$BLK

Blackstone President Jon Gray stated that AI investments are not a bubble, as demand for computing power already exists but infrastructure supply is insufficient. He cited regulatory constraints and resource shortages as factors limiting growth. Gray acknowledged potential risks but expects AI demand to exceed expectations. Blackstone recently partnered with Nvidia and other firms to raise $500B in capital.

A class-action lawsuit accuses Blackstone, via its management companies, of overcharging Manhattan rent-stabilized tenants by $30 million. Tenants claim Blackstone misrepresented rent costs and illegally increased rents. Blackstone denies wrongdoing, stating commitment to rent stabilization rules. The lawsuit seeks rent refunds, damages, and an independent audit of the building's leases.

BlackRock (BLK) disclosed a 10.3% stake in iShares GNMA Bond ETF, owning 1,027,093 shares with full voting and disposal rights. The filing was made on an amended Schedule 13G.

BlackRock (BLK) plans to offer private equity investments in 401(k) plans, with 5% to 20% of target-date funds allocated to private businesses. According to BlackRock, private ventures return about 50 basis points more annually than stocks. The move aims to provide better returns and diversification amid an unbalanced stock market.

Vanguard is closing the gap with BlackRock in U.S. ETF assets, with the gap shrinking to less than $100bn in 2024. BlackRock's iShares leads with $4.53tn, followed by Vanguard with $4.51tn. The top 20 ETFs saw $111.10bn in inflows in July, with Vanguard's VOO gathering $19.66bn. The U.S. ETF industry is highly concentrated, with the top three providers holding 70.6% of assets.

In August, Canadian ETFs saw new launches amid market volatility. LongPoint's leveraged funds led gains, with MSTU.T up 825.14% and COIU.T up 655.20%. Solana crypto funds also performed well. New ETFs include BlackRock's IBQT.T (equity + Bitcoin), Evolve's TECY.T (tech yield), RBC's fixed income funds, and CIBC's Avantis suite. Other launches target infrastructure and asset-backed securities.

Dubai's VARA and Securitize, a tokenization platform backed by BlackRock, signed an MoU on Sept. 3, 2026, to collaborate on regulated tokenized finance. The agreement aims to build trusted, regulated digital asset markets in Dubai. The broader RWA tokenization market reached $38.5B, with Securitize's platform holding $4.9B in distributed asset value.

Major US companies, including Micron Technology, Vanguard, and financial firms like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase, are contributing to Trump Accounts, a tax-advantaged child investment program. Eligible children born between 2025 and 2028 receive a $1,000 federal contribution, with employers and others adding funds. Micron committed $250 million, while other firms announced various matching programs and contributions.

BlackRock's Gargi Pal Chaudhuri advises investors to prepare for higher bond yields by moving to short- and intermediate-duration bonds, adding dividend stocks, and investing in quality stocks with stable earnings. Factors driving yields include AI capital demand, Treasury issuance, and economic growth. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 fell on Tuesday.

BlackRock acquired 61.9M shares of Corporacion Inmobiliaria Vesta (VESTF) at $3.85 per share, representing 7% of its portfolio. Vesta, a Mexican industrial real estate company, has seen a 139.39% year-to-date gain. BlackRock's investment highlights its confidence in Vesta's growth prospects in emerging markets.