Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2011

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM                  TO                

Commission File Number: 001-33551

 

 

The Blackstone Group L.P.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   20-8875684

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

345 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10154

(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

(212) 583-5000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer  x

   Accelerated filer  ¨

Non-accelerated filer  ¨

   Smaller reporting company  ¨

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

  

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The number of the Registrant’s voting common units representing limited partner interests outstanding as of April 29, 2011 was 359,303,409. The number of the Registrant’s non-voting common units representing limited partner interests outstanding as of April 29, 2011 was 109,083,468.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  

PART I.

  

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

ITEM 1.

  

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     4   
  

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — March 31, 2011 and 2010:

  
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010

     4   
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 and 2010

     6   
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011 and 2010

     7   
  

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

     9   

ITEM 1A.

  

UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL PRESENTATION OF STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

     43   

ITEM 2.

  

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     45   

ITEM 3.

  

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     96   

ITEM 4.

  

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

     99   

PART II.

  

OTHER INFORMATION

  

ITEM 1.

  

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     100   

ITEM 1A.

  

RISK FACTORS

     101   

ITEM 2.

  

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

     101   

ITEM 3.

  

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

     101   

ITEM 4.

  

(REMOVED AND RESERVED)

     101   

ITEM 5.

  

OTHER INFORMATION

     101   

ITEM 6.

  

EXHIBITS

     102   

SIGNATURES

     103   

Forward-Looking Statements

This report may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, our operations and financial performance. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. We believe these factors include but are not limited to those described under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and in this report, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this report and in our other periodic filings. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

 

 

 

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In this report, references to “Blackstone,” the “Partnership”, “we,” “us” or “our” refer to The Blackstone Group L.P. and its consolidated subsidiaries. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this report to the ownership of Mr. Stephen A. Schwarzman, our founder, and other Blackstone personnel include the ownership of personal planning vehicles and family members of these individuals.

“Blackstone Funds,” “our funds” and “our investment funds” refer to the private equity funds, real estate funds, funds of hedge funds, credit-oriented funds, collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) vehicles, and closed-end mutual funds and management investment companies that are managed by Blackstone. “Our carry funds” refer to the private equity funds, real estate funds and certain of the credit-oriented funds (with multi-year drawdown, commitment-based structures that only pay carry on the realization of an investment) that are managed by Blackstone. “Our hedge funds” refer to our funds of hedge funds, certain of our real estate debt investment funds and certain other credit-oriented funds (including three publicly registered closed-end management investment companies), which are managed by Blackstone.

“Assets under management” refers to the assets we manage. Our assets under management equals the sum of:

 

  (a) the fair value of the investments held by our carry funds plus the capital that we are entitled to call from investors in those funds pursuant to the terms of their capital commitments to those funds (plus the fair value of co-investments arranged by us that were made by limited partners of our funds in portfolio companies of such funds and on which we receive fees or a carried interest allocation);

 

  (b) the net asset value of our funds of hedge funds, hedge funds and our closed-end mutual funds and registered investment companies;

 

  (c) the fair value of assets we manage pursuant to separately managed accounts; and

 

  (d) the amount of capital raised for our CLOs.

Our carry funds are commitment-based drawdown structured funds that do not permit investors to redeem their interests at their election. Our hedge funds generally have structures that afford an investor the right to withdraw or redeem their interests on a periodic basis (e.g., annually or quarterly), in most cases upon advance written notice, with the majority of our funds requiring from 60 days up to 95 days’ notice, depending on the fund and the liquidity profile of the underlying assets. Investment advisory agreements related to separately managed accounts may generally be terminated by an investor on 30 to 90 days’ notice.

“Fee-earning assets under management” refers to the assets we manage on which we derive management and / or incentive fees. Our fee-earning assets under management equal the sum of:

 

  (a) for our Blackstone Capital Partners (“BCP”) and Blackstone Real Estate Partners (“BREP”) funds where the investment period has not expired, the amount of capital commitments;

 

  (b) for our BCP and BREP funds where the investment period has expired, the remaining amount of invested capital plus binding investment commitments;

 

  (c) for our real estate debt investment funds (“BREDS”), the remaining amount of invested capital;

 

  (d) for our credit-oriented carry funds, the amount of invested capital (which may be calculated to include leverage) or net asset value;

 

  (e) the invested capital of co-investments arranged by us that were made by limited partners of our funds in portfolio companies of such funds and on which we receive fees;

 

  (f) the net asset value of our funds of hedge funds, hedge funds (except our credit-oriented closed-end registered investment companies) and our closed-end mutual funds;

 

  (g) the fair value of assets we manage pursuant to separately managed accounts;

 

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  (h) the gross amount of underlying assets of our CLOs at cost; and

 

  (i) the gross amount of assets (including leverage) for our credit-oriented closed-end registered investment companies.

Our calculations of assets under management and fee-earning assets under management may differ from the calculations of other asset managers, and as a result this measure may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other asset managers. In addition, our calculation of assets under management includes commitments to, and the fair value of, invested capital in our funds from Blackstone and our personnel, regardless of whether such commitments or invested capital are subject to fees. Our definitions of assets under management or fee-earning assets under management are not based on any definition of assets under management or fee-earning assets under management that is set forth in the agreements governing the investment funds that we manage.

For our carry funds, total assets under management includes the fair value of the investments held, whereas fee-earning assets under management includes the amount of capital commitments or the remaining amount of invested capital at cost plus binding investment commitments, generally depending on whether the investment period has or has not expired. As such, fee-earning assets under management may be greater than total assets under management when the aggregate fair value of the remaining investments is less than the cost of those investments.

This report does not constitute an offer of any Blackstone Fund.

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Unit Data)

 

     March 31,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Assets

     

Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ 455,811      $ 588,621  

Cash Held by Blackstone Funds and Other

     648,612        790,399  

Investments (including assets pledged of $71,601 and $62,670 at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively)

     12,676,464        11,974,472  

Accounts Receivable

     379,827        495,893  

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

     229,723        181,425  

Due from Affiliates

     768,749        795,395  

Intangible Assets, Net

     738,465        779,311  

Goodwill

     1,703,602        1,703,602  

Other Assets

     253,356        293,194  

Deferred Tax Assets

     1,394,158        1,242,293  
                 

Total Assets

   $ 19,248,767      $ 18,844,605  
                 

Liabilities and Partners’ Capital

     

Loans Payable

   $ 7,325,138      $ 7,198,898  

Due to Affiliates

     1,939,129        1,762,287  

Accrued Compensation and Benefits

     685,080        821,568  

Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased

     209,666        116,688  

Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities

     658,939        691,807  
                 

Total Liabilities

     10,817,952        10,591,248  
                 

Commitments and Contingencies

     

Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities

     671,164        600,836  
                 

Partners’ Capital

     

Partners’ Capital (common units: 458,559,767 issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2011; 416,092,022 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2010)

     4,122,841        3,888,211  

Appropriated Partners’ Capital

     295,544        470,583  

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

     3,101        4,302  

Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities

     893,290        870,908  

Non-Controlling Interests in Blackstone Holdings

     2,444,875        2,418,517  
                 

Total Partners’ Capital

     7,759,651        7,652,521  
                 

Total Liabilities and Partners’ Capital

   $ 19,248,767      $ 18,844,605  
                 

continued...

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands)

The following presents the portion of the consolidated balances presented above attributable to consolidated Blackstone Funds which are variable interest entities. The following assets may only be used to settle obligations of these consolidated Blackstone Funds and these liabilities are only the obligations of these consolidated Blackstone Funds and they do not have recourse to the general credit of Blackstone.

 

     March 31,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Assets

     

Cash Held by Blackstone Funds and Other

   $ 510,304      $ 707,622  

Investments

     7,526,788        7,424,329   

Accounts Receivable

     22,074         22,380   

Due from Affiliates

     37,743         30,182   

Other Assets

     22,132         19,823  
                 

Total Assets

   $ 8,119,041      $ 8,204,336  
                 

Liabilities

     

Loans Payable

   $ 6,302,695      $ 6,154,179  

Due to Affiliates

     348,212        304,969  

Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other

     266,423         330,675  
                 

Total Liabilities

   $ 6,917,330      $ 6,789,823  
                 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2011     2010  

Revenues

    

Management and Advisory Fees

   $ 412,738     $ 354,820  
                

Performance Fees

    

Realized

     96,203       54,049  

Unrealized

     512,401       131,779  
                

Total Performance Fees

     608,604       185,828  
                

Investment Income

    

Realized

     12,783       5,726  

Unrealized

     107,395       149,220  
                

Total Investment Income

     120,178       154,946  
                

Interest and Dividend Revenue

     9,490       8,895  

Other

     2,259       (3,250
                

Total Revenues

     1,153,269       701,239  
                

Expenses

    

Compensation and Benefits

    

Compensation

     659,483       924,950  

Performance Fee Compensation

    

Realized

     14,543       7,741  

Unrealized

     162,525       54,600  
                

Total Compensation and Benefits

     836,551       987,291  

General, Administrative and Other

     129,386       106,379  

Interest Expense

     13,803       7,185  

Fund Expenses

     11,124       (141
                

Total Expenses

     990,864       1,100,714  
                

Other Income

    

Net Gains (Losses) from Fund Investment Activities

     (45,191     171,804  
                

Income (Loss) Before Provision (Benefit) for Taxes

     117,214       (227,671

Provision for Taxes

     38,850       9,635  
                

Net Income (Loss)

     78,364       (237,306

Net Income Attributable to Redeemable Non- Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities

     22,025       23,969  

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities

     (93,081     135,966  

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests in Blackstone Holdings

     106,716       (275,864
                

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to The Blackstone Group L.P.

   $ 42,704     $ (121,377
                

Net Loss Per Common Unit, Basic and Diluted

     $ (0.36
          

Net Income Per Common Unit, Basic

   $ 0.10    
          

Net Income Per Common Unit, Diluted

   $ 0.09    
          

Weighted-Average Common Units Outstanding — Basic and Diluted

       333,433,864  
          

Weighted-Average Common Units Outstanding — Basic

     447,742,389    
          

Weighted-Average Common Units Outstanding — Diluted

     457,652,916    
          

Revenues Earned from Affiliates

    

Management and Advisory Fees

   $ 70,038     $ 38,767  
                

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2011     2010  

Operating Activities

    

Net Income (Loss)

   $ 78,364     $ (237,306

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities:

    

Blackstone Funds Related:

    

Unrealized Depreciation (Appreciation) on Investments Allocable to Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities

     (20,698     (198,141

Net Realized (Gains) Losses on Investments

     (179,148     (29,801

Changes in Unrealized (Gains) Losses on Investments Allocable to Blackstone Group

     (89,106     (146,597

Unrealized Depreciation on Hedge Activities

     561       (852

Non-Cash Performance Fees

     (375,102     (99,172

Non-Cash Performance Fee Compensation

     177,069       62,341  

Equity-Based Compensation Expense

     426,280       723,145  

Amortization of Intangibles

     40,846       39,512  

Other Non-Cash Amounts Included in Net Income

     14,806       6,503  

Cash Flows Due to Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities:

    

Cash Held by Blackstone Funds and Other

     141,787       (37,117

Cash Relinquished with Continuing Liquidation of Partnership

     395       3,562  

Accounts Receivable

     130,920       (12,112

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

     (48,298     —     

Due from Affiliates

     (984     (52,798

Other Assets

     32,723       (1,906

Accrued Compensation and Benefits

     (273,284     (92,748

Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased

     93,711       248  

Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities

     (273,956     23,089  

Due to Affiliates

     22,307       (30,073

Short Term Investments Purchased

     (733,450     (313,507

Proceeds from Sale of Investments

     708,437       239,918  

Blackstone Funds Related:

    

Investments Purchased

     (1,953,083     (515,269

Proceeds from Sale of Investments

     2,520,410       689,581  
                

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

     441,507       20,500  
                

Investing Activities

    

Purchase of Furniture, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements

     (5,710     (6,974

Changes in Restricted Cash

     321       (146
                

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

     (5,389     (7,120
                

Financing Activities

    

Distributions to Non-Controlling Interest Holders in Consolidated Entities

     (135,412     (37,040

Contributions from Non-Controlling Interest Holders in Consolidated Entities

     118,434       3,773  

 

continued...

