Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(B)(2)
Registration No. 333-213143

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated February 3, 2017)

 

LOGO

$700,000,000 3.200% Notes due 2027

The notes will bear interest at the rate of 3.200% per year, and mature on March 15, 2027.

Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning on September 15, 2017.

The notes will be unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of BlackRock and will rank equal in right of payment with each other and with all our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness from time to time outstanding. We may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at any time at the redemption price described under “Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption of the Notes.”

The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. Currently, there is no public market for the notes.

Investing in our notes involves risks, including those described in the “ Risk Factors ” section beginning on page S-7 of this prospectus supplement and the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 18 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

 

     Per Note     Total  

Public Offering Price(1)

     99.595   $ 697,165,000  

Underwriting Discount

     0.450   $ 3,150,000  

Proceeds, before Expenses, to BlackRock

     99.145   $ 694,015,000  

 

(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from March 28, 2017.

Interest on the notes will accrue from March 28, 2017.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The underwriters expect to deliver the notes to purchasers in book-entry form only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) and its participants, including Clearstream Banking, société anonyme (“Clearstream”), and Euroclear Bank, S.A./N.V. (“Euroclear”), on or about March 28, 2017.

 

 

 

BofA Merrill Lynch   J.P. Morgan   Morgan Stanley
Deutsche Bank Securities   Wells Fargo Securities

 

 

 

Barclays   BNP PARIBAS   Citigroup
Credit Suisse   Goldman, Sachs & Co.   HSBC
Mizuho Securities     MUFG
RBC Capital Markets     UBS Investment Bank

 

 

 

NatWest Markets   SOCIETE GENERALE

 

 

 

Cabrera Capital Markets, LLC   CastleOak Securities, L.P.   Loop Capital Markets
Mischler Financial Group, Inc.   The Williams Capital Group, L.P.

Prospectus Supplement dated March 21, 2017


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

     Page  

About This Prospectus Supplement

     S-ii  

Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

     S-iii  

Prospectus Summary

     S-1  

Risk Factors

     S-7  

Selected Consolidated Historical Financial Data

     S-8  

Use of Proceeds

     S-10  

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     S-10  

Capitalization

     S-11  

Description of the Notes

     S-12  

U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations to Non-U.S. Holders

     S-17  

Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)

     S-20  

Validity of the Notes

     S-26  

Experts

     S-26  

Where You Can Find More Information

     S-26  

Prospectus

 

About This Prospectus

     1  

BlackRock

     1  

Risk Factors

     1  

Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

     2  

Where You Can Find More Information

     2  

Use of Proceeds

     3  

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     4  

Description of Debt Securities

     4  

Description of Capital Stock

     12  

Description of Warrants

     18  

Description of Subscription Rights

     19  

Certain ERISA Considerations

     20  

Plan of Distribution

     20  

Legal Matters

     23  

Experts

     24  

 

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

When used in this prospectus supplement, the terms “BlackRock,” “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to BlackRock, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified.

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which contains specific information about us and the terms on which we are offering and issuing notes. The second part is the accompanying prospectus dated February 3, 2017, which contains and incorporates by reference important business and financial information about us and other information about the offering.

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may, from time to time, sell notes in one or more offerings. This prospectus supplement also adds to, updates and changes information contained in the accompanying prospectus. You should read both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus as well as additional information described under “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 2 of the accompanying prospectus before investing in our notes. Generally, when we refer to the prospectus, we are referring to both parts of this document combined together with additional information described under “Where You Can Find More Information” on page S-26.

Before you invest in our notes, you also should carefully read the registration statement (including the exhibits thereto) of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus form a part, this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein.

We are responsible for the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or in any free writing prospectus. Neither we nor any of the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell our notes in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein, 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” and 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 risk factors previously disclosed in BlackRock’s SEC reports and those identified elsewhere in this prospectus supplement, 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 and volatility in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment, foreign exchange rates or financial and capital markets, which could result in changes in demand for products or services or in the value of assets under management (“AUM”); (3) the relative and absolute investment performance of BlackRock’s investment products; (4) the impact of increased competition; (5) the impact of future acquisitions or divestitures; (6) the unfavorable resolution of legal proceedings; (7) the extent and timing of any share repurchases; (8) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes and the adequacy of intellectual property, information and cyber security protection; (9) the potential for human error in connection with BlackRock’s operational systems; (10) the impact of legislative and regulatory actions and reforms, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions of government agencies relating to BlackRock or The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”); (11) changes in law and policy accompanying the new administration and uncertainty pending any such changes; (12) terrorist activities, international hostilities and natural disasters, which may adversely affect the general economy, domestic and local financial and capital markets, specific industries or BlackRock; (13) the ability to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (14) fluctuations in the carrying value of BlackRock’s economic investments; (15) the impact of changes to tax legislation, including income, payroll and transaction taxes, and taxation on products or transactions, which could affect the value proposition to clients and, generally, the tax position of BlackRock; (16) BlackRock’s success in negotiating distribution arrangements and maintaining distribution channels for its products; (17) the failure by a key vendor of BlackRock to fulfill its obligations to BlackRock; (18) any disruption to the operations of third parties whose functions are integral to BlackRock’s exchange-traded fund (“ETF”) platform; (19) the impact of BlackRock electing to provide support to its products from time to time and any potential liabilities related to securities lending or other indemnification obligations; and (20) the impact of problems at other financial institutions or the failure or negative performance of products at other financial institutions.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information included elsewhere or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. Because this is a summary, it may not contain all the information that is important to you. You should read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference herein and therein, before making an investment decision.

BLACKROCK

Overview

BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK) is a leading publicly traded investment management firm with $5.1 trillion of AUM at December 31, 2016. With employees in more than 30 countries who serve clients in over 100 countries across the globe, BlackRock provides a broad range of investment and risk management services to institutional and retail clients worldwide.

Our diverse platform of active (alpha) and index (beta) investment strategies across asset classes enables us to tailor investment outcomes and asset allocation solutions for clients. Our product offerings include single- and multi-asset portfolios investing in equities, fixed income, alternatives and money market instruments. Products are offered directly and through intermediaries in a variety of vehicles, including open-end and closed-end mutual funds, iShares ® ETFs, separate accounts, collective investment funds and other pooled investment vehicles. We also offer our BlackRock Solutions ® investment and risk management technology platform, Aladdin ® , risk analytics, advisory and technology services and solutions to a broad base of institutional and wealth management investors. The Company is highly regulated and serves its clients as a fiduciary.

BlackRock serves a diverse mix of institutional and retail clients across the globe. Clients include tax-exempt institutions, such as defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans, charities, foundations and endowments; official institutions, such as central banks, sovereign wealth funds, supranationals and other government entities; taxable institutions, including insurance companies, financial institutions, corporations and third-party fund sponsors, and retail investors.

BlackRock is structured to ensure that strong investment performance is our highest priority, and that we best align with our clients’ needs to capitalize on broader industry trends. Furthermore, our structure facilitates strong teamwork globally across both functions and regions in order to enhance our ability to leverage best practices to serve our clients and continue to develop our talent. Specifically, our investment functions are split into distinct strategies: Active Equity and Fixed Income, Beta, Multi-Asset, Alternatives and Trading/Liquidity.

Business Description

Retail

BlackRock serves retail investors globally through a wide array of vehicles across the active and passive spectrum, including separate accounts, open-end and closed-end funds, unit trusts and private investment funds. Retail investors are served principally through intermediaries, including broker-dealers, banks, trust companies, insurance companies and independent financial advisors.

At December 31, 2016, long-term assets managed for retail investors totaled $542.0 billion, or 12% of long-term AUM and 34% of long-term base fees. At that date, our Retail product mix included 36% of long-term

 



 

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AUM in equities, 41% in fixed income, 20% in multi-asset class and 3% in alternatives, primarily invested in actively managed products. The retail client base is diversified geographically, with 71% of long-term AUM managed for investors based in the Americas, 23% in EMEA and 6% in Asia-Pacific at year-end 2016.

iShares

iShares is the leading ETF provider in the world, with $1.3 trillion of AUM at December 31, 2016 or 27% of long-term AUM and 36% of long-term base fees. Our broad iShares product range offers investors a precise, transparent and efficient way to tap market returns and gain access to a full range of asset classes and global markets that have been difficult for many investors to access, as well as the liquidity required to make adjustments to their exposures quickly and cost-efficiently.

Institutional

BlackRock’s institutional AUM is well diversified by both product and region, and we serve institutional investors on six continents in sub-categories including: pensions, endowments and foundations, official institutions, and financial institutions.

Long-term assets managed for institutional investors totaled $2.912 trillion, or 61% of total long-term AUM and 30% of long-term base fees at December 31, 2016. BlackRock’s institutional AUM is diversified by product with 52% of long-term AUM in equities, 35% in fixed income, 10% in multi-asset class and 3% in alternatives. Institutional AUM is further diversified by investment style, with 35% of client assets in active strategies and 65% of client assets in index strategies.

BlackRock Solutions

BlackRock Solutions (“BRS”) offers investment management technology systems, risk management services and advisory services on a fee basis to clients, including banks, insurance companies, official institutions, pension funds, asset managers, retail distributors and other investors across North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Aladdin is BlackRock’s proprietary technology platform, which serves as the investment and risk management system for both BlackRock and a growing number of sophisticated institutional investors around the world. BRS also offers comprehensive risk reporting capabilities via the Aladdin Risk offering; middle and back office outsourcing services; and investment accounting.

The Financial Markets Advisory group within BRS advises global financial institutions, regulators, and government entities across a range of risk, regulatory, capital markets and strategic services. BRS also offers a number of wealth management technology tools offering digital advice, portfolio construction capabilities and risk analytics for distributors including FutureAdvisor, a digital wealth management platform that provides financial institutions with technology enabled advice capabilities to improve their clients’ investment experience, Aladdin Portfolio Builder, which provides financial advisors with portfolio construction tools, and Aladdin Risk for Wealth Management, which provides intermediary partners with institutional-quality portfolio construction, modeling and risk analytics capabilities.

Cash Management and Securities Lending

BlackRock offers a variety of cash management mandates to clients around the world. Cash management products include taxable and tax-exempt money market funds and customized separate accounts. Portfolios are denominated in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, Australian dollars, Euros, Swiss Francs or British pounds. All BlackRock U.S. money market funds were brought into full compliance with new regulatory requirements in

 



 

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advance of the October 2016 implementation date. We actively repurposed and streamlined our U.S. product lineup to meet the new requirements and will continue to adapt our fund offerings to meet the needs of our clients. In Europe, we continue to be a market leader highlighted by our implementation of the reverse distribution mechanism in our euro funds when faced with negative rates. Cash management AUM was $403.6 billion at December 31, 2016.

Securities lending is managed by a dedicated team, supported by quantitative analysis, proprietary technology and disciplined risk management. BlackRock receives both cash (primarily for U.S. domiciled portfolios) and noncash collateral under securities lending arrangements. The cash management team invests the cash we receive as collateral for securities on loan in other portfolios. Fees for securities lending for U.S. domiciled portfolios can be structured as a share of earnings, or as a management fee based on a percentage of the value of the cash collateral or both. The value of the securities on loan and the revenue earned are captured in the corresponding asset class being managed. The value of the collateral is not included in AUM.

 



 

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Ownership

BlackRock is an independent, publicly traded company, with no single majority shareholder and a majority of independent directors on its Board of Directors. At December 31, 2016, PNC owned approximately 21.3% of BlackRock’s voting common shares outstanding and approximately 22.0% of the total capital stock, which includes both common stock and all of our outstanding nonvoting preferred stock.

AUM by Product Type

 

     December 31,  
(in millions)    2016      2015  

Equity

   $ 2,657,176      $ 2,423,772  

Fixed income

     1,572,365        1,422,368  

Multi-asset

     395,007        376,336  

Alternatives

     116,938        112,839  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term

     4,741,486        4,335,315  

Cash management

     403,584        299,884  

Advisory

     2,782        10,213  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 5,147,852      $ 4,645,412  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Our principal office is located at 55 East 52 nd Street, New York, New York 10055. Our telephone number is (212) 810-5300.

