The Bid

Innovation in the investment industry is a hot topic thanks to the rise of things like AI, shifting investor demand, and volatile markets that are requiring more agility from investors. Today we'll be exploring the innovations driving both the ETF Market and Index investing more broadly, examining the latest trends and challenges facing investors, and how technology is playing a role in shaping these products.Joining Oscar live in London at BlackRock’s annual UK Wealth Investors Forum is Manuela Sperandeo, Head of Product for iShares in EMEA and Stuart Doole, global head of Equity investing research at MSCI, an investment research firm that provides stock indexes, portfolio risk, and performance analytics.Sources: ‘Global ETF assets reach $11 trillion’, Investment News, February 2024 Carefully consider the Funds' investment objectives, risk factors, and charges and expenses before investing. This and other information can be found in the Funds' prospectuses or, if available, the summary prospectuses which may be obtained by visiting www.iShares.com or www.blackrock.com. Read the prospectus carefully before investing. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Actively managed funds do not seek to replicate the performance of a specified index, may have higher portfolio turnover, and may charge higher fees than index funds due to increased trading and research expenses. The iShares ETFs that are registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission are distributed in the US by BlackRock Investments, LLC. This material does not constitute an offer or solicitation to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any shares of any Fund (nor shall any such shares be offered or sold to any person) in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities law of that jurisdiction. BlackRock Is not affiliated with MSCI.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 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.

In this discussion, Alister Hibbert, head of BlackRock's Strategic Equity Team, shares his expertise in active equity investing. He explains how strategic, informed decisions can help investors outperform the market. The conversation dives into finding companies with long-term growth potential, using Bernard Arnault and LVMH as a prime example. Alister emphasizes the importance of patience amid market volatility and explores how macroeconomic factors like aging demographics and AI influence investment strategies and opportunities.

Evy Hambro and Olivia Markham, both BlackRock investors, dive into the colossal capital required for the shift to a low-carbon economy. They discuss the mispricing of the supply chain and the vital roles of materials like copper and uranium in electrification. The conversation highlights how public markets are poised to unlock investment opportunities in this transition. With an eye on rising energy demands and sustainable solutions, they examine the evolving landscape of investments in renewable energy and the implications of advancing technologies.

Bayo Ogunlesi, founder of Global Infrastructure Partners, joins Larry Fink, BlackRock's chairman, for a compelling discussion. They explore the transformative potential of their partnership, emphasizing the crucial role of private capital in infrastructure amid energy transition challenges. Topics include tackling investment gaps and strengthening capital markets for global development. Their insights highlight optimism for enhancing living standards through innovative financing strategies.

As rates are going down, investors are reviewing their cash portfolios once again, considering how cash and cash equivalents typically react to monetary policy shifts and thinking about what to expect over the next 12 months. Beccy Milchem, global Head of Cash Distribution at BlackRock, will discuss the importance of actively managing cash regardless of the yield curve shape and shares her insights on the mantra of putting your cash to work and how this approach can benefit investors worldwideSources: US Department of Labor Statistics, October 2024, “Global Money Market Fund Flows Update: 1H24”, Fitch; iMoneyNet, as of 30 September. Performance represents Net MMF Yields vs. Effective Fed Funds Rate (pre-2016) and Fed Funds Target Lower Bound. Analysis excludes emergency rate cuts (aka cuts from non-scheduled FOMC meetings) and rate cuts in excess of 50 bps.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. 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.