 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)—(Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2011     2010  

Purchase of Interests from Certain Non-Controlling Interest Holders

   $ (2,056   $ (152

Net Settlement of Vested Common Units and Repurchase of Common and Holdings Units

     (6,823     (9,489

Proceeds from Loans Payable

     2,246       972  

Repayment of Loans Payable

     (17,713     (26,735

Distributions to Unitholders

     (371,994     (269,548

Blackstone Funds Related:

    

Proceeds from Loans Payable

     200       —     

Repayment of Loans Payable

     (155,810     —     
                

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

     (568,928     (338,219
                

Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents

     (132,810     (324,839

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period

     588,621       952,096  
                

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period

   $ 455,811     $ 627,257  
                

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flows Information

    

Payments for Interest

   $ 635     $ 663  
                

Payments for Income Taxes

   $ 17,611     $ 24,281  
                

Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Operating Activities

    

Net Activities Related to Capital Transactions of Consolidated Blackstone Funds

   $ 1,721     $ 2,288  
                

Net Assets Related to the Consolidation of CLO Vehicles

   $ —        $ 217,631  
                

Transfer of Interests to Non-Controlling Interest Holders

   $ (1,111   $ (11,778
                

Change in The Blackstone Group L.P.’s Ownership Interest

   $ (5,772   $ (5,551
                

Net Settlement of Vested Common Units

   $ 4,369     $ 22,969  
                

Conversion of Blackstone Holdings Units to Common Units

   $ 137,961     $ 53,678  
                

Exchange of Founders’ and Non-Controlling Interest Holders’ Interests in Blackstone Holdings:

    

Deferred Tax Asset

   $ (176,013   $ 83,403  
                

Due to Affiliates

   $ 142,212     $ (63,497
                

Partners’ Capital

   $ 33,801     $ (19,906
                

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

1. ORGANIZATION

The Blackstone Group L.P., together with its subsidiaries, (“Blackstone” or the “Partnership”) is a leading global manager of private capital and provider of financial advisory services. The alternative asset management business includes the management of private equity funds, real estate funds, funds of hedge funds, credit-oriented funds, collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) vehicles, separately managed accounts, publicly traded closed-end mutual funds and registered investment companies (collectively referred to as the “Blackstone Funds”). Blackstone also provides various financial advisory services, including financial advisory, restructuring and reorganization advisory and fund placement services. Blackstone’s business is organized into five segments: private equity, real estate, hedge fund solutions, credit businesses, and financial advisory.

The Partnership was formed as a Delaware limited partnership on March 12, 2007. The Partnership is managed and operated by its general partner, Blackstone Group Management L.L.C., which is in turn wholly-owned and controlled by one of Blackstone’s founders, Stephen A. Schwarzman (the “Founder”), and Blackstone’s other senior managing directors.

The activities of the Partnership are conducted through its holding partnerships: Blackstone Holdings I L.P.; Blackstone Holdings II L.P.; Blackstone Holdings III L.P. and Blackstone Holdings IV L.P. (collectively, “Blackstone Holdings”, “Blackstone Holdings Partnerships” or the “Holding Partnerships”). On June 18, 2007, in preparation for an initial public offering (“IPO”), the predecessor owners (“Predecessor Owners”) of the Blackstone business completed a reorganization (the “Reorganization”) whereby, with certain limited exceptions, the operating entities of the predecessor organization and the intellectual property rights associated with the Blackstone name were contributed (“Contributed Businesses”) to five holding partnerships (Blackstone Holdings I L.P., Blackstone Holdings II L.P., Blackstone Holdings III L.P., Blackstone Holdings IV L.P. and Blackstone Holdings V L.P.) either directly or indirectly via a sale to certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Partnership and then a contribution to the Holding Partnerships. The Partnership, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is the sole general partner in each of these Holding Partnerships. The reorganization was accounted for as an exchange of entities under common control for the component of interests contributed by the Founders and the other senior managing directors (collectively, the “Control Group”) and as an acquisition of non-controlling interests using the purchase method of accounting for all the predecessor owners other than the Control Group.

On January 1, 2009, the number of Holding Partnerships was reduced from five to four through the transfer of assets and liabilities of Blackstone Holdings III L.P. to Blackstone Holdings IV L.P. In connection therewith, Blackstone Holdings IV L.P. was renamed Blackstone Holdings III L.P. and Blackstone Holdings V L.P. was renamed Blackstone Holdings IV L.P. Blackstone Holdings refers to the five holding partnerships prior to the January 2009 reorganization and the four holding partnerships subsequent to the January 2009 reorganization.

Generally, holders of the limited partner interests in the four Holding Partnerships may, up to four times each year, exchange their limited partnership interests (“Partnership Units”) for Blackstone Common Units, on a one-to-one basis, exchanging one Partnership Unit in each of the four Holding Partnerships for one Blackstone Common Unit.

 

2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Partnership have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”)

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q. The condensed consolidated financial statements, including these notes, are unaudited and exclude some of the disclosures required in audited financial statements. Management believes it has made all necessary adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring items) so that the condensed consolidated financial statements are presented fairly and that estimates made in preparing its condensed consolidated financial statements are reasonable and prudent. The operating results presented for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the entire year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Partnership, its wholly-owned or majority-owned subsidiaries, the consolidated entities which are considered to be variable interest entities and for which the Partnership is considered the primary beneficiary, and certain partnerships or similar entities which are not considered variable interest entities but in which the general partner is presumed to have control.

All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Restructurings within consolidated CLOs are treated as investment purchases or sales, as applicable, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation as follows:

 

   

In January 2011, Blackstone separated its Credit and Marketable Alternatives segment into two new segments: Hedge Fund Solutions and Credit Businesses. The Hedge Fund Solutions segment, which is comprised primarily of Blackstone Alternative Asset Management, an institutional solutions provider utilizing hedge funds across a variety of strategies, and the Indian-focused and Asian-focused closed-end mutual funds. The Credit Businesses segment, which is comprised principally of GSO, manages credit-oriented funds, CLOs, credit-focused separately managed accounts and publicly registered debt-focused investment companies. This change in Blackstone’s segment reporting aligns it to its management reporting and organization structure and is consistent with the manner in which resource deployment and compensation decisions are made. Blackstone’s segment results have been retrospectively presented for all periods reported.

 

   

As of March 31, 2011, Blackstone elected to aggregate changes in assets and liabilities relating to hedging activities within Unrealized Depreciation on Hedge Activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Previously, amounts relating to changes in hedging instruments had been presented in Cash Flows Due to Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities—Other Assets. The reclassification of amounts in 2010 had no impact on Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities.

Consolidation

The Partnership consolidates all entities that it controls through a majority voting interest or otherwise, including those Blackstone Funds in which the general partner is presumed to have control. Although the Partnership has a non-controlling interest in the Blackstone Holdings partnerships, the limited partners do not have the right to dissolve the partnerships or have substantive kick out rights or participating rights that would overcome the presumption of control by the Partnership. Accordingly, the Partnership consolidates Blackstone Holdings and records non-controlling interests to reflect the economic interests of the limited partners of Blackstone Holdings.

In addition, the Partnership consolidates all variable interest entities (“VIE”) in which it is the primary beneficiary. An enterprise is determined to be the primary beneficiary if it holds a controlling financial interest.

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

A controlling financial interest is defined as (a) the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the variable interest entity. The consolidation guidance requires an analysis to (a) determine whether an entity in which the Partnership holds a variable interest is a variable interest entity and (b) whether the Partnership’s involvement, through holding interests directly or indirectly in the entity or contractually through other variable interests (e.g., management and performance related fees), would give it a controlling financial interest. Performance of that analysis requires the exercise of judgment. Variable interest entities qualify for the deferral of the consolidation guidance if all of the following conditions have been met:

 

  (a) The entity has all of the attributes of an investment company as defined under AICPA Accounting and Auditing Guide, Investment Companies (“Investment Company Guide”), or does not have all the attributes of an investment company but it is an entity for which it is acceptable based on industry practice to apply measurement principles that are consistent with the Investment Company Guide,

 

  (b) The reporting entity does not have explicit or implicit obligations to fund any losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the entity, and

 

  (c) The entity is not a securitization or asset-backed financing entity or an entity that was formerly considered a qualifying special purpose entity.

Where the VIEs have qualified for the deferral of the current consolidation guidance, the analysis is based on previous consolidation guidance. This guidance requires an analysis to determine (a) whether an entity in which the Partnership holds a variable interest is a variable interest entity and (b) whether the Partnership’s involvement, through holding interests directly or indirectly in the entity or contractually through other variable interests (e.g., management and performance related fees), would be expected to absorb a majority of the variability of the entity. Under both guidelines, the Partnership determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time it becomes involved with a variable interest entity and reconsiders that conclusion continuously. In evaluating whether the Partnership is the primary beneficiary, Blackstone evaluates its economic interests in the entity held either directly by the Partnership and its affiliates or indirectly through employees. The consolidation analysis can generally be performed qualitatively; however, if it is not readily apparent that the Partnership is not the primary beneficiary, a quantitative analysis may also be performed. Investments and redemptions (either by the Partnership, affiliates of the Partnership or third parties) or amendments to the governing documents of the respective Blackstone Funds could affect an entity’s status as a VIE or the determination of the primary beneficiary. At each reporting date, the Partnership assesses whether it is the primary beneficiary and will consolidate or deconsolidate accordingly.

Assets of consolidated variable interest entities that can only be used to settle obligations of the consolidated VIE and liabilities of a consolidated VIE for which creditors (or beneficial interest holders) do not have recourse to the general credit of The Blackstone Group L.P. are separately presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Blackstone’s other disclosures regarding VIEs are discussed in Note 9. “Variable Interest Entities”.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

GAAP establishes a hierarchal disclosure framework which prioritizes and ranks the level of market price observability used in measuring financial instruments at fair value. Market price observability is affected by a number of factors, including the type of financial instrument, the characteristics specific to the financial

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

instrument and the state of the marketplace, including the existence and transparency of transactions between market participants. Financial instruments with readily available quoted prices in active markets generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment used in measuring fair value.

Financial instruments measured and reported at fair value are classified and disclosed based on the observability of inputs used in the determination of fair values, as follows:

 

   

Level I — Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical financial instruments as of the reporting date. The type of financial instruments in Level I include listed equities, listed derivatives and mutual funds with quoted prices. The Partnership does not adjust the quoted price for these investments, even in situations where Blackstone holds a large position and a sale could reasonably impact the quoted price.

 

   

Level II — Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date, and fair value is determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies. Financial instruments which are generally included in this category include corporate bonds and loans, government and agency securities, less liquid and restricted equity securities, certain over-the-counter derivatives where the fair value is based on observable inputs, and certain fund of hedge funds investments in which Blackstone has the ability to redeem its investment at net asset value at, or within three months of, the reporting date.

 

   

Level III — Pricing inputs are unobservable for the financial instruments and includes situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the financial instrument. The inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation. Financial instruments that are included in this category generally include general and limited partnership interests in private equity and real estate funds, credit-oriented funds, distressed debt and non-investment grade residual interests in securitizations, collateralized loan obligations, certain over the counter derivatives where the fair value is based on unobservable inputs and certain funds of hedge funds which use net asset value per share to determine fair value in which Blackstone may not have the ability to redeem its investment at net asset value at, or within three months of, the reporting date. Blackstone may not have the ability to redeem its investment at net asset value at, or within three months of, the reporting date if an investee fund manager has the ability to limit the amount of redemptions, and/or the ability to side-pocket investments, irrespective of whether such ability has been exercised.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the determination of which category within the fair value hierarchy is appropriate for any given financial instrument is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Partnership’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.

Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized at the beginning of the reporting period.

In certain cases, debt and equity securities are valued on the basis of prices from an orderly transaction between market participants provided by reputable dealers or pricing services. In determining the value of a particular investment, pricing services may use certain information with respect to transactions in such investments, quotations from dealers, pricing matrices, market transactions in comparable investments and various relationships between investments.

In the absence of observable market prices, Blackstone values its investments using valuation methodologies applied on a consistent basis. For some investments little market activity may exist;

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

management’s determination of fair value is then based on the best information available in the circumstances, and may incorporate management’s own assumptions and involves a significant degree of judgment, taking into consideration a combination of internal and external factors, including the appropriate risk adjustments for non-performance and liquidity risks. Investments for which market prices are not observable include private investments in the equity of operating companies, real estate properties or certain funds of hedge funds. The valuation technique for each of these investments is described below:

Private Equity Investments — The fair values of private equity investments are determined by reference to projected net earnings, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), the discounted cash flow method, public market or private transactions, valuations for comparable companies and other measures which, in many cases, are unaudited at the time received. Valuations may be derived by reference to observable valuation measures for comparable companies or transactions (e.g., multiplying a key performance metric of the investee company such as EBITDA by a relevant valuation multiple observed in the range of comparable companies or transactions), adjusted by management for differences between the investment and the referenced comparables, and in some instances by reference to option pricing models or other similar methods. Private equity investments may also be valued at cost for a period of time after an acquisition as the best indicator of fair value.

Real Estate Investments — The fair values of real estate investments are determined by considering projected operating cash flows, sales of comparable assets, if any, and replacement costs among other measures. The methods used to estimate the fair value of real estate investments include the discounted cash flow method and/or capitalization rates (“cap rates”) analysis. Valuations may be derived by reference to observable valuation measures for comparable companies or assets (e.g., multiplying a key performance metric of the investee company or asset, such as EBITDA, by a relevant valuation multiple observed in the range of comparable companies or transactions), adjusted by management for differences between the investment and the referenced comparables, and in some instances by reference to option pricing models or other similar methods. Additionally, where applicable, projected distributable cash flow through debt maturity will also be considered in support of the investment’s carrying value.

Funds of Hedge Funds — Blackstone Funds’ direct investments in funds of hedge funds (“Investee Funds”) are valued at net asset value (“NAV”) per share of the Investee Fund. If the Partnership determines, based on its own due diligence and investment procedures, that NAV per share does not represent fair value, the Partnership will estimate the fair value in good faith and in a manner that it reasonably chooses, in accordance with its valuation policies.

Credit-Oriented Investments — The fair values of credit-oriented investments are generally determined on the basis of prices between market participants provided by reputable dealers or pricing services. In some instances, Blackstone may utilize other valuation techniques, including the discounted cash flow method.

Investments, at Fair Value

The Blackstone Funds are accounted for as investment companies under the Investment Company Guide, and reflect their investments, including majority-owned and controlled investments (the “Portfolio Companies”), at fair value. Blackstone has retained the specialized accounting for the consolidated Blackstone Funds. Thus, such consolidated funds’ investments are reflected in Investments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value reflected as a component of Net Gains from Fund Investment Activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Fair value is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price).

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

Blackstone’s principal investments are presented at fair value with unrealized appreciation or depreciation and realized gains and losses recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations within Investment Income (Loss).

For certain instruments, the Partnership has elected the fair value option. Such election is irrevocable and is applied on an investment by investment basis at initial recognition. The Partnership has applied the fair value option for certain loans and receivables and certain investments in private debt and equity securities that otherwise would not have been carried at fair value with gains and losses recorded in net income. Fair valuing these investments is consistent with how the Partnership accounts for its other principal investments. Loans extended to third parties are recorded within Accounts Receivable within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Debt and equity securities for which the fair value option has been elected are recorded within Investments. The methodology for measuring the fair value of such investments is consistent with the methodology applied to private equity, real estate, credit-oriented and funds of hedge funds investments. Changes in the fair value of such instruments are recognized in Investment Income (Loss) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Interest income on interest bearing loans and receivables and debt securities on which the fair value option has been elected is based on stated coupon rates adjusted for the accretion of purchase discounts and the amortization of purchase premiums. This interest income is recorded within Interest and Dividend Revenue.

In addition, the Partnership has elected the fair value option for the assets and liabilities of certain CLO vehicles that are consolidated as of January 1, 2010, as a result of the initial adoption of variable interest entity consolidation guidance. The Partnership has also elected the fair value option for CLO vehicles consolidated as of April 1, 2010 and July 20, 2010, as a result of the acquisitions of CLO management contracts. The adjustment resulting from the difference between the fair value of assets and liabilities for each of these events is presented as a transition and acquisition adjustment to Appropriated Partners’ Capital. Assets of the consolidated CLOs are presented within Investments within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and Liabilities within Loans Payable for the amounts due to unaffiliated third parties and Due to Affiliates for the amounts held by non-consolidated affiliates. The methodology for measuring the fair value of such assets and liabilities is consistent with the methodology applied to private equity, real estate, and credit-oriented investments. Changes in the fair value of consolidated CLO assets and liabilities and related interest, dividend and other income subsequent to adoption are presented within Net Gains from Fund Investment Activities. Amounts attributable to Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities have a corresponding adjustment to Appropriated Partners’ Capital.

Further disclosure on instruments for which the fair value option has been elected is presented in Note 7. “Fair Value Option” to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Security and loan transactions are recorded on a trade date basis.

Equity Method Investments

Investments where the Partnership is deemed to exert significant influence, but not control, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method of accounting, the Partnership’s share of earnings (losses) from equity method investments is included in Investment Income (Loss) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The carrying amounts of equity method investments are reflected in Investments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. As the underlying investments of the Partnership’s equity method investments in Blackstone Funds are reported at fair value, the carrying value of the Partnership’s equity method investments are at fair value. Other equity method investments are reviewed for impairment.

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

Repurchase and Reverse Repurchase Agreements

Securities purchased under agreement to resell (“reverse repurchase agreements”) and securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“repurchase agreements”), comprising primarily U.S. and non-U.S. government and agency securities, asset-backed securities and corporate debt, represent collateralized financing transactions. Such transactions are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at their contractual amounts and include accrued interest. Repurchase Agreements are included in Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

The Partnership manages credit exposure arising from repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements by, in appropriate circumstances, entering into master netting agreements and collateral arrangements with counterparties that provide the Partnership, in the event of a customer default, the right to liquidate collateral and the right to offset a counterparty’s rights and obligations.

The Partnership takes possession of securities purchased under reverse repurchase agreements and is permitted to repledge, deliver or otherwise use such securities. The Partnership also pledges its financial instruments to counterparties to collateralize repurchase agreements. Financial instruments pledged that can be repledged, delivered or otherwise used by the counterparty are recorded in Investments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased

Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased consist of equity and debt securities that the Partnership has borrowed and sold. The Partnership is required to “cover” its short sale in the future by purchasing the security at prevailing market prices and delivering it to the counterparty from which it borrowed the security. The Partnership is exposed to loss in the event that the price at which a security may have to be purchased to cover a short sale exceeds the price at which the borrowed security was sold short.

Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased are recorded at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Derivative Instruments

The Partnership recognizes all derivatives as assets or liabilities on its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at fair value. On the date the Partnership enters into a derivative contract, it designates and documents each derivative contract as one of the following: (a) a hedge of a recognized asset or liability (“fair value hedge”), (b) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash flow hedge”), (c) a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation, or (d) a derivative instrument not designated as a hedging instrument (“freestanding derivative”). For a fair value hedge, Blackstone records changes in the fair value of the derivative and, to the extent that it is highly effective, changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability attributable to the hedged risk, in current period earnings in the same caption in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as the hedged item. Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments caused by factors other than changes in the risk being hedged, which are excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness, are recognized in current period earnings. For freestanding derivative contracts, the Partnership presents changes in fair value in current period earnings.

The Partnership formally documents at inception its hedge relationships, including identification of the hedging instruments and the hedged items, its risk management objectives, strategy for undertaking the hedge

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

transaction and the Partnership’s evaluation of effectiveness of its hedged transaction. At least monthly, the Partnership also formally assesses whether the derivative it designated in each hedging relationship is expected to be, and has been, highly effective in offsetting changes in estimated fair values or cash flows of the hedged items using either the regression analysis or the dollar offset method. If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective at hedging the designated exposure, hedge accounting is discontinued.

Blackstone’s other disclosures regarding derivative financial instruments are discussed in Note 6. “Derivative Financial Instruments”.

Affiliates

Blackstone considers its founder, senior managing directors, employees, the Blackstone Funds and the Portfolio Companies to be affiliates.

Distributions

Distributions are reflected in the condensed consolidated financial statements when paid.

Recent Accounting Developments

In January 2010, the FASB issued guidance on improving disclosures about fair value measurements. The guidance requires additional disclosure on transfers in and out of Levels I and II fair value measurements in the fair value hierarchy and the reasons for such transfers. In addition, for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level III), the reconciliation of beginning and ending balances shall be presented on a gross basis, with separate disclosure of gross purchases, sales, issuances and settlements and transfers in and transfers out of Level III. The new guidance also requires enhanced disclosures on the fair value hierarchy to disaggregate disclosures by each class of assets and liabilities. In addition, an entity is required to provide further disclosures on valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for fair value measurements that fall in either Level II or Level III. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level III fair value measurements, which are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. Adoption of the guidance, including the gross presentation of activity in Level III, did not have a material impact on the Partnership’s financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued enhanced guidance on when to perform step two of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. The updated guidance modifies existing requirements under step one of the goodwill impairment test for reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts and requires step two to be performed if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. The guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010. Adoption did not have a material impact on the Partnership’s financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued guidance on disclosures around business combinations for public entities that present comparative financial statements. The guidance specifies that an entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period. The guidance is effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. As the Partnership has not had any business combinations since January 2011, adoption did not have a material impact on the Partnership’s financial statements.

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

In April 2011, the FASB amended existing guidance for agreements to transfer financial assets that both entitle and obligate the transferor to repurchase or redeem the financial assets before their maturity. The amendments remove from the assessment of effective control (a) the criterion requiring the transferor to have the ability to repurchase or redeem the financial assets on substantially the agreed terms, even in the event of default by the transferee and (b) the collateral maintenance implementation guidance related to that criterion. The guidance is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011. Blackstone enters into repurchase agreements that are currently accounted for as collateralized financing transactions. Adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the Partnership’s financial statements.

 

3. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The carrying value of goodwill was $1.7 billion as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the fair value of the Partnership’s operating segments substantially exceeded their respective carrying values.

In January 2011, Blackstone separated its Credit and Marketable Alternatives segment into two new segments. Goodwill previously allocated to the Credit and Marketable Alternatives segment has been reallocated to the Hedge Fund Solutions and Credit Businesses segments. Goodwill has been allocated to each of the Partnership’s five segments as follows: Private Equity ($694.5 million), Real Estate ($421.7 million), Hedge Fund Solutions ($172.1 million), Credit Businesses ($346.4 million) and Financial Advisory ($68.9 million).

Intangible Assets, Net consists of the following:

 

     March 31,
2011
    December 31,
2010
 

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets / Contractual Rights

   $ 1,370,255     $ 1,370,255  

Accumulated Amortization

     (631,790     (590,944
                

Intangible Assets, Net

   $ 738,465     $ 779,311  
                

Amortization expense associated with Blackstone’s intangible assets was $40.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and $39.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010. Amortization expense is included within General, Administrative and Other in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Amortization of Intangible Assets held at March 31, 2011 is expected to be $122.5 million, $108.6 million, $57.0 million, $52.2 million, and $50.3 million for each of the years ending December 31, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, respectively.