 



 

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The Offering

 

Issuer

BlackRock, Inc.

 

Securities Offered

$700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.200% Notes due 2027.

 

Maturity Date

March 15, 2027.

 

Interest Rate

3.200% per year.

 

Interest Payment Dates

March 15 and September 15 of each year, beginning September 15, 2017.

 

Redemption of the Notes

The notes may be redeemed prior to maturity in whole or in part at any time, at our option, at a “make-whole” redemption price. In the case of any such redemption, we will also pay accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. For more detailed information on the calculation of the redemption price, see “Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption of the Notes.”

 

Ranking

The notes will be our unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and will rank equal in right of payment with each other and with all our existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. We are a holding company and, accordingly, substantially all of our operations are conducted through our subsidiaries. As a result, our debt is “structurally subordinated” to all existing and future debt, trade creditors and other liabilities of our subsidiaries. Our rights, and the rights of our creditors, to participate in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or reorganization or otherwise would be subject to the prior claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that our claims as a creditor of such subsidiary may be recognized. As of December 31, 2016, we had outstanding a principal amount of $4.938 billion of unsecured long-term indebtedness and no short-term indebtedness.

 

Covenants

The indenture includes requirements that must be met if we consolidate or merge with, or sell all or substantially all of our assets to, another entity.

 

Trustee

The Bank of New York Mellon.

 

Additional Notes

From time to time, without the consent of the holders of the notes, we may issue additional debt securities having the same ranking and the same interest rate, maturity and other terms (except for the issue date, public offering price, and, in some cases, the first interest payment date and the initial interest accrual date) as the notes. Any such additional debt securities will constitute a single series of debt securities under the indenture with the previously issued notes.

 

Use of Proceeds

The net proceeds from this offering will be $694,015,000 after deducting the underwriting discount and before deducting other

 



 

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estimated offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering towards the redemption of our outstanding 6.25% Notes due 2017 and any remaining proceeds for general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus supplement.

 

Denominations and Form

The notes will be book entry only and registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. Investors may elect to hold interests in the notes through Clearstream or Euroclear, as operator of the Euroclear System, if they are participants in these systems, or indirectly through organizations that are participants in these systems. The notes will be issued only in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

Conflicts of Interest

To the extent that any of the underwriters or their affiliates own any of our 6.25% Notes due 2017 and a portion of the net proceeds of this offering is used to fund the redemption of those notes as described in “Use of Proceeds,” such underwriters or affiliates would receive a portion of those net proceeds. Because more than 5% of the net proceeds of this offering, not including underwriters’ discounts, may be received by affiliates of certain of the underwriters, to the extent any one underwriter, together with its affiliates, receives more than 5% of the net proceeds, such underwriter would be considered to have a “conflict of interest” with us in regard to this offering under Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”). Pursuant to that rule, the appointment of a qualified independent underwriter is not necessary in connection with the offering because the offering is of a class of securities that are investment grade rated. See “Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)—Conflicts of Interest.”

 

Risk Factors

Investing in the notes involves substantial risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-7 of this prospectus supplement and the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 18 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein, for a description of certain risks that you should consider before investing in the notes.

 



 

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RISK FACTORS

Any investment in our notes involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks described below and all of the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before deciding whether to purchase our notes. In addition, you should carefully consider, among other things, the matters discussed under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and other documents that we subsequently file with the SEC, all of which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. The risks and uncertainties described below and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 are not the only risks and uncertainties we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. If any such risks actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations would suffer.

Risks Related to the Offering

Our indebtedness could limit cash flow available for our operations, could adversely affect our ability to service debt or obtain additional financing if necessary, or reduce our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in the market.

As of December 31, 2016, we had outstanding an aggregate principal amount of $4.938 billion of unsecured long-term indebtedness. Our indebtedness could limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in the market in which we compete. Although we believe we have adequate sources of liquidity to meet our anticipated requirements for working capital, debt service, capital expenditures and cash dividend payments, there can be no assurance that our cash flow from operations will be sufficient to service our debt, which may require us to borrow additional funds for that purpose, restructure or otherwise refinance our debt.

The notes are obligations exclusively of BlackRock, Inc. and not of our subsidiaries and payment to holders of the notes will be structurally subordinated to the claims of our subsidiaries’ creditors.

The notes are not guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries. As a result, liabilities, including indebtedness or guarantees of indebtedness, of each of our subsidiaries will rank effectively senior to the indebtedness represented by the notes, to the extent of such subsidiary’s assets. In addition, the indenture governing the notes does not restrict the future incurrence of liabilities or issuances of preferred stock, including unsecured indebtedness or guarantees of indebtedness, by our subsidiaries.

The notes will be effectively junior to secured indebtedness that we may issue in the future.

The notes are unsecured. Holders of any secured debt that we may issue in the future may foreclose on the assets securing such debt, reducing the cash flow from the foreclosed property available for payment of unsecured debt, including the notes. Holders of our secured debt also would have priority over unsecured creditors in the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation or similar proceeding. As a result, the notes will be effectively junior to any secured debt that we may issue in the future.

There is no public market for the notes, which could limit their market price or your ability to sell them.

We can give no assurances concerning the liquidity of any market that may develop for the notes offered hereby, the ability of any investor to sell the notes, or the price at which investors would be able to sell them. If a market for the notes does not develop, investors may be unable to resell the notes for an extended period of time, if at all. If a market for the notes does develop, it may not continue or it may not be sufficiently liquid to allow holders to resell any of the notes. Consequently, investors may not be able to liquidate their investment readily, and lenders may not readily accept the notes as collateral for loans.

 

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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA

The selected condensed consolidated historical income statement data for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 and the selected consolidated historical balance sheet data as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 presented below have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. All financial data presented in this prospectus supplement has been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.

This information should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements (including the related notes thereto) and the disclosure under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

 

     2016     2015     2014  
(in millions)    (audited)  

Income statement data:

      

Revenue

      

Investment advisory, administrative fees, securities lending revenue and performance fees

   $ 10,175     $ 10,461     $ 10,139  

BlackRock Solutions and advisory

     714       646       635  

Distribution fees

     41       55       70  

Other revenue

     225       239       237  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     11,155       11,401       11,081  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expense

      

Employee compensation and benefits

     3,880       4,005       3,829  

Distribution and servicing costs

     429       409       364  

Amortization of deferred sales commissions

     34       48       56  

Direct fund expense

     766       767       748  

General and administration

     1,301       1,380       1,453  

Restructuring charge

     76       —         —    

Amortization of intangible assets

     99       128       157  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expense

     6,585       6,737       6,607  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     4,570       4,664       4,474  

Total nonoperating income (expense)

     (110     (62     (79
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     4,460       4,602       4,395  

Income tax expense

     1,290       1,250       1,131  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     3,170       3,352       3,264  

Less: net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (2     7       (30
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to BlackRock, Inc.

   $ 3,172     $ 3,345     $ 3,294  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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     December 31,  
     2016      2015      2014  
(in millions)    (audited)  

Balance sheet data:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 6,091      $ 6,083      $ 5,723  

Investments

   $ 1,595      $ 1,578      $ 1,921  

Goodwill and intangible assets, net

   $ 30,481      $ 30,495      $ 30,305  

Total assets(1)

   $ 220,177      $ 225,261      $ 239,792  

Long-term borrowings

   $ 4,915      $ 4,930      $ 4,922  

Total liabilities(1)

   $ 190,833      $ 196,217      $ 212,272  
     (unaudited)  

Assets under management:

        

Total assets under management

   $ 5,147,852      $ 4,645,412      $ 4,651,895  

 

(1) Includes separate account assets that are segregated funds held for purposes of funding individual and group pension contracts and collateral held under securities lending agreements related to these assets that have equal and offsetting amounts recorded in liabilities and ultimately do not impact BlackRock’s stockholders’ equity or cash flows.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

The net proceeds from this offering will be $694,015,000 after deducting the underwriting discount and before deducting other estimated offering expenses payable by us. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering towards the redemption of our outstanding 6.25% Notes due 2017 and any remaining proceeds for general corporate purposes.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The table below sets forth our unaudited ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated.

 

Year ended December 31,
2016    2015    2014    2013    2012
18.3x    18.4x    18.0x    16.0x    13.9x

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our consolidated capitalization as of December 31, 2016 (1) on a historical basis and (2) as adjusted to give effect to this offering and the redemption of our outstanding 6.25% Notes due 2017. The information set forth below should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement.

 

     December 31, 2016  
(in millions, except shares data)    Actual     As Adjusted

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 6,091     $ 6,084  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term borrowings:(1)

    

6.25% Notes due 2017

     700       —    

5.00% Notes due 2019

     997       997  

4.25% Notes due 2021

     746       746  

3.375% Notes due 2022

     746       746  

3.50% Notes due 2024

     994       994  

1.25% Notes due 2025

     732       732  

3.200% Notes due 2027 offered hereby

     —         693  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term borrowings

     4,915       4,908  

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Common stock, $0.01 par value:

    

500,000,000 shares authorized; 171,252,185 issued and 161,534,443 outstanding on an actual basis and on an as adjusted basis

     2       2  

Series B Convertible Participating Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value:

    

150,000,000 shares authorized; 823,188 issued and outstanding on an actual basis and on an as adjusted basis

     —         —    

Series C Convertible Participating Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value:

    

6,000,000 shares authorized; 763,660 issued and outstanding on an actual basis and on an as adjusted basis

     —         —    

Additional paid-in capital

     19,337       19,337  

Retained earnings

     13,660       13,660  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (716     (716

Treasury stock, common, at cost (9,717,742 shares)

     (3,185     (3,185
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total BlackRock, Inc. stockholders’ equity

   $ 29,098     $ 29,098  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total capitalization

   $ 34,013     $ 34,006  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Reflects the carrying value, which is net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

Set forth below is a description of the specific terms of the notes. This description supplements, and should be read together with, the description of the general terms and provisions of the debt securities set forth in the accompanying prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities.” In addition to reading the description of the notes in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus, you should also read the senior indenture referred to in the accompanying prospectus under which the notes are to be issued (the “indenture”). If the description of the notes in this prospectus supplement differs from the description of debt securities in the accompanying prospectus, the description of the notes in this prospectus supplement supersedes the description of debt securities in the accompanying prospectus. When used in this section, the terms “BlackRock,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer solely to BlackRock, Inc. and not to its subsidiaries.

General

The notes will initially be limited to $700,000,000 in aggregate principal amount. The notes will be issued in fully registered form only, in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The notes will mature on March 15, 2027.

The notes will be issued as a separate series of senior debt securities under the indenture. The indenture does not limit the amount of other debt that we may incur. We may, from time to time, without the consent of the holders of the notes, issue other debt securities under the indenture in addition to the notes. We may also, from time to time, without the consent of the holders of the notes, issue additional debt securities having the same ranking and the same interest rate, maturity and other terms (except for the issue date, public offering price and, in some cases, the first interest payment date and the initial interest accrual date) as the notes. Any such additional debt securities, together with the previously issued notes, will constitute a single series of debt securities under the indenture.

The notes will bear interest from March 28, 2017, at the annual rate of 3.200%. Interest on the notes will be payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing September 15, 2017 to the persons in whose names the notes are registered at the close of business on the immediately preceding March 1 and September 1, respectively (whether or not a business day), subject to certain exceptions.

The notes will be unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of BlackRock and will rank equal in right of payment to each other and to all our other unsubordinated indebtedness.

The notes do not provide for any sinking fund.

The provisions of the indenture described under “Description of Debt Securities—Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance” in the accompanying prospectus apply to the notes.

Optional Redemption of the Notes

The notes will be redeemable in whole or in part, at our option at any time, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed and (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon (exclusive of interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the redemption date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 12.5 basis points, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the date of redemption.

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity or interpolated (on a day count basis) of the Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such redemption date.

 

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“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the United States Treasury security or securities selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term of the notes to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of a comparable maturity to the remaining term of such notes.

“Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Company.

“Comparable Treasury Price” means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Company obtains fewer than four such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the Company, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Company by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 3:30 p.m. New York time on the third business day preceding such redemption date.

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means (i) J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC or any of their affiliates that are primary U.S. Government securities dealers in the City of New York, and their respective successors; provided that if the foregoing or any of their affiliates shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in The City of New York (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”), we shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer; and (ii) one other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by us.

Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of notes to be redeemed. If we elect to redeem fewer than all the notes, the trustee will select the particular notes to be redeemed by such method as the trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and in accordance with the procedures of the depositary for the relevant global securities; provided that partial redemptions must be in an amount not less than $1,000 principal amount of notes if the trustee selects for redemption portions of the principal amount of notes with a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for the notes or of the principal amount of the global notes.

Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, on and after the redemption date interest will cease to accrue on the notes or portions thereof called for redemption.

Ranking

The notes are our obligations exclusively, and are not obligations of our subsidiaries. We are a holding company and, accordingly, substantially all of our operations are conducted through our subsidiaries. As a result, our cash flow and our ability to service our debt, including the notes, depend upon the earnings of our subsidiaries. In addition, we depend on the distribution of earnings, loans or other payments by our subsidiaries to us.

Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities. Our subsidiaries have no obligation to pay any amounts due on the notes or to provide us with funds for our payment obligations. In addition, any payment of dividends, distributions, loans or advances by our subsidiaries to us could be subject to statutory or contractual restrictions. Payments due to us by our subsidiaries will also be contingent upon our subsidiaries’ earnings and business considerations.

Our right to receive any assets of any of our subsidiaries, as an equity holder of such subsidiaries, upon their liquidation or reorganization, and therefore the right of the holders of the notes to participate in those assets, would be structurally subordinated to the claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, including trade creditors. The

 

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notes do not restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness. In addition, the notes are unsecured. Thus, even if we were a creditor of any of our subsidiaries, our rights as a creditor would be subordinate to any security interest in the assets of our subsidiaries and any indebtedness of our subsidiaries senior to that held by us.

Book-Entry System; Delivery and Form

The notes will be issued in the form of one or more fully registered global securities which will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC, New York, New York, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., DTC’s nominee. We will not issue notes in certificated form. Beneficial interests in the global securities will be represented through book-entry accounts of financial institutions acting on behalf of beneficial owners as direct and indirect participants in DTC. Investors may elect to hold interests in the global securities through either DTC in the United States, or Clearstream Banking, société anonyme , or Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System in Europe, referred to as Clearstream and Euroclear, if they are participants of those systems, or, indirectly, through organizations that are participants in those systems. Clearstream and Euroclear will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in Clearstream’s and Euroclear’s names on the books of their respective depositories, which in turn will hold such interests in customers’ securities accounts in the depositories’ names on the books of DTC. Beneficial interests in the global securities will be held in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Except as set forth below, the global securities may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor to DTC or its nominee.

DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a banking organization within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a clearing corporation within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a clearing agency registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). DTC holds and provides asset servicing for issues of U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments that DTC’s participants, which we refer to as direct participants, deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among direct participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between direct participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. Access to the DTC system also is available to others, such as U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. We refer to those entities as indirect participants.

Purchases of notes under the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, who receive a credit for the notes on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of each actual purchaser of each note, who we refer to as a beneficial owner, is in turn recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase. Beneficial owners are, however, expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through whom the beneficial owner entered into the transaction. Transfers of ownership interests in the notes will be accomplished by entries made on the books of direct and indirect participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the notes, except in the event that use of the book entry system for the notes is discontinued.

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all notes deposited by direct participants with DTC are registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of notes with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or another DTC nominee do not effect any change in beneficial ownership. DTC has no knowledge of the actual

 

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beneficial owners of the notes. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the notes are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The direct and indirect participants remain responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

Redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the notes are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant in the notes to be redeemed.

Neither DTC, Cede & Co. nor any other DTC nominee will consent or vote with respect to the notes unless authorized by a direct participant in accordance with DTC’s procedures. Under its usual procedures, DTC mails an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns Cede & Co.’s consenting or voting rights to those direct participants to whose accounts notes are credited on the record date.

Redemption proceeds, distributions and interest payments on the notes will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us on the payable date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC’s records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in street name, and will be the responsibility of such participant and not of DTC or its nominee, us or the trustee, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions, and dividend payments to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC, is the responsibility of us. Disbursement of such payments to direct participants will be the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of such payments to the beneficial owners will be the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as depository with respect to the notes at any time by giving reasonable notice to us. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depository is not obtained, certificates representing the affected notes are required to be printed and delivered. In addition, we may decide to discontinue use of the system of book-entry transfers through DTC or a successor securities depository with respect to the notes (subject to DTC’s or such successor securities depository’s procedures). In that event, certificates representing the notes will be printed and delivered. In the event that individual certificates are issued, holders of the notes will be able to receive payments, including principal and interest on the notes, and effect transfer of the notes at the offices of our paying and transfer agent.

Similar to DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream hold securities for participating organizations. They also facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between their respective participants through electronic book-entry changes in the accounts of such participants. Euroclear and Clearstream provide various services to their participants, including the safekeeping, administration, clearance, settlement, lending and borrowing of internationally traded securities. Euroclear and Clearstream interface with domestic securities markets. Euroclear and Clearstream participants are financial institutions such as underwriters, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and certain other organizations. Indirect access to Euroclear and Clearstream is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear and Clearstream participant, either directly or indirectly.

Distributions with respect to notes held beneficially through Euroclear or Clearstream will be credited to the cash accounts of participants in Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, in accordance with their respective procedures, to the extent received by the common depositary for Euroclear or Clearstream.

 

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The information in this section concerning DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable, but neither we nor the trustee take any responsibility for the accuracy of the information.

Global Clearance and Settlement Procedures

Initial settlement for the notes will be made in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC’s rules and will be settled in immediately available funds using DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System. Secondary market trading between Clearstream participants and Euroclear participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Clearstream and Euroclear and will be settled using the procedures applicable to conventional Eurobonds in immediately available funds.

Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Clearstream or Euroclear participants, on the other, will be effected within DTC in accordance with DTC’s rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by its U.S. depository; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the participant in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines. The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its U.S. depository to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving notes in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Clearstream participants and Euroclear participants may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. depositories. Because of time-zone differences, credits of notes received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of a transaction with a DTC participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Such credits, or any transactions in the notes settled during such processing, will be reported to the relevant Euroclear participants or Clearstream participants on that business day. Cash received in Clearstream or Euroclear as a result of sales of notes by or through a Clearstream participant or a Euroclear participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on the business day of settlement in DTC but will be available in the relevant Clearstream or Euroclear cash account only as of the business day following DTC settlement in DTC.

Although DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear have agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of securities among participants of DTC, Clearstream and Euroclear, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and they may discontinue the procedures at any time.

 

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U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS

The following discussion is a summary of U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the ownership and disposition of the notes by Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below) that purchase the notes for cash pursuant to this offering at the initial sale price. This summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. Treasury Regulations, judicial decisions, published positions of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) and other applicable authorities, all as in effect as of the date hereof and all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations (possibly with retroactive effect). This summary does not address all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to Non-U.S. Holders subject to special tax treatment, such as insurance companies, broker-dealers, tax-exempt organizations, regulated investment companies, persons holding the notes as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction or other integrated investment, partnerships (or other entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and their partners, “controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies,” persons who participate in a contemporaneous redemption of our outstanding indebtedness, and certain former citizens and former long-term residents of the United States. In addition, this summary does not address any aspects of the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income, alternative minimum taxes, U.S. federal estate or gift tax considerations, or state, local, or foreign tax laws. This summary deals only with notes held as capital assets (generally, assets held for investment).

Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors as to the particular tax consequences to them of purchasing, owning, and disposing of the notes, including the application and effect of U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax laws.

For purposes of this summary, a Non-U.S. Holder is a beneficial owner of the notes that is not, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (1) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, (2) a corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (3) an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (4) a trust if (a) a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) the trust has in effect a valid election to be treated as a domestic trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

If a partnership (including an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) beneficially owns the notes, the treatment of a partner in the partnership will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A holder of the notes that is a partnership and partners in such partnership should consult their tax advisors as to the tax consequences to them of purchasing, owning and disposing of the notes.

Payments of Interest on the Notes

Subject to the discussions below concerning backup withholding and the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, a Non-U.S. Holder will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on the receipt of payments of interest on the notes, provided that:

 

    the Non-U.S. Holder does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of our voting stock;

 

    the Non-U.S. Holder is not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to us (actually or constructively) through stock ownership;

 

    the Non-U.S. Holder is not a bank whose receipt of interest on the notes is described in Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code; and

 

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    the Non-U.S. Holder provides its name, address, and certain other information on an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form), and certifies, under penalties of perjury, that it is not a United States person and neither we nor the paying agent (or other withholding agent) have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner of the note is a United States person.

Alternatively, a Non-U.S. Holder that cannot satisfy the above requirements will generally be exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax with respect to interest on the notes if the holder establishes that such interest is not subject to withholding tax because it is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (generally, by providing an IRS Form W-8ECI). To the extent that such interest is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business (and, in the case of certain tax treaties, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base within the United States), the Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis and, if it is a foreign corporation, may be subject to a 30% U.S. branch profits tax (or lower applicable treaty rate).

If a Non-U.S. Holder does not qualify for any of the exemptions described above, the Non-U.S. Holder will generally be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax on payments of stated interest, currently imposed at 30%. Under certain income tax treaties, the U.S. federal withholding rate on payments of interest may be reduced or eliminated, provided the Non-U.S. Holder complies with the applicable certification requirements (generally, by providing a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN-E or W-8BEN).

Sale, Exchange, Retirement, or Other Disposition of the Notes

Subject to the discussions below concerning backup withholding and the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, a Non-U.S. Holder will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on the receipt of payments of principal on a note, or on any gain recognized on the sale, exchange, retirement, or other taxable disposition (each, a “disposition”) of a note (other than any amount attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, which will be taxable in the manner described above under “—Payments of Interest on the Notes”), unless:

 

    such gain or income is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required under an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to the Non-U.S. Holder’s permanent establishment or fixed base in the United States); or

 

    the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met.

If the first exception applies, the Non-U.S. Holder will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis and, if it is a foreign corporation, may be subject to a 30% U.S. branch profits tax (or lower applicable treaty rate). If the second exception applies, the Non-U.S. Holder will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or at a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on the amount by which capital gains allocable to U.S. sources (including gains from the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of the notes) exceed capital losses allocable to U.S. sources.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Payments of interest made by us or our paying agent on, and the proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, the notes will generally be subject to information reporting and U.S. federal backup withholding if a Non-U.S. Holder receiving such payment fails to comply with applicable United States information reporting or certification requirements. Such requirements are generally satisfied by providing a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or appropriate substitute form) as described above. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules is generally allowable as a credit against the Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

 

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Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

Withholding at a rate of 30% will generally be required in certain circumstances on (i) interest payable on, and, (ii) after December 31, 2018, gross proceeds from the disposition of, notes held by or through certain financial institutions (including investment funds), unless such institution (i) enters into, and complies with, an agreement with the IRS to report, on an annual basis, information with respect to interests in, and accounts maintained by, the institution that are owned by certain United States persons or by certain non-U.S. entities that are wholly or partially owned by United States persons and to withhold on certain payments, (ii) if required under an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country, reports such information to its local tax authority, which will exchange such information with the United States authorities, or (iii) otherwise qualifies for an exemption. Accordingly, the entity through which the notes are held will affect the determination of whether such withholding is required. Similarly, (i) interest payable on, and, (ii) after December 31, 2018, gross proceeds from the disposition of, notes held by an investor that is a non-financial non U.S. entity that does not qualify under certain exemptions will generally be subject to withholding at a rate of 30%, unless such entity either (i) certifies that such entity does not have any “substantial United States owners” or (ii) provides certain information regarding the entity’s “substantial United States owners,” which we or the withholding agent will in turn provide to the United States Department of the Treasury. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and the applicable foreign country may modify these requirements. We will not pay additional amounts to Non-U.S. Holders in respect of any amounts withheld. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of these rules on an investment in the notes.

