US Markets Decline Amid Escalating Tensions with Iran
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 20 2026
0mins
Source: CNBC
- Market Volatility: US markets experienced volatility on Thursday due to escalating tensions between Washington and Iran, with the S&P 500 dropping 0.28%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling 0.54%, and the Nasdaq Composite declining 0.31%, reflecting investor concerns over geopolitical risks.
- Oil Price Surge: Concerns over potential military action in Iran pushed oil prices up nearly 2%, which could impact global energy market stability and exacerbate inflationary pressures, thereby affecting consumer spending and business costs.
- Blue Owl Liquidity Tightening: Blue Owl Capital's sale of $1.4 billion in loan assets led to a nearly 6% drop in its stock, raising alarms about the stability of the private credit market, which may also affect the stock performance of other asset management firms.
- Walmart Earnings Beat: Walmart's fiscal fourth-quarter results exceeded expectations due to growth in e-commerce, advertising, and its third-party marketplace, but its earnings forecast for the current fiscal year fell short of market expectations, potentially impacting investor confidence in its long-term growth prospects.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy BX?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on BX
Wall Street analysts forecast BX stock price to rise
12 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
7 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 110.400
Low
166.00
Averages
176.60
High
205.00
Current: 110.400
Low
166.00
Averages
176.60
High
205.00
About BX
Blackstone Inc. is an alternative asset manager. Its asset management includes global investment strategies focused on real estate, private equity, infrastructure, life sciences, growth equity, credit, real assets, secondaries, and hedge funds. Its Real Estate segment comprises its management of opportunistic real estate funds, Core+ real estate funds, and real estate debt strategies. Its Private Equity segment includes its management of flagship Corporate Private Equity funds, sector and geographically focused Corporate Private Equity funds, core private equity funds, an investment platform, and others. Its Credit & Insurance segment consists of Blackstone Credit & Insurance, which is organized into three overarching strategies: private corporate credit, liquid corporate credit and infrastructure and asset-based credit. Its Multi-Asset Investing segment is organized into four investment platforms: Absolute Return, Multi-Strategy, Total Portfolio Management, and Public Real Assets.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Blackstone Considers Sale of Shya Hsin Packaging
- Potential Sale Plan: Blackstone is reportedly considering the sale of Shya Hsin Packaging and has selected Citigroup to assist in preparations, with an expected valuation of at least $1 billion, indicating Blackstone's proactive approach in asset management.
- Strong Market Interest: Other private equity firms and industry players have shown preliminary interest in Shya Hsin Packaging, which could lead to increased competition and potentially higher transaction prices for Blackstone.
- Transaction Timeline: The sale process is expected to kick off later this year, a timeline that may closely align with market conditions and fluctuations in buyer interest.
- Industry Dynamics Impact: This potential sale not only reflects Blackstone's strategic adjustments to its portfolio but may also influence M&A activities across the packaging industry, further driving market consolidation.
See More
Ackman Files for NYSE Listing of Pershing Square Capital Management
- Listing Plans: On October 21, 2025, Ackman announced on CNBC that Pershing Square Capital Management has filed for a listing on the NYSE under the symbol 'PS', aiming to raise between $5 billion and $10 billion, providing public investors with a stake in his investment platform.
- Dual Listing Structure: The transaction will involve a dual listing of both Pershing Square's common shares and its closed-end fund PSUS, allowing investors to trade these securities separately, thereby filling the gap of having no public market previously and enhancing liquidity.
- Funding Commitments: Ahead of the listing, Pershing Square has secured $2.8 billion in commitments from a mix of family offices, pension funds, insurance companies, and ultra-high-net-worth investors, reflecting strong market confidence in Ackman's investment strategy.
- Long-Term Capital Strategy: Ackman emphasized that the permanent capital model allows for a long-term view during market volatility without the need to sell assets to meet redemptions, aligning closely with Buffett's investment philosophy aimed at achieving long-term compounding growth.
