1. Introduction and Basis of Presentation

Business. BlackRock, Inc. (together, with its subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise indicates, “BlackRock” or the “Company”) provides diversified investment management services to institutional clients, intermediary and individual investors through various investment vehicles. Investment management services primarily consist of the management of equity, fixed income, multi-asset class, alternative investment and cash management products. BlackRock offers its investment products in a variety of vehicles, including open-end and closed-end mutual funds, iShares^® exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), collective investment trusts and separate accounts. In addition, BlackRock provides market risk management, financial markets advisory and enterprise investment system services to a broad base of clients. Financial markets advisory services include valuation services relating to illiquid securities, dispositions and workout assignments (including long-term portfolio liquidation assignments), risk management and strategic planning and execution.

On May 29, 2012, BlackRock completed a secondary offering of 26,211,335 shares of common stock held by Barclays Bank PLC (“Barclays”) at a price of $160.00 per share, which included 23,211,335 shares of common stock issued upon the conversion of Series B Convertible Participating Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred”) by a subsidiary of Barclays. Upon completion of this offering, BlackRock repurchased 6,377,552 shares directly from Barclays at a price of $156.80 per share (consisting of 6,346,036 shares of Series B Preferred and 31,516 shares of common stock). The total transactions, including the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase 2,621,134 additional shares in the secondary offering, amounted to 35,210,021 shares, resulting in Barclays exiting its entire ownership position in BlackRock.

On December 31, 2012, The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”) held 20.8% of the Company’s voting common stock and 21.9% of the Company’s capital stock, which includes outstanding common and non-voting preferred stock.

See Note 17, Capital Stock, for more information on the equity ownership of BlackRock.

Basis of Presentation. These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company and its controlled subsidiaries. Non-controlling interests on the consolidated statements of financial condition include the portion of consolidated sponsored investment funds in which the Company does not have direct equity ownership. Significant accounts and transactions between consolidated entities have been eliminated.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Certain items previously reported have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents primarily consists of cash, money market funds and short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less in which the Company is exposed to market and credit risk. Cash and cash equivalent balances that are legally restricted from use by the Company are recorded in other assets on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Cash balances maintained by consolidated sponsored investment funds are not considered legally restricted and are included in cash and cash equivalents on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Cash balances maintained by consolidated VIEs are included in assets of consolidated variable interest entities on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Investments

Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities. BlackRock holds debt and marketable equity investments, which pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 320-10, Investments – Debt and Equity Securities, are classified as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity based on the Company’s intent to sell the security or, for a debt security, the Company’s intent and ability to hold the debt security to maturity.

Trading securities are those investments that are purchased principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term. Trading securities are carried at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition with changes in fair value recorded in non-operating income (expense) on the consolidated statements of income in the period of the change.

Held-to-maturity debt securities are purchased with the positive intent and ability to be held to maturity and are recorded at amortized cost on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Available-for-sale securities are those securities that are not classified as trading or held-to-maturity. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value on the consolidated statements of financial condition with changes in fair value recorded in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component of stockholders’ equity in the period of the change. Upon the disposition of an available-for-sale security, the Company reclassifies the gain or loss on the security from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to non-operating income (expense) on the consolidated statements of income.

Equity Method. For equity investments where BlackRock does not control the investee, and where it is not the primary beneficiary (“PB”) of a VIE, but can exert significant influence over the financial and operating policies of the investee, the Company follows the equity method of accounting in accordance with ASC 323, Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures. Under the equity method of accounting, BlackRock’s share of the investee’s underlying net income or loss is recorded as net gain (loss) on investments within non-operating income (expense) and as other revenue for operating advisory company investments since such companies are considered to be an extension of BlackRock’s core business. BlackRock’s share of net income of the investee is recorded based upon the most current information available at the time, which may precede the date of the consolidated statement of financial condition. Distributions received from the investment reduce the Company’s carrying value of the investee.

Cost Method. For non-marketable equity investments where BlackRock neither controls nor has significant influence over the investee, the investments are accounted for using the cost method of accounting. Under the cost method, dividends received from the investment are recorded as dividend income within non-operating income (expense).

Impairments of Investments. The Company’s management periodically assesses its equity method, available-for-sale, held-to-maturity and cost investments for impairment. If circumstances indicate that impairment may exist, investments are evaluated using market values, where available, or the expected future cash flows of the investment. If the undiscounted expected future cash flows are lower than the Company’s carrying value of the investment, an impairment charge is recorded in the consolidated statement of income.