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

4. INVESTMENTS

Investments

Investments consists of the following:

 

     March 31,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds

   $ 8,439,789      $ 8,192,327  

Equity Method Investments

     1,924,913        1,921,665  

Blackstone’s Treasury Cash Management Strategies

     923,351        896,367  

Performance Fees

     1,359,470        937,227  

Other Investments

     28,941        26,886  
                 
   $ 12,676,464      $ 11,974,472  
                 

Blackstone’s share of Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds totaled $526.5 million and $500.2 million at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, consideration was given as to whether any individual investment, including derivative instruments, had a fair value which exceeded 5% of Blackstone’s net assets. At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, no investments exceeded the 5% threshold.

Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds

Net Gains from Fund Investment Activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations include net realized gains (losses) from realizations and sales of investments and the net change in unrealized gains (losses) resulting from changes in the fair value of the consolidated Blackstone Funds’ investments. The following table presents the realized and net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments held by the consolidated Blackstone Funds:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2011     2010  

Realized Gains (Losses)

   $ 70,101     $ (23,524

Net Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses)

     (134,890     184,684  
                
   $ (64,789   $ 161,160  
                

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

The following reconciles the Realized and Net Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) from Blackstone Funds presented above to Other Income (Loss) — Net Gains (Losses) from Fund Investment Activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2011     2010  

Realized and Net Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses)

from Blackstone Funds

   $ (64,789   $ 161,160  

Reclassification to Investment Income (Loss) and Other

Attributable to Blackstone Side-by-Side Investment

Vehicles

     —          (17,453

Interest and Dividend Revenue Attributable to

Consolidated Blackstone Funds

     19,598       13,676  

Investment Income Attributable to Non-Controlling

Interest Holders

     —          14,421  
                

Other Income — Net Gains (Losses) from Fund

Investment Activities

   $ (45,191   $ 171,804  
                

Equity Method Investments

The Partnership recognized net gains (losses) related to its equity method investments of $89.3 million and $132.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Blackstone’s equity method investments include its investments in private equity funds, real estate funds, funds of hedge funds and credit-oriented funds and other proprietary investments, which are not consolidated but in which the Partnership exerts significant influence.

The summarized financial information of the Partnership’s equity method investments are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31, 2011  
     Private
Equity
    Real
Estate
    Hedge Fund
Solutions
    Credit
Businesses
    Other (a)     Total  

Statement of Income

            

Interest Income

   $ 32     $ 11,402     $ 40     $ 108,537     $ 1     $ 120,012  

Other Income

     311,265       846       10,570       37,735       16,103       376,519  

Interest Expense

     (1,613     (2,050     (67     (8,220     —          (11,950

Other Expenses

     (7,773     (12,451     (11,881     (15,022     (8,951     (56,078

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain from Investments

     1,075,350       1,836,566       202,242       425,243       —          3,539,401  
                                                

Net Income

   $ 1,377,261     $ 1,834,313     $ 200,904     $ 548,273     $ 7,153     $ 3,967,904  
                                                

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

     Three Months Ended March 31, 2010  
     Private
Equity
    Real
Estate
    Hedge Fund
Solutions
    Credit
Businesses
    Total  

Statement of Income

          

Interest Income

   $ 5     $ 6,139     $ 64     $ 133,227     $ 139,435  

Other Income

     151,778       38,252       15       10,539       200,584  

Interest Expense

     (1,553     (733     (38     (19,076     (21,400

Other Expenses

     (5,037     (21,051     (20,471     (15,704     (62,263

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain from Investments

     2,852,369       1,181,963       —          70,411       4,104,743  
                                        

Net Income

   $ 2,997,562     $ 1,204,570     $ (20,430   $ 179,397     $ 4,361,099  
                                        

 

(a) Other represents the summarized financial information of equity method investments whose results, for segment reporting purposes, have been allocated across more than one of Blackstone’s segments.

Blackstone’s Treasury Cash Management Strategies

The portion of Blackstone’s Treasury cash management strategies included in Investments represents the Partnership’s liquid investments in government and other investment and non-investment grade securities. These strategies are managed by third-party institutions. The Partnership has managed its credit risk through diversification of its investments among major financial institutions, all of which have investment grade ratings. The following table presents the realized and net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments held by Blackstone’s Treasury cash management strategies:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
       2011         2010    

Realized Gains (Losses)

   $ (301   $ 1,443  

Net Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses)

     629       2,758  
                
   $ 328     $ 4,201  
                

Performance Fees

Performance Fees allocated to the general partner in respect of performance of certain Carry Funds, funds of hedge funds and credit-oriented funds were as follows:

 

     Private
Equity
    Real
Estate
    Hedge Fund
Solutions
    Credit
Businesses
    Total  

Performance Fees, December 31, 2010

   $ 573,042     $ 65,477     $ 9,534     $ 289,174     $ 937,227  

Change in Fair Value of Funds

     114,226       356,252       4,130       88,951       563,559  

Foreign Exchange Gains

     —          1,292       —          —          1,292  

Fund Cash Distributions

     (83,987     (12,242     (5,911     (40,468     (142,608
                                        

Performance Fees, March 31, 2011

   $ 603,281     $ 410,779     $ 7,753     $ 337,657     $ 1,359,470  
                                        

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

Other Investments

Other Investments consist primarily of investment securities held by Blackstone for its own account. The following table presents Blackstone’s realized and net change in unrealized gains (losses) in other investments:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
       2011          2010    

Realized Gains (Losses)

   $ —         $ 1,179  

Net Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses)

     949        470  
                 
   $ 949      $ 1,649  
                 

 

5. NET ASSET VALUE AS FAIR VALUE

Certain of the consolidated Blackstone Funds of hedge funds and credit-oriented funds measure their investments in underlying funds at fair value using NAV per share without adjustment. The terms of the investee’s investment generally provide for minimum holding periods or lock-ups, the institution of gates on redemptions or the suspension of redemptions or an ability to side-pocket investments, at the discretion of the investee’s fund manager, and as a result, investments may not be redeemable at, or within three months of, the reporting date. A side pocket is used by hedge funds and funds of hedge funds to separate investments that may lack a readily ascertainable value, are illiquid or are subject to liquidity restriction. Redemptions are generally not permitted until the investments within a side pocket are liquidated or it is deemed that the conditions existing at the time that required the investment to be included in the side pocket no longer exist. As the timing of either of these events is uncertain, the timing at which the Partnership may redeem an investment held in a side pocket cannot be estimated. A summary of fair value by strategy type alongside the consolidated funds of hedge funds’ remaining unfunded commitments and ability to redeem such investments as of March 31, 2011 is presented below:

 

Strategy

   Fair Value      Unfunded
Commitments
     Redemption
Frequency (if
currently eligible)
    Redemption
Notice
Period
 

Diversified Instruments

   $ 264,434      $ 3,891        (a     (a

Credit Driven

     203,846        3,871        (b     (b

Event Driven

     123,014        —           (c     (c

Equity

     162,808        —           (d     (d

Commodities

     41,936        —           (e     (e
                      
   $ 796,038      $ 7,762       
                      

 

(a) Diversified Instruments includes investments in hedge funds that invest across multiple strategies. Investments representing 98% of the value of the investments in this category are subject to redemption restrictions at the discretion of the investee fund manager who may choose (but may not have exercised such ability) to side-pocket such investments. As of the reporting date, the investee fund manager had elected to side-pocket 15% of Blackstone’s investments. The time at which this redemption restriction may lapse cannot be estimated. The remaining 2% of investments within this category represent investments in hedge funds that are in the process of liquidating. Distributions from these funds will be received as underlying investments are liquidated.
(b)

The Credit Driven category includes investments in hedge funds that invest primarily in domestic and international bonds. Investments representing 68% of the value of the investments in this category may not be redeemed at, or within three months of, the reporting date. Investments representing 28% of the value in the credit driven category are subject to redemption restrictions at the discretion of the investee fund

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

 

manager who may choose (but may not have exercised such ability) to side-pocket such investments. As of the reporting date, the investee fund manager had elected to side-pocket 4% of Blackstone’s investments. Investments representing 3% of the value within this category represents an investment in a fund of hedge funds that is in the process of liquidation. Distributions from this fund will be received as underlying investments are liquidated. The remaining 1% of investments within this category are redeemable as of the reporting date.

(c) The Event Driven category includes investments in hedge funds whose primary investing strategy is to identify certain event-driven investments. Withdrawals are not permitted in this category. Distributions will be received as the underlying investments are liquidated.
(d) The Equity category includes investments in hedge funds that invest primarily in domestic and international equity securities. Investments representing 66% of the total value of investments in this category may not be redeemed at, or within three months of, the reporting date. The remaining 34% are subject to redemption restrictions at the discretion of the investee fund manager who may choose (but may not have elected such ability) to side-pocket such investments. As of the reporting date, the investee fund manager had not elected to side-pocket Blackstone’s investments.
(e) The Commodities category includes investments in commodities-focused hedge funds that primarily invest in futures and physical-based commodity driven strategies. Withdrawals are not permitted in this category. Distributions will be received as the underlying investments are liquidated.

 

6. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Blackstone enters into derivative contracts in order to hedge its interest rate risk exposure against the effects of interest rate changes. Additionally, Blackstone and the Blackstone Funds enter into derivative contracts in the normal course of business to achieve certain other risk management objectives and for general investment purposes. As a result of the use of derivative contracts, Blackstone and the consolidated Blackstone Funds are exposed to the risk that counterparties will fail to fulfill their contractual obligations. To mitigate such counterparty risk, Blackstone and the consolidated Blackstone Funds enter into contracts with certain major financial institutions, all of which have investment grade ratings. Counterparty credit risk is evaluated in determining the fair value of derivative instruments.

Fair Value Hedges

The Partnership uses interest rate swaps to hedge a portion of the interest rate risk associated with its fixed rate borrowings. The Partnership has designated these financial instruments as fair value hedges. Changes in fair value of the derivative and, to the extent that it is highly effective, changes in the fair value of the hedged liability, are recorded within General, Administrative and Other in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The fair value of the derivative instrument is reflected within Other Assets in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Freestanding Derivatives

Freestanding derivatives are instruments that Blackstone and certain of the consolidated Blackstone Funds have entered into as part of their overall risk management and investment strategies. These derivative contracts are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes. Such contracts may include foreign exchange contracts, equity swaps, options, futures and other derivative contracts. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments held by consolidated Blackstone Funds are reflected in Net Gains from Funds Investment Activities or, where derivative instruments are held by the Partnership, within Investment Income (Loss), in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The fair value of freestanding derivative assets are recorded within Investments and freestanding derivative liabilities are recorded within Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

The table below summarizes the aggregate notional amount and fair value of the derivative financial instruments:

 

    March 31, 2011     December 31, 2010  
    Assets     Liabilities     Assets     Liabilities  
    Notional     Fair
Value
    Notional     Fair
Value
    Notional     Fair
Value
    Notional     Fair
Value
 

Fair Value Hedges

               

Interest Rate Swaps

  $ 450,000     $ 13,516     $ —        $ —        $ 450,000     $ 26,192     $ —        $ —     
                                                               

Freestanding Derivatives

               

Blackstone

    39,647       193       193,884       1,263       67,288       339       380,078       996  

Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds

    30       8       22       21       409       2       212       2  
                                                               

Freestanding Derivatives

    39,677       201       193,906       1,284       67,697       341       380,290       998  
                                                               

Total

  $ 489,677     $ 13,717     $ 193,906     $ 1,284     $ 517,697     $ 26,533     $ 380,290     $ 998  
                                                               

The table below summarizes the impact to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations from derivative financial instruments:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2011     2010  

Fair Value Hedges - Interest Rate Swaps

    

Hedge Ineffectiveness

   $ (567   $ 925  

Excluded from Assessment of Effectiveness

     (7,423     7,019  

Freestanding Derivatives

    

Realized Gains (Losses)

     224       (298

Net Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss)

     (1,448     (122

As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Partnership had not designated any derivatives as cash flow hedges or hedges of net investments in foreign operations.

