Blackstone Group

The Blackstone Group Inc.

Type	Public
Key people	Stephen A. Schwarzman (CEO)
Industry	Private equity, Asset management
Products	Private equity funds, Real estate funds, Hedge fund solutions, Credit solutions

The Blackstone Group Inc. is an American multinational private equity, alternative asset management, and financial services firm based in New York City. Founded in 1985 by Peter G. Peterson and Stephen A. Schwarzman, Blackstone has become one of the world's largest alternative asset managers, with a focus on investment strategies such as private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, non-investment grade credit, real assets, and secondary funds.

History

The Blackstone Group was founded in 1985 by Peter G. Peterson and Stephen A. Schwarzman with an initial focus on mergers and acquisitions. Over the years, Blackstone expanded its services to include private equity, real estate investment, hedge fund management, and credit solutions. The firm went public in 2007 with one of the largest initial public offerings in the United States at the time.

Business Divisions

Blackstone operates through several business divisions:

• Private Equity - Focuses on acquiring controlling or significant minority interests in companies across a range of industries.
• Real Estate - Invests in various real estate properties and projects, including office buildings, hotels, and residential units.
• Hedge Fund Solutions - Manages a broad range of investments through its Blackstone Alternative Asset Management division.
• Credit - Offers credit and lending services through GSO Capital Partners, a division of Blackstone.

Investments

Blackstone has made numerous notable investments, including the acquisition of Hilton Worldwide, Equity Office Properties, and the Weather Channel. The firm also holds investments in infrastructure, with assets in the energy, transportation, and utility sectors.

Corporate Governance

The leadership of Blackstone includes CEO Stephen A. Schwarzman, who co-founded the firm. The company's management approach has been noted for its strong executive leadership and active management of its investment portfolio.

Controversies

Like many large financial institutions, Blackstone has faced scrutiny and criticism, particularly in relation to its investment practices and impact on communities. Issues such as tenant rights and environmental concerns have been at the forefront of criticisms against Blackstone's real estate investments.

See Also

• Private equity
• Alternative asset management
• Financial services
• Peter G. Peterson
• Stephen A. Schwarzman