When the fair value of available-for-sale securities is lower than cost, the Company evaluates the securities to determine whether the impairment is considered to be “other-than-temporary.”

In making this determination for equity securities, the Company considers, among other factors, the length of time the security has been in a loss position, the extent to which the security’s market value is less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the security’s issuer and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security for a length of time sufficient to allow for recovery of such unrealized losses. If the impairment is considered other-than-temporary, an impairment charge is recorded in non-operating income (expense) on the consolidated statements of income.

In making this determination for debt securities, the Company considers whether: (1) it has the intent to sell the security, (2) it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery or (3) it expects to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. If the Company does not intend to sell a security and it is not more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security, but the security has suffered a credit loss, the credit loss will be bifurcated from the total impairment and recorded in earnings with the remaining portion recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.

Consolidation

For investment products in which BlackRock’s voting interest is less than 50%, an analysis is performed to determine if the investment product is a VIE or a voting rights entity. Upon the determination that the investment product is a VIE, further analysis, as discussed below, is performed to determine if BlackRock is the PB of the investment product, which would require consolidation.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. Pursuant to ASC 810-10, Consolidation (“ASC 810-10”) certain investment products for which the risks and rewards of ownership are not directly linked to voting interests may be deemed VIEs. BlackRock reviews factors, including the rights of the equity holders and obligations of equity holders to absorb losses or receive expected residual returns, to determine if the investment product is a VIE. BlackRock is required to consolidate a VIE when it is deemed to be the PB, which is evaluated continuously as facts and circumstances change.

Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2010-10, Amendments to Statement 167 for Certain Investment Funds (“ASU 2010-10”) defers the application of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), for certain investment funds, including money market funds.

The PB of a VIE that is not subject to ASU 2010-10 is the enterprise that has the power to direct activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that potentially could be significant to the VIE.

The PB of a VIE that meets the conditions of ASU 2010-10 is the enterprise that has a variable interest (or combination of variable interests, including those of related parties) that absorbs the majority of the entity’s expected losses, receives a majority of the entity’s expected residual returns, or both.

Consolidation of Voting Rights Entities. To the extent that BlackRock can exert control over the financial and operating policies of the investee, which generally exists if there is a 50% or greater voting interest or if partners or members of certain products do not have substantive rights, BlackRock consolidates the investee.

The Company, as general partner or managing member of certain sponsored investment funds, generally is presumed to control funds that are limited partnerships or limited liability companies. Pursuant to ASC 810-20, Control of Partnerships and Similar Entities (“ASC 810-20”), the Company reviews such investment vehicles to determine if such a presumption can be overcome by determining whether other non-affiliated partners or members of the limited partnership or limited liability company have the substantive ability to dissolve (liquidate) the investment vehicle, or to otherwise remove BlackRock as the general partner or managing member without cause based on a simple unaffiliated majority vote, or have other substantive participating rights. If the investment vehicle is not a VIE and the presumption of control is not overcome, BlackRock will consolidate the investment vehicle.

Retention of Specialized Accounting Principles. Upon consolidation of certain sponsored investment funds, the Company retains the specialized accounting principles of the underlying funds pursuant to ASC 810-10. All of the underlying investments held by such consolidated sponsored investment funds are carried at fair value, with corresponding changes in the investments’ fair values reflected in non-operating income (expense) on the consolidated statements of income. When the Company no longer controls these funds due to reduced ownership percentage or other reasons, the funds are deconsolidated and accounted for under another accounting method if the Company still maintains an investment.

Separate Account Assets and Liabilities. Separate account assets are maintained by a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, which is a registered life insurance company in the United Kingdom, and represent segregated assets held for purposes of funding individual and group pension contracts. The separate account assets are not subject to general claims of the creditors of BlackRock. These separate account assets and the related equal and offsetting liabilities are recorded as separate account assets and separate account liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition in accordance with the ASC 944-80, Financial Services – Separate Accounts.

The net investment income attributable to separate account assets supporting individual and group pension contracts accrue directly to the contract owner and are not reported on the consolidated statements of income. While BlackRock has no economic interest in these separate account assets and liabilities, BlackRock earns policy administration and management fees associated with these products, which are included in investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue on the consolidated statements of income.