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

7. FAIR VALUE OPTION

The following table summarizes the financial instruments for which the fair value option has been elected:

 

     March 31,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Assets

     

Loans and Receivables

   $ 14,034      $ 131,290  

Assets of Consolidated CLO Vehicles

     

Corporate Loans

     6,550,729        6,351,966  

Corporate Bonds

     106,074        157,997  

Other

     15,987        12,076  
                 
   $ 6,686,824      $ 6,653,329  
                 

Liabilities

     

Liabilities of Consolidated CLO Vehicles

     

Senior Secured Notes

   $ 6,023,892      $ 5,877,957  

Subordinated Notes

     567,436        555,632  
                 
   $ 6,591,328      $ 6,433,589  
                 

The following table presents the realized and net change in unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments on which the fair value option was elected:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2011     2010  
     Realized
Gains
(Losses)
    Net Change
in  Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
    Realized
Gains (Losses)
    Net Change
in Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 

Assets

        

Loans and Receivables

   $ —        $ —        $ 81     $ (80

Debt Securities

     —          —          (16     —     

Assets of Consolidated CLO Vehicles

        

Corporate Loans

     42,232       50,219       (5,687     63,685  

Corporate Bonds

     2,047       (29     (42     14,876  

Other

     480       5,375       702       828  
                                
   $ 44,759     $ 55,565     $ (4,962   $ 79,309  
                                

Liabilities

        

Liabilities of Consolidated CLO Vehicles

        

Senior Secured Notes

   $ (5,395   $ (239,958   $ —        $ 16,685  

Subordinated Notes

     —          (24,057     —          (19,602
                                
   $ (5,395   $ (264,015   $ —        $ (2,917
                                

 

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Table of Contents

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

The following table presents for those financial instruments on which the fair value option was elected, the uncollected principal balance on the financial instruments that exceeded the fair value and the fair value and principal balance on the financial instruments that were more than one day past due:

 

     As of March 31, 2011     As of December 31, 2010  
           For Financial Assets Past
Due (a)
          For Financial Assets Past
Due (a)
 
     Excess
(Deficiency)
of Fair Value
Over Principal
    Fair
Value
     Excess
(Deficiency)
of Fair Value
Over Principal
    Excess
(Deficiency)
of Fair Value
Over Principal
    Fair
Value
     Excess
(Deficiency)
of Fair Value
Over Principal
 

Loans and Receivables

   $ 79     $ —         $ —        $ 1,391     $ —         $ —     

Assets of Consolidated CLO Vehicles

              

Corporate Loans

     (158,774     5,400        (1,972     (244,233     5,393        (2,164

Corporate Bonds

     123       5,834        (1,832     (1,545     5,630        (2,082
                                                  
   $ (158,572   $ 11,234      $ (3,804   $ (244,387   $ 11,023      $ (4,246
                                                  

 

(a) Past due Corporate Loans and Corporate Bonds within CLO assets are classified as past due if contractual payments are more than one day past due.

As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, no Loans and Receivables on which the fair value option was elected were past due or in non-accrual status.

 

8. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The following tables summarize the valuation of the Partnership’s financial assets and liabilities by the fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively:

 

     March 31, 2011  
     Level I      Level II      Level III      Total  

Assets

           

Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds (a)

           

Investment Funds

   $ —         $ 1,801      $ 794,237      $ 796,038  

Equity Securities

     105,543        22,332        136,423        264,298  

Partnership and LLC Interests

     —          27,053         532,634        559,687  

Debt Instruments

     117        131,980        14,879        146,976  

Assets of Consolidated CLO Vehicles

     —           6,409,271        263,519        6,672,790  
                                   

Total Investments of Blackstone Consolidated Funds

     105,660        6,592,437        1,741,692        8,439,789  

Blackstone’s Treasury Cash Management Strategies

     446,036        477,315        —           923,351  

Money Market Funds

     110,467        —           —           110,467  

Freestanding Derivatives

     —           193        —           193  

Derivative Instruments Used as Fair Value Hedges

     —           13,516        —           13,516  

Loans and Receivables

     —           —           14,034        14,034  

Other Investments

     7,310        661        20,970        28,941  
                                   
   $ 718,854      $ 7,034,741      $ 1,776,696      $ 9,530,291  
                                   

Liabilities

           

Liabilities of Consolidated CLO Vehicles (a)

   $ —         $ —         $ 6,591,328      $ 6,591,328  

Freestanding Derivatives

     600        663        —           1,263  

Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased

     541        209,125        —           209,666  
                                   
   $ 1,141      $ 209,788      $ 6,591,328      $ 6,802,257  
                                   

 

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Table of Contents

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

     December 31, 2010  
     Level I      Level II      Level III      Total  

Assets

           

Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds (a)

           

Investment Funds

   $ —         $ 2,333      $ 723,583      $ 725,916  

Equity Securities

     133,483        24,007        136,614        294,104  

Partnership and LLC Interests

     —           —           500,162        500,162  

Debt Instruments

     107        138,518        11,481        150,106  

Assets of Consolidated CLO Vehicles

     —           6,291,508        230,531        6,522,039  
                                   

Total Investments of Blackstone Consolidated Funds

     133,590        6,456,366        1,602,371        8,192,327  

Blackstone’s Treasury Cash Management Strategies

     442,700        453,667        —           896,367  

Money Market Funds

     165,957        —           —           165,957   

Freestanding Derivatives

     13        326        —           339  

Derivative Instruments Used as Fair Value Hedges

     —           26,192        —           26,192  

Loans and Receivables

     —           —           131,290        131,290  

Other Investments

     6,852        362        19,672        26,886  
                                   
   $ 749,112      $ 6,936,913      $ 1,753,333      $ 9,439,358  
                                   

Liabilities

           

Liabilities of Consolidated CLO Vehicles (a)

   $ —         $ —         $ 6,433,589      $ 6,433,589  

Freestanding Derivatives

     19        977        —           996  

Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased

     531        116,157        —           116,688  
                                   
   $ 550      $ 117,134      $ 6,433,589      $ 6,551,273  
                                   

 

(a) Pursuant to GAAP consolidation guidance, the Partnership is required to consolidate all VIEs in which it has been identified as the primary beneficiary, including its investments in CLO vehicles and other funds in which a consolidated entity of the Partnership, as the general partner of the fund, is presumed to have control. While the Partnership is required to consolidate certain funds, including CLO vehicles, for GAAP purposes, the Partnership has no ability to utilize the assets of these funds and there is no recourse to the Partnership for their liabilities since these are client assets and liabilities.

There were no significant transfers between Level I and Level II during the three months ended March 31, 2011.

The following table summarizes the valuation methodology used in the determination of the fair value of financial instruments for which Level III inputs were used as of March 31, 2011.

 

Valuation Methodology

   Private
Equity
    Real
Estate
    Hedge Fund
Solutions
    Credit
Businesses
    Total  

Third-Party Fund Managers

     —          —          44     —          44

Specific Valuation Metrics

     18     22     —          16     56
                                        
     18     22     44     16     100
                                        

 

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Table of Contents

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

The following tables summarize the changes in financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value for which the Partnership has used Level III inputs to determine fair value and does not include gains or losses that were reported in Level III in prior years or for instruments that were transferred out of Level III prior to the end of the current reporting period. Total realized and unrealized gains and losses recorded for Level III investments are reported in Investment Income (Loss) and Net Gains from Fund Investment Activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

    Level III Financial Assets at Fair Value
Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
 
    Investments of
Consolidated
Funds
    Loans and
Receviables
    Other
Investments
    Total  

Balance, Beginning of Period

  $ 1,602,371     $ 131,290     $ 19,672     $ 1,753,333  

Transfer In to Level III (b)

    6,555       —          —          6,555  

Transfer Out of Level III (b)

    (21,732     —          —          (21,732

Purchases

    128,099       6,228       —          134,327  

Sales

    (62,965     (122,180     —          (185,145

Settlements

    (4,933     (1,370     —          (6,303

Realized Gains (Losses), Net

    7,851       —          —          7,851  

Changes in Unrealized Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings Related to Investments Still Held at the Reporting Date

    86,446       66       1,298       87,810  
                               

Balance, End of Period

  $ 1,741,692     $ 14,034     $ 20,970     $ 1,776,696  
                               
    Level III Financial Assets at Fair Value
Three Months Ended March 31, 2010
 
    Investments of
Consolidated
Funds
    Loans and
Receviables
    Other
Investments
    Total  

Balance, Beginning of Period

  $ 1,192,464     $ 68,549     $ 46,578     $ 1,307,591  

Transfer In Due to Consolidation and Acquisition (a)

    166,487       —          —          166,487  

Transfer In to Level III (b)

    24       —          —          24  

Transfer Out of Level III (b)

    (20,364     —          —          (20,364

Purchases (Sales), Net

    (39,222     (2,575     (29,216     (71,013

Realized Gains (Losses), Net

    967       81       454       1,502  

Changes in Unrealized Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings Related to Investments Still Held at the Reporting Date

    71,345       (83     391       71,653  
                               

Balance, End of Period

  $ 1,371,701     $ 65,972     $ 18,207     $ 1,455,880  
                               

 

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Table of Contents

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

    Level III Financial Liabilities at Fair Value
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
    2011     2010  
    Collateralized
Loan
Obligations
Senior

Notes
    Collateralized
Loan
Obligations
Subordinated
Notes
    Total     Collateralized
Loan
Obligations
Senior

Notes
    Collateralized
Loan
Obligations
Subordinated
Notes
    Total  

Balance, Beginning of Period

  $ 5,877,957     $ 555,632     $ 6,433,589     $ —        $ —        $ —     

Transfer In Due to Consolidation and Acquisition (a)

    —          —          —          3,271,228       261,544       3,532,772  

Issuances

    200       —          200        —          —          —     

Settlements

    (161,442     (12,253     (173,695     —          —          —     

Realized (Gains) Losses, Net

    5,395       —          5,395       —          —          —     

Changes in Unrealized (Gains) Losses Included in Earnings Related to Liabilities Still Held at the Reporting Date

    301,782       24,057       325,839       (16,685     19,602       2,917  
                                               

Balance, End of Period

  $ 6,023,892     $ 567,436     $ 6,591,328     $ 3,254,543     $ 281,146     $ 3,535,689  
                                               

 

(a) Represents the transfer into Level III of financial assets and liabilities held by CLO vehicles as a result of the application of consolidation guidance effective January 1, 2010 and as a result of the acquisition of management contracts on April 1, 2010 and July 20, 2010.
(b) Transfers in and out of Level III financial assets and liabilities were due to changes in the observability of inputs used in the valuation of such assets and liabilities.

 

9. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

Pursuant to GAAP consolidation guidance, the Partnership consolidates certain VIEs in which it is determined that the Partnership is the primary beneficiary either directly or indirectly, through a consolidated entity or affiliate. VIEs include certain private equity, real estate, credit-oriented or funds of hedge funds entities and CLO vehicles. The purpose of such VIEs is to provide strategy specific investment opportunities for investors in exchange for management and performance based fees. The investment strategies of the Blackstone Funds differ by product; however, the fundamental risks of the Blackstone Funds have similar characteristics, including loss of invested capital and loss of management fees and performance based fees. In Blackstone’s role as general partner or investment advisor, it generally considers itself the sponsor of the applicable Blackstone Fund. The Partnership does not provide performance guarantees and has no other financial obligation to provide funding to consolidated VIEs other than its own capital commitments.

