Blackstone Inc. - Quarter Report: 2018 September (Form 10-Q)

10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO

Commission File Number: 001-33551

LOGO

The Blackstone Group L.P.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

20-8875684

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

345 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10154

(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

(212) 583-5000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.


Large accelerated filer ☒		Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer ☐		Smaller reporting company ☐
		Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

The number of the Registrant’s voting common units representing limited partner interests outstanding as of November 1, 2018 was 662,286,997.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


		Page
PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.	FINANCIAL STATEMENTS		5

	Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — September 30, 2018 and 2017:

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017		5

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017		7

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017		8

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017		9

	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017		13

	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements		16

ITEM 1A.	UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL PRESENTATION OF STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION		65

ITEM 2.	MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS		67

ITEM 3.	QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK		139

ITEM 4.	CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES		142

PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS		143

ITEM 1A.	RISK FACTORS		143

ITEM 2.	UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS		144

ITEM 3.	DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES		144

ITEM 4.	MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES		144

ITEM 5.	OTHER INFORMATION		144

ITEM 6.	EXHIBITS		145

SIGNATURES			146

Forward-Looking Statements

This report may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which reflect our current views with respect to, among other things, our operations, financial performance and unit repurchases and distribution activities. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “outlook,” “indicator,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. We believe these factors include but are not limited to those described under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and in this report, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this report and in our other periodic filings. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Website and Social Media Disclosure

We use our website (www.blackstone.com), Facebook page (www.facebook.com/blackstone), Twitter (www.twitter.com/blackstone), LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/blackstonegroup), Instagram (www.instagram.com/blackstone), SoundCloud (www.soundcloud.com/blackstone-300250613), PodBean (www.blackstone.podbean.com), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1PqaIgd12KgRN8rlijBhE7) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/user/blackstonegroup) accounts as channels of distribution of company information. The information we post through these channels may be deemed material. Accordingly, investors should monitor these channels, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. In addition, you may automatically receive e-mail alerts and other information about Blackstone when you enroll your e-mail address by visiting the “Contact Us/Email Alerts” section of our website at http://ir.blackstone.com. The contents of our website, any alerts and social media channels are not, however, a part of this report.

In this report, references to “Blackstone,” the “Partnership,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to The Blackstone Group L.P. and its consolidated subsidiaries. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this report to the ownership of Mr. Stephen A. Schwarzman, our founder, and other Blackstone personnel include the ownership of personal planning vehicles and family members of these individuals.

“Blackstone Funds,” “our funds” and “our investment funds” refer to the private equity funds, real estate funds, funds of hedge funds, credit-focused funds, collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”), real estate investment trusts and registered investment companies that are managed by Blackstone. “Our carry funds” refers to the private equity funds, real estate funds and certain of the hedge fund solutions and credit-focused funds (with multi-year drawdown, commitment-based structures that only pay carry on the realization of an investment) that are managed by Blackstone. We refer to our general corporate private equity funds as Blackstone Capital Partners (“BCP”) funds, our energy-focused private equity funds as Blackstone Energy Partners (“BEP”) funds, our core private equity fund as Blackstone Core Equity Partners (“BCEP”), our opportunistic investment platform that invests globally across asset classes, industries and geographies as Blackstone Tactical Opportunities (“Tactical Opportunities”), our secondary private equity fund of funds business as Strategic Partners Fund Solutions (“Strategic Partners”), our infrastructure-focused funds as Blackstone Infrastructure Partners (“BIP”), our multi-asset investment program for eligible high net worth investors offering exposure to certain of our key illiquid investment strategies through a single commitment as Blackstone Total Alternatives Solution (“BTAS”) and our capital markets services business as Blackstone Capital Markets (“BXCM”). We refer to our real estate opportunistic funds as Blackstone Real Estate

Partners (“BREP”) funds and our real estate debt investment funds as Blackstone Real Estate Debt Strategies (“BREDS”) funds. We refer to our core+ real estate funds, which target substantially stabilized assets in prime markets, as Blackstone Property Partners (“BPP”) funds. We refer to our real estate investment trusts as “REITs”, to Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc., our NYSE-listed REIT, as “BXMT”, and to Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust, Inc., our non-exchange traded REIT, as “BREIT”. “Our hedge funds” refers to our funds of hedge funds, certain of our real estate debt investment funds, including a registered investment company, and certain other credit-focused funds which are managed by Blackstone. “BIS” refers to Blackstone Insurance Solutions, which partners with insurers to deliver bespoke, capital-efficient investments tailored to each insurer’s needs and risk profile.

“Assets Under Management” refers to the assets we manage. Our Assets Under Management equals the sum of:

(a)

the fair value of the investments held by our carry funds and our side-by-side and co-investment entities managed by us, plus (1) the capital that we are entitled to call from investors in those funds and entities pursuant to the terms of their respective capital commitments, including capital commitments to funds that have yet to commence their investment periods, or (2) for certain credit-oriented funds the amounts available to be borrowed under asset based credit facilities,

(b)

the net asset value of (1) our hedge funds, real estate debt carry funds, open ended core+ real estate fund, certain co-investments managed by us, and our Hedge Fund Solutions carry and drawdown funds (plus, in each case, the capital that we are entitled to call from investors in those funds, including commitments yet to commence their investment periods), and (2) our funds of hedge funds, our Hedge Fund Solutions registered investment companies, and our non-exchange traded REIT,

(c)

the invested capital, fair value or net asset value of assets we manage pursuant to separately managed accounts,

(d)

the amount of debt and equity outstanding for our CLOs during the reinvestment period,

(e)

the aggregate par amount of collateral assets, including principal cash, for our CLOs after the reinvestment period,

(f)

the gross or net amount of assets (including leverage where applicable) for our credit-focused registered investment companies, and

(g)

the fair value of common stock, preferred stock, convertible debt, or similar instruments issued by BXMT.

Our carry funds are commitment-based drawdown structured funds that do not permit investors to redeem their interests at their election. Our funds of hedge funds, hedge funds, funds structured like hedge funds and other open ended funds in our Hedge Fund Solutions, Credit and Real Estate segments generally have structures that afford an investor the right to withdraw or redeem their interests on a periodic basis (for example, annually or quarterly), typically with 30 to 95 days’ notice, depending on the fund and the liquidity profile of the underlying assets. Investment advisory agreements related to certain separately managed accounts in our Hedge Fund Solutions and Credit segments, excluding our BIS separately managed accounts, may generally be terminated by an investor on 30 to 90 days’ notice.

“Fee-Earning Assets Under Management” refers to the assets we manage on which we derive management fees and/or performance revenues. Our Fee-Earning Assets Under Management equals the sum of:

(a)

for our Private Equity segment funds and Real Estate segment carry funds including certain real estate debt investment funds and certain of our Hedge Fund Solutions funds, the amount of capital commitments, remaining invested capital, fair value, net asset value or par value of assets held, depending on the fee terms of the fund,

(b)

for our credit-focused carry funds, the amount of remaining invested capital (which may include leverage) or net asset value, depending on the fee terms of the fund,

(c)

the remaining invested capital or fair value of assets held in co-investment vehicles managed by us on which we receive fees,

(d)

the net asset value of our funds of hedge funds, hedge funds, open ended core+ real estate fund, certain co-investments managed by us, certain registered investment companies, our non-exchange traded REIT, and certain of our Hedge Fund Solutions drawdown funds,

(e)

the invested capital, fair value of assets or the net asset value we manage pursuant to separately managed accounts,

(f)

the net proceeds received from equity offerings and accumulated core earnings of BXMT, subject to certain adjustments,

(g)

the aggregate par amount of collateral assets, including principal cash, of our CLOs, and

(h)

the gross amount of assets (including leverage) or the net assets (plus leverage where applicable) for certain of our credit-focused registered investment companies.

Each of our segments may include certain Fee-Earning Assets Under Management on which we earn performance revenues but not management fees.

Our calculations of assets under management and fee-earning assets under management may differ from the calculations of other asset managers, and as a result this measure may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other asset managers. In addition, our calculation of assets under management includes commitments to, and the fair value of, invested capital in our funds from Blackstone and our personnel, regardless of whether such commitments or invested capital are subject to fees. Our definitions of assets under management and fee-earning assets under management are not based on any definition of assets under management and fee-earning assets under management that is set forth in the agreements governing the investment funds that we manage.

For our carry funds, total assets under management includes the fair value of the investments held, whereas fee-earning assets under management includes the amount of capital commitments, the remaining amount of invested capital at cost depending on whether the investment period has or has not expired or the fee terms of the fund. As such, fee-earning assets under management may be greater than total assets under management when the aggregate fair value of the remaining investments is less than the cost of those investments.

“Perpetual Capital” refers to the component of assets under management with an indefinite term, that is not in liquidation, and for which there is no requirement to return capital to investors through redemption requests in the ordinary course of business, except where funded by new capital inflows. Perpetual Capital includes co-investment capital with an investor right to convert into Perpetual Capital.

This report does not constitute an offer of any Blackstone Fund.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Unit Data)


	September 30, 2018			December 31, 2017
Assets
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	1,937,963		$	1,992,497
Cash Held by Blackstone Funds and Other		408,561			1,929,531
Investments (including assets pledged of $231,620 and $169,746 at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)		22,094,920			24,434,049
Accounts Receivable		875,647			875,018
Due from Affiliates		2,017,637			2,028,137
Intangible Assets, Net		366,368			409,828
Goodwill		1,778,192			1,778,192
Other Assets		269,470			242,697
Deferred Tax Assets		711,599			725,970

Total Assets	$	30,460,357		$	34,415,919

Liabilities and Partners’ Capital
Loans Payable	$	10,161,886		$	14,815,436
Due to Affiliates		981,980			937,158
Accrued Compensation and Benefits		3,414,215			2,623,492
Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased		166,309			154,380
Repurchase Agreements		199,488			118,840
Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities		829,496			2,043,522

Total Liabilities		15,753,374			20,692,828

Commitments and Contingencies

Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities		153,504			210,944

Partners’ Capital
The Blackstone Group L.P. Partners’ Capital
Partners’ Capital (common units: 669,411,215 issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2018; 659,526,093 issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017)		7,024,079			6,668,511
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		(36,562	)		(34,018	)

Total The Blackstone Group L.P. Partners’ Capital		6,987,517			6,634,493
Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities		3,673,135			3,253,148
Non-Controlling Interests in Blackstone Holdings		3,892,827			3,624,506

Total Partners’ Capital		14,553,479			13,512,147

Total Liabilities and Partners’ Capital	$	30,460,357		$	34,415,919

continued…

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands)

The following presents the portion of the consolidated balances presented above attributable to consolidated Blackstone Funds which are variable interest entities. The following assets may only be used to settle obligations of these consolidated Blackstone Funds and these liabilities are only the obligations of these consolidated Blackstone Funds and they do not have recourse to the general credit of Blackstone.


	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
Assets
Cash Held by Blackstone Funds	$	408,278	$	1,580,296
Investments		8,493,379		12,948,653
Accounts Receivable		273,966		470,156
Due from Affiliates		8,780		46,112
Other Assets		5,549		5,189

Total Assets	$	9,189,952	$	15,050,406

Liabilities
Loans Payable	$	6,679,598	$	11,300,621
Due to Affiliates		122,836		86,393
Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased		118,205		89,907
Repurchase Agreements		199,488		118,840
Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities		265,397		1,562,534

Total Liabilities	$	7,385,524	$	13,158,295

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data)


	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017			2018		2017
Revenues
Management and Advisory Fees, Net	$	780,009	$	685,922		$	2,230,242	$	2,022,263

Incentive Fees		9,799		35,513			41,743		122,327

Investment Income
Performance Allocations
Realized		592,103		434,982			1,365,119		2,149,549
Unrealized		299,238		406,649			1,367,678		377,560
Principal Investments
Realized		134,619		74,805			305,961		451,207
Unrealized		52,840		96,085			268,082		63,172

Total Investment Income		1,078,800		1,012,521			3,306,840		3,041,488

Interest and Dividend Revenue		48,604		36,974			124,062		99,172
Other		9,368		(35,572	)		625,394		(99,448	)

Total Revenues		1,926,580		1,735,358			6,328,281		5,185,802

Expenses
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation		419,285		359,209			1,236,167		1,078,001
Incentive Fee Compensation		7,251		18,332			23,656		61,829
Performance Allocations Compensation
Realized		200,442		162,505			498,902		724,721
Unrealized		178,184		175,534			622,610		269,977

Total Compensation and Benefits		805,162		715,580			2,381,335		2,134,528
General, Administrative and Other		168,813		121,036			441,354		349,974
Interest Expense		41,355		41,545			119,346		122,880
Fund Expenses		2,302		26,350			74,909		100,095

Total Expenses		1,017,632		904,511			3,016,944		2,707,477

Other Income
Net Gains from Fund Investment Activities		66,838		63,448			250,956		239,634

Income Before Provision for Taxes		975,786		894,295			3,562,293		2,717,959
Provision for Taxes		26,798		59,512			220,024		146,557

Net Income		948,988		834,783			3,342,269		2,571,402
Net Income Attributable to Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities		2,569		3,215			2,199		6,206
Net Income Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities		143,101		113,446			427,678		365,075
Net Income Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests in Blackstone Holdings		360,576		340,202			1,359,736		1,032,885

Net Income Attributable to The Blackstone Group L.P.	$	442,742	$	377,920		$	1,552,656	$	1,167,236

Net Income Per Common Unit
Common Units, Basic	$	0.65	$	0.57		$	2.28	$	1.76

Common Units, Diluted	$	0.64	$	0.55		$	2.27	$	1.73

Weighted-Average Common Units Outstanding
Common Units, Basic		682,435,177		667,384,727			679,598,629		664,331,632

Common Units, Diluted		1,205,877,983		1,200,502,292			1,209,113,244		1,200,092,676

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands)


	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017		2018			2017
Net Income	$	948,988		$	834,783	$	3,342,269		$	2,571,402
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax — Currency Translation Adjustment		(7,412	)		26,761		(33,660	)		73,354

Comprehensive Income		941,576			861,544		3,308,609			2,644,756
Less:
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities		2,569			3,215		2,199			6,206
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities		143,101			127,149		425,288			409,963
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests in Blackstone Holdings		331,850			340,202		1,331,010			1,032,885

Comprehensive Income Attributable to The Blackstone Group L.P.	$	464,056		$	390,978	$	1,550,112		$	1,195,702

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital (Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Unit Data)


				The Blackstone Group L.P.
	Common Units			Partners’ Capital			Accumulated Other Compre- hensive Income (Loss)			Total			Non- Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities			Non- Controlling Interests in Blackstone Holdings			Total Partners’ Capital			Redeemable Non- Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities
Balance at June 30, 2018		673,544,082		$	7,105,225		$	(57,876	)	$	7,047,349		$	3,492,621		$	3,936,827		$	14,476,797		$	158,799
Net Income		—			442,742			—			442,742			143,101			360,576			946,419			2,569
Currency Translation Adjustment		—			—			21,314			21,314			—			(28,726	)		(7,412	)		—
Capital Contributions		—			—			—			—			193,213			—			193,213			1,880
Capital Distributions		—			(395,718	)		—			(395,718	)		(154,468	)		(377,751	)		(927,937	)		(9,744	)
Transfer of Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities		—			—			—			—			(1,332	)		—			(1,332	)		—
Deferred Tax Effects Resulting from Acquisition of Ownership Interests from Non-Controlling Interest Holders		—			1,221			—			1,221			—			—			1,221			—
Equity-Based Compensation		—			54,245			—			54,245			—			42,775			97,020			—
Net Delivery of Vested Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units and Blackstone Common Units		1,003,987			(3,389	)		—			(3,389	)		—			(2,740	)		(6,129	)		—
Repurchase of Common Units and Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units		(6,000,000	)		(218,381	)		—			(218,381	)		—			—			(218,381	)		—
Change in The Blackstone Group L.P.’s Ownership Interest		—			31,601			—			31,601			—			(31,601	)		—			—
Conversion of Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units to Blackstone Common Units		863,146			6,533			—			6,533			—			(6,533	)		—			—

Balance at September 30, 2018		669,411,215		$	7,024,079		$	(36,562	)	$	6,987,517		$	3,673,135		$	3,892,827		$	14,553,479		$	153,504

continued…

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital (Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Unit Data)


			The Blackstone Group L.P.
	Common Units		Partners’ Capital			Accumulated Other Compre- hensive Income (Loss)			Total			Non- Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities			Non- Controlling Interests in Blackstone Holdings			Total Partners’ Capital			Redeemable Non- Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities
Balance at June 30, 2017		653,801,394	$	6,540,478		$	(47,479	)	$	6,492,999		$	3,123,171		$	3,414,840		$	13,031,010		$	190,700
Net Income		—		377,920			—			377,920			113,446			340,202			831,568			3,215
Currency Translation Adjustment		—		—			13,058			13,058			13,703			—			26,761			—
Capital Contributions		—		—			—			—			131,693			—			131,693			8,940
Capital Distributions		—		(358,828	)		—			(358,828	)		(203,927	)		(314,155	)		(876,910	)		(1,478	)
Transfer of Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities		—		—			—			—			(3,406	)		—			(3,406	)		—
Deferred Tax Effects Resulting from Acquisition of Ownership Interests from Non-Controlling Interest Holders		—		706			—			706			—			—			706			—
Equity-Based Compensation		—		47,328			—			47,328			—			39,548			86,876			—
Net Delivery of Vested Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units and Blackstone Common Units		3,209,675		(14,598	)		—			(14,598	)		—			(915	)		(15,513	)		—
Change in The Blackstone Group L.P.’s Ownership Interest		—		(1,029	)		—			(1,029	)		—			1,029			—			—
Conversion of Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units to Blackstone Common Units		626,464		4,053			—			4,053			—			(4,053	)		—			—

Balance at September 30, 2017		657,637,533	$	6,596,030		$	(34,421	)	$	6,561,609		$	3,174,680		$	3,476,496		$	13,212,785		$	201,377

continued…

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital (Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Unit Data)


				The Blackstone Group L.P.
	Common Units			Partners’ Capital			Accumulated Other Compre- hensive Income (Loss)			Total			Non- Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities			Non- Controlling Interests in Blackstone Holdings			Total Partners’ Capital			Redeemable Non- Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities
Balance at December 31, 2017		659,526,093		$	6,668,511		$	(34,018	)	$	6,634,493		$	3,253,148		$	3,624,506		$	13,512,147		$	210,944
Transfer Out Due to Deconsolidation of Fund Entities		—			—			—			—			(197,091	)		—			(197,091	)		—
Net Income		—			1,552,656			—			1,552,656			427,678			1,359,736			3,340,070			2,199
Currency Translation Adjustment		—			—			(2,544	)		(2,544	)		(2,390	)		(28,726	)		(33,660	)		—
Capital Contributions		—			—			—			—			617,345			—			617,345			2,980
Capital Distributions		—			(1,202,488	)		—			(1,202,488	)		(446,431	)		(1,060,315	)		(2,709,234	)		(62,619	)
Transfer of Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities		—			—			—			—			20,876			—			20,876			—
Deferred Tax Effects Resulting from Acquisition of Ownership Interests from Non-Controlling Interest Holders		—			12,143			—			12,143			—			—			12,143			—
Equity-Based Compensation		—			154,764			—			154,764			—			122,675			277,439			—
Net Delivery of Vested Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units and Blackstone Common Units		4,036,359			(17,885	)		—			(17,885	)		—			(3,575	)		(21,460	)		—
Repurchase of Common Units and Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units		(8,200,000	)		(290,066	)		—			(290,066	)		—			—			(290,066	)		—
Change in The Blackstone Group L.P.’s Ownership Interest		—			32,436			—			32,436			—			(32,436	)		—			—
Conversion of Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units to Blackstone Common Units		13,298,024			89,038			—			89,038			—			(89,038	)		—			—
Issuance of Common Units		750,739			24,970			—			24,970			—			—			24,970			—

Balance at September 30, 2018		669,411,215		$	7,024,079		$	(36,562	)	$	6,987,517		$	3,673,135		$	3,892,827		$	14,553,479		$	153,504

continued…

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital (Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Unit Data)


			The Blackstone Group L.P.
	Common Units		Partners’ Capital			Accumulated Other Compre- hensive Income (Loss)			Total			Non- Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities			Non- Controlling Interests in Blackstone Holdings			Total Partners’ Capital			Redeemable Non- Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities
Balance at December 31, 2016		643,459,542	$	6,521,531		$	(62,887	)	$	6,458,644		$	2,428,964		$	3,434,483		$	12,322,091		$	185,390
Net Income		—		1,167,236			—			1,167,236			365,075			1,032,885			2,565,196			6,206
Currency Translation Adjustment		—		—			28,466			28,466			44,888			—			73,354			—
Consolidation of a Fund Entity		—		—			—			—			387,006			—			387,006			—
Capital Contributions		—		—			—			—			507,001			—			507,001			30,294
Capital Distributions		—		(1,241,717	)		—			(1,241,717	)		(552,440	)		(1,068,553	)		(2,862,710	)		(20,513	)
Transfer of Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities		—		—			—			—			(5,814	)		—			(5,814	)		—
Deferred Tax Effects Resulting from Acquisition of Ownership Interests from Non-Controlling Interest Holders		—		7,992			—			7,992			—			—			7,992			—
Equity-Based Compensation		—		135,292			—			135,292			—			112,109			247,401			—
Net Delivery of Vested Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units and Blackstone Common Units		6,985,219		(27,027	)		—			(27,027	)		—			(1,705	)		(28,732	)		—
Change in The Blackstone Group L.P.’s Ownership Interest		—		(14,850	)		—			(14,850	)		—			14,850			—			—
Conversion of Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units to Blackstone Common Units		7,192,772		47,573			—			47,573			—			(47,573	)		—			—

Balance at September 30, 2017		657,637,533	$	6,596,030		$	(34,421	)	$	6,561,609		$	3,174,680		$	3,476,496		$	13,212,785		$	201,377

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands)


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017
Operating Activities
Net Income	$	3,342,269		$	2,571,402
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Used in Operating Activities
Blackstone Funds Related
Net Realized Gains on Investments		(1,740,100	)		(2,833,208	)
Changes in Unrealized Gains on Investments		(343,488	)		(71,122	)
Non-Cash Performance Allocations		(1,367,678	)		(377,560	)
Non-Cash Performance Allocations and Incentive Fee Compensation		1,137,152			1,056,527
Equity-Based Compensation Expense		282,733			262,773
Amortization of Intangibles		43,460			32,891
Other Non-Cash Amounts Included in Net Income		110,103			210,644
Cash Flows Due to Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities
Cash Acquired with Consolidation of Fund Entity		31,422			13,822
Cash Relinquished with Deconsolidation of Fund Entities		(899,959	)		(33,566	)
Accounts Receivable		(118,225	)		141,312
Reverse Repurchase Agreements		—			118,495
Due from Affiliates		(343,696	)		(386,037	)
Other Assets		(53,689	)		237
Accrued Compensation and Benefits		(345,264	)		(594,610	)
Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased		15,893			(112,921	)
Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities		(293,314	)		(735,996	)
Repurchase Agreements		80,647			(597	)
Due to Affiliates		44,987			(15,433	)
Investments Purchased		(11,609,707	)		(12,853,487	)
Cash Proceeds from Sale of Investments		10,686,644			12,375,565

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities		(1,339,810	)		(1,230,869	)

Investing Activities
Purchase of Furniture, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements		(8,760	)		(20,405	)

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities		(8,760	)		(20,405	)

continued…

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands)


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017
Financing Activities
Distributions to Non-Controlling Interest Holders in Consolidated Entities	$	(503,060	)	$	(535,072	)
Contributions from Non-Controlling Interest Holders in Consolidated Entities		615,561			528,175
Payments Under Tax Receivable Agreement		—			(59,667	)
Net Settlement of Vested Common Units and Repurchase of Common and Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units		(311,526	)		(28,732	)
Proceeds from Loans Payable		3,218,399			3,846,577
Repayment and Repurchase of Loans Payable		(1,007,479	)		(166,920	)
Distributions to Unitholders		(2,262,803	)		(2,310,270	)

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities		(250,908	)		1,274,091

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents, Cash Held by Blackstone Funds and Other, and Restricted Cash		9,513			105,716

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Cash Held by Blackstone Funds and Other, and Restricted Cash
Net Increase (Decrease)		(1,589,965	)		128,533
Beginning of Period		3,936,489			2,860,955

End of Period	$	2,346,524		$	2,989,488

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flows Information
Payments for Interest	$	126,963		$	133,535

Payments for Income Taxes	$	136,686		$	77,059

Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities
Non-Cash Contributions from Non-Controlling Interest Holders	$	—		$	1,746

Non-Cash Distributions to Non-Controlling Interest Holders	$	(5,924	)	$	(37,881	)

Net Assets Related to the Consolidation of a Fund Entity	$	—		$	387,006

Transfer of Interests to Non-Controlling Interest Holders	$	20,876		$	(5,814	)

Change in The Blackstone Group L.P.’s Ownership Interest	$	32,436		$	(14,850	)

Net Settlement of Vested Common Units	$	131,857		$	122,590

Conversion of Blackstone Holdings Units to Common Units	$	89,038		$	47,573

Acquisition of Ownership Interests from Non-Controlling Interest Holders
Deferred Tax Asset	$	(80,942	)	$	(53,151	)

Due to Affiliates	$	68,799		$	45,159

Partners’ Capital	$	12,143		$	7,992

Issuance of Common Units	$	24,970		$	—

continued…

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

(Dollars in Thousands)

The following table provides a reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalents, Cash Held by Blackstone Funds and Other, and Restricted Cash reported within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition:


	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	1,937,963	$	1,992,497
Cash Held by Blackstone Funds and Other		408,561		1,929,531
Restricted Cash included in Other Assets		—		14,461

	$	2,346,524	$	3,936,489

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

1.	ORGANIZATION

The Blackstone Group L.P., together with its subsidiaries (“Blackstone” or the “Partnership”), is a leading global manager of private capital. The alternative asset management business includes the management of private equity funds, real estate funds, real estate investment trusts (“REITs”), funds of hedge funds, hedge funds, credit-focused funds, collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) vehicles, separately managed accounts and registered investment companies (collectively referred to as the “Blackstone Funds”). Blackstone’s business is organized into four segments: private equity, real estate, hedge fund solutions and credit.

The Partnership was formed as a Delaware limited partnership on March 12, 2007. The Partnership is managed and operated by its general partner, Blackstone Group Management L.L.C., which is in turn wholly owned by Blackstone’s senior managing directors and controlled by one of Blackstone’s founders, Stephen A. Schwarzman (the “Founder”). The activities of the Partnership are conducted through its holding partnerships: Blackstone Holdings I L.P., Blackstone Holdings AI L.P., Blackstone Holdings II L.P., Blackstone Holdings III L.P. and Blackstone Holdings IV L.P. (collectively, “Blackstone Holdings”, “Blackstone Holdings Partnerships” or the “Holding Partnerships”). The Partnership, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, is the sole general partner in each of these Holding Partnerships.

Generally, holders of the limited partner interests in the Holding Partnerships may, four times each year, exchange their limited partnership interests (“Partnership Units”) for Blackstone common units, on a one-to-one basis, exchanging one Partnership Unit from each of the Holding Partnerships for one Blackstone common unit.

2.	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Partnership have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q. The condensed consolidated financial statements, including these notes, are unaudited and exclude some of the disclosures required in audited financial statements. Management believes it has made all necessary adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring items) so that the condensed consolidated financial statements are presented fairly and that estimates made in preparing its condensed consolidated financial statements are reasonable and prudent. The operating results presented for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the entire year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Partnership, its wholly owned or majority-owned subsidiaries, the consolidated entities which are considered to be variable interest entities and for which the Partnership is considered the primary beneficiary, and certain partnerships or similar entities which are not considered variable interest entities but in which the general partner is presumed to have control.

All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Restructurings within consolidated CLOs are treated as investment purchases or sales, as applicable, in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

Consolidation

The Partnership consolidates all entities that it controls through a majority voting interest or otherwise, including those Blackstone Funds in which the general partner has a controlling financial interest. The Partnership has a controlling financial interest in Blackstone Holdings because the limited partners do not have the right to dissolve the partnerships or have substantive kick out rights or participating rights that would overcome the control held by the Partnership. Accordingly, the Partnership consolidates Blackstone Holdings and records non-controlling interests to reflect the economic interests of the limited partners of Blackstone Holdings.

In addition, the Partnership consolidates all variable interest entities (“VIE”) in which it is the primary beneficiary. An enterprise is determined to be the primary beneficiary if it holds a controlling financial interest. A controlling financial interest is defined as (a) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The consolidation guidance requires an analysis to determine (a) whether an entity in which the Partnership holds a variable interest is a VIE and (b) whether the Partnership’s involvement, through holding interests directly or indirectly in the entity or contractually through other variable interests (for example, management and performance related fees), would give it a controlling financial interest. Performance of that analysis requires the exercise of judgment.

The Partnership determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time it becomes involved with a variable interest entity and continuously reconsiders that conclusion. In determining whether the Partnership is the primary beneficiary, Blackstone evaluates its control rights as well as economic interests in the entity held either directly or indirectly by the Partnership. The consolidation analysis can generally be performed qualitatively; however, if it is not readily apparent that the Partnership is not the primary beneficiary, a quantitative analysis may also be performed. Investments and redemptions (either by the Partnership, affiliates of the Partnership or third parties) or amendments to the governing documents of the respective Blackstone Funds could affect an entity’s status as a VIE or the determination of the primary beneficiary. At each reporting date, the Partnership assesses whether it is the primary beneficiary and will consolidate or deconsolidate accordingly.

Assets of consolidated VIEs that can only be used to settle obligations of the consolidated VIE and liabilities of a consolidated VIE for which creditors (or beneficial interest holders) do not have recourse to the general credit of Blackstone are presented in a separate section in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Blackstone’s other disclosures regarding VIEs are discussed in Note 9. “Variable Interest Entities”.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues primarily consist of management and advisory fees, incentive fees, investment income, interest and dividend revenue and other.

Management and advisory fees and incentive fees are accounted for as contracts with customers. Under the guidance for contracts with customers, an entity is required to (a) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (b) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (c) determine the transaction price, (d) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (e) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. In determining the transaction price, an entity may include variable consideration only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized would not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. See Note 18. “Segment Reporting” for a disaggregated presentation of revenues from contracts with customers.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

Investment Income represents the unrealized and realized gains and losses on the Partnership’s Performance Allocations and Principal Investments. Interest and Dividend Revenue comprises primarily interest and dividend income earned on principal investments held by the Partnership. Other Revenue consists of miscellaneous income and foreign exchange gains and losses arising on transactions denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars.

Management and Advisory Fees, Net — Management and Advisory Fees, Net are comprised of management fees, including base management fees, transaction and other fees and advisory fees net of management fee reductions and offsets.

The Partnership earns base management fees from limited partners of funds in each of its managed funds, at a fixed percentage of assets under management, net asset value, total assets, committed capital or invested capital. These customer contracts require the Partnership to provide investment management services, which represents a performance obligation that the Partnership satisfies over time. Management fees are a form of variable consideration because the fees the Partnership is entitled to vary based on fluctuations in the basis for the management fee. The amount recorded as revenue is generally determined at the end of the period because these management fees are payable on a regular basis (typically quarterly) and are not subject to clawback once paid.

Transaction, advisory and other fees (including monitoring fees) are principally fees charged to the limited partners of funds indirectly through the managed funds and portfolio companies. The investment advisory agreements generally require that the investment adviser reduce the amount of management fees payable by the limited partners to the Partnership (“management fee reductions”) by an amount equal to a portion of the transaction and other fees paid to the Partnership by the portfolio companies. The amount of the reduction varies by fund, the type of fee paid by the portfolio company and the previously incurred expenses of the fund. These fees and associated management fee reductions are a component of the transaction price for the Partnership’s performance obligation to provide investment management services to the limited partners of funds and are recognized as changes to the transaction price in the period in which they are charged and the services are performed.

Management fee offsets are reductions to management fees payable by the limited partners of the Blackstone Funds, which are based on the amount such limited partners reimburse the Blackstone Funds or the Partnership primarily for placement fees. Providing investment management services requires the Partnership to arrange for services on behalf of its customers. In those situations where the Partnership is acting as an agent on behalf of the limited partners of funds, it presents the cost of services as net against management fee revenue. In all other situations, the Partnership is primarily responsible for fulfilling the services and is therefore acting as a principal for those arrangements. As a result, the cost of those services is presented gross as Compensation or General, Administrative and Other expense, as appropriate, with any reimbursement from the limited partners of the funds recorded as Management and Advisory Fees, Net.

Accrued but unpaid Management and Advisory Fees, net of management fee reductions and management fee offsets, as of the reporting date are included in Accounts Receivable or Due from Affiliates in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

variable consideration is subsequently resolved. Incentive Fees are typically recognized as revenue when realized at the end of the measurement period. Once realized, such fees are not subject to clawback or reversal. Accrued but unpaid Incentive Fees charged directly to investors in Blackstone Funds as of the reporting date are recorded within Due from Affiliates in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Investment Income (Loss) — Investment Income (Loss) represents the unrealized and realized gains and losses on the Partnership’s Performance Allocations and Principal Investments.

In certain fund structures across private equity, real estate, hedge fund solutions and credit-focused funds (“carry funds”), Blackstone, through its subsidiaries, invests alongside its limited partners in a partnership and is entitled to its pro-rata share of the results of the fund (a “pro-rata allocation”). In addition to a pro-rata allocation, and assuming certain investment returns are achieved, Blackstone is entitled to a disproportionate allocation of the income otherwise allocable to the limited partners, commonly referred to as carried interest (“Performance Allocations”).

Performance Allocations are made to the general partner based on cumulative fund performance to date, subject to a preferred return to limited partners. At the end of each reporting period, the Partnership calculates the balance of accrued Performance Allocations (“Accrued Performance Allocations”) that would be due to the Partnership for each fund, pursuant to the fund agreements, as if the fair value of the underlying investments were realized as of such date, irrespective of whether such amounts have been realized. As the fair value of underlying investments varies between reporting periods, it is necessary to make adjustments to amounts recorded as Accrued Performance Allocations to reflect either (a) positive performance resulting in an increase in the Accrued Performance Allocation to the general partner or (b) negative performance that would cause the amount due to the Partnership to be less than the amount previously recognized as revenue, resulting in a negative adjustment to the Accrued Performance Allocation to the general partner. In each scenario, it is necessary to calculate the Accrued Performance Allocation on cumulative results compared to the Accrued Performance Allocation recorded to date and make the required positive or negative adjustments. The Partnership ceases to record negative Performance Allocations once previously Accrued Performance Allocations for such fund have been fully reversed. The Partnership is not obligated to pay guaranteed returns or hurdles, and therefore, cannot have negative Performance Allocations over the life of a fund. Accrued Performance Allocations as of the reporting date are reflected in Investments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Performance Allocations are realized when an underlying investment is profitably disposed of and the fund’s cumulative returns are in excess of the preferred return or, in limited instances, after certain thresholds for return of capital are met. Performance Allocations are subject to clawback to the extent that the Performance Allocation received to date exceeds the amount due to Blackstone based on cumulative results. As such, the accrual for potential repayment of previously received Performance Allocations, which is a component of Due to Affiliates, represents all amounts previously distributed to Blackstone Holdings and non-controlling interest holders that would need to be repaid to the Blackstone carry funds if the Blackstone carry funds were to be liquidated based on the current fair value of the underlying funds’ investments as of the reporting date. The actual clawback liability, however, generally does not become realized until the end of a fund’s life except for certain funds, including certain Blackstone real estate funds, multi-asset class investment funds and credit-focused funds, which may have an interim clawback liability.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

is realized when the Partnership redeems all or a portion of its investment or when the Partnership receives cash income, such as dividends or distributions. Unrealized Income (Loss) on Principal Investments results from changes in the fair value of the underlying investment as well as the reversal of unrealized gain (loss) at the time an investment is realized.

Interest and Dividend Revenue — Interest and Dividend Revenue comprises primarily interest and dividend income earned on principal investments held by Blackstone.

Other Revenue — Other Revenue consists of miscellaneous income and foreign exchange gains and losses arising on transactions denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

GAAP establishes a hierarchical disclosure framework which prioritizes and ranks the level of market price observability used in measuring financial instruments at fair value. Market price observability is affected by a number of factors, including the type of financial instrument, the characteristics specific to the financial instrument and the state of the marketplace, including the existence and transparency of transactions between market participants. Financial instruments with readily available quoted prices in active markets generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment used in measuring fair value.

Financial instruments measured and reported at fair value are classified and disclosed based on the observability of inputs used in the determination of fair values, as follows:

•

Level I — Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical financial instruments as of the reporting date. The types of financial instruments in Level I include listed equities, listed derivatives and mutual funds with quoted prices. The Partnership does not adjust the quoted price for these investments, even in situations where Blackstone holds a large position and a sale could reasonably impact the quoted price.

•

Level II — Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date, and fair value is determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies. Financial instruments which are generally included in this category include corporate bonds and loans, including corporate bonds and loans held within CLO vehicles, government and agency securities, less liquid and restricted equity securities, and certain over-the-counter derivatives where the fair value is based on observable inputs. Senior and subordinated notes issued by CLO vehicles are classified within Level II of the fair value hierarchy.

•

Level III — Pricing inputs are unobservable for the financial instruments and includes situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the financial instrument. The inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation. Financial instruments that are included in this category generally include general and limited partnership interests in private equity and real estate funds, credit-focused funds, distressed debt and non-investment grade residual interests in securitizations, certain corporate bonds and loans held within CLO vehicles, and certain over-the-counter derivatives where the fair value is based on unobservable inputs.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

financial instrument is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Partnership’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument.

Level II Valuation Techniques

Financial instruments classified within Level II of the fair value hierarchy comprise debt instruments, including certain corporate loans and bonds held by Blackstone’s consolidated CLO vehicles and debt securities sold, not yet purchased. Certain equity securities and derivative instruments valued using observable inputs are also classified as Level II.

The valuation techniques used to value financial instruments classified within Level II of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

•

Debt Instruments and Equity Securities are valued on the basis of prices from an orderly transaction between market participants provided by reputable dealers or pricing services. In determining the value of a particular investment, pricing services may use certain information with respect to transactions in such investments, quotations from dealers, pricing matrices and market transactions in comparable investments and various relationships between investments. The valuation of certain equity securities is based on an observable price for an identical security adjusted for the effect of a restriction.

•

Freestanding Derivatives are valued using contractual cash flows and observable inputs comprising yield curves, foreign currency rates and credit spreads.

•

Senior and subordinate notes issued by CLO vehicles are classified based on the more observable fair value of CLO assets less (a) the fair value of any beneficial interests held by Blackstone, and (b) the carrying value of any beneficial interests that represent compensation for services.

Level III Valuation Techniques

In the absence of observable market prices, Blackstone values its investments using valuation methodologies applied on a consistent basis. For some investments little market activity may exist; management’s determination of fair value is then based on the best information available in the circumstances, and may incorporate management’s own assumptions and involves a significant degree of judgment, taking into consideration a combination of internal and external factors, including the appropriate risk adjustments for non-performance and liquidity risks. Investments for which market prices are not observable include private investments in the equity of operating companies, real estate properties, certain funds of hedge funds and credit-focused investments.