Collateral Assets Held and Liabilities Under Securities Lending Agreements. The Company facilitates securities lending arrangements whereby securities held by separate account assets maintained by BlackRock’s life insurance company are lent to third parties. In exchange, the Company receives collateral with minimums generally ranging from approximately 102% to 112% of the value of the securities lent in order to reduce counterparty risk. Under the Company’s securities lending arrangements, the Company can resell or re-pledge the collateral and the borrower can resell or re-pledge the loaned securities. The securities lending transactions entered into by the Company are accompanied by an agreement that entitles the Company to request the borrower to return the securities at any time; therefore, these transactions are not reported as sales under ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing.

As a result of the Company’s ability to resell or re-pledge the collateral, the Company records on the consolidated statements of financial condition the collateral received under these arrangements (both cash and non-cash) as its own asset in addition to an equal and offsetting collateral liability for the obligation to return the collateral. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the fair value of loaned securities held by separate account assets was approximately $21.0 billion and $19.5 billion, respectively, and the collateral held under these securities lending agreements was approximately $23.0 billion and $20.9 billion, respectively. During 2012 and 2011, the Company had not sold or re-pledged any of the collateral received under these arrangements.

Deferred Sales Commissions. The Company holds the rights to receive certain cash flows from sponsored mutual funds sold without a front-end sales charge (“back-end load shares”). The carrying value of these deferred mutual fund commissions is being amortized over periods between one and six years. The Company receives distribution fees from these funds and contingent deferred sales commissions (“CDSCs”) upon shareholder redemption of certain back-end load shares that are recorded within distribution fees on the consolidated statements of income. Upon receipt of CDSCs, the Company records revenue and the remaining unamortized deferred sales commission is expensed.

The Company periodically reviews the carrying value of deferred commission assets to determine whether a significant decline in the equity or bond markets or other events or circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred. If indicators of a potential impairment exist, the Company compares the carrying value of the asset to the estimated future net undiscounted cash flows related to the asset. If such assessments indicate that the estimated future net undiscounted cash flows will not be sufficient to recover the recorded carrying value, the assets are adjusted to their estimated fair value. No such impairments were recorded for 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Property and Equipment. Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is generally determined by cost less any estimated residual value using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the various classes of property and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the remaining lease term.

BlackRock develops a variety of risk management, investment analytic and investment system services for internal use, utilizing proprietary software that is hosted and maintained by BlackRock. In accordance with ASC 350-40, Internal-Use Software (“ASC 350-40”), the Company capitalizes certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use. Capitalized software costs are included within property and equipment on the consolidated statements of financial condition and are amortized, beginning when the software project is complete and put into production, over the estimated useful life of the software of approximately three years.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets. Goodwill represents the excess cost of a business acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. In its assessment of goodwill for impairment, the Company considers such factors as the book value and market capitalization of the Company. On a quarterly basis, the Company considers if triggering events have occurred that may indicate a potential goodwill impairment. If a triggering event has occurred, the Company performs assessments, which include reviews of all significant valuation assumptions, to determine if goodwill may be impaired. The Company performs an impairment assessment of its goodwill at least annually, as of July 31st.

Intangible assets are comprised of indefinite-lived intangible assets and finite-lived intangible assets acquired in a business combination. The value of contracts to manage assets in proprietary open-end funds, closed-end funds and collective trust funds and certain other commingled products without a specified termination date is generally classified as indefinite-lived intangible assets. The assignment of indefinite lives to such contracts primarily is based upon the following: (i) the assumption that there is no foreseeable limit on the contract period to manage these products; (ii) the Company expects to, and has the ability to, continue to operate these products indefinitely; (iii) the products have multiple investors and are not reliant on a single investor or small group of investors for their continued operation; (iv) current competitive factors and economic conditions do not indicate a finite life; and (v) there is a high likelihood of continued renewal based on historical experience. In addition, trade names/trademarks are considered indefinite-lived intangible assets when they are expected to generate cash flows indefinitely.

In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”), indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill are not amortized. The value of contracts for separately managed accounts and certain funds, which have finite lives, are amortized over the expected lives of the management contracts.