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

The assets and liabilities of the consolidated VIEs and VOEs included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition are as follows:

 

     March 31, 2011      December 31, 2010  
     VIEs      VIEs  
     Consoli-
dated
CLO
Vehicles
     All Other
Consoli-
dated
Blackstone
Funds
     Total      Consoli-
dated
CLO
Vehicles
     All Other
Consoli-
dated
Blackstone
Funds
     Total  

Assets

                 

Cash Held by Blackstone Funds and Other

   $ 451,475       $ 58,829       $ 510,304       $ 662,776       $ 44,846       $ 707,622   

Investments

     6,672,789         853,999         7,526,788         6,522,038         902,291         7,424,329   

Accounts Receivable

     21,976         98         22,074         21,669         711         22,380   

Due from Affiliates

     —           37,743         37,743         —           30,182         30,182   

Other Assets

     20,965         1,167         22,132         17,651         2,172         19,823   
                                                     

Total Assets

   $ 7,167,205       $ 951,836       $ 8,119,041       $ 7,224,134       $ 980,202       $ 8,204,336   
                                                     

Liabilities

                 

Loans Payable

   $ 6,290,750       $ 11,945       $ 6,302,695       $ 6,144,490       $ 9,689       $ 6,154,179   

Due to Affiliates

     300,578         47,634         348,212         289,099         15,870         304,969   

Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other

     260,939         5,484         266,423         311,965         18,710         330,675   
                                                     

Total Liabilities

   $ 6,852,267       $ 65,063       $ 6,917,330       $ 6,745,554       $ 44,269       $ 6,789,823   
                                                     

There is no recourse to the Partnership for the consolidated VIEs’ liabilities including the liabilities of the consolidated CLO vehicles. The assets and liabilities of consolidated VIEs comprise primarily investments and notes payable and are included within Investments, Loans Payable and Due to Affiliates, respectively, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

The Partnership holds variable interests in certain VIEs which are not consolidated as it is determined that the Partnership is not the primary beneficiary. The Partnership’s involvement with such entities is in the form of direct equity interests and fee arrangements. The maximum exposure to loss represents the loss of assets recognized by Blackstone relating to non-consolidated entities, any amounts due to non-consolidated entities and any clawback obligation relating to previously distributed Carried Interest. The assets and liabilities recognized in the Partnership’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition related to the Partnership’s interest in these non-consolidated VIEs and the Partnership’s maximum exposure to loss relating to non-consolidated VIEs were as follows:

 

     March 31,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Investments

   $ 177,058       $ 89,743   

Receivables

     90,595         178,719   
                 

Total VIE Assets

     267,653         268,462   

VIE Liabilities

     —           168   

Potential Clawback Obligation

     17,218         4,717   
                 

Maximum Exposure to Loss

   $ 284,871       $ 273,347   
                 

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

10. REVERSE REPURCHASE AND REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

At March 31, 2011, the Partnership received securities, primarily U.S. and non-U.S. government and agency securities, asset-backed securities and corporate debt, with a fair value of $228.7 million and cash as collateral for reverse repurchase agreements that could be repledged, delivered or otherwise used. Securities with a fair value of $209.3 million were repledged, delivered or used to settle Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased. The Partnership also pledged securities with a carrying value of $71.6 million and cash to collateralize its repurchase agreements. Such securities can be repledged, delivered or otherwise used by the counterparty.

 

11. BORROWINGS

On April 8, 2011, indirect subsidiaries of Blackstone entered into an amendment to the $1.02 billion revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. The amendment extended the maturity date of the Credit Facility from March 23, 2013 to April 8, 2016. As of March 31, 2011, Blackstone had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility.

The fair value of the Blackstone issued notes as of March 31, 2011 was:

 

     March 31, 2011  
     Fair Value  

Blackstone Issued 5.875%, $400 Million Par, Notes Due 3/15/2021

   $ 398,132  

Blackstone Issued 6.625%, $600 Million Par, Notes Due 8/15/2019

   $ 608,216  

Included within Loans Payable and Due to Affiliates are amounts due to holders of debt securities issued by Blackstone’s consolidated CLO vehicles. At March 31, 2011, the Partnership’s borrowings through consolidated CLO vehicles consisted of the following:

 

     Borrowing
Outstanding
     Weighted
Average
Interest
Rate
    Weighted
Average  Remaining
Maturity in Years
 

Senior Secured Notes

   $ 6,371,919        1.42     4.7  

Subordinated Notes

     889,322        (a     7.3  
             
   $ 7,261,241       
             

 

(a) The Subordinated Notes do not have contractual interest rates but instead receive distributions from the excess cash flows of the CLO vehicles.

Included within Senior Secured Notes and Subordinated Notes are amounts due to non-consolidated affiliates of $109.6 million and $298.0 million, respectively. The fair value of Senior Secured and Subordinated Notes as of March 31, 2011 was $6.0 billion and $567.4 million, respectively, of which $119.8 million and $180.7 million represents the amounts Due to Affiliates.

The Loans Payable of the consolidated CLO vehicles are collateralized by assets held by each respective CLO vehicle and assets of one vehicle may not be used to satisfy the liabilities of another. As of March 31, 2011, the fair value of the CLO assets was $7.2 billion. This collateral consisted of Cash, Corporate Loans, Corporate Bonds and other securities.

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

Scheduled principal payments for borrowings at March 31, 2011 are as follows:

 

     Operating
Borrowings
     Blackstone Fund
Facilities / CLO
Vehicles
     Total
Borrowings
 

2011

   $ 891      $ 3,380      $ 4,271  

2012

     8,220        8,565        16,785  

2013

     1,943        78,138        80,081  

2014

     5,040        —           5,040  

2015

     —           140,518        140,518  

Thereafter

     1,000,000        7,042,585        8,042,585  
                          

Total

   $ 1,016,094      $ 7,273,186      $ 8,289,280  
                          

 

12. INCOME TAXES

Blackstone’s effective tax rate was 33.14% and (4.23)% for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Blackstone’s income tax provision was $38.9 million and $9.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Blackstone’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 was substantially due to the following: (a) certain corporate subsidiaries are subject to federal, state, local and foreign income taxes as applicable and other subsidiaries are subject to New York City unincorporated business taxes, and (b) a portion of compensation charges are not deductible for tax purposes.

 

13. NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON UNIT

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per common unit for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010 was calculated as follows:

 

    Three Months Ended March 31,  
    2011     2010  

Net Income (Loss) Attributable to The Blackstone Group L.P.

  $ 42,704     $ (121,377
               

Basic Net Income (Loss) Per Common Unit:

   

Weighted-Average Common Units Outstanding

    447,742,389       333,433,864  
               

Basic Net Income (Loss) Per Common Unit

  $ 0.10     $ (0.36
               

Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Unit:

   

Weighted-Average Common Units Outstanding

    447,742,389       333,433,864  

Weighted-Average Unvested Deferred Restricted Common Units

    9,910,527       —     
               

Weighted-Average Diluted Common Units Outstanding

    457,652,916       333,433,864  
               

Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Unit

  $ 0.09     $ (0.36
               

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

The following table summarizes the anti-dilutive securities for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010:

 

     Three Months Ended March 31,  
     2011      2010  

Weighted-Average Unvested Deferred Restricted Common Units

     (a)         28,626,333  

Weighted-Average Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units

     658,290,684        764,866,007  

 

(a) These units were dilutive and are included in the diluted per common unit calculation.

Unit Repurchase Program

In January 2008, Blackstone announced that the Board of Directors of its general partner, Blackstone Group Management L.L.C., had authorized the repurchase by Blackstone of up to $500 million of Blackstone Common Units and Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units. Under this unit repurchase program, units may be repurchased from time to time in open market transactions, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing and the actual number of Blackstone Common Units and Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including legal requirements, price and economic and market conditions. This unit repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time and does not have a specified expiration date.

During the three months ended March 31, 2011, Blackstone repurchased 116,270 vested Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units as part of the unit repurchase program for a total cost of $2.1 million. The repurchase resulted in a decrease in Blackstone’s ownership interest in Blackstone Holdings equity of $1.7 million. As of March 31, 2011, the amount remaining available for repurchases under this program was $335.8 million.

During the three months ended March 31, 2010, Blackstone repurchased 84,888 vested Blackstone Common Units as part of the unit repurchase program for a total cost of $1.2 million. As of March 31, 2010, the amount remaining available for repurchases was $338.3 million under this program.

 

14. EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION

The Partnership has granted equity-based compensation awards to Blackstone’s senior managing directors, non-partner professionals, non-professionals and selected external advisors under the Partnership’s 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Plan”), the majority of which to date were granted in connection with the IPO. The Equity Plan allows for the granting of options, unit appreciation rights or other unit-based awards (units, restricted units, restricted common units, deferred restricted common units, phantom restricted common units or other unit-based awards based in whole or in part on the fair value of the Blackstone Common Units or Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units) which may contain certain service or performance requirements. As of January 1, 2011, the Partnership had the ability to grant 162,380,981 units under the Equity Plan.

For the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Partnership recorded compensation expense of $426.3 million in relation to its equity-based awards with corresponding tax benefits of $4.2 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2010, the Partnership recorded compensation expense of $723.1 million in relation to its equity-based awards with corresponding tax benefits of $1.6 million. As of March 31, 2011, there was $3.4 billion of estimated unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.6 years.

Total vested and unvested outstanding units, including Blackstone Common Units, Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units and deferred restricted common units, were 1,128,027,512 as of March 31, 2011. Total outstanding unvested phantom units were 226,373 as of March 31, 2011.

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

A summary of the status of the Partnership’s unvested equity-based awards as of March 31, 2011 and a summary of changes during the period January 1, 2011 through March 31, 2011 is presented below:

 

     Blackstone Holdings      The Blackstone Group L.P.  

Unvested Units

   Partnership
Units
    Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
     Equity Settled Awards      Cash Settled Awards  
        Deferred
Restricted
Common
Units and
Options
    Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
     Phantom
Units
     Weighted-
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 

Balance, December 31, 2010

     149,225,318     $ 30.58        19,118,949     $ 21.00        225,841      $ 13.98  

Granted

     3,032,015       14.45        2,307,624       13.75        532        14.84  

Vested

     (584,597     14.48        (256,106     17.06        —           —     

Forfeited

     (6,266,726     30.35        (451,161     23.62        —           —     
                                 

Balance, March 31, 2011

     145,406,010     $ 30.32        20,719,306     $ 20.18        226,373      $ 13.99  
                                 

Units Expected to Vest

The following unvested units, after expected forfeitures, as of March 31, 2011, are expected to vest:

 

     Units      Weighted-Average
Service Period in
Years
 

Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units

     137,239,560        3.2  

Deferred Restricted Blackstone Common Units and Options

     17,311,660        3.1  
                 

Total Equity-Based Awards

     154,551,220        3.2  
                 

Phantom Units

     203,991        4.1  
                 

Equity-Based Awards with Performance Conditions

In connection with certain equity-based awards with performance conditions, Blackstone has recorded compensation expense of $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as the likelihood that the relevant performance threshold will be exceeded in future periods has been deemed as probable. Such awards will be granted in 2012 and are accounted for as a liability award subject to re-measurement at the end of each reporting period.

