EXHIBIT 7.01

JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

     The undersigned hereby agree that the Statement on Schedule 13D filed herewith (and any amendments thereto), relating to the Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of BlackRock, Inc., is being filed jointly with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 13d-1(k)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, on behalf of each such person.

Dated: October 10, 2006

MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.
By:		/s/ JONATHAN N. SANTELLI
Name:		Jonathan N. Santelli
Title:		Assistant Secretary
MERRILL LYNCH INVESTMENT MANAGERS, L.P.
By: Princeton Services, Inc., its General Partner
By:		/s/ JONATHAN N. SANTELLI
Name:		Jonathan N. Santelli
Title:		Vice President and Secretary
FUND ASSET MANAGEMENT, L.P.
By: Princeton Services, Inc., its General Partner
By:		/s/ JONATHAN N. SANTELLI
Name:		Jonathan N. Santelli
Title:		Vice President and Secretary
PRINCETON ADMINISTRATORS, L.P.
By: Princeton Services, Inc., its General Partner
By:		/s/ JONATHAN N. SANTELLI
Name:		Jonathan N. Santelli
Title:		Vice President and Secretary
MERRILL LYNCH GROUP, INC.
By:		/s/ JONATHAN N. SANTELLI
Name:		Jonathan N. Santelli
Title:		Authorized Person
PRINCETON SERVICES, INC.
By:		/s/ JONATHAN N. SANTELLI
Name:		Jonathan N. Santelli
Title:		Vice President and Secretary
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED

By:		/s/ JONATHAN N. SANTELLI
Name:		Jonathan N. Santelli
Title:		Assistant Secretary