Private Equity Investments — The fair values of private equity investments are determined by reference to projected net earnings, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), the discounted cash flow method, public market or private transactions, valuations for comparable companies and other measures which, in many cases, are based on unaudited information at the time received. Valuations may be derived by reference to observable valuation measures for comparable companies or transactions (for example, multiplying a key performance metric of the investee company, such as EBITDA, by a relevant valuation multiple observed in the range of comparable companies or transactions), adjusted by management for differences between the investment and the referenced comparables, and in some instances by reference to option pricing models or other similar methods. Where a discounted cash flow method is used, a terminal value is derived by reference to EBITDA or price/earnings exit multiples.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

Real Estate Investments — The fair values of real estate investments are determined by considering projected operating cash flows, sales of comparable assets, if any, and replacement costs, among other measures. The methods used to estimate the fair value of real estate investments include the discounted cash flow method and/or capitalization rates (“cap rates”) analysis. Valuations may be derived by reference to observable valuation measures for comparable companies or assets (for example, multiplying a key performance metric of the investee company or asset, such as EBITDA, by a relevant valuation multiple observed in the range of comparable companies or transactions), adjusted by management for differences between the investment and the referenced comparables, and in some instances by reference to option pricing models or other similar methods. Where a discounted cash flow method is used, a terminal value is derived by reference to an exit EBITDA multiple or capitalization rate. Additionally, where applicable, projected distributable cash flow through debt maturity will be considered in support of the investment’s fair value.

Credit-Focused Investments — The fair values of credit-focused investments are generally determined on the basis of prices between market participants provided by reputable dealers or pricing services. For credit-focused investments that are not publicly traded or whose market prices are not readily available, Blackstone may utilize other valuation techniques, including the discounted cash flow method or a market approach. The discounted cash flow method projects the expected cash flows of the debt instrument based on contractual terms, and discounts such cash flows back to the valuation date using a market-based yield. The market-based yield is estimated using yields of publicly traded debt instruments issued by companies operating in similar industries as the subject investment, with similar leverage statistics and time to maturity.

The market approach is generally used to determine the enterprise value of the issuer of a credit investment, and considers valuation multiples of comparable companies or transactions. The resulting enterprise value will dictate whether or not such credit investment has adequate enterprise value coverage. In cases of distressed credit instruments, the market approach may be used to estimate a recovery value in the event of a restructuring.

Investments, at Fair Value

The Blackstone Funds are accounted for as investment companies under the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Accounting and Auditing Guide, Investment Companies, and reflect their investments, including majority-owned and controlled investments (the “Portfolio Companies”), at fair value. Such consolidated funds’ investments are reflected in Investments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value reflected as a component of Net Gains from Fund Investment Activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Fair value is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, at current market conditions (i.e., the exit price).

Blackstone’s principal investments are presented at fair value with unrealized appreciation or depreciation and realized gains and losses recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations within Investment Income (Loss).

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

Income (Loss) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Interest income on interest bearing loans and receivables and debt securities on which the fair value option has been elected is based on stated coupon rates adjusted for the accretion of purchase discounts and the amortization of purchase premiums. This interest income is recorded within Interest and Dividend Revenue.

The Partnership has elected the fair value option for the assets of consolidated CLO vehicles. As permitted under GAAP, the Partnership measures the liabilities of consolidated CLO vehicles as (a) the sum of the fair value of the consolidated CLO assets and the carrying value of any non-financial assets held temporarily, less (b) the sum of the fair value of any beneficial interests retained by the Partnership (other than those that represent compensation for services) and the Partnership’s carrying value of any beneficial interests that represent compensation for services. As a result of this measurement alternative, there is no attribution of amounts to Non-Controlling Interests for consolidated CLO vehicles. Assets of the consolidated CLOs are presented within Investments within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and Liabilities within Loans Payable for the amounts due to unaffiliated third parties and Due to Affiliates for the amounts held by non-consolidated affiliates. Changes in the fair value of consolidated CLO assets and liabilities and related interest, dividend and other income are presented within Net Gains from Fund Investment Activities. Expenses of consolidated CLO vehicles are presented in Fund Expenses.

The Partnership has elected the fair value option for certain proprietary investments that would otherwise have been accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The fair value of such investments is based on quoted prices in an active market or using the discounted cash flow method. Changes in fair value are recognized in Investment Income (Loss) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Further disclosure on instruments for which the fair value option has been elected is presented in Note 7. “Fair Value Option”.

The investments of consolidated Blackstone Funds in funds of hedge funds (“Investee Funds”) are valued at net asset value (“NAV”) per share of the Investee Fund. In limited circumstances, the Partnership may determine, based on its own due diligence and investment procedures, that NAV per share does not represent fair value. In such circumstances, the Partnership will estimate the fair value in good faith and in a manner that it reasonably chooses, in accordance with the requirements of GAAP.

Certain investments of Blackstone and of the consolidated Blackstone funds of hedge funds and credit-focused funds measure their investments in underlying funds at fair value using NAV per share without adjustment. The terms of the investee’s investment generally provide for minimum holding periods or lock-ups, the institution of gates on redemptions or the suspension of redemptions or an ability to side pocket investments, at the discretion of the investee’s fund manager, and as a result, investments may not be redeemable at, or within three months of, the reporting date. A side pocket is used by hedge funds and funds of hedge funds to separate investments that may lack a readily ascertainable value, are illiquid or are subject to liquidity restriction. Redemptions are generally not permitted until the investments within a side pocket are liquidated or it is deemed that the conditions existing at the time that required the investment to be included in the side pocket no longer exist. As the timing of either of these events is uncertain, the timing at which the Partnership may redeem an investment held in a side pocket cannot be estimated. Further disclosure on instruments for which fair value is measured using NAV per share is presented in Note 5. “Net Asset Value as Fair Value”.

Security and loan transactions are recorded on a trade date basis.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

Equity Method Investments

Investments in which the Partnership is deemed to exert significant influence, but not control, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting except in cases where the fair value option has been elected. The Partnership has significant influence over all Blackstone Funds in which it invests but does not consolidate. Therefore, its investments in such Blackstone Funds, which include both a proportionate and disproportionate allocation of the profits and losses (as is the case with carry funds that include a Performance Allocation), are accounted for under the equity method. Under the equity method of accounting, the Partnership’s share of earnings (losses) from equity method investments is included in Investment Income (Loss) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

In cases where the Partnership’s equity method investments provide for a disproportionate allocation of the profits and losses (as is the case with carry funds that include a Performance Allocation), the Partnership’s share of earnings (losses) from equity method investments is determined using a balance sheet approach referred to as the hypothetical liquidation at book value (“HLBV”) method. Under the HLBV method, at the end of each reporting period the Partnership calculates the Accrued Performance Allocations that would be due to the Partnership for each fund pursuant to the fund agreements as if the fair value of the underlying investments were realized as of such date, irrespective of whether such amounts have been realized. As the fair value of underlying investments varies between reporting periods, it is necessary to make adjustments to amounts recorded as Accrued Performance Allocations to reflect either (a) positive performance resulting in an increase in the Accrued Performance Allocation to the general partner, or (b) negative performance that would cause the amount due to the Partnership to be less than the amount previously recognized as revenue, resulting in a negative adjustment to the Accrued Performance Allocation to the general partner. In each scenario, it is necessary to calculate the Accrued Performance Allocation on cumulative results compared to the Accrued Performance Allocation recorded to date and make the required positive or negative adjustments. The Partnership ceases to record negative Performance Allocations once previously Accrued Performance Allocations for such fund have been fully reversed. The Partnership is not obligated to pay guaranteed returns or hurdles, and therefore, cannot have negative Performance Allocations over the life of a fund. The carrying amounts of equity method investments are reflected in Investments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and Benefits — Compensation — Compensation consists of (a) salary and bonus, and benefits paid and payable to employees and senior managing directors and (b) equity-based compensation associated with the grants of equity-based awards to employees and senior managing directors. Compensation cost relating to the issuance of equity-based awards to senior managing directors and employees is measured at fair value at the grant date, and expensed over the vesting period on a straight-line basis, taking into consideration expected forfeitures, except in the case of (a) equity-based awards that do not require future service, which are expensed immediately, and (b) certain awards to recipients that meet criteria making them eligible for retirement (allowing such recipient to keep a percentage of those awards upon departure from Blackstone after becoming eligible for retirement), for which the expense for the portion of the award that would be retained in the event of retirement is either expensed immediately or amortized to the retirement date. Cash settled equity-based awards are classified as liabilities and are remeasured at the end of each reporting period.

Compensation and Benefits — Incentive Fee Compensation — Incentive Fee Compensation consists of compensation paid based on Incentive Fees.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

or in-kind). Such compensation expense is subject to both positive and negative adjustments. Unlike Performance Allocations, compensation expense is based on the performance of individual investments held by a fund rather than on a fund by fund basis. These amounts may also include allocations of investment income from Blackstone’s principal investments, to senior managing directors and employees participating in certain profit sharing initiatives.

Repurchase Agreements

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase (“repurchase agreements”), comprised primarily of U.S. and non-U.S. government and agency securities are asset-backed securities and corporate debt and represent collateralized financing transactions. Such transactions are recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at their contractual amounts and include accrued interest. The carrying value of repurchase agreements approximates fair value.

The Partnership manages credit exposure arising from repurchase agreements by, in appropriate circumstances, entering into master netting agreements and collateral arrangements with counterparties that provide the Partnership, in the event of a counterparty default, the right to liquidate collateral and the right to offset a counterparty’s rights and obligations.

The Partnership also pledges its financial instruments to counterparties to collateralize repurchase agreements. Financial instruments pledged that can be repledged, delivered or otherwise used by the counterparty are recorded in Investments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Additional disclosures relating to repurchase agreements are discussed in Note 10. “Repurchase Agreements”.

Blackstone does not offset assets and liabilities relating to repurchase agreements in its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Additional disclosures relating to offsetting are discussed in Note 11. “Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities”.

Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased

Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased consist of equity and debt securities that the Partnership has borrowed and sold. The Partnership is required to “cover” its short sale in the future by purchasing the security at prevailing market prices and delivering it to the counterparty from which it borrowed the security. The Partnership is exposed to loss in the event that the price at which a security may have to be purchased to cover a short sale exceeds the price at which the borrowed security was sold short.

Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased are recorded at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Derivative Instruments

The Partnership recognizes all derivatives as assets or liabilities on its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at fair value. On the date the Partnership enters into a derivative contract, it designates and documents each derivative contract as one of the following: (a) a hedge of a recognized asset or liability (“fair value hedge”), (b) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash flow hedge”), (c) a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation, or (d) a derivative instrument not designated as a hedging instrument (“freestanding derivative”). For a fair value hedge, Blackstone records changes in the fair value of the derivative and, to the extent that it is highly effective, changes in

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

the fair value of the hedged asset or liability attributable to the hedged risk, in current period earnings in General, Administrative and Other in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments caused by factors other than changes in the risk being hedged, which are excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness, are recognized in current period earnings. Gains or losses on a derivative instrument that is designated as, and is effective as, an economic hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation are reported in the cumulative translation adjustment section of other comprehensive income to the extent it is effective as a hedge. The ineffective portion of a net investment hedge is recognized in current period earnings.

The Partnership formally documents at inception its hedge relationships, including identification of the hedging instruments and the hedged items, its risk management objectives, strategy for undertaking the hedge transaction and the Partnership’s evaluation of effectiveness of its hedged transaction. At least monthly, the Partnership also formally assesses whether the derivative it designated in each hedging relationship is expected to be, and has been, highly effective in offsetting changes in estimated fair values or cash flows of the hedged items using either the regression analysis or the dollar offset method. For net investment hedges, the Partnership uses a method based on changes in spot rates to measure effectiveness. If it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective at hedging the designated exposure, hedge accounting is discontinued. The Partnership may also at any time remove a designation of a fair value hedge. The fair values of hedging derivative instruments are reflected within Other Assets in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

For freestanding derivative contracts, the Partnership presents changes in fair value in current period earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments held by consolidated Blackstone Funds are reflected in Net Gains from Fund Investment Activities or, where derivative instruments are held by the Partnership, within Investment Income (Loss) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The fair value of freestanding derivative assets of the consolidated Blackstone Funds are recorded within Investments, the fair value of freestanding derivative assets that are not part of the consolidated Blackstone Funds are recorded within Other Assets and the fair value of freestanding derivative liabilities are recorded within Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

The Partnership has elected to not offset derivative assets and liabilities or financial assets in its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, including cash, that may be received or paid as part of collateral arrangements, even when an enforceable master netting agreement is in place that provides the Partnership, in the event of counterparty default, the right to liquidate collateral and the right to offset a counterparty’s rights and obligations.

Blackstone’s other disclosures regarding derivative financial instruments are discussed in Note 6. “Derivative Financial Instruments”.

Blackstone’s disclosures regarding offsetting are discussed in Note 11. “Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities”.

Affiliates

Blackstone considers its Founder, senior managing directors, employees, the Blackstone Funds and the Portfolio Companies to be affiliates.

Distributions

Distributions are reflected in the condensed consolidated financial statements when declared.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

Recent Accounting Developments

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued amended guidance on revenue from contracts with customers. The new guidance was effective for Blackstone beginning January 1, 2018 and was adopted on a full retrospective basis. The guidance requires that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. An entity is required to (a) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (b) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (c) determine the transaction price, (d) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (e) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. In determining the transaction price, an entity may include variable consideration only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized would not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved.

Blackstone has concluded that its Management and Advisory Fees and Incentive Fees are within the scope of the amended revenue recognition guidance. The adoption of the amended guidance did not have a material impact on the recognition of Management and Advisory Fees. For Incentive Fees, the amended guidance changes the presentation and delays the recognition of revenues compared to the prior accounting treatment. These amounts were previously recognized within Realized and Unrealized Performance Fees — Incentive Fees in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Under the amended guidance, these amounts will be recognized separately within Incentive Fees. Blackstone recorded a net reduction to Partners’ Capital of $2.4 million and $1.9 million as of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2017, respectively, as a result of adopting the amended guidance. For the three months ended September 30, 2017, the impact on Total Revenues, Net Income Attributable to The Blackstone Group L.P., Net Income Per Common Unit — Basic, and Net Income Per Common Unit — Diluted was a reduction of $11.4 million, $6.7 million, $0.01 per common unit, and $0.01 per common unit, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the impact on Total Revenues, Net Income Attributable to The Blackstone Group L.P., Net Income Per Common Unit — Basic, and Net Income Per Common Unit — Diluted was a reduction of $51.1 million, $22.0 million, $0.03 per common unit, and $0.03 per common unit, respectively. Also, the reimbursement of certain costs incurred in the process of providing investment management services, primarily travel costs, that were previously presented net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations are presented gross under the amended guidance. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, these costs were $5.3 million and $12.9 million, respectively, and are presented in General, Administrative and Other Expenses with the related reimbursement presented in Management and Advisory Fees, Net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Blackstone has concluded that investments made alongside its limited partners in a partnership which entitle Blackstone to a pro-rata allocation and a disproportionate Performance Allocation represent equity method investments that are not in the scope of the amended revenue recognition guidance. Therefore, effective January 1, 2018, Blackstone amended the recognition and measurement of Performance Allocations. This accounting change will not change the timing or amount of revenue recognized related to Performance Allocation arrangements. These amounts were previously recognized within Realized and Unrealized Performance Fees – Carried Interest and Incentive Fees in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Under the equity method of accounting Blackstone recognizes Performance Allocations within Investment Income along with the allocations proportionate to Blackstone’s ownership interests in the Blackstone Funds. Blackstone applied a retrospective application consistent with the requirements for presentation of a change in accounting principle.

In January 2016, the FASB issued amended guidance on the classification and measurement of financial instruments. The new guidance was effective for Blackstone beginning on January 1, 2018 and was adopted on a modified retrospective basis. However, changes to the accounting for equity securities without a readily

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

determinable fair value were applied prospectively as permitted under the guidance. Adoption did not have a material impact on Blackstone’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued amended guidance on the accounting for leases. The guidance requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. The guidance retains a distinction between finance leases and operating leases. The classification criteria for distinguishing between finance leases and operating leases are substantially similar to the classification criteria for distinguishing between capital leases and operating leases under previous GAAP. The recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee have not changed significantly from previous GAAP.

For operating leases, a lessee is required to do the following: (a) recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, in the Statement of Financial Condition, (b) recognize a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term on a generally straight-line basis, and (c) classify all cash payments within operating activities in the statement of cash flows.

The guidance is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2018. In July 2018, the FASB issued targeted improvements to the amended guidance, which included a new transition method allowing entities to initially apply the new leases standard at the adoption date (January 1, 2019 for Blackstone) and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. Prior to that issuance, adoption was required on a modified retrospective basis. Blackstone expects to elect the new transition alternative upon adoption, and also expects to elect a package of practical expedients made available earlier by the FASB which result in no requirement to reassess (a) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (b) the lease classification for any expired or existing leases or (c) the recognition requirements for initial direct costs for any existing leases. Blackstone is evaluating the impact of the amended guidance on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition, which is expected to result in recognition of an operating liability equal to the present value of the remaining lease payments on existing leases as of January 1, 2019 and a corresponding right-of-use asset. The amended guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations or the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

In November 2016, the FASB issued amended guidance on classification and presentation of restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. The new guidance was effective for Blackstone beginning on January 1, 2018 and was adopted on a retrospective basis. Under the new guidance, reporting entities are required to explain the changes in the combined total of restricted and unrestricted balances in the statement of cash flows. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents (hereinafter referred to as “restricted cash”) should be combined with unrestricted cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and end of period balances on the statement of cash flows. Reporting entities are also required to disclose how the statement of cash flows reconciles to the balance sheet in any situation in which the balance sheet includes more than one line item of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 the new guidance resulted in a decrease in Net Cash Used in Operating Activities of $573.4 million, an increase in Net Cash Used in Investing Activities of $11.4 million, and an increase in Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents, Cash Held by Blackstone Funds, and Restricted Cash of $88.1 million. Additionally, the new guidance increased the December 31, 2016 Beginning of Period and September 30, 2017 End of Period balances by $1.0 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively, in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

In August 2018, the FASB issued amended guidance on the disclosure requirements for fair value measurement. The amended guidance added, eliminated and modified disclosures for investments measured at fair value. The guidance is effective January 1, 2020. However, Blackstone has early adopted the amendments, as is permitted, for the period ended September 30, 2018. The impact of the amended guidance on Blackstone was the removal of the requirements to disclose (a) the amount and reasons for transfers between Level I and Level II investments of the fair value hierarchy, (b) the policy for timing of transfers between levels and (c) the valuation process for Level III fair value measurements. The amended guidance also required modification to Blackstone’s disclosure to clarify that information regarding measurement uncertainty is provided as of the relevant reporting date. The requirements to provide additional disclosures did not impact Blackstone as those disclosures had already been provided in prior periods.

3.	INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible Assets, Net consists of the following:


	September 30, 2018			December 31, 2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets / Contractual Rights	$	1,594,876		$	1,594,876
Accumulated Amortization		(1,228,508	)		(1,185,048	)

Intangible Assets, Net	$	366,368		$	409,828

Amortization expense associated with Blackstone’s intangible assets was $14.5 million and $43.5 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2018, respectively, and $11.0 million and $32.9 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2017, respectively.

Amortization of Intangible Assets held at September 30, 2018 is expected to be $57.9 million, $57.9 million, $57.9 million, $57.9 million, and $50.2 million for each of the years ending December 31, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively. Blackstone’s intangible assets as of September 30, 2018 are expected to amortize over a weighted-average period of 8.6 years.

4.	INVESTMENTS

Investments consist of the following:


	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds	$	8,503,423	$	12,954,121
Equity Method Investments
Partnership Investments		3,690,841		3,263,131
Accrued Performance Allocations		6,722,430		5,328,280
Corporate Treasury Investments		2,883,610		2,566,043
Other Investments		294,616		322,474

	$	22,094,920	$	24,434,049

Blackstone’s share of Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds totaled $413.7 million and $488.4 million at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds

The following table presents the Realized and Net Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) on investments held by the consolidated Blackstone Funds and a reconciliation to Other Income — Net Gains from Fund Investment Activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Realized Gains	$	23,475	$	2,664	$	57,853	$	110,349
Net Change in Unrealized Gains		415		16,990		75,378		7,951

Realized and Net Change in Unrealized Gains from Consolidated Blackstone Funds		23,890		19,654		133,231		118,300
Interest and Dividend Revenue Attributable to Consolidated Blackstone Funds		42,948		43,794		117,725		121,334

Other Income — Net Gains from Fund Investment Activities	$	66,838	$	63,448	$	250,956	$	239,634

Equity Method Investments

Blackstone’s equity method investments include Partnership Investments, which represent the pro rata investments, and any associated Accrued Performance Allocations, in private equity funds, real estate funds, funds of hedge funds and credit-focused funds. Partnership Investments also includes the 40% non-controlling interest in Pátria Investments Limited and Pátria Investimentos Ltda. (collectively, “Pátria”).

Blackstone evaluates each of its equity method investments, excluding Accrued Performance Allocations, to determine if any were significant as defined by guidance from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. As of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, no individual equity method investment held by Blackstone met the significance criteria. As such, Blackstone is not required to present separate financial statements for any of its equity method investments.

Partnership Investments

Blackstone recognized net gains related to its Partnership Investments accounted for under the equity method of $137.6 million and $152.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Partnership recognized net gains related to its equity method investments of $465.6 million and $444.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

Accrued Performance Allocations

Accrued Performance Allocations to the Partnership in respect of performance of certain Blackstone Funds were as follows:


	Private Equity			Real Estate			Hedge Fund Solutions			Credit			Total
Accrued Performance Allocations, December 31, 2017	$	1,916,971		$	2,859,307		$	13,802		$	538,200		$	5,328,280
Performance Allocations as a Result of Changes in Fund Fair Values		1,643,509			917,619			30,694			160,961			2,752,783
Foreign Exchange Loss		—			(20,143	)		—			—			(20,143	)
Fund Distributions		(403,531	)		(809,249	)		(7,196	)		(118,514	)		(1,338,490	)

Accrued Performance Allocations, September 30, 2018	$	3,156,949		$	2,947,534		$	37,300		$	580,647		$	6,722,430

Corporate Treasury Investments

The portion of corporate treasury investments included in Investments represents the Partnership’s investments into primarily fixed income securities, mutual fund interests, and other fund interests. These strategies are managed by a combination of Blackstone personnel and third party advisors. The following table presents the Realized and Net Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) on these investments:


	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017		2018			2017
Realized Gains (Losses)	$	(2,504	)	$	7,424	$	4,609		$	3,995
Net Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses)		14,691			8,258		(205	)		51,553

	$12,187			$15,682		$4,404			$55,548

Other Investments

Other Investments consist primarily of proprietary investment securities held by Blackstone. Other investments include equity investments without readily determinable fair values which have a carrying value of $44.9 million as of September 30, 2018. The following table presents Blackstone’s Realized and Net Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) in Other Investments:


	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017			2018		2017
Realized Gains	$	30,618	$	2,955		$	46,937	$	5,825
Net Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses)		3,683		(1,783	)		49,094		8,508

	$	34,301	$	1,172		$	96,031	$	14,333

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

5.	NET ASSET VALUE AS FAIR VALUE

A summary of fair value by strategy type alongside the remaining unfunded commitments and ability to redeem such investments as of September 30, 2018 is presented below:


Strategy	Fair Value		Unfunded Commitments		Redemption Frequency (if currently eligible)			Redemption Notice Period
Diversified Instruments	$	211,301	$	130		(a	)		(a	)
Credit Driven		115,365		268		(b	)		(b	)
Equity		38,309		—		(c	)		(c	)
Commodities		1,826		—		(d	)		(d	)

	$	366,801	$	398

(a)

Diversified Instruments include investments in funds that invest across multiple strategies. Investments representing 3% of the fair value of the investments in this category may not be redeemed at, or within three months of, the reporting date. The remaining 97% of investments in this category are redeemable as of the reporting date.

(b)

The Credit Driven category includes investments in hedge funds that invest primarily in domestic and international bonds. Investments representing 40% of the fair value of the investments in this category may not be redeemed at, or within three months of, the reporting date. The remaining 60% of investments in this category are redeemable as of the reporting date.

(c)

The Equity category includes investments in hedge funds that invest primarily in domestic and international equity securities. Investments representing 100% of the fair value of the investments in this category may not be redeemed at, or within three months of, the reporting date. As of the reporting date, the investee fund manager had elected to side-pocket 9% of Blackstone’s investments in the category.

(d)

The Commodities category includes investments in commodities-focused funds that primarily invest in futures and physical-based commodity driven strategies. Investments representing 100% of the fair value of the investments in this category may not be redeemed at, or within three months of, the reporting date.

6.	DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Blackstone and the consolidated Blackstone Funds enter into derivative contracts in the normal course of business to achieve certain risk management objectives and for general investment purposes. Blackstone may enter into derivative contracts in order to hedge its interest rate risk exposure against the effects of interest rate changes. Additionally, Blackstone may also enter into derivative contracts in order to hedge its foreign currency risk exposure against the effects of a portion of its non-U.S. dollar denominated currency net investments. As a result of the use of derivative contracts, Blackstone and the consolidated Blackstone Funds are exposed to the risk that counterparties will fail to fulfill their contractual obligations. To mitigate such counterparty risk, Blackstone and the consolidated Blackstone Funds enter into contracts with certain major financial institutions, all of which have investment grade ratings. Counterparty credit risk is evaluated in determining the fair value of derivative instruments.

Net Investment Hedges

To manage the potential exposure from adverse changes in currency exchange rates arising from Blackstone’s net investment in foreign operations, during December 2014, Blackstone entered into several foreign currency forward contracts to hedge a portion of the net investment in Blackstone’s non-U.S. dollar denominated foreign operations.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

Blackstone uses foreign currency forward contracts to hedge portions of Blackstone’s net investments in foreign operations. The gains and losses due to change in fair value attributable to changes in spot exchange rates on foreign currency derivatives designated as net investment hedges were recognized in Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax — Currency Translation Adjustment. For the three months ended September 30, 2018 there was no resulting gain or loss. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 the resulting loss was $1.4 million.

Freestanding Derivatives

Freestanding derivatives are instruments that Blackstone and certain of the consolidated Blackstone Funds have entered into as part of their overall risk management and investment strategies. These derivative contracts are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes. Such contracts may include interest rate swaps, foreign exchange contracts, equity swaps, options, futures and other derivative contracts.

The table below summarizes the aggregate notional amount and fair value of the derivative financial instruments. The notional amount represents the absolute value amount of all outstanding derivative contracts.


	September 30, 2018								December 31, 2017
	Assets				Liabilities				Assets				Liabilities
	Notional		Fair Value		Notional		Fair Value		Notional		Fair Value		Notional		Fair Value
Net Investment Hedges
Foreign Currency Contracts	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	50,857	$	453

Freestanding Derivatives
Blackstone
Interest Rate Contracts		967,128		36,660		908,553		58,097		225,550		2,042		1,530,751		27,275
Foreign Currency Contracts		26,614		961		327,124		2,190		279,050		2,097		296,252		2,975
Credit Default Swaps		—		—		28,509		1,687		2,073		304		2,073		304
Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds
Foreign Currency Contracts		107,009		1,906		25,081		1,504		493,181		24,087		264,693		5,628
Credit Default Swaps		22,961		170		50,242		3,599		45,670		3,731		45,582		5,163
Total Return Swaps		31,492		233		—		—		25,645		526		—		—
Equity Options		1		122		1		67		—		—		—		—

		1,155,205		40,052		1,339,510		67,144		1,071,169		32,787		2,139,351		41,345

	$	1,155,205	$	40,052	$	1,339,510	$	67,144	$	1,071,169	$	32,787	$	2,190,208	$	41,798

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

The table below summarizes the impact to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations from derivative financial instruments:


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
Net Investment Hedges — Foreign Currency Contracts
Hedge Ineffectiveness	$	—		$	(37	)	$	(8	)	$	(72	)

Freestanding Derivatives
Realized Gains (Losses)
Interest Rate Contracts	$	401		$	(1,195	)	$	2,471		$	(5,142	)
Foreign Currency Contracts		3,583			17,002			11,821			13,690
Credit Default Swaps		(333	)		(1,964	)		(841	)		(3,622	)
Total Return Swaps		(37	)		293			137			293
Equity Options		—			(258	)		—			(258	)

	$	3,614		$	13,878		$	13,588		$	4,961

Net Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses)
Interest Rate Contracts	$	7,076		$	(6,273	)	$	7,037		$	(6,916	)
Foreign Currency Contracts		(5,248	)		4,638			(7,520	)		17,320
Credit Default Swaps		2,368			1,966			2,856			5,127
Total Return Swaps		(173	)		(397	)		(121	)		(397	)
Equity Options		(99	)		38			(99	)		38

	$	3,924		$	(28	)	$	2,153		$	15,172

As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Partnership had not designated any derivatives as cash flow hedges.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

7.	FAIR VALUE OPTION

The following table summarizes the financial instruments for which the fair value option has been elected:


	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
Assets
Loans and Receivables	$	419,803	$	239,659
Equity and Preferred Securities		473,778		475,485
Debt Securities		523,556		418,061
Assets of Consolidated CLO Vehicles
Corporate Loans		6,917,711		10,825,759
Corporate Bonds		—		690,125
Other		—		458

	$	8,334,848	$	12,649,547

Liabilities
Liabilities of Consolidated CLO Vehicles
Senior Secured Notes
Loans Payable	$	6,520,975	$	10,594,656
Due to Affiliates		3,273		996
Subordinated Notes
Loans Payable		158,623		703,164
Due to Affiliates		65,259		40,390

	$	6,748,130	$	11,339,206

The following tables presents the Realized and Net Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) on financial instruments on which the fair value option was elected:


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017
	Realized Gains (Losses)			Net Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses)			Realized Gains (Losses)			Net Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses)
Assets
Equity and Preferred Securities	$	—		$	20,329		$	18		$	3,599
Debt Securities		(2,461	)		325			3,171			(1,425	)
Assets of Consolidated CLO Vehicles
Corporate Loans		(3,030	)		(14,095	)		(4,358	)		(29,172	)
Corporate Bonds		—			—			326			(12,732	)
Other		—			—			—			356

	$	(5,491	)	$	6,559		$	(843	)	$	(39,374	)

Liabilities
Liabilities of Consolidated CLO Vehicles —
Subordinated Notes	$	—		$	36,021		$	—		$	39,007

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018						2017
	Realized Gains (Losses)			Net Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses)			Realized Gains (Losses)			Net Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses)
Assets
Loans and Receivables	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	7,418
Equity and Preferred Securities		—			18,462			19			23,824
Debt Securities		(1,634	)		(1,973	)		3,515			(3,300	)
Assets of Consolidated CLO Vehicles
Corporate Loans		(7,429	)		(21,134	)		(2,778	)		(16,974	)
Corporate Bonds		(24,056	)		9,693			8,011			(19,477	)
Other		—			6			—			500

	$	(33,119	)	$	5,054		$	8,767		$	(8,009	)

Liabilities
Liabilities of Consolidated CLO Vehicles —
Subordinated Notes	$	—		$	96,481		$	—		$	71,719

The following table presents information for those financial instruments for which the fair value option was elected:


	September 30, 2018							December 31, 2017
				For Financial Assets Past Due (a)							For Financial Assets Past Due (a)
	Excess (Deficiency) of Fair Value Over Principal			Fair Value		Excess of Fair Value Over Principal		Excess (Deficiency) of Fair Value Over Principal			Fair Value		(Deficiency) of Fair Value Over Principal
Loans and Receivables	$	1,060		$	—	$	—	$	1,207		$	—	$	—
Debt Securities		(2,168	)		—		—		(372	)		—		—
Assets of Consolidated CLO Vehicles
Corporate Loans		(29,513	)		—		—		(13,495	)		57,778		(19,633	)
Corporate Bonds		—			—		—		(21,455	)		—		—

	$	(30,621	)	$	—	$	—	$	(34,115	)	$	57,778	$	(19,633	)

(a)	Corporate Loans and Corporate Bonds within CLO assets are classified as past due if contractual payments are more than one day past due.

As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, no Loans and Receivables for which the fair value option was elected were past due or in non-accrual status. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, no Corporate Bonds included within the Assets of Consolidated CLO Vehicles for which the fair value option was elected were past due or in non-accrual status.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

8.	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The following tables summarize the valuation of the Partnership’s financial assets and liabilities by the fair value hierarchy:


	September 30, 2018
	Level I		Level II		Level III		NAV		Total
Assets
Cash and Cash Equivalents — Money Market Funds	$	471,940	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	471,940

Investments
Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds (a)
Investment Funds		—		—		—		85,287		85,287
Equity Securities		67,442		44,256		190,692		—		302,390
Partnership and LLC Interests		—		6,714		329,474		—		336,188
Debt Instruments		—		758,340		101,076		—		859,416
Freestanding Derivatives
Foreign Currency Contracts		—		1,906		—		—		1,906
Credit Default Swaps		—		170		—		—		170
Total Return Swaps		—		233		—		—		233
Equity Options		—		122		—		—		122
Assets of Consolidated CLO Vehicles —Corporate Loans		—		6,368,295		549,416		—		6,917,711

Total Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds		67,442		7,180,036		1,170,658		85,287		8,503,423

Corporate Treasury Investments
Equity Securities		316,771		—		—		—		316,771
Debt Instruments		406,164		1,880,805		17,038		—		2,304,007
Other		—		—		—		262,832		262,832

Total Corporate Treasury Investments		722,935		1,880,805		17,038		262,832		2,883,610

Other Investments		202,453		—		73,481		18,682		294,616

Total Investments		992,830		9,060,841		1,261,177		366,801		11,681,649

Accounts Receivable — Loans and Receivables		—		—		419,803		—		419,803

Other Assets
Freestanding Derivatives
Interest Rate Contracts		2,109		34,551		—		—		36,660
Foreign Currency Contracts		—		961		—		—		961

Total Other Assets		2,109		35,512		—		—		37,621

	$	1,466,879	$	9,096,353	$	1,680,980	$	366,801	$	12,611,013

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)


	September 30, 2018
	Level I		Level II		Level III		Total
Liabilities
Loans Payable — Liabilities of Consolidated CLO Vehicles (a)
Senior Secured Notes (b)	$	—	$	6,520,975	$	—	$	6,520,975
Subordinated Notes (b)		—		158,623		—		158,623

Total Loans Payable		—		6,679,598		—		6,679,598

Due to Affiliates — Liabilities of Consolidated CLO Vehicles (a)
Senior Secured Notes (b)		—		3,273		—		3,273
Subordinated Notes (b)		—		65,259		—		65,259

Total Due to Affiliates		—		68,532		—		68,532

Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased		35,374		130,936		—		166,310

Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities
Liabilities of Consolidated Blackstone Funds — Freestanding Derivatives (a)
Foreign Currency Contracts		—		1,504		—		1,504
Credit Default Swaps		—		3,599		—		3,599
Equity Options		—		67		—		67

Total Liabilities of Consolidated Blackstone Funds		—		5,170		—		5,170

Freestanding Derivatives
Interest Rate Contracts		875		57,222		—		58,097
Foreign Currency Contracts		—		2,190		—		2,190
Credit Default Swaps		—		1,687		—		1,687

Total Freestanding Derivatives		875		61,099		—		61,974

Total Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities		875		66,269		—		67,144

	$	36,249	$	6,945,335	$	—	$	6,981,584

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)


	December 31, 2017
	Level I		Level II		Level III		NAV		Total
Assets
Cash and Cash Equivalents — Money Market Funds	$	853,680	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	853,680

Investments
Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds (a)
Investment Funds		—		—		—		130,339		130,339
Equity Securities		67,443		44,026		131,867		—		243,336
Partnership and LLC Interests		—		2,549		331,448		—		333,997
Debt Instruments		—		643,608		58,155		—		701,763
Freestanding Derivatives
Foreign Currency Contracts		—		101		—		—		101
Credit Default Swaps		—		3,731		—		—		3,731
Total Return Swaps		—		526		—		—		526
Assets of Consolidated CLO Vehicles
Corporate Loans		—		10,318,316		507,443		—		10,825,759
Corporate Bonds		—		690,125		—		—		690,125
Freestanding Derivatives — Foreign Currency Contracts		—		23,986		—		—		23,986
Other		—		—		458		—		458

Total Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds		67,443		11,726,968		1,029,371		130,339		12,954,121

Corporate Treasury Investments
Equity Securities		282,866		—		—		—		282,866
Debt Instruments		—		1,943,654		24,249		—		1,967,903
Other		—		—		—		315,274		315,274

Total Corporate Treasury Investments		282,866		1,943,654		24,249		315,274		2,566,043

Other Investments		193,072		14,162		95,393		19,847		322,474

Total Investments		543,381		13,684,784		1,149,013		465,460		15,842,638

Accounts Receivable — Loans and Receivables		—		—		239,659		—		239,659

Other Assets
Freestanding Derivatives
Interest Rate Contracts		575		1,467		—		—		2,042
Foreign Currency Contracts		—		2,097		—		—		2,097
Credit Default Swaps		—		304		—		—		304

Total Other Assets		575		3,868		—		—		4,443

	$	1,397,636	$	13,688,652	$	1,388,672	$	465,460	$	16,940,420

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)


	December 31, 2017
	Level I		Level II		Level III		Total
Liabilities
Loans Payable — Liabilities of Consolidated CLO Vehicles (a)
Senior Secured Notes (b)	$	—	$	10,594,656	$	—	$	10,594,656
Subordinated Notes (b)		—		703,164		—		703,164

Total Loans Payable		—		11,297,820		—		11,297,820

Due to Affiliates — Liabilities of Consolidated CLO Vehicles (a)
Senior Secured Notes (b)		—		996		—		996
Subordinated Notes (b)		—		40,390		—		40,390

Total Due to Affiliates		—		41,386		—		41,386

Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased		—		154,380		—		154,380

Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities
Liabilities of Consolidated Blackstone Funds — Freestanding Derivatives (a)
Foreign Currency Contracts		—		5,628		—		5,628
Credit Default Swaps		—		5,163		—		5,163

Total Liabilities of Consolidated Blackstone Funds		—		10,791		—		10,791

Freestanding Derivatives
Interest Rate Contracts		415		26,860		—		27,275
Foreign Currency Contracts		—		2,975		—		2,975
Credit Default Swaps		—		304		—		304

Total Freestanding Derivatives		415		30,139		—		30,554

Net Investment Hedges — Foreign Currency Contracts		—		453		—		453

Total Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities		415		41,383		—		41,798

	$	415	$	11,534,969	$	—	$	11,535,384

(a)

Pursuant to GAAP consolidation guidance, the Partnership is required to consolidate all VIEs in which it has been identified as the primary beneficiary, including certain CLO vehicles and other funds in which a consolidated entity of the Partnership, as the general partner of the fund, has a controlling financial interest. While the Partnership is required to consolidate certain funds, including CLO vehicles, for GAAP purposes, the Partnership has no ability to utilize the assets of these funds and there is no recourse to the Partnership for their liabilities since these are client assets and liabilities.