 

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UNDERWRITING (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are acting as the representatives of each of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement between us and the underwriters, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase from us, the principal amount of notes set forth opposite its name below.

 

Underwriter

   Principal Amount  

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

   $ 112,000,000  

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith

Incorporated

     112,000,000  

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC

     112,000,000  

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

     112,000,000  

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

     112,000,000  

Barclays Capital Inc.

     11,900,000  

BNP Paribas Securities Corp.

     11,900,000  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

     11,900,000  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

     11,900,000  

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

     11,900,000  

HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.

     11,900,000  

Mizuho Securities USA Inc.

     11,900,000  

MUFG Securities Americas Inc.

     11,900,000  

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

     11,900,000  

UBS Securities LLC

     11,900,000  

RBS Securities Inc.

     3,500,000  

SG Americas Securities, LLC

     3,500,000  

Cabrera Capital Markets, LLC

     2,800,000  

CastleOak Securities, L.P.

     2,800,000  

Loop Capital Markets LLC

     2,800,000  

Mischler Financial Group, Inc.

     2,800,000  

The Williams Capital Group, L.P.

     2,800,000  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 700,000,000  
  

 

 

 

Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the underwriting agreement, the underwriters have agreed, severally and not jointly, to purchase all of the notes sold under the underwriting agreement if any of these notes are purchased. If an underwriter defaults, the underwriting agreement provides that the purchase commitments of the nondefaulting underwriter may be increased or the underwriting agreement may be terminated.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters and their controlling persons against certain liabilities in connection with this offering, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

The underwriters are offering the notes, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by their counsel and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officer’s certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

Commissions and Discounts

The representatives have advised us that the underwriters propose initially to offer the notes to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and may offer the notes to

 

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certain dealers at such price less a concession not in excess of 0.25% of the principal amount of the notes. The underwriters may allow, and the dealers may reallow, a discount on the notes to other dealers not in excess of 0.20% the principal amount of the notes. After the initial offering, the public offering price, concession or any other term of the offering may be changed.

The following table shows the public offering price, underwriting discount and proceeds before expenses to us.

 

     Per Note     Total  

Public Offering Price(1)

     99.595   $ 697,165,000  

Underwriting Discount

     0.450   $ 3,150,000  

Proceeds, before Expenses, to BlackRock

     99.145   $ 694,015,000  

 

(1) Plus accrued interest, if any, from March 28, 2017.

The expenses of the offering, not including the underwriting discount, are estimated at $1.25 million and are payable by us.

Price Stabilization and Penalty Bids

In connection with the offering of the notes, the underwriters (or persons acting on behalf of any underwriter(s)) may purchase and sell the notes in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Over-allotment involves syndicate sales of notes in excess of the principal amount of notes to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the notes in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases of notes made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market prices of the notes while the offering is in progress. There is no assurance that the underwriter(s) (or persons acting on behalf of any underwriter) will undertake stabilization action. Such stabilization, if begun, must be brought to an end after a limited period. Any stabilization action or over-allotment must be conducted by the relevant underwriter(s) (or person(s) acting on behalf of any underwriter(s)) in accordance with all applicable laws and rules.

The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the underwriters, in covering syndicate short positions or making stabilizing purchases, repurchase notes originally sold by that syndicate member.

Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market prices of the notes. They may also cause the prices of the notes to be higher than the prices that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

Other Relationships

The underwriters and their affiliates have provided, and may in the future provide, investment banking, commercial lending, financial advisory and other services for us. The underwriters have received customary fees and expenses for these services. In particular, certain of the underwriters and/or their affiliates are dealers under our commercial paper program. In addition, certain of the underwriters and/or their affiliates of the underwriters are lenders under our $4.0 billion revolving credit facility maturing in 2021.

In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the underwriters and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities)

 

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and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. If any of the underwriters or their affiliates have a lending relationship with us, certain of those underwriters or their affiliates routinely hedge, and certain other of those underwriters or their affiliates may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, these underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions that consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the notes offered hereby. Any such credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the notes offered hereby. The underwriters and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Conflicts of Interest

To the extent that any of the underwriters or their affiliates own any of our 6.25% Notes due 2017 and a portion of the net proceeds of this offering is used to fund the redemption of those notes as described in “Use of Proceeds,” such underwriters or affiliates would receive a portion of those net proceeds. Because more than 5% of the net proceeds of this offering, not including underwriters’ discounts, may be received by certain of the underwriters and/or their affiliates, to the extent any one underwriter, together with its affiliates, receives more than 5% of the net proceeds of this offering, such underwriter would be considered to have a “conflict of interest” with us in regard to this offering under FINRA Rule 5121. Pursuant to that rule, the appointment of a qualified independent underwriter is not necessary in connection with the offering because the offering is of a class of securities that are investment grade rated. No affected underwriter will confirm sales to any account over which it exercises discretionary authority without the prior written consent of the account holder.

Delayed Settlement

We expect that delivery of the notes will be made to investors on or about the fifth business day following the date of the pricing of the notes (“T+5”). Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in three business days, unless the parties to a trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, investors who wish to trade notes on the date of pricing or the next succeeding business days will be required, by virtue of the fact that the notes initially will settle in T+5, to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.

Selling Restrictions

Canada

The notes may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the notes must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

 

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Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (“EEA”), with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Member State (the “Relevant Implementation Date”), an offer to the public of the notes may not be made in that Member State, except that an offer to the public in that Member State of any notes may be made at any time with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive:

 

  (a) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive;

 

  (b) to fewer than 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive, subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives of the underwriters for any such offer; or

 

  (c) in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive;

provided that no such offer of notes shall require BlackRock or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any notes in any Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase any notes, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State; the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including Directive 2010/73/EU), and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Member State.

This EEA selling restriction is in addition to any other selling restrictions set out in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

United Kingdom

This communication is only being distributed to and is only directed at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (iii) high net worth companies, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). The notes are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such notes will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or any of their contents.

Each underwriter has represented, warranted and agreed that: (a) it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“FSMA”) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the notes which are the subject of the offering contemplated in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of FSMA does not apply to BlackRock; and (b) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

 

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Japan

The notes offered by this prospectus supplement have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan (Act No. 25 of 1948, as amended; the “FIEA”). The notes offered by this prospectus supplement may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of any resident of Japan (including any person resident in Japan or any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan) or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIEA and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Hong Kong

The notes may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document (except for notes which are “structured product” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (the “Securities and Futures Ordinance”)) other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (the “Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance”), or (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance, and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the notes may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to notes which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made thereunder.

Singapore

Each of the underwriters has acknowledged that this prospectus supplement has not been and will not be registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (the “MAS”). Accordingly, each of the underwriters has represented, warranted and undertaken that it has not offered or sold any notes or caused the notes to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase and will not offer or sell the notes or cause the notes to be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, and has not circulated or distributed, nor will it circulate or distribute, this prospectus supplement or any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the notes, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275, of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

This prospectus supplement has not been registered as a prospectus with the MAS. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the notes may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the notes be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275, of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

 

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Where the notes are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

 

  (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

 

  (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor,

securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the notes pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

 

  (i) to an institutional investor or to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A), or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

 

  (ii) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

 

  (iii) where the transfer is by operation of law;

 

  (iv) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

 

  (v) as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore.

The People’s Republic of China

The underwriters have represented and undertaken that the offer of the notes is not an offer of securities within the meaning of the PRC Securities Law or other pertinent laws and regulations of the PRC and the notes are not being offered or sold and may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in the PRC (for such purposes, not including the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions or Taiwan), except as permitted by the securities laws of the PRC.

South Korea

The notes may not be offered, sold and delivered directly or indirectly, or offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in South Korea or to any resident of South Korea except pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations of South Korea, including the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act (the “FSCMA”) and the Foreign Exchange Transaction Law and the decrees and regulations thereunder (the “FETL”). Furthermore, the purchaser of the notes complies with all applicable regulatory requirements (including but not limited to requirements under the FETL) in connection with their purchase.

Each agent has represented and agreed that it has not offered, sold or delivered the notes, directly or indirectly, or offered or sold the notes to any person for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in South Korea or to any resident of South Korea and will not offer, sell or deliver the notes, directly or indirectly, or offer or sell the notes to any person for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in South Korea or to any resident of South Korea, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the FSCMA, the FETL and other relevant laws and regulations of South Korea.

 

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VALIDITY OF THE NOTES

The validity of the notes will be passed upon for BlackRock by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York and will be passed upon for the underwriters by Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference from BlackRock’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and the effectiveness of BlackRock’s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of the registration statement on Form S-3 we filed with the SEC under the Securities Act and do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement. The registration statement, including the attached exhibits, contains additional relevant information about us. The rules of the SEC allow us to omit from this prospectus some of the information included in the registration statement. This information may be read and copied at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of these public reference facilities. The SEC maintains an Internet site, http://www.sec.gov, which contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that are subject to the SEC’s reporting requirements.

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. We fulfill our obligations with respect to such requirements by filing periodic reports and other information with the SEC. These reports and other information are available as provided above.

 

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Prospectus

 

LOGO

BlackRock, Inc.

Debt Securities

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Warrants

Subscription Rights

BlackRock, Inc. may offer from time to time (i) unsecured senior or subordinated debt securities, (ii) preferred stock, (iii) common stock, (iv) warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock or common stock, or (v) subscription rights to purchase debt securities, preferred stock or common stock.

We will provide the terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus.

You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement before you invest.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BLK”. If we decide to seek a listing of any debt securities, preferred stock or warrants offered by this prospectus, the related prospectus supplement will disclose the exchange or market on which the securities will be listed, if any, or where we have made an application for listing, if any.

Our principal office is located at 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10055. Our telephone number is (212) 810-5300.

Investing in our securities involves risk. See “ Risk Factors ” beginning on page 1 and the documents incorporated herein by reference.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is February 3, 2017

 

 


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     1  

BLACKROCK

     1  

RISK FACTORS

     1  

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

     2  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     2  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     3  

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

     4  

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

     4  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     12  

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

     18  

DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

     19  

CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

     20  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     20  

LEGAL MATTERS

     23  

EXPERTS

     24  

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. We will provide the terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. We urge you to read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 2.

As used in this prospectus, “BlackRock,” “the Company,” “we,” “our,” “ours,” and “us” refer to BlackRock, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, and “our board of directors” refers to the board of directors of BlackRock, Inc., except where the context otherwise requires or as otherwise clearly indicated.

BLACKROCK

BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK) is a leading publicly traded investment management firm with $5.1 trillion of assets under management (“AUM”) at September 30, 2016. With approximately 13,000 employees in more than 30 countries, BlackRock provides a broad range of investment and risk management services to institutional and retail clients worldwide.

BlackRock’s diverse platform of active (alpha) and index (beta) investment strategies across asset classes enables the Company to tailor investment outcomes and asset allocation solutions for clients. Product offerings include single- and multi-asset class portfolios investing in equities, fixed income, alternatives and money market instruments. Products are offered directly and through intermediaries in a variety of vehicles, including open-end and closed-end mutual funds, iShares ® exchange-traded funds, separate accounts, collective investment funds and other pooled investment vehicles. BlackRock also offers the BlackRock Solutions ® investment and risk management technology platform, Aladdin ® , risk analytics and advisory services and solutions to a broad base of institutional investors.

BlackRock serves a diverse mix of institutional and retail clients across the globe. Clients include tax-exempt institutions, such as defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans, charities, foundations and endowments; official institutions, such as central banks, sovereign wealth funds, supranationals and other government entities; taxable institutions, including insurance companies, financial institutions, corporations and third-party fund sponsors, and retail investors.

