The Bid

ETFs are at the center of how investors are navigating today’s rapidly changing markets. From active ETFs to thematic strategies around megaforces like artificial intelligence and infrastructure, innovation in exchange-traded funds is reshaping how portfolios are built.In this special Ask Me Anything edition of The Bid, host Oscar Pulido sits down with Jay Jacobs, U.S. Head of Equity ETFs at BlackRock, to answer questions submitted by listeners. Together, they explore the evolving ETF landscape and how investors can better position themselves in a volatile world. Jay also highlights the link between AI and infrastructure - noting that advances in artificial intelligence require massive investments in electricity, real estate, and supply chains. For investors, the message is clear: today’s portfolios must capture both enduring themes and defensive strategies.Key insights include:The “be, beat, modify” equity framework for building portfolios: how core ETFs provide efficiency, active and thematic ETFs can aim to outperform, and outcome-oriented strategies offer risk management.Why factor investing (quality, value, momentum) demands a more tactical, systematic approach in 2025.The growing role of active ETFs as investors seek new sources of alpha in an era of lower expected returns.Why diversifying beyond U.S. equities and addressing concentration risk from mega-cap tech is increasingly important.How megaforces like AI, geopolitics, and infrastructure demand are reshaping equity markets and long-term investing themes.The role of gold and Bitcoin as portfolio diversifiers and monetary alternatives beyond traditional stocks and bonds.Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Investor Interests in 202500:20 Ask Me Anything: Meet Jay Jacobs, U.S. Head of Equity ETFs at BlackRock01:14 Understanding Equity Markets: Be, Beat, and Modify04:00 Factor Exposures and Economic Environments05:57 Geographical Diversification in Portfolios07:54 The Role of Thematic Investing09:58 Active ETFs vs. Mutual Funds13:40 Exploring Alternative Asset Classes: Gold and Bitcoin15:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts🔗 Learn More About BlackRock: https://1blk.co/41uwhDS 🔗 Watch and Subscribe to The Bid on YouTube: https://1blk.co/48iHOs4 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://1blk.co/3v09q6Q 🔗 Follow Us on Twitter (or X): https://1blk.co/3NuiIOW Active ETFs, Thematic investing, Capital markets, Megaforces, AI investing, Infrastructure investing, Diversification, Stock market trendsThis content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. Reference to any company or investment strategy mentioned is for illustrative purposes only and not investment advice. In the UK and Non-EEA countries, this is authorized and regulated by the FCA. In the EEA, it is authorized and regulated by the AFM. For full disclosures, visit blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosuresSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Balfe Morrison, Head of Listed Infrastructure Strategies, joins to discuss the booming world of infrastructure investing. He highlights how sectors like data centers and pipelines are central to today's economy and influenced by AI and energy needs. Balfe contrasts public and private market access, revealing exciting investment opportunities. He also dives into the surge in natural gas projects and transportation innovations, making a case for infrastructure as a resilient asset class in turbulent times.