(b)	Senior and subordinate notes issued by CLO vehicles are classified based on the more observable fair value of CLO assets less (1) the fair value of any beneficial interests held by Blackstone, and (2) the carrying value of any beneficial interests that represent compensation for services.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

The following table summarizes the quantitative inputs and assumptions used for items categorized in Level III of the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2018:

Fair Value

Valuation
Techniques

Unobservable
Inputs

Ranges

Weighted-
Average (a)

Financial Assets

Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds

Equity Securities

128,731

Discounted Cash Flows

Discount Rate

7.1% - 26.1%

12.4%

Revenue CAGR

-12.2% - 45.4%

7.3%

Book Value Multiple

1.1x - 9.5x

8.4x

Exit Capitalization Rate

5.0% - 11.4%

8.0%

Exit Multiple - EBITDA

2.6x - 17.5x

10.4x

Exit Multiple - NOI

8.8x - 12.8x

11.9x

Exit Multiple - P/E

10.0x - 17.0x

14.2x

1,516

Market Comparable Companies

Book Value Multiple

0.8x - 8.0x

1.4x

34,220

Other

N/A

26,225

Transaction Price

N/A

Partnership and LLC Interests

279,686

Discounted Cash Flows

Discount Rate

4.5% - 26.5%

9.7%

Revenue CAGR

-3.0% - 45.5%

7.5%

Book Value Multiple

8.5x - 9.3x

9.2x

Exit Capitalization Rate

1.5% - 12.3%

6.1%

Exit Multiple - EBITDA

0.1x - 15.2x

9.5x

Exit Multiple - NOI

13.3x

N/A

626

Market Comparable Companies

Book Value Multiple

1.1x

N/A

10,755

Other

N/A

609

Third Party Pricing

N/A

37,798

Transaction Price

N/A

Debt Instruments

5,510

Discounted Cash Flows

Discount Rate

7.8% - 16.7%

9.7%

Exit Capitalization Rate

3.9%

N/A

93,648

Third Party Pricing

N/A

1,918

Transaction Price

N/A

Assets of Consolidated CLO Vehicles

Discounted Cash Flows

Discount Rate

6.0%

N/A

549,375

Third Party Pricing

N/A

Total Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds

1,170,658

Corporate Treasury
Investments

7,541

Discounted Cash Flows

Discount Rate

5.2% - 6.2%

5.6%

Default Rate

2.0%

N/A

Pre-payment Rate

20.0%

N/A

Recovery Lag

12 Months

N/A

Recovery Rate

30.0% - 70.0%

68.0%

Reinvestment Rate

LIBOR + 400 bps

N/A

9,497

Third Party Pricing

N/A

Loans and Receivables

353,494

Discounted Cash Flows

Discount Rate

4.4% - 12.9%

8.9%

66,309

Transaction Price

N/A

Other Investments

27,758

Discounted Cash Flows

Discount Rate

0.8% - 9.6%

2.0%

Default Rate

2.0%

N/A

Pre-payment Rate

20.0%

N/A

Recovery Lag

12 Months

N/A

Recovery Rate

70.0%

N/A

Reinvestment Rate

LIBOR + 400 bps

N/A

45,723

Transaction Price

N/A

1,680,980

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

The following table summarizes the quantitative inputs and assumptions used for items categorized in Level III of the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2017:

Fair Value

Valuation
Techniques

Unobservable
Inputs

Ranges

Weighted-
Average (a)

Financial Assets

Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds

Equity Securities

91,753

Discounted Cash Flows

Discount Rate

7.1% - 31.4%

12.6%

Revenue CAGR

1.0% - 49.4%

7.1%

Exit Capitalization Rate

5.0% - 11.4%

8.5%

Exit Multiple - EBITDA

4.0x - 16.0x

9.9x

Exit Multiple - NOI

8.8x - 12.5x

10.5x

Exit Multiple - P/E

9.5x - 17.0x

11.0x

862

Market Comparable Companies

Book Value Multiple

0.8x - 0.9x

0.9x

Exit Multiple - EBITDA

8.0x

N/A

17,536

Other

N/A

21,716

Transaction Price

N/A

Partnership and LLC Interests

293,744

Discounted Cash Flows

Discount Rate

4.6% - 26.5%

9.8%

Revenue CAGR

-22.2% - 71.5%

8.4%

Exit Capitalization Rate

3.1% - 10.0%

5.7%

Exit Multiple - EBITDA

0.1x - 15.0x

8.6x

Exit Multiple - NOI

12.5x

N/A

530

Market Comparable Companies

Book Value Multiple

1.0x

N/A

22,346

Other

N/A

758

Third Party Pricing

N/A

14,070

Transaction Price

N/A

Debt Instruments

6,122

Discounted Cash Flows

Discount Rate

6.6% - 18.4%

9.6%

Revenue CAGR

7.7%

N/A

Exit Capitalization Rate

8.3%

N/A

Exit Multiple - NOI

12.0x

N/A

50,136

Third Party Pricing

N/A

1,897

Transaction Price

N/A

Assets of Consolidated CLO Vehicles

8,277

Market Comparable Companies

EBITDA Multiple

7.0x

N/A

499,624

Third Party Pricing

N/A

Total Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds

1,029,371

Corporate Treasury
Investments

8,886

Discounted Cash Flows

Discount Rate

5.1% - 6.3%

5.4%

Default Rate

2.0%

N/A

Pre-payment Rate

20%

N/A

Recovery Lag

12 Months

N/A

Recovery Rate

30.0% - 70.0%

68.1%

Reinvestment Rate

LIBOR + 400 bps

N/A

15,363

Third Party Pricing

N/A

Loans and Receivables

239,659

Discounted Cash Flows

Discount Rate

7.1% - 10.3%

8.8%

Other Investments

65,821

Discounted Cash Flows

Discount Rate

0.7% - 13.0%

2.2%

Default Rate

2.0%

N/A

Pre-payment Rate

20.0%

N/A

Recovery Lag

12 Months

N/A

Recovery Rate

70.0%

N/A

Reinvestment Rate

LIBOR + 400 bps -

LIBOR + 401

LIBOR + 413 bps

bps

29,572

Transaction Price

N/A

1,388,672

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)


N/A		Not applicable.
CAGR		Compound annual growth rate.
EBITDA		Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
Exit Multiple		Ranges include the last twelve months EBITDA, forward EBITDA and price/earnings exit multiples.
NOI		Net operating income.
P/E		Price-earnings ratio.
Third Party Pricing		Third Party Pricing is generally determined on the basis of unadjusted prices between market participants provided by reputable dealers or pricing services.
Transaction Price		Includes recent acquisitions or transactions.
(a)		Unobservable inputs were weighted based on the fair value of the investments included in the range.

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of corporate treasury investments, debt instruments and other investments as of the reporting date are discount rates, default rates, recovery rates, recovery lag, pre-payment rates and reinvestment rates. Increases (decreases) in any of the discount rates, default rates, recovery lag and pre-payment rates in isolation would have resulted in a lower (higher) fair value measurement. Increases (decreases) in any of the recovery rates and reinvestment rates in isolation would have resulted in a higher (lower) fair value measurement. Generally, a change in the assumption used for default rates may be accompanied by a directionally similar change in the assumption used for recovery lag and a directionally opposite change in the assumption used for recovery rates and pre-payment rates.

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of equity securities, partnership and limited liability company (“LLC”) interests, debt instruments, assets of consolidated CLO vehicles and loans and receivables are discount rates, exit capitalization rates, exit multiples, EBITDA multiples and revenue compound annual growth rates. Increases (decreases) in any of discount rates and exit capitalization rates in isolation could have resulted in a lower (higher) fair value measurement. Increases (decreases) in any of exit multiples and revenue compound annual growth rates in isolation could have resulted in a higher (lower) fair value measurement.

Since December 31, 2017, there have been no changes in valuation techniques within Level II and Level III that have had a material impact on the valuation of financial instruments.

The following tables summarize the changes in financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value for which the Partnership has used Level III inputs to determine fair value and does not include gains or losses that were reported in Level III in prior years or for instruments that were transferred out of Level III prior to the end of the respective reporting period. Total realized and unrealized gains and losses recorded for Level III investments are reported in either Investment Income (Loss) or Net Gains from Fund Investment Activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)


	Level III Financial Assets at Fair Value Three Months Ended September 30,
	2018												2017
	Investments of Consolidated Funds			Loans and Receivables			Other Investments (a)			Total			Investments of Consolidated Funds			Loans and Receivables			Other Investments (a)			Total
Balance, Beginning of Period	$	1,086,724		$	346,603		$	114,723		$	1,548,050		$	715,744		$	306,279		$	115,689		$	1,137,712
Transfer In to Level III (b)		255,398			—			5,299			260,697			145,810			—			5,859			151,669
Transfer Out of Level III (b)		(221,162	)		—			(11,192	)		(232,354	)		(62,821	)		—			(721	)		(63,542	)
Purchases		156,527			347,890			15,754			520,171			300,037			241,006			3,250			544,293
Sales		(119,593	)		(274,817	)		(69,272	)		(463,682	)		(154,131	)		(174,814	)		(6,723	)		(335,668	)
Settlements		—			(8,397	)		—			(8,397	)		—			(4,469	)		(370	)		(4,839	)
Changes in Gains Included in Earnings		12,764			8,524			35,207			56,495			27,116			3,730			3,232			34,078

Balance, End of Period	$	1,170,658		$	419,803		$	90,519		$	1,680,980		$	971,755		$	371,732		$	120,216		$	1,463,703

Changes in Unrealized Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings Related to Investments Still Held at the Reporting Date	$	8,229		$	8,523		$	5,431		$	22,183		$	20,207		$	3,730		$	(446	)	$	23,491


	Level III Financial Assets at Fair Value Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018												2017
	Investments of Consolidated Funds			Loans and Receivables			Other Investments (a)			Total			Investments of Consolidated Funds			Loans and Receivables			Other Investments (a)			Total
Balance, Beginning of Period	$	1,029,371		$	239,659		$	119,642		$	1,388,672		$	685,873		$	211,359		$	130,588		$	1,027,820
Transfer In Due to Consolidation and Acquisition		50,043			—			—			50,043			34,651			—						34,651
Transfer Out Due to Deconsolidation		(217,182	)		—			—			(217,182	)		(38,629	)		—			—			(38,629	)
Transfer In to Level III (b)		160,125			—			5,299			165,424			99,042			—			22,254			121,296
Transfer Out of Level III (b)		(117,372	)		—			(26,909	)		(144,281	)		(138,299	)		—			(18,732	)		(157,031	)
Purchases		590,153			718,811			35,567			1,344,531			584,519			578,711			24,853			1,188,083
Sales		(374,479	)		(538,520	)		(92,751	)		(1,005,750	)		(319,350	)		(426,315	)		(50,769	)		(796,434	)
Settlements		—			(17,376	)		(4	)		(17,380	)		—			(8,362	)		(1,463	)		(9,825	)
Changes in Gains Included in Earnings		49,999			17,229			49,675			116,903			63,948			16,339			13,485			93,772

Balance, End of Period	$	1,170,658		$	419,803		$	90,519		$	1,680,980		$	971,755		$	371,732		$	120,216		$	1,463,703

Changes in Unrealized Gains Included in Earnings Related to Investments Still Held at the Reporting Date	$	11,670		$	17,229		$	5,049		$	33,948		$	19,854		$	16,340		$	16		$	36,210

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

(a)	Represents corporate treasury investments and Other Investments.

(b)	Transfers in and out of Level III financial assets and liabilities were due to changes in the observability of inputs used in the valuation of such assets and liabilities.

There were no Level III financial liabilities as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

9.	VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

Pursuant to GAAP consolidation guidance, the Partnership consolidates certain VIEs in which it is determined that the Partnership is the primary beneficiary either directly or indirectly, through a consolidated entity or affiliate. VIEs include certain private equity, real estate, credit-focused or funds of hedge funds entities and CLO vehicles. The purpose of such VIEs is to provide strategy specific investment opportunities for investors in exchange for management and performance based fees. The investment strategies of the Blackstone Funds differ by product; however, the fundamental risks of the Blackstone Funds have similar characteristics, including loss of invested capital and loss of management fees and performance based fees. In Blackstone’s role as general partner, collateral manager or investment adviser, it generally considers itself the sponsor of the applicable Blackstone Fund. The Partnership does not provide performance guarantees and has no other financial obligation to provide funding to consolidated VIEs other than its own capital commitments.

The assets of consolidated variable interest entities may only be used to settle obligations of these consolidated Blackstone Funds. In addition, there is no recourse to the Partnership for the consolidated VIEs’ liabilities including the liabilities of the consolidated CLO vehicles.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Partnership’s ownership interest in certain CLO and other vehicles originated outside of the U.S. was diluted such that the Partnership determined that it was no longer the primary beneficiary of these VIEs and deconsolidated these vehicles. As of the date of deconsolidation, the Partnership’s Total Assets, Total Liabilities and Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities were reduced by $8.9 billion, $8.7 billion and $196.1 million, respectively. The Partnership will continue to receive management fees and Performance Allocations from these vehicles following the dilution of its ownership interest.

The Partnership holds variable interests in certain VIEs which are not consolidated as it is determined that the Partnership is not the primary beneficiary. The Partnership’s involvement with such entities is in the form of direct equity interests and fee arrangements. The maximum exposure to loss represents the loss of assets recognized by Blackstone relating to non-consolidated entities, any amounts due to non-consolidated entities and any clawback obligation relating to previously distributed Performance Allocations. The assets and liabilities recognized in the Partnership’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition related to the Partnership’s interest in these non-consolidated VIEs and the Partnership’s maximum exposure to loss relating to non-consolidated VIEs were as follows:


	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
Investments	$	941,393	$	805,501
Accounts Receivable		—		15,760
Due from Affiliates		300,125		81,465

Total VIE Assets		1,241,518		902,726
Due to Affiliates		5,653		179
Potential Clawback Obligation		55,504		98,331

Maximum Exposure to Loss	$	1,302,675	$	1,001,236

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

10.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

At September 30, 2018, the Partnership pledged securities with a carrying value of $231.6 million and cash to collateralize its repurchase agreements. Such securities can be repledged, delivered or otherwise used by the counterparty.

At December 31, 2017, the Partnership pledged securities with a carrying value of $169.7 million and cash to collateralize its repurchase agreements. Such securities can be repledged, delivered or otherwise used by the counterparty.

The following tables provide information regarding the Partnership’s Repurchase Agreements obligation by type of collateral pledged:


	September 30, 2018
	Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
	Overnight and Continuous		Up to 30 Days		30 - 90 Days		Greater than 90 days		Total
Repurchase Agreements
Asset-Backed Securities	$	—	$	56,636	$	69,084	$	73,768	$	199,488

Gross Amount of Recognized Liabilities for Repurchase Agreements in Note 11. “Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities”									$	199,488

Amounts Related to Agreements Not Included in Offsetting Disclosure in Note 11. “Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities”									$	—


	December 31, 2017
	Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
	Overnight and Continuous		Up to 30 Days		30 - 90 Days		Greater than 90 days		Total
Repurchase Agreements
Asset-Backed Securities	$	—	$	22,756	$	96,084	$	—	$	118,840

Gross Amount of Recognized Liabilities for Repurchase Agreements in Note 11. “Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities”									$	118,840

Amounts Related to Agreements Not Included in Offsetting Disclosure in Note 11. “Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities”									$	—

11.

OFFSETTING OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The following tables present the offsetting of assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2018:


	Gross and Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition		Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition
			Financial Instruments (a)		Cash Collateral Received		Net Amount
Assets
Freestanding Derivatives	$	39,455	$	36,084	$	—	$	3,371

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)


	Gross and Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition		Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition
			Financial Instruments (a)		Cash Collateral Pledged		Net Amount
Liabilities
Freestanding Derivatives	$	67,144	$	58,129	$	6,904	$	2,111
Repurchase Agreements		199,488		199,488		—		—

	$	266,632	$	257,617	$	6,904	$	2,111

(a)	Amounts presented are inclusive of both legally enforceable master netting agreements, and financial instruments received or pledged as collateral. Financial instruments received or pledged as collateral offset derivative counterparty risk exposure, but do not reduce net balance sheet exposure.

The following tables present the offsetting of assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2017:


	Gross and Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition		Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition
			Financial Instruments		Cash Collateral Received		Net Amount
Assets
Freestanding Derivatives	$	8,801	$	3,279	$	—	$	5,522


	Gross and Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition		Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition
			Financial Instruments		Cash Collateral Pledged		Net Amount
Liabilities
Net Investment Hedges	$	453	$	—	$	—	$	453
Freestanding Derivatives		36,234		3,279		32,405		550
Repurchase Agreements		118,840		118,840		—		—

	$	155,527	$	122,119	$	32,405	$	1,003

Repurchase Agreements are presented separately on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Freestanding Derivative assets are included in Other Assets in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The following table presents the components of Other Assets:


	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
Furniture, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements, Net	$	116,615	$	126,566
Prepaid Expenses		96,170		78,723
Other Assets		19,064		32,965
Freestanding Derivatives		37,621		4,443

	$	269,470	$	242,697

Freestanding Derivative liabilities are included in Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and are not a significant component thereof.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

Notional Pooling Arrangement

Blackstone has a notional cash pooling arrangement with a financial institution for cash management purposes. This arrangement allows for cash withdrawals based upon aggregate cash balances on deposit at the same financial institution. Cash withdrawals cannot exceed aggregate cash balances on deposit. The net balance of cash on deposit and overdrafts is used as a basis for calculating net interest expense or income. As of September 30, 2018, the aggregate cash balance on deposit relating to the cash pooling arrangement was $1.4 billion, which was offset with an accompanying overdraft of $1.4 billion.

12.

BORROWINGS

On September 21, 2018, Blackstone Holdings Finance Co. L.L.C. (the “Issuer”), an indirect subsidiary of the Partnership, entered into an amended and restated $1.6 billion revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto. The amendment and restatement to the Issuer’s existing credit facility, among other things, increased the amount of available borrowings and extended the maturity date from August 31, 2021 to September 21, 2023.

The following table presents the general characteristics of each of our Notes, as well as their carrying value and fair value. The Notes are included in Loans Payable within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. All of the Notes were issued at a discount. All of the Notes accrue interest from the Issue Date and all pay interest in arrears on a semi-annual basis or annual basis as indicated by the Interest Payment Dates.


	September 30, 2018				December 31, 2017
Senior Notes	Carrying Value		Fair Value (a)		Carrying Value		Fair Value (a)
5.875%, Due 3/15/2021	$	398,836	$	421,560	$	398,514	$	438,320
4.750%, Due 2/15/2023		394,903		414,520		394,137		434,200
2.000%, Due 5/19/2025		343,899		359,434		355,425		385,433
1.000%, Due 10/5/2026		687,022		659,200		709,871		711,440
3.150%, Due 10/2/2027		296,637		274,230		296,399		295,320
6.250%, Due 8/15/2042		238,170		286,750		238,019		328,200
5.000%, Due 6/15/2044		488,693		499,900		488,536		574,100
4.450%, Due 7/15/2045		344,009		321,720		343,925		372,575
4.000%, Due 10/2/2047		290,119		261,330		289,989		296,940

	$	3,482,288	$	3,498,644	$	3,514,815	$	3,836,528

(a)	Fair value is determined by broker quote and these notes would be classified as Level II within the fair value hierarchy.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

Included within Loans Payable and Due to Affiliates within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition are amounts due to holders of debt securities issued by Blackstone’s consolidated CLO vehicles. Borrowings through the consolidated CLO vehicles consisted of the following:


	September 30, 2018							December 31, 2017
	Borrowing Outstanding		Weighted- Average Interest Rate			Weighted- Average Remaining Maturity in Years		Borrowing Outstanding		Weighted- Average Interest Rate			Weighted- Average Remaining Maturity in Years
Senior Secured Notes	$	6,532,488		3.85	%		3.2	$	10,689,240		2.35	%		4.1
Subordinated Notes		331,735		(a	)		N/A		894,367		(a)			N/A

	$	6,864,223						$	11,583,607

(a)	The Subordinated Notes do not have contractual interest rates but instead receive distributions from the excess cash flows of the CLO vehicles.

Senior Secured Notes and Subordinated Notes comprise the following amounts:


	September 30, 2018						December 31, 2017
	Fair Value		Amounts Due to Non- Consolidated Affiliates				Fair Value		Amounts Due to Non- Consolidated Affiliates
	Fair Value		Borrowing Outstanding		Fair Value		Fair Value		Borrowing Outstanding		Fair Value
Senior Secured Notes	$	6,524,248	$	3,250	$	3,273	$	10,595,652	$	1,000	$	996
Subordinated Notes		223,882		111,659		65,259		743,554		53,400		40,390

	$	6,748,130	$	114,909	$	68,532	$	11,339,206	$	54,400	$	41,386

The Loans Payable of the consolidated CLO vehicles are collateralized by assets held by each respective CLO vehicle and assets of one vehicle may not be used to satisfy the liabilities of another. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the fair value of the consolidated CLO assets was $7.4 billion and $13.4 billion, respectively. This collateral consisted of Cash, Corporate Loans, Corporate Bonds and other securities.

Scheduled principal payments for borrowings as of September 30, 2018 were as follows:


	Operating Borrowings		Blackstone Fund Facilities/CLO Vehicles		Total Borrowings
2018	$	—	$	—	$	—
2019		—		—		—
2020		—		—		—
2021		400,000		—		400,000
2022		—		—		—
Thereafter		3,144,360		6,864,223		10,008,583

	$	3,544,360	$	6,864,223	$	10,408,583

13.

INCOME TAXES

Blackstone’s effective tax rate was 2.7% and 6.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and 6.2% and 5.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

Blackstone’s income tax provision was $26.8 million and $59.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $220.0 million and $146.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

The Blackstone Group L.P. and certain of its subsidiaries operate in the U.S. as partnerships for income tax purposes (partnerships generally are not subject to federal income taxes) and generally as corporate entities in non-U.S. jurisdictions. Blackstone’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was substantially due to the fact that certain corporate subsidiaries are subject to federal, state, local and foreign income taxes (as applicable) and other subsidiaries are subject to New York City unincorporated business taxes.

14.

NET INCOME PER COMMON UNIT

Basic and diluted net income per common unit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 was calculated as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Net Income for Per Common Unit Calculation
Net Income Attributable to The Blackstone Group L.P., Basic	$	442,742	$	377,920	$	1,552,656	$	1,167,236
Incremental Net Income from Assumed Exchange of Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units		327,850		283,455		1,187,908		907,645

Net Income Attributable to The Blackstone Group L.P., Diluted	$	770,592	$	661,375	$	2,740,564	$	2,074,881

Units Outstanding
Weighted-Average Common Units Outstanding, Basic		682,435,177		667,384,727		679,598,629		664,331,632
Weighted-Average Unvested Deferred Restricted Common Units		230,759		663,474		215,270		823,877
Weighted-Average Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units		523,212,047		532,454,091		529,299,345		534,937,167

Weighted-Average Common Units Outstanding, Diluted		1,205,877,983		1,200,502,292		1,209,113,244		1,200,092,676

Net Income Per Common Unit, Basic	$	0.65	$	0.57	$	2.28	$	1.76

Net Income Per Common Unit, Diluted	$	0.64	$	0.55	$	2.27	$	1.73

Distributions Declared Per Common Unit (a)	$	0.58	$	0.54	$	1.78	$	1.88

(a)	Distributions declared reflects the calendar date of the declaration for each distribution.

The Weighted-Average Common Units Outstanding, Basic includes vested deferred restricted common units that have been earned for which issuance of the related common units is deferred until future periods.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

The Partnership applies the treasury stock method to determine the dilutive weighted-average common units outstanding. The Partnership applies the “if-converted” method to the Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units to determine the dilutive weighted-average common units represented by the Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units.

In computing the dilutive effect that the exchange of Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units would have on net income per common unit, the Partnership considered that net income available to holders of common units would increase due to the elimination of non-controlling interests in Blackstone Holdings, inclusive of any tax impact. Because the hypothetical conversion may result in a different tax rate, the Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units are considered anti-dilutive in certain periods and dilutive in other periods.

Unit Repurchase Program

On April 16, 2018, the Board of Directors of our general partner, Blackstone Group Management L.L.C., authorized the repurchase by Blackstone of up to $1.0 billion of Blackstone common units and Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units. Under the unit repurchase program, units may be repurchased from time to time in open market transactions, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing and the actual number of units repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including legal requirements, price and economic and market conditions. The unit repurchase program may be changed, suspended or discontinued at any time and does not have a specified expiration date.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, no units were repurchased. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, Blackstone repurchased 6.0 million and 8.2 million Blackstone common units, respectively, at a total cost of $218.4 million and $290.1 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2018, the amount remaining available for repurchases under this program was $709.9 million.

15.

EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION

The Partnership has granted equity-based compensation awards to Blackstone’s senior managing directors, non-partner professionals, non-professionals and selected external advisers under the Partnership’s 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Plan”). The Equity Plan allows for the granting of options, unit appreciation rights or other unit-based awards (units, restricted units, restricted common units, deferred restricted common units, phantom restricted common units or other unit-based awards based in whole or in part on the fair value of the Blackstone common units or Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units) which may contain certain service or performance requirements. As of January 1, 2018, the Partnership had the ability to grant 172,155,134 units under the Equity Plan.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Partnership recorded compensation expense of $73.7 million and $282.7 million, respectively, in relation to its equity-based awards with corresponding tax benefits of $11.7 million and $46.3 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Partnership recorded compensation expense of $83.0 million and $262.8 million, respectively, in relation to its equity-based awards with corresponding tax benefits of $16.9 million and $53.7 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2018, there was $743.6 million of estimated unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 4.1 years.

Total vested and unvested outstanding units, including Blackstone common units, Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units and deferred restricted common units, were 1,202,105,411 as of September 30, 2018. Total outstanding phantom units were 49,858 as of September 30, 2018.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

A summary of the status of the Partnership’s unvested equity-based awards as of September 30, 2018 and of changes during the period January 1, 2018 through September 30, 2018 is presented below:


	Blackstone Holdings					The Blackstone Group L.P.
						Equity Settled Awards					Cash Settled Awards
Unvested Units	Partnership Units			Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value		Deferred Restricted Common Units and Options			Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value		Phantom Units			Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Balance, December 31, 2017		30,023,189		$	35.26		9,019,974		$	30.03		44,196		$	31.85
Granted		7,914,072			32.13		4,697,672			32.39		9,408			36.87
Vested		(7,074,035	)		34.76		(4,392,305	)		30.02		(5,858	)		36.25
Forfeited		(2,084,013	)		37.27		(339,954	)		30.74		—			—

Balance, September 30, 2018		28,779,213		$	34.39		8,985,387		$	31.22		47,746		$	36.70

Units Expected to Vest

The following unvested units, after expected forfeitures, as of September 30, 2018, are expected to vest:


	Units		Weighted-Average Service Period in Years
Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units		24,889,558		3.6
Deferred Restricted Blackstone Common Units		7,628,833		2.4

Total Equity-Based Awards		32,518,391		3.3

Phantom Units		38,488		2.7

16.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Affiliate Receivables and Payables

Due from Affiliates and Due to Affiliates consisted of the following:


	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
Due from Affiliates
Advances Made on Behalf of Certain Non-Controlling Interest Holders and Blackstone Employees Principally for Investments in Blackstone Funds	$	461,853	$	410,877
Amounts Due from Portfolio Companies and Funds		522,048		587,955
Management Fees and Performance Allocations Due from Non-Consolidated Funds		556,752		594,484
Payments Made on Behalf of Non-Consolidated Entities		469,112		355,766
Investments Redeemed in Non-Consolidated Funds		6,397		77,943
Accrual for Potential Clawback of Previously Distributed Performance Allocations		1,475		1,112

	$	2,017,637	$	2,028,137

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)


	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
Due to Affiliates
Due to Certain Non-Controlling Interest Holders in Connection with the Tax Receivable Agreements	$	785,782	$	715,734
Distributions Received on Behalf of Certain Non-Controlling Interest Holders and Blackstone Employees		39,803		87,829
Distributions Received on Behalf of Blackstone Entities		1,104		38,789
Payments Made by Non-Consolidated Entities		83,944		51,249
Due to Note Holders of Consolidated CLO Vehicles		68,532		41,386
Accrual for Potential Repayment of Previously Received Performance Allocations		2,815		2,171

	$	981,980	$	937,158

Interests of the Founder, Senior Managing Directors, Employees and Other Related Parties

The Founder, senior managing directors, employees and certain other related parties invest on a discretionary basis in the consolidated Blackstone Funds both directly and through consolidated entities. These investments generally are subject to preferential management fee and performance allocation or incentive fee arrangements. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, such investments aggregated $872.7 million and $813.2 million, respectively. Their share of the Net Income Attributable to Redeemable Non-Controlling and Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities aggregated $21.2 million and $32.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $87.1 million and $83.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Loans to Affiliates

Loans to affiliates consist of interest bearing advances to certain Blackstone individuals to finance their investments in certain Blackstone Funds. These loans earn interest at Blackstone’s cost of borrowing and such interest totaled $1.3 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and $3.8 million and $2.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Contingent Repayment Guarantee

Blackstone and its personnel who have received Performance Allocation distributions have guaranteed payment on a several basis (subject to a cap) to the carry funds of any clawback obligation with respect to the excess Performance Allocation allocated to the general partners of such funds and indirectly received thereby to the extent that either Blackstone or its personnel fails to fulfill its clawback obligation, if any. The Accrual for Potential Repayment of Previously Received Performance Allocations represents amounts previously paid to Blackstone Holdings and non-controlling interest holders that would need to be repaid to the Blackstone Funds if the carry funds were to be liquidated based on the fair value of their underlying investments as of September 30, 2018. See Note 17. “Commitments and Contingencies — Contingencies — Contingent Obligations (Clawback)”.

Aircraft and Other Services

In the normal course of business, Blackstone personnel make use of aircraft owned as personal assets by Stephen A. Schwarzman; an aircraft owned jointly as a personal asset by Hamilton E. James, Blackstone’s

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

Executive Vice Chairman, and a Director of Blackstone, and another senior managing director; an aircraft owned as a personal asset by Jonathan D. Gray, Blackstone’s President and Chief Operating Officer and a Director of Blackstone; and an aircraft owned jointly as a personal asset by Bennett J. Goodman, Co-Founder of GSO Capital and a Director of Blackstone, and another senior managing director (each such aircraft, “Personal Aircraft”). Mr. Schwarzman paid for his purchases of his Personal Aircraft himself. Mr. James paid for his interest in his jointly owned Personal Aircraft. Mr. Goodman paid for his interest in his jointly owned Personal Aircraft. Mr. Gray paid for his purchase of his Personal Aircraft himself. Mr. Schwarzman, Mr. James, Mr. Goodman and Mr. Gray respectively bear operating, personnel and maintenance costs associated with the operation of such Personal Aircraft. Payment by Blackstone for the use of the Personal Aircraft by Blackstone employees is made based on market rates.

In addition, on occasion, certain of Blackstone’s executive officers and employee directors and their families may make personal use of aircraft in which Blackstone owns a fractional interest, as well as other assets of Blackstone. Any such personal use of Blackstone assets is charged to the executive officer or employee director based on market rates and usage. Personal use of Blackstone resources is also reimbursed to Blackstone based on market rates.

The transactions described herein are not material to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Tax Receivable Agreements

Blackstone used a portion of the proceeds from the IPO and the sale of non-voting common units to Beijing Wonderful Investments to purchase interests in the predecessor businesses from the predecessor owners. In addition, holders of Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units may exchange their Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units for Blackstone common units on a one-for-one basis. The purchase and subsequent exchanges are expected to result in increases in the tax basis of the tangible and intangible assets of Blackstone Holdings and therefore reduce the amount of tax that Blackstone’s wholly owned subsidiaries would otherwise be required to pay in the future.

One of the subsidiaries of the Partnership which is a corporate taxpayer has entered into tax receivable agreements with each of the predecessor owners and additional tax receivable agreements have been executed, and will continue to be executed, with newly-admitted senior managing directors and others who acquire Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units. The agreements provide for the payment by the corporate taxpayer to such owners of 85% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax that the corporate taxpayers actually realize as a result of the aforementioned increases in tax basis and of certain other tax benefits related to entering into these tax receivable agreements. For purposes of the tax receivable agreements, cash savings in income tax will be computed by comparing the actual income tax liability of the corporate taxpayers to the amount of such taxes that the corporate taxpayers would have been required to pay had there been no increase to the tax basis of the tangible and intangible assets of Blackstone Holdings as a result of the exchanges and had the corporate taxpayers not entered into the tax receivable agreements.

Assuming no future material changes in the relevant tax law and that the corporate taxpayers earn sufficient taxable income to realize the full tax benefit of the increased amortization of the assets, the expected future payments under the tax receivable agreements (which are taxable to the recipients) will aggregate $785.8 million over the next 15 years. The after-tax net present value of these estimated payments totals $296.9 million assuming a 15% discount rate and using Blackstone’s most recent projections relating to the estimated timing of the benefit to be received. Future payments under the tax receivable agreements in respect of subsequent exchanges would be in addition to these amounts. The payments under the tax receivable agreements are not conditioned upon continued ownership of Blackstone equity interests by the pre-IPO owners and the others mentioned above.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

Amounts related to the deferred tax asset resulting from the increase in tax basis from the exchange of Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units to Blackstone common units, the resulting remeasurement of net deferred tax assets at the Blackstone ownership percentage at the balance sheet date, the due to affiliates for the future payments resulting from the tax receivable agreements and resulting adjustment to partners’ capital are included as Acquisition of Ownership Interests from Non-Controlling Interest Holders in the Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Other

Blackstone does business with and on behalf of some of its Portfolio Companies; all such arrangements are on a negotiated basis.

Additionally, please see Note 17. “Commitments and Contingencies — Contingencies — Guarantees” for information regarding guarantees provided to a lending institution for certain loans held by employees.

17.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Commitments

Investment Commitments

Blackstone had $2.5 billion of investment commitments as of September 30, 2018 representing general partner capital funding commitments to the Blackstone Funds, limited partner capital funding to other funds and Blackstone principal investment commitments. The consolidated Blackstone Funds had signed investment commitments of $564.1 million as of September 30, 2018 which includes $121.7 million of signed investment commitments for portfolio company acquisitions in the process of closing.

Contingencies

Guarantees

Certain of Blackstone’s consolidated real estate funds guarantee payments to third parties in connection with the on-going business activities and/or acquisitions of their Portfolio Companies. There is no direct recourse to the Partnership to fulfill such obligations. To the extent that underlying funds are required to fulfill guarantee obligations, the Partnership’s invested capital in such funds is at risk. Total investments at risk in respect of guarantees extended by consolidated real estate funds was $34.1 million as of September 30, 2018.

The Blackstone Holdings Partnerships provided guarantees to a lending institution for certain loans held by employees either for investment in Blackstone Funds or for members’ capital contributions to Blackstone Group International Partners LLP. The amount guaranteed as of September 30, 2018 was $191.8 million.

Litigation

From time to time, Blackstone is named as a defendant in legal actions relating to transactions conducted in the ordinary course of business. Although there can be no assurance of the outcome of such legal actions, in the opinion of management, Blackstone does not have a potential liability related to any current legal proceeding or claim that would individually or in the aggregate materially affect its results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

Contingent Obligations (Clawback)

Performance Allocations are subject to clawback to the extent that the Performance Allocations received to date with respect to a fund exceeds the amount due to Blackstone based on cumulative results of that fund. The actual clawback liability, however, generally does not become realized until the end of a fund’s life except for certain Blackstone real estate funds, multi-asset class investment funds and credit-focused funds, which may have an interim clawback liability. The lives of the carry funds, including available contemplated extensions, for which a liability for potential clawback obligations has been recorded for financial reporting purposes, are currently anticipated to expire at various points through 2028. Further extensions of such terms may be implemented under given circumstances.

For financial reporting purposes, when applicable, the general partners record a liability for potential clawback obligations to the limited partners of some of the carry funds due to changes in the unrealized value of a fund’s remaining investments and where the fund’s general partner has previously received Performance Allocation distributions with respect to such fund’s realized investments.

The following table presents the clawback obligations by segment:


	September 30, 2018						December 31, 2017
Segment	Blackstone Holdings		Current and Former Personnel		Total		Blackstone Holdings		Current and Former Personnel		Total
Credit	$	1,340	$	1,475	$	2,815	$	1,059	$	1,112	$	2,171

For Private Equity, Real Estate, and certain Credit Funds, a portion of the Performance Allocations paid to current and former Blackstone personnel is held in segregated accounts in the event of a cash clawback obligation. These segregated accounts are not included in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Partnership, except to the extent a portion of the assets held in the segregated accounts may be allocated to a consolidated Blackstone fund of hedge funds. At September 30, 2018, $712.4 million was held in segregated accounts for the purpose of meeting any clawback obligations of current and former personnel if such payments are required.

In the Credit segment, payment of Performance Allocations to the Partnership by the majority of the stressed/distressed, mezzanine and credit alpha strategies funds is substantially deferred under the terms of the partnership agreements. This deferral mitigates the need to hold funds in segregated accounts in the event of a cash clawback obligation.

If, at September 30, 2018, all of the investments held by our carry funds were deemed worthless, a possibility that management views as remote, the amount of Performance Allocations subject to potential clawback would be $6.9 billion, on an after-tax basis where applicable, of which Blackstone Holdings is potentially liable for $6.3 billion if current and former Blackstone personnel default on their share of the liability, a possibility that management also views as remote.

18.

SEGMENT REPORTING

Blackstone transacts its primary business in the United States and substantially all of its revenues are generated domestically.

Blackstone conducts its alternative asset management businesses through four segments:

•

Private Equity — Blackstone’s Private Equity segment primarily comprises its management of flagship corporate private equity funds, sector-focused corporate private equity funds, including energy-focused

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

funds, a core private equity fund, an opportunistic investment platform, a secondary private equity fund of funds business, a multi-asset investment program for eligible high net worth investors and a capital markets services business.

•

Real Estate — Blackstone’s Real Estate segment primarily comprises its management of global, European-focused and Asian-focused opportunistic real estate funds, high yield real estate debt funds, liquid real estate debt funds, core+ real estate funds, a NYSE-listed REIT and a non-exchange traded REIT.

•

Hedge Fund Solutions — Blackstone’s Hedge Fund Solutions segment is comprised principally of Blackstone Alternative Asset Management, which manages a broad range of commingled and customized hedge fund of fund solutions and also includes investment platforms that seed new hedge fund businesses, purchase minority ownership interests in more established hedge funds, invest in special situation opportunities, create alternative solutions in regulated structures and trade directly.

•

Credit — Blackstone’s Credit segment consists principally of GSO Capital Partners LP, which is organized into performing credit strategies (which include mezzanine lending funds, middle market direct lending funds and other performing credit strategies), distressed strategies (which include credit alpha strategies, stressed/distressed funds and energy strategies), long only strategies (which consist of CLOs, closed end funds, commingled funds and separately managed accounts), Harvest (which invests in publicly traded master limited partnerships holding primarily midstream energy assets in the U.S.) and Blackstone Insurance Solutions (which partners with insurers to deliver customizable and diversified portfolios of Blackstone products across asset classes, as well as the option for full management of insurance companies’ investment portfolios).

These business segments are differentiated by their various sources of income. The Private Equity, Real Estate, Hedge Fund Solutions and Credit segments primarily earn their income from management fees and investment returns on assets under management.

Blackstone uses Economic Income as a key measure of value creation, a benchmark of performance and in making resource deployment and compensation decisions across its four segments. Economic Income presents revenues and expenses on a basis that deconsolidates the investment funds Blackstone manages, and excludes the amortization of intangibles and other activity referred to as “Transaction-Related Charges”. Transaction-Related Charges arise from corporate actions including acquisitions, divestitures and Blackstone’s initial public offering. They consist primarily of equity-based compensation charges, gains and losses on contingent consideration arrangements, changes in the balance of the tax receivable agreement resulting from a change in tax law or similar event, transaction costs and any gains or losses associated with these corporate actions. For segment reporting purposes, Performance Allocations and Incentive Fees are presented together and referred to collectively as Performance Revenues or Performance Compensation.