See More
BlackRock Limits Withdrawals from Private Credit Fund Amid Surge in Redemption Requests
- Withdrawal Limitation: BlackRock has imposed withdrawal limits on its $26 billion HPS Corporate Lending Fund after redemption requests surged to approximately 9.3% of the fund's net asset value, indicating significant liquidity pressure within the private credit sector.
- Liquidity Risk Emergence: While semi-liquid private credit funds have attracted hundreds of billions from investors seeking higher yields, rising redemption requests have heightened concerns over liquidity mismatches, particularly as the underlying loans are intended for long-term holding.
- Industry-Wide Implications: BlackRock's decision to cap withdrawals may prompt scrutiny of other public asset managers with substantial private credit operations, especially as liquidity assurances become increasingly uncertain during market stress.
- Market Dynamics Divergence: Despite BlackRock's restrictions, competitors like Blackstone have fulfilled all redemption requests from their own $82 billion private credit vehicle, highlighting divergent liquidity management strategies within the industry.
See More
Whitestone REIT Attracts Buyout Interest from Private Equity Firms
- Increased Buyout Interest: Whitestone REIT (WSR) is attracting buyout interest from private equity firms, including Blackstone (BX), indicating market recognition of its asset value and potentially driving up the company's stock price.
- Positive Market Reaction: The news of this buyout interest may draw more investor attention to WSR, enhancing its market liquidity and providing more opportunities for future capital operations.
- Industry Consolidation Trend: The interest from private equity firms in REITs reflects a trend of industry consolidation, which may prompt other REITs to consider strategic acquisitions or mergers to enhance their competitive position in the market.
- Investor Confidence Boost: As buyout interest increases, investor confidence in WSR may strengthen, potentially driving long-term shareholder value and attracting further attention from institutional investors.
See More
Wall Street Private Credit Managers Face Record Withdrawal Pressure
- Blackstone Withdrawal Pressure: Blackstone raised its usual 5% redemption cap to 7% after its $82 billion BCRED fund faced record withdrawal requests of 7.9%, indicating a significant decline in market confidence in private credit.
- BlackRock Redemption Limits: BlackRock capped redemptions from its Corporate Lending Fund after receiving $1.2 billion in withdrawal requests in Q1, which is about 9.3% of its net asset value, paying out $620 million and blocking the rest, highlighting a growing liquidity crisis.
- Blue Owl Capital Liquidation: Blue Owl Capital permanently halted quarterly redemptions last month and is liquidating $1.4 billion in assets, reflecting severe financial pressure and a deteriorating market environment.
- Deteriorating Economic Data: The U.S. economy lost 92,000 jobs in February, with unemployment rising to 4.4%, while Brent crude topped $90 for the first time, indicating signs of economic slowdown and increasing market uncertainty.
See More
BlackRock Shares Drop as Leading Private Credit Firm Restricts Redemption Requests
BlackRock's Withdrawal Limitations: BlackRock announced it would limit withdrawals from one of its private credit funds due to a surge in redemption requests during the first quarter.
Impact on Shares: Following the announcement, BlackRock's shares experienced a significant decline on Friday.
See More
Blackstone Considers Sale of Shya Hsin Packaging
- Potential Sale Plan: Blackstone is reportedly considering the sale of Shya Hsin Packaging and has selected Citigroup to assist in preparations, with an expected valuation of at least $1 billion, indicating Blackstone's proactive approach in asset management.
- Strong Market Interest: Other private equity firms and industry players have shown preliminary interest in Shya Hsin Packaging, which could lead to increased competition and potentially higher transaction prices for Blackstone.
- Transaction Timeline: The sale process is expected to kick off later this year, a timeline that may closely align with market conditions and fluctuations in buyer interest.
- Industry Dynamics Impact: This potential sale not only reflects Blackstone's strategic adjustments to its portfolio but may also influence M&A activities across the packaging industry, further driving market consolidation.