Fixed income investing is experiencing a powerful resurgence. With yields at multi-decade highs, income opportunities are abundant, yet investors must navigate uncertainty in capital markets and shifting macroeconomic dynamics. In this episode of The Bid, we explore why fixed income is once again a compelling anchor for portfolios.Host Oscar Pulido sits down with Rick Rieder, Chief Investment Officer of Global Fixed Income at BlackRock, live from the Future Proof Festival in Huntington Beach. Together, they discuss why prioritizing income over duration is the key theme in today’s bond markets, and how investors can uncover opportunities across geographies and asset classes. Rick emphasizes the importance of dynamic, flexible portfolio construction. With fixed income yields at levels not seen in decades, investors now have the chance to rethink their allocations and position portfolios for long-term growth.Key moments in this episode:00:00 Introduction01:28 Rick Rieder's High Level Insights on Fixed Income Landscape02:04 Economic Forces and Investment Strategies02:56 Global Fixed Income: Opportunities and Risks06:51 Dynamic Asset Allocation and Portfolio Management12:12 Currency Views and Market Predictions13:49 Conclusion: Staying in the Game16:16 Outro and Next Episode on InfrastructureSources: BlackRock Fixed Income Q3 Outlook, Bloomberg as of Tuesday 9th September 2025Fixed income investing, Capital markets, Megaforces, Stock market trends, BlackRock🔗 Learn More About BlackRock: https://1blk.co/41uwhDS 🔗 Watch and Subscribe to The Bid on YouTube: https://1blk.co/48iHOs4 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://1blk.co/3v09q6Q 🔗 Follow Us on Twitter (or X): https://1blk.co/3NuiIOW This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. Reference to the names of each company mentioned in this communication is merely for explaining the investment strategy and should not be construed as investment advice or investment recommendation of those companies. In the UK and Non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorized and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. For full disclosures go to Blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosuresSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tony Kim, head of BlackRock's Global Technology Team, dives into AI's impact on stock markets and investment trends. He discusses the transformative AI technology stack and its implications for infrastructure spending. The conversation touches on quantum computing, highlighting its potential as a revolutionary platform, and the crucial need for cybersecurity as AI technology evolves. Additionally, they explore the societal impact of AI and the exponential growth of humanoid robots, revealing promising investment opportunities across various sectors.

Continuing the summer series, The Bid brings back some of the best episodes from the last year. Oscar’s final pick is unpacking the meaning and the power of capital markets.Capital markets are a powerful force in the global financial landscape. These markets connect long-term savings with productive uses of capital. Driving innovation, growth and job creation. But what are capital markets and how will they contribute to long-term global economic development?Samara Cohen, chief Investment Officer of ETF and Index Investments at BlackRock joins host Oscar Pulido to explore the key differences in capital market growth strategies between mature and emerging markets, how capital markets help in mobilizing investment, and the role of regulatory frameworks and market innovation in ensuring their effective functioning.Sources: “The Virtuous Cycle: The Global Potential Of Capital Markets” BlackRock, 2025Original episode aired May 9th 2025🔗 Learn More About BlackRock: https://1blk.co/41uwhDS 🔗 Watch and Subscribe to The Bid on YouTube: https://1blk.co/48iHOs4 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://1blk.co/3v09q6Q 🔗 Follow Us on Twitter (or X): https://1blk.co/3NuiIOW Capital markets, global growth, stock markets, bond markets, capitalThis content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. Reference to the names of each company mentioned in this communication is merely for explaining the investment strategy and should not be construed as investment advice or investment recommendation of those companies. In the UK and Non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorised and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. For full disclosures go to Blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosuresSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tony Kim, a portfolio manager at BlackRock and expert in technology investing, shares his insights on the booming AI market. He discusses the transformative role of AI in companies and the vast investment opportunities it creates. Delving into the future, Kim highlights the revolutionary potential of quantum computing and its applications across various industries. He emphasizes the need for long-term investment strategies while addressing common skepticism about AI's immediate returns, painting an optimistic picture of the tech landscape.

Philipp Hildebrand, Vice Chairman of BlackRock, and Tom Donilon, Chairman of the BlackRock Investment Institute, join to share critical insights from Davos. They delve into the macroeconomic outlook for 2025, discussing the impact of AI and technology on the global stage. The duo analyzes escalating US-China tensions and Europe's response to geopolitical challenges. Their conversation highlights the complex global landscape, emphasizing the need for strategic adaptability among investors and policymakers amid increasing fragmentation.