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

15. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Affiliate Receivables and Payables

As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, Due from Affiliates and Due to Affiliates comprised the following:

 

      March 31,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Due from Affiliates

     

Accrual for Potential Clawback of Previously Distributed Interest

   $ 165,514      $ 180,672  

Primarily Interest Bearing Advances Made on Behalf of Certain Non-Controlling Interest Holders and Blackstone Employees for Investments in Blackstone Funds

     205,043        169,413  

Amounts Due from Portfolio Companies and Funds

     199,357        175,872  

Investments Redeemed in Non-Consolidated Funds of Funds

     6,460        43,790  

Management and Performance Fees Due from Non-Consolidated Funds of Funds

     105,536        107,547  

Payments Made on Behalf of Non-Consolidated Entities

     80,186        81,689  

Advances Made to Certain Non-Controlling Interest Holders and Blackstone Employees

     6,653        36,412  
                 
   $ 768,749      $ 795,395  
                 

 

     March 31,
2011
     December 31,
2010
 

Due to Affiliates

     

Due to Certain Non-Controlling Interest Holders in Connection with the Tax Receivable Agreements

   $ 1,206,655      $ 1,114,609  

Accrual for Potential Repayment of Previously Received Performance Fees

     258,591        273,829  

Due to Note-Holders of Consolidated CLO Vehicles

     300,578        274,020  

Distributions Received on Behalf of Certain Non-Controlling Interest Holders and Blackstone Employees

     137,640        77,362  

Distributions Received on Behalf of Non-Consolidated Entities

     17,074        15,970  

Payments Made by Non-Consolidated Entities

     18,591        6,497  
                 
   $ 1,939,129      $ 1,762,287  
                 

Interests of the Founder, Senior Managing Directors and Employees

The founder, senior managing directors and employees invest on a discretionary basis in the Blackstone Funds both directly and through consolidated entities. Their investments may be subject to preferential management fee and performance fee arrangements. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the founder’s, other senior managing directors’ and employees’ investments aggregated $857.1 million and $832.8 million, respectively, and the founder’s, other senior managing directors’ and employees’ share of the Net Income Attributable to Redeemable Non-Controlling and Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities aggregated $70.8 million and $56.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

Revenues Earned from Affiliates

Management and Advisory Fees earned from affiliates totaled $70.0 million and $38.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Fees relate primarily to transaction and monitoring fees which are made in the ordinary course of business and under terms that would have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties.

Loans to Affiliates

Loans to affiliates consist of interest-bearing advances to certain Blackstone individuals to finance their investments in certain Blackstone Funds. These loans earn interest at Blackstone’s cost of borrowing and such interest totaled $0.7 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. No such loans to any director or executive officer of Blackstone have been made or were outstanding since March 22, 2007, the date of Blackstone’s initial filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of a registration statement relating to its initial public offering.

Contingent Repayment Guarantee

Blackstone and its personnel who have received Carried Interest distributions have guaranteed payment on a several basis (subject to a cap) to the Carry Funds of any clawback obligation with respect to the excess Carried Interest allocated to the general partners of such funds and indirectly received thereby to the extent that either Blackstone or its personnel fails to fulfill its clawback obligation, if any. The Accrual for Possible Repayment of Previously Received Performance Fees represents amounts previously paid to Blackstone Holdings and non-controlling interest holders that would need to be repaid to the Blackstone Funds if the Carry Funds were to be liquidated based on the fair value of their underlying investments as of March 31, 2011. See Note 16. “Commitments and Contingencies — Contingencies — Contingent Obligations (Clawback)”.

Aircraft and Other Services

In the normal course of business, Blackstone personnel have made use of aircraft owned as personal assets by Stephen A. Schwarzman (“Personal Aircraft”). In addition, on occasion, Mr. Schwarzman and his family have made use of an aircraft in which Blackstone owns a fractional interest, as well as other assets of Blackstone. Mr. Schwarzman paid for his purchases of the aircraft himself and bears all operating, personnel and maintenance costs associated with their operation. In addition, Mr. Schwarzman is charged for his and his family’s personal use of Blackstone assets based on market rates and usage. Payment by Blackstone for the use of the Personal Aircraft by other Blackstone employees are made at market rates. Personal use of Blackstone resources are also reimbursed to Blackstone at market rates. The transactions described herein are not material to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Tax Receivable Agreements

Blackstone used a portion of the proceeds from the IPO and the sale of non-voting common units to Beijing Wonderful Investments to purchase interests in the predecessor businesses from the predecessor owners. In addition, holders of Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units may exchange their Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units for Blackstone Common Units on a one-for-one basis. The purchase and subsequent exchanges are expected to result in increases in the tax basis of the tangible and intangible assets of Blackstone Holdings and therefore reduce the amount of tax that Blackstone’s wholly-owned subsidiaries would otherwise be required to pay in the future.

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

One of the subsidiaries of the Partnership which is a corporate taxpayer has entered into tax receivable agreements with each of the predecessor owners and additional tax receivable agreements have been executed, and will continue to be executed, with newly-admitted senior managing directors and others who acquire Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units. The agreements provide for the payment by the corporate taxpayer to such owners of 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax that the corporate taxpayers actually realize as a result of the aforementioned increases in tax basis and of certain other tax benefits related to entering into these tax receivable agreements. For purposes of the tax receivable agreements, cash savings in income tax will be computed by comparing the actual income tax liability of the corporate taxpayers to the amount of such taxes that the corporate taxpayers would have been required to pay had there been no increase to the tax basis of the tangible and intangible assets of Blackstone Holdings as a result of the exchanges and had the corporate taxpayers not entered into the tax receivable agreements.

Assuming no material changes in the relevant tax law and that the corporate taxpayers earn sufficient taxable income to realize the full tax benefit of the increased amortization of the assets, the expected future payments under the tax receivable agreements (which are taxable to the recipients) will aggregate $1,206.7 million over the next 15 years. The after-tax net present value of these estimated payments totals $311.0 million assuming a 15% discount rate and using Blackstone’s most recent projections relating to the estimated timing of the benefit to be received. Future payments under the tax receivable agreements in respect of subsequent exchanges would be in addition to these amounts. The payments under the tax receivable agreements are not conditioned upon continued ownership of Blackstone equity interests by the pre-IPO owners and the others mentioned above.

Other

Blackstone does business with and on behalf of some of its Portfolio Companies; all such arrangements are on a negotiated basis.

 

16. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments

Investment Commitments

Blackstone had $1.2 billion of investment commitments as of March 31, 2011 representing general partner capital funding commitments to the Blackstone Funds, limited partner capital funding to other funds and Blackstone principal investment commitments. The consolidated Blackstone Funds had signed investment commitments of $28.6 million as of March 31, 2011 which includes $6.7 million of signed investment commitments for portfolio company acquisitions in the process of closing.

Contingencies

Guarantees

Certain of Blackstone’s consolidated real estate funds guarantee payments to third parties in connection with the on-going business activities and/or acquisitions of their Portfolio Companies. There is no direct recourse to the Partnership to fulfill such obligations. To the extent that underlying funds are required to fulfill guarantee obligations, the Partnership’s invested capital in such funds is at risk. Total investments at risk in respect of guarantees extended by consolidated real estate funds was $5.1 million as of March 31, 2011.

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

Contingent Performance Fees

There were $176.7 million of segment level Performance Fees related to the hedge funds in the Hedge Fund Solutions, Credit Businesses and Real Estate segments through the period ended March 31, 2011 attributable to arrangements where the measurement period had not ended. Measurement periods may be greater than the current reporting period. On a consolidated basis, after eliminations, such Performance Fees were $174.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.

Litigation

From time to time, Blackstone is named as a defendant in legal actions relating to transactions conducted in the ordinary course of business. Although there can be no assurance of the outcome of such legal actions, in the opinion of management, Blackstone does not have a potential liability related to any current legal proceeding or claim that would individually or in the aggregate materially adversely affect its results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Contingent Obligations (Clawback)

Included within Net Gains from Fund Investment Activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations are gains from Blackstone Fund investments. The portion of net gains attributable to non-controlling interest holders is included within Non-Controlling Interests in Income of Consolidated Entities. Net gains (losses) attributable to non-controlling interest holders are net of Carried Interest earned by Blackstone. Carried Interest is subject to clawback to the extent that the Carried Interest received to date exceeds the amount due to Blackstone based on cumulative results.

The actual clawback liability, however, does not become realized until the end of a fund’s life except for Blackstone’s real estate funds which may have an interim clawback liability come due after a realized loss is incurred, depending on the fund. The lives of the carry funds with a potential clawback obligation, including available contemplated extensions, are currently anticipated to expire at various points beginning toward the end of 2012 and extending through 2018. Further extensions of such terms may be implemented under given circumstances.

For financial reporting purposes, the general partners have recorded a liability for potential clawback obligations to the limited partners of some of the carry funds due to changes in the unrealized value of a fund’s remaining investments and where the fund’s general partner has previously received Carried Interest distributions with respect to such fund’s realized investments.

The following table presents the clawback obligations by segment:

 

     March 31, 2011      December 31, 2010  

Segment

   Blackstone
Holdings
     Current and
Former
Personnel
     Total      Blackstone
Holdings
     Current and
Former
Personnel
     Total  

Private Equity

   $ 62,452      $ 118,226      $ 180,678      $ 62,534      $ 118,845      $ 181,379  

Real Estate

     30,625        47,288        77,913        30,623        61,827        92,450  
                                                     

Total

   $ 93,077      $ 165,514      $ 258,591      $ 93,157      $ 180,672      $ 273,829  
                                                     

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

A portion of the Carried Interest paid to current and former Blackstone personnel is held in segregated accounts in the event of a cash clawback obligation. These segregated accounts are not included in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Partnership, except to the extent a portion of the assets held in the segregated accounts may be allocated to a consolidated Blackstone fund of hedge funds. At March 31, 2011, $509.7 million was held in segregated accounts for the purpose of meeting any clawback obligations of current and former personnel if such payments are required.

 

17. SEGMENT REPORTING

Blackstone transacts its primary business in the United States and substantially all of its revenues are generated domestically.

As described in Note 2. “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies — Basis of Presentation”, in January 2011, Blackstone separated its Credit and Marketable Alternatives segment into two new segments: Hedge Fund Solutions and Credit Businesses.

Blackstone conducts its alternative asset management and financial advisory businesses through five segments:

 

   

Private Equity — Blackstone’s Private Equity segment comprises its management of private equity funds.

 

   

Real Estate — Blackstone’s Real Estate segment primarily comprises its management of general real estate funds and internationally focused real estate funds. In addition, the segment has debt investment funds targeting non-controlling real estate debt-related investment opportunities in the public and private markets, primarily in the United States and Europe.

 

   

Hedge Fund Solutions — Blackstone’s Hedge Fund Solutions segment is comprised of Blackstone Alternative Asset Management (“BAAM”), an institutional solutions provider utilizing hedge funds across a variety of strategies and the Indian-focused and Asian-focused closed-end mutual funds.

 

   

Credit Businesses — Blackstone’s Credit Businesses segment is comprised principally of GSO and manages credit-oriented funds, CLOs, credit-focused separately managed accounts and publicly registered debt-focused investment companies.

 

   

Financial Advisory — Blackstone’s Financial Advisory segment comprises its financial advisory services, restructuring and reorganization advisory services and Park Hill Group, which provides fund placement services for alternative investment funds.

These business segments are differentiated by their various sources of income. The Private Equity, Real Estate, Hedge Fund Solutions and Credit Businesses segments primarily earn their income from management fees and investment returns on assets under management, while the Financial Advisory segment primarily earns its income from fees related to investment banking services and advice and fund placement services.

Economic Net Income (“ENI”) is a key performance measure used by management. ENI represents segment net income before taxes excluding transaction-related charges. Transaction-related charges include principally charges associated with equity-based compensation, the amortization of intangibles and corporate actions including acquisitions. Blackstone uses ENI as a key measure of value creation and as a benchmark of its performance. ENI represents segment net income excluding the impact of income taxes and initial public offering (“IPO”) and acquisition-related items, including charges associated with equity-based compensation, the amortization of intangibles and corporate actions including acquisitions. For segment reporting purposes,

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

revenues and expenses are presented on a basis that deconsolidates the investment funds managed by Blackstone. Total Segment ENI equals the aggregate of ENI for all segments. ENI is used by management primarily in making resource deployment and compensation decisions across Blackstone’s five segments.

