BlackRock's assets hit a record high $11.6 trillion in the fourth quarter of last year as the world's largest money manager posted a 21% profit jump, with fee income buoyed by stronger equity markets.

BlackRock’s profits rose and assets under management edged up to a record $11.55 trillion in the fourth quarter. BlackRock posted net income of $1.67 billion, up 21% from the same period a year earlier.

BlackRock said in its fourth-quarter earnings report Wednesday that assets under management jumped to a record $11.55 trillion, up from $10 trillion a year ago. Analysts surveyed by FactSet had expected BlackRock to report a record $11.