Blackstone (NYSE:BX) Stock Gets Price Target Reduction from UBS Group

Blackstone (NYSE:BX) had its price target trimmed by UBS Group from $122.00 to $116.00 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a neutral rating on the asset manager’s stock.

Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upgraded shares of Blackstone to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, July 20th. Oppenheimer lifted their price target on Blackstone from $140.00 to $171.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their price objective on Blackstone from $114.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, July 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on Blackstone from $161.00 to $169.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, July 24th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on Blackstone in a report on Friday, October 2nd. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $122.00 target price on the stock. Thirteen equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $144.65.

Blackstone Stock Performance

NYSE BX opened at $109.39 on Tuesday. The company has a market cap of $82.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.27, a PEG ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 1.59. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $128.82 and a 200 day simple moving average of $124.26. The company has a current ratio of 0.72, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. Blackstone has a 12-month low of $101.73 and a 12-month high of $165.32.

Blackstone (NYSE:BX) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 23rd. The asset manager reported $1.52 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.34 by $0.18. The firm had revenue of $5.04 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.42 billion. Blackstone had a net margin of 21.84% and a return on equity of 23.77%. The business’s revenue was up 35.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.98 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Blackstone will post 5.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Blackstone Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 10th. Investors of record on Monday, August 3rd were given a dividend of $1.29 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 3rd. This is an increase from Blackstone’s previous quarterly dividend of $1.16. This represents a $5.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.7%. Blackstone’s payout ratio is 115.44%.

Insider Activity

In other Blackstone news, Director Joseph Baratta sold 100,000 shares of Blackstone stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.80, for a total value of $12,380,000.00. Following the sale, the director owned 771,599 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $95,523,956.20. The trade was a 11.47% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, major shareholder Bx Buzz Ml-1 Gp Llc sold 3,767,776 shares of Blackstone stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2.94, for a total transaction of $11,077,261.44. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 16,120 shares in the company, valued at $47,392.80. This trade represents a 99.57% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders have purchased 1,038,406 shares of company stock worth $27,205,951 and have sold 4,077,276 shares worth $37,573,644. 1.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BX. BlackRock Inc. bought a new position in shares of Blackstone in the second quarter valued at approximately $6,112,162,000. Bank of America Corp DE bought a new stake in Blackstone during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,364,373,000. Legal & General Group Plc bought a new stake in Blackstone during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $605,267,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its stake in Blackstone by 8.0% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 4,520,908 shares of the asset manager’s stock worth $519,859,000 after purchasing an additional 333,798 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its holdings in Blackstone by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 4,353,274 shares of the asset manager’s stock valued at $512,250,000 after purchasing an additional 52,755 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 70.00% of the company’s stock.

Blackstone News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Blackstone this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Blackstone-backed ZO Skin Health is reportedly being sold to Galderma for approximately $1.5 billion in cash. The transaction could provide a meaningful realization, demonstrate portfolio value, and support capital recycling. Blackstone to Sell ZO Skin Health to Galderma for $1.5 Billion
• Positive Sentiment: Some analysis suggests BX could be undervalued following the ZO Skin Health sale, particularly if additional realizations improve cash flows and investor confidence. The stock’s substantial decline this year has increased its valuation appeal for longer-term investors. Blackstone Could Be 39% Undervalued
• Neutral Sentiment: Director Joseph Baratta plans to retire from Blackstone’s board, reducing the board’s size. The planned change appears administrative and is not being presented as a change to the company’s strategy. Blackstone Announces Planned Board Reduction
• Neutral Sentiment: UBS maintained a Hold rating, indicating limited conviction that near-term catalysts will materially change the stock’s risk-reward profile. UBS Maintains Hold Rating
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts expect third-quarter earnings to decline, and previews indicate Blackstone lacks the usual combination of earnings momentum and estimate revisions associated with a likely beat. This raises the risk of weaker performance fees or realizations. Blackstone Q3 Earnings Expected to Decline
• Negative Sentiment: Blackstone’s fair-value estimate has edged lower as analysts account for softer realizations, while UBS reportedly cut its price target. These changes reinforce concerns about near-term earnings quality and fundraising conditions. Blackstone Fair Value Edges Lower
• Negative Sentiment: The planned AirTrunk IPO has reportedly been delayed amid unfavorable market conditions, postponing a potential liquidity event. Separately, a possible Firmus Technologies share-buyback obligation could create financial exposure for Blackstone depending on contractual terms. Blackstone Faces Firmus Buyback Risk and AirTrunk IPO Delay

About Blackstone

Blackstone Inc is a global alternative asset management firm that provides investment solutions to institutional investors, companies, financial advisers and individual investors. Founded in 1985 by Stephen A. Schwarzman and Peter G. Peterson, the company has developed a broad platform spanning private markets and other alternative investments.

Blackstone’s businesses include private equity, real estate, credit and insurance, infrastructure, secondaries and hedge fund solutions. Its investment activities may involve acquiring and managing companies, commercial and residential properties, infrastructure assets, private credit and other investments on behalf of its clients.

The firm serves clients and invests across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and other international markets.