Senior management makes operating decisions and assesses the performance of each of Blackstone’s business segments based on financial and operating metrics and data that is presented without the consolidation of any of the Blackstone Funds that are consolidated into the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

The following tables presents the financial data for Blackstone’s four segments for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:


	Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
	Private Equity			Real Estate			Hedge Fund Solutions			Credit			Total Segments
Revenues
Management and Advisory Fees, Net
Base Management Fees	$	205,893		$	254,088		$	129,554		$	132,071		$	721,606
Transaction, Advisory and Other Fees, Net		21,709			45,678			766			5,791			73,944
Management Fee Offsets		(4,973	)		(8,265	)		—			(3,093	)		(16,331	)

Total Management and Advisory Fees, Net		222,629			291,501			130,320			134,769			779,219

Performance Revenues
Realized Incentive Fees		—			5,898			3,847			55			9,800
Realized Performance Allocations		290,012			297,710			138			4,798			592,658
Unrealized Performance Allocations		242,613			31,877			13,171			11,270			298,931

Total Performance Revenues		532,625			335,485			17,156			16,123			901,389

Principal Investment Income
Realized		44,408			16,197			2,024			2,991			65,620
Unrealized		19,140			269			8,474			821			28,704

Total Principal Investment Income		63,548			16,466			10,498			3,812			94,324
Interest and Dividend Revenue		13,258			18,556			6,672			11,450			49,936
Other		3,252			4,190			(639	)		2,289			9,092

Total Revenues		835,312			666,198			164,007			168,443			1,833,960

Expenses
Compensation		117,031			124,475			50,213			62,482			354,201
Performance Compensation
Realized Incentive Fees		—			3,289			3,284			678			7,251
Realized Performance Allocations		106,401			89,879			1,314			2,848			200,442
Unrealized Performance Allocations		119,135			48,898			4,142			6,009			178,184

Total Compensation and Benefits		342,567			266,541			58,953			72,017			740,078
Interest Expense		12,139			13,584			6,459			8,741			40,923
Other Operating Expenses		36,654			39,787			20,753			31,551			128,745

Total Expenses		391,360			319,912			86,165			112,309			909,746

Economic Income	$	443,952		$	346,286		$	77,842		$	56,134		$	924,214

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)


	Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
	Private Equity			Real Estate			Hedge Fund Solutions			Credit			Total Segments
Revenues
Management and Advisory Fees, Net
Base Management Fees	$	182,764		$	224,048		$	129,410		$	133,680		$	669,902
Transaction, Advisory and Other Fees, Net		8,748			20,616			48			2,883			32,295
Management Fee Offsets		(1,088	)		(4,232	)		(28	)		(4,867	)		(10,215	)

Total Management and Advisory Fees, Net		190,424			240,432			129,430			131,696			691,982

Performance Revenues
Realized Incentive Fees		—			3,778			12,186			19,549			35,513
Realized Performance Allocations		101,918			307,932			2,031			23,113			434,994
Unrealized Performance Allocations		80,326			273,731			10,327			43,041			407,425

Total Performance Revenues		182,244			585,441			24,544			85,703			877,932

Principal Investment Income (Loss)
Realized		7,077			44,449			1,316			7,346			60,188
Unrealized		17,300			(8,319	)		12,723			(4,320	)		17,384

Total Principal Investment Income		24,377			36,130			14,039			3,026			77,572
Interest and Dividend Revenue		9,046			15,461			5,316			8,062			37,885
Other		(8,346	)		(13,108	)		(5,859	)		(6,831	)		(34,144	)

Total Revenues		397,745			864,356			167,470			221,656			1,651,227

Expenses
Compensation		96,166			105,753			44,347			56,532			302,798
Performance Compensation
Realized Incentive Fees		—			1,967			5,862			10,503			18,332
Realized Performance Allocations		48,019			104,112			1,022			9,352			162,505
Unrealized Performance Allocations		45,484			105,640			3,541			20,869			175,534

Total Compensation and Benefits		189,669			317,472			54,772			97,256			659,169
Interest Expense		10,804			15,028			6,763			8,154			40,749
Other Operating Expenses		32,166			33,256			17,958			23,237			106,617

Total Expenses		232,639			365,756			79,493			128,647			806,535

Economic Income	$	165,106		$	498,600		$	87,977		$	93,009		$	844,692

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

The following table reconciles the Total Segments to Blackstone’s Income Before Provision for Taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:


	Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
	Revenues			Expenses			Other Income		Economic Income / Income Before Provision for Taxes (a)
Total Segments	$	1,833,960		$	909,746		$	—	$	924,214

Adjustments
Impact of Consolidation (b)		92,092			13,260			66,838		145,670
Amortization of Intangibles (c)		(387	)		14,469			—		(14,856	)
Intersegment Eliminations		(1,253	)		(1,253	)		—		—
Transaction-Related Charges (d)		2,168			81,410			—		(79,242	)

Total Adjustments		92,620			107,886			66,838		51,572

Blackstone Consolidated	$	1,926,580		$	1,017,632		$	66,838	$	975,786


	Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
	Revenues			Expenses			Other Income		Economic Income / Income Before Provision for Taxes (a)
Total Segments	$	1,651,227		$	806,535		$	—	$	844,692

Adjustments
Impact of Consolidation (b)		84,928			31,715			63,448		116,661
Amortization of Intangibles (c)		(387	)		10,957			—		(11,344	)
Intersegment Eliminations		(1,877	)		(1,877	)		—		—
Transaction-Related Charges (d)		1,467			57,181			—		(55,714	)

Total Adjustments		84,131			97,976			63,448		49,603

Blackstone Consolidated	$	1,735,358		$	904,511		$	63,448	$	894,295

(a)	Represents Total Segments Economic Income reconciled to Blackstone Consolidated Income Before Provision for Taxes.

(b)

The Impact of Consolidation adjustment represents the effect of consolidating Blackstone Funds, the elimination of Blackstone’s interest in these funds, the increase to revenue representing the reimbursement of certain expenses by Blackstone Funds, which are presented gross under GAAP but netted against Other Operating Expenses in the segment presentation, and the removal of amounts associated with the ownership of Blackstone consolidated operating partnerships held by non-controlling interests.

(c)	Amortization of intangibles consists of the amortization of transaction-related intangibles including intangibles associated with Blackstone’s investment in Pátria, which is accounted for under the equity method.

(d)

Transaction-Related Charges arise from corporate actions including acquisitions, divestitures, and Blackstone’s initial public offering. They consist primarily of equity-based compensation charges, gains and losses on contingent consideration arrangements, changes in the balance of the tax receivable agreement resulting from a change in tax law or similar event, transaction costs and any gains or losses associated with these corporate actions.

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

The following tables present the financial data for Blackstone’s four segments as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:


	September 30, 2018 and the Nine Months Then Ended
	Private Equity			Real Estate			Hedge Fund Solutions		Credit			Total Segments
Revenues
Management and Advisory Fees, Net
Base Management Fees	$	584,375		$	730,294		$	388,335	$	418,673		$	2,121,677
Transaction, Advisory and Other Fees, Net		45,583			92,625			1,923		11,791			151,922
Management Fee Offsets		(12,517	)		(13,718	)		—		(9,107	)		(35,342	)

Total Management and Advisory Fees, Net		617,441			809,201			390,258		421,357			2,238,257

Performance Revenues
Realized Incentive Fees		—			21,667			18,905		1,298			41,870
Realized Performance Allocations		505,306			800,649			2,527		57,373			1,365,855
Unrealized Performance Allocations		1,138,203			97,741			28,162		103,588			1,367,694

Total Performance Revenues		1,643,509			920,057			49,594		162,259			2,775,419

Principal Investment Income (Loss)
Realized		83,346			81,086			10,430		14,098			188,960
Unrealized		120,755			(25,088	)		4,073		(4,932	)		94,808

Total Principal Investment Income		204,101			55,998			14,503		9,166			283,768
Interest and Dividend Revenue		33,350			48,178			16,636		29,884			128,048
Other		13,511			13,150			6,692		9,261			42,614

Total Revenues		2,511,912			1,846,584			477,683		631,927			5,468,106

Expenses
Compensation		320,558			346,898			148,599		191,863			1,007,918
Performance Compensation
Realized Incentive Fees		—			11,319			11,473		864			23,656
Realized Performance Allocations		207,959			253,295			4,666		32,982			498,902
Unrealized Performance Allocations		491,684			76,698			9,100		45,128			622,610

Total Compensation and Benefits		1,020,201			688,210			173,838		270,837			2,153,086
Interest Expense		35,045			39,122			18,630		25,249			118,046
Other Operating Expenses		103,852			105,230			58,032		91,189			358,303

Total Expenses		1,159,098			832,562			250,500		387,275			2,629,435

Economic Income	$	1,352,814		$	1,014,022		$	227,183	$	244,652		$	2,838,671

Segment Assets	$	8,152,986		$	7,572,396		$	2,216,436	$	4,014,282		$	21,956,100

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)


	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
	Private Equity			Real Estate			Hedge Fund Solutions			Credit			Total Segments
Revenues
Management and Advisory Fees, Net
Base Management Fees	$	537,154		$	649,792		$	386,576		$	410,706		$	1,984,228
Transaction, Advisory and Other Fees, Net		42,213			57,982			2,003			9,211			111,409
Management Fee Offsets		(17,031	)		(12,800	)		(28	)		(27,379	)		(57,238	)

Total Management and Advisory Fees, Net		562,336			694,974			388,551			392,538			2,038,399

Performance Revenues
Realized Incentive Fees		—			11,538			32,821			77,968			122,327
Realized Performance Allocations		882,767			1,217,246			3,075			46,950			2,150,038
Unrealized Performance Allocations		(104,143	)		355,373			43,991			83,833			379,054

Total Performance Revenues		778,624			1,584,157			79,887			208,751			2,651,419

Principal Investment Income (Loss)
Realized		129,539			221,627			909			11,894			363,969
Unrealized		(49,114	)		(112,691	)		42,594			4,493			(114,718	)

Total Principal Investment Income		80,425			108,936			43,503			16,387			249,251
Interest and Dividend Revenue		23,629			42,048			13,987			20,420			100,084
Other		(26,270	)		(39,223	)		(18,189	)		(21,218	)		(104,900	)

Total Revenues		1,418,744			2,390,892			507,739			616,878			4,934,253

Expenses
Compensation		270,445			318,721			139,312			168,604			897,082
Performance Compensation
Realized Incentive Fees		—			6,011			16,973			38,845			61,829
Realized Performance Allocations		292,712			408,580			1,590			21,839			724,721
Unrealized Performance Allocations		28,347			187,686			15,931			38,013			269,977

Total Compensation and Benefits		591,504			920,998			173,806			267,301			1,953,609
Interest Expense		31,959			44,450			19,994			24,090			120,493
Other Operating Expenses		88,519			97,499			50,655			72,244			308,917

Total Expenses		711,982			1,062,947			244,455			363,635			2,383,019

Economic Income	$	706,762		$	1,327,945		$	263,284		$	253,243		$	2,551,234

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

The following table reconciles the Total Segments to Blackstone’s Income Before Provision for Taxes and Total Assets as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:


	September 30, 2018 and the Nine Months Then Ended
	Revenues			Expenses			Other Income		Economic Income / Income Before Provision for Taxes (a)			Total Assets
Total Segments	$	5,468,106		$	2,629,435		$	—	$	2,838,671		$	21,956,100

Adjustments
Impact of Consolidation (b)		278,368			99,447			250,956		429,877			8,504,257
Amortization of Intangibles (c)		(1,161	)		43,441			—		(44,602	)		—
Intersegment Eliminations		(3,887	)		(3,887	)		—		—			—
Transaction-Related Charges (d)		586,855			248,508			—		338,347			—

Total Adjustments		860,175			387,509			250,956		723,622			8,504,257

Blackstone Consolidated	$	6,328,281		$	3,016,944		$	250,956	$	3,562,293		$	30,460,357


	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
	Revenues			Expenses			Other Income		Economic Income / Income Before Provision for Taxes (a)
Total Segments	$	4,934,253		$	2,383,019		$	—	$	2,551,234

Adjustments
Impact of Consolidation (b)		244,070			112,423			239,634		371,281
Amortization of Intangibles (c)		(1,161	)		32,871			—		(34,032	)
Intersegment Eliminations		(4,944	)		(4,944	)		—		—
Transaction-Related Charges (d)		13,584			184,108			—		(170,524	)

Total Adjustments		251,549			324,458			239,634		166,725

Blackstone Consolidated	$	5,185,802		$	2,707,477		$	239,634	$	2,717,959

(a)	Represents Total Segments Economic Income reconciled to Blackstone Consolidated Income Before Provision for Taxes.

(b)

(c)	Amortization of intangibles consists of the amortization of transaction-related intangibles including intangibles associated with Blackstone’s investment in Pátria, which is accounted for under the equity method.

(d)

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Continued

(All Dollars Are in Thousands, Except Unit and Per Unit Data, Except Where Noted)

actions. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, Transaction-Related Charges include $580.9 million of Other Revenues received upon the conclusion of Blackstone’s investment sub-advisory relationship with FS Investments’ funds.

19.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

There have been no events since September 30, 2018 that require recognition or disclosure in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 1A.

UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL PRESENTATION OF STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Unaudited Consolidating Statements of Financial Condition

(Dollars in Thousands)


	September 30, 2018
	Consolidated Operating Partnerships			Consolidated Blackstone Funds (a)		Reclasses and Eliminations			Consolidated
Assets
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	1,937,963		$	—	$	—		$	1,937,963
Cash Held by Blackstone Funds and Other		—			408,561		—			408,561
Investments		14,263,255			8,503,423		(671,758	)		22,094,920
Accounts Receivable		601,405			274,242		—			875,647
Due from Affiliates		2,033,401			9,891		(25,655	)		2,017,637
Intangible Assets, Net		366,368			—		—			366,368
Goodwill		1,778,192			—		—			1,778,192
Other Assets		263,917			5,553		—			269,470
Deferred Tax Assets		711,599			—		—			711,599

Total Assets	$	21,956,100		$	9,201,670	$	(697,413	)	$	30,460,357

Liabilities and Partners’ Capital
Loans Payable	$	3,482,288		$	6,679,598	$	—		$	10,161,886
Due to Affiliates		860,487			524,325		(402,832	)		981,980
Accrued Compensation and Benefits		3,414,215			—		—			3,414,215
Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased		48,104			118,205		—			166,309
Repurchase Agreements		—			199,488		—			199,488
Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities		563,879			265,617		—			829,496

Total Liabilities		8,368,973			7,787,233		(402,832	)		15,753,374

Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities		22,070			131,434		—			153,504

Partners’ Capital
Partners’ Capital		7,024,079			294,581		(294,581	)		7,024,079
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		(36,562	)		—		—			(36,562	)
Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities		2,684,713			988,422		—			3,673,135
Non-Controlling Interests in Blackstone Holdings		3,892,827			—		—			3,892,827

Total Partners’ Capital		13,565,057			1,283,003		(294,581	)		14,553,479

Total Liabilities and Partners’ Capital	$	21,956,100		$	9,201,670	$	(697,413	)	$	30,460,357

continued…

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP L.P.

Unaudited Consolidating Statements of Financial Condition

(Dollars in Thousands)


	December 31, 2017
	Consolidated Operating Partnerships			Consolidated Blackstone Funds (a)		Reclasses and Eliminations			Consolidated
Assets
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	1,992,497		$	—	$	—		$	1,992,497
Cash Held by Blackstone Funds and Other		345,668			1,583,863		—			1,929,531
Investments		12,087,525			13,093,670		(747,146	)		24,434,049
Accounts Receivable		404,071			470,947		—			875,018
Due from Affiliates		2,009,866			47,325		(29,054	)		2,028,137
Intangible Assets, Net		409,828			—		—			409,828
Goodwill		1,778,192			—		—			1,778,192
Other Assets		234,603			8,094		—			242,697
Deferred Tax Assets		725,970			—		—			725,970

Total Assets	$	19,988,220		$	15,203,899	$	(776,200	)	$	34,415,919

Liabilities and Partners’ Capital
Loans Payable	$	3,514,815		$	11,300,621	$	—		$	14,815,436
Due to Affiliates		852,123			339,138		(254,103	)		937,158
Accrued Compensation and Benefits		2,623,492			—		—			2,623,492
Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased		64,473			89,907		—			154,380
Repurchase Agreements		—			118,840		—			118,840
Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities		477,615			1,565,907		—			2,043,522

Total Liabilities		7,532,518			13,414,413		(254,103	)		20,692,828

Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities		22,000			188,944		—			210,944

Partners’ Capital
Partners’ Capital		6,669,327			378,030		(378,846	)		6,668,511
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		(34,836	)		—		818			(34,018	)
Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities		2,174,705			1,222,512		(144,069	)		3,253,148
Non-Controlling Interests in Blackstone Holdings		3,624,506			—		—			3,624,506

Total Partners’ Capital		12,433,702			1,600,542		(522,097	)		13,512,147

Total Liabilities and Partners’ Capital	$	19,988,220		$	15,203,899	$	(776,200	)	$	34,415,919

(a)	The Consolidated Blackstone Funds consisted of the following:

Blackstone / GSO Global Dynamic Credit Feeder Fund (Cayman) LP

Blackstone / GSO Global Dynamic Credit Funding Designated Activity Company

Blackstone / GSO Global Dynamic Credit Master Fund

Blackstone / GSO Global Dynamic Credit USD Feeder Fund (Ireland)

Blackstone / GSO Loan Financing Limited*

Blackstone Real Estate Partners VI.C — ESH L.P.*

Blackstone Real Estate Special Situations Fund L.P.

Blackstone Real Estate Special Situations Offshore Fund Ltd.

Blackstone Strategic Alliance Fund L.P.

BSSF I AIV L.P.

BTD CP Holdings LP

Collateralized loan obligation vehicles

GSO Legacy Associates 2 LLC*

GSO Legacy Associates LLC*

Mezzanine side-by-side investment vehicles

Private equity side-by-side investment vehicles

Real estate side-by-side investment vehicles

Consolidated as of December 31, 2017 only.

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with The Blackstone Group L.P.’s condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes included within this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Our Business

Blackstone is one of the largest independent managers of private capital in the world. Our business is organized into four segments:

•

Private Equity. We are a world leader in private equity investing, having managed seven general private equity funds, as well as three sector-focused funds, since we established this business in 1987. Our Private Equity segment includes our corporate private equity business, which consists of our flagship private equity funds (Blackstone Capital Partners (“BCP”) funds), our sector-focused private equity funds, including our energy-focused funds (Blackstone Energy Partners (“BEP”) funds), and our Asia-focused fund (Blackstone Capital Partners Asia (“BCP Asia”) fund). In addition, our Private Equity segment includes our core private equity fund, Blackstone Core Equity Partners (“BCEP”), our opportunistic investment platform that invests globally across asset classes, industries and geographies, Blackstone Tactical Opportunities (“Tactical Opportunities”), our secondary private equity fund of funds business, Strategic Partners Fund Solutions (“Strategic Partners”), our infrastructure-focused funds, Blackstone Infrastructure Partners (“BIP”), a multi-asset investment program for eligible high net worth investors offering exposure to certain of Blackstone’s key illiquid investment strategies through a single commitment, Blackstone Total Alternatives Solution (“BTAS”) and our capital markets services business, Blackstone Capital Markets (“BXCM”).

Our corporate private equity business pursues transactions throughout the world across a variety of transaction types, including large buyouts, mid-cap buyouts, buy and build platforms (which involve multiple acquisitions behind a single management team and platform) and growth equity/development projects (which involve significant minority investments in mature companies and greenfield development projects in energy and power). Tactical Opportunities invests globally across asset classes, industries and geographies, seeking to identify and execute on attractive, differentiated investment opportunities, leveraging the intellectual capital across our various businesses while continuously optimizing its approach in the face of ever changing market conditions. Strategic Partners focuses on delivering access to a range of opportunities, leveraging its proprietary database to acquire single fund interests or complex portfolios in an efficient and timely manner. BIP focuses on investments in core and core+ infrastructure in the energy, transportation, communications and water and waste sectors.

•

Real Estate. Our Real Estate group is one of the largest real estate investment managers in the world. We operate as one globally integrated business, with investments in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Our Real Estate investment team seeks to establish a differentiated view and capitalizes on our scale and proprietary information advantages to invest with conviction and generate attractive risk-adjusted returns for our investors over the long term.

Our Blackstone Real Estate Partners (“BREP”) funds are geographically diversified and target a broad range of “opportunistic” real estate and real estate-related investments. The BREP funds include global funds as well as funds focused specifically on Europe or Asia investments. We seek to acquire high quality, well-located yet undermanaged assets at an attractive basis, address any property or business issues through active asset management and sell the assets once our business plan is accomplished. BREP has made significant investments in hotels, office buildings, shopping centers, residential and industrial assets, as well as a variety of real estate operating companies.

Our core+ real estate business, Blackstone Property Partners (“BPP”) has assembled a global portfolio of high quality core+ investments across the U.S., Europe and Asia. We manage several core+ real estate funds, which target substantially stabilized assets in prime markets with a focus on office, multifamily, industrial and retail assets.

BREIT, a non-exchange traded REIT, is focused on investing primarily in stabilized income-oriented commercial real estate in the U.S. and to a lesser extent, investing in real estate-related securities.

Our Blackstone Real Estate Debt Strategies (“BREDS”) vehicles target debt investment opportunities collateralized by commercial real estate in both public and private markets, primarily in the U.S. and Europe. BREDS’ scale and investment mandates enable it to provide a variety of lending and investment options including mezzanine loans, senior loans and liquid securities. The BREDS platform includes a number of high yield real estate debt funds, liquid real estate debt funds and BXMT, a NYSE-listed real estate investment trust (“REIT”).

•

Hedge Fund Solutions. Blackstone’s Hedge Fund Solutions segment is comprised principally of Blackstone Alternative Asset Management (“BAAM”). BAAM is the world’s largest discretionary allocator to hedge funds, managing a broad range of commingled and customized fund solutions since its inception in 1990. The Hedge Fund Solutions segment also includes investment platforms that seed new hedge fund businesses, purchase minority ownership interests in more established hedge funds, invest in special situation opportunities, create alternative solutions in regulated structures and trade directly.

•

Credit. Our credit segment consists principally of GSO Capital Partners LP (“GSO”) which was founded in 2005 and subsequently acquired by Blackstone in 2008. GSO is one of the largest leveraged finance-focused alternative asset managers in the world and is the largest manager of collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) globally. The investment portfolios of the funds we manage or sub-advise predominantly consist of loans and securities of non-investment grade companies spread across the capital structure including senior debt, subordinated debt, preferred stock and common equity.

The GSO business is organized into three overarching strategies: performing credit, distressed and long only. Our performing credit strategies include mezzanine lending funds, middle market direct lending funds, and other performing credit strategy funds. Our distressed strategies include credit alpha strategies, stressed/distressed funds and energy strategies. GSO’s long only strategies consist of CLOs, closed end funds, commingled funds and separately managed accounts.

In addition, our credit business includes our publicly traded master limited partnership (“MLP”) and investment platform, which are managed by Harvest. Harvest, which was founded in 2005 and subsequently acquired by Blackstone in 2017, primarily invests capital raised from institutional investors in separately managed accounts and pooled vehicles, investing in publicly traded MLPs holding primarily midstream energy assets in the U.S.

Our insurer-focused platform, BIS, delivers to insurers bespoke, capital-efficient investments and diversified portfolios of Blackstone products across asset classes tailored to their needs and risk profile.

We generate revenue from fees earned pursuant to contractual arrangements with funds, fund investors and fund portfolio companies (including management, transaction and monitoring fees), and from capital markets services. We invest in the funds we manage and we are entitled to a pro-rata share of the results of the fund (a “pro-rata allocation”). In addition to a pro-rata allocation, and assuming certain investment returns are achieved, we

are entitled to a disproportionate allocation of the income otherwise allocable to the limited partners, commonly referred to as carried interest (“Performance Allocations”). In certain structures, we receive a contractual incentive fee from an investment fund in the event that specified cumulative investment returns are achieved (an “Incentive Fee”, and together with Performance Allocations, “Performance Revenues”). The composition of our revenues will vary based on market conditions and the cyclicality of the different businesses in which we operate. Net investment gains and investment income generated by the Blackstone Funds, principally private equity and real estate funds, are driven by value created by our operating and strategic initiatives as well as overall market conditions. Fair values are affected by changes in the fundamentals of the portfolio company, the portfolio company’s industry, the overall economy and other market conditions.

Business Environment

Blackstone’s businesses are materially affected by conditions in the financial markets and economic conditions in the U.S., Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent, elsewhere in the world.

The third quarter of 2018 was characterized by continued global economic expansion, particularly in the U.S., despite growing concerns over rising interest rates, trade protectionism and emerging market weakness. Strong U.S. economic growth and corporate earnings led the S&P 500 higher during the quarter, up 8%, its largest quarterly advance in five years. In the third quarter, the MSCI World Index rose 5%, the MSCI World excluding the U.S. Index increased 1% and the MSCI Europe and Asia indices were both flat. Emerging market equities underperformed, with the MSCI Emerging Markets Index down 2% for the quarter. Subsequent to the end of the third quarter, however, U.S. and other global equity markets experienced a sharp decline amid concerns of potentially slowing economic growth for the fourth quarter and into 2019. After declining 25% in the third quarter, the Cboe Volatility Index rose sharply in October concurrent with the sharp decline in global equity markets.

Despite positive momentum in the U.S., the global growth cycle has become less synchronized with signs of slowing in Europe, Japan and China. For example, in the third quarter of 2018, China’s economy grew at 6.5%, its weakest year-over-year quarterly growth since the first quarter of 2009 during the global financial crisis. In the U.S., the Bureau of Economic Analysis’ initial report on third quarter 2018 GDP indicated growth of 3.5%, representing a deceleration in growth from the second quarter, as most economists expected. U.S. monetary policy continues to tighten as the U.S. Federal Reserve raised interest rates in September for the eighth time since December 2015, with the current target range set at 2.0 to 2.25%. Ten-year U.S. Treasury yields rose to 3.06% in the quarter and exceeded 3.2% subsequent to quarter end, furthering investor concerns over the potential negative impact to values of fixed income and longer duration assets. The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index was flat, U.S. investment grade corporates were down 0.5% and high yield corporates advanced 2.4% for the quarter. High yield spreads tightened by 40 basis points during the quarter, near their lowest level since 2008, while issuances fell 27% year over year.

In the U.S., the unemployment rate fell to 3.7% in September, its lowest level since 1969, and weekly wages rose at an annualized 3.3% in the third quarter of 2018, higher than the 2.6% increase in inflation over the same period.

Global equity issuance for both initial public offerings and follow-on offerings slowed, with the first nine months of the year down 6% year over year, marking the slowest nine-month period since 2016. Global merger and acquisition volume reached a record $3.2 trillion for the first nine months of the year, but declined 35% quarter over quarter, reflecting ongoing concerns over trade and antitrust policy.

Energy was modestly weaker during the quarter and the S&P 500 Energy Index was flat. The price of crude oil fell slightly, with West Texas Intermediate Crude down 1% to $73 per barrel, still well below historical averages, while the Henry Hub Natural Gas spot price rose 3%. Spot prices for other commodities declined, with the Bloomberg Commodity Index down 3% during the quarter.

In the near term, most economists expect continued steady economic growth and the continued normalization of monetary policy in the U.S, although global trade tensions, increasing interest rates and rising geopolitical instability present ongoing concerns.

Notable Transactions

On April 9, 2018, Blackstone concluded its investment sub-advisory relationship with FS Investments’ funds (the “FS Funds”), as previously announced. At March 31, 2018, the FS Funds represented $20.0 billion of Total Assets Under Management. Over time, we believe we will replace and ultimately overtake the prior level of revenue and earnings associated with our sub-advisory relationship with FS Investments. As part of the transaction, Blackstone received proceeds from FS Investments of $580.9 million which is recorded as Other Revenues within the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ended June 30, 2018. This amount is characterized as a Transaction-Related Charge and therefore is not included in Economic Income, Fee Related Earnings, or Distributable Earnings for the three months ended June 30, 2018. Blackstone intends to distribute a portion of the after-tax proceeds to unitholders resulting in an anticipated incremental $0.30 per common unit and per Blackstone Holdings Partnership unit over the second, third and fourth quarters of 2018, of which $0.10 per common unit was distributed on each of August 6, 2018 and November 5, 2018.

On September 21, 2018, Blackstone Holdings Finance Co L.L.C., an indirect subsidiary of the Partnership, entered into an amended and restated $1.6 billion revolving credit facility. The amendment and restatement to the Issuer’s credit facility, among other things, increased the amount of available borrowings and extended the maturity date from August 31, 2021 to September 21, 2023.

On October 4, 2018, Blackstone announced an agreement to acquire Clarus Ventures, LLC and certain of its affiliates (“Clarus”), a leading global life sciences investment firm that has raised $2.6 billion since its founding. Clarus is focused on funding growth-stage investments, often in partnership with major biopharmaceutical companies through research and development collaborations (the “Clarus Acquisition”). The Clarus Acquisition launches Blackstone Life Sciences, a private investment platform with capabilities to invest across the life-cycle of companies and products within the key life sciences sectors. The Clarus Acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2018, subject to customary closing conditions. Once the Clarus Acquisition closes, Clarus will be included in our Private Equity segment.

Organizational Structure

The simplified diagram below depicts our current organizational structure. The diagram does not depict all of our subsidiaries, including intermediate holding companies through which certain of the subsidiaries depicted are held.

LOGO

Key Financial Measures and Indicators

We manage our business using key financial measures and indicators since we believe they measure the productivity of our investment activities. Our key financial measures and indicators are discussed below.

Revenues

Revenues primarily consist of management and advisory fees, incentive fees, investment income, interest and dividend revenue and other. Please refer to “Part I. Item 1. Business — Incentive Arrangements / Fee Structure” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and “— Critical Accounting Policies — Revenue Recognition” for additional information regarding the manner in which Base Management Fees and Incentive Fees are generated.

Management and advisory fees and incentive fees are accounted for as contracts with customers. Under the guidance for contracts with customers, an entity is required to (a) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (b) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (c) determine the transaction price, (d) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (e) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. In determining the transaction price, an entity may include variable consideration only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized would not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. See Note 18. “Segment Reporting” in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” in “Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements” for a disaggregated presentation of revenues from contracts with customers.

income earned on principal investments held by us. Other Revenue consists of miscellaneous income and foreign exchange gains and losses arising on transactions denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars.

Transaction, advisory and other fees (including monitoring fees) are principally fees charged to the limited partners of funds indirectly through the managed funds and portfolio companies. The investment advisory agreements generally require that the investment adviser reduce the amount of management fees payable by the limited partners to the Partnership (“management fee reductions”) by an amount equal to a portion of the transaction and other fees paid to the Partnership by the portfolio companies. The amount of the reduction varies by fund, the type of fee paid by the portfolio company and the previously incurred expenses of the fund. These fees and associated management fee reductions are a component of the transaction price for our performance obligation to provide investment management services to the limited partners of funds and are recognized as changes to the transaction price in the period in which they are charged and the services are performed.

Management fee offsets are reductions to management fees payable by the limited partners of the Blackstone Funds, which are based on the amount such limited partners reimburse the Blackstone Funds or the Partnership primarily for placement fees. Providing investment management services requires the Partnership to arrange for services on behalf of its customers. In those situations where we are acting as an agent on behalf of the limited partners of funds, it presents the cost of services as net against management fee revenue. In all other situations, the Partnership is primarily responsible for fulfilling the services and is therefore acting as a principal for those arrangements. As a result, the cost of those services is presented gross as Compensation or General, Administrative and Other expense, as appropriate, with any reimbursement from the limited partners of the funds recorded as Management and Advisory Fees, Net.

Incentive Fees — Contractual fees earned based on the performance of Blackstone Funds (“Incentive Fees”) are a form of variable consideration in Blackstone’s contracts with customers to provide investment management services. Incentive Fees are earned based on fund performance during the period, subject to the achievement of minimum return levels, or high water marks, in accordance with the respective terms set out in each fund’s governing agreements. Incentive Fees will not be recognized as revenue until (a) it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur, or (b) the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. Incentive Fees are typically recognized as revenue when realized at the end of the measurement period. Once realized, such fees are not subject to clawback or reversal. Accrued but unpaid Incentive Fees charged directly to investors in Blackstone Funds as of the reporting date are recorded within Due from Affiliates in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Investment Income (Loss) — Investment Income (Loss) represents the unrealized and realized gains and losses on the Partnership’s Performance Allocations and Principal Investments.

Principal Investments include the unrealized and realized gains and losses on the Partnership’s principal investments, including its investments in Blackstone Funds that are not consolidated and receive pro-rata allocations, its equity method investments, and other principal investments. Income (Loss) on Principal Investments is realized when the Partnership redeems all or a portion of its investment or when the Partnership receives cash income, such as dividends or distributions. Unrealized Income (Loss) on Principal Investments results from changes in the fair value of the underlying investment as well as the reversal of unrealized gain (loss) at the time an investment is realized.

Interest and Dividend Revenue — Interest and Dividend Revenue comprises primarily interest and dividend income earned on principal investments held by Blackstone.

Other Revenue — Other Revenue consists of miscellaneous income and foreign exchange gains and losses arising on transactions denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars.

Expenses

Compensation and Benefits — Compensation — Compensation consists of (a) salary and bonus, and benefits paid and payable to employees and senior managing directors and (b) equity-based compensation associated with the grants of equity-based awards to employees and senior managing directors. Compensation cost relating to the issuance of equity-based awards to senior managing directors and employees is measured at fair value at the grant date, and expensed over the vesting period on a straight-line basis, taking into consideration expected forfeitures, except in the case of (a) equity-based awards that do not require future service, which are expensed immediately, and (b) certain awards to recipients that meet criteria making them eligible for retirement (allowing such recipient to keep a percentage of those awards upon departure from Blackstone after becoming eligible for retirement), for which the expense for the portion of the award that would be retained in the event of retirement is either expensed immediately or amortized to the retirement date. Cash settled equity-based awards are classified as liabilities and are remeasured at the end of each reporting period.

Compensation and Benefits — Incentive Fee Compensation — Incentive Fee Compensation consists of compensation paid based on Incentive Fees.

Compensation and Benefits — Performance Allocations Compensation — Performance Allocation Compensation consists of compensation paid based on Performance Allocations (which may be distributed in cash or in-kind). Such compensation expense is subject to both positive and negative adjustments. Unlike Performance Allocations, compensation expense is based on the performance of individual investments held by a fund rather than on a fund by fund basis. These amounts may also include allocations of investment income from Blackstone’s principal investments, to senior managing directors and employees participating in certain profit sharing initiatives.

Other Operating Expenses — Other Operating Expenses represents general and administrative expenses including interest expense, occupancy and equipment expenses and other expenses, which consist principally of professional fees, public company costs, travel and related expenses, communications and information services and depreciation and amortization.

Fund Expenses — The expenses of our consolidated Blackstone Funds consist primarily of interest expense, professional fees and other third party expenses.

Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities

Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities represent the component of Partners’ Capital in consolidated Blackstone Funds held by third party investors and employees. The percentage interests held by third parties and employees is adjusted for general partner allocations and by subscriptions and redemptions in funds of hedge funds and certain credit-focused funds which occur during the reporting period. In addition, all non-controlling interests in consolidated Blackstone Funds are attributed a share of income (loss) arising from the respective funds and a share of other comprehensive income, if applicable. Income (Loss) is allocated to non-controlling interests in consolidated entities based on the relative ownership interests of third party investors and employees after considering any contractual arrangements that govern the allocation of income (loss) such as fees allocable to The Blackstone Group L.P.

Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities

Non-controlling interests related to funds of hedge funds are subject to annual, semi-annual or quarterly redemption by investors in these funds following the expiration of a specified period of time, or may be withdrawn subject to a redemption fee during the period when capital may not be withdrawn. As limited partners in these types of funds have been granted redemption rights, amounts relating to third party interests in such consolidated funds are presented as Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. When redeemable amounts become legally payable to investors, they are

classified as a liability and included in Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. For all consolidated funds in which redemption rights have not been granted, non-controlling interests are presented within Partners’ Capital in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities.

Non-Controlling Interests in Blackstone Holdings

Non-Controlling Interests in Blackstone Holdings represent the component of Partners’ Capital in the consolidated Blackstone Holdings Partnerships held by Blackstone personnel and others who are limited partners of the Blackstone Holdings Partnerships.

Certain costs and expenses are borne directly by the Holdings Partnerships. Income (Loss), excluding those costs directly borne by and attributable to the Holdings Partnerships, is attributable to Non-Controlling Interests in Blackstone Holdings. This residual attribution is based on the year to date average percentage of Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units held by Blackstone personnel and others who are limited partners of the Blackstone Holdings Partnerships.

Income Taxes

The Blackstone Holdings Partnerships and certain of their subsidiaries operate in the U.S. as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and generally as corporate entities in non-U.S. jurisdictions. Accordingly, these entities in some cases are subject to New York City unincorporated business taxes or non-U.S. income taxes. In addition, certain of the wholly owned subsidiaries of the Partnership and the Blackstone Holdings Partnerships will be subject to federal, state and local corporate income taxes at the entity level and the related tax provision attributable to the Partnership’s share of this income tax is reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method of accounting. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, using tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period when the change is enacted. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Current and deferred tax liabilities are recorded within Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Blackstone uses the flow-through method to account for investment tax credits. Under this method, the investment tax credits are recognized as a reduction to income tax expense.

Blackstone analyzes its tax filing positions in all of the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns, as well as for all open tax years in these jurisdictions. Blackstone records uncertain tax positions on the basis of a two-step process: (a) a determination is made whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position and (b) those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not threshold are recognized as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. Blackstone recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in General, Administrative, and Other expenses within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Certain past legislative proposals by members of the U.S. Congress would treat carried interest as not meeting the qualifying income requirements under the publicly traded partnership rules (after a transition period in the case of existing publicly traded partnerships). If similar legislation were enacted and applied to us, we would not qualify as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes unless we held carried interest through corporations. If we were taxed as a corporation or held carried interest through taxable subsidiary corporations, our effective tax rate could increase significantly.

States and other jurisdictions have also considered legislation to increase taxes with respect to carried interest. For example, New Jersey recently enacted legislation which eliminates an exclusion from New Jersey source income (for non-residents) for carried interest and income from providing investment management services, which is not expected to materially affect our common unitholders, and authorizes a contingent 17% surtax on such management income for gross income tax and corporate income tax purposes. These carried interest provisions remain non-operative as they are dependent upon Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts enacting legislation with identical provisions. In addition, New York State has considered legislation, which could cause a non-resident of New York State who holds our common units to be subject to New York State income tax on carried interest earned by entities in which we hold an indirect interest, thereby requiring the non-resident to file a New York State income tax return reporting such carried interest income. As part of that same proposal, New York State also considered a state tax surcharge of 17% on carried interest in addition to the personal income tax. Similar proposals are under consideration in other jurisdictions such as California. Whether or when similar legislation will be enacted is unclear.

Finally, several state and local jurisdictions are evaluating ways to subject partnerships to entity level taxation through the imposition of state or local income, franchise or other forms of taxation or to increase the amount of such taxation. For example, although it would not affect us materially, Connecticut recently enacted an income tax on pass-through entities doing business in Connecticut, and states in which we do business may consider similar tax changes. These and other proposals have recently been under heightened consideration in light of U.S. federal income tax legislation, known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was signed into law on December 22, 2017 (the “Tax Reform Bill”).

Meaningfully quantifying the potential impact on Blackstone of this potential future legislation or any similar legislation is not possible at this time. Multiple versions of legislation in this area have been proposed over the last few years that have included significantly different provisions regarding effective dates and the treatment of invested capital, tiered entities and cross-border operations, among other matters. Depending upon what version of the legislation, if any, were enacted, the potential impact on a public company such as Blackstone in a given year could differ significantly and could be material. In addition, even if these legislative proposals would not themselves impose a tax on a publicly traded partnership such as Blackstone, they could force Blackstone and other publicly traded partnerships to restructure their operations so as to prevent disqualifying income from reaching the publicly traded partnership in amounts that would disqualify the partnership from treatment as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such a restructuring could result in more income being earned in corporate subsidiaries, thereby increasing corporate income tax liability indirectly borne by the publicly traded partnership. In addition, we, and our common unitholders, could be taxed on any such restructuring. The nature of any such restructuring would depend on the precise provisions of the legislation that was ultimately enacted, as well as the particular facts and circumstances of Blackstone’s operations at the time any such legislation were to take effect, making the task of predicting the amount of additional tax highly speculative.