BlackRock maintains a significant global sales and marketing presence that is focused on establishing and maintaining retail and institutional investment management relationships by marketing its services to investors directly and through financial professionals and pension consultants, and establishing third-party distribution relationships.

At September 30, 2016, The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”) held 21.3% of BlackRock’s voting common stock and 22.0% of BlackRock’s capital stock, which includes outstanding common and nonvoting preferred stock.

RISK FACTORS

You should consider the specific risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, the risk factors described under the caption “Risk Factors” in any applicable prospectus supplement and any risk factors set forth in our other filings with the SEC, pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) before making an investment decision. Each of the risks described in these documents could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment. See “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus. You should also carefully review the cautionary statement in this prospectus referred to under “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”


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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, 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” and 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 risk factors previously disclosed in BlackRock’s SEC reports and those identified elsewhere in this prospectus, 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 and volatility in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment, foreign exchange rates or financial and capital markets, which could result in changes in demand for products or services or in the value of AUM; (3) the relative and absolute investment performance of BlackRock’s investment products; (4) the impact of increased competition; (5) the impact of future acquisitions or divestitures; (6) the unfavorable resolution of legal proceedings; (7) the extent and timing of any share repurchases; (8) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes and the adequacy of intellectual property, information and cyber security protection; (9) the potential for human error in connection with BlackRock’s operational systems; (10) the impact of legislative and regulatory actions and reforms, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions of government agencies relating to BlackRock or PNC; (11) terrorist activities, international hostilities and natural disasters, which may adversely affect the general economy, domestic and local financial and capital markets, specific industries or BlackRock; (12) the ability to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (13) fluctuations in the carrying value of BlackRock’s economic investments; (14) the impact of changes to tax legislation, including income, payroll and transaction taxes, and taxation on products or transactions, which could affect the value proposition to clients and, generally, the tax position of the Company; (15) BlackRock’s success in negotiating distribution arrangements and maintaining distribution channels for its products; (16) the failure by a key vendor of BlackRock to fulfill its obligations to the Company; (17) any disruption to the operations of third parties whose functions are integral to BlackRock’s ETF platform; (18) the impact of BlackRock electing to provide support to its products from time to time and any potential liabilities related to securities lending or other indemnification obligations; and (19) the impact of problems at other financial institutions or the failure or negative performance of products at other financial institutions.

You should carefully read the risk factors described in “Risk Factors” in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus for a description of certain risks that could, among other things, cause our actual results to differ from these forward looking statements.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, under which we file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. We make available through our website at http://www.blackrock.com, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is

 

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electronically filed or furnished to the SEC. You may read and copy materials that we have filed with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, including any filings on or after the date of this prospectus from the date of the filing (excluding any information furnished, rather than filed), until we have sold all of the offered securities to which this prospectus relates or the offering is otherwise terminated. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Any statement in a document incorporated by reference into this prospectus will be deemed to be automatically modified or superseded to the extent a statement contained in (1) this prospectus or (2) any other subsequently filed document that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus modifies or supersedes such statement. The documents incorporated by reference herein include:

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015;

 

   

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2016, June 30, 2016 and September 30, 2016;

 

   

our Current Reports on Form 8-K dated February 29, 2016, April 14, 2016 (excluding any Item 2.02 and associated Item 9.01), May 27, 2016 and July 22, 2016;

 

   

our definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed April 15, 2016; and

 

   

The description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on our predecessor, BlackRock Holdco 2, Inc.’s (formerly BlackRock, Inc.) Form 8-A, filed on September 15, 1999, and any amendment or report filed thereafter for the purpose of updating such information.

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any and all of the documents that have been or may be incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should direct requests for documents by writing to:

BlackRock, Inc.

55 East 52nd Street

New York, New York 10055

Tel.: (212) 810-5300

Attention: Corporate Secretary

No person is authorized to give any information or represent anything not contained in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any applicable pricing supplement. We are only offering the securities in places where sales of those securities are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any applicable pricing supplement, as well as information incorporated by reference, is current only as of the date of that information. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise specified in connection with a particular offering of securities, the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus will be used for general corporate purposes. If we decide to use the net proceeds from a particular offering of securities for a specific purpose, we will describe such purpose in the related prospectus supplement.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and for the years 2011 through 2015 are included as an exhibit to BlackRock’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 and are incorporated in this prospectus by reference.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

This prospectus describes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities. The debt securities will constitute either unsecured senior debt or unsecured subordinated debt. We will issue debt securities that will be senior debt under an indenture between us and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (the “senior indenture”), dated September 17, 2007. We will issue debt securities that will be subordinated debt under an indenture between us and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee (“subordinated indenture”). This prospectus refers to the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture individually as the “indenture” and collectively as the “indentures.” The term “trustee” refers to the trustee under each indenture, as appropriate.

The indentures are subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The indentures are substantially identical, except for the provisions relating to subordination, which are included only in the subordinated indenture. The following summary of the material provisions of the indentures and the debt securities is not complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indentures, each of which has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We urge you to read the indenture that is applicable to you because it, and not the summary below, defines your rights as a holder of debt securities. You can obtain copies of the indentures by following the directions described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 2.

General

The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment to our “Senior Indebtedness.” For additional information, see “—Subordination” below. As of September 30, 2016, approximately $4.987 billion aggregate principal amount of debt securities was outstanding under the Senior Indenture and no other senior indebtedness was outstanding. As of September 30, 2016, none of BlackRock’s existing debt would have been subordinated to the senior debt securities and none of such debt would have ranked equally with any subordinated debt securities offered pursuant to this registration statement. The indentures do not limit the amount of debt, either secured or unsecured, which may be issued by us under the indentures or otherwise. The debt securities may be issued in one or more series with the same or various maturities and may be sold at par, a premium or an original issue discount. Debt securities sold at an original issue discount may bear no interest or interest at a rate which is below market rates. Since BlackRock is a holding company, the right of BlackRock, and hence the rights of the creditors and securityholders of BlackRock, to participate in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is accordingly subject to prior claims of creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent that claims of BlackRock itself as a creditor of the subsidiary may be recognized. The indentures do not prohibit us or our subsidiaries from incurring debt or agreeing to limitations on their ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to us.

Each prospectus supplement will describe the terms relating to the specific series of debt securities being offered. These terms will include some or all of the following:

 

   

the title of debt securities and whether they are subordinated debt securities or senior debt securities;

 

   

any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

 

   

the ability to issue additional debt securities of the same series;

 

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the price or prices at which we will sell the debt securities;

 

   

the maturity date or dates of the debt securities;

 

   

the rate or rates of interest, if any, which may be fixed or variable, at which the debt securities will bear interest, or the method of determining such rate or rates, if any;

 

   

the date or dates from which any interest will accrue or the method by which such date or dates will be determined;

 

   

the right, if any, to extend the interest payment periods and the duration of any such deferral period, including the maximum consecutive periods during which interest payment periods may be extended;

 

   

whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on the debt securities may be determined with reference to any index, formula or other method, such as one or more currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices, and the manner of determining the amount of such payments;

 

   

the dates on which we will pay interest on the debt securities and the regular record date for determining who is entitled to the interest payable on any interest payment date;

 

   

the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the debt securities will be payable, where any debt securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange or conversion, as applicable, and notices and demands may be delivered to or upon us pursuant to the indenture;

 

   

if we possess the option to do so, the periods within which and the prices at which we may redeem the debt securities, in whole or in part, pursuant to optional redemption provisions, and the other terms and conditions of any such provisions;

 

   

our obligation, if any, to redeem, repay or purchase debt securities by making periodic payments to a sinking fund or through an analogous provision or at the option of holders of the debt securities, and the period or periods within which and the price or prices at which we will redeem, repay or purchase the debt securities, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation, and the other terms and conditions of such obligation;

 

   

the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000;

 

   

the portion, or methods of determining the portion, of the principal amount of the debt securities which we must pay upon the acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities in connection with an Event of Default (as described below), if other than the full principal amount;

 

   

the currency, currencies or currency unit in which we will pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on the debt securities, if not United States dollars;

 

   

provisions, if any, granting special rights to holders of the debt securities upon the occurrence of specified events;

 

   

any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or our covenants with respect to the applicable series of debt securities, and whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with those contained in the applicable indenture;

 

   

any limitation on our ability to incur debt, redeem stock, sell our assets or other restrictions;

 

   

the application, if any, of the terms of the indenture relating to defeasance and covenant defeasance (which terms are described below) to the debt securities;

 

   

whether the subordination provisions summarized below or different subordination provisions will apply to the debt securities;

 

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the terms, if any, upon which the holders may convert or exchange the debt securities into or for our common stock, preferred stock or property;

 

   

whether any of the debt securities will be issued in global form and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which global debt securities may be exchanged for certificated debt securities;

 

   

any change in the right of the trustee or the requisite holders of debt securities to declare the principal amount thereof due and payable because of an Event of Default;

 

   

the depositary for global or certificated debt securities;

 

   

any special tax implications of the debt securities;

 

   

any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars or other agents with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

any other terms of the debt securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the indentures, as amended or supplemented;

 

   

to whom any interest on any debt security shall be payable, if other than the person in whose name the security is registered, on the record date for such interest, the extent to which, or the manner in which, any interest payable on a temporary global debt security will be paid if other than in the manner provided in the applicable indenture;

 

   

if the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities of the series is to be payable in one or more currencies or currency units other than as stated, the currency, currencies or currency units in which it shall be paid and the periods within and terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made and the amounts payable (or the manner in which such amount shall be determined); and

 

   

if the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of any debt security of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the stated maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the principal amount of such securities as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which shall be due and payable upon any maturity other than the stated maturity or which shall be deemed to be outstanding as of any date prior to the stated maturity (or, in any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount shall be determined).

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities will be issued in fully-registered form without coupons.

Debt securities may be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate which at the time of issuance is below market rates. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the federal income tax consequences and special considerations applicable to any such debt securities. The debt securities may also be issued as indexed securities or securities denominated in foreign currencies, currency units or composite currencies, as described in more detail in the prospectus supplement relating to any of the particular debt securities. The prospectus supplement relating to specific debt securities will also describe any special considerations and certain additional tax considerations applicable to such debt securities.

Subordination

The prospectus supplement relating to any offering of subordinated debt securities will describe the specific subordination provisions. However, unless otherwise noted in the prospectus supplement, subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to any existing Senior Indebtedness.

 

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Under the subordinated indenture, “Senior Indebtedness” means all amounts due on obligations in connection with any of the following, whether outstanding at the date of execution of the subordinated indenture or thereafter incurred or created:

 

   

the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest due on our indebtedness for borrowed money and indebtedness evidenced by securities, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments issued by us;

 

   

all of our capital lease obligations;

 

   

any of our obligations as lessee under leases required to be capitalized on the statement of financial condition of the lessee under generally accepted accounting principles;

 

   

all of our obligations for the reimbursement on any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance, security purchase facility or similar credit transaction;

 

   

all of our obligations in respect of interest rate swap, cap or other agreements, interest rate future or options contracts, currency swap agreements, currency future or option contracts and other similar agreements;

 

   

all obligations of the types referred to above of other persons for the payment of which we are responsible or liable as obligor, guarantor or otherwise; and

 

   

all obligations of the types referred to above of other persons secured by any lien on any property or asset of ours (whether or not such obligation is assumed by us).

However, Senior Indebtedness does not include:

 

   

any indebtedness which expressly provides that such indebtedness shall not be senior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities, or that such indebtedness shall be subordinated to any other of our indebtedness, unless such indebtedness expressly provides that such indebtedness shall be senior in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities;

 

   

any of our indebtedness in respect of the subordinated debt securities;

 

   

any indebtedness or liability for compensation to employees, for goods or materials purchased in the ordinary course of business or for services;

 

   

any of our indebtedness to any subsidiary; and

 

   

any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by us.

Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior Indebtedness and be entitled to the benefits of the subordination provisions irrespective of any amendment, modification or waiver of any term of such Senior Indebtedness.