Management makes operating decisions and assesses the performance of each of Blackstone’s business segments based on financial and operating metrics and data that is presented without the consolidation of any of the Blackstone Funds that are consolidated into the Consolidated Financial Statements. Consequently, all segment data excludes the assets, liabilities and operating results related to the Blackstone Funds.

The following table presents the financial data for Blackstone’s five segments for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010:

 

    Three Months Ended March 31, 2011  
    Private
Equity
    Real
Estate
    Hedge Fund
Solutions
    Credit
Businesses
    Financial
Advisory
    Total
Segments
 

Segment Revenues

           

Management and Advisory Fees

           

Base Management Fees

  $ 79,935     $ 95,439     $ 75,612     $ 54,601     $ —        $ 305,587  

Advisory Fees

    —          —          —          —          70,252       70,252  

Transaction and Other Fees, Net

    35,342       21,543       727       745       6       58,363  

Management Fee Offsets

    (7,889     (505     (124     (18     —          (8,536
                                               

Total Management and Advisory Fees

    107,388       116,477       76,215       55,328       70,258       425,666  
                                               

Performance Fees

           

Realized

    82,389       2,593       893       9,725       —          95,600  

Unrealized

    32,537       368,104       19,253       85,303       —          505,197  
                                               

Total Performance Fees

    114,926       370,697       20,146       95,028       —          600,797  
                                               

Investment Income

           

Realized

    17,907       2,919       1,341       1,235       97       23,499  

Unrealized

    29,126       61,406       7,120       4,532       393       102,577  
                                               

Total Investment Income

    47,033       64,325       8,461       5,767       490       126,076  

Interest and Dividend Revenue

    3,505       3,288       516       453       1,686       9,448  

Other

    811       860       104       98       386       2,259  
                                               

Total Revenues

    273,663       555,647       105,442       156,674       72,820       1,164,246  
                                               

Expenses

           

Compensation and Benefits

           

Compensation

    56,254       58,501       28,657       30,325       56,161       229,898  

Performance Fee Compensation

           

Realized

    7,718       1,230       300       5,295       —          14,543  

Unrealized

    5,464       106,501       5,358       45,202       —          162,525  
                                               

Total Compensation and Benefits

    69,436       166,232       34,315       80,822       56,161       406,966  

Other Operating Expenses

    28,713       28,366       13,008       15,357       17,531       102,975  
                                               

Total Expenses

    98,149       194,598       47,323       96,179       73,692       509,941  
                                               

Economic Net Income

  $ 175,514     $ 361,049     $ 58,119     $ 60,495     $ (872   $ 654,305  
                                               

Segment Assets as of March 31, 2011

  $ 4,277,809     $ 3,188,424     $ 1,035,330     $ 1,616,485     $ 591,440     $ 10,709,488  
                                               

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

    Three Months Ended March 31, 2010  
    Private
Equity
    Real
Estate
    Hedge Fund
Solutions
    Credit
Businesses
    Financial
Advisory
    Total
Segments
 

Segment Revenues

           

Management and Advisory Fees

           

Base Management Fees

  $ 65,432     $ 83,060     $ 63,866     $ 39,613     $ —        $ 251,971  

Advisory Fees

    —          —          —          —          76,568       76,568  

Transaction and Other Fees, Net

    31,972       1,942       809       536       1       35,260  

Management Fee Offsets

    —          (489     —          (689     —          (1,178
                                               

Total Management and Advisory Fees

    97,404       84,513       64,675       39,460       76,569       362,621  
                                               

Performance Fees

           

Realized

    46,175       5,948       2,117       (359     —          53,881  

Unrealized

    45,549       11,391       10,413       64,980       —          132,333  
                                               

Total Performance Fees

    91,724       17,339       12,530       64,621       —          186,214  
                                               

Investment Income (Loss)

           

Realized

    (495     2,632       (250     3,233       187       5,307  

Unrealized

    84,684       46,892       11,880       7,835       230       151,521  
                                               

Total Investment Income (Loss)

    84,189       49,524       11,630       11,068       417       156,828  

Interest and Dividend Revenue

    3,428       2,718       475       673       1,396       8,690  

Other

    100       (1,876     (83     (459     (932     (3,250
                                               

Total Revenues

    276,845       152,218       89,227       115,363       77,450       711,103  
                                               

Expenses

           

Compensation and Benefits

           

Compensation

    46,910       40,150       20,742       28,343       54,492       190,637  

Performance Fee Compensation

           

Realized

    6,005       1,524       771       (559     —          7,741  

Unrealized

    6,344       6,937       3,783       37,536       —          54,600  
                                               

Total Compensation and Benefits

    59,259       48,611       25,296       65,320       54,492       252,978  

Other Operating Expenses

    24,431       14,290       11,285       8,290       14,727       73,023  
                                               

Total Expenses

    83,690       62,901       36,581       73,610       69,219       326,001  
                                               

Economic Net Income

  $ 193,155     $ 89,317     $ 52,646     $ 41,753     $ 8,231     $ 385,102  
                                               

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

The following table reconciles the Total Segments to Blackstone’s Income (Loss) Before Provision for Taxes and Total Assets as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010:

 

     March 31, 2011 and the Three Months Then Ended  
     Total
Segments
     Consolidation
Adjustments
and Reconciling
Items
    Blackstone
Consolidated
 

Revenues

   $ 1,164,246      $ (10,977 )(a)    $ 1,153,269  

Expenses

   $ 509,941      $ 480,923 (b)    $ 990,864  

Other Income

   $ —         $ (45,191 )(c)    $ (45,191

Economic Net Income

   $ 654,305      $ (537,091 )(d)    $ 117,214  

Total Assets

   $ 10,709,488      $ 8,539,279 (e)    $ 19,248,767  
     Three Months Ended March 31, 2010  
     Total
Segments
     Consolidation
Adjustments
and Reconciling
Items
    Blackstone
Consolidated
 

Revenues

   $ 711,103      $ (9,864 )(a)    $ 701,239  

Expenses

   $ 326,001      $ 774,713 (b)    $ 1,100,714  

Other Income

   $ —         $ 171,804 (c)    $ 171,804  

Economic Net Income (Loss)

   $ 385,102      $ (612,773 )(d)    $ (227,671

 

(a) The Revenues adjustment principally represents management and performance fees earned from Blackstone Funds which were eliminated in consolidation to arrive at Blackstone consolidated revenues.
(b) The Expenses adjustment represents the addition of expenses of the consolidated Blackstone Funds to the Blackstone unconsolidated expenses, amortization of intangibles and expenses related to transaction-related equity-based compensation to arrive at Blackstone consolidated expenses.
(c) The Other Income adjustment results from the following:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2011     2010  

Fund Management Fees and Performance Fees Eliminated in Consolidation

   $ 9,103     $ 2,762  

Fund Expenses Added in Consolidation

     12,213       708  

Non-Controlling Interests in Income (Loss) of Consolidated Entities

     (71,056     168,334  

Transaction-Related Other Income

     4,549       —     
                

Total Consolidation Adjustments and Reconciling Items

   $ (45,191   $ 171,804  
                

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

 

(d) The reconciliation of Economic Net Income to Income (Loss) Before Provision (Benefit) for Taxes as reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations consists of the following:

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2011     2010  

Economic Net Income

   $ 654,305     $ 385,102  
                

Adjustments

    

Amortization of Intangibles

     (44,174     (39,512

IPO and Acquisition-Related Charges

     (421,861     (726,722

Non-Controlling Interests in Income (Loss) of Consolidated Entities

     (71,056     153,461  
                

Total Consolidation Adjustments and Reconciling Items

     (537,091     (612,773
                

Income (Loss) Before Provision (Benefit) for Taxes

   $ 117,214     $ (227,671
                

 

(e) The Total Assets adjustment represents the addition of assets of the consolidated Blackstone funds to the Blackstone unconsolidated assets to arrive at Blackstone consolidated assets.

 

18. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On April 8, 2011, indirect subsidiaries of Blackstone amended its revolving credit facility. The amendment is described in Note 11. “Borrowings.”

 

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Table of Contents
ITEM 1A. UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL PRESENTATION OF STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Unaudited Consolidating Statements of Financial Condition

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     March 31, 2011  
     Consolidated
Operating
Partnerships
     Consolidated
Blackstone
Funds (a)
     Reclasses and
Eliminations
    Consolidated  

Assets

          

Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ 455,811      $ —         $ —        $ 455,811  

Cash Held by Blackstone Funds and Other

     109,642        538,970        —          648,612  

Investments†

     4,783,347        8,396,368        (503,251     12,676,464  

Accounts Receivable

     327,974        51,853        —          379,827  

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

     229,723        —           —          229,723  

Due from Affiliates

     745,256        42,880        (19,387     768,749  

Intangible Assets, Net

     738,465        —           —          738,465  

Goodwill

     1,703,602        —           —          1,703,602  

Other Assets

     221,509        32,952        (1,105     253,356  

Deferred Tax Assets

     1,394,158        —           —          1,394,158  
                                  

Total Assets

   $ 10,709,487      $ 9,063,023      $ (523,743   $ 19,248,767  
                                  

Liabilities and Partners’ Capital

          

Loans Payable

   $ 1,022,442      $ 6,302,696      $ —        $ 7,325,138  

Due to Affiliates

     1,596,972        379,429        (37,272     1,939,129  

Accrued Compensation and Benefits

     685,080        —           —          685,080  

Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased

     209,125        541        —          209,666  

Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities

     339,466        320,579        (1,106     658,939  
                                  

Total Liabilities

     3,853,085        7,003,245        (38,378     10,817,952  
                                  

Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities

     —           671,164        —          671,164  
                                  

Partners’ Capital

          

Partners’ Capital

     4,122,840        487,870        (487,869     4,122,841  

Appropriated Partners’ Capital

     —           295,544        —          295,544  

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

     3,101        —           —          3,101  

Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities

     285,586        605,200        2,504       893,290  

Non-Controlling Interests in Blackstone Holdings

     2,444,875        —           —          2,444,875  
                                  

Total Partners’ Capital

     6,856,402        1,388,614        (485,365     7,759,651  
                                  

Total Liabilities and Partners’ Capital

   $ 10,709,487      $ 9,063,023      $ (523,743   $ 19,248,767  
                                  

 

Included within Investments of the Consolidated Operating Partnerships is $1.65 billion representing Performance Fees due from the Blackstone Funds.

 

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THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Unaudited Consolidating Statements of Financial Condition—(Continued)

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

     December 31, 2010  
     Consolidated
Operating
Partnerships
     Consolidated
Blackstone
Funds (a)
     Reclasses and
Eliminations
    Consolidated  

Assets

          

Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ 588,621      $ —         $ —        $ 588,621  

Cash Held by Blackstone Funds and Other

     57,945        732,454        —          790,399  

Investments

     4,301,905        8,141,965        (469,398     11,974,472  

Accounts Receivable

     454,752        41,149        (8     495,893  

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

     181,425        —           —          181,425  

Due from Affiliates

     753,056        66,627        (24,288     795,395  

Intangible Assets, Net

     779,311        —           —          779,311  

Goodwill

     1,703,602        —           —          1,703,602  

Other Assets

     275,021        18,173        —          293,194  

Deferred Tax Assets

     1,242,293        —           —          1,242,293  
                                  

Total Assets

   $ 10,337,931      $ 9,000,368      $ (493,694   $ 18,844,605  
                                  

Liabilities and Partners’ Capital

          

Loans Payable

   $ 1,044,719      $ 6,154,179      $ —        $ 7,198,898  

Due to Affiliates

     1,470,881        330,773        (39,367     1,762,287  

Accrued Compensation and Benefits

     819,925        1,643        —          821,568