The recently enacted Tax Reform Bill has resulted in fundamental changes to the Internal Revenue Code. Changes to U.S. tax laws resulting from the Tax Reform Bill, including reduction to the federal corporate income tax rate, partial limitation on the deductibility of business interest expense, and a longer three-year holding period requirement for carried interest to be treated as long-term capital gain could have a material effect on our business operations and our funds’ investment activities. These and other changes from the Tax Reform Bill — including limitations on the use, carryback and carryforward of net operating losses and changes relating to the scope and timing of U.S. taxation on earnings from international business operations — could also have a significant effect on the business of our portfolio companies. The exact impact of the Tax Reform Bill for future years is still unclear and difficult to quantify, but these changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, other changes could be enacted in the future to increase the corporate tax rate, limit further the deductibility of interest, subject carried interest to more onerous taxation or effect other changes that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Congress, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”) and other government agencies in jurisdictions in which we and our affiliates invest or do business have maintained a focus on issues

related to the taxation of multinational companies. The OECD, which represents a coalition of member countries, is contemplating changes to numerous long-standing tax principles through its base erosion and profit shifting (“BEPS”) project, which is focused on a number of issues, including the shifting of profits between affiliated entities in different tax jurisdictions, interest deductibility and eligibility for the benefits of double tax treaties. Several of the proposed measures are potentially relevant to some of our structures and could have an adverse tax impact on our funds, investors and/or our portfolio companies. Some member countries have been moving forward on the BEPS agenda but, because timing of implementation and the specific measures adopted will vary among participating states, significant uncertainty remains regarding the impact of BEPS proposals. If implemented, these proposals could result in a loss of tax treaty benefits and increased taxes on income from our investments.

A number of European jurisdictions have enacted taxes on financial transactions, and the European Commission has proposed legislation to harmonize these taxes under the so-called “enhanced cooperation procedure,” which provides for adoption of EU-level legislation applicable to some but not all EU Member States. These contemplated changes, if adopted by individual countries, could increase tax uncertainty and/or costs faced by us, our portfolio companies and our investors, change our business model and cause other adverse consequences. The timing or impact of these proposals is unclear at this point. In addition, tax laws, regulations and interpretations are subject to continual changes, which could adversely affect our structures or returns to our investors. For instance, various countries have adopted or proposed tax legislation that may adversely affect portfolio companies and investment structures in countries in which our funds have invested and may limit the benefits of additional investments in those countries.

In addition, legislation enacted in 2015 significantly changed the rules for U.S. federal income tax audits of partnerships. Such audits will be conducted at the partnership level, and unless a partnership qualifies for and affirmatively elects an alternative procedure, any adjustments to the amount of tax due (including interest and penalties) will be payable by the partnership. Under an elective alternative procedure, a partnership would issue information returns to persons who were partners in the audited year, who would then be required to take the adjustments into account in calculating their own tax liability, and the partnership would not be liable for the adjustments. If a partnership elects the alternative procedure for a given adjustment, the amount of taxes for which its partners would be liable would be increased by any applicable penalties and a special interest charge. There can be no assurance that we will be eligible to make such an election or that we will, in fact, make such an election for any given adjustment. If we do not or are not able to make such an election, then (a) our then-current common unitholders, in the aggregate, could indirectly bear income tax liabilities in excess of the aggregate amount of taxes that would have been due had we elected the alternative procedure, and (b) a given common unitholder may indirectly bear taxes attributable to income allocable to other common unitholders or former common unitholders, including taxes (as well as interest and penalties) with respect to periods prior to such holder’s ownership of common units. Amounts available for distribution to our common unitholders may be reduced as a result of our obligation to pay any taxes associated with an adjustment. Many issues with respect to, and the overall effect of, this legislation on us are uncertain, and common unitholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding all aspects of this legislation as it affects their particular circumstances.

Economic Income

Blackstone uses Economic Income as a key measure of value creation, a benchmark of performance and in making resource deployment and compensation decisions across its four segments. Economic Income presents revenues and expenses on a basis that deconsolidates the investment funds Blackstone manages, and excludes the amortization of intangibles and other activity referred to as “Transaction-Related Charges”. Transaction-Related Charges arise from corporate actions including acquisitions, divestitures, and Blackstone’s initial public offering. They consist primarily of equity-based compensation charges, gains and losses on contingent consideration arrangements, changes in the balance of the tax receivable agreement resulting from a change in tax law or similar event, transaction costs and any gains or losses associated with these corporate actions. For segment reporting purposes, Performance Allocations and Incentive Fees are presented together and referred to collectively as Performance Revenues or Performance Compensation. Economic Income, our principal segment measure, is

derived from and reconciled to, but not equivalent to, its most directly comparable GAAP measure of Income (Loss) Before Provision for Taxes. See Note 18. “Segment Reporting” in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” in “Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements”.

Economic Net Income

Economic Net Income (“ENI”) represents Economic Income adjusted to include current period taxes. Current period taxes represent the total tax provision calculated under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) adjusted to include only the current tax provision (benefit) calculated on Income (Loss) Before Provision for Taxes and adjusted to exclude the tax impact of any divestitures. ENI is derived from and reconciled to, but not equivalent to, its most directly comparable GAAP measure of Income (Loss) Before Provision for Taxes. See “— Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for our reconciliation of Economic Net Income.

Fee Related Earnings

Blackstone uses Fee Related Earnings, which is derived from Economic Income, as a performance measure to assess its ability to generate profits from revenues that are measured and received on a recurring basis and not subject to future realization events. Fee Related Earnings equals management and advisory fees (net of management fee reductions and offsets) plus Fee Related Net Performance Revenues, less (a) cash compensation expense directly related to earning those revenues, and (b) Other Operating Expenses. Fee Related Earnings is derived from and reconciled to, but not equivalent to, its most directly comparable GAAP measure of Income (Loss) Before Provision for Taxes. See “— Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for our reconciliation of Fee Related Earnings.

Fee Related Net Performance Revenues refers to the realized portion of Performance Revenues from Perpetual Capital that are (a) measured and received on a recurring basis and (b) not dependent on realization events from the underlying investments (“Fee Related Performance Revenues”), net of directly related cash compensation expense.

Performance Revenues collectively refers to: (a) Incentive Fees and (b) Performance Allocations. Performance Compensation collectively refers to: (a) Incentive Fee Compensation and (b) Performance Allocations Compensation.

Distributable Earnings

Distributable Earnings, which is derived from our segment reported results, is a supplemental measure to assess performance and amounts available for distributions to Blackstone unitholders, including Blackstone personnel and others who are limited partners of the Blackstone Holdings partnerships. Distributable Earnings is intended to show the amount of net realized earnings without the effects of the consolidation of the Blackstone Funds. Distributable Earnings is derived from and reconciled to, but not equivalent to, its most directly comparable GAAP measure of Income (Loss) Before Provision for Taxes. See “— Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for our reconciliation of Distributable Earnings.

Distributable Earnings is the sum across all segments of: (a) Total Management, Advisory and Other Fees, Net, (b) Interest and Dividend Revenue, (c) Realized Incentive Fees, (d) Realized Performance Allocations, and (e) Realized Principal Investment Income (Loss); less (a) Compensation, excluding the expense of equity-based awards, (b) Realized Incentive Fee Compensation, (c) Realized Performance Allocations Compensation, (d) Interest Expense, (e) Other Operating Expenses, and (f) Taxes and Related Payables Under the Tax Receivable Agreement.

Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes and Depreciation and Amortization

Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes and Depreciation and Amortization (“Adjusted EBITDA”), is a supplemental measure and may be used to assess our ability to service our borrowings. Adjusted EBITDA represents Distributable Earnings plus the addition of (a) Interest Expense, (b) Taxes and Related Payables Including Payable Under Tax Receivable Agreement, and (c) Depreciation and Amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is derived from and reconciled to, but not equivalent to, its most directly comparable GAAP measure of Income (Loss) Before Provision for Taxes. See “— Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for our reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA.

Summary Walkdown of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The relationship of our GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures is presented in the summary walkdown below. The summary walkdown shows how each non-GAAP financial measure is related to the other non-GAAP financial measures. This presentation is not meant to be a detailed calculation of each measure, but to show the relationship between the measures. For the calculation of each of these non-GAAP financial measures and a full reconciliation of Income Before Provision for Taxes to Distributable Earnings, please see “— Non-GAAP Financial Measures”.

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Operating Metrics

The alternative asset management business is a complex business that is primarily based on managing third party capital and does not require substantial capital investment to support rapid growth. However, there also can be volatility associated with its earnings and cash flows. Since our inception, we have developed and used various key operating metrics to assess and monitor the operating performance of our various alternative asset management businesses in order to monitor the effectiveness of our value creating strategies.

Assets Under Management. Assets Under Management refers to the assets we manage. Our Assets Under Management equals the sum of:

(a)

(b)

(c)

the invested capital, fair value or net asset value of assets we manage pursuant to separately managed accounts,

(d)

the amount of debt and equity outstanding for our CLOs during the reinvestment period,

(e)

the aggregate par amount of collateral assets, including principal cash, for our CLOs after the reinvestment period,

(f)

the gross or net amount of assets (including leverage where applicable) for our credit-focused registered investment companies, and

(g)

the fair value of common stock, preferred stock, convertible debt, or similar instruments issued by BXMT.

Fee-Earning Assets Under Management. Fee-Earning Assets Under Management refers to the assets we manage on which we derive management fees and/or performance revenues. Our Fee-Earning Assets Under Management equals the sum of:

(a)

(b)

for our credit-focused carry funds, the amount of remaining invested capital (which may include leverage) or net asset value, depending on the fee terms of the fund,

(c)

the remaining invested capital or fair value of assets held in co-investment vehicles managed by us on which we receive fees,

(d)

(e)

the invested capital, fair value of assets or the net asset value we manage pursuant to separately managed accounts,

(f)

the net proceeds received from equity offerings and accumulated core earnings of BXMT, subject to certain adjustments,

(g)

the aggregate par amount of collateral assets, including principal cash, of our CLOs, and

(h)

the gross amount of assets (including leverage) or the net assets (plus leverage where applicable) for certain of our credit-focused registered investment companies.

Each of our segments may include certain Fee-Earning Assets Under Management on which we earn performance revenues but not management fees.

Perpetual Capital. Perpetual Capital refers to the component of assets under management with an indefinite term, that is not in liquidation, and for which there is no requirement to return capital to investors through redemption requests in the ordinary course of business, except where funded by new capital inflows. Perpetual Capital includes co-investment capital with an investor right to convert into Perpetual Capital.

Limited Partner Capital Invested. Limited Partner Capital Invested represents the aggregate amount of third party capital invested by our funds and vehicles, including investments closed but not yet funded by investors during each period presented, including (a) capital invested by our carry and drawdown funds and vehicles, (b) certain perpetual capital invested including undistributed proceeds that are reinvested, and (c) capital invested through fee-paying co-investments made by third parties in investments of our carry and perpetual funds and vehicles.

Dry Powder. Dry Powder represents the amount of capital available for investment or reinvestment, including general partner and employee capital, is known as dry powder and is an indicator of the capital we have available for future investments.

Performance Revenue Eligible Assets Under Management. Performance Revenue Eligible Assets Under Management represents invested and to be invested capital at fair value, including capital closed for funds whose investment period has not yet commenced, on which performance fees could be earned if certain hurdles are met.

Consolidated Results of Operations

Following is a discussion of our consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. For a more detailed discussion of the factors that affected the results of our four business segments (which are presented on a basis that deconsolidates the investment funds we manage) in these periods, see “— Segment Analysis”.

The following table sets forth information regarding our consolidated results of operations and certain key operating metrics for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				2018 vs. 2017					Nine Months Ended September 30,				2018 vs. 2017
	2018		2017		$		%			2018		2017		$		%
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Revenues
Management and Advisory Fees, Net	$	780,009	$	685,922	$	94,087		14	%	$	2,230,242	$	2,022,263	$	207,979		10	%

Incentive Fees		9,799		35,513		(25,714)		-72	%		41,743		122,327		(80,584)		-66	%

Investment Income
Performance Allocations
Realized		592,103		434,982		157,121		36	%		1,365,119		2,149,549		(784,430)		-36	%
Unrealized		299,238		406,649		(107,411)		-26	%		1,367,678		377,560		990,118		262	%
Principal Investments
Realized		134,619		74,805		59,814		80	%		305,961		451,207		(145,246)		-32	%
Unrealized		52,840		96,085		(43,245)		-45	%		268,082		63,172		204,910		324	%

Total Investment Income		1,078,800		1,012,521		66,279		7	%		3,306,840		3,041,488		265,352		9	%

Interest and Dividend Revenue		48,604		36,974		11,630		31	%		124,062		99,172		24,890		25	%
Other		9,368		(35,572)		44,940		N/M			625,394		(99,448)		724,842		N/M

Total Revenues		1,926,580		1,735,358		191,222		11	%		6,328,281		5,185,802		1,142,479		22	%

Expenses
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation		419,285		359,209		60,076		17	%		1,236,167		1,078,001		158,166		15	%
Incentive Fee Compensation		7,251		18,332		(11,081)		-60	%		23,656		61,829		(38,173)		-62	%
Performance Allocations Compensation
Realized		200,442		162,505		37,937		23	%		498,902		724,721		(225,819)		-31	%
Unrealized		178,184		175,534		2,650		2	%		622,610		269,977		352,633		131	%

Total Compensation and Benefits		805,162		715,580		89,582		13	%		2,381,335		2,134,528		246,807		12	%
General, Administrative and Other		168,813		121,036		47,777		39	%		441,354		349,974		91,380		26	%
Interest Expense		41,355		41,545		(190)		-0	%		119,346		122,880		(3,534)		-3	%
Fund Expenses		2,302		26,350		(24,048)		-91	%		74,909		100,095		(25,186)		-25	%

Total Expenses		1,017,632		904,511		113,121		13	%		3,016,944		2,707,477		309,467		11	%

Other Income
Net Gains from Fund Investment Activities		66,838		63,448		3,390		5	%		250,956		239,634		11,322		5	%

Income Before Provision for Taxes		975,786		894,295		81,491		9	%		3,562,293		2,717,959		844,334		31	%
Provision for Taxes		26,798		59,512		(32,714)		-55	%		220,024		146,557		73,467		50	%

Net Income		948,988		834,783		114,205		14	%		3,342,269		2,571,402		770,867		30	%
Net Income Attributable to Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities		2,569		3,215		(646)		-20	%		2,199		6,206		(4,007)		-65	%
Net Income Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities		143,101		113,446		29,655		26	%		427,678		365,075		62,603		17	%
Net Income Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests in Blackstone Holdings		360,576		340,202		20,374		6	%		1,359,736		1,032,885		326,851		32	%

Net Income Attributable to The Blackstone Group L.P.	$	442,742	$	377,920	$	64,822		17	%	$	1,552,656	$	1,167,236	$	385,420		33	%

N/M Not meaningful.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

Revenues

Revenues were $1.9 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $191.2 million compared to $1.7 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The increase in Revenues was primarily attributable to increases of $94.1 million in Management and Advisory Fees, Net, $66.3 million in Investment Income and $44.9 million in Other Revenue, partially offset by a decrease of $25.7 million in Incentive Fees.

The increase in Management and Advisory Fees, Net was primarily due to increases in our Real Estate and Private Equity segments of $51.1 million and $32.2 million, respectively. The increase in our Real Estate segment was primarily due to AUM growth in our core+ real estate funds and the launch of BREP Asia II in the fourth quarter of 2017, partially offset by a decrease due to the expiration of the BREP VI fund term. The increase in our Private Equity segment was primarily attributable to the launch of BCP Asia and the third vintage of Tactical Opportunities.

The increase in Investment Income was primarily attributable to an increase in our Private Equity segment of $389.6 million, partially offset by decreases in our Real Estate and Credit segments of $271.7 million and $49.3 million, respectively. The increase in our Private Equity segment was primarily due to corporate private equity. Corporate private equity carrying value increased 7.5% in the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 3.3% in the three months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease in our Real Estate segment was primarily attributable to lower net appreciation of investment holdings in our BREP opportunistic funds compared to the comparable period in 2017. The carrying value of investments for our BREP opportunistic funds increased 3.0% in the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 5.5% in the three months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease in our Credit segment was primarily attributable to lower returns in our performing credit strategies and distressed strategies.

The increase in Other Revenue was primarily due to foreign exchange gain on our euro denominated bonds.

The decrease in Incentive Fees was primarily attributable to a decrease in our Credit segment of $19.5 million, primarily due to the conclusion of our sub-advisory relationship with FS Investments.

Expenses

Expenses were $1.0 billion for the three months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $113.1 million compared to $904.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in Performance Allocations Compensation and Compensation, partially offset by decreases in Fund Expenses and Incentive Fee Compensation. The increase of $40.6 million in Performance Allocations Compensation was primarily due to the increase in Investment Income. The increase of $60.1 million in Compensation was due to the increase in Management and Advisory Fees, Net, on which a portion of compensation is based, as well as an increase in headcount in our infrastructure initiative, the acquisition of Harvest and the launch of BIS. The decrease of $24.0 million in Fund Expenses was due to a decrease of $24.5 million in our Credit segment primarily from the deconsolidation of certain CLO and other vehicles in 2018. The decrease of $11.1 million in Incentive Fee Compensation was primarily due to the conclusion of our sub-advisory relationship with FS Investments, on which a portion of Incentive Fee Compensation is based.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

Revenues

Revenues were $6.3 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $1.1 billion compared to $5.2 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The increase in Revenues was primarily attributable to increases of $724.8 million in Other Revenue, $265.4 million in Investment Income and $208.0 million in Management and Advisory Fees, Net, partially offset by a decrease of $80.6 million in Incentive Fees.

The increase in Other Revenue was primarily due to the fixed payment we received in connection with the conclusion of our sub-advisory relationship with FS Investments’ funds and a foreign exchange gain on our euro denominated bonds.

The increase in Investment Income was primarily attributable to increases in our Private Equity and Credit segments of $988.6 million and $23.0 million, respectively, partially offset by decreases in our Real Estate and Hedge Fund Solutions segments of $727.2 million and $45.4 million, respectively. The increase in our Private Equity segment was due to corporate private equity. Corporate private equity carrying value increased 23.4% in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 12.1% in the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The increase in our Credit segment was primarily attributable to higher returns in our performing credit strategies, and distressed strategies. The decrease in our Real Estate segment was primarily attributable to lower net appreciation of investment holdings in our BREP opportunistic funds compared to the comparable period in 2017. The carrying value of investments for our BREP opportunistic funds increased 9.2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 15.0% in the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease in our Hedge Fund Solutions segment was due to lower returns across the segment compared to the comparable quarter of 2017.

The increase in Management and Advisory Fees, Net was primarily due to increases in our Real Estate, Private Equity and Credit segments of $114.2 million, $55.1 million and $28.8 million, respectively. The increase in our Real Estate segment was primarily due to AUM growth in our core+ real estate funds and the launch of BREP Europe V in the fourth quarter of 2016 (and the corresponding expiration of its fee holiday in the second quarter of 2017) and the launch of BREP Asia II in the fourth quarter of 2017, partially offset by a decrease due to the expiration of the BREP VI fund term. The increase in our Private Equity segment was primarily attributable to the launch of BCP Asia and the third vintage of Tactical Opportunities. The increase in our Credit segment was primarily attributable to the acquisition of Harvest and launch of BIS, partially offset by the conclusion of our sub-advisory relationship with FS Investments.

The decrease in Incentive Fees was primarily attributable to a decrease in our Credit segment of $76.7 million. The decrease in our Credit segment was primarily attributable to the conclusion of our sub-advisory relationship with FS Investments.

Expenses

Expenses were $3.0 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $309.5 million compared to $2.7 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to increases in Compensation and Performance Allocations Compensation, partially offset by decreases in Incentive Fee Compensation and Fund Expenses. The increase of $158.2 million in Compensation was due to the increase in Management and Advisory Fees, Net, on which a portion of compensation is based, as well as an increase in headcount in our infrastructure initiative, the acquisition of Harvest and the launch of BIS. The increase of $126.8 million in Performance Allocations Compensation was primarily due to the increase in Investment Income. The decrease of $38.2 million in Incentive Fee Compensation was primarily due to the decrease in Realized Incentive Fees in our Credit segment, on which a portion of Incentive Fee Compensation is based. The decrease of $25.2 million in Fund Expenses was due to a decrease of $23.1 million in our Credit segment primarily from the deconsolidation of certain CLO and other vehicles in 2018.

Other Income

Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

Other Income was $66.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $3.4 million compared to $63.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The increase in Other Income was due to an increase in Net Gains from Fund Investment Activities. The increase in Other Income – Net Gain from Fund Investment Activities was principally driven by increases of $13.7 million in our Credit segment and $11.1 million

in our Private Equity segment, partially offset by a decrease of $18.1 million in our Real Estate segment. The increase in our Credit segment was primarily driven by newly launched CLOs in 2018 and a quarter over quarter net increase in appreciation of CLOs, partially offset by the deconsolidation of certain CLO and other vehicles in 2018. The increase in our Private Equity segment was primarily due to a quarter over quarter net increase in the appreciation of investments across the Private Equity funds. The decrease in our Real Estate segment was primarily due to a year over year net decrease in the appreciation of investments in our BREP opportunistic funds.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

Other Income was $251.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $11.3 million compared to $239.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The increase in Other Income was due to an increase in Net Gains from Fund Investment Activities. The increase in Other Income – Net Gain from Fund Investment Activities was principally driven by increases of $31.7 million in our Private Equity segment and $23.7 million in our Credit segment, partially offset by a decrease of $35.0 million in our Real Estate segment. The increase in our Private Equity segment was primarily due to a year over year net increase in the appreciation of investments across the Private Equity funds. The increase in our Credit segment was primarily driven by newly launched CLOs, partially offset by the deconsolidation of certain CLO and other vehicles in 2018. The decrease in our Real Estate segment was primarily due to a year over year net decrease in the appreciation of investments in our BREP opportunistic funds.

Provision for Taxes

The following table summarizes Blackstone’s tax position:


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
Income Before Provision for Taxes	$	975,786		$	894,295		$	3,562,293		$	2,717,959
Provision for Taxes	$	26,798		$	59,512		$	220,024		$	146,557
Effective Income Tax Rate		2.7	%		6.7	%		6.2	%		5.4	%

The following table reconciles the effective income tax rate to the U.S. federal statutory tax rate:


	Three Months Ended September 30,						2018 vs.			Nine Months Ended September 30,						2018 vs.
	2018			2017			2017			2018			2017			2017
Statutory U.S. Federal Income Tax Rate		21.0	%		35.0	%		-14.0	%		21.0	%		35.0	%		-14.0	%
Income Passed Through to Common Unitholders and Non-Controlling Interest Holders (a)		-17.2	%		-27.8	%		10.6	%		-15.8	%		-29.1	%		13.3	%
State and Local Income Taxes		0.3	%		1.3	%		-1.0	%		1.5	%		1.1	%		0.4	%
Other		-1.4	%		-1.8	%		0.4	%		-0.5	%		-1.6	%		1.1	%

Effective Income Tax Rate		2.7	%		6.7	%		-4.0	%		6.2	%		5.4	%		0.8	%

(a)	Includes income that is not taxable to the Partnership and its subsidiaries. Such income is directly taxable to the Partnership’s unitholders and the non-controlling interest holders.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

Blackstone’s Provision for Taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was $26.8 million and $59.5 million, respectively. This resulted in an effective tax rate of 2.7% and 6.7%, respectively.

The Tax Reform Bill enacted in late 2017 reduced the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. The decrease in the effective tax rate from the rate reduction was partially offset by the corresponding reduction in the benefit for the exclusion of income passed through to common unitholders and non-controlling interests resulting in an overall decrease in the effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared with the three months ended September 30, 2017.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

Blackstone’s Provision for Taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was $220.0 million and $146.6 million, respectively. This resulted in an effective tax rate of 6.2% and 5.4%, respectively.

The Tax Reform Bill enacted in late 2017 reduced the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. The decrease in the effective tax rate from the rate reduction was mostly offset by the corresponding reduction in the benefit for the exclusion of income passed through to common unitholders and non-controlling interests resulting in an overall increase in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

All factors are expected to impact the effective tax rate for future years.

Additional information regarding our income taxes can be found in Note 13. “Income Taxes” in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” in “Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements” of this filing.

Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities

The Net Income Attributable to Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities and Net Income Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities is attributable to the consolidated Blackstone Funds. The amounts of these items vary directly with the performance of the consolidated Blackstone Funds and largely eliminate the amount of Other Income – Net Gains from Fund Investment Activities from the Net Income Attributable to The Blackstone Group L.P.

Net Income Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests in Blackstone Holdings is derived from the Income Before Provision for Taxes, excluding the Net Gains from Fund Investment Activities and the percentage allocation of the income between Blackstone Holdings and The Blackstone Group L.P. after considering any contractual arrangements that govern the allocation of income such as fees allocable to The Blackstone Group L.P.

For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Net Income Before Taxes allocated to Blackstone Holdings was 43.7% and 44.8%, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the net income before taxes allocated to Blackstone Holdings was 44.0% and 45.0%, respectively. The decreases of 1.1% in the three month period and 1.0% in the nine month period were primarily due to conversions of Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units to Blackstone common units and the vesting of common units.

The Other Income — Reduction of Tax Receivable Agreement Liability was entirely allocated to The Blackstone Group L.P.

Operating Metrics

The following graphs and tables summarize the Fee-Earning Assets Under Management by Segment and Total Assets Under Management by Segment, followed by a rollforward of activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. For a description of how Assets Under Management and Fee-Earning Assets Under Management are determined, please see “— Key Financial Measures and Indicators — Operating Metrics — Assets Under Management and Fee-Earning Assets Under Management”:

LOGO

Note:

Totals may not add due to rounding.


	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2018															September 30, 2017
	Private Equity			Real Estate			Hedge Fund Solutions			Credit			Total			Private Equity			Real Estate			Hedge Fund Solutions			Credit			Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Fee-Earning Assets Under Management
Balance, Beginning of Period	$	78,045,697		$	88,776,501		$	71,889,290		$	94,266,657		$	332,978,145		$	68,029,670		$	73,710,243		$	67,824,464		$	72,370,134		$	281,934,511
Inflows, including Commitments (a)		2,213,913			3,619,799			3,281,639			7,588,255			16,703,606			578,462			2,039,360			1,563,231			4,311,515			8,492,568
Outflows, including Distributions (b)		(477,894	)		(208,373	)		(1,482,849	)		(1,547,917	)		(3,717,033	)		(77,054	)		(310,235	)		(1,329,425	)		(805,042	)		(2,521,756	)
Realizations (c)		(1,585,310	)		(2,335,870	)		(66,874	)		(2,241,691	)		(6,229,745	)		(1,110,822	)		(1,257,364	)		(79,094	)		(2,711,900	)		(5,159,180	)

Net Inflows (Outflows)		150,709			1,075,556			1,731,916			3,798,647			6,756,828			(609,414	)		471,761			154,712			794,573			811,632
Market Appreciation (Depreciation) (d)(f)		(1,334	)		920,678			937,393			669,413			2,526,150			117,806			899,517			1,058,785			876,174			2,952,282

Balance, End of Period	$	78,195,072		$	90,772,735		$	74,558,599		$	98,734,717		$	342,261,123		$	67,538,062		$	75,081,521		$	69,037,961		$	74,040,881		$	285,698,425

Increase (Decrease)	$	149,375		$	1,996,234		$	2,669,309		$	4,468,060		$	9,282,978		$	(491,608	)	$	1,371,278		$	1,213,497		$	1,670,747		$	3,763,914
Increase (Decrease)		0	%		2	%		4	%		5	%		3	%		-1	%		2	%		2	%		2	%		1	%

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2018															September 30, 2017
	Private Equity			Real Estate			Hedge Fund Solutions			Credit			Total			Private Equity			Real Estate			Hedge Fund Solutions			Credit			Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Fee-Earning Assets Under Management
Balance, Beginning of Period	$	70,140,883		$	83,984,824		$	69,914,061		$	111,304,230		$	335,343,998		$	69,110,457		$	72,030,054		$	66,987,553		$	68,964,608		$	277,092,672
Inflows, including Commitments (a)		12,675,628			13,108,067			9,477,141			18,719,427			53,980,263			3,907,982			7,540,881			6,551,829			14,704,113			32,704,805
Outflows, including Distributions (b)		(1,565,169	)		(1,800,831	)		(6,740,849	)		(25,141,026	)		(35,247,875	)		(1,196,502	)		(505,558	)		(6,928,753	)		(2,545,889	)		(11,176,702	)
Realizations (c)		(3,321,845	)		(6,289,487	)		(222,751	)		(5,650,666	)		(15,484,749	)		(4,674,190	)		(6,408,375	)		(702,786	)		(8,785,664	)		(20,571,015	)

Net Inflows (Outflows)		7,788,614			5,017,749			2,513,541			(12,072,265	)		3,247,639			(1,962,710	)		626,948			(1,079,710	)		3,372,560			957,088
Market Appreciation (Depreciation) (d)(g)		265,575			1,770,162			2,130,997			(497,248	)		3,669,486			390,315			2,424,519			3,130,118			1,703,713			7,648,665

Balance, End of Period	$	78,195,072		$	90,772,735		$	74,558,599		$	98,734,717		$	342,261,123		$	67,538,062		$	75,081,521		$	69,037,961		$	74,040,881		$	285,698,425

Increase (Decrease)	$	8,054,189		$	6,787,911		$	4,644,538		$	(12,569,513	)	$	6,917,125		$	(1,572,395	)	$	3,051,467		$	2,050,408		$	5,076,273		$	8,605,753
Increase (Decrease)		11	%		8	%		7	%		-11	%		2	%		-2	%		4	%		3	%		7	%		3	%
Annualized Base Management Fee Rate (e)		1.05	%		1.12	%		0.70	%		0.54	%		0.84	%		1.08	%		1.19	%		0.75	%		0.72	%		0.94	%


	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2018															September 30, 2017
	Private Equity			Real Estate			Hedge Fund Solutions			Credit			Total			Private Equity			Real Estate			Hedge Fund Solutions			Credit			Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Total Assets Under Management
Balance, Beginning of Period	$	119,524,518		$	119,399,973		$	77,403,078		$	123,059,087		$	439,386,656		$	100,019,716		$	104,034,287		$	72,476,444		$	94,525,834		$	371,056,281
Inflows, including Commitments (a)		6,997,499			2,609,037			3,702,238			10,757,146			24,065,920			3,248,138			6,435,310			2,412,443			7,602,999			19,698,890
Outflows, including Distributions (b)		(346,209	)		(734,945	)		(1,993,964	)		(1,672,101	)		(4,747,219	)		(155,410	)		(202,085	)		(1,683,872	)		(883,424	)		(2,924,791	)
Realizations (c)		(4,033,482	)		(4,039,437	)		(70,986	)		(2,574,741	)		(10,718,646	)		(2,392,756	)		(3,084,117	)		(101,503	)		(3,243,203	)		(8,821,579	)

Net Inflows (Outflows)		2,617,808			(2,165,345	)		1,637,288			6,510,304			8,600,055			699,972			3,149,108			627,068			3,476,372			7,952,520
Market Appreciation (d)(h)		4,042,042			2,707,401			964,770			990,908			8,705,121			1,734,291			4,115,449			1,116,051			1,475,154			8,440,945

Balance, End of Period	$	126,184,368		$	119,942,029		$	80,005,136		$	130,560,299		$	456,691,832		$	102,453,979		$	111,298,844		$	74,219,563		$	99,477,360		$	387,449,746

Increase	$	6,659,850		$	542,056		$	2,602,058		$	7,501,212		$	17,305,176		$	2,434,263		$	7,264,557		$	1,743,119		$	4,951,526		$	16,393,465
Increase		6	%		0	%		3	%		6	%		4	%		2	%		7	%		2	%		5	%		4	%

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2018															September 30, 2017
	Private Equity			Real Estate			Hedge Fund Solutions			Credit			Total			Private Equity			Real Estate			Hedge Fund Solutions			Credit			Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Total Assets Under Management
Balance, Beginning of Period	$	105,560,576		$	115,340,363		$	75,090,834		$	138,136,470		$	434,128,243		$	100,189,994		$	101,963,652		$	71,119,718		$	93,280,101		$	366,553,465
Inflows, including Commitments (a)		16,814,684			11,356,304			10,637,875			23,525,665			62,334,528			7,603,363			12,964,567			8,022,108			17,137,386			45,727,424
Outflows, including Distributions (b)		(1,126,165	)		(1,885,608	)		(7,665,062	)		(25,280,144	)		(35,956,979	)		(665,409	)		(1,279,329	)		(7,546,464	)		(4,106,393	)		(13,597,595	)
Realizations (c)		(7,133,993	)		(11,033,062	)		(253,073	)		(6,858,577	)		(25,278,705	)		(11,355,668	)		(14,333,301	)		(790,623	)		(10,056,112	)		(36,535,704	)

Net Inflows (Outflows)		8,554,526			(1,562,366	)		2,719,740			(8,613,056	)		1,098,844			(4,417,714	)		(2,648,063	)		(314,979	)		2,974,881			(4,405,875	)
Market Appreciation (d)(i)		12,069,266			6,164,032			2,194,562			1,036,885			21,464,745			6,681,699			11,983,255			3,414,824			3,222,378			25,302,156

Balance, End of Period	$	126,184,368		$	119,942,029		$	80,005,136		$	130,560,299		$	456,691,832		$	102,453,979		$	111,298,844		$	74,219,563		$	99,477,360		$	387,449,746

Increase (Decrease)	$	20,623,792		$	4,601,666		$	4,914,302		$	(7,576,171	)	$	22,563,589		$	2,263,985		$	9,335,192		$	3,099,845		$	6,197,259		$	20,896,281
Increase (Decrease)		20	%		4	%		7	%		-5	%		5	%		2	%		9	%		4	%		7	%		6	%

(a)

Inflows represent contributions in our hedge funds and closed-end mutual funds, increases in available capital for our carry funds (capital raises, recallable capital and increased side-by-side commitments) and CLOs, increases in the capital we manage pursuant to separately managed account programs, allocations from multi-asset products to other strategies and acquisitions.

(b)	Outflows represent redemptions in our hedge funds and closed-end mutual funds, client withdrawals from our separately managed account programs and decreases in available capital for our carry funds (expired capital, expense drawdowns and decreased side-by-side commitments).

(c)	Realizations represent realizations from the disposition of assets or capital returned to investors from CLOs.

(d)	Market appreciation (depreciation) includes realized and unrealized gains (losses) on portfolio investments and the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

(e)	Represents the annualized current quarter’s Base Management Fee divided by period end Fee-Earning Assets Under Management.

(f)

For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the impact to Fee-Earning Assets Under Management due to foreign exchange rate fluctuations was $138.8 million, $(135.7) million and $3.1 million for the Real Estate, Credit and Total segments, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2017, such impact was $481.4 million, $383.9 million and $865.4 million for the Real Estate, Credit and Total segments, respectively.

(g)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the impact to Fee-Earning Assets Under Management due to foreign exchange rate fluctuations was $(572.6) million, $(436.2) million and $(1.0) billion for the Real Estate, Credit and Total segments, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, such impact was $1.3 million, $1.3 billion, $1.2 billion and $2.5 billion for the Private Equity, Real Estate, Credit and Total segments, respectively.

(h)

For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the impact to Total Assets Under Management due to foreign exchange rate fluctuations was $(80.5) million, $(155.3) million, $(116.4) million and $(352.2) million for the Private Equity, Real Estate, Credit and Total segments, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2017, such impact was $233.8 million, $1.3 billion, $494.3 million and $2.0 billion for the Private Equity, Real Estate, Credit and Total segments, respectively.

(i)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the impact to Total Assets Under Management due to foreign exchange rate fluctuations was $(350.7) million, $(1.7) billion, $(556.3) million and $(2.6) billion for the Private Equity, Real Estate, Credit and Total segments, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, such impact was $839.8 million, $3.0 billion, $1.6 billion and $5.4 billion for the Private Equity, Real Estate, Credit and Total segments, respectively.

Fee-Earning Assets Under Management

Fee-Earning Assets Under Management were $342.3 billion at September 30, 2018, an increase of $9.3 billion, compared to $333.0 billion at June 30, 2018. The net increase was due to:

•

Inflows of $16.7 billion related to:

•

$7.6 billion in our Credit segment driven by $3.1 billion from certain long only and MLP strategies, $2.1 billion of capital raised from new CLO launches and CLO refinancings, $1.5 billion from BIS, $929.4 million from our distressed strategies and $777.5 million from mezzanine funds, partially offset by $1.2 billion of allocations from insurance multi-asset products to other strategies,

•

$3.6 billion in our Real Estate segment driven by $1.8 billion from BREDS, $828.7 million from BREIT, $446.3 million from BPP U.S. and co-investment, $405.2 million from BPP Europe and co-investment and $117.6 million from BREP opportunistic funds and co-investment,

•

$3.3 billion in our Hedge Fund Solutions segment driven by $2.1 billion in customized solutions, $659.9 million in individual investor and specialized solutions and $557.7 million in commingled products, and

•

$2.2 billion in our Private Equity segment driven by $2.0 billion from Tactical Opportunities and $201.0 million from BIP.

•

Market appreciation of $2.5 billion due to:

•

$937.4 million appreciation in our Hedge Fund Solutions segment driven by returns from BAAM’s Principal Solutions Composite of 1.7% gross (1.5% net),

•

$920.7 million appreciation in our Real Estate segment driven by $769.5 million of appreciation from core+ real estate funds and $101.1 million of appreciation from BREDS, and

•

$669.4 million appreciation in our Credit segment driven by $805.0 million of appreciation from market activity ($966.6 million from long only and MLP strategies, offset by $116.3 million from CLOs) and foreign exchange depreciation of $135.7 million mainly related to CLOs and certain long only and MLP strategies.

Offsetting these increases were:

•

Realizations of $6.2 billion primarily driven by:

•

$2.3 billion in our Real Estate segment driven by $1.3 billion from BREP opportunistic funds and co-investment, $657.4 million from BREDS and $374.1 million from core+ real estate funds,

•

$2.2 billion in our Credit segment driven by $1.0 billion from distressed strategies, $647.0 million of capital returned to investors from CLOs that are post their re-investment periods and $330.3 million from mezzanine funds, and

•

$1.6 billion in our Private Equity segment driven by $721.0 million from corporate private equity, $441.5 million from Strategic Partners and $423.0 million from Tactical Opportunities.

•

Outflows of $3.7 billion primarily attributable to:

•

$1.5 billion in our Credit segment driven by $858.0 million from certain long only and MLP strategies and $264.5 million from mezzanine funds, and

•

$1.5 billion in our Hedge Fund Solutions segment driven by $751.2 million from individual investor and specialized solutions and $700.4 million from customized solutions.

BAAM had net inflows of $793.6 million from October 1 through November 1, 2018.