The Company performs assessments to determine if any intangible assets are potentially impaired and whether the indefinite-life and finite-life classifications are still appropriate. The carrying value of finite-lived management contracts and their remaining useful lives are reviewed at least annually to determine if circumstances exist which may indicate a potential impairment. The Company performs such impairment assessments of its intangible assets including indefinite-lived management contracts and trade names/trademarks, at least annually, as of July 31^st. In evaluating whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of indefinite-lived intangibles is less than its carrying value, BlackRock assesses various significant factors including assets under management (“AUM”), revenue basis points, projected AUM growth rates, operating margins, tax rates and discount rates. In addition, the Company considers other factors including (i) macroeconomic conditions such as a deterioration in general economic conditions, limitations on accessing capital, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, or other developments in equity and credit markets; (ii) industry and market considerations such as a deterioration in the environment in which an entity operates, an increased competitive environment, a decline in market-dependent multiples or metrics, a change in the market for an entity’s services, or regulatory, legal or political developments; and (iii) entity-specific events, such as a change in management or key personnel, overall financial performance and litigation that could affect significant inputs.

If potential impairment circumstances are considered to exist, the Company will perform an impairment test, using an undiscounted cash flow analysis. Actual results could differ from these cash flow estimates, which could materially impact the impairment conclusion. If the asset is determined to be impaired, the difference between the book value of the asset and its current fair value would be recognized as an expense in the period in which the impairment occurs.

Non-controlling Interests. According to the requirements within ASC 810-10, the Company reports non-controlling interests as equity, separate from the parent’s equity, on the consolidated statements of financial condition. In addition, the Company’s consolidated net income on the consolidated statements of income includes the income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest holders of the Company’s consolidated sponsored investment funds and collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”). Income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests is not adjusted for income taxes for consolidated sponsored investment funds and CLOs that are treated as pass-through entities for tax purposes.

Classification and Measurement of Redeemable Securities. The Company includes redeemable non-controlling interests related to certain consolidated sponsored investment funds in temporary equity on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

Appropriated Retained Earnings. Upon adoption of ASU 2009-17, Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities (“ASU 2009-17”) on January 1, 2010, BlackRock consolidated three CLOs and recorded a cumulative effect adjustment to appropriated retained earnings on the consolidated statement of financial condition equal to the difference between the fair value of the CLOs’ assets and the fair value of their liabilities. Such amounts are recorded as appropriated retained earnings as the CLO noteholders, not BlackRock, ultimately will receive the benefits or absorb the losses associated with the CLOs’ assets and liabilities. Subsequent to adoption of ASU 2009-17, the net change in the fair value of the CLOs’ assets and liabilities has been recorded as net income (loss) attributable to nonredeemable non-controlling interests and as an adjustment to appropriated retained earnings. In addition, in 2011, BlackRock consolidated additional CLOs, resulting in $19 million of additional appropriated retained earnings upon the initial consolidation.

Treasury Stock. The Company records common stock purchased for treasury at cost. At the date of subsequent reissuance, the treasury stock account is reduced by the cost of such stock using the average cost method.

Revenue Recognition

Investment Advisory, Administration Fees and Securities Lending Revenue. Investment advisory and administration fees are recognized as the services are performed. Such fees are primarily based on pre-determined percentages of the market value of AUM, committed capital, or, in the case of certain real estate clients, net operating income generated by the underlying properties. Investment advisory and administration fees are affected by changes in AUM, including market appreciation or depreciation, foreign exchange translation and net subscriptions or redemptions. Investment advisory and administration fees for investment funds are shown net of fees waived pursuant to contractual expense limitations of the funds or voluntary waivers.

The Company contracts with third parties and related parties for various mutual fund distribution and shareholder servicing to be performed on behalf of certain funds the Company manages. Such arrangements generally are priced as a portion of the management fee paid by the fund. In certain cases, the fund (primarily international funds) takes on the primary responsibility for payment for services such that the Company bears no credit risk to the third party. The Company accounts for such retrocession arrangements in accordance with ASC 605-45, Revenue Recognition – Principal Agent Considerations, and has recorded its management fees net of retrocessions. Retrocessions for 2012, 2011 and 2010 were $793 million, $928 million and $831 million, respectively, and were reflected net in investment advisory, administration fees and securities lending revenue on the consolidated statements of income.

The Company also earns revenue by lending securities as an agent on behalf of clients, primarily to brokerage institutions. Such revenues are accounted for on an accrual basis. The revenue earned is shared between the Company and the funds or other third-party accounts managed by the Company from which the securities are borrowed.

Investment Advisory Performance Fees. The Company receives investment advisory performance fees or an incentive allocation from certain actively managed investment funds and certain separately managed accounts. These performance fees are earned upon exceeding specified relative and/or absolute investment return thresholds. Such fees are recorded upon completion of the measurement period which varies by product or account.

