/Blackstone%20Inc%20phone%20and%20website-by%20T_Schneider%20via%20Shutterstock.jpg)
With a market cap of $105.2 billion, Blackstone Inc. (BX) is a global alternative asset management firm specializing in private equity, real estate, hedge funds, credit, and multi-asset strategies. The firm invests across all stages of company growth, from early-stage ventures to large buyouts, and operates worldwide with a focus on diverse sectors including real estate, energy, healthcare, technology, and infrastructure.
Shares of the New York-based company have underperformed the broader market over the past 52 weeks. BX stock has decreased 20.2% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has returned 15.5%. Moreover, shares of the company are down 8.3% on a YTD basis, compared to SPX’s 1.9% gain.
Focusing more closely, shares of the investment manager have lagged behind the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF’s (XLF) nearly 5% rise over the past 52 weeks.
Despite posting stronger-than-expected Q4 2025 results with adjusted EPS of $1.75 and adjusted revenue of $3.94 billion, Blackstone shares fell 2.6% on Jan. 29. Total expenses jumped sharply to $2.12 billion, driven by compensation and benefits rising to $1.54 billion, raising worries about margin pressure even as fee-related earnings beat expectations at $1.54 billion.
For the fiscal year ending in December 2026, analysts expect Blackstone’s adjusted EPS to grow 15.4% year-over-year to $6.43. The company’s earnings surprise history is promising. It beat the consensus estimates in the last four quarters.
Among the 22 analysts covering the stock, the consensus rating is a “Moderate Buy.” That’s based on nine “Strong Buy” ratings, two “Moderate Buys,” 10 “Holds,” and one “Strong Sell.”
On Feb. 2, Piper Sandler lowered Blackstone’s price target to $158 with a “Neutral” rating.
The mean price target of $178.05 represents a 26% premium to BX’s current price levels. The Street-high price target of $215 suggests a 52.2% potential upside.
