The Bid

Topics discussed include geopolitical impact on markets, rise of competing blocks, significance of multi-aligned countries in global politics, rewiring of globalization after COVID-19, and geopolitical changes and implications for investors.

Japan's transformation as an undervalued market is discussed, including revamped investor sentiment, evolving macroeconomic conditions, and corporate reforms. The current state of the Japanese market, unique investments, and innovations in Japan for aging populations, the impact of Abenomics on the market, and Japan's economic growth and cultural significance are explored.

In this episode of The Bid, host Oscar Pulido delves into the world of cryptocurrencies, exploring their impact on the financial landscape and the potential and risks they hold for investors.Joined by Robbie Mitchnick, head of Digital Assets at BlackRock, and Samara Cohen, Chief Investment Officer of the ETF and Index Investments business at BlackRock, they decode the terminology and concepts surrounding cryptoassets, such as digital assets, blockchain, and bitcoin. They discuss the significance of digital assets in modernizing the financial system, the challenges and advantages they offer to adopters and, potentially, investors. They also touch on the regulatory landscape and advancements in the digital asset space that investors should be mindful of.Sources: CFA Institute report "Gen Z and Investing: Social Media, Crypto, FOMO, and Family," May 2023; Coin Metrics, as of Aug. 2023. Bitcoin predominance based on its market cap of $530B which accounts for 50% of the total market cap of all crypto-assets excluding stable coins; The Global Findex Database 2021 identifies opportunities for increasing financial inclusion, July 2022; CoinGecko, as of Jan. 2. 2023. Bitcoin predominance based on its market cap of $860 billion, which accounts for 51% of the $1.7 trillion total market cap of all cryptoassets, excluding stablecoins.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As we begin a new year, what knowledge will help investors prepare for potential volatility on the one hand and potential for opportunities on the other? Jeff Spiegel, U.S. Head of Thematics, Sector, and International ETFs joins host Oscar Pulido to provide a holistic overview of major investment themes, the emergence of the AI trade, opportunities in medical innovation, and the impact of geopolitical shifts on globalization to help investors navigate the year ahead.Sources: Slalom, “AI’s most powerful prompt,” 10/10/23; BlackRock, Morningstar, BlackRock Portfolio Solutions as of June 30, 2022. Starting Portfolio Allocation is representative of advisors’ broad asset allocations for equities, based on analysis of 21,276 portfolios over the 12-month trailing period; Inter Press Service News Agency, “The Historic Reversal of Populations,” 08/08/2016; BlackRock, “Diagnosis: Big opportunity in healthcare stocks,” 07/27/2023; Fortune, “Scientists just used A.I. to map a fruit fly’s brain. Here’s why it’s a ‘turning point in neuroscience’,” 07/08/2023; Drug Discovery and Development, “The Brain Knowledge Platform aims to illumine the brain’s cellular universe,” 06/10/2023; Morgan Stanley, “Why Artificial Intelligence Could Speed Drug Discovery,”09/09/2023; BCG and Wellcome, Unlocking the potential of AI in Drug Discovery,” June 2023; Gartner, “Beyond ChatGPT: The Future of Generative AI for Enterprises,” 01/26/2023; World Economic Forum, “This chart shows the growth of India’s economy,” 09/26/2022; The Economic Times, “India set to be world’s third-largest economy by 2030: S&P Global,” 10/25/2023; Global Business Intelligence, Bloomberg, as of 10/31/23; Morningstar, as of 10/31/2023.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 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.

In 2023, global equity markets experienced a notable surge, driven by resilient economic growth and increased investor confidence, setting an optimistic tone for the forthcoming year. In particular, U.S. equity performance surprised investors, but with higher rates and inflation, coupled with rising geopolitical tensions, still top-of-mind, can the solid performance continue and how might these impact markets in 2024? Joining host Oscar Pulido is BlackRock's Global CIO of Fundamental Equities, Tony DeSpirito. Tony will break down the headlines and provide his stock picks for 2024.Sources: The Conference Board US Economic Outlook, 2022-2025 (Dec); Bureau of Labor Statistics, November 2023This 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 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.

In this episode, we’ll be taking a lookback on 2023 year with a special Holiday Quiz edition of The Bid. Our contestants are Oscar Pulido, your regular Bid host with the most and ETF expert and Bid regular, Gargi Pal Chaudhuri. Oscar and Gargi will play for bragging rights and the esteemed title of The Bid Quiz Winner in our inaugural Holiday Quiz. Get ready to play along...Sources: FOMC Announcement July 26; US Bureau of Labor Statistics, latest as of Dec 8th; 2022 Annual Report AARP; iShares Investor Progress Report 2023;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 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.