See More
Ackman Files for NYSE Listing of Pershing Square Capital Management
- Listing Plans: On October 21, 2025, Ackman announced on CNBC that Pershing Square Capital Management has filed for a listing on the NYSE under the symbol 'PS', aiming to raise between $5 billion and $10 billion, providing public investors with a stake in his investment platform.
- Dual Listing Structure: The transaction will involve a dual listing of both Pershing Square's common shares and its closed-end fund PSUS, allowing investors to trade these securities separately, thereby filling the gap of having no public market previously and enhancing liquidity.
- Funding Commitments: Ahead of the listing, Pershing Square has secured $2.8 billion in commitments from a mix of family offices, pension funds, insurance companies, and ultra-high-net-worth investors, reflecting strong market confidence in Ackman's investment strategy.
- Long-Term Capital Strategy: Ackman emphasized that the permanent capital model allows for a long-term view during market volatility without the need to sell assets to meet redemptions, aligning closely with Buffett's investment philosophy aimed at achieving long-term compounding growth.
See More
BlackRock Limits Withdrawals from Private Credit Fund Amid Surge in Redemption Requests
- Withdrawal Limitation: BlackRock has imposed withdrawal limits on its $26 billion HPS Corporate Lending Fund after redemption requests surged to approximately 9.3% of the fund's net asset value, indicating significant liquidity pressure within the private credit sector.
- Liquidity Risk Emergence: While semi-liquid private credit funds have attracted hundreds of billions from investors seeking higher yields, rising redemption requests have heightened concerns over liquidity mismatches, particularly as the underlying loans are intended for long-term holding.
- Industry-Wide Implications: BlackRock's decision to cap withdrawals may prompt scrutiny of other public asset managers with substantial private credit operations, especially as liquidity assurances become increasingly uncertain during market stress.
- Market Dynamics Divergence: Despite BlackRock's restrictions, competitors like Blackstone have fulfilled all redemption requests from their own $82 billion private credit vehicle, highlighting divergent liquidity management strategies within the industry.
See More
Whitestone REIT Attracts Buyout Interest from Private Equity Firms
- Increased Buyout Interest: Whitestone REIT (WSR) is attracting buyout interest from private equity firms, including Blackstone (BX), indicating market recognition of its asset value and potentially driving up the company's stock price.
- Positive Market Reaction: The news of this buyout interest may draw more investor attention to WSR, enhancing its market liquidity and providing more opportunities for future capital operations.
- Industry Consolidation Trend: The interest from private equity firms in REITs reflects a trend of industry consolidation, which may prompt other REITs to consider strategic acquisitions or mergers to enhance their competitive position in the market.
- Investor Confidence Boost: As buyout interest increases, investor confidence in WSR may strengthen, potentially driving long-term shareholder value and attracting further attention from institutional investors.
See More
Wall Street Private Credit Managers Face Record Withdrawal Pressure
- Blackstone Withdrawal Pressure: Blackstone raised its usual 5% redemption cap to 7% after its $82 billion BCRED fund faced record withdrawal requests of 7.9%, indicating a significant decline in market confidence in private credit.
- BlackRock Redemption Limits: BlackRock capped redemptions from its Corporate Lending Fund after receiving $1.2 billion in withdrawal requests in Q1, which is about 9.3% of its net asset value, paying out $620 million and blocking the rest, highlighting a growing liquidity crisis.
- Blue Owl Capital Liquidation: Blue Owl Capital permanently halted quarterly redemptions last month and is liquidating $1.4 billion in assets, reflecting severe financial pressure and a deteriorating market environment.
- Deteriorating Economic Data: The U.S. economy lost 92,000 jobs in February, with unemployment rising to 4.4%, while Brent crude topped $90 for the first time, indicating signs of economic slowdown and increasing market uncertainty.
See More
BlackRock Shares Drop as Leading Private Credit Firm Restricts Redemption Requests
BlackRock's Withdrawal Limitations: BlackRock announced it would limit withdrawals from one of its private credit funds due to a surge in redemption requests during the first quarter.
Impact on Shares: Following the announcement, BlackRock's shares experienced a significant decline on Friday.
See More
