Old BlackRock, Inc. was held on September 25, 2006 for the purpose of considering and acting upon the following items. Old BlackRock’s class A common stockholders and class B common stockholders voted together as a single class on each proposal considered at the special meeting. Class B common stockholders also voted separately as a class on the adoption of the Transaction Agreement and the approval of the MLIM Transaction and on each proposal relating to the adoption of provisions of the BlackRock certificate of incorporation. Each share of class A common stock was entitled to one vote and each share of class B common stock was entitled to five votes.

(1)Proposed MLIMTransaction. Eight matters were approved and the votes cast for or against and the abstentions were as follows:

   Aggregate Votes
   For  Against  Abstained

1.      On the proposal to adopt the transaction agreement and plan of merger, dated as of February 15, 2006 by and among Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., Old BlackRock, BlackRock and BlackRock Merger Sub, Inc. and the approval of the merger contemplated thereby, pursuant to which BlackRock Merger Sub, Inc. was merged with and into Old BlackRock, with Old BlackRock surviving the merger as an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of BlackRock, and in which each share of issued and outstanding Old BlackRock class A common stock and each share of issued and outstanding BlackRock class B common stock was converted into one share of common stock of BlackRock.

  228,240,600  2,565  10,242
   Aggregate Votes
   For  Against  Abstained

2.      On the proposal to adopt in consideration for its contribution to BlackRock of the entities and assets that constitute its investment management business, the approval of issuance by BlackRock to Merrill Lynch of 65 million shares of capital stock of BlackRock, subject to adjustment, which was divided between shares of BlackRock common stock and shares of newly-issued non-voting series A convertible participating preferred stock, such that Merrill Lynch will hold no more than 45% of the voting power of BlackRock and no more than 49.8% of the total capital stock of BlackRock on a fully-diluted basis following the completion of the transactions.

  228,230,344  6,729  16,334

- 57 -


PART II — OTHER INFORMATION (continued)

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of the Stockholders (continued)

   Aggregate Votes
   For  Against  Abstained

3.      On the proposal to adopt the provisions in BlackRock’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws that state that, except as otherwise provided by law or the stockholders agreement with Merrill Lynch and PNC, at all meetings of the board of directors, a majority of the entire board of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the board of directors.

  228,173,137  64,278  15,992
   Aggregate Votes
   For  Against  Abstained

4.      On the proposal to adopt the provisions in BlackRock’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws that provide that the certificate of incorporation and by-laws may only be amended or modified in accordance with the provisions of the stockholder agreement with Merrill Lynch and the implementation and stockholders agreement with PNC, each of which was entered into in connection with the transactions described in Proposals 1 and 2.

  228,174,477  63,652  15,278
   Aggregate Votes
   For  Against  Abstained

5.      On the proposal to adopt the provisions in BlackRock’s certificate of incorporation authorizing 1 billion shares of capital stock, including 500 million shares of common stock and 500 million shares of preferred stock.

  228,087,988  153,739  11,680

- 58 -


PART II — OTHER INFORMATION (continued)

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of the Stockholders (continued)

   Aggregate Votes
   For  Against  Abstained

6.      On the proposal to adopt the provisions in BlackRock’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws permitting action by written consent of stockholders if such action has been approved in advance by the board of directors.

  228,025,134  198,975  29,297
   Aggregate Votes
   For  Against  Abstained

7.      On the proposal to adopt the provisions in BlackRock’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws permitting the number of directors on BlackRock’s board of directors to be changed by a vote of a majority of the entire board of directors.

  228,139,253  82,192  31,962
   Aggregate Votes
   For  Against  Abstained

8.      On the proposal to adopt a provision in BlackRock’s certificate of incorporation providing that BlackRock will be subject to Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, which governs certain business combinations with interested stockholders.

  228,127,350  92,120  33,937

- 59 -


PART II — OTHER INFORMATION (continued)

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of the Stockholders (continued)

(2)Compensation Plan. One matter was approved and the votes cast for or against and the abstentions were as follows:

   Aggregate Votes
   For  Against  Abstained

9.      On the proposal to adopt an amendment to the BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of Old BlackRock class A common stock authorized for issuance under the incentive plan from 14,000,000 to 17,000,000 shares.

  227,370,939  568,477  28,901

- 60 -


PART II — OTHER INFORMATION (continued)

Item 6. Exhibits6.Exhibits

As used in this exhibit list, “BlackRock” refers to BlackRock, Inc. (formerly named New BlackRock, Inc. and previously, New Boise, Inc.) and “Old BlackRock” refers to BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. (formerly named BlackRock, Inc.), which is the predecessor of BlackRock.

 

Exhibit No. 