Unless otherwise noted in the accompanying prospectus supplement, if we default in the payment of any principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Senior Indebtedness when it becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration or otherwise, then, unless and until such default is cured or waived or ceases to exist, we will make no direct or indirect payment (in cash, property, securities, by set-off or otherwise) in respect of the principal of or interest on the subordinated debt securities or in respect of any redemption, retirement, purchase or other requisition of any of the subordinated debt securities.

In the event of the acceleration of the maturity of any subordinated debt securities, the holders of all senior debt securities outstanding at the time of such acceleration, subject to any security interest, will first be entitled to receive payment in full of all amounts due on the senior debt securities before the holders of the subordinated debt securities will be entitled to receive any payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the subordinated debt securities.

 

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If any of the following events occurs, we will pay in full all Senior Indebtedness before we make any payment or distribution under the subordinated debt securities, whether in cash, securities or other property, to any holder of subordinated debt securities:

 

   

any dissolution or winding-up or liquidation or reorganization of BlackRock, whether voluntary or involuntary or in bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership;

 

   

any general assignment by us for the benefit of creditors; or

 

   

any other marshaling of our assets or liabilities.

In such event, any payment or distribution under the subordinated debt securities, whether in cash, securities or other property, which would otherwise (but for the subordination provisions) be payable or deliverable in respect of the subordinated debt securities, will be paid or delivered directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness in accordance with the priorities then existing among such holders until all Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full. If any payment or distribution under the subordinated debt securities is received by the trustee of any subordinated debt securities in contravention of any of the terms of the subordinated indenture and before all the Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full, such payment or distribution or security will be received in trust for the benefit of, and paid over or delivered and transferred to, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness at the time outstanding in accordance with the priorities then existing among such holders for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all such Senior Indebtedness in full.

The subordinated indenture does not limit the issuance of additional Senior Indebtedness.

Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets and Other Transactions

We may not (i) merge with or into or consolidate with another corporation or sell, assign, transfer, lease or convey all or substantially all of our properties and assets to, any other corporation other than a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ours, and (ii) no corporation may merge with or into or consolidate with us or, except for any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of ours, sell, assign, transfer, lease or convey all or substantially all of its properties and assets to us, unless:

 

   

we are the surviving corporation or the corporation, partnership or trust formed by or surviving such merger or consolidation or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease or conveyance has been made, if other than us, is organized under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia and has expressly assumed by supplemental indenture all of our obligations under the indentures;

 

   

immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or any subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing;

 

   

if properties or assets of the Company would become subject to a mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest or other encumbrance not permitted by the indentures, we take such steps as shall be necessary effectively to secure the debt securities equally and ratably with (or prior to) all indebtedness secured thereby; and

 

   

we deliver to the trustee an officers’ certificate stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease comply with the indentures and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel stating that such supplemental indenture complies with the indentures.

 

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Events of Default, Notice and Waiver

Unless an accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise, the following shall constitute “Events of Default” under the indentures with respect to each series of debt securities:

 

   

our failure to pay any interest on any debt security of such series when due and payable, continued for 30 days;

 

   

our failure to pay principal (or premium, if any) on any debt security of such series when due, regardless of whether such payment became due because of maturity, redemption, acceleration or otherwise, or is required by any sinking fund established with respect to such series;

 

   

our failure to observe or perform any other of our covenants or agreements with respect to such debt securities for 60 days after we receive notice of such failure;

 

   

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of BlackRock; and

 

   

any other Event of Default provided with respect to securities of that series.

If an Event of Default with respect to any debt securities of any series outstanding under either of the indentures shall occur and be continuing, the trustee under such indenture or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series outstanding may declare, by notice as provided in the applicable indenture, the principal amount (or such lesser amount as may be provided for in the debt securities of that series) of all the debt securities of that series outstanding to be due and payable immediately; provided that, in the case of an Event of Default involving certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, acceleration is automatic; and, provided further , that after such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal, have been cured or waived. Upon the acceleration of the maturity of original issue discount securities, an amount less than the principal amount thereof will become due and payable. Reference is made to the prospectus supplement relating to any original issue discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of maturity thereof.

Any past default under either indenture with respect to debt securities of any series, and any Event of Default arising therefrom, may be waived by the holders of a majority in principal amount of all debt securities of such series outstanding under such indenture, except in the case of (i) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any debt securities of such series or (ii) default in respect of a covenant or provision which may not be amended or modified without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of such series affected.

The trustee is required within 90 days after the occurrence of a default (which is known to the trustee and is continuing), with respect to the debt securities of any series (without regard to any grace period or notice requirements), to give to the holders of the debt securities of such series notice of such default.

The trustee, subject to its duties during default to act with the required standard of care, may require indemnification by the holders of the debt securities of any series with respect to which a default has occurred before proceeding to exercise any right or power under the indentures at the request of the holders of the debt securities of such series. Subject to such right of indemnification and to certain other limitations, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series under either indenture may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series, provided that such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with the applicable indenture or result in the incurrence of liability by the trustee and the trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

 

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No holder of a debt security of any series may institute any action against us under either of the indentures (except actions for payment of overdue principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such debt security or for the conversion or exchange of such debt security in accordance with its terms) unless (i) the holder has given to the trustee written notice of an Event of Default and of the continuance thereof with respect to the debt securities of such series specifying an Event of Default, as required under the applicable indenture, (ii) the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series then outstanding under such indenture shall have requested the trustee to institute such action and offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request; (iii) the trustee shall not have instituted such action within 60 days of such request and (iv) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the trustee during such 60-day period by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of that series.

We are required to furnish annually to the trustee statements as to our compliance with all conditions and covenants under each indenture.

Discharge, Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

We may discharge or defease our obligations under the indentures as set forth below, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

We may discharge certain obligations to holders of any series of debt securities issued under either the senior indenture or the subordinated indenture that have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation and which have either become due and payable or are by their terms due and payable within one year (or scheduled for redemption within one year) by irrevocably depositing with the trustee money in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such debt securities not previously delivered to the trustee for cancellation, for principal and any premium and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of debt securities which have become due and payable) or to the stated maturity or redemption date, as the case may be and we have paid all other sums payable under the applicable indenture.

If indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may elect either (i) to defease and be discharged from any and all obligations with respect to the debt securities of or within any series (except as otherwise provided in the relevant indenture) (“defeasance”) or (ii) to be released from our obligations with respect to certain covenants applicable to the debt securities of or within any series (“covenant defeasance”), upon the deposit with the relevant indenture trustee, in trust for such purpose, of money and/or government obligations which through the payment of principal and interest in accordance with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such debt securities to maturity or redemption, as the case may be, and any mandatory sinking fund or analogous payments thereon. As a condition to defeasance or covenant defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of such debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance or covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance or covenant defeasance had not occurred. Such opinion of counsel, in the case of defeasance under clause (i) above, must refer to and be based upon a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in applicable federal income tax law occurring after the date of the relevant indenture. In addition, in the case of either defeasance or covenant defeasance, we shall have delivered to the trustee (i) an officers’ certificate to the effect that the relevant debt securities exchange(s) have informed us that neither such debt securities nor any other debt securities of the same series, if then listed on any securities exchange, will be delisted as a result of such deposit and (ii) an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such defeasance or covenant defeasance have been complied with.

We may exercise our defeasance option with respect to such debt securities notwithstanding our prior exercise of our covenant defeasance option.

 

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Modification and Waiver

Under the indentures, we and the applicable trustee may supplement the indentures for certain purposes which would not materially adversely affect the interests or rights of the holders of debt securities of a series without the consent of those holders. We and the applicable trustee may also modify the indentures or any supplemental indenture in a manner that affects the interests or rights of the holders of debt securities with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each affected series issued under the indenture. However, the indentures require the consent of each holder of debt securities that would be affected by any modification which would:

 

   

change the fixed maturity of any debt securities of any series, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof;

 

   

reduce the amount of principal of an original issue discount debt security or any other debt security payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;

 

   

change the currency in which any debt security or any premium or interest is payable;

 

   

impair the right to enforce any payment on or with respect to any debt security;

 

   

reduce the percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for modification or amendment of the indentures or for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indentures or for waiver of certain defaults; or

 

   

modify any of the above provisions.

The indentures permit the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series issued under the indenture which is affected by the modification or amendment to waive our compliance with certain covenants contained in the indentures.

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of interest on a debt security on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name a debt security is registered at the close of business on the record date for the interest.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, principal, interest and premium on the debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of such paying agent or paying agents as we may designate for such purpose from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at our option, payment of any interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as such address appears in the security register.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, a paying agent designated by us will act as paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. All paying agents initially designated by us for the debt securities of a particular series will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

All moneys paid by us to a paying agent or held by us in trust for the payment of the principal, interest or premium on any debt security which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, interest or premium has become due and payable will be repaid to us upon request, and the holder of such debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.

 

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Denominations, Registrations and Transfer

Unless an accompanying prospectus supplement states otherwise, debt securities will be represented by one or more global certificates registered in the name of a nominee for The Depository Trust Company, or DTC. In such case, each holder’s beneficial interest in the global securities will be shown on the records of DTC and transfers of beneficial interests will only be effected through DTC’s records.

A holder of debt securities may only exchange a beneficial interest in a global security for certificated securities registered in the holder’s name if:

 

   

DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue serving as the depositary for the relevant global securities or DTC ceases to maintain certain qualifications under the Exchange Act and no successor depositary has been appointed for 90 days; or

 

   

we determine, in our sole discretion, that the global security shall be exchangeable.

If debt securities are issued in certificated form, they will only be issued in the minimum denomination specified in the accompanying prospectus supplement and integral multiples of such denomination. Transfers and exchanges of such debt securities will only be permitted in such minimum denomination. Transfers of debt securities in certificated form may be registered at the trustee’s corporate office or at the offices of any paying agent or trustee appointed by us under the indentures. Exchanges of debt securities for an equal aggregate principal amount of debt securities in different denominations may also be made at such locations.

Governing Law

The indentures and debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to its principles of conflicts of laws.

Trustee

The trustee under the indentures is The Bank of New York Mellon.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

The prospectus supplement will describe the terms, if any, on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, preferred stock or other debt securities issued by us. These terms will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. These provisions may allow or require the number of shares of our common stock, shares of preferred stock or debt securities to be received by the holders of such series of debt securities to be adjusted.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following description of certain terms of our capital stock does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended and our amended and restated bylaws. For more information on how you can obtain our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, see “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 2. We urge you to read our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, and amended and restated bylaws in their entirety.

General

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we are authorized to issue 1 billion shares of capital stock, consisting of 500,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share and 500,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share of which 20,000,000 shares are designated as

 

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Series A convertible participating preferred stock, 150,000,000 shares are designated as Series B convertible participating preferred stock, 6,000,000 shares are designated as Series C convertible participating preferred stock and 20,000,000 shares are designated as Series D participating preferred stock. As of January 30, 2017, we had approximately 171,252,185 shares of common stock issued and approximately 161,340,254 shares of common stock outstanding, no shares of Series A convertible participating preferred stock issued and outstanding, approximately 823,188 shares of Series B convertible participating preferred stock issued and outstanding, approximately 763,660 shares of Series C convertible participating preferred stock issued and outstanding and no shares of Series D participating preferred stock issued and outstanding.

Preferred Stock

The following description of certain terms of the preferred stock does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and the certificate of designations that relates to the particular series of preferred stock, which has been or will be filed with the SEC at or prior to the time of the sale of the related preferred stock. Certain terms of any series of preferred stock offered by any prospectus supplement will be set forth in the certificate of designations, and summarized in the prospectus supplement, relating to such series of preferred stock. If so indicated in the prospectus supplement, the terms of any such series may differ from the terms set forth below. If there are differences between the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series and this prospectus, the prospectus supplement will control. For more information on how you can obtain our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and any applicable certificate of designations, see “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 2. We urge you to read our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and any applicable certificate of designations in their entirety.

