The Bid

India has recently become the world's most populous country overtaking China and is projected to become the world's third largest global economy by 2027. Gargi Pal Chaudhuri, Chief Investment and portfolio strategists for the Americas at BlackRock and Tara Iyer, Chief US macro strategist for the BlackRock Investment Institute join host Oscar Pulido to uncover the various factors that are driving I...

The world remains abuzz over artificial intelligence, but rapid advancement and adoption of the technology is poised to drive a significant increase in power demand, and this demand could redefine energy consumption as we know it. Today we ask the critical question: is the energy sector equipped for the AI power revolution? Will Su, of BlackRock's Fundamental Equities team, is one of BlackRock’s l...

American consumers, often seen as a bellwether for the global economy - have been largely resilient and healthy despite sticky inflation and higher interest rates. But, can this resilience continue as difficult market conditions persist? Lisa Yang, portfolio manager and co-head of the consumer industry “super group” within BlackRock Fundamental Equities, joins Oscar Pulido to give a pulse check on...

AI has powered stock market returns over the past year, but what are investors missing beyond AI? Carrie King, U.S. and Developed Markets CIO for BlackRock's Fundamental Equities Group, joins host Oscar Pulido to shine a light into forgotten corners of the US equity market to uncover what may be some underappreciated sources of return. Sources: BlackRock Fundamental Equities analysis with data fro...

For more than a decade, Larry Fink has written an annual letter not only to focus on critical long-term issues but also to start a conversation about finding solutions. This year, Larry Fink, CEO and Chairman of BlackRock is considering the challenge of retirement, why it has become an increasingly difficult proposition for too many, and what opportunities exist and will be developed to help peopl...

You might not think of insurance as such a key input to their overall consumption basket, but the impact of the insurance industry is felt far beyond what individual consumers pay for individual policies and extends broadly throughout the supply chain as a necessary input for many industries in the production process. Mike Pensky, portfolio manager within BlackRock's Multi-Asset Group joins Oscar...

The BlackRock Investment Institute has outlined five mega forces that are shaping the macroeconomic landscape and demographic divergence is another one of them. The aging of populations will limit how much major economies can produce and grow, leaving governments with less tax revenue to support rising retirement and healthcare expenses. The impact of fewer workers could result in lower corporate...

Bond yields are higher today than they were 20 years ago. With inflation indicators falling around the globe, the time of elevated cash rates may be drawn to a close. Investors are moving back into bonds in record numbers, with 2023 global bond ETF inflows totaling $333 billion. Yet, as global central banks appear at or near the end of a tightening cycle designed to quell the most significant surg...

In the ever-evolving tapestry of geopolitics and economics, the Asia-Pacific region stands at a pivotal juncture. In this special episode, we took The Bid down under to record this episode live in Sydney. Wei Li, Global Chief Investment Strategist for BlackRock joined Oscar Pulido to discus the intricacies of high inflation, emerging competing geopolitical bloc, how a momentous global electio...

Younger investors are looking at a future with aging populations and reduced labor forces and a new age of technology and connectivity that is impacting their values and expectations. On the other hand, pre-retirees now are having to consider that fact that their generation will live longer and what do they want to prioritize in their retirement years. So what do investors at different stages and...

Does inflation impact women differently, are women more risk averse investors than their counterparts and what are some ways in which women can become better investors? Oscar Pulido, welcomes Anne Ackerley, head of BlackRock's Retirement Group, and Gargi Pal Chaudhuri, head of iShares Investment Strategy and Markets Coverage at BlackRock, to discuss the unique challenges women face when inves...

In this episode, host Oscar Pulido speaks with Dr. Mary Murphy, social psychologist at Stanford and Indiana Universities, and author of the forthcoming book Cultures of Growth, about the importance of fostering a culture of growth within organizations. Dr. Murphy discusses how a growth mindset can drive innovation, resilience, and adaptability, and shares insights on how leaders and investors can...

In honor of Black History month, host Oscar Pulido sits down with the founders of Earn Your Leisure, Troy Millings and Rashad Bilal, to discover how this dynamic duo is revolutionizing the financial literacy landscape. Breaking down the importance of a hands-on learning experience, Troy and Rashad share their journey of transforming financial education through their multimedia business platform ma...

The investment landscape surrounding the low carbon transition is poised for change and opportunity. Oscar Pulido explores the brown-to-green transition and the role of mining materials in the transition to a low carbon economy. Joined by Olivia Markham, a portfolio manager from BlackRock's Fundamental Equity Team, together they discuss the changes in the global economy, companies' approach to red...

Join host Oscar Pulido as he explores the transformative power of AI and its impact on the financial services industry. 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...

In the ever-evolving landscape of geopolitics, the world finds itself at a pivotal juncture marked by structural shifts that redefine global dynamics. The emergence of competing economic and geopolitical blocs stands out as a prominent feature reshaping alliances and influencing international relations. Catherine Kress, head of Geopolitical Research and Strategy at BlackRock, joins Oscar to e...

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? Belinda Boa, Head...

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 sur...

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 geopolit...

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 the...

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...

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 i...

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,...

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 securi...

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...