Fee-Earning Assets Under Management were $342.3 billion at September 30, 2018, an increase of $6.9 billion, compared to $335.3 billion at December 31, 2017. The net increase was due to:

•

Inflows of $54.0 billion related to:

•

$18.7 billion in our Credit segment driven by $9.3 billion from certain long only and MLP strategies, $5.9 billion of capital raised from new CLO launches and CLO refinancings, $3.5 billion from BIS, $2.5 billion from our distressed strategies and $1.5 billion from our mezzanine funds, partially offset by $4.3 billion of allocation from insurance multi-asset products to other strategies,

•

$13.1 billion in our Real Estate segment driven by $4.8 billion from BREDS, $2.2 billion from BPP U.S. and co-investment, $2.2 billion from BREIT, $1.8 billion from BPP Europe and co-investment and $1.7 billion from BREP opportunistic funds and co-investment,

•

$12.7 billion in our Private Equity segment driven by $4.9 billion from Tactical Opportunities, $4.7 billion from BIP, $863.8 million from corporate private equity, $819.7 million from multi-asset products, $742.5 million from core private equity and $629.6 million from Strategic Partners, and

•

$9.5 billion in our Hedge Fund Solutions segment driven by $5.1 billion in customized solutions, $3.0 billion in individual investor and specialized solutions and $1.4 billion in commingled products.

•

Market appreciation of $3.7 billion due to:

•

$2.1 billion appreciation in our Hedge Fund Solutions segment driven by returns from BAAM’s Principal Solutions Composite of 4.4% gross (3.8% net),

•

$1.8 million appreciation in our Real Estate segment primarily driven by $1.7 billion of appreciation from core+ real estate funds ($2.1 billion from market appreciation offset by $370.9 million from foreign exchange depreciation), and

•

Partially offset by $497.2 million depreciation in our Credit segment driven by $61.0 million of depreciation from market activity ($1.0 billion from BIS, $380.0 million from CLOs and $159.2 million from distressed strategies, offset by $1.5 billion from certain long only and MLP strategies) and foreign exchange depreciation of $436.2 million mainly related to CLOs, certain long only and MLP strategies and mezzanine funds.

Offsetting these increases were:

•

Outflows of $35.2 billion primarily attributable to:

•

$25.1 billion in our Credit segment driven by the conclusion of our sub-advisory relationship with FS Investments. The remaining outflows were mainly related to certain long only and MLP strategies,

•

$6.7 billion in our Hedge Fund Solutions segment driven by $3.2 billion from customized solutions, $2.1 billion from individual investor and specialized solutions and $1.5 billion from commingled products,

•

$1.8 billion in our Real Estate segment primarily driven by $787.0 million of uninvested capital at the close of a BPP separately managed account’s investment period and $655.4 million of redemptions from the BREDS liquids funds, and

•

$1.6 billion in our Private Equity segment driven by $694.7 million from Tactical Opportunities, $533.3 million from multi-asset products, $210.6 million from corporate private equity and $126.6 million from Strategic Partners.

•

Realizations of $15.5 billion primarily driven by:

•

$6.3 billion in our Real Estate segment driven by $3.1 billion from BREP opportunistic funds and co-investment, $2.2 billion from BREDS and $956.5 million from core+ real estate funds,

•

$5.7 billion in our Credit segment driven by $2.4 billion from distressed strategies, $1.8 billion of capital returned to investors from CLOs that are post their re-investment periods and $825.9 million from mezzanine funds, and

•

$3.3 billion in our Private Equity segment driven by $1.3 billion from Strategic Partners, $1.1 billion from Tactical Opportunities and $972.5 million from corporate private equity.

Total Assets Under Management

Total Assets Under Management were $456.7 billion at September 30, 2018, an increase of $17.3 billion, compared to $439.4 billion at June 30, 2018. The net increase was due to:

•

Inflows of $24.1 billion related to:

•

$10.8 billion in our Credit segment driven by $3.4 billion from certain long only and MLP strategies, $2.1 billion of capital raised from CLO launches and CLO refinancings, $2.6 billion from the new direct lending platform, $2.2 billion from distressed strategies and $1.5 billion from BIS, partially offset by $1.2 billion of allocations from insurance multi-asset products to other strategies,

•

$7.0 billion in our Private Equity segment driven by $3.4 billion from corporate private equity, $3.1 billion from Tactical Opportunities and $419.3 million from BIP,

•

$3.7 billion in our Hedge Fund Solutions segment driven by $2.3 billion in customized solutions, $785.8 million in individual investor and specialized solutions and $577.7 million in commingled products, and

•

$2.6 billion in our Real Estate segment driven by $1.0 billion from BREDS, $828.7 million from BREIT, $413.7 million from BPP U.S. and co-investment, $181.7 million from the BREP opportunistic funds and co-investment and $172.1 million from BPP Europe.

•

Market appreciation of $8.7 billion due to:

•

$4.0 billion appreciation in our Private Equity segment driven by carrying value increase in corporate private equity, Tactical Opportunities and Strategic Partners of 7.5%, 3.7% and 1.4%, respectively, which included $80.5 million of foreign exchange depreciation across the segment,

•

$2.7 billion appreciation in our Real Estate segment driven by $1.5 billion of appreciation from BREP opportunistic funds and co-investment ($1.7 billion from market appreciation offset by $233.2 million of foreign exchange depreciation), $809.7 million of appreciation from core+ real estate funds and $422.9 million of appreciation from BREDS,

•

$990.9 million appreciation in our Credit segment driven by $1.1 billion of appreciation from market activity ($1.0 billion from long only and MLP strategies), partially offset by foreign exchange deprecation of $116.4 million, and

•

$964.8 million appreciation in our Hedge Fund Solutions segment driven by reasons noted above in Fee-Earning Assets Under Management.

Total Assets Under Management market appreciation (depreciation) in our Private Equity and Real Estate segments generally represents the change in fair value of the investments held and typically exceeds the Fee-Earning Assets Under Management market appreciation (depreciation).

Offsetting these increases were:

•

Realizations of $10.7 billion primarily driven by:

•

$4.0 billion in our Real Estate segment driven by $3.3 billion from BREP opportunistic funds and co-investment, $342.0 million from BREDS and $416.4 million from core+ real estate funds,

•

$4.0 billion in our Private Equity segment driven by continued disposition activity across the segment, mainly related to $2.7 billion from corporate private equity, $793.0 million from Strategic Partners and $535.4 million from Tactical Opportunities, and

•

$2.6 billion in our Credit segment driven by $1.2 billion from our distressed strategies, $647.0 million from capital returned to investors from CLOs that are post their re-investment periods and $460.9 million from mezzanine funds.

Total Assets Under Management realizations in our Private Equity and Real Estate segments generally represent the total proceeds and typically exceed the Fee-Earning Assets Under Management realizations which generally represent only the invested capital.

•

Outflows of $4.7 billion primarily attributable to:

•

$2.0 billion in our Hedge Fund Solutions segment driven by $1.2 billion from individual investor and specialized solutions and $739.1 million from customized solutions,

•

$1.7 billion in our Credit segment driven by $895.6 million related to certain long only and MLP strategies, $307.8 million from the refinancing of CLOs and $278.5 million from mezzanine funds, and

•

$734.9 million in our Real Estate segment driven by redemptions from the BREDS liquid funds and the expiration of the BREP VI fund term.

Total Assets Under Management were $456.7 billion at September 30, 2018, an increase of $22.6 billion, compared to $434.1 billion at December 31, 2017. The net increase was due to:

•

Inflows of $62.3 billion related to:

•

$23.5 billion in our Credit segment driven by $9.9 billion from certain long only and MLP strategies, $6.0 billion of capital raised from CLO launches and CLO refinancings, $5.2 billion from distressed strategies, $3.5 billion from BIS, $2.6 billion from our new direct lending platform and $546.0 million from mezzanine funds, partially offset by $4.3 billion of allocations from insurance multi-asset products to other strategies,

•

$16.8 billion in our Private Equity segment driven by $6.0 billion from Tactical Opportunities, $5.0 billion from BIP, $4.4 billion from corporate private equity, $1.0 billion from Strategic Partners and $377.6 million from multi-asset products,

•

$11.4 billion in our Real Estate segment driven by $3.5 billion from BREDS, $2.4 billion from BPP U.S. and co-investment, $2.2 billion from BREIT, $2.1 billion from BREP opportunistic funds and co-investment and $1.2 billion from BPP Europe and co-investment, and

•

$10.6 billion in our Hedge Fund Solutions segment driven by $5.3 billion in customized solutions, $3.9 billion in individual investor and specialized solutions and $1.4 billion in commingled products.

•

Market appreciation of $21.5 billion due to:

•

$12.1 billion in our Private Equity segment driven by carrying value increase in corporate private equity, Strategic Partners and Tactical Opportunities of 23.4%, 13.5% and 12.1%, respectively, which included $350.7 million of foreign exchange depreciation across the segment,

•

$6.2 billion in our Real Estate segment driven by carrying value increases in our opportunistic and core+ real estate funds of 9.2% and 8.4%, respectively, which includes $1.7 billion of foreign exchange depreciation across the segment,

•

$2.2 billion in our Hedge Fund Solutions segment driven by reasons noted above in Fee-Earning Assets Under Management, and

•

$1.0 billion appreciation in our Credit segment driven by $1.4 billion of appreciation from long only and MLP Strategies ($1.6 billion from market appreciation, partially offset by $130.6 million from foreign exchange depreciation) and $537.1 million from mezzanine funds ($727.3 million from market appreciation, partially offset by $190.1 million from foreign exchange depreciation), partially offset by $1.0 billion of market depreciation from BIS.

Offsetting these increases were:

•

Outflows of $36.0 billion primarily attributable to:

•

$25.3 billion in our Credit segment driven by the conclusion of our sub-advisory relationship with FS Investments. The remaining outflows were mainly related to certain long only and MLP strategies,

•

$7.7 billion in our Hedge Fund Solutions segment driven by $3.3 billion from customized solutions, $2.8 billion from individual investors and specialized solutions and $1.6 billion from commingled products,

•

$1.9 billion in our Real Estate segment driven by redemptions from the BREDS liquids funds and the expiration of the BREP VI fund term, and

•

$1.1 billion in our Private Equity segment driven by $519.5 million from Tactical Opportunities, $411.5 million from Strategic Partners and $130.8 million from corporate private equity.

•

Realizations of $25.3 billion primarily driven by:

•

$11.0 billion in our Real Estate segment driven by $8.4 billion from BREP opportunistic funds and co-investment, $1.5 billion from BREDS and $1.0 billion from core+ real estate funds,

•

$7.1 billion in our Private Equity segment driven by continued disposition activity across the segment, mainly related to $3.9 billion from corporate private equity, $1.7 billion from Strategic Partners and $1.5 billion from Tactical Opportunities, and

•

$6.9 billion in our Credit segment driven by $3.1 billion from our distressed strategies, $1.8 billion from capital returned to investors from CLOs that are post their re-investment periods and $1.3 billion from our mezzanine strategies.

Limited Partner Capital Invested

The following presents the limited partner capital invested for each of the respective three month periods:

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Note:

Totals may not add due to rounding.


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2018		2017		2018
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Limited Partner Capital Invested
Private Equity	$	3,725,919	$	2,981,402	$	12,309,148	$	8,640,311
Real Estate		3,778,790		3,977,693		8,741,127		12,770,048
Hedge Fund Solutions (a)		360,748		226,086		572,590		1,094,657
Credit		2,177,565		2,173,242		5,929,711		4,203,434

	$	10,043,022	$	9,358,423	$	27,552,576	$	26,708,450

(a)	Limited Partner Capital Invested for the Hedge Fund Solutions segment has been updated for an adjustment applicable to the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Dry Powder

The following presents the dry powder as of quarter end of each period:

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Note:

Totals may not add due to rounding.

(a)

Represents illiquid drawdown funds, a component of perpetual capital and fee-paying co-investments; includes fee-paying third party capital as well as general partner and employee capital that does not earn fees. Amounts are reduced by outstanding capital commitments, for which capital has not yet been invested.


	September 30,
	2017		2018
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Dry Powder Available for Investment
Private Equity	$	34,908,613	$	40,487,283
Real Estate		32,888,192		25,972,044
Hedge Fund Solutions		3,915,873		3,595,061
Credit		20,220,311		24,766,080

	$	91,932,989	$	94,820,468

Net Accrued Performance Revenues

The following table presents the Accrued Performance Revenues, net of performance compensation, of the Blackstone Funds as of September 30, 2018 and 2017. Net Accrued Performance Revenues presented do not include clawback amounts, if any, which are disclosed in Note 17. “Commitments and Contingencies — Contingencies — Contingent Obligations (Clawback)” in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” in “Part I.

Item 1. Financial Statements” of this filing. The Net Accrued Performance Revenues as of each reporting date is principally unrealized; if realized, such amount can be a significant component of Distributable Earnings.


	September 30,
	2018		2017
	(Dollars in Millions)
Private Equity
BCP IV	$	111	$	96
BCP V		44		75
BCP VI		1,008		618
BCP VII		166		—
BEP I		155		77
BEP II		66		14
Tactical Opportunities		161		119
Strategic Partners		95		56
BTAS		32		15
Other		11		2

Total Private Equity (a)		1,849		1,072

Real Estate
BREP IV		12		8
BREP V		91		241
BREP VI		106		247
BREP VII		592		611
BREP VIII		386		236
BREP Europe III		1		182
BREP Europe IV		201		395
BREP Europe V		86		9
BREP Asia I		103		84
BPP		207		142
BREIT		18		6
BREDS		21		25
BTAS		29		19

Total Real Estate (a)		1,853		2,205

Hedge Fund Solutions		32		40

Credit		301		241

Total Blackstone Net Accrued Performance Revenues	$	4,035	$	3,558

(a)	Private Equity and Real Estate include Co-Investments, as applicable.

Net Accrued Performance Revenues receivable was increased by net Performance Revenues of $2.3 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and decreased by net realized distributions of $1.8 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Performance Revenue Eligible Assets Under Management

The following represents our Performance Revenue Eligible Assets Under Management as of September 30, 2018:

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Note:

Totals may not add due to rounding.

(a)	Uninvested generally represents dry powder including outstanding capital commitments for which capital has not yet been invested, and excluding non-revenue earning general partner and employee commitments.

Perpetual Capital

The following represents our Perpetual Capital as of September 30, 2018:

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Note:

Totals may not add due to rounding.

Investment Record

Fund returns information for our significant funds is included throughout this discussion and analysis to facilitate an understanding of our results of operations for the periods presented. The fund returns information reflected in this discussion and analysis is not indicative of the financial performance of The Blackstone Group L.P. and is also not necessarily indicative of the future performance of any particular fund. An investment in The Blackstone Group L.P. is not an investment in any of our funds. There can be no assurance that any of our funds or our other existing and future funds will achieve similar returns.

The following table presents the investment record of our significant drawdown funds from inception through September 30, 2018:


					Unrealized Investments							Realized Investments				Total Investments				Net IRRs (c)
Fund (Investment Period Beginning Date / Ending Date)	Committed Capital		Available Capital (a)		Value		MOIC (b)		% Public			Value		MOIC (b)		Value		MOIC (b)		Realized			Total
	(Dollars in Thousands, Except Where Noted)
Private Equity
BCP I (Oct 1987 / Oct 1993)	$	859,081	$	—	$	—		N/A		—		$	1,741,738		2.6x	$	1,741,738		2.6x		19	%		19	%
BCP II (Oct 1993 / Aug 1997)		1,361,100		—		—		N/A		—			3,256,819		2.5x		3,256,819		2.5x		32	%		32	%
BCP III (Aug 1997 / Nov 2002)		3,967,422		—		—		N/A		—			9,184,688		2.3x		9,184,688		2.3x		14	%		14	%
BCOM (Jun 2000 / Jun 2006)		2,137,330		24,575		17,447		1.4x		—			2,953,649		1.4x		2,971,096		1.4x		7	%		6	%
BCP IV (Nov 2002 / Dec 2005)		6,773,182		207,524		770,288		0.9x		60	%		20,861,464		3.1x		21,631,752		2.9x		41	%		36	%
BCP V (Dec 2005 / Jan 2011)		21,022,215		1,048,362		2,148,761		1.1x		30	%		36,254,085		2.0x		38,402,846		1.9x		9	%		8	%
BCP VI (Jan 2011 / May 2016)		15,191,118		1,750,783		17,300,679		1.9x		35	%		10,388,364		2.1x		27,689,043		1.9x		21	%		15	%
BEP I (Aug 2011 / Feb 2015)		2,435,346		223,625		2,734,648		1.7x		45	%		1,828,396		2.2x		4,563,044		1.9x		25	%		15	%
BEP II (Feb 2015 / Feb 2021)		4,919,256		1,560,360		3,337,879		1.5x		—			186,221		1.9x		3,524,100		1.5x		48	%		17	%
BCP VII (May 2016 / May 2022)		18,559,346		10,783,682		9,046,515		1.3x		—			402,432		1.3x		9,448,947		1.3x		21	%		22	%
BCP Asia (Dec 2017 / Dec 2023) (d)		2,369,469		2,201,623		137,164		1.2x		—			—		N/A		137,164		1.2x		N/A			N/M
BEP III (TBD)		3,198,311		3,198,311		—		N/A		—			—		N/A		—		N/A		N/A			N/A

Total Corporate Private Equity	$	82,793,176	$	20,998,845	$	35,493,381		1.6x		23	%	$	87,057,856		2.2x	$	122,551,237		2.0x		17	%		16	%

Tactical Opportunities		21,508,073		11,014,336		10,022,805		1.3x		11	%		5,777,258		1.7x		15,800,063		1.4x		23	%		12	%
Tactical Opportunities Co-Investment and Other		4,946,019		1,317,372		3,832,000		1.2x		2	%		1,235,479		1.6x		5,067,479		1.3x		28	%		16	%

Total Tactical Opportunities	$	26,454,092	$	12,331,708	$	13,854,805		1.3x		9	%	$	7,012,737		1.7x	$	20,867,542		1.4x		23	%		12	%

Strategic Partners I-V and Co-Investment (e)		11,913,117		1,798,461		1,810,766		N/M		—			15,813,541		N/M		17,624,307		1.5x		N/A			13	%
Strategic Partners VI LBO, RE and SMA (e)		7,402,171		2,047,468		3,361,831		N/M		—			2,964,370		N/M		6,326,201		1.5x		N/A			20	%
Strategic Partners VII (e)		7,669,970		2,396,585		4,669,166		N/M		—			645,883		N/M		5,315,049		1.4x		N/A			40	%
Strategic Partners RA II (e)		1,898,154		1,065,577		419,404		N/M		—			32,263		N/M		451,667		1.1x		N/A			18	%

Total Strategic Partners	$	28,883,412	$	7,308,091	$	10,261,167		N/M		—		$	19,456,057		N/M	$	29,717,224		1.5x		N/A			14	%

BCEP (Jan 2017 / Jan 2021) (f)		4,755,616		2,603,351		2,351,861		1.1x		—			—		N/A		2,351,861		1.1x		N/A			7	%
Other Funds and Co-Investment (g)		1,539,393		325,028		72,084		0.9x		22	%		635,564		0.9x		707,648		0.9x		N/M			N/M

Real Estate
Pre-BREP	$	140,714	$	—	$	—		N/A		—		$	345,190		2.5x	$	345,190		2.5x		33	%		33	%
BREP I (Sep 1994 / Oct 1996)		380,708		—		—		N/A		—			1,327,708		2.8x		1,327,708		2.8x		40	%		40	%
BREP II (Oct 1996 / Mar 1999)		1,198,339		—		—		N/A		—			2,531,614		2.1x		2,531,614		2.1x		19	%		19	%
BREP III (Apr 1999 / Apr 2003)		1,522,708		—		—		N/A		—			3,330,406		2.4x		3,330,406		2.4x		21	%		21	%
BREP IV (Apr 2003 / Dec 2005)		2,198,694		—		301,446		0.4x		24	%		4,259,544		2.2x		4,560,990		1.7x		34	%		12	%
BREP V (Dec 2005 / Feb 2007)		5,539,418		—		783,714		1.8x		35	%		12,536,269		2.4x		13,319,983		2.3x		12	%		11	%
BREP VI (Feb 2007 / Aug 2011)		11,060,444		—		1,352,439		1.6x		3	%		26,167,065		2.6x		27,519,504		2.5x		14	%		13	%
BREP VII (Aug 2011 / Apr 2015)		13,495,034		2,057,992		11,396,491		1.7x		19	%		17,467,417		2.1x		28,863,908		1.9x		28	%		17	%
BREP VIII (Apr 2015 / Oct 2020)		16,429,229		7,814,227		12,028,819		1.4x		2	%		4,328,795		1.5x		16,357,614		1.4x		28	%		17	%

Total Global BREP	$	51,965,288	$	9,872,219	$	25,862,909		1.5x		11	%	$	72,294,008		2.3x	$	98,156,917		2.0x		19	%		16	%

BREP Int’l (Jan 2001 / Sep 2005)	€	824,172	€	—	€	—		N/A		—		€	1,369,016		2.1x	€	1,369,016		2.1x		23	%		23	%
BREP Int’l II (Sep 2005 / Jun 2008) (h)		1,629,748		—		105,181		1.0x		—			2,334,143		1.8x		2,439,324		1.7x		8	%		8	%
BREP Europe III (Jun 2008 / Sep 2013)		3,205,167		463,074		773,749		1.0x		—			5,497,856		2.5x		6,271,605		2.1x		21	%		15	%
BREP Europe IV (Sep 2013 / Dec 2016)		6,709,145		1,332,728		4,476,835		1.5x		14	%		6,957,202		2.0x		11,434,037		1.8x		25	%		18	%
BREP Europe V (Dec 2016 / Jun 2022)		7,868,436		3,523,103		5,121,036		1.2x		—			14,155		N/M		5,135,191		1.2x		N/M			18	%

Total Euro BREP	€	20,236,668	€	5,318,905	€	10,476,801		1.3x		6	%	€	16,172,372		2.1x	€	26,649,173		1.7x		16	%		14	%

continued...

100


					Unrealized Investments							Realized Investments				Total Investments				Net IRRs (c)
Fund (Investment Period Beginning Date / Ending Date)	Committed Capital		Available Capital (a)		Value		MOIC (b)		% Public			Value		MOIC (b)		Value		MOIC (b)		Realized			Total
	(Dollars in Thousands, Except Where Noted)
Real Estate (continued)
BREP Asia I (Jun 2013 / Dec 2017)	$	5,096,216	$	1,759,883	$	4,041,221		1.4x		—		$	2,883,151		1.8x	$	6,924,372		1.5x		21	%		15	%
BREP Asia II (Dec 2017 / Jun 2023)		7,123,119		6,930,266		348,643		N/M		—			—		N/A		348,643		1.0x		N/M			N/M
BREP Co-Investment (i)		6,892,347		146,573		2,130,069		1.8x		49	%		11,818,812		2.1x		13,948,881		2.1x		16	%		16	%

Total BREP	$	95,859,327	$	24,880,999	$	44,716,236		1.4x		10	%	$	107,630,873		2.2x	$	152,347,109		1.9x		18	%		16	%

BPP (j)	$	25,332,010	$	2,797,024	$	27,127,479		1.2x		—		$	2,693,606		N/M	$	29,821,085		1.2x		N/M			11	%
BREDS (k)	$	13,240,239	$	4,078,535	$	3,393,396		1.1x		—		$	9,712,652		1.3x	$	13,106,048		1.2x		11	%		11	%

Hedge Fund Solutions
BSCH (Dec 2013 / Jun 2020) (l)	$	3,298,575	$	2,326,290	$	1,004,382		1.0x		—		$	275,472		N/A	$	1,279,854		1.3x		N/A			6	%
BSCH Co-Investment		276,000		164,903		102,202		0.9x		—			26,443		N/A		128,645		1.1x		N/A			9	%

Total Hedge Fund Solutions	$	3,574,575	$	2,491,193	$	1,106,584		1.0x		—		$	301,915		N/A	$	1,408,499		1.3x		N/A			6	%

Credit (m)
Mezzanine I (Jul 2007 / Oct 2011)	$	2,000,000	$	97,114	$	36,499		0.7x		—		$	4,770,982		1.6x	$	4,807,481		1.6x		N/A			17	%
Mezzanine II (Nov 2011 / Nov 2016)		4,120,000		1,146,274		2,412,906		1.1x		—			4,214,546		1.6x		6,627,452		1.3x		N/A			13	%
Mezzanine III (Sep 2016 / Sep 2021)		6,639,133		3,198,430		3,056,152		1.1x		—			781,375		1.5x		3,837,527		1.2x		N/A			13	%
Stressed / Distressed Investing I (Sep 2009 / May 2013)		3,253,143		175,000		417,477		0.7x		—			5,573,234		1.5x		5,990,711		1.4x		N/A			11	%
Stressed / Distressed Investing II (Jun 2013 / Jun 2018)		5,125,000		584,021		2,501,490		1.1x		—			3,480,028		1.4x		5,981,518		1.2x		N/A			11	%
Stressed / Distressed Investing III (Dec 2017 / Dec 2022)		7,356,380		6,357,485		863,400		1.1x		—			248,102		1.2x		1,111,502		1.1x		N/A			N/A
Energy Select Opportunities (Nov 2015 / Nov 2018)		2,856,867		1,108,540		2,032,185		1.2x		—			523,100		1.6x		2,555,285		1.2x		N/A			16	%

Euro
European Senior Debt Fund (Feb 2015 / Feb 2019)	€	1,964,689	€	1,599,931	€	1,967,235		1.0x		—		€	739,301		1.5x	€	2,706,536		1.1x		N/A			10	%

Total Credit	$	33,616,933	$	14,525,185	$	13,605,053		1.1x		—		$	20,439,621		1.5x	$	34,044,674		1.3x		N/A			13	%

The returns herein represent those of the applicable Blackstone Funds and not those of The Blackstone Group L.P.

N/M Not meaningful.

N/A	Not applicable.

(a)	Available Capital represents total investable capital commitments, including side-by-side, adjusted for certain expenses and expired or recallable capital and may include leverage, less invested capital. This amount is not reduced by outstanding commitments to investments.

(b)	Multiple of Invested Capital (“MOIC”) represents carrying value, before management fees, expenses and carried interest, divided by invested capital.

(c)	Net Internal Rate of Return (“IRR”) represents the annualized inception to September 30, 2018 IRR on total invested capital based on realized proceeds and unrealized value, as applicable, after management fees, expenses and carried interest.

(d)	Includes foreign currency gain or loss on invested undrawn capital, if any.

(e)	Realizations are treated as return of capital until fully recovered and therefore unrealized and realized MOICs are not meaningful.

(f)	BCEP, or Blackstone Core Equity Partners, is a core private equity fund which invests with a more modest risk profile and longer hold period.

(g)	Returns for Other Funds and Co-Investment are not meaningful as these funds have limited transaction activity.

(h)	The 8% Realized Net IRR and 8% Total Net IRR exclude investors that opted out of the Hilton investment opportunity. Overall BREP International II performance reflects a 7% Realized Net IRR and a 6% Total Net IRR.

(i)	BREP Co-Investment represents co-investment capital raised for various BREP investments. The Net IRR reflected is calculated by aggregating each co-investment’s realized proceeds and unrealized value, as applicable, after management fees, expenses and carried interest.

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(j)	BPP represents the core+ real estate funds which invest with a more modest risk profile and lower leverage. Excludes BREIT.

(k)	Excludes Capital Trust drawdown funds.

(l)	BSCH, or Blackstone Strategic Capital Holdings, is focused on acquiring strategic minority positions in alternative asset managers.

(m)	Funds presented represent the flagship credit drawdown funds only. The Total Credit Net IRR is the combined IRR of the eight credit drawdown funds presented.

Segment Analysis

Discussed below is our Economic Income for each of our segments. This information is reflected in the manner utilized by our senior management to make operating decisions, assess performance and allocate resources. References to “our” sectors or investments may also refer to portfolio companies and investments of the underlying funds that we manage.

For segment reporting purposes, revenues and expenses are presented on a basis that deconsolidates the investment funds we manage. As a result, segment revenues are greater than those presented on a consolidated GAAP basis because fund management fees recognized in certain segments are received from the Blackstone Funds and eliminated in consolidation when presented on a consolidated GAAP basis. Furthermore, segment expenses are lower than related amounts presented on a consolidated GAAP basis due to the exclusion of fund expenses that are paid by Limited Partners and the elimination of non-controlling interests.

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Private Equity

The following table presents the results of operations for our Private Equity segment:


	Three Months Ended September 30,						2018 vs. 2017						Nine Months Ended September 30,						2018 vs. 2017
	2018			2017			$			%			2018			2017			$			%
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Revenues
Management and Advisory Fees, Net
Base Management Fees	$	205,893		$	182,764		$	23,129			13	%	$	584,375		$	537,154		$	47,221			9	%
Transaction, Advisory and Other Fees, Net		21,709			8,748			12,961			148	%		45,583			42,213			3,370			8	%
Management Fee Offsets		(4,973	)		(1,088	)		(3,885	)		357	%		(12,517	)		(17,031	)		4,514			-27	%

Total Management and Advisory Fees, Net		222,629			190,424			32,205			17	%		617,441			562,336			55,105			10	%

Performance Revenues
Realized Performance Allocations		290,012			101,918			188,094			185	%		505,306			882,767			(377,461	)		-43	%
Unrealized Performance Allocations		242,613			80,326			162,287			202	%		1,138,203			(104,143	)		1,242,346			N/M

Total Performance Revenues		532,625			182,244			350,381			192	%		1,643,509			778,624			864,885			111	%

Principal Investment Income (Loss)
Realized		44,408			7,077			37,331			527	%		83,346			129,539			(46,193	)		-36	%
Unrealized		19,140			17,300			1,840			11	%		120,755			(49,114	)		169,869			N/M

Total Principal Investment Income		63,548			24,377			39,171			161	%		204,101			80,425			123,676			154	%
Interest and Dividend Revenue		13,258			9,046			4,212			47	%		33,350			23,629			9,721			41	%
Other		3,252			(8,346	)		11,598			N/M			13,511			(26,270	)		39,781			N/M

Total Revenues		835,312			397,745			437,567			110	%		2,511,912			1,418,744			1,093,168			77	%

Expenses
Compensation		117,031			96,166			20,865			22	%		320,558			270,445			50,113			19	%
Performance Compensation
Realized Performance Allocations		106,401			48,019			58,382			122	%		207,959			292,712			(84,753	)		-29	%
Unrealized Performance Allocations		119,135			45,484			73,651			162	%		491,684			28,347			463,337			N/M

Total Compensation and Benefits		342,567			189,669			152,898			81	%		1,020,201			591,504			428,697			72	%
Interest Expense		12,139			10,804			1,335			12	%		35,045			31,959			3,086			10	%
Other Operating Expenses		36,654			32,166			4,488			14	%		103,852			88,519			15,333			17	%

Total Expenses		391,360			232,639			158,721			68	%		1,159,098			711,982			447,116			63	%

Economic Income	$	443,952		$	165,106		$	278,846			169	%	$	1,352,814		$	706,762		$	646,052			91	%

N/M	Not meaningful.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

Revenues

Revenues were $835.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $437.6 million compared to $397.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The increase in Revenues was primarily attributable to increases of $350.4 million in Performance Revenues, $39.2 million in Principal Investment Income and $32.2 million in Management and Advisory Fees, Net.

Revenues in our Private Equity segment in the third quarter of 2018 were higher compared to the third quarter of 2017, primarily driven by increased Performance Revenues largely due to positive performance in our public and private corporate private equity investments, with particular strength in energy and technology holdings. The market environment continues to be generally characterized by high prices, which can make deployment of capital more difficult. Nonetheless, in the third quarter of 2018 we deployed $3.3 billion and committed an additional $2.2 billion of

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capital across the segment. In addition, decelerating growth in certain sectors may contribute to a more challenging environment for our portfolio companies. Realizations of $4.0 billion in the quarter were driven by activity across our corporate private equity funds, Strategic Partners and Tactical Opportunities, although volatility, including as a result of growing macroeconomic and geopolitical concerns, could be a factor in fewer realizations going forward. Interest rates are expected to continue to rise throughout the remainder of 2018 and into 2019 and will likely increase the cost of debt financing for us and our portfolio companies. Rising interest rates, as well as a stronger U.S. dollar and higher inflation, would also likely negatively impact revenues in our Private Equity segment, particularly if not occurring against a backdrop of corresponding economic growth. Revenues in the Private Equity segment would also likely be negatively impacted if pressure on wages and other inputs and higher tariffs increasingly pressure profit margins. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Business — Difficult market conditions can adversely affect our business in many ways, including by reducing the value or performance of the investments made by our investment funds and reducing the ability of our investment funds to raise or deploy capital, each of which could materially reduce our revenue, earnings and cash flow and adversely affect our financial prospects and condition.” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Performance Revenues were $532.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $350.4 million compared to $182.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, driven by corporate private equity. Corporate private equity carrying value increased 7.5% in the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 3.3% in the three months ended September 30, 2017.

Principal Investment Income was $63.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $39.2 million compared to $24.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, primarily driven by an increase in the appreciation of our investment holdings.

Management and Advisory Fees, Net were $222.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, and increase of $32.2 million compared to $190.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, primarily driven by an increase in Base Management Fees. Base Management Fees were $205.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $23.1 million compared to $182.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to the launch of BCP Asia and the third vintage of Tactical Opportunities.

Expenses

Expenses were $391.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $158.7 million compared to $232.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $152.9 million in Total Compensation and Benefits. The increase in Total Compensation and Benefits was primarily due to an increase of $132.0 million in Performance Compensation and $20.9 million in Compensation. Performance Compensation increased as a result of the increase in Performance Revenues. Compensation increased primarily due to the increase in Management and Advisory Fees, Net, on which a portion of compensation is based, as well as an increase in headcount in our infrastructure initiative.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

Revenues

Revenues were $2.5 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $1.1 billion compared to $1.4 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The increase in Revenues was primarily attributable to increases of $864.9 million in Performance Revenues, $123.7 million in Principal Investment Income and $55.1 million in Management and Advisory Fees, Net.

Performance Revenues were $1.6 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $864.9 million, compared to $778.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, driven by corporate private equity. Corporate private equity carrying value increased 23.4% in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 12.1% in the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

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Principal Investment Income was $204.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $123.7 million, compared to $80.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The increase was due to an increase in the appreciation of our investment holdings.

Management and Advisory Fees, Net were $617.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $55.1 million compared to $562.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, primarily driven by an increase in Base Management Fees. Base Management Fees were $584.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $47.2 million compared to $537.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to the launch of BCP Asia and the third vintage of Tactical Opportunities.

Expenses

Expenses were $1.2 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $447.1 million compared to $712.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $428.7 million in Total Compensation and Benefits. The increase in Total Compensation and Benefits was primarily due to increases of $378.6 million in Performance Compensation and $50.1 million in Compensation. Performance Compensation increased as a result of the increase in Performance Revenues. Compensation increased primarily due to the increase in Management and Advisory Fees, Net, on which a portion of compensation is based, as well as an increase in headcount in our infrastructure initiative.

Fund Returns

The following table presents the internal rates of return of our significant private equity funds:


	Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,												September 30, 2018 Inception to Date
	2018						2017						2018						2017						Realized						Total
Fund (a)	Gross			Net			Gross			Net			Gross			Net			Gross			Net			Gross			Net			Gross			Net
BCP IV		10	%		9	%		10	%		9	%		28	%		24	%		7	%		6	%		55	%		41	%		50	%		36	%
BCP V		-2	%		-2	%		5	%		4	%		11	%		8	%		9	%		7	%		11	%		9	%		10	%		8	%
BCP VI		7	%		6	%		3	%		3	%		24	%		20	%		18	%		14	%		27	%		21	%		20	%		15	%
BCP VII		12	%		8	%		4	%		N/M			35	%		22	%		11	%		N/M			60	%		21	%		40	%		22	%
BEP I		7	%		6	%		-2	%		-2	%		27	%		23	%		6	%		5	%		32	%		25	%		19	%		15	%
BEP II		10	%		7	%		4	%		1	%		29	%		18	%		17	%		8	%		73	%		48	%		31	%		17	%
BCOM		2	%		2	%		4	%		4	%		4	%		3	%		-10	%		-11	%		13	%		7	%		13	%		6	%
Tactical Opportunities		5	%		3	%		4	%		3	%		12	%		9	%		12	%		13	%		28	%		23	%		15	%		12	%
Tactical Opportunities Co-Investment and Other		2	%		1	%		5	%		4	%		14	%		11	%		23	%		18	%		29	%		28	%		19	%		16	%
Strategic Partners I-V and Co-Investment (b)		—			—			4	%		5	%		4	%		3	%		8	%		8	%		N/A			N/A			16	%		13	%
Strategic Partners VI
LBO, RE and SMA (b)		1	%		1	%		4	%		3	%		14	%		12	%		12	%		10	%		N/A			N/A			25	%		20	%
Strategic Partners VII (b)		2	%		1	%		18	%		14	%		22	%		18	%		88	%		68	%		N/A			N/A			50	%		40	%
Strategic Partners RA II (b)		2	%		1	%		N/M			N/M			24	%		17	%		N/M			N/M			N/A			N/A			26	%		18	%

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The returns presented herein represent those of the applicable Blackstone Funds and not those of The Blackstone Group L.P.

N/M	Not meaningful.

N/A	Not applicable.

(a)	Net returns are based on the change in carrying value (realized and unrealized) after management fees, expenses and carried interest allocations.

(b)	Realizations are treated as return of capital until fully recovered and therefore inception to date realized returns are not applicable.

The corporate private equity funds within the Private Equity segment have five funds with closed investment periods: BCP IV, BCP V, BCP VI, BCOM and BEP I. As of September 30, 2018, BCP IV was above its carried interest threshold (i.e., the preferred return payable to its limited partners before the general partner is eligible to receive carried interest) and would still be above its carried interest threshold even if all remaining investments were valued at zero. BCP V is comprised of two fund classes based on the timings of fund closings, the BCP V “main fund” and BCP V-AC fund. Within these fund classes, the general partner is subject to equalization such that (a) the general partner accrues carried interest when the respective carried interest for either fund class is positive and (b) the general partner realizes carried interest so long as clawback obligations, if any, for either of the respective fund classes are fully satisfied. During the quarter, both fund classes in aggregate were above their respective carried interest thresholds. BCP VI is currently above its carried interest threshold. BCOM is currently above its carried interest threshold and has generated inception to date positive returns. We are entitled to retain previously realized carried interest up to 20% of BCOM’s net gains. As a result, Performance Revenues are recognized from BCOM on current period gains and losses. BEP I is currently above its carried interest threshold.

