Blackstone Exits Consortium Bidding for TikTok US

Blackstone has reportedly exited a consortium bidding for a majority stake in TikTok's US operations. The private equity firm, BlackRock, left the consortium due to a source familiar with the matter. The consortium was looking to strike a deal for TikTok's US operations, owned by Chinese firm ByteDance.

Private equity giant Blackstone has withdrawn from a consortium seeking to invest in TikTok’s U.S. operations, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on July 18, 2025 [1]. The consortium, led by Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic, was aiming to secure a majority stake in TikTok’s U.S. operations, with ByteDance retaining a minority stake.

The latest change in the consortium highlights the complexities and uncertainties involved in the deal. The ongoing negotiations over TikTok’s fate have now become part of broader U.S.-China trade talks. The deadline for ByteDance to divest TikTok in the U.S. has been repeatedly postponed, creating uncertainty for investors [1].

Blackstone’s exit adds uncertainty to the TikTok US deal. The consortium is now led by Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic, with Oracle also likely to take a stake. The deal had been in the works this spring but was put on hold after China indicated it would not approve the transaction following Trump’s announcement of steep tariffs on Chinese goods [1].

Analysts project a moderate upside for BlackRock, with price targets reflecting diverse expectations. The consensus among 15 analysts presents an average one-year price target for BlackRock Inc. (BLK) at $1,163.89, indicating a potential upside of 5.46% from its current stock price of $1,103.59 [2]. The consensus recommendation from 18 brokerage firms for BlackRock Inc. (BLK) is currently at 1.9, classifying it under the "Outperform" category [2].

GuruFocus estimates suggest a potential downside, emphasizing the need for cautious investment strategies. According to GuruFocus estimates, the projected GF Value for BlackRock Inc. (BLK) in one year stands at $972.02, suggesting an anticipated downside of 11.92% from the current price of $1,103.59 [2].

Blackstone’s withdrawal from the consortium underscores the shifting dynamics in strategic investments. The ongoing negotiations and potential changes in the U.S.-China trade relationship continue to impact the deal’s prospects.

References:
[1] Reuters. (2025, July 18). Blackstone's exit adds uncertainty to TikTok US deal. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/blackstone-drops-out-consortium-bid-tiktok-us-source-says-2025-07-18/
[2] GuruFocus. (2025, July 18). BlackRock BLK withdraws from TikTok US acquisition consortium. Retrieved from https://www.gurufocus.com/news/2988958/blackrock-blk-withdraws-from-tiktok-us-acquisition-consortium