Unlock our Free Report: 5 AI compounders that analysts believe are undervalued and could deliver years of outperformance with accelerating AI adoption (Sign up for TIKR, it’s free) >>>
BlackRock (NYSE: BLK) is the world’s largest asset manager, helping institutions, governments, and individuals invest across stocks, bonds, and alternative assets. The firm oversees more than $10 trillion, and its shares trade near $1,105, giving the company a market value of roughly $175 billion.
Once known primarily for its bond management expertise, BlackRock has evolved into the backbone of modern investing through its iShares ETF franchise and Aladdin risk management platform. This transformation has made it one of the most influential financial firms on the planet, shaping how trillions of dollars are allocated across markets.
Fueled by steady fee income, strong operating margins, and unmatched scale in ETFs, BlackRock has become a must-own name for institutions ranging from sovereign wealth funds to retirement systems. Founder and CEO Larry Fink still holds a meaningful stake, but the majority of shares are now spread across passive giants, long-term asset managers, and sovereign investors that anchor BlackRock in global portfolios.
Looking at who owns the stock and what insiders are doing gives us a peek at how the biggest players in finance really feel about BlackRock today.
Who Are BlackRock’s Top Shareholders?
See whether BlackRock’s top shareholders are buying or selling today >>>
BlackRock manages money for institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide, making it the largest player in global investing. Its ownership base is anchored by major asset managers and sovereign funds, with active managers showing different levels of conviction.
- The Vanguard Group: 13.9M shares (8.99%), ~$15.7B. Added ~227K (+1.6%).
- Kuwait Investment Authority: 7.99M shares (5.16%), ~$9.0B. Steady.
- BlackRock Institutional Trust: 6.9M shares (4.45%), ~$7.8B. Cut ~310K (-4.3%).
- State Street Global Advisors: 6.27M shares (4.05%), ~$7.1B. Trimmed ~89K (-1.4%).
- Temasek Holdings: 5.09M shares (3.29%), ~$5.7B. Steady.
- Capital Research Global Investors: 3.86M shares (2.49%), ~$4.3B. Added ~424K (+12.4%).
- Capital World Investors: 3.55M shares (2.29%), ~$4.0B. Cut ~500K (-12.4%).
One highlight from last quarter is John Overdeck’s Two Sigma Advisers, which boosted its BlackRock stake by 275%. The fund now holds about 1,500 shares worth $1.6 million, a sharp increase that may reflect stronger conviction in the company’s long-term outlook.
Another big move came from Andrew Sandler’s Sandler Capital Management, which lifted its position by nearly 243%. The firm now owns 5,300 shares valued at $5.6 million, suggesting growing confidence at these levels.
Steven Schonfeld’s Schonfeld Strategic Advisors also expanded its BlackRock holdings, raising its stake by 127% to roughly 27,400 shares worth $28.8 million. This looks like a meaningful show of support from an active hedge fund player.
Finally, Ken Griffin’s Citadel Advisors increased its position by 117%, bringing its stake to more than 72,000 shares valued at $75.6 million. Citadel’s large addition highlights continuing interest from one of the most influential hedge funds in the world.
The passive giants like Vanguard and Kuwait provide stability since they tend to hold through cycles. Meanwhile, active funds are more divided. Capital Research’s increase and hedge fund buying may point to optimism, while cuts from Capital World and others suggest some investors see less near-term upside.
Track the top shareholders of over 50,000 global stocks (It’s free) >>>
BlackRock’s Recent Insider Trades
Insider trading activity can provide a window into how a company’s own executives and directors view its stock. At BlackRock, recent filings show that activity has leaned toward selling, with no significant signs of accumulation.
While insider sales don’t always mean a lack of confidence, they can sometimes suggest that management believes the current price already reflects much of the company’s strength.
Here are some recent insider sales:
- Laurence Fink (CEO & Chairman): Sold about 12K shares near $1,120.
- J. Richard Kushel (Director): Sold a total of ~34K shares near $1,120 while also exercising ~17K shares at $513.50, leaving him with a net reduction in holdings.
These appear to be modest transactions that could be tied to compensation plans or personal diversification. Still, the absence of insider buying may suggest leadership sees the stock as fairly valued after its recent gains.
For investors, the cautious tone from insiders might signal limited enthusiasm to add at today’s levels.
See recent insider trade data for over 50,000 global stocks (It’s free) >>>
What the Ownership & Insider Trade Data Tell Us
BlackRock’s shareholder base is anchored by passive giants like Vanguard and sovereign investors such as Kuwait, which helps keep the stock broadly tied to global portfolios. Among active managers, Capital Research has been adding, which may reflect confidence in BlackRock’s long-term earnings power. At the same time, reductions from Capital World and BlackRock Institutional Trust suggest a more cautious stance from some institutions.
Insider activity appears more weighted toward sales, with disposals from CEO Larry Fink and Director J. Richard Kushel. These trades look relatively small compared to BlackRock’s size and may be linked to compensation or diversification, but the lack of insider buying could indicate that leadership is not in a rush to add at current prices.
The overall signals look mixed. Institutions continue to hold BlackRock as a core financial stock, but selective selling from insiders and active managers shows some hesitation. Investors may be treating BlackRock as a stable long-term holding while waiting for clearer catalysts before adding more at today’s ~$1,100 level.
AI Compounders With Massive Upside That Wall Street Is Overlooking
Everyone wants to cash in on AI. But while the crowd chases the obvious names benefiting from AI like NVIDIA, AMD, or Taiwan Semiconductor, the real opportunity may lie on the AI application layer where a handful of compounders are quietly embedding AI into products people already use every day.
TIKR just released a new free report on 5 undervalued compounders that analysts believe could deliver years of outperformance as AI adoption accelerates.
Inside the report, you’ll find:
- Businesses already turning AI into revenue and earnings growth
- Stocks trading below fair value despite strong analyst forecasts
- Unique picks most investors haven’t even considered
If you want to catch the next wave of AI winners, this report is a must-read.
Click here to sign up for TIKR and get your free copy of TIKR’s 5 AI Compounders report today.