Description

2.1(1) Transaction Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 15, 2006, by and among Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., the Registrant (formerly named New BlackRock, Inc. and previously named New Boise, Inc.), Boise Merger Sub, Inc. and Old BlackRock.
3.1(2) Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.BlackRock.
3.2(2) Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant.BlackRock.
3.3(2) Certificate of Designations of Series A Convertible Participating Preferred Stock of the registrant.BlackRock.
4.1(3) Specimen of Common Stock Certificate.
4.2(4) Indenture, dated as of February 23, 2005, between Old BlackRock and The Bank of New York (as successor-in-interest to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.), as trustee, relating to the 2.625% Convertible Debentures due 2035.
4.3(4) Form of 2.625% Convertible Debenture due 2035 (included as Exhibit A in Exhibit 4.2).
4.4(2) First Supplemental Indenture, dated September 29, 2006.
10.1(5) Tax Disaffiliation Agreement, dated October 6, 1999, among Old BlackRock, PNC Asset Management, Inc. and The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., formerly PNC Bank Corp.
10.2(3) BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+
10.3(3) Amendment No. 1 to the BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+
10.4(3) Amendment No. 2 to the BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+
10.5(3) Amendment No. 3 to the BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+
10.6(3) Amendment No. 4 to the BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+
10.7(3) BlackRock, Inc. 2002 Long-Term Retention and Incentive Program.+
10.8(3) Amendment No. 1 to 2002 Long-Term Retention and Incentive Program.+
10.9(3) Amendment No. 2 to 2002 Long-Term Retention and Incentive Program.+
10.10(3) BlackRock, Inc. Nonemployee Directors Stock Compensation Plan.+
10.11(3) BlackRock, Inc. Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan.+
10.12(3) BlackRock, Inc. Involuntary Deferred Compensation Plan.+
10.13(2) Form of Stock Option Agreement expected to be used in connection with future grants of Stock Options under the BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+

 

- 6140 -


PART II OTHER INFORMATION (continued)

Item 6. Exhibits

 

10.14(2) Form of Restricted Stock Agreement expected to be used in connection with future grants of Restricted Stock under the BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+
10.15(2) Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement expected to be used in connection with future grants of Restricted Stock Units under the BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+
10.16(2) Form of Directors’ Restricted Stock Unit Agreement expected to be used in connection with future grants of Restricted Stock Units under the BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+
10.17(6) BlackRock International, Ltd. Amended and Restated Long-Term Deferred Compensation Plan.+
10.18(7) Amendment No. 1 to the BlackRock International, Ltd. Amended and Restated Long-Term Deferred Compensation Plan.+
10.19(2) Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2006, among the Registrant,BlackRock, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and the PNC Financial Service Group, Inc.
10.20(5) Services Agreement, dated October 6, 1999, between Old BlackRock and The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., formerly PNC Bank Corp.
10.21(8) Agreement of Lease, dated May 3, 2000, between 40 East 52nd Street L.P. and Old BlackRock.
10.22(9) Agreement of Lease, dated September 4, 2001, between 40 East 52nd Street L.P. and Old BlackRock.
10.23(10) Share Surrender Agreement, dated October 10, 2002, among Old BlackRock, PNC Asset Management, Inc., and The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
10.24(1) First Amendment, dated as of February 15, 2006, to the Share Surrender Agreement, dated as of October 10, 2002, among PNC Bancorp, Inc., The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. and Old BlackRock.
10.25(10)10.25(11) Employment Agreement, between Old BlackRockAmended and Laurence D. Fink, dated October 10, 2002. Restated 1999 Annual Incentive Performance Plan.+
10.26(11)10.26(12) Agreement of Lease, dated July 29, 2004, between Park Avenue Plaza Company L.P. and Old BlackRock.
10.27(11)10.27(12) Letter Agreement, dated July 29, 2004, amending the Agreement of Lease between Park Avenue Plaza Company L.P. and Old BlackRock.
10.28(12)10.28(13) Stock Purchase Agreement among MetLife, Inc., Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, SSRM Holdings, Inc. Old BlackRock and BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., dated August 25, 2004.
10.29(4) Registration Rights Agreement dated as of February 23, 2005, between Old BlackRock and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, as representative of the initial purchasers named therein, relating to the 2.625% Convertible Debentures due 2035.

