Introduction: Who Is BlackRock and Why It Matters
Founded in 1988 and headquartered in New York City, BlackRock Inc. has grown into the largest asset manager in the world, with over $11.6 trillion in assets under management (AUM) as of 2025. The firm serves a wide range of clients—from governments and pension funds to retail investors—offering investment management, risk analytics, and advisory services.
BlackRock’s influence extends far beyond traditional asset management. Through its proprietary Aladdin® platform, the company powers risk analytics and portfolio construction for thousands of institutions globally. Its investment decisions shape markets, influence corporate governance, and increasingly drive sustainability and energy transition strategies.
Where BlackRock Is Investing: 2025 Strategy Overview
Strategic Themes
In 2025, BlackRock’s investment strategy is shaped by three dominant themes:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a transformative force across sectors.
- Energy Transition, with a pragmatic approach to balancing renewables and traditional energy.
- Private Markets Expansion, including infrastructure and private credit2.
Tactical Positioning
BlackRock maintains a pro-risk stance, favoring:
- U.S. equities, especially large-cap tech and AI-driven companies.
- Short-duration fixed income, prioritizing yield over price appreciation.
- Private credit and infrastructure, as alternatives to traditional bonds.
The firm is cautious on long-duration U.S. Treasuries and emerging market debt in hard currency, while selectively overweighting equities in Japan and India3.
Top Holdings: What BlackRock Owns
As of Q2 2025, BlackRock’s 13F filings reveal a portfolio valued at $4.76 trillion, spread across 5,427 positions. The top holdings reflect a strong bias toward technology and U.S. large-cap stocks.
Top 10 Holdings by Value
| Rank | Company | Sector | Value (USD) | % of Portfolio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apple Inc. (AAPL) | Technology | $253.3 billion | 5.32% |
| 2 | Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) | Technology | $218.9 billion | 4.60% |
| 3 | NVIDIA Corp. (NVDA) | Technology | $206.1 billion | 4.33% |
| 4 | Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) | Consumer Cyclical | $133.8 billion | 2.81% |
| 5 | Meta Platforms Inc. | Communication Services | $81.2 billion | 1.87% |
| 6 | Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) | Communication Services | $76.7 billion | 1.76% |
| 7 | Alphabet Inc. (GOOG) | Communication Services | $65.2 billion | 1.50% |
| 8 | Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) | Healthcare | $59.6 billion | 1.37% |
| 9 | Broadcom Inc. (AVGO) | Technology | $54.9 billion | 1.26% |
| 10 | Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) | Financial Services | $43.6 billion | 1.00% |
Source: WhaleWisdom, Fintel4
Sector Allocation: Where and Why BlackRock Allocates Capital
BlackRock’s portfolio is heavily weighted toward technology, healthcare, and financial services. Below is a breakdown of sector allocations:
