The Blackstone Group L.P. is an alternative asset manager and provider of financial advisory services. It is an independent alternative asset manager with assets under management of $94.56 billion, as of December 31, 2008. Its alternative asset management businesses include the management of corporate private equity funds, real estate funds, funds of hedge funds, credit-oriented funds, collateralized loan obligation vehicles and publicly-traded, closed-end mutual funds. It also provides financial advisory services, including corporate and mergers and acquisitions advisory, restructuring and reorganization advisory and fund placement services. It operates in four segments: Corporate Private Equity, Real Estate, Marketable Alternative Asset Management and Financial Advisory. In August 2008, it established a business group, Cleantech Energy Group. In October 2008, it acquired Apria Healthcare Group Inc. In September 2009, the Company sold 57% interest in Cineworld Group PLC.