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Goodwill
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Goodwill

11. Goodwill

Goodwill activity during 2019 and 2018 was as follows:

 

(in millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Beginning of year balance

 

$

13,526

 

 

$

13,220

 

Acquisitions

 

 

1,044

 

 

 

316

 

Goodwill adjustments related to Quellos and other(1)

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(10

)

End of year balance

 

$

14,562

 

 

$

13,526

 

 

(1)

Amounts primarily resulted from a decline related to tax benefits realized from tax-deductible goodwill in excess of book goodwill from the acquisition of the fund-of-funds business of Quellos Group, LLC in October 2007 (the “Quellos Transaction”). Goodwill related to the Quellos Transaction will continue to be reduced in future periods by the amount of tax benefits realized from tax-deductible goodwill in excess of book goodwill from the Quellos Transaction. The balance of the Quellos tax-deductible goodwill in excess of book goodwill was approximately $106 million and $137 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

In 2019, the $1,044 increase in goodwill resulted from the eFront Transaction, which closed on May 10, 2019. See Note 3, Acquisition, for information on the eFront Transaction.

 

In 2018, the $316 million increase in goodwill included $184 million of goodwill related to the acquisition of Tennenbaum Capital Partners, LLC, a middle market credit and special situation credit opportunities manager, in August 2018 (“TCP Transaction”). The Company believes the acquisition enhances its ability to provide clients with private credit solutions across a range of risk level, liquidity and geography. Total cash consideration paid at closing for the TCP Transaction was approximately $393 million. The amount also included $132 million of goodwill related to the acquisition of the asset management business of Citibanamex, a subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc. in September 2018 (“Citibanamex Transaction”). The Company acquired AUM across local fixed income, equity and multi-asset products, enabling the Company to offer a full range of local and international investment solutions for clients in Mexico. Total consideration at closing for the Citibanamex Transaction was approximately $360 million, including estimated contingent consideration at close.

BlackRock assessed its goodwill for impairment as of July 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 and considered such factors as the book value and the market capitalization of the Company. The impairment assessment indicated no impairment charges were required. The Company continues to monitor its book value per share compared with closing prices of its common stock for potential indicators of impairment. At December 31, 2019, the Company’s common stock closed at a market price of $502.70, which exceeded its book value of approximately $216.15 per share.