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Research Alert: Blackstone Posts Slight Q1 2026 Earnings Beat, Revenue In Line

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CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:

BX delivered solid Q1 2026 results with distributable earnings of $1.36 per share, narrowly exceeding the $1.34 consensus estimate and reflecting 25% Y/Y growth led by strong net realizations of $36B across Private Equity ($15B) and Credit & Insurance ($14B). The firm demonstrated exceptional asset gathering momentum with $68.5B of inflows and total AUM reaching $1.3T (+12% Y/Y), while fee-earning AUM grew to $937.6B (+9% Y/Y). The firm is seeing successful monetization and exits from private equity-owned companies, with continued focus on fast-growing areas such as digital and energy infrastructure positioning the firm well for future growth. Credit & Insurance led AUM growth at $457.5B (+17.7% Y/Y), followed by Private Equity at $429.9B (+15.9%), while Real Estate faced headwinds at $315.3B (-2% Y/Y). We think Credit & Insurance and Private Equity will continue to lead growth and performance in 2026 from institutional demand, while Real Estate will grow modestly as market conditions improve over time.

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Research Alert: United Rentals Prints Q1 Beat As Margins Bounce Back

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Research Alert: Fico Loses Its Grip - Fhfa Opens Door To Rivals

CFRA, an independent research provider, has providedwith the following research alert. Analysts at CFRA have summarized their opinion as follows:FICO's stranglehold on mortgage credit scoring officially ended as FHFA Director Bill Pulte announced that "effective immediately," Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would accept VantageScore, FICO's main competitor, credit models. HUD Secretary Scott Turner said FHA would follow within months. FICO shares plunged 10%+ on the news. Until now, GSEs relied almost exclusively on older FICO models, giving FICO monopolistic control over mortgage financing access. This dominance recently prompted Senator Josh Hawley to investigate FICO's pricing practices. VantageScore costs $0.99 versus FICO's $4.95-$10 plus fees, and uses alternative data like rent payments to score borrowers. We believe this announcement will heavily expand mortgage access, with millions previously excluded by traditional scoring and high costs. This announcement poses a massive headwind for FICO, breaking its monopoly and introducing intense pricing competition unseen in decades. We're watching FICO's April 28 earnings call for management's response.

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