 

- 6241 -


PART II OTHER INFORMATION (continued)

Item 6. Exhibits

 

10.30(1) Implementation and Stockholder Agreement, dated as of February 15, 2006, among The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., the Registrant (formerly named New BlackRock Inc. and previously named New Boise, Inc.) and Old BlackRock.
10.31(1) Stockholder Agreement, dated as of February 15, 2006, between Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and the Registrant (formerly named New BlackRock, Inc. and previously named New Boise, Inc.).BlackRock.
10.32(2) Letter to Robert C. Doll.+
10.33(13)10.33(14) Global Distribution Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2006, by and between the RegistrantBlackRock and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
10.34(13)10.34(14) Transition Services Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2006, by and between Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and the Registrant.BlackRock.
10.35(15)Five-Year Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of December 19, 2006, by and among BlackRock, Wachovia Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender and issuing lender, various lenders, Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, as sole lead arranger and sole book manager, and ABN Amro Bank, N.V., HSBC Bank USA, National Association, JPMorgan Chase Bank and UBS Loan Finance LLC, as documentation agents.
12.1Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
31.1 Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
31.2 Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.
32.1 Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

(1)Incorporated by Reference to Old BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-15305) filed on February 22, 2006.
(2)Incorporated by Reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-33099) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 5, 2006.
(3)Incorporated by Reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-137708) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 29, 2006.
(4)Incorporated by Reference to Old BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission File No. 001-15305) for the year ended December 31, 2004.
(5)Incorporated by Reference to Old BlackRock’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-78367), as amended, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13, 1999.
(6)Incorporated by Reference to Old BlackRock’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-32406), originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 14, 2000.
(7)Incorporated by Reference to Old BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission File No. 001-15305), for the quarter ended September 30, 2000.
(8)Incorporated by Reference to Old BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission File No. 001-15305), for the quarter ended March 31, 2000.
(9)Incorporated by Reference to Old BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission File No. 001-15305), for the quarter ended September 30, 2001.
(10)Incorporated by Reference to Old BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission File No. 001-15305), for the quarter ended September 30, 2002.
(11)Incorporated by Reference to Old BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission File No. 001-15305), for the year ended December 31, 2002.
(12)Incorporated by Reference to Old BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission File No. 001-15305), for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.
(12)(13)Incorporated by Reference to Old BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-15305) filed on August 30, 2004.

- 42 -


EXHIBIT INDEX (continued)

(13)(14)Incorporated by Reference to BlackRock’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 9, 2006.
+(15)Denotes compensatory plans.Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 22, 2006.

+ Denotes compensatory plans or arrangements.

 

- 6343 -


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

BLACKROCK, INC.
(Registrant)
By:

/s/ Steven E. Buller

Date: November 14, 2006Steven E. Buller
  

BLACKROCK, INC.

(Registrant)

Date: May 10, 2007By:    /s/ Paul L. Audet

Paul L. Audet

Managing Director &

Acting Chief Financial Officer


EXHIBIT INDEX

As used in this exhibit list, “BlackRock” refers to BlackRock, Inc. (formerly named New BlackRock, Inc. and previously, New Boise, Inc.) and “Old BlackRock” refers to BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc. (formerly named BlackRock, Inc.), which is the predecessor of BlackRock.Exhibit No. Description

 

Exhibit No. 

Description

2.1(1) Transaction Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 15, 2006, by and among Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., the Registrant (formerly named New BlackRock, Inc. and previously named New Boise, Inc.), Boise Merger Sub, Inc. and Old BlackRock.
3.1(2) Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant.BlackRock.
3.2(2) Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant.BlackRock.
3.3(2) Certificate of Designations of Series A Convertible Participating Preferred Stock of the registrant.BlackRock.
4.1(3) Specimen of Common Stock Certificate.
4.2(4) Indenture, dated as of February 23, 2005, between Old BlackRock and The Bank of New York (as successor-in-interest to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.), as trustee, relating to the 2.625% Convertible Debentures due 2035.
4.3(4) Form of 2.625% Convertible Debenture due 2035 (included as Exhibit A in Exhibit 4.2).
4.4(2) First Supplemental Indenture, dated September 29, 2006.
10.1(5) Tax Disaffiliation Agreement, dated October 6, 1999, among Old BlackRock, PNC Asset Management, Inc. and The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., formerly PNC Bank Corp.
10.2(3) BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+
10.3(3) Amendment No. 1 to the BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+
10.4(3) Amendment No. 2 to the BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+
10.5(3) Amendment No. 3 to the BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+
10.6(3) Amendment No. 4 to the BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+
10.7(3) BlackRock, Inc. 2002 Long-Term Retention and Incentive Program.+
10.8(3) Amendment No. 1 to 2002 Long-Term Retention and Incentive Program.+
10.9(3) Amendment No. 2 to 2002 Long-Term Retention and Incentive Program.+
10.10(3) BlackRock, Inc. Nonemployee Directors Stock Compensation Plan.+
10.11(3) BlackRock, Inc. Voluntary Deferred Compensation Plan.+
10.12(3) BlackRock, Inc. Involuntary Deferred Compensation Plan.+
10.13(2) Form of Stock Option Agreement expected to be used in connection with future grants of Stock Options under the BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+


EXHIBIT INDEX (continued)

10.14(2) Form of Restricted Stock Agreement expected to be used in connection with future grants of Restricted Stock under the BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+
10.15(2) Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement expected to be used in connection with future grants of Restricted Stock Units under the BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+


Exhibit No.