Earlier this year, Larry Fink, BlackRock’s Chairman and CEO, talked about the retirement crisis and the difficulty that individuals face when planning for their financial future. Saving for retirement can be challenging due to various factors such as rising living costs, longer life expectancies, and the decline of traditional pension plans. Continuing the conversation, Oscar is joined by Lacy Garcia, CEO and Founder of Willow, a wealth technology firm and Katie Cullen, Head of Business Consulting at BlackRock. Lacy leads her firm with a powerful mission to help next generation investors, most notably women and underrepresented groups, to achieve financial security. Lacy will discuss her motivations for starting Willow, the challenges she faced along the way, and her advice for budding entrepreneurs. Katie covers the current retirement landscape, how that pertains to diverse communities, and some practical considerations for anyone looking to plan their own financial future.Sources: ‘Read on Retirement’, BlackRock 2024, BlackRock People and Money report, 2020, Fidelity Institutional Insights ‘Meeting The Moment’, December 2021; Two-Thirds of Americans Have Decreased Spending Due To Economy, Wells Fargo, Newsroom, February 2024This 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. In the UK and non-European Economic Area countries this is issued by BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited who is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and in the European Economic Area this is issued by BlackRock (Netherlands) BV who is authorized and regulated by the Netherlands Authority. 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.

The game of tennis has captivated fans of all ages around the world, but what do match points and market trends have in common? Ronald Van Loon, Portfolio manager in BlackRock's fundamental fixed income team argues that there are a number of parallels between tennis and the investing tactics one must take to outperform the market. Ronald will help us explore the similarities and the differences that investors can take from this fast-paced game and how the mental game of tennis can also translate to investment strategies and beyond.Sources: “Long-Term Investing and the Frequency of Investment Decisions”, Journal of Portfolio Management, 2022 Ronald J. M. van LoonThis 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. In the UK and non-European Economic Area countries this is issued by BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited who is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and in the European Economic Area this is issued by BlackRock (Netherlands) BV who is authorized and regulated by the Netherlands Authority. 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.

AI investing is a hot topic of conversation. But how should investors be considering both tech and AI in their portfolios - as part of the same allocation, or should they be separate? Jay Jacobs, US Head of Thematic and Active ETFs at BlackRock joins host Oscar Pulido to discuss whether investors should consider AI and tech as separate allocations, different investing approaches to AI and specific sectors to explore within the AI ecosystem.Sources: The Economist “IT companies log strong revenue growth outside key North America market, May 1, 2024; “Profiles of the Future: An Inquiry into the Limits of the Possible”, Arthur C. Clarke, 1962This 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. In the UK and non-European Economic Area countries this is issued by BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited who is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and in the European Economic Area this is issued by BlackRock (Netherlands) BV who is authorized and regulated by the Netherlands Authority. 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.

AI is experiencing a transformative moment, powering the phenomenal run in public markets, but the investment opportunities certainly transcend that small group of names. So where are the most compelling opportunities and how can AI investment not only build wealth, but contribute to a more efficient future?Tony Kim, portfolio manager from BlackRock's Fundamental Equities team, joins Oscar to explore the evolving conversation around AI among industry leaders, rebut AI skepticism and examine the investment potential of quantum computing.Sources: Google Investor call, July 2024 per Sundar PichaiThis 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. In the UK and non-European Economic Area countries this is issued by BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited who is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and in the European Economic Area this is issued by BlackRock (Netherlands) BV who is authorized and regulated by the Netherlands Authority. 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.

Economists around the world have been attributing the rise in costs of services and inflation in a number of countries to Taylor Swift’s worldwide Eras tour. However, Swift herself can't be held fully responsible for some of the shifts in consumer spending habits that are influencing the prices of goods and services. There are many other macro and micro forces at play in driving spending behavior and inflation trends around the world. Tom Becker and Kate Moore are senior investors at BlackRock with decades of global macro and thematic investing experience between them. They join Oscar to discuss the changes in consumer spending behavior, the future path of interest rates, and what signs investors should be on the lookout for in the latter half of 2024.Sources: 2024 Findings from the Diary of Consumer Payment Choice, Federal Reserve July 2024; Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI data 2022; “Europe has a Taylor Swift Problem: Eras Tour sparks inflation jitters” Axios July 2024; “U.K. Inflation Steady as Economists Puzzle Over ‘Taylor Swift Effects’ NYT, August 2024This 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. In the UK and non-European Economic Area countries this is issued by BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited who is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and in the European Economic Area this is issued by BlackRock (Netherlands) BV who is authorized and regulated by the Netherlands Authority. 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.