Strong Top-Line and Profit Growth
First-quarter revenue of $6.7 billion, up 27% year-over-year; operating income of $2.7 billion, up 31% year-over-year; as-adjusted EPS of $12.53, up 11% year-over-year.
Margin Expansion and Operating Leverage
First-quarter as-adjusted operating margin expanded 130 basis points to 44.5%; adjusted margin excluding performance fees would have been 45.6%, up 180 basis points year-over-year; management reiterates ability to target 45%+ adjusted operating margin.
Strong Organic Fee Growth
Organic base fee growth of 8% in the quarter and 10% over the last twelve months; seven consecutive quarters at or above 5% organic base fee growth.
Robust Net Inflows and ETF Leadership
Total net inflows of $130 billion in Q1; record first-quarter iShares ETF net inflows of $132 billion (led by $41 billion into index bond ETFs and strong flows into precision/core/active ETFs); ETF net base fees doubled versus prior year for iShares.
Private Markets and Alternatives Momentum
Private markets net inflows of $9 billion (led by private credit and infrastructure); strong fundraising and deployment momentum for GIP and HPS (GIP V closed above $25 billion target); HPS contributed ~ $230 million of base fees and $121 million of performance fees in Q1.
Technology Services and Data Strength
Technology services and subscription revenue up 22% year-over-year; Preqin added approximately $65 million of revenue to Q1; annual contract value (ACV) growth described as mid-teens target long-term and tech services ACV grew 14% (management commentary).
Wealth Channel and Direct Indexing Traction
Retail net inflows of $15 billion driven by record Aperio direct indexing with $13 billion of net inflows (Aperio AUM more than tripled since acquisition) and Spider Rock adding over $1 billion; nine consecutive quarters of retail net inflows.
Capital Returns and Balance Sheet Actions
Share repurchases of $450 million in Q1 and plan to repurchase at least $450 million per quarter for the balance of the year (subject to conditions); generated $66 million of net investment gains in Q1 (equity method and minority investment valuation gains).