General . The board of directors is authorized to provide for the issuance of shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series, to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in such class or series, and to fix the designations, voting powers (if any), privileges, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights of the shares of each such class or series and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereon. The authority of the board of directors with respect to each class or series shall include, but not be limited to, determination of the following:

 

   

the designation of the class or series, which may be by distinguishing number, letter or title;

 

   

the number of shares of the class or series, which number the board of directors may thereafter (except where otherwise provided) increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) in the manner permitted by law;

 

   

the rate of any dividends (or method of determining the dividends) payable to the holders of the shares of such class or series, any conditions upon which such dividends are payable, the form of payment thereof (whether cash, our securities, securities of another person or other assets) and the date or dates or the method for determining the date or dates upon which such dividends shall be payable;

 

   

whether dividends, if any, shall be cumulative or non-cumulative and, in the case of shares of any class or series having cumulative dividend rights, the date or dates or method of determining the date or dates from which dividends on the shares of such class or series will cumulate;

 

   

if the shares of such class or series may be redeemed by us, the price or prices (or method of determining such price or prices) at which, the form of payment of such price or prices (which may be cash, property or rights, including our securities) for which, the period or periods within which and the other terms and conditions upon which the shares of such class or series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option or at the option of the holder or holders thereof or upon the happening of a specified event or events, if any, including our obligation, if any, to purchase or redeem shares of such class or series pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise;

 

   

the amount payable out of our assets to the holders of shares of the class or series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;

 

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provisions, if any, for the conversion or exchange of the shares of such class or series, at any time or times, at the option of the holder or holder thereof or at our option or upon the happening of a specified event or events, into shares of any other class or classes or any other series of the same class of our capital stock or into any other security, and the price or prices or rate or rates of conversion or exchange and any adjustments applicable thereto, and all other terms and conditions upon which each conversion or exchange may be made;

 

   

restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same class or series or of any other class or series of our capital stock, if any; and

 

   

the voting rights and powers, if any, of the holders of shares of the class or series.

Unless otherwise specifically set forth in the certificate of designations, and summarized in the prospectus supplement, relating to a series of preferred stock, all shares of preferred stock will be of equal rank, preference and priority as to dividends; when the stated dividends are not paid in full, the shares of all series of the preferred stock will share ratably in any payment thereof; and upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, if assets are insufficient to pay in full all preferred stock, then such assets shall be distributed among the holders ratably.

Since we are a holding company, our right, and hence the right of our creditors and securityholders, to participate in any distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is necessarily subject to the prior claims of creditors of our subsidiaries, except to the extent that our claims as a creditor of the subsidiary may be recognized.

Dividend Rights. Except as may be set forth in the certificate of designations, and summarized in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of preferred stock, the holders of preferred stock will be entitled to receive, but only when and as declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose, cash dividends at the rates and on the dates set forth in the certificate of designations, and summarized in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock, and no more, payable quarterly.

Redemption. We will have such rights, if any, to redeem shares of preferred stock, and the holders of preferred stock will have such rights, if any, to cause us to redeem shares of preferred stock, as may be set forth in the certificate of designations, and summarized in the prospectus supplement, relating to a series of preferred stock.

Conversion or Exchange. The holders of preferred stock will have such rights, if any, to convert such shares into or to exchange such shares for, shares of any other class or classes, or of any other series of any class, of our capital stock and/or any other property or cash, as may be set forth in the certificate of designations, and summarized in the prospectus supplement, relating to a series of preferred stock.

Voting Rights. The holders of preferred stock will have such voting rights as required by applicable law and as may be set forth in the certificate of designations, and summarized in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of preferred stock.

Liquidation Rights. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of preferred stock will have such preferences and priorities, if any, with respect to distribution of our assets or the proceeds thereof as may be set forth in the certificate of designations and summarized in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of preferred stock.

Miscellaneous. The transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and registrar for the preferred stock issued in connection with this prospectus will be as set forth in the certificate of designations and summarized in the prospectus supplement. The holders of preferred stock, including any preferred stock issued in connection with this prospectus, will not have any preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for any shares of any class or other securities of any type of ours. When issued, the preferred stock will be fully paid and nonassessable. The certificate of designations setting forth the provisions of each series of preferred stock will become effective after the date of this prospectus but on or before issuance of the related series of preferred stock.

 

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Series A Convertible Participating Preferred Stock. As of January 30, 2017, no shares of Series A participating preferred stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) were outstanding. The Series A Preferred Stock is entitled to receive any dividend that is paid to holders of common stock, payable, at the holder’s option, in shares of common stock, cash, or a combination of cash and common stock. Any subdivisions, combinations, consolidations or reclassifications to the common stock must also be made accordingly to the Series A Preferred Stock and any subdivisions, combinations, consolidations or reclassifications to the Series A Preferred Stock must also be made accordingly to the common stock. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of BlackRock, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive $0.01 per share of Series A Preferred Stock held, plus any outstanding and unpaid dividends, before any payments are made to holders of common stock. After such payment, the remaining assets of BlackRock will be distributed pro rata to the holders of common stock and the Series A Preferred Stock. The participating preferred stock has no voting rights except as required by applicable law.

Series B Convertible Participating Preferred Stock. As of January 30, 2017, we had outstanding approximately 823,188 shares of Series B convertible participating preferred stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”). The Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to receive any dividend that is paid to holders of common stock, payable in the same consideration and manner as is declared on any share of common stock. Any subdivisions, combinations, consolidations or reclassifications to the common stock must also be made accordingly to the Series B Preferred Stock and any subdivisions, combinations, consolidations or reclassifications to the Series B Preferred Stock must also be made accordingly to the common stock. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of BlackRock, the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive $0.01 per share of Series B Preferred Stock held, plus any outstanding and unpaid dividends, before any payments are made to holders of common stock. After such payment, the remaining assets of BlackRock will be distributed pro rata to the holders of common stock, the holders of the Series B Preferred Stock and the holders of any other series of capital stock entitled to participate in accordance with the terms of their participation. The Series B Preferred Stock has no voting rights except as required by applicable law.

Upon any transfer of the Series B Preferred Stock to any person other than an affiliate of the initial holder, each share of Series B Preferred Stock will convert into one share of common stock. No optional conversion is permitted.

Series C Convertible Participating Preferred Stock. As of January 30, 2017, we had outstanding approximately 763,660 shares of Series C convertible participating preferred stock (the “Series C Preferred Stock”). The Series C Preferred Stock is entitled to receive any dividend that is paid to holders of common stock, payable in the same consideration and manner as is declared on any share of common stock. Any subdivisions, combinations, consolidations or reclassifications to the common stock must also be made accordingly to the Series C Preferred Stock and any subdivisions, combinations, consolidations or reclassifications to the Series C Preferred Stock must also be made accordingly to the common stock. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of BlackRock, the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive $40.00 per share of Series C Preferred Stock held, plus any outstanding and unpaid dividends, before any payments are made to holders of common stock. After such payment, the remaining assets of BlackRock will be distributed pro rata to the holders of common stock, the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock and the holders of any other series of capital stock entitled to participate in accordance with the terms of their participation. The Series C Preferred Stock has no voting rights except as required by applicable law.

Upon termination of all of the obligations of PNC Asset Management, Inc. and PNC (the “PNC Parties”) under the Share Surrender Agreement, dated as of October 10, 2002, as amended, by and between BlackRock and the PNC Parties (as amended, the “Share Surrender Agreement”), each share of Series C Preferred Stock shall be automatically converted into one share of common stock. Prior to any such conversion, no share of Series C Preferred Stock may be transferred other than to BlackRock in accordance with the Share Surrender Agreement.

 

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Series D Convertible Participating Preferred Stock. As of January 30, 2017, no shares of Series D participating preferred stock (the “Series D Preferred Stock”) were outstanding. The Series D Preferred Stock is entitled to receive any dividend that is paid to holders of common stock or the holders of Series B Preferred Stock, payable in the same consideration and manner as is declared on any share of common stock or the Series B Preferred Stock. Any subdivisions, combinations, consolidations or reclassifications to the common stock or Series B Preferred Stock must also be made accordingly to the Series D Preferred Stock and any subdivisions, combinations, consolidations or reclassifications to the Series D Preferred Stock must also be made accordingly to the common stock and Series B Preferred Stock. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of BlackRock, the holders of the Series D Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive $0.01 per share of Series D Preferred Stock held, plus any outstanding and unpaid dividends, before any payments are made to holders of common stock. After such payment, the remaining assets of BlackRock will be distributed pro rata to the holders of common stock, the holders of the Series D Preferred Stock and the holders of any other series of capital stock entitled to participate in accordance with the terms of their participation. The Series D Preferred Stock has no voting rights except as required by applicable law.

Common Stock

The following description of certain rights of our common stock does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws.

Voting Rights. The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders.

Dividends and Liquidation Rights. Subject to the preferential rights of the Series B Preferred Stock, the Series C Preferred Stock and any other outstanding series of preferred stock created by our board of directors from time to time, the holders of common stock are entitled to such dividends as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors from funds available therefor, and, upon liquidation, holders of common stock will be entitled to share pro rata in any distribution of our assets after payment, or providing for the payment of, our liabilities.

Miscellaneous. The outstanding shares of our common stock, offered pursuant to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, upon issuance and payment therefor will be, fully paid and nonassessable. Our common stock has no preemptive or conversion rights and there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable thereto.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “BLK.”

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Investor Services, 480 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, New Jersey 07310, telephone (800) 522-6645.

Anti-Takeover Considerations

The Delaware General Corporation Law, our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws contain provisions which could serve to discourage or to make more difficult a change in control of us without the support of our board of directors or without meeting various other conditions.

Extraordinary Corporate Transactions

Delaware law provides that the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote must approve any fundamental corporate transactions such as mergers, sales of all or substantially all of a corporation’s assets, dissolutions, etc.

 

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State Takeover Legislation

Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, in general, prohibits a business combination between a corporation and an interested stockholder within three years of the time such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless (a) prior to such time, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, (b) upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, exclusive of shares owned by directors who are also officers and by certain employee stock plans or (c) at or subsequent to such time, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized by the affirmative vote at a stockholders’ meeting, and not by written consent, of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder. The restrictions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law do not apply to certain business combinations or to corporations that have elected, in the manner provided therein, not to be subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law or, with certain exceptions, which do not have a class of voting stock that is listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders. We have elected to be governed by Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Rights of Dissenting Stockholders

Delaware law does not afford appraisal rights in a merger transaction to holders of shares that are either listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders, provided that such shares will be converted into stock of the surviving corporation or another corporation, which corporation in either case must also be listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by more than 2,000 stockholders. In addition, Delaware law denies appraisal rights to stockholders of the surviving corporation in a merger if the surviving corporation’s stockholders were not required to approve the merger.

Stockholder Action

Delaware law provides that, unless otherwise stated in the certificate of incorporation, any action which may be taken at an annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting, if a consent in writing is signed by the holders of the outstanding stock having the minimum number of votes necessary to authorize the action at a meeting of stockholders. Our certificate of incorporation provides that stockholders may take action by written consent if such action has been approved in advance by the majority vote of our board of directors.

Meetings of Stockholders

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that special meetings of the stockholders may be called at any time by the chairman of the board of directors, the president, a majority of the board of directors, or any committee of the board of directors that has the power to call such meetings. No stockholder may call a special meeting.

Cumulative Voting

Delaware law permits stockholders to cumulate their votes and either cast them for one candidate or distribute them among two or more candidates in the election of directors only if expressly authorized in a corporation’s certificate of incorporation. Our certificate of incorporation does not authorize cumulative voting.

Removal of Directors

Delaware law provides that, except in the case of a classified board of directors or where cumulative voting applies, a director, or the entire board of directors, of a corporation may be removed, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of the corporation entitled to vote at an election of directors.

 

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Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that any or all of the directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of the votes of capital stock then entitled to vote in the election of directors at a meeting of stockholders called for that purpose.

Vacancies

Delaware law provides that vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from a resignation or any increase in the authorized number of directors elected by all of the stockholders having the right to vote as a single class may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, unless the governing documents of a corporation provide otherwise.

