Blackstone Shares Plunge Amid Redemption Freeze
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 19 2026
0mins
Source: Benzinga
- Redemption Freeze Impact: Blue Owl Capital's decision to halt quarterly redemptions at its retail-focused private credit fund has rattled major alternative investment firms, including Blackstone, indicating market concerns over private credit exposure.
- Severe Market Reaction: Blackstone shares fell 5.58% to $125.48 on Thursday, reflecting investor unease regarding its significant exposure to private credit, contributing to a 25.06% decline over the past year.
- Technical Weakness: Blackstone's stock is trading significantly below key moving averages, with current prices 10.1%, 16.1%, and 19.4% below the 20-day, 50-day, and 200-day SMAs respectively, suggesting a bearish market sentiment with limited short-term recovery potential.
- Support and Resistance Analysis: Key support is at $118.50, and breaching this level could signal further downside risk, while resistance at $149.00 indicates a potential shift in momentum if surpassed.
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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: 122.780
Low
166.00
Averages
176.60
High
205.00
Current: 122.780
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.
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- Dresser Company Background: Founded in 1880 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, Dresser specializes in natural gas and water measurement, control, and infrastructure equipment, employing approximately 850 people dedicated to modernizing aging utility infrastructure and improving asset reliability.
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- Acquisition Overview: Blackstone Energy Transition Partners has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Dresser Utility Solutions from First Reserve, marking the first investment of Blackstone's latest private equity energy transition vehicle, which is expected to enhance its market position in utility infrastructure.
- Dresser Company Background: Founded in 1880 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, Dresser specializes in natural gas and water measurement, control, and infrastructure equipment, employing approximately 850 people dedicated to modernizing aging utility infrastructure and improving asset reliability.
- Strategic Partnership Outlook: David Foley, Global Head of Blackstone Energy Transition Partners, emphasized that as demands on the energy grid continue to grow, Dresser serves as a trusted partner to utilities, with its products being critical for the safe and reliable operation of gas and water networks, and plans to leverage Blackstone's resources to drive Dresser's innovation and growth.
- Market Impact and Future Prospects: Dresser's CEO David Evans highlighted that this transaction represents an exciting milestone for the company, with Blackstone's extensive resources enabling continued investment in innovation, expansion of the product portfolio, and delivery of customer value, which is expected to propel further development of the company’s utility technology platform.
See More
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- Dividend Cut Risks: According to Wolfe Research, several companies are at risk of cutting dividends, particularly those with high debt levels and payout ratios exceeding 80%, which could directly impact income investors' cash flow.
- Whirlpool's Dividend Suspension: Whirlpool announced in May that it would suspend its dividend to pay down debt and navigate what it termed a 'recession-level industry decline,' reflecting the company's strategy under financial pressure, which may affect shareholder confidence.
- PepsiCo's Dividend Increase: Despite increasing its dividend in June, PepsiCo, with a 4.14% yield, appeared on Wolfe's screen, and its second-quarter earnings report is expected this Thursday, with analysts maintaining an optimistic outlook, indicating market confidence in its stability.
- UPS's Turnaround Plan: United Parcel Service (UPS) currently has a 5.95% dividend yield and aims for $3 billion in annual cost savings by 2026; despite challenges, its stock has risen 11% year-to-date, reflecting market recognition of its turnaround efforts.
See More
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- Private Credit Market Surge: According to the Financial Times, North American direct lending funds raised at least $16 billion in Q2 2026, indicating strong demand from institutional investors as retail clients exit the market, reflecting resilience and appeal in the private credit sector.
- Strong Fundraising Performance: The three months ending June 25 marked the second-strongest quarter in four years for closed-end funds, suggesting a rising interest among investors in loaning without bank intermediaries, which could drive future investment inflows.
- Investor Engagement High: Major private investment groups, including Ares Management, Blackstone, and BlackRock's HPS Investment Partners, are actively meeting with investors to generate interest in new flagship products, demonstrating confidence in the private credit market.
- Opportunities Amid Market Volatility: Brad Marshall, co-head of Blackstone's private credit fund, noted that periods of market volatility are often the best times to invest capital, attracting more investor attention and further propelling growth in private credit.
See More
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- IPO Filing: Jersey Mike's Subs has filed an S-1 with the SEC, aiming for a New York Stock Exchange debut with expected proceeds exceeding $1 billion and a valuation of at least $12 billion, indicating strong market demand and growth potential.
- Financial Performance: In 2025, Jersey Mike's generated $4.2 billion in sales, a 13% increase year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA reaching $339 million, reflecting robust performance in a competitive restaurant industry.
- Debt Management: The company plans to use IPO proceeds to pay down part of its $760 million debt, which was incurred to refinance borrowings from 2019 and 2021, demonstrating a commitment to financial health.
- Market Trends: Amid a slowdown in PE market transactions, IPO exits are gaining traction, and Jersey Mike's listing will allow Blackstone to maintain a dominant position in its portfolio, further advancing its growth strategy.
See More
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- Project Cancellation: QTS Realty Trust has abandoned plans to build an over 800-acre data center campus in Prince William County, Virginia, reflecting significant obstacles due to homeowner opposition and lawsuits, highlighting the complexities of developing on protected land.
- Acquisition Context: Blackstone Infrastructure Partners and Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust acquired QTS for $10 billion in 2021, after which the unit delisted from the NYSE, indicating challenges in Blackstone's strategic positioning in the data center sector.
- Market Reaction: The abandonment of this project is seen as the latest blow to Virginia's 'Digital Gateway' initiative, especially following the recent sale of stakes in three fully leased data centers in Northern Virginia by Blackstone-affiliated funds, suggesting a cautious market outlook on data center demand.
- Industry Trends: Similarly, Brookfield-backed Compass Datacenters withdrew from an over 800-acre project in May, reflecting public concerns about the pressures AI data centers place on electricity grids and housing prices, which may impact future data center development plans.
See More
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- Significant Sales Growth: Jersey Mike's reported a cumulative same-store sales increase of 50% from 2020 to 2025, reflecting its strong performance in a competitive fast-food market, which is likely to attract more investor interest.
- Strong Financial Performance: The company posted a net income of $55 million on total revenue of $724 million last year, a substantial increase from $5 million net income and $653 million revenue in 2024, indicating a notable enhancement in profitability.
- Market Expansion Plans: With nearly 3,300 locations, Jersey Mike's is the second-largest hoagie sandwich chain in the U.S. after Subway, and it plans to continue expanding, particularly in international markets.
- Strategic Investment Background: Following a deal with Blackstone that valued the chain at approximately $8 billion, founder Peter Cancro retained meaningful equity and continues to be involved in governance, demonstrating confidence and commitment to future expansion.
See More
