"BlackRock's $12.5 Billion Acquisition of Global Infrastructure Partners Signals Major Investment Move"

BlackRock has agreed to acquire private-equity firm Global Infrastructure Partners for approximately $12.5 billion in cash and stock, marking a significant move into private-market investments for the world's largest asset manager. This acquisition represents BlackRock's largest since purchasing Barclays's asset management business in 2009 and signifies the company's ongoing efforts to expand its private-market operations.