The Company may receive carried interest from certain alternative investments upon exceeding performance thresholds. BlackRock may be required to return all, or part, of such carried interest depending upon future performance of these investments. BlackRock records carried interest subject to such claw-back provisions in investments, or cash on the consolidated statements of financial condition to the extent that it is distributed. Carried interest is realized and recorded as performance fee revenue upon the earlier of the termination of the investment fund or when the likelihood of claw-back is mathematically improbable. The Company records a deferred carried interest liability to the extent it receives cash or capital allocations related to carried interest prior to meeting the revenue recognition criteria. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had $97 million and $33 million, respectively, of deferred carried interest recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition.

BlackRock Solutions and Advisory. BlackRock provides a variety of risk management, investment analytic, enterprise investment system and financial markets advisory services to financial institutions, pension funds, asset managers, foundations, consultants, mutual fund sponsors, real estate investment trusts and government agencies. These services are provided under the brand name BlackRock Solutions^® and include a wide array of risk management services, valuation of illiquid securities, disposition and workout assignments (including long-term portfolio liquidation assignments), strategic planning and execution, and enterprise investment system outsourcing to clients. Fees earned for BlackRock Solutions and advisory services are recorded as services are performed and are determined using some, or all, of the following methods: (i) percentages of various attributes of advisory AUM or value of positions on the Aladdin^® platform, (ii) fixed fees and (iii) performance fees if contractual thresholds are met. The fees earned for BlackRock Solutions and advisory services are recorded in BlackRock Solutions and advisory on the consolidated statements of income.

Other Revenue. The Company earns fees for transition management services comprised of commissions from acting as an introducing broker-dealer in buying and selling securities on behalf of the Company’s customers. Commissions related to transition management services are recorded on a trade-date basis as securities transactions occur and are reflected in other revenue on the consolidated statements of income.

The Company earns commissions revenue upon the sale of unit trusts and Class A mutual funds. Revenue is recorded at the time of the sale of the product.

Other revenue also includes equity method investment earnings related to operating advisory company investments and marketing fees earned for services to distribute iPath^® products, which are exchange-traded notes issued by Barclays.

Stock-based Compensation. The Company applies ASC 718-10, Compensation – Stock Compensation (“ASC 718-10”), which establishes standards for the accounting of transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment transactions. Entities are required to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The compensation cost is recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service (usually the vesting period) in exchange for the stock-based award.

The Company measures the grant-date fair value of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) using the Company’s share price on the date of grant. For employee share options and instruments with market conditions, the Company uses pricing models. If an equity award is modified after the grant date, incremental compensation cost is recognized for an amount equal to the excess of the fair value of the modified award over the fair value of the original award immediately before the modification. Awards under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans vest over various periods. Compensation cost is recorded by the Company on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separate vesting portion of the award as if the award is, in-substance, multiple awards. Compensation cost is reduced by the number of awards expected to be forfeited prior to vesting. Forfeiture estimates generally are derived using historical forfeiture information, where available, and are reviewed for reasonableness at least quarterly.

The Company amortizes the grant-date fair value of stock-based compensation awards made to retirement-eligible employees over the requisite service period. Upon notification of retirement, the Company accelerates the unamortized portion of the award over the contractually required retirement notification period, if applicable.

Distribution and Servicing Costs. Distribution and servicing costs include payments to third parties and related parties, including Bank of America/Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (“Merrill Lynch”), PNC and Barclays, primarily associated with distribution and servicing of client investments in certain BlackRock products. Distribution and servicing costs are expensed when incurred.

Direct Fund Expenses. Direct fund expenses, which are expensed as incurred, primarily consist of third-party non-advisory expenses incurred by BlackRock related to certain funds for the use of certain index trademarks, reference data for certain indices, custodial services, fund administration, fund accounting, transfer agent services, shareholder reporting services, audit and tax services as well as other fund-related expenses directly attributable to the non-advisory operations of the fund.

Leases. The Company accounts for its operating leases, which may include escalation clauses, in accordance with ASC 840-10, Leases. The Company expenses the lease payments associated with operating leases evenly during the lease term (including rent-free periods) commencing when the Company obtains control over the leased property.

