Blackstone is set to become a part of the prestigious S&P 500 index, marking a significant development that could potentially pave the way for other alternative asset managers. According to Wells Fargo analyst Finian O’Shea, this move will greatly benefit Blackstone by expanding its investor base. In response to the news, Blackstone’s stock has surged 3.6% to $108.25.
Potential for Future Alt Additions to S&P 500
O’Shea believes that based on market capitalization, KKR and Apollo Global Management might follow in Blackstone’s footsteps and join the S&P 500 index in the future. With Blackstone’s market cap currently at approximately $127 billion, KKR and Apollo’s market caps stand at around $53 billion and $49 billion respectively. O’Shea suggests that there may be more demotions of low-market-cap financials to come, highlighting that Lincoln National’s market cap is only about $4.5 billion.
A Barrier-breaking Move
The inclusion of Blackstone in the S&P 500 highlights the acceptance of complex ownership structures in the index. Despite the CEO having control through preferred shares (with CEO Steve Schwarzman owning approximately 19% of Blackstone), the company was still able to join the index. KKR also shares a similar ownership structure.
Analyst Ratings and Stock Performance
O’Shea rates Blackstone, Apollo, and KKR stock as Overweight, with respective price targets of $118, $95, and $70. On Tuesday, Apollo’s stock rose by 2% to trade at $87.93, while KKR’s stock showed a slight increase of 0.1% to $62.30.