Description

10.16(2) Form of Directors’ Restricted Stock Unit Agreement expected to be used in connection with future grants of Restricted Stock Units under the BlackRock, Inc. 1999 Stock Award and Incentive Plan.+
10.17(6) BlackRock International, Ltd. Amended and Restated Long-Term Deferred Compensation Plan.+
10.18(7) Amendment No. 1 to the BlackRock International, Ltd. Amended and Restated Long-Term Deferred Compensation Plan.+
10.19(2) Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2006, among the Registrant,BlackRock, Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and the PNC Financial Service Group, Inc.
10.20(5) Services Agreement, dated October 6, 1999, between Old BlackRock and The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., formerly PNC Bank Corp.
10.21(8) Agreement of Lease, dated May 3, 2000, between 40 East 52nd Street L.P. and Old BlackRock.
10.22(9) Agreement of Lease, dated September 4, 2001, between 40 East 52nd Street L.P. and Old BlackRock.
10.23(10) Share Surrender Agreement, dated October 10, 2002, among Old BlackRock, PNC Asset Management, Inc., and The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
10.24(1) First Amendment, dated as of February 15, 2006, to the Share Surrender Agreement, dated as of October 10, 2002, among PNC Bancorp, Inc., The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. and Old BlackRock.
10.25(10)10.25(11) Employment Agreement, between Old BlackRockAmended and Laurence D. Fink, dated October 10, 2002.Restated 1999 Annual Incentive Performance Plan. +
10.26(11)10.26(12) Agreement of Lease, dated July 29, 2004, between Park Avenue Plaza Company L.P. and Old BlackRock.
10.27(11)10.27(12) Letter Agreement, dated July 29, 2004, amending the Agreement of Lease between Park Avenue Plaza Company L.P. and Old BlackRock.
10.28(12)10.28(13) Stock Purchase Agreement among MetLife, Inc., Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, SSRM Holdings, Inc. Old BlackRock and BlackRock Financial Management, Inc., dated August 25, 2004.
10.29(4) Registration Rights Agreement dated as of February 23, 2005, between Old BlackRock and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, as representative of the initial purchasers named therein, relating to the 2.625% Convertible Debentures due 2035.


EXHIBIT INDEX (continued)

10.30(1) Implementation and Stockholder Agreement, dated as of February 15, 2006, among The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., the Registrant (formerly named New BlackRock Inc. and previously named New Boise, Inc.) and Old BlackRock.
10.31(1) Stockholder Agreement, dated as of February 15, 2006, between Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and the Registrant (formerly named New BlackRock, Inc. and previously named New Boise, Inc.).BlackRock.
10.32(2) Letter to Robert C. Doll.+
10.33(13)10.33(14) Global Distribution Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2006, by and between the RegistrantBlackRock and Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
10.34(13)10.34(14) Transition Services Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2006, by and between Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. and the Registrant.BlackRock.
10.35(15)Five-Year Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of December 19, 2006, by and among BlackRock, Wachovia Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender and issuing lender, various lenders, Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, as sole lead arranger and sole book manager, and ABN Amro Bank, N.V., HSBC Bank USA, National Association, JPMorgan Chase Bank and UBS Loan Finance LLC, as documentation agents.
12.1Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
31.1 Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
31.2 Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer.


Exhibit No.

Description

32.1 Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

(1)Incorporated by Reference to Old BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-15305) filed on February 22, 2006.
(2)Incorporated by Reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-33099) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 5, 2006.
(3)Incorporated by Reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-137708) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 29, 2006.
(4)Incorporated by Reference to Old BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission File No. 001-15305) for the year ended December 31, 2004.
(5)Incorporated by Reference to Old BlackRock’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-78367), as amended, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13, 1999.
(6)Incorporated by Reference to Old BlackRock’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-32406), originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 14, 2000.
(7)Incorporated by Reference to Old BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission File No. 001-15305), for the quarter ended September 30, 2000.
(8)Incorporated by Reference to Old BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission File No. 001-15305), for the quarter ended March 31, 2000.
(9)Incorporated by Reference to Old BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission File No. 001-15305), for the quarter ended September 30, 2001.
(10)Incorporated by Reference to Old BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission File No. 001-15305), for the quarter ended September 30, 2002.
(11)Incorporated by Reference to Old BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission File No. 001-15305), for the year ended December 31, 2002.
(12)Incorporated by Reference to Old BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (Commission File No. 001-15305), for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.
(12)(13)Incorporated by Reference to Old BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-15305) filed on August 30, 2004.
(13)(14)Incorporated by Reference to BlackRock’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, as amended, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 9, 2006.
+(15)Denotes compensatory plans.Incorporated by reference to BlackRock’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 22, 2006.

+Denotes compensatory plans or arrangements.