Foreign Exchange. Monetary assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries having non-U.S. dollar functional currencies are translated at exchange rates at the date of the consolidated statements of financial condition. Non-monetary assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries having non-U.S. dollar functional currencies are translated at historical exchange rates. Revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the period. Gains or losses resulting from translating foreign currency financial statements into U.S. dollars are included in accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of stockholders’ equity, on the consolidated statements of financial condition. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in general and administration expense on the consolidated statements of income. For 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded gains (losses) from foreign currency transactions of $(8) million, $(1) million and $6 million, respectively.

Income Taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method prescribed by ASC 740-10, Income Taxes (“ASC 740-10”). Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases using currently enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred income tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

Management periodically assesses the recoverability of its deferred income tax assets based upon expected future earnings, taxable income in prior carryback years, future deductibility of the asset, changes in applicable tax laws and other factors. If management determines that it is not more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be fully recoverable in the future, a valuation allowance will be established for the difference between the asset balance and the amount expected to be recoverable in the future. This allowance will result in additional income tax expense. Further, the Company records its income taxes receivable and payable based upon its estimated income tax position.

Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation are recognized as additional paid-in capital and are reflected as financing cash flows on the consolidated statements of cash flows. If the Company does not have additional paid-in capital credits (cumulative tax benefits recorded to additional paid-in capital), the Company will record an expense for any deficit, or shortfall, between the recorded tax benefit and tax return benefit. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, BlackRock had excess additional paid-in capital credits to absorb potential future deficits between recorded tax benefits and tax return benefits.

Earnings per Share (“EPS”). EPS is calculated pursuant to the two-class method as defined in ASC 260-10, Earnings per Share (“ASC 260-10”), which specifies that all outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents are considered participating securities and should be included in the computation of EPS pursuant to the two-class method. The dilutive effect of outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that are considered non-participating securities are calculated under the treasury stock method.

The Company presents both basic and diluted EPS amounts. Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to shareholders, excluding participating securities, by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding. The Company’s participating securities consist of its unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents. Diluted EPS includes the determinants of basic EPS and, in addition, reflects the impact of other potentially dilutive shares outstanding during the period. The dilutive effect of participating securities is calculated under the more dilutive of either the treasury stock method or the two-class method. As of December 31, 2012, there were approximately 0.2 million of participating securities. The majority of these participating securities vested on January 31, 2013.

Due to the similarities in terms among each series of BlackRock’s non-voting participating preferred stock and the Company’s common stock, the Company considers each series of its non-voting participating preferred stock to be common stock equivalents for purposes of EPS calculations.

Business Segments. The Company’s management directs BlackRock’s operations as one business, the asset management business. As such, the Company operates in one business segment as defined in ASC 280-10, Segment Reporting (“ASC 280-10”).

Business Combinations. The Company accounts for business combinations in accordance with the requirements of ASC 805, Business Combinations (“ASC 805”). The fundamental requirement of ASC 805 is that the acquisition method of accounting (the purchase method) be used for all business combinations and for an acquirer to be identified for each business combination. The provisions of ASC 805 define the acquirer, establish the acquisition date and define transactions that qualify as business combinations.

Additionally, the requirements of ASC 805 provide guidance for measuring the fair value of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any non-controlling interest in the acquiree, provide guidance for the measurement of fair value in a step acquisition, provide guidance for recognizing assets acquired and liabilities assumed subject to contingencies, provide guidance on recognition and measurement of contingent consideration and require that acquisition-related costs of the acquirer generally be expensed as incurred. Reversal of valuation allowances related to acquired deferred tax assets and changes to liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits related to tax positions assumed in business combinations subsequent to the adoption of the requirements of ASC 805, will affect the income tax provision in the period of reversal or change.

Fair Value Measurements.

Hierarchy of Fair Value Inputs. The provisions of ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820-10”), establish a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value and require companies to disclose the fair value of their financial instruments according to the fair value hierarchy (i.e., Level 1, 2 and 3 inputs, as defined). The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs.

Assets and liabilities measured and reported at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:

Level 1 Inputs:

Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the reporting date.

Level 2 Inputs:

Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities that are not active; quotes from pricing services or brokers for which the Company can determine that orderly transactions took place at the quoted price or that the inputs used to arrive at the price are observable; and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, such as models or other valuation methodologies. As a practical expedient, the Company relies on the NAV (or its equivalent) of certain investments as their fair value.

