The Bid

As the election results have been called, we bring you a special episode of The Bid where Catherine Kress, head of Geopolitical Research and Strategy at BlackRock joins Oscar to discuss what is next for markets and how investors can position themselves for success during a volatile period.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.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. 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.

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.

Active equity investing isn't just about picking stocks, it's about making informed strategic decisions to beat the market or generate alpha. But what does that really mean for your portfolio, and how can you consider long-term investing strategies when faced with volatile markets?Recorded live in London at BlackRock's annual UK Wealth Investors Forum, joining Oscar is Alister Hibbert, head of BlackRock's Strategic Equity Team. Together they explore the nuances of active investing, how to be selective when considering companies for a portfolio, and how to think long term when faced with short-term headwinds.Sources: “Bernard Arnault & Family” Forbes; “Obesity Market to Reach $150B as Demand Grows, Supply Stabilizes” Reuters; “Who is Bernard Arnault” CNBCThis 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. 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. 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 shift to a low-carbon economy will demand more capital than any of us have seen in our lifetimes—far more than private actors alone can provide. Public markets—the securities that make up the bulk of most investor portfolios available on stock exchanges—are set to play a much larger role in this transition. So, while private markets may have a head start, public markets are catching up quickly.In this special episode, Mark Wiedman, Head of BlackRock’s Global Client Business, will lead a conversation with BlackRock investors Evy Hambro, Olivia Markham, and Will Su about the transition opportunities they’re seeing in public markets—and what it will take to fully unlock their potential.Sources: BHP Insights “How Copper Will Shape Our Future” Sep 30 2024; Bloomberg New Energy Finance Outlook 2024; Our World In Data “Energy Mix: Explore global data on where our energy comes from, and how this is changing”, January 2024; ExxonMobil Global Outlook, 2024; “Energy Explained” Energy Administration EIA, 2022; “Strategic Perspectives on U.S. Electric Demand Growth”, Center for Strategic and International Studies, May 2024; “Decoding Data Centers: Opportunities, risks and investment strategies”, Boston Consulting Group, July 2024; “U.S. Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions, 2023” EIA 2024; “Monthly price of uranium worldwide from January 2020 to June 2024”, Statista; Global Price of Uranium 1990-2024, FRED Economic Data; Bloomberg Data 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. 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 special bonus episode, we welcome you into BlackRock Headquarters in Hudson Yards for a Global Town hall where BlackRock Chairman and CEO Larry Fink welcomes Bayo Ogunlesi to celebrate the coming together of BlackRock and Global Infrastructure Partners. Larry and Bayo discuss the opportunities presented by their partnership, emphasizing the transformative potential in capital markets and AI.Sources: Capital Markets Fact Book, 2024 SIFMAThis 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.

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.

Investors have started to worry about tech companies spending big on artificial intelligence. Carolina Martinez Arevalo, Portfolio Strategist of the BlackRock Investment Institute, explains why we focus on the broader story and stay overweight the AI theme.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.

Over the summer, The Bid brings back some of the best episodes from this year. Kicking off the series, hosts Oscar and Stevie take a look back on A History of Investing in AI.Artificial Intelligence has revolutionized industries and reshaped the way we live, work, and interact with technology. But before the age of self-driving cars, virtual assistants, and smart homes, there is a fascinating history of research, trials, and tribulations that laid the foundation for the AI-driven world we inhabit today. Oscar is joined by Jeff Shen, Co-CIO, and Co-head of Systematic Active Equity at BlackRock, to discover the history of AI’s investing booms and winters and what the current wave of AI investing has in store for investors.Original episode aired: October 6th, 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.

Over the summer, The Bid brings back some of the best episodes from this year. Kicking off the series, hosts Oscar and Stevie take a look back on Is Japan At An Inflection Point?Belinda Boa, Head of Active Investments for Asia Pacific at BlackRock joins Oscar to examine the prospects, challenges, and potential opportunities that may define Japan's future in the global investment sphere. Long regarded as an undervalued and overlooked market, Japan has been undergoing a profound transformation. The renewed interest in this market stems from a variety of factors— including revamped investor sentiment, evolving macroeconomic conditions and compelling corporate reforms. Will Japan be able live up to its potential and redefine its role on the global investment stage?Original episode aired: January 26th, 2024.Sources:FactSet and MSCI (for current %); for 1989 %, 14 Fascinating Facts About Japanese Stocks -- From 1989 | The Motley Fool; History of Financial Crises, JAPAN’S LOST DECADE, September 29, 2021; Japanese Inflation Rates: 1971 to 2024; Refinitiv Datastream, Japan Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Reuters, BlackRock. Data as of Oct. 2023.; Bloomberg. Data as of Sept. 2023; Reuters ‘Explainer: What is the Tokyo Exchange's new list of firms disclosing capital efficiency plans?’ January 15, 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 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.

More central banks are starting to cut policy rates after their quick tightening during the pandemic. Natalie Gill, Portfolio Strategist at the BlackRock Investment Institute, explores why we think central banks will need to keep rates higher for longer and how that informs our bond and credit preferences.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.

Introducing Market take, our weekly short form series on what's driving markets. Subscribe to Market take wherever you get your podcasts. We see central bank policy expectations, equity factor rotations and currency moves driving the recent market volatility. Wei Li, Global Chief Investment Strategist at BlackRock, dives into these market drivers and explains how we navigate volatility by keying on corporate earnings and real economy investment opportunities.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.

Over the summer, The Bid brings back some of the best episodes from this year. Kicking off the series, hosts Oscar and Stevie take a look back on GenAI Through A COO Lens.Rob Goldstein, Chief Operating Officer of BlackRock, and Lance Braunstein, Head of Aladdin Engineering, share their optimistic perspectives on Gen AI and the evolution of technology over the past year. They discuss how AI is reshaping work patterns, empowering individuals through natural language interfaces, and revolutionizing client expectations. With a focus on talent development and the democratization of data, they envision a future where AI augments human capabilities, making organizations more efficient and individuals more adaptable.Original episode aired: February 9th, 2024.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.

What are the principles of stoicism and how can they be applied to investing to build long term wealth? Darius Foroux, author of the newly published book "The Stoic Path to Wealth" brings a fresh perspective on how the time-tested wisdom of Stoicism can be applied to achieve financial success in today's volatile markets. As we dive into the intersection of ancient philosophy and modern wealth management, we’ll discover the ways in which Stoicism can offer a path to not just wealth, but also to a more fulfilling and tranquil life.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 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.

Vivek Paul, UK Chief Investment Strategist for the BlackRock Investment Institute joins host Oscar Pulido to discuss the rise of AI and its potential to deliver a productivity boom, the role of private markets in infrastructure, and how geopolitical dynamics are influencing investment strategies, and ultimately answer the question of how investors can position themselves in this unprecedented era of change.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 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.

In this special episode, we’ve asked some of our listeners to send in some questions about their retirement concerns. Here with me are retirement experts Anne Ackerley, Senior Advisor on Retirement and Liz Koehler, Head of US Wealth Advisor Engagement here at BlackRock. Together we’ll answer your questions about saving for retirement and give you some strategies to consider to help you become retirement ready.Sources: AARP Financial Security Trends Survey, January 2024; AARP 2022; IRS, 2024; BlackRock’s 2024 Read on Retirement Survey; Social Security Administration “When to start receiving retirement benefits”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 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.