2023 has seen high volatility across global markets driven by high interest rates, bank failures and a surge in bond yields. So, after a tumultuous 2023, what can investors expect in 2024?Alex Brazier, Deputy Head of The BlackRock Investment Institute, joins host Oscar Pulido to discuss the Outlook for 2024. Alex will help us understand the structural shift to a new macro regime and explain how investors can consider the 5 mega forces that the BlackRock Investment Institute sees as being the key drivers of the new regime.Sources: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities - Chart Book: Tracking the Recovery From the Pandemic Recession Dec 4th 2023; BlackRock Investment Institute 2024 OutlookSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The low-carbon transition is one of five mega forces, or structural shifts, we track for investment risks and opportunities. Christopher Weber, Head of Climate Research at the BlackRock Investment Institute, shares three investment themes we’re following at this year’s UN climate conference (COP28).This material is intended for information purposes only, and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation or an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell any securities, funds or strategies to any person in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The opinions expressed are as of the date of publication and are subject to change without notice. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader. Investing involves risks. BlackRock does and may seek to do business with companies covered in this podcast. As a result, readers should be aware that the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this podcast.In the U.S. and Canada, this material is intended for public distribution.In the UK and Non-European Economic Area (EEA) countries: this is Issued by BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: 12 Throgmorton Avenue, London, EC2N 2DL. Tel:+ 44 (0)20 7743 3000. Registered in England and Wales No. 02020394. For your protection telephone calls are usually recorded. Please refer to the Financial Conduct Authority website for a list of authorised activities conducted by BlackRock.In the European Economic Area (EEA): this is Issued by BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V. is authorised and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. Registered office Amstelplein 1, 1096 HA, Amsterdam, Tel: 020 – 549 5200, Tel: 31-20- 549-5200. Trade Register No. 17068311 For your protection telephone calls are usually recorded.For Investors in Switzerland: This document is marketing material.In South Africa: Please be advised that BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited is an authorised Financial Services provider with the South African Financial Services Board, FSP No. 43288.In Singapore, this is issued by BlackRock (Singapore) Limited (Co. registration no. 200010143N). This advertisement or publication has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. In Hong Kong, this material is issued by BlackRock Asset Management North Asia Limited and has not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong. In Australia, issued by BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited ABN 13 006 165 975, AFSL 230 523 (BIMAL). This material provides general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation, needs or circumstances. Before making any investment decision, you should assess whether the material is appropriate for you and obtain financial advice tailored to you having regard to your individual objectives, financial situation, needs and circumstances. Refer to BIMAL’s Financial Services Guide on its website for more information. This material is not a financial product recommendation or an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any financial product in any jurisdictionIn Latin America: this material is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice nor 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. If any funds are mentioned or inferred to in this material, it is possible that some or all of the funds may not have been registered with the securities regulator of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay or any other securities regulator in any Latin American country and thus might not be publicly offered within any such country. The securities regulators of such countries have not confirmed the accuracy of any information contained herein. The provision of investment management and investment advisory services is a regulated activity in Mexico thus is subject to strict rules. For more information on the Investment Advisory Services offered by BlackRock Mexico please refer to the Investment Services Guide available at www.blackrock.com/mx©2023 BlackRock, Inc. All Rights Reserved. BLACKROCK is a registered trademark of BlackRock, Inc. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.BIIM1223U/M-3262100See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We refresh our strategic views. We up developed market (DM) sovereign bonds to neutral yet stay underweight long-term bonds. We trim DM stocks to neutral. Vivek Paul, Global Head of Portfolio Research shares our Market take.This material is intended for information purposes only, and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation or an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell any securities, funds or strategies to any person in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The opinions expressed are as of the date of publication and are subject to change without notice. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader. Investing involves risks. BlackRock does and may seek to do business with companies covered in this podcast. As a result, readers should be aware that the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this podcast.In the U.S. and Canada, this material is intended for public distribution.In the UK and Non-European Economic Area (EEA) countries: this is Issued by BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: 12 Throgmorton Avenue, London, EC2N 2DL. Tel:+ 44 (0)20 7743 3000. Registered in England and Wales No. 02020394. For your protection telephone calls are usually recorded. Please refer to the Financial Conduct Authority website for a list of authorised activities conducted by BlackRock.In the European Economic Area (EEA): this is Issued by BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V. is authorised and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. Registered office Amstelplein 1, 1096 HA, Amsterdam, Tel: 020 – 549 5200, Tel: 31-20- 549-5200. Trade Register No. 17068311 For your protection telephone calls are usually recorded.For Investors in Switzerland: This document is marketing material.In South Africa: Please be advised that BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited is an authorised Financial Services provider with the South African Financial Services Board, FSP No. 43288.In Singapore, this is issued by BlackRock (Singapore) Limited (Co. registration no. 200010143N). This advertisement or publication has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. In Hong Kong, this material is issued by BlackRock Asset Management North Asia Limited and has not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong. In Australia, issued by BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited ABN 13 006 165 975, AFSL 230 523 (BIMAL). This material provides general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation, needs or circumstances. Before making any investment decision, you should assess whether the material is appropriate for you and obtain financial advice tailored to you having regard to your individual objectives, financial situation, needs and circumstances. Refer to BIMAL’s Financial Services Guide on its website for more information. This material is not a financial product recommendation or an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any financial product in any jurisdictionIn Latin America: this material is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice nor 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. If any funds are mentioned or inferred to in this material, it is possible that some or all of the funds may not have been registered with the securities regulator of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay or any other securities regulator in any Latin American country and thus might not be publicly offered within any such country. The securities regulators of such countries have not confirmed the accuracy of any information contained herein. The provision of investment management and investment advisory services is a regulated activity in Mexico thus is subject to strict rules. For more information on the Investment Advisory Services offered by BlackRock Mexico please refer to the Investment Services Guide available at www.blackrock.com/mx©2023 BlackRock, Inc. All Rights Reserved. BLACKROCK is a registered trademark of BlackRock, Inc. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.BIIM1123U/M-3249866See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The transition to a low-carbon economy is one of the 5 mega forces that the BlackRock Investment Institute have been outlining for us in recent episodes. But what exactly does it mean to "invest in the transition to a low-carbon economy", how are investors seizing this opportunity, and why is this transition seen as a "mega force" for investors? Helen Lees-Jones, Head of the EMEA Sustainable & Transition Solutions at BlackRock will reveal the questions investors are asking about the low carbon transition and explain the driving factors.Sources: BlackRock iResearch Services global survey, sample size n=200, May-June 2023; BII Investment Perspectives Tracking the low-carbon transition (2023); Morningstar, Simfund, Broadridge. Data includes Sustainable Mutual Fund, ETF, Institutional and Alternative AUM, as defined by third party data sources, excluding integration/engagement flags. MF and ETF data as of Oct '21, Institutional & Alternatives data as of Jun '21.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 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.