Level 3 Inputs:

Unobservable inputs for the valuation of the asset or liability, which may include non-binding broker quotes. Level 3 assets include investments for which there is little, if any, market activity. These inputs require significant management judgment or estimation. Certain investments that are valued using a NAV (or its equivalent) and are subject to current redemption restrictions that will not be lifted in the near term are included in Level 3.

Significance of Inputs. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument.

Valuation Techniques. The fair values of certain Level 3 assets and liabilities were determined using various methodologies as appropriate, including NAVs of underlying investments, third-party pricing vendors, broker quotes and market and income approaches. Such quotes and modeled prices are evaluated for reasonableness through various procedures, including due diligence reviews of third-party pricing vendors, variance analyses, consideration of current market environment and other analytical procedures.

As a practical expedient, the Company relies on NAV as the fair value for certain investments. The inputs to value these investments may include BlackRock capital accounts for its partnership interests in various alternative investments, including distressed credit hedge funds, real estate and private equity funds, which may be adjusted by using the returns of certain market indices. The various partnerships are investment companies, which record their underlying investments at fair value based on fair value policies established by management of the underlying fund. Fair value policies at the underlying fund generally require the fund to utilize pricing/valuation information, including independent appraisals, from third-party sources. However, in some instances, current valuation information for illiquid securities or securities in markets that are not active may not be available from any third-party source or fund management may conclude that the valuations that are available from third-party sources are not reliable. In these instances, fund management may perform model-based analytical valuations that may be used as an input to value these investments.

A significant amount of inputs used to value equity, debt securities and bank loans is sourced from well-recognized third-party pricing vendors. Generally, prices obtained from pricing vendors are categorized as Level 1 inputs for identical securities traded in active markets and as Level 2 for other similar securities if the vendor uses observable inputs in determining the price. Annually, BlackRock’s internal valuation committee or other designated groups review both the valuation methodology, including the general assumptions and methods used to value various asset classes, and operational process with these vendors. In addition, on a quarterly basis, meetings are held with the vendors to identify any significant changes to the vendors’ processes.

In addition, quotes obtained from brokers generally are non-binding and categorized as Level 3 inputs. However, if the Company is able to determine that market participants have transacted for the asset in an orderly manner near the quoted price or if the Company can determine that the inputs used by the broker are observable, the quote is classified as a Level 2 input.

Fair Value Option. ASC 825-10, Financial Instruments (“ASC 825-10”), provides a fair value option election that allows companies an irrevocable election to use fair value as the initial and subsequent accounting measurement attribute for certain financial assets and liabilities. ASC 825-10 permits entities to elect to measure eligible financial assets and liabilities at fair value on an ongoing basis. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings. The decision to elect the fair value option is determined on an instrument-by-instrument basis, must be applied to an entire instrument and is irrevocable once elected. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value pursuant to ASC 825-10 are required to be reported separately from those instruments measured using another accounting method.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. ASC 815-10, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815-10”), establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivatives embedded in other contracts and for hedging activities. ASC 815-10 generally requires an entity to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the consolidated statements of financial condition and to measure those investments at fair value.

The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company uses derivative financial instruments primarily for purposes of hedging: (i) exposures to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates of certain assets and liabilities, (ii) market exposures for certain seed investments and (iii) future cash flows on floating rate notes. The Company may also use derivatives within separate account assets, which are segregated funds held for purposes of funding individual and group pension contracts. In addition, certain consolidated sponsored investment funds may also invest in derivatives as a part of their investment strategy.

Changes in the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments are generally recognized in current earnings and, where applicable, are offset by the corresponding gain or loss on the related foreign-denominated assets or liabilities or hedged investments, on the consolidated statements of income.

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in 2012

Amendments to Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. On January 1, 2012, the Company adopted the applicable provisions of ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement: Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (“ASU 2011-04”). Among other things, ASU 2011-04 clarified existing fair value measurement guidance and required enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements. The adoption of ASU 2011-04 did not materially impact the consolidated financial statements.

