BlackRock (BLK): analysis in plain words
Is BlackRock cheap or expensive? How it makes money, whether it grows and its risks, explained in plain words and with its official accounts.
BlackRock (BLK) is listed on the NYSE and we classify it in financial services and payments. Below are its key dated figures, how it makes money, how it compares with its sector, what works for and against BlackRock according to those figures, and the questions people ask most about the stock. No buy or sell tips.
BlackRock (BLK) key figures as of November 4, 2026
| Figure | Value | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $1,224.37 | Last price on November 4, 2026 |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 27.9x | Price over earnings per share |
| Revenue growth | +19.1% | Latest quarter vs the same quarter a year earlier |
| Net margin (TTM) | 24.2% | Profit for every 100 of sales |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 0.1x | Years of operating profit to repay debt |
| Dividend yield | 1.97% | Annual dividend over price |
| Market cap | $198.9 billion | What the stock market values it at |
The BlackRock figures come from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026. Any BLK figure that is not available shows as N/A: we do not estimate it.
How BlackRock makes money
BlackRock is an asset manager that charges fees on money it manages for institutions and individuals. Its main source is iShares ETFs and index funds, alongside active strategies and private markets, expanded through GIP and HPS. It also earns technology services revenue by licensing Aladdin, its investment management platform.
Over the last 12 months, BlackRock brought in revenue of $28.5 billion. For every 100 it sells, BlackRock keeps 48.3 after the direct cost of what it sells (gross margin) and 37.9 after all operating costs (operating margin). With 24,900 full-time employees, that is about $1 million of revenue per employee.
BlackRock against its sector
To know whether a BlackRock figure is high or low you have to put it next to similar companies. This table compares BlackRock with the median of the 21 financial services and payments companies Fintols covers, with data as of November 4, 2026.
| Figure | BlackRock | financial services and payments median |
|---|---|---|
| P/E | 27.9x | 27.9x (21) |
| Revenue growth | +19.1% | +12.4% (24) |
| Net margin | 24.2% | 25.8% (24) |
| Dividend yield | 1.97% | 0.81% (24) |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 0.1x | 0.6x (13) |
In short, against the typical financial services and payments company, BlackRock grows faster, pays a higher dividend yield and carries less debt. By size, BlackRock ranks number 4 of 22 financial services and payments companies quoted in USD on Fintols.
The bull case for BlackRock
These are the strengths in the BlackRock figures as of November 4, 2026:
- BlackRock is selling more than a year ago: +19.1% in its latest quarter (the typical financial services and payments company grew +12.4%).
- Analysts expect BlackRock earnings to rise: its P/E on the next 12 months of estimated earnings is 18.9x, below the current 27.9x.
- Its net margin over the last 12 months is 24.2% (sector median: 25.8%): BlackRock turns a large share of its sales into profit.
The main risk for BlackRock
The BlackRock figures as of November 4, 2026 show no clear red flag (no heavy debt, no losses, no falling sales). Its main risk is the one built into its business: a drop in the payment, investment or trading volumes it earns fees on, plus regulation.
Frequently asked questions about BlackRock
Is it a good time to buy BlackRock stock?
Fintols does not tell you whether to buy or sell BlackRock, and nobody knows what the price will do tomorrow. What we can show you is where it stands today. As of November 4, 2026, BlackRock stock trades at $1,224.37, 1% below its 52-week high ($1,231.14) and 33% above its low ($917.39). Its P/E is 27.9x against a financial services and payments median of 27.9x, and 18.9x on the earnings analysts expect over the next 12 months. With BlackRock, as with any stock, timing matters less than understanding the business, investing for the long run and not betting everything on a single company.
Does BlackRock pay a dividend?
Yes. As of November 4, 2026, BlackRock pays $22.92 per share a year, which at today's price is a yield of 1.97%. It uses 52% of its profit to pay it, which leaves room to keep paying it if profit dips. Its average dividend yield over the last five years is 2.30%. The financial services and payments median on Fintols is 0.81%.
Is BlackRock stock expensive?
It depends on what you compare it with. On P/E, BlackRock trades at 27.9x its last 12 months of earnings: in line with the financial services and payments median (27.9x). Including its debt, BlackRock is valued at 15.6x its EBITDA (EV/EBITDA). A high P/E alone does not make BlackRock expensive: it can be justified if earnings grow fast, and a low one can reflect a business in trouble.
Who are BlackRock's competitors?
On Fintols we compare BlackRock with American Express, Mastercard and Visa, which are also in financial services and payments. As of November 4, 2026, American Express is worth $223.0 billion and trades on a P/E of 18.7; Mastercard is worth $586.0 billion and trades on a P/E of 35.2; Visa is worth $816.0 billion and trades on a P/E of 35.4. Each has a side-by-side comparison with BlackRock below.
BlackRock competitors
- American Express (AXP) analysis · BlackRock vs American Express comparison
- Mastercard (MA) analysis · BlackRock vs Mastercard comparison
- Visa (V) analysis · BlackRock vs Visa comparison
To understand BlackRock better
- Economic Moats Explained: From Warren Buffett to AI
- P/E Ratio and EPS Explained: How to Read Them Without Traps
More companies like BlackRock: financial services and payments stocks, S&P 500 companies and S&P 100 companies. Open the full BLK analysis with its valuation and scenarios. Educational content about BlackRock, not investment advice.