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Real Estate

The following table presents the results of operations for our Real Estate segment:


	Three Months Ended September 30,						2018 vs. 2017						Nine Months Ended September 30,						2018 vs. 2017
	2018			2017			$			%			2018			2017			$			%
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Revenues
Management Fees, Net
Base Management Fees	$	254,088		$	224,048		$	30,040			13	%	$	730,294		$	649,792		$	80,502			12	%
Transaction and Other Fees, Net		45,678			20,616			25,062			122	%		92,625			57,982			34,643			60	%
Management Fee Offsets		(8,265	)		(4,232	)		(4,033	)		95	%		(13,718	)		(12,800	)		(918	)		7	%

Total Management Fees, Net		291,501			240,432			51,069			21	%		809,201			694,974			114,227			16	%

Performance Revenues
Realized Incentive Fees		5,898			3,778			2,120			56	%		21,667			11,538			10,129			88	%
Realized Performance Allocations		297,710			307,932			(10,222	)		-3	%		800,649			1,217,246			(416,597	)		-34	%
Unrealized Performance Allocations		31,877			273,731			(241,854	)		-88	%		97,741			355,373			(257,632	)		-72	%

Total Performance Revenues		335,485			585,441			(249,956	)		-43	%		920,057			1,584,157			(664,100	)		-42	%

Principal Investment Income (Loss)
Realized		16,197			44,449			(28,252	)		-64	%		81,086			221,627			(140,541	)		-63	%
Unrealized		269			(8,319	)		8,588			N/M			(25,088	)		(112,691	)		87,603			-78	%

Total Principal Investment Income		16,466			36,130			(19,664	)		-54	%		55,998			108,936			(52,938	)		-49	%
Interest and Dividend Revenue		18,556			15,461			3,095			20	%		48,178			42,048			6,130			15	%
Other		4,190			(13,108	)		17,298			N/M			13,150			(39,223	)		52,373			N/M

Total Revenues		666,198			864,356			(198,158	)		-23	%		1,846,584			2,390,892			(544,308	)		-23	%

Expenses
Compensation		124,475			105,753			18,722			18	%		346,898			318,721			28,177			9	%
Performance Compensation
Realized Incentive Fees		3,289			1,967			1,322			67	%		11,319			6,011			5,308			88	%
Realized Performance Allocations		89,879			104,112			(14,233	)		-14	%		253,295			408,580			(155,285	)		-38	%
Unrealized Performance Allocations		48,898			105,640			(56,742	)		-54	%		76,698			187,686			(110,988	)		-59	%

Total Compensation and Benefits		266,541			317,472			(50,931	)		-16	%		688,210			920,998			(232,788	)		-25	%
Interest Expense		13,584			15,028			(1,444	)		-10	%		39,122			44,450			(5,328	)		-12	%
Other Operating Expenses		39,787			33,256			6,531			20	%		105,230			97,499			7,731			8	%

Total Expenses		319,912			365,756			(45,844	)		-13	%		832,562			1,062,947			(230,385	)		-22	%

Economic Income	$	346,286		$	498,600		$	(152,314	)		-31	%	$	1,014,022		$	1,327,945		$	(313,923	)		-24	%

N/M	Not meaningful.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

Revenues

Revenues were $666.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $198.2 million compared to $864.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease in Revenues was primarily attributable to decreases of $250.0 million in Performance Revenues and $19.7 million in Principal Investment Income, partially offset by increases of $51.1 million in Management Fees, Net and $17.3 million in Other Revenue.

Revenues in our Real Estate segment in the third quarter of 2018 were lower compared to the third quarter of 2017, primarily driven by lower Performance Revenues resulting from lower appreciation in our real estate opportunistic funds. In the third quarter of 2018, foreign currency fluctuations, particularly with respect to the Indian rupee, adversely impacted appreciation in our real estate opportunistic funds. Overall, operating trends in our Real Estate portfolio remain stable and supply-demand fundamentals remain positive in most markets, although

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decelerating growth in certain sectors, including retail, may contribute to a more challenging environment for our portfolio companies. As a result of less distress and rising asset values compared to prior years in the United States, capital deployment in opportunistic investments continues to be difficult. Nonetheless, our Real Estate funds deployed $4.1 billion and committed an additional $2.7 billion of capital in the quarter, with more than 50% of such aggregate capital invested or committed outside of the United States. Volatility, including as a result of growing macroeconomic and geopolitical concerns, could be a factor in fewer realizations going forward, although our Real Estate funds had $4.0 billion of realizations in the third quarter. Interest rates are expected to continue to rise throughout the remainder of 2018 and into 2019 and will likely increase the cost of debt financing for our real estate businesses and assets. Rising interest rates, as well as a stronger U.S. dollar and higher inflation, would also likely negatively impact revenues in our Real Estate segment, particularly if not occurring against a backdrop of economic strength and improving fundamentals. Revenues in our Real Estate segment would also likely be negatively impacted if pressure on wages and other inputs increasingly pressure profit margins. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Business — Difficult market conditions can adversely affect our business in many ways, including by reducing the value or performance of the investments made by our investment funds and reducing the ability of our investment funds to raise or deploy capital, each of which could materially reduce our revenue, earnings and cash flow and adversely affect our financial prospects and condition.” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Performance Revenues were $335.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $250.0 million compared to $585.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease in Performance Revenues was due to lower net appreciation of investment holdings in our BREP opportunistic funds compared to the comparable period in 2017. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the carrying value of investments for our BREP opportunistic funds increased 3.0% compared to 5.5% in the three months ended September 30, 2017.

Principal Investment Income was $16.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $19.7 million compared to $36.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease in Principal Investment Income was primarily due to lower net appreciation of the Partnership’s principal investments.

Management Fees, Net were $291.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $51.1 million compared to $240.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, driven primarily by an increase in Base Management Fees. Base Management Fees were $254.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $30.0 million compared to $224.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to AUM growth in our core+ real estate funds and the launch of BREP Asia II in the fourth quarter of 2017, partially offset by a decrease due to the expiration of the BREP VI fund term.

Other Revenue was $4.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $17.3 million compared to $(13.1) million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to foreign exchange gain on our euro denominated bonds.

Expenses

Expenses were $319.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $45.8 million compared to $365.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease of $50.9 million in Total Compensation and Benefits. The decrease in Total Compensation and Benefits was due to a decrease in Performance Compensation of $69.7 million, partially offset by an increase of $18.7 million in Compensation. Performance Compensation decreased as a result of the decrease in Performance Revenues. The increase in Compensation was primarily due to the increase in Management Fees, Net, on which a portion of compensation is based.

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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

Revenues

Revenues were $1.8 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $544.3 million compared to $2.4 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease in Revenues was primarily attributable to decreases of $664.1 million in Performance Revenues and $52.9 million in Principal Investment Income, partially offset by increases of $114.2 million in Management Fees, Net and $52.4 million in Other Revenue.

Performance Revenues were $920.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $664.1 million compared to $1.6 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Performance Revenues decreased due to the lower net appreciation of investment holdings in our BREP opportunistic funds compared to the comparable period in 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the carrying value of investments for our BREP opportunistic funds increased 9.2% compared to 15.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Principal Investment Income was $56.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $52.9 million compared to $108.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to lower net appreciation of the Partnership’s principal investments.

Management Fees, Net were $809.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $114.2 million compared to $695.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, primarily driven by an increase in Base Management Fees. Base Management Fees were $730.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $80.5 million compared to $649.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to AUM growth in our core+ real estate funds, the launch of BREP Europe V in the fourth quarter of 2016 (and the corresponding expiration of its fee holiday in the second quarter of 2017) and the launch of BREP Asia II in the fourth quarter of 2017, partially offset by a decrease due to the expiration of the BREP VI fund term.

Other Revenue was $13.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $52.4 million compared to $(39.2) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to foreign exchange gain on our euro denominated bonds.

Expenses

Expenses were $832.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $230.4 million compared to $1.1 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease of $232.8 million in Total Compensation and Benefits. The decrease in Total Compensation and Benefits was attributable to a decrease of $261.0 million in Performance Compensation, partially offset by an increase of $28.2 million in Compensation. Performance Compensation decreased as a result of the decrease in Performance Revenues. The increase in Compensation was primarily due to the increase in Management Fees, Net, on which a portion of compensation is based.

Fund Returns

Fund return information for our significant funds is included throughout this discussion and analysis to facilitate an understanding of our results of operations for the periods presented. The fund returns information reflected in this discussion and analysis is not indicative of the financial performance of The Blackstone Group L.P. and is also not necessarily indicative of the future performance of any particular fund. An investment in The Blackstone Group L.P. is not an investment in any of our funds. There can be no assurance that any of our funds or our other existing and future funds will achieve similar returns.

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The following table presents the internal rates of return, except where noted, of our significant real estate funds:


	Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,												September 30, 2018 Inception to Date
	2018						2017						2018						2017						Realized						Total
Fund (a)	Gross			Net			Gross			Net			Gross			Net			Gross			Net			Gross			Net			Gross			Net
BREP IV		-4	%		-3	%		—			—			4	%		4	%		1	%		1	%		59	%		34	%		22	%		12	%
BREP V		-9	%		-8	%		8	%		7	%		1	%		—			11	%		10	%		15	%		12	%		14	%		11	%
BREP VI		4	%		3	%		11	%		10	%		4	%		3	%		21	%		17	%		18	%		14	%		17	%		13	%
BREP VII		2	%		2	%		8	%		6	%		7	%		5	%		15	%		12	%		38	%		28	%		24	%		17	%
BREP VIII		5	%		5	%		4	%		3	%		15	%		11	%		18	%		12	%		41	%		28	%		26	%		17	%
BREP International II (b)(c)		4	%		3	%		7	%		7	%		19	%		16	%		13	%		12	%		10	%		8	%		9	%		8	%
BREP Europe III (b)		-10	%		-7	%		4	%		3	%		-6	%		-5	%		19	%		15	%		31	%		21	%		24	%		15	%
BREP Europe IV (b)		5	%		4	%		2	%		2	%		17	%		13	%		26	%		20	%		35	%		25	%		25	%		18	%
BREP Europe V (b)		5	%		4	%		10	%		6	%		18	%		13	%		N/M			N/M			N/M			N/M			31	%		18	%
BREP Asia I		2	%		1	%		3	%		2	%		6	%		4	%		19	%		13	%		30	%		21	%		23	%		15	%
BREP Asia II		N/M			N/M			N/A			N/A			N/M			N/M			N/A			N/A			N/M			N/M			N/M			N/M
BREP Co-Investment (d)		2	%		2	%		9	%		8	%		5	%		4	%		16	%		15	%		18	%		16	%		18	%		16	%
BPP (e)		3	%		2	%		3	%		3	%		8	%		7	%		10	%		8	%		N/M			N/M			13	%		11	%
BREDS Drawdown		2	%		1	%		4	%		3	%		7	%		5	%		12	%		11	%		15	%		11	%		15	%		11	%
BREDS Liquid (f)		2	%		2	%		2	%		1	%		8	%		6	%		9	%		7	%		N/A			N/A			11	%		8	%

The returns presented herein represent those of the applicable Blackstone Funds and not those of The Blackstone Group L.P.

N/M Not meaningful.

N/A Not applicable.

(a)	Net returns are based on the change in carrying value (realized and unrealized) after management fees, expenses and performance revenues.

(b)	Euro-based internal rates of return.

(c)	The 8% Realized Net IRR and 8% Total Net IRR exclude investors that opted out of the Hilton investment opportunity. Overall BREP International II Performance reflects a 7% Realized Net IRR and a 6% Total Net IRR.

(d)	Excludes fully realized co-investments prior to Blackstone’s IPO.

(e)	BPP represents the core+ real estate funds which invest with a more modest risk profile and lower leverage. Excludes BREIT.

(f)

BREDS Liquid represents BREDS funds that invest in liquid real estate debt securities, except funds in liquidation and insurance mandates with specific investment objectives. Effective June 30, 2018, the returns presented represent summarized asset-weighted gross and net rates of return. Inception to Date returns are presented on an annualized basis. Prior periods have been updated to reflect such rates of return.

As of September 30, 2018, the investment period for BREP International II had expired and the fund was not above its carried interest threshold. BREP International II Investors that opted out of the Hilton investment opportunity are not expected to exceed the carried interest threshold in future periods. However, since gains are not earned pro rata, it is possible that certain BREP International II investors who participated in the Hilton investment opportunity will exceed the carried interest threshold in future periods.

The Real Estate segment has three funds in their investment period, which were above their respective carried interest thresholds as of September 30, 2018: BREP VIII, BREP Europe V and BREDS III.

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Hedge Fund Solutions

The following table presents the results of operations for our Hedge Fund Solutions segment:


	Three Months Ended												Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						2018 vs. 2017						September 30,					2018 vs. 2017
	2018			2017			$			%			2018		2017			$			%
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Revenues
Management Fees, Net
Base Management Fees	$	129,554		$	129,410		$	144			0	%	$	388,335	$	386,576		$	1,759			0	%
Transaction and Other Fees, Net		766			48			718			N/M			1,923		2,003			(80	)		-4	%
Management Fee Offsets		—			(28	)		28			-100	%		—		(28	)		28			-100	%

Total Management Fees, Net		130,320			129,430			890			1	%		390,258		388,551			1,707			0	%

Performance Revenues
Realized Incentive Fees		3,847			12,186			(8,339	)		-68	%		18,905		32,821			(13,916	)		-42	%
Realized Performance Allocations		138			2,031			(1,893	)		-93	%		2,527		3,075			(548	)		-18	%
Unrealized Performance Allocations		13,171			10,327			2,844			28	%		28,162		43,991			(15,829	)		-36	%

Total Performance Revenues		17,156			24,544			(7,388	)		-30	%		49,594		79,887			(30,293	)		-38	%

Principal Investment Income
Realized		2,024			1,316			708			54	%		10,430		909			9,521			N/M
Unrealized		8,474			12,723			(4,249	)		-33	%		4,073		42,594			(38,521	)		-90	%

Total Principal Investment Income		10,498			14,039			(3,541	)		-25	%		14,503		43,503			(29,000	)		-67	%
Interest and Dividend Revenue		6,672			5,316			1,356			26	%		16,636		13,987			2,649			19	%
Other		(639	)		(5,859	)		5,220			-89	%		6,692		(18,189	)		24,881			N/M

Total Revenues		164,007			167,470			(3,463	)		-2	%		477,683		507,739			(30,056	)		-6	%

Expenses
Compensation		50,213			44,347			5,866			13	%		148,599		139,312			9,287			7	%
Performance Compensation
Realized Incentive Fees		3,284			5,862			(2,578	)		-44	%		11,473		16,973			(5,500	)		-32	%
Realized Performance Allocations		1,314			1,022			292			29	%		4,666		1,590			3,076			193	%
Unrealized Performance Allocations		4,142			3,541			601			17	%		9,100		15,931			(6,831	)		-43	%

Total Compensation and Benefits		58,953			54,772			4,181			8	%		173,838		173,806			32			0	%
Interest Expense		6,459			6,763			(304	)		-4	%		18,630		19,994			(1,364	)		-7	%
Other Operating Expenses		20,753			17,958			2,795			16	%		58,032		50,655			7,377			15	%

Total Expenses		86,165			79,493			6,672			8	%		250,500		244,455			6,045			2	%

Economic Income	$	77,842		$	87,977		$	(10,135	)		-12	%	$	227,183	$	263,284		$	(36,101	)		-14	%

N/M Not meaningful.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

Revenues

Revenues were $164.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $3.5 million compared to $167.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease in Revenues was primarily attributable to decreases of $7.4 million in Performance Revenues and $3.5 million in Principal Investment Income, partially offset by an increase of $5.2 million in Other Revenue.

Revenues in our Hedge Fund Solutions segment in the third quarter of 2018 were modestly lower compared to the third quarter of 2017 driven in part by lower Performance Revenues as a result of slightly lower returns in a

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number of strategies. Interest rates are expected to rise throughout the remainder of 2018 and into 2019. To the extent such rise occurs in a strong equity market environment, we do not expect such rise to have a material direct impact on overall revenues in our Hedge Fund Solutions segment. Hedge Fund Solutions revenues, however, would likely be negatively impacted in the event of a significant or sustained decline in global, regional or sector asset prices, deterioration of global market conditions, or withdrawal of assets by investors as a result of liquidity needs, performance or other reasons. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Business — Difficult market conditions can adversely affect our business in many ways, including by reducing the value or performance of the investments made by our investment funds and reducing the ability of our investment funds to raise or deploy capital, each of which could materially reduce our revenue, earnings and cash flow and adversely affect our financial prospects and condition” and “— Hedge fund investments are subject to numerous additional risks.” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. The segment operates multiple business lines, manages strategies that are both long and short asset classes and generates a majority of its revenue through management fees, which we believe may provide a level of downside protection to Hedge Fund Solutions revenues. Over time we anticipate an increasing change in the mix of our product offerings to products whose performance-based fees represent a more significant proportion of the fees than has historically been the case for such products.

Performance Revenue was $17.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $7.4 million compared to $24.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease was primarily driven by lower returns across a number of strategies, including customized solutions and commingled products, compared to the third quarter of 2017.

Principal Investment Income was $10.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $3.5 million compared to $14.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease was primarily due to lower returns in investments of which Blackstone owns a share compared to the third quarter of 2017.

Other Revenue was $(0.6) million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $5.2 million compared to $(5.9) million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The increase was primarily due to foreign exchange gain on our euro denominated bonds.

Expenses

Expenses were $86.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $6.7 million compared to $79.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to increases of $4.2 million in Total Compensation and Benefits and $2.8 million in Other Operating Expenses. The increase in Total Compensation and Benefits was due to an increase in Compensation of $5.9 million, partially offset by a decrease of $1.7 million in Performance Compensation. The increase in Compensation was mainly due to a lower deferral on Compensation. Performance Compensation decreased as a result of the decrease in Performance Revenues. The increase in Other Operating Expenses was due to an increase in professional fees.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

Revenues

Revenues were $477.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $30.1 million compared to $507.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease in Revenues was primarily attributable to decreases of $30.3 million in Performance Revenues and $29.0 million in Principal Investment Income, partially offset by an increase of $24.9 million in Other Revenue.

Performance Revenues were $49.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $30.3 million compared to $79.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease was primarily driven by lower returns across a number of strategies, including customized solutions, commingled products, individual investor and specialized solutions, compared to the third quarter of 2017.

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Principal Investment Income was $14.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $29.0 million compared to $43.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease was primarily due to lower returns in investments of which Blackstone owns a share compared to the third quarter of 2017.

Other Revenue was $6.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $24.9 million compared to $(18.2) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The increase was primarily due to foreign exchange gain on our euro denominated bonds.

Expenses

Expenses were $250.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $6.0 million compared to $244.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $7.4 million in Other Operating Expenses, partially offset by a decrease of $1.4 million in Interest Expense. The increase in Other Operating Expenses was due to an increase in professional fees. The decrease in Interest Expense was due to lower overall interest expense on Blackstone’s bonds following the October 2017 issuance of new bonds and redemption of previously outstanding bonds.

Operating Metrics

The following table presents information regarding our Incentive Fee-Earning Assets Under Management:


	Fee-Earning Assets Under Management Eligible for Incentive Fees				Estimated % Above High Water Mark / Benchmark (a)
	As of September 30,				As of September 30,
	2017		2018		2017			2018
	(Dollars in Thousands)
BAAM-Managed Funds (b)	$	39,369,024	$	44,823,114		89	%		92	%

(a)

Estimated % Above High Water Mark/Benchmark represents the percentage of Fee-Earning Assets Under Management Eligible for Incentive Fees that as of the dates presented would earn incentive fees when the applicable BAAM-managed fund has positive investment performance relative to a benchmark, where applicable. Incremental positive performance in the applicable Blackstone Funds may cause additional assets to reach their respective High Water Mark or clear a benchmark return, thereby resulting in an increase in Estimated % Above High Water Mark/Benchmark.

(b)

For the BAAM-managed funds, at September 30, 2018 the incremental appreciation needed for the 8% of Fee-Earning Assets Under Management below their respective High Water Marks/Benchmarks to reach their respective High Water Marks/Benchmarks was $410.4 million, an increase of $46.9 million, compared to $363.5 million at September 30, 2017. Of the Fee-Earning Assets Under Management below their respective High Water Marks/Benchmarks as of September 30, 2018, 19% were within 5% of reaching their respective High Water Mark.

Composite Returns

Composite returns information is included throughout this discussion and analysis to facilitate an understanding of our results of operations for the periods presented. The composite returns information reflected in this discussion and analysis is not indicative of the financial performance of The Blackstone Group L.P. and is also not necessarily indicative of the future results of any particular fund. An investment in The Blackstone Group L.P. is not an investment in any of our funds or composites. There can be no assurance that any of our funds or composites or our other existing and future funds or composites will achieve similar returns.

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The following table presents the return information of the BAAM Principal Solutions Composite:


	Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,												Average Annual Returns (a)
	Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,												Periods Ended September 30, 2018
	2018						2017						2018						2017						One Year						Three Year						Five Year						Historical
Composite	Gross			Net			Gross			Net			Gross			Net			Gross			Net			Gross			Net			Gross			Net			Gross			Net			Gross			Net
BAAM Principal Solutions Composite (b)		2	%		2	%		2	%		2	%		4	%		4	%		7	%		6	%		6	%		5	%		6	%		5	%		6	%		5	%		7	%		6	%

The returns presented represent those of the applicable Blackstone Funds and not those of The Blackstone Group L.P.

(a)	Composite returns present a summarized asset-weighted return measure to evaluate the overall performance of the applicable class of Blackstone Funds.

(b)

BAAM’s Principal Solutions (“BPS”) Composite covers the period from January 2000 to present, although BAAM’s inception date is September 1990. The BPS Composite includes only BAAM-managed commingled and customized multi-manager funds and accounts. None of the other platforms/strategies managed through the Blackstone Hedge Fund Solutions Group are included in the composite (except for investments by BPS funds/accounts directly into those platforms/strategies). BAAM-managed funds in liquidation and non-fee-paying assets (in the case of net returns) are excluded from the composite. The historical return is from January 1, 2000.

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Credit

The following table presents the results of operations for our Credit segment:


	Three Months Ended September 30,						2018 vs. 2017						Nine Months Ended September 30,						2018 vs. 2017
	2018			2017			$			%			2018			2017			$			%
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Revenues
Management Fees, Net
Base Management Fees	$	132,071		$	133,680		$	(1,609	)		-1	%	$	418,673		$	410,706		$	7,967			2	%
Transaction and Other Fees, Net		5,791			2,883			2,908			101	%		11,791			9,211			2,580			28	%
Management Fee Offsets		(3,093	)		(4,867	)		1,774			-36	%		(9,107	)		(27,379	)		18,272			-67	%

Total Management Fees, Net		134,769			131,696			3,073			2	%		421,357			392,538			28,819			7	%

Performance Revenues
Realized Incentive Fees		55			19,549			(19,494	)		-100	%		1,298			77,968			(76,670	)		-98	%
Realized Performance Allocations		4,798			23,113			(18,315	)		-79	%		57,373			46,950			10,423			22	%
Unrealized Performance Allocations		11,270			43,041			(31,771	)		-74	%		103,588			83,833			19,755			24	%

Total Performance Revenues		16,123			85,703			(69,580	)		-81	%		162,259			208,751			(46,492	)		-22	%

Principal Investment Income (Loss)
Realized		2,991			7,346			(4,355	)		-59	%		14,098			11,894			2,204			19	%
Unrealized		821			(4,320	)		5,141			N/M			(4,932	)		4,493			(9,425	)		N/M

Total Principal Investment Income		3,812			3,026			786			26	%		9,166			16,387			(7,221	)		-44	%
Interest and Dividend Revenue		11,450			8,062			3,388			42	%		29,884			20,420			9,464			46	%
Other		2,289			(6,831	)		9,120			N/M			9,261			(21,218	)		30,479			N/M

Total Revenues		168,443			221,656			(53,213	)		-24	%		631,927			616,878			15,049			2	%

Expenses
Compensation		62,482			56,532			5,950			11	%		191,863			168,604			23,259			14	%
Performance Compensation
Realized Incentive Fees		678			10,503			(9,825	)		-94	%		864			38,845			(37,981	)		-98	%
Realized Performance Allocations		2,848			9,352			(6,504	)		-70	%		32,982			21,839			11,143			51	%
Unrealized Performance Allocations		6,009			20,869			(14,860	)		-71	%		45,128			38,013			7,115			19	%

Total Compensation and Benefits		72,017			97,256			(25,239	)		-26	%		270,837			267,301			3,536			1	%
Interest Expense		8,741			8,154			587			7	%		25,249			24,090			1,159			5	%
Other Operating Expenses		31,551			23,237			8,314			36	%		91,189			72,244			18,945			26	%

Total Expenses		112,309			128,647			(16,338	)		-13	%		387,275			363,635			23,640			7	%

Economic Income	$	56,134		$	93,009		$	(36,875	)		-40	%	$	244,652		$	253,243		$	(8,591	)		-3	%

N/M Not meaningful.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

Revenues

Revenues were $168.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $53.2 million compared to $221.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. This change was primarily attributable to a decrease of $69.6 million in Performance Revenues, partially offset by an increase of $9.1 million in Other Revenue.

Revenues in our Credit segment in the third quarter of 2018 were lower compared to the third quarter of 2017, primarily driven by lower Performance Revenues as a result of the conclusion of our investment sub-advisory relationship with FS Investments in April 2018 and lower returns in performing credit and distressed strategies. Despite increasing interest rates, the interest rate environment remains relatively low. In the third quarter of 2018,

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the investment pace across our Credit segment remained active, with $3.2 billion of capital deployed or committed during the third quarter. Interest rates are expected to continue to rise throughout the remainder of 2018 and into 2019. To the extent the rise in interest rates occurs against a backdrop of economic strength and improving fundamentals, as expected, it may create investment opportunities for our Credit segment. Interest rate increases could, however, adversely affect Revenues in our Credit segment, although we believe our current portfolio is somewhat insulated because much of our debt portfolio is floating rate, short duration and/or held to maturity. Our Credit segment revenues may also be negatively impacted by our failure to accurately assess and react to risk; a sustained period of depressed energy and commodity prices; and weakened market fundamentals that may lead to, among other things, ratings downgrades. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Business — Difficult market conditions can adversely affect our business in many ways, including by reducing the value or performance of the investments made by our investment funds and reducing the ability of our investment funds to raise or deploy capital, each of which could materially reduce our revenue, earnings and cash flow and adversely affect our financial prospects and condition.” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Performance Revenues were $16.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $69.6 million compared to $85.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. This change was primarily attributable to the conclusion of our sub-advisory relationship with FS Investments, as well as lower returns in our performing credit strategies and distressed strategies.

Other Revenue was $2.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $9.1 million compared to $(6.8) million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to foreign exchange gain on our euro denominated bonds.

Expenses

Expenses were $112.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $16.3 million compared to $128.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The decrease in expenses was primarily attributable to a decrease of $25.2 million in Total Compensation and Benefits, partially offset by an increase of $8.3 million in Other Operating Expenses. The decrease in Total Compensation and Benefits was due to a decrease of $31.2 million in Performance Compensation, partially offset by an increase of $6.0 million in Compensation. The decrease in Performance Compensation was due to the decrease in Performance Revenues. The increase in Compensation was primarily due to the acquisition of Harvest and the launch of BIS. The increase in Other Operating Expenses was primarily due to growth in BIS.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

Revenues

Revenues were $631.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $15.0 million compared to $616.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. This change was primarily attributable to increases of $30.5 million in Other Revenue and $28.8 million in Management Fees, Net, partially offset by a decreases of $46.5 million in Performance Revenues and $7.2 million in Principal Investment Income.

Other Revenue was $9.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $30.5 million compared to $(21.2) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to foreign exchange gain on our euro denominated bonds.

Management Fees, Net were $421.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $28.8 million compared to $392.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to the addition of management fees as a result of the acquisition of Harvest and the launch of BIS, partially offset by the conclusion of our sub-advisory relationship with FS Investments.

The Annualized Base Management Fee Rate decreased from 0.72% at September 30, 2017 to 0.54% at September 30, 2018. The decrease was principally due to the inclusion of our insurance solutions initiative.

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Performance Revenues were $162.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $46.5 million compared to $208.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. This change was primarily attributable to the conclusion of our sub-advisory relationship with FS Investments, partially offset by higher returns in our performing credit strategies and distressed strategies.

Principal Investment Income was $9.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, a decrease of $7.2 million compared to $16.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to the unrealized investment losses in Blackstone’s investments in GSO funds.

Expenses

Expenses were $387.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of $23.6 million compared to $363.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The increase in expenses was primarily attributable to increases of $23.3 million in Compensation and $18.9 million in Other Operating Expenses, partially offset by a decrease of $19.7 million in Performance Compensation. The increase in Compensation was due to the increase in Management Fees, Net, on which a portion of compensation is based, as well as the acquisition of Harvest and the launch of BIS. The increase in Other Operating Expenses was primarily due to the growth in our insurance solutions business. The decrease in Performance Compensation was due to the decrease in Performance Revenues.

Fund Returns

Fund return information for our significant businesses is included throughout this discussion and analysis to facilitate an understanding of our results of operations for the periods presented. The fund returns information reflected in this discussion and analysis is not indicative of the financial performance of The Blackstone Group L.P. and is also not necessarily indicative of the future results of any particular fund. An investment in The Blackstone Group L.P. is not an investment in any of our funds. There can be no assurance that any of our funds or our other existing and future funds will achieve similar returns.

The following table presents combined internal rates of return of the segment’s performing credit and distressed strategies funds:


	Three Months Ended September 30,												Nine Months Ended September 30,												September 30, 2018 Inception to Date
	2018						2017						2018						2017						September 30, 2018 Inception to Date
Composite (a)	Gross			Net			Gross			Net			Gross			Net			Gross			Net			Gross			Net
Performing Credit Strategies (b)		1	%		1	%		4	%		3	%		9	%		7	%		9	%		6	%		15	%		9	%
Distressed Strategies (c)		1	%		—			3	%		2	%		4	%		2	%		4	%		2	%		11	%		7	%

The returns presented herein represent those of the applicable Blackstone Funds and not those of The Blackstone Group L.P.

(a)	Net returns are based on the change in carrying value (realized and unrealized) after management fees, expenses and performance revenues, net of tax advances.

(b)

Performing Credit Strategies include mezzanine lending funds, BDCs and other performing credit strategy funds. Performing Credit Strategies’ returns represent the IRR of the combined cash flows of the fee-earning funds exceeding $100 million of fair value at each respective quarter end excluding the Blackstone Funds that were contributed to GSO as part of Blackstone’s acquisition of GSO in March 2008. The inception to date returns are from July 16, 2007.

(c)

Distressed Strategies include stressed/distressed funds, credit alpha strategies and energy strategies. Distressed Strategies’ returns represent the IRR of the combined cash flows of the fee-earning funds exceeding $100 million of fair value at each respective quarter end. The inception to date returns are from August 1, 2005.

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As of September 30, 2018, there was $15.8 billion of Performance Revenue eligible assets under management invested in Credit strategies that were above the hurdle necessary to generate Incentive Fees or carried interest. This represented 36% of the total Performance Revenue eligible assets at fair value across all Credit strategies.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The following tables set forth the calculations of the non-GAAP financial measures used by management when assessing the performance of our business. These non-GAAP financial measures are presented without the consolidation of any Blackstone Funds that are consolidated into the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Consequently, all non-GAAP financial measures exclude the assets, liabilities and operating results related to the Blackstone Funds. See “— Key Financial Measures and Indicators” for our definitions of Economic Income, Economic Net Income, Fee Related Earnings, Distributable Earnings and Adjusted EBITDA.

Effective July 1, 2018, Fee Related Earnings has been redefined to include Fee Related Net Performance Revenues. There was no change to Economic Income and Distributable Earnings. All prior periods have been recast to reflect this definition.

The following table calculates Blackstone’s Fee Related Earnings, Distributable Earnings and Economic Net Income:

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(a)	Represents the total segment amounts of the respective captions. See Note 18. “Segment Reporting” in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” in “Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements” of this filing.

(b)	Detail on this amount is included in the table below.

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The following table calculates the components of Fee Related Earnings, Distributable Earnings and Economic Net Income in the above table identified by note (b):

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(a)	Represents the Fee Related component of each of the captions.

(b)	Represents the total segment amounts of the respective captions. See Note 18. “Segment Reporting” in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” in “Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements” of this filing.

(c)	Represents the equity-based compensation expense component of Compensation.

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(d)	Represents the total equity-based compensation expense component of Realized Incentive Fees Compensation and Realized Performance Allocations Compensation.

(e)	Taxes and Related Payables represent the total GAAP tax provision adjusted to include only the current tax provision (benefit) calculated on Income (Loss) Before Provision for Taxes and to exclude the tax impact on any divestitures and the Payable Under Tax Receivable Agreement.

(f)	Represents tax-related payables including the Payable Under Tax Receivable Agreement, which is a component of Taxes and Related Payables.

(g)	Represents all equity-based compensation expenses included in Economic Income. This excludes all transaction-related equity-based charges.

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The following table is a reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to The Blackstone Group L.P. to Economic Income, of Economic Income to Economic Net Income, of Economic Net Income to Fee Related Earnings, of Fee Related Earnings to Distributable Earnings and of Distributable Earnings to Adjusted EBITDA:

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(a)

This adjustment removes Transaction-Related Charges. Transaction-Related Charges arise from corporate actions including acquisitions, divestitures, and Blackstone’s initial public offering. They consist primarily of equity-based compensation charges, gains and losses on contingent consideration arrangements, changes in the

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balance of the tax receivable agreement resulting from a change in tax law or similar event, transaction costs and any gain or losses associated with these corporate actions.

(b)	This adjustment adds the amortization of transaction-related intangibles including intangibles associated with Blackstone’s investment in Pátria, which is accounted for under the equity method.

(c)

This adjustment represents the effect of consolidating Blackstone Funds, the elimination of Blackstone’s interest in these funds, the increase to revenue representing the reimbursement of certain expenses by Blackstone Funds, which are presented gross under GAAP by netted against Other Operating Expenses in the segment presentation, and the removal of amounts associated with the ownership of Blackstone consolidated operating partnerships held by non-controlling interests.

(d)	Taxes represent the total GAAP tax provision adjusted to include only the current tax provision (benefit) calculated on Income (Loss) Before Provision for Taxes and adjusted to exclude the tax impact on any divestitures.

(e)	This adjustment removes total segment Performance Revenues.

(f)	This adjustment removes total segment Principal Investment Income (Loss).

(g)	This adjustment removes total segment Other Revenues.

(h)	This adjustment removes total segment Interest and Dividend Revenue less total segment Interest Expense.

(i)	This adjustment removes the total segment amount of Performance Compensation, comprised of Incentive Fee Compensation and Performance Allocations Compensation.

(j)

Fee Related Net Performance Revenues refers to the realized portion of Performance Revenues from Perpetual Capital that are (1) measured and received on a recurring basis and (2) not dependent on realization events from the underlying investments (“Fee Related Performance Revenues”), net of directly related cash compensation expense.

(k)	This adjustment removes the component of total segment Compensation that is equity-based.

(l)	This adjustment adds the total segment amounts or Realized Incentive Fees and Realized Performance Allocations, net of realized Performance Compensation.

(m)	This adjustment adds the total segment amount of Realized Principal Investment Income.

(n)

Taxes and Related Payables Including Payable Under Tax Receivable Agreement represent the total GAAP tax provision adjusted to include only the current tax provision (benefit) calculated on Income (Loss) Before Provision for Taxes and to exclude the tax impact on any divestitures and the Payable Under Tax Receivable Agreement.

(o)	This adjustment adds back the total segment amount of Interest Expense.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

Blackstone’s business model derives revenue primarily from third party assets under management. Blackstone is not a capital or balance sheet intensive business and targets operating expense levels such that total management and advisory fees exceed total operating expenses each period. As a result, we require limited capital resources to support the working capital or operating needs of our businesses. We draw primarily on the long-term committed capital of our limited partner investors to fund the investment requirements of the Blackstone Funds and use our own realizations and cash flows to invest in growth initiatives, make commitments to our own funds, where our minimum general partner commitments are generally less than 5% of the limited partner commitments of a fund, and pay distributions to unitholders.

Fluctuations in our statement of financial condition result primarily from activities of the Blackstone Funds which are consolidated as well as business transactions, such as the issuance of senior notes described below. The majority economic ownership interests of the Blackstone Funds are reflected as Redeemable Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities and Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Entities in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The consolidation of these Blackstone Funds has no net effect on the Partnership’s Net Income or Partners’ Capital. Additionally, fluctuations in our statement of financial condition also include appreciation or depreciation in Blackstone investments in the Blackstone Funds, additional investments and

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redemptions of such interests in the Blackstone Funds and the collection of receivables related to management and advisory fees.

Total assets were $30.5 billion as of September 30, 2018, a net decrease of $4.0 billion from December 31, 2017. The decrease was due to a decrease of $6.0 billion in total assets attributable to consolidated Blackstone funds, partially offset by an increase of $2.0 billion in total assets attributable to the consolidated operating partnerships. The decrease in total assets attributable to consolidated Blackstone funds was primarily due to a decrease of $8.9 billion from the deconsolidation of CLOs and other fund entities, partially offset by an increase of $2.7 billion from the launch of new consolidated CLOs. The increase in total assets attributable to the consolidated operating partnerships was primarily due to an increase in investments.

Total liabilities were $15.8 billion as of September 30, 2018, a net decrease of $4.9 billion from December 31, 2017. The decrease was principally due to a decrease of $5.6 billion in total liabilities attributable to consolidated Blackstone funds. The decrease in total liabilities attributable to consolidated Blackstone funds was primarily due to a decrease of $8.7 billion from the deconsolidation of CLOs and other fund entities, partially offset by an increase of $2.7 billion from the launch of new consolidated CLOs.

The deconsolidation of the CLOs and fund vehicles was the result of the dilution of Blackstone’s ownership interests in these vehicles during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. As a result of the dilution, Blackstone determined that it was no longer the primary beneficiary of these VIEs under GAAP guidance and deconsolidated these vehicles. See Note 9. “Variable Interest Entities” in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” in “Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements” of this filing.

Sources and Uses of Liquidity

We have multiple sources of liquidity to meet our capital needs, including annual cash flows, accumulated earnings in the businesses, the proceeds from our issuances of senior notes, liquid investments we hold on our balance sheet for our own use and access to our $1.6 billion committed revolving credit facility. On September 21, 2018, Blackstone amended and restated its revolving credit facility to, among other things, increase the amount of the revolving credit facility from $1.5 billion to $1.6 billion and to extend the maturity date of the revolving credit facility from August 31, 2021 to September 21, 2023. As of September 30, 2018, Blackstone had $1.9 billion in cash and cash equivalents, $3.5 billion invested in corporate treasury investments, $2.0 billion invested in Blackstone Funds and other investments, against $3.5 billion in borrowings from our bond issuances, and no borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit facility.

In addition to the cash we received from our debt offerings and availability under our committed revolving credit facility, we expect to receive (a) cash generated from operating activities, (b) carried interest and incentive fee realizations, and (c) realizations on the carry and hedge fund investments that we make. The amounts received from these three sources in particular may vary substantially from year to year and quarter to quarter depending on the frequency and size of realization events or net returns experienced by our investment funds. Our available capital could be adversely affected if there are prolonged periods of few substantial realizations from our investment funds accompanied by substantial capital calls for new investments from those investment funds. Therefore, Blackstone’s commitments to our funds are taken into consideration when managing our overall liquidity and cash position.

We expect that our primary liquidity needs will be cash to (a) provide capital to facilitate the growth of our existing businesses which principally includes funding our general partner and co-investment commitments to our funds, (b) provide capital to facilitate our expansion into new businesses that are complementary, (c) pay operating expenses, including cash compensation to our employees and other obligations as they arise, (d) fund modest capital expenditures, (e) repay borrowings and related interest costs, (f) pay income taxes, (g) repurchase our common units and Blackstone Holdings partnership units, and (h) make distributions to our unitholders and the holders of

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Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units. Our own capital commitments to our funds, the funds we invest in and our investment strategies as of September 30, 2018 consisted of the following:


	Blackstone and General Partner				Senior Managing Directors and Certain Other Professionals (a)
Fund	Original Commitment		Remaining Commitment		Original Commitment		Remaining Commitment
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Private Equity
BCP V	$	629,356	$	30,642	$	—	$	—
BCP VI		719,718		107,468		250,000		37,330
BCP VII		500,000		315,621		225,000		142,029
BEP I		50,000		4,703		—		—
BEP II		80,000		41,751		26,667		13,917
BEP III		63,966		63,966		21,322		21,322
BCEP		120,000		66,408		18,992		10,510
BCP Asia		40,000		37,961		13,333		12,654
Tactical Opportunities		401,520		208,874		116,107		69,625
Strategic Partners		409,738		230,375		58,627		31,020
BIP		112,333		112,333		—		—
Other (b)		248,592		24,743		—		—
Real Estate
BREP VII		300,000		45,290		100,000		15,097
BREP VIII		300,000		142,711		100,000		47,570
BREP Europe III		100,000		13,231		35,000		4,631
BREP Europe IV		130,000		23,842		43,333		7,947
BREP Europe V		150,000		69,230		43,333		20,000
BREP Asia I		50,000		15,103		16,667		5,034
BREP Asia II		70,707		67,325		23,569		22,442
BREDS II		50,000		6,227		16,667		2,076
BREDS III		50,000		25,084		16,667		8,361
Other (b)		152,701		26,674		—		—
Hedge Fund Solutions
Strategic Alliance		50,000		2,033		—		—
Strategic Alliance II		50,000		1,482		—		—
Strategic Alliance III		22,000		19,769		—		—
Strategic Holdings LP		154,610		108,855		—		—
Other (b)		3,200		1,867		—		—
Credit
Capital Opportunities Fund II LP		120,000		34,439		110,527		31,720
Capital Opportunities Fund III LP		130,783		86,983		30,431		20,512
GSO Euro Senior Debt Fund LP		63,000		28,308		57,194		25,699
BMezz II		17,692		160		—		—
GSO Capital Solutions		50,000		6,398		27,666		3,540
GSO Capital Solutions II		125,000		59,718		120,534		57,584
GSO Capital Solutions III		151,000		143,718		30,542		29,074
GSO Energy Select Opportunities Fund		80,000		43,819		74,740		40,937
GSO Energy Select Opportunities Fund II		23,035		23,035		—		—
GSO Credit Alpha Fund LP		52,102		7,465		50,285		7,205
GSO Credit Alpha Fund II LP		25,500		23,781		5,979		5,576
Other (b)		144,727		60,509		31,768		8,336
Other
Treasury		299,132		134,493		—		—

	$	6,290,412	$	2,466,394	$	1,664,950	$	701,748

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(a)

For some of the general partner commitments shown in the table above, we require our senior managing directors and certain other professionals to fund a portion of the commitment even though the ultimate obligation to fund the aggregate commitment is ours pursuant to the governing agreements of the respective funds. The amounts of the aggregate applicable general partner original and remaining commitment are shown in the table above. In addition, certain senior managing directors and other professionals are required to fund a de minimis amount of the commitment in the other private equity, real estate and credit-focused carry funds. We expect our commitments to be drawn down over time and to be funded by available cash and cash generated from operations and realizations. Taking into account prevailing market conditions and both the liquidity and cash or liquid investment balances, we believe that the sources of liquidity described above will be more than sufficient to fund our working capital requirements.

(b)	Represents capital commitments to a number of other funds in each respective segment.

As of September 30, 2018, Blackstone Holdings Finance Co. L.L.C. (the “Issuer”), an indirect subsidiary of the Partnership, had issued and outstanding the following senior notes (collectively the “Notes”):


Senior Notes (a)	Aggregate Principal Amount (Dollars/Euros in Thousands)
5.875%, Due 3/15/2021	$	400,000
4.750%, Due 2/15/2023	$	400,000
2.000%, Due 5/19/2025	€	300,000
1.000%, Due 10/5/2026	€	600,000
3.150%, Due 10/2/2027	$	300,000
6.250%, Due 8/15/2042	$	250,000
5.000%, Due 6/15/2044	$	500,000
4.450%, Due 7/15/2045	$	350,000
4.000%, Due 10/2/2047	$	300,000

(a)

The Notes are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Issuer and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by The Blackstone Group L.P. and each of the Blackstone Holdings Partnerships. The Notes contain customary covenants and financial restrictions that, among other things, limit the Issuer and the guarantors’ ability, subject to certain exceptions, to incur indebtedness secured by liens on voting stock or profit participating equity interests of their subsidiaries or merge, consolidate or sell, transfer or lease assets. The Notes also contain customary events of default. All or a portion of the Notes may be redeemed at our option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, prior to their stated maturity, at the make-whole redemption price set forth in the Notes. If a change of control repurchase event occurs, the Notes are subject to repurchase at the repurchase price as set forth in the Notes.

Blackstone, through indirect subsidiaries, has a $1.6 billion unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent with a maturity date of September 21, 2023. Borrowings may also be made in U.K. sterling, euros, Swiss francs, Japanese yen or Canadian dollars, in each case subject to certain sub-limits. The Credit Facility contains customary representations, covenants and events of default. Financial covenants consist of a maximum net leverage ratio and a requirement to keep a minimum amount of fee-earning assets under management, each tested quarterly.

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During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we repurchased 6.0 million and 8.2 million Blackstone common units as part of the unit repurchase program at a total cost of $218.4 million and $290.1 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2018, the amount remaining available for repurchases under the program was $709.9 million.

Distributions

Our intention is to distribute quarterly to common unitholders approximately 85% of The Blackstone Group L.P.’s share of Distributable Earnings, subject to adjustment by amounts determined by Blackstone’s general partner to be necessary or appropriate to provide for the conduct of its business, to make appropriate investments in its business and funds, to comply with applicable law, any of its debt instruments or other agreements, or to provide for future cash requirements such as tax-related payments, clawback obligations and distributions to unitholders for any ensuing quarter. The amount to be distributed could also be adjusted upward in any one quarter.

All of the foregoing is subject to the qualification that the declaration and payment of any distributions are at the sole discretion of our general partner and our general partner may change our distribution policy at any time, including, without limitation, to reduce the quarterly distribution payable to our common unitholders or even to eliminate such distributions entirely.

Because the subsidiaries of The Blackstone Group L.P. must pay taxes and make payments under the tax receivable agreements, the amounts ultimately distributed by The Blackstone Group L.P. to its common unitholders in respect of each fiscal year are generally expected to be less, on a per unit basis, than the amounts distributed by the Blackstone Holdings Partnerships to the Blackstone personnel and others who are limited partners of the Blackstone Holdings Partnerships in respect of their Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units.

The following graph shows fiscal quarterly and annual per common unitholder distributions for 2017 and 2018. Distributions are declared and paid in the quarter subsequent to the quarter in which they are earned.

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With respect to the third quarter of fiscal year 2018, we have paid to common unitholders a distribution of $0.64 per common unit, aggregating $1.57 per common unit in respect of the nine months ended

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September 30, 2018. The fiscal 2018 per common unit distributions of $0.64 and $1.57 include $0.10 and $0.20 per common unit, respectively, distributed from a portion of the after-tax proceeds from the conclusion of Blackstone’s sub-advisory relationship with FS Investments as noted below. With respect to fiscal year 2017, we paid common unitholders aggregate distributions of $2.70 per common unit.

In addition, Blackstone intends to distribute a portion of the after-tax proceeds from the conclusion of its sub-advisory relationship with FS Investments, resulting in an anticipated incremental $0.30 per common unit over the second, third and fourth quarters of 2018, of which $0.10 per common unit was distributed on each of August 6, 2018 and November 5, 2018.

Leverage

We may under certain circumstances use leverage opportunistically and over time to create the most efficient capital structure for Blackstone and our public common unitholders. In addition to the borrowings from our bond issuances and our revolving credit facility, we may use reverse repurchase agreements, repurchase agreements and securities sold, not yet purchased. All of these positions are held in a separately managed portfolio. Reverse repurchase agreements are entered into primarily to take advantage of opportunistic yields otherwise absent in the overnight markets and also to use the collateral received to cover securities sold, not yet purchased. Repurchase agreements are entered into primarily to opportunistically yield higher spreads on purchased securities. The balances held in these financial instruments fluctuate based on Blackstone’s liquidity needs, market conditions and investment risk profiles.

Generally our funds in our private equity segment, our opportunistic real estate funds, funds of hedge funds and certain credit-focused funds have not utilized substantial leverage at the fund level other than for (a) short-term borrowings between the date of an investment and the receipt of capital from the investing fund’s investors, and (b) long-term borrowings for certain investments in aggregate amounts which are generally 1% to 25% of the capital commitments of the respective fund. Our carry funds make direct or indirect investments in companies that utilize leverage in their capital structure. The degree of leverage employed varies among portfolio companies.

Certain of our Real Estate debt hedge funds, Hedge Fund Solutions funds and credit-focused funds use leverage in order to obtain additional market exposure, enhance returns on invested capital and/or to bridge short-term cash needs. The forms of leverage primarily employed by these funds include purchasing securities on margin, utilizing collateralized financing and using derivative instruments.

The following table presents information regarding these financial instruments in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition:


	Repurchase Agreements		Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased
	(Dollars in Millions)
Balance, September 30, 2018	$	199.5	$	166.3
Balance, December 31, 2017	$	118.8	$	154.4
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
Average Daily Balance	$	168.4	$	155.5
Maximum Daily Balance	$	208.5	$	174.7

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Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Contingencies

The following table sets forth information relating to our contractual obligations as of September 30, 2018 on a consolidated basis and on a basis deconsolidating the Blackstone Funds:


Contractual Obligations	October 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018			2019-2020			2021-2022			Thereafter			Total
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Operating Lease Obligations (a)	$	20,048		$	146,443		$	159,353		$	351,452		$	677,296
Purchase Obligations		14,405			33,615			4,119			—			52,139
Blackstone Issued Notes and Revolving Credit Facility (b)		—			—			400,000			3,144,360			3,544,360
Interest on Blackstone Issued Notes and Revolving Credit Facility (c)		30,189			268,150			232,900			1,613,712			2,144,951
Blackstone Funds and CLO Vehicles Debt Obligations Payable (d)		—			—			—			6,864,223			6,864,223
Interest on Blackstone Funds and CLO Vehicles Debt Obligations Payable (e)		62,937			503,496			503,496			1,851,741			2,921,670
Blackstone Funds Capital Commitments to Investee Funds (f)		564,059			—			—			—			564,059
Due to Certain Non-Controlling Interest Holders in Connection with Tax Receivable Agreements (g)		—			159,835			137,032			498,027			794,894
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Including Interest and Penalties (h)		2,412			—			—			—			2,412
Blackstone Operating Entities Capital Commitments to Blackstone Funds and Other (i)		2,466,394			—			—			—			2,466,394

Consolidated Contractual Obligations		3,160,444			1,111,539			1,436,900			14,323,515			20,032,398
Blackstone Funds and CLO Vehicles Debt Obligations Payable (d)		—			—			—			(6,864,223	)		(6,864,223	)
Interest on Blackstone Funds and CLO Vehicles Debt Obligations Payable (e)		(62,937	)		(503,496	)		(503,496	)		(1,851,741	)		(2,921,670	)
Blackstone Funds Capital Commitments to Investee Funds (f)		(564,059	)		—			—			—			(564,059	)

Blackstone Operating Entities Contractual Obligations	$	2,533,448		$	608,043		$	933,404		$	5,607,551		$	9,682,446

(a)

We lease our primary office space and certain office equipment under agreements that expire through 2030. In connection with certain office space lease agreements, we are responsible for escalation payments. The contractual obligation table above includes only guaranteed minimum lease payments for such leases and does not project potential escalation or other lease-related payments. These leases are classified as operating leases for financial statement purposes and as such are not recorded as liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. The amounts are presented net of contractual sublease commitments.

(b)	Represents the principal amount due on the senior notes we issued. As of September 30, 2018, we had no outstanding borrowings under our revolver.

(c)

Represents interest to be paid over the maturity of our senior notes and borrowings under our revolving credit facility which has been calculated assuming no pre-payments are made and debt is held until its final maturity date. These amounts exclude commitment fees for unutilized borrowings under our revolver.

(d)	These obligations are those of the Blackstone Funds including the consolidated CLO vehicles.

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(e)

Represents interest to be paid over the maturity of the related consolidated Blackstone Funds’ and CLO vehicles’ debt obligations which has been calculated assuming no pre-payments will be made and debt will be held until its final maturity date. The future interest payments are calculated using variable rates in effect as of September 30, 2018, at spreads to market rates pursuant to the financing agreements, and range from 0.8% to 8.7%. The majority of the borrowings are due on demand and for purposes of this schedule are assumed to mature within one year. Interest on the majority of these borrowings rolls over into the principal balance at each reset date.

(f)	These obligations represent commitments of the consolidated Blackstone Funds to make capital contributions to investee funds and portfolio companies. These amounts are generally due on demand and are therefore presented in the less than one year category.

(g)

Represents obligations by the Partnership’s corporate subsidiary to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements to certain non-controlling interest holders for the tax savings realized from the taxable purchases of their interests in connection with the reorganization at the time of Blackstone’s IPO in 2007 and subsequent purchases. The obligation represents the amount of the payments currently expected to be made, which are dependent on the tax savings actually realized as determined annually without discounting for the timing of the payments. As required by GAAP, the amount of the obligation included in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and shown in Note 16. “Related Party Transactions” (see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” in “Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements” of this filing) differs to reflect the net present value of the payments due to certain non-controlling interest holders.

(h)

The total represents gross unrecognized tax benefits of $1.1 million and interest and penalties of $1.4 million. In addition, Blackstone is not able to make a reasonably reliable estimate of the timing of payments in individual years in connection with gross unrecognized benefits of $17.8 million and interest of $1.7 million; therefore, such amounts are not included in the above contractual obligations table.

(i)

These obligations represent commitments by us to provide general partner capital funding to the Blackstone Funds, limited partner capital funding to other funds and Blackstone principal investment commitments. These amounts are generally due on demand and are therefore presented in the less than one year category; however, a substantial amount of the capital commitments are expected to be called over the next three years. We expect to continue to make these general partner capital commitments as we raise additional amounts for our investment funds over time.

Guarantees

Blackstone and certain of its consolidated funds provide financial guarantees. The amounts and nature of these guarantees are described in Note 17. “Commitments and Contingencies — Contingencies — Guarantees” in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” in “Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements” of this filing.

Indemnifications

In many of its service contracts, Blackstone agrees to indemnify the third party service provider under certain circumstances. The terms of the indemnities vary from contract to contract and the amount of indemnification liability, if any, cannot be determined and has not been included in the table above or recorded in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of September 30, 2018.

Clawback Obligations

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As of September 30, 2018, the total clawback obligations were $2.8 million, of which $1.3 million related to Blackstone Holdings and $1.5 million related to current and former Blackstone personnel. If, at September 30, 2018, all of the investments held by our carry funds were deemed worthless, a possibility that management views as remote, the amount of Performance Allocations subject to potential clawback would be $6.9 billion, on an after-tax basis where applicable, of which Blackstone Holdings is potentially liable for $6.3 billion if current and former Blackstone personnel default on their share of the liability, a possibility that management also views as remote. See Note 16. “Related Party Transactions” and Note 17. “Commitments and Contingencies” in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” in “Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements” of this filing.

Critical Accounting Policies

We prepare our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP. In applying many of these accounting principles, we need to make assumptions, estimates and/or judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses in our condensed consolidated financial statements. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. These assumptions, estimates and/or judgments, however, are often subjective. Actual results may be affected negatively based on changing circumstances. If actual amounts are ultimately different from our estimates, the revisions are included in our results of operations for the period in which the actual amounts become known. We believe the following critical accounting policies could potentially produce materially different results if we were to change underlying assumptions, estimates and/or judgments. See Note 2. “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” in “Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements” of this filing.

Principles of Consolidation

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also be performed. Investments and redemptions (either by the Partnership, affiliates of the Partnership or third parties) or amendments to the governing documents of the respective Blackstone Funds could affect an entity’s status as a VIE or the determination of the primary beneficiary. At each reporting date, the Partnership assesses whether it is the primary beneficiary and will consolidate or deconsolidate accordingly.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues primarily consist of management and advisory fees, incentive fees, investment income, interest and dividend revenue and other. Please refer to “Part I. Item 1. Business – Incentive Arrangements / Fee Structure” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 for additional information regarding the manner in which Base Management Fees and Incentive Fees are generated.

Management and advisory fees and incentive fees are accounted for as contracts with customers. Under the guidance for contracts with customers, an entity is required to (a) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (b) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (c) determine the transaction price, (d) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (e) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. In determining the transaction price, an entity may include variable consideration only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized would not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. See Note 18. “Segment Reporting” in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” in “Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements” for a disaggregated presentation of revenues from contracts with customers.

Investment Income represents the unrealized and realized gains and losses on the Partnership’s Performance Allocations and Principal Investments. Interest and Dividend Revenue comprises primarily interest and dividend income earned on principal investments held by us. Other Revenue consists of miscellaneous income and foreign exchange gains and losses arising on transactions denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars.

On private equity, real estate, and certain of our hedge fund solutions and credit-focused funds:

•

0.25% to 1.75% of committed capital or invested capital during the investment period,

•

0.25% to 1.50% of invested capital, committed capital and investment fair value subsequent to the investment period for private equity and real estate funds, and

•

0.75% to 1.50% of invested capital or net asset value subsequent to the investment period for certain of our hedge fund solutions and credit-focused funds.

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On real estate, credit and MLP-focused funds structured like hedge funds:

•

0.50% to 1.50% of net asset value.

On credit and MLP-focused separately managed accounts:

•

0.25% to 1.50% of net asset value or total assets.

On real estate separately managed accounts:

•

0.50% to 2.00% of invested capital, net operating income or net asset value.

On funds of hedge funds, certain hedge funds and separately managed accounts invested in hedge funds:

•

0.50% to 1.25% of net asset value.

On CLO vehicles:

•

0.40% to 0.65% of the aggregate par amount of collateral assets, including principal cash.

On credit-focused registered and non-registered investment companies:

•

0.35% to 1.50% of total assets or net asset value.

The investment adviser of BXMT receives annual management fees based upon 1.50% of BXMT’s net proceeds received from equity offerings and accumulated “core earnings” (which is generally equal to its GAAP net income excluding certain non-cash and other items), subject to certain adjustments. The investment adviser of our non-exchange traded REIT receives a management fee of 1.25% per annum of net asset value, payable monthly.

Transaction, advisory and other fees (including monitoring fees) are principally fees charged to the limited partners of funds indirectly through the managed funds and portfolio companies. The investment advisory agreements generally require that the investment adviser reduce the amount of management fees payable by the limited partners to the Partnership (“management fee reductions”) by an amount equal to a portion of the transaction and other fees paid to the Partnership by the portfolio companies. The amount of the reduction varies by fund, the type of fee paid by the portfolio company and the previously incurred expenses of the fund. These fees and associated management fee reductions are a component of the transaction price for our performance obligation to provide investment management services to the limited partners of funds and are recognized as changes to the transaction price in the period in which they are charged and the services are performed.

Management fee offsets are reductions to management fees payable by the limited partners of the Blackstone Funds, which are based on the amount such limited partners reimburse the Blackstone Funds or the Partnership primarily for placement fees. Providing investment management services requires the Partnership to arrange for services on behalf of its customers. In those situations where we are acting as an agent on behalf of the limited partners of funds, it presents the cost of services as net against management fee revenue. In all other situations, the Partnership is primarily responsible for fulfilling the services and is therefore acting as a principal for those arrangements. As a result, the cost of those services is presented gross as Compensation or General, Administrative and Other expense, as appropriate, with any reimbursement from the limited partners of the funds recorded as Management and Advisory Fees, Net.

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services. Incentive Fees are earned based on fund performance during the period, subject to the achievement of minimum return levels, or high water marks, in accordance with the respective terms set out in each fund’s governing agreements. Incentive Fees will not be recognized as revenue until (a) it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur, or (b) the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. Incentive Fees are typically recognized as revenue when realized at the end of the measurement period. Once realized, such fees are not subject to clawback or reversal. Accrued but unpaid Incentive Fees charged directly to investors in Blackstone Funds as of the reporting date are recorded within Due from Affiliates in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

Investment Income (Loss) — Investment Income (Loss) represents the unrealized and realized gains and losses on the Partnership’s Performance Allocations and Principal Investments.

Performance Allocations are made to the general partner based on cumulative fund performance to date, subject to a preferred return to limited partners. At the end of each reporting period, the Partnership calculates the balance of Accrued Performance Allocations that would be due to the Partnership for each fund, pursuant to the fund agreements, as if the fair value of the underlying investments were realized as of such date, irrespective of whether such amounts have been realized. As the fair value of underlying investments varies between reporting periods, it is necessary to make adjustments to amounts recorded as Accrued Performance Allocations to reflect either (a) positive performance resulting in an increase in the Accrued Performance Allocation to the general partner or (b) negative performance that would cause the amount due to the Partnership to be less than the amount previously recognized as revenue, resulting in a negative adjustment to the Accrued Performance Allocation to the general partner. In each scenario, it is necessary to calculate the Accrued Performance Allocation on cumulative results compared to the Accrued Performance Allocation recorded to date and make the required positive or negative adjustments. The Partnership ceases to record negative Performance Allocations once previously Accrued Performance Allocations for such fund have been fully reversed. The Partnership is not obligated to pay guaranteed returns or hurdles, and therefore, cannot have negative Performance Allocations over the life of a fund. Accrued Performance Allocations as of the reporting date are reflected in Investments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition.

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income, such as dividends or distributions. Unrealized Income (Loss) on Principal Investments results from changes in the fair value of the underlying investment as well as the reversal of unrealized gain (loss) at the time an investment is realized.

Interest and Dividend Revenue — Interest and Dividend Revenue comprises primarily interest and dividend income earned on principal investments held by Blackstone.

Other Revenue — Other Revenue consists of miscellaneous income and foreign exchange gains and losses arising on transactions denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars.

Expenses

Our expenses include compensation and benefits expense and general and administrative expenses. Our accounting policies related thereto are as follows:

Compensation and Benefits — Incentive Fee Compensation — Incentive Fee Compensation consists of compensation paid based on Incentive Fees.

Fund Expenses — The expenses of our consolidated Blackstone Funds consist primarily of interest expense, professional fees and other third party expenses.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

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Financial instruments measured and reported at fair value are classified and disclosed based on the observability of inputs used in the determination of fair values, as follows:

•

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the determination of which category within the fair value hierarchy is appropriate for any given financial instrument is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Partnership’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument.

Level II Valuation Techniques

The valuation techniques used to value financial instruments classified within Level II of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

•

Freestanding Derivatives are valued using contractual cash flows and observable inputs comprising yield curves, foreign currency rates and credit spreads.

•

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Level III Valuation Techniques

Private Equity Investments — The fair values of private equity investments are determined by reference to projected net earnings, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), the discounted cash flow method, public market or private transactions, valuations for comparable companies and other measures which, in many cases, are based on unaudited information at the time received. Valuations may be derived by reference to observable valuation measures for comparable companies or transactions (for example, multiplying a key performance metric of the investee company, such as EBITDA, by a relevant valuation multiple observed in the range of comparable companies or transactions), adjusted by management for differences between the investment and the referenced comparables, and in some instances by reference to option pricing models or other similar methods. Where a discounted cash flow method is used, a terminal value is derived by reference to EBITDA or price/earnings exit multiples.

Real Estate Investments — The fair values of real estate investments are determined by considering projected operating cash flows, sales of comparable assets, if any, and replacement costs, among other measures. The methods used to estimate the fair value of real estate investments include the discounted cash flow method and/or capitalization rates (“cap rates”) analysis. Valuations may be derived by reference to observable valuation measures for comparable companies or assets (for example, multiplying a key performance metric of the investee company or asset, such as EBITDA, by a relevant valuation multiple observed in the range of comparable companies or transactions), adjusted by management for differences between the investment and the referenced comparables, and in some instances by reference to option pricing models or other similar methods. Where a discounted cash flow method is used, a terminal value is derived by reference to an exit EBITDA multiple or capitalization rate. Additionally, where applicable, projected distributable cash flow through debt maturity will be considered in support of the investment’s fair value.

Investments, at Fair Value

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investments are reflected in Investments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value reflected as a component of Net Gains from Fund Investment Activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Fair value is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, at current market conditions (i.e., the exit price).

For certain instruments, the Partnership has elected the fair value option. Such election is irrevocable and is applied on an investment by investment basis at initial recognition. The Partnership has applied the fair value option for certain loans and receivables and certain investments in private debt securities that otherwise would not have been carried at fair value with gains and losses recorded in net income. The methodology for measuring the fair value of such investments is consistent with the methodology applied to private equity, real estate, credit-focused and funds of hedge funds investments. Changes in the fair value of such instruments are recognized in Investment Income (Loss) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Interest income on interest bearing loans and receivables and debt securities on which the fair value option has been elected is based on stated coupon rates adjusted for the accretion of purchase discounts and the amortization of purchase premiums. This interest income is recorded within Interest and Dividend Revenue.

Further disclosure on instruments for which the fair value option has been elected is presented in Note 7. “Fair Value Option” in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” in “Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements” of this filing.

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gates on redemptions or the suspension of redemptions or an ability to side pocket investments, at the discretion of the investee’s fund manager, and as a result, investments may not be redeemable at, or within three months of, the reporting date. A side pocket is used by hedge funds and funds of hedge funds to separate investments that may lack a readily ascertainable value, are illiquid or are subject to liquidity restriction. Redemptions are generally not permitted until the investments within a side pocket are liquidated or it is deemed that the conditions existing at the time that required the investment to be included in the side pocket no longer exist. As the timing of either of these events is uncertain, the timing at which the Partnership may redeem an investment held in a side pocket cannot be estimated. Further disclosure on instruments for which fair value is measured using NAV per share is presented in Note 5. “Net Asset Value as Fair Value” in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” in “Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements” of this filing.

Intangibles and Goodwill

Blackstone’s intangible assets consist of contractual rights to earn future fee income, including management and advisory fees, Incentive Fees and Performance Allocations. Identifiable finite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, ranging from three to twenty years, reflecting the contractual lives of such assets. Amortization expense is included within General, Administrative and Other in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Partnership does not hold any indefinite-lived intangible assets. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

Goodwill comprises goodwill arising from the contribution and reorganization of the Partnership’s predecessor entities in 2007 immediately prior to its IPO, the acquisition of GSO in 2008 and the acquisition of Strategic Partners in 2013 and the acquisition of Harvest in 2017. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually utilizing a qualitative or quantitative approach, and more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. The impairment testing for goodwill under the qualitative approach is based first on a qualitative assessment to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of Blackstone’s operating segments is less than their respective carrying values. The operating segment is the reporting level for testing the impairment of goodwill. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that an operating segment’s fair value is less than its carrying value or when the quantitative approach is used, a two-step quantitative assessment is performed to (a) calculate the fair value of the operating segment and compare it to its carrying value, and (b) if the carrying value exceeds its fair value, to measure an impairment loss.

Senior management has organized the firm into four operating segments. All of the components in each segment have similar economic characteristics and senior management makes key operating decisions based on the performance of each segment. Therefore, we believe that operating segment is the appropriate reporting level for testing the impairment of goodwill.

The carrying value of goodwill was $1.8 billion as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we determined that there was no evidence of goodwill impairment.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In the normal course of business, we enter into various off-balance sheet arrangements including sponsoring and owning limited or general partner interests in consolidated and non-consolidated funds, entering into derivative transactions, entering into operating leases and entering into guarantee arrangements. We also have ongoing capital commitment arrangements with certain of our consolidated and non-consolidated drawdown funds. We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that would require us to fund losses or guarantee target returns to investors in our funds.

Further disclosure on our off-balance sheet arrangements is presented in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” in “Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements” of this filing as follows:

•

Note 6. “Derivative Financial Instruments”,

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•

Note 9. “Variable Interest Entities”, and

•

Note 17. “Commitments and Contingencies — Commitments — Investment Commitments” and “— Contingencies — Guarantees”.

Recent Accounting Developments

Information regarding recent accounting developments and their impact on Blackstone can be found in Note 2. “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements” in “Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements” of this filing.

ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our predominant exposure to market risk is related to our role as general partner or investment adviser to the Blackstone Funds and the sensitivities to movements in the fair value of their investments, including the effect on management fees, performance revenues and investment income.

Although the Blackstone Funds share many common themes, each of our alternative asset management operations runs its own investment and risk management processes, subject to our overall risk tolerance and philosophy:

•

The investment process of our carry funds involves a detailed analysis of potential investments, and asset management teams are assigned to oversee the operations, strategic development, financing and capital deployment decisions of each portfolio investment. Key investment decisions are subject to approval by the applicable investment committee, which is comprised of Blackstone senior managing directors and senior management.

•

In our capacity as adviser to certain funds in our Hedge Fund Solutions and Credit segments, we continuously monitor a variety of markets for attractive trading opportunities, applying a number of traditional and customized risk management metrics to analyze risk related to specific assets or portfolios. In addition, we perform extensive credit and cash flow analyses of borrowers, credit-based assets and underlying hedge fund managers, and have extensive asset management teams that monitor covenant compliance by, and relevant financial data of, borrowers and other obligors, asset pool performance statistics, tracking of cash payments relating to investments and ongoing analysis of the credit status of investments.

Effect on Fund Management Fees

Our management fees are based on (a) third parties’ capital commitments to a Blackstone Fund, (b) third parties’ capital invested in a Blackstone Fund or (c) the net asset value, or NAV, of a Blackstone Fund, as described in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Management fees will only be directly affected by short-term changes in market conditions to the extent they are based on NAV or represent permanent impairments of value. These management fees will be increased (or reduced) in direct proportion to the effect of changes in the fair value of our investments in the related funds. The proportion of our management fees that are based on NAV is dependent on the number and types of Blackstone Funds in existence and the current stage of each fund’s life cycle. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, the percentages of our fund management fees based on the NAV of the applicable funds or separately managed accounts, were as follows:


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018			2017
Fund Management Fees Based on the NAV of the Applicable Funds or Separately Managed Accounts		38	%		32	%

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Market Risk

The Blackstone Funds hold investments which are reported at fair value. Based on the fair value as of September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, we estimate that a 10% decline in fair value of the investments would result in the following declines in Management Fees, Performance Revenues, Net of Related Compensation Expense and Investment Income:


	September 30,
	2018						2017
	Management Fees (a)		Performance Revenues, Net of Related Compensation Expense (b)		Investment Income (b)		Management Fees (a)		Performance Revenues, Net of Related Compensation Expense (b)		Investment Income (b)
	(Dollars in Thousands)
10% Decline in Fair Value of the Investments	$	112,478	$	1,548,245	$	229,853	$	88,953	$	1,341,724	$	184,092

(a)	Represents the annualized effect of the 10% decline.

(b)	Represents the reporting date effect of the 10% decline.

Total Assets Under Management, excluding undrawn capital commitments and the amount of capital raised for our CLOs, by segment, and the percentage amount classified as Level III investments as defined within the fair value standards of GAAP, are as follows:


	September 30, 2018
	Total Assets Under Management, Excluding Undrawn Capital Commitments and the Amount of Capital Raised for CLOs		Percentage Amount Classified as Level III Investments
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Private Equity	$	69,441,975		74	%
Real Estate	$	88,177,944		82	%
Credit	$	77,858,322		31	%

The fair value of our investments and securities can vary significantly based on a number of factors that take into consideration the diversity of the Blackstone Funds’ investment portfolio and on a number of factors and inputs such as similar transactions, financial metrics, and industry comparatives, among others. See “Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. Also see “Part I. Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Critical Accounting Policies — Investments, at Fair Value”. We believe these fair value amounts should be utilized with caution as our intent and strategy is to hold investments and securities until prevailing market conditions are beneficial for investment sales.

Investors in all of our carry funds (and certain of our credit-focused funds and funds of hedge funds) make capital commitments to those funds that we are entitled to call from those investors at any time during prescribed periods. We depend on investors fulfilling their commitments when we call capital from them in order for those funds to consummate investments and otherwise pay their related obligations when due, including management fees. We have not had investors fail to honor capital calls to any meaningful extent and any investor that did not fund a capital call would be subject to having a significant amount of its existing investment forfeited in that fund; however, if investors were to fail to satisfy a significant amount of capital calls for any particular fund or funds, those funds could be materially and adversely affected.

Exchange Rate Risk

The Blackstone Funds hold investments that are denominated in non-U.S. dollar currencies that may be affected by movements in the rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and non-U.S. dollar currencies. Additionally,

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a portion of our management fees are denominated in non-U.S. dollar currencies. We estimate that as of September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, a 10% decline in the rate of exchange of all foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar would result in the following declines in Management Fees, Performance Revenues, Net of Related Compensation Expense and Investment Income:


	September 30,
	2018						2017
	Management Fees (a)		Performance Revenues, Net of Related Compensation Expense (b)		Investment Income (b)		Management Fees (a)		Performance Revenues, Net of Related Compensation Expense (b)		Investment Income (b)
	(Dollars in Thousands)
10% Decline in the Rate of Exchange of All Foreign Currencies Against the U.S. Dollar	$	19,211	$	333,935	$	65,720	$	13,979	$	434,471	$	31,749

(a)	Represents the annualized effect of the 10% decline.

(b)	Represents the reporting date effect of the 10% decline.

Interest Rate Risk

Blackstone has debt obligations payable that accrue interest at variable rates. Interest rate changes may therefore affect the amount of our interest payments, future earnings and cash flows. Based on our debt obligations payable as of September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, we estimate that interest expense relating to variable rates would increase on an annual basis, in the event interest rates were to increase by one percentage point, as follows:


	September 30,
	2018		2017
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Annualized Increase in Interest Expense Due to a One Percentage Point Increase in Interest Rates (a)	$	—	$	28

(a)	As of September 30, 2018 Blackstone had no such debt obligations payable outstanding.

Blackstone has a diversified portfolio of liquid assets to meet the liquidity needs of various businesses. This portfolio includes cash, open ended money market mutual funds, open ended bond mutual funds, marketable investment securities, freestanding derivative contracts, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements and other investments. If interest rates were to increase by one percentage point, we estimate that our annualized investment income would decrease, offset by an estimated increase in interest income on an annual basis from interest on floating rate assets, as follows:


	September 30,
	2018					2017
	Annualized Decrease in Investment Income			Annualized Increase in Interest Income from Floating Rate Assets		Annualized Decrease in Investment Income			Annualized Increase in Interest Income from Floating Rate Assets
	(Dollars in Thousands)
One Percentage Point Increase in Interest Rates	$	15,291	(a)	$	24,158	$	31,548	(a)	$	20,614

(a)	As of September 30, 2018 and 2017, this represents 0.3% and 0.6% of our portfolio of liquid assets, respectively.

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Blackstone has U.S. dollar and non-U.S. dollar based interest rate derivatives whose future cash flows and present value may be affected by movement in their respective underlying yield curves. We estimate that as of September 30, 2018, a one percentage increase parallel shift in global yield curves would result in the following impact on Other Revenue:


	September 30,
	2018		2017
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Annualized Increase in Other Revenue Due to a One Percentage Point Increase in Interest Rates	$	18,973	$	—	(a)

(a)	Blackstone held no interest rate risk derivatives as of September 30, 2017 which impact Other Revenue.

Credit Risk

Certain Blackstone Funds and the Investee Funds are subject to certain inherent risks through their investments.

Our portfolio of liquid assets contain certain credit risks including, but not limited to, exposure to uninsured deposits with financial institutions, unsecured corporate bonds and mortgage-backed securities. These exposures are actively monitored on a continuous basis and positions are reallocated based on changes in risk profile, market or economic conditions.

We estimate that our annualized investment income would decrease, if credit spreads were to increase by one percentage point, as follows:


	September 30,
	2018		2017
	(Dollars in Thousands)
Decrease in Annualized Investment Income Due to a One Percentage Point Increase in Credit Spreads (a)	$	41,868	$	45,305

(a)	As of September 30, 2018 and 2017, this represents 0.8% and 0.9% of our portfolio of liquid assets, respectively.

Certain of our entities hold derivative instruments that contain an element of risk in the event that the counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of such agreements. We minimize our risk exposure by limiting the counterparties with which we enter into contracts to banks and investment banks that meet established credit and capital guidelines. We do not expect any counterparty to default on its obligations and therefore do not expect to incur any loss due to counterparty default.

ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing disclosure controls and procedures, our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures. The design of any disclosure controls and procedures also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired objectives.

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Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are effective at the reasonable assurance level to accomplish their objectives of ensuring that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during our most recent quarter, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We may from time to time be involved in litigation and claims incidental to the conduct of our business. Our businesses are also subject to extensive regulation, which may result in regulatory proceedings against us. See “Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. We are not currently subject to any pending judicial, administrative or arbitration proceedings that we expect to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. However, given the inherent unpredictability of these types of proceedings and the potentially large and/or indeterminate amounts that could be sought, an adverse outcome in certain matters could have a material effect on Blackstone’s financial results in any particular period.

ITEM 1A.

RISK FACTORS

For a discussion of our potential risks and uncertainties, see the information under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and in our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, all of which are accessible on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

See “Part I. Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Business Environment” in this report for a discussion of the conditions in the financial markets and economic conditions affecting our businesses. This discussion updates, and should be read together with, the risk factor entitled “Difficult market conditions can adversely affect our business in many ways, including by reducing the value or performance of the investments made by our investment funds and reducing the ability of our investment funds to raise or deploy capital, each of which could materially reduce our revenue, earnings and cash flow and adversely affect our financial prospects and condition.” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

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ITEM 2.

UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table sets forth information regarding repurchases of our common units during the quarter ended September 30, 2018:


Period	Total Number of Units Purchased		Average Price Paid per Unit		Total Number of Units Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (a)		Approximate Dollar Value of Units that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program (Dollars in Thousands) (a)
Jul. 1 — Jul. 31, 2018		454,545	$	35.57		454,545	$	912,148
Aug. 1 — Aug. 31, 2018		3,149,724	$	36.11		3,149,724	$	798,417
Sep. 1 — Sep. 30, 2018		2,395,731	$	36.93		2,395,731	$	709,934

		6,000,000				6,000,000

(a)

On April 16, 2018, the Board of Directors of our general partner, Blackstone Group Management L.L.C., authorized the repurchase of up to $1.0 billion of Blackstone common units and Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units. Under the unit repurchase program, units may be repurchased from time to time in open market transactions, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing and the actual number of units repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including legal requirements, price and economic and market conditions. The unit repurchase program may be changed, suspended or discontinued at any time and does not have a specified expiration date. See “Part I. Item 1. Financial Statements — Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements — Note 14. Net Income Per Common Unit” and “Part I. Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Sources and Uses of Liquidity” for further information regarding this unit repurchase program.

As permitted by our policies and procedures governing transactions in our securities by our directors, executive officers and other employees, from time to time some of these persons may establish plans or arrangements complying with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, and similar plans and arrangements relating to our common units and Blackstone Holdings Partnership Units.

ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable.

ITEM 4.

MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION

None.

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ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS


Exhibit Number		Exhibit Description

10.1		Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of March 23, 2010, as amended and restated as of May 29, 2014, as further amended and restated as of August 31, 2016, and as further amended and restated as of September 21, 2018, among Blackstone Holdings Finance Co. L.L.C., as borrower, Blackstone Holdings AI L.P., Blackstone Holdings I L.P., Blackstone Holdings II L.P., Blackstone Holdings III L.P. and Blackstone Holdings IV L.P., as guarantors, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and the lenders party thereto (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-33551) filed with the SEC on September 21, 2018).

31.1*		Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).

31.2*		Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).

32.1*		Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).

32.2*		Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).

101.INS*		XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.CAL*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.DEF*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

101.LAB*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

101.PRE*		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

*	Filed herewith.

The agreements and other documents filed as exhibits to this report are not intended to provide factual information or other disclosure other than with respect to the terms of the agreements or other documents themselves, and you should not rely on them for that purpose. In particular, any representations and warranties made by us in these agreements or other documents were made solely within the specific context of the relevant agreement or document and may not describe the actual state of affairs as of the date they were made or at any other time.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date: November 7, 2018


The Blackstone Group L.P.

By:		Blackstone Group Management L.L.C., its General Partner

		/s/ Michael S. Chae
Name:		Michael S. Chae
Title:		Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial Officer and Authorized Signatory)

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