With over $28 billion raised in the last five years and over $100 billion in assets under management, the Blackstone Group is one of the largest private equity shops in the world. Fourth, actually, according to Private Equity International magazine, behind giants the Carlyle Group, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and Goldman Sachs Principal Investment Area. Unlike its slightly bigger competitors, however, Blackstone took itself public with a $4 billion IPO in 2007.
Government funds account for almost one-fifth of its investor base, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Since the IPO, Blackstone's share price has fallen by as much as 80% since its high of $31 in 2007. Other challenges have included a half billion dollar loss in Q4 2008 and a recently announced 10% reduction in its workforce for 2009.
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