
Blackrock and Pimco are two of the world's largest asset management companies, with a combined market value of over $13 trillion.
Blackrock's assets under management have grown from $4.8 billion in 1995 to over $7.4 trillion today, making it the largest asset manager in the world.
Blackrock's flagship fund, the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF, has over $200 billion in assets, and is one of the most popular ETFs in the world.
Pimco, on the other hand, has a strong focus on fixed income investing, with a range of bond funds that have been popular with investors seeking income.
Pimco's Total Return Fund, managed by Bill Gross, was one of the most successful bond funds of all time, with returns of over 10% per year from 1990 to 2014.
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BlackRock and Pimco News
Transamerica Asset Management is making changes to its subadvisors on four of its funds.
The firm is dropping Pimco as a subadvisor on three of its funds, effective May 1, 2024.
If this caught your attention, see: Pimco Etf Funds

This change will replace Pimco with BlackRock on those three funds.
BlackRock will be taking over as a subadvisor on those three funds.
Transamerica is also replacing JP Morgan with Thompson, Siegel & Walmsley (TS&W) on another fund, also effective May 1, 2024.
All four subadvisor changes will go into effect on the same date.
If this caught your attention, see: Pimco Bond Funds List
Financial Market Developments
BlackRock and PIMCO have been at the forefront of the financial market developments in recent years. BlackRock's assets under management have grown significantly, reaching $7.4 trillion in 2020, making it the largest asset manager in the world.
PIMCO's Total Return Bond Fund, on the other hand, has been a consistent performer, with its returns outpacing the broader bond market for several years. This is a testament to PIMCO's expertise in fixed income investing.
The rise of passive investing has also had a profound impact on the financial markets, with BlackRock's iShares ETFs being a leading example of this trend.
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Fed Tapped to Help Relief Funds

The Federal Reserve is turning to big-name money managers to help handle bond investments and corporate debt.
BlackRock and Pacific Investment Management Co. (Pimco) have been tapped by the Fed to manage some $8 trillion from bonds to private equity.
The two firms will be responsible for investing billions of central bank money, with BlackRock directing $750 billion into the corporate debt market.
The Fed is working with these companies because they can think longer term and organize capital more efficiently than traditional banks.
Sources familiar with the issue told the WSJ that the Fed was advised not to use banks for corporate bond-buying.
The Fed is moving quickly, and speed is a prominent issue in this situation.
BlackRock will execute its mandate at the sole discretion of the Bank, in accordance with detailed investment guidelines.
Intriguing read: Blackrock Debt Strategies Fund Inc
Mutual Fund Swaptions
Mutual fund managers are significantly reducing their exposure to interest rate swaptions. BlackRock cut its interest rate swaptions exposure by 46% in the second quarter to $14 billion notional.

This trend is not isolated to BlackRock, as many other major players are also reducing their positions. All but one of the 10 most-active managers in the space reduced their swaptions exposure.
The shift away from interest rate swaptions is a notable development in the financial markets. This reduction in exposure could have implications for the broader market, particularly in terms of interest rates and their impact on the economy.
Article Introduction
BlackRock and PIMCO are two of the most influential players in the global financial industry. They are giant asset management companies that have a significant impact on the markets and the economy.
BlackRock, founded in 1988, has grown to become the world's largest asset manager with over $8 trillion in assets under management. Its influence extends beyond its financial operations, with a significant presence in the global economy.
PIMCO, on the other hand, is a leading fixed income investment manager that was founded in 1971. It has a reputation for its expertise in bond investing and has managed over $2 trillion in assets throughout its history.
The two companies have a long history of competition and collaboration, with BlackRock's acquisition of BGI in 2009 marking a significant turning point in their relationship.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is BlackRock owned by?
BlackRock is owned by various shareholders, including institutional investors and individual investors. Its ownership structure can change over time due to fluctuations in the market.
What is bigger than BlackRock?
Vanguard has more institutional assets than BlackRock, with $5.02 trillion in 2022, compared to BlackRock's $4.83 trillion. This significant gap highlights Vanguard's substantial presence in the global institutional investment market.
Sources
- https://www.pymnts.com/economy/2020/blackrock-pimco-tapped-by-fed-to-help-invest-relief-funds/
- https://fundselectorasia.com/head-to-head-blackrock-vs-pimco/
- https://citywire.com/pro-buyer/news/transamerica-drops-pimco-as-subadvisor-on-three-funds-adds-blackrock/a2434152
- https://www.risk.net/derivatives/7958214/blackrock-pimco-slash-mutual-fund-swaptions-books
- https://fundselectorasia.com/head-to-head-blackrock-versus-pimco/
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