So far, 2025 has been a year of sharp policy shifts and heightened macroeconomic uncertainty. With volatility becoming the new normal, how can investors stay grounded? In this episode of The Bid, host Oscar Pulido welcomes back Glenn Purves, Global Head of Macro at the BlackRock Investment Institute, to break down the firm’s 2025 Midyear Outlook.They explore why the long-term economic picture has become less predictable, how mega forces like AI and geopolitical fragmentation are reshaping global economic markets, and what “investing in the here and now” really means. From the role of private capital in funding infrastructure and energy to the balance between strategic and tactical asset allocation, Glenn shares how investors can find opportunity amid uncertainty in the economy—and what risks investors should watch for in the second half of the year.Sources: 2025 Midyear Outlook, BlackRock Investment InstituteKey moments in this episode:00:00 Introduction to 2025 Market Volatility01:55 Introducing the Investment Midyear Outlook02:46 Geopolitical Fragmentation and Mega Forces03:48 3 Investment Themes In 202505:10 Navigating Uncertainty and Risk08:47 The Role of AI and Energy in Investments13:19 Geopolitical Landscape and Trade Policies16:49 Conclusion and Key Takeaways19:30 Summer Series on The BidCheck out this playlist featuring previous Outlooks: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1xN5nUCnSM9TuHxTE5ibOe🔗 Learn More About BlackRock: https://1blk.co/41uwhDS 🔗 Watch and Subscribe to The Bid on YouTube: https://1blk.co/48iHOs4 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://1blk.co/3v09q6Q 🔗 Follow Us on Twitter (or X): https://1blk.co/3NuiIOW This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. Reference to the names of each company mentioned in this communication is merely for explaining the investment strategy and should not be construed as investment advice or investment recommendation of those companies. In the UK and Non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorized and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. For full disclosures go to Blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosureseconomy, investors, macroeconomicSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a recent BlackRock survey of registered voters, more than 75% of retirees said they wished they had saved more money for retirement. And with the recent passage of the SECURE 2.0 Act now in effect, opening up new opportunities for savers, investors are considering how to save and build wealth for the future. Shoring up emergency savings is protective of retirement savings, according to research by The BlackRock Foundation. So how can investors ensure they’re pulling all the levers at their disposal to retire on their own terms?Rob Crothers, Head of U.S. Retirement for BlackRock, will discuss the current state of the retirement landscape and help us unpack a toolkit for retirement savers that’s been proposed by the Bipartisan Policy Center and how investors and employers can plan for the future.Key moments in this episode:00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Saving for Retirement00:17 Exploring the SECURE 2.0 Act and Retirement Universals02:01 Current Retirement Landscape and Policy Changes04:06 BlackRock's D.C. Retirement Summit and Key Recommendations06:28 Mechanisms for Better Saving Behavior11:40 Encouraging Early Financial Education14:24 Market Volatility and Long-Term Saving Strategies16:50 Actionable Retirement Considerations18:18 Conclusion and Upcoming TopicsCheck out this playlist on investing for retirement here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/08Fx1iZaBwLclqpswIbjUq🔗 Learn More About BlackRock: https://1blk.co/41uwhDS 🔗 Watch and Subscribe to The Bid on YouTube: https://1blk.co/48iHOs4 🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://1blk.co/3v09q6Q 🔗 Follow Us on Twitter (or X): https://1blk.co/3NuiIOW Sources: BlackRock Global Family Office Report 2025; ‘To Spend Or Not To Spend’, Dec 2024, BlackRock; ‘More Than 1 Million Americans Now Enrolled In Auto-IRA Programs’, AARP 2025; Callan DC Trends Survey, Callan 2025; Survey of Household Economic Decision-Making, FED 2025; Bipartisan Policy Paper, BlackRock 2025This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. Reference to the names of each company mentioned in this communication is merely for explaining the investment strategy and should not be construed as investment advice or investment recommendation of those companies. In the UK and Non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorized and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. For full disclosures go to Blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosuresRetirement, retirement planning, retirement account, bipartisan policy center, 401kSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ronald Kahn, Global Head of Systematic Investment Research at BlackRock, is a pioneer in quantitative investing. He dives into the complexities of systematic investing in today’s volatile market, highlighting the synergy between human judgment and AI. Kahn discusses the evolving role of alternative data, like foot traffic and satellite imagery, in shaping investment strategies. He emphasizes how a disciplined approach, blending technology with human insight, can lead to more consistent alpha, even amidst uncertainty and rapid change.