Amendments on Testing Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets for Impairment. On July 27, 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2012-02, Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment (“ASU 2012-02”), which amends the guidance in ASC 350-30 on testing indefinite-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, for impairment. Under ASU 2012-02, an entity testing an indefinite-lived intangible asset for impairment has the option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of the asset. If the entity determines, on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is not more likely than not (i.e., a likelihood of more than 50 percent) impaired, the entity would not need to calculate the fair value of the asset. The Company’s adoption of ASU 2012-02 during 2012 did not impact its consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Disclosures About Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. On December 16, 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-11, Disclosures About Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (“ASU 2011-11”), which creates new disclosure requirements about the nature of an entity’s rights of setoff and related arrangements associated with its financial instruments and derivative instruments. The provisions of ASU 2011-11 are effective for the Company for reporting periods beginning January 1, 2013 with retrospective application required. On January 31, 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-01, Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (“ASU 2013-01”) that provides clarification about which instruments and transactions are subject to ASU 2011-11. The adoption of ASU 2011-11 and ASU 2013-01 are not expected to materially impact the consolidated financial statements.

Comprehensive Income. On February 5, 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2013-02”). ASU 2013-02 does not change the current requirement for reporting net income or other comprehensive income but requires additional disclosures about significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. ASU 2013-02 is effective prospectively for the Company on January 1, 2013 and is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated statements.

3. Investments

A summary of the carrying value of total investments is as follows:

At December 31, 2012, the Company consolidated $524 million of investments held by consolidated sponsored investment funds (non-VIEs) of which $123 million and $401 million were classified as trading investments and other investments, respectively. At December 31, 2011, the Company consolidated $587 million of investments held by consolidated sponsored investment funds (non-VIEs) of which $214 million and $373 million were classified as trading investments and other investments, respectively.

Available-for-Sale Investments

A summary of the cost and carrying value of investments classified as available-for-sale is as follows:

Available-for-sale investments included seed investments in BlackRock sponsored investment funds.

A summary of sale activity in available-for-sale securities during 2012, 2011 and 2010 is shown below.

Held-to-Maturity Investments

The carrying value of held-to-maturity investments was $112 million and $105 million at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Held-to-maturity investments included foreign government debt held for regulatory purposes and the amortized cost (carrying value) of these investments approximated fair value. At December 31, 2012, $88 million of these investments mature in one year or less, $10 million mature after one year through five years, and $14 million mature after 10 years.

Trading Investments

A summary of the cost and carrying value of trading investments is as follows:

At December 31, 2012, trading investments included $73 million of equity securities and $50 million of debt securities held by consolidated sponsored investment funds, $53 million of certain deferred compensation plan mutual fund investments and $94 million of equity and debt securities held in separate investment accounts for the purpose of establishing an investment history in various investment strategies before being marketed to investors.

Other Investments

A summary of the cost and carrying value of other investments is as follows:

Consolidated sponsored investment funds include third-party private equity funds, direct investments in private companies and third-party hedge funds held by BlackRock sponsored investment funds.

Equity method investments primarily include BlackRock’s direct investment in certain BlackRock sponsored investment funds.

Cost method investments include non-marketable securities, including Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) stock, which is held for regulatory purposes and is restricted from sale. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, there were no indicators of impairment on these investments. The decrease in cost method investments from December 31, 2011 was primarily due to a lower holding requirement of FRB stock held by a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

Carried interest represents allocations to BlackRock general partner capital accounts for certain funds. These balances are subject to change upon cash distributions, additional allocations, or reallocations back to limited partners within the respective funds.

4. Consolidated Sponsored Investment Funds

The Company consolidates certain sponsored investment funds primarily because it is deemed to control such funds in accordance with GAAP. The investments owned by these consolidated sponsored investment funds are classified as trading or other investments. The following table presents the balances related to these consolidated funds that were included on the consolidated statements of financial condition as well as BlackRock’s net interest in these funds:

BlackRock’s total exposure to consolidated sponsored investment funds of $430 million and $475 million at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, represents the value of the Company’s economic ownership interest in these sponsored investment funds. Valuation changes associated with these consolidated investment funds are reflected in non-operating income (expense) and partially offset in net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests for the portion not attributable to BlackRock.

In addition, at December 31, 2012 and 2011, several consolidated CLOs and one investment fund, which were deemed to be VIEs, were excluded from the balances in the table above as the balances for these investment products are reported separately on the consolidated statements of financial condition. See Note 6, Variable Interest Entities, for further discussion on these consolidated funds.

The Company may not be readily able to access cash and cash equivalents held by consolidated sponsored investment funds to use in its operating activities. In addition, the Company may not be readily able to sell investments held by consolidated sponsored investment funds in order to obtain cash for use in the Company’s operations.

5. Fair Value Disclosures

Fair Value Hierarchy

December 31, 2012

Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and other assets not held at fair value were as follows: