TikTok's US Sale in Jeopardy as Blackstone Exits Consortium, Leaving App's Future in Question

TikTok's US sale is facing challenges with only 59 days left to find a US-based partner before September 17th. Private equity firm Blackstone has withdrawn from the consortium led by Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic, which was set to acquire TikTok's US business. The deal, orchestrated by President Trump, could be difficult to re-group and re-structure, potentially leading to a full ban in the US.

TikTok's US sale is facing significant hurdles with only 59 days left to find a US-based partner before September 17th. The latest setback comes as private equity firm Blackstone has withdrawn from the consortium led by Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic. The consortium was aiming to acquire TikTok's US business, a deal orchestrated by President Trump.

Blackstone's exit from the consortium adds uncertainty to the TikTok US deal. The consortium, which also includes Oracle and other investors, is now led by Susquehanna International Group and General Atlantic. 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].

The ongoing negotiations over TikTok’s fate have 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]. If the deal does not come through, TikTok could face a full ban in the US.

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 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