As it released lower first-quarter earnings, BlackRock said it took a charge of $76 million to "simplify" the company in a restructuring that included job cuts. Fink told Reuters the company would also be hiring for its exchange-traded funds and alternatives business, a grouping that includes hedge funds, as well as investments in technology. In a wide-ranging interview, Fink also said the U.S. is entering "an uncertain earnings environment."

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)