Our amended and restated bylaws provide that newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors and vacancies occurring in the board of directors for any reason, may be filled by vote of a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director or by the stockholders if the vacancy resulted from the action of stockholders.

No Preemptive Rights

Holders of common stock do not have any preemptive rights to subscribe for any additional shares of capital stock or other obligations convertible into or exercisable for shares of capital stock that we may issue in the future.

Board Term

Our directors are elected annually for terms of one year.

Board Composition

Our implementation and stockholder agreement with PNC provides that, subject to certain consents by PNC, we will use our best efforts to, at each annual meeting of stockholders, cause the election of directors such that our board of directors consists of no more than 19 directors, not less than two nor more than four directors who will be members of our management, two directors who will be designated by PNC and the remaining directors being independent for purposes of the rules of the New York Stock Exchange and not designated by or on behalf of PNC or any of its affiliates. PNC has not designated a second director at this time and has been permitted to invite an observer to attend meetings of the Board of Directors as a non-voting guest. PNC retains the right to designate a second director at any time in accordance with the implementation and stockholder agreement.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock or common stock. We will issue warrants under one or more warrant agreements between us and a warrant agent that we will name in the prospectus supplement.

The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants we offer will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:

 

   

the title of the warrants;

 

   

the aggregate number of warrants offered;

 

   

the designation, number and terms of the debt securities, preferred stock or common stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants and procedures by which those numbers may be adjusted;

 

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the exercise price of the warrants;

 

   

the dates or periods during which the warrants are exercisable;

 

   

the designation and terms of any securities with which the warrants are issued;

 

   

if the exercise price is not payable in U.S. dollars, the foreign currency, currency unit or composite currency in which the exercise price is denominated;

 

   

any minimum or maximum amount of warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

 

   

any terms relating to the modification of the warrants;

 

   

any terms, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability, exchange or exercise of the warrants; and

 

   

any other specific terms of the warrants.

The description in the prospectus supplement will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable warrant agreement, which will be filed with the SEC.

DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

We may issue subscription rights to purchase debt securities, preferred stock or common stock. These subscription rights may or may not be transferable by the stockholder receiving the subscription rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any offering of subscription rights for which this prospectus is being delivered, including the following:

 

   

the price, if any, for the subscription rights;

 

   

the exercise price payable for each share of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock upon the exercise of the subscription rights;

 

   

the number of subscription rights issued to each stockholder;

 

   

the number and terms of the shares of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock which may be purchased per each subscription right;

 

   

the extent to which the subscription rights are transferable;

 

   

any other terms of the subscription rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the subscription rights;

 

   

the date on which the right to exercise the subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which the subscription rights shall expire;

 

   

the extent to which the subscription rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; and

 

   

if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of subscription rights.

The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any subscription rights we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable subscription rights certificate, which will be filed with the SEC if we offer subscription rights. For more information on how you can obtain copies of any subscription rights certificate if we offer subscription rights, see “Where You Can Find More Information” on page 2. We urge you to read the applicable subscription rights certificate and any applicable prospectus supplement in their entirety.

 

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CERTAIN ERISA CONSIDERATIONS

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and Section 4975 of the Code impose certain restrictions on (a) employee benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) that are subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) plans (as defined in Section 4975(e)(1) of the Code) that are subject to Section 4975 of the Code, including individual retirement accounts or Keogh plans, (c) entities whose underlying assets include assets of a plan described in (a) or (b) by reason of such plan’s investment in such entities, including without limitation, an insurance company separate account, insurance company general account or collective investment fund (each of (a), (b) and (c), a “Plan”) and (d) persons who have certain specified relationships to Plans (“parties in interest” under ERISA and “disqualified persons” under the Code). ERISA also imposes certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries of Plans subject to ERISA, and ERISA and the Code prohibit certain transactions between a Plan and “parties in interest” or “disqualified persons” with respect to such Plan. Violations of these rules may result in the imposition of excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. Governmental plans, certain church plans and non-U.S. plans, while not subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, may nevertheless be subject to similar laws.

The issuer, the trustee, the underwriters or certain affiliates thereof may be “parties in interest” or “disqualified persons” with respect to a number of Plans. Accordingly, investment in the notes by a Plan that has such a relationship could be deemed to constitute a transaction prohibited under Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (e.g., an extension of credit to a “party in interest”). Such transactions may, however, be subject to one or more statutory or administrative exemptions such as the statutory exemption under Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code, which exempts certain transactions between a plan and a non-fiduciary service provider to such Plan, Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption (“PTCE”) 90-1, which exempts certain transactions involving insurance company separate accounts; PTCE 91-38 which exempts certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds; PTCE 84-14, which exempts certain transactions effected on behalf of a Plan by a “qualified professional asset manager”; PTCE 95-60, which exempts certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts; or PTCE 96-23, which exempts certain transactions effected on behalf of a Plan by an “in-house asset manager;” or another available exemption. Such exemptions may not, however, apply to all of the transactions that could be deemed prohibited transactions in connection with a Plan’s investment. If a purchase or transfer were to result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction, such purchase or transfer may have to be rescinded.

By its purchase of the notes, each investor will be deemed to have represented that either (i) it is not a Plan that is subject to the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA or the Code or a governmental, church or non-U.S. plan subject to similar laws, or (ii) its investment will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction by reason of the application of one or more statutory or administrative exemptions under ERISA or the Code (or in the case of a governmental, church or non-U.S. plan, any similar exemption under any similar laws).

The sale of any notes to a Plan or a plan subject to similar laws is in no respect a representation by us or any of our affiliates or representatives that such an investment meets all relevant legal requirements with respect to investments by any such plan generally or any particular plan, or that such investment is appropriate for such plans generally or any particular plan.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities offered by this prospectus from time to time in one or more transactions, including without limitation;

 

   

directly to purchasers;

 

   

through agents;

 

   

to or through underwriters or dealers; or

 

   

through a combination of these methods.

 

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A distribution of the securities offered by this prospectus may also be effected through the issuance of derivative securities, including without limitation, warrants, exchangeable securities, forward delivery contracts and the writing of options.

In addition, the manner in which we may sell some or all of the securities covered by this prospectus includes, without limitation, through:

 

   

a block trade in which a broker-dealer will attempt to sell as agent, but may position or resell a portion of the block, as principal, in order to facilitate the transaction;

 

   

purchases by a broker-dealer, as principal, and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;

 

   

ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker solicits purchasers; or

 

   

privately negotiated transactions.

We may enter into derivative or hedging transactions with third parties in privately negotiated transactions.

A prospectus supplement with respect to each series of securities will state the terms of the offering of the securities, including:

 

   

the name or names of any underwriters or agents and the amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them, if any;

 

   

the public offering price or purchase price of the securities and the net proceeds to be received by us from the sale;

 

   

any delayed delivery arrangements;

 

   

any initial public offering price;

 

   

any underwriting discounts or agency fees and other items constituting underwriters’ or agents’ compensation;

 

   

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

   

any securities exchange on which the securities may be listed.

The offer and sale of the securities described in this prospectus by us or the underwriters may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, including privately negotiated transactions, either:

 

   

at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

   

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

   

at prices related to the prevailing market prices; or

 

   

at negotiated prices.

General

Any public offering price and any discounts, commissions, concessions or other items constituting compensation allowed or reallowed or paid to underwriters, dealers, agents or remarketing firms may be changed from time to time. Underwriters, dealers, agents and remarketing firms that participate in the distribution of the offered securities may be “underwriters” as defined in the Securities Act. Any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profits they receive on the resale of the offered securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We will identify any underwriters, agents or dealers and describe their commissions, fees or discounts in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be.

 

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Underwriters and Agents

If underwriters are used in a sale, they will acquire the offered securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the offered securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions. These sales may be made at a fixed public offering price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of the sale, at prices related to such prevailing market price or at negotiated prices. We may offer the securities to the public through an underwriting syndicate or through a single underwriter. The underwriters in any particular offering will be mentioned in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be.

Unless otherwise specified in connection with any particular offering of securities, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the offered securities will be subject to certain conditions contained in an underwriting agreement that we will enter into with the underwriters at the time of the sale to them.

The underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities of the series offered if any of the securities are purchased, unless otherwise specified in connection with any particular offering of securities. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed, reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

We may designate agents to sell the offered securities. Unless otherwise specified in connection with any particular offering of securities, the agents will agree to use their best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of their appointment. We may also sell the offered securities to one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. These firms will remarket the offered securities upon purchasing them in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to the terms of the offered securities. A prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be, will identify any remarketing firm and will describe the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and its compensation.

In connection with offerings made through underwriters or agents, we may enter into agreements with such underwriters or agents pursuant to which we receive our outstanding securities in consideration for the securities being offered to the public for cash. In connection with these arrangements, the underwriters or agents may also sell securities covered by this prospectus to hedge their positions in these outstanding securities, including in short sale transactions. If so, the underwriters or agents may use the securities received from us under these arrangements to close out any related open borrowings of securities.

Dealers

We may sell the offered securities to dealers as principals. We may negotiate and pay dealers’ commissions, discounts or concessions for their services. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public either at varying prices to be determined by the dealer or at a fixed offering price agreed to with us at the time of resale. Dealers engaged by us may allow other dealers to participate in resales.

Direct Sales

We may choose to sell the offered securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved.

Institutional Purchasers

We may authorize agents, dealers or underwriters to solicit certain institutional investors to purchase offered securities on a delayed delivery basis pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified future date. The applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be will provide the details of any such arrangement, including the offering price and commissions payable on the solicitations.

 

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We will enter into such delayed contracts only with institutional purchasers that we approve. These institutions may include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and educational and charitable institutions.

Indemnification; Other Relationships

We may have agreements with agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. Agents, underwriters, dealers and remarketing firms, and their affiliates, may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business. This includes commercial banking and investment banking transactions.

Market Making, Stabilization and Other Transactions

There is currently no market for any of the offered securities other than our common stock and our €700,000,000 1.250% Notes due 2025, which are each listed on the New York Stock Exchange. If the offered securities are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a discount from their initial offering price, depending upon prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities and other factors. While it is possible that an underwriter could inform us that it intended to make a market in the offered securities, such underwriter would not be obligated to do so, and any such market making could be discontinued at any time without notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to whether an active trading market will develop for the offered securities. We have no current plans for listing of the debt securities, preferred stock, warrants or subscription rights on any securities exchange; any such listing with respect to any particular debt securities, preferred stock, warrants or subscription rights, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be.

In connection with any offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell shares of common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Short sales involve syndicate sales of common stock in excess of the number of shares to be purchased by the underwriters in the offering, which creates a syndicate short position. “Covered” short sales are sales of shares made in an amount up to the number of shares represented by the underwriters’ over-allotment option. In determining the source of shares to close out the covered syndicate short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. Transactions to close out the covered syndicate short involve either purchases of our common stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed or the exercise of the over-allotment option. The underwriters may also make “naked” short sales of shares in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must close out any naked short position by purchasing shares of common stock in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of bids for or purchases of shares in the open market while the offering is in progress for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the securities.

In connection with any offering, the underwriters may also engage in penalty bids. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would be in the absence of the transactions. The underwriters may, if they commence these transactions, discontinue them at any time.

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise specified in connection with the particular offering of any securities, the validity of the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, New York.

 

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EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, and the effectiveness of BlackRock’s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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$700,000,000

 

LOGO

3.200% Notes due 2027

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

 

BofA Merrill Lynch

J.P. Morgan

Morgan Stanley

Deutsche Bank Securities

Wells Fargo Securities

Barclays

BNP PARIBAS

Citigroup

Credit Suisse

Goldman, Sachs & Co.

HSBC

Mizuho Securities

MUFG

RBC Capital Markets

UBS Investment Bank

NatWest Markets

SOCIETE GENERALE

Cabrera Capital Markets, LLC

CastleOak Securities, L.P.

Loop Capital Markets

Mischler Financial Group, Inc.

The Williams Capital Group, L.P.

March 21, 2017

 

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